5Church

is surely becoming a new Atlanta staple. The restaurant recently celebrated its

one-year anniversary

and just acquired a talented new chef,

Scotley Innis

, so it's about time this eatery made an appearance on Belly of the Feast. Without further ado... 

WHY GO

: Because you're up for some ridiculously delicious, contemporary Southern food. Yep, that's right: Contemporary Southern food.

Fried green tomatoes stuffed with pimento cheese -- doesn't get much more Southern than that :) 

THE VIBE

: Dare I say,

contemporary

? But it really is: A sleek and modern interior, with grey, white and black accents, and the entire text of "The Art of War"

spelled out on the walls and ceiling

.

DRINK THIS

: The Viper. It's kind of like a better-for-you margarita: Tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, cucumber water (oooh), and a sprinkling of cayenne pepper.

The Viper cocktail is like the Goldie Locks of cocktails: Not too sweet, not too bland -- just right

EAT THIS

: Hands down,

the charred octopus

. If you only get one dish here, please let it be the charred octopus.

Charred octopus over white cannellini beans, with roasted tomatoes and chorizo

I know, I know. Octopus is on every menu in town now, so what sets this one apart? The beautiful bed of cannellini beans the octopus rests on, that's what! They're perfectly seasoned, have a little bit of a kick to them (thanks to the smoked paprika vinaigrette), and have some chorizo mixed in. This dish is divine! And the octopus is perfectly cooked, of course.

I would also highly recommend the beet salad, Atlantic diver scallops and lamb lollipops.

The beet salad with arugula and salted almonds 

If you're not a fan of beets, this salad will change your mind. Three different types of beets are prepared several different ways and mixed together expertly. It is summer in a bowl.

The shiitake mushrooms and spring peas make this scallops dish

The lamb lollipops: Accompanied by roasted carrots and a chocolate demi-glace

And for dessert, do save some room for the s'mores floating island. I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but this dessert is as cool as it is delicious: A deconstructed s'more made up of toasted chocolate meringue, vanilla crème anglaise and graham streusel. Yum!

The s'mores floating island is now one of my favorite desserts in Atlanta 

LOGISTICS

: Located at the corner of Peachtree and 14th in midtown (at

Colony Square

),

5Churc

h has complimentary valet parking. They also have pretty great happy specials and a beautiful patio that always draws a crowd.

P.S.: Credit for the very first photo in this post goes to

Lauren Patrick

of

Pretty Southern

, one of my good friends and fantastic Atlanta food bloggers.