Food: My sister's guide to eating out in Atlanta, Georgia

Ria's Bluebird (3/4 stars)

Atlanta has no shortage of great breakfast places, so it takes a lot to stand out from the crowd. Ria's Bluebird, a breakfast/lunch cafe, does it with hearty creative dishes (like a brisket breakfast or a duck eggs benedict) and an interesting location across from the Oakland Cemetery. Founded by the late Ria Pell, a noted local restaurateur and "Chopped" winner, Ria's Bluebird gets pretty crowded pretty fast.

Octane Coffee Bar (3/4 stars)

If you have a soft spot for hipster coffee (you know, the kind where the people behind the counter talk about "seasonality" and "single origin" as opposed to "cream" and "sugar"), you'll love Octane, a local coffee chain with a half-dozen locations spread across Atlanta. It's a bit expensive, but I really liked my cup of fancy pour-over, and you won't find a more relaxing coffee bar in the city.

The Colonnade Restaurant (2/4 stars)

They say that quantity has a quality all its own, and nowhere is that more true than "The Colonnade Restaurant," a traditional Southern-style restaurant that's been around since 1927. That's not to say the food is bad - the fried chicken and collard greens are delicious - but the place is packed because of the enormous portions and reasonable prices (two breasts, two wings, and two sides for $15).

Cafe Jonah (2/4 stars)

My sister is an artist, so it makes sense she'd gravitate to something like Cafe Jonah. Selling "fresh food, coffee, and inspiration," Cafe Jonah donates a percentage of its profits to local charities, and the upstairs features psychic readers and tea time. Of course, food is first, and the cafe features a "pay what you can" Sunday brunch that is head-and-shoulders above the normal breakfast buffet.

(Unfortunately, it looks like Cafe Jonah is closing at the end of February 2016, so go while you can.)