Lyla Lila

Lyla Lila earned a James Beard nomination for Best Wine and Beverage Program, and the reason is their commitment: the wine list features only organic and biodynamic wines with little to no intervention. Beverage director Chris Blackburn sources exclusively from producers making responsible decisions in the vineyard. The result is a 43-page beverage book that includes a roughly equal split of zero-proof and spirited cocktails, plus a deep selection of mostly Italian natural wines. Every recommendation is trustworthy because every bottle meets the same uncompromising standard.

James Beard-nominated chef Craig Richards runs a seasonal, farm-driven kitchen with French, Italian, and Spanish-inspired small plates. The Midtown location is fun and unpretentious. The 43-page book might sound intimidating, but the staff is passionate without being preachy, and the format makes browsing enjoyable rather than overwhelming.

An all-organic, all-biodynamic wine program with a 43-page beverage book in Midtown is a Wild Card by definition. Lyla Lila eliminates a huge percentage of the world's wine production from consideration and still builds a list worth studying. The James Beard recognition confirms the gamble is working. If you care about sustainability and want your wine to reflect that, there is no other choice in Atlanta.