One of the best measures of a truly exceptional foodie spot is its appetizers! While some may view the main entree as the star of the show, appetizers are often your first taste of what a spot has to offer. This is especially true if you’re with a large group and looking for some standout plates that are perfect for sharing to get the good vibes flowing. For this week’s Foodie Friday spotlight, we’re focusing on J. Alexander’s Restaurant in Peachtree Corners to highlight one of their crowd-pleasing apps.

If you haven’t been to J. Alexander’s Restaurant, this upscale American-style spot is a great place to enjoy a date night, a girls’ night out or celebrate a special occasion. Their menu specializes in wood-fired steaks, specialty seafood and house-made desserts, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients. Along with their Peachtree Corners location in Gwinnett, they also have an Atlanta spot that you can check out.

With Foodie Friday in mind, we’ve decided to spotlight the crispy calamari! This dish uses Point Judith calamari, which is a sustainable and high-quality squid found in the waters of Point Judith, Rhode Island. This type of squid is known for being incredibly tender and mild and that’s exactly what you want in a crispy calamari! The breading on the calamari is perfectly seasoned and crunchy, complementing the tender squid beneath. This dish is served with a classic marinara dip and a wedge of lemon, giving it the perfect amount of acidity to balance out the fried squid. If you’re looking for the perfect appetizer that everyone will enjoy at the table (maybe even those self-proclaimed seafood haters), the crispy calamari is the way to go!

The next time you’re in the Peachtree Corners area, head over to J. Alexanders Restaurant for a foodie adventure! Whether you’re ordering appetizers and drinks or you’re there for the whole meal, this contemporary spot has the perfect ambiance to make your evening special.