Power Up at Atlanta Restaurants Near Theaters When Star Wars: The Force Awakens Opens December 18

Popcorn and soda a weak Jedi knight does make. How can The Force be with you when hunger pangs of the dark side strike during a key maneuver? Before zooming off to conquer galaxies far, far away, park the space racer at one of these Atlanta restaurants conveniently located near metro theaters when “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opens Friday, December 18. Farm-fresh chicken and sides at Chick-a-Biddy in Atlantic Station will sustain Padawans of all ages (kids menu, too) before strapping into Regal Atlantic Station’s stadium seats for an IMAX 3D or big-screen showing. Bantam + Biddy in Lenox Square Mall is a short transport across Peachtree Road from Phipps Plaza AMC screens and an ideal place to alight for a pre-matinee breakfast or a meal on either side of an afternoon or evening showing. At Alpharetta’s Avalon, Bantam + Biddy and Marlow’s Tavern rule the galaxy offering hearty, not heavy fare, beer, wine and spirits, just steps away from Regal Avalon. Park once for dinner and the movie if the destination is Merchant’s Walk Stadium Cinemas in East Cobb -- Marlow’s Tavern and Seed Kitchen & Bar are both located in the same shopping center. For Mall of Georgia Star Wars fans, taco the force with FlexMex and margaritas at Tin Lizzy’s Cantina or with all-American favorites at Marlow’s Tavern. A good meal and a movie? A Jedi craves these things.

Bantam + Biddy Now Open at Lenox Square

Visitors and shoppers will have a piri piri holiday season when they dine at the newest Bantam + Biddy location in Lenox Square. Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere's casual, all-natural eatery is now open on the mall level near Neiman Marcus, and a patio is part of the picture. Atlantans can look forward to savoring the same menu they love at the Ansley Mall, Crescent Avenue and Avalon restaurants: regional fare prepared from seasonal, organic vegetables and locally raised pastured poultry (accompanied by piri piri, wasakaka, beer mustard or sweet BBQ sauces) and White Oak Pastures grass-fed beef. Sure, you can order a vegetable plate ($12.50), chicken and cheddar waffles ($12), a Southern Breakfast All Day ($12), a Power House salad ($8.50) or a gluten-free selection. The new Lenox location also boasts a Batdorf & Bronson espresso bar to help get those shopping juices flowing. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks -- lots to crow about here!