Gwinnett Daily Post

A selection of local eateries recently featured in the Gwinnett Daily Post:

· Palomilla's Cuban Grill House

Filling a distinct void in the Gwinnett dining scene, Palomilla's is one of the only Cuban restaurants in the metro area. The warm pressed Cuban sandwich served with plantain chips is a customer favorite, as is a savory dish of marinated chicken chunks served in tropical juices. For the indecisive, the house sampler platter offers a few bites of everything, from pork tamales to fried yuca sticks.

6470 Spalding Drive, suite B, Norcross. 770-242-0510. www.palomillasatlanta.com.

· Holy Smokes

The menu at this restaurant is simple, centering on sweet and spicy barbecue and standard Southern sides. Hungry families flock to the diner for the huge racks of smothered ribs, piles of shredded pork and smoked chicken salad.

1944 Braselton Highway, Buford. 770-963-0994. www.holysmokes-bbq.com.

· Crossroads Grille

Don't let the exterior fool you: Crossroads Grill isn't just another restaurant along the Peachtree Industrial Blvd. stretch. This bar and grill serves upscale dishes, such as Black Angus filet mignon and spinach and artichoke-stuffed tilapia, but retains a cool family atmosphere.

360 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suwanee. 770-614-7880. www.crossroadsbarandgrille.com.

· Cornerstone Grill

The menu at this high-end restaurant offers a range of American, Asian, Italian and continental fare, such as fresh ahi tuna tartare, Cajun-style pork tenderloin and seafood ravioli. Customers should be sure to finish the meal with a signature dessert, notably, the fried ice cream.

2445 Moon Road, Grayson. 770-962-9898. www.cornerstonegrill.net.

· Sushi Rock and Thai Cuisine

At this restaurant, which offers Japanese and Thai food, the menu includes sushi, as well as curry, stir-fry and noodle dishes. Customers like the Pad Thai, as well as the cooked sushi rolls. The Candy Roll, made with shrimp tempura, avocado and scallions and topped with fried crab meat and cheese, is popular.

2133 Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Suwanee. 770-237-9955.

· Brickhouse Pizza

At any given moment, diners might expect to see Tony Soprano lounging in one of the restaurant's corner booths. The Italian restaurant dishes out a wide selection of homemade pizzas and entrees such as spaghetti and meatballs, mussels and linguine and cheesesteak subs. With a flat-screen TV mounted next to a wall of arcade games, the restaurant is ideal for sports fans and families alike.

1480 Buford Drive, Lawrenceville. 770-513-7108.

· Wok-In Wok-Out

This restaurant offers custom-made stir-fry dishes from an all-you-can-eat buffet. Customers take a bowl and fill it with ingredients ranging from baby corn and bamboo to spinach and zucchini. Each bowl is topped with one of 16 sauces, such as Korean spicy barbecue, black bean garlic, kung pao and orange ginger sesame. Chefs then take the bowl, add the meat selected by the customer and cook the stir-fry dish in a wok.

860 Duluth Highway, suite 700, Lawrenceville. 770-513-1372. www.wokinwokoutrestaurant.com

· Blue Bay Seafood Restaurant

Decorated with a nautical theme, this eatery serves up a variety of fare from the ocean. Customers often order the restaurant's stuffed seafood entrees, which feature crab stuffing. Grouper, trout, shrimp, catfish, flounder and tilapia are offered both with stuffing or without.

2750 Buford Highway, Duluth. 770-497-3317.