EACH FALL BRINGS the advent of crisp, cool weather, students returning to school, football games and trips to the mountains. Here at the AJC, it brings with it one more thing (drum roll here, please): the Fall Dining Guide.

THE GUIDE:
Our Top 50 Restaurants: Explore the best dining metro Atlanta has to offer. Map your route, read the review and more! Look who's new to the list: Hear what our critic says about them. MULTIMEDIA: Catch the sights and sounds of Sotto Sotto, our Restaurant of the Year.
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I've scoured the city for the past few months in search of its best dining. I found it, and you'll find my conclusions about the top 50 restaurants in Atlanta. There are a lot of surprises — closings, moves, musical chefs. It's been a busy year.

For starters, say goodbye to Brasserie le Coze and Tamarind Thai Cuisine: Both have closed and will return in different, spiffier locations later this year or early next year. Adios, unfortunately, to Iris, Sampan and — one of the city's best — Soto Japanese Restaurant. All closed within this past year.

Still around but off the list, we have to say hasta la vista to Hong Kong, MidCity Cuisine, One Midtown Kitchen, Park 75, Hometown Barbecue and Swallow at the Hollow. Maybe they'll be back next year. Chef-owner Takao Moriuchi says he's back in business at his eponymous restaurant as of this week, but not in time for deadline. So we have to say ciao, bello to Taka Sushi Café, too.

But the following restaurants had me at hello — welcome newcomers Ecco, Rumi's Kitchen, Grape Leaf Grill, Repast, D Morgan's, Nam Chun Hong, Lobby at Twelve, Pure Taqueria, Table 1280, Krog Bar and Sam & Dave's BBQ2. Welcome back to romantic La Tavola Trattoria in Virginia-Highland.

Last year we started a new tradition for fall by choosing the city's restaurant of the year. I'm not talking while the flavor lasts, but it's Italian. And speaking of Italian, we took a special look at that flavor, assembling a list chock-full of enough of the area's spaghetti and meatballs to keep you off Atkin's for the unforeseeable future.

Finally, I'm glad to say that one of the city's finest dining experiences, Seeger's, is still able to be on my list. Atlanta came close to losing one of its best, but luck — and charity — won out.

Go eat, Atlanta. Your restaurants are waiting.