Local celebrity chef Richard Blais recently returned to Bravo’s special “All-Stars” season of “Top Chef” after his surprising loss in Season 4 to claim the title once and for all. The brains behind FLIP Burger Boutique talked with City’s Best about the show, Atlanta’s food scene, and what we might see from him in the future.

Congratulations on your “Top Chef All‐Stars” win! Do you think the competition was tougher this season, or on your first go‐round?
This season was way tougher, first of all it was the longest season Top Chef has ever had, the competition was incredible. Every chef brought their A game.The challenges were very challenging.

You have been in Atlanta for a little more than 10 years now. How do you think our food scene compares with other big cities?

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You may remember that I blogged about visiting the very first Urban Picnic at Sweet Auburn Curb Market last year. I was a little underwhelmed by the small number of vendors then, but since having gone back a few times, I can say that the offerings have only gotten better and more varied. I’m excited that the Urban Picnic is getting back into the swing of things!

Now that spring is in the air, the 2011 Atlanta Urban Picnic will return to Sweet Auburn Curb Market. The Urban Picnic is just about a year old, but if you didn’t make any of the 2010 meetings, you may be wondering: What is an urban picnic? It’s a chance for in-towners to meet up during Friday lunch hours (and sometimes early Saturday evenings) and sample the wares of Atlanta’s growing fleet of food trucks and other food vendors.

The Urban Picnics will again take place regularly at Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn Curb Market downtown. The Sweet Auburn Curb Market is “an urban farmers’ market that unites rural and urban Georgians through food and activities that celebrate local agriculture, the history of the Sweet Auburn neighborhood and the diversity of the city of Atlanta.”

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One of Atlanta’s most popular new restaurants is Local Three Kitchen & Bar, so named because of the partnership between the creators of Muss & Turner’s (Ryan Turner & Chef Todd Mussman) and Chef Chris Hall. Chef Hall answered a few questions to explain why “the three” encourage diners to “sit deep and stay long” to enjoy the full experience of this new dining destination.

Did you expect such fast success for Local Three?
We expected success, but we didn’t expect it so soon. We’re tremendously grateful and humbled by our quick start. It’s gratifying to know there’s great interest within the community about what we’re doing at Local Three. The challenge now is to exceed the expectations of every guest that joins us. We’re really focused on delivering what we’ve promised.

Besides your own restaurants, where do you like to take out-of-towners to eat in Atlanta?

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National Margarita Day is Tuesday, Feb. 22, and since based on sales, Atlanta is one of the best metro areas in which to order a margarita (Source: Cheers On-Premise Handbook 2008), we know more than a few of you are excited about this upcoming “holiday.” With the great spring weather we’ve been experiencing, this Margarita Day might just be the perfect time to stop by one of these restaurants that are mixing up original versions of the ubiquitous cocktail.

4th & Swift: Mixologist James Ives at Midtown favorite 4th & Swift has concocted the Smoke & Flowers Margarita, an innovative combination of El Jimador Blanco Tequila, Lajita Mezcal, Lavender Agave, lime and smoked salt, served on the rocks.

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West Midtown, or “the Westside,” as some inhabitants like to call it, has been an epicenter for hot new Atlanta restaurants for about a year now — and for good reason. Many of these restaurants are headed by prominent, award-winning chefs who decided the Westside was the place to plant their talents. Since this ‘hood is located just minutes from midtown/downtown office buildings, much of Atlanta has access to these lunchtime hot spots.

Bocado: This contender in Atlanta’s “burger wars” has much more than just a delicious burger to offer. Bocado emphasizes seasonal ingredients in its delicious dishes, and they almost never disappoint.

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Atlanta has a seeming obsession with foods that once were considered far from gourmet. It seems this trend will continue into 2011, with rumors that restaurants will open in the area to put their own creative spins on hamburgers, hot dogs, and even sausages.

5 Napkin Burger: In this economic climate, Atlanta has seen a number of restaurant closings in the past few months. The silver lining to this bad news is that old restaurant spaces often lure new restaurants, which is what will happen to the old Nickiemoto’s space on Piedmont Avenue in Midtown.

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Chef Ron Eyester of Rosebud is no stranger to controversy. His guest post on CNN’s Eatocracy blog, “Six ways customers tick off chefs” stirred up a firestorm of both admiration and malice. He also likes to share his frustrations about particularly difficult patrons from his twitter persona, @theangrychef. City’s Best had the chance to talk with him about the controversy and what he thinks is best about Atlanta. Love him or hate him, here’s what he had to say.

So why are you ‘angry?’
Honestly, I don’t want to say I’m angry. When I got on twitter, we just thought “The Angry Chef” had a better ring than “The Funny Chef” or “The Sarcastic Chef.”

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All pizzas are not created equal — and that’s a good thing. Anyone who has ever ordered pizza for a group has undoubtedly had to coordinate compromise on all sides. Thick or thin crust? All the toppings, or just cheese? The recent explosion in Atlanta’s pizza-slinging population ensures one of these eateries will have something to suit your taste.

Antico Pizza Napoletana: The reigning champ of the Atlanta “pizza wars,” Antico Pizza Napoletana is a true taste of Italy. Ingredients such as San Marzano tomatoes and Mozzarella di Bufala are imported from the European archipelago and made into pizza perfection by Maestro Pizzaiolo Giovanni Di Palma.

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Image jasoneppink, flickr

South Louisiana native and executive chef Scott Serpas has become an important part of Atlanta’s burgeoning culinary scene with his first restaurant venture, Serpas True Food. Located in what was once a cotton storage facility in the heart of Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, Serpas is known for its “true food” approach to cuisine with an edge. The restaurant has received local and national acclaim since its January 2009 debut and was named one of the 10 “Best New Restaurants in America” in 2009 by GQ magazine. He gave City’s Best a look at what he loves about Atlanta.

What made you decide to set up permanent shop in Atlanta?
After moving here in 1994 to open Nava, I really grew to like Atlanta with its southern charm and hospitality. It reminded me a lot of New Orleans, and with its close proximity to the “Big Easy,” it was a no-brainer.

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For the most part, we love our families. We really do. But sometimes, you just need a little something to take the edge off. Thanksgiving is one of the most family-centric days of the year, so to get yourself ready for a day filled with turkey and in-laws … maybe you should just have a drink.

Whiskey Blue: There’s nothing like a fantastic view of Atlanta to help relax you before a hectic day. Situated on top of the W Buckhead, Whiskey Blue provides a panoramic view of the city complemented by swank decor and strong cocktails. In the winter, they keep the heaters pumping right along with the music, so go ahead and party the night away on the rooftop.

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Image Sifu Renka, Flickr