Gourmet restaurant in Atlanta
 

For an anniversary, we are looking for the very best restaurant in Atlanta, regardless of price. We have heard about Seeger's and the Dining Room. Which one is better, or are there any other recommendations? (A location in Buckhead would be prefered)

I would not go to Seeger's again myself as the last trip was not enjoyable. I have dined at The Dining Room at The Ritz Carlton Buckhead many many times and always enjoyed it very much. I have never had a bad meal at a RC anywhere and I have been to about 20 different ones.

My next choice would be Emeril's just around the corner from the RC.

Bon Appetit.

Bachanalia was always wonderful but I haven't been recently. It's located west of Buckhead.

I like The Food Studio at the King Plow Arts Center.

I am puzzled about Seeger's. The reviews are totally mixed. Some say, it is absolutely fantastic and worth its price, other, like Ike, have been disappointed.

Why didn't you enjoy Seeger's? Is it because it is the European style of dining (spending the whole evening for a multicourse dinner)?

Nikolai's Roof. A Grand experience.

During a recent visit to Atlanta, I had one of the best meals of my life at The Watershed, located in Decatur. The meal was a little pricey, but worth every cent. Since this was the only time I ate there, I do not know how typical my experience was, but the food was incredible!

My favorite restaurant anywhere is the Buckhead diner. Reservations required. it is hip and the food and service second to none

Glad you enjoyed Watershed, JoyceL. It's my favorite restaurant in Decatur. Oh, that and the sushi place.

I've not weighed in before, because "the best restaurant in Atlanta" is a pretty tall order.

Of the ones that have mentioned, I would say the Dining Room or Bacchanalia.

Rathburn's was a hit and highly acclaimed when it opened. I haven't eaten there. The chef came from the Buckhead Life Restaurant group.

The Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, of which Buckhead Diner is one, has very, very good restaurants in Atlanta. Here's a link to the group website -

http://www.buckheaddiner.com/index2.html

I'm not sure what "the best" means to you, but you can't go wrong with any of the above.

I've also enjoyed the Buckhead Diner (very hip and fun atmosphere), but I consider this probably a bit more casual than you're looking for. In the Buckhead area I would recommend Canoe (actually in Vinings) ... very nice setting right on the river; or the Horseradish Grill (near Chastain Park) ... very good.

To add to what Cher said, both Canoe and Horseradish are very high in atmosphere, with Canoe rating slightly higher (in my opinion.) And the food at both places is very good. The last few times I've diner at the Ritz, I've been disappointed. But it is fancy and makes for a wonderful evening. Seeger's was too much of a young, happening place the time I was there. And loud.

We just celebrated our anniversary at Bacchanalia, it was a fantastic experience. The service was incredible, but not too stuffy. We felt like they had known us for years and it was our first visit. Watershed is great but isn't the same level of dining, in my opinion. Canoe is another favorite of ours.

I haven't eaten at any of the other places recommended, but Bacchanalia is just my all-time favorite special occasion restaurant. The service and food are both impeccable.
Deb

First, the OP needs to define "the very best". What type of food and atmosphere do you seek?

Second, while Atlanta is definitely a restaurant town, my "very best" meals are rarely in my hometown here. That being said, I'll give you my $ .02.

Ritz Dining Room in Buckhead- I've had many great meals there but I haven't been lately- don't know about the current chef.

Bacchanalia- I prefer the old location but I still think it's one of Atlanta's "best" restaurants.

Seeger's- The problem isn't the European style dining. Most people who dislike it think it's too $$$ for what it is. The food is good but portions are usually quite small. We left after spending more than $500 for 2 (included wine) and my husband joked on the way home that he was still hungry and wanted to drive through McDonald's. I think you're paying a lot for Seeger's name. I've heard it's having financial difficulties and it has lowered its prices.

Canoe- my "local" favorite- I live down the street. Very good atmosphere and service (although I confess I'm a regular). Menu changes seasonally.

Buckhead Diner- I can't imagine OP is looking for upscale diner food for an anniversary but it is a fun place. I don't think it takes recervations, I think you just have to wait (it's not quite as opular as it used to be so wait times aren't as long as they had been).

Rathbun's- relatively new. I really like it. You can order lots of litle plates of food. It was definitely last year's restaurant of the moment.

Food Studio at King Plow- I like the warehouse atmosphere a lot. It reminds me of someplace I might find in NYC or SF. Food is creative and tasty. Watershed is similar IMHO.

Emeril's-It reminds me too much of a chain restaurant. It's also noisy. If hubby took me there for our anniversary, I'd be a bit disappointed.

Nikolai's Roof- Haven't been there in 20 years. Russian/Continental food. Caters to the convention crowd. Locals don't eat there.

Horseradish Grill- upscale southern. I think the food is very good but it might be a bit more casual than what you are seeking.

If it were my anniversary, I'd pick Bacchanalia or the Dining Room.

I just read on ajc.com that Seeger's is closing on Aug. 19.

Hi,

We have eaten at every great resaurant in Atlanta and many more around the world. Right now I would say the two best in Atlanta are the Quinones room at Bacchanalia and Rathbun's (much less formal but one of the top new restaurants in the country). Seegers is closing so I wouldn't go there - another wonderful option (very elegant and run by a former chef at the Ritz) is Joel's. Hope this helps!

Thank you so much for your advice.

We prefer a multicourse dinner, with small portions. We love creative cuisine, preferably with a regional accent.

Sounds as if the vote goes for Bacchanalia. I looked up their website and found Quinones at Bacchanalia quite appealing.

Still, many posters recommend the Dining Room, but the menu looks more conservative than at Quinones.

Let us know how you liked it! Enjoy!

Given the OP's preferences, I'd say Bacchanalia or Rathbun's. They have more creative cuisine than the Ritz.

If one is interested in creative, try the lunch buffet at the Buckhead Ritz. Every day is a different cuisine or theme, and the food is absolutely magnificent. Always some "traditional" items, but 2/3 are imaginative twists on the more traditional menu items. I've NEVER been disappointed.

We are just back from our journey after enjoying a fantastic dinner experience with an eleven-course-menu in the Quinones Room at Bacchanalia. It was exactly what we wanted, no, it surpassed our highest expectations.

The cuisine was innovative, daring, even challenging and with a definitive Southern accent (foie gras with apple preserve and roasted pecans, pork belly with greens and turnips, kobe beef with spoon bread and collard greens, and - this was really challenging for the European palate - a root beer float as a pre-dessert).

We also enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and the personalized service which is so rare in the U.S.

Thank you so much for all your informed advice.

Later on our journey we had another dinner at BluePointe in Atlanta. The food was also very good, but it was not such an once-in-a-lifetime experience, because they serve this kind of "world cuisine" which can also be enjoyed in London or Berlin.

But I must admit, while we paid in Bacchanalia in sum (for the menu, wine pairings, a most expensive champagne as apéritif and gratuity) 210$ per person (it was worth each penny), the corresponding amount at BluePointe was just 100$ which is a bargain compared to restaurants in California or Europe.

A disappointment was dining in New Orleans. Commander's Palace turned out to be a hurried eating-factory with country cooking - way below the quality level we enjoyed in Atlanta.

Again, thank you all for your tips and an unforgettable dining experience.

I am so glad you enjoyed Bacchanalia.

When we visited family in Alpharetta, we went to Stoney River Steakhouse in Roswell and had absolutely phenomenal meals. We've gone back every chance we get. Atmosphere and service are excellent. Not sure how far Roswell is from Buckhead, but my whole family raves about SR.

Although Stoney River is a good steakhouse chain, it is light years from a Bacchanalia dining experience.

I tell you what we had at Quinones at Bacchanalia:

1) Squash Custard, Brandade with Aioli, Fennel Soup
2) Venison Carpacchio with Spiced Port Aspic, Perigord Truffles and Local Mache
3) Terrine of Foie Gras with Apple Preserve and Spiced Pecans
4) Scallops with Celeriac Pilaw
5) Red Snapper with Lemon, Medjool Date and Brown Butter
6) Pork Belly with Braised Greens and Caramelized Baby Turnips
7) Kobe Beef Short Ribs with Spoon Bread, Braised Collard Greens and Oxtail Consommée
8) Etivaz and Sweet Onion Tart
9) Root Beer Float
10) Spiced Pumpkin Bar with Gingerbread and Buttermilk Ice Cream
11) Chocolates

Of course, very small portions of each and plenty of time. Wine pairings (full glasses) with each course. Our waitress had a doctorate degree in French. Only six tables in the spacious dining room. Mostly typical "southern" families and couples at the tables. This I mean with "dining experience" - not just the food, it was a celebration of a whole evening.

Being back in Europe, our friends didn't want to believe: "Those Americans eat nothing but junkfood - they have no dining culture" - well, we showed them the menu which we brought with us from Quinones.