|
 Atlanta's Top Al Fresco Dining Venues
We waited out a rainy spring and sweated through a hot, humid summer, but now our patience is paying off with the promise of spring. First featured in the Oct. 2009 issue, we encouraged you to take advantage of that perfect fall weather with a little al fresco dining at our favorite suburban patios; here, we give you even more recommendations for dining (or drinking!) outdoors, from urban rooftop lounges in Downtown Atlanta to picturesque porches and decks in Dahlonega that emphasize their natural settings, perfect for spring 2010.
11 Stories at The Glenn Hotel
Ablaze with sunset or painted with stars, the night sky creates a picture-perfect backdrop for this downtown Atlanta hotspot, located on the roof of The Glenn Hotel. Here, you’ll also get panoramic views of the city skyline from your bird’s eye perch, where décor is chic and trendy and the energy is contagious.
Menu: Select small plates from Chef Daniel Chance of 30 Tables, The Glenn’s signature restaurant; cocktail menu includes “Rooftop Wines” by the glass, “Rooftop Beer” and a few “Rooftop Infusions,” such as the Mexican Mule with tequila, ginger beer, agave syrup, lime and mint.
The Glenn Hotel, 110 Marietta St. NW, 404-469-0700, www.glennhotel.com/11-stories
AltoRex Rooftop Lounge at Hotel Palomar Atlanta – Midtown
The second floor rooftop of Hotel Palomar’s Pacci Restaurant brings a sense of sexy, Miami style to Atlanta with shady cabanas, a lively bar and fire pits that radiate warmth when a chill is in the air. And skip the parking lot tailgating this fall – during football season, the rooftop lounge opens early on game days and offers a special menu football fan-worthy fare, like Johnsonville Brats and Italian sausage.
Menu: Chic signature cocktails like the Greenwich Breeze (Plymouth Gin, St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, grapefruit and mint) and the Peach Julep (Bulleit Bourbon, peach puree and mint) along with Southern-inspired light bites like Pimento-n-Cheese grits.
Hotel Palomar Atlanta – Midtown, 866 W. Peachtree St. NW, 678-412-2402, www.pacciatlanta.com
 Canoe
Located on the tranquil banks of the Chattahoochee, Canoe offers a gorgeous natural setting for enjoying exquisite cuisine. Here, you can truly soak up the best of Mother Nature as you dine at an intimate Chef’s Table right by the river or on the full outdoor patio with waterfront views.
Menu: Award-winning cuisine featuring only the finest, freshest ingredients from Chef Carvel Gould’s hand selected purveyors; highlights include house-smoked salmon with Vermont goat cheese and pan-roasted veal porterhouse with warm plum tomato panzanella.
4199 Paces Ferry Road NW, 770-432-2663, www.canoeatl.com
Dantanna’s Surf, Turf & Turf
With two locations – one in the CNN Center downtown and the other near Lenox Mall in Buckhead – Dantanna’s offers numerous spots to catch your favorite game on mounted flat screen HD televisions while noshing on five-star cuisine, all in the great outdoors. The upscale sports bar offers not two but three large patios – two at the Downtown location alone – to gather with fellow sports fans.
Menu: Upscale fare like aged steaks and chops, house specialty seafood, surf ‘n turf combos, sandwiches, salads and sweet treats for dessert.
One CNN Center, Atlanta, 404-522-8873; 3400 Around Lenox Drive, 404-760-8873; www.dantannas.com
 Fado Irish Pub
The luck of the Irish blows a kiss to Atlanta at Fado’s rooftop bar and lounge, where deep-cushioned couches, stacked stone fireplaces, potted plants and majestic columns combine to create a fun and inviting atmosphere. This is one of the best spots for al fresco dining in the city any time of day, but is particularly popular for happy hour and weekend brunch.
Menu: Traditional Irish fare with an unexpected twist in dishes like corned beef rolls with creamy mustard sauce wrapped in a boxty (savory potato pancake), Irish smoked salmon bagels at brunch and, of course, plenty of Guinness and Irish whisky.
273 Buckhead Ave., Atlanta, 404-841-0066, www.fadoirishpub.com
French American Brasserie
Embrace the joie de vivre from the canopied rooftop terrace and bar at F.A.B. Featuring a luxurious, outdoor living-style seating area and sensual décor, the space is a great place to grab cocktails with the girls or a light al fresco meal with that special someone as you gaze out over Downtown Atlanta. You can even rent the roof for your own private party!
Menu: Gourmet French cuisine (think fruits de mer, steak au poivre and delicacies like foie gras and escargot) along with an extensive wine list and specialty signature drinks like F.A.B.’s with Champagne and raspberry puree.
30 Ivan Allen Jr. Blvd., Atlanta, 4041-266-1440, www.fabatlanta.com
The Oar House
Situated on the banks of the Chestatee River, this charming old house-turned-restaurant features two river-view decks – one so close to the flowing waters that you could drop a line and catch dinner for yourself. An eclectic mix of country décor further brings to mind memories of old-fashioned days gone by.
Menu: Surprisingly sophisticated dishes like baked brie along with steaks, seafood, herb-crusted chicken, house-made dressings (try the Vidalia onion and blackberry vinaigrettes), beer and wine.
3072 E. Highway 52, Dahlonega, 706-864-9938, www.theoarhouse.com
 JCT. Kitchen & Bar
Located in Atlanta’s Westside Urban Market, the rooftop bar at JCT overlooks the city’s railroad tracks and achieves an air of Southern nostalgia coupled with modern style.
Menu: Fun bar food such as “Angry Mussels” with house-cured bacon and chilis and marinated beets with deep-fried almonds along with mixologist Laura Creasy’s creative cocktails, like JCTea (Ice-tea infused gin, Grand Marnier, lemon and orange bitters).
1198 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta, 404-355-2252, www.jctkitchen.com
*Photo courtesy of JCT. Kitchen & Bar
Treehouse Restaurant & Pub
A local favorite in Buckhead’s Peachtree Hills neighborhood, the patio at Treehouse features covered umbrellas, potted plants, natural foliage and a crowd, especially for weekend brunch. Seating is first-come, first serve and the space is heated and covered in colder months, making for year-round al fresco dining.
Menu: A diverse offering of pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, entrees and Southwestern fare like Guajillo shrimp quesadillas and seven-layer Mexican torte plus cocktails, beer and wine.
7 Kings Circle, Atlanta, 404-266-2732, www.treehouseatlanta.com
Le Vigne Ristorante at Montaluce Winery & Estates
Overlooking the vineyards of Montaluce’s Tuscan-inspired landscape, Le Vigne’s expansive covered porch offers an idyllic setting in which to enjoy exquisite cuisine and fruits of the vine. It’s at once sophisticated and relaxing, creating the perfect environment for a special evening.
 Menu: Seasonal fare with Italian influences in everything from house-cured charcuterie and local cheeses to succulent vegetables and slow-roasted meats and a wine list featuring Montaluce’s own Italian-style wines
Montaluce Winery & Estates, 501 Hightower Church Road, Dahlonega, 706-867-4060, www.montaluce.com
*Photo courtesy of McDonald Media
STATS
This sports-lovers paradise offers the ultimate outdoor dining/entertainment experience with a multi-level deck and patio, where plasma televisions sport the seasons hottest games, fire pits bring the heat in cooler months and three beer systems with two taps each promise tons of fun. Plus, a retractable awning makes this hotspot accessible year-round.
Menu: Gussied up bar food, like stacked spicy grilled cheese wedges and barbecue candy cane pork ribs along with a full bar including plenty of beer on draught
300 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta, 404-885-1472, www.statsatl.com
Wolf Mountain Vineyards
Situated atop the Dahlonega Plateau at a 1,800-foot elevation, the winery at Wolf Mountain blends into the beauty of its natural environment with rustic elegance and affords breathtaking views of the mountains beyond on three sides of the second-floor patio. It is this very covered patio that offers the most coveted seats each Sunday for brunch while water trickles steadily from the fountain below and guests enjoy award-winning wines and a feast fit for a king.
Menu: Varies by month; October features an “End of Harvest Celebration and Bluegrass Brunch,” and November brings the “Wild Game, Red Wine and Mushroom Festival”
180 Wolf Mountain Trail, Dahlonega, 706-867-9862, www.wolfmountainvineyards.com
|
