The meal was simply amazing. Everything was well prepared and the waitress was very knowledgeable…read more This is a great space for a relaxing dinner a romantic evening or even just to unwind. I had the pork chop, button mushrooms, asparagus, a lavender martini and some amazing dessert that tasted like Cinnamon Toast Crunch! It was all delicious.

If you've ever heard the saying "don't judge a book by its cover," Downtown Grill is the restaurant…read moreversion of that. Tucked away in an unsuspecting corner of Downtown Macon, this fine dining English-style steakhouse established in 1997, offers an experience that unfolds slowly, from a puzzling entrance to a surprisingly polished dining room... and ultimately to some of the best food I've had in Middle Georgia. ARRIVAL + FIRST IMPRESSIONS Because Downtown Macon was buzzing on this particular Saturday night, my husband and I ended up parking a couple of blocks away and taking the alley the GPS insisted was our route. Let's just say the alley definitely had "first date horror movie" vibes--but the beautifully framed photos lining the walls helped cut the sketch factor a bit. Once inside, we were greeted by a friendly, outgoing staff... and immediately greeted by something else: the cigar smoke. Downtown Grill has a full bar with an impressive oak humidor and a selection of bourbons, wines, and scotches that could easily impress the most seasoned connoisseur. But that also means the bar area is smoky--very smoky. I actually questioned whether we'd wandered into the wrong place until the hostess whisked us to the back dining room, where the ambiance shifted entirely. The dining room is intimate, classic, and much more aligned with "fine dining." Cozy booths, dim lighting, soft background music, truly an escape. And once seated, I didn't smell the cigar smoke at all. Bonus points for the restrooms using cloth napkins for hand-drying, an eco-friendly and elegant touch. We had noted on our reservation that it was our anniversary, but there was no acknowledgment. Not a deal breaker, but definitely unexpected for a fine dining restaurant, especially one that's been around this long. Our server was polished, professional, and consistently attentive. No complaints there. I started with the Elderflower Refresher and my husband with an Old Fashioned, both solid. But the star of the cocktail lineup? The Lavender Margarita. An absolute hit and something I'd go back for alone. For an appetizer, we ordered the Lump Crab Cakes. As a Maryland native, my standards are sky-high. These weren't "lump" crab cakes, but for Middle Georgia they were acceptable. They were flavorful, well-seasoned, and paired perfectly with the aioli drizzled on top. Then came the French Onion Soup. I'd seen the rave reviews and they were absolutely justified, easily the best I've had in years. Rich, savory, cheesy perfection. We both opted for the special of the night, the Salmon. My husband's came with mashed potatoes and green beans. I chose broccoli and green beans. The verdict? 5 out of 5. The salmon was cooked with precision--flaky, flavorful, expertly seasoned. The veggies were fresh, vibrant, and seasoned beautifully. Truly, this was the best meal I've had in Middle Georgia, hands down. Downtown Grill may not be where I'd choose to celebrate a milestone (the lack of acknowledgment and smoky entrance made sure of that), but it is where I'll go when I want a reliably excellent, well-executed meal. The kitchen is clearly the star of the show, and they delivered an unforgettable dining experience. We'll absolutely be back, maybe not for the anniversary, but definitely for that food.

A very upscale, classy restaurant in the heart of downtown Macon. Don't be fooled by the bar when…read moreyou walk in, dovetail is tucked upstairs and is much quieter and more sophisticated. You need reservations to dine here. There was complimentary bread and peach jam. They have a rotating selection of daily specials, cheeses, and change their menu frequently. I also appreciate the "small plates" section for when you're not that hungry. The cheese board appetizer was a surprising favorite. It had items sourced from local farms. Our waiter was very accommodating and did a good job with recommendations and explaining the intricacies of each item.

This restaurant was so far above expectations! Talk about super modern southern hospitality and…read morefood. They were so creative and innovative, we tried the entire menu lol. The cocktails were amazing and innovative. Ribeye was juicy and tender and super flavorful. I would skip the arugula next time (that's just me hating arugula), but everything was outstanding!

Amazing food and even better service! I got the rookery burger and my wife got the club and both…read morewere very good. Netty was our server and she was the best!

We were headed to Savannah from Atlanta and decided to stop in Macon…read more Macon is an interesting town but luckily we found The Rookery. I ordered a Pork Chop Sandwich. The pork chop was boneless and breaded. It was so delicious and was served with homemade Potato Salad. So yummy. We got a Moon Pie Shake to go. Also delicious. The service was outstanding. The inside was interesting. I felt like we were eating at a Quentin Tarantino movie set. In order to get to the restaurant several homeless people were out in front. We were hassled going out and when leaving. This was unnerving and uncomfortable. All of it was so interesting. I would highly recommended reading it if f you find yourself in Macon.

My Husband and I stopped in to eat as we drove through Macon and it became one of our best…read moreexperiences with a quaint resturant. Food amazing and cocktail wonderful professionally made! Our waiter, was so professional and kind that he caused me write this review as gratitude! Thank you for a memorable time.

My company had a staff dinner at the back burner. there was a total of 10 in our party. Restaurant…read morewas quiet and allowed our staff to relax and talk amongst ourselves. Food and service were excellent if you've never been I would highly recommend.

What a great place to have a dinner for a special occasion…read more It was such a cool building too. We were seated right by the front door with a nice big window to look outside. The building also had an upstairs seating area. The food was absolutely amazing! We left there sooooo full, it was almost uncomfortable. lol!!! The calamari was outstanding, the blackened grouper and the blackened scallops were amazing as well. Everything was cooked just right. Our server was on top of our drinks and kept checking in with us to see if we needed anything at all. Overall, a very great experience....my ONLY complaint was that it was very pricey, but I knew that it would be. I believe my scallops, spinach and fries was about $44. But if you have a special occasion coming up and don't mind spending the money, this is a great option. The building, the service and the food are all exceptional.

Was in town for a business meeting absolutely delicious was so glad that I got to see this…read morenostalgic building a former bank used for such fine dining. The locals highly recommended and brought me here for my final dinner and I have no regrets. The scallops were absolutely amazing.

Tried their famous delta chicken and it was delicious. Chicken cooked to perfection with green…read morebeans. Great spot to try if visiting Dublin. Great service from staff! Dimmed ambience to enjoy your food.

Ok good but not if you are celiac…read more They at least let me know everything was probably contaminated such as the steak getting cooked where the bread goes. Nothing is marked GF / gluten free on the menu. I ended up eating a plate of lettuce with no dressing or croutons. Meh. The people were nice. But if anyone in your group has gluten sensitivities, this probably is not your spot.

Let's talk about the smell, not one of savory dishes but rather sewer. No amount of candles behind…read morethe minuscule hostess stand can overcome this smell. It permeated not o my the room, your food but also your clothing. We have opted to eat on the outdoor patio and have had some success. It is hit or miss depending on the server. This time we opted for takeout- too hot to eat outside and remember the interior smell. Mistake- it only was the care in making the food one that would rival a fast food joint but it was lacking components: gyro was soggy and fries looked and tasted like they were made an hour before and reheated. Chicken shawarma was missing all the sauces. The chicken was dry and appeared to be batch made hours not moments before. Vegetables were basically non existent and the rice was in clumps. Saddest part they don't care. Save your money- oh same owners at Bollywood so beware of the takeout there as well.

It's been quite awhile since I've last ordered from here. And, while prices have gone up some, it's…read morenot as bad as some other places. On my last order of their Greek Burger, I was really disappointed, as they had changed to a sesame bun. And, it really did change the taste. But, since I have been craving one, I bought some brioche buns to use as a replacement. However, I was very pleasantly surprised to see, that they brought the original bun back! :-) It was as I remember, yum yum yum! I also ordered a Greek Gyro for Monday night's dinner.

FIVE STARS We are…read morenew to the area and were so impressed with our dinner at Table at the Lake! The flavor profiles, creativity, food quality and n friendliness of the staff were beyond outstanding! Thank you and we look forward to dining with you again soon!

Food was amazing. Staff were friendly. Just a perfect evening. Will definitely be back.read more

My first visit here and I wish I'd discovered this place sooner. The service was kind and…read morecourteous, the food piping hot, and the drinks refreshing and delicious. We wish they had tables big enough for large parties on their patio. Would be fun to spend an evening out there with a group of friends.

I don't usually go for Southern food, but I'm glad I stopped by to The Swanson. Interior wise, it's…read morelike a house turned restaurant business. The foundation is still there with the rooms and decor but with lots of tables set up, similar to hosting a gathering at home. Not only that, everyone here was really friendly! We really felt welcomed, and though the second time, service wasn't as outstanding, it was still good. I think they really nailed down the vibe of southern hospitality. For drinks, they have seasonal cocktails, which I think is fun, but I'm not around at a time where I would be able to chill and drink. I end up with a go-to sweet tea. Strong and sweet, that it kept me up, but not the strongest nor sweetest I've had. There's also complimentary bread that's mini muffin shaped and dense like a biscuit. It's buttery and salty, but I like it! Before coming, I saw so many things about the sampler, so I definitely wanted to get it and try out. Love the fried green tomatoes with the honey mustard. It didn't feel oily, and it held up pretty well when cut and dipped into sauce. The pimento cheese here is probably the best I've ever had, but I will admit that I have not had many (I tend to not like it). In fact, both these items stay on my mind enough that I do think about coming here more often than I thought I would. And this is just for the apps. The rest of the entrees are pretty standard. Some better than others, but that's due to preference. I haven't gone through the whole menu, but I do prefer their chicken to some of the other menu items. For their sides, I haven't seen or heard of some of them. I asked about them, and they were described p well, enough for me to not want to try congealed salad. I'm not a big fan of jello type things, but I did try the pear salad. Not for me. Absolutely not for me. I did really enjoy the collard green soup and sweet potato souffle though! They were great, esp the souffle. It was my first time having nuts in them, and I loved it so much. Everything else was alright, like I'm sure you've had or can make better mac. Overall, I'm glad to know this place because it's a good rec for the area if you're in the mood for Southern food. It's not a bad pick for vegetarians either, though they would only have appetizers and sides to pick from, but I liked them more than the entrees. There's a parking lot, and it's in a good location to see the rest of downtown Perry too.

The wife and i stopped by here and enjoyed great drinks and top notch meals. The only thing nicer…read morewas our waitress and the manager who both felt like friends you really should see more often.

Stopped here on the road from Savannah to Atlanta for some authentic shrimp and grits…read more Appetizer fried green tomatoes were DELICIOUS! We've been fried green tomato'ing it across Georgia and loving them. This simple looking plate was exceptionally seasoned, perhaps the tomatoes were even marinated. There was just so much flavor! So - the shrimp and grits! These were Cajun/creole style so not traditional but very tasty! Hard to describe the sauce - maybe a bit smokey, a bit sweet. I don't know the flavors I was tasting. It wasn't punch your face flavor but a well-crafted smooth full flavored bite! The sausage in it particularly stood out! Delicious! Hubby had the shrimp Po Boy, and wow! Honestly, it was even better! Large shrimp, really well seasoned and crusted with cornmeal batter. The bread roll was the best! Soft, tasty, just made the Po Boy easy to eat, unlike most who just throw the shrimp on a chewy cut of French bread. This was truly superior! And the side of beans and rice?? Best best best evahhhh! The service was really good. Pleasant and knowledgeable staff. EXCEPT: Why were the grits served to me with grits dripping off the side of the bowl? The server even turned the dripping side towards me and placed it in front of me like that. I took a napkin and started cleaning the bowl so the grits wouldn't accidentally touch my dress, and the server just watched. Didn't offer to clean it or replace it. I was a server in another life. I know that isn't acceptable. I don't serve friends and family a plate or bowl that's dripping off the side. I don't expect that at restaurant. But, I consider it a one off. Mistakes happen. I cleaned. I ate it. And the grits were good. Atmosphere: The place was dark and sexy. Cool atmosphere. But I had to knock it several stars for the women's bathroom. In addition to it generally being basic. Not "dirt" but not clean feeling. A giant tile was missing from the ceiling directly over the toilet! Talk about feeling naked and like someone is spying on you! I couldn't wait to get out of there! It's clear that there is maintenance needed in the ceiling and that's why the tile is missing. But no good reason why they can't put a cloth cover or some kind of screen to cover the hole. It is entirely uncomfortable and unacceptable. Hopefully that issue will be fixed soon. And they will also take the time to upgrade the bathroom feeling - nice soap, luxurious paper hand towels, deep clean the floor and walls. Then the entire restaurant will be cohesive, elegant, sexy, cool.