Our strategy on New Year's Eve is simple - get dinner, get it early, and get home and stay out of the way of Amateur night.....This year, as we didn't want to venture too far, we went to Cabernet. I would call this 4.2 stars, as it's better than 4 stars, but this will do -
- Sitting on Windward Parkway, location is key as you can get a quality upscale ish experience and you don't have to go too far. The price point was much different than higher quality peers in the past, (say 30% less), but they have narrowed that to about 10-15% less....
- It's a nice spot - they take care of it, it's fancy but not formal. There is valet - though I don't know why as it sits right in the regular parking lot....but no problem there - nice touch if you just want to pull up.
- Staff - Really well trained. You are greeted properly, don't have to wait too long for reservation (within a few minutes) and walked to your table
- Our service team was Chad and his partner - they were outstanding. Funny, nice, personable and good recommendations.
Food - The food is quite good. A couple small misses, but overall, they deserve their place in the ranks of the "really good". There are a few steak places in Atlanta - that are legendary and no-one would argue that - I don't think Cabernet needs to be in that category - it's hard, and needs to be earned over years - but it is at the top of that next bunch.
Steaks - the high point - this is why you come here - and they taste really good. Cooked perfectly, well seasoned, not overly so, hot, buttery and a good selection. We come here for the steak.
Lobster (on the side) - broiled, well prepared.
Appetizers - really good. Oysters Rockefeller which were tasty, warm and big, and then beef carpaccio - which was well prepared and well seasoned. One nit - do better on the toast - they were a few pieces of white toast, cold, crumbly and really did the beef a disservice. That is an easy fix
We wanted oysters but they did not have saltines (you think they would send a runner over to Publix really quick...
Salads - I appreciate they are able to do half portions.....but they were really good - no qualms there.
Sides - mashed potatoes were really nice - simple, butter, salt, I love that - no fancy truffle anything.....
Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Thai Chili - man- we were excited for them - but they were terrible. Just cut in half, hard and dense. There was no amount of bacon or sweet sauce that were going to make these better- shave them, shred them, crisp them, do something....big miss
Desert was eh - a chocolate ganache cake that was dry instead of decadent. Ice cream was OK
I really did appreciate their drink service - great cocktails - the bar is awesome.....great - well thought out - wine list - AND - they have a nice feature where they partner with some really good wineries to have some bottles that are high quality and well priced - bravo there.
If you get a chance- go in the bar it's a cigar bar with a ventilation system that must cost a zillion dollars because it's not so bad.....fun nightclub feel, great crowd, everyone having a good time.
Overall, really happy for this place - well done and thank you for the good evening. If they focus on the small nits, it will be even better.... read more