It's been a long cruel winter, but warmer winds are finally starting to blow. For many metro Atlantans, that means it's time to hit a restaurant patio where they can wind down the day with their favorite libations and noshes in the great outdoors. Lucky for us, the local landscape is loaded with a variety of dining decks. With that in mind, we took a one-night tour of some of our favorites. So break out the map or GPS and come along for the ride.
Vreny's Biergarten
We begin our trek in Duluth at Vreny's Biergarten, where the deck could double for a German country garden. Because Vreny's opens at 4 p.m., we're able to get an early start with a frosty brew. Vreny's gets its name from Vreny Eisele, who co-owns the place with hubby Kurt. The couple have deftly isolated the 1930s farmhouse from a surrounding business park with the careful placement of lush, green foliage. While many suburban decks overlook bustling traffic, Vreny's seclusion proves unique. The deck on the rear of the restaurant houses a fleet of tables, each with its own umbrella. It's a simple, classic European outdoor setting that overlooks a finely manicured lawn and garden with a 100-year-old pecan tree and a gazebo often used for weddings and other celebrations. Diners gather for traditional German grub like schnitzel and sausages. But the Eiseles' son Alexander, who manages the biergarten, says they mix lighter fare to balance the misconception that all German dishes are heavy. Pastas and salads make the cut. Of course, there is plenty of beer flowing from kegs. But you won't find your Budweisers or Becks behind the bar. Alexander focuses on "boutique beers from around the world that need an introduction in the States." He runs weekly beer specials. Look for several new Warsteiner beers being showcased this summer.
• THE 411: 4225 River Green Parkway, Duluth, 770-623-9413, www.vrenysbiergarten.com. 4-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 4-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. $$
Wahoo Grill
A jaunt south on I-85, a jump to I-285 East and finally to 78 West, and we're in Decatur at the romantic Wahoo Grill. Just a short trek from Agnes Scott College is the romantic Wahoo; this patio also has privacy on its side. Casual elegance rules on the covered patio, where spinning fans create a steady breeze and a flickering chandelier hangs overhead while guests dine by candlelight. The area opens to an outdoor patio where draping canopies sweep down from above. Lush gardens, including a Japanese maple, decorate the grounds. The haggard side of a neighboring building adds a rustic touch to the surroundings. Next to the outdoor patio, a tented area covers a recently bricked floor where a jazz duo performs during Sunday brunch. Rumor has it that Wahoo may possibly use this space for a salsa night in the not-too-distant future. Ladies night takes place on Thursdays, when female parties of five or more score the restaurant's signature bread pudding on the house. The menu touts foodie delights like Hawaiian ahi tuna tartare, a cool and tender creation alongside a dab of cucumber-citrus slaw and wasabi cream. Options range from an avocado wrap to the trademark wahoo medallions with green salsa.
• THE 411: 1042 W. College Ave., Decatur. 404-373-3331, www.wahoogrilldecatur.com. 5-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. $$$
Six Feet Under — Westside
A steep flight of stairs leads us up to the deck at the west Midtown location of Six Feet Under. Although it lacks the view of Oakland Cemetery that graces the original location on Memorial Drive, it compensates in spades. The Buckhead and Midtown skylines peer from behind a bounty of treetops. Downtown buildings are on the horizon, too, as is the ivory crest of the Georgia Dome. The wood- and metal-shrouded bar obscures most of a looming cellphone tower. But turn the corner and it's like being up-close and personal with a broadcast version of the Eiffel. A sound system pumps out obscure and familiar rock classics. A mid-20s to early-30s crowd packs the deck on Fridays and Saturdays from bar to railing. And a 2- to 2 1/2-hour wait is common. The weekend wait downstairs is considerably less, so grab dinner there and have a post-nosh cocktail upstairs. Most of the menu items come from the sea. Don't miss the oysters baked in the half-shell with Parmesan cheese. Consider the barbecue salmon or the shrimp and grits. Veg heads can skip the seafood and go for a three- or four-item veggie plate with choices including sauteed spinach, asparagus and killer white beans. We return to the deck and toast the city lights with a Blueberry Lemonade, a mix of house-made lemonade stoked with Smirnoff blueberry vodka, while rowdy guests opt for a round of oyster shooters.
• THE 411: 685 11th St., Atlanta. 404-810-0040, www.sixfeetunder.net. 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-midnight Sundays. $$$
Shout
Ready to dance off a double dinner, we head to the heart of Midtown. The rooftop patio at Shout at Colony Square is part of this restaurant-bar's upstairs lounge. Think South Beach in the city. Sporting a dress-to-impress fashion sense, the 21-and-older crowd is keenly focused on flirting and mingling against the backdrop of an illuminated Midtown skyline. For a cozier setting, some guests gather behind the curtained privacy of the eight- and 16-person cabanas. Cabanas can be reserved for a food and beverage fee of $200 to $400 an hour with a two-hour minimum. But if they're not reserved, they're available on a first-come, first-served basis. The main dining room downstairs serves Mediterranean-influenced tapas, wood-fired pizza and Asian flavors, including noodle bowls and a sushi bar.
• THE 411: 1197 Peachtree St. N.E., Suite 526, Atlanta. 404-846-2000, www.heretoserverestaurants.com. 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays-Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursdays; 11:30 a.m.-midnight Fridays; 5 p.m.-midnight Saturdays. $$$
Park Tavern
A few short minutes away is a patio with one of the best intown views available — Park Tavern, with its picturesque view of the Midtown cityscape and the rolling hills of Piedmont Park. The spacious brick patio has beaucoup tables perfect for a meal or pre- and post-dinner cocktails or coffee. It's a great spot for people-watching as Piedmont Park's walking trail winds right along the edge of the seating area. Joggers, pet walkers and hand-in-hand couples regularly cruise the trail. The patio is often home to music and special events. On May 15, the River Revival benefit for the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper will find members of rock outfit Collective Soul going acoustic underneath a big tent. Rain is often a patio buzz kill, but Park Tavern compensates with its "when it rains, we pour" policy with $1 draft beers available during showers. Giant beer vats indoors help brew the restaurant-bar's handcrafted beers. And the menu delivers appetizers, salads, sandwiches and entrees like Southern-style pulled pork and St. Louis-cut ribs.
• THE 411: 500 10th St. N.E., Midtown, 404-249-0001, www.parktavern.com. 4:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Mondays-Fridays, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 a.m. Saturdays,
11:30 a.m.-midnight Sundays. $$
Pricing code: $$$ means $50 and less; $$ means $25 and less; $ means $15 and less.
The price code represents a typical full-course meal for one excluding drinks.
Labels: Atlanta, Outdoor Dining, Park Tavern, Shout, Six Feet Under, Vreny's, Wahoo Grill
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 8:37 AM
