We've been to 5 Seasons West 3 times and haven't had any complaints about the food, but haven't had anything extraordinary either. It's been OK, though a little pricey for food that's just average.
I really like the look of this place and the view at night from the top floor is very nice. The service has been good.
I agree that the beer is surprisingly unimpressive. The golden ale I had on my last visit was particularly disappointing. I'm hoping the beer will improve and get towards the quality I remember from my many visits to the Sandy Springs location.
My favorite intown brewpub is Max Lager. Not a great restaurant and the service can be just plain weird, but the beer is good. The Pumpkin Wit they have now is awesome.
Why has the downtown location discouraged you from eating at FAB more often? This stretch of Ivan Allen has developed nicely over the past couple of years. I think it's becoming a very attractive spot.
The only thing that has discouraged me from going here more often is the tv at the bar. The last time I was there they had a game on and some customers were noisily cheering. Very odd behavior for a nice french spot. Next time I'll eat on the rooftop patio where there's no tv.
I miss the Globe -- that was one of my faves. But I'm happy to know that someone is doing something good in that space.
I got the impression that the Globe closed because an kinda upscale restaurant didn't attract the GA Tech students that populate this area, so I was surprised to see the prices on the WaterHaven menu. I wonder how well it will do compared to the Globe considering that is has what seem -- to me, anyway -- to be even higher prices.
I couldn't find hours on the WaterHaven web site. Do you know if they do lunch on the weekend?
The name of the place is a little odd for a land-locked city that doesn't even have a river running through the middle of it. I wonder where it comes from.
Very cool article -- I'm a big fan of Counter Culture and B&B myself, but I have also been surprised by how much I've enjoyed using Starbucks espresso at home.
I usually don't care much for the Starbucks coffees for brewing, though. Any plans to do a test similar to this with brewed coffees?
The Earl does not feature live music for diners nightly. There's a completely separate club in the back. The Sunday Dunch is the only time there's live music in the dining area.
Good call on the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. I had one of those with my lunch on the patio at Einstein's over the weekend and was surprised at how refreshing it was on a hot day.
I wish I had enough money to keep a refrigerator full of the excellent (but expensive) Victory Pils. That stuff is addictive.
Looking forward to trying out the Reissdorf and the Mojo. The Brooklyn Lager, honestly, is a little too light in flavor for me even for the summer.
Very cool article -- I'm glad you have an appreciation for the great possibilities of pairing beer with fine foods! I love the hefeweizen/BBQ suggestion and I'll definitely try that out.
One quibble: Budweiser is a pale American lager, not a pilsner. It is distinguishable as such by the use of rice and corn as ingredients. Not that it matters much when you're talking about a crap beer, but I thought I'd take the opportunity to be a big beer geek and point it out.
MY COMMENTS (43)
RE: Review: 5 Seasons Westside
Posted by Darin on 10.15.09 @ 12:04 PM
We've been to 5 Seasons West 3 times and haven't had any complaints about the food, but haven't had anything extraordinary either. It's been OK, though a little pricey for food that's just average.
I really like the look of this place and the view at night from the top floor is very nice. The service has been good.
I agree that the beer is surprisingly unimpressive. The golden ale I had on my last visit was particularly disappointing. I'm hoping the beer will improve and get towards the quality I remember from my many visits to the Sandy Springs location.
My favorite intown brewpub is Max Lager. Not a great restaurant and the service can be just plain weird, but the beer is good. The Pumpkin Wit they have now is awesome.
RE: The French connection
Posted by Darin on 08.14.09 @ 04:53 PM
Why has the downtown location discouraged you from eating at FAB more often? This stretch of Ivan Allen has developed nicely over the past couple of years. I think it's becoming a very attractive spot.
The only thing that has discouraged me from going here more often is the tv at the bar. The last time I was there they had a game on and some customers were noisily cheering. Very odd behavior for a nice french spot. Next time I'll eat on the rooftop patio where there's no tv.
RE: Gazpacho
Posted by Darin on 07.21.09 @ 09:36 AM
RE: "There are places in Atlanta that don't get nearly as much business as they should. And (Social)...is a prime example."
Social has become my favorite restaurant in the city. I was there this past weekend and had the Cornish Hen Tajine. Loved it.
I haven't tried the gazpacho yet, but I'll look for it on my next visit.
RE: First Look: 5 Seasons Westside and WaterHaven
Posted by Darin on 05.22.09 @ 10:04 AM
I miss the Globe -- that was one of my faves. But I'm happy to know that someone is doing something good in that space.
I got the impression that the Globe closed because an kinda upscale restaurant didn't attract the GA Tech students that populate this area, so I was surprised to see the prices on the WaterHaven menu. I wonder how well it will do compared to the Globe considering that is has what seem -- to me, anyway -- to be even higher prices.
I couldn't find hours on the WaterHaven web site. Do you know if they do lunch on the weekend?
The name of the place is a little odd for a land-locked city that doesn't even have a river running through the middle of it. I wonder where it comes from.
RE: A guide to Atlanta coffee
Posted by Darin on 04.13.09 @ 04:33 PM
Very cool article -- I'm a big fan of Counter Culture and B&B myself, but I have also been surprised by how much I've enjoyed using Starbucks espresso at home.
I usually don't care much for the Starbucks coffees for brewing, though. Any plans to do a test similar to this with brewed coffees?
RE: Restaurants that feature live music
Posted by Darin on 10.23.08 @ 10:36 AM
OK, I'm slow on the draw -- just now noticed that the photo caption specifies the music at The Earl is in the back room.
Another one for the list is Sunday brunch at Shaun's. I saw a good jazz trio there recently.
RE: Restaurants that feature live music
Posted by Darin on 10.23.08 @ 10:27 AM
The Earl does not feature live music for diners nightly. There's a completely separate club in the back. The Sunday Dunch is the only time there's live music in the dining area.
RE: What's your lightest beer?
Posted by Darin on 06.18.08 @ 04:20 PM
Good call on the Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. I had one of those with my lunch on the patio at Einstein's over the weekend and was surprised at how refreshing it was on a hot day.
I wish I had enough money to keep a refrigerator full of the excellent (but expensive) Victory Pils. That stuff is addictive.
Looking forward to trying out the Reissdorf and the Mojo. The Brooklyn Lager, honestly, is a little too light in flavor for me even for the summer.
RE: Fish and chips
Posted by Darin on 05.15.08 @ 10:47 AM
We drove all the way down to Manchester Arms one Sunday to try it out and it was closed -- argh!! I'll give it another shot some Saturday.
I can recommend the fish and chips at both the Righteous Room and P'Cheen.
RE: In defense of beer
Posted by Darin on 05.15.08 @ 10:45 AM
Very cool article -- I'm glad you have an appreciation for the great possibilities of pairing beer with fine foods! I love the hefeweizen/BBQ suggestion and I'll definitely try that out.
One quibble: Budweiser is a pale American lager, not a pilsner. It is distinguishable as such by the use of rice and corn as ingredients. Not that it matters much when you're talking about a crap beer, but I thought I'd take the opportunity to be a big beer geek and point it out.