ONE.midtown Kitchen Review

[agbaber]

Any word who he challenges? Or what the theme ingredient might be?

[Daniel]

Whats the state of affairs since Chef Blais has left? Worth going to?

[Dave the Cook]

If Chef Chris Bischoff is still there, I have no doubt that the food is excellent, and I'm sure some of Chef Blais's ideas are still on the menu.

However, Blais personally owned most of the interesting equipment: the water circulators, the LNO stuff, etc., and it went with him. Since he did the tasting menus personally, I doubt that they're still being scheduled.

[maf]

Bumping this up hoping for a current report. I'll be in town Sunday and will need a group (not necessarity private- just a big group) dinner place for about 20. Over my objection, our group is currently planning on Ray's in the City. I'm not particularly in charge, but I'll push for a move if improvement is fairly certain. On the other hand, I don't want to go through the eye rolls unless the upgrade is worthwhile.

So, is this place pretty solid? It's open Sunday, which puts it ahead of most of the places I've been to up there (I thought I was solidly in the Bible Belt, but I was quite surprised at the number of Atlanta places closed Sunday). I looked at the menu on line- is it all small plates? How does the "bottomless wine glass" work? I have to admit, that sounds pretty appealing-can I bring my Big Gulp cup?

[Dave the Cook]

All of the Concentrics places are solid: you'll get good food, good service, and an excellent wine list.

But if I had 20 people to feed, and I wanted them to have great food cooked and served with passion in a nice atmosphere, I'd call Repast and see if the upstairs room is available.

[maf]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, like most of the places I considered, it appears Repast is closed Sunday. I have to say the Sunday situation caught me by surprise, as I consider Atlanta the Big City, but I'm sure it's a rational business decision on the part of the owners. Still surprising, though.

[robyn]

Paris is certainly a "big city" - and many high end restaurants there are closed at least 2 days a week - sometimes 3. It isn't that easy finding a high end restaurant open Sunday night in NYC either. It isn't a Bible Belt - or provincial thing. Employees need a day or two off! Robyn

[Dave the Cook]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, like most of the places I considered, it appears Repast is closed Sunday. I have to say the Sunday situation caught me by surprise, as I consider Atlanta the Big City, but I'm sure it's a rational business decision on the part of the owners. Still surprising, though.

←

Sorry for the misfire; I thought I had been to Repast on a Sunday. Perhaps it was Monday I was thinking of, since it's open that night (and is a favorite of people in the life).

To make up for it, here's a list of decent places open on Sunday (far from exhaustive):

• Some Buckhead Life stores: Kyma, Atlanta Fish Market, Nava, Pricci
  
• As far as I can tell, all the Concentrics places: One, Two, Trois, Tap, Stats, Lobby, Parish, Room, etc.
  
• The Here To Serve group: Twist, Shout, Goldfish, Home, etc.
  
• JCT Kitchen
  
• Restaurant Eugene
  
• 4th & Swift
  
• Au Pied de Cochon
  
• Craft and craftbar
  
• Serpas
  
• Shaun's
  
• Pura Vida
  

The quality of this list varies a bit, but I think any of them would be more interesting than Ray's.

And to answer your previous question, the last time I was at One, you could go small plates or your basic three courses, or a combination.

[maf]

Dave the Cook, I appreciate the effort you put into this list. I previously looked at Restaurant Eugene and JCT Kitchen and was excited about the Sunday specials. The former, however could not take a group our size. The latter was rejected by our group leader (maybe because it sounded too meat & 3, or maybe because it was too far to walk from the hotel). Your list has given me some places to try on future visits.

Eventually, my wife reminded me that I take the whole food issue too seriously (I disagree, but not openly).

Ray't it is, and I'm going to smile about it. In my free time, I'm going to sneak to Flip Burger Bar and Buford Highway for banh mi.