In tomorrow's AJC I have a review of Marbar Beachside Cantina in Decatur. I've given it zero stars and a rating of fair at this time.
Marbar’s casual “beachside cantina” flair could be a home run with families in Decatur. Seafood-heavy Mexican fare with good pricing on great drinks could carve a successful niche in most any neighborhood. With its beautifully relaxed decor and expansive selection of tequilas and mezcals, Marbar should be a place customers want to linger over margaritas and platters of carne asada tacos. Unfortunately the “shoulds” and “coulds” here don’t translate into “dos”. Mediocre cocktails and unskilled execution in the kitchen prevent this Decatur spot from achieving its aim to become a neighborhood haunt.
The taco-and-margarita-seeking crowd may be disappointed here. Beverages need improvement as do the tacos. Both the housemade corn tortillas filled with unseasoned beef and chihuahua cheese and the carnitas with bland guacamole fall flat. The best of the bunch is the slow-roasted pork with axiote salsa that oozes red grease.
Your best bets at Marbar include the watermelon and chihuahua cheese salad with a peppy apple-cider-and-black-pepper vinaigrette. Also try the mahi mahi tostada. Sure, the cold tostada was too thick, but it was just the neutral backdrop for the bright mixture of lime-cilantro marinated fish paired with sweet mango and creamy avocado.
Also see our photo gallery of additional dishes from Marbar.
--by Jenny Turknett, Atlanta Restaurant Scene blog
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