DINING OUT
7:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 7:30 a.m.-midnight Friday; 8:30 a.m.-midnight Saturday; 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Lunch and dinner served 11 a.m.-close
All-day breakfast, $4.99-$11.99; snacks, $3.99-$9.99; soups and salads, $3.50-$11.99; burgers and sandwiches, $7.50-11.50; desserts, $4.50; blue plate and brunch specials, 11.50-$11.99.
903 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-347-3335, hifivediner.com.
Taking over the former Villains location at Peachtree and 8th streets in Midtown, Hi-Five Diner first surfaced in February, serving breakfast all day and lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. until closing. Alex Brounstein, owner of Grindhouse Killer Burgers, opened Villains in April 2013, then closed the sci-fi sandwich shop and bar in December 2014 to make way for the Hi-Five concept.
The look: In remodeling and reimagining, the hipster-cartoon scenery of Villains has been replaced with retro-'50s diner decor. The cool crescent-shaped, metal-topped bar still occupies center stage. But now it's surrounded by high-top tables with round chrome and black Naugahyde stools and matching booths. The patio features outdoor counter service with a pass-through to the bar.
The scene: At lunchtime one sunny Friday afternoon, the patio was the most popular place to be. But Brounstein was hanging out inside, chatting up some customers, while a crew of servers bustled between the kitchen, dining room and patio.
The food: The breakfast menu features diner staples such as "eggs your way" ($6.99) and short or fat stacks of buttermilk pancakes ($4.99/$6.50). But it also includes the likes of a deli-style smoked salmon and bagel plate ($11.99) with all the fixings. The Grindhouse-inspired Killer Diner Burger ($9.99) is two beef patties, lettuce, tomato, onion and special sauce. The spicy Korean chicken sandwich ($9.99) is topped with chili sauce and slaw. The hefty Hi-Five Club ($9.99) is stacked with thick-sliced smoked chicken, ham, bacon and Swiss cheese.
The drinks: Unlike most classic diners, Hi-Five sports a full bar menu with a good selection of old school and craft beers ($3-$6) and a classic-to-kitschy cocktail list. Prohibited at Turner Field is a mix of Mexican Coke, peanut bourbon and peanuts.
The extras: Look for weekday blue plate specials ($11.99), including meatloaf on Monday and chicken pot pie on Thursday. Weekend brunch specials ($11.50) are served until 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
