Convertibles are out on the road, and umbrellas are up. Patio dining returns along with the warmer weather. We’ve found five unique patios in metro Atlanta that take dining outside to an artistic level.
Vin 25
The spring food menu includes an array of flavors that change daily as you dine on the spacious patio that surrounds the building. Spring-geared dishes range from the flatbread of the day and the pasta of the day to Vin 25’s popular scallops and skirt steak. Entrees coincide with original cocktails perfect for spring sipping. Vin 25 has created a new take on a Pimm’s Cup called “Vin’s Pimms,” one aptly called the “Porch Sipper,” and a fruity, sweet “Pear Sidecar.” On cooler days, guests are able to dine at a balmy fire pit. The patio takes a different form once the sun sets. String lanterns light up the sky during the evening hours.
25 Plum Tree St., Roswell. 770-628-0411, www.vin25.com.
Milton Cuisine & Cocktails
The expansive patio, which seats about 100 people, consists of the covered Banquet Porch, upper deck and lower deck. The patio is surrounded by the lawn, which also hosts different spring events. Milton’s Acre behind the restaurant holds dinners where parties are able to dine outside in the garden. Classic menu items, fried green tomatoes and fried pickles are popular among guests with an addition of two cocktails made specially for springtime dining: the Georgia Peach Basil Mojito (vodka, peach puree, basil, lime, soda) and Milton’s Acre Margarita (tequila, lime, triple sec, jalapenos, cilantro, sour).
800 Mayfield Road, Milton. 770-817-0161, www.miltonscuisine.com.
JCT Bar
The patio bar is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of Atlanta life. Tucked away and surrounded by greenery, this patio is a great spot to relax with a cocktail. Original cocktails such as the Southern Belle and the Harvey Dent are cool and light for springtime patio dining. Listen to live music during the evening and dine on spring menu items such as oysters, deviled country ham rillettes or the JCT Burger.
1198 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. 404-355-2252, www.jctkitchen.com.
Del Fresco’s
In the midst of the Buckhead skyline, this patio is best in the evening. With such a great view, this patio is designed as an open deck that is covered but allows a nice breeze to flow through as you dine. The menu is full of “Food to Fight Over” from ahi tacos, jumbo lump crabcake, and black-eyed pea hummus. There’s a plethora of cool fresh greens and seafood choices but also heavy entrees to choose from, such as veal meatloaf and prime beef short rib stroganoff. Del Fresco’s has its own rendition of the Georgia Peach spring cocktail (Jack Daniel’s, fresh peaches, local honey and lime).
3376 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. 404-537-2828, www.delfriscosgrille.com/atlanta.
Ocean Prime
Chef Mitch Brumels will run an Alaskan halibut feature just for the spring menu: broiled Alaskan halibut over fingerling potatoes, roasted peppers and spring onions, served with Champagne vin blanc and topped with a baby arugula salad. The patio is designed with many heating lamps that mix with the cool breeze and a makeshift glass fireplace for warm looks. Curtains drape around the patio for a fresh look as they blow in the breeze. Ocean Prime’s signature Berries & Bubbles martini puts on a show as it is served over dry ice. Get another dry ice show with a jumbo shrimp cocktail perfect for springtime dining.
3102 Piedmont Road, Atlanta. 404-846-0505, www.oceanprimeatlanta.com.
About the Author
