Dining Out
Dining room and lounge: 5-10 p.m. Sundays and Tuesdays-Thursdays; 5-11:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Tavern: 4-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 5-11 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Bar open until midnight.
Dining room: Starters, $10-$14; entrees, $18-$35; sides, $6-$7; desserts, $9. Tavern: $5-$16. 1577 N. Decatur Rd., 678-244-1541, inkandelmatlanta.com.
Now open in Emory Village, Ink & Elm announces itself as “a restaurant, tavern, and lounge for residents of the community and anyone else in need of an elevated or casual dining experience.” Walk through the door, and it’s immediately apparent that this is an ambitious place with a lot going on.
The look: Situated on two levels, with separate entrances for the tavern and restaurant, each of the three spaces is designed for a different purpose and mood. The open, airy main dining room features flowing pale green curtains behind glitzy half-moon-shaped banquettes that seem designed for the see-and-be-seen crowd. The lounge and tavern are more cozy and laid-back.
The scene: Early on Saturday evening, a cadre of of steady, professional servers worked a quiet crowd in the dining room that ranged from elegantly dressed couples to groups in shorts, golf shirts and casual dresses. In the tavern, the bar and booths were filled with more animated gatherings, enjoying conversations as much snacks and drinks.
The menu: An Atlanta native who trained at Johnson & Wales University in Charleston, chef Stephen Sharp shows Southern and low country influences in his cooking. On the current dinner menu, Georgia white shrimp a la plancha is served with smoked ham broth, pickled pepper, and charred bread ($14). South Carolina grouper comes with Sapelo Island clams, Surry Farms "surryano" ham, corn, sweet pepper broth and roasted okra ($25). And there's a seasonal vegetable plate "of the moment" ($20).
The drinks: Sommelier Keith Osborne is in charge of the of beverage menus. On the opening cocktail list, find The Perfect I&E with Bulleit Rye, Dolin sweet and dry vermouth, and house made aromatic and lemon bitters ($12), and The Druid with Plymouth gin, Lillet Blanc, and Scrappy's celery bitters ($12). There's a curated list of wines by the glass and a good selection of craft beers by the bottle.
The extras: Sharp's tavern menu of "snacks and casual meals" includes the likes of spiced Georgia peanuts ($5), pecan wood-smoked St. Louis pork ribs ($12), and the I&E cheeseburger ($11). Look for morning coffee service and a lunch menu, coming soon.
