DINING OUT
11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays; 11 a.m.-midnight Saturdays-Sundays.
Burgers, $9-$17; salads, $5-$15; sides, $3-$6; shakes and floats, $6-$7; pies, $5.
3393 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, 404-963-9611, zinburgereast.com.
Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar recently opened at the front of Buckhead’s rejuvenated Lenox Square, next door to fellow Fox Restaurant Concepts’ True Food Kitchen. Zinburger has nine more locations in New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia and Florida.
The look: Like True Food, the Zinburger look is clean and contemporary, with pale wood and earth tones. Murals of cows grazing under white clouds and blue skies cover the walls of the dining room. A sleek rectangular bar with rows of flat screen TVs anchors the front of the space. A cozy sidewalk patio features a gas fire pit.
The scene: At dinner one evening, the bar was occupied with singles and couples, eating burgers, drinking beer and watching baseball. Around the dining room, Lenox shoppers with packages and families with small children filled the tables.
The food: No surprise, the a la carte menu is centered on upscale burgers made with fresh ground beef and toppings such as wild mushrooms, goat cheese and Nueske's Applewood-smoked bacon. The Zinburger ($10) is a combo of Manchego cheese, Zinfandel-braised onions and mayo. The El Diablo burger is topped with fire-roasted jalapenos, pepperjack, caramelized onions and chipotle mayo. Beyond beef, find the Hava Chicken Sandwich ($10), and the Ahi Sandwich ($15). Sides ($3-$6) include potato, sweet potato or zucchini fries and onion rings.
The drinks: The concise wine list includes pairings such as Alamos Chardonnay ($6) with the Ahi Sandwich and Los Dos Garnacha Syrah ($8.50) with the Kobe Burger. On the cocktail list, the Red Zingria ($7) is mixed with Zinfandel, triple sec, fresh lime and raspberry. The recent draft beer list ($5-$6) included Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA and Terrapin Hopsecutioner IPA.
The extras: Look for happy hour food specials 3-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; half-price bottles of wine on Wednesdays; $3 Mimosa, $4 Bellini and $8 Bacon Bloody Mary on Saturdays and Sundays. A 12-and-under kids menu ($7) is available every day.
