Buckhead Bread Company & Corner Cafe

11/22/09

Resting on their laurels?

by a guy and a girl at Citysearch

This is the first time we have left a restaurant and felt compelled to write a review. However, we are experiencing a growing level of mediocrity in many Atlanta restaurants. Old favorites more and more are resting on their reputations and diners aren't speaking up when their visit is a disappointment.

One star is severe - so let us explain. We have been eating at the Buckhead Bread Company since it opened and at one point we would have given it four or five stars. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. On three recent visits we were seriously disappointed. The bad experiences started at the front door. There is poor space planning and you have to push through customers of the retail bakery as well as the restaurant to get to the hostess station. If you can get the bored, rather-be-anywhere-else hostesses to look at you, then you have to explain that they need to take your name so you can get a seat. Then you get to wait for a table in a crush of people, with servers having to push past you to get to the coffee bar.

The complimentary muffins are the highlight of the meal. They are as good as ever. There is a nice variety of dishes offered on the menu - from a hearty breakfast to lighter fare such as soup and salads. In our recent visits, one of us has consistently had a good meal and the other an unenjoyable one. We must say that even in the unenjoyable meal, the quality of the ingredients is obviously good. It is just just poorly prepared, unseasoned or conversely - overseasoned. A good example is the spring rolls. The chicken is good quality with no discernable seasoning at all - just protein and LOTS of it. The spring rolls are served on a mound of noodle salad that is drowning in ponzu sauce. You can taste the salt and NOTHING else. A few julienne vegetables are mixed in with the noodles, but you can't taste them for the salt. Conversely, the crab omelet was at the other end of the spectrum - it was well prepared, well seasoned and thoroughly enjoyable. Like we said - the food is 50/50. But that's not all - now for the service.

Unlike the hostesses, the wait staff are friendly and helpful but are spread too thin to offer appropriate attention. When the server is at your table, you have their full attention. Unfortunately, then they leave. On our recent visits they have had so many tables to take care of that your beverage will go completely dry before they get back to you. If you need something for your meal, you may be more than halfway through before you have a chance to ask for it. (or if you decide to wait it out, it may be stone cold). This isn't what we expect for a $40 - $60 breakfast.

We are a two-career couple working long hours. When we take the time to go out to a restaurant together, we expect an experience that allows us to relax and focus on each other without distraction for rudeness, poor service or mediocre food. We are willing to pay for this experience - it's why we work hard. In other words, we're not picky but we do expect quality and value. We used to get this at Buckhead Bread Co, but unfortunately we haven't had that experience lately. Every restaurant can have a bad day, and that's understandable. But three times over a period of four months is a trend that shows no sign of reversing. There have been a lot of people there each time we've visited, so obviously they still appeal to some. We, however, will not be going back.

Pros: 50% of the food is good value.

Cons: Food isn't everything; read on:

• Pros: Food is good 50% of the time
• Cons: Everything else

11/09/08

Excellent Breads, SO SO service....

by ERICANDSUE at Citysearch

*** At the bakery, all the breads are good, a large variety. Very nice..!

However service is S-L-O-W. Hardly ever a "Hello", it seems like these workers are just too tired to work.

*** At the Corner cafe, hostess or host always pleasant, the servers are pretty quick to get you started with your order, drinks usually are quickly served, food sometimes a bit slow but then the hardest is to get attention from your server or in fact any others.

When a "table" leaves, waiters, "do not rush" to see how much tip you got walking back to your little corner by the back doors, instead look up and around there might still be some of your guests or simply another table [might not be your station, so [?], teamwork], you might increase your tips. And you will have plenty of time to close out later.

OOps, it is almost time to get some bread for breakfast.

BBC here I come, just like every other day ever since you opened your doors.

Thank you

• Pros: Good breads, croissants....
• Cons: slow motion

09/08/08

Best in Town

by sweetbreads at Citysearch

I do not know what the last two reviewers could be referring to but I regularly visit the Buckhead Bread Company and Corner Cafe and the service and food are always out of this world. The staff is super friendly and accomodating while the food is some of the best breakfast and brunch in Atlanta. Yes, it can get loud in this restaurant but that is only because they are busy and seriously is that something we should hold against them. Apparently there are quite a few others who like it enough to dine at the same time as you so they must be doing something right. The Buckhead Life Restaurant Group is the best in Atlanta and the Buckhead Bread Company and Corner Cafe delivers along with the best of them.

• Pros: friendly service and great food
• Cons: small parking lot especially tough when they are busy