Floatway Cafe

Doesn't Recommend

CSMobileUser2

Joined 5 years ago

floataway cafe. I have nothing but respect for Anne Quatrano and was very excited to eat at Floataway Cafe as a substitute for Bacchanalia. That said, I had one of the worst meals of my life here and the first meal I ever complained about. The pasta was mushy and overcooked, the peas were raw and the entire dish was inedible. I would love to give this place a second chance but just can't justify it when I remember the meal. Save your money and go to Bacchanalia instead.

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waemo

Joined 5 years ago

An Atlanta classic. The first time I went several years ago I found it quirky. Now, years later, after many repeat visits, the quirks are comforting because it's like I'm in on a secret: this is one of Atlanta's finest. Far from trendy and focused on food, this place does not disappoint. Everything is fresh and quite often comes from the owners' farm. I can understand how a first-timer to Floataway might be put off; you have to ask what several things on the menu are, the waitstaff can seem more like NPR hosts vs hot servers, and things can be pricy. But I recommend giving it a try and having an open mind. The renovations to the place are a plus, and the new cocktail menus are interesting and delicious (lemonciello collins, for example). It's quiet, romantic, and a bargain for the fresh farm-to-table food (it's a more relaxed Bacchanalia). If you're looking for a scene, head to Rathbun's. For a high quality and memorable meal, this is one of the best in town.

Doesn't Recommend

navinrjohnson

Joined 5 years ago

Mediocre. Mediocre best describes the experience at this restaurant. The setting is smart and interior is fresh and comfortable, but everything else is barely acceptable, especially the prices. On a Friday evening, we were promptly seated at a decent table near the windows (highly recommended as all the other tables are out in the open). Even though we weren't seated right along the windows, the room was cold (literally) and it was quickly apparent that the waitstaff was indifferent and even seemed inexperienced. To give you a sense of the prices at Floataway, the only starters under $10 were a plate of olives or an oyster. Nonetheless, we tried a salad w/artichokes which was good (albeit $12) and chicken livers ($10). My wife liked the chicken livers, but I distained them (AJC and CL make you believe anyone would love them; far from the case with me - if you don't like chicken livers, you won't like these). We were able to find a good bottle of wine for $28, which was very surprising. One of our entrees was the margarita pizza, which was nothing special. You can get a pizza equally good or better from Osteria on Highland for under $10 (this one was $15). The other entree was the hangar steak w/french fries, which was good but not excellent. We picked the rhubarb crisp as dessert ($8), which was not crisp and just seemed like a mess of rhubarb with a dollop of ice cream on top. Bottom line, this is an expensive restaurant that is not worth the price of entry, especially considering the mediocre food, service and atmosphere. There are FAR better choices in Atlanta -- places with much better food and a more interesting scene; Sotto Sotto, Ecco, Rathbun's, Trois, Two Urban Licks and Kevin Rathbun's Steakhouse come to mind.

Doesn't Recommend

traptrap

Joined 6 years ago

don't know what to say.. Felt like I was in a mental infirmary like we see on TV to have dinner. This is not even a trendy place. Light green color on wall and ceiling, colorless and lifeless space with white server?s uniform. Tasteless dish plates and plastic laminate table top and aluminum garden chair. Felt strange coffee cup texture on my lips. Foods were average and very basic nothing dramatic. Small selection of menu. Need better music and lightings, painted concrete block in dining room? French flies with main dish?

Service was prompt.

Doesn't Recommend

hdscott1

Joined 11 years ago

Avoid for parties larger then four, Slow service, Unresponsive Management. I made reservations about 2-3 weeks ago for 14 of us to celebrate my 30th bday at Floataway Cafe. They had plenty of time to prepare for such a large party or to decide that they would not have the appropriate staffing that night to serve us all. It took about 20-30 minutes to take our drink order and at least that long to get our drinks. No explanation was ever offered. After we had been there 1.5 hours, our waitress took our food orders! We did bring this to the attention of the manager at this time but that did little good than secure us a free glass of champagne at the end of our 3.5 hour meal that was OK at best. Some people got some winners with their pizza or grouper. I was most looking forward to the beet salad and the chicken which were good, but non-remarkable. The beets, albeit fresh, tasted canned. The bread pudding that came with my chicken was bland and dry.

Maybe our experience would have been better if had more wine, but for being there for 3.5 hours, we only got to order 2 bottles for 14 people. You would think at this point management would have even pitched in or gotten another server to help out ours. At least offer a good explanation or comp some of appetizers. The only thing comped was the $2/person cutting fee for the ALon's cake I brought in. That was fortunate as I would have flipped my lid if I saw it on the bill after all that.

Takeaway message: okay food, beautiful atmosphere, nice wine/beer menu, shady service, good for small parties only.

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artist1212

Joined 5 years ago

Good food selection, snobby management. The new renovation at Floataway is very nice and the food is great. However, the waiter we had was unskilled and seemed like he should be waiting tables at Houstons. He was not very knowledgeable about the wine list or menu. The music in the place was bizarre....loud rock which was distracting. I felt like I was dining in the Hard Rock Cafe. When I mentioned to the hostess and manager about the unappealing and odd choice of music for such a fine dining establishment, neither even gave the courtesy of a glance and just shrugged their shoulders. In t he future, I will go to Woodfire Grill where the food is awesome and service top rate.

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fergusoid

Joined 5 years ago

The Decor has been revamped at the 'new' Floataway Cafe. My wife and I have always loved this neighborhood foodie hideaway. Owned by husband/ wife team, Anne Quantrano and Clifford Harrison, Owners of the West side restaurant Bacchanalia. Floataway is like the sophisticated little sister of Bacchanalia and the food is always fresh, simple and delicious. This gem has been around for a while but the Decor has been newly revamped by the original designer, who happens to be a regular patron. The space has been remastered enough to give the bar patrons more elbow room while and for patient guests it provides for much needed lounge space. This new lounge space offers guests a great place to wait while their table is reworked. The new space also can accommodate bigger parties.

Needless to say I have never wanted to promote the fact we loved it so much because we still want to be able to get a table. Don't mind the other comments about service. The service is exceptional, it is reserved and they don't overplay their freshness and quality of goods, it is implied, as well, the staff are usually the most talented in the industry. Professional and Polite.

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tek1962

Joined 6 years ago

Who does the hiring??. The service/servers in this restaurant are very much like all businesses owned by this person. Step into Star Provisions and you'll be lucky if someone smiles at you. Sit at the bar at Floataway and you'll be lucky if the bartender looks you in the eye (never mind help with a wine suggestion). Who does the hiring? The food and atmosphere at Floataway Cafe is great. The service is almost baffling. Is it that this business owner is so arrogant that they feel the servers treat their patrons rudely and yet they'll come back because the food is good? Too bad......because.....reputations do catch up with you.

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jennandtonic83

Joined 6 years ago

good food, not so good service. The atmosphere is quite different here than other nice restaurants in Atlanta, it is located in an old warehouse.

You have to walk outside down a hallway to get to the restroom. Despite that being a bit strange, the service was horrible! I was served a flat coke and politely informed our waitress and asked if I could get another. She responded back very rudely. There was non stop attitude the whole time. The table beside us actually started to chat with us about how awful the service was and what a terrible waitress she was. But, overall the food was quite good. To start we had the endive apple salad which was really, really delightful. Then for my entree I had the trout with braised veggies which was wonderful, my husband had the ravioli which was also very, very good. Our friends that were with us had the

chicken it was so tender, fell right off the bone. His wife had the califlower risotto which was divine. The desserts were great (ESPECIALLY the cheese tray). Bottom line, if you want good reasonably priced food and a night out in the city but awful service then this is the place for you.

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atlantadenise

Joined 6 years ago

Love this place!. The margherita pizza is fantastic! Great cheese selection, good drinks and perfect summery desserts!

Interior is well done & fresh! The steak fritte was also great!