Ritz-Carlton Buckhead's The Dining Room
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: (404) 237-2700
02/20/2007 Posted by alanhotatl
I have been to the Dining Room several times before, and although it is certainly not inexpensive, I felt I always received amazing service and great food, along with elegant ambiance. The last item remains unchanged, but on a recent visit for Valentine's Evening dinner, I was extremely disappointed. First, prices were bumped up to $185 per person (without wine pairings - that was $85 more!) for this "special" menu and the number of courses was REDUCED! There was nothing special about the food choices. The nouvelle cuisine, so popular in the 80's, is foolishly still done here. The fois gras was not seared, but a terrine slice ("touchon"). So the quality was indistiguishable. The second course, halibut, was about a 2-ounce portion of good, although a bit salty, fish. Third course, the very good bison filet, was about a 3-ounce portion. I am still very hungry at this point. The last course was the largest, and when the dessert is a basic souffle and a very odd toasted marshmellow (which even the waiter described as "silly") you have to wonder what they are thinking. Perhaps that sugar, water, and eggs are cheaper than fresh fish and beef? Hmmm... In a town where you now have amazing new restaurants and old favorites, with one of the highest patron-to-restaurant ratios in the country, where you can buy amazing fresh foods (including excellent FRESH fois gras), you have to think the Ritz has lost its touch. People are certainly willing to pay a great deal of money for food, but the quality competition with more medium-priced venues is on! Beef suppliers (and supplies) are more generic - the Ritz doesn't get any more "prime" meat that many other upscale venues. And to spend 2 hours in a restaurant over 4 lean courses, pay $565 for dinner with two drinks, and leave hungry is ridiculous. Where did the quality and the value go? And the best part of dining there, the amazing sommelier, Chantelle, is now off getting her Master's. How this place misses her!
Pros: Atmosphere, good (though on this trip, not amazing) service
Cons: Food quantity, cost to quality ratio, absence of great sommelier
Write a review and share your thoughts with others
