09/16/09

Great food and even better service

by Elle1231

Baraonda is a chic hot spot for Italian cuisine located next to the Fox Theater. The food is excellent, and the service is even better. Our waiter Clint did a wonderful job. He has a very dynamic and engaging personality and is a fantastic waiter. I frequently dine out in the Atlanta area and consider myself to be a foodie. I've been going to Baraonda for years and will continue to do so for the delicious food and stellar service.

• Pros: Great, quick service
• Cons: Crowded at show times at the Fox (to be expected)

07/15/09

My fav date night spot in midtown

by vegasgirly9

Randomly tried this spot on a date night, we now go back every few weeks. Love it!

• Pros: excellent food, comfortable atmosphere, excellent service!
• Cons: Parking can be an issue

03/07/09

Good meal and cozy midtown location. Good service, good atmosphere, adequate menu.

by navybt

Tried this Italian restaurant as it was close to Fox theater and we had an 8 PM show. Service was good and food was delivered hot. This is not a fast food place, but it was not too slow either. One of us had the pasta and it was not done enough even for him; usually it is overdone to him in other restaurants. I had the fried seafood sampler of fish, shrimp, calamari, and scallops. It was pretty tasty. The appetizers of minestrone soup and brushetta were good as well as an order of marinated olives. We also had a beet salad with goat cheese and pecans (menu said walnuts) that was great!

Wines were excellent. Great selection at pretty normal restaurant prices.

Total cost before gratuity of $90 for two complete meals and wine.

• Pros: Great location if attending the Fox or visiting the midtown area. Validate parking across street in deck on side street.

02/21/09

Amazing food makes up for mediocre service

by jhill5000

I go to Baraonda more than probably any other restaurant. It is far and away the best food for the money in Atlanta, the atmosphere is great, and late seating is a huge plus. I do, however, always find the service to be subpar at night (although it's great at lunch). My girlfriend and I have come to accept it and actually laugh about it. Granted, we do go in around 9:30 for dinner, a time when the staff is probably concentrating more on starting to close the place down than on customer service; but we have literally never had a server stop by voluntarily after taking our entree order until it's time for the check (not that it really matters- the food is always perfect). All in all, Baraonda is 5 star food and 2 star service at a 3 star price, and I'll take that any day.

• Pros: Incredible value
• Cons: Poor late night service

12/27/08

Love it - just need to make a small note...

by squideast

I've been dining at Baraonda for years - even had my rehearsal dinner there in 2002. They cooked dishes for my rehearsal dinner that I requested - off the menu. Love them :)

I just want to point out to anyone reading these reviews and considering whether or not to go there...there are reviewers who keep saying the pizza is soggy and floppy. Real Italian pizza IS "soggy and floppy", if you will. And I'm so glad there's someone in Atlanta finally making it the right way! It melts in your mouth, and you truly experience the flavor of a proper tomato sauce, and good quality cheeses and other toppings. And yes, folding a piece in half vertically is the way to eat it :) If you want Americanized pizza, don't go to Baraonda. If you want the real thing - get to it!!!

• Pros: Authentic pizza
• Cons: Music is a bit loud

10/15/08

Oh Yeah!

by ladieswholunch

Well, we went there with an after work group of ladies (about 10 of us) before going to the Fox. We all ordered appetizers and entrees and drinks and things at different times and quantities and sharing and special requests, etc. Our table was chaos, but the waitress was great, we sure kept her hoppin! The food was excellent, a real Italian treat! Then we all mixed up how we wanted to pay, and left in phases, but the waitress kept up with us still! We will be there again soon!

• Pros: Great Food; Great Service
• Cons: Loud, loud, loud and crowded (but fun)

08/20/08

Great wine and Italian food!

by CbgetwnGrl

What more could you ask for? I have had the pizza and pasta here and loved both. The wine selection is extensive and tasty. My boyfriend and I continuously go back and the friends we have brought with us loved it also. Valet parking is available as well. The location is also in a very trendy spot on Peachtree St. which makes it convenient if you are coming from the Fox or other venues or clubs in Midtown. The atmosphere captures the essence of a true Italian restaurant and provides a very cozy and laidback ambience. Also, the service was very friendly and consistent. I highly recommend giving this place a shot and you will surely love it.

• Pros: Food, wine, service, atmosphere.
• Cons: Not really much parking if you don't want valet.

04/21/08

Great Food & Service

by bballca

This is a cool low key chilled spot. We sat out on the patio and had dinner while watching the NBA Playoffs on TV. I really enjoyed the Halibut speical they offered on Saturday night. The service was great and I Iook forward to my next visit.

• Pros: Ambience, Food, Service
• Cons: Parking

04/07/08

Great Italian cooking, Great service!

by hermanmellville

I recently went to a comedy show at the fox with a small group of people on Sunday and ate here. I was eager to taste some of their food after I checked their menu online. When we arrived there was a few people waiting in the lobby so I worried if they would be able to accommodate our party. Luckily one of the managers called our name and told us that he had a table waiting in the private dining room. I was glad that he put us in the private dining room because I wanted to sit somewhere calmer because there were so many people drinking and waiting on the other side... and I felt like VIP. The room set the mood with dim lighting, nice music, and candles all around. I had a few questions about some of the words that were on the menu and about some of the plates which my waiter quickly answered by detailing their creations. I wish I could have tried them all! Our appetizers came out lightning fast and I felt that as soon as I made a decision for another drink one of the waiters was always reading my mind. I decided to go with the special lobster ravioli for my entree. The portion was great considering we had appetizers and the ravioli was delicious with of course some fresh parmesan cheese! We also shared a tiramisu as our dessert because it was the waiters favorite and he informed us it was home made! The food was exquisite and punctual, the service was exclusive and attentive, and the atmosphere was excellent! A great recommend if you plan on attending the fox or just want some delicious Italian cooking catered for the VIP in you ;-).

• Pros: Food, Service, Atmosphere
• Cons: Slight wait when there is an event at the fox

04/03/08

Perfect place for a casual and lovely dinner experience

by Johnny1960

Once again I had a great dinner at Baraonda. I discovered its authentic Italian recipes two years ago. My friend Gina, a real Italian, told me about the outstanding pizzas and I went and try pizza Margherita. It was love at first bite. l encourage anyone passionate about Italian food to give this place a try. The entire staff seems to want you to have a great time enjoying their food. They take pride in the menu and will advise if you're unsure, suggest wines if you ask. My last visit was last week right before a show at the fox theatre. Two managers were always discreetly checking tables and moving around like in a dance. The all stuff was dancing. It was beautiful to watch them. The food is out of this world. The menu is simple. The soups was delicious. (Zucchini, potato and cream...O.M.God!). Beside the soup, that changes everyday, I recommend the penne salsicia and salad gorgonzola. What I really love about Baraonda is the combination of excellent food and perfect environment. This is a casual Italian yet very comfortable restaurant right in the hearth of Midtown with validated parking right across the street. (We all know the pains of parking in Midtown :) . I'd gladly bring my parents, business partners, a first date, or good old friends. JUST TRY IT

• Pros: Validated parking available, Cuisine, Price
• Cons: Peachtree street is crazy, No catering available, No Brunch available