Babette's Cafe

09/15/09

Amazing Culinary Experience

by Stephanie MQ at Citysearch

My husband and I both highly recommend Babette's Cafe for your next special dining experience. We went there for our anniversary and it was a night to remember.

We decided to have the special prix fixed menu for $18.00 each. It gave a choice of three appetizers and three entrees. I chose the little fingers of fried halibut with caper mayonnaise and petit filet mignon (5oz.) with spicy onion rings and gorgonzola sauce. Sketch also chose the fried halibut and then roast chicken with artichokes, dauphine potatoes and creme fraiche. I tried and succeeded to not fill up on bread and butter, but knowing these would be smaller plates I knew I would have room. I'm a meat and potatoes girl, but I don't eat a lot of red meat, although I do crave a lot of red meat. Red meat is reserved for restaurants or when my family grills it in the summertime.

Saints be praised, I was not even remotely disappointed with my meal. We had enough time to eat more baguette and butter, but didn't have to wait too long. Our halibut fingers came out piping hot and with a smile. We immediately dug in and almost burned ourselves, so we slowed down and ate them with forks. I'm not sure how in what they were fried, but the breading was light like panko breadcrumbs instead of a cornmeal or flour breading. Sketch and I carefully devoured our appetizers with capers which I would guess were pan fried, as were the lemon rings. Having finished everything on my plate, I tried the lemon, but it was a little too tough to chew, but a nice palet cleanser.

More bread, butter and water ( although Babette's does have a lovely apertif, cocktail and wine list) and then the main event. We both cut into our meats which were tender and buttery. I was given a steak knife but believe I could have cut mine with a fork it was so tender. I had ordered mine medium rare, and Marla understood medium rare still has a pink center and would not be mistaken at any time for a shoe. My first bite without any sauce made my tastebuds cry out for more. Really. I could hear them.

I laughed and started to quietly moan. I told Sketch this is what I had been waiting for in steak. He laughed and I noticed that he was eating as slow as I was, would take a bite with his eyes closed and smile. This was no ordinary meal. We shared small bites of each others food and agreed we had both won the food lottery. For every bite we savored every morsel, not rushing anything. Neither of us had eaten potatoes dauphine before, but would be happy to again and again. I would guess they were fingerling potatoes which seemed to be parboiled and them somehow baked into a custard like dumpling.

I suggested he sop up the sauce with bread, which he did and enjoyed, but he wanted to save some of his meal for the next day. As much as I was enjoying my meal, I wanted to do the same, just so I could prolong the experience. I have never had gorgonzola that tasted so fresh and tangy with just enough salt (I am not a fan of saltiness and don't add it to my food or when I cook).

I would have sopped up my sauce, but there was only a dollop so it didn't overpower the filet. The spicy onion rings were not spicy to me, but surprisingly sweet. I would guess they were vidalia onions, but am not sure. My meal also had green beans and carrots in a shallot herb butter. They were firm, chewy and nicely seasoned.

We expressed our regret that we had no room for dessert, but honestly I didn't want anything else to remove those tastes and sensations from my mouth and soul. The atmosphere added to the meal as well, low lighting, warm tones and wonderful service. We left with more anniversary wishes as we praised our meal to the heavens.

• Pros: Not one complaint
• Cons: Not a con for me, but not vegan or vegetarian

08/14/09

A Great Slice of Paris

by barryescott at Citysearch

The setting is Paris bistro with lace curtains, white tablecloths, and muted tones I found comfortable and relaxing. The only thing missing is a view of a narrow street and whizzing scooters. Order a glass of wine and use your imagination.

I am a foodie and was delighted with the variety and complexity of the offerings. The menu is medium-sized but should provide something for everyone. I would characterize the food as rustic French – bold flavors, quality ingredients, and perfect cooking technique. There is nothing fussy, pretentious, or new-wave here – just excellent quality French/European food in a classic styles.

Suggestions: steamed mussels with strawberries and Serrano peppers, grilled Dorade (fish) with fennel and tomato, and shrimp with potato gnocchi. We were too full for dessert.

Tip: the wine list offers a wine suggestion (pairing) for every menu item. It was perfect.

Tip: they offer a fixed price menu for $18 -- an incredible value which we did not try this time. The ala carte menu is a very good value.

Service was perfect. Ask for Robin.

This is an excellent restaurant which we will return to soon.

• Pros: Food and Service
• Cons: None

07/07/09

Excellent Food & GREAT Service

by jccampbell04 at Citysearch

Great Location, Great Food, Good Selection - EXCELLENT Brunch.

• Pros: Quaint

10/13/08

A (French) home away from home.

by tmmurphy at Citysearch

I can't think of another restaurant in Atlanta that offers such consistency in both food and service. It's been my "go to" place for years - to take both family and business clients. Bless their hearts, they take care of my picky father-in-law without a complaint. And I've celebrated my birthday at Babette's more times than I like to think about.

• Pros: Best service in the city.
• Cons: Parking is valet, which can get overwhelmed on the weekends.

10/03/08

Perfect experience

by 123mvap at Citysearch

I went with a group of people after work and was thrilled, we all were, with the menu, setting and service. I can't believe I hadn't been before. We all ordered appetizers from the Really Small Plates menu and it was so much fun. Got to try a lot of different foods. Service was attentive, let us have a good time, but was there when we needed something.

Entrees were great all around too. I had the paella. Delicious.

• Pros: Great Menu selection, great service
• Cons: none

09/28/08

Great food every time, and perfect service always

by harwellbulldawg at Citysearch

I would highly recommend Babbette's Cafe to all of my friends and business collegues. The mussells are by far the best in the country, and the duck is outstanding. I'd also recommend any of their seafood dishes as they are always cooked to perfection. The indoor seating is recommended over the porch seating. We come back to this restaurant every two to three months, and are always treated wonderfully.

• Pros: Food is fabulous and service as well, always a treat
• Cons: porch/outdoor seating isn't as nice as inside this charming house.

08/30/08

Best food and service in the city

by dbowden at Citysearch

We eat at this restaurant for every special occasion in our lives...birthdays, anniversaries, to impress out-of-town guests, even the first dinner with the future in-laws. Marla not only prepares delicious food ( the halibut, mussels, lamb chops and chicken dishes are family favorites), but also makes us feel special from the moment we walk in. Whether it's business or pleasure, the is the place.

08/16/08

A Hidden Gem

by 1086080 at Citysearch

After having finished dinner at Babette's Cafe last night, I felt strongly inclined to leave a flattering review for this modest rustic restaurant which leaves its competitors' haughty "haut cuisine" retreating abashedly in shame. The theme for Atlanta cuisine recently has been to place the most emphasis on the decor and ambiance, luring customers in to dine on impalpable food. I've seen my fair share of these restaurants in busy touristy districts, packed to the brim with customers eager to be seen rather than to enjoy the food; adding another reason as to why my appetite is continually lost. It is a rare occasion and one that should be relished when a restaurant is found that is not subject to pretention, but rather passion. Babette's Cafe is this restaurant and I can assure you that I will be going back there frequently. The staff is quick to greet yet not pushy, the service is punctual and experienced, and the drinks are of the highest quality in all Atlanta, made with fresh squeezed juices and proper bartending techniques. My server even went the extra distance to ensure that my date and I had a wonderful experience by sharing some of his amazing magic tricks with us! To get back to the most important issue at hand, the food, I have to admit that I have not tasted such quality at such a good price in Atlanta during all my years living here. I highly recommend the veal.

If you are looking for a noisy joint to be seen in, Babette's is certainly not your place. However if you are more interested in good old-fashioned service, top quality cocktails, and food that you'll remember days after you've left, Babette's is certainly the establishment for you. And if you're skeptical, all your fears will subside once greeted with the best loaf of French baguette found this side of the pond.

• Pros: Valet parking, cocktails, waitstaff, and food
• Cons: I think I covered everything above

06/02/08

Yummy! Great food, cozy restaurant!

by spiffsteph at Citysearch

Babette?s had some truly great tasting food. It?s pricey, but if you?re looking for some *great* food, you?ll find it here. I had the scallops which were cooked to perfection, and my boyfriend got the steak which was the most savory, well cooked steak I?ve tasted in a while. We got two appetizers, I can?t quite remember which they were, but I remember being quite impressed! This is a tiny, cozy restaurant, but some may find it a little too crowded and cozy for their taste. Our service wasn?t that great, the waiter was difficult to get to come to our table, and it took quite a while to get our food. Either way, I?d absolutely go back.

• Pros: Great food, cozy atmosphere
• Cons: Spotty service, slow, long waits

02/05/08

Great DATE spot, delicious food!

by julie_loves at Citysearch

I've been dying to try out Babette's for the longest time and finally went this past weekend. First off, I adored the place as soon as I walked in. I loved that it is a house, it's so cozy, rustic, and intimate. Perfect for a romantic date. My date and I started off with the smoked trout and salmon "really small plate" and the artichoke and lemon ravioli. Both were delicious, but they aren't kidding when they say "really small plate." It's literally about 2 bites. The ravioli was great; the wine butter sauce balanced out the saltiness of the olives and artichokes very well. Portion size was perfect. For our entrees, my date got the roast chicken, and swears that it was the best roast chicken he's ever had. Succulent, tender, and moist, and accompanied with the perfect vegetables. I ordered the salmon with herbed risotto, and was blown away at how such a simple dish carried such great flavor. If you are a salmon aficionado, definitely try this dish! For dessert, we ordered the chocolate bread pudding with banana ice cream. TO DIE FOR! All in all, I loved Babette's -- it is the total package! Parking is easy, there is complimentary valet. Reservations are highly recommended.

• Pros: fantastic food, amazing service, cozy atmosphere
• Cons: slightly cramped space