In the outskirts of Atlanta across the Chattahoochee River in a town called Vinings, exists a quaint cottage restaurant called Old Vinings Inn. The small-town gives this particular restaurant a completely different feel from our usual jaunts.
WE’RE NOT IN BUCKHEAD ANYMORE
Our favorite places to eat in the Atlanta Metro area are usually in Midtown or Buckhead. However, a relative raved about the food at Old Vinings Inn, so we decided to check it out during my extended birthday week. If you are into the hustle and bustle of the city, know that Vinings is sleepier with the only noise coming from your fellow diners, cars driving by and nature. The clientele also skews older and more suburban. It’s the kind of place that conjures images of an elderly gentleman sitting on a porch in a rocking chair with Mint Julep in hand.
THE MENU
Bread Basket (Warm Yeast Rolls, Biscuits, Muffins, House Preserves, Whipped Butter)
Candied Bacon (Sweet Chipotle & Peppercorn Dust)
Omelet | Customized (Onions, Peppers, Mushrooms, Arugula, Chicken Sausage, Goat Cheese)
Old Vinings Inn Eggs Benedict (English Muffin, Fried Green Tomato, Poached Egg, Crispy Potatoes)
Granola Crusted Banana Bread French Toast (Brown Sugar Rum Glaze, Whipped Cream)
Sanguinelli (Basil Hayden, Blood Orange, Ginger, Earl Grey)
Piper Sonoma Brut Rosé
Chef Matthew Sandak’s menu at Old Vinings is excellent, and they have some truly original things on there such as a family recipe Granola Crusted Banana Bread French Toast. It’s a concept that sounds interesting and looks like it should be dry, but that’s far from the case. It is a SYMPHONY of sweet flavors that mingle favorably, and the bread itself is far from dry.
The Omelet was delicious with fresh ingredients. Usually when you see the food in pictures it differs significantly from the final product. Not here, though. I was actually shocked at how picture perfect the omelet in particular was. I truly appreciate food that is tasty AND photogenic.
Our order of candied bacon was another highlight of the meal. There was just enough heat to enhance the sweetness of the bacon.
HMM…
One thing that tinged our experience a bit was the lack of flexibility on substitutions. My partner does not eat poached eggs, but she wanted to try the Eggs Benedict because of the rest of the ingredients looked great. They would not accommodate her request — I felt sorry for the waitstaff because I’m sure they have to say that multiple times per day. The workaround was to ask to leave off the poached egg and have a scrambled egg on the side, but it cost extra to do it that way. I’m all for having misgivings when your culinary vision is interrupted, but a paying customer should at least have the option without having to spend extra moneys.
SHOULD YOU GO?
I can’t deny that brunch at Old Vinings is excellent. On top of that the food presentation is outstanding. However, this is a restaurant that will not compromise on the vision of its dishes. If you’re fine with that, there’s no reason to avoid going. It also provides a peaceful atmosphere away from the usual “scene” and chaos of Metro Atlanta.
Until next time…
JG
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