Friday, September 24, 2010

Livingston Restaurant: Perfect for Pre-theatre

Main Dining Room
(Courtesy of Livingston Restaurant)
Livingston Restaurant, exactly across from the Fox Theatre and also on Peachtree Street, is an elegant dining option immediately prior to attending a play, concert or musical at the Fox. Housed in one of Atlanta's few downtown historic buildings, the Georgian Terrace Hotel provides an elegant setting for Livingston's modern décor.
Looking for a place to have a nice meal, and to further my Atlanta dining experience (the restaurants in Atlanta are vast in number), I decided on Livingston because of its proximity to the Fox Theatre, its elegant interior, and it looked busy but not crowded.
I was greeted immediately upon arriving and seated in one of the best seats in the house (I've recently had very good luck in that regard). My seat was a sofa, not a bench mind you, it was indeed a sofa. I had a full view of the main dining room and through the windows on my right I could see early-arriving theatre-goers entering the Fox under the glow of its substantial marquee.
The server arrived promptly and first asked if I was attending the show at the Fox (so he could appropriately time the full order). I was indeed attending "RAIN: A Tribute to the Beatles" that evening. With that in mind, my server timed the pace of the meal so as to retain the elegant experience that meal was meant to be and get me to my seat in a timely manner.
The menu is easily described with one word—impressive! The listing of options is manageable as well as diverse enough to please all palettes. The "something-for-everyone" selections range from Kobe beef and fillet mignon to lobster fritters and pan roasted halibut to lamb chops and braised rabbit. I decided on the Bibb Lettuce Salad with pickled vegetables and avocado dressing, the Crispy Artichoke Risotto entrée, and a glass of sauvignon blanc that my server helped me select based on my personal preference.
Georgian Terrace Hotel
As I waited on my first course, a basket of breads and creamy butter were delivered to my table. Then, I soaked in the ambiance of the restaurant. I'd been inside the Georgian Terrace years before, in the exact room where I was sitting, for a wedding reception. The beautiful bride elegantly entered the reception from upstairs (additional dining tables surround the main dining room on an interior balcony) via a winding staircase to join her guests. The space is still today used for special events.
I and my 30-, 40- and 50-something year old fellow diners relaxed into dinner and conversation in a setting of diffused lighting and a moderate noise level. Others were enjoying the alfresco option on lively Peachtree Street. It wasn't until later that I realized that behind me was the kitchen, open to the main dining room.
The meal was delicious, the service friendly and professional, and the atmosphere perfect for pre-theatre dining.
Will I let Livingston tempt my palette again? When I’m looking for a special dinner before a show at the Fox, Livingston is definitely at the top of my list. I didn't have time for dessert on this particular visit and I'm craving the Ice Cream Sandwich with strawberry popcorn, pistachio cake and rhubarb.
Visiting Livingston Restaurant

Date toured: Saturday, September 18, 2010
Hours
: Breakfast – Daily - 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Lunch - Monday – Friday – 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Brunch - Saturday & Sunday - 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Dinner - Sunday – Thursday – 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday & Saturday – 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Location
: 659 Peachtree Street, NE, intersecting Ponce de Leon Street, across from the Fox Theatre (map and directions)
Parking
: available at the Georgian Terrace Hotel or various other public parking lots within 1-3 blocks of the Livingston
Reservations
: Open Table or call (404) 897-5000
Website
: http://www.livingstonatlanta.com/

Georgian Terrace

 

1 comment:

Isabell Kiral said...

This is a very nice and good restaurant and many people want to visit it because it is perfect for theatre and we can enjoy movies also. I have visited it many a time with the expert writers of coursework writing services and enjoyed delicious food there.