4. Restaurants

Empire State South

999 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA, 30309
  • (404) 541-1105
  • Store is closed

Empire State South Menu

  • Lunch

Healthy Meal suggestions for Empire State South

  • Lunch

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  • Allison D.

    I will never return to this restaurant. Extremely pretentious menu, portions so small that it's comical and an overall disconnect between the decor, menu, name and prices. We had drinks for 3 people, "bread" ( which was three tiny mini corn muffins, one slice of yeast bread and 3 crackers-$5!) a charcuterie platter that was laughable and barely a taste of anything and 3 appetizers that were mediocre at best. Grand total was almost $200. Left without getting an entree, of which there were only 6 to pick from (one vegetarian, 2 fish, 3 meat). Very disappointed. We have traveled all over the world and eaten at many a wonderful place - this ain't it!

    (1)

  • Douglas L.

    The food was delicious. I ordered the duck and my brother ordered the pork. We were both impressed. The amount of food served for my entree was noticeably small for the price, but it tasted so good it was worth it. I recommend this place for the food and the cool environment.

    (4)

  • Jen K.

    UPDATE: you need to understand the amazingness of the jars. These delectable jars contain mind blowing spreads like pimento cheese with bacon marmalade; boiled peanut hummus; and other little bites of heaven. I am telling you the jars are the requirement. Everything else is cake. This is my second favorite restaurant in Atlanta (Holeman & Finch is still #1). I went here recently with a friend. We had the steak tartare (very good but H&F makes it better), the sweetbreads which were amazing, and I had a steak special that was phenomenal. They also have a nice wine list. Definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Felix C.

    This represents a half-dozen trips over nine months. --- The pimento cheese and bacon marmalade is fantastic. Perfect combination of the sharp cheese with the saltiness of the bacon and the sweetness of the marmalade. Oyster Po-boy - Great tasting and crunchy bread. --- Breakfast - I recommend the breakfast sandwich. You have a variety of options. All of them are good. I prefer the friend chicken biscuit with the pimento cheese. But as I said, all of the options are good. --- I came here for dinner one night. Malpeque oysters and a crafted drink at the bar. The oysters were a bit small. The accompanying sauces were great.

    (5)

  • Teresa F.

    Went yesterday for lunch. Had the most perfect beet salad ever - seriously, wonderful taste and texture balance. Service was friendly and attentive. Can't wait to go back!

    (4)

  • Kevin J.

    Cool decor and ambiance. This place supposedly has THE best duck ever prepared, but unfortunately I didn't have any. I've heard great things and the server went on and on about how he doesn't like duck but when he tried Empire's he was a believer. The heirloom tomato salad was out of thus world, Ridiculously prepared with flavors that will blow your mind. It could've been the combo of GA peaches but I'd like to think the Tomato spoke for themselves. Goat cheese helped too. Service was a bit off but I think the food and decor made up for the lack of attention. Would I go back? Hell yes.

    (4)

  • E L.

    Outstanding. Best brunch I've had in ATL in all respects: Atmosphere--rustic and chic. Server--hipster hot, knew his stuff, exactly as available as he needed to be. Stellar coffee (chemex option!). Chicken thigh with grits, squash, coddled egg, endive, pecans--mmmmmmm. Perrrrrrfecccccct. It's weird that it's in a hotel, I guess. But otherwise, I'm all about it!

    (5)

  • Chris T.

    One of the most memorable meals of my life. Four of us did a meal of splitting all of the First Courses substituting the Jars appetizer for the gazpacho. It was amazing (even though we pissed off the kitchen). Great service Our waiter (Morton?), was very accommodating and recommended a (relatively) inexpensive Pinot Noir (Au Bon Climat) when we left the wine choice in his hands. Jars- A+ best part of the meal. The pimento cheeses bacon spread was awesome. The trout spread was good, as was the

    (5)

  • W L.

    I have eaten many times at two of Hugh Acheson's restaurants in Athens and was very excited to enjoy his new venue in Atlanta, Empire State South; with my wife and two couples we were entertaining. We could not have had a more disappointing dining experience. One of my guests ordered a 7 and 7 and was served a Dewar's and 7. Country comes to town! Never have I been served a Scotch with a soft drink as a mixer, and to substitute a call brand without consulting the diner is inexcusable. Our drink order came in 3 waves some 3 minutes apart. The décor is liken to a Cracker Barrel with tables and chairs from a remodeled hospital cafeteria. Our meal was only good; however, compared to a similar fish dish I have had in Atlanta many time I would rank my fish as a 5 out of 10 and when factoring in the price it would become a 3. Hugh has made a name for himself in Athens but he has a LONG way to go to meet the expectations of Atlanta seasoned diners. Suggestions cut out the whimsical play, train your staff and get down to good service with improved food.

    (2)

  • Marissa S.

    I've only been here for lunch and breakfast and both experiences were neither memorable nor worth repeating. Service was unbelievably slow. Two scrambled eggs and cheese toast costed $11 which is ridiculous. The toast took 20 minutes to come out and I could have made it at home for a quarter of the price. They have also started substituting soy milk with their own non-dairy substitute. It's almond milk and coconut oil. Just dont. I love coconut oil but it doens't belong in coffee. It just tastes wrong and the texture in your mouth is werid. I appreciate ESS trying to be unique but sometimes the customer prefers normal stuff. For lunch I ordered the super food hanger steak entree $18. The steak was tender and juicy which was good. However, the rest of the plate was covered in cold sides that were a little too pickled or not seasoned enough. The salad on the plate didn't have any flavor and the leaves were too big which makes for really awkward lunch moments where food hangs out of your mouth. I've heard great things about dinner so I hope that it's a much different experience than breakfast or lunch. That said, I'm not sure i'll be going back again.

    (2)

  • Sarah S.

    I'm focusing my review on two areas: food and service. Living in Atlanta for a few years now, I've heard of Empire State South many times and always relatively positive reviews. I was happy to finally experience it myself and here are my thoughts... The menu was carefully well thought out and interesting with choices for every dietary preference. I found it hard to narrow down what I wanted! I settled on a delicious roasted butternut and quinoa kale salad, scallops and then a most awesome hot buttered banana pudding dessert and espresso. I'd describe the food to be incredibly fresh, tasty, interesting, perfect conversation starters and all around fun. The portions are quite small and prices steep so if you want to leave full, prepare to drop a few dimes. The service, ugh, was subpar at best. I often wondered if we had specifically done something to annoy our waiter because he was rude, abrasive, constantly rushed and would disappear for long periods of time. Considering the restaurant was very slow (Sunday night) we couldn't understand why the service was just so off. When we were done, had licked our dessert plates clean and had finished all our beverages, we sat for a good 20 minutes before having to physically flag our waiter down for the bill. He gave us a snippy response for the time lapse which was inappropriate and we had still kept our cool. Once we got the bill, we immediately placed our payment in his hand before he walked away again. We only had large bills and between the two of us, we were owed about $75 change. We waited and waited while we could see our waiter socializing and yucking it up with the bartender. My friend grew impatient and flagged him to come over and asked "Can we get our change?" to which he responded "oh, you wanted change?" HA. We about died laughing and he wasn't kidding at all. To assume on he was keeping the $74.10 change which was more than my entire bill was ludicrous especially considering he absolutely knew he gave subpar service. We left feeling pretty heated. Not once did I see a manager or anyone come to the table to check on how our evening was going because we would have absolutely said something then! I still stand by the food quality, but after leaving, I questioned if all the hype and popularity has tapped this place out? The service was really unexpected for such a fantastic restaurant. Maybe at one time it was phenomenal, but now, I'd rather pay that much somewhere it's appreciated.

    (3)

  • Megan E.

    My husband and I went here for late night drinks and dessert after a show at the Fox. For 10:30 at night the place was still pretty crowded but we were seated right away. The place immediately reminded me of JCT Kitchen, but JCT is a lot better in my opinion. Then again, we only had cocktails and dessert... We ordered the Pimm's cup (my husband's drink, I took a sip and didn't care for it, but that's because I don't like gin) and an amaretto sour. They're served in mason jars which is a unique touch. The dessert menu was rather disappointing-hoity toity stuff when all we wanted a simple piece of chocolate cake or ice cream. We ended up ordering a $7 dish that consisted of maybe a dozen raspberries, cherries and blackberries, on top of a moussey white chocolate cream that I could have easily replicated at home. It was pretty but there wasn't much to it, and it certainly wasn't worth 7 bucks. Our waitress was OK but seemed annoyed that we didn't want to order dinner. She definitely was more attentive to the other tables around us. I took a look at the dinner menu and it didn't sound that great either so if I ever do come back, I'll probably just sit at the bar and order a cocktail.

    (2)

  • Eva W.

    Was home for a week and caught up with some friends here. Took advantage of the nice weather and sat in the spacious outside seating area surrounding the courtyard. Good place to knock back some wine and chill. Service was okay, I found the food to be both tasty and innovative. I thought it was a good Asian/Southern fusion. I really liked the farm egg, which the server said is their most popular appetizer. The mixture of the soft runny egg with crunchy rice was a good combination. Also liked the crisp pork belly with corn kimchi. I didn't really get the kimchi flavor, as the corn was a bit overpowering, but nonetheless overall still a good dish. People generally seemed to be happy with their food, and a friend seemed to really like the duck breast. Don't expect true southern food, but if you have an open mind, this won't disappoint.

    (4)

  • Amanda W.

    I want to like this place, but it's just not a good value for lunch. Definitely don't go here if you're a vegetarian. The only vegetarian option is to do the super foods plate WITHOUT steak. The catch? The dish costs $18 with or WITHOUT the steak. Such a ripoff. $18 for vegetables for LUNCH! I, on the other hand, just paid $14 for 4 shrimp in some broth. Ridiculous.

    (2)

  • Wayne F.

    This is a really cool place. They are open for breakfast on the weekends and have a take out window for coffee and pastries-- the honey butter biscuit is pretty damn good and I'm not a biscuit guy. The dinner menu rotates and is creative-- as such some items will be hit or miss. The charred octopus was killer in my opinion although some of friends were not impressed. Cocktail list is adequate and what they do serve they do well. Would repeat.

    (4)

  • Andrea G.

    I was stuck in Atlanta for two days during the end-of-January snow disaster, and I was only in a good mood because I thought, hey, this gives me a chance to visit Empire State South! After seeing Hugh Acheson on Top Chef about a million times, I finally wanted to get to one of his restaurants. The interior is gorgeous, a kind of hipstery Southern mashup, and the staff were extremely friendly and knowledgable about the menu and the food. For lunch, I started with a cold-brewed Earl Grey tea, which was poured (a bit pretentiously) table-side into a mason jar. I forgave the pretentiousness because the tea was fantastic; I had to ration out sips so that I wouldn't finish it before my main had arrived. As an appetizer, I got the pimiento cheese and bacon marmelade with toast. The toast was perfectly warm and buttery, thick cut but not so crunchy as to make it hard to eat. The pimiento cheese itself was quite good, but it was layered underneath the bacon marmelade in a little jar, so it was impossible to get to the cheese itself, and as the marmelade itself was quite sweet, the whole thing, once smothered on the bread, ate sweet as well. If the two spreads came in two jars instead of one, you could more easily proportion the perfect bite. (Just a suggestion...) My main was the porchetta sandwich with tomato soup served in a baby mason jar. The sandwich, which layered porchetta, onions, and whole grain mustard, was GIGANTIC, so I wound up tossing aside the top bun and eating the filling with a fork. The bread was crunchy on the outside and spongy on the inside, but there was just too much of it to cram into my mouth, so I opted to privilege the meat, which was truly incredible--juicy, salty (but not overly so), fatty (again, not overly so), and balanced nicely by the onions and mustard. The soup was equally good, I only wish I had been served more of it. In fact, what I would have loved was a much smaller sandwich and a much bigger portion of soup (preferably not in a tiny jar, which made it harder to eat than necessary). It seems that at Empire State South, the flavor is all there, but the quirks of plating--in particular the insistence on baby mason jars--makes for some less than ideal proportions of those flavors. If they could just re-calibrate that a bit, the food would be perfection. All that said, I will gladly visit ESS again if I'm ever in Atlanta and will heartily recommend it to friends.

    (4)

  • Angela M.

    We went in knowing nothing about this place, other than it had just opened, and it was within walking distance of our location at the time. We were pleasantly surprised to find such a homey space in the bottom of an Atlanta skyscraper. The three at the hostess stand were not terribly inviting, but then again, we were still in our Tech game day clothes. We didn't have reservations (we didn't know this place was a big deal), and we asked to sit outside, which seemed to have them flustered. They asked if we'd mind the cocktail table at the edge, which was perfectly sized for 2, had us wait a minute while they got it situated, and then seated us. No worries at all, though it seemed by their expressions that we'd thrown them for a loop. The outside space is quite pleasant, though my 6-month pregnant posterior could've used a more comfortable chair, or at least some kind of cushion. We were most impressed by the bocce court, complete with chalk board for keeping score, and green wooden lawn chairs. It definitely helped that the fall air had arrived, and it was the most pleasant evening Atlanta had seen in ages. We'll have to try the cocktails when I'm not expecting, since they sounded quite interesting. Jimmy ordered the split pea soup and the quail. I ordered the antipasti platter and the plate of sides (veggie plate). The food was beautifully presented (see my pictures!). The anitpasti platter looked like something out of Southern Living and featured deviled eggs, tea sandwiches (egg salad, chicken salad, pimento cheese), spiced pecans, pickled vegetables, and cream cheese with red pepper jelly. The sandwiches had good flavor, but were dry, as if they'd been prepared well in advance: egg salad was curried; chicken salad was smooth with orange, apple, celery, and pecan; pimento cheese was chunky. The deviled eggs came with bacon bits, but were watery. Jimmy's favorite was the red pepper jelly with cream cheese, but mine was the spiced pecans. I would definitely be willing to try the platter again with a cocktail. Jimmy's split pea soup was the unexpectedly chunky and really flavorful. For my plate of 5 sides, I chose the collard greens, okra, green beans, sautéed cucumbers, and the macaroni and cheese. The plate also came with either a yeast roll or skillet cornbread, and I chose the cornbread. The cornbread was a little too dense and spongy, and the bottom was not as crispy as I prefer. The green beans were crunchy with fennel and some kind of white sauce - good, but forgettable. The collards could've benefited from a little more spice to balance the sweetness. The sautéed cucumbers tasted like warm pickles, in a good way. The okra was prepared as I'd never seen before - in long slices, pan roasted with almonds. Delicious! Very flavorful in a subtle way, rather than relying on spicy batter and fried as I'm so used to seeing around town. The macaroni and cheese was the best I've had in Atlanta, possibly ever. I'm not someone who's easily sold on m&c since it really is an art to get the right blend of cheese and flour in the sauce, spread it evenly amongst the noodles, and maintain the texture of the whole dish. This perfect little cast iron pot of m&c had an excellent cheese sauce, perfect texture, with bubbly cheese and browned bread crumbs on top. DIVINE. 5 stars for it alone! I'd asked for a to-go box early, since there was no way that my small stomach could eat the antipasti platter and finish the plate of 5 sides. Still the server showed us the dessert menu so we'd know what to save room for next time. I was most intrigued by the peach ice cream with cayenne-lemon madeleine. And what do you know? Our server comes out with the check and that ice cream for us to share! That definitely sealed the deal. While I usually prefer hard-packed to soft-serve ice cream, this had great peach flavor, particularly with the bits of peach on top. The cayenne was subtle in the madeleine, but it was enough to perfectly cut the sweetness of the madeleine and the ice cream. Other than the slight awkwardness with the hostess station, the service was wonderful. Our server was friendly and unpretentious. The staff worked well together to keep our tiny water glasses filled, never reaching over us or hovering. The floor manager was walking around checking on everything with a very sweet smile on her face that seemed as if she really was enjoying her evening. And though I don't know him (but I guess I should based on the name dropping in the other reviews), the chef was talking with two of the patrons on the bocce court, which added to the atmosphere of going to someone's house for an upscale garden party rather than being at a new downtown restaurant. This will definitely be our first choice for pre-symphony dining!

    (5)

  • Christian M.

    Ate here last month as part of my team end of the year lunch at my office. Was somewhat afraid of the menu as I am a very picky eater. I ended up ordering the farm egg and am glad I did. Was so delicious and wanted more! I didn't realize it was an appetizer of sorts so was let down with the size. Next time I'll order two! Though the prices are high, the food more than makes up for it. And the service was great. We were a big table and they could not have been more accommodating. Cannot wait to go back again.

    (5)

  • Anita C.

    We ordered the farm egg and beef tartare as apps. The catfish and trout as our entrees. The farm egg was really really good and unique. We were hesitant at first but loved it so much more than the beef tartare. I highly recommend the farm egg. Both of the fish dishes were good. No complaints there but not extraordinary enough to give them 4 stars. This place was extremely hard to find!!! It's part of a large building and the entrance is hidden. I don't know if I will be able to find it very easily if I go again...

    (3)

  • Liz K.

    Location is not that easy to find. But if you know where the HOTEL MIDTOWN is, it's right next to it. So I've been hearing people rave about this like no other, so finally when i was able to try it, it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. First off, started off with a half dozen of mix & match oysters. Fresh, clean, and slimey. Yum. It was also served with these amazing crispy crackers they make at the restaurant. I could just keep on eating oysters + crackers... For the entree, had the redfish and my friend had the artic char. Both were quite tasty, and light. The different types of grits served on the menu really brings in that southern comfort to the place. There's a large selection of wine, which I love. Seating is cozy and the restaurant itself is very casual in a classy kind of way. Like the place a lot, and will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Jennifer F.

    Hands down my favorite restaurant in Atlanta. Their menu is always changing but the jars, pork belly, lamb belly and farm egg are a few of the dishes to die for. They also make incredible cocktails. Although I also love getting the cheap can brew (Schlitz or similar) because it comes with an ESS koozie!

    (5)

  • Alex P.

    The food is delicious and the atmosphere is very nice, but the portions are insultingly small (at least for brunch). If I'm paying $14 for a meal, I don't want to leave hungry.

    (3)

  • Alex S.

    I started with a few beers and champagne. Alcohol selection is weird: do they have an experienced sommelier? My gut says no. Anyways, rabbit roulette is mediocre. Ditto for the duck main. Highlight of the meal was pretzel bread and the desert. With a more experienced sommelier and more refined mains this place will be in 4 stars range.

    (3)

  • Dave B.

    How this place gets below a 5 star rating is beyond me; this is one of the best. This was recommended by a pal of mine and I immediately texted him afterwards. I had been trying to get a reservation the last two years and finally got one for Valentines. Right away I was one over by the staff when we arrived. Beautiful Southern decor, intimate, romantic setting. For starters we had the Chicken Sausage appetizer, light and flavorful. I followed that with a Cabernet blend. For the main course my wife ordered the Gum Creek Pork, while I took on the Braised Rib entree: veal shortbreads, bok choy, squash cubes, splash of bourbon cider glaze. O My Goodness. I savored every bite of this dish, especially the rib. You can't cook meat any better than this. For dessert, I had the Malt Cake, which was very rich but not overpowering. And they validate parking. All around, a thoroughly satisfying evening.

    (5)

  • Alex C.

    The atmosphere here is awesome. The locations a little funky, but if you can find their little courtyard, you're in for a treat. For an awesome, well made, delicious breakfast sandwich that isn't mass produced, come here. I went for the pimento fried chicken sandwich and it was amazing. The coffee here is also pretty good, so make sure to check'em out. And make sure to thank your server/barista on weand.co

    (5)

  • Alice T.

    I am such a motherpheasantplucking fan (that's my way of kindergarten swearing on Yelp) of this place! One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. Went here with a few business colleagues. There were 6 of us, and we decided to try out the prefixed menu. If you check out the bottom right hand corner of the menu, you'll see this option in teeny tiny letters. Your choice of how many courses. I think we picked 5. But, I need to sidebar a bit here and talk about the service. Our waiter (cute Korean dude) was extremely knowledgeable, pleasant, and all around fantastic server! He knew his food, and it was quite impressive. He also went out of his way to help us throughout the dinner (including handwriting a list of late night spots in town since we were all out-of-towners). On with the food. Ah-MAZ-ing. Every single dish was delicious. My favorite was the pork belly with kimchi grits. But with the tasting menu, most of the dishes are off menu (which adds to the appeal). And because we asked for variety, the kitchen went out of their way to serve us one or two different dishes for each course, so that we can pass our dishes around and get maximum variety. I tell you, I'm a HUGE fan, and will keep coming back whenever I'm in Hotlanta. It was extremely memorable.

    (5)

  • Lee M.

    Here are some background thoughts to my review of ESS. Some chefs have really good publicists and really great personalities on tv and I think that Hugh Acheson has both - I'm a huge fan of him as a judge on Top Chef. He replaced the snarky comic relief void left by Toby for me. I came here shortly after the episode of Top Chef when he called out one of the contestants for making gummy grits, proclaiming that he makes them virtually every day of his life. So obviously I had to find a dinner dish that had grits. That was the striped bass, on top of grits, mushrooms in a dashi. The grits were creamy and smoky and with the earthy mushrooms and dashi, it was a perfect combo. The bass was awful though - flaccid skin, fishy smell, and overcooked. It ruined an otherwise amazing accompaniment. Going backwards, I had the steak tartare - quite the miss for me as well. Nice cut was ruined by copious amounts of mustard. It tasted as if I was eating chewy mustard. Definite lowlight. Coffee is amazing - Counter Culture - expertly brewed. Pretty mixed meal - I'd probably go back on the reputation but I'd have to order differently. Been back several time s since for lunch - grilled octopus and steak salad are both can't miss.

    (4)

  • Michael D.

    ALL AROUND DIVINE! This place is amazing! A must stop if your in Atlanta. Decor is beautiful! Food is as much beautiful as it is tasty. It's kind of funny to me that people thing the portions are so small. The recommended portion of food is much smaller than what most American restaurants serve. I started with the in jars the pimento cheese and bacon marmalade was nothing short of spectacular! My girlfriend had also ordered us the farm egg which order server Voss (who was really excellent by the way and extremely knowledgeable about both the food and wine) described and explained how we were to jouge the egg around! I love that word! The entree was the catfish for me and my girlfriend ordered the pork both where greatly balanced dishes with amazing textures throughout the dishes! We shared both! Our wine that he suggested based on our entree selections was excellent pairings! We love going to Farm to Table restaurants and Hugh Atchinson has done it right from food to service, decor! Not to mention the coffee program was great they have CHEMEX ( brewed for each cup). Can't wait to visit again, next time I will try one of the many craft cocktails that were on the list.

    (5)

  • Average G.

    3.5 Stars. I went with my girlfriend after a major fight 2 nights before as a make up dinner. I had read the reviews, heard co-workers complement the food, etc. But considering the price point, ESS was a huge disappointment. Ironically, the bad overall experience brought us together as we both had similar complaints, so maybe it wasn't so bad. Our Experience: Our waiter was friendly but it took quite a while for us to be greeted at our table (solid 5 mins). We had our coats taken, which was nice. Our waiter made us feel comfortable and made great suggestions as we always look to waiters for help to guide us to a restaurants' strong suits. Our cocktails were great. I had the Pimm Cup which tasted like ginger iced tea with a cucumber in it giving it an airy, light feel. I could probably drink a gallon of that stuff tho it was a little weak on the alcohol tip. My gf liked her drink which was much stronger, but I can't remember the name of it for the life of me and the website does not list cocktail menus. But so far so good. The waiter suggested the ESS House Charcuterie with their own home cured meats and pickled veggies and mustards as a starter. We added some cheese on the side since it made sense. It was a fun sampler that really filled the two of us up. Everything was good but nothing wowed us, especially considering they cure their own meat on site. And none of the cheeses were unique. We could probably get them at Whole Foods. The kiwi apple butter was delicious that came with the cheese plate (ask about it). I'd buy a bottle of that! My gf ordered the trout and I went with the duck. The duck was in the form of a sausage patty. The amount of fat was perfect and the patty tender. The flavors were bold and the pickled blueberry was an excellent touch. The trout though was pretty bland and the flavors were flat across the board. The fish was cooked tender but lacked a crispy skin. The entree was just boring. And there were only 5 choices. There were more apps and sides than entrees...didn't like that either. We ended up paying around 120 plus tip. Was it worth it...not really. At 30 dollars a plate, I want to be given some bold flavors, unique ideas, and better execution. We more than likely won't go back since I can't afford to drop that much for "solid" food. I need to be wowed some more for that level of money.

    (3)

  • Jason And Sarah R.

    First, let me say, we're hug fans of Top Chef and Hugh Acheson. We even own his cookbook! That said, we've been dying to try ESS for some time now, so when our friends suggested the four of us have dinner there this past weekend, we happily obliged. While ESS is located in Midtown, it's a bit difficult to find. However, after finally locating our destination, we were greeted by a cute courtyard setting, with large picnic style tables and two bocce ball courts. Considering it was 40 degrees that particular night, we decided we would have to come back when the weather was warmer. Once inside, the ambience was exactly as you would expect. Rustic yet refined, just like the food. Speaking of food, the hubby and I agreed, we haven't had a meal this good in quite some time. Our service - impeccable. For starters, we shared the JARS - small Mason jars filled with pickles, deviled ham with mustard seed, a trout mousse, pimento cheese with bacon marmalade and a boiled peanut hummus. Each of us had a difficult time deciding which was our favorite. They were all uniquely delicious. Our server, who was great all around, but most importantly, had a passion for the menu, suggested the FARM EGG (because, not only was it his "favorite, but there was also a 2 page write up about it in CL") and the ROASTED OCTOPUS as our next course. I would heartily recommend either of these dishes to anyone who knows the difference between good food and great food. The farm egg was like nothing I've ever tasted. It was served poached, over top a layer of "rice krispies" with trumpet mushrooms, pork and green onions. I would urge you to try one per couple though, as it's not a large dish. The octopus, as our server explained, was marinated, then roasted, so that it was more like lobster, than octopus. He was spot on. It was some of the best octopus I've ever had. It was served with green lentils and fried sweet potato chips in a spicy red sauce. Mouth watering! As our main course, the hubby and I split the DUCK WITH SAUSAGE, while our friends opted for the GROUPER entree. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but the portion sizes were definitely on the small side. While both entrees were really good, if I'm being honest, our first two courses stole the show. We finished the night off with the RYE bread ice cream & greek yogurt CHEESECAKE, with raisins and poached pineapples. I would say the desserts are more of a taste, similar in size to the current "shot dessert" trend. This was perfectly acceptable to each of us, as we only needed a bite of something sweet to end our wonderful dinner together. The cheesecake was just the right amount of sweet as it was refreshing. And the rye bread ice cream was just as our server claimed, "15 times better than it sounds." We each left feeling satisfied, but not stuffed. I think we'll opt for a few more appetizers next time around, or one entree per person (not shared). Either way, ESS is southern food at its finest. It's not heavy, like traditional southern food. It's more sophisticated, with all of the same great flavors and tastes those of us in the south grew up with. We give it 5 stars and highly recommend it as one of the best new restaurants in Atlanta!

    (5)

  • Patti F.

    Well, we had Christmas Eve dinner and we weren't told there was a set menu. Ugh! The rabbit roulade was awful! Next we had catfish loins...fair. The lamb was the only redeeming part of the dinner but I cannot give it better than one star because the service was only fair. I had to ask for serve ware when the group family style dishes were served so we could spoon out our food. Really??!! Isn't that important enough to bring with the dish? Small portions, large bill at the end. We will not return.

    (1)

  • Ms. M.

    We had a very enjoyable dinner at Empire State South. While the service was great, and the food was tasty, I was just not totally blown away. Still, I liked ESS and thought it was a good choice for my gourmet food tour of Atlanta. We tried a wonderful variety of dishes, thanks in part to the "In Jars" appetizer, which itself offered 4 different spreads (peanut hummus, deviled ham, pimento & cheese with bacon marmalade, and trout mousse) and 1 jar of pickled vegetables. Our favorite dish was the Farm Egg, which in tonight's iteration came on top of sliced hot dogs, crispy rice, nettles, chanterelles, and corn puree -- a great meld of comforting flavors. Other dishes we had included the peach gazpacho, which was refreshing but slightly too tart; the crisp pork belly over kimchi rice, which was nicely balanced; the glazed octopus, which was a bit busy with so many different components (like sausage patties and cucumbers and pork rinds and octopus and fennel and lardo), but it was all very yummy; and the GA Trout with sweet & sour broth served over a bed of braised cabbage, fennel, carrot, onion jam, and radish, which was a great fish entree dish. For dessert, we opted for the Chocolate & Sassafras, which was definitely interesting both in terms of flavors and textures. We also took home some goodies from the self-service pastry & candy bar; our server was kind enough to pack up an extra phatty cake, a marshmallow crunch brownie, and a blueberry donut for us. All in all, we had a great experience at ESS, and we would definitely recommend it to others looking for a nice yet low-key restaurant with great service and solid dishes.

    (4)

  • Anthony D.

    I went there again, because I wanted to try that farm egg! Last time I got the trout and it was good. My experience this time was consistent like that last time. Service was good, food didn't take too long either. I got the farm egg and it was pretty tasty, I really enjoyed it. Again a 4 out of 5 star experience for me.

    (4)

  • David S.

    This is amazing dining. Imaginative, delicious, constantly surprising. The charcuterie plate had about 6 different things including by far the best "bologna" I've ever had. The peach salad combined fantastic peaches with a creme fraiche sauce that gave "peach" a whole new meaning. And the pork entree- the tenderest, most delicate smoked pork loin: beautiful. Good wine list that provided a rose that set it all off perfectly. A great meal.

    (5)

  • David Z.

    Though I'm not much of a drinker, I was inspired by ESS's cocktail menu. I had the Autunno Notte, a delicious drink whose excellent taste concealed its heavy alcohol content. For some reason our server forgot to bring us out the bread/butter plate, so I had to request it. Anyway, my friend and I each ordered an appetizer--he the oysters, I the parsley root soup. Both of us enjoyed our choices. As an entree I had the bass, which was good but not excellent. We also shared the kimchi rice (kind of a spicy risotto) and the curry chow chow (good snack). No room for dessert, but it looked quite good!

    (4)

  • Susan K.

    The little jars were great, the octopus was great but the farm egg dish was so salty i had to leave most of it in the bowl.

    (3)

  • Mac W.

    Would give one more star but my entree, the pasta, came out cold. Was not good. Other than that, good experience.

    (3)

  • Tom C.

    I'm not a big fan of giving out 5 stars, and I'm on the fence about this one. But, the dinner I had last night was so good, I'm going to go ahead and do it anyhow. I went with a group of four, and we had a great meal. We all started the meal with drinks, and I had some thing that was made with gin and was very good (I forget the name). I was a bit surprised at the lack of whiskey-based drinks on the menu, as that seems to be a staple at these "new southern" places. But, that's fine. I ordered oysters as a starter. Very good. it's hard to find good fresh oysters here in ATL, I think, but these were solid. They came with three of the places' home-made sauces, which were all really good (I tried each). For my main course, I had Georgia trout, which was outstanding. It came with some greens and perfectly cooked potatoes. Really, really, very, very good. I'm desperate to try to recreate those potatoes.... Others at the table ordered a variety of things, and everyone seemed to be happy. The wine list is pretty good, and we had a very good bottle of Chablis for only $58, which I think is a reasonable price at this kind of place. For dessert, I had an Armagnac, with which I was happy. The one complaint I'd level against the menu, which is why I am thinking 4 stars instead of 5, is that there is almost nothing on the menu that's vegetarian friendly. I am a pescatarian, and even the options for a fish-eater were limited. This is something that could be a barrier for others who want lots of choices that don't involve meat. But, then again, this is supposed to be Southern food, and when I first arrived here, I did learn that in the South, chicken salad is what they have in mind when you say "vegetarian." Beyond the food, this place has a lot going for it. The service was solid - never disruptive and very well informed. I luuurrvvvee the decor. It's very comfortable - the whole place reminds me of the better rooms at Miller Union. The only problem on this front is that it can be a bit loud. Also, it's connected to a hotel and office building, which almost gives it a hotel restaurant feel, which is certainly is not.

    (5)

  • mike p.

    Downside: no beers on tap, only in bottles or cans. Upsides: Great food (enjoyed the jars, friends all rave about the Farm Egg), good cocktails, Bocce court. All in all a solid, fun place. I'd definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Rachael I.

    I went to ESS over the summer with two of my best friends for lunch. Had heard such good things, and I was already such a huge fan of Five & Ten in Athens that I knew I had to try this place. First of all, I love the location of the place. It's really beautiful and the interior is laid out really well, almost cozy-like. I think we all ordered sandwiches. I got the po' boy. Food came out pretty quickly, and when it did, I was pretty excited. Overall, everything tasted great. My only minor complaint is the portion size. It was a pretty expensive sandwich, and I expected it to be bigger than the size of my hand. Granted though, I was reallyyy hungry, so maybe I just inhaled it too fast. Anyway, the quality was excellent, so I give it an A+ on taste. The real highlight though was the service. The guy seemed genuinely interested in making our experience a good one, especially when we told him it was our first visit. Also, when I started raving about Five & Ten, and told him we had been regulars at Hugh's Athens establishments, he brought us free dessert!! They were these small cakes (whoopie pies?) that were moist and gingery and just awesomely delicious. Total kudos to him for being awesome! Overall, I was impressed, and I will definitely come back for dinner sometime (the kimchi grits are calling my name =)

    (4)

  • Dizzles D.

    Was excited to try this place..so we decided to go for brunch with a group of friends. Beet salad was one of the most disappointing I have had EVER. Not only did it feel like they were just boiled....but there were less than 1/3 of a beet in the whole dish. Ordered the chicken sausage and the farm egg with crispy rice. Both dishes came out COLD....and trust me there is nothing worse than eating a cold poached egg. The one dish that was pretty good was the rabbit hash, coffee is good too....

    (2)

  • Nick M.

    Having eaten here previously I was excited to go back since our first experience was great. Our party included a chef from our of town. They were well aware that we had a visiting chef in our party which I thought would of anything provide a better experience for our group. My wife and I had the grilled octopus as an app and it was pretty tender but over salted. Service was terrible from beginning to end. Our server could not have known less about the menu and did not give a rip. There were only 5 mains, and she knew very little about any of them. I think we saw her 4 times total over the course of our 2 hour stay. The restaurant was not busy either, as we were not sat until close to 10:00 after a round of drinks at the bar. The drinks were excellent though. Their craft cocktails are tasty. The entrees we had, braised duck which was ok 6 of 10 and the lamb neck which was an 8 of 10. We had a party of 12, and most everyone ordered these same two, and thought pretty much the same in terms of their quality. To top it off, they never mentioned that they validate parking (found this out later after wondering how people would pay this ridiculous amount for 3 hours here) and we paid an $11.00 charge there on our way out. Atlanta has so many other great new restaurants, ie Miller Union or the Optimist so save yourself the disappointment.

    (2)

  • Laura F.

    As fans of 5 & 10 in Athens, my fiance and I had to try ESS for our Valentine's weekend date night. We went at 9 on a Saturday and had a great time! While waiting for our table, we went to the bar and ordered drinks. The Walk Down Alameda and Graffiti Lane were both tasty and poured to perfection, although the service was a little slow due to the crowd around the bar. We were seated at a small table in the middle of one of the dining rooms, which gave us the perfect vantage point to check out the decor and the other diners. :) Our waiter, Anthony, was AWESOME!!!!! He was so laid back, but with an obvious knowledge of the menu. We ended up letting him choose everything for us, since we were open to trying anything on the menu. He started us with the Charcuterie, which had an assortment of sausages, mustards, and pickled vegetables. Everything on the board was delicious! For our next course, Anthony chose two of the "Beginnings" for us--the Charred Octopus and the Tripe Stew. The octopus was cooked so perfectly, and the red peas complemented the subtle octopus taste to a T. The tripe stew, complete with hominy and roasted pork, was probably one of the most delicious things I have ever put in my mouth! The broth was so light and flavorful that we ended up getting more of the pretzel bread just to soak it all up! For our entree, we shared the Braised Shortrib, which was tender and moist. The bok choy and butternut squash were tasty as well. Just as we thought it couldn't get any better, we had the cocoa and farro for dessert, which was heaven on a spoon. We ate every bite! To sum, dinner was superb, especially the Tripe Stew. Service was 5-star and we would certainly ask for Anthony again. He truly made the evening for us, and was one of the best servers we have ever had! The drinks were well-made, the atmosphere was fun, and overall we had a blast!

    (5)

  • Mark D.

    The food is fantastic and the service is impeccable. There are so many good things on the menu. If you're not wanting to shell out the dough for a pricey dinner then try them for brunch instead. The deck parking is convenient and don't forget to have your ticket validated.

    (4)

  • Jay J.

    Gluten free culinary heaven. The tasting menu and wine pairing is off the chain. Can't wait to go back again (and again). Without giving up too much detail, the highlights were: Roasted Octopus w/ heirloom leeks, curry bologna vinaigrette, pickled tumeric, arugula blossoms (this was craaazy good) Strube Ranch Spinalis w/ bone marrow, bok choi, hedgehog mushrooms, tendon puff Popping Flan which was muscovado flan, oranges, yuzu foam, popping candy, celery sorbet paired with a glass of Madeira

    (5)

  • Vicky V.

    It was a nice place, great selection of fun cocktails. Do try one or more. They had some delish appetizers which I liked such as foie gras, oysters were wonderful . Overall it was fun and nice. The main dishes were not as good. Desserts were pretty interesting and unique.

    (3)

  • Laura N.

    I didn't like my dinner here, but Empire State South makes the most addictive and amazing cookies I've ever had. It's called the phatty cake ($2), which is a "spicy ginger cookie and vanilla mascarpone sandwich." I noticed that many lawyers and paralegals at my firm also share my addiction to the phatty cakes. You know you want one (or at least two). Today ESS catered for an awesome lunch featuring a low country boil (replete with a live folk band and a spread of corncobs, potatoes, sausages, shrimp, and lemons sitting directly on newspapers) for the 999 Peachtree building's tenants. The party was great, and the low country boil was really fresh although its flavor paled in comparison to the phatty cakes. Thanks, Empire State South!

    (3)

  • Melissa B.

    I've been so caught up in trying new spots in Atlanta that I'm still missing out on so many great places that have been around for a while. Luckily I finally tried Empire, I had a lovely first experience. For starters, the attached parking deck is free with validation so no hassle there. The seating is kind of miss-matched and pretty close together, but not in a stuffy way, in a fun homey way. I stole the wide, perfectly cushioned seat at our table and it was just perfect. Heavenly little chair I wanted to take home. Anyway, beyond the seating, the cocktails are well made, the servers are very friendly and know the menu, and the oysters are substantially sized (and their house hot sauce is a great compliment to them). That seems like enough convincing for me, but on top of that they have a bocce ball court outside and a nice long bar perfect for happy hour. And one more thing...this girl does not like or desire a steak, never has...but wait...raw steak? Yeah sure. The steak tartare is fantastic. Who knew!?

    (5)

  • Scott S.

    The place is beautiful and the food is delicious. The entrees are on the small side though for what they cost. I'm a 6' tall, 175 lb. man and I would have left there a little hungry if not for the bread and appetizer.

    (4)

  • Gretchen S.

    We REALLY enjoyed every sip and bit of our meal here! Our group of 4 ordered cocktails- I enjoyed the special Old Fashioned that evening. We started with the Snackies, or course! Hubby said these were the cleanest oysters he's ever had- and that is saying something! I still dream of the jars- oh that pimento cheese! And the charcuterie was perfect- requiring an extra basket of bread to finish off. For my entree I had the Darby Farms chicken. I NEVER order chicken out. I make it at home all the time and usually prefer to have something I would not make. Judging by the description, this, was going to be VERY special chicken- and it was! As much as I want to try everything on the menu, I will probably want to order it again! The wine recommendations were spot on, going with each of our entrees perfectly. While we were too full/satisfied to have dessert- I am looking forward to our return trip to try that portion of the menu. Lovely time!

    (5)

  • Arika S.

    Delicious spot for brunch in Midtown. Easy to make reservations for large groups and service was quick and good. I tried the monkey bread and pimento cheese appetizer which were both really tasty..would recommend them both. Portions were reasonable but not large by any means. Coffee was also really good. Would definitely go back here!

    (4)

  • Ana M.

    I have only been here for brunch and am split between giving this place 3 or 4 stars. maybe a 3.75- thus the 4. Thing is, there is nothing bad to say about this place. The bocce ball court outside is cool (though I have a thing against restaurants in the middle of big commercial buildings), the service is very good, the decor is cute. The food is good too- here's what we ordered: toast+pimento cheese/bacon spread- AWESOME. The bacon especially was caramelized, crunchy and salty. really liked this. Smoked trout salad- also a very good combination of flavors, the trout was not too smokey and instead very light in flavor and flaky in texture. I also really love some fall veggies in a salad- the roasted squash took this salad up a notch but still keeping this dish very heathy. It was a very good choice. Parsley root soup- the rest of my party really enjoyed this soup, I was expecting more complexity of flavor. The farro and apple really added some complexity, but there wasn't enough of it there for me to really get a good combination of flavors. It was good, but wouldn't order it again. Steak and egg- perfectly grilled steak, egg was just an egg. Why are people raving about this egg? I mean it's a fried egg. I needed to add some salt to it. Jalapeño and bacon biscuit- The confit pork on this dish was probably one of the best things I had that day, and likely one of the best pulled porks I have tasted. I don't remember the taste of the bacon on this dish, which means it probably wasn't showcased (weird considering it's in the title of the dish). The most disappointing part for me was the overcooked poached egg. What a shame. I expected this type of slip up to not occur in a restaurant such as this. Dessert- we ordered the cupcake to share. I was disappointed. The batter seemed a little dry, the fruit middle just kind of crumbled out, no real integration to the batter. I also did not enjoy the icing. I have to say others in my party did enjoy the icing. Drinks: Mocha and espresso were perfectly executioned. Props to the barista. The bolero, though probably not a brunch drink, was awesome. Mezcal rosemary heaven. I also tasted the bloody mary- definitely a keeper. All in all a solid brunch experience but I expected more. I wanted more creativity, better dessert options for brunch, more excitement. I ended up dropping $30, which was fine. I would return if recommended by a friend, but I won't be rushing to come here again myself.

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    One of my favorite meals of 2011! I came here over my holiday break with my dear friend Sarah. In lieu of a physical Christmas gift we decided to dine out instead - and no gift would have beat the meal we had! We went with the {SIX COURSE TASTING MENU} and everything was absolutely delightful. Our waiter asked if we mined sharing because sometimes the chef would provide two different plates instead of us both getting the same thing SCORE! We got some of the same dishes, some different ones, some on the menu and some off! I've been trying to lay off the bread lately but they have some delicious bread with pork rinds that I absolutely loved. A few of our favorite {ON MENU} items were {PRIME STEAK TAR TAR} holy yum, the combination of textures and flavors in this dish were spot on, this might be one of the most memorable things I had. We both also enjoyed the {SMOKED DUCK} and {PORK LION} both were well season and cooked to perfection. Off the menu we did get some amazing {TROUT} and this {LAMB} dish that I can't get out of my head. Wonderful, wonderful meal - definitely will be back!

    (5)

  • Matthew D.

    I am pretty sure I am the last person in America to get obsessed with Top Chef, but once I did join the rest of the country, I wanted to try Empire State South. I took a date who had been there before and wasn't wowed with it, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but let me kill the suspense now, we loved it. We were seated in the back dining room in a cozy little corner and a great view of the rest of the patrons. Which allowed us to preview a few dishes before ordering, which was great. And let's be honest, to eavesdrop on other tables, still the best reality TV out there today. I don't know what it is but when I see Tartare or Bone Marros on a menu I have a Pavlovian like response and I order it. I am glad I did, the Prime Steak Tartare crisp farro, fried egg, urfa chili, cheese puffs, radish, pickles, sorre was perfect. Add an egg to anything and it will always get my vote. Put some radish in there and I will propose. I was feeling adventurous so we followed the tartare up with some Grilled Octopus field peas, preserved tomato, carrot, sweet potato, harissa, turmeric. Now I have had some horrible Octopus experiences in my life but this was a home run. Grilled to perfection the acidity and the sweetness of the accompaniments made this the perfect second course. With our palettes properly revved up with shared the PA Duck, pickled blueberries sausage, confit leg, little gems, parsnip & the Speckled Trout, bacon dashi, gnocchi, kohlrabi & their greens, turnip, lonzino, nasturtium. I have just started to love duck and was rewarded here. The Trout was moist, bacon is still the most concrete proof there is a God and he like us and gnocchi, which can be so heavy was instead here the perfect compliment to the dish giving it a wonderful texture enhancing the mouth feel two-fold. To Recap: The Good: I really enjoyed myself here. The Sommelier was incredibly helpful, even if she was 10 times hipper than us. The food takes chances and hits much more than it misses. The atmosphere is loud and fun. The Bad: Location is a little hidden, but the parking garage makes it easy to walk to. The tables are rather close, so if you are looking for something a little more private I would head some where else. The Restaurant This Restaurant Most Resembles: The Gaslight Anthem. They rock!

    (4)

  • Cristina T.

    Food was awesome! We had the charred octopus (this might be the best octopus I've ever had) and the farm egg with crispy rice. I will definitely come back

    (5)

  • Tammy B.

    Fantastic dinner. It was our first time at Empire with two other couples. I had the scallops which were perfect. Great experience we'll be back soon. Thank you Cary!

    (5)

  • Laura G.

    Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic! The service really added to our night which is why I made this a 5 star review. Randy was our waiter and I will be requesting him upon our return. The atmosphere is also amazing. The food is always superb here. His night I had the short rib and my husband had catfish. We enjoyed everything so much and we're sad we didn't have room left for desert. We hope to be back soon! Tidbit- they stamp your parking garage ticket!

    (5)

  • Nekiba M.

    After reading Tom E.'s review and pick of their chicken sandwich it was love at first site. I ordered the chicken biscuit with pimento cheese and a side order of bacon. A bit messy but so good, the chicken was nice and crispy and the pimento cheese just set it off. I'm not much of a pimento cheese person but it went really well with the chicken biscuit. I devoured that thing quickly kind of disappointed that I did that but it was good. Their iced coffee was good also. The décor was industrial with a bit of country style as seen with the iced coffee served in mason jars and the adorable little tablets the checks came in. Being a crafts person I was looking at how the mason jars, something I might use later. They also have little sweets on a table which caught somebodies eye, with strawberry donuts, quiche, and so on. If breakfast was this good, I'll definitely have to check out lunch or dinner. Thanks to Tanya C. for organizing the earliest UYE I ever been to. Not sure if I can do this again but it was good.

    (4)

  • Jason F.

    Two restaurants in Atlanta tied for the James Beard Award for best chef in the Southeast-- Restaurant Eugene and Empire State South. And now, having been lucky enough to try both, I would have to say that Restaurant Eugene should have won outright. The food at Empire State South was great, but it wasn't quite good enough to justify the hype. Ambiance: Empire State South's location is fantastic, though difficult to find. It sits in a courtyard facing away form the street (if you are trying to find the restaurant you should call and ask where to park because the restaurant is not visible from the street). The decor/ambiance has a sort of rustic farmhouse meets city feel to it which is interesting and refreshing, in a way. There is also an amazing outdoor space which is no doubt popular when the weather is nice. Service: The service was great. Our waitress was friendly, had good taste in wine, and was surprisingly knowledgeable about the cooking methods used for each dish. Not many waitresses/waiters stay up to date on modern French cooking techniques or gastronomy. The Booze: Also excellent, If I worked in midtown I would definitely be a regular here, which also may mean I would quickly run out of money. Anyways, whoever picked their wines did a great job, and while I stuck to wine when we visited, I suspect the mixed drinks wouldn't disappoint. Food: My steak tartare was excellent and the farm egg was sous-vide'd perfectly. The main course was a slightly different story. I had the duck breast with red beans and roasted peppers. While the duck breast was cooked to the perfect temperature, the beans were over-salted and the pepper component seemed like an afterthought. With essentially just beans and duck, the dish left me looking for something to counterbalance it that I just didn't have. The dessert course was lovely, playful and intriguing-- and of course, delicious-- but I think it was a hair on the sweet side for me, although people with a different taste for sweets may disagree! While I realize my complaints seem a bit nit-picky, for a restaurant that won a James Beard Award, I admit to setting my standards fairly high. When I compare Empire State South and Restaurant Eugene, I can't help but wonder what it was that got the judges to review Empire so well. I was concerned that I just hadn't chosen my meal well, but the other diners agreed that it fell slightly short of their expectations. The food was good, but honestly I've already forgotten parts of the meal. It didn't 'wow' me, and I am not aching to return. On the other hand, I could still tell you every detail of the meal I had at Restaurant Eugene. My advice? Come for the drinks and an appetizer. Depending on your tastes, the rest may not be worth the money.

    (4)

  • Jess B.

    I have eaten at ESS on several occasions and have never had a bad dish. Their cocktails are always really interesting and their wine list never disappoints. Plus, both their bartenders and wait staff are really knowledgeable and can help you pair your cocktail or wine with your meal. My husband and I live close, so we've walked several times for a casual weekend brunch or for cocktails and an app with our pup out by their bocce court. Their dishes are not cheap, but for brunch it really is not a bad deal. I always love their "in jars" app or just the pimento cheese itself (I mean pimento cheese topped w/ bacon jam... what's not to like?) We've had dinner twice and both times I've loved my entrees. We tried their red velvet cake when we recently went for my birthday and I was super impressed- it's not overly sweet, but moist and delicious! Finally, I just love this place's overall ambiance! And after living in Athens for many years during undergrad and law school, I will always support a Hugh Acheson endeavor!

    (5)

  • Kristen M.

    I loved my dinner at ESS! Even if the food hadnt been great, I think I'd go back again based on the service and atmosphere alone. Everyone was SO friendly and nice. You'd think in a place as nice as ESS they'd be a little stuck up, but everyone was wonderful. My table shared the In Jars, which were great just like all the other reviewers said, and the oysters, which came w/ cute little vial sauces to try. For my meal I had the pecan frommage ravioli & brussel sprouts -- both were amazing. Yes it was a pricey meal, but it was worth the overall experience. Would love to go back!

    (5)

  • Seanan O.

    My husband and I dined here for lunch February 28, 2013. Service was outstanding. Knowledgable about the ingredients in the entree and offered to provide simple syrup for sweet tea. Outstanding Atmosphere was excellent. Comfy chairs nice vibe. Food: the Pimento cheese app was to die for. Loved it. My entree.. pork loin: didn't love it but I think I just ordered something that didn't suit my tastes, willing to try again. My husband loved his lamb dish. Overall a great experiene. four stars because I didn't care for how the pork loin was cooked and kinda overall mooshy texture of dish. I would come back and give it another shot.

    (4)

  • Nancy R.

    After I heard of raving reviews of their weekend brunch I had to try it. Wow, talk about awesome! It may still be a little pricey but definitely good food! FOOD: I had their Shrimp & Grits which is Savannah shrimp, andouille, peppers, celery, on top of hominy grits($14). They don't scrimp on the shrimp. This dish is full of shrimp with creamy grits with a little kick of hotness. We also had a side of their home fries($4), a little bland but decent. Since the weather was so nice this past weekend, we played bocce ball outside with a glass of mimosa. What a great relaxing weekend! You can also eat outside and order coffee & desserts from their outside window.

    (4)

  • Katie W.

    I've never been here for dinner but I've been here a few times for brunch. I like their brunch a lot. First off, their coffee is very good and their bloody Caesar cocktail is excellent. My first brunch experience included a fried green tomato BLT (on whole wheat bread!). It came with a very nice little side salad but I also ordered a side of fruit salad. My fruit salad side was excellent and huge, with apples, peaches, oranges, grapefruits and probably something else. The next time I was there, I was alone and sat at the bar (it was between workouts). I had the oatmeal, a side of fruit and a side of bacon. All were excellent. I really love the oatmeal here. It's served with crème fraiche, fruit, and milk and is just lightly sweetened. It's a great standard. I think I had the oatmeal again the next time I was there but I also sampled my dining companions' dishes (lots of them - I can't remember names - but they were all really tasty). I probably should come here for dinner sometime but I seem to always be walking by here during brunch hours and that's when I get sucked in. Overall, the staff is very nice but there is one guy who's a little haughty when you arrive (he is much happier if you have a reservation). Also, the bocce court is very cool in good weather (you can bring drinks out there, too!).

    (4)

  • Lauren P.

    Another Saturday with my favies Elizabeth H. and Laura W. We opted to check out brunch at Empire State South. Thank goodness Elizabeth had already been to the restaurant for dinner or else I wouldn't have known where to park! The parking deck is hidden behind the restaurant next to the hotel, and it's free with a validation from the restaurant. I love the space! Hugh Acheson did a great job in choosing his flagship Atlanta restaurant. Too bad the weather was crappy thus preventing us from enjoying the outdoor seating and bocce. We nestled into a booth then ordered up some coffee concoctions. Elizabeth and I both had the Cortado: a velvety mix of espresso and steamed milk. I loved the bold flavor however Elizabeth added a little sugar. Laura chose the Chai which she seemed to enjoy. Our brunch began with the Hugh's breakie - a small platter of grilled bread, local brie, butter and a delicious homemade jam. We couldn't quite determine the fruits included in the jam though cranberries seemed to be the main ingredient. It was fresh and delicious. We asked for more bread which was granted free of charge. Brunch continued with an assortment of breads accompanied by champagne pear butter, which came in a cute jar that I took home afterwards. I served the butter with wine, cheese and bread later that evening and it rocked! Elizabeth had the Jalapeno and Bacon biscuit which she graciously shared. The flavors were phenomenal! I'd never think to pair confit pork with a poached egg. Laura chose the oatmeal which looked yummy. Perfect comfort food for a rainy Saturday. Since I was struggling with the sniffles I just ordered up more coffee, this time opting for a cafe au lait. Perfectly prepared reminiscent of the coffee I love so much with beignets. This restaurant is another fabulous notch in Acheson's acclaimed belt. We'll be back to Empire State South to sample more goodies plus play some bocce.

    (4)

  • AJ W.

    Great appetizers. Jars and the farm egg on crunchy puffed rice are my favorites. Steak here is amazing too.

    (5)

  • Elaine N.

    I have to admit....I am a little bit of a foodie and always interested in the best and most interesting on the culinary scene...so was excited for ESS. Went with a group of four people for brunch last Sunday with a mixed result. - Service was pretty good...started to get a little lax at the end of brunch service - The bacon-pimento cheese spread is as good as advertised by other reviewers - We had the pumpkin monkey bread which was a sweet and nutty treat...get this - Coffees were very good - Oyster stew was lovely and fresh...a beautiful plate - English muffin(homemade), candied bacon, egg and pepper jelly rocked my friend's world - Only issue was the legendary "Farm Egg" dish. I ordered with high expectations...you try not to but there were so very many good reviews. It was not good. The rice was crunchy and very greasy...the hot dog part cooked to a shriveled mass and the egg was undercooked. I was so sad. It needed about 3 more egg yolks to make acceptable and was hella salty. The bocce courts and overall cool decor and vibe are amazing. We will be back and hopefully no farm egg involved. :-)

    (3)

  • Erin L.

    Jars!! Get the jars!!! Yummy deviled, pickled, salty delicousness. If you're me, you make them a meal paired with some awesome bourbon cocktail. If you're not me, and you want to read more, check out my mini-review here: eattalk.net/2012/08/post…

    (4)

  • Liz D.

    You know a place is good when you make plans to return the moment you leave. And when you remember a meal ALL day long. Even after having other great meals that day. The Farm Egg is just amazing. One of the best brunch items I have ever had. We also had the English Muffin, which as also good, but not nearly as good as the Farm Egg. The crunchy rice, with the runny egg and mushrooms, sausage, corn- melded together, formed the greatest savory flavor. Get here on Sundays for this brunch item. We came on a busy weekend for Atlanta, and still didn't need reservations. Parking is free in the parking garage with validation, if you park in the same building as the restaurant. Also, the ambiance was great, the service was great- really, no complaints. Just great food.

    (5)

  • Valvacious C.

    I have gone before for breakfast on Sunday. I love the atmosphere and the food. But for some reason the biscuits were not good. They were wet inside and they tried to grill them instead of baking them. They were so wet that they kept falling apart even though I had a second order. The guys said yes we see what you mean and they comped my food. Hopefully they will go back to baking biscuits..not grilling them otherwise I will not get this item again.

    (2)

  • Brad L.

    I have been here several times now. The restaurant is quiet nice and they just added a sweet back patio. It's perfect for those summer nights. The food is delicious too but my complaint is that it is very pricy. Now I don't consider myself cheap or expect portion sizes where I need to bring left overs home but I do expect to be full when I leave. That won't happen here unless you get two dishes. Last time I got shrimp and asparagus. It was really good. No complaints what's so ever. The staff is really nice too but could be a little faster. Overall nice restaurant and probably will be returning but I would like a little cheaper prices.

    (3)

  • Stephanie A.

    Located in the 999 building on Peachtree is Hugh Acheson's Empire State South. What you get here is tremendous skill in every plate of food, innovate menu line up and solid service. Serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner anytime is the right time here. Inside it's casually comfortable and a very spacious bar area. Surprisingly the bar area was quite vibrant on a Tuesday and every table full. Warm charming and well informed staff attended to our every need. The menu is farm to table upscale southern. It changes often and I mean OFTEN. What I outline here likely may not be available when you chose to visit. A few house staples that don't depend on the season are steadfasts. A note on the drink menu is that there are some house bottled cocktails along with the lineup of beers, wines and signature cocktails. If you order a canned beer you get an Empire State South cozy to keep it cool. The jars starter. 5 jars of spreadables served with toasted sourdough fingers. A signature standout is the pimento cheese with bacon marmalade on top. Wow. This is not to be missed. My companion emphatically said it is 'slap yo mama good!" I wholeheartedly agree minus the maternal violence. Deviled ham is nicely seasoned with some pickle inside and topped with mustard seeds. Another win. Less successful is the trout spread. Lacks creaminess and any sort of defined flavor. And least successful is the boiled peanut hummus. Pasty and flavorless but nice texture. I had one bite and didn't go back for more. The 5th jar is pickled veg assortment. Bright and vibrant. Farm egg is in a small crock very lightly cooked. Its set atop a very crisp rice based hash of Carolina gold rice, house made dice of hot dog, maitake and nettles. This combination changes regularly but the gist is a solidly executed concept. The egg is broken and dresses the hash. The rice stays impossibly crisp. This showed great restraint as it could have gone overseasoned, undercooked or unbalanced. It's perfect. Pork belly over kimchi grits with crunchy peanut garnish. Certainly one of the better pork belly dishes I've had. Another impossibly perfect cook on the belly. Nicely cooked grits but the flavor as a whole composed dish was a little off. The kimchi lended a bit too much acid but still a very solid dish. soft shell great devilishly spicy and seasonal. I am reluctant to even comment on this as it likely won't be there when you go. If it is, get it. The chef treats it well. I had the strawberry dessert of the day. What an incredibly intense flavor experience! INSTANTLY MY HEAD SHOUTED STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER AND EVER! The ice cream had crisp meringue and crisp rice for texture and it was served in a bowl atop strawberry juicy soup. The flavor balance could not have been better. Chocolate mint flourless cake with kisses of chocolate mousse melted in my mouth. Garnished with lovely chocolate spun sugar and fresh mint the dish is completely successful. Well executed coffee menu, dessert drinks and cheese course are all available to finish you night as you see fit. 9 out of 10 for ESS.

    (4)

  • Matthew L.

    Another farm to table restaurant which resembles restoration hardware. I really like the lawn bowling outside. The food was decent, with large portion sizes. I really enjoyed the jars of starters. There were some cheese dips and pickled vegetables. We shared almost all of the entrees on the menu. Some of the highlights were the pork belly, kimchi rice grits, and mixed black eyed peas. They also have a unique group of craftsman cocktails served in mason jars. My one comment having been making rounds around the country is that while it is a good restaurant, they food and decor are not unique. The prices are a bit higher than similar restaurants nation wide.

    (4)

  • Kirk L.

    My rating is based on 1 visit for brunch. And it was possibly the best brunch I've ever had in Atlanta. I had the steak and eggs. The steak was great, and the hash it was served over was far and away the best hash of any sort I've ever had. It was unreal. My gf had the shrimp and grits, where were hands down the best shrimp and grits I've ever had - incredibly creamy and flavorful, with perfectly cooked shrimp. The pimiento cheese with bacon marmalade was also outstanding. I also had a bloody caeser to drink, which was a surprisingly light drink - it was good, but I'd probably try something else next time. Service was good, although a bit slow (despite the restaurant only being half full, I got the impression our server had a lot of tables spread all over the place, so I won't fault her. Also a fan of the ambiance and decor. One negative - the "european style" seating along one wall (long booth with tables side by side close to each other so you can easily hear the conversation at the next table. I understand the practicality of this layout, and the spacing was better at ESS than other restaurants that have this style of seating (we weren't right on top of our neighbors), but I still despise it - I generally avoid restaurants with it (I'll probably make an exception for ESS).

    (5)

  • Ryan A.

    I have to say that Empire State South insists upon itself. VERY limited menu and only overly complicated cuisine. We spent over $400 on four people and were at best mildly impressed. Only go if you are looking to challenge your palette with creative, yet considerably complicated cuisine. Overpriced and presumptuous fare. We won't be returning.

    (1)

  • Jay S.

    I love this place. Food is creative, wine pairings are excellent. Brunch or in the evening I've been there 4 times and all were outstanding. This is rapidly becoming my favorite restaurant in Atlanta.

    (5)

  • Susan B.

    Empire State South is getting stale and complacent. Are they really still serving those overly heavy mini mason jars of spreads? They are tasty but yawn, boring. Our waiter on our last visit was excellent but the 3, count them 3, hostesses were all clueless and seemed to be confused about why they were even there. From a greet and seat point of view, it felt like we were at Chili's.

    (2)

  • Farrah A.

    I was kickin' it with Southern Belle Kathleen M for a day and a half, and being "The Mayor" that she is, she introduced me to this new-ish Midtown resto for a light lunch. This was a great pick. On this gorgeous day, outside dining would have been perfect, but unfortch for us, the rest of the diners there thought the same thing; so inside, we sat. Not a complete dissapointment. We had plenty of elbow room and A/C to keep us pleased as we dined over ther minimal menu. Wanting to keep it "healthy-ish," we sadly turned down the Mac N Cheese (but Kathleen, please go back and let me know how that story ends) and opted for salads, fruit and other "ladies who lunch" creations. I got The Trio, along with a side of chopped watermelon and mint. Refreshing choice, but I could have done without the shavings of onions. Onions are certainly used in abundance here, and I had to pick much off my Trio salads too. All in all, I think this is a great spot for Midtowners to make way for a pleasant lunch. And we dined for a little over $30 total.

    (4)

  • Henrik C.

    Went to Empire State South for Sunday Brunch. The restaurant is at the corner of 10th and Peachtree Street. Great location. The restaurant has both indoor and patio seating. Indoors the ambiance is a bit retro but quite nice. So we had great expectations. The menu card has a limited selection but supposedly great quality food. Have to say that I was not too impressed by the available choices. Ended up getting sides of fries, eggs and bacon. My partner had the BLT sandwich. The sides arrived in random order (not at the same time) and not at the same time as the sandwich. Clearly not a well organized / scheduled kitchen. The fries were good, the eggs drowned in oil and the bacon crisp, but dry. So not much of a culinary experience. The BLT sandwich should have been named a LT sandwich with a hint of B. So I have to say the food here is at best OK. The coffee was bitter (the kinds of bitterness you get from leaving it cooking for a couple of hours). My partner had the freshly squeezed grape fruit juice. It tasted "funny". The service was inattentive and even another waiter said to us - "not sure what is going on here". So what can I say - Great location - Well not sure about the menu - Wondering about kitchen organization - Service - aaaahhh hmmm Safe to say that we might not try this again. In honesty we only tried the brunch, so maybe dinner is OK. However they are not trying very hard.

    (2)

  • Alex V.

    This was a case of really wanting to like a place and it never really meeting with expectations. Perhaps it would have been better had I resisted the urge to actually trust the staff's recommendations for dinner choices. The staff was not very knowledgeable, or helpful. Poor recommendations as to wine &/or cocktail pairings, not attentive and for a "nicer" place a bit disorganized and under dressed. To begin I had the farm egg, which to the point was overly sweet and while I did eat it, I was a forced eating and rather unejoyable. The pork tenderloin was phenomenal. The only saving grace of the whole evening. I might give it another try, but as of now it would not be a top choice

    (3)

  • Joel Y.

    Have only had their coffee and pastries. Perfect, especially after my dentist's appointment..lol. They were above average, Service was slow even with two people sitting at the bar. I had to ask the server for a menu after she walked by me a few times and then she seemed put off when I asked for water before I made my decision. When I asked for a latte she should she would be right with me and continued cutting some item, limes I think, in preparation for the bar that day. Was put off by that experience but I will give it another shot and go back for dinner. T

    (2)

  • Brian C.

    Get the jars.

    (4)

  • Mo H.

    Double date night with old friends. We sat at the bar and ordered drinks...which were top notch. I started with the Tamboo which was great, but I needed something a little less sweet so I switched to the Street Legal. For food we tried an octopus dish, the farm egg and the jars with all the delicious spreads such as pimento cheese with bacon, trout, peanut hummus and ham. I can't say enough about the food, it was delicious. The bartenders were great too, different personalities, a some a little less bubbly but great considering it was a busy Saturday night. It's definitely on the expensive side, but nothing was out of place and no flavor was off. I would go back in a heart beat!

    (4)

  • Mr. C.

    Don't bother because there are to many other restaurants that know how to treat clients with a smile and respect. Its a shame that this establishments staff has such a condescending attitude. The food I must say is great but unfortunately you have to pay for the bad service also. this is the email I sent them I would just like to express my complete disappointment and horrible experience with your restaurant Friday night, May 31st. It started with the minute we walked in for our 9:30 reservation. First we had to wait 30 plus minutes to be seated. Not so much of a huge deal but that was my 6th time there and I never had to wait more then 10 minutes max. Second was when we ordered two each of about six types of oysters, our waiter told us that was to hard to do and a lot of trouble. We looked at him and just said "can you make it happen". Third incident was after we had our wine and water served. A lady, who supposedly was the manager, came to our table and said she would like to move us because there was a big party coming in. She wanted to place us in the left corner dinning room. That area just happens to be the worst service area in your establishment. We told her only if we had a banquet in the right dinning area would we move. She was a bit insistent and we had to be stern and said no. That incident led me to believe that we were not welcomed there. Fourth, after our oysters were served and the empty platter taken it was an hour later, yes an hour, when I ask the waiter what the deal was with the rest of our order. He said he would check, I told him "if its not here within one minute then cancel the food and bring us the bill for the wine and oysters. Come on an hour, that's just wrong. The food came immediately after that. Once we finish our dinner and the plates were taken the lady manager came to the table and we express our experience of which she quickly did nothing but give excuses. It was apparent she could care less what happen much less about us. We also told her that the "big party" was apparently not an issue ( wasn't big at all) so why did she insist on moving us, it was no different then any other given night with people all over the place. Finally the owner came out to just explain the delays. With his pompous and arrogant attitude it was quite clear that as far as he was concern he had zero care about what anything. I have to say its a shame because the food there is great. The service, the owner, the way you speak and treat your customers not great and totally unacceptable. We will most likely not go there again and I know you probably don't give a crap about this email but I wanted to send it regardless. I only I wish I could return your cookbook now, cause I don't want it. Mr C

    (2)

  • Rob C.

    Solid all around and good beer selection including several ipa's. I started with the pork belly with grits and Carmel corn : it was delicious, but the ginger on the bottom wasn't necessary. I then moved on to the prime rib-eye roll with marrow foam, foraged mushrooms, kale and polenta. It was an awesome, inventive southern menu - and one you'll pay for. I think my total was over $75.

    (4)

  • rachel c.

    First and foremost, I HATE writing this review, but have to be honest. I love the chef, the menu, the concept EVERYTHING! So why 2 stars? Well first they forgot my dining companions water. Then they forgot my drink. From there it went south. We asked our server for recommendations. I said I was looking for a dish that was lighter and had seafood. My companion said he was hungry and asked about some large dishes that we saw come out of the kitchen. For me the server recommended a oyster stew and for my friend an egg and sausage dish. The oyster stew was very rich and creamy with bacon and grits...not exactly light. There were three oysters but plenty of bacon. My friends dish came out and I almost laughed. It was maybe 3 inches by 5. My friend polished it off in 10 minutes but luckily I was done with poking around my grits for oysters at that point. By the time the server came back to check on us his first question was what else he could get y friend. I found it really annoying that he had picked such a small dish hoping for my friend to order two when the dishes he knew we were looking at were large plates. I pray to have the opportunity to come back and attempt it again because I know it should be amazing.

    (2)

  • Chris S.

    Perfect for townies who have lost touch with their rural cousins and need to be reminded of what real food tastes like without having to bear the burden of actually-satisfying portions.

    (4)

  • Shirley Z.

    WTF, LUNCHBOX. Let me first say that this review is not based on the dine-in experience. It's strictly for their "picnic box" idea. Empire State South has this awesome gourmet lunchbox/picnic box idea that had me talking for months. Of course that's before I tried the food. What started off as a unique idea, fail to deliver on the most important part..... the "gourmet" food. here's the link to what I'm talking about. empirestatesouth.com/lun… My poor boyfriend decided to be extra sweet one day and ordered the lunchbox so we can have a romantic lunch together at piedmont park. Everything was amazing until we tasted the food. Now, I am not a food snob, therefore do not take this as an exaggeration... but it was so bad/bland/cold that we both couldn't eat it. I was hoping to pull up exactly what I had, but it seems like the menu has changed minus the stupid/bland carrots. Poor guy was so disappointed that he didn't even want to take the lunchbox back to them. SO GUYS, if you want to impress your special lady. This is not a good idea. If you are down to waste $30+ and two trips to the restaurant and one disappointing lunch/girlfriend... then you are an idiot.

    (1)

  • Dan S.

    Location is next to impossible to find, hidden in back corner of office building, but don't let that stop you. This is terrific, loca-vore food, done well. We went with a group when down for a meeting. Pork Fritter with Swiss Chard was a great little app and takes a nice winter vegetable and showcases it. Similarly the pork with Kale had a nice balance of bitter and sweetness to compliment another winter dish. That type of creativity (and good service) makes this a place to easily recommend in the midTown area.

    (4)

  • David W.

    Most thought provoking wine list, incredible food, great service makes me a repeat visitor. Lost their pastry chef and prices have creeped up a few bucks or else I would give it five stars.

    (4)

  • Tanya F.

    Empire State South's space is gorgeous. Decorated in deep hues of blue with distressed accent furniture and dark wood floors, the design is chic and understated. We ordered the octopus salad, duck breast and the lamb special as entrees and the truffles for dessert. The octopus was tender and a bit fibrous--almost like chunks of chicken breast. It's served with a brush of GA quince puree that complements the salad beautifully. And the special? Well, in _Kitchen Confidential_ Anthony Bourdain warns diners to stay away from a restaurant's "special." He says it's how chefs get rid of not just the overstock, but the older stuff that's nearing the expiration date. I've never really taken it to heart. I'm easily seduced by a server's eloquent descriptions and will often roll the dice. It was a low roll this time, I'm afraid. The lamb special was disappointing. When I heard it was prepared sous vide medium rare and then roasted to order I was literally giddy with anticipation. I expected a brown crusted exterior with a pink tender center. Unfortunately the lamb came out mostly well done with some medium well spots in the middle. All in all it was gamy, chewy, mostly grey and all together unexciting. On a brighter note, the highlight of dinner was the duck. Absolutely phenomenal. The skin was crispy and salty and the flesh perfectly medium rare. Tender, savory and skillfully seasoned, I highly recommend it. Dessert was chocolate truffles rolled in cake crumbs and then deep fried served with orange sorbet. They were delicious and oozed rich melted chocolate with every bite. I thought the decadent chocolate would fight with the acidic sweetness of the sorbet, but they really worked well together. If a dinner at ESS is in your immediate future, skip the lamb and go for the duck.

    (3)

  • Gina C.

    My friend and I came to try the brunch on a Saturday. We sat outside to enjoy the lovely weather. ESS doesn't have your usual brunch entrees like pancakes, waffles, ect. I had the pimento cheese and ham sandwich. It was good, but a little heavy. It also came with a small side salad. They also have good coffee. I got mine over ice which was perfect in the hot GA summer. My friend had the granola, yogurt, and a scone. She seemed to enjoy her meal. ESS isn't as busy as other brunch restaurants, but if you are looking for a less busy and quiet meal, then def try ESS. I've tried lunch and brunch and I'll be back to try dinner.

    (4)

  • Eric L.

    Another solid dinning experience at ESS! We had ten people and all went smoothly. The waitor was perfect - - informed, a foodie but let us enjoy our three hour dinner. The must have: the Farm Egg - - lamb sausage, shitake mushrooms, something crunchy and a delicious egg, perfectly poached. Also amazing - - the Oysters - - tasted like the ocean (in a good way). Also amazing - - Crisp Pork Belly, served on a bed of grits. My entree was a solid OK, but the starters over delivered. And for dessert - - Phatty Cakes - - gingerbread cookie with vanilla mascarpone. It was perfect! ESS always delivers!

    (4)

  • Alexis G.

    Last night was my third visit to ESS. That will be my last! We arrived at 9:45 pm thinking we would be able to get a table quickly at that time. As we were walking in you could see mostly empty tables, so I was surprised when the hostess told me we would have to wait 30-40 minutes to be seated. We went to the bar and stared at 3 empty tables for 30 minutes until the hostess came and got us and sat us at one of the tables we had been staring at while standing at the bar. The whole situation was obnoxious. The first time I had been to ESS I thought the food was great! The second time it was ok. This last time it was disappointing. The jars were just ok. The farm egg is the best thing on the menu. We had the pork loin and hog snapper which were both just ok. At the end of the day everything at ESS is totally over priced. We were debating going here or to the Spence (which we frequent often). Needless to say, we should have stuck to The Spence. The food, drinks and service is much better (not to mention the price tag).

    (2)

  • Sheehan T.

    Pros: Food was incredible. The "In Jars" is a must for a shareable appetizer. The Farm Egg is another must have. Lastly, the PA Duck was one of the most flavorful , savory dishes I've ever had. If you've never tried duck or if you love duck, this is the one for you, but it will spoil you. Cocktails were hit or miss. Had two great ones, one average, and one terrible (so dominated by Pernod that it was almost undrinkable.) Cons: Desserts were average. Service was competent but nothing special. Our table was VERY dark and VERY loud.

    (5)

  • Andre B.

    Empire State South had been open just over a week when a couple of my mates and I had dinner there on a Wednesday evening. We inadvertently entered the restaurant through the bank lobby, but a friendly ESS employee at the restaurant steered us in the right direction. That gesture (the warm reception) set the tone for the rest of the evening: the service was excellent. Our server Janise deserves high praise for the care she provided during our visit. Starters: scallops with field peas & spinach, corn soup with shrimp, and field pea/ham hock soup. The scallops were the winner among the appetizers: they were perfectly cooked, as was the shrimp in the corn soup. The corn soup was mildly flavored; it was certainly appropriate for a late summer evening, but it didn't really make an impression on us. Ham hock & greens? Well, that's just Southern goodness. Entrees: Catfish with fingerlings cooked in duck fat, along with radishes served in a pesto sauce; steak with mac & cheese; chicken with greens with more mac & cheese. The mac & cheese (along with the cornbread) - well, you haven't had it this good before. The cornbread's made with real corn. And the mac & cheese? Thankfully, it's served in ramekins, as I could have eaten a casserole of that stuff. The catfish (all the seafood we had that evening was excellent) was a nice fatty fillet, without too much breading. The radishes offered a clean, refreshing counterpoint to the duck fat potatoes & fried fish. The steak & chicken were good, but hardly revolutionary. ESS has a choice selection of wines; there's also a large bar, should one care to dine & drink there. Along those lines: I encourage you to make reservations for dinner here. Dessert? We had no room for dessert; we'll definitely return. I can't wait to try breakfast. ESS is a most welcome addition to Atlanta's dining scene.

    (4)

  • Nicci R.

    We started with the jars of spreads with toast points and the dashi glazed octopus. I'm not too sure what the hype over the jars is other than they are cute tiny containers. The pork rillette reminded me of an elevated version of deviled ham, the trout mousse reminded me of smoked trout dip, pimento cheese was very smokey because of the bacon jam and boiled peanut hummus tasted like pureed boiled peanuts...an overpriced dish at $18. Our entrees were duck breast over garlic farro and pan seared catfish over kimche grits. We shared the toffee bread budding for dessert. Everything was good and the octopus was my favorite. I was surprised how much I liked the catfish considering I'm not usually a fan of this type of fish. Make sure you are not seated in the dark back room for dinner. It was impossible to read the light grey font on the menu and see our dishes very well. I used my iPhone flashlight to assist in reading and to see the beautiful presentation of colors of the food. (I am in my late 30's with perfect eyesight)

    (4)

  • Juan M.

    Breakfast. A little tricky understanding exactly WHERE the place is but once you find it's great; if you have been to Athens and eaten well, you'll recognize this place. I had strong coffee and a chicken biscuit as I talked to a very intense person. The chicken in the biscuit was an entire breast (I think) - the breading on it was irrelevant. I like the place and plan on returning for a different mealtime; parking covered for up to three hours.

    (4)

  • Robert M.

    Our rare night out with a babysitter....where to go? ESS? Cakes and Ale? Local Three? Whatever it is...it better be fantastic. Obviously, based upon this review...we ended up at ESS. Walking in....the space is nice - big bar, casual feel and lively. It was loud though, and I don't like the fact that they put a table in every inch of the restaurant. Too cramped feeling. We started off with drinks of course...I started with a Cab blend that was described as deep but I wouldn't say that. It was pretty weak for my taste so I handed that to my wife who loved it. I'm guessing it was a Syrah in the blend and Cab lovers stay away. I did notice a 05 Bordeaux (which is what I should have got to start with), so I ordered that for myself which completely made up for the Cab. 2005 is a killer year for Bordeauxs. Next came the pork belly and a squash salad. The pork belly was nice and the kimchi rice grits and daikon that came with it really came through and completed the dish. The kimchi came through strong, the daikon was intense, and overall the flavors together worked perfectly. I wasn't expecting much from the squash salad but it was a big taste. Very good. For the main course my wife got the NY strip, which I thought was a mistake but she really enjoyed it. I thought it was just o.k. I just don't think you come to a place like this for a strip. I went for the smoked duck. This was very good. Cooked to perfect temp, sliced thin and the skin popped. Put together with the hominy, blueberries, celery puree and bok choy...it was amazing. Finished with their 'phatty cakes', which is basically ginger cookies with vanilla mascarpone. They were good, not a wow. Overall, one of the better restos in Atlanta.

    (4)

  • Justin H.

    I really want to give Empire State South more stars, but I can't. The food... Really freaking good. I thought it was some of the best made food I've had in a long while. The cocktails were hit or miss. The service was also excellent. So why 3 stars when the food and service were both top notch? For me, it mostly comes down to value. I came to ESS fully expecting to drop some coin. My issue isn't necessarily with the prices themselves, but rather with what you get for the price. For instance, our 2 appetizers (farm egg and beef tartare) were delicious, but ran us $26 and each was just enough for the 4 of us to have a bite (and not a really big one). Entrees were $30-$40, and while they looked and tasted wonderful, several of us left were still a tiny bit hungry when we left. Another thing that surprised me, unfortunately in a negative way, was that they couldn't fulfill what I thought was a reasonable drink request from my wife. She's more in to fruitier drinks. Fruity martinis, cosmos, that kind of stuff. She asked our server if they could make a pomegranate martini, and the server informed her that they could not. My wife tried to give the server a general idea of what she was looking for, but they couldn't really come up with anything to meet her taste. Ultimately, the server brought out a cocktail that could best be described as "interesting", but wasn't really what my wife was looking for. With the enormous wall of booze behind the bar, I was just very surprised that they couldn't whip up some kind of fruity martini, or something along those lines. While Empire State South has extremely delicious, beautiful, well made food, a nice laid back setting, and good service, I feel that it ultimately doesn't provide enough to set itself apart from the multitude of other higher end restaurants that are now all over Atlanta.

    (3)

  • andre L.

    Visiting from SF Great bar staff! They really stand out! Has the Prime Steak tartare and the Pork Belly. The PB was awesome. Best PB I've had.

    (4)

  • Shawanda M.

    Chicken salad sandwich. Yum. Never really liked it before but the chicken salad sandwich at ESS is sooooo good! I run here for lunch sometimes since its in my office building. Yesterday i decided to try a pink grapefruit cupcake. I thought it would be super tart and weird but it was SO GOOD!!! And a nice surprise inside...pieces of sweet grapefruit! Definitely delicious.

    (4)

  • Melody M.

    This review is for the dessert that we had last night. I have still not eaten a proper meal here, but that WILL happen and I will post. We had the carmelized flan with strawberry/rhubarb/rose sorbet and the ginger whoopie pies called "Phatty Cakes" (3 to an order). WOW! Really great flavors and textures. We came here for an after dinner drink and dessert. Based on what we had, I will return.

    (5)

  • Michelle M.

    It makes me sad to say this, but the place has gone way downhill. Several months ago, I had stellar food and service, making for a wonderful evening. Last night I had some of the worst service I've had at any restaurant ever and food that was nowhere near as good as it was last time. I was mortified after recommending the restaurant to friends and receiving such poor service that our entire table agreed it was the worst experience at a restaurant all year. To be completely unappreciated and ignored by the wait staff when you're spending a decent amount of money for a meal is unacceptable. We waited at least half an hour after being seated for our orders to be taken and our waitress literally read the description on the menu after being asked a simple question about how a couple dishes were prepared. She acted as if she couldn't be bothered to serve us because we were one of the later reservations in the evening. It took us forever to even get our bill after our dinner ran nearly 3 hours long due to the slow service by our waitress. Even if the food had been amazing, service makes an entire dining experience. It's just unacceptable to be at a supposedly nice restaurant and to feel like you're at a crappy chain restaurant with an untrained, uncaring wait staff. The manager should have been aware of what was going on and should have come to check on us. This never happened, and demonstrates to me that the restaurant does not care about its customers at all.

    (2)

  • Ben E.

    Hate to confirm the awful truth about this hyped joint, but as several other reviewers have noted, the service staff can best be described as apathetic. I was so turned off by their abject disinterest that I left without eating (after 20 minutes of waiting for someone to offer to take an order, no less). Dinner menu is very enticing, and I can't discount other's positive experiences. But with service so uneven, how can you make a confident decision to visit?\

    (1)

  • j s.

    I visited ESS a second time last night and it was a little better, but still not up to par with the great restaurants in Atlanta. We had a party of 8 and were seated in the bar area next to a very loud drinking crowd. We asked to be moved and were given a lovely table in the regular dining area. About half of the tables in the entire restaurant were empty so we could have started in a quiet area from the beginning, instead of our having to ask for a different table. Throughout the night the service was so slow that we used up all of our 3-free hours of parking in the adjacent parking deck. Four people received all their food and finished it before the other 4 received any food. I don't know if it was a result of our waiter not asking for the food to be distributed better, or if it was a slow kitchen. Either way, it was bad. Most of our guests liked what they ordered. I ordered the jars appetizer; the fish mousse was not mousse texture but more like crumbled fish pressed into a small jar. The deviled ham jar was too dry to eat. I did have the celery ice cream and it was perfect. I give up on Empire State South. Their service and food is too inconsistent and for the price I can find better value elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Jake V.

    THE JARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They will forever haunt my dreams.

    (5)

  • Angie B.

    I have to say that all the food I had at dinner two nights ago was excellently conceived of and prepared but that I didn't necessarily like it all. But I think that's where the subjectivity of taste comes in. I can appreciate everything I ate even if I didn't love it so much I'd order it again, the food made me think and that's something I love to do with what I eat... like reading different genres of novels, you might not like every genre but can appreciate the craft. The overall description of the food "style" here to me seemed very masculine. I couldn't believe how intense all of the flavors were. There was definitely a balancing and melding of flavors in combining Southern, New American, and Asian, but as a newspaper review put it, it is ballsy food. That's totally true, things hang out on the intense flavor, meaty, salty side of the world. If things were a little less salty I would be slightly happier but it wasn't saltier than in many other fine dining restaurants, which I feel overall have a heavy hand with the salt. The bacon bread really represents what I'm saying with masculine and aggressive food. Bread made with bacon fat, and creamy salty butter. Delicious but no holds barred. As a starter I had "Tybee Island Shrimp with matsutake broth, baby fennel, apples, and romanesco." The shrimp was head on and I haven't had that except in Asian food, so the base of the dish was extremely powerfully flavored with that robust seafood taste you get from head on shellfish. Not everyone likes something that tastes so much of the sea, it was almost too much for me. Except that there was a balancing with the slight sweetness of the apples and fennel. The romanesco looked almost like calamari in the dish. It was a bit salty too. The broth was delicate actually, but not so scrumptious that I needed to drink it all. As an entree I had "Smoked Duck Breast with foie-persimmon butter: purple cape beans, maitake, brussels, kimchi." This dish was truly fascinating. The duck at first appeared to me to be under, because the layer of fat under the skin wasn't completely rendered, but the texture of the meat was good and wasn't bloody so it was probably cooked very well. The waiter told me it was cold smoked, and the smoky taste was extremely intense. Almost too much so, except all the other flavors on the dish were so bold to counterbalance. The kimchi in the dish was not visible but extremely apparent, the really garlicky kind that tastes of Korea, super authentic. The beans had a little bite, not mushy, which I really appreciated. The Foie-persimmon butter was as sweet as candy, not good alone but really great as a strong counterbalance to the salty smoked duck. For dessert I had Grapefruit Potluck which was good, nice and tart and a fun mix of tastes but not so spectacular that I need to have it again. It was deconstructed, which is another trend I'm not crazy about. The coffee paired with it was super tasty, one of the roasts from Counter Culture Coffee (good choice ESS)! I would definitely go back to ESS but would want to try other things simply for the experience of eating fascinating combinations that really make you think about the crafting of dishes. Also, the ambiance is lovely, a well decorated but unstuffy place that makes you want to stay, sip wine, and have a night of great conversation.

    (5)

  • Mrs. V G.

    Best Meal EVER. I've been a reader of Yelp and swear by the reviews but have never felt compelled to write my own. ESS changed this. I HAVE to shout, from the rooftops, what a great meal I had. Last minute decision led me to one of the few quality restaurants opened on a Sunday evening. A friend and I went to ESS on 7/1st and decided to get the six course tasting with wine pairings. It was phenomenal! We had: -Amuse: tomatoes and peaches - 1st: cucumber gazpacho - 2nd: bean salad - 3rd: octopus sausage - 4th: tomato/buttermilk ravioli - 5th: beef entree - added cheese course - 6th: chocolate and cherry dessert Can I just say that ravioli and bean salad were to DIE for. Just pure decadence. There wasn't a bad course in the bunch and I don't know what they did to that dessert but it was velvety deliciousness. Servers Adam and Darnell are what quality service is all about. Steve handled our wine pairings and showed a world of knowledge. These pairings enhanced the experience in an undeniable way. Can't wait to go back and introduce more people to the experience!

    (5)

  • Dustin W.

    I went to ESS on 12/14 for my birthday. I've known about the place for a while so I was happy visit. I can honestly say I don't care for this place one bit. Parking is annoying and so is walking to the entrance of the restaurant. I've read a lot of reviews about this place and I don't get the praise but every persons experience is different so I'll leave it at that. The first table we sat at was just off and the seats were unstable we moved. Once we were moved I felt centered. I thought the servers "uniforms" were extremely tacky for an "upscale" Southern restaurant. They might as well had clown outfits on. The interior is very underwhelming nothing catches your eye zero ambiance. And the bathrooms walk out the restaurant follow a million signs walk in to a cramped space. I don't even want to talk about the food, it can't make up for all the failures this place has. The only thing I can say is that our server was extremely nice.

    (2)

  • Eric F.

    Awesome space -- roomy, quirky, relaxed. Good staff -- warm, knowledgeable. Amazing food. The jars are terrific. The pimento cheese with bacon marmalade will rock your world, and the farm egg will change your understanding of what rice and eggs can do to each other under the right circumstances.

    (4)

  • Jennifer L.

    Probably the best meal I've had in Atlanta in few years. Pork belly over kimchi grits, brussel sprouts and the most delicious catfish dish I've ever had. Southern style at it's best. It wasn't cheap, but it was fantastic. (Our waiter was so cool, he let me try a sip of a few different reds before I made my choice of which glass to order. Two points for ESS!)

    (5)

  • William K.

    Very unique menu with modern flair. However I felt the items are over priced for what you get. The portions are very small.

    (3)

  • David D.

    Empire State South has some highs and lows. First the highs! The restaurant has a cool vibe. The main bar is large and the decor is modern and interesting. The drinks are Atlanta average price (around $10 for a mixed drink) and they have lots of special mixes. Especially noteworthy was the Pimm's Cup. The food is also quite good. I had a tortellini dish with lots of fresh vegetables and eggplant. Our table shared the "in jars" appetizer, which was interesting and pretty good but not much of a deal at $18. My table-mates also really enjoyed their food. Their meat was well prepared and their vegetables were good. My personal highlight was the kimchi rice grits. It perfectly fused the texture and feeling of grits with the strong flavor of kimchi. It was delightful. I'd come back just to get a side of that dish and a drink in the future. As for the lows...this restaurant is not cheap. Portion sizes are small (including sizes of mixed drinks) and prices high. While the quality of the food is quite good, you have to wonder how much it really costs to make a pasta dish. The service was slow for us. We waited quite a while to get our drinks and place our order. The server apologized and said they were busy that evening, but what Friday night aren't they busy? The desserts were also disappointing. There were three people in my party and we all got something different. All three of us felt it was subpar. Overall, I'd come back to Empire State South when there's something interesting on the menu that I want to try, or when I feel like it's time to splurge a bit. However, I find the high prices, boring desserts and small portions a bit of a turn-off.

    (4)

  • Naomi L.

    My fiance and I were in Atlanta visiting his family and wanted to have a date night while we were there. He picked this place based on reviews, and it did not disappoint. We liked the decor and the place is quite spacious. Our waitress was awesome! She was friendly and helpful, and even brought us champagne toasts for our recent engagement! We don't know who tipped them off, but that was a really nice touch! The food itself was also delicious. My fiance had the pork tasting and I had the bluefish. For dessert we shared the popping flan -- a unique dish! Would definitely go back next time we're in town.

    (4)

  • Helena W.

    We've been here a couple more times. The Other an I just love to hang out, people watch, wind down after a long week. Either sitting outside and playing on the court, (which is nice with now that it's cooler) or sittin at the bar, our time here is always enjoyable. Its one of our preferred places when we are looking to treat ourselves. The service is a little slow but we dont really notice or mind because we usually go when we are in a "killing some time" sorta mood anyway. If it were one of our early dates then I could see how it would be annoying. Everyone is always smiling and helpful. Love the dessert table at the front.... that almond blondie? Ohhhhhhh, how I want one now! LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. Oh! Due to the season change the ingredients for the Pimms Cup has recently been altered. LOVE it now! I tried it during the summer and didnt care for it. Now with the ginger soda its great! Did I mention the Pimento Cheese and Bacon spread? Try it. Please. Still not giving it 5stars because the consistency is a little off. We really enjoyed the scallops on our last visit so we ordered them twice. The second time around they were not as good, too much foam. As well with the drinks... we stayed with the ones we liked and sometimes they arrived sweet and sometimes they were tart.

    (4)

  • Lisa L.

    Gets my vote for the best latte I've had. The Counter Culture coffee I'm sure made all the difference, along with the superb skills of Emily, the barista. My friend and I went there for brunch and sat at the bar so we wouldn't have to wait for a table. We watched the bartender stay busy the entire time as we sipped our deliciously horseradishy Bloody Marys. We decided to make our brunch a leisurely one and ordered the Pimento Cheese with Bacon Marmalade. If you try anything at ESS, try this. I could eat that stuff all day with all of its smoky/tangy goodness on crunchy toasted bread. I sampled my friend's Griddled Pork Belly and it was delicious. ...very rich over creamy grits and a coddled egg. I had the Jalapeno & Bacon Biscuit which I enjoyed but it was also rich. Deliciously prepared pork confit underneath 2 soft poached eggs on top of some greenery on top of a very tender, yet crispy-edged jalapeno biscuit. I'll be back for dinner and some more Counter Culture as soon as I'm able.

    (4)

  • Dru M.

    Went for a Friday happy hour (to kick off the holiday weekend) with friends at Empire State South. We lucked out and found seats at the bar and just soaked in the fun atmosphere. I think what I liked is that the restaurant appears almost tucked away from the city...within an office building in Midtown. It felt upscale, as well as casual. Bar service was also top notch. Few highlights - * Cocktails - Rose Champagne (Demoiselle) * In Jars appetizer - which is such a cute idea for a starter. Small jars full of pork rillette, trout mousse, pickles, pimento cheese & bacon marmalade, boiled peanut hummus. It comes with bread for spreading and dipping. Bonus - They also have a Bocci court, which I plan on using next time I'm there. They also validate up to 3 hours in the garage. Overall...I can't wait to go back and try their dinner and brunch menus. They look fabulous!

    (4)

  • Stormtrooper H.

    This was our first visit and it was a very unbalanced experience. The food was really nice (jars and smoked egg were amazing) but the service was pretty poor. We were struck by the unpretentious nature of the restaurant (which our server also made a point to talk about) which included the food, atmosphere and service, which was a great idea but in the end I was left missing a level of professionalism that we experience at Sotto Sotto, or even Highland Tap. We had to ask for drink refills and several times our server would clear one plate and leave other dishes on the table. We received the wrong food and then it took forever for our correct order to come out. The bathrooms were out a back door and down a weird hall past the building's mail boxes, but clean once you found them. Parking was free and easy in an adjacent garage, which was nice. Overall we liked it, but the pork belly was not as good as Restaurant Eugene and the service would give us pause when thinking about going back.

    (3)

  • lisa b.

    yummmmm. every this we had was excellent: in jars, sweetbreads, cauliflower soup, trout, orange puff. all very creative and a symphony of favors. our server was very knowledgeable and helpful, since the menu can be a little intimidating for non-foodies. great atmosphere too. definite date location.

    (5)

  • Pear M.

    I haven't written a review in a while, but after a meal at "ESS" I felt an urge. During a short weekend visit in Atlanta, my BF and I yelped for some quality food in Midtown and found this. We weren't able to get reservations until 10pm, but we weren't very hungry so a late night meal was good with us. We decided to show up at 930 and wait at the bar, but they had a table free so hey, win win! It has a very relaxed feel like you're visiting a nice farm house... my BF argues its not a farm feel, its just a natural feel. Whatevs. Same, no? We ordered 2 apps, 1 side, and 1 entree to share. We felt this was the best way to taste more than 2 dishes and not overeat at the same time. I let the waitress know beforehand that we wanted to share everything. The 2 apps (pork belly with kimchi grits, and steak tartare) and a side of collards came out first. First of all, you can never ever, ever go wrong with pork belly. This one was no different. The kimchi grits sounded like they could be good because i love kimchi in general, but they were actually not as flavorful as I hoped. No matter, the pork belly was great. The tartare was also delicious and it came with a fried egg. I was completely expecting to get a sunny side up fried egg, but instead got what looked like a soft boiled egg that had been deep fried? I'm not actually sure how they made it, but it had the yolk consistency of a poached egg. I loved it. For the entree we agreed on the catfish with cauliflower grits. I was expecting to pick at a dish, small portioned. Instead we each got separate plates with a very generous serving of half a filet of catfish on a bed of cauliflower grits. The entire plate was delicious and we were STUFFED. I dream of grits like this. Dinner here made a short trip in Atlanta memorable enough. Thanks!

    (4)

  • Laura T.

    Ate here last week for a work lunch. We started with 2 of their jars (pimento cheese & pork rillette) and one of their put ups (I believe it was apple cranberry?). I liked the pimento cheese one a lot. The other 2 were just okay. For my entree, I had the Super-food. The hanger steak was very tender & good. I requested mine cooked medium over the usual medium-rare they offer. Even though I didn't always know what I was eating on my plate (I think the farro was one item), it was all very good & fresh. The plate filled me up, but didn't make me feel stuffed. For dessert, I opted for the banana (tartlet?). The cream on top was tasty as was the crust. I just wasn't that fond of the banana ice cream. Service = 3.75 stars I would eat here again for a business lunch, but it's a bit too pricey for me to dine on my own dime. Side note - I don't know how $$ it is, but the ESS fried chicken/pimento cheese/bacon biscuit I see on the cover of my latest Atlanta magazine might have me shell out some dough for it! That thing looks awesome!! :-0

    (4)

  • Alyse S.

    Farm Egg. Enough said. We sat outside today and the ambiance was great. The servers do a wonderful job explaining the menu items- they know how everything is cooked, prepared and served- it was like we were listening to the Chef himself. I also LOVE that water is served out of an old wine bottle AND that it's kept on the table for self service.

    (5)

  • Autumn S.

    Boy am I glad I can cross this off my 'Places you just have to eat at in Atlanta' list-what a letdown. I would be willing to overlook the absolute horriffic service my husband and I experienced if the food was decent-but it wasn't-so I had a double whammy of bad to deal with on a Saturday night when I dined here. Let's start with the service. Once sat, my husband and I watched several servers walk past us without even a simple acknowledgement for 20 minutes. We tried to given them the benefit of a doubt-it was a busy Saturday after all-but at least some water glasses dropped off would have been nice. Once we grabbed one and told him we hadn't been visited for even our drink orders, it took another 10 minutes for one to appear. He was unpredictably slow and didn't even bother to review the specials with us until we had placed our orders. Thanks for the afterthought, bud. We never saw him between waiting for drinks and food-so no water refills or multiple drink orders here-which is a shame because the drink I had was the best thing about the meal. At least I got a good laugh watching the couple next to us become so fustrated with the disappearance of their server that they cancelled their orders with the hostess stand and walked off. Anyway, after trying the incredibly boring poached egg appetizer (serving it with a hot dog was a bad idea-especially when said hot dog was to be homemade but tasted like something out of a Wal-Mart cooler) we hoped the entrees would redeem our lackluster experience thus far. NOT! My husband had to send his pork loin back it was so tough and rubbery, and the bass I had with grits was bland and overcooked as well-especially as the grits were supposed to be kimchi flavored and they ended up tasting like mushed tomatoes and water mixed together. We didn't want to take a chance ordering dessert and being stranded for another hour for a tasteless treat so we hightailed it out of there. Maybe brunch is better-but probably won't enjoy dinner here again.

    (2)

  • Kim K.

    Second time here, really great service and perhaps the best beet salad of my life. HOWEVER - please ESS never, ever make that bologna-stuffed morel mushroom thing again. The waiter was pushing it so hard, everyone was ordering it and it felt like a cruel joke after trying it. It looked like a dog you-know-what and had no taste and was just WEIRD. So cut that one out!

    (4)

  • Julie H.

    We had an amazing dinner there this past weekend. The farm egg over crispy rice is the best thing I have ever eaten! I wanted MORE! My grouper had a lovely flavor with fresh spinach and my husband's steak was cooked to perfection. Looking forward to travel to Atlanta again!

    (5)

  • Scott L.

    Gotta say that I was a little let down on this place. The hype didn't live up. I think I will try it again next time I'm in town before I completely write it off.

    (2)

  • Jessica R.

    My man and I went here with my parents. We came on the day of Pride. So they had been busy all day. Our waiter was very spacy. It took him forever to come over and get our drink orders. He got mine wrong. I didn't find the food all that good. The appetizers were the best part. we got the in jars. Pimento cheese with bacon was awesome. My mom had the parsley soup(she said it had no taste). For dinner, I had the ravioli. Came with four ravioli's. The side dishes were nasty. Mom had the chicken and dumplings and so did my man. IT wasn't like the normal chicken and dumplings. My dad ordered the duck and they brought him the pork. Took them 15 minutes to bring back his duck. By that time was had all finished our dinner. We shared the doughnuts and the toffee pudding for dessert. I thought the toffee pudding was yummy. The man had the lemonade and said it was pretty good.

    (3)

  • tania C.

    Sat at the bar with a friend for our pre-century bike ride south of atlanta. We had all courses and were well taken care of by very knowledgeable bartender. She recommended all our dishes and described them impeccably. Started with charcuterie plate which had delicious pickles and chutney like sweets with cheese and dry cuts of meat. Will be back with a group of friends!

    (5)

  • Matt C.

    This is going to sound blasphemous, but the chicken biscuit at breakfast is better than Chick-fil-A. It has been featured on the cover of Atlanta Magazine and lives up to the hype. Make sure to get it with pimento cheese and bacon...just a little slice of heaven. When you think great breakfast/brunch places in Atlanta you usually think of either Murphy's or the Highland Bakery; well you might just need to add Empire State South to the list. The menu is a little cutting edge, but delivers in a strong way. The open faced jalapeño biscuit with pulled pork is also worth a try. It isn't too heavy or hot, but hits the spot.

    (4)

  • Laura H.

    I think I left a piece of my heart at Empire State South. We went there for brunch on Saturday and I'm already thinking about when I can go back. The space has a country chic feel to it (think: JCT Kitchen meets Parish), which provides a nice, temporary retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. I loved the steel blue colors with the dark woods; it was obvious that they didn't cut any corners when it came to décor. I was surprised to see that the place was relatively empty at noon on a Saturday. We made ourselves comfortable and ordered some coffee drinks. I had a chai latte, which was the perfect remedy for a rainy day. Their coffee bar menu is fantastic and I would definitely stop in on a regular basis if I lived or worked in the neighborhood. We ordered Hugh's Breakie to start, which came with toast, cheese, jam, and fruit. I found the brunch menu to be thoughtful, but it wasn't very cohesive and would be more appealing if they added a few more egg dishes. I felt like the only options were a continental breakfast or a fancy $15 brunch dish. I went with the steel-cut oatmeal to stay in line with the "no carb left behind" theme we had going on. It was slightly sweet (brown sugar) and was served with yogurt and winter citrus fruit. I tried a bite of my friend's jalapeno and pork biscuit and it was delicious. Our server was a delight and he didn't miss a beat. Empire State South is totally charming and I highly suggest that you make your way in. Oh, and make sure to do a loop around the pastry table before you leave!

    (4)

  • Liz F.

    Obviously we went in with high expectations, Hugh Acheson, Ryan Smith... I mean c'mon. The vibe is cool, the service was pretty good. I had the Fallout Beach which was very good, the barrel aged bitters added a really interesting edge. My bf had the untitled rye, which in his words was amazing. He had the chicken meatball dish was the big winner of the night. My prawn dish was really good also, but his dish definitely overshadowed it. It was everything you want in a homey- type dish, except the flavors were really elevated reviews are hit or miss but if we were in Atlanta, I would def go back and sample more.

    (4)

  • Sojo M.

    We did the 6-course tasting menu and it was great all around. It seemed like we got the highlight of each category and the portions were big! I was shocked at the size of the portions. We started off with an oyster for the amuse and then the courses started. We were lucky enough to get the compressed apples and the farm egg, both of which were unique and tasty. Then we were served salad with trout. Next came the duck and steak courses. Finished with Yuzu Posset, which had the right balance between crunch, tart, and sweetness. Every course was very memorable and I cannot wait to go back! The service was also great - very attentive.

    (5)

  • Livelifehappy L.

    Great first experience at ESS! We had a 9pm reservation on a Saturday night and this place was hopping! Our server Rachel was exceptional. Se was very knowledgeable of the entire menu, a great happy attitude and very attentive. Great job Rachel! We had a 1/2 dozen oysters on the 1/2 and a cheese plate for starters. Amazing! The oysters were served with three sauces in tiny glass tubes corked for a perfect presentation. The Kale salad was one of the best. A light buttermilk dressing drizzled over top and an interesting taste of fried chicken shin. Sounds eeeewwww I know, however I wanted a side order they were so good! I actually thought they were fried oysters with an amazing and interesting flavor. Embarrassed that I didn't have one bite left to share. The monk fish a.k.a poor mans lobster was prepared perfectly. The brussels sprouts and collard greens were.... Well lets put it this way, there were zero left in the little iron skillets. Hands down great ambiance, food and server... That is if you are lucky enough to get Rachel! Cheers!

    (5)

  • KA E.

    What a cool atmosphere from the outdoor bocce ball court to the kick back indoor vibe. Everything from the service to the decor to the food was inviting and intriguing! My husband and I loved our appetizers- poached egg and tomato soup, but our entrees were a bit too bland and wierd. The crazy flavor combos and pairings left us a bit perplexed but we will definitely try this place again!

    (3)

  • S S.

    The food was good, no doubt about it. The portions were small. The service, however, was uppity, apathetic and really on the cusp of down-right rude. I won't be back.

    (2)

  • Kara S.

    Mostly great food, but my pork tenderloin entree was definitely lacking finesse. Thought it was just ok. I'm not a big duck eater, but I tried my friends and it was amazing! The lamb was great too. But, my favorite bites of the night? Boiled peanut hummus, pimiento spread with bacon and the toffee pudding! Yum yum yum!!! Drinks were tasty too-had the smoked tequila drink.

    (4)

  • Lee B.

    Empire State South has been at the top of my "to try" list for a while now. I finally got to try it last week. It's on the corner of 10th and Peachtree, but you'd never know it from the street. You can park in the lot on 9th (between Peacthree and Juniper) and ESS will validate your ticket. The restaurant manages to be trendy and upscale but comfortable at the same time. There's even a bocce ball court with lots of lawn chairs in front. We went with a party of 8 and when we got to the host stand, she didn't have our reservation for some reason. Fortunately, we were seated right away and it wasn't a problem. We started out with the "in jars" appetizer and cheese plate. I only tasted the boiled peanut hummus, which was good, and one type of cheese. Honestly, "in jars" seemed a little small for the price of $18. For my entree, I got the bass. It was on top of some wonderfully cheesy grits and very flavorful. Again, this was small for the price. It was filling, but not what you'd normally get for $25. Our group shared some desserts, although they didn't have the fried strawberry pie that everyone raves about. They were good but nothing to write home about. All in all, this is a nice restaurant if you want to go somewhere for a special occasion. It's a little too pricey for me to go back any time soon, at least for dinner. I've heard good things about their brunch though.

    (4)

  • Kendra M.

    It is a nice quiet place for lunch. The service is great and the food is good! Our server even brought a sample of the pimento cheese and a little bread when my friend requested a taste. My friend and I ordered the Super Food and enjoyed all of it. It was the perfect size for a filling lunch. Its a good place for foodies and people that want to try something new or different. I am looking forward to going back for breakfast!

    (4)

  • Cristina B.

    ESS was fabulous. We were a party of 5 and the waitress was wonderful. She knew the food well and made excellent recommendations. I had the smoked duck and I don't think I have ever tasted anything so good. The Charcuterie was just ok. I would skip it next time. However, the Coulotte was exceptional (friend ordered this). The baba au rhum was a super-treat. The parking lot is a little difficult to navigate especially when leaving. Had to pay because we stayed over two hours. Small thing, I know, but all part of the experience, I say.

    (4)

  • Bill C.

    One of the worst meals I have ever had! Pretentious and precious with no substance-don't waste your money.

    (1)

  • L M.

    FAR South of our expectations....We are fans of Five & Ten in Athens (even with a random "off" night there...) and had a night out sans kiddos for a nice dinner out. Decided we should try something "new" & not go with the solid favorites (i.e., Rathbuns, La Pietra, One Midtown, Local 3). We knew we were in trouble when our waitress first approached us & said, "any questions about the menu". Um, is this Applebees? We were thinking more along the lines of, "Good Evening - is this your first time dining with us? Let me walk you through the menu, etc., etc." Realized this expectation was not too far flung when we heard the table next to us receive a greeting similar to the one we expected. Indication of trouble #2 - when we asked our waitress what she felt like were the standouts on the menu, "oh - everything is good". Come on already. We had the "Jars" appetizer. We loved the pimento cheese and bacon marmalade, the pickled veggies & the boiled peanut hummus. Did not really care for the pork rilette and the trout mousse. It's too bad you can't pick & choose among which of the jars you'd like to have. At $18 - this is a pricey appetizer for what you get. Move on to dinner - I had the pork tenderloin with root vegetables. Husband had the duck. Service was so slow...we had almost finished a bottle of wine by the time our entrees arrived. Sadly, when they arrived - my pork had CLEARLY been sitting for a while. It was lukewarm & very chewy. Duck was "good, but not great". Lukewarm food is just not acceptable at this price point. The pacing of the meal was just off. Too much delay between courses. At this price point, I expect fantastic service, a knowledgeable server & fantastic food. The highlights of the meal were the pimento cheese, boiled peanut hummus and the side of brussel sprouts we ordered. We opted to move to the bar for desert as we felt like it would have potentially added another hour to the meal as infrequently as we saw our server. We should have just left....fig bread pudding....was just so-so. Five & Ten has had some ups & downs experience-wise, but have had more ups than downs. Perhaps they should work on consistency in service and timing of meals. This may have been an off night for ESS, but I'm not going to go back & see for a $200 meal. We'll go elsewhere....

    (2)

  • Monty S.

    Rude service from the Matre'd soured my experience even before we got food. Don't know why he was in such a foul mood, but refusing service until promptly at 8:30 was a bit beyond comprehension when there were several empty tables. Then, his curt attitude was really intolerable. I don't think I will go back and be abused for the privilege of spending my money. Avoid this place.

    (1)

  • Catherine B.

    Very good food. Service was just ok. Expensive as well. I will go back!

    (3)

  • matt m.

    Ladies and gentlemen prepare to be wowed. I can't think of anything I would change in this brand new restaurant. Excellent food, really cool cocktails, awesome service, and a wine list to match. There is a bocce ball court on the patio, complimentary valet, and the decor is one of a kind. I looked around at the other guests and noticed that they were all having as good a time as I. The coffee bar made a Georgia Coffee for me, better than any coffee shop I've been to. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I will definately be back..often! Kudos to Hugh and his team! And this is their first week of business...wow.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth H.

    Empire State South has been on my list of restaurants to try ever since I saw them at Taste of Atlanta ~ reservations are near impossible, on a Saturday our options were 5:30pm or 9:30pm, we took the 9:30 spot! Luckily the bar is huge, there's an outdoor bocce court and the drinks are strong! To start I had the Martinez ~ gin, maraschino, dolin blanc and orange bitters ~ the drink came in a tall glass, it was good but probably not my fave... the boyfriend had a Manhattan ~ bourbon, port and maraschino ~ it was served in a martini glass Our table was promptly ready at 9:30pm ~ we were seated at a quaint table for two. After a few minutes of waiting, our server finally greeted us; you could tell she was having a bad night from her attitude and the fact that she never introduced herself. Either way, we were starving ~ we ordered "the Jars" to start. This consisted of 5 jars full of goodness ~ pimento cheese & bacon marmalade, white bean hummus, pickled tomatoes, chicken liver pate and pork rillette ~ my FAVORITE was the pimento cheese, absolutely delicious with the bacon marmalade on top!! For dinner I had the ricotta dumplings ~ served in a big bowl with all types of mushrooms, carrots, swiss chard and some type of mushroom broth. I ate every last bite it was so tasty! The dumplings were creamy and the veggies were not over-cooked. The boy had duck with collard greens & sweet potatoes. I've never had collard greens before, but according to him they were the best he's ever had, and I guess coming from a Tennessee guy that should mean something! I was completely stuffed but somehow managed to fit in dessert ~ we shared coke & peanuts: soft served vanilla ice cream with a coke glaze, toasted peanuts and a funnel cake on the side ~ it was out of this world! I would go back just for dessert!! I give this place 4 stars (minus 1 for the rude server)... looking forward to a return trip for brunch!!!

    (4)

  • Lindsay E.

    I loved Empire State South! Went with a party of 5 on a Friday night, it was pleasantly lively but not unpleasantly packed. We got there a little early and posted up at the bar for about a half hour before our reservation. Obligatory trendy fancy cocktails were delightful, I've been on a Mescal kick lately and really enjoyed the Oaxacan Rose, heavy on the Mezcal where a lot of other places seem to want to dilute the kick in the ass Mezcaly-ness with other more friendly alcohols or mixers. We ordered a LOT of food between the 5 of us, and I can't pick a weak link. Definitely get the jars as an app, even if you, like me, find the descriptors of "whole hog terrine" and "trout mousse" to sound a little unappetizing. They are all amazing. Boiled peanut hummus, why didn't I think of that. I can't remember what everyone ordered for entrees but i do remember clean plates all around, and appreciating the fact that the entrees come with plenty of veggies, so you don't feel like you have to order a salad and/or sides to get a complete meal. We had one vegetarian among us and while I think she left the table fat & happy, the menu isn't overly accommodating to non-meat eaters. There is one vegetarian entree option, and similarly slim veggie options among the appetizers. Deserts were noms. Strawberry pie, Peanut Funnel Cake with Coke Softserve, grasshopper pie. Don't fight it. Service was on point too -- hostess hooked us up last minute with an outdoor table, and our server was great. The end.

    (4)

  • Jemel D.

    I actually give this one a 3.5 rating, however, I rounded up since Yelp will not allow you to give 1/2 ratings! My wife and I both went to UGA and loved Chef Hugh Acheson's first restaurant - 5 & 10. We also had the chance to eat at his other Athens restaurant - The National. Both of those establishments are AWESOME, so needless to say, we were excited to try Empire State South. The location, interior, and ambiance were/are wonderful. Everyone in our group commented on the feel of the restaurant. Our waiter walked the line of being helpful vs. pushy, but overall he did a great job managing our group and requests. We let him pick our cocktails to kick the night off and they were all spot on (always ask the waiter for recommendations - they know best). We also went with his suggestion on the wine, based on our orders, and most were pleased. Our table split a Charcuterie platter ($25 for 2 servings) as well as the cheese platter. Great value for the money and some very interesting meats to choose from. Surprisingly the rabbit pate was good - almost a smokey flavor. I personally started with the Pork Belly which was superb. Others in the group had the farm egg and raved about how good it was. As for the entrees, our group was kind of boring in that almost everyone got the same thing, Pork Loin. The meat was cooked perfectly and the veggies (pole beans, potatoes, & charred okra) were refreshing. My wife did order the Skate, and she was relatively pleased with the dish. The main reason I debated on the 3 vs. 4 ratings is due mostly to price/value and lack of healthy options. The tab for our portion of the bill was over $150 - keep in mind that this included 2 cocktails, split bottle of wine, 3-way split charcuterie, & 2 entrees. As for the "healthly" options - there were only a handful of entrees to choose from, and only one fish (Skate). The bulk of the menu is snacks & starters, most of which sound amazing, but again not the healthiest of options. Overall, I would recommend this restaurant, and I will definately give it another try (but not after I hit up some other new places I have yet to experience).

    (4)

  • S R.

    Drive into the safe covered parking deck off Peachtree street and you are welcomed with a pleasant bocce court at the entrance of Empire State South. Service starts with a smile. With perfect lighting and well-placed details the decor is classy, fabulous but not too over the top. About the food: The bread is addictive and you will need it (more on that later). Order the trout and watch your taste buds explode with joy. Trust me, you will think about these flavors for days and weeks. You will dream about the taste and yearn for it until you eat it for the second time. Then march your dinner companion about 10 steps over to the cafe if you want to extend the evening with an espresso, cortado, or latte. You will see smiles all around due to this high level culinary experience. I really would love to give this place 5 stars but does it really cost this much to eat well? :) maybe so. Remember that addictive bread and delightful dipping oil I told you about? Eat it or you may be hungry when you leave. Final note, I love everything about ESS. Its the kind of place you are proud to own and be a part of. Who knew Hugh Acheson could extract these fabulous flavors out of the soil in Athens and bring them to Atlanta. To the chef and staff, thanks for giving us a restaurant we can be proud of in Atlanta.

    (4)

  • Stephanie W.

    I had been looking forward to visiting for quite awhile and we decided to make Valentine's Day our first trip, and it was lovely. Over the course of the evening I think we had five courses and five different wines. We participate in a local CSA, so the ingredients were very familiar to us, but it definitely felt like something interesting that we couldn't have done at home. There were oysters, cheeses, fresh pasta with guinea fowl, a selection of rabbit & fresh mustards, lamb, bass, and desserts. All delicious. Our service seemed a little slower and distracted, with the wine coming out mismatched to the courses, and two of the courses were swapped in order. We were enjoying ourselves quite a bit so it wasn't really huge deal, but for the extravagant price you're also paying for the experience, so I would have expected this to go a little more smoothly. It certainly made me very interested in returning on a regular evening to sample the regular menu though.

    (4)

  • Danny W.

    Went for brunch on a Sunday morning. Heard great things but I left highly disappointed. The portions are for midgets. Don't bother getting the Farm Egg....it's overcooked rice with an egg on top for close to $20!

    (2)

  • Paul N.

    This is an upscale Southern cuisine restaurant located in Midtown of Atlanta. The place has a nice interior design, and the servers are very attentive and well versed with the menu items. The location can hold big parties, and it is good for all types of occasions. I originally went here because I was told the chef was a participant or the winner of Top Chef. Food: The Cream French Onion soup was good. It is the chef's interpretation, and I must say, the chef did an awesome job. The soup is not heavy, and it's just right when it comes to texture. Don't be alarmed by the different color. The soup is a must try when you get to the restaurant. The chef adds in a Korean fusion to his or her cooking, but I recommend staying away from the Crisp Pork Belly appetizer. First, it's not worth your money. Second, it's insulting to Koreans, Three, it's Pork Belly interpretation gone wrong. Four, did I mention, it's not worth your money? Oysters are ok. The restaurant provides different types of raw oysters when you order them, and it is nice to try them. They are not going to be really fresh like the ones you get in the coastal area. The entrees are great. The GA Trout is done very well with bacon to add to the flavor. The Farm Pork Loin is very good too. The meat is cooked very well, where it's not chewy. Additionally, bacon in it makes it better... it's like getting pork overload. When it comes to sides, stay away from Kimchi Rice Grits. Again, this dish is insulting to Koreans. Also, it should be insulting to you too. You can just go to H-Mart and buy yourself Kimchi and some grits and make this at home... instead of paying 6 dollars for it. All other sides are good though. Overall, this place will provide you with a pleasant dining experience for all ages minus the infants who won't remember the 54 dollar NY Prime Strip Steak. I know a couple that got engaged here, so you can take your match dot com dates here if you think she is the one for you. But I wouldn't take any match dot com dates here because this place is too nice for that.

    (4)

  • Wendy G.

    I've been trying to get to this restaurant for some time, part of it was just finding the right person and the right time and now looks like I'll be going twice in a week! First outing last week was amazing, started with homemade lemonade with vanilla bean, mint and rosemary - so refreshing and a classic southern favorite - pimento cheese with bacon marmalade served on toasted bread. I love that they serve it in a little mason jar, gives it just that right amount of southern kitch. For lunch I had the special, which was a shrimp salad on toasted sourdough. Out of this world - next time I'll be trying the Super Food plate, as I've heard nothing but great things about it. We ended with the oatmeal cookie whoopie pie, with fresh blueberry filling. So good! Needless to say, I already have lunch plans to go back again this coming week, so may edit this with more food updates. Free parking, but it can be tricky to find the first time. Just enter the driveway just past Piedmont off 10th on your right (when headed east) - go past the hotel entrance and the 999 Peachtree deck is right there. The server will give you a validation ticket to get out for free.

    (5)

  • P O.

    service is great. get the jars with boiled peanut hummus, pimento bacon, they are tasty. specialty drinks are fantastic. never had a bad meal there, Hugh is the man!

    (5)

  • Scott W.

    Great food. Very slow and poor service. Great coffee as well. Love the outside seating.

    (4)

  • Tom G.

    First time. Sunday. Not impress. Chef is trying,but falls short.

    (2)

  • Sarah L.

    went in after work solo one evening. sitting at the bar i consumed: pimms cup - BEST IN THE CITY! hands down! this cucumber delight is more then i thought possible. heirloom tomato salad: perfectly portioned, perfectly selected plump tomatoes paired with little crispy croutons. this salad is a must for tomato lovers! peach float: holy moley! so smooth, so flavorful. its nice and light as well, also the moonshine is a nice touch. blueberry ice cream: paired with a cream filled pistachio financier and fresh blueberries! cynthia wong is a fresh fruit genius, her desserts are flavorful, fresh, and delicious. hugh achenson has assembled quite a dream team!

    (5)

  • Dave M.

    New age restaurant, good food, fun experience. Looking at the menu online gave me some reservations, but they all disappeared through dinner. Good choice.

    (4)

  • Jean F.

    Top notch. I took my wife an daughter for lunch and every dish we had was excellent. Highly recommended.

    (4)

  • sam l.

    Well, I would say 3 stars for dinner, but 2 stars for brunch. I had some pretty flavorless oatmeal and a biscuit. Everything was under seasoned and I found the menu not that approachable for a brunch menu. It just seems like if you are going to be a nice restaurant than you can do a really nice brunch. But the biscuit was so way off in terms of flavor, over mixing, and served with nothing...no butter or jam to cover up the blandness, that I walked away actually hungry....which is hard to do at brunch. And please train your servers to come back to the table after they put the food down and check in. I always feel like an asshole after I wait and wait then have to get up and hunt someone down just for some pepper.

    (2)

  • S S.

    So excited to try this place and love it. We are HUGE Cakes & Ale fans, but lament that it's far from our Buckhead neighborhood (or else we'd seriously be there every week). I think Empire State South will be an excellent stand in when we aren't ready to trek to Decatur. Went on a Monday night for our anniversary. My better half had the great roasted carrot/cumin salad and the quail with field peas/rice and okra/almonds. I had the divine corn/shrimp soup and the scallops appetizer for dinner. We also had a great dry German Reisling and an amazing German Pinot. Finished it off with the house made soft serve ice cream (mint for me, cinnamon for him). All in all, the food was outstanding, the atmosphere was lovely, as was our server. Can't wait to start working in Midtown so that this gem will be within walking distance... One of the best new additions to the Atlanta dining scene in years.

    (4)

  • Jenna M.

    Loved it! The atmosphere is rustic but modern. There is a nice large bar in the front and cozy tables in the back. All of the food we ordered was exceptional - and our server was very knowledgeable about the different menu items. The "Peanuts and Coke" desert was wonderful - a Mexican Coca-Cola soft serve ice cream with peanuts and funnel cake. When they brought our check, they also brought individually wrapped little pieces of caramel fudge - a nice touch!

    (4)

  • Kitty Tonka B.

    I really like this place. The food is awesome and the service is great. I love sitting on the patio. The special coffee was a great way to finish my meal.

    (4)

  • Alex R.

    I loved the outdoor seating (situated right next to a Bocce ball court) and the cocktails. The appetizers were more culinary interesting and fun to eat, but the main course was not as outstanding as I had hoped. Sipping cocktails and playing Bocce ball while we waited for our desert was definitely the highlight.

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    Best food I've had in a long time. The ambience is charming, our waiter was attentive and knowledgable about the food, and the food and drinks were delish.

    (5)

  • Richard L.

    Great food. Very nice and attentive staff. The cocktails were very imaginative, the Pimm's cup was my favorite. i wish i could find somewhere in L.A. that makes drinks like these. One of the biggest well equipped kitchens I've ever seen.

    (4)

  • Charles H.

    Big disappointment. Our table of four decided almost immediately that the appetizers were far more appealing than the entrees, so we ordered a variety to sample and share. The cucumber soup with fried oysters was the only one of eight dishes which was excellent. The rest--average or worse. So many ingredients, and most of them undistinguishable in the dish. Sauces either too bland or too overpowering, or non-existent. The worst dish was easily the octopus sausage which was tasteless, unless you consider fishiness a taste. Of the lot, the vegetable dishes were the least poor, and the heirloom tomato salad was really pretty good. Trout and catfish entrees, but not a single salt-water fish dish. We have eaten at the Five and Ten in Athens, which is superb. Hugh needs to spend a bit more time in his Atlanta restaurant before more folks like us conclude they will not be back a second time.

    (2)

  • Sara G.

    Empire State South is great for a number of reasons but tonight they really topped the charts for my husband and me. I called ahead to make a reservation and let them know it was our anniversary. We got a nice corner table where we could see the restaurant and it was reasonably secluded from the other customers. We ordered the four course tasting menu and it was fabulous. It includes an amuse bouche so if you're curious about that first "course" it's more of a freebie than a course. I won't go into details about the rest except to say it was filled with items that were surprising, odd and delicious. There were times when even the smell of the dish was so enticing, I wanted to let the server know they could leave so that I could stuff my face without being rude. The flavors are sometimes intensely familiar but in a whole new context, they can be difficult to identify. It really is a great place to discover new items and different ways to eat familiar ones. To top it all off they had complimentary champagne for both of us in honor of our anniversary and a small mignardise as they brought the check. Overall it was a really great experience and a fantastic place to spend a special evening, I highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Anna K.

    My husband and I tried Empire State South for the first time last night. When I made the reservations I told them it was my husband's birthday. We arrived and were seated immediately. Our waitress greeted us with a smile and wished my husband a happy birthday and asked us if we had ever been there. Since we hadn't, she gave us her personal suggestions and we started with the jars appetizer. Not only did it come out in 5 minutes, but it was delicious as well. We never had to refill our water because every 2 minutes a waiter would come around to refill it for us. Our main course came out 30 minutes later as we were still finishing the appetizer. I had the duck and my husband had the blue fish. They were by far the best tasting dishes we have ever had and we have been to quite a few top of the line places. Without ordering anything else, our waitress brought out a delicious chocolate bread pudding with a candle and wished my husband again a happy birthday. We were not charged for the dessert. The food was expensive, but so worth it! We are excited to bring our families to this restaurant again.

    (5)

  • Jeff M.

    On the heels of having eaten at Bacchanalia, I had to make sure I ate at a quality restaurant the subsequent night. I love this place. One of my favorite places in the country is The Publican in Chicago and Empire State South reminds me of it. I love the relaxed but energetic atmosphere. Service is always great. But it's the food that speaks volumes. The bread is always fresh and crisp. But oh the pimento cheese and bacon marmalade! This is one of the great edible items in all of Atlanta, holy cow! It's served in a jar; if it was on the menu as a bucket item, I would get it in a heartbeat. The soft-poached farm egg (with crisp rice, corn, chanterelle mushrooms, ESS hot dog, and bourbon mustard) was light, summery, but bursting with flavor; absolutely yummilicious. I made a game-time decision for the entree: the smoked duck breast. An excellent decision. The duck on the lunch menu I've had before, it's on the bone and excellent. This was served medium rare, with celery, pak choi, and hominy, and it was out of this world. This might have been the best duck I've ever eaten. Perfect in flavor, tender, and warmth. I was disappointed that I couldn't make room for dessert (without vomiting). One of the best new restaurants in Atlanta? Yes? One of the best restaurants in Atlanta? Yes. I'll be back for the tasting menu. I just need to find an extra stomach first! (Word of caution for first-timers: do look up directions, it's a bit confusing to find the first time around: enter via the driveway on 10th Street, towards the parking garage, park, then find the bocce ball court on Level 3, and you're good to go!)

    (5)

  • Eddie B.

    Ive been here a number of times with friends,. and especially my gf and let me tell you guys, one of the best restaurants in atlanta hands down... amazing!!!! get everything on the menu, especially the in Jars !!! omg!! incredible.,.. desserts are just as good as everything else too!! i would continue with this review and get into detail but its just a waste of time bc there are soo many good things to eat here that you reading this would probably not even come close to the real experience... just go !.. go now!

    (5)

  • Dana F.

    So disappointed, especially in the service. At the beginning the waitress was quite absent...no water, welcome, or drink orders for quite some time. Finally ordered cocktails, I asked for a recommendation and the waitress asked if I liked absinthe. I said I think so I've had it in other cocktails. When the drinks arrived I really did not care for mine,the licorice flavor was much more overwhelming than I've ever had. I politely told her I did not care for it when she asked and her response was well I asked if you liked absinthe. Wow, such lovely customer service. She then proceeded to visit the table every few minutes asking if we were ready to order. We politely told her no, that we were looking forward to having a nice relaxing evening. I completely understand the need the move tables for upcoming reservations but this was absurd as we had been there for not even fifteen minutes. She acted irritated and continued her pursuit, finally sending over another waiter. We flat out said gee, guess they really want us out of here. We really liked the jars but was disappointed in my lamb belly, the seasoning was just a bit off, and the halibut was horribly over salted. The egg app was very good and the clear winner of all 3 starters and mains. I think they realized they messed up with service because during dinner she made a comment about no rush, just relax. Yeah right. We've spent the same and more on places with much better service and much better food. Will not be back and would not recommend.

    (2)

  • Justin B.

    I will start with my only complaint about ESS: it is very hard to find. The address is the most helpful part, because it is located inside a business building. Once found, though, it was all up hill from there. Upon entering, the hostess was very friendly, and she escorted us back to our table. We were given a booth in the corner where it was quiet, and the lighting was set low. Our waiter was very informative, friendly, and professional. We started with the green tomato chow chow and an order of the local cheeses for the table. Both came out great. Our waiter recommended the brussel sprouts, and to be honest, I was hesitant. He finally convinced me to try it, and now I have to recommend it to anyone reading this. They were quartered, grilled, and came out so flavorful and tender. My trout over the clams, radish, and gnocci was one of the best meals I've ever had. My fiance had the pork tenderloin, and we found ourselves trading bites all night. Both dishes were great. My only regret is that I didn't save room for dessert.

    (5)

  • Frida S.

    Meh. I don't really get all the rave reviews here. Like a lot of Atlanta restaurants, Empire State South suffers from New York wannabe syndrome. The food and the space are trend-chasing and high concept but the execution and the service are mediocre at best. Our table shared the "In Jars" appetizer, a take off of the platter of small jars of charcuterie and cheese offered by several restaurants in town right now. ESS's version was easily the lamest I've ever had (Holman and Finch serves the best charcuterie in Atlanta for my money). The foie gras had a strange metallic bite to it, and the aspic on top was tasteless. The rillettes were tasteless except for a weird vinegar-y flavor. Others in our party had soup, which was better than the jars, but nothing to write home about. Our entrees were similarly uninspiring. The fish was a little too fishy tasting (though the crispy skin was delicious) and served a little cooler than lukewarm. The pork loin and steak were fine, nothing more. The service at Empire State South was worse than the food. It took me 15 minutes to get a glass of wine at the bar. The host was surly and uncommunicative when we asked about why we were being seated 45 minutes after our reservation. The whole staff struck me as hipper-than-though, an odd vibe in such a prime business location in midtown. I will say that when we were finally seated, our server was knowledgeable and quick. ESS reminds me of the late Repast: It's a place that works harder on the idea of being a cool restaurant than it does on actually serving good food. I would have given it three stars, but 15 minute wait at the uncrowded bar followed by the host's surliness really ruined my experience.

    (2)

  • Ashley F.

    Excellent atmosphere..loved it. Will definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Marie J.

    Heard great things about Empire, so we went for brunch. Atmosphere was good, I liked the decor and the outdoor plaza seating. The experience, overall, was less than expected. I echo's others sentiment about uneven portions. I ordered the BLT sandwich, which was delicious but compared to the other ingredients and size of sandwich, bacon was sorely underrepresented. It came with only two slices, which meant, you did not get a balance of flavors while eating it. I left a good chunk of sandwich because I ran out of bacon. It's a simple thing, but if you have an ingredient as part of the name, you should make sure its in there as more than an after thought. The fresh squeezed grapefruit juice was delicious, but I had to send back my coffee which was way to bitter for my taste. My partner's food looked and tasted good (all sides of bacon, eggs and hash browns), but the kitchen had a hard time coordinating the delivery. He has no desire to return, but the food is good, it just seems like the service and concept is not as solid as one would hope. I would be willing to give them another try for dinner. From reading other reviews and from my own experience, it seems that they half-step when they should go full-throttle. There are way too many choices in Atlanta to settle for an OK experience.

    (2)

  • Liz L.

    For people who don't know about Empire State South, I think the restaurant itself is kind of hard to find. I live very close, and I never once noticed it because it's tucked away in the back of the 999 Peachtree building. In any case, we came here for brunch and it was SO GOOD. I had the pork belly and grits, and my boyfriend had the jalapeno biscuit with pork confit. Their menu is very pork-heavy, which was made even more abundantly clear when halfway through the meal four grown men came out carrying a 250-lb hog carcass (apparently Creative Loafing is doing a bit on the restaurant). Anyway, that didn't phase me one bit... the pork belly was crispy and fatty and a complete guilty-pleasure indulgence. For dessert I ordered a salted caramel cupcake and it was by far one of the best cupcakes I have ever had - it makes you wonder why they don't advertise it more, or maybe it's just that everything is that good. I've heard that dinner is even better, so I will definitely be going back for seconds and thirds!

    (5)

  • Mark C.

    My grits with poached egg app was insanely good and my main dish of pasta and veggies was outstanding. The outside lawn and bar are a wonderful hangout. This might be my fav in the whole city.

    (5)

  • Lindsay C.

    Pretty tasty. Pretty expensive. Pretty great atmosphere, but again, pretty pricey. Save this place for a special date or birthday. I'd like to try their brunch and see if my wallet likes it a little better. If you go - make sure you try the pork belly (omnom) and the farm egg (nummy). It will be the best $11 egg you've had in your life. Yes... singular. One. Egg. :) Make sure you sit outside with the bocce ball in the background. It makes for a lovely spring Atlanta evening. Brace for the bill. And know you could probably have a similar experience at Leon's for slightly less. Just saying.

    (4)

  • missy a.

    Must they pimento cheese, bacon marmalade for an app! Very fresh & seasonal food. Wonderful look & fun Bocci Ball court. Wine list great but wine director not comfortable explaining choices. Iced coffee is really good.

    (4)

  • Broderick S.

    I've been waiting for ESS pretty much since it was announced and couldn't wait to try it the day it was open to the public. For the most part I haven't been disappointed. On one hand its different from any place in Atlanta in that it's a fine dining restaurant that's not in a hotel yet open for breakfast lunch and dinner. On the other hand there's a definite parallel with Miller-Union, and elements of the excellent coffee you'd get at Octane. The wine selection is top notch. I'm not a vegetarian, but the vegetables here are outstanding, I've had a number of excellent soups (late summer soup w/ poached shrimp & peaches) and their field pea & hamhock soup. Only complaints would be that I frequently eat at the bar and have sometimes missed out on specials that aren't printed on the menu ( I need to remember to ask) and the prices are a little higher than I'll be able to afford on a regular basis.

    (4)

  • Chip P.

    In a neighborhood of dying restaurants it's hard to find a regular place to hangout. If you find anything within walking distance there are people smoking in the restaurant. After talking with some foodie friends I found out a gold mine might be in my own neighborhood. So, I made a Tuesday night reservation for 8pm. I arrived at 7pm to meet a friend prior to dinner so I could check out the bar scene. We had a glass of wine checked out the crowd. The bar area is large yet has a home feel to it. I see and talk to lots of friends from the neighborhood. I know without a doubt I will be returning to hang out at the bar. A friendly staff and you can order food at the bar. Just after 8pm we let the hostess know we are ready to move to the table. However, the table is not ready for us. No problem because I am having a great time at the bar. The manager comes over to apologize...I say"for what?" we are having too much fun here. A short time later we arrive at the table. Meats and cheese lead the first course with a homemade bread that is to die for. I then look forward to the onion soup. It's not your mom's bowl of soup. A delicious tasting of a creamy onion soup with a scallop shaped conversion of what I think is taso ham and cooked egg. So good. Striped Bass was my main course. I love when a fish is cooked to perfection. It's not hard to do but so many places tend to over do it. We had a wonderful evening here. I love that it's in my neighborhood. We will be back and bringing more peeps with us.

    (4)

  • Courtney L.

    Our experience at Empire State South on Friday night started off a little rough but definitely picked up and ended on a great note. When we first walked in, we walked in through the building and stood at the counter for 4 or 5 minutes as an employee stood at the register and one made drinks and neither looked up to tell us that we should go to the other entrance to be seated. Needless to say we were a little annoyed when we figured that out and got to the hostess only to find out our table wasnt ready. After waiting a couple minutes for a drink we were seated about 20 minutes after our reservation. We had heard great things so we were trying to keep an open mind. Our first server left alot to be desired. The experience was going down hill fast. But then the first saving grace. The bread plate. Its amazing. The sorghum butter and apple butter were phenomenal. Second saving grace. Matt. Matt came by as we were devouring the bread and said he would be working with our waiter. Throughout the night Matt fixed several of the short comings of the other staff, brought us extra bread, checked on our drink orders when he could tell we were getting antsy, and ended up putting one of our desserts on the house. He admitted that ESS was still working through their service issues but that at this point, bad service was unacceptable and he was hoping they could turn things around quickly. His honestly and friendliness were a treat as was the food for the rest of the night. Highlights were definitely the soft poached egg, the onion soup and the fried strawberry pie which was one of the most amazing things I have ever eaten.

    (4)

  • Lindsey C.

    Great atmosphere and out of the ordinary fun food & drink choices. The lamb melts in your mouth and is out of this world.

    (5)

  • David G.

    Our best dining experience in Atlanta. Much more casual than I had anticipated, but the service staff and food was beyond reproach. We ate our way through the menu and I would suggest that a party of two shy away from the In Jars appetizer. Although delicious, it begins to weigh you down during the feast. The pork belly, trout and duck were amazing! DO NOT pass up the pork belly! The Farm Egg was one of the most amazing dishes we have ever eaten. If on the menu...DO NOT PASS UP ON THE FARM EGG!! Although it may sound simple, it is so very, very complicated. It is so good that the table of five next to us ordered it as an appetizer and was so thrilled, two at the table ordered it again to accompany their entree'. Although I could live off of sugar, I was not as tickled with the Phatty Cakes as most, however the Chocolate & Cherry dessert was euphorial! Go to ESS and enjoy! It will be a memorable event.

    (5)

  • Teri S.

    ESS was just fabulous in every way. Beginning with cocktails....my ESS Manhattan & my daughter's 'Tis the Cocktail were both very well crafted & delicious. Ok, so I would go back just for that. But, but, but the food, oh the food was devine. We began with a cheese plate which was as good as any I've had (not too difficult to achieve, I know). Next came a Beef Tongue starter for the table. I have to tell you, beef tongue is quite good, indeed! And the entrees....we had Skate Wing, Duck Confit, Pork Tenderloin & Redfish. They were all outstanding (we shared), but my favorites were the Skate & Duck. And let's not forget the veggie sides which were equally as tasty as the proteins, which in my way of thinking is a feat. Of course, after all of this deliciousness we had to order coffee & dessert. The Bruleed Banana Pudding was so simple, yet devine. The coffee was so yummy that we came home with a bag of it. Oh, and the service was as good as it gets, too. What else can I say? Go here.

    (5)

  • Amy S.

    I sampled the "in jars" appetizer and the gnocchi which were $18 each. Both were good, not great, but certainly not worth the price. From the "in jars" my favorite was the pimento cheese. There really wasn't must to go around though. The portion for the gnocchi was also too small, closer to an appetizer size. I understand that the restaurant is charging higher prices for farm fresh foods, but there are other places in town you can go to and get much more for your dollar.

    (2)

  • J B.

    Mark my words....this place will NEVER last. We live in the neighborhood and went in for dinner at the bar. There were two or three tables of people, so it was not crowded at all. We experienced the worst service from a bartender with a terrible attitude. There is no room in Midtown for service like this. We have great places like Ecco, Ra Sushi, Lure, South City etc...to go to. Don't waste your time or money!

    (1)

  • Kathy S.

    Had lunch today and WAS BLOWN AWAY by what I ate! We ordered all FIVE jars of appetizer goodies and I'm not sure which was best--pimento cheese w/ bacon marmalade, duck liver pate, pork rilette, boiled peanut hummus AND the pickled veggies. Served with grilled bread. EACH ONE WAS BETTER THAN THE NEXT. I will dream of the bacon marmalade tonight. Then we split the de-constructed steak salad which was TO DIE FOR. Really healthy and full of protein. The coffee was outstanding. I also purchased a HOMEMADE POP TART filled with yummy cherries. Yes, folks, I ate that on the way home from lunch!!! THAT POP TART MADE ME WEEP it was so good. And, by the way, the staff were friendly and helpful. Loved the atmosphere and vibe. I haven't had a meal this good in a long, long time. Do not miss this place. It's now at the top of my list of FAVORITES.

    (5)

  • Ankle B.

    Incredible. 4.5. A friend took me there on a biz trip from the Bay Area to Atl. Usually people go on about they're faves in other cities, but being from the Bay we're a little spoiled. I was VERY impressed! The upscale southern cuisine, service, and ambience was excellent. I would highly recommend, and come back.

    (4)

  • Ashley W.

    A friend of mine recommended ESS so I decided to try it for lunch since my office is right around the corner. I'll skip to the food part because that's all that really matters. I'm not a fan of big, heavy lunches and usually opt for meat-free entrees when dining out. The lunch entrees seemed pretty large, so I went the unconventional route and selected a few of the sides. ESS offers a 5-sides lunch entree but even that seemed like too much food for me. I decided to go with 3, and selected: okra, mac and cheese, collard greens, and then added a biscuit. When the food arrived I knew I had picked the perfect meal. The okra was awesome - not greasy and had a hint of garlic. The greens were amazing as well, and had a slight sweetness to them. The mac and cheese was to die for, and was finished with a bread crumb, crunchy topping. And of course, the biscuit was heavenly - moist and fluffy. If I had ordered the 5-side entree there is no doubt in my mind that I would have cleaned my plate and been in a food coma for the rest of the work day. I am a huge fan of veggies and ESS did them right by keeping them simple, not over-cooking and seasoning just right. I will be back!

    (5)

  • David M.

    Hugh Acheson has brought his hand to the ATL and it couldn't be any better. Having eaten at his spots in Athens (5&10 and The National), he has taken another lovely step in his creativity. Although never a big fan of opening nights or weeks for restaurants, I went against my typical judgement when it occurred to me who it was in the kitchen and if Hugh can't get it right, well who can. So, to my surprise I found myself at his opening night and was pleasently surprised to see a nice moderate crowd and pace of activity, leaving room for the kitchen to get its first day bearings and chemistry and how they did deliver. The menu is tight, but still give a nice feel of ample diversity. It's a Southern take on things but with only the touch that Aucheson can provide. The food is perfectly portioned, seasoned and presented and his hand on these dishes is noticable. The oysters were fabulous and cold water, with possibly the best mignontte I've ever had, with homemade cheese saltines that I'll dare you to not eat everyone of them. The next courses were the Celia's tomatoes with a extraordinary riccotta underlying and once again pefectly seasoned. The seared scallops were sublime, I mean possibly the most perfectly cooked I've had in sometime, with a beautiful accompaniment of summer limas and a creamed spinach that isn't the traditional overkill of cream and cheese you come to expect with cream spinach, which was a refreashing change to be honest. We ended it with the Chess pie, that was delicate, and once again a perfect pie crust and and fresh whipped cream....This place is fabulous and does much to restore the stature of modern Southern cusine with the decline of Watershed and Woodfire now appearing to take a turn at preparing all its food as if in a James Beard competition and Mr. Gillespie wanting to charge a premium for his new found status as start chef. I've had that same scallop dish at Woodfire and it would have been $3 more and 2 scallops less, and Hugh only need to provide us 3 for an exceptional value this evening, if you get my drift. Welcome to Atlanta Mr. Aucheson, I will be frequenting Empire State South..A LOT!!!

    (5)

  • Andrew A.

    My sister who was in from Madrid was craving a fried chicken biscuit and wanted to try Empire State South. We both had the fried chicken biscuit and it was delicious. The biscuit was just dense enough and the chicken was perfect. And even though it was 10a, I made her get a phatty cake for dessert. Not sure many people know they are open for breakfast during the week, but it is a great place to check out.

    (4)

  • ms j.

    I stopped in for a lunch during a conference and was so very pleased. The food is locally sourced, lovingly crafted and beautifully presented.

    (4)

  • Maureen K.

    Great food. The service was just as good. Dane and lane ( I hope have have their name right) were very nice and informative in the dishes. They made the dinner fun including some fun trivia questions and good humor. Back to the food... I had the steak and potatoes. Cooked perfectly and flavored orgasmically perfect. The menu changes daily to make sure it's the freshest food and unique. This is a must go for anyone visiting Atlanta of if you live here and have not been yet. Mmmmmmm

    (5)

  • Xteethx B.

    I really enjoyed eating lunch here. I was initially disappointed that pork belly wasn't on the menu the day I went but the chicken medallions over grits were really good. Server was nice and accommodating, considering I brought a 5 year old and everyone else was on a business lunch. For dessert I had the olive oil ice cream sandwich but the chocolate cookies overwhelmed the ice cream; it honestly just tasted like vanilla. Still, a good treat. The compost cookie was pretty awesome; I'd have to say it's better than Momofuku's Milk Bar since it came with bacon bits; delicious. Loved the interior and atmosphere; it's upscale but not stuffy or pretentious.

    (5)

  • Jumi Y.

    In New York!~ Concrete jungles where dreams are made of... Wrong empire state of mind, but still makes me so happy. I've been here a couple of times for special occasions, and the food has been consistently good. Their menu rotates often, so what I've listed might not match what they are currently serving. But just so you have an idea: Here are some of the things we had the last time we went: Appetizers --In Jars: This was ok. Lots of special dips (trout mousse, pimento cheese and bacon marmalade, boiled peanut hummus, deviled ham) and pickles/bread. I don't really enjoy the hammy taste, so all this was a little overwhelming for me. My friends really liked it though, and if you enjoy things in the bacon category, this is probably for you, too. --Charcuterie: Nice mix of all kinds of meat. They even had blood sausage that was decent. --Cheese: yum- 2 cows and a sheep, all delicious with great sweet and savory pairings. --Roasted octopus: this was clearly one of their menu stars. The octopus was perfectly seasoned and smoky. Entree: --Snapper: This was an entire fish with several pieces of gnocchi and greens. It came with a bacon dashi (that I left off, but everyone else enjoyed). So good. I ate everything and still had room for more. --Beef: juicy, well-seasoned, perfectly cooked --Pennsylvania duck: Flew right in from PA to be cooked to perfection. --Pork belly: I didn't try this, but it looked really good, and my friend who had it really enjoyed it. Service was decent. Our server didn't really make too much eye contact with us but he was efficient and there when we needed anything. The guy who brought out the cheese forgot the names of all of them and had to pull out his "cheat sheet." Kind of hilarious though. We had a great time, and I hope the next special event rolls around soon, so I can have another great meal

    (4)

  • Jeff T.

    A group of 8 of us visited Empire on a Tuesday night, 02/25/14. Most of our group had not been here before, but heard all the "hype" about how fantastic the place was and had read reviews here on Yelp about how great the food was. We arrived about 9 pm and had a few cocktails at the bar to wait for the rest of our party to arrive, great bar. Once our party arrived we were seated promptly Have to say, as far as the food goes, my girlfriend and I were quite unimpressed. Dishes didn't seem like they were thought out very well, and for the quality and portions of food - extremely over priced. Specifically we had the scallops, and they were nothing special that's for sure. 4 seared scallops with lettuce thrown on them. This dish in particular was a real dud in our book. It's not like we only tried two things on the menu, our table ordered nearly all appetizers and entree items from the menu. We did have a great time at the restaurant with our friends though, and we did really like the look, feel and ambience. The service was excellent as well, not a single bad thing to say about the service. Our server did a fantastic job keeping up with our table. We may come back here for appetizers and cocktails as it is in a good location in Midtown, but I don't see ever visiting here again for a full dinner.

    (2)

  • Tadd F.

    Great meal, there was a bit of an issue with the level of seasoning throughout the meal, too much salt in a few of the dishes but only one that was beyond passing. Our waitress was quick to remedy this issue and never missed a beat. "Farm Egg" is spectacular!

    (4)

  • Leddee H.

    BRUNCH REVIEW ONLY During my annual girl's weekend trip, we used the ATL as our point of entry and exit from Savannah. We had a few hours of free time on Sunday morning before our flights, so I had made a brunch reservation at ESS. The reservation process was easy, just send them an e-mail, and 24 hours later they will confirm your reservation via e-mail. We were late for brunch since President Obama decided to use Interstate 75 the same time as we were going to ESS, so the local authorities decided to close the highway for about 20 minutes. :-) Nonetheless, ESS understood why we were late, and we were seated immediately in their beautifully decorated restaurant. It's modern, sleek, yet it felt like you were having brunch at home! Now unto the meal, we started with the pimento cheese and bacon marmalade, and oh, my! This isn't your typical pimento sandwich since the bread was perfectly toasted, the cheese wasn't overly salty, and the the bacon marmalade was like candy. Since I heart bacon, I ordered the pork belly with grits that also had perfectly cooked eggs, mustard seeds, frisée, and crushed pecans. Sorry ESS if I didn't elegantly describe this dish, but it was very well balanced. However, I felt that the pecans got chewy the longer they stayed on the dish, so eat the pecans quickly. 5 stars for the pimento cheese with bacon marmalade, the wait staff, the decor, the ambience, and the treats, especially the peanut butter bon bons! Wow. I want to check this out for dinner, but I'm not sure when I'll be visiting the ATL anytime soon.

    (5)

  • Annette L.

    Sadly, I have to give this place 3 stars because the food is way too pricey for the tiny portions you get. Don't get me wrong, the food was good and the service was fantastic. As for the atmosphere, it was a little too dark (I had to strain my eyes to see the menu), but manageable. My fiance and I were there with a group of friends, knowing that it was a bit higher priced (not an ideal situation for us, having to pay for a wedding, but the decision was already made for us), and we were still shocked at how small the portions are. He ordered the pork tenderloin, and for $40 you would expect that it would be a nice, sizable piece of pork. Instead, what he got were 3 small cubes of pork and some vegetables. It was in no way worth $40. And my chicken was pretty good, but not $35 good. Kind of wish we had stuck with just appetizers, as you seem to get more "bang for your buck" with those. Sadly, we could have saved money. It was a nice experience, and I know my friends enjoyed it, but my fiance and I will not be returning.

    (3)

  • CC S.

    Several of us had dinner here on a Thursday night at the end of February. After we drove around the block a few times to find it, we were greeted warmly and seated quickly. We started with oysters, artisan cheeses, and charcuterie. All were really good and enjoyed by everyone. Our main courses were the lamb, grouper, and trout. Again, all were good, but nothing blew us away. The staff were very attentive, helpful, and nice. The next night we went to a Ramen restaurant and everyone kept saying, "Wow," over and over. I didn't have that feeling with Empire State South. It was great to try it out, but I didn't have anything that would bring me back.

    (3)

  • Valerie N.

    Absolute perfection. Look no further than Empire State South for the perfect Southern meal. We came here on a Friday night for my birthday. We had a corner table (although seated by a large group, which at first, was a bit unsettling), which ended up being a great place to sit as we could watch the restaurant during our meal. Our waiter was PHENOMENAL - we felt like instant BFFs. We promptly decided on the 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings and just had a delightful evening of delicious food. If I'm honest, ESS feels like the offspring of southern delicacies and the French Laundry. We are long time fans of Five and Ten so its not really a surprise to me that our meal at ESS was perfectionl, but I was super impressed with the quality of ingredients and the creativity behind each course. I'm so happy we went with the tasting menu as it really permitted us to bear witness to the c Stand out items included: -- Our amuse bouche, a delicious foie gras taste with pickled strawberries and teeny tiny brioche -- Steak tartare with a perfect sous vide encrusted egg and cheddar crisps -- Trout with grapefruit and gnocchi (I HATE trout and grapefruit so the fact that these were so heavenly just goes to show how terrific a restaurant ESS truly is) The pork belly with kimchee grits and delicious goat cheese ravioli appeared in our courses. These were heaven too, but I can't imagine eating an entire full dinner portion of either of these since they were so rich. The sommelier is a breath of fresh air - she's absolutely charming and unassuming and knowledgeable as heck about beautiful wine. Well done. The cocktails here are divine and bonus points for using champagne saucers. Honestly? The service here is top notch. Get here. Get here now. I can only imagine how tasty it would be for brunch and lunch!

    (5)

  • Alex P.

    For brunch, pretty mediocre place. The chai tea latte was excellent, so I would highly recommend getting that. However, given the price point and the tiny portions, I would have expected something phenomenal in the dishes. Although good, nothing really stood out and nobody at our table of 4 would probably come back for a second time.

    (3)

  • Karen H.

    Yummy, yummy. Went there with girlfriends and had a great time and a really good meal. The bar is mixology style, so don't expect Stoli or Jack Daniels. I went with a whisky sour, bartender's choice for the whisky and she did me right. One of my companions did the same with a gin drink, and didn't care for the gin, and they swapped out for something else without batting an eye. I like that they know not everyone is going to get into small-batch drinks, and are willing to compromise a bit. Regarding the food, since it was our first time, we went with some fairly safe choices. We had the Jars (smoked trout spread, deviled ham, pimento cheese, peanut hummus). Frankly, we could have had that and been done - all great and lots of food. The ham and pimento cheese has a bit of kick, which I like. My dinner was the farm egg over crisp rice. I know, I know, it isn't a conventional combination. But you break that egg over the rice and let the creamy yolk run into the rice, and then blend it all together, and it's pretty sublime. I also had a side of the braised greens - they were just the right level of braised, without the greens being mush. Awesome. Go. Eat, Bocci, have a cocktail you won't normally have. It'll be worth it.

    (4)

  • Lindsay W.

    We just had a large group go there for lunch. The Private Event manager was very easy to work with and was quick to respond to emails. They set us up at a large table which was nice, but a little snug. They realized that though and quickly added another table on. We had pre-ordered, so we made things go a little quicker. When I say quicker, we were still there for over an hour, which is still long, but not as long as the last time when it took over 2 hours. I ordered the 5 sides to eat and the serving size was large and filling. Almost all of the guys ordered the Pork belly because you would think that it would be a decent size portion. Negative! These looked like kid size portions. The plate décor was great, but it was clear that this entrée should be a Tapas or appetizer. A few people ordered the Ice cream terrine which was chocolate cake with coconut ice cream. It looked delicious! However, we did wait 20 minutes between the time our entrees were cleared from when our 5 desserts came out, which seemed like a LONG time. They have a great bar area and outdoor seating and boche ball.

    (3)

  • Cherry L.

    Guess what my new fave midtown bar is (in addition to one of my fave restaurants in atl)---ESS! FAN FAN FAN! I always like to nibble on a little something when drinking my boozey martinis and think their small plates are perfect---especially the 'in jars'!! the bartenders are knowledgeable and always provide great recommendations for dranks! AND they are open fairly late for evening drinks, not too loud, lots of open space, and great decor/lighting! GO THERE NOW!

    (5)

  • David F.

    GREAT food, on point bartenders and fantastic service lead to a great meal. The food was very good and of our 8 people, everyone was very happy!

    (5)

  • Amaryllia L.

    My lamb was cooked just right but, based on reactions from the other people I went with, food is hit or miss. Overall, this place is very overpriced for what you get. 1/3 of a cheese plate + 1 drink + 1 entree + 1 dessert = $60 pre-tip

    (3)

  • Quality K.

    ordered the lamb and beef tartar bit did not expect them to come out like an appetizer. waste of money. ordered crown and sprite but was not told they do not carry crown. they substituted some other liquor which i have never heard off, some off market stuff. i was told after the fact and i did not drink it and sent it back but i was charged for it. not a great experience. my guests were not impressed with the slim pickings. service was not great as i had to flag down the server to try and order and after a while we just gave up. we ended up going elsewhere to get a decent meal.

    (1)

  • Patrick W.

    Went there for early dinner. Were able to seat us quickly even though we didn't have a reservation (I thought we'd have to wait forever or eat at the bar, so that was a pleasant surprise). Very good food, some of it was extraordinary. The spread of dips in mason jars with toast was amazing and fun. Superb service as was to be expected. Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Linda S.

    A perfect special-occasion splurge for anyone who appreciates a creative, fine dining take on Southern food. We started with cocktails. Happy all around. This is the 4th time I've eaten at ESS, and I've had the "in jars" snacks for the table every time. The pimiento cheese with bacon jam is just the best thing ever. Deviled ham, trout mousse, field pea hummus (or crowder peas? something like that), pickled vegetables. All tasty. Big flavors. I shared the farm egg starter. Rich, buttery, crunchy comfort. Scallops in my entree we're perfectly seared and well-seasoned. 3 in our party of five ordered quail, 1 had pork loin. All entrees got high marks for presentation, and everyone cleaned their plate. We shared two desserts: a chocolate-farro bread pudding and a heavenly jelly doughnut-like thing with strawberry sorbet. Service was helpful and friendly. Portions are not large; prices are. So worth it.

    (5)

  • K K.

    I really like ESS and even with the inconsistent front-of-the-house service I still can't admit to the fact this one of my favorite Atlanta restaurants. I've been for breakfast/brunch and dinner a couple times. I get the farm egg rice brunch/appetizer. It's really one of the best things I've ever eaten. The oyster selection is nice , but that farm egg... Drool. Entrees are seasonal and taste like what they're supposed to, meaning that the food isn't over powered by sauces etc. just good ingredients well prepared. Topped off with a nice coffee or chai... I'm in southern bliss.

    (5)

  • Lianne S.

    I loved the late night dinner here. We had one of the "jars" and it was delicious!! We had the pimento cheese and bacon marmalade and it was so good. The octopus and pork sausage appetizers are also delicious! The lamb was perfect for splitting after the appetizers that we had.

    (5)

  • Jason L.

    A total disappointment. Service was off point though friendly. Coffee and tea ordered immediately upon being seated were forgotten and arrived after our entrees and though presented with the right bill our card was run for a nearby table's larger bill. Both situations were quickly and professionally rectified, but disappointing. The food was also mediocre. The chicken Po Boy is not a Po Boy, but a decent buffalo chicken sandwich. The bread doesn't cut it. The trout accompaniments were GREAT, but the fish itself was bland and a little strong (though definitely fresh and a properly processed piece). Hype hype hype.

    (2)

  • William M.

    I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone.

    (1)

  • Kurt N.

    This is absolutely a perfect use of the 5 start Woohoo! As good as it gets! The bartenders are first class, the food excellent, the dessert great, and they do coffee right. I went with a group of 6 so we just ordered things that looked interesting and split them all. You can definitely make a meal of just beginnings, especially if you don't want to spring for a whole entree.

    (5)

  • Derek B.

    This year's anniversary dinner, and an excellent choice. I was a huge fan of Five and Ten when I lived in Athens a few years back, love his new cookbook, and am a huge fan of the farm to table movement, so I figured this place would be awesome. And it was. Based on the recommendation of almost every review on here, we started with the In Jars. Glad we did. Rillettes were some of the best I've ever had(been to France mind you), Pimento cheese with Bacon Marmalade was amazing(who knew?) and the Trout Mousse had a great flavor, even my wife who doesn't like fishy stuff loved it. Boiled Peanut Hummus was the only let down, not that it was bad, but I just had high expectations of it and every thing else was so much better than it. You can get more toast points to go with this because they don't give you enough, but I also recommend using some of the bread they bring you(sourdough with cracklin's, yum) as it goes really well with these. For an appetizer we split the Pork belly on the kimchi grits. Loved the presentation in the miniature cast iron skillets and it was amazingly delicious. Pork belly melted in your mouth and the grits had a great texture and flavor....Highly recommended. My wife got the Pork Loin with roasted veggies. She really enjoyed it, especially the veggies and the potatoe?(I think it was but it could have been something else) puree that it was served with which was like a sauce. I tried a bite or two and agree. Rather than having an entree I went with 2 apps: Dashi Glazed Octopus and Sweetbreads. The octopus was the only real disappointment of the meal, the flavor wasn't particularly great and the sauce tasted like mayo, kind of gross actually. However, the sweetbreads were awesome. Definitely a southern version and I liked it. For dessert we went with the Christmas Pageant which was like an explosion on a plate of all things christmasy(see picture). It didn't look particularly appetizing but everything on the plate was great, although the peppermint flavors were a little strong at times. I also had the Georgia Coffee which is an iced coffee drink(just so you know to expect that, I didn't) and it was really really good. Super long review, but this place deserves it. Would love to go back if I get a chance.

    (5)

  • Donald L.

    I am a fan. This is the second year that we spent New Years at ESS and the food and wine has been some of the best I've experienced. This year ESS seems to have stepped it up with a live band and bar after the final seating. It was an unmitigated disaster. The last dinner service sat 30 min late which resulted in a late finish and so the band didn't get to set up until late. So late that they missed New Years. Then when they finally started, it was music that drove the regular clients out (including our party of 4). The music was a terrible mixture of loud college music that most folks in their 40s were revolted by, couple that with a strange mix of new visitors and we couldn't get to the door quick enough. We will find somewhere else next year. Go, just avoid the New Year's Eve party.

    (3)

  • Chris C.

    Dinned here while in Atlanta for trade show, was highly recommend. Food was ok portions were small for the price. Jars app was very good. However the horrible service killed the experience. Took our server over 20 min to even acknowledge we were there. Reservation was for 5 we had 5 at the table when she came over asked how long before the other people showed up. Ordered a drink when the app arrived received it after I was done with my dinner. If you really want a good meal in Atlanta with the service to match try South City Kitchen

    (1)

  • Edward S.

    Warning: Don't go here with larger parties. They can't handle it and treat you like you're a burden to them. This review is a bit of a rant. If you don't feel like reading it, it can be summarized by saying that the food is above average but the service is poor and they cannot handle larger parties (8 people). If you have a larger party, absolutely do not go here. My father in law had some very close friends coming in from Thailand today. There were 8 of us and he asked me to set up dinner at one of the best restaurants in Atlanta as he wanted to welcome them with a very nice dinner. So, I chose Empire State South due to it's awesome reputation. Even though we had a reservation, we were seated nearly 30 minutes late on a Wednesday night. This was a problem because our guests were very jet lagged and the wait was hard on them. I understand that sometimes things happen and that alone wouldn't have been that bad. However, during this time we weren't so much as offered a drink of water or a snack while we waited they really didn't seem to care all that much. When we finally got our table, it was clear that they just made a table that didn't normally exist out of a couple of small ones as we were crammed into the middle of the restaurant. My chair was sitting in a heavy traffic lane (basically, I crammed in at the end of the table) so I was probably bumped by waiters and other customers at least 20 times. Our server was adequate for a restaurant of this level but he either didn't know the menu well or didn't bother to really explain it to us. I won't hold it against him though because he was set up for failure. He certainly wasn't passionate about the food and didn't do anything to turn around the experience. The food was definitely above average but generally overpriced. My wife's first $15 glass of wine came complete with part of the cork in it and a piece of quail was dropped on me by the wait staff with hardly an apology. Normally, I would just think that stuff was kinda funny except they just quickly brought out another piece of quail on a small plate by itself. This is a $33 entree and they treat it as if a bread stick fell out of the basket at Maggiano's ("oh well, we'll just get another one"). To be fair, I think most folks in our party enjoyed their meal. And, I'll give the restaurant credit: they DID try to fix EVERYTHING with some free homemade candy as an apology at the end. In retrospect, we probably should have just gone to Maggiano's. There are a lot of really good restaurants in Atlanta. Save you money and skip this one.

    (1)

  • ginny b.

    Empire State South is always consistently on point, even with an ever-changing menu (based on what is seasonal and freshest). The interior is so cozy and comfortable that I always want to linger a little longer. My favorite things on the menu are the in-jars and the farm egg. Also, if you can request a server, ask for Vas. He is so knowledgable and passionate about the menu! He also has an excellent list of wines he will eagerly recommend to pair with your meal. Trust me, he will elevate your dining experience to the next level.

    (5)

  • Neal W.

    Can't agree with the positive reviews. Maybe I am not in the demo for this restaurant. It seems to be more popular with younger people. For starters, we walked in with a party of 5 on a Wednesday night at 7pm. Lots and lots of empty tables. They asked if I had a reservation and I said no. They said it would be a 20 minute wait. Okay. Whatever. So we go to the bar and order drinks. Before the drinks even arrive they come tell us our table is ready. So, the "do you have a reservation" thing was just BS. Look, if you've got tons of tables ready to go, why play with people and tell them to go get a drink at the bar? It doesn't make you look exclusive. It makes it look like you don't like making customers feel welcome. Lots of froo-froo cocktails with clever (stupid) names. Prices on booze was low compared to NYC prices, but probably high for Atlanta. Gave them three chances to get my vodka on the rocks with olives right...kept showing up with a lime. Menu was really small. Like, four starter options and a handful of entrees. We ordered some oysters, which were fine but bloody expensive at $3.50 each. We also ordered an app that had a bunch of different things in tiny jars to spread on toast points. It was just okay, and we didn't finish it. One of us got the special egg first course and said it was good....that may have been THE culinary high spot of the night. Of the five, four of us seemed satisfied with their entree, but no one was saying anything about it. Not one person said, "This is good". I had the duck and was utterly disappointed. It was just salty. That was the only flavor. And the portion was ridiculously small for almost $40. It was literally two rectangular slivers of duck breast 1 inch by 1 inch by 3 inches. I commend the knife skills, but for $40 I'd like to have a real serving of meat. We ordered a few desserts, and none were at all interesting. I had the chocolate with plums for $7 that turned out to be (no exaggeration) three postage stamp size squares of brownie, a few tiny wedges of plum, some powdered sugar and some swirls of caramel and chocolate. Are you frikkin' kidding me? In general, I felt like it was a total rip-off. Service was excellent and attentive, so no complaint there. Dinner for 5 with tip was $425. I dunno, but for $425 I expected to really enjoy the food and drink, and I didn't at all. Would never return.

    (1)

  • Joe L.

    Visiting from out of town and thought this place was great. Super friendly staff, Lindsey was v nice, and unique food and drink. No joke on farm to table and organic options on menu. Farm egg app, fancy quail, and pork loin dish were delicious. Def a must try.

    (4)

  • Rhett J.

    I wish I had read the recent reviews before going. I feel like I need a birthday do-over! This restaurant has been on my go-to list for awhile and had great reviews in the past. The service was spectacular - opposite of several reviews here, but the food was not tasty. We had the Jars to start with, the farm-egg, pork scrapples, the chicken, lamb, and flounder - all lacked flavor and were just strange. 3 of our party felt sickness for the remainder of the night. I started to give this a 3 star, but if you look at the description by each rating - Eek! Methinks not. I wouldn't go back.

    (1)

  • Lisa Y.

    Disclaimer: My review will be a review of the place as a wedding venue + catering. I attended a wedding here, and was first very intrigued by the cuteness of the place. It was very different from the weddings I have attended in my past, so I was looking forward to the rest of the wedding/reception. It was an outdoor wedding, but being in the middle of downtown Atlanta, you will experience a real city wedding. Throughout the ceremony, we heard sirens, horns, and even cars entering the parking deck RIGHT next to us. It took away from the romance of the ceremony since all the noise made it hard to hear. I've loved the concept of a real city wedding, but this made me reconsider due to the number of distractions that there were. Cocktail hour was probably my favorite part of the entire wedding. The bride and groom both had their own specialty drink made that we had the option of choosing between, and the finger foods that were served by Empire State South were delicious. The oysters were AMAZING and the various types of meat they had were actually really good. Indoor reception area was... in my opinion.. horrible. The restaurant in itself is very homey, and gives a true southern feel, however, they have walls up that prevent you from being able to see the center of the restaurant. Every section of the restaurant causes seclusion and I found it quite irritating that people had to get up and move and stand in the doorways just to be able to see the bride and groom walk in, and even have their first dance. If you consider having a wedding here, I'd reconsider due to the reception area. The food was alright, but we were a bit unhappy that it took roughly 2.5 hours to get all the courses of our meal. It was about a 30 minute wait after the completion of one course until we received the next course. By the end of the course, we were ready to go. The food was a bit of a miss for majority of the meal. The two appetizers we had were farro salad and the charred octopus, and both were a huge miss for me. I was not a fan of the fennel nor the pistachios in my farro salad, and the charred octopus would have been good if it hadn't been for the ink sauce. We all got the hanger steak for our entree and it was actually really good, except for the portion size. They are very peanut based meals and that is one of the reasons I did not like my experience, so be weary. The deserts were a huge miss which was quite sad since that was one of the main parts I was looking forward too. I had the Baked Alaska and I should have had the sesame & stone fruit instead. The Baked Alaska was very bitter, due to the coffee chocolate syrup and as a desert, it was not was I was anticipating. In the beginning, I was quite sure that I'd ask the beau to take me back here as a date night, but after our experience, we both opted to not come back. The food was very mediocre in our eyes, and it wasn't what we both desire when it comes to food.

    (2)

  • Jordan M.

    One of the best, most consistent restaurants in Atlanta. Excellent for a breakfast/brunch, lunch, cocktails/apps, and dinner. Also happens to be one of the city's premiere coffee and espresso shops, serving Counter Culture Coffee. I highly recommend the following dishes: Superfood plate (lunch only) Farm Egg Pork Belly over Kimchee Rice Grits Charcuterie Plate "In Jars" appetizer to share with a group All of their Cocktails, especially the Pimms Cup offered during the summer, which is the best version I've ever had. Cortado and Phatty Cake to wash it all down

    (5)

  • Brooke L.

    Very trendy restaurant with a nice ambiance. My brother and I showed up on a weekday night before going to the Atlanta symphony and had not made a reservation. When we arrived the hostess informed us they were all booked for the night for the regular tables, but we were free to find a spot at the bar. Since we really only wanted appetizers and drinks this was perfect for us. Our waiter/bartender was immediately attentive and since neither of us had been there before he offered his suggestions. His first suggestion was that we must try the "In Jars". This was very good and many different flavors. Would definitely recommend this as far as a sharing appetizer. The pimiento cheese was my favorite. Next we got the plate of artisan cheeses. These were also delicious and had many different flavors on one plate. The last thing we tried was the "Farm Egg", which both of us had previously heard of and our bartender informed us that this was a very popular appetizer. After trying it I definitely see why. There was egg and mushrooms and sausage over crunchy rice. We were so impressed that we ordered a second one. We had a great experience and I would definitely try that one again. We did not eat any of the entrees but the prices did look a little steep. I would recommend having appetizers and drinks at the bar for a full experience that doesn't drain your wallet.

    (4)

  • Addy C.

    Lunch is still 5 stars for me - I've been several times and consistently it's been great. However breakfast was just a 3-star experience for me. We came on a weekday for an 8am breakfast meeting. They won't let you sit the back room which I think is better space and quieter - instead breakfast patrons can only sit in the bar area which I found to be rather noisy, and difficult if you're trying to conduct a work meeting. We picked the table near the entrance b/c that was the only table where the sun wasn't shining directly in our eyes ... however that location is probably also the most noisy b/c after all, it's the entrance. Lesson learned. Breakfast menu is very simple (breakfast sandwich, fruit, granola, oatmeal, eggs) - in other words, it's more like continental breakfast offerings. FYI, it doesn't include the "steak and eggs" listed online. I got the "Organic Steel Cut Oatmeal" which came w/ a dollop of yogurt, brown sugar, and 2 orange slices ($6). Very good although I was hungry an hour later :) The other 2 people in my party got the bagel w/ egg, and a ham bagel sandwich w/ pepper jelly - both looks really good, esp. the bagel. I'd probably get the breakfast sandwich next time - mostly b/c the spreads sound intriguing. FYI - they don't take reservations for breakfast. Parking garage next door is free w/ validation - make sure you keep both the original ticket and the validation ticket, and follow directions carefully on which ticket goes in first. There is no attendant to help you - good luck :) While I wouldn't recommend this place for a breakfast meeting, I definitely still plan to check out their weekend brunch - I've heard only wonderful stuff :)

    (3)

  • Kristin B.

    Empire State South really pulled out the stops for us this morning at brunch. First, the food was impeccable. The brunch menu is compact (as others have noted), but not one thing we tried was anything less than perfection. The pimento cheese with bacon marmalade is a must get for pimento cheese lovers. If you are not a pimento cheese lover, order this anyway because it will make one out of you. However, the brunch portion of this appetizer is about one third of the size of the lunch/dinner one, so order accordingly if your group is big (or hungry). Entrees included the steak and eggs (delicious), shrimp and grits (delicious), and the day's special, a soft-shell crab dusted in a spicy flour and pan fried over a bed of dandelion greens with a perfectly poached egg. If this special is available, it is another must order. The huge soft-shell crab was just barely cooked, leaving it incredibly succulent and tender, and obviously very fresh. I couldn't tell you the names of the sauces and purees that dotted my plate, but combined it made for an almost ethereal breakfast. The service was also impeccable. I had noted in my reservation that we would be celebrating my dad's birthday, and they not only wished him a happy birthday when we were seated, but our server brought out a complimentary grasshopper terrine dessert, complete with candle. It was such a sweet and thoughtful gesture (as well as beautiful and delicious -complete with a sugared mint leaf), and a lovely way to end our meal. I'm holding back on that fifth star because I feel that it's still a *little* pricey for what you get. However, Empire State South is officially being added to my "splurge" list.

    (4)

  • Rosie G.

    It seemed like a great place but I was wrong. The atmosphere is good (hipster feel) but with such high prices I expected more. The menus were printed blurry and smudged so I couldn't read half of the drink list. The food was underwhelming and disappointing. I had the foie gras and my boyfriend had the ribeye. Both were portioned poorly and had no flavor. After spending over $100 and leaving hungry and not impressed, I suggest never eating here.

    (1)

  • Charlie B.

    Damn son, damn. My friend Tom and I couldn't get a table at Holeman and Finch, and ended up at ESS. Thank fucking Christ for that bit of fortune. This might be the best breakfast Ive had in Atlanta. I had a shrimp stew served on grits (also known as shrimp and grits) and it was fantastic. The pimento cheese with bacon and toast was pretty much perfect, and quite frankly I could happily have an order of that and some eggs and be as happy as a clam. (Why are clams always considered to be happy?) dude. go. now. really. Its that good.

    (5)

  • Brandon B.

    I'm not entirely sure why I had lower expectations of this restaurant, but I was dead wrong. I am thoroughly impressed. Every single plate, from the snacks and apps, to the mains and desserts were impeccably prepared. The house cocktails were equally well done. Our server was prompt and attentive, albeit not the most engaging. With a party of 5, we were able to sample multiple dishes and none were a disappointment. Only the Trout Mousse and Boiled Peanut Hummus lacked a real "WOW". They were not done improperly or poorly, just compared to everything else they were a little "blah". One of the better meals I have had, ever. Excellent. Highly anticipating my next visit.

    (5)

  • Ashley B.

    I was a little wary about trying Empire State South for lunch, because I read some negative comments on Yelp about the service and the plate size to price ratio here. I agree that this is not a cheap restaurant and I thought that my dish looked a little small when it was served to me, but I am pleasantly full. My friend and I were both interested in trying the pimento cheese appetizer, which came out in the form an adorable little mason jar filled about 2/3 full of pimento cheese and the remaining 1/3 with a delicious bacon jam along with four slices of toasted bread. The bread looked like it was going to be crusty and hard, which I hate, but it was perfectly toasted so that the middle was nice and soft. The pimento cheese was spot on, and the bacon jam was a great touch, even added a little kick to the app. I would not call myself an adventurous eater, and I typically do not order something that is completely foreign to me. However, I read a raving review from Creative Loafing about the Farm Egg, which is a poached egg on top of puffed rice, butternut squash, scallions, mushrooms and hot dog. I am not a huge hot dog or mushroom fan, and have never had an egg for lunch before, but decided to try it anyway. And I was so glad that I did! The texture of that rice, combined with the saltiness from the hot dog, mixed with the gooey yolk of the egg was great. I could probably do without the squash (which was more of a puree at the bottom of the dish), but I didn't dislike it at the same time. And the mushrooms didn't bother me at all. I thought that our server was great - very quick service, funny and friendly guy. I would definitely come here again.

    (4)

  • Shaun B.

    The food here is exceptional, to say the least. But the service is what makes it great. Or server was Mason and he was as exceptional as the food. He greeted us with a handshake and actually called us by name at times during the service. More importantly, he took ownership of our experience and the food, presenting an very personal commitment to the food and way it was prepared. He was proud to work there and answered technical questions about the preparation without hesitation. What a pleasure! I started off with a cocktail, the heartache and vine (strong, strange, delicious, weird, very good). Mason described it as what would be if liquor and wine had a baby. So true. Along with this, we shared the "in jars," one word: amazing. As others have said, the pimento cheese and bacon is like crack in a jar. I had the chicken roulade which was moist and tasty and my guests shared the ribeye. We ordered sides of collards, brussel sprouts, and the potato/chestnut dish. All very good. Shared dessert, apple kapow, coffee. Perfect end to a stellar meal. Kudos to Mason for making our dinner over-the-top outstanding. The place was a bit noisy, but I'm beginning to realize that this is more me getting old than an actual problem:)

    (5)

  • George H.

    My last visit was really a miss, as the kitchen was out of at least three of the entrees my table ordered. The service more than made up for the mishap but the desserts really were the highlight of this return visit. Came in mid-May and didn't get the outdoor seating because my family was in town to celebrate my graduation. Sat inside and the drinks were as good as my first few trips (Summer, so the Pimms Cup seemed the most popular option). The grasshopper terrine (I think that is what the dessert was called) was perfect and minty. The coke ice cream and funnel cake still have me wishing I could be back at Empire State now.

    (4)

  • Mick D.

    We took the opportunity to visit for a family celebration. These folks bent over backwards to make my guests happy. Glasses were never empty. And ladies were always served first. Five star service, to be sure. I've been to "fine dining" establishments that didn't provide this much attention to service detail. Courses of cheese, oysters, and assorted appetizers were absolutely stellar. (The oysters app could be someone's meal all by itself.) And it's clear someone in the kitchen really is keeping Georgia's "Empire State of the South" heritage intact on a very innovative menu. Combined with the "highly polished" service, and I was impressed. I recommend "In Jars," an appetizer of tasty things served in small jars (pork rillette, smoked trout mousse, pickles, pimento cheese & bacon marmalade, boiled peanut hummus). The aforementioned oysters were perfect--served with vials of three different sauces. And the cheese plate--I don't even know where to begin. It was just goooood. I had the flounder entrée. The portion seemed a bit small, but it was absolutely delicious. And dessert also had a solid, Southern backing. I had a Fried Strawberry pie. There are many other things on the menu I want to experience. The open Bocci court was loads of fun. And you get 3hrs of validated parking for the adjacent deck. While a few people at my table indicated their food was undercooked, my only "complaint" is that the price points seem a bit high, which one might forgive what with the high quality service ethic. I will certainly go again. And I look forward to seeing you there.

    (4)

  • Daniel B.

    Wow, this place is good. Dio S. and I came here on a whim Friday night for dinner. We'd both heard good things about Empire State South and were impressed with their menu. Dio told me how one of the chefs at Empire State South used to work at Restaurant Eugene and Bacchanalia. Turns out the chef (Ryan Smith) also worked at Canoe and Holeman & Finch. Knowing that we'd probably need a reservation for this place, I called around lunchtime the same day and they actually had an opening at 7:45pm that night. Lucky. The place was pretty busy, almost every table filled, the entire time we were there. The restaurant is hidden at the bottom of the 999 Peachtree office building at the corner of Peachtree and 10th St, next to Hotel Midtown. You can barely see the restaurant from the road. You can park for free in the 999 Peachtree parking deck thanks to Empire State South validation tickets. Just exit the deck at ground level and you should see the restaurant. It's very subdued. You can enter the restaurant either from directly outside the building or from inside the office building. If you enter from outside, you'll be at the hostess stand. If you enter from the office building, you'll be at the bar. Empire State South is an upscale Southern restaurant with very unique dishes. The place reminded us of JCT Kitchen. The interiors are decorated similarly and are decidedly Southern. Lots of dark wood throughout, from the square bar to the large chairs and tables. Mirrors and light fixtures you'd find in an old Southern home adorn the walls. The restaurant is actually quite spacious. At night, the inside is dark and candle-lit. One of the rooms has a great view of Midtown. They have an outdoor patio and it looks like during the warmer months, they open a window so you can place orders to their coffee shop from outside. We ordered the following dishes (everything is ordered a la carte): Crispy pork belly with creamed kimchi, rice grits, pickled daikon, and peanuts Redfish with sherry buerre blanc and crisp capers, cauliflower-scallion farrotto and "WG" baby fennel Skate wing with meyer lemon marmalade, Brussels sprouts, confit onions and carrot puree Collards with ham hock Smoked onion and escarole Bourbon pecan pie with brown sugar clabber cream Chocolate pudding with candied popcorn and praline whipped cream Everything was delicious. They really know what they're doing at Empire State South and it shows. Practically flawless execution in each dish. Pork belly with kimchi, rice grits, and daikon -- who thinks up stuff like this? I don't know, but it works. We really couldn't taste the kimchi, but the rice grits were magnificent. The pork belly itself was crispy and very savory. We were given toasted sourdough bread slices and homemade yeast rolls along with our appetizer. The sourdough was amazing. We asked our server where the sourdough was from and he said Holeman & Finch. It seems like a lot of the good bread in this city comes from H&F. The butter served with the bread was soft, light, and very good. They put a bit of molasses in their butter to give it its sweet taste. The redfish skin was slightly charred, a little crispy, and well-seasoned. The fish sat atop some farrotto, which I learned to be farro (a wheatberry) risotto. The "WG" in front of the baby fennel in this dish are the initials for the farm that ESS sources for some (all?) of their produce. The skate wing edges were charred just like the redfish. The fish was dense and had nice consistency. A good dish, although slightly bitter at times. I don't know if it's due to the lemon marmalade or the carrot puree. The collards were out of this world, among the best collards I've ever had. The leaves were big and fresh and the side just had a great taste. The onion and escarole was also very good. Escarole is a type of endive. This dish was very light, crunchy, and tasty. Neither of us are big desserts people, but the food was so good here, I figured why not try some of their sweets. Their desserts turned out to be just as well-prepared and delicious as their other foods. Like the greens, the pecan pie is among the best I've ever tried. The crust was perfectly baked and the slice was topped with yummy cream. The chocolate pudding was rich and very smooth. Yummy texture. Overall, Empire State South served an excellent meal that exceeded my expectations. Service was fantastic as well. Our server was Daniel M. and he was on top of everything. Very knowledgeable. We both left impressed and as new fans of this establishment. Five stars for sure. Be sure to check out my Local Photos for pictures of all the food. #Yelp365 - 13/365

    (5)

  • Tom W.

    Live next door and love the service. All the people are very nice!!! (Except for the bartenders. They take themselves way too seriously. ) Food is so salty I can't eat there any longer. It was a once-a-week place for me. Now I go and order a bottle of wine and the charcuterie plate. My blood pressure is finally starting to come down. This is not the first place where the salt has been out of control. They must be teaching this in culinary school now....

    (2)

  • Andrew K.

    AH-mazing place for Southern breakfast. They serve my fave new coffee - counterculture. They have bocce ball. The pimento cheese is off the hizzy. And it's relatively CHEAP!! WIN!

    (5)

  • Colleen L.

    Fabulous! Every month or so I try a different restaurant in Atlanta. Basically I am trying to eat my way through this city. This has been one of my favorites so far! I can't even remember what we ordered but everything was good! Well, with the exception of some vegetable plate. So not everything I guess. It's kinda pricey but worth it. Honestly, if you don't drink, none of these restaurants, with the exception of Bacchanalia, are going to put a huge dent in your wallet.

    (5)

  • Erika C.

    That farm egg, though! Not to mention all the delicious desserts from the brilliant pastry chef Melanie Durant. The big ole bar is a nice centerpiece to the place as well, with tons of classy (and not-so-classy) drink options.

    (4)

  • Dio S.

    Been to ESS for a regular dinner a couple years ago (documented in good detail in Dan B.'s review), then a chef's tasting dinner earlier this year, and recently a lunch with Ryan F. The food and experience have been terrific each time. There are a lot of upscale southern restaurants in Atlanta. The variety of techniques and ingredients used at ESS puts the food at a place that's finer than most (less like JCT or South City Kitchen, more like Eugene or Bacchanalia), while the price and atmosphere remain more relaxed than those fine dining establishments. I can't see myself doing casual lunch at Eugene or Bacchanalia, for instance. The one dish closest to being a signature dish is the farm egg on crispy CG rice with pureed spring onions. This dish is mentioned on eater, blogs, etc. Simple looking dish displays unusually harmonious blend of taste, aroma, and texture. One also can't help but notice, as many reviews did, ESS's mastery with collard greens. Porky but somehow refreshing and vibrant. In fact I am generally impressed with the way vegetables are handled: they are treated with care and thought and given more prominent role in dishes, much like you see at farm-to-table restaurants like Miller Union and Cakes & Ale, unlike at more typical upscale southern places. Little wonder that another of their best liked dishes is the "Super-Food", that showcases a variety of vegetables. Whimsy is backed by good technique and sound recipe, such as (from my tastings dinner) Kumamoto oyster with a dab of fried chicken skin and hot sauce (which I was skeptical of at first), the tremendously perfumy spread of charred cornbread (I've also seen they use popcorn) that a piece of crepinetted monkfish sits on, or the fried-just-right ball of egg that bursts atop the beef tartare, coating the meat with goodness while the crunchy outer layer adds textural contrast. ESS is one of few places in Atlanta that tries sous-vide, but popular opinion hasn't been that great (I had a sous-vide goat loin that was kind of forgettable, as well). I also think some of the Asian influenced tries, particularly the use of kimchee and bok choy, are more trendy than truly good. All in all, Atlanta doesn't have many true fine dining restaurants so ESS is an attractive option, sitting at sort of an in-between niche without many competitions. Surprisingly casual vibe at lunch, and not very busy. The cocktails are outstanding. It sounds like an afterthought at this point but I am really impressed, by their complexity, subtlety, and elegant restraint. I would rank ESS cocktails in the top tier along with H&F, No 246, Paper Plane, Leon's. On the wine front, the sommelier is an approachable young guy who is genuinely enthusiastic to turn you on to interesting stuff. I really appreciated that he had no problem pausing and chatting with us about each paired wine selected for our tasting courses and answer our questions. I hear the chef is leaving this year. Hopefully the restaurant will continue its excellence after his departure.

    (5)

  • Sophia S.

    I can't give as much praise to this restaurant as it deserves. This is our favorite restaurant in Atlanta. I did the tasting menu and wine pairing here on 2 separate occassions. Definitely the best tasting menu in ATL. For each course the sommelier explained the history of the wine and why they chose that pairing, immediately followed by the delivery of the food. It was timed perfectly. Insider tip: ask them to give different plates to each person for each course. This way you can share and taste 10 dishes and wine pairings instead of 5. My absolute favorite dishes here are the farm egg and lamb belly.

    (5)

  • Brian K.

    I've always had a shameless addiction to reality television. I'm not talking about that feel good - let's build a house and fix a third-world child's cleft palate - reality television. I'm talking about - Snooki gets punched in the face, I'm addicted to eating couch cushions, let's overturn a table and call someone a prostitution whore - reality television. Nonetheless, reality shows featuring individuals with some semblance of discernible talent occasionally cross my television screen. This was the case last month while viewing a rerun of Bravo's Top Chef Masters. It was then that I learned the diminutive judge with a burly unibrow had a restaurant in midtown Atlanta - Empire State South was promptly added to my dining shortlist. Food: Empire State South specializes in southern fare with a contemporary twist. Although the menu is decidedly limited, the offerings are all incredibly well-executed and expertly presented. During my recent visit for brunch, I opted for the pimento cheese with bacon marmalade for an appetizer and the ham and pimento cheese sandwich for an entree. Both dishes were excellent. I also tried the banana loaf from the bread table, which proved to be the only real disappointment of the meal - the serving was miniscule and the bread was painfully dry and flavorless. Service: Friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. Although each table is assigned a primary waiter, various member of the staff assist with food running and check processing. The owner, Hugh Acheson, was also in the house and was obliging patrons' photo requests. Atmosphere: I found the ambience to be generally enjoyable - with the exception of the brief instance when a Mexican window washer swung down out of nowhere, slammed his body against the window, and scared the hell out of everyone in the dining room. The restaurant itself is impeccably decorated, complete with a covered outdoor patio and bocce court. Cost: I understand that midtown rent isn't cheap and I'm certainly willing to pay for high quality food. However, I still found Empire State South to be slightly overpriced for the quality and quantity of the offerings. I was also irked by the fact that they included a $1 charge on the bill for the extra toast points we requested with the appetizer. After dropping $50 for brunch for two, sans alcohol, I considered the additional charge to be awfully petty. Other: First time visitors may have some difficulty finding the restaurant - it's located in the 999 building at the corner of Peachtree and 10th Streets. Validated parking is available in the garage directly adjacent to the Hotel Midtown, which is accessible from 10th Street. Reservations are a necessity on the weekends.

    (4)

  • Courtney G.

    I came here for the first time on a first date. It was Sunday brunch. I'd heard mixed reviews from my friends and eager to form my own opinion. In terms of service, this was less than desirable and the main reason I'd choose another establishment over Empire State South. First, I am gluten intolerant and I mention this to servers before ordering anything. Our server stated it was no problem and the kitchen is wonderful about accommodations. However, when it came to ordering, I got the exact opposite feeling from the server when stating the items on the menu that were appealing and if they were GF or could there be substitutions. My food did come out with a substitution so it seems this may have been the waiters dismay vs the kitchen. I'm a huge coffee lover and LOVE good coffee. When deciding on what type of coffee, the waiter suggested one similar to a french press. I thought that a great idea since I love french press coffee due to the flavor vs drip coffee. I also asked for soy milk though the waiter stated almond was available. I decided to give that combo a try. When the coffee was brought out and poured, it appeared very light. My first sip tasted like left over drip coffee from a fast food restaurant. I didn't think this could be the taste of the 4.00 cup of coffee and figured maybe brewing went wrong. Understandable. I mentioned the waiter and he did have another sent out. I tried this one and same taste. I pushed the cup to the side of the table since I could not drink it due to the taste. Since the server already seemed miffed by my GF allergy and sending the first coffee back, I did not want to say anything about the second cup. The server came to our table numerous times during and after our meal, and not once mentioned the still full coffee cup and assess if everything was alright. Very disappointing for for a perceived mid to upscale restaurant in Midtown. In terms of the food, there are a few unique items, but nothing that would bring me running back. The food was also VERY salty. I'd suggest drinking lots of water before, during, and after your trip to help detox it all out.

    (2)

  • Marian S.

    Amazing service. Craft cocktail - the snake charmer is a must have. Apps - order the Farm Egg. So amazing with flavors and texture. Try the White Oak Pastures dick and the hangar steak.

    (4)

  • Anonny Nonny B.

    The food was delicious and very intriguing. We split several entrees, and they were all equally delicious. Our server was absolutely terrible, which I will say I won't be quite as patient with the next time I go. Try the hanger steak and melon salad. Loved the food, the service was a joke.

    (4)

  • Robert C.

    I live close by and have been here many times. This is a high end restaurant with a casual hipster atmosphere. The menu changes frequently so it is hard to say what my favorite items are. About a year ago I had Chef George's Tripe stew and it was amaze-balls, but then last weekend I had the Pineapple Meringue Pie with pomegranate berries for dessert... Oh MG... Orgasm in my mouth. Been back twice and I can't get enough. Yes, it is a little pricey ($14 for some bodacious Ramen noodles on Sundays), and service is a little slow during rush hour (6:30-8:30 Thur-Sat), but this is by far the best restaurant in midtown. When the joint is slow, the service is top notch- I love getting Randy as a server... and John Wayne (his real name) is the bartender I always dreamed of. If you like wine, Steve Grubbs is killin it and one of the best sommeliers in the country. Google it. Again... Everything changes almost weekly so this review has a time/date stamp of 27 Feb 2015. I highly recommend ESS.

    (5)

  • Maurice D.

    Came here with a girlfriend because she lucked up on a $150 gift card for the joint. Empire State South is located in an office building on Peachtree and has a parking garage in the building which your server will have the parking ticket validated for you upon request. We came here as a party of three during their lunch hours on a weekday. The restaurant was not very busy at all. The decor in the restaurant is very nice and upscale and seemed like it would be a great setting for a romantic date night in the evening. The lunch menu was rather limited to me and I was indecisive about what I wanted to order since everything on the menu is quite unique. I opted for a dish recommended by our server which consisted of what I later found out was pig hearts, potatoes, roasted veggies, and a poached egg. A very interesting dish to say the least. My friends ordered the catfish entree and the lamb stew entree. They were both satisfied with their meals. The lamb stew was a big hit at the table! We ordered various dessert samples and our server gave us extra desserts because we were his lucky "day after New Years customers," as he put it. This place gets three stars because the portions are incredibly small for the high price. The food also wasn't mind-blowing to me. Would I return to this place again? Probably not. Not with my own money anyway. South City Kitchen down the street is a better option for "fancy" Southern Cooking.

    (3)

  • Neesha P.

    An incredible meal!! Had the scallop crudo and lamb merguez to eat, followed by the coconut lime tart for dessert. I hate fruit and this dessert was out of this world! The food was spot on! For drinks, I tried the letter to elise and snake charmer. Yum!! I will definitely be back. What a wonderful dinner. Service was fantastic too, icing on the cake :)

    (5)

  • Bryan W.

    Hugh Acheson charmed me on Top Chef Masters, so where else would I go to dine but Empire State South with only one night in Atlanta. The Jars starter made the trip from Los Angeles worth it. There is a potted ham. There is a pickled catfish. There is a tremendous hummus. There is an accompaniment jar featuring a selection of pickled vegetables. One order was more than enough for our table of seven. It was the last days of spring so I jumped at the chance to try the fava and pea salad. I also enjoyed a quail stuffed with house made chicken sausage.

    (5)

  • Sasha R.

    We were driving through to savannah and decided to make a pit stop in Atlanta. So glad that we made it in time to dine at this spot! Our dinner host, Voss was awesome! Aside from the food tasting delicious, the service was really welcoming and engaging. We had a great evening and will be dining again here soon. Everyone was all hands on deck and involved with keeping this restaurant flowing. To start we had the octopus, which all the flavors were brought together perfectly. We also had the scrapple, good flavors and texture. My first experience with scrapple and it was yummier than I imagined. We also tried the peach salad, which was good since peaches are in season but we wouldn't of missed this dish. The catfish was the real star of the show, highlighting flavors of the south, the fish was light and fresh. The fried egg was also a star! The bacon was some of the best I have tasted in a long time, pretty sure they make it themselves! We can't remember the name of the cocktails we had but they were also on point. I wish we were staying local because we probably would have explored the wine list some more. The coconut lime dessert reminded me of key lime pie from home just much better with that coconut crust! Yummmm... I thought the avocado ice cream was a little much for my taste buds but an interesting experience. All together this place has a great vibe and the kitchen is putting out some great food! Thanks team!

    (5)

  • Lisa S.

    Great ambiance! I went with a large group, we were in town for a conference. The octopus fritter was awesome! However, it only gets. 4 stars for two reasons. First, where we were sitting it was too dark to read the menus. Some people in my party actually had to pull out their phone flashlights to read it. Second, there was an over use of rutabaga in some of the menu items. I would avoid the onion soup and the pasta dish. Everything else was lovey!

    (3)

  • James B.

    What a completely excellent spot for lunch in Midtown Atlanta. Was blown away with the excellent service that I received from the moment I walked in the place (albeit, it was mostly empty at 1pm on a Wednesday). But the food is really where this place shines. I went with the fried chicken po-boy and it was just perfectly balanced in every aspect. I'm not typically a huge fan of hot sauce but this was really complemented by the saltiness of the pickles and pimento to make a great combo. The bread it was on was the perfect amount and nicely toasted with butter. The chips on the side were nice and not overly oily like many "homemade" chips these days. I also was lucky enough to order an iced coffee - really simply excellent for a restaurant of this style. Would love to go back for dinner.

    (5)

  • Nick Z.

    Excellent food and fun decor, excellent specialized coffee. Asked for an appetizer with brunch and the food items came out at almost the same time, but other than that a wonderful dining experience. Get the biscuit!

    (4)

  • Kelsey F.

    After my recent breakfast at Empire State South, I was completely relaxed, full of amazing food and ready to face the day. If I could win the lottery and have breakfast every single day here, that would be great. My lovely breakfast at ESS reminded me of eating in tiny little French towns with the most amazing restaurants - no rush, great coffee, maximally charming. The mother (Linda) and I came on a recent Monday. We were greeted by a delightful gent who told us we could sit where ever we wanted. We chose a booth near a mom and little kid, but it was otherwise not very crowded with the exception of a few people at the bar and several people getting coffee and bites to go. The atmosphere is everything I like in a restaurant. Calming, modern folk music, a spacious dining area with excellent acoustics, homey but refined decor, an impressive bar and of course a bocce ball court. I could have stayed here all day drinking coffee, chatting and nibbling on whatever amazing things they cooked up. A great breakfast feature at ESS is the to-go window and station for business folk and travelers. Coffee, tea, pastries, bagels and more are available for a quick morning pick me up at the far side of the bar. Their coffee is really really really amazing. Each cup is drip brewed in a sort of science class room beaker. They charge per cup, but our kind waiter brought us just a quick top off for no additional fee. They also left a carafe of water on the table for us, but our waiter made a point of making it around often to fill our cups for us. He also re-folded our napkins (in a not annoying way) when we would step away from the table. Ok, the food. After hearing about the biscuits for quite some time, I went for the fried chicken biscuit with pimento cheese and Linda went for a biscuit with pimento cheese and bacon. The biscuits lived up to the hype - warm, buttery, homey, delicious. The chicken with pimento cheese biscuit was everything you hope your Chick-Fil-A chicken biscuit will grow up to be. We also shared a side of grits that were excellent. The biscuits are really filling, so a side is probably not necessary. For brunch and dinner, a reservation is a good idea. Empire State South is on the pricey side, but I think the service, food, drinks and atmosphere are completely worth it. I can not wait to get back here for lunch, dinner and (most importantly) brunch. Also, I love seeing an Athens based chef with such a spectacular Atlanta restaurant. Couldn't have been more impressed or happy with the meal.

    (5)

  • David R.

    Small portions for the price, but good food. There was about a 30 minute wait for a table, but there was space available at the bar. I ordered the prime ribeye, medium. The meat was tender and flavorful. It was accompanied by potato macaire, black trumpet mushrooms, kale and almonds. The wine I ordered went well with the dish; Pinot Noir, Jean-Luc Joillot, Burgundy, France. I expected bread & butter to arrive before my meal however, I had to request it. That was the only part of the service that was lacking. For desert, I ordered the Yuzu Posset. It is made with Asian citrus, huckleberries, brown butter crumble and almond meringue. That paired well with a coffee from Papua New Guinea, the Baroida; it was smooth. The coffee was prepared using the Chemex method. A final plus is that parking is validated for three hours when using the parking deck for 999 Peachtree St.

    (3)

  • Shayna P.

    We went to Empire State South on a Saturday night at 7.15 for a special occasion dinner. Unfortunately, we were pretty disappointed. My date had been a few times previously and was not totally pumped to go again, but he decided to give it another try. For drinks, my date had the Don Fresco, and I had the Atwood Grove. It was definitely the highlight of our evening. I'm not even a tequila fan, and I liked the Don Fresco taste. And I absolutely adored by bourbon drink. For dinner, I had the trout. I thought it was tasty although nothing too spectacular. The carrots underneath were good. My date had the poached tuna (very disappointing and tasteless) and the pork loin (more disappointing). We decided not to go for dessert as we felt extremely rushed by the staff. We understand that they wanted to get the next seating in, but it was absurd how many times they asked us if we were ready to order. In at 7.15 and out by 8.30 at a nice restaurant? No thank you. The ambiance is nice. We sat outside, and the parking deck behind the building was well-disguised. We also got to watch a group playing bocce, which is always fun. In the end, I wouldn't do dinner there again.

    (3)

  • Gill B.

    Knocked my socks off, wowed my taste buds, and pleased all of my senses. We walked up from the bustling Midtown street in the heart of all of the ATL action (parking side note: they don't have valet, but they validate for garage parking at 999 Peachtree Street for up to 3 hours). Right off of 10th street in the middle of the skyscrapers and the Midtown business district, there is a white canopied entrance that is tucked off of a lovely open air courtyard, sandwiched between some big buildings. It is a rustic and charming gem in the midst of the city chaos. It is a beautiful juxtaposition - dining at quaint little tables beside a delightful AstroTurf lawn area with a nice little bocce ball court with the backdrop of the big buildings in kissing the Midtown sky. The perfect balance of classic Southern setting and urban Atlanta scenery, unique and remarkable. We opted to sit outside on the patio area to take in the warm, summer night. I only got to take a quick peek at the interior when I was at the hostess stand and went through the dining room to the "tunnel" area beyond where the bathrooms are tucked away. It is like a rustic southern home with dark wood and a HUGE bar (with not TVs as our server pointed out - which is kind of refreshing in the sports bar cluttered land of Midtown). Our server Laura could not have been more friendly and knowledgeable. Not overbearing, but just the right amount of attentive and helpful. She guided us through the menu with interest and ease. She spoke to the saltiness of the oysters, and we ended up ordering one of each to start. Each one that I tried had a slightly different taste to it, a little more salty or slimy. I lost track of which one was which, but all were delicious and tasted like they had just been pulled fresh out of the water. She pointed out her favorite dishes from the "Beginnings" section, and we opted to go with a few of the small plates from this section to taste and sample as much as we could in a tapas style fashion. We landed on the charred octopus, the pork tenderloins, and the yellowfin tuna. Of course every single plate that came out of the kitchen looked like an exquisite piece of art on the delicate porcelain dishes. The octopus with dainty little lady peas was hands down my favorite tasting of the meal. Perfectly blackened, a little bit chewy, but also crispy and tender and flavorful at the same time. The peas were a subtle and lovely little compliment reminiscent of little lima beans. It accomplished all of the desirable taste sensations in one dish. I am salivating at the thought... The yellowfin tuna was a close second with a perfectly flaky texture, accompanied by a lovely yummy spinach and onion combo. I sipped on a crisp and refreshing glass of Gruner Veltliner which paired perfectly with our seafood selections. She accidentally poured me the Pinot Gris on my second and final glass, apologizing as she delivered it to the table and realized her mistake. I appreciated her pointing it out, and she offered to take it back right away. She allowed me to taste it, and I accepted without protest. It was just another light and crisp white that went well with the meal. We were pretty stuffed by the end of the meal with no room for dessert, but I was rather surprised to see that the dessert menu kind of lacked the classic southern staples that you might expect to see. Like a dolled up pecan pie or bread pudding or red velvet cake or some such super southern cliche with a twist. I am not much of a dessert gal, but my dining companion was not so impressed at the offerings. The servers did a great job of clearing plates at just the right moments, and refreshing our water glasses throughout the meal. I can undoubtedly say that this was one of the best meals that I have ever eaten in Atlanta - and probably anywhere else. High quality food and service. But of course it comes with a high price tag. Worth it for a special occasion, once in a blue moon amazing meal. After my experience, it is clear to me why this place is considered such a legendary dining establishment in Atlanta.

    (5)

  • stephen N.

    Stylish, meticulous, creative, and balanced. This describes the food, the bar, the whole experience. The menu focuses on southern and Appalachian heirloom ingredients, transformed into creative expressions of seasonal flavors. I had the Foie Gras with nasturtium, wood sorrel, sorghum caramel corn and squash purée to start, I paired it with a glass if Sancerre. The foie gras was served as a terrine which was unexpected but tasty all the same. The star of the dish was the Carmel corn made from sorghum syrup...amazing. I also had a beer and fennel salad. It was a nice mix of different beets and thinly sliced fennel. I was really happy to see so many wild/foraged greens and herbs in the menu, they provided a sense of the local farms that provide the veggies and these plants would grow in and amongst the gardens naturally. A great experience.

    (5)

  • Jacob J.

    The pour over coffee is the best I've ever had. It's so good it doesn't need milk or sugar. But that's not all. The baked goods are great. The duck confit hash -- oh, yeah. The pimento cheese is nice too. It's found in a courtyard away from the street SK there's calm and quiet. A nice southern breakfast spot.

    (5)

  • Patrick W.

    Such a fantastic experience from arrival to departure--everything was really on point! This was my first time in Atlanta, and I am a huge fan of Chef Hugh Acheson's, so ESS had to be our first stop for dinner. We were greeted by a friendly hostess and sat immediately. Our servers were incredibly nice, patient (we took a long time to make any kind of decision haha), and attentive--no complaints at all on the service front! For food, we got the chicken with foie gras, the farm egg starter, the octopus starter, the scallops starter, and a couple ciders. Everything was absolutely delicious. I think the standout dish was the farm egg--it was absolutely delicious. It's served over a crispy fried rice with chicken sausage, brussels, and sweet potato--it all worked so well together. The decor is also warm and comfortable and feels spacious without feeling distant and sterile. Everything was basically perfect and can't wait to come back again when I visit next!

    (5)

  • Amy F.

    For my farewell lunch in Atlanta my Atlanta office dined at Hugh Acheson's Empire State South in Midtown Atlanta. I am so glad I had the chance to try this place before we left because it was great and it was a really fun place for a group lunch. The highlights for me included the Super Food salad plate - available with the standard hangar steak, chicken or fish. The farro and radishes on the plate particularly shined but everything really worked together well. The pimento cheese with bacon marmalade was truly out of this world also - a must-try starter. Everyone enjoyed their meal and we enjoyed sharing several desserts to top it off. The brownie ice cream sandwich was a bit too sweet for me but I like how they have baked goods available in the center of the restaurant for eating in or take-out. Several in our party also tried the specialty sourced coffee, which proved to be tasty. The atmosphere here is versatile with an airy, inviting dining space suitable for business, friends or family. I hope to have the chance to have dinner here when I am back in town visiting. Breakfast is also served.

    (5)

  • Sabrina G.

    So far, it's a three star-er. I came here for lunch today and ordered the "La Quercia Prosciutto under the salad section. We asked the waiter if they were entree sized salads and he said yes. What I got was (no joke here) two leaves of arugula, five slices of Prosciutto, 15 beans (drizzled in balsamic vinegar) and three slices of toasted bread. Ya! It's 2 pm and I am still hungry. Sooo, I give this three stars for now - until I come for dinner and can (hopefully) update my review to four stars.

    (3)

  • Amber R.

    Very busy for an early brunch. Had to wait for a seat, but not too long, maybe 20 mins. Their benches were small and uncomfortable. It was chilly and windy outside, so we waited inside. Looked like nice outdoor seating and fun bocce ball area-too bad it wasn't warmer. Once we sat down and gave our drink orders, we waited and waited for our waitress to come back and take our orders. The hot chocolates were rich, but not very warm, we drank them quick. Looking at the pics some users had posted, the cocoa should have had a design on it, but ours didn't-they may have sat too long before being brought to our table. When our food finally came out, it looked beautiful on the plate and tasted amazing. My husband got the jalapeno buscuit with pulled pork and poached eggs and I got the hangar steak with a leek & veggie compote. The steak was perfectly done to rare-so tender it could be cut with the butter knife. We did have to wait a significant amount of time to even place our order, so only 3 stars. Still, delish!

    (3)

  • Shelby S.

    You can't hear the fart noise I am making with my mouth, but just pretend like you can. While you're at it, you can pretend I was at one point classy and sophisticated enough to dine here. I felt like I was in an SNL skit as every course they brought out kept getting smaller and more expensive. However, I do know who runs the coffee bar and that enough is going to bump this review up one star because if he still makes coffee as well as he did at Steady Hand, then this restaurant has baller coffee. Try saying that 10 times fast with a long island accent.

    (4)

  • Emily E.

    I'm going to start my review with the fact that I'm completely biased. I have been going to 5&10, another Hugh Acheson restaurant in Athens, every Friday night before UGA games FOREVER. I'm a complete fan. First off, you walk in and the vibe is completely relaxed. All of the servers look young and somewhat Indie, but they are the most knowledgeable people about food and wine that you will ever meet. Steve is by far my favorite, hunt him down if he's there and ask him what wine to order. He won't disappoint :) I'm not even going to discuss what to order because they change the menus constantly to go with the freshest ingredients. The constant staple that I do go for though is the charcuterie plate. It's just amazing. In the Sping, the Bocce court is a must, and the bar is just a cool scene. It will not disappoint. If you're walking in to just have a drink or to eat, you're going to have a fabulous time and will probably walk away knowing something about food and wine that you didn't know already. Typically, I'm more about the eating of the food and the drinking of the wine than learning about it, but here, it just fits. The menu always looks weird with different flavors and strange pairings, but I swear, it will not disappoint. Have a great time! I'm jealous of whoever gets to go more than me. :)

    (5)

  • Andrea R.

    I'm not really sure what all of the hype is about this place. It passes itself off as some twist on Southern traditions but they leave a lot to be desired for their brunch offerings. To top it all off, they allow themselves to be featured on the cover of Atlanta Magazine for what seems to be an amazing chicken biscuit that you can only get during breakfast...not brunch! To add insult to this, they actually felt that a sunny side up egg sandwich on an English muffin would be a great substitute. It seems like the perfect place for posers to spend too much money on breakfast dishes. Perhaps it is a different place for lunch or dinner but brunch, I'm not impressed. I'd rather go to Front Page News which offers ALL of it's breakfast and brunch menu until 4pm on the weekends and is a fraction of the cost. I won't be back any time soon. I'm not going to get up early on a weekend just to have your chicken biscuit.

    (1)

  • Ben D.

    The best new restaurant in Atlanta.

    (5)

  • Victor A.

    Maybe I should've came here for lunch instead but decided to grab dinner with some friends from school.......decor is nice and parking is FREE and easy.......now to the food.......OYSTERS I think must've been post-BP oil spill ones cause they are tiny!......the pickled jars were quite good ($16) and pork belly appetizer was perfectly cooked as well ($12).........anyways, this is a semi-nouveau Southern restaurant with a hint of asian (they use daikon, kimchi, etc)..........one friend had some flounder, it was aight.......someone else had the bacon cover pork tenderloin, it was aight.........someone else had the pheasant breast, again, it was aight........I had NY STRIP, it was aight..........I'd say go here for the appetizers and desserts..........their peanut coke and funnel cake and fried strawberry pie are unstoppable...........lastly, they have a Sommelier............

    (3)

  • Linda J.

    I've been to ESS twice in the past month, so clearly I like it and found my way back. Love, Love the bar and the scene there. Bartenders, really these people are true mixologists, are very fun to watch and the atmosphere is welcoming, and hip. They just don't beat you over the head with their coolness. Check out the drink menus, I had the Circuit Hymn and it was delicious. Lots of great bourbons and designers scotches, interesting drinks that allow you to taste the various ingredients. Smart to use the single large ice cube which keeps the drink cold but doesn't water it down. You can enjoy the same mix from first sip to last. No specials here, menu changes but it's all on one page. Have to try the "jars" with the pimento cheese and bacon, trout and hummus. Toast fingers are perfect fro sharing the tasty treats. I've had the beet salad after apps and then the Farm Egg for dinner. I could eat the Farm Egg every day, what a yummy and creative dish: crunchy rice, sausage, spinach, mushrooms and a perfect poached egg on top. Served in a sweet little crock. My companions both had steak and ate every bit. Very complementary on the doneness, the potato cake and the greens. Plenty of desserts, we had bread pudding and it was amazing. The dining room and the service is perfect. Great vibe. I know this place is open for breakfast and I wish Iived nearby: I would put it on the rotation, but as it stands I'll keep taking out of town guests here and digging deeper into the menu.

    (4)

  • Kathleen M.

    My initial complaints over ESS' pricing haven't changed. I still think the prices are too high across the board given the portion sizes and quality of food you get. And no, I'm not one of those Olive Garden loving people who expects to go home with leftovers. In fact, I hate leftovers. But I also hate paying a big tab when I'm still hungry. But the food has gotten better. A lot better. To the point where the food is almost worth the price. I most recently came for a dinner out on their lovely back patio (highly recommend) and everything I had was delicious. With a drink, I was trying to keep my dinner under $50 pre-tip so I opted for two small plates: the spring onion soup and the grilled asparagus with shrimp. Yes, before tax and tip these two items on their own totaled $38. Again, not shy about the prices. But were the dishes delicious? You better believe it. Quite possibly the most delicious soup I've ever had. And the asparagus and shrimp, while a very small portion of about 4-5 spears and 2 shrimp, was very tasty. It all just left me wanting more, but my wallet wouldn't allow it. Our server was lovely and it was all in all a fantastic evening. I just wish someone else had been paying. And I don't feel like the atmosphere lives up to the prices, as I'd much prefer to come to the patio on a random Tuesday night and spend some quality time with a friend or date than have to turn this casual place in to a special occasion only spot. It's too good for that.

    (4)

  • Alan C.

    This was my first real dining experience in Atlanta and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. From the restaurant decor to the food plating, this place reminded me of something I'd find in the Bay Area (which is a good thing). So why only 3 stars? Execution. We started with some oysters and the popular jars assortment. Oysters are, well, oysters... so nothing to write about there. On to the jars. I'm a bit tired of the whole bacon revolution but the bacon marmalade was truly delicious. Heck I think I even put a bit on one of the oysters. It was the perfect blend of sweet and savory. Next I had the tripe stew. I absolutely love tripe but this dish was only so-so. It's common to cook this protein in vinegar but it was a bit too one-note for me. I wish the broth was more savory and perhaps even thickened a bit. The runny egg, however, was a very nice touch. I also had the duck breast which is another ingredient I have a hard time resisting. The waiter recommended cooking this to a medium doneness. I thought this was odd and asked him "why medium?". In his answer he switched to recommending rare/medium-rare... so I think he was a bit confused. I've never been to a restaurant that recommended their duck served anything more than medium-rare. Anyway, the duck arrived rare, very rare. It was rare enough that there was still a bit of connective tissue which made cutting with the (non-steak) knife a bit tough (no pun intended). The meat was also under seasoned. Proper seasoning and temperature - the basics of execution - are all you need to make a good protein shine. They dropped the ball here on both fronts. So to summarize I really like what this place could be, but they need to execute on the basics to really let the food shine. All the fancy techniques and high end ingredients don't matter if you don't cook well. In the end, though, I'd come back for another visit.

    (3)

  • Leena P.

    Wonderful food and friendly service. Not over-priced and the perfect portions! Really enjoyed my fried chicken po-boy and the drinks were great.

    (5)

  • Michelle C.

    Three stars solely for the pimento cheese and bacon marmalade dip. Droooollllll On a side note, why are the lunch portions so damn small??? I hope the dinner portions are a lot bigger...

    (3)

  • Heather N.

    Stellar quality ingredients, tiny portions, slow but professional service. We were hungry three minutes after leaving. Went for brunch, really enjoyed the gigantic table outside in the sweet breeze. The sausage muffin special was delicious, and would be great if if came with double the food. A muffin the size of a ginger cookie, three quarter size sausage slices, a teaspoon of arugula and ONE egg with two thin (but insanely delicious) pieces of sweet bacon just barely made a dent in my hunger. This is brunch. We are combining two meals. I need more, y'all. I was with a group that wouldn't indulge a second order of brunch entrees, so hungry I left. Mad at Atlanta for not allowing me to imbibe before 12:30. Cheers~

    (4)

  • Robin P.

    Finally, a restaurant in Atlanta that had great service, good food and a fair price. Good: Service was excellent and attentive. My server gave several recommendations, all of which I enjoyed. Chicken sausage appetizer was small but had a very hot Serrano pepper sauce. Excellent. Fish for main course was also excellent. Cooked just enough. Minor gripe: Menu had a small selection (which I like) but some of the titles for items were unclear to me and seemed a tad pretentious. For example, the "FL Sheepshead Porgy" turned out to be a rather nice white fish. Maybe I am just unfamiliar with local terminology? I still don't know what the "Prime Spinalis" might be! Coffee was good but was delivered with an over-long explanation of how it was made. ,

    (5)

  • Mandi T.

    I can't give them a 5 because they are not on open table. What? that needs to be a requirement for any good restaurant. Sorry. I am lazy I like the internet and my $1. the pimento cheese is amazing- I could make a meal with that and bread alone. A bit pricy for lunch but, totally a unique experience. Go!!!

    (4)

  • Jill S.

    My husband and I went for our anniversary. When making the reservation they asked if it was a special occasion and we told them that we were celebrating our wedding anniversary. Once we got there, there was no mention of this at all. No big deal. The champagne was flat that I ordered, no bubbles. Thought it was a fluke, but the second glass was the same way. Charred cabbage app was yummy. I ordered trout for the entree, which was good, not spectacular. My husband ordered the pork taster. He said it was ok. I think we thought we were going to experience fine dining. Not so much. Crossed it off the list and will not be going back.

    (2)

  • Matthew P.

    Ok. Upon looking at the menu beforehand, I was stoked. My brother placed a reservation for 9 on Xmas eve....Fantastic. After a really weak sermon, I was craving some strong foodie food choices. Twas not the case. Pre fix. Without notice. The food was good. Well crafted. Was not put off by the dishes that were served, but do I think what was served was worth the price tag on the overall meal at the end of the day? Absolutely not. Won't go into the dishes, (although I found the rabbit roulade delicious) because I'm sure they will be different when you visit. Price reflects location and what the owner thinks is a cool concept. and it kind of is. so try it. or don't. or fuck me. or fuck you. I don't care. merry Xmas.

    (3)

  • Bianca C.

    I've recently tried them for Sunday brunch and wasn't as impressed as I was for their dinner. I did enjoy the farm egg in cast iron but was not filling. Other family members got the breakfast sandwich which was average. The side of bacon was good. Service was excellent. I just wish they had either more of a brunch selection or gave you larger portions. Won't be back for brunch but definitly for dinner.

    (3)

  • Lindsay A.

    Specialty drinks are awesome. Always great food. Last time we went the cold water oysters were amazing. I had them for an app AND my dessert.

    (5)

  • Leah D.

    So, everyone is pretty much right on with this place. It was as good as we hoped as far as food goes. There were 5 of us, so the last minute reservation we made ended up being a little later than usual. By 8:30 on the dot, we were seated in the corner of a dim lit, southern but contemporary restaurant. Very chill vibe with hipster servers probably encouraged to get black rimmed glasses, even if they have perfect vision. We were seated for at least 10 minutes before our server came over to take our drink order. I ordered the cider, and I am very much a cider drinker. She told me that it was "funky"...which I thought meant, it was carbonated. When it arrived, it tasted like cough medicine or old medical supplies. As I passed it around the table, everyone agreed. She suggested that I let it grow on me....I think not. My girlfriend ordered a champagne and gin drink, which was all gin. We all ended up drinking a bottle of wine, which was delicious. For an app, we all shared the jars. Four out of five were good, with the standout being the pimento cheese. It was stellar, and was the first to go. There was a peanut butter one that nobody really cared for, and the trout mouse and pickled veggies were a nice treat. Everyone raved about the small plates of roasted octopus and egg and rice? I didn't care because my rib eye was phenomenal. I am being completely serious, if this rib eye wasn't a 10/10, this place would have a 3 instead of a 4. The collards were the perfect salty. The mushrooms were soft and scrumptious. The potato was completely different than I expected and the rib eye was cooked and sliced for me to enjoy in one bite. The sauce they used made me regret ever saying anything bad about this place. Everything was forgotten when I took a complete bite of this dish. Great little spot and will enjoy going back here when the weather improves!

    (4)

  • RJ C.

    If you live, work, or socialize in Midtown, ESS serves as a lovely, if a bit expensive, happy hour option: bocce, In Jars, and classy cocktails with a blazing sunset over the Midtown skyline. It's a great centralized location that's easily reached by bike or Marta as well as car -- with parking deck validation, no less! -- before hitting other spots in the neighborhood. Their coffee (Counter Culture from NC) is amazing, as are all the appetizers. Service is attentive enough and the decor is plenty hip. That I have never been here for dinner actually stands as a testament to how much I like this place -- I think it deserves four just for fulfilling the above functions so very very sweetly!

    (4)

  • Dave G.

    I have not spent much time in the Deep South, and my experience with real Southern cuisine is limited. I do not know where Empire State South stacks up in the ranks of Southern restaurants. It gets high marks from me, though. I visited there on a cold Sunday morning at the end of a crappy weekend, depressed and hoping for something to lift my spirits. They seated me quickly and began to bring me wonderful food and drink. It did just the trick. They have an in-house bakery. You will pass a table with many of their baked goods on the way in. I tried the Almond Tea Cake. It was a delight. They brought me a latte which was terrific, then a dish called the Jalapeno Bacon Biscuit which was two poached eggs over a pile of pulled pork with a jalapeno biscuit in there somewhere and some wilted ramps. It was the bizarrest Benedict I've ever seen, but it was good for the soul. (Hard on the cholesterol count . . . ) They took care of me and I left feeling upbeat. Not such a bad weekend after all. Quick tip: They will validate for the parking garage behind the restaurant.

    (4)

  • Charith F.

    If you are into eating at a place with a trendy atmosphere, beautiful food presentation, lofty prices, and don't care so much about the taste of what you are eating this place is for you. I have been here twice and while I have never horrible food here, both times I have walked away unimpressed. Appetizer wise I have tried Charcuterie and the Jar assortment. My favorite of the jars was the pimento cheese and bacon marmalade. I would have never thought of mixing the two together, but it was great. The red pea hummus on the other hand tasted like it came out of a plastic container from Publix. The Charcuterie was good, but there was really nothing special about it. For main courses, I have tried the rib eye and the quail. The quail was good, but really lacked any sort of wow factor or interesting flavor. After a few bites I was kind of over it. I was more disappointed in the rib-eye though, because I could have gone to Shield's and bought a dry aged rib eye twice the size at half the price, made it at home and it would have tasted much, much better. I'm not sure how a professional chef fails to make a rib-eye that tastes better than something I could make at home. But I digress, both were were very average. Onto the cocktail menu, which for some reason doesn't include any vodka based cocktails. I asked the waiter why and he says the head bartender thinks vodka is boring. I'm sure the head bartender is probably a very cool guy, that wears hip pants and probably sports a trendy mustache, while I'm a boring guy, that is not very cool, and has difficulty growing interesting facial hair, BUT would it really hurt to have one vodka based drink on the cocktail menu! While I realize that artisanal bourbons are extremely hot right now, but I'm sure someone makes an artisanal vodka that he can concoct a drink out of. While I think Empire State South is a cool place, don't come here expecting to be blown away by the culinary talents of the kitchen. If you are looking for an upscale restaurant in the area with great food, I highly recommend South City Kitchen, which is only a few block away and serves much better food.

    (3)

  • Erich M.

    I had the Spinalis that is actually translated to ribeye it was flavorful. Ask for Randy. Can translate the menu. The Farm Egg was a southern style skillet fried rice. Yummy Wired but must try. Great atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Katherine F.

    This place lived up to all the hype! I went with two girlfriends, and we family-style shared three entrees - the duck breast, the quail, and the steak. They were scrumptious, and we were hungry, so we finished off the small-ish portions in no time. The drinks were pricey, especially for the size, but really well made. Presentation, service, atmosphere were all wonderful. Only docking a star for expensive cost-to-portion-size ratios. We forgot to order the appetizer we wanted, so that might've helped us fill up a bit more.

    (4)

  • Anthony N.

    ***Hugh Acheson's Empire State South is a very good and upscale restaurant that serves a high quality and housemade brunch that mixes in a lot of Altanta and Southern ingredients and flavors*** I wanted to try Hugh Acheson's first Atlanta restaurant Empire State South for dinner, but it held up just fine for brunch. In addition to dinner, Empire State South serves weekday lunch, Sunday brunch and breakfast (including an upscale Chick-Fil-A biscuit breakfast sandwich that features nicely fried chicken; it can even come with pimento cheese, pepper jelly and a scrambled egg). Empire State South's brunch is mostly upscale breakfast items, but you will also find gazpacho, several salads and hanger steak. Their brunch menu features a lot of nice ingredients, but prices are not too high. I went with one of their signature items to start--toasts with pimento cheese and bacon marmalade in a jar. The toasts were crisp and buttery. The pimento cheese dip was quite addictive. The pimento cheese was creamy and flavorful; it also had a little heat. The bacon marmalade was a chunky and rich bacon topping. The bacon marmalade was not exactly sweet, but it had a good flavor without being too salty and the bacon was a good mix of slightly crispy and chewy. yelp.com/biz_photos/empi… I also had the cucumber gazpacho and it was very good. The cucumber base was nicely spicy (even surprisingly spicy) and it had a cool and refreshing cucumber flavor (it is hard to bring out the mild cucumber flavor in such a spicy base, but they did it here). The soup was also very smooth and creamy. yelp.com/biz_photos/empi… The garnishes were great. There was a nice crunch from candied pistachios and I liked the fragrance of the fresh herbs. The creme fraiche was also good and I really liked the crispy crunch of the toasted wheatberries. For my entree, I had their English muffin sandwich, which was both a great upscale brunch dish as well as a good reflection of the city with the use of sweet and spicy pepper jelly. The English muffin sandwich also featured nicely cooked Swiss chard, a very good and meaty but not salty chicken and pork sausage patty and a sunny side up egg. There was also two strips of candied bacon and it was some of the best bacon I have had. The crispy bacon was not thick, but it was still meaty. The amount of sugar was just right too--enough to mellow out the saltiness of the bacon and provide a very light sweetness, but not to the point where it ruined the dish or made it like a dessert. yelp.com/biz_photos/empi… The only course that did not deliver was dessert. I had the lemon cake with vanilla ice cream terrine. This was too cold and the vanilla ice cream (while very refreshing) was icy (like the icy ice cream at Hugh Acheson's Athens restaurant 5 & 10). The lemon cake had a noticeable lemon flavor, but it was too dense and dry. They only had a few (and not that interesting) desserts available at brunch; I imagine they are much more ambitious with desserts come dinner. yelp.com/biz_photos/empi… Service was great. The whole staff was very polite, welcoming, friendly, and attentive. The food came out at a quick pace. I really enjoyed the atmosphere at Empire State South. It is located in a very nice part of Atlanta and the open area of the restaurant with the modern building reminded me of Downtown Austin. There is even a bocce court outside. Inside, the restaurant has a very downtown city feel. It has a rustic and industrial look with the use of dark colors, lots of tattered wood and exposed pipes. Seating is very comfortable and there is even a very inviting coffee bar at one side of the restaurant. Prices are reasonable. Almost everything is below $15 and portions are generous. Empire State South is a very good brunch spot and I would be excited to try them for dinner. I liked how Empire State South served the type of housemade and upscale food that you would expect to find in a major metro like Los Angeles, Chicago or San Francisco, but how it also still utilized a lot of local ingredients and flavors to make it be very much an Atlanta / Southeastern restaurant. Empire State South is next to a big parking structure and I believe they do validate parking. Free street parking is also available.

    (5)

  • Sophie H.

    Love the tripe stew! Thank you Josh!! Loved everything - venison, food in jars, farm egg, quail, pheasant terrine, quail, rabbit - all delish!! Steven selected amazing wines and Anthony was a fabulous server!!

    (5)

  • Josh A.

    I was in Atlanta for a few days and, familiar with Empire from previous trips, stopped in because I urgently needed coffee and knew they served Counter Culture. The coffee, hand brewed to order, was exceptional as always, and the Farm Egg is one of my new favorite dishes anywhere. But what really made this visit memorable was my waiter, Zach. He was a very attentive server and learning I was from out of town, he made me a list of a couple dozen local places to check out, and I was really able to experience local Atlanta. On my way out, I stopped at Empire again for brunch and coffee and was again seated in Zach's section. Wonderful as before, he even made me a box of pastries, free of charge, for my drive home. Not only did Zach make each visit to Empire special, he made my entire trip to Atlanta a memorable one. If you can only stop once while in Atlanta, stop at Empire.

    (5)

  • Sonia P.

    In a nutshell = incredibly overpriced for a so-so menu and sub par service. Our original server never greeted us and another one stepped in, apologized for the delay, and treated us to a complimentary starter of In-Jars (perfect group appetizer, could easily be a meal on its own). But even this server was SO slow and not particularly engaging, and the restaurant definitely wasn't busy at that time. If customers are paying $30+ for an entree, there should be nothing but excellent service. Okay, my rant is over, now onto the food: Breakdown of the In-Jars (served with toast): -deviled ham: hearty but I would prefer heavier seasoning -trout mousse: yummy but not particularly special -pickled vegetables: good crunch factor, nice contrast to the toast + spreads -pimento cheese & bacon marmalade: INCREDIBLE, perfect balance of cheese to spice to bacon - easily my favorite food item that night -hummus: bland/boring, would work better with lightly salted pita chips Other dishes: -Farm Egg: liked it at first but very greasy due to the bologna and rice was practically deep-fried; is "plantation rice" supposed to be like that? Good flavor, but too heavy. -Trout with bok choi, baby carrots, and wheatberries: tasty! -Lemon Posset: refreshing lemon custard dessert also in a jar; they clearly like jars! Cocktails are pricey but well-crafted and refreshing: -Kipling's Muse: I saw "strawberries and Prosecco" and was immediately sold. -Don Fresco: for tequila-lovers, it's a nice drink with sage, honey, and lime Other than the pimento cheese, food was not memorable. Disappointed with my overall experience here.

    (2)

  • Julie S.

    I had a great time at ESS. I came on a Tuesday night and loved the decor and overall vibe. Great wine list, started with the Jars for the table and the outstanding favorite was the pimento cheese with bacon marmalade. (Also loved the hummus and smoked ham). I had the pork loin for my entree and some bites were amazing while others were harder to cut/chew as there was a lot of fat on the pork. The bites that were great were really really great-- we were too full for dessert but I want to come back for brunch in the future!

    (4)

  • Lindsay G.

    One of my favorite places in Atlanta. Every time I go the customer service is amazing, food is to die for, and drinks are refreshing and unique. Patio area is my preference...good way to relax outdoors and have amazing food. Fresh food. Great chef.

    (5)

  • Chloe E.

    I am a Scorpio so I am usually all or nothing. 1 or 5 stars. No gray area in my world at all. Empire State South was gray. Went for Sunday brunch and the place was about 1/2 full at 1pm. Server was nice but never really introduced himself or asked for our drink order so he ended up going back and forth to the bar 4 or 5 times because the only way any one noticed we were ordering drinks was when he brought out one. Drinks were ok. My Bloody Mary had a pickled green bean in it but no one else's did. We dove right into the entrees. We all ordered different things. I ordered the steak. At $18 I would guess it was 3 ounces of beef. It was fine. I was still hungry after and no one else's meal looked much bigger. If I had taken a guy here I would have had to pre-feed him. I do appreciate the free parking but there was nothing special enough for me to go back. Maybe if I lived a but closer. Just not for me!

    (3)

  • Claire M.

    I've been to Empire State South twice now, both times for dinner. The food, drinks, and service are excellent. It's a really great spot for a date or dinner with a group of friends The only reason I'm giving them 4 stars instead of 5 is because on my first trip, they drastically overcooked my salmon, even though I ordered it rare. The menu is seasonal and changes based on what's in season, although it seems like they have a few staples that stay on all the time. From the "beginnings" section of the menu, I haven't tried anything I didn't like. On my first visit, I had the a burratta dish and a roasted peppers dish that were both unique and tasty. On my second visit, we had the farm egg, which was phenomenal. It was perfectly cooked and served over crispy rice. The beef tartare was another hit. We also had a Gum Creek pork dish on our first visit. The pork was cooked three ways and was juicy and flavorful. I think this is definitely an item that should stay on the menu. As I mentioned above, we also had a salmon dish that was awful. I ordered the salmon cooked rare and it was extremely well done. Props to our server though, who did not charge us for the dish we only ate one bite of. The only thing we didn't try that I wished we had was one of the cheese or charcuterie boards, which seemed to be popular items around the restaurant. Read the whole story here: weekendeatsatl.com/2014/…

    (4)

  • Professor K.

    Okay. This is more of a summary than a review. We went there twice during the last month. The first time we ordered the farmhouse egg and pork belly sandwich. The farmhouse egg portion was tiny but tasted good. The monk fish poboy was delivered (instead of pork belly sandwich) by mistake. It also tasted fine. We also tried the aqua fresca (hope that is correct). It was decent. The second time we ordered two pork belly sandwiches. The expectation of aromatic, oily, and crispy pork belly was crushed. The pork belly was soft and tender but that was not what I looked for. Very underwhelming and disappointing. The bills (including tips) came to $33 and $35, respectively. 3-star is a pretty fair evaluation, I think.

    (3)

  • Lindy F.

    "What you say Buck, biscuits and gravy sounds good to me." -- Glory (1989) Oh Hugh, how you tease me with all the Southern staples from my childhood... Yummy flakey biscuits - check Pimento cheese - check Crispy Fried chicken - check Salty Country ham - check I am an ESS breakfast addict. Nice-sized, perfectly seasoned, flakey on the outside, fluffy on the inside biscuits are enough to bring me back each morning. But then he does the unthinkable - he adds in a chunk of crispy fried chicken with the most perfect smattering of flavorful, cheesy, creamy pimento cheese and you have what Chick-fil-A could never give you - a deliciously full stomach without that greasy-sick feeling. And as if that wasn't enough, I went for the double play. A second biscuit with country ham and hot pepper jelly...that will wake you at 7am! The spicy jelly helps cut the saltiness of the ham (not that I mind salty country ham, ever). It was the perfect partner to the chicken biscuit. Also, the bottomless coffee was so delicious. I think it was B&B coffee, but I didn't ask. But it was some of the best coffee I have had. Also, they do offer all the sugar packet options, most importantly my favorite, the brown packets (raw sugar). These are not common (you almost always get white, pink, blue and sometimes yellow, but brown is a 50/50 chance). Our service was stellar - water and coffee kept filled and creamer replaced promptly when asked (and more brown sugar packets as well). I will be back for breakfast over and over AND OVER again. So good, there are not words to describe.

    (4)

  • Vlad T.

    Creative menu that oddly leans asian-fusion, given their stated "southern" focus. And a little spendy. I found it a great option for lunch. The charred octopus was delicious, even though the kimchi dominated the plate. Beautiful location, comfortable atmosphere, great service.

    (4)

  • T G.

    The other reviews weren't lying when they said the service here is bad. I walked in and they said have a seat anywhere and we'll be right with you. It has been 15 minutes and no one has come to my table to give me water or even a menu to look at while I wait. So I am writing this review while I wait... So someone finally actually acknowledged me and gave me a menu. He starts to walk away and the people next to me flags him down and says, "excuse me sir, can we get some attention, we've been here for a 1/2 an hour. He finally takes their order. **there are 7 patrons and 6 workers. We'll see how long it takes for them to come back and take my order....well, it is now 9:38 I just got my food. It was a simple chicken sandwich and nothing else. I am dining alone and I got here at 8:55. Main idea, don't leave a single diner with nothing to do for 40 minutes.... Let's see how long it takes for them to notice and give me a refill or my check. It is now 10:12. I had to go to the counter to ask for my bill.... Yes, I'm the "jerk" that didn't tip you losers! Btw there were 4 people standing around behind the counter when I walked up to get my bill. Do not go here if you want good service.

    (1)

  • Rebecca F.

    I've only been to ESS for breakfast so I'll probably update my review after I try dinner, but I couldn't wait to give them 5 stars! Their coffee is incredible--both espresso and fancy pour-overs are great ways to start the day. I've had the oatmeal (yummy--served with yogurt and a small piece of fruit) and the fried chicken biscuit. Their biscuit and fried chicken came out super hot.. gotta love something freshly fried to perfection! I tried my biscuit with pepper jelly but my friend got pimento cheese and both were very good. I think I preferred the pepper jelly, but the pimento takes it to a whole new level of richness! The price, atmosphere and quality of Empire State South will bring me back for many more weekday breakfasts! (oh, and the coffee!)

    (5)

  • S S.

    I really don't get to draw here. Nothing blows my mind. I feel like it's trying too hard to be super interesting. Its okay but I definitely do not give it 5 stars possibly 3

    (2)

  • Justin W.

    Delicious food with influences from the south, located just off 10th and Peachtree. Though I've come here for dinner on several occasions and have enjoyed the flavors, I found the portion sizes to be lacking somewhat; a detail others have pointed out on here. Though, when I worked upstairs at The Peachtree Club, I could be found here almost every morning, enjoying a fries chicken biscuit, always-fresh pastry, or one of their many brewed-to-order coffees from around the world. ESS is an outstanding experience, especially in the wee hours!

    (4)

  • Adam C.

    I got their roasted duck with lentils about 2-3 months ago and I still can't stop thinking about it. Great bar and cocktails as I'm sure you've heard. Also, its not nearly as pricey as I thought it was..so don't let the intimidation factor deter you. Though, I will say the whole southern farm to table is pretty easy to find in Atlanta, ESS seems to be a main staple of the Atlanta.

    (4)

  • Benjamin G.

    Many close friends of mine had whispered legendary comments in my ears about the coffee program at Empire State South. Indeed. They are all true. Came in recently for a Friday morning breakfast and it was wonderful. Breakfast is an A+ in my book. The menu houses everything you could want. Whenever I see oatmeal on a menu, it always....ALWAYS sounds amazing. Thus, I had the oatmeal. I'm not sure I've ever had oatmeal that creamy. Topped with some local yogurt, brown sugar and apples, too. I could probably eat a five gallon bucket of this stuff. Ordered a side of fruit as well and my breakfast was happy, healthy, and so filling. Put that next to several Chemexes of Counter Culture Burundi and Colombia.... breakfast heaven. The coffee is truly second to none. They know how to brew one of America's most popular roastery's coffee in my favorite method. Truth be told, ladies and gents -- hipster just know how to make some damn coffee. I really enjoyed this spot for breakfast. I'm not sure the next time we'll be in, but I'd imagine breakfast will be a mainstay for us. Maybe we'll event check out dinner or brunch soon. Well done, Empire State South.

    (4)

  • Terence B.

    I had never heard of this place until someone invited me for a birthday dinner for 9 people. It is located right in Midtown with convenient and free parking in the garage next door. We had reserverations for 8 pm on a Saturday evening and were promptly seated. We started with the In Jars and the ESS Charcuterie, which was good and plenty. For dinner, I sampled a pasta dish from the Beginnings menu that I cannot remember the name of, but it was good. For my entree, I had the pork chop. It was on the bone and excellent! I also tried the chicken from someone else and it was really good, as well. During dinner, we had a couple of glasses of red wine that tasted great. No one opted for dessert since we were all full. It was a bit pricy, $100 each per average, but well worth it. The ambiance and interior was excellent and it would be great for a romantic evening or small group. The service was spot on. Overall, a great experience and I definitely recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Soo K.

    Love the decor and love food choices. We tried the jars starter, Chaucuterie, and Fried Egg. The Fried Egg came highly recommended, and though I did love the crunchiness, it didn't come out hot so it was alright. The Chaucuterie had great variety, but made me wish I had gotten the cheese plate instead. The jars was interesting, but for 2 it was too much. I recommend at least 3-4 minimally should share this. I was surprised it came with toast instead of artisan bread. I don't prefer my bread buttered, especially when you're about to apply spreads to them. The pickled okra was awesome! Overall, I loved the decor and food was creative and interesting. Staff was great, really liked my overall experience. For photos visit my blog!

    (4)

  • Rachel B.

    I've been to ESS for several weekday breakfasts and one weekend brunch. The weekday breakfasts never let me down - the pour over coffee is fantastic, and I can't seem to stray away from the bagel sandwich on a seeded bagel. My visit for brunch was not as great, perhaps because my go-to bagel sandwich wasn't on the menu. Overall, I highly recommend ESS for weekday breakfasts and will be back for more. I would like to try for dinner soon.

    (4)

  • Justin M.

    One of the best Atlanta restaurants, but not quite 5 stars. Food - Definitely the strong point and the reason this restaurant is highly rated. Very solid; no complaints. Drinks - Very hit-or-miss on value. I don't enjoy staring at the whisky list for several minutes searching for one that I won't regret overpaying for. Some are reasonably priced, others are ridiculously high. Service - All restaurants will make mistakes. The difference between good and great restaurants is how they handle mistakes. I've visited five or so times and had the opportunity to see a mistake or two. Without going into specifics, this is the biggest reason for docking a star.

    (4)

  • Melissa I.

    I took my sister and 2 young nieces here this morning prior to going to the Fox Theatre to see Sesame Street Live. We all shared 2 pimento cheese biscuits, eggs anyway you want it plate, breakie plate, duck hash, extra side of bacon and mocha. Everything came out quick and fresh. The presentation was exquisite and the taste was unbelievable! Hands down one of the best breakfast dining experiences I've has in Atlanta :)

    (5)

  • Ashley M.

    Okay, the rumors are true--the pimento cheese with bacon marmalade was seriously good stuff. It is so fantastic that even after my entrée arrived, I spent a good five more minutes trying to scrape the remaining goodness from the jar. A friend and I dined here for lunch. We had an awesome server and great food. I ordered the Farm Egg and she ordered the Pork Belly. The only factor that set my meal apart from being perfect was that I didn't break my farm egg over the rice quickly enough (because I was so engrossed with the cheese deliciousness still) and several of my rice bites were too crunchy to enjoy--this is totally my fault though. I tried some of the kimchee grits from my friend's pork belly dish and it was rich and flavorful. Both dishes were fresh, creative, and full of unique flavor. No wonder it's one of her favorite spots for lunch!

    (4)

  • Jr H.

    This place is ok. The cocktail i had was with rye and a red wine syrup i forget the name but it was actually really good. However the service was poor. Our server had a hard time stopping by our table at all and was difficult to reach, he seemed a little bit bossy and tried to direct our meal in the wrong direction. The food was good and bad, i really love the Charred Octopus & Fried Okra were great. The meats & chz's were wxceptional as well. The entries were too rich and the short rib is really salty and not $33's worth. All the food was super super rich. Idk i was expecting more from all the hype. Good cocktails and apetizers though!!!

    (3)

  • Doug L.

    Went for dinner while in the area. Ordered a local beer and instead of coming in a cold cool glass it came in a coozie. A coozie. Not what I wanted especially at a place as expensive as this is. The staff was friendly and attentive. Ordered a cheese plate which had some nice items. Ordered a little salad and little is the right word. I hate huge portions like at Cheesecake Factory but this was not enough to eat. The bread was extra nice but you have to ask for it! As above the prices here are high and for those prices you should expect more than I for here

    (3)

  • Allen H.

    Went for dinner with my girlfriend, my brother, and his wife. Heard good things about this place so I was excited. We ordered the octopus, mason jars, and cheese plate for appetizers. All were excellent. Also, ordered two bottles of wine which was fantastic as well. Things went down-hill quick once we got to the entrees. My brother and I both ordered the catfish and the ladies ordered the duck. The catfish was truly horrendous. I know to say that about a chef's creations is serious business, but it absolutely was. As my brother (who's a chef) said, "didn't even make sense conceptually. Catfish cooked rare with cucumber, cilantro, and flowers? WTF?" It was one of the worst entrees I've ever had. I didn't send it back because I don't like to send food back and make a scene. Not my style. (As an aside, the service was excellent, all night). The women were both disappointed in their duck. It was plain Jane and borderline raw. I ate my girlfriend's entree because I can handle rare duck better than she, but it was "meh" at best. There's nothing I enjoy more than getting a big bill at the end of a meal and saying to myself that it was worth every penny. In this case, when the $400 bill came, I thought to myself that it wasn't worth 1/4 that much. None of us will be returning. Too many great restaurants in Atlanta.

    (2)

  • Hameed A.

    Overall good time. Waiter was excellent. His drink pairings were spot on. The pimento cheese spread delish. We had the burrata and the farm fresh egg for beginners- both excellent with perfect drink pairings. The entrees fell short- the pork tenderloin/belly for the wife and the "ribeye" for me. The dishes were overly pretentious and not sauced at all. The ribeye was clearly overcooked (I ordered normal). My ribeye with its accoutrements was almost beef jerky like in flavor on some bites. It was my wife's birthday(I told them ahead of time) and they really didn't do much more than say happy birthday to her. The disappointment with the entrees was unfortunately lingering in our minds. Still a cool place overall to go to but wouldn't make a return trip. It almost landed a review with 3 stars.

    (4)

  • Santo P.

    Looks nice on the outside but I should have realized that this was a hipster joint when they served my iced tea in a masonry jar. Mezcal bars are another signal to vacate the premises! The waiter was nice so I gave them a shot, he suggested the octopus appetizer. Perhaps I am a food snob because I have it so good in Los Angeles but all I could taste was salt, octopus has a nice flavor which was completely overwhelmed by the liberal application of seasoning. I went with the duck breast entree which was awful. I took one bite and informed the waiter that I wouldn't be paying for it, I then proceeded to vacate the premises which I should have done much sooner!

    (2)

  • Cathy K.

    Been here twice. Love the jars. Go with at least 3 others so you can share. Craft cocktails are wicked good. Have sampled it all be sure to get a salad or two, groups gras and duck. Dessert is very shareable. They will pack up leftovers which includes the jars! Great place and wait staff us nice and knowledgable. Atmosphere is unique and perfectly done.

    (5)

  • Denise S.

    Nice Midtown venue. Interesting contemporary take on southern cuisine. The charcuterie appetizer was tasty but sparse. Entree was andouille sausage with asparagus on rice grits, which I really enjoyed. Companion had "super" something or other with flank steak, wheat berries which she raved about. Although our server was congenial, service was spotty. For a slow Tuesday, mid-afternoon lunch, that was surprising. And Lord, is there anything worse than having to hunt the server down for the check? Would have loved to order coffee after lunch but figured we'd be there for another 45 minutes.

    (4)

  • Whitney H.

    Not a lot of food selections and the choices lack any real creativity. At best it's just random food couples with something strange. Ehh, I guess that's suppose to be exciting. There's a lot of wine and specialty cocktails to chose from but not that much of a beer selection which is disappointing. I sort of hate that this is a restaurant when the mass bulk of everything they serve is alcohol. (We need food kids- to soak it up, something substantial). I will say that the wait staff were extremely friendly and inviting. Seriously: no complaints there!

    (2)

  • David D.

    Tonight these guys did everything pretty much right, the service detail, changing silverware with each course, keeping my water filled, clearing plates was near perfect. I ordered the four course tasting menu, all courses were very flavorful, the wine by the glass selections were smartly thought out.

    (5)

  • Carol L.

    Ah yes, my favorite stop in Atlanta...so much so I went twice on this trip! The space is bright, airy and comfortable, yet classy. Reservations recommended. I came for lunch (weekdays only) and after enjoying it immensely, I made a reservation on my way out to return for brunch on the weekend before leaving town. The Southern food here is amazingly fresh and flavorful. The VA OYSTER PO'BOY was exemplary. The oysters were breaded and lightly fried and placed in a roll slightly toasted on the outside, but soft on the inside, and topped with a spicy remoulade, shredded lettuce, slices of pickled jalapeños and capers. The balance and textures were just fantastic. On the side were mixed greens. The dish is a modest portion, so you'll probably need to add a side. I had the COLLARD GREENS, which came out in a small cast iron dish. The greens really shine here and you get plenty of diced ham hock. To drink, I had the HEARTATTACK AND VINE made with St. George Breaking and Entering Bourbon, Cocchi Barolo Chinato, Pur-Likor Blood Orange, Buster's Bitters. It was okay, but definitely not my favorite cocktail while in Atlanta. Fortunately, I also had their SWEET TEA, which was awesome. On Saturday, I came back toting my carry-on so I could take MARTA straight to the airport. The hostess offered to stow it for me, but I politely declined. She then graciously offered to seat me where I could keep my luggage with me (and also without making it such an eyesore). A friend had recommended their PORK BELLY so that's the way I went. The hearty square of pork belly was delightfully crispy on the outside, yet tender on the inside. It came on Anson Mills grits, with sorghum, a coddled egg, slivers of pickled ginger and peanuts. The lightest dish of grits I've ever had! I added a BISCUIT of course and it came with surprisingly generous ramekins of butter and jam (cranberry clementine that day)...enough for a second, and even a third, biscuit. To drink, I had a CAPPUCCINO (you can also order to-go from their coffee bar) and a juice, which they made 1/2 OJ and 1/2 GRAPEFRUIT for me. Perfect last meal before departing Atlanta. Out-of-towners: Just a couple of blocks from the MARTA Midtown stop.

    (5)

  • Cadet Y.

    Beginners. charcuterie, and cocktails were great. The entrees were very misleading. Over all the food was spectacular but when you order a Ribeye and you get 5 slices of steak for $40 you feel like you being taken for the proverbial "ride". I will also say that a lot of the food was overly salted. With the extremely casual atmosphere it's hard to justify the $$. Also our food took and extraordinarily long time and I ordered Sazerac rye on the rocks and they served me a sazerac cocktail??? Overall you can def find equal food that'll be easier on the wallet elsewhere in the city.

    (3)

  • Rob C.

    Who knew octopus could be this good??? A couple of the sausages on the charcuterie were among the best I've ever enjoyed and the golden tile was tender and perfectly balanced. A bit pricey for the portions, but a good choice for a business dinner or special occasion.

    (4)

  • Montse L.

    The place is super cute. The staff was super nice even when they made us wait a little bit and acted like they had to double check for an availeble table since we didn't have reservations... The place was practically empty. After that, they would still sit us all super close to each other, so I could perfectly hear the conversations on both sides of my table when most of the restaurant was still empty! The food Meh. My husband and I went here for brunch because a couple of people had mentioned it since we arrived to Atlanta 2 weeks ago and we LOVE Sunday brunch, so we though we would give it a try. My shrimp was OK, but my husband ordered the Farm Egg, it was TERRIBLE, the size was ridiculous and the "hot dog" was a joke, besides the rice bed has too oily and just pooly cooked. Their homemade salsa was the best thing. Drinks? OK, nothing special. We both left thinking this is another example of how a cute, trendy place gets away with over priced bad food. We are not coming back at all.

    (2)

  • cristina a.

    It's my first time in Atlanta and I ended up here, solo. Don't know that I need to explore any other restaurants. Everything was amazing from service, to cocktails, to the Farm Egg (just trust me on this.) Go there.

    (5)

  • John F.

    Just go to the Kimball House in Decatur instead. The Kimball House tries to do whatever ESS is trying to do except better. That said, Empire State South has great cocktails and great appetizers. Their farm egg, spam thing is awesome. The entrees that my party got were all only so-so, which is unfortunate given the price. Also, given the price, you'd think the interior of this restaurant would be nice, but it's really not. My party got seated in some room off to the side at a cushioned bench and table that looked like it walked out of a Denny's. And you gotta go into some weird-ass office building hallway to find the bathroom. Make a reservation. I've been turned away on a Thursday.

    (3)

  • Maria S.

    Since my last review, I've eaten at Empire State South quite a few times. My favorite time to enjoy everything ESS has to offer is during dinner on a weeknight, when the main dining area is a little less hectic. The restaurant has no problems accommodating my gluten allergy, even offering to swap out the bread for fresh veggies so I can get my fill of the "In Jars" appetizer. My favorite menu item is still the Farm Egg, but I'm always curious to see what's new on the ever-changing seasonal menu. Recently, I've enjoyed the pork belly as well as the ribeye. And if you prefer fish, there are usually at least two great entrees available. Bonus - the pastry chef will provide GF dessert options for the table. If you are dining on a Friday or Saturday night, please be patient. The crowds are bigger than those during the week, and sometimes the kitchen can get backed up. So, if the weather cooperates, try your hand at Bocce on one of the outdoor courts, or get a cocktail at the bar and enjoy the people-watching scene. I still haven't tried ESS for brunch or lunch, but I have had the opportunity to sample breakfast. The eggs and grits are quite good, but the main dining area is closed for breakfast service, which is kind of a bummer, since you're limited to the bar area seating. If you can enjoy gluten-filled goodies, my advice would be to get your pastry and coffee to go.

    (5)

  • Robert B.

    A couple of days after dining at Empire State South, I found myself at The Optimist in West Midtown, enjoying a great meal, and realized that what I thought was a crappy dining experience at Empire State South, was worst than I remembered. My lunch at ESS ranks as one of the worst food experiences I've had in a while. While others may have a better experience, the problem is that this place would allow for you, at random and without notice, to have a crappy experience. I had lunch at ESS on a Friday afternoon. It was a bit brisk out, but the dining room was full and we had were sat outside. No big deal. There are a lot of folks eating out there and there was a nice putting green to look at. ESS is in the 999 Peachtree Building, which plays host to several large law firms. That fact is immediately noticed when you head to the restroom in the dark lobby of a commercial building, past some mailboxes. After washing my hands, I head back to the table to meet our server. Her service was terrible. God-awful, nearly criminally negligent -- and yet she was perky and friendly. We saw her only in flashes -- as did everyone outside that day -- and service suffered as a result. At her recommendation as between the Flank Steak -- which I had and enjoyed -- and the Goat Sausage, I ordered the Sausage. I attempted to order a glass of wine, but our server was gone to find some tea, we had also ordered. An eternity later -- or 30 minutes by clock -- we get the appetizer of trout mousse? It tasted like tuna fish salad, if you replaced the tuna fish with bitter trout. I would not recommend it. Then another 20 minutes later -- remember this is at lunch -- my Goat Sausage arrives. It's cold. Not warm. Not tepid. Cold. So essentially, I've been served a cold hotdog on top of some grits for nearly $20 and it took forever to get that. Plus, while I waited, the dishes from the trout appetizer piled up until we were able to flag down one of the servers, like people on a stranded ship at sea. After the server, not my waitress, returned the cold sausage and even colder grits, we tried the other entree ordered, which has some name but it's essentially lettuce on top of mounds of Quinoa. What is Quinoa you may ask? Think soft unpopped popcorn kernels with less flavor, at a nearly $20 cost. Finally, the server 10 minutes later -- yes we are an hour in to lunch and have only eaten an appetizer -- brings out my now warm sausage. Then I realize, it's a sausage on grits. (The exact description.) There was no other attempt to elevate the meal. So after 1 hour and 15 minutes, I've spent nearly $40 at lunch, got some a tuna-fish salad inspired appetizer, with some soggy, yet burned bread, and a goat sausage, that you can easily make at home, and a terrible salad. At the Optimist, it occurred to me what went wrong. First, the server, though perky, never, ever asked "Is the Food good?" She seemed to intuitively know that the answer was that is sucked completely. But more importantly, ESS says that it aspires to elevate Southern Food, and instead mocks it. The dishes cut corners to a crowd that's paying to have thoughtful meals and service. Instead, we got poor quality food, that aspired to be better, and remarkably poor execution and service. Or a crappy meal at high prices. Your experience can be different. YMMV, as the kids say. I've had another meal that was better. Here's the problem: YOU GO TO A NICE RESTAURANT NOT TO HAVE A CRAPPY FOOD EXPERIENCE. THAT'S KIND OF THE POINT. And unfortunately, as other negative reviews have noted, you could have the same kind of experience and cannot tell if this will be one of those great days where your food palate has expanded to eat the best in Neo-Southern cuisine amongst a hip-New South waitstaff and clientele or indifferent cooking matched by indifferent service. Fortunately, Empire State South is here in Atlanta, where folks are polite. Because back in the Empire State, the almost criminal negligence of this entire meal -- and I speak for all of the folks who ate outside that Friday -- would have been met with the kind of anger, only New Yorkers know how to muster. My advice: Wait for the meals to become consistent, before you roll the dice on ESS.

    (1)

  • Thomas C.

    Exceptional. From the decor, to the service and most importantly the food, I cannot find much to criticize at Empire State South. Experience: We made reservations although the Sunday evening we went, we had no problem with being seated. Service was brisk from the get go and our waitress Beth was attentive. She described specials but offered her recommendations on the menu in a non-intrusive/helpful manner. Food: A little disappointing was that the beers were all bottled but the local beer that I had (White IPA) was very good. For food, disclaimer that I am a vegetarian but never felt like I was "left out" or any of my food was a throw-away. My girlfriend had a cocktail which was very well executed (something with vermouth and sherry). We started with a Beet and Fennel salad that was dynamite. Every element was exceptionally fresh and simply dressed so that you could appreciate all the vegetables. I had the chilled corn soup, which Beth had warned was more of a foam than a soup. I didn't mind since it was exceptional. The summer chanterelles, coffee gel, which was exactly that a gel suspension of concentrated coffee, fennel fronds and some sort of dusting that was so flavorful. It was a large portion and I didn't leave any in the bowl. For entrees, I had the wild mushroom plate and my girlfriend had the Georgia catfish. We both finished each. My wild mushroom plate had at least 4 different mushroom types: trumpet, chanterelle, wood ear, and oyster (maybe shittake). The star of that plate was this pastry of some type underneath the mushrooms. The polenta was somewhat over-spiced for my taste. 3 halves of duck eggs were also on the plate and delicious. For dessert, we had the black butter cake. The cake was moist and light. Perfectly executed. The brittle that came with it was complex and I couldn't honestly tell what was in it. Oh, and the coffee that came with it was possibly the best coffee I've ever had - and I scoured many coffee shops while I lived in Seattle. Ambience: The decor is country-modern, I would say. A nice bar is near the entrance and modern farmhouse type tables litter the restaurant. I absolutely love that you had young patrons dressed in casual attire and flip flops while the other table over had elderly couples dressed for a nice night out, all co-habitating and enjoying themselves. Overall: I'm most impressed with the price tag. I would have spent double what we spent and would have still been thrilled. Beth was great and all of the other support staff were very pleasant and the right balance of attentive and non-intrusive. The food was dynamite. The atmosphere was perfect for my taste. I don't often give 5 stars (last time was Nobu Las Vegas). This was a solid 5 star in my book.

    (5)

  • M' N.

    Empire State South is pretty cool and a solid choice for lunch or dinner in the A. The outdoor seating area is trapped between a couple of tall buildings that create a little wind tunnel. In addition, there's a charming mini bocci court and some adirondack chairs. I really enjoy sitting outside at ESS on a nice evening. The food is good enough, but there are really only a couple of memorable things. One is the super foods plate--a bunch of veggies and beans and a piece of steak. I think you can only get it for lunch. The second is the homemade whoopie pies, which I haven't seen in a while. And, the jars with pimiento cheese and peanut butter are worth mentioning too.

    (4)

  • Will P.

    Location, location, location. That's the way-overused phrase you hear in real estate circles, but it's smart to borrow it for Empire State South, one of the city's slickest eateries in a choice spot right in the heart of midtown. These guys get the whole five stars from me because the joint most definitely ticks all boxes after multiple rockin' experiences. The location is central; food is stellar; service is great; and the atmosphere is elegant but still unpretentious and fun. I've been for brunch, lunch and most recently for a birthday dinner, and in all cases ESS showed a consistency that many other local places are missing. When some city stalwarts are going through an identity crisis, ESS fires on all cylinders at all points of the day. Even something as simple as the focaccia and fresh butter they bring to the table was a welcome touch. In other restaurants, you have to beg, plead and promise unborn children for free stuff like that. I had the speckled trout for dinner, which was uniquely cooked and had terrific flavor. (I loathe mushrooms and pawned them off on one of my co-diners.) For lunch, make sure to get the fried chicken salad sandwich. You'll want a treadmill within eyesight, though, so you don't feel as guilty gorging on what is a decadent treat. I'll close with this: during dinner, my suede jacket was hanging on a chair, and a server walked by and said, "this is touching the floor - can I hang this up for you?" When you factor in the great food and little touches like that, I'll be coming back for more very soon. Use the back parking deck while the hotel next door is getting the snot kicked out of it during a renovation - and don't forget to get validated before leaving. you'll get stuck with a hefty parking bill if you don't.

    (5)

  • Mariel J.

    Went here for dinner with a group of ten on a Saturday night (reservation made a couple weeks before), and had a great time. The atmosphere is great - relaxing and comfortable, the service was excellent - quick, informational, and great recommendations, and - as it should be - the food was the star of the show. I'd especially recommend ordering the "in jars" (in fact, my plan is to return here to order just this and a glass of wine for a perfect light(ish) after-work meal). This dish includes a variety of fun and very tasty spreads (deviled ham, trout mousse, pimento cheese & bacon marmalade, boiled peanut hummus) and plenty of bread. The farm egg was also a very unique dish, and the octopus was the more tender than any I've ever had before. Also enjoyed my main dish - stuffed chicken. The Baked Alaska was good enough to make us finish dessert when we were so full we probably shouldn't have ordered it in the first place (though if you include a brownie and a big dollop of chocolate chip cookie dough in any dessert, success is pretty much a given).

    (5)

  • Lisa K.

    The food was excellent, I just wish I could say the same about our waiter. He spent too much time trying so hard to be cool. I would mention his name but he didn't even introduce himself. The ambiance was better than I expected. Dinner was extremely expensive. $150 for two cocktails, appetizer, two entrees and dessert. It was our anniversary so we splurged, but won't do it again here.

    (3)

  • Tom E.

    After receiving this issue of ATL magazine in the mail ( yelp.com/biz_photos/R5iW… ) I have been dreaming about that chicken biscuit with bacon and pimiento cheese for months now. I mean months. As in "I need to call out of work so I eat here for breakfast" kind of dreams. This place is located at the base of 999 Peachtree, which is a mixed use building. Since I do not live in Midtown and I had no idea what the parking or dining situation was, I never had the chance to go. However, last weekend when I stayed in Midtown for a wedding and my uncle was also with me, I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to see what this place is all about. We decided to walk, as it was only a few blocks from the hotel we were staying in. Since we were going for Sunday brunch, I realized the front of the actual building was closed, so we walked around the back. We were then greeted by artificial turf, large sized rustic dining tables, and even a bocce court. I knew we had to be in the right direction. When we got there, they were still printing the menus, so we sat at the bar and chugged on some OJ. We didn't get any of the sweets they had for sale, as I wanted to save my appetite. Just a forewarning- They serve brunch only on Saturday and Sunday, and they are only open from 8-330 on Sunday. However, they don't start actually serving brunch until like 1030-1130 or so (sorry can't remember). You can sit at the bar and get coffee and fresh pastries though at that time. When the menu was printed and it was go time, we decided to just stay at the bar- it was a nice size and the seats were actually comfortable (and we didn't wanna move ha). I can't remember the bartender's name, but he was very nice. I noticed the employees at the bar all wore plaid shirts, as in they were dressed to be comfortable- I liked that vibe- not pretentious at all (as I somewhat prejudged this place). My heart was shattered when I did not see the chicken biscuit on the menu (as I later found out they serve it M-F, 7A-10A), but there were plenty of options to overcome my mosiac'd heart. Like the pimento cheese topped with bacon marmalade served with Holeman and Finch bread (a popular local bread bakery). Since I got a new camera and I put the resolution to 24MP, the food porn pics were NOT able to upload on Yelp, as I only got them on FB- so if you want to see them, hit me up on FB- bc OMG this shit was SPECTACULAR!!! When I say it was the best spread I have had in my life, this is absolutely no bs. I lust for it every day. Oh yea, and that was just the starter!!! I can't even remember what I had for the main course, except it consisted of chow chow, pork belly, and grits. It was like a southern meal 5 stars! The water was crisp, the OJ was fresh, the service was ultra friendly, the place got a 100 on their health score, it's rustic, and the food (worth the price) was out of this world. So far, this has been the best brunch (not buffet) I have had in ATL. And easy top 3 in terms of all my travels. They serve lunch and dinner as well, but I am sure that is a completely different adventure! Cheers!

    (5)

  • Farrah K.

    I camp in here for coffee and loved the decor. The staff was very friendly - one of the baristas let my friend take her picture because we loved her hair. I bought a brownie too; absolutely perfect. I would have loved to dine (we did not) because the menu looked great. Very modern southern feel to it.

    (5)

  • Joshua S.

    I came here for breakfast a yesterday morning, so this rating is based solely on my breakfast experience. Service was nice and attentive, the decor was beautiful, and I enjoyed the menu selection. I ordered the Chicken Sausage biscuit, 2 scrambled eggs, and some bakery treats (jam bar, cinnamon roll, and granola treat). The food, for the most part, was good, but the portions were pretty small, and I found myself having to ask for the menu again so I could order more from the kitchen. They don't really have "entree" sized items on their menu... it's pretty much like ordering a la carte, without that description being provided. The bakery items unfortunately were 1 for 3. The cinnamon roll was delicious but the jam bar was pretty inedible. It tasted fishy and left a terrible taste in my mouth. After 2 bites, I called it quits on that. I'd love to return for dinner and cocktails one night.

    (4)

  • Andrew W.

    One of the best food and drink places in Atlanta, the only reason this doesn't get a 5th star was that the waiter didn't seem to know very much, most of the questions we asked were met with I don't knows. Especially things concerning ingredients and drink ingredients.

    (4)

  • Steve S.

    First off, I should mention the service in the bar and main dining area was great. I only wish the high level of service complimented the cuisine. The 3 of us started off with the ESS charcuterie and it was good. I enjoyed the 4 mustards that accompanied the board. Now everyone raves about the Farm Egg but mine was a huge let down. It was described to us as having crusty rice that is similar to the rice found in paella or bibimbap. The kind of rice that you only find when it caramelizes due to just the right amount of contact with the cooking surface. I was disappointed to discover that ESS used a puffed rice instead, similar to rice krispies in texture. To make matters worse, my dish arrived heavily salted and the egg was over poached so there was not much liquid yolk left to mix with the puffed rice. In case you're imagining a small bowl with salty rice krispies and a poorly poached egg, you're not far off from what I received. My friends said they enjoyed their cheese board for an app. The 3 cow and 1 goat cheeses ESS offered that night were all very tasty. My entree of the gum cheek pork also left me wanting. First it looked like the person plating my food was suffering from motion sickness. The food was plated off center and the greens were nearly falling off the plate. Its like they realized this looked bizarre and they squirted some orange stuff on the other side of the plate (check out my photo). The entree did not consist of much pork. I was served one round of pork loin, one bite of sausage and a square piece of pork belly. The pork belly was the best part of the meal. The pork loin was cooked very evenly through, almost as if it was prepared sous-vide. However, the sear was a weak one and it did not have much flavor. Anyway, my friend said he enjoyed his rib eye entree, except he was actually expecting a steak instead of only 4 slices of ribeye. As the most expensive item on the ESS menu, it was light on the steak. My other friend said her fish entree was good. The cocktails were good and I liked the Cristom pinot my friend ordered. The food at Empire State South did not live up to its billing for our dinner. I would suggest other places to dine, (The Spence) for this level of cost.

    (2)

  • Marta P.

    I've been wanting to try ESS for quite some time now, so it seemed fitting for a family dinner (gives me the opportunity to try a variety of items without having to eat everything). I like the ease of online reservations, but noticed that ESS uses an email form for their reservations. Now, I know restaurant dislike Open Table since they have to pay each time someone uses it, but I was hesitant about an email form. Alas, I got a notification within an hour that my reservation was confirmed and even a reminder call, which was very nice. Parking can be tricky. It was Sunday so I parked on the street since street parking was free. If you would prefer to use the deck, use the one directly behind 999 Peachtree as this is the ESS deck and they validate parking (up to 3 hours I believe they said). Don't park at Metropolis like my mom did because you'll end up spending unnecessary cash that could be spend on, oh, I don't know, more food! The interior of the restaurant is comfortable and casual. I enjoyed the mismatched chairs and mason jars so it added to the southern feel, but some of the wall decorations were a bit off. But, the ambiance was inviting and quiet enough to allow us to talk at a normal volume. The waiter was very helpful, answering questions, giving suggestions, and constantly filling up our water glasses. Even though we had a bottle on the table, not a single one of us had a chance to pick it up to refill our glass. Sometimes his attitude seemed kind of strange, almost like he wasn't in the moment since he didn't make a lot of eye contact. We each got a cocktail. I can't remember the name of mine, but I purely got it since it had rum in it. I should've asked the waiter for a suggestion because I ended up with a bitter cocktail. It wasn't bad at all, I'm just used to having cocktails on the slightly sweeter side. I tried a couple of the bourbon cocktails at the table and they were delicious. As we usually do, we started with a variety of appetizers, and then each finishing with an entree and dessert and coffee. For appetizers we got: In Jars Goat Shoulder Steak Tartare Cheese Selection Do yourself a favor and get the jars! They were sooo good! We ran out of bread and they gladly brought some more. Inside the jars were: peanut hummus, pickled veggies, deviled ham, trout mousse, and pimento cheese with bacon marmalade. My favorite was the pimento cheese with the trout mousse coming up second. The only one that was slightly off was the peanut hummus. It's not that it wasn't good, it just wasn't as up to par as the other jars. The steak tartare was also incredible! We couldn't get enough of it (plus it had a runny egg yolk, my favorite!). The goat shoulder was super delicious too. It was juicy and had a brittle in the broth that gave it a lot of texture. The cheeses were superb too. We honestly could've made a meal just out of appetizers. For the entree I got the grouper. It was cooked perfectly and for me at least, the right size. I only say this because after the appetizers I was getting full so having the entree be on the smaller side was nice. Other people at the table mentioned that the entree was kind of small (it was a similar size to some of the appetizers). To finish most everyone got coffee and we tried a couple different dessert. I had the Fritter Party, which was perfectly light and airy (and I love fruity desserts). We also had the chocolate brioche was was light, but very rich. It wasn't too sweet which I really liked, I just knew I wouldn't be able to each more than a couple bites. Overall this has been one of the best meals I've had in the city, and now know why people rave about this place. I'll be sure to be back as the menu always changes, and look forward to the new selections ESS will bring to the table.

    (5)

  • Julie C.

    Hello ESS brunch. Totally in love with you, your patio, your coffee, and all of your meaty meaty mid morning treats. I'd never been for brunch but I'm officially a fan. Free parking (get it validated), nice patio where you totally don't get rushed, bocce ball and lots of chubby servers? I love it. Chubby servers are a new fav of mine because it makes me think... Yes! That's totally how I would look if I worked here. It's like a comfort, not an indictment . Anyway... Where to start? Um...if you are a glutton, you'll go with the pimento cheese with bacon marmalade. Christ Jesus. It was really hard to share that with my table mates. I wanted my own jar and I basically wanted to lick it clean. Those little bacon nuggets were the perfect combo to the cheese and the super buttery bread that came with? Yes sir. Paradise....all the way to the cath lab. I had the oyster stew...I was torn between the trout and the farm egg, but I'm always a sucker for oysters. In any fashion. No disappointment either. Oyster stew...creamy goodness on top of a gang of perfectly cooked grits? Yes please. Heavy handed sprinkle of fabulous bacon was much appreciated but what really brought all the flavors together was the bit of shaved celery. Guess that's a trained chef palate for ya... Knowing just what to add to make things extra yummy. This was definitely another dish where I wanted to lick the bowl clean. Mom and sib had the English muffin...with biscuit- they were out of muffins. Way better combo in my eyes. Again...all the little extras made the dish. The collard greens on the biscuit were so tasty and the pepper jelly tempered the meatiness of the sausage...yum yum yum. And as if sausage wasn't enough, two thick slices of heavenly bacon? Can't wait to get back here. Go here. It's delish.

    (5)

  • Yisi L.

    Many fine restaurants don't serve lunch. This is probably one of the few places where you can get GREAT food (approved by foodies!) for lunch. And play bocce ball! The reason I gave it 5-star is that: a. they cook really good food and live up to the the standard b. it is also a very casual, unlike some snobbish, pretentious, ridiculously overpriced places. It was weird that I couldn't find ESS on opentable. I called and made the reservation anyway. Shared smoked trout mousse and pimento cheese with coworkers. Everyone seems to prefer the cheese spread. Not many choices for lunch but you'll still find the very popular items like super food (hanger steak with assorted vegetables) and pork belly. Pork belly is a must have. I like the mustard seeds with it. I expected dessert after reading the online menu but they only had ice cream sandwich- in this case sorbet sandwich. It was good but you're gotta to be quick LOL Our waiter is friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The waiters and waitresses there dress casual (fun t-shirts and plaid shirts), which is really cool. Played bocce ball after the lunch :-) See, it's got the whole package!

    (5)

  • Ralph B.

    Great food and atmosphere. Po-boy sandwich was very tasty. The chocolate cake was delicious!

    (4)

  • Grant S.

    Cool place but waited a while for a table, even with a reservation. Manhattan. Martini and chocolate stout drinks while we waited. Along with schlitz beer cans with a coozie. We were lucky enough to dine at Hugh achitsons other restaurants. Unfortunately the hospitality and service are worlds apart. Then we sat down with randy. Changed our outlook. Appetizers were farm egg over crispy rice. Was the best by far and ordered a second. Octopus. Much better than last night. Foie gras. So great to have this special treat as it's not available in Los Angeles. As well as pork belly sausage. A new version of pork belly for us and amazing. Dinner was Georgia trout with rice. Lamb with lamb sausage. Finally boulle base with squid and fish. Good but last nights was also better. Dessert was good. Bunt cake with ice cream and sourdough fritters. Fritters were the favorite. Overall was a good experience even after the long wait and poor hospitality from the guy at the bar and host stand

    (4)

  • Mary Locke M.

    This is another one of those restaurants which just doesn't live up to to the hype. I was a big fan of Five and Ten in Athens, so I had naturally been wanting to try Empire State South. Let's start with the good: The atmosphere is inviting and Southern. They have bocce ball. It was like 40 degrees out the night I went, so I didn't get to play. They have some cool and complex cocktails on the menu and the bartenders are very friendly. Said cocktails weren't really my thing and I stuck with my status quo and went with wine. The bad: I guess I'm just not an oyster snob, so yes they were better than your run of the mill raw oysters but not worth the price in my opinion. Maybe it's just me, but I have concluded the novel concept of food in jars is just plain disgusting. Trout mousse was meh. I've had better pimento cheese from many a good Southern grocery store. The boiled peanut hummus was novel but not really good. To top it off, the jars of food are served with plain white bread. It wasn't bad by any means, but I can't say I have any desire to go back and try the full menu. Empire State South was sadly a lot of hype that didn't deliver.

    (3)

  • Melissa D.

    What. The. Eff. Last night was the first and last visit to this overpriced, pretentious, mediocre restaurant. Being DINKs, my friends and I have a lot of discretionary income to spend on cocktails, food, and wine. We also live a few blocks away from this restaurant. I was looking forward to trying this place out but it was far from meeting my expectations. First off, our waiter was MIA the whole night. Oftentimes we found her chit chatting with folks at the bar or ending up asking other servers/bussers for help. Let me just say that asking for refills on our drinks and to see a dessert menu do not fall under the "stressful" level as far as I'm concerned. My friends and I are probably the easiest way to make a 20% tip just for showing up. We ended up receiving most of our service from other employees at the restaurant and lodged a few complaints when we had to take our bill inside to pay (as the waitress was once again playing the disappearing act). Will not be going back here.

    (1)

  • Michael U.

    Items selected: Alpine Summer - Hayman's Royal Dock Gin, Dolin Genepi Liquer, Cocchi Rosa, Violet Liquor, Prosecco, Lemon The H. Bingham - Campo de Encanto Pisco, Fino Sherry, Espirit de June, Green Chartruese Puerta Del Sol - Tapatio Reposado Tequila, Bitter Truth Apricot Liquer, Yellow Chartreuse, Citrus, Suze In Jars - Deviled Ham, Trout Mousse, Pimento Cheese and Bacon Marmalade, Boiled Peanut Hummus, Pickles Cheeses - Buttermilk Crackers, Condor's Ruin Sheep from Many Fold Farm and Thomasville Tomme from Sweet Grass Dairy, Pickled Blueberry, Peach Butter Charcuterie - Duck Rillettes, Duck Confit, Sweetbread Terrine, Fried Bologna, Cheddar Beerwurst, Mustards, Pickles Popping Flan - Muscovado Flan, Oranges, Yuzu Foam, Popping Candy, Celery Sorbet Luau Treats - Haupia, Coconut Coffee Meringue, Caramel Sauce, Latik, Toasted Hazelnut, Coffee Ice Cream A Hugh Acheson restaurant under the direction of Chef Ryan Smith, Empire State South nearly fell short of my 'must-visit' list while dining in Atlanta, particularly when a very rude hostess at the restaurant refused to seat us in the largely empty space since we'd showed up without a reservation at 5:35pm, but thanks to a far more affable bartender a seat was easily allocated where we could enjoy some drinks and appetizers, the entire visit just over an hour and at least a half dozen four-tops empty throughout our stay. A large restaurant with dining both indoors and out, heavy in wood and slate with unfinished ceilings and a very impressive stock at the bar a quick perusal of the menu immediately suggested cocktails to be in order and with heavy pours and interesting combinations all three choices were excellent, the Bingham particularly complex and the Alpine Summer an excellent refresher. Sticking to the in house charcuterie program and a few interesting cheeses given our interest in desserts and late-night dinner plans the two plates and a large board featured a number of interesting options including truly impressive trout mousse and the restaurant's signature pimento cheese with bacon marmalade plus terrific pickles and a gamy sweetbread terrine that worked beautifully with the beerwurst on bread while other options like the rillettes, deviled ham, and bologna came off quite pedestrian or worse - the duck sadly bordering on 'flavorless' and stringy. Transitioning from savories to sweet and particularly excited given Melanie Durant's acclaim in publications including Food & Wine it was with some disappointment that the menu only featured two options that had much appeal and with even more discouragement when our selections arrived - the tired pop-rocks infused flan an odd mix of acid and bitter that was thankfully small enough that everyone only needed to endure a bite while the Luau treats was fine, particularly the creamy meringue, but nothing to write home (or win accolades) about.

    (2)

  • Jason W.

    Awful. Over two hours to serve 6 people brunch. Two of us were over $50 without any booze. And we had to stop by Wendy's on our way home to get more food because the portions were laughably small. If you value your time, or your money, dine elsewhere.

    (1)

  • TJ C.

    We decided to go here for Sunday Brunch after seeing the reviews on Yelp. We were not disappointed! To begin with, the staff was great and the restaurant has a really cool urban decor. The monkey bread is a must have and I highly recommend the English muffin special which included grits, which were close to the best I've ever had. Amazing food!

    (4)

  • Michael T.

    Had brunch and it was okay. Pricey!

    (3)

  • Vanessa-Lauren J.

    Empire state south is another one of Atlanta's 'new American' scene. You know, it had all the staples: trout, fancy shrimp and grits, beets, kale, goat cheese, and plenty of bourbon. Oh, and grilled octopus has been popping up too. So I had a heavenly grilled mushroom platter (with grits of course) and 24 stayed with their classic farm egg. All delicious! But definitely heavy on the butter, as my stomach woke me up in the middle of the night for a bit of unpleasantry. Good, for every once in a while, but clean eaters beware.

    (3)

  • Ansley G.

    Tonight while waiting for my bf to get off work I decided to stop in for a drink. The restaurant was between lunch and dinner hours so they were VERY SLOW. I sat down at the bar and a nice lady greeted me. I ordered my drink (which was served to me incorrectly, it wasn't what I ordered. But that's okay I'm not picky when it comes to my alcoholic beverages) After having sat there for a few minutes I glanced down at the bar and noticed a cut/bit FINGERNAIL (a very large one) sitting next to my menu. I debated whether to tell the bartender or just sweep it onto the floor because I was completely GROSSED out. After contemplating it for a few minutes I picked up my menu, asked the bartender for a napkin and swept it up WITH HER STANDING THERE WATCHING ME. That's not the point, I didn't mind that, but what I did mind was the she didn't apologize or even acknowledge the fact that there was a FINGERNAIL that clearly was not mine (mine are still painted from New Years) sitting on her bar. While the food may be ok, and the drinks marginal, I have to say the lack of service and cleanliness totally turned me off. If there is a fingernail in plain site of customers what's in the kitchen that we cannot see. I hate to say it but that was definitely my last time at Empire State South.

    (1)

  • J W.

    Perhaps even more pleasant at lunch than dinner. Helpful, hands on service and well portioned courses make for a delightful midday repast. From the Pimento Cheese with Bacon Marmalade to the ESS Charcuterie as starters, to the scallops and trout, everything was well prepared and delicious.

    (4)

  • Sela T.

    I came here for dinner with a group of 7 friends. We didn't make reservations, just showed up on random. They were able to fit us in within 30-45 minutes. The host def worked his butt off to get us in. Meanwhile, we played bocci ball outside. Our waiter was great. He was very on top of our orders and made sure we had enough water and bread for our table. I ordered the duck and thought it was absolutely amazing. Great flavors with the sauce and bok choy. Price wise, I would have to say it was on the expensive side. I paid 44 for the duck. Overall, the place was alright. service was amazing. very attentive. The ambiance of this place is great. I love the decorations. Unfortunately, I dont think it was worth the price i paid for. However, I do plan on coming back since the food is pretty good. I hear the breakfast is amazing. I def want to check out what the buzz is all about. until then....

    (3)

  • Julee D.

    I cannot believe it took me this long to try this place. I had an excellent dinner there on Monday night. The drinks and food were both wonderful. Favorite dishes were the pimento cheese and bacon dip and charred octopus. I also enjoyed the charcuterie and other dips in a jar we had. Cocktails and wine were great too. Albariño was wonderful wine choice with our meal. Ambiance is wonderful with spacious bar as well as indoor and outdoor seating options for dining, The outside seating faces a bocce court that patrons can enjoy. Highly recommend this place! I cannot wait to get back there to try pork belly, farm egg, and duck entree.

    (5)

  • Ambar C.

    I wanted to give this place 5 stars. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed. First, I tried breakfast, and I thought, "Not bad." Then, I tried dinner (for my birthday), and I was totally underwhelmed. As for breakfast: I had an egg and chicken biscuit with pepper gravy on the side, a side of grits, and a decaf coffee (what is the point of that?). The grits were 5 stars. The decaf coffee was 5 stars, which is weird, but it's true. The biscuit was 4 stars. The chicken was 2 stars. The service was 3.5 stars. The grits are by far the best grits I have ever had. They have something for everyone to love. They are really creamy and buttery, but at the same time, they are gritty. I love the rough texture of grits much more than the mushy oatmeal-like consistency that some places make, so these were my perfect grits! The biscuit was fluffy and wonderful. The pepper jelly was super spicy and full of flavor. The chicken was fatty and unseasoned. There was too much batter, too much fat, not enough chicken, and not enough flavor. The Mexican decaf coffee was so amazing I forgot I didn't get caffeine. Also, they make your coffee fresh to order by drip process, which is awesome. For my birthday dinner, my overall impression was, "Wow. I can't believe I just spent that much for what I got." I ordered the Two Rabbits to drink. It was a nice start and turned out to be the best part of my meal. For dinner, I had the trout. It was not the best trout I've ever had. I wouldn't pay $30 for it again. The trout was underseasoned and a tad overcooked for my taste. For dessert, our table shared the Popping Flan and the Patience Young Grasshopper. The popping flan was interesting. It contained home-made Pop Rocks that added a nice, playful twist to a decent flan. The Grasshopper was good. It tasted like the drink. *I also wanted to note that my best friend ordered the ravioli and got... ONE ravioli! One. Ravioli. For $20! She was going to give me a bite, but I told her to keep it. Poor thing! I walked here from my hotel, but you can park at the new Hyatt and the restaurant will validate. Service is decently good. Our staff was knowledgeable and nice.

    (3)

  • Jennifer N.

    Dinner was delicious! And my date loved it too! Shrimp and grits were an excellent starter and perfect to share. I had the duck which was cooked perfectly. My date had the pork tenderloin and it was tasty. We skipped desert and had another cocktail. The waitress was on point. I will have to say that I like this restaurant better than the one in Athens! I want to try brunch and lunch as dinner was fabulous!

    (5)

  • Andria C.

    A place has to be really special for me to get there at 7AM on a weekday. But after experiencing breakfast at Empire State South, it might just become a regular occurrence. A rare weekday gathering of the The Breakfast Club took us to ESS way too early on a Friday morning. But wonderful company, Counter Culture coffee, fried chicken, and pimento cheese made it totally worth it. We arrived a few minutes before they actually opened, so we hung around outside for a bit. They have lots of outdoor seating and bocce ball court, which would make this an excellent stop when the weather is nice. The menu for breakfast is small and only served from 7 to 10 Monday through Friday. All of us opted for some variation of their breakfast sandwich. My version consisted of a biscuit with fried chicken and pimento cheese. And I'm sure my heart would disagree with the following statement, but I could absolutely eat that thing every day. The biscuit was perfectly buttermilky and flaky. The chicken was crispy but still most and delicious. All stuck together with a warm and gooey layer of pimento cheese. Why exactly is it that I haven't had this before now?!? I also went with the Georgia coffee - iced coffee, already sweetened and creamed. So good that I ordered an extra one to go. I will absolutely be coming back for this wonderful culinary construction again.

    (5)

  • Heidi P.

    We did a really early breakfast here on a Friday. We met at 7am and to my surprise, there was also another table sat. I was coerced by my meal-mates to get the Georgia coffee. It was a very light and sweet cold coffee drink. It was delicious, but I had to drink it slow because 7am is a little early for all that sugar for me. I ordered a plain bagel with country ham (like proscuitto), pepper jelly (a bit hot) and egg. It was very tasty but very toasted, I think.. I prefer toasted bagels but this was like almost unnecessarily crusty and crunchy, it hurt my mouth (I'm a baby.) The insides of this bfast sammich were awesome. I could eat that country ham all day, and the pepper jelly - delish! Service was a little slow and sort of strange. The guy was nice, but there was a little bit of something missing.. Maybe he's not a morning person either (though he was friendly!) Last but not least, they have this cool pastry table so you can grab it, bag it and go. I suppose that is because it's in a building with businesses, and next door to a hotel. Probably a lot of people rushing to get to meetings or work or sight seeing. Overall, pretty good, but nothing super special. I'd go back and try their fried chicken biscuit which is apparently THE THING to get here. Hopefully, I can visit again and bump up their rating with a more exciting meal!

    (3)

  • Tasha D.

    Has the management here changed? This used to be my favorite restaurant in the world, but now, while the appetizers and the cocktails are still very good, everything else is too expensive for what it is.

    (3)

  • Mary S.

    This is a great location for weekday lunches, we hosted a business lunch here. Vibe is great and I would probably like better for dinner and drinks at bar, plus outdoor area looked fun. Menu somewhat limited and the portions very small. Had the chicken po-boy, a bit too spicy for me (I don't like spicy, in general) and the chicken was chopped into pieces smaller than tater tots and not very much of it for the price. Bread was just average.

    (3)

  • Alexandra A.

    Dinner is so-so, from the two experiences I had. However this place is great for cocktails, which is what I go for most of the times now. I really like the atmosphere and lighting, very cozy, both indoors and outdoors. Also this place has great coffee!!! So hit it up in the morning for a chemex brew or esspresso drink, and expect best quality coffee. The patio is beautiful in summer or warm weather. BTW - first timers always have a hard time finding it. This place is not really visible from the street but it is in that white tallish building next to the hyatt hotels. Parking is validated, and I recommend to enter from this little street parallel to 10th - Peachtree Pl, very next after 10th if you are going S - restaurant is at level 3.

    (4)

  • Robert S.

    What Passes For 'Very Good' In Atlanta! Not Terrible, but, The Prices Are On The High Side, The 'Wine By The Glass' Was A 'Short Pour' and Make Sure You Take Your Crestor AND Lipitor, If You Are Going To Have Dinner and Dessert! Great Corn Muffins -- When You Order The $5.00 'Bread Plate'! Staff and Waiter Were Friendly,, Professional and Tried To Please!

    (2)

  • April C.

    Things started off rough, on my first visit here. The (somewhat rude) hostess was on the phone and just waved her hand towards the interior and told me to sit anywhere. This turned out to not be entirely accurate because I ended up sitting at a table that was normally reserved only for coffee drinkers. However, when (very nice) Thomas, the barista came over, he sorted things out for me very quickly and got a waitress to serve me so I didn't have to move. I ordered the Duck Confit hash. At $8.00, its hard to complain. The duck was perfect - tender and juicy. However, I felt like the bbq sauce was heavy-handed and the slow-cooked egg on top was a disaster. The white was watery and runny, and the yolk was congealed. The waitress told me I was getting the last one of the day (I was eating a late breakfast - almost 9am) and so I think perhaps this would have been better earlier in the day. However (call me old-fashioned), I feel there is no excuse for a congealed egg yolk in a poached egg.

    (3)

  • Jarrett B.

    Excellent. The chow chow is essential to the brunch experience here, and I think an ideal brunch is to share 3 dishes and get a buttload of chow chow and bread. Service here was excellent as well, even when it was busy, and I was so fussy with my choices, heh.

    (5)

  • Ellen M.

    Almost 4 stars. We were seated right away. Small table in back dining room. Our wine and Pimm's cup was very good. Our app of Tybee shrimp was excellent & the bread (grilled) was nice with a side of beets/pickles and green tomato chow chow. My entree special of cod was nicely cooked and served with peppers & beans. My spouse's trout was presented nicely but he said it was dry and needed some sauce. Our server was a bit busy & came by after entrees served. The dessert menu a bit disappointing. Lots of fruit dishes, but nothing special. We left w/o dessert or coffee. I mentioned on the reservation about celebrating my spouse's birthday, but no hoopla here or even a mention. Thought it would have been nice. I would maybe try again for lunch or brunch. Nice outdoor seating w/bocce ball court

    (3)

  • Bobbin W.

    Because the Five & Ten is one of my favorite all-time restaurants, I'm going to compare any of Hugh Acheson's other culinary efforts to it. Empire State South not only holds no resemblance to the Five & Ten's whimsical, bucolic decor but also contains no decor at all. Dark textured walls and plentiful light fixtures comprise the interior scheme. My friend and I were a tad late for our reservation, so we chatted over libations at the bar. I slowly sipped the Brown Derby: bourbon, grapefruit, lemon and chamomile accented with a sprig of thyme. The citrus aftertaste canceled out the initial spirited strength. We decided to split a bunch of stuff so we could experience a wide representation of the menu and began with In Jars. Several little jars contained pimento cheese spread, lamb rillette, chicken pate, boiled peanut hummus and a variety of pickled substances including okra. Stacks of bread strips waited to be slathered. Everything but the chicken pate sat well with me, as the layer of coagulated jelly on top of it aroused my suspicions at first sight. Next came the dillwood arugula salad, topped with turnips and parm, along with an onion vinaigrette. This is perhaps the strongest-tasting salad that's ever met my mouth per the roasted turnips, nearly pickled onions and bold greens. The sparse parmesan flakes helped balance the flavors out. We also requested a side of collards, which came pre-divided in two little iron bowls. The glistening, firm roughage, although full of meat, wowed me and made me question my Southern upbringing. Soon after arrived the NC Trigger Fish, seared to Long John Silver's perfection and topped with lemon marmalade. The lemon zest threw me off, but once I scraped it off the wonderfully crispy flesh, the world was right again. Topping off the gluttony, we moved on to dessert: the chocolate pudding, presented within a ring of caramel popcorn. My friend and I agree it was nothing to write home about, although we did nearly clean all the plates...

    (3)

  • D L.

    Went for brunch. They offer free validated parking (for three hours) in a parking garage just a few steps away from the entrance. - shrimp & grits: dish was overall kind of salty. Was a lot better after adding a few scoops from a side order of grits we ordered. Lot of shrimp. - crispy pork cutlet: tonkatsu anyone? Fry was clean, not oily. - jalepeno & bacon biscuit: the dish I didn't order, but liked best. I liked the "confit" (shredded?) pork it came with. - side of home fries: potato cut up into small cubes. Dry and needed to drench in ketchup to get it down my gullet. The side items (grits and home fries) did well to augment meal, I would have left kind of unsatisfied (relating to quantity) without them. Okay service. Food was REALLY slow coming out and no one came by to tell us why or when. They did refill the water alright... Liked the atmosphere. Wide open spaces... Don't know if I will go again.

    (3)

  • Simon H.

    Staff is slow, too cool for school - "oh - you want FOOD???" indie snob vibe. 1st time we went the hostess forgot who we were 30 minutes after checking in, hire a pro please. Tried a second time for brunch. The servers couldn't figure out which one of them was going to grace us with their disaffected presence, and we were looking for something other then the 5 options on the menu - something that resembled brunch... since is was brunch. Walked out & went to Babs.

    (1)

  • Jennifer J.

    Drinks get 5 stars but food, I hate to say, only gets 3. We are hard core Hugh Acheson fans fans from years of living in Athens and patronizing his Athens restaurants. We appreciate what he is trying to do with the unique and authentically Southern menu, and we live right next door so we want to love ESS. however, for what you pay the dinner menu doesn't "wow" and some things we've had had there were downright weird. To top it off, service is among the lowest quality of places we frequent in midtown (example, waiter knew it was husband's 40th birthday dinner, yet I had to track waiter down after not visiting our table after 20 mins to place our dessert order. Nothing on the dessert menu suitable for placing a candle in, so we ended up with breakfasty banana bread). But to emphasize the positive... The drinks are out of this world!

    (3)

  • Jason W.

    I like this spot for late night bocce and drinks at the bar. They have an interesting beer menu to go with bocce, but their bartenders also make good cocktails. I've eaten here for lunch a couple times. The food is fine, but the flavors are always just slightly off and the portions seem too small for what you pay. I get that it's farm to table, but other places do the same with more generous portions or for a better value. An example of the flavors being off - I had the super food plate for lunch on Monday. The hanger steak was ok, the lentils were good, the red peas were fine, but one of the salads with local lettuce had a dressing that was just so citrus heavy that it made it difficult to eat. My face semi-puckered with each bite. I'll be back for bocce and drinks and oysters at the bar, but not sure about a full meal.

    (3)

  • Lori F.

    I knew zero about Hugh Acheson and his rock star status before coming here, but I am now a firm believer. Service was stellar. Everything we had from the freshest oysters to simply delicious boiled peanuts were perfect. My entree of a berkshire pork chop was amazing. Truly delightful. Since then, I've made several excuses to go back and have been pleased every time.

    (5)

  • Chris S.

    Hmmm.....heard from many different sources how great this place is. Wow all the hype was for nothing. Reservation for 8:00 on a Tuesday ended being 8:30 for a table. The service was horrible and the clientele was worse. The place was full of pretentious nobody's and a mega alternative lifestyle crowd with there noses aimed high! The food was your typical Atlanta farm to table grub. Honestly wisteria, la tavola and miller union kill this place in service and the food is similar.

    (1)

  • Wendy C.

    Ridiculously overpriced. The service was obnoxious. I think our server came over every 2 minutes to take our order even though we made it clear that we would like to have our cocktails and apps first. We felt entirely rushed. The food was mediocre at best. We shared the octopus which was meh. If you want to try the best octopus in town go to the Iberian Pig. We also ordered the pork sausage which came highly recommended by our waiter. It was ridiculously small for the $31 price tag, and even worse didn't really taste that great. Dang, I really wanted to like this place.

    (2)

  • Andy L.

    ESS is a handsome restaurant on the ground floor (rear) of an office building on Peachtree Street. Warm dark green walls, antique style lighting, comfortable high-backed banquettes and custom metal and wood chairs set on wood plank flooring make for a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere: perhaps evoking a sophisticated farmhouse feel. Service this night was friendly, professional and informed. Kitchen timing was also good. The misses tended to be in the execution of some reasonably interesting dishes: We tried the Heirloom Tomato salad ($14) which was arugula sprinkled with goat cheese, ham & croutons. This was a very good salad although most at the table found it more acidic than expected. Mixed Lettuce salad ($10) showcased an interesting combination of duck ham, radishes and pickled Swiss chard stems in a yogurt vinaigrette. Again, it was a bit tart for our tastes. Crisp Pork Belly ($12) was a generous cube of layered pork belly resting in grits and garnished with pickled daikon and ground peanuts. The meat was fatty and rich (perfect!) and well complimented by the neutral grits and other flavors on the dish. Tomato Buttermilk Ravioli ($18) was served in a puree of baby squash, chanterelles, garlic, tomato and arugula. It was pretty as well as tasty, although most at the table thought it could have used a bit more seasoning. NC Catfish ($28) came in a puree of sea beans, carrots and pig ears (!) . Unlike the ravioli, the fish was way over seasoned. The puree that it rested upon was flavorful, but it was difficult to get past all of the salt on the fried catfish. We tried a recent vintage of Sauvignon Saint-Bris, an unusual Chablis made with Sauvignon Blanc instead of Chardonnay ($36; typically $10-$15 retail). The wine was crisp and understated, typical of white burgundies of the northern Cotes de Beaune. Espressos (@ $2.60) completed the meal. We really wanted to like the ESS more, but were underwhelmed by the dishes that we were served. A lot of effort goes into making this a memorable experience, but the restaurant needs to get a better control of the kitchen in order for this to rise to a four-star experience.

    (3)

  • Bobby A.

    We went here for a birthday dinner, and it definitely did NOT disappoint. Service was prompt, knowledgeable, and helpful, and, more importantly, the food was delicious! Would definitely recommend the farm egg!

    (5)

  • Delia S.

    Each bite of my lunch and steak salad was somehow both simple and divine. Cocktails were spot on. Also very interesting people at the bar for lunch. not cheap, but when every bite is good? I'll pay up for that.

    (5)

  • Rebecca O.

    Attention fellow foodies! The long wait has at last ended ... It comes as no surprise that chef and restaurateur Hugh Acheson delivers. After all, he's a four-time James Beard nominee - rightfully so - and a super cool guy. It's his latest venture, Empire State South, that is about to rock the ATL. I had the distinct privilege of visiting the restaurant for a sneak peak, prior to its grand opening. My, oh my ... what a treat! It was with grand anticipation that I entered the restaurant by way of its outdoor bocce ball court. *cool points* The place was packed with Hugh fans and foodies - all with tasty bites and drinks in hand. The servers were uber friendly and knowledgeable about the yumminess being dished out. More pickled shrimp atop a finely diced watermelon salad? Yes, please. Freshly out-of-the-oven fried chicken with sweet corn relish? Why, of course. And, lest we forget about the signature cocktail with Hendrick's gin and muscadine juice. *seriously delicious* Buttermilk and peach soft serve ice cream, served with a warm peach compote and a lemon/cayenne madeleine? This is just too good to be true. The tastes and the presentation will simply knock your Sperrys off. Thank all things southern and holy that ESS serves all meals of the day, including brunch. I'll be there with some regularity, to be sure. Congratulations, Hugh and team, on a job perfectly done!

    (5)

  • Adam C.

    By far, the most incredible and memorable food on the menu here are the toast appetizers. I've never had toast that tasted this good in my life. And the jars of spreads are ok...but the toast is every bit as delicious by itself. It is a must-order item. Several of us ordered the "Super Foods" item which is basically a giant steak salad complete with veggies, lettuce, grains, beans, peas, cranberries and pistachios. For being so natural and healthy, it all tasted quite good in combination with all the items on the plate. For dessert, we ordered several of the specialty cookies and the Koke coffee. It was all really delicious and felt like I'd eaten well, but not unhealthily so. Due to the quality of ingredients and portion sizes, it was a very nice lunch with little guilt afterwards.

    (4)

  • Leeanna L.

    Went to Empire State South for dinner the fiirst week they opened and then again for lunch today. So far, things are holding up nicely but already, I can definitely can say that, yes, I'm a fan. The fare is Southern comfort food with a lighter, more sophisticated spin. The lunch and dinner menus have some crossovers but of course, it's much easier to appreciate the lunch prices. The online lunch menu was slightly different from the one we got at the restaurant. My favorite so far is, hands down, the Super Food "salad" ($14 , lunch), which the waiter aptly described as a deconstructed salad with grilled hanger steak, yard beans, beets, carrots, farro. It was outta control FRESH! So. Freak'n. Good. Lunch perfection. I also appreciated the desserts. The chess pie was a perfect finish with none of the jaw-breaking sweetness that you normally get with desserts. Service was, well, interesting. Still working out some minor kinks there. On the whole, the upscale Southering offerings are delicious and tasty. Not the most inventive food out there but then, the focus is definitely on quality of ingredients and execution. I'm looking forward to more from Empire State South in the future.

    (4)

  • M V.

    After hearing so much hype about EES, my best friend and I decided it was time to try it. We usually head to Two Urban Licks for a night out without the boys, but decided to switch it up this time. The highlights of ESS are the ambiance/decor, pimento cheese w/ bacon marmalade and chocolate brioche dessert. It's a shame that the highlights are the apps and desserts :( The cons of ESS are SERVICE, price, the trout mousse and portions. My friend ordered the rutabaga tortellini which consisted of a total of 4 tortellini! FOUR! I didn't dare ask her for a taste because taking one would have consisted of consuming 25% of her entire meal. I had the pork shoulder which was OK...but nothing spectacular. It was a little dry, but at least it was enough of a portion so that I could eat some in addition to offering my friend a taste :) In terms of service, our female server never smiled once, was less than helpful finding items on the menu that were pregnancy "friendly", rarely checked on us and then forgot to bring us our drinks (soft drinks, not bar drinks) which she then suddenly remembered she has forgotten (I was formerly a server for 7+ years and watched her look at our table and have that sudden moment of "oh CRAP" panic). She then brought us the drinks, which was frustrating because we were 95% done with our meals at that point and actually LIED to us saying that the cans were warm and she had been keeping them in ice to get them cold for us! It was interesting that the cans had not one trickle of water on the outside of them....unimpressed! I would have been much more forgiving if she had just admitted she forgot...It happens. I however was already annoyed with her lack of attention to us and apathetic attitude that the lying at the end just pushed me over the edge :) All in all, overpriced restaurant for the portions and lack of service. May give ESS another try and go for the farm egg next time since everyone is raving about it...but it will be a while before that happens.

    (3)

  • Alaina S.

    Oh ESS, how I love you. I've never been disappointed by this place. Vegetarian options (for the entrees) can be a bit limited, but nonetheless I've never gone hungry! I also get the sense that they'd be happy to accommodate any requests -- for instance, my boyfriend has a few food allergies, and they had no problem working around those. The bartenders make a mean cocktail, and the wine list is one of the best (if not THE best) I've thus far seen in Atlanta, with selections that please even wine geeks like myself. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Lindsey H.

    In the heart of midtown you can find this unique dinning experience. I love the decor. The food is well thought out and though I didn't understand most of what the waiter was saying, he said it so nicely that I was delighted to try it. Fun, fancy, friendly

    (4)

  • A. J.

    Pretty marvelous. Every plate of food that hit the table was completely devoured in its entirety: Heirloom tomato salad (sweet yet savory), GA Trout (melts in your mouth), Kimchi rice grits (heavenly), Chocolate and Cherries (dessert, probably best if shared.) Drink and wine list is fantastic. Can not wait to go back.

    (4)

  • Megan B.

    Freaking fantastic. From the drinks to the service to the dessert - this place is totally worth the hype. The menu is truly inspired and all of the flavors meld together flawlessly. We had the cucumber gazpacho and pork belly over kimchi grits to start, followed by the duck and the steak. The duck was probably the best I've ever had and I order duck a lot when dining out. For the drinks, I had the hatchetinate (or something), whiskey and something citrusy plus celery salt? Yes please. Our server was efficient and friendly while extremely knowledgable and enthusiastic about the menu. For dessert, I had the 'I love summer' with a mix of berries and nectarines over a tart custard. Uh-mazing. Can't wait to go back, simply a divine meal from start to finish. !!!

    (5)

  • Kevin S.

    Stopped by the bar for coffee/desserts and to talk business with a friend. The coffee is excellent and modestly priced (I could spend more for a Starbucks latte and receive far lesser quality), the bar staff were friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is great.

    (5)

  • Ryan P.

    Fantastic experience at the ESS bar last night! I hadn't eaten dinner yet and was meeting friends for drinks at 8:30pm, so I settled in at the bar solo to eat before my friends arrived. I ordered the Charcuterie plate, the Steak Tartare, the Duck and a Negroni to start. SERVICE: The bartenders were great; sensed that I was up for chatting since i was there alone, but they knew that when my food arrived I wanted to focus on eating. I never had to worry about not having a fork, etc... After one of my friends arrived early, they brought him a set up so he could share the food. Good stuff. FOOD: I mean, ESS is firing on all cylinders now that they've been open for a while. Not one complaint. Food arrived promptly, just as I ordered. Flavors, presentation...all spot on. AMBIANCE: What's not to love about this place? It's a great scene with an awesome courtyard where my friend crushed me in bocce. (Whatever...Barkeep, I'll have another drink!) Even on Monday, still had a fun buzz going. BONUS: One of the bartenders gave us a preview of a drink that's going on their Fall cocktail list: Egg Whites, Cardamaro, some sort of homemade Pumpkin stuff...tasted like Egg Nog meets Pumpkin Pie. Wow. It takes about 10 minutes to make, but boy was it good.

    (5)

  • Rebecca T.

    The entrees felt like an afterthought. I'd give this place 5+ stars if our entrees had been as outstanding as the rest of our meal. And they were good. Real good. But they paled in comparison to everything else we enjoyed that night. Particularly the In Jars appetizer (boiled peanut hummus? Genius!) and the heirloom tomato salad which was absolute heaven. Cheese selection also wonderful (though the tiny samples on the plate we ordered didn't feel adequate for the price.) Our dessert was delicious also, black as night blackberry sorbet with a delicious pistachio confection alongside. The entrees were fresh tasting and simple, just not as interesting as the rest of the meal. But i would return, if only for cocktails and In Jars!

    (4)

  • Betty R.

    Hubby and I finally got a chance to check ESS out, and overall we were very pleased. The first two appetizers (sweetbreads and cauliflower soup) were decent - there were flavor/texture issues with both. The octopus appetizer, however, changed everything - the meat was tender, the flavors were on point, and the portion was generous. Delicious - maybe the best thing we ate all night. The smoked duck breast entree was very tasty and perfectly cooked, and the rhubarb dessert was very nice (especially the caramel cotton candy - yummmmm). WIne/beer selections were thoughtful. Service was excellent, though my one quibble with their system is that you often get asked the same question(s) by numerous bartenders - better than the alternative, of course, but still worth a mention. I will look forward to revisiting ESS when the seasons change and there are new ingredients to play with!

    (4)

  • Mike K.

    This is my favorite restaurant in the city. You can't go wrong with the In Jars snack and the wine list has a lot of reasonable, delicious options. The service is spot on and the cocktails are good. You really can't go wrong.

    (5)

  • J H.

    Awesome brunch. Great friendly staff.

    (5)

  • Haitham M.

    Haitham Mogherbi says its good.

    (5)

  • Ethan A.

    One of the best meals I've ever had in my life I recommend getting the jars, especially the bacon jelly with pimento cheese and the boiled peanut hummus.

    (5)

  • J T.

    Went with a party of 6 and we all enjoyed the restaurant. Good atmosphere, great bar with interesting drinks, and largely fantastic food. Definitely expensive, but worth it if you establish this up front. Favorites were the chilled corn soup, in jars, and the flounder crudo with crispy chicken skin. If you're in a large group (6+) I highly recommend getting the "in jars." Desserts left a little to be desired in my opinion, as well as the portion size of the entrees.

    (4)

  • Duncan B.

    Farms Egg, Field Peas & Pork Belly! The Bomb! John Wayne our Server and yes I said John Wayne...new the menu inside and out and made the eating experience a great one.

    (5)

  • Amir T.

    Absolutely fantastic. My favorite place in Atlanta. Took a group of 12 of my LA friends and everyone loved it. Just a delicious, inspiring, delightful meal. Plus great great service too. Don't miss it.

    (5)

  • Matt F.

    I ate here last year when I was in Atlanta for a work trip. Some of the people we were working with took us here. Being from California, southern food isn't really in my vocabulary but despite that, the food was really good. I don't remember what I got but I remember coming out having had a good meal. I'm sure if I ate southern cuisine more and had a palette for it, this review would have been higher. I did really enjoy drinking a Chimay and playing bocce while we waited.

    (3)

  • Yuliya C.

    I am all about nicely done/presented food. I ignore the price when it comes to quality and creativity. But I got a tiny glorified oversalted, overmayonnaised (oh, sorry, over-bechamel'ed), stick-to-the-bottom-of-the-plate and fall-apart-when-picked-up ham-and-cheese melt and a tablespoon of shaved radishes+pickled beets on the side for $11. I had to scan through a one page long menu for good twenty minutes to figure out what is it I am ordering and ask a few questions to make sure that "Croque Monsieur" is really what I think it is - a ham and cheese sandwich with mayonnaise. [I found out later that croque-monsieur is a french bistro version of ham-and-cheese grilled sandwich]. And then I had to wait for almost one (1!) hour (albeit in a great company and lively conversation) to get it. If you are curious, here is a whole wiki-write-up: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cr… I had to eat it with fork and knife because it was falling apart and greased up my hands mercilessly. I thought, tough luck, I got a badly constructed sandwich, but my table mate had the same sandwich and his came undone as well. Other folks seemed to have liked their food a bunch more. Super Food seemed nicely presented and people enjoyed it, and trout, though tiny, smelled great and was praised. My favorite, truly, was the pimento/bacon marmalade spread in a jar. I honestly think that this restaurant has a lot more to offer, and I would have definitely made a better selection if the menu wasn't so idiotically compiled. The mix of funky fonts or various sizes makes it even more confusing. It's difficult to read (several people agreed), hard to understand (again, consensus there), and several items didn't seem to belong to the categories they were listed under. The waiter didn't bother explaining that ordering a bunch of fancy spreads in a jar will make our day (which it had a great potential to be), he was very passive and didn't seem excited about the food he was selling. Bottom line, Pricey good food with occasional culinary misgivings, and occasional stroke of genius, pretentiously listed on the menu and not advertised effectively enough to make you all excited about it. Service is slow and apathetic. Can. Do. Better. I would probably try again, but do more homework to find out what's the best.

    (3)

  • Lindy G.

    I was so excited to finally take the time to try this restaurant, which I have heard good things about. After a little research I knew exactley what I wanted to try. First course was The Jars appetizer....absolutely delicous! But you have to take into considertion that these jars include all premade dips. Next course, Farm Egg and my date ordered Steak Tartar. Both were barely uneatable. The tartar tasted like someone spilt a little too much celery salt in the dish. As for my farm egg well everything was overcooked and had an overpowering burnt taste. After struggling get through the two dishes we decided to not to chance desert.

    (2)

  • Alex O.

    I went for dinner with a big group and we had a lot of food. The strip was great. So were the cocktails. There were lost of crazy meat apps that were a little light on variety- flavor wise. This was a great meal, but not the best. I'll try it for lunch.

    (4)

  • Nils R.

    My girlfriend and I had a lovely Sunday brunch here. It was not crowded at all and the food was delicious. I had the best steak and eggs I have ever had. Definitely worth a try!

    (5)

  • Liz H.

    3.5 stars, because while the food was good, I don't plan to come back. Summed up: pricey food, average service, decent interior. I came around 7pm, so the place was decently filled, and there were several groups of business dressed people talking and laughing loudly. By the time my friend and I left, the place was packed. I parked in the 999 Peachtree Parking deck, took my ticket, and after the meal, got my validation ticket - free parking woot. The courtyard outside looked really nice and had a bocce field, but it was cloudy and cold, so not a good day to play. Walk inside, took one of their awesome business cards, and was asked if I had a reservation. Good thing I had called earlier to make one! We were seated in one of the rooms, which had cool decorations on the windowsill. The windows themselves had cool shutters. Menus were nicely designed - block print/font reminded me of West Egg's. One of my pet peeves is when the waiter forgets or takes forever to bring me my lemon slices (for the water). I must've spoken too loudly in my irritation, because half a minute after I complained to my friend, they arrived! Hoo-yah! After we ordered, we got a delish bread with sweet butter and biscuits. These were good. Food came 15ish mins later. My friend ordered the special - lamb chops and gnocchi. The gnocchi was really good, while the lamb was tender and juicy. It would've been better if the lamb was $25 instead of a whooping $32. For a $32 dish, I want something awesome. My friend's words, not mine, but I agree. I got the "In a Jar" app, because Living Social had mentioned it, and that's why I wanted to check this place out. Considering my $18 dish of 5 jars of food and a bunch of bread soldiers, my food was OK. Of the 5 jars, 2 were weird to my palate - the pickled veggies were super sour and had an unusual taste (coming from an Asian chick who loves Kimchi and Viet pickled veggies). The other weird jar was a mousse - it was way overly "fishy" tasting. Also a tad tough to eat since it was quite stiff. The other 3 jars were a pimento+chedder cheese cream, a tuna something with cucumber and some fish eggs, and some sort of hummus that my friend really liked. My fav was the pimento cheese one - how can you go wrong with so much cheese? it was goood. like, melted cheddar cheese with salsa good. 2nd fav was the Tuna something - reminded me of liver pate. I went here for a birthday dinner, so I didn't really pay for my food, but I take the price into consideration of what I expect from the food. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I didn't leave with a favorable impression of the restaurant. Filling food (the bread did the trick). Good food. Sparse menu with descriptions that don't sell very well (looked through it twice but had no idea what to order until I remembered the Jar appetizer). I'll go somewhere else to splurge next time. P.S - Music: there is none. Bathroom has automatic soap dispenser, sink, and towel dispenser, but no music either =[

    (3)

  • Sharlet A.

    So, I felt a little out of place here, as the decor and patrons were quite fancified, and I had just come from a long day at work and was carrying a bottle of wine still in its brown paper bag. But the hostess did not give me the stink eye at all! Went here on a night when they had beef carpaccio as an appetizer and I damn near stabbed my friend with a fork when he went for the last bite. The duck was absolutely succulent and fairly well portioned for the price. It was pricey, but totally worth the money. The service was impeccable, as our waiter was knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive without being intrusive. I would go here more often if I could take out a second mortgage or sell my kidney or something.

    (5)

  • Dayana R.

    We gave this place 3 tries after our first so-so experience. I can't say we were ever blown away by the service, drinks or food. The bartenders tend to forget what you order. Service is slow. And the food? It's good, but nothing special.

    (3)

  • s j.

    Very expensive. Honestly, too expensive and not worth it unless you're not paying! Great atmosphere, though, and tasty food. Was a little floored at paying $28 for a small piece of fish. Great place for drinks and/or dessert. Otherwise, not worth the $75pp it cost for a party of 5! Would rather spend my money elsewhere unless they up the portion sizes and reduce the prices $5 each.

    (3)

  • D A.

    The kind of place where you sit down, look at the menu and say "I guess I'll have that". Monk fish was average. Scotch menu was pathetic. There are much better menus in midtown.

    (2)

  • Andrew S.

    Went for brunch on Saturday morning. My friend invited me telling me that Empire State South is where "old Atlanta" dines in Mid-Town. First the food. I had the Shrimp and Grits. I don't love shrimp but wanted to try this classic. It was so-so. My partner had the steak and eggs. He said it was delicious. I love that the restaurant is tucked away and its location is not immediately apparent. We need to check-in for dinner. We have tried a couple of times but the restaurant was closed for private parties. We'll try again after New Year's.

    (2)

  • Julie N.

    I had a really nice meal at ESS. I met a friend there and as it was very busy, we sat outside. I'm glad it ended up that way, because it was a very lovely atmosphere. There was bocce ball being played nearby and it was away from the other patrons. The menu was definitely very unique and it was difficult to chose because there were so many things I was interested in trying. I decided on one of the specials, which was grouper. It was the perfect portion and it was simple and tasted really good as well. I would definitely go again so I can get a chance to try other dishes and the desserts as well!

    (4)

  • Katherine S.

    Visited last week on a Tuesday night, and the place was still super busy. I like the decor, but would agree with other Yelpers that the location (ground floor of an office building) is not really ideal, and is kind of hard to find. Food: absolutely order the "in jars" appetizer. It was super fun to share around the table, and you get a taste of a lot of different things (the pimento cheese is orgasmic). One gripe- it didn't really come with enough bread. I had the pork belly for my main, and loved it. Very different preparation, wrapped in bacon and with a super spicy sauce. Wine: bomb wine list. enough said. The service was still a little hit or miss. I've read it's gotten better, but our server was really slow. Little things like not bringing the bread basket until the entrees came annoy me. Also- it's a bit pricey for what your're getting. A comparable dinner at a place like JCT would cost at least $10-15 less per head. I would recommend Empire State South for a birthday dinner with a group of friends.

    (4)

  • Shaun K.

    I've been waiting expectantly for Empire State South to open for several months now. Definitely was not disappointed. Apparently the whole city was not disappointed either, as the place is already hopping. (Our bartender says their reservations are booked through September. But don't worry, we had no problem camping out at the bar for a cocktails and a meal on Friday night.) We started off with the "Kind of Local" cheese plate, with some excellent cheeses, jam, and not really enough bread. The locavorific, southern cuisine entrees are a meat-and-three format. You pick your entree, two sides, and a bread. I had trout with collards and mac and cheese. Trout was cooked perfectly. The collards rank up their with some of the best I've had, balanced well with a little sweet, savory, and tangy. The mac and cheese was very sharp. Cocktails were also great, made with a lot of precision and care. I started out with a Manhattan, made with port and dark cherries. Had a beautiful Georgia mint julep with dinner. And had the honor of having the first Bourbon flip with dinner. The flip was so good that my lady ended up having to order one as well. (Even though they didn't have any nutmeg, which was really the only opening week hiccough we encountered all night.) All together, had a really fun night with some really great food and drink. Looking forward to coming back again soon.

    (5)

  • Stephanie A.

    This is definitely one of Atlanta's best restaurants, and a perfection of the farm-to-table concept. The best parts are (1) the chef is fantastic, daring, and creative; (2) the menu changes every day because the ingredients are seasonal, fresh, and delicious; and (3) they have a great outdoor seating area with bocce ball court. My favorite dish on the lunch menu is the superfood plate. It is a variety of 7 or 8 different salads, along with hanger steak cooked to deliciously rare perfection. I wish they had this on the dinner menu too! The pastry chef is also really amazing. The pop tarts for breakfast are sinful. I hear the croissants are the best in town. The gingerbread and marscapone cookie is worth every calorie. As for dinner menu, the pork belly is a must. Also, the steak tartar has a fried egg which is really wonderful. The cons are: (1) the interior seating area is very loud. It's okay for lunch, but for dinner it's too loud (sound is one of my pet peeves about modern restaurants with hard surface finishes - it looks great, but doesn't sound so good); (2) if you aren't a foodie, and you want some steak and potatoes (like my hubby), it might not be for you; and (3) . . . I can't think of any other negative!

    (4)

  • Marcus H.

    Great food, interesting atmosphere, and good company. We had the four course meal. Almost every course was memorable, but I think they need to be a little more generous with the portion size.

    (4)

  • Christian H.

    I went here for lunch (and left) a few days ago. The special was one entree and two sides for around $20. The problem was the entire menu consist of about three entrees and four sides. It might have been okay if any of the items on the menu were any better than the Taco Mac about a block away. We decided our $20 could be better spent somewhere else. I've eaten here once before - the food isn't worth the premium lunch price... Lunch is over priced, quality is average. There is just too many great restaurants around midtown for me to try again. The one redeeming quality is the location and restaurant space.

    (2)

  • Jeff H.

    Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! I had gotten some mixed reviews from yelp and friends, but was excited to go try it out. Basically it's fancy 5 star type food but with classic Southern ingredients. I watch Top Chef, Chopped, and Iron Chef so I really dig this stuff. It might not be for everyone, The atmosphere is much more relaxed than other restauranuts of the same caliber food (Rathbun's, Eugene, etc.). We got the tasting menu to try a variety of things. The server informed us that there wasn't a designated tasting menu, but the chef rather "makes it up as he goes along"! How cool is that? So when the first course comes out, she informs us that he is going to give us each different entress for each course! So now if we share, we get to taste 10 entrees instead of 5! This is awesome! The food itself was soooo good! The server was professional, knowledgeable, and personable. I was a server for 10 years and am very picky. She was the perfect server. Unfortunately I didn;t understand her name or keep the receipt. On my next visit I can only hope the rest of the staff is half as good as she was. Bottom line: worth the hype, but not cheap. Bocchi ball out front helps make this a great date place.

    (5)

  • Thomas W.

    Basically, anyone who doesn't think ESS is one of the top five restaurants in Atlanta is either brain dead or was just amazingly unlucky the day they tried ESS. My only critique is that the deserts are kinda "meh". That is my very helpful opinion on the matter.

    (5)

  • Phillip C.

    One of the best new places in the ATL. Best cappuccino in the city next to my own kitchen. The Fatty Cakes are awesome so save room for dessert. The menu rotates which is great for food lovers like me. This is a great place to hang out with friends (hopefully not picky eaters). Good cocktail menu. They have a boccie ball court (never played). I didn't give it 5 because the food can be bit salty. I've been there several times including breakfast. It's good for all meals but if you only get to try this place once I would do breakfast.

    (4)

  • San N.

    Great quality, small quantity. Parking and Location - Private lots for $5. One thing I've learned about ATL is a lot of these restaurants are in random commercial office buildings. ESS cannot be seen from the street. It's on the other side facing a courtyard. Service - Average Food - Really good and unexpected flavors and textures. The only issue I have (and it's probably by law or bc we're in the bible belt) is that they can't serve liquor until noon although brunch starts at 1030am. 1. Pimento Cheese - A great dish to share with 4 to 5 ppl. Comes with tons of toasted bread which gave great texture to pimento cheese nicely salted by a sweet bacon marmalade. 2. Georgia Coffee - A fancy iced coffee that is lightly sweetened, creamed and served in a mason jar wrapped in a koozie. Refreshing and light. I wished the brew was slightly stronger. 3. Hanger Steak - Incredibly tender. 4. English Muffin - A great dish with flavors that meshed well. 5. Farm Egg - Amazing! This dish is not overly rich which was my biggest concern. Crispy rice with thick cuts of leeks, onion puree, sausage and topped with a fresh egg. Once you break into the yolk, it just oozes into the rice like a sauce.

    (4)

  • Sean L.

    lunch: super food with the MR hanger steak. VERDICT: YES PLEASE. maybe a little heavy on the salt in some places, but generally some of the better food you'll find in Atlanta at lunch time. hit the spot. didn't require lunch time laundry service, but it was just what the proctologist ordered. the water was top notch too. ok not really. only sad panda moment was lack of desserts at lunch time. Miller Union advertises these delightful motherfucking ice cream sammies. Empire State South had nada. just the check. I peep fucked the baked goods section, but nothing looked good except the girl doing inventory. blahhhhh. if Yeah Burger hadn't ear fucked me last night I totally would've gotten a shake or something. alas, I was not meant to have dessert today.

    (4)

  • douglas c.

    First visit and excited about the opportunity. Service was average. Pleasant folks but absent a bit more than i prefer. On to the food. The jars appetizer was fantastic: pork rilletle, chicken liver pate, pickles, pimento cheese, bacon marmalade, boiled peanut hummus. The only near hit was the hummus. Kindof a funky overall flavor. The chicken liver pate was sublime Salad mid course: perfect; fresh, not over dressed, palate pleasing. Entree': Chicken thighs with hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, spinach and jus. (C-) the chicken was woefully overcooked; stringy, tough, cartilage coming off with meat, etc., (by the way it was 7pm so no excuses for it being late and fired early). I was hooked to order this for two reasons; the thighs which i love and the mushrooms. I could not find any mushrooms on my plate. My friends entree' of shrimp and grits looked fine but somewhat less creative. Overall decent meal, nice atmosphere, ok pricing.

    (3)

  • Dave C.

    So I actually expected a bit more. Everything was good, just not as good as I had expected. Went with some co-workers on a Wednesday around 6:30 for dinner. Seated promptly, the restaurant had a good vibe to it but was not full. Service was good and the dinner flowed well. Now on to the food. I thought the bread they brought out to start was really good. The jars app that everyone else raves about was mediocre, I enjoyed the humus one the best. Had the Sea Bass which was quite good, just not extraordinarily. One of my co-workers had the chicken which is cooked in a vacuum bag. He thought it was raw and was unpleased with his meal. Everyone else enjoyed theirs though. Overall I just feel Atlanta has more interesting restaurants to offer if you are looking for a nice meal. Just a note on parking... Parking is validated in the lot connected to the complex (can enter from the north side of the block by the hotel). Took forever to get out of the deck as the signs are horrible and we got stuck behind someone who couldn't work the automated machine. Oh well, not the resturant's fault. Just seems a restaurant like this should have valet.

    (3)

  • Katie C.

    While I have yet to visit ESS for dinner (I hear it's a little pricey and am waiting for a special occasion), I am completely obsessing over their brunch. A great walk from surrounding neighborhoods, bright and lovely interior, and great food (and coffee)! I have not stopped talking about their housemade granola. It's fantastic!! I have yet to wait for brunch at 10:30 and have never felt rushed through my meal. ESS is my perfect leisurely brunch with friends!

    (4)

  • Josh M.

    Grabbed a plain biscuit to-go on a Sunday, ate a veal sandwich for lunch on a Monday, and tried smoked trout for breakfast on a Friday. All were fabulous. This place does it right, and the prices are on par with what you get. Wait staff could stand to lose a little pomposity, but, in general, I really like this place.

    (4)

  • Avery C.

    Five of my friends took me to ESS for my birthday and it was wonderful from start to finish. The service was great and the food is interesting but in a good way. The only thing that kept me from giving ESS five stars is the prices. I feel most of the main courses were a bit steep on the price for what you get. Great place!!

    (4)

  • Danielle C.

    A large group of us had dinner there last night - amazing. Everything was fantastic - drinks, food, service, etc. The jars, charcuterie, foie gras, duck - all wonderful. The service was over the top - he was attentive, but not annoying, great suggestions, anticipated everything we needed. One of the better dining experiences I've had in a while.

    (5)

  • Stefan K.

    Came here last night for my birthday with my fiancee and it was really good. Funny to see all the negative reviews, those people must not have explored the excellent wine list and cocktail list enough! Anyway, it was for dinner and we had the butternut squash soup with the raisins and crisp shallot (which tasted like tiny smoked onion rings in the soup, a lovely surprise of a flavor profile). Then came the pork belly special appetizer with the creamed kimchi. Lord, that was heaven in the mouth. I wish I'd licked the plate! Hopefully they put that on the menu. We also had the prosciutto with pickled shallots and apricots, very good but a touch too sweet for my salt addled palate. For a main we split the confit duck leg, and I was worried the orange glaze would be overly orange but it was delicate and subtle and all around excellent and the celery root gratin accompanying was too. We decided to drink by the glass and had the De Venoge champagne to start - a very good, tasty and not too crisp or biting bubbly. With dinner we drank the Faiveley 'Clos des Myglands' 2008. An excellent, silky, fruit forward French pinot noir that we basically could not get enough of. You are missing out if you don't get in to the wine list here! For dessert, the chocolate pudding which came more like a pot-de-creme in a small mason jar with cracker jack. Slammin. We had a lot of fun and a great experience so my advice to you is be adventurous and try the things your server suggests! Shrimp and grits isn't going to knock your socks off no matter where you go so stop ordering that bland mess!

    (4)

  • Kayleigh D.

    Went to Empire State South for my 21st birthday. It was amazing. They comfortably sat me and my party of 8. Our waiter who was awesome (forgot his name, but he was a tall, handsome African American man) was super knowledgable about the menu, suggested vegetarian options, explained the best dishes on the menu and was super attentive. He even took a picture of all of us before dinner and outside afterwards and also brought out a super yummy desert with a candle in it. Not only was the decor beautiful, but the location was right in the pretty part of midtown and we had a really nice view outside our window. Since it was my 21st I tried a few cocktails and they were all sooooo tasty. Was a little pricey, and definitely a special occasion spot, but totally looking forward to coming back.

    (5)

  • Vania H.

    love it! went to empire state south a few weeks ago with some coworkers for dinner and i'd definitely chalk it up as one of the best dining experiences i've ever had. the atmosphere was comfortable and very conducive to conversation - not too loud. it had all of the feel of a fancy restaurant, but still very down to earth and homey. we started out with a bottle of malbec and we were really impressed with our waiter and how knowledgeable he was about all the different types of wine and what foods to pair it with. we also ordered a cheese sampler plate, which was EXCELLENT. there was a huge variety of cheeses and meats, as well as crackers, assorted jams, and other accompaniments. they were very generous in their portions on the cheese plate, and everything tasted well together. i ordered the pecan-goat cheese ravioli and was a teeeeeeeny bit disappointed in their portion size. although it was delicious, the plate was small and had it not been for the cheese plate, i don't think i would have been full after the meal. the flavors worked together wonderfully, and it was a perfect combination of salty and sweet, as well as crunchy (from the pecans) and tender (from the goat cheese). for dessert, i ordered the toffee fig pudding. it was perfectly complemented by the creme fraiche and not too rich or heavy. great dining experience, and amazing food :)

    (4)

  • Carolyn C.

    Sorry to say but my recent trip to Empire State South for Mother's Day put a sour taste in my mouth. The food was excellent but the service was disturbingly distasteful. I think the server went out of his way to make what could have been a wonderful experience terrible. He didn't explain the menu in a way we could make good decisions and then he timed the meal so off that I ended up eating by my self while the rest of the party looked on. Then I had to sit while they ate. It really was ridiculous. So the food is great, but I won't go back because it is not worth the frustration.

    (1)

  • O F.

    Empire State South has a cool vibe and the decor is very Modern. However, the service was apathetic and the food was Unappetizing. I was expecting a totally different experience having read the reviews.

    (2)

  • Kim M.

    Everything from service to cocktails to the food was outstanding. These people know what they are doing. You can tell immediately that the entire staff loves food and loves sharing their passion with their guests. It was an awesome experience.

    (5)

  • Albert V.

    After a recent issue of "Atlanta" magazine had a picture of Empire State South's biscuit sandwich on the cover, I've been excited to try it. Environment/Atmosphere is super-cool and the floorplan is divided in half between a dining room area and a bar area. I had the Jalapeno & Bacon biscuit sandwich which was excellent. I also had a soy latte which again was one of the best in recent memory. I wish I could give this place more stars, but the service left a lot to be desired. I'm definitely open to going back, but will hopefully get a different server.

    (3)

  • lizzie p.

    Lunch review: Tuesday at 2pm.... there were not many people here at this time but the mish mash of people at the front register seemed a little bit awkward / confused / frazzled. The hostess wanted to seat us some where not cool so we inquired if there was outdoor seating. Outside is lovely. It was quiet and peaceful and there's a bocce court. i had a wonderful glass of chardonnay with my meal and it was very relaxing and chill. I have nothing but good things to say about the food. i had the grilled shrimp with okra and fried green tomatoes and corn bread. everything was fine but the only thing i'll absolutely rave about is the okra. yummmm i thought it was a really good deal for lunch. you can get a big meal with 2 sides and bread plus a glass of wine for $25. i'd go back for dinner and next time i'll try to save room for dessert!

    (4)

  • Mary-Catherine W.

    Went on a late afternoon Sunday too late for Brunch and too early for dinner so we just had some little bar nibbles. Had the dip plate. The pimento cheese was my favorite! Candied bacon marmalade, yes please. Then the smoked trout, could have had more smoke flavor, the butter bean hummus was equally just as good and creative, the pork was my least favorite, very porky fatty tasting. Straight up blended pork fat, and this says a lot since I have a love affair with pork belly. Had a couple of the ginger whoopie pies and those were cute and tasty. Drinks were almost too strong. I love the huge windows in the dining room and the bocce ball out front (can't wait to test in spring). They validate parking and if you don't know where your going can be tricky to figure out how to actually get to restaurant door from the street. Can't wait to go back for an actual meal.

    (4)

  • Heather H.

    Super impressed with the food, I had the five sides plate as my entree. Amazing in flavor, cooking technique, and variety of vegetarian items. Although I'm a lover of all things meat, this option is awesome for those vegan diners. The dining room is a little austere for homey southern cuisine but the food is spot on. The host was adorable and so cheerful, our server must have had a bad night, no sleep is not an excuse for unattentive service. Yawn.....

    (3)

  • Dave W.

    The charcuterie plate was fantastic. The jar of pimento cheese with bacon marmalade was the "crack in a jar" that was advertised. The trout mousse was also great. Had the monkfish which was really good although the level of doneness varied across the 3 pieces. but the star was actually some of the veggies served with it . Great service and very good food. Surprisingly good was the celery sorbet. Sampled several desserts - not a bad one in the mix.

    (4)

  • Jeff H.

    Be careful if you use their website to send a gift card like I did for my Mom on Mother's day. The site won't allow you to actually send a greeting or indicate who the gift card comes from. The recipient just receives the gift card in the mail without any indication of who sent it. So much for the gift experience. I expect better.

    (2)

  • Rob P.

    Warm atmosphere, but our table was on top of another for no apparent reason. 5 stars for appetizer (farm egg) and dessert (apple flan). 4 stars for entrees, pork and duck.

    (4)

  • Carly P.

    Went here for dinner w/friends Sunday night. Very neat atmosphere! Location is a bit odd, but you can park in the deck by Hotel Midtown and they will validate your parking for up to three hours. Neat patio/lawn/bocce area. I had pasta filled with homemade goat cheese, pecans. Fantastic. Probably the best goat cheese I've ever had. I ordered a glass of the German Pinot noir; as a pinot lover, it was iffy, and I believe it was the cheapest of the pinots at $10. Homemade bread and butter is divine. My friend had the winter salad which she let me try and the kale with the homemade croutons was outta this world. Kinda pricey, but I would go back.

    (4)

  • Keith B.

    First time visitor to ESS. My daughter had heard good things so we went on a Friday night around 7:00; not too crowded, but was heating up by the time we left. It's a little difficult to find, but there is parking in the building garage and they validate. Food was very good; interesting menu with different combinations of southern food. Wine selection is excellent. Portions are small, but I'm not looking for mass quantities of food anymore at my age, so I am making an observation, not complaining. Service was acceptable, but I have had better and as another reviewer commented, I thought the servers were a bit too casual. There were so many items I wanted to try on the menu that we will definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Kylie C.

    First, the hostess was very accommodating and sat the 2 of us at a 4 top in the back. Nice. We immediately ordered drinks, both of which were very well-made. I highly recommend the untitled rye. We were starving and ordered octopus, steak tartare, and the charcuterie and cheese plates. (It only gets more gluttonous. Octopus was incredible. It was perfectly cooked and very creative, which I appreciated. The charcuterie was quite good, but the cheese plate was average in my opinion. I've had better steak tartare at several other restaurants in Atlanta. On to the entrees... My husband had the duck and was not overly impressed. I ordered steak medium rare. It was a gorgeous cut that melted in my mouth. Unfortunately, it was SO salty, I didn't even eat half of it! Such a shame! That still did not deter us from having two desserts and coffee to cap off the night. Overall, a nice experience but I wanted it to be better. I have heard other complaints about the saltiness of the food. I wish they would listen and lay off the salt shaker.

    (4)

  • Jill K.

    Love the atmosphere, Bocci ball with a post dinner cocktail is always a winner. The table started with the 'In Jars' a selection of spreads, all very good.The Farm Egg was my starter (because I LOVE egg yolk) this was super and lick the bowl with bread worthy. Then the pork tenderloin, just perfect. And I don't care how full you are you must have the phatties. similar to the ones at cakes and ale, only I remember liking this a lot more. (ginger sandwich cookies with cream filling)

    (4)

  • smacksmackgulp K.

    Been here a couple times - once just for drinks, another for dinner. A bit expensive, but I would come here again. While the charcuterie plate was good, I did not enjoy the sweetbreads. They were fried to the point of unrecognition, and I like tasting and feeling the real texture of my thymus glands. But I am a total sucker for a poached egg done right, and their Soft Poached Farm Egg was no exception. We had gotten one order, but were fighting for the dregs of it towards the end. Even though they have a bocce ball court, I feel like very few people actually play it, and it's more for "show". Still, I like the ambiance inside, especially the bar area, which is an impressive feat since I used to eat in the sad little cafeteria that used to be here when I worked on a project in this building, before ESS moved in and gutted the place. And the artisanal drinks here are very good too.

    (4)

  • Ashley R.

    The food here is so rich and good! One of the best fine southern cuisine restaurants in Atlanta. The drinks are out of this world tasty. The decor is pretty awesome too - very rustic, shabby chic and unpretentious. Our server was the icing on the cake; he was very cool.

    (5)

  • Bob B.

    Visited friends in Atlanta. They said we absolutely had to go to ESS. The appetizers were excellent. Octopus, steak tartar were marvelous. The Charcuterie platter was extraordinary, as was the foie gras. As a result of the appetizers, we cut back on the entrees! Main courses of catfish and ravioli were special. The staff was pleasant and attentive. Would go back in a heartbeat.

    (5)

  • M.A. J.

    Go here for lunch a few times each month, it's a great place to bring friends or clients, or to eat alone. Everything is delicious.

    (4)

  • T. L.

    I have eaten a lot of meals out on the town in the past few months and have devoted little time to sit down and comment on them. Due to underwhelming experiences, there are several restaurants I do not feel like writing about, like Woodfire Grill, Canoe, Blue Ridge Grill, Miller Union, Top Flr, Anis, Nava, and Super Pan. There are also several great restaurants that I've visited at least twice - Local Three, Bone's, and Ecco - where I gnoshed on some pretty great food, but I'm still not going to write about them because I really want to cut to the chase and reveal my favorite restaurant in Atlanta...Empire State South. The brains behind the food belong to Chef & Owner Hugh Acheson of the beloved 5 & 10 in Athens, Georgia. A Canadian import who landed in Georgia over a decade ago and started cooking upscale southern fare as if it were the food of his motherland, prides himself on his unibrow, authors an impeccable blog called Hugh Cooks Food, and has a great love for kimchi (as do I), Chef Acheson pushed his boundaries beyond Athens and opened Empire State South last summer in midtown Atlanta. I should also give credit to ESS's Executive Chef, Ryan Hopkins, for his presumably huge contribution to the menu and excellent execution of it. I don't actually know how the restaurant was named but I would venture to guess that ESS's name establishes itself at a restaurant of New York City quality in the heart of the south. (New York is, after all, the Empire State. And Chef Acheson's food is, above all, as good a restaurant as the best in New York). This could be one reason why I like the restaurant; it reminds me so much of New York, which was home to me for almost seven years. Since leaving New York, I've longed to find a restaurant in Atlanta that met the same standards as those in the big apple. Looks like I finally found it. Situated on the ground level of a polished office building on Peachtree Street, the restaurant caters to the myriad needs of the 9 to 5'ers in the building, as well as the general public, by serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, fantastic coffees and specialty drinks from their coffee bar and freshly baked goodies and sammies for those on-the-go. I've sampled it all; from three course dinners, one-plate lunches, and build-your-own-biscuit breakfasts, to oatmeal cream pies, homemade oreos, lattes, and hot-buttered rum drinks, all the way down to splitting one of ESS's chicken salad sandwiches at home with my boyfriend. On every level, ESS meets or beats my expectations. (In fact, one day I was downright tickled when the "coffee chef" etched a Christmas tree replete with gifts underneath it into the frothed milk on my latte.) On my first visit, I ordered the dug leg confit with sweet potato purée and red cabbage. You could say it was love at first bite. The tender dark meat literally slipped off the bone. The skin was crunchy, peppery. I set my heart on it. On my next two visits, within days of my first meal at ESS, I had the duck leg again and again. Each time I bit into that yummy hunk of meat, it was as perfectly prepared as the first time I tried it. The garnishes varied daily and were always satisfying. The most surprising garnish was a side of roasted okra, which I expected to arrive soggy and drab, but ended up being the best okra I've ever eaten, rich in okra-y-ness and that kind of warming oven-roasted flavor that gets my goat. My love affair with the menu continued as I finally started exploring other dishes. I was equally wowed and thrilled - sea scallops pan-seared to achieve a golden, caramelized exterior on top of creamed lentilles de puy and blood orange segments; crispy pork belly on kimchi rice; rib-eye with pommes macaire and sautéed escarole; beef short rib hash with quinoa and carrots. Or was it corned beef hash? I can't quite recall. There are other meals from ESS that I can't remember at all, but I'm fine with that. Perhaps it's like the beginning of a relationship when you're falling in love; you can't remember everything, but you know you loved every minute of it.

    (5)

  • S P.

    One of the best-kept brunch secrets in Atlanta. Why do I love this place so much? 1. They take reservations, which for Sunday brunch is rare 2. They have free (validated) parking in the garage 3. They're never packed for brunch 4. The food is outrageously good 5. Their coffee is outrageously good 6. Their cocktails are good, too It's not unusual for me to head to Empire State South several weeks in a row for Sunday brunch. Since they take reservations, it's a no-brainer staple. It's never busy, which confuses me because their food is outstanding. My favorite thing on the brunch menu is the pulled pork with bacon jalapeno biscuit, but you really can't go wrong with anything. My only wish is that they had more of their regular menu on the weekend brunch menu.

    (5)

  • Paige T.

    I'm not sure if ESS is as good as it gets because I just had a pimento cheese and egg biscuit, but boy it was a darn good pimento cheese and egg biscuit. I am a fan. The ambiance sure gets a fiver, but it is really mostly about the food, no? There is a lot of attention to detail in this space and I can most definitely appreciate that aspect! From the fancy wall sconces (I'm a sucker for unique light fixtures) to the little wrought iron containers that the grits come in, this place is a class act. I'd love to return for a hot dinner date with the husb and enjoy something off of the wine menu that I've heard such great things about ; ) Go to this place, folks, it's the cool and classy thing to do!

    (4)

  • Chris G.

    Five stars across the board. Excellent ambiance, excellent service, excellent food, excellent time!

    (5)

  • Todd D.

    I will say right up front that the meal we had last night was the best my wife & I have ever had, and we've had many great meals. We had a ton of courses. The sweet breads with pickled blueberries were the best I've ever tasted. Their tartar which I always like wherever I go was uniquely presented, and delicious. Every course was ridiculously good. We also had a lot of cocktails, all very well thought out, and tasty. Our service was killer. We sat at the bar with Kelly, she was excellent, and had a visit by their very talented Chef Kyle. I've been friends with Empire State South's head Chef Ryan Smith since his days back at Holmann, his menu is freakin' amazing at Empire State South. Go here Now!

    (5)

  • jennifer f.

    So delicious! Had the scallop appetizer, smoked duck breast and the phatty cakes for dessert. Whew!! Definitely going back soon. They validate parking, which is awesome. We passed by where you need to pull in to park 2x but a quick call to the restaurant and they straightened us out. Just remember it's right passed the restaurant next to Hotel Midtown. Excellent service!!! A little tricky to get reservations on the fly so you'll probably need to plan it to go.

    (5)

  • Alexis A.

    I'm going to have to take issue with a previous poster who said this place made her wonder if she was in Gramercy Park. Don't worry you aren't going to confuse this place with NYC. The In Jars were good but a little too rich for me. Don't get me wrong they are incredibly tasty but pimento cheese, bacon marmalade, trout spread, peanut hummus any of these alone would be great but the combination was just too rich. I wasn't in love with any of the entrees so went with the special - black sea bass, I think. It was good but after the jars I was full. We had some dessert but I'm failing to remember what they were so couldn't be that impressive. It is a cute restaurant and the food was good but I'm not going to rush back.

    (3)

  • J. T.

    I'm at ESS pretty often. I would say I have the menu memorized, but they change it up to incorporate what's in season. They have great Counter Culture Coffee, their Croque Madame is the best I've ever tasted, and their drinks are creative and tasty. Try the Corpse Reviver.

    (4)

  • Dan K.

    I had the quail, grits, succotash, cornbread and peach ice cream - It was mediocre - I ate all of the quail in about 3 bites - it was not very tasty - the grits, succotash and cornbread were similar to the Cracker Barrel and the peach ice cream was like my mom makes when she is tired and not in the mood to make ice cream - The physical space is very nice, great lighting, nice bar - Servers are just learning the menu - I could have eaten at EATS ten times for the $50 I paid here- and their meat and three are tastier -

    (2)

  • Michael H.

    Okay, so maybe all the stellar reviews caused me to have too high of expectations, maybe both J and my tastebuds were off, or maybe the all the snow and ice has thrown everything off kilter, cause this place just didn't blow my skirt up. Friday night dinner started with the pork belly with kimchee and shrimp and grits. Pork belly was lacking any flavor, wasn't quite as crispy on the edges as it could be, just was not a winner. Shrimp and grits on the other hand was quite good. Entrees were triggerfish with meyer lemon marmalade and special of guinea hen confit. The fish was cooked perfectly and the marmalade was a nice touch although it came close to overpowering the fish. The guinea unfortunately suffered from an overdose of salt, even when you take into account the salt used in the process. So far two hits and two misses. Now onto the wine. We started off with a pinot and a syrah by the glass. The pinot started off nice enough but turned bitter and metallic on the finish. J's syrah was reminiscent of dirty feet.....and not in a good way. I changed over to a chardonnay for the entree and this was even worse than the first two. Instead of buttery and rich it was redolent of honey and cough syrup with a heavy accent on cough syrup. Kudos to the mgr because after I mentioned to our waitress that the wines were disappointing, she showed up with two glasses of pinot gran cuvee on the house. So in closing food is......ehhhhh, service was above and beyond.

    (3)

  • Julie J.

    Amazing meal! I visited for an early dinner a month ago, and the food was beautiful and delicious, the ambiance was warm and inviting, and the service was fantastic. To sum up, the pork belly is a must order (kimchi grits YUM), octopus salad (which may just be seasonal) was amazing (and I don't even like octopus), and I loved the bread basket, which I don't say about a lot of places. We ordered the halibut special that night, as well as the NY strip and both were great dishes. Fantastic cocktails too. Tasty and strong. :) Overall, I loved it. Dining here after being away from Atlanta for a while was such a welcome experience. A really great take on traditional Southern food. I hope this place sticks around a while!! HIGHLY recommend!!

    (5)

  • E B.

    I will leave this short and sweet....................... If you cannot serve food hot, then don't bother serving it at all. From start to finish our dinner was luke warm in the middle and cool around the edges...............You would think the kitchen would get it right after the apps and soups were sent back. Hostess let us know we were the "only" ones with this problem. A table near us did not get their food at all......... so I guess she was right. A boring been there done that take on southern food.

    (1)

  • Richard H.

    I really struggled with the rating. I'd like to give them 3.5 if measured on a price to quality standpoint. I'm not a price sensitive consumer as I'm willing to pay top dollar for fine cuisine. Awesome, creative cocktails. Great ambiance. Ordered golden tile fish. Prepared well with leeks, turnips, bok choi. But the sauce was bland. I think that you could get a comparable dish in a dozen nice atl restaurants for half the price. If you are looking for an adventure in wine, then this is your place. They seem to strive to find obscure vintages, which is great. But if I'm paying $15/ glass, I don't want a Pinot noir from Germany or a Viognier from Lebanon.

    (3)

  • Nichole K.

    Memorial Day dinner. Had a wonderful and entertain experience when we sat at the bar. Great atmosphere. Huge bar (one that I would love to have in my house). Nice outdoor seating. And we wined. And we dined. We spent quite a bit of money per person, but we like to try everything so we ended up splitting about 4-5 small plates, 2 entrees, and a dessert between three people. So, don't come to this restaurant on a budget. Come here to spend to get the full experience. The whole staff was excellent. If the awesome food doesn't bring me back, the staff definitely will. Looking forward to my next dining experience here.

    (5)

  • Matt N.

    Great date atmosphere. Thoroughly enjoyed our meal from the apps to the entree. You MUST get the Farm Egg. My favorite dish of the night. Cheese dish and hanger steak are also recommended. I will be returning. Call ahead during the week as reservations fill up.

    (5)

  • D. S.

    Cocktails; Things In Jars; Entrees; Wait Staff; Desserts

    (5)

  • Shae G.

    Try this place for a romantic evening and a spontaneous menu. I love the restaurant layout... The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because there are so many restaurants around Atlanta exactly like this.

    (4)

  • Jon-Michael M.

    I absolutely have to give this place a 5-star rating. The service was stellar, and our waiter should be a trainer in the area for other servers. The food was really really good! If you go, try the pan seared catfish entree, and for appetizers, try the Farm Egg, or the In Jar.

    (5)

  • James P.

    For $30, the jars are a must-get! We had to ask for more bread to eat with those delicious spreads. That is all.

    (5)

  • Melanie C.

    Like many others, I came here after seeing Chef/Owner Hugh's snarky self as a judge on many episodes of Top Chef. Being in Atlanta for a conference, I stole away to get a "real meal" at Empire State South and was so so so very happy I did. I guess it's not fair to compare it to conference food, but still. It's sophisticated and yet still laid-back. Dishes were unique and a mix of the south, california and global. Very seasonal. Great cocktails. Professional service. Loved it. A breath of fresh air for my stomach.

    (4)

  • Tom C.

    Went for dinner on Valentine's day. Empire State South is a good, strong, consistent pick for dining. The food is good and their service is good. For dinner, I had the pork roast, roasted hen, farm egg, octopus and chocolate desert paired with a light pinot noir. The food was solid. Out of all of them, I really liked the Octopus the best. It wasn't chewy, grilled and crisped right and was delicious. Can't go wrong here.

    (4)

  • John B.

    Had the fried chicken po' boy for lunch because - you know. But the food was vibrantly served and equally delicious. I left liberated to attack my destiny afterwards. I suppose that's the best you could ask after any meal. Special thanks to the waitress for the ICE and serving us outside on such a wonderful day. Empire State South is forever on the rise as a staple of #Atlanta.

    (4)

  • Jen T.

    Great atmosphere, awesome staff! I had the chicken biscuit. Great buttery flaky biscuit with deliciously fried chicken. I opted to omit the pimento cheese, not my favorite. There was bacon and egg as well, however, the bacon was incredibly salty to me. that is my only tiny complaint. Note-they validate parking... so it's definitely worth driving into Atlanta for this treat!

    (4)

  • Daddy F.

    delicious yep very delicious

    (5)

  • Anne H.

    I want to give it 15 stars! I want to fly to Atlanta just to eat here three times a day for a week! Normally, I am very picky, but this place is wonderful from top to bottom. Where do I start? OK, why not the bottom! The bathroom. Clean is an understatement. And a hook for your handbag. How thoughtful and old-fashioned. Attractive and comfortable. But no, let's start at the beginning. You walk in the door and someone smiles and says "hello." Pleasant and welcoming, not phony. The room itself is very low-key and subdued, but instantly comfortable. OK, I don't love the "my name is ___ and I will be taking care of you today," style. In fact, I hate it. But here, I gave it a pass. Well, OK, I did mention it, so not much of a pass! Now, I have to admit to a certain prejudice against these TV chef types. Almost always, their restaurants underwhelm me. I never intend to go, but then I do. And almost always, I regret it. Hugh Acheson, however, is screamingly funny and completely irreverent, so I figured I'd give him a shot, and I am very glad that I did. The food, and, after all, that's what it's all about (or should be), is really, truly wonderful. We began with pimento cheese and bacon marmelade with big slices of buttered toast. I have to say that I preferred the cheese without the jam. The bacon overpowered the pimento, so they could have omitted it or put it in a separate little cup on the side. I had the fried snapper Po'boy with remoulade, lettuce, pickled ramps, cucumber, and potato chips, which was served on a Maine-style lobster roll roll. Although fried, the fish had not one drop of grease. I would have loved more ramps. Hint. The potato chips were a perfect balance of fat and salt -- again, without being greasy. Loved the pickle and the remoulade. Wanted more of everything. The farm egg on crispy rice was just amazing. Pierce the egg and let it run all over everything before you eat. You don't have to tell me twice! Lovely bits of sausage. Corn. Bright peppers. And the rice? Only my fave -- Carolina Gold! Oh please don't let this end! Dessert is pie, and the pie du jour was apple. It was served with vanilla ice cream that was supposed to be a little spicy. It wasn't spicy particularly, but it was delicious. The apple pie had a butter crust. Normally, I prefer a mix of butter and Crisco, but it was light and absolutely wonderful. The apples seem to have been poached, because they, too, were as light as air and the filling was just this side of too sweet. Almost, almost, almost, but it never crossed the line. Just to give you a little more context: It was a hot, steamy and rainy day. My husband and I showed up around noon, all bedraggled and messy from walking around in the heat and the rain. We were on the way to the airport, so we had our luggage. And to add insult to injury, my foot was so swollen from an ankle sprain that all I could get on my feet were hideous purple Crocs. And this is Atlanta, not New York City. In Atlanta, people are decorous; they don't go everywhere in jeans. We were decidedly not decorous, and yet we were greeted, seated and treated as if it were the most natural thing in the world to show up at a "business casual" upscale joint looking for all the world like you were "coming to America."

    (5)

  • Richard M.

    To be honest I was a bit underwhelmed. Had the chicken biscuit, which was much better than the biscuit at flying biscuit ... Amond milk cap : decent Orange juice : good Biscuit: good Service - great Will go back for lunch and see if the lunch menu is better!

    (4)

  • Claudia A.

    I plan to come back and update my review but for now here is what I got: I came for the wait for it... legendary chicken biscuit. So many of my friends argued that it is hands down the bet chicken biscuit. It's offered Mon-Fri 7am-? and for them it's worth getting before going to work. First of all it was tiny, smaller than my fist. The biscuit is light and fluffy (love that part), they layer egg, and LOTS of thick (1/4 inch for sure) sliced bacon on top. There was literally more bacon on it than chicken. The chicken layer is flattened and fried and came to about 2 inches in diameter (not much at all).What little chicken was in there was perfectly seasoned and fried. Would it kill you to give the whole chicken breast? Then they spread spicy pimento cheese and more biscuit. It was good and delicious but for $8.00 I at least want to be full after I eat it. Other reviews say it's a hardy portion so maybe I just got tiny piece but my sister from SFO also came with me to try this treat. Hers was just as tiny. Maybe it's half the size on Thursday? Anyway, they have the right idea. I hear their coffee and pastries are great too. I won't give up on well reviewed place but for now. It was just OK. My favorite chicken biscuit is still the one at Buttermilk Kitchen which is only made on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays for Brunch. It has a giant biscuit and the whole chicken breast that is brined in buttermilk for 24 hours and topped with homemade pepper jelly. It sells out each time at the end of the day.

    (3)

  • Andrew W.

    Overall: 5/5 Food: 4.5/5 Price: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Nutshell: Having seen Hugh Acheson perform so well on Top Chef Masters, I knew I had to come to his restaurant when I was in GA. I came her for breakfast and was thoroughly impressed by his modern southern take in a business casual setting. I highly recommend this place to anyone esp the FARM EGGGGG! Food: Ordered the Farm Egg, Fried Catfish in a bun and Ice Tea. The Fried Catfish in a bun came with potato chips. The fried catfish was delicately fried and seasoned perfectly. The buns were also appropriately toasted and had a nice light mayor spicy sauce that went well wit the catfish. The potato chips were ok as some of them were not crispy. The Farm Egg was the most unique southern dish I have ever had. The rice was fried extremely crispy w/o being oiled and was perfectly balanced out with some earthy mushrooms, richness of a poached egg yolk, salty sausages cubes, and sweet corn. I highly recommend this dish as a must if you come here for breakfast. I only wish it came with a bit more :(. The ice tea was nothing special and did not feel that the sweetness and earthiness of the tea was balanced out well. Price: The breakfast entree were approx 12 each but well worth it. My only disgruntle for this place was the ice tea was $3 and it felt extremely overpriced. Service: Our waiter was extremely friendly and professional. He knew the menu well and was able to make fabulous suggestions. Our water was always topped off. Plates were promptly removed. And the food came out quickly. Also they validate parking!!! Atmosphere: This place is spacious, modern and hip. Although they say its a casual attire, due to its price, everyone here is somewhat dressy/business casual. Additionally, this is a great place to have a nice family/friend sit down meal or casual date.

    (5)

  • Lawrence C.

    I had such a good meal here a few years ago, I knew I would return. I did this past week. The place wasn't as busy, but the service and food were on point. We started with drinks at the bar. Great attention (there were only 2 other couples at the bar), and discussion of the mixed drink, was an enjoyable way to start the night. Moving into the dining room, the food was pretty good too. Two salads, Farro Verde, $12 & Cabbage w cashews, radish, cucumber, etc $14, before our mains were the stars of the dinner. Mains were: Striped Bass w artichokes, peas & grits, $32, and local Strip Loin, $36, (served under-cooked as medium rare instead of my requested medium--see photos, though still tasty. Peanut butter semi-freddo, $8, finished the meal (see photo). Service was generally good, as was the food.

    (4)

  • Naomi L.

    I am convinced Hugh Acheson's magical unibrow gives him super food ideas powers. After seeing him on Top Chef several times, I was super happy to be able to eat at Empire State South and was definitely not disappointed! - Pimento jar (literally a jar filled of this good stuff) $6. Came with cutely cut fingers of toast. I don't normally like pimento cheese, but dang - this stuff was great! We ate the entire thing. - Sorghum sausage $12. Great taste, but you definitely need to order another dish to make a true meal. - Farm egg $13. Wonderful preparation with perfectly puffed rice that added a wonderful crunch. They ended up taking off the mushrooms despite me correcting my error in asking to keep them off. Sad face. They probably would have added another layer of flavor. - Peach pie $6. GET THIS PIE. Seriously, best peach pie filling I have ever eaten. I could do with a lighter/fluffier crust, but holy delicious filling. All in all with coffee, pre-tax/tip $43.50 for brunch was more than worth it to try this place! The entrance to the building from the street is closed on the weekend. So you have to enter from the side. We spent a good few minutes looking for this after being dropped off at the listed address. Perhaps a small sign near the front of the building on the weekends would be nice.

    (4)

  • Sophia B.

    Loved the farm egg appetizer - the "fried rice" was not at all what I expected. It wasn't the fried rice you would order at a Chinese restaurant, rather each individual grain of rice was fried, crispy and delicious. Our table also seemed to enjoy the charcuterie. I probably wouldn't order the shrimp risotto again - it was surprisingly a bit spicy and had an overwhelming fish taste. Enjoyed my wahoo and grits. However, as with most of the entrees ordered by our table, there were too many conflicting flavors on the plate. My husband loved his dish though and claimed it was the best trout he's ever had. Ordered the fig tart, pot de creme and bombolone for dessert. The bombolone was definitely the highlight. The passion fruit overpowered all other flavors in the pot de creme, and the fig tart was too dry.

    (3)

  • Rachel K.

    Sorry guys, I wasn't impressed with ESS at all... Just not a good lunch spot. Overpriced for itty bitty foods + average service. My 2 bosses took me and my colleagues out here for lunch to celebrate our 2 year work anniversary. I was excited since I've never been! I should have read more of the reviews... I think this place is better for a dinner spot. Parking - we parked in the parking deck + got validation. Seating - They do have indoor + outdoor seating. It's pretty cool. ESS is probably known for their ambiance. From what I saw - this place looked very cute and a great place for a business meeting/happy hour/date spot. I saw there was a wine event in the bigger room (something with Napa Valley?). Service - Our server was TOO laid back. I understand servers who constantly check in are annoying, but... at least check in every 6-8 mins. This guy left for like 12-15 mins. :/ Food - first off, the menu was extremely limited. As in... whoa. 1. Their Super Food dish should be listed under an app. Yes, it's a big dish. BUT it's kind of a combo of salad, Quinoa, steak, etc. When we saw the pictures on Yelp, we all agreed this may be better off as a starter. It just doesn't look like a main dish. 2. Pimento Cheese + Bread - this was very good. Great size and refillable of the bread. 3. My boss and one of my co workers got the Farm Egg - WOW, this thing was TINY. Like a child wouldn't be full after eating this. If you put both your thumbs and index fingers in a L shape and put your thumbs next to each other & pretend to box off the top of the index fingers, that's how big it was. #pitiful 4. I had the Octopus with Kimchi Rice. The Kimchi Rice was good. Again, tiny. The Octopus was ok. Nothing special. Kind of wish I got one of the sandwiches.... One of my co workers got the Fried Poboy Chicken Sandwich - that looked GREAT! I'll have to try that out if I decide to come back to ESS. He was very satisfied with his dish. I guess we came on a bad day for ESS...

    (3)

  • A K.

    After the reviews, was really disappointed. The service was really, really slow, with no recognition or apology from the staff. Out of 5 eggs benedict orders at our table, all yolks were overcooked; solid as hard-boiled on all of them, which is pretty much 101 in my book. We would have sent it back, but were afraid how long it would take. The hollandaise was good and so were the grits. Could use some color or garnish. The hostess was great, the design/decor very cool. Sadly, we won't be back.

    (2)

  • Michael S.

    Very nice place. Loved the feel and the colors. Only complaint I had was service. It was ok. We had a group. We were split because reservation was made for wrong amount. That's not issues. Issue was we were pushed out. Plates were picked up as we slowed down. Just picked up. Drinks were extremely slow and we had to ask for a bottle wine list. We would of had a few more drinks. Food was amazing. The chicken pork chop and steak were favs Apps were solid It is s crowded noisy space.

    (4)

  • Rian A.

    My girl surprised me with a dinner date to ESS a week or so ago. I've dined here before but only in the work capacity, which meant mostly noshing rather than feasting. I did however meet The Farm Egg on one of those encounters and well, I'm absolutely obsessed. I'm wild about texture and there's nothing more satisfying than the crunch of the tapioca covered fried rice mingling with the unctuousness of the egg yolk and melting with the salt in the diced Benton's bacon. The Farm Egg is like my favorite dish, ever. Babe liked the pimento cheese and bacon jam. The thick dices of sweet, fried bacon and the rich, thickness of the pimento cheese is always a sure fire winner. I also recommend the the sourdough fritters served warm, chocolate sauce and creme. For drinks, we ordered the mezcal. I was initially fearful of the vanilla and mezcal combo but our server assured me it was safe. I think it's called a Mexican Radio. Awesome cocktail for those who aren't sure how they feel about mezcal. It's well made so you'll know immediately if you're into the smokiness of mezcal as opposed to just getting a bad version of it. I do not recommend the fish. Mostly because I don't remember what fish it was nor do I recall anything remarkable about it. Nonetheless, our server was helpful and friendly and the ambiance is always seductive. Good times. I'll be back for sure.

    (5)

  • Georgia S.

    I walked up through the courtyard and immediately saw the bocci ball court and people lounging around the court having drinks. My signal this was not going to be a stuffy experience. I walked in and was greeted. I have a reservation for one and the hostess said no problem. I told her I was excited to be there and she assured me I would have a great experience. My server Randy was a hoot. He made sure I had my drink and settled me in nicely. A nice young man named Voss brought me an amuse bouche (first bite) courtesy of the house. A fresh fig with rendered duck skin. It was wonderful. I had ordered the tasting menu as my meal and I was not disappointed. The progression of the dishes was nice and gave me a chance to enjoy each new dish. My favorites were the pink pea succotash and the beet salad and the braised short ribs and filet mignon. I watched my neighbors split a variety of jars of different spreads and relishes that looked good and they assured me were wonderful. These guys and gals know how to make you feel special and serve very good food. Thank you Voss and Randy for a wonderful meal.

    (5)

  • Aisha T.

    Visited this place on a Sunday to check out their brunch. Great environment and the dishes were innovative. The pimento cheese was an absolute treat!

    (4)

  • Lori M.

    I cannot believe it took me this long to actually come to my senses and visit Empire State South. I arrived to meet up with friends after a charity gala. Both the patio and the bar are exceptional and the evening was so perfect we spent time at both. For drinks I have a white wine that our server suggested for eats we shared the bread basket (corn muffins on fleek) and I ordered the strip steak which was cooked medium to perfection. Though a bit pricey I was appreciative of the combination of unique flavors with both dishes and I always love a good steak. The remainder of the evenin we lounged on the patio and laughed and made friends playing games out in the open. Definitely a spot I'll have to visit again. According to all the photos it should be for brunch next time!

    (4)

  • Stefanie M.

    I'm going to start off the new year, by reviewing my last meal of 2014. I've been a Hugh Acheson fan based off his appearances on Top Chef, but I have never had the pleasure until New Years Eve of actually taste his food. Now I can say I'm a HUGE fan of Hugh Acheson. I was honestly surprised I was able to get NYE reservations at Empire State South, but I was trying to get in early so I could watch my Jackets whip up on the other bulldogs at 8pm. We were seated with a beautiful view of the Atlanta Skyline in the dining room, and ordered drinks and appetizers. The bread basket was actually really good value at $5, as you got several different breads, my favorite being the corn bread muffins. We also ordered 6 oysters, which were incredible! I could take a bath in those oysters! For our second course, I got the cauliflower soup and my husband got the pork belly sausage. Both were very good but in different ways, my cauliflower soup was subtle, rich, and warming. My husbands pork belly sausage was powerful in flavor, and needed a strong red wine. For our main entrees we both got the eye of rib, which came with whipped potatoes, roasted broccoli and carrots, and we added on the truffles. It was incredible and cooked to perfection. I wanted to get dessert afterward, but we were so full, we just got a cup of coffee. Service was as good as you expect from a 5 star restaurant, perfectly friendly, helpful without being intrusive. They will also validate your parking, which is a nice touch. Overall I think Empire State South was the perfect way to end 2014. It was a delectable meal, with great service and wine. Definitely a great special occasion place. Now I need to go back to try out their legendary brunch!

    (5)

  • Cory W.

    Nice restaurant. A little disappointed in the food. Ambience and crowd and was very trendy. Next time I'll sit outside. Staff was very accommodating and polite. Food was quite salty and "deep-fried" tasting. That was a bummer.

    (3)

  • Grant P.

    Weird experience. Waiter did not introduce himself or give any greeting when he came up. Food was good. Suggestion: wine pour was WAY too small, cocktails also too small for the price. Management should review. Pros: validated parking

    (3)

  • Sarah L.

    Excellent experience! We had brunch here with friends & we each brought our kids. Food and service was fantastic and the wait staff were great with us & the kids. Laid back but sophisticated is an accurate description. Yelp doesn't have the right hours posted because they were open for Brunch today...we arrived at 11am & they clearly had been open awhile.

    (5)

  • Madison B.

    Went here based on a recommendation. We had three appetizers (the cabbage, the octopus and a dish topped with a poached egg). I was not a fan of either of the appetizers. At all. I was ready to give this place a thumbs down.....until my dinner came. I had the striped bass and it was the bomb! I was so quiet and content during the meal. That's a clear sign that I'm enjoying the meal. LOL. The ambiance of the restaurant is also pretty cool. I'd definitely return here and would stick to main courses and possibly desserts. Overall, I was happy with the selection....Oh, and the fish was served on top of girts! Southerners love their grits...and so do I! All in all, I was happy.

    (4)

  • Wanlan X.

    Excellent dinner venue. Park the parking lot behind the Hyatt. They validate. It is behind the building so was a bit hard to find. Did the chef tasting menu 5 courses and ordered extra stuff on the side. We're pigs. Super full by the end. Started with the charcuterie plate. Slightly overrated. Have had better sausages. The jars of different salads and chutney was good. The best was the smoked trout. The brioche toasts were a hot with the kids. The farm egg fried rice, OMG that was delicious. The rice was crispy and the egg yolk over that was melding all the flavours together. Definitely could have eaten two of that. The scallop dish was beautifully presented. The scallops were sweet and tender. The avocado purée was about too thick for the dish and needs a hint of lime. The grilled peaches with the honeycom was yummy. I'm not normally a fan of cooked fruit but that was wonderfully prepared. The peaches held their texture and was not too sweet or tart. Nice transition. The bean salad was good. The watermelon was definitely a little different but a good different. Did not care for the huge amounts of Italian parsley leaves in the salad. I'm not a parsley person. The fresh trout with the eggplant was done beautifully. I do have to say though, it was a huge amount of trout. They could have halved the trout serving. The trout was nicely done and not fishy at all. The eggplants were the unintended star of the dish. They were tender and full of flavour, almost better than the trout. The tenderloin was done perfectly medium rare and was juicy and tender and melts in your mouth. If you like good steak, you'll love this. Tenge duck breast was good. Done perfectly also. Kudos to the meat station. Well prepared meats. I with the duck breast could have a bit more flavour profile, may be adding some of ten chutney from the jars dish. Overall a beautiful and delicious meal. The plating was fresh and light and the foods were delicious and did not make you feel heavy after. Excellent restaurant.

    (5)

  • Jake H.

    The inside of this place is cool but the food wasn't as good as I had heard about. The chicken biscuit was cold and greasy. I switched to beer because you couldn't taste any alcohol in my drink.

    (3)

  • J S.

    Ordered small plates, but that is quite the understatement. Unless you're willing to pay about $ 1 per bite, don't try these. It's not that the small plates were too small, they're borderline insulting. Would not return for small plates, and unlikely to return after basically being ripped off.

    (2)

  • Armanda H.

    I recently went back to Empire State South July 3rd, as the menu always changes, and was completely satisfied yet again. I can't even put into words how much I adore this restaurant. On this visit, my date did all of the ordering (which is best, as I do not like reading what everything is, until I taste it first) and the food did not disappoint. He ordered a bunch of small plates, in which, we shared everything. We had the Octopus (Octopus fritter, squash, grilled peach, squid ink vinaigrette), Beef Heart (mushroom consommé, cherry tomatoes, sea beans, almond), Tagliatelle (pickled shrimp, bagna, cauda, tarragon, chili, wild lettuce), Tybee Island Shrimp (fried head, pardon peppers, lemon, lamb belly) and the ESS Charcuterie. Everything was cooked to perfection and the presentation was beautiful. I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Cecille R.

    Best way to describe this place...Southern hipster casual with upscale pricing! When we learned that one of Chef Hugh Acheson's restaurants was located in Atlanta and not far from our hotel, we decided to make a reservation in advance. We walked maybe 10-15 minutes from our hotel but ,for those driving, it looks like they validate parking wherever that may be. Which is great since finding parking on the street can get a little tricky. The atmosphere is fairly casual but with a hipster edge? We arrived for an early 7pm Sunday dinner and it wasn't very packed but by the time we received our entrees, the dining room we were in was packed. There were some parties that were dressed up but most were casual . Females- don't fret too much over what you will wear. The servers were wearing jeans! The menu is all farm to table and pricing is on the high end. I started with a fancier French cider served in a wine glass. It wasn't really to my liking as I guess I'm used to the cheaper stuff? We ordered a couple of appetizers to start. Both were smaller in terms of plating so if you're coming here famished you may need to order more items to fill your stomach. The octopus was very tasty and perfectly charred. Just wish there was more . It came with a breaded and fried ball which I can safely assume was the plantain part of the dish. It left you wanting more. The ME lobster came in a tiny little mason jar and the best way to describe it was that it was like a savory custard with bits of lobster. My husband wasn't really a fan. I didn't really taste the kimchi. I would skip this as I don't think it was worth the $18 price tag. For my entrée, I was torn on a few options (and Yay for vegetarian ones too!) and went with our server's suggestion and ordered the Carrot top Pappardelle. What sold me was that he said they make the pappardelle pasta in house and blend carrots within the pasta. Honestly, for being a vegetarian meal, this was a very hearty one. My plate was heaping with not only the thick pieces of pappardelle but also the rutabaga, fennel and mushroom. I would order this again. My husband had the Gum Creek Pork. It was nicely presented with bits of cauliflower and turnip as the bottom layer and topped with the pork and sausage. Between bites, I heard comments about how tender the meat was so it was a definite win win. It is one of the pricier entrees at $32 . As if we weren't already stuffed, I decided to order the chocolate hazelnut cake for dessert. It was a nice sized serving of cake---with a spongey bottom layer of cake topped with the chocolate hazelnut layer, some hazelnuts and roasted orange ice cream on the side. I also asked for a latte which was prepared perfectly and presented in a mug. Awesome end to a nice meal. Bellies were definitely busting. We wouldn't normally dine somewhere like this regularly but it's a nice option for a special occasion or if you feel like splurging in general. I did notice a group of businessmen in the corner that kept having wine bottles brought out to them....and found out after the fact that they offer a 6 course tasting. That's a nice option when you want to try more than one wine but have a limited budget.

    (5)

  • Gary G.

    This restaurant is a gem. The fusion of southern cuisine and modern flavors is exceptional. The lively atmosphere was only exceeded by the excellent service by our waiter, Ashford. Highlights were the Farm Egg, the Golden Nugget Soup and the Tagliatelle: all with flavors exploding in your mouth. The main courses of the Trout and Pork chop were amazing. The finishing touch was the Bomb...Bombolone !!! I enjoyed the night cap coffee so much I requested to to purchase some beans of the Guatemalan Sipacapa--thank you for fulling my request. Just go and enjoy......

    (5)

  • Daisy D.

    I had been dreaming of visiting Empire State South for a long while. I used to ride up to the ATL on a semi-regular basis. But when the family moved six hours south (rather than north) those visits essentially stopped. So when I was heading home from Kentucky, and was planning to take 75 all the way south, I knew I would be driving right by ESS. Siri bet me I wouldn't make it before brunch was over. She was wrong. I grabbed a seat at the bar and started to peruse the menu. The GA Catfish caught my attention. Served with catfish sausage, marinated fava beans & wheatberries: color me intrigued. I sipped on my Corpse Reviver #2 and having driven 5 hours, I was in need of reviving. I was in awe of the space (at least in the bar area). It was just beautiful and the wall of adult libations was impressive. When my plate arrived, it was so perfectly presented. It was not difficult to cut into but I didn't want to ruin the presentation. The fish had a nice sear on it, but it was still tender to the fork's touch. The sausage pieces were something like I had never experienced. The broth added a nice briny salty flavor. I hear Mr. Acheson critique cheftestants on Top Chef & Top Chef Masters and one of their pet peeves is not salting a dish properly. This dish would not have gotten that critique. It disappeared as quickly as it arrived. The Monkey Bread starter had also caught my eye when I sat down and when I noticed it had pistachios (hubby's fave) I decided to get some to go. However, it didn't make it out of the city. I guess we'll just have to go back so he can get some himself.

    (5)

  • Thai N.

    The reason I only gave Empire State South 3 v. 4 stars is because only one dish really stood out. Their Farm Egg appetizer is just awesome. The Farm Egg consists of beech mushrooms, brussels, ESS bacon, fried rice, and sweet potato. It comes served with a poached egg on top of these ingredients. The idea is you break the egg and mix it well. The fried rice was super crunchy, so it gave a great texture to the dish. I thoroughly enjoyed each bite. The Farm Egg is really fantastic! My entree was the Grassroots Chicken (beet, blood orange kraut, mushroom bread pudding). I'm not 100% sure if I recall the name correctly, but this was chicken and sausage pressed together. A very crispy chicken skin topped the pressed chicken and sausage. I thought it was just OK. The chicken was not tender, perhaps due to the pressing? I took a bite of the bread pudding and didn't go back. This was a large group so the menu had much less options than the restaurant has. Not sure if that was something our consultants set up or Empire simply offers only the shortened menus to large groups. The other two entree options were NC Flounder and Hangar steak. Those that had the flounder really liked their meals. However, those that had the hangar steak were resoundingly disappointed. Not a single person finished their hangar steak.

    (3)

  • Cole O.

    Best place to eat breakfast upon mover & shakers in Midtown. The food is ridiculously well-made, Please go here.

    (5)

  • Tiff H.

    Oh wow. Oh man. I've been on a hunt for good classy food in Atlanta, thank you Uncle Sam for the nice tax refund. Came here on a nice warm day, it was slightly brisk, but I was wearing shorts, so yes!! We chose to sit outside, in spite of the pollen haze that hovered over the bocce ball court lawn. As noted in previous reviews, the hostesses were a little aloof and not very inviting, but I had no problems with our server, who was super friendly and helpful with suggestions and ideas. I ordered a drink, the Circuit Hymn, which was recommended by the server. However, it came out to be a little heavy for me... not a HUGE fan of bourbon and it was bourbon heavy. My friend ordered Kipling's Muse (a very pink drink) that was very sweet. And... we ended up switching. Thank God. Instead of ordering three separate entrees, we ended up trying multiple appetizers ("snacks" and "beginnings). First, we ordered the ESS Charcuterie, which included a variety of pickles, mustards and meats. We ordered the smaller portion, which was still a lot for the three of us. The pickles are a little more sour than I'm used to, so I tended to avoid them... The meats were so different and definitely worth a try. We also ordered the In Jars, which included different spreads over some freshly warm toast. I definitely preferred the pimento cheese spread and the trout, although the trout was a little fishier than I would have hoped. The red hummus also wasn't bad, although left an odd aftertaste that I'm guessing is just something I'm not used to. Next, we ordered some beginnings to top off the meal. Honestly, after the appetizers we were definitely more than content, but we had already placed our order... and we were curious to see what else was coming next. We ordered the Farm Egg, Charred Octopus, and the Littleneck Clams that I can't find on the menu anymore... The Farm Egg was great, an egg cooked over easy on a bowl of deep fried rice (WHICH IS MIND BLOWING) and other various veggies and sausage. The charred octopus is what it is. Charred octopus. Very yummy, and the octopus was tender. The Littleneck clams was some catfish sausage, which was super flavorful but also super salty, but I preferred the veggies that decorated the dish, since they weren't just decorative. Overall, those beginnings were a little salty for my taste, but I didn't mind, while I know some may. FINALLY we couldn't resist dessert. More like, I couldn't resist. I ordered the Chocolate Nest, I think was what it was called (no longer on the menu...?). It was small, but large in flavor and decadence. The mousse, the chocolate cake, the pralines, oh my... god... What a great dessert. I wish it were bigger! Three people fighting for the last forkful was devastating. Our bill came to be about $50 each, which wasn't bad considering we ordered drinks and a dessert. I have to give props to our server for providing us with details on each item, especially since we (ahem, I was) were so indecisive on what to order... so we asked about each and every item. I definitely want to come here again to try their entrees... although my wallet may not want to...

    (4)

  • Mike A.

    I bet this place is cooler in the summer. Or warmer. Which would make it better. That's my guess, my bet. It was OK when we went. I am not a Scorpio and it is never all or nothing with me. It is usually grey, usually in the middle. People who are all or nothing are kind of meh to me. I mean, that's OK, I guess. But I wouldn't like to be that way. Or would I? The food here was good but the portions were too small, like I was trying to fit into the skinny jeans all of the boys were wearing that were eating there. I don't wear skinny jeans. I wear Wrangler Jeans because Brett Favre told me that they have extra room in the crotch, and that's super important to me. I don't want to try to high-step run out of an establishment only to find out that I am detained by my own pantelones. The bathroom was down a long hallway and occupied by a bunch of these skinny jean wearing boys.

    (3)

  • Lucy W.

    I have to update my last review...I chose Empire State South for my birthday dinner with friends. While perusing the menu, I was describing a delicious cocktail I had in New York to my friends, and my new obsession with pink peppercorns in cocktail drinks when the server approached to take our drink orders. I proceeded to order a gin cocktail...lo and behold, it arrives with pink peppercorn enhanced garnish...it was delicious! Well played, Empire State South staff! I also got a lovely little petit four dessert with birthday wish from the dessert chef. Attention to detail and attentive service raises Empire State South above the rest of the competition! Know that when you choose this restaurant, you will be well taken care of.

    (5)

  • Jang C.

    This is probably one of my favorite places to eat when I'm watching a show at the Fox. It is about .5 miles away, so it's not exactly walking distance from the Fox. It's close enough. Empire State South is another one of those Farm-to-Table restaurants. The ingredients taste fresh and good. So far, I tried dishes from their lunch and dinner menu. They were all high-quality and delicious for each meal. For dinner, I tried their Charcuterie plate. It was very meaty. It's a bunch of meats with different types of mustard, mustard seed spreads, and pickled vegetables. I liked it. Although it felt like I was eating head cheese and spam for a high price. Overall, I liked it though. I tried some of their rabbit tasting. I wasn't a fan after eating the Charcuterie because most of the meat on the plate tasted exactly like the meat on the Charcuterie. It wasn't a whole piece of rabbit leg or anything. They made them into rabbit spam or rabbit meatloaf. I can understand why they would do that, but it didn't give me the experience of eating rabbit. My suggestion? Skip the rabbit if you are doing the Charcuterie plate. The duck was amazing. It was one of the best ducks I had. It came with a couple slices of duck meat along with duck rillette. They also plated with scatterings of pumpkin, braised greens, muscadines, radish, filet beans. Everything balanced the duck out well. It looks like a small dish, but it is quite filling. The GA Trout is another great dish to have. Once again, everything they include in the plate matches well with the fish. The fish is grilled perfectly and tasted delicious. Empire State South has a good dessert and coffee menu. I only had tiny taste of some of the coffees, and they tasted good. Empire State South also provides a tasting course for about $80. It's on my to-do list.

    (4)

  • Lilly Y.

    Yum! I've had ESS on my radar for awhile, and was able to talk my colleague into coming here for lunch. Everything about this place is on-point in my book: great food (all made in house), fun and friendly service, and not too pretentious. If I worked in the office building they're situated in, my bank account would be at $0 from spending all my money there! Already planning my next visit! I started with the pimento cheese with bacon marmalade, and boy was that good! Good news is that they let you take the whole Mason jar it's served in if you don't finish. I ordered the Superfood for my entree, and loved it! It was filling and flavorful without being heavy. My colleague had the fried chicken sandwich and enjoyed it. I finished with some bakery items (macaroon, cookie and something else I can't remember), and they were all really good. They offered different flavors that I hadn't had elsewhere; strawberry malt cookies, for example. And I could really tell they were house-made and from scratch. Everything was in the details! I can't wait to come back for brunch like everyone else raves about!

    (4)

  • Audrica B.

    The design and location are more interesting than the menu. Frankly, the brunch menu is too snooty for me, and it includes minor Southern delicacies. I started with the pimento cheese; it's savory, and the topped bacon is well incorporated, but it's slightly too smokey. My meal was the griddled biscuit in which was disappointing. The sausage in the biscuit was very spam-like. It had the same look and consistency as cooked spam. The bacon was a hard, thick slice of what tasted like cooking oil. The biscuit was somewhat dry but had a good texture. The good in this conjunction was the fig and cheese had a lot of flavors! The potatoes were well done as well which I prefer. I did not enjoy my cocktail; there was too much grapefruit in my Venetian Spritzer, so it was very sour and unpleasant. The silver lining is the staff is helpful, and the outdoor patio is beautiful! I'd return if a regular menu item is added. I hope waffles is in the near future.

    (3)

  • Jana C.

    Thanks for the lunch company and ATL tidbits, Nick L! Came to grub at the nice, inviting bar, and was given very prompt service. Ordered: oyster po'boy that had paltry amount of oyster, almost brunoised ( r u in there, mister bivalve?), and had more beautifully fresh, crunchy-top bread than any protein could be spoken of. My field greens were quite yummy and uber-fresh, but were dressed with a tad more saltedness than what I prefer. Hard to out put into mouth because no knife given, and salad served in bowl. Therefore, I was making awkward faces as I attempted to angle larger pieces of lettuce and place into oral cavity without choking on...salad! The place is a beautiful space attached to a busy, bustling skyscraper building of offices. Gives that a nice touch. My first-tine experience was OK. Maybe the sandwich wasn't the way to go... PS Hugh Acheson, I'll soon be seeing you at Feast in PDX Sept 2014!

    (3)

  • Erica M.

    Unfortunately this place disappointed me on my second visit for brunch. Made reservations at 11:15 on Sunday for 3 people. Probably didn't need to make reservations because it wasn't packed and no one was waiting to be seated. After we were seated it took about 20 minutes before our waitress finally decided to come up to our table. Good thing we were in good conversation or else I would have been really pissed. I wasn't too impressed with the brunch menu. They only thing that looked good to me was the English muffin. It consists of bacon, kale, sunny-side up egg, and a side of rice grits. My English muffin was delicious, but my rice grits were a little cold. My husband had ordered the quail and he didn't really care for it. He said the quail was little dry and lacked flavor. Our friend ordered the catfish and he said it was decent, but he wasn't "wowed". I was really excited to eat at ESS this time around, but I was not convinced to keep this place on list for good eats. The food is decent, but it doesn't live up to the price and the portions are small! Also, the service was pretty bad on Sunday for brunch. I will not be coming here nor will I recommend it to anyone.

    (2)

  • Akhil A.

    Love this place! Hugh Acheson and staff do a wonderful job of fusing traditional southern fare with more modern flavors. On top of the great food are the well made, hand crafted cocktails from the bar. Go try this place if you have taken!

    (5)

  • Talitha P.

    Visited my brother this week in Atlanta and we decided to try their breakfast. I was blown away. The menu is small and the descriptions don't tell too much but the taste is incredible. I'm from LA so I have high food expectations :) I had the farm egg over crispy rice. The texture was definitely the strangest thing I've eaten but the flavor was unreal! We sat outside, which was nice & quiet and the interior decor is really beautiful. Has an upscale bar feel. The service was great too from the hostess to the waiter. Very friendly and accommodating. The only real letdown is that according to some strange Georgia law (no alcohol until 12:30pm) I couldn't taste their supposedly amazing Bloody Mary.

    (5)

  • James V.

    Great faire - had chicken salad sandwich, but others had power lunch - steak, salad and such. All was awesome!

    (5)

  • Ravi B.

    The Georgia Coffee is a MUST TRY. Ok so Chef Justin White came to Empire State South for coffee. Who goes to an amazing, well-known, restaurant started by a chef that has been on Top Chef (Hugh Acheson) and just gets coffee -- Chef Justin White and me. :P However, the Georgia Coffee was one of the best iced latte/shakers I have ever had. They make their syrups in house and it was subtle and complimented the espressos well. We sat at the bar. The bartender(s) were super friendly and the atmosphere was trendy. This place is known for brunch so we'll definitely be back for the food here.

    (4)

  • Jessica A.

    Very underwhelming. Strange combinations (trout with asparagus, sun dried tomato and candied pecans) and really salty dishes combined to make this a disappointing experience. I'm not a fan of garnishing plates with things that don't compliment the dish, so when my sweetbreads appetizer arrived under a sprinkling of wisteria flowers, it was a bit of a turnoff. I didn't know wisteria was edible. My two dining companions and I all noticed our server looked... bored. He was attentive - must have refilled our water glasses at least 20 times - but it was obvious he would have rather been elsewhere. On a scale of 1-10 dinner would have been around a 6-7 (fish was nicely cooked and the asparagus and fava beans were tasty). My appetizer along with a truly puzzling banana bread pudding dessert (don't get it) brought the whole experience down to a 4.

    (2)

  • Max P.

    Best coffee in Atlanta so far, made by a barista.

    (5)

  • Jonathan S.

    This was my second time here and the first time I gave it 5 stars so something's going seriously downhill. The appetizers and cocktails are superb, the staff are friendly and attentive. We had the trout appetizer which was excellent and the fried okra which was solid. The entrees are where the wheels completely came off. I took my parents; father and I ordered the catfish, mom ordered the pork, wife ordered the salmon. Catfish: literally among the worst entrees I've ever had. The catfish was fried and hard yet somehow also undercooked. Far worse was the pile of okra it was on top of which was so disgustingly slimy I could barely eat it. Plus, the flavor combinations just didn't work; even if the catfish and okra had been properly cooked, the rest of the flavors didn't blend. It was barely edible and both my father and I regretted not sending it back. Salmon: boring. Not bad, just a piece of grilled salmon with two boiled shrimp. No flavor but not offensive. Pork: the best of the three but that's not saying much. The pork belly was overcooked and tough. Some other types of pork on the plate were better and one (sorry, can't remember which one) was actually tasty; the only tasty part of all the entrees. Desserts: we had the butterscotch ice cream which was really yummy and cool. Parents had the lemon cake which was pretty good. Bottom line: I loved this place the first time but the second time was one of the worst meals I've had in Atlanta. Tons of good restaurants in this city, I won't be going back a third time.

    (2)

  • Bill W.

    Our party of four found this fine restaurant to be all it was supposed to be -- excellent appetizers and entrees, excellent service in a nice setting, though somewhat difficult to find. Located at the busy intersection of Peachtree and 10th St. downtown, the restaurant has lots of outdoor seating next to a bocce ball court. The menu changes daily so on the Saturday night we visited we had 6 entrees from which to choose. Instead, a couple of us had two appetizers each -- get the egg for sure -- and found them excellent. The peanut butter and strawberry shortcake deserts were delicious and pretty works of art. The portions of everything were small, however, so you may go away hungry. We found it slightly unusual for a place of this quality to have wait staff in jeans, as the linen tableware foretold a quality that was more elegant than that. Our service was superb, however, so absolutely no complaints. You will not leave here disappointed. Park in the Hilton parking ramp next door; the restaurant will validate your parking.

    (5)

  • Tanya C.

    I've been to Empire State South for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is by far the best meal offered here. I've stopped in for breakfast many times to grab one of their tasty biscuits. My favorite is the chicken biscuit with pimento cheese. The biscuits are huge. The biscuit itself is tastes great and is nice and flaky. If you want to try one of these babies, you'll have to stop in for breakfast during the week. Unfortunately, they don't offer the chicken biscuit on their brunch menu. I'm also a fan of their ham biscuit with pepper jelly. I could eat breakfast here every morning. It's that good. I also wanted to rave about their great service. A few of us decided to have a biscuit bonfire breakfast for a friend on a Sunday afternoon. I knew that she was a big fan of the biscuits here so I contacted them to see if I could order their biscuits at a non-biscuit time. I wasn't sure that it would be possible to get an order of many chicken biscuits with pimento cheese, bacon biscuits, sausage biscuits and plain biscuits at 4 pm on a Sunday. The person that I worked with was extremely friendly. She said that she would need to check with the chef and would get back to me. She quickly got back to me and said that they would be happy to accommodate my request. I felt like I won the lottery. I placed the order and the food was ready at the requested time. Five stars for their great biscuits and 5+ stars for making the biscuit bonfire breakfast birthday feast a huge success.

    (5)

  • Karen X.

    Really trendy, contemporary, and southern fare in a cute and upscale environment. I went with three friends and we split a bottle of white wine, a charcuterie platter and each had our own delicious entrees. The charcuterie platter gives you a good sample of a lot of different types of meat and there are just tons of interesting flavor combinations on one plate. Definitely a fun appetizer to share. For my entree I got the duck which was sooo good. My friend got the chicken and it was literally a whole chicken! Super filling - get this if you are hungry! All in all, a great dinner and and a fun place to go with friends or on a date!

    (5)

  • Courtney L.

    Arrived 30 min before closing to enjoy drinks with friends and were given the coldest treatment. The looked ready to close and not worried about our business. The bar tenders were then very condescending in their explanation of the drink menu and very pretentious in demeanor. They didn't even have the liquor I wanted and acted shocked about it. I wouldn't doubt if they were just being lazy and didnt want to go get it. The pours were small and prices were high. Would not return or recommend based on service alone. The owners should have their staff take some customer service lessons.

    (1)

  • Anastasia T.

    Ugh-oh...My favorite restaurant is all disappointment lately. A couple of times we've been there recently the service sucked! (slow, inattentive, they didn't even ask if we wanted desert). Also, the octopus, one of my favorite dishes there, was charred to death last time. People, get it together! You are supposed to be the best restaurant it town, so act like it. All the time.

    (3)

  • Kat W.

    Visiting ESS has been on my bucket list for a very long time, and all I can say is that if you are unsure whether to go or not -- stop. Get in your car, and GO THERE. The decor is the perfect backdrop of farmhouse kitsch, the staff is attentive and not just in a "fills your water back up really fast," oh no, they discuss the menu with you. They make heartfelt recommendations, and join with you as you succumb to your glorious foodgasm. A foodgasm which, like death and taxes, is one of life's little givens if you eat at Empire State South. The charcuterie board? Sublime. Their take on the farm egg? Pure bliss, like popcorn covered in runny egg. Magical. And the GA strip loin? I won't ruin the surprise, you'll just have to get in on that for yourself. And did I mention that they have an outdoor bocce courtyard? Because they have an outdoor bocce courtyard. tl;dr: a Must, capital M.

    (5)

  • Scarlett W.

    The boyfriend managed to snag a reservation here for Valentine's day for their 4 course $65 prix fixe menu. My drink of choice was the Sirena (Mezcal, pear eau de vie, anisette liquer, orgeat, and lime). The waitress described this as a smoky and shaken drink. At first, it was a milky white color and as the evening wore on, the drink turned more clear. Magic (also known as shaken, not stirred)! I started off with the kale salad which was topped with pickled shallots, pecans, and smoked sour dough bits. The presentation was spectacular and my first bite of the salad was even better. The sour dough bits vaguely reminded me of bacon. Mm. I then had the catfish panisse with pork belly and sea island red peas. The catfish was slightly crispy on top and bottom and had a tofu-like texture when I bit into it. For my entree, I ordered the duck confit on top of rice grits, hedgehog mushrooms and sausage. I usually don't like grits because they are...too gritty...(who knew?) but these grits were fluffy and light and topped with mushrooms so that also helped. The duck was a little hard to cut into but it was prepared exquisitely. Dessert was lemon cake topped with raspberry (?) sorbet. I really enjoyed the crisp taste of the raspberry mixed with bites of the cake. I originally found the cake to be boring but the sorbet helped bring out the flavor of the cake. Service was impeccable and Lauren, our waitress, was very nice! Sidenote: Validated parking in 999 Peachtree St. Verdict: Just off of this one meal, this has become one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta because of the creativity and unexpected food pairings. Unfortunately, it is a bit pricy and the portion sizes are rather small (presumably because quality trumps quantity every time) so Empire State South will unfortunately have to be a once in a while treat.

    (5)

  • Stephen B.

    Dinner - appetizers were excellent. The beet salad, peaches and pork were great. The catfish entree was a disappointment. The portion was 3 ounces about the size of a chicken nugget. I asked the server when the rest of my fish was. Very disappointing for $28!

    (2)

  • Tracy H.

    The Farro Verdo appetizer exceeded my expectations. There was a mixture of spiciness and delicate lentil flavors that provided a delightful experience on the tongue. Highly recommended. Definitely add on the Farro Verde appetizer to whatever you are getting. The brassacas (sp?) was light and airy. Good but not the exquisite experience of the farro verde.

    (5)

  • ms j.

    I stopped in for a lunch during a conference and was so very pleased. The food is locally sourced, lovingly crafted and beautifully presented.

    (4)

  • Maureen K.

    Great food. The service was just as good. Dane and lane ( I hope have have their name right) were very nice and informative in the dishes. They made the dinner fun including some fun trivia questions and good humor. Back to the food... I had the steak and potatoes. Cooked perfectly and flavored orgasmically perfect. The menu changes daily to make sure it's the freshest food and unique. This is a must go for anyone visiting Atlanta of if you live here and have not been yet. Mmmmmmm

    (5)

  • Xteethx B.

    I really enjoyed eating lunch here. I was initially disappointed that pork belly wasn't on the menu the day I went but the chicken medallions over grits were really good. Server was nice and accommodating, considering I brought a 5 year old and everyone else was on a business lunch. For dessert I had the olive oil ice cream sandwich but the chocolate cookies overwhelmed the ice cream; it honestly just tasted like vanilla. Still, a good treat. The compost cookie was pretty awesome; I'd have to say it's better than Momofuku's Milk Bar since it came with bacon bits; delicious. Loved the interior and atmosphere; it's upscale but not stuffy or pretentious.

    (5)

  • Wayne F.

    This is a really cool place. They are open for breakfast on the weekends and have a take out window for coffee and pastries-- the honey butter biscuit is pretty damn good and I'm not a biscuit guy. The dinner menu rotates and is creative-- as such some items will be hit or miss. The charred octopus was killer in my opinion although some of friends were not impressed. Cocktail list is adequate and what they do serve they do well. Would repeat.

    (4)

  • Nancy R.

    After I heard of raving reviews of their weekend brunch I had to try it. Wow, talk about awesome! It may still be a little pricey but definitely good food! FOOD: I had their Shrimp & Grits which is Savannah shrimp, andouille, peppers, celery, on top of hominy grits($14). They don't scrimp on the shrimp. This dish is full of shrimp with creamy grits with a little kick of hotness. We also had a side of their home fries($4), a little bland but decent. Since the weather was so nice this past weekend, we played bocce ball outside with a glass of mimosa. What a great relaxing weekend! You can also eat outside and order coffee & desserts from their outside window.

    (4)

  • Andria C.

    A place has to be really special for me to get there at 7AM on a weekday. But after experiencing breakfast at Empire State South, it might just become a regular occurrence. A rare weekday gathering of the The Breakfast Club took us to ESS way too early on a Friday morning. But wonderful company, Counter Culture coffee, fried chicken, and pimento cheese made it totally worth it. We arrived a few minutes before they actually opened, so we hung around outside for a bit. They have lots of outdoor seating and bocce ball court, which would make this an excellent stop when the weather is nice. The menu for breakfast is small and only served from 7 to 10 Monday through Friday. All of us opted for some variation of their breakfast sandwich. My version consisted of a biscuit with fried chicken and pimento cheese. And I'm sure my heart would disagree with the following statement, but I could absolutely eat that thing every day. The biscuit was perfectly buttermilky and flaky. The chicken was crispy but still most and delicious. All stuck together with a warm and gooey layer of pimento cheese. Why exactly is it that I haven't had this before now?!? I also went with the Georgia coffee - iced coffee, already sweetened and creamed. So good that I ordered an extra one to go. I will absolutely be coming back for this wonderful culinary construction again.

    (5)

  • Heidi P.

    We did a really early breakfast here on a Friday. We met at 7am and to my surprise, there was also another table sat. I was coerced by my meal-mates to get the Georgia coffee. It was a very light and sweet cold coffee drink. It was delicious, but I had to drink it slow because 7am is a little early for all that sugar for me. I ordered a plain bagel with country ham (like proscuitto), pepper jelly (a bit hot) and egg. It was very tasty but very toasted, I think.. I prefer toasted bagels but this was like almost unnecessarily crusty and crunchy, it hurt my mouth (I'm a baby.) The insides of this bfast sammich were awesome. I could eat that country ham all day, and the pepper jelly - delish! Service was a little slow and sort of strange. The guy was nice, but there was a little bit of something missing.. Maybe he's not a morning person either (though he was friendly!) Last but not least, they have this cool pastry table so you can grab it, bag it and go. I suppose that is because it's in a building with businesses, and next door to a hotel. Probably a lot of people rushing to get to meetings or work or sight seeing. Overall, pretty good, but nothing super special. I'd go back and try their fried chicken biscuit which is apparently THE THING to get here. Hopefully, I can visit again and bump up their rating with a more exciting meal!

    (3)

  • Tasha D.

    Has the management here changed? This used to be my favorite restaurant in the world, but now, while the appetizers and the cocktails are still very good, everything else is too expensive for what it is.

    (3)

  • Mary S.

    This is a great location for weekday lunches, we hosted a business lunch here. Vibe is great and I would probably like better for dinner and drinks at bar, plus outdoor area looked fun. Menu somewhat limited and the portions very small. Had the chicken po-boy, a bit too spicy for me (I don't like spicy, in general) and the chicken was chopped into pieces smaller than tater tots and not very much of it for the price. Bread was just average.

    (3)

  • Alexandra A.

    Dinner is so-so, from the two experiences I had. However this place is great for cocktails, which is what I go for most of the times now. I really like the atmosphere and lighting, very cozy, both indoors and outdoors. Also this place has great coffee!!! So hit it up in the morning for a chemex brew or esspresso drink, and expect best quality coffee. The patio is beautiful in summer or warm weather. BTW - first timers always have a hard time finding it. This place is not really visible from the street but it is in that white tallish building next to the hyatt hotels. Parking is validated, and I recommend to enter from this little street parallel to 10th - Peachtree Pl, very next after 10th if you are going S - restaurant is at level 3.

    (4)

  • Robert S.

    What Passes For 'Very Good' In Atlanta! Not Terrible, but, The Prices Are On The High Side, The 'Wine By The Glass' Was A 'Short Pour' and Make Sure You Take Your Crestor AND Lipitor, If You Are Going To Have Dinner and Dessert! Great Corn Muffins -- When You Order The $5.00 'Bread Plate'! Staff and Waiter Were Friendly,, Professional and Tried To Please!

    (2)

  • April C.

    Things started off rough, on my first visit here. The (somewhat rude) hostess was on the phone and just waved her hand towards the interior and told me to sit anywhere. This turned out to not be entirely accurate because I ended up sitting at a table that was normally reserved only for coffee drinkers. However, when (very nice) Thomas, the barista came over, he sorted things out for me very quickly and got a waitress to serve me so I didn't have to move. I ordered the Duck Confit hash. At $8.00, its hard to complain. The duck was perfect - tender and juicy. However, I felt like the bbq sauce was heavy-handed and the slow-cooked egg on top was a disaster. The white was watery and runny, and the yolk was congealed. The waitress told me I was getting the last one of the day (I was eating a late breakfast - almost 9am) and so I think perhaps this would have been better earlier in the day. However (call me old-fashioned), I feel there is no excuse for a congealed egg yolk in a poached egg.

    (3)

  • Jill S.

    My husband and I went for our anniversary. When making the reservation they asked if it was a special occasion and we told them that we were celebrating our wedding anniversary. Once we got there, there was no mention of this at all. No big deal. The champagne was flat that I ordered, no bubbles. Thought it was a fluke, but the second glass was the same way. Charred cabbage app was yummy. I ordered trout for the entree, which was good, not spectacular. My husband ordered the pork taster. He said it was ok. I think we thought we were going to experience fine dining. Not so much. Crossed it off the list and will not be going back.

    (2)

  • Matthew P.

    Ok. Upon looking at the menu beforehand, I was stoked. My brother placed a reservation for 9 on Xmas eve....Fantastic. After a really weak sermon, I was craving some strong foodie food choices. Twas not the case. Pre fix. Without notice. The food was good. Well crafted. Was not put off by the dishes that were served, but do I think what was served was worth the price tag on the overall meal at the end of the day? Absolutely not. Won't go into the dishes, (although I found the rabbit roulade delicious) because I'm sure they will be different when you visit. Price reflects location and what the owner thinks is a cool concept. and it kind of is. so try it. or don't. or fuck me. or fuck you. I don't care. merry Xmas.

    (3)

  • Bianca C.

    I've recently tried them for Sunday brunch and wasn't as impressed as I was for their dinner. I did enjoy the farm egg in cast iron but was not filling. Other family members got the breakfast sandwich which was average. The side of bacon was good. Service was excellent. I just wish they had either more of a brunch selection or gave you larger portions. Won't be back for brunch but definitly for dinner.

    (3)

  • Lindsay A.

    Specialty drinks are awesome. Always great food. Last time we went the cold water oysters were amazing. I had them for an app AND my dessert.

    (5)

  • Leah D.

    So, everyone is pretty much right on with this place. It was as good as we hoped as far as food goes. There were 5 of us, so the last minute reservation we made ended up being a little later than usual. By 8:30 on the dot, we were seated in the corner of a dim lit, southern but contemporary restaurant. Very chill vibe with hipster servers probably encouraged to get black rimmed glasses, even if they have perfect vision. We were seated for at least 10 minutes before our server came over to take our drink order. I ordered the cider, and I am very much a cider drinker. She told me that it was "funky"...which I thought meant, it was carbonated. When it arrived, it tasted like cough medicine or old medical supplies. As I passed it around the table, everyone agreed. She suggested that I let it grow on me....I think not. My girlfriend ordered a champagne and gin drink, which was all gin. We all ended up drinking a bottle of wine, which was delicious. For an app, we all shared the jars. Four out of five were good, with the standout being the pimento cheese. It was stellar, and was the first to go. There was a peanut butter one that nobody really cared for, and the trout mouse and pickled veggies were a nice treat. Everyone raved about the small plates of roasted octopus and egg and rice? I didn't care because my rib eye was phenomenal. I am being completely serious, if this rib eye wasn't a 10/10, this place would have a 3 instead of a 4. The collards were the perfect salty. The mushrooms were soft and scrumptious. The potato was completely different than I expected and the rib eye was cooked and sliced for me to enjoy in one bite. The sauce they used made me regret ever saying anything bad about this place. Everything was forgotten when I took a complete bite of this dish. Great little spot and will enjoy going back here when the weather improves!

    (4)

  • RJ C.

    If you live, work, or socialize in Midtown, ESS serves as a lovely, if a bit expensive, happy hour option: bocce, In Jars, and classy cocktails with a blazing sunset over the Midtown skyline. It's a great centralized location that's easily reached by bike or Marta as well as car -- with parking deck validation, no less! -- before hitting other spots in the neighborhood. Their coffee (Counter Culture from NC) is amazing, as are all the appetizers. Service is attentive enough and the decor is plenty hip. That I have never been here for dinner actually stands as a testament to how much I like this place -- I think it deserves four just for fulfilling the above functions so very very sweetly!

    (4)

  • Dave G.

    I have not spent much time in the Deep South, and my experience with real Southern cuisine is limited. I do not know where Empire State South stacks up in the ranks of Southern restaurants. It gets high marks from me, though. I visited there on a cold Sunday morning at the end of a crappy weekend, depressed and hoping for something to lift my spirits. They seated me quickly and began to bring me wonderful food and drink. It did just the trick. They have an in-house bakery. You will pass a table with many of their baked goods on the way in. I tried the Almond Tea Cake. It was a delight. They brought me a latte which was terrific, then a dish called the Jalapeno Bacon Biscuit which was two poached eggs over a pile of pulled pork with a jalapeno biscuit in there somewhere and some wilted ramps. It was the bizarrest Benedict I've ever seen, but it was good for the soul. (Hard on the cholesterol count . . . ) They took care of me and I left feeling upbeat. Not such a bad weekend after all. Quick tip: They will validate for the parking garage behind the restaurant.

    (4)

  • Jumi Y.

    In New York!~ Concrete jungles where dreams are made of... Wrong empire state of mind, but still makes me so happy. I've been here a couple of times for special occasions, and the food has been consistently good. Their menu rotates often, so what I've listed might not match what they are currently serving. But just so you have an idea: Here are some of the things we had the last time we went: Appetizers --In Jars: This was ok. Lots of special dips (trout mousse, pimento cheese and bacon marmalade, boiled peanut hummus, deviled ham) and pickles/bread. I don't really enjoy the hammy taste, so all this was a little overwhelming for me. My friends really liked it though, and if you enjoy things in the bacon category, this is probably for you, too. --Charcuterie: Nice mix of all kinds of meat. They even had blood sausage that was decent. --Cheese: yum- 2 cows and a sheep, all delicious with great sweet and savory pairings. --Roasted octopus: this was clearly one of their menu stars. The octopus was perfectly seasoned and smoky. Entree: --Snapper: This was an entire fish with several pieces of gnocchi and greens. It came with a bacon dashi (that I left off, but everyone else enjoyed). So good. I ate everything and still had room for more. --Beef: juicy, well-seasoned, perfectly cooked --Pennsylvania duck: Flew right in from PA to be cooked to perfection. --Pork belly: I didn't try this, but it looked really good, and my friend who had it really enjoyed it. Service was decent. Our server didn't really make too much eye contact with us but he was efficient and there when we needed anything. The guy who brought out the cheese forgot the names of all of them and had to pull out his "cheat sheet." Kind of hilarious though. We had a great time, and I hope the next special event rolls around soon, so I can have another great meal

    (4)

  • Jeff T.

    A group of 8 of us visited Empire on a Tuesday night, 02/25/14. Most of our group had not been here before, but heard all the "hype" about how fantastic the place was and had read reviews here on Yelp about how great the food was. We arrived about 9 pm and had a few cocktails at the bar to wait for the rest of our party to arrive, great bar. Once our party arrived we were seated promptly Have to say, as far as the food goes, my girlfriend and I were quite unimpressed. Dishes didn't seem like they were thought out very well, and for the quality and portions of food - extremely over priced. Specifically we had the scallops, and they were nothing special that's for sure. 4 seared scallops with lettuce thrown on them. This dish in particular was a real dud in our book. It's not like we only tried two things on the menu, our table ordered nearly all appetizers and entree items from the menu. We did have a great time at the restaurant with our friends though, and we did really like the look, feel and ambience. The service was excellent as well, not a single bad thing to say about the service. Our server did a fantastic job keeping up with our table. We may come back here for appetizers and cocktails as it is in a good location in Midtown, but I don't see ever visiting here again for a full dinner.

    (2)

  • Richard H.

    I really struggled with the rating. I'd like to give them 3.5 if measured on a price to quality standpoint. I'm not a price sensitive consumer as I'm willing to pay top dollar for fine cuisine. Awesome, creative cocktails. Great ambiance. Ordered golden tile fish. Prepared well with leeks, turnips, bok choi. But the sauce was bland. I think that you could get a comparable dish in a dozen nice atl restaurants for half the price. If you are looking for an adventure in wine, then this is your place. They seem to strive to find obscure vintages, which is great. But if I'm paying $15/ glass, I don't want a Pinot noir from Germany or a Viognier from Lebanon.

    (3)

  • Tadd F.

    Great meal, there was a bit of an issue with the level of seasoning throughout the meal, too much salt in a few of the dishes but only one that was beyond passing. Our waitress was quick to remedy this issue and never missed a beat. "Farm Egg" is spectacular!

    (4)

  • Shelby S.

    You can't hear the fart noise I am making with my mouth, but just pretend like you can. While you're at it, you can pretend I was at one point classy and sophisticated enough to dine here. I felt like I was in an SNL skit as every course they brought out kept getting smaller and more expensive. However, I do know who runs the coffee bar and that enough is going to bump this review up one star because if he still makes coffee as well as he did at Steady Hand, then this restaurant has baller coffee. Try saying that 10 times fast with a long island accent.

    (4)

  • Leddee H.

    BRUNCH REVIEW ONLY During my annual girl's weekend trip, we used the ATL as our point of entry and exit from Savannah. We had a few hours of free time on Sunday morning before our flights, so I had made a brunch reservation at ESS. The reservation process was easy, just send them an e-mail, and 24 hours later they will confirm your reservation via e-mail. We were late for brunch since President Obama decided to use Interstate 75 the same time as we were going to ESS, so the local authorities decided to close the highway for about 20 minutes. :-) Nonetheless, ESS understood why we were late, and we were seated immediately in their beautifully decorated restaurant. It's modern, sleek, yet it felt like you were having brunch at home! Now unto the meal, we started with the pimento cheese and bacon marmalade, and oh, my! This isn't your typical pimento sandwich since the bread was perfectly toasted, the cheese wasn't overly salty, and the the bacon marmalade was like candy. Since I heart bacon, I ordered the pork belly with grits that also had perfectly cooked eggs, mustard seeds, frisée, and crushed pecans. Sorry ESS if I didn't elegantly describe this dish, but it was very well balanced. However, I felt that the pecans got chewy the longer they stayed on the dish, so eat the pecans quickly. 5 stars for the pimento cheese with bacon marmalade, the wait staff, the decor, the ambience, and the treats, especially the peanut butter bon bons! Wow. I want to check this out for dinner, but I'm not sure when I'll be visiting the ATL anytime soon.

    (5)

  • Annette L.

    Sadly, I have to give this place 3 stars because the food is way too pricey for the tiny portions you get. Don't get me wrong, the food was good and the service was fantastic. As for the atmosphere, it was a little too dark (I had to strain my eyes to see the menu), but manageable. My fiance and I were there with a group of friends, knowing that it was a bit higher priced (not an ideal situation for us, having to pay for a wedding, but the decision was already made for us), and we were still shocked at how small the portions are. He ordered the pork tenderloin, and for $40 you would expect that it would be a nice, sizable piece of pork. Instead, what he got were 3 small cubes of pork and some vegetables. It was in no way worth $40. And my chicken was pretty good, but not $35 good. Kind of wish we had stuck with just appetizers, as you seem to get more "bang for your buck" with those. Sadly, we could have saved money. It was a nice experience, and I know my friends enjoyed it, but my fiance and I will not be returning.

    (3)

  • Chris T.

    One of the most memorable meals of my life. Four of us did a meal of splitting all of the First Courses substituting the Jars appetizer for the gazpacho. It was amazing (even though we pissed off the kitchen). Great service Our waiter (Morton?), was very accommodating and recommended a (relatively) inexpensive Pinot Noir (Au Bon Climat) when we left the wine choice in his hands. Jars- A+ best part of the meal. The pimento cheeses bacon spread was awesome. The trout spread was good, as was the

    (5)

  • Andrew A.

    My sister who was in from Madrid was craving a fried chicken biscuit and wanted to try Empire State South. We both had the fried chicken biscuit and it was delicious. The biscuit was just dense enough and the chicken was perfect. And even though it was 10a, I made her get a phatty cake for dessert. Not sure many people know they are open for breakfast during the week, but it is a great place to check out.

    (4)

  • Valerie N.

    Absolute perfection. Look no further than Empire State South for the perfect Southern meal. We came here on a Friday night for my birthday. We had a corner table (although seated by a large group, which at first, was a bit unsettling), which ended up being a great place to sit as we could watch the restaurant during our meal. Our waiter was PHENOMENAL - we felt like instant BFFs. We promptly decided on the 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings and just had a delightful evening of delicious food. If I'm honest, ESS feels like the offspring of southern delicacies and the French Laundry. We are long time fans of Five and Ten so its not really a surprise to me that our meal at ESS was perfectionl, but I was super impressed with the quality of ingredients and the creativity behind each course. I'm so happy we went with the tasting menu as it really permitted us to bear witness to the c Stand out items included: -- Our amuse bouche, a delicious foie gras taste with pickled strawberries and teeny tiny brioche -- Steak tartare with a perfect sous vide encrusted egg and cheddar crisps -- Trout with grapefruit and gnocchi (I HATE trout and grapefruit so the fact that these were so heavenly just goes to show how terrific a restaurant ESS truly is) The pork belly with kimchee grits and delicious goat cheese ravioli appeared in our courses. These were heaven too, but I can't imagine eating an entire full dinner portion of either of these since they were so rich. The sommelier is a breath of fresh air - she's absolutely charming and unassuming and knowledgeable as heck about beautiful wine. Well done. The cocktails here are divine and bonus points for using champagne saucers. Honestly? The service here is top notch. Get here. Get here now. I can only imagine how tasty it would be for brunch and lunch!

    (5)

  • Alex P.

    For brunch, pretty mediocre place. The chai tea latte was excellent, so I would highly recommend getting that. However, given the price point and the tiny portions, I would have expected something phenomenal in the dishes. Although good, nothing really stood out and nobody at our table of 4 would probably come back for a second time.

    (3)

  • Karen H.

    Yummy, yummy. Went there with girlfriends and had a great time and a really good meal. The bar is mixology style, so don't expect Stoli or Jack Daniels. I went with a whisky sour, bartender's choice for the whisky and she did me right. One of my companions did the same with a gin drink, and didn't care for the gin, and they swapped out for something else without batting an eye. I like that they know not everyone is going to get into small-batch drinks, and are willing to compromise a bit. Regarding the food, since it was our first time, we went with some fairly safe choices. We had the Jars (smoked trout spread, deviled ham, pimento cheese, peanut hummus). Frankly, we could have had that and been done - all great and lots of food. The ham and pimento cheese has a bit of kick, which I like. My dinner was the farm egg over crisp rice. I know, I know, it isn't a conventional combination. But you break that egg over the rice and let the creamy yolk run into the rice, and then blend it all together, and it's pretty sublime. I also had a side of the braised greens - they were just the right level of braised, without the greens being mush. Awesome. Go. Eat, Bocci, have a cocktail you won't normally have. It'll be worth it.

    (4)

  • Lindsay W.

    We just had a large group go there for lunch. The Private Event manager was very easy to work with and was quick to respond to emails. They set us up at a large table which was nice, but a little snug. They realized that though and quickly added another table on. We had pre-ordered, so we made things go a little quicker. When I say quicker, we were still there for over an hour, which is still long, but not as long as the last time when it took over 2 hours. I ordered the 5 sides to eat and the serving size was large and filling. Almost all of the guys ordered the Pork belly because you would think that it would be a decent size portion. Negative! These looked like kid size portions. The plate décor was great, but it was clear that this entrée should be a Tapas or appetizer. A few people ordered the Ice cream terrine which was chocolate cake with coconut ice cream. It looked delicious! However, we did wait 20 minutes between the time our entrees were cleared from when our 5 desserts came out, which seemed like a LONG time. They have a great bar area and outdoor seating and boche ball.

    (3)

  • Cherry L.

    Guess what my new fave midtown bar is (in addition to one of my fave restaurants in atl)---ESS! FAN FAN FAN! I always like to nibble on a little something when drinking my boozey martinis and think their small plates are perfect---especially the 'in jars'!! the bartenders are knowledgeable and always provide great recommendations for dranks! AND they are open fairly late for evening drinks, not too loud, lots of open space, and great decor/lighting! GO THERE NOW!

    (5)

  • David F.

    GREAT food, on point bartenders and fantastic service lead to a great meal. The food was very good and of our 8 people, everyone was very happy!

    (5)

  • Amaryllia L.

    My lamb was cooked just right but, based on reactions from the other people I went with, food is hit or miss. Overall, this place is very overpriced for what you get. 1/3 of a cheese plate + 1 drink + 1 entree + 1 dessert = $60 pre-tip

    (3)

  • Quality K.

    ordered the lamb and beef tartar bit did not expect them to come out like an appetizer. waste of money. ordered crown and sprite but was not told they do not carry crown. they substituted some other liquor which i have never heard off, some off market stuff. i was told after the fact and i did not drink it and sent it back but i was charged for it. not a great experience. my guests were not impressed with the slim pickings. service was not great as i had to flag down the server to try and order and after a while we just gave up. we ended up going elsewhere to get a decent meal.

    (1)

  • Jen K.

    UPDATE: you need to understand the amazingness of the jars. These delectable jars contain mind blowing spreads like pimento cheese with bacon marmalade; boiled peanut hummus; and other little bites of heaven. I am telling you the jars are the requirement. Everything else is cake. This is my second favorite restaurant in Atlanta (Holeman & Finch is still #1). I went here recently with a friend. We had the steak tartare (very good but H&F makes it better), the sweetbreads which were amazing, and I had a steak special that was phenomenal. They also have a nice wine list. Definitely recommend.

    (5)

  • Linda S.

    A perfect special-occasion splurge for anyone who appreciates a creative, fine dining take on Southern food. We started with cocktails. Happy all around. This is the 4th time I've eaten at ESS, and I've had the "in jars" snacks for the table every time. The pimiento cheese with bacon jam is just the best thing ever. Deviled ham, trout mousse, field pea hummus (or crowder peas? something like that), pickled vegetables. All tasty. Big flavors. I shared the farm egg starter. Rich, buttery, crunchy comfort. Scallops in my entree we're perfectly seared and well-seasoned. 3 in our party of five ordered quail, 1 had pork loin. All entrees got high marks for presentation, and everyone cleaned their plate. We shared two desserts: a chocolate-farro bread pudding and a heavenly jelly doughnut-like thing with strawberry sorbet. Service was helpful and friendly. Portions are not large; prices are. So worth it.

    (5)

  • K K.

    I really like ESS and even with the inconsistent front-of-the-house service I still can't admit to the fact this one of my favorite Atlanta restaurants. I've been for breakfast/brunch and dinner a couple times. I get the farm egg rice brunch/appetizer. It's really one of the best things I've ever eaten. The oyster selection is nice , but that farm egg... Drool. Entrees are seasonal and taste like what they're supposed to, meaning that the food isn't over powered by sauces etc. just good ingredients well prepared. Topped off with a nice coffee or chai... I'm in southern bliss.

    (5)

  • Lianne S.

    I loved the late night dinner here. We had one of the "jars" and it was delicious!! We had the pimento cheese and bacon marmalade and it was so good. The octopus and pork sausage appetizers are also delicious! The lamb was perfect for splitting after the appetizers that we had.

    (5)

  • Jason L.

    A total disappointment. Service was off point though friendly. Coffee and tea ordered immediately upon being seated were forgotten and arrived after our entrees and though presented with the right bill our card was run for a nearby table's larger bill. Both situations were quickly and professionally rectified, but disappointing. The food was also mediocre. The chicken Po Boy is not a Po Boy, but a decent buffalo chicken sandwich. The bread doesn't cut it. The trout accompaniments were GREAT, but the fish itself was bland and a little strong (though definitely fresh and a properly processed piece). Hype hype hype.

    (2)

  • William M.

    I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone.

    (1)

  • Kurt N.

    This is absolutely a perfect use of the 5 start Woohoo! As good as it gets! The bartenders are first class, the food excellent, the dessert great, and they do coffee right. I went with a group of 6 so we just ordered things that looked interesting and split them all. You can definitely make a meal of just beginnings, especially if you don't want to spring for a whole entree.

    (5)

  • Derek B.

    This year's anniversary dinner, and an excellent choice. I was a huge fan of Five and Ten when I lived in Athens a few years back, love his new cookbook, and am a huge fan of the farm to table movement, so I figured this place would be awesome. And it was. Based on the recommendation of almost every review on here, we started with the In Jars. Glad we did. Rillettes were some of the best I've ever had(been to France mind you), Pimento cheese with Bacon Marmalade was amazing(who knew?) and the Trout Mousse had a great flavor, even my wife who doesn't like fishy stuff loved it. Boiled Peanut Hummus was the only let down, not that it was bad, but I just had high expectations of it and every thing else was so much better than it. You can get more toast points to go with this because they don't give you enough, but I also recommend using some of the bread they bring you(sourdough with cracklin's, yum) as it goes really well with these. For an appetizer we split the Pork belly on the kimchi grits. Loved the presentation in the miniature cast iron skillets and it was amazingly delicious. Pork belly melted in your mouth and the grits had a great texture and flavor....Highly recommended. My wife got the Pork Loin with roasted veggies. She really enjoyed it, especially the veggies and the potatoe?(I think it was but it could have been something else) puree that it was served with which was like a sauce. I tried a bite or two and agree. Rather than having an entree I went with 2 apps: Dashi Glazed Octopus and Sweetbreads. The octopus was the only real disappointment of the meal, the flavor wasn't particularly great and the sauce tasted like mayo, kind of gross actually. However, the sweetbreads were awesome. Definitely a southern version and I liked it. For dessert we went with the Christmas Pageant which was like an explosion on a plate of all things christmasy(see picture). It didn't look particularly appetizing but everything on the plate was great, although the peppermint flavors were a little strong at times. I also had the Georgia Coffee which is an iced coffee drink(just so you know to expect that, I didn't) and it was really really good. Super long review, but this place deserves it. Would love to go back if I get a chance.

    (5)

  • Donald L.

    I am a fan. This is the second year that we spent New Years at ESS and the food and wine has been some of the best I've experienced. This year ESS seems to have stepped it up with a live band and bar after the final seating. It was an unmitigated disaster. The last dinner service sat 30 min late which resulted in a late finish and so the band didn't get to set up until late. So late that they missed New Years. Then when they finally started, it was music that drove the regular clients out (including our party of 4). The music was a terrible mixture of loud college music that most folks in their 40s were revolted by, couple that with a strange mix of new visitors and we couldn't get to the door quick enough. We will find somewhere else next year. Go, just avoid the New Year's Eve party.

    (3)

  • Chris C.

    Dinned here while in Atlanta for trade show, was highly recommend. Food was ok portions were small for the price. Jars app was very good. However the horrible service killed the experience. Took our server over 20 min to even acknowledge we were there. Reservation was for 5 we had 5 at the table when she came over asked how long before the other people showed up. Ordered a drink when the app arrived received it after I was done with my dinner. If you really want a good meal in Atlanta with the service to match try South City Kitchen

    (1)

  • Edward S.

    Warning: Don't go here with larger parties. They can't handle it and treat you like you're a burden to them. This review is a bit of a rant. If you don't feel like reading it, it can be summarized by saying that the food is above average but the service is poor and they cannot handle larger parties (8 people). If you have a larger party, absolutely do not go here. My father in law had some very close friends coming in from Thailand today. There were 8 of us and he asked me to set up dinner at one of the best restaurants in Atlanta as he wanted to welcome them with a very nice dinner. So, I chose Empire State South due to it's awesome reputation. Even though we had a reservation, we were seated nearly 30 minutes late on a Wednesday night. This was a problem because our guests were very jet lagged and the wait was hard on them. I understand that sometimes things happen and that alone wouldn't have been that bad. However, during this time we weren't so much as offered a drink of water or a snack while we waited they really didn't seem to care all that much. When we finally got our table, it was clear that they just made a table that didn't normally exist out of a couple of small ones as we were crammed into the middle of the restaurant. My chair was sitting in a heavy traffic lane (basically, I crammed in at the end of the table) so I was probably bumped by waiters and other customers at least 20 times. Our server was adequate for a restaurant of this level but he either didn't know the menu well or didn't bother to really explain it to us. I won't hold it against him though because he was set up for failure. He certainly wasn't passionate about the food and didn't do anything to turn around the experience. The food was definitely above average but generally overpriced. My wife's first $15 glass of wine came complete with part of the cork in it and a piece of quail was dropped on me by the wait staff with hardly an apology. Normally, I would just think that stuff was kinda funny except they just quickly brought out another piece of quail on a small plate by itself. This is a $33 entree and they treat it as if a bread stick fell out of the basket at Maggiano's ("oh well, we'll just get another one"). To be fair, I think most folks in our party enjoyed their meal. And, I'll give the restaurant credit: they DID try to fix EVERYTHING with some free homemade candy as an apology at the end. In retrospect, we probably should have just gone to Maggiano's. There are a lot of really good restaurants in Atlanta. Save you money and skip this one.

    (1)

  • ginny b.

    Empire State South is always consistently on point, even with an ever-changing menu (based on what is seasonal and freshest). The interior is so cozy and comfortable that I always want to linger a little longer. My favorite things on the menu are the in-jars and the farm egg. Also, if you can request a server, ask for Vas. He is so knowledgable and passionate about the menu! He also has an excellent list of wines he will eagerly recommend to pair with your meal. Trust me, he will elevate your dining experience to the next level.

    (5)

  • Neal W.

    Can't agree with the positive reviews. Maybe I am not in the demo for this restaurant. It seems to be more popular with younger people. For starters, we walked in with a party of 5 on a Wednesday night at 7pm. Lots and lots of empty tables. They asked if I had a reservation and I said no. They said it would be a 20 minute wait. Okay. Whatever. So we go to the bar and order drinks. Before the drinks even arrive they come tell us our table is ready. So, the "do you have a reservation" thing was just BS. Look, if you've got tons of tables ready to go, why play with people and tell them to go get a drink at the bar? It doesn't make you look exclusive. It makes it look like you don't like making customers feel welcome. Lots of froo-froo cocktails with clever (stupid) names. Prices on booze was low compared to NYC prices, but probably high for Atlanta. Gave them three chances to get my vodka on the rocks with olives right...kept showing up with a lime. Menu was really small. Like, four starter options and a handful of entrees. We ordered some oysters, which were fine but bloody expensive at $3.50 each. We also ordered an app that had a bunch of different things in tiny jars to spread on toast points. It was just okay, and we didn't finish it. One of us got the special egg first course and said it was good....that may have been THE culinary high spot of the night. Of the five, four of us seemed satisfied with their entree, but no one was saying anything about it. Not one person said, "This is good". I had the duck and was utterly disappointed. It was just salty. That was the only flavor. And the portion was ridiculously small for almost $40. It was literally two rectangular slivers of duck breast 1 inch by 1 inch by 3 inches. I commend the knife skills, but for $40 I'd like to have a real serving of meat. We ordered a few desserts, and none were at all interesting. I had the chocolate with plums for $7 that turned out to be (no exaggeration) three postage stamp size squares of brownie, a few tiny wedges of plum, some powdered sugar and some swirls of caramel and chocolate. Are you frikkin' kidding me? In general, I felt like it was a total rip-off. Service was excellent and attentive, so no complaint there. Dinner for 5 with tip was $425. I dunno, but for $425 I expected to really enjoy the food and drink, and I didn't at all. Would never return.

    (1)

  • Alex C.

    The atmosphere here is awesome. The locations a little funky, but if you can find their little courtyard, you're in for a treat. For an awesome, well made, delicious breakfast sandwich that isn't mass produced, come here. I went for the pimento fried chicken sandwich and it was amazing. The coffee here is also pretty good, so make sure to check'em out. And make sure to thank your server/barista on weand.co

    (5)

  • Sophia S.

    I can't give as much praise to this restaurant as it deserves. This is our favorite restaurant in Atlanta. I did the tasting menu and wine pairing here on 2 separate occassions. Definitely the best tasting menu in ATL. For each course the sommelier explained the history of the wine and why they chose that pairing, immediately followed by the delivery of the food. It was timed perfectly. Insider tip: ask them to give different plates to each person for each course. This way you can share and taste 10 dishes and wine pairings instead of 5. My absolute favorite dishes here are the farm egg and lamb belly.

    (5)

  • Lisa Y.

    Disclaimer: My review will be a review of the place as a wedding venue + catering. I attended a wedding here, and was first very intrigued by the cuteness of the place. It was very different from the weddings I have attended in my past, so I was looking forward to the rest of the wedding/reception. It was an outdoor wedding, but being in the middle of downtown Atlanta, you will experience a real city wedding. Throughout the ceremony, we heard sirens, horns, and even cars entering the parking deck RIGHT next to us. It took away from the romance of the ceremony since all the noise made it hard to hear. I've loved the concept of a real city wedding, but this made me reconsider due to the number of distractions that there were. Cocktail hour was probably my favorite part of the entire wedding. The bride and groom both had their own specialty drink made that we had the option of choosing between, and the finger foods that were served by Empire State South were delicious. The oysters were AMAZING and the various types of meat they had were actually really good. Indoor reception area was... in my opinion.. horrible. The restaurant in itself is very homey, and gives a true southern feel, however, they have walls up that prevent you from being able to see the center of the restaurant. Every section of the restaurant causes seclusion and I found it quite irritating that people had to get up and move and stand in the doorways just to be able to see the bride and groom walk in, and even have their first dance. If you consider having a wedding here, I'd reconsider due to the reception area. The food was alright, but we were a bit unhappy that it took roughly 2.5 hours to get all the courses of our meal. It was about a 30 minute wait after the completion of one course until we received the next course. By the end of the course, we were ready to go. The food was a bit of a miss for majority of the meal. The two appetizers we had were farro salad and the charred octopus, and both were a huge miss for me. I was not a fan of the fennel nor the pistachios in my farro salad, and the charred octopus would have been good if it hadn't been for the ink sauce. We all got the hanger steak for our entree and it was actually really good, except for the portion size. They are very peanut based meals and that is one of the reasons I did not like my experience, so be weary. The deserts were a huge miss which was quite sad since that was one of the main parts I was looking forward too. I had the Baked Alaska and I should have had the sesame & stone fruit instead. The Baked Alaska was very bitter, due to the coffee chocolate syrup and as a desert, it was not was I was anticipating. In the beginning, I was quite sure that I'd ask the beau to take me back here as a date night, but after our experience, we both opted to not come back. The food was very mediocre in our eyes, and it wasn't what we both desire when it comes to food.

    (2)

  • E L.

    Outstanding. Best brunch I've had in ATL in all respects: Atmosphere--rustic and chic. Server--hipster hot, knew his stuff, exactly as available as he needed to be. Stellar coffee (chemex option!). Chicken thigh with grits, squash, coddled egg, endive, pecans--mmmmmmm. Perrrrrrfecccccct. It's weird that it's in a hotel, I guess. But otherwise, I'm all about it!

    (5)

  • Brooke L.

    Very trendy restaurant with a nice ambiance. My brother and I showed up on a weekday night before going to the Atlanta symphony and had not made a reservation. When we arrived the hostess informed us they were all booked for the night for the regular tables, but we were free to find a spot at the bar. Since we really only wanted appetizers and drinks this was perfect for us. Our waiter/bartender was immediately attentive and since neither of us had been there before he offered his suggestions. His first suggestion was that we must try the "In Jars". This was very good and many different flavors. Would definitely recommend this as far as a sharing appetizer. The pimiento cheese was my favorite. Next we got the plate of artisan cheeses. These were also delicious and had many different flavors on one plate. The last thing we tried was the "Farm Egg", which both of us had previously heard of and our bartender informed us that this was a very popular appetizer. After trying it I definitely see why. There was egg and mushrooms and sausage over crunchy rice. We were so impressed that we ordered a second one. We had a great experience and I would definitely try that one again. We did not eat any of the entrees but the prices did look a little steep. I would recommend having appetizers and drinks at the bar for a full experience that doesn't drain your wallet.

    (4)

  • Addy C.

    Lunch is still 5 stars for me - I've been several times and consistently it's been great. However breakfast was just a 3-star experience for me. We came on a weekday for an 8am breakfast meeting. They won't let you sit the back room which I think is better space and quieter - instead breakfast patrons can only sit in the bar area which I found to be rather noisy, and difficult if you're trying to conduct a work meeting. We picked the table near the entrance b/c that was the only table where the sun wasn't shining directly in our eyes ... however that location is probably also the most noisy b/c after all, it's the entrance. Lesson learned. Breakfast menu is very simple (breakfast sandwich, fruit, granola, oatmeal, eggs) - in other words, it's more like continental breakfast offerings. FYI, it doesn't include the "steak and eggs" listed online. I got the "Organic Steel Cut Oatmeal" which came w/ a dollop of yogurt, brown sugar, and 2 orange slices ($6). Very good although I was hungry an hour later :) The other 2 people in my party got the bagel w/ egg, and a ham bagel sandwich w/ pepper jelly - both looks really good, esp. the bagel. I'd probably get the breakfast sandwich next time - mostly b/c the spreads sound intriguing. FYI - they don't take reservations for breakfast. Parking garage next door is free w/ validation - make sure you keep both the original ticket and the validation ticket, and follow directions carefully on which ticket goes in first. There is no attendant to help you - good luck :) While I wouldn't recommend this place for a breakfast meeting, I definitely still plan to check out their weekend brunch - I've heard only wonderful stuff :)

    (3)

  • Kristin B.

    Empire State South really pulled out the stops for us this morning at brunch. First, the food was impeccable. The brunch menu is compact (as others have noted), but not one thing we tried was anything less than perfection. The pimento cheese with bacon marmalade is a must get for pimento cheese lovers. If you are not a pimento cheese lover, order this anyway because it will make one out of you. However, the brunch portion of this appetizer is about one third of the size of the lunch/dinner one, so order accordingly if your group is big (or hungry). Entrees included the steak and eggs (delicious), shrimp and grits (delicious), and the day's special, a soft-shell crab dusted in a spicy flour and pan fried over a bed of dandelion greens with a perfectly poached egg. If this special is available, it is another must order. The huge soft-shell crab was just barely cooked, leaving it incredibly succulent and tender, and obviously very fresh. I couldn't tell you the names of the sauces and purees that dotted my plate, but combined it made for an almost ethereal breakfast. The service was also impeccable. I had noted in my reservation that we would be celebrating my dad's birthday, and they not only wished him a happy birthday when we were seated, but our server brought out a complimentary grasshopper terrine dessert, complete with candle. It was such a sweet and thoughtful gesture (as well as beautiful and delicious -complete with a sugared mint leaf), and a lovely way to end our meal. I'm holding back on that fifth star because I feel that it's still a *little* pricey for what you get. However, Empire State South is officially being added to my "splurge" list.

    (4)

  • Rosie G.

    It seemed like a great place but I was wrong. The atmosphere is good (hipster feel) but with such high prices I expected more. The menus were printed blurry and smudged so I couldn't read half of the drink list. The food was underwhelming and disappointing. I had the foie gras and my boyfriend had the ribeye. Both were portioned poorly and had no flavor. After spending over $100 and leaving hungry and not impressed, I suggest never eating here.

    (1)

  • Charlie B.

    Damn son, damn. My friend Tom and I couldn't get a table at Holeman and Finch, and ended up at ESS. Thank fucking Christ for that bit of fortune. This might be the best breakfast Ive had in Atlanta. I had a shrimp stew served on grits (also known as shrimp and grits) and it was fantastic. The pimento cheese with bacon and toast was pretty much perfect, and quite frankly I could happily have an order of that and some eggs and be as happy as a clam. (Why are clams always considered to be happy?) dude. go. now. really. Its that good.

    (5)

  • Kevin J.

    Cool decor and ambiance. This place supposedly has THE best duck ever prepared, but unfortunately I didn't have any. I've heard great things and the server went on and on about how he doesn't like duck but when he tried Empire's he was a believer. The heirloom tomato salad was out of thus world, Ridiculously prepared with flavors that will blow your mind. It could've been the combo of GA peaches but I'd like to think the Tomato spoke for themselves. Goat cheese helped too. Service was a bit off but I think the food and decor made up for the lack of attention. Would I go back? Hell yes.

    (4)

  • Ashley B.

    I was a little wary about trying Empire State South for lunch, because I read some negative comments on Yelp about the service and the plate size to price ratio here. I agree that this is not a cheap restaurant and I thought that my dish looked a little small when it was served to me, but I am pleasantly full. My friend and I were both interested in trying the pimento cheese appetizer, which came out in the form an adorable little mason jar filled about 2/3 full of pimento cheese and the remaining 1/3 with a delicious bacon jam along with four slices of toasted bread. The bread looked like it was going to be crusty and hard, which I hate, but it was perfectly toasted so that the middle was nice and soft. The pimento cheese was spot on, and the bacon jam was a great touch, even added a little kick to the app. I would not call myself an adventurous eater, and I typically do not order something that is completely foreign to me. However, I read a raving review from Creative Loafing about the Farm Egg, which is a poached egg on top of puffed rice, butternut squash, scallions, mushrooms and hot dog. I am not a huge hot dog or mushroom fan, and have never had an egg for lunch before, but decided to try it anyway. And I was so glad that I did! The texture of that rice, combined with the saltiness from the hot dog, mixed with the gooey yolk of the egg was great. I could probably do without the squash (which was more of a puree at the bottom of the dish), but I didn't dislike it at the same time. And the mushrooms didn't bother me at all. I thought that our server was great - very quick service, funny and friendly guy. I would definitely come here again.

    (4)

  • Shaun B.

    The food here is exceptional, to say the least. But the service is what makes it great. Or server was Mason and he was as exceptional as the food. He greeted us with a handshake and actually called us by name at times during the service. More importantly, he took ownership of our experience and the food, presenting an very personal commitment to the food and way it was prepared. He was proud to work there and answered technical questions about the preparation without hesitation. What a pleasure! I started off with a cocktail, the heartache and vine (strong, strange, delicious, weird, very good). Mason described it as what would be if liquor and wine had a baby. So true. Along with this, we shared the "in jars," one word: amazing. As others have said, the pimento cheese and bacon is like crack in a jar. I had the chicken roulade which was moist and tasty and my guests shared the ribeye. We ordered sides of collards, brussel sprouts, and the potato/chestnut dish. All very good. Shared dessert, apple kapow, coffee. Perfect end to a stellar meal. Kudos to Mason for making our dinner over-the-top outstanding. The place was a bit noisy, but I'm beginning to realize that this is more me getting old than an actual problem:)

    (5)

  • Douglas L.

    The food was delicious. I ordered the duck and my brother ordered the pork. We were both impressed. The amount of food served for my entree was noticeably small for the price, but it tasted so good it was worth it. I recommend this place for the food and the cool environment.

    (4)

  • Mick D.

    We took the opportunity to visit for a family celebration. These folks bent over backwards to make my guests happy. Glasses were never empty. And ladies were always served first. Five star service, to be sure. I've been to "fine dining" establishments that didn't provide this much attention to service detail. Courses of cheese, oysters, and assorted appetizers were absolutely stellar. (The oysters app could be someone's meal all by itself.) And it's clear someone in the kitchen really is keeping Georgia's "Empire State of the South" heritage intact on a very innovative menu. Combined with the "highly polished" service, and I was impressed. I recommend "In Jars," an appetizer of tasty things served in small jars (pork rillette, smoked trout mousse, pickles, pimento cheese & bacon marmalade, boiled peanut hummus). The aforementioned oysters were perfect--served with vials of three different sauces. And the cheese plate--I don't even know where to begin. It was just goooood. I had the flounder entrée. The portion seemed a bit small, but it was absolutely delicious. And dessert also had a solid, Southern backing. I had a Fried Strawberry pie. There are many other things on the menu I want to experience. The open Bocci court was loads of fun. And you get 3hrs of validated parking for the adjacent deck. While a few people at my table indicated their food was undercooked, my only "complaint" is that the price points seem a bit high, which one might forgive what with the high quality service ethic. I will certainly go again. And I look forward to seeing you there.

    (4)

  • Daniel B.

    Wow, this place is good. Dio S. and I came here on a whim Friday night for dinner. We'd both heard good things about Empire State South and were impressed with their menu. Dio told me how one of the chefs at Empire State South used to work at Restaurant Eugene and Bacchanalia. Turns out the chef (Ryan Smith) also worked at Canoe and Holeman & Finch. Knowing that we'd probably need a reservation for this place, I called around lunchtime the same day and they actually had an opening at 7:45pm that night. Lucky. The place was pretty busy, almost every table filled, the entire time we were there. The restaurant is hidden at the bottom of the 999 Peachtree office building at the corner of Peachtree and 10th St, next to Hotel Midtown. You can barely see the restaurant from the road. You can park for free in the 999 Peachtree parking deck thanks to Empire State South validation tickets. Just exit the deck at ground level and you should see the restaurant. It's very subdued. You can enter the restaurant either from directly outside the building or from inside the office building. If you enter from outside, you'll be at the hostess stand. If you enter from the office building, you'll be at the bar. Empire State South is an upscale Southern restaurant with very unique dishes. The place reminded us of JCT Kitchen. The interiors are decorated similarly and are decidedly Southern. Lots of dark wood throughout, from the square bar to the large chairs and tables. Mirrors and light fixtures you'd find in an old Southern home adorn the walls. The restaurant is actually quite spacious. At night, the inside is dark and candle-lit. One of the rooms has a great view of Midtown. They have an outdoor patio and it looks like during the warmer months, they open a window so you can place orders to their coffee shop from outside. We ordered the following dishes (everything is ordered a la carte): Crispy pork belly with creamed kimchi, rice grits, pickled daikon, and peanuts Redfish with sherry buerre blanc and crisp capers, cauliflower-scallion farrotto and "WG" baby fennel Skate wing with meyer lemon marmalade, Brussels sprouts, confit onions and carrot puree Collards with ham hock Smoked onion and escarole Bourbon pecan pie with brown sugar clabber cream Chocolate pudding with candied popcorn and praline whipped cream Everything was delicious. They really know what they're doing at Empire State South and it shows. Practically flawless execution in each dish. Pork belly with kimchi, rice grits, and daikon -- who thinks up stuff like this? I don't know, but it works. We really couldn't taste the kimchi, but the rice grits were magnificent. The pork belly itself was crispy and very savory. We were given toasted sourdough bread slices and homemade yeast rolls along with our appetizer. The sourdough was amazing. We asked our server where the sourdough was from and he said Holeman & Finch. It seems like a lot of the good bread in this city comes from H&F. The butter served with the bread was soft, light, and very good. They put a bit of molasses in their butter to give it its sweet taste. The redfish skin was slightly charred, a little crispy, and well-seasoned. The fish sat atop some farrotto, which I learned to be farro (a wheatberry) risotto. The "WG" in front of the baby fennel in this dish are the initials for the farm that ESS sources for some (all?) of their produce. The skate wing edges were charred just like the redfish. The fish was dense and had nice consistency. A good dish, although slightly bitter at times. I don't know if it's due to the lemon marmalade or the carrot puree. The collards were out of this world, among the best collards I've ever had. The leaves were big and fresh and the side just had a great taste. The onion and escarole was also very good. Escarole is a type of endive. This dish was very light, crunchy, and tasty. Neither of us are big desserts people, but the food was so good here, I figured why not try some of their sweets. Their desserts turned out to be just as well-prepared and delicious as their other foods. Like the greens, the pecan pie is among the best I've ever tried. The crust was perfectly baked and the slice was topped with yummy cream. The chocolate pudding was rich and very smooth. Yummy texture. Overall, Empire State South served an excellent meal that exceeded my expectations. Service was fantastic as well. Our server was Daniel M. and he was on top of everything. Very knowledgeable. We both left impressed and as new fans of this establishment. Five stars for sure. Be sure to check out my Local Photos for pictures of all the food. #Yelp365 - 13/365

    (5)

  • Tom W.

    Live next door and love the service. All the people are very nice!!! (Except for the bartenders. They take themselves way too seriously. ) Food is so salty I can't eat there any longer. It was a once-a-week place for me. Now I go and order a bottle of wine and the charcuterie plate. My blood pressure is finally starting to come down. This is not the first place where the salt has been out of control. They must be teaching this in culinary school now....

    (2)

  • Andrew K.

    AH-mazing place for Southern breakfast. They serve my fave new coffee - counterculture. They have bocce ball. The pimento cheese is off the hizzy. And it's relatively CHEAP!! WIN!

    (5)

  • Dio S.

    Been to ESS for a regular dinner a couple years ago (documented in good detail in Dan B.'s review), then a chef's tasting dinner earlier this year, and recently a lunch with Ryan F. The food and experience have been terrific each time. There are a lot of upscale southern restaurants in Atlanta. The variety of techniques and ingredients used at ESS puts the food at a place that's finer than most (less like JCT or South City Kitchen, more like Eugene or Bacchanalia), while the price and atmosphere remain more relaxed than those fine dining establishments. I can't see myself doing casual lunch at Eugene or Bacchanalia, for instance. The one dish closest to being a signature dish is the farm egg on crispy CG rice with pureed spring onions. This dish is mentioned on eater, blogs, etc. Simple looking dish displays unusually harmonious blend of taste, aroma, and texture. One also can't help but notice, as many reviews did, ESS's mastery with collard greens. Porky but somehow refreshing and vibrant. In fact I am generally impressed with the way vegetables are handled: they are treated with care and thought and given more prominent role in dishes, much like you see at farm-to-table restaurants like Miller Union and Cakes & Ale, unlike at more typical upscale southern places. Little wonder that another of their best liked dishes is the "Super-Food", that showcases a variety of vegetables. Whimsy is backed by good technique and sound recipe, such as (from my tastings dinner) Kumamoto oyster with a dab of fried chicken skin and hot sauce (which I was skeptical of at first), the tremendously perfumy spread of charred cornbread (I've also seen they use popcorn) that a piece of crepinetted monkfish sits on, or the fried-just-right ball of egg that bursts atop the beef tartare, coating the meat with goodness while the crunchy outer layer adds textural contrast. ESS is one of few places in Atlanta that tries sous-vide, but popular opinion hasn't been that great (I had a sous-vide goat loin that was kind of forgettable, as well). I also think some of the Asian influenced tries, particularly the use of kimchee and bok choy, are more trendy than truly good. All in all, Atlanta doesn't have many true fine dining restaurants so ESS is an attractive option, sitting at sort of an in-between niche without many competitions. Surprisingly casual vibe at lunch, and not very busy. The cocktails are outstanding. It sounds like an afterthought at this point but I am really impressed, by their complexity, subtlety, and elegant restraint. I would rank ESS cocktails in the top tier along with H&F, No 246, Paper Plane, Leon's. On the wine front, the sommelier is an approachable young guy who is genuinely enthusiastic to turn you on to interesting stuff. I really appreciated that he had no problem pausing and chatting with us about each paired wine selected for our tasting courses and answer our questions. I hear the chef is leaving this year. Hopefully the restaurant will continue its excellence after his departure.

    (5)

  • Colleen L.

    Fabulous! Every month or so I try a different restaurant in Atlanta. Basically I am trying to eat my way through this city. This has been one of my favorites so far! I can't even remember what we ordered but everything was good! Well, with the exception of some vegetable plate. So not everything I guess. It's kinda pricey but worth it. Honestly, if you don't drink, none of these restaurants, with the exception of Bacchanalia, are going to put a huge dent in your wallet.

    (5)

  • Erika C.

    That farm egg, though! Not to mention all the delicious desserts from the brilliant pastry chef Melanie Durant. The big ole bar is a nice centerpiece to the place as well, with tons of classy (and not-so-classy) drink options.

    (4)

  • Laura T.

    Ate here last week for a work lunch. We started with 2 of their jars (pimento cheese & pork rillette) and one of their put ups (I believe it was apple cranberry?). I liked the pimento cheese one a lot. The other 2 were just okay. For my entree, I had the Super-food. The hanger steak was very tender & good. I requested mine cooked medium over the usual medium-rare they offer. Even though I didn't always know what I was eating on my plate (I think the farro was one item), it was all very good & fresh. The plate filled me up, but didn't make me feel stuffed. For dessert, I opted for the banana (tartlet?). The cream on top was tasty as was the crust. I just wasn't that fond of the banana ice cream. Service = 3.75 stars I would eat here again for a business lunch, but it's a bit too pricey for me to dine on my own dime. Side note - I don't know how $$ it is, but the ESS fried chicken/pimento cheese/bacon biscuit I see on the cover of my latest Atlanta magazine might have me shell out some dough for it! That thing looks awesome!! :-0

    (4)

  • Alyse S.

    Farm Egg. Enough said. We sat outside today and the ambiance was great. The servers do a wonderful job explaining the menu items- they know how everything is cooked, prepared and served- it was like we were listening to the Chef himself. I also LOVE that water is served out of an old wine bottle AND that it's kept on the table for self service.

    (5)

  • Jessica R.

    My man and I went here with my parents. We came on the day of Pride. So they had been busy all day. Our waiter was very spacy. It took him forever to come over and get our drink orders. He got mine wrong. I didn't find the food all that good. The appetizers were the best part. we got the in jars. Pimento cheese with bacon was awesome. My mom had the parsley soup(she said it had no taste). For dinner, I had the ravioli. Came with four ravioli's. The side dishes were nasty. Mom had the chicken and dumplings and so did my man. IT wasn't like the normal chicken and dumplings. My dad ordered the duck and they brought him the pork. Took them 15 minutes to bring back his duck. By that time was had all finished our dinner. We shared the doughnuts and the toffee pudding for dessert. I thought the toffee pudding was yummy. The man had the lemonade and said it was pretty good.

    (3)

  • tania C.

    Sat at the bar with a friend for our pre-century bike ride south of atlanta. We had all courses and were well taken care of by very knowledgeable bartender. She recommended all our dishes and described them impeccably. Started with charcuterie plate which had delicious pickles and chutney like sweets with cheese and dry cuts of meat. Will be back with a group of friends!

    (5)

  • Matt C.

    This is going to sound blasphemous, but the chicken biscuit at breakfast is better than Chick-fil-A. It has been featured on the cover of Atlanta Magazine and lives up to the hype. Make sure to get it with pimento cheese and bacon...just a little slice of heaven. When you think great breakfast/brunch places in Atlanta you usually think of either Murphy's or the Highland Bakery; well you might just need to add Empire State South to the list. The menu is a little cutting edge, but delivers in a strong way. The open faced jalapeño biscuit with pulled pork is also worth a try. It isn't too heavy or hot, but hits the spot.

    (4)

  • Laura H.

    I think I left a piece of my heart at Empire State South. We went there for brunch on Saturday and I'm already thinking about when I can go back. The space has a country chic feel to it (think: JCT Kitchen meets Parish), which provides a nice, temporary retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. I loved the steel blue colors with the dark woods; it was obvious that they didn't cut any corners when it came to décor. I was surprised to see that the place was relatively empty at noon on a Saturday. We made ourselves comfortable and ordered some coffee drinks. I had a chai latte, which was the perfect remedy for a rainy day. Their coffee bar menu is fantastic and I would definitely stop in on a regular basis if I lived or worked in the neighborhood. We ordered Hugh's Breakie to start, which came with toast, cheese, jam, and fruit. I found the brunch menu to be thoughtful, but it wasn't very cohesive and would be more appealing if they added a few more egg dishes. I felt like the only options were a continental breakfast or a fancy $15 brunch dish. I went with the steel-cut oatmeal to stay in line with the "no carb left behind" theme we had going on. It was slightly sweet (brown sugar) and was served with yogurt and winter citrus fruit. I tried a bite of my friend's jalapeno and pork biscuit and it was delicious. Our server was a delight and he didn't miss a beat. Empire State South is totally charming and I highly suggest that you make your way in. Oh, and make sure to do a loop around the pastry table before you leave!

    (4)

  • George H.

    My last visit was really a miss, as the kitchen was out of at least three of the entrees my table ordered. The service more than made up for the mishap but the desserts really were the highlight of this return visit. Came in mid-May and didn't get the outdoor seating because my family was in town to celebrate my graduation. Sat inside and the drinks were as good as my first few trips (Summer, so the Pimms Cup seemed the most popular option). The grasshopper terrine (I think that is what the dessert was called) was perfect and minty. The coke ice cream and funnel cake still have me wishing I could be back at Empire State now.

    (4)

  • Liz F.

    Obviously we went in with high expectations, Hugh Acheson, Ryan Smith... I mean c'mon. The vibe is cool, the service was pretty good. I had the Fallout Beach which was very good, the barrel aged bitters added a really interesting edge. My bf had the untitled rye, which in his words was amazing. He had the chicken meatball dish was the big winner of the night. My prawn dish was really good also, but his dish definitely overshadowed it. It was everything you want in a homey- type dish, except the flavors were really elevated reviews are hit or miss but if we were in Atlanta, I would def go back and sample more.

    (4)

  • Sojo M.

    We did the 6-course tasting menu and it was great all around. It seemed like we got the highlight of each category and the portions were big! I was shocked at the size of the portions. We started off with an oyster for the amuse and then the courses started. We were lucky enough to get the compressed apples and the farm egg, both of which were unique and tasty. Then we were served salad with trout. Next came the duck and steak courses. Finished with Yuzu Posset, which had the right balance between crunch, tart, and sweetness. Every course was very memorable and I cannot wait to go back! The service was also great - very attentive.

    (5)

  • Livelifehappy L.

    Great first experience at ESS! We had a 9pm reservation on a Saturday night and this place was hopping! Our server Rachel was exceptional. Se was very knowledgeable of the entire menu, a great happy attitude and very attentive. Great job Rachel! We had a 1/2 dozen oysters on the 1/2 and a cheese plate for starters. Amazing! The oysters were served with three sauces in tiny glass tubes corked for a perfect presentation. The Kale salad was one of the best. A light buttermilk dressing drizzled over top and an interesting taste of fried chicken shin. Sounds eeeewwww I know, however I wanted a side order they were so good! I actually thought they were fried oysters with an amazing and interesting flavor. Embarrassed that I didn't have one bite left to share. The monk fish a.k.a poor mans lobster was prepared perfectly. The brussels sprouts and collard greens were.... Well lets put it this way, there were zero left in the little iron skillets. Hands down great ambiance, food and server... That is if you are lucky enough to get Rachel! Cheers!

    (5)

  • Lee B.

    Empire State South has been at the top of my "to try" list for a while now. I finally got to try it last week. It's on the corner of 10th and Peachtree, but you'd never know it from the street. You can park in the lot on 9th (between Peacthree and Juniper) and ESS will validate your ticket. The restaurant manages to be trendy and upscale but comfortable at the same time. There's even a bocce ball court with lots of lawn chairs in front. We went with a party of 8 and when we got to the host stand, she didn't have our reservation for some reason. Fortunately, we were seated right away and it wasn't a problem. We started out with the "in jars" appetizer and cheese plate. I only tasted the boiled peanut hummus, which was good, and one type of cheese. Honestly, "in jars" seemed a little small for the price of $18. For my entree, I got the bass. It was on top of some wonderfully cheesy grits and very flavorful. Again, this was small for the price. It was filling, but not what you'd normally get for $25. Our group shared some desserts, although they didn't have the fried strawberry pie that everyone raves about. They were good but nothing to write home about. All in all, this is a nice restaurant if you want to go somewhere for a special occasion. It's a little too pricey for me to go back any time soon, at least for dinner. I've heard good things about their brunch though.

    (4)

  • Kendra M.

    It is a nice quiet place for lunch. The service is great and the food is good! Our server even brought a sample of the pimento cheese and a little bread when my friend requested a taste. My friend and I ordered the Super Food and enjoyed all of it. It was the perfect size for a filling lunch. Its a good place for foodies and people that want to try something new or different. I am looking forward to going back for breakfast!

    (4)

  • Cristina B.

    ESS was fabulous. We were a party of 5 and the waitress was wonderful. She knew the food well and made excellent recommendations. I had the smoked duck and I don't think I have ever tasted anything so good. The Charcuterie was just ok. I would skip it next time. However, the Coulotte was exceptional (friend ordered this). The baba au rhum was a super-treat. The parking lot is a little difficult to navigate especially when leaving. Had to pay because we stayed over two hours. Small thing, I know, but all part of the experience, I say.

    (4)

  • L M.

    FAR South of our expectations....We are fans of Five & Ten in Athens (even with a random "off" night there...) and had a night out sans kiddos for a nice dinner out. Decided we should try something "new" & not go with the solid favorites (i.e., Rathbuns, La Pietra, One Midtown, Local 3). We knew we were in trouble when our waitress first approached us & said, "any questions about the menu". Um, is this Applebees? We were thinking more along the lines of, "Good Evening - is this your first time dining with us? Let me walk you through the menu, etc., etc." Realized this expectation was not too far flung when we heard the table next to us receive a greeting similar to the one we expected. Indication of trouble #2 - when we asked our waitress what she felt like were the standouts on the menu, "oh - everything is good". Come on already. We had the "Jars" appetizer. We loved the pimento cheese and bacon marmalade, the pickled veggies & the boiled peanut hummus. Did not really care for the pork rilette and the trout mousse. It's too bad you can't pick & choose among which of the jars you'd like to have. At $18 - this is a pricey appetizer for what you get. Move on to dinner - I had the pork tenderloin with root vegetables. Husband had the duck. Service was so slow...we had almost finished a bottle of wine by the time our entrees arrived. Sadly, when they arrived - my pork had CLEARLY been sitting for a while. It was lukewarm & very chewy. Duck was "good, but not great". Lukewarm food is just not acceptable at this price point. The pacing of the meal was just off. Too much delay between courses. At this price point, I expect fantastic service, a knowledgeable server & fantastic food. The highlights of the meal were the pimento cheese, boiled peanut hummus and the side of brussel sprouts we ordered. We opted to move to the bar for desert as we felt like it would have potentially added another hour to the meal as infrequently as we saw our server. We should have just left....fig bread pudding....was just so-so. Five & Ten has had some ups & downs experience-wise, but have had more ups than downs. Perhaps they should work on consistency in service and timing of meals. This may have been an off night for ESS, but I'm not going to go back & see for a $200 meal. We'll go elsewhere....

    (2)

  • Wendy C.

    Ridiculously overpriced. The service was obnoxious. I think our server came over every 2 minutes to take our order even though we made it clear that we would like to have our cocktails and apps first. We felt entirely rushed. The food was mediocre at best. We shared the octopus which was meh. If you want to try the best octopus in town go to the Iberian Pig. We also ordered the pork sausage which came highly recommended by our waiter. It was ridiculously small for the $31 price tag, and even worse didn't really taste that great. Dang, I really wanted to like this place.

    (2)

  • Amir T.

    Absolutely fantastic. My favorite place in Atlanta. Took a group of 12 of my LA friends and everyone loved it. Just a delicious, inspiring, delightful meal. Plus great great service too. Don't miss it.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth H.

    Empire State South has been on my list of restaurants to try ever since I saw them at Taste of Atlanta ~ reservations are near impossible, on a Saturday our options were 5:30pm or 9:30pm, we took the 9:30 spot! Luckily the bar is huge, there's an outdoor bocce court and the drinks are strong! To start I had the Martinez ~ gin, maraschino, dolin blanc and orange bitters ~ the drink came in a tall glass, it was good but probably not my fave... the boyfriend had a Manhattan ~ bourbon, port and maraschino ~ it was served in a martini glass Our table was promptly ready at 9:30pm ~ we were seated at a quaint table for two. After a few minutes of waiting, our server finally greeted us; you could tell she was having a bad night from her attitude and the fact that she never introduced herself. Either way, we were starving ~ we ordered "the Jars" to start. This consisted of 5 jars full of goodness ~ pimento cheese & bacon marmalade, white bean hummus, pickled tomatoes, chicken liver pate and pork rillette ~ my FAVORITE was the pimento cheese, absolutely delicious with the bacon marmalade on top!! For dinner I had the ricotta dumplings ~ served in a big bowl with all types of mushrooms, carrots, swiss chard and some type of mushroom broth. I ate every last bite it was so tasty! The dumplings were creamy and the veggies were not over-cooked. The boy had duck with collard greens & sweet potatoes. I've never had collard greens before, but according to him they were the best he's ever had, and I guess coming from a Tennessee guy that should mean something! I was completely stuffed but somehow managed to fit in dessert ~ we shared coke & peanuts: soft served vanilla ice cream with a coke glaze, toasted peanuts and a funnel cake on the side ~ it was out of this world! I would go back just for dessert!! I give this place 4 stars (minus 1 for the rude server)... looking forward to a return trip for brunch!!!

    (4)

  • Lindsay E.

    I loved Empire State South! Went with a party of 5 on a Friday night, it was pleasantly lively but not unpleasantly packed. We got there a little early and posted up at the bar for about a half hour before our reservation. Obligatory trendy fancy cocktails were delightful, I've been on a Mescal kick lately and really enjoyed the Oaxacan Rose, heavy on the Mezcal where a lot of other places seem to want to dilute the kick in the ass Mezcaly-ness with other more friendly alcohols or mixers. We ordered a LOT of food between the 5 of us, and I can't pick a weak link. Definitely get the jars as an app, even if you, like me, find the descriptors of "whole hog terrine" and "trout mousse" to sound a little unappetizing. They are all amazing. Boiled peanut hummus, why didn't I think of that. I can't remember what everyone ordered for entrees but i do remember clean plates all around, and appreciating the fact that the entrees come with plenty of veggies, so you don't feel like you have to order a salad and/or sides to get a complete meal. We had one vegetarian among us and while I think she left the table fat & happy, the menu isn't overly accommodating to non-meat eaters. There is one vegetarian entree option, and similarly slim veggie options among the appetizers. Deserts were noms. Strawberry pie, Peanut Funnel Cake with Coke Softserve, grasshopper pie. Don't fight it. Service was on point too -- hostess hooked us up last minute with an outdoor table, and our server was great. The end.

    (4)

  • Jemel D.

    I actually give this one a 3.5 rating, however, I rounded up since Yelp will not allow you to give 1/2 ratings! My wife and I both went to UGA and loved Chef Hugh Acheson's first restaurant - 5 & 10. We also had the chance to eat at his other Athens restaurant - The National. Both of those establishments are AWESOME, so needless to say, we were excited to try Empire State South. The location, interior, and ambiance were/are wonderful. Everyone in our group commented on the feel of the restaurant. Our waiter walked the line of being helpful vs. pushy, but overall he did a great job managing our group and requests. We let him pick our cocktails to kick the night off and they were all spot on (always ask the waiter for recommendations - they know best). We also went with his suggestion on the wine, based on our orders, and most were pleased. Our table split a Charcuterie platter ($25 for 2 servings) as well as the cheese platter. Great value for the money and some very interesting meats to choose from. Surprisingly the rabbit pate was good - almost a smokey flavor. I personally started with the Pork Belly which was superb. Others in the group had the farm egg and raved about how good it was. As for the entrees, our group was kind of boring in that almost everyone got the same thing, Pork Loin. The meat was cooked perfectly and the veggies (pole beans, potatoes, & charred okra) were refreshing. My wife did order the Skate, and she was relatively pleased with the dish. The main reason I debated on the 3 vs. 4 ratings is due mostly to price/value and lack of healthy options. The tab for our portion of the bill was over $150 - keep in mind that this included 2 cocktails, split bottle of wine, 3-way split charcuterie, & 2 entrees. As for the "healthly" options - there were only a handful of entrees to choose from, and only one fish (Skate). The bulk of the menu is snacks & starters, most of which sound amazing, but again not the healthiest of options. Overall, I would recommend this restaurant, and I will definately give it another try (but not after I hit up some other new places I have yet to experience).

    (4)

  • S R.

    Drive into the safe covered parking deck off Peachtree street and you are welcomed with a pleasant bocce court at the entrance of Empire State South. Service starts with a smile. With perfect lighting and well-placed details the decor is classy, fabulous but not too over the top. About the food: The bread is addictive and you will need it (more on that later). Order the trout and watch your taste buds explode with joy. Trust me, you will think about these flavors for days and weeks. You will dream about the taste and yearn for it until you eat it for the second time. Then march your dinner companion about 10 steps over to the cafe if you want to extend the evening with an espresso, cortado, or latte. You will see smiles all around due to this high level culinary experience. I really would love to give this place 5 stars but does it really cost this much to eat well? :) maybe so. Remember that addictive bread and delightful dipping oil I told you about? Eat it or you may be hungry when you leave. Final note, I love everything about ESS. Its the kind of place you are proud to own and be a part of. Who knew Hugh Acheson could extract these fabulous flavors out of the soil in Athens and bring them to Atlanta. To the chef and staff, thanks for giving us a restaurant we can be proud of in Atlanta.

    (4)

  • Stephanie W.

    I had been looking forward to visiting for quite awhile and we decided to make Valentine's Day our first trip, and it was lovely. Over the course of the evening I think we had five courses and five different wines. We participate in a local CSA, so the ingredients were very familiar to us, but it definitely felt like something interesting that we couldn't have done at home. There were oysters, cheeses, fresh pasta with guinea fowl, a selection of rabbit & fresh mustards, lamb, bass, and desserts. All delicious. Our service seemed a little slower and distracted, with the wine coming out mismatched to the courses, and two of the courses were swapped in order. We were enjoying ourselves quite a bit so it wasn't really huge deal, but for the extravagant price you're also paying for the experience, so I would have expected this to go a little more smoothly. It certainly made me very interested in returning on a regular evening to sample the regular menu though.

    (4)

  • Danny W.

    Went for brunch on a Sunday morning. Heard great things but I left highly disappointed. The portions are for midgets. Don't bother getting the Farm Egg....it's overcooked rice with an egg on top for close to $20!

    (2)

  • Paul N.

    This is an upscale Southern cuisine restaurant located in Midtown of Atlanta. The place has a nice interior design, and the servers are very attentive and well versed with the menu items. The location can hold big parties, and it is good for all types of occasions. I originally went here because I was told the chef was a participant or the winner of Top Chef. Food: The Cream French Onion soup was good. It is the chef's interpretation, and I must say, the chef did an awesome job. The soup is not heavy, and it's just right when it comes to texture. Don't be alarmed by the different color. The soup is a must try when you get to the restaurant. The chef adds in a Korean fusion to his or her cooking, but I recommend staying away from the Crisp Pork Belly appetizer. First, it's not worth your money. Second, it's insulting to Koreans, Three, it's Pork Belly interpretation gone wrong. Four, did I mention, it's not worth your money? Oysters are ok. The restaurant provides different types of raw oysters when you order them, and it is nice to try them. They are not going to be really fresh like the ones you get in the coastal area. The entrees are great. The GA Trout is done very well with bacon to add to the flavor. The Farm Pork Loin is very good too. The meat is cooked very well, where it's not chewy. Additionally, bacon in it makes it better... it's like getting pork overload. When it comes to sides, stay away from Kimchi Rice Grits. Again, this dish is insulting to Koreans. Also, it should be insulting to you too. You can just go to H-Mart and buy yourself Kimchi and some grits and make this at home... instead of paying 6 dollars for it. All other sides are good though. Overall, this place will provide you with a pleasant dining experience for all ages minus the infants who won't remember the 54 dollar NY Prime Strip Steak. I know a couple that got engaged here, so you can take your match dot com dates here if you think she is the one for you. But I wouldn't take any match dot com dates here because this place is too nice for that.

    (4)

  • Wendy G.

    I've been trying to get to this restaurant for some time, part of it was just finding the right person and the right time and now looks like I'll be going twice in a week! First outing last week was amazing, started with homemade lemonade with vanilla bean, mint and rosemary - so refreshing and a classic southern favorite - pimento cheese with bacon marmalade served on toasted bread. I love that they serve it in a little mason jar, gives it just that right amount of southern kitch. For lunch I had the special, which was a shrimp salad on toasted sourdough. Out of this world - next time I'll be trying the Super Food plate, as I've heard nothing but great things about it. We ended with the oatmeal cookie whoopie pie, with fresh blueberry filling. So good! Needless to say, I already have lunch plans to go back again this coming week, so may edit this with more food updates. Free parking, but it can be tricky to find the first time. Just enter the driveway just past Piedmont off 10th on your right (when headed east) - go past the hotel entrance and the 999 Peachtree deck is right there. The server will give you a validation ticket to get out for free.

    (5)

  • P O.

    service is great. get the jars with boiled peanut hummus, pimento bacon, they are tasty. specialty drinks are fantastic. never had a bad meal there, Hugh is the man!

    (5)

  • Scott W.

    Great food. Very slow and poor service. Great coffee as well. Love the outside seating.

    (4)

  • Tom G.

    First time. Sunday. Not impress. Chef is trying,but falls short.

    (2)

  • Sarah L.

    went in after work solo one evening. sitting at the bar i consumed: pimms cup - BEST IN THE CITY! hands down! this cucumber delight is more then i thought possible. heirloom tomato salad: perfectly portioned, perfectly selected plump tomatoes paired with little crispy croutons. this salad is a must for tomato lovers! peach float: holy moley! so smooth, so flavorful. its nice and light as well, also the moonshine is a nice touch. blueberry ice cream: paired with a cream filled pistachio financier and fresh blueberries! cynthia wong is a fresh fruit genius, her desserts are flavorful, fresh, and delicious. hugh achenson has assembled quite a dream team!

    (5)

  • Dave M.

    New age restaurant, good food, fun experience. Looking at the menu online gave me some reservations, but they all disappeared through dinner. Good choice.

    (4)

  • Chris S.

    Hmmm.....heard from many different sources how great this place is. Wow all the hype was for nothing. Reservation for 8:00 on a Tuesday ended being 8:30 for a table. The service was horrible and the clientele was worse. The place was full of pretentious nobody's and a mega alternative lifestyle crowd with there noses aimed high! The food was your typical Atlanta farm to table grub. Honestly wisteria, la tavola and miller union kill this place in service and the food is similar.

    (1)

  • Andy L.

    ESS is a handsome restaurant on the ground floor (rear) of an office building on Peachtree Street. Warm dark green walls, antique style lighting, comfortable high-backed banquettes and custom metal and wood chairs set on wood plank flooring make for a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere: perhaps evoking a sophisticated farmhouse feel. Service this night was friendly, professional and informed. Kitchen timing was also good. The misses tended to be in the execution of some reasonably interesting dishes: We tried the Heirloom Tomato salad ($14) which was arugula sprinkled with goat cheese, ham & croutons. This was a very good salad although most at the table found it more acidic than expected. Mixed Lettuce salad ($10) showcased an interesting combination of duck ham, radishes and pickled Swiss chard stems in a yogurt vinaigrette. Again, it was a bit tart for our tastes. Crisp Pork Belly ($12) was a generous cube of layered pork belly resting in grits and garnished with pickled daikon and ground peanuts. The meat was fatty and rich (perfect!) and well complimented by the neutral grits and other flavors on the dish. Tomato Buttermilk Ravioli ($18) was served in a puree of baby squash, chanterelles, garlic, tomato and arugula. It was pretty as well as tasty, although most at the table thought it could have used a bit more seasoning. NC Catfish ($28) came in a puree of sea beans, carrots and pig ears (!) . Unlike the ravioli, the fish was way over seasoned. The puree that it rested upon was flavorful, but it was difficult to get past all of the salt on the fried catfish. We tried a recent vintage of Sauvignon Saint-Bris, an unusual Chablis made with Sauvignon Blanc instead of Chardonnay ($36; typically $10-$15 retail). The wine was crisp and understated, typical of white burgundies of the northern Cotes de Beaune. Espressos (@ $2.60) completed the meal. We really wanted to like the ESS more, but were underwhelmed by the dishes that we were served. A lot of effort goes into making this a memorable experience, but the restaurant needs to get a better control of the kitchen in order for this to rise to a four-star experience.

    (3)

  • Bobby A.

    We went here for a birthday dinner, and it definitely did NOT disappoint. Service was prompt, knowledgeable, and helpful, and, more importantly, the food was delicious! Would definitely recommend the farm egg!

    (5)

  • Delia S.

    Each bite of my lunch and steak salad was somehow both simple and divine. Cocktails were spot on. Also very interesting people at the bar for lunch. not cheap, but when every bite is good? I'll pay up for that.

    (5)

  • A. J.

    Pretty marvelous. Every plate of food that hit the table was completely devoured in its entirety: Heirloom tomato salad (sweet yet savory), GA Trout (melts in your mouth), Kimchi rice grits (heavenly), Chocolate and Cherries (dessert, probably best if shared.) Drink and wine list is fantastic. Can not wait to go back.

    (4)

  • Rebecca O.

    Attention fellow foodies! The long wait has at last ended ... It comes as no surprise that chef and restaurateur Hugh Acheson delivers. After all, he's a four-time James Beard nominee - rightfully so - and a super cool guy. It's his latest venture, Empire State South, that is about to rock the ATL. I had the distinct privilege of visiting the restaurant for a sneak peak, prior to its grand opening. My, oh my ... what a treat! It was with grand anticipation that I entered the restaurant by way of its outdoor bocce ball court. *cool points* The place was packed with Hugh fans and foodies - all with tasty bites and drinks in hand. The servers were uber friendly and knowledgeable about the yumminess being dished out. More pickled shrimp atop a finely diced watermelon salad? Yes, please. Freshly out-of-the-oven fried chicken with sweet corn relish? Why, of course. And, lest we forget about the signature cocktail with Hendrick's gin and muscadine juice. *seriously delicious* Buttermilk and peach soft serve ice cream, served with a warm peach compote and a lemon/cayenne madeleine? This is just too good to be true. The tastes and the presentation will simply knock your Sperrys off. Thank all things southern and holy that ESS serves all meals of the day, including brunch. I'll be there with some regularity, to be sure. Congratulations, Hugh and team, on a job perfectly done!

    (5)

  • Adam C.

    By far, the most incredible and memorable food on the menu here are the toast appetizers. I've never had toast that tasted this good in my life. And the jars of spreads are ok...but the toast is every bit as delicious by itself. It is a must-order item. Several of us ordered the "Super Foods" item which is basically a giant steak salad complete with veggies, lettuce, grains, beans, peas, cranberries and pistachios. For being so natural and healthy, it all tasted quite good in combination with all the items on the plate. For dessert, we ordered several of the specialty cookies and the Koke coffee. It was all really delicious and felt like I'd eaten well, but not unhealthily so. Due to the quality of ingredients and portion sizes, it was a very nice lunch with little guilt afterwards.

    (4)

  • Leeanna L.

    Went to Empire State South for dinner the fiirst week they opened and then again for lunch today. So far, things are holding up nicely but already, I can definitely can say that, yes, I'm a fan. The fare is Southern comfort food with a lighter, more sophisticated spin. The lunch and dinner menus have some crossovers but of course, it's much easier to appreciate the lunch prices. The online lunch menu was slightly different from the one we got at the restaurant. My favorite so far is, hands down, the Super Food "salad" ($14 , lunch), which the waiter aptly described as a deconstructed salad with grilled hanger steak, yard beans, beets, carrots, farro. It was outta control FRESH! So. Freak'n. Good. Lunch perfection. I also appreciated the desserts. The chess pie was a perfect finish with none of the jaw-breaking sweetness that you normally get with desserts. Service was, well, interesting. Still working out some minor kinks there. On the whole, the upscale Southering offerings are delicious and tasty. Not the most inventive food out there but then, the focus is definitely on quality of ingredients and execution. I'm looking forward to more from Empire State South in the future.

    (4)

  • M V.

    After hearing so much hype about EES, my best friend and I decided it was time to try it. We usually head to Two Urban Licks for a night out without the boys, but decided to switch it up this time. The highlights of ESS are the ambiance/decor, pimento cheese w/ bacon marmalade and chocolate brioche dessert. It's a shame that the highlights are the apps and desserts :( The cons of ESS are SERVICE, price, the trout mousse and portions. My friend ordered the rutabaga tortellini which consisted of a total of 4 tortellini! FOUR! I didn't dare ask her for a taste because taking one would have consisted of consuming 25% of her entire meal. I had the pork shoulder which was OK...but nothing spectacular. It was a little dry, but at least it was enough of a portion so that I could eat some in addition to offering my friend a taste :) In terms of service, our female server never smiled once, was less than helpful finding items on the menu that were pregnancy "friendly", rarely checked on us and then forgot to bring us our drinks (soft drinks, not bar drinks) which she then suddenly remembered she has forgotten (I was formerly a server for 7+ years and watched her look at our table and have that sudden moment of "oh CRAP" panic). She then brought us the drinks, which was frustrating because we were 95% done with our meals at that point and actually LIED to us saying that the cans were warm and she had been keeping them in ice to get them cold for us! It was interesting that the cans had not one trickle of water on the outside of them....unimpressed! I would have been much more forgiving if she had just admitted she forgot...It happens. I however was already annoyed with her lack of attention to us and apathetic attitude that the lying at the end just pushed me over the edge :) All in all, overpriced restaurant for the portions and lack of service. May give ESS another try and go for the farm egg next time since everyone is raving about it...but it will be a while before that happens.

    (3)

  • Alaina S.

    Oh ESS, how I love you. I've never been disappointed by this place. Vegetarian options (for the entrees) can be a bit limited, but nonetheless I've never gone hungry! I also get the sense that they'd be happy to accommodate any requests -- for instance, my boyfriend has a few food allergies, and they had no problem working around those. The bartenders make a mean cocktail, and the wine list is one of the best (if not THE best) I've thus far seen in Atlanta, with selections that please even wine geeks like myself. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Lindsey H.

    In the heart of midtown you can find this unique dinning experience. I love the decor. The food is well thought out and though I didn't understand most of what the waiter was saying, he said it so nicely that I was delighted to try it. Fun, fancy, friendly

    (4)

  • Matt F.

    I ate here last year when I was in Atlanta for a work trip. Some of the people we were working with took us here. Being from California, southern food isn't really in my vocabulary but despite that, the food was really good. I don't remember what I got but I remember coming out having had a good meal. I'm sure if I ate southern cuisine more and had a palette for it, this review would have been higher. I did really enjoy drinking a Chimay and playing bocce while we waited.

    (3)

  • Megan B.

    Freaking fantastic. From the drinks to the service to the dessert - this place is totally worth the hype. The menu is truly inspired and all of the flavors meld together flawlessly. We had the cucumber gazpacho and pork belly over kimchi grits to start, followed by the duck and the steak. The duck was probably the best I've ever had and I order duck a lot when dining out. For the drinks, I had the hatchetinate (or something), whiskey and something citrusy plus celery salt? Yes please. Our server was efficient and friendly while extremely knowledgable and enthusiastic about the menu. For dessert, I had the 'I love summer' with a mix of berries and nectarines over a tart custard. Uh-mazing. Can't wait to go back, simply a divine meal from start to finish. !!!

    (5)

  • Kevin S.

    Stopped by the bar for coffee/desserts and to talk business with a friend. The coffee is excellent and modestly priced (I could spend more for a Starbucks latte and receive far lesser quality), the bar staff were friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere is great.

    (5)

  • Ryan P.

    Fantastic experience at the ESS bar last night! I hadn't eaten dinner yet and was meeting friends for drinks at 8:30pm, so I settled in at the bar solo to eat before my friends arrived. I ordered the Charcuterie plate, the Steak Tartare, the Duck and a Negroni to start. SERVICE: The bartenders were great; sensed that I was up for chatting since i was there alone, but they knew that when my food arrived I wanted to focus on eating. I never had to worry about not having a fork, etc... After one of my friends arrived early, they brought him a set up so he could share the food. Good stuff. FOOD: I mean, ESS is firing on all cylinders now that they've been open for a while. Not one complaint. Food arrived promptly, just as I ordered. Flavors, presentation...all spot on. AMBIANCE: What's not to love about this place? It's a great scene with an awesome courtyard where my friend crushed me in bocce. (Whatever...Barkeep, I'll have another drink!) Even on Monday, still had a fun buzz going. BONUS: One of the bartenders gave us a preview of a drink that's going on their Fall cocktail list: Egg Whites, Cardamaro, some sort of homemade Pumpkin stuff...tasted like Egg Nog meets Pumpkin Pie. Wow. It takes about 10 minutes to make, but boy was it good.

    (5)

  • Rebecca T.

    The entrees felt like an afterthought. I'd give this place 5+ stars if our entrees had been as outstanding as the rest of our meal. And they were good. Real good. But they paled in comparison to everything else we enjoyed that night. Particularly the In Jars appetizer (boiled peanut hummus? Genius!) and the heirloom tomato salad which was absolute heaven. Cheese selection also wonderful (though the tiny samples on the plate we ordered didn't feel adequate for the price.) Our dessert was delicious also, black as night blackberry sorbet with a delicious pistachio confection alongside. The entrees were fresh tasting and simple, just not as interesting as the rest of the meal. But i would return, if only for cocktails and In Jars!

    (4)

  • Betty R.

    Hubby and I finally got a chance to check ESS out, and overall we were very pleased. The first two appetizers (sweetbreads and cauliflower soup) were decent - there were flavor/texture issues with both. The octopus appetizer, however, changed everything - the meat was tender, the flavors were on point, and the portion was generous. Delicious - maybe the best thing we ate all night. The smoked duck breast entree was very tasty and perfectly cooked, and the rhubarb dessert was very nice (especially the caramel cotton candy - yummmmm). WIne/beer selections were thoughtful. Service was excellent, though my one quibble with their system is that you often get asked the same question(s) by numerous bartenders - better than the alternative, of course, but still worth a mention. I will look forward to revisiting ESS when the seasons change and there are new ingredients to play with!

    (4)

  • Mike K.

    This is my favorite restaurant in the city. You can't go wrong with the In Jars snack and the wine list has a lot of reasonable, delicious options. The service is spot on and the cocktails are good. You really can't go wrong.

    (5)

  • J H.

    Awesome brunch. Great friendly staff.

    (5)

  • Haitham M.

    Haitham Mogherbi says its good.

    (5)

  • Ethan A.

    One of the best meals I've ever had in my life I recommend getting the jars, especially the bacon jelly with pimento cheese and the boiled peanut hummus.

    (5)

  • J T.

    Went with a party of 6 and we all enjoyed the restaurant. Good atmosphere, great bar with interesting drinks, and largely fantastic food. Definitely expensive, but worth it if you establish this up front. Favorites were the chilled corn soup, in jars, and the flounder crudo with crispy chicken skin. If you're in a large group (6+) I highly recommend getting the "in jars." Desserts left a little to be desired in my opinion, as well as the portion size of the entrees.

    (4)

  • Duncan B.

    Farms Egg, Field Peas & Pork Belly! The Bomb! John Wayne our Server and yes I said John Wayne...new the menu inside and out and made the eating experience a great one.

    (5)

  • Dayana R.

    We gave this place 3 tries after our first so-so experience. I can't say we were ever blown away by the service, drinks or food. The bartenders tend to forget what you order. Service is slow. And the food? It's good, but nothing special.

    (3)

  • s j.

    Very expensive. Honestly, too expensive and not worth it unless you're not paying! Great atmosphere, though, and tasty food. Was a little floored at paying $28 for a small piece of fish. Great place for drinks and/or dessert. Otherwise, not worth the $75pp it cost for a party of 5! Would rather spend my money elsewhere unless they up the portion sizes and reduce the prices $5 each.

    (3)

  • D A.

    The kind of place where you sit down, look at the menu and say "I guess I'll have that". Monk fish was average. Scotch menu was pathetic. There are much better menus in midtown.

    (2)

  • Yuliya C.

    I am all about nicely done/presented food. I ignore the price when it comes to quality and creativity. But I got a tiny glorified oversalted, overmayonnaised (oh, sorry, over-bechamel'ed), stick-to-the-bottom-of-the-plate and fall-apart-when-picked-up ham-and-cheese melt and a tablespoon of shaved radishes+pickled beets on the side for $11. I had to scan through a one page long menu for good twenty minutes to figure out what is it I am ordering and ask a few questions to make sure that "Croque Monsieur" is really what I think it is - a ham and cheese sandwich with mayonnaise. [I found out later that croque-monsieur is a french bistro version of ham-and-cheese grilled sandwich]. And then I had to wait for almost one (1!) hour (albeit in a great company and lively conversation) to get it. If you are curious, here is a whole wiki-write-up: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cr… I had to eat it with fork and knife because it was falling apart and greased up my hands mercilessly. I thought, tough luck, I got a badly constructed sandwich, but my table mate had the same sandwich and his came undone as well. Other folks seemed to have liked their food a bunch more. Super Food seemed nicely presented and people enjoyed it, and trout, though tiny, smelled great and was praised. My favorite, truly, was the pimento/bacon marmalade spread in a jar. I honestly think that this restaurant has a lot more to offer, and I would have definitely made a better selection if the menu wasn't so idiotically compiled. The mix of funky fonts or various sizes makes it even more confusing. It's difficult to read (several people agreed), hard to understand (again, consensus there), and several items didn't seem to belong to the categories they were listed under. The waiter didn't bother explaining that ordering a bunch of fancy spreads in a jar will make our day (which it had a great potential to be), he was very passive and didn't seem excited about the food he was selling. Bottom line, Pricey good food with occasional culinary misgivings, and occasional stroke of genius, pretentiously listed on the menu and not advertised effectively enough to make you all excited about it. Service is slow and apathetic. Can. Do. Better. I would probably try again, but do more homework to find out what's the best.

    (3)

  • Lindy G.

    I was so excited to finally take the time to try this restaurant, which I have heard good things about. After a little research I knew exactley what I wanted to try. First course was The Jars appetizer....absolutely delicous! But you have to take into considertion that these jars include all premade dips. Next course, Farm Egg and my date ordered Steak Tartar. Both were barely uneatable. The tartar tasted like someone spilt a little too much celery salt in the dish. As for my farm egg well everything was overcooked and had an overpowering burnt taste. After struggling get through the two dishes we decided to not to chance desert.

    (2)

  • Alex O.

    I went for dinner with a big group and we had a lot of food. The strip was great. So were the cocktails. There were lost of crazy meat apps that were a little light on variety- flavor wise. This was a great meal, but not the best. I'll try it for lunch.

    (4)

  • Nils R.

    My girlfriend and I had a lovely Sunday brunch here. It was not crowded at all and the food was delicious. I had the best steak and eggs I have ever had. Definitely worth a try!

    (5)

  • Liz H.

    3.5 stars, because while the food was good, I don't plan to come back. Summed up: pricey food, average service, decent interior. I came around 7pm, so the place was decently filled, and there were several groups of business dressed people talking and laughing loudly. By the time my friend and I left, the place was packed. I parked in the 999 Peachtree Parking deck, took my ticket, and after the meal, got my validation ticket - free parking woot. The courtyard outside looked really nice and had a bocce field, but it was cloudy and cold, so not a good day to play. Walk inside, took one of their awesome business cards, and was asked if I had a reservation. Good thing I had called earlier to make one! We were seated in one of the rooms, which had cool decorations on the windowsill. The windows themselves had cool shutters. Menus were nicely designed - block print/font reminded me of West Egg's. One of my pet peeves is when the waiter forgets or takes forever to bring me my lemon slices (for the water). I must've spoken too loudly in my irritation, because half a minute after I complained to my friend, they arrived! Hoo-yah! After we ordered, we got a delish bread with sweet butter and biscuits. These were good. Food came 15ish mins later. My friend ordered the special - lamb chops and gnocchi. The gnocchi was really good, while the lamb was tender and juicy. It would've been better if the lamb was $25 instead of a whooping $32. For a $32 dish, I want something awesome. My friend's words, not mine, but I agree. I got the "In a Jar" app, because Living Social had mentioned it, and that's why I wanted to check this place out. Considering my $18 dish of 5 jars of food and a bunch of bread soldiers, my food was OK. Of the 5 jars, 2 were weird to my palate - the pickled veggies were super sour and had an unusual taste (coming from an Asian chick who loves Kimchi and Viet pickled veggies). The other weird jar was a mousse - it was way overly "fishy" tasting. Also a tad tough to eat since it was quite stiff. The other 3 jars were a pimento+chedder cheese cream, a tuna something with cucumber and some fish eggs, and some sort of hummus that my friend really liked. My fav was the pimento cheese one - how can you go wrong with so much cheese? it was goood. like, melted cheddar cheese with salsa good. 2nd fav was the Tuna something - reminded me of liver pate. I went here for a birthday dinner, so I didn't really pay for my food, but I take the price into consideration of what I expect from the food. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I didn't leave with a favorable impression of the restaurant. Filling food (the bread did the trick). Good food. Sparse menu with descriptions that don't sell very well (looked through it twice but had no idea what to order until I remembered the Jar appetizer). I'll go somewhere else to splurge next time. P.S - Music: there is none. Bathroom has automatic soap dispenser, sink, and towel dispenser, but no music either =[

    (3)

  • Sharlet A.

    So, I felt a little out of place here, as the decor and patrons were quite fancified, and I had just come from a long day at work and was carrying a bottle of wine still in its brown paper bag. But the hostess did not give me the stink eye at all! Went here on a night when they had beef carpaccio as an appetizer and I damn near stabbed my friend with a fork when he went for the last bite. The duck was absolutely succulent and fairly well portioned for the price. It was pricey, but totally worth the money. The service was impeccable, as our waiter was knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive without being intrusive. I would go here more often if I could take out a second mortgage or sell my kidney or something.

    (5)

  • Katherine S.

    Visited last week on a Tuesday night, and the place was still super busy. I like the decor, but would agree with other Yelpers that the location (ground floor of an office building) is not really ideal, and is kind of hard to find. Food: absolutely order the "in jars" appetizer. It was super fun to share around the table, and you get a taste of a lot of different things (the pimento cheese is orgasmic). One gripe- it didn't really come with enough bread. I had the pork belly for my main, and loved it. Very different preparation, wrapped in bacon and with a super spicy sauce. Wine: bomb wine list. enough said. The service was still a little hit or miss. I've read it's gotten better, but our server was really slow. Little things like not bringing the bread basket until the entrees came annoy me. Also- it's a bit pricey for what your're getting. A comparable dinner at a place like JCT would cost at least $10-15 less per head. I would recommend Empire State South for a birthday dinner with a group of friends.

    (4)

  • Shaun K.

    I've been waiting expectantly for Empire State South to open for several months now. Definitely was not disappointed. Apparently the whole city was not disappointed either, as the place is already hopping. (Our bartender says their reservations are booked through September. But don't worry, we had no problem camping out at the bar for a cocktails and a meal on Friday night.) We started off with the "Kind of Local" cheese plate, with some excellent cheeses, jam, and not really enough bread. The locavorific, southern cuisine entrees are a meat-and-three format. You pick your entree, two sides, and a bread. I had trout with collards and mac and cheese. Trout was cooked perfectly. The collards rank up their with some of the best I've had, balanced well with a little sweet, savory, and tangy. The mac and cheese was very sharp. Cocktails were also great, made with a lot of precision and care. I started out with a Manhattan, made with port and dark cherries. Had a beautiful Georgia mint julep with dinner. And had the honor of having the first Bourbon flip with dinner. The flip was so good that my lady ended up having to order one as well. (Even though they didn't have any nutmeg, which was really the only opening week hiccough we encountered all night.) All together, had a really fun night with some really great food and drink. Looking forward to coming back again soon.

    (5)

  • Stephanie A.

    This is definitely one of Atlanta's best restaurants, and a perfection of the farm-to-table concept. The best parts are (1) the chef is fantastic, daring, and creative; (2) the menu changes every day because the ingredients are seasonal, fresh, and delicious; and (3) they have a great outdoor seating area with bocce ball court. My favorite dish on the lunch menu is the superfood plate. It is a variety of 7 or 8 different salads, along with hanger steak cooked to deliciously rare perfection. I wish they had this on the dinner menu too! The pastry chef is also really amazing. The pop tarts for breakfast are sinful. I hear the croissants are the best in town. The gingerbread and marscapone cookie is worth every calorie. As for dinner menu, the pork belly is a must. Also, the steak tartar has a fried egg which is really wonderful. The cons are: (1) the interior seating area is very loud. It's okay for lunch, but for dinner it's too loud (sound is one of my pet peeves about modern restaurants with hard surface finishes - it looks great, but doesn't sound so good); (2) if you aren't a foodie, and you want some steak and potatoes (like my hubby), it might not be for you; and (3) . . . I can't think of any other negative!

    (4)

  • Jeff H.

    Loved it! Loved it! Loved it! I had gotten some mixed reviews from yelp and friends, but was excited to go try it out. Basically it's fancy 5 star type food but with classic Southern ingredients. I watch Top Chef, Chopped, and Iron Chef so I really dig this stuff. It might not be for everyone, The atmosphere is much more relaxed than other restauranuts of the same caliber food (Rathbun's, Eugene, etc.). We got the tasting menu to try a variety of things. The server informed us that there wasn't a designated tasting menu, but the chef rather "makes it up as he goes along"! How cool is that? So when the first course comes out, she informs us that he is going to give us each different entress for each course! So now if we share, we get to taste 10 entrees instead of 5! This is awesome! The food itself was soooo good! The server was professional, knowledgeable, and personable. I was a server for 10 years and am very picky. She was the perfect server. Unfortunately I didn;t understand her name or keep the receipt. On my next visit I can only hope the rest of the staff is half as good as she was. Bottom line: worth the hype, but not cheap. Bocchi ball out front helps make this a great date place.

    (5)

  • Thomas W.

    Basically, anyone who doesn't think ESS is one of the top five restaurants in Atlanta is either brain dead or was just amazingly unlucky the day they tried ESS. My only critique is that the deserts are kinda "meh". That is my very helpful opinion on the matter.

    (5)

  • Phillip C.

    One of the best new places in the ATL. Best cappuccino in the city next to my own kitchen. The Fatty Cakes are awesome so save room for dessert. The menu rotates which is great for food lovers like me. This is a great place to hang out with friends (hopefully not picky eaters). Good cocktail menu. They have a boccie ball court (never played). I didn't give it 5 because the food can be bit salty. I've been there several times including breakfast. It's good for all meals but if you only get to try this place once I would do breakfast.

    (4)

  • San N.

    Great quality, small quantity. Parking and Location - Private lots for $5. One thing I've learned about ATL is a lot of these restaurants are in random commercial office buildings. ESS cannot be seen from the street. It's on the other side facing a courtyard. Service - Average Food - Really good and unexpected flavors and textures. The only issue I have (and it's probably by law or bc we're in the bible belt) is that they can't serve liquor until noon although brunch starts at 1030am. 1. Pimento Cheese - A great dish to share with 4 to 5 ppl. Comes with tons of toasted bread which gave great texture to pimento cheese nicely salted by a sweet bacon marmalade. 2. Georgia Coffee - A fancy iced coffee that is lightly sweetened, creamed and served in a mason jar wrapped in a koozie. Refreshing and light. I wished the brew was slightly stronger. 3. Hanger Steak - Incredibly tender. 4. English Muffin - A great dish with flavors that meshed well. 5. Farm Egg - Amazing! This dish is not overly rich which was my biggest concern. Crispy rice with thick cuts of leeks, onion puree, sausage and topped with a fresh egg. Once you break into the yolk, it just oozes into the rice like a sauce.

    (4)

  • Sean L.

    lunch: super food with the MR hanger steak. VERDICT: YES PLEASE. maybe a little heavy on the salt in some places, but generally some of the better food you'll find in Atlanta at lunch time. hit the spot. didn't require lunch time laundry service, but it was just what the proctologist ordered. the water was top notch too. ok not really. only sad panda moment was lack of desserts at lunch time. Miller Union advertises these delightful motherfucking ice cream sammies. Empire State South had nada. just the check. I peep fucked the baked goods section, but nothing looked good except the girl doing inventory. blahhhhh. if Yeah Burger hadn't ear fucked me last night I totally would've gotten a shake or something. alas, I was not meant to have dessert today.

    (4)

  • douglas c.

    First visit and excited about the opportunity. Service was average. Pleasant folks but absent a bit more than i prefer. On to the food. The jars appetizer was fantastic: pork rilletle, chicken liver pate, pickles, pimento cheese, bacon marmalade, boiled peanut hummus. The only near hit was the hummus. Kindof a funky overall flavor. The chicken liver pate was sublime Salad mid course: perfect; fresh, not over dressed, palate pleasing. Entree': Chicken thighs with hen-of-the-woods mushrooms, spinach and jus. (C-) the chicken was woefully overcooked; stringy, tough, cartilage coming off with meat, etc., (by the way it was 7pm so no excuses for it being late and fired early). I was hooked to order this for two reasons; the thighs which i love and the mushrooms. I could not find any mushrooms on my plate. My friends entree' of shrimp and grits looked fine but somewhat less creative. Overall decent meal, nice atmosphere, ok pricing.

    (3)

  • Dave C.

    So I actually expected a bit more. Everything was good, just not as good as I had expected. Went with some co-workers on a Wednesday around 6:30 for dinner. Seated promptly, the restaurant had a good vibe to it but was not full. Service was good and the dinner flowed well. Now on to the food. I thought the bread they brought out to start was really good. The jars app that everyone else raves about was mediocre, I enjoyed the humus one the best. Had the Sea Bass which was quite good, just not extraordinarily. One of my co-workers had the chicken which is cooked in a vacuum bag. He thought it was raw and was unpleased with his meal. Everyone else enjoyed theirs though. Overall I just feel Atlanta has more interesting restaurants to offer if you are looking for a nice meal. Just a note on parking... Parking is validated in the lot connected to the complex (can enter from the north side of the block by the hotel). Took forever to get out of the deck as the signs are horrible and we got stuck behind someone who couldn't work the automated machine. Oh well, not the resturant's fault. Just seems a restaurant like this should have valet.

    (3)

  • Katie C.

    While I have yet to visit ESS for dinner (I hear it's a little pricey and am waiting for a special occasion), I am completely obsessing over their brunch. A great walk from surrounding neighborhoods, bright and lovely interior, and great food (and coffee)! I have not stopped talking about their housemade granola. It's fantastic!! I have yet to wait for brunch at 10:30 and have never felt rushed through my meal. ESS is my perfect leisurely brunch with friends!

    (4)

  • Marcus H.

    Great food, interesting atmosphere, and good company. We had the four course meal. Almost every course was memorable, but I think they need to be a little more generous with the portion size.

    (4)

  • Christian H.

    I went here for lunch (and left) a few days ago. The special was one entree and two sides for around $20. The problem was the entire menu consist of about three entrees and four sides. It might have been okay if any of the items on the menu were any better than the Taco Mac about a block away. We decided our $20 could be better spent somewhere else. I've eaten here once before - the food isn't worth the premium lunch price... Lunch is over priced, quality is average. There is just too many great restaurants around midtown for me to try again. The one redeeming quality is the location and restaurant space.

    (2)

  • Josh M.

    Grabbed a plain biscuit to-go on a Sunday, ate a veal sandwich for lunch on a Monday, and tried smoked trout for breakfast on a Friday. All were fabulous. This place does it right, and the prices are on par with what you get. Wait staff could stand to lose a little pomposity, but, in general, I really like this place.

    (4)

  • Bobbin W.

    Because the Five & Ten is one of my favorite all-time restaurants, I'm going to compare any of Hugh Acheson's other culinary efforts to it. Empire State South not only holds no resemblance to the Five & Ten's whimsical, bucolic decor but also contains no decor at all. Dark textured walls and plentiful light fixtures comprise the interior scheme. My friend and I were a tad late for our reservation, so we chatted over libations at the bar. I slowly sipped the Brown Derby: bourbon, grapefruit, lemon and chamomile accented with a sprig of thyme. The citrus aftertaste canceled out the initial spirited strength. We decided to split a bunch of stuff so we could experience a wide representation of the menu and began with In Jars. Several little jars contained pimento cheese spread, lamb rillette, chicken pate, boiled peanut hummus and a variety of pickled substances including okra. Stacks of bread strips waited to be slathered. Everything but the chicken pate sat well with me, as the layer of coagulated jelly on top of it aroused my suspicions at first sight. Next came the dillwood arugula salad, topped with turnips and parm, along with an onion vinaigrette. This is perhaps the strongest-tasting salad that's ever met my mouth per the roasted turnips, nearly pickled onions and bold greens. The sparse parmesan flakes helped balance the flavors out. We also requested a side of collards, which came pre-divided in two little iron bowls. The glistening, firm roughage, although full of meat, wowed me and made me question my Southern upbringing. Soon after arrived the NC Trigger Fish, seared to Long John Silver's perfection and topped with lemon marmalade. The lemon zest threw me off, but once I scraped it off the wonderfully crispy flesh, the world was right again. Topping off the gluttony, we moved on to dessert: the chocolate pudding, presented within a ring of caramel popcorn. My friend and I agree it was nothing to write home about, although we did nearly clean all the plates...

    (3)

  • D L.

    Went for brunch. They offer free validated parking (for three hours) in a parking garage just a few steps away from the entrance. - shrimp & grits: dish was overall kind of salty. Was a lot better after adding a few scoops from a side order of grits we ordered. Lot of shrimp. - crispy pork cutlet: tonkatsu anyone? Fry was clean, not oily. - jalepeno & bacon biscuit: the dish I didn't order, but liked best. I liked the "confit" (shredded?) pork it came with. - side of home fries: potato cut up into small cubes. Dry and needed to drench in ketchup to get it down my gullet. The side items (grits and home fries) did well to augment meal, I would have left kind of unsatisfied (relating to quantity) without them. Okay service. Food was REALLY slow coming out and no one came by to tell us why or when. They did refill the water alright... Liked the atmosphere. Wide open spaces... Don't know if I will go again.

    (3)

  • Simon H.

    Staff is slow, too cool for school - "oh - you want FOOD???" indie snob vibe. 1st time we went the hostess forgot who we were 30 minutes after checking in, hire a pro please. Tried a second time for brunch. The servers couldn't figure out which one of them was going to grace us with their disaffected presence, and we were looking for something other then the 5 options on the menu - something that resembled brunch... since is was brunch. Walked out & went to Babs.

    (1)

  • Jarrett B.

    Excellent. The chow chow is essential to the brunch experience here, and I think an ideal brunch is to share 3 dishes and get a buttload of chow chow and bread. Service here was excellent as well, even when it was busy, and I was so fussy with my choices, heh.

    (5)

  • Ellen M.

    Almost 4 stars. We were seated right away. Small table in back dining room. Our wine and Pimm's cup was very good. Our app of Tybee shrimp was excellent & the bread (grilled) was nice with a side of beets/pickles and green tomato chow chow. My entree special of cod was nicely cooked and served with peppers & beans. My spouse's trout was presented nicely but he said it was dry and needed some sauce. Our server was a bit busy & came by after entrees served. The dessert menu a bit disappointing. Lots of fruit dishes, but nothing special. We left w/o dessert or coffee. I mentioned on the reservation about celebrating my spouse's birthday, but no hoopla here or even a mention. Thought it would have been nice. I would maybe try again for lunch or brunch. Nice outdoor seating w/bocce ball court

    (3)

  • Jennifer N.

    Dinner was delicious! And my date loved it too! Shrimp and grits were an excellent starter and perfect to share. I had the duck which was cooked perfectly. My date had the pork tenderloin and it was tasty. We skipped desert and had another cocktail. The waitress was on point. I will have to say that I like this restaurant better than the one in Athens! I want to try brunch and lunch as dinner was fabulous!

    (5)

  • Jennifer J.

    Drinks get 5 stars but food, I hate to say, only gets 3. We are hard core Hugh Acheson fans fans from years of living in Athens and patronizing his Athens restaurants. We appreciate what he is trying to do with the unique and authentically Southern menu, and we live right next door so we want to love ESS. however, for what you pay the dinner menu doesn't "wow" and some things we've had had there were downright weird. To top it off, service is among the lowest quality of places we frequent in midtown (example, waiter knew it was husband's 40th birthday dinner, yet I had to track waiter down after not visiting our table after 20 mins to place our dessert order. Nothing on the dessert menu suitable for placing a candle in, so we ended up with breakfasty banana bread). But to emphasize the positive... The drinks are out of this world!

    (3)

  • Jason W.

    I like this spot for late night bocce and drinks at the bar. They have an interesting beer menu to go with bocce, but their bartenders also make good cocktails. I've eaten here for lunch a couple times. The food is fine, but the flavors are always just slightly off and the portions seem too small for what you pay. I get that it's farm to table, but other places do the same with more generous portions or for a better value. An example of the flavors being off - I had the super food plate for lunch on Monday. The hanger steak was ok, the lentils were good, the red peas were fine, but one of the salads with local lettuce had a dressing that was just so citrus heavy that it made it difficult to eat. My face semi-puckered with each bite. I'll be back for bocce and drinks and oysters at the bar, but not sure about a full meal.

    (3)

  • Lori F.

    I knew zero about Hugh Acheson and his rock star status before coming here, but I am now a firm believer. Service was stellar. Everything we had from the freshest oysters to simply delicious boiled peanuts were perfect. My entree of a berkshire pork chop was amazing. Truly delightful. Since then, I've made several excuses to go back and have been pleased every time.

    (5)

  • Jean F.

    Top notch. I took my wife an daughter for lunch and every dish we had was excellent. Highly recommended.

    (4)

  • Carly P.

    Went here for dinner w/friends Sunday night. Very neat atmosphere! Location is a bit odd, but you can park in the deck by Hotel Midtown and they will validate your parking for up to three hours. Neat patio/lawn/bocce area. I had pasta filled with homemade goat cheese, pecans. Fantastic. Probably the best goat cheese I've ever had. I ordered a glass of the German Pinot noir; as a pinot lover, it was iffy, and I believe it was the cheapest of the pinots at $10. Homemade bread and butter is divine. My friend had the winter salad which she let me try and the kale with the homemade croutons was outta this world. Kinda pricey, but I would go back.

    (4)

  • Stefan K.

    Came here last night for my birthday with my fiancee and it was really good. Funny to see all the negative reviews, those people must not have explored the excellent wine list and cocktail list enough! Anyway, it was for dinner and we had the butternut squash soup with the raisins and crisp shallot (which tasted like tiny smoked onion rings in the soup, a lovely surprise of a flavor profile). Then came the pork belly special appetizer with the creamed kimchi. Lord, that was heaven in the mouth. I wish I'd licked the plate! Hopefully they put that on the menu. We also had the prosciutto with pickled shallots and apricots, very good but a touch too sweet for my salt addled palate. For a main we split the confit duck leg, and I was worried the orange glaze would be overly orange but it was delicate and subtle and all around excellent and the celery root gratin accompanying was too. We decided to drink by the glass and had the De Venoge champagne to start - a very good, tasty and not too crisp or biting bubbly. With dinner we drank the Faiveley 'Clos des Myglands' 2008. An excellent, silky, fruit forward French pinot noir that we basically could not get enough of. You are missing out if you don't get in to the wine list here! For dessert, the chocolate pudding which came more like a pot-de-creme in a small mason jar with cracker jack. Slammin. We had a lot of fun and a great experience so my advice to you is be adventurous and try the things your server suggests! Shrimp and grits isn't going to knock your socks off no matter where you go so stop ordering that bland mess!

    (4)

  • Kayleigh D.

    Went to Empire State South for my 21st birthday. It was amazing. They comfortably sat me and my party of 8. Our waiter who was awesome (forgot his name, but he was a tall, handsome African American man) was super knowledgable about the menu, suggested vegetarian options, explained the best dishes on the menu and was super attentive. He even took a picture of all of us before dinner and outside afterwards and also brought out a super yummy desert with a candle in it. Not only was the decor beautiful, but the location was right in the pretty part of midtown and we had a really nice view outside our window. Since it was my 21st I tried a few cocktails and they were all sooooo tasty. Was a little pricey, and definitely a special occasion spot, but totally looking forward to coming back.

    (5)

  • Bob B.

    Visited friends in Atlanta. They said we absolutely had to go to ESS. The appetizers were excellent. Octopus, steak tartar were marvelous. The Charcuterie platter was extraordinary, as was the foie gras. As a result of the appetizers, we cut back on the entrees! Main courses of catfish and ravioli were special. The staff was pleasant and attentive. Would go back in a heartbeat.

    (5)

  • M.A. J.

    Go here for lunch a few times each month, it's a great place to bring friends or clients, or to eat alone. Everything is delicious.

    (4)

  • T. L.

    I have eaten a lot of meals out on the town in the past few months and have devoted little time to sit down and comment on them. Due to underwhelming experiences, there are several restaurants I do not feel like writing about, like Woodfire Grill, Canoe, Blue Ridge Grill, Miller Union, Top Flr, Anis, Nava, and Super Pan. There are also several great restaurants that I've visited at least twice - Local Three, Bone's, and Ecco - where I gnoshed on some pretty great food, but I'm still not going to write about them because I really want to cut to the chase and reveal my favorite restaurant in Atlanta...Empire State South. The brains behind the food belong to Chef & Owner Hugh Acheson of the beloved 5 & 10 in Athens, Georgia. A Canadian import who landed in Georgia over a decade ago and started cooking upscale southern fare as if it were the food of his motherland, prides himself on his unibrow, authors an impeccable blog called Hugh Cooks Food, and has a great love for kimchi (as do I), Chef Acheson pushed his boundaries beyond Athens and opened Empire State South last summer in midtown Atlanta. I should also give credit to ESS's Executive Chef, Ryan Hopkins, for his presumably huge contribution to the menu and excellent execution of it. I don't actually know how the restaurant was named but I would venture to guess that ESS's name establishes itself at a restaurant of New York City quality in the heart of the south. (New York is, after all, the Empire State. And Chef Acheson's food is, above all, as good a restaurant as the best in New York). This could be one reason why I like the restaurant; it reminds me so much of New York, which was home to me for almost seven years. Since leaving New York, I've longed to find a restaurant in Atlanta that met the same standards as those in the big apple. Looks like I finally found it. Situated on the ground level of a polished office building on Peachtree Street, the restaurant caters to the myriad needs of the 9 to 5'ers in the building, as well as the general public, by serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, fantastic coffees and specialty drinks from their coffee bar and freshly baked goodies and sammies for those on-the-go. I've sampled it all; from three course dinners, one-plate lunches, and build-your-own-biscuit breakfasts, to oatmeal cream pies, homemade oreos, lattes, and hot-buttered rum drinks, all the way down to splitting one of ESS's chicken salad sandwiches at home with my boyfriend. On every level, ESS meets or beats my expectations. (In fact, one day I was downright tickled when the "coffee chef" etched a Christmas tree replete with gifts underneath it into the frothed milk on my latte.) On my first visit, I ordered the dug leg confit with sweet potato purée and red cabbage. You could say it was love at first bite. The tender dark meat literally slipped off the bone. The skin was crunchy, peppery. I set my heart on it. On my next two visits, within days of my first meal at ESS, I had the duck leg again and again. Each time I bit into that yummy hunk of meat, it was as perfectly prepared as the first time I tried it. The garnishes varied daily and were always satisfying. The most surprising garnish was a side of roasted okra, which I expected to arrive soggy and drab, but ended up being the best okra I've ever eaten, rich in okra-y-ness and that kind of warming oven-roasted flavor that gets my goat. My love affair with the menu continued as I finally started exploring other dishes. I was equally wowed and thrilled - sea scallops pan-seared to achieve a golden, caramelized exterior on top of creamed lentilles de puy and blood orange segments; crispy pork belly on kimchi rice; rib-eye with pommes macaire and sautéed escarole; beef short rib hash with quinoa and carrots. Or was it corned beef hash? I can't quite recall. There are other meals from ESS that I can't remember at all, but I'm fine with that. Perhaps it's like the beginning of a relationship when you're falling in love; you can't remember everything, but you know you loved every minute of it.

    (5)

  • Vania H.

    love it! went to empire state south a few weeks ago with some coworkers for dinner and i'd definitely chalk it up as one of the best dining experiences i've ever had. the atmosphere was comfortable and very conducive to conversation - not too loud. it had all of the feel of a fancy restaurant, but still very down to earth and homey. we started out with a bottle of malbec and we were really impressed with our waiter and how knowledgeable he was about all the different types of wine and what foods to pair it with. we also ordered a cheese sampler plate, which was EXCELLENT. there was a huge variety of cheeses and meats, as well as crackers, assorted jams, and other accompaniments. they were very generous in their portions on the cheese plate, and everything tasted well together. i ordered the pecan-goat cheese ravioli and was a teeeeeeeny bit disappointed in their portion size. although it was delicious, the plate was small and had it not been for the cheese plate, i don't think i would have been full after the meal. the flavors worked together wonderfully, and it was a perfect combination of salty and sweet, as well as crunchy (from the pecans) and tender (from the goat cheese). for dessert, i ordered the toffee fig pudding. it was perfectly complemented by the creme fraiche and not too rich or heavy. great dining experience, and amazing food :)

    (4)

  • Carolyn C.

    Sorry to say but my recent trip to Empire State South for Mother's Day put a sour taste in my mouth. The food was excellent but the service was disturbingly distasteful. I think the server went out of his way to make what could have been a wonderful experience terrible. He didn't explain the menu in a way we could make good decisions and then he timed the meal so off that I ended up eating by my self while the rest of the party looked on. Then I had to sit while they ate. It really was ridiculous. So the food is great, but I won't go back because it is not worth the frustration.

    (1)

  • O F.

    Empire State South has a cool vibe and the decor is very Modern. However, the service was apathetic and the food was Unappetizing. I was expecting a totally different experience having read the reviews.

    (2)

  • Kim M.

    Everything from service to cocktails to the food was outstanding. These people know what they are doing. You can tell immediately that the entire staff loves food and loves sharing their passion with their guests. It was an awesome experience.

    (5)

  • Albert V.

    After a recent issue of "Atlanta" magazine had a picture of Empire State South's biscuit sandwich on the cover, I've been excited to try it. Environment/Atmosphere is super-cool and the floorplan is divided in half between a dining room area and a bar area. I had the Jalapeno & Bacon biscuit sandwich which was excellent. I also had a soy latte which again was one of the best in recent memory. I wish I could give this place more stars, but the service left a lot to be desired. I'm definitely open to going back, but will hopefully get a different server.

    (3)

  • lizzie p.

    Lunch review: Tuesday at 2pm.... there were not many people here at this time but the mish mash of people at the front register seemed a little bit awkward / confused / frazzled. The hostess wanted to seat us some where not cool so we inquired if there was outdoor seating. Outside is lovely. It was quiet and peaceful and there's a bocce court. i had a wonderful glass of chardonnay with my meal and it was very relaxing and chill. I have nothing but good things to say about the food. i had the grilled shrimp with okra and fried green tomatoes and corn bread. everything was fine but the only thing i'll absolutely rave about is the okra. yummmm i thought it was a really good deal for lunch. you can get a big meal with 2 sides and bread plus a glass of wine for $25. i'd go back for dinner and next time i'll try to save room for dessert!

    (4)

  • Mary-Catherine W.

    Went on a late afternoon Sunday too late for Brunch and too early for dinner so we just had some little bar nibbles. Had the dip plate. The pimento cheese was my favorite! Candied bacon marmalade, yes please. Then the smoked trout, could have had more smoke flavor, the butter bean hummus was equally just as good and creative, the pork was my least favorite, very porky fatty tasting. Straight up blended pork fat, and this says a lot since I have a love affair with pork belly. Had a couple of the ginger whoopie pies and those were cute and tasty. Drinks were almost too strong. I love the huge windows in the dining room and the bocce ball out front (can't wait to test in spring). They validate parking and if you don't know where your going can be tricky to figure out how to actually get to restaurant door from the street. Can't wait to go back for an actual meal.

    (4)

  • Heather H.

    Super impressed with the food, I had the five sides plate as my entree. Amazing in flavor, cooking technique, and variety of vegetarian items. Although I'm a lover of all things meat, this option is awesome for those vegan diners. The dining room is a little austere for homey southern cuisine but the food is spot on. The host was adorable and so cheerful, our server must have had a bad night, no sleep is not an excuse for unattentive service. Yawn.....

    (3)

  • Dave W.

    The charcuterie plate was fantastic. The jar of pimento cheese with bacon marmalade was the "crack in a jar" that was advertised. The trout mousse was also great. Had the monkfish which was really good although the level of doneness varied across the 3 pieces. but the star was actually some of the veggies served with it . Great service and very good food. Surprisingly good was the celery sorbet. Sampled several desserts - not a bad one in the mix.

    (4)

  • Jeff H.

    Be careful if you use their website to send a gift card like I did for my Mom on Mother's day. The site won't allow you to actually send a greeting or indicate who the gift card comes from. The recipient just receives the gift card in the mail without any indication of who sent it. So much for the gift experience. I expect better.

    (2)

  • Rob P.

    Warm atmosphere, but our table was on top of another for no apparent reason. 5 stars for appetizer (farm egg) and dessert (apple flan). 4 stars for entrees, pork and duck.

    (4)

  • Keith B.

    First time visitor to ESS. My daughter had heard good things so we went on a Friday night around 7:00; not too crowded, but was heating up by the time we left. It's a little difficult to find, but there is parking in the building garage and they validate. Food was very good; interesting menu with different combinations of southern food. Wine selection is excellent. Portions are small, but I'm not looking for mass quantities of food anymore at my age, so I am making an observation, not complaining. Service was acceptable, but I have had better and as another reviewer commented, I thought the servers were a bit too casual. There were so many items I wanted to try on the menu that we will definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Kylie C.

    First, the hostess was very accommodating and sat the 2 of us at a 4 top in the back. Nice. We immediately ordered drinks, both of which were very well-made. I highly recommend the untitled rye. We were starving and ordered octopus, steak tartare, and the charcuterie and cheese plates. (It only gets more gluttonous. Octopus was incredible. It was perfectly cooked and very creative, which I appreciated. The charcuterie was quite good, but the cheese plate was average in my opinion. I've had better steak tartare at several other restaurants in Atlanta. On to the entrees... My husband had the duck and was not overly impressed. I ordered steak medium rare. It was a gorgeous cut that melted in my mouth. Unfortunately, it was SO salty, I didn't even eat half of it! Such a shame! That still did not deter us from having two desserts and coffee to cap off the night. Overall, a nice experience but I wanted it to be better. I have heard other complaints about the saltiness of the food. I wish they would listen and lay off the salt shaker.

    (4)

  • Jill K.

    Love the atmosphere, Bocci ball with a post dinner cocktail is always a winner. The table started with the 'In Jars' a selection of spreads, all very good.The Farm Egg was my starter (because I LOVE egg yolk) this was super and lick the bowl with bread worthy. Then the pork tenderloin, just perfect. And I don't care how full you are you must have the phatties. similar to the ones at cakes and ale, only I remember liking this a lot more. (ginger sandwich cookies with cream filling)

    (4)

  • smacksmackgulp K.

    Been here a couple times - once just for drinks, another for dinner. A bit expensive, but I would come here again. While the charcuterie plate was good, I did not enjoy the sweetbreads. They were fried to the point of unrecognition, and I like tasting and feeling the real texture of my thymus glands. But I am a total sucker for a poached egg done right, and their Soft Poached Farm Egg was no exception. We had gotten one order, but were fighting for the dregs of it towards the end. Even though they have a bocce ball court, I feel like very few people actually play it, and it's more for "show". Still, I like the ambiance inside, especially the bar area, which is an impressive feat since I used to eat in the sad little cafeteria that used to be here when I worked on a project in this building, before ESS moved in and gutted the place. And the artisanal drinks here are very good too.

    (4)

  • Ashley R.

    The food here is so rich and good! One of the best fine southern cuisine restaurants in Atlanta. The drinks are out of this world tasty. The decor is pretty awesome too - very rustic, shabby chic and unpretentious. Our server was the icing on the cake; he was very cool.

    (5)

  • S P.

    One of the best-kept brunch secrets in Atlanta. Why do I love this place so much? 1. They take reservations, which for Sunday brunch is rare 2. They have free (validated) parking in the garage 3. They're never packed for brunch 4. The food is outrageously good 5. Their coffee is outrageously good 6. Their cocktails are good, too It's not unusual for me to head to Empire State South several weeks in a row for Sunday brunch. Since they take reservations, it's a no-brainer staple. It's never busy, which confuses me because their food is outstanding. My favorite thing on the brunch menu is the pulled pork with bacon jalapeno biscuit, but you really can't go wrong with anything. My only wish is that they had more of their regular menu on the weekend brunch menu.

    (5)

  • Paige T.

    I'm not sure if ESS is as good as it gets because I just had a pimento cheese and egg biscuit, but boy it was a darn good pimento cheese and egg biscuit. I am a fan. The ambiance sure gets a fiver, but it is really mostly about the food, no? There is a lot of attention to detail in this space and I can most definitely appreciate that aspect! From the fancy wall sconces (I'm a sucker for unique light fixtures) to the little wrought iron containers that the grits come in, this place is a class act. I'd love to return for a hot dinner date with the husb and enjoy something off of the wine menu that I've heard such great things about ; ) Go to this place, folks, it's the cool and classy thing to do!

    (4)

  • Chris G.

    Five stars across the board. Excellent ambiance, excellent service, excellent food, excellent time!

    (5)

  • Todd D.

    I will say right up front that the meal we had last night was the best my wife & I have ever had, and we've had many great meals. We had a ton of courses. The sweet breads with pickled blueberries were the best I've ever tasted. Their tartar which I always like wherever I go was uniquely presented, and delicious. Every course was ridiculously good. We also had a lot of cocktails, all very well thought out, and tasty. Our service was killer. We sat at the bar with Kelly, she was excellent, and had a visit by their very talented Chef Kyle. I've been friends with Empire State South's head Chef Ryan Smith since his days back at Holmann, his menu is freakin' amazing at Empire State South. Go here Now!

    (5)

  • jennifer f.

    So delicious! Had the scallop appetizer, smoked duck breast and the phatty cakes for dessert. Whew!! Definitely going back soon. They validate parking, which is awesome. We passed by where you need to pull in to park 2x but a quick call to the restaurant and they straightened us out. Just remember it's right passed the restaurant next to Hotel Midtown. Excellent service!!! A little tricky to get reservations on the fly so you'll probably need to plan it to go.

    (5)

  • Alexis A.

    I'm going to have to take issue with a previous poster who said this place made her wonder if she was in Gramercy Park. Don't worry you aren't going to confuse this place with NYC. The In Jars were good but a little too rich for me. Don't get me wrong they are incredibly tasty but pimento cheese, bacon marmalade, trout spread, peanut hummus any of these alone would be great but the combination was just too rich. I wasn't in love with any of the entrees so went with the special - black sea bass, I think. It was good but after the jars I was full. We had some dessert but I'm failing to remember what they were so couldn't be that impressive. It is a cute restaurant and the food was good but I'm not going to rush back.

    (3)

  • J. T.

    I'm at ESS pretty often. I would say I have the menu memorized, but they change it up to incorporate what's in season. They have great Counter Culture Coffee, their Croque Madame is the best I've ever tasted, and their drinks are creative and tasty. Try the Corpse Reviver.

    (4)

  • Dan K.

    I had the quail, grits, succotash, cornbread and peach ice cream - It was mediocre - I ate all of the quail in about 3 bites - it was not very tasty - the grits, succotash and cornbread were similar to the Cracker Barrel and the peach ice cream was like my mom makes when she is tired and not in the mood to make ice cream - The physical space is very nice, great lighting, nice bar - Servers are just learning the menu - I could have eaten at EATS ten times for the $50 I paid here- and their meat and three are tastier -

    (2)

  • Michael H.

    Okay, so maybe all the stellar reviews caused me to have too high of expectations, maybe both J and my tastebuds were off, or maybe the all the snow and ice has thrown everything off kilter, cause this place just didn't blow my skirt up. Friday night dinner started with the pork belly with kimchee and shrimp and grits. Pork belly was lacking any flavor, wasn't quite as crispy on the edges as it could be, just was not a winner. Shrimp and grits on the other hand was quite good. Entrees were triggerfish with meyer lemon marmalade and special of guinea hen confit. The fish was cooked perfectly and the marmalade was a nice touch although it came close to overpowering the fish. The guinea unfortunately suffered from an overdose of salt, even when you take into account the salt used in the process. So far two hits and two misses. Now onto the wine. We started off with a pinot and a syrah by the glass. The pinot started off nice enough but turned bitter and metallic on the finish. J's syrah was reminiscent of dirty feet.....and not in a good way. I changed over to a chardonnay for the entree and this was even worse than the first two. Instead of buttery and rich it was redolent of honey and cough syrup with a heavy accent on cough syrup. Kudos to the mgr because after I mentioned to our waitress that the wines were disappointing, she showed up with two glasses of pinot gran cuvee on the house. So in closing food is......ehhhhh, service was above and beyond.

    (3)

  • Julie J.

    Amazing meal! I visited for an early dinner a month ago, and the food was beautiful and delicious, the ambiance was warm and inviting, and the service was fantastic. To sum up, the pork belly is a must order (kimchi grits YUM), octopus salad (which may just be seasonal) was amazing (and I don't even like octopus), and I loved the bread basket, which I don't say about a lot of places. We ordered the halibut special that night, as well as the NY strip and both were great dishes. Fantastic cocktails too. Tasty and strong. :) Overall, I loved it. Dining here after being away from Atlanta for a while was such a welcome experience. A really great take on traditional Southern food. I hope this place sticks around a while!! HIGHLY recommend!!

    (5)

  • E B.

    I will leave this short and sweet....................... If you cannot serve food hot, then don't bother serving it at all. From start to finish our dinner was luke warm in the middle and cool around the edges...............You would think the kitchen would get it right after the apps and soups were sent back. Hostess let us know we were the "only" ones with this problem. A table near us did not get their food at all......... so I guess she was right. A boring been there done that take on southern food.

    (1)

  • Amy F.

    For my farewell lunch in Atlanta my Atlanta office dined at Hugh Acheson's Empire State South in Midtown Atlanta. I am so glad I had the chance to try this place before we left because it was great and it was a really fun place for a group lunch. The highlights for me included the Super Food salad plate - available with the standard hangar steak, chicken or fish. The farro and radishes on the plate particularly shined but everything really worked together well. The pimento cheese with bacon marmalade was truly out of this world also - a must-try starter. Everyone enjoyed their meal and we enjoyed sharing several desserts to top it off. The brownie ice cream sandwich was a bit too sweet for me but I like how they have baked goods available in the center of the restaurant for eating in or take-out. Several in our party also tried the specialty sourced coffee, which proved to be tasty. The atmosphere here is versatile with an airy, inviting dining space suitable for business, friends or family. I hope to have the chance to have dinner here when I am back in town visiting. Breakfast is also served.

    (5)

  • Sabrina G.

    So far, it's a three star-er. I came here for lunch today and ordered the "La Quercia Prosciutto under the salad section. We asked the waiter if they were entree sized salads and he said yes. What I got was (no joke here) two leaves of arugula, five slices of Prosciutto, 15 beans (drizzled in balsamic vinegar) and three slices of toasted bread. Ya! It's 2 pm and I am still hungry. Sooo, I give this three stars for now - until I come for dinner and can (hopefully) update my review to four stars.

    (3)

  • Amber R.

    Very busy for an early brunch. Had to wait for a seat, but not too long, maybe 20 mins. Their benches were small and uncomfortable. It was chilly and windy outside, so we waited inside. Looked like nice outdoor seating and fun bocce ball area-too bad it wasn't warmer. Once we sat down and gave our drink orders, we waited and waited for our waitress to come back and take our orders. The hot chocolates were rich, but not very warm, we drank them quick. Looking at the pics some users had posted, the cocoa should have had a design on it, but ours didn't-they may have sat too long before being brought to our table. When our food finally came out, it looked beautiful on the plate and tasted amazing. My husband got the jalapeno buscuit with pulled pork and poached eggs and I got the hangar steak with a leek & veggie compote. The steak was perfectly done to rare-so tender it could be cut with the butter knife. We did have to wait a significant amount of time to even place our order, so only 3 stars. Still, delish!

    (3)

  • Emily E.

    I'm going to start my review with the fact that I'm completely biased. I have been going to 5&10, another Hugh Acheson restaurant in Athens, every Friday night before UGA games FOREVER. I'm a complete fan. First off, you walk in and the vibe is completely relaxed. All of the servers look young and somewhat Indie, but they are the most knowledgeable people about food and wine that you will ever meet. Steve is by far my favorite, hunt him down if he's there and ask him what wine to order. He won't disappoint :) I'm not even going to discuss what to order because they change the menus constantly to go with the freshest ingredients. The constant staple that I do go for though is the charcuterie plate. It's just amazing. In the Sping, the Bocce court is a must, and the bar is just a cool scene. It will not disappoint. If you're walking in to just have a drink or to eat, you're going to have a fabulous time and will probably walk away knowing something about food and wine that you didn't know already. Typically, I'm more about the eating of the food and the drinking of the wine than learning about it, but here, it just fits. The menu always looks weird with different flavors and strange pairings, but I swear, it will not disappoint. Have a great time! I'm jealous of whoever gets to go more than me. :)

    (5)

  • Andrea R.

    I'm not really sure what all of the hype is about this place. It passes itself off as some twist on Southern traditions but they leave a lot to be desired for their brunch offerings. To top it all off, they allow themselves to be featured on the cover of Atlanta Magazine for what seems to be an amazing chicken biscuit that you can only get during breakfast...not brunch! To add insult to this, they actually felt that a sunny side up egg sandwich on an English muffin would be a great substitute. It seems like the perfect place for posers to spend too much money on breakfast dishes. Perhaps it is a different place for lunch or dinner but brunch, I'm not impressed. I'd rather go to Front Page News which offers ALL of it's breakfast and brunch menu until 4pm on the weekends and is a fraction of the cost. I won't be back any time soon. I'm not going to get up early on a weekend just to have your chicken biscuit.

    (1)

  • Ben D.

    The best new restaurant in Atlanta.

    (5)

  • Victor A.

    Maybe I should've came here for lunch instead but decided to grab dinner with some friends from school.......decor is nice and parking is FREE and easy.......now to the food.......OYSTERS I think must've been post-BP oil spill ones cause they are tiny!......the pickled jars were quite good ($16) and pork belly appetizer was perfectly cooked as well ($12).........anyways, this is a semi-nouveau Southern restaurant with a hint of asian (they use daikon, kimchi, etc)..........one friend had some flounder, it was aight.......someone else had the bacon cover pork tenderloin, it was aight.........someone else had the pheasant breast, again, it was aight........I had NY STRIP, it was aight..........I'd say go here for the appetizers and desserts..........their peanut coke and funnel cake and fried strawberry pie are unstoppable...........lastly, they have a Sommelier............

    (3)

  • Avery C.

    Five of my friends took me to ESS for my birthday and it was wonderful from start to finish. The service was great and the food is interesting but in a good way. The only thing that kept me from giving ESS five stars is the prices. I feel most of the main courses were a bit steep on the price for what you get. Great place!!

    (4)

  • Danielle C.

    A large group of us had dinner there last night - amazing. Everything was fantastic - drinks, food, service, etc. The jars, charcuterie, foie gras, duck - all wonderful. The service was over the top - he was attentive, but not annoying, great suggestions, anticipated everything we needed. One of the better dining experiences I've had in a while.

    (5)

  • sam l.

    Well, I would say 3 stars for dinner, but 2 stars for brunch. I had some pretty flavorless oatmeal and a biscuit. Everything was under seasoned and I found the menu not that approachable for a brunch menu. It just seems like if you are going to be a nice restaurant than you can do a really nice brunch. But the biscuit was so way off in terms of flavor, over mixing, and served with nothing...no butter or jam to cover up the blandness, that I walked away actually hungry....which is hard to do at brunch. And please train your servers to come back to the table after they put the food down and check in. I always feel like an asshole after I wait and wait then have to get up and hunt someone down just for some pepper.

    (2)

  • S S.

    So excited to try this place and love it. We are HUGE Cakes & Ale fans, but lament that it's far from our Buckhead neighborhood (or else we'd seriously be there every week). I think Empire State South will be an excellent stand in when we aren't ready to trek to Decatur. Went on a Monday night for our anniversary. My better half had the great roasted carrot/cumin salad and the quail with field peas/rice and okra/almonds. I had the divine corn/shrimp soup and the scallops appetizer for dinner. We also had a great dry German Reisling and an amazing German Pinot. Finished it off with the house made soft serve ice cream (mint for me, cinnamon for him). All in all, the food was outstanding, the atmosphere was lovely, as was our server. Can't wait to start working in Midtown so that this gem will be within walking distance... One of the best new additions to the Atlanta dining scene in years.

    (4)

  • Ashley F.

    Excellent atmosphere..loved it. Will definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Jenna M.

    Loved it! The atmosphere is rustic but modern. There is a nice large bar in the front and cozy tables in the back. All of the food we ordered was exceptional - and our server was very knowledgeable about the different menu items. The "Peanuts and Coke" desert was wonderful - a Mexican Coca-Cola soft serve ice cream with peanuts and funnel cake. When they brought our check, they also brought individually wrapped little pieces of caramel fudge - a nice touch!

    (4)

  • Kitty Tonka B.

    I really like this place. The food is awesome and the service is great. I love sitting on the patio. The special coffee was a great way to finish my meal.

    (4)

  • Alex R.

    I loved the outdoor seating (situated right next to a Bocce ball court) and the cocktails. The appetizers were more culinary interesting and fun to eat, but the main course was not as outstanding as I had hoped. Sipping cocktails and playing Bocce ball while we waited for our desert was definitely the highlight.

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    Best food I've had in a long time. The ambience is charming, our waiter was attentive and knowledgable about the food, and the food and drinks were delish.

    (5)

  • Richard L.

    Great food. Very nice and attentive staff. The cocktails were very imaginative, the Pimm's cup was my favorite. i wish i could find somewhere in L.A. that makes drinks like these. One of the biggest well equipped kitchens I've ever seen.

    (4)

  • KA E.

    What a cool atmosphere from the outdoor bocce ball court to the kick back indoor vibe. Everything from the service to the decor to the food was inviting and intriguing! My husband and I loved our appetizers- poached egg and tomato soup, but our entrees were a bit too bland and wierd. The crazy flavor combos and pairings left us a bit perplexed but we will definitely try this place again!

    (3)

  • S S.

    The food was good, no doubt about it. The portions were small. The service, however, was uppity, apathetic and really on the cusp of down-right rude. I won't be back.

    (2)

  • Kara S.

    Mostly great food, but my pork tenderloin entree was definitely lacking finesse. Thought it was just ok. I'm not a big duck eater, but I tried my friends and it was amazing! The lamb was great too. But, my favorite bites of the night? Boiled peanut hummus, pimiento spread with bacon and the toffee pudding! Yum yum yum!!! Drinks were tasty too-had the smoked tequila drink.

    (4)

  • Monty S.

    Rude service from the Matre'd soured my experience even before we got food. Don't know why he was in such a foul mood, but refusing service until promptly at 8:30 was a bit beyond comprehension when there were several empty tables. Then, his curt attitude was really intolerable. I don't think I will go back and be abused for the privilege of spending my money. Avoid this place.

    (1)

  • Catherine B.

    Very good food. Service was just ok. Expensive as well. I will go back!

    (3)

  • Charles H.

    Big disappointment. Our table of four decided almost immediately that the appetizers were far more appealing than the entrees, so we ordered a variety to sample and share. The cucumber soup with fried oysters was the only one of eight dishes which was excellent. The rest--average or worse. So many ingredients, and most of them undistinguishable in the dish. Sauces either too bland or too overpowering, or non-existent. The worst dish was easily the octopus sausage which was tasteless, unless you consider fishiness a taste. Of the lot, the vegetable dishes were the least poor, and the heirloom tomato salad was really pretty good. Trout and catfish entrees, but not a single salt-water fish dish. We have eaten at the Five and Ten in Athens, which is superb. Hugh needs to spend a bit more time in his Atlanta restaurant before more folks like us conclude they will not be back a second time.

    (2)

  • Sara G.

    Empire State South is great for a number of reasons but tonight they really topped the charts for my husband and me. I called ahead to make a reservation and let them know it was our anniversary. We got a nice corner table where we could see the restaurant and it was reasonably secluded from the other customers. We ordered the four course tasting menu and it was fabulous. It includes an amuse bouche so if you're curious about that first "course" it's more of a freebie than a course. I won't go into details about the rest except to say it was filled with items that were surprising, odd and delicious. There were times when even the smell of the dish was so enticing, I wanted to let the server know they could leave so that I could stuff my face without being rude. The flavors are sometimes intensely familiar but in a whole new context, they can be difficult to identify. It really is a great place to discover new items and different ways to eat familiar ones. To top it all off they had complimentary champagne for both of us in honor of our anniversary and a small mignardise as they brought the check. Overall it was a really great experience and a fantastic place to spend a special evening, I highly recommend it.

    (5)

  • Anna K.

    My husband and I tried Empire State South for the first time last night. When I made the reservations I told them it was my husband's birthday. We arrived and were seated immediately. Our waitress greeted us with a smile and wished my husband a happy birthday and asked us if we had ever been there. Since we hadn't, she gave us her personal suggestions and we started with the jars appetizer. Not only did it come out in 5 minutes, but it was delicious as well. We never had to refill our water because every 2 minutes a waiter would come around to refill it for us. Our main course came out 30 minutes later as we were still finishing the appetizer. I had the duck and my husband had the blue fish. They were by far the best tasting dishes we have ever had and we have been to quite a few top of the line places. Without ordering anything else, our waitress brought out a delicious chocolate bread pudding with a candle and wished my husband again a happy birthday. We were not charged for the dessert. The food was expensive, but so worth it! We are excited to bring our families to this restaurant again.

    (5)

  • Jeff M.

    On the heels of having eaten at Bacchanalia, I had to make sure I ate at a quality restaurant the subsequent night. I love this place. One of my favorite places in the country is The Publican in Chicago and Empire State South reminds me of it. I love the relaxed but energetic atmosphere. Service is always great. But it's the food that speaks volumes. The bread is always fresh and crisp. But oh the pimento cheese and bacon marmalade! This is one of the great edible items in all of Atlanta, holy cow! It's served in a jar; if it was on the menu as a bucket item, I would get it in a heartbeat. The soft-poached farm egg (with crisp rice, corn, chanterelle mushrooms, ESS hot dog, and bourbon mustard) was light, summery, but bursting with flavor; absolutely yummilicious. I made a game-time decision for the entree: the smoked duck breast. An excellent decision. The duck on the lunch menu I've had before, it's on the bone and excellent. This was served medium rare, with celery, pak choi, and hominy, and it was out of this world. This might have been the best duck I've ever eaten. Perfect in flavor, tender, and warmth. I was disappointed that I couldn't make room for dessert (without vomiting). One of the best new restaurants in Atlanta? Yes? One of the best restaurants in Atlanta? Yes. I'll be back for the tasting menu. I just need to find an extra stomach first! (Word of caution for first-timers: do look up directions, it's a bit confusing to find the first time around: enter via the driveway on 10th Street, towards the parking garage, park, then find the bocce ball court on Level 3, and you're good to go!)

    (5)

  • Eddie B.

    Ive been here a number of times with friends,. and especially my gf and let me tell you guys, one of the best restaurants in atlanta hands down... amazing!!!! get everything on the menu, especially the in Jars !!! omg!! incredible.,.. desserts are just as good as everything else too!! i would continue with this review and get into detail but its just a waste of time bc there are soo many good things to eat here that you reading this would probably not even come close to the real experience... just go !.. go now!

    (5)

  • Dana F.

    So disappointed, especially in the service. At the beginning the waitress was quite absent...no water, welcome, or drink orders for quite some time. Finally ordered cocktails, I asked for a recommendation and the waitress asked if I liked absinthe. I said I think so I've had it in other cocktails. When the drinks arrived I really did not care for mine,the licorice flavor was much more overwhelming than I've ever had. I politely told her I did not care for it when she asked and her response was well I asked if you liked absinthe. Wow, such lovely customer service. She then proceeded to visit the table every few minutes asking if we were ready to order. We politely told her no, that we were looking forward to having a nice relaxing evening. I completely understand the need the move tables for upcoming reservations but this was absurd as we had been there for not even fifteen minutes. She acted irritated and continued her pursuit, finally sending over another waiter. We flat out said gee, guess they really want us out of here. We really liked the jars but was disappointed in my lamb belly, the seasoning was just a bit off, and the halibut was horribly over salted. The egg app was very good and the clear winner of all 3 starters and mains. I think they realized they messed up with service because during dinner she made a comment about no rush, just relax. Yeah right. We've spent the same and more on places with much better service and much better food. Will not be back and would not recommend.

    (2)

  • matt m.

    Ladies and gentlemen prepare to be wowed. I can't think of anything I would change in this brand new restaurant. Excellent food, really cool cocktails, awesome service, and a wine list to match. There is a bocce ball court on the patio, complimentary valet, and the decor is one of a kind. I looked around at the other guests and noticed that they were all having as good a time as I. The coffee bar made a Georgia Coffee for me, better than any coffee shop I've been to. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I will definately be back..often! Kudos to Hugh and his team! And this is their first week of business...wow.

    (5)

  • Bill C.

    One of the worst meals I have ever had! Pretentious and precious with no substance-don't waste your money.

    (1)

  • Justin B.

    I will start with my only complaint about ESS: it is very hard to find. The address is the most helpful part, because it is located inside a business building. Once found, though, it was all up hill from there. Upon entering, the hostess was very friendly, and she escorted us back to our table. We were given a booth in the corner where it was quiet, and the lighting was set low. Our waiter was very informative, friendly, and professional. We started with the green tomato chow chow and an order of the local cheeses for the table. Both came out great. Our waiter recommended the brussel sprouts, and to be honest, I was hesitant. He finally convinced me to try it, and now I have to recommend it to anyone reading this. They were quartered, grilled, and came out so flavorful and tender. My trout over the clams, radish, and gnocci was one of the best meals I've ever had. My fiance had the pork tenderloin, and we found ourselves trading bites all night. Both dishes were great. My only regret is that I didn't save room for dessert.

    (5)

  • Frida S.

    Meh. I don't really get all the rave reviews here. Like a lot of Atlanta restaurants, Empire State South suffers from New York wannabe syndrome. The food and the space are trend-chasing and high concept but the execution and the service are mediocre at best. Our table shared the "In Jars" appetizer, a take off of the platter of small jars of charcuterie and cheese offered by several restaurants in town right now. ESS's version was easily the lamest I've ever had (Holman and Finch serves the best charcuterie in Atlanta for my money). The foie gras had a strange metallic bite to it, and the aspic on top was tasteless. The rillettes were tasteless except for a weird vinegar-y flavor. Others in our party had soup, which was better than the jars, but nothing to write home about. Our entrees were similarly uninspiring. The fish was a little too fishy tasting (though the crispy skin was delicious) and served a little cooler than lukewarm. The pork loin and steak were fine, nothing more. The service at Empire State South was worse than the food. It took me 15 minutes to get a glass of wine at the bar. The host was surly and uncommunicative when we asked about why we were being seated 45 minutes after our reservation. The whole staff struck me as hipper-than-though, an odd vibe in such a prime business location in midtown. I will say that when we were finally seated, our server was knowledgeable and quick. ESS reminds me of the late Repast: It's a place that works harder on the idea of being a cool restaurant than it does on actually serving good food. I would have given it three stars, but 15 minute wait at the uncrowded bar followed by the host's surliness really ruined my experience.

    (2)

  • Marie J.

    Heard great things about Empire, so we went for brunch. Atmosphere was good, I liked the decor and the outdoor plaza seating. The experience, overall, was less than expected. I echo's others sentiment about uneven portions. I ordered the BLT sandwich, which was delicious but compared to the other ingredients and size of sandwich, bacon was sorely underrepresented. It came with only two slices, which meant, you did not get a balance of flavors while eating it. I left a good chunk of sandwich because I ran out of bacon. It's a simple thing, but if you have an ingredient as part of the name, you should make sure its in there as more than an after thought. The fresh squeezed grapefruit juice was delicious, but I had to send back my coffee which was way to bitter for my taste. My partner's food looked and tasted good (all sides of bacon, eggs and hash browns), but the kitchen had a hard time coordinating the delivery. He has no desire to return, but the food is good, it just seems like the service and concept is not as solid as one would hope. I would be willing to give them another try for dinner. From reading other reviews and from my own experience, it seems that they half-step when they should go full-throttle. There are way too many choices in Atlanta to settle for an OK experience.

    (2)

  • Liz L.

    For people who don't know about Empire State South, I think the restaurant itself is kind of hard to find. I live very close, and I never once noticed it because it's tucked away in the back of the 999 Peachtree building. In any case, we came here for brunch and it was SO GOOD. I had the pork belly and grits, and my boyfriend had the jalapeno biscuit with pork confit. Their menu is very pork-heavy, which was made even more abundantly clear when halfway through the meal four grown men came out carrying a 250-lb hog carcass (apparently Creative Loafing is doing a bit on the restaurant). Anyway, that didn't phase me one bit... the pork belly was crispy and fatty and a complete guilty-pleasure indulgence. For dessert I ordered a salted caramel cupcake and it was by far one of the best cupcakes I have ever had - it makes you wonder why they don't advertise it more, or maybe it's just that everything is that good. I've heard that dinner is even better, so I will definitely be going back for seconds and thirds!

    (5)

  • Mark C.

    My grits with poached egg app was insanely good and my main dish of pasta and veggies was outstanding. The outside lawn and bar are a wonderful hangout. This might be my fav in the whole city.

    (5)

  • Lindsay C.

    Pretty tasty. Pretty expensive. Pretty great atmosphere, but again, pretty pricey. Save this place for a special date or birthday. I'd like to try their brunch and see if my wallet likes it a little better. If you go - make sure you try the pork belly (omnom) and the farm egg (nummy). It will be the best $11 egg you've had in your life. Yes... singular. One. Egg. :) Make sure you sit outside with the bocce ball in the background. It makes for a lovely spring Atlanta evening. Brace for the bill. And know you could probably have a similar experience at Leon's for slightly less. Just saying.

    (4)

  • missy a.

    Must they pimento cheese, bacon marmalade for an app! Very fresh & seasonal food. Wonderful look & fun Bocci Ball court. Wine list great but wine director not comfortable explaining choices. Iced coffee is really good.

    (4)

  • Broderick S.

    I've been waiting for ESS pretty much since it was announced and couldn't wait to try it the day it was open to the public. For the most part I haven't been disappointed. On one hand its different from any place in Atlanta in that it's a fine dining restaurant that's not in a hotel yet open for breakfast lunch and dinner. On the other hand there's a definite parallel with Miller-Union, and elements of the excellent coffee you'd get at Octane. The wine selection is top notch. I'm not a vegetarian, but the vegetables here are outstanding, I've had a number of excellent soups (late summer soup w/ poached shrimp & peaches) and their field pea & hamhock soup. Only complaints would be that I frequently eat at the bar and have sometimes missed out on specials that aren't printed on the menu ( I need to remember to ask) and the prices are a little higher than I'll be able to afford on a regular basis.

    (4)

  • Chip P.

    In a neighborhood of dying restaurants it's hard to find a regular place to hangout. If you find anything within walking distance there are people smoking in the restaurant. After talking with some foodie friends I found out a gold mine might be in my own neighborhood. So, I made a Tuesday night reservation for 8pm. I arrived at 7pm to meet a friend prior to dinner so I could check out the bar scene. We had a glass of wine checked out the crowd. The bar area is large yet has a home feel to it. I see and talk to lots of friends from the neighborhood. I know without a doubt I will be returning to hang out at the bar. A friendly staff and you can order food at the bar. Just after 8pm we let the hostess know we are ready to move to the table. However, the table is not ready for us. No problem because I am having a great time at the bar. The manager comes over to apologize...I say"for what?" we are having too much fun here. A short time later we arrive at the table. Meats and cheese lead the first course with a homemade bread that is to die for. I then look forward to the onion soup. It's not your mom's bowl of soup. A delicious tasting of a creamy onion soup with a scallop shaped conversion of what I think is taso ham and cooked egg. So good. Striped Bass was my main course. I love when a fish is cooked to perfection. It's not hard to do but so many places tend to over do it. We had a wonderful evening here. I love that it's in my neighborhood. We will be back and bringing more peeps with us.

    (4)

  • Courtney L.

    Our experience at Empire State South on Friday night started off a little rough but definitely picked up and ended on a great note. When we first walked in, we walked in through the building and stood at the counter for 4 or 5 minutes as an employee stood at the register and one made drinks and neither looked up to tell us that we should go to the other entrance to be seated. Needless to say we were a little annoyed when we figured that out and got to the hostess only to find out our table wasnt ready. After waiting a couple minutes for a drink we were seated about 20 minutes after our reservation. We had heard great things so we were trying to keep an open mind. Our first server left alot to be desired. The experience was going down hill fast. But then the first saving grace. The bread plate. Its amazing. The sorghum butter and apple butter were phenomenal. Second saving grace. Matt. Matt came by as we were devouring the bread and said he would be working with our waiter. Throughout the night Matt fixed several of the short comings of the other staff, brought us extra bread, checked on our drink orders when he could tell we were getting antsy, and ended up putting one of our desserts on the house. He admitted that ESS was still working through their service issues but that at this point, bad service was unacceptable and he was hoping they could turn things around quickly. His honestly and friendliness were a treat as was the food for the rest of the night. Highlights were definitely the soft poached egg, the onion soup and the fried strawberry pie which was one of the most amazing things I have ever eaten.

    (4)

  • Lindsey C.

    Great atmosphere and out of the ordinary fun food & drink choices. The lamb melts in your mouth and is out of this world.

    (5)

  • David G.

    Our best dining experience in Atlanta. Much more casual than I had anticipated, but the service staff and food was beyond reproach. We ate our way through the menu and I would suggest that a party of two shy away from the In Jars appetizer. Although delicious, it begins to weigh you down during the feast. The pork belly, trout and duck were amazing! DO NOT pass up the pork belly! The Farm Egg was one of the most amazing dishes we have ever eaten. If on the menu...DO NOT PASS UP ON THE FARM EGG!! Although it may sound simple, it is so very, very complicated. It is so good that the table of five next to us ordered it as an appetizer and was so thrilled, two at the table ordered it again to accompany their entree'. Although I could live off of sugar, I was not as tickled with the Phatty Cakes as most, however the Chocolate & Cherry dessert was euphorial! Go to ESS and enjoy! It will be a memorable event.

    (5)

  • Teri S.

    ESS was just fabulous in every way. Beginning with cocktails....my ESS Manhattan & my daughter's 'Tis the Cocktail were both very well crafted & delicious. Ok, so I would go back just for that. But, but, but the food, oh the food was devine. We began with a cheese plate which was as good as any I've had (not too difficult to achieve, I know). Next came a Beef Tongue starter for the table. I have to tell you, beef tongue is quite good, indeed! And the entrees....we had Skate Wing, Duck Confit, Pork Tenderloin & Redfish. They were all outstanding (we shared), but my favorites were the Skate & Duck. And let's not forget the veggie sides which were equally as tasty as the proteins, which in my way of thinking is a feat. Of course, after all of this deliciousness we had to order coffee & dessert. The Bruleed Banana Pudding was so simple, yet devine. The coffee was so yummy that we came home with a bag of it. Oh, and the service was as good as it gets, too. What else can I say? Go here.

    (5)

  • Amy S.

    I sampled the "in jars" appetizer and the gnocchi which were $18 each. Both were good, not great, but certainly not worth the price. From the "in jars" my favorite was the pimento cheese. There really wasn't must to go around though. The portion for the gnocchi was also too small, closer to an appetizer size. I understand that the restaurant is charging higher prices for farm fresh foods, but there are other places in town you can go to and get much more for your dollar.

    (2)

  • J B.

    Mark my words....this place will NEVER last. We live in the neighborhood and went in for dinner at the bar. There were two or three tables of people, so it was not crowded at all. We experienced the worst service from a bartender with a terrible attitude. There is no room in Midtown for service like this. We have great places like Ecco, Ra Sushi, Lure, South City etc...to go to. Don't waste your time or money!

    (1)

  • Kathy S.

    Had lunch today and WAS BLOWN AWAY by what I ate! We ordered all FIVE jars of appetizer goodies and I'm not sure which was best--pimento cheese w/ bacon marmalade, duck liver pate, pork rilette, boiled peanut hummus AND the pickled veggies. Served with grilled bread. EACH ONE WAS BETTER THAN THE NEXT. I will dream of the bacon marmalade tonight. Then we split the de-constructed steak salad which was TO DIE FOR. Really healthy and full of protein. The coffee was outstanding. I also purchased a HOMEMADE POP TART filled with yummy cherries. Yes, folks, I ate that on the way home from lunch!!! THAT POP TART MADE ME WEEP it was so good. And, by the way, the staff were friendly and helpful. Loved the atmosphere and vibe. I haven't had a meal this good in a long, long time. Do not miss this place. It's now at the top of my list of FAVORITES.

    (5)

  • Ankle B.

    Incredible. 4.5. A friend took me there on a biz trip from the Bay Area to Atl. Usually people go on about they're faves in other cities, but being from the Bay we're a little spoiled. I was VERY impressed! The upscale southern cuisine, service, and ambience was excellent. I would highly recommend, and come back.

    (4)

  • Ashley W.

    A friend of mine recommended ESS so I decided to try it for lunch since my office is right around the corner. I'll skip to the food part because that's all that really matters. I'm not a fan of big, heavy lunches and usually opt for meat-free entrees when dining out. The lunch entrees seemed pretty large, so I went the unconventional route and selected a few of the sides. ESS offers a 5-sides lunch entree but even that seemed like too much food for me. I decided to go with 3, and selected: okra, mac and cheese, collard greens, and then added a biscuit. When the food arrived I knew I had picked the perfect meal. The okra was awesome - not greasy and had a hint of garlic. The greens were amazing as well, and had a slight sweetness to them. The mac and cheese was to die for, and was finished with a bread crumb, crunchy topping. And of course, the biscuit was heavenly - moist and fluffy. If I had ordered the 5-side entree there is no doubt in my mind that I would have cleaned my plate and been in a food coma for the rest of the work day. I am a huge fan of veggies and ESS did them right by keeping them simple, not over-cooking and seasoning just right. I will be back!

    (5)

  • David M.

    Hugh Acheson has brought his hand to the ATL and it couldn't be any better. Having eaten at his spots in Athens (5&10 and The National), he has taken another lovely step in his creativity. Although never a big fan of opening nights or weeks for restaurants, I went against my typical judgement when it occurred to me who it was in the kitchen and if Hugh can't get it right, well who can. So, to my surprise I found myself at his opening night and was pleasently surprised to see a nice moderate crowd and pace of activity, leaving room for the kitchen to get its first day bearings and chemistry and how they did deliver. The menu is tight, but still give a nice feel of ample diversity. It's a Southern take on things but with only the touch that Aucheson can provide. The food is perfectly portioned, seasoned and presented and his hand on these dishes is noticable. The oysters were fabulous and cold water, with possibly the best mignontte I've ever had, with homemade cheese saltines that I'll dare you to not eat everyone of them. The next courses were the Celia's tomatoes with a extraordinary riccotta underlying and once again pefectly seasoned. The seared scallops were sublime, I mean possibly the most perfectly cooked I've had in sometime, with a beautiful accompaniment of summer limas and a creamed spinach that isn't the traditional overkill of cream and cheese you come to expect with cream spinach, which was a refreashing change to be honest. We ended it with the Chess pie, that was delicate, and once again a perfect pie crust and and fresh whipped cream....This place is fabulous and does much to restore the stature of modern Southern cusine with the decline of Watershed and Woodfire now appearing to take a turn at preparing all its food as if in a James Beard competition and Mr. Gillespie wanting to charge a premium for his new found status as start chef. I've had that same scallop dish at Woodfire and it would have been $3 more and 2 scallops less, and Hugh only need to provide us 3 for an exceptional value this evening, if you get my drift. Welcome to Atlanta Mr. Aucheson, I will be frequenting Empire State South..A LOT!!!

    (5)

  • W L.

    I have eaten many times at two of Hugh Acheson's restaurants in Athens and was very excited to enjoy his new venue in Atlanta, Empire State South; with my wife and two couples we were entertaining. We could not have had a more disappointing dining experience. One of my guests ordered a 7 and 7 and was served a Dewar's and 7. Country comes to town! Never have I been served a Scotch with a soft drink as a mixer, and to substitute a call brand without consulting the diner is inexcusable. Our drink order came in 3 waves some 3 minutes apart. The décor is liken to a Cracker Barrel with tables and chairs from a remodeled hospital cafeteria. Our meal was only good; however, compared to a similar fish dish I have had in Atlanta many time I would rank my fish as a 5 out of 10 and when factoring in the price it would become a 3. Hugh has made a name for himself in Athens but he has a LONG way to go to meet the expectations of Atlanta seasoned diners. Suggestions cut out the whimsical play, train your staff and get down to good service with improved food.

    (2)

  • Nick Z.

    Excellent food and fun decor, excellent specialized coffee. Asked for an appetizer with brunch and the food items came out at almost the same time, but other than that a wonderful dining experience. Get the biscuit!

    (4)

  • Armanda H.

    I recently went back to Empire State South July 3rd, as the menu always changes, and was completely satisfied yet again. I can't even put into words how much I adore this restaurant. On this visit, my date did all of the ordering (which is best, as I do not like reading what everything is, until I taste it first) and the food did not disappoint. He ordered a bunch of small plates, in which, we shared everything. We had the Octopus (Octopus fritter, squash, grilled peach, squid ink vinaigrette), Beef Heart (mushroom consommé, cherry tomatoes, sea beans, almond), Tagliatelle (pickled shrimp, bagna, cauda, tarragon, chili, wild lettuce), Tybee Island Shrimp (fried head, pardon peppers, lemon, lamb belly) and the ESS Charcuterie. Everything was cooked to perfection and the presentation was beautiful. I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • James P.

    For $30, the jars are a must-get! We had to ask for more bread to eat with those delicious spreads. That is all.

    (5)

  • Melanie C.

    Like many others, I came here after seeing Chef/Owner Hugh's snarky self as a judge on many episodes of Top Chef. Being in Atlanta for a conference, I stole away to get a "real meal" at Empire State South and was so so so very happy I did. I guess it's not fair to compare it to conference food, but still. It's sophisticated and yet still laid-back. Dishes were unique and a mix of the south, california and global. Very seasonal. Great cocktails. Professional service. Loved it. A breath of fresh air for my stomach.

    (4)

  • Tom C.

    Went for dinner on Valentine's day. Empire State South is a good, strong, consistent pick for dining. The food is good and their service is good. For dinner, I had the pork roast, roasted hen, farm egg, octopus and chocolate desert paired with a light pinot noir. The food was solid. Out of all of them, I really liked the Octopus the best. It wasn't chewy, grilled and crisped right and was delicious. Can't go wrong here.

    (4)

  • Allison D.

    I will never return to this restaurant. Extremely pretentious menu, portions so small that it's comical and an overall disconnect between the decor, menu, name and prices. We had drinks for 3 people, "bread" ( which was three tiny mini corn muffins, one slice of yeast bread and 3 crackers-$5!) a charcuterie platter that was laughable and barely a taste of anything and 3 appetizers that were mediocre at best. Grand total was almost $200. Left without getting an entree, of which there were only 6 to pick from (one vegetarian, 2 fish, 3 meat). Very disappointed. We have traveled all over the world and eaten at many a wonderful place - this ain't it!

    (1)

  • Felix C.

    This represents a half-dozen trips over nine months. --- The pimento cheese and bacon marmalade is fantastic. Perfect combination of the sharp cheese with the saltiness of the bacon and the sweetness of the marmalade. Oyster Po-boy - Great tasting and crunchy bread. --- Breakfast - I recommend the breakfast sandwich. You have a variety of options. All of them are good. I prefer the friend chicken biscuit with the pimento cheese. But as I said, all of the options are good. --- I came here for dinner one night. Malpeque oysters and a crafted drink at the bar. The oysters were a bit small. The accompanying sauces were great.

    (5)

  • Cecille R.

    Best way to describe this place...Southern hipster casual with upscale pricing! When we learned that one of Chef Hugh Acheson's restaurants was located in Atlanta and not far from our hotel, we decided to make a reservation in advance. We walked maybe 10-15 minutes from our hotel but ,for those driving, it looks like they validate parking wherever that may be. Which is great since finding parking on the street can get a little tricky. The atmosphere is fairly casual but with a hipster edge? We arrived for an early 7pm Sunday dinner and it wasn't very packed but by the time we received our entrees, the dining room we were in was packed. There were some parties that were dressed up but most were casual . Females- don't fret too much over what you will wear. The servers were wearing jeans! The menu is all farm to table and pricing is on the high end. I started with a fancier French cider served in a wine glass. It wasn't really to my liking as I guess I'm used to the cheaper stuff? We ordered a couple of appetizers to start. Both were smaller in terms of plating so if you're coming here famished you may need to order more items to fill your stomach. The octopus was very tasty and perfectly charred. Just wish there was more . It came with a breaded and fried ball which I can safely assume was the plantain part of the dish. It left you wanting more. The ME lobster came in a tiny little mason jar and the best way to describe it was that it was like a savory custard with bits of lobster. My husband wasn't really a fan. I didn't really taste the kimchi. I would skip this as I don't think it was worth the $18 price tag. For my entrée, I was torn on a few options (and Yay for vegetarian ones too!) and went with our server's suggestion and ordered the Carrot top Pappardelle. What sold me was that he said they make the pappardelle pasta in house and blend carrots within the pasta. Honestly, for being a vegetarian meal, this was a very hearty one. My plate was heaping with not only the thick pieces of pappardelle but also the rutabaga, fennel and mushroom. I would order this again. My husband had the Gum Creek Pork. It was nicely presented with bits of cauliflower and turnip as the bottom layer and topped with the pork and sausage. Between bites, I heard comments about how tender the meat was so it was a definite win win. It is one of the pricier entrees at $32 . As if we weren't already stuffed, I decided to order the chocolate hazelnut cake for dessert. It was a nice sized serving of cake---with a spongey bottom layer of cake topped with the chocolate hazelnut layer, some hazelnuts and roasted orange ice cream on the side. I also asked for a latte which was prepared perfectly and presented in a mug. Awesome end to a nice meal. Bellies were definitely busting. We wouldn't normally dine somewhere like this regularly but it's a nice option for a special occasion or if you feel like splurging in general. I did notice a group of businessmen in the corner that kept having wine bottles brought out to them....and found out after the fact that they offer a 6 course tasting. That's a nice option when you want to try more than one wine but have a limited budget.

    (5)

  • Gary G.

    This restaurant is a gem. The fusion of southern cuisine and modern flavors is exceptional. The lively atmosphere was only exceeded by the excellent service by our waiter, Ashford. Highlights were the Farm Egg, the Golden Nugget Soup and the Tagliatelle: all with flavors exploding in your mouth. The main courses of the Trout and Pork chop were amazing. The finishing touch was the Bomb...Bombolone !!! I enjoyed the night cap coffee so much I requested to to purchase some beans of the Guatemalan Sipacapa--thank you for fulling my request. Just go and enjoy......

    (5)

  • Daisy D.

    I had been dreaming of visiting Empire State South for a long while. I used to ride up to the ATL on a semi-regular basis. But when the family moved six hours south (rather than north) those visits essentially stopped. So when I was heading home from Kentucky, and was planning to take 75 all the way south, I knew I would be driving right by ESS. Siri bet me I wouldn't make it before brunch was over. She was wrong. I grabbed a seat at the bar and started to peruse the menu. The GA Catfish caught my attention. Served with catfish sausage, marinated fava beans & wheatberries: color me intrigued. I sipped on my Corpse Reviver #2 and having driven 5 hours, I was in need of reviving. I was in awe of the space (at least in the bar area). It was just beautiful and the wall of adult libations was impressive. When my plate arrived, it was so perfectly presented. It was not difficult to cut into but I didn't want to ruin the presentation. The fish had a nice sear on it, but it was still tender to the fork's touch. The sausage pieces were something like I had never experienced. The broth added a nice briny salty flavor. I hear Mr. Acheson critique cheftestants on Top Chef & Top Chef Masters and one of their pet peeves is not salting a dish properly. This dish would not have gotten that critique. It disappeared as quickly as it arrived. The Monkey Bread starter had also caught my eye when I sat down and when I noticed it had pistachios (hubby's fave) I decided to get some to go. However, it didn't make it out of the city. I guess we'll just have to go back so he can get some himself.

    (5)

  • Thai N.

    The reason I only gave Empire State South 3 v. 4 stars is because only one dish really stood out. Their Farm Egg appetizer is just awesome. The Farm Egg consists of beech mushrooms, brussels, ESS bacon, fried rice, and sweet potato. It comes served with a poached egg on top of these ingredients. The idea is you break the egg and mix it well. The fried rice was super crunchy, so it gave a great texture to the dish. I thoroughly enjoyed each bite. The Farm Egg is really fantastic! My entree was the Grassroots Chicken (beet, blood orange kraut, mushroom bread pudding). I'm not 100% sure if I recall the name correctly, but this was chicken and sausage pressed together. A very crispy chicken skin topped the pressed chicken and sausage. I thought it was just OK. The chicken was not tender, perhaps due to the pressing? I took a bite of the bread pudding and didn't go back. This was a large group so the menu had much less options than the restaurant has. Not sure if that was something our consultants set up or Empire simply offers only the shortened menus to large groups. The other two entree options were NC Flounder and Hangar steak. Those that had the flounder really liked their meals. However, those that had the hangar steak were resoundingly disappointed. Not a single person finished their hangar steak.

    (3)

  • Madison B.

    Went here based on a recommendation. We had three appetizers (the cabbage, the octopus and a dish topped with a poached egg). I was not a fan of either of the appetizers. At all. I was ready to give this place a thumbs down.....until my dinner came. I had the striped bass and it was the bomb! I was so quiet and content during the meal. That's a clear sign that I'm enjoying the meal. LOL. The ambiance of the restaurant is also pretty cool. I'd definitely return here and would stick to main courses and possibly desserts. Overall, I was happy with the selection....Oh, and the fish was served on top of girts! Southerners love their grits...and so do I! All in all, I was happy.

    (4)

  • Chloe E.

    I am a Scorpio so I am usually all or nothing. 1 or 5 stars. No gray area in my world at all. Empire State South was gray. Went for Sunday brunch and the place was about 1/2 full at 1pm. Server was nice but never really introduced himself or asked for our drink order so he ended up going back and forth to the bar 4 or 5 times because the only way any one noticed we were ordering drinks was when he brought out one. Drinks were ok. My Bloody Mary had a pickled green bean in it but no one else's did. We dove right into the entrees. We all ordered different things. I ordered the steak. At $18 I would guess it was 3 ounces of beef. It was fine. I was still hungry after and no one else's meal looked much bigger. If I had taken a guy here I would have had to pre-feed him. I do appreciate the free parking but there was nothing special enough for me to go back. Maybe if I lived a but closer. Just not for me!

    (3)

  • Claire M.

    I've been to Empire State South twice now, both times for dinner. The food, drinks, and service are excellent. It's a really great spot for a date or dinner with a group of friends The only reason I'm giving them 4 stars instead of 5 is because on my first trip, they drastically overcooked my salmon, even though I ordered it rare. The menu is seasonal and changes based on what's in season, although it seems like they have a few staples that stay on all the time. From the "beginnings" section of the menu, I haven't tried anything I didn't like. On my first visit, I had the a burratta dish and a roasted peppers dish that were both unique and tasty. On my second visit, we had the farm egg, which was phenomenal. It was perfectly cooked and served over crispy rice. The beef tartare was another hit. We also had a Gum Creek pork dish on our first visit. The pork was cooked three ways and was juicy and flavorful. I think this is definitely an item that should stay on the menu. As I mentioned above, we also had a salmon dish that was awful. I ordered the salmon cooked rare and it was extremely well done. Props to our server though, who did not charge us for the dish we only ate one bite of. The only thing we didn't try that I wished we had was one of the cheese or charcuterie boards, which seemed to be popular items around the restaurant. Read the whole story here: weekendeatsatl.com/2014/…

    (4)

  • Professor K.

    Okay. This is more of a summary than a review. We went there twice during the last month. The first time we ordered the farmhouse egg and pork belly sandwich. The farmhouse egg portion was tiny but tasted good. The monk fish poboy was delivered (instead of pork belly sandwich) by mistake. It also tasted fine. We also tried the aqua fresca (hope that is correct). It was decent. The second time we ordered two pork belly sandwiches. The expectation of aromatic, oily, and crispy pork belly was crushed. The pork belly was soft and tender but that was not what I looked for. Very underwhelming and disappointing. The bills (including tips) came to $33 and $35, respectively. 3-star is a pretty fair evaluation, I think.

    (3)

  • Lindy F.

    "What you say Buck, biscuits and gravy sounds good to me." -- Glory (1989) Oh Hugh, how you tease me with all the Southern staples from my childhood... Yummy flakey biscuits - check Pimento cheese - check Crispy Fried chicken - check Salty Country ham - check I am an ESS breakfast addict. Nice-sized, perfectly seasoned, flakey on the outside, fluffy on the inside biscuits are enough to bring me back each morning. But then he does the unthinkable - he adds in a chunk of crispy fried chicken with the most perfect smattering of flavorful, cheesy, creamy pimento cheese and you have what Chick-fil-A could never give you - a deliciously full stomach without that greasy-sick feeling. And as if that wasn't enough, I went for the double play. A second biscuit with country ham and hot pepper jelly...that will wake you at 7am! The spicy jelly helps cut the saltiness of the ham (not that I mind salty country ham, ever). It was the perfect partner to the chicken biscuit. Also, the bottomless coffee was so delicious. I think it was B&B coffee, but I didn't ask. But it was some of the best coffee I have had. Also, they do offer all the sugar packet options, most importantly my favorite, the brown packets (raw sugar). These are not common (you almost always get white, pink, blue and sometimes yellow, but brown is a 50/50 chance). Our service was stellar - water and coffee kept filled and creamer replaced promptly when asked (and more brown sugar packets as well). I will be back for breakfast over and over AND OVER again. So good, there are not words to describe.

    (4)

  • Vlad T.

    Creative menu that oddly leans asian-fusion, given their stated "southern" focus. And a little spendy. I found it a great option for lunch. The charred octopus was delicious, even though the kimchi dominated the plate. Beautiful location, comfortable atmosphere, great service.

    (4)

  • T G.

    The other reviews weren't lying when they said the service here is bad. I walked in and they said have a seat anywhere and we'll be right with you. It has been 15 minutes and no one has come to my table to give me water or even a menu to look at while I wait. So I am writing this review while I wait... So someone finally actually acknowledged me and gave me a menu. He starts to walk away and the people next to me flags him down and says, "excuse me sir, can we get some attention, we've been here for a 1/2 an hour. He finally takes their order. **there are 7 patrons and 6 workers. We'll see how long it takes for them to come back and take my order....well, it is now 9:38 I just got my food. It was a simple chicken sandwich and nothing else. I am dining alone and I got here at 8:55. Main idea, don't leave a single diner with nothing to do for 40 minutes.... Let's see how long it takes for them to notice and give me a refill or my check. It is now 10:12. I had to go to the counter to ask for my bill.... Yes, I'm the "jerk" that didn't tip you losers! Btw there were 4 people standing around behind the counter when I walked up to get my bill. Do not go here if you want good service.

    (1)

  • Rebecca F.

    I've only been to ESS for breakfast so I'll probably update my review after I try dinner, but I couldn't wait to give them 5 stars! Their coffee is incredible--both espresso and fancy pour-overs are great ways to start the day. I've had the oatmeal (yummy--served with yogurt and a small piece of fruit) and the fried chicken biscuit. Their biscuit and fried chicken came out super hot.. gotta love something freshly fried to perfection! I tried my biscuit with pepper jelly but my friend got pimento cheese and both were very good. I think I preferred the pepper jelly, but the pimento takes it to a whole new level of richness! The price, atmosphere and quality of Empire State South will bring me back for many more weekday breakfasts! (oh, and the coffee!)

    (5)

  • S S.

    I really don't get to draw here. Nothing blows my mind. I feel like it's trying too hard to be super interesting. Its okay but I definitely do not give it 5 stars possibly 3

    (2)

  • Justin W.

    Delicious food with influences from the south, located just off 10th and Peachtree. Though I've come here for dinner on several occasions and have enjoyed the flavors, I found the portion sizes to be lacking somewhat; a detail others have pointed out on here. Though, when I worked upstairs at The Peachtree Club, I could be found here almost every morning, enjoying a fries chicken biscuit, always-fresh pastry, or one of their many brewed-to-order coffees from around the world. ESS is an outstanding experience, especially in the wee hours!

    (4)

  • Adam C.

    I got their roasted duck with lentils about 2-3 months ago and I still can't stop thinking about it. Great bar and cocktails as I'm sure you've heard. Also, its not nearly as pricey as I thought it was..so don't let the intimidation factor deter you. Though, I will say the whole southern farm to table is pretty easy to find in Atlanta, ESS seems to be a main staple of the Atlanta.

    (4)

  • Benjamin G.

    Many close friends of mine had whispered legendary comments in my ears about the coffee program at Empire State South. Indeed. They are all true. Came in recently for a Friday morning breakfast and it was wonderful. Breakfast is an A+ in my book. The menu houses everything you could want. Whenever I see oatmeal on a menu, it always....ALWAYS sounds amazing. Thus, I had the oatmeal. I'm not sure I've ever had oatmeal that creamy. Topped with some local yogurt, brown sugar and apples, too. I could probably eat a five gallon bucket of this stuff. Ordered a side of fruit as well and my breakfast was happy, healthy, and so filling. Put that next to several Chemexes of Counter Culture Burundi and Colombia.... breakfast heaven. The coffee is truly second to none. They know how to brew one of America's most popular roastery's coffee in my favorite method. Truth be told, ladies and gents -- hipster just know how to make some damn coffee. I really enjoyed this spot for breakfast. I'm not sure the next time we'll be in, but I'd imagine breakfast will be a mainstay for us. Maybe we'll event check out dinner or brunch soon. Well done, Empire State South.

    (4)

  • Terence B.

    I had never heard of this place until someone invited me for a birthday dinner for 9 people. It is located right in Midtown with convenient and free parking in the garage next door. We had reserverations for 8 pm on a Saturday evening and were promptly seated. We started with the In Jars and the ESS Charcuterie, which was good and plenty. For dinner, I sampled a pasta dish from the Beginnings menu that I cannot remember the name of, but it was good. For my entree, I had the pork chop. It was on the bone and excellent! I also tried the chicken from someone else and it was really good, as well. During dinner, we had a couple of glasses of red wine that tasted great. No one opted for dessert since we were all full. It was a bit pricy, $100 each per average, but well worth it. The ambiance and interior was excellent and it would be great for a romantic evening or small group. The service was spot on. Overall, a great experience and I definitely recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Soo K.

    Love the decor and love food choices. We tried the jars starter, Chaucuterie, and Fried Egg. The Fried Egg came highly recommended, and though I did love the crunchiness, it didn't come out hot so it was alright. The Chaucuterie had great variety, but made me wish I had gotten the cheese plate instead. The jars was interesting, but for 2 it was too much. I recommend at least 3-4 minimally should share this. I was surprised it came with toast instead of artisan bread. I don't prefer my bread buttered, especially when you're about to apply spreads to them. The pickled okra was awesome! Overall, I loved the decor and food was creative and interesting. Staff was great, really liked my overall experience. For photos visit my blog!

    (4)

  • Rachel B.

    I've been to ESS for several weekday breakfasts and one weekend brunch. The weekday breakfasts never let me down - the pour over coffee is fantastic, and I can't seem to stray away from the bagel sandwich on a seeded bagel. My visit for brunch was not as great, perhaps because my go-to bagel sandwich wasn't on the menu. Overall, I highly recommend ESS for weekday breakfasts and will be back for more. I would like to try for dinner soon.

    (4)

  • Justin M.

    One of the best Atlanta restaurants, but not quite 5 stars. Food - Definitely the strong point and the reason this restaurant is highly rated. Very solid; no complaints. Drinks - Very hit-or-miss on value. I don't enjoy staring at the whisky list for several minutes searching for one that I won't regret overpaying for. Some are reasonably priced, others are ridiculously high. Service - All restaurants will make mistakes. The difference between good and great restaurants is how they handle mistakes. I've visited five or so times and had the opportunity to see a mistake or two. Without going into specifics, this is the biggest reason for docking a star.

    (4)

  • Melissa I.

    I took my sister and 2 young nieces here this morning prior to going to the Fox Theatre to see Sesame Street Live. We all shared 2 pimento cheese biscuits, eggs anyway you want it plate, breakie plate, duck hash, extra side of bacon and mocha. Everything came out quick and fresh. The presentation was exquisite and the taste was unbelievable! Hands down one of the best breakfast dining experiences I've has in Atlanta :)

    (5)

  • Ashley M.

    Okay, the rumors are true--the pimento cheese with bacon marmalade was seriously good stuff. It is so fantastic that even after my entrée arrived, I spent a good five more minutes trying to scrape the remaining goodness from the jar. A friend and I dined here for lunch. We had an awesome server and great food. I ordered the Farm Egg and she ordered the Pork Belly. The only factor that set my meal apart from being perfect was that I didn't break my farm egg over the rice quickly enough (because I was so engrossed with the cheese deliciousness still) and several of my rice bites were too crunchy to enjoy--this is totally my fault though. I tried some of the kimchee grits from my friend's pork belly dish and it was rich and flavorful. Both dishes were fresh, creative, and full of unique flavor. No wonder it's one of her favorite spots for lunch!

    (4)

  • Jr H.

    This place is ok. The cocktail i had was with rye and a red wine syrup i forget the name but it was actually really good. However the service was poor. Our server had a hard time stopping by our table at all and was difficult to reach, he seemed a little bit bossy and tried to direct our meal in the wrong direction. The food was good and bad, i really love the Charred Octopus & Fried Okra were great. The meats & chz's were wxceptional as well. The entries were too rich and the short rib is really salty and not $33's worth. All the food was super super rich. Idk i was expecting more from all the hype. Good cocktails and apetizers though!!!

    (3)

  • Doug L.

    Went for dinner while in the area. Ordered a local beer and instead of coming in a cold cool glass it came in a coozie. A coozie. Not what I wanted especially at a place as expensive as this is. The staff was friendly and attentive. Ordered a cheese plate which had some nice items. Ordered a little salad and little is the right word. I hate huge portions like at Cheesecake Factory but this was not enough to eat. The bread was extra nice but you have to ask for it! As above the prices here are high and for those prices you should expect more than I for here

    (3)

  • Allen H.

    Went for dinner with my girlfriend, my brother, and his wife. Heard good things about this place so I was excited. We ordered the octopus, mason jars, and cheese plate for appetizers. All were excellent. Also, ordered two bottles of wine which was fantastic as well. Things went down-hill quick once we got to the entrees. My brother and I both ordered the catfish and the ladies ordered the duck. The catfish was truly horrendous. I know to say that about a chef's creations is serious business, but it absolutely was. As my brother (who's a chef) said, "didn't even make sense conceptually. Catfish cooked rare with cucumber, cilantro, and flowers? WTF?" It was one of the worst entrees I've ever had. I didn't send it back because I don't like to send food back and make a scene. Not my style. (As an aside, the service was excellent, all night). The women were both disappointed in their duck. It was plain Jane and borderline raw. I ate my girlfriend's entree because I can handle rare duck better than she, but it was "meh" at best. There's nothing I enjoy more than getting a big bill at the end of a meal and saying to myself that it was worth every penny. In this case, when the $400 bill came, I thought to myself that it wasn't worth 1/4 that much. None of us will be returning. Too many great restaurants in Atlanta.

    (2)

  • John B.

    Had the fried chicken po' boy for lunch because - you know. But the food was vibrantly served and equally delicious. I left liberated to attack my destiny afterwards. I suppose that's the best you could ask after any meal. Special thanks to the waitress for the ICE and serving us outside on such a wonderful day. Empire State South is forever on the rise as a staple of #Atlanta.

    (4)

  • Hameed A.

    Overall good time. Waiter was excellent. His drink pairings were spot on. The pimento cheese spread delish. We had the burrata and the farm fresh egg for beginners- both excellent with perfect drink pairings. The entrees fell short- the pork tenderloin/belly for the wife and the "ribeye" for me. The dishes were overly pretentious and not sauced at all. The ribeye was clearly overcooked (I ordered normal). My ribeye with its accoutrements was almost beef jerky like in flavor on some bites. It was my wife's birthday(I told them ahead of time) and they really didn't do much more than say happy birthday to her. The disappointment with the entrees was unfortunately lingering in our minds. Still a cool place overall to go to but wouldn't make a return trip. It almost landed a review with 3 stars.

    (4)

  • Santo P.

    Looks nice on the outside but I should have realized that this was a hipster joint when they served my iced tea in a masonry jar. Mezcal bars are another signal to vacate the premises! The waiter was nice so I gave them a shot, he suggested the octopus appetizer. Perhaps I am a food snob because I have it so good in Los Angeles but all I could taste was salt, octopus has a nice flavor which was completely overwhelmed by the liberal application of seasoning. I went with the duck breast entree which was awful. I took one bite and informed the waiter that I wouldn't be paying for it, I then proceeded to vacate the premises which I should have done much sooner!

    (2)

  • Cathy K.

    Been here twice. Love the jars. Go with at least 3 others so you can share. Craft cocktails are wicked good. Have sampled it all be sure to get a salad or two, groups gras and duck. Dessert is very shareable. They will pack up leftovers which includes the jars! Great place and wait staff us nice and knowledgable. Atmosphere is unique and perfectly done.

    (5)

  • Denise S.

    Nice Midtown venue. Interesting contemporary take on southern cuisine. The charcuterie appetizer was tasty but sparse. Entree was andouille sausage with asparagus on rice grits, which I really enjoyed. Companion had "super" something or other with flank steak, wheat berries which she raved about. Although our server was congenial, service was spotty. For a slow Tuesday, mid-afternoon lunch, that was surprising. And Lord, is there anything worse than having to hunt the server down for the check? Would have loved to order coffee after lunch but figured we'd be there for another 45 minutes.

    (4)

  • Carol L.

    Ah yes, my favorite stop in Atlanta...so much so I went twice on this trip! The space is bright, airy and comfortable, yet classy. Reservations recommended. I came for lunch (weekdays only) and after enjoying it immensely, I made a reservation on my way out to return for brunch on the weekend before leaving town. The Southern food here is amazingly fresh and flavorful. The VA OYSTER PO'BOY was exemplary. The oysters were breaded and lightly fried and placed in a roll slightly toasted on the outside, but soft on the inside, and topped with a spicy remoulade, shredded lettuce, slices of pickled jalapeños and capers. The balance and textures were just fantastic. On the side were mixed greens. The dish is a modest portion, so you'll probably need to add a side. I had the COLLARD GREENS, which came out in a small cast iron dish. The greens really shine here and you get plenty of diced ham hock. To drink, I had the HEARTATTACK AND VINE made with St. George Breaking and Entering Bourbon, Cocchi Barolo Chinato, Pur-Likor Blood Orange, Buster's Bitters. It was okay, but definitely not my favorite cocktail while in Atlanta. Fortunately, I also had their SWEET TEA, which was awesome. On Saturday, I came back toting my carry-on so I could take MARTA straight to the airport. The hostess offered to stow it for me, but I politely declined. She then graciously offered to seat me where I could keep my luggage with me (and also without making it such an eyesore). A friend had recommended their PORK BELLY so that's the way I went. The hearty square of pork belly was delightfully crispy on the outside, yet tender on the inside. It came on Anson Mills grits, with sorghum, a coddled egg, slivers of pickled ginger and peanuts. The lightest dish of grits I've ever had! I added a BISCUIT of course and it came with surprisingly generous ramekins of butter and jam (cranberry clementine that day)...enough for a second, and even a third, biscuit. To drink, I had a CAPPUCCINO (you can also order to-go from their coffee bar) and a juice, which they made 1/2 OJ and 1/2 GRAPEFRUIT for me. Perfect last meal before departing Atlanta. Out-of-towners: Just a couple of blocks from the MARTA Midtown stop.

    (5)

  • Cadet Y.

    Beginners. charcuterie, and cocktails were great. The entrees were very misleading. Over all the food was spectacular but when you order a Ribeye and you get 5 slices of steak for $40 you feel like you being taken for the proverbial "ride". I will also say that a lot of the food was overly salted. With the extremely casual atmosphere it's hard to justify the $$. Also our food took and extraordinarily long time and I ordered Sazerac rye on the rocks and they served me a sazerac cocktail??? Overall you can def find equal food that'll be easier on the wallet elsewhere in the city.

    (3)

  • Rob C.

    Who knew octopus could be this good??? A couple of the sausages on the charcuterie were among the best I've ever enjoyed and the golden tile was tender and perfectly balanced. A bit pricey for the portions, but a good choice for a business dinner or special occasion.

    (4)

  • Whitney H.

    Not a lot of food selections and the choices lack any real creativity. At best it's just random food couples with something strange. Ehh, I guess that's suppose to be exciting. There's a lot of wine and specialty cocktails to chose from but not that much of a beer selection which is disappointing. I sort of hate that this is a restaurant when the mass bulk of everything they serve is alcohol. (We need food kids- to soak it up, something substantial). I will say that the wait staff were extremely friendly and inviting. Seriously: no complaints there!

    (2)

  • David D.

    Tonight these guys did everything pretty much right, the service detail, changing silverware with each course, keeping my water filled, clearing plates was near perfect. I ordered the four course tasting menu, all courses were very flavorful, the wine by the glass selections were smartly thought out.

    (5)

  • Marian S.

    Amazing service. Craft cocktail - the snake charmer is a must have. Apps - order the Farm Egg. So amazing with flavors and texture. Try the White Oak Pastures dick and the hangar steak.

    (4)

  • Anonny Nonny B.

    The food was delicious and very intriguing. We split several entrees, and they were all equally delicious. Our server was absolutely terrible, which I will say I won't be quite as patient with the next time I go. Try the hanger steak and melon salad. Loved the food, the service was a joke.

    (4)

  • Montse L.

    The place is super cute. The staff was super nice even when they made us wait a little bit and acted like they had to double check for an availeble table since we didn't have reservations... The place was practically empty. After that, they would still sit us all super close to each other, so I could perfectly hear the conversations on both sides of my table when most of the restaurant was still empty! The food Meh. My husband and I went here for brunch because a couple of people had mentioned it since we arrived to Atlanta 2 weeks ago and we LOVE Sunday brunch, so we though we would give it a try. My shrimp was OK, but my husband ordered the Farm Egg, it was TERRIBLE, the size was ridiculous and the "hot dog" was a joke, besides the rice bed has too oily and just pooly cooked. Their homemade salsa was the best thing. Drinks? OK, nothing special. We both left thinking this is another example of how a cute, trendy place gets away with over priced bad food. We are not coming back at all.

    (2)

  • cristina a.

    It's my first time in Atlanta and I ended up here, solo. Don't know that I need to explore any other restaurants. Everything was amazing from service, to cocktails, to the Farm Egg (just trust me on this.) Go there.

    (5)

  • John F.

    Just go to the Kimball House in Decatur instead. The Kimball House tries to do whatever ESS is trying to do except better. That said, Empire State South has great cocktails and great appetizers. Their farm egg, spam thing is awesome. The entrees that my party got were all only so-so, which is unfortunate given the price. Also, given the price, you'd think the interior of this restaurant would be nice, but it's really not. My party got seated in some room off to the side at a cushioned bench and table that looked like it walked out of a Denny's. And you gotta go into some weird-ass office building hallway to find the bathroom. Make a reservation. I've been turned away on a Thursday.

    (3)

  • Maria S.

    Since my last review, I've eaten at Empire State South quite a few times. My favorite time to enjoy everything ESS has to offer is during dinner on a weeknight, when the main dining area is a little less hectic. The restaurant has no problems accommodating my gluten allergy, even offering to swap out the bread for fresh veggies so I can get my fill of the "In Jars" appetizer. My favorite menu item is still the Farm Egg, but I'm always curious to see what's new on the ever-changing seasonal menu. Recently, I've enjoyed the pork belly as well as the ribeye. And if you prefer fish, there are usually at least two great entrees available. Bonus - the pastry chef will provide GF dessert options for the table. If you are dining on a Friday or Saturday night, please be patient. The crowds are bigger than those during the week, and sometimes the kitchen can get backed up. So, if the weather cooperates, try your hand at Bocce on one of the outdoor courts, or get a cocktail at the bar and enjoy the people-watching scene. I still haven't tried ESS for brunch or lunch, but I have had the opportunity to sample breakfast. The eggs and grits are quite good, but the main dining area is closed for breakfast service, which is kind of a bummer, since you're limited to the bar area seating. If you can enjoy gluten-filled goodies, my advice would be to get your pastry and coffee to go.

    (5)

  • Robert B.

    A couple of days after dining at Empire State South, I found myself at The Optimist in West Midtown, enjoying a great meal, and realized that what I thought was a crappy dining experience at Empire State South, was worst than I remembered. My lunch at ESS ranks as one of the worst food experiences I've had in a while. While others may have a better experience, the problem is that this place would allow for you, at random and without notice, to have a crappy experience. I had lunch at ESS on a Friday afternoon. It was a bit brisk out, but the dining room was full and we had were sat outside. No big deal. There are a lot of folks eating out there and there was a nice putting green to look at. ESS is in the 999 Peachtree Building, which plays host to several large law firms. That fact is immediately noticed when you head to the restroom in the dark lobby of a commercial building, past some mailboxes. After washing my hands, I head back to the table to meet our server. Her service was terrible. God-awful, nearly criminally negligent -- and yet she was perky and friendly. We saw her only in flashes -- as did everyone outside that day -- and service suffered as a result. At her recommendation as between the Flank Steak -- which I had and enjoyed -- and the Goat Sausage, I ordered the Sausage. I attempted to order a glass of wine, but our server was gone to find some tea, we had also ordered. An eternity later -- or 30 minutes by clock -- we get the appetizer of trout mousse? It tasted like tuna fish salad, if you replaced the tuna fish with bitter trout. I would not recommend it. Then another 20 minutes later -- remember this is at lunch -- my Goat Sausage arrives. It's cold. Not warm. Not tepid. Cold. So essentially, I've been served a cold hotdog on top of some grits for nearly $20 and it took forever to get that. Plus, while I waited, the dishes from the trout appetizer piled up until we were able to flag down one of the servers, like people on a stranded ship at sea. After the server, not my waitress, returned the cold sausage and even colder grits, we tried the other entree ordered, which has some name but it's essentially lettuce on top of mounds of Quinoa. What is Quinoa you may ask? Think soft unpopped popcorn kernels with less flavor, at a nearly $20 cost. Finally, the server 10 minutes later -- yes we are an hour in to lunch and have only eaten an appetizer -- brings out my now warm sausage. Then I realize, it's a sausage on grits. (The exact description.) There was no other attempt to elevate the meal. So after 1 hour and 15 minutes, I've spent nearly $40 at lunch, got some a tuna-fish salad inspired appetizer, with some soggy, yet burned bread, and a goat sausage, that you can easily make at home, and a terrible salad. At the Optimist, it occurred to me what went wrong. First, the server, though perky, never, ever asked "Is the Food good?" She seemed to intuitively know that the answer was that is sucked completely. But more importantly, ESS says that it aspires to elevate Southern Food, and instead mocks it. The dishes cut corners to a crowd that's paying to have thoughtful meals and service. Instead, we got poor quality food, that aspired to be better, and remarkably poor execution and service. Or a crappy meal at high prices. Your experience can be different. YMMV, as the kids say. I've had another meal that was better. Here's the problem: YOU GO TO A NICE RESTAURANT NOT TO HAVE A CRAPPY FOOD EXPERIENCE. THAT'S KIND OF THE POINT. And unfortunately, as other negative reviews have noted, you could have the same kind of experience and cannot tell if this will be one of those great days where your food palate has expanded to eat the best in Neo-Southern cuisine amongst a hip-New South waitstaff and clientele or indifferent cooking matched by indifferent service. Fortunately, Empire State South is here in Atlanta, where folks are polite. Because back in the Empire State, the almost criminal negligence of this entire meal -- and I speak for all of the folks who ate outside that Friday -- would have been met with the kind of anger, only New Yorkers know how to muster. My advice: Wait for the meals to become consistent, before you roll the dice on ESS.

    (1)

  • Anastasia T.

    Ugh-oh...My favorite restaurant is all disappointment lately. A couple of times we've been there recently the service sucked! (slow, inattentive, they didn't even ask if we wanted desert). Also, the octopus, one of my favorite dishes there, was charred to death last time. People, get it together! You are supposed to be the best restaurant it town, so act like it. All the time.

    (3)

  • Matt N.

    Great date atmosphere. Thoroughly enjoyed our meal from the apps to the entree. You MUST get the Farm Egg. My favorite dish of the night. Cheese dish and hanger steak are also recommended. I will be returning. Call ahead during the week as reservations fill up.

    (5)

  • D. S.

    Cocktails; Things In Jars; Entrees; Wait Staff; Desserts

    (5)

  • Shae G.

    Try this place for a romantic evening and a spontaneous menu. I love the restaurant layout... The only reason I didn't give this place 5 stars is because there are so many restaurants around Atlanta exactly like this.

    (4)

  • Thomas C.

    Exceptional. From the decor, to the service and most importantly the food, I cannot find much to criticize at Empire State South. Experience: We made reservations although the Sunday evening we went, we had no problem with being seated. Service was brisk from the get go and our waitress Beth was attentive. She described specials but offered her recommendations on the menu in a non-intrusive/helpful manner. Food: A little disappointing was that the beers were all bottled but the local beer that I had (White IPA) was very good. For food, disclaimer that I am a vegetarian but never felt like I was "left out" or any of my food was a throw-away. My girlfriend had a cocktail which was very well executed (something with vermouth and sherry). We started with a Beet and Fennel salad that was dynamite. Every element was exceptionally fresh and simply dressed so that you could appreciate all the vegetables. I had the chilled corn soup, which Beth had warned was more of a foam than a soup. I didn't mind since it was exceptional. The summer chanterelles, coffee gel, which was exactly that a gel suspension of concentrated coffee, fennel fronds and some sort of dusting that was so flavorful. It was a large portion and I didn't leave any in the bowl. For entrees, I had the wild mushroom plate and my girlfriend had the Georgia catfish. We both finished each. My wild mushroom plate had at least 4 different mushroom types: trumpet, chanterelle, wood ear, and oyster (maybe shittake). The star of that plate was this pastry of some type underneath the mushrooms. The polenta was somewhat over-spiced for my taste. 3 halves of duck eggs were also on the plate and delicious. For dessert, we had the black butter cake. The cake was moist and light. Perfectly executed. The brittle that came with it was complex and I couldn't honestly tell what was in it. Oh, and the coffee that came with it was possibly the best coffee I've ever had - and I scoured many coffee shops while I lived in Seattle. Ambience: The decor is country-modern, I would say. A nice bar is near the entrance and modern farmhouse type tables litter the restaurant. I absolutely love that you had young patrons dressed in casual attire and flip flops while the other table over had elderly couples dressed for a nice night out, all co-habitating and enjoying themselves. Overall: I'm most impressed with the price tag. I would have spent double what we spent and would have still been thrilled. Beth was great and all of the other support staff were very pleasant and the right balance of attentive and non-intrusive. The food was dynamite. The atmosphere was perfect for my taste. I don't often give 5 stars (last time was Nobu Las Vegas). This was a solid 5 star in my book.

    (5)

  • M' N.

    Empire State South is pretty cool and a solid choice for lunch or dinner in the A. The outdoor seating area is trapped between a couple of tall buildings that create a little wind tunnel. In addition, there's a charming mini bocci court and some adirondack chairs. I really enjoy sitting outside at ESS on a nice evening. The food is good enough, but there are really only a couple of memorable things. One is the super foods plate--a bunch of veggies and beans and a piece of steak. I think you can only get it for lunch. The second is the homemade whoopie pies, which I haven't seen in a while. And, the jars with pimiento cheese and peanut butter are worth mentioning too.

    (4)

  • Will P.

    Location, location, location. That's the way-overused phrase you hear in real estate circles, but it's smart to borrow it for Empire State South, one of the city's slickest eateries in a choice spot right in the heart of midtown. These guys get the whole five stars from me because the joint most definitely ticks all boxes after multiple rockin' experiences. The location is central; food is stellar; service is great; and the atmosphere is elegant but still unpretentious and fun. I've been for brunch, lunch and most recently for a birthday dinner, and in all cases ESS showed a consistency that many other local places are missing. When some city stalwarts are going through an identity crisis, ESS fires on all cylinders at all points of the day. Even something as simple as the focaccia and fresh butter they bring to the table was a welcome touch. In other restaurants, you have to beg, plead and promise unborn children for free stuff like that. I had the speckled trout for dinner, which was uniquely cooked and had terrific flavor. (I loathe mushrooms and pawned them off on one of my co-diners.) For lunch, make sure to get the fried chicken salad sandwich. You'll want a treadmill within eyesight, though, so you don't feel as guilty gorging on what is a decadent treat. I'll close with this: during dinner, my suede jacket was hanging on a chair, and a server walked by and said, "this is touching the floor - can I hang this up for you?" When you factor in the great food and little touches like that, I'll be coming back for more very soon. Use the back parking deck while the hotel next door is getting the snot kicked out of it during a renovation - and don't forget to get validated before leaving. you'll get stuck with a hefty parking bill if you don't.

    (5)

  • Mariel J.

    Went here for dinner with a group of ten on a Saturday night (reservation made a couple weeks before), and had a great time. The atmosphere is great - relaxing and comfortable, the service was excellent - quick, informational, and great recommendations, and - as it should be - the food was the star of the show. I'd especially recommend ordering the "in jars" (in fact, my plan is to return here to order just this and a glass of wine for a perfect light(ish) after-work meal). This dish includes a variety of fun and very tasty spreads (deviled ham, trout mousse, pimento cheese & bacon marmalade, boiled peanut hummus) and plenty of bread. The farm egg was also a very unique dish, and the octopus was the more tender than any I've ever had before. Also enjoyed my main dish - stuffed chicken. The Baked Alaska was good enough to make us finish dessert when we were so full we probably shouldn't have ordered it in the first place (though if you include a brownie and a big dollop of chocolate chip cookie dough in any dessert, success is pretty much a given).

    (5)

  • Lisa K.

    The food was excellent, I just wish I could say the same about our waiter. He spent too much time trying so hard to be cool. I would mention his name but he didn't even introduce himself. The ambiance was better than I expected. Dinner was extremely expensive. $150 for two cocktails, appetizer, two entrees and dessert. It was our anniversary so we splurged, but won't do it again here.

    (3)

  • Tom E.

    After receiving this issue of ATL magazine in the mail ( yelp.com/biz_photos/R5iW… ) I have been dreaming about that chicken biscuit with bacon and pimiento cheese for months now. I mean months. As in "I need to call out of work so I eat here for breakfast" kind of dreams. This place is located at the base of 999 Peachtree, which is a mixed use building. Since I do not live in Midtown and I had no idea what the parking or dining situation was, I never had the chance to go. However, last weekend when I stayed in Midtown for a wedding and my uncle was also with me, I knew this would be the perfect opportunity to see what this place is all about. We decided to walk, as it was only a few blocks from the hotel we were staying in. Since we were going for Sunday brunch, I realized the front of the actual building was closed, so we walked around the back. We were then greeted by artificial turf, large sized rustic dining tables, and even a bocce court. I knew we had to be in the right direction. When we got there, they were still printing the menus, so we sat at the bar and chugged on some OJ. We didn't get any of the sweets they had for sale, as I wanted to save my appetite. Just a forewarning- They serve brunch only on Saturday and Sunday, and they are only open from 8-330 on Sunday. However, they don't start actually serving brunch until like 1030-1130 or so (sorry can't remember). You can sit at the bar and get coffee and fresh pastries though at that time. When the menu was printed and it was go time, we decided to just stay at the bar- it was a nice size and the seats were actually comfortable (and we didn't wanna move ha). I can't remember the bartender's name, but he was very nice. I noticed the employees at the bar all wore plaid shirts, as in they were dressed to be comfortable- I liked that vibe- not pretentious at all (as I somewhat prejudged this place). My heart was shattered when I did not see the chicken biscuit on the menu (as I later found out they serve it M-F, 7A-10A), but there were plenty of options to overcome my mosiac'd heart. Like the pimento cheese topped with bacon marmalade served with Holeman and Finch bread (a popular local bread bakery). Since I got a new camera and I put the resolution to 24MP, the food porn pics were NOT able to upload on Yelp, as I only got them on FB- so if you want to see them, hit me up on FB- bc OMG this shit was SPECTACULAR!!! When I say it was the best spread I have had in my life, this is absolutely no bs. I lust for it every day. Oh yea, and that was just the starter!!! I can't even remember what I had for the main course, except it consisted of chow chow, pork belly, and grits. It was like a southern meal 5 stars! The water was crisp, the OJ was fresh, the service was ultra friendly, the place got a 100 on their health score, it's rustic, and the food (worth the price) was out of this world. So far, this has been the best brunch (not buffet) I have had in ATL. And easy top 3 in terms of all my travels. They serve lunch and dinner as well, but I am sure that is a completely different adventure! Cheers!

    (5)

  • Farrah K.

    I camp in here for coffee and loved the decor. The staff was very friendly - one of the baristas let my friend take her picture because we loved her hair. I bought a brownie too; absolutely perfect. I would have loved to dine (we did not) because the menu looked great. Very modern southern feel to it.

    (5)

  • Joshua S.

    I came here for breakfast a yesterday morning, so this rating is based solely on my breakfast experience. Service was nice and attentive, the decor was beautiful, and I enjoyed the menu selection. I ordered the Chicken Sausage biscuit, 2 scrambled eggs, and some bakery treats (jam bar, cinnamon roll, and granola treat). The food, for the most part, was good, but the portions were pretty small, and I found myself having to ask for the menu again so I could order more from the kitchen. They don't really have "entree" sized items on their menu... it's pretty much like ordering a la carte, without that description being provided. The bakery items unfortunately were 1 for 3. The cinnamon roll was delicious but the jam bar was pretty inedible. It tasted fishy and left a terrible taste in my mouth. After 2 bites, I called it quits on that. I'd love to return for dinner and cocktails one night.

    (4)

  • Andrew W.

    One of the best food and drink places in Atlanta, the only reason this doesn't get a 5th star was that the waiter didn't seem to know very much, most of the questions we asked were met with I don't knows. Especially things concerning ingredients and drink ingredients.

    (4)

  • Steve S.

    First off, I should mention the service in the bar and main dining area was great. I only wish the high level of service complimented the cuisine. The 3 of us started off with the ESS charcuterie and it was good. I enjoyed the 4 mustards that accompanied the board. Now everyone raves about the Farm Egg but mine was a huge let down. It was described to us as having crusty rice that is similar to the rice found in paella or bibimbap. The kind of rice that you only find when it caramelizes due to just the right amount of contact with the cooking surface. I was disappointed to discover that ESS used a puffed rice instead, similar to rice krispies in texture. To make matters worse, my dish arrived heavily salted and the egg was over poached so there was not much liquid yolk left to mix with the puffed rice. In case you're imagining a small bowl with salty rice krispies and a poorly poached egg, you're not far off from what I received. My friends said they enjoyed their cheese board for an app. The 3 cow and 1 goat cheeses ESS offered that night were all very tasty. My entree of the gum cheek pork also left me wanting. First it looked like the person plating my food was suffering from motion sickness. The food was plated off center and the greens were nearly falling off the plate. Its like they realized this looked bizarre and they squirted some orange stuff on the other side of the plate (check out my photo). The entree did not consist of much pork. I was served one round of pork loin, one bite of sausage and a square piece of pork belly. The pork belly was the best part of the meal. The pork loin was cooked very evenly through, almost as if it was prepared sous-vide. However, the sear was a weak one and it did not have much flavor. Anyway, my friend said he enjoyed his rib eye entree, except he was actually expecting a steak instead of only 4 slices of ribeye. As the most expensive item on the ESS menu, it was light on the steak. My other friend said her fish entree was good. The cocktails were good and I liked the Cristom pinot my friend ordered. The food at Empire State South did not live up to its billing for our dinner. I would suggest other places to dine, (The Spence) for this level of cost.

    (2)

  • Marta P.

    I've been wanting to try ESS for quite some time now, so it seemed fitting for a family dinner (gives me the opportunity to try a variety of items without having to eat everything). I like the ease of online reservations, but noticed that ESS uses an email form for their reservations. Now, I know restaurant dislike Open Table since they have to pay each time someone uses it, but I was hesitant about an email form. Alas, I got a notification within an hour that my reservation was confirmed and even a reminder call, which was very nice. Parking can be tricky. It was Sunday so I parked on the street since street parking was free. If you would prefer to use the deck, use the one directly behind 999 Peachtree as this is the ESS deck and they validate parking (up to 3 hours I believe they said). Don't park at Metropolis like my mom did because you'll end up spending unnecessary cash that could be spend on, oh, I don't know, more food! The interior of the restaurant is comfortable and casual. I enjoyed the mismatched chairs and mason jars so it added to the southern feel, but some of the wall decorations were a bit off. But, the ambiance was inviting and quiet enough to allow us to talk at a normal volume. The waiter was very helpful, answering questions, giving suggestions, and constantly filling up our water glasses. Even though we had a bottle on the table, not a single one of us had a chance to pick it up to refill our glass. Sometimes his attitude seemed kind of strange, almost like he wasn't in the moment since he didn't make a lot of eye contact. We each got a cocktail. I can't remember the name of mine, but I purely got it since it had rum in it. I should've asked the waiter for a suggestion because I ended up with a bitter cocktail. It wasn't bad at all, I'm just used to having cocktails on the slightly sweeter side. I tried a couple of the bourbon cocktails at the table and they were delicious. As we usually do, we started with a variety of appetizers, and then each finishing with an entree and dessert and coffee. For appetizers we got: In Jars Goat Shoulder Steak Tartare Cheese Selection Do yourself a favor and get the jars! They were sooo good! We ran out of bread and they gladly brought some more. Inside the jars were: peanut hummus, pickled veggies, deviled ham, trout mousse, and pimento cheese with bacon marmalade. My favorite was the pimento cheese with the trout mousse coming up second. The only one that was slightly off was the peanut hummus. It's not that it wasn't good, it just wasn't as up to par as the other jars. The steak tartare was also incredible! We couldn't get enough of it (plus it had a runny egg yolk, my favorite!). The goat shoulder was super delicious too. It was juicy and had a brittle in the broth that gave it a lot of texture. The cheeses were superb too. We honestly could've made a meal just out of appetizers. For the entree I got the grouper. It was cooked perfectly and for me at least, the right size. I only say this because after the appetizers I was getting full so having the entree be on the smaller side was nice. Other people at the table mentioned that the entree was kind of small (it was a similar size to some of the appetizers). To finish most everyone got coffee and we tried a couple different dessert. I had the Fritter Party, which was perfectly light and airy (and I love fruity desserts). We also had the chocolate brioche was was light, but very rich. It wasn't too sweet which I really liked, I just knew I wouldn't be able to each more than a couple bites. Overall this has been one of the best meals I've had in the city, and now know why people rave about this place. I'll be sure to be back as the menu always changes, and look forward to the new selections ESS will bring to the table.

    (5)

  • Julie C.

    Hello ESS brunch. Totally in love with you, your patio, your coffee, and all of your meaty meaty mid morning treats. I'd never been for brunch but I'm officially a fan. Free parking (get it validated), nice patio where you totally don't get rushed, bocce ball and lots of chubby servers? I love it. Chubby servers are a new fav of mine because it makes me think... Yes! That's totally how I would look if I worked here. It's like a comfort, not an indictment . Anyway... Where to start? Um...if you are a glutton, you'll go with the pimento cheese with bacon marmalade. Christ Jesus. It was really hard to share that with my table mates. I wanted my own jar and I basically wanted to lick it clean. Those little bacon nuggets were the perfect combo to the cheese and the super buttery bread that came with? Yes sir. Paradise....all the way to the cath lab. I had the oyster stew...I was torn between the trout and the farm egg, but I'm always a sucker for oysters. In any fashion. No disappointment either. Oyster stew...creamy goodness on top of a gang of perfectly cooked grits? Yes please. Heavy handed sprinkle of fabulous bacon was much appreciated but what really brought all the flavors together was the bit of shaved celery. Guess that's a trained chef palate for ya... Knowing just what to add to make things extra yummy. This was definitely another dish where I wanted to lick the bowl clean. Mom and sib had the English muffin...with biscuit- they were out of muffins. Way better combo in my eyes. Again...all the little extras made the dish. The collard greens on the biscuit were so tasty and the pepper jelly tempered the meatiness of the sausage...yum yum yum. And as if sausage wasn't enough, two thick slices of heavenly bacon? Can't wait to get back here. Go here. It's delish.

    (5)

  • Yisi L.

    Many fine restaurants don't serve lunch. This is probably one of the few places where you can get GREAT food (approved by foodies!) for lunch. And play bocce ball! The reason I gave it 5-star is that: a. they cook really good food and live up to the the standard b. it is also a very casual, unlike some snobbish, pretentious, ridiculously overpriced places. It was weird that I couldn't find ESS on opentable. I called and made the reservation anyway. Shared smoked trout mousse and pimento cheese with coworkers. Everyone seems to prefer the cheese spread. Not many choices for lunch but you'll still find the very popular items like super food (hanger steak with assorted vegetables) and pork belly. Pork belly is a must have. I like the mustard seeds with it. I expected dessert after reading the online menu but they only had ice cream sandwich- in this case sorbet sandwich. It was good but you're gotta to be quick LOL Our waiter is friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The waiters and waitresses there dress casual (fun t-shirts and plaid shirts), which is really cool. Played bocce ball after the lunch :-) See, it's got the whole package!

    (5)

  • Ralph B.

    Great food and atmosphere. Po-boy sandwich was very tasty. The chocolate cake was delicious!

    (4)

  • Grant S.

    Cool place but waited a while for a table, even with a reservation. Manhattan. Martini and chocolate stout drinks while we waited. Along with schlitz beer cans with a coozie. We were lucky enough to dine at Hugh achitsons other restaurants. Unfortunately the hospitality and service are worlds apart. Then we sat down with randy. Changed our outlook. Appetizers were farm egg over crispy rice. Was the best by far and ordered a second. Octopus. Much better than last night. Foie gras. So great to have this special treat as it's not available in Los Angeles. As well as pork belly sausage. A new version of pork belly for us and amazing. Dinner was Georgia trout with rice. Lamb with lamb sausage. Finally boulle base with squid and fish. Good but last nights was also better. Dessert was good. Bunt cake with ice cream and sourdough fritters. Fritters were the favorite. Overall was a good experience even after the long wait and poor hospitality from the guy at the bar and host stand

    (4)

  • Mary Locke M.

    This is another one of those restaurants which just doesn't live up to to the hype. I was a big fan of Five and Ten in Athens, so I had naturally been wanting to try Empire State South. Let's start with the good: The atmosphere is inviting and Southern. They have bocce ball. It was like 40 degrees out the night I went, so I didn't get to play. They have some cool and complex cocktails on the menu and the bartenders are very friendly. Said cocktails weren't really my thing and I stuck with my status quo and went with wine. The bad: I guess I'm just not an oyster snob, so yes they were better than your run of the mill raw oysters but not worth the price in my opinion. Maybe it's just me, but I have concluded the novel concept of food in jars is just plain disgusting. Trout mousse was meh. I've had better pimento cheese from many a good Southern grocery store. The boiled peanut hummus was novel but not really good. To top it off, the jars of food are served with plain white bread. It wasn't bad by any means, but I can't say I have any desire to go back and try the full menu. Empire State South was sadly a lot of hype that didn't deliver.

    (3)

  • Melissa D.

    What. The. Eff. Last night was the first and last visit to this overpriced, pretentious, mediocre restaurant. Being DINKs, my friends and I have a lot of discretionary income to spend on cocktails, food, and wine. We also live a few blocks away from this restaurant. I was looking forward to trying this place out but it was far from meeting my expectations. First off, our waiter was MIA the whole night. Oftentimes we found her chit chatting with folks at the bar or ending up asking other servers/bussers for help. Let me just say that asking for refills on our drinks and to see a dessert menu do not fall under the "stressful" level as far as I'm concerned. My friends and I are probably the easiest way to make a 20% tip just for showing up. We ended up receiving most of our service from other employees at the restaurant and lodged a few complaints when we had to take our bill inside to pay (as the waitress was once again playing the disappearing act). Will not be going back here.

    (1)

  • Michael U.

    Items selected: Alpine Summer - Hayman's Royal Dock Gin, Dolin Genepi Liquer, Cocchi Rosa, Violet Liquor, Prosecco, Lemon The H. Bingham - Campo de Encanto Pisco, Fino Sherry, Espirit de June, Green Chartruese Puerta Del Sol - Tapatio Reposado Tequila, Bitter Truth Apricot Liquer, Yellow Chartreuse, Citrus, Suze In Jars - Deviled Ham, Trout Mousse, Pimento Cheese and Bacon Marmalade, Boiled Peanut Hummus, Pickles Cheeses - Buttermilk Crackers, Condor's Ruin Sheep from Many Fold Farm and Thomasville Tomme from Sweet Grass Dairy, Pickled Blueberry, Peach Butter Charcuterie - Duck Rillettes, Duck Confit, Sweetbread Terrine, Fried Bologna, Cheddar Beerwurst, Mustards, Pickles Popping Flan - Muscovado Flan, Oranges, Yuzu Foam, Popping Candy, Celery Sorbet Luau Treats - Haupia, Coconut Coffee Meringue, Caramel Sauce, Latik, Toasted Hazelnut, Coffee Ice Cream A Hugh Acheson restaurant under the direction of Chef Ryan Smith, Empire State South nearly fell short of my 'must-visit' list while dining in Atlanta, particularly when a very rude hostess at the restaurant refused to seat us in the largely empty space since we'd showed up without a reservation at 5:35pm, but thanks to a far more affable bartender a seat was easily allocated where we could enjoy some drinks and appetizers, the entire visit just over an hour and at least a half dozen four-tops empty throughout our stay. A large restaurant with dining both indoors and out, heavy in wood and slate with unfinished ceilings and a very impressive stock at the bar a quick perusal of the menu immediately suggested cocktails to be in order and with heavy pours and interesting combinations all three choices were excellent, the Bingham particularly complex and the Alpine Summer an excellent refresher. Sticking to the in house charcuterie program and a few interesting cheeses given our interest in desserts and late-night dinner plans the two plates and a large board featured a number of interesting options including truly impressive trout mousse and the restaurant's signature pimento cheese with bacon marmalade plus terrific pickles and a gamy sweetbread terrine that worked beautifully with the beerwurst on bread while other options like the rillettes, deviled ham, and bologna came off quite pedestrian or worse - the duck sadly bordering on 'flavorless' and stringy. Transitioning from savories to sweet and particularly excited given Melanie Durant's acclaim in publications including Food & Wine it was with some disappointment that the menu only featured two options that had much appeal and with even more discouragement when our selections arrived - the tired pop-rocks infused flan an odd mix of acid and bitter that was thankfully small enough that everyone only needed to endure a bite while the Luau treats was fine, particularly the creamy meringue, but nothing to write home (or win accolades) about.

    (2)

  • Jason W.

    Awful. Over two hours to serve 6 people brunch. Two of us were over $50 without any booze. And we had to stop by Wendy's on our way home to get more food because the portions were laughably small. If you value your time, or your money, dine elsewhere.

    (1)

  • TJ C.

    We decided to go here for Sunday Brunch after seeing the reviews on Yelp. We were not disappointed! To begin with, the staff was great and the restaurant has a really cool urban decor. The monkey bread is a must have and I highly recommend the English muffin special which included grits, which were close to the best I've ever had. Amazing food!

    (4)

  • Michael T.

    Had brunch and it was okay. Pricey!

    (3)

  • Vanessa-Lauren J.

    Empire state south is another one of Atlanta's 'new American' scene. You know, it had all the staples: trout, fancy shrimp and grits, beets, kale, goat cheese, and plenty of bourbon. Oh, and grilled octopus has been popping up too. So I had a heavenly grilled mushroom platter (with grits of course) and 24 stayed with their classic farm egg. All delicious! But definitely heavy on the butter, as my stomach woke me up in the middle of the night for a bit of unpleasantry. Good, for every once in a while, but clean eaters beware.

    (3)

  • Ansley G.

    Tonight while waiting for my bf to get off work I decided to stop in for a drink. The restaurant was between lunch and dinner hours so they were VERY SLOW. I sat down at the bar and a nice lady greeted me. I ordered my drink (which was served to me incorrectly, it wasn't what I ordered. But that's okay I'm not picky when it comes to my alcoholic beverages) After having sat there for a few minutes I glanced down at the bar and noticed a cut/bit FINGERNAIL (a very large one) sitting next to my menu. I debated whether to tell the bartender or just sweep it onto the floor because I was completely GROSSED out. After contemplating it for a few minutes I picked up my menu, asked the bartender for a napkin and swept it up WITH HER STANDING THERE WATCHING ME. That's not the point, I didn't mind that, but what I did mind was the she didn't apologize or even acknowledge the fact that there was a FINGERNAIL that clearly was not mine (mine are still painted from New Years) sitting on her bar. While the food may be ok, and the drinks marginal, I have to say the lack of service and cleanliness totally turned me off. If there is a fingernail in plain site of customers what's in the kitchen that we cannot see. I hate to say it but that was definitely my last time at Empire State South.

    (1)

  • J W.

    Perhaps even more pleasant at lunch than dinner. Helpful, hands on service and well portioned courses make for a delightful midday repast. From the Pimento Cheese with Bacon Marmalade to the ESS Charcuterie as starters, to the scallops and trout, everything was well prepared and delicious.

    (4)

  • Sela T.

    I came here for dinner with a group of 7 friends. We didn't make reservations, just showed up on random. They were able to fit us in within 30-45 minutes. The host def worked his butt off to get us in. Meanwhile, we played bocci ball outside. Our waiter was great. He was very on top of our orders and made sure we had enough water and bread for our table. I ordered the duck and thought it was absolutely amazing. Great flavors with the sauce and bok choy. Price wise, I would have to say it was on the expensive side. I paid 44 for the duck. Overall, the place was alright. service was amazing. very attentive. The ambiance of this place is great. I love the decorations. Unfortunately, I dont think it was worth the price i paid for. However, I do plan on coming back since the food is pretty good. I hear the breakfast is amazing. I def want to check out what the buzz is all about. until then....

    (3)

  • Julee D.

    I cannot believe it took me this long to try this place. I had an excellent dinner there on Monday night. The drinks and food were both wonderful. Favorite dishes were the pimento cheese and bacon dip and charred octopus. I also enjoyed the charcuterie and other dips in a jar we had. Cocktails and wine were great too. Albariño was wonderful wine choice with our meal. Ambiance is wonderful with spacious bar as well as indoor and outdoor seating options for dining, The outside seating faces a bocce court that patrons can enjoy. Highly recommend this place! I cannot wait to get back there to try pork belly, farm egg, and duck entree.

    (5)

  • Ambar C.

    I wanted to give this place 5 stars. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed. First, I tried breakfast, and I thought, "Not bad." Then, I tried dinner (for my birthday), and I was totally underwhelmed. As for breakfast: I had an egg and chicken biscuit with pepper gravy on the side, a side of grits, and a decaf coffee (what is the point of that?). The grits were 5 stars. The decaf coffee was 5 stars, which is weird, but it's true. The biscuit was 4 stars. The chicken was 2 stars. The service was 3.5 stars. The grits are by far the best grits I have ever had. They have something for everyone to love. They are really creamy and buttery, but at the same time, they are gritty. I love the rough texture of grits much more than the mushy oatmeal-like consistency that some places make, so these were my perfect grits! The biscuit was fluffy and wonderful. The pepper jelly was super spicy and full of flavor. The chicken was fatty and unseasoned. There was too much batter, too much fat, not enough chicken, and not enough flavor. The Mexican decaf coffee was so amazing I forgot I didn't get caffeine. Also, they make your coffee fresh to order by drip process, which is awesome. For my birthday dinner, my overall impression was, "Wow. I can't believe I just spent that much for what I got." I ordered the Two Rabbits to drink. It was a nice start and turned out to be the best part of my meal. For dinner, I had the trout. It was not the best trout I've ever had. I wouldn't pay $30 for it again. The trout was underseasoned and a tad overcooked for my taste. For dessert, our table shared the Popping Flan and the Patience Young Grasshopper. The popping flan was interesting. It contained home-made Pop Rocks that added a nice, playful twist to a decent flan. The Grasshopper was good. It tasted like the drink. *I also wanted to note that my best friend ordered the ravioli and got... ONE ravioli! One. Ravioli. For $20! She was going to give me a bite, but I told her to keep it. Poor thing! I walked here from my hotel, but you can park at the new Hyatt and the restaurant will validate. Service is decently good. Our staff was knowledgeable and nice.

    (3)

  • Jordan M.

    One of the best, most consistent restaurants in Atlanta. Excellent for a breakfast/brunch, lunch, cocktails/apps, and dinner. Also happens to be one of the city's premiere coffee and espresso shops, serving Counter Culture Coffee. I highly recommend the following dishes: Superfood plate (lunch only) Farm Egg Pork Belly over Kimchee Rice Grits Charcuterie Plate "In Jars" appetizer to share with a group All of their Cocktails, especially the Pimms Cup offered during the summer, which is the best version I've ever had. Cortado and Phatty Cake to wash it all down

    (5)

  • Brian K.

    I've always had a shameless addiction to reality television. I'm not talking about that feel good - let's build a house and fix a third-world child's cleft palate - reality television. I'm talking about - Snooki gets punched in the face, I'm addicted to eating couch cushions, let's overturn a table and call someone a prostitution whore - reality television. Nonetheless, reality shows featuring individuals with some semblance of discernible talent occasionally cross my television screen. This was the case last month while viewing a rerun of Bravo's Top Chef Masters. It was then that I learned the diminutive judge with a burly unibrow had a restaurant in midtown Atlanta - Empire State South was promptly added to my dining shortlist. Food: Empire State South specializes in southern fare with a contemporary twist. Although the menu is decidedly limited, the offerings are all incredibly well-executed and expertly presented. During my recent visit for brunch, I opted for the pimento cheese with bacon marmalade for an appetizer and the ham and pimento cheese sandwich for an entree. Both dishes were excellent. I also tried the banana loaf from the bread table, which proved to be the only real disappointment of the meal - the serving was miniscule and the bread was painfully dry and flavorless. Service: Friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. Although each table is assigned a primary waiter, various member of the staff assist with food running and check processing. The owner, Hugh Acheson, was also in the house and was obliging patrons' photo requests. Atmosphere: I found the ambience to be generally enjoyable - with the exception of the brief instance when a Mexican window washer swung down out of nowhere, slammed his body against the window, and scared the hell out of everyone in the dining room. The restaurant itself is impeccably decorated, complete with a covered outdoor patio and bocce court. Cost: I understand that midtown rent isn't cheap and I'm certainly willing to pay for high quality food. However, I still found Empire State South to be slightly overpriced for the quality and quantity of the offerings. I was also irked by the fact that they included a $1 charge on the bill for the extra toast points we requested with the appetizer. After dropping $50 for brunch for two, sans alcohol, I considered the additional charge to be awfully petty. Other: First time visitors may have some difficulty finding the restaurant - it's located in the 999 building at the corner of Peachtree and 10th Streets. Validated parking is available in the garage directly adjacent to the Hotel Midtown, which is accessible from 10th Street. Reservations are a necessity on the weekends.

    (4)

  • Courtney G.

    I came here for the first time on a first date. It was Sunday brunch. I'd heard mixed reviews from my friends and eager to form my own opinion. In terms of service, this was less than desirable and the main reason I'd choose another establishment over Empire State South. First, I am gluten intolerant and I mention this to servers before ordering anything. Our server stated it was no problem and the kitchen is wonderful about accommodations. However, when it came to ordering, I got the exact opposite feeling from the server when stating the items on the menu that were appealing and if they were GF or could there be substitutions. My food did come out with a substitution so it seems this may have been the waiters dismay vs the kitchen. I'm a huge coffee lover and LOVE good coffee. When deciding on what type of coffee, the waiter suggested one similar to a french press. I thought that a great idea since I love french press coffee due to the flavor vs drip coffee. I also asked for soy milk though the waiter stated almond was available. I decided to give that combo a try. When the coffee was brought out and poured, it appeared very light. My first sip tasted like left over drip coffee from a fast food restaurant. I didn't think this could be the taste of the 4.00 cup of coffee and figured maybe brewing went wrong. Understandable. I mentioned the waiter and he did have another sent out. I tried this one and same taste. I pushed the cup to the side of the table since I could not drink it due to the taste. Since the server already seemed miffed by my GF allergy and sending the first coffee back, I did not want to say anything about the second cup. The server came to our table numerous times during and after our meal, and not once mentioned the still full coffee cup and assess if everything was alright. Very disappointing for for a perceived mid to upscale restaurant in Midtown. In terms of the food, there are a few unique items, but nothing that would bring me running back. The food was also VERY salty. I'd suggest drinking lots of water before, during, and after your trip to help detox it all out.

    (2)

  • Marissa S.

    I've only been here for lunch and breakfast and both experiences were neither memorable nor worth repeating. Service was unbelievably slow. Two scrambled eggs and cheese toast costed $11 which is ridiculous. The toast took 20 minutes to come out and I could have made it at home for a quarter of the price. They have also started substituting soy milk with their own non-dairy substitute. It's almond milk and coconut oil. Just dont. I love coconut oil but it doens't belong in coffee. It just tastes wrong and the texture in your mouth is werid. I appreciate ESS trying to be unique but sometimes the customer prefers normal stuff. For lunch I ordered the super food hanger steak entree $18. The steak was tender and juicy which was good. However, the rest of the plate was covered in cold sides that were a little too pickled or not seasoned enough. The salad on the plate didn't have any flavor and the leaves were too big which makes for really awkward lunch moments where food hangs out of your mouth. I've heard great things about dinner so I hope that it's a much different experience than breakfast or lunch. That said, I'm not sure i'll be going back again.

    (2)

  • Sarah S.

    I'm focusing my review on two areas: food and service. Living in Atlanta for a few years now, I've heard of Empire State South many times and always relatively positive reviews. I was happy to finally experience it myself and here are my thoughts... The menu was carefully well thought out and interesting with choices for every dietary preference. I found it hard to narrow down what I wanted! I settled on a delicious roasted butternut and quinoa kale salad, scallops and then a most awesome hot buttered banana pudding dessert and espresso. I'd describe the food to be incredibly fresh, tasty, interesting, perfect conversation starters and all around fun. The portions are quite small and prices steep so if you want to leave full, prepare to drop a few dimes. The service, ugh, was subpar at best. I often wondered if we had specifically done something to annoy our waiter because he was rude, abrasive, constantly rushed and would disappear for long periods of time. Considering the restaurant was very slow (Sunday night) we couldn't understand why the service was just so off. When we were done, had licked our dessert plates clean and had finished all our beverages, we sat for a good 20 minutes before having to physically flag our waiter down for the bill. He gave us a snippy response for the time lapse which was inappropriate and we had still kept our cool. Once we got the bill, we immediately placed our payment in his hand before he walked away again. We only had large bills and between the two of us, we were owed about $75 change. We waited and waited while we could see our waiter socializing and yucking it up with the bartender. My friend grew impatient and flagged him to come over and asked "Can we get our change?" to which he responded "oh, you wanted change?" HA. We about died laughing and he wasn't kidding at all. To assume on he was keeping the $74.10 change which was more than my entire bill was ludicrous especially considering he absolutely knew he gave subpar service. We left feeling pretty heated. Not once did I see a manager or anyone come to the table to check on how our evening was going because we would have absolutely said something then! I still stand by the food quality, but after leaving, I questioned if all the hype and popularity has tapped this place out? The service was really unexpected for such a fantastic restaurant. Maybe at one time it was phenomenal, but now, I'd rather pay that much somewhere it's appreciated.

    (3)

  • Linda J.

    I've been to ESS twice in the past month, so clearly I like it and found my way back. Love, Love the bar and the scene there. Bartenders, really these people are true mixologists, are very fun to watch and the atmosphere is welcoming, and hip. They just don't beat you over the head with their coolness. Check out the drink menus, I had the Circuit Hymn and it was delicious. Lots of great bourbons and designers scotches, interesting drinks that allow you to taste the various ingredients. Smart to use the single large ice cube which keeps the drink cold but doesn't water it down. You can enjoy the same mix from first sip to last. No specials here, menu changes but it's all on one page. Have to try the "jars" with the pimento cheese and bacon, trout and hummus. Toast fingers are perfect fro sharing the tasty treats. I've had the beet salad after apps and then the Farm Egg for dinner. I could eat the Farm Egg every day, what a yummy and creative dish: crunchy rice, sausage, spinach, mushrooms and a perfect poached egg on top. Served in a sweet little crock. My companions both had steak and ate every bit. Very complementary on the doneness, the potato cake and the greens. Plenty of desserts, we had bread pudding and it was amazing. The dining room and the service is perfect. Great vibe. I know this place is open for breakfast and I wish Iived nearby: I would put it on the rotation, but as it stands I'll keep taking out of town guests here and digging deeper into the menu.

    (4)

  • Kathleen M.

    My initial complaints over ESS' pricing haven't changed. I still think the prices are too high across the board given the portion sizes and quality of food you get. And no, I'm not one of those Olive Garden loving people who expects to go home with leftovers. In fact, I hate leftovers. But I also hate paying a big tab when I'm still hungry. But the food has gotten better. A lot better. To the point where the food is almost worth the price. I most recently came for a dinner out on their lovely back patio (highly recommend) and everything I had was delicious. With a drink, I was trying to keep my dinner under $50 pre-tip so I opted for two small plates: the spring onion soup and the grilled asparagus with shrimp. Yes, before tax and tip these two items on their own totaled $38. Again, not shy about the prices. But were the dishes delicious? You better believe it. Quite possibly the most delicious soup I've ever had. And the asparagus and shrimp, while a very small portion of about 4-5 spears and 2 shrimp, was very tasty. It all just left me wanting more, but my wallet wouldn't allow it. Our server was lovely and it was all in all a fantastic evening. I just wish someone else had been paying. And I don't feel like the atmosphere lives up to the prices, as I'd much prefer to come to the patio on a random Tuesday night and spend some quality time with a friend or date than have to turn this casual place in to a special occasion only spot. It's too good for that.

    (4)

  • Alan C.

    This was my first real dining experience in Atlanta and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. From the restaurant decor to the food plating, this place reminded me of something I'd find in the Bay Area (which is a good thing). So why only 3 stars? Execution. We started with some oysters and the popular jars assortment. Oysters are, well, oysters... so nothing to write about there. On to the jars. I'm a bit tired of the whole bacon revolution but the bacon marmalade was truly delicious. Heck I think I even put a bit on one of the oysters. It was the perfect blend of sweet and savory. Next I had the tripe stew. I absolutely love tripe but this dish was only so-so. It's common to cook this protein in vinegar but it was a bit too one-note for me. I wish the broth was more savory and perhaps even thickened a bit. The runny egg, however, was a very nice touch. I also had the duck breast which is another ingredient I have a hard time resisting. The waiter recommended cooking this to a medium doneness. I thought this was odd and asked him "why medium?". In his answer he switched to recommending rare/medium-rare... so I think he was a bit confused. I've never been to a restaurant that recommended their duck served anything more than medium-rare. Anyway, the duck arrived rare, very rare. It was rare enough that there was still a bit of connective tissue which made cutting with the (non-steak) knife a bit tough (no pun intended). The meat was also under seasoned. Proper seasoning and temperature - the basics of execution - are all you need to make a good protein shine. They dropped the ball here on both fronts. So to summarize I really like what this place could be, but they need to execute on the basics to really let the food shine. All the fancy techniques and high end ingredients don't matter if you don't cook well. In the end, though, I'd come back for another visit.

    (3)

  • Leena P.

    Wonderful food and friendly service. Not over-priced and the perfect portions! Really enjoyed my fried chicken po-boy and the drinks were great.

    (5)

  • Michelle C.

    Three stars solely for the pimento cheese and bacon marmalade dip. Droooollllll On a side note, why are the lunch portions so damn small??? I hope the dinner portions are a lot bigger...

    (3)

  • Heather N.

    Stellar quality ingredients, tiny portions, slow but professional service. We were hungry three minutes after leaving. Went for brunch, really enjoyed the gigantic table outside in the sweet breeze. The sausage muffin special was delicious, and would be great if if came with double the food. A muffin the size of a ginger cookie, three quarter size sausage slices, a teaspoon of arugula and ONE egg with two thin (but insanely delicious) pieces of sweet bacon just barely made a dent in my hunger. This is brunch. We are combining two meals. I need more, y'all. I was with a group that wouldn't indulge a second order of brunch entrees, so hungry I left. Mad at Atlanta for not allowing me to imbibe before 12:30. Cheers~

    (4)

  • Robin P.

    Finally, a restaurant in Atlanta that had great service, good food and a fair price. Good: Service was excellent and attentive. My server gave several recommendations, all of which I enjoyed. Chicken sausage appetizer was small but had a very hot Serrano pepper sauce. Excellent. Fish for main course was also excellent. Cooked just enough. Minor gripe: Menu had a small selection (which I like) but some of the titles for items were unclear to me and seemed a tad pretentious. For example, the "FL Sheepshead Porgy" turned out to be a rather nice white fish. Maybe I am just unfamiliar with local terminology? I still don't know what the "Prime Spinalis" might be! Coffee was good but was delivered with an over-long explanation of how it was made. ,

    (5)

  • Mandi T.

    I can't give them a 5 because they are not on open table. What? that needs to be a requirement for any good restaurant. Sorry. I am lazy I like the internet and my $1. the pimento cheese is amazing- I could make a meal with that and bread alone. A bit pricy for lunch but, totally a unique experience. Go!!!

    (4)

  • Liz K.

    Location is not that easy to find. But if you know where the HOTEL MIDTOWN is, it's right next to it. So I've been hearing people rave about this like no other, so finally when i was able to try it, it was like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. First off, started off with a half dozen of mix & match oysters. Fresh, clean, and slimey. Yum. It was also served with these amazing crispy crackers they make at the restaurant. I could just keep on eating oysters + crackers... For the entree, had the redfish and my friend had the artic char. Both were quite tasty, and light. The different types of grits served on the menu really brings in that southern comfort to the place. There's a large selection of wine, which I love. Seating is cozy and the restaurant itself is very casual in a classy kind of way. Like the place a lot, and will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Jennifer F.

    Hands down my favorite restaurant in Atlanta. Their menu is always changing but the jars, pork belly, lamb belly and farm egg are a few of the dishes to die for. They also make incredible cocktails. Although I also love getting the cheap can brew (Schlitz or similar) because it comes with an ESS koozie!

    (5)

  • Alex P.

    The food is delicious and the atmosphere is very nice, but the portions are insultingly small (at least for brunch). If I'm paying $14 for a meal, I don't want to leave hungry.

    (3)

  • Alex S.

    I started with a few beers and champagne. Alcohol selection is weird: do they have an experienced sommelier? My gut says no. Anyways, rabbit roulette is mediocre. Ditto for the duck main. Highlight of the meal was pretzel bread and the desert. With a more experienced sommelier and more refined mains this place will be in 4 stars range.

    (3)

  • Dave B.

    How this place gets below a 5 star rating is beyond me; this is one of the best. This was recommended by a pal of mine and I immediately texted him afterwards. I had been trying to get a reservation the last two years and finally got one for Valentines. Right away I was one over by the staff when we arrived. Beautiful Southern decor, intimate, romantic setting. For starters we had the Chicken Sausage appetizer, light and flavorful. I followed that with a Cabernet blend. For the main course my wife ordered the Gum Creek Pork, while I took on the Braised Rib entree: veal shortbreads, bok choy, squash cubes, splash of bourbon cider glaze. O My Goodness. I savored every bite of this dish, especially the rib. You can't cook meat any better than this. For dessert, I had the Malt Cake, which was very rich but not overpowering. And they validate parking. All around, a thoroughly satisfying evening.

    (5)

  • Alice T.

    I am such a motherpheasantplucking fan (that's my way of kindergarten swearing on Yelp) of this place! One of the best dining experiences I've ever had. Went here with a few business colleagues. There were 6 of us, and we decided to try out the prefixed menu. If you check out the bottom right hand corner of the menu, you'll see this option in teeny tiny letters. Your choice of how many courses. I think we picked 5. But, I need to sidebar a bit here and talk about the service. Our waiter (cute Korean dude) was extremely knowledgeable, pleasant, and all around fantastic server! He knew his food, and it was quite impressive. He also went out of his way to help us throughout the dinner (including handwriting a list of late night spots in town since we were all out-of-towners). On with the food. Ah-MAZ-ing. Every single dish was delicious. My favorite was the pork belly with kimchi grits. But with the tasting menu, most of the dishes are off menu (which adds to the appeal). And because we asked for variety, the kitchen went out of their way to serve us one or two different dishes for each course, so that we can pass our dishes around and get maximum variety. I tell you, I'm a HUGE fan, and will keep coming back whenever I'm in Hotlanta. It was extremely memorable.

    (5)

  • Lee M.

    Here are some background thoughts to my review of ESS. Some chefs have really good publicists and really great personalities on tv and I think that Hugh Acheson has both - I'm a huge fan of him as a judge on Top Chef. He replaced the snarky comic relief void left by Toby for me. I came here shortly after the episode of Top Chef when he called out one of the contestants for making gummy grits, proclaiming that he makes them virtually every day of his life. So obviously I had to find a dinner dish that had grits. That was the striped bass, on top of grits, mushrooms in a dashi. The grits were creamy and smoky and with the earthy mushrooms and dashi, it was a perfect combo. The bass was awful though - flaccid skin, fishy smell, and overcooked. It ruined an otherwise amazing accompaniment. Going backwards, I had the steak tartare - quite the miss for me as well. Nice cut was ruined by copious amounts of mustard. It tasted as if I was eating chewy mustard. Definite lowlight. Coffee is amazing - Counter Culture - expertly brewed. Pretty mixed meal - I'd probably go back on the reputation but I'd have to order differently. Been back several time s since for lunch - grilled octopus and steak salad are both can't miss.

    (4)

  • Michael D.

    ALL AROUND DIVINE! This place is amazing! A must stop if your in Atlanta. Decor is beautiful! Food is as much beautiful as it is tasty. It's kind of funny to me that people thing the portions are so small. The recommended portion of food is much smaller than what most American restaurants serve. I started with the in jars the pimento cheese and bacon marmalade was nothing short of spectacular! My girlfriend had also ordered us the farm egg which order server Voss (who was really excellent by the way and extremely knowledgeable about both the food and wine) described and explained how we were to jouge the egg around! I love that word! The entree was the catfish for me and my girlfriend ordered the pork both where greatly balanced dishes with amazing textures throughout the dishes! We shared both! Our wine that he suggested based on our entree selections was excellent pairings! We love going to Farm to Table restaurants and Hugh Atchinson has done it right from food to service, decor! Not to mention the coffee program was great they have CHEMEX ( brewed for each cup). Can't wait to visit again, next time I will try one of the many craft cocktails that were on the list.

    (5)

  • Average G.

    3.5 Stars. I went with my girlfriend after a major fight 2 nights before as a make up dinner. I had read the reviews, heard co-workers complement the food, etc. But considering the price point, ESS was a huge disappointment. Ironically, the bad overall experience brought us together as we both had similar complaints, so maybe it wasn't so bad. Our Experience: Our waiter was friendly but it took quite a while for us to be greeted at our table (solid 5 mins). We had our coats taken, which was nice. Our waiter made us feel comfortable and made great suggestions as we always look to waiters for help to guide us to a restaurants' strong suits. Our cocktails were great. I had the Pimm Cup which tasted like ginger iced tea with a cucumber in it giving it an airy, light feel. I could probably drink a gallon of that stuff tho it was a little weak on the alcohol tip. My gf liked her drink which was much stronger, but I can't remember the name of it for the life of me and the website does not list cocktail menus. But so far so good. The waiter suggested the ESS House Charcuterie with their own home cured meats and pickled veggies and mustards as a starter. We added some cheese on the side since it made sense. It was a fun sampler that really filled the two of us up. Everything was good but nothing wowed us, especially considering they cure their own meat on site. And none of the cheeses were unique. We could probably get them at Whole Foods. The kiwi apple butter was delicious that came with the cheese plate (ask about it). I'd buy a bottle of that! My gf ordered the trout and I went with the duck. The duck was in the form of a sausage patty. The amount of fat was perfect and the patty tender. The flavors were bold and the pickled blueberry was an excellent touch. The trout though was pretty bland and the flavors were flat across the board. The fish was cooked tender but lacked a crispy skin. The entree was just boring. And there were only 5 choices. There were more apps and sides than entrees...didn't like that either. We ended up paying around 120 plus tip. Was it worth it...not really. At 30 dollars a plate, I want to be given some bold flavors, unique ideas, and better execution. We more than likely won't go back since I can't afford to drop that much for "solid" food. I need to be wowed some more for that level of money.

    (3)

  • Jason And Sarah R.

    First, let me say, we're hug fans of Top Chef and Hugh Acheson. We even own his cookbook! That said, we've been dying to try ESS for some time now, so when our friends suggested the four of us have dinner there this past weekend, we happily obliged. While ESS is located in Midtown, it's a bit difficult to find. However, after finally locating our destination, we were greeted by a cute courtyard setting, with large picnic style tables and two bocce ball courts. Considering it was 40 degrees that particular night, we decided we would have to come back when the weather was warmer. Once inside, the ambience was exactly as you would expect. Rustic yet refined, just like the food. Speaking of food, the hubby and I agreed, we haven't had a meal this good in quite some time. Our service - impeccable. For starters, we shared the JARS - small Mason jars filled with pickles, deviled ham with mustard seed, a trout mousse, pimento cheese with bacon marmalade and a boiled peanut hummus. Each of us had a difficult time deciding which was our favorite. They were all uniquely delicious. Our server, who was great all around, but most importantly, had a passion for the menu, suggested the FARM EGG (because, not only was it his "favorite, but there was also a 2 page write up about it in CL") and the ROASTED OCTOPUS as our next course. I would heartily recommend either of these dishes to anyone who knows the difference between good food and great food. The farm egg was like nothing I've ever tasted. It was served poached, over top a layer of "rice krispies" with trumpet mushrooms, pork and green onions. I would urge you to try one per couple though, as it's not a large dish. The octopus, as our server explained, was marinated, then roasted, so that it was more like lobster, than octopus. He was spot on. It was some of the best octopus I've ever had. It was served with green lentils and fried sweet potato chips in a spicy red sauce. Mouth watering! As our main course, the hubby and I split the DUCK WITH SAUSAGE, while our friends opted for the GROUPER entree. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but the portion sizes were definitely on the small side. While both entrees were really good, if I'm being honest, our first two courses stole the show. We finished the night off with the RYE bread ice cream & greek yogurt CHEESECAKE, with raisins and poached pineapples. I would say the desserts are more of a taste, similar in size to the current "shot dessert" trend. This was perfectly acceptable to each of us, as we only needed a bite of something sweet to end our wonderful dinner together. The cheesecake was just the right amount of sweet as it was refreshing. And the rye bread ice cream was just as our server claimed, "15 times better than it sounds." We each left feeling satisfied, but not stuffed. I think we'll opt for a few more appetizers next time around, or one entree per person (not shared). Either way, ESS is southern food at its finest. It's not heavy, like traditional southern food. It's more sophisticated, with all of the same great flavors and tastes those of us in the south grew up with. We give it 5 stars and highly recommend it as one of the best new restaurants in Atlanta!

    (5)

  • Patti F.

    Well, we had Christmas Eve dinner and we weren't told there was a set menu. Ugh! The rabbit roulade was awful! Next we had catfish loins...fair. The lamb was the only redeeming part of the dinner but I cannot give it better than one star because the service was only fair. I had to ask for serve ware when the group family style dishes were served so we could spoon out our food. Really??!! Isn't that important enough to bring with the dish? Small portions, large bill at the end. We will not return.

    (1)

  • Ms. M.

    We had a very enjoyable dinner at Empire State South. While the service was great, and the food was tasty, I was just not totally blown away. Still, I liked ESS and thought it was a good choice for my gourmet food tour of Atlanta. We tried a wonderful variety of dishes, thanks in part to the "In Jars" appetizer, which itself offered 4 different spreads (peanut hummus, deviled ham, pimento & cheese with bacon marmalade, and trout mousse) and 1 jar of pickled vegetables. Our favorite dish was the Farm Egg, which in tonight's iteration came on top of sliced hot dogs, crispy rice, nettles, chanterelles, and corn puree -- a great meld of comforting flavors. Other dishes we had included the peach gazpacho, which was refreshing but slightly too tart; the crisp pork belly over kimchi rice, which was nicely balanced; the glazed octopus, which was a bit busy with so many different components (like sausage patties and cucumbers and pork rinds and octopus and fennel and lardo), but it was all very yummy; and the GA Trout with sweet & sour broth served over a bed of braised cabbage, fennel, carrot, onion jam, and radish, which was a great fish entree dish. For dessert, we opted for the Chocolate & Sassafras, which was definitely interesting both in terms of flavors and textures. We also took home some goodies from the self-service pastry & candy bar; our server was kind enough to pack up an extra phatty cake, a marshmallow crunch brownie, and a blueberry donut for us. All in all, we had a great experience at ESS, and we would definitely recommend it to others looking for a nice yet low-key restaurant with great service and solid dishes.

    (4)

  • Anthony D.

    I went there again, because I wanted to try that farm egg! Last time I got the trout and it was good. My experience this time was consistent like that last time. Service was good, food didn't take too long either. I got the farm egg and it was pretty tasty, I really enjoyed it. Again a 4 out of 5 star experience for me.

    (4)

  • David S.

    This is amazing dining. Imaginative, delicious, constantly surprising. The charcuterie plate had about 6 different things including by far the best "bologna" I've ever had. The peach salad combined fantastic peaches with a creme fraiche sauce that gave "peach" a whole new meaning. And the pork entree- the tenderest, most delicate smoked pork loin: beautiful. Good wine list that provided a rose that set it all off perfectly. A great meal.

    (5)

  • David Z.

    Though I'm not much of a drinker, I was inspired by ESS's cocktail menu. I had the Autunno Notte, a delicious drink whose excellent taste concealed its heavy alcohol content. For some reason our server forgot to bring us out the bread/butter plate, so I had to request it. Anyway, my friend and I each ordered an appetizer--he the oysters, I the parsley root soup. Both of us enjoyed our choices. As an entree I had the bass, which was good but not excellent. We also shared the kimchi rice (kind of a spicy risotto) and the curry chow chow (good snack). No room for dessert, but it looked quite good!

    (4)

  • Susan K.

    The little jars were great, the octopus was great but the farm egg dish was so salty i had to leave most of it in the bowl.

    (3)

  • Mac W.

    Would give one more star but my entree, the pasta, came out cold. Was not good. Other than that, good experience.

    (3)

  • Tom C.

    I'm not a big fan of giving out 5 stars, and I'm on the fence about this one. But, the dinner I had last night was so good, I'm going to go ahead and do it anyhow. I went with a group of four, and we had a great meal. We all started the meal with drinks, and I had some thing that was made with gin and was very good (I forget the name). I was a bit surprised at the lack of whiskey-based drinks on the menu, as that seems to be a staple at these "new southern" places. But, that's fine. I ordered oysters as a starter. Very good. it's hard to find good fresh oysters here in ATL, I think, but these were solid. They came with three of the places' home-made sauces, which were all really good (I tried each). For my main course, I had Georgia trout, which was outstanding. It came with some greens and perfectly cooked potatoes. Really, really, very, very good. I'm desperate to try to recreate those potatoes.... Others at the table ordered a variety of things, and everyone seemed to be happy. The wine list is pretty good, and we had a very good bottle of Chablis for only $58, which I think is a reasonable price at this kind of place. For dessert, I had an Armagnac, with which I was happy. The one complaint I'd level against the menu, which is why I am thinking 4 stars instead of 5, is that there is almost nothing on the menu that's vegetarian friendly. I am a pescatarian, and even the options for a fish-eater were limited. This is something that could be a barrier for others who want lots of choices that don't involve meat. But, then again, this is supposed to be Southern food, and when I first arrived here, I did learn that in the South, chicken salad is what they have in mind when you say "vegetarian." Beyond the food, this place has a lot going for it. The service was solid - never disruptive and very well informed. I luuurrvvvee the decor. It's very comfortable - the whole place reminds me of the better rooms at Miller Union. The only problem on this front is that it can be a bit loud. Also, it's connected to a hotel and office building, which almost gives it a hotel restaurant feel, which is certainly is not.

    (5)

  • mike p.

    Downside: no beers on tap, only in bottles or cans. Upsides: Great food (enjoyed the jars, friends all rave about the Farm Egg), good cocktails, Bocce court. All in all a solid, fun place. I'd definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Brandon B.

    I'm not entirely sure why I had lower expectations of this restaurant, but I was dead wrong. I am thoroughly impressed. Every single plate, from the snacks and apps, to the mains and desserts were impeccably prepared. The house cocktails were equally well done. Our server was prompt and attentive, albeit not the most engaging. With a party of 5, we were able to sample multiple dishes and none were a disappointment. Only the Trout Mousse and Boiled Peanut Hummus lacked a real "WOW". They were not done improperly or poorly, just compared to everything else they were a little "blah". One of the better meals I have had, ever. Excellent. Highly anticipating my next visit.

    (5)

  • Rachael I.

    I went to ESS over the summer with two of my best friends for lunch. Had heard such good things, and I was already such a huge fan of Five & Ten in Athens that I knew I had to try this place. First of all, I love the location of the place. It's really beautiful and the interior is laid out really well, almost cozy-like. I think we all ordered sandwiches. I got the po' boy. Food came out pretty quickly, and when it did, I was pretty excited. Overall, everything tasted great. My only minor complaint is the portion size. It was a pretty expensive sandwich, and I expected it to be bigger than the size of my hand. Granted though, I was reallyyy hungry, so maybe I just inhaled it too fast. Anyway, the quality was excellent, so I give it an A+ on taste. The real highlight though was the service. The guy seemed genuinely interested in making our experience a good one, especially when we told him it was our first visit. Also, when I started raving about Five & Ten, and told him we had been regulars at Hugh's Athens establishments, he brought us free dessert!! They were these small cakes (whoopie pies?) that were moist and gingery and just awesomely delicious. Total kudos to him for being awesome! Overall, I was impressed, and I will definitely come back for dinner sometime (the kimchi grits are calling my name =)

    (4)

  • Dizzles D.

    Was excited to try this place..so we decided to go for brunch with a group of friends. Beet salad was one of the most disappointing I have had EVER. Not only did it feel like they were just boiled....but there were less than 1/3 of a beet in the whole dish. Ordered the chicken sausage and the farm egg with crispy rice. Both dishes came out COLD....and trust me there is nothing worse than eating a cold poached egg. The one dish that was pretty good was the rabbit hash, coffee is good too....

    (2)

  • Nick M.

    Having eaten here previously I was excited to go back since our first experience was great. Our party included a chef from our of town. They were well aware that we had a visiting chef in our party which I thought would of anything provide a better experience for our group. My wife and I had the grilled octopus as an app and it was pretty tender but over salted. Service was terrible from beginning to end. Our server could not have known less about the menu and did not give a rip. There were only 5 mains, and she knew very little about any of them. I think we saw her 4 times total over the course of our 2 hour stay. The restaurant was not busy either, as we were not sat until close to 10:00 after a round of drinks at the bar. The drinks were excellent though. Their craft cocktails are tasty. The entrees we had, braised duck which was ok 6 of 10 and the lamb neck which was an 8 of 10. We had a party of 12, and most everyone ordered these same two, and thought pretty much the same in terms of their quality. To top it off, they never mentioned that they validate parking (found this out later after wondering how people would pay this ridiculous amount for 3 hours here) and we paid an $11.00 charge there on our way out. Atlanta has so many other great new restaurants, ie Miller Union or the Optimist so save yourself the disappointment.

    (2)

  • Laura F.

    As fans of 5 & 10 in Athens, my fiance and I had to try ESS for our Valentine's weekend date night. We went at 9 on a Saturday and had a great time! While waiting for our table, we went to the bar and ordered drinks. The Walk Down Alameda and Graffiti Lane were both tasty and poured to perfection, although the service was a little slow due to the crowd around the bar. We were seated at a small table in the middle of one of the dining rooms, which gave us the perfect vantage point to check out the decor and the other diners. :) Our waiter, Anthony, was AWESOME!!!!! He was so laid back, but with an obvious knowledge of the menu. We ended up letting him choose everything for us, since we were open to trying anything on the menu. He started us with the Charcuterie, which had an assortment of sausages, mustards, and pickled vegetables. Everything on the board was delicious! For our next course, Anthony chose two of the "Beginnings" for us--the Charred Octopus and the Tripe Stew. The octopus was cooked so perfectly, and the red peas complemented the subtle octopus taste to a T. The tripe stew, complete with hominy and roasted pork, was probably one of the most delicious things I have ever put in my mouth! The broth was so light and flavorful that we ended up getting more of the pretzel bread just to soak it all up! For our entree, we shared the Braised Shortrib, which was tender and moist. The bok choy and butternut squash were tasty as well. Just as we thought it couldn't get any better, we had the cocoa and farro for dessert, which was heaven on a spoon. We ate every bite! To sum, dinner was superb, especially the Tripe Stew. Service was 5-star and we would certainly ask for Anthony again. He truly made the evening for us, and was one of the best servers we have ever had! The drinks were well-made, the atmosphere was fun, and overall we had a blast!

    (5)

  • Mark D.

    The food is fantastic and the service is impeccable. There are so many good things on the menu. If you're not wanting to shell out the dough for a pricey dinner then try them for brunch instead. The deck parking is convenient and don't forget to have your ticket validated.

    (4)

  • Jay J.

    Gluten free culinary heaven. The tasting menu and wine pairing is off the chain. Can't wait to go back again (and again). Without giving up too much detail, the highlights were: Roasted Octopus w/ heirloom leeks, curry bologna vinaigrette, pickled tumeric, arugula blossoms (this was craaazy good) Strube Ranch Spinalis w/ bone marrow, bok choi, hedgehog mushrooms, tendon puff Popping Flan which was muscovado flan, oranges, yuzu foam, popping candy, celery sorbet paired with a glass of Madeira

    (5)

  • Vicky V.

    It was a nice place, great selection of fun cocktails. Do try one or more. They had some delish appetizers which I liked such as foie gras, oysters were wonderful . Overall it was fun and nice. The main dishes were not as good. Desserts were pretty interesting and unique.

    (3)

  • Laura N.

    I didn't like my dinner here, but Empire State South makes the most addictive and amazing cookies I've ever had. It's called the phatty cake ($2), which is a "spicy ginger cookie and vanilla mascarpone sandwich." I noticed that many lawyers and paralegals at my firm also share my addiction to the phatty cakes. You know you want one (or at least two). Today ESS catered for an awesome lunch featuring a low country boil (replete with a live folk band and a spread of corncobs, potatoes, sausages, shrimp, and lemons sitting directly on newspapers) for the 999 Peachtree building's tenants. The party was great, and the low country boil was really fresh although its flavor paled in comparison to the phatty cakes. Thanks, Empire State South!

    (3)

  • Melissa B.

    I've been so caught up in trying new spots in Atlanta that I'm still missing out on so many great places that have been around for a while. Luckily I finally tried Empire, I had a lovely first experience. For starters, the attached parking deck is free with validation so no hassle there. The seating is kind of miss-matched and pretty close together, but not in a stuffy way, in a fun homey way. I stole the wide, perfectly cushioned seat at our table and it was just perfect. Heavenly little chair I wanted to take home. Anyway, beyond the seating, the cocktails are well made, the servers are very friendly and know the menu, and the oysters are substantially sized (and their house hot sauce is a great compliment to them). That seems like enough convincing for me, but on top of that they have a bocce ball court outside and a nice long bar perfect for happy hour. And one more thing...this girl does not like or desire a steak, never has...but wait...raw steak? Yeah sure. The steak tartare is fantastic. Who knew!?

    (5)

  • Scott S.

    The place is beautiful and the food is delicious. The entrees are on the small side though for what they cost. I'm a 6' tall, 175 lb. man and I would have left there a little hungry if not for the bread and appetizer.

    (4)

  • Gretchen S.

    We REALLY enjoyed every sip and bit of our meal here! Our group of 4 ordered cocktails- I enjoyed the special Old Fashioned that evening. We started with the Snackies, or course! Hubby said these were the cleanest oysters he's ever had- and that is saying something! I still dream of the jars- oh that pimento cheese! And the charcuterie was perfect- requiring an extra basket of bread to finish off. For my entree I had the Darby Farms chicken. I NEVER order chicken out. I make it at home all the time and usually prefer to have something I would not make. Judging by the description, this, was going to be VERY special chicken- and it was! As much as I want to try everything on the menu, I will probably want to order it again! The wine recommendations were spot on, going with each of our entrees perfectly. While we were too full/satisfied to have dessert- I am looking forward to our return trip to try that portion of the menu. Lovely time!

    (5)

  • Arika S.

    Delicious spot for brunch in Midtown. Easy to make reservations for large groups and service was quick and good. I tried the monkey bread and pimento cheese appetizer which were both really tasty..would recommend them both. Portions were reasonable but not large by any means. Coffee was also really good. Would definitely go back here!

    (4)

  • Ana M.

    I have only been here for brunch and am split between giving this place 3 or 4 stars. maybe a 3.75- thus the 4. Thing is, there is nothing bad to say about this place. The bocce ball court outside is cool (though I have a thing against restaurants in the middle of big commercial buildings), the service is very good, the decor is cute. The food is good too- here's what we ordered: toast+pimento cheese/bacon spread- AWESOME. The bacon especially was caramelized, crunchy and salty. really liked this. Smoked trout salad- also a very good combination of flavors, the trout was not too smokey and instead very light in flavor and flaky in texture. I also really love some fall veggies in a salad- the roasted squash took this salad up a notch but still keeping this dish very heathy. It was a very good choice. Parsley root soup- the rest of my party really enjoyed this soup, I was expecting more complexity of flavor. The farro and apple really added some complexity, but there wasn't enough of it there for me to really get a good combination of flavors. It was good, but wouldn't order it again. Steak and egg- perfectly grilled steak, egg was just an egg. Why are people raving about this egg? I mean it's a fried egg. I needed to add some salt to it. Jalapeño and bacon biscuit- The confit pork on this dish was probably one of the best things I had that day, and likely one of the best pulled porks I have tasted. I don't remember the taste of the bacon on this dish, which means it probably wasn't showcased (weird considering it's in the title of the dish). The most disappointing part for me was the overcooked poached egg. What a shame. I expected this type of slip up to not occur in a restaurant such as this. Dessert- we ordered the cupcake to share. I was disappointed. The batter seemed a little dry, the fruit middle just kind of crumbled out, no real integration to the batter. I also did not enjoy the icing. I have to say others in my party did enjoy the icing. Drinks: Mocha and espresso were perfectly executioned. Props to the barista. The bolero, though probably not a brunch drink, was awesome. Mezcal rosemary heaven. I also tasted the bloody mary- definitely a keeper. All in all a solid brunch experience but I expected more. I wanted more creativity, better dessert options for brunch, more excitement. I ended up dropping $30, which was fine. I would return if recommended by a friend, but I won't be rushing to come here again myself.

    (4)

  • Jennifer C.

    One of my favorite meals of 2011! I came here over my holiday break with my dear friend Sarah. In lieu of a physical Christmas gift we decided to dine out instead - and no gift would have beat the meal we had! We went with the {SIX COURSE TASTING MENU} and everything was absolutely delightful. Our waiter asked if we mined sharing because sometimes the chef would provide two different plates instead of us both getting the same thing SCORE! We got some of the same dishes, some different ones, some on the menu and some off! I've been trying to lay off the bread lately but they have some delicious bread with pork rinds that I absolutely loved. A few of our favorite {ON MENU} items were {PRIME STEAK TAR TAR} holy yum, the combination of textures and flavors in this dish were spot on, this might be one of the most memorable things I had. We both also enjoyed the {SMOKED DUCK} and {PORK LION} both were well season and cooked to perfection. Off the menu we did get some amazing {TROUT} and this {LAMB} dish that I can't get out of my head. Wonderful, wonderful meal - definitely will be back!

    (5)

  • Matthew D.

    I am pretty sure I am the last person in America to get obsessed with Top Chef, but once I did join the rest of the country, I wanted to try Empire State South. I took a date who had been there before and wasn't wowed with it, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but let me kill the suspense now, we loved it. We were seated in the back dining room in a cozy little corner and a great view of the rest of the patrons. Which allowed us to preview a few dishes before ordering, which was great. And let's be honest, to eavesdrop on other tables, still the best reality TV out there today. I don't know what it is but when I see Tartare or Bone Marros on a menu I have a Pavlovian like response and I order it. I am glad I did, the Prime Steak Tartare crisp farro, fried egg, urfa chili, cheese puffs, radish, pickles, sorre was perfect. Add an egg to anything and it will always get my vote. Put some radish in there and I will propose. I was feeling adventurous so we followed the tartare up with some Grilled Octopus field peas, preserved tomato, carrot, sweet potato, harissa, turmeric. Now I have had some horrible Octopus experiences in my life but this was a home run. Grilled to perfection the acidity and the sweetness of the accompaniments made this the perfect second course. With our palettes properly revved up with shared the PA Duck, pickled blueberries sausage, confit leg, little gems, parsnip & the Speckled Trout, bacon dashi, gnocchi, kohlrabi & their greens, turnip, lonzino, nasturtium. I have just started to love duck and was rewarded here. The Trout was moist, bacon is still the most concrete proof there is a God and he like us and gnocchi, which can be so heavy was instead here the perfect compliment to the dish giving it a wonderful texture enhancing the mouth feel two-fold. To Recap: The Good: I really enjoyed myself here. The Sommelier was incredibly helpful, even if she was 10 times hipper than us. The food takes chances and hits much more than it misses. The atmosphere is loud and fun. The Bad: Location is a little hidden, but the parking garage makes it easy to walk to. The tables are rather close, so if you are looking for something a little more private I would head some where else. The Restaurant This Restaurant Most Resembles: The Gaslight Anthem. They rock!

    (4)

  • Cristina T.

    Food was awesome! We had the charred octopus (this might be the best octopus I've ever had) and the farm egg with crispy rice. I will definitely come back

    (5)

  • Tammy B.

    Fantastic dinner. It was our first time at Empire with two other couples. I had the scallops which were perfect. Great experience we'll be back soon. Thank you Cary!

    (5)

  • Laura G.

    Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic! The service really added to our night which is why I made this a 5 star review. Randy was our waiter and I will be requesting him upon our return. The atmosphere is also amazing. The food is always superb here. His night I had the short rib and my husband had catfish. We enjoyed everything so much and we're sad we didn't have room left for desert. We hope to be back soon! Tidbit- they stamp your parking garage ticket!

    (5)

  • Nekiba M.

    After reading Tom E.'s review and pick of their chicken sandwich it was love at first site. I ordered the chicken biscuit with pimento cheese and a side order of bacon. A bit messy but so good, the chicken was nice and crispy and the pimento cheese just set it off. I'm not much of a pimento cheese person but it went really well with the chicken biscuit. I devoured that thing quickly kind of disappointed that I did that but it was good. Their iced coffee was good also. The décor was industrial with a bit of country style as seen with the iced coffee served in mason jars and the adorable little tablets the checks came in. Being a crafts person I was looking at how the mason jars, something I might use later. They also have little sweets on a table which caught somebodies eye, with strawberry donuts, quiche, and so on. If breakfast was this good, I'll definitely have to check out lunch or dinner. Thanks to Tanya C. for organizing the earliest UYE I ever been to. Not sure if I can do this again but it was good.

    (4)

  • Jason F.

    Two restaurants in Atlanta tied for the James Beard Award for best chef in the Southeast-- Restaurant Eugene and Empire State South. And now, having been lucky enough to try both, I would have to say that Restaurant Eugene should have won outright. The food at Empire State South was great, but it wasn't quite good enough to justify the hype. Ambiance: Empire State South's location is fantastic, though difficult to find. It sits in a courtyard facing away form the street (if you are trying to find the restaurant you should call and ask where to park because the restaurant is not visible from the street). The decor/ambiance has a sort of rustic farmhouse meets city feel to it which is interesting and refreshing, in a way. There is also an amazing outdoor space which is no doubt popular when the weather is nice. Service: The service was great. Our waitress was friendly, had good taste in wine, and was surprisingly knowledgeable about the cooking methods used for each dish. Not many waitresses/waiters stay up to date on modern French cooking techniques or gastronomy. The Booze: Also excellent, If I worked in midtown I would definitely be a regular here, which also may mean I would quickly run out of money. Anyways, whoever picked their wines did a great job, and while I stuck to wine when we visited, I suspect the mixed drinks wouldn't disappoint. Food: My steak tartare was excellent and the farm egg was sous-vide'd perfectly. The main course was a slightly different story. I had the duck breast with red beans and roasted peppers. While the duck breast was cooked to the perfect temperature, the beans were over-salted and the pepper component seemed like an afterthought. With essentially just beans and duck, the dish left me looking for something to counterbalance it that I just didn't have. The dessert course was lovely, playful and intriguing-- and of course, delicious-- but I think it was a hair on the sweet side for me, although people with a different taste for sweets may disagree! While I realize my complaints seem a bit nit-picky, for a restaurant that won a James Beard Award, I admit to setting my standards fairly high. When I compare Empire State South and Restaurant Eugene, I can't help but wonder what it was that got the judges to review Empire so well. I was concerned that I just hadn't chosen my meal well, but the other diners agreed that it fell slightly short of their expectations. The food was good, but honestly I've already forgotten parts of the meal. It didn't 'wow' me, and I am not aching to return. On the other hand, I could still tell you every detail of the meal I had at Restaurant Eugene. My advice? Come for the drinks and an appetizer. Depending on your tastes, the rest may not be worth the money.

    (4)

  • Megan E.

    My husband and I went here for late night drinks and dessert after a show at the Fox. For 10:30 at night the place was still pretty crowded but we were seated right away. The place immediately reminded me of JCT Kitchen, but JCT is a lot better in my opinion. Then again, we only had cocktails and dessert... We ordered the Pimm's cup (my husband's drink, I took a sip and didn't care for it, but that's because I don't like gin) and an amaretto sour. They're served in mason jars which is a unique touch. The dessert menu was rather disappointing-hoity toity stuff when all we wanted a simple piece of chocolate cake or ice cream. We ended up ordering a $7 dish that consisted of maybe a dozen raspberries, cherries and blackberries, on top of a moussey white chocolate cream that I could have easily replicated at home. It was pretty but there wasn't much to it, and it certainly wasn't worth 7 bucks. Our waitress was OK but seemed annoyed that we didn't want to order dinner. She definitely was more attentive to the other tables around us. I took a look at the dinner menu and it didn't sound that great either so if I ever do come back, I'll probably just sit at the bar and order a cocktail.

    (2)

  • Joe L.

    Visiting from out of town and thought this place was great. Super friendly staff, Lindsey was v nice, and unique food and drink. No joke on farm to table and organic options on menu. Farm egg app, fancy quail, and pork loin dish were delicious. Def a must try.

    (4)

  • Rhett J.

    I wish I had read the recent reviews before going. I feel like I need a birthday do-over! This restaurant has been on my go-to list for awhile and had great reviews in the past. The service was spectacular - opposite of several reviews here, but the food was not tasty. We had the Jars to start with, the farm-egg, pork scrapples, the chicken, lamb, and flounder - all lacked flavor and were just strange. 3 of our party felt sickness for the remainder of the night. I started to give this a 3 star, but if you look at the description by each rating - Eek! Methinks not. I wouldn't go back.

    (1)

  • Eva W.

    Was home for a week and caught up with some friends here. Took advantage of the nice weather and sat in the spacious outside seating area surrounding the courtyard. Good place to knock back some wine and chill. Service was okay, I found the food to be both tasty and innovative. I thought it was a good Asian/Southern fusion. I really liked the farm egg, which the server said is their most popular appetizer. The mixture of the soft runny egg with crunchy rice was a good combination. Also liked the crisp pork belly with corn kimchi. I didn't really get the kimchi flavor, as the corn was a bit overpowering, but nonetheless overall still a good dish. People generally seemed to be happy with their food, and a friend seemed to really like the duck breast. Don't expect true southern food, but if you have an open mind, this won't disappoint.

    (4)

  • Amanda W.

    I want to like this place, but it's just not a good value for lunch. Definitely don't go here if you're a vegetarian. The only vegetarian option is to do the super foods plate WITHOUT steak. The catch? The dish costs $18 with or WITHOUT the steak. Such a ripoff. $18 for vegetables for LUNCH! I, on the other hand, just paid $14 for 4 shrimp in some broth. Ridiculous.

    (2)

  • Andrea G.

    I was stuck in Atlanta for two days during the end-of-January snow disaster, and I was only in a good mood because I thought, hey, this gives me a chance to visit Empire State South! After seeing Hugh Acheson on Top Chef about a million times, I finally wanted to get to one of his restaurants. The interior is gorgeous, a kind of hipstery Southern mashup, and the staff were extremely friendly and knowledgable about the menu and the food. For lunch, I started with a cold-brewed Earl Grey tea, which was poured (a bit pretentiously) table-side into a mason jar. I forgave the pretentiousness because the tea was fantastic; I had to ration out sips so that I wouldn't finish it before my main had arrived. As an appetizer, I got the pimiento cheese and bacon marmelade with toast. The toast was perfectly warm and buttery, thick cut but not so crunchy as to make it hard to eat. The pimiento cheese itself was quite good, but it was layered underneath the bacon marmelade in a little jar, so it was impossible to get to the cheese itself, and as the marmelade itself was quite sweet, the whole thing, once smothered on the bread, ate sweet as well. If the two spreads came in two jars instead of one, you could more easily proportion the perfect bite. (Just a suggestion...) My main was the porchetta sandwich with tomato soup served in a baby mason jar. The sandwich, which layered porchetta, onions, and whole grain mustard, was GIGANTIC, so I wound up tossing aside the top bun and eating the filling with a fork. The bread was crunchy on the outside and spongy on the inside, but there was just too much of it to cram into my mouth, so I opted to privilege the meat, which was truly incredible--juicy, salty (but not overly so), fatty (again, not overly so), and balanced nicely by the onions and mustard. The soup was equally good, I only wish I had been served more of it. In fact, what I would have loved was a much smaller sandwich and a much bigger portion of soup (preferably not in a tiny jar, which made it harder to eat than necessary). It seems that at Empire State South, the flavor is all there, but the quirks of plating--in particular the insistence on baby mason jars--makes for some less than ideal proportions of those flavors. If they could just re-calibrate that a bit, the food would be perfection. All that said, I will gladly visit ESS again if I'm ever in Atlanta and will heartily recommend it to friends.

    (4)

  • Angela M.

    We went in knowing nothing about this place, other than it had just opened, and it was within walking distance of our location at the time. We were pleasantly surprised to find such a homey space in the bottom of an Atlanta skyscraper. The three at the hostess stand were not terribly inviting, but then again, we were still in our Tech game day clothes. We didn't have reservations (we didn't know this place was a big deal), and we asked to sit outside, which seemed to have them flustered. They asked if we'd mind the cocktail table at the edge, which was perfectly sized for 2, had us wait a minute while they got it situated, and then seated us. No worries at all, though it seemed by their expressions that we'd thrown them for a loop. The outside space is quite pleasant, though my 6-month pregnant posterior could've used a more comfortable chair, or at least some kind of cushion. We were most impressed by the bocce court, complete with chalk board for keeping score, and green wooden lawn chairs. It definitely helped that the fall air had arrived, and it was the most pleasant evening Atlanta had seen in ages. We'll have to try the cocktails when I'm not expecting, since they sounded quite interesting. Jimmy ordered the split pea soup and the quail. I ordered the antipasti platter and the plate of sides (veggie plate). The food was beautifully presented (see my pictures!). The anitpasti platter looked like something out of Southern Living and featured deviled eggs, tea sandwiches (egg salad, chicken salad, pimento cheese), spiced pecans, pickled vegetables, and cream cheese with red pepper jelly. The sandwiches had good flavor, but were dry, as if they'd been prepared well in advance: egg salad was curried; chicken salad was smooth with orange, apple, celery, and pecan; pimento cheese was chunky. The deviled eggs came with bacon bits, but were watery. Jimmy's favorite was the red pepper jelly with cream cheese, but mine was the spiced pecans. I would definitely be willing to try the platter again with a cocktail. Jimmy's split pea soup was the unexpectedly chunky and really flavorful. For my plate of 5 sides, I chose the collard greens, okra, green beans, sautéed cucumbers, and the macaroni and cheese. The plate also came with either a yeast roll or skillet cornbread, and I chose the cornbread. The cornbread was a little too dense and spongy, and the bottom was not as crispy as I prefer. The green beans were crunchy with fennel and some kind of white sauce - good, but forgettable. The collards could've benefited from a little more spice to balance the sweetness. The sautéed cucumbers tasted like warm pickles, in a good way. The okra was prepared as I'd never seen before - in long slices, pan roasted with almonds. Delicious! Very flavorful in a subtle way, rather than relying on spicy batter and fried as I'm so used to seeing around town. The macaroni and cheese was the best I've had in Atlanta, possibly ever. I'm not someone who's easily sold on m&c since it really is an art to get the right blend of cheese and flour in the sauce, spread it evenly amongst the noodles, and maintain the texture of the whole dish. This perfect little cast iron pot of m&c had an excellent cheese sauce, perfect texture, with bubbly cheese and browned bread crumbs on top. DIVINE. 5 stars for it alone! I'd asked for a to-go box early, since there was no way that my small stomach could eat the antipasti platter and finish the plate of 5 sides. Still the server showed us the dessert menu so we'd know what to save room for next time. I was most intrigued by the peach ice cream with cayenne-lemon madeleine. And what do you know? Our server comes out with the check and that ice cream for us to share! That definitely sealed the deal. While I usually prefer hard-packed to soft-serve ice cream, this had great peach flavor, particularly with the bits of peach on top. The cayenne was subtle in the madeleine, but it was enough to perfectly cut the sweetness of the madeleine and the ice cream. Other than the slight awkwardness with the hostess station, the service was wonderful. Our server was friendly and unpretentious. The staff worked well together to keep our tiny water glasses filled, never reaching over us or hovering. The floor manager was walking around checking on everything with a very sweet smile on her face that seemed as if she really was enjoying her evening. And though I don't know him (but I guess I should based on the name dropping in the other reviews), the chef was talking with two of the patrons on the bocce court, which added to the atmosphere of going to someone's house for an upscale garden party rather than being at a new downtown restaurant. This will definitely be our first choice for pre-symphony dining!

    (5)

  • Christian M.

    Ate here last month as part of my team end of the year lunch at my office. Was somewhat afraid of the menu as I am a very picky eater. I ended up ordering the farm egg and am glad I did. Was so delicious and wanted more! I didn't realize it was an appetizer of sorts so was let down with the size. Next time I'll order two! Though the prices are high, the food more than makes up for it. And the service was great. We were a big table and they could not have been more accommodating. Cannot wait to go back again.

    (5)

  • Anita C.

    We ordered the farm egg and beef tartare as apps. The catfish and trout as our entrees. The farm egg was really really good and unique. We were hesitant at first but loved it so much more than the beef tartare. I highly recommend the farm egg. Both of the fish dishes were good. No complaints there but not extraordinary enough to give them 4 stars. This place was extremely hard to find!!! It's part of a large building and the entrance is hidden. I don't know if I will be able to find it very easily if I go again...

    (3)

  • Jess B.

    I have eaten at ESS on several occasions and have never had a bad dish. Their cocktails are always really interesting and their wine list never disappoints. Plus, both their bartenders and wait staff are really knowledgeable and can help you pair your cocktail or wine with your meal. My husband and I live close, so we've walked several times for a casual weekend brunch or for cocktails and an app with our pup out by their bocce court. Their dishes are not cheap, but for brunch it really is not a bad deal. I always love their "in jars" app or just the pimento cheese itself (I mean pimento cheese topped w/ bacon jam... what's not to like?) We've had dinner twice and both times I've loved my entrees. We tried their red velvet cake when we recently went for my birthday and I was super impressed- it's not overly sweet, but moist and delicious! Finally, I just love this place's overall ambiance! And after living in Athens for many years during undergrad and law school, I will always support a Hugh Acheson endeavor!

    (5)

  • Kristen M.

    I loved my dinner at ESS! Even if the food hadnt been great, I think I'd go back again based on the service and atmosphere alone. Everyone was SO friendly and nice. You'd think in a place as nice as ESS they'd be a little stuck up, but everyone was wonderful. My table shared the In Jars, which were great just like all the other reviewers said, and the oysters, which came w/ cute little vial sauces to try. For my meal I had the pecan frommage ravioli & brussel sprouts -- both were amazing. Yes it was a pricey meal, but it was worth the overall experience. Would love to go back!

    (5)

  • Seanan O.

    My husband and I dined here for lunch February 28, 2013. Service was outstanding. Knowledgable about the ingredients in the entree and offered to provide simple syrup for sweet tea. Outstanding Atmosphere was excellent. Comfy chairs nice vibe. Food: the Pimento cheese app was to die for. Loved it. My entree.. pork loin: didn't love it but I think I just ordered something that didn't suit my tastes, willing to try again. My husband loved his lamb dish. Overall a great experiene. four stars because I didn't care for how the pork loin was cooked and kinda overall mooshy texture of dish. I would come back and give it another shot.

    (4)

  • CC S.

    Several of us had dinner here on a Thursday night at the end of February. After we drove around the block a few times to find it, we were greeted warmly and seated quickly. We started with oysters, artisan cheeses, and charcuterie. All were really good and enjoyed by everyone. Our main courses were the lamb, grouper, and trout. Again, all were good, but nothing blew us away. The staff were very attentive, helpful, and nice. The next night we went to a Ramen restaurant and everyone kept saying, "Wow," over and over. I didn't have that feeling with Empire State South. It was great to try it out, but I didn't have anything that would bring me back.

    (3)

  • Katie W.

    I've never been here for dinner but I've been here a few times for brunch. I like their brunch a lot. First off, their coffee is very good and their bloody Caesar cocktail is excellent. My first brunch experience included a fried green tomato BLT (on whole wheat bread!). It came with a very nice little side salad but I also ordered a side of fruit salad. My fruit salad side was excellent and huge, with apples, peaches, oranges, grapefruits and probably something else. The next time I was there, I was alone and sat at the bar (it was between workouts). I had the oatmeal, a side of fruit and a side of bacon. All were excellent. I really love the oatmeal here. It's served with crème fraiche, fruit, and milk and is just lightly sweetened. It's a great standard. I think I had the oatmeal again the next time I was there but I also sampled my dining companions' dishes (lots of them - I can't remember names - but they were all really tasty). I probably should come here for dinner sometime but I seem to always be walking by here during brunch hours and that's when I get sucked in. Overall, the staff is very nice but there is one guy who's a little haughty when you arrive (he is much happier if you have a reservation). Also, the bocce court is very cool in good weather (you can bring drinks out there, too!).

    (4)

  • Lauren P.

    Another Saturday with my favies Elizabeth H. and Laura W. We opted to check out brunch at Empire State South. Thank goodness Elizabeth had already been to the restaurant for dinner or else I wouldn't have known where to park! The parking deck is hidden behind the restaurant next to the hotel, and it's free with a validation from the restaurant. I love the space! Hugh Acheson did a great job in choosing his flagship Atlanta restaurant. Too bad the weather was crappy thus preventing us from enjoying the outdoor seating and bocce. We nestled into a booth then ordered up some coffee concoctions. Elizabeth and I both had the Cortado: a velvety mix of espresso and steamed milk. I loved the bold flavor however Elizabeth added a little sugar. Laura chose the Chai which she seemed to enjoy. Our brunch began with the Hugh's breakie - a small platter of grilled bread, local brie, butter and a delicious homemade jam. We couldn't quite determine the fruits included in the jam though cranberries seemed to be the main ingredient. It was fresh and delicious. We asked for more bread which was granted free of charge. Brunch continued with an assortment of breads accompanied by champagne pear butter, which came in a cute jar that I took home afterwards. I served the butter with wine, cheese and bread later that evening and it rocked! Elizabeth had the Jalapeno and Bacon biscuit which she graciously shared. The flavors were phenomenal! I'd never think to pair confit pork with a poached egg. Laura chose the oatmeal which looked yummy. Perfect comfort food for a rainy Saturday. Since I was struggling with the sniffles I just ordered up more coffee, this time opting for a cafe au lait. Perfectly prepared reminiscent of the coffee I love so much with beignets. This restaurant is another fabulous notch in Acheson's acclaimed belt. We'll be back to Empire State South to sample more goodies plus play some bocce.

    (4)

  • AJ W.

    Great appetizers. Jars and the farm egg on crunchy puffed rice are my favorites. Steak here is amazing too.

    (5)

  • Elaine N.

    I have to admit....I am a little bit of a foodie and always interested in the best and most interesting on the culinary scene...so was excited for ESS. Went with a group of four people for brunch last Sunday with a mixed result. - Service was pretty good...started to get a little lax at the end of brunch service - The bacon-pimento cheese spread is as good as advertised by other reviewers - We had the pumpkin monkey bread which was a sweet and nutty treat...get this - Coffees were very good - Oyster stew was lovely and fresh...a beautiful plate - English muffin(homemade), candied bacon, egg and pepper jelly rocked my friend's world - Only issue was the legendary "Farm Egg" dish. I ordered with high expectations...you try not to but there were so very many good reviews. It was not good. The rice was crunchy and very greasy...the hot dog part cooked to a shriveled mass and the egg was undercooked. I was so sad. It needed about 3 more egg yolks to make acceptable and was hella salty. The bocce courts and overall cool decor and vibe are amazing. We will be back and hopefully no farm egg involved. :-)

    (3)

  • Erin L.

    Jars!! Get the jars!!! Yummy deviled, pickled, salty delicousness. If you're me, you make them a meal paired with some awesome bourbon cocktail. If you're not me, and you want to read more, check out my mini-review here: eattalk.net/2012/08/post…

    (4)

  • Liz D.

    You know a place is good when you make plans to return the moment you leave. And when you remember a meal ALL day long. Even after having other great meals that day. The Farm Egg is just amazing. One of the best brunch items I have ever had. We also had the English Muffin, which as also good, but not nearly as good as the Farm Egg. The crunchy rice, with the runny egg and mushrooms, sausage, corn- melded together, formed the greatest savory flavor. Get here on Sundays for this brunch item. We came on a busy weekend for Atlanta, and still didn't need reservations. Parking is free in the parking garage with validation, if you park in the same building as the restaurant. Also, the ambiance was great, the service was great- really, no complaints. Just great food.

    (5)

  • Valvacious C.

    I have gone before for breakfast on Sunday. I love the atmosphere and the food. But for some reason the biscuits were not good. They were wet inside and they tried to grill them instead of baking them. They were so wet that they kept falling apart even though I had a second order. The guys said yes we see what you mean and they comped my food. Hopefully they will go back to baking biscuits..not grilling them otherwise I will not get this item again.

    (2)

  • Brad L.

    I have been here several times now. The restaurant is quiet nice and they just added a sweet back patio. It's perfect for those summer nights. The food is delicious too but my complaint is that it is very pricy. Now I don't consider myself cheap or expect portion sizes where I need to bring left overs home but I do expect to be full when I leave. That won't happen here unless you get two dishes. Last time I got shrimp and asparagus. It was really good. No complaints what's so ever. The staff is really nice too but could be a little faster. Overall nice restaurant and probably will be returning but I would like a little cheaper prices.

    (3)

  • Stephanie A.

    Located in the 999 building on Peachtree is Hugh Acheson's Empire State South. What you get here is tremendous skill in every plate of food, innovate menu line up and solid service. Serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner anytime is the right time here. Inside it's casually comfortable and a very spacious bar area. Surprisingly the bar area was quite vibrant on a Tuesday and every table full. Warm charming and well informed staff attended to our every need. The menu is farm to table upscale southern. It changes often and I mean OFTEN. What I outline here likely may not be available when you chose to visit. A few house staples that don't depend on the season are steadfasts. A note on the drink menu is that there are some house bottled cocktails along with the lineup of beers, wines and signature cocktails. If you order a canned beer you get an Empire State South cozy to keep it cool. The jars starter. 5 jars of spreadables served with toasted sourdough fingers. A signature standout is the pimento cheese with bacon marmalade on top. Wow. This is not to be missed. My companion emphatically said it is 'slap yo mama good!" I wholeheartedly agree minus the maternal violence. Deviled ham is nicely seasoned with some pickle inside and topped with mustard seeds. Another win. Less successful is the trout spread. Lacks creaminess and any sort of defined flavor. And least successful is the boiled peanut hummus. Pasty and flavorless but nice texture. I had one bite and didn't go back for more. The 5th jar is pickled veg assortment. Bright and vibrant. Farm egg is in a small crock very lightly cooked. Its set atop a very crisp rice based hash of Carolina gold rice, house made dice of hot dog, maitake and nettles. This combination changes regularly but the gist is a solidly executed concept. The egg is broken and dresses the hash. The rice stays impossibly crisp. This showed great restraint as it could have gone overseasoned, undercooked or unbalanced. It's perfect. Pork belly over kimchi grits with crunchy peanut garnish. Certainly one of the better pork belly dishes I've had. Another impossibly perfect cook on the belly. Nicely cooked grits but the flavor as a whole composed dish was a little off. The kimchi lended a bit too much acid but still a very solid dish. soft shell great devilishly spicy and seasonal. I am reluctant to even comment on this as it likely won't be there when you go. If it is, get it. The chef treats it well. I had the strawberry dessert of the day. What an incredibly intense flavor experience! INSTANTLY MY HEAD SHOUTED STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER AND EVER! The ice cream had crisp meringue and crisp rice for texture and it was served in a bowl atop strawberry juicy soup. The flavor balance could not have been better. Chocolate mint flourless cake with kisses of chocolate mousse melted in my mouth. Garnished with lovely chocolate spun sugar and fresh mint the dish is completely successful. Well executed coffee menu, dessert drinks and cheese course are all available to finish you night as you see fit. 9 out of 10 for ESS.

    (4)

  • Matthew L.

    Another farm to table restaurant which resembles restoration hardware. I really like the lawn bowling outside. The food was decent, with large portion sizes. I really enjoyed the jars of starters. There were some cheese dips and pickled vegetables. We shared almost all of the entrees on the menu. Some of the highlights were the pork belly, kimchi rice grits, and mixed black eyed peas. They also have a unique group of craftsman cocktails served in mason jars. My one comment having been making rounds around the country is that while it is a good restaurant, they food and decor are not unique. The prices are a bit higher than similar restaurants nation wide.

    (4)

  • Kirk L.

    My rating is based on 1 visit for brunch. And it was possibly the best brunch I've ever had in Atlanta. I had the steak and eggs. The steak was great, and the hash it was served over was far and away the best hash of any sort I've ever had. It was unreal. My gf had the shrimp and grits, where were hands down the best shrimp and grits I've ever had - incredibly creamy and flavorful, with perfectly cooked shrimp. The pimiento cheese with bacon marmalade was also outstanding. I also had a bloody caeser to drink, which was a surprisingly light drink - it was good, but I'd probably try something else next time. Service was good, although a bit slow (despite the restaurant only being half full, I got the impression our server had a lot of tables spread all over the place, so I won't fault her. Also a fan of the ambiance and decor. One negative - the "european style" seating along one wall (long booth with tables side by side close to each other so you can easily hear the conversation at the next table. I understand the practicality of this layout, and the spacing was better at ESS than other restaurants that have this style of seating (we weren't right on top of our neighbors), but I still despise it - I generally avoid restaurants with it (I'll probably make an exception for ESS).

    (5)

  • Ryan A.

    I have to say that Empire State South insists upon itself. VERY limited menu and only overly complicated cuisine. We spent over $400 on four people and were at best mildly impressed. Only go if you are looking to challenge your palette with creative, yet considerably complicated cuisine. Overpriced and presumptuous fare. We won't be returning.

    (1)

  • Jay S.

    I love this place. Food is creative, wine pairings are excellent. Brunch or in the evening I've been there 4 times and all were outstanding. This is rapidly becoming my favorite restaurant in Atlanta.

    (5)

  • Susan B.

    Empire State South is getting stale and complacent. Are they really still serving those overly heavy mini mason jars of spreads? They are tasty but yawn, boring. Our waiter on our last visit was excellent but the 3, count them 3, hostesses were all clueless and seemed to be confused about why they were even there. From a greet and seat point of view, it felt like we were at Chili's.

    (2)

  • Farrah A.

    I was kickin' it with Southern Belle Kathleen M for a day and a half, and being "The Mayor" that she is, she introduced me to this new-ish Midtown resto for a light lunch. This was a great pick. On this gorgeous day, outside dining would have been perfect, but unfortch for us, the rest of the diners there thought the same thing; so inside, we sat. Not a complete dissapointment. We had plenty of elbow room and A/C to keep us pleased as we dined over ther minimal menu. Wanting to keep it "healthy-ish," we sadly turned down the Mac N Cheese (but Kathleen, please go back and let me know how that story ends) and opted for salads, fruit and other "ladies who lunch" creations. I got The Trio, along with a side of chopped watermelon and mint. Refreshing choice, but I could have done without the shavings of onions. Onions are certainly used in abundance here, and I had to pick much off my Trio salads too. All in all, I think this is a great spot for Midtowners to make way for a pleasant lunch. And we dined for a little over $30 total.

    (4)

  • Henrik C.

    Went to Empire State South for Sunday Brunch. The restaurant is at the corner of 10th and Peachtree Street. Great location. The restaurant has both indoor and patio seating. Indoors the ambiance is a bit retro but quite nice. So we had great expectations. The menu card has a limited selection but supposedly great quality food. Have to say that I was not too impressed by the available choices. Ended up getting sides of fries, eggs and bacon. My partner had the BLT sandwich. The sides arrived in random order (not at the same time) and not at the same time as the sandwich. Clearly not a well organized / scheduled kitchen. The fries were good, the eggs drowned in oil and the bacon crisp, but dry. So not much of a culinary experience. The BLT sandwich should have been named a LT sandwich with a hint of B. So I have to say the food here is at best OK. The coffee was bitter (the kinds of bitterness you get from leaving it cooking for a couple of hours). My partner had the freshly squeezed grape fruit juice. It tasted "funny". The service was inattentive and even another waiter said to us - "not sure what is going on here". So what can I say - Great location - Well not sure about the menu - Wondering about kitchen organization - Service - aaaahhh hmmm Safe to say that we might not try this again. In honesty we only tried the brunch, so maybe dinner is OK. However they are not trying very hard.

    (2)

  • Alex V.

    This was a case of really wanting to like a place and it never really meeting with expectations. Perhaps it would have been better had I resisted the urge to actually trust the staff's recommendations for dinner choices. The staff was not very knowledgeable, or helpful. Poor recommendations as to wine &/or cocktail pairings, not attentive and for a "nicer" place a bit disorganized and under dressed. To begin I had the farm egg, which to the point was overly sweet and while I did eat it, I was a forced eating and rather unejoyable. The pork tenderloin was phenomenal. The only saving grace of the whole evening. I might give it another try, but as of now it would not be a top choice

    (3)

  • Joel Y.

    Have only had their coffee and pastries. Perfect, especially after my dentist's appointment..lol. They were above average, Service was slow even with two people sitting at the bar. I had to ask the server for a menu after she walked by me a few times and then she seemed put off when I asked for water before I made my decision. When I asked for a latte she should she would be right with me and continued cutting some item, limes I think, in preparation for the bar that day. Was put off by that experience but I will give it another shot and go back for dinner. T

    (2)

  • Brian C.

    Get the jars.

    (4)

  • Mo H.

    Double date night with old friends. We sat at the bar and ordered drinks...which were top notch. I started with the Tamboo which was great, but I needed something a little less sweet so I switched to the Street Legal. For food we tried an octopus dish, the farm egg and the jars with all the delicious spreads such as pimento cheese with bacon, trout, peanut hummus and ham. I can't say enough about the food, it was delicious. The bartenders were great too, different personalities, a some a little less bubbly but great considering it was a busy Saturday night. It's definitely on the expensive side, but nothing was out of place and no flavor was off. I would go back in a heart beat!

    (4)

  • Mr. C.

    Don't bother because there are to many other restaurants that know how to treat clients with a smile and respect. Its a shame that this establishments staff has such a condescending attitude. The food I must say is great but unfortunately you have to pay for the bad service also. this is the email I sent them I would just like to express my complete disappointment and horrible experience with your restaurant Friday night, May 31st. It started with the minute we walked in for our 9:30 reservation. First we had to wait 30 plus minutes to be seated. Not so much of a huge deal but that was my 6th time there and I never had to wait more then 10 minutes max. Second was when we ordered two each of about six types of oysters, our waiter told us that was to hard to do and a lot of trouble. We looked at him and just said "can you make it happen". Third incident was after we had our wine and water served. A lady, who supposedly was the manager, came to our table and said she would like to move us because there was a big party coming in. She wanted to place us in the left corner dinning room. That area just happens to be the worst service area in your establishment. We told her only if we had a banquet in the right dinning area would we move. She was a bit insistent and we had to be stern and said no. That incident led me to believe that we were not welcomed there. Fourth, after our oysters were served and the empty platter taken it was an hour later, yes an hour, when I ask the waiter what the deal was with the rest of our order. He said he would check, I told him "if its not here within one minute then cancel the food and bring us the bill for the wine and oysters. Come on an hour, that's just wrong. The food came immediately after that. Once we finish our dinner and the plates were taken the lady manager came to the table and we express our experience of which she quickly did nothing but give excuses. It was apparent she could care less what happen much less about us. We also told her that the "big party" was apparently not an issue ( wasn't big at all) so why did she insist on moving us, it was no different then any other given night with people all over the place. Finally the owner came out to just explain the delays. With his pompous and arrogant attitude it was quite clear that as far as he was concern he had zero care about what anything. I have to say its a shame because the food there is great. The service, the owner, the way you speak and treat your customers not great and totally unacceptable. We will most likely not go there again and I know you probably don't give a crap about this email but I wanted to send it regardless. I only I wish I could return your cookbook now, cause I don't want it. Mr C

    (2)

  • Rob C.

    Solid all around and good beer selection including several ipa's. I started with the pork belly with grits and Carmel corn : it was delicious, but the ginger on the bottom wasn't necessary. I then moved on to the prime rib-eye roll with marrow foam, foraged mushrooms, kale and polenta. It was an awesome, inventive southern menu - and one you'll pay for. I think my total was over $75.

    (4)

  • rachel c.

    First and foremost, I HATE writing this review, but have to be honest. I love the chef, the menu, the concept EVERYTHING! So why 2 stars? Well first they forgot my dining companions water. Then they forgot my drink. From there it went south. We asked our server for recommendations. I said I was looking for a dish that was lighter and had seafood. My companion said he was hungry and asked about some large dishes that we saw come out of the kitchen. For me the server recommended a oyster stew and for my friend an egg and sausage dish. The oyster stew was very rich and creamy with bacon and grits...not exactly light. There were three oysters but plenty of bacon. My friends dish came out and I almost laughed. It was maybe 3 inches by 5. My friend polished it off in 10 minutes but luckily I was done with poking around my grits for oysters at that point. By the time the server came back to check on us his first question was what else he could get y friend. I found it really annoying that he had picked such a small dish hoping for my friend to order two when the dishes he knew we were looking at were large plates. I pray to have the opportunity to come back and attempt it again because I know it should be amazing.

    (2)

  • Chris S.

    Perfect for townies who have lost touch with their rural cousins and need to be reminded of what real food tastes like without having to bear the burden of actually-satisfying portions.

    (4)

  • Shirley Z.

    WTF, LUNCHBOX. Let me first say that this review is not based on the dine-in experience. It's strictly for their "picnic box" idea. Empire State South has this awesome gourmet lunchbox/picnic box idea that had me talking for months. Of course that's before I tried the food. What started off as a unique idea, fail to deliver on the most important part..... the "gourmet" food. here's the link to what I'm talking about. empirestatesouth.com/lun… My poor boyfriend decided to be extra sweet one day and ordered the lunchbox so we can have a romantic lunch together at piedmont park. Everything was amazing until we tasted the food. Now, I am not a food snob, therefore do not take this as an exaggeration... but it was so bad/bland/cold that we both couldn't eat it. I was hoping to pull up exactly what I had, but it seems like the menu has changed minus the stupid/bland carrots. Poor guy was so disappointed that he didn't even want to take the lunchbox back to them. SO GUYS, if you want to impress your special lady. This is not a good idea. If you are down to waste $30+ and two trips to the restaurant and one disappointing lunch/girlfriend... then you are an idiot.

    (1)

  • Dan S.

    Location is next to impossible to find, hidden in back corner of office building, but don't let that stop you. This is terrific, loca-vore food, done well. We went with a group when down for a meeting. Pork Fritter with Swiss Chard was a great little app and takes a nice winter vegetable and showcases it. Similarly the pork with Kale had a nice balance of bitter and sweetness to compliment another winter dish. That type of creativity (and good service) makes this a place to easily recommend in the midTown area.

    (4)

  • David W.

    Most thought provoking wine list, incredible food, great service makes me a repeat visitor. Lost their pastry chef and prices have creeped up a few bucks or else I would give it five stars.

    (4)

  • Tanya F.

    Empire State South's space is gorgeous. Decorated in deep hues of blue with distressed accent furniture and dark wood floors, the design is chic and understated. We ordered the octopus salad, duck breast and the lamb special as entrees and the truffles for dessert. The octopus was tender and a bit fibrous--almost like chunks of chicken breast. It's served with a brush of GA quince puree that complements the salad beautifully. And the special? Well, in _Kitchen Confidential_ Anthony Bourdain warns diners to stay away from a restaurant's "special." He says it's how chefs get rid of not just the overstock, but the older stuff that's nearing the expiration date. I've never really taken it to heart. I'm easily seduced by a server's eloquent descriptions and will often roll the dice. It was a low roll this time, I'm afraid. The lamb special was disappointing. When I heard it was prepared sous vide medium rare and then roasted to order I was literally giddy with anticipation. I expected a brown crusted exterior with a pink tender center. Unfortunately the lamb came out mostly well done with some medium well spots in the middle. All in all it was gamy, chewy, mostly grey and all together unexciting. On a brighter note, the highlight of dinner was the duck. Absolutely phenomenal. The skin was crispy and salty and the flesh perfectly medium rare. Tender, savory and skillfully seasoned, I highly recommend it. Dessert was chocolate truffles rolled in cake crumbs and then deep fried served with orange sorbet. They were delicious and oozed rich melted chocolate with every bite. I thought the decadent chocolate would fight with the acidic sweetness of the sorbet, but they really worked well together. If a dinner at ESS is in your immediate future, skip the lamb and go for the duck.

    (3)

  • Gina C.

    My friend and I came to try the brunch on a Saturday. We sat outside to enjoy the lovely weather. ESS doesn't have your usual brunch entrees like pancakes, waffles, ect. I had the pimento cheese and ham sandwich. It was good, but a little heavy. It also came with a small side salad. They also have good coffee. I got mine over ice which was perfect in the hot GA summer. My friend had the granola, yogurt, and a scone. She seemed to enjoy her meal. ESS isn't as busy as other brunch restaurants, but if you are looking for a less busy and quiet meal, then def try ESS. I've tried lunch and brunch and I'll be back to try dinner.

    (4)

  • Eric L.

    Another solid dinning experience at ESS! We had ten people and all went smoothly. The waitor was perfect - - informed, a foodie but let us enjoy our three hour dinner. The must have: the Farm Egg - - lamb sausage, shitake mushrooms, something crunchy and a delicious egg, perfectly poached. Also amazing - - the Oysters - - tasted like the ocean (in a good way). Also amazing - - Crisp Pork Belly, served on a bed of grits. My entree was a solid OK, but the starters over delivered. And for dessert - - Phatty Cakes - - gingerbread cookie with vanilla mascarpone. It was perfect! ESS always delivers!

    (4)

  • Alexis G.

    Last night was my third visit to ESS. That will be my last! We arrived at 9:45 pm thinking we would be able to get a table quickly at that time. As we were walking in you could see mostly empty tables, so I was surprised when the hostess told me we would have to wait 30-40 minutes to be seated. We went to the bar and stared at 3 empty tables for 30 minutes until the hostess came and got us and sat us at one of the tables we had been staring at while standing at the bar. The whole situation was obnoxious. The first time I had been to ESS I thought the food was great! The second time it was ok. This last time it was disappointing. The jars were just ok. The farm egg is the best thing on the menu. We had the pork loin and hog snapper which were both just ok. At the end of the day everything at ESS is totally over priced. We were debating going here or to the Spence (which we frequent often). Needless to say, we should have stuck to The Spence. The food, drinks and service is much better (not to mention the price tag).

    (2)

  • Sheehan T.

    Pros: Food was incredible. The "In Jars" is a must for a shareable appetizer. The Farm Egg is another must have. Lastly, the PA Duck was one of the most flavorful , savory dishes I've ever had. If you've never tried duck or if you love duck, this is the one for you, but it will spoil you. Cocktails were hit or miss. Had two great ones, one average, and one terrible (so dominated by Pernod that it was almost undrinkable.) Cons: Desserts were average. Service was competent but nothing special. Our table was VERY dark and VERY loud.

    (5)

  • Andre B.

    Empire State South had been open just over a week when a couple of my mates and I had dinner there on a Wednesday evening. We inadvertently entered the restaurant through the bank lobby, but a friendly ESS employee at the restaurant steered us in the right direction. That gesture (the warm reception) set the tone for the rest of the evening: the service was excellent. Our server Janise deserves high praise for the care she provided during our visit. Starters: scallops with field peas & spinach, corn soup with shrimp, and field pea/ham hock soup. The scallops were the winner among the appetizers: they were perfectly cooked, as was the shrimp in the corn soup. The corn soup was mildly flavored; it was certainly appropriate for a late summer evening, but it didn't really make an impression on us. Ham hock & greens? Well, that's just Southern goodness. Entrees: Catfish with fingerlings cooked in duck fat, along with radishes served in a pesto sauce; steak with mac & cheese; chicken with greens with more mac & cheese. The mac & cheese (along with the cornbread) - well, you haven't had it this good before. The cornbread's made with real corn. And the mac & cheese? Thankfully, it's served in ramekins, as I could have eaten a casserole of that stuff. The catfish (all the seafood we had that evening was excellent) was a nice fatty fillet, without too much breading. The radishes offered a clean, refreshing counterpoint to the duck fat potatoes & fried fish. The steak & chicken were good, but hardly revolutionary. ESS has a choice selection of wines; there's also a large bar, should one care to dine & drink there. Along those lines: I encourage you to make reservations for dinner here. Dessert? We had no room for dessert; we'll definitely return. I can't wait to try breakfast. ESS is a most welcome addition to Atlanta's dining scene.

    (4)

  • Nicci R.

    We started with the jars of spreads with toast points and the dashi glazed octopus. I'm not too sure what the hype over the jars is other than they are cute tiny containers. The pork rillette reminded me of an elevated version of deviled ham, the trout mousse reminded me of smoked trout dip, pimento cheese was very smokey because of the bacon jam and boiled peanut hummus tasted like pureed boiled peanuts...an overpriced dish at $18. Our entrees were duck breast over garlic farro and pan seared catfish over kimche grits. We shared the toffee bread budding for dessert. Everything was good and the octopus was my favorite. I was surprised how much I liked the catfish considering I'm not usually a fan of this type of fish. Make sure you are not seated in the dark back room for dinner. It was impossible to read the light grey font on the menu and see our dishes very well. I used my iPhone flashlight to assist in reading and to see the beautiful presentation of colors of the food. (I am in my late 30's with perfect eyesight)

    (4)

  • Juan M.

    Breakfast. A little tricky understanding exactly WHERE the place is but once you find it's great; if you have been to Athens and eaten well, you'll recognize this place. I had strong coffee and a chicken biscuit as I talked to a very intense person. The chicken in the biscuit was an entire breast (I think) - the breading on it was irrelevant. I like the place and plan on returning for a different mealtime; parking covered for up to three hours.

    (4)

  • Robert M.

    Our rare night out with a babysitter....where to go? ESS? Cakes and Ale? Local Three? Whatever it is...it better be fantastic. Obviously, based upon this review...we ended up at ESS. Walking in....the space is nice - big bar, casual feel and lively. It was loud though, and I don't like the fact that they put a table in every inch of the restaurant. Too cramped feeling. We started off with drinks of course...I started with a Cab blend that was described as deep but I wouldn't say that. It was pretty weak for my taste so I handed that to my wife who loved it. I'm guessing it was a Syrah in the blend and Cab lovers stay away. I did notice a 05 Bordeaux (which is what I should have got to start with), so I ordered that for myself which completely made up for the Cab. 2005 is a killer year for Bordeauxs. Next came the pork belly and a squash salad. The pork belly was nice and the kimchi rice grits and daikon that came with it really came through and completed the dish. The kimchi came through strong, the daikon was intense, and overall the flavors together worked perfectly. I wasn't expecting much from the squash salad but it was a big taste. Very good. For the main course my wife got the NY strip, which I thought was a mistake but she really enjoyed it. I thought it was just o.k. I just don't think you come to a place like this for a strip. I went for the smoked duck. This was very good. Cooked to perfect temp, sliced thin and the skin popped. Put together with the hominy, blueberries, celery puree and bok choy...it was amazing. Finished with their 'phatty cakes', which is basically ginger cookies with vanilla mascarpone. They were good, not a wow. Overall, one of the better restos in Atlanta.

    (4)

  • Justin H.

    I really want to give Empire State South more stars, but I can't. The food... Really freaking good. I thought it was some of the best made food I've had in a long while. The cocktails were hit or miss. The service was also excellent. So why 3 stars when the food and service were both top notch? For me, it mostly comes down to value. I came to ESS fully expecting to drop some coin. My issue isn't necessarily with the prices themselves, but rather with what you get for the price. For instance, our 2 appetizers (farm egg and beef tartare) were delicious, but ran us $26 and each was just enough for the 4 of us to have a bite (and not a really big one). Entrees were $30-$40, and while they looked and tasted wonderful, several of us left were still a tiny bit hungry when we left. Another thing that surprised me, unfortunately in a negative way, was that they couldn't fulfill what I thought was a reasonable drink request from my wife. She's more in to fruitier drinks. Fruity martinis, cosmos, that kind of stuff. She asked our server if they could make a pomegranate martini, and the server informed her that they could not. My wife tried to give the server a general idea of what she was looking for, but they couldn't really come up with anything to meet her taste. Ultimately, the server brought out a cocktail that could best be described as "interesting", but wasn't really what my wife was looking for. With the enormous wall of booze behind the bar, I was just very surprised that they couldn't whip up some kind of fruity martini, or something along those lines. While Empire State South has extremely delicious, beautiful, well made food, a nice laid back setting, and good service, I feel that it ultimately doesn't provide enough to set itself apart from the multitude of other higher end restaurants that are now all over Atlanta.

    (3)

  • andre L.

    Visiting from SF Great bar staff! They really stand out! Has the Prime Steak tartare and the Pork Belly. The PB was awesome. Best PB I've had.

    (4)

  • Shawanda M.

    Chicken salad sandwich. Yum. Never really liked it before but the chicken salad sandwich at ESS is sooooo good! I run here for lunch sometimes since its in my office building. Yesterday i decided to try a pink grapefruit cupcake. I thought it would be super tart and weird but it was SO GOOD!!! And a nice surprise inside...pieces of sweet grapefruit! Definitely delicious.

    (4)

  • Melody M.

    This review is for the dessert that we had last night. I have still not eaten a proper meal here, but that WILL happen and I will post. We had the carmelized flan with strawberry/rhubarb/rose sorbet and the ginger whoopie pies called "Phatty Cakes" (3 to an order). WOW! Really great flavors and textures. We came here for an after dinner drink and dessert. Based on what we had, I will return.

    (5)

  • Michelle M.

    It makes me sad to say this, but the place has gone way downhill. Several months ago, I had stellar food and service, making for a wonderful evening. Last night I had some of the worst service I've had at any restaurant ever and food that was nowhere near as good as it was last time. I was mortified after recommending the restaurant to friends and receiving such poor service that our entire table agreed it was the worst experience at a restaurant all year. To be completely unappreciated and ignored by the wait staff when you're spending a decent amount of money for a meal is unacceptable. We waited at least half an hour after being seated for our orders to be taken and our waitress literally read the description on the menu after being asked a simple question about how a couple dishes were prepared. She acted as if she couldn't be bothered to serve us because we were one of the later reservations in the evening. It took us forever to even get our bill after our dinner ran nearly 3 hours long due to the slow service by our waitress. Even if the food had been amazing, service makes an entire dining experience. It's just unacceptable to be at a supposedly nice restaurant and to feel like you're at a crappy chain restaurant with an untrained, uncaring wait staff. The manager should have been aware of what was going on and should have come to check on us. This never happened, and demonstrates to me that the restaurant does not care about its customers at all.

    (2)

  • Ben E.

    Hate to confirm the awful truth about this hyped joint, but as several other reviewers have noted, the service staff can best be described as apathetic. I was so turned off by their abject disinterest that I left without eating (after 20 minutes of waiting for someone to offer to take an order, no less). Dinner menu is very enticing, and I can't discount other's positive experiences. But with service so uneven, how can you make a confident decision to visit?\

    (1)

  • j s.

    I visited ESS a second time last night and it was a little better, but still not up to par with the great restaurants in Atlanta. We had a party of 8 and were seated in the bar area next to a very loud drinking crowd. We asked to be moved and were given a lovely table in the regular dining area. About half of the tables in the entire restaurant were empty so we could have started in a quiet area from the beginning, instead of our having to ask for a different table. Throughout the night the service was so slow that we used up all of our 3-free hours of parking in the adjacent parking deck. Four people received all their food and finished it before the other 4 received any food. I don't know if it was a result of our waiter not asking for the food to be distributed better, or if it was a slow kitchen. Either way, it was bad. Most of our guests liked what they ordered. I ordered the jars appetizer; the fish mousse was not mousse texture but more like crumbled fish pressed into a small jar. The deviled ham jar was too dry to eat. I did have the celery ice cream and it was perfect. I give up on Empire State South. Their service and food is too inconsistent and for the price I can find better value elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Jake V.

    THE JARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They will forever haunt my dreams.

    (5)

  • Angie B.

    I have to say that all the food I had at dinner two nights ago was excellently conceived of and prepared but that I didn't necessarily like it all. But I think that's where the subjectivity of taste comes in. I can appreciate everything I ate even if I didn't love it so much I'd order it again, the food made me think and that's something I love to do with what I eat... like reading different genres of novels, you might not like every genre but can appreciate the craft. The overall description of the food "style" here to me seemed very masculine. I couldn't believe how intense all of the flavors were. There was definitely a balancing and melding of flavors in combining Southern, New American, and Asian, but as a newspaper review put it, it is ballsy food. That's totally true, things hang out on the intense flavor, meaty, salty side of the world. If things were a little less salty I would be slightly happier but it wasn't saltier than in many other fine dining restaurants, which I feel overall have a heavy hand with the salt. The bacon bread really represents what I'm saying with masculine and aggressive food. Bread made with bacon fat, and creamy salty butter. Delicious but no holds barred. As a starter I had "Tybee Island Shrimp with matsutake broth, baby fennel, apples, and romanesco." The shrimp was head on and I haven't had that except in Asian food, so the base of the dish was extremely powerfully flavored with that robust seafood taste you get from head on shellfish. Not everyone likes something that tastes so much of the sea, it was almost too much for me. Except that there was a balancing with the slight sweetness of the apples and fennel. The romanesco looked almost like calamari in the dish. It was a bit salty too. The broth was delicate actually, but not so scrumptious that I needed to drink it all. As an entree I had "Smoked Duck Breast with foie-persimmon butter: purple cape beans, maitake, brussels, kimchi." This dish was truly fascinating. The duck at first appeared to me to be under, because the layer of fat under the skin wasn't completely rendered, but the texture of the meat was good and wasn't bloody so it was probably cooked very well. The waiter told me it was cold smoked, and the smoky taste was extremely intense. Almost too much so, except all the other flavors on the dish were so bold to counterbalance. The kimchi in the dish was not visible but extremely apparent, the really garlicky kind that tastes of Korea, super authentic. The beans had a little bite, not mushy, which I really appreciated. The Foie-persimmon butter was as sweet as candy, not good alone but really great as a strong counterbalance to the salty smoked duck. For dessert I had Grapefruit Potluck which was good, nice and tart and a fun mix of tastes but not so spectacular that I need to have it again. It was deconstructed, which is another trend I'm not crazy about. The coffee paired with it was super tasty, one of the roasts from Counter Culture Coffee (good choice ESS)! I would definitely go back to ESS but would want to try other things simply for the experience of eating fascinating combinations that really make you think about the crafting of dishes. Also, the ambiance is lovely, a well decorated but unstuffy place that makes you want to stay, sip wine, and have a night of great conversation.

    (5)

  • Mrs. V G.

    Best Meal EVER. I've been a reader of Yelp and swear by the reviews but have never felt compelled to write my own. ESS changed this. I HAVE to shout, from the rooftops, what a great meal I had. Last minute decision led me to one of the few quality restaurants opened on a Sunday evening. A friend and I went to ESS on 7/1st and decided to get the six course tasting with wine pairings. It was phenomenal! We had: -Amuse: tomatoes and peaches - 1st: cucumber gazpacho - 2nd: bean salad - 3rd: octopus sausage - 4th: tomato/buttermilk ravioli - 5th: beef entree - added cheese course - 6th: chocolate and cherry dessert Can I just say that ravioli and bean salad were to DIE for. Just pure decadence. There wasn't a bad course in the bunch and I don't know what they did to that dessert but it was velvety deliciousness. Servers Adam and Darnell are what quality service is all about. Steve handled our wine pairings and showed a world of knowledge. These pairings enhanced the experience in an undeniable way. Can't wait to go back and introduce more people to the experience!

    (5)

  • Dustin W.

    I went to ESS on 12/14 for my birthday. I've known about the place for a while so I was happy visit. I can honestly say I don't care for this place one bit. Parking is annoying and so is walking to the entrance of the restaurant. I've read a lot of reviews about this place and I don't get the praise but every persons experience is different so I'll leave it at that. The first table we sat at was just off and the seats were unstable we moved. Once we were moved I felt centered. I thought the servers "uniforms" were extremely tacky for an "upscale" Southern restaurant. They might as well had clown outfits on. The interior is very underwhelming nothing catches your eye zero ambiance. And the bathrooms walk out the restaurant follow a million signs walk in to a cramped space. I don't even want to talk about the food, it can't make up for all the failures this place has. The only thing I can say is that our server was extremely nice.

    (2)

  • Eric F.

    Awesome space -- roomy, quirky, relaxed. Good staff -- warm, knowledgeable. Amazing food. The jars are terrific. The pimento cheese with bacon marmalade will rock your world, and the farm egg will change your understanding of what rice and eggs can do to each other under the right circumstances.

    (4)

  • Jennifer L.

    Probably the best meal I've had in Atlanta in few years. Pork belly over kimchi grits, brussel sprouts and the most delicious catfish dish I've ever had. Southern style at it's best. It wasn't cheap, but it was fantastic. (Our waiter was so cool, he let me try a sip of a few different reds before I made my choice of which glass to order. Two points for ESS!)

    (5)

  • William K.

    Very unique menu with modern flair. However I felt the items are over priced for what you get. The portions are very small.

    (3)

  • David D.

    Empire State South has some highs and lows. First the highs! The restaurant has a cool vibe. The main bar is large and the decor is modern and interesting. The drinks are Atlanta average price (around $10 for a mixed drink) and they have lots of special mixes. Especially noteworthy was the Pimm's Cup. The food is also quite good. I had a tortellini dish with lots of fresh vegetables and eggplant. Our table shared the "in jars" appetizer, which was interesting and pretty good but not much of a deal at $18. My table-mates also really enjoyed their food. Their meat was well prepared and their vegetables were good. My personal highlight was the kimchi rice grits. It perfectly fused the texture and feeling of grits with the strong flavor of kimchi. It was delightful. I'd come back just to get a side of that dish and a drink in the future. As for the lows...this restaurant is not cheap. Portion sizes are small (including sizes of mixed drinks) and prices high. While the quality of the food is quite good, you have to wonder how much it really costs to make a pasta dish. The service was slow for us. We waited quite a while to get our drinks and place our order. The server apologized and said they were busy that evening, but what Friday night aren't they busy? The desserts were also disappointing. There were three people in my party and we all got something different. All three of us felt it was subpar. Overall, I'd come back to Empire State South when there's something interesting on the menu that I want to try, or when I feel like it's time to splurge a bit. However, I find the high prices, boring desserts and small portions a bit of a turn-off.

    (4)

  • Naomi L.

    My fiance and I were in Atlanta visiting his family and wanted to have a date night while we were there. He picked this place based on reviews, and it did not disappoint. We liked the decor and the place is quite spacious. Our waitress was awesome! She was friendly and helpful, and even brought us champagne toasts for our recent engagement! We don't know who tipped them off, but that was a really nice touch! The food itself was also delicious. My fiance had the pork tasting and I had the bluefish. For dessert we shared the popping flan -- a unique dish! Would definitely go back next time we're in town.

    (4)

  • Helena W.

    We've been here a couple more times. The Other an I just love to hang out, people watch, wind down after a long week. Either sitting outside and playing on the court, (which is nice with now that it's cooler) or sittin at the bar, our time here is always enjoyable. Its one of our preferred places when we are looking to treat ourselves. The service is a little slow but we dont really notice or mind because we usually go when we are in a "killing some time" sorta mood anyway. If it were one of our early dates then I could see how it would be annoying. Everyone is always smiling and helpful. Love the dessert table at the front.... that almond blondie? Ohhhhhhh, how I want one now! LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. Oh! Due to the season change the ingredients for the Pimms Cup has recently been altered. LOVE it now! I tried it during the summer and didnt care for it. Now with the ginger soda its great! Did I mention the Pimento Cheese and Bacon spread? Try it. Please. Still not giving it 5stars because the consistency is a little off. We really enjoyed the scallops on our last visit so we ordered them twice. The second time around they were not as good, too much foam. As well with the drinks... we stayed with the ones we liked and sometimes they arrived sweet and sometimes they were tart.

    (4)

  • Lisa L.

    Gets my vote for the best latte I've had. The Counter Culture coffee I'm sure made all the difference, along with the superb skills of Emily, the barista. My friend and I went there for brunch and sat at the bar so we wouldn't have to wait for a table. We watched the bartender stay busy the entire time as we sipped our deliciously horseradishy Bloody Marys. We decided to make our brunch a leisurely one and ordered the Pimento Cheese with Bacon Marmalade. If you try anything at ESS, try this. I could eat that stuff all day with all of its smoky/tangy goodness on crunchy toasted bread. I sampled my friend's Griddled Pork Belly and it was delicious. ...very rich over creamy grits and a coddled egg. I had the Jalapeno & Bacon Biscuit which I enjoyed but it was also rich. Deliciously prepared pork confit underneath 2 soft poached eggs on top of some greenery on top of a very tender, yet crispy-edged jalapeno biscuit. I'll be back for dinner and some more Counter Culture as soon as I'm able.

    (4)

  • Dru M.

    Went for a Friday happy hour (to kick off the holiday weekend) with friends at Empire State South. We lucked out and found seats at the bar and just soaked in the fun atmosphere. I think what I liked is that the restaurant appears almost tucked away from the city...within an office building in Midtown. It felt upscale, as well as casual. Bar service was also top notch. Few highlights - * Cocktails - Rose Champagne (Demoiselle) * In Jars appetizer - which is such a cute idea for a starter. Small jars full of pork rillette, trout mousse, pickles, pimento cheese & bacon marmalade, boiled peanut hummus. It comes with bread for spreading and dipping. Bonus - They also have a Bocci court, which I plan on using next time I'm there. They also validate up to 3 hours in the garage. Overall...I can't wait to go back and try their dinner and brunch menus. They look fabulous!

    (4)

  • Stormtrooper H.

    This was our first visit and it was a very unbalanced experience. The food was really nice (jars and smoked egg were amazing) but the service was pretty poor. We were struck by the unpretentious nature of the restaurant (which our server also made a point to talk about) which included the food, atmosphere and service, which was a great idea but in the end I was left missing a level of professionalism that we experience at Sotto Sotto, or even Highland Tap. We had to ask for drink refills and several times our server would clear one plate and leave other dishes on the table. We received the wrong food and then it took forever for our correct order to come out. The bathrooms were out a back door and down a weird hall past the building's mail boxes, but clean once you found them. Parking was free and easy in an adjacent garage, which was nice. Overall we liked it, but the pork belly was not as good as Restaurant Eugene and the service would give us pause when thinking about going back.

    (3)

  • lisa b.

    yummmmm. every this we had was excellent: in jars, sweetbreads, cauliflower soup, trout, orange puff. all very creative and a symphony of favors. our server was very knowledgeable and helpful, since the menu can be a little intimidating for non-foodies. great atmosphere too. definite date location.

    (5)

  • Patrick W.

    Went there for early dinner. Were able to seat us quickly even though we didn't have a reservation (I thought we'd have to wait forever or eat at the bar, so that was a pleasant surprise). Very good food, some of it was extraordinary. The spread of dips in mason jars with toast was amazing and fun. Superb service as was to be expected. Highly recommend.

    (5)

  • Pear M.

    I haven't written a review in a while, but after a meal at "ESS" I felt an urge. During a short weekend visit in Atlanta, my BF and I yelped for some quality food in Midtown and found this. We weren't able to get reservations until 10pm, but we weren't very hungry so a late night meal was good with us. We decided to show up at 930 and wait at the bar, but they had a table free so hey, win win! It has a very relaxed feel like you're visiting a nice farm house... my BF argues its not a farm feel, its just a natural feel. Whatevs. Same, no? We ordered 2 apps, 1 side, and 1 entree to share. We felt this was the best way to taste more than 2 dishes and not overeat at the same time. I let the waitress know beforehand that we wanted to share everything. The 2 apps (pork belly with kimchi grits, and steak tartare) and a side of collards came out first. First of all, you can never ever, ever go wrong with pork belly. This one was no different. The kimchi grits sounded like they could be good because i love kimchi in general, but they were actually not as flavorful as I hoped. No matter, the pork belly was great. The tartare was also delicious and it came with a fried egg. I was completely expecting to get a sunny side up fried egg, but instead got what looked like a soft boiled egg that had been deep fried? I'm not actually sure how they made it, but it had the yolk consistency of a poached egg. I loved it. For the entree we agreed on the catfish with cauliflower grits. I was expecting to pick at a dish, small portioned. Instead we each got separate plates with a very generous serving of half a filet of catfish on a bed of cauliflower grits. The entire plate was delicious and we were STUFFED. I dream of grits like this. Dinner here made a short trip in Atlanta memorable enough. Thanks!

    (4)

  • Andrew S.

    Went for brunch on Saturday morning. My friend invited me telling me that Empire State South is where "old Atlanta" dines in Mid-Town. First the food. I had the Shrimp and Grits. I don't love shrimp but wanted to try this classic. It was so-so. My partner had the steak and eggs. He said it was delicious. I love that the restaurant is tucked away and its location is not immediately apparent. We need to check-in for dinner. We have tried a couple of times but the restaurant was closed for private parties. We'll try again after New Year's.

    (2)

  • Julie N.

    I had a really nice meal at ESS. I met a friend there and as it was very busy, we sat outside. I'm glad it ended up that way, because it was a very lovely atmosphere. There was bocce ball being played nearby and it was away from the other patrons. The menu was definitely very unique and it was difficult to chose because there were so many things I was interested in trying. I decided on one of the specials, which was grouper. It was the perfect portion and it was simple and tasted really good as well. I would definitely go again so I can get a chance to try other dishes and the desserts as well!

    (4)

  • Autumn S.

    Boy am I glad I can cross this off my 'Places you just have to eat at in Atlanta' list-what a letdown. I would be willing to overlook the absolute horriffic service my husband and I experienced if the food was decent-but it wasn't-so I had a double whammy of bad to deal with on a Saturday night when I dined here. Let's start with the service. Once sat, my husband and I watched several servers walk past us without even a simple acknowledgement for 20 minutes. We tried to given them the benefit of a doubt-it was a busy Saturday after all-but at least some water glasses dropped off would have been nice. Once we grabbed one and told him we hadn't been visited for even our drink orders, it took another 10 minutes for one to appear. He was unpredictably slow and didn't even bother to review the specials with us until we had placed our orders. Thanks for the afterthought, bud. We never saw him between waiting for drinks and food-so no water refills or multiple drink orders here-which is a shame because the drink I had was the best thing about the meal. At least I got a good laugh watching the couple next to us become so fustrated with the disappearance of their server that they cancelled their orders with the hostess stand and walked off. Anyway, after trying the incredibly boring poached egg appetizer (serving it with a hot dog was a bad idea-especially when said hot dog was to be homemade but tasted like something out of a Wal-Mart cooler) we hoped the entrees would redeem our lackluster experience thus far. NOT! My husband had to send his pork loin back it was so tough and rubbery, and the bass I had with grits was bland and overcooked as well-especially as the grits were supposed to be kimchi flavored and they ended up tasting like mushed tomatoes and water mixed together. We didn't want to take a chance ordering dessert and being stranded for another hour for a tasteless treat so we hightailed it out of there. Maybe brunch is better-but probably won't enjoy dinner here again.

    (2)

  • Kim K.

    Second time here, really great service and perhaps the best beet salad of my life. HOWEVER - please ESS never, ever make that bologna-stuffed morel mushroom thing again. The waiter was pushing it so hard, everyone was ordering it and it felt like a cruel joke after trying it. It looked like a dog you-know-what and had no taste and was just WEIRD. So cut that one out!

    (4)

  • Julie H.

    We had an amazing dinner there this past weekend. The farm egg over crispy rice is the best thing I have ever eaten! I wanted MORE! My grouper had a lovely flavor with fresh spinach and my husband's steak was cooked to perfection. Looking forward to travel to Atlanta again!

    (5)

  • Scott L.

    Gotta say that I was a little let down on this place. The hype didn't live up. I think I will try it again next time I'm in town before I completely write it off.

    (2)

  • Julie S.

    I had a great time at ESS. I came on a Tuesday night and loved the decor and overall vibe. Great wine list, started with the Jars for the table and the outstanding favorite was the pimento cheese with bacon marmalade. (Also loved the hummus and smoked ham). I had the pork loin for my entree and some bites were amazing while others were harder to cut/chew as there was a lot of fat on the pork. The bites that were great were really really great-- we were too full for dessert but I want to come back for brunch in the future!

    (4)

  • Lindsay G.

    One of my favorite places in Atlanta. Every time I go the customer service is amazing, food is to die for, and drinks are refreshing and unique. Patio area is my preference...good way to relax outdoors and have amazing food. Fresh food. Great chef.

    (5)

  • Jake H.

    The inside of this place is cool but the food wasn't as good as I had heard about. The chicken biscuit was cold and greasy. I switched to beer because you couldn't taste any alcohol in my drink.

    (3)

  • J S.

    Ordered small plates, but that is quite the understatement. Unless you're willing to pay about $ 1 per bite, don't try these. It's not that the small plates were too small, they're borderline insulting. Would not return for small plates, and unlikely to return after basically being ripped off.

    (2)

  • Jon-Michael M.

    I absolutely have to give this place a 5-star rating. The service was stellar, and our waiter should be a trainer in the area for other servers. The food was really really good! If you go, try the pan seared catfish entree, and for appetizers, try the Farm Egg, or the In Jar.

    (5)

  • Katherine F.

    This place lived up to all the hype! I went with two girlfriends, and we family-style shared three entrees - the duck breast, the quail, and the steak. They were scrumptious, and we were hungry, so we finished off the small-ish portions in no time. The drinks were pricey, especially for the size, but really well made. Presentation, service, atmosphere were all wonderful. Only docking a star for expensive cost-to-portion-size ratios. We forgot to order the appetizer we wanted, so that might've helped us fill up a bit more.

    (4)

  • Anthony N.

    ***Hugh Acheson's Empire State South is a very good and upscale restaurant that serves a high quality and housemade brunch that mixes in a lot of Altanta and Southern ingredients and flavors*** I wanted to try Hugh Acheson's first Atlanta restaurant Empire State South for dinner, but it held up just fine for brunch. In addition to dinner, Empire State South serves weekday lunch, Sunday brunch and breakfast (including an upscale Chick-Fil-A biscuit breakfast sandwich that features nicely fried chicken; it can even come with pimento cheese, pepper jelly and a scrambled egg). Empire State South's brunch is mostly upscale breakfast items, but you will also find gazpacho, several salads and hanger steak. Their brunch menu features a lot of nice ingredients, but prices are not too high. I went with one of their signature items to start--toasts with pimento cheese and bacon marmalade in a jar. The toasts were crisp and buttery. The pimento cheese dip was quite addictive. The pimento cheese was creamy and flavorful; it also had a little heat. The bacon marmalade was a chunky and rich bacon topping. The bacon marmalade was not exactly sweet, but it had a good flavor without being too salty and the bacon was a good mix of slightly crispy and chewy. yelp.com/biz_photos/empi… I also had the cucumber gazpacho and it was very good. The cucumber base was nicely spicy (even surprisingly spicy) and it had a cool and refreshing cucumber flavor (it is hard to bring out the mild cucumber flavor in such a spicy base, but they did it here). The soup was also very smooth and creamy. yelp.com/biz_photos/empi… The garnishes were great. There was a nice crunch from candied pistachios and I liked the fragrance of the fresh herbs. The creme fraiche was also good and I really liked the crispy crunch of the toasted wheatberries. For my entree, I had their English muffin sandwich, which was both a great upscale brunch dish as well as a good reflection of the city with the use of sweet and spicy pepper jelly. The English muffin sandwich also featured nicely cooked Swiss chard, a very good and meaty but not salty chicken and pork sausage patty and a sunny side up egg. There was also two strips of candied bacon and it was some of the best bacon I have had. The crispy bacon was not thick, but it was still meaty. The amount of sugar was just right too--enough to mellow out the saltiness of the bacon and provide a very light sweetness, but not to the point where it ruined the dish or made it like a dessert. yelp.com/biz_photos/empi… The only course that did not deliver was dessert. I had the lemon cake with vanilla ice cream terrine. This was too cold and the vanilla ice cream (while very refreshing) was icy (like the icy ice cream at Hugh Acheson's Athens restaurant 5 & 10). The lemon cake had a noticeable lemon flavor, but it was too dense and dry. They only had a few (and not that interesting) desserts available at brunch; I imagine they are much more ambitious with desserts come dinner. yelp.com/biz_photos/empi… Service was great. The whole staff was very polite, welcoming, friendly, and attentive. The food came out at a quick pace. I really enjoyed the atmosphere at Empire State South. It is located in a very nice part of Atlanta and the open area of the restaurant with the modern building reminded me of Downtown Austin. There is even a bocce court outside. Inside, the restaurant has a very downtown city feel. It has a rustic and industrial look with the use of dark colors, lots of tattered wood and exposed pipes. Seating is very comfortable and there is even a very inviting coffee bar at one side of the restaurant. Prices are reasonable. Almost everything is below $15 and portions are generous. Empire State South is a very good brunch spot and I would be excited to try them for dinner. I liked how Empire State South served the type of housemade and upscale food that you would expect to find in a major metro like Los Angeles, Chicago or San Francisco, but how it also still utilized a lot of local ingredients and flavors to make it be very much an Atlanta / Southeastern restaurant. Empire State South is next to a big parking structure and I believe they do validate parking. Free street parking is also available.

    (5)

  • Sophie H.

    Love the tripe stew! Thank you Josh!! Loved everything - venison, food in jars, farm egg, quail, pheasant terrine, quail, rabbit - all delish!! Steven selected amazing wines and Anthony was a fabulous server!!

    (5)

  • Jacob J.

    The pour over coffee is the best I've ever had. It's so good it doesn't need milk or sugar. But that's not all. The baked goods are great. The duck confit hash -- oh, yeah. The pimento cheese is nice too. It's found in a courtyard away from the street SK there's calm and quiet. A nice southern breakfast spot.

    (5)

  • Daddy F.

    delicious yep very delicious

    (5)

  • Anne H.

    I want to give it 15 stars! I want to fly to Atlanta just to eat here three times a day for a week! Normally, I am very picky, but this place is wonderful from top to bottom. Where do I start? OK, why not the bottom! The bathroom. Clean is an understatement. And a hook for your handbag. How thoughtful and old-fashioned. Attractive and comfortable. But no, let's start at the beginning. You walk in the door and someone smiles and says "hello." Pleasant and welcoming, not phony. The room itself is very low-key and subdued, but instantly comfortable. OK, I don't love the "my name is ___ and I will be taking care of you today," style. In fact, I hate it. But here, I gave it a pass. Well, OK, I did mention it, so not much of a pass! Now, I have to admit to a certain prejudice against these TV chef types. Almost always, their restaurants underwhelm me. I never intend to go, but then I do. And almost always, I regret it. Hugh Acheson, however, is screamingly funny and completely irreverent, so I figured I'd give him a shot, and I am very glad that I did. The food, and, after all, that's what it's all about (or should be), is really, truly wonderful. We began with pimento cheese and bacon marmelade with big slices of buttered toast. I have to say that I preferred the cheese without the jam. The bacon overpowered the pimento, so they could have omitted it or put it in a separate little cup on the side. I had the fried snapper Po'boy with remoulade, lettuce, pickled ramps, cucumber, and potato chips, which was served on a Maine-style lobster roll roll. Although fried, the fish had not one drop of grease. I would have loved more ramps. Hint. The potato chips were a perfect balance of fat and salt -- again, without being greasy. Loved the pickle and the remoulade. Wanted more of everything. The farm egg on crispy rice was just amazing. Pierce the egg and let it run all over everything before you eat. You don't have to tell me twice! Lovely bits of sausage. Corn. Bright peppers. And the rice? Only my fave -- Carolina Gold! Oh please don't let this end! Dessert is pie, and the pie du jour was apple. It was served with vanilla ice cream that was supposed to be a little spicy. It wasn't spicy particularly, but it was delicious. The apple pie had a butter crust. Normally, I prefer a mix of butter and Crisco, but it was light and absolutely wonderful. The apples seem to have been poached, because they, too, were as light as air and the filling was just this side of too sweet. Almost, almost, almost, but it never crossed the line. Just to give you a little more context: It was a hot, steamy and rainy day. My husband and I showed up around noon, all bedraggled and messy from walking around in the heat and the rain. We were on the way to the airport, so we had our luggage. And to add insult to injury, my foot was so swollen from an ankle sprain that all I could get on my feet were hideous purple Crocs. And this is Atlanta, not New York City. In Atlanta, people are decorous; they don't go everywhere in jeans. We were decidedly not decorous, and yet we were greeted, seated and treated as if it were the most natural thing in the world to show up at a "business casual" upscale joint looking for all the world like you were "coming to America."

    (5)

  • Richard M.

    To be honest I was a bit underwhelmed. Had the chicken biscuit, which was much better than the biscuit at flying biscuit ... Amond milk cap : decent Orange juice : good Biscuit: good Service - great Will go back for lunch and see if the lunch menu is better!

    (4)

  • Claudia A.

    I plan to come back and update my review but for now here is what I got: I came for the wait for it... legendary chicken biscuit. So many of my friends argued that it is hands down the bet chicken biscuit. It's offered Mon-Fri 7am-? and for them it's worth getting before going to work. First of all it was tiny, smaller than my fist. The biscuit is light and fluffy (love that part), they layer egg, and LOTS of thick (1/4 inch for sure) sliced bacon on top. There was literally more bacon on it than chicken. The chicken layer is flattened and fried and came to about 2 inches in diameter (not much at all).What little chicken was in there was perfectly seasoned and fried. Would it kill you to give the whole chicken breast? Then they spread spicy pimento cheese and more biscuit. It was good and delicious but for $8.00 I at least want to be full after I eat it. Other reviews say it's a hardy portion so maybe I just got tiny piece but my sister from SFO also came with me to try this treat. Hers was just as tiny. Maybe it's half the size on Thursday? Anyway, they have the right idea. I hear their coffee and pastries are great too. I won't give up on well reviewed place but for now. It was just OK. My favorite chicken biscuit is still the one at Buttermilk Kitchen which is only made on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays for Brunch. It has a giant biscuit and the whole chicken breast that is brined in buttermilk for 24 hours and topped with homemade pepper jelly. It sells out each time at the end of the day.

    (3)

  • Andrew W.

    Overall: 5/5 Food: 4.5/5 Price: 4/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Nutshell: Having seen Hugh Acheson perform so well on Top Chef Masters, I knew I had to come to his restaurant when I was in GA. I came her for breakfast and was thoroughly impressed by his modern southern take in a business casual setting. I highly recommend this place to anyone esp the FARM EGGGGG! Food: Ordered the Farm Egg, Fried Catfish in a bun and Ice Tea. The Fried Catfish in a bun came with potato chips. The fried catfish was delicately fried and seasoned perfectly. The buns were also appropriately toasted and had a nice light mayor spicy sauce that went well wit the catfish. The potato chips were ok as some of them were not crispy. The Farm Egg was the most unique southern dish I have ever had. The rice was fried extremely crispy w/o being oiled and was perfectly balanced out with some earthy mushrooms, richness of a poached egg yolk, salty sausages cubes, and sweet corn. I highly recommend this dish as a must if you come here for breakfast. I only wish it came with a bit more :(. The ice tea was nothing special and did not feel that the sweetness and earthiness of the tea was balanced out well. Price: The breakfast entree were approx 12 each but well worth it. My only disgruntle for this place was the ice tea was $3 and it felt extremely overpriced. Service: Our waiter was extremely friendly and professional. He knew the menu well and was able to make fabulous suggestions. Our water was always topped off. Plates were promptly removed. And the food came out quickly. Also they validate parking!!! Atmosphere: This place is spacious, modern and hip. Although they say its a casual attire, due to its price, everyone here is somewhat dressy/business casual. Additionally, this is a great place to have a nice family/friend sit down meal or casual date.

    (5)

  • Lawrence C.

    I had such a good meal here a few years ago, I knew I would return. I did this past week. The place wasn't as busy, but the service and food were on point. We started with drinks at the bar. Great attention (there were only 2 other couples at the bar), and discussion of the mixed drink, was an enjoyable way to start the night. Moving into the dining room, the food was pretty good too. Two salads, Farro Verde, $12 & Cabbage w cashews, radish, cucumber, etc $14, before our mains were the stars of the dinner. Mains were: Striped Bass w artichokes, peas & grits, $32, and local Strip Loin, $36, (served under-cooked as medium rare instead of my requested medium--see photos, though still tasty. Peanut butter semi-freddo, $8, finished the meal (see photo). Service was generally good, as was the food.

    (4)

  • Naomi L.

    I am convinced Hugh Acheson's magical unibrow gives him super food ideas powers. After seeing him on Top Chef several times, I was super happy to be able to eat at Empire State South and was definitely not disappointed! - Pimento jar (literally a jar filled of this good stuff) $6. Came with cutely cut fingers of toast. I don't normally like pimento cheese, but dang - this stuff was great! We ate the entire thing. - Sorghum sausage $12. Great taste, but you definitely need to order another dish to make a true meal. - Farm egg $13. Wonderful preparation with perfectly puffed rice that added a wonderful crunch. They ended up taking off the mushrooms despite me correcting my error in asking to keep them off. Sad face. They probably would have added another layer of flavor. - Peach pie $6. GET THIS PIE. Seriously, best peach pie filling I have ever eaten. I could do with a lighter/fluffier crust, but holy delicious filling. All in all with coffee, pre-tax/tip $43.50 for brunch was more than worth it to try this place! The entrance to the building from the street is closed on the weekend. So you have to enter from the side. We spent a good few minutes looking for this after being dropped off at the listed address. Perhaps a small sign near the front of the building on the weekends would be nice.

    (4)

  • Sophia B.

    Loved the farm egg appetizer - the "fried rice" was not at all what I expected. It wasn't the fried rice you would order at a Chinese restaurant, rather each individual grain of rice was fried, crispy and delicious. Our table also seemed to enjoy the charcuterie. I probably wouldn't order the shrimp risotto again - it was surprisingly a bit spicy and had an overwhelming fish taste. Enjoyed my wahoo and grits. However, as with most of the entrees ordered by our table, there were too many conflicting flavors on the plate. My husband loved his dish though and claimed it was the best trout he's ever had. Ordered the fig tart, pot de creme and bombolone for dessert. The bombolone was definitely the highlight. The passion fruit overpowered all other flavors in the pot de creme, and the fig tart was too dry.

    (3)

  • Rachel K.

    Sorry guys, I wasn't impressed with ESS at all... Just not a good lunch spot. Overpriced for itty bitty foods + average service. My 2 bosses took me and my colleagues out here for lunch to celebrate our 2 year work anniversary. I was excited since I've never been! I should have read more of the reviews... I think this place is better for a dinner spot. Parking - we parked in the parking deck + got validation. Seating - They do have indoor + outdoor seating. It's pretty cool. ESS is probably known for their ambiance. From what I saw - this place looked very cute and a great place for a business meeting/happy hour/date spot. I saw there was a wine event in the bigger room (something with Napa Valley?). Service - Our server was TOO laid back. I understand servers who constantly check in are annoying, but... at least check in every 6-8 mins. This guy left for like 12-15 mins. :/ Food - first off, the menu was extremely limited. As in... whoa. 1. Their Super Food dish should be listed under an app. Yes, it's a big dish. BUT it's kind of a combo of salad, Quinoa, steak, etc. When we saw the pictures on Yelp, we all agreed this may be better off as a starter. It just doesn't look like a main dish. 2. Pimento Cheese + Bread - this was very good. Great size and refillable of the bread. 3. My boss and one of my co workers got the Farm Egg - WOW, this thing was TINY. Like a child wouldn't be full after eating this. If you put both your thumbs and index fingers in a L shape and put your thumbs next to each other & pretend to box off the top of the index fingers, that's how big it was. #pitiful 4. I had the Octopus with Kimchi Rice. The Kimchi Rice was good. Again, tiny. The Octopus was ok. Nothing special. Kind of wish I got one of the sandwiches.... One of my co workers got the Fried Poboy Chicken Sandwich - that looked GREAT! I'll have to try that out if I decide to come back to ESS. He was very satisfied with his dish. I guess we came on a bad day for ESS...

    (3)

  • A K.

    After the reviews, was really disappointed. The service was really, really slow, with no recognition or apology from the staff. Out of 5 eggs benedict orders at our table, all yolks were overcooked; solid as hard-boiled on all of them, which is pretty much 101 in my book. We would have sent it back, but were afraid how long it would take. The hollandaise was good and so were the grits. Could use some color or garnish. The hostess was great, the design/decor very cool. Sadly, we won't be back.

    (2)

  • Michael S.

    Very nice place. Loved the feel and the colors. Only complaint I had was service. It was ok. We had a group. We were split because reservation was made for wrong amount. That's not issues. Issue was we were pushed out. Plates were picked up as we slowed down. Just picked up. Drinks were extremely slow and we had to ask for a bottle wine list. We would of had a few more drinks. Food was amazing. The chicken pork chop and steak were favs Apps were solid It is s crowded noisy space.

    (4)

  • Rian A.

    My girl surprised me with a dinner date to ESS a week or so ago. I've dined here before but only in the work capacity, which meant mostly noshing rather than feasting. I did however meet The Farm Egg on one of those encounters and well, I'm absolutely obsessed. I'm wild about texture and there's nothing more satisfying than the crunch of the tapioca covered fried rice mingling with the unctuousness of the egg yolk and melting with the salt in the diced Benton's bacon. The Farm Egg is like my favorite dish, ever. Babe liked the pimento cheese and bacon jam. The thick dices of sweet, fried bacon and the rich, thickness of the pimento cheese is always a sure fire winner. I also recommend the the sourdough fritters served warm, chocolate sauce and creme. For drinks, we ordered the mezcal. I was initially fearful of the vanilla and mezcal combo but our server assured me it was safe. I think it's called a Mexican Radio. Awesome cocktail for those who aren't sure how they feel about mezcal. It's well made so you'll know immediately if you're into the smokiness of mezcal as opposed to just getting a bad version of it. I do not recommend the fish. Mostly because I don't remember what fish it was nor do I recall anything remarkable about it. Nonetheless, our server was helpful and friendly and the ambiance is always seductive. Good times. I'll be back for sure.

    (5)

  • Georgia S.

    I walked up through the courtyard and immediately saw the bocci ball court and people lounging around the court having drinks. My signal this was not going to be a stuffy experience. I walked in and was greeted. I have a reservation for one and the hostess said no problem. I told her I was excited to be there and she assured me I would have a great experience. My server Randy was a hoot. He made sure I had my drink and settled me in nicely. A nice young man named Voss brought me an amuse bouche (first bite) courtesy of the house. A fresh fig with rendered duck skin. It was wonderful. I had ordered the tasting menu as my meal and I was not disappointed. The progression of the dishes was nice and gave me a chance to enjoy each new dish. My favorites were the pink pea succotash and the beet salad and the braised short ribs and filet mignon. I watched my neighbors split a variety of jars of different spreads and relishes that looked good and they assured me were wonderful. These guys and gals know how to make you feel special and serve very good food. Thank you Voss and Randy for a wonderful meal.

    (5)

  • Aisha T.

    Visited this place on a Sunday to check out their brunch. Great environment and the dishes were innovative. The pimento cheese was an absolute treat!

    (4)

  • Lori M.

    I cannot believe it took me this long to actually come to my senses and visit Empire State South. I arrived to meet up with friends after a charity gala. Both the patio and the bar are exceptional and the evening was so perfect we spent time at both. For drinks I have a white wine that our server suggested for eats we shared the bread basket (corn muffins on fleek) and I ordered the strip steak which was cooked medium to perfection. Though a bit pricey I was appreciative of the combination of unique flavors with both dishes and I always love a good steak. The remainder of the evenin we lounged on the patio and laughed and made friends playing games out in the open. Definitely a spot I'll have to visit again. According to all the photos it should be for brunch next time!

    (4)

  • Stefanie M.

    I'm going to start off the new year, by reviewing my last meal of 2014. I've been a Hugh Acheson fan based off his appearances on Top Chef, but I have never had the pleasure until New Years Eve of actually taste his food. Now I can say I'm a HUGE fan of Hugh Acheson. I was honestly surprised I was able to get NYE reservations at Empire State South, but I was trying to get in early so I could watch my Jackets whip up on the other bulldogs at 8pm. We were seated with a beautiful view of the Atlanta Skyline in the dining room, and ordered drinks and appetizers. The bread basket was actually really good value at $5, as you got several different breads, my favorite being the corn bread muffins. We also ordered 6 oysters, which were incredible! I could take a bath in those oysters! For our second course, I got the cauliflower soup and my husband got the pork belly sausage. Both were very good but in different ways, my cauliflower soup was subtle, rich, and warming. My husbands pork belly sausage was powerful in flavor, and needed a strong red wine. For our main entrees we both got the eye of rib, which came with whipped potatoes, roasted broccoli and carrots, and we added on the truffles. It was incredible and cooked to perfection. I wanted to get dessert afterward, but we were so full, we just got a cup of coffee. Service was as good as you expect from a 5 star restaurant, perfectly friendly, helpful without being intrusive. They will also validate your parking, which is a nice touch. Overall I think Empire State South was the perfect way to end 2014. It was a delectable meal, with great service and wine. Definitely a great special occasion place. Now I need to go back to try out their legendary brunch!

    (5)

  • Cory W.

    Nice restaurant. A little disappointed in the food. Ambience and crowd and was very trendy. Next time I'll sit outside. Staff was very accommodating and polite. Food was quite salty and "deep-fried" tasting. That was a bummer.

    (3)

  • Jen T.

    Great atmosphere, awesome staff! I had the chicken biscuit. Great buttery flaky biscuit with deliciously fried chicken. I opted to omit the pimento cheese, not my favorite. There was bacon and egg as well, however, the bacon was incredibly salty to me. that is my only tiny complaint. Note-they validate parking... so it's definitely worth driving into Atlanta for this treat!

    (4)

  • Grant P.

    Weird experience. Waiter did not introduce himself or give any greeting when he came up. Food was good. Suggestion: wine pour was WAY too small, cocktails also too small for the price. Management should review. Pros: validated parking

    (3)

  • Sarah L.

    Excellent experience! We had brunch here with friends & we each brought our kids. Food and service was fantastic and the wait staff were great with us & the kids. Laid back but sophisticated is an accurate description. Yelp doesn't have the right hours posted because they were open for Brunch today...we arrived at 11am & they clearly had been open awhile.

    (5)

  • Wanlan X.

    Excellent dinner venue. Park the parking lot behind the Hyatt. They validate. It is behind the building so was a bit hard to find. Did the chef tasting menu 5 courses and ordered extra stuff on the side. We're pigs. Super full by the end. Started with the charcuterie plate. Slightly overrated. Have had better sausages. The jars of different salads and chutney was good. The best was the smoked trout. The brioche toasts were a hot with the kids. The farm egg fried rice, OMG that was delicious. The rice was crispy and the egg yolk over that was melding all the flavours together. Definitely could have eaten two of that. The scallop dish was beautifully presented. The scallops were sweet and tender. The avocado purée was about too thick for the dish and needs a hint of lime. The grilled peaches with the honeycom was yummy. I'm not normally a fan of cooked fruit but that was wonderfully prepared. The peaches held their texture and was not too sweet or tart. Nice transition. The bean salad was good. The watermelon was definitely a little different but a good different. Did not care for the huge amounts of Italian parsley leaves in the salad. I'm not a parsley person. The fresh trout with the eggplant was done beautifully. I do have to say though, it was a huge amount of trout. They could have halved the trout serving. The trout was nicely done and not fishy at all. The eggplants were the unintended star of the dish. They were tender and full of flavour, almost better than the trout. The tenderloin was done perfectly medium rare and was juicy and tender and melts in your mouth. If you like good steak, you'll love this. Tenge duck breast was good. Done perfectly also. Kudos to the meat station. Well prepared meats. I with the duck breast could have a bit more flavour profile, may be adding some of ten chutney from the jars dish. Overall a beautiful and delicious meal. The plating was fresh and light and the foods were delicious and did not make you feel heavy after. Excellent restaurant.

    (5)

  • Cole O.

    Best place to eat breakfast upon mover & shakers in Midtown. The food is ridiculously well-made, Please go here.

    (5)

  • Teresa F.

    Went yesterday for lunch. Had the most perfect beet salad ever - seriously, wonderful taste and texture balance. Service was friendly and attentive. Can't wait to go back!

    (4)

  • Nichole K.

    Memorial Day dinner. Had a wonderful and entertain experience when we sat at the bar. Great atmosphere. Huge bar (one that I would love to have in my house). Nice outdoor seating. And we wined. And we dined. We spent quite a bit of money per person, but we like to try everything so we ended up splitting about 4-5 small plates, 2 entrees, and a dessert between three people. So, don't come to this restaurant on a budget. Come here to spend to get the full experience. The whole staff was excellent. If the awesome food doesn't bring me back, the staff definitely will. Looking forward to my next dining experience here.

    (5)

  • Tiff H.

    Oh wow. Oh man. I've been on a hunt for good classy food in Atlanta, thank you Uncle Sam for the nice tax refund. Came here on a nice warm day, it was slightly brisk, but I was wearing shorts, so yes!! We chose to sit outside, in spite of the pollen haze that hovered over the bocce ball court lawn. As noted in previous reviews, the hostesses were a little aloof and not very inviting, but I had no problems with our server, who was super friendly and helpful with suggestions and ideas. I ordered a drink, the Circuit Hymn, which was recommended by the server. However, it came out to be a little heavy for me... not a HUGE fan of bourbon and it was bourbon heavy. My friend ordered Kipling's Muse (a very pink drink) that was very sweet. And... we ended up switching. Thank God. Instead of ordering three separate entrees, we ended up trying multiple appetizers ("snacks" and "beginnings). First, we ordered the ESS Charcuterie, which included a variety of pickles, mustards and meats. We ordered the smaller portion, which was still a lot for the three of us. The pickles are a little more sour than I'm used to, so I tended to avoid them... The meats were so different and definitely worth a try. We also ordered the In Jars, which included different spreads over some freshly warm toast. I definitely preferred the pimento cheese spread and the trout, although the trout was a little fishier than I would have hoped. The red hummus also wasn't bad, although left an odd aftertaste that I'm guessing is just something I'm not used to. Next, we ordered some beginnings to top off the meal. Honestly, after the appetizers we were definitely more than content, but we had already placed our order... and we were curious to see what else was coming next. We ordered the Farm Egg, Charred Octopus, and the Littleneck Clams that I can't find on the menu anymore... The Farm Egg was great, an egg cooked over easy on a bowl of deep fried rice (WHICH IS MIND BLOWING) and other various veggies and sausage. The charred octopus is what it is. Charred octopus. Very yummy, and the octopus was tender. The Littleneck clams was some catfish sausage, which was super flavorful but also super salty, but I preferred the veggies that decorated the dish, since they weren't just decorative. Overall, those beginnings were a little salty for my taste, but I didn't mind, while I know some may. FINALLY we couldn't resist dessert. More like, I couldn't resist. I ordered the Chocolate Nest, I think was what it was called (no longer on the menu...?). It was small, but large in flavor and decadence. The mousse, the chocolate cake, the pralines, oh my... god... What a great dessert. I wish it were bigger! Three people fighting for the last forkful was devastating. Our bill came to be about $50 each, which wasn't bad considering we ordered drinks and a dessert. I have to give props to our server for providing us with details on each item, especially since we (ahem, I was) were so indecisive on what to order... so we asked about each and every item. I definitely want to come here again to try their entrees... although my wallet may not want to...

    (4)

  • Mike A.

    I bet this place is cooler in the summer. Or warmer. Which would make it better. That's my guess, my bet. It was OK when we went. I am not a Scorpio and it is never all or nothing with me. It is usually grey, usually in the middle. People who are all or nothing are kind of meh to me. I mean, that's OK, I guess. But I wouldn't like to be that way. Or would I? The food here was good but the portions were too small, like I was trying to fit into the skinny jeans all of the boys were wearing that were eating there. I don't wear skinny jeans. I wear Wrangler Jeans because Brett Favre told me that they have extra room in the crotch, and that's super important to me. I don't want to try to high-step run out of an establishment only to find out that I am detained by my own pantelones. The bathroom was down a long hallway and occupied by a bunch of these skinny jean wearing boys.

    (3)

  • Lucy W.

    I have to update my last review...I chose Empire State South for my birthday dinner with friends. While perusing the menu, I was describing a delicious cocktail I had in New York to my friends, and my new obsession with pink peppercorns in cocktail drinks when the server approached to take our drink orders. I proceeded to order a gin cocktail...lo and behold, it arrives with pink peppercorn enhanced garnish...it was delicious! Well played, Empire State South staff! I also got a lovely little petit four dessert with birthday wish from the dessert chef. Attention to detail and attentive service raises Empire State South above the rest of the competition! Know that when you choose this restaurant, you will be well taken care of.

    (5)

  • Jang C.

    This is probably one of my favorite places to eat when I'm watching a show at the Fox. It is about .5 miles away, so it's not exactly walking distance from the Fox. It's close enough. Empire State South is another one of those Farm-to-Table restaurants. The ingredients taste fresh and good. So far, I tried dishes from their lunch and dinner menu. They were all high-quality and delicious for each meal. For dinner, I tried their Charcuterie plate. It was very meaty. It's a bunch of meats with different types of mustard, mustard seed spreads, and pickled vegetables. I liked it. Although it felt like I was eating head cheese and spam for a high price. Overall, I liked it though. I tried some of their rabbit tasting. I wasn't a fan after eating the Charcuterie because most of the meat on the plate tasted exactly like the meat on the Charcuterie. It wasn't a whole piece of rabbit leg or anything. They made them into rabbit spam or rabbit meatloaf. I can understand why they would do that, but it didn't give me the experience of eating rabbit. My suggestion? Skip the rabbit if you are doing the Charcuterie plate. The duck was amazing. It was one of the best ducks I had. It came with a couple slices of duck meat along with duck rillette. They also plated with scatterings of pumpkin, braised greens, muscadines, radish, filet beans. Everything balanced the duck out well. It looks like a small dish, but it is quite filling. The GA Trout is another great dish to have. Once again, everything they include in the plate matches well with the fish. The fish is grilled perfectly and tasted delicious. Empire State South has a good dessert and coffee menu. I only had tiny taste of some of the coffees, and they tasted good. Empire State South also provides a tasting course for about $80. It's on my to-do list.

    (4)

  • Lilly Y.

    Yum! I've had ESS on my radar for awhile, and was able to talk my colleague into coming here for lunch. Everything about this place is on-point in my book: great food (all made in house), fun and friendly service, and not too pretentious. If I worked in the office building they're situated in, my bank account would be at $0 from spending all my money there! Already planning my next visit! I started with the pimento cheese with bacon marmalade, and boy was that good! Good news is that they let you take the whole Mason jar it's served in if you don't finish. I ordered the Superfood for my entree, and loved it! It was filling and flavorful without being heavy. My colleague had the fried chicken sandwich and enjoyed it. I finished with some bakery items (macaroon, cookie and something else I can't remember), and they were all really good. They offered different flavors that I hadn't had elsewhere; strawberry malt cookies, for example. And I could really tell they were house-made and from scratch. Everything was in the details! I can't wait to come back for brunch like everyone else raves about!

    (4)

  • Audrica B.

    The design and location are more interesting than the menu. Frankly, the brunch menu is too snooty for me, and it includes minor Southern delicacies. I started with the pimento cheese; it's savory, and the topped bacon is well incorporated, but it's slightly too smokey. My meal was the griddled biscuit in which was disappointing. The sausage in the biscuit was very spam-like. It had the same look and consistency as cooked spam. The bacon was a hard, thick slice of what tasted like cooking oil. The biscuit was somewhat dry but had a good texture. The good in this conjunction was the fig and cheese had a lot of flavors! The potatoes were well done as well which I prefer. I did not enjoy my cocktail; there was too much grapefruit in my Venetian Spritzer, so it was very sour and unpleasant. The silver lining is the staff is helpful, and the outdoor patio is beautiful! I'd return if a regular menu item is added. I hope waffles is in the near future.

    (3)

  • Jana C.

    Thanks for the lunch company and ATL tidbits, Nick L! Came to grub at the nice, inviting bar, and was given very prompt service. Ordered: oyster po'boy that had paltry amount of oyster, almost brunoised ( r u in there, mister bivalve?), and had more beautifully fresh, crunchy-top bread than any protein could be spoken of. My field greens were quite yummy and uber-fresh, but were dressed with a tad more saltedness than what I prefer. Hard to out put into mouth because no knife given, and salad served in bowl. Therefore, I was making awkward faces as I attempted to angle larger pieces of lettuce and place into oral cavity without choking on...salad! The place is a beautiful space attached to a busy, bustling skyscraper building of offices. Gives that a nice touch. My first-tine experience was OK. Maybe the sandwich wasn't the way to go... PS Hugh Acheson, I'll soon be seeing you at Feast in PDX Sept 2014!

    (3)

  • Erica M.

    Unfortunately this place disappointed me on my second visit for brunch. Made reservations at 11:15 on Sunday for 3 people. Probably didn't need to make reservations because it wasn't packed and no one was waiting to be seated. After we were seated it took about 20 minutes before our waitress finally decided to come up to our table. Good thing we were in good conversation or else I would have been really pissed. I wasn't too impressed with the brunch menu. They only thing that looked good to me was the English muffin. It consists of bacon, kale, sunny-side up egg, and a side of rice grits. My English muffin was delicious, but my rice grits were a little cold. My husband had ordered the quail and he didn't really care for it. He said the quail was little dry and lacked flavor. Our friend ordered the catfish and he said it was decent, but he wasn't "wowed". I was really excited to eat at ESS this time around, but I was not convinced to keep this place on list for good eats. The food is decent, but it doesn't live up to the price and the portions are small! Also, the service was pretty bad on Sunday for brunch. I will not be coming here nor will I recommend it to anyone.

    (2)

  • Akhil A.

    Love this place! Hugh Acheson and staff do a wonderful job of fusing traditional southern fare with more modern flavors. On top of the great food are the well made, hand crafted cocktails from the bar. Go try this place if you have taken!

    (5)

  • Talitha P.

    Visited my brother this week in Atlanta and we decided to try their breakfast. I was blown away. The menu is small and the descriptions don't tell too much but the taste is incredible. I'm from LA so I have high food expectations :) I had the farm egg over crispy rice. The texture was definitely the strangest thing I've eaten but the flavor was unreal! We sat outside, which was nice & quiet and the interior decor is really beautiful. Has an upscale bar feel. The service was great too from the hostess to the waiter. Very friendly and accommodating. The only real letdown is that according to some strange Georgia law (no alcohol until 12:30pm) I couldn't taste their supposedly amazing Bloody Mary.

    (5)

  • James V.

    Great faire - had chicken salad sandwich, but others had power lunch - steak, salad and such. All was awesome!

    (5)

  • Ravi B.

    The Georgia Coffee is a MUST TRY. Ok so Chef Justin White came to Empire State South for coffee. Who goes to an amazing, well-known, restaurant started by a chef that has been on Top Chef (Hugh Acheson) and just gets coffee -- Chef Justin White and me. :P However, the Georgia Coffee was one of the best iced latte/shakers I have ever had. They make their syrups in house and it was subtle and complimented the espressos well. We sat at the bar. The bartender(s) were super friendly and the atmosphere was trendy. This place is known for brunch so we'll definitely be back for the food here.

    (4)

  • Jessica A.

    Very underwhelming. Strange combinations (trout with asparagus, sun dried tomato and candied pecans) and really salty dishes combined to make this a disappointing experience. I'm not a fan of garnishing plates with things that don't compliment the dish, so when my sweetbreads appetizer arrived under a sprinkling of wisteria flowers, it was a bit of a turnoff. I didn't know wisteria was edible. My two dining companions and I all noticed our server looked... bored. He was attentive - must have refilled our water glasses at least 20 times - but it was obvious he would have rather been elsewhere. On a scale of 1-10 dinner would have been around a 6-7 (fish was nicely cooked and the asparagus and fava beans were tasty). My appetizer along with a truly puzzling banana bread pudding dessert (don't get it) brought the whole experience down to a 4.

    (2)

  • Max P.

    Best coffee in Atlanta so far, made by a barista.

    (5)

  • Jonathan S.

    This was my second time here and the first time I gave it 5 stars so something's going seriously downhill. The appetizers and cocktails are superb, the staff are friendly and attentive. We had the trout appetizer which was excellent and the fried okra which was solid. The entrees are where the wheels completely came off. I took my parents; father and I ordered the catfish, mom ordered the pork, wife ordered the salmon. Catfish: literally among the worst entrees I've ever had. The catfish was fried and hard yet somehow also undercooked. Far worse was the pile of okra it was on top of which was so disgustingly slimy I could barely eat it. Plus, the flavor combinations just didn't work; even if the catfish and okra had been properly cooked, the rest of the flavors didn't blend. It was barely edible and both my father and I regretted not sending it back. Salmon: boring. Not bad, just a piece of grilled salmon with two boiled shrimp. No flavor but not offensive. Pork: the best of the three but that's not saying much. The pork belly was overcooked and tough. Some other types of pork on the plate were better and one (sorry, can't remember which one) was actually tasty; the only tasty part of all the entrees. Desserts: we had the butterscotch ice cream which was really yummy and cool. Parents had the lemon cake which was pretty good. Bottom line: I loved this place the first time but the second time was one of the worst meals I've had in Atlanta. Tons of good restaurants in this city, I won't be going back a third time.

    (2)

  • Bill W.

    Our party of four found this fine restaurant to be all it was supposed to be -- excellent appetizers and entrees, excellent service in a nice setting, though somewhat difficult to find. Located at the busy intersection of Peachtree and 10th St. downtown, the restaurant has lots of outdoor seating next to a bocce ball court. The menu changes daily so on the Saturday night we visited we had 6 entrees from which to choose. Instead, a couple of us had two appetizers each -- get the egg for sure -- and found them excellent. The peanut butter and strawberry shortcake deserts were delicious and pretty works of art. The portions of everything were small, however, so you may go away hungry. We found it slightly unusual for a place of this quality to have wait staff in jeans, as the linen tableware foretold a quality that was more elegant than that. Our service was superb, however, so absolutely no complaints. You will not leave here disappointed. Park in the Hilton parking ramp next door; the restaurant will validate your parking.

    (5)

  • Tanya C.

    I've been to Empire State South for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Breakfast is by far the best meal offered here. I've stopped in for breakfast many times to grab one of their tasty biscuits. My favorite is the chicken biscuit with pimento cheese. The biscuits are huge. The biscuit itself is tastes great and is nice and flaky. If you want to try one of these babies, you'll have to stop in for breakfast during the week. Unfortunately, they don't offer the chicken biscuit on their brunch menu. I'm also a fan of their ham biscuit with pepper jelly. I could eat breakfast here every morning. It's that good. I also wanted to rave about their great service. A few of us decided to have a biscuit bonfire breakfast for a friend on a Sunday afternoon. I knew that she was a big fan of the biscuits here so I contacted them to see if I could order their biscuits at a non-biscuit time. I wasn't sure that it would be possible to get an order of many chicken biscuits with pimento cheese, bacon biscuits, sausage biscuits and plain biscuits at 4 pm on a Sunday. The person that I worked with was extremely friendly. She said that she would need to check with the chef and would get back to me. She quickly got back to me and said that they would be happy to accommodate my request. I felt like I won the lottery. I placed the order and the food was ready at the requested time. Five stars for their great biscuits and 5+ stars for making the biscuit bonfire breakfast birthday feast a huge success.

    (5)

  • Karen X.

    Really trendy, contemporary, and southern fare in a cute and upscale environment. I went with three friends and we split a bottle of white wine, a charcuterie platter and each had our own delicious entrees. The charcuterie platter gives you a good sample of a lot of different types of meat and there are just tons of interesting flavor combinations on one plate. Definitely a fun appetizer to share. For my entree I got the duck which was sooo good. My friend got the chicken and it was literally a whole chicken! Super filling - get this if you are hungry! All in all, a great dinner and and a fun place to go with friends or on a date!

    (5)

  • Courtney L.

    Arrived 30 min before closing to enjoy drinks with friends and were given the coldest treatment. The looked ready to close and not worried about our business. The bar tenders were then very condescending in their explanation of the drink menu and very pretentious in demeanor. They didn't even have the liquor I wanted and acted shocked about it. I wouldn't doubt if they were just being lazy and didnt want to go get it. The pours were small and prices were high. Would not return or recommend based on service alone. The owners should have their staff take some customer service lessons.

    (1)

  • Lisa S.

    Great ambiance! I went with a large group, we were in town for a conference. The octopus fritter was awesome! However, it only gets. 4 stars for two reasons. First, where we were sitting it was too dark to read the menus. Some people in my party actually had to pull out their phone flashlights to read it. Second, there was an over use of rutabaga in some of the menu items. I would avoid the onion soup and the pasta dish. Everything else was lovey!

    (3)

  • Kat W.

    Visiting ESS has been on my bucket list for a very long time, and all I can say is that if you are unsure whether to go or not -- stop. Get in your car, and GO THERE. The decor is the perfect backdrop of farmhouse kitsch, the staff is attentive and not just in a "fills your water back up really fast," oh no, they discuss the menu with you. They make heartfelt recommendations, and join with you as you succumb to your glorious foodgasm. A foodgasm which, like death and taxes, is one of life's little givens if you eat at Empire State South. The charcuterie board? Sublime. Their take on the farm egg? Pure bliss, like popcorn covered in runny egg. Magical. And the GA strip loin? I won't ruin the surprise, you'll just have to get in on that for yourself. And did I mention that they have an outdoor bocce courtyard? Because they have an outdoor bocce courtyard. tl;dr: a Must, capital M.

    (5)

  • Scarlett W.

    The boyfriend managed to snag a reservation here for Valentine's day for their 4 course $65 prix fixe menu. My drink of choice was the Sirena (Mezcal, pear eau de vie, anisette liquer, orgeat, and lime). The waitress described this as a smoky and shaken drink. At first, it was a milky white color and as the evening wore on, the drink turned more clear. Magic (also known as shaken, not stirred)! I started off with the kale salad which was topped with pickled shallots, pecans, and smoked sour dough bits. The presentation was spectacular and my first bite of the salad was even better. The sour dough bits vaguely reminded me of bacon. Mm. I then had the catfish panisse with pork belly and sea island red peas. The catfish was slightly crispy on top and bottom and had a tofu-like texture when I bit into it. For my entree, I ordered the duck confit on top of rice grits, hedgehog mushrooms and sausage. I usually don't like grits because they are...too gritty...(who knew?) but these grits were fluffy and light and topped with mushrooms so that also helped. The duck was a little hard to cut into but it was prepared exquisitely. Dessert was lemon cake topped with raspberry (?) sorbet. I really enjoyed the crisp taste of the raspberry mixed with bites of the cake. I originally found the cake to be boring but the sorbet helped bring out the flavor of the cake. Service was impeccable and Lauren, our waitress, was very nice! Sidenote: Validated parking in 999 Peachtree St. Verdict: Just off of this one meal, this has become one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta because of the creativity and unexpected food pairings. Unfortunately, it is a bit pricy and the portion sizes are rather small (presumably because quality trumps quantity every time) so Empire State South will unfortunately have to be a once in a while treat.

    (5)

  • Stephen B.

    Dinner - appetizers were excellent. The beet salad, peaches and pork were great. The catfish entree was a disappointment. The portion was 3 ounces about the size of a chicken nugget. I asked the server when the rest of my fish was. Very disappointing for $28!

    (2)

  • Tracy H.

    The Farro Verdo appetizer exceeded my expectations. There was a mixture of spiciness and delicate lentil flavors that provided a delightful experience on the tongue. Highly recommended. Definitely add on the Farro Verde appetizer to whatever you are getting. The brassacas (sp?) was light and airy. Good but not the exquisite experience of the farro verde.

    (5)

  • Robert C.

    I live close by and have been here many times. This is a high end restaurant with a casual hipster atmosphere. The menu changes frequently so it is hard to say what my favorite items are. About a year ago I had Chef George's Tripe stew and it was amaze-balls, but then last weekend I had the Pineapple Meringue Pie with pomegranate berries for dessert... Oh MG... Orgasm in my mouth. Been back twice and I can't get enough. Yes, it is a little pricey ($14 for some bodacious Ramen noodles on Sundays), and service is a little slow during rush hour (6:30-8:30 Thur-Sat), but this is by far the best restaurant in midtown. When the joint is slow, the service is top notch- I love getting Randy as a server... and John Wayne (his real name) is the bartender I always dreamed of. If you like wine, Steve Grubbs is killin it and one of the best sommeliers in the country. Google it. Again... Everything changes almost weekly so this review has a time/date stamp of 27 Feb 2015. I highly recommend ESS.

    (5)

  • Maurice D.

    Came here with a girlfriend because she lucked up on a $150 gift card for the joint. Empire State South is located in an office building on Peachtree and has a parking garage in the building which your server will have the parking ticket validated for you upon request. We came here as a party of three during their lunch hours on a weekday. The restaurant was not very busy at all. The decor in the restaurant is very nice and upscale and seemed like it would be a great setting for a romantic date night in the evening. The lunch menu was rather limited to me and I was indecisive about what I wanted to order since everything on the menu is quite unique. I opted for a dish recommended by our server which consisted of what I later found out was pig hearts, potatoes, roasted veggies, and a poached egg. A very interesting dish to say the least. My friends ordered the catfish entree and the lamb stew entree. They were both satisfied with their meals. The lamb stew was a big hit at the table! We ordered various dessert samples and our server gave us extra desserts because we were his lucky "day after New Years customers," as he put it. This place gets three stars because the portions are incredibly small for the high price. The food also wasn't mind-blowing to me. Would I return to this place again? Probably not. Not with my own money anyway. South City Kitchen down the street is a better option for "fancy" Southern Cooking.

    (3)

  • Neesha P.

    An incredible meal!! Had the scallop crudo and lamb merguez to eat, followed by the coconut lime tart for dessert. I hate fruit and this dessert was out of this world! The food was spot on! For drinks, I tried the letter to elise and snake charmer. Yum!! I will definitely be back. What a wonderful dinner. Service was fantastic too, icing on the cake :)

    (5)

  • Bryan W.

    Hugh Acheson charmed me on Top Chef Masters, so where else would I go to dine but Empire State South with only one night in Atlanta. The Jars starter made the trip from Los Angeles worth it. There is a potted ham. There is a pickled catfish. There is a tremendous hummus. There is an accompaniment jar featuring a selection of pickled vegetables. One order was more than enough for our table of seven. It was the last days of spring so I jumped at the chance to try the fava and pea salad. I also enjoyed a quail stuffed with house made chicken sausage.

    (5)

  • Sasha R.

    We were driving through to savannah and decided to make a pit stop in Atlanta. So glad that we made it in time to dine at this spot! Our dinner host, Voss was awesome! Aside from the food tasting delicious, the service was really welcoming and engaging. We had a great evening and will be dining again here soon. Everyone was all hands on deck and involved with keeping this restaurant flowing. To start we had the octopus, which all the flavors were brought together perfectly. We also had the scrapple, good flavors and texture. My first experience with scrapple and it was yummier than I imagined. We also tried the peach salad, which was good since peaches are in season but we wouldn't of missed this dish. The catfish was the real star of the show, highlighting flavors of the south, the fish was light and fresh. The fried egg was also a star! The bacon was some of the best I have tasted in a long time, pretty sure they make it themselves! We can't remember the name of the cocktails we had but they were also on point. I wish we were staying local because we probably would have explored the wine list some more. The coconut lime dessert reminded me of key lime pie from home just much better with that coconut crust! Yummmm... I thought the avocado ice cream was a little much for my taste buds but an interesting experience. All together this place has a great vibe and the kitchen is putting out some great food! Thanks team!

    (5)

  • James B.

    What a completely excellent spot for lunch in Midtown Atlanta. Was blown away with the excellent service that I received from the moment I walked in the place (albeit, it was mostly empty at 1pm on a Wednesday). But the food is really where this place shines. I went with the fried chicken po-boy and it was just perfectly balanced in every aspect. I'm not typically a huge fan of hot sauce but this was really complemented by the saltiness of the pickles and pimento to make a great combo. The bread it was on was the perfect amount and nicely toasted with butter. The chips on the side were nice and not overly oily like many "homemade" chips these days. I also was lucky enough to order an iced coffee - really simply excellent for a restaurant of this style. Would love to go back for dinner.

    (5)

  • Shayna P.

    We went to Empire State South on a Saturday night at 7.15 for a special occasion dinner. Unfortunately, we were pretty disappointed. My date had been a few times previously and was not totally pumped to go again, but he decided to give it another try. For drinks, my date had the Don Fresco, and I had the Atwood Grove. It was definitely the highlight of our evening. I'm not even a tequila fan, and I liked the Don Fresco taste. And I absolutely adored by bourbon drink. For dinner, I had the trout. I thought it was tasty although nothing too spectacular. The carrots underneath were good. My date had the poached tuna (very disappointing and tasteless) and the pork loin (more disappointing). We decided not to go for dessert as we felt extremely rushed by the staff. We understand that they wanted to get the next seating in, but it was absurd how many times they asked us if we were ready to order. In at 7.15 and out by 8.30 at a nice restaurant? No thank you. The ambiance is nice. We sat outside, and the parking deck behind the building was well-disguised. We also got to watch a group playing bocce, which is always fun. In the end, I wouldn't do dinner there again.

    (3)

  • Gill B.

    Knocked my socks off, wowed my taste buds, and pleased all of my senses. We walked up from the bustling Midtown street in the heart of all of the ATL action (parking side note: they don't have valet, but they validate for garage parking at 999 Peachtree Street for up to 3 hours). Right off of 10th street in the middle of the skyscrapers and the Midtown business district, there is a white canopied entrance that is tucked off of a lovely open air courtyard, sandwiched between some big buildings. It is a rustic and charming gem in the midst of the city chaos. It is a beautiful juxtaposition - dining at quaint little tables beside a delightful AstroTurf lawn area with a nice little bocce ball court with the backdrop of the big buildings in kissing the Midtown sky. The perfect balance of classic Southern setting and urban Atlanta scenery, unique and remarkable. We opted to sit outside on the patio area to take in the warm, summer night. I only got to take a quick peek at the interior when I was at the hostess stand and went through the dining room to the "tunnel" area beyond where the bathrooms are tucked away. It is like a rustic southern home with dark wood and a HUGE bar (with not TVs as our server pointed out - which is kind of refreshing in the sports bar cluttered land of Midtown). Our server Laura could not have been more friendly and knowledgeable. Not overbearing, but just the right amount of attentive and helpful. She guided us through the menu with interest and ease. She spoke to the saltiness of the oysters, and we ended up ordering one of each to start. Each one that I tried had a slightly different taste to it, a little more salty or slimy. I lost track of which one was which, but all were delicious and tasted like they had just been pulled fresh out of the water. She pointed out her favorite dishes from the "Beginnings" section, and we opted to go with a few of the small plates from this section to taste and sample as much as we could in a tapas style fashion. We landed on the charred octopus, the pork tenderloins, and the yellowfin tuna. Of course every single plate that came out of the kitchen looked like an exquisite piece of art on the delicate porcelain dishes. The octopus with dainty little lady peas was hands down my favorite tasting of the meal. Perfectly blackened, a little bit chewy, but also crispy and tender and flavorful at the same time. The peas were a subtle and lovely little compliment reminiscent of little lima beans. It accomplished all of the desirable taste sensations in one dish. I am salivating at the thought... The yellowfin tuna was a close second with a perfectly flaky texture, accompanied by a lovely yummy spinach and onion combo. I sipped on a crisp and refreshing glass of Gruner Veltliner which paired perfectly with our seafood selections. She accidentally poured me the Pinot Gris on my second and final glass, apologizing as she delivered it to the table and realized her mistake. I appreciated her pointing it out, and she offered to take it back right away. She allowed me to taste it, and I accepted without protest. It was just another light and crisp white that went well with the meal. We were pretty stuffed by the end of the meal with no room for dessert, but I was rather surprised to see that the dessert menu kind of lacked the classic southern staples that you might expect to see. Like a dolled up pecan pie or bread pudding or red velvet cake or some such super southern cliche with a twist. I am not much of a dessert gal, but my dining companion was not so impressed at the offerings. The servers did a great job of clearing plates at just the right moments, and refreshing our water glasses throughout the meal. I can undoubtedly say that this was one of the best meals that I have ever eaten in Atlanta - and probably anywhere else. High quality food and service. But of course it comes with a high price tag. Worth it for a special occasion, once in a blue moon amazing meal. After my experience, it is clear to me why this place is considered such a legendary dining establishment in Atlanta.

    (5)

  • Kelsey F.

    After my recent breakfast at Empire State South, I was completely relaxed, full of amazing food and ready to face the day. If I could win the lottery and have breakfast every single day here, that would be great. My lovely breakfast at ESS reminded me of eating in tiny little French towns with the most amazing restaurants - no rush, great coffee, maximally charming. The mother (Linda) and I came on a recent Monday. We were greeted by a delightful gent who told us we could sit where ever we wanted. We chose a booth near a mom and little kid, but it was otherwise not very crowded with the exception of a few people at the bar and several people getting coffee and bites to go. The atmosphere is everything I like in a restaurant. Calming, modern folk music, a spacious dining area with excellent acoustics, homey but refined decor, an impressive bar and of course a bocce ball court. I could have stayed here all day drinking coffee, chatting and nibbling on whatever amazing things they cooked up. A great breakfast feature at ESS is the to-go window and station for business folk and travelers. Coffee, tea, pastries, bagels and more are available for a quick morning pick me up at the far side of the bar. Their coffee is really really really amazing. Each cup is drip brewed in a sort of science class room beaker. They charge per cup, but our kind waiter brought us just a quick top off for no additional fee. They also left a carafe of water on the table for us, but our waiter made a point of making it around often to fill our cups for us. He also re-folded our napkins (in a not annoying way) when we would step away from the table. Ok, the food. After hearing about the biscuits for quite some time, I went for the fried chicken biscuit with pimento cheese and Linda went for a biscuit with pimento cheese and bacon. The biscuits lived up to the hype - warm, buttery, homey, delicious. The chicken with pimento cheese biscuit was everything you hope your Chick-Fil-A chicken biscuit will grow up to be. We also shared a side of grits that were excellent. The biscuits are really filling, so a side is probably not necessary. For brunch and dinner, a reservation is a good idea. Empire State South is on the pricey side, but I think the service, food, drinks and atmosphere are completely worth it. I can not wait to get back here for lunch, dinner and (most importantly) brunch. Also, I love seeing an Athens based chef with such a spectacular Atlanta restaurant. Couldn't have been more impressed or happy with the meal.

    (5)

  • David R.

    Small portions for the price, but good food. There was about a 30 minute wait for a table, but there was space available at the bar. I ordered the prime ribeye, medium. The meat was tender and flavorful. It was accompanied by potato macaire, black trumpet mushrooms, kale and almonds. The wine I ordered went well with the dish; Pinot Noir, Jean-Luc Joillot, Burgundy, France. I expected bread & butter to arrive before my meal however, I had to request it. That was the only part of the service that was lacking. For desert, I ordered the Yuzu Posset. It is made with Asian citrus, huckleberries, brown butter crumble and almond meringue. That paired well with a coffee from Papua New Guinea, the Baroida; it was smooth. The coffee was prepared using the Chemex method. A final plus is that parking is validated for three hours when using the parking deck for 999 Peachtree St.

    (3)

  • stephen N.

    Stylish, meticulous, creative, and balanced. This describes the food, the bar, the whole experience. The menu focuses on southern and Appalachian heirloom ingredients, transformed into creative expressions of seasonal flavors. I had the Foie Gras with nasturtium, wood sorrel, sorghum caramel corn and squash purée to start, I paired it with a glass if Sancerre. The foie gras was served as a terrine which was unexpected but tasty all the same. The star of the dish was the Carmel corn made from sorghum syrup...amazing. I also had a beer and fennel salad. It was a nice mix of different beets and thinly sliced fennel. I was really happy to see so many wild/foraged greens and herbs in the menu, they provided a sense of the local farms that provide the veggies and these plants would grow in and amongst the gardens naturally. A great experience.

    (5)

  • Charith F.

    If you are into eating at a place with a trendy atmosphere, beautiful food presentation, lofty prices, and don't care so much about the taste of what you are eating this place is for you. I have been here twice and while I have never horrible food here, both times I have walked away unimpressed. Appetizer wise I have tried Charcuterie and the Jar assortment. My favorite of the jars was the pimento cheese and bacon marmalade. I would have never thought of mixing the two together, but it was great. The red pea hummus on the other hand tasted like it came out of a plastic container from Publix. The Charcuterie was good, but there was really nothing special about it. For main courses, I have tried the rib eye and the quail. The quail was good, but really lacked any sort of wow factor or interesting flavor. After a few bites I was kind of over it. I was more disappointed in the rib-eye though, because I could have gone to Shield's and bought a dry aged rib eye twice the size at half the price, made it at home and it would have tasted much, much better. I'm not sure how a professional chef fails to make a rib-eye that tastes better than something I could make at home. But I digress, both were were very average. Onto the cocktail menu, which for some reason doesn't include any vodka based cocktails. I asked the waiter why and he says the head bartender thinks vodka is boring. I'm sure the head bartender is probably a very cool guy, that wears hip pants and probably sports a trendy mustache, while I'm a boring guy, that is not very cool, and has difficulty growing interesting facial hair, BUT would it really hurt to have one vodka based drink on the cocktail menu! While I realize that artisanal bourbons are extremely hot right now, but I'm sure someone makes an artisanal vodka that he can concoct a drink out of. While I think Empire State South is a cool place, don't come here expecting to be blown away by the culinary talents of the kitchen. If you are looking for an upscale restaurant in the area with great food, I highly recommend South City Kitchen, which is only a few block away and serves much better food.

    (3)

  • Erich M.

    I had the Spinalis that is actually translated to ribeye it was flavorful. Ask for Randy. Can translate the menu. The Farm Egg was a southern style skillet fried rice. Yummy Wired but must try. Great atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Patrick W.

    Such a fantastic experience from arrival to departure--everything was really on point! This was my first time in Atlanta, and I am a huge fan of Chef Hugh Acheson's, so ESS had to be our first stop for dinner. We were greeted by a friendly hostess and sat immediately. Our servers were incredibly nice, patient (we took a long time to make any kind of decision haha), and attentive--no complaints at all on the service front! For food, we got the chicken with foie gras, the farm egg starter, the octopus starter, the scallops starter, and a couple ciders. Everything was absolutely delicious. I think the standout dish was the farm egg--it was absolutely delicious. It's served over a crispy fried rice with chicken sausage, brussels, and sweet potato--it all worked so well together. The decor is also warm and comfortable and feels spacious without feeling distant and sterile. Everything was basically perfect and can't wait to come back again when I visit next!

    (5)

  • Josh A.

    I was in Atlanta for a few days and, familiar with Empire from previous trips, stopped in because I urgently needed coffee and knew they served Counter Culture. The coffee, hand brewed to order, was exceptional as always, and the Farm Egg is one of my new favorite dishes anywhere. But what really made this visit memorable was my waiter, Zach. He was a very attentive server and learning I was from out of town, he made me a list of a couple dozen local places to check out, and I was really able to experience local Atlanta. On my way out, I stopped at Empire again for brunch and coffee and was again seated in Zach's section. Wonderful as before, he even made me a box of pastries, free of charge, for my drive home. Not only did Zach make each visit to Empire special, he made my entire trip to Atlanta a memorable one. If you can only stop once while in Atlanta, stop at Empire.

    (5)

  • Sonia P.

    In a nutshell = incredibly overpriced for a so-so menu and sub par service. Our original server never greeted us and another one stepped in, apologized for the delay, and treated us to a complimentary starter of In-Jars (perfect group appetizer, could easily be a meal on its own). But even this server was SO slow and not particularly engaging, and the restaurant definitely wasn't busy at that time. If customers are paying $30+ for an entree, there should be nothing but excellent service. Okay, my rant is over, now onto the food: Breakdown of the In-Jars (served with toast): -deviled ham: hearty but I would prefer heavier seasoning -trout mousse: yummy but not particularly special -pickled vegetables: good crunch factor, nice contrast to the toast + spreads -pimento cheese & bacon marmalade: INCREDIBLE, perfect balance of cheese to spice to bacon - easily my favorite food item that night -hummus: bland/boring, would work better with lightly salted pita chips Other dishes: -Farm Egg: liked it at first but very greasy due to the bologna and rice was practically deep-fried; is "plantation rice" supposed to be like that? Good flavor, but too heavy. -Trout with bok choi, baby carrots, and wheatberries: tasty! -Lemon Posset: refreshing lemon custard dessert also in a jar; they clearly like jars! Cocktails are pricey but well-crafted and refreshing: -Kipling's Muse: I saw "strawberries and Prosecco" and was immediately sold. -Don Fresco: for tequila-lovers, it's a nice drink with sage, honey, and lime Other than the pimento cheese, food was not memorable. Disappointed with my overall experience here.

    (2)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :7:00 am - 10:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Garage
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Trendy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Empire State South

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