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Name: Woodfire Grill
Address: 1782 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30324
Telephone: (404) 347-9055
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.25

Woodfire Grill

1782 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30324

(404) 347-9055
Store is closed

Woodfire Grill Menu

First

Beet Pavlova

Spring Gargouille

Virginia Flounder Ceviche

Snake River Wagyu Beef Tartare
Second

Tempura Fried N.c. Soft Shell Crab

Crispy Veal Sweetbreads

Seared Wild Alaskan Halibut

Wild Mushroom Puff Pastry

Hudson Valley Foie Gras Mousse
Third

Wood Roasted Sunburst Farms Trout

Wood Oven Roasted Wild Columbia River Salmon

Wood Grilled Hudson Valley Duck Breast

Wood Grilled Lamb Belly And Pork Belly

Wood Grilled C.a.b. Prime Spinalis
Vegetables & Sides

Carmelized Baby Fennel Georgia Espellete Local Honey

Wood Grilled Local Asparagus
Tasting Menu

5-course Chef’s Tasting Menu

7-course Chef’s Grand Tasting Menu
Dessert

Cardamom Rice Pudding

Dark Chocolate Truffle Cake

Red Velvet Ice Cream Cake

Blackberry Pop Tarts
Coffee

Coffee

Organic Cappuccino

Espresso
Tea

Black Tea

Green Tea

Herbal Teas

Healthy Meal suggestions for Woodfire Grill

First

Beet Pavlova [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Spring Gargouille [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Virginia Flounder Ceviche [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Snake River Wagyu Beef Tartare [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Second

Tempura Fried N.c. Soft Shell Crab [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Crispy Veal Sweetbreads [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Wild Alaskan Halibut [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wild Mushroom Puff Pastry [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Hudson Valley Foie Gras Mousse [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Third

Wood Roasted Sunburst Farms Trout [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wood Oven Roasted Wild Columbia River Salmon [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wood Grilled Hudson Valley Duck Breast [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wood Grilled Lamb Belly And Pork Belly [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wood Grilled C.a.b. Prime Spinalis [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Vegetables & Sides

Carmelized Baby Fennel Georgia Espellete Local Honey [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Wood Grilled Local Asparagus [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tasting Menu

5-course Chef’s Tasting Menu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

7-course Chef’s Grand Tasting Menu [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Dessert

Cardamom Rice Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Dark Chocolate Truffle Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Red Velvet Ice Cream Cake [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Blackberry Pop Tarts [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Coffee

Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Organic Cappuccino [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Espresso [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Tea

Black Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Herbal Teas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Peter L.

This is as good as it gets... Amazing wine selection, knowledgeable, accommodating, and attentive staff, and the FOOD, from the salad to dessert, tops all of it. Your entire GI and Neuro system will thank you. Will return next time in Atlanta. Make sure to get reservations weeks in advance.
(5)
Marina T.

I love you woodfire grill. You are my favorite restaurant in all of ATL now. I love you Kevin Gillespie for you kick ass on Top Chef and you support sustainable farming and your pork belly is just absolutely amazing. Tasting menu is a must when you come here. And FYI, your hair and clothes will smell like you've been at Woodfire Grill that night.
(5)
Sue F.

While in Atlanta on business, I wanted a nice place for dinner to see a friend (who lives in Atlanta). I got more than I wanted!! First, I made Saturday night reservations 3 weeks in advance - good thing - at 5:30 they were turning away folks who had no reservations. Second, I had read the yelp and open table reviews, but not each and every one - had no idea about the Top Chef deal, but tons of people were taking photos with the chef. Third, this guy was so nice - chatted with everyone. We sat right be the grill and I would recommend this as it is interesting to see the dynamics. We both had the steak and it was wonderful. A definite "YES" if you are in Atlanta.
(5)
Jeff L.

My wife and I ate here last night for her birthday dinner. Like many recent patrons, I found out about this place from a certain reality television series, where I fell in love with Kevin Gillespie's (the executive chef) style of cooking. I have to say that the menu was indeed very reflective of Kevin's style of cooking that I've come to know over the past months. Overall, I would say that the food was very good (even great), but nothing we had stood out to me as being a dish that would stay with me. To start, I must say that service was all right, but terribly inconsistent. I felt that the waiter came by too often to start the meal (I felt a bit rushed to order), but then didn't really come by much at all once the food was ordered. I think he stopped by once during our four courses to ask how the food was. In addition, the pacing wasn't particularly good either with our first two courses coming out way too quickly. For our first course, we each ordered a creamy cauliflower soup. We both enjoyed the soup, and you could get a good cauliflower taste. It was served with some (fried) clams, which seemed out of place, but quite good. The flavors were subtle (still very good), but perhaps a bit too subtle... For our second course, my wife ordered the Scallops and I had the Veal Sweetbreads. I have to say that the scallops were delightful. They were cooked perfectly, and their accompanying sides just worked with the dish. My sweetbreads, however, were something of a disappointment. They were breaded and fried and ended up very dry and (mostly) flavorless. They were served on top of apples, potatoes, and bacon, which was a wonderful combination. However, when paired with the sweetbreads, that was all you could taste. Overall, the dish tasted good, but the main protein was entirely lost. For our main courses, my wife ordered the duck, and I had the quail. To start, my quail dish was heavenly. Both my wife and I absolutely loved it. It was served on a bed of creamed Brussels sprouts and pears, which was a great accompaniment to the perfectly cooked quail. My wife's duck dish, however, was quite honestly bad on every level. To start, the duck was dry and (as tough to believe as it is) had absolutely no flavor. One of the main problems was that the dish was not served with a sauce, which was definitely needed. On top of that, the duck was sliced very thinly (which I think added to the dryness and lack of flavor), and it was served on a very mild puree of some sort. Very disappointing to say the least. Because it was my wife's birthday, we got a complimentary dessert. They brought us a chocolate pain perdu, which was remarkably good. We're usually not big dessert lovers when we dine out, but this was really good ... and on the house, so who could complain? In the end, I've very happy we dined at Woodfire Grill. Did any of the food 'blow my mind'? Not particularly. Will we be making a return trip in the future? Probably not. However, overall, the food was very good (aside from the Duck). I did think, at times, that many of the flavors were not as deep or developed as they could have been. I know that Kevin's style is simplicity personified and that he prefers subtlety over knocking someone over the head. However, there's subtlety and then there's subtlety to a fault. Most of the time, the food fell into the former (subtle in a good way), but other times it fell into the latter (too subtle). A 3.5 star experience that I'll have to round down to 3 stars for spotty service and a bad duck dish.
(3)
Ferdinand H.

The Woodfire is very pleasant in decor and atmosphere, with woods of a golden nut colour, softly lit, accenting the warm tones of the furnishings. It's not a typical east or southeast kind of decor, and actually reminds me of something a bit further out west. The restaurant's furnishings are only a prelude to the meal, however and I was deeply satisfied with the appetizers and entrees that my party enjoyed. We quaffed a bottle of Syrah, and enjoyed the 3 steaks we ordered, each subtly and effectively seasoned -- not at all hiding the native flavours of the beef -- indeed only accenting it. The chef's salad preparations were also blessed with the freshest ingredients and delicate flavourings that ensured continued interest in my salad from first bite to last; without dousing the affair in overwhelming sauce. :) Intimate and enjoyable. Urbane, yet with a taste of the sylvan.
(4)
Kurt S.

Being from out of town, I stumbled into Woodfire Grill mostly unaware of it's acclaim. I was looking for a restaurant that served local and seasonal ingredients. Lucky for me, it was packed and the only seat available without a wait was at the bar. I've got nothing against the servers there, but in all of my subsequent visits, the bar was my go-to spot. The food was delicious from the amuse-bouche to the digestif. The preparation is creative without being coy. The flavors are sumptuous without being too heavy. I appreciate the smaller portion size, as you really should get several courses.. .and enjoy several of their cocktails, beers, and/or wines. Blake the bartender (who I am not stalking) and his cohorts mix up a mean drink complete with ingredient exposÃ©, and are happy to tweak a recipe to meet your tastes (read: more rye!). I even got to see Mr. Famous Chef Man through the gaggle of women taking photos with him...
(5)
Katherine S.

Wow. I went in to see what "Top Chef Kevin" was made of, and I was blown away. I went to dinner with 5 other girls, and we all loved our meals. Chef Kevin even came in to talk to us. (no spoilers, though!) All of the food was thoughtfully prepared and well-portioned. I loved the southern influences, and the quality of the ingredients was unbeatable. Lots of focus on local, organic product. The space is nice on the inside, but in a random location across from a strip club. I swear I've driven by this place around 50 times and never thought it was anything special. It's a little more pricey than your average dinner out, but definitely worth it. I want to go back to try the 3 or 5-course dinner with wine pairings. Good date spot, or place to take the in-laws.
(5)
Scott M.

One of the best places in Atlanta in my opinion. I've been coming here since it opened and every time has been nearly flawless. It has fit well with nice night out with friends or for date nights, and they capture the tone of what you're going for perfectly -for a birthday party, they were boisterous, for dates, it's been quietly respectful and attentive. I appreciate that they're carrying on Tuohy's philosophy of organic, sustainable and local ingredients. Grumpy members of local food forums like to bicker over this point, but it does matter, and thankfully this does match very well with the quality of the ingredients. I had the vegetarian tasting menu last time, even though I'm not a vegetarian myself, and it was awesome. I had chosen this place because my date was a veggie and I wanted to go to a place where it wasn't an afterthought. I hate beets, and they sent some out as a freebie, gently roasted, and I still hated them, but it was the best hated food I ever had.
(5)
Lee Ann D.

OBSESSED!!! We drove from Charlotte for a meeting and decided this was where we wanted to go. Yes Top Chef helped influence our decision and of course Kevin being one of our favorites BUT the menu looked delicious as well!! We didn't have a reservation but decided to try it at the bar, we did have to wait for a chair to open up so the three of us could all sit, so we sat at a bar table while waiting had some of the best cocktails!! The Peach Blossom was just so fresh and refreshing that I had 3 along with my sister! We sat down probably 30-40 mins later and now at this time we all had pretty much made up our mind on what we were going to have, little did we realize the Bartender could be so persuasive!! We opted for the 5 course tasting menu upon his recommendation and it definitely didn't disappoint!! We had some pretty amazing things starting with the fried mushrooms that are soaked in the sage water bath (possibly the best thing I've ever had fried!!) over a cheese fondue!! Then served Steelhead Trout over a spicy tomato sauce also very good I didn't even realize I was eating fish!! then came a Steamed Oyster with a Bacon Prosciutto smoked aioli. A Roasted Quail with Pork Belly (cooked perfectly) with fresh vegetables. and then the last was Antelope with a Cranberry painted sauce along with a coffee reduction served with a Brussel sprout medley it was sooo lean and had such great flavor!! It also came with dessert we had 2 kinds one was a vanilla bread pudding with apples and ice cream and the other a chocolate crepe with a chocolate cake batter filling both were very good and they had the best Chamomile Tea we each had one!! My only regret is that we don't go to ATL enough for work so I can eat here every week!!!
(5)
Scott C.

Was here for a work function. About 15 of us, private room upstairs. Just an awesome evening. Our host planned a 6 course dinner, each paired with a glass of wine. Truly spectacular. Great food, great service, wonderfully paired wine and luckily I didn't have to pay. We were all foodies, the wine was pouring free.
(5)
Adam S.

I eat here fairly regularly and I am always happy with it. The service may be the best in the city. I mean they really go out of their way to make you comfortable and they excel at explaining the menu. The food is, for lack of a better word, artistic. Is it expensive to eat here? You'd better believe it! But to me it has always been worth it.
(5)
Lorne C.

One of the best dining experiences in Atlanta. I actually received a gift card from a friend, and I have been wanting to try this place for a while. If you want the Top Chef experience of Food-dom, then this is your place. The menu changes daily, but every item order was just wonderful (the fois-gras was my favorite). This is the place for special occasions, celebrations and when you want the best. Now one of the chefs is on Top Chef:Las Vegas - not a surprise at all, really!
(5)
Jason L.

First time coming here and having the 5-course tasting menu ranks in the Top 3 food experiences of my short existence. Exec. Chef Kevin Gillespie has been spotted on both occasions in the open kitchen. Holler. The 5-course tasting menu changes rather quickly according to friends. Make reservations FAR in advance. Get a bottle of nice wine. Get the 5-course tasting menu.. do itttttt! [Expect to spend over $100/person with the 5-course menu and wine]
(5)
Sara S.

I finally made it to Woodfire Grill to see the Great Kevin Gillespie and team. I get the hype, the man has some serious skills! All in season, local, and sustainable - it really doesn't get any better. If you go, opt for the tasting menu. It is a bit more than a la carte, but totally worth it. We chose the 5 course (the 7 seemed like a bit much for our bellies) He made a special pescatarian menu for me with shrimp, squid, and veggie items with a sea bass finale. My Mom had the the shrimp and squid first courses followed by the signature pork belly, quail, and lastly duck. Everything was beyond fantastic. The flavors are complex without being overpowering - perfectly sauced, and pretty much a beautiful symphony in your mouth. The ambiance and service are 5 star without being too stuffy. Indy music plays quietly in the background and the servers are all super approachable. At one point, I was unsure of the appropriate etiquette for eating the "amuse" which was served on a ceramic spoon - but our server was awesome and didn't make me feel silly for asking. All items come from local farms and taste super fresh. Even the cocktails there are organic - there are no mixers behind the bar. My mom asked for a Lynchburg Lemonade before we were seated and he made the Lemonade right there! I'll be back for sure. The love and care that goes into the menu is an Atlanta experience not to be missed.
(5)
Gavra B.

So I got suckered into coming here because of all the hype around Top Chef. My BF and I finally made it in back in January for my birthday after over a year of talking about going. We were less than impressed. Both of us ordered the 5-course tasting menu. For $65 a pop, I expected to be blown away. The reality is - the portions are small. TINY in fact. Do not come here starving, because if you do, you will either leave hungry or broke. The Breakdown....the GOOD: the service was excellent, as I expected, although I wasn't really blown away by that either. The quail was amazingly delicious, but the portion size was so tiny that I felt cheated. The scallops were very good as well. I had a cocktail called "Farmer's Daughter" that was outstanding!! And, it was a nice touch that the menu was printed with a "Happy Birthday, Gavra" on it. OH, and they gave us complimentary dark chocolate truffles that were DEELISH :) the BAD: Um...okay, so nothing was really bad.... The chocolate tart dessert was okay...the pork loin with winter greens was tasty but the portion of greens was so small it was a tease. The open kitchen was a nice feature, but I didn't really like the setup or decor of the restaurant. And the bar area is just so overly casual it kind of takes away from the 'upscale factor' of the restaurant. I think my main gripe was the value I derived from the meal. For an expensive meal, I expected more. Last year we went to Bacchanalia for my birthday, and I was blown away. I would return there in a heartbeat and gladly pay whatever it takes to eat that deliciousness. Woodfire, not so much.
(3)
Al M.

My fiance and I had been wanting to try Woodfire for some time, and made reservations for a Saturday night. As with the other customers, I was contacted to ensure that we had no dietary restrictions or allergies. We were greeted at the door and escorted to our seats and greeted by our excellent server, Geoffrey. I personally enjoy the ambiance of the restaurant. I think it's clean and contemporary with a cabin feel. Before this dining experience I had only sat at their bar before. I like that the bar and restaurant feel like two different settings. The music was not too loud, the lighting was great for date night, and it always helps to have a roaring fire on going in the oven which is visible from the dining room. Service was exceptional. These are not your average servers, these people understand the food and where it comes from, this is their passion. Can't ask for better than that. We ended up doing the a-la-carte menu rather than the chef-tasting, which worked well for us. We love to taste each others meals, but enjoy our own. My fiancee, being a pork enthusiast like Top Chef Kevin Gillespie, was thrilled Kevin was working the grill Saturday night, and was sure to order the Pork Belly and the Pork Tenderloin, both were divine. I ordered the Halibut, and I can say it is one of the best pieces of fish I have ever had. This is coming from not only a Miami Beach native, but someone who has also fished and dined of the coast of Alaska (Homer, Halibut capital of the world!) many times. This halibut was perfectly cooked and flavored, and not to mention a VERY large piece of fish. The restaurant has an excellent beverage selection as well. I love the "bartender's choice" idea, and he was spot on with my fiance's choice of a "brown" cocktail. I had intended on ordering wine with my fish, but after having the "Farmer's Daughter" as my initial cocktail, I decided it was too good not to have another one! The restuarant was aware of our Birthday & Anniversary celebration, and they brought us personalized menus, signed by the Top Chef himself. We both left completely stuffed and totally impressed. This will for sure be one of our date-night spots for a long time....
(5)
Naveen D.

My sister and I did the tasting menu. I did the 5 course and she did the 4 course vegetarian tasting menu. We were both exceptionally pleased with the quality of the food, its presentation, and our service. I'm sure tasting menus will change from day to day but my tastings featured various pork products from bacon to smoked belly. My fourth course was a glazed quail. Everything was cooked to perfection and the flavors were wonderful. Instead of wine we opted for their interesting cocktails. The blackberry one was delicious. Two tasting menus ($65 for me and $53 for the veg menu) + 4 cocktails, tax and gratuity @ 20% was $205. Your tasting menu will likely come with two additional "courses" of an amuse bouche at the start as well as a chef's choice dessert at the end. I plan on returning to try other entrees.
(4)
Vang H.

My boyfriend has been raving about this place since we first met and I thought I'd comply a couple of weeks ago. Great decision as I was not disappointed in any aspect. Everyone there was extremely nice and our server was a delight. The owners did come out to greet us and though it doesn't impact the rating, it was an added bonus as it was a full house. Now, to the important part: the food. We did the five course tasting which was a combination of the plethora of different dishes from the classic menu. I won't list the whole menu (mainly because I don't remember ^_^ ), but each dish was cooked to perfection- the mushroom infused risotto (I could have made a meal out of just this), duck, pork belly, and scallop. Oh, we were served banana fritters over some type of cream, topped with candied bacon. I was a bit shocked by the topping, but I was again surprised. Every single bite (and sip) was bursting with flavor and as I'm typing this at 9:30 AM, my taste buds are starting to salivate and will be paying this place another visit! The chef and sous chef did an amazing job; def in my top 3!
(5)
Sally S.

Our favorite restaurant. Slow food savvy and impeccable service. Love Bernard!
(5)
Robin F.

Amazing! Admittedly I am a little star stuck in front of famous restaurant chefs (put me in front of a celebrity no, but in front of a culinary genius yes.) We were visiting our former stomping ground for the weekend and decided to make a reservation at Woodfire Grill after following Kevin on Top Chef. The restaurant definitely lives up to the hype. Our waiter Blake was wonderful - so knowledgeable, consistent, and helpful during our experience. I opted for the arugula salad with pork belly salad and the pork loin, while my boyfriend was adventurous and got the 3 course tasting menu. I must say while my meal was good, his was wonderful! Every course was so simple and tasty and just made you smile. I won't go into all the details about each course but feel free to send me a message if you want the details. Definitely one of our top meals ever!! And of course to top it off, after mentioning it to our server, I got my much anticipated picture with Kevin (who is such a sweetheart) and forgot to mention our table was watching their open pit area where Kevin was standing by us the whole night making sure each plate that went out was perfect (Awesome) :o) An experience to remember!
(5)
ariel b.

Delicious! We had the 5 course tasting menu, and everything was really, really good. The service was excellent from the hostess greeting us at the door, to our waiter JR, to the cheerful "thanks for coming" from the bartender on the way out. JR checked for allergies before we started (I have some) and then was really good about making sure I had what I needed. The only negative, for me, was that the savory dishes seemed over-salted, but bear in mind that I use almost NO salt when I cook/eat. The ambience was really nice: warm and comfortable, and I liked that they provided stain sticks in the ladies room, as I tend toward mishaps :) Overall - it was a great experience!
(4)
Sarah H.

We came on a whim. He was wearing khakis and a polo, and I a jersey dress. I had heard this place served really fresh and organic food and I wanted to try it. I wasn't prepared for what I got. We walked in and immediately I knew this place was fancy. We had to walk the length of a room to get to the host podium, he asked, "do you have reservations?".... uh-oh. No, we didn't. "oh, oh, I'm sure we could accommodate you", he said, in a half-stutter. I wanted to turn and run. This place was tooo fancy. While they prepared our table we sat at the bar and I had the best cocktail in Atlanta: a gin, fruity mixture. Amazing. We sat on the lovely patio. And we perused the menu. We decided on the Chef Special, a three course meal. Now, I love Top Chef, but I've never eaten any "Top-Chef" items. This place has that Top Chef style. First was a spoon with a variety of mixed items. Then was this amazing scallop over a bean and bacon sauce. Honestly, they listed all the items on the dish as they came out, but it was all a blur. The whole time I kept thinking, "this is the type of place you go to celebrate, like a graduation or something...". The Service: Top Notch. The Food: High Class. The Verdict: Go Prepared.
(4)
Sarah B.

Going out to eat with my family can be a challenge. My mother is a vegan, my father is a real meat and potatoes type who likes nonalcoholic beer with his dinner, and although I am not a picky eater, I have a food allergy. Woodfire went above and beyond to accommodate us. They (Kevin?) made my mom a special vegan entree which she devoured. My father enjoyed his shrimp trio and pork loin with Buckler. I ate to my heart's content without worrying about allergies because they were so careful to make sure everything was safe. The waitress suggested amazing wine pairings for each of my courses (the curried peekytoe crab salad and the pork loin, both of which were out of this world). The food was amazing, but what really stood out was the service. Every time the waitress came by it was a continuation of our previous conversation and she was very attentive and very accommodating. Also, the a la carte menu is extremely reasonably priced, especially considering the quality of the food. I have reservations in August when my BFF comes into town and next time I am going to spring for the tasting menu. Overall, an excellent experience, and if you have any dietary restrictions you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant that takes better care of you and your needs. Hands down my favorite restaurant in Atlanta.
(5)
Ashley H.

It was indeed a pleasant surprise when I came to realize that the chef was on top chef las vegas! though i don't watch the show consistently i was willing to give him a chance to see what he had to offer. The atmosphere is very nice, you know how some restaurant is extremely dimly lit that you feel really sleepy? Well, Woodfire Grill gave a warm and friendly environment and there was enough light but not so bright so it wasn't invasive. We had the 5 chef's tasting menu, which was a perfect amount of food. not too much but so little that i was leaving still hungry. Each course was explained enthusiastically by staff, and they were very very friendly. I definitely think Kevin Gilespie has a great staff/team with him and that Woodfire Grill is entirely worth it.
(5)
Jen C.

Since we tried the tasting menu two years ago, we've been wanting to come back to WG to try the regular menu. They didn't have the Fall Classic cocktail, one of my favorite cocktails of all time, so that was a bummer. But I did have the Lost in Rangoon which I really liked and the Farmers Daughter which was a little too tart for me. We ordered the fried green tomatoes to start, the risotto, and then I had the beef loin, while the rest of the table ordered the pork as that seems to be Kevin's specialty. We also got a bottle of Tempranillo Cerro Anon Reserva, Rioja 2001, which was a very good wine, and was very well received by our entire table. It came at the recommendation of our waitress and the eccentric sommielier confirmed that it was "gorgeous" with its' notes of leather and spice box.
(4)
Jeffrey V.

Wood fire Grill was exceptional, great service and atmosphere, excellent food all courses. A place I would highly recommend - I'll go again.
(5)
Ppf G.

Wow! We got there very late, but it was still rather busy. Our waitress was still very cheerful and did not act in that hurried way some wait staff react when they see people arriving at the end of their shifts. This restaurant only serves what's in season and the freshest of all foods. Preparation of each dish was created w imagination and simply deliciously incredible! We did the 7 course tasting and they accommodated me with a few slight requests and did not give me the "I'll have to check with the kitchen.." or "Oh.. We don't usually do that, but let me ask the manager..". Waitress simply said with a genuine smile, "Of course, I'll let the chef know.." Every course was impeccably prepared, and the flavors all integrated perfectly. Woodfire is a must do!
(5)
Frank W.

Probably one of the best restaurants in Atlanta. Phenomenal food, bread and cheese selection. You can dine here as cheap or as expensive as you want to make that evening. They got you covered. Free valet parking (Yes, I am cheap and would not consider a place without free parking of some kind!). Please be kind and tip! BIG MINUS: The owners never come out to greet the guests and talk with them. Understanding they are busy running the front and back, it's a differentiator that makes a guest come back to a restaurant versus another. Even Guenther [Seeger] made it out of the kitchen every so often. And he was certainly not the social kind. Verdict: Well worth it. I personally don't go that often. However, it's a place for a beautiful date night. You won't be disappointed!
(4)
Hector M.

One of the best restaurants in Atlanta and possibly the Southeast...I will spare you the details of my meal as the menu is changed daily based on what produce / ingredients are in season yet everything I ordered was superb and exceeded any expectation I may have had. The slow food movement in Atlanta has a true jewel in this restaurant. Service was extremely attentive, knowledgeable, personable. For serious foodies this is a must. Prices quite reasonable for the experience. Civilized and understated crowd. Five stars for sure!
(5)
Kelly S.

In a word? Amazing. Woodfire Grill is easily one of the top five meals I've had in my lifetime, and I rank it up there with Emeril Lagasse's restaurant in Vegas. I brought my husband, sister-in-law, and her husband to this restaurant just before Thanksgiving. My brother-in-law told me later that he was a bit worried as we approached the restaurant given all of the strip clubs on the way, but inevitably he was so glad that he trusted me. We had a reservation, and although we were early for the reservation they were easily able to accommodate us. The woodfire grill in the kitchen is a wonderful addition to the restaurant, and we were able to smell the smoke from the fire upon entering. Our service was incredibly prompt, efficient, and courteous. What I could appreciate about this restaurant was one of the things that impressed me about Emeril's restaurant: attention to detail. I sat across the table from my sister-in-law, and my husband was across from my brother-in-law and we were in a booth. The staff placed both plates for me and my sister-in-law down on the table at the same time, and the same was true for my husband and brother in law. We were given the appropriate place settings for each course that we ordered. But now the part of the review you really care about: the food. This was fantastic. For the most part we ordered things that were different from one another, and I tried each of everything. Although I am adventurous with food, I don't consider myself adventurous with proteins. There are certain proteins I just do not like and am sometimes not willing to try. Largely I don't experiment with some fish because I'm just not sure I'll like it. With that said, I decided to try Octopus for my first course. Given Chef Gillespie's reputation, I thought that if I was ever going to try a different protein, I trusted that it would be prepared as well as it could be under his guidance. Sure enough, I was right. What a delightful surprise. It was not tough or chewy in any way, and it was so beautifully prepared. Everyone at the table was amazed by the preparation. I also tried the oysters which were amazing, and the squash soup with crab. Our second course included pork belly, and risotto. Both were absolutely perfect. Finally my third course of Duck was perhaps one of the best preparations I've had in quite awhile. I truly could not believe how wonderful this place was. I love the idea of using what is locally sourced and in season to shape a menu. The fact that this restaurant changes as often as it does allows for a unique dining experience every time you come. Dessert is just so whimsical and fun. I went with the waitress' recommendation of Toffee, and it was so incredibly rich and filling. I also loved the play on PB&J - it was just so whimsical! We all left with a pleasantly full stomach from our meals, and such great memories. My brother and sister-in-law were pleasantly surprised by this meal and have both said that they would absolutely be coming back in the near future. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. As for attire, they told us business casual but also advised that some diners come in with jeans, some come in wearing cocktail dresses - it is whatever you are most comfortable. We were all dressed in jeans and nice shirts/polos/sweaters and were not turned away.
(5)
Audrey N.

I haven't been back to Woodfire since Gillespie was the chef. I loved it this time!!!Nick, the owner, is amazing and adds a superb touch by coming around to the tables and helping the waiters and making sure your evening is nice!!! We loved the tasting menu. It was yummy and filling!! Wine and cocktails for my husband were superb. I love the renovated front bar area as well. I am definitely going to have to come back to that bar again and we will be back for a yummy steak next time.
(5)
Nikita L.

Can I just say, this place is over-rated! We opted for the chef's menu. 5 courses, nothing stood out! The portions were HUGE for a tasting menu. It felt like you were having 3 main courses one after another. Don't give me wrong, the food tasted good. But didn't have anything that tasted awesome. Won't go back....not worth the money......
(2)
Shardule S.

My wife and I did the 5-course vegetarian tasting menu. It's expensive, but the service and atmosphere are perfect. From the moment you walk in, throughout the meal, and as you walk out. 5 stars for service and atmosphere. They even constructed a custom menu with our names printed on it. Very nice touch! The food was pretty good too. My wife is vegetarian and I am vegan. We both enjoyed the plating and the variety of foods (lots of vegetables, quinoa, etc.). I came here looking for variety and in terms of vegetables, I definitely got that. However, if you pair this up against food from Cafe Sunflower (the only 'fancy vegetarian food' comparison though the two places are different in many respects), Sunflower wins out. This was nice to try. However, I would not put this under a "can't miss" category.
(4)
Donald L.

We visited a week or two ago so forgive if the details are a little foggy. We chose the tasting menu with wine pairing. I recommend doing that. Five courses and 5 pairings that sang. It was especially nice that they had multiple choices for the tasting menu so that you could both order it and yet both receive different dishes for each course making the evening more fun. Are you listening Restaurant Eugene? Recent renovations are lovely. Highly recommended.
(4)
Ben K.

We we so excited to have dinner at Wildfire Grill and were really disappointed. The tasting menu was lacking in flavor, other than salt; dishes were gratuitously complicated without direction or, once again, flavor. Least importantly, portions are really inadequate. Our meal was priced as a meal to remember. Unfortunately it is one we wish to forget.
(1)
Lee L.

ATLANTA, GA: You must eat at Woodfire Grill! Empty your piggy bank and get the tasting menu. It's still a bargain compared to tasting menus you'll find in most other cities around the country and the quality is probably better. This food is amazing! High ceilings and simple, eclectic decor welcome you after you valet your car to enter the Woodfire Grill. Waitstaff is handsome but not stuffy. I tried the tasting menu: Amuse Buche was a bit of fried mushroom. Yum. The bread was excellent, as well, with a seasoned butter. Wagyu Tartare (5 stars): Traditional new American pairing with pickles, yolk and some fried deliciousness. This is outstanding. Tempura Octopus (5 stars): Ginger glaze, sesame, and traditional tempura taste. Delicious. Foie Gras: (4 stars): Paired with banana and cashew, it was smooth, a little sweet, and wonderful. I could have used some more bread to spread it on. Squab Fowl (5 stars): Delicious, hearty meat with saffron potatoes and other seasoned vegetables Pork Belly with Black Truffle Glaze (5++ Stars): This knocked me on my @&$. Made from a flying pig. Porkadise. Porkri-La. Pigvana. Lamb Loin (5 stars): So flavorful, so delicious. Squash purÃ©e, broccoli and flavorful lamb. This place belongs on your bucket list. This coming from a guy who eats everywhere.
(5)
Barry K.

Visiting my family in the area they took me out for dinner and after finding it hard to find a reservation during the holiday time I found this place. First thing you should know is it is a farm to table place. Meaning they deal directly with farms and only receive organic high end food. The service It this review was based only on service it would get 5 stars. Everyone we met was so friendly and bent over backwards to help us. Our waiter was funny and friendly and gave us advise on ordering and answered all our questions. The food We decided against the 5 course meal because it was our first time there and if you choice it they surprise you with the choices based on your liked/dislikes. I ordered the foie gras torchon to start with which was ok but nothing great. However my wife ordered the goat cheese ravioli.which was REALLY good! The only problem the the portion is super small. For dinner I had the braised cheshire white pork shank was was very good and fell right off the bone. My wife had the wood grilled grassroots farms chicken with the quinoa which was pretty good too. Both entrees were solid but not breath taking. For desert we went with the apple doughnuts with cranberry jam, cinnamon hot chocolate, and vanilla marshmallow fluff. This is where the value really came into play. These babies were AMAZING. Let me tell you I was in a fancy restaurant and I didn't care I was licking my plate clean and didn't care if people saw me doing it. They made my night! So all in all I give it a 4 star rating due to small portions for a high dollar. Still a place I would recommend you check out.
(4)
Karan W.

If I am ever in Atlanta, I make it a point to stop here for a spot of dinner. The ambience, the food, and the service are all top notch, and worthy of mention. Although there have been some changes in staffing since I last visited, I am glad to see that everything is still the same. It goes without saying that every other trip of mine to Atlanta will always have a Saturday dinner at the woodfire grill, without a doubt. P.S. If you are here for a date/ anniversary/ birthday/ any other celebration, make sure you go for the 5 course or 7 course chefs tasting menu, it is simply exquisite, and with brilliant wine pairings as well.
(5)
Chan V.

This place was super accommodating especially for a large group of 16 people. Most restaurants would consider that booking as an event. They took us in with no hesitation and set up a nice private dining area just for us. The atmosphere was soothing like I'm in a European country home. The service was stellar. Woodfire Grill -We truly appreciate the personalized touch. You made the evening extra special for us. The details matter so thank you! The entrÃ©e selection was overwhelming with good choices. Everything sounded good. For first course, we had the lamb carpaccio. It was prepared just right. For second course, well, we ordered two of everything. It was all good especially the foie gras mousse, pierogi and scallops. For third course, I had the ribeye since I can never say no to ribeye. I noticed it was leaner than I preferred -almost like a sirloin. I guess because it's corned veal cheek. The ribeye was amazing with the unique chimichurri sauce from the pan roasted baby carrots. I hear they have their own herb garden in the back in which the chefs used in some of the dishes. That deserves an extra star. I love chefs who go the distance for fresh and quality ingredients. The dessert selection didn't entice me much so I skipped dessert. To each her own I guess. Overall it was a good experience dinning for the first time at Woodfire Grill. The service was excellent. The food was wonderful. Next time, I will try the 5 course chef's tasting menu now that I trust the chefs. I hope sweetbread is included in that.
(4)
Andrea P.

We went to Woodfire to celebrate a special occasion, and I'm not sure words can adequately capture the superb experience we had for our dinner. To say everything was top-notch is an understatement. We were truly blown away. We opted for the 5-course chef's tasting menu and they were able to accommodate one of them as a pescatarian option. A true standout was the first course butternut squash soup. They paced the meal wonderfully and it lasted over two hours. The portions were appropriate as well, as we had just enough room for the delicious dessert. Yes, this is a pricier restaurant, but it was worth every single penny. We are looking forward to going back for future special occasions :)
(5)
Mit P.

Like most others, I love this place. However one add is that we opted for a pescatarian gluten free dining experience so this may be useful to those who choose likewise. What we liked: 1) Surprises. The 5 or 7 course menu is the way to go here. We went with the 7 course and I was impressed they can pull that off with a pescatarian gluten free selection. I love that you get different dishes each visit, and so there is a real element of surprise. Plus it frees you from the mundane aspect of selecting dishes yourself. 2) The dishes are perfect. Most restaurants struggle to get fish cooked to the exact right temperature. Not this place. The dishes were all perfect. 3) Variety within the meal. They had a lot of different types of dishes with the 7 course menu - a beet sorbet, salads, soup, 2 desserts, different textures and spices. The variety was awesome. 4) Service is excellent. They operate as a team - you can ask the bus boy for a wine and he will communicate to the waiter and get the drink delivered. They operate seamlessly. 5) Nice location. Decent amount of space, elegant decor, not too loud. What could be better: 1) No self-parking only valet. Fortunately the guy sensed my concern and parked my car right in front. 2) A couple of the fish dishes were very similar. Other tips: Probably better to go 5 course than 7 course. The 7 course was too much food.
(4)
Benjamin G.

Just fantastic. Simply fantastic. Yet another amazing meal from one of the more yelped about spots in the ATL. The cool part? It's all true and totally worth every bit of it. Our experience was, yet again, had with little to no knowledge of the menu, decor, ambiance, service, or even location (even though we had driven past Woodfire like a thousand times). The only things I had come to know about Woodfire were all of the comments about wonderful experiences had in the past. I was stoked to finally have ours. We had reservations for a Thursday night dinner and, as soon as we walked in, we were taken to our table. I was really surprised by the decor and general ambiance. Again, I had no preconceived knowledge or idea. The entire place really just felt like a cozy den. Dimly lit, simple, but badass, fixtures, cozy seats, and white linens. The best part is that there was not a single soul that makes it feel like a "white linen" experience. Definitely more of a casual feel, but with a totally upscale, adventurous menu -- both for food and cocktails. Drinks - The "As You Wish" and Kumquat Shrub were fantastic choices. I'm a huge fan of Gin and their cocktails were both fantastically perky and bright. Melissa Davis makes one mean beverage, folks. Also, she is the sweetest person to chat to! She actually came to our table to describe some of the drinks she had prepared for us. She is a super fun personality. If you ever have the chance to chat with her, do so. We opted for the 5-course Chef Tasting Menu and it was such a treat. Pro Tip: If you have a preference of vegetarian or pescatarian, they will happily oblige your needs for either the 5-course or 7-course menu. Here's what we/I had -- Starters - Amuse Bouche - A little morsel of pickled GA Peach. Fantastically light and even delivered the perfect amount of "jaw twang" you get from a sweet peach. Lovely. Popcorn Soup - Imagine someone made you a bowl of popcorn. Then imagine having the same flavor(s) being slurped from a spoon. Exactly the flavor profile. It was truly magical. Easily our favorite dish of the night. Pickled Gulf Shrimp - A few spicy shrimp in a wonderful molÃ© sauce. Had a good amount of heat to it, too. It was light, and definitely worked well as a second course. Wood-Roasted Carolina Trout - Served with a lovely tapenade and fingerling potatoes. Trout is one of my favorites and it was just lovely. Alaskan King Salmon - Okay... I'm not typically a fan of salmon as it not my favorite fishes to be served cooked. This cut, however, was easily the best salmon I have ever tasted. It was lean, subtle, and flaky. The skin, which was lightly salted, may have been the best part. Goodness gracious. This was just a wonderful dish. Can't say enough about it. I really have to give a tip of my hat to their pastry chef. The bread served throughout is simply wonderful. Bravo on utilizing potato bread that is so versatile and fantastically paired with amazing butter. Your desserts show equal care and delight. The service was just impeccable. Hands to take plates and serve came out of nowhere. Smiling faces, happy people, and so many cool people to chat to. You can tell the atmosphere here is really fun and that everyone enjoys what they do. Believe what you hear, folks. This place is simply wonderful.
(5)
Eric M.

Fail. Recommended by some friends, this place is the biggest rip off in the universe. Let's just put it this way: the worst nightmare you can have going to an expensive restaurant is leaving hungry. I got a chicken dish that was - I am not joking - a SLIVER of chicken. It looked like a sliced chicken tender. It was perfectly cooked, but I had to keep from laughing out loud when I got it. We are not big, heavy meal eaters, either. Not even close. Decor is super-boring for such a pricy place. Service was friendly, but slow and inattentive. We went out and got fast food cheeseburgers after this meal to quiet our growling stomachs. I'd have more fun dumping $250 into a savings account than eating here. This place is horrifically overrated on Yelp. Our trip earned one star, and that's more generous than their portions.
(1)
Alana D.

Poor service. Over priced food. Wait staff got annoyed with me for moving to a different seat at our table. NY strip ordered medium rare and came out medium/well. My pea soup (which I ordinarily LOVE!) was awful. I confirmed with everyone else who ordered the soup and they agreed. -Over priced -Poor Service -Sub par food Sad we wasted our money. Should've gone to Rathbuns if we were going to spend that. ** they charged me for the soup I didn't have a half of a spoon of. ** also charged us $700 for out $122 tab. Overall group vote was a negative!
(1)
Millenium D.

For starters, I apologize for not remembering all the ingredients in each dish. I love the fact that everything was very mild and harmonious and each dish was put together with artistry in both flavor and presentation. We went with the five-course option ($75 per person) and the dishes came out to be as the following: 1) Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho--tasted at first like the non-cream version of a tomato soup but definitely more complex and fresh; I can till remember the fresh scent of tomato interwoven with a sassy touch of basil. However, I'm not sure if the added squid ceviche (part of the dish) makes sense, flavor-wise. 2) Heared Georges Bank Scallop. I loved the corn puree and red lentils that came with it. Scallop was fresh though tasted a little salty. We noticed the server about this and other dishes came out to be just right (so much less salty) :) 3) Wood Grilled Grassroots Farms Chicken Breast. The chicken was done just right, succulent and fragrant with a hint of wood fire. I couldn't remember the rest of the components on the dish but they were very harmonious, nothing too heavy or salty or acidic. 4) Wood Grilled c.a.b. Ribeye. The steak was a little dry in my opinion. Again, I love the flavors that other components accompanied the dish with. 5) I believe the dessert was a chocolate brownie with raspberry mousse on top and a white chocolate sorbet on the side. It was actually really good, without being excessively sweet. F.Y.I, the portion of each dish was small but to me that was enough, I felt satiated after this dinner. If you're looking forward to be fed "full" and feel "full" in a different way, this place is definitely not for you. I'm on a diet so I'm grateful that places like this exist; they give me the chance to feel full and satisfied without overwhelming myself with excess and unhealthy stuffs and to leave the restaurant without feeling as if I've just dived head-first onto a heap of cheese and oil. Staffs were attentive with constant refills of bread and water although I got the feeling that they weren't very happy to serve us, at times appeared a little cold and superior... but that could be my personal bias. Will definitely return again in the future.
(4)
Shelley R.

This is quite possibly the best restaurant in Atlanta! There is no sense in describing the food because it changes all the time. Here's the only thing I can say: I've never had a bad dish. Every time I get the tasting menu it's one amazing, perfectly done and portioned dish after another. What I can talk about is the service. Impeccable! I've been to this restaurant several times and each time the staff has been knowledgable and friendly. I had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday there two nights in a row (surprise!) and when I told the staff not to let my party know, the staff went above and beyond to make both of my days special. Not only did they keep my secret, but they were cheeky and witty about the whole thing. Bravo to the staff and the manager who hired them! I can't stop raving about Woodfire to all of my friends. From the staff, to the food, to the awesome music playing at just the right volume: this place is perfection!
(5)
Helen K.

Hmmm, more like 3.5~ It's better than average but not sure if the 7 course meal is worth coughing up your wallet. I prefer bacchanalia for its location, atmosphere, and food. Don't get me wrong, this place had pretty decent food, one of my favorites were the roasted bone marrow and the desserts were delicious minus the cinnamon bread pudding. I would give it another try in the future as its menus are always changing.
(3)
D.J. C.

Over priced! Overrated! It's clear to see why this restaurant is closing May 20th. The tasting menu was poorly curated, and some of the items fell flat (crudo w/ strawberries). At $90 pp (without wine) there are so many better choices in Atlanta.
(2)
Doug S.

We went to Woodfire for the first time for an anniversary dinner. The personalized menus were a really nice touch. We were seated almost immediately for our 8pm reservations even though the place was basically at capacity. We went with the 5 course tasting and wine pairing, which was complemented by a few "extras" the chef was sending between courses. Everything was great, but the lamb shank was one of the best dishes I have had at any restaurant in my life. The wine pairings were perfect, and the server was knowledgeable enough to answer questions for those of us who are somewhere between "complete idiot" and "connoisseur" when it comes to wine. The personalized desert plate (Happy Anniversary in chocolate sauce around the plate) was another nice touch. The only halfway negative comment I would have is that it seemed to take irregularly long in between courses a couple of times, which I suppose helps give you time to finish the wine but it just seemed like a couple of times you were kind of looking around waiting for the next round. Bottom line is you are in for a great meal and experience, just plan to be there 2-3 hours (if you are doing the tasting) and keep in mind that this will not be an inexpensive experience! Go with confidence and enjoy.
(5)
Linda V.

My favorite dish was the duck entree, it had so many flavors in just one dish. Steak tartare appetizer was okay, but drinks were crafted very well for a restaurant known for its food. Restaurant decor could use a little uplift, more outdated than similar restaurants.
(4)
Elaine L.

This was the second time I went to Woodfire Grill and I was not disappointed. Everything was delicious and the service superb. I enjoyed every moment and the meal was delicious! I went with a date and they separated everything for us, which was awesome! Though there are some dishes that stood out but there are some that's not up to par. Here's what we ordered (I can't quite remember the exact names of the dishes): Wagyu Beef Tartare - delicious, but is it worth it? Not really. Nothing stood out of the dish, but it's good never the less. Nice appetizer. Pumpkin bisque - OMG, delicious! Got to try! I love the texture differences and the flavor is to die for. I will go back for this, yum! Woodfire Ramen - ehhhhhh, do not suggest this. It's far from bad but also far from good also. It's a mediocre entree especially when you have eaten ramen from Shoya. Though ramen is easy to make, there should be levels and complexities in the flavors and not just one taste. A good attempt, no doubt, but reminded me too much of ramen from grocery stores. Wouldn't recommend. Try Shoya or Umeido for real ramen. Grouper for entree - we are back to delicious-ness! Grouper have a nice crust for skin, cooked perfectly, seasoned perfectly. Vegetable on side was delicious as well. Recommend for fish lovers. Definitely something I would recommend for this restaurant. Also ordered broccoli (which didn't come for some reason but wasn't charged, so oh well). Overall thought? Definitely would come back, was not disappointed. The only thing was the ramen which I thought was mediocre at best (sorry). Definitely try the pumpkin bisque if it's still on the menu! Shouldn't pass on this one!
(4)
Rachel B.

I will be short so as to not be redundant. Delicious, well-crafted and fun. We went for a special occasion and were treated to free champagne. Also, we decided to trust the discretion of the chef and had the 3 course tasting menu. We were given a scallop first course which was very delicate, the quail main course which made me salivate after ever bite and then the deconstructed key-lime pie...I almost creamed my pants! yes...I did! There is a sommelier on call to assist with any wine questions and the wait and bar staff are disgustingly nice and genuine. Also they are sure to support local farms and farmers, buying their produce from the Georgia community. If you have any questions (or are curious about a CSA as I was) the wait-staff is very knowledgeable about their products and will be willing to answer any questions. The only reason I wouldn't give Woodfire Grill 5 stars is that it is very expensive for the portion size. I wouldn't suggest going if you are very hungry...although the deserts were comparatively very large. We will be sure to go again for our next special occasion.
(4)
Valerie B.

Just went back and the food and service were as fantastic as before. Looking forward to coming back one day.
(5)
J. J.

We did a five course tasting last night. It's the best food I've had in Atlanta, and it's attributable to the chef's skills, staffs' attention, and local, organic-sourced ingredients. The meats are smoked to melt-in-the-mouth perfection. White Oaks Pasture provided the strip steak, which was amazing. The Benton's bacon was like a cube of smokey candy. The Berkshire Pig bellies were roasted into woodfire butter. I tasted the sea in every bite o' tender scallop... Eh, I could go on and on about hedgehog mushrooms, wild rice risotto, semolina gnocchi, but why regurgitate my meal in text? Instead, I strongly encourage you to go. Grab the three course tasting and you'll bounce out full and giddy. It sounds corny, but I couldn't help but think last night that, wow, these folks REALLY respect food and do wonderful things with it.
(5)
Cindy T.

I cannot rave enough about this restaurant. We went 2 nights ago, Wednesday night, no reservation. We were seated immediately. The ambiance is nice and quiet, good music playing in the background. We splurged and went for the 7 course tasting menu which is really a TWELVE item menu as they don't even count things like the "taste" of soup and "pre-dessert." EVERY dish was creative, unique, delicious and fresh. We loved the entire experience and detailed description of each dish. The only disappointment was the bread, which was cold and nothing special. While expensive, it was definitely worth every dollar and we will be back!
(5)
Alma K.

This was the best date spot! My boyfriend and I went here for the first time and we just fell in love with it! The service was phenomenal and the food was to die for! I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant! :D
(5)
George H.

Came here on 9.19.09. My birthday. It proved to be a great birthday dinner and the 3-course tasting with wine pairing was a great recommendation. I started off the meal with extreme hope that I would spot the Top Chef contestant and perhaps sneak a hint on far he had progressed. No such luck, as my waiter had lied and told me that the Chef would step in before proceeding home. He did step in, but my waiter forgot to notify him and therefore my birthday was ruined..... Well not so much. After the amuse, the meal progressed wonderfully. Everything was well thought out and the fried okra amuse was delightful. My table of 8 each varied in our choices, but the majority went with the tasting. Minus a few food allergies, we attacked the wine menu and were presently surprised the whole night. I will be returning to attempt a another meet and greet. On another note, it was not Kevin cooking that night. He claims that he cooks every night on Top Chef, that was not true for the Saturday night that I visited.
(5)
Chef Invisible T.

I know the three stars is going against the grain for Yelp reviews and my opinion is based upon price, execution, service, organization, and flavor. The menu is rather small and focused which I like, but the overall depth of flavor was not as what I would expect from the ingredients and menu descriptions. They just missed on the seasoning and pop in the cuisine that I was so hoping for. My foie( which I will always order) lacked proper acid balance and was over cooked. My Culotte Steak was over done as well and just with the nature of the cut was lacking in a well executed sauce to save from the blandness of the overall dish. Chef Kevin seems like he knows what he is doing but maybe lacks the talent around him to pull off his vision.The pastry department is definately in need of some guidance. I hope to retry Woodfire soon so that I can experience more items and get a full view of their approach.
(3)
melissa m.

Of course Kevin's dominance on Top Chef made me curious to try this spot. It was, as expected, classy yet down to earth. The smell of the (surprise) woodfire grill, as you enter is amazing. Fun cocktails and a menu that manages to combine local, seasonal, and southern. The staff was accommodating, friendly, and did not mind my friend and I sharing a first course and dessert. It is pricey but the food is filling, so you would not need to get all three courses as recommended if you aren't starving. However, next time I probably would just to be able to try more of the food!
(5)
Sandy K.

If you get anywhere close to Atlanta GO! Like many others, I have become a fan of Chef Kevin from Top Chef: Las Vegas and made Woodfire Grill a dining priority during a recent trip to Atlanta. The evening exceeded my expectations in every way! The service is top notch with a casual and friendly attitude, but clear knowledge of food and wine. I enjoyed the five-course tasting menu with wine pairing and was impressed at every step. The courses were great in the own right, but the wine pairings made it a blow me away experience. Make your way to Atlanta and GO to the Woodfire Grill!
(5)
Erica J.

D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!!!! after many attempts to get a reservation for a friday night, we finally went last night- we were excited and super hungry. before we were seated i ordered the 'farmer's daughter' cocktail, apparently a drink the bartender just came up with the other day. cucumber and ginger vodka something or other and it was sooooooooooo frreakin' good. when we were walked into the dining room for dinner, the smell was overwhelming- good yummy smell as you first walk past the woodfire grill, where the chefs was grilling and cooking. for starters we ordered the frisee salad and split pea soup. the salad was fresh and crisp. we think the croutons were soaked in bacon, they had a great buttery smoky flavor to them. my pea soup was creamy but light and incredibly tasty. we then had the diver scallops served with lentils and the peppadew peppers stuffed with crab salad. again, delicious plates. i wish i had a pair of chopsticks to pick up every lentil, i each much faster and more efficiently with chopsticks. for our main entrees, my husband ordered the berkshire pork and i ordered the duck breast. i'm not a pork eater but had to taste. i found it a bit too raw and salty for me but he enjoyed it. the duck breast was cooked perfectly, rich, moist, and flavorful. of course we had to order dessert to complete our meal- the apple cake and triple ice cream sandwiches. the chewy meringue-like cookies used for the ice cream sandwiches were so yummy. i love chewy cookies. the apple cake was just so-so, not a terribly impressive creation. at the end of our meal, we were stuffed and very very happy. with our meals, 2 drinks each, and tip, our bill came out close to $200. pricey yes, but we will certainly return as their menus change daily depending on the local produce. thank you chef kevin for a wonderful evening!
(5)
Jessie C.

Kevin's cooking as well as his demeanor on Top Chef continued to impress us throughout this past season. Week after week we looked forward to seeing the dishes Kevin put together and, as a meat-loving household, found ourselves salivating over the vegetarian dish he prepared for Natalie Portman. As our trip date moved closer, I started checking the ever-changing dinner menu to see what local ingredients Kevin and his staff were using and our anticipation grew. Luckily, our experience at Woodfire Grill lived up to our expectations and then some. We arrived early and were seated near the bar to wait for our reservation (a note to those who don't want to wait for reservations, seating at the bar is saved for walk-ins; a couple walked in around 6 and were seated immediately at the bar). Bryan ordered the Bradley (wathen's single barrel bourbon, ginger shrub peach bitters and soda water) and I ordered the Granny Orchard (hayman's old tom gin, fresh granny apple juice, lemon bitters and soda water). The Granny Orchard was refreshing with a little bit of tartness and I enjoyed the fresh slice of granny smith apple and rosemary sprig garnish. Before we were seated, we were lucky enough to get a picture with Chef Kevin. We were seated and as we perused the menu, we talked about the atmosphere and how much we enjoyed the wood paneling, the various seating arrangements and rustic touches, such as the copper-topped bar and old wood wine wracks used almost as decorative sconces, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in the bar and dining area. I digress...on to the food. After our amuse-bouche of beet salad, I started with my first course of cream of local cauliflower soup served with truffled cauliflower. The soup was creamy with a smooth texture and seemed to have a hint of sour cream in it. The truffled cauliflower was crisp on the outside, providing a nice contrast to the soup. My second course was heirloom pumpkin carnaroli risotto (local pumpkin puree, roasted vegetable jus, pecorino frica and quince). There wasn't an overwhelming pumpkin flavor to the risotto - it was more of an earthy vegetable flavor, which was very pleasant. The risotto had a nice mouth feel as well. It was a delicious second course. My third course consisted of a wood grilled painted hills strip loin served with grilled baby romaine, parmesan and garlic fingerlings and charred lemon vinaigrette. My strip loin was delicious - it was a thick cut of beef and was cooked perfectly. It was simply seasoned, which let the beef speak for itself. The parmesan and garlic fingerlings were delicious, particularly the mix of parmesan, garlic and what appeared to be finely chopped chives. I could have had a plate of just the parmesan, garlic and chives and would have been happy. The grilled romaine had an interesting flavor and grilling it really brought out the earthy flavor of the lettuce. Each element was delicious on its own, but was made even better when they were all combined into one bite. I had tried to save room for my third course by not eating all of my first and second, but I had trouble finishing my strip loin and felt guilty for leaving some on my plate. With that said, I "forced" myself to order a dessert. The banana cake had my name on it as I'd been eyeing it for weeks online. The banana cake consisted of brown sugar bacon buttercream, fried banana ice cream, salted caramel and banana chips. The cake was moist and between the layers was the heavenly brown sugar bacon buttercream. This melted in my mouth and felt and tasted sinful. The ice cream and salted caramel were delicious as well, and the crunchy little banana chips were a great finishing touch. As I told our waiter, I would have licked the plate clean if I'd been at home. And trust me, I was tempted to do so at the restaurant. Yes, I did chicken out and not taste Bryan's sweetbreads. I do regret it a bit since he's been raving about them since they touched his lips. He ordered the arugula salad with grapefruit supremes and beets with a chevre dressing, crisp fried natural veal sweetbreads, wood grilled sonoma artisan duck breast and a blue cheese and honeycomb dessert. He said it was the perfect meal and I concur.
(5)
Occy V.

Im going to keep this one simple - The wait time was a bit rediculous even with reservations, luckily the cocktails were so amazing and delicous that we forgot we waited 45 minutes. I kind of expected this though with it being so popular. I havent seen anyone mention this in glancing the other reviews but they actually cook on a wood fire grill :) That is just pure awesomeness in itself. I ordered the pork loin which was simple and perfectly cooked with endives on the side. I tried my friends scallops as well and even she agreed that they quite possibly were some of the best weve had to date. Good job WFG !
(5)
Scottie Beth F.

By far one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta. We get the blind menu with wine pairings every time we eat here (pricey, but worth it!) Our servers have been the perfect mix of helpful, but letting us do our own thing. Love the food presentation and the flavor description is always interesting. The wine pairings are AMAZING.
(5)
Laura W.

We've been here twice since Michael Tuohy skipped town and left new Chef Kevin Gillespie running the joint, and I have to be honest -- my experiences at Woodfire have only gotten better. Admittedly, we've also fallen in love with the 3-course tasting menu. And who wouldn't? $38 this past Friday got us an amuse featuring chiogga beets, a delicious halibut and roasted beet puree, another gratis tasting of a rich and creamy asparagus soup (my mouth is watering just remembering it), and perfectly seasoned duck breast. On top of that, since three of us had ordered the tasting menu, we all got different desserts. Some better than others, perhaps, and none *quite* as good as the delicious, mind-boggling sweet potato panna cotta the Boy got to taste the last time we were here, but seriously, how can I complain? Get out to Woodfire, folks. They've still got it.
(5)
jimmy s.

Went here last Friday night for the first time, and definitely enjoyed myself. We were set on getting the tasting menu because they offered a vegetarian tasting menu that my companion could get. Much better than most places veggie options, which often consists of a gathering of all the side dishes the restaurant has to offer. The only do the 3 course tasting menu for veggies, so I got that even though I was excited about 5 courses. It didn't matter really, I got plenty of food, and there were two amuses. The place wasn't as full as I would expect a restaurant of their quality to be, but I guess the economy is playing its part. The couple behind us got in an argument and took their food to go, so that added to the ambience. ;-) The food was definitely good quality. I would give it 4.5 stars if they did half stars on Yelp (get with it!). My scallop was cooked exactly how I like it, though it wasn't all that original, and the same goes for my lamb chops - cooked perfectly, nothing wrong with them, just not as exciting as I hoped for on a tasting menu. We did wine pairings from their sommelier Nick, and that was fun. It was $30 per person, but we tried 6-7 different wines, including a sauternes and a port with our desserts. Woodfire didn't blow my mind, but it was definitely one of the more quality meals I've had lately.
(5)
Adam H.

Great cocktails, great first courses, and then I had the duck. I'm a new fan of duck.
(4)
Gabriela L.

I hear about the celebrity chef at this place and I was excited to try it. Let's start with the drinks. They feature seasonal drinks, the server recommended a ginger beer based drink that was refreshing and I absolutely loved. Our table all ordered the 5- course chef's tastings and one person also had the wine pairings. It was about $65 per person but well worth it. The food was interesting and tasty. I was not disappointed!
(4)
Ben H.

It's seems like it's been pretty well covered so I'll keep it short - very nice interior, good service, and upscale, innovative cuisine that is well executed. Maybe slightly pricey and valet (meh). 4
(4)
Monkey S.

We traveled down from New York City to Atlanta for a variety of reasons, main of which being to finally go to Woodfire Grill. We've been a fan of Kevin Gillepse's since seeing his season on Top Chef and have been dying to try his cuisine in person. We went tonight for New Year's Eve and were far from disappointed. We received the five course tasting menu and every single course was delicious and each one was better than the next. The service was amazing with all of the wait staff that brought each meal as well as our main waitress all being on top of their game as well as food fan boys (which is what we are). They explained each course with ease as well as the wine pairings. We were wowed by each course with it culminating with lamb with a white truffle potato puree that honestly blew both of us out of our seats. We would gladly come back in a day or so to keep ordering our favorite dishes and sample everything that is found on the regular menu. This will always be a favorite and will go down as one of the best decisions we made in 2011. Thank you to all that made that meal possible.
(5)
Diana D.

After seeing how much the judges on Top Chef loved Kevin's food, I decided to go try it myself. I started with the diver scallops, which were DELICIOUS. The next two courses went sort of downhill after that (hence the 2 stars). The duck had NO flavor and was probably only 3 or 4 ounces. TINY. $28 for bland duck-- I regret not sending it back. Then the "deconstructed" carrot cake left me wishing I went to Intermezzo for dessert. The raisin verjus on the side was much better than the cake itself... shouldn't it be the other way around? As much as I loved Kevin on Top Chef, I'm most likely never going back there. The 5 other people at my table feel the same way I do.
(2)
Tim H.

A friend of mine turned me on to this restaurant last night. As any reader or acquaintance knows well, I'm homesick for California. This restaurant made me forget, momentarily, that I wasn't there. This restaurant seems very California to me in decor and how it treats wine and food. The philosophy is reason alone to eat here - locally grown and organic (although I had the Swordfish, and I pray it didn't come from the Chattahoochee). Fortunately, the food is delicious. My friend, now 40, required glasses to read the menu (his deficiency, not theirs). They brought him a tray of glasses to choose from. He picked ones kinda Sarah Palin so he not only could see the menu, but probably Russia, as well. Take the staff's recommendation for wine. Not only is the sommelier informative but incredibly attentive and even the young handsome graphic design artist who was our waiter had great wine cred. This is definitely a place for special dinners. The prices were very California, too. If you have to be in Cheshire Bridge area, check this place out.
(4)
Jessica B.

As a huge Top Chef fan, I made it a point to go here while I was in Atlanta for business. The atmosphere is amazing, very natural and welcoming. The lighting is nice and soft and the bar area is very nice too. We only had to wait five minutes for a table and the bartender personally came over to ask us if we wanted a drink, while the bar was half-full. The dining area is huge and you walk by a small kitchen, immediately smelling the wood burning stove. The smell is seriously intoxicating and when I got the menu, I made sure I got something "wood grilled" so it could have that flavor. Our table was close to the kitchen so we could see Kevin working and he was very cool when people would point and stare (due to the Top Chef thing) and take pictures of him. The menu changes daily so it's tough to recommend but the prosciutto wrapped arugula was amazing and the caramelized apples were too. I had a main dish and it was very filling, without a side. All of the food is amazingly fresh and really, really tasty. My only complaint, Kevin did seem to get annoyed after a while of people pointing, which is understandable and while he was there to see, he wasn't as engaged with customers, or only certain ones. And, my clothes REAKED of wood burning stove for three days. I seriously had to fluff them in the dryer to get that smell out. Not QUITE what I expected. But the food was still really good.
(4)
A A.

What a complete letdown. The fish was completely over cooked and salty. Even the salad was way over salted! Left the restaurant feeling like I just wasted $100.
(2)
William P.

Everything we had was off the charts delicious. Will definitely do the tasting menu next time to be led by the hand through culinary nirvana. sticky toffee pud and port flights for desert. the service was as good as the food. everyone so attentive and friendly. can't wait to go back.
(5)
Lu R.

Simply outstanding food. Unique menu with a great spin. We loved the grilled fish and hanger steaks. They have an excellent wine selection and great deserts. This is a real foodies place though you will pay the price. The decor was very cool with many candles and a unique layout. This was a good example of West Coast cuisine with a southern twist (i.e. the sweet potato cheesecake). We will definitely be back.
(5)
Joshua P.

Great service and atmosphere. The food was prepared perfectly. We had the 7 course menu with wine pairings. I enjoyed all 7, with 3 or 4 being courses I'll remember for a long time. Portions are small, but the pleasure is large. Definitely one of the best in Atlanta.
(4)
Olivia K.

Had the 5 course set menu which was overall, very tasty. The food was not terribly creative but quite good. Only criticism is that two of the courses were too salty and I generally l-o-v-e salt. Had added bonus of a Chef Kevin sighting as we were leaving.
(4)
Lily L.

Outstanding! Both times I have been here, I have been blown away by the quality of the food and service. Last night was a big celebration dinner and I chose to go to Woodfire Grill over Bacchanalia and was extremely pleased. We started off with a Spanish olive oil tasting which was a lot of fun and something I've never done before. The food was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor as if the vegetables were picked that morning. The chef definitely knew what he was doing and created some really interesting creative concoctions with different textures and complex flavors and temperatures. Each bite seems to take you on a journey with a wild beginning, a full body, and smooth ending. We almost (literally) licked the plate. The menu changes daily to accommodate the freshest local ingredients available. The dishes were innovative and the service impeccable. My date who's from Maryland and therefore, a HUGE crab cake snob ordered the crab cake as the appetizer and said that it was the best he's ever had. I can't go without mentioning that like Bacchanalia, the timing of the food was perfect. We didn't have to wait long and the entire experience was coordinated like a symphony. The portions were just right, and left us satisfied but also desiring and dreaming about the next time we meet. We (and our taste buds) were very comfortable and so very happy with it all. The ambiance was romantic, intimate, but not stuffy or pretentious. Tastefully cozy. This will be my first pick for my next special occasion. For those of you who are familiar with Dynamic Dish, think of this place as Dynamic Dish on (natural) steroids. Same principles- yummy, focused on local and organic foods, and healthy....but much more intense (and pricey...giving us organic-addict foodies an option for those special occasions). We've had good times Bacchanalia, but I've met someone else...
(5)
Jeff M.

I've been here a few times. Both before and after the much-deserved hype from Top Chef. Before Top Chef, this was not a very busy restaurant. I remember the first time I was here, my friend and I were the only ones there, and it was around 6 PM. But the service was excellent and the food was top-notch from beginning to end. We left stuffed and happy. After Top Chef, I'm glad to see the service and quality of food hasn't change. The food remains excellent, prepared with care. But now it's packed to the brim. Sure, you may need to wait or plan way ahead, but Chef Gillespie deserves all of this success. The last I went was for a work gathering in one of the private rooms. Not only did Chef Gillespie deliver with his delicious dishes, but he also took the time to take pictures and even sign a few autographs. Excellent experience.
(4)
Steakhead ..

The first thing you notice when walking into Woodfire Grill is the smell. As its name suggests, the wood-burning stove is a prominent feature in the restaurant, and you feel like you may have been teleported to a weekend away in the mountains. But in Blue Ridge you are not. Although it may have a cabin like feel to it, you are actually in the least rustic location in Atlanta...Cheshire Bridge Rd. The concept of Woodfire Grill is "farm to table", where they partner with local and national organic farmers to produce a meal that was healthy for everyone involved, including the diner, the farmer, the cow and the soil. The menu changes daily based on what ingredients are available, although some staples seem to be available seasonally. There menu is divided into frist courses, second courses and entrees. There are also 3-course and 5-course tasting menus. Our waiter did a great job of promoting the tasting menus, including how they could pair the wine with the courses, so Lady Steakhead and I both went with that. The first course was a fried pork terrine served with a poached egg and a mustard viniagrette. The fried pork terrine had the consistency of a sausage patty, and I couldn't help think "gourmet breakfast sandwich". It was delicious, don't get me wrong. The second dish was an heirloom fried green tomato with a salsa verde that was the missus favorite dish. In between the courses were several small tastes to complement the meal. The main course was a small plate of quail (small being the operative word here). Now quail is a pretty small bird, and I don't believe this was the whole bird. So once you worked around the bones, you got what was maybe the equivalent of 3 chicken wings worth of bird. It was good, but not nearly enough. The owner told me the tasting menu plates are smaller than the normal entrees as the focus is on tasting. I understand that, but I was wondering if I was going to need a 2nd dinner at the Thrasher game later that night. Then dessert came. I don't normally have a sweet tooth, but since it was part of the prix fixe (and I was still really hungry), I wasn't going to turn it down. I ordered the carrot cake and it may have been the best carrot cake I have ever had. And it was a big piece too, so by the time I wolfed it down, my hunger pangs had disappeared! So my take on Woodfire Grill is a positive one. The setting is wonderful, the food is healthy and delicately prepared, and the service was outstanding. Next time, I'll pass on the tasting menu, and order some menu items that caught my eye - such as Grass-fed beef carpaccio appetizer and the wood-grilled sonoma duck breast. Definitely the carrot cake again. Heck, I'd go back for that smell alone!
(4)
Jessie G.

I recently dined with friends at Woodfire Grill. The occasion was a farewell dinner for my friend who was moving to San Francisco. We were hoping for a sumptuous farewell dinner. What we received was entree of intractable arrogance topped with a sprinkling of myopic rudeness. We wanted to order the 5-course tasting menu. The restaurant requires that the entire table participate in the blind tasting courses selected by the Chef. Being diabetic, I asked if it would be possible to (a) leave any sugary sauces or toppings off of my courses or (b) allow the rest of the table to participate in the tasting menu while I would order off the a la carte menu. Our server - who was very polite - took a look at the tasting menu and said that it had some sugary items and that she did not want to have to ask the chef to make an exception to his "all or nothing" policy with the tasting menu. She said she would advise anyone with dietary issues to not order the tasting menu. When we reiterated that the rest of the table would much prefer the tasting menu she reluctantly went to make the request to Mr. Top Chef Gilliespie. We thought that since it was early - 6:30 - and relatively quiet, that it could be easy to at least let the rest of the table order the tasting menu. After all, there were only three of us, and yet we were on track to dropping well over $200 on this dinner. She returned moments later and told us that Gillespie said that he did not have to make exceptions and that he would not make an exceptions. We were a little surprised, but relegated ourselves to the a la carte menu. There were few low sugar options on the first course, so I ordered a simple salad and asked if the candied blueberries could be left off. The server again looked troubled and whispered, "Please don't make me ask him that, he gets mad when people change his vision." So I ordered the next salad on the menu and asked for the sweet peach dressing to be on the side. She sighed, but indicated that it would at least be acceptable to the Chef. As our meal went on - and I have to say that the food itself was quite good - it was apparent that this staff is intimidated by Chef Gillespie. When he comes into the open grill area, they move aside and do not speak until spoken to. It looked as though the drill sergeant had entered the room and was inspecting the sheets for proper creases at the corners. As I said, the food was very good, but the atmosphere and attitude ruined the dinner. We went to enjoy good food and good and company. We were not expecting a side of ego to go with that. I even thought that the requests were somehow extraordinary in restaurant land, but after talking a several fellow foodies and other high-level chefs, they too were appalled by how WG runs its ship. I am not a customer who will be returning.
(1)
Carrie Neal W.

I am so glad to be wrong!!! I am posting this revised review of Woodfire Grill after being corrected - it is staying open under new ownership, but with the former sous chef as the head now. While Michael Tuohy won't be running it anymore, I understand that the excellent menu, level of service and style are intact. Can't wait to go again soon!
(4)
J M.

Have been 2 times since writing my first review for Woodfire Grill, and I am sorry to say that it is going down hill.... The food has gotten smaller and smaller (not that I am expecting to get hungry man portions at a fine dining establishment, but I shouldn't be hungry when I leave).... ordered some kind of risotto dish on Friday night as a first course ($18, pretty good, not great) and it was LITERALLY 5 bites of rice. I'm sorry, $18 for 5 bites of RICE? Have these folks ever been to Italy and seen the plate of rice you can get for $6.00? Woodfire owners: don't get so full of yourselves that you think you will be able to sell $18 plates of risotto that wouldn't fill Karen Carpenter up..... That gig will end quickly and badly.... Second course was berkshire pork loin w/ some seasonal veggies. Typically when I have gotten pork here it has been to die for. Not this time. I received four 1.0 oz. pieces of rubbery grilled pork that were about 2 small bites each (sitting under lights too long??) So, for $28, I got 8 bites of mediocre pork. I should have known this restaurant was "in transition" when the waitress, while describing the menu, referred to meat as "the proteins on the menu" - that is code for "we're really full of ourselves now and you are going to have to go through krystal drive thru on the way home". The best part of the evening was a cocktail I got at the bar before dinner. The bartenders here know what they are doing. Still, for $165 for 2 people out the door including tip, I should get more than a nice cocktail and some krystal on the way home.
(2)
R D.

Awesome food, wonderful classy ambience, and great service! Try the Chef's tasting menu. Don't forget to make a reservation. Going in a bigger group (5-6) helps, you probably would be sitted in small private rooms and would be attended by someone who might be Kevin's Sous chef. My friends went for their anniversary and they were given a special customized menu for the special occasion. I am yet to hear anything even remotely bad about this place.
(5)
J D.

No need to wax poetic about the dishes, flavors, etc. The meal we had was amazing. Get the tasting menu, and don't fret about what you think might be small portions. You won't leave hungry. Awesome special occasion restaurant. Not cheap, but it's a special occasion. You can't take it with you anyway.
(5)
Christie K.

One of my favorite restaurants! I loved Kevin from Top Chef, and his restaurant met all my expectations! Perfectly cooked food. I love the fried green tomatoes (crispy and perfect ratio of breading to tomato), duck breast (DIVINE), and pork belly (melt in your mouth amazingness). UNF. Definitely recommend to anyone in Atlanta!
(5)
Jen S.

reading the reviews i think we might have came on an off night. the concept of the restaurant seems pretty cool. they literally had a woodfire grill from which you could see the chefs cooking the meat and then there were other plates coming from their real kitchen. we made reservations and the service was great. we ordered the chefs 5 course tasting - $65 each but was not amazed by the plates that were placed in front of me. i do like how their menu changes to serve what is in season. perhaps i need to go again and update this review then..
(3)
Regi B.

I put my dining experience in the hands of Chef Kevin Gillespie by having the 5-course chef's tasting menu. And at the end of the evening, I was VERY happy with my choice. More importantly, I was very happy with the chef's choices. Diners can choose have each course accompanied by either full or half glasses of wine picked by the restaurant's sommelier. I chose to have half glasses with my fourth and fifth courses. The evening's adventure started with an amuse bouche of deconstructed borscht. A perfect savory bite of a roasted beet cube in a spoonful of deliciously creamy sauce was an ideal way to stimulate my palate. Course #1 consisted of sage water and tempura-battered chanterelles dressed with a sweet garlic syrup.... as delicious as it was unique. Course #2 was an exquisitely roasted piece of sablefish on a bed of diced cauliflower and herbal pistou. The subtle sweetness of the sablefish was enhanced by its expert preparation. And the choice of sablefish for this course was appropriate from both culinary and sustainability perspectives. Moving the meal toward its climax, course number 3 was a single Shigoku (Washington State) oyster in the shell on a bed of sea salt. The shell was filled with a delectable sauce and garnished with salmon roe. While I am not a big fan of oysters, I found this plate to be a scrumptious transition to the proteins to follow. The 4th course was definitely my favorite. Two beautiful small portions adorned the plate: fire-roasted local bobwhite quail and seared and roasted pork belly. Accompanied by piquant greens and lightly garnished with a golden raisin sauce, this dish really stood out. I'm pretty sure it was the BEST bite of quail I've ever had. And the pork belly was smoky and sultry...reminiscent of super-bacon. But the star of this plate was the combination of the tender, tasty exquisitetly seasoned quail and the zesty greens. The 5th course consisted of roasted leg of Texas axis deer on a bed of cheese grits with oven-roasted Brussel sprouts dressed with banyul vinegar. Though my least favorite course (I'm not a big fan of game), this plate was well conceived. I just wish the deer had been roasted a little longer. If you are a chocolate lover (and I am), dessert was a real treat...two chocolate crepes stuffed with creamy dark chocolate ganache on a pool of cocoa-spiked latte sauce with house-made whipped cream. Could a dessert get any more chocolaty than THAT? Simply put, the ganache was heavenly. Even before my cappuccino arrived, I could have danced on the table. At that point, I felt like the best fed human being on the planet. The service was professional and attentive...thank you, Kate. As each course arrived, a detailed explanation of the dish and its ingredients was presented. And any question you had was expertly answered. I highly recommend the Woodfire Grill to people interested in local, sustainable food that has been expertly prepared with a gentle hand. The chef allows the ingredients to speak for themselves without unnecessary fuss and manipulation. Chef Kevin and his staff make fine dining accessible. It's little wonder that he was one of three finalists on Bravo TV's "Top Chef." Bravo indeed, Kevin!
(4)
Andrew S.

I have been waiting to eat at Woodfire Grill since I moved to Atlanta in December. It's not easy to get a reservation, particularly because I don't like to plan ahead. I made the reservation a few months ago and decided this would be the perfect place for our two-year anniversary. I may have built this place up in mind. We arrived, had a lovely cocktail in the bar. The staff was engaging and we had a really nice time. We were seated and greeted by Server who was awesome. We decided to do the seven course tasting menu with wine pairings... The Good: The service was incredible. Our Server was wonderful and knowledgeable about the food and wine we were being served. The first course was tuna paired with Saki. Delicious. The second course was Catfish...amazing. I never thought I liked Catfish, but now know I have never been served a well-prepared piece of fish. The third course was vegetables. A play on potatoes bravo. It was my favorite course. The combination of the potatoes bravo sauce, green bean potato and what I think was eggplant was perfectly balanced. The Bad: After the third course things went down hill fast...Fourth course were sweatbreads...Not my favorite, but in the past I have eaten them. These were inedible. Too cold, served with potato salad and barbecue sauce. It was a bit of a flavor disaster...It just didn't work for me. We were then served the consolation dish. A plate of tomatoes doused in balsamic...uninspired. Next we had quail. It was a bit tough served over something that resembled grits...Finally we were served the pork belly...it wasn't great. It was cold served with a weird cole slaw...Then the desert course...a chocolate mouse amuse followed by a super dense, super rich chocolate mouse cake thing...by then I was over it. Considering that dinner for two was $300 I expected, much, much, much more...For a restaurant named Woodfire Grill the grilled meats were the worst part of the meal. The fish/vegetable courses were outstanding. Maybe it's time for a new concept. My advice...skip the tasting menu and order the fish.
(2)
Sam K.

Went here for a romantic dinner with my wife. We enjoyed our experience very much. Must try their signature dessert, Toffee pudding. It was heavenly.
(5)
Ansley A.

I met a bunch of friends here to do the 5 course chef's tasting. We're all fans of Top Chef and cooking enthusiasts in our own right. Two of us chose the vegetarian tasting menu. I believe if you do 5 courses, it requires full table participation. It was such a great experience. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and attentive. Each bite had so much flavor; I think we each savored every bite like they are meant to be. So yes this is an amazing restaurant. Will be returning!
(5)
Ted C.

Gosh, they take their food very seriously. And it was lovely. But the portions are not fit for a man six feet tall. Not a single entree that was served to us - or around us - would have satisfied me. It was like a visit to the French Laundry, high gourmand, but you need to stop on the way home to fill up. I would have been OK if only I could have ordered a side or two....not available. Their menu is very small....only a few items offered each day. Like I said, High Gourmand. The Staff was gracious and the wine was idealy paired.
(3)
Jessica M.

Wow, this place is amazing. My husband and I have watched every episode of Top Chef and found ourselves in the Atlanta area and figured we'd go check out Kevin Gillespie's place. The food he cooks on the show, which he calls "fat kid food" was intriguing. We were not dissapointed. The ingredients are local, fresh and simply prepared. We took my dad out to dinner which is always an interesting experience since he doesn't eat "foo-foo food." This restaurant is very nice and inviting without being pretentious. My dad and I both decided to do the 3 course chefs tasting menu while my husband decided to order off the menu. We all received an amuse bouche of cucumber and almond oil soup which was very good. My dad even enjoyed it even though he didn't know what an amuse bouche was. First course on the tasting menu was a seared sea scallp with bacon sauce and lima bean puree. It was very good. The scallop was very fresh and the sauces complimented it very well. Second course was quail in a citrus glaze with spicy veggies. Amazing!!!! The quail was cooked perfectly and delicious! My husband was the winner at the table as he chose what he called a "study of pork." He ordered the pork loin which was to die for!! It came with some braised pork bellies that were outstanding!! His dessert was what sent me over the top....bannana fritters, chocolate mousse and CANDIED BACON. Yes, you heard me right...it was incredible. The waiter told us that he will be preparing this dish on Top Chef this season. It was absolutely outstanding. The salty, savory dish was perfectly balanced and everything was perfect. Not greasy or soggy...just creative and delicious. I found this meal to be a good value. It isn't cheap by any stretch but it was the best $45 3 course tasting menu I've ever had. The a la carte dishes were priced $25-$35 and the desserts were $6-$9...more than fair. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting to experience fine dining without paying too much. I loved it!! Good luck on Top Chef Kevin!!!
(5)
Courtney D.

I miss Michael Tuohy dearly, but Woodfire Grill will always have a place in my heart. Year after year...visit after visit, the food and service are like wine and only get better with time. I have never had a bad experience here and will continue to go back often. Whether I'm sitting at the bar or at the chef's table I feel like a valued guest and I LOVE that. The food has always been consistent and you are immediately hit with a striking aroma that has you floating off the floor as soon as you walk in...literally, you begin to salivate as your mind races to figure out what magic they've got brewing in the kitchen. The wine selection is very well-rounded and the cheeses...oh, the cheeses. What to choose from? By using the freshest ingredients and supporting local farmers, Woodfire serves up one of the best meals and experiences in Atlanta. Do yourself a favor and go now if you've not already been...it is truly fabulous in every aspect.
(4)
Travis W.

4.5 stars- What a cool place. Love the smell of animal flesh being cooked over an oak fire grill. Drinks are easy to get as you wait for your table at the bar. Table seating happens fast with a reservation so drink up Shriner's! The wine list is extensive and the staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. I had the chef's tasting and the serving sizes aren't the American colossal we are all used to but enough to leave you satisfied. My dinner mates who ordered entrees off the menu had sizeable portions. Everyone was very satisfied with the extremely competent and knowledgeable servers. They were attentive but not overly so. Just a great place to take friends and family!
(4)
Chloe M.

I've been back to Woodfire twice since Chef Michael Touhy left in August. Taking over now is Chef Kevin Gillespie (former Sous Chef) and all I can is... wow! I am totally impressed with Chef Kevin's great talent. He has definitely elevated Woodfire's status to a new and higher level. I've had nothing but interesting dishes the past visits that were all outstanding including an amuse bouche of Marinated Fig Wrapped in Speck. I love figs and this was a great combination. The sweetness of the figs went well with the slightly salty taste of the soft bacon. Lovely. Everyone has a version of fried green tomatoes. Here, the tomatoes were crisp and the batter adhered pretty well. I liked the creamy chÃ©vre topping. The bed of turnip salsa verde was a bit of a stretch for me, because, if there is one thing I really hate, it's anise and 5-spice powder, which clearly, this salsa had a good dousing of. I'm sure others will have no problem with it. It just made the entire dish taste, well, Chinese. There was a Mushroom Flatbread my sister ordered one time and if you've been to Woodfire, you know how bad the lighting in there is, so since I hardly ever bring my big camera to restaurants, you'll notice that most of the pictures here are grainy and dark; and, therefore, no picture of flatbread. In any case, the flatbread were delicious. There were chantrerelle mushrooms as well as cubes of celery, onions, and green peppers in a lemony dressing. A great second course. There was also some pan-seared scallops we had that were really fantastic -- huge scallops were served with bok choy (Chinese cabbage) and a blood orange-ginger broth that was out-of-this-world good. The Cornmeal Crusted Oysters were fantastic. The oysters were plump and fresh with a very thin cornmeal crust. I loved the sweet onion pico de gallo that it came with. And the house-made potato chips they were served on was very creative. Not only that, they provided a good crunch. The Pan Roasted Wild Striped Bass was delicious. It was nice and crunchy on the outside but moist and soft on the inside. It had this mustard sauce that was great with the fish. One of my favorite dishes I've had these past visits were the wood-grilled Georgia Quail that was simply tasty. I loved the tiny dollop of fig puree that it came with and I wished they included a bigger portion of it. The roasted vegetables it came with were a great accompaniment. The Wood-grilled Painted Hills Steak was superb. Served at the perfect medium rare with the creamiest sweet potato puree and roasted local vegetables, this definitely isn't your usual steak-and-potatoes dish. I don't like it when steaks are covered with sauces and cheeses. I prefer to taste the meat on its own. Unadulterated. With just a smidgen of salt to let the flavor of the steak come out. Fantastic. Saving the best for last... possibly the best dish I've had this year and the best grilled pork loin I've had anywhere, this literally rendered me speechless. Just by the looks, this dish was gorgeous. The pork was almost creamy and without any discernible meat fibers. Every bite melted in my mouth. The grilled slaw was flavorful and the potato puree was just wonderful. This dish was pure heaven. I'm tired of eating the same ingredients over and over again. I'm tired of the same ingredients being put together again and again. But not here. Chef Kevin uniquely puts ingredients together that you would not typically see in everyday restaurant dining. Like figs instead of apples. Or bok choy instead of cabbage. I'm putting this restaurant on my top 5 for 2008. Enough said.
(5)
Colin S.

I just moved to Atlanta from San Francisco and had kept hearing "you won't be disappointed by the food there" from friends who knew Atlanta, so I decided to start with what is supposedly one of the area's best spots. I went with my girlfriend and her brother, and we were not disappointed. In fact, I'd say it was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. That's saying something considering we were eating very well in SF prior to moving, trying to cross recommended restaurants off of our San Francisco "bucket list." We shared all orders and started with the catfish appetizer and moved on to the duck breast and pork loin entrees. I'd give the catfish 4 stars, the pork loin 4.5 stars, and the duck breast 5 stars. Really, the duck breast was one of the best dishes I've had in my life, and I think the pork loin would have gotten 5 stars if I weren't eating it along with the duck breast. Service was timely, knowledgeable, and not at all intrusive. Oh, and to top it all off, we saw Neil Patrick Harris, which just added to our wonderful introduction to Atlanta's food scene. I would go back and recommend this place to friends in a heartbeat.
(5)
Wes P.

The absolute best restaurant I've ever had the pleasure to eat at. The ambiance isn't like a lot of other high class restaurants. It's comfortable with great music playing. Service was great from the beginning. My wife and I had the 5 course tasting menu and were overwhelmed with amazing foods. The diver scallops were phenomenal. Before that meal I hated brussels sprouts, and I've loved them ever since. The high light of the meal was dessert - deconstructed key lime pie and bacon fritters. Both were unforgettable. On top of everything Kevin came out so we could tell him thanks and he's one of the nicest people you could hope to meet.
(5)
Jason P.

I had heard good things, but was scared by the outside appearance and a mildly noticeable odor upon walking in the door. Just goes to show you...looks can be deceiving. The service was perfect, the food was sublime...I think I had the 7 course tasting menu...and a pork belly I will never forget. We asked them to keep a brisk pace with the tasting menu (not a fan of the 7 hour dinners) and they did! And everything was fantastic. I cannot rave enough...
(5)
Ben D.

The food and order of courses is well thought out and prepared, and very good. I have to have one gripe, so I guess it is that they take themselves very seriously. I found this out by how long the meal took. I missed two of my daughter's birthdays and got fired from my job for being there so long. I get it, food experience and blah blah blah.
(4)
Kendra K.

In all honestly, I was a little skeptical of the name Woodfire Grill, which sounds a little like a chain. Once I realized this was Kevin Gillespie's restaurant, I was very excited. This was hands down one of the best meals I have ever had. I got the Chef's tasting menu and was in love with the oyster and roasted califlower dish. The pork belly was melt in your mouth good. The service was great the the server was very attentive and friendly. Will be returning next time I am in Atlanta!
(5)
HOJ X.

Been hoping to try this place out for awhile (big fan of Kevin from Top Chef). I did the the 5-course tasting menu....and it did not disappoint. First two courses were good (4 stars on each) but just seemed to miss something to put them over the top for me. The next two were fantastic: quail and berkshire pork belly on creamed farro with ramps and turnip. Outstanding balance to the dish and just wonderfully executed...the ramps had the burst of flavor that accentuated all the other elements. The next course was bison with a pastrami spice rub and a smear of sweet mustard - again the balance of the flavors was masterful (and the bison was cooked perfectly). Desert was also good (actually it was probably more than that, but I am just not a big desert guy). Well made espresso to finish. Would give the service a four and a half - my main server was very good; the different servers that delivered each course seemed to get a bit tongue tied describing each dish - but it was kind of endearing after the fourth time it happened. All said, I loved this restaurant for the food and the experience. There was a sense of earnestness/honesty about it - putting together well executed dishes with great ingredients that leaves your palate marveling at the combination and still tasting each individual element. Wish the Woodfire was in LA....
(5)
Poinciana T.

Excellent service. Try the 5 or 7 course meal. Meals come in small portions, but they're like fireworks in your mouth. AMAZING FLAVORS. The menu changes all the time I think.
(5)
Alex R.

This was a good restaurant with good food and I had an overall good experience, however I wasn't super satisfied when I left. Our server was friendly and helpful and the atmosphere was excellent, the food just didn't live up to my (probably unrealistic) expectations. Everyone at my table ordered the chef's pre-determined prix-fixe meal which wasn't bad, but didn't wow me either. I think we would have been better off ordering from the menu, and hopefully I'll get a chance to do that soon
(4)
Car H.

Bummed. Huge fan of Kevin. In from LA on business. Food was very very average. Kevin was there but barely cooking. He was in the open kitchen at the Pass but on his BB and didn't seem to be doing much but finishing the food. The restaurant was warm and all the wait staff was nice but it wasn't enough. It all seemed to be trying to hard. How do you make me not want to order fresh donuts? Put a random grapefruit confit underneath them.
(3)
Amy W.

I had very high expectations for this restaurant since my boyfriend said he had gone many times and said the food was amazing. My meat was terribly dry/overcooked and the waitress was so slow. Slow to take our order, slow to get our food, and slow to refill our drinks. She was very preoccupied with another larger table. For how much we paid for the dinner, I was very disappointed. I will not be coming back to this restaurant. To top things off, the valet guy at this restaurant lost our key in someone else's car!!! Overall a very bad experience.
(2)
Brian M.

While the food was amazing, our server was inept at best. Even though the food (ended up with the 5 course tasting) was top notch, I won't be back. The food on its own is a 5.
(2)
Melissa W.

My husband and I went to Woodfire during the weekend before Valentine's Day. We were both big fans of Kevin from Top Chef and have since moved to Atlanta and had been talking about going. Luckily the husband remembered to make reservations enough in advance! We really enjoyed our experience. We started with a coaktail at the bar (I had the farmer's daughter, which was fantastic!). We decided to go for the 7-course tasting menu, so we could really try as much as possible. I am so glad that we did! Our favorite dish of the night was on the 7, but not the 5 course. (It was some sort of a cheese panini with giardinara and oyster mushrooms. Delish!) We also had a fennel salad, seared scallop, sweetbreads, quail and porkbelly, lamb, and a molten chocolate cake for dessert. Some things were better than others- we loved the mushroom dish and I really enjoyed the scallop. The lamb was good, but I probably wouldn't have ordered it from the main menu, so it wasn't my favorite. But, we had a great experience. Our server was so nice and informative. We did the wine pairings with several of the dishes, and really enjoyed them! We'll definitely be back. And not just because I have a bit of a crush on Kevin, but because we really enjoyed the food! :)
(5)
Meghan H.

This place was great! My boyfriend and I opted for the 7-course meal. WOW....it was amazing. The fried pork-belly alone was out of this world! In addition, if you are into wine I highly recommend getting the flights of wine that go with the courses. The servers were great. Not only was our waiter informative, but he was entertaining and gave us a list of other restaurants we needed to sample in Atlanta.
(5)
William B.

Best meal I'had had in years. Get the five course tasting menu with wine pairings. Both the Trout and the Sea Bass were outstanding. If I could only order one thing it would be the pork bellies.
(5)
Todd S.

My wife and I did not have a reservation so we called ahead and sat at the Bar. Many of the harder to book restaurants have full-service at the bar and I have been lucky to grab seats this way at a lot of the more popular restaurants. Service is often better because the bartender can focus on you if they are staffed properly. The service was impeccable and helpful. We had the five course tasting menu and thought that the portions were spot on. I had dinner at Bacchanalia a few nights prior and the serving sizes were a bit larger at Woodfire and the food although close was not at that level. My favorite course was the Cornmeal fried Georgia trout with black-eyed peas and roasted red pepper puree. The third course, quail, was also very good. I was very impressed with the sweetness of the smoked hibiscus jus and parsnip puree mixed with the spicy green tomato. The other courses were good, but not spectacular. I give Woodfire a 5 for service and 4 for food. When you are at this level you have to really wow on the food for a 5. I would definitely visit again when in town.
(4)
Teri B.

WOW. I was brought here for a dinner with a potential employer. I'm a big Top Chef fan so I was excited from the get go. When we walked in, we were instantly greeted, and within the first 5 minutes of waiting for our table to be ready, I had a cocktail in my hand. I asked the host for something fruity and he picked this one out for me. I wish I remembered the name because it was delicious. We were quickly seated and the server was great about explaining the menu to us. We had a vegetarian in the group, so we opted not to do the tasting menu, but in the end, the food we got was amazing. The flavor combinations were perfection. Every item placed in front of us was no less than amazing. The environment was also great. The restaurant is relatively small, so it was pretty quiet. Now, I live in New York City, where I frequent some of the top rated restaurants. Wood Fire Grill is one of the best meals I've ever had. Seriously. It might be my favorite meal in Atlanta. it's the perfect union of sophisticated cuisine, effortless presentation, and rich, delicious, tasty flavors.
(5)
Goos Y.

This is the second time I've eaten here & it was as good as the first visit. We did the 7 course taste with the wine pairing. It's was great with items different from the first tasting we had last year. We plan to make this an annual event. The only reason it loses a star is because we missed Kevin again.
(4)
Carole M.

We hadn't been to Woodfire Grill since they changed chefs and concepts -- and, wow, I miss the Rocky's chicken. We didn't know the new tasting menu concept (5 or 7 courses) and that might be fun but we were just looking for a meal. They advise you to then have three courses as the portions are small. Two were plenty for me. We both had the potato-bacon soup to start; all I can say is that I'm not sure how you could make butter, cream, bacon, and potatoes bland -- but they succeeded. DH had the risotto -- equally bland. Then, he had the duck, which he described as very good. I had the pork tenderloin with brussel sprouts and sauteed mushrooms. The veggies were excellent -- the meat, bland. The wine list is exceptional with some wonderful values to be had -- talk to the sommeiller for a recommendation. Service was mixed, environment nice. But I miss the totally crisp skin of the Rocky's chicken. And the now closed Craft had equally highly priced food that was better.
(2)
RJ P.

I have dinner here every time I'm in Atlanta. Do the tasting menu with half glass wine pairing. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Jason W.

As part of my trek to Atlanta's Top Chef restaurants, Woodfire Grill was next in line. Going this past wednesday with my foodie friend, we decided that if we were going to do Woodfire, then by golly we would do it right. We opted for the 5 course tasting menu. WowOWow. It was stunning. Everything was scrumptious and the quail was perhaps the best quail I have ever eaten in my life and that is quite a lot. Our waitress was great and she knew her items. But after two drinks and the 5 course tasting menu and tip, it was about 100 dollars a person, but well worth it.
(5)
Marvin B.

We had a wonderful experience. My wife and I have had the "tasting" menus in other cities and left hungry - not here. Flavors and wine pairing were exceeded only by the attentivness and knowledge of the servers. A great experince.
(5)
Three M.

Since I live in ATL, there are probably a dozen other restaurants that I would have chosen to go to for dinner last Friday, but we went to Woodfire Grill because we had a friend in town from NY who wanted to go to "Kevin's restaurant." I had been told once that Woodfire is "the kind of place people take their conservative parents when they are in town." And now that I've been there I realize that's actually the perfect description. Don't get me wrong - the service was great (very friendly and on top of things - some of the best I've had in ATL in a long time), and our food was all very good. Simply prepared and well cooked. The bottom line is that for what we paid (or maybe $20 more) we could have gone to Bacchanlia and had an amazing, creative and memorable dining experience. For the price, Woodfire just isn't exciting or inventive enough.
(3)
Jake S.

I had been excited about trying this place for sometime, I liked the idea of how the menu was prepared as other reviewers have mentioned focusing on local and organic products. To start out the experience my date and I had a glass of wine at the bar, while waiting for our seat. The bartender was great about pouring out many different tastings of their somewhat limited "by-the-glass" list, until my date found the right one. Even though I feel the by-the-glass was somewhat limiting, their wine by the bottle list was very adequate with a wide variety in both wines and prices. After seating there we began to par-ooze the menu, which was actually quite extensive for something that changes nightly. The beet salad I had was nothing that I will walk away from craving but the entree is another matter. I was in the mood for some fish and selected the striped bass as recommended by my server. This dish is cooked in a clay pot in the "wood fire", it was filled with different rooted vegetables, clams, and their own chorizo and a broth. I can only say it was some of the best comfort food I have ever had, and I didn't even know that striped bass could be considered for comfort food. I was a little turned off by the ambiance personally, it didn't feel as warm and cozy as I thought it would, but this isn't because of the personalities there, the staff were great, and they all seemed genuine and happy to be there, making the experience that much btter.
(4)
Sunny H.

We went to Woodfire Grill the night that Top Chef premiered to show our support for Kevin G. Woodfire was also having a reisling tasting that evening as well. There were 3 in my party and we all ordered different things to share. The food was okay, not great. It was just okay. I'm not raving about it and I probably won't rush to go back. My biggest dissappointment was portion to price ratio. I know its fine dining and smaller portions are to be expected. However, these were sort of laughable... Overall, the taste and quality of the food would have rated a 4 but with the portion vs. price I rated a 3.
(3)
Brent M.

My wife and I have eaten here several times of the last few years. They always deliver. For years before, our larger family would eat at the Japanese sushi/hibachi next door. We would always look over and long to eat at the Woodfire grill. I have to admit, it wasn't until Kevin was on TopChef, that we said, why haven't we eaten there yet. Man that first meal, with expectations so high, they delivered, and then some. My favorite was the grilled foie gras. They only serve it when in season. In fact they harvest the whole duck. Which goes with their whole philosophy. Another visit we had the tasting menu, and the wine pairing were just spot on. I would only suggest the tasting menu, to try a wide selection of wines, b/c at the end, it just wasn't' a lot of food, and I'm not a big eater. The food was incredible, but after that amount of money, I need to be full. Not expecting a family size tray of pasta, but... Again, the food was great and the wine was great, so make up your own mind. Nonetheless, the WFG is very attentive, accommodating, unpretentious, and the food just rocks.
(5)
ADAM V.

Wednesday night, I think I may have eaten the best meal of my life at the Woodfire Grill..here in Atlanta, off Chesire Bridge Road. Yes, I know the neighborhood is the red light district but Chef Kevin Gillespie of Bravo's Top Chef fame has created a menu that is simply Amazing. Piper and I chose the five course tasting menu which included courses of mushrooms, a seared scallop, pork belly and quail, and a venison, along with I hadessert. The pork belly was hands down my favorite. I can't stop talking about how good it was. In fact, I have made reservations for my birthday in February. Some things to know about woodfire. They do not seat before your reservation time, so show up on time. Also, it is a bit pricey but well worth it.
(5)
Ginger S.

Let me begin by saying that I watched Top Chef religiously and constantly voted for Kevin to win. He did an awesome job on Top Chef and I was so excited to try his restaurant, especially after reading everyone's review on here. Before I start explaining my experiences tonight, I do want to say that Kevin was not at the restaurant. Because of everyone's reviews and my faith in Kevin as a chef, I might consider giving the restaurant another chance. For the first course, we started off with the shrimp salad and halibut soup. The halibut soup and shrimp salad were both delicious. For the second course, we ordered the truffle risotto and diver scallop. The truffle risotto was not very good. We couldn't taste any truffle flavor, but even for a plain risotto, I've made better (which doesn't say much for the chef). As for the diver scallop, it truly is just one scallop. The scallop was ok, nothing to rave home about, but not terrible. For the main courses, we ordered the pork loin, the beef strip loin, and the duck. Seeing that the pig is Kevin's favorite meat, it was truly a shame that the pork was dried. There was one piece right in the middle that was not dried, but everything else was. The duck was cooked well, but the temperature was not hot when we received it. Neither was the beef strip loin. The service was not good either. Our waitress would disappear for long periods of time. We were going to order dessert, but decided not to after waiting 20 minutes for our check. But no, it doesn't end there. After dinner, we exit through the front doors to hand the valet ticket to the valet guys to find that they've lost our keys! I've valeted my car all over Atlanta, and this is the first time this has ever happened. We waited and tried to stay calm as the valet guy proceeded to tell us that he has no idea where our keys are. Then, he has the nerve to ask us, where we needed to go after dinner, which in my opinion is none of his business. The manager asked us to sit down in the bar while the valet guys continued looking for our keys. He did buy us a round of drinks and the waitress was very helpful and nice. She was the highlight of our experience at Woodfire Grill. After about 25 minutes, they find our keys in someone else's car. Apparently, the valet guys thought it was a good idea to put our car keys in another person's car's cup holder. So, needless to say, its going to be awhile. Kevin, I think you need to keep a closer eye on your restaurant.
(2)
Anya D.

I dont get the hype. Found the food to be a bit boring and unimaginative. Bland really. There's a ridiculous bacon / banana bread dessert that is totally worth the visit, but other than that and the private dining rooms, there's nothing oh so special about Woodfire Grill.
(2)
John W.

An incredible dining experience. Worth the 3 hour drive to get here. Chef Kevin is deservedly famous. Fabulous food, that you won't find elsewhere. We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Anthony I.

Hands down the best meal I have ever had in Atlanta and one of the top 3 meals of my life. It woudl have been the best if I could have gotten seconds of the pork belly! This place is a treasure, a treasure that everybody knows about. The staff is great, super accommodating and very passionate about their work. Our server, Scotty, was a pro, really loved what he does and it showed, he gave us fantastic descriptions about all of our courses off the chef's tasting and the service was top notch. This was one case of me going to a prestigious place and not leaving disappointed, Kevin and company really have their act down. The 5 course tasting was a great deal, starting with shrimp and grits, with a twist, the night was off to a great start! The second course, possibly one of my favorites, was some fried oysters accompanied by cauliflower, so good. This was followed by another favorite, lamb and sweetbreads, unbelievable, the lamb was so flavorful and the sweetbreads, so tender. Next up, the pig course, this was THE BEST PORK BELLY, I have ever had, it was served with some pork loin and tomato infused cabbage, the pork was awesome, the cabbage, I felt a little vinegar'y but with the pork loin, it wasn't so bad. The pork belly though, heavenly. All the meats have that great wood fired flavor and a perfect charred crust and juicy center. Of all my top chef dining experiences, this was one of the best!
(5)
Shaun K.

Let me be like the 134th person to say that Woodfire Grill absolutely lives up to the hype. We went here last night for Maura C.'s birthday. Being a special occasion, we went all out and did the 7 course chef's tasting menu with wine pairings (after starting out with some cocktails, of course). With that many courses (and that much wine) I can't tell you everything we ate last night, but I can tell you everything we ate was wonderful. Tempura shrimp, mushrooms on a cake of grits, pork loin and belly, and lamb were fabulous. The wine pairings were especially fun and even the palate cleansers came with their own wine pairing. Service was professional and very knowledgable. This was definitely one of my top fine dining experiences.
(5)
Srikanth P.

We had the 5 course tasting menu (two regular and one vegetarian). Absolutely worth every cent.
(5)
Terry H.

So good. Service and food were top notch. Trust Kevin with the tasting menu and you will not be disappointed. Just go!
(5)
Mandy H.

Amazing. If you can spring for the five-course tasting, do it. Each dish was unbelievable and flavorful. Certainly up there with the top meals I've ever eaten. I enjoyed everything to the last bite (licking the plate clean, literally). The five courses (plus a couple tastings that were from the chef) were not on the menu, so it was a fun surprise each time the next course arrived. The wait staff was great, knowledgeable and made a beautiful presentation of the food delivery. The sommelier made wonderful recommendations for our wine to fit the courses that he knew were coming up. A fantastic evening!
(5)
Jennifer K.

Woodfire Grill lived up to the hype. We had the 5-course tasting. Every dish was unique and delicious. The ambiance and service were also excellent. I recommend everyone give this place a try!
(5)
Katie J.

When I think back on my recent dining experience at Woodfire, the same word keeps repeating in my head...Weird. The dÃ©cor was weird. Some of the interactions with the wait staff, weird. Some of the courses on the tasting menu, weird. The large submarine/ gas chamber egg painting definitely weird. It is not to say that the dinner didn't have a few culinary acts of genius but I don't think I'll be venturing back there anytime soon. Here's the good: The Cocktails- They have top notch bartender(s) who skillfully constructs creative drinks and shakes a mean dirty martini. The Staff- Very attentive, my water glass was never empty- good working knowledge of the wine list. NOTE: Do not ask if you can raise the shade. We did and it lead to a series of overly complicated interacts with the waiter and then the manager. Instead of just saying "no" the window overlooks an ugly parking lot, we got a vague series of apologies and small talk. WEIRD.... The Fowl- Kevin and his peeps really can cook up some poultry. Both the quail and the duck courses were amazing. The quail was accompanied by a perfectly cooked piece of pork belly- not too fatty or dry. The duck had a wonderfully crispy skin but was still a perfect medium rare. Delish! The Weird: Potato Emulsion- Sticky, gooey weirdness surrounding deliciously cooked sweet potato greens. What happened? Just the look of it alone was enough to gross out our table. The Decor- not only did the Egg painting haunt me all night, but the large metal disk suspended over our heads by a complex wench system had an oppressive effect. The ceilings were high and it was a bit too noisy. The Shrimp- First course of the tasting served with okra. Okra is always a little tricky; most people get freaked by the sliminess. This okra wasn't too slimy but the shrimp were just not right. A little over cooked and needed to be either colder or warmer. I still can't decide.
(3)
Holly D.

Two very good glasses of wine and two fantastic appetizers for less than $30 - my kind of place. If you're a goat cheese fan like myself, try the baked goat cheese and tomato appetizer. You'll love it.
(4)
Liz T.

Went there for the first time last year for a charity event .. delayed post. Service was great, and the tasting menu with wine pairing was delightful. I can't quite remember all that I ate, but do remember everything was really good. I will most definitely be back to try their regular menu. A couple we sat with were regulars and had nothing but praise and raves.
(3)
Brett L.

it really does live up to the hype. Both my wife an I ordered the 5 course tasting menu, with the half glass wine tasting. We also added the blue cheese and honey desert between the real desert. The whole night was a real treat. the food was great the service was nice, i enjoyed how different waiters brought our food, so we got a feel of a couple different people. I can say this tough, there was an arc to the food, it was all good, but it was also all working up to the last meal of the tasting menu which was the pork three ways. that was the real fireworks. While all the food was good, that was the one that really moved all the senses- on a side note, i can now see why the other guy might have won top chef. All of kevins food was good, but only the one was earth stopping. over all best food ive had this year so far. would make the trip again in a second.
(5)
Joe P.

WOW! Great atmosphere, very good service and some of the best food I've ever had. It was truly amazing. The prices were more than I'd normally spend for dinner. But it was well worth it. We all opted for the 5-course Chef's tasting. A bit pricy and the portions were a bit small, but surprisingly none of us felt hungry afterwards (3 medium-large guys). Several of the items in the tasting were not on the menu. There was one dish with Lamb and black rice side dish that was beyond words. I don't typically care for lamb but it was just incredible. And the black rice side that came with it was just as good or better than the main dish. I don't typically spend this much money for dinner. But next time I'm in Atlanta I'll be returning to The Woodfire Grill for sure! One note to the chef... The black rice dish was amazing and deserves a permanent place as a First or second on your menu (in my humble opinion). I say this somewhat selfishly because I want to order it next time I'm in town :) Thanks for a GREAT meal and wonderful service! -Joe
(5)
Not Eileen R.

Best pork belly I ever had in my life...and I heart pork belly. I am a fan of Top Chef, so my fiance and I decided to check out Kevin's restaurant. He may not have been in the kitchen, but it was apparent that he has influenced the menu. My fiance and I decided on the tasting menu along with the wine pairing. Be careful they have a heavy pour, which is a good thing, but I had a cocktail before sitting down plus drinking one of my FI glasses of white...add that up to 7 glasses of wine. OH BUDDY! Next time in Atlanta we will be back! Reservations are a must - two couple were turned away.
(4)
H. Deborah S.

great service, amazing food. couldn't have been happier with our choice and well worth the cab fare from downtown Atlanta.
(4)
Shonda K.

So we headed over to Woodfire for a birthday get together for a friend who is a huge fan of Kevin (Top Chef). I must say first off that the service was excellent. I actually lost count of the waiters who were serving us (we were a party of nine) but they were pleasant and attentive, especially considering our reservation was after 10pm. I was not overly impressed by the decor/styling of the restaurant, nothing special. But the group dining area we were seated in upstairs was fine, rustic and cozy on a cold night. The Food: Appetizers: Glazed Shrimp (nice flavor but the portion size was just insulting for the price. There were like 6 popcorn size shrimp on a mound in the middle of the plate...c'mon guys) The chanterelle mushrooms weren't bad and someone in my party had the scallop which was not a favorite for me. Our main courses were the duck and the pork loin. The duck was fine but the pork loin was the star of the evening. It was moist, perfectly seasoned and cooked. It was paired with apples, cabbage and bacon slaw, it was simply delicious. I did not want to stop eating this and I was sharing with my boyfriend who absolutely loved it also! I struggled with trying the banana fritters dessert but I am a dessert girl and I just had to try bacon on a dessert (though I am just repulsed by the idea and roll my eyes as they prepare it for desserts on all the television cooking competitions). I should have followed my first mind and left it alone. Gross. Bacon does not belong on a dessert period. Though without the "distracting" bacon the dessert was not memorable at all so...All in all I had a good time. While I would not put this on "must visit again" list, I think it is a good restaurant with excellent service and food you should give a try.
(4)
Barney B.

I found the flaw at woodfire grill and I am about to share it with you - it's a significant flaw and warrants pointing out so you guys are prepared and make a well-informed decision about this place. The flaw: there's a tear in the plaster on the men's room wall. There. I said it and frankly I feel good about not covering that up. Now you know. As for everything else here - good luck finding a flaw. This was the chosen spot for my birthday dinner with family. We walked in excited, but I admit I was concerned that, with this being the 3rd TC contestant's establishment I would be visiting, I was going to turn into one of 'those people'. I walked out realizing that the reason this was my favorite meal in years (if not longer) had nothing to do with dudeman being on the telly - it was because of the 5+ amazing courses that were so magnificently prepared to the point that I often heard at our table "I don't usually like _______ but that was amazing" - it was alsp because my family, who have never done a tasting menu, experienced countless items they would never ever try due to it never being the 'safe' option they tend to order, and they loved practically every bite - it was because I walked out remembering every detail of every course and the character of every paired wine (and face it, this wasn't my 21st birthday - old man Barney B has a rough time remembering what cereal he had this morning). The space is complementary to the warm, smokey, comfortable food you are about to enjoy. The wines are paired perfectly with the courses - the service is exactly what it should be - friendly, informative, interactive and non-hovering. it's just that plaster - the one fault in an otherwise sublime package. and obviously I am stretching even with that.
(5)
Dave T.

Five us had the five course blind menu. Four did paired half glasses of wine with the courses. I had two glasses rather than the pairings. As a first matter, if you are going to drink wine, do the pairing. My friends half glasses were the same that the server poured for my full glasses. My two "full" glasses were the same price as their five. I wish I could say the tiny portions were offset by exquisite taste; but, I can't. When I say tiny, I mean it. If you are a big eater, this place is not for you. I'm not and I had enough to eat; but, for the price, it was at best acceptable, not great. The servers were good not great. Since you are getting food that you don't know about before it is served, it would be better if they didn't rush through the memorized description of the course. Finally, though it wasn't mentioned by the server or stated on the menu, the restaurant added a 20% tip to the bill. It's what we would have tipped; but, it's an annoying practice.
(3)
Arian A.

Ambiance. Ambiance. Ambiance. What a great atmosphere to enjoy a great meal. There were four of us in our party and they placed us in a little room which was semi-private and awesome! It felt as if we were the only diners. The 5-course tasting menu was amazing and included a deconstructed Waldorf salad, scallops, quail, and my husband's favorite, pork belly. The wine pairing was also delicious. If you are a light weight drinker like me you can have the option of doing a 1/2 glass wine pairing. All in all, the experience was so choice. Plan to visit again in the future.
(5)
Art H.

Made a reservation for 4 on Saturday night of V-Day weekend. We arrived on time and were told that the "seatings" were running a little behind. We waited about 15 minutes and were then shown to our table. It's a much a bigger place than it looks from the street. We were seated at a booth which was a tight squeeze for 4 fairly average sized people. We had already placed our drink order in the waiting area yet it took another 10 minutes or so for them to get to us. The waiter was a nice guy. We made the mistake of saying, "yes", when he asked if it was our first time dining there whereby he proceeded to give us a lesson in Menu 101... "The first course is in the upper left, followed by the second course..." We opted to order "ala carte" versus the 3 or 5 course tasting menus after the waiter told us that they would be a surprise. If I'm paying for the dinner, I want to know what I'm paying for... Just like there are some people who want to know the sex of their babies and some people who want to be surprised. Give me a choice. Two of us ordered the risotto, one ordered the celery soup and one ordered the arugula salad. The salad was a bust. There was some shaved parm and a little dried country ham on it but otherwise it was flavorless. The risotto was good but required that you get a little of everything on the plate in your mouth to get the right flavors and seasoning. The celery soup tasted like something from Gerber. For entrees, two of us ordered the pork loin, one the beef loin and one the sturgeon. The pork was cooked well. The accompanying root vegetables were spottily cooked... some done and some underdone. The beef loin, ordered medium rare, was more to the rare than the medium. The sturgeon was perhaps the best entree... cooked perfectly with an interesting crust. For dessert, the cocoa nib doughnuts, the chocolate pain perdu and the honey roasted pear were ordered with the doughnuts clearly winning. They put a lot of emphasis on sustainable products and the currently chic farm-to-table philosophy almost to the point of going overboard (aren't all coffee plants and thus all coffee sustainable?). Don't spend so much time telling me how great it is on the menu prove it to me with the taste. They have an extensive wine list but the prices are on the high side. The waitstaff was good but paid no attention to the conversation at hand as if what they had to say was always more important. No sign of Top Chef Gillespie. You'd think, given his new-found popularity and given that he has to know that many people are dining at Woodfire because of him, he would make a point of being seen and making the rounds. All-in-all we were glad we went but given the number of good places in Atlanta and given the missteps in food and service, not to mention prices on the high side (how are all of these young diners affording such meals?), we won't make an effort to return.
(3)
L L.

Best. Meal. Ever. Flawless from start to finish. I realized I was in food heaven when I secretly licked the spoon of the amuse-bouche course. Even the music was perfect. What better way to have dessert than to have "I Wanna Make It Wit Chu" by Queens of the Stone Age as the soundtrack?
(5)
Kate H.

Went here for my friend's birthday. Had great drinks while we waited for our table. Tried the 5 course chef's tasting and it was wonderful. Would like to go back during other seasons and try again with other local fresh ingredients.
(4)
Raul O.

New to Atlanta and came here last night with some out of town guests based on the great reviews everywhere. Dinner overall was slightly disappointing as everyone loved their starter and dessert but thought their entree was bleh. Given the cost, this turned into a three star place due to value issues. STARTER My wife and I had the lobster salad. The taste overall was delicious and the lobster was plentiful. Interestingly they were short on greens. My brother had some delicious scallops and his wife had a delightful slow cooked egg. At this point we were anxiously awaiting the entree. ENTREE I had a chicken with brocolli and mushrooms and Israeli cous cous. The chicken was well cooked but the overwhelming buttery flavor to everything made it a one note dish. Fail. My wife and sister in law had a striped bass with mushroom purÃ©e and sun chokes. Their fish was over cooked and the flavor mashup was too much. Neither finished. My brother had a lamb shank drenched in gravy. Would have been excellent at the Cracker Barrel, but at $30+ it's not going to cut it. DESSERT A delicious chocolate roulade. Just perfect. NET Meal was above average but given the value concerns, we will not be back again any time soon.
(3)
Marvin T.

Amazingly great!!!! One of the best dining experiences I have had the pleasure of having. From the initial interactions with the manager, JR, to the wonderful service delivered by the staff - Woodfire Grill is the best. I planned a surprise birthday party for my wife and I do not think there was one person working for the restaurant that did not know that it was a special event for my family and I. They were even able to adjust the reserved area to a lower location due to my grandmother not being able to make the ascent to the loft area of the restaurant. Everyone spoke and they seemed genuine with their well wishes. The food was incredible!!! Everything was seasoned and well balanced. The chef did a phenomenal job and even surprised us with a special dessert made just for us. I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone. The price is well worth the experience. Great job staff and management! I will definitely be back for the culinary and service experience that is - Woodfire Grill!
(5)
Katy L.

My husband and I always go out to a nice dinner on New Year's Eve. This year we decided to try out Woodfire Grill. My husband made reservations on OpenTable and later received a call to confirm. Never once was he told that there was a set menu that night. Yes, if we had gone to the website we would have seen NYE was a special event, but you would think that someone would tell you that when confirming. But moving on. After we got over our initial shock of the $115 tasting menu, we figured we might as well enjoy ourselves. I had a delicious glass of wine, but it wasn't very big for the price ($14). We started off with a tempura oyster which was very tasty. The first course was black cod. Mine was pretty tasty but my husband's was quite overcooked. The chef later came over and apologized, which was a nice touch, and gave us two supplemental tastes to make up for it. Second course was pasta with lobster and black truffles, which was excellent. Could have used a little bit more salt, but I could have eaten a few bowls of it and been content. The next little taste was a foie gras torchon which had a odd taste to it. I usually like foie gras, but not this time. The third and fourth courses were pretty delicious. The roasted pheasant had this yummy huckleberry foam alongside it and the beef wellington was delicious with a bone marrow bordelaise and potato puree. But both dishes came out luke warm -- I like my food hot. Dessert was probably my favorite. A dark chocolate cake with a chai tea little whipped cream on top. It tasted like Mexican hot chocolate. I wish it was bigger! Overall, the meal was good but not spectacular. For the price, I expected to be wowed and I definitely wasn't wowed. To top it off, the service was very mediocre. Our waiter seemed uninterested in our overall experience and even made a comment about how we weren't drinking very much. I was very put off. Would I return to Woodfire Grill? Maybe. The jury is still out.
(3)
Alex P.

This place gets on thing right and is the best at it. It isn't the ambiance, it isn't necessarily the service and surely not the location. It is however, unquestionably some of the best food you will ever put in your mouth. Every dish I got was better than the one before and better than any I've tried. The rabbit was excellent and is served along with its heart and liver on the plate. Black caviar was a great compliment on our appetizer of smoked salmon. Wine selection superb. I could write all day about this place, but at the end of the day, you simply have to try it.
(5)
Justin M.

Easily one of the best restaurants in Atlanta. Food - Everything I've eaten has been very good and well priced. They had a duck entree (no longer on the menu =/) which was my favorite. Hopefully it will return, but other entrees are still worthy. Tasting menu - I've only tried the 7 course tasting (not the 5). It's great, but probably not worth the price difference from the standard menu--at $90 per person, I feel Bacchanalia is a better value. Service - Amazing. You expect good service when entrees are $30 to $40, but Woodfire Grill over-delivers. All staff members are clearly well trained and know the menu well. As you walk through the restaurant, the staff is attentive and polite--you won't fight for space in narrow walkways. It's the service you expect from a significantly more expensive restaurant.
(5)
Leon B.

View from the bar: Sometimes I travel on business alone and prefer to eat at the bar, chat with bartenders and other patrons rather than sit in the dining room alone. The Woodfire Grill has a ton of great reviews, but I'm not particularly impressed. I started with fried oysters and the barman seemed slightly miffed that I preferred the $8.00 dry white wine rather than the $20.50 "paired' Chardonnay. The fried oyster was OK with nice smoky bacon flavor but, hey, fried oysters are not gourmet. On the other hand, the duck breast entree with the paired French Gamay was a really good combination. Didn't have dessert or coffee. Service was just OK - it seemed very cramped behind the bar and there was a noisy function behind my head in an alcove. All-in-all, if I were in that neck -of-the-woods with money to spend I'd go to Bone's down the street and get truly great bar attention and overall better food.
(2)
Gena L.

Excellent food, friendly service and heavenly seasonal, original drinks. My husband and I went with our 16 mo daughter. The staff were considerate of our plyte and very welcoming. But I must confess I would not bring our little angel again! I ordered the quail, it was moist and flavorful. My husband ordered the pork loin, it had a wonderful crust and was cooked to perfection! Kuddps to the mixologist
(5)
William R.

Great night out! The food is tasty and elegant. I highly recomend the halibut. Staff is awesome! Music is Indy current. Love that. Not a big fan of the Cheshire Bridge feeling, but this place is special and I'm willing to look past it.
(5)
Dave S.

Great service and epic food. Kevin Gillespie's Woodfire Grill delivers on every front. Don't miss out on this amazing restaurant.
(5)
Beth H.

I recently was in town visiting my brother and his wife and we went to Woodfire Grill. It was the best dining experience I have had in a long time! The food was fabulous, the service provided by Kate and the entire staff was perfect, and the entire experience was great. I highly recommend checking out the Woodfire Grill.
(5)
Jessica R.

Visited Woodfire for the first time for my going away party. Kevin happened to be there which was an extra treat since I am a big Top Chef fan. Our table of five decided to go with the 5 course tasting menu. It was worth every penny. All of the ingredients were organic and grass fed (a mandatory staple in my diet) Each of the four courses had a protein and the dessert was improvised for me for my chocolate allergy. All in all it was a good experience, there also happened to be a large party there that night so the whole experience took 3 hours but it was well worth it. Worth the money! Not for the person that expects big portions.
(5)
Sheila M.

This was our 2nd visit to Woodfire after the ownership transition. Again: perfection. We were joined this time by 3 friends; 2 from out of town. We had a great time and an amazing meal!! There are several things that set Woodfire apart from its competition: 1. The service is warm, flawless and fun. This is so much more than a skill--it's an art! 2. The tasting menus. While other places offer them, the difference here is the surprise factor. You have to take that little leap of faith and just go with it. My husband was so hard core about this that he wouldn't even look at the menu. Three of us chose the 3-course; I had the veggie option (even though I'm not a vegetarian, I wanted something different from the others). There was not one bit of disappointment. 3. Wine. Their list has so many unique, small-production and reasonably-priced offerings that the wine alone becomes an adventure. If you're not wine-educated, let them share their wisdom and choose for you. If you're truly an oenophile, let them know that too and a different kind of party will begin. 4. Warmth and genuine-ness. There is not an ounce of stuffiness despite its sophisticated vibe. You easily feel as though you're at a close friend's dinner party. Since the menu changes very frequently, I won't go into what we ate except to say that it was all great. Remember that it's local and only what's in season. Expect to spend some time and enjoy it. While reservations are probably all but required, the bar area seems to offer a more casual and impromptu option. We hope to try that soon. I have to say after this visit that Woodfire has secured the #2 spot on our list. Only that very nice, very pricey place that starts with a "Q" ranks higher.
(5)
Ed P.

Belated review - dined several months ago. Appetizers savorless. Two sommelier types floating around hot on wine yet all four of our pricy $30+ entrees arrived COOL. French creation style potions & w/ steakhouse type pseudo sophistication. Stay at home & craft something from your Cook's Illustrated. Won't return. Admittedly I'm handicapping proportionate w/ their lofty prices.
(2)
Sarah B.

The best food I've ever had in the US. I would consider myself a foodie and am very picky about the service as well as the food and Woodfire Grill was at the top in every way. Amazing customer service from the moment we walked in the door to the moment we left. Even the valet was excellent. We had the 5-course tasting which was a fantastic choice. Every bite was perfect and I had to stop myself from licking the plate more than once. On the way out we were able to talk to Chef Kevin Gillespie and he was very gracious and humble and nice as can be. I will definitely be back and bringing as many friends as I can. This is now my top restaurant in Atlanta and in the US.
(5)
Emily G.

I was excited to come here since I'm a big fan of Kevin from Top Chef. The service was impeccable from start to finish, all staff were smiley and attentive, very helpful and knowledgible, too. The decor is really tasteful and sets a great atmosphere. The food, of course, was fabulous. Some of the flavor combinations are a bit adventurous, like chocolate vinaigrette or anise leeks, but they really worked! The meat was perfectly cooked and, since our table was right by the grill, we got to watch it being cooked. Presentation was beautiful on the plates, and the taste matched. Yes, it's pricey, but you get what you pay for.
(5)
RK E.

Eh.... I was really disappointed. A friend and I went to Atlanta (from DC) specifically to go to Woodfire Grill after last year's Top Chef (yes i know we're dorks). Perhaps that was the flaw in the plan - our expectations were too high. We arrived and sat in the bar area for 5-10 minutes while they were preparing our table. I have no problem with that - but the bar area was a bit strange. When i walked to the hostess table the carpet had gotten all ratty and sticky and my shoes stuck to the floor. Also, while we waited, we ordered two margaritas with a specific tequila recommended by our waitress. Both of our drinks had about 5 fruit flies apiece. After we sat down, we discussed with the waiter the tasting menu. My friend and I both only eat fish, but she was willing to eat meat to do the tasting. I was not. The waiter said something along the lines of, "Chef Kevin does not like to alter his meals." So either I could pay $65 for 5 plates of vegetables or neither of us could do the tasting. Needless to say, I was not willing to pay the same for a vegetarian meal as she would pay for duck and lamb. Clearly that was the wrong choice - all 5 tables around us did the tasting, which looked far better than our food. We ordered 4 small plates and one entree. For me, half of the small plates were disappointing. The entree- a salmon dish with melon - was really wonderful. The dessert was also disappointing. The other thing that really bothered me was the pretension of the waitstaff. Maybe I'm just being picky, but the incessant reference to "Chef Kevin" got really annoying. Other than that constant statement, I didn't find the staff personable at all, except for one very nice waiter, not ours, that regularly stopped by our table to see how we were. Last telling point was later in the evening we met someone who had eaten at Woodfire the previous week. He did the tasting - which he thought was good but not great. When he explained the dishes to us, they were the identical ones served when we were there (a previous reviewer said that they change the menu daily but that's clearly not the case). He also said that when he asked what was in the tasting prior to ordering, the waiter responded that, "Chef Kevin likes it to be a surprise." I find that pretty lame and kind of unprofessional. We ate the previous night at Restaurant Eugene and frankly found the staff and the food far superior. I would recommend Restaurant Eugene anyday over Woodfire.
(2)
missy a.

Kevin is an awesome chef. I love the tasting menu with wine pairings. Love going back again & again without getting same meal. Staff knowledgeable but approachable. Make a reservation in advance as this is a hot & busy restaurant.
(5)
Richard J.

I went there over a year ago and ordered the tasting menu. I forgot how many courses it was, 7? I didn't care for any. I won't be back.
(1)
shal C.

We love the food and service at our visit to woodfire grill. Our server was very helpful and thoughtful. I love that the ingredients are local, and the quality and freshness of the ingredients is evident in the food. We will definitely go here again.
(5)
T B.

Delicious. I was a huge fan of Kevin's from Top Chef so when we went to Atlanta, I made my friends go with me. We were not disappointed in the tasting menu which had one delicious meal after another (from the heavenly scallops to the fish to the pork to the dessert)... The atmosphere is warm and mellow, the bartender made some pretty amazing drinks that paired well with our food and the service was fantastic. This is what a true Top Chef experience should be and I applaud Kevin. Will definitely be going back whenever I'm in the area again.
(5)
Kelley F.

Genuinely the very best meal of my life. We drove down to ATL from CHI to eat here and it was amazing! We had the 5 course route and seriously life changing food. Every course was a delight and brought about sincere emotion! We chased with the course wines and were so pleased we did. The wines were unexpected and amazing!
(5)
Sheena F.

Delicious! Despite hearing great things about the tasting menu, our group decided to go a la carte (the tasting requires full table participation and we had ppl with allergies/pickiness!) and were glad we did! The meal started with an amuse bouche that was ok and seriously yummy bread with a fennel, garlic and champagne infused butter. I wanted to take home a vat of the stuff! As a bonus, Chef Kevin was actually behind the grill while we were there. I had the curried lentil soup to start - the curry was very subtle but there and the greek yogurt garnish added just the right flavor note. Very good. Others at the table had the red potato salad and while were a little underwhelmed by the flavors said it was good. Next course was the chef's signature dish from the Top Chef days, crispy pork belly. Absolutely amazing! The onion and fennel sauce complemented the salty crispiness of the pork bellies perfectly. Everyone at our table got this and everyone was making yummy noises the entire time haha. For the main I got the striped bass, again delicious, I really love the flavor of fennel and this dish was perfect! Others at the table got the duck and the beef striploin. Everything was amazing, and forks were flying so that everyone could taste different dishes. Overall the service was great and the wine list was incredible - such a great experience. We'll definitely be back for any special occasion.
(5)
Julie P.

The word of the day: Redemption. Before leaving the restaurant after our less than positive experience a few weeks ago, the BF left a comment card describing our experience (nothing nasty, just honest). To our surprise, he received a very prompt and apologetic email from the owner, graciously asking if we would consider giving them a second chance. We were very pleasantly surprised, and because of this very heartfelt email decided to give it one more try. We were NOT disappointed. Everything was a complete change from the last experience. Service was on-point, and the food seemed to have gained its identity, flavor & texture back. We got all but one of the original dining crew back and arrived at the restaurant a little skeptical, but cautiously optimistic. We were very handsomly rewarded. Although not all of the 7 courses were favorites for all, each course was thoughtfully created, carefully prepared, and beautifully executed. Each one of us had at least two favorite courses, and agreed that we at least appreciated all of the others. I, for one, know that I will never look at a pig the same again after experiencing the pork belly... The wine pairings were not to be dismissed, as each pairing perfectly complimented the flavors of the courses they accompanied. Bravo to the sommelier / wine steward. The service was impeccable (one thing that was sorely missed in the previous dining experience). Attentive, friendly, and never over-bearing -- it was the very experience we all rave about when we remember our dining experiences Woodfire, which comes only second to the amazing food. Bottom line: not everything served at Woodfire will change your life. That said, if you know what you like and have a server who understands that, you will be served dishes that will make you close your eyes and say, "yummmmmm". We all have our "off" days, and restaurants are not immune to that. The moral of the story? Don't settle for mediocrity, and if you have a bad experience at a good restaurant, speak up! They may just surprise you by living up to their own hype.
(4)
Sarah E.

I wish I could say that I have known Woodfire Grill for years, but sadly it took reality TV to get me acquainted. My husband and I are both fans of Kevin on Top Chef, so we just had to check this place out. We arrived a little early and sat in the bar area to have a drink. I ordered the Bradley. The guy who waited on me in the bar was super, super nice, explained what "shrub" was, and provided recommendations. The Bradley was, without question, the best drink I have EVER had. It was a beautiful symphony of bourbon and ginger. It also had the distinction of being the only drink I've ever had that really felt like it was worth $10. If you go out in the city, you will drop $10 on a drink in many places. But this really tasted like a $10 drink. Loved it. Twice. My husband had the Apricota, which he also enjoyed. The ambience of the bar area was nice, and everyone was extremely friendly despite the fact that it seemed pretty busy. I kept hearing people trying to pump the bartenders for details about the outcome of Top Chef. Poor guys - they must be SO sick of this sort of question. When it was time for our reservation, we were escorted to our table. My husband and I had decided in advance to go all-out by ordering the 5-course chef's tasting menu. After all, why wouldn't you want your first experience with a restaurant to reflect what the chef thinks are its most exciting items? Our server seemed really excited about this. Our amuse bouche was "the chef's version of a Waldorf salad." It had a layer of a cream cheese mixture, a fruit that I think was peach, and... shoot. The awesome drinks must have gone to my head, because I have no clue anymore what was on top. But it was good. The first course was a confit of laughing bird shrimp with vinegar. It was delicious! Our server said that although the menu changes daily, sometimes it changes more than others - and this was the first time they had served this dish. I would definitely eat it again! The second course was two substantial pan-seared diver scallops, served atop a bed of butter beans and accompanied by a lamb jus and a sauce that I think was balsamic-vinegar-based. It was funny because scallops are one of my favorite foods of all time, but I hate anything even remotely resembling lima beans. I didn't hate these, which is saying a lot. In between the second and third course, we were each brought an oyster to cleanse our palates. My husband was scared because he doesn't really do oysters, but we both loved it. And it definitely did the trick, because course three was a veritable explosion of flavor for us. The third course was possibly my favorite - bobwhite quail with apples and potatoes. I wish I could describe these things better! I've never had quail before, so I have nothing to compare it to. However, it was the most perfectly seasoned thing I have ever eaten. Ever. The fourth course was something that Kevin is known for - pork! Specifically, it was pork belly over creamed brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts are another food that I normally cannot stand. And I'd like to say that if you cook anything in cream, it makes it better. Except I don't want to give you the impression that I only liked them because they were doused in cream. The cream actually just enhanced their distinctive flavor, and I have finally found brussels sprouts that I not only like, but love. The pork belly itself was perfection. I've never tried pork belly before because I'm really not a big fan of fat. I don't eat the fat on prime rib (I tried it because I have heard it's the best part, but it wasn't for me). I do like bacon, but it has to be fairly crispy. I generally don't like anything that's recognizable as a chunk of fat. The pork belly was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Finally, it was time for our dessert course. I was sad to see our parade of delicious food coming to an end. My husband was served a honey-and-caramel bread pudding. The dessert chosen for me was a chocolate wrap with something chocolatey and ganachelike, in a chocolate-espresso "broth" with mocha whipped cream. Both desserts were delicious, though I would have traded them in a heartbeat for more of that quail! Everything was just so, so delicious. Even the bread was arguably the freshest, most delicious bread I have ever had. And it was served with a whipped scallion/garlic butter that must have contained crack. Our service was wonderful and everyone seemed genuinely friendly. There was a bit of a wait between our courses, which I thought at first was due to the kitchen being overwhelmed with orders. After a while, I started to think it was just to prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by too much food too close together. Either way, it worked for us. The only disappointment was that we didn't get to meet Kevin (I think he might have been out of town but I'm not sure). Oh well, I guess that's just an excuse to go there again soon!
(5)
Bahadir U.

We have fallen in love with Woodfire Grill 2 years ago. We have been there in 3 occasions and 5 course tasting menu is always inspired and prepared to perfection. Service has been great. They take the time to explain what you are eating. Professional and friendly. During our one visit, we had a long wait between 2 courses and the manager came to apologize, he offered a couple wine pairings. My only problem is that everyone now discovered the place and it is hard to get reservations. Oh well, it is hard to share but I am happy to see them successful
(5)
Ubu R.

We had the 7 course tasting with wine pairing. Everything was remarkable; the food, wine, service, and attention to detail were all exceptional. For a special event, this is where my wife and i will be dining indefinitely. The best meal I have had this year. Very well done.
(5)
Monika K.

got a tip that you could sit at the bar and get the same menu as the dining room if you didn't have a reservation. Got here promptly at opening on Sat b4 Vday to snatch a seat -started off with a cocktail- Peach Blossom. Holy Hell this was heaven in a glass. they could make a fortune if they sold it to coca cola, minus the vodka. divine! started off with the washington state steelhead tartar and crudo, I could have made 3 or 4 of these my meal, soooo tasty. an explosion of flavors in your mouth. bf had the veal sweetbreads, he loved them, I did take a bite and it was good but it's hard to stomach it once I think about what it is... main course- duck and beef strip loin....both eaten slowly to savor the meal...and appreciate the dish. fantastic... dessert for the 2 of us was of the liquid kind, another seasonal cocktail- Fall Classic. shared and enjoyed by both of us. Peach blossom still takes the cake. A wonderful experience and grateful that someone told us the inside tip so we could enjoy Woodfire grill while in town.
(4)
Travis M.

Some of the best food and service I've had in a long time. I went with a group of 4 so we all got to try a little bit of everyone's meal and there wasn't a single thing on the table that wasn't delcious! Everything from the bread and soup to the dessert was amazing. After an unexpectedly long wait to get seated the manager made sure to take extra special care of us all night and the owner even mailed us a personal invitation to come back (we've already made reservations!) - you don't find that kind of service very often anymore. Duck is one of my favorite dishes and they did an amazing job! It was cooked perfectly and had a great savory/salty balance going for it. My girlfriend had the fish (can't remember what kind of fish it was, just that neither one of us had ever had it before) and it was delicious. For fish the portion was large and the thickness gave the layers different textures from the crisp outside to the melt-in-your-mouth inner layer. With how often the menu changes I will be back over and over again! Next up - the tasting menu with wine pairings!
(5)
Nick B.

OMG this was the best meal I've ever had. Finally after years of watching Top Chef, I feel like I finally know what a perfect scallop and poached egg are supposed to be like. I'm sure the absolute hunky adorableness of Chef Kevin Gillespie made everything taste that much better. It was well worth my whole paycheck to dine here.
(5)
andi c.

Let's just say that these guys know food! It is absolutely my favorite restaurant in Atlanta and we know that we'll always have a true dining experience when we go. Block off some time, enjoy the wine and specially prepared meal with some good friends. I could do a 3-hr dinner in this place and still feel like it's my first time there. enjoy the deliciousness of Woodfire!
(5)
lauren m.

What an awesome experience! We went for the New Year's Eve tasting special and was not disappointed. The wine pairings were reasonably priced, and the food was comfort American food done well. For pics, see my blog post ohmypuddin.blogspot.com/â€¦ The highlights were definitely the pork belly and antelope. You can tell they like cooking meat. We were hoping to meet Kevin and talk to him, but our waiter informed us that Kevin actually cooks the food at his restaurant (as opposed to other chefs), so we didn't get to meet him. But we did see him cooking in the open kitchen.
(5)
hillary B.

I was really into the food Chef Kevin was cooking during his season of Top Chef, and was thoroughly disappointed when he didn't win that season's top honors, so choosing Woodfire Grill for our belated Valentine's Day dinner was a no-brainer for my boyfriend. I was thrilled when I walked inside and heard really great music, played just the right amount of loud. Thankfully we were seated very close to the grill, because it was cold outside that night! Our server was very attentive, and explained any questions we had. The menu had about 4-6 items under each category , and I probably could have ordered any of them from the way they sounded and been happy. I went with the fennel salad, which had toasted breadcrumbs, and the meatball, which was so rich and fatty and meaty, I could have eaten 10, and then probably went into a blissful cardiac arrest. My boyfriend had the potato soup and the lamb, which had an unbelievable spice crust and pickled rutabaga. Then the part came where I anxiously looked at the dessert menu, (I will be honest, I was still decently hungry and was hoping the dessert would cure that) and found the banana bread in salted caramel sauce with a canelle of marshmallow ice cream, topped with tiny flecks of bacon (!!!) I can sum this dessert up by telling you that I haven't shut up about it since Feb. 15th, and can't stop telling my foodie friends that they absolutely have to try it. We had a beautiful meal, and I can honestly say it was worth the price, IF you are genuinely into the food experience, the savoring each bite and appreciating every ingredient and eating things the way they were meant to be eaten (i.e. - if you are one of those people who have 35 ingredients they don't like, or want to pick off - for the price and the portion, trust me, you will want to and should want to eat every single thing on your plate!) Thanks Woodfire Grill, for a memorable Valentine's Day and keep up the incredible food and service!
(5)
Live To Feast I.

I begin this review with a somewhat shameful confession. I have been living and dining beyond my means in Atlanta for the majority of my life, and it took last weeks' premier of Season 6 of Top Chef for Woodfire Grill to make it onto my radar. (The Executive Chef and owner of Woodfire is Kevin Gillespie, a current contestant on TC Season 6). If I were a foodie-hipster, I would relish being able to turn my nose up at all of the TC fan boys that are just now catching on to how great this place is and how lucky Atlanta is to have such a young and talented chef in our midst. I wish I could say "Oh, you just heard of Woodfire? Dude, where have YOU been?" Unfortunately, I missed a memo somewhere. The first thing that I noticed, and still one of my favorite parts of the restaurant, was the SMELL. Holy GOD it smells good in there. As the name indicates, the kitchen centers around a wood-burning grill that gives the entire building the mouth watering aroma of a backyard bonfire. It was INTOXICATING. I caught myself, more than once, taking deep breaths, eyes closed, savoring the heady smells pouring out of the open-air kitchen. The entire menu centers on fresh, local ingredients, and is considered (a la Gourmet/Bon AppÃ©tit) one of the top farm-to-table restaurants in the country. While there was plenty on the menu that I would have loved to order, I would highly recommend that you opt for either the 3-course or 5-course chef's tasting. It pained me to forego ordering the grilled pork belly to try the tasting, but it definitely worked out in the end. I know that a chef's tasting is a leap of faith for many, but I assure you, these are VERY capable hands preparing your meal. Fortunately for me, our waiter had the kitchen print me up a chef's tasting menu before we left, so I could remember what was served. And it was autographed by Kevin. I'd like to pretend I didn't think that was awesome, but I did, and it was. Here is the breakdown: AMUSE: Local beets w/ beet-horseradish puree. Fresh, tasty, and a good way to start the meal. I don't usually get down with the beets all that much, and I was surprised at how much I liked this. FIRST: Pan seared diver scallop, wilted lettuce, filet beans, chicken consommÃ© w/ herb oil. I got my first "bad boyfriend" strike for the night on this one. Not only did I barely look up from my plate or speak to my date during this dish, it wasn't until I was spooning the last of the consommÃ© from the bowl that I realized I hadn't even offered her a taste. I pretended like I was sorry. I wasn't. NEXT: Roasted eggplant w/ feta on tomato flatbread Simple, well-seasoned, and a great transition into.... MAIN: Smoked pork belly, skillet cabbage, fig-coffee jam, pickled vine peaches. HALLELUJAH! Not only was I beside myself because now I didn't have to order the grilled pork belly to go and eat it in the car so as to not look like a total glutton, this was some of the best pork belly I have had in a long time. The smoking process took the inherently indulgent pork belly to a new level. This meat tasted like the restaurant smelled and it was perfect. The pickled vine peaches, which are naturally more acidic than regular peaches, paired perfectly with the pork. Though the serving sizes were just right, I can't help but wish I had just gotten 5 courses of this dish instead. DESSERT: Fried banana balls, chocolate mousse, and candied bacon. CANDIED BACON!!!! This dessert was not just as good as it sounds; it was light years better. Rich, beautifully presented, and it featured bacon. Take one bite of this and tell me you don't like it, and I'll tell you that you're a liar. The only negative to the night, which wasn't really a negative at all for us, was that the food was a little slow. The kitchen is very small compared to the number of tables here, so it was understandable to me that they could get a little behind. I got the feeling this was out of the ordinary, and the wait staff more than made up for it. Even though I had been enjoying the meal and hadn't really noticed the food being behind, our waiter treated us to a few cocktails on the house, as well as our desserts. Though there are numerous other things I could discuss about our evening at Woodfire Grill, such as their exceptional specialty cocktails or their knowledgeable and attentive wait staff, I believe I have made my point. Go. Eat here. Celebrate one of Atlanta's great young chefs, support local farmers in the process, and treat yourself to one hell of a satisfying meal.
(5)
Jennifer W.

Possibly one of the best places I ate on my 10 day trip to South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia! My boyfriend and I had the 7 course tasting menu at the bar since we didn't want to wait for our 9PM reservation and we were expecting some sort of drop off in service, but service was incredibly good. Since we were celebrating my early birthday, the bartender gave us both complimentary champagne We had: Course 1: Marinated Fennel Salad Course 2: Scallop (OMG THE BEST SCALLOP I'VE EVER HAD) Course 3: Oyster Mushrooms (it was AMAZING. my boyfriend thought it was oysters and mushrooms, was surprised he liked it since he HATES oysters, then he realized it was just mushrooms, and was surprised he liked it because he only eats meat) Course 4: Quail Course 5: Pork Belly+Pork tenderloin Course 6: Lamb Course 7: Cheesecake Overall, everything was expertly seasoned and it was simple, yet surprisingly complex flavored. It was a great meal!
(5)
Matt M.

Tuesday night was a special occasion for me. It was special enough to plan a dinner at what is becoming the culinary mecca of Atlanta. Woodfire Grill is the place, and Kevin Gillespie is the chef. Kevin was a finalist on this past year's Top Chef television show on the Bravo network. His food is American Contemporary made with local, sustainable, and organic ingredients. The setting is tastefully modern and contemporary, adorned with provocative art and enhanced with indie music. The wine list is pretty epic as well, also delivering on quality by-the-glass options. I had- Appetizer: Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Tartar. Charred baby onion. Citrus. Avocado relish. Roasted tomatillo. Smoked espelette cracker; Entree: Wood grilled Sonoma artisan duck breast. Early summer salad. Wood oven roasted squash and heirloom broccoli. Creamed leeks; Dessert: Cypress grove lamb chopper. Medjool dates. Raw almonds. Fried almonds---all amazing!
(5)
Mitch G.

I was pretty psyched about this culinary experience. I was familiar with Kevin's cooking style and had heard many good things. We were seated quickly and both received delicious cocktails, i had a "Bradley." It was a ginger and bourbon concoction and it was good. Things started to go downhill once we were seated and were greeted by our low-talker waitress. We stared with the Salmon on the second course section of the menu. It was about one bite for each of it but it was a flavorful bite. As an entree I ordered the pork loin since Kevin was known for his pork. The pork loin was really bland but the okra was redeeming. My woman got the quail and even though it was very tasty, the portion was equal to 4 chicken nugget sized bites. Overall, the ambiance and cocktails were great but the tiny portions, bland flavors and sky high bill added up to a disappointing experience. Also on my way to the way to the restroom I overheard the cook say to the waitress when she put in our order "They ordered A LA CARTE?" meaning that we ordered off the actual menu and didn't opt for the five course tasting. I'm pretty sure now that this is probably what the waitress was whispering about. So if you go, I would get the tasting.
(3)
Oscar G.

Nice place, comfortable. Service was excellent. Food was incredible. Veal sweetbreads with a slice of pickled quince was the all-star for me. the pork belly dish was great wild mushroom ragout was really good. we did the 7-course tasting menu with items that are not on the regular menu. highly recommended. This is one of those places where each member of the staff really cares about the food and preparation. You see chefs carefully preparing and plating. Our server had great knowledge of the food and ingredients and was also able to pair wines with our meal which was great. big fan.
(5)
Elise S.

Service was excellent. Food not that great. Had the 7 tasting menu with pairings and def did not feel spoiled in any capacity for as much money we spent. The sweetbreads and short ribs were dry. My favorite part was dessert which I would def go back for. Disappointed because Kevin is my favorite top chef contestant ever but he wasn't there when we went.
(3)
Abby C.

Loved it! We want to make this a yearly tradition when we visit Atlanta. I tried the vegetarian 5 course tasting and they were accommodating to my dislike of mushrooms. My husband loved the pescatarian 5 course tasting. Service was excellent. Food was outstanding. Pricey, worth it for a special occasion. Booth was not very comfortable.
(5)
Fiona S.

Yes, I'm jumping in to the mix of amazing things already said about Woodfire Grill, but I want to share another tale of how they never cease to amaze me. I went for my birthday about a month ago with 5 friends. We were seated upstairs in the so-called "tree house" - two long tables for large groups, and big windows all around. I decided to do the 3 course tasting, and requested the vegetarian version because I don't eat beef, pork or seafood. A little while later, they bring out my first course, which was a scallop. I was sort of confused by figured, "Maybe they include seafood in a seafood-isn't-meat kind of way, and I'll just eat it. Never had one, why not now." So I went ahead and enjoyed my amazing scallop. Now, course number two comes out, and I could tell from several feet away that it was a cut of meat. Our server began explaining it, and I had to cut her off mid-sentence. Somehow, she had missed when I had said vegetarian in my order. She apologized, whisked away the pork-whatever-it-was and minutes later brought back the actual second course of the vegetarian menu. It was some kind of filio tart with chevre and onions and amazing sauce, and I literally ended up licking my plate (I know, not very classy, but hey, it was my birthday.) Desert was mini chocolate crepes filled with chocolate mousse - AMAZING. I love the small plates, local, fresh, real, authentic good cooking that they do so well at Woodfire. I grew up in California, where some of the pioneer chefs of this movement have their restaurants, and it was comforting in a way to have that kind of food again. I was completely impressed that they were happy to essentially switch my entire order with out even batting an eyelash. Our server was really fun and we had a great time. They threw in my pre-dinner drink for free, since it was my birthday and they usually give you desert free, but obviously desert comes with the tasting menu. Can't wait to go back and try the full tasting menu you.
(5)
Rob H.

After watching Top Chef, I just assumed if I was coming here, I had no sensible choice but to make sure I got a pork dish. I was not disappointed, and instead the dish changed my companions viewpoint on pork, she is now a convert. The creamed collards and grilled peach (not to mention the very perfectly cooked grits, not overpowering) just set this dish off. My only complaint is half a peach is not enough for 4 slices of pork, give us a whole grilled peach (cut it in half to grill sure, but give us both halves!) All of those items together just formed the perfect bite. (My companion at the meal had never eaten collard greens, and she was borh and raised in Altanta! Thankfully I was able to get her to embrace this part of the southern diet, because they were done perfectly.) We also ordered the carolina trout. Fish is my absolute favorite category of protein, and this was a pefectly cooked trout. Crispy skin, flaky wonderful fish and succotash to set the whole thing off. The poached gulf shrimp were light, subtle, and beautifully plated. They were a perfect starter, and set the tone of the meal quite well. Just would have killed for more ginger aioli, three shrimp needed three times more than was there. On thirds with our pork, we also ordered the Alaskan Halibut. Flaked off perfectly, crispy skin, and lump crab was just succulent. Even now the idea of it makes my mouth water. We expected the bannana pan perdue, but it had been replaced with the semifrodo, which was good, but the candied bacon was not quite candied enough, and was slightly chewy. The key lime was excellent, with the gingersnap crust base a nice change of pace from the original, without detracting from its appeal, it tasted great! Anything above that isn't conveying absolute delight are small, nitpicking items. The meal was excellent.
(5)
Erica C.

I think Yelp should add another 5 possible stars, just for this restaurant. As we ate, I tried to figure out how I could possibly add to what the Yelping community has already said about Kevin Gillespie & company's house of culinary goodness. All I can say is this: My lovely wife took me there for my birthday last night, and we decided to throw caution to the wind and let Kevin dictate what we ate. The 5-course tasting menu is the way to go. I ate foods I never would've ordered, and had to restrain myself (and said lovely wife) from licking the plates. Each plate that arrived became my favorite. Yep - out of 5 dishes, I had 5 favorites. How can you go wrong with garlic-honey glazed quail or beet-cured salmon tartar? You can't. Not as long as the food is in the capable hands of the Woodfire team. The service was beyond impeccable. Food came flying to us like clockwork, with just enough time for our systems to settle between courses, but not enough time that we ever wondered when the next course would arrive. Aside from the flawless food and superior service, the only other item to compliment would be the atmosphere. It was truly a revelation to eat fancy food in a place where you can wear jeans! Why has no one thought of this before? Sure, most sites say it's a dressy restaurant, but there wasn't a single dressed up table in the joint. I'm not sure I'd roll in there in sweatpants, mind you, but it's absolutely ideal to be able to enjoy my lamb loin, my beautiful pea salad, and copious amounts of pork belly while not worrying about pantyhose cutting off all circulation to my taste buds. Bravo, Woodfire. Bravo, indeed.
(5)
Kristi B.

We had a great experience at Woodfire last week. I've had it marked to try for some time, and asked my assistant in Atlanta to make reservations for my trip out there. Apparently, this is not as easy as it sounds, she called in a favor to get us in at 530 pm on a Thursday, so I would recommend booking in advance! We were quickly seated in a cute little private room - just one table for four - and greeted by our waiter who was fantastic throughout the meal. I ordered the warm beet salad with goat cheese - YUM - usually restaurants seem to serve beets with blue cheese and one of the few things I don't like is blue cheese, so this one really made me happy. It was delicious. We also had the steelhead tartare, I was a little apprehensive about raw steelhead but it was good, and the sweetbreads. Not being a fan of sweetbreads I only tried the mushroom polenta that came with them and I could have eaten a whole dish of that for sure. I almost asked for some. On to main courses of pork loin, strip loin, duck, and my sturgeon. The fish was perfect, moist and tender, and the mushroom ragout was outstanding. I also tried my honey's duck which was wonderful. We ordered dessert but realized we were running late for a show so took it with us and enjoyed it later, I had the chocolate pain perdu, which was perfect, super chocolate-y without being too sweet. From what I understand the menu changes constantly, which I consider a very good thing. I might have to see if my assistant has any more favors to call in for my next trip to ATL.
(5)
Julie C.

disclaimer: i heart kevin gillespie....and his unabashed love of pork. okay. one of my good friends and i have been coordinating our woodfire grill extravaganza for months....and tonight was the night. so. woodfire was cute, nothing spectacular on the inside, drafty in the front area with little tables, and they so need better signage off of cheshire bridge. nevertheless...we started off with champagne cocktails (this was a celebration) that were muy muy muy delicioso. so delicious in fact, that the plan is to recreate this drink for our boxing day celebration. many of the seasonal cocktails sounded good btw. so...we sit down for our five course chef tasting...feeling very top chefish....i'm yapping about my palate, acidity, textures, yadda yadda yadda...doing my best padma lakshmi impersonation. fun times. not gonna detail my every course, other than to say yummy to my tummy. that is my highest praise. the pork belly...super yum and the venison with grits...omg. brussel sprouts have been elevated in my book. my meal tonight made me want to get back in the workforce, simply so i can treat myself to woodfire grill whenever i want. everything was super delish, and to be honest, super small. taste buds say....worth it though. who says you have to leave dinner with your zipper bust open? been there....do that! loved getting two amuse tastings. i have a sick sick sick bread and butter fetish...so the assortment of breads (all in house made) served with some delectable herb butter made me very happy. four different bread selections in that basket honey! still sorta kicking myself that i didn't put the bread basket and butter in my purse, but allegedly, i'm older, more responsible and upstanding...or something like that. why not five stars? it was the staff. can we say zombie in unision? our bar server was dry and our table server...i don't know how to describe it. just a real lack of personality...dry and sorta stilted...maybe it's just pressure to be on point (read ultra serious) for the post top chef surge in business....but the presence of the waitstaff almost sucked some of my exuberance out somehow. not bad service, just the sudden appearance of this somber, stilted person at the head of your table...it was weird. there were a couple people that brought things out that had some passion, zest, etc...but for the most part, it was like having a nervous funeral director deposit your meals. still...i'm a fan. my mom goes here about once a month, solo....and she raves about how nice they are to her....and that touches my heart. if they had a half star option...this is where i would add it. oh. desert was not the highlight, my bread pudding lacked the custardy richness that is so bread pudding...it was more like a poorly textured cupcake. meh. the chocolate crepes were better, but this was definitely the course where there were actually some scraps left on the plate. (luckily i had an orange dream star waiting on me at home). the regular menu has some banana dish with carmelized bacon that i am DYING to try...gotta check that out on the next trip.
(4)
Joe B.

At over $100 a head, you would think I could find something positive to say about one of Atlanta's most highly regarded restaurants. Only one dish (of the eight dishes ordered by our table) was praiseworthy, and since the menu changes daily, I don't see any point in mentioning which dish it was. At $42 the "rack of lamb" was tantamount to larceny. (Since when does a "rack of lamb" consist of two very thin lamb chops?) The snooty attitude of the owner did nothing to improve the situation. I won't be returning to Woodfire Grill - one visit was more than enough.
(1)
Kim N.

Seriously people, if you are in Atlanta, you have to eat here. It should be mandatory for any foodie visiting this town. My husband and I were in town for New Year's Eve and I was smart (and quick) enough to make a reservation. I was a little nervous because often times good restaurants can fall flat on a major "going-out-to-dinner holidays," but this was not the case here. Extraordinary food, impeccable service - basically, if I could move in here and make this restaurant my home, I would. This was eight months ago and I am still raving about the incredible meal we had there. I would seriously go back to Atlanta just to eat at this restaurant. Make it happen - you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Lisa A.

Went to Woodfire Grill for my birthday and my husband and I had the 5 course tasting menu and loved it! I though Kevin did a great job at turning some ordinary items into some really interesting dishes. I also thought the staff did a great job at timing the dishes and the wine pairing was very good! We were very satisfied with the size of the servings, as this is a "tasting menu" which I think some folks do not realize is different that order al la carte selections. I for one enjoy trying new things and I think that is what is so fun about being able to try so many things over the course of 1 meal. I also think the bartenders are doing a great job with the cocktails and I was very happy to see some of mt favorite Ca. wines on their list at regular retail price, That alone make a trip to Woodfire worth it in my book. It's also nice that Kevin is so humble and you can really get a sense that he truly enjoys cooking food for others!!
(5)
Eduardo M.

Excellent meal. I was in Atlanta last week and I got a chance to go here for dinner on Friday. Was surprised to see Kevin was there (figuring the whole Top Chef thing may keep him busy elsewhere, or in the back kitchen), but there he was, large as life and willing to pose for photos! We had the chef's tasting menu, a bit pricey, but the indulgence was worth it. We both had a great time, our waitress (her name's Maureen - spelling?) was friendly, helpful, and all around great. Maureen gave us great wine pairings with our meal, and attended to us well. The food quality was excellent, and despite it being a "blind tasting" we were never disappointed with anything we were served. I don't go to Atlanta often, but I will recommend it to any other Chi-towners that head that way for a weekend.
(5)
Jonathan D.

So I don't think I have the culinary chops to dissect all seven courses, so the better approach might be to review the concept of a tasting menu in general. For someone like me, who's never done one, the tasting menu with wine pairings was a unique experience that's as enjoyable as any I've had dining. For a special occasion splurge, I'd say it's worth it. You just can't get as immersive an experience out of a standard restaurant meal, which usually tends to be two or three courses. In some ways, the process of selecting your own entrees colors your perception of how the food's going to be, so it feels fun and spontaneous to leave it up to the chef. One of the best parts for me was being treated to things I might not order otherwise. For example, I'd never order quail or lamb chop left to my own devices, but both were delicious. The scallops were great, too. And the wine was expertly paired. Our waiter was very friendly and engaging, but not overbearing at all. Many thanks to my girlfriend for treating me!
(5)
Amanda W.

Four and half stars would probably be more accurate, but there were a couple of slight misses. After reading the reviews on here, we were worried we'd be starving, so we scarfed down more bread than usual. Luckily, the bread was really good and went nicely with the garlic butter. I started with the arugula wrapped in prosciutto - yum!! The prosciutto was so delicate and nicely flavored. Then, I had the beef loin for dinner with a bit of smoked kale. The beef was served medium rare and was so tender. There were 3 good sized slices of beef, so I was actually pretty full after that even without the side of fingerling potatoes we ordered. The potatoes were mostly good, but had some crazy spicy sauce on some of them that was overpowering. My dining companion was more adventurous and ordered the chef's 3-course tasting (the chef picks). I got the benefits though because the waitress persuaded the chef to give me an amuse bouche and soup tasting even though I didn't order the tasting. She got one delicious scallop as the starter, the quail as the main dish (she didn't think it was all that great and it was VERY small) and the deconstructed key lime pie for dessert. The key lime pie was creative and delicious. Service was great and it felt like a less expensive Bachannalia in terms of the quality of the food and the service (and ambiance). Also, the wood fire smell wasn't as overpowering as some reviewers have mentioned. And, yes, we did see Kevin from Top Chef talking to people at the next table, but we didn't get a chance to speak to him. He seemed very friendly though and the dishes were much more impressive than the dishes we've seen at other Top Chef restaurants (Pura Vida, Home & Flip).
(4)
Anna E.

NO messing around! IF you are a true foodie you cannot pass up this establishment when in Atlana. We decided to order from the set menu. It was a variety of dishes served w/ dessert and wine with each dish. It was about $150 a person but SO WORTH IT! We had wonderful service and the Sommelier was the sweetest guy ever! I enjoyed the culianry expereince but never expected to be taught a thing or two about the wines as well! It's good. Real good. I had grilled quince that night and it was the finnest thing I've tasted ever in my life. Well thought out menus and wine paired. I will always remember this as a FINE DINING experience. Thank You, Kevin!
(5)
Art V.

Very nice waitress. Unpleasant manager- lots of attitude. Food average at best. Way overcooked bob white-- tough and dried out. Lamb served cool/raw when asked for medium. Waitress never followed up on the lamb course. Very expensive- dinner for 2 with wine @ $350++
(2)
Jessica M.

I like that Kathleen M. said this experience reminded her of what home should be. Warm, inviting, sweet, delicious - I brought my mom here and we had the wonderful 5 course tasting menu - complete with extras: feta/peach amuse bouche - mint/fennel palate cleanser half way through!! The pinot noir wine suggested by the somelier was a PERFECT compliment. I'm kicking myself for not remembering the name to buy a bottle myself at the store :( Definitely worth the hype without the pretension you'd expect at these prices!
(5)
Jennifer P.

I headed to Woodfire for the first time in September. Everything about that experience was outstanding. This was a restaurant I wanted to try several years ago, even before Kevin came on board. I then started watching Top Chef and fell head over hills for Kevin's simple cooking style and knew that I had to try his place out. I absolutely love how you get to see Kevin in action while you dine. The music is also a compliment to the space. Our waiter was fabulous. He has actually been our waiter on several of our visits. He was very patient with helping us select a wine after describing what we like. I think we got it right after the third taste! (Spann Charbono...delish!) I had the mixed salad, softshell app, halibut, and side okra. My girlfriend had the butternut squash soup, strip, and beans. I don't think we really spoke to each other during our meal. It was that good. The halibut melted in my mouth. I actually liked the soup better than the salad, and I could have gone without the softshell app. The portions are large enough were you don't need every course. I didn't give Woodfire Grill a five simply because our following visits have not measured up to the initial visit. The food just seems a touch off. I would attribute this to the restaurant gaining more popularity due to Kevin's skills on Top Chef. He still won in my book! And I will continue to go back for more because it still is "that good."
(4)
J. B.

Ok. I might be the ONLY person who hasn't eaten at Woodfire Grill yet. I don't want to end things on a sour note, so I figure I would mention this early in my review. Tell the hostesses not to be so pushy. We wanted to sit at the bar to have a drink and they kept directing us to a cocktail table. Normally that wouldn't bother me, but I wanted to say hello to the bartenders that we had once before, and let them know that we came by to see them again. Even when I let the hostess know that, she still was being rather pushy for us to have a seat at the cocktail table and it was irritating. On a more positive note...My review is totally based on the bar this time, but I will be back for dinner. We stopped by to have a drink before we headed to our planned destination. The bartenders there were awesome. Our bartender, Blake, made our drinks and they were amazing! The cocktails are definitely one of a kind. It was great to have a bartender know the drinks well and be able to recommend something that I would like. (and not something that they just want to sell.) I can't say enough great things about the peeps that got me tipsy. Kudos Kevin for yer spot on Top Chef. Great drinks. Looking forward to the food. 5 stars for service at the bar! 4 stars since the hostess was a bit pushy. I still send my love though. I will be back.
(4)
Rachel P.

I am a big fan of Kevin's from Top Chef and was not disappointed in the unique flavors offered in the 3 course tasting menu that I ordered for my first real life taste of his food. The first two courses were a quite rushed-despite our request to dine slowly, but they made up for it with a cheese course and the proper tempo for the rest of the meal. The service was excellent and wonderfully subtle. My only warning is that you should not go to this restaurant hungry. The courses are not cheap and they are TINY (I am a size 6 girl with a regular appetite, so if I think its tiny, it likely is). So either come prepared, or hit the bread basket hard in between courses...
(4)
Jessica C.

Came here to eat during a business trip so it was on the expense account. From watching Top Chef, I knew there would be some very good pork on the menu. Upon entering the place, you feel like you're in the waiting area of a doctors office. There are little vignettes of sofas/chairs as well as a community table in the front waiting area. My friend and I started off at the bar and had one of their specialty cocktails. Very good and strong to start off the night. They guys at the bar are very friendly and knowledgable about their beverages. Let's get to the important stuff.... the food! We decided to go ith the five course tasting menu rather than ordering a la carte so we could taste all that the chef had to offer. The tasting is a blind tasting so we had no idea what we had for each course. 1st course - Flash fried okra with a chickpea and corn relish. The sauce that came with this dish had indian spices like tumeric, cumin, etc. It definitely had some heat to it. The okra was cooked well and didn't have the goopy texture that many people are turned off by. The dish was good but I keep finding myself forgetting what the first course was when I think about our meal. 2nd course - Squid ink rice. On a normal day, I would never had ordered this. To my delight, I really enjoyed this dish. I thought maybe it would have a fishy smell or taste bloody but it had a nice silky texture. 3rd course - Pan seared qual and pork belly. YUMM!! Again, probably would have never ordered quail but I really enjoyed it. It was drizzled with a house made hot sauce that was sweet & tangy. And of course the pork belly. I savored every bite. Salty & crisp...it was delicious! 4th course - Duck with a blueberry reduction and candied pecans. This course tasted like dessert. The perfect bite was a bit of duck dabbed in the blueberry sauce and a bit of the pecans. It was like a savory blueberry dessert. 5th course - Blueberry ice cream on top of a blueberry semolina cake. YUMMMM!!! Blueberries are obviously in season. Again I savored every bite of this dish. I tried to eat slow but still had to go fast enough that all my ice cream didn't melt. On the side was also some sort of white chocolate thing that tasted a bit like cheese. Whatever it was, that was delish too. And you wonder why I keep forgetting what the first course was. It was a great journey for my taste buds. I can only imagine what the seven course tasting would have been like. We left completely full and happy. If you're looking for a food adventure, definitely try the tasting menus!
(5)
Young Mi K.

I came here with a group of friends for a dinner. At first I was hesitant because I am doing Daniel Fast, which is no meats, cheese, sugar diet. I called ahead to see if they can make a veggie platter of some sort ahead before I committed to the dinner. I came to dinner and the waitress was amazing. She was friendly, cool, and made our dinner service so enjoyable. They were very attentive with our dietary needs and very accommodating. She came back to ask if we can have honey. We cannot. The look on the chef's face was priceless... you can see his face thinking.. what the heck am I suppose to cook? The waitress didn't tell us the name of our dishes until they came out. It was one of the best vegetable dishes that I had. I think after the fast, I would go back to Woodfire Grill just for the vegetarian menu's!
(4)
David G.

The menu here is divided into First, Second, Third. The server said they recommend getting one from each section. This is basically code for the portions are on the smaller side. Since I normally only order a main course, I decided to blow the expense per diem and get a dish from the First and Third categories. I opted for the baby arugula salad from the First category: aged country ham, local figs, sheep's milk ricotta dressing, fig vinaigrette. This is a little salty from the ham and a little sweet from the figs. A very tasty dish. From the Third category: grilled berkshire pork loin - coppa wrapped green onions, sweet corn anson mills polenta, roasted pork jus, minus 8 vinegar. Another fine dish.
(5)
Alex D.

This place is a feast for all senses. It looks great. It smells great. It makes you feel great when you're sitting there. While you are feasting on their food, they are definitely feasting on your wallet. Ok, the wife was jammed in traffic and called from the Cheshire Bridge road and said she couldn't take it anymore and was pulling over for a drink. Told her to check if we could get into Woodfire. She did, we could, we met. The bar has VERY attentive bar tenders who know their stuff. Very cool homemade cocktails with homemade ingredients. We sat and saw the chef preparing plates at the grill. Nice to see a chef that really works, and isn't an ego-jerk-face. We did the 5 course tasting menu for $65 each and went on a field trip through a culinary Disneyland. Delicious. All of it. I didn't take notes on what everything was but there was quail, which I normally would laugh at but was very tasty. All sorts of local vegetables and smoked purees---yum. Anyone with a curiosity in a higher level of food should try this place. It is a perfect mix of traditional, new and funky ingredients cooking methods and presentation.
(4)
Alain L.

Certainly one of the best dining experiences I've had in the Atlanta area. Since it's a Tuesday night, the restaurant is rather sedate. I find a nice spot at the bar and I'm immediately greeted by Dan, who was my bartender as well as gastronomic guide for the evening. The 5 course was interesting to me, each course was more and more alluring and luscious. A few of the highlights were the grilled scallops on a bed of corn and leeks and the duck confit which was so creamy and delicious. I will say though that the highlight was one that Chef Gillespie literally threw together. He prepared shrimp on top of risotto with fried pork skins. Trust me, when I say the flavors for this particular dish was amazing. Another fantastic highlight was actually meeting Bernard, one of the owners as well as having a brief conversation with Chef Gillespie. These guys have a lot of pride in what they do and it shows. Highly recommended!
(5)
Chris T.

I've passed by this place for years, but until this season's Top Chef, hadn't heard anything about it to drive me there. Glad we finally made it. We walked in on a Thursday night, no reservation, and sat at the bar for dinner like we usually do anyway. We have the scallops/proscuitto and chantrell mushrooms for appetizers. Great apps! The we had the tenderloin and duck breast dinners. Cooked to perfection! The collard greens as a side on the tenderloin dish were fantastic. Finished the evening with the chocolate crepes and deconstructed key lime pie...and of course a couple of apertifs. Dinner was awesome, wine was awesome, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will be back, and wouldn't hesitate to sit at the bar for some of the best service in town.
(4)
Soo Y.

My number 1 fine restaurant in Atlanta! Well-educated, knowlegeable, friendly, professional and respectful service I have ever had in any restaurants! Wonderful artistic presentation of dishes that were just cooked right. Delicious 7course meal came with excellent wine selections! Wish I could give more than five stars!!! This is best of the bests in Atlanta!!!!
(5)
S G.

Absolutely 100% worth every penny!! I'm not a vegetarian but I wanted to try the 5 course vegetarian dinner and O.M.G. It was mind blowing! It was the best if not a close first to Baccannilla. Heck! I think it's a tie at first place! Cannot wait to go back!!
(5)
Mark P.

Must have the pork belly-- melt in your mouth fantasy! My wife and I ordered the 5 course tasting. Fantastic experience. Not everything was to our liking. -- each to his own, we were very pleased with the following: Tomato meringue & balsamic gel Smoked beet soup - the hickory smoked beets perfectly balanced against the chiffon horseradish cream -- sent us into heaven S
(5)
Sophie H.

What an experience! I took my best foodie friend Jen out for her birthday celebration and had an amazing evening! Chef Tyler was there overseeing everything and made sure we had an exceptional night. This was my best dining experience of the year. Every dish from the carrot soup to crudo on salt plank to foie gras to venison Osso bucco ( holy sh&t was that good) was absolutely phenomenal. As I said BEST meal I have had bar none this year. Okay so here's the not so good stuff. Bar and bathrooms stink. The place can use a paint job - do u need table clothes? Don't think so...I would entertain coming in and helping with a face lift! That's how good it is.
(5)
Jeremy S.

So this must have been an off night. While the service was on par or better than you'd expect from a restaurant of this caliber, the food was not what we expected after reading reviews and considering the price point. We didn't appreciate the recipes or portions but it's worth a 2nd shot.
(3)
Jang C.

Woodfire Grill is some fancy-smancy restaurant. Some finalist from Top Chef is the executive chef here. Kevin something or rather. Woodfire Grill has a nice, simple menu. They also offer 5 or 7 course Chef's tasting menu with wine or beer pairings. I opted for the 5 course Chef's tasting with the wine. Before we ate, they brought out some bread and butter. The bread basket consisted of biscuits and rolls. I liked them. They were buttery and fluffy. First came the Amuse Bouche. It was a whipped chevre, roasted walnuts and pomegranate gelee. It came on a big spoon you slurp pho with. I love chevre so this was a nice way to warm up our taste buds. The first course was raw kona kampachi with yuzu marinated roots and cucumber-cilantro relish with lime. I liked this dish. I loved the flavor of the cilantro relish. However, the fish was hard to cut with the butter knife they gave us. Of course, I could just eat the whole dish with one bite, but I wanted to take my time. Other than that, the fish and the flavors worked well. The second course was masala spiced North Carolina trout in South Indian coconut curry with three citrus curd. This was not my favorite. It's only because I'm not a fan of coconut nor citrus curd. Not even Kevin could make my least favorite ingredients appealing to my tastebuds. Oh well. The trout was cooked perfectly though. The second amuse came out which was warm celery root soup. It was nice, thick, and creamy. The third course was wood grilled, honey laquered plantation quail. It came with wood oven roasted mustard greens, smoked apples, and sweet potato puree. Now, I don't like quail, but this quail tasted pretty good. I loved the grilled, char flavor of the quail. The sweetness of the honey provided a nice flavor touch to the quail as well. Fourth course was Hickory Smoked pork loin and belly with roasted turnips and cauliflower. It came on top of a cauliflower puree. I loved this dish too. The pork had a nice, smoky flavor. It was good to eat all the ingredients at once to get the full flavor effect. This was probably my favorite course. I mean, who doesn't like pork belly? Muslims? The dessert was chocolate ganache with smoked vanilla ice cream. It came with marshmallow fluff with graham crumble. It's like smores with ice cream. I liked it. It was a good dessert. If you have a big stomach like I do, don't get the 5 course chef's tasting. I needed 2 more plates to get me to the satisfied feeling. So if you can eat a lot, do the 7 course tasting or order off the menu. But if you're a "normal" eater, the 5 course is exactly right. The hard part is if you're with someone and one person eats a lot and the other eats little. It's hard to figure out what to get since the whole table has to participate in the tasting. In that situation, perhaps it's better to go with the 5 course and get McDonalds later. I did the wine pairing and man, that got me buzzed pretty good. I loved the wine pairings. It adds a whole new element to the food. And I'm not even a wine lover. My favorite was the Resling that came with the second course. I can drink that like water. The service was excellent, knowledgeable, on top of things, and friendly. Woodfire grill is a solid restaurant. I came in with super-high expectations, so everything wasn't perfect. But I liked my experience here.
(4)
Dan B.

Excellent food and excellent staff. It's pricey yes, but worth it for special occasions. As with most places in Atlanta, parking is a challenge but they offer complimentary valet - just be careful pulling into the parking lot as it's a bit dodgy, and don't forget to tip your valet. Complimentary doesn't mean free and these guys work hard to keep your cars safe. A good rule of thumb: 10% of your meal is a good valet tip.
(5)
Katie H.

Woodfire Grill was my favorite restaurant. My bf and I celebrated my birthday here on our first visit at Woodfire Grill, a week before Valentine's. I really want to give this restaurant a 4 or 5 stars review but the service and price here is inconsistent. On our first visit, the restaurant was full but service was excellent and very personalized. They made sure that every staff served our table acknowledge it's a guest birthday. They also had the birthday guest name printed on the menu. When we first arrived at the restaurant there was a five minute wait, so we ordered 2 glasses of wine. After we got seated we opted for the 5 courses with wine pairings. The courses were out of this world delicious. I was "wowed" by each bite. Since we already ordered wine so the chef adjusted our main course to compliment the wine. Both the server and sommelier were very knowledgeable. We had a very intimate and terrific experience. If you are a wine lover like me, I would highly recommended the wine pairings because it really enhanced & compliment the tastes of the food consumed. It's foodgasm! The restaurant also sent you home with birthday treats. It's two small granola mixs but such a great gesture. I was sure to come back and would recommended to all my foodies. ............................ Unfortunately our returned to Woodfire Grill on NYE was a disappointment. Service was far from our first experience. Our reservation was at 8:30pm we got seated around 9pm. After we got seated, the server told us that they only serve the 5 courses prix fixe menu normally $70 but on NYE it was $150 (which they often do for holidays or special guest chefs). Dinner took nearly 3 hours because it took them about 45 minutes to serve each course. We couldn't find our server in between those courses. The wait time is a joke. By 11:40pm we had to rush for our last course and the check so we wouldn't miss the rest of the night. My recommendation is to avoid coming here on a holiday unless you want self-service and to pay double.
(4)
Stephanie P.

Delicious meal and great service. From the hostess to our server, Jeff, every detail was taken care of. The environment was cozy without being crowded--and the music was great too. I had the scallops and they were fantastic. I will definitely return here!
(5)
Randolph W.

We had the 5 course meal - 7 of us at our table - all 7 of us left hungry. Each plate was ridiculously small - almost comical. Somebody doesn't know what they are doing at this restaurant. The "main plate" was a quarter sized lamb bite. The waiter and the wine steward were very nice and apologetic - not their fault - this is all on the owner and chef. Will not be back.
(1)
Marsha B.

Took my husband here for his birthday and it was special from the moment we arrived. They had a menu with his name printed on it. The staff could not have been more attentive at the same time unobtrusive. They made us both feel like guests in their home not customers in a restaurant. The four courses we chose we unique dishes, deliciously and artistically prepared. Portions were a perfect size. The sauces were so flavorful and just enough to enhance the dishes. The sommelier helped us pick a wine that was excellent and suited or tastes perfectly. We will be back to enjoy this gem and will bring friends to discover this treasure as well.
(5)
Maya B.

This was our first visit to Woodfire Grill- my mom is vegan, and it was her birthday, so I decided that Woodfire would be a huge treat, as they offer a vegan option for the tasting menu. The food was all very, very good. Every dish was yummy, portions were appropriate and overall we were very satisfied with the food- we had the 7 course grand tasting. Why the 2 star review then??? The service! Specifically the pacing of our meal. We had an 8:30 reservation, and didn't leave until literally midnight. Every course had a minimum of 20-25 minute delay between tables being cleared and the next course coming out. I've eaten at Bacchnalia several times, and had tasting menus at other restaurants and I've never had to wait so long between courses. It was a huge detractor from our overall experience and by the end of the night we all just wanted it over so we could go home to bed. I know that the tasting menu is a part of the concept for this restaurant, so I don't understand why the timing was so terrible on our visit. With what we spent on drinks and dinner I left feeling very dissatisfied, particularly because the food was actually really good, and had we not had to wait so long, we would have been delighted. Overall very frustrating experience. If you are thinking of going here for the 7 course tasting, spend the extra money and go to Bacchnalia instead.
(2)
Franco A.

First time here! Great place, very cozy, food was excellent, service was ok, my grass fed NY strip was very good!!! I enjoy the fine dining experience while rocking it out to Nirvana playing throughout the restaurant. That's another reason to come back!
(5)
Stephanie H.

Full disclosure: we did not want to do the full tasting menu, so we went straight to the main course and ordered off the regular menu. I really wanted to like this place, but it fell short. After driving in from Charlotte, NC, my boyfriend and I found Woodfire Grill on yelp and decided to check it out. We called to check if there was a dress code (because we were both in blue jeans) and were told that there was not, and made a quick reservation for 10 minutes from when we called. Easy for a Friday night at 7:30. I loved the atmosphere. It was clean, simple, and romantic but I felt underdressed in jeans. We were seated right away, and a waiter was at our table immediately. We hadn't even had a chance to look over the cocktail menu so we asked him to check back with us after we had a chance to check it out. A second waiter came by about 2 minutes later and took our drink order. The first waiter never came back, but as a side note, every time he passed our table, he tapped on the empty chair at our table, which was very annoying and disruptive. Moving on to dinner. I ordered the Ashley Farms Chicken Breast. Chicken was perfectly cooked. I did not like the pairing with turnips, carrots, and risotto. Would've been better with a sweet potato mash and collard greens. The bread that was served before the meal was dry and room temperature. Both my boyfriend and I thought it would have been delicious if it was brought to the table warm. I wanted to try dessert, but after reviewing the menu, nothing stood out to me. Sadly, we both left feeling hungry and wished we would've tried something different during our visit.
(2)
Patrick C.

Although the rich history of the Woodfire Grill pre-dates my interest in it, there is no doubt that Michael Tuohy - formerly of Chef's Grill - brought the brand its original luster. Michael remains one of my Top Five Chefs of All Time. His approach to cooking was every bit Californian; it was a farm-to-table mentality before that term was invented. So it was no wonder that Michael ultimately left Atlanta for the West Coast. When that happened, many of us were worried that Woodfire Grill would never recover. Then along came Kevin-Gillespie-the-Celebrity-Chef, and it was a new day. Without Kevin, the Woodfire Grill now relies upon the talents of Executive Chef Tyler Williams, and he does not disappoint. Chef Williams understands flavor layering and complexity. The rabbit loin dish has no fewer than 8 distinct flavors, and each contributed to the overall enjoyment of what was perhaps the most satisfying entrÃ©e I've had in a couple of years. That being said, if you buy into the "less is more" mantra of most upscale modern chefs - that "let the best possible ingredients shine through" vibe - you will still be able to enjoy yourself; I'm just not sure you will be able to fully appreciate the broad vocabulary of this particular chef. Were it not for an unappetizingly shabby bathroom and a couple of tentative service errors, this would have been the rare 5-star review. I'll save that, hopefully for my next visit. P.S. The Birthday Boy (who is stuck in the 90s and thinks that $50/person should still buy a great meal with good wine in a restaurant like this) nearly fell out at the $100+/person tab. I might have, too, were it not for the skills of Chef Williams.
(4)
Reggie D.

The food is outstanding but the service and waitstaff ruined the dining experience. Our 830pm reservation meant that we one of the last diners of the night. Upon arriving at the restaurant, we were greeted by a bartender who was too busy restocking the bar to wait on us. It took the bartender 10 minutes just to acknowledge us even though we were the only ones at the bar. Once we were seated for dinner, we ordered the tasting menu pared with the wine. Every dish that arrived at our table was out of this world good. My girlfriend couldn't stop smiling after every bite. However, wait staff again took away from our dining experience. The waiter was very polite but had no clue about the dishes that were being served. Our experience could be unique because of our late time of our reservation but overall, it is extremely disappointing experience for a $300 dinner for two.
(2)
Lawrence C.

Three of us dined here for the first time in December, while Kevin Gillespie was still in the kitchen. Did it matter.....I don't know. While we all enjoyed our food, we also weren't blown away. There's only so much hype can do to heighten your dining experience. There was one significant negative experience, which I brought to the manager's attention, and to their credit they took care of the problem immediately. Rarely have I complained about a server, but he had such a condescending attitude and I didn't want to endure his attitude. The manager replaced our server with another and server # 2 was terrific. Management later comped us on our dessert. Octopus appy, trout appy were a good way for the three of us to get started. We ordered a bottle of wine, $62, and then three glasses toward the end, at reasonable prices $13/glass. Mains: Grouper, Duck & Pork Loin were very good, @ $31. Sides were $6. Everything was positive such that I'd return.
(4)
Joy S.

This was my first time and I took my Mom here to celebrate her birthday. I think this place is perfect for special occasions as they seem to genuinely care about your experience and take the time to add those little touches that go a long way. They personalized our menus with a happy birthday message and even brought out a free dessert with a candle and "happy birthday" written in chocolate, which we were totally not expecting. I feel like most restaurants, even high-end ones, don't do anything beyond a verbal "happy birthday" anymore so it was a nice surprise that made a lasting impression on us. My Mom and I had plans afterward and didn't want to eat a really heavy meal. So we decided to each get a first and second course and then a third course to share, as well as dessert being a necessity. I thought our server was great but I did however feel like she was subtly pushing us to get more food. I knew going in that the plates would be on the smaller side so we took a play-it-by-ear approach and decided that we'd order more food if we were still hungry. In the end, we didn't order any more and left full and happy. Here's what we ordered: Drinks: The Jonesy & The Hunters Collins I wasn't in love with our cocktails. Not bad but not great, just all right. I will say they're strong drinks though, which I appreciate. Food: Potato Leek Soup: 4.5/5 - Exactly what you'd expect but done very well. Quail Egg Salad: 3.5/5 - I loved all the components of this salad, however I felt that between the country ham and the dressing, it was bordering on too salty. Sea Scallop: 4.5/5 - Perfectly seared scallop (only one) with unique flavor combos Black Truffle Parpardelle - 5/5 - I could eat this all day, every day. Black truffles are in season and are the star in this dish. Pork Wellington: 3/5 - This was the least favorite dish. It wasn't bad, just nothing really special or unique going on. Brussel Sprouts (side dish): 5/5 - Crazy good! These could be a permanent side dish for me with every meal and I'd be a happy camper. Gingerbread Cake: 5/5 - I don't remember exactly what this is called and it's not showing up on the menu on their website. I'm a dessert person and find myself continually disappointed by amazing-sounding desserts that don't live up to their descriptions. This one was even better than the description. It was a warm gingerbread cake that had cranberries baked in and a scoop of ice cream that made it the perfect way to end our meal. They also gave us a complimentary gingerbread and chocolate ganache dessert that was also very good (but didn't rock our world like the other one but hey, it was free so I'm not complaining). They also serve an amuse bouche and then a petit four at the end of the meal. Our amuse bouche was a smoked beet tartare, which was a great surprise since I love beets and thought the smoky element was something nice and unexpected. I don't really remember was the bite was at the end but I remember it being just all right after the awesome gingerbread dessert we just had. Obviously, this restaurant is super pricey. And while I think it's probably a tad bit overpriced for the portion sizes, it was worth it. The food and and service were wonderful and my Mom was elated with her birthday meal.
(4)
Tulie L.

Am I missing something ?? Stellar reviews had me for a great disappointment for yesterday's dinner. Ordered the scallops for appetizer and it was good but nothing amazing to say the least . Entree was a total fail! Ribeye steak was not flavored , and tasted more like a thick tough London Broil cut rather then the normal fatty marbled ribeye- for 39 bucks it was very small and the side was but one scoop of what seems to be some random grains and 1/2 a pickled radish - color and presentation was ugly . I thought I was punked and was on the show chop.. Cause this dish should have been sent back. I was here for a bday party so didn't want to make a commotion. My husbands entree was a pork chop - with what seems to be a random green beans and chunky skippy peanut butter sauce.. Can you say gross? Pork was cooked uneven, one side was cooked well, and the other underside was cooked medium- lacked flavor though it was nicely charred. Only thing that saved the nights meal was the chocolate truffle cake. Sadly I will never come back. So unforgettable for a $$$ experience- it was almost comical how bad the entrees were. I give this place another year before the doors close.
(2)
Amber L.

Woodfire Grill is a great place for a romantic date or special occasion. I was here not too long ago. Started with the poached plantation quail egg salad followed by the Asian pear glazed pork belly with flavorful roasted brussels sprouts. Everything was wonderful, the food, service and ambiance. With a starter, entrÃ©e and drinks you can easily spend $35 a person here. I would highly recommend this place for a birthday dinner, engagement celebration or job promotion etc.
(5)
Chris Y.

Made the mistake of going on new years eve last week. They told us they would have the normal 5 course prix fixe which is fine, but instead of $70 it was $110. It's new years eve so we couldn't complain about price but the problem was the service. We arrived at 8:45 for a 9pm reservation. We were seated at 9:15 and ordered drinks. Drinks took about 20 minutes and 10 minutes after a "treat from the chef" came out before our first course. 45 minutes in our first course came out. It was good, as expected but the problem was the wait time. It took 30 minutes for our next course and another 30 for each afterwards. Around 11:40 we asked the server to just bring us the check with the 5th course so we could try to make it somewhere in time for the countdown.
(2)
Lindsay A.

Been twice. Had great meals. It's been a few years though, so I would suggest reading other reviews that are more recent in visit.
(4)
Lincoln K.

Dude, 7 Course meal... I mean 10 plate meal. Awesome. Get it. Who am I to describe with fancy dribble the ingredients I ate. The ratings are excellent and that's all that needs to be said. Also, I've learned to knock off the Skate dish for $8! --- for two!
(5)
Tanya B.

Our first time here did not go very well, for a variety of reasons. The owner, Nick, did what only the most exemplary restaurateurs would do and made a great effort to invite us back and give him another shot. I am very glad he did. My husband and I returned and had a fantastic evening, from the instant we walked in the door to the moment we left. We started with custom cocktails that hit the spot - boozy, barely sweet, refreshing. We then enjoyed the 5-course tasting menu with wine pairings, which I recommend every diner should do. Each course was a surprise and a pleasure, with contrasting tastes and textures. The ingredients were at their peak of freshness, and the proteins were sublime (the best quality lamb chop I have ever had). The dishes were not only tasty, but also interesting. The chef utilized flavors and techniques that span the globe and was equally adept at using all of them. Every dish was a home run; a few stick out as being particularly magical. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and courteous. Nick presented each wine himself and transported us from vineyard to vineyard, all around the world, with his detailed explanations. Their combined guidance through the meal added to our excitement before tasting each course. Considering the typical reviews for this place, and our own experience, I believe Woodfire Grill was simply having an off night the first time we dined there, as can happen with anyone. I am now convinced that this place is more than just a business for Nick Quinones. It is his deepest passion. It is definitely worth indulging in his vision of how food and drink should be. We will definitely go back again.
(5)
Greg R.

I was here as part of a group in the private room. The service was average. We had a reduced menu so I did not get a chance to see the full selection. Parking is not great as you must valet and the valet stop is very tight.
(3)
Myk G.

We had the Chef's 5-course tasting and it was superb. Across the board excellent. One of the top two meals for us. The other was Morimoto in Honolulu. If you are looking for a great experience, professional staff, not hurried service and plates the don't disappoint - this is it.
(5)
Ryan C.

Simply one of the best meals I have ever enjoyed. The food, the service, the atmosphere - all outstanding. The pork belly with watermelon two-ways is the single most delicious morsel of food I've ever consumed. The toffee desert was completely off the chain... we ordered more for the table to share because we had to have more. I have not been back since Kevin Gillespie left, but I will.
(5)
Kelly S.

Wow! We still can't stop talking about our meal at Woodfire Grill. After a little hesitation about the blind aspect of the chef's 5 course tasting menu, my husband and I decided to go for it! We couldn't have been happier with our choice. The meal started with a delicious amuse bouche and we also had an extra "taste" mixed in with our 5 courses. I won't spoil the surprise of what our 5 courses were, but they were seafood heavy, which worked out for us! The staff went above and beyond to make it a special birthday dinner. We had specially printed menus with a birthday message, as well as an additional birthday dessert. We were even given an additional printed menu of our courses as we left. Chef Tyler Williams personally came over to speak to us mid meal. Woodfire Grill exceeded our expectations. Truly a night I will never forget.
(5)
Regina Q.

Oh man. This was so disappointing I don't like thinking about it. I found out later this restaurant is for the pig lover. If you don't eat pork, steer clear. I had been wanting to try this place because Kevin Gillespie is the owner and chef at this restaurant, but I was not impressed at all. I gave it 2 stars for presentation. Everything after that is all downhill! We had the 5 course tasting menu and mentioned we don't eat pork and they were so disappointed. Pork is gross. I wanted to go home after the 3rd course and felt like I was being handed homework with each course. No pun intended LOL. We paid 100 dollars per person for this and we left hungry! The chicken was way too salty, the steak was dry and flavorless. The 1 scallop they gave was nothing special. The beet tartare was yucky. I just kept hoping the the dessert would make up for the disappointing meal, but sadly, I thought their "50 shades of gray" ice cream dessert as they call it was too tart and the chocolate brownie was underdone. I liked Bacchanalia's tasting menu wayyy better. 1 word to describe this restaurant is "BLAH."
(2)
Annie G.

Best culinary experience I have ever had! Everything was perfect, the food, the atmosphere, the service and the chef! We made reservations about a week in advance for a Wed night and were running a little late cause we were somewhat lost. The person on the phone was very nice and told us not to worry. The sign was a little hard to see and oddly the restaurant was surrounded by a lot of sex shops. This was funny to my friend and I, and we didn't mind. There was complimentary valet which was awesome and when we walked in we were warmly welcomed. They took our coats and we were seated. We noticed that the table next to us was about to leave and it was a corner table with pillows and looked really cozy, so we asked if we could switch. The waiter said yes and let the staff know we would be at the other table and they promptly moved everything over for us. We ordered the 5 course chef's tasting menu ($65) and were told it there was not a menu for it. That was exciting to us because we consider ourself foodies and enjoy guessing what ingredients are in the dishes. I thought the price was great, I have had many tasting menus in CA and they are all at least $100 per person. And with the mid-meal palette cleansers it ended up being like 8 courses. Our waiter, Mike was VERY nice and very informative. He knew the menu well and gave us little clues for guessing the ingredients. We actually did pretty well if I do say so myself. We asked Mike if Chef Kevin ever took pictures with the guests and he said yes and that he would go speak with him. Kevin said he was available to take a picture and took us to a section of the restaurant where he said the lighting was the best. We talked with him for a while and he said that he would come by after the meal and see what we thought. He was extremely nice and gracious. The food was extremely delicious and included scallops (favorite part), pork belly, bison, salmon tar tar, potato soup, chocolate bread pudding, etc. We were in flavor heaven and didn't want to ever leave! After we were done, the waiter brought us over signed menus from Chef Kevin and as we were walking out Kevin came over and asked us what we thought. He suggested places for us to eat in NC and chatted with us for about 5 minutes. As we were leaving the staff wished us a safe trip back to NC and we were surprised they even knew we were from there. Everyone was SO nice!!!! All I can really say is WOW, and if your don't eat here when you are in Atlanta, you are missing out big time!!
(5)
Tu-van L.

The food was great and the bar was surprisingly excellent. Everything was very good but 'cause of my personal tastes I found it not as compelling and innovative enough to race back here at my next opportunity. Few key dishes and drinks I absolutely loved, but I'm not sure I'd come back to enjoy an ENTIRE tasting meal. Best way to experience this place: order a la carte at the bar and make friends with the bartender(s) to optimally enjoy the bar. Restaurant from the outside looks more like a culinary cottage in the middle of urban Atlanta. Bring your car up to the valet (because you have no choice) and walk right in the door. You walk into a dark yet warm and inviting restaurant with elegantly rustic decor. Wait staff was friendly and attentive, and the bar staff was also friendly with their hipster vibe. We got to the restaurant a few minutes earlier so we got to spend some time at the bar to enjoy some very well-crafted drinks. During my times at the bar I noticed a few people try to show up earlier than their reservations in hopes they can get in earlier (one couple as much as 1.5hrs earlier), though the few I've seen it didn't seem to work for them. NOTE: they can transfer your bar bill to the dining room when you dine. Being from out of town and making this dining experience at this Top Chef restaurants one of our destinations, the husband and I went all out and opted for the 7-course grand tasting menu. The tasting included the following: *Amuse bouche: yellow beet, celery puree, chevre. Surprised how much flavo gets packed into these little morsels. * First: salad of tuna, potatoes, egg with parsley leaves and lemon aioli. Tasted just like a gussied-up version of a tuna/potato/egg salad extravaganza you'd find at potlucks and picnics. * Second: pan-seared trout with arugula, black eyed peas and red pepper puree. I personally didn't care for red pepper puree but the fish was perfectly cooked and everything else was put together perfectly. * Third: puree celery root soup with roasted mushrooms and greens with lemon. I love celery soups and this one was great. The mushrooms added a meaty, earthiness element while the lemon brightened up the flavors with the acidity. * Tasting: pumpkin curry soup. Absolutely delicious! The perfect blend of sweet, buttery, savory, flavorful. A powerful punch in this shotglass-sized sip. * Fourth: wood grilled quail with sunchoke puree, tomato gravy and roasted cabbage. Not as flavorful as I expected but put together very well. * Fifth: Wood grilled Berkshire pork loin and pork belly (underneath) with roasted sweet potatoes. Each type of pork was perfectly cooked and complimented well with other elements on the dish. *Sixth: wood grilled lamb with aioli, balsamic reduction (??), parmesan cracker. Lamb was perfectly cooked with no gaminess. * Pre-dessert/tasting: peanut butter and jelly donut. Donut was on the light side but the warm peanut butter and jelly was sweet savory delicious. I usually like my PB&Js warm and toasty, and this lived up to my love. * Dessert: variation of a brownie sunday with valharona chocolate, vanilla ice cream, walnut tuille. Anything warm, chocolately, heck just like a brownie you can always win favors. I may opt to enjoy from the bar next time, but that by no means make this place less enjoyable for anyone who wants to try. I would definitely recommend this place for anyone wanting to enjoy refined yet not stuffy fine dining. They are seasonal in their dishes, so maybe I'll change my mind as the times change.
(4)
Chummy S.

Chef Gillespie did not disappoint! My partner and I made Woodfire Grill one of our destinations when we went to visit family in Atlanta last month. We had the chef's 7 course tasting menu (without wine pairings) and it was such a wonderful experience. I came to appreciate the thought that came behind each dish and the refined flavors that emerged from the well executed dishes. I also surprised myself that I much preferred the seafood dishes vs. other meats. I have always been a pork lover and was anticipating having them at the restaurant. Though they were certainly not subpar, the seafood just sang out to me and my family. I definitely would come back and partake in the next round of creations and looking forward to having another awesome foodie experience!
(4)
Alex V.

I LOVE this place! I have been here many times over now and a trip to Atlanta is not complete without a visit to this fine establishment. This may seem a bold statement, but I can honestly say I have never once eaten anything here that wasn't stellar. Rick the Manager is a great guy and is always welcoming. The Chefs, Kevin and EJ, are super great guys and create a splendid menu and are accommodating. Chrysta and her desserts are magical. Heed the staff's advice on wine pairings and you'll never go wrong. The staff is super knowledgeable about the wine, drinks, beer, and the menu. All the ingredients are locally sourced and are organic and sustainable. The menu is an upscale & inventive twist on some local & traditional southern fare. If there is one restaurant to visit while in Atlanta, the Woodfire Grill would it!!
(5)
Zagreus A.

We thought of brining fan signs "we love Kevin" but it has been several years since he battled the Voltaggio's on Top Chef and we wanted a quiet celebration dinner on our first substantial trip back to Atlanta since our wedding 7 1/2 years ago. (Great poster in the bathroom "Tell the V's, sticks and stones will break my bones but bacon will never hurt me.") They had specially printed menus with our names, the event and even the wine pairings. great service and very original Spanish wines were highlights. My experience in Atlanta nearly a decade ago was that local chefs threw ingredients together that sounded intriguing but often did not work. Also this is one of the most overpriced dinng scenes in the country, long on promise and short on delivery. This restaurant is an exception. The menu changes nearly daily based on what's available. The blends work. The price we paid for our tasting menus would have been much higher at comparable restaurants in the Northeast and work better than every last Highlands haunt from my memory. This should be in any list of the Country's top restaurants, at least top 20-25. James Beard, take note.
(5)
Buffy M.

This was one seriously good meal! The service was great. Food was extremely well executed. Portions were absolutely perfect. The only thing I had room left for was an espresso (please note there is no 'x' in espresso!) Oh! And I will add, that as much as I love duck..the duck was perfectly cooked, but the brussel sprouts that accompanied it, actually outshined the duck! YUM!!!
(5)
Kristin P.

My boyfriend took me here for my birthday dinner, mostly because I am a huge Top Chef (especially ATL chefs!) fan and I've been wanting to see how Kevin does in his own restaurant. The number one thing that impressed me was the hostess who met us at the door and showed us to our own table near the bar, where a bar waiter came and got us some cocktails. Then we were showed to our seats in the dining room and the bar waiter brought our drinks to us. Definitely some fancy service. We decided to splurge and order the 5-course chef tasting menu and it ended up being the best food decision of our lives! All the food was incredibly tasty and even though we ate 5 whole courses, it all was pretty light and we walked away feeling completely satisfied, but not over stuffed. Our waiter was super attentive and all the wait staff seemed very educated on the menu. This in itself is impressive since they change the menu up every night! Since it was my birthday, they typed up a specialty menu for me that said "Happy Birthday Kristin" at the top. After the meal was done, Kevin himself came to the table to wish me Happy Birthday and talked to us for a while. He is just as nice as he seems on the television show. They also printed out a special menu that explained all the 5 courses we had and Kevin signed it for me. All in all, an amazing, unforgettable experience! I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Winston G.

Made reservations for a party of 6 about a month in advance for a Thursday night. Really glad that we were seated promptly after arriving there, and found the ambiance and decor of the restaurant to be simple, yet you know you are fine dining. The food was really good. Had the 5 course tasting menu, which priced at $65 a head is a great deal. Definitely add the wine pairing too -- at $25 a person, it is a ridiculous deal, considering that they pair it with EVERYTHING you get, including the amuse bouche (we had 2), for a total of 7 half-glasses of wine, haha, amazing deal. Wines are fantastically paired too. My only complaint is that with the five course tasting, I'm still left wanting a bit more food -- had to eat a good amount of bread to feel like I wasn't hungry anymore. My suggestion would be to either increase the portions a bit, or add in another course please! Cost -- about $115-120 per person after tip and tax. Not too shabby. Service was 5-star. Our waiter was awesome (forget his name), but all of the staff is knowledgeable and professional. Really made this dining experience fun and enjoyable. Valet parking is complimentary (I love Atlanta for that.) Reservations are hard to come by, especially on weekend nights. I don't believe it is open on Monday, so stop looking for Monday reservations on OpenTable :)
(5)
Sekhar M.

Great food and wine
(5)
Sarah L.

I went there with my husband and friend. We tried the five-course chef tasting menu, which was quite an experience. Our waitress was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. Among our courses: Deconstructed Waldorf Salad Savee Egg with beans Seared Scallop with lima beans Celery Vinger Soup Woodfire Quail with apples and turnips Braized pork belly with radish, cumin carrots Banana fritters, choco mousee, vanilla creme Apple shortbread and glazed apples The food was fantastic, the presentation was innovative and the techniques that were used served as a guessing game of enjoyment. I highly recommend!
(5)
Lynn L.

On August 3,2012 I was priviledged to enjoy a fabulous dinner at Wooddfire Grill with my Fayetteville ,NC friends. My daughter, an Atlanta resident and one of the other young women were celebrating upcoming significant birthdays. I mentioned this in making my reservation and they immediately took their names and said they would do something special. The food was outstanding and we sampled each others dishes and couldn't decided which was better. The chicken rouge was absolutely buttery and moist. The halibut was perfectly prepared and the side dishes perfect. Make your reservations early and put this restaurant on the top of your list. PS try the Farmers Daughter for the first drink!
(5)
Ann D.

Food was orgasmic. Wine pairing was perfect. Hands down the best meal I've had in Atlanta overall. I haven't been with the new chef, but I'm excited to go again soon!
(5)
Chris B.

Just a wonderful experience from start to finish. We had the 7 course chef's tasting menu with wine pairing. Every course was wonderful and the wine pairings were spot on. If you can, sit in Amanda's section. She was loads of fun and very informative on every dish and wine. Highly recommended!
(5)
M G.

Did the 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings for a friends birthday. The food was amazing. The wine pairings were fantastic. JR, our waiter, gave us some of the best service I've ever had. He also served as our sommelier. My favorite was the Georgia fried white shrimp with grits and tikka masala sauce. Also amazing was the seeds and grains in dashi starter.
(5)
Michael L.

My Dad was in town, and after hearing about Woodfire Grill from my sister in LA (who had been watching Top chef), really wanted to go try this spot. Here's what we had: 1) Deconstructed Waldorf Salad- All in a spoon- delicious! The flavors and textures were distinct, but all worked together. A great first impression for what would come afterwards. (4.5) 2) Seared Scallop with lima beans- olive and lemon jus on the side. Fresh, tender, tasty scallop. (4) 3) Shogoki Oysters- honestly, I really don't remember that much about these.... (3) 4) Grilled Quail with apple/vegetable medley of sorts- this was GOOD. Flavor of the quail was not overly salty or sweet- had a very slight caramelized glaze over the skin. (4) 5) Banana cake w/ salted caramel & fried ice cream with banana chips- AWESOME. (4.5) 6) Chocolate Crepe w/ cream in chocolate sauce- solid, not too sweet, very tasty. (4) 7) Swordfish steak (entree ordered separately)- this dish, alas, was a bit disappointing. The steak, shaped like hamburger patty- was rather dry, and the accompanying greens were overly salty. (2.5) Service- Brandon, our waiter for the evening, was the epitome of what a waiter should be. He really was what made the evening complete. Professional, attentive, yet not hovering, courteous and warm, yet very professional. Why a 3? For several reasons, mostly unrelated to food. 1) Our table was literally right next to the kitchen, and while Chef Kevin had extended conversations with each and EVERY table in our vicinity, he proceeded to ignore us. Now, if it happens to be the case that people at the other tables were regulars to his restaurant, I could ALMOST understand. But come on, some common courtesy is appreciated- even just a "How did you like your meal?", acknowledging our very presence, would've been enough. I must also mention that we were pretty much the first people in the dining room that evening (5:30PM reservation), and there were only 4 tables (all in one area including ours) filled for at least 45 mintues before the dinner rush came. Our table was the lonesome that got no love. :) Haha. 2) Again, not food related- regarding the atmosphere upon entry, and disorganization in the waiting area. When we first came in (it was our first time at this restaurant), you get a strange sense that you have no idea where you're supposed to go. I finally found my way past the bar to the desk, at which upon informing the hostess of our reservation, we were told to sit in the 'waiting area', which seems to be as big as a coffee shop in itself. Ok, no problem. A different guy comes along and asks us if we want anything to drink- we take a menu, and peruse the wine list...when I make my decision a few minutes later, he then says, "oh, you can go sit at your table now, and make your drink order there." WTH? I was just told to go wait.... whatever. If this happened at some place like Chili's I wouldn't mind. Isn't this place supposed to be top notch? 3) Back to Chef Kevin- As we left, I wanted to acknowledge the kitchen and say thanks for a great meal- I managed to make eye contact with each of his helpers, and they were all friendly in sending us off, but when I looked over to Chef Kevin, he (seemingly intentionally) looked away and gave me some sort of a dismissive wave, as if to say, "Good riddance! Bye!" WTH? What in the world did we do to piss you off? First, you couldn't acknowledge that we were even there as you conversed with everyone BUT us, and second, you can't even make eye contact to receive appreciation from someone who's trying to compliment your work? (btw, the kitchen was NOT at all busy when we left, no one was handling anything on the grill or the kitchen table) Though the portions of course were small (I expected this anyway), I can give the food a score of (4), and the service a (5), but the other factors I just mentioned made this a less than desireable place to frequent in the future. Common courtesy seriously goes a LONG way. We had this meal exactly one month ago, and my semi-rant about this dining experience speaks of how much Chef Kevin made an impression on me.
(3)
Joseph L.

Here is my update of Woodfire Grill this fantastic place in Atlanta Ga! I am just going to list what my wife had As Kevin says" the theme of this restaurant is Fresh, Local, sustainable ingredients !" My wife had ; 1) Baby frisee Salad. smoked bacon lardons ,focaccia croutons,sous vide egg .dijon mustard vinaigrette,quince syrup 2) Crisp Laughing bird Shrimp. mignonette aioli.olive oil toast, avocado salad,micro basil 3) Wood grilled Bershire Pork Lion . gratin of Fennel, local radish, baby hakurei turnips,parsley Veg Roasted delicata squash .Indian curry ,madeira soaked raisins,cilantro Evening was fantastic... highly recommend ...!!!
(5)
Lee C.

Ok, this was a rip off. I left hungry! I actually had to take my date out to dinner after spending over 135.00 on dinner here. It would seem to me that the place is hurting for business based on pricing, $42 for a salmon? (with no sides i learned), I could get a massive ribeye at Rathbuns for that. But, i had heard so much great things about the prior chef etc that I said, i'm sure its worth it. Well let me just say, what little food I got, tasted great, and it was a beautiful presentation. But dear lord, feed somebody. The serving sizes were an insult to the wallet. Now listen, i'm not looking for some insane cheesecake factory serving size, but you need to understand, my date (5'2 petite asian) had a pasta and a main course and I had to take her to dinner after dinner (we went to Pricci and got some risotto). I'm 6'2 240 so you know I was starving.
(1)
Adp P.

We ate here in 2003 and it was really good then. Its been on my list for awhile, even more so now that we have that celebrity chef thing going on in Atlanta. I had friends visiting from out of town (Yay Frolicon!) last weekend and they went ahead and made a reservation for dinner when they got their plane tickets. Boy, was I glad they included me. So after perusing the menu, the four of us decided to create our own tasting/sharing menu by just ordering 4 firsts, 4 seconds, 4 entrees, 4 bottles of wine, several baskets of bread, but only 2 desserts. For the firsts - we had both the arugula and baby lettuce salads, potato leek soup and a cold shrimp dish. The greens were tender and perfect, the dressing on the arugula complimented the pepperiness perfectly and the potato and leek soup creamy with firm little leek circles. That was a hard one to pass around. Since one of my friends kept the wine list in his clutches the entire evening, I'm not sure what we drank, but it was good and I was starting to get a nice buzz on. We drank a lot of white that I'd never heard of before. For the seconds we had the scallop, the risotto, the foie gras and substituted the sunchokes from the veggie list for the trotters. Dividing up one lovely scallop 4 ways was enough of a challenge. All were excellent, the sunchokes had a wonderful roasted flavor and texture and the strawberry sauce a perfect compliment to perfect foie gras. And the service - impeccable. We'd originally been seated at a small table but they were kind enough to move us to a private room before we ordered. This was good, because the conversation became a little less restrained as the wine wore on. I'm sure our waiter overheard some interesting dialog. Ok, back to the food. The entrees came out with a red. The halibut, pork loin, beef strip and duck breast. I wouldn't normally have ordered a halibut - thats like salmon, something I cook at home, but the fish was firmand perfectly seasoned. The sherry chocolate sauce and beets went with little slices of duck. The beef and pork was wonderful as well, the kale had a nice texture and neither leathery or slimy. I've managed to avoid brussel sprouts up until now, but creamed brussel sprouts went well with the beef - tender and flavorful - went with every bite. Dessert - I'm glad we only ordered two. Lemon merinque tart and something chocolate with home made whip cream in a chocolate cage! I'll post a picture of that - it was screaming awesome. And to meet the needs of the serious coffee junkies at the table - Counter Culture. So was it good? Uh, has the Pope gotten some bad press recently? Ok, all my out of town friends must come and visit me now!
(5)
Samantha Y.

The tasting menu is fantastic!!! The tasting menu changes so it's not the same every time (although I'm not really sure I'd mind if it didn't) and the service is superb! Also, if there's a birthday in your party, they print the B-Day Boy's or Girl's name on the menus for the table - very nice touch!
(5)
John C.

Genius, all I can say is genius. We went to Woodfire tonight and had the chef's five course tasting menu. We started with a shrimp trio, followed by a trout over potatoes with pork cracklings (think essence of fish and chips), then quail and pork belly over lady peas, then lamb loin and sweetbreads, finished with a dessert of coca-cola cake and inverted root beer float. The quail would have to rate in the top five dishes I ever tasted. Overall, just excellent in every way. Excellent service, who explained every dish and wine pairing perfectly.
(5)
Maria S.

Do you miss the fine dining scene in Atlanta? Long for the days of The Dining Room and Seeger's? Make a reservation at Woodfire Grill stat. Chef Kevin Gillespie is turning out prix fixe meals that rival the best in Atlanta. (I'm talking about you, Bacchanalia. Still adore you, but I'm totally crushing on Woodfire.) Our table opted for the blind tasting menu and it was one of the most memorable dinner experiences I've ever had. Each course was well thought out, expertly executed, and absolutely delicious. Most of the ingredients are locally sourced, and all are at their peak of freshness. I especially love how Chef Gillespie marries fine dining with southern flavor. The pimento cheese profiterole offered as the amuse bouche was an incredible bite of light, flaky pastry juxtaposed with the tangy rich creaminess of the cheese. Bliss! Since the tasting menu changes nightly, I won't go into details but I can honestly say I've never had a better pork belly in my life. Ever. It was that good. It also appears Woodfire Grill has made some small changes to their interior since my last visit. It seemed more open, and the seating was much improved. Service, good as usual, didn't disappoint. Thanks, Scotty! I'd like to give one last shout out to whoever is in charge of the music selection. Loved hearing The National. Keep up the great work.
(5)
Clara L.

This restaurant is top notch. Getting a table here on the weekends is a challenge due to Chef Gillespie's recent jaunt on Top Chef, but it is definitely worth every penny and every day waited. Decor and ambiance is really up my alley, with the woodfire grill and chef right out in plain sight. It's a treat to get to watch him work. Anything on the menu that involves pork or pork belly is a must, it's no secret of Kevin's love and respect for the pig. The wait staff is excellent, and the sommelier really knows his stuff. Your courses are always pushed at the right intervals for you to savor each dish, and any comments or requests are taken into consideration immediately. Definitely go for the 3 or 5 courses with wine pairings. It is the chef's best work. One of the hardest working chefs who doesn't fall prey to a little bit of fame. He loves what he does and we all can tell. I cannot say enough about this restaurant, truly impressive.
(5)
Dawn C.

God, we had such a good time here! Just so happened that our flights to BZE had us on layover (coming and going) through ATL. Naturally, we made our reservations for dinner at WFG. Love the atmosphere of this place. Open kitchen, rustic concept, clear that the focus is on the food. Service is out of this world. Our waiter was appropriately attentive, affable, and actually told us what his favorite dishes were (I LOVE it when wait staff do that--and it's becoming increasingly rare in today's PC climate). As for the food, you've gotta get the 5-course tasting, especially if it's your first time. We had antelope, quail, pork belly, oysters...it was amazing. Great to go to a restaurant that lives up to the hype, whilst not giving off a snooty vibe. Big ups to K-dog!
(5)
Sophia S.

I have to say, we had an amazing waitress (Maureen) so this made our dining experience great. The bread basket was cold, so the dinner didn't start off well. We did the 5 course tasting and wine pairing. It was 2 fish, 2 meat, 1 dessert. I thought it was a perfect amount of food, not too much. I loved the second course, a rainbow trout. My boyfriend loved the dessert, a deconstructed strawberry mousse. All in all it was a delicious meal, but for expensive tasting menus it didn't blow us away.
(3)
Long T.

Drawn to this place ever since I watched every week of Top Chef salivating at every dish that Kevin cooked up, I had to make a trip to Woodfire Grill on my most recent trip to Atlanta. I was not disappointed. Hungry on a Thursday night, I called ahead and found that although tables were booked for most of the night, bar service was come in and get served. I arrived about 9ish and found myself a cocktail table and stalked the bar area until a spot opened up at the bar - you see they only serve food in the bar area at the actual bar. However, as 930-10pm rolled on, the bar area started to clear out. For future reference, if you don't have reservations and you want to eat here on short notice, try swinging by around 9-930 - the bar area had plenty of seats open up and the kitchen closes for orders at 10p (although I had the 5 course tasting menu, which took me well into the 11pm hour). Being from out of town, I decided to go all out and order the chef's surprise tasting menu. I was concerned that this would not fill me up as I was starving and the portions looked small, but by the end of the night, I assure you I was well fed. Maybe it was the pace of the food coming out that allowed my meal to digest and expand in my belly, but nonetheless I walked out satisfied. Chef'a Tasting Menu on 3/4/10 (changes every so often): First item that came out on a spoon was an amuse brouche (sp?), a one bite wonder of flavor that is a precourse bite to get things started. I was a little concerned that this was my first of the 5 courses, but the bartender put me at ease by saying people make that misconception all the time. Anyhow, it was an interesting little bite of whipped goat cheese with watermelon radish and blanched sweet herb. I might also mention the bread was yummy too - basket of pecan raisin bread and an orange focaccia. Official Course #1: Pangrilled grits topped with shrimp and an herb salad. Yummy. Official Course #2: Chargrilled beets with red ace and broccoli salad atop a broccoli puree amidst a lemon vinaigrette. The actual #2 was supposed to be a fried shrimp dish, but because I had given up deep fried battered foods for Lent, the bartender was very accomodating and substituted the 2nd course of the 5 course vegetarian tasting menu instead. The dish was actually very flavorful - with the smoked greens being the highlight of this dish. Internission Course? Black truffle mushroom deviled egg. Described as the country comes to the city, this was an interesting high class touch to the deviled egg. However, I don't think this was one of the 5 as I got a total of 7 distinct items to eat (including the amuse brouche and this deviled egg). Course #3: sweetbreads and lamb loin atop a potato puree and accented with a pork rind. Very yummy. Course #4: pork loin atop pork belly and tomato braised cabbage atop cornbread puree with sweet and sour mustard. VERY yummy. Course #5: Dessert was a molten chocolate cake with coconut ice cream, florentine cookie and all atop a bed of a marshmallow curry cream. A little unusual bite by bite - but after the bartender recommended just mashing it up altogether, the flavors actually complemented each other unusually well. Overall I was very happy with my meal and it lived up to my expectations of an elite Top Chef caliber. I felt like every meal was an episode of Top Chef, complete with someone telling me about the dish and how it was prepared. This was definitely the highlight of my business trip to Atlanta and I thoroughly enjoyed my meal.
(5)
Anastasia T.

This was probably the best dining experience I've had so far (ever). There is no point describing the plates since we did the 5-course menu, which changes frequently (as does the a-la-carte menu)...But all 5 courses were excellent, the best being the pork entree. The service at the entrance, at the bar, and at the table was A+. But I think what really made this an exceptional meal was the wine-pairing, which elevated the tastes into a whole different level. Not that I won't consider going there for a regular dinner, but next time I want an out-of-this-world meal, that's where I'm heading and that's what I'm doing again (the 7-course meal would be too much food, in my opinion). It's a lot of $ to do that, but trust me it is so worth it, so if you are celebrating a special occasion, if there is someone you'd like to please, or if you're a serious foodie, dine there!
(5)
Michelle B.

I wanted to like this place, heck, I wanted to LOVE this place. I thought I would be wowed. All the other reviews said I would. But...I wasn't. I even left a little hungry (even after a 5 course tasting!) and a bit sad. My wallet felt empty, well rather my boyfriend's wallet, and my tummy didn't feel full and satisfied. Something is wrong with this scenario. I knew this place would be fine dining, but it was a little over the top fine dining for my taste. Especially since the food didn't even come close to living up to the hype or what you would expect for a fine dining Top Chef restaurant. I must let you know so you can judge this review how you see fit - that I simply just might not be the fine dining type. I like my portions on the large side, meaning more than just one carrot as a side, and my food hearty. The fine dining service made me feel self conscious and stiff. It's great to have such attentive waiters, but really I just want to sit and relax while I eat - not worry about proper etiquette. I was hoping Woodfire Grill would straddle that line between nice dining and fine dining a little better. I expected it be a little more... I don't know comfortable, relaxed, and hearty. As for the food, besides the portions, the steelhead with chanterelle mushrooms was very good. But I'm a sucker for chanterelle mushrooms ever since having them at Craft. The Quail was pretty good. The last course before dessert - the pork with pork belly and black mash potatoes - was not something I liked. I found the whole thing (except for the belly) a little tasteless and the flavors I did taste I didn't like. I will agree with the other yelpers that the deconstructed Twix dessert was bomb. I'm bummed. I expected more. And when I decide to pony up money on a nice meal I want to leave with no qualms about the money that was spent.
(3)
Alex P.

I was torn between 3 stars & 4 stars. First, I can say that I certainly enjoyed my meal. Maybe it's my fault for not knowing much about the restaurant, but watching owner/exec chef Kevin on Top Chef, I was expecting food that was a little heartier. I did the 5 course tasting menu: Favorite dish was the pan seared carolina trout. Truly a great dish...loved the charred corn. tuna was good, but nothing amazing. Quail was very good. Berkshire porn tenderloin had good flavor...love the veggies underneath flavored with pork belly. dessert was very good. Deconstructed Twix with sweet onion ice cream...may sound odd, but probably my second favorite dish behind the trout. Overall, I enjoyed my meal...would have simply liked a little more of it given what I watched Kevin make on Top Chef and being someone from the Northeast in Atlanta on business, I expected some heartier food in the south.
(3)
JD H.

First visit during a trip to Atlanta with some colleagues. It has been on my punch list of places to visit since watching Chef Kevin Gillespie on Top Chef Season 6. Outside appears like a homey bungalow with a valet in front for easy parking. The deliciously pleasant odor of woodsmoke/BBQ permeates the air around the place. Inside be prepared for a bit of old west bar meets modern glass wine cabinetry. Kind of cool and trendy-busy and volume is on the high side. Service quite attentive and the bar and beverage staff take their craft seriously with a decent list of harder to find spirits (Pappy Van Winkle 23 yr old!) and a reasonable wine list that has price points that will suit most people except for the tightest of skinflints. (Commentary: If you are that much of a tightwad, you probably walked into the wrong place anyway.) We opted for the 5 course tasting menu with wine pairings. I would recommend this as it was a total surprise. The kitchen asks detailed questions about food allergies or intolerances and then you are completely at their mercy as to what will appear. Here is what we had and it changes daily. We also were presented with printed menus of everything at the end to memorialize it: Amuse Bouche: Strawberries and Champagne (this was the most disappointing item of the evening. It was room temperature and was a foam of some sort, no solid, no champagne. Kind of gross actually (was more like a Degoutant Bouche) and I got concerned when that was the first item as I was really 2nd guessing whether the kitchen was going to serve us disappointments all night. Not to worry, the kitchen redeemed itself quickly and everything else was outstanding!) First: Yellow Fin Tuna Poke style with pastrami spice on the side and a deconstructed Russian dressing on the plate with Rye Crisp crackles on top. Briliant and we could have eaten a huge serving of this and called it a night. Served with nv Domaine Chandon Etoile Cuvee Prestige, Napa. Second: N. Carolina trout 2 ways (smoked in quenelle form and pan seared in brown butter) with a micro potato salad garni. Served w/2010 Dr. Deinhard Halbtrocken, Ruppertsberger Deidesheim, Pfalz, Germany. Small Taste: Cauliflower Soup served in a shot glass (Awesomely salty but was such a small amount that it really hit the spot at this point in the meal) Third: Wood grilled honey lacquered quail, roasted sunchokes, orange butter, frisee salad with tahini and pomegranate molasses. Served w/2009 Ch. Kefraya, Les Breteches, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. (This dish was good but the wine was the highlight of this course. Surprised all of us at the table as none of us had ever had a wine from Lebanon). Fourth: Smoked pork loin and slow cooked pork belly, fig-coffee jam, farro and pork skin risotto with compressed brussel sprouts. I really dig pig so it was hard to not like this dish. Served w/2008 Fritz Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma. Dessert: Valrhona chocolate salted caramel gel, bananas foster ice cream, nilla wafer crisp and a dab of orange syrup. Served w/ Warre's Otima 10 yr Tawny Port, Portugal. We had great personal attention from start to finish. We never felt hurried, the staff kept our glasses full and were happy to take time to answer all of our questions. The only flaw was that there was a bit of a pregnant wait between a couple of the courses but I'm guessing that was more a kitchen timing issue and not a server issue. It is, however, what keeps a restaurant like this from wresting a 5th star from me. All in all, worth a visit. Chef Gilespie was not in house and a comment from the waitstaff made it sound like he is often not there. But never fear, the kitchen is in good hands even in his absence. I enjoyed my meal there immensely and would go back again readily. Next time I will tell them that I am allergic to strawberries.
(4)
Sarah B.

I went here for a date night with my fiance and had a fabulous experience. This is an original and authentic farm to table restaurant. The bar is very inventive with the drink option of "brown or clear" and you leave the rest to the bartender. It's a fun way to start the night and don't think you'll be disappointed. Service was excellent. I have a nut allergy and the server went above and beyond to catalog what nuts I could have, what nuts I could not, working with the cooks to still provide me the dishes that appealed to me. Major bonus points here. For food, I started with the sweet potato gnocchi which was the perfect portion of pasta and had a nice blend of sweet and salty. The gnocchi was cooked perfectly and the overall dish had a lot of texture with the accompaniments. For entrees, I had the fish of the day and my fiance had the steak. My fish was flaky and had a well seasoned and crisp crust. My fiance boasted that his steak, preferred medium rare, was the most on point to medium rare he'd had. On a side note, the restaurant can be easily overlooked when you're driving down Cheshire so keep your eyes peeled. It's a pretty narrow lot but don't let that deceive you, the restaurant is pretty spacious. I believe they have added on to the back in the past year or two.
(5)
Cameron M.

I don't have the most sophisticated palette so I wasn't sure how well I would do here, but I loved it. My boyfriend is more of the foodie and he really enjoyed himself. The beef short rib and Riesling that I had were delicious. We had the best waiter that I've had in my life, hands down. I would highly recommend this restaurant for more of an upscale date night.
(5)
Sabrina C.

Went for a birthday event and got the 5 course tasting menu, even with picky eaters everything was great! Try the farmer's daughter cocktail -- a twist on the moscow mule. Loads of amuse bouche and other palate cleansers for the tasting -- well worth the $70 price tag!
(5)
Marcus O.

thanks to my sister, my expectations were so high of this place that i couldn't possibly be let down. :| the design and decor is quite nice. couch seating in near the bar looks inviting and warm. didn't bother with it since we had a reservation and was famished by the time we got there. we were sat upstairs in the loft at a long, dark table illuminated with a run of candles ... with four chairs. it was really cool. tried the following: local arugula salad -- good but not mind-blowing. pork belly - meh. i think it's because my palette goes toward sam gyeop sal. pork loin - meh. some parts good. some parts not so good. uneven consistency in the meat throughout left some parts very tough to chew and other parts not cooked enough. striploin - not bad but for $40, bones does a better job. my sister commented that it wasn't as good as last time and believes it was because chef kevin wasn't working that week. oh well. i guess that means i have to go back and try again later.
(3)
Rosalind C.

Best duck of my life, and I've had a lot of duck. Pork tenderloin and pork belly, also delicious. Only disappointment was the key lime dessert. The other courses were 7 stars, so it makes up for the disappointing dessert.
(5)
Ivy S.

Mmmm... food of a beardy man! The duck was the best dish!
(4)
Michelle R.

Traveling down from Boston - my friends and I decided to make reservations here being huge Top Chef (and Kevin!) fans. I'm glad we did. We sat at 6:30 and left around 8:30 so if you're planning on going out, the earlier reservation is worth it and might be all you can get (it get's packed!) We opted for the 5 course blind tasting even though 2/5 were weary they obliged. We all left VERY happy that we did this!!!! First course.. scallops Second.. salmon (hand caught!) Third.. quail (hands down the favorite of the night) Fourth.. pork belly (damn good) and last but not least fifth.. DECONSTRUCED TWIX. Everything was amazing but the quail and twix stuck out for everyone as being absolutely fantastic. We left full but not unbearably full. The wine selection is the best I've ever seen. Tried 3 different bottles and loved each one of them. The best part had to be the staff though, they're wicked funny and comfortable in their jobs. They seem genuinly happy and always know the story behind each dish (like our salmon being hand caught in a nearby river!?). They're very accomodating and don't miss a beat when you throw random questions at them (and we did). They seem like a very tight-knit group and we really enjoyed the homey yet classy feel of the place. GO!
(5)
S O.

Don't bother with anything but the tasting menu, and go for broke, get the seven course with full pairings. They're small plates. (I heard at one point, they were considering abandoning the regular menu and only doing tasting menus - I wonder whatever happened to this idea). This is one of our favorite restaurants in the city, and while some nights have been better than others, we've always had a delicious -experience-. Think of this place a special event restaurant. It's also fun with a group. Last time we were there, we had a table of 8-10, and it was -much- fun. But be prepared to leave your wallet. I think the full tasting is like 85 a person. If you want privacy, there are really cool booth like rooms in back with white curtains. Those are great for business meals, but we seem to have had more fun on the main level. Rick, the manager is great. We love the server named JoJo, I believe. The service here is what you should get from every high end restaurant. I'm sure Kevin, the top chef winner, is tired by now of constantly taking pictures with diners, but he was a good sport when members of our party wanted a facebook photo. There's a reason it's hard to get a reservation at this place.
(5)
John L.

Try it - it's good, very good, for us meat lovers! Great ambiance, great wines & outstanding service paired with some zany but delicious creations, always perfectly prepared and presented. An absolute favorite.
(4)
Mike B.

I'd like to give this place 6 stars and a 6 pack. Always very excellent food and cocktails. The chef is super knowledgeable about local ingredients (including foraged ingredients) and has a myriad of techniques to bring them to the table in their best form. The bartenders are super cool, and are equally knowledgeable about the ingredients they are using. I always learn something new, I highly suggest the bartenders choice. We've had the vegetarian 5 course a few times, which they were able to convert nicely to vegan (call ahead). The sommelier paired the dishes perfectly. They will also convert some of their entrees or make a special vegan plate (if you call head).
(5)
Jay S.

Okay so maybe it is in part because the only places I have eaten for the last 2 1/2 years are kid friendly restaurants, but damn did this place really hit the mark for me. The environment is very well done, however if you are seated next to a large group beware, the sound has nowhere to bounce but up and back down on you. The wine list is very good, although I could do with seeing a few more wines that were under the $30 a bottle mark. I started with the clam stew, which had very robust flavors, fresh vegetables. I enoyed the clams, but could have done without having to pull out the clams from the shells myself to put them into the stew. But taste wise it had a very smokey flavor to it and I enjoyed it thuroughly. My husband had the salad and enjoyed it as well. Okay for the second course I got the porkbelly with a peanut butter sauce. I can only desribe this experience as one of transending this world and entering the rhelm of a new existence. I would have never imagined it but the flavors just popped and melted away in your mouth. Just outstanding. My husband had the risotto which also was very well done, maybe just a touch heavy handed with the salt but nothing that ruined the dish for him. For the third course I went with the duck. It was PERFECTLY done and when combined with other elements on the plate made a very harmonious dish. For those who are afriad to try duck and have never done so, this is the place to have your first experience with it. You won't regret it. My husband had the pork which had a lot of the same elements and also was done to perfection. For Desert I had the valrhona abinao ganache (white chocolate). It was very light and had a nice citrus punch to it. It ended the night on a very light note. My husband had the warm English toffee pudding and if you want to end the evening on a more heavy note you can't go wrong with it, it was to die for and I barely was able to pry a spoon full away from him to try it. This was first class service, environment, food, and experience. So it gets the rarely given and most well deserved 5 stars from me.
(5)
Jon A.

Wow. That's a word that was repeated many times during our meal last Friday night at Woodfire Grill. I will forever compare Atlanta restaurants to this experience -- and will always be tempted to do a chef's tasting menu from this review forward. Due to the increased popularity of Woodfire Grill, due to Kevin's ridiculously awesome performance this season on Top Chef, the earliest we could get a reservation (OpenTable) on a Friday evening was 9:30PM. This did not cause us to shy away from the "blind" 5-course chef's tasting menu and man am I glad we went this route. I'm not going to go into insane detail about each course, because that may do a disservice to Woodfire Grill and what Chef Kevin stands for. What I will say is that when I return to Woodfire Grill, I WILL be doing the 5-course chef's tasting menu. Period. Everything that was set in front of me, I enjoyed and could've had seconds of each. Go for the half-pour wine pairings with each course -- you'll get about 3 full glasses of wine across the whole meal when you add it all up. Worth the price... Get a reservation on the books before Kevin wins this season's 'Top Chef'...you'll be glad you did!
(5)
Chaos M.

The steak is very good, the best I had so far in US. But portion is a little small. I don't like the bread..... All the waiters and waitress are very nice. ###################################### I gave 4 star initially. But after a few days, I still thinking about the steak. Ok, 5 stars.
(5)
Allison E.

You know, I almost docked a star for fact that they aren't open on Mondays, and every single time I try to go, it seems to be Monday, Damn Mondays. That seems like an angry bitter chick move though, so 5 stars it is. Ponied up at the bar (a few seats open around 7:45 pm, although dining room seemed full), quickly found 'bartender's choice' on the drink menu, and advised the 1st of 2 bartenders to serve me that night on his preferences. He turned out a fantastic martini with an infused vodka and a twist of lemon. After discovering the other bartender was training to be a sommelier, it was pretty clear that I was doing the wine pairing with my dinner. She was fantastic; in hearing that I was a red snob, was quick to offer me a red and complimentary white with every course - just to do her best to convert me - even if only for the night. Being a pescatarian, and seeing that they do a ... drumroll please ... pescatarian tasting menu (!!!!!), it was a no brainer. There was plenty of attentiveness to allergies, likes/dislikes (you know, for the one person on the planet who doesn't eat pork belly or bacon, I was surprised they didn't kick me outta here). But, I saw the pork belly. And they mistakenly served me a dessert with bacon that almost, just almost had me eat it on accidental purpose. They change the menu very, very regularly - so you're almost sure to not have something twice (unless you somehow can afford to go 3 times a week). I found though the real treat in this dinner was in the details - the attention to plating (how delicately my halibut just rested on the tiny potato hash and citrus reduction) or how my amuse bouche was so commanding in flavor for such a tiny spoon. This is the kind of place that you shouldn't mess with, let those guys cook their food - but, they are so considerate that they are willing to adjust and create for you too. Don't skip dessert, either. I don't care how full you are.
(5)
Ethan T.

Excellent and elegant
(4)
Andrew M.

Everything was amazing: the food, the service, the atmosphere. I've been here before, but it seems to be a vastly better restaurant than it was a couple years ago.
(5)
Jie Y.

Service is just average. Atmosphere is good. First and second courses are great. The main course is not so impressive. Price is fair.
(5)
David K.

NPWH = Nice People Work Here The service here is superb and I definitely appreciate the fact that everyone seems genuinely interested in making sure that you have a good time. Last night Matthew and I ate here after the Yelp Elite party and the food was delicious. I was a little surprised (but not shocked) that the portions were so small, especially considering that 2 entrees can easily run $60+, but I digress... While I'm not a fan of mandatory valet service I think it's the best option here and the guys were friendly, making tipping a pleasure.
(4)
Carrie B.

Easily one, if not the best restaurant in Atlanta, this coveted spot on Cheshire Bridge has at it's helm the Top Chef-robbed Kevin Gillespie. The chefs menu will definitely be my pick for the next big occasion, but this visit with great friends, wine and food was perfect! The pork belly appetizer was of course the star of the evening, it's really what dreams are made of! If you haven't been or want to really show off what Atlanta has to offer get over to Woodfire!
(5)
Amy D.

Top chef season six hails as the most talented cast in their shows history, and Woodfire's owner just happened to be one of the competitors on that particular season. Woodfire has been on my travel bucket list for awhile, because i fell in love with the meals that he prepared while on TV. It wasn't hard getting a reservation, we used Open table, but we were prepared, we booked a few weeks in advance. While approaching Woodfire, you may be surprised by its neighbours, which include nightclubs, massage parlours, and strip clubs, however the atmosphere and its occupants in the restaurant are the polar opposite. We were a few minutes early for our reservation so we waited in the bar and ordered one of their inventive cocktails which was the Nicky Q. Their drink list was creative, it did not have your standard margaritas and mojitos. The Nicky Q was delicious, it slightly resembled the flavour profile of a less sweetened creamsicle. After waiting only a few minutes we were then directed into the main dining room. You feel slightly like the president while walking in, because all of the servers step aside and greet you, it was a very welcoming atmosphere. For our starters, i had the heirloom tomato salad with balsamic, and this was the only low part of my whole meal. I felt this way because the "first of the season tomatoes" really lacked flavour and seasoning. There were shavings of cheese which should have helped with the salt but i wish they were more aggressive with their seasonings. My sis had the grilled peaches with Benton's ham and peanuts. She loved this dish, the peaches were smoky, the ham was salty, and then the texture was delivered through the peanuts. Now for our mains, there were only four or five to choose from and i didn't like all of the accompaniments of all the proteins but i decided to choose the protein that sounded the best which was the strip loin. The sauce and the mushrooms were great but the Cadillac was the meat, it was the huge block of beef and it delivered it terms of flavour and was cooked how i wanted it. My sis had the pan seared halibut with braised morrels, crispy shallots and fresh corn. The halibut was light and flaked perfectly and the mushrooms were buttery and tender. Woodfire is a place that you want to sample their savoury items, but make your sure you leave room for their sweet items as well. I had the banana bacon semifredo. For me this was a hit on all levels, the flavour, texture and imagination were all there and it was so delicious. The brulleed banana was still sweet without being crisp, along with the flavourful caramel, and to top it off wit the salty bacon. My sis had the lime icebox with a ginger meringue. The lime was tart and supple, and the addition of the ginger in the meringue was so smart, and it complimented the graham base. Overall Woodfire was a great dining experience with great service, which left you at the end of the night feeling completely satisfied.
(4)
ryan r.

Two trips and two tasting menus... two food experiences I won't forget and a restaurant I will always recommend. No joke, make sure you stop at Woodfire Grill if you're in Atlanta. I may rarely be in that city but every time I am I'll be making a reservation.
(5)
Bonnie L.

I took a party of 18 here for a birthday party last February, based on a reservation I originally made for 8. Although I do know that some people in my party were disappointed due to cold food that came after a long wait, I have to take most of the responsibility for that. In a party of over 15 they have a set menu so that the kitchen can pace things properly - since I didn't know we had that many, the kitchen wasn't prepared, and they didn't force us to order off the pre-set menu (which I give them credit for, I was nervous about this because I hadn't told my guests it was preset), and a lot of people didn't, and well, we slammed them. Their big group room is really fabulous though, and I personally liked the food a lot, although it was a pretty long time ago. I fully intend to go back there - is it hard to get a reservation there now that Kevin's so awesome?
(4)
Brandon S.

Ok, so like everyone else we ate here to try Kevin's food. We actually were conveniently in town the night of the finale. Kevin seemed to be in good spirits taking some pictures with patrons. The bread and butter they send out is great. I am not sure what is mixed into that butter spread, but it was great. The food overall is very good. I had the greens salad and it was fine. I had the sirloin for my main course. It was excellent. The meat was cooked perfectly. The fingerling potatos were excellent. They had a strong garlic flavor. The wine selection is solid. The only thing preventing this from being a five star is the portions. The menu is set up in three courses. I recomend trying one from each course. The filet was excellent but you only recieve two very small pieces. You also only recieve a few small pieces of the fingerling potatos. If you order from each course, have some wine with dinner and cap off with dessert you should be just fine.
(4)
Stephen A.

We finally did it. We finally made it to Woodfire Grill to celebrate my 31st birthday. We gussied ourselves up, drove past Onyx and Jungle, and entered the out-of-place building with the rustic facade. Out-of-place is a compliment if you know how Cheshire Bridge is. Because this place...seriously, folks. Seriously. When it's celebration time, you go all out. I've read amazing things about the tasting menu, so we threw all caution to the wind and trusted our culinary guides. (By the way, they did not disappoint one bit.) I asked our main server, Cate, if I should go with the wine or beer pairing. (Yes! They do beer pairings! I love when a restaurant is willing to invest in good beer and work with it.) That's when we found out she is the restaurant's sommelier. Decision made. Time to strap in and enjoy the ride. Speaking of Cate, she was flawless. We were spoiled having her serve us, because she is so knowledgable with her wines. Josh didn't want to do the wine pairings, because half a glass of wine gets him tipsy and he was driving us home. She selected an amazing tempranillo that was one of the most complex we've ever tasted. He was insanely appreciative. Every wine I was served (all seven of them, with generous pours for a tasting menu) obviously matched the food wonderfully, but they also came with a wonderful description from Cate that was just amazing. Fun fact: I drank a wine that's grown from ground with dinosaur bones in it. Dinosaur bones, people! I was also pleased to hear that all the wines were organically produced, and some of them were even produced on biodynamic farms. Seriously, if you get Cate, let her guide you with the wines. Or just demand that she pick you a wine no matter who your server is. She was, in a word, brilliant. As was the food. Our first amuse bouche was a compressed peach with goat cheese chevre and basil gel. The basil made the whole bite wonderful and we knew from just that one bite that we were in for a treat. Here's how the rest of our menu went: 1) Yellowtail with a citrus yuzu and pickled carrot and local radish. The carrot in this dish brought the dish together really well and we loved it. This was probably in our top three of the evening. 2) Crispy North Carolina trout with hot and cold potato. Loved the interplay of the crispy of the trout with the whipped hot potato. Texture was amazing. 3) Pan-seared scallop with lobster mushrooms (Yes, that is a type of mushroom, I'm just as surprised as you are.), capers, and beurre fondue. I almost cried eating this, for real. The scallop was cooked perfectly and the mushrooms with the beurre. AND the chile flake in there, too. It was like mana from heaven. This was my favorite dish of the evening. AND my Riesling was made by a family that's been making wine since 1337. Just sayin'. Then we were given a taste of roasted tomato soup. Unfortunately, I'm allergic to cucumber, so mine was modified. And by modified, I mean there was no cucumber in it. It still tasted fine to me! 4) Oh, yes. The quail. Our first wood-grilled dish of the evening: quail with roasted corn and charred fennel with pickled African squash. I've actually had quail quite a few times in my life, as I grew up in southern Illinois and quail hunting happens with some frequency up there. But I've never had quail taste so good. I may need to go up and teach my redneck family how to properly cook this stuff now. This quail was amazing. 5) Smoked pork loin and slow cooked pork belly with farro risotto, lemon, roasted asian long beans and a housemade pork rind. Gah, I loves me some pork belly! Josh doesn't really like that part of the pig, since he's not big on salty flavor, but I'll eat it all up any chance I'm given. This dish was cooked perfectly, of course, and was a really deep and layered dish. 6) Wood grilled lamb loin with roasted summer roots, arugula puree (!!!), and black pepper and garlic au jus. The roots gave a great earthy and hearty flavor and the arugula puree and au jus were just the icing on the cake. Wonderfully prepped and the most beautiful plate of the evening. [Side note: of course all of our dishes were plated wonderfully, but that lamb was plated perfectly. All of our dishes looked like pieces of art that deserved museum status. But I ate them all. Sorry.] Then we were given the "pre-dessert," an amuse bouche-sized portion of banana pudding. A nice piece of Southern comfort. 7) Dessert: A wonderful chocolate ganache with butter pecan ice cream, salted caramel, and chocolate cake and orange syrup. Kind of a safe choice, but still enjoyable. That ganache was not messing around, and I was amped up from the cocoa after every bite. Still a great dish. They printed out a copy of the menu for us, complete with my wine pairings. (And even a happy birthday for me!) It was a wonderful evening and I just had to take out a sentence because I hit the 5,001 character limit. THAT'S how much we loved this place.
(5)
Phoebe T.

Came here on a whim with my fiance and I can proudly say this is the best meal we've had in Atlanta! We heard of Woodfire grill through Top Chef and after reading the reviews on Yelp we were really excited to eat here! I LOVE the ambiance of this place. Opentable says it's a dressy place but it's definitely not a place where the waiters are waiting tuxes and are stuck up - all waiters/waitresses were personable and dressed in fall colored button down shirts. The place itself is very cute and well decorated and we loved where we were seated! We got the 5 course blind tasting paired with the half glass wine pairing. I won't go into too many details but I will say that during and after every tasting we kept saying how amazing the food is! The wine pairings were very well paired as well. You just have to go there and experience it!! I highly recommend this place :) By the way, be prepared to spend over 200 for a dinner with two, 5 course tasting and wine tasting. We were a little misled when we asked how much the wine pairings were and were told $5. That's 5 PER half wine (therefore $25), not $5 total. Just in case anyone else gets confused! PS. The scallop is amazing.
(5)
Zachary N.

We had our wedding rehearsal dinner at Woodfire last month. It was one of the best meals I've ever had, and many of guests thought so too! Service was without a hitch, and we were a pretty difficult bunch. Our party of 23 included a vegan, a couple of vegetarians, several different food allergies, a culinary student, and a groomsman who was hell about ethically sourced food. The staff was diligent about food allergy concerns, knowledgeable about where the food came from, and I thought it was a particularly classy touch that the vegan and vegetarian substitutes during meat courses were different from one another. Needless to say, it was all delicious! I would highly recommend it anyone.
(5)
Brian U.

Before coming here, I was batting zero with Top Chef contestants (or winners). Fabio Viviani, Michael Voltaggio, and Richard Blais all grounded out. But Kevin Gillespie, not only impressed, he hit it into the parking lot. Kevin is probably a better chef now than when he was on the show with improved plating design. I'm so glad we had the 7-course tasting menu. I would be kicking myself right now if we hadn't. They offered wine pairings at $12 a glass per course for a total of $84 per person - almost as much as the $85 tasting menu. The wines for the tasting are the same wines they sell by the glass which cost $8 to $14. Furthermore, seven glasses of wine is comparable to drinking an entire bottle. It's too much wine and too much money. Thankfully, we asked if we could share and the waiter offered a half-glass option which we immediately took. Amuse: The strawberry foam and gelee was weak start. The Corail Saumor rose brut was a yawner, but they win on service points by starting us with a festive glass of bubbles. The bread basket had three breads - wheat nut, focaccia which needed a small touch of herb, and a rustic white which was the best of the three. Course 1: The salmon tartare with ramps and blood orange fell a little flat because it needed more salt or acidity. It was good, but not special. It was paired with a boring rosÃ© wine by Blackbird. Course 2: The Carolina pan roasted trout was very well cooked. It's hard to make trout spectacular because it is a bland fish and they did what they could. The trout was mounted on a corn succotash with diced sugar peas, carrots, cranberry beans, and brown butter. THE SUCCOTASH WAS THE BEST THING I'VE EATEN IN MONTHS. It was an amazing dish that had incredible emphasis on fresh ingredients. The vegetable flavors weren't muddled together in an overcooked mess. Each component comes through with a crisp balance. The Lioco Chardonnay was an awkward match with the food. A viognier would have been ideal to match with the oiliness of the trout and the fat of the butter. Course 3: The fried green tomato with shrimp and avocado along with a bacon hot sauce was a fun dish. Individually, the food fell flat. When combined together, it sang. It was like a shrimp po-boy on a plate. The Alsatian pinot gris was too tender and honey-sweet for the food. The dish needed a big white. In fact, we had some Lioco Chard left from the prior course which matched better. Respite/Intermission: How can anyone not love potato soup with white truffle and chives? It was served like an amuse bouche and was all around great soup. It was paired with a freshly opened split of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label. I'm being really hyper picky here, but how about a little caviar garnish on the soup if it's being served with champagne? Course 4: The grilled sweetbreads with peanuts, beets, berries, and veal jus were another master stroke. To combine elements that are normally not associated with each other like peanuts and glands is impressive. Add to that skipping the typical frying of sweetbreads in favor of an open grill. I might have to steal his idea of grilling sweetbreads when cooking at home. How do BBQ-grilled sweetbreads sound? The Tokaj was a good wine match. Course 5: The grilled quail legs with hen of the wood mushrooms, Vidalia onion sauce, turnips, and quail jus again made effective use of the grill. You can't really mess up the mushroom, but the onion sauce was the star of the dish - so perfect in consistency, texture, and flavor. The turnips created ideal contrast. The glass of Beaujolais was a bit mild. Course 6: Finally the pork! Unfortunately, it was a disappointment. The smoked pork belly and cured pork loin with summer squash, corn puree, and cippolini onions wasn't bad. Far from it. But there was nothing notable about the pork belly. I understand that idea that making ham from a pork loin should be fun, but it showed a ham is still ham - even if it comes from the loin. The soft Cote du Rhone was an okay match, but a smoky zin probably would have worked better. Dessert Amuse: The panna cotta, chocolate foam which acted like a whipped cream, and coffee crunch was a wonderful combination of elements in a single spoonful. Dessert: The chocolate mousse and cherries with almonds on the bottom was a clever play on a chocolate sundae. Instead of peanuts on top, there are almonds on the bottom. Instead of a cherry on top, they are mixed into the mousse. Instead of choc ice cream, it's choc mousse. Very fun. It's hard to go wrong with a golden glass of Banyuls to finish. As you might have noticed, the wine pairings need improving. The restaurant should hire a wine steward to take these responsibilities. Woodfire Grill will definitely keep "Georgia on my mind" for a long time.
(5)
Mike O.

We were in Atlanta visiting family over the holidays and thought this would be a fun place to go since we had heard a lot about it. And I love pork, so this was suposedly the place to go. First off, the service was impeccable. Truly. We had a lot of attention paid to us while we were there, even as the dining room filled up as the night went on. I had a custom seasonal cocktail that was phenomenal, and it proved to be a good match with my pork later on. The servers all know what goes with what, so don't be afraid to ask. The appetizers were good and great, mine being great. I distinctly remember the use of a delicious chili oil on mine that was giggle-inducing, it was so good. The entrees were really good and presented beautifully. We had the steak, the pork and the sturgeon. Everything was cooked perfectly, with not too much fanfare or bells and whistles. My only complaint was that the potatoes were a bit burned in my dish, giving them that sour taste. The pork was perfect, though, and the steak was delicious as well as the only dish that looked somewhat substantial. The desserts seemed basic at first glance. There was really nothing on the menu that jumped out at us, but the waiter recommended the sticky toffee bread pudding and that was i-n-s-a-n-e! It was maybe the best thing we had had all night. A great way to end a good meal. All in all, I must say that I really expected to be more kind of blown away by the food. This place has had a lot of hype since the chef was on Top Chef a few years back, so perhaps I was thinking I would be walking into a gluttonous den of culinary and carnivorous farm-to-table nirvana, but instead what I got was just a really good and socially conscious local restaurant known for their pork, and apparently, their small serving sizes. In their defense, it is a four course a-la cart menu and they probably expect you to order all four and leave sated, but we opted for two, and dessert. Our loss. I do wish that they offered a tasting menu without the whole table having to take part, but I also commend them on being able to make said menu with full consideration taken to people's food allergies, etc. We will definitely be doing the tasting menu next time, and believe me, there will be a next time.
(4)
Tom W.

Simply amazing! My wife and I decided to make Woodfire Grill our wedding present to each other. When we made our reservation we said that this would be our first meal out as a married couple and we were treated to a great time. The host was attentive when we arrived and we were treated to complementary sparkling wine when we were seated. Our waiter was fantastic. He knew the menu backwards and forwards. We decided to go with the 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings. Wow! Each course was amazing. It built until a delicious pork belly and pork loin plate. For a tasting the portions were large. They were plated beautifully, too. Salmon tartare, sweetbreads, broiled quail, seared trout. Each was fantastic. There was even a peach fritter with flash-frozen blueberries as a palate cleanser before desert. On the way out we were able to say hi to Kevin, the executive chef and the fan-favorite contestant on Top Chef: Season 6. He was gracious to shake hands with us. It was a wonderful way to start off our marriage. I hope the next time we are in Atlanta we can go back and maybe order off the menu.
(5)
Daniel B.

Went here on a Thursday night. The restaurant was not very busy. We did not have a reservation and were seated immediately. The menu here changes daily and all of the ingredients used are seasonal. If you go, I recommend the 3 or 5-course chef's tastings. This is where you leave everything in the chef's hands, from the selection of the first amuse to the main course to the dessert. The amuses (originates from the French phrase "amuse bouche") are small bite-sized tastings that come before certain courses. If you have any food allergies or if there are foods you really don't like, just let the server know and the chef will not include those ingredients when preparing your dishes. Also, the 5-course tasting requires full table participation. Since you don't know what you're going to get when you choose these tastings, it's definitely only for the adventurous and those who love all types of food. It's a lot of fun however, and very much worth it, IMO. I opted for the 3-course chef's tasting when I went. The table was given a selection of bread - focaccia, raisin, and sourdough bread with unsalted butter. The first amuse was a bite of red radish with green parsley butter and black olive salt. That was followed by the first course, which was wild Alaskan halibut with English pea sauce, micro arugula, and fennel. The second amuse was a Hen of the Woods (a.k.a. Mitake) mushroom in a tempura batter with caramelized garlic and Lebanese Za'tar spice. The main course was Berkshire pork loin on top of sauteed mustard greens and kale with carrots, celery, turnips and New York maple syrup. The pork loin had a little fat on the top of each piece, which is supposed to be eaten with the meat. Dessert consisted of sticky toffee pudding with peanut brittle and a giant marshmallow and peanut butter mousse with ice cream, pop corn, and caramel. All of the food was excellent. The dishes were creative and the ingredients were fresh. Be sure to check out my local photos to see all the dishes. Service was also excellent. Chris and Courtney were our servers and they were both very knowledgeable about the dishes that were prepared for us.
(4)
Jennifer B.

And I rarely give 5 stars, but I have to say that we were extremely impressed by not only the food but the service as well. Our waiter was fun, friendly and knowledgeable. The Grouper was melt in your mouth good. But the star of the evening was the Sticky Toffee Pudding with coffee cream sauce. We simply couldn't believe our mouths. It changed our lives! Well, maybe not, but Bravo for a job well done!
(5)
Jessie C.

This just became one of my favorite restaurants in town. The place was hard to find for me, very easily missed. We went for a birthday party and the restaurant personalized the menu with a line of happy birthday, John, how thoughtful :) We got the seven course tasting menu for the birthday party, even though it's pricy but it's well worth it. The atmosphere & decor- modern and classy The drinks-amazing especially the bartender's choice, they get really creative and tasty The food- Amuse-roasted beets 1) Confit Shrimp -it was good, nothing too impressive, shrimp cooked nicely, the table thought the cucumber was a bit on the bitter side, celery hearts was a nice touch, refreshing. 2) Crispy trout -trout nicely fried, crispy on the outside and moist on the in side, great pair with the dill aioli. Personally i thought the aioli was too salty for me, but the rest of the table seemed to be happy with the seasoning. 3) Pan seared scallop -My scallop was perfectly cooked, very very fresh and tasty. The smoked carrot jus looked and taste almost like puree, dense and good. Pumpkin seed pistou was good, but i prefered the carrot jus over it. Fried farro was also nicely done. Taste-tomato water -AMAZING, very flavorful. Looked clear but the complex flavor profile hit us hard. tomato, basil, olive oil combo. Umm, can we have a bottle please? 4) grill quail with summer squash rice casserole -the quail had a nice caramelization to it, the meat was tender. loved the rice casserole, very garlicy- well done! 5) Pork-loin, belly, rinds - this was the one dish that didn't shine for me that night. Everything was nicely cooked and seasoned, I just wasn't wowed. 6) lamb lion - The lamb was perfectly executed, loved the rub(got a bit cumin on it?) and the red/pink in the middle. Few friends on the table thought it was slightly underdone for them. but hey, i love raw meat so it was perfect for me. Pre-Dessert-banana pudding -well balanced, yum 7) Dessert-buttermilk ice cream with peaches n buttermilk cake - I was really full at this point, but still managed to take few bites of the dessert and gave the rest to others. As a joke, my friends started licking plates-that tells you how good it was lol. Overall i loved the experience at Woodfire grill, the waiters were professional and attentive, drinks and food were amazing. I really appreciated all the detail they thought of, it is often easily missed. Until next time, i'll keep these taste memories in my dreams...
(5)
Habib T.

I just got treated to a Birthday dinner at Woodfire Grill last weekend. I had been there once before a couple of years ago when they had a different E. Chef. I don't remember enjoying it as much as I enjoyed it this time. We ordered 3 course dinner a la carte and that was plenty of food. They also had 5 course and 7 course chef's tasting menu that comes with wine pairings. I had the grilled octopus, the scallops, and the Angus steak. I also tried the Halibut fish entree my girlfriend had ordered. Everything was excellent down to the details. By far one of my best dinner experiences. They serve a nice collection of cocktails and wines and beers also. It's a bit on the pricey side for me, but well worth it for a special occasion.
(5)
Tanya F.

Celebrating a growing list of little victories spanning the past two years and culminating with something big, we figured a shmancy dinner was in order. And so a shmancy dinner we did have. Don't be fooled by Woodfire's unassuming exterior. Inside, it's modern and fresh with an impressive dining room and comfortable seating. Here are the highlights: The amuse was one delectable bite of three distinct textures: a spoonful of lemon marinated raisin, pecan aioli and fresh micro celery. The taste of the sweet tart raisin contrasted with the mellow rich aioli made me eager for another bite. It was paired with a sweet Hungarian white wine with notes of honey, that brought out the bright citrus flavors in the tiny appetizer. The first course. ::swoon:: Olive oil poached shrimp, sugar snap peas, golden beets, and sweet pea tendrils in a lemon emulsion. I was as impressed with what they didn't do as I was with what they did. This course was a perfect example of restraint and respect for the ingredients. The pieces of quartered shrimp were perfect in seasoning and doneness. Treated just enough to highlight the Florida rock shrimp's natural flavors and then left alone. The peas lived up to their name and were so lightly cooked that they snapped delicately with every bite. The lemon emulsion was so luscious, I honestly had to check myself to keep from licking my fork in delight. I won't bore you with details of the rest of my meal since Woodfire's menu changes frequently, but I will say that if you have the time, go with the tasting menu. And if you have the temperament, go with the wine pairings as well. They do indeed add to each course and you can request they stop at any time (as I probably should have after the third course). The waitstaff were knowledgeable and pleasant, and the meal an unequivocal success. PS - I can't help but mention that yes, I love Top Chef, am easily excited by celeb spottings, and though I was giddy just being across the room from Mr. Gillespie...this in no way affected my enjoyment of this meal. That was probably the wine.
(5)
George S.

Went here for the third time tonight. What keeps me coming back? Adventure. Whether you actually like the juxtaposition of flavors, the result is always amazing and unexpected. Tonight, a split pea soup with overtones of tarragon, mint, and citrus . A halibut that melted in my mouth a light butter and olive oil and garlic garnish - the best fish I have ever had. Exquisite wine pairings from Blake, the excellent bartender. Dining alone at the bar, I felt that I was the only guest in the restaurant. Service at the tables can sometimes be slightly disinterested, but this is a small quibble. Submit to the culinary adventure that awaits you here. You will be amazed.
(5)
Joseph A.

Service was excellent. So was the food. I told them it was my wife's birthday and we received personalized menus. One of the finest dinners I've had in a while.
(5)
S B.

Pluses: Impeccable service, great bar list with good whiskey's, scotches, and other high end alcoholic choices. These two facets were on par with restaurants in DC and other "foodie" cities. Cons: The food was good, and certainly above average, just not phenomenal. We had the 5 course tasting menu. The spacing was at our pace, and a couple of the courses were very good. However, that excellence didn't carry across all 5 courses. All in all, a good choice, but not
(4)
Cali L.

The service here is top notch! I went for a friends birthday party, and the 10 of us were seated in a private room. Portions are small, but thats to be expected from a fancy restaurant I suppose. The only reason I dont give the place 5 stars is that when you have a group, you get a set wedding, similar to a wedding. 2 appetizer choices and 3 dinner choices. Our options were Stergeon, Quali and Pork; which is their "signature dish." We were all looking forward to a bigger menu. My fish was delicious, and I tried some of the pork. It was a bit tougher than what were used to, but the staff mentioned that its because the meat is from sort of a free range pig. Everything was made with very interesting ingredients. Be prepared to spend quite a bit of money though. My bill alone was $85 and I didnt even have alcohol.
(4)
Ming Y.

great service, great staff, great cooks, and great food. we came here for my 30th birthday. it was a short wait before we were seated for a reserved table, but we were okay with it cause the waiting area was very pleasantly decorated, and they also had specialty cocktails to order while wait. the hosts were very professional, and nice. we then sat down and ordered their 7 course meals, i can't remember what exactly was included, but it was good amount of food with amazing tastes. the kitchen was open with real "wood fire" cooking, and you get to see the "chef kevin" was supervising while other cooks cook. the server was extremely patient, he explained every dish to us as he brought it over. the place is valet parking only. it is def a good place if you want to look for somewhere that's dressy and romantic, we loved it!
(5)
Todd P.

I have friends who are Top Chef stalkers. They're from Northern Virginia and even fenagled getting an invite to one of the TC events filmed for the DC season. It was with this couple that I visited Brian Voltaggio's VOLT in Frederick, Maryland several months ago. So when they planned a trip to Atlanta, I expected the stalking to continue. The one "to do" item they had specifically added to my list was to get us a table for dinner at Woodfire Grill. Mission...accomplished. Since I've been on somewhat of a reviewing hiatis the past month or so, suffice it to say my memory on the specifics of our dinner have escaped me. However the image of our ear-to-ear smiles as we enjoyed our meal is still burned into my memory. We had the 7-course chef's blind tasting menu. There's something decadent and exciting about spending a chunk of change on a meal that's a complete surprise through and through. Definitely worth the splurge for the experience. Not one dish disappointed. And with a creative cocktail list and vast selection of wine, there's plenty of help available to keep the smiles coming. And if you're a stalker, like my friends, you might even be able to convince the busy chef to pose for a picture (which I'm sure he just *loves* doing).
(5)
Caitlin L.

Ugh, I've been waiting awhile, a long while, to post this review. I had super SUPER high expectations for dinner here after reading so many amazing reviews and hearing so many great things and loving Kevin G. My expectations were not met, not at all. We came here on a Friday night after canceling plans to go out of town. Figuring we would've spent a ton of money traveling, we'd just spend it on supper instead. I was excited about my meal here knowing they have a vegetarian tasting menu. In fact, I kind of scoffed at people who only go to vegetarian restaurants for nice occasions, knowing there are other veg. friendly places in the city that happen to cater to meat eaters, as well (I now understand and I apologize!). We both decided to do the 5-course tasting menu with 1/2 wine pairings- how people do a 7-course tasting with full glasses of wine or beer astounds me. I don't fully recall the total breakdown of each course, other than nothing being amazing. My Fiance was extremely pleased with his meal (non-veg), but I just couldn't say the same unfortunately. I remember at one point I was served a stuffed cabbage roll with some sort of brown sauce and the wine pairing made the dish taste like beef stew (think dinty moore) and it nauseated me. So 5-courses later, including dessert, and $300+ spent we left and I may have still been hungry or just grieving what I thought was going to be a meal that I'd hold in my memory for years to come, but we went and ate pie. All I really took away was a good buzz. A $300 buzz, in fact. Meat eaters seem to adore this place, but it's lacking for vegetarians.
(2)
Peter B.

Executive Chef Kevin Gillespie, finalist from the Top Chef Las Vegas season, serves up some mighty terrific food at his suburban Atlanta restaurant, Woodfire Grill. From beginning to end, my dining experience was exceptional. Background: I had a business meal with clients and Woodfire accommodated me with a private room that seated 10 people. Diners may order a la carte or, as a group, opt for a 5 of 7 course tasting menu designed by the chef. We opted for the former and I selected the English pea risotto as my first course. The risotto was sufficiently al dente and the pea saute quite flavorful. My colleagues and clients were equally pleased with their selections. The service was quite impressive as they practiced synchronized service with 5 5 waiters delivering courses simultaneously to the 10 diners. My second course involved a grilled sturgeon fish. The dish came hot and the fish was not the least bit dry. Another hit from my perspective. For dessert, the option was quite easy: Woodfire stocks an impressive selection of Kentucky bourbon, including Pappy Van Winkle. A glass of PVW neat and I was set for the evening. 5 stars to this Atlanta showcase!
(5)
Terri P.

This is probably a great restaurant but I went a few years back & ordered the whole yellow fin tuna with my husband. Bad decision on my part because I don't eat fish like that. I prefer fried fish that has a mild flavor like tilapia, flounder, etc... This confirmed to me that I need to stick to that when I am out ordering fish. The waiter was gracious & let us order something else.
(1)
Kristen W.

I'm a Top Chef fan, and I knew I'd love Kevin's food after watching his season. The only thing that made me worried was the name of his restaurant. Woodfire Grill? Really? Luckily that was the only lame thing about my experience. Hubs and I enjoyed the 5 course tasting menu with perfect wine pairings. Every course was wonderful, with the highlights being the Third Course of teriyaki grilled local quail that tasted like the best Thanksgiving meal ever, and the "Taste" of white gazpacho (not considered one of the courses, but more like a palate cleanser, where a sorbet would be). We were provided with a printed menu of what we ate, along with what wines we had, when we were given our check, which was a really nice touch. We didn't regret for one minute splurging on the dinner. Along with the food, the ambiance and service were fantastic. I'm glad we got the chance to go, and would bet that it is one of the best dining experiences in Atlanta.
(5)
Ken G.

Good food Good service. Nothing to complain about here.
(4)
Dave M.

My favorite restaurant in Atlanta. We discovered chef Kevin Gillespie from his season on Top Chef and had to try it. Been back several times since and never been disappointed. A great experience. Highly recommend.
(5)
Robert M.

As I looked through my 5 star reviews this morning, I realized that most are not for restaurants, mostly for services, doctors and the like. I can say that this is my first 5 star review for a restaurant in Atlanta that UNQUESTIONABLY deserves 5 stars. I've been to Woodfire Grill before (before Kevin) and had such a horrible experience, even when I was reading these rave reviews I had no desire to step foot in there. The attention to detail and service is perfect. The flavors are noteworthy, the pace is exceptional. We came here for our collective birthdays, and they even printed out "Happy Birthday Esther and Robert" on our menu. We thought that was funny and cool. First, they brought out breads (all excellent) and this incredibly small square of peach, topped with a thin sliver of cheese and might have had a pepper or something mixed in, this little speck of a peach on a spoon burst with flavor. We wanted more. I wasn't sure of which wine I wanted, there was a Zin/Petite Syrah, a Cab Franc, and a Cab/Merlot, so I asked for a recommendation...and instead of just recommending the most expensive glass (as most restos seem to do), they said "well, let's give you a taste of all of them and you decide". I was impressed. The decision was clear after the tasting so thank you for that! For our first we got the fried Japanese eggplant that was flavored with cilantro and jalapeno and all I can say is wow...what a way to start off a night. Get it!!! We also got the African squash soup that was amazing as well. We shared a second, a roasted beet risotto in brown butter, with chanterelles, arugula, and lemon. Making sure you have the arugula, chanterelles and risotto together really enhances the flavor, incredible! Our third was duck breast and berkshire pork loin. The pork loin was cooked perfectly, maybe the first perfectly cooked pork I've had. The way the skin was seasoned, I would have been down with just a plate of skin. Clearly....my new favorite restaurant in Atlanta.
(5)
Brandy E.

Love love love this place! Excellent, attentive service and the food was magnificent.
(5)
theron t.

Believe the hype, for this is about as good as it gets in Atlanta right now. Went here last week on a weeknight, and even though I made a reservation for the wrong day, they were still available to accommodate us. If you don't know, this place is booked heavily on any given night, and the fact that the management was able to still get us seated, was top notch. We had an early dinner (about 6pm), and I would highly recommend coming around that time. It's a good way to see the spot before it really start to get hopping. Service was great. Very attentive without being too aggressive. The servers seemed to be very well trained and have a good personality without being too nice. The decor is very nice and has an old house feel type of setting to it with modern and hip furnishings. Apparently this place gets some celebs from time to time. When we were there last week Lou Diamond Phillips was there and the night before, Jason Bateman was getting his Grill on. I thought about asking Lou for a table side serenade of "La Bamba", but he didn't really look like he wanted to be bothered. Maybe next time. The must have here is the 7 course chef's tasting menu. You don't know what's going to come to the table, but that's the fun of it. At $75 per person, it ain't cheap, but it's a great way to really get an overall sampling of this place. We had duck, scallops, lamb, salmon, and pork belly among other tasty treats. All of these dishes either rested on a bed of some tasty creative salad, or came with some super fresh local vegetables. Of course our last dish was a dessert. Cocktails are well made and pricey as well. The selection definitely competes with some of the other area hot spots. Also heard that you can walk up to the bar without reservations and get some booze and food without reserving a spot. That is if there's a seat available. :) Parking is almost strictly valet, it's complimentary and the easiest choice for that area. Overall, the tasty goods coming out of the Woodfire kitchen impressed me and the service was spot on. Two people with drinks could easily spend $200 here though. If you got it like that, I don't think you will be disappointed. Average working dude, this is a great place to celebrate a momentous occasion. I'm saving now for my next visit.
(5)
B. C.

Amazing as always. Drink menu, service and especially the food. If you can get Chef Kevin's tasting menu, go for it. I can usually drum up a couple negatives but nothing substantial here over my two visits.
(5)
Helene D.

We visited Woodfire while on vacation in Atlanta. We went because of Top Chef and we were not disappointed. We splurged on the tasting menu and every single mouthful was amazing. We were also happy with the service. We had our children with us (4 and 10) and the staff was very accommodating. Every course was explained in a friendly, unpretentious manner. Even my Manhattan was perfect (and not only did they ask me for my choice of bourbon, but sweet or dry and rocks or up). We would go back again in a heartbeat! (If only we didn't live 3000 miles away.)
(5)
Charlene W.

I came to Woodfire Grill a year ago, while I was in town for a conference. I was definitely rooting for Kevin when he was on Top Chef Las Vegas, so I was psyched to try it out. The restaurant itself is in somewhat of a strange location, there isn't much else going on around there. Don't expect to find a cab on the street after you're done dining... While I don't remember the specifics of each dish as clearly as I did a year ago, I can tell you this place is definitely worthwhile. The service was really great. I remember our server was super friendly, printed out a copy of our menu for me, asked to see when Kevin would be back in town for me (he was out of town when I dined and I really wanted to meet him), and explained all of our dishes well. We went for the 5 course tasting menu, but each course is quite small, so if you eat a lot (like me!) then you might still be hungry afterwards. I know I could've used the extra 2 courses. The flavors of each dish were well balanced and punchy, and everything was cooked to perfection. I absolutely loved the complimentary amuse bouche of celery juice: it was strange and shockingly good. My favorite course was probably the Berkshire pork belly and quail. I remember the scallop to be slightly oversalted and the dessert is one of the best desserts I've had. Below is a breakdown of the tasting menu: Complimentary amuse bouche: Pickled Georgia peach, Thai basil oil, local feta First Course: Wild Alaskan salmon tartar, salted cucumber, pickled shallot aioli, foccacia toast, creme fraiche Second Course: Pan roasted day boat scallop, roasted corn and truffle puree, radish, fennel, crowder pea salad Complimentary amuse bouche: Celery juice, whipped peach cider and ginger ale, minus 8 vinegar Third Course: Wood smoked Berkshire pork belly and lacquered quail, roasted parsnips, roasted apples, Yukon gold and Fiji apple sauce Fourth Course: Wood grilled Hudson Valley duck breast, smoked African squash puree, Alsatian cabbage, espilette vinaigrette, duck fat emulsion Fifth Course: Blueberry-semolina cake, white chocolate limoncello ganache, sweet corn creme anglaise, blueberry reduction, feuilletine crumble, blueberry ice cream This place is SOOOOO GOOD. I would totally go again, especially since I want to pet Kevin's beard.
(5)
Patricia M.

Best meal I have ever had. From the subtle scent of the wood fire to the wonderful service to the delicious, beautiful food... everything was perfection. We had a party of three and tried almost everything on the menu at the time. We all tried each others plates and agreed everything was wonderful. I wish this was closer to my home but if I ever visit Atlanta again, I will be sure to go back.
(5)
Erin N.

best scallops, quail and pork i have EVER had. this place really lives up to its hype. got the 5 course tasting menu, which was wonderful, plus a few things on the house, such as champagne, as it was brian r and my two year anniversary. one hundred percent recommended, from start to finish. best food coma ever.
(5)
Drew G.

Very expensive for meager portions. The food was good, but half of a quail and a shot glass of celery soup is not filing. My duck (which I consider an excellent test of a chef) was drier and blander than I would have liked. I could care less about the 'celebrity' chef; and it seems that is what this restaurant banks on.
(2)
Dru M.

If you haven't believed the other hundreds of people who have said to go to Woodfire Grill..believe me. Go now. Seriously...NOW! After hearing very good things about the restaurant...I decided it was time to try it myself. Being a fan of tasting menus, my party and I opted for the 7 course menu. Before the meal started...our server asked if any of us had food allergies, which I do. Pectin (fruit skins) is what I need to stay away from...so there were several courses where my dish was slightly different from everyone else's. In one case I had pickled green beans instead of peaches. In another I had beet rissoto instead of pickled quince. Basically...I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything because of allergy, which surprisingly nice. I would say a few of my favorites were the scallops and pork belly, but I can't honestly think of thing I didn't like. I also can't drink red wine...so when the pairings were red...our server gave me some great options of an alternate beverage for me. I must also say something about our server, who was hands down...one of the best servers I've ever had. She was very knowledgable with the dishes, as well as the wine pairings...and just very nice. One thing to note...reservations are a must. I also suggest to make them at least a week in advance, unless you're ok with eating at 530p or 930p. :) So what's stopping you...go to Woodfire Grill. NOW!
(5)
Mary G.

Came here after hearing great things - definitely worth it.
(4)
Lou i.

I ate at Woodfire Grill several times with Kevin Gilligan was executive chef. Since he left at the beginning of the year, I've been back twice. I won't return again. Dining was amazing with Chef Kevin. Now, it's good -- but a definite decline in flavor. Service remains very professional and attentive. Wine selection is great. But the food doesn't have the complex flavor I appreciated in years past. I can only think that the current reviews that list it so favorably are from people who are new to the restaurant. If I'm spending a few hundred for dinner, I'd like something better than "it was pretty good."
(3)
Nestlee M.

Someone needs to say that the Emperor is Not Wearing Clothes. The food was good, but not enough. We went last night, a party of four, and on the way home we talked about stopping somewhere for more to eat. We had each ordered drinks, a first course, main course and dessert. The bread was very good. A friend and I split the ribeye for two ($100) and the meat was delicious. It came with ten kernels of corn and two green beans cut into eight pieces, no kidding. Several people stopped by to ask how everything was and although I said fine, I really wanted to say that I was hungry .... and I am a small female. Others had duck and salmon... both good. What happened to the rice and vegetables? I love these side items at a good restaurant. The place smelled great ....like a grill... and the wait staff was perfect. However, we will not be going back any time soon.
(3)
Yun Jung C.

Fine dining at its best minus the pretentious atmosphere. This dining experience has set the bar very high for all others. The service was impeccable, wine list amazing and the food . . . unbelievable. We had the 3 course tasting which I highly recommend. Perfectly cooked scallops and the main course - quail with an eggplant puree was delicious! (I was tempted to pick up my plate to lick it clean it was so wonderful) Chef Kevin Gillespie pairs up each course beautifully - good luck on Top Chef! As many people have stated, the ingredients are fresh and they use local vendors. Their service was also exceptional from the valet, bar tenders and the wait staff. I really appreciate that during a down economy Woodfire Grill continues to remind you of what "dining out" should be.
(5)
Megan O.

Amazing. Went here last night for our anniversary and we both loved it. The food: fried green tomato and sweet corn soup for our firsts - both wonderful, the fried green tomato plate had incredibly complex flavors! Then the risotto and pork belly for our seconds - the pork belly did not disappoint - wow. That's all I can say. For the main course we chose the duck and pork loin. These were good, but actually not as enjoyable as the first two courses. The duck was actually quite good, although I wish it had been a *touch* more done - it was a little on the chewy side. On the other hand, the loin seemed a touch overcooked, and a little underseasoned. But as a whole plate, the flavors were all there, so it was still great. The sauces at this restaurant overall are phenomenal. Finally, dessert - we were both feeling a bit stuffed so we decided to just split the chocolate cream pie. However, our waitress brought that as well as the banana pain perdu (I'll explain below), and boy am I glad she did. DO NOT LEAVE WITHOUT GETTING THE BANANA PAIN PERDU! Banana. Caramel. Candied Bacon. Heaven. The overall experience: we went on a Wednesday, so it wasn't too crowded or loud. We were seated right at our reservation time. Had the "farmers daughter" cocktail - wow! Cucumber, mint, vodka, ginger beer.... fantastic! I *love* that they bring an amuse-bouche between each course - they were incredible! (Gelled champagne and strawberry foam, a lemon sorbet, and then a panna cotta with a chocolate and coffee chip before dessert!) And finally, the waitstaff was just how I like them - attentive but not obtrusive. And they really know how to treat their customers right. The reason our waitress brought us a dessert we didn't order? Both desserts were comped because the first course "took awhile to come out." We hadn't even noticed! Woodfire will definitely be joining our list of "special occasion" restaurants.
(5)
Megan G.

Woodfire Grill made my entire trip to Atlanta worthwhile. I was disappointed that Kevin wasnt there (I'm a Top Chef junkie) but his influence was clearly present. We had 6 people and ordered the 5 course sampler, and a variety of food preferences (vegetarian, pescatarian, meat eaters, no mushroom, no cream) and they were able to accomodate with delicious plates over all 5 courses. I have to say, I've NEVER understood wine pairings (I'm not savvy enough to "get" why the food and wine go togehter) and I had a revelation at dessert. I GOT IT. Thank you, Woodfire, for giving the south excellent dining!
(5)
Kara G.

Lord have mercy, I'm really starting to feel like I hate everything. I really don't but my goodness. I'm a part of a Ladies Dinner Club and every month we get together for dinner and try new spots in the city. In April we went to Woodfire Grill, apparently the chef is famous and yata, yata. We had appetizers, I don't even remember what they were...well I can't remember what they were like. Oh scallops, that's what I had, very mediocre. I had pork of some sort for my dinner. This place does little food. You know what I'm talking about they put a piece of meat the size of your finger nail on this huge plate and throw in a green bean and piece of squash and there ya go, here is your fabulous meal. I don't do little food, hey I'm a big gurl now. Oooo and dessert, can we talk about dessert, why did we all look at that dessert crazy and no one ate it, it was some kind of dry cake, idk, but it needed improvement and some rum or chocolate sauce stat. At any rate we ended up leaving paying about $100 per person which is more than we usually pay and I was straight up still hungry. Overall, not impressed, I don't mind paying for outstanding food, but this was pretty far from outstanding in my opinion.
(2)
Bryan H.

The five course tasting menu with wine pairings was truly outstanding. Service was top notch across the board. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
G S.

This place is horrible. We went because chef Kevin Gillespe is supposed to be outstanding. We wanted to meet him and were assured all evening long we'd get that chance. That "holier than thou" chef couldn't give us 30 seconds to meet with him. He is above it all. Our dinner no matter how good was mediocre. I have been to some of the finest in the world and met some amazing chefs and owners of fine restaurants and yet thei guy thinks he's too big or busy to give us his time. I will never return and tell all I know to do the same - stay away.
(1)
Kevin B.

Woodfire Grill serves seasonally influenced Northern California cuisine. Chef Michael Touhy stresses locally grown organic produce , meat and seafood. Whatever is on the menu that day is based on what is available and in season. The vegetable you put in your mouth this evening, was harvested that very morning, not 3 weeks ago in another part of the world. The interior is very warm, intimate and inviting, with semi-private rooms in the back for larger parties. And ahhhhh....the smell of the grill, and all the associations of sitting around a fire that are summoned! I waited a long time to vist this place, and when I did go, the wait was so worth it. For an appetizer we had the Squash Blossoms stuffed with herbs and mascarpone with a sweet corn sauce. The melted in your mouth and the corn sauce was perfect compliment of tastes. This apertif did what an appetizer is supposed to do. All the different flavors were distinct and complimentary. And when the plate was finished, our appetite was whetted for more. For an entree, my dining partner had the Organic Vegetables plate. Chef Touhy is one of the few chefs who knows how to prepare vegetables. He treats them with the same importance as a meat or seafood dish. Each vegetable was not overcooked, and was very tasty, with a blend of different flavors. I had the tuna prepared raw, and it was melt in your mouth quality tuna. We finished our meal with a tasting of 3 artisan cheeses that were splendid and unique. Our server was very knowledgable of the menu and especially the wine selection. I cannot recommend the Woodfire grill highly enough. It was an extremely pleasureable dining experience.
(5)
Dan C.

Not only am I a fan of the show but I am a big fan of Kevin's take on food. It was such a treat to get to taste some of his creations. From the top down the staff treated us like we were the main guests. Aside from all the hype that surrounds being on the show the food, drinks and service were fantastic. It was an experience that I will never forget. I don't really have the utterance to describe the food in writing, but I would definitely recommend the five course tasting menu. The highlights were starting with a "Fall Classic" cocktail; the deconstructed Waldorf salad amuse bouche; the diver scallops with a tomato risotto; the roasted quail with pork belly; the seared antelope with shredded brussel sprouts, and the chocolate crepe dessert. Did you notice I mentioned all of the courses from the tasting menu? So yes, if you get the chance, go try it and give Kevin and his team the props they deserve.
(5)
Kathy B.

We drove 1.5 hours each way to finally try Woodfire Grill. I had been wanting to taste Kevin Gillespie's food since I saw him on Top Chef (I really wanted him to win), so I figured it would be worth the drive. The soup with root vegetables was unbearably salty, so I sent it back. It was a little less salty without the parm cheese, but otherwise not very flavorful. I can't stand overcooked, mushy risotto, which is what I got as my second course. The flavors were muddled and very unremarkable. The woodfire grilled pork loin was too vinegary with no complexity or constrast of flavors. I was expecting much more from this restaurant and chef. The courses were also spaced apart too far, about 20 minutes between each, causing me to get full very quickly. The deconstructed twix was pretty good, however. Probably the best course. If you're ever in Chicago, Stephanie Izard's (Top Chef Season 4 winner) food does not disappoint!
(2)
Todd P.

Have been eating there since Kevin took over...hard to get reservations..but the 7 times we have eaten there it has been excellent to "one of the best meals ever". Great service as well but with a laid back atmosphere. 4.5 to 5 stars all 7 times. Wow. Can't wait to go again.
(5)
Kaylyn L.

This place is amazing! A menu which excites all of the senses! Visiting Atlanta, this was our first choice and what a choice it was! The duck breast was succulent and the banana-chocolate desert was the "cherry on the cake"! Sadly, being from Chicago, it might be some time before I visit Woodfire again!
(5)
The C.

Woodfire Grill restored my faith in fine dining. From the superbly executed service to the food -- course after course of perfection -- we could not have ended our day any better. The scallop dish was superb, the quail was delightful, and their pastry chef totally deserves a raise -- the chocolate cherry cake was beyond! If I lived in Atlanta, I would go there at least once a week. In fact, the meal we had at the Woodfire Grill may be one of the top reasons that I will return to the ATL.
(5)
Daniel R.

This is my favorite restaurant in Atlanta. Food is as good as in SF and much cheaper. The servers are friendly and very attentive. Seafood is amazingly good and I visit Woodfire every time I'm in Atlanta.
(5)
F H.

Ohhh, I wanted to like this place. Actually, I wanted to love this place. Before we walked in, I said to the husband, "I hope I get to walk out and say that was one of the top 5 best meals of my life." (And yes, I have a running list.) Sadly, it was not to be. We were both disappointed with each dish we ordered. I guess it's possible that we'd heard so much good hype about this place that our expectations were just way too high, but I don't know..... You know it hasn't been a great meal when the husband's favorite course was the salad! I had the beet salad as my first course and I enjoyed it, but at the same time, it wasn't exceptional. And the black-eyed peas in my salad made an appearance in my other two courses, so I grew pretty tired of them by the end of the night. My second course was the crab salad and I really felt the flavors just totally clashed - the cantaloupe did not complement the curried mayo sauce or the peanuts - it was just a lot of clashing, over-salted flavors. I had the duck as my main course and it tasted like.... duck. Plain old duck. I honestly couldn't taste any seasoning on the duck and because I ordered it med. rare, it hadn't even been on the grill long enough to take on a nice, smoky flavor. Sad. Hubs had the pork, which we'd both heard soooo much about and it tasted like..... plain old pork. Really, there was nothing special about it. And the waaaay overused black-eyed peas made yet another appearance. Again, I really wanted to like this place and I tried to convince myself through each course that I enjoyed what I was having, but in the end, it just wasn't very good. I would go back again, but only because I still really want to like this place!!!
(2)
J. D.

Woodfire is an interesting place. Chef Michael is an intelectual, and his food reflects that. The sophisticated take on sometimes simple preparations usually succeeds. Sometimes I am not overly impresed either--maybe too simple? The restaurant emphasizes artisan, organic, and seasonal ingredients wich is a great philosophy that more Atlanta restaurants should adopt. There is a cafe menu available which is nice, because prices here seem to be on the high side for a warm cozy house on Cheshire Bridge Road. The restaurant has an excellent selection of cheeses and eclectic wines. The staff here is helpful with questions.
(4)
B K.

My wife and I went to Woodfire Grill last Saturday night. We booked reservations 3 months ago so we were really looking forward to it. Upon entering the restaurant, the waiting area was not very welcoming. It is casually laid out and very non-descript. Also, it was very warm in the bar area - they had floor fans turned on to circulate air but the temperature in the area was quite uncomfortable. The sitting area of the restaurant was cooler. We did the blind tasting for dinner ($65 per person) and with the wine pairings ($25 per person). Total bill with tip came to $265! Overall, the food was very good - not exceptional, but good. The service was friendly and attentive but not over-bearing. Overall, a decent experience but quite pricey.
(4)
Dana G.

I went to Woodfire Grill last Friday and it was one of the best dining experience of my life. I was routing for Kevin throughout the entire last season of Top Chef so I couldn't wait to try his food. We went for the 5-course tasting menu and it was well worth the money. The atmosphere was very cool and I loved the smell of the woodfire grill. To start off, they brought us 3 different types of bread with an unbelievable spread - not really sure what it was. The amuse bouche was green olives, cucumber and orange - very refreshing. Then we got trout over brussel sprouts and mushrooms, a taste of pea soup, salami wrapped halibut (the best thing I've ever eaten), lamb over potato sauce, and finally, a play on strawberry shortcake. The best part of the meal was that I got to meet Kevin!!! Such a great night...
(5)
Carolyn H.

A few years ago I ate at the French Laundry in Yountville, Napa Valley, Chef Thomas Keller. We had a 9 course dinner there, it was delicious. Last Saturday night we had the 4 course tasting menu at Woodfire Grill. With the small spoon appetizer from the chef and the swig of potato leek soup we actually had 6 courses. All of which were fabulous. A few bottles of wine paired with the dinner was great. Our dinner bill was $275.00 per couple. Excellent service. A once a year treat or maybe two year treat.
(5)
J W.

one of the most reliable upscale restaurants in our city.
(5)
Mindi M.

We experienced the utmost level of service, care and an amazing dining experience this past Saturday, 9/17. The ambience was very warm and inviting. We were seated in a quaint banquette layered with cozy pillows. Kristen greeted us and we immediately adored her! She was very friendly, knowledgeable and obviously takes great pride what she does. We were called the previous day to confirm our reservation, ask about any allergies, special requests or special occasions. The hostess took note that we were traveling from Nashville as Kristen greeted us and thanked us for visiting them while in Atlanta. Very personal experience. The food presentation was stunning from the amuse-bouche to the main courses. Not only were they incredibly pleasing to the eye but to the palate as well. Highlights for me were definitely the garlic butter served with the assortment of breads, the arugula salad with golden beets and watermelon radish, the peach and ginger amuse-bouche and my perfectly cooked wood-grilled duck breast. Our experience was PERFECTION in every way possible! Thank you Woodfire Grill staff and Kevin Gillespie for a memorable evening.
(5)
Dori A.

The Woodfire Grill is an old favorite, but it is now under new ownership and I love it even more than before. I hear they are doing a light remodel and hope to get back there soon to see it. The farm-to-table concept is not so new anymore, but it really is a good one. The ingredients are fresh and creatively put together. I highly recommend the chef's tasting, which changes all the time. Each dish is rather small, but a perfect amount to let you get a good taste. By the end of the meal, I always feel satisfied, but not too stuffed. Last time I was there I just had the duck, which was very good. I love to cook myself, but never have been good at duck or rapini. My rapini always comes out bitter. I don't know what they do to it, but want to find out because the rapini tasted very hearty, but not bitter, and it complimented the duck very nicely. Since the new owners arrived, my favorite improvement is the bar and the hip factor. They have very creative drinks, using herbs and exotic juices that are very well thought out. Great place for wine tastings. Absolutely do not miss the sweet potato panna cotta. Insane.
(5)
SS H.

It completely kills me to give this place 3 stars. I've visited twice. Both times, I had the chef's tasting menu. The first time was really fantastic. The highlight of the meal was a wild mushroom appetizer, and the pork belly was phenomenal. But my second visit was so disappointing that I averaged the experiences out to a 3-star. I think the problem may be that the first time, Kevin was cooking. The second time we went, Kevin was off preparing for the July 4th BBQ, so the sous chef's were cooking. Everything was over-salted, and the dessert was a really dry piece of "coca cola cake". And I left feeling hungry. I'm not expecting to be stuffed at a place like this, but I do expect to be pleasantly fulfilled. We were so hungry that before dessert, we asked for more bread! Good bread though... Anyway, I will probably return just to give it another shot. But my enthusiasm for this place has gone way down.
(3)
brian l.

"The food was excellent and our server, Keith, did a very good job guiding us through the meal. We had a very good wine that was shockingly cheaper than retail price. That was an extra plus. I would give the food a plus but the introductory experience and general arrogance is off-putting. When one arrives, the hostess crew basically jumps you at the front door and forces you to a cocktail table. They make you tap your foot there - ostensibly to buy a drink - even though your table is ready. If you 'call' them on it, they get a bit huffy. On top of that, we asked to move over a table only to be told 'we have a process that balances out tables for waiters, so no'. That was the most absurd comment I've ever heard at a fine dining establishment. When I sent this feedback to the restaurant, I got no response. I ate here before Tuhoy left - great food, when Gillespe first bought it and there were literally zero customers (I'm serious, I could have fired a cannon in the place and not hit anyone), and now that he is Mr Popular. He keeps up this arrogance and he will be back to zero after his little fame of Top Chef. Sad really. I see this arrogance in other minor comments from other people too. There are far too many good places in Atlanta to be treated like garbage.
(2)
David M.

Yep...its started to happen and I was glad to see another recent Yelp review point it out (from JM on 8/8/10). I've been meaning to get to this for the last couple visits to Woodfire and after my last 3 consecutive visits it has become apparent now, and although Mr. Gillepie's talents are certainly quite laudable and I'm glad he suddenly has the enviable problem of having a crowded dining room these days, I am hoping and praying that the proverbial lightbulb will go on sooner rather then later. The food is delicious and quite asthetically appealing on the plates. The unfortunate problem is that the Woodfire team has decided they want to GET PAID!, and they are most definitely taking full advantage of this newfound window of opportunity to gouge their clientele. The portion sizes have gone from normal portions, as I don't require a cheescake factory sized plate, but Woodfire as obnoxiously gone from normal portions to what appears to be a plates suited for a never-ending James Beard or Bocuse d'Or competition that I unfortunately have to bear witness too. I have been eating at Woodfire long before Kevin's reign as exec chef and have always enjoyed the forward approach to food and the ideas of sustainable and farm to table cusine, and although he is loyal to these tennants, he appears to be doing something that Chef Touhy would have never done and that appears to be hurting his customers and inevitably himself and his fine restaurant. I hope his a-ha moment occurs soon, as I would love to return to Woodfire, but not at the cost and the premium he desires to charge for his food right now. Don't get me wrong...the food speaks first and is still great, it just depends if you want to pay $16 for a single lone scallop dish. That is a diminshing value proposition and there are other places where I can find an equitable balance of food, quality and value without sacrificing $160 for wine and apps for two.
(3)
Scott S.

In town for work. I took two customers and we all agreed to the full tasting menu for $90 each which they say takes 2.5 hours when you order and it did... The wait staff is very professional and each dish was well explained and we were presented afterwards with a write up of all of the courses, but they are not explained in advance which actually enhanced the experience for us. Every course was a real treat and blend of uncommon favors. I would highly recommend the tasting menu to anyone! I have eaten twice at French Laundry in Yountville, CA and I felt the food and service in this experience certainly reminded me of that without being there. Well done! Highlights were Fish, Squab, Lamb and flourless chocolate dessert, but all were excellent and entirely eaten by all.
(5)
A.J A.

Decent. flavor wasn't flat, variety of options
(3)
Gene G.

From Embarrassment to Awe (Back Story, feel free to skip) WOODFIRE GRILL WAS THE BEST DINING EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD. I had bought through Scout Mob a price fix wine pairing for my Fiance's birthday. The total was around $180. When I had got there at 6 to check in, they didn't have have my name in. We had figured out that I had booked it for the previous night not realizing there was a drop down box to select the night I wanted to do the wine pairing. They did several different nights for this deal and had limited seating for the deal. They only had enough menu items for the seats available. I was embarrassed and quite angry with myself. This was completely my fault, not scout mob's or woodfire. Nick who was the manager gave me the option of waiting it out to see if someone didn't show up for their wine pairing menu. There was another couple in front of us though that made the exact same mistake as did I. They were there earlier so they were higher up on the food pairing standby list. To cool off my frustration we got a drink at the bar. Can't remember what I got or the miss but we were both pretty impressed. Nick came up to us at the bar to tell us how much they wanted us to still eat at their restaurant. He said he would make sure they fully refunded my purchase, even though this was clearly my fault. The other couple who made the same mistake lucked out and got a seat, we did not. We decided we were both eager to finally dine at woodfire so we decided to go ahead and just go for the regular menu. As we were trying to pay out our tab Nick put the drinks on the house! Again I didn't deserve this kind of kindness for my mistake. The restaurant itself is much smaller than you would think looking from outside. Its dark, eclectic and intimate. Fitting for special occasions, romance, or important client dinners. Our menus had our names printed on them, also wishing the miss a happy birthday. I ordered the rabbit, which was one of the least expensive items on the menu (28$), but I adore rabbit. Its a lot like pulled pork but a little more rich in flavor. The miss got steak medallions. We also ordered an appetizer but I can't remember what it was, I do remember it being phenomenal. Like Bacchanalia they bring a gift from the chef. The gift was pimento cheese with bacon jam on a house cracker. Very simple, but extremely tasty. Some of the best pimento cheese I've had. The atmosphere would seem stuffy, but the staff is very professional, warm, sincere and laid back. Really never seen a restaurant culture incorporate easy going with a high level of professionalism. Service seems to come natural to them. The entrees were great and my rabbit was the best I've ever had, better than JTC kitchen which I do adore. Nick came out to ask each of us specifically how are food was. He named each item we got and our names. Very impressive. Nick will be forever remembered to me, for his care, professionalism, and service. When the waiter had asked if we wanted dessert we said we were full and we will need to let it sit and possibly get something later that night somewhere else. It was only 7:00 by the time we finished. Noting that response she brought us ketchup packet style lemon merange pops. She noted that this would give us a taste of something sweet without filling us up. Then she supplied us with brownie cookies to go sealed in a package that we could eat later in the night all free of charge to us! Wow! Also to note I had bought a bunch of party poppers to give to random people throughout the night to come up and wish my fiance happy birthday. The valet attendant happily obliged. In all I feel very grateful to Woodfire Grill for giving my fiance a wonderful and impressive birthday dinner. You turned an embarrassing night into a unforgettable night. I told every friend I knew about my experience and can't wait to come back. Verdict: Crem de la Crem of restaurant service Positives: - Farm to Table Freshness - Impeccable food presentation and taste - Top notch Service - Nick the Manager - Charismatic and warm staff not pretentious Negative - Cheshire Bridge - No outdoor seating
(5)
Will P.

Great dining experience. Took the family to try this restaurant and was pleasantly surprised. Had the 9-course chef special and almost every course was delicious. The ambience was great and the staff was attentive. Will definitely recommend if you are looking for a dining experience, not just a typical place to eat.
(4)
Sean D.

I was initially very skeptical of this restaurant, but in the end it was fantastic. The prices seemed high and the ambience was average, but the service & food were incredible. I had the lamb belly, lamb shank, and fried strawberry pie. My wife had the scallops, steak and lemon mousse. Every single dish did not disappoint. The sauces and sides went perfectly with each dish. Highly recommend it.
(4)
Michael L.

Went here on Valentine's day. Had a dissappointing experience, was expecting amazingness which did not deliver. The food was just not very good, ateable but not great. Not sure if it was the concept of place, or perhaps what the chef did. Maybe it was an off day or something about the Valentine's day menu. Service was decent. Might be back to see if this was a fluke night to try it again, although will have low expectations.
(2)
Lucia M.

We went to celebrate our daughter graduation and we asked for the Chef's five course tasting menu. I really enjoyed the night. Service was impeccable. The bread was warm and tasty and came with a dark truffle butter...amazing. They offer a vast wine list with a range of prices to reasonably fits several budgets. The executive chef is Tyler Williams - I sat facing the open kitchen and was amazing to see him at work. Our food came in a sequence of delicious experiences. I enjoyed all 5 courses and the 2 "gifts" tastes offered by the chef, but two of them deserves special mention: the delicious made chef's version of clam chowder (the only imperfection was the size, I surely would eat more of this beauty) and the beausoleil oyster with radish and passion fruit. It is an expensive experience, but definitely well justified.
(5)
Kevin M.

Came here for dinner after receiving many recommendations from friends who've eaten here. I must say, I was a bit disappointed as my expectations were very high. I ordered the pork loin which was highly recommended, but it was overlooked and dry. The pre-meal tastings were ok, but didn't blow me away either. It may have just been a rare miss for a place that's usually on point, but I wasn't impressed my the food experience. I will say this, the restaurant itself was beautiful and unique. The wine selections were great and I enjoyed that part of the meal very much. Judging by everyone's reviews, I'll probably give this place another try and see if the second time's the charm.
(3)
Ana M.

I just got my PhD but in the dark, endless days of graduate school data collection, looking forward to my celebratory post defense dinner was one of the few things that kept me going. I had decided to celebrate this special occasion with a chefs tasting menu from woodfire grill, which I never had the opportunity to have beforehand. I gotta say, I was very pleased with the experience. Thoughtful, beautiful plating, delicate taste profiles and creative flavor combinations made this experience amazing. The interior is also much nicer than I imagined from its exterior and it's Cheshire bridge location. It's pricy, but certainly a wonderful and unforgettable experience.
(5)
Patrize S.

It is a shame when an innovative superior quality restaurant serves food that is tasteless. Small portions alone do not make gourmet dining; superior ingredients and chef expertise does; tonight is was only the former, none of the latter. I do hope they return to their days of quality and innovation. We have eaten at Woodfire dozens of times and never before felt we got a bad meal, until tonight.
(2)
Robert S.

Delicious dinner with fantastic food and service to boot. I loved the ribeye and the duck tartare. My only critique was that the bok choy which accompanied the duck confit dumpling was not seasoned and the tagliatelle dish was too salty. But all in all my wife and had a fantastic meal.
(4)
Vanessa S.

Oh, this restaurant... My husband took me here for our anniversary, and it was absolutely perfect. Upon arrival, we were promptly seated and served an amuse-bouche, compliments of the chef. Opening our menus, my husband and I were delighted to discover that the restaurant's staff had printed special menus for us, congratulating us on our anniversary. THAT is how you achieve top-notch customer service and positive word-of-mouth advertising. We chose to try the chef's tasting menu, which consisted of five "surprise" courses and two additional small plates between. I can honestly say the creativity, presentation, and absolute divine taste of every selection firmly seats this restaurant in place among the best in Atlanta. For dessert, we were presented with a beautiful, small chocolate cupcake on a plate with the words "happy anniversary" spelled out in chocolate sauce. From the complimentary valet to the delicious food to the attentive and professional staff, Woodfire Grill does not disappoint.
(5)
Hyunsuk S.

Nice ambience. Scallop second course is very good. Bass was amazing, pork shank was excellent, too. Limited selection of menu, but everything was fresh.
(4)
Eddie W.

I'll admit our first experience wasn't great, the wait was excruciatingly long (1+ hours), the service was apathetic, and that made the food just okay. The owner Nick was courteous enough to reach out to me and we went back for dinner. This time around we ordered the 7 course set menu. The quantity of food was rather substantial but this time the service was courteous and the rhythm of service appropriate. I still wouldn't say it's the best meal I've ever eaten but the overall service of the restaurant was certainly up to par the second time around.
(4)
Jeff E.

Brian at the bar does a great job pairing wine with the delicious food. Well done!!
(5)
Caro B.

This review is long overdue. I am an avid fan of Top Chef, so for my 30th birthday my husband and I went on a food tour. We flew from California to eat here (among other places), and it was well worth the trip. My husband emailed the restaurant in advance to find out if Kevin would be in that day. Unfortunately he was not, so I guess we'll have to come back another time :) Since the restaurant knew it was my 30th, they took special care of us. They gave me a personalized menu with my name, the date, and a birthday message. It was really sweet. They also seated us in a nice quiet area that was very private. We did the 5 course tasting menu with wine pairings and were not disappointed. Each thing that came out was even more delicious than the previous. The portions were the perfect size - I got just enough without being stuffed. The pork dish was just as good as I imagined. It melted in my mouth, and I'm starting to drool as I sit here thinking about it. YUM. All in all this was an amazing experience. The food was top notch, the service was spot on, and I had a great birthday. I highly recommend this place and will definitely return the next time I find myself in Atlanta!
(5)
Ashleigh P.

Hi there Tyler Williams. I love you. You moved from Abattoir to helm the Woodfire Grill kitchen, and I am so happy you did. I went there the other night with my boo to celebrate my retirement and it was wonderful. The hostess stand is kind of in the middle of the place, by the bar... which was a little weird. But now that we know, we know. We were given a glass of champagne to help celebrate my day and to start our dining experience in the right way. Amanda was our server and she was great; very knowledgeable of the menu and sweet. We went there knowing we were going to have one of the tasting menus and we discussed this with Amanda. Once she used the word adventurous to describe the 7 course, we were in. Everything about our meal was wonderful. The cocktail menu is on the back of the wine list, so be aware of that, and they are inventive and tasty. Our meal progression was wonderful. My favorite was the Hamachi and quail egg on the Himalayan salt block (heated to 500 degrees) so that you could eat your fish at whatever temperature you wanted. Our meal really was prefect and it was great to see Tyler out in the dining area, very present, checking on his patrons and making sure that everyone enjoyed their time there. This may have been the best meal of my life. I know that the chef's menu changes often, if not daily. That excites me, because I am going back, as often as I can afford to. #31/365 #31/100
(5)
Nic F.

I have embarrassing food issues so restaurants like these are often humiliating experiences depending on my company. The Woodfire Grill provided a notable exception to the typical embarrassing fine-dining experience for me. We ordered the 5 course tasting menu, which includes vegetarian and pescatarian options. Our server, Gracie, provided impeccable service, and it was her first night on the floor. After we ordered a bottle of wine, Gracie asked if we needed special accommodations or had questions about anything. I shyly mentioned that I am a food weirdo and that I don't eat fruits or vegetables. She said she had never encountered a carnivore but she had great confidence that chef Tyler would be happy to accommodate. At that point, it seemed like the entire staff focused on ensuring OUR dining experience was fantastic, although I would bet that everyone else in the restaurant felt the same way. Incredible service. I'm not sure that I've ever experienced this level of attention to detail. When a course wasn't receiving the appropriate level of attention from me, someone arrived immediately to fix whatever problem I might have with the dish, although there were none. I was always just talking too much. Prior to serving the main course, the chef asked stated that it was a fish dish and if that was a problem for me, he would be happy to substitute it with a land animal dish, which was a lovely gesture, but unnecessary as I love fish, with the exception of salmon, which I mentioned. He assured me that it was not salmon and that they were a bit out of season right now. Although he checked in on us numerous times, as did our server and other members of the restaurant staff, at no time were we annoyed, nor did we feel rushed. The sole imperfection of our experience was that the servers who brought our main course mentioned that it was some sort of salmon. I was surprised after our conversation about salmon but I was still not upset in the slightest. It looked nothing like salmon, so I probably should have tried it anyway, but it went untouched for a minute or so until a staff member asked me if there was a problem. I explained and he assured me that the servers were mistaken and that it was actually black bass. Relieved, I enjoyed it completely. Definitely not a big issue. I won't list each of our courses as it appears the menu changes nightly and the tasting menus are blind. The dessert was absolutely amazing... so rich that I couldn't finish it, which is unheard of for me. This experience was incredible... everything about it. Can't say enough great things!
(5)
Jim G.

Food is pretty good. Truly Nothing special. Many better places to eat in the Buckhead area. Warning though, parking is valet only. Valet lost my keys; well they didn't lose them they just put them in another car that drove away earlier.. . Was stranded in 25 degree weather with no keys to my car or my house. Management's basic response was, "oh well mistakes happen." Sorry, not good enough.
(2)
Matt J.

My girlfriend took me here for my birthday the other night. I'm not sure what I was expecting going in, and I'm not exactly sure if I got it either. That's why I'm giving this place 3 of 5 stars. Honestly, I didn't know much about the place aside from the odd review and looking at the menu. (E.g. No idea who the evidently renowned TV chef competition contestant was). Walking in the restaurant has a warm and very Brooklyn appearance. Soft lighting and an elegant bar with a gentlemen behind it who looked like he had been plucked right off Bedford Avenue. Definitely liked that. The hostess was a little spacey, and there was some confusion as to who would take us to our table, but that was fine. Walking into the dining room we noticed that for a prime reservation at one of Atlanta's "top restaurants" the place was empty. We were given a good table and our server came by to introduce himself and hand us a single drink menu, which made decision making somewhat awkward. I took the bartender's choice with brown liquor which I did even though the waiter seemed to be steering me away from it. It came out a brown derby and not bad. When it came time for dinner and wine though I was a little annoyed. There is a tendency in "top" restaurants in Atlanta to think everyone who walks through your door is some dumb yokel who doesn't know what a tasting menu is or what wine pairings are. The waiter proceeded to tell us the "intricacies" of how both "arcane practices" are carried out. Well funny thing, I'm not from Atlanta, I'm from Manhattan. It took all the will power not to cut the guy off, but I maintained my decorum and let him finish. We went with the 7 course "grand tasting menu" and the half-glass wine pairings. Right off the bat there was confusion as we were brought the wrong wine to start, so we ended up with two glasses. A boon of a mistake, but still it lacked polish. I won't comment anymore on the wines because they were just ok, nothing mind blowing. Was disappointed that there were no domestic wines at all. Only one skimpy pour. The amuse was OK, some rhubarb reduction thing. I don't remember all of the courses, but here it goes: Foie gras torchon with jellied strawberries and mocha/malt powder: Loved the foie gras, who doesn't, strawberries were nice, but the powders caused the foie gras to taste bitter. A little unpleasant. Ahi Poke on a hot salt slab: Love poke, love salt, but the slab was so hot it unevenly overcooked the delicate fish. Still good, but better raw. Poached halibut and a cracked farm egg: Loved this one. Great texture and the egg was so fresh. I could have had this one all night long. Pork three ways: Well really two ways. I love pork so I ate it, but it wasn't special. The "smoked pork loin" was actually just Canadian bacon. It even had the rind on it. Tasted like Jimmy Dean. The pork-belly fritter was fun, but pork belly is better simply roasted or seared. Fried sweetbreads: I love sweetbreads. These were great. Not the best I've ever had, but I could eat these out of a paper bucket and be happy. Wood fire grilled beef cheek and veal tongue - How could you not love this? I just wish there had been more. It was cute though how they thought they were serving us something truly exotic. Dessert - Flour-less chocolate cake. It was OK. A little too dense for me. A little too much use of flavored foam as garnish too. Bottom Line: The staff was warm and friendly if not polished in their demeanor and presentation. The atmosphere was a little sleepy which was reflected in the clientele. The wine pairings were ultimately forgettable (What was with all of the Italian varietals?). The food gets an A- for innovation, A for presentation, B for flavor, and B+ for ingredient quality (the pork loin hurt them here). Overall a B+ experience. My suggestions: For the prices charged the staff needs to operate like a well tuned engine. They did not. Add more wood cooked items to the tasting menu, even if it comes with a supplemental cost. Diversify your wine pairings between old and new world. Allow the freshness and quality of the ingredients to shine. Wood fired means: ingredients plus heat and smoke. That's all. It would have been great to have seen that shine in the dishes.
(3)
Sant P.

Fantastic meal and service. A true dining experience. We had the 5 course Chefs choice and it was amazing.
(5)
Mike C.

I don't watch top chef. I mean yah I've seen a few episodes but that didn't make me come here. I came here on a recommendation by a local friend, so essentially I came here on an unbiased term since top chef or not, I came here to get my grub on. So if you come here on some sort of expectations, my tip for you is don't. I can assure you that you won't be disappointed as much if you didn't get what you needed. First of all, I came here solo, so eating at the bar would have sufficed. But for the first five minutes I was there, it was getting very difficult for me to breath. I guess because it was too close in vicinity of the fire brick oven. And they were very accommodating in re-seating me in the dining area. And almost immediately as I entered the dining area, the shortness in breath went away. So thanks to the management for getting a me table without reservations. Started off with a Riesling, a German made, Von Hovel. I like rieslings, but this was just a little to sweet for my pallet. For a starter, I went with the honey mussels, with pancetta, shallots, and fondue chile oil. Great presentation, lots of colors, and it wasn't too spicy that it overpowered the mussels. Next came the mushroom risotto. Hot plate, with chanterelles and gremolota. They picked the best mushrooms for this dish. For the main, I went with the Hudson Valley duck breast. Served medium rare. It's just a fatty good piece of meat cut into several small pieces. Served with green cabbage, orange butter and a 100 yr old balsamic drizzled all over the plate. And for a finale, I had to get something that was unique to the rest. The banana pain perdu came with vanilla ice cream, caramel, and candied bacon on the top. Yes bacon!!! You definitely get a good mix of sweet and salty on every bite. Ambiance is a bit dressy. Though it just gets too loud. So it defeats the purpose of going out and celebrating something with someone. But I ate by myself anyway, so it didn't really matter. Still overall, a pretty good experience. Next time I fly into the ATL, this will be on my hit list again.
(4)
Julee D.

What an amazing place. The best wine list and wonderful farm to table options. I enjoyed the foie gras, beet salad, and striped bass. I recommend this place to any foodie out there.
(5)
Mychael W.

Woodfire Grill is absolutely my favorite restaurant in Atlanta, and possibly the country. The service was amazing, the food was delicious, and the fact that Chef Gillespie was there when we went was a bonus. We were big fans of his when he was on Top Chef, so it was great to meet him in person. He actually came up to me after our meal and asked what we thought, and then took a picture with my wife and me. I won't bother describing each dish because the menu changes and many of the items aren't on there anymore. Just know that every single one was amazing and you need to try them! I will talk about the dessert though. Oh my gosh, the banana bread pain perdue topped with banana ice cream and candied bacon...It was possibly the best dessert I've ever had. The slight sweetness of the bread & ice cream with the saltiness and hint of sweetness from the bacon was to die for. If it's not on the menu when you go, ask if they have the ingredients to make it just for you! It's been a while since we went and tomorrow's my birthday. I may need to drop a couple of hints around to the wife....
(5)
Andy S.

Went here and all of us had amazing meals. We started with the mushroom risotto, heirloom tomatoes and the pork belly and they were all delicious. 2 of us got the pork chops since that is Kevin's specialty. The other 2 got the halibut and I was able to try a bite and if I was not a fan of all pork products I would have gone with the fish. The service was fantastic and the waitress knew her stuff both with the food and the wine which we had 2 nice bottles of. Lastly we tried one of the peach deserts and although it was not what I was expecting based off of the description on the menu it was delicious. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Atlanta looking for locally sourced ingredients that are in season. I think next time though I will be indulging in the tasting menu.
(5)
Joel A.

Our anniversary dinner at Woodfire Grill was Indescribably Wonderful! The five-course blind tasting with wine pairings is amazing from the service (friendly, extremely efficient, solicitous of our special needs, but not intrusive) to the courses themselves (see below) to the amazing extras (like a taste of artichoke soup topped with cherry bubbles between courses). It was a wonderful night, absolutely worth the (substantial) price. The indescribable part is the food itself. Chef Tyler Williams combined unexpected and amazing ingredients in each course that made the taste Explode in our mouths. For example, our first course was beet tartare, creme fraich, toasted pecans with local endives and a huckleberry vinaigrette. I would never have chosen this dish a la carte, but it was spectacular! My favorite course was the crispy Georgia white shrimp & local grits, with a spiced tomato gravy. What a combo! We also had wood grilled guinea hen with an amazing combo of local veggies, smoked pork loin and apricot glazed belly with smoked collard greens. I've always found belly to be fatty and gross in the past, yet it was somehow wonderful. Dessert to die for: a dark chocolate, hazelnut, sour cherry concoction so yummy. A couple of words of warning: 1) the bread (fresh baked with homemade ricotta butter) is apparently crack-infused. We couldn't stop and my wife regretted it by the fourth course. 2) The cocktail menu is awesome and unique, but if you go there you will have to choose between finishing the awesome paired wines and walking home (or walking at all) after the meal. Definitely take a cab if that is an option and then go for it. But go! Woodfire Grill is an experience you should not miss. PS's: @Regina Q: Just ell the waiter you don't eat pork...they will adjust for you. My wife is allergic to mushrooms and they cooked around it! No prob. @Elizabeth B: Yes, this is fine dining. Make a reservation, even mid-week. Nice casual dress is appropriate.
(5)
Laura L.

My husband and I relocated to Atlanta last August from Boston, and we're big foodies. Woodfire grill was our first eating out experience after our move, and it has spoiled us terribly. We've been to all the big restaurants, and still none are better than woodfire. We went back a second time and it was even better than the first. The decor and staff are both nicely unpretentious, and the food is creative and fabulous. The chef even came and cleared our table for us when he heard from our waitress how much we enjoyed it. I can't wait to go back again.
(5)
Shafin D.

We came on a Thursday night for my brother's birthday. My friends ordered the chef's tasting menu and claimed the food was amazing (when Gillespie was chef). I was very disappointed. We ordered a la carte, and maybe my palate is too unexperienced to appreciate the subtle hints of flavor, but I felt the elements of each dish did not vibe. The pairings within each dish did not vibe, and for $70 a person with just food, I would expect to be blown away. I would not eat this food for free. The only thing that makes up for it was the service.--it was impeccable. My mom asked our server to explain half the things on the menu which annoyed me and my brother, but our server was unfazed--bravo. This was three weeks after going to Gunshow, Gillespie's new restaurant. I believe the food there is among the best I've tasted. My recommendation--skip Gillespie's sloppy seconds and go straight to Gunshow, you won't miss anything.
(2)
Tom C.

Meh.... This place has quite a reputation. Last night, I took an our-of-town guest there, at his request. I told him beforehand that Atlanta has a great food scene, and we could go anywhere he'd like. This is what he picked, relying on its reputation. I was terribly underwhelmed. We arrived early and had a few drinks, which were very, very good. The bar was quiet and peaceful. We then took our table, and from there things were just so-so. The food was good, don't get me wrong. But, it was still a letdown. I had the salad of local lettuces, and the striped bass. My dinner companions all had either the same salad or the soup. For dinner, folks at the table had the duck and the beef. Dessert was too creative without much in the way of content. The deconstructed s'more was fine but very rich and generally not really anything I'd call a stand out. The service was fine. Nothing super, but nothing there was nothing wrong with it. The booth in which we sat was a bit uncomfortable, with these pillows that were not really working for me (or anyone else, for that matter). It is also worth noting that this place is definitely out of line with the prices they charge - it's really a $50-60 per person kind of restaurant that charges closer to $70-80 per person (with tip, dinner for 4 was $350). In the end, I'm only giving this place 3 stars because I think it's over-hyped, way overpriced, and definitely not somewhere I'd want to work into my rotation of regulars like JCT, TWO, Fourth & Swift, Eugene, etc. Those places offer more exciting food, better values (some are cheaper, some are just better for the price), and more of a really compelling dining experience.
(3)
Dan B.

Went for an anniversary dinner in May. So, not great. Bread was stale on several pieces. The first plates were good. -- salad and green fried tomatoes. They magically ran out of the wine we ordered, but had the more expensive vintage available. Come on, that is bush league tactics for a restaurant of this quality. Did not even offer to adjust the price. We both had the steak. Seasoned well but very tough. For the price, just not that good. Can't figure what all the fuss is about. Did we miss something?
(2)
patrick t.

We ate at the bar and bartender was rude and generally just kind of a jerk. The food was OK but I'll likely not return due to the service.
(2)
Kristin B.

Kevin Gillespie's last time manning the kitchen at Woodfire Grill was New Year's Eve 2012, so it only seems appropriate that my first review of 2013 should be for this spot. After soliciting advice from yelpers as to the best fancy and splurge-worthy dinner in Atlanta, I suggested both Woodfire Grill and Bacchanalia to my dad for our annual dinner celebrating an early Christmas. He selected Woodfire Grill. When you arrive, there's complimentary valet. Inside the restaurant, there is a small bar inside and to the left, and two small rooms up at the front with couches and chairs, which would make an excellent spot to wait on the rest of your party to arrive. The hostess stand is back by the bar, slightly hidden from the front door, but a server met us as soon as we walked in and guided us to the stand. As this was during that week of almost freakishly cold Atlanta weather, I appreciated that they offered a coat check for my heavy jacket. The atmosphere is warm, and I thought it struck the perfect balance between feeling special and fancy while still relaxed and comfortable. Once seated, we both selected the chef's tasting menu for dinner, which was absolutely the right move. Though the the plates going to other tables from the regular menu looked delicious, I cannot imagine anything more enjoyable than what we ate. Ever single item was just delicious. Though they offer full and half glass wine pairings along with the tasting menu, I asked for just a single glass of their recommendation to be brought with the entree courses. If you're not up for five (or even 2.5) glasses of wine, this method is a good call, because they selected a perfect wine that went with both our quail and pork main courses. Our tasting menu began with an amuse-bouche (served in a spoon) of caramelized pears, an appetizer of raw tuna, another starter of crispy trout, a "shooter" of roasted cauliflower soup, an entree sized portion of roasted quail, another main of pork two ways with roasted pork belly and smoked pork loin, and a dessert of deconstructed s'more. All of these descriptions sound so plain here, but they were all amazing, with unique flavors, complicated executions, and beautifully plated with interesting sides and accompaniments before being served by knowledgeable wait staff who fully explained all of the details and nuances of each dish and kept them coming in perfect timing. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be a three way tie between the tuna (quite possibly the best, most delicate raw fish I've ever had), the quail (grilled medium rare -who knew that was possible?! Not me.), and the deconstructed s'more (homemade marshmallow fluff topped with salted caramel sauce? Yes please). Now that Kevin Gillespie is gone and I've crossed this Atlanta institution off of my restaurant bucket list, I don't know that I'll be back, but it was a really nice meal all around.
(4)
Eric S.

Definitely one of the best overall dining experiences of my life. From the excellent tasting menu to the wine pairings, this place was amazing. Make sure that you take a few moments pre or post dinner to sit at the bar. The mixologist here is one of the most well versed and passionate I've ever met.
(5)
Angela M.

It's been a hard couple of weeks for me, capping off the less than easiest year, so I was thrilled when my darling husband not only said we should do something, but made reservations and even got a babysitter! We started with a cocktail at the bar. I love that the bartenders are tatted up and have neatly groomed beards, but wear dapper vests showing off great style. I got the wassail, which was slightly citrusy, appropriate for the season. It packed a lot of punch in a little glass. We decided on the 5 course chefs tasting menu. We wanted wine, but we're out of practice, and babysitters aren't cheap, so we explained that we'd like a half glass served early as a white and half glass served later as a red so that we were sharing something but not breaking the bank or getting too tipsy. While complicated, the servers took it in stride, no problems. The amuse was goat cheese, beet, and something green... Delicious! The first course was yellow tail crudo with radish and some micro greens. So fresh, perfect temperature, great blend of textures and flavors, with just enough flavor from the garnishes to accent the yellow tail itself. The second course was trout with mashed potatoes and pickled tomato. Definitely my favorite course of the night - perfectly cooked fish, great combination of textures and flavors. This dish could make me a pescatarian. The third course was quail. The quail wasn't quite as tender as I would have liked, but I loved that the server encouraged us to pick up the legs with our hands rather than trying to be dainty and cut around it. I don't recall the puree underneath or he coulee (hibiscus?), but it worked quite well with the quail. The fourth course was pork tenderloin and pork belly. Honestly, after salivating over Kevin's pork dishes on the show, I was a little disappointed in the flavor profile. It was intentional, and well-executed, but it was a little like I was expecting chocolate and got mint instead - still good, just not what I would have chosen. The fifth (dessert) was deconstructed twix - buttermilk ice cream, a block of chocolate, malted milk crumbles, and a walnut tuile. The portion was big, the ice cream was great, but I'm more of a fruit dessert person, so it just wasn't my thing. The last morsels were blackberry jelly candies - excellent last flavors. And they gave us bags of hot chocolate to go. While some of the courses were not flavors that I prefer, I still managed to eat every morsel. Everything was beautifully executed. The portions were just enough that I was sated but not overly full. The wines paired nicely. And the atmosphere is cozy on a chilly and gray winter's eve. #Yelp365 - 365/365
(5)
Nina D.

This is the best restaurant (in a high-quality kind of way) I have been to after spending years in Boston. Great staff, delicious courses with fresh ingredients that seem to melt in your mouth and a nice ambience -- don't be deceived by its outdoor "rough" appearance - that only adds to its charm. This place is the real deal. Expect to drop some $$$ but it's totally worth it for a celebration or special occasion.
(5)
Karen B.

I have been here 3 different times now. It was delicious! We took our daughter for her "first" gourmet meal. Chef Tayler is not only a chef but a food chemist. It was amazing what he did with gold fish crackers and grouper. The staff is amazing, atmosphere is great, and food is off the map. Always a great time at woodfire grill.
(5)
Jules S.

After falling out of favor once the celebrity chef was no longer at the helm, I wondered if Woodfire Grill would be much ado about nothing. After all Eater dropped it from their list of must-try restaurants. But my colleagues and I decided to try it anyway on a Friday night regardless. Reservations were fairly easy to get on a Tuesday (they called 2x to confirm!). We were greeted with superb service but honestly were a bit surprised by the plain jane restaurant upfit. I liked the open wood fired grill but the place could very easily turn into a pizza place in its next life. Really the ambiance and scummy bathrooms were the only reason to dock it a star. However, there was nothing ordinary about the 5 star service and excellent food. Usually I don't partake in bread, but their homemade biscuits and rolls with champagne herbs de Provence butter were to die for. Our amuse bouche of lentils with micro celery was also delicious even though I hate celery. We planned to indulge in desserts and we already had wine so we skipped the first and second course to go straight for the entrÃ©e. Their menu changes but if they do have the opportunity to get the tilefish, seize it. Many people don't know what tilefish tastes like but it's a nice buttery white fish that when pan broiled with butter, tastes like lobster. All 3 of us had that and when the meal came out (I also ordered a side of roasted beets) I was worried I was still going to be hungry, but that wasn't the case at all and I had plenty of delicious beets with romano leftover. Everything was cooked to perfection and the sauce on the fish was complex and delicious. Most importantly, we arrived at the main course. Our server recommended the toffee pudding (and as much as possible) but after all ordering the tilefish we decided to get three different sweets: toffee pudding, carrot cake and "milk and cookies" which was a delicious salted rich chocolate ganache with a fun ice cream and cookie. The chocolate was the star. However, the star of the whole meal was the toffee pudding, indeed, and we regret only getting 1. The cake complimented the toffee sauce perfectly and the flavors were complex, sweet and buttery. Good LAWD. It was worth the drive from Charlotte for that damn pudding and probably ranks in my top 5 desserts of all time. It also made up for the godawful dry carrot cake with disgusting ice cream. At the end of the night we were all full but didn't hate ourselves either which was a great feeling. Would I come back? Definitely, for the entrÃ©e and toffee pudding - major standouts. Ambiance was just so-so with the lack of buzz and basic dÃ©cor.
(4)
Lauren Z.

We dined at Woodfire last year for my birthday. Everything was impeccable. We went for the 5-course tasting menu, with wine pairings. The 5-course was perfect, between the amount of food and the timing (and from what I've heard, the 7-course can feel a bit drawn-out). Would definitely recommend the wine pairings as well - a great compliment to the meal, and worth every penny. Kevin Gillespie (my total chef crush) was working the woodfire station that night, so I spent a good part of the night ogling him (apologies to my then boyfriend, now husband).
(5)
Chris H.

I have been salivating about this place for years and decided to roll the dice and try to get a table on a Thursday night. Kevin Gillespie was there and graciously took a photo with us. The wait staff was superbly trained and over the top attentive. The food was so worth the wait. I love local Organic food and nobody does it better than Woodfire Grill. Yes, it's very expensive but...Aren't YOU worth it?
(5)
susan c.

Four of us went last night to Woodfire Grill to celebrate anniversaries. The other couple were our hosts, and they had requested a private dinning room, which was lovely...especially since my husband has a little trouble hearing. First of all, the mood was intimate, classy and relaxing (a Slow Food restaurant). Right off the bat, the impression was good. We had contacted the restaurant ahead of time, via email and via Open Table, re: my gluten-free, dairy-free needs. So, as soon as I mentioned that, the waitress was aware, amenable and well-versed in what my options could be. She also said she would speak with the chef specifically, about what they could offer me. Very professionally handled. And that put me at ease immediately. There's little worse (for me) than feeling like there will not be a good meal for me coming in the evening out AND that I will have to do the explaining and educating re: my dietary needs....with a blank look on the face of waitstaff as they try to grasp what I'm saying. My fellow diners ordered non-GF appetizers, so the waitress brought me some spring radishes with EVOO. Not on the menu, and very nice of her. The stone salad was GF, DF and delish. Our group ordered 2 grouper dinners, one steak and the pork loin. The grouper (mine with vegetables) was perfect & delicious. Steak was reportedly good, too. Pork loin was so-so, tho the pork belly side item was exceptional, and the black forest bread pudding was amazing (per hubby). A little disappointed there was no GF, DF sorbet dessert option, but the herbal tea was delish. Overall, this was a very special evening. Better experience than when we were here 3 years ago. Excellent service. Excellent chef..Tyler Williams. Lovely mood and surroundings. Very much recommend a private dining room experience, if possible (no idea of cost, as it was a gift).
(4)
Jennifer K.

Bleh. I really don't understand the good reviews. It's not bad, but it's not good, and I spent a lot. Service was way under par, almost embarrassing.
(2)
Mary K.

Finally - a place in Atlanta where meat lovers and vegetarians can go and have a phenomenal meal! I took a group of co-workers here, 10 in total, with very high standards and everyone loved their meal. The service is fantastic and the options are great. Ahead of time, I got a call asking for dietary restrictions, so when we arrive they had paleo and vegetarian menus available. We opted to do a la carte, and I had a beet salad; tempura poached egg; and lentil loaf with brussel sprouts. All were amazing. Our server Larry was awesome!
(5)
Asma A.

With all the hype on yelp, I just had to go and try this place out. But I honestly think that this place was okay. It's not too great to the point where I'm like oh my god it's the best or one of the best I have had. Instead it's more like eh... It's alright. I would say its not one of the best nor the worst. Its just in between. On the upside, The service was great... If your in the area and have time stop by and give it a try. But in my opinion the food is not worth the amount of money you end up spending on it.
(3)
Anna H.

We went to Woodfire Grill knowing that Kevin of Top Chef fame was leaving and that EJ was taking over. I was fully prepared to be disappointed. I am after all, one of those, picky foodie types. HOWEVER, the seven course tasting menu was amazing! The wine pairings were spot on. I think it would be interesting to try the menu with the beer pairings that they also offer. It is definitely a splurge place, not an everyday meal place for me, but everything that I put in my mouth was excellent. I loved that they did it as a true Chef's Tasting Menu only asking if we had any food allergies, and then starting the dinner. I liked not knowing what was coming with each course. The service was excellent, and it took less than five minutes after we arrived for us to be shown to our table. At the end of the evening I was very glad that we had chosen to take a taxi and not drive to the dinner.
(5)
Ms. M.

4.5* Woodfire Grill is definitely a special occasion type of restaurant. We were celebrating my birthday, and they definitely did it right, from seating us at a table with a view of the woodfire grill & oven, to printing personalized menus for us both at the beginning of the meal and at the end with a list of everything we ate, to putting a candle on our dessert. We went for the 5-course tasting menu, which ended up being more like 8 courses counting the amuse, the "taste" in between the 2nd and 3rd courses, and a mignardise. Hoping to be able to try more than just the same five dishes for two people, we opted for one regular and one pescatarian menu, and it worked out well. Three of the five courses were the same (tuna tartare, crispy trout, and dessert), but two were different (pasta vs. quail, grouper vs. lamb). When the fourth course meat dish came out and it was lamb instead of their signature pork loin & belly combo and we expressed our disappointment that we did not get the opportunity to try their signature dish, the server immediately made things right by giving us an extra course of pork to enjoy. Needless to say, the service was top notch -- care & attention to detail, but not intrusive, yet still very attentive. Our server in particular also answered our pesky questions about what all the hand signals meant and how the back kitchen and the woodfire station work together throughout service. It was also a lot of fun watching the grillmasters work their station all night. Too bad Chef Kevin Gillespie wasn't there -- otherwise the evening would've been perfect!
(4)
Andy P.

I really wanted to like this place. It was good but not great. Definitely underwhelmed. There just wasn't a lot of depth and complexity to the flavors of anything I had. Would not consider this in the same ballpark as food other great Southern chefs are serving in the ATL and beyond.
(3)
Derek B.

My wife and I came here for our anniversary last year. To be honest we may or may not have come only because of a certain TV show. Well not entirely, after watching Kevin on TV, we could tell we would love his food. And we did. I've been trying to convince my wife of the wonders of duck for several years now and this place sealed the deal. Both of us would come back for that dish alone. My only complaint was that we didn't see Kevin :(
(5)
Raul C.

This is probably best place I have dined in Atlanta. For those who know the food scene in Charleston, SC, this place compares to FIG. Service was excellent and the owner is a sommelier, so he has wine pairing (by the glass) recommendations for each plate. I started with the pate and followed that with the trout for my main course. Only complaint was that the pate was baked into too much bread and the dark chocolate spread may have made this just as good as a desert than an appetizer. The trout was excellent, with a crispy skin, while the meat was tender with good flavor. I had the dark chocolate cake for desert. A little heavy, but if you are a fan of cake and dark chocolate you will like. The service, as mentioned, was excellent, with a to go granola snack compliments of the chef. Perfect for my return travels to Miami. I gave it 4 stars because this was my first visit. I will definitely try it again.
(4)
Sharon L.

We stopped in here on a random Wednesday night at 6 pm on a whim and had a horrible experience. We didn't have reservations so we planned on waiting for a table. Upon entering we were asked if we had reservations but could see that the dining room was empty. We were told, haughtily by a very pompous host that there would be a 20 minute wait for a table. We accepted and sat at the bar to get drinks. The bartender was also very aloof and was way too busy chatting up the young girls at the end of the bar to be bothered with serving us drinks. After 15 minutes had elapsed the same lovely host came and said, "I'm sorry but the wait is actually going to be 40 minutes LONGER unless you would like to sit at a table that is usually for 2 where we could squeeze your party of 3 into." We let him know that that was not necessary and left to go to Ecco where we got right in and had a lovely meal, as always. I have no issue with waiting for a table at a place where I did not make a reservation, however, on a Wednesday night, at a reasonably early hour, when the dining room is empty, to be denied a table based on a lack of reservation is just ridiculous. I don't care how good the food is, if the atmosphere is so snobby that I don't feel comfortable, it's not good enough!
(1)
Hieu H.

Stepping into Woodfire Grille is kinda like stepping into a late 80s or early 90s, or even 70s time-wrap. The decor feels a little out-dated and the lounge/bar area feels right out of an era when "continental" dining reigned supreme. I half expected to see waiters in black ties and white gloves. The atmosphere felt a little stuffy and tired. Located along a stretch of Cheshire Bridge with sex shops and strip clubs as neighbors, Woodfire Grill looks and feels out of place. "I feel like we're the youngest ones here," I whispered to my date. How can such a young and exciting chef such as Kevin Gillespie still be associated with this place? Known for spinning the concept of "Southern" food on its head, I would have thought the Top Chef runner-up would have high-tailed it out of Dodge a long time ago. Or like Richard Blais, open up a glitzy, although vapid, "concept" restaurant. And indeed, there have been recent rumblings of Gillispe parting ways with this dying dinosaur of a restaurant. Like a shining light, his food acts as the lone bright star. Always inventive, playful, and innovative, Gillespie's culinary point of view shines thru an otherwise drab space. To fully appreciate the full spectrum of the chef's tasteful prowress, opt for the ever-changing tasting menu. A delightful exploration of flavors and textures with a Southern Twist, and always with a focus on local and seasonal fresh products.
(4)
Enrico N.

Had the porkchop and the "brown sugar pie" The first started me with a "gift" from the chef, a tiny ginger compressed plum. Interesting, I guess it was a good palate cleanser. Perhaps a bit over complex for something so tiny. They provided basket with some biscuits. Not bad, could have used more butter as they were a little bland for my tastes. Porkchop came. The plate looked nice, with pretty grill marks. On the side, they had some sort of savory oatmeal and some sweet potato chips. An apple sauce on the bottom. Now when I ordered, the waiter warned me that they prefer to cook it "medium/medium-rare", I said "perfect". I sliced this one open and there was no pink to be found. a little tough to eat. When the waiter came by, I said it seemed. He said "well, it's pork". I said "well, didn't you say "medium/medium-rare"? He said he would go and check what could be done with the chef. I was surprised he didn't offer to take it back. Now the entire time, a waitress seemed to be shadowing him. IT seemed like he was in training perhaps as she would serve me as well. She came by and said she was surprised and most people ask it to be cooked more. I showed her the pork and said "medium means some pink right?". She agreed, I guess, and offered to bring it back to be re done. Later, the manager, I assume, came by and thanked me for giving them another chance. The second plate came. Plate looked a bit more sloppy, not really much in grill marks even. The pork was cooked better although one corner (where some of that fat was) seemed fairly raw. I was fairly hungry at this point so I just told them it was fine. Overall it tasted good. The dish seemed a bit over complicated with all the flavors. For $30, I expected something a little better put together or at least cooked perfectly. I had just had a pork chop at south city the night before and that was cooked perfectly and fairly simple. I decided to get dessert. I got the brown sugar pie which was basically a candied pear tart with ice cream. I asked if it was warm and was told yes. When it came, it wasn't very warm. The pears were indeed candied. Crust wasnt too flaky. I suspect they may have taken a torch to it to get the sugar to the hard stage. Unfortunately by doing so, parts of the crust was burnt. There's browning and burnt. So I'd get the super sweet tart mixed with bitter pastry all barely at room temperature. There was honey ice cream on top but I couldnt taste any honey over the sugar and burnt crust. Another over-complicated dish. Service was pretty good. Both waiters came by to check on me. The "manager" did come by and thank me again for giving them another chance. So overall, I'd say it was a decent meal. I understand why this place is so such a fancy restaurant and perhaps why it is rated so well. However, in my opinion, the chef should focus less on over-complicated dishes and more on execution. It's a pretty golden rule that you get the basics right before moving on. Especially before charging so much for a dish. For the price and the quality, I'm not sure if I'd return.
(3)
Jamie W.

I was here last night and I can't speak highly enough about this place. We called last minute and not only did they accommodate us they gave us a private dining room. The waiter was very knowledgable about the food and the wine and was able to make great suggestions to go with the food. Although expensive I would gladly eat and spend the money again. They certainly know how to take care of their customers with little free bites now and again. I had the rabbit which included some of the organs which were cooked to perfection and although it was not my usual type of food I would gladly eat it again.
(5)
Wendy G.

I was lucky enough to be taken to Woodfire for my birthday and it was an amazing experience from start to finish. Was surprised the restaurant was located on Cheshire Bridge, but you would have hardly noticed with the valet and spot on service upon arrival. If it's your first time or a special occasion, I highly recommend the chef's tasting menu for either 5 or 7 courses. Both tasting menus have wine or beer pairings as an optional addition to the dining experience. It's not NYC pricey, but Woodfire it not for casual dining. It's upscale and yet comfortable at the same time. Though former Executive Chef and co-owner Kevin Gillespie (Top Chef) is no longer there, Chef E.J. Hodgkinson (former Chef de Cuisine) ensures that you'll still be getting that amazing experience I had for my birthday. One really nice touch - my menu had a personal Happy Birthday greeting on it for me with the date. One of Atlanta's best restaurants by far!
(5)
Aglaia T.

I went here with my family for my birthday. Our reservation was 9PM and wasnt seated until almost 9:40PM!!! We ordered the 7 meal course with wine pairing. Some of the dishes were A-OK and too salty!, It didnt really blew my mind. One thing that i can definitely say is their staff(waiter/waitresses) were very knowledgeable We had JR as our main server. He was great! Would I recommend this place? Sorta...
(3)
Mandie M.

Absolutely fantastic food, Kevin Gillespie really shows his talents. The pork belly was amazing. Very elaborate drink menu with knowledgeable wine connoisseurs to help with choosing the perfect wine for your meal. I will recommend Woodfire Grill to anyone looking for a 5-star place to eat in Atlanta.
(5)
Orrin A.

We've been here twice. 1st time: 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings. Sat at the bar and chatted with the bartenders. Very fun. All of our dishes were quite good. First time doing a tasting menu so that was fun, but in the end just way too much food and drink by the end for our tastes. Maybe a once a year thing. 2nd time: Regular menu. Have to say I was not really satisfied the 2nd time. First two courses were just OK, nothing special. I was stunned that my entree (steak) was tough as nails. This place has "grill" in it's name...what gives? Service both times was good. Will probably give this place a 3rd chance at some point but I won't rush back. Last point: "Doctor's Orders" cocktail is officially the best mixed drink I have ever had. Bartender who created the drink was very kind to give me a basic overview of the recipe. Thanks!
(3)
Elizabeth B.

Came on a Wednesday night, dressed inappropriately for the niceness of the place. Was told the wait was several minutes so we grabbed drinks at the bar. Bartender was more interested in keeping the girls at the end of the bar (who already had their food) happy. Host told us that it was actually a much longer wait and we could wait more or get food at the bar. AAAAnd, if he could get us a table it would probably be one for two people and we could cram our third person in there. Decidedly, we left our so-so wine and high-tailed it to Ecco -who seated us immediately and waited on us hand and foot (in my white jean shorts and all). For a threesome who goes out to dinner at least once a week and drops about $75-$100 per person every time, Woodfire Grill no longer makes the cut for us. It's at least half about the customer service folks.
(1)
Anita C.

I've been here two times and the first time I met Kevin. I can't quite remember what I ordered but I remember they have awesome sweet breads. The second time I went with the chef's 5 course tasting menu. My favorite courses were the 4th course and dessert. The fourth course he selected the smoked berkshire pork loin which was amazing. The dessert course was called "twix" which is buttermilk carmelized sweet onion ice cream on top of milk chocolate gel. The sweet onion ice cream sounds "different" but I assure you it's one of the best desserts I have tasted and I'm not a fan of dessert. Although you don't have much of a choice with the blind/tasting menu, but I highly recommend it because it's fun not knowing and if you're adventurous and like to try new things, I think this is the way to go. He also pairs each course with a different wine and the whole thing was just a fun experience! I would definitely go again!
(5)
Danny L.

I would imagine if you can get past the pompous host that explains that they are on a wait when the restaurant is clearly empty and experience some of the food detailed in the positive reviews of this restaurant it might be halfway decent. I figured that willingness to spend $100.00 per person for dinner was enough to justify walking into a restaurant. May be the stuffiest place in Atlanta. Bad feel, bad atmosphere. Would pass this place to eat a bad fast food burger at McDonald's.
(1)
Brian C.

Smoky, succulent pork like you've never had it , it literally melts in your mouth. Go for the gusto and try the seven-course tasting menu - you will want to try as many flavors as you can while you're there, because they are all so good. We ate at the bar and had a great time, awesome service, and friend;y staff.
(5)
Rich G.

It was hands down my best dinner in Atlanta yet. Yeah. So good. It was my birthday dinner with just me and my wife (her treat...I got me a good wife!). We opted for the five-course chef's selections with my only point that I don't like cauliflower and broccoli. I'm too lazy to go out to the car and reiterate each of the courses verbatim (they printed copies of our menus). It was awesome and, when they found out it was my birthday, our server brought me a dessert port and some warm puddingish, gooey, sugary goodness that was just amazing on top of the dessert of smoked vanilla bean ice cream and chocolate on a marshmallow smear. Phew! Needless to say we had ceviche, trout, pheasant, lamb and the dessert. Whoa! filling a little bit of time between a couple of the courses were some treats from the chef. It wasn't cheap. We had one instance when we had a hard time getting someone's attention, but that was far outweighed by the overall quality of the service, preparation, presentation and the meal. The best part was that the dishes were good without being too pretentious. Go when you have some time and a little spare cash to spend. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
(5)
Stephen D.

Very well cooked steak. Patrons can see chefs cooking in the open grill near the front. Steak is cooked right on the wood fire grill (go figure) and results in being extremely flavorful!
(4)
Julie M.

Had dinner last night with a group of colleagues, and overall everyone really loved their meals. I give 4 and not 5 stars because of the heirloom tomato salad I ordered. It was good - but the tomatoes were cold. A)Tomatoes should never be refrigerated and B) Cold tomatoes aren't nearly as flavorful as room temperature ones. And it's an assault on the senses to bite into a freezing cold tomato. The corona beans it was served with were almost enough to rescue the salad, they were so good. But I cannot forgive cold tomatoes. I then had the pork belly - so delicious, and the grouper. Both really, really delicious. Those pickled okra on the grouper should be canned and sold, they were fantastic. Dessert was the peanut butter panna cotta, which I thoroughly enjoyed, though the texture of the panna cotta was much more dense and firm than any panna cotta I've ever had. Texture aside, it was still very delicious. Service was great. As the only woman with 3 male colleagues, we were not really enthused about the booth we were originally seated at. We eventually were seated at a round table with much more room, and were very happy there.
(4)
Rayandra S.

Woodfire Grill is an Atlanta staple. I have visited on numerous occasions (both pre and post-Nicolas Quinones ownership) and I have been extremely pleased each time. The bar is cozy and the mixologists are fantastic. If you have a hankering for cucumber and ginger, the Farmer's Daughter is an amazing cocktail. The restaurant itself is comfortable and inviting. The frequently changing menu offers an array of delicious nibbles and main courses. Last night, my dining companions and I sampled everything from the halibut to the steak, with the samosas and lobster and avocado salad to start. The meal was finished with the goat cheese cheesecake and the Nutella bread pudding. The wine list is excellent, and if you are able, the chef's tasting menus are outstanding (include the wine pairings, if you can). This is a solid place for business dining, as well. Fantastic!
(5)
Andy S.

We had an absolutely wonderful experience at Woodfire Grill. My lady and I love to eat out, and do it probably a little too often...and I must say that this was a top 5 experience of all time. The rib-eye for 2, high class buffalo chicken thigh, squash ravioli and each amuse-bouche were perfect. To top it off, Executive Chef Tyler Williams came out 4/5 times to check on us (seems like a super cool guy) and ask about our food and experience. Our waiter was also great, rounding out the amazing customer service. A definite recommendation for any special occasion.
(5)
Tammi D.

I was so excited to check this place out, being that I am a huge foodie, and love Top Chef. However, I was really disappointed in the meal. I would not go back, and honestly the service was terrible. It's overly priced for sub-average food. Would not go back.
(2)
Steffanie R.

I am so blown away at how amazing my dinner was. I had the 5 course Chef's dinner and it was prepared Gluten Free since I have celiacs. First course was Shrimp with marinated black olives (3 stars) Second course was local trout, WOW. Never had trout before and it was so good. (5 stars) Third course was 2 quails with popcorn (liquefied, powder and actual pop corn) Being from California eating my state bird was a little weird but tasty(4 stars) Fouth course Pork Belly (of course there was bacon) So smoke and just so tasty (5 stars) Final course desert I got chocolate gelato and olive oil gelato with solid olive oil powder, different and so Delicious. (4 stars) Customer Service at the bar was so great. Blake was at the bar and was just awesome. I was informed when you give them your info they will record what you ate so when you do the chef's course so that you don't get doubles. You can't ask for anything better than that!!! Customer Service (6 stars) Sadly I missed the Top Chef himslef Kevin, he just got married and is away until October CONGRATS KEVIN I LOVE YOUR PLACE!!!
(5)
Michael P.

I wish Yelp gave half-star options... because this place is a SOLID 4.5 stars. However... a hair shy of 5-star quality. The food was excellent, service was impeccable and the dining environment is classy without being stuffy. It is well-laid out, in a way that is open yet intimate. Food was just a hair below 5-star quality, and parking is a challenge (valet only... which for some reason irks me). Pricing (while not inexpensive) is appropriate for the quality. Expect $100pp if you do not do the tasting menu... but more than $100pp if you do the tasting menu (with drinks). I'll be back... but special occasions only.
(4)
Carol A.

The Love of My Life took me to Woodfire Grill to celebrate my birthday. Awesome choice! This was our first visit since Chef Matthew Weinstein became Executive Checf, and we were very happy with his food! He came by the table to say hello which was nice. He is extremely personable and should be a great asset to keeping the reputation of this restaurant at it's best. It was actually refreshing to have a Chef with obviously great skills not be arrogant :). As far as the food, the popcorn soup was a delightful choice. Different, but wonderful flavours paired together. We had the roasted beet salad and foie gras mousse, but didn't find anything special with them. Not bad, just nothing special. The wood grilled Cheshire white pork chop was delicious! Cooked perfectly, was tender and juicy. It was served with a savory oatmeal and a crispy, roasted kale. Yum! We had the wood grill ribeye that was cooked perfectly. Served with rattlesnake bean and a potato purÃ©e that was delicious. Since it was my birthday, they brought us a peach pie with toasted almond ice cream...delish! The food was delightful, but even better is that they made us feel welcome and special. Since it was noted about my birthday in the reservation, they placed us at a wonderful table, had a Happy Birthday message to me on the menu, made sure that the roses delivered earlier were at the table and beautifully displayed. A fantastic evening...we will definitely be back!
(4)
Abror S.

The service was great and prompt. Our waitress was very attentive and pleasant. However, the salad was frozen in the middle. We let the issue be known to the server, but I guess she forgot about it.
(3)
David N.

It's been about a year since I last put my two cents in on my favorite Atlanta restaurant. The Chef du Cuisine E.J. Hodgkinson has since stepped up to manage the day-to-day menu and the food remains as good as it's always been. I've seen a handful of severely negative reviews recently and cannot fathom the complaints being described as coming from this same place. To meit's like reading a product review where someone has uselessly rated an item with 1-star because the item they bought broke during shipping - hence they never even used it in the first place to form an actual opinion. Fortunately, the quality of Woodfire has garnered such a volume of positive attention that this noise is deservedly lost in the signal. And that signal is that Woodfire Grill is the best restaurant I've found in Atlanta bar none. I'm not a native, but having moved here four years ago I've been to most of the highest rated restaurants around the city. This is the one I come back to again and again. I always get the blind tasting menu and, to date, I've now eaten over 100 distinct dishes and have never left a morsel on a single plate. If that doesn't speak to the quality, creativity, and consistency of this establishment, I can think of no higher honor. That's more than 20 5-course tasting menus and not a single repeat dish, nor a single dish that wasn't perfectly conceived and prepared. For both business and pleasure Woodfire is my goto destination for a fantastic dinner experience. We've always been treated magnificently by the host, manager, and wait staff, and they're always going all out to make our evening a celebration to remember. I first tried Woodfire after seeing Kevin compete on Top Chef Las Vegas. There was a novelty to trying the restaurant of a "celebrity" chef. I've gone back more than 20 times because the food is just that good, regardless of whether they're cooking anything from trout, venison, lamb, quail, scallops - the list goes on and it doesn't matter because it's all exceptionally delicious every time.
(5)
Travis H.

Custom Cocktails = Count Me In. Very Awesome. Atmosphere = Relaxed. Not Too Pretentious. Service = Outstanding. Attentive and Polite. Food = Very Good, But Not Amazing Portion Size = Don't Go Hungry. It's a "fine dining" place with multiple courses so me and my appetite will of course be a bit let down at the end of things, but luckily their amazing booze concoction list sustained me.
(4)
Diana K.

I had a fantastic dinner here. Our waitress Heather mentioned that they are able to accommodate complex diet restrictions. My dinner companion is very particular about food (low salt, low oil, low butter/cream) and based on her recommendation, we chose to have the 5-course tasting menu. The chef was amazingly insightful into what my friend would and wouldn't like to eat and was able to tailor each course (sauces on the side, different sauces e.g. with vegetable puree substituting for cream) for each of us. I was very impressed. All 5 courses were complex and delicious. I would eat at the Woodfire Grill again in a heartbeat!
(5)
Kevin J.

One of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta. I can't say it warrants a 5-star rating but the service is not far from it. The food is always tasty and the quality is marvelous. Make sure to grab a 1st, 3rd and dessert. Often times their second round of plating options is a little skip-worthy so make sure to check them out before just automatically assuming the same. Maybe it'll surprise you one day. Or me, for that matter. The ambiance in front is definitely a laid-back bar, but the back of the restaurant is where the magic happens. Multiple people wait over a one-man chef who provides a pretty good show. The warmth from the fire make for a cozy evening with the smell of wood burning keeps you feeling as if you're far away camping. With comfort of course. Check it out for yourself and don't let the area fool you. There is good food inside that waits. Make some memories.
(4)
Loki S.

The owner reached out to apologize for the previous service and invited us back. Everything was outstanding this time, much more like our previous visits.
(5)
Zlatko U.

I went here with a couple of coworkers for dinner. We were in by 7 and out by 11. This has been perhaps the best work related dinner I had since my glory days as a consultant. We arrived a bit early and the friendly bartender fed us the finest Belgian ales. After our whole party arrived, we were promptly seated and we ordered a wonderful three course meal. Being a vegan, I was surprised how well they cratered to my needs. I had a magnificent three course meal that was perfect in proportion and fantastical to my taste buds. The servers were super friendly and professional. The restaurant itself was a bit crowded and humid, but after a few saison duponts I really din't notice it as much. Now if someone is asking you to go out for a work related activity, don't hesitate to ask for the Woodfire Grill. However, if you are trying to impress someone, say a date, take 'em yonder and let the Amex do the work for you.
(5)
Chan B.

My husband and I celebrated our birthday here! From the time we arrived until our departure we had an experience we will never forget. The ambiance was delightful, our waiter greeted us with birthday menus and we had the pleasure trying the 5-course meal. The portions were small but surprisingly enough, after five courses you are definitely full! We had palate cleansers in between, one specific plate was a gala apple with homemade caramel, peanuts and bacon ...to die for! We able to meet the chef after out meal and he was very friendly! Overall, a five is definitely needed for tr food and the service. One concern I had was valet parking as they park the cars across the street and must physically cross a four lane busy street with your car. It kind I had me on edge. But the guys were really nice and valet parking is free!
(5)
Matthew C.

Went here on a date a month or two back. The place is unassuming, kind of tucked back and is much larger inside than it appears. The decor and feeling is cool. It's warm and inviting. We went in the middle of the week and had a reservation so no issues with getting a table or a crowd. Because I'm easily talked into things, we did the tasting menu. I had never done it before so I thought it would be fun and different and I'm all for over-spending so it seemed like a no-brainer. I'm no foody so a lot of it was over my head but I can comprehend if food is good or bad, and for the most part everything we had was good to really good. However, shot glasses full of mushroom soup isn't enjoyable. 4 drink and two tasting menus and a tip later you're out a couple hundred dollars but it's a fun experience and a good way to try new things. It makes for a fun date, but obviously not something most people can afford to do on a regular basis. I plan on going back and ordering off the menu. The portions on the tasting menu are very small but by the end you're filled up. I actually got tired of them bringing me stuff at the end, but gladly kept eating. I'd give it four stars but for the money spent it could have been better, which I guess is always true, but whatever.
(3)
Sonya S.

We were greeted with complimentary valet parking, then a wonderful host and engaging waitress. The cucumber amuse Bouche was refreshing, and the lemon-thyme biscuits with sweet tomato jam butter (all complimentary) were fabulous! Our waitress let me select any glass of wine as a half-glass, which I really appreciated. We also shared the entree: halibut was very moist and simply seasoned, and my husband loved the corn risotto. The chocolate truffle cake with dark chocolate icecream is a MUST if you love very rich dark chocolate desserts...amazing!!! The pastry chef then offered adorable mini chocolate whoopie pies; I was too full to eat much, but the frosting of the part we ate was delicious!!! Price for the fish, 1 beer, 1/2 glass wine, & dessert was $62. Between the great service, delicious food, and comfortable yet upscale booths, this is a highly recommended place!
(5)
Fred J.

The "meh, I've experienced better" comment truly sums up our experience at Woodfire Grill on Saturday. From the unctuous host, to the bartender, to the food...so not worth it. The best service we had that night was from the valet. If you are planning on spending $75 per person, there are so much better places to go...like Abattoir. Go there, please.
(2)
Katie B.

We went last night for our anniversary and it was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The service was impeccable and the food was outstanding. They really worked hard to make us feel special and even put our names on the menu! We were seated right next to the chef area and enjoyed watching the going-ons of the evening. Chef Tyler came by and talked to us some too, very nice. We will be back for sure!
(5)
Michael B.

I can't believe it's taken me this long to finally try this place, but I'm sure glad I finally did. A very unique Atlanta dining experience, very comparable to some of the true foodie restaurants you'll try in NYC, Vegas, LA... We went to celebrate my wife's 30th birthday and had the 7 course tasting menu and everything was truly outstanding. It started with custom printed menus that had my wife's name and happy birthday on them. Not a HUGE thing obviously, but a very nice touch that made the experience even more special. Some interesting drinks and very solid wine list accompany a truly unique menu. I'm not going to talk about every item we had on the 7 course tasting menu, but just a few highlights: Yellow fin tuna crudo - simply perfect tuna with some great touches. The olive oil emulsion, cocoa and jalapeno were all unique additions to this great dish! Pan Roasted Carolina trout - Wow. Great light crunch on the outside, amazing potato cream and loved the charred corn. Duck Breast - the duck was great, but all the additional components of this dish really made it sing. Chanterelles, jalapeno jam and foie gras and malted chocolate risotto... This was phenomenal. We had the "twix" for the dessert and it was soooo good. never had sweet onion ice cream, but it was awesome! All in all a great experience! Good service, good ambiance, but the food, the creativity, the presentation are absolutely top-notch. This place is in a league of its own in Atlanta.
(5)
Brian F.

Loved this place! Spent a fabulous evening here during a business dinner. The maitre 'd was nice enough to seat us at a table for 4 so we could spread out a bit even though the restaurant became quite full. We got the 7 course grand tasting menu with wine pairings and it was awesome! Standouts were the sweetbreads, quail, and the big-eye tuna tartar. Bravo le chef!! I will be back.
(5)
Weleys S.

Yes, cannot deny the 5 course chef's tasting menu. The fish and dessert always seems to be good. Have been here more than my wallet should have allowed me but I will have to say that food used to be a lot better couple years ago. Not sure how much Gillispee is actually here now versus letting managers oversee the new chef.
(3)
Stefanie M.

I've been wanting to try Woodfire Grill for a year now, but getting a reservation at a 7pm slot (and not 6 or 9pm) has been a problem. Finally I was able to make a reservation for a Friday night not too far in advance. Service was impeccable. From check in to finding the ladies room, the service and staff were friendly, informative but not hovering. Sometimes at these upscale restaurants the service is a little snooty, or up in your grill about every little thing. Woodfire Grill service is not, it's the best I've ever seen. We opted for the 7 course tasting menu and split one wine pairing between the two of us. It was divine! We loved everything! The menu starts very light and clean, and finishes bold and heavy and we loved it top to bottom! My favorite course was the pork belly, and my husbands favorite course was the duck (can you tell we're meat eaters?) The wine pairings were lovely and with just a 1/4 glass for each of us per course, we were not hammered by the end of dinner had we done the regular wine pairing (half glass each per course, which for a 7 course dinner would have been 3 1/2 glasses of wine). While we dropped more on dinner than I think we have ever spent in Atlanta before, it was well worth it in our opinion and I can't wait to return for a special occasion!
(5)
Emily N.

My boyfriend took me here for my birthday, and the experience was terrific from start to finish. This is a great choice for a special occasion. It feels special without being stiff and snooty, and this was a great balance for us! The food was really, really great. We did the 5 course tasting menu, and it was a lot of fun. As you'd expect from a high-end restaurant, the plates were very small, but after all of them, we were quite satisfied. Before we started our meal, they brought bread--tiny little biscuits and another less intriguing kind, and some sweet butter. Very tasty, but how much can you say about bread? I also indulged in a "bartender's choice," which was a highlight of the visit. In this instance, you choose "white" or "brown" and the bartender uses light or dark spirits to make a unique drink. I talked to our server a little first about my preferences, and went with "brown." Sweet mother of Scotch it was amazing. I do not remember what she said was in it, or what drink she said it was similar to, which is a shame, because I want to get down on one knee and propose marriage to this drink. Moreover, it was not your grandma's cocktail--in addition to being perfectly balanced and really complex, that bad boy was strong. I think the strongest plate we had was the second course, which that night was crispy North Carolina trout with local frisee, braised bacon, and an apple-pear mustard. De-freaking-licious. The flavors were so nicely balanced and--while I'm not one of those people who bows down at the alter of all things bacon--the braised bacon was a perfect touch, and added a really nice salty taste to the fish and the mustard. Close second was the wood-grilled, honey lacquered plantation quail with mustard greens, apples, and sweet potato puree. My least favorite was a dish with pork belly, but I think that's just because pork belly isn't my thing. I know that's something they're famous for. Dessert was also mind-blowing. It could be described as the world's most fancy and delicious s'more: it had valrhona chocolate ganache, smoked vanilla ice cream, salted caramel drizzle, graham cracker crumble, and homemade marshmallow . Had I not been in a very nice restaurant wearing a very chic dress, I'd have been sorely tempted to pick up the plate and lick it clean. As you'd imagine, the service was also top notch. each plate was delivered with perfect timing, with a brief and helpful description of what it was. Our main server, who's name I'm sad I forgot, was also terrific and helpful. The space was lovely and warm. It felt posh and special without feeling stuffy. All things considered, the food on it's own was wonderful, but maybe not my favorite in town. However, the experience start to finish was top notch.
(4)
Tofu S.

AMAZING!! We went with the 7 course chef tasting menu. We weren't exactly celebrating a special occasion, but when they called to confirm the reservation, they asked about any food allergies and if we were celebrating anything special. We had just gotten married about a week prior, so we weren't technically celebrating, just enjoying a weekend getaway. They still took it upon themselves to make our night special with complimentary champagne, dessert, and a customized menu to say congrats. The food took a while to come out because they had 2 large parties, so we were there for 3 hours, but it was worth it! Every course was heaven and we cannot wait to go back for the service and food. As for the ambience, it is not a quiet, whisper to each other as you dine type of place. sure you dress nice, but the restaurant is of a moderate level and it feels trendy, inviting, and fun. We can't wait to go back!
(5)
Addy C.

Last Tuesday, Woodfire Grill became one of my favorites for overall dining experience -- I recommend it as a great date spot: ask for patio dining if the weather is nice & cool -- the ambience is warm, romantic with the low lighting & candles, plus with the smell of a wood-burning stove ... the right ingredients for a wonderful evening. Well, I came with two former work friends so romantic it wasn't :) Still, we had a great time. First, I was blown away at the wonderful service we received. Our server was awesome - very friendly, great at explaining anything we asked (including what is a steelhead and how they compare to salmon), attentive (frequent refills w/o asking), and so sincere like he really did care. I was also impressed at seeing the manager serving, too - at most other restaurants, they usu. just show their face after the meal to see if everything was ok. It could've possibly helped, too, that the servers and manager knew that two in our party had attended the Yelp Elite event the week prior :) Still, I observed the other tables, and they too were getting similar great service. Next, they have a great seasonal menu that changes daily. It may be helpful to check out the menu beforehand to make sure they have something you will like. The dishes are definitely unique, all wood-grilled: our main entree choices were wild steelhead, duck breast, culotte steak, pork loin, and rabbit leg. Of course I didn't include the menu descriptions which make each of those dishes sound not just unique but very interesting, too. Entrees are in the $26-27 range. Here is what we ordered: Butter Lettuce Salad with North Georgia apples, farmhouse cheese, apple cider-mustard vinaigrette, & candied walnuts. My friend loved it - unfortunately I didn't get a taste though. Sweet Potato Gnocchi with fried sage, balsamic, brown butter, and pecorino. Whoa, this is a melt-in-your-mouth heavenly & delicious kind of appetizer ... it could almost qualify as a dessert! I'd definitely get this one again. Wood Grilled Wild Steelhead with local tomato gratin and summer squash salad. I enjoyed my dish very much. The fish had a smoked taste, and like our server said, tasted very similar to salmon. The two sides complemented the fish well. Wood Grilled Painted Hills Culotte Steak with creamed arugula, and duck fat roasted potatoes with garlic. I sampled the steak, and our server was right, the culotte steak is a more tender cut - tasty but a heavy on the salt. Organic Roasted Spaghetti Squash - unfortunately I didn't get a chance to sample this one either, nor ask my friend whether it was good. I'm sure it was. Silence is usu. a good thing at restaurants. Before our food came out, we also got a complimentary tasting from the chef. It was a chorizo topped with beet, pumpkin, carrot, & celery. A nice unexpected treat. They also bring out bread with a delicious homemade herb butter. We didn't get dessert but we did look at their dessert menu -- they have some very creative dishes. If it weren't for the Presidential Debate at 9, we probably would've ordered some. I would definitely come back - and next time, definitely order dessert. Woodfire gets a strong recommendation from me!
(4)
Crystal W.

3 Words "Worth Every Penny!" Intimate, romantic dining on mouthwatering fare with an extensive wine selection. We went all out from vischyssois to creme brulee with wine pairings throughout. Pate Maison is to die for!
(5)
Taylor A.

#2 all time best meal in Atlanta. This place is super-hyped and in this case it's true. As much as you might love something on the main menu you should pass it up and go for the tasting menu. It's worth it. The servers are the most educated I've had in Atlanta. From the food origin to wine knowledge, these guys really know their stuff. Food: Shot of liquid that tasted like a caprese salad shot. it was a Willy Wonka moment realizing how they captured the flavor of a salad in a shot. Blew my brain! Rainbow trout: Amazing fish. Pork belly: I was expecting magic on this one, and David Blaine definitely punched me in the face, in a good way. Lamb over farro: I had no idea what farro even was, but the server told us. Crispy and melty and grainy. Hard to describe but friggin awesome. Coca cola brownie + root beer float: Crazy little flavor explosions all over the place. Probably the most expensive meal I've had in ATL, but it was worth every penny of my gfs paycheck. :) Shoutout to the gf!
(5)
Teofilo M.

We Had the 5-course chef's tasting menÃº, it was a great experience. Last course I was excited when they change our knife and fork indicating we will have something from the grill, but was not the case and I get very disappointed. My disappointment was not because the last course was not good (maybe very small for the size of the meat silverware) but I was expecting a grilled meat form that Woodfire Grill.
(4)
Gina C.

A year later and it is still the best! I had some friends in town from LA and they wanted to try a good restaurant in Atlanta. I suggested a few and they chose Woodfire. I'm so glad they did. We all decided to try the 5 course tasting menu. ($65) Your whole party has to participate. They also have a wine pairing for each course. You can chose from whole or half glasses. Here is what we had: Amuse - roasted baby beet 1st course - cornmeal fried oyster w/ veg slaw 2nd course - pan seared salmon w/ swiss chard Taste - watermelon soup 3rd course pork belly and quail w/ roasted okra and potatoes 4th course - duck breast w/ roasted carrots Dessert - blueberry cake w/ blueberry ice cream & lemoncello ganache My faves were the cornmeal oyster and pan seared salmon. The salmon is seared only on one side and just melts in your mouth. I wasn't a fan of the watermelon soup. Some of the veggies were a little salty for my taste. Also, the dessert was fabulous! My friends said this was one of the best meals they ever had. We had a wonderful dinner and exquisite service! I didn't meet Kevin this time either bc he was in Cincinnati for a chili cook off. One day...
(5)
Kevin B.

It's been said that our sense of taste is primarily informed by our sense of smell. Taste is actually (according to the eggheads out there) the weakest of all our senses while smell is the strongest. If that's true, it's good news for the Woodfire Grill. True to it's name, before you ever take a bite of food, the first thing you encounter is a rich, deep wood smoke odor that permeates the restaurant from the front door to the bathrooms. It's a warm, pleasant, familiar yet sharply exotic smell that tells you this place is a thrilling combination of a cherished memory and thrilling anticipation of new experiences. Increasing that sense of anticipation is executive chef and partner Kevin Gillespie. Reality TV and great food aren't always natural bedfellows but Top Chef (on which Kevin was a contestant and finalist) clearly has a focus on putting talent in competition rather than mentally unstable agitators with delusions of grandeur. Moreover, Kevin, in his season, elicited the impression that he was a chef with talent that ran at a much higher gear than the other fine chefs on the show. On a personal level I rooted for him. A lot. He had a knack for what seemed like inventive but comforting cuisine that almost always impressed the judges. I though at the time--I'd love to taste what the judges are raving about. So when I happened to be in Atlanta for work, I rounded up my team and took them to the Woodfire Grill. Here's the one problem with Woodfire Grill. Between the Top Chef lore and the rich, velvety smoky smell at the door, expectations for a revelation in food were pretty damn high. Too high. I'm not sure that anything that we ordered could have met up with the fantasy of what I wanted it to be. We ordered several of the second course appetizers for the table to start. Pork Belly, Risotto and Scallop made it to the table in short order. Scallop was cooked perfectly, so was the pork belly...and the risotto too. All were very good and tasty. But none of them elicited the kind of sensation that would have you fighting over the next bite or telling everyone you know about it afterwards. And there were some notes that even fell flat. The egg salad mash with the pork belly was a cuter idea than it was a flavor or texture-at least in relation to the pork. I had scallops for the main course. Very well cooked and seasoned. Someone else at the table had the Hudson Valley duck breast and I managed to steal a piece. Well cooked but the pieces were so thick that they ended up being a little on the chewy side. Might be a persona preference--but I like duck to be thinly sliced and tender to the point that it almost doesn't need to be chewed. Overall--it's very, very good but if you check your socks on the way out you'll likely still find them firmly stuck to your feet instead of blown off like you wanted.
(3)
Jessica W.

Went with family & friends to celebrate graduation and we all tried the 7 course tasting. The food was excellent, along with the service and ambiance. We were seated in the upstairs dining room and had an amazing time! Great for special occasions.
(5)
Yuki T.

I took my fiancÃ© here to celebrate her birthday after seeing Chef Kevin Gillespie compete on Bravo's Top Chef series. We loved the season of the show (way better than some of the other crappy seasons). Kevin was definitely a fan favorite of ours and showed great personality and cooking talent. Considering his stardom and Woodfire Grill's rave reviews, we had high hopes that it'd be the perfect spot for a dinner celebration. Shortly before our reservation date, the restaurant contacted me to check on our dietary restrictions and to see if we were celebrating any special events. We learned later that this was so the chef can cater our prefix meal (if chosen) to our diet and to provide a personalized "Happy Birthday Shelley" on our menus. This simple, yet touching attention to detail really elevated the dining experience from a meal to an event. Such details let us feel that we weren't just "another customer" - simply great. Finding the place was not too fun. It's located in a somewhat shady area of Atlanta over on Cheshire Bridge. Along this road are several adult shops and strip clubs making its general location probably one of the biggest turn offs of the evening. I really wish they had a better location but won't penalize them for it. Parking was valet; the driveway was a bit difficult and scary to maneuver especially with my new sports sedan. Once inside, we were greeted and taken to a waiting area while our table was prepared. We were punctual and made reservations weeks in advance so it was kind of a let down having to wait about15 minutes before our meal. The experience was still bearable and they offered some complementary drinks from the bar. The overall restaurant dÃ©cor wasn't as elegant as we were expecting. It was pretty dark and plain with a lot of fall / autumny colors which didn't match the season. Not ultra classy but there was certainly an acceptable level of ambiance. At our table, the server was courteous and knowledgeable of the food. Glasses were kept full and we felt pampered. We both opted for the 7 course tasting menu and let Chef Gillespie guide us through a seasonal meal heavy on root vegetables (winter) and Berkshire pork (Woodfire grill's and Kevin's favorite). The food was delicious - absolutely delicious. Pork's a surprisingly tricky protein to work with and each rendition from belly to loin was prepared perfectly down to that hint of pink and mouth watering juiciness that is expected of a chef of his caliber. There were some beef and lamb too but you could definitely tell the Berkshire piggies were the stars of the menu. For those dining, expect some amuse bouches between the 7 courses. Some were hits for us- some were misses but that may have just been taste preference and at no fault of preparation or quality. The pace of the meal was good - we probably dined for 2 hours and didn't feel rushed or anxious for the next dish. Desert was a yummy tart complete with a birthday candle for my FiancÃ©; a great end to a delicious meal. Another treat for the evening was our seating placement that put us in view of the actual wood fire grill and in sight of Chef Gillespie himself as he checked on every dish's quality before letting it leave the line to go out into the dining room. He had such a serious and concentrated look - it was really fun to watch. Upon leaving, we asked him to autograph our personalized menus - he was happy to do so. A little corny, I know, but he's really become a celebrity in our eyes after watching him battle on Top Chef. Woodfire grill is in the top class of fine dining in Georgia. To be able to fall in this tier and be 5 star worthy, they needed to make a meal for us a memorable event rather than just a bite to eat - especially for an over $100 / person price tag. They expertly met this challenge and we truly loved the time spent there and will cherish the memories of our meal for years to come. I'd definitely recommend folks lucky enough to afford the meal to give it a try and let Woodfire Grill wow you like they did for us.
(5)
WillVenture W.

Great place!
(4)
Joe M.

Ever since Chef Kevin Gillespie participated in season 6 of TOP CHEF, I wanted to visit his Atlanta based restaurant, Woodfire Grill. Chef Gillespie was easily and quickly my favorite contestant that season (and for the entire series thus far). How could I not root for a fellow husky, bearded Southerner who worships pork? So it was with much excitement that I was able to dine at Woodfire Grill this past Friday night. Upon entering the restaurant, I was immediately hit with that wonderful smoke smell that always takes me back to the neighborhood/family BBQs of my childhood. Just the smell alone set the expectation bar high and the entire staff of Woodfire did not disappoint. After sorting our which bottles of wine to get, thanks to the extremely nice and helpful sommelier, the dinner I had been greatly anticipating began. I was not expecting anything until my first course was ready but after taking our order, the waitress was right back delivering an amuse-bouche. it consisted of a pickled cherry swimming in a beautiful olive oil and tangy, balsamic vinegar. The small spoonful packed a surprising burst of sweet, salty and sour flavors all at once. It was so good every one of us soaked up the left over liquid with the fresh bread brought out for the table. My first course was the Wood Oven Sapelo Island Clams with baby arugula cream, bacon and caramelized vegetable broth. The clams were fresh, cooked perfectly and bursting with flavor while the broth tasted like a spicy, creamy tomato soup. It was an extremely simple dish but I mean that in the best possible way. I could have easily been satisfied with a larger version of this dish as a main course. The Wood Grilled Berkshire Pork Belly with caramelized golden beet puree, madras-pecan butter and pickled cherry salad with fresh herbs was the star of the night. The pork belly was so tender, it flaked like a fish when cut. The delicious smoke smell that hit me upon entering Woodfire Grill tasted like it was concentrated in the pork and the protein almost melted in my mouth as if it was butter. To say I was in food heaven with this dish would be a grand understatement. My wife had ordered the Roasted Mushroom and Dried Fig Risotto as her second course, with the understanding that we'd split both dishes. The risotto was lovely but we both wished we'd had a full order of the pork belly to ourselves. It truly was the best thing I've ever eaten. For my third course I opted for the Wood Grilled Hudson Valley Duck Breast with carrot and ginger puree, white truffle and duck confit with herbed farro. The duck was tender and juicy and it was complimented perfectly by the carrot and ginger puree. Against the recommendation of the chef, I asked for the duck cooked medium instead of medium-rare. Next time I'll just go with whatever the chef says because I believe it would have been even better cooked at the recommended temperature. I had never eaten farro before but it reminded me of a cross between risotto and quinoa. The fresh herbs made it shine instead of just being an afterthought on the plate. When the dessert menu was presented we decided to sample several different things. I had high hopes for the Peach Tart but while the peaches were fresh and sweet, the tart was almost tasteless and nothing to write home about. The Chocolate Budino was really good and I could have easily eaten an entire order on my own. The Lemon Cheesecake was creamy and wonderful but suffered from being topped with cold popcorn. When we asked the waitress the reason behind the popcorn addition she stated it was to add texture to the dessert. I'd eat the cheesecake again but without the popcorn, which sadly detracted from the dessert instead of elevating it. The clear dessert winner for me was the insanely flavorful Spice Doughnuts. The still warm, mini doughnut holes packed a big taste and will be my dessert order of choice upon our next visit. Even with a few misses along the way, this was one of the best dinners I've had in a very long time. The service was above and beyond all night long. As we walked out every single employee we passed stopped to thank us for dining at Woodfire Grill. The next time we go I'll have to try out the tasting menu, which is offered via a 5-course chef's tasting menu or a 7-course grand tasting menu. Per policy you're not told what the courses will be. Our waitress said the most she could tell us is that the tasting menus would consist of many things available on the menu but presented in an entirely different way. Something tells me the 7-course menu will be in my future at some point as I can not only highly recommend Woodfire Grill, I can't wait to return for another dinner. Almost a week later, I'm still dreaming about that pork belly.
(5)
Becky S.

I wish I could give Woodfire Grill more than five stars! My husband and I agree that this was one of the best meals we have ever eaten. We were visiting from out of town and came here to celebrate our anniversary dinner. Being a big Top Chef fan, I had pretty high expectations, and hands down, this place delivered. The restaurant itself is cozy and very nicely decorated. We were seated right by the open fire grill which was really neat. Upon making our reservation the hostess had asked if we were celebrating anything special. When the waiter brought us our menus, they were specially printed to wish us a happy anniversary -- very sweet! We opted for the five course tasting menu. I don't want to post what the courses were because it was a blind tasting menu, and I don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone -- that was half the fun! But I will say everything was perfect! All of the flavors on each dish went so well together, it was really amazing. The ingredients were fresh and seasonal, and the dishes were delicious and beautiful while still feeling rustic. Each course was stellar, and we started getting so excited between courses to see what tasty treat our server would bring out next. At one point my husband even cheered when one of the courses came out, causing our waitress to burst out laughing. But seriously beware -- you may feel the need to spontaneously cheer when you eat this food. Service was impeccable, and you could tell the waitstaff really enjoyed working there and describing the food. The homemade breads and the delicious butter spreads were also outstanding. At the end of the evening, our waiter gave us two packages of truffles to take home as a gift on our anniversary. Such a nice touch! Oh, and one other wonderful aspect about this restaurant was the music. It seriously sounded like they took my husband's or my iPod and were playing it. It was almost freaky how many of our favorite songs they played. The last song of the evening as we were paying our check was a song that reminds both of us of when we first met, and it is such a memory-inducing song for both of us, and fairly obscure (The Dandy Warhols "You Were the Last High"), neither of us could believe they were playing it. Such a perfect way to end the evening!
(5)
Nancy R.

We came here for my birthday and they personalized our menus to say "Happy Birthday to Nancy". The hostess and our waiter made a point to say it too. We saw Kevin again! FOOD: The bread basket was so delicious! I started with the Scallops which came with red potatoes, arugula, and spicy tomatoes. I just wished there was more of it since it was so good. Next, I had the Bass with fennel cream and cabbage, fennel, celery root, turnip salad. The fish was light and flaky, and so good with the creme sauce. I'd get this dish again! For dessert, we had the Banana Pain Perdu with vanilla ice cream, salted caramel, banana cream, and candied bacon. We were unsure about the bacon and banana together but it wasn't so bad. We also had the chocolate creme pie which our waiter suggested. It was so delicious, but small portion.
(4)
Stephanie A.

I was so very excited to finally get my mouth into Chef Kevin Gillespie's Woodfire Grill. Bonus, he was there when I was. Score! It has an elegant farmhouse feel. Also surprisingly quiet so a great option to go with people you actually want to talk to while you enjoy your meal. The menu is crazy simple and crazy delicious. Forget seasonal ,this is weekly fresh what's available. I am of the opinion when you focus on a very few items they are all done very well and Woodfire Grill proves that to be true. First up a deceptively simple appearing green salad. Dressed with red onion, white beans and an assortment of greens. Not to be outdone are castaveltrano olives that give an added dose of vibrant green with creamy fatty but unaggressive presence. Olives can be overwhelming in delicate applications and the chef knows how to temper them perfectly. One bite of this composed salad and it clearly has been given careful consideration in each component. It sang in the mouth! Fried oysters were really quite spectacular. Three very fat oysters dressed in a parsley herb salad. What stood out about these is the creamy warm inside, not hot so they weren't cooked hard. The outside crisp and not a trace of grease. The dressing is exquisite. A kiss of smokey bacon, corn milk and flat leaf parsley/herbs. Delicate restraint again as with the green salad. This dish made me very happy. I fought my desire to order it again twice. Today I am regretting that decision. I may sneak back very soon to enjoy it again. Steak with potato butter, caramelized onions and greens. My meat was overcooked but I didn't send it back. The dish as a whole was another magnificent accomplishment. The silky potato butter was the seat for the steak. Garnishing it were the sweet onions and greens. A symphony of flavor and texture that was well beyond satisfying. My joy continued with each bite. Halibut was cooked beautifully. A large portion of fish with an excellent sear. Beautiful beet schmear and tender fennel set off the delicate fish beautifully. The pastry chef has just been named one of Atlanta's rising stars and it's all too evident why when you get some desserts in front of you. Two staff members cited the sticky toffee pudding as a favorite so that along with the smores plate were ordered. The pudding is as good as any I've had. Warm, tender, sweet and gooey. It's very rich and perhaps best suited to cool weather. The smores platter is spectacular. Graham cracker ice cream, banana slices, icing like chocolate piped (but to my delight it was not overly sweet icing) and shards of chocolate to garnish. Lots of chocolate wafer cookie bits peppered around for texture. A true success on the dessert front. I am not in the habit of revisiting restaurants but I will make Woodfire Grill a habit.
(5)
Mark J.

I paid $12 for a single scallop. That's just not my thing. The food is great and looking at the other reviews - the 5 or 7 course meal is the best option. I spent close to $200 and wanted to stop at Mac D's on the way home.
(3)
Chris L.

Outstanding. If you enjoyed watching Kevin on Top Chef, go check it out. The food is as good as you would imagine.
(5)
Frank L.

Food was ok, but the service was better - but was curious if that is the case all the time or because of the new owners? Either way, the experience is overall positive Parking or lack thereof is probably the only downside, basically you must use the valet. Make sure you have a few dollars left over to tip the valet.
(3)
Maria L.

Let me preface my review by saying I am a huge Top Chef geek and I made the reservation at Woodfire as a gift to myself for my 40th birthday. We arrived a few minutes late for a 7 pm reservation and were seated immediately in the main floor dining room at a table, much to my delight, about 10 feet from the tiny kitchen within the dining room that has the open wood-fired oven that I assume the restaurant is named for. I geekily informed the hostess that I was a huge Top Chef fan and that it was my birthday and could I meet Kevin. She graciously smiled and kindly answered that since it was right smack in the middle of service that we could stop and say hi to him on the way out, but that he would not be able to come out and say Hi. Our main waiter was kind and attentive, explaining the way the restaurant works, changing its menu daily according to what is available locally, in-season, and sustainable. I am a big hippie, so I loved this too. He encouraged the three-course or five-course tasting menus ($42 and $65 per person, respectively) as a great way to try a number of menu offerings. CAVEAT: If you get the five course tasting menu EVERYONE at the table has to get the same thing. I also opted for the accompanying wine-tasting to go with my meal, but my husband did not. We ordered cocktails. I had a Peach Blossom - square one organic vodka. elderflower syrup. peach bitters.fresh lime juice. topped with soda. Delightful. My husband has a very good square one extra-dirty martini. Almost immediately after ordering the five-course tasting menu, my first wine taste arrived, followed within moments by the Amuse - a bite-sized salad of picked red ace beets and anson mills faro with a lemon vinegar and olive oil dressing topped with micro parsley. Very cute and tasty. This is slow food, so some nice conversation passed before the next course, which was accompanied for me by N/V De Venoge Champagne. It was crispy fried shrimp over a shrimp salad with a soft egg aoli on a crisp piece of toast. The toast was a bit hard, but it was so damned delicious I didn't care. Course two was a roasted diver scallop with glazed butter beans, fennel pollen and white lamb jus. This was paired with a 2008 Pinot Blanc from Albert Mann. I love scallops. My husband does not. He loved this. The next dish was a "taste," a shot glass of chilled fennel soup with pickled watermelon. I liked the crisp snap of the watermelon, but the texture of the soup was a bit gummy. This being said, even not liking the soup, its pairing with the 2008 Tablas Creek Vineyard Rose was impeccable. I have always heard people go on and on about how wine brings out certain flavors in food, but I never experienced it before taking a sip of that wine and having the flavor of the fennel literally explode on my tongue. I made my husband try it, I was so floored. Fourth course was glazed local qualil with rome apple and local turnip puree, roasted apples and turnips and apple agrodolce paired with 2006 Domaine Chandon Pinot Noir. Hard not to lick the dish. Main course was a slow-roasted and smoke pork belly with oven roasted brussels sprouts bacon and sweet mustard. I have to admit I was dying to try pork belly. I was a bit put off by the fattiness, but it tasted so good ... My husband, who doesn't like pork or fatty meat loved it. (He does love bacon tho and this had the flavor of bacon in the meltiness of the pork belly.) He also hates Brussels sprouts and cleaned his plate of them. I love Brussels sprouts and these were perfect, crisp-tender and studded with chewy bits of bacon meat. By now I could not even finish my glass of Pinot from the last course or the 2007 Old Vines Garnacha Atteca that came with the pork belly as I was feeling very tipsy. Dessert came out accompanied by a tiny glass of 2002 de Lorimier Lace LAte Harvest Sauvignon Blanc. I had a dish Top Chefies will recognize - banana fritters with milk chocolate mousse, banana cream, salted caramel and CANDIED BACON. I will say it again CANDIED BACON. I am not even a banana fan and together we practically wiped the plate clean. (and they put a candle in it for my birthday, cute!) My husband got deconstructed key lime pie with frozen lime mousse, a gingersnap cookie, lime gelee, toasted meringue and lemon verbena anglaise. I also shared mine with him. I made him taste the CANDIED BACON. Can I say that you cannot write that without all caps? At the conclusion of our meal, our very kind waiter (one of a cadre who served us, all perfect) brought me a printout of our menu, signed by the chef. On our way out, we did stop at the counter near the kitchen and Chef Kevin was very gracious, shaking our hands and chatting for a moment, thanking us for coming. I hate to gush, but this whole experience was one of the best meals of my life. I am still dreaming of CANDIED BACON...
(5)
Ed P.

While it seems to be a mixed bag for some if you read the reviews, I had no complaints. I had the mussels, veal sweetbread, and duck breast. For dessert, I asked the waiter to surprise me, and he brought the french toast, banana, bacon treat. Is there hype around the place, sure. Is it worth the stop. You bet. While not cheap coming in around $60 a person, it was a dining experience. I'm glad I went, and I would go back.
(5)
Claudia R.

Absolutely one of the most amazing dining experiences I've had in Atlanta. The service is outstanding, very welcoming from the moment you walk in until the moment you leave. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. And the decor is chic AND cozy...you completely forget that you're on Cheshire Bridge! I had read about their cocktails, and already knew I wanted to try the Farmer's Daughter...vodka, with muddled cucumber and mint, and ginger beer...oh my, it was summer in a glass! They also have an extensive wine list, from which the wine connoisseur in our group was able to make some great selections for us. Now I'm wishing I had not waited a week to do this review, because I know I won't do the food justice, but here goes: While we waited for the apps to arrive we were given a delicious quinoa amuse bouche, kind of like a southern take on tabbouleh. We shared a few appetizers, and the one that stands out is a one of assorted seasonal tomatoes with parmesan cheese shavings. I had the berkshire pork, which was perfectly cooked - it was juicy, yet the small layer of fat had the most delicious crispy, charred crust. It was served on a bed of collard greens that tasted of bacon...I've never had collard greens before - EVER - and am positive that now I am ruined for any that aren't from here. For dessert I had the banana semifredo, topped with a crispy wisp of caramelized bacon. OMG. Along with a divine flight of dessert wines. Mmmm! Cannot wait to go back! Next time, I'm trying one of the tasting menus...
(5)
Heather H.

For all you carnivore lovers out there, this is it! From fried oysters, quail, sous-vide duck, lamb, pork belly- need I continue... course after course, it kept coming! (side note-the watermelon consomme with pickled watermelon rind was amazing!!!) Thanks, Kevin and Joey, for all the additionals (5 course tasting menu turned to 10+ courses paired with the most luxurious wines! The service is as good as it gets!
(4)
Nicci R.

This is really a 3.5 start rating. The food was good, but the portions were ridiculously small...especially for the price point. Originally we were going to do the 5 course tasting menu, but scaled down since my in-laws joined us last minute and wanted to treat. The a la carte menu was split up into 3 courses. The server said that ordering 2 would be enough and the mains were true entree size, not a small plate like the first courses. So we all felt safe ordering just an appetizer and main. Unfortunately we left hungry. The most amusing part of the dinner was when the server presented us with a gift from the chef. It was a plate with 4 Asian style soup spoons with a dab of butter and a celery shaving. We couldn't help but laugh and wonder if we were being Punked. The low wide white soup spoon looked completely empty, except for a couple minuscule specks in the middle. The only way to taste it was by removing it with the tip of a finger or the tip of your tongue fully extended. We should have taken this as a clue to what the rest of the meal would be like. I ordered the pumpkin risotto as a starter and the quail for dinner assuming that 3 quail would be filing enough. First course arrived in an oversized bowl with about 1/2 a cup of pureed pumpkin risotto sprinkled with toasted pumpkin seeds. After sharing a small bite with everyone at the table, I was left with a couple for myself. The main arrived in a oversized plate with 3 tiny boneless quail about the size of a half dollar each and 5-6 micro sized cauliflower florets each equivalent in shape to a green pea. $26 for 3 bites of quail was absurd. Perhaps we were charged for someones time in the kitchen using a microscope and surgical tools to remove the tiny bones from the miniature birds. Thankfully there was plenty of bread and butter. My husband ordered the foie gras to start and duck breast as a main. My mother in-law's roast pork dish was the closest to a true entree. We passed on dessert because we were afraid it would be a waste of money at $8 each. Glad we did because we were presented with 4 finger sized complementary boxes that each held 2 little chocolate truffles. They also comped my husbands wine as a birthday gift. Another nice touch was that the top of our menus said Happy Birthday Scott with the date. Great service and food quality, but overpriced for portion sizes. You must order at least 3 courses each to leave somewhat satisfied. It is a good option for a special occasion or spurge and I recommend at least doing 5 course chef tasting. Chef Kevin was not working on this Saturday night.
(3)
Teresa S.

Serious food - relaxed environment! I highly recommend the chef's tasting menu. We splurged on the 7 course, and also asked for wine pairing ($5 per course for a half-pairing). I'm very glad our server recommended the half-pairing, which was plenty for each course. I was so amazed at how the food made the wine sing! Who knew that shrimp and champagne were such good buddies? The staff at Woodfire - that's who! It was nice to not know what we were eating beforehand. I'd place my trust in the chefs here anytime. Oh, and chef Kevin was in the kitchen -- bonus.
(5)
Alice Y.

This place is amazing. It lives up to the hype and hoo-ha that countless fans have lauded Kevin Gillespie. Being a big Top Chef fan, I couldn't help but demand my bf that we come here on one of our few nights spent in Atlanta. I mean, how could I pass up an opportunity to eat from the kitchen of one of my admired chefs. So my bf and I came here on a Wednesday night after making reservations on OpenTable. Thankfully, due to the tornado warning going on in the area, other parties' reservations had fallen through, giving us a chance to dine here. As soon as we got there, we were greeted and taken to our table. After a quick introduction of the way things work at WG, I ordered the Grenacha wine while my bf got a beer (of which I forget the name). We were graced with an amuse bouche, that had a salad in one bite. Amazing. We then ordered the local arugula salad and a cold cucumber soup. Both tasted delicious and fresh. Textures and flavors were perfect. For our second, we got the risotto and pork belly. Both were great. The risotto was slightly on the salty side, but it balanced well with the pork belly. For our thirds, we ordered the wood grilled hudson valley duck breast and the wood grilled berkshire pork loin. The meat was amazing. Perfectly cooked. Perfectly seasoned. The duck wasn't game-y at all. The pork was tender and every bite lushed of flavor. As full as we were by the third course, we couldn't stop eating. For dessert, we ordered the coffee press and banana pain perdu. I have never said this in my life, but the banana pain perdu was HEAVEN IN MY MOUTH. Seriously. The banana crÃ¨me anglaise with the delicate sprinkle of candied bacon and salted caramel couldn't have been better. Even if we were stuffed, my bf and I scraped the dish clean of all its sweet and salty goodness. This may have been the most expensive meal I've eaten, but it was definitely worth it. The bearded chef is truly Atlanta's pride. Hail Chef Gillespie! Btw, Chef Kevin was busy cooking all the food for a private 20-person dinner party the night we were there, but we did catch a glimpse of him greeting a couple tables nearby and thanking them for choosing his restaurant.
(5)
Slider E.

Hard to get a reservation but well worth it. Perfect wine parings with an outstanding 5 course meal. Best in Atlanta. ..
(5)
Renee P.

I had such high hopes for the Woodfire Grill after I read the reviews but it failed to meet my expectations. Everything was good. not great, not excellent. I have heard that the smaller the portions the more expensive the meal and the Woodfire Grill was no exception at $70 for a five course tasting menu. The service was excellent. The bread was incredible and so was the champage shallot butter but other than that the nicest thing I can say is that everything was grilled and good. If you have been to the Woodfire Grill and disagree with my review and think that my pallet may not appreciate the finer things in life think again. I travel all over the world and look for the best dining experiences but I have found that paying more doesn't always mean you get more or that it is better.
(3)
Lizz G.

As a huge top chef fan, I had very high hopes. But I was slightly disappointed (thus the 4 star rating). The restaurant has complimentary valet parking, a nice way to start the dining experience. The decor of the place was very nice as well - the oven is exposed in the dining area, which was a cool touch. My finace and I decided on the blind 5 course tasting menu. First course was a beet and brussel sprout salad, which was good, but not great, mostly because it was a bit plain for my tastes. Second course was an AMAZING scallop dish with brussel sprouts and a puree. The scallop was perfectly cooked and seasoned and the dish as a whole was just perfect. Third course was quail, which was also delish, laying over a bed of lemony grains. The forth course, the thing that chef Kevin is most well known for, was a pork loin, pork belly duo. And I am sad to say, it was this dish that brings the review down to four stars. The loin was kind of, well, rubbery. Not well cooked and not very tasty. And the pork belly wasn't as amazing as I was expecting - I went to a much cheaper, less known eatery the other day and had better pork! The dessert course, a play on a chocolate forest cake, was a great way to end the meal (I am a sucker for any kind of chocolate lava cake) and made me much happier than the main course did. The service was great, we had a very personable waiter, and the staff was also very knowledgeable about the wines that they serve. Overall, some of the food didn't quite live up to my expectations. But even if I had no expectations going in, my meal still would not be 5 star. Still, a place worth experiencing!!
(4)
Steve H.

What? It was good. Good service, good food, good things. It was good. And I liked it.
(4)
Melissa T.

The whole family came here to celebrate my in-laws wedding anniversary. When making reservations, the hostess asked if this was for any particular occasion. So when we got there, the restaurant had printed personalized menus for all of us. Nice touch! The restaurant is a free standing building I think it use to be someones house. The interior decor has so much Southern charm and character. It's perfect for a romantic and intimate dinner. Our waitress was very attentive and knowledgeable, especially about the wine. She was quite friendly and personable too. We all decided on the (blind) 5 course prix fixe menu. All the savory dishes were very delicious. We had a little of everything, shrimp, fish, quail, and pork. But the dessert was so-so. We had a fruit tart thing and I think the crust was a bit under-baked. But that's just me. Nonetheless, everything else was so good, I still give it all 5 yelp stars.
(5)
Heather D.

5 course meal left all of us starving. Service was prompt, but courses took too long and each portion was postage stamp-like - and not the forever ones. Most of us went out for a burger afterwards. We recommend you eat before you go.
(1)
Heather B.

My boss was coming into town and wanted to take me to dinner. I never pass up on an opportunity to try somewhere that I've been wanting to try and somewhere that I know she would like. Did a bit of research on yelp and found Woodfire Grill. Holy crap!!! We did the 5 course tasting menu (which is the only way to go). It was absolutely one of the best meals I had had in awhile. Course after course we were treated with items that I would have never tried by themselves. While we were smashed up against the two tables next to us and I could have eaten off the person's plate next to me the ambiance was very nice and I could barely hear the tables next to us. The only issue is the tasting is a little on the pricey side and you must have full table participation. However vegetarians fear not I asked and they will allow vegetarians to participate and allow the carnivores in the table to order the non vegetarian tasting. I can't wait to go back but this is more of a special occasion place.
(4)
gerald b.

Owner, Nick and crew don't get any better. The Restaurant is not much to look at from the out side but, you get in the belly of this place and it's a transcendental experience. Had the Chef's tasting menu for 7 people; the Yellow Tail course was amazing and the Brekshire Pork course was life changing. We also had a South African Pinotage suggested by Nick that was out of this world. Thanks for the memories!
(5)
Todd N.

Literally the best meal I've ever eaten. (It helped that the company was great, too - my lovely wife and I were celebrating our anniversary.) We were in Atlanta from California, visiting family, and wanted a special dinner out to celebrate. Woodfire Grill was recommended to us since we're some of "those" people, enjoying local, slow food when we can get it. From the complimentary valet parking upon arrival to the French press coffee served after desert, Woodfire exceeded expectations at every turn. We chose the 7 course chef's tasting menu since it included a few off-menu courses. (The 5 course tasting is all directly from the menu, according to the wait staff.) We started with a fennel salad with citrus. The second course was a scallop so tender it practically melted in my mouth. The third course was my favorite: warm endive in a cream sauce topped with black trumpet and chanterelle mushrooms. Crunchy bread crumbs on top were a great texture contrast. I was ready to stop the meal at this point and just leave. I was in heaven. We left the veggies behind and moved on to meat with courses 4 - 6 being quail, Berkshire pork and lamb. Each was perfectly prepared and paired with a small side of locally raised vegetables. The pork was amazing. This is how pork is supposed to taste! The broccoli and farro paired with the pork loin was a standout. A small "pre-dessert", literally just a square of devils food cake, transitioned us to the main dessert of marscapone cheesecake with a chocolate crust. The dessert was the weakest of the courses, it was a bit too cold and hard. It would have been a shining star on most menus but when surrounded by perfection even the smallest blemish stands out. I'm really stingy when it comes to 5 star reviews but there was no doubt from the first bite that Woodfire would be at the top. If there were a 6th star to hand out they would get it, too.
(5)
David S.

Yummy. After rooting for Kevin on Top Chef, my wife and I had to check out Woodfire Grill when we made it to ATL. The food did not disappoint. Setting. The restaurant is modern yet cozy. It's a nice setting for the elegant comfort food. Service. The staff was outstanding. Someone was always stopping by the table to check on us and welcome us to the restaurant. If anything, it was almost too much of a good thing. But the staff was knowledgeable about all of the food, which enhanced our dining experience. Food. We opted for the five-course tasting menu, which was punctuated with a few little surprises from the kitchen. The first four courses were outstanding. The quail was the standout. But the desert was a slight let down. The raspberry sauce was so tart and potent that overwhelmed the chocolate cup with cheese cake filling. Woodfire is not cheap, but it is a nice treat when you are in the mood for a special dinner.
(4)
Erich F.

The chefs sampler provided several varieties of small dishes. The trout was amazing and left me wanting more! Great concept and the smell alone in here makes it worth every penny. The staff was amazing also, very friendly yet amazingly professional. We will be back.
(5)
Sylvia B.

4.5 stars oh mannn i've loved kevin ever since seeing him on top chef. my favorite contestant so far. i was sad i wasn't able to see him @ his restaurant, but the food did NOT disappoint we informed the waiter that my sister was vegan and they were more than accomodating although some of their dishes could not be made fully vegan (my sister was willing to be vegetarian for a day). they came out with two amuse bouches, one that was with beet and creme fraiche for me and some picked vegetables for my sister. delicious!! i had the risotto to start (a tad bit salty, but very good) and my sister had a vegetable soup. for entrees, i ordered the duck breast cooked medium (perfect!) and it was one of the best duck breasts ive had. tender, flavorful, im drooling thinking about it now. my sister had a vegetable gratin sort of dish, minus the cheese. i'm not sure how they made it, but she said it was amazing. we both opted not to get dessert since we were pretty full @ this point. service was impeccable and they so gracious in understanding our needs. i definitely recommend!
(5)
Shannon H.

Not surprising given all the other ratings, this was likely the best meal I've had in a decade. We splurged and did the seven course tasting with wine pairings, resulting in a very happy tummy & a squiffy head. Outstanding service and food, 5 stars ++.
(5)
Claire S.

I love this place!! Wednesday was the 3rd time we've been there and it is always amazing. The chef's tasting is what we always do but this was the first time we were sober to remember it so that was very nice. And you will want to remember it because it is soo good. Courses were: rock shrimp, scallops, risotto, quail and pork belly, bison mmm and then dessert which was chocolate bread pudding with coffee icecream. The service here is always fantastic, the food is amazing, the risotto is the best risotto I've ever had in my life hands down (and being part italian I eat risotto all the time) and the pork belly is always amazing. Everything was great and the tasting is always different and I can't wait to go again!!! Also they gave us a personalized menu when we left that typed out all our courses and had our names on it which was really sweet. Love this place!!
(5)
Susan P.

Absolutely terrific food. It was delicious and special but not at all pretentious. The wine list was awesome too with a great selection of choices under $60 and many under $50. The lobster corn dog and the octopus hot dog were both absolutely delightful. Great combination of flavors and textures. Bison Wellington was cooked to perfection. Quite big so I recommend sharing. If you are still hungry you can always get another lobster corn dog or fries, which were also great. Got the cherry shoe buckle too which was totally awesome. Great service too. Good option for a group of 6-10 as they have semi private rooms an the edges that work great for groups of that size. If you are in Atlanta and gave a biz dinner this is the place!
(5)
jason h.

Oh, for a brush with a celebrity chef. I ventured out to Woodfire Grill, run by Kevin Gillespie of Top Chef fame. Although the famous one was not to be seen, his aura of foodie princedom still pervaded the air. A couple of initial impressions: the space rather reeks of mildewed basement, a sunk cellar, the rainwashed scent of industrial disuse. But in a good way. You can dispense with foodie pretensions in this aroma, as you duck beneath the medieval hanging lamps and tread the shoe-worn floors to your table. But then the insanity begins. The shrimp "second" I ordered featured two shrimps the size of popcorn shrimp you'd get at Red Lobster if you peeled off the fried crust. They languished in an olive tapenade and were attended by a tiny confit, a minor mortadella, and a solitary cruton. My friend ordered the scallop dish, a single modest scallop centered on a massive plate in a circle of butterbean puree. I know seconds are not "mains," but they are pricey and you'd expect a little more, despite the delicacy and thoughtfulness of the preparation. The highlight was perhaps when a stray server approached with three tablespoons of something microscopic. He said it was a gift from the chef (illustrious KG himself?) and that the speck of victuals inside the spoon was, essentially, "a deconstructed cole slaw." We gulped it down. It was momentarily delicious, then gone. Much like the rest of the experience. Good food, stingy portions, smart and knowledgeable servers, piquant atmosphere.
(3)
Kevin W.

My mom took us to this place because of Top Chef. All of the ingredients were of the highest quality, and the duck was incredible. They also had a wonderful organic German heffe that I loved. It's a bit expensive, but the level of customer service and the quality of the food makes it worth every penny. I can't say that I've had much that compares to what I had here. One of my top 10 restaurants, probably. I'm not from around here, so I probably won't go again, but I'd definitely recommend it if you have decent-sized pockets, or need to trick a woman into sleeping with you.
(5)
Nik D.

What a fantastic place. Had the 5 course tasting menu.... It's a piece of art on the plate. Superbly plated, small portions, unique combinations. Works out to $100 a person with drinks... Not cheap. But definitely worth it for a special occasion . They give the menu as a souvenir.
(5)
Sarah M.

As a long-time Atlanta resident, I haven't been back to Woodfire since Tuohy left and have been a huge Top Chef fan for years. We've done a lot of the special occasion places in Atlanta for date nights - I am spoiled - and we've never gotten around to WG. The odd location puts it somewhat off the beaten path, but I am a devotee of Kevin Gillespie and I was really excited to try his food for the first time. One thing is for sure, I will not forget about this meal for a very long time. From the moment we walked in, 'til the minute we left, the people at Woodfire are amazing and the love and knowledge and care shows in every bite. I just have to say that there aren't many places where the staff is more courteous - literally standing aside every time I walked to the bathroom and thanking us for spending the evening there and ordering the tasting menu. It wasn't pushy, it wasn't forced- it was just kindness and gratitude that we had spent the evening (and the $) there. I loved that aspect. We have been toying with this reservation for a few months- canceling and rebooking at least 5 times because I just couldn't get a good vibe from friends about the experience. Finally, we made it in this weekend to celebrate my birthday - and all I can say is I am so glad we did. There was no question that we were planning to order the 7 course tasting with wine pairings. We didn't really consider any other options. I have never had a blind tasting before - and the element of surprise was one of my favorite aspects of the meal. No pretense, no expectation - we didn't know how the meal would progress or where it would take us. I love the team approach to serving at Woodfire- our food was run to us by 3-4 different people throughout the night but each was SO knowledgable and it was fun to see the different personalities. Our server herself was outstanding - she is in training to be a sommelier and her wine descriptions were punchy and funny. We had some great interactions with her throughout the night. The food - it goes without saying that it was top notch - but many of the courses will stay in my mind for a long time. The first course - a crudo of wild alaskan salmon with a jalepeno vinaigrette, avocado, peach and cilantro. Paired with a gorgeous rose. Color play. Incredible. The quad of pork - the 2nd to last course - was one of the most outstanding plates I have ever eaten - pork belly with dried currants, berkshire pork loin - salty and cured, and a smearing of black rice with sausage that I don't have words for. A chicharrone on top. We closed our eyes as we ate. Our pre-dessert amuse was one of my favorite bites of the night- a fried ball of peach risotto with frozen blueberries. We finished the meal with a perfect glass of Pappy Van Winkle 20 year - shared between us. The progression of the meal was also really well-thought - and the pairings were quite reasonable (and generous)....wine from Hungary, a 96 Barolo, a beautiful rose, a non-oaked Chardonnay, and a Sauvignon Blanc that tasted like blueberry meringue with notes of lime (our server's words, not mine)..... One of my favorite surprises was when they brought over the menu to us at the end with chocolate truffles - it was great not knowing what we were getting throughout but then having it to refer back to later. Throughout the night, Kevin plated every plate of food that came out. I walked by several times and saw him putting the final touches on each plate. He is so much in this food. A meal at Woodfire is a treat - for every sense and in every sense - you will be awoken, and taken on a journey and you will have a lot of fun while you're doing it. You will leave satiated and with a silly grin on your face. You'll wonder why you waited so long. I know I did.
(5)
Jessie H.

This place definitely gets a solid 4 stars. Out of all the places I ate at in Atlanta, this was the only one where I didn't feel the portions were hugely out of control. And a 5 course tasting for $64?! unheard of - at least in California. The open kitchen was really fun to see, especially the actual wood fire grill and oven that they use. We chose the 5 course tasting menu, which was just the right amount of food. We started off with an amuse of local radish, a touch of butter, compressed celery and tarragon. It was definitely a nice balance of flavor and a good way to awaken the palate. Our first course was a shaved fennel with tahini salts, tangerine slices and pomegranate seeds. It was an overall very light and fresh start - the fennel was not too strong, the pomegranate added just the right about of tang, and the salt balanced out some of the acid. The second course was a day boat scallop that was buttered and pan seared. It was served with sunchoke cream, local radish, lemon, chestnut and pecan browned butter, and a roasted apple. Everything just melded together in perfect harmony. The scallop was fresh, the sear was perfect, the butter and hint of lemon was the perfect touch. We were then served another small dish from the chef - a Moroccan spiced sunchoke and celery hearts. That little bite packed quite a punch and was very tasty. Our next dish was a pork loin and pork belly, with charred broccoli, red pea ragu and a red pickle and onion salad. The pork belly literally melted in my mouth. It was amazing - perfect portion, perfectly cooked, and the charred broccoli was a surprisingly nice touch. Our other main entree was a lamb loin, squash, greens, rutabaga, and quince. The lamb was perfectly cooked and not gamey. It was all so perfectly seasoned. For dessert, we had a maple marscapone cheesecake. I especially liked that they give you a french press when you ask for coffee at the end of the meal. Apparently, they have their own coffee that they ask the roaster to roast the beans to their specifications. Service-wise, it was very attentive and genuinely friendly. Our waiter was also very knowledgeable in wine and recommended some very nice reds for us. When he saw me writing down everything in my notebook, he immediately told me that he can give me a copy of our menu. Thanks!
(4)
Kathleen M.

What my dreams are made of. Reminds me of home, or at least what home should be. Makes me feel all warm and bubbly inside. I get all giddy just at the thought and memory of our time together. Traditional Southern, with just the right amount of edginess. Completely worthy of the time and effort it takes to even get close. Piques my curiosity. Worthy of repeat visits, as often as possible. Oh, you wanted to know about the food? Well yeah, it's pretty damn spectacular. Just ignore my waxing on about Chef Kevin, love of my life.
(5)
Stacey S.

4/15/11 Treated my partner for her birthday and just didn't get that WOW reaction. I wish i could give more stars :( the dinner was pricey for the meal. I shouldn't have ordered the 7 course chefs tasting.I've had chefs tasting at other restaurants that were well satisfying. If I hadn't eaten so much bread I would've still been hungry. We had beet salad, salmon tartar, veal sweetbread :( quail was ok Fried oysters were good, main course was porkbelly (fatback) arugula and pork loin. Desert was good. I thought sure we would get a beef serving.Menu was personalized ( nice touch). Ambiance (ok) noisy atmosphere. Not as luxurious as others .
(3)
Carly P.

I went to Woodfire grill on a recent business trip to Atlanta and I was so excited to try Kevin's restaurant (Top Chef Season 6). Maybe my expectations were too high because of Top Chef but the food was not at the caliber I was expecting. The restaurant itself is lovely with a great atmosphere. We had 3 appetizers, a spring salad, crab fritters and the third was so unmemorable I can't even remember it. They were all so-so. We ordered a bottle of pinot noir which was not very good and probably shouldn't even be on their wine list. They do make they own bread which was excellent. Then the entrees came. I got the pork loin because pork is Kevin's specialty but it was some of the worst pork I've ever had and undercooked too. The sauce and sides that came with it were good but I couldn't even finish the pork it was so undercooked. One friend had the duck which she let me try and I've had better and two other friends both got the halibut. The halibut was fantastic, funny because it's one of the only items on the menu not locally grown/caught. We also had a side of gritz which was good. For desert, we had the avocado creme brulee and the cheesecake. Both deserts were very good. So all in all, not a horrible experience but not what I was expecting either.
(3)
James H.

Despite a deep, abiding admiration for Chef Kevin Gillespie following his appearance on Top Chef, I have yet to set foot into Woodfire Grill. Nor have I really had any substantial food from Woodfire. This will change, however, when I will join a friend for dinner here sometime this upcoming week. Now, you may ask yourself, "Self, how is James H. reviewing a restaurant before he's even been there? Does this not violate the Yelp intent of a 'real review' without an actual in-restaurant experience?" Indeed, you may further ask, "indeed, how is he giving a restaurant he's never been to five stars? Incidentally, self, you should call your mother; she worries." Well, in answer to your insightful queries, when I was out with the aforementioned friend, she received a call from someone at Woodfire Grill, and in addition to confirming the reservation for our impending dinner, they also asked if we had any particular dietary restrictions. Let me repeat that: The restaurant where we will be dining has care enough to call well-ahead of our dinner to determine if anyone in our party is lactose-intolerant, gluten-free, allergic to peanuts or shellfish, or addicted to pork. You should expect an update to this review later this week, but so seldom have I encountered such above-and-beyond-the-call-of-duty customer service, I had to mention it in its own review. P.S. Call your mother. She worries.
(5)
A M.

I ate here with 3 other people. They set us up in a private room, which was wonderful. The ambience was great, unfortunately the food wasn't quite up to expectations. I guess we had really high expectations, given the reviews and having seen top chef...so from there it seems the food would have had to have been completely phenomenal and perfect for us to be happy. This fish was under seasoned. In all the dishes, the flavors weren't very exciting. There may have been good ideas but none of it came together the way any of us wanted...on any of our dishes. So this rambling review really just sums up to: we didn't have a bad meal, however it was below expectations (particularly because it was $300-before tip). 2.5 rounded up to 3.
(3)
Lyn N.

I went here on date and I have to say this is one of the most vegetarian friendliest, upscale restaurants I have been to in Atlanta, given that it is NOT a vegetarian restaurant. Serving seasonal, local, fresh, and organic ingredients, I learned that the chef makes a lot of vegetarian 3-5 course meals. The food was AWESOME..more like mouth watering. I couldn't really tell what all the things I ate were or consisted of. All I knew that it was vegetarian, tasted good, and made me happy. Since it is a nice restaurant, it is assumed that the service is top notch. And yes, it was. We were greeted by the hostess who took our coats. I haven't been to a place that actually took/ checked in our coats as a complimentary for us since being in NYC and Europe. As we waited for our table we were taken to the bar where I got some water. The dining table itself was an interesting concept. There was a woodfire grill right in front of us where the chef was making/grilling the food. Guess that's why it was named "Woodfire Grill" restaurant. Although this is an expensive place to dine, it is a great opportunity to experience especially for those special occasions. For those looking to impress a girl, definitely take them on a romantic date here. For those looking to enjoy great food with a healthy portion size, this is your place too! The ambiance is very calming and quiet so I am not sure how well big group (10+) would work out here. Unless you book out the entire restaurant, others may be disturbed by the loud party. Also, the dining room is not as big. However, I think the restaurant would still be willing to accommodate or work something out to accommodate such a group.
(5)
Leeanna L.

If I could give Woodfire 5-stars infinity, I would. Granted this was a first-time visit but the chef's 5-course tasting was one of the most memorable dining experiences I've had in a while. Each course was an artful and complex arrangement of flavors, colors, textures, and great ingredients. Proteins of the night included scallop, quail, pork belly, and lamb. While portions were not extravagant, my taste buds never got tired with mounds of any one ingredient. I actually appreciated not ending the night with a stomach pump. Our server did a fantastic job of introducing us to wines paired to our courses. We got about 3-half glasses each throughout the course at $10/person. Whoa. Really? Our server also told us that the menu rotates quite regularly, taking about 2-weeks to completely turn over. Sounds like it'll never be a dull moment at this restaurant and I'll certainly be back for more!
(5)
Ton K.

Took my wife out to this place since we expecting our new baby celebration my goodness everything was amazing . I had the grouper my wife the steak. Highly recommend this restaurant but service can be slow.
(5)
D L.

Went for dinner. Got the five-course chef's choice thing. I can't even remember what we ate because each tiny-ass dish had minimum four components. But with each dish brought to our table, my desire to scream with joy increased exponentially. Seriously. I remember one protein served was a delicious square of pork belly. No more than a mouthful :( I wanted more... *drool Loved the bread and the butter. Loved the atmosphere. Very nice service :)
(4)
b t.

I found myself in ATL for a long weekend and needed somewhere to get a bite on Thursday after a few meetings. As my wife and i were driving in from the airport at waaaaaay too early in the morning, one of us said "isn't the guy from Top Chef with the pig tattoo down here somewhere". Of course, i'm sure he wasn't the only contestant on TC to have a pig tattoo, but the other knew who the first meant. a couple minutes later via iphone magic, we were in at 8:15 We did the regular 5 course and a pescatarian version, and couldn't have been more pleased with our first night in Atlanta. Every dish was well thought out, flavors paired wonderfully, and everything was seasoned appropriately. I think the only true disappointment with the dinner was that there wasn't a version of the crispy pork terrine included in it! I saw that one listed as an alacarte menu item and it sounded delicious. I was a little surprised that the regular five-course only included one pork-centric dish (i mean the guy has a PIG TATTOO!!!) Remembering back to TC and what it seemed like the dishes Kevin made were like, i think his place is a true representation of that. The dishes were simple, but they were done right. Each ingredient was cooked correctly, as well the flavors that were married together on each dish meant to be in that dish. Nothing was out of place, nothing didn't belong. On the flipside of that, we're pretty adventurous eaters, so for us, none of the dishes were anything too modern, or so out of the box that they became the dish that would be ingrained in our minds forever. Some people might read this last statement and think that it's a knock, but that's really not how i'm meaning it. Sometimes you want a super solid meal, that's worth the money you're paying, and i feel like that's what we got at Woodfire. As one other reviewer mentioned, i also thought that there was an inordinate amount of smoke in the 'air', without that translating to the food necessarily. (not a bad thing) but it's tough to discern the subtleties of the food when it feels like you're sitting in a pitmaster's smokehouse. (i love BBQ, and everything pork, so this wasn't annoying to me whatsoever - it just made me think that the dishes were going to come out a little more smoke-flavor heavy than they actually were). I don't remember If Kevin did a desert on TC, and if he did, i can't recall if it was good or not. I'm guessing that if he did, it might not have been something that was a winner. I had a little blackberry/blueberry tartlette of sorts that had a wonderful center filling that was entirely too small compared to the heavy handed, not so flaky dough that was curled around it. The inside was great, the dough was too heavy. My wife was also not very impressed with her dessert - it was chocolate creme and raspberry sorbet. Good thing all the other dishes were wonderful. I would definitely stop back next time I'm in Atlanta.
(4)
kristen s.

Dined here on 5/31 for my birthday - although chef gillepsie wasn't in it was still a treat. From the personalized menus to the fact that everyone who stopped by the table wished me a happy birthday it really made the experience there even more special. My boyfriend and I opted for the 5 course tasting menu and it was without a doubt the best meal I have ever had. Tried pork belly for the first time- um, amazing. The only thing I didn't really care for was the black rice(colored with squid ink) Yes the portions are smaller but we left full and happy :)
(5)
Trip B.

To say that I had a man crush on Kevin during top chef is an understatement. I know he is still great things with his life and the restaurant is a testament to that. I knew that I needed to go all out so like many, I went for the five course tasting last Thursday night. The menu changes daily in order to accommodate the best ingredients each night. I really applaud the Woodfire's local-vore mentality and appreciate how it is leading the way in the Atlanta are that is so proximate to hundreds of farms. On with the food: I went with my fiance and we were amused promptly after sitting down. We had a local easy cheese (a young cheese) with a play on a fruit gusher (yes those from childhood). The tartness of the cheese and the deep acidity of the cherry paired with a smoked cinnamon was truly a unique course and one that truly stuck in my mind. The salad course consisted of a pan roasted porcini mushroom, asparagus and a dried corn sauce. It was solid but not memorable. Cornmeal crusted catfish filets were brought to the table next. As an aside, we had imppecable service through out the night and you really can tell that the wait staff love food and love what they or doing. Of course it could be a front but each waiter seemed to enjoy being there on a bust Thursday night. Back to the catfish. Although is was a southern style cornmeal crust on the fish, there was an Asian, Indian and southwestern hint as well. This was a product of the sweet and sour tomato relish, the avocado and the curry power streaked across the top. Great dish all around. Before the next course a tomato water and mozzarella drink arrived only to make way for my favorite dish of the evening, a oh so tender grilled bobwhite and smoked pork belly. It was pure bliss paired with local beets. If I could catch a bobwhite, I'd eat it each day. Finally a duo of lamb consisting of a sausage and a lamb leg were served with green beans, mushrooms s jus and sweet cream. It again was a very solid dish and a great way to cap the meal. After a quick stretch I was ready for the dessert. Coca cola cake. Last time I had Coca Cola cake was probably 20 years ago. It was much better than my mother's (as I'm struck down) but the coffee caramel mousse really pushed it over the top. The inverted root beet float with the ice cream on top was a bit sweet but totally worth the extra sucrose in the meal. The was a truly memorable meal and I applaud thee work this place is doing and love the Atlanta restaurant scene in my short snippets that I have.
(5)
Chris L.

Took my girlfriend to Woodfire Grill on V-Day Weekend 2010. She was a big fan of Kevin and Top Chef. First off, the wine selection was great. We ordered a typical 3 course meal. The first course, the salad was the weakest part for me. There was nothing wrong with it, I just found it to have very little taste. The main course was the high point. I ordered the beef loin, and it was phenomenal! The beef was served with an assortment of mushrooms. My girlfriend ordered the pork loin, and it was also phenomenal. The third course, the deserts were also very excellent. We had the lemon meringue pie and the carrot cake. The atmosphere and decor of Woodfire Grill was also excellent. As one of the other reviewers said, Woodfire Grill is one of those places you just have to trust your taste buds to the chef. I would defiantly recommend Woodfire Grill to anyone that wanted to be a little adventurous and try some new stuff.
(4)
Carrie O.

Alright, let me preface this by saying that Woodfire Grill is one of the best, if not the best, meal experiences I've ever had. I don't even LIKE wine all that much, but I got the wine pairings, and the sommelier is SO talented and I drank so much and it was all 100% worth it and delicious. I suppose that could be the review, but honestly Kevin's food deserves more than that. My cousins (the wonderful people they are!) took me to Woodfire while I was visiting them, and we all got the 5-course tasting menus. Mine, of course, was vegetarian. This was the first awesome thing about the place, that they actually had a vegetarian tasting menu. And a GOOD one at that. Lots of local produce made up the dishes, as well as hearty grains (the best risotto I've ever had, butternut squash and greens... heaven in a bowl) and yummy cheeses. The roasted beet course with broccoli puree was also to-die-for. Even though it was 5 courses, the chef sent out two extra courses (at the beginning and halfway through) that were both great. The truffle deviled egg was especially scrumptious. And both of the extra courses came with extra wine pairings, both of which went fabulously with them (of course). For the meat-eaters out there, my cousins both enjoyed their meals a LOT as well. They had some really interesting looking dishes, and all of it smelled wonderful. I liked that the chef incorporated lots of variety in the meats (they had everything from oysters to sweetbreads in one meal) and the sommelier had separate wine pairings for them that went perfectly with their dishes. I honestly cannot say enough good things about this place. The atmosphere, the chef, the food. Everything was perfection. I wasn't sure why Kevin didn't win Top Chef when it happened, and I'm even more unsure of why he didn't, now. If you're even somewhat close to Woodfire Grill (as in you're visiting states near Georgia or are living in the south or something), GO. Make reservations now, they book up really quickly because of everything I've mentioned in this review. :)
(5)
Chay O.

For what it is, this place is extremely overpriced. I have been here at least three times and each time, the service is just not good enough. The worst thing is that Kevin (the Chef) has repeatedly let me down. After my third visit, I vowed to never go back. I feel more satistfied, full, happy, eating at Bacchanalia than at Woodfire Grill - and they are equally expensive. The whole concept of Southern food is supposed to be comforting, and generous. Not some meat on a stick that takes you one bite and charge you $22 for. I have scallops for appertizer and so is my friend. They both arrived at the same time but they looked completely different. Mine was burnt and my friend was slightly under cooked? Where is the quality control in this place? Doesn't the chef check all the plates before they are sent out or has he stopped caring? Kevin can't just keep serving bad food like this and ride on TOP CHEF popularity forever. You have to deliver the food that you have shown to the TV audience you are capable of. The quality of the food at this place is on par with just banquet food. Mass produced in a rush without quality control. Those TOP CHEF FANS who visit Atlanta don't be fooled! There are many other great places to eat in this city and I wouldn't want you to eat here and have a bad impression the food in Atlanta.
(1)
Stephie Z.

I don't even know what to say about dinner last night. Amazing, Orgasmic, Fucking Awesome- they all come to mind. Always the classy joint, a server greets you before you even make it to the hostess's stand, sits you down, and gets your drink order. Perhaps he is trying to stave off the hoards of Top Chef fan-atics?? A bottle of Barbera please. Soon we are seated and oh yeah, our seats are right next to the kitchen- better to ogle the delicious plates of food rolling out. Our server, who is super cute and extremely knowledgeable without being pushy, rushes over to give us the low down. For me a starter of steelhead tartar in spicy aoli and the pinnacle of my meal, sturgeon in a mushroom ragout topped with oyster mushrooms. Thank God their menu changes daily otherwise I would be dropping $30 nightly to eat that heavenly fish. Holy shit it was good!!! Probably one of my top 5 dishes...of all time- no lie. Tasted my dinner companions duck which was good and my other companions quail, also very good... but my sturgeon was the star of the show. Desert was some chocolaty brownie type thing topped with some icecreamy mouse type thing that was pretty tasty, but I would have preferred another plate of sturgeon and the cute server to go!
(5)
Jang C.

Woodfire Grill is some fancy-smancy restaurant. Some finalist from Top Chef is the executive chef here. Kevin something or rather. Woodfire Grill has a nice, simple menu. They also offer 5 or 7 course Chef's tasting menu with wine or beer pairings. I opted for the 5 course Chef's tasting with the wine. Before we ate, they brought out some bread and butter. The bread basket consisted of biscuits and rolls. I liked them. They were buttery and fluffy. First came the Amuse Bouche. It was a whipped chevre, roasted walnuts and pomegranate gelee. It came on a big spoon you slurp pho with. I love chevre so this was a nice way to warm up our taste buds. The first course was raw kona kampachi with yuzu marinated roots and cucumber-cilantro relish with lime. I liked this dish. I loved the flavor of the cilantro relish. However, the fish was hard to cut with the butter knife they gave us. Of course, I could just eat the whole dish with one bite, but I wanted to take my time. Other than that, the fish and the flavors worked well. The second course was masala spiced North Carolina trout in South Indian coconut curry with three citrus curd. This was not my favorite. It's only because I'm not a fan of coconut nor citrus curd. Not even Kevin could make my least favorite ingredients appealing to my tastebuds. Oh well. The trout was cooked perfectly though. The second amuse came out which was warm celery root soup. It was nice, thick, and creamy. The third course was wood grilled, honey laquered plantation quail. It came with wood oven roasted mustard greens, smoked apples, and sweet potato puree. Now, I don't like quail, but this quail tasted pretty good. I loved the grilled, char flavor of the quail. The sweetness of the honey provided a nice flavor touch to the quail as well. Fourth course was Hickory Smoked pork loin and belly with roasted turnips and cauliflower. It came on top of a cauliflower puree. I loved this dish too. The pork had a nice, smoky flavor. It was good to eat all the ingredients at once to get the full flavor effect. This was probably my favorite course. I mean, who doesn't like pork belly? Muslims? The dessert was chocolate ganache with smoked vanilla ice cream. It came with marshmallow fluff with graham crumble. It's like smores with ice cream. I liked it. It was a good dessert. If you have a big stomach like I do, don't get the 5 course chef's tasting. I needed 2 more plates to get me to the satisfied feeling. So if you can eat a lot, do the 7 course tasting or order off the menu. But if you're a "normal" eater, the 5 course is exactly right. The hard part is if you're with someone and one person eats a lot and the other eats little. It's hard to figure out what to get since the whole table has to participate in the tasting. In that situation, perhaps it's better to go with the 5 course and get McDonalds later. I did the wine pairing and man, that got me buzzed pretty good. I loved the wine pairings. It adds a whole new element to the food. And I'm not even a wine lover. My favorite was the Resling that came with the second course. I can drink that like water. The service was excellent, knowledgeable, on top of things, and friendly. Woodfire grill is a solid restaurant. I came in with super-high expectations, so everything wasn't perfect. But I liked my experience here.
(4)
Dan B.

Excellent food and excellent staff. It's pricey yes, but worth it for special occasions. As with most places in Atlanta, parking is a challenge but they offer complimentary valet - just be careful pulling into the parking lot as it's a bit dodgy, and don't forget to tip your valet. Complimentary doesn't mean free and these guys work hard to keep your cars safe. A good rule of thumb: 10% of your meal is a good valet tip.
(5)
Katie H.

Woodfire Grill was my favorite restaurant. My bf and I celebrated my birthday here on our first visit at Woodfire Grill, a week before Valentine's. I really want to give this restaurant a 4 or 5 stars review but the service and price here is inconsistent. On our first visit, the restaurant was full but service was excellent and very personalized. They made sure that every staff served our table acknowledge it's a guest birthday. They also had the birthday guest name printed on the menu. When we first arrived at the restaurant there was a five minute wait, so we ordered 2 glasses of wine. After we got seated we opted for the 5 courses with wine pairings. The courses were out of this world delicious. I was "wowed" by each bite. Since we already ordered wine so the chef adjusted our main course to compliment the wine. Both the server and sommelier were very knowledgeable. We had a very intimate and terrific experience. If you are a wine lover like me, I would highly recommended the wine pairings because it really enhanced & compliment the tastes of the food consumed. It's foodgasm! The restaurant also sent you home with birthday treats. It's two small granola mixs but such a great gesture. I was sure to come back and would recommended to all my foodies. ............................ Unfortunately our returned to Woodfire Grill on NYE was a disappointment. Service was far from our first experience. Our reservation was at 8:30pm we got seated around 9pm. After we got seated, the server told us that they only serve the 5 courses prix fixe menu normally $70 but on NYE it was $150 (which they often do for holidays or special guest chefs). Dinner took nearly 3 hours because it took them about 45 minutes to serve each course. We couldn't find our server in between those courses. The wait time is a joke. By 11:40pm we had to rush for our last course and the check so we wouldn't miss the rest of the night. My recommendation is to avoid coming here on a holiday unless you want self-service and to pay double.
(4)
Stephanie P.

Delicious meal and great service. From the hostess to our server, Jeff, every detail was taken care of. The environment was cozy without being crowded--and the music was great too. I had the scallops and they were fantastic. I will definitely return here!
(5)
Randolph W.

We had the 5 course meal - 7 of us at our table - all 7 of us left hungry. Each plate was ridiculously small - almost comical. Somebody doesn't know what they are doing at this restaurant. The "main plate" was a quarter sized lamb bite. The waiter and the wine steward were very nice and apologetic - not their fault - this is all on the owner and chef. Will not be back.
(1)
Marsha B.

Took my husband here for his birthday and it was special from the moment we arrived. They had a menu with his name printed on it. The staff could not have been more attentive at the same time unobtrusive. They made us both feel like guests in their home not customers in a restaurant. The four courses we chose we unique dishes, deliciously and artistically prepared. Portions were a perfect size. The sauces were so flavorful and just enough to enhance the dishes. The sommelier helped us pick a wine that was excellent and suited or tastes perfectly. We will be back to enjoy this gem and will bring friends to discover this treasure as well.
(5)
Jeremy S.

So this must have been an off night. While the service was on par or better than you'd expect from a restaurant of this caliber, the food was not what we expected after reading reviews and considering the price point. We didn't appreciate the recipes or portions but it's worth a 2nd shot.
(3)
Maya B.

This was our first visit to Woodfire Grill- my mom is vegan, and it was her birthday, so I decided that Woodfire would be a huge treat, as they offer a vegan option for the tasting menu. The food was all very, very good. Every dish was yummy, portions were appropriate and overall we were very satisfied with the food- we had the 7 course grand tasting. Why the 2 star review then??? The service! Specifically the pacing of our meal. We had an 8:30 reservation, and didn't leave until literally midnight. Every course had a minimum of 20-25 minute delay between tables being cleared and the next course coming out. I've eaten at Bacchnalia several times, and had tasting menus at other restaurants and I've never had to wait so long between courses. It was a huge detractor from our overall experience and by the end of the night we all just wanted it over so we could go home to bed. I know that the tasting menu is a part of the concept for this restaurant, so I don't understand why the timing was so terrible on our visit. With what we spent on drinks and dinner I left feeling very dissatisfied, particularly because the food was actually really good, and had we not had to wait so long, we would have been delighted. Overall very frustrating experience. If you are thinking of going here for the 7 course tasting, spend the extra money and go to Bacchnalia instead.
(2)
Franco A.

First time here! Great place, very cozy, food was excellent, service was ok, my grass fed NY strip was very good!!! I enjoy the fine dining experience while rocking it out to Nirvana playing throughout the restaurant. That's another reason to come back!
(5)
Stephanie H.

Full disclosure: we did not want to do the full tasting menu, so we went straight to the main course and ordered off the regular menu. I really wanted to like this place, but it fell short. After driving in from Charlotte, NC, my boyfriend and I found Woodfire Grill on yelp and decided to check it out. We called to check if there was a dress code (because we were both in blue jeans) and were told that there was not, and made a quick reservation for 10 minutes from when we called. Easy for a Friday night at 7:30. I loved the atmosphere. It was clean, simple, and romantic but I felt underdressed in jeans. We were seated right away, and a waiter was at our table immediately. We hadn't even had a chance to look over the cocktail menu so we asked him to check back with us after we had a chance to check it out. A second waiter came by about 2 minutes later and took our drink order. The first waiter never came back, but as a side note, every time he passed our table, he tapped on the empty chair at our table, which was very annoying and disruptive. Moving on to dinner. I ordered the Ashley Farms Chicken Breast. Chicken was perfectly cooked. I did not like the pairing with turnips, carrots, and risotto. Would've been better with a sweet potato mash and collard greens. The bread that was served before the meal was dry and room temperature. Both my boyfriend and I thought it would have been delicious if it was brought to the table warm. I wanted to try dessert, but after reviewing the menu, nothing stood out to me. Sadly, we both left feeling hungry and wished we would've tried something different during our visit.
(2)
Patrick C.

Although the rich history of the Woodfire Grill pre-dates my interest in it, there is no doubt that Michael Tuohy - formerly of Chef's Grill - brought the brand its original luster. Michael remains one of my Top Five Chefs of All Time. His approach to cooking was every bit Californian; it was a farm-to-table mentality before that term was invented. So it was no wonder that Michael ultimately left Atlanta for the West Coast. When that happened, many of us were worried that Woodfire Grill would never recover. Then along came Kevin-Gillespie-the-Celebrity-Chef, and it was a new day. Without Kevin, the Woodfire Grill now relies upon the talents of Executive Chef Tyler Williams, and he does not disappoint. Chef Williams understands flavor layering and complexity. The rabbit loin dish has no fewer than 8 distinct flavors, and each contributed to the overall enjoyment of what was perhaps the most satisfying entrÃ©e I've had in a couple of years. That being said, if you buy into the "less is more" mantra of most upscale modern chefs - that "let the best possible ingredients shine through" vibe - you will still be able to enjoy yourself; I'm just not sure you will be able to fully appreciate the broad vocabulary of this particular chef. Were it not for an unappetizingly shabby bathroom and a couple of tentative service errors, this would have been the rare 5-star review. I'll save that, hopefully for my next visit. P.S. The Birthday Boy (who is stuck in the 90s and thinks that $50/person should still buy a great meal with good wine in a restaurant like this) nearly fell out at the $100+/person tab. I might have, too, were it not for the skills of Chef Williams.
(4)
Reggie D.

The food is outstanding but the service and waitstaff ruined the dining experience. Our 830pm reservation meant that we one of the last diners of the night. Upon arriving at the restaurant, we were greeted by a bartender who was too busy restocking the bar to wait on us. It took the bartender 10 minutes just to acknowledge us even though we were the only ones at the bar. Once we were seated for dinner, we ordered the tasting menu pared with the wine. Every dish that arrived at our table was out of this world good. My girlfriend couldn't stop smiling after every bite. However, wait staff again took away from our dining experience. The waiter was very polite but had no clue about the dishes that were being served. Our experience could be unique because of our late time of our reservation but overall, it is extremely disappointing experience for a $300 dinner for two.
(2)
Lawrence C.

Three of us dined here for the first time in December, while Kevin Gillespie was still in the kitchen. Did it matter.....I don't know. While we all enjoyed our food, we also weren't blown away. There's only so much hype can do to heighten your dining experience. There was one significant negative experience, which I brought to the manager's attention, and to their credit they took care of the problem immediately. Rarely have I complained about a server, but he had such a condescending attitude and I didn't want to endure his attitude. The manager replaced our server with another and server # 2 was terrific. Management later comped us on our dessert. Octopus appy, trout appy were a good way for the three of us to get started. We ordered a bottle of wine, $62, and then three glasses toward the end, at reasonable prices $13/glass. Mains: Grouper, Duck & Pork Loin were very good, @ $31. Sides were $6. Everything was positive such that I'd return.
(4)
Joy S.

This was my first time and I took my Mom here to celebrate her birthday. I think this place is perfect for special occasions as they seem to genuinely care about your experience and take the time to add those little touches that go a long way. They personalized our menus with a happy birthday message and even brought out a free dessert with a candle and "happy birthday" written in chocolate, which we were totally not expecting. I feel like most restaurants, even high-end ones, don't do anything beyond a verbal "happy birthday" anymore so it was a nice surprise that made a lasting impression on us. My Mom and I had plans afterward and didn't want to eat a really heavy meal. So we decided to each get a first and second course and then a third course to share, as well as dessert being a necessity. I thought our server was great but I did however feel like she was subtly pushing us to get more food. I knew going in that the plates would be on the smaller side so we took a play-it-by-ear approach and decided that we'd order more food if we were still hungry. In the end, we didn't order any more and left full and happy. Here's what we ordered: Drinks: The Jonesy & The Hunters Collins I wasn't in love with our cocktails. Not bad but not great, just all right. I will say they're strong drinks though, which I appreciate. Food: Potato Leek Soup: 4.5/5 - Exactly what you'd expect but done very well. Quail Egg Salad: 3.5/5 - I loved all the components of this salad, however I felt that between the country ham and the dressing, it was bordering on too salty. Sea Scallop: 4.5/5 - Perfectly seared scallop (only one) with unique flavor combos Black Truffle Parpardelle - 5/5 - I could eat this all day, every day. Black truffles are in season and are the star in this dish. Pork Wellington: 3/5 - This was the least favorite dish. It wasn't bad, just nothing really special or unique going on. Brussel Sprouts (side dish): 5/5 - Crazy good! These could be a permanent side dish for me with every meal and I'd be a happy camper. Gingerbread Cake: 5/5 - I don't remember exactly what this is called and it's not showing up on the menu on their website. I'm a dessert person and find myself continually disappointed by amazing-sounding desserts that don't live up to their descriptions. This one was even better than the description. It was a warm gingerbread cake that had cranberries baked in and a scoop of ice cream that made it the perfect way to end our meal. They also gave us a complimentary gingerbread and chocolate ganache dessert that was also very good (but didn't rock our world like the other one but hey, it was free so I'm not complaining). They also serve an amuse bouche and then a petit four at the end of the meal. Our amuse bouche was a smoked beet tartare, which was a great surprise since I love beets and thought the smoky element was something nice and unexpected. I don't really remember was the bite was at the end but I remember it being just all right after the awesome gingerbread dessert we just had. Obviously, this restaurant is super pricey. And while I think it's probably a tad bit overpriced for the portion sizes, it was worth it. The food and and service were wonderful and my Mom was elated with her birthday meal.
(4)
Tulie L.

Am I missing something ?? Stellar reviews had me for a great disappointment for yesterday's dinner. Ordered the scallops for appetizer and it was good but nothing amazing to say the least . Entree was a total fail! Ribeye steak was not flavored , and tasted more like a thick tough London Broil cut rather then the normal fatty marbled ribeye- for 39 bucks it was very small and the side was but one scoop of what seems to be some random grains and 1/2 a pickled radish - color and presentation was ugly . I thought I was punked and was on the show chop.. Cause this dish should have been sent back. I was here for a bday party so didn't want to make a commotion. My husbands entree was a pork chop - with what seems to be a random green beans and chunky skippy peanut butter sauce.. Can you say gross? Pork was cooked uneven, one side was cooked well, and the other underside was cooked medium- lacked flavor though it was nicely charred. Only thing that saved the nights meal was the chocolate truffle cake. Sadly I will never come back. So unforgettable for a $$$ experience- it was almost comical how bad the entrees were. I give this place another year before the doors close.
(2)
Amber L.

Woodfire Grill is a great place for a romantic date or special occasion. I was here not too long ago. Started with the poached plantation quail egg salad followed by the Asian pear glazed pork belly with flavorful roasted brussels sprouts. Everything was wonderful, the food, service and ambiance. With a starter, entrÃ©e and drinks you can easily spend $35 a person here. I would highly recommend this place for a birthday dinner, engagement celebration or job promotion etc.
(5)
Chris Y.

Made the mistake of going on new years eve last week. They told us they would have the normal 5 course prix fixe which is fine, but instead of $70 it was $110. It's new years eve so we couldn't complain about price but the problem was the service. We arrived at 8:45 for a 9pm reservation. We were seated at 9:15 and ordered drinks. Drinks took about 20 minutes and 10 minutes after a "treat from the chef" came out before our first course. 45 minutes in our first course came out. It was good, as expected but the problem was the wait time. It took 30 minutes for our next course and another 30 for each afterwards. Around 11:40 we asked the server to just bring us the check with the 5th course so we could try to make it somewhere in time for the countdown.
(2)
Lindsay A.

Been twice. Had great meals. It's been a few years though, so I would suggest reading other reviews that are more recent in visit.
(4)
Ana M.

I just got my PhD but in the dark, endless days of graduate school data collection, looking forward to my celebratory post defense dinner was one of the few things that kept me going. I had decided to celebrate this special occasion with a chefs tasting menu from woodfire grill, which I never had the opportunity to have beforehand. I gotta say, I was very pleased with the experience. Thoughtful, beautiful plating, delicate taste profiles and creative flavor combinations made this experience amazing. The interior is also much nicer than I imagined from its exterior and it's Cheshire bridge location. It's pricy, but certainly a wonderful and unforgettable experience.
(5)
Tanya B.

Our first time here did not go very well, for a variety of reasons. The owner, Nick, did what only the most exemplary restaurateurs would do and made a great effort to invite us back and give him another shot. I am very glad he did. My husband and I returned and had a fantastic evening, from the instant we walked in the door to the moment we left. We started with custom cocktails that hit the spot - boozy, barely sweet, refreshing. We then enjoyed the 5-course tasting menu with wine pairings, which I recommend every diner should do. Each course was a surprise and a pleasure, with contrasting tastes and textures. The ingredients were at their peak of freshness, and the proteins were sublime (the best quality lamb chop I have ever had). The dishes were not only tasty, but also interesting. The chef utilized flavors and techniques that span the globe and was equally adept at using all of them. Every dish was a home run; a few stick out as being particularly magical. Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and courteous. Nick presented each wine himself and transported us from vineyard to vineyard, all around the world, with his detailed explanations. Their combined guidance through the meal added to our excitement before tasting each course. Considering the typical reviews for this place, and our own experience, I believe Woodfire Grill was simply having an off night the first time we dined there, as can happen with anyone. I am now convinced that this place is more than just a business for Nick Quinones. It is his deepest passion. It is definitely worth indulging in his vision of how food and drink should be. We will definitely go back again.
(5)
Greg R.

I was here as part of a group in the private room. The service was average. We had a reduced menu so I did not get a chance to see the full selection. Parking is not great as you must valet and the valet stop is very tight.
(3)
Lucia M.

We went to celebrate our daughter graduation and we asked for the Chef's five course tasting menu. I really enjoyed the night. Service was impeccable. The bread was warm and tasty and came with a dark truffle butter...amazing. They offer a vast wine list with a range of prices to reasonably fits several budgets. The executive chef is Tyler Williams - I sat facing the open kitchen and was amazing to see him at work. Our food came in a sequence of delicious experiences. I enjoyed all 5 courses and the 2 "gifts" tastes offered by the chef, but two of them deserves special mention: the delicious made chef's version of clam chowder (the only imperfection was the size, I surely would eat more of this beauty) and the beausoleil oyster with radish and passion fruit. It is an expensive experience, but definitely well justified.
(5)
Kevin M.

Came here for dinner after receiving many recommendations from friends who've eaten here. I must say, I was a bit disappointed as my expectations were very high. I ordered the pork loin which was highly recommended, but it was overlooked and dry. The pre-meal tastings were ok, but didn't blow me away either. It may have just been a rare miss for a place that's usually on point, but I wasn't impressed my the food experience. I will say this, the restaurant itself was beautiful and unique. The wine selections were great and I enjoyed that part of the meal very much. Judging by everyone's reviews, I'll probably give this place another try and see if the second time's the charm.
(3)
Patrize S.

It is a shame when an innovative superior quality restaurant serves food that is tasteless. Small portions alone do not make gourmet dining; superior ingredients and chef expertise does; tonight is was only the former, none of the latter. I do hope they return to their days of quality and innovation. We have eaten at Woodfire dozens of times and never before felt we got a bad meal, until tonight.
(2)
Robert S.

Delicious dinner with fantastic food and service to boot. I loved the ribeye and the duck tartare. My only critique was that the bok choy which accompanied the duck confit dumpling was not seasoned and the tagliatelle dish was too salty. But all in all my wife and had a fantastic meal.
(4)
Vanessa S.

Oh, this restaurant... My husband took me here for our anniversary, and it was absolutely perfect. Upon arrival, we were promptly seated and served an amuse-bouche, compliments of the chef. Opening our menus, my husband and I were delighted to discover that the restaurant's staff had printed special menus for us, congratulating us on our anniversary. THAT is how you achieve top-notch customer service and positive word-of-mouth advertising. We chose to try the chef's tasting menu, which consisted of five "surprise" courses and two additional small plates between. I can honestly say the creativity, presentation, and absolute divine taste of every selection firmly seats this restaurant in place among the best in Atlanta. For dessert, we were presented with a beautiful, small chocolate cupcake on a plate with the words "happy anniversary" spelled out in chocolate sauce. From the complimentary valet to the delicious food to the attentive and professional staff, Woodfire Grill does not disappoint.
(5)
Hyunsuk S.

Nice ambience. Scallop second course is very good. Bass was amazing, pork shank was excellent, too. Limited selection of menu, but everything was fresh.
(4)
Eddie W.

I'll admit our first experience wasn't great, the wait was excruciatingly long (1+ hours), the service was apathetic, and that made the food just okay. The owner Nick was courteous enough to reach out to me and we went back for dinner. This time around we ordered the 7 course set menu. The quantity of food was rather substantial but this time the service was courteous and the rhythm of service appropriate. I still wouldn't say it's the best meal I've ever eaten but the overall service of the restaurant was certainly up to par the second time around.
(4)
Jeff E.

Brian at the bar does a great job pairing wine with the delicious food. Well done!!
(5)
Sandy K.

If you get anywhere close to Atlanta GO! Like many others, I have become a fan of Chef Kevin from Top Chef: Las Vegas and made Woodfire Grill a dining priority during a recent trip to Atlanta. The evening exceeded my expectations in every way! The service is top notch with a casual and friendly attitude, but clear knowledge of food and wine. I enjoyed the five-course tasting menu with wine pairing and was impressed at every step. The courses were great in the own right, but the wine pairings made it a blow me away experience. Make your way to Atlanta and GO to the Woodfire Grill!
(5)
Caro B.

This review is long overdue. I am an avid fan of Top Chef, so for my 30th birthday my husband and I went on a food tour. We flew from California to eat here (among other places), and it was well worth the trip. My husband emailed the restaurant in advance to find out if Kevin would be in that day. Unfortunately he was not, so I guess we'll have to come back another time :) Since the restaurant knew it was my 30th, they took special care of us. They gave me a personalized menu with my name, the date, and a birthday message. It was really sweet. They also seated us in a nice quiet area that was very private. We did the 5 course tasting menu with wine pairings and were not disappointed. Each thing that came out was even more delicious than the previous. The portions were the perfect size - I got just enough without being stuffed. The pork dish was just as good as I imagined. It melted in my mouth, and I'm starting to drool as I sit here thinking about it. YUM. All in all this was an amazing experience. The food was top notch, the service was spot on, and I had a great birthday. I highly recommend this place and will definitely return the next time I find myself in Atlanta!
(5)
Ashleigh P.

Hi there Tyler Williams. I love you. You moved from Abattoir to helm the Woodfire Grill kitchen, and I am so happy you did. I went there the other night with my boo to celebrate my retirement and it was wonderful. The hostess stand is kind of in the middle of the place, by the bar... which was a little weird. But now that we know, we know. We were given a glass of champagne to help celebrate my day and to start our dining experience in the right way. Amanda was our server and she was great; very knowledgeable of the menu and sweet. We went there knowing we were going to have one of the tasting menus and we discussed this with Amanda. Once she used the word adventurous to describe the 7 course, we were in. Everything about our meal was wonderful. The cocktail menu is on the back of the wine list, so be aware of that, and they are inventive and tasty. Our meal progression was wonderful. My favorite was the Hamachi and quail egg on the Himalayan salt block (heated to 500 degrees) so that you could eat your fish at whatever temperature you wanted. Our meal really was prefect and it was great to see Tyler out in the dining area, very present, checking on his patrons and making sure that everyone enjoyed their time there. This may have been the best meal of my life. I know that the chef's menu changes often, if not daily. That excites me, because I am going back, as often as I can afford to. #31/365 #31/100
(5)
Jim G.

Food is pretty good. Truly Nothing special. Many better places to eat in the Buckhead area. Warning though, parking is valet only. Valet lost my keys; well they didn't lose them they just put them in another car that drove away earlier.. . Was stranded in 25 degree weather with no keys to my car or my house. Management's basic response was, "oh well mistakes happen." Sorry, not good enough.
(2)
Matt J.

My girlfriend took me here for my birthday the other night. I'm not sure what I was expecting going in, and I'm not exactly sure if I got it either. That's why I'm giving this place 3 of 5 stars. Honestly, I didn't know much about the place aside from the odd review and looking at the menu. (E.g. No idea who the evidently renowned TV chef competition contestant was). Walking in the restaurant has a warm and very Brooklyn appearance. Soft lighting and an elegant bar with a gentlemen behind it who looked like he had been plucked right off Bedford Avenue. Definitely liked that. The hostess was a little spacey, and there was some confusion as to who would take us to our table, but that was fine. Walking into the dining room we noticed that for a prime reservation at one of Atlanta's "top restaurants" the place was empty. We were given a good table and our server came by to introduce himself and hand us a single drink menu, which made decision making somewhat awkward. I took the bartender's choice with brown liquor which I did even though the waiter seemed to be steering me away from it. It came out a brown derby and not bad. When it came time for dinner and wine though I was a little annoyed. There is a tendency in "top" restaurants in Atlanta to think everyone who walks through your door is some dumb yokel who doesn't know what a tasting menu is or what wine pairings are. The waiter proceeded to tell us the "intricacies" of how both "arcane practices" are carried out. Well funny thing, I'm not from Atlanta, I'm from Manhattan. It took all the will power not to cut the guy off, but I maintained my decorum and let him finish. We went with the 7 course "grand tasting menu" and the half-glass wine pairings. Right off the bat there was confusion as we were brought the wrong wine to start, so we ended up with two glasses. A boon of a mistake, but still it lacked polish. I won't comment anymore on the wines because they were just ok, nothing mind blowing. Was disappointed that there were no domestic wines at all. Only one skimpy pour. The amuse was OK, some rhubarb reduction thing. I don't remember all of the courses, but here it goes: Foie gras torchon with jellied strawberries and mocha/malt powder: Loved the foie gras, who doesn't, strawberries were nice, but the powders caused the foie gras to taste bitter. A little unpleasant. Ahi Poke on a hot salt slab: Love poke, love salt, but the slab was so hot it unevenly overcooked the delicate fish. Still good, but better raw. Poached halibut and a cracked farm egg: Loved this one. Great texture and the egg was so fresh. I could have had this one all night long. Pork three ways: Well really two ways. I love pork so I ate it, but it wasn't special. The "smoked pork loin" was actually just Canadian bacon. It even had the rind on it. Tasted like Jimmy Dean. The pork-belly fritter was fun, but pork belly is better simply roasted or seared. Fried sweetbreads: I love sweetbreads. These were great. Not the best I've ever had, but I could eat these out of a paper bucket and be happy. Wood fire grilled beef cheek and veal tongue - How could you not love this? I just wish there had been more. It was cute though how they thought they were serving us something truly exotic. Dessert - Flour-less chocolate cake. It was OK. A little too dense for me. A little too much use of flavored foam as garnish too. Bottom Line: The staff was warm and friendly if not polished in their demeanor and presentation. The atmosphere was a little sleepy which was reflected in the clientele. The wine pairings were ultimately forgettable (What was with all of the Italian varietals?). The food gets an A- for innovation, A for presentation, B for flavor, and B+ for ingredient quality (the pork loin hurt them here). Overall a B+ experience. My suggestions: For the prices charged the staff needs to operate like a well tuned engine. They did not. Add more wood cooked items to the tasting menu, even if it comes with a supplemental cost. Diversify your wine pairings between old and new world. Allow the freshness and quality of the ingredients to shine. Wood fired means: ingredients plus heat and smoke. That's all. It would have been great to have seen that shine in the dishes.
(3)
Sant P.

Fantastic meal and service. A true dining experience. We had the 5 course Chefs choice and it was amazing.
(5)
Nic F.

I have embarrassing food issues so restaurants like these are often humiliating experiences depending on my company. The Woodfire Grill provided a notable exception to the typical embarrassing fine-dining experience for me. We ordered the 5 course tasting menu, which includes vegetarian and pescatarian options. Our server, Gracie, provided impeccable service, and it was her first night on the floor. After we ordered a bottle of wine, Gracie asked if we needed special accommodations or had questions about anything. I shyly mentioned that I am a food weirdo and that I don't eat fruits or vegetables. She said she had never encountered a carnivore but she had great confidence that chef Tyler would be happy to accommodate. At that point, it seemed like the entire staff focused on ensuring OUR dining experience was fantastic, although I would bet that everyone else in the restaurant felt the same way. Incredible service. I'm not sure that I've ever experienced this level of attention to detail. When a course wasn't receiving the appropriate level of attention from me, someone arrived immediately to fix whatever problem I might have with the dish, although there were none. I was always just talking too much. Prior to serving the main course, the chef asked stated that it was a fish dish and if that was a problem for me, he would be happy to substitute it with a land animal dish, which was a lovely gesture, but unnecessary as I love fish, with the exception of salmon, which I mentioned. He assured me that it was not salmon and that they were a bit out of season right now. Although he checked in on us numerous times, as did our server and other members of the restaurant staff, at no time were we annoyed, nor did we feel rushed. The sole imperfection of our experience was that the servers who brought our main course mentioned that it was some sort of salmon. I was surprised after our conversation about salmon but I was still not upset in the slightest. It looked nothing like salmon, so I probably should have tried it anyway, but it went untouched for a minute or so until a staff member asked me if there was a problem. I explained and he assured me that the servers were mistaken and that it was actually black bass. Relieved, I enjoyed it completely. Definitely not a big issue. I won't list each of our courses as it appears the menu changes nightly and the tasting menus are blind. The dessert was absolutely amazing... so rich that I couldn't finish it, which is unheard of for me. This experience was incredible... everything about it. Can't say enough great things!
(5)
Eric S.

Definitely one of the best overall dining experiences of my life. From the excellent tasting menu to the wine pairings, this place was amazing. Make sure that you take a few moments pre or post dinner to sit at the bar. The mixologist here is one of the most well versed and passionate I've ever met.
(5)
Derek B.

My wife and I came here for our anniversary last year. To be honest we may or may not have come only because of a certain TV show. Well not entirely, after watching Kevin on TV, we could tell we would love his food. And we did. I've been trying to convince my wife of the wonders of duck for several years now and this place sealed the deal. Both of us would come back for that dish alone. My only complaint was that we didn't see Kevin :(
(5)
Mike C.

I don't watch top chef. I mean yah I've seen a few episodes but that didn't make me come here. I came here on a recommendation by a local friend, so essentially I came here on an unbiased term since top chef or not, I came here to get my grub on. So if you come here on some sort of expectations, my tip for you is don't. I can assure you that you won't be disappointed as much if you didn't get what you needed. First of all, I came here solo, so eating at the bar would have sufficed. But for the first five minutes I was there, it was getting very difficult for me to breath. I guess because it was too close in vicinity of the fire brick oven. And they were very accommodating in re-seating me in the dining area. And almost immediately as I entered the dining area, the shortness in breath went away. So thanks to the management for getting a me table without reservations. Started off with a Riesling, a German made, Von Hovel. I like rieslings, but this was just a little to sweet for my pallet. For a starter, I went with the honey mussels, with pancetta, shallots, and fondue chile oil. Great presentation, lots of colors, and it wasn't too spicy that it overpowered the mussels. Next came the mushroom risotto. Hot plate, with chanterelles and gremolota. They picked the best mushrooms for this dish. For the main, I went with the Hudson Valley duck breast. Served medium rare. It's just a fatty good piece of meat cut into several small pieces. Served with green cabbage, orange butter and a 100 yr old balsamic drizzled all over the plate. And for a finale, I had to get something that was unique to the rest. The banana pain perdu came with vanilla ice cream, caramel, and candied bacon on the top. Yes bacon!!! You definitely get a good mix of sweet and salty on every bite. Ambiance is a bit dressy. Though it just gets too loud. So it defeats the purpose of going out and celebrating something with someone. But I ate by myself anyway, so it didn't really matter. Still overall, a pretty good experience. Next time I fly into the ATL, this will be on my hit list again.
(4)
Julee D.

What an amazing place. The best wine list and wonderful farm to table options. I enjoyed the foie gras, beet salad, and striped bass. I recommend this place to any foodie out there.
(5)
Mychael W.

Woodfire Grill is absolutely my favorite restaurant in Atlanta, and possibly the country. The service was amazing, the food was delicious, and the fact that Chef Gillespie was there when we went was a bonus. We were big fans of his when he was on Top Chef, so it was great to meet him in person. He actually came up to me after our meal and asked what we thought, and then took a picture with my wife and me. I won't bother describing each dish because the menu changes and many of the items aren't on there anymore. Just know that every single one was amazing and you need to try them! I will talk about the dessert though. Oh my gosh, the banana bread pain perdue topped with banana ice cream and candied bacon...It was possibly the best dessert I've ever had. The slight sweetness of the bread & ice cream with the saltiness and hint of sweetness from the bacon was to die for. If it's not on the menu when you go, ask if they have the ingredients to make it just for you! It's been a while since we went and tomorrow's my birthday. I may need to drop a couple of hints around to the wife....
(5)
Andy S.

Went here and all of us had amazing meals. We started with the mushroom risotto, heirloom tomatoes and the pork belly and they were all delicious. 2 of us got the pork chops since that is Kevin's specialty. The other 2 got the halibut and I was able to try a bite and if I was not a fan of all pork products I would have gone with the fish. The service was fantastic and the waitress knew her stuff both with the food and the wine which we had 2 nice bottles of. Lastly we tried one of the peach deserts and although it was not what I was expecting based off of the description on the menu it was delicious. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Atlanta looking for locally sourced ingredients that are in season. I think next time though I will be indulging in the tasting menu.
(5)
Joel A.

Our anniversary dinner at Woodfire Grill was Indescribably Wonderful! The five-course blind tasting with wine pairings is amazing from the service (friendly, extremely efficient, solicitous of our special needs, but not intrusive) to the courses themselves (see below) to the amazing extras (like a taste of artichoke soup topped with cherry bubbles between courses). It was a wonderful night, absolutely worth the (substantial) price. The indescribable part is the food itself. Chef Tyler Williams combined unexpected and amazing ingredients in each course that made the taste Explode in our mouths. For example, our first course was beet tartare, creme fraich, toasted pecans with local endives and a huckleberry vinaigrette. I would never have chosen this dish a la carte, but it was spectacular! My favorite course was the crispy Georgia white shrimp & local grits, with a spiced tomato gravy. What a combo! We also had wood grilled guinea hen with an amazing combo of local veggies, smoked pork loin and apricot glazed belly with smoked collard greens. I've always found belly to be fatty and gross in the past, yet it was somehow wonderful. Dessert to die for: a dark chocolate, hazelnut, sour cherry concoction so yummy. A couple of words of warning: 1) the bread (fresh baked with homemade ricotta butter) is apparently crack-infused. We couldn't stop and my wife regretted it by the fourth course. 2) The cocktail menu is awesome and unique, but if you go there you will have to choose between finishing the awesome paired wines and walking home (or walking at all) after the meal. Definitely take a cab if that is an option and then go for it. But go! Woodfire Grill is an experience you should not miss. PS's: @Regina Q: Just ell the waiter you don't eat pork...they will adjust for you. My wife is allergic to mushrooms and they cooked around it! No prob. @Elizabeth B: Yes, this is fine dining. Make a reservation, even mid-week. Nice casual dress is appropriate.
(5)
Laura L.

My husband and I relocated to Atlanta last August from Boston, and we're big foodies. Woodfire grill was our first eating out experience after our move, and it has spoiled us terribly. We've been to all the big restaurants, and still none are better than woodfire. We went back a second time and it was even better than the first. The decor and staff are both nicely unpretentious, and the food is creative and fabulous. The chef even came and cleared our table for us when he heard from our waitress how much we enjoyed it. I can't wait to go back again.
(5)
Shafin D.

We came on a Thursday night for my brother's birthday. My friends ordered the chef's tasting menu and claimed the food was amazing (when Gillespie was chef). I was very disappointed. We ordered a la carte, and maybe my palate is too unexperienced to appreciate the subtle hints of flavor, but I felt the elements of each dish did not vibe. The pairings within each dish did not vibe, and for $70 a person with just food, I would expect to be blown away. I would not eat this food for free. The only thing that makes up for it was the service.--it was impeccable. My mom asked our server to explain half the things on the menu which annoyed me and my brother, but our server was unfazed--bravo. This was three weeks after going to Gunshow, Gillespie's new restaurant. I believe the food there is among the best I've tasted. My recommendation--skip Gillespie's sloppy seconds and go straight to Gunshow, you won't miss anything.
(2)
Tom C.

Meh.... This place has quite a reputation. Last night, I took an our-of-town guest there, at his request. I told him beforehand that Atlanta has a great food scene, and we could go anywhere he'd like. This is what he picked, relying on its reputation. I was terribly underwhelmed. We arrived early and had a few drinks, which were very, very good. The bar was quiet and peaceful. We then took our table, and from there things were just so-so. The food was good, don't get me wrong. But, it was still a letdown. I had the salad of local lettuces, and the striped bass. My dinner companions all had either the same salad or the soup. For dinner, folks at the table had the duck and the beef. Dessert was too creative without much in the way of content. The deconstructed s'more was fine but very rich and generally not really anything I'd call a stand out. The service was fine. Nothing super, but nothing there was nothing wrong with it. The booth in which we sat was a bit uncomfortable, with these pillows that were not really working for me (or anyone else, for that matter). It is also worth noting that this place is definitely out of line with the prices they charge - it's really a $50-60 per person kind of restaurant that charges closer to $70-80 per person (with tip, dinner for 4 was $350). In the end, I'm only giving this place 3 stars because I think it's over-hyped, way overpriced, and definitely not somewhere I'd want to work into my rotation of regulars like JCT, TWO, Fourth & Swift, Eugene, etc. Those places offer more exciting food, better values (some are cheaper, some are just better for the price), and more of a really compelling dining experience.
(3)
Lauren Z.

We dined at Woodfire last year for my birthday. Everything was impeccable. We went for the 5-course tasting menu, with wine pairings. The 5-course was perfect, between the amount of food and the timing (and from what I've heard, the 7-course can feel a bit drawn-out). Would definitely recommend the wine pairings as well - a great compliment to the meal, and worth every penny. Kevin Gillespie (my total chef crush) was working the woodfire station that night, so I spent a good part of the night ogling him (apologies to my then boyfriend, now husband).
(5)
Chris H.

I have been salivating about this place for years and decided to roll the dice and try to get a table on a Thursday night. Kevin Gillespie was there and graciously took a photo with us. The wait staff was superbly trained and over the top attentive. The food was so worth the wait. I love local Organic food and nobody does it better than Woodfire Grill. Yes, it's very expensive but...Aren't YOU worth it?
(5)
Kristin B.

Kevin Gillespie's last time manning the kitchen at Woodfire Grill was New Year's Eve 2012, so it only seems appropriate that my first review of 2013 should be for this spot. After soliciting advice from yelpers as to the best fancy and splurge-worthy dinner in Atlanta, I suggested both Woodfire Grill and Bacchanalia to my dad for our annual dinner celebrating an early Christmas. He selected Woodfire Grill. When you arrive, there's complimentary valet. Inside the restaurant, there is a small bar inside and to the left, and two small rooms up at the front with couches and chairs, which would make an excellent spot to wait on the rest of your party to arrive. The hostess stand is back by the bar, slightly hidden from the front door, but a server met us as soon as we walked in and guided us to the stand. As this was during that week of almost freakishly cold Atlanta weather, I appreciated that they offered a coat check for my heavy jacket. The atmosphere is warm, and I thought it struck the perfect balance between feeling special and fancy while still relaxed and comfortable. Once seated, we both selected the chef's tasting menu for dinner, which was absolutely the right move. Though the the plates going to other tables from the regular menu looked delicious, I cannot imagine anything more enjoyable than what we ate. Ever single item was just delicious. Though they offer full and half glass wine pairings along with the tasting menu, I asked for just a single glass of their recommendation to be brought with the entree courses. If you're not up for five (or even 2.5) glasses of wine, this method is a good call, because they selected a perfect wine that went with both our quail and pork main courses. Our tasting menu began with an amuse-bouche (served in a spoon) of caramelized pears, an appetizer of raw tuna, another starter of crispy trout, a "shooter" of roasted cauliflower soup, an entree sized portion of roasted quail, another main of pork two ways with roasted pork belly and smoked pork loin, and a dessert of deconstructed s'more. All of these descriptions sound so plain here, but they were all amazing, with unique flavors, complicated executions, and beautifully plated with interesting sides and accompaniments before being served by knowledgeable wait staff who fully explained all of the details and nuances of each dish and kept them coming in perfect timing. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be a three way tie between the tuna (quite possibly the best, most delicate raw fish I've ever had), the quail (grilled medium rare -who knew that was possible?! Not me.), and the deconstructed s'more (homemade marshmallow fluff topped with salted caramel sauce? Yes please). Now that Kevin Gillespie is gone and I've crossed this Atlanta institution off of my restaurant bucket list, I don't know that I'll be back, but it was a really nice meal all around.
(4)
Dan B.

Went for an anniversary dinner in May. So, not great. Bread was stale on several pieces. The first plates were good. -- salad and green fried tomatoes. They magically ran out of the wine we ordered, but had the more expensive vintage available. Come on, that is bush league tactics for a restaurant of this quality. Did not even offer to adjust the price. We both had the steak. Seasoned well but very tough. For the price, just not that good. Can't figure what all the fuss is about. Did we miss something?
(2)
patrick t.

We ate at the bar and bartender was rude and generally just kind of a jerk. The food was OK but I'll likely not return due to the service.
(2)
Angela M.

It's been a hard couple of weeks for me, capping off the less than easiest year, so I was thrilled when my darling husband not only said we should do something, but made reservations and even got a babysitter! We started with a cocktail at the bar. I love that the bartenders are tatted up and have neatly groomed beards, but wear dapper vests showing off great style. I got the wassail, which was slightly citrusy, appropriate for the season. It packed a lot of punch in a little glass. We decided on the 5 course chefs tasting menu. We wanted wine, but we're out of practice, and babysitters aren't cheap, so we explained that we'd like a half glass served early as a white and half glass served later as a red so that we were sharing something but not breaking the bank or getting too tipsy. While complicated, the servers took it in stride, no problems. The amuse was goat cheese, beet, and something green... Delicious! The first course was yellow tail crudo with radish and some micro greens. So fresh, perfect temperature, great blend of textures and flavors, with just enough flavor from the garnishes to accent the yellow tail itself. The second course was trout with mashed potatoes and pickled tomato. Definitely my favorite course of the night - perfectly cooked fish, great combination of textures and flavors. This dish could make me a pescatarian. The third course was quail. The quail wasn't quite as tender as I would have liked, but I loved that the server encouraged us to pick up the legs with our hands rather than trying to be dainty and cut around it. I don't recall the puree underneath or he coulee (hibiscus?), but it worked quite well with the quail. The fourth course was pork tenderloin and pork belly. Honestly, after salivating over Kevin's pork dishes on the show, I was a little disappointed in the flavor profile. It was intentional, and well-executed, but it was a little like I was expecting chocolate and got mint instead - still good, just not what I would have chosen. The fifth (dessert) was deconstructed twix - buttermilk ice cream, a block of chocolate, malted milk crumbles, and a walnut tuile. The portion was big, the ice cream was great, but I'm more of a fruit dessert person, so it just wasn't my thing. The last morsels were blackberry jelly candies - excellent last flavors. And they gave us bags of hot chocolate to go. While some of the courses were not flavors that I prefer, I still managed to eat every morsel. Everything was beautifully executed. The portions were just enough that I was sated but not overly full. The wines paired nicely. And the atmosphere is cozy on a chilly and gray winter's eve. #Yelp365 - 365/365
(5)
Nina D.

This is the best restaurant (in a high-quality kind of way) I have been to after spending years in Boston. Great staff, delicious courses with fresh ingredients that seem to melt in your mouth and a nice ambience -- don't be deceived by its outdoor "rough" appearance - that only adds to its charm. This place is the real deal. Expect to drop some $$$ but it's totally worth it for a celebration or special occasion.
(5)
Karen B.

I have been here 3 different times now. It was delicious! We took our daughter for her "first" gourmet meal. Chef Tayler is not only a chef but a food chemist. It was amazing what he did with gold fish crackers and grouper. The staff is amazing, atmosphere is great, and food is off the map. Always a great time at woodfire grill.
(5)
Jules S.

After falling out of favor once the celebrity chef was no longer at the helm, I wondered if Woodfire Grill would be much ado about nothing. After all Eater dropped it from their list of must-try restaurants. But my colleagues and I decided to try it anyway on a Friday night regardless. Reservations were fairly easy to get on a Tuesday (they called 2x to confirm!). We were greeted with superb service but honestly were a bit surprised by the plain jane restaurant upfit. I liked the open wood fired grill but the place could very easily turn into a pizza place in its next life. Really the ambiance and scummy bathrooms were the only reason to dock it a star. However, there was nothing ordinary about the 5 star service and excellent food. Usually I don't partake in bread, but their homemade biscuits and rolls with champagne herbs de Provence butter were to die for. Our amuse bouche of lentils with micro celery was also delicious even though I hate celery. We planned to indulge in desserts and we already had wine so we skipped the first and second course to go straight for the entrÃ©e. Their menu changes but if they do have the opportunity to get the tilefish, seize it. Many people don't know what tilefish tastes like but it's a nice buttery white fish that when pan broiled with butter, tastes like lobster. All 3 of us had that and when the meal came out (I also ordered a side of roasted beets) I was worried I was still going to be hungry, but that wasn't the case at all and I had plenty of delicious beets with romano leftover. Everything was cooked to perfection and the sauce on the fish was complex and delicious. Most importantly, we arrived at the main course. Our server recommended the toffee pudding (and as much as possible) but after all ordering the tilefish we decided to get three different sweets: toffee pudding, carrot cake and "milk and cookies" which was a delicious salted rich chocolate ganache with a fun ice cream and cookie. The chocolate was the star. However, the star of the whole meal was the toffee pudding, indeed, and we regret only getting 1. The cake complimented the toffee sauce perfectly and the flavors were complex, sweet and buttery. Good LAWD. It was worth the drive from Charlotte for that damn pudding and probably ranks in my top 5 desserts of all time. It also made up for the godawful dry carrot cake with disgusting ice cream. At the end of the night we were all full but didn't hate ourselves either which was a great feeling. Would I come back? Definitely, for the entrÃ©e and toffee pudding - major standouts. Ambiance was just so-so with the lack of buzz and basic dÃ©cor.
(4)
Carrie B.

Easily one, if not the best restaurant in Atlanta, this coveted spot on Cheshire Bridge has at it's helm the Top Chef-robbed Kevin Gillespie. The chefs menu will definitely be my pick for the next big occasion, but this visit with great friends, wine and food was perfect! The pork belly appetizer was of course the star of the evening, it's really what dreams are made of! If you haven't been or want to really show off what Atlanta has to offer get over to Woodfire!
(5)
susan c.

Four of us went last night to Woodfire Grill to celebrate anniversaries. The other couple were our hosts, and they had requested a private dinning room, which was lovely...especially since my husband has a little trouble hearing. First of all, the mood was intimate, classy and relaxing (a Slow Food restaurant). Right off the bat, the impression was good. We had contacted the restaurant ahead of time, via email and via Open Table, re: my gluten-free, dairy-free needs. So, as soon as I mentioned that, the waitress was aware, amenable and well-versed in what my options could be. She also said she would speak with the chef specifically, about what they could offer me. Very professionally handled. And that put me at ease immediately. There's little worse (for me) than feeling like there will not be a good meal for me coming in the evening out AND that I will have to do the explaining and educating re: my dietary needs....with a blank look on the face of waitstaff as they try to grasp what I'm saying. My fellow diners ordered non-GF appetizers, so the waitress brought me some spring radishes with EVOO. Not on the menu, and very nice of her. The stone salad was GF, DF and delish. Our group ordered 2 grouper dinners, one steak and the pork loin. The grouper (mine with vegetables) was perfect & delicious. Steak was reportedly good, too. Pork loin was so-so, tho the pork belly side item was exceptional, and the black forest bread pudding was amazing (per hubby). A little disappointed there was no GF, DF sorbet dessert option, but the herbal tea was delish. Overall, this was a very special evening. Better experience than when we were here 3 years ago. Excellent service. Excellent chef..Tyler Williams. Lovely mood and surroundings. Very much recommend a private dining room experience, if possible (no idea of cost, as it was a gift).
(4)
Jennifer K.

Bleh. I really don't understand the good reviews. It's not bad, but it's not good, and I spent a lot. Service was way under par, almost embarrassing.
(2)
Mary K.

Finally - a place in Atlanta where meat lovers and vegetarians can go and have a phenomenal meal! I took a group of co-workers here, 10 in total, with very high standards and everyone loved their meal. The service is fantastic and the options are great. Ahead of time, I got a call asking for dietary restrictions, so when we arrive they had paleo and vegetarian menus available. We opted to do a la carte, and I had a beet salad; tempura poached egg; and lentil loaf with brussel sprouts. All were amazing. Our server Larry was awesome!
(5)
Asma A.

With all the hype on yelp, I just had to go and try this place out. But I honestly think that this place was okay. It's not too great to the point where I'm like oh my god it's the best or one of the best I have had. Instead it's more like eh... It's alright. I would say its not one of the best nor the worst. Its just in between. On the upside, The service was great... If your in the area and have time stop by and give it a try. But in my opinion the food is not worth the amount of money you end up spending on it.
(3)
Anna H.

We went to Woodfire Grill knowing that Kevin of Top Chef fame was leaving and that EJ was taking over. I was fully prepared to be disappointed. I am after all, one of those, picky foodie types. HOWEVER, the seven course tasting menu was amazing! The wine pairings were spot on. I think it would be interesting to try the menu with the beer pairings that they also offer. It is definitely a splurge place, not an everyday meal place for me, but everything that I put in my mouth was excellent. I loved that they did it as a true Chef's Tasting Menu only asking if we had any food allergies, and then starting the dinner. I liked not knowing what was coming with each course. The service was excellent, and it took less than five minutes after we arrived for us to be shown to our table. At the end of the evening I was very glad that we had chosen to take a taxi and not drive to the dinner.
(5)
Ms. M.

4.5* Woodfire Grill is definitely a special occasion type of restaurant. We were celebrating my birthday, and they definitely did it right, from seating us at a table with a view of the woodfire grill & oven, to printing personalized menus for us both at the beginning of the meal and at the end with a list of everything we ate, to putting a candle on our dessert. We went for the 5-course tasting menu, which ended up being more like 8 courses counting the amuse, the "taste" in between the 2nd and 3rd courses, and a mignardise. Hoping to be able to try more than just the same five dishes for two people, we opted for one regular and one pescatarian menu, and it worked out well. Three of the five courses were the same (tuna tartare, crispy trout, and dessert), but two were different (pasta vs. quail, grouper vs. lamb). When the fourth course meat dish came out and it was lamb instead of their signature pork loin & belly combo and we expressed our disappointment that we did not get the opportunity to try their signature dish, the server immediately made things right by giving us an extra course of pork to enjoy. Needless to say, the service was top notch -- care & attention to detail, but not intrusive, yet still very attentive. Our server in particular also answered our pesky questions about what all the hand signals meant and how the back kitchen and the woodfire station work together throughout service. It was also a lot of fun watching the grillmasters work their station all night. Too bad Chef Kevin Gillespie wasn't there -- otherwise the evening would've been perfect!
(4)
Andy P.

I really wanted to like this place. It was good but not great. Definitely underwhelmed. There just wasn't a lot of depth and complexity to the flavors of anything I had. Would not consider this in the same ballpark as food other great Southern chefs are serving in the ATL and beyond.
(3)
Ryan C.

Simply one of the best meals I have ever enjoyed. The food, the service, the atmosphere - all outstanding. The pork belly with watermelon two-ways is the single most delicious morsel of food I've ever consumed. The toffee desert was completely off the chain... we ordered more for the table to share because we had to have more. I have not been back since Kevin Gillespie left, but I will.
(5)
Raul C.

This is probably best place I have dined in Atlanta. For those who know the food scene in Charleston, SC, this place compares to FIG. Service was excellent and the owner is a sommelier, so he has wine pairing (by the glass) recommendations for each plate. I started with the pate and followed that with the trout for my main course. Only complaint was that the pate was baked into too much bread and the dark chocolate spread may have made this just as good as a desert than an appetizer. The trout was excellent, with a crispy skin, while the meat was tender with good flavor. I had the dark chocolate cake for desert. A little heavy, but if you are a fan of cake and dark chocolate you will like. The service, as mentioned, was excellent, with a to go granola snack compliments of the chef. Perfect for my return travels to Miami. I gave it 4 stars because this was my first visit. I will definitely try it again.
(4)
Sharon L.

We stopped in here on a random Wednesday night at 6 pm on a whim and had a horrible experience. We didn't have reservations so we planned on waiting for a table. Upon entering we were asked if we had reservations but could see that the dining room was empty. We were told, haughtily by a very pompous host that there would be a 20 minute wait for a table. We accepted and sat at the bar to get drinks. The bartender was also very aloof and was way too busy chatting up the young girls at the end of the bar to be bothered with serving us drinks. After 15 minutes had elapsed the same lovely host came and said, "I'm sorry but the wait is actually going to be 40 minutes LONGER unless you would like to sit at a table that is usually for 2 where we could squeeze your party of 3 into." We let him know that that was not necessary and left to go to Ecco where we got right in and had a lovely meal, as always. I have no issue with waiting for a table at a place where I did not make a reservation, however, on a Wednesday night, at a reasonably early hour, when the dining room is empty, to be denied a table based on a lack of reservation is just ridiculous. I don't care how good the food is, if the atmosphere is so snobby that I don't feel comfortable, it's not good enough!
(1)
Hieu H.

Stepping into Woodfire Grille is kinda like stepping into a late 80s or early 90s, or even 70s time-wrap. The decor feels a little out-dated and the lounge/bar area feels right out of an era when "continental" dining reigned supreme. I half expected to see waiters in black ties and white gloves. The atmosphere felt a little stuffy and tired. Located along a stretch of Cheshire Bridge with sex shops and strip clubs as neighbors, Woodfire Grill looks and feels out of place. "I feel like we're the youngest ones here," I whispered to my date. How can such a young and exciting chef such as Kevin Gillespie still be associated with this place? Known for spinning the concept of "Southern" food on its head, I would have thought the Top Chef runner-up would have high-tailed it out of Dodge a long time ago. Or like Richard Blais, open up a glitzy, although vapid, "concept" restaurant. And indeed, there have been recent rumblings of Gillispe parting ways with this dying dinosaur of a restaurant. Like a shining light, his food acts as the lone bright star. Always inventive, playful, and innovative, Gillespie's culinary point of view shines thru an otherwise drab space. To fully appreciate the full spectrum of the chef's tasteful prowress, opt for the ever-changing tasting menu. A delightful exploration of flavors and textures with a Southern Twist, and always with a focus on local and seasonal fresh products.
(4)
Enrico N.

Had the porkchop and the "brown sugar pie" The first started me with a "gift" from the chef, a tiny ginger compressed plum. Interesting, I guess it was a good palate cleanser. Perhaps a bit over complex for something so tiny. They provided basket with some biscuits. Not bad, could have used more butter as they were a little bland for my tastes. Porkchop came. The plate looked nice, with pretty grill marks. On the side, they had some sort of savory oatmeal and some sweet potato chips. An apple sauce on the bottom. Now when I ordered, the waiter warned me that they prefer to cook it "medium/medium-rare", I said "perfect". I sliced this one open and there was no pink to be found. a little tough to eat. When the waiter came by, I said it seemed. He said "well, it's pork". I said "well, didn't you say "medium/medium-rare"? He said he would go and check what could be done with the chef. I was surprised he didn't offer to take it back. Now the entire time, a waitress seemed to be shadowing him. IT seemed like he was in training perhaps as she would serve me as well. She came by and said she was surprised and most people ask it to be cooked more. I showed her the pork and said "medium means some pink right?". She agreed, I guess, and offered to bring it back to be re done. Later, the manager, I assume, came by and thanked me for giving them another chance. The second plate came. Plate looked a bit more sloppy, not really much in grill marks even. The pork was cooked better although one corner (where some of that fat was) seemed fairly raw. I was fairly hungry at this point so I just told them it was fine. Overall it tasted good. The dish seemed a bit over complicated with all the flavors. For $30, I expected something a little better put together or at least cooked perfectly. I had just had a pork chop at south city the night before and that was cooked perfectly and fairly simple. I decided to get dessert. I got the brown sugar pie which was basically a candied pear tart with ice cream. I asked if it was warm and was told yes. When it came, it wasn't very warm. The pears were indeed candied. Crust wasnt too flaky. I suspect they may have taken a torch to it to get the sugar to the hard stage. Unfortunately by doing so, parts of the crust was burnt. There's browning and burnt. So I'd get the super sweet tart mixed with bitter pastry all barely at room temperature. There was honey ice cream on top but I couldnt taste any honey over the sugar and burnt crust. Another over-complicated dish. Service was pretty good. Both waiters came by to check on me. The "manager" did come by and thank me again for giving them another chance. So overall, I'd say it was a decent meal. I understand why this place is so such a fancy restaurant and perhaps why it is rated so well. However, in my opinion, the chef should focus less on over-complicated dishes and more on execution. It's a pretty golden rule that you get the basics right before moving on. Especially before charging so much for a dish. For the price and the quality, I'm not sure if I'd return.
(3)
Wendy G.

I was lucky enough to be taken to Woodfire for my birthday and it was an amazing experience from start to finish. Was surprised the restaurant was located on Cheshire Bridge, but you would have hardly noticed with the valet and spot on service upon arrival. If it's your first time or a special occasion, I highly recommend the chef's tasting menu for either 5 or 7 courses. Both tasting menus have wine or beer pairings as an optional addition to the dining experience. It's not NYC pricey, but Woodfire it not for casual dining. It's upscale and yet comfortable at the same time. Though former Executive Chef and co-owner Kevin Gillespie (Top Chef) is no longer there, Chef E.J. Hodgkinson (former Chef de Cuisine) ensures that you'll still be getting that amazing experience I had for my birthday. One really nice touch - my menu had a personal Happy Birthday greeting on it for me with the date. One of Atlanta's best restaurants by far!
(5)
Aglaia T.

I went here with my family for my birthday. Our reservation was 9PM and wasnt seated until almost 9:40PM!!! We ordered the 7 meal course with wine pairing. Some of the dishes were A-OK and too salty!, It didnt really blew my mind. One thing that i can definitely say is their staff(waiter/waitresses) were very knowledgeable We had JR as our main server. He was great! Would I recommend this place? Sorta...
(3)
Mandie M.

Absolutely fantastic food, Kevin Gillespie really shows his talents. The pork belly was amazing. Very elaborate drink menu with knowledgeable wine connoisseurs to help with choosing the perfect wine for your meal. I will recommend Woodfire Grill to anyone looking for a 5-star place to eat in Atlanta.
(5)
Orrin A.

We've been here twice. 1st time: 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings. Sat at the bar and chatted with the bartenders. Very fun. All of our dishes were quite good. First time doing a tasting menu so that was fun, but in the end just way too much food and drink by the end for our tastes. Maybe a once a year thing. 2nd time: Regular menu. Have to say I was not really satisfied the 2nd time. First two courses were just OK, nothing special. I was stunned that my entree (steak) was tough as nails. This place has "grill" in it's name...what gives? Service both times was good. Will probably give this place a 3rd chance at some point but I won't rush back. Last point: "Doctor's Orders" cocktail is officially the best mixed drink I have ever had. Bartender who created the drink was very kind to give me a basic overview of the recipe. Thanks!
(3)
Elizabeth B.

Came on a Wednesday night, dressed inappropriately for the niceness of the place. Was told the wait was several minutes so we grabbed drinks at the bar. Bartender was more interested in keeping the girls at the end of the bar (who already had their food) happy. Host told us that it was actually a much longer wait and we could wait more or get food at the bar. AAAAnd, if he could get us a table it would probably be one for two people and we could cram our third person in there. Decidedly, we left our so-so wine and high-tailed it to Ecco -who seated us immediately and waited on us hand and foot (in my white jean shorts and all). For a threesome who goes out to dinner at least once a week and drops about $75-$100 per person every time, Woodfire Grill no longer makes the cut for us. It's at least half about the customer service folks.
(1)
Anita C.

I've been here two times and the first time I met Kevin. I can't quite remember what I ordered but I remember they have awesome sweet breads. The second time I went with the chef's 5 course tasting menu. My favorite courses were the 4th course and dessert. The fourth course he selected the smoked berkshire pork loin which was amazing. The dessert course was called "twix" which is buttermilk carmelized sweet onion ice cream on top of milk chocolate gel. The sweet onion ice cream sounds "different" but I assure you it's one of the best desserts I have tasted and I'm not a fan of dessert. Although you don't have much of a choice with the blind/tasting menu, but I highly recommend it because it's fun not knowing and if you're adventurous and like to try new things, I think this is the way to go. He also pairs each course with a different wine and the whole thing was just a fun experience! I would definitely go again!
(5)
Danny L.

I would imagine if you can get past the pompous host that explains that they are on a wait when the restaurant is clearly empty and experience some of the food detailed in the positive reviews of this restaurant it might be halfway decent. I figured that willingness to spend $100.00 per person for dinner was enough to justify walking into a restaurant. May be the stuffiest place in Atlanta. Bad feel, bad atmosphere. Would pass this place to eat a bad fast food burger at McDonald's.
(1)
Brian C.

Smoky, succulent pork like you've never had it , it literally melts in your mouth. Go for the gusto and try the seven-course tasting menu - you will want to try as many flavors as you can while you're there, because they are all so good. We ate at the bar and had a great time, awesome service, and friend;y staff.
(5)
Rich G.

It was hands down my best dinner in Atlanta yet. Yeah. So good. It was my birthday dinner with just me and my wife (her treat...I got me a good wife!). We opted for the five-course chef's selections with my only point that I don't like cauliflower and broccoli. I'm too lazy to go out to the car and reiterate each of the courses verbatim (they printed copies of our menus). It was awesome and, when they found out it was my birthday, our server brought me a dessert port and some warm puddingish, gooey, sugary goodness that was just amazing on top of the dessert of smoked vanilla bean ice cream and chocolate on a marshmallow smear. Phew! Needless to say we had ceviche, trout, pheasant, lamb and the dessert. Whoa! filling a little bit of time between a couple of the courses were some treats from the chef. It wasn't cheap. We had one instance when we had a hard time getting someone's attention, but that was far outweighed by the overall quality of the service, preparation, presentation and the meal. The best part was that the dishes were good without being too pretentious. Go when you have some time and a little spare cash to spend. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
(5)
Myk G.

We had the Chef's 5-course tasting and it was superb. Across the board excellent. One of the top two meals for us. The other was Morimoto in Honolulu. If you are looking for a great experience, professional staff, not hurried service and plates the don't disappoint - this is it.
(5)
Kelly S.

Wow! We still can't stop talking about our meal at Woodfire Grill. After a little hesitation about the blind aspect of the chef's 5 course tasting menu, my husband and I decided to go for it! We couldn't have been happier with our choice. The meal started with a delicious amuse bouche and we also had an extra "taste" mixed in with our 5 courses. I won't spoil the surprise of what our 5 courses were, but they were seafood heavy, which worked out for us! The staff went above and beyond to make it a special birthday dinner. We had specially printed menus with a birthday message, as well as an additional birthday dessert. We were even given an additional printed menu of our courses as we left. Chef Tyler Williams personally came over to speak to us mid meal. Woodfire Grill exceeded our expectations. Truly a night I will never forget.
(5)
Lincoln K.

Dude, 7 Course meal... I mean 10 plate meal. Awesome. Get it. Who am I to describe with fancy dribble the ingredients I ate. The ratings are excellent and that's all that needs to be said. Also, I've learned to knock off the Skate dish for $8! --- for two!
(5)
Scott S.

In town for work. I took two customers and we all agreed to the full tasting menu for $90 each which they say takes 2.5 hours when you order and it did... The wait staff is very professional and each dish was well explained and we were presented afterwards with a write up of all of the courses, but they are not explained in advance which actually enhanced the experience for us. Every course was a real treat and blend of uncommon favors. I would highly recommend the tasting menu to anyone! I have eaten twice at French Laundry in Yountville, CA and I felt the food and service in this experience certainly reminded me of that without being there. Well done! Highlights were Fish, Squab, Lamb and flourless chocolate dessert, but all were excellent and entirely eaten by all.
(5)
A.J A.

Decent. flavor wasn't flat, variety of options
(3)
Gene G.

From Embarrassment to Awe (Back Story, feel free to skip) WOODFIRE GRILL WAS THE BEST DINING EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD. I had bought through Scout Mob a price fix wine pairing for my Fiance's birthday. The total was around $180. When I had got there at 6 to check in, they didn't have have my name in. We had figured out that I had booked it for the previous night not realizing there was a drop down box to select the night I wanted to do the wine pairing. They did several different nights for this deal and had limited seating for the deal. They only had enough menu items for the seats available. I was embarrassed and quite angry with myself. This was completely my fault, not scout mob's or woodfire. Nick who was the manager gave me the option of waiting it out to see if someone didn't show up for their wine pairing menu. There was another couple in front of us though that made the exact same mistake as did I. They were there earlier so they were higher up on the food pairing standby list. To cool off my frustration we got a drink at the bar. Can't remember what I got or the miss but we were both pretty impressed. Nick came up to us at the bar to tell us how much they wanted us to still eat at their restaurant. He said he would make sure they fully refunded my purchase, even though this was clearly my fault. The other couple who made the same mistake lucked out and got a seat, we did not. We decided we were both eager to finally dine at woodfire so we decided to go ahead and just go for the regular menu. As we were trying to pay out our tab Nick put the drinks on the house! Again I didn't deserve this kind of kindness for my mistake. The restaurant itself is much smaller than you would think looking from outside. Its dark, eclectic and intimate. Fitting for special occasions, romance, or important client dinners. Our menus had our names printed on them, also wishing the miss a happy birthday. I ordered the rabbit, which was one of the least expensive items on the menu (28$), but I adore rabbit. Its a lot like pulled pork but a little more rich in flavor. The miss got steak medallions. We also ordered an appetizer but I can't remember what it was, I do remember it being phenomenal. Like Bacchanalia they bring a gift from the chef. The gift was pimento cheese with bacon jam on a house cracker. Very simple, but extremely tasty. Some of the best pimento cheese I've had. The atmosphere would seem stuffy, but the staff is very professional, warm, sincere and laid back. Really never seen a restaurant culture incorporate easy going with a high level of professionalism. Service seems to come natural to them. The entrees were great and my rabbit was the best I've ever had, better than JTC kitchen which I do adore. Nick came out to ask each of us specifically how are food was. He named each item we got and our names. Very impressive. Nick will be forever remembered to me, for his care, professionalism, and service. When the waiter had asked if we wanted dessert we said we were full and we will need to let it sit and possibly get something later that night somewhere else. It was only 7:00 by the time we finished. Noting that response she brought us ketchup packet style lemon merange pops. She noted that this would give us a taste of something sweet without filling us up. Then she supplied us with brownie cookies to go sealed in a package that we could eat later in the night all free of charge to us! Wow! Also to note I had bought a bunch of party poppers to give to random people throughout the night to come up and wish my fiance happy birthday. The valet attendant happily obliged. In all I feel very grateful to Woodfire Grill for giving my fiance a wonderful and impressive birthday dinner. You turned an embarrassing night into a unforgettable night. I told every friend I knew about my experience and can't wait to come back. Verdict: Crem de la Crem of restaurant service Positives: - Farm to Table Freshness - Impeccable food presentation and taste - Top notch Service - Nick the Manager - Charismatic and warm staff not pretentious Negative - Cheshire Bridge - No outdoor seating
(5)
Will P.

Great dining experience. Took the family to try this restaurant and was pleasantly surprised. Had the 9-course chef special and almost every course was delicious. The ambience was great and the staff was attentive. Will definitely recommend if you are looking for a dining experience, not just a typical place to eat.
(4)
Sean D.

I was initially very skeptical of this restaurant, but in the end it was fantastic. The prices seemed high and the ambience was average, but the service & food were incredible. I had the lamb belly, lamb shank, and fried strawberry pie. My wife had the scallops, steak and lemon mousse. Every single dish did not disappoint. The sauces and sides went perfectly with each dish. Highly recommend it.
(4)
Michael L.

Went here on Valentine's day. Had a dissappointing experience, was expecting amazingness which did not deliver. The food was just not very good, ateable but not great. Not sure if it was the concept of place, or perhaps what the chef did. Maybe it was an off day or something about the Valentine's day menu. Service was decent. Might be back to see if this was a fluke night to try it again, although will have low expectations.
(2)
David N.

It's been about a year since I last put my two cents in on my favorite Atlanta restaurant. The Chef du Cuisine E.J. Hodgkinson has since stepped up to manage the day-to-day menu and the food remains as good as it's always been. I've seen a handful of severely negative reviews recently and cannot fathom the complaints being described as coming from this same place. To meit's like reading a product review where someone has uselessly rated an item with 1-star because the item they bought broke during shipping - hence they never even used it in the first place to form an actual opinion. Fortunately, the quality of Woodfire has garnered such a volume of positive attention that this noise is deservedly lost in the signal. And that signal is that Woodfire Grill is the best restaurant I've found in Atlanta bar none. I'm not a native, but having moved here four years ago I've been to most of the highest rated restaurants around the city. This is the one I come back to again and again. I always get the blind tasting menu and, to date, I've now eaten over 100 distinct dishes and have never left a morsel on a single plate. If that doesn't speak to the quality, creativity, and consistency of this establishment, I can think of no higher honor. That's more than 20 5-course tasting menus and not a single repeat dish, nor a single dish that wasn't perfectly conceived and prepared. For both business and pleasure Woodfire is my goto destination for a fantastic dinner experience. We've always been treated magnificently by the host, manager, and wait staff, and they're always going all out to make our evening a celebration to remember. I first tried Woodfire after seeing Kevin compete on Top Chef Las Vegas. There was a novelty to trying the restaurant of a "celebrity" chef. I've gone back more than 20 times because the food is just that good, regardless of whether they're cooking anything from trout, venison, lamb, quail, scallops - the list goes on and it doesn't matter because it's all exceptionally delicious every time.
(5)
Travis H.

Custom Cocktails = Count Me In. Very Awesome. Atmosphere = Relaxed. Not Too Pretentious. Service = Outstanding. Attentive and Polite. Food = Very Good, But Not Amazing Portion Size = Don't Go Hungry. It's a "fine dining" place with multiple courses so me and my appetite will of course be a bit let down at the end of things, but luckily their amazing booze concoction list sustained me.
(4)
Diana K.

I had a fantastic dinner here. Our waitress Heather mentioned that they are able to accommodate complex diet restrictions. My dinner companion is very particular about food (low salt, low oil, low butter/cream) and based on her recommendation, we chose to have the 5-course tasting menu. The chef was amazingly insightful into what my friend would and wouldn't like to eat and was able to tailor each course (sauces on the side, different sauces e.g. with vegetable puree substituting for cream) for each of us. I was very impressed. All 5 courses were complex and delicious. I would eat at the Woodfire Grill again in a heartbeat!
(5)
Kevin J.

One of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta. I can't say it warrants a 5-star rating but the service is not far from it. The food is always tasty and the quality is marvelous. Make sure to grab a 1st, 3rd and dessert. Often times their second round of plating options is a little skip-worthy so make sure to check them out before just automatically assuming the same. Maybe it'll surprise you one day. Or me, for that matter. The ambiance in front is definitely a laid-back bar, but the back of the restaurant is where the magic happens. Multiple people wait over a one-man chef who provides a pretty good show. The warmth from the fire make for a cozy evening with the smell of wood burning keeps you feeling as if you're far away camping. With comfort of course. Check it out for yourself and don't let the area fool you. There is good food inside that waits. Make some memories.
(4)
Loki S.

The owner reached out to apologize for the previous service and invited us back. Everything was outstanding this time, much more like our previous visits.
(5)
Zlatko U.

I went here with a couple of coworkers for dinner. We were in by 7 and out by 11. This has been perhaps the best work related dinner I had since my glory days as a consultant. We arrived a bit early and the friendly bartender fed us the finest Belgian ales. After our whole party arrived, we were promptly seated and we ordered a wonderful three course meal. Being a vegan, I was surprised how well they cratered to my needs. I had a magnificent three course meal that was perfect in proportion and fantastical to my taste buds. The servers were super friendly and professional. The restaurant itself was a bit crowded and humid, but after a few saison duponts I really din't notice it as much. Now if someone is asking you to go out for a work related activity, don't hesitate to ask for the Woodfire Grill. However, if you are trying to impress someone, say a date, take 'em yonder and let the Amex do the work for you.
(5)
Chan B.

My husband and I celebrated our birthday here! From the time we arrived until our departure we had an experience we will never forget. The ambiance was delightful, our waiter greeted us with birthday menus and we had the pleasure trying the 5-course meal. The portions were small but surprisingly enough, after five courses you are definitely full! We had palate cleansers in between, one specific plate was a gala apple with homemade caramel, peanuts and bacon ...to die for! We able to meet the chef after out meal and he was very friendly! Overall, a five is definitely needed for tr food and the service. One concern I had was valet parking as they park the cars across the street and must physically cross a four lane busy street with your car. It kind I had me on edge. But the guys were really nice and valet parking is free!
(5)
Matthew C.

Went here on a date a month or two back. The place is unassuming, kind of tucked back and is much larger inside than it appears. The decor and feeling is cool. It's warm and inviting. We went in the middle of the week and had a reservation so no issues with getting a table or a crowd. Because I'm easily talked into things, we did the tasting menu. I had never done it before so I thought it would be fun and different and I'm all for over-spending so it seemed like a no-brainer. I'm no foody so a lot of it was over my head but I can comprehend if food is good or bad, and for the most part everything we had was good to really good. However, shot glasses full of mushroom soup isn't enjoyable. 4 drink and two tasting menus and a tip later you're out a couple hundred dollars but it's a fun experience and a good way to try new things. It makes for a fun date, but obviously not something most people can afford to do on a regular basis. I plan on going back and ordering off the menu. The portions on the tasting menu are very small but by the end you're filled up. I actually got tired of them bringing me stuff at the end, but gladly kept eating. I'd give it four stars but for the money spent it could have been better, which I guess is always true, but whatever.
(3)
Sonya S.

We were greeted with complimentary valet parking, then a wonderful host and engaging waitress. The cucumber amuse Bouche was refreshing, and the lemon-thyme biscuits with sweet tomato jam butter (all complimentary) were fabulous! Our waitress let me select any glass of wine as a half-glass, which I really appreciated. We also shared the entree: halibut was very moist and simply seasoned, and my husband loved the corn risotto. The chocolate truffle cake with dark chocolate icecream is a MUST if you love very rich dark chocolate desserts...amazing!!! The pastry chef then offered adorable mini chocolate whoopie pies; I was too full to eat much, but the frosting of the part we ate was delicious!!! Price for the fish, 1 beer, 1/2 glass wine, & dessert was $62. Between the great service, delicious food, and comfortable yet upscale booths, this is a highly recommended place!
(5)
Fred J.

The "meh, I've experienced better" comment truly sums up our experience at Woodfire Grill on Saturday. From the unctuous host, to the bartender, to the food...so not worth it. The best service we had that night was from the valet. If you are planning on spending $75 per person, there are so much better places to go...like Abattoir. Go there, please.
(2)
Katie B.

We went last night for our anniversary and it was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. The service was impeccable and the food was outstanding. They really worked hard to make us feel special and even put our names on the menu! We were seated right next to the chef area and enjoyed watching the going-ons of the evening. Chef Tyler came by and talked to us some too, very nice. We will be back for sure!
(5)
Michael B.

I can't believe it's taken me this long to finally try this place, but I'm sure glad I finally did. A very unique Atlanta dining experience, very comparable to some of the true foodie restaurants you'll try in NYC, Vegas, LA... We went to celebrate my wife's 30th birthday and had the 7 course tasting menu and everything was truly outstanding. It started with custom printed menus that had my wife's name and happy birthday on them. Not a HUGE thing obviously, but a very nice touch that made the experience even more special. Some interesting drinks and very solid wine list accompany a truly unique menu. I'm not going to talk about every item we had on the 7 course tasting menu, but just a few highlights: Yellow fin tuna crudo - simply perfect tuna with some great touches. The olive oil emulsion, cocoa and jalapeno were all unique additions to this great dish! Pan Roasted Carolina trout - Wow. Great light crunch on the outside, amazing potato cream and loved the charred corn. Duck Breast - the duck was great, but all the additional components of this dish really made it sing. Chanterelles, jalapeno jam and foie gras and malted chocolate risotto... This was phenomenal. We had the "twix" for the dessert and it was soooo good. never had sweet onion ice cream, but it was awesome! All in all a great experience! Good service, good ambiance, but the food, the creativity, the presentation are absolutely top-notch. This place is in a league of its own in Atlanta.
(5)
Brian F.

Loved this place! Spent a fabulous evening here during a business dinner. The maitre 'd was nice enough to seat us at a table for 4 so we could spread out a bit even though the restaurant became quite full. We got the 7 course grand tasting menu with wine pairings and it was awesome! Standouts were the sweetbreads, quail, and the big-eye tuna tartar. Bravo le chef!! I will be back.
(5)
Weleys S.

Yes, cannot deny the 5 course chef's tasting menu. The fish and dessert always seems to be good. Have been here more than my wallet should have allowed me but I will have to say that food used to be a lot better couple years ago. Not sure how much Gillispee is actually here now versus letting managers oversee the new chef.
(3)
Stefanie M.

I've been wanting to try Woodfire Grill for a year now, but getting a reservation at a 7pm slot (and not 6 or 9pm) has been a problem. Finally I was able to make a reservation for a Friday night not too far in advance. Service was impeccable. From check in to finding the ladies room, the service and staff were friendly, informative but not hovering. Sometimes at these upscale restaurants the service is a little snooty, or up in your grill about every little thing. Woodfire Grill service is not, it's the best I've ever seen. We opted for the 7 course tasting menu and split one wine pairing between the two of us. It was divine! We loved everything! The menu starts very light and clean, and finishes bold and heavy and we loved it top to bottom! My favorite course was the pork belly, and my husbands favorite course was the duck (can you tell we're meat eaters?) The wine pairings were lovely and with just a 1/4 glass for each of us per course, we were not hammered by the end of dinner had we done the regular wine pairing (half glass each per course, which for a 7 course dinner would have been 3 1/2 glasses of wine). While we dropped more on dinner than I think we have ever spent in Atlanta before, it was well worth it in our opinion and I can't wait to return for a special occasion!
(5)
Emily N.

My boyfriend took me here for my birthday, and the experience was terrific from start to finish. This is a great choice for a special occasion. It feels special without being stiff and snooty, and this was a great balance for us! The food was really, really great. We did the 5 course tasting menu, and it was a lot of fun. As you'd expect from a high-end restaurant, the plates were very small, but after all of them, we were quite satisfied. Before we started our meal, they brought bread--tiny little biscuits and another less intriguing kind, and some sweet butter. Very tasty, but how much can you say about bread? I also indulged in a "bartender's choice," which was a highlight of the visit. In this instance, you choose "white" or "brown" and the bartender uses light or dark spirits to make a unique drink. I talked to our server a little first about my preferences, and went with "brown." Sweet mother of Scotch it was amazing. I do not remember what she said was in it, or what drink she said it was similar to, which is a shame, because I want to get down on one knee and propose marriage to this drink. Moreover, it was not your grandma's cocktail--in addition to being perfectly balanced and really complex, that bad boy was strong. I think the strongest plate we had was the second course, which that night was crispy North Carolina trout with local frisee, braised bacon, and an apple-pear mustard. De-freaking-licious. The flavors were so nicely balanced and--while I'm not one of those people who bows down at the alter of all things bacon--the braised bacon was a perfect touch, and added a really nice salty taste to the fish and the mustard. Close second was the wood-grilled, honey lacquered plantation quail with mustard greens, apples, and sweet potato puree. My least favorite was a dish with pork belly, but I think that's just because pork belly isn't my thing. I know that's something they're famous for. Dessert was also mind-blowing. It could be described as the world's most fancy and delicious s'more: it had valrhona chocolate ganache, smoked vanilla ice cream, salted caramel drizzle, graham cracker crumble, and homemade marshmallow . Had I not been in a very nice restaurant wearing a very chic dress, I'd have been sorely tempted to pick up the plate and lick it clean. As you'd imagine, the service was also top notch. each plate was delivered with perfect timing, with a brief and helpful description of what it was. Our main server, who's name I'm sad I forgot, was also terrific and helpful. The space was lovely and warm. It felt posh and special without feeling stuffy. All things considered, the food on it's own was wonderful, but maybe not my favorite in town. However, the experience start to finish was top notch.
(4)
Tofu S.

AMAZING!! We went with the 7 course chef tasting menu. We weren't exactly celebrating a special occasion, but when they called to confirm the reservation, they asked about any food allergies and if we were celebrating anything special. We had just gotten married about a week prior, so we weren't technically celebrating, just enjoying a weekend getaway. They still took it upon themselves to make our night special with complimentary champagne, dessert, and a customized menu to say congrats. The food took a while to come out because they had 2 large parties, so we were there for 3 hours, but it was worth it! Every course was heaven and we cannot wait to go back for the service and food. As for the ambience, it is not a quiet, whisper to each other as you dine type of place. sure you dress nice, but the restaurant is of a moderate level and it feels trendy, inviting, and fun. We can't wait to go back!
(5)
Addy C.

Last Tuesday, Woodfire Grill became one of my favorites for overall dining experience -- I recommend it as a great date spot: ask for patio dining if the weather is nice & cool -- the ambience is warm, romantic with the low lighting & candles, plus with the smell of a wood-burning stove ... the right ingredients for a wonderful evening. Well, I came with two former work friends so romantic it wasn't :) Still, we had a great time. First, I was blown away at the wonderful service we received. Our server was awesome - very friendly, great at explaining anything we asked (including what is a steelhead and how they compare to salmon), attentive (frequent refills w/o asking), and so sincere like he really did care. I was also impressed at seeing the manager serving, too - at most other restaurants, they usu. just show their face after the meal to see if everything was ok. It could've possibly helped, too, that the servers and manager knew that two in our party had attended the Yelp Elite event the week prior :) Still, I observed the other tables, and they too were getting similar great service. Next, they have a great seasonal menu that changes daily. It may be helpful to check out the menu beforehand to make sure they have something you will like. The dishes are definitely unique, all wood-grilled: our main entree choices were wild steelhead, duck breast, culotte steak, pork loin, and rabbit leg. Of course I didn't include the menu descriptions which make each of those dishes sound not just unique but very interesting, too. Entrees are in the $26-27 range. Here is what we ordered: Butter Lettuce Salad with North Georgia apples, farmhouse cheese, apple cider-mustard vinaigrette, & candied walnuts. My friend loved it - unfortunately I didn't get a taste though. Sweet Potato Gnocchi with fried sage, balsamic, brown butter, and pecorino. Whoa, this is a melt-in-your-mouth heavenly & delicious kind of appetizer ... it could almost qualify as a dessert! I'd definitely get this one again. Wood Grilled Wild Steelhead with local tomato gratin and summer squash salad. I enjoyed my dish very much. The fish had a smoked taste, and like our server said, tasted very similar to salmon. The two sides complemented the fish well. Wood Grilled Painted Hills Culotte Steak with creamed arugula, and duck fat roasted potatoes with garlic. I sampled the steak, and our server was right, the culotte steak is a more tender cut - tasty but a heavy on the salt. Organic Roasted Spaghetti Squash - unfortunately I didn't get a chance to sample this one either, nor ask my friend whether it was good. I'm sure it was. Silence is usu. a good thing at restaurants. Before our food came out, we also got a complimentary tasting from the chef. It was a chorizo topped with beet, pumpkin, carrot, & celery. A nice unexpected treat. They also bring out bread with a delicious homemade herb butter. We didn't get dessert but we did look at their dessert menu -- they have some very creative dishes. If it weren't for the Presidential Debate at 9, we probably would've ordered some. I would definitely come back - and next time, definitely order dessert. Woodfire gets a strong recommendation from me!
(4)
Crystal W.

3 Words "Worth Every Penny!" Intimate, romantic dining on mouthwatering fare with an extensive wine selection. We went all out from vischyssois to creme brulee with wine pairings throughout. Pate Maison is to die for!
(5)
Taylor A.

#2 all time best meal in Atlanta. This place is super-hyped and in this case it's true. As much as you might love something on the main menu you should pass it up and go for the tasting menu. It's worth it. The servers are the most educated I've had in Atlanta. From the food origin to wine knowledge, these guys really know their stuff. Food: Shot of liquid that tasted like a caprese salad shot. it was a Willy Wonka moment realizing how they captured the flavor of a salad in a shot. Blew my brain! Rainbow trout: Amazing fish. Pork belly: I was expecting magic on this one, and David Blaine definitely punched me in the face, in a good way. Lamb over farro: I had no idea what farro even was, but the server told us. Crispy and melty and grainy. Hard to describe but friggin awesome. Coca cola brownie + root beer float: Crazy little flavor explosions all over the place. Probably the most expensive meal I've had in ATL, but it was worth every penny of my gfs paycheck. :) Shoutout to the gf!
(5)
Teofilo M.

We Had the 5-course chef's tasting menÃº, it was a great experience. Last course I was excited when they change our knife and fork indicating we will have something from the grill, but was not the case and I get very disappointed. My disappointment was not because the last course was not good (maybe very small for the size of the meat silverware) but I was expecting a grilled meat form that Woodfire Grill.
(4)
Gina C.

A year later and it is still the best! I had some friends in town from LA and they wanted to try a good restaurant in Atlanta. I suggested a few and they chose Woodfire. I'm so glad they did. We all decided to try the 5 course tasting menu. ($65) Your whole party has to participate. They also have a wine pairing for each course. You can chose from whole or half glasses. Here is what we had: Amuse - roasted baby beet 1st course - cornmeal fried oyster w/ veg slaw 2nd course - pan seared salmon w/ swiss chard Taste - watermelon soup 3rd course pork belly and quail w/ roasted okra and potatoes 4th course - duck breast w/ roasted carrots Dessert - blueberry cake w/ blueberry ice cream & lemoncello ganache My faves were the cornmeal oyster and pan seared salmon. The salmon is seared only on one side and just melts in your mouth. I wasn't a fan of the watermelon soup. Some of the veggies were a little salty for my taste. Also, the dessert was fabulous! My friends said this was one of the best meals they ever had. We had a wonderful dinner and exquisite service! I didn't meet Kevin this time either bc he was in Cincinnati for a chili cook off. One day...
(5)
Samantha Y.

The tasting menu is fantastic!!! The tasting menu changes so it's not the same every time (although I'm not really sure I'd mind if it didn't) and the service is superb! Also, if there's a birthday in your party, they print the B-Day Boy's or Girl's name on the menus for the table - very nice touch!
(5)
Kevin B.

It's been said that our sense of taste is primarily informed by our sense of smell. Taste is actually (according to the eggheads out there) the weakest of all our senses while smell is the strongest. If that's true, it's good news for the Woodfire Grill. True to it's name, before you ever take a bite of food, the first thing you encounter is a rich, deep wood smoke odor that permeates the restaurant from the front door to the bathrooms. It's a warm, pleasant, familiar yet sharply exotic smell that tells you this place is a thrilling combination of a cherished memory and thrilling anticipation of new experiences. Increasing that sense of anticipation is executive chef and partner Kevin Gillespie. Reality TV and great food aren't always natural bedfellows but Top Chef (on which Kevin was a contestant and finalist) clearly has a focus on putting talent in competition rather than mentally unstable agitators with delusions of grandeur. Moreover, Kevin, in his season, elicited the impression that he was a chef with talent that ran at a much higher gear than the other fine chefs on the show. On a personal level I rooted for him. A lot. He had a knack for what seemed like inventive but comforting cuisine that almost always impressed the judges. I though at the time--I'd love to taste what the judges are raving about. So when I happened to be in Atlanta for work, I rounded up my team and took them to the Woodfire Grill. Here's the one problem with Woodfire Grill. Between the Top Chef lore and the rich, velvety smoky smell at the door, expectations for a revelation in food were pretty damn high. Too high. I'm not sure that anything that we ordered could have met up with the fantasy of what I wanted it to be. We ordered several of the second course appetizers for the table to start. Pork Belly, Risotto and Scallop made it to the table in short order. Scallop was cooked perfectly, so was the pork belly...and the risotto too. All were very good and tasty. But none of them elicited the kind of sensation that would have you fighting over the next bite or telling everyone you know about it afterwards. And there were some notes that even fell flat. The egg salad mash with the pork belly was a cuter idea than it was a flavor or texture-at least in relation to the pork. I had scallops for the main course. Very well cooked and seasoned. Someone else at the table had the Hudson Valley duck breast and I managed to steal a piece. Well cooked but the pieces were so thick that they ended up being a little on the chewy side. Might be a persona preference--but I like duck to be thinly sliced and tender to the point that it almost doesn't need to be chewed. Overall--it's very, very good but if you check your socks on the way out you'll likely still find them firmly stuck to your feet instead of blown off like you wanted.
(3)
Stephen D.

Very well cooked steak. Patrons can see chefs cooking in the open grill near the front. Steak is cooked right on the wood fire grill (go figure) and results in being extremely flavorful!
(4)
Jamie W.

I was here last night and I can't speak highly enough about this place. We called last minute and not only did they accommodate us they gave us a private dining room. The waiter was very knowledgable about the food and the wine and was able to make great suggestions to go with the food. Although expensive I would gladly eat and spend the money again. They certainly know how to take care of their customers with little free bites now and again. I had the rabbit which included some of the organs which were cooked to perfection and although it was not my usual type of food I would gladly eat it again.
(5)
Becky S.

I wish I could give Woodfire Grill more than five stars! My husband and I agree that this was one of the best meals we have ever eaten. We were visiting from out of town and came here to celebrate our anniversary dinner. Being a big Top Chef fan, I had pretty high expectations, and hands down, this place delivered. The restaurant itself is cozy and very nicely decorated. We were seated right by the open fire grill which was really neat. Upon making our reservation the hostess had asked if we were celebrating anything special. When the waiter brought us our menus, they were specially printed to wish us a happy anniversary -- very sweet! We opted for the five course tasting menu. I don't want to post what the courses were because it was a blind tasting menu, and I don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone -- that was half the fun! But I will say everything was perfect! All of the flavors on each dish went so well together, it was really amazing. The ingredients were fresh and seasonal, and the dishes were delicious and beautiful while still feeling rustic. Each course was stellar, and we started getting so excited between courses to see what tasty treat our server would bring out next. At one point my husband even cheered when one of the courses came out, causing our waitress to burst out laughing. But seriously beware -- you may feel the need to spontaneously cheer when you eat this food. Service was impeccable, and you could tell the waitstaff really enjoyed working there and describing the food. The homemade breads and the delicious butter spreads were also outstanding. At the end of the evening, our waiter gave us two packages of truffles to take home as a gift on our anniversary. Such a nice touch! Oh, and one other wonderful aspect about this restaurant was the music. It seriously sounded like they took my husband's or my iPod and were playing it. It was almost freaky how many of our favorite songs they played. The last song of the evening as we were paying our check was a song that reminds both of us of when we first met, and it is such a memory-inducing song for both of us, and fairly obscure (The Dandy Warhols "You Were the Last High"), neither of us could believe they were playing it. Such a perfect way to end the evening!
(5)
Nancy R.

We came here for my birthday and they personalized our menus to say "Happy Birthday to Nancy". The hostess and our waiter made a point to say it too. We saw Kevin again! FOOD: The bread basket was so delicious! I started with the Scallops which came with red potatoes, arugula, and spicy tomatoes. I just wished there was more of it since it was so good. Next, I had the Bass with fennel cream and cabbage, fennel, celery root, turnip salad. The fish was light and flaky, and so good with the creme sauce. I'd get this dish again! For dessert, we had the Banana Pain Perdu with vanilla ice cream, salted caramel, banana cream, and candied bacon. We were unsure about the bacon and banana together but it wasn't so bad. We also had the chocolate creme pie which our waiter suggested. It was so delicious, but small portion.
(4)
Stephanie A.

I was so very excited to finally get my mouth into Chef Kevin Gillespie's Woodfire Grill. Bonus, he was there when I was. Score! It has an elegant farmhouse feel. Also surprisingly quiet so a great option to go with people you actually want to talk to while you enjoy your meal. The menu is crazy simple and crazy delicious. Forget seasonal ,this is weekly fresh what's available. I am of the opinion when you focus on a very few items they are all done very well and Woodfire Grill proves that to be true. First up a deceptively simple appearing green salad. Dressed with red onion, white beans and an assortment of greens. Not to be outdone are castaveltrano olives that give an added dose of vibrant green with creamy fatty but unaggressive presence. Olives can be overwhelming in delicate applications and the chef knows how to temper them perfectly. One bite of this composed salad and it clearly has been given careful consideration in each component. It sang in the mouth! Fried oysters were really quite spectacular. Three very fat oysters dressed in a parsley herb salad. What stood out about these is the creamy warm inside, not hot so they weren't cooked hard. The outside crisp and not a trace of grease. The dressing is exquisite. A kiss of smokey bacon, corn milk and flat leaf parsley/herbs. Delicate restraint again as with the green salad. This dish made me very happy. I fought my desire to order it again twice. Today I am regretting that decision. I may sneak back very soon to enjoy it again. Steak with potato butter, caramelized onions and greens. My meat was overcooked but I didn't send it back. The dish as a whole was another magnificent accomplishment. The silky potato butter was the seat for the steak. Garnishing it were the sweet onions and greens. A symphony of flavor and texture that was well beyond satisfying. My joy continued with each bite. Halibut was cooked beautifully. A large portion of fish with an excellent sear. Beautiful beet schmear and tender fennel set off the delicate fish beautifully. The pastry chef has just been named one of Atlanta's rising stars and it's all too evident why when you get some desserts in front of you. Two staff members cited the sticky toffee pudding as a favorite so that along with the smores plate were ordered. The pudding is as good as any I've had. Warm, tender, sweet and gooey. It's very rich and perhaps best suited to cool weather. The smores platter is spectacular. Graham cracker ice cream, banana slices, icing like chocolate piped (but to my delight it was not overly sweet icing) and shards of chocolate to garnish. Lots of chocolate wafer cookie bits peppered around for texture. A true success on the dessert front. I am not in the habit of revisiting restaurants but I will make Woodfire Grill a habit.
(5)
Jessica W.

Went with family & friends to celebrate graduation and we all tried the 7 course tasting. The food was excellent, along with the service and ambiance. We were seated in the upstairs dining room and had an amazing time! Great for special occasions.
(5)
Yuki T.

I took my fiancÃ© here to celebrate her birthday after seeing Chef Kevin Gillespie compete on Bravo's Top Chef series. We loved the season of the show (way better than some of the other crappy seasons). Kevin was definitely a fan favorite of ours and showed great personality and cooking talent. Considering his stardom and Woodfire Grill's rave reviews, we had high hopes that it'd be the perfect spot for a dinner celebration. Shortly before our reservation date, the restaurant contacted me to check on our dietary restrictions and to see if we were celebrating any special events. We learned later that this was so the chef can cater our prefix meal (if chosen) to our diet and to provide a personalized "Happy Birthday Shelley" on our menus. This simple, yet touching attention to detail really elevated the dining experience from a meal to an event. Such details let us feel that we weren't just "another customer" - simply great. Finding the place was not too fun. It's located in a somewhat shady area of Atlanta over on Cheshire Bridge. Along this road are several adult shops and strip clubs making its general location probably one of the biggest turn offs of the evening. I really wish they had a better location but won't penalize them for it. Parking was valet; the driveway was a bit difficult and scary to maneuver especially with my new sports sedan. Once inside, we were greeted and taken to a waiting area while our table was prepared. We were punctual and made reservations weeks in advance so it was kind of a let down having to wait about15 minutes before our meal. The experience was still bearable and they offered some complementary drinks from the bar. The overall restaurant dÃ©cor wasn't as elegant as we were expecting. It was pretty dark and plain with a lot of fall / autumny colors which didn't match the season. Not ultra classy but there was certainly an acceptable level of ambiance. At our table, the server was courteous and knowledgeable of the food. Glasses were kept full and we felt pampered. We both opted for the 7 course tasting menu and let Chef Gillespie guide us through a seasonal meal heavy on root vegetables (winter) and Berkshire pork (Woodfire grill's and Kevin's favorite). The food was delicious - absolutely delicious. Pork's a surprisingly tricky protein to work with and each rendition from belly to loin was prepared perfectly down to that hint of pink and mouth watering juiciness that is expected of a chef of his caliber. There were some beef and lamb too but you could definitely tell the Berkshire piggies were the stars of the menu. For those dining, expect some amuse bouches between the 7 courses. Some were hits for us- some were misses but that may have just been taste preference and at no fault of preparation or quality. The pace of the meal was good - we probably dined for 2 hours and didn't feel rushed or anxious for the next dish. Desert was a yummy tart complete with a birthday candle for my FiancÃ©; a great end to a delicious meal. Another treat for the evening was our seating placement that put us in view of the actual wood fire grill and in sight of Chef Gillespie himself as he checked on every dish's quality before letting it leave the line to go out into the dining room. He had such a serious and concentrated look - it was really fun to watch. Upon leaving, we asked him to autograph our personalized menus - he was happy to do so. A little corny, I know, but he's really become a celebrity in our eyes after watching him battle on Top Chef. Woodfire grill is in the top class of fine dining in Georgia. To be able to fall in this tier and be 5 star worthy, they needed to make a meal for us a memorable event rather than just a bite to eat - especially for an over $100 / person price tag. They expertly met this challenge and we truly loved the time spent there and will cherish the memories of our meal for years to come. I'd definitely recommend folks lucky enough to afford the meal to give it a try and let Woodfire Grill wow you like they did for us.
(5)
WillVenture W.

Great place!
(4)
Regina Q.

Oh man. This was so disappointing I don't like thinking about it. I found out later this restaurant is for the pig lover. If you don't eat pork, steer clear. I had been wanting to try this place because Kevin Gillespie is the owner and chef at this restaurant, but I was not impressed at all. I gave it 2 stars for presentation. Everything after that is all downhill! We had the 5 course tasting menu and mentioned we don't eat pork and they were so disappointed. Pork is gross. I wanted to go home after the 3rd course and felt like I was being handed homework with each course. No pun intended LOL. We paid 100 dollars per person for this and we left hungry! The chicken was way too salty, the steak was dry and flavorless. The 1 scallop they gave was nothing special. The beet tartare was yucky. I just kept hoping the the dessert would make up for the disappointing meal, but sadly, I thought their "50 shades of gray" ice cream dessert as they call it was too tart and the chocolate brownie was underdone. I liked Bacchanalia's tasting menu wayyy better. 1 word to describe this restaurant is "BLAH."
(2)
Annie G.

Best culinary experience I have ever had! Everything was perfect, the food, the atmosphere, the service and the chef! We made reservations about a week in advance for a Wed night and were running a little late cause we were somewhat lost. The person on the phone was very nice and told us not to worry. The sign was a little hard to see and oddly the restaurant was surrounded by a lot of sex shops. This was funny to my friend and I, and we didn't mind. There was complimentary valet which was awesome and when we walked in we were warmly welcomed. They took our coats and we were seated. We noticed that the table next to us was about to leave and it was a corner table with pillows and looked really cozy, so we asked if we could switch. The waiter said yes and let the staff know we would be at the other table and they promptly moved everything over for us. We ordered the 5 course chef's tasting menu ($65) and were told it there was not a menu for it. That was exciting to us because we consider ourself foodies and enjoy guessing what ingredients are in the dishes. I thought the price was great, I have had many tasting menus in CA and they are all at least $100 per person. And with the mid-meal palette cleansers it ended up being like 8 courses. Our waiter, Mike was VERY nice and very informative. He knew the menu well and gave us little clues for guessing the ingredients. We actually did pretty well if I do say so myself. We asked Mike if Chef Kevin ever took pictures with the guests and he said yes and that he would go speak with him. Kevin said he was available to take a picture and took us to a section of the restaurant where he said the lighting was the best. We talked with him for a while and he said that he would come by after the meal and see what we thought. He was extremely nice and gracious. The food was extremely delicious and included scallops (favorite part), pork belly, bison, salmon tar tar, potato soup, chocolate bread pudding, etc. We were in flavor heaven and didn't want to ever leave! After we were done, the waiter brought us over signed menus from Chef Kevin and as we were walking out Kevin came over and asked us what we thought. He suggested places for us to eat in NC and chatted with us for about 5 minutes. As we were leaving the staff wished us a safe trip back to NC and we were surprised they even knew we were from there. Everyone was SO nice!!!! All I can really say is WOW, and if your don't eat here when you are in Atlanta, you are missing out big time!!
(5)
Tu-van L.

The food was great and the bar was surprisingly excellent. Everything was very good but 'cause of my personal tastes I found it not as compelling and innovative enough to race back here at my next opportunity. Few key dishes and drinks I absolutely loved, but I'm not sure I'd come back to enjoy an ENTIRE tasting meal. Best way to experience this place: order a la carte at the bar and make friends with the bartender(s) to optimally enjoy the bar. Restaurant from the outside looks more like a culinary cottage in the middle of urban Atlanta. Bring your car up to the valet (because you have no choice) and walk right in the door. You walk into a dark yet warm and inviting restaurant with elegantly rustic decor. Wait staff was friendly and attentive, and the bar staff was also friendly with their hipster vibe. We got to the restaurant a few minutes earlier so we got to spend some time at the bar to enjoy some very well-crafted drinks. During my times at the bar I noticed a few people try to show up earlier than their reservations in hopes they can get in earlier (one couple as much as 1.5hrs earlier), though the few I've seen it didn't seem to work for them. NOTE: they can transfer your bar bill to the dining room when you dine. Being from out of town and making this dining experience at this Top Chef restaurants one of our destinations, the husband and I went all out and opted for the 7-course grand tasting menu. The tasting included the following: *Amuse bouche: yellow beet, celery puree, chevre. Surprised how much flavo gets packed into these little morsels. * First: salad of tuna, potatoes, egg with parsley leaves and lemon aioli. Tasted just like a gussied-up version of a tuna/potato/egg salad extravaganza you'd find at potlucks and picnics. * Second: pan-seared trout with arugula, black eyed peas and red pepper puree. I personally didn't care for red pepper puree but the fish was perfectly cooked and everything else was put together perfectly. * Third: puree celery root soup with roasted mushrooms and greens with lemon. I love celery soups and this one was great. The mushrooms added a meaty, earthiness element while the lemon brightened up the flavors with the acidity. * Tasting: pumpkin curry soup. Absolutely delicious! The perfect blend of sweet, buttery, savory, flavorful. A powerful punch in this shotglass-sized sip. * Fourth: wood grilled quail with sunchoke puree, tomato gravy and roasted cabbage. Not as flavorful as I expected but put together very well. * Fifth: Wood grilled Berkshire pork loin and pork belly (underneath) with roasted sweet potatoes. Each type of pork was perfectly cooked and complimented well with other elements on the dish. *Sixth: wood grilled lamb with aioli, balsamic reduction (??), parmesan cracker. Lamb was perfectly cooked with no gaminess. * Pre-dessert/tasting: peanut butter and jelly donut. Donut was on the light side but the warm peanut butter and jelly was sweet savory delicious. I usually like my PB&Js warm and toasty, and this lived up to my love. * Dessert: variation of a brownie sunday with valharona chocolate, vanilla ice cream, walnut tuille. Anything warm, chocolately, heck just like a brownie you can always win favors. I may opt to enjoy from the bar next time, but that by no means make this place less enjoyable for anyone who wants to try. I would definitely recommend this place for anyone wanting to enjoy refined yet not stuffy fine dining. They are seasonal in their dishes, so maybe I'll change my mind as the times change.
(4)
Chummy S.

Chef Gillespie did not disappoint! My partner and I made Woodfire Grill one of our destinations when we went to visit family in Atlanta last month. We had the chef's 7 course tasting menu (without wine pairings) and it was such a wonderful experience. I came to appreciate the thought that came behind each dish and the refined flavors that emerged from the well executed dishes. I also surprised myself that I much preferred the seafood dishes vs. other meats. I have always been a pork lover and was anticipating having them at the restaurant. Though they were certainly not subpar, the seafood just sang out to me and my family. I definitely would come back and partake in the next round of creations and looking forward to having another awesome foodie experience!
(4)
Alex V.

I LOVE this place! I have been here many times over now and a trip to Atlanta is not complete without a visit to this fine establishment. This may seem a bold statement, but I can honestly say I have never once eaten anything here that wasn't stellar. Rick the Manager is a great guy and is always welcoming. The Chefs, Kevin and EJ, are super great guys and create a splendid menu and are accommodating. Chrysta and her desserts are magical. Heed the staff's advice on wine pairings and you'll never go wrong. The staff is super knowledgeable about the wine, drinks, beer, and the menu. All the ingredients are locally sourced and are organic and sustainable. The menu is an upscale & inventive twist on some local & traditional southern fare. If there is one restaurant to visit while in Atlanta, the Woodfire Grill would it!!
(5)
Zagreus A.

We thought of brining fan signs "we love Kevin" but it has been several years since he battled the Voltaggio's on Top Chef and we wanted a quiet celebration dinner on our first substantial trip back to Atlanta since our wedding 7 1/2 years ago. (Great poster in the bathroom "Tell the V's, sticks and stones will break my bones but bacon will never hurt me.") They had specially printed menus with our names, the event and even the wine pairings. great service and very original Spanish wines were highlights. My experience in Atlanta nearly a decade ago was that local chefs threw ingredients together that sounded intriguing but often did not work. Also this is one of the most overpriced dinng scenes in the country, long on promise and short on delivery. This restaurant is an exception. The menu changes nearly daily based on what's available. The blends work. The price we paid for our tasting menus would have been much higher at comparable restaurants in the Northeast and work better than every last Highlands haunt from my memory. This should be in any list of the Country's top restaurants, at least top 20-25. James Beard, take note.
(5)
Mark J.

I paid $12 for a single scallop. That's just not my thing. The food is great and looking at the other reviews - the 5 or 7 course meal is the best option. I spent close to $200 and wanted to stop at Mac D's on the way home.
(3)
Kristin P.

My boyfriend took me here for my birthday dinner, mostly because I am a huge Top Chef (especially ATL chefs!) fan and I've been wanting to see how Kevin does in his own restaurant. The number one thing that impressed me was the hostess who met us at the door and showed us to our own table near the bar, where a bar waiter came and got us some cocktails. Then we were showed to our seats in the dining room and the bar waiter brought our drinks to us. Definitely some fancy service. We decided to splurge and order the 5-course chef tasting menu and it ended up being the best food decision of our lives! All the food was incredibly tasty and even though we ate 5 whole courses, it all was pretty light and we walked away feeling completely satisfied, but not over stuffed. Our waiter was super attentive and all the wait staff seemed very educated on the menu. This in itself is impressive since they change the menu up every night! Since it was my birthday, they typed up a specialty menu for me that said "Happy Birthday Kristin" at the top. After the meal was done, Kevin himself came to the table to wish me Happy Birthday and talked to us for a while. He is just as nice as he seems on the television show. They also printed out a special menu that explained all the 5 courses we had and Kevin signed it for me. All in all, an amazing, unforgettable experience! I can't wait to go back.
(5)
Winston G.

Made reservations for a party of 6 about a month in advance for a Thursday night. Really glad that we were seated promptly after arriving there, and found the ambiance and decor of the restaurant to be simple, yet you know you are fine dining. The food was really good. Had the 5 course tasting menu, which priced at $65 a head is a great deal. Definitely add the wine pairing too -- at $25 a person, it is a ridiculous deal, considering that they pair it with EVERYTHING you get, including the amuse bouche (we had 2), for a total of 7 half-glasses of wine, haha, amazing deal. Wines are fantastically paired too. My only complaint is that with the five course tasting, I'm still left wanting a bit more food -- had to eat a good amount of bread to feel like I wasn't hungry anymore. My suggestion would be to either increase the portions a bit, or add in another course please! Cost -- about $115-120 per person after tip and tax. Not too shabby. Service was 5-star. Our waiter was awesome (forget his name), but all of the staff is knowledgeable and professional. Really made this dining experience fun and enjoyable. Valet parking is complimentary (I love Atlanta for that.) Reservations are hard to come by, especially on weekend nights. I don't believe it is open on Monday, so stop looking for Monday reservations on OpenTable :)
(5)
Sekhar M.

Great food and wine
(5)
Sarah L.

I went there with my husband and friend. We tried the five-course chef tasting menu, which was quite an experience. Our waitress was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable. Among our courses: Deconstructed Waldorf Salad Savee Egg with beans Seared Scallop with lima beans Celery Vinger Soup Woodfire Quail with apples and turnips Braized pork belly with radish, cumin carrots Banana fritters, choco mousee, vanilla creme Apple shortbread and glazed apples The food was fantastic, the presentation was innovative and the techniques that were used served as a guessing game of enjoyment. I highly recommend!
(5)
Julie M.

Had dinner last night with a group of colleagues, and overall everyone really loved their meals. I give 4 and not 5 stars because of the heirloom tomato salad I ordered. It was good - but the tomatoes were cold. A)Tomatoes should never be refrigerated and B) Cold tomatoes aren't nearly as flavorful as room temperature ones. And it's an assault on the senses to bite into a freezing cold tomato. The corona beans it was served with were almost enough to rescue the salad, they were so good. But I cannot forgive cold tomatoes. I then had the pork belly - so delicious, and the grouper. Both really, really delicious. Those pickled okra on the grouper should be canned and sold, they were fantastic. Dessert was the peanut butter panna cotta, which I thoroughly enjoyed, though the texture of the panna cotta was much more dense and firm than any panna cotta I've ever had. Texture aside, it was still very delicious. Service was great. As the only woman with 3 male colleagues, we were not really enthused about the booth we were originally seated at. We eventually were seated at a round table with much more room, and were very happy there.
(4)
Rayandra S.

Woodfire Grill is an Atlanta staple. I have visited on numerous occasions (both pre and post-Nicolas Quinones ownership) and I have been extremely pleased each time. The bar is cozy and the mixologists are fantastic. If you have a hankering for cucumber and ginger, the Farmer's Daughter is an amazing cocktail. The restaurant itself is comfortable and inviting. The frequently changing menu offers an array of delicious nibbles and main courses. Last night, my dining companions and I sampled everything from the halibut to the steak, with the samosas and lobster and avocado salad to start. The meal was finished with the goat cheese cheesecake and the Nutella bread pudding. The wine list is excellent, and if you are able, the chef's tasting menus are outstanding (include the wine pairings, if you can). This is a solid place for business dining, as well. Fantastic!
(5)
Andy S.

We had an absolutely wonderful experience at Woodfire Grill. My lady and I love to eat out, and do it probably a little too often...and I must say that this was a top 5 experience of all time. The rib-eye for 2, high class buffalo chicken thigh, squash ravioli and each amuse-bouche were perfect. To top it off, Executive Chef Tyler Williams came out 4/5 times to check on us (seems like a super cool guy) and ask about our food and experience. Our waiter was also great, rounding out the amazing customer service. A definite recommendation for any special occasion.
(5)
Tammi D.

I was so excited to check this place out, being that I am a huge foodie, and love Top Chef. However, I was really disappointed in the meal. I would not go back, and honestly the service was terrible. It's overly priced for sub-average food. Would not go back.
(2)
Steffanie R.

I am so blown away at how amazing my dinner was. I had the 5 course Chef's dinner and it was prepared Gluten Free since I have celiacs. First course was Shrimp with marinated black olives (3 stars) Second course was local trout, WOW. Never had trout before and it was so good. (5 stars) Third course was 2 quails with popcorn (liquefied, powder and actual pop corn) Being from California eating my state bird was a little weird but tasty(4 stars) Fouth course Pork Belly (of course there was bacon) So smoke and just so tasty (5 stars) Final course desert I got chocolate gelato and olive oil gelato with solid olive oil powder, different and so Delicious. (4 stars) Customer Service at the bar was so great. Blake was at the bar and was just awesome. I was informed when you give them your info they will record what you ate so when you do the chef's course so that you don't get doubles. You can't ask for anything better than that!!! Customer Service (6 stars) Sadly I missed the Top Chef himslef Kevin, he just got married and is away until October CONGRATS KEVIN I LOVE YOUR PLACE!!!
(5)
Michael P.

I wish Yelp gave half-star options... because this place is a SOLID 4.5 stars. However... a hair shy of 5-star quality. The food was excellent, service was impeccable and the dining environment is classy without being stuffy. It is well-laid out, in a way that is open yet intimate. Food was just a hair below 5-star quality, and parking is a challenge (valet only... which for some reason irks me). Pricing (while not inexpensive) is appropriate for the quality. Expect $100pp if you do not do the tasting menu... but more than $100pp if you do the tasting menu (with drinks). I'll be back... but special occasions only.
(4)
Carol A.

The Love of My Life took me to Woodfire Grill to celebrate my birthday. Awesome choice! This was our first visit since Chef Matthew Weinstein became Executive Checf, and we were very happy with his food! He came by the table to say hello which was nice. He is extremely personable and should be a great asset to keeping the reputation of this restaurant at it's best. It was actually refreshing to have a Chef with obviously great skills not be arrogant :). As far as the food, the popcorn soup was a delightful choice. Different, but wonderful flavours paired together. We had the roasted beet salad and foie gras mousse, but didn't find anything special with them. Not bad, just nothing special. The wood grilled Cheshire white pork chop was delicious! Cooked perfectly, was tender and juicy. It was served with a savory oatmeal and a crispy, roasted kale. Yum! We had the wood grill ribeye that was cooked perfectly. Served with rattlesnake bean and a potato purÃ©e that was delicious. Since it was my birthday, they brought us a peach pie with toasted almond ice cream...delish! The food was delightful, but even better is that they made us feel welcome and special. Since it was noted about my birthday in the reservation, they placed us at a wonderful table, had a Happy Birthday message to me on the menu, made sure that the roses delivered earlier were at the table and beautifully displayed. A fantastic evening...we will definitely be back!
(4)
Abror S.

The service was great and prompt. Our waitress was very attentive and pleasant. However, the salad was frozen in the middle. We let the issue be known to the server, but I guess she forgot about it.
(3)
Lynn L.

On August 3,2012 I was priviledged to enjoy a fabulous dinner at Wooddfire Grill with my Fayetteville ,NC friends. My daughter, an Atlanta resident and one of the other young women were celebrating upcoming significant birthdays. I mentioned this in making my reservation and they immediately took their names and said they would do something special. The food was outstanding and we sampled each others dishes and couldn't decided which was better. The chicken rouge was absolutely buttery and moist. The halibut was perfectly prepared and the side dishes perfect. Make your reservations early and put this restaurant on the top of your list. PS try the Farmers Daughter for the first drink!
(5)
Ann D.

Food was orgasmic. Wine pairing was perfect. Hands down the best meal I've had in Atlanta overall. I haven't been with the new chef, but I'm excited to go again soon!
(5)
Chris B.

Just a wonderful experience from start to finish. We had the 7 course chef's tasting menu with wine pairing. Every course was wonderful and the wine pairings were spot on. If you can, sit in Amanda's section. She was loads of fun and very informative on every dish and wine. Highly recommended!
(5)
M G.

Did the 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings for a friends birthday. The food was amazing. The wine pairings were fantastic. JR, our waiter, gave us some of the best service I've ever had. He also served as our sommelier. My favorite was the Georgia fried white shrimp with grits and tikka masala sauce. Also amazing was the seeds and grains in dashi starter.
(5)
Michael L.

My Dad was in town, and after hearing about Woodfire Grill from my sister in LA (who had been watching Top chef), really wanted to go try this spot. Here's what we had: 1) Deconstructed Waldorf Salad- All in a spoon- delicious! The flavors and textures were distinct, but all worked together. A great first impression for what would come afterwards. (4.5) 2) Seared Scallop with lima beans- olive and lemon jus on the side. Fresh, tender, tasty scallop. (4) 3) Shogoki Oysters- honestly, I really don't remember that much about these.... (3) 4) Grilled Quail with apple/vegetable medley of sorts- this was GOOD. Flavor of the quail was not overly salty or sweet- had a very slight caramelized glaze over the skin. (4) 5) Banana cake w/ salted caramel & fried ice cream with banana chips- AWESOME. (4.5) 6) Chocolate Crepe w/ cream in chocolate sauce- solid, not too sweet, very tasty. (4) 7) Swordfish steak (entree ordered separately)- this dish, alas, was a bit disappointing. The steak, shaped like hamburger patty- was rather dry, and the accompanying greens were overly salty. (2.5) Service- Brandon, our waiter for the evening, was the epitome of what a waiter should be. He really was what made the evening complete. Professional, attentive, yet not hovering, courteous and warm, yet very professional. Why a 3? For several reasons, mostly unrelated to food. 1) Our table was literally right next to the kitchen, and while Chef Kevin had extended conversations with each and EVERY table in our vicinity, he proceeded to ignore us. Now, if it happens to be the case that people at the other tables were regulars to his restaurant, I could ALMOST understand. But come on, some common courtesy is appreciated- even just a "How did you like your meal?", acknowledging our very presence, would've been enough. I must also mention that we were pretty much the first people in the dining room that evening (5:30PM reservation), and there were only 4 tables (all in one area including ours) filled for at least 45 mintues before the dinner rush came. Our table was the lonesome that got no love. :) Haha. 2) Again, not food related- regarding the atmosphere upon entry, and disorganization in the waiting area. When we first came in (it was our first time at this restaurant), you get a strange sense that you have no idea where you're supposed to go. I finally found my way past the bar to the desk, at which upon informing the hostess of our reservation, we were told to sit in the 'waiting area', which seems to be as big as a coffee shop in itself. Ok, no problem. A different guy comes along and asks us if we want anything to drink- we take a menu, and peruse the wine list...when I make my decision a few minutes later, he then says, "oh, you can go sit at your table now, and make your drink order there." WTH? I was just told to go wait.... whatever. If this happened at some place like Chili's I wouldn't mind. Isn't this place supposed to be top notch? 3) Back to Chef Kevin- As we left, I wanted to acknowledge the kitchen and say thanks for a great meal- I managed to make eye contact with each of his helpers, and they were all friendly in sending us off, but when I looked over to Chef Kevin, he (seemingly intentionally) looked away and gave me some sort of a dismissive wave, as if to say, "Good riddance! Bye!" WTH? What in the world did we do to piss you off? First, you couldn't acknowledge that we were even there as you conversed with everyone BUT us, and second, you can't even make eye contact to receive appreciation from someone who's trying to compliment your work? (btw, the kitchen was NOT at all busy when we left, no one was handling anything on the grill or the kitchen table) Though the portions of course were small (I expected this anyway), I can give the food a score of (4), and the service a (5), but the other factors I just mentioned made this a less than desireable place to frequent in the future. Common courtesy seriously goes a LONG way. We had this meal exactly one month ago, and my semi-rant about this dining experience speaks of how much Chef Kevin made an impression on me.
(3)
Joseph L.

Here is my update of Woodfire Grill this fantastic place in Atlanta Ga! I am just going to list what my wife had As Kevin says" the theme of this restaurant is Fresh, Local, sustainable ingredients !" My wife had ; 1) Baby frisee Salad. smoked bacon lardons ,focaccia croutons,sous vide egg .dijon mustard vinaigrette,quince syrup 2) Crisp Laughing bird Shrimp. mignonette aioli.olive oil toast, avocado salad,micro basil 3) Wood grilled Bershire Pork Lion . gratin of Fennel, local radish, baby hakurei turnips,parsley Veg Roasted delicata squash .Indian curry ,madeira soaked raisins,cilantro Evening was fantastic... highly recommend ...!!!
(5)
Lee C.

Ok, this was a rip off. I left hungry! I actually had to take my date out to dinner after spending over 135.00 on dinner here. It would seem to me that the place is hurting for business based on pricing, $42 for a salmon? (with no sides i learned), I could get a massive ribeye at Rathbuns for that. But, i had heard so much great things about the prior chef etc that I said, i'm sure its worth it. Well let me just say, what little food I got, tasted great, and it was a beautiful presentation. But dear lord, feed somebody. The serving sizes were an insult to the wallet. Now listen, i'm not looking for some insane cheesecake factory serving size, but you need to understand, my date (5'2 petite asian) had a pasta and a main course and I had to take her to dinner after dinner (we went to Pricci and got some risotto). I'm 6'2 240 so you know I was starving.
(1)
Adp P.

We ate here in 2003 and it was really good then. Its been on my list for awhile, even more so now that we have that celebrity chef thing going on in Atlanta. I had friends visiting from out of town (Yay Frolicon!) last weekend and they went ahead and made a reservation for dinner when they got their plane tickets. Boy, was I glad they included me. So after perusing the menu, the four of us decided to create our own tasting/sharing menu by just ordering 4 firsts, 4 seconds, 4 entrees, 4 bottles of wine, several baskets of bread, but only 2 desserts. For the firsts - we had both the arugula and baby lettuce salads, potato leek soup and a cold shrimp dish. The greens were tender and perfect, the dressing on the arugula complimented the pepperiness perfectly and the potato and leek soup creamy with firm little leek circles. That was a hard one to pass around. Since one of my friends kept the wine list in his clutches the entire evening, I'm not sure what we drank, but it was good and I was starting to get a nice buzz on. We drank a lot of white that I'd never heard of before. For the seconds we had the scallop, the risotto, the foie gras and substituted the sunchokes from the veggie list for the trotters. Dividing up one lovely scallop 4 ways was enough of a challenge. All were excellent, the sunchokes had a wonderful roasted flavor and texture and the strawberry sauce a perfect compliment to perfect foie gras. And the service - impeccable. We'd originally been seated at a small table but they were kind enough to move us to a private room before we ordered. This was good, because the conversation became a little less restrained as the wine wore on. I'm sure our waiter overheard some interesting dialog. Ok, back to the food. The entrees came out with a red. The halibut, pork loin, beef strip and duck breast. I wouldn't normally have ordered a halibut - thats like salmon, something I cook at home, but the fish was firmand perfectly seasoned. The sherry chocolate sauce and beets went with little slices of duck. The beef and pork was wonderful as well, the kale had a nice texture and neither leathery or slimy. I've managed to avoid brussel sprouts up until now, but creamed brussel sprouts went well with the beef - tender and flavorful - went with every bite. Dessert - I'm glad we only ordered two. Lemon merinque tart and something chocolate with home made whip cream in a chocolate cage! I'll post a picture of that - it was screaming awesome. And to meet the needs of the serious coffee junkies at the table - Counter Culture. So was it good? Uh, has the Pope gotten some bad press recently? Ok, all my out of town friends must come and visit me now!
(5)
Buffy M.

This was one seriously good meal! The service was great. Food was extremely well executed. Portions were absolutely perfect. The only thing I had room left for was an espresso (please note there is no 'x' in espresso!) Oh! And I will add, that as much as I love duck..the duck was perfectly cooked, but the brussel sprouts that accompanied it, actually outshined the duck! YUM!!!
(5)
Joe M.

Ever since Chef Kevin Gillespie participated in season 6 of TOP CHEF, I wanted to visit his Atlanta based restaurant, Woodfire Grill. Chef Gillespie was easily and quickly my favorite contestant that season (and for the entire series thus far). How could I not root for a fellow husky, bearded Southerner who worships pork? So it was with much excitement that I was able to dine at Woodfire Grill this past Friday night. Upon entering the restaurant, I was immediately hit with that wonderful smoke smell that always takes me back to the neighborhood/family BBQs of my childhood. Just the smell alone set the expectation bar high and the entire staff of Woodfire did not disappoint. After sorting our which bottles of wine to get, thanks to the extremely nice and helpful sommelier, the dinner I had been greatly anticipating began. I was not expecting anything until my first course was ready but after taking our order, the waitress was right back delivering an amuse-bouche. it consisted of a pickled cherry swimming in a beautiful olive oil and tangy, balsamic vinegar. The small spoonful packed a surprising burst of sweet, salty and sour flavors all at once. It was so good every one of us soaked up the left over liquid with the fresh bread brought out for the table. My first course was the Wood Oven Sapelo Island Clams with baby arugula cream, bacon and caramelized vegetable broth. The clams were fresh, cooked perfectly and bursting with flavor while the broth tasted like a spicy, creamy tomato soup. It was an extremely simple dish but I mean that in the best possible way. I could have easily been satisfied with a larger version of this dish as a main course. The Wood Grilled Berkshire Pork Belly with caramelized golden beet puree, madras-pecan butter and pickled cherry salad with fresh herbs was the star of the night. The pork belly was so tender, it flaked like a fish when cut. The delicious smoke smell that hit me upon entering Woodfire Grill tasted like it was concentrated in the pork and the protein almost melted in my mouth as if it was butter. To say I was in food heaven with this dish would be a grand understatement. My wife had ordered the Roasted Mushroom and Dried Fig Risotto as her second course, with the understanding that we'd split both dishes. The risotto was lovely but we both wished we'd had a full order of the pork belly to ourselves. It truly was the best thing I've ever eaten. For my third course I opted for the Wood Grilled Hudson Valley Duck Breast with carrot and ginger puree, white truffle and duck confit with herbed farro. The duck was tender and juicy and it was complimented perfectly by the carrot and ginger puree. Against the recommendation of the chef, I asked for the duck cooked medium instead of medium-rare. Next time I'll just go with whatever the chef says because I believe it would have been even better cooked at the recommended temperature. I had never eaten farro before but it reminded me of a cross between risotto and quinoa. The fresh herbs made it shine instead of just being an afterthought on the plate. When the dessert menu was presented we decided to sample several different things. I had high hopes for the Peach Tart but while the peaches were fresh and sweet, the tart was almost tasteless and nothing to write home about. The Chocolate Budino was really good and I could have easily eaten an entire order on my own. The Lemon Cheesecake was creamy and wonderful but suffered from being topped with cold popcorn. When we asked the waitress the reason behind the popcorn addition she stated it was to add texture to the dessert. I'd eat the cheesecake again but without the popcorn, which sadly detracted from the dessert instead of elevating it. The clear dessert winner for me was the insanely flavorful Spice Doughnuts. The still warm, mini doughnut holes packed a big taste and will be my dessert order of choice upon our next visit. Even with a few misses along the way, this was one of the best dinners I've had in a very long time. The service was above and beyond all night long. As we walked out every single employee we passed stopped to thank us for dining at Woodfire Grill. The next time we go I'll have to try out the tasting menu, which is offered via a 5-course chef's tasting menu or a 7-course grand tasting menu. Per policy you're not told what the courses will be. Our waitress said the most she could tell us is that the tasting menus would consist of many things available on the menu but presented in an entirely different way. Something tells me the 7-course menu will be in my future at some point as I can not only highly recommend Woodfire Grill, I can't wait to return for another dinner. Almost a week later, I'm still dreaming about that pork belly.
(5)
Maria S.

Do you miss the fine dining scene in Atlanta? Long for the days of The Dining Room and Seeger's? Make a reservation at Woodfire Grill stat. Chef Kevin Gillespie is turning out prix fixe meals that rival the best in Atlanta. (I'm talking about you, Bacchanalia. Still adore you, but I'm totally crushing on Woodfire.) Our table opted for the blind tasting menu and it was one of the most memorable dinner experiences I've ever had. Each course was well thought out, expertly executed, and absolutely delicious. Most of the ingredients are locally sourced, and all are at their peak of freshness. I especially love how Chef Gillespie marries fine dining with southern flavor. The pimento cheese profiterole offered as the amuse bouche was an incredible bite of light, flaky pastry juxtaposed with the tangy rich creaminess of the cheese. Bliss! Since the tasting menu changes nightly, I won't go into details but I can honestly say I've never had a better pork belly in my life. Ever. It was that good. It also appears Woodfire Grill has made some small changes to their interior since my last visit. It seemed more open, and the seating was much improved. Service, good as usual, didn't disappoint. Thanks, Scotty! I'd like to give one last shout out to whoever is in charge of the music selection. Loved hearing The National. Keep up the great work.
(5)
Clara L.

This restaurant is top notch. Getting a table here on the weekends is a challenge due to Chef Gillespie's recent jaunt on Top Chef, but it is definitely worth every penny and every day waited. Decor and ambiance is really up my alley, with the woodfire grill and chef right out in plain sight. It's a treat to get to watch him work. Anything on the menu that involves pork or pork belly is a must, it's no secret of Kevin's love and respect for the pig. The wait staff is excellent, and the sommelier really knows his stuff. Your courses are always pushed at the right intervals for you to savor each dish, and any comments or requests are taken into consideration immediately. Definitely go for the 3 or 5 courses with wine pairings. It is the chef's best work. One of the hardest working chefs who doesn't fall prey to a little bit of fame. He loves what he does and we all can tell. I cannot say enough about this restaurant, truly impressive.
(5)
Dawn C.

God, we had such a good time here! Just so happened that our flights to BZE had us on layover (coming and going) through ATL. Naturally, we made our reservations for dinner at WFG. Love the atmosphere of this place. Open kitchen, rustic concept, clear that the focus is on the food. Service is out of this world. Our waiter was appropriately attentive, affable, and actually told us what his favorite dishes were (I LOVE it when wait staff do that--and it's becoming increasingly rare in today's PC climate). As for the food, you've gotta get the 5-course tasting, especially if it's your first time. We had antelope, quail, pork belly, oysters...it was amazing. Great to go to a restaurant that lives up to the hype, whilst not giving off a snooty vibe. Big ups to K-dog!
(5)
Sophia S.

I have to say, we had an amazing waitress (Maureen) so this made our dining experience great. The bread basket was cold, so the dinner didn't start off well. We did the 5 course tasting and wine pairing. It was 2 fish, 2 meat, 1 dessert. I thought it was a perfect amount of food, not too much. I loved the second course, a rainbow trout. My boyfriend loved the dessert, a deconstructed strawberry mousse. All in all it was a delicious meal, but for expensive tasting menus it didn't blow us away.
(3)
Long T.

Drawn to this place ever since I watched every week of Top Chef salivating at every dish that Kevin cooked up, I had to make a trip to Woodfire Grill on my most recent trip to Atlanta. I was not disappointed. Hungry on a Thursday night, I called ahead and found that although tables were booked for most of the night, bar service was come in and get served. I arrived about 9ish and found myself a cocktail table and stalked the bar area until a spot opened up at the bar - you see they only serve food in the bar area at the actual bar. However, as 930-10pm rolled on, the bar area started to clear out. For future reference, if you don't have reservations and you want to eat here on short notice, try swinging by around 9-930 - the bar area had plenty of seats open up and the kitchen closes for orders at 10p (although I had the 5 course tasting menu, which took me well into the 11pm hour). Being from out of town, I decided to go all out and order the chef's surprise tasting menu. I was concerned that this would not fill me up as I was starving and the portions looked small, but by the end of the night, I assure you I was well fed. Maybe it was the pace of the food coming out that allowed my meal to digest and expand in my belly, but nonetheless I walked out satisfied. Chef'a Tasting Menu on 3/4/10 (changes every so often): First item that came out on a spoon was an amuse brouche (sp?), a one bite wonder of flavor that is a precourse bite to get things started. I was a little concerned that this was my first of the 5 courses, but the bartender put me at ease by saying people make that misconception all the time. Anyhow, it was an interesting little bite of whipped goat cheese with watermelon radish and blanched sweet herb. I might also mention the bread was yummy too - basket of pecan raisin bread and an orange focaccia. Official Course #1: Pangrilled grits topped with shrimp and an herb salad. Yummy. Official Course #2: Chargrilled beets with red ace and broccoli salad atop a broccoli puree amidst a lemon vinaigrette. The actual #2 was supposed to be a fried shrimp dish, but because I had given up deep fried battered foods for Lent, the bartender was very accomodating and substituted the 2nd course of the 5 course vegetarian tasting menu instead. The dish was actually very flavorful - with the smoked greens being the highlight of this dish. Internission Course? Black truffle mushroom deviled egg. Described as the country comes to the city, this was an interesting high class touch to the deviled egg. However, I don't think this was one of the 5 as I got a total of 7 distinct items to eat (including the amuse brouche and this deviled egg). Course #3: sweetbreads and lamb loin atop a potato puree and accented with a pork rind. Very yummy. Course #4: pork loin atop pork belly and tomato braised cabbage atop cornbread puree with sweet and sour mustard. VERY yummy. Course #5: Dessert was a molten chocolate cake with coconut ice cream, florentine cookie and all atop a bed of a marshmallow curry cream. A little unusual bite by bite - but after the bartender recommended just mashing it up altogether, the flavors actually complemented each other unusually well. Overall I was very happy with my meal and it lived up to my expectations of an elite Top Chef caliber. I felt like every meal was an episode of Top Chef, complete with someone telling me about the dish and how it was prepared. This was definitely the highlight of my business trip to Atlanta and I thoroughly enjoyed my meal.
(5)
Anastasia T.

This was probably the best dining experience I've had so far (ever). There is no point describing the plates since we did the 5-course menu, which changes frequently (as does the a-la-carte menu)...But all 5 courses were excellent, the best being the pork entree. The service at the entrance, at the bar, and at the table was A+. But I think what really made this an exceptional meal was the wine-pairing, which elevated the tastes into a whole different level. Not that I won't consider going there for a regular dinner, but next time I want an out-of-this-world meal, that's where I'm heading and that's what I'm doing again (the 7-course meal would be too much food, in my opinion). It's a lot of $ to do that, but trust me it is so worth it, so if you are celebrating a special occasion, if there is someone you'd like to please, or if you're a serious foodie, dine there!
(5)
Michelle B.

I wanted to like this place, heck, I wanted to LOVE this place. I thought I would be wowed. All the other reviews said I would. But...I wasn't. I even left a little hungry (even after a 5 course tasting!) and a bit sad. My wallet felt empty, well rather my boyfriend's wallet, and my tummy didn't feel full and satisfied. Something is wrong with this scenario. I knew this place would be fine dining, but it was a little over the top fine dining for my taste. Especially since the food didn't even come close to living up to the hype or what you would expect for a fine dining Top Chef restaurant. I must let you know so you can judge this review how you see fit - that I simply just might not be the fine dining type. I like my portions on the large side, meaning more than just one carrot as a side, and my food hearty. The fine dining service made me feel self conscious and stiff. It's great to have such attentive waiters, but really I just want to sit and relax while I eat - not worry about proper etiquette. I was hoping Woodfire Grill would straddle that line between nice dining and fine dining a little better. I expected it be a little more... I don't know comfortable, relaxed, and hearty. As for the food, besides the portions, the steelhead with chanterelle mushrooms was very good. But I'm a sucker for chanterelle mushrooms ever since having them at Craft. The Quail was pretty good. The last course before dessert - the pork with pork belly and black mash potatoes - was not something I liked. I found the whole thing (except for the belly) a little tasteless and the flavors I did taste I didn't like. I will agree with the other yelpers that the deconstructed Twix dessert was bomb. I'm bummed. I expected more. And when I decide to pony up money on a nice meal I want to leave with no qualms about the money that was spent.
(3)
Alex P.

I was torn between 3 stars & 4 stars. First, I can say that I certainly enjoyed my meal. Maybe it's my fault for not knowing much about the restaurant, but watching owner/exec chef Kevin on Top Chef, I was expecting food that was a little heartier. I did the 5 course tasting menu: Favorite dish was the pan seared carolina trout. Truly a great dish...loved the charred corn. tuna was good, but nothing amazing. Quail was very good. Berkshire porn tenderloin had good flavor...love the veggies underneath flavored with pork belly. dessert was very good. Deconstructed Twix with sweet onion ice cream...may sound odd, but probably my second favorite dish behind the trout. Overall, I enjoyed my meal...would have simply liked a little more of it given what I watched Kevin make on Top Chef and being someone from the Northeast in Atlanta on business, I expected some heartier food in the south.
(3)
JD H.

First visit during a trip to Atlanta with some colleagues. It has been on my punch list of places to visit since watching Chef Kevin Gillespie on Top Chef Season 6. Outside appears like a homey bungalow with a valet in front for easy parking. The deliciously pleasant odor of woodsmoke/BBQ permeates the air around the place. Inside be prepared for a bit of old west bar meets modern glass wine cabinetry. Kind of cool and trendy-busy and volume is on the high side. Service quite attentive and the bar and beverage staff take their craft seriously with a decent list of harder to find spirits (Pappy Van Winkle 23 yr old!) and a reasonable wine list that has price points that will suit most people except for the tightest of skinflints. (Commentary: If you are that much of a tightwad, you probably walked into the wrong place anyway.) We opted for the 5 course tasting menu with wine pairings. I would recommend this as it was a total surprise. The kitchen asks detailed questions about food allergies or intolerances and then you are completely at their mercy as to what will appear. Here is what we had and it changes daily. We also were presented with printed menus of everything at the end to memorialize it: Amuse Bouche: Strawberries and Champagne (this was the most disappointing item of the evening. It was room temperature and was a foam of some sort, no solid, no champagne. Kind of gross actually (was more like a Degoutant Bouche) and I got concerned when that was the first item as I was really 2nd guessing whether the kitchen was going to serve us disappointments all night. Not to worry, the kitchen redeemed itself quickly and everything else was outstanding!) First: Yellow Fin Tuna Poke style with pastrami spice on the side and a deconstructed Russian dressing on the plate with Rye Crisp crackles on top. Briliant and we could have eaten a huge serving of this and called it a night. Served with nv Domaine Chandon Etoile Cuvee Prestige, Napa. Second: N. Carolina trout 2 ways (smoked in quenelle form and pan seared in brown butter) with a micro potato salad garni. Served w/2010 Dr. Deinhard Halbtrocken, Ruppertsberger Deidesheim, Pfalz, Germany. Small Taste: Cauliflower Soup served in a shot glass (Awesomely salty but was such a small amount that it really hit the spot at this point in the meal) Third: Wood grilled honey lacquered quail, roasted sunchokes, orange butter, frisee salad with tahini and pomegranate molasses. Served w/2009 Ch. Kefraya, Les Breteches, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. (This dish was good but the wine was the highlight of this course. Surprised all of us at the table as none of us had ever had a wine from Lebanon). Fourth: Smoked pork loin and slow cooked pork belly, fig-coffee jam, farro and pork skin risotto with compressed brussel sprouts. I really dig pig so it was hard to not like this dish. Served w/2008 Fritz Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma. Dessert: Valrhona chocolate salted caramel gel, bananas foster ice cream, nilla wafer crisp and a dab of orange syrup. Served w/ Warre's Otima 10 yr Tawny Port, Portugal. We had great personal attention from start to finish. We never felt hurried, the staff kept our glasses full and were happy to take time to answer all of our questions. The only flaw was that there was a bit of a pregnant wait between a couple of the courses but I'm guessing that was more a kitchen timing issue and not a server issue. It is, however, what keeps a restaurant like this from wresting a 5th star from me. All in all, worth a visit. Chef Gilespie was not in house and a comment from the waitstaff made it sound like he is often not there. But never fear, the kitchen is in good hands even in his absence. I enjoyed my meal there immensely and would go back again readily. Next time I will tell them that I am allergic to strawberries.
(4)
Sarah B.

I went here for a date night with my fiance and had a fabulous experience. This is an original and authentic farm to table restaurant. The bar is very inventive with the drink option of "brown or clear" and you leave the rest to the bartender. It's a fun way to start the night and don't think you'll be disappointed. Service was excellent. I have a nut allergy and the server went above and beyond to catalog what nuts I could have, what nuts I could not, working with the cooks to still provide me the dishes that appealed to me. Major bonus points here. For food, I started with the sweet potato gnocchi which was the perfect portion of pasta and had a nice blend of sweet and salty. The gnocchi was cooked perfectly and the overall dish had a lot of texture with the accompaniments. For entrees, I had the fish of the day and my fiance had the steak. My fish was flaky and had a well seasoned and crisp crust. My fiance boasted that his steak, preferred medium rare, was the most on point to medium rare he'd had. On a side note, the restaurant can be easily overlooked when you're driving down Cheshire so keep your eyes peeled. It's a pretty narrow lot but don't let that deceive you, the restaurant is pretty spacious. I believe they have added on to the back in the past year or two.
(5)
Cameron M.

I don't have the most sophisticated palette so I wasn't sure how well I would do here, but I loved it. My boyfriend is more of the foodie and he really enjoyed himself. The beef short rib and Riesling that I had were delicious. We had the best waiter that I've had in my life, hands down. I would highly recommend this restaurant for more of an upscale date night.
(5)
Sabrina C.

Went for a birthday event and got the 5 course tasting menu, even with picky eaters everything was great! Try the farmer's daughter cocktail -- a twist on the moscow mule. Loads of amuse bouche and other palate cleansers for the tasting -- well worth the $70 price tag!
(5)
Marcus O.

thanks to my sister, my expectations were so high of this place that i couldn't possibly be let down. :| the design and decor is quite nice. couch seating in near the bar looks inviting and warm. didn't bother with it since we had a reservation and was famished by the time we got there. we were sat upstairs in the loft at a long, dark table illuminated with a run of candles ... with four chairs. it was really cool. tried the following: local arugula salad -- good but not mind-blowing. pork belly - meh. i think it's because my palette goes toward sam gyeop sal. pork loin - meh. some parts good. some parts not so good. uneven consistency in the meat throughout left some parts very tough to chew and other parts not cooked enough. striploin - not bad but for $40, bones does a better job. my sister commented that it wasn't as good as last time and believes it was because chef kevin wasn't working that week. oh well. i guess that means i have to go back and try again later.
(3)
Rosalind C.

Best duck of my life, and I've had a lot of duck. Pork tenderloin and pork belly, also delicious. Only disappointment was the key lime dessert. The other courses were 7 stars, so it makes up for the disappointing dessert.
(5)
Ivy S.

Mmmm... food of a beardy man! The duck was the best dish!
(4)
Michelle R.

Traveling down from Boston - my friends and I decided to make reservations here being huge Top Chef (and Kevin!) fans. I'm glad we did. We sat at 6:30 and left around 8:30 so if you're planning on going out, the earlier reservation is worth it and might be all you can get (it get's packed!) We opted for the 5 course blind tasting even though 2/5 were weary they obliged. We all left VERY happy that we did this!!!! First course.. scallops Second.. salmon (hand caught!) Third.. quail (hands down the favorite of the night) Fourth.. pork belly (damn good) and last but not least fifth.. DECONSTRUCED TWIX. Everything was amazing but the quail and twix stuck out for everyone as being absolutely fantastic. We left full but not unbearably full. The wine selection is the best I've ever seen. Tried 3 different bottles and loved each one of them. The best part had to be the staff though, they're wicked funny and comfortable in their jobs. They seem genuinly happy and always know the story behind each dish (like our salmon being hand caught in a nearby river!?). They're very accomodating and don't miss a beat when you throw random questions at them (and we did). They seem like a very tight-knit group and we really enjoyed the homey yet classy feel of the place. GO!
(5)
S O.

Don't bother with anything but the tasting menu, and go for broke, get the seven course with full pairings. They're small plates. (I heard at one point, they were considering abandoning the regular menu and only doing tasting menus - I wonder whatever happened to this idea). This is one of our favorite restaurants in the city, and while some nights have been better than others, we've always had a delicious -experience-. Think of this place a special event restaurant. It's also fun with a group. Last time we were there, we had a table of 8-10, and it was -much- fun. But be prepared to leave your wallet. I think the full tasting is like 85 a person. If you want privacy, there are really cool booth like rooms in back with white curtains. Those are great for business meals, but we seem to have had more fun on the main level. Rick, the manager is great. We love the server named JoJo, I believe. The service here is what you should get from every high end restaurant. I'm sure Kevin, the top chef winner, is tired by now of constantly taking pictures with diners, but he was a good sport when members of our party wanted a facebook photo. There's a reason it's hard to get a reservation at this place.
(5)
John L.

Try it - it's good, very good, for us meat lovers! Great ambiance, great wines & outstanding service paired with some zany but delicious creations, always perfectly prepared and presented. An absolute favorite.
(4)
ryan r.

Two trips and two tasting menus... two food experiences I won't forget and a restaurant I will always recommend. No joke, make sure you stop at Woodfire Grill if you're in Atlanta. I may rarely be in that city but every time I am I'll be making a reservation.
(5)
Jay S.

Okay so maybe it is in part because the only places I have eaten for the last 2 1/2 years are kid friendly restaurants, but damn did this place really hit the mark for me. The environment is very well done, however if you are seated next to a large group beware, the sound has nowhere to bounce but up and back down on you. The wine list is very good, although I could do with seeing a few more wines that were under the $30 a bottle mark. I started with the clam stew, which had very robust flavors, fresh vegetables. I enoyed the clams, but could have done without having to pull out the clams from the shells myself to put them into the stew. But taste wise it had a very smokey flavor to it and I enjoyed it thuroughly. My husband had the salad and enjoyed it as well. Okay for the second course I got the porkbelly with a peanut butter sauce. I can only desribe this experience as one of transending this world and entering the rhelm of a new existence. I would have never imagined it but the flavors just popped and melted away in your mouth. Just outstanding. My husband had the risotto which also was very well done, maybe just a touch heavy handed with the salt but nothing that ruined the dish for him. For the third course I went with the duck. It was PERFECTLY done and when combined with other elements on the plate made a very harmonious dish. For those who are afriad to try duck and have never done so, this is the place to have your first experience with it. You won't regret it. My husband had the pork which had a lot of the same elements and also was done to perfection. For Desert I had the valrhona abinao ganache (white chocolate). It was very light and had a nice citrus punch to it. It ended the night on a very light note. My husband had the warm English toffee pudding and if you want to end the evening on a more heavy note you can't go wrong with it, it was to die for and I barely was able to pry a spoon full away from him to try it. This was first class service, environment, food, and experience. So it gets the rarely given and most well deserved 5 stars from me.
(5)
Jon A.

Wow. That's a word that was repeated many times during our meal last Friday night at Woodfire Grill. I will forever compare Atlanta restaurants to this experience -- and will always be tempted to do a chef's tasting menu from this review forward. Due to the increased popularity of Woodfire Grill, due to Kevin's ridiculously awesome performance this season on Top Chef, the earliest we could get a reservation (OpenTable) on a Friday evening was 9:30PM. This did not cause us to shy away from the "blind" 5-course chef's tasting menu and man am I glad we went this route. I'm not going to go into insane detail about each course, because that may do a disservice to Woodfire Grill and what Chef Kevin stands for. What I will say is that when I return to Woodfire Grill, I WILL be doing the 5-course chef's tasting menu. Period. Everything that was set in front of me, I enjoyed and could've had seconds of each. Go for the half-pour wine pairings with each course -- you'll get about 3 full glasses of wine across the whole meal when you add it all up. Worth the price... Get a reservation on the books before Kevin wins this season's 'Top Chef'...you'll be glad you did!
(5)
Chaos M.

The steak is very good, the best I had so far in US. But portion is a little small. I don't like the bread..... All the waiters and waitress are very nice. ###################################### I gave 4 star initially. But after a few days, I still thinking about the steak. Ok, 5 stars.
(5)
Allison E.

You know, I almost docked a star for fact that they aren't open on Mondays, and every single time I try to go, it seems to be Monday, Damn Mondays. That seems like an angry bitter chick move though, so 5 stars it is. Ponied up at the bar (a few seats open around 7:45 pm, although dining room seemed full), quickly found 'bartender's choice' on the drink menu, and advised the 1st of 2 bartenders to serve me that night on his preferences. He turned out a fantastic martini with an infused vodka and a twist of lemon. After discovering the other bartender was training to be a sommelier, it was pretty clear that I was doing the wine pairing with my dinner. She was fantastic; in hearing that I was a red snob, was quick to offer me a red and complimentary white with every course - just to do her best to convert me - even if only for the night. Being a pescatarian, and seeing that they do a ... drumroll please ... pescatarian tasting menu (!!!!!), it was a no brainer. There was plenty of attentiveness to allergies, likes/dislikes (you know, for the one person on the planet who doesn't eat pork belly or bacon, I was surprised they didn't kick me outta here). But, I saw the pork belly. And they mistakenly served me a dessert with bacon that almost, just almost had me eat it on accidental purpose. They change the menu very, very regularly - so you're almost sure to not have something twice (unless you somehow can afford to go 3 times a week). I found though the real treat in this dinner was in the details - the attention to plating (how delicately my halibut just rested on the tiny potato hash and citrus reduction) or how my amuse bouche was so commanding in flavor for such a tiny spoon. This is the kind of place that you shouldn't mess with, let those guys cook their food - but, they are so considerate that they are willing to adjust and create for you too. Don't skip dessert, either. I don't care how full you are.
(5)
Ethan T.

Excellent and elegant
(4)
Andrew M.

Everything was amazing: the food, the service, the atmosphere. I've been here before, but it seems to be a vastly better restaurant than it was a couple years ago.
(5)
Mike B.

I'd like to give this place 6 stars and a 6 pack. Always very excellent food and cocktails. The chef is super knowledgeable about local ingredients (including foraged ingredients) and has a myriad of techniques to bring them to the table in their best form. The bartenders are super cool, and are equally knowledgeable about the ingredients they are using. I always learn something new, I highly suggest the bartenders choice. We've had the vegetarian 5 course a few times, which they were able to convert nicely to vegan (call ahead). The sommelier paired the dishes perfectly. They will also convert some of their entrees or make a special vegan plate (if you call head).
(5)
Amy D.

Top chef season six hails as the most talented cast in their shows history, and Woodfire's owner just happened to be one of the competitors on that particular season. Woodfire has been on my travel bucket list for awhile, because i fell in love with the meals that he prepared while on TV. It wasn't hard getting a reservation, we used Open table, but we were prepared, we booked a few weeks in advance. While approaching Woodfire, you may be surprised by its neighbours, which include nightclubs, massage parlours, and strip clubs, however the atmosphere and its occupants in the restaurant are the polar opposite. We were a few minutes early for our reservation so we waited in the bar and ordered one of their inventive cocktails which was the Nicky Q. Their drink list was creative, it did not have your standard margaritas and mojitos. The Nicky Q was delicious, it slightly resembled the flavour profile of a less sweetened creamsicle. After waiting only a few minutes we were then directed into the main dining room. You feel slightly like the president while walking in, because all of the servers step aside and greet you, it was a very welcoming atmosphere. For our starters, i had the heirloom tomato salad with balsamic, and this was the only low part of my whole meal. I felt this way because the "first of the season tomatoes" really lacked flavour and seasoning. There were shavings of cheese which should have helped with the salt but i wish they were more aggressive with their seasonings. My sis had the grilled peaches with Benton's ham and peanuts. She loved this dish, the peaches were smoky, the ham was salty, and then the texture was delivered through the peanuts. Now for our mains, there were only four or five to choose from and i didn't like all of the accompaniments of all the proteins but i decided to choose the protein that sounded the best which was the strip loin. The sauce and the mushrooms were great but the Cadillac was the meat, it was the huge block of beef and it delivered it terms of flavour and was cooked how i wanted it. My sis had the pan seared halibut with braised morrels, crispy shallots and fresh corn. The halibut was light and flaked perfectly and the mushrooms were buttery and tender. Woodfire is a place that you want to sample their savoury items, but make your sure you leave room for their sweet items as well. I had the banana bacon semifredo. For me this was a hit on all levels, the flavour, texture and imagination were all there and it was so delicious. The brulleed banana was still sweet without being crisp, along with the flavourful caramel, and to top it off wit the salty bacon. My sis had the lime icebox with a ginger meringue. The lime was tart and supple, and the addition of the ginger in the meringue was so smart, and it complimented the graham base. Overall Woodfire was a great dining experience with great service, which left you at the end of the night feeling completely satisfied.
(4)
Jie Y.

Service is just average. Atmosphere is good. First and second courses are great. The main course is not so impressive. Price is fair.
(5)
David K.

NPWH = Nice People Work Here The service here is superb and I definitely appreciate the fact that everyone seems genuinely interested in making sure that you have a good time. Last night Matthew and I ate here after the Yelp Elite party and the food was delicious. I was a little surprised (but not shocked) that the portions were so small, especially considering that 2 entrees can easily run $60+, but I digress... While I'm not a fan of mandatory valet service I think it's the best option here and the guys were friendly, making tipping a pleasure.
(4)
Bonnie L.

I took a party of 18 here for a birthday party last February, based on a reservation I originally made for 8. Although I do know that some people in my party were disappointed due to cold food that came after a long wait, I have to take most of the responsibility for that. In a party of over 15 they have a set menu so that the kitchen can pace things properly - since I didn't know we had that many, the kitchen wasn't prepared, and they didn't force us to order off the pre-set menu (which I give them credit for, I was nervous about this because I hadn't told my guests it was preset), and a lot of people didn't, and well, we slammed them. Their big group room is really fabulous though, and I personally liked the food a lot, although it was a pretty long time ago. I fully intend to go back there - is it hard to get a reservation there now that Kevin's so awesome?
(4)
Brandon S.

Ok, so like everyone else we ate here to try Kevin's food. We actually were conveniently in town the night of the finale. Kevin seemed to be in good spirits taking some pictures with patrons. The bread and butter they send out is great. I am not sure what is mixed into that butter spread, but it was great. The food overall is very good. I had the greens salad and it was fine. I had the sirloin for my main course. It was excellent. The meat was cooked perfectly. The fingerling potatos were excellent. They had a strong garlic flavor. The wine selection is solid. The only thing preventing this from being a five star is the portions. The menu is set up in three courses. I recomend trying one from each course. The filet was excellent but you only recieve two very small pieces. You also only recieve a few small pieces of the fingerling potatos. If you order from each course, have some wine with dinner and cap off with dessert you should be just fine.
(4)
Stephen A.

We finally did it. We finally made it to Woodfire Grill to celebrate my 31st birthday. We gussied ourselves up, drove past Onyx and Jungle, and entered the out-of-place building with the rustic facade. Out-of-place is a compliment if you know how Cheshire Bridge is. Because this place...seriously, folks. Seriously. When it's celebration time, you go all out. I've read amazing things about the tasting menu, so we threw all caution to the wind and trusted our culinary guides. (By the way, they did not disappoint one bit.) I asked our main server, Cate, if I should go with the wine or beer pairing. (Yes! They do beer pairings! I love when a restaurant is willing to invest in good beer and work with it.) That's when we found out she is the restaurant's sommelier. Decision made. Time to strap in and enjoy the ride. Speaking of Cate, she was flawless. We were spoiled having her serve us, because she is so knowledgable with her wines. Josh didn't want to do the wine pairings, because half a glass of wine gets him tipsy and he was driving us home. She selected an amazing tempranillo that was one of the most complex we've ever tasted. He was insanely appreciative. Every wine I was served (all seven of them, with generous pours for a tasting menu) obviously matched the food wonderfully, but they also came with a wonderful description from Cate that was just amazing. Fun fact: I drank a wine that's grown from ground with dinosaur bones in it. Dinosaur bones, people! I was also pleased to hear that all the wines were organically produced, and some of them were even produced on biodynamic farms. Seriously, if you get Cate, let her guide you with the wines. Or just demand that she pick you a wine no matter who your server is. She was, in a word, brilliant. As was the food. Our first amuse bouche was a compressed peach with goat cheese chevre and basil gel. The basil made the whole bite wonderful and we knew from just that one bite that we were in for a treat. Here's how the rest of our menu went: 1) Yellowtail with a citrus yuzu and pickled carrot and local radish. The carrot in this dish brought the dish together really well and we loved it. This was probably in our top three of the evening. 2) Crispy North Carolina trout with hot and cold potato. Loved the interplay of the crispy of the trout with the whipped hot potato. Texture was amazing. 3) Pan-seared scallop with lobster mushrooms (Yes, that is a type of mushroom, I'm just as surprised as you are.), capers, and beurre fondue. I almost cried eating this, for real. The scallop was cooked perfectly and the mushrooms with the beurre. AND the chile flake in there, too. It was like mana from heaven. This was my favorite dish of the evening. AND my Riesling was made by a family that's been making wine since 1337. Just sayin'. Then we were given a taste of roasted tomato soup. Unfortunately, I'm allergic to cucumber, so mine was modified. And by modified, I mean there was no cucumber in it. It still tasted fine to me! 4) Oh, yes. The quail. Our first wood-grilled dish of the evening: quail with roasted corn and charred fennel with pickled African squash. I've actually had quail quite a few times in my life, as I grew up in southern Illinois and quail hunting happens with some frequency up there. But I've never had quail taste so good. I may need to go up and teach my redneck family how to properly cook this stuff now. This quail was amazing. 5) Smoked pork loin and slow cooked pork belly with farro risotto, lemon, roasted asian long beans and a housemade pork rind. Gah, I loves me some pork belly! Josh doesn't really like that part of the pig, since he's not big on salty flavor, but I'll eat it all up any chance I'm given. This dish was cooked perfectly, of course, and was a really deep and layered dish. 6) Wood grilled lamb loin with roasted summer roots, arugula puree (!!!), and black pepper and garlic au jus. The roots gave a great earthy and hearty flavor and the arugula puree and au jus were just the icing on the cake. Wonderfully prepped and the most beautiful plate of the evening. [Side note: of course all of our dishes were plated wonderfully, but that lamb was plated perfectly. All of our dishes looked like pieces of art that deserved museum status. But I ate them all. Sorry.] Then we were given the "pre-dessert," an amuse bouche-sized portion of banana pudding. A nice piece of Southern comfort. 7) Dessert: A wonderful chocolate ganache with butter pecan ice cream, salted caramel, and chocolate cake and orange syrup. Kind of a safe choice, but still enjoyable. That ganache was not messing around, and I was amped up from the cocoa after every bite. Still a great dish. They printed out a copy of the menu for us, complete with my wine pairings. (And even a happy birthday for me!) It was a wonderful evening and I just had to take out a sentence because I hit the 5,001 character limit. THAT'S how much we loved this place.
(5)
Phoebe T.

Came here on a whim with my fiance and I can proudly say this is the best meal we've had in Atlanta! We heard of Woodfire grill through Top Chef and after reading the reviews on Yelp we were really excited to eat here! I LOVE the ambiance of this place. Opentable says it's a dressy place but it's definitely not a place where the waiters are waiting tuxes and are stuck up - all waiters/waitresses were personable and dressed in fall colored button down shirts. The place itself is very cute and well decorated and we loved where we were seated! We got the 5 course blind tasting paired with the half glass wine pairing. I won't go into too many details but I will say that during and after every tasting we kept saying how amazing the food is! The wine pairings were very well paired as well. You just have to go there and experience it!! I highly recommend this place :) By the way, be prepared to spend over 200 for a dinner with two, 5 course tasting and wine tasting. We were a little misled when we asked how much the wine pairings were and were told $5. That's 5 PER half wine (therefore $25), not $5 total. Just in case anyone else gets confused! PS. The scallop is amazing.
(5)
Zachary N.

We had our wedding rehearsal dinner at Woodfire last month. It was one of the best meals I've ever had, and many of guests thought so too! Service was without a hitch, and we were a pretty difficult bunch. Our party of 23 included a vegan, a couple of vegetarians, several different food allergies, a culinary student, and a groomsman who was hell about ethically sourced food. The staff was diligent about food allergy concerns, knowledgeable about where the food came from, and I thought it was a particularly classy touch that the vegan and vegetarian substitutes during meat courses were different from one another. Needless to say, it was all delicious! I would highly recommend it anyone.
(5)
Brian U.

Before coming here, I was batting zero with Top Chef contestants (or winners). Fabio Viviani, Michael Voltaggio, and Richard Blais all grounded out. But Kevin Gillespie, not only impressed, he hit it into the parking lot. Kevin is probably a better chef now than when he was on the show with improved plating design. I'm so glad we had the 7-course tasting menu. I would be kicking myself right now if we hadn't. They offered wine pairings at $12 a glass per course for a total of $84 per person - almost as much as the $85 tasting menu. The wines for the tasting are the same wines they sell by the glass which cost $8 to $14. Furthermore, seven glasses of wine is comparable to drinking an entire bottle. It's too much wine and too much money. Thankfully, we asked if we could share and the waiter offered a half-glass option which we immediately took. Amuse: The strawberry foam and gelee was weak start. The Corail Saumor rose brut was a yawner, but they win on service points by starting us with a festive glass of bubbles. The bread basket had three breads - wheat nut, focaccia which needed a small touch of herb, and a rustic white which was the best of the three. Course 1: The salmon tartare with ramps and blood orange fell a little flat because it needed more salt or acidity. It was good, but not special. It was paired with a boring rosÃ© wine by Blackbird. Course 2: The Carolina pan roasted trout was very well cooked. It's hard to make trout spectacular because it is a bland fish and they did what they could. The trout was mounted on a corn succotash with diced sugar peas, carrots, cranberry beans, and brown butter. THE SUCCOTASH WAS THE BEST THING I'VE EATEN IN MONTHS. It was an amazing dish that had incredible emphasis on fresh ingredients. The vegetable flavors weren't muddled together in an overcooked mess. Each component comes through with a crisp balance. The Lioco Chardonnay was an awkward match with the food. A viognier would have been ideal to match with the oiliness of the trout and the fat of the butter. Course 3: The fried green tomato with shrimp and avocado along with a bacon hot sauce was a fun dish. Individually, the food fell flat. When combined together, it sang. It was like a shrimp po-boy on a plate. The Alsatian pinot gris was too tender and honey-sweet for the food. The dish needed a big white. In fact, we had some Lioco Chard left from the prior course which matched better. Respite/Intermission: How can anyone not love potato soup with white truffle and chives? It was served like an amuse bouche and was all around great soup. It was paired with a freshly opened split of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label. I'm being really hyper picky here, but how about a little caviar garnish on the soup if it's being served with champagne? Course 4: The grilled sweetbreads with peanuts, beets, berries, and veal jus were another master stroke. To combine elements that are normally not associated with each other like peanuts and glands is impressive. Add to that skipping the typical frying of sweetbreads in favor of an open grill. I might have to steal his idea of grilling sweetbreads when cooking at home. How do BBQ-grilled sweetbreads sound? The Tokaj was a good wine match. Course 5: The grilled quail legs with hen of the wood mushrooms, Vidalia onion sauce, turnips, and quail jus again made effective use of the grill. You can't really mess up the mushroom, but the onion sauce was the star of the dish - so perfect in consistency, texture, and flavor. The turnips created ideal contrast. The glass of Beaujolais was a bit mild. Course 6: Finally the pork! Unfortunately, it was a disappointment. The smoked pork belly and cured pork loin with summer squash, corn puree, and cippolini onions wasn't bad. Far from it. But there was nothing notable about the pork belly. I understand that idea that making ham from a pork loin should be fun, but it showed a ham is still ham - even if it comes from the loin. The soft Cote du Rhone was an okay match, but a smoky zin probably would have worked better. Dessert Amuse: The panna cotta, chocolate foam which acted like a whipped cream, and coffee crunch was a wonderful combination of elements in a single spoonful. Dessert: The chocolate mousse and cherries with almonds on the bottom was a clever play on a chocolate sundae. Instead of peanuts on top, there are almonds on the bottom. Instead of a cherry on top, they are mixed into the mousse. Instead of choc ice cream, it's choc mousse. Very fun. It's hard to go wrong with a golden glass of Banyuls to finish. As you might have noticed, the wine pairings need improving. The restaurant should hire a wine steward to take these responsibilities. Woodfire Grill will definitely keep "Georgia on my mind" for a long time.
(5)
Mike O.

We were in Atlanta visiting family over the holidays and thought this would be a fun place to go since we had heard a lot about it. And I love pork, so this was suposedly the place to go. First off, the service was impeccable. Truly. We had a lot of attention paid to us while we were there, even as the dining room filled up as the night went on. I had a custom seasonal cocktail that was phenomenal, and it proved to be a good match with my pork later on. The servers all know what goes with what, so don't be afraid to ask. The appetizers were good and great, mine being great. I distinctly remember the use of a delicious chili oil on mine that was giggle-inducing, it was so good. The entrees were really good and presented beautifully. We had the steak, the pork and the sturgeon. Everything was cooked perfectly, with not too much fanfare or bells and whistles. My only complaint was that the potatoes were a bit burned in my dish, giving them that sour taste. The pork was perfect, though, and the steak was delicious as well as the only dish that looked somewhat substantial. The desserts seemed basic at first glance. There was really nothing on the menu that jumped out at us, but the waiter recommended the sticky toffee bread pudding and that was i-n-s-a-n-e! It was maybe the best thing we had had all night. A great way to end a good meal. All in all, I must say that I really expected to be more kind of blown away by the food. This place has had a lot of hype since the chef was on Top Chef a few years back, so perhaps I was thinking I would be walking into a gluttonous den of culinary and carnivorous farm-to-table nirvana, but instead what I got was just a really good and socially conscious local restaurant known for their pork, and apparently, their small serving sizes. In their defense, it is a four course a-la cart menu and they probably expect you to order all four and leave sated, but we opted for two, and dessert. Our loss. I do wish that they offered a tasting menu without the whole table having to take part, but I also commend them on being able to make said menu with full consideration taken to people's food allergies, etc. We will definitely be doing the tasting menu next time, and believe me, there will be a next time.
(4)
Tom W.

Simply amazing! My wife and I decided to make Woodfire Grill our wedding present to each other. When we made our reservation we said that this would be our first meal out as a married couple and we were treated to a great time. The host was attentive when we arrived and we were treated to complementary sparkling wine when we were seated. Our waiter was fantastic. He knew the menu backwards and forwards. We decided to go with the 7 course tasting menu with wine pairings. Wow! Each course was amazing. It built until a delicious pork belly and pork loin plate. For a tasting the portions were large. They were plated beautifully, too. Salmon tartare, sweetbreads, broiled quail, seared trout. Each was fantastic. There was even a peach fritter with flash-frozen blueberries as a palate cleanser before desert. On the way out we were able to say hi to Kevin, the executive chef and the fan-favorite contestant on Top Chef: Season 6. He was gracious to shake hands with us. It was a wonderful way to start off our marriage. I hope the next time we are in Atlanta we can go back and maybe order off the menu.
(5)
Daniel B.

Went here on a Thursday night. The restaurant was not very busy. We did not have a reservation and were seated immediately. The menu here changes daily and all of the ingredients used are seasonal. If you go, I recommend the 3 or 5-course chef's tastings. This is where you leave everything in the chef's hands, from the selection of the first amuse to the main course to the dessert. The amuses (originates from the French phrase "amuse bouche") are small bite-sized tastings that come before certain courses. If you have any food allergies or if there are foods you really don't like, just let the server know and the chef will not include those ingredients when preparing your dishes. Also, the 5-course tasting requires full table participation. Since you don't know what you're going to get when you choose these tastings, it's definitely only for the adventurous and those who love all types of food. It's a lot of fun however, and very much worth it, IMO. I opted for the 3-course chef's tasting when I went. The table was given a selection of bread - focaccia, raisin, and sourdough bread with unsalted butter. The first amuse was a bite of red radish with green parsley butter and black olive salt. That was followed by the first course, which was wild Alaskan halibut with English pea sauce, micro arugula, and fennel. The second amuse was a Hen of the Woods (a.k.a. Mitake) mushroom in a tempura batter with caramelized garlic and Lebanese Za'tar spice. The main course was Berkshire pork loin on top of sauteed mustard greens and kale with carrots, celery, turnips and New York maple syrup. The pork loin had a little fat on the top of each piece, which is supposed to be eaten with the meat. Dessert consisted of sticky toffee pudding with peanut brittle and a giant marshmallow and peanut butter mousse with ice cream, pop corn, and caramel. All of the food was excellent. The dishes were creative and the ingredients were fresh. Be sure to check out my local photos to see all the dishes. Service was also excellent. Chris and Courtney were our servers and they were both very knowledgeable about the dishes that were prepared for us.
(4)
Jennifer B.

And I rarely give 5 stars, but I have to say that we were extremely impressed by not only the food but the service as well. Our waiter was fun, friendly and knowledgeable. The Grouper was melt in your mouth good. But the star of the evening was the Sticky Toffee Pudding with coffee cream sauce. We simply couldn't believe our mouths. It changed our lives! Well, maybe not, but Bravo for a job well done!
(5)
Jessie C.

This just became one of my favorite restaurants in town. The place was hard to find for me, very easily missed. We went for a birthday party and the restaurant personalized the menu with a line of happy birthday, John, how thoughtful :) We got the seven course tasting menu for the birthday party, even though it's pricy but it's well worth it. The atmosphere & decor- modern and classy The drinks-amazing especially the bartender's choice, they get really creative and tasty The food- Amuse-roasted beets 1) Confit Shrimp -it was good, nothing too impressive, shrimp cooked nicely, the table thought the cucumber was a bit on the bitter side, celery hearts was a nice touch, refreshing. 2) Crispy trout -trout nicely fried, crispy on the outside and moist on the in side, great pair with the dill aioli. Personally i thought the aioli was too salty for me, but the rest of the table seemed to be happy with the seasoning. 3) Pan seared scallop -My scallop was perfectly cooked, very very fresh and tasty. The smoked carrot jus looked and taste almost like puree, dense and good. Pumpkin seed pistou was good, but i prefered the carrot jus over it. Fried farro was also nicely done. Taste-tomato water -AMAZING, very flavorful. Looked clear but the complex flavor profile hit us hard. tomato, basil, olive oil combo. Umm, can we have a bottle please? 4) grill quail with summer squash rice casserole -the quail had a nice caramelization to it, the meat was tender. loved the rice casserole, very garlicy- well done! 5) Pork-loin, belly, rinds - this was the one dish that didn't shine for me that night. Everything was nicely cooked and seasoned, I just wasn't wowed. 6) lamb lion - The lamb was perfectly executed, loved the rub(got a bit cumin on it?) and the red/pink in the middle. Few friends on the table thought it was slightly underdone for them. but hey, i love raw meat so it was perfect for me. Pre-Dessert-banana pudding -well balanced, yum 7) Dessert-buttermilk ice cream with peaches n buttermilk cake - I was really full at this point, but still managed to take few bites of the dessert and gave the rest to others. As a joke, my friends started licking plates-that tells you how good it was lol. Overall i loved the experience at Woodfire grill, the waiters were professional and attentive, drinks and food were amazing. I really appreciated all the detail they thought of, it is often easily missed. Until next time, i'll keep these taste memories in my dreams...
(5)
Habib T.

I just got treated to a Birthday dinner at Woodfire Grill last weekend. I had been there once before a couple of years ago when they had a different E. Chef. I don't remember enjoying it as much as I enjoyed it this time. We ordered 3 course dinner a la carte and that was plenty of food. They also had 5 course and 7 course chef's tasting menu that comes with wine pairings. I had the grilled octopus, the scallops, and the Angus steak. I also tried the Halibut fish entree my girlfriend had ordered. Everything was excellent down to the details. By far one of my best dinner experiences. They serve a nice collection of cocktails and wines and beers also. It's a bit on the pricey side for me, but well worth it for a special occasion.
(5)
Tanya F.

Celebrating a growing list of little victories spanning the past two years and culminating with something big, we figured a shmancy dinner was in order. And so a shmancy dinner we did have. Don't be fooled by Woodfire's unassuming exterior. Inside, it's modern and fresh with an impressive dining room and comfortable seating. Here are the highlights: The amuse was one delectable bite of three distinct textures: a spoonful of lemon marinated raisin, pecan aioli and fresh micro celery. The taste of the sweet tart raisin contrasted with the mellow rich aioli made me eager for another bite. It was paired with a sweet Hungarian white wine with notes of honey, that brought out the bright citrus flavors in the tiny appetizer. The first course. ::swoon:: Olive oil poached shrimp, sugar snap peas, golden beets, and sweet pea tendrils in a lemon emulsion. I was as impressed with what they didn't do as I was with what they did. This course was a perfect example of restraint and respect for the ingredients. The pieces of quartered shrimp were perfect in seasoning and doneness. Treated just enough to highlight the Florida rock shrimp's natural flavors and then left alone. The peas lived up to their name and were so lightly cooked that they snapped delicately with every bite. The lemon emulsion was so luscious, I honestly had to check myself to keep from licking my fork in delight. I won't bore you with details of the rest of my meal since Woodfire's menu changes frequently, but I will say that if you have the time, go with the tasting menu. And if you have the temperament, go with the wine pairings as well. They do indeed add to each course and you can request they stop at any time (as I probably should have after the third course). The waitstaff were knowledgeable and pleasant, and the meal an unequivocal success. PS - I can't help but mention that yes, I love Top Chef, am easily excited by celeb spottings, and though I was giddy just being across the room from Mr. Gillespie...this in no way affected my enjoyment of this meal. That was probably the wine.
(5)
George S.

Went here for the third time tonight. What keeps me coming back? Adventure. Whether you actually like the juxtaposition of flavors, the result is always amazing and unexpected. Tonight, a split pea soup with overtones of tarragon, mint, and citrus . A halibut that melted in my mouth a light butter and olive oil and garlic garnish - the best fish I have ever had. Exquisite wine pairings from Blake, the excellent bartender. Dining alone at the bar, I felt that I was the only guest in the restaurant. Service at the tables can sometimes be slightly disinterested, but this is a small quibble. Submit to the culinary adventure that awaits you here. You will be amazed.
(5)
Joseph A.

Service was excellent. So was the food. I told them it was my wife's birthday and we received personalized menus. One of the finest dinners I've had in a while.
(5)
S B.

Pluses: Impeccable service, great bar list with good whiskey's, scotches, and other high end alcoholic choices. These two facets were on par with restaurants in DC and other "foodie" cities. Cons: The food was good, and certainly above average, just not phenomenal. We had the 5 course tasting menu. The spacing was at our pace, and a couple of the courses were very good. However, that excellence didn't carry across all 5 courses. All in all, a good choice, but not
(4)
Cali L.

The service here is top notch! I went for a friends birthday party, and the 10 of us were seated in a private room. Portions are small, but thats to be expected from a fancy restaurant I suppose. The only reason I dont give the place 5 stars is that when you have a group, you get a set wedding, similar to a wedding. 2 appetizer choices and 3 dinner choices. Our options were Stergeon, Quali and Pork; which is their "signature dish." We were all looking forward to a bigger menu. My fish was delicious, and I tried some of the pork. It was a bit tougher than what were used to, but the staff mentioned that its because the meat is from sort of a free range pig. Everything was made with very interesting ingredients. Be prepared to spend quite a bit of money though. My bill alone was $85 and I didnt even have alcohol.
(4)
Ming Y.

great service, great staff, great cooks, and great food. we came here for my 30th birthday. it was a short wait before we were seated for a reserved table, but we were okay with it cause the waiting area was very pleasantly decorated, and they also had specialty cocktails to order while wait. the hosts were very professional, and nice. we then sat down and ordered their 7 course meals, i can't remember what exactly was included, but it was good amount of food with amazing tastes. the kitchen was open with real "wood fire" cooking, and you get to see the "chef kevin" was supervising while other cooks cook. the server was extremely patient, he explained every dish to us as he brought it over. the place is valet parking only. it is def a good place if you want to look for somewhere that's dressy and romantic, we loved it!
(5)
Todd P.

I have friends who are Top Chef stalkers. They're from Northern Virginia and even fenagled getting an invite to one of the TC events filmed for the DC season. It was with this couple that I visited Brian Voltaggio's VOLT in Frederick, Maryland several months ago. So when they planned a trip to Atlanta, I expected the stalking to continue. The one "to do" item they had specifically added to my list was to get us a table for dinner at Woodfire Grill. Mission...accomplished. Since I've been on somewhat of a reviewing hiatis the past month or so, suffice it to say my memory on the specifics of our dinner have escaped me. However the image of our ear-to-ear smiles as we enjoyed our meal is still burned into my memory. We had the 7-course chef's blind tasting menu. There's something decadent and exciting about spending a chunk of change on a meal that's a complete surprise through and through. Definitely worth the splurge for the experience. Not one dish disappointed. And with a creative cocktail list and vast selection of wine, there's plenty of help available to keep the smiles coming. And if you're a stalker, like my friends, you might even be able to convince the busy chef to pose for a picture (which I'm sure he just *loves* doing).
(5)
Caitlin L.

Ugh, I've been waiting awhile, a long while, to post this review. I had super SUPER high expectations for dinner here after reading so many amazing reviews and hearing so many great things and loving Kevin G. My expectations were not met, not at all. We came here on a Friday night after canceling plans to go out of town. Figuring we would've spent a ton of money traveling, we'd just spend it on supper instead. I was excited about my meal here knowing they have a vegetarian tasting menu. In fact, I kind of scoffed at people who only go to vegetarian restaurants for nice occasions, knowing there are other veg. friendly places in the city that happen to cater to meat eaters, as well (I now understand and I apologize!). We both decided to do the 5-course tasting menu with 1/2 wine pairings- how people do a 7-course tasting with full glasses of wine or beer astounds me. I don't fully recall the total breakdown of each course, other than nothing being amazing. My Fiance was extremely pleased with his meal (non-veg), but I just couldn't say the same unfortunately. I remember at one point I was served a stuffed cabbage roll with some sort of brown sauce and the wine pairing made the dish taste like beef stew (think dinty moore) and it nauseated me. So 5-courses later, including dessert, and $300+ spent we left and I may have still been hungry or just grieving what I thought was going to be a meal that I'd hold in my memory for years to come, but we went and ate pie. All I really took away was a good buzz. A $300 buzz, in fact. Meat eaters seem to adore this place, but it's lacking for vegetarians.
(2)
Peter B.

Executive Chef Kevin Gillespie, finalist from the Top Chef Las Vegas season, serves up some mighty terrific food at his suburban Atlanta restaurant, Woodfire Grill. From beginning to end, my dining experience was exceptional. Background: I had a business meal with clients and Woodfire accommodated me with a private room that seated 10 people. Diners may order a la carte or, as a group, opt for a 5 of 7 course tasting menu designed by the chef. We opted for the former and I selected the English pea risotto as my first course. The risotto was sufficiently al dente and the pea saute quite flavorful. My colleagues and clients were equally pleased with their selections. The service was quite impressive as they practiced synchronized service with 5 5 waiters delivering courses simultaneously to the 10 diners. My second course involved a grilled sturgeon fish. The dish came hot and the fish was not the least bit dry. Another hit from my perspective. For dessert, the option was quite easy: Woodfire stocks an impressive selection of Kentucky bourbon, including Pappy Van Winkle. A glass of PVW neat and I was set for the evening. 5 stars to this Atlanta showcase!
(5)
Terri P.

This is probably a great restaurant but I went a few years back & ordered the whole yellow fin tuna with my husband. Bad decision on my part because I don't eat fish like that. I prefer fried fish that has a mild flavor like tilapia, flounder, etc... This confirmed to me that I need to stick to that when I am out ordering fish. The waiter was gracious & let us order something else.
(1)
Kristen W.

I'm a Top Chef fan, and I knew I'd love Kevin's food after watching his season. The only thing that made me worried was the name of his restaurant. Woodfire Grill? Really? Luckily that was the only lame thing about my experience. Hubs and I enjoyed the 5 course tasting menu with perfect wine pairings. Every course was wonderful, with the highlights being the Third Course of teriyaki grilled local quail that tasted like the best Thanksgiving meal ever, and the "Taste" of white gazpacho (not considered one of the courses, but more like a palate cleanser, where a sorbet would be). We were provided with a printed menu of what we ate, along with what wines we had, when we were given our check, which was a really nice touch. We didn't regret for one minute splurging on the dinner. Along with the food, the ambiance and service were fantastic. I'm glad we got the chance to go, and would bet that it is one of the best dining experiences in Atlanta.
(5)
Ken G.

Good food Good service. Nothing to complain about here.
(4)
Dave M.

My favorite restaurant in Atlanta. We discovered chef Kevin Gillespie from his season on Top Chef and had to try it. Been back several times since and never been disappointed. A great experience. Highly recommend.
(5)
Robert M.

As I looked through my 5 star reviews this morning, I realized that most are not for restaurants, mostly for services, doctors and the like. I can say that this is my first 5 star review for a restaurant in Atlanta that UNQUESTIONABLY deserves 5 stars. I've been to Woodfire Grill before (before Kevin) and had such a horrible experience, even when I was reading these rave reviews I had no desire to step foot in there. The attention to detail and service is perfect. The flavors are noteworthy, the pace is exceptional. We came here for our collective birthdays, and they even printed out "Happy Birthday Esther and Robert" on our menu. We thought that was funny and cool. First, they brought out breads (all excellent) and this incredibly small square of peach, topped with a thin sliver of cheese and might have had a pepper or something mixed in, this little speck of a peach on a spoon burst with flavor. We wanted more. I wasn't sure of which wine I wanted, there was a Zin/Petite Syrah, a Cab Franc, and a Cab/Merlot, so I asked for a recommendation...and instead of just recommending the most expensive glass (as most restos seem to do), they said "well, let's give you a taste of all of them and you decide". I was impressed. The decision was clear after the tasting so thank you for that! For our first we got the fried Japanese eggplant that was flavored with cilantro and jalapeno and all I can say is wow...what a way to start off a night. Get it!!! We also got the African squash soup that was amazing as well. We shared a second, a roasted beet risotto in brown butter, with chanterelles, arugula, and lemon. Making sure you have the arugula, chanterelles and risotto together really enhances the flavor, incredible! Our third was duck breast and berkshire pork loin. The pork loin was cooked perfectly, maybe the first perfectly cooked pork I've had. The way the skin was seasoned, I would have been down with just a plate of skin. Clearly....my new favorite restaurant in Atlanta.
(5)
Brandy E.

Love love love this place! Excellent, attentive service and the food was magnificent.
(5)
theron t.

Believe the hype, for this is about as good as it gets in Atlanta right now. Went here last week on a weeknight, and even though I made a reservation for the wrong day, they were still available to accommodate us. If you don't know, this place is booked heavily on any given night, and the fact that the management was able to still get us seated, was top notch. We had an early dinner (about 6pm), and I would highly recommend coming around that time. It's a good way to see the spot before it really start to get hopping. Service was great. Very attentive without being too aggressive. The servers seemed to be very well trained and have a good personality without being too nice. The decor is very nice and has an old house feel type of setting to it with modern and hip furnishings. Apparently this place gets some celebs from time to time. When we were there last week Lou Diamond Phillips was there and the night before, Jason Bateman was getting his Grill on. I thought about asking Lou for a table side serenade of "La Bamba", but he didn't really look like he wanted to be bothered. Maybe next time. The must have here is the 7 course chef's tasting menu. You don't know what's going to come to the table, but that's the fun of it. At $75 per person, it ain't cheap, but it's a great way to really get an overall sampling of this place. We had duck, scallops, lamb, salmon, and pork belly among other tasty treats. All of these dishes either rested on a bed of some tasty creative salad, or came with some super fresh local vegetables. Of course our last dish was a dessert. Cocktails are well made and pricey as well. The selection definitely competes with some of the other area hot spots. Also heard that you can walk up to the bar without reservations and get some booze and food without reserving a spot. That is if there's a seat available. :) Parking is almost strictly valet, it's complimentary and the easiest choice for that area. Overall, the tasty goods coming out of the Woodfire kitchen impressed me and the service was spot on. Two people with drinks could easily spend $200 here though. If you got it like that, I don't think you will be disappointed. Average working dude, this is a great place to celebrate a momentous occasion. I'm saving now for my next visit.
(5)
B. C.

Amazing as always. Drink menu, service and especially the food. If you can get Chef Kevin's tasting menu, go for it. I can usually drum up a couple negatives but nothing substantial here over my two visits.
(5)
Nik D.

What a fantastic place. Had the 5 course tasting menu.... It's a piece of art on the plate. Superbly plated, small portions, unique combinations. Works out to $100 a person with drinks... Not cheap. But definitely worth it for a special occasion . They give the menu as a souvenir.
(5)
Megan G.

Woodfire Grill made my entire trip to Atlanta worthwhile. I was disappointed that Kevin wasnt there (I'm a Top Chef junkie) but his influence was clearly present. We had 6 people and ordered the 5 course sampler, and a variety of food preferences (vegetarian, pescatarian, meat eaters, no mushroom, no cream) and they were able to accomodate with delicious plates over all 5 courses. I have to say, I've NEVER understood wine pairings (I'm not savvy enough to "get" why the food and wine go togehter) and I had a revelation at dessert. I GOT IT. Thank you, Woodfire, for giving the south excellent dining!
(5)
Charlene W.

I came to Woodfire Grill a year ago, while I was in town for a conference. I was definitely rooting for Kevin when he was on Top Chef Las Vegas, so I was psyched to try it out. The restaurant itself is in somewhat of a strange location, there isn't much else going on around there. Don't expect to find a cab on the street after you're done dining... While I don't remember the specifics of each dish as clearly as I did a year ago, I can tell you this place is definitely worthwhile. The service was really great. I remember our server was super friendly, printed out a copy of our menu for me, asked to see when Kevin would be back in town for me (he was out of town when I dined and I really wanted to meet him), and explained all of our dishes well. We went for the 5 course tasting menu, but each course is quite small, so if you eat a lot (like me!) then you might still be hungry afterwards. I know I could've used the extra 2 courses. The flavors of each dish were well balanced and punchy, and everything was cooked to perfection. I absolutely loved the complimentary amuse bouche of celery juice: it was strange and shockingly good. My favorite course was probably the Berkshire pork belly and quail. I remember the scallop to be slightly oversalted and the dessert is one of the best desserts I've had. Below is a breakdown of the tasting menu: Complimentary amuse bouche: Pickled Georgia peach, Thai basil oil, local feta First Course: Wild Alaskan salmon tartar, salted cucumber, pickled shallot aioli, foccacia toast, creme fraiche Second Course: Pan roasted day boat scallop, roasted corn and truffle puree, radish, fennel, crowder pea salad Complimentary amuse bouche: Celery juice, whipped peach cider and ginger ale, minus 8 vinegar Third Course: Wood smoked Berkshire pork belly and lacquered quail, roasted parsnips, roasted apples, Yukon gold and Fiji apple sauce Fourth Course: Wood grilled Hudson Valley duck breast, smoked African squash puree, Alsatian cabbage, espilette vinaigrette, duck fat emulsion Fifth Course: Blueberry-semolina cake, white chocolate limoncello ganache, sweet corn creme anglaise, blueberry reduction, feuilletine crumble, blueberry ice cream This place is SOOOOO GOOD. I would totally go again, especially since I want to pet Kevin's beard.
(5)
Patricia M.

Best meal I have ever had. From the subtle scent of the wood fire to the wonderful service to the delicious, beautiful food... everything was perfection. We had a party of three and tried almost everything on the menu at the time. We all tried each others plates and agreed everything was wonderful. I wish this was closer to my home but if I ever visit Atlanta again, I will be sure to go back.
(5)
Erin N.

best scallops, quail and pork i have EVER had. this place really lives up to its hype. got the 5 course tasting menu, which was wonderful, plus a few things on the house, such as champagne, as it was brian r and my two year anniversary. one hundred percent recommended, from start to finish. best food coma ever.
(5)
Drew G.

Very expensive for meager portions. The food was good, but half of a quail and a shot glass of celery soup is not filing. My duck (which I consider an excellent test of a chef) was drier and blander than I would have liked. I could care less about the 'celebrity' chef; and it seems that is what this restaurant banks on.
(2)
Dru M.

If you haven't believed the other hundreds of people who have said to go to Woodfire Grill..believe me. Go now. Seriously...NOW! After hearing very good things about the restaurant...I decided it was time to try it myself. Being a fan of tasting menus, my party and I opted for the 7 course menu. Before the meal started...our server asked if any of us had food allergies, which I do. Pectin (fruit skins) is what I need to stay away from...so there were several courses where my dish was slightly different from everyone else's. In one case I had pickled green beans instead of peaches. In another I had beet rissoto instead of pickled quince. Basically...I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything because of allergy, which surprisingly nice. I would say a few of my favorites were the scallops and pork belly, but I can't honestly think of thing I didn't like. I also can't drink red wine...so when the pairings were red...our server gave me some great options of an alternate beverage for me. I must also say something about our server, who was hands down...one of the best servers I've ever had. She was very knowledgable with the dishes, as well as the wine pairings...and just very nice. One thing to note...reservations are a must. I also suggest to make them at least a week in advance, unless you're ok with eating at 530p or 930p. :) So what's stopping you...go to Woodfire Grill. NOW!
(5)
Mary G.

Came here after hearing great things - definitely worth it.
(4)
Lou i.

I ate at Woodfire Grill several times with Kevin Gilligan was executive chef. Since he left at the beginning of the year, I've been back twice. I won't return again. Dining was amazing with Chef Kevin. Now, it's good -- but a definite decline in flavor. Service remains very professional and attentive. Wine selection is great. But the food doesn't have the complex flavor I appreciated in years past. I can only think that the current reviews that list it so favorably are from people who are new to the restaurant. If I'm spending a few hundred for dinner, I'd like something better than "it was pretty good."
(3)
Lorne C.

One of the best dining experiences in Atlanta. I actually received a gift card from a friend, and I have been wanting to try this place for a while. If you want the Top Chef experience of Food-dom, then this is your place. The menu changes daily, but every item order was just wonderful (the fois-gras was my favorite). This is the place for special occasions, celebrations and when you want the best. Now one of the chefs is on Top Chef:Las Vegas - not a surprise at all, really!
(5)
Jason L.

First time coming here and having the 5-course tasting menu ranks in the Top 3 food experiences of my short existence. Exec. Chef Kevin Gillespie has been spotted on both occasions in the open kitchen. Holler. The 5-course tasting menu changes rather quickly according to friends. Make reservations FAR in advance. Get a bottle of nice wine. Get the 5-course tasting menu.. do itttttt! [Expect to spend over $100/person with the 5-course menu and wine]
(5)
Claudia R.

Absolutely one of the most amazing dining experiences I've had in Atlanta. The service is outstanding, very welcoming from the moment you walk in until the moment you leave. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. And the decor is chic AND cozy...you completely forget that you're on Cheshire Bridge! I had read about their cocktails, and already knew I wanted to try the Farmer's Daughter...vodka, with muddled cucumber and mint, and ginger beer...oh my, it was summer in a glass! They also have an extensive wine list, from which the wine connoisseur in our group was able to make some great selections for us. Now I'm wishing I had not waited a week to do this review, because I know I won't do the food justice, but here goes: While we waited for the apps to arrive we were given a delicious quinoa amuse bouche, kind of like a southern take on tabbouleh. We shared a few appetizers, and the one that stands out is a one of assorted seasonal tomatoes with parmesan cheese shavings. I had the berkshire pork, which was perfectly cooked - it was juicy, yet the small layer of fat had the most delicious crispy, charred crust. It was served on a bed of collard greens that tasted of bacon...I've never had collard greens before - EVER - and am positive that now I am ruined for any that aren't from here. For dessert I had the banana semifredo, topped with a crispy wisp of caramelized bacon. OMG. Along with a divine flight of dessert wines. Mmmm! Cannot wait to go back! Next time, I'm trying one of the tasting menus...
(5)
Lizz G.

As a huge top chef fan, I had very high hopes. But I was slightly disappointed (thus the 4 star rating). The restaurant has complimentary valet parking, a nice way to start the dining experience. The decor of the place was very nice as well - the oven is exposed in the dining area, which was a cool touch. My finace and I decided on the blind 5 course tasting menu. First course was a beet and brussel sprout salad, which was good, but not great, mostly because it was a bit plain for my tastes. Second course was an AMAZING scallop dish with brussel sprouts and a puree. The scallop was perfectly cooked and seasoned and the dish as a whole was just perfect. Third course was quail, which was also delish, laying over a bed of lemony grains. The forth course, the thing that chef Kevin is most well known for, was a pork loin, pork belly duo. And I am sad to say, it was this dish that brings the review down to four stars. The loin was kind of, well, rubbery. Not well cooked and not very tasty. And the pork belly wasn't as amazing as I was expecting - I went to a much cheaper, less known eatery the other day and had better pork! The dessert course, a play on a chocolate forest cake, was a great way to end the meal (I am a sucker for any kind of chocolate lava cake) and made me much happier than the main course did. The service was great, we had a very personable waiter, and the staff was also very knowledgeable about the wines that they serve. Overall, some of the food didn't quite live up to my expectations. But even if I had no expectations going in, my meal still would not be 5 star. Still, a place worth experiencing!!
(4)
Steve H.

What? It was good. Good service, good food, good things. It was good. And I liked it.
(4)
Nicci R.

This is really a 3.5 start rating. The food was good, but the portions were ridiculously small...especially for the price point. Originally we were going to do the 5 course tasting menu, but scaled down since my in-laws joined us last minute and wanted to treat. The a la carte menu was split up into 3 courses. The server said that ordering 2 would be enough and the mains were true entree size, not a small plate like the first courses. So we all felt safe ordering just an appetizer and main. Unfortunately we left hungry. The most amusing part of the dinner was when the server presented us with a gift from the chef. It was a plate with 4 Asian style soup spoons with a dab of butter and a celery shaving. We couldn't help but laugh and wonder if we were being Punked. The low wide white soup spoon looked completely empty, except for a couple minuscule specks in the middle. The only way to taste it was by removing it with the tip of a finger or the tip of your tongue fully extended. We should have taken this as a clue to what the rest of the meal would be like. I ordered the pumpkin risotto as a starter and the quail for dinner assuming that 3 quail would be filing enough. First course arrived in an oversized bowl with about 1/2 a cup of pureed pumpkin risotto sprinkled with toasted pumpkin seeds. After sharing a small bite with everyone at the table, I was left with a couple for myself. The main arrived in a oversized plate with 3 tiny boneless quail about the size of a half dollar each and 5-6 micro sized cauliflower florets each equivalent in shape to a green pea. $26 for 3 bites of quail was absurd. Perhaps we were charged for someones time in the kitchen using a microscope and surgical tools to remove the tiny bones from the miniature birds. Thankfully there was plenty of bread and butter. My husband ordered the foie gras to start and duck breast as a main. My mother in-law's roast pork dish was the closest to a true entree. We passed on dessert because we were afraid it would be a waste of money at $8 each. Glad we did because we were presented with 4 finger sized complementary boxes that each held 2 little chocolate truffles. They also comped my husbands wine as a birthday gift. Another nice touch was that the top of our menus said Happy Birthday Scott with the date. Great service and food quality, but overpriced for portion sizes. You must order at least 3 courses each to leave somewhat satisfied. It is a good option for a special occasion or spurge and I recommend at least doing 5 course chef tasting. Chef Kevin was not working on this Saturday night.
(3)
Scott C.

Was here for a work function. About 15 of us, private room upstairs. Just an awesome evening. Our host planned a 6 course dinner, each paired with a glass of wine. Truly spectacular. Great food, great service, wonderfully paired wine and luckily I didn't have to pay. We were all foodies, the wine was pouring free.
(5)
Adam S.

I eat here fairly regularly and I am always happy with it. The service may be the best in the city. I mean they really go out of their way to make you comfortable and they excel at explaining the menu. The food is, for lack of a better word, artistic. Is it expensive to eat here? You'd better believe it! But to me it has always been worth it.
(5)
Alice Y.

This place is amazing. It lives up to the hype and hoo-ha that countless fans have lauded Kevin Gillespie. Being a big Top Chef fan, I couldn't help but demand my bf that we come here on one of our few nights spent in Atlanta. I mean, how could I pass up an opportunity to eat from the kitchen of one of my admired chefs. So my bf and I came here on a Wednesday night after making reservations on OpenTable. Thankfully, due to the tornado warning going on in the area, other parties' reservations had fallen through, giving us a chance to dine here. As soon as we got there, we were greeted and taken to our table. After a quick introduction of the way things work at WG, I ordered the Grenacha wine while my bf got a beer (of which I forget the name). We were graced with an amuse bouche, that had a salad in one bite. Amazing. We then ordered the local arugula salad and a cold cucumber soup. Both tasted delicious and fresh. Textures and flavors were perfect. For our second, we got the risotto and pork belly. Both were great. The risotto was slightly on the salty side, but it balanced well with the pork belly. For our thirds, we ordered the wood grilled hudson valley duck breast and the wood grilled berkshire pork loin. The meat was amazing. Perfectly cooked. Perfectly seasoned. The duck wasn't game-y at all. The pork was tender and every bite lushed of flavor. As full as we were by the third course, we couldn't stop eating. For dessert, we ordered the coffee press and banana pain perdu. I have never said this in my life, but the banana pain perdu was HEAVEN IN MY MOUTH. Seriously. The banana crÃ¨me anglaise with the delicate sprinkle of candied bacon and salted caramel couldn't have been better. Even if we were stuffed, my bf and I scraped the dish clean of all its sweet and salty goodness. This may have been the most expensive meal I've eaten, but it was definitely worth it. The bearded chef is truly Atlanta's pride. Hail Chef Gillespie! Btw, Chef Kevin was busy cooking all the food for a private 20-person dinner party the night we were there, but we did catch a glimpse of him greeting a couple tables nearby and thanking them for choosing his restaurant.
(5)
Slider E.

Hard to get a reservation but well worth it. Perfect wine parings with an outstanding 5 course meal. Best in Atlanta. ..
(5)
Renee P.

I had such high hopes for the Woodfire Grill after I read the reviews but it failed to meet my expectations. Everything was good. not great, not excellent. I have heard that the smaller the portions the more expensive the meal and the Woodfire Grill was no exception at $70 for a five course tasting menu. The service was excellent. The bread was incredible and so was the champage shallot butter but other than that the nicest thing I can say is that everything was grilled and good. If you have been to the Woodfire Grill and disagree with my review and think that my pallet may not appreciate the finer things in life think again. I travel all over the world and look for the best dining experiences but I have found that paying more doesn't always mean you get more or that it is better.
(3)
Audrey N.

I haven't been back to Woodfire since Gillespie was the chef. I loved it this time!!!Nick, the owner, is amazing and adds a superb touch by coming around to the tables and helping the waiters and making sure your evening is nice!!! We loved the tasting menu. It was yummy and filling!! Wine and cocktails for my husband were superb. I love the renovated front bar area as well. I am definitely going to have to come back to that bar again and we will be back for a yummy steak next time.
(5)
Nikita L.

Can I just say, this place is over-rated! We opted for the chef's menu. 5 courses, nothing stood out! The portions were HUGE for a tasting menu. It felt like you were having 3 main courses one after another. Don't give me wrong, the food tasted good. But didn't have anything that tasted awesome. Won't go back....not worth the money......
(2)
Shardule S.

My wife and I did the 5-course vegetarian tasting menu. It's expensive, but the service and atmosphere are perfect. From the moment you walk in, throughout the meal, and as you walk out. 5 stars for service and atmosphere. They even constructed a custom menu with our names printed on it. Very nice touch! The food was pretty good too. My wife is vegetarian and I am vegan. We both enjoyed the plating and the variety of foods (lots of vegetables, quinoa, etc.). I came here looking for variety and in terms of vegetables, I definitely got that. However, if you pair this up against food from Cafe Sunflower (the only 'fancy vegetarian food' comparison though the two places are different in many respects), Sunflower wins out. This was nice to try. However, I would not put this under a "can't miss" category.
(4)
Lee L.

ATLANTA, GA: You must eat at Woodfire Grill! Empty your piggy bank and get the tasting menu. It's still a bargain compared to tasting menus you'll find in most other cities around the country and the quality is probably better. This food is amazing! High ceilings and simple, eclectic decor welcome you after you valet your car to enter the Woodfire Grill. Waitstaff is handsome but not stuffy. I tried the tasting menu: Amuse Buche was a bit of fried mushroom. Yum. The bread was excellent, as well, with a seasoned butter. Wagyu Tartare (5 stars): Traditional new American pairing with pickles, yolk and some fried deliciousness. This is outstanding. Tempura Octopus (5 stars): Ginger glaze, sesame, and traditional tempura taste. Delicious. Foie Gras: (4 stars): Paired with banana and cashew, it was smooth, a little sweet, and wonderful. I could have used some more bread to spread it on. Squab Fowl (5 stars): Delicious, hearty meat with saffron potatoes and other seasoned vegetables Pork Belly with Black Truffle Glaze (5++ Stars): This knocked me on my @&$. Made from a flying pig. Porkadise. Porkri-La. Pigvana. Lamb Loin (5 stars): So flavorful, so delicious. Squash purÃ©e, broccoli and flavorful lamb. This place belongs on your bucket list. This coming from a guy who eats everywhere.
(5)
Barry K.

Visiting my family in the area they took me out for dinner and after finding it hard to find a reservation during the holiday time I found this place. First thing you should know is it is a farm to table place. Meaning they deal directly with farms and only receive organic high end food. The service It this review was based only on service it would get 5 stars. Everyone we met was so friendly and bent over backwards to help us. Our waiter was funny and friendly and gave us advise on ordering and answered all our questions. The food We decided against the 5 course meal because it was our first time there and if you choice it they surprise you with the choices based on your liked/dislikes. I ordered the foie gras torchon to start with which was ok but nothing great. However my wife ordered the goat cheese ravioli.which was REALLY good! The only problem the the portion is super small. For dinner I had the braised cheshire white pork shank was was very good and fell right off the bone. My wife had the wood grilled grassroots farms chicken with the quinoa which was pretty good too. Both entrees were solid but not breath taking. For desert we went with the apple doughnuts with cranberry jam, cinnamon hot chocolate, and vanilla marshmallow fluff. This is where the value really came into play. These babies were AMAZING. Let me tell you I was in a fancy restaurant and I didn't care I was licking my plate clean and didn't care if people saw me doing it. They made my night! So all in all I give it a 4 star rating due to small portions for a high dollar. Still a place I would recommend you check out.
(4)
Chan V.

This place was super accommodating especially for a large group of 16 people. Most restaurants would consider that booking as an event. They took us in with no hesitation and set up a nice private dining area just for us. The atmosphere was soothing like I'm in a European country home. The service was stellar. Woodfire Grill -We truly appreciate the personalized touch. You made the evening extra special for us. The details matter so thank you! The entrÃ©e selection was overwhelming with good choices. Everything sounded good. For first course, we had the lamb carpaccio. It was prepared just right. For second course, well, we ordered two of everything. It was all good especially the foie gras mousse, pierogi and scallops. For third course, I had the ribeye since I can never say no to ribeye. I noticed it was leaner than I preferred -almost like a sirloin. I guess because it's corned veal cheek. The ribeye was amazing with the unique chimichurri sauce from the pan roasted baby carrots. I hear they have their own herb garden in the back in which the chefs used in some of the dishes. That deserves an extra star. I love chefs who go the distance for fresh and quality ingredients. The dessert selection didn't entice me much so I skipped dessert. To each her own I guess. Overall it was a good experience dinning for the first time at Woodfire Grill. The service was excellent. The food was wonderful. Next time, I will try the 5 course chef's tasting menu now that I trust the chefs. I hope sweetbread is included in that.
(4)
Benjamin G.

Just fantastic. Simply fantastic. Yet another amazing meal from one of the more yelped about spots in the ATL. The cool part? It's all true and totally worth every bit of it. Our experience was, yet again, had with little to no knowledge of the menu, decor, ambiance, service, or even location (even though we had driven past Woodfire like a thousand times). The only things I had come to know about Woodfire were all of the comments about wonderful experiences had in the past. I was stoked to finally have ours. We had reservations for a Thursday night dinner and, as soon as we walked in, we were taken to our table. I was really surprised by the decor and general ambiance. Again, I had no preconceived knowledge or idea. The entire place really just felt like a cozy den. Dimly lit, simple, but badass, fixtures, cozy seats, and white linens. The best part is that there was not a single soul that makes it feel like a "white linen" experience. Definitely more of a casual feel, but with a totally upscale, adventurous menu -- both for food and cocktails. Drinks - The "As You Wish" and Kumquat Shrub were fantastic choices. I'm a huge fan of Gin and their cocktails were both fantastically perky and bright. Melissa Davis makes one mean beverage, folks. Also, she is the sweetest person to chat to! She actually came to our table to describe some of the drinks she had prepared for us. She is a super fun personality. If you ever have the chance to chat with her, do so. We opted for the 5-course Chef Tasting Menu and it was such a treat. Pro Tip: If you have a preference of vegetarian or pescatarian, they will happily oblige your needs for either the 5-course or 7-course menu. Here's what we/I had -- Starters - Amuse Bouche - A little morsel of pickled GA Peach. Fantastically light and even delivered the perfect amount of "jaw twang" you get from a sweet peach. Lovely. Popcorn Soup - Imagine someone made you a bowl of popcorn. Then imagine having the same flavor(s) being slurped from a spoon. Exactly the flavor profile. It was truly magical. Easily our favorite dish of the night. Pickled Gulf Shrimp - A few spicy shrimp in a wonderful molÃ© sauce. Had a good amount of heat to it, too. It was light, and definitely worked well as a second course. Wood-Roasted Carolina Trout - Served with a lovely tapenade and fingerling potatoes. Trout is one of my favorites and it was just lovely. Alaskan King Salmon - Okay... I'm not typically a fan of salmon as it not my favorite fishes to be served cooked. This cut, however, was easily the best salmon I have ever tasted. It was lean, subtle, and flaky. The skin, which was lightly salted, may have been the best part. Goodness gracious. This was just a wonderful dish. Can't say enough about it. I really have to give a tip of my hat to their pastry chef. The bread served throughout is simply wonderful. Bravo on utilizing potato bread that is so versatile and fantastically paired with amazing butter. Your desserts show equal care and delight. The service was just impeccable. Hands to take plates and serve came out of nowhere. Smiling faces, happy people, and so many cool people to chat to. You can tell the atmosphere here is really fun and that everyone enjoys what they do. Believe what you hear, folks. This place is simply wonderful.
(5)
Andrea P.

We went to Woodfire to celebrate a special occasion, and I'm not sure words can adequately capture the superb experience we had for our dinner. To say everything was top-notch is an understatement. We were truly blown away. We opted for the 5-course chef's tasting menu and they were able to accommodate one of them as a pescatarian option. A true standout was the first course butternut squash soup. They paced the meal wonderfully and it lasted over two hours. The portions were appropriate as well, as we had just enough room for the delicious dessert. Yes, this is a pricier restaurant, but it was worth every single penny. We are looking forward to going back for future special occasions :)
(5)
Mit P.

Like most others, I love this place. However one add is that we opted for a pescatarian gluten free dining experience so this may be useful to those who choose likewise. What we liked: 1) Surprises. The 5 or 7 course menu is the way to go here. We went with the 7 course and I was impressed they can pull that off with a pescatarian gluten free selection. I love that you get different dishes each visit, and so there is a real element of surprise. Plus it frees you from the mundane aspect of selecting dishes yourself. 2) The dishes are perfect. Most restaurants struggle to get fish cooked to the exact right temperature. Not this place. The dishes were all perfect. 3) Variety within the meal. They had a lot of different types of dishes with the 7 course menu - a beet sorbet, salads, soup, 2 desserts, different textures and spices. The variety was awesome. 4) Service is excellent. They operate as a team - you can ask the bus boy for a wine and he will communicate to the waiter and get the drink delivered. They operate seamlessly. 5) Nice location. Decent amount of space, elegant decor, not too loud. What could be better: 1) No self-parking only valet. Fortunately the guy sensed my concern and parked my car right in front. 2) A couple of the fish dishes were very similar. Other tips: Probably better to go 5 course than 7 course. The 7 course was too much food.
(4)
Donald L.

We visited a week or two ago so forgive if the details are a little foggy. We chose the tasting menu with wine pairing. I recommend doing that. Five courses and 5 pairings that sang. It was especially nice that they had multiple choices for the tasting menu so that you could both order it and yet both receive different dishes for each course making the evening more fun. Are you listening Restaurant Eugene? Recent renovations are lovely. Highly recommended.
(4)
Ben K.

We we so excited to have dinner at Wildfire Grill and were really disappointed. The tasting menu was lacking in flavor, other than salt; dishes were gratuitously complicated without direction or, once again, flavor. Least importantly, portions are really inadequate. Our meal was priced as a meal to remember. Unfortunately it is one we wish to forget.
(1)
Eric M.

Fail. Recommended by some friends, this place is the biggest rip off in the universe. Let's just put it this way: the worst nightmare you can have going to an expensive restaurant is leaving hungry. I got a chicken dish that was - I am not joking - a SLIVER of chicken. It looked like a sliced chicken tender. It was perfectly cooked, but I had to keep from laughing out loud when I got it. We are not big, heavy meal eaters, either. Not even close. Decor is super-boring for such a pricy place. Service was friendly, but slow and inattentive. We went out and got fast food cheeseburgers after this meal to quiet our growling stomachs. I'd have more fun dumping $250 into a savings account than eating here. This place is horrifically overrated on Yelp. Our trip earned one star, and that's more generous than their portions.
(1)
Alana D.

Poor service. Over priced food. Wait staff got annoyed with me for moving to a different seat at our table. NY strip ordered medium rare and came out medium/well. My pea soup (which I ordinarily LOVE!) was awful. I confirmed with everyone else who ordered the soup and they agreed. -Over priced -Poor Service -Sub par food Sad we wasted our money. Should've gone to Rathbuns if we were going to spend that. ** they charged me for the soup I didn't have a half of a spoon of. ** also charged us $700 for out $122 tab. Overall group vote was a negative!
(1)
Millenium D.

For starters, I apologize for not remembering all the ingredients in each dish. I love the fact that everything was very mild and harmonious and each dish was put together with artistry in both flavor and presentation. We went with the five-course option ($75 per person) and the dishes came out to be as the following: 1) Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho--tasted at first like the non-cream version of a tomato soup but definitely more complex and fresh; I can till remember the fresh scent of tomato interwoven with a sassy touch of basil. However, I'm not sure if the added squid ceviche (part of the dish) makes sense, flavor-wise. 2) Heared Georges Bank Scallop. I loved the corn puree and red lentils that came with it. Scallop was fresh though tasted a little salty. We noticed the server about this and other dishes came out to be just right (so much less salty) :) 3) Wood Grilled Grassroots Farms Chicken Breast. The chicken was done just right, succulent and fragrant with a hint of wood fire. I couldn't remember the rest of the components on the dish but they were very harmonious, nothing too heavy or salty or acidic. 4) Wood Grilled c.a.b. Ribeye. The steak was a little dry in my opinion. Again, I love the flavors that other components accompanied the dish with. 5) I believe the dessert was a chocolate brownie with raspberry mousse on top and a white chocolate sorbet on the side. It was actually really good, without being excessively sweet. F.Y.I, the portion of each dish was small but to me that was enough, I felt satiated after this dinner. If you're looking forward to be fed "full" and feel "full" in a different way, this place is definitely not for you. I'm on a diet so I'm grateful that places like this exist; they give me the chance to feel full and satisfied without overwhelming myself with excess and unhealthy stuffs and to leave the restaurant without feeling as if I've just dived head-first onto a heap of cheese and oil. Staffs were attentive with constant refills of bread and water although I got the feeling that they weren't very happy to serve us, at times appeared a little cold and superior... but that could be my personal bias. Will definitely return again in the future.
(4)
Shelley R.

This is quite possibly the best restaurant in Atlanta! There is no sense in describing the food because it changes all the time. Here's the only thing I can say: I've never had a bad dish. Every time I get the tasting menu it's one amazing, perfectly done and portioned dish after another. What I can talk about is the service. Impeccable! I've been to this restaurant several times and each time the staff has been knowledgable and friendly. I had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday there two nights in a row (surprise!) and when I told the staff not to let my party know, the staff went above and beyond to make both of my days special. Not only did they keep my secret, but they were cheeky and witty about the whole thing. Bravo to the staff and the manager who hired them! I can't stop raving about Woodfire to all of my friends. From the staff, to the food, to the awesome music playing at just the right volume: this place is perfection!
(5)
Helen K.

Hmmm, more like 3.5~ It's better than average but not sure if the 7 course meal is worth coughing up your wallet. I prefer bacchanalia for its location, atmosphere, and food. Don't get me wrong, this place had pretty decent food, one of my favorites were the roasted bone marrow and the desserts were delicious minus the cinnamon bread pudding. I would give it another try in the future as its menus are always changing.
(3)
D.J. C.

Over priced! Overrated! It's clear to see why this restaurant is closing May 20th. The tasting menu was poorly curated, and some of the items fell flat (crudo w/ strawberries). At $90 pp (without wine) there are so many better choices in Atlanta.
(2)
Doug S.

We went to Woodfire for the first time for an anniversary dinner. The personalized menus were a really nice touch. We were seated almost immediately for our 8pm reservations even though the place was basically at capacity. We went with the 5 course tasting and wine pairing, which was complemented by a few "extras" the chef was sending between courses. Everything was great, but the lamb shank was one of the best dishes I have had at any restaurant in my life. The wine pairings were perfect, and the server was knowledgeable enough to answer questions for those of us who are somewhere between "complete idiot" and "connoisseur" when it comes to wine. The personalized desert plate (Happy Anniversary in chocolate sauce around the plate) was another nice touch. The only halfway negative comment I would have is that it seemed to take irregularly long in between courses a couple of times, which I suppose helps give you time to finish the wine but it just seemed like a couple of times you were kind of looking around waiting for the next round. Bottom line is you are in for a great meal and experience, just plan to be there 2-3 hours (if you are doing the tasting) and keep in mind that this will not be an inexpensive experience! Go with confidence and enjoy.
(5)
Karan W.

If I am ever in Atlanta, I make it a point to stop here for a spot of dinner. The ambience, the food, and the service are all top notch, and worthy of mention. Although there have been some changes in staffing since I last visited, I am glad to see that everything is still the same. It goes without saying that every other trip of mine to Atlanta will always have a Saturday dinner at the woodfire grill, without a doubt. P.S. If you are here for a date/ anniversary/ birthday/ any other celebration, make sure you go for the 5 course or 7 course chefs tasting menu, it is simply exquisite, and with brilliant wine pairings as well.
(5)
Linda V.

My favorite dish was the duck entree, it had so many flavors in just one dish. Steak tartare appetizer was okay, but drinks were crafted very well for a restaurant known for its food. Restaurant decor could use a little uplift, more outdated than similar restaurants.
(4)
Elaine L.

This was the second time I went to Woodfire Grill and I was not disappointed. Everything was delicious and the service superb. I enjoyed every moment and the meal was delicious! I went with a date and they separated everything for us, which was awesome! Though there are some dishes that stood out but there are some that's not up to par. Here's what we ordered (I can't quite remember the exact names of the dishes): Wagyu Beef Tartare - delicious, but is it worth it? Not really. Nothing stood out of the dish, but it's good never the less. Nice appetizer. Pumpkin bisque - OMG, delicious! Got to try! I love the texture differences and the flavor is to die for. I will go back for this, yum! Woodfire Ramen - ehhhhhh, do not suggest this. It's far from bad but also far from good also. It's a mediocre entree especially when you have eaten ramen from Shoya. Though ramen is easy to make, there should be levels and complexities in the flavors and not just one taste. A good attempt, no doubt, but reminded me too much of ramen from grocery stores. Wouldn't recommend. Try Shoya or Umeido for real ramen. Grouper for entree - we are back to delicious-ness! Grouper have a nice crust for skin, cooked perfectly, seasoned perfectly. Vegetable on side was delicious as well. Recommend for fish lovers. Definitely something I would recommend for this restaurant. Also ordered broccoli (which didn't come for some reason but wasn't charged, so oh well). Overall thought? Definitely would come back, was not disappointed. The only thing was the ramen which I thought was mediocre at best (sorry). Definitely try the pumpkin bisque if it's still on the menu! Shouldn't pass on this one!
(4)
Alex P.

This place gets on thing right and is the best at it. It isn't the ambiance, it isn't necessarily the service and surely not the location. It is however, unquestionably some of the best food you will ever put in your mouth. Every dish I got was better than the one before and better than any I've tried. The rabbit was excellent and is served along with its heart and liver on the plate. Black caviar was a great compliment on our appetizer of smoked salmon. Wine selection superb. I could write all day about this place, but at the end of the day, you simply have to try it.
(5)
Raul O.

New to Atlanta and came here last night with some out of town guests based on the great reviews everywhere. Dinner overall was slightly disappointing as everyone loved their starter and dessert but thought their entree was bleh. Given the cost, this turned into a three star place due to value issues. STARTER My wife and I had the lobster salad. The taste overall was delicious and the lobster was plentiful. Interestingly they were short on greens. My brother had some delicious scallops and his wife had a delightful slow cooked egg. At this point we were anxiously awaiting the entree. ENTREE I had a chicken with brocolli and mushrooms and Israeli cous cous. The chicken was well cooked but the overwhelming buttery flavor to everything made it a one note dish. Fail. My wife and sister in law had a striped bass with mushroom purÃ©e and sun chokes. Their fish was over cooked and the flavor mashup was too much. Neither finished. My brother had a lamb shank drenched in gravy. Would have been excellent at the Cracker Barrel, but at $30+ it's not going to cut it. DESSERT A delicious chocolate roulade. Just perfect. NET Meal was above average but given the value concerns, we will not be back again any time soon.
(3)
Marvin T.

Amazingly great!!!! One of the best dining experiences I have had the pleasure of having. From the initial interactions with the manager, JR, to the wonderful service delivered by the staff - Woodfire Grill is the best. I planned a surprise birthday party for my wife and I do not think there was one person working for the restaurant that did not know that it was a special event for my family and I. They were even able to adjust the reserved area to a lower location due to my grandmother not being able to make the ascent to the loft area of the restaurant. Everyone spoke and they seemed genuine with their well wishes. The food was incredible!!! Everything was seasoned and well balanced. The chef did a phenomenal job and even surprised us with a special dessert made just for us. I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone. The price is well worth the experience. Great job staff and management! I will definitely be back for the culinary and service experience that is - Woodfire Grill!
(5)
Mark P.

Must have the pork belly-- melt in your mouth fantasy! My wife and I ordered the 5 course tasting. Fantastic experience. Not everything was to our liking. -- each to his own, we were very pleased with the following: Tomato meringue & balsamic gel Smoked beet soup - the hickory smoked beets perfectly balanced against the chiffon horseradish cream -- sent us into heaven S
(5)
Sophie H.

What an experience! I took my best foodie friend Jen out for her birthday celebration and had an amazing evening! Chef Tyler was there overseeing everything and made sure we had an exceptional night. This was my best dining experience of the year. Every dish from the carrot soup to crudo on salt plank to foie gras to venison Osso bucco ( holy sh&t was that good) was absolutely phenomenal. As I said BEST meal I have had bar none this year. Okay so here's the not so good stuff. Bar and bathrooms stink. The place can use a paint job - do u need table clothes? Don't think so...I would entertain coming in and helping with a face lift! That's how good it is.
(5)
Katy L.

My husband and I always go out to a nice dinner on New Year's Eve. This year we decided to try out Woodfire Grill. My husband made reservations on OpenTable and later received a call to confirm. Never once was he told that there was a set menu that night. Yes, if we had gone to the website we would have seen NYE was a special event, but you would think that someone would tell you that when confirming. But moving on. After we got over our initial shock of the $115 tasting menu, we figured we might as well enjoy ourselves. I had a delicious glass of wine, but it wasn't very big for the price ($14). We started off with a tempura oyster which was very tasty. The first course was black cod. Mine was pretty tasty but my husband's was quite overcooked. The chef later came over and apologized, which was a nice touch, and gave us two supplemental tastes to make up for it. Second course was pasta with lobster and black truffles, which was excellent. Could have used a little bit more salt, but I could have eaten a few bowls of it and been content. The next little taste was a foie gras torchon which had a odd taste to it. I usually like foie gras, but not this time. The third and fourth courses were pretty delicious. The roasted pheasant had this yummy huckleberry foam alongside it and the beef wellington was delicious with a bone marrow bordelaise and potato puree. But both dishes came out luke warm -- I like my food hot. Dessert was probably my favorite. A dark chocolate cake with a chai tea little whipped cream on top. It tasted like Mexican hot chocolate. I wish it was bigger! Overall, the meal was good but not spectacular. For the price, I expected to be wowed and I definitely wasn't wowed. To top it off, the service was very mediocre. Our waiter seemed uninterested in our overall experience and even made a comment about how we weren't drinking very much. I was very put off. Would I return to Woodfire Grill? Maybe. The jury is still out.
(3)
Justin M.

Easily one of the best restaurants in Atlanta. Food - Everything I've eaten has been very good and well priced. They had a duck entree (no longer on the menu =/) which was my favorite. Hopefully it will return, but other entrees are still worthy. Tasting menu - I've only tried the 7 course tasting (not the 5). It's great, but probably not worth the price difference from the standard menu--at $90 per person, I feel Bacchanalia is a better value. Service - Amazing. You expect good service when entrees are $30 to $40, but Woodfire Grill over-delivers. All staff members are clearly well trained and know the menu well. As you walk through the restaurant, the staff is attentive and polite--you won't fight for space in narrow walkways. It's the service you expect from a significantly more expensive restaurant.
(5)
Soo Y.

My number 1 fine restaurant in Atlanta! Well-educated, knowlegeable, friendly, professional and respectful service I have ever had in any restaurants! Wonderful artistic presentation of dishes that were just cooked right. Delicious 7course meal came with excellent wine selections! Wish I could give more than five stars!!! This is best of the bests in Atlanta!!!!
(5)
S G.

Absolutely 100% worth every penny!! I'm not a vegetarian but I wanted to try the 5 course vegetarian dinner and O.M.G. It was mind blowing! It was the best if not a close first to Baccannilla. Heck! I think it's a tie at first place! Cannot wait to go back!!
(5)
Olivia K.

Had the 5 course set menu which was overall, very tasty. The food was not terribly creative but quite good. Only criticism is that two of the courses were too salty and I generally l-o-v-e salt. Had added bonus of a Chef Kevin sighting as we were leaving.
(4)
Kara G.

Lord have mercy, I'm really starting to feel like I hate everything. I really don't but my goodness. I'm a part of a Ladies Dinner Club and every month we get together for dinner and try new spots in the city. In April we went to Woodfire Grill, apparently the chef is famous and yata, yata. We had appetizers, I don't even remember what they were...well I can't remember what they were like. Oh scallops, that's what I had, very mediocre. I had pork of some sort for my dinner. This place does little food. You know what I'm talking about they put a piece of meat the size of your finger nail on this huge plate and throw in a green bean and piece of squash and there ya go, here is your fabulous meal. I don't do little food, hey I'm a big gurl now. Oooo and dessert, can we talk about dessert, why did we all look at that dessert crazy and no one ate it, it was some kind of dry cake, idk, but it needed improvement and some rum or chocolate sauce stat. At any rate we ended up leaving paying about $100 per person which is more than we usually pay and I was straight up still hungry. Overall, not impressed, I don't mind paying for outstanding food, but this was pretty far from outstanding in my opinion.
(2)
Bryan H.

The five course tasting menu with wine pairings was truly outstanding. Service was top notch across the board. Can't wait to go back!
(5)
G S.

This place is horrible. We went because chef Kevin Gillespe is supposed to be outstanding. We wanted to meet him and were assured all evening long we'd get that chance. That "holier than thou" chef couldn't give us 30 seconds to meet with him. He is above it all. Our dinner no matter how good was mediocre. I have been to some of the finest in the world and met some amazing chefs and owners of fine restaurants and yet thei guy thinks he's too big or busy to give us his time. I will never return and tell all I know to do the same - stay away.
(1)
Kevin B.

Woodfire Grill serves seasonally influenced Northern California cuisine. Chef Michael Touhy stresses locally grown organic produce , meat and seafood. Whatever is on the menu that day is based on what is available and in season. The vegetable you put in your mouth this evening, was harvested that very morning, not 3 weeks ago in another part of the world. The interior is very warm, intimate and inviting, with semi-private rooms in the back for larger parties. And ahhhhh....the smell of the grill, and all the associations of sitting around a fire that are summoned! I waited a long time to vist this place, and when I did go, the wait was so worth it. For an appetizer we had the Squash Blossoms stuffed with herbs and mascarpone with a sweet corn sauce. The melted in your mouth and the corn sauce was perfect compliment of tastes. This apertif did what an appetizer is supposed to do. All the different flavors were distinct and complimentary. And when the plate was finished, our appetite was whetted for more. For an entree, my dining partner had the Organic Vegetables plate. Chef Touhy is one of the few chefs who knows how to prepare vegetables. He treats them with the same importance as a meat or seafood dish. Each vegetable was not overcooked, and was very tasty, with a blend of different flavors. I had the tuna prepared raw, and it was melt in your mouth quality tuna. We finished our meal with a tasting of 3 artisan cheeses that were splendid and unique. Our server was very knowledgable of the menu and especially the wine selection. I cannot recommend the Woodfire grill highly enough. It was an extremely pleasureable dining experience.
(5)
Dan C.

Not only am I a fan of the show but I am a big fan of Kevin's take on food. It was such a treat to get to taste some of his creations. From the top down the staff treated us like we were the main guests. Aside from all the hype that surrounds being on the show the food, drinks and service were fantastic. It was an experience that I will never forget. I don't really have the utterance to describe the food in writing, but I would definitely recommend the five course tasting menu. The highlights were starting with a "Fall Classic" cocktail; the deconstructed Waldorf salad amuse bouche; the diver scallops with a tomato risotto; the roasted quail with pork belly; the seared antelope with shredded brussel sprouts, and the chocolate crepe dessert. Did you notice I mentioned all of the courses from the tasting menu? So yes, if you get the chance, go try it and give Kevin and his team the props they deserve.
(5)
Kathy B.

We drove 1.5 hours each way to finally try Woodfire Grill. I had been wanting to taste Kevin Gillespie's food since I saw him on Top Chef (I really wanted him to win), so I figured it would be worth the drive. The soup with root vegetables was unbearably salty, so I sent it back. It was a little less salty without the parm cheese, but otherwise not very flavorful. I can't stand overcooked, mushy risotto, which is what I got as my second course. The flavors were muddled and very unremarkable. The woodfire grilled pork loin was too vinegary with no complexity or constrast of flavors. I was expecting much more from this restaurant and chef. The courses were also spaced apart too far, about 20 minutes between each, causing me to get full very quickly. The deconstructed twix was pretty good, however. Probably the best course. If you're ever in Chicago, Stephanie Izard's (Top Chef Season 4 winner) food does not disappoint!
(2)
Todd P.

Have been eating there since Kevin took over...hard to get reservations..but the 7 times we have eaten there it has been excellent to "one of the best meals ever". Great service as well but with a laid back atmosphere. 4.5 to 5 stars all 7 times. Wow. Can't wait to go again.
(5)
Kaylyn L.

This place is amazing! A menu which excites all of the senses! Visiting Atlanta, this was our first choice and what a choice it was! The duck breast was succulent and the banana-chocolate desert was the "cherry on the cake"! Sadly, being from Chicago, it might be some time before I visit Woodfire again!
(5)
The C.

Woodfire Grill restored my faith in fine dining. From the superbly executed service to the food -- course after course of perfection -- we could not have ended our day any better. The scallop dish was superb, the quail was delightful, and their pastry chef totally deserves a raise -- the chocolate cherry cake was beyond! If I lived in Atlanta, I would go there at least once a week. In fact, the meal we had at the Woodfire Grill may be one of the top reasons that I will return to the ATL.
(5)
Daniel R.

This is my favorite restaurant in Atlanta. Food is as good as in SF and much cheaper. The servers are friendly and very attentive. Seafood is amazingly good and I visit Woodfire every time I'm in Atlanta.
(5)
F H.

Ohhh, I wanted to like this place. Actually, I wanted to love this place. Before we walked in, I said to the husband, "I hope I get to walk out and say that was one of the top 5 best meals of my life." (And yes, I have a running list.) Sadly, it was not to be. We were both disappointed with each dish we ordered. I guess it's possible that we'd heard so much good hype about this place that our expectations were just way too high, but I don't know..... You know it hasn't been a great meal when the husband's favorite course was the salad! I had the beet salad as my first course and I enjoyed it, but at the same time, it wasn't exceptional. And the black-eyed peas in my salad made an appearance in my other two courses, so I grew pretty tired of them by the end of the night. My second course was the crab salad and I really felt the flavors just totally clashed - the cantaloupe did not complement the curried mayo sauce or the peanuts - it was just a lot of clashing, over-salted flavors. I had the duck as my main course and it tasted like.... duck. Plain old duck. I honestly couldn't taste any seasoning on the duck and because I ordered it med. rare, it hadn't even been on the grill long enough to take on a nice, smoky flavor. Sad. Hubs had the pork, which we'd both heard soooo much about and it tasted like..... plain old pork. Really, there was nothing special about it. And the waaaay overused black-eyed peas made yet another appearance. Again, I really wanted to like this place and I tried to convince myself through each course that I enjoyed what I was having, but in the end, it just wasn't very good. I would go back again, but only because I still really want to like this place!!!
(2)
J. D.

Woodfire is an interesting place. Chef Michael is an intelectual, and his food reflects that. The sophisticated take on sometimes simple preparations usually succeeds. Sometimes I am not overly impresed either--maybe too simple? The restaurant emphasizes artisan, organic, and seasonal ingredients wich is a great philosophy that more Atlanta restaurants should adopt. There is a cafe menu available which is nice, because prices here seem to be on the high side for a warm cozy house on Cheshire Bridge Road. The restaurant has an excellent selection of cheeses and eclectic wines. The staff here is helpful with questions.
(4)
B K.

My wife and I went to Woodfire Grill last Saturday night. We booked reservations 3 months ago so we were really looking forward to it. Upon entering the restaurant, the waiting area was not very welcoming. It is casually laid out and very non-descript. Also, it was very warm in the bar area - they had floor fans turned on to circulate air but the temperature in the area was quite uncomfortable. The sitting area of the restaurant was cooler. We did the blind tasting for dinner ($65 per person) and with the wine pairings ($25 per person). Total bill with tip came to $265! Overall, the food was very good - not exceptional, but good. The service was friendly and attentive but not over-bearing. Overall, a decent experience but quite pricey.
(4)
Dana G.

I went to Woodfire Grill last Friday and it was one of the best dining experience of my life. I was routing for Kevin throughout the entire last season of Top Chef so I couldn't wait to try his food. We went for the 5-course tasting menu and it was well worth the money. The atmosphere was very cool and I loved the smell of the woodfire grill. To start off, they brought us 3 different types of bread with an unbelievable spread - not really sure what it was. The amuse bouche was green olives, cucumber and orange - very refreshing. Then we got trout over brussel sprouts and mushrooms, a taste of pea soup, salami wrapped halibut (the best thing I've ever eaten), lamb over potato sauce, and finally, a play on strawberry shortcake. The best part of the meal was that I got to meet Kevin!!! Such a great night...
(5)
Carolyn H.

A few years ago I ate at the French Laundry in Yountville, Napa Valley, Chef Thomas Keller. We had a 9 course dinner there, it was delicious. Last Saturday night we had the 4 course tasting menu at Woodfire Grill. With the small spoon appetizer from the chef and the swig of potato leek soup we actually had 6 courses. All of which were fabulous. A few bottles of wine paired with the dinner was great. Our dinner bill was $275.00 per couple. Excellent service. A once a year treat or maybe two year treat.
(5)
J W.

one of the most reliable upscale restaurants in our city.
(5)
Mindi M.

We experienced the utmost level of service, care and an amazing dining experience this past Saturday, 9/17. The ambience was very warm and inviting. We were seated in a quaint banquette layered with cozy pillows. Kristen greeted us and we immediately adored her! She was very friendly, knowledgeable and obviously takes great pride what she does. We were called the previous day to confirm our reservation, ask about any allergies, special requests or special occasions. The hostess took note that we were traveling from Nashville as Kristen greeted us and thanked us for visiting them while in Atlanta. Very personal experience. The food presentation was stunning from the amuse-bouche to the main courses. Not only were they incredibly pleasing to the eye but to the palate as well. Highlights for me were definitely the garlic butter served with the assortment of breads, the arugula salad with golden beets and watermelon radish, the peach and ginger amuse-bouche and my perfectly cooked wood-grilled duck breast. Our experience was PERFECTION in every way possible! Thank you Woodfire Grill staff and Kevin Gillespie for a memorable evening.
(5)
Chris L.

Outstanding. If you enjoyed watching Kevin on Top Chef, go check it out. The food is as good as you would imagine.
(5)
Frank L.

Food was ok, but the service was better - but was curious if that is the case all the time or because of the new owners? Either way, the experience is overall positive Parking or lack thereof is probably the only downside, basically you must use the valet. Make sure you have a few dollars left over to tip the valet.
(3)
Maria L.

Let me preface my review by saying I am a huge Top Chef geek and I made the reservation at Woodfire as a gift to myself for my 40th birthday. We arrived a few minutes late for a 7 pm reservation and were seated immediately in the main floor dining room at a table, much to my delight, about 10 feet from the tiny kitchen within the dining room that has the open wood-fired oven that I assume the restaurant is named for. I geekily informed the hostess that I was a huge Top Chef fan and that it was my birthday and could I meet Kevin. She graciously smiled and kindly answered that since it was right smack in the middle of service that we could stop and say hi to him on the way out, but that he would not be able to come out and say Hi. Our main waiter was kind and attentive, explaining the way the restaurant works, changing its menu daily according to what is available locally, in-season, and sustainable. I am a big hippie, so I loved this too. He encouraged the three-course or five-course tasting menus ($42 and $65 per person, respectively) as a great way to try a number of menu offerings. CAVEAT: If you get the five course tasting menu EVERYONE at the table has to get the same thing. I also opted for the accompanying wine-tasting to go with my meal, but my husband did not. We ordered cocktails. I had a Peach Blossom - square one organic vodka. elderflower syrup. peach bitters.fresh lime juice. topped with soda. Delightful. My husband has a very good square one extra-dirty martini. Almost immediately after ordering the five-course tasting menu, my first wine taste arrived, followed within moments by the Amuse - a bite-sized salad of picked red ace beets and anson mills faro with a lemon vinegar and olive oil dressing topped with micro parsley. Very cute and tasty. This is slow food, so some nice conversation passed before the next course, which was accompanied for me by N/V De Venoge Champagne. It was crispy fried shrimp over a shrimp salad with a soft egg aoli on a crisp piece of toast. The toast was a bit hard, but it was so damned delicious I didn't care. Course two was a roasted diver scallop with glazed butter beans, fennel pollen and white lamb jus. This was paired with a 2008 Pinot Blanc from Albert Mann. I love scallops. My husband does not. He loved this. The next dish was a "taste," a shot glass of chilled fennel soup with pickled watermelon. I liked the crisp snap of the watermelon, but the texture of the soup was a bit gummy. This being said, even not liking the soup, its pairing with the 2008 Tablas Creek Vineyard Rose was impeccable. I have always heard people go on and on about how wine brings out certain flavors in food, but I never experienced it before taking a sip of that wine and having the flavor of the fennel literally explode on my tongue. I made my husband try it, I was so floored. Fourth course was glazed local qualil with rome apple and local turnip puree, roasted apples and turnips and apple agrodolce paired with 2006 Domaine Chandon Pinot Noir. Hard not to lick the dish. Main course was a slow-roasted and smoke pork belly with oven roasted brussels sprouts bacon and sweet mustard. I have to admit I was dying to try pork belly. I was a bit put off by the fattiness, but it tasted so good ... My husband, who doesn't like pork or fatty meat loved it. (He does love bacon tho and this had the flavor of bacon in the meltiness of the pork belly.) He also hates Brussels sprouts and cleaned his plate of them. I love Brussels sprouts and these were perfect, crisp-tender and studded with chewy bits of bacon meat. By now I could not even finish my glass of Pinot from the last course or the 2007 Old Vines Garnacha Atteca that came with the pork belly as I was feeling very tipsy. Dessert came out accompanied by a tiny glass of 2002 de Lorimier Lace LAte Harvest Sauvignon Blanc. I had a dish Top Chefies will recognize - banana fritters with milk chocolate mousse, banana cream, salted caramel and CANDIED BACON. I will say it again CANDIED BACON. I am not even a banana fan and together we practically wiped the plate clean. (and they put a candle in it for my birthday, cute!) My husband got deconstructed key lime pie with frozen lime mousse, a gingersnap cookie, lime gelee, toasted meringue and lemon verbena anglaise. I also shared mine with him. I made him taste the CANDIED BACON. Can I say that you cannot write that without all caps? At the conclusion of our meal, our very kind waiter (one of a cadre who served us, all perfect) brought me a printout of our menu, signed by the chef. On our way out, we did stop at the counter near the kitchen and Chef Kevin was very gracious, shaking our hands and chatting for a moment, thanking us for coming. I hate to gush, but this whole experience was one of the best meals of my life. I am still dreaming of CANDIED BACON...
(5)
Dori A.

The Woodfire Grill is an old favorite, but it is now under new ownership and I love it even more than before. I hear they are doing a light remodel and hope to get back there soon to see it. The farm-to-table concept is not so new anymore, but it really is a good one. The ingredients are fresh and creatively put together. I highly recommend the chef's tasting, which changes all the time. Each dish is rather small, but a perfect amount to let you get a good taste. By the end of the meal, I always feel satisfied, but not too stuffed. Last time I was there I just had the duck, which was very good. I love to cook myself, but never have been good at duck or rapini. My rapini always comes out bitter. I don't know what they do to it, but want to find out because the rapini tasted very hearty, but not bitter, and it complimented the duck very nicely. Since the new owners arrived, my favorite improvement is the bar and the hip factor. They have very creative drinks, using herbs and exotic juices that are very well thought out. Great place for wine tastings. Absolutely do not miss the sweet potato panna cotta. Insane.
(5)
SS H.

It completely kills me to give this place 3 stars. I've visited twice. Both times, I had the chef's tasting menu. The first time was really fantastic. The highlight of the meal was a wild mushroom appetizer, and the pork belly was phenomenal. But my second visit was so disappointing that I averaged the experiences out to a 3-star. I think the problem may be that the first time, Kevin was cooking. The second time we went, Kevin was off preparing for the July 4th BBQ, so the sous chef's were cooking. Everything was over-salted, and the dessert was a really dry piece of "coca cola cake". And I left feeling hungry. I'm not expecting to be stuffed at a place like this, but I do expect to be pleasantly fulfilled. We were so hungry that before dessert, we asked for more bread! Good bread though... Anyway, I will probably return just to give it another shot. But my enthusiasm for this place has gone way down.
(3)
brian l.

"The food was excellent and our server, Keith, did a very good job guiding us through the meal. We had a very good wine that was shockingly cheaper than retail price. That was an extra plus. I would give the food a plus but the introductory experience and general arrogance is off-putting. When one arrives, the hostess crew basically jumps you at the front door and forces you to a cocktail table. They make you tap your foot there - ostensibly to buy a drink - even though your table is ready. If you 'call' them on it, they get a bit huffy. On top of that, we asked to move over a table only to be told 'we have a process that balances out tables for waiters, so no'. That was the most absurd comment I've ever heard at a fine dining establishment. When I sent this feedback to the restaurant, I got no response. I ate here before Tuhoy left - great food, when Gillespe first bought it and there were literally zero customers (I'm serious, I could have fired a cannon in the place and not hit anyone), and now that he is Mr Popular. He keeps up this arrogance and he will be back to zero after his little fame of Top Chef. Sad really. I see this arrogance in other minor comments from other people too. There are far too many good places in Atlanta to be treated like garbage.
(2)
David M.

Yep...its started to happen and I was glad to see another recent Yelp review point it out (from JM on 8/8/10). I've been meaning to get to this for the last couple visits to Woodfire and after my last 3 consecutive visits it has become apparent now, and although Mr. Gillepie's talents are certainly quite laudable and I'm glad he suddenly has the enviable problem of having a crowded dining room these days, I am hoping and praying that the proverbial lightbulb will go on sooner rather then later. The food is delicious and quite asthetically appealing on the plates. The unfortunate problem is that the Woodfire team has decided they want to GET PAID!, and they are most definitely taking full advantage of this newfound window of opportunity to gouge their clientele. The portion sizes have gone from normal portions, as I don't require a cheescake factory sized plate, but Woodfire as obnoxiously gone from normal portions to what appears to be a plates suited for a never-ending James Beard or Bocuse d'Or competition that I unfortunately have to bear witness too. I have been eating at Woodfire long before Kevin's reign as exec chef and have always enjoyed the forward approach to food and the ideas of sustainable and farm to table cusine, and although he is loyal to these tennants, he appears to be doing something that Chef Touhy would have never done and that appears to be hurting his customers and inevitably himself and his fine restaurant. I hope his a-ha moment occurs soon, as I would love to return to Woodfire, but not at the cost and the premium he desires to charge for his food right now. Don't get me wrong...the food speaks first and is still great, it just depends if you want to pay $16 for a single lone scallop dish. That is a diminshing value proposition and there are other places where I can find an equitable balance of food, quality and value without sacrificing $160 for wine and apps for two.
(3)
Sue F.

While in Atlanta on business, I wanted a nice place for dinner to see a friend (who lives in Atlanta). I got more than I wanted!! First, I made Saturday night reservations 3 weeks in advance - good thing - at 5:30 they were turning away folks who had no reservations. Second, I had read the yelp and open table reviews, but not each and every one - had no idea about the Top Chef deal, but tons of people were taking photos with the chef. Third, this guy was so nice - chatted with everyone. We sat right be the grill and I would recommend this as it is interesting to see the dynamics. We both had the steak and it was wonderful. A definite "YES" if you are in Atlanta.
(5)
L L.

Best. Meal. Ever. Flawless from start to finish. I realized I was in food heaven when I secretly licked the spoon of the amuse-bouche course. Even the music was perfect. What better way to have dessert than to have "I Wanna Make It Wit Chu" by Queens of the Stone Age as the soundtrack?
(5)
Kate H.

Went here for my friend's birthday. Had great drinks while we waited for our table. Tried the 5 course chef's tasting and it was wonderful. Would like to go back during other seasons and try again with other local fresh ingredients.
(4)
Sheila M.

This was our 2nd visit to Woodfire after the ownership transition. Again: perfection. We were joined this time by 3 friends; 2 from out of town. We had a great time and an amazing meal!! There are several things that set Woodfire apart from its competition: 1. The service is warm, flawless and fun. This is so much more than a skill--it's an art! 2. The tasting menus. While other places offer them, the difference here is the surprise factor. You have to take that little leap of faith and just go with it. My husband was so hard core about this that he wouldn't even look at the menu. Three of us chose the 3-course; I had the veggie option (even though I'm not a vegetarian, I wanted something different from the others). There was not one bit of disappointment. 3. Wine. Their list has so many unique, small-production and reasonably-priced offerings that the wine alone becomes an adventure. If you're not wine-educated, let them share their wisdom and choose for you. If you're truly an oenophile, let them know that too and a different kind of party will begin. 4. Warmth and genuine-ness. There is not an ounce of stuffiness despite its sophisticated vibe. You easily feel as though you're at a close friend's dinner party. Since the menu changes very frequently, I won't go into what we ate except to say that it was all great. Remember that it's local and only what's in season. Expect to spend some time and enjoy it. While reservations are probably all but required, the bar area seems to offer a more casual and impromptu option. We hope to try that soon. I have to say after this visit that Woodfire has secured the #2 spot on our list. Only that very nice, very pricey place that starts with a "Q" ranks higher.
(5)
Ed P.

Belated review - dined several months ago. Appetizers savorless. Two sommelier types floating around hot on wine yet all four of our pricy $30+ entrees arrived COOL. French creation style potions & w/ steakhouse type pseudo sophistication. Stay at home & craft something from your Cook's Illustrated. Won't return. Admittedly I'm handicapping proportionate w/ their lofty prices.
(2)
Sarah B.

The best food I've ever had in the US. I would consider myself a foodie and am very picky about the service as well as the food and Woodfire Grill was at the top in every way. Amazing customer service from the moment we walked in the door to the moment we left. Even the valet was excellent. We had the 5-course tasting which was a fantastic choice. Every bite was perfect and I had to stop myself from licking the plate more than once. On the way out we were able to talk to Chef Kevin Gillespie and he was very gracious and humble and nice as can be. I will definitely be back and bringing as many friends as I can. This is now my top restaurant in Atlanta and in the US.
(5)
Emily G.

I was excited to come here since I'm a big fan of Kevin from Top Chef. The service was impeccable from start to finish, all staff were smiley and attentive, very helpful and knowledgible, too. The decor is really tasteful and sets a great atmosphere. The food, of course, was fabulous. Some of the flavor combinations are a bit adventurous, like chocolate vinaigrette or anise leeks, but they really worked! The meat was perfectly cooked and, since our table was right by the grill, we got to watch it being cooked. Presentation was beautiful on the plates, and the taste matched. Yes, it's pricey, but you get what you pay for.
(5)
Melissa T.

The whole family came here to celebrate my in-laws wedding anniversary. When making reservations, the hostess asked if this was for any particular occasion. So when we got there, the restaurant had printed personalized menus for all of us. Nice touch! The restaurant is a free standing building I think it use to be someones house. The interior decor has so much Southern charm and character. It's perfect for a romantic and intimate dinner. Our waitress was very attentive and knowledgeable, especially about the wine. She was quite friendly and personable too. We all decided on the (blind) 5 course prix fixe menu. All the savory dishes were very delicious. We had a little of everything, shrimp, fish, quail, and pork. But the dessert was so-so. We had a fruit tart thing and I think the crust was a bit under-baked. But that's just me. Nonetheless, everything else was so good, I still give it all 5 yelp stars.
(5)
Heather D.

5 course meal left all of us starving. Service was prompt, but courses took too long and each portion was postage stamp-like - and not the forever ones. Most of us went out for a burger afterwards. We recommend you eat before you go.
(1)
Heather B.

My boss was coming into town and wanted to take me to dinner. I never pass up on an opportunity to try somewhere that I've been wanting to try and somewhere that I know she would like. Did a bit of research on yelp and found Woodfire Grill. Holy crap!!! We did the 5 course tasting menu (which is the only way to go). It was absolutely one of the best meals I had had in awhile. Course after course we were treated with items that I would have never tried by themselves. While we were smashed up against the two tables next to us and I could have eaten off the person's plate next to me the ambiance was very nice and I could barely hear the tables next to us. The only issue is the tasting is a little on the pricey side and you must have full table participation. However vegetarians fear not I asked and they will allow vegetarians to participate and allow the carnivores in the table to order the non vegetarian tasting. I can't wait to go back but this is more of a special occasion place.
(4)
gerald b.

Owner, Nick and crew don't get any better. The Restaurant is not much to look at from the out side but, you get in the belly of this place and it's a transcendental experience. Had the Chef's tasting menu for 7 people; the Yellow Tail course was amazing and the Brekshire Pork course was life changing. We also had a South African Pinotage suggested by Nick that was out of this world. Thanks for the memories!
(5)
lauren m.

What an awesome experience! We went for the New Year's Eve tasting special and was not disappointed. The wine pairings were reasonably priced, and the food was comfort American food done well. For pics, see my blog post ohmypuddin.blogspot.com/â€¦ The highlights were definitely the pork belly and antelope. You can tell they like cooking meat. We were hoping to meet Kevin and talk to him, but our waiter informed us that Kevin actually cooks the food at his restaurant (as opposed to other chefs), so we didn't get to meet him. But we did see him cooking in the open kitchen.
(5)
Sarah M.

As a long-time Atlanta resident, I haven't been back to Woodfire since Tuohy left and have been a huge Top Chef fan for years. We've done a lot of the special occasion places in Atlanta for date nights - I am spoiled - and we've never gotten around to WG. The odd location puts it somewhat off the beaten path, but I am a devotee of Kevin Gillespie and I was really excited to try his food for the first time. One thing is for sure, I will not forget about this meal for a very long time. From the moment we walked in, 'til the minute we left, the people at Woodfire are amazing and the love and knowledge and care shows in every bite. I just have to say that there aren't many places where the staff is more courteous - literally standing aside every time I walked to the bathroom and thanking us for spending the evening there and ordering the tasting menu. It wasn't pushy, it wasn't forced- it was just kindness and gratitude that we had spent the evening (and the $) there. I loved that aspect. We have been toying with this reservation for a few months- canceling and rebooking at least 5 times because I just couldn't get a good vibe from friends about the experience. Finally, we made it in this weekend to celebrate my birthday - and all I can say is I am so glad we did. There was no question that we were planning to order the 7 course tasting with wine pairings. We didn't really consider any other options. I have never had a blind tasting before - and the element of surprise was one of my favorite aspects of the meal. No pretense, no expectation - we didn't know how the meal would progress or where it would take us. I love the team approach to serving at Woodfire- our food was run to us by 3-4 different people throughout the night but each was SO knowledgable and it was fun to see the different personalities. Our server herself was outstanding - she is in training to be a sommelier and her wine descriptions were punchy and funny. We had some great interactions with her throughout the night. The food - it goes without saying that it was top notch - but many of the courses will stay in my mind for a long time. The first course - a crudo of wild alaskan salmon with a jalepeno vinaigrette, avocado, peach and cilantro. Paired with a gorgeous rose. Color play. Incredible. The quad of pork - the 2nd to last course - was one of the most outstanding plates I have ever eaten - pork belly with dried currants, berkshire pork loin - salty and cured, and a smearing of black rice with sausage that I don't have words for. A chicharrone on top. We closed our eyes as we ate. Our pre-dessert amuse was one of my favorite bites of the night- a fried ball of peach risotto with frozen blueberries. We finished the meal with a perfect glass of Pappy Van Winkle 20 year - shared between us. The progression of the meal was also really well-thought - and the pairings were quite reasonable (and generous)....wine from Hungary, a 96 Barolo, a beautiful rose, a non-oaked Chardonnay, and a Sauvignon Blanc that tasted like blueberry meringue with notes of lime (our server's words, not mine)..... One of my favorite surprises was when they brought over the menu to us at the end with chocolate truffles - it was great not knowing what we were getting throughout but then having it to refer back to later. Throughout the night, Kevin plated every plate of food that came out. I walked by several times and saw him putting the final touches on each plate. He is so much in this food. A meal at Woodfire is a treat - for every sense and in every sense - you will be awoken, and taken on a journey and you will have a lot of fun while you're doing it. You will leave satiated and with a silly grin on your face. You'll wonder why you waited so long. I know I did.
(5)
jason h.

Oh, for a brush with a celebrity chef. I ventured out to Woodfire Grill, run by Kevin Gillespie of Top Chef fame. Although the famous one was not to be seen, his aura of foodie princedom still pervaded the air. A couple of initial impressions: the space rather reeks of mildewed basement, a sunk cellar, the rainwashed scent of industrial disuse. But in a good way. You can dispense with foodie pretensions in this aroma, as you duck beneath the medieval hanging lamps and tread the shoe-worn floors to your table. But then the insanity begins. The shrimp "second" I ordered featured two shrimps the size of popcorn shrimp you'd get at Red Lobster if you peeled off the fried crust. They languished in an olive tapenade and were attended by a tiny confit, a minor mortadella, and a solitary cruton. My friend ordered the scallop dish, a single modest scallop centered on a massive plate in a circle of butterbean puree. I know seconds are not "mains," but they are pricey and you'd expect a little more, despite the delicacy and thoughtfulness of the preparation. The highlight was perhaps when a stray server approached with three tablespoons of something microscopic. He said it was a gift from the chef (illustrious KG himself?) and that the speck of victuals inside the spoon was, essentially, "a deconstructed cole slaw." We gulped it down. It was momentarily delicious, then gone. Much like the rest of the experience. Good food, stingy portions, smart and knowledgeable servers, piquant atmosphere.
(3)
Carly P.

I went to Woodfire grill on a recent business trip to Atlanta and I was so excited to try Kevin's restaurant (Top Chef Season 6). Maybe my expectations were too high because of Top Chef but the food was not at the caliber I was expecting. The restaurant itself is lovely with a great atmosphere. We had 3 appetizers, a spring salad, crab fritters and the third was so unmemorable I can't even remember it. They were all so-so. We ordered a bottle of pinot noir which was not very good and probably shouldn't even be on their wine list. They do make they own bread which was excellent. Then the entrees came. I got the pork loin because pork is Kevin's specialty but it was some of the worst pork I've ever had and undercooked too. The sauce and sides that came with it were good but I couldn't even finish the pork it was so undercooked. One friend had the duck which she let me try and I've had better and two other friends both got the halibut. The halibut was fantastic, funny because it's one of the only items on the menu not locally grown/caught. We also had a side of gritz which was good. For desert, we had the avocado creme brulee and the cheesecake. Both deserts were very good. So all in all, not a horrible experience but not what I was expecting either.
(3)
Nick B.

OMG this was the best meal I've ever had. Finally after years of watching Top Chef, I feel like I finally know what a perfect scallop and poached egg are supposed to be like. I'm sure the absolute hunky adorableness of Chef Kevin Gillespie made everything taste that much better. It was well worth my whole paycheck to dine here.
(5)
andi c.

Let's just say that these guys know food! It is absolutely my favorite restaurant in Atlanta and we know that we'll always have a true dining experience when we go. Block off some time, enjoy the wine and specially prepared meal with some good friends. I could do a 3-hr dinner in this place and still feel like it's my first time there. enjoy the deliciousness of Woodfire!
(5)
Jessie H.

This place definitely gets a solid 4 stars. Out of all the places I ate at in Atlanta, this was the only one where I didn't feel the portions were hugely out of control. And a 5 course tasting for $64?! unheard of - at least in California. The open kitchen was really fun to see, especially the actual wood fire grill and oven that they use. We chose the 5 course tasting menu, which was just the right amount of food. We started off with an amuse of local radish, a touch of butter, compressed celery and tarragon. It was definitely a nice balance of flavor and a good way to awaken the palate. Our first course was a shaved fennel with tahini salts, tangerine slices and pomegranate seeds. It was an overall very light and fresh start - the fennel was not too strong, the pomegranate added just the right about of tang, and the salt balanced out some of the acid. The second course was a day boat scallop that was buttered and pan seared. It was served with sunchoke cream, local radish, lemon, chestnut and pecan browned butter, and a roasted apple. Everything just melded together in perfect harmony. The scallop was fresh, the sear was perfect, the butter and hint of lemon was the perfect touch. We were then served another small dish from the chef - a Moroccan spiced sunchoke and celery hearts. That little bite packed quite a punch and was very tasty. Our next dish was a pork loin and pork belly, with charred broccoli, red pea ragu and a red pickle and onion salad. The pork belly literally melted in my mouth. It was amazing - perfect portion, perfectly cooked, and the charred broccoli was a surprisingly nice touch. Our other main entree was a lamb loin, squash, greens, rutabaga, and quince. The lamb was perfectly cooked and not gamey. It was all so perfectly seasoned. For dessert, we had a maple marscapone cheesecake. I especially liked that they give you a french press when you ask for coffee at the end of the meal. Apparently, they have their own coffee that they ask the roaster to roast the beans to their specifications. Service-wise, it was very attentive and genuinely friendly. Our waiter was also very knowledgeable in wine and recommended some very nice reds for us. When he saw me writing down everything in my notebook, he immediately told me that he can give me a copy of our menu. Thanks!
(4)
Kathleen M.

What my dreams are made of. Reminds me of home, or at least what home should be. Makes me feel all warm and bubbly inside. I get all giddy just at the thought and memory of our time together. Traditional Southern, with just the right amount of edginess. Completely worthy of the time and effort it takes to even get close. Piques my curiosity. Worthy of repeat visits, as often as possible. Oh, you wanted to know about the food? Well yeah, it's pretty damn spectacular. Just ignore my waxing on about Chef Kevin, love of my life.
(5)
John C.

Genius, all I can say is genius. We went to Woodfire tonight and had the chef's five course tasting menu. We started with a shrimp trio, followed by a trout over potatoes with pork cracklings (think essence of fish and chips), then quail and pork belly over lady peas, then lamb loin and sweetbreads, finished with a dessert of coca-cola cake and inverted root beer float. The quail would have to rate in the top five dishes I ever tasted. Overall, just excellent in every way. Excellent service, who explained every dish and wine pairing perfectly.
(5)
James H.

Despite a deep, abiding admiration for Chef Kevin Gillespie following his appearance on Top Chef, I have yet to set foot into Woodfire Grill. Nor have I really had any substantial food from Woodfire. This will change, however, when I will join a friend for dinner here sometime this upcoming week. Now, you may ask yourself, "Self, how is James H. reviewing a restaurant before he's even been there? Does this not violate the Yelp intent of a 'real review' without an actual in-restaurant experience?" Indeed, you may further ask, "indeed, how is he giving a restaurant he's never been to five stars? Incidentally, self, you should call your mother; she worries." Well, in answer to your insightful queries, when I was out with the aforementioned friend, she received a call from someone at Woodfire Grill, and in addition to confirming the reservation for our impending dinner, they also asked if we had any particular dietary restrictions. Let me repeat that: The restaurant where we will be dining has care enough to call well-ahead of our dinner to determine if anyone in our party is lactose-intolerant, gluten-free, allergic to peanuts or shellfish, or addicted to pork. You should expect an update to this review later this week, but so seldom have I encountered such above-and-beyond-the-call-of-duty customer service, I had to mention it in its own review. P.S. Call your mother. She worries.
(5)
A M.

I ate here with 3 other people. They set us up in a private room, which was wonderful. The ambience was great, unfortunately the food wasn't quite up to expectations. I guess we had really high expectations, given the reviews and having seen top chef...so from there it seems the food would have had to have been completely phenomenal and perfect for us to be happy. This fish was under seasoned. In all the dishes, the flavors weren't very exciting. There may have been good ideas but none of it came together the way any of us wanted...on any of our dishes. So this rambling review really just sums up to: we didn't have a bad meal, however it was below expectations (particularly because it was $300-before tip). 2.5 rounded up to 3.
(3)
Stacey S.

4/15/11 Treated my partner for her birthday and just didn't get that WOW reaction. I wish i could give more stars :( the dinner was pricey for the meal. I shouldn't have ordered the 7 course chefs tasting.I've had chefs tasting at other restaurants that were well satisfying. If I hadn't eaten so much bread I would've still been hungry. We had beet salad, salmon tartar, veal sweetbread :( quail was ok Fried oysters were good, main course was porkbelly (fatback) arugula and pork loin. Desert was good. I thought sure we would get a beef serving.Menu was personalized ( nice touch). Ambiance (ok) noisy atmosphere. Not as luxurious as others .
(3)
Kevin W.

My mom took us to this place because of Top Chef. All of the ingredients were of the highest quality, and the duck was incredible. They also had a wonderful organic German heffe that I loved. It's a bit expensive, but the level of customer service and the quality of the food makes it worth every penny. I can't say that I've had much that compares to what I had here. One of my top 10 restaurants, probably. I'm not from around here, so I probably won't go again, but I'd definitely recommend it if you have decent-sized pockets, or need to trick a woman into sleeping with you.
(5)
Lyn N.

I went here on date and I have to say this is one of the most vegetarian friendliest, upscale restaurants I have been to in Atlanta, given that it is NOT a vegetarian restaurant. Serving seasonal, local, fresh, and organic ingredients, I learned that the chef makes a lot of vegetarian 3-5 course meals. The food was AWESOME..more like mouth watering. I couldn't really tell what all the things I ate were or consisted of. All I knew that it was vegetarian, tasted good, and made me happy. Since it is a nice restaurant, it is assumed that the service is top notch. And yes, it was. We were greeted by the hostess who took our coats. I haven't been to a place that actually took/ checked in our coats as a complimentary for us since being in NYC and Europe. As we waited for our table we were taken to the bar where I got some water. The dining table itself was an interesting concept. There was a woodfire grill right in front of us where the chef was making/grilling the food. Guess that's why it was named "Woodfire Grill" restaurant. Although this is an expensive place to dine, it is a great opportunity to experience especially for those special occasions. For those looking to impress a girl, definitely take them on a romantic date here. For those looking to enjoy great food with a healthy portion size, this is your place too! The ambiance is very calming and quiet so I am not sure how well big group (10+) would work out here. Unless you book out the entire restaurant, others may be disturbed by the loud party. Also, the dining room is not as big. However, I think the restaurant would still be willing to accommodate or work something out to accommodate such a group.
(5)
b t.

I found myself in ATL for a long weekend and needed somewhere to get a bite on Thursday after a few meetings. As my wife and i were driving in from the airport at waaaaaay too early in the morning, one of us said "isn't the guy from Top Chef with the pig tattoo down here somewhere". Of course, i'm sure he wasn't the only contestant on TC to have a pig tattoo, but the other knew who the first meant. a couple minutes later via iphone magic, we were in at 8:15 We did the regular 5 course and a pescatarian version, and couldn't have been more pleased with our first night in Atlanta. Every dish was well thought out, flavors paired wonderfully, and everything was seasoned appropriately. I think the only true disappointment with the dinner was that there wasn't a version of the crispy pork terrine included in it! I saw that one listed as an alacarte menu item and it sounded delicious. I was a little surprised that the regular five-course only included one pork-centric dish (i mean the guy has a PIG TATTOO!!!) Remembering back to TC and what it seemed like the dishes Kevin made were like, i think his place is a true representation of that. The dishes were simple, but they were done right. Each ingredient was cooked correctly, as well the flavors that were married together on each dish meant to be in that dish. Nothing was out of place, nothing didn't belong. On the flipside of that, we're pretty adventurous eaters, so for us, none of the dishes were anything too modern, or so out of the box that they became the dish that would be ingrained in our minds forever. Some people might read this last statement and think that it's a knock, but that's really not how i'm meaning it. Sometimes you want a super solid meal, that's worth the money you're paying, and i feel like that's what we got at Woodfire. As one other reviewer mentioned, i also thought that there was an inordinate amount of smoke in the 'air', without that translating to the food necessarily. (not a bad thing) but it's tough to discern the subtleties of the food when it feels like you're sitting in a pitmaster's smokehouse. (i love BBQ, and everything pork, so this wasn't annoying to me whatsoever - it just made me think that the dishes were going to come out a little more smoke-flavor heavy than they actually were). I don't remember If Kevin did a desert on TC, and if he did, i can't recall if it was good or not. I'm guessing that if he did, it might not have been something that was a winner. I had a little blackberry/blueberry tartlette of sorts that had a wonderful center filling that was entirely too small compared to the heavy handed, not so flaky dough that was curled around it. The inside was great, the dough was too heavy. My wife was also not very impressed with her dessert - it was chocolate creme and raspberry sorbet. Good thing all the other dishes were wonderful. I would definitely stop back next time I'm in Atlanta.
(4)
Leeanna L.

If I could give Woodfire 5-stars infinity, I would. Granted this was a first-time visit but the chef's 5-course tasting was one of the most memorable dining experiences I've had in a while. Each course was an artful and complex arrangement of flavors, colors, textures, and great ingredients. Proteins of the night included scallop, quail, pork belly, and lamb. While portions were not extravagant, my taste buds never got tired with mounds of any one ingredient. I actually appreciated not ending the night with a stomach pump. Our server did a fantastic job of introducing us to wines paired to our courses. We got about 3-half glasses each throughout the course at $10/person. Whoa. Really? Our server also told us that the menu rotates quite regularly, taking about 2-weeks to completely turn over. Sounds like it'll never be a dull moment at this restaurant and I'll certainly be back for more!
(5)
Ton K.

Took my wife out to this place since we expecting our new baby celebration my goodness everything was amazing . I had the grouper my wife the steak. Highly recommend this restaurant but service can be slow.
(5)
Trip B.

To say that I had a man crush on Kevin during top chef is an understatement. I know he is still great things with his life and the restaurant is a testament to that. I knew that I needed to go all out so like many, I went for the five course tasting last Thursday night. The menu changes daily in order to accommodate the best ingredients each night. I really applaud the Woodfire's local-vore mentality and appreciate how it is leading the way in the Atlanta are that is so proximate to hundreds of farms. On with the food: I went with my fiance and we were amused promptly after sitting down. We had a local easy cheese (a young cheese) with a play on a fruit gusher (yes those from childhood). The tartness of the cheese and the deep acidity of the cherry paired with a smoked cinnamon was truly a unique course and one that truly stuck in my mind. The salad course consisted of a pan roasted porcini mushroom, asparagus and a dried corn sauce. It was solid but not memorable. Cornmeal crusted catfish filets were brought to the table next. As an aside, we had imppecable service through out the night and you really can tell that the wait staff love food and love what they or doing. Of course it could be a front but each waiter seemed to enjoy being there on a bust Thursday night. Back to the catfish. Although is was a southern style cornmeal crust on the fish, there was an Asian, Indian and southwestern hint as well. This was a product of the sweet and sour tomato relish, the avocado and the curry power streaked across the top. Great dish all around. Before the next course a tomato water and mozzarella drink arrived only to make way for my favorite dish of the evening, a oh so tender grilled bobwhite and smoked pork belly. It was pure bliss paired with local beets. If I could catch a bobwhite, I'd eat it each day. Finally a duo of lamb consisting of a sausage and a lamb leg were served with green beans, mushrooms s jus and sweet cream. It again was a very solid dish and a great way to cap the meal. After a quick stretch I was ready for the dessert. Coca cola cake. Last time I had Coca Cola cake was probably 20 years ago. It was much better than my mother's (as I'm struck down) but the coffee caramel mousse really pushed it over the top. The inverted root beet float with the ice cream on top was a bit sweet but totally worth the extra sucrose in the meal. The was a truly memorable meal and I applaud thee work this place is doing and love the Atlanta restaurant scene in my short snippets that I have.
(5)
Chris L.

Took my girlfriend to Woodfire Grill on V-Day Weekend 2010. She was a big fan of Kevin and Top Chef. First off, the wine selection was great. We ordered a typical 3 course meal. The first course, the salad was the weakest part for me. There was nothing wrong with it, I just found it to have very little taste. The main course was the high point. I ordered the beef loin, and it was phenomenal! The beef was served with an assortment of mushrooms. My girlfriend ordered the pork loin, and it was also phenomenal. The third course, the deserts were also very excellent. We had the lemon meringue pie and the carrot cake. The atmosphere and decor of Woodfire Grill was also excellent. As one of the other reviewers said, Woodfire Grill is one of those places you just have to trust your taste buds to the chef. I would defiantly recommend Woodfire Grill to anyone that wanted to be a little adventurous and try some new stuff.
(4)
Carrie O.

Alright, let me preface this by saying that Woodfire Grill is one of the best, if not the best, meal experiences I've ever had. I don't even LIKE wine all that much, but I got the wine pairings, and the sommelier is SO talented and I drank so much and it was all 100% worth it and delicious. I suppose that could be the review, but honestly Kevin's food deserves more than that. My cousins (the wonderful people they are!) took me to Woodfire while I was visiting them, and we all got the 5-course tasting menus. Mine, of course, was vegetarian. This was the first awesome thing about the place, that they actually had a vegetarian tasting menu. And a GOOD one at that. Lots of local produce made up the dishes, as well as hearty grains (the best risotto I've ever had, butternut squash and greens... heaven in a bowl) and yummy cheeses. The roasted beet course with broccoli puree was also to-die-for. Even though it was 5 courses, the chef sent out two extra courses (at the beginning and halfway through) that were both great. The truffle deviled egg was especially scrumptious. And both of the extra courses came with extra wine pairings, both of which went fabulously with them (of course). For the meat-eaters out there, my cousins both enjoyed their meals a LOT as well. They had some really interesting looking dishes, and all of it smelled wonderful. I liked that the chef incorporated lots of variety in the meats (they had everything from oysters to sweetbreads in one meal) and the sommelier had separate wine pairings for them that went perfectly with their dishes. I honestly cannot say enough good things about this place. The atmosphere, the chef, the food. Everything was perfection. I wasn't sure why Kevin didn't win Top Chef when it happened, and I'm even more unsure of why he didn't, now. If you're even somewhat close to Woodfire Grill (as in you're visiting states near Georgia or are living in the south or something), GO. Make reservations now, they book up really quickly because of everything I've mentioned in this review. :)
(5)
Chay O.

For what it is, this place is extremely overpriced. I have been here at least three times and each time, the service is just not good enough. The worst thing is that Kevin (the Chef) has repeatedly let me down. After my third visit, I vowed to never go back. I feel more satistfied, full, happy, eating at Bacchanalia than at Woodfire Grill - and they are equally expensive. The whole concept of Southern food is supposed to be comforting, and generous. Not some meat on a stick that takes you one bite and charge you $22 for. I have scallops for appertizer and so is my friend. They both arrived at the same time but they looked completely different. Mine was burnt and my friend was slightly under cooked? Where is the quality control in this place? Doesn't the chef check all the plates before they are sent out or has he stopped caring? Kevin can't just keep serving bad food like this and ride on TOP CHEF popularity forever. You have to deliver the food that you have shown to the TV audience you are capable of. The quality of the food at this place is on par with just banquet food. Mass produced in a rush without quality control. Those TOP CHEF FANS who visit Atlanta don't be fooled! There are many other great places to eat in this city and I wouldn't want you to eat here and have a bad impression the food in Atlanta.
(1)
Stephie Z.

I don't even know what to say about dinner last night. Amazing, Orgasmic, Fucking Awesome- they all come to mind. Always the classy joint, a server greets you before you even make it to the hostess's stand, sits you down, and gets your drink order. Perhaps he is trying to stave off the hoards of Top Chef fan-atics?? A bottle of Barbera please. Soon we are seated and oh yeah, our seats are right next to the kitchen- better to ogle the delicious plates of food rolling out. Our server, who is super cute and extremely knowledgeable without being pushy, rushes over to give us the low down. For me a starter of steelhead tartar in spicy aoli and the pinnacle of my meal, sturgeon in a mushroom ragout topped with oyster mushrooms. Thank God their menu changes daily otherwise I would be dropping $30 nightly to eat that heavenly fish. Holy shit it was good!!! Probably one of my top 5 dishes...of all time- no lie. Tasted my dinner companions duck which was good and my other companions quail, also very good... but my sturgeon was the star of the show. Desert was some chocolaty brownie type thing topped with some icecreamy mouse type thing that was pretty tasty, but I would have preferred another plate of sturgeon and the cute server to go!
(5)
T B.

Delicious. I was a huge fan of Kevin's from Top Chef so when we went to Atlanta, I made my friends go with me. We were not disappointed in the tasting menu which had one delicious meal after another (from the heavenly scallops to the fish to the pork to the dessert)... The atmosphere is warm and mellow, the bartender made some pretty amazing drinks that paired well with our food and the service was fantastic. This is what a true Top Chef experience should be and I applaud Kevin. Will definitely be going back whenever I'm in the area again.
(5)
Kelley F.

Genuinely the very best meal of my life. We drove down to ATL from CHI to eat here and it was amazing! We had the 5 course route and seriously life changing food. Every course was a delight and brought about sincere emotion! We chased with the course wines and were so pleased we did. The wines were unexpected and amazing!
(5)
Sheena F.

Delicious! Despite hearing great things about the tasting menu, our group decided to go a la carte (the tasting requires full table participation and we had ppl with allergies/pickiness!) and were glad we did! The meal started with an amuse bouche that was ok and seriously yummy bread with a fennel, garlic and champagne infused butter. I wanted to take home a vat of the stuff! As a bonus, Chef Kevin was actually behind the grill while we were there. I had the curried lentil soup to start - the curry was very subtle but there and the greek yogurt garnish added just the right flavor note. Very good. Others at the table had the red potato salad and while were a little underwhelmed by the flavors said it was good. Next course was the chef's signature dish from the Top Chef days, crispy pork belly. Absolutely amazing! The onion and fennel sauce complemented the salty crispiness of the pork bellies perfectly. Everyone at our table got this and everyone was making yummy noises the entire time haha. For the main I got the striped bass, again delicious, I really love the flavor of fennel and this dish was perfect! Others at the table got the duck and the beef striploin. Everything was amazing, and forks were flying so that everyone could taste different dishes. Overall the service was great and the wine list was incredible - such a great experience. We'll definitely be back for any special occasion.
(5)
D L.

Went for dinner. Got the five-course chef's choice thing. I can't even remember what we ate because each tiny-ass dish had minimum four components. But with each dish brought to our table, my desire to scream with joy increased exponentially. Seriously. I remember one protein served was a delicious square of pork belly. No more than a mouthful :( I wanted more... *drool Loved the bread and the butter. Loved the atmosphere. Very nice service :)
(4)
kristen s.

Dined here on 5/31 for my birthday - although chef gillepsie wasn't in it was still a treat. From the personalized menus to the fact that everyone who stopped by the table wished me a happy birthday it really made the experience there even more special. My boyfriend and I opted for the 5 course tasting menu and it was without a doubt the best meal I have ever had. Tried pork belly for the first time- um, amazing. The only thing I didn't really care for was the black rice(colored with squid ink) Yes the portions are smaller but we left full and happy :)
(5)
Julie P.

The word of the day: Redemption. Before leaving the restaurant after our less than positive experience a few weeks ago, the BF left a comment card describing our experience (nothing nasty, just honest). To our surprise, he received a very prompt and apologetic email from the owner, graciously asking if we would consider giving them a second chance. We were very pleasantly surprised, and because of this very heartfelt email decided to give it one more try. We were NOT disappointed. Everything was a complete change from the last experience. Service was on-point, and the food seemed to have gained its identity, flavor & texture back. We got all but one of the original dining crew back and arrived at the restaurant a little skeptical, but cautiously optimistic. We were very handsomly rewarded. Although not all of the 7 courses were favorites for all, each course was thoughtfully created, carefully prepared, and beautifully executed. Each one of us had at least two favorite courses, and agreed that we at least appreciated all of the others. I, for one, know that I will never look at a pig the same again after experiencing the pork belly... The wine pairings were not to be dismissed, as each pairing perfectly complimented the flavors of the courses they accompanied. Bravo to the sommelier / wine steward. The service was impeccable (one thing that was sorely missed in the previous dining experience). Attentive, friendly, and never over-bearing -- it was the very experience we all rave about when we remember our dining experiences Woodfire, which comes only second to the amazing food. Bottom line: not everything served at Woodfire will change your life. That said, if you know what you like and have a server who understands that, you will be served dishes that will make you close your eyes and say, "yummmmmm". We all have our "off" days, and restaurants are not immune to that. The moral of the story? Don't settle for mediocrity, and if you have a bad experience at a good restaurant, speak up! They may just surprise you by living up to their own hype.
(4)
Sarah E.

I wish I could say that I have known Woodfire Grill for years, but sadly it took reality TV to get me acquainted. My husband and I are both fans of Kevin on Top Chef, so we just had to check this place out. We arrived a little early and sat in the bar area to have a drink. I ordered the Bradley. The guy who waited on me in the bar was super, super nice, explained what "shrub" was, and provided recommendations. The Bradley was, without question, the best drink I have EVER had. It was a beautiful symphony of bourbon and ginger. It also had the distinction of being the only drink I've ever had that really felt like it was worth $10. If you go out in the city, you will drop $10 on a drink in many places. But this really tasted like a $10 drink. Loved it. Twice. My husband had the Apricota, which he also enjoyed. The ambience of the bar area was nice, and everyone was extremely friendly despite the fact that it seemed pretty busy. I kept hearing people trying to pump the bartenders for details about the outcome of Top Chef. Poor guys - they must be SO sick of this sort of question. When it was time for our reservation, we were escorted to our table. My husband and I had decided in advance to go all-out by ordering the 5-course chef's tasting menu. After all, why wouldn't you want your first experience with a restaurant to reflect what the chef thinks are its most exciting items? Our server seemed really excited about this. Our amuse bouche was "the chef's version of a Waldorf salad." It had a layer of a cream cheese mixture, a fruit that I think was peach, and... shoot. The awesome drinks must have gone to my head, because I have no clue anymore what was on top. But it was good. The first course was a confit of laughing bird shrimp with vinegar. It was delicious! Our server said that although the menu changes daily, sometimes it changes more than others - and this was the first time they had served this dish. I would definitely eat it again! The second course was two substantial pan-seared diver scallops, served atop a bed of butter beans and accompanied by a lamb jus and a sauce that I think was balsamic-vinegar-based. It was funny because scallops are one of my favorite foods of all time, but I hate anything even remotely resembling lima beans. I didn't hate these, which is saying a lot. In between the second and third course, we were each brought an oyster to cleanse our palates. My husband was scared because he doesn't really do oysters, but we both loved it. And it definitely did the trick, because course three was a veritable explosion of flavor for us. The third course was possibly my favorite - bobwhite quail with apples and potatoes. I wish I could describe these things better! I've never had quail before, so I have nothing to compare it to. However, it was the most perfectly seasoned thing I have ever eaten. Ever. The fourth course was something that Kevin is known for - pork! Specifically, it was pork belly over creamed brussels sprouts. Brussels sprouts are another food that I normally cannot stand. And I'd like to say that if you cook anything in cream, it makes it better. Except I don't want to give you the impression that I only liked them because they were doused in cream. The cream actually just enhanced their distinctive flavor, and I have finally found brussels sprouts that I not only like, but love. The pork belly itself was perfection. I've never tried pork belly before because I'm really not a big fan of fat. I don't eat the fat on prime rib (I tried it because I have heard it's the best part, but it wasn't for me). I do like bacon, but it has to be fairly crispy. I generally don't like anything that's recognizable as a chunk of fat. The pork belly was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Finally, it was time for our dessert course. I was sad to see our parade of delicious food coming to an end. My husband was served a honey-and-caramel bread pudding. The dessert chosen for me was a chocolate wrap with something chocolatey and ganachelike, in a chocolate-espresso "broth" with mocha whipped cream. Both desserts were delicious, though I would have traded them in a heartbeat for more of that quail! Everything was just so, so delicious. Even the bread was arguably the freshest, most delicious bread I have ever had. And it was served with a whipped scallion/garlic butter that must have contained crack. Our service was wonderful and everyone seemed genuinely friendly. There was a bit of a wait between our courses, which I thought at first was due to the kitchen being overwhelmed with orders. After a while, I started to think it was just to prevent us from becoming overwhelmed by too much food too close together. Either way, it worked for us. The only disappointment was that we didn't get to meet Kevin (I think he might have been out of town but I'm not sure). Oh well, I guess that's just an excuse to go there again soon!
(5)
Bahadir U.

We have fallen in love with Woodfire Grill 2 years ago. We have been there in 3 occasions and 5 course tasting menu is always inspired and prepared to perfection. Service has been great. They take the time to explain what you are eating. Professional and friendly. During our one visit, we had a long wait between 2 courses and the manager came to apologize, he offered a couple wine pairings. My only problem is that everyone now discovered the place and it is hard to get reservations. Oh well, it is hard to share but I am happy to see them successful
(5)
Monika K.

got a tip that you could sit at the bar and get the same menu as the dining room if you didn't have a reservation. Got here promptly at opening on Sat b4 Vday to snatch a seat -started off with a cocktail- Peach Blossom. Holy Hell this was heaven in a glass. they could make a fortune if they sold it to coca cola, minus the vodka. divine! started off with the washington state steelhead tartar and crudo, I could have made 3 or 4 of these my meal, soooo tasty. an explosion of flavors in your mouth. bf had the veal sweetbreads, he loved them, I did take a bite and it was good but it's hard to stomach it once I think about what it is... main course- duck and beef strip loin....both eaten slowly to savor the meal...and appreciate the dish. fantastic... dessert for the 2 of us was of the liquid kind, another seasonal cocktail- Fall Classic. shared and enjoyed by both of us. Peach blossom still takes the cake. A wonderful experience and grateful that someone told us the inside tip so we could enjoy Woodfire grill while in town.
(4)
Travis M.

Some of the best food and service I've had in a long time. I went with a group of 4 so we all got to try a little bit of everyone's meal and there wasn't a single thing on the table that wasn't delcious! Everything from the bread and soup to the dessert was amazing. After an unexpectedly long wait to get seated the manager made sure to take extra special care of us all night and the owner even mailed us a personal invitation to come back (we've already made reservations!) - you don't find that kind of service very often anymore. Duck is one of my favorite dishes and they did an amazing job! It was cooked perfectly and had a great savory/salty balance going for it. My girlfriend had the fish (can't remember what kind of fish it was, just that neither one of us had ever had it before) and it was delicious. For fish the portion was large and the thickness gave the layers different textures from the crisp outside to the melt-in-your-mouth inner layer. With how often the menu changes I will be back over and over again! Next up - the tasting menu with wine pairings!
(5)
hillary B.

I was really into the food Chef Kevin was cooking during his season of Top Chef, and was thoroughly disappointed when he didn't win that season's top honors, so choosing Woodfire Grill for our belated Valentine's Day dinner was a no-brainer for my boyfriend. I was thrilled when I walked inside and heard really great music, played just the right amount of loud. Thankfully we were seated very close to the grill, because it was cold outside that night! Our server was very attentive, and explained any questions we had. The menu had about 4-6 items under each category , and I probably could have ordered any of them from the way they sounded and been happy. I went with the fennel salad, which had toasted breadcrumbs, and the meatball, which was so rich and fatty and meaty, I could have eaten 10, and then probably went into a blissful cardiac arrest. My boyfriend had the potato soup and the lamb, which had an unbelievable spice crust and pickled rutabaga. Then the part came where I anxiously looked at the dessert menu, (I will be honest, I was still decently hungry and was hoping the dessert would cure that) and found the banana bread in salted caramel sauce with a canelle of marshmallow ice cream, topped with tiny flecks of bacon (!!!) I can sum this dessert up by telling you that I haven't shut up about it since Feb. 15th, and can't stop telling my foodie friends that they absolutely have to try it. We had a beautiful meal, and I can honestly say it was worth the price, IF you are genuinely into the food experience, the savoring each bite and appreciating every ingredient and eating things the way they were meant to be eaten (i.e. - if you are one of those people who have 35 ingredients they don't like, or want to pick off - for the price and the portion, trust me, you will want to and should want to eat every single thing on your plate!) Thanks Woodfire Grill, for a memorable Valentine's Day and keep up the incredible food and service!
(5)
Live To Feast I.

I begin this review with a somewhat shameful confession. I have been living and dining beyond my means in Atlanta for the majority of my life, and it took last weeks' premier of Season 6 of Top Chef for Woodfire Grill to make it onto my radar. (The Executive Chef and owner of Woodfire is Kevin Gillespie, a current contestant on TC Season 6). If I were a foodie-hipster, I would relish being able to turn my nose up at all of the TC fan boys that are just now catching on to how great this place is and how lucky Atlanta is to have such a young and talented chef in our midst. I wish I could say "Oh, you just heard of Woodfire? Dude, where have YOU been?" Unfortunately, I missed a memo somewhere. The first thing that I noticed, and still one of my favorite parts of the restaurant, was the SMELL. Holy GOD it smells good in there. As the name indicates, the kitchen centers around a wood-burning grill that gives the entire building the mouth watering aroma of a backyard bonfire. It was INTOXICATING. I caught myself, more than once, taking deep breaths, eyes closed, savoring the heady smells pouring out of the open-air kitchen. The entire menu centers on fresh, local ingredients, and is considered (a la Gourmet/Bon AppÃ©tit) one of the top farm-to-table restaurants in the country. While there was plenty on the menu that I would have loved to order, I would highly recommend that you opt for either the 3-course or 5-course chef's tasting. It pained me to forego ordering the grilled pork belly to try the tasting, but it definitely worked out in the end. I know that a chef's tasting is a leap of faith for many, but I assure you, these are VERY capable hands preparing your meal. Fortunately for me, our waiter had the kitchen print me up a chef's tasting menu before we left, so I could remember what was served. And it was autographed by Kevin. I'd like to pretend I didn't think that was awesome, but I did, and it was. Here is the breakdown: AMUSE: Local beets w/ beet-horseradish puree. Fresh, tasty, and a good way to start the meal. I don't usually get down with the beets all that much, and I was surprised at how much I liked this. FIRST: Pan seared diver scallop, wilted lettuce, filet beans, chicken consommÃ© w/ herb oil. I got my first "bad boyfriend" strike for the night on this one. Not only did I barely look up from my plate or speak to my date during this dish, it wasn't until I was spooning the last of the consommÃ© from the bowl that I realized I hadn't even offered her a taste. I pretended like I was sorry. I wasn't. NEXT: Roasted eggplant w/ feta on tomato flatbread Simple, well-seasoned, and a great transition into.... MAIN: Smoked pork belly, skillet cabbage, fig-coffee jam, pickled vine peaches. HALLELUJAH! Not only was I beside myself because now I didn't have to order the grilled pork belly to go and eat it in the car so as to not look like a total glutton, this was some of the best pork belly I have had in a long time. The smoking process took the inherently indulgent pork belly to a new level. This meat tasted like the restaurant smelled and it was perfect. The pickled vine peaches, which are naturally more acidic than regular peaches, paired perfectly with the pork. Though the serving sizes were just right, I can't help but wish I had just gotten 5 courses of this dish instead. DESSERT: Fried banana balls, chocolate mousse, and candied bacon. CANDIED BACON!!!! This dessert was not just as good as it sounds; it was light years better. Rich, beautifully presented, and it featured bacon. Take one bite of this and tell me you don't like it, and I'll tell you that you're a liar. The only negative to the night, which wasn't really a negative at all for us, was that the food was a little slow. The kitchen is very small compared to the number of tables here, so it was understandable to me that they could get a little behind. I got the feeling this was out of the ordinary, and the wait staff more than made up for it. Even though I had been enjoying the meal and hadn't really noticed the food being behind, our waiter treated us to a few cocktails on the house, as well as our desserts. Though there are numerous other things I could discuss about our evening at Woodfire Grill, such as their exceptional specialty cocktails or their knowledgeable and attentive wait staff, I believe I have made my point. Go. Eat here. Celebrate one of Atlanta's great young chefs, support local farmers in the process, and treat yourself to one hell of a satisfying meal.
(5)
Jennifer W.

Possibly one of the best places I ate on my 10 day trip to South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia! My boyfriend and I had the 7 course tasting menu at the bar since we didn't want to wait for our 9PM reservation and we were expecting some sort of drop off in service, but service was incredibly good. Since we were celebrating my early birthday, the bartender gave us both complimentary champagne We had: Course 1: Marinated Fennel Salad Course 2: Scallop (OMG THE BEST SCALLOP I'VE EVER HAD) Course 3: Oyster Mushrooms (it was AMAZING. my boyfriend thought it was oysters and mushrooms, was surprised he liked it since he HATES oysters, then he realized it was just mushrooms, and was surprised he liked it because he only eats meat) Course 4: Quail Course 5: Pork Belly+Pork tenderloin Course 6: Lamb Course 7: Cheesecake Overall, everything was expertly seasoned and it was simple, yet surprisingly complex flavored. It was a great meal!
(5)
Matt M.

Tuesday night was a special occasion for me. It was special enough to plan a dinner at what is becoming the culinary mecca of Atlanta. Woodfire Grill is the place, and Kevin Gillespie is the chef. Kevin was a finalist on this past year's Top Chef television show on the Bravo network. His food is American Contemporary made with local, sustainable, and organic ingredients. The setting is tastefully modern and contemporary, adorned with provocative art and enhanced with indie music. The wine list is pretty epic as well, also delivering on quality by-the-glass options. I had- Appetizer: Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon Tartar. Charred baby onion. Citrus. Avocado relish. Roasted tomatillo. Smoked espelette cracker; Entree: Wood grilled Sonoma artisan duck breast. Early summer salad. Wood oven roasted squash and heirloom broccoli. Creamed leeks; Dessert: Cypress grove lamb chopper. Medjool dates. Raw almonds. Fried almonds---all amazing!
(5)
Mitch G.

I was pretty psyched about this culinary experience. I was familiar with Kevin's cooking style and had heard many good things. We were seated quickly and both received delicious cocktails, i had a "Bradley." It was a ginger and bourbon concoction and it was good. Things started to go downhill once we were seated and were greeted by our low-talker waitress. We stared with the Salmon on the second course section of the menu. It was about one bite for each of it but it was a flavorful bite. As an entree I ordered the pork loin since Kevin was known for his pork. The pork loin was really bland but the okra was redeeming. My woman got the quail and even though it was very tasty, the portion was equal to 4 chicken nugget sized bites. Overall, the ambiance and cocktails were great but the tiny portions, bland flavors and sky high bill added up to a disappointing experience. Also on my way to the way to the restroom I overheard the cook say to the waitress when she put in our order "They ordered A LA CARTE?" meaning that we ordered off the actual menu and didn't opt for the five course tasting. I'm pretty sure now that this is probably what the waitress was whispering about. So if you go, I would get the tasting.
(3)
Oscar G.

Nice place, comfortable. Service was excellent. Food was incredible. Veal sweetbreads with a slice of pickled quince was the all-star for me. the pork belly dish was great wild mushroom ragout was really good. we did the 7-course tasting menu with items that are not on the regular menu. highly recommended. This is one of those places where each member of the staff really cares about the food and preparation. You see chefs carefully preparing and plating. Our server had great knowledge of the food and ingredients and was also able to pair wines with our meal which was great. big fan.
(5)
Fiona S.

Yes, I'm jumping in to the mix of amazing things already said about Woodfire Grill, but I want to share another tale of how they never cease to amaze me. I went for my birthday about a month ago with 5 friends. We were seated upstairs in the so-called "tree house" - two long tables for large groups, and big windows all around. I decided to do the 3 course tasting, and requested the vegetarian version because I don't eat beef, pork or seafood. A little while later, they bring out my first course, which was a scallop. I was sort of confused by figured, "Maybe they include seafood in a seafood-isn't-meat kind of way, and I'll just eat it. Never had one, why not now." So I went ahead and enjoyed my amazing scallop. Now, course number two comes out, and I could tell from several feet away that it was a cut of meat. Our server began explaining it, and I had to cut her off mid-sentence. Somehow, she had missed when I had said vegetarian in my order. She apologized, whisked away the pork-whatever-it-was and minutes later brought back the actual second course of the vegetarian menu. It was some kind of filio tart with chevre and onions and amazing sauce, and I literally ended up licking my plate (I know, not very classy, but hey, it was my birthday.) Desert was mini chocolate crepes filled with chocolate mousse - AMAZING. I love the small plates, local, fresh, real, authentic good cooking that they do so well at Woodfire. I grew up in California, where some of the pioneer chefs of this movement have their restaurants, and it was comforting in a way to have that kind of food again. I was completely impressed that they were happy to essentially switch my entire order with out even batting an eyelash. Our server was really fun and we had a great time. They threw in my pre-dinner drink for free, since it was my birthday and they usually give you desert free, but obviously desert comes with the tasting menu. Can't wait to go back and try the full tasting menu you.
(5)
Rob H.

After watching Top Chef, I just assumed if I was coming here, I had no sensible choice but to make sure I got a pork dish. I was not disappointed, and instead the dish changed my companions viewpoint on pork, she is now a convert. The creamed collards and grilled peach (not to mention the very perfectly cooked grits, not overpowering) just set this dish off. My only complaint is half a peach is not enough for 4 slices of pork, give us a whole grilled peach (cut it in half to grill sure, but give us both halves!) All of those items together just formed the perfect bite. (My companion at the meal had never eaten collard greens, and she was borh and raised in Altanta! Thankfully I was able to get her to embrace this part of the southern diet, because they were done perfectly.) We also ordered the carolina trout. Fish is my absolute favorite category of protein, and this was a pefectly cooked trout. Crispy skin, flaky wonderful fish and succotash to set the whole thing off. The poached gulf shrimp were light, subtle, and beautifully plated. They were a perfect starter, and set the tone of the meal quite well. Just would have killed for more ginger aioli, three shrimp needed three times more than was there. On thirds with our pork, we also ordered the Alaskan Halibut. Flaked off perfectly, crispy skin, and lump crab was just succulent. Even now the idea of it makes my mouth water. We expected the bannana pan perdue, but it had been replaced with the semifrodo, which was good, but the candied bacon was not quite candied enough, and was slightly chewy. The key lime was excellent, with the gingersnap crust base a nice change of pace from the original, without detracting from its appeal, it tasted great! Anything above that isn't conveying absolute delight are small, nitpicking items. The meal was excellent.
(5)
Erica C.

I think Yelp should add another 5 possible stars, just for this restaurant. As we ate, I tried to figure out how I could possibly add to what the Yelping community has already said about Kevin Gillespie & company's house of culinary goodness. All I can say is this: My lovely wife took me there for my birthday last night, and we decided to throw caution to the wind and let Kevin dictate what we ate. The 5-course tasting menu is the way to go. I ate foods I never would've ordered, and had to restrain myself (and said lovely wife) from licking the plates. Each plate that arrived became my favorite. Yep - out of 5 dishes, I had 5 favorites. How can you go wrong with garlic-honey glazed quail or beet-cured salmon tartar? You can't. Not as long as the food is in the capable hands of the Woodfire team. The service was beyond impeccable. Food came flying to us like clockwork, with just enough time for our systems to settle between courses, but not enough time that we ever wondered when the next course would arrive. Aside from the flawless food and superior service, the only other item to compliment would be the atmosphere. It was truly a revelation to eat fancy food in a place where you can wear jeans! Why has no one thought of this before? Sure, most sites say it's a dressy restaurant, but there wasn't a single dressed up table in the joint. I'm not sure I'd roll in there in sweatpants, mind you, but it's absolutely ideal to be able to enjoy my lamb loin, my beautiful pea salad, and copious amounts of pork belly while not worrying about pantyhose cutting off all circulation to my taste buds. Bravo, Woodfire. Bravo, indeed.
(5)
Kristi B.

We had a great experience at Woodfire last week. I've had it marked to try for some time, and asked my assistant in Atlanta to make reservations for my trip out there. Apparently, this is not as easy as it sounds, she called in a favor to get us in at 530 pm on a Thursday, so I would recommend booking in advance! We were quickly seated in a cute little private room - just one table for four - and greeted by our waiter who was fantastic throughout the meal. I ordered the warm beet salad with goat cheese - YUM - usually restaurants seem to serve beets with blue cheese and one of the few things I don't like is blue cheese, so this one really made me happy. It was delicious. We also had the steelhead tartare, I was a little apprehensive about raw steelhead but it was good, and the sweetbreads. Not being a fan of sweetbreads I only tried the mushroom polenta that came with them and I could have eaten a whole dish of that for sure. I almost asked for some. On to main courses of pork loin, strip loin, duck, and my sturgeon. The fish was perfect, moist and tender, and the mushroom ragout was outstanding. I also tried my honey's duck which was wonderful. We ordered dessert but realized we were running late for a show so took it with us and enjoyed it later, I had the chocolate pain perdu, which was perfect, super chocolate-y without being too sweet. From what I understand the menu changes constantly, which I consider a very good thing. I might have to see if my assistant has any more favors to call in for my next trip to ATL.
(5)
Julie C.

disclaimer: i heart kevin gillespie....and his unabashed love of pork. okay. one of my good friends and i have been coordinating our woodfire grill extravaganza for months....and tonight was the night. so. woodfire was cute, nothing spectacular on the inside, drafty in the front area with little tables, and they so need better signage off of cheshire bridge. nevertheless...we started off with champagne cocktails (this was a celebration) that were muy muy muy delicioso. so delicious in fact, that the plan is to recreate this drink for our boxing day celebration. many of the seasonal cocktails sounded good btw. so...we sit down for our five course chef tasting...feeling very top chefish....i'm yapping about my palate, acidity, textures, yadda yadda yadda...doing my best padma lakshmi impersonation. fun times. not gonna detail my every course, other than to say yummy to my tummy. that is my highest praise. the pork belly...super yum and the venison with grits...omg. brussel sprouts have been elevated in my book. my meal tonight made me want to get back in the workforce, simply so i can treat myself to woodfire grill whenever i want. everything was super delish, and to be honest, super small. taste buds say....worth it though. who says you have to leave dinner with your zipper bust open? been there....do that! loved getting two amuse tastings. i have a sick sick sick bread and butter fetish...so the assortment of breads (all in house made) served with some delectable herb butter made me very happy. four different bread selections in that basket honey! still sorta kicking myself that i didn't put the bread basket and butter in my purse, but allegedly, i'm older, more responsible and upstanding...or something like that. why not five stars? it was the staff. can we say zombie in unision? our bar server was dry and our table server...i don't know how to describe it. just a real lack of personality...dry and sorta stilted...maybe it's just pressure to be on point (read ultra serious) for the post top chef surge in business....but the presence of the waitstaff almost sucked some of my exuberance out somehow. not bad service, just the sudden appearance of this somber, stilted person at the head of your table...it was weird. there were a couple people that brought things out that had some passion, zest, etc...but for the most part, it was like having a nervous funeral director deposit your meals. still...i'm a fan. my mom goes here about once a month, solo....and she raves about how nice they are to her....and that touches my heart. if they had a half star option...this is where i would add it. oh. desert was not the highlight, my bread pudding lacked the custardy richness that is so bread pudding...it was more like a poorly textured cupcake. meh. the chocolate crepes were better, but this was definitely the course where there were actually some scraps left on the plate. (luckily i had an orange dream star waiting on me at home). the regular menu has some banana dish with carmelized bacon that i am DYING to try...gotta check that out on the next trip.
(4)
Joe B.

At over $100 a head, you would think I could find something positive to say about one of Atlanta's most highly regarded restaurants. Only one dish (of the eight dishes ordered by our table) was praiseworthy, and since the menu changes daily, I don't see any point in mentioning which dish it was. At $42 the "rack of lamb" was tantamount to larceny. (Since when does a "rack of lamb" consist of two very thin lamb chops?) The snooty attitude of the owner did nothing to improve the situation. I won't be returning to Woodfire Grill - one visit was more than enough.
(1)
Kim N.

Seriously people, if you are in Atlanta, you have to eat here. It should be mandatory for any foodie visiting this town. My husband and I were in town for New Year's Eve and I was smart (and quick) enough to make a reservation. I was a little nervous because often times good restaurants can fall flat on a major "going-out-to-dinner holidays," but this was not the case here. Extraordinary food, impeccable service - basically, if I could move in here and make this restaurant my home, I would. This was eight months ago and I am still raving about the incredible meal we had there. I would seriously go back to Atlanta just to eat at this restaurant. Make it happen - you won't be disappointed!
(5)
Lisa A.

Went to Woodfire Grill for my birthday and my husband and I had the 5 course tasting menu and loved it! I though Kevin did a great job at turning some ordinary items into some really interesting dishes. I also thought the staff did a great job at timing the dishes and the wine pairing was very good! We were very satisfied with the size of the servings, as this is a "tasting menu" which I think some folks do not realize is different that order al la carte selections. I for one enjoy trying new things and I think that is what is so fun about being able to try so many things over the course of 1 meal. I also think the bartenders are doing a great job with the cocktails and I was very happy to see some of mt favorite Ca. wines on their list at regular retail price, That alone make a trip to Woodfire worth it in my book. It's also nice that Kevin is so humble and you can really get a sense that he truly enjoys cooking food for others!!
(5)
Eduardo M.

Excellent meal. I was in Atlanta last week and I got a chance to go here for dinner on Friday. Was surprised to see Kevin was there (figuring the whole Top Chef thing may keep him busy elsewhere, or in the back kitchen), but there he was, large as life and willing to pose for photos! We had the chef's tasting menu, a bit pricey, but the indulgence was worth it. We both had a great time, our waitress (her name's Maureen - spelling?) was friendly, helpful, and all around great. Maureen gave us great wine pairings with our meal, and attended to us well. The food quality was excellent, and despite it being a "blind tasting" we were never disappointed with anything we were served. I don't go to Atlanta often, but I will recommend it to any other Chi-towners that head that way for a weekend.
(5)
Jonathan D.

So I don't think I have the culinary chops to dissect all seven courses, so the better approach might be to review the concept of a tasting menu in general. For someone like me, who's never done one, the tasting menu with wine pairings was a unique experience that's as enjoyable as any I've had dining. For a special occasion splurge, I'd say it's worth it. You just can't get as immersive an experience out of a standard restaurant meal, which usually tends to be two or three courses. In some ways, the process of selecting your own entrees colors your perception of how the food's going to be, so it feels fun and spontaneous to leave it up to the chef. One of the best parts for me was being treated to things I might not order otherwise. For example, I'd never order quail or lamb chop left to my own devices, but both were delicious. The scallops were great, too. And the wine was expertly paired. Our waiter was very friendly and engaging, but not overbearing at all. Many thanks to my girlfriend for treating me!
(5)
Amanda W.

Four and half stars would probably be more accurate, but there were a couple of slight misses. After reading the reviews on here, we were worried we'd be starving, so we scarfed down more bread than usual. Luckily, the bread was really good and went nicely with the garlic butter. I started with the arugula wrapped in prosciutto - yum!! The prosciutto was so delicate and nicely flavored. Then, I had the beef loin for dinner with a bit of smoked kale. The beef was served medium rare and was so tender. There were 3 good sized slices of beef, so I was actually pretty full after that even without the side of fingerling potatoes we ordered. The potatoes were mostly good, but had some crazy spicy sauce on some of them that was overpowering. My dining companion was more adventurous and ordered the chef's 3-course tasting (the chef picks). I got the benefits though because the waitress persuaded the chef to give me an amuse bouche and soup tasting even though I didn't order the tasting. She got one delicious scallop as the starter, the quail as the main dish (she didn't think it was all that great and it was VERY small) and the deconstructed key lime pie for dessert. The key lime pie was creative and delicious. Service was great and it felt like a less expensive Bachannalia in terms of the quality of the food and the service (and ambiance). Also, the wood fire smell wasn't as overpowering as some reviewers have mentioned. And, yes, we did see Kevin from Top Chef talking to people at the next table, but we didn't get a chance to speak to him. He seemed very friendly though and the dishes were much more impressive than the dishes we've seen at other Top Chef restaurants (Pura Vida, Home & Flip).
(4)
Anna E.

NO messing around! IF you are a true foodie you cannot pass up this establishment when in Atlana. We decided to order from the set menu. It was a variety of dishes served w/ dessert and wine with each dish. It was about $150 a person but SO WORTH IT! We had wonderful service and the Sommelier was the sweetest guy ever! I enjoyed the culianry expereince but never expected to be taught a thing or two about the wines as well! It's good. Real good. I had grilled quince that night and it was the finnest thing I've tasted ever in my life. Well thought out menus and wine paired. I will always remember this as a FINE DINING experience. Thank You, Kevin!
(5)
Art V.

Very nice waitress. Unpleasant manager- lots of attitude. Food average at best. Way overcooked bob white-- tough and dried out. Lamb served cool/raw when asked for medium. Waitress never followed up on the lamb course. Very expensive- dinner for 2 with wine @ $350++
(2)
Jennifer P.

I headed to Woodfire for the first time in September. Everything about that experience was outstanding. This was a restaurant I wanted to try several years ago, even before Kevin came on board. I then started watching Top Chef and fell head over hills for Kevin's simple cooking style and knew that I had to try his place out. I absolutely love how you get to see Kevin in action while you dine. The music is also a compliment to the space. Our waiter was fabulous. He has actually been our waiter on several of our visits. He was very patient with helping us select a wine after describing what we like. I think we got it right after the third taste! (Spann Charbono...delish!) I had the mixed salad, softshell app, halibut, and side okra. My girlfriend had the butternut squash soup, strip, and beans. I don't think we really spoke to each other during our meal. It was that good. The halibut melted in my mouth. I actually liked the soup better than the salad, and I could have gone without the softshell app. The portions are large enough were you don't need every course. I didn't give Woodfire Grill a five simply because our following visits have not measured up to the initial visit. The food just seems a touch off. I would attribute this to the restaurant gaining more popularity due to Kevin's skills on Top Chef. He still won in my book! And I will continue to go back for more because it still is "that good."
(4)
J. B.

Ok. I might be the ONLY person who hasn't eaten at Woodfire Grill yet. I don't want to end things on a sour note, so I figure I would mention this early in my review. Tell the hostesses not to be so pushy. We wanted to sit at the bar to have a drink and they kept directing us to a cocktail table. Normally that wouldn't bother me, but I wanted to say hello to the bartenders that we had once before, and let them know that we came by to see them again. Even when I let the hostess know that, she still was being rather pushy for us to have a seat at the cocktail table and it was irritating. On a more positive note...My review is totally based on the bar this time, but I will be back for dinner. We stopped by to have a drink before we headed to our planned destination. The bartenders there were awesome. Our bartender, Blake, made our drinks and they were amazing! The cocktails are definitely one of a kind. It was great to have a bartender know the drinks well and be able to recommend something that I would like. (and not something that they just want to sell.) I can't say enough great things about the peeps that got me tipsy. Kudos Kevin for yer spot on Top Chef. Great drinks. Looking forward to the food. 5 stars for service at the bar! 4 stars since the hostess was a bit pushy. I still send my love though. I will be back.
(4)
Ubu R.

We had the 7 course tasting with wine pairing. Everything was remarkable; the food, wine, service, and attention to detail were all exceptional. For a special event, this is where my wife and i will be dining indefinitely. The best meal I have had this year. Very well done.
(5)
Todd N.

Literally the best meal I've ever eaten. (It helped that the company was great, too - my lovely wife and I were celebrating our anniversary.) We were in Atlanta from California, visiting family, and wanted a special dinner out to celebrate. Woodfire Grill was recommended to us since we're some of "those" people, enjoying local, slow food when we can get it. From the complimentary valet parking upon arrival to the French press coffee served after desert, Woodfire exceeded expectations at every turn. We chose the 7 course chef's tasting menu since it included a few off-menu courses. (The 5 course tasting is all directly from the menu, according to the wait staff.) We started with a fennel salad with citrus. The second course was a scallop so tender it practically melted in my mouth. The third course was my favorite: warm endive in a cream sauce topped with black trumpet and chanterelle mushrooms. Crunchy bread crumbs on top were a great texture contrast. I was ready to stop the meal at this point and just leave. I was in heaven. We left the veggies behind and moved on to meat with courses 4 - 6 being quail, Berkshire pork and lamb. Each was perfectly prepared and paired with a small side of locally raised vegetables. The pork was amazing. This is how pork is supposed to taste! The broccoli and farro paired with the pork loin was a standout. A small "pre-dessert", literally just a square of devils food cake, transitioned us to the main dessert of marscapone cheesecake with a chocolate crust. The dessert was the weakest of the courses, it was a bit too cold and hard. It would have been a shining star on most menus but when surrounded by perfection even the smallest blemish stands out. I'm really stingy when it comes to 5 star reviews but there was no doubt from the first bite that Woodfire would be at the top. If there were a 6th star to hand out they would get it, too.
(5)
Heather H.

For all you carnivore lovers out there, this is it! From fried oysters, quail, sous-vide duck, lamb, pork belly- need I continue... course after course, it kept coming! (side note-the watermelon consomme with pickled watermelon rind was amazing!!!) Thanks, Kevin and Joey, for all the additionals (5 course tasting menu turned to 10+ courses paired with the most luxurious wines! The service is as good as it gets!
(4)
Teresa S.

Serious food - relaxed environment! I highly recommend the chef's tasting menu. We splurged on the 7 course, and also asked for wine pairing ($5 per course for a half-pairing). I'm very glad our server recommended the half-pairing, which was plenty for each course. I was so amazed at how the food made the wine sing! Who knew that shrimp and champagne were such good buddies? The staff at Woodfire - that's who! It was nice to not know what we were eating beforehand. I'd place my trust in the chefs here anytime. Oh, and chef Kevin was in the kitchen -- bonus.
(5)
Ed P.

While it seems to be a mixed bag for some if you read the reviews, I had no complaints. I had the mussels, veal sweetbread, and duck breast. For dessert, I asked the waiter to surprise me, and he brought the french toast, banana, bacon treat. Is there hype around the place, sure. Is it worth the stop. You bet. While not cheap coming in around $60 a person, it was a dining experience. I'm glad I went, and I would go back.
(5)
David S.

Yummy. After rooting for Kevin on Top Chef, my wife and I had to check out Woodfire Grill when we made it to ATL. The food did not disappoint. Setting. The restaurant is modern yet cozy. It's a nice setting for the elegant comfort food. Service. The staff was outstanding. Someone was always stopping by the table to check on us and welcome us to the restaurant. If anything, it was almost too much of a good thing. But the staff was knowledgeable about all of the food, which enhanced our dining experience. Food. We opted for the five-course tasting menu, which was punctuated with a few little surprises from the kitchen. The first four courses were outstanding. The quail was the standout. But the desert was a slight let down. The raspberry sauce was so tart and potent that overwhelmed the chocolate cup with cheese cake filling. Woodfire is not cheap, but it is a nice treat when you are in the mood for a special dinner.
(4)
Erich F.

The chefs sampler provided several varieties of small dishes. The trout was amazing and left me wanting more! Great concept and the smell alone in here makes it worth every penny. The staff was amazing also, very friendly yet amazingly professional. We will be back.
(5)
Sylvia B.

4.5 stars oh mannn i've loved kevin ever since seeing him on top chef. my favorite contestant so far. i was sad i wasn't able to see him @ his restaurant, but the food did NOT disappoint we informed the waiter that my sister was vegan and they were more than accomodating although some of their dishes could not be made fully vegan (my sister was willing to be vegetarian for a day). they came out with two amuse bouches, one that was with beet and creme fraiche for me and some picked vegetables for my sister. delicious!! i had the risotto to start (a tad bit salty, but very good) and my sister had a vegetable soup. for entrees, i ordered the duck breast cooked medium (perfect!) and it was one of the best duck breasts ive had. tender, flavorful, im drooling thinking about it now. my sister had a vegetable gratin sort of dish, minus the cheese. i'm not sure how they made it, but she said it was amazing. we both opted not to get dessert since we were pretty full @ this point. service was impeccable and they so gracious in understanding our needs. i definitely recommend!
(5)
Shannon H.

Not surprising given all the other ratings, this was likely the best meal I've had in a decade. We splurged and did the seven course tasting with wine pairings, resulting in a very happy tummy & a squiffy head. Outstanding service and food, 5 stars ++.
(5)
Claire S.

I love this place!! Wednesday was the 3rd time we've been there and it is always amazing. The chef's tasting is what we always do but this was the first time we were sober to remember it so that was very nice. And you will want to remember it because it is soo good. Courses were: rock shrimp, scallops, risotto, quail and pork belly, bison mmm and then dessert which was chocolate bread pudding with coffee icecream. The service here is always fantastic, the food is amazing, the risotto is the best risotto I've ever had in my life hands down (and being part italian I eat risotto all the time) and the pork belly is always amazing. Everything was great and the tasting is always different and I can't wait to go again!!! Also they gave us a personalized menu when we left that typed out all our courses and had our names on it which was really sweet. Love this place!!
(5)
Susan P.

Absolutely terrific food. It was delicious and special but not at all pretentious. The wine list was awesome too with a great selection of choices under $60 and many under $50. The lobster corn dog and the octopus hot dog were both absolutely delightful. Great combination of flavors and textures. Bison Wellington was cooked to perfection. Quite big so I recommend sharing. If you are still hungry you can always get another lobster corn dog or fries, which were also great. Got the cherry shoe buckle too which was totally awesome. Great service too. Good option for a group of 6-10 as they have semi private rooms an the edges that work great for groups of that size. If you are in Atlanta and gave a biz dinner this is the place!
(5)
Jessica M.

I like that Kathleen M. said this experience reminded her of what home should be. Warm, inviting, sweet, delicious - I brought my mom here and we had the wonderful 5 course tasting menu - complete with extras: feta/peach amuse bouche - mint/fennel palate cleanser half way through!! The pinot noir wine suggested by the somelier was a PERFECT compliment. I'm kicking myself for not remembering the name to buy a bottle myself at the store :( Definitely worth the hype without the pretension you'd expect at these prices!
(5)
Ferdinand H.

The Woodfire is very pleasant in decor and atmosphere, with woods of a golden nut colour, softly lit, accenting the warm tones of the furnishings. It's not a typical east or southeast kind of decor, and actually reminds me of something a bit further out west. The restaurant's furnishings are only a prelude to the meal, however and I was deeply satisfied with the appetizers and entrees that my party enjoyed. We quaffed a bottle of Syrah, and enjoyed the 3 steaks we ordered, each subtly and effectively seasoned -- not at all hiding the native flavours of the beef -- indeed only accenting it. The chef's salad preparations were also blessed with the freshest ingredients and delicate flavourings that ensured continued interest in my salad from first bite to last; without dousing the affair in overwhelming sauce. :) Intimate and enjoyable. Urbane, yet with a taste of the sylvan.
(4)
Kurt S.

Being from out of town, I stumbled into Woodfire Grill mostly unaware of it's acclaim. I was looking for a restaurant that served local and seasonal ingredients. Lucky for me, it was packed and the only seat available without a wait was at the bar. I've got nothing against the servers there, but in all of my subsequent visits, the bar was my go-to spot. The food was delicious from the amuse-bouche to the digestif. The preparation is creative without being coy. The flavors are sumptuous without being too heavy. I appreciate the smaller portion size, as you really should get several courses.. .and enjoy several of their cocktails, beers, and/or wines. Blake the bartender (who I am not stalking) and his cohorts mix up a mean drink complete with ingredient exposÃ©, and are happy to tweak a recipe to meet your tastes (read: more rye!). I even got to see Mr. Famous Chef Man through the gaggle of women taking photos with him...
(5)
Katherine S.

Wow. I went in to see what "Top Chef Kevin" was made of, and I was blown away. I went to dinner with 5 other girls, and we all loved our meals. Chef Kevin even came in to talk to us. (no spoilers, though!) All of the food was thoughtfully prepared and well-portioned. I loved the southern influences, and the quality of the ingredients was unbeatable. Lots of focus on local, organic product. The space is nice on the inside, but in a random location across from a strip club. I swear I've driven by this place around 50 times and never thought it was anything special. It's a little more pricey than your average dinner out, but definitely worth it. I want to go back to try the 3 or 5-course dinner with wine pairings. Good date spot, or place to take the in-laws.
(5)
Scott M.

One of the best places in Atlanta in my opinion. I've been coming here since it opened and every time has been nearly flawless. It has fit well with nice night out with friends or for date nights, and they capture the tone of what you're going for perfectly -for a birthday party, they were boisterous, for dates, it's been quietly respectful and attentive. I appreciate that they're carrying on Tuohy's philosophy of organic, sustainable and local ingredients. Grumpy members of local food forums like to bicker over this point, but it does matter, and thankfully this does match very well with the quality of the ingredients. I had the vegetarian tasting menu last time, even though I'm not a vegetarian myself, and it was awesome. I had chosen this place because my date was a veggie and I wanted to go to a place where it wasn't an afterthought. I hate beets, and they sent some out as a freebie, gently roasted, and I still hated them, but it was the best hated food I ever had.
(5)
Lee Ann D.

OBSESSED!!! We drove from Charlotte for a meeting and decided this was where we wanted to go. Yes Top Chef helped influence our decision and of course Kevin being one of our favorites BUT the menu looked delicious as well!! We didn't have a reservation but decided to try it at the bar, we did have to wait for a chair to open up so the three of us could all sit, so we sat at a bar table while waiting had some of the best cocktails!! The Peach Blossom was just so fresh and refreshing that I had 3 along with my sister! We sat down probably 30-40 mins later and now at this time we all had pretty much made up our mind on what we were going to have, little did we realize the Bartender could be so persuasive!! We opted for the 5 course tasting menu upon his recommendation and it definitely didn't disappoint!! We had some pretty amazing things starting with the fried mushrooms that are soaked in the sage water bath (possibly the best thing I've ever had fried!!) over a cheese fondue!! Then served Steelhead Trout over a spicy tomato sauce also very good I didn't even realize I was eating fish!! then came a Steamed Oyster with a Bacon Prosciutto smoked aioli. A Roasted Quail with Pork Belly (cooked perfectly) with fresh vegetables. and then the last was Antelope with a Cranberry painted sauce along with a coffee reduction served with a Brussel sprout medley it was sooo lean and had such great flavor!! It also came with dessert we had 2 kinds one was a vanilla bread pudding with apples and ice cream and the other a chocolate crepe with a chocolate cake batter filling both were very good and they had the best Chamomile Tea we each had one!! My only regret is that we don't go to ATL enough for work so I can eat here every week!!!
(5)
Sara S.

I finally made it to Woodfire Grill to see the Great Kevin Gillespie and team. I get the hype, the man has some serious skills! All in season, local, and sustainable - it really doesn't get any better. If you go, opt for the tasting menu. It is a bit more than a la carte, but totally worth it. We chose the 5 course (the 7 seemed like a bit much for our bellies) He made a special pescatarian menu for me with shrimp, squid, and veggie items with a sea bass finale. My Mom had the the shrimp and squid first courses followed by the signature pork belly, quail, and lastly duck. Everything was beyond fantastic. The flavors are complex without being overpowering - perfectly sauced, and pretty much a beautiful symphony in your mouth. The ambiance and service are 5 star without being too stuffy. Indy music plays quietly in the background and the servers are all super approachable. At one point, I was unsure of the appropriate etiquette for eating the "amuse" which was served on a ceramic spoon - but our server was awesome and didn't make me feel silly for asking. All items come from local farms and taste super fresh. Even the cocktails there are organic - there are no mixers behind the bar. My mom asked for a Lynchburg Lemonade before we were seated and he made the Lemonade right there! I'll be back for sure. The love and care that goes into the menu is an Atlanta experience not to be missed.
(5)
Gavra B.

So I got suckered into coming here because of all the hype around Top Chef. My BF and I finally made it in back in January for my birthday after over a year of talking about going. We were less than impressed. Both of us ordered the 5-course tasting menu. For $65 a pop, I expected to be blown away. The reality is - the portions are small. TINY in fact. Do not come here starving, because if you do, you will either leave hungry or broke. The Breakdown....the GOOD: the service was excellent, as I expected, although I wasn't really blown away by that either. The quail was amazingly delicious, but the portion size was so tiny that I felt cheated. The scallops were very good as well. I had a cocktail called "Farmer's Daughter" that was outstanding!! And, it was a nice touch that the menu was printed with a "Happy Birthday, Gavra" on it. OH, and they gave us complimentary dark chocolate truffles that were DEELISH :) the BAD: Um...okay, so nothing was really bad.... The chocolate tart dessert was okay...the pork loin with winter greens was tasty but the portion of greens was so small it was a tease. The open kitchen was a nice feature, but I didn't really like the setup or decor of the restaurant. And the bar area is just so overly casual it kind of takes away from the 'upscale factor' of the restaurant. I think my main gripe was the value I derived from the meal. For an expensive meal, I expected more. Last year we went to Bacchanalia for my birthday, and I was blown away. I would return there in a heartbeat and gladly pay whatever it takes to eat that deliciousness. Woodfire, not so much.
(3)
Al M.

My fiance and I had been wanting to try Woodfire for some time, and made reservations for a Saturday night. As with the other customers, I was contacted to ensure that we had no dietary restrictions or allergies. We were greeted at the door and escorted to our seats and greeted by our excellent server, Geoffrey. I personally enjoy the ambiance of the restaurant. I think it's clean and contemporary with a cabin feel. Before this dining experience I had only sat at their bar before. I like that the bar and restaurant feel like two different settings. The music was not too loud, the lighting was great for date night, and it always helps to have a roaring fire on going in the oven which is visible from the dining room. Service was exceptional. These are not your average servers, these people understand the food and where it comes from, this is their passion. Can't ask for better than that. We ended up doing the a-la-carte menu rather than the chef-tasting, which worked well for us. We love to taste each others meals, but enjoy our own. My fiancee, being a pork enthusiast like Top Chef Kevin Gillespie, was thrilled Kevin was working the grill Saturday night, and was sure to order the Pork Belly and the Pork Tenderloin, both were divine. I ordered the Halibut, and I can say it is one of the best pieces of fish I have ever had. This is coming from not only a Miami Beach native, but someone who has also fished and dined of the coast of Alaska (Homer, Halibut capital of the world!) many times. This halibut was perfectly cooked and flavored, and not to mention a VERY large piece of fish. The restaurant has an excellent beverage selection as well. I love the "bartender's choice" idea, and he was spot on with my fiance's choice of a "brown" cocktail. I had intended on ordering wine with my fish, but after having the "Farmer's Daughter" as my initial cocktail, I decided it was too good not to have another one! The restuarant was aware of our Birthday & Anniversary celebration, and they brought us personalized menus, signed by the Top Chef himself. We both left completely stuffed and totally impressed. This will for sure be one of our date-night spots for a long time....
(5)
Naveen D.

My sister and I did the tasting menu. I did the 5 course and she did the 4 course vegetarian tasting menu. We were both exceptionally pleased with the quality of the food, its presentation, and our service. I'm sure tasting menus will change from day to day but my tastings featured various pork products from bacon to smoked belly. My fourth course was a glazed quail. Everything was cooked to perfection and the flavors were wonderful. Instead of wine we opted for their interesting cocktails. The blackberry one was delicious. Two tasting menus ($65 for me and $53 for the veg menu) + 4 cocktails, tax and gratuity @ 20% was $205. Your tasting menu will likely come with two additional "courses" of an amuse bouche at the start as well as a chef's choice dessert at the end. I plan on returning to try other entrees.
(4)
Vang H.

My boyfriend has been raving about this place since we first met and I thought I'd comply a couple of weeks ago. Great decision as I was not disappointed in any aspect. Everyone there was extremely nice and our server was a delight. The owners did come out to greet us and though it doesn't impact the rating, it was an added bonus as it was a full house. Now, to the important part: the food. We did the five course tasting which was a combination of the plethora of different dishes from the classic menu. I won't list the whole menu (mainly because I don't remember ^_^ ), but each dish was cooked to perfection- the mushroom infused risotto (I could have made a meal out of just this), duck, pork belly, and scallop. Oh, we were served banana fritters over some type of cream, topped with candied bacon. I was a bit shocked by the topping, but I was again surprised. Every single bite (and sip) was bursting with flavor and as I'm typing this at 9:30 AM, my taste buds are starting to salivate and will be paying this place another visit! The chef and sous chef did an amazing job; def in my top 3!
(5)
Sally S.

Our favorite restaurant. Slow food savvy and impeccable service. Love Bernard!
(5)
Robin F.

Amazing! Admittedly I am a little star stuck in front of famous restaurant chefs (put me in front of a celebrity no, but in front of a culinary genius yes.) We were visiting our former stomping ground for the weekend and decided to make a reservation at Woodfire Grill after following Kevin on Top Chef. The restaurant definitely lives up to the hype. Our waiter Blake was wonderful - so knowledgeable, consistent, and helpful during our experience. I opted for the arugula salad with pork belly salad and the pork loin, while my boyfriend was adventurous and got the 3 course tasting menu. I must say while my meal was good, his was wonderful! Every course was so simple and tasty and just made you smile. I won't go into all the details about each course but feel free to send me a message if you want the details. Definitely one of our top meals ever!! And of course to top it off, after mentioning it to our server, I got my much anticipated picture with Kevin (who is such a sweetheart) and forgot to mention our table was watching their open pit area where Kevin was standing by us the whole night making sure each plate that went out was perfect (Awesome) :o) An experience to remember!
(5)
ariel b.

Delicious! We had the 5 course tasting menu, and everything was really, really good. The service was excellent from the hostess greeting us at the door, to our waiter JR, to the cheerful "thanks for coming" from the bartender on the way out. JR checked for allergies before we started (I have some) and then was really good about making sure I had what I needed. The only negative, for me, was that the savory dishes seemed over-salted, but bear in mind that I use almost NO salt when I cook/eat. The ambience was really nice: warm and comfortable, and I liked that they provided stain sticks in the ladies room, as I tend toward mishaps :) Overall - it was a great experience!
(4)
Sarah H.

We came on a whim. He was wearing khakis and a polo, and I a jersey dress. I had heard this place served really fresh and organic food and I wanted to try it. I wasn't prepared for what I got. We walked in and immediately I knew this place was fancy. We had to walk the length of a room to get to the host podium, he asked, "do you have reservations?".... uh-oh. No, we didn't. "oh, oh, I'm sure we could accommodate you", he said, in a half-stutter. I wanted to turn and run. This place was tooo fancy. While they prepared our table we sat at the bar and I had the best cocktail in Atlanta: a gin, fruity mixture. Amazing. We sat on the lovely patio. And we perused the menu. We decided on the Chef Special, a three course meal. Now, I love Top Chef, but I've never eaten any "Top-Chef" items. This place has that Top Chef style. First was a spoon with a variety of mixed items. Then was this amazing scallop over a bean and bacon sauce. Honestly, they listed all the items on the dish as they came out, but it was all a blur. The whole time I kept thinking, "this is the type of place you go to celebrate, like a graduation or something...". The Service: Top Notch. The Food: High Class. The Verdict: Go Prepared.
(4)
Sarah B.

Going out to eat with my family can be a challenge. My mother is a vegan, my father is a real meat and potatoes type who likes nonalcoholic beer with his dinner, and although I am not a picky eater, I have a food allergy. Woodfire went above and beyond to accommodate us. They (Kevin?) made my mom a special vegan entree which she devoured. My father enjoyed his shrimp trio and pork loin with Buckler. I ate to my heart's content without worrying about allergies because they were so careful to make sure everything was safe. The waitress suggested amazing wine pairings for each of my courses (the curried peekytoe crab salad and the pork loin, both of which were out of this world). The food was amazing, but what really stood out was the service. Every time the waitress came by it was a continuation of our previous conversation and she was very attentive and very accommodating. Also, the a la carte menu is extremely reasonably priced, especially considering the quality of the food. I have reservations in August when my BFF comes into town and next time I am going to spring for the tasting menu. Overall, an excellent experience, and if you have any dietary restrictions you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant that takes better care of you and your needs. Hands down my favorite restaurant in Atlanta.
(5)
Ashley H.

It was indeed a pleasant surprise when I came to realize that the chef was on top chef las vegas! though i don't watch the show consistently i was willing to give him a chance to see what he had to offer. The atmosphere is very nice, you know how some restaurant is extremely dimly lit that you feel really sleepy? Well, Woodfire Grill gave a warm and friendly environment and there was enough light but not so bright so it wasn't invasive. We had the 5 chef's tasting menu, which was a perfect amount of food. not too much but so little that i was leaving still hungry. Each course was explained enthusiastically by staff, and they were very very friendly. I definitely think Kevin Gilespie has a great staff/team with him and that Woodfire Grill is entirely worth it.
(5)
Jen C.

Since we tried the tasting menu two years ago, we've been wanting to come back to WG to try the regular menu. They didn't have the Fall Classic cocktail, one of my favorite cocktails of all time, so that was a bummer. But I did have the Lost in Rangoon which I really liked and the Farmers Daughter which was a little too tart for me. We ordered the fried green tomatoes to start, the risotto, and then I had the beef loin, while the rest of the table ordered the pork as that seems to be Kevin's specialty. We also got a bottle of Tempranillo Cerro Anon Reserva, Rioja 2001, which was a very good wine, and was very well received by our entire table. It came at the recommendation of our waitress and the eccentric sommielier confirmed that it was "gorgeous" with its' notes of leather and spice box.
(4)
Jeffrey V.

Wood fire Grill was exceptional, great service and atmosphere, excellent food all courses. A place I would highly recommend - I'll go again.
(5)
Ppf G.

Wow! We got there very late, but it was still rather busy. Our waitress was still very cheerful and did not act in that hurried way some wait staff react when they see people arriving at the end of their shifts. This restaurant only serves what's in season and the freshest of all foods. Preparation of each dish was created w imagination and simply deliciously incredible! We did the 7 course tasting and they accommodated me with a few slight requests and did not give me the "I'll have to check with the kitchen.." or "Oh.. We don't usually do that, but let me ask the manager..". Waitress simply said with a genuine smile, "Of course, I'll let the chef know.." Every course was impeccably prepared, and the flavors all integrated perfectly. Woodfire is a must do!
(5)
Frank W.

Probably one of the best restaurants in Atlanta. Phenomenal food, bread and cheese selection. You can dine here as cheap or as expensive as you want to make that evening. They got you covered. Free valet parking (Yes, I am cheap and would not consider a place without free parking of some kind!). Please be kind and tip! BIG MINUS: The owners never come out to greet the guests and talk with them. Understanding they are busy running the front and back, it's a differentiator that makes a guest come back to a restaurant versus another. Even Guenther [Seeger] made it out of the kitchen every so often. And he was certainly not the social kind. Verdict: Well worth it. I personally don't go that often. However, it's a place for a beautiful date night. You won't be disappointed!
(4)
Hector M.

One of the best restaurants in Atlanta and possibly the Southeast...I will spare you the details of my meal as the menu is changed daily based on what produce / ingredients are in season yet everything I ordered was superb and exceeded any expectation I may have had. The slow food movement in Atlanta has a true jewel in this restaurant. Service was extremely attentive, knowledgeable, personable. For serious foodies this is a must. Prices quite reasonable for the experience. Civilized and understated crowd. Five stars for sure!
(5)
Kelly S.

In a word? Amazing. Woodfire Grill is easily one of the top five meals I've had in my lifetime, and I rank it up there with Emeril Lagasse's restaurant in Vegas. I brought my husband, sister-in-law, and her husband to this restaurant just before Thanksgiving. My brother-in-law told me later that he was a bit worried as we approached the restaurant given all of the strip clubs on the way, but inevitably he was so glad that he trusted me. We had a reservation, and although we were early for the reservation they were easily able to accommodate us. The woodfire grill in the kitchen is a wonderful addition to the restaurant, and we were able to smell the smoke from the fire upon entering. Our service was incredibly prompt, efficient, and courteous. What I could appreciate about this restaurant was one of the things that impressed me about Emeril's restaurant: attention to detail. I sat across the table from my sister-in-law, and my husband was across from my brother-in-law and we were in a booth. The staff placed both plates for me and my sister-in-law down on the table at the same time, and the same was true for my husband and brother in law. We were given the appropriate place settings for each course that we ordered. But now the part of the review you really care about: the food. This was fantastic. For the most part we ordered things that were different from one another, and I tried each of everything. Although I am adventurous with food, I don't consider myself adventurous with proteins. There are certain proteins I just do not like and am sometimes not willing to try. Largely I don't experiment with some fish because I'm just not sure I'll like it. With that said, I decided to try Octopus for my first course. Given Chef Gillespie's reputation, I thought that if I was ever going to try a different protein, I trusted that it would be prepared as well as it could be under his guidance. Sure enough, I was right. What a delightful surprise. It was not tough or chewy in any way, and it was so beautifully prepared. Everyone at the table was amazed by the preparation. I also tried the oysters which were amazing, and the squash soup with crab. Our second course included pork belly, and risotto. Both were absolutely perfect. Finally my third course of Duck was perhaps one of the best preparations I've had in quite awhile. I truly could not believe how wonderful this place was. I love the idea of using what is locally sourced and in season to shape a menu. The fact that this restaurant changes as often as it does allows for a unique dining experience every time you come. Dessert is just so whimsical and fun. I went with the waitress' recommendation of Toffee, and it was so incredibly rich and filling. I also loved the play on PB&J - it was just so whimsical! We all left with a pleasantly full stomach from our meals, and such great memories. My brother and sister-in-law were pleasantly surprised by this meal and have both said that they would absolutely be coming back in the near future. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. As for attire, they told us business casual but also advised that some diners come in with jeans, some come in wearing cocktail dresses - it is whatever you are most comfortable. We were all dressed in jeans and nice shirts/polos/sweaters and were not turned away.
(5)
Rachel B.

I will be short so as to not be redundant. Delicious, well-crafted and fun. We went for a special occasion and were treated to free champagne. Also, we decided to trust the discretion of the chef and had the 3 course tasting menu. We were given a scallop first course which was very delicate, the quail main course which made me salivate after ever bite and then the deconstructed key-lime pie...I almost creamed my pants! yes...I did! There is a sommelier on call to assist with any wine questions and the wait and bar staff are disgustingly nice and genuine. Also they are sure to support local farms and farmers, buying their produce from the Georgia community. If you have any questions (or are curious about a CSA as I was) the wait-staff is very knowledgeable about their products and will be willing to answer any questions. The only reason I wouldn't give Woodfire Grill 5 stars is that it is very expensive for the portion size. I wouldn't suggest going if you are very hungry...although the deserts were comparatively very large. We will be sure to go again for our next special occasion.
(4)
Valerie B.

Just went back and the food and service were as fantastic as before. Looking forward to coming back one day.
(5)
J. J.

We did a five course tasting last night. It's the best food I've had in Atlanta, and it's attributable to the chef's skills, staffs' attention, and local, organic-sourced ingredients. The meats are smoked to melt-in-the-mouth perfection. White Oaks Pasture provided the strip steak, which was amazing. The Benton's bacon was like a cube of smokey candy. The Berkshire Pig bellies were roasted into woodfire butter. I tasted the sea in every bite o' tender scallop... Eh, I could go on and on about hedgehog mushrooms, wild rice risotto, semolina gnocchi, but why regurgitate my meal in text? Instead, I strongly encourage you to go. Grab the three course tasting and you'll bounce out full and giddy. It sounds corny, but I couldn't help but think last night that, wow, these folks REALLY respect food and do wonderful things with it.
(5)
Cindy T.

I cannot rave enough about this restaurant. We went 2 nights ago, Wednesday night, no reservation. We were seated immediately. The ambiance is nice and quiet, good music playing in the background. We splurged and went for the 7 course tasting menu which is really a TWELVE item menu as they don't even count things like the "taste" of soup and "pre-dessert." EVERY dish was creative, unique, delicious and fresh. We loved the entire experience and detailed description of each dish. The only disappointment was the bread, which was cold and nothing special. While expensive, it was definitely worth every dollar and we will be back!
(5)
Alma K.

This was the best date spot! My boyfriend and I went here for the first time and we just fell in love with it! The service was phenomenal and the food was to die for! I HIGHLY recommend this restaurant! :D
(5)
George H.

Came here on 9.19.09. My birthday. It proved to be a great birthday dinner and the 3-course tasting with wine pairing was a great recommendation. I started off the meal with extreme hope that I would spot the Top Chef contestant and perhaps sneak a hint on far he had progressed. No such luck, as my waiter had lied and told me that the Chef would step in before proceeding home. He did step in, but my waiter forgot to notify him and therefore my birthday was ruined..... Well not so much. After the amuse, the meal progressed wonderfully. Everything was well thought out and the fried okra amuse was delightful. My table of 8 each varied in our choices, but the majority went with the tasting. Minus a few food allergies, we attacked the wine menu and were presently surprised the whole night. I will be returning to attempt a another meet and greet. On another note, it was not Kevin cooking that night. He claims that he cooks every night on Top Chef, that was not true for the Saturday night that I visited.
(5)
Chef Invisible T.

I know the three stars is going against the grain for Yelp reviews and my opinion is based upon price, execution, service, organization, and flavor. The menu is rather small and focused which I like, but the overall depth of flavor was not as what I would expect from the ingredients and menu descriptions. They just missed on the seasoning and pop in the cuisine that I was so hoping for. My foie( which I will always order) lacked proper acid balance and was over cooked. My Culotte Steak was over done as well and just with the nature of the cut was lacking in a well executed sauce to save from the blandness of the overall dish. Chef Kevin seems like he knows what he is doing but maybe lacks the talent around him to pull off his vision.The pastry department is definately in need of some guidance. I hope to retry Woodfire soon so that I can experience more items and get a full view of their approach.
(3)
Elise S.

Service was excellent. Food not that great. Had the 7 tasting menu with pairings and def did not feel spoiled in any capacity for as much money we spent. The sweetbreads and short ribs were dry. My favorite part was dessert which I would def go back for. Disappointed because Kevin is my favorite top chef contestant ever but he wasn't there when we went.
(3)
Abby C.

Loved it! We want to make this a yearly tradition when we visit Atlanta. I tried the vegetarian 5 course tasting and they were accommodating to my dislike of mushrooms. My husband loved the pescatarian 5 course tasting. Service was excellent. Food was outstanding. Pricey, worth it for a special occasion. Booth was not very comfortable.
(5)
Occy V.

Im going to keep this one simple - The wait time was a bit rediculous even with reservations, luckily the cocktails were so amazing and delicous that we forgot we waited 45 minutes. I kind of expected this though with it being so popular. I havent seen anyone mention this in glancing the other reviews but they actually cook on a wood fire grill :) That is just pure awesomeness in itself. I ordered the pork loin which was simple and perfectly cooked with endives on the side. I tried my friends scallops as well and even she agreed that they quite possibly were some of the best weve had to date. Good job WFG !
(5)
Erica J.

D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!!!! after many attempts to get a reservation for a friday night, we finally went last night- we were excited and super hungry. before we were seated i ordered the 'farmer's daughter' cocktail, apparently a drink the bartender just came up with the other day. cucumber and ginger vodka something or other and it was sooooooooooo frreakin' good. when we were walked into the dining room for dinner, the smell was overwhelming- good yummy smell as you first walk past the woodfire grill, where the chefs was grilling and cooking. for starters we ordered the frisee salad and split pea soup. the salad was fresh and crisp. we think the croutons were soaked in bacon, they had a great buttery smoky flavor to them. my pea soup was creamy but light and incredibly tasty. we then had the diver scallops served with lentils and the peppadew peppers stuffed with crab salad. again, delicious plates. i wish i had a pair of chopsticks to pick up every lentil, i each much faster and more efficiently with chopsticks. for our main entrees, my husband ordered the berkshire pork and i ordered the duck breast. i'm not a pork eater but had to taste. i found it a bit too raw and salty for me but he enjoyed it. the duck breast was cooked perfectly, rich, moist, and flavorful. of course we had to order dessert to complete our meal- the apple cake and triple ice cream sandwiches. the chewy meringue-like cookies used for the ice cream sandwiches were so yummy. i love chewy cookies. the apple cake was just so-so, not a terribly impressive creation. at the end of our meal, we were stuffed and very very happy. with our meals, 2 drinks each, and tip, our bill came out close to $200. pricey yes, but we will certainly return as their menus change daily depending on the local produce. thank you chef kevin for a wonderful evening!
(5)
Jessie C.

Kevin's cooking as well as his demeanor on Top Chef continued to impress us throughout this past season. Week after week we looked forward to seeing the dishes Kevin put together and, as a meat-loving household, found ourselves salivating over the vegetarian dish he prepared for Natalie Portman. As our trip date moved closer, I started checking the ever-changing dinner menu to see what local ingredients Kevin and his staff were using and our anticipation grew. Luckily, our experience at Woodfire Grill lived up to our expectations and then some. We arrived early and were seated near the bar to wait for our reservation (a note to those who don't want to wait for reservations, seating at the bar is saved for walk-ins; a couple walked in around 6 and were seated immediately at the bar). Bryan ordered the Bradley (wathen's single barrel bourbon, ginger shrub peach bitters and soda water) and I ordered the Granny Orchard (hayman's old tom gin, fresh granny apple juice, lemon bitters and soda water). The Granny Orchard was refreshing with a little bit of tartness and I enjoyed the fresh slice of granny smith apple and rosemary sprig garnish. Before we were seated, we were lucky enough to get a picture with Chef Kevin. We were seated and as we perused the menu, we talked about the atmosphere and how much we enjoyed the wood paneling, the various seating arrangements and rustic touches, such as the copper-topped bar and old wood wine wracks used almost as decorative sconces, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in the bar and dining area. I digress...on to the food. After our amuse-bouche of beet salad, I started with my first course of cream of local cauliflower soup served with truffled cauliflower. The soup was creamy with a smooth texture and seemed to have a hint of sour cream in it. The truffled cauliflower was crisp on the outside, providing a nice contrast to the soup. My second course was heirloom pumpkin carnaroli risotto (local pumpkin puree, roasted vegetable jus, pecorino frica and quince). There wasn't an overwhelming pumpkin flavor to the risotto - it was more of an earthy vegetable flavor, which was very pleasant. The risotto had a nice mouth feel as well. It was a delicious second course. My third course consisted of a wood grilled painted hills strip loin served with grilled baby romaine, parmesan and garlic fingerlings and charred lemon vinaigrette. My strip loin was delicious - it was a thick cut of beef and was cooked perfectly. It was simply seasoned, which let the beef speak for itself. The parmesan and garlic fingerlings were delicious, particularly the mix of parmesan, garlic and what appeared to be finely chopped chives. I could have had a plate of just the parmesan, garlic and chives and would have been happy. The grilled romaine had an interesting flavor and grilling it really brought out the earthy flavor of the lettuce. Each element was delicious on its own, but was made even better when they were all combined into one bite. I had tried to save room for my third course by not eating all of my first and second, but I had trouble finishing my strip loin and felt guilty for leaving some on my plate. With that said, I "forced" myself to order a dessert. The banana cake had my name on it as I'd been eyeing it for weeks online. The banana cake consisted of brown sugar bacon buttercream, fried banana ice cream, salted caramel and banana chips. The cake was moist and between the layers was the heavenly brown sugar bacon buttercream. This melted in my mouth and felt and tasted sinful. The ice cream and salted caramel were delicious as well, and the crunchy little banana chips were a great finishing touch. As I told our waiter, I would have licked the plate clean if I'd been at home. And trust me, I was tempted to do so at the restaurant. Yes, I did chicken out and not taste Bryan's sweetbreads. I do regret it a bit since he's been raving about them since they touched his lips. He ordered the arugula salad with grapefruit supremes and beets with a chevre dressing, crisp fried natural veal sweetbreads, wood grilled sonoma artisan duck breast and a blue cheese and honeycomb dessert. He said it was the perfect meal and I concur.
(5)
Rachel P.

I am a big fan of Kevin's from Top Chef and was not disappointed in the unique flavors offered in the 3 course tasting menu that I ordered for my first real life taste of his food. The first two courses were a quite rushed-despite our request to dine slowly, but they made up for it with a cheese course and the proper tempo for the rest of the meal. The service was excellent and wonderfully subtle. My only warning is that you should not go to this restaurant hungry. The courses are not cheap and they are TINY (I am a size 6 girl with a regular appetite, so if I think its tiny, it likely is). So either come prepared, or hit the bread basket hard in between courses...
(4)
Scottie Beth F.

By far one of my favorite restaurants in Atlanta. We get the blind menu with wine pairings every time we eat here (pricey, but worth it!) Our servers have been the perfect mix of helpful, but letting us do our own thing. Love the food presentation and the flavor description is always interesting. The wine pairings are AMAZING.
(5)
Jessica C.

Came here to eat during a business trip so it was on the expense account. From watching Top Chef, I knew there would be some very good pork on the menu. Upon entering the place, you feel like you're in the waiting area of a doctors office. There are little vignettes of sofas/chairs as well as a community table in the front waiting area. My friend and I started off at the bar and had one of their specialty cocktails. Very good and strong to start off the night. They guys at the bar are very friendly and knowledgable about their beverages. Let's get to the important stuff.... the food! We decided to go ith the five course tasting menu rather than ordering a la carte so we could taste all that the chef had to offer. The tasting is a blind tasting so we had no idea what we had for each course. 1st course - Flash fried okra with a chickpea and corn relish. The sauce that came with this dish had indian spices like tumeric, cumin, etc. It definitely had some heat to it. The okra was cooked well and didn't have the goopy texture that many people are turned off by. The dish was good but I keep finding myself forgetting what the first course was when I think about our meal. 2nd course - Squid ink rice. On a normal day, I would never had ordered this. To my delight, I really enjoyed this dish. I thought maybe it would have a fishy smell or taste bloody but it had a nice silky texture. 3rd course - Pan seared qual and pork belly. YUMM!! Again, probably would have never ordered quail but I really enjoyed it. It was drizzled with a house made hot sauce that was sweet & tangy. And of course the pork belly. I savored every bite. Salty & crisp...it was delicious! 4th course - Duck with a blueberry reduction and candied pecans. This course tasted like dessert. The perfect bite was a bit of duck dabbed in the blueberry sauce and a bit of the pecans. It was like a savory blueberry dessert. 5th course - Blueberry ice cream on top of a blueberry semolina cake. YUMMMM!!! Blueberries are obviously in season. Again I savored every bite of this dish. I tried to eat slow but still had to go fast enough that all my ice cream didn't melt. On the side was also some sort of white chocolate thing that tasted a bit like cheese. Whatever it was, that was delish too. And you wonder why I keep forgetting what the first course was. It was a great journey for my taste buds. I can only imagine what the seven course tasting would have been like. We left completely full and happy. If you're looking for a food adventure, definitely try the tasting menus!
(5)
Young Mi K.

I came here with a group of friends for a dinner. At first I was hesitant because I am doing Daniel Fast, which is no meats, cheese, sugar diet. I called ahead to see if they can make a veggie platter of some sort ahead before I committed to the dinner. I came to dinner and the waitress was amazing. She was friendly, cool, and made our dinner service so enjoyable. They were very attentive with our dietary needs and very accommodating. She came back to ask if we can have honey. We cannot. The look on the chef's face was priceless... you can see his face thinking.. what the heck am I suppose to cook? The waitress didn't tell us the name of our dishes until they came out. It was one of the best vegetable dishes that I had. I think after the fast, I would go back to Woodfire Grill just for the vegetarian menu's!
(4)
David G.

The menu here is divided into First, Second, Third. The server said they recommend getting one from each section. This is basically code for the portions are on the smaller side. Since I normally only order a main course, I decided to blow the expense per diem and get a dish from the First and Third categories. I opted for the baby arugula salad from the First category: aged country ham, local figs, sheep's milk ricotta dressing, fig vinaigrette. This is a little salty from the ham and a little sweet from the figs. A very tasty dish. From the Third category: grilled berkshire pork loin - coppa wrapped green onions, sweet corn anson mills polenta, roasted pork jus, minus 8 vinegar. Another fine dish.
(5)
Alex D.

This place is a feast for all senses. It looks great. It smells great. It makes you feel great when you're sitting there. While you are feasting on their food, they are definitely feasting on your wallet. Ok, the wife was jammed in traffic and called from the Cheshire Bridge road and said she couldn't take it anymore and was pulling over for a drink. Told her to check if we could get into Woodfire. She did, we could, we met. The bar has VERY attentive bar tenders who know their stuff. Very cool homemade cocktails with homemade ingredients. We sat and saw the chef preparing plates at the grill. Nice to see a chef that really works, and isn't an ego-jerk-face. We did the 5 course tasting menu for $65 each and went on a field trip through a culinary Disneyland. Delicious. All of it. I didn't take notes on what everything was but there was quail, which I normally would laugh at but was very tasty. All sorts of local vegetables and smoked purees---yum. Anyone with a curiosity in a higher level of food should try this place. It is a perfect mix of traditional, new and funky ingredients cooking methods and presentation.
(4)
Alain L.

Certainly one of the best dining experiences I've had in the Atlanta area. Since it's a Tuesday night, the restaurant is rather sedate. I find a nice spot at the bar and I'm immediately greeted by Dan, who was my bartender as well as gastronomic guide for the evening. The 5 course was interesting to me, each course was more and more alluring and luscious. A few of the highlights were the grilled scallops on a bed of corn and leeks and the duck confit which was so creamy and delicious. I will say though that the highlight was one that Chef Gillespie literally threw together. He prepared shrimp on top of risotto with fried pork skins. Trust me, when I say the flavors for this particular dish was amazing. Another fantastic highlight was actually meeting Bernard, one of the owners as well as having a brief conversation with Chef Gillespie. These guys have a lot of pride in what they do and it shows. Highly recommended!
(5)
Chris T.

I've passed by this place for years, but until this season's Top Chef, hadn't heard anything about it to drive me there. Glad we finally made it. We walked in on a Thursday night, no reservation, and sat at the bar for dinner like we usually do anyway. We have the scallops/proscuitto and chantrell mushrooms for appetizers. Great apps! The we had the tenderloin and duck breast dinners. Cooked to perfection! The collard greens as a side on the tenderloin dish were fantastic. Finished the evening with the chocolate crepes and deconstructed key lime pie...and of course a couple of apertifs. Dinner was awesome, wine was awesome, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience and will be back, and wouldn't hesitate to sit at the bar for some of the best service in town.
(4)
Jeff L.

My wife and I ate here last night for her birthday dinner. Like many recent patrons, I found out about this place from a certain reality television series, where I fell in love with Kevin Gillespie's (the executive chef) style of cooking. I have to say that the menu was indeed very reflective of Kevin's style of cooking that I've come to know over the past months. Overall, I would say that the food was very good (even great), but nothing we had stood out to me as being a dish that would stay with me. To start, I must say that service was all right, but terribly inconsistent. I felt that the waiter came by too often to start the meal (I felt a bit rushed to order), but then didn't really come by much at all once the food was ordered. I think he stopped by once during our four courses to ask how the food was. In addition, the pacing wasn't particularly good either with our first two courses coming out way too quickly. For our first course, we each ordered a creamy cauliflower soup. We both enjoyed the soup, and you could get a good cauliflower taste. It was served with some (fried) clams, which seemed out of place, but quite good. The flavors were subtle (still very good), but perhaps a bit too subtle... For our second course, my wife ordered the Scallops and I had the Veal Sweetbreads. I have to say that the scallops were delightful. They were cooked perfectly, and their accompanying sides just worked with the dish. My sweetbreads, however, were something of a disappointment. They were breaded and fried and ended up very dry and (mostly) flavorless. They were served on top of apples, potatoes, and bacon, which was a wonderful combination. However, when paired with the sweetbreads, that was all you could taste. Overall, the dish tasted good, but the main protein was entirely lost. For our main courses, my wife ordered the duck, and I had the quail. To start, my quail dish was heavenly. Both my wife and I absolutely loved it. It was served on a bed of creamed Brussels sprouts and pears, which was a great accompaniment to the perfectly cooked quail. My wife's duck dish, however, was quite honestly bad on every level. To start, the duck was dry and (as tough to believe as it is) had absolutely no flavor. One of the main problems was that the dish was not served with a sauce, which was definitely needed. On top of that, the duck was sliced very thinly (which I think added to the dryness and lack of flavor), and it was served on a very mild puree of some sort. Very disappointing to say the least. Because it was my wife's birthday, we got a complimentary dessert. They brought us a chocolate pain perdu, which was remarkably good. We're usually not big dessert lovers when we dine out, but this was really good ... and on the house, so who could complain? In the end, I've very happy we dined at Woodfire Grill. Did any of the food 'blow my mind'? Not particularly. Will we be making a return trip in the future? Probably not. However, overall, the food was very good (aside from the Duck). I did think, at times, that many of the flavors were not as deep or developed as they could have been. I know that Kevin's style is simplicity personified and that he prefers subtlety over knocking someone over the head. However, there's subtlety and then there's subtlety to a fault. Most of the time, the food fell into the former (subtle in a good way), but other times it fell into the latter (too subtle). A 3.5 star experience that I'll have to round down to 3 stars for spotty service and a bad duck dish.
(3)
Laura W.

We've been here twice since Michael Tuohy skipped town and left new Chef Kevin Gillespie running the joint, and I have to be honest -- my experiences at Woodfire have only gotten better. Admittedly, we've also fallen in love with the 3-course tasting menu. And who wouldn't? $38 this past Friday got us an amuse featuring chiogga beets, a delicious halibut and roasted beet puree, another gratis tasting of a rich and creamy asparagus soup (my mouth is watering just remembering it), and perfectly seasoned duck breast. On top of that, since three of us had ordered the tasting menu, we all got different desserts. Some better than others, perhaps, and none *quite* as good as the delicious, mind-boggling sweet potato panna cotta the Boy got to taste the last time we were here, but seriously, how can I complain? Get out to Woodfire, folks. They've still got it.
(5)
jimmy s.

Went here last Friday night for the first time, and definitely enjoyed myself. We were set on getting the tasting menu because they offered a vegetarian tasting menu that my companion could get. Much better than most places veggie options, which often consists of a gathering of all the side dishes the restaurant has to offer. The only do the 3 course tasting menu for veggies, so I got that even though I was excited about 5 courses. It didn't matter really, I got plenty of food, and there were two amuses. The place wasn't as full as I would expect a restaurant of their quality to be, but I guess the economy is playing its part. The couple behind us got in an argument and took their food to go, so that added to the ambience. ;-) The food was definitely good quality. I would give it 4.5 stars if they did half stars on Yelp (get with it!). My scallop was cooked exactly how I like it, though it wasn't all that original, and the same goes for my lamb chops - cooked perfectly, nothing wrong with them, just not as exciting as I hoped for on a tasting menu. We did wine pairings from their sommelier Nick, and that was fun. It was $30 per person, but we tried 6-7 different wines, including a sauternes and a port with our desserts. Woodfire didn't blow my mind, but it was definitely one of the more quality meals I've had lately.
(5)
Adam H.

Great cocktails, great first courses, and then I had the duck. I'm a new fan of duck.
(4)
Gabriela L.

I hear about the celebrity chef at this place and I was excited to try it. Let's start with the drinks. They feature seasonal drinks, the server recommended a ginger beer based drink that was refreshing and I absolutely loved. Our table all ordered the 5- course chef's tastings and one person also had the wine pairings. It was about $65 per person but well worth it. The food was interesting and tasty. I was not disappointed!
(4)
Ben H.

It's seems like it's been pretty well covered so I'll keep it short - very nice interior, good service, and upscale, innovative cuisine that is well executed. Maybe slightly pricey and valet (meh). 4
(4)
Monkey S.

We traveled down from New York City to Atlanta for a variety of reasons, main of which being to finally go to Woodfire Grill. We've been a fan of Kevin Gillepse's since seeing his season on Top Chef and have been dying to try his cuisine in person. We went tonight for New Year's Eve and were far from disappointed. We received the five course tasting menu and every single course was delicious and each one was better than the next. The service was amazing with all of the wait staff that brought each meal as well as our main waitress all being on top of their game as well as food fan boys (which is what we are). They explained each course with ease as well as the wine pairings. We were wowed by each course with it culminating with lamb with a white truffle potato puree that honestly blew both of us out of our seats. We would gladly come back in a day or so to keep ordering our favorite dishes and sample everything that is found on the regular menu. This will always be a favorite and will go down as one of the best decisions we made in 2011. Thank you to all that made that meal possible.
(5)
Diana D.

After seeing how much the judges on Top Chef loved Kevin's food, I decided to go try it myself. I started with the diver scallops, which were DELICIOUS. The next two courses went sort of downhill after that (hence the 2 stars). The duck had NO flavor and was probably only 3 or 4 ounces. TINY. $28 for bland duck-- I regret not sending it back. Then the "deconstructed" carrot cake left me wishing I went to Intermezzo for dessert. The raisin verjus on the side was much better than the cake itself... shouldn't it be the other way around? As much as I loved Kevin on Top Chef, I'm most likely never going back there. The 5 other people at my table feel the same way I do.
(2)
Tim H.

A friend of mine turned me on to this restaurant last night. As any reader or acquaintance knows well, I'm homesick for California. This restaurant made me forget, momentarily, that I wasn't there. This restaurant seems very California to me in decor and how it treats wine and food. The philosophy is reason alone to eat here - locally grown and organic (although I had the Swordfish, and I pray it didn't come from the Chattahoochee). Fortunately, the food is delicious. My friend, now 40, required glasses to read the menu (his deficiency, not theirs). They brought him a tray of glasses to choose from. He picked ones kinda Sarah Palin so he not only could see the menu, but probably Russia, as well. Take the staff's recommendation for wine. Not only is the sommelier informative but incredibly attentive and even the young handsome graphic design artist who was our waiter had great wine cred. This is definitely a place for special dinners. The prices were very California, too. If you have to be in Cheshire Bridge area, check this place out.
(4)
Jessica B.

As a huge Top Chef fan, I made it a point to go here while I was in Atlanta for business. The atmosphere is amazing, very natural and welcoming. The lighting is nice and soft and the bar area is very nice too. We only had to wait five minutes for a table and the bartender personally came over to ask us if we wanted a drink, while the bar was half-full. The dining area is huge and you walk by a small kitchen, immediately smelling the wood burning stove. The smell is seriously intoxicating and when I got the menu, I made sure I got something "wood grilled" so it could have that flavor. Our table was close to the kitchen so we could see Kevin working and he was very cool when people would point and stare (due to the Top Chef thing) and take pictures of him. The menu changes daily so it's tough to recommend but the prosciutto wrapped arugula was amazing and the caramelized apples were too. I had a main dish and it was very filling, without a side. All of the food is amazingly fresh and really, really tasty. My only complaint, Kevin did seem to get annoyed after a while of people pointing, which is understandable and while he was there to see, he wasn't as engaged with customers, or only certain ones. And, my clothes REAKED of wood burning stove for three days. I seriously had to fluff them in the dryer to get that smell out. Not QUITE what I expected. But the food was still really good.
(4)
A A.

What a complete letdown. The fish was completely over cooked and salty. Even the salad was way over salted! Left the restaurant feeling like I just wasted $100.
(2)
William P.

Everything we had was off the charts delicious. Will definitely do the tasting menu next time to be led by the hand through culinary nirvana. sticky toffee pud and port flights for desert. the service was as good as the food. everyone so attentive and friendly. can't wait to go back.
(5)
Jen S.

reading the reviews i think we might have came on an off night. the concept of the restaurant seems pretty cool. they literally had a woodfire grill from which you could see the chefs cooking the meat and then there were other plates coming from their real kitchen. we made reservations and the service was great. we ordered the chefs 5 course tasting - $65 each but was not amazed by the plates that were placed in front of me. i do like how their menu changes to serve what is in season. perhaps i need to go again and update this review then..
(3)
Lu R.

Simply outstanding food. Unique menu with a great spin. We loved the grilled fish and hanger steaks. They have an excellent wine selection and great deserts. This is a real foodies place though you will pay the price. The decor was very cool with many candles and a unique layout. This was a good example of West Coast cuisine with a southern twist (i.e. the sweet potato cheesecake). We will definitely be back.
(5)
Joshua P.

Great service and atmosphere. The food was prepared perfectly. We had the 7 course menu with wine pairings. I enjoyed all 7, with 3 or 4 being courses I'll remember for a long time. Portions are small, but the pleasure is large. Definitely one of the best in Atlanta.
(4)
Lily L.

Outstanding! Both times I have been here, I have been blown away by the quality of the food and service. Last night was a big celebration dinner and I chose to go to Woodfire Grill over Bacchanalia and was extremely pleased. We started off with a Spanish olive oil tasting which was a lot of fun and something I've never done before. The food was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor as if the vegetables were picked that morning. The chef definitely knew what he was doing and created some really interesting creative concoctions with different textures and complex flavors and temperatures. Each bite seems to take you on a journey with a wild beginning, a full body, and smooth ending. We almost (literally) licked the plate. The menu changes daily to accommodate the freshest local ingredients available. The dishes were innovative and the service impeccable. My date who's from Maryland and therefore, a HUGE crab cake snob ordered the crab cake as the appetizer and said that it was the best he's ever had. I can't go without mentioning that like Bacchanalia, the timing of the food was perfect. We didn't have to wait long and the entire experience was coordinated like a symphony. The portions were just right, and left us satisfied but also desiring and dreaming about the next time we meet. We (and our taste buds) were very comfortable and so very happy with it all. The ambiance was romantic, intimate, but not stuffy or pretentious. Tastefully cozy. This will be my first pick for my next special occasion. For those of you who are familiar with Dynamic Dish, think of this place as Dynamic Dish on (natural) steroids. Same principles- yummy, focused on local and organic foods, and healthy....but much more intense (and pricey...giving us organic-addict foodies an option for those special occasions). We've had good times Bacchanalia, but I've met someone else...
(5)
Jeff M.

I've been here a few times. Both before and after the much-deserved hype from Top Chef. Before Top Chef, this was not a very busy restaurant. I remember the first time I was here, my friend and I were the only ones there, and it was around 6 PM. But the service was excellent and the food was top-notch from beginning to end. We left stuffed and happy. After Top Chef, I'm glad to see the service and quality of food hasn't change. The food remains excellent, prepared with care. But now it's packed to the brim. Sure, you may need to wait or plan way ahead, but Chef Gillespie deserves all of this success. The last I went was for a work gathering in one of the private rooms. Not only did Chef Gillespie deliver with his delicious dishes, but he also took the time to take pictures and even sign a few autographs. Excellent experience.
(4)
Steakhead ..

The first thing you notice when walking into Woodfire Grill is the smell. As its name suggests, the wood-burning stove is a prominent feature in the restaurant, and you feel like you may have been teleported to a weekend away in the mountains. But in Blue Ridge you are not. Although it may have a cabin like feel to it, you are actually in the least rustic location in Atlanta...Cheshire Bridge Rd. The concept of Woodfire Grill is "farm to table", where they partner with local and national organic farmers to produce a meal that was healthy for everyone involved, including the diner, the farmer, the cow and the soil. The menu changes daily based on what ingredients are available, although some staples seem to be available seasonally. There menu is divided into frist courses, second courses and entrees. There are also 3-course and 5-course tasting menus. Our waiter did a great job of promoting the tasting menus, including how they could pair the wine with the courses, so Lady Steakhead and I both went with that. The first course was a fried pork terrine served with a poached egg and a mustard viniagrette. The fried pork terrine had the consistency of a sausage patty, and I couldn't help think "gourmet breakfast sandwich". It was delicious, don't get me wrong. The second dish was an heirloom fried green tomato with a salsa verde that was the missus favorite dish. In between the courses were several small tastes to complement the meal. The main course was a small plate of quail (small being the operative word here). Now quail is a pretty small bird, and I don't believe this was the whole bird. So once you worked around the bones, you got what was maybe the equivalent of 3 chicken wings worth of bird. It was good, but not nearly enough. The owner told me the tasting menu plates are smaller than the normal entrees as the focus is on tasting. I understand that, but I was wondering if I was going to need a 2nd dinner at the Thrasher game later that night. Then dessert came. I don't normally have a sweet tooth, but since it was part of the prix fixe (and I was still really hungry), I wasn't going to turn it down. I ordered the carrot cake and it may have been the best carrot cake I have ever had. And it was a big piece too, so by the time I wolfed it down, my hunger pangs had disappeared! So my take on Woodfire Grill is a positive one. The setting is wonderful, the food is healthy and delicately prepared, and the service was outstanding. Next time, I'll pass on the tasting menu, and order some menu items that caught my eye - such as Grass-fed beef carpaccio appetizer and the wood-grilled sonoma duck breast. Definitely the carrot cake again. Heck, I'd go back for that smell alone!
(4)
Jessie G.

I recently dined with friends at Woodfire Grill. The occasion was a farewell dinner for my friend who was moving to San Francisco. We were hoping for a sumptuous farewell dinner. What we received was entree of intractable arrogance topped with a sprinkling of myopic rudeness. We wanted to order the 5-course tasting menu. The restaurant requires that the entire table participate in the blind tasting courses selected by the Chef. Being diabetic, I asked if it would be possible to (a) leave any sugary sauces or toppings off of my courses or (b) allow the rest of the table to participate in the tasting menu while I would order off the a la carte menu. Our server - who was very polite - took a look at the tasting menu and said that it had some sugary items and that she did not want to have to ask the chef to make an exception to his "all or nothing" policy with the tasting menu. She said she would advise anyone with dietary issues to not order the tasting menu. When we reiterated that the rest of the table would much prefer the tasting menu she reluctantly went to make the request to Mr. Top Chef Gilliespie. We thought that since it was early - 6:30 - and relatively quiet, that it could be easy to at least let the rest of the table order the tasting menu. After all, there were only three of us, and yet we were on track to dropping well over $200 on this dinner. She returned moments later and told us that Gillespie said that he did not have to make exceptions and that he would not make an exceptions. We were a little surprised, but relegated ourselves to the a la carte menu. There were few low sugar options on the first course, so I ordered a simple salad and asked if the candied blueberries could be left off. The server again looked troubled and whispered, "Please don't make me ask him that, he gets mad when people change his vision." So I ordered the next salad on the menu and asked for the sweet peach dressing to be on the side. She sighed, but indicated that it would at least be acceptable to the Chef. As our meal went on - and I have to say that the food itself was quite good - it was apparent that this staff is intimidated by Chef Gillespie. When he comes into the open grill area, they move aside and do not speak until spoken to. It looked as though the drill sergeant had entered the room and was inspecting the sheets for proper creases at the corners. As I said, the food was very good, but the atmosphere and attitude ruined the dinner. We went to enjoy good food and good and company. We were not expecting a side of ego to go with that. I even thought that the requests were somehow extraordinary in restaurant land, but after talking a several fellow foodies and other high-level chefs, they too were appalled by how WG runs its ship. I am not a customer who will be returning.
(1)
Carrie Neal W.

I am so glad to be wrong!!! I am posting this revised review of Woodfire Grill after being corrected - it is staying open under new ownership, but with the former sous chef as the head now. While Michael Tuohy won't be running it anymore, I understand that the excellent menu, level of service and style are intact. Can't wait to go again soon!
(4)
J M.

Have been 2 times since writing my first review for Woodfire Grill, and I am sorry to say that it is going down hill.... The food has gotten smaller and smaller (not that I am expecting to get hungry man portions at a fine dining establishment, but I shouldn't be hungry when I leave).... ordered some kind of risotto dish on Friday night as a first course ($18, pretty good, not great) and it was LITERALLY 5 bites of rice. I'm sorry, $18 for 5 bites of RICE? Have these folks ever been to Italy and seen the plate of rice you can get for $6.00? Woodfire owners: don't get so full of yourselves that you think you will be able to sell $18 plates of risotto that wouldn't fill Karen Carpenter up..... That gig will end quickly and badly.... Second course was berkshire pork loin w/ some seasonal veggies. Typically when I have gotten pork here it has been to die for. Not this time. I received four 1.0 oz. pieces of rubbery grilled pork that were about 2 small bites each (sitting under lights too long??) So, for $28, I got 8 bites of mediocre pork. I should have known this restaurant was "in transition" when the waitress, while describing the menu, referred to meat as "the proteins on the menu" - that is code for "we're really full of ourselves now and you are going to have to go through krystal drive thru on the way home". The best part of the evening was a cocktail I got at the bar before dinner. The bartenders here know what they are doing. Still, for $165 for 2 people out the door including tip, I should get more than a nice cocktail and some krystal on the way home.
(2)
R D.

Awesome food, wonderful classy ambience, and great service! Try the Chef's tasting menu. Don't forget to make a reservation. Going in a bigger group (5-6) helps, you probably would be sitted in small private rooms and would be attended by someone who might be Kevin's Sous chef. My friends went for their anniversary and they were given a special customized menu for the special occasion. I am yet to hear anything even remotely bad about this place.
(5)
J D.

No need to wax poetic about the dishes, flavors, etc. The meal we had was amazing. Get the tasting menu, and don't fret about what you think might be small portions. You won't leave hungry. Awesome special occasion restaurant. Not cheap, but it's a special occasion. You can't take it with you anyway.
(5)
Christie K.

One of my favorite restaurants! I loved Kevin from Top Chef, and his restaurant met all my expectations! Perfectly cooked food. I love the fried green tomatoes (crispy and perfect ratio of breading to tomato), duck breast (DIVINE), and pork belly (melt in your mouth amazingness). UNF. Definitely recommend to anyone in Atlanta!
(5)
melissa m.

Of course Kevin's dominance on Top Chef made me curious to try this spot. It was, as expected, classy yet down to earth. The smell of the (surprise) woodfire grill, as you enter is amazing. Fun cocktails and a menu that manages to combine local, seasonal, and southern. The staff was accommodating, friendly, and did not mind my friend and I sharing a first course and dessert. It is pricey but the food is filling, so you would not need to get all three courses as recommended if you aren't starving. However, next time I probably would just to be able to try more of the food!
(5)
Regi B.

I put my dining experience in the hands of Chef Kevin Gillespie by having the 5-course chef's tasting menu. And at the end of the evening, I was VERY happy with my choice. More importantly, I was very happy with the chef's choices. Diners can choose have each course accompanied by either full or half glasses of wine picked by the restaurant's sommelier. I chose to have half glasses with my fourth and fifth courses. The evening's adventure started with an amuse bouche of deconstructed borscht. A perfect savory bite of a roasted beet cube in a spoonful of deliciously creamy sauce was an ideal way to stimulate my palate. Course #1 consisted of sage water and tempura-battered chanterelles dressed with a sweet garlic syrup.... as delicious as it was unique. Course #2 was an exquisitely roasted piece of sablefish on a bed of diced cauliflower and herbal pistou. The subtle sweetness of the sablefish was enhanced by its expert preparation. And the choice of sablefish for this course was appropriate from both culinary and sustainability perspectives. Moving the meal toward its climax, course number 3 was a single Shigoku (Washington State) oyster in the shell on a bed of sea salt. The shell was filled with a delectable sauce and garnished with salmon roe. While I am not a big fan of oysters, I found this plate to be a scrumptious transition to the proteins to follow. The 4th course was definitely my favorite. Two beautiful small portions adorned the plate: fire-roasted local bobwhite quail and seared and roasted pork belly. Accompanied by piquant greens and lightly garnished with a golden raisin sauce, this dish really stood out. I'm pretty sure it was the BEST bite of quail I've ever had. And the pork belly was smoky and sultry...reminiscent of super-bacon. But the star of this plate was the combination of the tender, tasty exquisitetly seasoned quail and the zesty greens. The 5th course consisted of roasted leg of Texas axis deer on a bed of cheese grits with oven-roasted Brussel sprouts dressed with banyul vinegar. Though my least favorite course (I'm not a big fan of game), this plate was well conceived. I just wish the deer had been roasted a little longer. If you are a chocolate lover (and I am), dessert was a real treat...two chocolate crepes stuffed with creamy dark chocolate ganache on a pool of cocoa-spiked latte sauce with house-made whipped cream. Could a dessert get any more chocolaty than THAT? Simply put, the ganache was heavenly. Even before my cappuccino arrived, I could have danced on the table. At that point, I felt like the best fed human being on the planet. The service was professional and attentive...thank you, Kate. As each course arrived, a detailed explanation of the dish and its ingredients was presented. And any question you had was expertly answered. I highly recommend the Woodfire Grill to people interested in local, sustainable food that has been expertly prepared with a gentle hand. The chef allows the ingredients to speak for themselves without unnecessary fuss and manipulation. Chef Kevin and his staff make fine dining accessible. It's little wonder that he was one of three finalists on Bravo TV's "Top Chef." Bravo indeed, Kevin!
(4)
Andrew S.

I have been waiting to eat at Woodfire Grill since I moved to Atlanta in December. It's not easy to get a reservation, particularly because I don't like to plan ahead. I made the reservation a few months ago and decided this would be the perfect place for our two-year anniversary. I may have built this place up in mind. We arrived, had a lovely cocktail in the bar. The staff was engaging and we had a really nice time. We were seated and greeted by Server who was awesome. We decided to do the seven course tasting menu with wine pairings... The Good: The service was incredible. Our Server was wonderful and knowledgeable about the food and wine we were being served. The first course was tuna paired with Saki. Delicious. The second course was Catfish...amazing. I never thought I liked Catfish, but now know I have never been served a well-prepared piece of fish. The third course was vegetables. A play on potatoes bravo. It was my favorite course. The combination of the potatoes bravo sauce, green bean potato and what I think was eggplant was perfectly balanced. The Bad: After the third course things went down hill fast...Fourth course were sweatbreads...Not my favorite, but in the past I have eaten them. These were inedible. Too cold, served with potato salad and barbecue sauce. It was a bit of a flavor disaster...It just didn't work for me. We were then served the consolation dish. A plate of tomatoes doused in balsamic...uninspired. Next we had quail. It was a bit tough served over something that resembled grits...Finally we were served the pork belly...it wasn't great. It was cold served with a weird cole slaw...Then the desert course...a chocolate mouse amuse followed by a super dense, super rich chocolate mouse cake thing...by then I was over it. Considering that dinner for two was $300 I expected, much, much, much more...For a restaurant named Woodfire Grill the grilled meats were the worst part of the meal. The fish/vegetable courses were outstanding. Maybe it's time for a new concept. My advice...skip the tasting menu and order the fish.
(2)
Sam K.

Went here for a romantic dinner with my wife. We enjoyed our experience very much. Must try their signature dessert, Toffee pudding. It was heavenly.
(5)
Ted C.

Gosh, they take their food very seriously. And it was lovely. But the portions are not fit for a man six feet tall. Not a single entree that was served to us - or around us - would have satisfied me. It was like a visit to the French Laundry, high gourmand, but you need to stop on the way home to fill up. I would have been OK if only I could have ordered a side or two....not available. Their menu is very small....only a few items offered each day. Like I said, High Gourmand. The Staff was gracious and the wine was idealy paired.
(3)
Peter L.

This is as good as it gets... Amazing wine selection, knowledgeable, accommodating, and attentive staff, and the FOOD, from the salad to dessert, tops all of it. Your entire GI and Neuro system will thank you. Will return next time in Atlanta. Make sure to get reservations weeks in advance.
(5)
Jessica M.

Wow, this place is amazing. My husband and I have watched every episode of Top Chef and found ourselves in the Atlanta area and figured we'd go check out Kevin Gillespie's place. The food he cooks on the show, which he calls "fat kid food" was intriguing. We were not dissapointed. The ingredients are local, fresh and simply prepared. We took my dad out to dinner which is always an interesting experience since he doesn't eat "foo-foo food." This restaurant is very nice and inviting without being pretentious. My dad and I both decided to do the 3 course chefs tasting menu while my husband decided to order off the menu. We all received an amuse bouche of cucumber and almond oil soup which was very good. My dad even enjoyed it even though he didn't know what an amuse bouche was. First course on the tasting menu was a seared sea scallp with bacon sauce and lima bean puree. It was very good. The scallop was very fresh and the sauces complimented it very well. Second course was quail in a citrus glaze with spicy veggies. Amazing!!!! The quail was cooked perfectly and delicious! My husband was the winner at the table as he chose what he called a "study of pork." He ordered the pork loin which was to die for!! It came with some braised pork bellies that were outstanding!! His dessert was what sent me over the top....bannana fritters, chocolate mousse and CANDIED BACON. Yes, you heard me right...it was incredible. The waiter told us that he will be preparing this dish on Top Chef this season. It was absolutely outstanding. The salty, savory dish was perfectly balanced and everything was perfect. Not greasy or soggy...just creative and delicious. I found this meal to be a good value. It isn't cheap by any stretch but it was the best $45 3 course tasting menu I've ever had. The a la carte dishes were priced $25-$35 and the desserts were $6-$9...more than fair. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone wanting to experience fine dining without paying too much. I loved it!! Good luck on Top Chef Kevin!!!
(5)
Courtney D.

I miss Michael Tuohy dearly, but Woodfire Grill will always have a place in my heart. Year after year...visit after visit, the food and service are like wine and only get better with time. I have never had a bad experience here and will continue to go back often. Whether I'm sitting at the bar or at the chef's table I feel like a valued guest and I LOVE that. The food has always been consistent and you are immediately hit with a striking aroma that has you floating off the floor as soon as you walk in...literally, you begin to salivate as your mind races to figure out what magic they've got brewing in the kitchen. The wine selection is very well-rounded and the cheeses...oh, the cheeses. What to choose from? By using the freshest ingredients and supporting local farmers, Woodfire serves up one of the best meals and experiences in Atlanta. Do yourself a favor and go now if you've not already been...it is truly fabulous in every aspect.
(4)
Travis W.

4.5 stars- What a cool place. Love the smell of animal flesh being cooked over an oak fire grill. Drinks are easy to get as you wait for your table at the bar. Table seating happens fast with a reservation so drink up Shriner's! The wine list is extensive and the staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. I had the chef's tasting and the serving sizes aren't the American colossal we are all used to but enough to leave you satisfied. My dinner mates who ordered entrees off the menu had sizeable portions. Everyone was very satisfied with the extremely competent and knowledgeable servers. They were attentive but not overly so. Just a great place to take friends and family!
(4)
Chloe M.

I've been back to Woodfire twice since Chef Michael Touhy left in August. Taking over now is Chef Kevin Gillespie (former Sous Chef) and all I can is... wow! I am totally impressed with Chef Kevin's great talent. He has definitely elevated Woodfire's status to a new and higher level. I've had nothing but interesting dishes the past visits that were all outstanding including an amuse bouche of Marinated Fig Wrapped in Speck. I love figs and this was a great combination. The sweetness of the figs went well with the slightly salty taste of the soft bacon. Lovely. Everyone has a version of fried green tomatoes. Here, the tomatoes were crisp and the batter adhered pretty well. I liked the creamy chÃ©vre topping. The bed of turnip salsa verde was a bit of a stretch for me, because, if there is one thing I really hate, it's anise and 5-spice powder, which clearly, this salsa had a good dousing of. I'm sure others will have no problem with it. It just made the entire dish taste, well, Chinese. There was a Mushroom Flatbread my sister ordered one time and if you've been to Woodfire, you know how bad the lighting in there is, so since I hardly ever bring my big camera to restaurants, you'll notice that most of the pictures here are grainy and dark; and, therefore, no picture of flatbread. In any case, the flatbread were delicious. There were chantrerelle mushrooms as well as cubes of celery, onions, and green peppers in a lemony dressing. A great second course. There was also some pan-seared scallops we had that were really fantastic -- huge scallops were served with bok choy (Chinese cabbage) and a blood orange-ginger broth that was out-of-this-world good. The Cornmeal Crusted Oysters were fantastic. The oysters were plump and fresh with a very thin cornmeal crust. I loved the sweet onion pico de gallo that it came with. And the house-made potato chips they were served on was very creative. Not only that, they provided a good crunch. The Pan Roasted Wild Striped Bass was delicious. It was nice and crunchy on the outside but moist and soft on the inside. It had this mustard sauce that was great with the fish. One of my favorite dishes I've had these past visits were the wood-grilled Georgia Quail that was simply tasty. I loved the tiny dollop of fig puree that it came with and I wished they included a bigger portion of it. The roasted vegetables it came with were a great accompaniment. The Wood-grilled Painted Hills Steak was superb. Served at the perfect medium rare with the creamiest sweet potato puree and roasted local vegetables, this definitely isn't your usual steak-and-potatoes dish. I don't like it when steaks are covered with sauces and cheeses. I prefer to taste the meat on its own. Unadulterated. With just a smidgen of salt to let the flavor of the steak come out. Fantastic. Saving the best for last... possibly the best dish I've had this year and the best grilled pork loin I've had anywhere, this literally rendered me speechless. Just by the looks, this dish was gorgeous. The pork was almost creamy and without any discernible meat fibers. Every bite melted in my mouth. The grilled slaw was flavorful and the potato puree was just wonderful. This dish was pure heaven. I'm tired of eating the same ingredients over and over again. I'm tired of the same ingredients being put together again and again. But not here. Chef Kevin uniquely puts ingredients together that you would not typically see in everyday restaurant dining. Like figs instead of apples. Or bok choy instead of cabbage. I'm putting this restaurant on my top 5 for 2008. Enough said.
(5)
Colin S.

I just moved to Atlanta from San Francisco and had kept hearing "you won't be disappointed by the food there" from friends who knew Atlanta, so I decided to start with what is supposedly one of the area's best spots. I went with my girlfriend and her brother, and we were not disappointed. In fact, I'd say it was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. That's saying something considering we were eating very well in SF prior to moving, trying to cross recommended restaurants off of our San Francisco "bucket list." We shared all orders and started with the catfish appetizer and moved on to the duck breast and pork loin entrees. I'd give the catfish 4 stars, the pork loin 4.5 stars, and the duck breast 5 stars. Really, the duck breast was one of the best dishes I've had in my life, and I think the pork loin would have gotten 5 stars if I weren't eating it along with the duck breast. Service was timely, knowledgeable, and not at all intrusive. Oh, and to top it all off, we saw Neil Patrick Harris, which just added to our wonderful introduction to Atlanta's food scene. I would go back and recommend this place to friends in a heartbeat.
(5)
Wes P.

The absolute best restaurant I've ever had the pleasure to eat at. The ambiance isn't like a lot of other high class restaurants. It's comfortable with great music playing. Service was great from the beginning. My wife and I had the 5 course tasting menu and were overwhelmed with amazing foods. The diver scallops were phenomenal. Before that meal I hated brussels sprouts, and I've loved them ever since. The high light of the meal was dessert - deconstructed key lime pie and bacon fritters. Both were unforgettable. On top of everything Kevin came out so we could tell him thanks and he's one of the nicest people you could hope to meet.
(5)
Jason P.

I had heard good things, but was scared by the outside appearance and a mildly noticeable odor upon walking in the door. Just goes to show you...looks can be deceiving. The service was perfect, the food was sublime...I think I had the 7 course tasting menu...and a pork belly I will never forget. We asked them to keep a brisk pace with the tasting menu (not a fan of the 7 hour dinners) and they did! And everything was fantastic. I cannot rave enough...
(5)
Ben D.

The food and order of courses is well thought out and prepared, and very good. I have to have one gripe, so I guess it is that they take themselves very seriously. I found this out by how long the meal took. I missed two of my daughter's birthdays and got fired from my job for being there so long. I get it, food experience and blah blah blah.
(4)
Kendra K.

In all honestly, I was a little skeptical of the name Woodfire Grill, which sounds a little like a chain. Once I realized this was Kevin Gillespie's restaurant, I was very excited. This was hands down one of the best meals I have ever had. I got the Chef's tasting menu and was in love with the oyster and roasted califlower dish. The pork belly was melt in your mouth good. The service was great the the server was very attentive and friendly. Will be returning next time I am in Atlanta!
(5)
HOJ X.

Been hoping to try this place out for awhile (big fan of Kevin from Top Chef). I did the the 5-course tasting menu....and it did not disappoint. First two courses were good (4 stars on each) but just seemed to miss something to put them over the top for me. The next two were fantastic: quail and berkshire pork belly on creamed farro with ramps and turnip. Outstanding balance to the dish and just wonderfully executed...the ramps had the burst of flavor that accentuated all the other elements. The next course was bison with a pastrami spice rub and a smear of sweet mustard - again the balance of the flavors was masterful (and the bison was cooked perfectly). Desert was also good (actually it was probably more than that, but I am just not a big desert guy). Well made espresso to finish. Would give the service a four and a half - my main server was very good; the different servers that delivered each course seemed to get a bit tongue tied describing each dish - but it was kind of endearing after the fourth time it happened. All said, I loved this restaurant for the food and the experience. There was a sense of earnestness/honesty about it - putting together well executed dishes with great ingredients that leaves your palate marveling at the combination and still tasting each individual element. Wish the Woodfire was in LA....
(5)
Poinciana T.

Excellent service. Try the 5 or 7 course meal. Meals come in small portions, but they're like fireworks in your mouth. AMAZING FLAVORS. The menu changes all the time I think.
(5)
Alex R.

This was a good restaurant with good food and I had an overall good experience, however I wasn't super satisfied when I left. Our server was friendly and helpful and the atmosphere was excellent, the food just didn't live up to my (probably unrealistic) expectations. Everyone at my table ordered the chef's pre-determined prix-fixe meal which wasn't bad, but didn't wow me either. I think we would have been better off ordering from the menu, and hopefully I'll get a chance to do that soon
(4)
Car H.

Bummed. Huge fan of Kevin. In from LA on business. Food was very very average. Kevin was there but barely cooking. He was in the open kitchen at the Pass but on his BB and didn't seem to be doing much but finishing the food. The restaurant was warm and all the wait staff was nice but it wasn't enough. It all seemed to be trying to hard. How do you make me not want to order fresh donuts? Put a random grapefruit confit underneath them.
(3)
Amy W.

I had very high expectations for this restaurant since my boyfriend said he had gone many times and said the food was amazing. My meat was terribly dry/overcooked and the waitress was so slow. Slow to take our order, slow to get our food, and slow to refill our drinks. She was very preoccupied with another larger table. For how much we paid for the dinner, I was very disappointed. I will not be coming back to this restaurant. To top things off, the valet guy at this restaurant lost our key in someone else's car!!! Overall a very bad experience.
(2)
Brian M.

While the food was amazing, our server was inept at best. Even though the food (ended up with the 5 course tasting) was top notch, I won't be back. The food on its own is a 5.
(2)
Melissa W.

My husband and I went to Woodfire during the weekend before Valentine's Day. We were both big fans of Kevin from Top Chef and have since moved to Atlanta and had been talking about going. Luckily the husband remembered to make reservations enough in advance! We really enjoyed our experience. We started with a coaktail at the bar (I had the farmer's daughter, which was fantastic!). We decided to go for the 7-course tasting menu, so we could really try as much as possible. I am so glad that we did! Our favorite dish of the night was on the 7, but not the 5 course. (It was some sort of a cheese panini with giardinara and oyster mushrooms. Delish!) We also had a fennel salad, seared scallop, sweetbreads, quail and porkbelly, lamb, and a molten chocolate cake for dessert. Some things were better than others- we loved the mushroom dish and I really enjoyed the scallop. The lamb was good, but I probably wouldn't have ordered it from the main menu, so it wasn't my favorite. But, we had a great experience. Our server was so nice and informative. We did the wine pairings with several of the dishes, and really enjoyed them! We'll definitely be back. And not just because I have a bit of a crush on Kevin, but because we really enjoyed the food! :)
(5)
Meghan H.

This place was great! My boyfriend and I opted for the 7-course meal. WOW....it was amazing. The fried pork-belly alone was out of this world! In addition, if you are into wine I highly recommend getting the flights of wine that go with the courses. The servers were great. Not only was our waiter informative, but he was entertaining and gave us a list of other restaurants we needed to sample in Atlanta.
(5)
William B.

Best meal I'had had in years. Get the five course tasting menu with wine pairings. Both the Trout and the Sea Bass were outstanding. If I could only order one thing it would be the pork bellies.
(5)
Todd S.

My wife and I did not have a reservation so we called ahead and sat at the Bar. Many of the harder to book restaurants have full-service at the bar and I have been lucky to grab seats this way at a lot of the more popular restaurants. Service is often better because the bartender can focus on you if they are staffed properly. The service was impeccable and helpful. We had the five course tasting menu and thought that the portions were spot on. I had dinner at Bacchanalia a few nights prior and the serving sizes were a bit larger at Woodfire and the food although close was not at that level. My favorite course was the Cornmeal fried Georgia trout with black-eyed peas and roasted red pepper puree. The third course, quail, was also very good. I was very impressed with the sweetness of the smoked hibiscus jus and parsnip puree mixed with the spicy green tomato. The other courses were good, but not spectacular. I give Woodfire a 5 for service and 4 for food. When you are at this level you have to really wow on the food for a 5. I would definitely visit again when in town.
(4)
Teri B.

WOW. I was brought here for a dinner with a potential employer. I'm a big Top Chef fan so I was excited from the get go. When we walked in, we were instantly greeted, and within the first 5 minutes of waiting for our table to be ready, I had a cocktail in my hand. I asked the host for something fruity and he picked this one out for me. I wish I remembered the name because it was delicious. We were quickly seated and the server was great about explaining the menu to us. We had a vegetarian in the group, so we opted not to do the tasting menu, but in the end, the food we got was amazing. The flavor combinations were perfection. Every item placed in front of us was no less than amazing. The environment was also great. The restaurant is relatively small, so it was pretty quiet. Now, I live in New York City, where I frequent some of the top rated restaurants. Wood Fire Grill is one of the best meals I've ever had. Seriously. It might be my favorite meal in Atlanta. it's the perfect union of sophisticated cuisine, effortless presentation, and rich, delicious, tasty flavors.
(5)
Goos Y.

This is the second time I've eaten here & it was as good as the first visit. We did the 7 course taste with the wine pairing. It's was great with items different from the first tasting we had last year. We plan to make this an annual event. The only reason it loses a star is because we missed Kevin again.
(4)
Carole M.

We hadn't been to Woodfire Grill since they changed chefs and concepts -- and, wow, I miss the Rocky's chicken. We didn't know the new tasting menu concept (5 or 7 courses) and that might be fun but we were just looking for a meal. They advise you to then have three courses as the portions are small. Two were plenty for me. We both had the potato-bacon soup to start; all I can say is that I'm not sure how you could make butter, cream, bacon, and potatoes bland -- but they succeeded. DH had the risotto -- equally bland. Then, he had the duck, which he described as very good. I had the pork tenderloin with brussel sprouts and sauteed mushrooms. The veggies were excellent -- the meat, bland. The wine list is exceptional with some wonderful values to be had -- talk to the sommeiller for a recommendation. Service was mixed, environment nice. But I miss the totally crisp skin of the Rocky's chicken. And the now closed Craft had equally highly priced food that was better.
(2)
RJ P.

I have dinner here every time I'm in Atlanta. Do the tasting menu with half glass wine pairing. You will not be disappointed.
(5)
Jason W.

As part of my trek to Atlanta's Top Chef restaurants, Woodfire Grill was next in line. Going this past wednesday with my foodie friend, we decided that if we were going to do Woodfire, then by golly we would do it right. We opted for the 5 course tasting menu. WowOWow. It was stunning. Everything was scrumptious and the quail was perhaps the best quail I have ever eaten in my life and that is quite a lot. Our waitress was great and she knew her items. But after two drinks and the 5 course tasting menu and tip, it was about 100 dollars a person, but well worth it.
(5)
Marvin B.

We had a wonderful experience. My wife and I have had the "tasting" menus in other cities and left hungry - not here. Flavors and wine pairing were exceeded only by the attentivness and knowledge of the servers. A great experince.
(5)
Three M.

Since I live in ATL, there are probably a dozen other restaurants that I would have chosen to go to for dinner last Friday, but we went to Woodfire Grill because we had a friend in town from NY who wanted to go to "Kevin's restaurant." I had been told once that Woodfire is "the kind of place people take their conservative parents when they are in town." And now that I've been there I realize that's actually the perfect description. Don't get me wrong - the service was great (very friendly and on top of things - some of the best I've had in ATL in a long time), and our food was all very good. Simply prepared and well cooked. The bottom line is that for what we paid (or maybe $20 more) we could have gone to Bacchanlia and had an amazing, creative and memorable dining experience. For the price, Woodfire just isn't exciting or inventive enough.
(3)
Jake S.

I had been excited about trying this place for sometime, I liked the idea of how the menu was prepared as other reviewers have mentioned focusing on local and organic products. To start out the experience my date and I had a glass of wine at the bar, while waiting for our seat. The bartender was great about pouring out many different tastings of their somewhat limited "by-the-glass" list, until my date found the right one. Even though I feel the by-the-glass was somewhat limiting, their wine by the bottle list was very adequate with a wide variety in both wines and prices. After seating there we began to par-ooze the menu, which was actually quite extensive for something that changes nightly. The beet salad I had was nothing that I will walk away from craving but the entree is another matter. I was in the mood for some fish and selected the striped bass as recommended by my server. This dish is cooked in a clay pot in the "wood fire", it was filled with different rooted vegetables, clams, and their own chorizo and a broth. I can only say it was some of the best comfort food I have ever had, and I didn't even know that striped bass could be considered for comfort food. I was a little turned off by the ambiance personally, it didn't feel as warm and cozy as I thought it would, but this isn't because of the personalities there, the staff were great, and they all seemed genuine and happy to be there, making the experience that much btter.
(4)
Sunny H.

We went to Woodfire Grill the night that Top Chef premiered to show our support for Kevin G. Woodfire was also having a reisling tasting that evening as well. There were 3 in my party and we all ordered different things to share. The food was okay, not great. It was just okay. I'm not raving about it and I probably won't rush to go back. My biggest dissappointment was portion to price ratio. I know its fine dining and smaller portions are to be expected. However, these were sort of laughable... Overall, the taste and quality of the food would have rated a 4 but with the portion vs. price I rated a 3.
(3)
Brent M.

My wife and I have eaten here several times of the last few years. They always deliver. For years before, our larger family would eat at the Japanese sushi/hibachi next door. We would always look over and long to eat at the Woodfire grill. I have to admit, it wasn't until Kevin was on TopChef, that we said, why haven't we eaten there yet. Man that first meal, with expectations so high, they delivered, and then some. My favorite was the grilled foie gras. They only serve it when in season. In fact they harvest the whole duck. Which goes with their whole philosophy. Another visit we had the tasting menu, and the wine pairing were just spot on. I would only suggest the tasting menu, to try a wide selection of wines, b/c at the end, it just wasn't' a lot of food, and I'm not a big eater. The food was incredible, but after that amount of money, I need to be full. Not expecting a family size tray of pasta, but... Again, the food was great and the wine was great, so make up your own mind. Nonetheless, the WFG is very attentive, accommodating, unpretentious, and the food just rocks.
(5)
ADAM V.

Wednesday night, I think I may have eaten the best meal of my life at the Woodfire Grill..here in Atlanta, off Chesire Bridge Road. Yes, I know the neighborhood is the red light district but Chef Kevin Gillespie of Bravo's Top Chef fame has created a menu that is simply Amazing. Piper and I chose the five course tasting menu which included courses of mushrooms, a seared scallop, pork belly and quail, and a venison, along with I hadessert. The pork belly was hands down my favorite. I can't stop talking about how good it was. In fact, I have made reservations for my birthday in February. Some things to know about woodfire. They do not seat before your reservation time, so show up on time. Also, it is a bit pricey but well worth it.
(5)
Mandy H.

Amazing. If you can spring for the five-course tasting, do it. Each dish was unbelievable and flavorful. Certainly up there with the top meals I've ever eaten. I enjoyed everything to the last bite (licking the plate clean, literally). The five courses (plus a couple tastings that were from the chef) were not on the menu, so it was a fun surprise each time the next course arrived. The wait staff was great, knowledgeable and made a beautiful presentation of the food delivery. The sommelier made wonderful recommendations for our wine to fit the courses that he knew were coming up. A fantastic evening!
(5)
Jennifer K.

Woodfire Grill lived up to the hype. We had the 5-course tasting. Every dish was unique and delicious. The ambiance and service were also excellent. I recommend everyone give this place a try!
(5)
Ansley A.

I met a bunch of friends here to do the 5 course chef's tasting. We're all fans of Top Chef and cooking enthusiasts in our own right. Two of us chose the vegetarian tasting menu. I believe if you do 5 courses, it requires full table participation. It was such a great experience. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and attentive. Each bite had so much flavor; I think we each savored every bite like they are meant to be. So yes this is an amazing restaurant. Will be returning!
(5)
Ginger S.

Let me begin by saying that I watched Top Chef religiously and constantly voted for Kevin to win. He did an awesome job on Top Chef and I was so excited to try his restaurant, especially after reading everyone's review on here. Before I start explaining my experiences tonight, I do want to say that Kevin was not at the restaurant. Because of everyone's reviews and my faith in Kevin as a chef, I might consider giving the restaurant another chance. For the first course, we started off with the shrimp salad and halibut soup. The halibut soup and shrimp salad were both delicious. For the second course, we ordered the truffle risotto and diver scallop. The truffle risotto was not very good. We couldn't taste any truffle flavor, but even for a plain risotto, I've made better (which doesn't say much for the chef). As for the diver scallop, it truly is just one scallop. The scallop was ok, nothing to rave home about, but not terrible. For the main courses, we ordered the pork loin, the beef strip loin, and the duck. Seeing that the pig is Kevin's favorite meat, it was truly a shame that the pork was dried. There was one piece right in the middle that was not dried, but everything else was. The duck was cooked well, but the temperature was not hot when we received it. Neither was the beef strip loin. The service was not good either. Our waitress would disappear for long periods of time. We were going to order dessert, but decided not to after waiting 20 minutes for our check. But no, it doesn't end there. After dinner, we exit through the front doors to hand the valet ticket to the valet guys to find that they've lost our keys! I've valeted my car all over Atlanta, and this is the first time this has ever happened. We waited and tried to stay calm as the valet guy proceeded to tell us that he has no idea where our keys are. Then, he has the nerve to ask us, where we needed to go after dinner, which in my opinion is none of his business. The manager asked us to sit down in the bar while the valet guys continued looking for our keys. He did buy us a round of drinks and the waitress was very helpful and nice. She was the highlight of our experience at Woodfire Grill. After about 25 minutes, they find our keys in someone else's car. Apparently, the valet guys thought it was a good idea to put our car keys in another person's car's cup holder. So, needless to say, its going to be awhile. Kevin, I think you need to keep a closer eye on your restaurant.
(2)
Anya D.

I dont get the hype. Found the food to be a bit boring and unimaginative. Bland really. There's a ridiculous bacon / banana bread dessert that is totally worth the visit, but other than that and the private dining rooms, there's nothing oh so special about Woodfire Grill.
(2)
John W.

An incredible dining experience. Worth the 3 hour drive to get here. Chef Kevin is deservedly famous. Fabulous food, that you won't find elsewhere. We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Anthony I.

Hands down the best meal I have ever had in Atlanta and one of the top 3 meals of my life. It woudl have been the best if I could have gotten seconds of the pork belly! This place is a treasure, a treasure that everybody knows about. The staff is great, super accommodating and very passionate about their work. Our server, Scotty, was a pro, really loved what he does and it showed, he gave us fantastic descriptions about all of our courses off the chef's tasting and the service was top notch. This was one case of me going to a prestigious place and not leaving disappointed, Kevin and company really have their act down. The 5 course tasting was a great deal, starting with shrimp and grits, with a twist, the night was off to a great start! The second course, possibly one of my favorites, was some fried oysters accompanied by cauliflower, so good. This was followed by another favorite, lamb and sweetbreads, unbelievable, the lamb was so flavorful and the sweetbreads, so tender. Next up, the pig course, this was THE BEST PORK BELLY, I have ever had, it was served with some pork loin and tomato infused cabbage, the pork was awesome, the cabbage, I felt a little vinegar'y but with the pork loin, it wasn't so bad. The pork belly though, heavenly. All the meats have that great wood fired flavor and a perfect charred crust and juicy center. Of all my top chef dining experiences, this was one of the best!
(5)
Shaun K.

Let me be like the 134th person to say that Woodfire Grill absolutely lives up to the hype. We went here last night for Maura C.'s birthday. Being a special occasion, we went all out and did the 7 course chef's tasting menu with wine pairings (after starting out with some cocktails, of course). With that many courses (and that much wine) I can't tell you everything we ate last night, but I can tell you everything we ate was wonderful. Tempura shrimp, mushrooms on a cake of grits, pork loin and belly, and lamb were fabulous. The wine pairings were especially fun and even the palate cleansers came with their own wine pairing. Service was professional and very knowledgable. This was definitely one of my top fine dining experiences.
(5)
Srikanth P.

We had the 5 course tasting menu (two regular and one vegetarian). Absolutely worth every cent.
(5)
Terry H.

So good. Service and food were top notch. Trust Kevin with the tasting menu and you will not be disappointed. Just go!
(5)
Helene D.

We visited Woodfire while on vacation in Atlanta. We went because of Top Chef and we were not disappointed. We splurged on the tasting menu and every single mouthful was amazing. We were also happy with the service. We had our children with us (4 and 10) and the staff was very accommodating. Every course was explained in a friendly, unpretentious manner. Even my Manhattan was perfect (and not only did they ask me for my choice of bourbon, but sweet or dry and rocks or up). We would go back again in a heartbeat! (If only we didn't live 3000 miles away.)
(5)
Katie J.

When I think back on my recent dining experience at Woodfire, the same word keeps repeating in my head...Weird. The dÃ©cor was weird. Some of the interactions with the wait staff, weird. Some of the courses on the tasting menu, weird. The large submarine/ gas chamber egg painting definitely weird. It is not to say that the dinner didn't have a few culinary acts of genius but I don't think I'll be venturing back there anytime soon. Here's the good: The Cocktails- They have top notch bartender(s) who skillfully constructs creative drinks and shakes a mean dirty martini. The Staff- Very attentive, my water glass was never empty- good working knowledge of the wine list. NOTE: Do not ask if you can raise the shade. We did and it lead to a series of overly complicated interacts with the waiter and then the manager. Instead of just saying "no" the window overlooks an ugly parking lot, we got a vague series of apologies and small talk. WEIRD.... The Fowl- Kevin and his peeps really can cook up some poultry. Both the quail and the duck courses were amazing. The quail was accompanied by a perfectly cooked piece of pork belly- not too fatty or dry. The duck had a wonderfully crispy skin but was still a perfect medium rare. Delish! The Weird: Potato Emulsion- Sticky, gooey weirdness surrounding deliciously cooked sweet potato greens. What happened? Just the look of it alone was enough to gross out our table. The Decor- not only did the Egg painting haunt me all night, but the large metal disk suspended over our heads by a complex wench system had an oppressive effect. The ceilings were high and it was a bit too noisy. The Shrimp- First course of the tasting served with okra. Okra is always a little tricky; most people get freaked by the sliminess. This okra wasn't too slimy but the shrimp were just not right. A little over cooked and needed to be either colder or warmer. I still can't decide.
(3)
Holly D.

Two very good glasses of wine and two fantastic appetizers for less than $30 - my kind of place. If you're a goat cheese fan like myself, try the baked goat cheese and tomato appetizer. You'll love it.
(4)
Liz T.

Went there for the first time last year for a charity event .. delayed post. Service was great, and the tasting menu with wine pairing was delightful. I can't quite remember all that I ate, but do remember everything was really good. I will most definitely be back to try their regular menu. A couple we sat with were regulars and had nothing but praise and raves.
(3)
Brett L.

it really does live up to the hype. Both my wife an I ordered the 5 course tasting menu, with the half glass wine tasting. We also added the blue cheese and honey desert between the real desert. The whole night was a real treat. the food was great the service was nice, i enjoyed how different waiters brought our food, so we got a feel of a couple different people. I can say this tough, there was an arc to the food, it was all good, but it was also all working up to the last meal of the tasting menu which was the pork three ways. that was the real fireworks. While all the food was good, that was the one that really moved all the senses- on a side note, i can now see why the other guy might have won top chef. All of kevins food was good, but only the one was earth stopping. over all best food ive had this year so far. would make the trip again in a second.
(5)
Joe P.

WOW! Great atmosphere, very good service and some of the best food I've ever had. It was truly amazing. The prices were more than I'd normally spend for dinner. But it was well worth it. We all opted for the 5-course Chef's tasting. A bit pricy and the portions were a bit small, but surprisingly none of us felt hungry afterwards (3 medium-large guys). Several of the items in the tasting were not on the menu. There was one dish with Lamb and black rice side dish that was beyond words. I don't typically care for lamb but it was just incredible. And the black rice side that came with it was just as good or better than the main dish. I don't typically spend this much money for dinner. But next time I'm in Atlanta I'll be returning to The Woodfire Grill for sure! One note to the chef... The black rice dish was amazing and deserves a permanent place as a First or second on your menu (in my humble opinion). I say this somewhat selfishly because I want to order it next time I'm in town :) Thanks for a GREAT meal and wonderful service! -Joe
(5)
Not Eileen R.

Best pork belly I ever had in my life...and I heart pork belly. I am a fan of Top Chef, so my fiance and I decided to check out Kevin's restaurant. He may not have been in the kitchen, but it was apparent that he has influenced the menu. My fiance and I decided on the tasting menu along with the wine pairing. Be careful they have a heavy pour, which is a good thing, but I had a cocktail before sitting down plus drinking one of my FI glasses of white...add that up to 7 glasses of wine. OH BUDDY! Next time in Atlanta we will be back! Reservations are a must - two couple were turned away.
(4)
H. Deborah S.

great service, amazing food. couldn't have been happier with our choice and well worth the cab fare from downtown Atlanta.
(4)
Shonda K.

So we headed over to Woodfire for a birthday get together for a friend who is a huge fan of Kevin (Top Chef). I must say first off that the service was excellent. I actually lost count of the waiters who were serving us (we were a party of nine) but they were pleasant and attentive, especially considering our reservation was after 10pm. I was not overly impressed by the decor/styling of the restaurant, nothing special. But the group dining area we were seated in upstairs was fine, rustic and cozy on a cold night. The Food: Appetizers: Glazed Shrimp (nice flavor but the portion size was just insulting for the price. There were like 6 popcorn size shrimp on a mound in the middle of the plate...c'mon guys) The chanterelle mushrooms weren't bad and someone in my party had the scallop which was not a favorite for me. Our main courses were the duck and the pork loin. The duck was fine but the pork loin was the star of the evening. It was moist, perfectly seasoned and cooked. It was paired with apples, cabbage and bacon slaw, it was simply delicious. I did not want to stop eating this and I was sharing with my boyfriend who absolutely loved it also! I struggled with trying the banana fritters dessert but I am a dessert girl and I just had to try bacon on a dessert (though I am just repulsed by the idea and roll my eyes as they prepare it for desserts on all the television cooking competitions). I should have followed my first mind and left it alone. Gross. Bacon does not belong on a dessert period. Though without the "distracting" bacon the dessert was not memorable at all so...All in all I had a good time. While I would not put this on "must visit again" list, I think it is a good restaurant with excellent service and food you should give a try.
(4)
Barney B.

I found the flaw at woodfire grill and I am about to share it with you - it's a significant flaw and warrants pointing out so you guys are prepared and make a well-informed decision about this place. The flaw: there's a tear in the plaster on the men's room wall. There. I said it and frankly I feel good about not covering that up. Now you know. As for everything else here - good luck finding a flaw. This was the chosen spot for my birthday dinner with family. We walked in excited, but I admit I was concerned that, with this being the 3rd TC contestant's establishment I would be visiting, I was going to turn into one of 'those people'. I walked out realizing that the reason this was my favorite meal in years (if not longer) had nothing to do with dudeman being on the telly - it was because of the 5+ amazing courses that were so magnificently prepared to the point that I often heard at our table "I don't usually like _______ but that was amazing" - it was alsp because my family, who have never done a tasting menu, experienced countless items they would never ever try due to it never being the 'safe' option they tend to order, and they loved practically every bite - it was because I walked out remembering every detail of every course and the character of every paired wine (and face it, this wasn't my 21st birthday - old man Barney B has a rough time remembering what cereal he had this morning). The space is complementary to the warm, smokey, comfortable food you are about to enjoy. The wines are paired perfectly with the courses - the service is exactly what it should be - friendly, informative, interactive and non-hovering. it's just that plaster - the one fault in an otherwise sublime package. and obviously I am stretching even with that.
(5)
Dave T.

Five us had the five course blind menu. Four did paired half glasses of wine with the courses. I had two glasses rather than the pairings. As a first matter, if you are going to drink wine, do the pairing. My friends half glasses were the same that the server poured for my full glasses. My two "full" glasses were the same price as their five. I wish I could say the tiny portions were offset by exquisite taste; but, I can't. When I say tiny, I mean it. If you are a big eater, this place is not for you. I'm not and I had enough to eat; but, for the price, it was at best acceptable, not great. The servers were good not great. Since you are getting food that you don't know about before it is served, it would be better if they didn't rush through the memorized description of the course. Finally, though it wasn't mentioned by the server or stated on the menu, the restaurant added a 20% tip to the bill. It's what we would have tipped; but, it's an annoying practice.
(3)
Arian A.

Ambiance. Ambiance. Ambiance. What a great atmosphere to enjoy a great meal. There were four of us in our party and they placed us in a little room which was semi-private and awesome! It felt as if we were the only diners. The 5-course tasting menu was amazing and included a deconstructed Waldorf salad, scallops, quail, and my husband's favorite, pork belly. The wine pairing was also delicious. If you are a light weight drinker like me you can have the option of doing a 1/2 glass wine pairing. All in all, the experience was so choice. Plan to visit again in the future.
(5)
Art H.

Made a reservation for 4 on Saturday night of V-Day weekend. We arrived on time and were told that the "seatings" were running a little behind. We waited about 15 minutes and were then shown to our table. It's a much a bigger place than it looks from the street. We were seated at a booth which was a tight squeeze for 4 fairly average sized people. We had already placed our drink order in the waiting area yet it took another 10 minutes or so for them to get to us. The waiter was a nice guy. We made the mistake of saying, "yes", when he asked if it was our first time dining there whereby he proceeded to give us a lesson in Menu 101... "The first course is in the upper left, followed by the second course..." We opted to order "ala carte" versus the 3 or 5 course tasting menus after the waiter told us that they would be a surprise. If I'm paying for the dinner, I want to know what I'm paying for... Just like there are some people who want to know the sex of their babies and some people who want to be surprised. Give me a choice. Two of us ordered the risotto, one ordered the celery soup and one ordered the arugula salad. The salad was a bust. There was some shaved parm and a little dried country ham on it but otherwise it was flavorless. The risotto was good but required that you get a little of everything on the plate in your mouth to get the right flavors and seasoning. The celery soup tasted like something from Gerber. For entrees, two of us ordered the pork loin, one the beef loin and one the sturgeon. The pork was cooked well. The accompanying root vegetables were spottily cooked... some done and some underdone. The beef loin, ordered medium rare, was more to the rare than the medium. The sturgeon was perhaps the best entree... cooked perfectly with an interesting crust. For dessert, the cocoa nib doughnuts, the chocolate pain perdu and the honey roasted pear were ordered with the doughnuts clearly winning. They put a lot of emphasis on sustainable products and the currently chic farm-to-table philosophy almost to the point of going overboard (aren't all coffee plants and thus all coffee sustainable?). Don't spend so much time telling me how great it is on the menu prove it to me with the taste. They have an extensive wine list but the prices are on the high side. The waitstaff was good but paid no attention to the conversation at hand as if what they had to say was always more important. No sign of Top Chef Gillespie. You'd think, given his new-found popularity and given that he has to know that many people are dining at Woodfire because of him, he would make a point of being seen and making the rounds. All-in-all we were glad we went but given the number of good places in Atlanta and given the missteps in food and service, not to mention prices on the high side (how are all of these young diners affording such meals?), we won't make an effort to return.
(3)
Marina T.

I love you woodfire grill. You are my favorite restaurant in all of ATL now. I love you Kevin Gillespie for you kick ass on Top Chef and you support sustainable farming and your pork belly is just absolutely amazing. Tasting menu is a must when you come here. And FYI, your hair and clothes will smell like you've been at Woodfire Grill that night.
(5)
Leon B.

View from the bar: Sometimes I travel on business alone and prefer to eat at the bar, chat with bartenders and other patrons rather than sit in the dining room alone. The Woodfire Grill has a ton of great reviews, but I'm not particularly impressed. I started with fried oysters and the barman seemed slightly miffed that I preferred the $8.00 dry white wine rather than the $20.50 "paired' Chardonnay. The fried oyster was OK with nice smoky bacon flavor but, hey, fried oysters are not gourmet. On the other hand, the duck breast entree with the paired French Gamay was a really good combination. Didn't have dessert or coffee. Service was just OK - it seemed very cramped behind the bar and there was a noisy function behind my head in an alcove. All-in-all, if I were in that neck -of-the-woods with money to spend I'd go to Bone's down the street and get truly great bar attention and overall better food.
(2)
Gena L.

Excellent food, friendly service and heavenly seasonal, original drinks. My husband and I went with our 16 mo daughter. The staff were considerate of our plyte and very welcoming. But I must confess I would not bring our little angel again! I ordered the quail, it was moist and flavorful. My husband ordered the pork loin, it had a wonderful crust and was cooked to perfection! Kuddps to the mixologist
(5)
William R.

Great night out! The food is tasty and elegant. I highly recomend the halibut. Staff is awesome! Music is Indy current. Love that. Not a big fan of the Cheshire Bridge feeling, but this place is special and I'm willing to look past it.
(5)
Dave S.

Great service and epic food. Kevin Gillespie's Woodfire Grill delivers on every front. Don't miss out on this amazing restaurant.
(5)
Beth H.

I recently was in town visiting my brother and his wife and we went to Woodfire Grill. It was the best dining experience I have had in a long time! The food was fabulous, the service provided by Kate and the entire staff was perfect, and the entire experience was great. I highly recommend checking out the Woodfire Grill.
(5)
Jessica R.

Visited Woodfire for the first time for my going away party. Kevin happened to be there which was an extra treat since I am a big Top Chef fan. Our table of five decided to go with the 5 course tasting menu. It was worth every penny. All of the ingredients were organic and grass fed (a mandatory staple in my diet) Each of the four courses had a protein and the dessert was improvised for me for my chocolate allergy. All in all it was a good experience, there also happened to be a large party there that night so the whole experience took 3 hours but it was well worth it. Worth the money! Not for the person that expects big portions.
(5)
RK E.

Eh.... I was really disappointed. A friend and I went to Atlanta (from DC) specifically to go to Woodfire Grill after last year's Top Chef (yes i know we're dorks). Perhaps that was the flaw in the plan - our expectations were too high. We arrived and sat in the bar area for 5-10 minutes while they were preparing our table. I have no problem with that - but the bar area was a bit strange. When i walked to the hostess table the carpet had gotten all ratty and sticky and my shoes stuck to the floor. Also, while we waited, we ordered two margaritas with a specific tequila recommended by our waitress. Both of our drinks had about 5 fruit flies apiece. After we sat down, we discussed with the waiter the tasting menu. My friend and I both only eat fish, but she was willing to eat meat to do the tasting. I was not. The waiter said something along the lines of, "Chef Kevin does not like to alter his meals." So either I could pay $65 for 5 plates of vegetables or neither of us could do the tasting. Needless to say, I was not willing to pay the same for a vegetarian meal as she would pay for duck and lamb. Clearly that was the wrong choice - all 5 tables around us did the tasting, which looked far better than our food. We ordered 4 small plates and one entree. For me, half of the small plates were disappointing. The entree- a salmon dish with melon - was really wonderful. The dessert was also disappointing. The other thing that really bothered me was the pretension of the waitstaff. Maybe I'm just being picky, but the incessant reference to "Chef Kevin" got really annoying. Other than that constant statement, I didn't find the staff personable at all, except for one very nice waiter, not ours, that regularly stopped by our table to see how we were. Last telling point was later in the evening we met someone who had eaten at Woodfire the previous week. He did the tasting - which he thought was good but not great. When he explained the dishes to us, they were the identical ones served when we were there (a previous reviewer said that they change the menu daily but that's clearly not the case). He also said that when he asked what was in the tasting prior to ordering, the waiter responded that, "Chef Kevin likes it to be a surprise." I find that pretty lame and kind of unprofessional. We ate the previous night at Restaurant Eugene and frankly found the staff and the food far superior. I would recommend Restaurant Eugene anyday over Woodfire.
(2)
missy a.

Kevin is an awesome chef. I love the tasting menu with wine pairings. Love going back again & again without getting same meal. Staff knowledgeable but approachable. Make a reservation in advance as this is a hot & busy restaurant.
(5)
Richard J.

I went there over a year ago and ordered the tasting menu. I forgot how many courses it was, 7? I didn't care for any. I won't be back.
(1)
shal C.

We love the food and service at our visit to woodfire grill. Our server was very helpful and thoughtful. I love that the ingredients are local, and the quality and freshness of the ingredients is evident in the food. We will definitely go here again.
(5)
Nestlee M.

Someone needs to say that the Emperor is Not Wearing Clothes. The food was good, but not enough. We went last night, a party of four, and on the way home we talked about stopping somewhere for more to eat. We had each ordered drinks, a first course, main course and dessert. The bread was very good. A friend and I split the ribeye for two ($100) and the meat was delicious. It came with ten kernels of corn and two green beans cut into eight pieces, no kidding. Several people stopped by to ask how everything was and although I said fine, I really wanted to say that I was hungry .... and I am a small female. Others had duck and salmon... both good. What happened to the rice and vegetables? I love these side items at a good restaurant. The place smelled great ....like a grill... and the wait staff was perfect. However, we will not be going back any time soon.
(3)
Yun Jung C.

Fine dining at its best minus the pretentious atmosphere. This dining experience has set the bar very high for all others. The service was impeccable, wine list amazing and the food . . . unbelievable. We had the 3 course tasting which I highly recommend. Perfectly cooked scallops and the main course - quail with an eggplant puree was delicious! (I was tempted to pick up my plate to lick it clean it was so wonderful) Chef Kevin Gillespie pairs up each course beautifully - good luck on Top Chef! As many people have stated, the ingredients are fresh and they use local vendors. Their service was also exceptional from the valet, bar tenders and the wait staff. I really appreciate that during a down economy Woodfire Grill continues to remind you of what "dining out" should be.
(5)
Megan O.

Amazing. Went here last night for our anniversary and we both loved it. The food: fried green tomato and sweet corn soup for our firsts - both wonderful, the fried green tomato plate had incredibly complex flavors! Then the risotto and pork belly for our seconds - the pork belly did not disappoint - wow. That's all I can say. For the main course we chose the duck and pork loin. These were good, but actually not as enjoyable as the first two courses. The duck was actually quite good, although I wish it had been a *touch* more done - it was a little on the chewy side. On the other hand, the loin seemed a touch overcooked, and a little underseasoned. But as a whole plate, the flavors were all there, so it was still great. The sauces at this restaurant overall are phenomenal. Finally, dessert - we were both feeling a bit stuffed so we decided to just split the chocolate cream pie. However, our waitress brought that as well as the banana pain perdu (I'll explain below), and boy am I glad she did. DO NOT LEAVE WITHOUT GETTING THE BANANA PAIN PERDU! Banana. Caramel. Candied Bacon. Heaven. The overall experience: we went on a Wednesday, so it wasn't too crowded or loud. We were seated right at our reservation time. Had the "farmers daughter" cocktail - wow! Cucumber, mint, vodka, ginger beer.... fantastic! I *love* that they bring an amuse-bouche between each course - they were incredible! (Gelled champagne and strawberry foam, a lemon sorbet, and then a panna cotta with a chocolate and coffee chip before dessert!) And finally, the waitstaff was just how I like them - attentive but not obtrusive. And they really know how to treat their customers right. The reason our waitress brought us a dessert we didn't order? Both desserts were comped because the first course "took awhile to come out." We hadn't even noticed! Woodfire will definitely be joining our list of "special occasion" restaurants.
(5)

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Address : 1782 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE
Atlanta, GA, 30324
Phone (404) 347-9055
Website https://www.woodfiregrill.com
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Opening Hours

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Specialities

Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Valet
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Woodfire Grill

1782 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30324

Woodfire Grill Menu

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Vegetables & Sides

Tasting Menu

Dessert

Coffee

Tea

Healthy Meal suggestions for Woodfire Grill

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Vegetables & Sides

Tasting Menu

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Tea

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