IN THE PAST Landmark Diners in Atlanta (the entire series of them from Buckhead to Marietta) were the places to go for beautifully plated dishes that were piled so high you had no choice but to get a to go box. From dinner to dessert you left pretty d*mn satified and your wallet was still heavy...
Somewhere between last October 2009 and April 2010 things changed.
Upon looking at the place back in 2002 when I first arrived I didn't know if I wanted to go in there...it looked a little scary and unsophsticated...all those colourful neon lights. But after actually stepping inside I completely fell in love w/it... It wasn't the ""cleanest"" looking place depending on the lights but the offering of Greek food and American specialties won me over! The ginormous desserts were 5 star and anytime we had a community meeting it would conclude there.
My favourite dishes were the salads and breakfast items. But as time went on I came to love the Nachos, matzo ball soup, Italian Pasta dishes and their drinks.
But all that came to a halt last night. I visited the one in buckhead with my same group of friends. We were rather hungry and I ordered much more than my usual eggs and fries w/feta cheese.
Upon entering I noticed the decor has changed. There's a big Persian style rug in the doorway and the dim seats and booths have all been replaced w/new comfy chairs and cushioned seating areas. Its not the most modern in style but it feels good and breakfast-nooky.
The extremely friendly host was absent and instead a superficial-dry manager or head waiter?? who drug out a semi-friendly ""booth or table, ladies.""
We chose a table.
A very nice waitress came out afterwards and took our orders. We ask for things we usually eat when there... We were given a half loaf of sliced butter bread w/butter packets. I'm not a big fan of bread but I miss their french bagette cut and piping hot.
I ordered an omlette, fries and grilled cheese (cheddar). When it arrived I was surprised that the omlette came w/home fries (if I had seen that on the menu I wouldn't have ordered fries). The grilled cheese (that I just ordered at random because I just trusted was on the menu) was not grilled but instead EXTREMELY TOASTED toast (clearly burned on some edges) and what could have been generic brand american cheese slices coloured BRIGHT ORANGE. I ate it because 1. I was hungry 2. I don't like to return food for fear I'm going to piss off a cook/chef whose having a tough night. Just as all of the other dishes began to arrive and the first bites taken I questioned who on earth was cooking. Before I could even get my words out my friend also made a negative comment about her food.
We tried to eat it and I finished most of mine (it was late and I hadn't eaten since noon-so I was too weak to go home and cook). I took my dessert to go...it too tasted bad. I couldn't believe it! What happened?????
I miss the old diner...the one w/the friendly faces, the crazy huge portions and real food products-not food substitutes. I didn't mind the dim lighting or the cool 50s car-hop furniture w/silver lining... The diner is one of the few 24 hour spots where you can get pretty good greek food at 5:15 am...some of us enjoy mousakka at that hour! I just don't know if its going to be good anymore! Ill give it another try (maybe) but Ill probably order fries and matzo ball soup in the future-no dessert. I'm not taking a risk w/anything else.
Pros: Still a great menu selection
Cons: the food doesn't taste as good as it used to
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