Lucian Books and Wine — Restaurant in Atlanta

Lucian has been open for only a year and it is already becoming one of the top dining destinations in Buckhead. Founders Katie Barringer (Cover Books) and Jordan Smelt (Rive Gauche Wine, Cakes and Ale) have drawn from their past experiences to bring alive a vision of a neighborhood wine bar and bookstore much like the shops of greater London. Enjoy a welcoming yet upscale environment that offers simple yet immaculate dishes to compliment the extensive wine list catered by Smelt. After your meal enjoy browsing the wide variety of books on the main shelf, all available for purchase.

Items we tried on this visit:

Schiacciata with artichokes a la grecque - salami that is light in flavor, not too salty, with hints of rosemary. Paired with tart artichokes that provide a nice contrast.

Jamón Ibérico de Cebo - a Spanish classic. The ham is light in flavor and melts in your mouth due to the high fat content. A pig unlike any other, it is easy to see why it is so beloved.

Crisp polenta with black truffle and parmesan - like a superior tater tot, the fried cornmeal fritters are a perfect, crispy companion to your meal.

Fries with chili mayonnaise - the fries are perfectly cooked and served in a large portion that will please your table. The lightly spiced mayonnaise is an ideal compliment.

Burrata with strawberry, beets, and hazelnut - The fresh cheese is light in flavor and juicy. The bread is perfectly toasted and crispy. The beets are the weak point of this dish, it would be better served to add a touch of tartness and acidity such as cranberries.

Ricotta gnudi with fava beans and pancetta - each bite consists of ricotta encased in a thin shell of pasta that goes down smoothly. Complimented by light and crispy bacon and fava beans that do not distract from the dish.

Omelette with caviar and crème fraîche - the perfect omelette. Light, fluffy, creamy with a bit of dairy. Enjoy the addition of salt from the caviar and the herbaceous cream of the fraîche.

Chocolate budino with pistachios - a rich chocolate mousse that would be overwhelming if not for the addition of the crunchy and salty pistachios. Paired together, it is a harmonious dessert that is perfect for closing...

Honestly, I’m not much of one to write a lot of reviews but every once in a while one experiences something well above expectations and just feels compelled to say something. I mean two days later, I’m still thinking about how good dinner was Friday night so here I am. I hope everyone checks out one of the best restaurants I’ve been to in Atlanta in my 12+ years here.

So sister was in town, my daughter is learning about fine dining and my spouse deserved a treat. I can say we all left totally impressed. The ambience was very welcoming and not too pretentious at all.

We all order different dishes so we could sample as much as possible after hearing we needed to eat at Lucian. There was duck, lamb, halibut, French fries, grilled romaine, a sausage ragu(?), something for my vegan spouse, and the most comprehensive wine list I could imagine. We had all four desserts - the strawberry shortcake was my favorite. My kid loved the pudding - reminded me of English pudding at Christmas.

The service was impeccable; a guy named Andy took care of us and was just the right level of fully informative but never intrusive or sales-y on the beverage angle.

The owner, or manager Jordan came by and checked in on us and before our desserts came my daughter was treated like a special guest since fine dining can be boring for an 11 year old.

In the end, I never got a book, though there were at least 5 I wish were on my shelves here at home.

We will definitely return and I apologize if this isn’t a standard review with food not talked in detail. Honestly, the food speaks for itself well beyond my capabilities.

This might be my Father’s Day request as it just feels perfect for...

I can't say enough good things about Lucian. It's easily among Atlanta's best restaurants and one of the few, true five star food experiences I've had in this city. The difference can be seen in their craft, and in a time and place that seems unconcerned with anything that requires genuine effort and attention to detail, it is sublime. The composition of the menu, the balance in each dish, the freshness and prep of the ingredients, the execution in the cooking, impeccable service and a unique environment all shows an aptitude that is rare. Not everyone will appreciate these things, but it's very hard to do all of them well consistently, and it blows me away when I find it.

Given this, some may be surprised that there were a couple of dishes that didn’t ”Wow” me. The halibut was a bit too salty and the fries weren't as fluffy as I would expect. But again, the quality and craftsmanship are so clear as to deserve consideration even if my tastes were not perfectly served. and everything else I tried was phenomenal. The focaccia with artichoke and ricotta was particularly amazing.

Some may not like the food. Others will find the experience impenetrable or off putting. And it's clear that some are perplexed by the concept whether it's the occasional appearance of their pre fix options, two hour reservations, or their library setting among books and wine. That's ok. To each their own, but the quality here is clear, and if you enjoy such things, it's worth...