Moonlight — Restaurant in Atlanta

Bitter sweet review for me. Beautiful place, rooftop even better than expected, and the weather was perfect. Our waitress was on point and super friendly. But it went left with the initial hostess who sat us. Hostess took us to our seat on the rooftop and here we go. So there were 2 guys out -I mean the only 2 people out when we went out and the 1st problem, she sat us right next to them. They looked. We looked. You can tell all of us were on the same page like it's 99 seats out here but you sit us together. This usually happens when sits are limited but the only 2 plus us. But no one said anything, we sat down. However, the guys got awkwardly quiet and I truly understood, so I told my husband this isn't going to work. We asked if we could move to another seat and we were told yes but if it was out of their window view we would have to order at the bar, no servers for us. We said okay no problem. We immediately moved. The guys had asked them something too and then left. Prior to actually moving the waitress had sat our waters at the first table so when we returned from the hostess stand, we grabbed the water and moved to the new location. We assumed because we moved the water the waitress came over out of respect being she was serving us initially. We were like cool we ordered and she was soooo nice and friendly. Made us feel right at home and like we mattered. She wasn't trying to break the rules she was doing her job. We moved the water and she moved. Plan and simple. My husband had gotten up to walk around to see the view of the area, came back and suggested I look. As soon as I got up and walked away here comes the hostess and told my husband for future reference, if out of viewing area, we can't be served. He smiled it off and said okay. I was livid but didn't want to ruin the moment so I didn't say anything. But what took the cake for me, there were like 4 or 5 tables behind us truly out of viewing area and this same hostess sat these people down, gave them menus and guess what? THEY HAD A SERVER! Why didn't they get the memo that for future reference you can't be served out of viewing area? Had someone else sat them down then okay maybe they didn't know. But the same lady who scolded us and didn't want us to move for whatever reason, sat these people down and sent a server. Help me to understand what was happening PLEASE! I do want to give a shoutout to our waitress whose name I failed to get and also to Ms. Jennifer who just checked on us as she passed by. Didn't have to but she did. Just great character at work. My husband posted a review too but I think I was just moreso hurt that she chose to keep nitpicking with us verses leaving the situation alone. We said okay and we were truly okay with ordering at the bar. We were in a happy space so we didn' t mind walking and we surely didn't want to cause the other guys awkwardness but to add insult to injury not only did she scold us but finished the job by showing us it was only us she was doing this to. Then had the nerve to say have a good evening as we left. Don't get me wrong, she may not have meant any harm doing what she did and I get it things do change so maybe it changed after she sat us down. But this is a learning experience for her because whether it changed or not, keep your comments to yourself because now you are out of place telling us for FUTURE REFERENCE. Who said we would be back and by telling us this you sort of solidified we may not return due to this. If nothing else from this, Moonlight management should train on how to sit customers and how to treat them. She appeared to be a nice young lady in general and probably thought she was telling us in a nice manner so with saying that we pray it is a chance to embrace staff and teach verses scolding and disciplining. People tend to do better when respected and embraced which is why I was concerned. We wanted to be embraced and shown a good side of the rooftop so Moonlight Management, I pray you will teach and NOT preach so these types of incidents won't take place...

Moonlight is a new concept for Atlanta! It’s a caviar bar! I could barely find anything on them, prior to going, but was intrigued by the mystery.

It’s apart of the FORTH hotel and located off of Rankin street and adjacent to the Beltline.

A friend invited me for drinks. I was shocked when I got there and was escorted to the elevator and sent to the top floor of the hotel.

Upon arriving you walk into a chic and vibrant bar, but have the flexibility to be seated outside. The outside features a 365 view of Atlanta and offers a breathtaking view of Atlanta’s sunset, if you time your reservation. We went around 6:30pm and my makeup stayed in tact. Everyone was dressed to impress, but not overly dressed. The vibe gives a Sex and the City feel and something totally different than what we see everywhere else in Atlanta.

Moonlight is not somewhere you visit for a meal, but instead a few drinks and tapas. There’s plenty to choose from, when it comes to drinks. I appreciated them having a nonalcoholic drink list and was told by their server that the bartender could also make anything nonalcoholic.

Drinks: I opted for the Espresso Martini! Nonalcoholic of course! Its takes a minute to receive it, but I found out that they use fresh espresso and they have to retrieve it from downstairs.

For my second drink I allowed the bartender to surprise me! The drink was delicious and refreshing. It featured a tropical taste.

Food:

The menu for Moonlight features mostly items that are made with Caviar, hence it being a Caviar bar.

Deviled Eggs- Absolutely amazing! Please get this! I like that they almost use the entire egg, instead of giving you a half of an egg and charging full price. The egg was topped with an orange caviar and as you take your last bite, you receive a smoked trout sensation on the back of your tongue. 10/10

Lobster Roll- Again a must try! It was the lobster concoction, that featured black caviar on it and served on an in-house brioche mini bun. It was very flavorful and as you take your last bite of the bread, you can taste the buttery crust of the brioche bun!

10/10

Sea Scallop Aguachile- This was a ceviche styled scallop dish. It had cucumber, radish, avocado and a smoked trout Roe (orange caviar). It was garnished with jalapeños and served with chips. I loved the flavors, but would’ve like to have more jalapeños for spice.

8/10

Caviar Bump- In the spirit of being fancy, we also tried the Caviar Bump. The caviar bump is essentially a small tasting spoon of black caviar and served with house made chips. The chips provide the salt and makes the bump delightful. The chips were made in house and are light and crispy.

9/10

Grilled Cheese- I don’t think anyone can make a bad grilled cheese. The bread was toasted perfectly and buttery. They served it with a miso honey mustard sauce, which was tangy and interesting. The grill cheese was satisfying with or without it.

10/10

Moonlight is definitely a place to impress someone over drinks or to catch a snack before going to one of their other restaurants in the building. I highly...

Moonlight Restaurant in Atlanta is a delightful new gem that blends sophisticated ambiance with a breathtaking view of the city skyline. From the moment you step inside, the decor immediately captivates you with its modern elegance and attention to detail. The floor-to-ceiling windows showcase a stunning panorama of the Atlanta skyline, a view that’s simply unmatched and adds a touch of magic to the dining experience.

The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, making it a perfect spot for both intimate dinners and special gatherings. Even though Moonlight is still a relatively new establishment and working out some of the operational kinks, what they’ve already established is truly commendable. After two visits, I can confidently say that they’re on the right path.

The staff at Moonlight are well-orchestrated and incredibly attentive, exemplifying a commitment to personalized service. They’re clearly doing their best to prepare for their guests, and it shows in the little details. From the moment you walk in, you feel like you’re being taken care of, and it’s clear that the team is striving to create memorable experiences for every customer.

The reservation system is still in its trial phase as they work out the best approach to manage crowds. On my first visit, reservations were mandatory, ensuring a serene and manageable environment. By my second visit, they had expanded to allow a controlled level of walk-ins, maintaining the ambiance while still being inclusive. I appreciate this thoughtful approach to crowd control—it’s clear that Moonlight is aiming to provide a refined dining experience, not a nightclub atmosphere.

The bar staff deserve a special mention for their efficiency and skill. They’ve established a smooth system that keeps pace with the crowd without missing a beat. The drink menu is both diverse and unique, offering something for every palate. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic cocktail or something more adventurous, you won’t be disappointed.

Of course, no place is perfect, and I do have some constructive feedback for Moonlight. The outdoor space could benefit from more lighting in certain areas, which would enhance the overall ambiance. Additionally, the grilled cheese option would be better served with a more savory and warm accompaniment instead of the honey mustard currently offered. Expanding the food menu to include a few more diverse selections would also be a welcome improvement. Finally, I’d suggest adding a couple more high tables in the lounge space, as well as making some available for outdoor events.

Special recognition goes to Sharif (manager), Michael (manager), Michael (bartender), and the staff who helped with our special gathering. Their dedication and professionalism made both of my visits truly memorable.

Overall, Moonlight is off to an impressive start, with a few minor tweaks needed to elevate it to the next level. I’m excited to see how they continue to grow and refine their already fantastic concept. It’s a place I’ll definitely be...