THE CHASTAIN - Restaurant — Restaurant in Atlanta

Honestly the food is ok, but the experience overshadowed our perception of this place. I really really want to like it - its close by and would be great to be a regular. But. 1) RESERVATIONS EXPERIENCE: app was not working...called multiple times over 2 days and no one every picked up the phone! I drove there in person to make the reservation. [Really?!!!!] The 'little girls" at reception response was "they don't let us have a phone" and the 2 guys at the valet said they hear a lot of guests complaining that no one answers the phone and people have trouble with reservations 2) ARRIVAL EXPERIENCE: plenty of tables, no room at the bar... but young girls at reception would not seat us. We were 15 minutes early. Tried to squeeze in at bar to order a drink and told we had to go over by the register. Went to register and bartender said "what are WE having? [degrading phrase] and when we answered, she said she was busy...give her a minute. It was all just off-putting. 3) OUTSIDE TABLES / CHAIRS: the little bistro tables and chairs are super low quality for a place like this, unstable and uncomfortable. Then the chairs in the outside area don't have cushions [for ladies in short skirts...very uncomfortable] and also low quality for a place like this. There are a few fans, but doesn't make a dent for the tables around the edge of the tent 4) SERVICE: Waiter arrived and said "happy birthday" - spoiling the surprise at the end with desert. And then ... never brought the surprise desert. He topped off our untouched water glasses 3x before actually interacting with us. Someone else delivered a beer - we were fine with it in the cold bottle, but she insisted on pouring it from the bottle into a glass while we watched and left a huge head of foam and then had to leave the bottle anyway. She didn't say anything. It was odd and showed lack of experience or training. Then waiter just started rambling about the menu in no logical order. We have never been here before and it made no sense. When I asked "what are popular items on the menu" he responded with "I just told you." [Really?!!!]. After. our meal was served, we were ... forgotten. It was really hot...the chairs were uncomfortable ... someone else dropped off desert menus without saying anything ... no one ever came back over ... they had spoiled the birthday surprise ... we finally just asked someone else for the check. 5) FOOD: we thought the chef must be pretty good. Sourdough bread is really yummy. But not worth the price. Maybe add some other yummies to put on top to make it more signature. Fried Green Tomatoes were really good. They are on a bed of cold butter beans or something that was very tasty, albeit a bit too spicy. Garden salad was very fresh, very. We had all 3 pastas which are homemade. Good, but really wanted them to be outstanding. Meat one was too spicy, taking away from the overall combination of tastes. Mushroom has amazing combination of mushrooms. Ravioli is ... fresh, light, different with lettuce. But I don't think we would order any of them again. Seems they are known for their cheese burger and we did see it - looks pretty good.

We watched how the staff interacted. They congregated by the outside station but were not really paying attention to the guests. They seemed very unsure, inexperienced and yet formal. It was not a neighborhood, welcoming feel at all.

I get the sense that they want to be upscale, but...they are next to ... a park. There are plenty of people showing up in tennis and running attire AND people who are more dressed up. Maybe this place should re-evaluate and become the really really good neighborhood bar/bistro instead of a white tablecloth place? Capitalize on location and build a welcoming, more casual but quality atmosphere. And, get more comfortable seating!!

I want this place to succeed... but I think we'll wait til they figure out what they want to be... and how to improve...

The Chastain has all the makings of a neighborhood favorite, blending a picturesque setting with a lively community vibe. Here’s a balanced look at what makes it special-and where it still needs to grow.

What Works Well The ambiance is consistently outstanding. Whether you’re enjoying a morning coffee, a business lunch, or a fireside evening on the patio, The Chastain offers an inviting and stylish atmosphere. The restaurant’s design-inside and out-draws in Buckhead’s beautiful crowd and their pets, making it a hot spot for people-watching and casual gatherings. Presentation is a strong suit. Dishes arrive looking beautiful, and the bar is well-known for its cocktails and wine selection. The setting is versatile: you can stop in for a quick grab-and-go pastry, linger over brunch, or settle in for a refined dinner. The outdoor terrace and fire pit are especially popular for relaxed afternoons and evenings. The Chastain’s commitment to fresh, locally sourced ingredients is evident. Much of the produce comes from their onsite culinary garden, and the menu is designed to highlight seasonal flavors. Signature dishes like the butter-poached Maine lobster agnolotti, TC Cheese Burger and Olive Oil Poached Halibut showcase the kitchen’s attention to detail. The staff, in many cases, is attentive and knowledgeable, with some servers being favorites for their recommendations and hospitality.

Where It Falls Short Food safety issues are a recurring concern. And this is a BIG ONE! Multiple experiences with undercooked chicken-both personally and among friends-raise serious questions about kitchen consistency and quality control. Food poisoning has been reported as well. While management has responded appropriately with apologies and comps, repeated incidents suggest a systemic problem that needs urgent attention. Service, while sometimes excellent, can also be inattentive or rushed. Both myself and many of my friends have noted a lack of attentiveness and a feeling of being hurried through their meal, which detracts from the overall experience. The menu, while rooted in seasonal ingredients, can feel very limited and in need of more variety-especially at lunch. The salads are underwhelming, and the burger, though good, isn’t quite worth the premium price. For a neighborhood spot, more approachable and diverse options would be welcome. Comfort is an issue. Booth seating is low, and terrace furniture is uncomfortable, which is surprising given the restaurant’s otherwise polished feel. For the price point, an upgrade here would be justified. The value proposition is questionable. It just falls short. Many meals end up feeling pricey for what is ultimately a mediocre experience, especially when factoring in inconsistent service and food execution. Accessibility and safety outside the restaurant could be improved. The lack of a proper sidewalk extension at a busy intersection creates a hazard for pedestrians and pets, detracting from the otherwise community-friendly atmosphere.

The Chastain really is a beloved addition to our neighborhood, and its setting, ambiance, and commitment to fresh ingredients make it a place you want to love. However, persistent issues-especially with food safety, menu variety, and price -hold it back from being a true favorite. Many regulars, like me, are rooting for The Chastain to realize its full potential. I don't mind paying a lot if the food and service make it worthwhile. I will pay a higher price for food I love and I will keep going back to those places because it is consistently delicious. Predictability and satisfaction go a long way! With improvements in kitchen consistency, menu evolution, and guest comfort, it could become the neighborhood gem it aspires to be.

For now, it remains a wonderful spot for coffee, breakfast, and fireside chats, but lunch and dinner need to step up to match the promise of its setting and...

This review is specific to a weekday breakfast experience. Recently met a friend for coffee. I have never felt so uncomfortable and unwelcome for the entirety of my stay at a a dining establishment. I watched as every patron was made to feel equally uncomfortable, and heard at least 3 parties say they would never return.

The restaurant seems torn as to whether it wants to be a counter service or sit-down breakfast place - it needs to make up its mind. All of the tables in shade said "reserved" which apparently means you can sit there and be served rather than wait 20 min to order at the counter. However, none of the customers there knew that sit-down was an option, as there is no signage. Please fix that.

The large dining patio had chairs on tables when we arrived (at about 9:30). By the time we ordered some of the chairs had been taken down, and I watched several folks sit at them with their food. We also did at 9:50, as there were no other tables in the shade and it was 90 degrees. All of us (by 10 there were about 5 tables occupied out there) were aggressively approached by 3 different employees within 30 min telling us we had to vacate by 10:30. In the 20 min we sat there not 5 min went by between these "warnings". Again, please make up your mind. If you want to be sit-down for breakfast, use those tables for that and manage them to have availability by lunch. If you want to be counter service, reinstate free seating in the other areas, including the shade.

And finally, please have employees, and especially the managers, work on their communication skills. Their tone and demeanor was frankly offputting and unnecessarily aggressive. It was hard to watch them make such a large number of patrons uncomfortable. No one there that morning walked away glad they had come.

I have been to the Chastain numerous times, both for breakfast and dinner. The location and physical setting is fantastic, which has gotten us to return over time. The restaurants opinion of itself has nevern been matched by the food, and as of today, the logistics and service level are unacceptably low. It's high time that this place stopped resting on its location and took a long hard look at what it wants to be and how...