Tiny Lou's — Restaurant in Atlanta

Tiny Lou's Is A Hidden Gem Inside The Hotel Clermont!

This little French restaurant tucked neatly and beautifully in the bowels of the Hotel Clermont on Ponce De Leon in the Old Fourth Ward area of Atlanta is truly a hidden gem.

Known mainly for the Hotel's past incarnation as it is named after a petite exotic dancer, this restaurant does everything right. This includes it being cognizant of the fact that we are in the middle of a pandemic.

First, I want to start with the fact that I would have LOVED to have provided it with 5 stars but the parking situation on a Saturday night was deplorable. I did mention this in grave detail to the reception / host and she shared that they no longer valet and that they need to update their website to include the parking situation.

I explained that my dining companion had to drive for nearly 30 minutes to find a spot on the street. The poor thing felt as though he had been placed in a round room and told to pee in the corner! After this very frustrating encounter, I had to make it up to him by placating him with Dirty Martinis.

On that topic, I strongly recommend arriving early if not just to find parking but to take advantage of the many luxurious bars on the roof or the hotel bar off the lobby, They make great cocktails but the Martinis are divine despite the fact that they do not serve bleu cheese stuffed olives.

Once our table was ready (they take very good care for you to be socially distanced in their high backed booths). I strongly recommend that you request these instead of the chairs along the banquet lined walls. While they are lovely they did not fit the bill for a night of celebration.

Their starters each had a personality of it's own. The French Crepe with Comte cheese was savory and delicious. The Black Cocoa Foie Gras Torchon is the most notable started and would temp even a staunch vegan. Yes, it is THAT GOOD. And so beautiful to boot.

The main we ordered, Steak Frites (their C.A.B. Coulotte, Pomme Frites and Sauce du Clermont ) was the most amazing of all of the roasted meats and the frites were crispy and dry unlike most of the steakhouse varieties. We really wanted to have the broccolini alas, they were out so our waiter (who I will describe in an moment) suggested the roasted local baby carrots. Now you would think that these would be bland but they were glorious. These root vegetables were cooked to perfection and accompanied by the texture of the sauce - DIVINE!

The desserts were a magical version of a caramel apple (apples are in season) and their chocolat dessert with gold leaf was just short of heaven.

On the evening we were dining we had the good fortune of having a fabulous waiter who knew the menu and discussed our wine preferences in grave detail. It is rare to find a server so passionate and knowledgeable about a restaurant's wine list. We were so incredibly lucky on the evening we dined as we were seated in his section! The Grenache he recommended was transcendent with each and every course.

Merci bien...

The revamp of Claremont Hotel to have this upscale dining situation right above where elderly strippers retire, is so on brand for Atlanta lol. You have to valet which is nice, but it can and does get full so be prepared if that happens.

Tiny Lou's was everything I hoped it would be. Artisan cocktails, amazing food, wonderful plating. Small and intimate. Something about it feels romantic, mysterious, like you are dining in an episode of Mad Men or something.

Met up with 3 of my friends for a dinner. Our server was personable without being over bearing and had great command of the drink menu.

COCKTAILS: She suggested I have a drink (forgot the name?) that basically was what would happen if Lambrusco wine and a French 75 had a baby. Delightful and refreshing. They even have wonderful zero proof drinks for those who do not partake in liquor or are designated drivers so everyone gets to be fancy.

FOOD: The server brought out a bread that was made in house, sliced, and stuffed with burrata cheese and butter. AMAZEBALLS. This made me ready to get that calorie count up and be 100% ok with it. Once my friends settled in we all got a few things to share. Steak tartare and hamachi crudo got the party started because we like things raw sometimes LOL. The steak was perfectly thin sliced and tender from a great cut of meat. Hamachi crudo made me feel like I was eating in a fine sushi restaurant. For dinner, I had a special which was a short rib. It was so flavorful and tender you could cut it with a butter knife...I was highly upset to find my husband eating my leftovers later that evening. My friend ordered the steak and frites...and check this out, they make their own in house truffle oil for those fries so you know the result was outstanding. We also tried the pan sear scallops which were a dream and all the items it is plated with serves as a vehicle of culinary amazingness. Lastly we had the heritage farm pork chop which is basically a smokey delicious creamy well seasoned bean high end cousin of pork and beans. All of this was mind blowing.

DESSERT: as dinner winded down and my calorie count began making the results of my New Years resolution a little more than a hope, somehow we were encouraged to get a slice of the crepe cake and boyyyyyyyyy....it did not disappoint. It takes them a totally of 42 hours to get this thing ready to be served. Light airy without being too sweet perfection. It's a perfect marriage between breakfast and dessert.

I was very impressed. It's been awhile since a place has knocked my socks off and made me want to tell everyone about it. Plus it's super cute for photo ops in there.

SUMMARY: artisan cocktails and mocktails, amazing well curated culinary eats, cute photo ops abound because...

Where do I even begin.. whew buckle up we are going for a ride!

First I want to start off by saying Hotel Clermont is the ONLY hotel me and my girlfriend stay when we visit Atlanta. This was our first time eating at TIny Lou’s which is inside of the Clermont.

Greeted by a neon sign and downward stairs lies the Infamous Tiny Lou’s.

The wait wasn’t long at all, we had a table of five and was seated timely.

Daniel was our server: when I say the absolute best. He was remarkable! One of my favorite if not the most memorable dining experience I’ve had. My girlfriend ordered so many things from the menu.

We started off with a bottle of Chablis. Very great recommendation for the entrees we ordered.

The bread service: a must have for the table order a few because one loaf isn’t enough. Chef Sug cut up with that one forsure. I can still taste the soft buttery brioche bread, just melts in your mouth. It didn’t make food network must try’s for no reason okayyy. (Btw she also creates all of the recipes for the desserts and so much more!) A asset to the establishment.

Pearson Farms Harvest Salad: Fireeee, super fresh. The Heirloom Tomatoes! I’m not a tomato fan, but I was killing them, even the vinaigrette was tomato!

Steak Tartare I’ve never had it before. Omgosh it was so delicious I had to order two! The lobster Risotto: I’m not a Risotto fan, but it had so much balance and flavor. very good! Chefs kiss

Tagliatelle with the black truffle added(additional charge) I’m so upset because I do not remember tasting the pasta and I’m a pasta lover!

Steak Frites Côte de boeuf: BUSSIN’ can’t go wrong with the de boeuf! Succulent cooked to perfection. The crust just everything about this dish. When the fries and the juice from the steak mix. Oh baby… nom nom nom.

Desserts:

Le Salon 1965- I don’t think I shared a piece with the table lol I really enjoyed this dessert. The carrot cake, hazelnut mousse so silky, cream cheese ice cream, candied carrots.

Crêpe Cake: such a beautiful work of art. The endless layers of vanilla bean crêpes, ginger caramel.. divine!

For the table we also had the parfait Glacé and the Mort Au Chocolat.

Last but DEF not least: James! He is a leader. Very accommodating. I felt like James was one of my favorite cousins. He showed a lot of love. Very appreciative of him and my experience dining at the restaurant. If he is the manager when you visit you’re GREAT hands.

I highly recommend Tiny Lou’s for any occasion! You will be in for a great time! The staff is great, the food is wonderful, the service is superb! What more could...