Inicio — Restaurant in Georgia

I can't speak to Anna or Derek who left some subpar reviews. I don't know, if it were me... I would have called? I received texts and emails probably 4 times confirming my reservation. Sounds like negligence to me 🤷‍♂️.

Alright, the experience, since that's what it is. My wife and I are not fine dining individuals, just a couple of home cooks with 3 kids who appreciate flavors and proper technique that we can practice at home. Every two to three years it's nice to take a step back and just see how amateurish we REALLY are compared to how food ought to be served and cooked.

Look, you're getting a front row interactive experience with an extremely talented chef here. Unfortunately, Inicio should be located in it's own location and not within Cork and Flame (which, to be honest is a phenomenal date night/fine dining spot in it's own right) but (as of mid-2024, and eating at C&F since it's inception) it's a process and I'm sure Justin and the team will get there. Inicio has the right chef, the right team and passion, a clunky environment (a restaurant within a restaurant), and a challenging local market... I'm confused why C&F regulars haven't plunged deeper into Inicio but they should!

Service was great. Not much to say here as the service you get at C&F is the same you'll get at Inicio. You want a specific wine? You got it. You want to take one away with you that you had at dinner? It's already waiting for you. You need an extra minute to use the restroom? The food magically cooks slower. They know your occasion, the staff is communicating, and they're there to ensure you have a quality evening. They do their job extremely well.

We have a significant dietary restriction for medical reasons in our family and Justin not only adjusted his menu, but explained how and why the substitutions were made. Within a 7 course meal, there were literally 3 major substitutions he had to make. 1. A creme brulé was simplified but (potentially) amplified in intensity of the truffle infusion to the point that I'd almost prefer the pre-tapioca addition. 2. An oat milk for a foam which caused the worst substitution due to mouth feel (I don't even know what you can do about it) and 3. A red corn side dish requiring gluten that the kitchen made into a regular corn dish. He cooks with globally diverse and fresh ingredients but his talent and creativity are on point. Phenomenal.

Justin created a cuisine for us that introduced many new ideas and creative innovation. Yellow fin tuna? No that's watermelon. Scallops perfectly seared? Yeah, on a charcoal grill. Oh you tasted that bite? Have a sip of the deliciously paired wine and try again... the pairing flavors transform the meal altogether. I'm incredibly pleased with the experience and if we're ever back in the area (we moved!), this is absolutely a stop-in spot to see what Justin is up to.

Well worth the money you're going to spend on dinner, you can't beat...

This is the first and not the last time we will come to Inicio. I've been to many, many Michelin star restaurants around the world over the past 10 years. Honestly, my experience at Inicio in Evans, GA rivals the best of them! Chef Justin and his curated menu and staff of well-trained servers make an orchestrated team that delivers a delightful and memorable dinner experience. Matt, our chief server, was particularly a gem and especially contributed to the unique experience guests will have at Inicio. I highly recommend this niche course dinner destination for anyone seeking an experience that will exceed your expectations for a special night out. The music and lighting shifted with the courses served which was a reallly nice touch. They served dessert with candles and Vivaldi's four seasons playing in the background. Doesn't get much better! I encourage chef Justin to keep pursuing your passion for outstanding food and wonderful presentation because you are making your mark in our community. Thank you. We...

After reading the raving reviews online, my expectations for Inicio were high, but unfortunately, the experience fell short.

The menu, set by the chef, seemed promising, but the reality did not live up to the hype. Our service was just okay. While others have mentioned receiving detailed explanations about the decorations, the origins of the dishes, and more, our experience was much more basic. Our dishes were introduced, but that was the extent of the interaction.

We were looking forward to a truly immersive experience, but the setting was just okay, lacking the wow factor we had anticipated.

One of the most disappointing aspects was the value. Our meal, including drinks, totaled over $500, yet there wasn’t a single dish that I would look forward to eating again.

Based on the glowing reviews, I expected much more from...