Buckhead's Moto Bistro: Gourmet "Hideout" with a French-Asian Twist

Take a leisurely cruise south of Lenox Mall in Atlanta-down the colorful thoroughfare that is Cheshire Bridge Road and you'll probably miss one of Buckhead's coziest hidden treasures: Moto Bistro. A French-Asian fusion restaurant, Moto Bistro is a snug little fixture situated on the corner of Lenox Road-- the type of establishment that is perfect for impressing a first date. The restaurant has enjoyed a relatively short life thus far, having opened in the late spring of 2010. But you might never realize this upon entering its humble doors.

Greeting you is the epitome of Zen: a mini-monster of a waterfall, replete with lush greenery-nestled against an exposed brick wall. And the comfy appeal doesn't end there. Amidst stately cherry wood trim are cozy booths and tables--the kind of understated elegance befitting an eatery with a pricey menu.

But you will quickly discover that despite the intricate-sounding items, the fusion dishes are quite inexpensive. For a little more than the price of a value meal, you can scoop up an appetizer of roasted quail in plum sauce or escargot in butter. These French-inspired treats are cuddled up nicely against the menu's Asian influences. Succulent pork belly in a 5-spice sauce, stir-fried rice with Asian pork sausage, and spring rolls are just a few of the exotic touches you can expect. In fact, Moto Bistro's impressive roster of items appears to touch just about every part of the globe.

But here's the really neat part: you get to bring your own wine. That's right. For the time being, the libations are on you. All liquor license logistics aside, this actually seems like a pretty trendy idea--or at the very least, one that can enhance your dining experience in any number of ways. BYOB parties usually are the most fun. And Moto Bistro's (temporary?) "open bottle" policy somehow fits the cozy, understated setting. There are probably a million places you could fall into for a chic and inviting meal. Under any other circumstances, Moto Bistro's unassuming location might be the bane of its existence. But where this tasty Buckhead hideout is concerned, unconventional hospitality (and delicious reasonably-priced food) just may draw bigger crowds than you'd imagine.

Moto Bistro
2257 Lenox Rd. (Buckhead)
Atlanta, GA 30324
(404) 634-2828