Restaurant Review: Violette in Atlanta, Georgia

The Atlanta French Restaurant Violette may be one of Atlanta's hidden treasures. Located right off I-85 and Clairmont Road, the cozy restaurant has long been a favorite lunchtime spot for workers at Century Center, Emory University and Executive Park. It is truly a place for good French food that won't break the budget.

When you step through the front doors at Violette, you automatically relax. Past the bar, you're greeted with a piano and the host who'll seat you at a table covered with a white tablecloth. You may even choose to sit on the covered patio that will make you forget about the interstate traffic that roars five minutes away.
As for food, the code word for this restaurant is fresh -- simple food done extremely well. Fresh, hot bread sits in mini loaves on the table with pats of butter. There is a soup of the day and a crepe of the day depending on the season. Vegetables are also changed seasonally.

Best of all, to enjoy this French restaurant, you don't need to speak French. The one-page menus feature English translations describing the dishes.

In the past, I've enjoyed the Coq au vin and Boeuf Bourguignon at Violette. My current favorite, however, is the Bouchée à la reine. The meal is a chicken breast in puff pastry with a mushroom sauce. Carrots and mashed potatoes were served on the side. The portions are filling. A male co-worker ordered the same entrée and was full.

There are also menu choices for those of a healthier persuasion. Their fruit place with your choice of chicken, shrimp or salmon looks like a price of art.

For the less adventurous, you can order a hamburger and fries under the name Steak haché with creamy mushroom sauce.

The one drawback to this Atlanta French restaurant is the slow service. Because of this, my co-workers and I reserve Violette for special occasions. We celebrate marriages, promotions and retirements at Violette. Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to make it back to the office within a typical lunch hour.

The Atlanta French restaurant Violette may be a hidden treasure, but it's well known to the folks who work in that area of town. Get there around 11:45am or you'll run into trouble finding a parking space.

That, however, is a small price to pay for such a lovely restaurant.

Cuisine: French

Cost: The total cost of the meal will probably cost you around $15 including tax and tip. The website features the lunch and dinner menu including prices. Review it before you head out.

Lunch Hours: 11:30am - 2:30pm

Dress: You'll mostly see people dressed in business casual attire and suits. For the most part, though, you can wear anything to this Atlanta French restaurant and feel comfortable.

Parking: On-site but very limited. Don't park next door or you will be towed. If you're bringing a group, carpooling is a must.

Contact Information
Violette Restaurant
2948 Clairmont Road
Atlanta, GA 30329
Phone: 404-633-3363
Fax: 404-633-0306

Website
www.violetterestaurant.com