Saskatoon opens in Buckhead
Southern farm-to-table cooking certainly has its appeal, but don’t you think it’s about time we had a restaurant named for a city in the Canadian prairie with a menu featuring high-plains game?
Wait no longer, Saskatoon is here.
Located in the Atrium in the Buckhead Village complex (in the space that was the very short-lived Harry Bissett’s), Saskatoon offers an anything-but-trendy bar and grill menu with an emphasis on game.
Elk tenderloin, ostrich fillet, buffalo flank steak and venison rib chops are the headliners, but there’s also a menu of “tame game” options — steaks and such, simply seasoned and grilled over hickory.
The decor features a mounted buffalo head and a sideboard filled with duck decoys. And the first 30 diners tonight get to field dress their dinners. Okay, I’m kidding about that last part.
[UPDATE] While the Web site promises a poolside dining option, the restaurant’s publicist assures me there is no pool. I’m bummed…was thinking of bringing my trunks.
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
46 comments Add your comment
Elizabeth
February 5th, 2010
9:44 am
I noticed on the dinner menu that the beef is corn-fed … I was thinking about trying it, but corn fed is a no go for me. Maybe they’ll look into more sustainable options in the future.
jack
February 5th, 2010
12:05 pm
Sustainable options? Give me a break, do you mean grass fed?
Perhaps
February 5th, 2010
12:19 pm
I hear the Elk is fed self-righteousness… 100% sustainable.
I am sure your home is powered by unicorns and moonbeams.
Drew
February 5th, 2010
12:20 pm
@ Perhaps: hilarious.
Corps (pronounced "corpse")
February 5th, 2010
12:21 pm
Sirlion Steak = hamburger = $19. Uh, I don’t think so.
Darin
February 5th, 2010
12:35 pm
Awesome! Now I can eat at a restaurant just like the one at the Canada pavilion at EPCOT without having to travel to Florida.
But seriously — I haven’t had deer meat since my uncle played a joke and fed me meatballs that were revealed to be deer meat only after I’d eaten them (he called them ‘deer balls’ of course for added impact). I might just take advantage of the opportunity to have deer again without the company of weird old relatives giggling at me.
epicurious
February 5th, 2010
12:37 pm
my people called it maize…
Will
February 5th, 2010
12:45 pm
Kudos on the B&B reference, epicurious.
Ed
February 5th, 2010
12:48 pm
I wonder if they’ve walled off “the biggest bar in Buckhead”? The biggest problem with dinner at Harry Bissett’s was the mind-numbing roar in the dining room.
tomkat
February 5th, 2010
12:51 pm
Does not sound appealing to me ….. perhaps there is a market for this. The only people I know who eat game do so at home. They spend 2 or 3 thousand a year for one conquest (deer) but would not shell out twenty bucks at a restaurant besides Waffle House.
Jim R.
February 5th, 2010
12:51 pm
@ Perhaps…Those unicorns would not be corn fed would they?
Katy
February 5th, 2010
1:01 pm
If people will give it a chance, I think they’ll be incredibly surprised. People travel from other states to go to the Greenville, SC location. You may think you don’t eat game, but once you’ve tried their Ostrich, Elk, and Kangaroo (it’s only a special when they can get good quality in), you’ll be shocked by the number of people who suddenly become game lovers. If they keep up the quality from their only other location, Saskatoon will blow Atlanta away!
John Kessler
February 5th, 2010
1:12 pm
The bad quality kangaroo has a tendency to hop away in terror…
J
February 5th, 2010
1:17 pm
Sounds interesting and filling – wonder how many other restaurants in the area serve similar game? My friend works at SOHO – I know they have a great elk dish on the menu.
Mr. Friendly
February 5th, 2010
1:23 pm
My Elks Club chapter is having an event there – we’re going to eat ourselves.
KJ
February 5th, 2010
1:46 pm
I give it a year, maybe 2.
howard
February 5th, 2010
2:02 pm
i have hunted ducks and geese in the Saskatoon area, the birds are corn fed (the eat the left overs after the farmers harvest their crops) and were delicious.
good luck to the brave entrepreneurs!!
RK
February 5th, 2010
2:06 pm
Maybe the roo is locally sourced? There’s that kangaroo park somewhere in Georgia…I just hop it is grass-fed.
martin
February 5th, 2010
2:20 pm
I would try it out, but Buckhead is only frat boys and gel heads. No thanks.
H
February 5th, 2010
2:24 pm
martin, you’re quite the buckhead expert over there aren’t you, lil guy?
Chrissy
February 5th, 2010
2:39 pm
You people are all mean. Why post such condescending things.
Kyle
February 5th, 2010
2:54 pm
Pleeze. This city is so fickle when it comes to restaurants. Chrissy, I agree with you.
Frat-Headed-Gel-Boy
February 5th, 2010
2:55 pm
I resemble that remark.
Guest
February 5th, 2010
3:48 pm
this outhouse reminds me of a bad 80’s horror flick and the food to go with it. glorified Sizzler. i think we all the know the future of this place…holding hands with Harry and Spondy.
Katy
February 5th, 2010
9:24 pm
Just had my first amazing meal at Saskatoon in Buckhead! Here’s my review from UrbanSpoon: I know many people think a wild game restaurant is out of its league in the posh restaurant row of Buckhead, but Saskatoon is absolutely what Atlanta needs. A new concept: upscale meat and game of the best quality, perfectly prepared with great service. I feared that the new Saskatoon wouldn’t live up to its original location in Greenville, SC, which feeds people nightly who come from states around just for a taste of fantastic game and steaks that have regularly been voted “Best in the Upstate.” The Buckhead location not only surpassed my expectations, but was even better than the Greenville restaurant. The meat was impeccably cooked, the sauces thicker than usual and beautifully blended with a unique variety of flavors, and desserts that I cannot even begin to describe. My personal recommendations: wild boar flat bread, elk, and irish cream white chocolate cheesecake. Or try whatever you like; you won’t be disappointed.
Jen
February 5th, 2010
11:04 pm
Yuk.
John
February 5th, 2010
11:16 pm
Yak?
KJ
February 5th, 2010
11:50 pm
Hey Katy, how long have you worked for Saskatoon?
Michael O'Brien
February 6th, 2010
8:40 pm
This was the most enjoyable and enticing restaurant I’ve have been to in years. the decor, staff, & menu was tottaly outstanding. Never thought wild game could be sooooo…good. Kudos to the owners concept. Best Wishes
David S
February 7th, 2010
7:32 am
Well I can imagine that naming the restaurant for the only other large city in Saskatchewan – Regina, would have had its issues. By the way, its not pronouced Regeena, its pronounced RegIna. You can see the obvious problems.
Another great vegetarian restaurant would have been nicer to see.
Max C
February 7th, 2010
12:29 pm
I give them 1 year max, the Greenville location is NOT doing well and may close as well. Poor site selection, too nice a market for the food and lack of parking will take this place down the same path as Tibs, Spondivits and Harry Bissett’s b4 it.
Jenny wise
February 7th, 2010
4:17 pm
“Saskatoon” The most amazing place i have ever been,loved the decor loved the food outstanding Service.Delicious food best menu with different concepts friendly staff.I don’t have any more words to express how i felt when i stepped inside this place “Great place to eat and party” At last i would say “It is good food and not fine words that keeps me alive.”
“Saskatoon” Rocks Baby……
Katy
February 8th, 2010
11:41 am
Never worked there, just frequented the Greenville location when I lived there. And I really want to get the word out about how great it is because I want this to succeed in Atlanta so I can eat there anytime!
And where did anyone hear that the location in Greenville was closing? I haven’t been back in a few months, but every time I’ve set foot in the door it’s been packed for 6 years now.
Jason
February 8th, 2010
11:46 am
Katy seemed like she was possibly an astroturfer, but Jenny wise leaves no doubt. I don’t have much faith in a restaurant that thinks it needs to put out fake reviews.
Tanygna Touch
February 8th, 2010
4:18 pm
Their food is really delicious.Especially you have to try their steak, salad and desert. They are really awesome…..check it out
Whitney Crosby
February 9th, 2010
9:13 am
The food was very delicious and atmosphere was very nice! The bread pudding was fantastic… you must check it out!!
Anniegetyurgun
February 9th, 2010
2:55 pm
Wow, I’d thiink readers of this blog would be a bit more open-minded and adventuresome. Game-focused restaurants can be and often are very upscale. The high price of most game almost ensures that. And no one is out there gunning down Bambi for your dining pleasure. Most game served in restaurants must by law be farm-raised. Restaurants in the western US are far more likely to feature game on their menus, and I, for one, welcome it. Glad to see at least one restauranteur offering more than just the typical beef, lamb, pork, veal options. Venison, elk, and buffalo are all delicious when well prepared, and as a bonus, are all much, much leaner than other red meats. (And no, this isn’t astroturf.) John, how about an AJC review soon?
MikeinSaskatoon
February 9th, 2010
4:21 pm
As someone from Saskatoon I can assure the squeamish that venison, bison, elk et al are darned tasty done right. They are considered premium meats here too. And to prove my Prairie bone fides, Howard on Feb. 5th is mistaken if he remembers corn fed geese and ducks in this area. It’s grain, grain and more grain; we haven’t got the growing season for decent corn. OK, now it’s time for me to go for ribs at the local Montana’s. [There aren't any Atlanta's in Saskatchewan.]
Gatch
February 11th, 2010
8:04 pm
I really enjoyed dining at Saskatoons last week. The food was great, good portion sizes and the atmosphere was very nice.
Sammi
February 18th, 2010
7:08 pm
The cheesecake here was the best I’ve ever tried! If for nothing else-go there to try it. We had a great experience at saskatoon, our servers were very helpful in helping to pick out a dish. I had the salmon, my husband had the steak.
Joann Scott
March 1st, 2010
8:05 pm
Okay people who are afraid to try something new in life. My best friends own this wonderful place and everything there is great. Always think positive……………
Best new restaurant | Best Of The Big A
March 22nd, 2010
11:27 am
[...] this year, we’ve already seen to opening of Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft, Saskatoon, and Inc. Street Food, among others. Last year, there were many debuts, from Miller Union to West [...]
Kashima
March 24th, 2010
7:42 pm
I had a wonderful experience at Saskatoon. Just walking into this place was a total atmosphere change from the hustle and bustle of the city it’s nestled in. The service was delightful from beginning to end. The food was wonderfully prepared… Hats off to the chef. I truly enjoyed myself and can not wait to have another mini vacation at Saskatoon.
Ankit Patel
April 10th, 2010
10:38 pm
Delicious Food and Great service…and best location with valet parking….Loved it..I will go again
Mike
April 14th, 2010
4:15 pm
Congratulations to Joann Scott, for being the only sock-puppet reviewer who admitted to knowing the owners…
Scoots
May 5th, 2010
10:14 pm
Thought I’d take a chance in spite of poor reviews. What was I thinking? Service was good though I’d get better food at Denny’s. Makes me want to become a vegetarian. Sorry Patel.