Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead: Atlanta says goodbye to a beauty
The open kitchen at the Ritz/Credit: AJC
There is a slight hump of the carpet at the entrance to the Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead, and in the more than dozen times I’ve eaten there in the past five years, maitre d’hôtel Claude Guillaume has never failed to mention it to me as a caution for how I step. He usually takes my hand for a moment, and then leads me to one of the tables in the quiet, plush room, with its odd mix of hunt-club portraits and Oriental silks.
After the lights are dimmed tonight, when the last Riedel wine decanter is washed and put away, each kitchen whisk hanging in its perfectly pristine place, The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead will close after 25 years of service to Atlanta. It almost needs to be said twice to understand the magnitude of what this means to our dining scene: The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead closes tonight.
We have suffered the loss of Seeger’s and Soto; Joel has lost its namesake and morphed from fine dining into a brasserie to survive. Quinones at Bacchanalia, now the city’s only bastion of fine dining, is open only on weekends. It’s easy to blame the closing on the recession, and certainly hard times are what made this grand old girl draw her last breath, but the loss of the Dining Room says more about dining preferences than it does about the economy. Formal service of this kind has waned in Atlanta; in 2009 we want the kind of casual experience that doesn’t require a tie, nine-courses of nibbles and a valet.
“There’s something so lovely about this kind of formal service,” said Sandra Ryder, area director of public relations for the Ritz-Carlton. “It’s so sad to see it go.”
The Dining Room/credit: AJC
Some of the servers – a small team of well-trained personnel who possess the rare skills of the dying art of table service – have been with the dining room for 20 years or more. They never failed to recognize return patrons, and worked with the precision of the Marine Corps Color Guard, delivering bread and butter, filling water and wine glasses, serving one of the many cheeses from a Christofle serving cart, opening and decanting wine. Most important, they never failed to make the experience personal, warm and inviting – a grand trick, since the room itself, even with its fine collection of 19th century European art and antiques, was always austere and a bit chilly.
Guillaume, who will remain with the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead as assistant director of food and beverage, had a knack for taking on the personality of the chefs he worked with, filling the dining room with whatever elegant air each possessed, whether it was the technical German precision of Guenter Seeger or the more playful attitude of the Dining Room’s current chef, Arnaud Berthelier (who announced his resignation just a week before the news that the Dining Room would close).
And for all the Riedel crystal, the Hepp silver and the European art, the Dining Room will be remembered most for its chefs: Guenter Seeger, Joel Antunes, Bruno Ménard and Berthelier. The opening chef, Jean-Pierre Maharibatcha, was barely there a year; he left when Seeger was hired to replace him. Berthelier will move on to be the chef for the Peninsula Shanghai, a new hotel property opening this fall on the historic Bund in Shanghai.
Their collected talents are what gave the Dining Room its personality, and garnered for it what seemed almost routine James Beard award nods and the coveted five-star rating from Mobil Travel which the restaurant has maintained since 1997. Seeger won a James Beard award while helming the Dining Room’s kitchen, and was the chef with the longest tenure, from 1985 to 1996.
Each gave the Dining Room a significant style, and each was different in his approach, from Seeger’s streamlined technicality to Berthelier’s playful turn at foams and sous vide dishes. Having the Dining Room on your resume became a “pass go” card for many Atlanta chefs – Gary Mennie and Shaun Doty both worked in the Dining Room’s beautiful open kitchen; even “Top Chef” contestant Kevin Gillespie “staged,” or worked for free as an apprentice, under chef Bruno Ménard. Even a day’s work for free under one of these chefs is something an up-and-coming chef will brag about.
But over the course of the last five years, the Dining Room was never at full capacity whenever I visited. Our current trend in casual dining made the magnificent experience seem almost outdated, even though the staff and kitchen never lost their sense of professionalism. Now, the room will become a private dining room for small parties of 70 or less.
Ryder said the room is fully committed for this evening, though, a fitting finale for the end of an era.
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© 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
71 comments Add your comment
John
October 1st, 2009
11:30 am
Maybe if they didn’t charge 100 freaking dollars a plate they wouldn’t be going out of business.
Keith
October 1st, 2009
11:35 am
Good riddance!
Rodney S.
October 1st, 2009
11:40 am
John and Keith sound bitter. People are losing their jobs because of this closing. Show a little compassion. When those doors close for the last time, the tax base of Atlanta will be just a little lower… and that means more of it will fall on YOUR shoulders.
I’d never spend that much for a meal (or even dress nice enough to get inside) but hey… everyone’s different. Hope everyone bounces back or moves on to something rewarding.
Realist
October 1st, 2009
11:41 am
Hey John and Keith,
Maybe if they had a drive-thru you wouldn’t be as salty….this is just furthering the trend of America’s decline. Most would rather eat microwaved perservatives from TGI Chili-Bee’s that actually appreciate a well developed experience of a meal. I say invest in Diabetes meds, cuz all the fat and lazy are gonna need it! Yawn!
Bob
October 1st, 2009
11:44 am
Fo-Fo Food…nasty stuff. They should open up a place that cooks with some form of animal fat….good stuff
soboy
October 1st, 2009
11:46 am
My dining experience there was not impressive. I hosted a business dinner for 20 people, and the food, while artfully and beautifully prepared, was not very good. The portions were tiny and the price was astronomical.
DeeDee
October 1st, 2009
11:47 am
My daugther’s uncle treated she and I to a dinner at the Dining Room as part of her high school graduation gift. While she wasn’t familiar with all the menu items and asked for help with her menu selection, it was a night that she has never forgotten, and sadly, an experience that others will never get to experience. It was a fabulous dinner with outstanding service and great company. Thanks Uncle Darryl!
Jason
October 1st, 2009
11:48 am
Bob has clearly never eaten at the Dining Room.
Jesse's Girl
October 1st, 2009
11:49 am
You don’t simply EAT at the Dining Room…you experience it. Walking to your table…or being lead as it were…gives one the feeling of having arrived somewhere spectacular. Even if you have had the pleasure of making this journey before…of stepping into this other world…it was sure to deliver a new taste, smell and memory. The Dining Room is…or was…so much more than the cost of a plate of food. In fact, to call it a name as common as “food” is criminal in my mind. It was a symphony on a one of a kind plate. You ate it knowing that no other person was eating exactly the same thing anywhere in the entire world. Life slowed down in the Dining Room…it enabled me…to appreciate everything more. And I am saddend that it will serve no more.
EAZYE
October 1st, 2009
11:52 am
well it is what it is……… times change….. i understand it….. but this is not the 30’s or 40s …..lol no one goes to eat all dressed up anymore.. thats only 4 church……… lol things are just more casual now and that doesnt mean less classy either….
mo
October 1st, 2009
11:52 am
John and Keith have a point in that this model does not fit with the reality of our economy. …I can afford to eat there, but could not imagine spending that type of money for a meal…let alone dressing up for it and dealing with the possible air of snobbery. Had a well to do friend eat there and he told me the staff seemed offened that he asked for a glass of grey goose and cranberry…seems they shot themselves in the foot….AND DONT FOOL YOURSELF, THIS FOOD IS IN NO WAY HEALTHY, ASK ANY CHEF!
EAZYE
October 1st, 2009
11:56 am
all this nostalgia makes me sad….. i am sure it is an experience but you cant take it with u. i just dont get all the hype………i have never eaten there either…….its all about image for some people and not the amount or quality of food………. get over it…….. its closing…… same thing with michael vick and the animal lovers…lol get over it……
A Bell
October 1st, 2009
11:56 am
Truly sad to see this go. Eaten there many times over the years, and never a bad experience. I’m young, @ 31, and honestly feel bad that my young daughters won’t get to experience service like this anywhere else in ATL. It’s not for everyone, but neither is McDonalds. I really think people simply don’t want to take the time to sit down and enjoy the food and atmosphere, they’re to busy to get here or do that. I, for one, enjoyed the long meals and time I did get to soak in THE Dining Room.
Barbara
October 1st, 2009
11:59 am
Well Mo, when you ruin Grey Goose with cranberry juice, you’re aware that someone doesn’t know what in the hell they’re doing.
NURREDIN
October 1st, 2009
12:01 pm
It’s obvious that John’s, Bob’s, and Keith’s favorite chef is BOY-AR-DEE. It’s reflective of how backward Georgia has become.If it wasn’t for Atlanta,there’s no reason to ever come there.Georgia has lost it’s Southern “Gentility” and is becoming a state of drooling knuckle draggers.Get them a mountain dew and a moon pie and they’re happy. Fine dining to them is probably a Big Mac instead of the dollar menu.You can’t change the oil in your driveway in a tux.No Class.
Jesse's Girl
October 1st, 2009
12:02 pm
At least we still have Bacchanalia.
James W. Sasser
October 1st, 2009
12:03 pm
While a great dining experience the prices were astronomical and the days of expense account dining
at these prices have gone away (probably forever) . Companies are watching their expenses even
for their top execs (Ritz-Carltons clientele) . The Glory Days of $ 100+ per person meals has ended.
About time!!
Hobart
October 1st, 2009
12:03 pm
95% of the people who commented in this blog don’t even have a clue about Escoffier or classical French cuisine. Sad to see The Dining Room go.
Peter Krehan
October 1st, 2009
12:04 pm
How sad, it is with the greatest regret, that I see an instituiton of the caliber of fine dining, that the Dining Room represents, to succumb to the times we live in.
I know how painful it must be for all the wonderful staff that are now having to look for alternative opportunities., as I have been part of them for 18 years, as the dining room manager from 1984 to 2002, having seen my share of pain in creating and maintain the excellence for which this TEAM is known for. I know you are well qualified to fill some great shoes elseplace. I wish all of them the best of luck and never forget, there is a world out there waiting for you
Good luck and I love and miss you,
Peter
doodie
October 1st, 2009
12:04 pm
A major city like Atlanta has no fine dining restaurants now (open all week). Some may say it’s snobby to eat there but it was a fun place to go once and experience it. Luckily for John and Keith Applebee’s is thriving. The fat slobs who clear their plates everywhere they go is probably why this place is closing. “I paid HOW MUCH and I’m still hun’ry!?”
top chef fanatic
October 1st, 2009
12:05 pm
It trully amazes me of the poor attitudes of the people who come on here to blog. Look i have been in Atlanta since 1999 i have seen many restraunts come and go and even the best chefs fall …gunter seeger , emeril lagasse…and so on . Atlanta is a dining mecca we have over 5 million people here , with all types of tastes and budgets. I come from a majior city in boston massachusetts so i know all about the importance of restraunts in a city. So im not a stranger to fine dining. I just am very carefull about where i choose to fine dine and follow with research and review, only because its something that i dont get to do as often as i wish. And the costs as well has alot to do with it also. So show some class and respect those people who have gave 20 years of service to this city, and when we want a fair review with class and respect we reach to mr . Kessler or miss ford not some bitter redneck who cant even afford to walk bye the establishment never mine appreciate what is cooked and served there and what goes into it….yall need a waffle house hall of fame or something.
sad to see you go dining room at the ritz
Jesse's Girl
October 1st, 2009
12:06 pm
Ah yes.. Le Guide Culinaire. I feel unworthy to purchase most of his ingredients..much less try my hand at preparing his creations:)
doodie
October 1st, 2009
12:06 pm
Hey Nurredin- I think dem folks prefer RC Cola an’uh moonpie.
Dawg Fud
October 1st, 2009
12:09 pm
I ate there one time and it was complete crap.
The Ritz at Lake Oconee is far superior and its dining is nothing short of spectacular.
Good riddance Buckhead Ritz dining. That place was AWFUl!
guy
October 1st, 2009
12:11 pm
buckhead ritz was gross; moldy raspberries on dessert = epic fail! and i’m not talking about just one instance, either.
Gary
October 1st, 2009
12:18 pm
The Dining Room was a wonderful place to visit,even if it was was only for one or two times a year. Anyone who has not enjoyed fine dining has truly missed much in their life. The evening, the room, the excellent food, the professional service; all embody an experience that is missing more and more in our society. Some would say that reaching an age where you would be able to enjoy this type of establishment would be part of the entry into maturity as an adult. Different world today…..
Glen Alexander
October 1st, 2009
12:20 pm
Gosh, things in Atlanta have certainly changed a lot in the last twenty years.
I was born and raised in Atlanta, and ate many, many times at The Dining Room at what now seems to have been its heyday. Peter — thanks for many memorable evenings.
I’ve lived in San Francisco, Tokyo, Sydney, Geneva and Rio de Janeiro since I left Atlanta… the rest of the world still appreciates places like The Dining Room.
KP
October 1st, 2009
12:21 pm
C’mon, folks…while the DR was an institution, are we really concerned that foodies will not be able to find a place to eat in Atlanta? With Bacchanalia/Quinones, Rathbun’s/Kevin Rathbun Steak, Restaurant Eugene, Aria, Park 75, Nan, Sotto Sotto, Joel, etc, still serving?
I enjoy a good meal, too, and look forward to fine dining in NYC, SF, even Vegas. But a restaurant is ultimately a business, and if the DR can’t subsist when it’s probably already getting a decent subsidy from the Ritz hotel, then economics dictate that they kind of have to close it up.
Dawg Fud
October 1st, 2009
12:24 pm
Ditto, KP. You nailed it.
GTJacket
October 1st, 2009
12:35 pm
My wife and I, along with best friends, dined at the Dining Room one magical December night in 2007. That was our only time there so our one data point may not be representative of their dining every day. But on that evening we experienced an exceptionally delightful combination of fabulous service, exquisitely presented plates, and over-the-top delicious food accompanied with perfectly paired wines. Yes, the meal was overly pricey, but we all had to agree that it was the most outstanding dining experience of our lives and were so glad that we had experienced the production. So, a very sad goodbye to an Atlanta institution…hate to see you go!
RODNEY K
October 1st, 2009
12:38 pm
CAN WE JUST ALL GET ALONG
Victorious 1
October 1st, 2009
12:44 pm
Why is it that people are attacking those who either can’t afford or don’t appreciate the fine-dining experience? I have eaten in the Dining Room on several occasions and enjoyed it, and it was quite expensive each time. That doesn’t mean the atmosphere/service/experience wasn’t worth it, but it was still on the high end of the price spectrum. The fact that our economic times have changed to the point where people either can’t afford this place or don’t choose to spend this much on a meal nowadays doesn’t necessarily make them classless or mean that Atlanta or Georgia has gone to the dogs. The reality is that a good portion of the price you paid there was for “the experience,” and many can no longer afford that. Could the restaurant have made some pricing adjustments or come up with some creative ways to reduce the cost of a meal? One could make the case that this closing is a result of the restaurant’s inability or unwillingness to react to the obvious changes in the marketplace. Any business that chooses to stand pat when market demographics change is going to go under.
mo
October 1st, 2009
12:46 pm
Dear Dining critic,
please stop the race baiting. please. lets have one topic where we dont do this. thanks.
p.s. u forgot to mention the real housewives of atlanta in your baiting…
Hamad Meander
October 1st, 2009
1:01 pm
I am sad I never got the opportunity to experience The Dining Room @ the Ritz. I’m sure it was a wonderful experience. In this economy, it may not work for many to be able to afford such places. Atlanta is a fantastic city of many great restaurants – from inexpensive to very fine dining. Try something new and make sure to tip your waitstaff as you would in a bustling economy.
Laura Allen
October 1st, 2009
1:07 pm
Atlanta just won’t be the same without the Dining Room. I worked at the Ritz during Seeger’s reign so I was fortunate enough to see how it worked behind the scenes, and it was without a doubt the finest restaurant in Atlanta! Just knowing it will no longer exist just doesn’t seem right! Good luck to the all the chefs and employees who made it so great!
Jesse's Girl
October 1st, 2009
1:10 pm
I always try to push the smaller, quaint foodie havens. I have never read a review for one of my favorites….though I am sure it exists somewhere. I adore Basils…www.basils.net. I fully admit, it lacks the luxurious sense of arrival we had at The Dining Room. But it rarely disappoints and its Chef pulls locally grown ingredients whenever possible. I encourage you to try it….fabulous wine list as well! Because after all…its just not fine dining if you got good wine:)
Jesse's Girl
October 1st, 2009
1:11 pm
Don’t got good wine….a joke my Gran would always make.
Kay
October 1st, 2009
1:17 pm
Author of this article: If you’re reading this, do you know if the Ritz will still be serving tea or if this will go away with the dining room?
Splatter Cake
October 1st, 2009
1:29 pm
After eating all that stuff – you just wanted to get out of there and unload………you know what I mean?
ILUVApplebees
October 1st, 2009
1:33 pm
I just finished “Endless Shrimp” at Dead Lobster – “I’m still hunr’y”
Sam
October 1st, 2009
1:34 pm
Unfortunately, it seems as though people would rather strap on the feed bag and belt back a few bottles of cheap wine these days. The Dining Room was an art form. Long meals, good conversation, great food. Restaurants thrive by moving people in and out. Tables are like real estate. If you have a long, multi course meal you have to charge for the table. People don’t take the time to enjoy much these days, nor do they count the cost.
Hooters is doing quite well – indicitive of where the Atlanta general populous is going I suppose.
Farewell old friend!
Joe Alexander
October 1st, 2009
1:35 pm
I am the youngest brother of the author of the earlier post by Glen Alexander. Like Glen, I was born and raised in Atlanta. And also like Glen, I have lived all over the world: Iceland, San Francisco, Italy plus extended time in Japan, the UK and Central East Africa. Thanks to my brother, I was fortunate enough to experience The Dining Room many times and came to know some of the staff by first name, and on a personal basis. It, and the now-long-forgotten Hedgerose Heights Inn, introduced me to a life time love of good food in elegant surroundings. And also, like my brother, I have to echo the sentiment that -gosh- Atlanta has indeed changed in the last twenty years. My most sincere thanks to Peter, and all the other Dining Room “family” that helped to give such pleasure to me and many other diners. I leave my comments at that except for the famous french saying, “plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose.”
Barker
October 1st, 2009
1:39 pm
John, Keith and Bob….rejoice! A new Ryan’s Steak House is opening soon! Yea rolls and soft serve!
Disappointed
October 1st, 2009
1:44 pm
I agree with NURREDIN and doodie ….
You’re right. We have become classless people, and I’m not sure if that’s just Georgians or Southerners as a whole. What happened to manners, for one?
So, you’d rather spend $50 for two at Outback every once in awhile instead of $100 at Two Urban Licks for a special occasion? Maybe these haters don’t have special occasions. And yes, apparently they like their “fresh” meal cooked in a microwave and plopped on a plate for a charge of $20. “Do fries come with that?” is their first question for a waitress.
“Hey Maw, we goin’ treet you reel good tonight … cheez bizkits at the Red Lobster!”
ILUVApplebees
October 1st, 2009
2:07 pm
Some of you folks should stay in GA or the South – that way you can continue to feel superior to everyone else. It’s good for your self esteem. But, I apologize that you have to live among us cave dwellers.
I’m sure plenty of high end restaurants don’t make it, but it’s probably not b/c of places like tgi chili-bees. Those folks didn’t decide b/w the DR and one of those places for dinner. It wasn’t even a consideration. It could be that the folks that eat at the DR weren’t compelled to return often enough.
DR fans should look in the mirror. Keith & Bob didn’t do it, you did it.
LINDA
October 1st, 2009
3:44 pm
Top Chef fanatic…. it would be restaurants, not restraunts. Thought it was a keying error until you repeated the error.
You're missing the point
October 1st, 2009
3:53 pm
This blog shouldn’t be about tgi chili-bees or the clientele who frequent such establishments. So a few morons posted baseless conjecture — big deal. For those who care, the DR solidified Atlanta’s place on the global map of culinary excellence — 5 Mobil stars is nothing to sneeze at — it’s truly sad that we are losing the flagship of the finest dining experiences that you’ll find in the city. Next thing you know, we’ll be plain and boring, like Charlotte or Nashville (I jest). We do still have Bacchanalia, thankfully.
Mooter B
October 1st, 2009
3:53 pm
Enter your comments here
You said it, ILUVApplebees! Don’t blame the common man, blame the sedittys that didn’t go back. I went once. It was NOT
Mooter B
October 1st, 2009
3:54 pm
Enter your comments here
continued…
NOT WORTH THE MONEY. I for one, WON’T miss it!
Bob
October 1st, 2009
4:20 pm
I Have ate at the Dining Room 4 times. Yankee FOOD. The good places to eat most of you would ride by thinkin “I am not going in there”. Names like The Pork Place, Ivery’s, Pop’s Kitchen, Kuntry Boy’s Cooking…ect.
Southern old fashion cooking
AtlantaGal
October 1st, 2009
5:58 pm
Kay – yes, the Ritz will continue to serve high tea.
Jenny Walter
October 1st, 2009
7:20 pm
Enter your comments here I have never posted to any blog anwhere, but I am so saddened by the closing tonight that I must contribute something.I worked at The Ritz-Carlton from 6 weeks after they opened until 1987. I had to educate many of the Good ‘Ol Boy palates who balked at Chef Gunter Seeger’s medium rare sushi quality fish. I heard many times “They call that bait where I come from.” He was superb in everything he did. I fondly renember you, Peter Kreehan. Atlanta has lost Chef Seeger, and now we lose The Dining Room. We will no longer have any 5 star restaurants. I can no longer afford to eat there, but a city like Atlanta should be very sad to lose these treasures. I wish all of the staff well. You served impeccably, and you are the standard by which every restaurant will always be measured for me . Thank you.
Culinary School Graduate with an English Lit. Degree
October 1st, 2009
7:43 pm
Linda,
Although your comment noting Top Chef Fanatic’s repeated spelling mistake was actually correct, you failed to note an abundance of other significant mistakes in English usage that he or she made. Please do not volunteer expertise when you appear not to actually have any. If you do volunteer your expertise and are merited to do so, be thorough. Your follow up comment denotes only your own ignorance. This weakens rather than strengthens any valid argument you may have had. Despite how unsophisticated you may think that person looked, the self-righteous idiot who comments on another person’s failed usage of the English Language while making their own mistakes with grammar is laughable at best. Stick to criticizing that which you actually know something about. I tire of the internet comments of armchair enthusiasts who’ve no right to belittle others for short comings that they themselves are guilty of.
Culinary School Graduate with an English Lit. Degree
October 1st, 2009
8:01 pm
As far as those of you that are that are arguing this is no big loss, I am going to surmise that your taste buds are about as sensitive as your addled brains are. I am also going to surmise that much like “doodie” says above, you are likely utter fat pigs who feel cheated if your meal portion wasn’t enough to serve a Serbian family of 5.
Atlanta, though once a VERY respectable and “genteel” city, is indeed changing, and NOT for the better. It is pretty much a joke in the rest of the world these days. Travel hub – that is about all Atlanta can claim these days; the days of Southern Hospitiality, Grace, or Charm are LONG over.
Jim
October 1st, 2009
8:22 pm
Its funny how those who bash a fine dining restuarant such as the one at Ritz are for sure ones that cant, and never have been able to afford a meal at such a great place. Those who work hard and don’t stand around waiting on government hand-outs are people who enjoy dining at a place like this.
Dimitri
October 1st, 2009
10:14 pm
I’m very sad to see this venerable institution leave us. I was privileged to have been a guest at the Dining Room on several occasions, spanning the tenures of Joel Antunes, Bruno Menard and Arnaud Berthelier. Each experience was better than the prior one. There it is.. it was an experience. Food, presentation, service, atmosphere – all working together for something truly memorable. Not to mention the splendid company I had with two business associates who became valued friends over the years. I looked forward to our annual dinner with great anticipation. Sure, the Dining Room is not something one would patronize daily. Some of the harsh criticisms are from people who have obviously never eaten there. They should stick to commenting on things they know about. And it IS sad that Atlanta is losing its only remaining 5-star restaurant. A truly “international city” ought to have someplace with superb service , a properly trained sommelier and quiet, elegant atmosphere. There are plenty of places that fall short of this mark for all of us to patronize. What a pity that the times have changed so much for the worse. Atlanta has lost something wonderful in the demise of The Dining Room. Hats off to the maitre d’ hôtel, the sommelier, the waitstaff and Chef Berthelier. I will be anxious to see what the Ritz-Carlton will put into that space.
You're missing the point
October 1st, 2009
10:48 pm
Whoa. Culinary/English person — you need to get a grip. Before you get so high and mighty, you may want to check your own English usage. Last time I checked, shortcomings is one word. Also, language is not a proper noun so there’s no need to capitalize, chief.
Isn’t there a biblical reference to be made here?? …something about stones and glass houses…sheesh.
James
October 1st, 2009
11:36 pm
This is really sad. My wife have dined here on 5 occassions and loved it everytime. The food was specatular. I will never forget the chocolate venison I ate there my last time at the restaurant, it was truly the coolest, most artful and delicious entree I have ever experienced.
The wait staff was phenomenal. So professional, so knowledgable. Everytime we ate there they bent over backwards to ensure we didnt have any butter or cream in our food…we will never forget that wonderful wait staff.
I agree that it was a lot of money, but there was truly nothing like this place. I never once left thinking about how much I paid, but rather focused on the wonderful experience.
Having dined at Quinnonne’s, I must admit, it is not as good as the Ritz DR. I just hope we get something soon to replace the huge void left by DR closing down.
Anne Carlson
October 2nd, 2009
10:54 am
I am sad that the DR closed, it really was amazing. And I would dare to argue a fair price. Consider this, dinner (with wine) is around $200. How much art would $200 buy you in the context of say painting? Or theater tickets at a first rate theater? How much amazing experience would $200 buy you else where? Plenty of people spend that much on cable and internet each month. Or on takeout and ready made food each month. So clearly it’s not too high a price tag for people. So for me the question is 30 nights of dull TV or dull food, or one night of extraordinary art and experience. Everyone gets to make thier own choice of course, but to denigrate those who make a choice different from your own shows a lack of imagination.
Jakareh
October 2nd, 2009
12:27 pm
This just goes to show that no restaurant can survive without one thing: good food, and no amount of snobbery or showmanship can substitute for that.
John S
October 2nd, 2009
1:24 pm
I hope the Ritz Carlton has did what it could do to asist its (former) employees in finding new jobs.
Kevin Sbraga
October 2nd, 2009
2:56 pm
It is truly sad to see The Dining Room close it’s doors. I was lucky enough to work for 3 of The Dining Room chefs…Arnaud Berthelier, Joel Antunes, and Guenter Seeger. All 3 of them had very different styles, non better than the other, just different. After 25 years as Atlanta’s most elegant dining experience they’ve done very well for themselves and will forever be in the memories of foodies across this nation. Best of luck to the D.R. staff and chef Arnaud.
Guest blogger: The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton’s final act | Omnivore Atlanta
October 2nd, 2009
7:31 pm
[...] – our friends over at the AJC have done a great job of covering the story from a news and dining angle, and I wanted to look at the event from a different perspective. So I asked Eli Kirshtein, [...]
gailtaylor
October 2nd, 2009
10:50 pm
The Ritz Buckhead has gone downhill ever since the Marriott bought them out. This was just a matter of time as everything else with the hotel has been changeed to Marriott standard. There hasn’t been a Ritz Carlton for many years, only a ghost.
Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead: Atlanta says goodbye to … | SwagSodDope LIVE
October 3rd, 2009
12:13 pm
[...] It, and the now-long-forgotten Hedgerose Heights Inn, introduced me to a life time love of good food in elegant surroundings. And also, like my brother, I have to echo the sentiment that -gosh- Atlanta has indeed changed in the last … Read the original here: Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead: Atlanta says goodbye to … [...]
atlgator
October 4th, 2009
11:54 am
So nice to hear someone mention
Hedgerose…now that was a classy joint, and I mean that as a compliment. Just pray that Anne and Clifford never leave Atlanta.
Patrick Wilson
October 6th, 2009
11:38 am
Enter your comments here
It is so sad that this great place will no longer be apart of Atlanta.Having a dinner there was like looking at a beautiful piece of art. It sometimes would just take your breath away.
James
October 6th, 2009
12:31 pm
“it was without a doubt the finest restaurant in Atlanta!”
Completely agree, although name one Atlanta publication that ranked it best in town. I think Jezebel had it around 20th. We didn’t deserve The Dining Room.
Sheroq
October 7th, 2009
2:11 pm
My husband and I dined there once. I was so excited to finally get to experience the famous DR. I should have kept wondering. Though the ambience and the service was great, the cuisine was not. I was never going back. I would not have minded the cost if the cuisine had been enjoyable. But, it was not. We had reservations that night at the Ritz and i had to ask my husband to go out and get some Krystals after dinner. I too wish there was another 5 star restaurant in Atlanta, but the cuisine has to be good, no matter what the cost.
James
October 7th, 2009
11:08 pm
Sheroq, the DR is great, but nothing compares to some hot Krystals. Good entry!
james t
November 9th, 2009
4:05 pm
From about half the remarks listed below it is obvious that the talents of the staff at the Dining Room were being wasted in Atlanta. I hope they move on to places where there culinary skills are embraced and appreciated.