STK Atlanta – Midtown
A mainstay in New York City, Miami and Los Angeles, STK has quite a following. The restaurant’s recent Atlanta opening created a stir in the trendsetting foodie community. Set in the new 12th and Midtown building on Peachtree Street, even its location is buzz-worthy. A “feminine steakhouse” it’s touted. As you can imagine, my expectations were high.
When my husband and I arrived on Saturday night, the restaurant was packed. We were seated immediately; however, those who had to wait joined the mob of suits hitting on ladies dressed to the nines at the bar. The scene was great for people watching as we sipped our strawberry cobbler (me) and teatime fix up (him) martinis from a tiny, albeit window-side table.
Perhaps to promote conversation and enhance the see-and-be-seen experience, STK Atlanta’s bar is in the middle of the restaurant, with dining space on both sides. Everyone feels “there,” but the set-up eliminates any semblance of intimacy. With a 30something’s large birthday party directly behind us, and an endless string of dates sharing our banquette, we practically had to scream to be heard.
So we focused on the food, and the endlessly entertaining game of “she’s wearing WHAT?” Complimentary fluffy, buttery rolls topped with blue cheese crumbles were served with chive oil. Yum. Then we split a pear and endive salad with candied walnuts. I requested feta instead of blue cheese, and the substitution was delivered flawlessly. The dish was more of a slaw than a salad, but light and tasty nonetheless.
I was a bit disappointed by the seafood entrees on the menu. True, the raw bar section is big, but the usual steakhouse options like sea bass, grouper and flounder were surprisingly absent. I ordered the trout, which was cooked to perfection and served with a mustard sauce, haricot vert and fingerling potatoes. My husband ordered the filet, cooked medium, with a variety of sauces—the chimichurri was our favorite. The inside of the steak was tender, but the edges were chewier than he liked.
At this point in the evening, we decided “feminine steakhouse” implies a focus on edgy atmosphere, rather than stellar food. The room was brighter than most and definitely not stuffy. I liked it, but still believe the steak at a steakhouse should be top-notch.
We rounded out the evening with strawberry cobbler (not to be confused with my martini earlier in the evening). Served piping hot with a dollop of buttermilk ice cream, it had a deliciously buttery crust with sweet, gooey, real strawberries underneath.
Overall, I like the vibe and energy of STK and recommend it for drinks or big groups. However, given the steakhouse label and accompanying price point, the food, though good, left something to be desired. But then again, desire is the name of the game …
Go for: All dates where quiet conversation is not a necessity.
What to know: On-site valet parking is complimentary.
Price: $26-$49 per entrée
Contact: 1075 Peachtree St. NE | 404-793-0144| www.stkhouse.com
Photo by Erik Dixon
