A cocktail in a teacup? Did I just trip down the rabbit hole? Not yet, apparently.
As The Southern Gentleman’s Alec Bales tells me, the veddy English-looking Grit & Grace—a subtle mix of rye, lemon, apricot liqueur and mint—is a playful riff on the old Prohibition-era ploy of serving gin from a teacup. (And I thought they used a bathtub.) I liked it well enough, but the house barrel-aged Old Fashioned was better than candy, and just the thing to wash down the savories. I loved the mini corndogs, made with faux-andouille shrimp sausage and paired with remoulade. Loved the pimento cheese, laced with beer and served with crunchy fried pork rinds. And—gosh—the cheddar biscuits with Benton’s ham and blackberry compote are just the thing to go with that, ahem, tea.
In many ways, this Buckhead Atlanta establishment with its lengthy list of bourbons, ryes and scotches is just another Southern gastropub. What sets it apart is the affable demeanor of the bar staff and the affordable price point. If you happen to mention that you haven’t yet tried the Belle Meade nine year, aged in cherry oak, they might just pour you a swig—on the house. And when the check arrives, you won’t wince when you see the tab: $43.50 for two drinks and four dishes. Well, now. Seems that Southern gallantry is not dead after all. Why, yes, thank you. We’d be honored to come again!
3035 Peachtree St. N.E., Suite A208
404.939.9845
thesoutherngentlemanatl.com
