The food is pretty good, tho not great. The desserts are excellent. But the food isn't the big draw here -- it's the delightful, cozy, intimate atmosphere in a great funky neighborhood. Completely charming. Also: very attractive (and nice, and competent) hipster waitstaff. A pleasant place to be, all around.
Review Source:In a city full of great brunch spots, this one just didn't stand out for me. It was pretty mediocre. I had the pork sausage omelette with red pepper, goat cheese, and basil and it was pretty good. The grits were alright and the biscuit didn't taste fresh. My partner had eggs meurette and the two poached eggs were overcooked. His plate was watery and his biscuit was hard. The potatoes were cold and raw in the middle.
We ordered a chocolate croissant to give them a chance to redeem themselves and it really seemed microwaved. You know when you microwave a flaky pastry and it gets all soft and spongy? Yeah, that.
Idk, maybe we will go back and try the tapas. But brunch was not super, at least for us.
To be fair, it was a cute atmosphere and the server was nice and efficient.
visiting atlanta again, i love all the cool restaurants and quaint neighborhoods that house them. dined at one of my favorite restaurants on carroll street in cabbagetown tonight. monday night $5 tapas. love my tapas. tonight we enjoyed crab cakes, grilled shrimp with plantains, sea scallops, veggie pizza, tuna tartar ++ cozy atmosphere & great staff.
tomorrow back to krog bar in inman park for more tapas. it is located in the parking lot of rathbun steakhouse owned by chef kevin rathbun. so cool. looking forward to starting with white anchovy & artichoke toast, seared duck & figs, brie & local honey. yummy. good eating ettore chef & owner chez vous caterers
Prior to a few weeks ago, although I live in the neighborhood, I've avoided this place because of their complex and unappealing menu which was stuck in the 90s (think their parent owner, Apres Diem, with decor a la Madonna's Bedtime Stories - but not quite to Cafe Intermezzo levels of garishness).
That has all changed.
It's quite apparent that there is an active effort to drag their otherwise really awesome, charming cafe into the 21st century. They've simplified their menu with really awesome fresh pairings (pear and gorgonzola salad, anyone? sub $8 veggie wrap? beautifully presented belgian waffle?) and it appears are updating the ambiance to remove the air of pretension and just make it a comfortable and delicious place to be.
After avoiding this place for being over-done for the last several years, it's back on my radar.
Good food, still great desserts, mixed drinks, espresso drinks - all reasonably priced, and a nice, comfortable atmosphere.
My friend and I had our joint birthday brunch here last week. I was very excited to go here since my favorite place: Carpe' Diem closed in downtown Decatur. The same people that owned that, owns Carroll St! Well they definitely didn't disappoint! I had a cappuccino, can't remember the specific name but it had brown sugar in it. Our waitress recommended it because I told her I want something sweet. It was great, didn't need any extra sugar or anything!
At Carpe' I was absolutely in LOVE with the Shrimp and Grits with a side of potatoes. So I was more than ecstatic to see they had both on the menu at Carroll, only here the grits were like jalapeno cheese. I crossed my fingers in hopes to get the same magic that I got at Carpe'. I DID! The blackened shrimp was perfect and the grits had just the right amount of kick! And the potatoes with a mix of peppers and onions were everything too!
The only reason I didn't give 5 stars is because parking was no picnic. They do have complimentary valet parking not too far from the place, but of course after the majority of my party circled the perimeter and ended up parking a block and a half away, the guy drags the sign out notifying everyone of the parking smh. But I digress. I'll definitely be back!
I met a friend here for dinner and drinks. It was mid-week and rainy outside, so it was a bit quiet, which was just what we were looking for.
This place is so cozy! There were candles and flowers on the table, bench seats with pillows, a big comfy couch, and a nice standard bar. There was even a candle lit in the bathroom, which smelled heavenly. Yes, I just said that the bathroom smelled heavenly. This coming from someone who prefers to avoid public restrooms at all costs!
Tapas are half off Tuesday through Thursday, which is a major score! I had an awesome veggie pizza for $4.50, she had crab cakes. I'd love to try a few more things here, because there was plenty that looked awesome on the menu, but my pizza was also more than enough to fill me up! And let's be real, I'm a bottomless pit when it comes to pizza.
Classic martinis are $5 on Tuesdays, so I had a dirty martini and a beer. In total, my entire check for a pizza and two drinks: $15. Can't beat that!
Our server, Tarik, was friendly and funny, there when we needed her and gone when we were deep in conversation. And she kept my water glass full, which was highly necessary given that mid-week drinks often lead to a mid-week hangover for me. They didn't this time, and I owe it all to Tarik for that!
I am already planning my next trip here. You'd better believe I'll be back.
Loved the ambience but I was not completely satisfied with my meal. Went for a late lunch with a friend who lives in Cabbagetown. She ordered the Cobb Sandwhich. I ordered the Cobb Salad. Her meal looked delicious while my salad seriously looked like a side salad. I honestly could get a better salad at any other restaurant for $13. I left lunch hungry.
I'm giving 3 stars because I would probably give them another try in the future. Just don't order the Cobb Salad.
Well, we've (the wife and I, the dog eats at home) visited a new place each weekend for the last few weekends. Carroll Street's number came up.
Here's what I liked. There was no wait.
The service was quick. The coffee wasn't bad, not the best I've had but worth ordering. Coffee used to be cheap, but now it's $2-3 per person. ( Le Petite March & Rise-n-Dine have better coffee). Having said that, it was a little tough to get a refill.
The food portions were substantial. We left satiated.
Back to the no wait. If I were standing in line at one of the other usual breakfast establishments, I'd quickly run over here and grab breakfast.
I live across the street and every time we eat here we are impressed!! Â The price is more than reasonable, the portions are large and the food is really good! Â
Breakfast is my favorite, their eggs benedict is amazing! Â You def need to check this place out if you are ever in the area!
The food and martinis were absolutely delicious but the meal was ruined because I literally wanted to punch our waitress in the face. Had she done just a little bit to hide her disdain at my asking the size of the flank steak  (a question that she didn't really know the answer to) then this review would be entirely different.
Review Source:One of my favorites.
~The Food~
I can't get enough of the Salad Nicoise. Caroll Street Cafe's version is full of unexpected delights. The tuna is sashimi-grade, seared and Panko-breaded -- yum! The garnishes are lovely and include two substantial yet delicate Panko-crusted potato cakes, a smattering of sushi rice, capers, pepperoncini peppers, and cucumbers. The requisite tomatoes and and hard boiled eggs are included, and you can get it with or without anchovies (though I recommend them).
On a Monday night, I skip the Salad Nicoise to enjoy $5 tapas. Since their normal tapas prices range from $8-11, this is a great deal. Bring a friend and sample several while enjoying the accompanying Monday night beer or wine special.
~Atmosphere~
The patrons are mostly hip Cabbagetowners. The lighting is dim. The candles are lit every evening. It's crowded enough to generate a low din but quiet enough to carry on an intimate conversation. All in all, a romantic place that rides the line between casual and upscale.
~Parking~
If you know the neighborhood (or have a little patience), free curbside parking can be found on Carroll Street as well as on nearby Reinhardt or Pickett . But Cabbagetown is a neighborhood of narrow, one-way streets, so if hunting for a spot irritates you, take advantage of the complementary valet parking available nights and weekends.
ok i'm totally caught off guard - as many times as i've been to Carroll Street Cafe, i have NOT reviewed it. *gasp*
ok so love the atmosphere and my fave breakfast item is the french toast with fruit, no syrup necessary. trust me. Â i also like the shrimp and grits - and the bagels and lox...well heck i like pretty much the whole breakfast/brunch menu! Â And the bar is superb! GREAT brunch for a lazy Sunday!
I've never done dinner or a during the week meal there so i can't speak for that. Â One of my girlfriends and I do an insane Saturday walk from Grant Park and end up all over Atlanta including the Cabbage Town area. So this is a stop off point either on the way to our multiple destinations OR on the way back to the car.
Anyway - EAT here!!!
I have been here a couple times for brunch as my boyfriend loves it. There is limited outdoor seating, but we have been lucky and gotten it every time. Â Nice atmosphere. Parking is available along the street, but it is frequently packed. Â It is located along a narrow street that doesn't really accommodate two-way traffic. The omelettes are alright. I like that they give you an ample amount of fruit. The breakfast sandwich is also alright.
Review Source:Awesome Saturday brunch. I ordered the Almond Brie to start, which was so good and cheesy, with a touch of honey and almond. Delish! I chose the shrimp frittata for my meal and it was excellent and made with fresh ingredients. I am pleased that this place took a bit of time to prepare it right. I will be back!
Review Source:Tucked away on a small street near Oakland Cemetery, I love the cozy neighborhood feeling of this place. I went here for Saturday morning brunch around 11:30 expecting a struggle to park and a long wait to be seated, but surprisingly found neither.
Carroll Street Cafe has complimentary valet parking about 50 feet down the street from the Cafe, which takes care of a potentially huge stress factor in the whole experience.
The ambience inside is defined by the dark wooden floors and benches and the lull of chatter around you. On a slower, rainy day, I'd love to spend a long time here reading while slowly working my way through a meal.
I appreciated that they weren't blasting music on top of everyone trying to converse, so you can actually hear the people you're with, or just sit here by yourself and read a book. The server and the patrons were really relaxed, and it was nice to see that among the couples and groups, there were a few people here on their own for a hearty Saturday morning breakfast.
As to the breakfast foods, the portions are all huge, and they're pretty easygoing about changing things up for you a bit. I was with a friend who didn't want the whole Lox Platter, but just a side of salmon and goat cheese. The waitress didn't even blink an eye before saying it was no problem.
I've had the shrimp and grits here as well as the crab cakes eggs benedict, both of which were mediocre. Their pretty standard combinations are made to be good or slightly better than good. There's nothing in their flavor combinations that really jumps out the way it needs to for a dish to pop, it all just kind of blends together.
I would still like to go back and try their sandwiches just to see if they're a better pick.
All in all, a relaxing place to have a conversation over a good meal.
I came here on a Sunday afternoon as an obvious out-of-towner. My best friend's brother claimed that this was the spot for brunch.
Now, I am very biased when it comes to brunch. Everyone thinks they can do it, but not everyone can do it well.
So, I'm hungover, thirsty and starving and I'm not sure what kind of orange juice they use but it was THEE BEST! I literally ordered about 4 of them. I was upset that they don't serve alcohol on Sunday's in Atlanta until AFTER 12 PM but I didn't need much of anything after that orange juice.
Moving along, I order the crabcake benedict which was delicious! It came with a side of grits and fresh fruit. The portion was that of any southern restaurant - extremely filling and HUGE.
Plus, no one looked at me weird for wearing sunglasses at the table. Yeah, I'd return there.
Heard lots of good things about it, so when things immediately went awry I thought, "Maybe today's an off day. I'll try again soon." But after the food came out cold and season-less with items missing and the waitress said the chef forgot and it would be 20 minutes to provide the item, if the kitchen staff were WILLING to go get it, the salt and pepper shakers were filled with water... But this was just a perfect storm of a bad dining experience that I wouldn't want to risk again because "fool me once..."
WELL, I was fooled twice. Gave Carroll Street Cafe' another try and it was worst than the first. Our server was nowhere to be found, service overall was slow, and food was room temp when it finally arrived. I have to admit that the Bloody Mary made it all better, so 2 stars remain.
I was over expecting and Carrol Street Café undelivered this weekend. I was looking for a dog-friendly restaurant with a patio and decided to try this place after reading online that this place met my criteria.
I already knew that parking in Cabbagetown is a challenge because of the narrow streets. So this was no big deal, and in the morning there was ample street parking.
However, the first thing I noticed was that the patio furniture was cheap wobbly metal with no umbrella above us. Given the constant pop-up showers in Atlanta having a proper umbrella is important. Fortunately there was no rain the morning we were there; but for a sit-down restaurant, I expected better patio furniture. Maybe there is some concern about property theft that is causing the lack of investment in better patio furniture.
The food was hit or miss. The Egg Meurette were delicious, the grits were average, the Belgian Waffle was ok, but the coffee was disgusting. Also, there was a strand of hair in my eggs. I should have complained then, but did not want to burn any more of my Saturday so I kept quiet.
For the price I was not overly satisfied. It is unlikely that I will be repeating my visit any time soon.
Carrol Street Cafe beats the pants off of neighboring fine-dining. I can hardly express the joy I've felt while eating here.
I've been to Carrol St. twice, now. Once for dinner, and once for brunch. Both were wonderful. The space is intimate and charming. I find that their food is prepared as thoughtfully as much "nicer", hyped up restaurants.
G and I have had great servers each time we've eaten here. On our first date, he raved about their pastries, coffees and more. At the time, I was surprised that they had so much more to offer out of a little one-way street cafe.
For dinner, G had the curry-basil chicken, which definitely topped my sashimi  tuna steak, although I found it to be delicious. We happened to dine on a Tuesday, where we had the pleasure of one too many $5 martinis on their sidewalk patio. Don't be a bummer. We were walking.
Again, the service was strong, as well as the presentation and taste of food.
At brunch, just yesterday, we shared a chocolate croissant with our "chocochino" coffees, and ordered entrees that might certainly be on my "best-of-brunch" list.
Prior to our Sunday brunch, we had been looking for Saturday brunch spots, and sadly, there are so very few. Count on Carrol St., they serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday!
G had the Huevos Rancheros, which were served on tortillas with eggs, beans... the whole 9 yards. I had the Egg Meurette which, as described on the menu: "Two poached eggs over sauteed spinach and tomato, covered in a port-bacon demi-glaze, served with a biscuit."
I mean holy crap y'all. Who thought that I would keel over for some sauteed spinach and tomatoes literally in a light garlic/butter/salt n' peppa combination. Easy? Probably. Delicious? I was sopping up the juice with the biscuit. Dare I say that the grits were far superior to Flying Biscuit's?
I dare.
Very nice neighborhood bar/eatery. Surprisingly varied menu with small bites - tapas and such all the way to steaks and seafood meals. But also THE best dessert menu in the zip code.
Best bet is to drive over to Cabbagetown find some street parking a block or two from Carrol Street and walk over. Enjoy the "intown" scene not typical of the 404 - decorated porches, neighbors walking and jogging here and there. Then grab a table on the sidewalk in front of Carrol Street Cafe and watch the world go by with a cool refreshing beverage and some conversation.
My parents were in town so we hit up Carroll Street Cafe for Sunday brunch. We expected to have a long wait, but were able to get a table for four on the sidewalk right away. It was a little bit chilly that morning, but still there's no better way to experience this Cabbagetown classic.
The server, who was decked out in what could easily have been the latest Urban Outfitters collection, was very friendly, got us set up with coffees and teas and didn't rush us to order as we were chit-chatting - you know how it is when you haven't seen your folks for several months - a LOT to talk about.
Anyway. We decided on entrees. Our server took our order without writing anything down, which seemed kind of risky, but I think she nailed it. She must be on ginkgo biloba or something. I had some sort of benedict with rockstar sautéed spinach and potatoes that was very GD tasty, but when I saw everyone else's grits I was kicking myself for choosing potatoes. Next time, grits, next time...
As the sun's angle changed we warmed up considerably and had a wonderful time together. Great food in a great atmosphere, watching people walk dogs and traffic negotiate the tiny passage of Carroll Street and sharing good conversation.
Too be honest, the vibe is a bit too hipsterish for me. But this review isn't about the vibe, of course. The veggie omelette I had was very good, fresh and plentiful veggies. The sides were just okay, in fact, the fruits were surprisingly not fresh. Coffee is okay.
The tapas here are hit or miss. Â Good service though! I would come back because it is now the closest cafe to my place, and I will probably just stick to the brunch menu here.
Now if you ever lived in Brooklyn New York, this spot captures that essence. It's a cool, hipster type cafe with great food. Â Now since I'm newly resident of Atlanta, finding this place was sketchy so I had all thoughts going through my head on my way here.
But the food and service made up for the worries... Carroll Cafe has a unique intimate, friendly atmosphere. Â And the food is great.
Tucked away in the city, this little gem made me sparkle with delight as my visit became more and more enchanted.
The very "Friends" and "Cheers" atmosphere made me feel right at home. The rough, but cheery, decorations made me feel tucked away in a privately owned bookstore. Lots of couches to get comfortable, tables lined along the wall with throw pillows across the booth. Love it!
I ordered something simple, French toast with fresh fruit, eggs, and bacon. I think they should have mentioned what kind of fruit they were putting on my toast because I'm allergic to bananas. No biggie...pushed the slivers off to the side before they settled in. Everything was fantastic! From the food (despite the poisonous peel) to the service to the ambience, everything was magical. Even my picky companion enjoyed his meal which I believe was a fretta? I'm not too sure since I was devouring my meal. Either way I can see myself coming back and making this place a part of my daily routine once I move back to the city.
Gotta love me some Cabbagetown....
The quieter sister of Apres Diem sits on Carroll St (hence) in Cabbagetown. Â If you can navigate your way down the "two way" street that is Carroll St. you'll find this little cafe quite amazing. Â
I've been a few times for dinner and I've never been let down, but recently we've discovered their lunch/brunch menu. Â This is where it's at people! Â
Crab Cake Benedict for $9! Â NINE DOLLARS!
Most places in Atlanta are gonna charge you at least $12+... Â AND it's great! Â You can sub out smoked salmon or bacon as well for the same price. Â If you ask me, which if you're reading this I guess you are, I'd stick with the homemade crab cakes. Â Try the Egg Meurette also for more of an earthy and rich way to start your day. Â With a port bacon demi glaze and a fresh home made biscuit this dish was also quite stellar.
The mussels, pasta dishes, and desserts at night are also delicious. Â I want to come back and try the tapas. Â We've come a few times like I mentioned and never had a bad meal. Â They support local art, and have specials all the time. Â It's extremely cute and the restaurant's vibe is both relaxed and a little hipster chic. Â It gets a little dark and dare I say a tad romantic at night so it makes for a great date place.
Two words, eggs benedict.
This is by far my favorite place to eat in Atlanta. Sunday morning brunch, if I'm in town, you'll see me there. The service is always impeccable, and sitting outside is always a treat, but it's generally hard to snag a seat. Their dinner menu is just as good as their breakfast/brunch.
Tucked away in Cabbage town, down a strangled (should be one way) road is this fine jewel of Atlanta.
Be on the lookout for Catlanta, he frequents the area.
Three Positive Aspects:
1. Cabbagetown. Best hidden hood in ATL.
2. Full Bar.
3. Cool patrons.
The Bads:
They Do Not Care.
Shitty, irritated, slackjawed pimple of a waitress couldn't have been more dismissive and disinterested if she'd had that second transorbital lobotomy her coworkers were saving up for.
Insipid Food. Weak executions of modestly interesting items. I've gone back several times over a couple years to find my optimism smashed and mangled, kind of like the presentation of my meals.
Distracted, disdainful service is the hallmark of this trap.
Something stinks in Cabbagetown.
Okay, really.  How cute is Carroll Street Café?  Pretty darn cute, I say.  This seems to be a recurring theme with Cabbagetown businesses.
Considering the spate of beautiful weather I happened to bring into Atlanta during my brief few-day stint there, we figured we'd take advantage of it as much as possible by finding a pleasant patio to park ourselves on (and it seems like everyone else who lives ITP did, too). Â The special challenge with seating at CSC is that it's first-come-first-serve, so get there early, and/or apply our approach of hovering until someone leaves. Â Bwahaha.
After having had a burger for lunch, and prepping for a planned fried chicken feast the following day, it seemed reasonable to lean toward a slightly healthier dinner option here. Â Offering a varied assortment of stellar-sounding salads, I ended up being talked into the spinach and bacon one by our helpful server. Â Right up my alley! Â Fresh, broad, crunchy spinach leaves shared the bowl with savory bacon bits, shaved almonds, and bright, juicy cherry tomatoes that burst with goodness in my mouth.
Also, the bottled beer selection offered a few surprises, too. Â I was tempted to stick to a reliable Chimay, but when our server described the Erdinger as being light and refreshing like Blue Moon but better, I knew I had to have it. Â Reportedly, it's fermented in the bottle, but I didn't have the problem of sediment when I poured my crisp, golden brew into the provided glass. Â
I spoil myself by keeping frosted beer glasses in my freezer at all times - that would have been a nice added touch. Â Regardless, it's hard to find fault with spending a perfect evening outside, filling up on fresh foliage, and sipping a cold one... all in the presence of great company.
I've always been a bit enchanted with Cabbagetown. I came to the neighborhood once in high school and it was my first experience with a "true" slightly gritty intown neighborhood, having spent most of my youth in Buckhead and Virginia Highlands, with the occasional foray into Midtown or Little Five. I loved Cabbagetown at first sight, with it's mixed residential/commercial streets, graffiti, friendly people, and in-the-process-of-being-converted lofts.
It took me 10 years to return, sadly, but the wait was worth it. Bellied up to the bar at Carroll Street Cafe, I ordered a Chimay Blue from Anessa, the petite blonde behind the bar. As she poured my beer she recommended two of the new tapas dishes: artichoke bruschetta and the steak. We ordered both and I was blown away. Seriously, incredible and flavorful food that's not flashy or trying too hard: it was pretty much perfect, and I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. While my palate was sufficiently cared for and my stomach was perfectly full, upon mentioning that I had yet to experience the midnight express my dining companion made sure to order a slice. Rich chocolate cake, smooth white chocolate icing... heaven on a plate? Methinks yes. A slice worth returning for.
Carroll Street Cafe makes me want to move to Cabbagetown. It's the place I've been looking for since moving to Atlanta: a neighborhood bar that's equally perfect for a first date, the perfect spot to be a regular, where you can also bring your parents. I love it dearly, and will be sure to make the trek from Midtown a lot more often than once every 10 years. If for nothing else than the midnight express.
I'm sorry to drag the average star rating down but brain-dead servers are just a real pet peeve of mine. Â It is too bad because there is so much going for this place. Â Cool neighborhood. Â Decent food. Strong drinks. The waitstaff are good looking. Â Local art on the walls..and so on. Â But that just doesn't do it for me anymore. Â Any question about the menu smokes the confuser mechanism of the staff. Â Water refills take an eternity. Â Food shows up before drinks. Â I can't take it any more.
Me: What types of muffins do you have today?
CSC. Cranberry and Apple.
Me: Great, I will have a cranberry muffin.
CSC: (30 minutes later) Here's your banana muffin.
Me: I ordered a cranberry muffin.
CSC: We don't have cranberry muffins.
Me: Oh, bummer - maybe next time.
CSC: Do you want me to wrap that for you?
Me: No, I don't care for banana muffins.
CSC: Then why did you order it?
Me: I didn't.
CSC: Â Yes you did, I wrote it here my pad..See "c. muff".
Me: Exactly
CSC: Exactly what?!
Me: Banana starts with a "B".
CSC: I am aware of that.
Me: Could you just remove it from my check please?
CSC: But I have already unwrapped it, are you sure you don't want it.
Me: So you unwrapped it, then walked over to ask me if I want it wrapped?
CSC: What's your point?
Me: Just the check please.
I'm getting too old for this crap.
Situated in a formerly shady neighborhood far from the things of man? Â Just off a hard-to-navigate two way street barely wide enough for a Segway? Â Hit by a damned tornado?! Nothing seems to stop Carroll Street Cafe and, let's face it, that's a good thing. Â I've said it previously but it still applies here, Carroll Street is a hipster, boheme eatery in the same vein as its siblings, the Diem twins. Â In other words, it's shabby chic with interiors distressed, wine drinkers possessed, and servers with great breasts.
The menu is sandwich driven with a selection of bistro-inspired entrees. Â The tapas fad took its liberties with the food long ago and still rears its ugly head, but mostly on the "specials"chalkboard. Â That said, mostly they're ok, but the mussels app is the standout. Â The food is much heartier than at Apres Diem and I, as a good eater, appreciate that. Â (No stinkin' $8 plates of tempeh and carrot sticks for me.) Â This all carries over to brunch which too often I forget they have but really ought to remember more. Â As with any hipster joint, Carroll Street has different themed music nights, DJs with cutesy pop culture-inspired names spinning their latest mashups. Â Sometimes this may interfere with a desire for intimate conversation, so just be aware.
One of the worst things about visiting Carroll Street isn't the fault of the cafe, but the actual street itself. Â It's a narrow little thing that inconceivably still all traffic both ways. Â Top that off with off-the-street parking and the get a taste for the Cafe's Euro-style of life before you even get out of the car. Â This ain't no SUV-friendly, convenient AMERICAN road, I tells ya and unless you're comfortable with parallel parking, you may need to practice some before that big date, Hot Shot.
Finally a star to Carroll Street Cafe alone for having a specialty drink named after the legendary Mr. Billy Ocean (see pic.) Oh Billy, what ever happened to you? Did you return to your Caribbean Queen? Is she an easy lover? Â Did you finally hear a sad song to make you cry? Or perhaps the going got tough, so you, as a tough person, got going? Â Billy, don't be a hero, come back and share one of your namesake drinks with us. Â Show us there's no better motion than Billy Ocean. Â So with that, 4 musical stars for the Carroll Street Cafe. Â That should be enough to prompt you to drive over to visit. That said Dear Yelper, get out of my dreams and into your car.
LIKE HALF-TURNED ZOMBIES WE WAKE UP on Sunday mornings and drive to the nearest spot that everyone else says is great. Always judging the food, the service and the diners in the next booth over, I fight the urge to take mental notes, trying not to distract myself from the experience at hand by writing the first draft of my yelp review in my head. I do it too often, ignoring my girlfriend or anyone else I'm with, as if I'm a stranger who happened to sit at the same table, lost in my own thoughts because habits are hard to break. This Sunday morning at Carroll Street is rare with barely another pair of diners filling in the entire cafe.
The shrimp and grits are good in an odd european attempt, even if the seafood is slightly over seasoned and the serving a bit smaller than I'd like. But that's my fault since gluttons always want more.The space, with its perfectly imperfect tables of dark woods and slightly-off-but-matching everything else, is better than most attempts and fits in elegantly with the close quarters of anything on the actual Carroll Street itself.
Like Sun in my Belly over in Kirkwood, any neighborhood would be made better with a spot like Carroll Street Cafe in Cabbagetown. With so many other breakfast locations, it's a great choice for two, not for families, not for you and your friends plus their friends all at once. Sitting there practically alone with my girlfriend, with the glass window between us and the street, and a table littered with breakfast plates that once had food... I am reminded of why I left Pheonix for Atlanta, to follow this girl and our endless stream of breakfast dates.
***1/33
Breakfast at the Carroll Street Cafe on Saturday morning was a great start to the weekend, especially after a crazy week. Â The quirky buildings and random art along Carroll Street, coupled with the large, flower-box-lined windows, put me in a perfect bohemian mood.
The menu has some great choices and the food was super-yum! Â I had the croissant sandwich, sans turkey. Â It came with tomatoes, mushrooms, scrambled eggs, cheese, and bechamel. Â I had the polenta as a side (that was just so-so). Â Plenty of food to fill me up, and I also appreciate not having my coffee cup filled every two seconds. Â I hate having to guard my cup from the unwanted refills you get at some places... I finally get my cuppa joe doctored up JUST right, and the second I take a sip and look away...bam! Â It's filled up with hot coffee again, throwing the taste and temperature off kilter. Â Grrrr. Â Fortunately, this was NOT a problem at Carroll Street- we were quietly asked twice, and only twice if we'd like a refill. Â Perfect.
Carroll Street Cafe also gets bonus points for being open at 8:00 a.m. on the weekends! Â The mister and I tend to be early risers... it can be a tough stretch to wait until 9:00 or later for a decent breakfast.
The small bars and restaurants in Cabbage town are like finding little hidden treasures. Carroll Street Cafe is no exception.
Very laid back, casual atmosphere. Great place to have a quiet lunch or enjoy a glass of wine late evening. Service was casual and fun. My cheese tortellini lasted me til lunch the next day, and mimosa's come in large and small. (Do you have to ask if i got the big'un?)
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Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
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