Cru Urban Lounge

great little hideaway spot. food was very good (appropriately small portions).

I first learned about this place while watching one of my new guilty pleasure reality shows, "Big Rich Atlanta", which is mildly ironic considering that this restaurant manifests none of the qualities for which the show is named - it's smaller than a walk-in closet, casual, and reminiscent of the Manhattan lounge scene. Unfortunately, the sociopathic broads from the show were long gone by the time I visited, so the entertainment factor was low, but the food was surprisingly better than I had expected.

Food: Cru is first and foremost a lounge. That being said, the food menu is limited and not particularly adventurous - however, what they do put out is passable. During my midday Sunday brunch visit, I opted for the banana french toast, which came topped with whipped cream, sliced bananas, pure maple syrup, and three pieces of bacon. The meal was by no means exceptional, but both the french toast and bacon were nicely cooked and generously portioned. My dining partner opted for the cru burger, which he enjoyed, particularly the vidalia onion bun.

Service: Our waitress was really personable and quick to engage in conversation. There was initially a bit of a wait to get our drinks, which prompted me to joke to my dining partner that they must have been squeezing the orange juice out back. Much to my surprise, the waitress returned a few minutes later, apologized for the delay, and stated that she had to squeeze the orange juice by hand. Talk about going above and beyond the call of duty - I ended up not ordering another because I felt guilty about having to send her back to the juicer.  

Atmosphere: The interior of this place is really unique for Atlanta - it's essentially a residential loft that has been transformed into a restaurant and lounge. The bar area is located on the ground floor and the second floor consists of a wrap around lounge area with booths and a few hightop tables. The overall vibe is casual, but trendy and intimate.

Cost: Moderately priced. Dinner starters are $6-$10 and entrees are $10-$25. Brunch entrees are $9-$12. Specialty cocktails are $10.

Other: Cru is located on the first floor of the Ponce Spring Loft condominiums at the corner of North St. and Glen Iris. The restaurant entrance is easy to miss -  it's on the immediate left once you enter the parking lot on Glen Iris. Dinner is served Tuesday-Saturday, 6PM-12AM, and Brunch is served Saturday-Sunday, 11AM-3PM. The bar is open for more extended hours. Cru offers private event packages starting at $1,100, which cover the bar tab, food, rental fee, door man, and gratuity.

Cru has a really great burger! Really great, with hashbrowns to boot. I would have never found it, but It im glad a buddy turned me on to it.