I purchased a deal from Yelp for The Pinewood. We arrived aka they were opening on a Saturday evening and asked to eat at the bar. The wait staff was so friendly! We tried two small plates - Brussels Sprouts and Crispy Pork Belly - yum! We later had Pinewood Cheeseburger and small portion of the Taggliatelle Bolognaise. Loved both - we shared bites and both thought the burger was maybe best ever. We will definitely return - Brunch menu looks great - wish it was also available on Saturdays. I suspect later in the evening this spot is pretty noisy! We like dining early for that reason.
Review Source:The first thing you'll notice about The Pinewood is the incredible friendly employees. Our waitress, Abagail, could not have been nicer or more attention (in a good way). The food was original and absolutely delicious. We ordered the cheese grit tots with chipotle aioli as one of our appetizers, and ate them so fast we had to order two more. The fried brussels sprouts were fabulous, and the burgers were insanely yummy! I had a bit of the gnocchi and the tagliatelle, and both were fresh and light, with great herby flavors. I love that their menu changes frequently and can't wait to go back to try something new. All-in-all, it was a wonderful evening of great food with friends, and I would definitely recommend giving it a try.
Review Source:We were here for the yelp event- but since the drinks and the appetizers we had were excellent, we decided to just have dinner here as well. Â
Here's what we ordered.
Oyster roll- Fried oysters with bacon. Oh,and on buttered toast topped with some slightly spicy aioli. Good stuff. I think stuffing it with one more oyster wouldn't hurt. (4)
PEI mussels- The generous use of roasted garlic and tomatoes in flavoring the broth made this appetizer a real standout. Granted, there were some mussels that probably went a bit south so to speak (I don't expect places to get fresh mussels in ATL), but it was really good overall. (4.5)
Pork 2 ways (cheek and loin)- Both were tasty- the loin was wrapped around some red peppers and paired with mashed potatoes, while the cheek was in slices on its own. Â I haven't had pork cheek before, but this was a good introduction. (4)
I think this spot does a good job of distinguishing itself from other joints in downtown Decatur- which means it will likely do well. Â We will be back...
I was here earlier this week for a Yelp event (thanks, Kathleen for puttin' that together!).
They were serving up two cocktails and two appetizers.
Grit Tots: I don't even like grits, but these were amazing! If you visit, you must try them.
Brussel Sprouts: I like most vegetables, though brussel sprouts are definitely not at the top of the list. These were good, though. Not something I'd probably order for myself, but they were perfectly cooked and season.
Blue Tick Hound: This cocktail was good, but just way too tart for me.
ASW Mint Punch: This was my favorite. It was nice and strong, not too tart, not too sweet--pure perfection.
As far as vibe and service, Pinewood was great! The bartenders were awesome and hustling the entire event. And while the space is on the smaller side, it's a neat place with a really intimate vibe.
Visited the Pinewood on a Friday afternoon, right around 5PM. It was a bit too early for this space, but I will certainly be trying again on an evening where the lights are dim and this place can live up to its fullest potential.
Lots of seating, with excellent service. We were very well-taken care of throughout our time. The food is delicious and the drinks unique. We went after American Spirit whiskey cocktails, but I will certainly play around with their gin-based drinks soon.
Here for a Yelp event so only got to taste a few offerings. The grit tots were very good (yes, tater tots but made from grits -- it's a southern thing, you wouldn't understand). The green tea with mint sprig drinks made from American Spirit white whiskey were also very good. Would go back to check out the dining experience. Pretty small space so if you're hankerin' to try it out, you might want to call ahead by like a few weeks, so I hear.
Review Source:Went about 6:15 this past Saturday night with my wife. Â We were one of only three groups there, but it filled up as the evening went on. Â Superb cocktails! Â Food-wise, we shared the scallop appetizer, the pork belly appetizer, and then shared the chicken and waffles. Â All were outstanding. Â Highly recommended.
Review Source:Welcome to Decatur, Pinewood! You'll fit right in.
They are a place that takes pride in their craft, from small plates to cocktails. The prices for cocktails are on average $2-3 more than Leon's which is surprising since Leon's really has the market nailed down for boutique cocktails. The food is reasonable and you're not given "American" portions, though they do go a bit heavy on the salt. Get the fried chicken if available.
Peeve: you can order several cocktails on draft which, considering they are not carbonated, when you think about it, means you're paying a premium price to have your cocktail made at the beginning of the day in a large vat.
When the place is empty or busy, the service is quiet. Good, but does not offer any conversation or suggestions.
We love the Pinewood. They have great food, imaginative cocktails, and even taught me a new word (tippling...check it out). The service is friendly if vaguely hipster. Portions aren't huge, but the quality of ingredients and synergy in flavors will leave you sated. Whiskey Wednesdays are a found treasure...never knew the Day that I Die would feel so good when it hit my lips.
Try the grit tots (good), fried green tomato salad (better), or beef short rib with horseradish potatoes and stewed green beans...taste bud utopia.
Something wonderful is happening at PTR - I had eaten there about a year ago and wasn't overly impressed but signed up for their "special Valentine's prix fixe" - WOW. It was amazing - Cakes & Ale level amazing. From that night on, we became regulars - I've taken my girlfriends there for girls' night out, always suggest it when friends want to meet in downtown Decatur but don't want to go too pricey, my husband and I go regularly, and I'm planning to have dinner with my son there next week.
The service is super friendly. Julian, one of the owners and bar-master, is very knowledgeable about spirits and concocting great cocktails.
Tiki Tuesday! come on - you have to try this place.
Very excited about this new option in Decatur Square, where Cakes and Ale used to be. My first trip for dinner turned out to be Whiskey Wednesday, with all specialty whiskey cocktails half off for the night. My two favorites:
* The Day That I Die: Rye, Lemon, Ginger, Buckwheat Honey, Roasted Georgia Pecan Tincture - Very smooth and refreshing, the ginger has a real kick when it hits the back of your throat. Nice.
* The Scofflaw: Rye, Dry Vermouth, House Grenadine, Lime, Bitters, Orange Expression. This was also smooth, a little on the sweeter side, served in a dainty cocktail glass.
I love that the bartenders have a running blog on their website, detailing some of their thoughts on mixology and what-not. It's over here: <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinewoodtr.com%2Fanecdotes%2F&s=827398d825aaba7647fce8619e9cb8f31cd84880bde810280847b3f832c3640b" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.pinewoodtr.co…</a>
My friend and I started with two small plates, one the special (roasted brussel sprouts) and the other a featured menu item (grit tots). Both were delish. The tots come with about 10-15 tots made from compressed grits (duh) and are served with a sweet chili aioli. The roasted sprouts are salty, served with the house horseradish cream. All combined, these made a great salty-sweet combo.
DInner was light but still managed to taste hearty. My friend had the beef brisket with stewed green beans, smashed Red Bliss potatoes, and drizzled with the house horseradish. It was a huge portion and could really fill someone's red meat cravings.
I experimented with something I've always wanted to try, taggliatelle bolognaise. It's a light pasta dish served with pancetta, veal, pork, and a sunny-side up egg on top of a mix of hand-made pasta. Very light, very filling, and very enjoyable.
We're new fans and will be going back soon. The space is a little loud, but you and a couple of close friends could really enjoy it over a couple of cocktails and small plates. Check out their website for a lot of weekly specials. I think I'm going back for Tiki Tuesday!
PS - Great music and soundtrack played all night. I'd love to know what was on the playlist. It was a super-cute crowd and the service was very friendly.
So happy I've found this place. Small, good menu, great drinks (says the girl who has fallen in love with whiskey sours made with egg whites) and I've found the staff to be pretty good. The owner is great, you really feel like he cares about the experience you have there. I've had the pork two ways (cheek and tenderloin), and the red snapper. Both were deee-lish. It's going to be a go-to.
Review Source:We popped into The Pinewood on a Friday night, trying to have a nice evening with cocktails. After reading all the good reviews we actually had high expectations. We didn't want to eat as we had dinner beforehand so we sat down at the bar. The cocktail menu didn't really impress me as they probably only had 16 cocktails to offer. I went with the Jackie O, which was nice, nothing special.
Behind the bar there were 3 waiters. 2 of them quite arrogant and not really helpful. I've asked one of them which cocktail he would recommend, and which one might be a little bit more sweet and he couldn't help. I asked if he could possibly make any kind of passion fruit cocktail and he had to obviously ask someone if that's possible.
He then was talking to another waiter and it just felt like he's bitching around.. I saw him doing this a couple of times with all the people at the bar, rolling eyes etc. SO mister, if you can't really improvise easy fruity cocktails and if you can't be friendly, this is not the right job for you! He then sent another waiter to us who was quick, friendly and who made up a nice drink.
All in all I will not come back to this place and it's a pity cause the atmosphere when we stepped in was really nice, laid back. An actual nice place to have dinner and one or two cocktails afterwards.
Maybe it's my love for Decatur, but this place is a neighborhood gem in it's truest form. The cocktails are artisan grade -- delicious, classy, creative, and exceptionally unique. The ambiance is cozy, casual, but still maintains that "night out to a nice place" feel. The staff is friendly, down-to-Earth, and quite knowledgeable about the food they serve and the liquor that goes into their cocktails. My husband and I always manage to chat it up comfortably with whomever is serving us whether it's for dinner or just drinks. We had dinner there for the first time last night, and I'm still thinking about the absolutely delicious grouper and tagliatelle dishes we had. It certainly rivals some of the more well-known restaurants in town. I cannot recommend The Pinewood enough, and my only hope is that everyone reading this goes there so that they stay in business for a long time to come!
Review Source:This has quickly become one of my favorite places in Atlanta. The bartenders are creative & friendly, and most importantly, they make fantastic drinks. I had the trout for dinner, which was delicious! Â I mostly love the Pinewood for the bar experience, but the food is quite good as well.
Review Source:I love you, Pinewood!
We are picky with our drinks, but this is our new go-to when people who appreciate nice cocktails are in town. It is always comfortable, laid-back, with friendly staff and great service. The food is amazing, but we usually save our pennies for their drinks. Wednesdays are half-off whiskey drinks!
Some favorites among my friends and companions are: Roots Radical, Draft Sazerac, the Aviation, and the Van Lear Rose.
Brunch review!  My family loves the french toast here. It is really just bread pudding masquerading as french toast and is a baked custard-y  wonder - especially when ordered with the apples and chantilly cream.  The grits are delicious too, slightly spicy and cheesy, I think they mix them with pimento cheese?  The brunch cocktails here are also amazing -  "the day that I die'  with whiskey and ginger syrup us one of my favorites.  I can't wait to try dinner one day.
Review Source:My husband and I had a great experience at the Pinewood tonight! I highly recommend trying one of their artistically mixed cocktails. I tried the "Aviation No. 1" and the "Gin Daisy" and both were outstanding. As for food, I recommend sharing several small plates for the best value. The lobster risotto was wonderful-- perhaps the best thing we ordered. At $19, it was a rather small serving which would not be enough for a meal; however, if you feel like splurging, it's worth it! The grit tots were a great small plate to share. The pork belly biscuit was great, but we felt like the arugula and apple salad was lacking flavor.
Overall we highly enjoyed our experience at the Pinewood. The service was awesome. Just enough attention without feeling stifling.
We came here with a deal from from a coupon website, but we will definitely be back, even without the deal. Prices are a little high but will be a nice treat out for special occasions.
I have nothing bad to say. It was an enjoyable experience. Beautiful intimate space with friendly servers, which I would prefer over cold and perfect. Will I go again? More than likely. However, I must say, nothing was outstanding. The drinks were good, but I have great drinks often. The food was tasty, but not special. I ordered the fried chicken. I'm no fried chicken expert, I rarely cook or order it. But lately, I've been fiending for some good fried chicken, be it high-brow or in a greasy brown bag covered in tangy sauce. I guess I should have been more specific with the universe. Was it fried? It was, even fried and crispy. But it just didn't satisfy my craving as I kept thinking, "this is not fried chicken!" I love panko, but  breaded chicken breast and fried chicken are two different things. Eh. The pesto mac and cheese was one of those "in theory" dishes. It was a great idea, added nice flavor...to what seemed like Kraft cheese and mac with quality ingredients.
The care is there. The desire is there. I appreciated the experience. I guess I'm just used to a little more finesse in my cocktails, and balance in my food.
The Pinewood seriously delivers.
I ordered the steak and eggs; my husband ordered the crunchy buttermilk chicken; the table shared the okra to start. Â Everyone at the table was thoroughly impressed with every single dish!
The cocktails were top-notch, too. Â I had both the "Day That I Die" and the "Pinewood Cup", and I would order them both again!
The service was also impeccable.
Five stars!
"I'm thinking Brad Pitt," I said to my waiter at the Pinewood last night, framing his face with my hands. "Do you get that a lot?"
"Sometimes," he said. "I would sound arrogant if I told you I get it all the time."
So my waiter last night at the Pinewood looks like Brad Pitt.
My fiance and I started with two glasses of Welcome Punch, which comprised some sort of spirited tea. Do I care about the details? The waiter looks like Brad Pitt.
The score from A River Runs Through It consumed my psyche while we ordered our entrees, two of the same awesome-sounding thing: seared trout on a bed of succotash. With the skin on, the trout contained a lot of flavor; plus, big bacon chunks littered the succotash in a good way.
The fingerling potatoes disappointed me, as the side contained more oily mushrooms than potatoes.
However, my Palumba cocktail, woodsy and rich with star anise soda, along with the bourbon-soaked bread pudding turned my palate back around.
Now I'm in the mood to re-watch Thelma and Louise.
Delicious cocktails, tasty food, fab service.
Oyster BLT is like a po boy that had a threesome with a lobster roll and a BLT. The spicy aoili smothered the delicate ocean of the oysters, but the overall experience was yum.
Grilled fruit is always good-roasty peaches were nicely complimented by goat cheese and arugula.
I come from a family of Gumbo makers, and their quail version was some of the best I've had outside of my Great Grama's kitchen in Gonzales, LA. Serious stuff.
I was too busy coveting my man's Gumbo to enjoy the Shrimp and Grits. Grits tasted like spicy pimento cheese.
I love the inventive drinks but have yet to catch a buzz here. Intoxicating aroma in the punch, love the slab of ginger in the Day that I Die, Daiquiri was sour and bitter, heavy on the lime skin oil.
Best service I've had in quite a while. Attentive without interrupting, appropriate timing with checking in, quick check delivery.
It is confusing to me that they come across as a casual, neighborhood spot (silverware on the table in a glass, mason jar water, no reservations) but are pricey at the same time ($10-13 drinks, $21 entrees). A deal can be had with the chef's 4 course tasting menu @ $28.
I am a fan. I've been a few times for drinks and now for dinner, and will be back to try brunch and the New Orleans Monday soon.
Cheers~
Recently tried out the The Pinewood Tippling Room (aka The Pinewood), that opened earlier this year in the old Cakes & Ale space in Decatur.
Clean design interior, a killer cocktail menu and southern inspired comfort food are the perfect combination for this concept. Top drink picks: The Day That I Die and their Porch Punch, the latter of which is fresh, clean and dangerous since it goes down so easily. The beer list is a mix of international brews and local favorites like Wild Heaven and Terrapin.
For entrees, we had the Crunchy Buttermilk Chicken (crust made with Ritz crackers!) and the Meatloaf. The chef must love Ritz crackers, since the cheeses are served with them and grapes.
We had to indulge in the Bourbon Bread Pudding, which was really decadent and totally southern.
Definitely want to back to try more dishes, drinks and a very comfortable dining experience.
Ate way too much and had too many carbs while I was at Pinewood Tippling Room! Â Wish there were more green vegetable sides other than collards on the menu...I could have used a side salad, broccoli or green beans order to offset the fried chicken, mashed potatoes, cheese grits, fried green tomatoes, and mac and cheese that we had at the table! Â Drinks were very good...I love the house made ginger beer that was used in the Moscow mule. Â The hibiscus fizz was refreshing, with great flavors.
The bartenders look way young, but it may be the black hipster glasses that threw off my age judgement. Â The drinks do tend to take a little while...the restaurant was full while we were there so I'm guessing with everyone imbibing at the same time, those bartenders were very busy. Â The decor is simple...naked filament light bulbs, chalkboards with specials and QOTD's (one from Lincoln the day I was there).
Ate there last night using scoutmob, what a great deal. I got the shrimp enchiladas, which I didn't realize were stuffed with grits. What if I had ordered grits as my side item? I made the comment to my husband that side items should not be included as an integral part of a main dish. At present, there are only four or five mains, surely they can get a little more creative. That aside, the food was delish!
Cocktails: We got the Brown Derby, Tom Collins, Pinewood Cup, and the Dark and Stormy. All were super good, but the D&S was my favorite.
Overall, a great new addition to Decatur.
The Pinewood and I did not start off well. I was initially lured to its doors after being informed by multiple sources that it was an upscale meat+two restaurant, which is simply ingenious as far as I am concerned. Apparently, I'm the only person who thinks so - they've already revamped the menu and sent the meat+two option to the dumper. However, the former meat+two contents can still be pieced together from various sections of the menu, albeit more expensively.
Food: The wine menu at The Pinewood was among the worst I've seen in recent memory, in terms of selection, quality, and markup. Fortunately, the food made up for the lackluster libations. To start, my dining partner and I opted for the Country Poutine, which was generously portioned and absolutely delightful. I grew up near the Canadian border and was pleased to see that at least a variation of the dish has made its way this far south. For an entree, I opted for the crunchy buttermilk chicken and a side of mac n' cheese. The chicken was perfectly prepared, but the mac n' cheese was painfully bland and meagerly portioned for the price. For dessert, we opted to share the funnel cake, which was topped with dulce de leche, bananas, and whipped cream. I would have preferred to have been served the cake piping hot from the frier, but the flavors were still impressive at room temperature.
Service: Our waiter was friendly, attentive, and eager to please. The table runners were also pleasant, and contrary to most other restaurants, willing  and able to engage in conversation.
Atmosphere: The interior is largely the same as it was when Cakes & Ale occupied the space, which I consider a good thing. In fact, even the large chalk boards still adorn the walls - however, instead of the menu, they now feature quotes from various historic notables. In addition to traditional table seating, there is also high top seating at the bar and along the front window. Dress is casual and the clientele is predominately adults.
Cost: The prices are commensurate with the food quality and portions. Small plates are $5-$10, large plates are $12-$15, sliders are $3.50, sides are $4, and  desserts are $5.
Other: The Pinewood does not accept reservations. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Thursday, 6PM-12AM, Friday-Saturday, 6PM-1AM, and Sunday (brunch only), 11AM-2:30PM. Limited parking is available in the lot behind the restaurant - however, you're best bet is street parking or the municipal lot located at the end of Ponce De Leon Place, both of which are free after 6PM.
It's a go. The interior is simple and bright. The fresh/light colored wood used for the shelving/bar/tables gives a nice relaxing vibe I think. It even smells like wood in there and I love that. I must also address that bar stools (as this is important to a lady and her bum). While they aren't cushioned, they do have backs and the seat is loosely weaved wood with give to it...plenty comfortable to spend a good bit of time there sampling cocktails...which is exactly what you should do here!
Their cocktail menu is full of the classics and also their own unique creations. I also think they have a might fine looking beer list. The bartenders were very friendly and chill and fit in with the whole feel of the place. They seemed very knowledgeable of the menu and took care in crafting the each cocktail. I definitely enjoyed my drinks and felt relaxed here. It's not overly loud or fussy and I felt relaxed here and never rushed by the staff. I didn't pick up on any (free) parking secrets (as Decatur can be tricky about parking) but there are decks close by.
Overall, I'd rank this as one of the most comfortable and pleasant dining experiences I've had in a while. Drinks were top-notch, and the food was decent. But before I dive into that, I have to comment on the decor.
A lot of the places where you can go to get a well-crafted drink panel their bars with decor that ranges from a fusty hunt club to the locale for a Bauhaus music video. In other words, the key principle is darkness. Not this place.
Even in the early evening, the interior of this place seems to draw in the sunlight, capitalizing on shelving, tables and chairs that are made of a light-colored wood (pine, I'm guessing?) that's coated in a soft-colored stain. It still has a modern feel, but makes you think more front porch than Sprockets or Hogwarts. Â
The drinks here are definitely a five. At other places that pride themselves on cocktails, you can still be taken by surprise when your palate is hit with a sharp edge. The Hibiscus Fizz was off the chain. The flavors were very subtle but completely refreshing. The lemon, lime and honey flavors really let the hibiscus do the talking. And don't be scared off by the inclusion of an egg white, as I initially was. If raw eggs in a beverage work for Rocky, then why not for me? Their negroni was also smooth and not too bitter, which can sometimes be the case.
I have to admit that I wasn't wowed by the food, but considering the decor and drinks this place is well deserving of four stars. The menu does seem well thought out, so maybe I just need to give some other stuff a try. First, the menu description of their pork chop slider had my mouth watering and mind wandering to good memories of meat and three's. But on arrival I'd actually gotten something more like the schnitzel at Leon's. Perfectly fine-tasting, but not the Southern treat I was expecting. My bacon burger slider was fine, but the patty was a little dry. With all the iterations of beef sliders out there, I think you have to make it juicy to stand out. The vegetable skewers were tasty, but seemed like something I could make at home. Lastly, the collard green egg rolls were tasty, but the filing seemed a little cold.
Overall, a great experience, though. I'll definitely stop back in when I'm in the neighborhood. But since I live on the outskirts of Inman Park, I'm not sure the food is enough of a draw to warrant a drive out of my way.
Love, love, love.
In search of a decent place to grab a bite on a late weeknight, we popped in to The Pinewood and were pleasantly surprised by the stunningly beautiful space. I loved the light wood, the cane chairs, the comfortable yet upscale surrounding. I felt like I was at the beach in the best way possible.
We saddled up to the bar and were greeted by the owner, T. Fable Jeon and another super friendly bartender (Julien maybe?). The cocktail menu has an impressive assortment of inventive potions and classic favorites. I loved how the bar was arranged and the length of the menu, complete with full descriptions so even cocktail noobs can find something to try. My aviation wasn't quite as good as Iberian Pig up the street, but still tasty. I preferred the Hibiscus Fizz I ordered next: it was the perfect summer refreshment.
We ordered a few plates as well: sweet potato bombers, shrimp tamales, one pork chop slider and one beef slider. The sweet potato bombers were like a more-savory spanikopita, aka delicious. The shrimp tamales were good but not anything I'd rush back for, same with the beef slider. I was expecting to like the pork chop slider the least but was absolutely blown away by the flavor: hiiiighly recommend it.
While the food and drink are right around the 4 star zone, I give them an upgrade for bringing something awesome to the scene: a laidback but upscale spot where you can be yourself, as long as yourself isn't some rowdy douchebag or pretentious putz.
The meaningless and undeserved 2-star review from seemingly grumpy old person is causing me to do something I normally don't like to: Write a review after only visiting the place once and to give a provisional star for potential.
The Pinewood occupies the place formerly graced by Cakes & Ale. Extensive renovations have turned the rather dark and awkward space into an airy and group-friendly one.
Large 4-6 person bar-level table line the wall and the walls are a light blue-gray that contrasts nicely with the wood bar and furniture.
As the large blackboard sign to your left as you enter proclaims, Pinewood aspires to be a place that facilitates 'tippling'. Ie: drinking small quantities of liquor over long periods to sustain a pleasant buzz supplemented by small but substantial plates of food.
The liquor of choice seems to be mixed beverages typically served in a cocktail or martini glass. The Pinewood is the first restaurant that I've been to that serves not one but two 'draft' cocktails. Much like a draft beer, they are poured out of a spigot into a glass. No shake. No stir. 007 would be perplexed as were my bartender friends at the Brick Store when I mentioned this. The Pinewood gets a bonus point for providing me with something/anything to impress the hardened pros at the 'store. The beer and wine lists are a bit thin compared to the cocktails but seem to be a decently varied selection. I certainly would not feel deprived. I noticed a good selection of Bourbon and Scotch behind the bar as well.
Being a pretty old fashioned guy when it comes to liquor (I do beer, wine and scotch) I chose not to partake of the mixed drink offerings and selected some food with an unsweet-tea (which was nicely brewed and served with the right amount of ice in a small glass that was conscientiously refilled).
Before I get to the food, I want to mention that the staff and service were excellent. From the cute, friendly and helpful hostess to the knowledgeable, friendly and honest bartender, I had a very nice visit. There was no attempt to force the most expensive drinks or food on me and Julian, my bartender, went so far as to dissuade me from getting an extra dish because he felt it would be too much food. Honest, friendly service always gets an extra star from me.
The place has only been open a couple of weeks and the food somewhat shows this. I decided on the grilled seasonal vegetable skewers and the shrimp & spicy grits tamales, both of which were ok but not quite 4-star worthy. I suspect that the sliders may have been a better choice.
The veggie skewers actually came on skewers and seemed a little overpriced. For $9 you get two skewers with a couple of pieces of eggplant, green peppers, onion a piece of corn cob and a piece of carrot. The plate is garnished with fried kale that was crispy but also extremely oily. I would like to see a few more pieces of veggies and for the skewers to be taken out. Unless I'm eating around a campfire, I don't actually need the veggies to be on the sticks.
The shrimp and spicy grits tamales were decent but the flavors tended to run into each other and clash. Both the items are spiced and there was not much complexity to the flavor. It would be better if the either the shrimp or the grits could be made creamy/mild to provide a counterpoint to the spice.
Along with the service and the tasteful decor, I found the ambiance to be low-key but classy and relaxing. The background music was very soft, quieter than most coffee shops and it was very easy to have a conversation with the bartender and my neighbors.
At any other time, I would give the Pinewood 3-stars but a number of things compel me to give them a provisional 4-star review:
1. I like the concept of a place where you are encouraged to hang-out, enjoy small, southern plates while maintaining a nice buzz. The space, staff and Ambience are already there, the food needs a bit of work.
2. It's a much needed addition to Decatur with the more popular places on the square being a little too popular lately.
3. Did I mention its a very cool space ideally suited for small groups to socialize in?
Finally, they open around 6 p.m. If you're looking for a place doing 'early bird specials' while playing Frank Sinatra music, I recommend the Corner Bakery or Piccadilly Cafe.
Nice but short beer list. Unfortunately, too many are offered only as large bottles, so if you don't want that much beer (or want to try more than one) you may be paying a lot. I ended up leaving beer on the table. Â They offer a large array of cocktails, though.
A similarly short food list, and they don't open the kitchen until 6 PM, at least on a weekday when we were there.
Beef & bacon slider was quite yummy, as were the collard rolls.
And the music ... A little too loud, but what really got to me was the choice of tunes - lots of low bass that made my head shriek. I thought I was in an Edgar Allen Poe poem.
I will not be back, but others less sensitive to Poe may enjoy The Pinewood, particularly if you're not a beer drinker.
My wife, friend, and I dropped by on Wednesday just around 6:00 PM not really knowing what to expect.  We had high hopes going into the evening that we finally have a  place that breaks the stereotypical Decatur beer scene.  A bit of foreshadowing - Pinewood over-delivered and we are already looking forward to going back!
The staff has done a great job with the space. Â Lots of wood and muted grays help the space to feel surprisingly open despite the only windows being on the store front. Â The environment is warm, inviting, and casual - all the right factors for a place that you can drink in for hours. Â No TV or loud music which is a nice contrast to typical bars.
The staff is super friendly and extremely knowledgeable; we sat at the bar where Julian took extremely good care of us. Â He was a great ambassador for the restaurant and helped us to navigate the menu and decide on our drink selections. Â You could really tell that the staff is excited about the restaurant and they take pride in their creations. Â This was a refreshing break from the stuck-up hipster bartenders that seem to be taking over Atlanta. Â Pinewood's staff does a great job of setting the mood for a laid back evening.
The drink list is fantastic and the price points are average for these days (e.g. $10 cocktails).  We tried the Decatur Discretionary (great if you are a whiskey drinker) as well as the Pinewood Cup (a lot like a Pimm's Cup).  We also sampled their Draft Cocktail (Old Fashioned) and homemade cola - both were FANTASTIC.  Seriously, this place has cocktails on Draft  How cool is that!?  They are evening talking about selling to-go bottles of their homemade concoctions.
As for the food, the menu is limited but has something that will please most palates. Â The offerings are all small portions and good for sharing. Â We tried the Collard Green Egg Rolls, Fried Green Tomato Sliders, and the Po Boy (Shrimp) Sliders. Â Everything was very good - perfect seasoning and not overly oily which was nice especially considering everything we ordered was fried. Â The breading on the tomatoes and shrimp reminds me growing up - in other words - awesome! Â After a couple rounds of drinks, we also gave the Sweet Potato Brownie a try. Â Put simply, if you like sweet potatoes, then you will like this dish especially paired with the homemade cola which offers up a complimentary spice (reminds me of Thanksgiving & Fall)!
Overall, we had a great time and we are excited to return. Â After one visit we are already considering adding this place to our regular/favorites list. Â
Give it a try!
My first visit to The Pinewood Tippling Room was last night and being the 2nd night they opened their doors I was expecting shaky service and lots of kinks in the menu and drinks. I was pleasantly surprised at the caliber of waitstaff and the smooth service with a smile. Here are a few of my notes.
Although we didn't order much food, the sweet potato bombers were a hit with the group and the pastry was prepared and baked to perfection. We also sampled the popcorn which was a good salty pairing with my drinks for the night.
As for the cocktails, I order the Decatur Discretionary and it packed a pretty large punch. Using corn whiskey can be tricky without a good balance to the drink but the DD was balanced without the 5 minute after burn. Spicy at the start (corn whiskey) with a sweet orange and bianco sweetness toward the middle and end, the DD was a good start to the night.
I am an old fashioned kind of guy so my go to on any given night is that classic cocktail. PWTR has done something few places will attempt and that is to have a cocktail on draft. I am not sure of the process they take with mixing the old fashioned but it didn't compromise the taste or presentation to have it pre made. Their old fashioned was serving chilled with a giant square of ice in the glass. It was slightly different than other old fashioneds but the overall flavors were there and it was good enough to bring me back through the doors another night soon.
Fable was one of the best hosts/owners I have experienced in Atlanta. Friendly and extremely open to feedback, Fable made us feel like valued customers even if we never come back. That won't happen though because of all of the things mentioned above. I hope this is helpful and if you are looking for a good place to try a new cocktail and get some food while you're at it, check out the Pinewood Tippling Room.
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