This was a dinner with work colleagues. The service was great. The lead waiter was on top of things. He made sure we paid attention and didn't lose track of time. At the same time, he gave us plenty of space to have our conversations. The food was fairly good. Nothing was especially spectacular, but everyone was happy. We loved the wine, as our glasses were always being filled. Overall, a good quiet place to hang out for good conversation.
(3)
Jessica O.
We had a late dinner at the Vinings Inn, and it was fairly quiet downstairs (good romantic atmosphere), but the Attic Bar seemed busy. Our food was simple, but good. The appetizers are large portions. I wish they had sparkling wines available by the glass, that was the only downside to our meal. Prices were good, we had two glasses of wine, two appetizers, two entrees AND dessert for $70.00. Service was good as well.
(3)
John G.
Havent been here for a while until recently I stopped in for a late dinner. I recall the food being MUCH better but we brought some realy good wine and they charged $20 per bottle corking fee, a bit much I thought but anyway it was way better then anything on the wine list there. Service was ok and everyone seemed to enjoy what they ordered. The best part of the evening was afterwards we went upstairs to the bar, they have live music and dancing, it was a good way to top off the night.
(3)
Stephen L.
Delicious. We had a private room for 12. Fried green tomato appetizer was tart and tasty, petit filet with BBC potatoes, glazed brussel sprouts. Amazing filet, interesting sides. Charming atmosphere. Valet parking for $2.
(5)
Dru J.
Martinis, piano jazz, cigars (wait, no cigars), good food in the comfortable surroundings of OVI. These are a few of my favorite things that I've not enjoyed in quite some time. Unhappily, companion was about to return home to China. So we dashed into OVI, barely missing the rain, to share some of those favorite things. Perhaps it was the prospect of not having "western" food for a while that sent her into an ordering frenzy. Meatloaf (yes, surprised even me), mac & cheese gratin, southern style green beans, Peach BBQ Shrimp over poblano-cheddar grits, additional sides followed by cocktails more than sated my soon-to-be jet lagged friend. Dining in the (setting) sun room to piano music, candlelight and soft rain provided a stereotypically, OWWW! err, I mean, memorably, romantic dinner. Service was ably performed by one Tyler, the food, while not mind-blowing, was tasty and well prepared. Dinner, drinks, and atmosphere were more than reasonably priced. OVI remains a classic.
(4)
Kris H.
Had a date night and chose this as our destination. Sadly disappointed. Salads came out 10-15 minutes apart, beet salad had thick goats cheese between layers of beets. Too much! Pork chop requested medium; got raw. Two tries later.....overdone, tough. They tried to make it right but just couldn't.
(2)
Amy H.
So I read the majority of the reviews and DID NOT WANT TO EAT HERE! But my friend made me. And would not cancel the reservation. And very glad she did I had a WONDERFUL meal here. I thought the service was fantastic. The fried green tomatoes are probably the best I have ever had. 1st place used to be South City and these blow South City's out of the water. Came for brunch so I did the corned beef hash - DELICIOUS!! Fantastic, cannot WAIT to eat it again. Our server and the manager were SO nice, making sure we were warm enough (it is an old house so it was pretty chilly) and I loved it. Can't wait to come back for dinner!!!
(4)
Jam D.
Great place to try traditional southern fare with a little flair. Cool spot in downtown Vinings. Perfect to take a date. Candied bacon appetizer is fantastic. I had the Ga Mountain Trout, and my wife had the Shrimp and Grits. We both thoroughly enjoyed out meals. The owner came by our table, and was very nice and engaging. Dont forget to grab a drink in the attic bar.
(4)
Caroline K.
My BF and I came here last night for Date night and we were really looking forward to it, but we left very disappointed. We had a reservation for 8:30 and when we walked in it seemed busy and the host, a gentleman in a striped blazer, was so inviting and very sad to let us know that they were a little behind and it would be a wait before we were seated. No big deal, but there was no where to sit while we waited and the waiting area is very spacious so there's plenty of room for a few benches. After about 20 minutes we were seated. The host asked us what the occasion was, we let him know it was our date night, he seated us a the tiniest 2 top in the corner of a separate room. It was private, but there were 2 open 4 tops right next to us, one was dirty during our entire visit. A very awkward female server came over to take our drink order, she did not make eye contact and looked incredibly terrified to come to our table, she did not offer any suggestions. I ordered the Panacea and my BF ordered the Oglethorpe. They were really awful. The panacea is listed on the menu as a cocktail with single malt scotch with honey and ginger over ice. There was zero ice in my glass, the drink was warm and no honey or ginger flavor, also the scotch was very poor quality. The Oglethorpe came in a very girly martini glass and my BF was not too happy with the taste or presentation. The girl just put down our drinks and practically ran away. Another male server came over very quickly and decided to take all of our orders at once, no mention of specials and he did not tell us his name. There was a table of 4 guests at a table close by in the other room that seemed to be having a great experience with their server, he was making jokes and conversation and checking on them regularly, we really felt very snubbed by our server and cheated out of a nice dining experience. A different girl brought our appetizers: truffled Mac and cheese, seafood boil, and strawberry salad. She popped them down and left. The truffled Mac and cheese was not good. It comes as 4 deep fried balls of what looks and tastes like Kraft Mac and cheese with tiny pieces of lobster. The salad was very bland, just a few crumbs of blue cheese, and we laughed because we only had ONE candied pecan on the salad with very dry leaves. The seafood boil was very nice though. The same girl came back and cleared the table very quickly and thought nothing of clearing our 3/4 uneaten truffle Mac and cheese, and left before we could explain we disliked the dish. Shortly after our entrees arrived: my BF had fried chicken and I ordered the scallops, they were very nice, both of the entrees. The room however was incredibly warm. We were both sweating and so uncomfortable. We sat there for a while waiting for our or server to even check on us, but nope... Nothing. We had to grab someone to get our server, and he came in and said he took care of our drinks, and dropped the check with zero explanation why, we appreciated the gesture, however, we had not actually seen the server at any point to fix anything that went wrong, and we never even were offered a dessert menu. Not that we would have stayed for dessert. The restaurant was not very busy, they ended up seat in another walk in couple at the larger empty table next to us, and the other 4 top stayed dirty during our entire dining experience. We did not understand why we were placed at the very tiny table when we had made a reservation and we did not feel as if we were very welcome, with the exception of the host, he was very friendly. We will not be back.
(2)
Wendy D.
Lovely little restaurant, host was warm and engaging. Hubby ordered the Southern Caesar and he said it was just so so. I had the fried green tomatoes and it was strangely tough and greasy. For our entrees I had the scallops with spring risotto, the scallops were beautifully cooked but they sat on pile of blue cheese risotto, there was nothing springlike about it. I cannot understand why the chef would choose to pair delicate scallops with blue cheese. It was not mentioned in the menu or I would never have ordered it. My husband had the shrimp and grits, a little over seasoned but very tasty. We did not do dessert. We don't know if we will go back, maybe we'll give them a second chance one day.
(2)
Greg R.
Enjoyed another great meal at Old Vinings Inn followed by some great live music upstairs. It's great having a quaint intimate restaurant setting amidst the sea of big box corporate restaurants that dot the Buckhead/vinings area.
(4)
Hayley D.
I came here with my boyfriend for a special night and it was great! We started in the upstairs bar for drinks and then were seated promptly. We got a crab cake appetizer and it was delicious, but a bit small for the price. For our entrees we each went with the recommendations of our server. I had short ribs and he had the salmon. Both were DELICIOUS and came out so fast! The staff is very attentive and it was a great experience!
(4)
Tina F.
The food was amazing especially the artichoke dip. the service was and the owner actually stopped by to say hi and see how everything was a couple times. the building was just absolutely darling all bed-and-breakfast type, amazing restaurant lighting - very romantic and we will definitely be back as soon as possible!!! Yay for good food in ATL!
Our pleasant server was attentive and very positive. When explaining the history of the building, it would have been nice to hear it chronologically with the specific time periods relating to the evolution. That history presentation, when done properly, could be an excellent setup for the meal to come. The setting could have been great, it was quiet and romantic, but we were distracted by our hunger. Unfortunately our ticket time was substantially longer than the surrounding tables. Overall I rate the meal as fair. I prefer a little less alcohol within my meals. The beef stroganoff sauce was over saturated with alcohol which wasn't reduced. When it came back, the dish was drown in the sauce just not as potent with the alcohol as before. The original portion of sauce was ideal if properly reduced. My wife's meal would have been great if they cooked her chicken thoroughly. They corrected the mistake and she was pleased with her dish. So we recommend the fried chicken if you visit this restaurant but we most likely won't return.
(2)
Pamela S.
I work almost directly across the street at Solar Dimensions and I decided one day to steer from my usual after work haunt and try Old Vinings Inn Attic Bar and I was glad I did. It was a lively atmosphere and there was a pretty good live band. I love music of all kinds especially if it's live. I ordered a dirty martini with a swirl of vermouth and it was exactly what the doctor ordered! I had fun unwinding here. Cute place, intimate atmosphere and drinks were moderately priced.
(4)
Kristin B.
Went here for Sunday supper. $40 per couple for appetizer and dessert to split and individual entrees. This Sunday was fried green tomatoes which are stuffed with goat cheese and topped with an aioli. Hands down the best I've had. Entree was pecan crusted trout which was good, two filets in the portion, with a side of green beans. Of note their dinner rolls were fantastic. Dessert was warm peach cobbler with ice cream. Excellent service and it was a beautiful night to sit on the patio. Will have to come back and try their regular menu. Apparently they have live music wed-sat and its more crowded during those times. Sunday was not crowded at all around 7pm.
(4)
Fatjeew F.
HORRIBLE!!!!!!You expected luxury, and what you get instead is the gluey texture and bland flavor of a WAR time MRE!!!! The flavor of my mahi -mahi was akin to that of mcdonalds chicken nuggets , the price 48$ The experience was rendered tortuous by the intensely stupid service.
(1)
Jennifer N.
We had brunch here a few weeks ago and the food was ok. I loved the atmosphere . It looks like a great place for a bridal shower or wedding reception. However, the brunch kinda fell flat. It wasn't bad but it wasn't amazing. I really want to go back for dinner. From my understanding they offer live music a few nights a week and the place is always packed when I pass by. I am not ready to count the place out but it did not meet my expectations this time.
(3)
D. E.
This has been our go-to place for special occasions for 20 years in Atlanta. We went there tonight to celebrate Mother's Day, and we we so disappointed. The first waitress was truly "out to lunch" and acted like she would have rather been anywhere but there tonight. We waited a long time before getting water. Then we sat and finally had to ask for bread. When the serving of the meal began, 5 people at our table got served, and the remaining 2 had nothing. We sat there while the wait staff started to serve another table. We requested that our remaining 2 be served. By the time they were served, our other meals were no longer hot. We complained to the waitress, and then the hostess came to our table. When we told her about our service, she was rude, said that was "how we do things", and cast us some "dirty" looks as she was walking away from the table! WHAT????? Then the owner came to our table and inquired. He at least apologized and replaced our waitress with a waiter who served us well for the remainder of the evening. I don't know if OVI is under new ownership or what has happened, but it was a disappointing experience. I don't think it is unreasonable to expect well trained and engaged wait staff at a restaurant such as OVI. One positive thing is that at least the food was good, even if lukewarm. Atlanta has too many great restaurants to waste time at those where the service is poor and personnel rude. The consensus at our table was that going forward we will find some other place to celebrate our family events.
(1)
Alex P.
Majorly downgrading this place. First of all, they took away our favorite item from the menu, chicken and waffles. Secondly, they happened to be out of most of the menu items today, but didn't bother to tell us until after we ordered. Had we been told they are out of shrimp, I would have turned around and gone somewhere else instead.
(1)
Nikki R.
Loved this place. My group had our annual hat brunch here in June and from the start of the planning until the day of, everything was so easy. Lee was great to work with, as was his staff. We had 34 people and there was more than enough space. Definitely look forward to going back. Everyone enjoyed the menu also, although I think I prefer ordering from a full menu, than the group menu. Other than that, no complaints.
(4)
Alexander M.
Local Gem! Old Vinings Inn has to be marked in my book as one of the best places I've ate at while being new here to Atlanta! Customer service is ON POINT!! Made a reservation through open table, seated immediately! Greeted by the actual restaurant owner!! That was really cool yet not common! The drinks were made to perfection! The calamari appetizer is not like the average place! It comes tossed in some sort of Asian spiced sauce that brings a bit of a kick to it however not too much that would enable you to enjoy it! For the entrees we chose the traditional Shrimp & Grits along with the Southern Fried Chicken! Everything was priced pretty generously and the portion sizes were perfect! Would recommend this place to anybody who enjoys a nice traditional southern meal at an affordable price!
(4)
Kelsey G.
I dined here for a post-graduation lunch with my family here. I was beyond pleased with the food. It was simply delicious and filling. I had been phone tagging with Old Vinings Inn about the guest list and menu for a while but everything worked out fine. We had the fried chicken--which was something to write home about, cheddar grits, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes and lemon curd cheesecake. All of it was delicious, the only thing I didn't care for was their chocolate cake but honestly The owner, Lee, came to speak with us and make sure we had everything we needed. I think the only thing that kind of bothered me is that the table might have been too small. If I were to have had more than 15 guests, I would have no clue where they would have put us. It is not a big place at all.
(4)
Michelle J.
Note: I ate up in the Attic Bar on a Tuesday (read: quiet) night. I had the Smokey Sherman, which was so unexpectedly spicy that I laughed out loud after my first sip. The drink was delicious, though. For dinner, I ordered the charcuterie plate. There were a couple of cured meats, pickled veg, deviled eggs with chow-chow salsa, cheese, and dip with flatbread, and it was very good--enough to feed one or be an appetizer for a few.
(4)
Janet B.
I held a baby shower here last weekend. The food was amazing! The staff was so friendly and accommodating. We really enjoyed our time and never felt rushed. I would highly recommend this place.
(5)
Alyssa M.
We went for brunch today. The best part of the meal was the service. It was exceptional on every level. The food was pretty good but it seemed like the kitchen didn't read the tickets. Meat and eggs weren't cooked to requested temps and "no pickles" was ignored. The difference between a medium hamburger and a well done hamburger is a pretty big deal. Any kitchen that ignores the requests to leave off certain items is just asking to give a customer an allergic reaction. That being said, the taste of the food was good. Because the service was so outstanding, I would definitely go back and try their dinner menu in the future.
(3)
Eliot P.
A lovely place with a New England feel. The fried green tomatos were wonderful. Very nice menu, many items with a southern bent. I had a difficult time choosing as five dishes had great appeal. I ended up with the shrimp and grits with chorizo. Very enjoyable. All our diners enjoyed their meals. Very nice wine list with several very reasonable and tasty glass selections. The service was as good as it gets. Ella did an outstanding job. Friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, beyond attentive. One suggestion; place some kind of shading in the front Windows as the traffic lights are a little harsh. Great time, service and food.
(4)
Ruth C.
Had brunch here on a Sunday around 11:30. This place is really cute with friendly and fast service and was heading for a 5 star review... Until I found a hair in my eggs Benedict. I didn't mention it to the staff or the friend I was eating with because we were at the end of our meal and I didn't want to make her throw up. I felt like throwing up. Everything else didn't matter because nothing is more important than hygiene in a restaurant.
(1)
Molly M.
A classic favorite. The fried chicken beats Mary Mac's Tea Room and South City Kitchen! They have a social dining room for 6 that can be reserved in advance. The upstairs bar is quaint and often has live music. A great place for brunch, a romantic dinner, or even a company dinner party for 30 people (I've done then all)!
(4)
Jackie A.
The food was fantastic and the service was phenomenal. We had the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer - I would highly recommend. I was the lucky one and got the last dish of scallops for the night. They were served with an exquisite plating of vegetables and I would go back for more. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Panida S.
D I S A P P O I N T E D! I was on Open Table looking to make reservations somewhere for my husband's birthday. Vinings Inn came up, and after reading the great reviews for the restaurant (on Open Table), I was excited, and planned my husband's birthday dinner there. I thought the location sounded romantic, menu looked good (extremely similar to Horseradish Grill, which I love), what more could you want, right? WRONG! The service was good, but that's about it. We ordered: - Calamari: I've never had calamari served like this before, EVER! Cornmeal crusted calamari on a plate with a HUGE dollop of their "spicy marinara" plopped right in the middle, on top of the calamari! So, you know that everything was soggy! UGH! The sauce also looked like it had sat under a heating lamp for a long time, and tasted like it too! Daikon sprouts? Where? Not w/ my dish! What a crappy way to start dinner! - Well, the bread they serve is good, that's why they got 1 star. - Vinings Salad: Bowl of lettuce, a tomato slice, and some blue cheese dressing (with NO blue cheese pieces) in a ramikan. SERIOUSLY? For $9? - I ordered the Oven Roasted Chicken...it was roasted alright! One word: DRY! The potatoes that came with it were good, mashed style potatoes. The green bean, OVERCOOKED! - My husband ordered the Rib Eye. UNDERWHELMED! We are carnivores, steak lovers! I could've cooked a tastier steak from Publix at my house! AND, POOR PRESENTATION! The steak was served on a large rectangular plate, BY IT SELF! No garnishment or anything! It made the steak look smaller than it was because of the size of the plate! WTH? - Wild Mushroom Rissotto was YUCK! Straight up, just YUCK! Mushrooms? Are you sure you didn't mean tomato sauce??!!?!? Oh yeah, the bathrooms....at the end of our meal, I asked to use the restroom. One of waiters pointed behind the reception desk, and I continued to walk. A guy whispered to me, "Use the last bathroom, it's nicer." Um, ok? You literally walk through a dirty prep area to get to the bathroom! I walked into the "Nicer bathroom", and there was a space heater blasting, circulating a cat urine like smell. If I would've of gone to bathroom before ordering, we would've left! The prep area you walk through was filthy! Our waiter was nice, but came to the table with our food smelling like an ashtray. Ugh. I was very disappointed, and the meal wasn't cheap either!
(1)
Gilbert G.
I had to come up with a 40th birthday idea for my wife who is pregnant. Old Vinings Inn was the perfect solution. They were very attentive to my wife and her friends needs and made everything perfect. The food is outstanding and very reasonably priced for the quality. We have found a new regular location to dine at and will recommend it to all our friends.
(5)
Corey R.
Best Sunday brunch I've had in a long time! And the service was great! Gotta love the character of this old house!
(5)
Heather F.
Warning: ridiculously long, gushy review ahead. I held my sister's baby shower at the Old Vinings Inn this past weekend and I couldn't possibly be happier with the way everything turned out. I had originally thought about holding the shower at Canoe, and I am so glad that I changed my mind. While I've enjoyed many meals at Canoe, I don't feel that it's a very good spot to hold a fun or more lively event like a baby shower...the event coordinator I spoke with indicated that the shower would have a very strict start and end time (only lasting exactly 2 hours) and was very resistant to the idea of us bringing in any outside decor, games, etc. The event coordinator for Vinings Inn (owner Lee S.) was the complete opposite. Every request or suggestion from us was met with a resounding "Yes!" The Inn allowed us to bring in outside decor, to hang paper poms from the ceiling, to place fresh flowers everywhere, to have several dessert and gift tables, to create a custom menu and a signature shower cocktail (which the waiters happily served to us in vintage glass milk bottles...no easy feat!) and to provide our own music to be played during the shower. The room that the shower was held in (the Wine Room) was absolutely gorgeous and charming and allowed 17 guests to comfortably brunch at a long "farm-table" setup. The Inn also arranged for the french doors in the room to open out onto the patio, where we were able to arrange a big favor/game table and a gift table. They even provided extra chairs for the patio, so we could all move out onto the patio after eating brunch and sit while the mother-to-be opened gifts. The shower brunch menu was excellent across the board...all of the guests couldn't stop raving about their meals and even requested that they be permitted to take leftovers home with them! Our waiters boxed up each guest's leftovers and added extra portions of cheese grits and turkey sausage to each box, which I thought was a nice touch. The Inn's pastry chef provided a truly amazing cake that was made to our exact specifications...lemon layer cake with strawberry filling and a whipped strawberry frosting. Delicious! Finally, what I found the most impressive was the Inn's willingness to allow us to arrive 2 hours before they opened in order to get everything set up perfectly. The Inn had an employee (Michael) waiting for us at 9:30 a.m. to let us inside. Michael didn't just unlock the doors for us. He helped us unload everything (two carloads worth!) from our vehicles, he helped to hang up paper poms and lanterns, he moved heavy tables, and saw to other small details that are too numerous to list here. He had a positive, helpful attitude the entire time and then, once the shower was over, he proceeded to take everything down and load it back up in the cars! This was a level of service that was entirely unexpected, but very appreciated. And, frankly, it's the kind of service we received from every employee (from owner to waiter) at the Inn throughout this entire process. I would whole-heartedly recommend the Vinings Inn to anyone looking for a venue to host an event, and will happily use them for future events myself.
(5)
Bonnie B.
OVI has been one of my favorite brunch/dinner spots in Vinings...until today. My mouth was watering for their Eggs Benedict which I had before and loved! Our server informed us " no more poached eggs". Whaattt??? Garrisons across the street has 3-4 varieties of Eggs Benedict so that's where I have to go ... My boyfriend ordered the Shrimp & Grits with Vine Ripe Tomatoes Entree.. Would you believe a very small dish of grits, 3 shrimp and 1 cherry tomatoe.... $19!!! We had to comment on how dissatisfied we were with that portion and the manager did comp the Shrimp & Grits. OVI... What has happened??? We want you to be fabulous... We really do! My grilled Meditteranean Salmon over Spinach Salad was tasty... That salmon sure looked poached not grilled to me. At least it was tasty & enough to share with the boyfriend! The warm garlic bread was outstanding but we can't go back on garlic bread alone... OVI, we are going to give you 1 more shot! And please bring back those delicious Eggs Benedict.
(2)
Vanessa L.
Stellar dining experience. Everything was equally delicious and flavorful, and our server was perfectly attentive, providing thoughtful recommendations. We started with several apps: Truffled Lobster Mac & Cheese Fritter, Charcuterie Plate (which includes the most delicious smoked duck, kale/artichoke spread, and pimento cheese), and Fried Green Tomatoes. For entrees, we had the Veal & Short Rib Meatloaf and Pecan Mountain Trout. My boyfriend isn't the biggest fan of meatloaf but this turned him into a believer. And the trout was perfectly cooked -- very moist and flaked easily. For dessert, we tried a sampler of Salted Caramel Chocolate Torte, Ice Cream and Sorbet Selection (with cookies), and Warm Bourbon Apple Cobbler. Enough said. I'm convinced you can't go wrong with anything you order. Highly recommended for a romantic date night, or if you're just looking to have a great evening out. And don't miss the Attic Bar -- live music nightly Wednesday through Saturday!
(5)
Chris M.
After two fantastic visits here some months apart, I think five stars is deserved. Our service on both visits was excellent. The collard greens are slightly sweet and spicy and perfectly tender. I had the Chattahoochee cocktail and would recommend it for people that like bourbon based drinks that aren't overly sweet. The scallops and pecan crusted trout are also winners. Be sure to try the lobster Mac and cheese fritters, too. I visit Atlanta regularly and am looking forward to my next visit here.
(5)
Ann D.
We had called around, trying to secure brunch reservations for Easter. We'd tried Canoe, Meehan's and a few others, however, due to no availability, then tried OVI. I live in Vinings and my out-of-town friends wanted to try OVI. I've never been impressed; however, I thought it would be good to give it a try. We were all very disappointed. OVI is a beautiful, old, traditional restaurant, and it's located in central Vinings. Everyone wants it to work. But for Easter brunch, it didn't. We had no idea it would be a buffet-and that's no problem. But if you're going to try market yourself as an upscale, farm-to-table restaurant, then the Holiday Inn-quality buffet was just... Very bad. We had to snake through their service kitchen to get into to single line. The brunch had been set up in a tiny back room and it only allowed for one line. We tried to get plates, but they couldn't keep clean plates available. Each time we went back into the long, single line, we had to wait for plates. And the plates, although clean, were wet. There was nothing attractive about the layout. No flowers, leveling, decorations. Just wet plates, of varying sizes in one stack, plopped on a little table. Then the food. Shrimp and grits: no bowls for them. So the runny "shrimp" portion ran all over our plate. And, there was no shrimp in the shrimp and grits. The grits, although creamy and tasty, were congealed and hard to get out of the serving dish. There were some other things along the table, but not much. Very limited choice, and looked very unappealing, again, because the food was just put onto the table with nothing to accent: no flowers, use of leveling, or use of color. Really, we heard the people in back of say Holiday Inn and that's exactly what it was. There was a French toast" that was hard as a rock and loaded with chocolate. We could not cut it. No could we cut the absolutely horrible London broil. For what they charged, they had a car ING station of just ham and leather-like London broil. On the opposite side of this tiny room was the dessert table which consisted of peach cobbler (obviously canned peaches) and pretty good bread pudding/chocolate strawberries. But again, just sort of tossed into the table with no artistry. They then had a small "salad" table with a few little dishes of vegetables, some good cold shrimp, and a large bowl of pimiento cheese spread. With no bread. We were crowded into the room, and it was very uncomfortable. We saw waitstaff bringing bread to some tables, but we never were asked if we wanted any. The tables had nothing pretty on them. Re cloths were low-tier banquet hall quality, as was the silverware. The very low quality and limited selection of the food, the slow, single, snaking line through service areas ("uncomfortable" was what my guest said), the drab tables and lack luster service was all embarrassing for me. And it cost us 77.00 for two (plus tip). If we'd gone to another brunch buffet (of which we all know), we would have had better quality of food, far more selection, less inconvenience and more aesthetically pleasing surroundings. And we would have paid a little less. My friends were so happy to be visiting Vinings, and I had my fingers crossed for a good experience. It didn't happen. Again, we've tried to support OVI a few times. But we won't do it again. What a let down.
Looks like a new owner or chef at this place, not a fan of the menu or his handling of problems that came up with our food. He proceeded to berate the server in front of us, offered us some free food (which was still under cooked and flavorless). Avoiding this place with a 10 foot poll from now.
(1)
Lexi S.
Food and Service on point! As soon as you walk in you are greeted with a sincere 'Welcome!" We tried the Summer Feast and I must say it was delectable! The pimento cheese and flat bread appetizer- full of flavor and the best pimento cheese I've ever had! The entree: marinated port and paprika chicken thighs, grilled to perfection- excellent flavor with superb crisp skin! It was served with a warm, savory potato salad! The last course...wait for it... S'MORES SUNDAE! Are you kidding me?!?! Hands down the BEST indulgence I've had! You will not regret it! Everything was absolutely delicious and we will be back often! Well deserved 5 stars!
(5)
Steve B.
Came here for a work lunch event. I'm a just get right to it. The Fried Green tomatoes was very good, the calamari was average. Had Salmon over Caesar. The salmon is top 10 salmon in Atlanta, very good. The desserts were pretty cool with ice cream scoops on top of a waffle, a brownie. Red velvet is pretty good. Will have to return here for the live music. But why have a valet in a parking lot of the size of most people's driveways? It was on the house, not out of my pocket. Grade: B
(3)
Candace B.
I really wanted to like this place, but on the occasions I have been it's not been for me. The menu and food are wonderful but for what it is I feel it's grossly overpriced. Service seems very uptight, and most of the valets can't drive a stick shift up the incline in their lot without having to gun the engine or killing it at least once. The only times I eat here at this point is if a friend really insists on giving it a try.
(2)
Marcus O.
yay. i'm a fan. price range is between spendy and splurge depending on whether you go for a full course + drinks. food is decent though. none of the appetizers were overwhelming. they were pretty much average. i had the six ounce filet. pretty good. very tender. not bones good... but hey it's not bones priced either. service is excellent. the ambiance of this place is pretty freakin' awesome. the restaurant is in an old house. the attic bar is a low ceiling upstairs hangout. good range of scotch there, including a few single malts. it's pretty neat in there. avoid the back corner though. no air seems to circulate back there. if you don't mind splurging more for atmosphere, go here for date night. vinings has a lot of nice shops you can walk around when you're done.
(4)
Beth B.
I went last night to Vinings Inn to see Curt Thomas (awesome band) play with some friends of mine. We had a BLAST!! Curt plays there every Thursday for sure, that is definitely the night to go. I only had some appetizers - the cheese dip and the fried tomatoes. Both were EXCELLENT! I can't wait to go back and actually try the real food!
(4)
Hambri Enta M.
I want to say I will be back, mainly just for the Fried Green Tomatoes. We wondered why it was so empty at 12:30 in the afternoon...the price! We live walking distance to Rosebuds, and they have a similar menu for way less. The prices at OVI are way up there...Springer Mnt chicken brunch meal is at $18 where Rosebuds has it between $14-16. Rosebuds has a better selection. In any case, i applaud the new menu, perhaps the owners would take a look at the prices and maybe play some atmosphere music too, it was dead on that porch! Also, list the drinks on the menu.
(3)
Brandon S.
This was an interesting experience. Once again the food was good. I started with a wedge salad. For the main course I chose the veal meatloaf. It tasted very good. Our server was friendly and helpful. After dinner we headed upstairs to the bar for a few drinks. As we were preparing to leave, after last call, we started chanting the name of our next stop. This evidently angered someone. A drunk female who indicted she ran the place told us she should throw us out. We attempted to figure out her anger, but we could not figure it out through the slurring of words. On the plus side, one of the associates working felt so bad about the situation he stopped in to the next place we were stopping to buy us a round. He did a great job trying to make the situation better. Because of him I may actually give the place another try.
(1)
Laura R.
I had a late lunch here with my boyfriend and his parents a few Sundays ago. We were seated right away and the service was good throughout our stay. We were immediately met with a warm bread basket. (sighs) Our table shared the calamari which was good and had an interesting sweet chili glaze. His mom and I both had the fried green tomato salad which was well portioned but just ok - there was way too much breading on the tomato. He and his dad both went with the bbq brisket sandwich and let's just say they weren't complaining. :) I'd really like to check out the attic bar that wasn't yet open (opens later in the evening) but I don't think I'd go out of my way to return for the food.
(3)
Allison C.
Mom and I took my Bronx-born boyfriend here because he wanted fried chicken and we didn't want to go to Mary Mac's (too heavy) or Colon-aide. Not far from house and still warmish enough to eat outside. Jason, our waiter, made the meal unforgettable for us all. When BF asked one of those stupid, "Do you have have (insert grocery stores, paved roads, etc) questions," I answered, "Why yes, and I bet they have indoor plumbing here, too." "No, not anymore," Jason answered as he came up to take our order. "Too much money." I asked if the privy had a moon cut into the door. "Again, not in the budget." BF's eyes got really wide and I told him I would lend him my iPhone for the Flashlight feature, if he made sure not to drop it. Mom and I insisted BF have a fried green tomato. He hemmed and hawwed. We got it anyway. Jason made it even better by telling him that it was possum. Mom and I dug in and I SWORE I wouldn't tell anyone that he was eating possum. The fried green tomato was excellent. Mom and I each split an arugula salad, told BF that it was kudzu, asked if he'd had before and he said, "Yes. Once in Richmond." Which interstate did he get it from? 64 or 95? Anyway, he liked it too. Mom had flounder, which was good. Knowing she wouldn't finish it, I got the smoked trout appetizer as an entree. Not impressed. BF got sage oven fried chicken with risotto. Loved the risotto. Dessert didn't stand out, but we can't remember much about it. To quote Mom, "Something chocolate w/something runny in the middle and a strawberry shortcake biscuit thing, because it was a biscuit." Dessert the next night at Coast was FAR more memorable. Jason was GREAT. Get a table in his section, especially if you have a carpetbagger in tow.
(4)
Shelley B.
We just had a great surprise Bridal Shower at Old Vinings Inn. There was a private room to the side that was perfect for our 18 guests. Lee, the owner was Flexible and charming. He helped us to plan this shower while I was in California and my 85 year old mother who doesn't drive communicated with Lee. They got us a great cake, there were 2 waiters and it went seamlessly. The theme was "around the clock" and they kept the drinks coming, the salad and lunch was great. Everyone cleaned their plates! The crab cakes, eggs Benedict and the steak burger was to die for. The fried green tomatoes were the crown on the steakburger. Along with valet parking the party was very successful. Lee recently purchased the Inn and he is making a great business.
(5)
Kory R.
I'd agree with Eric on most everything. My brother and sister-in-law's band plays there quite a bit, so I tend to go and listen to them. The ceilings are very low but if you're 5'7" (it makes you look 6'2"), and you have a leg up on all the "cougars." It is definitely an older crowd, but a fun one. They also have a pretty good seating area outside.
(3)
David C.
So, I was here last year for a take-out order on a break from working in the area. I ordered the blackened shrimp tacos. It was expensive for tacos. 2 tacos for $13? I guess it is fine-dining restaurant. The tortilla shell I did not like at all, maybe because I've been to Mexico and know what it should taste like. They did a good job with the contents though, and that's the reason I wolfed them down with a greedy look on my face. I'd definitely make the trek to try the food again.
(3)
Britney B.
I came here for brunch yesterday with three other people, Sunday morning. We arrived right at noon. It was not crowded or busy at all which kind of surprised me because if you go around the corner to J Christopher's at this time it is packed and you are lucky to get seated right away. We sat outside on the deck/ patio and there no one else out there. I guess everyone thought it was too "cold" because it was below 80 degrees outside. The food and service were both excellent. I had eggs benedict. When we got there we wanted mimosas, but forgot about the ridiculous after 12:30 pm on a Sunday rule. Stupid bible belt. As soon as it was 12:30 our server brought the drinks right out. They were cheap too, only $4, which is a good price for a mimosa. The only reason I am not giving a 5th star is because of their parking. I hate that they have valet only. It's free but I'm just weird about that. Also, about 15 minutes before we left another table was seated right beside us. I hate it when there is a sea of empty tables somewhere and the dingbat hostess sits two tables full of people inches away from each other. I have been a hostess before and there is no reason for that.
(4)
Rani C.
Went for lunch. Gazpacho was delicious. Ceasar salad was good. Hubby had the fried chicken. That was fine. He wasn't impressed with the macaroni cheese gratin. It's made with penne and the cheese is mostly on top. In general, penne upsets him when its used as the pasta on macaroni and cheese. The name macaroni and cheese implies the macaroni pasta will be used. Had apple pie for dessert. It was disappointing. I've had better. Overall, lunch was about 50 bucks. Know I could have gotten it cheaper elsewhere. And yeah, I've had better. Had to try this place out though, we drive past it all the time.
(2)
Stef E.
My food was pretty good. I ordered the tomato soup and salad. The service on the other hand was subpar. I almost forgot what the waiter looked like because he was rarely around. There was also some confusion and discrepancy on what was available online and what was actually offered at the restaurant. When I was ready for my check, I had to flag another waitstaff member down since my waiter was evidently related to Casper the Ghost.
(2)
Beth K.
Always enjoy the OVI! The last time we were there the menu had changed a little including some smaller plates. Great idea! Good wine list and wonderful desserts! Keep up the good work!!
(4)
Jade M.
This is a review strictly of their Attic Bar. I'm glad some people gave this place bad reviews, hopefully they'll stay away! More fun for me :) If you enjoy a wildly authentic dive bar with awesome music, hilarious bartenders, stout drinks and a tight area that's a great excuse to hug up to your date; THIS IS YOUR PLACE! It's a tiny upstairs bar in downtown Vinings which used to be an actual inn. Ask the bartenders or waitresses to tell you about it's history. The crowd is the type that enjoys rolling in and joining the party like they've known each other for years. They love and expect a stiff drink and a good time. There's usually a fantastic live band and people are always dancing. Join the party! I always leave that place having gained great new stories and memories. Good times!! Be aware, they close at midnight. It's the only bummer about it but the drinks are so stiff, it's good that they shut it down early. It might get too crazy!!
(5)
Henrik C.
Went to Vinings Inn with my girl friend. This is a cozy old building/stable. We only went to the dining rooms downstairs, so I cannot comment on the bar upstairs. This is a nice place and had very good service. The audience is 40+ if not 50+, so that should set your expectations. We had cesar salad, tomato soup, lamp chops and rib eye. The Casar salad was great and well presented. The tomato soup was rich and very creamy. The rib eye was thin and really not a great cut. It came with a mushroom ragout overwhelming in volume and not really great. The green beans were too al dente. The pasta and cheese came without cheese - don't do that, especially, in the south! The waiter personally corrected this. The lamb chops were a bit dry but overall OK. They came with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The mashed potatoes were a little heavy - hold back on the butter - we have to walk from here. The asparagus were not fully cooked. The ambiance is unique and very nice as a breathing room in Cobb. The service is very good. The food ... Starters were pretty good whereas the main dishes left a few things to be desired.
(3)
Cathy B.
This is a review specific to anyone who is considering hosting an event at The Vinings Inn. My husband and I hosted a rehearsal dinner there last month and I can say that the service as well as the food was absolutely outstanding. We had a pretty large crowd (36 adults and 8 children) and yet our dinner was handled in a very efficient manner. The guests were extremely pleased with their food and service, and it was a memorable night for everyone there. They were easy to work with and I highly recommend them, especially if you're looking for a wonderful venue for a specific occasion.
(5)
Jay J.
If you are looking for an unpretentious, special occasion place to enjoy a great meal, Vinings Inn has to be considered in the Vinings area. I used OpenTable to make my dinner reservations and had noted that we were celebrating our 10th anniversary. The host and our server BOTH mentioned it to us. See if that happens at most other high-end restaurants. Our server, Matt, was great - attentive but not overbearing and spot-on with recommendations. Here's what we had: APPETIZER: Fried Green Tomatoes: very good, tart and savory SOUP: corn chowder with poblano peppers: off the chain - if you go and they have it, it's a must ENTREES: - Crab cake with poblano grits. so, so good. No batter, pure lump crab. The green beans served with were crisp and delicious. - Brown Sugar Ancho Rubbed Pork Tenderloin: Initially, very sweet. But then when you start putting the tenderloing together with the shallot and roasted potatoes (which had a nice cayenne kick), it was very good. DESSERT: - Red Velvet Carrot Cake & Tart with Caramel and pecans: both were just OK (esp. b/c they comped our desserts for our anniversary) The patio would be an awesome venue on a warm spring/fall evening (ie. bug free). The only slight ding I'd mention is that we were starting to smell cigarette smoke (we think) coming down from the bar upstairs. The ceiling fans downstairs which were on, only kind of recirculated the smell towards the end of our meal. The menu has LOTS of variety and the portions are very good. We will certainly be back for more.
(4)
Whitney H.
I forgot how amazing this place is! I went there last night with my dad and his best friends from out of town and the food was absolutely incredible! Everyone raved about their meals and the appetizers were super tasty with a beautiful presentation. I had the shrimp and grits, it was seriously one of the best meals I've ever had! The service was also above par, our waitress was awesome! The owner came out and chatted with us and he was super nice, he just took over 4 months ago, but had a very impressive resume of restaurants he's managed. They also have a private room perfect for 8 people you can request when making a reservation and there is live music at the upstairs bar Thurs-Sat. If you are looking for a neat fine dining restaurant to take an out of town guest, I would highly recommend this restaurant!
My Old Vinings Inn experience is definitely different than Eric's - this was the standard 'place to take clients to' place in Vinings for me. So I've only been around the lunch crowd. It's a relaxed atmosphere made unique because of the quaint 'house' that it's in. The waitstaff is very attentive but not overly so, and the surroundings are quiet - both good for business lunching. All the salads are good options, and my regular was the crab cake. From Eric's review, it sounds like it transforms into more of a bar at night.
(4)
Brett P.
AAAAGGGHHHH. I love this place. Perfect for a 1st date. I recently met someone and went there as they were new to the city and it reminded him of back home... food was prepared and seasoned to perfection... prices are always decent, and service is top notch! Not too much into the bar upstairs... but, if you want a relaxing and romantic get away... HAVE AT IT!
(4)
Chris B.
I pass by this restaurant multiple times a day and for some strange reason I've always had an odd attraction to it. Until recently, I've never had a chance to visit. I had some family in town this weekend and we decided to stop by. First of all, ambiance is very pretentious and annoying. Even if the food was good, I probably wouldn't be back just because the vibe is very weird. The bread basket came out right after we placed our order; simply horrid. I don't even know how you can mess up rolls and cornbread. I had the fried chicken breast, mac and cheese, and french beans. The chicken tasted strange and the breading had some strange seasonings in it. The white "gravy" was laughable and simply disgusting; it had the consistency of watered down ranch dressing. The french beans were as hard as a rock, completely un-edible for me. I realize that this is the way french beans are sometimes served in a more "upscale" restaurant; however, Yelp says this place is supposed to be southern and there is nothing southern about a frozen green bean. The mac and cheese was decent, if the pasta was actually cooked I would have said it was excellent. Someone else in my party had the roasted chicken, which was equally as terrible and completely raw inside. This is a place I would definitely never return to. I will mention though, the service was fine, nothing to really complain about there. Yelp needs to reclassify this establishment as there is nothing southern about Vinings Inn.
(1)
Mike B.
A cozy little restaurant and upstairs bar. They serve a good selection of wines upstairs, to go along with relaxing music. This is an off-beat place to take friends or business associates. The stellar service helps make this a memorable experience.
(4)
David Q.
Had been there before and it was fine. This time service was so bad we walked out. People who came in after us were actually finished eating and we had not been served. The waiter never acknowledged the reason for a delay and never even looked at us, we ordered from the menu, fish tacos, but when the third party who came in 30 minutes after us got their food, we walked out. The waiter saw us leave, but never said a thing. We won't go back.
(1)
Christy G.
We started in the bar upstairs while waiting on others to join us for dinner. Wow, Rick was an amazing bartender, not only did he pour an awesome drink he was interacting with the whole crowd. Seem to know all the locals and was very friendly. He had a game going and soon to be available to the public. "Out of the Box" so much fun, these babies won't last long once the hit the shelves. Get it when it first comes out. Dinner was fantastic. The only down side I would have to say was our waiter. He was not very attentive to our needs. We had some apps up in the bar so we decided so share some meals, I think he didnt like that fact, maybe because his tip was going to be less. IDK however I will go back. Will probably eat upstairs in the bar and stay later for the entertainment.
(4)
Sarah M.
We're lived in Vinings 2 years and never ventured to OVI so we thought it was time. It was a laid back atmosphere and nice for a date night. The food was really only average. 2 stars out of 5. Also our server was nice but really slow. We were ready to pay our check and the waiter disappeared for 15 minutes. With so many wonderful choices in Atlanta we probably will not be back for dinner.
(2)
E J.
I miss this place. Spent many a night hanging out in the bar upstairs when I lived in ATL a few years ago. It's so quaint and just a fun time all around. Great food, good drinks, nice balcony seating area, cool intimate place to see local bands. Less of a douche-bag crowd than some other places. If I remember the drinks are not cheap but some of the food on the bar menu is reasonable. As Eric S stated, do not go here if you're a tall person. The ceilings are LOW.
(4)
Jam D.
Great place to try traditional southern fare with a little flair. Cool spot in downtown Vinings. Perfect to take a date. Candied bacon appetizer is fantastic. I had the Ga Mountain Trout, and my wife had the Shrimp and Grits. We both thoroughly enjoyed out meals. The owner came by our table, and was very nice and engaging. Dont forget to grab a drink in the attic bar.
(4)
Kris H.
Had a date night and chose this as our destination. Sadly disappointed. Salads came out 10-15 minutes apart, beet salad had thick goats cheese between layers of beets. Too much! Pork chop requested medium; got raw. Two tries later.....overdone, tough. They tried to make it right but just couldn't.
(2)
Amy H.
So I read the majority of the reviews and DID NOT WANT TO EAT HERE! But my friend made me. And would not cancel the reservation. And very glad she did I had a WONDERFUL meal here. I thought the service was fantastic. The fried green tomatoes are probably the best I have ever had. 1st place used to be South City and these blow South City's out of the water. Came for brunch so I did the corned beef hash - DELICIOUS!! Fantastic, cannot WAIT to eat it again. Our server and the manager were SO nice, making sure we were warm enough (it is an old house so it was pretty chilly) and I loved it. Can't wait to come back for dinner!!!
(4)
Wendy D.
Lovely little restaurant, host was warm and engaging. Hubby ordered the Southern Caesar and he said it was just so so. I had the fried green tomatoes and it was strangely tough and greasy. For our entrees I had the scallops with spring risotto, the scallops were beautifully cooked but they sat on pile of blue cheese risotto, there was nothing springlike about it. I cannot understand why the chef would choose to pair delicate scallops with blue cheese. It was not mentioned in the menu or I would never have ordered it. My husband had the shrimp and grits, a little over seasoned but very tasty. We did not do dessert. We don't know if we will go back, maybe we'll give them a second chance one day.
(2)
Greg R.
Enjoyed another great meal at Old Vinings Inn followed by some great live music upstairs. It's great having a quaint intimate restaurant setting amidst the sea of big box corporate restaurants that dot the Buckhead/vinings area.
(4)
Fatjeew F.
HORRIBLE!!!!!!You expected luxury, and what you get instead is the gluey texture and bland flavor of a WAR time MRE!!!! The flavor of my mahi -mahi was akin to that of mcdonalds chicken nuggets , the price 48$ The experience was rendered tortuous by the intensely stupid service.
(1)
Caroline K.
My BF and I came here last night for Date night and we were really looking forward to it, but we left very disappointed. We had a reservation for 8:30 and when we walked in it seemed busy and the host, a gentleman in a striped blazer, was so inviting and very sad to let us know that they were a little behind and it would be a wait before we were seated. No big deal, but there was no where to sit while we waited and the waiting area is very spacious so there's plenty of room for a few benches. After about 20 minutes we were seated. The host asked us what the occasion was, we let him know it was our date night, he seated us a the tiniest 2 top in the corner of a separate room. It was private, but there were 2 open 4 tops right next to us, one was dirty during our entire visit. A very awkward female server came over to take our drink order, she did not make eye contact and looked incredibly terrified to come to our table, she did not offer any suggestions. I ordered the Panacea and my BF ordered the Oglethorpe. They were really awful. The panacea is listed on the menu as a cocktail with single malt scotch with honey and ginger over ice. There was zero ice in my glass, the drink was warm and no honey or ginger flavor, also the scotch was very poor quality. The Oglethorpe came in a very girly martini glass and my BF was not too happy with the taste or presentation. The girl just put down our drinks and practically ran away. Another male server came over very quickly and decided to take all of our orders at once, no mention of specials and he did not tell us his name. There was a table of 4 guests at a table close by in the other room that seemed to be having a great experience with their server, he was making jokes and conversation and checking on them regularly, we really felt very snubbed by our server and cheated out of a nice dining experience. A different girl brought our appetizers: truffled Mac and cheese, seafood boil, and strawberry salad. She popped them down and left. The truffled Mac and cheese was not good. It comes as 4 deep fried balls of what looks and tastes like Kraft Mac and cheese with tiny pieces of lobster. The salad was very bland, just a few crumbs of blue cheese, and we laughed because we only had ONE candied pecan on the salad with very dry leaves. The seafood boil was very nice though. The same girl came back and cleared the table very quickly and thought nothing of clearing our 3/4 uneaten truffle Mac and cheese, and left before we could explain we disliked the dish. Shortly after our entrees arrived: my BF had fried chicken and I ordered the scallops, they were very nice, both of the entrees. The room however was incredibly warm. We were both sweating and so uncomfortable. We sat there for a while waiting for our or server to even check on us, but nope... Nothing. We had to grab someone to get our server, and he came in and said he took care of our drinks, and dropped the check with zero explanation why, we appreciated the gesture, however, we had not actually seen the server at any point to fix anything that went wrong, and we never even were offered a dessert menu. Not that we would have stayed for dessert. The restaurant was not very busy, they ended up seat in another walk in couple at the larger empty table next to us, and the other 4 top stayed dirty during our entire dining experience. We did not understand why we were placed at the very tiny table when we had made a reservation and we did not feel as if we were very welcome, with the exception of the host, he was very friendly. We will not be back.
Our pleasant server was attentive and very positive. When explaining the history of the building, it would have been nice to hear it chronologically with the specific time periods relating to the evolution. That history presentation, when done properly, could be an excellent setup for the meal to come. The setting could have been great, it was quiet and romantic, but we were distracted by our hunger. Unfortunately our ticket time was substantially longer than the surrounding tables. Overall I rate the meal as fair. I prefer a little less alcohol within my meals. The beef stroganoff sauce was over saturated with alcohol which wasn't reduced. When it came back, the dish was drown in the sauce just not as potent with the alcohol as before. The original portion of sauce was ideal if properly reduced. My wife's meal would have been great if they cooked her chicken thoroughly. They corrected the mistake and she was pleased with her dish. So we recommend the fried chicken if you visit this restaurant but we most likely won't return.
(2)
Pamela S.
I work almost directly across the street at Solar Dimensions and I decided one day to steer from my usual after work haunt and try Old Vinings Inn Attic Bar and I was glad I did. It was a lively atmosphere and there was a pretty good live band. I love music of all kinds especially if it's live. I ordered a dirty martini with a swirl of vermouth and it was exactly what the doctor ordered! I had fun unwinding here. Cute place, intimate atmosphere and drinks were moderately priced.
(4)
Stephen L.
Delicious. We had a private room for 12. Fried green tomato appetizer was tart and tasty, petit filet with BBC potatoes, glazed brussel sprouts. Amazing filet, interesting sides. Charming atmosphere. Valet parking for $2.
(5)
Kristin B.
Went here for Sunday supper. $40 per couple for appetizer and dessert to split and individual entrees. This Sunday was fried green tomatoes which are stuffed with goat cheese and topped with an aioli. Hands down the best I've had. Entree was pecan crusted trout which was good, two filets in the portion, with a side of green beans. Of note their dinner rolls were fantastic. Dessert was warm peach cobbler with ice cream. Excellent service and it was a beautiful night to sit on the patio. Will have to come back and try their regular menu. Apparently they have live music wed-sat and its more crowded during those times. Sunday was not crowded at all around 7pm.
(4)
D. E.
This has been our go-to place for special occasions for 20 years in Atlanta. We went there tonight to celebrate Mother's Day, and we we so disappointed. The first waitress was truly "out to lunch" and acted like she would have rather been anywhere but there tonight. We waited a long time before getting water. Then we sat and finally had to ask for bread. When the serving of the meal began, 5 people at our table got served, and the remaining 2 had nothing. We sat there while the wait staff started to serve another table. We requested that our remaining 2 be served. By the time they were served, our other meals were no longer hot. We complained to the waitress, and then the hostess came to our table. When we told her about our service, she was rude, said that was "how we do things", and cast us some "dirty" looks as she was walking away from the table! WHAT????? Then the owner came to our table and inquired. He at least apologized and replaced our waitress with a waiter who served us well for the remainder of the evening. I don't know if OVI is under new ownership or what has happened, but it was a disappointing experience. I don't think it is unreasonable to expect well trained and engaged wait staff at a restaurant such as OVI. One positive thing is that at least the food was good, even if lukewarm. Atlanta has too many great restaurants to waste time at those where the service is poor and personnel rude. The consensus at our table was that going forward we will find some other place to celebrate our family events.
(1)
Alex P.
Majorly downgrading this place. First of all, they took away our favorite item from the menu, chicken and waffles. Secondly, they happened to be out of most of the menu items today, but didn't bother to tell us until after we ordered. Had we been told they are out of shrimp, I would have turned around and gone somewhere else instead.
(1)
Nikki R.
Loved this place. My group had our annual hat brunch here in June and from the start of the planning until the day of, everything was so easy. Lee was great to work with, as was his staff. We had 34 people and there was more than enough space. Definitely look forward to going back. Everyone enjoyed the menu also, although I think I prefer ordering from a full menu, than the group menu. Other than that, no complaints.
(4)
Alexander M.
Local Gem! Old Vinings Inn has to be marked in my book as one of the best places I've ate at while being new here to Atlanta! Customer service is ON POINT!! Made a reservation through open table, seated immediately! Greeted by the actual restaurant owner!! That was really cool yet not common! The drinks were made to perfection! The calamari appetizer is not like the average place! It comes tossed in some sort of Asian spiced sauce that brings a bit of a kick to it however not too much that would enable you to enjoy it! For the entrees we chose the traditional Shrimp & Grits along with the Southern Fried Chicken! Everything was priced pretty generously and the portion sizes were perfect! Would recommend this place to anybody who enjoys a nice traditional southern meal at an affordable price!
(4)
Hayley D.
I came here with my boyfriend for a special night and it was great! We started in the upstairs bar for drinks and then were seated promptly. We got a crab cake appetizer and it was delicious, but a bit small for the price. For our entrees we each went with the recommendations of our server. I had short ribs and he had the salmon. Both were DELICIOUS and came out so fast! The staff is very attentive and it was a great experience!
(4)
Tina F.
The food was amazing especially the artichoke dip. the service was and the owner actually stopped by to say hi and see how everything was a couple times. the building was just absolutely darling all bed-and-breakfast type, amazing restaurant lighting - very romantic and we will definitely be back as soon as possible!!! Yay for good food in ATL!
(5)
Jennifer N.
We had brunch here a few weeks ago and the food was ok. I loved the atmosphere . It looks like a great place for a bridal shower or wedding reception. However, the brunch kinda fell flat. It wasn't bad but it wasn't amazing. I really want to go back for dinner. From my understanding they offer live music a few nights a week and the place is always packed when I pass by. I am not ready to count the place out but it did not meet my expectations this time.
(3)
Jackie A.
The food was fantastic and the service was phenomenal. We had the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer - I would highly recommend. I was the lucky one and got the last dish of scallops for the night. They were served with an exquisite plating of vegetables and I would go back for more. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Kelsey G.
I dined here for a post-graduation lunch with my family here. I was beyond pleased with the food. It was simply delicious and filling. I had been phone tagging with Old Vinings Inn about the guest list and menu for a while but everything worked out fine. We had the fried chicken--which was something to write home about, cheddar grits, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes and lemon curd cheesecake. All of it was delicious, the only thing I didn't care for was their chocolate cake but honestly The owner, Lee, came to speak with us and make sure we had everything we needed. I think the only thing that kind of bothered me is that the table might have been too small. If I were to have had more than 15 guests, I would have no clue where they would have put us. It is not a big place at all.
(4)
Michelle J.
Note: I ate up in the Attic Bar on a Tuesday (read: quiet) night. I had the Smokey Sherman, which was so unexpectedly spicy that I laughed out loud after my first sip. The drink was delicious, though. For dinner, I ordered the charcuterie plate. There were a couple of cured meats, pickled veg, deviled eggs with chow-chow salsa, cheese, and dip with flatbread, and it was very good--enough to feed one or be an appetizer for a few.
(4)
Janet B.
I held a baby shower here last weekend. The food was amazing! The staff was so friendly and accommodating. We really enjoyed our time and never felt rushed. I would highly recommend this place.
(5)
Alyssa M.
We went for brunch today. The best part of the meal was the service. It was exceptional on every level. The food was pretty good but it seemed like the kitchen didn't read the tickets. Meat and eggs weren't cooked to requested temps and "no pickles" was ignored. The difference between a medium hamburger and a well done hamburger is a pretty big deal. Any kitchen that ignores the requests to leave off certain items is just asking to give a customer an allergic reaction. That being said, the taste of the food was good. Because the service was so outstanding, I would definitely go back and try their dinner menu in the future.
(3)
Eliot P.
A lovely place with a New England feel. The fried green tomatos were wonderful. Very nice menu, many items with a southern bent. I had a difficult time choosing as five dishes had great appeal. I ended up with the shrimp and grits with chorizo. Very enjoyable. All our diners enjoyed their meals. Very nice wine list with several very reasonable and tasty glass selections. The service was as good as it gets. Ella did an outstanding job. Friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, beyond attentive. One suggestion; place some kind of shading in the front Windows as the traffic lights are a little harsh. Great time, service and food.
(4)
Ruth C.
Had brunch here on a Sunday around 11:30. This place is really cute with friendly and fast service and was heading for a 5 star review... Until I found a hair in my eggs Benedict. I didn't mention it to the staff or the friend I was eating with because we were at the end of our meal and I didn't want to make her throw up. I felt like throwing up. Everything else didn't matter because nothing is more important than hygiene in a restaurant.
(1)
Stef E.
My food was pretty good. I ordered the tomato soup and salad. The service on the other hand was subpar. I almost forgot what the waiter looked like because he was rarely around. There was also some confusion and discrepancy on what was available online and what was actually offered at the restaurant. When I was ready for my check, I had to flag another waitstaff member down since my waiter was evidently related to Casper the Ghost.
(2)
Cathy B.
This is a review specific to anyone who is considering hosting an event at The Vinings Inn. My husband and I hosted a rehearsal dinner there last month and I can say that the service as well as the food was absolutely outstanding. We had a pretty large crowd (36 adults and 8 children) and yet our dinner was handled in a very efficient manner. The guests were extremely pleased with their food and service, and it was a memorable night for everyone there. They were easy to work with and I highly recommend them, especially if you're looking for a wonderful venue for a specific occasion.
(5)
John G.
Havent been here for a while until recently I stopped in for a late dinner. I recall the food being MUCH better but we brought some realy good wine and they charged $20 per bottle corking fee, a bit much I thought but anyway it was way better then anything on the wine list there. Service was ok and everyone seemed to enjoy what they ordered. The best part of the evening was afterwards we went upstairs to the bar, they have live music and dancing, it was a good way to top off the night.
(3)
Molly M.
A classic favorite. The fried chicken beats Mary Mac's Tea Room and South City Kitchen! They have a social dining room for 6 that can be reserved in advance. The upstairs bar is quaint and often has live music. A great place for brunch, a romantic dinner, or even a company dinner party for 30 people (I've done then all)!
Looks like a new owner or chef at this place, not a fan of the menu or his handling of problems that came up with our food. He proceeded to berate the server in front of us, offered us some free food (which was still under cooked and flavorless). Avoiding this place with a 10 foot poll from now.
(1)
Lexi S.
Food and Service on point! As soon as you walk in you are greeted with a sincere 'Welcome!" We tried the Summer Feast and I must say it was delectable! The pimento cheese and flat bread appetizer- full of flavor and the best pimento cheese I've ever had! The entree: marinated port and paprika chicken thighs, grilled to perfection- excellent flavor with superb crisp skin! It was served with a warm, savory potato salad! The last course...wait for it... S'MORES SUNDAE! Are you kidding me?!?! Hands down the BEST indulgence I've had! You will not regret it! Everything was absolutely delicious and we will be back often! Well deserved 5 stars!
(5)
Steve B.
Came here for a work lunch event. I'm a just get right to it. The Fried Green tomatoes was very good, the calamari was average. Had Salmon over Caesar. The salmon is top 10 salmon in Atlanta, very good. The desserts were pretty cool with ice cream scoops on top of a waffle, a brownie. Red velvet is pretty good. Will have to return here for the live music. But why have a valet in a parking lot of the size of most people's driveways? It was on the house, not out of my pocket. Grade: B
(3)
Candace B.
I really wanted to like this place, but on the occasions I have been it's not been for me. The menu and food are wonderful but for what it is I feel it's grossly overpriced. Service seems very uptight, and most of the valets can't drive a stick shift up the incline in their lot without having to gun the engine or killing it at least once. The only times I eat here at this point is if a friend really insists on giving it a try.
(2)
Deanna J.
My Old Vinings Inn experience is definitely different than Eric's - this was the standard 'place to take clients to' place in Vinings for me. So I've only been around the lunch crowd. It's a relaxed atmosphere made unique because of the quaint 'house' that it's in. The waitstaff is very attentive but not overly so, and the surroundings are quiet - both good for business lunching. All the salads are good options, and my regular was the crab cake. From Eric's review, it sounds like it transforms into more of a bar at night.
(4)
Brett P.
AAAAGGGHHHH. I love this place. Perfect for a 1st date. I recently met someone and went there as they were new to the city and it reminded him of back home... food was prepared and seasoned to perfection... prices are always decent, and service is top notch! Not too much into the bar upstairs... but, if you want a relaxing and romantic get away... HAVE AT IT!
(4)
Yifat G.
This was a dinner with work colleagues. The service was great. The lead waiter was on top of things. He made sure we paid attention and didn't lose track of time. At the same time, he gave us plenty of space to have our conversations. The food was fairly good. Nothing was especially spectacular, but everyone was happy. We loved the wine, as our glasses were always being filled. Overall, a good quiet place to hang out for good conversation.
(3)
Panida S.
D I S A P P O I N T E D! I was on Open Table looking to make reservations somewhere for my husband's birthday. Vinings Inn came up, and after reading the great reviews for the restaurant (on Open Table), I was excited, and planned my husband's birthday dinner there. I thought the location sounded romantic, menu looked good (extremely similar to Horseradish Grill, which I love), what more could you want, right? WRONG! The service was good, but that's about it. We ordered: - Calamari: I've never had calamari served like this before, EVER! Cornmeal crusted calamari on a plate with a HUGE dollop of their "spicy marinara" plopped right in the middle, on top of the calamari! So, you know that everything was soggy! UGH! The sauce also looked like it had sat under a heating lamp for a long time, and tasted like it too! Daikon sprouts? Where? Not w/ my dish! What a crappy way to start dinner! - Well, the bread they serve is good, that's why they got 1 star. - Vinings Salad: Bowl of lettuce, a tomato slice, and some blue cheese dressing (with NO blue cheese pieces) in a ramikan. SERIOUSLY? For $9? - I ordered the Oven Roasted Chicken...it was roasted alright! One word: DRY! The potatoes that came with it were good, mashed style potatoes. The green bean, OVERCOOKED! - My husband ordered the Rib Eye. UNDERWHELMED! We are carnivores, steak lovers! I could've cooked a tastier steak from Publix at my house! AND, POOR PRESENTATION! The steak was served on a large rectangular plate, BY IT SELF! No garnishment or anything! It made the steak look smaller than it was because of the size of the plate! WTH? - Wild Mushroom Rissotto was YUCK! Straight up, just YUCK! Mushrooms? Are you sure you didn't mean tomato sauce??!!?!? Oh yeah, the bathrooms....at the end of our meal, I asked to use the restroom. One of waiters pointed behind the reception desk, and I continued to walk. A guy whispered to me, "Use the last bathroom, it's nicer." Um, ok? You literally walk through a dirty prep area to get to the bathroom! I walked into the "Nicer bathroom", and there was a space heater blasting, circulating a cat urine like smell. If I would've of gone to bathroom before ordering, we would've left! The prep area you walk through was filthy! Our waiter was nice, but came to the table with our food smelling like an ashtray. Ugh. I was very disappointed, and the meal wasn't cheap either!
(1)
Gilbert G.
I had to come up with a 40th birthday idea for my wife who is pregnant. Old Vinings Inn was the perfect solution. They were very attentive to my wife and her friends needs and made everything perfect. The food is outstanding and very reasonably priced for the quality. We have found a new regular location to dine at and will recommend it to all our friends.
(5)
Corey R.
Best Sunday brunch I've had in a long time! And the service was great! Gotta love the character of this old house!
(5)
Heather F.
Warning: ridiculously long, gushy review ahead. I held my sister's baby shower at the Old Vinings Inn this past weekend and I couldn't possibly be happier with the way everything turned out. I had originally thought about holding the shower at Canoe, and I am so glad that I changed my mind. While I've enjoyed many meals at Canoe, I don't feel that it's a very good spot to hold a fun or more lively event like a baby shower...the event coordinator I spoke with indicated that the shower would have a very strict start and end time (only lasting exactly 2 hours) and was very resistant to the idea of us bringing in any outside decor, games, etc. The event coordinator for Vinings Inn (owner Lee S.) was the complete opposite. Every request or suggestion from us was met with a resounding "Yes!" The Inn allowed us to bring in outside decor, to hang paper poms from the ceiling, to place fresh flowers everywhere, to have several dessert and gift tables, to create a custom menu and a signature shower cocktail (which the waiters happily served to us in vintage glass milk bottles...no easy feat!) and to provide our own music to be played during the shower. The room that the shower was held in (the Wine Room) was absolutely gorgeous and charming and allowed 17 guests to comfortably brunch at a long "farm-table" setup. The Inn also arranged for the french doors in the room to open out onto the patio, where we were able to arrange a big favor/game table and a gift table. They even provided extra chairs for the patio, so we could all move out onto the patio after eating brunch and sit while the mother-to-be opened gifts. The shower brunch menu was excellent across the board...all of the guests couldn't stop raving about their meals and even requested that they be permitted to take leftovers home with them! Our waiters boxed up each guest's leftovers and added extra portions of cheese grits and turkey sausage to each box, which I thought was a nice touch. The Inn's pastry chef provided a truly amazing cake that was made to our exact specifications...lemon layer cake with strawberry filling and a whipped strawberry frosting. Delicious! Finally, what I found the most impressive was the Inn's willingness to allow us to arrive 2 hours before they opened in order to get everything set up perfectly. The Inn had an employee (Michael) waiting for us at 9:30 a.m. to let us inside. Michael didn't just unlock the doors for us. He helped us unload everything (two carloads worth!) from our vehicles, he helped to hang up paper poms and lanterns, he moved heavy tables, and saw to other small details that are too numerous to list here. He had a positive, helpful attitude the entire time and then, once the shower was over, he proceeded to take everything down and load it back up in the cars! This was a level of service that was entirely unexpected, but very appreciated. And, frankly, it's the kind of service we received from every employee (from owner to waiter) at the Inn throughout this entire process. I would whole-heartedly recommend the Vinings Inn to anyone looking for a venue to host an event, and will happily use them for future events myself.
(5)
Bonnie B.
OVI has been one of my favorite brunch/dinner spots in Vinings...until today. My mouth was watering for their Eggs Benedict which I had before and loved! Our server informed us " no more poached eggs". Whaattt??? Garrisons across the street has 3-4 varieties of Eggs Benedict so that's where I have to go ... My boyfriend ordered the Shrimp & Grits with Vine Ripe Tomatoes Entree.. Would you believe a very small dish of grits, 3 shrimp and 1 cherry tomatoe.... $19!!! We had to comment on how dissatisfied we were with that portion and the manager did comp the Shrimp & Grits. OVI... What has happened??? We want you to be fabulous... We really do! My grilled Meditteranean Salmon over Spinach Salad was tasty... That salmon sure looked poached not grilled to me. At least it was tasty & enough to share with the boyfriend! The warm garlic bread was outstanding but we can't go back on garlic bread alone... OVI, we are going to give you 1 more shot! And please bring back those delicious Eggs Benedict.
(2)
Vanessa L.
Stellar dining experience. Everything was equally delicious and flavorful, and our server was perfectly attentive, providing thoughtful recommendations. We started with several apps: Truffled Lobster Mac & Cheese Fritter, Charcuterie Plate (which includes the most delicious smoked duck, kale/artichoke spread, and pimento cheese), and Fried Green Tomatoes. For entrees, we had the Veal & Short Rib Meatloaf and Pecan Mountain Trout. My boyfriend isn't the biggest fan of meatloaf but this turned him into a believer. And the trout was perfectly cooked -- very moist and flaked easily. For dessert, we tried a sampler of Salted Caramel Chocolate Torte, Ice Cream and Sorbet Selection (with cookies), and Warm Bourbon Apple Cobbler. Enough said. I'm convinced you can't go wrong with anything you order. Highly recommended for a romantic date night, or if you're just looking to have a great evening out. And don't miss the Attic Bar -- live music nightly Wednesday through Saturday!
(5)
Chris M.
After two fantastic visits here some months apart, I think five stars is deserved. Our service on both visits was excellent. The collard greens are slightly sweet and spicy and perfectly tender. I had the Chattahoochee cocktail and would recommend it for people that like bourbon based drinks that aren't overly sweet. The scallops and pecan crusted trout are also winners. Be sure to try the lobster Mac and cheese fritters, too. I visit Atlanta regularly and am looking forward to my next visit here.
(5)
Kory R.
I'd agree with Eric on most everything. My brother and sister-in-law's band plays there quite a bit, so I tend to go and listen to them. The ceilings are very low but if you're 5'7" (it makes you look 6'2"), and you have a leg up on all the "cougars." It is definitely an older crowd, but a fun one. They also have a pretty good seating area outside.
(3)
David C.
So, I was here last year for a take-out order on a break from working in the area. I ordered the blackened shrimp tacos. It was expensive for tacos. 2 tacos for $13? I guess it is fine-dining restaurant. The tortilla shell I did not like at all, maybe because I've been to Mexico and know what it should taste like. They did a good job with the contents though, and that's the reason I wolfed them down with a greedy look on my face. I'd definitely make the trek to try the food again.
(3)
Ann D.
We had called around, trying to secure brunch reservations for Easter. We'd tried Canoe, Meehan's and a few others, however, due to no availability, then tried OVI. I live in Vinings and my out-of-town friends wanted to try OVI. I've never been impressed; however, I thought it would be good to give it a try. We were all very disappointed. OVI is a beautiful, old, traditional restaurant, and it's located in central Vinings. Everyone wants it to work. But for Easter brunch, it didn't. We had no idea it would be a buffet-and that's no problem. But if you're going to try market yourself as an upscale, farm-to-table restaurant, then the Holiday Inn-quality buffet was just... Very bad. We had to snake through their service kitchen to get into to single line. The brunch had been set up in a tiny back room and it only allowed for one line. We tried to get plates, but they couldn't keep clean plates available. Each time we went back into the long, single line, we had to wait for plates. And the plates, although clean, were wet. There was nothing attractive about the layout. No flowers, leveling, decorations. Just wet plates, of varying sizes in one stack, plopped on a little table. Then the food. Shrimp and grits: no bowls for them. So the runny "shrimp" portion ran all over our plate. And, there was no shrimp in the shrimp and grits. The grits, although creamy and tasty, were congealed and hard to get out of the serving dish. There were some other things along the table, but not much. Very limited choice, and looked very unappealing, again, because the food was just put onto the table with nothing to accent: no flowers, use of leveling, or use of color. Really, we heard the people in back of say Holiday Inn and that's exactly what it was. There was a French toast" that was hard as a rock and loaded with chocolate. We could not cut it. No could we cut the absolutely horrible London broil. For what they charged, they had a car ING station of just ham and leather-like London broil. On the opposite side of this tiny room was the dessert table which consisted of peach cobbler (obviously canned peaches) and pretty good bread pudding/chocolate strawberries. But again, just sort of tossed into the table with no artistry. They then had a small "salad" table with a few little dishes of vegetables, some good cold shrimp, and a large bowl of pimiento cheese spread. With no bread. We were crowded into the room, and it was very uncomfortable. We saw waitstaff bringing bread to some tables, but we never were asked if we wanted any. The tables had nothing pretty on them. Re cloths were low-tier banquet hall quality, as was the silverware. The very low quality and limited selection of the food, the slow, single, snaking line through service areas ("uncomfortable" was what my guest said), the drab tables and lack luster service was all embarrassing for me. And it cost us 77.00 for two (plus tip). If we'd gone to another brunch buffet (of which we all know), we would have had better quality of food, far more selection, less inconvenience and more aesthetically pleasing surroundings. And we would have paid a little less. My friends were so happy to be visiting Vinings, and I had my fingers crossed for a good experience. It didn't happen. Again, we've tried to support OVI a few times. But we won't do it again. What a let down.
(2)
Allison C.
Mom and I took my Bronx-born boyfriend here because he wanted fried chicken and we didn't want to go to Mary Mac's (too heavy) or Colon-aide. Not far from house and still warmish enough to eat outside. Jason, our waiter, made the meal unforgettable for us all. When BF asked one of those stupid, "Do you have have (insert grocery stores, paved roads, etc) questions," I answered, "Why yes, and I bet they have indoor plumbing here, too." "No, not anymore," Jason answered as he came up to take our order. "Too much money." I asked if the privy had a moon cut into the door. "Again, not in the budget." BF's eyes got really wide and I told him I would lend him my iPhone for the Flashlight feature, if he made sure not to drop it. Mom and I insisted BF have a fried green tomato. He hemmed and hawwed. We got it anyway. Jason made it even better by telling him that it was possum. Mom and I dug in and I SWORE I wouldn't tell anyone that he was eating possum. The fried green tomato was excellent. Mom and I each split an arugula salad, told BF that it was kudzu, asked if he'd had before and he said, "Yes. Once in Richmond." Which interstate did he get it from? 64 or 95? Anyway, he liked it too. Mom had flounder, which was good. Knowing she wouldn't finish it, I got the smoked trout appetizer as an entree. Not impressed. BF got sage oven fried chicken with risotto. Loved the risotto. Dessert didn't stand out, but we can't remember much about it. To quote Mom, "Something chocolate w/something runny in the middle and a strawberry shortcake biscuit thing, because it was a biscuit." Dessert the next night at Coast was FAR more memorable. Jason was GREAT. Get a table in his section, especially if you have a carpetbagger in tow.
(4)
Marcus O.
yay. i'm a fan. price range is between spendy and splurge depending on whether you go for a full course + drinks. food is decent though. none of the appetizers were overwhelming. they were pretty much average. i had the six ounce filet. pretty good. very tender. not bones good... but hey it's not bones priced either. service is excellent. the ambiance of this place is pretty freakin' awesome. the restaurant is in an old house. the attic bar is a low ceiling upstairs hangout. good range of scotch there, including a few single malts. it's pretty neat in there. avoid the back corner though. no air seems to circulate back there. if you don't mind splurging more for atmosphere, go here for date night. vinings has a lot of nice shops you can walk around when you're done.
(4)
Beth B.
I went last night to Vinings Inn to see Curt Thomas (awesome band) play with some friends of mine. We had a BLAST!! Curt plays there every Thursday for sure, that is definitely the night to go. I only had some appetizers - the cheese dip and the fried tomatoes. Both were EXCELLENT! I can't wait to go back and actually try the real food!
(4)
Hambri Enta M.
I want to say I will be back, mainly just for the Fried Green Tomatoes. We wondered why it was so empty at 12:30 in the afternoon...the price! We live walking distance to Rosebuds, and they have a similar menu for way less. The prices at OVI are way up there...Springer Mnt chicken brunch meal is at $18 where Rosebuds has it between $14-16. Rosebuds has a better selection. In any case, i applaud the new menu, perhaps the owners would take a look at the prices and maybe play some atmosphere music too, it was dead on that porch! Also, list the drinks on the menu.
(3)
Brandon S.
This was an interesting experience. Once again the food was good. I started with a wedge salad. For the main course I chose the veal meatloaf. It tasted very good. Our server was friendly and helpful. After dinner we headed upstairs to the bar for a few drinks. As we were preparing to leave, after last call, we started chanting the name of our next stop. This evidently angered someone. A drunk female who indicted she ran the place told us she should throw us out. We attempted to figure out her anger, but we could not figure it out through the slurring of words. On the plus side, one of the associates working felt so bad about the situation he stopped in to the next place we were stopping to buy us a round. He did a great job trying to make the situation better. Because of him I may actually give the place another try.
(1)
Laura R.
I had a late lunch here with my boyfriend and his parents a few Sundays ago. We were seated right away and the service was good throughout our stay. We were immediately met with a warm bread basket. (sighs) Our table shared the calamari which was good and had an interesting sweet chili glaze. His mom and I both had the fried green tomato salad which was well portioned but just ok - there was way too much breading on the tomato. He and his dad both went with the bbq brisket sandwich and let's just say they weren't complaining. :) I'd really like to check out the attic bar that wasn't yet open (opens later in the evening) but I don't think I'd go out of my way to return for the food.
(3)
Jade M.
This is a review strictly of their Attic Bar. I'm glad some people gave this place bad reviews, hopefully they'll stay away! More fun for me :) If you enjoy a wildly authentic dive bar with awesome music, hilarious bartenders, stout drinks and a tight area that's a great excuse to hug up to your date; THIS IS YOUR PLACE! It's a tiny upstairs bar in downtown Vinings which used to be an actual inn. Ask the bartenders or waitresses to tell you about it's history. The crowd is the type that enjoys rolling in and joining the party like they've known each other for years. They love and expect a stiff drink and a good time. There's usually a fantastic live band and people are always dancing. Join the party! I always leave that place having gained great new stories and memories. Good times!! Be aware, they close at midnight. It's the only bummer about it but the drinks are so stiff, it's good that they shut it down early. It might get too crazy!!
(5)
Beth K.
Always enjoy the OVI! The last time we were there the menu had changed a little including some smaller plates. Great idea! Good wine list and wonderful desserts! Keep up the good work!!
(4)
Jessica O.
We had a late dinner at the Vinings Inn, and it was fairly quiet downstairs (good romantic atmosphere), but the Attic Bar seemed busy. Our food was simple, but good. The appetizers are large portions. I wish they had sparkling wines available by the glass, that was the only downside to our meal. Prices were good, we had two glasses of wine, two appetizers, two entrees AND dessert for $70.00. Service was good as well.
(3)
Henrik C.
Went to Vinings Inn with my girl friend. This is a cozy old building/stable. We only went to the dining rooms downstairs, so I cannot comment on the bar upstairs. This is a nice place and had very good service. The audience is 40+ if not 50+, so that should set your expectations. We had cesar salad, tomato soup, lamp chops and rib eye. The Casar salad was great and well presented. The tomato soup was rich and very creamy. The rib eye was thin and really not a great cut. It came with a mushroom ragout overwhelming in volume and not really great. The green beans were too al dente. The pasta and cheese came without cheese - don't do that, especially, in the south! The waiter personally corrected this. The lamb chops were a bit dry but overall OK. They came with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The mashed potatoes were a little heavy - hold back on the butter - we have to walk from here. The asparagus were not fully cooked. The ambiance is unique and very nice as a breathing room in Cobb. The service is very good. The food ... Starters were pretty good whereas the main dishes left a few things to be desired.
(3)
Jay J.
If you are looking for an unpretentious, special occasion place to enjoy a great meal, Vinings Inn has to be considered in the Vinings area. I used OpenTable to make my dinner reservations and had noted that we were celebrating our 10th anniversary. The host and our server BOTH mentioned it to us. See if that happens at most other high-end restaurants. Our server, Matt, was great - attentive but not overbearing and spot-on with recommendations. Here's what we had: APPETIZER: Fried Green Tomatoes: very good, tart and savory SOUP: corn chowder with poblano peppers: off the chain - if you go and they have it, it's a must ENTREES: - Crab cake with poblano grits. so, so good. No batter, pure lump crab. The green beans served with were crisp and delicious. - Brown Sugar Ancho Rubbed Pork Tenderloin: Initially, very sweet. But then when you start putting the tenderloing together with the shallot and roasted potatoes (which had a nice cayenne kick), it was very good. DESSERT: - Red Velvet Carrot Cake & Tart with Caramel and pecans: both were just OK (esp. b/c they comped our desserts for our anniversary) The patio would be an awesome venue on a warm spring/fall evening (ie. bug free). The only slight ding I'd mention is that we were starting to smell cigarette smoke (we think) coming down from the bar upstairs. The ceiling fans downstairs which were on, only kind of recirculated the smell towards the end of our meal. The menu has LOTS of variety and the portions are very good. We will certainly be back for more.
(4)
Whitney H.
I forgot how amazing this place is! I went there last night with my dad and his best friends from out of town and the food was absolutely incredible! Everyone raved about their meals and the appetizers were super tasty with a beautiful presentation. I had the shrimp and grits, it was seriously one of the best meals I've ever had! The service was also above par, our waitress was awesome! The owner came out and chatted with us and he was super nice, he just took over 4 months ago, but had a very impressive resume of restaurants he's managed. They also have a private room perfect for 8 people you can request when making a reservation and there is live music at the upstairs bar Thurs-Sat. If you are looking for a neat fine dining restaurant to take an out of town guest, I would highly recommend this restaurant!
We just had a great surprise Bridal Shower at Old Vinings Inn. There was a private room to the side that was perfect for our 18 guests. Lee, the owner was Flexible and charming. He helped us to plan this shower while I was in California and my 85 year old mother who doesn't drive communicated with Lee. They got us a great cake, there were 2 waiters and it went seamlessly. The theme was "around the clock" and they kept the drinks coming, the salad and lunch was great. Everyone cleaned their plates! The crab cakes, eggs Benedict and the steak burger was to die for. The fried green tomatoes were the crown on the steakburger. Along with valet parking the party was very successful. Lee recently purchased the Inn and he is making a great business.
(5)
Britney B.
I came here for brunch yesterday with three other people, Sunday morning. We arrived right at noon. It was not crowded or busy at all which kind of surprised me because if you go around the corner to J Christopher's at this time it is packed and you are lucky to get seated right away. We sat outside on the deck/ patio and there no one else out there. I guess everyone thought it was too "cold" because it was below 80 degrees outside. The food and service were both excellent. I had eggs benedict. When we got there we wanted mimosas, but forgot about the ridiculous after 12:30 pm on a Sunday rule. Stupid bible belt. As soon as it was 12:30 our server brought the drinks right out. They were cheap too, only $4, which is a good price for a mimosa. The only reason I am not giving a 5th star is because of their parking. I hate that they have valet only. It's free but I'm just weird about that. Also, about 15 minutes before we left another table was seated right beside us. I hate it when there is a sea of empty tables somewhere and the dingbat hostess sits two tables full of people inches away from each other. I have been a hostess before and there is no reason for that.
(4)
Rani C.
Went for lunch. Gazpacho was delicious. Ceasar salad was good. Hubby had the fried chicken. That was fine. He wasn't impressed with the macaroni cheese gratin. It's made with penne and the cheese is mostly on top. In general, penne upsets him when its used as the pasta on macaroni and cheese. The name macaroni and cheese implies the macaroni pasta will be used. Had apple pie for dessert. It was disappointing. I've had better. Overall, lunch was about 50 bucks. Know I could have gotten it cheaper elsewhere. And yeah, I've had better. Had to try this place out though, we drive past it all the time.
(2)
David Q.
Had been there before and it was fine. This time service was so bad we walked out. People who came in after us were actually finished eating and we had not been served. The waiter never acknowledged the reason for a delay and never even looked at us, we ordered from the menu, fish tacos, but when the third party who came in 30 minutes after us got their food, we walked out. The waiter saw us leave, but never said a thing. We won't go back.
(1)
Sarah M.
We're lived in Vinings 2 years and never ventured to OVI so we thought it was time. It was a laid back atmosphere and nice for a date night. The food was really only average. 2 stars out of 5. Also our server was nice but really slow. We were ready to pay our check and the waiter disappeared for 15 minutes. With so many wonderful choices in Atlanta we probably will not be back for dinner.
(2)
Chris B.
I pass by this restaurant multiple times a day and for some strange reason I've always had an odd attraction to it. Until recently, I've never had a chance to visit. I had some family in town this weekend and we decided to stop by. First of all, ambiance is very pretentious and annoying. Even if the food was good, I probably wouldn't be back just because the vibe is very weird. The bread basket came out right after we placed our order; simply horrid. I don't even know how you can mess up rolls and cornbread. I had the fried chicken breast, mac and cheese, and french beans. The chicken tasted strange and the breading had some strange seasonings in it. The white "gravy" was laughable and simply disgusting; it had the consistency of watered down ranch dressing. The french beans were as hard as a rock, completely un-edible for me. I realize that this is the way french beans are sometimes served in a more "upscale" restaurant; however, Yelp says this place is supposed to be southern and there is nothing southern about a frozen green bean. The mac and cheese was decent, if the pasta was actually cooked I would have said it was excellent. Someone else in my party had the roasted chicken, which was equally as terrible and completely raw inside. This is a place I would definitely never return to. I will mention though, the service was fine, nothing to really complain about there. Yelp needs to reclassify this establishment as there is nothing southern about Vinings Inn.
(1)
Mike B.
A cozy little restaurant and upstairs bar. They serve a good selection of wines upstairs, to go along with relaxing music. This is an off-beat place to take friends or business associates. The stellar service helps make this a memorable experience.
(4)
Dru J.
Martinis, piano jazz, cigars (wait, no cigars), good food in the comfortable surroundings of OVI. These are a few of my favorite things that I've not enjoyed in quite some time. Unhappily, companion was about to return home to China. So we dashed into OVI, barely missing the rain, to share some of those favorite things. Perhaps it was the prospect of not having "western" food for a while that sent her into an ordering frenzy. Meatloaf (yes, surprised even me), mac & cheese gratin, southern style green beans, Peach BBQ Shrimp over poblano-cheddar grits, additional sides followed by cocktails more than sated my soon-to-be jet lagged friend. Dining in the (setting) sun room to piano music, candlelight and soft rain provided a stereotypically, OWWW! err, I mean, memorably, romantic dinner. Service was ably performed by one Tyler, the food, while not mind-blowing, was tasty and well prepared. Dinner, drinks, and atmosphere were more than reasonably priced. OVI remains a classic.
(4)
Christy G.
We started in the bar upstairs while waiting on others to join us for dinner. Wow, Rick was an amazing bartender, not only did he pour an awesome drink he was interacting with the whole crowd. Seem to know all the locals and was very friendly. He had a game going and soon to be available to the public. "Out of the Box" so much fun, these babies won't last long once the hit the shelves. Get it when it first comes out. Dinner was fantastic. The only down side I would have to say was our waiter. He was not very attentive to our needs. We had some apps up in the bar so we decided so share some meals, I think he didnt like that fact, maybe because his tip was going to be less. IDK however I will go back. Will probably eat upstairs in the bar and stay later for the entertainment.
(4)
E J.
I miss this place. Spent many a night hanging out in the bar upstairs when I lived in ATL a few years ago. It's so quaint and just a fun time all around. Great food, good drinks, nice balcony seating area, cool intimate place to see local bands. Less of a douche-bag crowd than some other places. If I remember the drinks are not cheap but some of the food on the bar menu is reasonable. As Eric S stated, do not go here if you're a tall person. The ceilings are LOW.
(4)
Gilbert G.
I had to come up with a 40th birthday idea for my wife who is pregnant. Old Vinings Inn was the perfect solution. They were very attentive to my wife and her friends needs and made everything perfect. The food is outstanding and very reasonably priced for the quality. We have found a new regular location to dine at and will recommend it to all our friends.
(5)
Corey R.
Best Sunday brunch I've had in a long time! And the service was great! Gotta love the character of this old house!
(5)
Hambri Enta M.
I want to say I will be back, mainly just for the Fried Green Tomatoes. We wondered why it was so empty at 12:30 in the afternoon...the price! We live walking distance to Rosebuds, and they have a similar menu for way less. The prices at OVI are way up there...Springer Mnt chicken brunch meal is at $18 where Rosebuds has it between $14-16. Rosebuds has a better selection. In any case, i applaud the new menu, perhaps the owners would take a look at the prices and maybe play some atmosphere music too, it was dead on that porch! Also, list the drinks on the menu.
(3)
Brandon S.
This was an interesting experience. Once again the food was good. I started with a wedge salad. For the main course I chose the veal meatloaf. It tasted very good. Our server was friendly and helpful. After dinner we headed upstairs to the bar for a few drinks. As we were preparing to leave, after last call, we started chanting the name of our next stop. This evidently angered someone. A drunk female who indicted she ran the place told us she should throw us out. We attempted to figure out her anger, but we could not figure it out through the slurring of words. On the plus side, one of the associates working felt so bad about the situation he stopped in to the next place we were stopping to buy us a round. He did a great job trying to make the situation better. Because of him I may actually give the place another try.
(1)
Laura R.
I had a late lunch here with my boyfriend and his parents a few Sundays ago. We were seated right away and the service was good throughout our stay. We were immediately met with a warm bread basket. (sighs) Our table shared the calamari which was good and had an interesting sweet chili glaze. His mom and I both had the fried green tomato salad which was well portioned but just ok - there was way too much breading on the tomato. He and his dad both went with the bbq brisket sandwich and let's just say they weren't complaining. :) I'd really like to check out the attic bar that wasn't yet open (opens later in the evening) but I don't think I'd go out of my way to return for the food.
(3)
Jade M.
This is a review strictly of their Attic Bar. I'm glad some people gave this place bad reviews, hopefully they'll stay away! More fun for me :) If you enjoy a wildly authentic dive bar with awesome music, hilarious bartenders, stout drinks and a tight area that's a great excuse to hug up to your date; THIS IS YOUR PLACE! It's a tiny upstairs bar in downtown Vinings which used to be an actual inn. Ask the bartenders or waitresses to tell you about it's history. The crowd is the type that enjoys rolling in and joining the party like they've known each other for years. They love and expect a stiff drink and a good time. There's usually a fantastic live band and people are always dancing. Join the party! I always leave that place having gained great new stories and memories. Good times!! Be aware, they close at midnight. It's the only bummer about it but the drinks are so stiff, it's good that they shut it down early. It might get too crazy!!
(5)
Beth K.
Always enjoy the OVI! The last time we were there the menu had changed a little including some smaller plates. Great idea! Good wine list and wonderful desserts! Keep up the good work!!
(4)
Henrik C.
Went to Vinings Inn with my girl friend. This is a cozy old building/stable. We only went to the dining rooms downstairs, so I cannot comment on the bar upstairs. This is a nice place and had very good service. The audience is 40+ if not 50+, so that should set your expectations. We had cesar salad, tomato soup, lamp chops and rib eye. The Casar salad was great and well presented. The tomato soup was rich and very creamy. The rib eye was thin and really not a great cut. It came with a mushroom ragout overwhelming in volume and not really great. The green beans were too al dente. The pasta and cheese came without cheese - don't do that, especially, in the south! The waiter personally corrected this. The lamb chops were a bit dry but overall OK. They came with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The mashed potatoes were a little heavy - hold back on the butter - we have to walk from here. The asparagus were not fully cooked. The ambiance is unique and very nice as a breathing room in Cobb. The service is very good. The food ... Starters were pretty good whereas the main dishes left a few things to be desired.
(3)
Jay J.
If you are looking for an unpretentious, special occasion place to enjoy a great meal, Vinings Inn has to be considered in the Vinings area. I used OpenTable to make my dinner reservations and had noted that we were celebrating our 10th anniversary. The host and our server BOTH mentioned it to us. See if that happens at most other high-end restaurants. Our server, Matt, was great - attentive but not overbearing and spot-on with recommendations. Here's what we had: APPETIZER: Fried Green Tomatoes: very good, tart and savory SOUP: corn chowder with poblano peppers: off the chain - if you go and they have it, it's a must ENTREES: - Crab cake with poblano grits. so, so good. No batter, pure lump crab. The green beans served with were crisp and delicious. - Brown Sugar Ancho Rubbed Pork Tenderloin: Initially, very sweet. But then when you start putting the tenderloing together with the shallot and roasted potatoes (which had a nice cayenne kick), it was very good. DESSERT: - Red Velvet Carrot Cake & Tart with Caramel and pecans: both were just OK (esp. b/c they comped our desserts for our anniversary) The patio would be an awesome venue on a warm spring/fall evening (ie. bug free). The only slight ding I'd mention is that we were starting to smell cigarette smoke (we think) coming down from the bar upstairs. The ceiling fans downstairs which were on, only kind of recirculated the smell towards the end of our meal. The menu has LOTS of variety and the portions are very good. We will certainly be back for more.
(4)
Kory R.
I'd agree with Eric on most everything. My brother and sister-in-law's band plays there quite a bit, so I tend to go and listen to them. The ceilings are very low but if you're 5'7" (it makes you look 6'2"), and you have a leg up on all the "cougars." It is definitely an older crowd, but a fun one. They also have a pretty good seating area outside.
(3)
Jessica O.
We had a late dinner at the Vinings Inn, and it was fairly quiet downstairs (good romantic atmosphere), but the Attic Bar seemed busy. Our food was simple, but good. The appetizers are large portions. I wish they had sparkling wines available by the glass, that was the only downside to our meal. Prices were good, we had two glasses of wine, two appetizers, two entrees AND dessert for $70.00. Service was good as well.
(3)
Britney B.
I came here for brunch yesterday with three other people, Sunday morning. We arrived right at noon. It was not crowded or busy at all which kind of surprised me because if you go around the corner to J Christopher's at this time it is packed and you are lucky to get seated right away. We sat outside on the deck/ patio and there no one else out there. I guess everyone thought it was too "cold" because it was below 80 degrees outside. The food and service were both excellent. I had eggs benedict. When we got there we wanted mimosas, but forgot about the ridiculous after 12:30 pm on a Sunday rule. Stupid bible belt. As soon as it was 12:30 our server brought the drinks right out. They were cheap too, only $4, which is a good price for a mimosa. The only reason I am not giving a 5th star is because of their parking. I hate that they have valet only. It's free but I'm just weird about that. Also, about 15 minutes before we left another table was seated right beside us. I hate it when there is a sea of empty tables somewhere and the dingbat hostess sits two tables full of people inches away from each other. I have been a hostess before and there is no reason for that.
(4)
Rani C.
Went for lunch. Gazpacho was delicious. Ceasar salad was good. Hubby had the fried chicken. That was fine. He wasn't impressed with the macaroni cheese gratin. It's made with penne and the cheese is mostly on top. In general, penne upsets him when its used as the pasta on macaroni and cheese. The name macaroni and cheese implies the macaroni pasta will be used. Had apple pie for dessert. It was disappointing. I've had better. Overall, lunch was about 50 bucks. Know I could have gotten it cheaper elsewhere. And yeah, I've had better. Had to try this place out though, we drive past it all the time.
(2)
Stef E.
My food was pretty good. I ordered the tomato soup and salad. The service on the other hand was subpar. I almost forgot what the waiter looked like because he was rarely around. There was also some confusion and discrepancy on what was available online and what was actually offered at the restaurant. When I was ready for my check, I had to flag another waitstaff member down since my waiter was evidently related to Casper the Ghost.
(2)
Yifat G.
This was a dinner with work colleagues. The service was great. The lead waiter was on top of things. He made sure we paid attention and didn't lose track of time. At the same time, he gave us plenty of space to have our conversations. The food was fairly good. Nothing was especially spectacular, but everyone was happy. We loved the wine, as our glasses were always being filled. Overall, a good quiet place to hang out for good conversation.
(3)
Chad F.
Our pleasant server was attentive and very positive. When explaining the history of the building, it would have been nice to hear it chronologically with the specific time periods relating to the evolution. That history presentation, when done properly, could be an excellent setup for the meal to come. The setting could have been great, it was quiet and romantic, but we were distracted by our hunger. Unfortunately our ticket time was substantially longer than the surrounding tables. Overall I rate the meal as fair. I prefer a little less alcohol within my meals. The beef stroganoff sauce was over saturated with alcohol which wasn't reduced. When it came back, the dish was drown in the sauce just not as potent with the alcohol as before. The original portion of sauce was ideal if properly reduced. My wife's meal would have been great if they cooked her chicken thoroughly. They corrected the mistake and she was pleased with her dish. So we recommend the fried chicken if you visit this restaurant but we most likely won't return.
(2)
Wendy D.
Lovely little restaurant, host was warm and engaging. Hubby ordered the Southern Caesar and he said it was just so so. I had the fried green tomatoes and it was strangely tough and greasy. For our entrees I had the scallops with spring risotto, the scallops were beautifully cooked but they sat on pile of blue cheese risotto, there was nothing springlike about it. I cannot understand why the chef would choose to pair delicate scallops with blue cheese. It was not mentioned in the menu or I would never have ordered it. My husband had the shrimp and grits, a little over seasoned but very tasty. We did not do dessert. We don't know if we will go back, maybe we'll give them a second chance one day.
(2)
Greg R.
Enjoyed another great meal at Old Vinings Inn followed by some great live music upstairs. It's great having a quaint intimate restaurant setting amidst the sea of big box corporate restaurants that dot the Buckhead/vinings area.
(4)
Kris H.
Had a date night and chose this as our destination. Sadly disappointed. Salads came out 10-15 minutes apart, beet salad had thick goats cheese between layers of beets. Too much! Pork chop requested medium; got raw. Two tries later.....overdone, tough. They tried to make it right but just couldn't.
(2)
Amy H.
So I read the majority of the reviews and DID NOT WANT TO EAT HERE! But my friend made me. And would not cancel the reservation. And very glad she did I had a WONDERFUL meal here. I thought the service was fantastic. The fried green tomatoes are probably the best I have ever had. 1st place used to be South City and these blow South City's out of the water. Came for brunch so I did the corned beef hash - DELICIOUS!! Fantastic, cannot WAIT to eat it again. Our server and the manager were SO nice, making sure we were warm enough (it is an old house so it was pretty chilly) and I loved it. Can't wait to come back for dinner!!!
(4)
Jam D.
Great place to try traditional southern fare with a little flair. Cool spot in downtown Vinings. Perfect to take a date. Candied bacon appetizer is fantastic. I had the Ga Mountain Trout, and my wife had the Shrimp and Grits. We both thoroughly enjoyed out meals. The owner came by our table, and was very nice and engaging. Dont forget to grab a drink in the attic bar.
(4)
Caroline K.
My BF and I came here last night for Date night and we were really looking forward to it, but we left very disappointed. We had a reservation for 8:30 and when we walked in it seemed busy and the host, a gentleman in a striped blazer, was so inviting and very sad to let us know that they were a little behind and it would be a wait before we were seated. No big deal, but there was no where to sit while we waited and the waiting area is very spacious so there's plenty of room for a few benches. After about 20 minutes we were seated. The host asked us what the occasion was, we let him know it was our date night, he seated us a the tiniest 2 top in the corner of a separate room. It was private, but there were 2 open 4 tops right next to us, one was dirty during our entire visit. A very awkward female server came over to take our drink order, she did not make eye contact and looked incredibly terrified to come to our table, she did not offer any suggestions. I ordered the Panacea and my BF ordered the Oglethorpe. They were really awful. The panacea is listed on the menu as a cocktail with single malt scotch with honey and ginger over ice. There was zero ice in my glass, the drink was warm and no honey or ginger flavor, also the scotch was very poor quality. The Oglethorpe came in a very girly martini glass and my BF was not too happy with the taste or presentation. The girl just put down our drinks and practically ran away. Another male server came over very quickly and decided to take all of our orders at once, no mention of specials and he did not tell us his name. There was a table of 4 guests at a table close by in the other room that seemed to be having a great experience with their server, he was making jokes and conversation and checking on them regularly, we really felt very snubbed by our server and cheated out of a nice dining experience. A different girl brought our appetizers: truffled Mac and cheese, seafood boil, and strawberry salad. She popped them down and left. The truffled Mac and cheese was not good. It comes as 4 deep fried balls of what looks and tastes like Kraft Mac and cheese with tiny pieces of lobster. The salad was very bland, just a few crumbs of blue cheese, and we laughed because we only had ONE candied pecan on the salad with very dry leaves. The seafood boil was very nice though. The same girl came back and cleared the table very quickly and thought nothing of clearing our 3/4 uneaten truffle Mac and cheese, and left before we could explain we disliked the dish. Shortly after our entrees arrived: my BF had fried chicken and I ordered the scallops, they were very nice, both of the entrees. The room however was incredibly warm. We were both sweating and so uncomfortable. We sat there for a while waiting for our or server to even check on us, but nope... Nothing. We had to grab someone to get our server, and he came in and said he took care of our drinks, and dropped the check with zero explanation why, we appreciated the gesture, however, we had not actually seen the server at any point to fix anything that went wrong, and we never even were offered a dessert menu. Not that we would have stayed for dessert. The restaurant was not very busy, they ended up seat in another walk in couple at the larger empty table next to us, and the other 4 top stayed dirty during our entire dining experience. We did not understand why we were placed at the very tiny table when we had made a reservation and we did not feel as if we were very welcome, with the exception of the host, he was very friendly. We will not be back.
I work almost directly across the street at Solar Dimensions and I decided one day to steer from my usual after work haunt and try Old Vinings Inn Attic Bar and I was glad I did. It was a lively atmosphere and there was a pretty good live band. I love music of all kinds especially if it's live. I ordered a dirty martini with a swirl of vermouth and it was exactly what the doctor ordered! I had fun unwinding here. Cute place, intimate atmosphere and drinks were moderately priced.
(4)
Stephen L.
Delicious. We had a private room for 12. Fried green tomato appetizer was tart and tasty, petit filet with BBC potatoes, glazed brussel sprouts. Amazing filet, interesting sides. Charming atmosphere. Valet parking for $2.
(5)
Kristin B.
Went here for Sunday supper. $40 per couple for appetizer and dessert to split and individual entrees. This Sunday was fried green tomatoes which are stuffed with goat cheese and topped with an aioli. Hands down the best I've had. Entree was pecan crusted trout which was good, two filets in the portion, with a side of green beans. Of note their dinner rolls were fantastic. Dessert was warm peach cobbler with ice cream. Excellent service and it was a beautiful night to sit on the patio. Will have to come back and try their regular menu. Apparently they have live music wed-sat and its more crowded during those times. Sunday was not crowded at all around 7pm.
(4)
Fatjeew F.
HORRIBLE!!!!!!You expected luxury, and what you get instead is the gluey texture and bland flavor of a WAR time MRE!!!! The flavor of my mahi -mahi was akin to that of mcdonalds chicken nuggets , the price 48$ The experience was rendered tortuous by the intensely stupid service.
(1)
D. E.
This has been our go-to place for special occasions for 20 years in Atlanta. We went there tonight to celebrate Mother's Day, and we we so disappointed. The first waitress was truly "out to lunch" and acted like she would have rather been anywhere but there tonight. We waited a long time before getting water. Then we sat and finally had to ask for bread. When the serving of the meal began, 5 people at our table got served, and the remaining 2 had nothing. We sat there while the wait staff started to serve another table. We requested that our remaining 2 be served. By the time they were served, our other meals were no longer hot. We complained to the waitress, and then the hostess came to our table. When we told her about our service, she was rude, said that was "how we do things", and cast us some "dirty" looks as she was walking away from the table! WHAT????? Then the owner came to our table and inquired. He at least apologized and replaced our waitress with a waiter who served us well for the remainder of the evening. I don't know if OVI is under new ownership or what has happened, but it was a disappointing experience. I don't think it is unreasonable to expect well trained and engaged wait staff at a restaurant such as OVI. One positive thing is that at least the food was good, even if lukewarm. Atlanta has too many great restaurants to waste time at those where the service is poor and personnel rude. The consensus at our table was that going forward we will find some other place to celebrate our family events.
(1)
Alex P.
Majorly downgrading this place. First of all, they took away our favorite item from the menu, chicken and waffles. Secondly, they happened to be out of most of the menu items today, but didn't bother to tell us until after we ordered. Had we been told they are out of shrimp, I would have turned around and gone somewhere else instead.
(1)
Nikki R.
Loved this place. My group had our annual hat brunch here in June and from the start of the planning until the day of, everything was so easy. Lee was great to work with, as was his staff. We had 34 people and there was more than enough space. Definitely look forward to going back. Everyone enjoyed the menu also, although I think I prefer ordering from a full menu, than the group menu. Other than that, no complaints.
(4)
Alexander M.
Local Gem! Old Vinings Inn has to be marked in my book as one of the best places I've ate at while being new here to Atlanta! Customer service is ON POINT!! Made a reservation through open table, seated immediately! Greeted by the actual restaurant owner!! That was really cool yet not common! The drinks were made to perfection! The calamari appetizer is not like the average place! It comes tossed in some sort of Asian spiced sauce that brings a bit of a kick to it however not too much that would enable you to enjoy it! For the entrees we chose the traditional Shrimp & Grits along with the Southern Fried Chicken! Everything was priced pretty generously and the portion sizes were perfect! Would recommend this place to anybody who enjoys a nice traditional southern meal at an affordable price!
(4)
Hayley D.
I came here with my boyfriend for a special night and it was great! We started in the upstairs bar for drinks and then were seated promptly. We got a crab cake appetizer and it was delicious, but a bit small for the price. For our entrees we each went with the recommendations of our server. I had short ribs and he had the salmon. Both were DELICIOUS and came out so fast! The staff is very attentive and it was a great experience!
(4)
Tina F.
The food was amazing especially the artichoke dip. the service was and the owner actually stopped by to say hi and see how everything was a couple times. the building was just absolutely darling all bed-and-breakfast type, amazing restaurant lighting - very romantic and we will definitely be back as soon as possible!!! Yay for good food in ATL!
(5)
Jennifer N.
We had brunch here a few weeks ago and the food was ok. I loved the atmosphere . It looks like a great place for a bridal shower or wedding reception. However, the brunch kinda fell flat. It wasn't bad but it wasn't amazing. I really want to go back for dinner. From my understanding they offer live music a few nights a week and the place is always packed when I pass by. I am not ready to count the place out but it did not meet my expectations this time.
(3)
Kelsey G.
I dined here for a post-graduation lunch with my family here. I was beyond pleased with the food. It was simply delicious and filling. I had been phone tagging with Old Vinings Inn about the guest list and menu for a while but everything worked out fine. We had the fried chicken--which was something to write home about, cheddar grits, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes and lemon curd cheesecake. All of it was delicious, the only thing I didn't care for was their chocolate cake but honestly The owner, Lee, came to speak with us and make sure we had everything we needed. I think the only thing that kind of bothered me is that the table might have been too small. If I were to have had more than 15 guests, I would have no clue where they would have put us. It is not a big place at all.
(4)
Michelle J.
Note: I ate up in the Attic Bar on a Tuesday (read: quiet) night. I had the Smokey Sherman, which was so unexpectedly spicy that I laughed out loud after my first sip. The drink was delicious, though. For dinner, I ordered the charcuterie plate. There were a couple of cured meats, pickled veg, deviled eggs with chow-chow salsa, cheese, and dip with flatbread, and it was very good--enough to feed one or be an appetizer for a few.
Looks like a new owner or chef at this place, not a fan of the menu or his handling of problems that came up with our food. He proceeded to berate the server in front of us, offered us some free food (which was still under cooked and flavorless). Avoiding this place with a 10 foot poll from now.
(1)
Lexi S.
Food and Service on point! As soon as you walk in you are greeted with a sincere 'Welcome!" We tried the Summer Feast and I must say it was delectable! The pimento cheese and flat bread appetizer- full of flavor and the best pimento cheese I've ever had! The entree: marinated port and paprika chicken thighs, grilled to perfection- excellent flavor with superb crisp skin! It was served with a warm, savory potato salad! The last course...wait for it... S'MORES SUNDAE! Are you kidding me?!?! Hands down the BEST indulgence I've had! You will not regret it! Everything was absolutely delicious and we will be back often! Well deserved 5 stars!
(5)
Steve B.
Came here for a work lunch event. I'm a just get right to it. The Fried Green tomatoes was very good, the calamari was average. Had Salmon over Caesar. The salmon is top 10 salmon in Atlanta, very good. The desserts were pretty cool with ice cream scoops on top of a waffle, a brownie. Red velvet is pretty good. Will have to return here for the live music. But why have a valet in a parking lot of the size of most people's driveways? It was on the house, not out of my pocket. Grade: B
(3)
Candace B.
I really wanted to like this place, but on the occasions I have been it's not been for me. The menu and food are wonderful but for what it is I feel it's grossly overpriced. Service seems very uptight, and most of the valets can't drive a stick shift up the incline in their lot without having to gun the engine or killing it at least once. The only times I eat here at this point is if a friend really insists on giving it a try.
(2)
Heather F.
Warning: ridiculously long, gushy review ahead. I held my sister's baby shower at the Old Vinings Inn this past weekend and I couldn't possibly be happier with the way everything turned out. I had originally thought about holding the shower at Canoe, and I am so glad that I changed my mind. While I've enjoyed many meals at Canoe, I don't feel that it's a very good spot to hold a fun or more lively event like a baby shower...the event coordinator I spoke with indicated that the shower would have a very strict start and end time (only lasting exactly 2 hours) and was very resistant to the idea of us bringing in any outside decor, games, etc. The event coordinator for Vinings Inn (owner Lee S.) was the complete opposite. Every request or suggestion from us was met with a resounding "Yes!" The Inn allowed us to bring in outside decor, to hang paper poms from the ceiling, to place fresh flowers everywhere, to have several dessert and gift tables, to create a custom menu and a signature shower cocktail (which the waiters happily served to us in vintage glass milk bottles...no easy feat!) and to provide our own music to be played during the shower. The room that the shower was held in (the Wine Room) was absolutely gorgeous and charming and allowed 17 guests to comfortably brunch at a long "farm-table" setup. The Inn also arranged for the french doors in the room to open out onto the patio, where we were able to arrange a big favor/game table and a gift table. They even provided extra chairs for the patio, so we could all move out onto the patio after eating brunch and sit while the mother-to-be opened gifts. The shower brunch menu was excellent across the board...all of the guests couldn't stop raving about their meals and even requested that they be permitted to take leftovers home with them! Our waiters boxed up each guest's leftovers and added extra portions of cheese grits and turkey sausage to each box, which I thought was a nice touch. The Inn's pastry chef provided a truly amazing cake that was made to our exact specifications...lemon layer cake with strawberry filling and a whipped strawberry frosting. Delicious! Finally, what I found the most impressive was the Inn's willingness to allow us to arrive 2 hours before they opened in order to get everything set up perfectly. The Inn had an employee (Michael) waiting for us at 9:30 a.m. to let us inside. Michael didn't just unlock the doors for us. He helped us unload everything (two carloads worth!) from our vehicles, he helped to hang up paper poms and lanterns, he moved heavy tables, and saw to other small details that are too numerous to list here. He had a positive, helpful attitude the entire time and then, once the shower was over, he proceeded to take everything down and load it back up in the cars! This was a level of service that was entirely unexpected, but very appreciated. And, frankly, it's the kind of service we received from every employee (from owner to waiter) at the Inn throughout this entire process. I would whole-heartedly recommend the Vinings Inn to anyone looking for a venue to host an event, and will happily use them for future events myself.
(5)
Vanessa L.
Stellar dining experience. Everything was equally delicious and flavorful, and our server was perfectly attentive, providing thoughtful recommendations. We started with several apps: Truffled Lobster Mac & Cheese Fritter, Charcuterie Plate (which includes the most delicious smoked duck, kale/artichoke spread, and pimento cheese), and Fried Green Tomatoes. For entrees, we had the Veal & Short Rib Meatloaf and Pecan Mountain Trout. My boyfriend isn't the biggest fan of meatloaf but this turned him into a believer. And the trout was perfectly cooked -- very moist and flaked easily. For dessert, we tried a sampler of Salted Caramel Chocolate Torte, Ice Cream and Sorbet Selection (with cookies), and Warm Bourbon Apple Cobbler. Enough said. I'm convinced you can't go wrong with anything you order. Highly recommended for a romantic date night, or if you're just looking to have a great evening out. And don't miss the Attic Bar -- live music nightly Wednesday through Saturday!
(5)
Chris M.
After two fantastic visits here some months apart, I think five stars is deserved. Our service on both visits was excellent. The collard greens are slightly sweet and spicy and perfectly tender. I had the Chattahoochee cocktail and would recommend it for people that like bourbon based drinks that aren't overly sweet. The scallops and pecan crusted trout are also winners. Be sure to try the lobster Mac and cheese fritters, too. I visit Atlanta regularly and am looking forward to my next visit here.
(5)
Ann D.
We had called around, trying to secure brunch reservations for Easter. We'd tried Canoe, Meehan's and a few others, however, due to no availability, then tried OVI. I live in Vinings and my out-of-town friends wanted to try OVI. I've never been impressed; however, I thought it would be good to give it a try. We were all very disappointed. OVI is a beautiful, old, traditional restaurant, and it's located in central Vinings. Everyone wants it to work. But for Easter brunch, it didn't. We had no idea it would be a buffet-and that's no problem. But if you're going to try market yourself as an upscale, farm-to-table restaurant, then the Holiday Inn-quality buffet was just... Very bad. We had to snake through their service kitchen to get into to single line. The brunch had been set up in a tiny back room and it only allowed for one line. We tried to get plates, but they couldn't keep clean plates available. Each time we went back into the long, single line, we had to wait for plates. And the plates, although clean, were wet. There was nothing attractive about the layout. No flowers, leveling, decorations. Just wet plates, of varying sizes in one stack, plopped on a little table. Then the food. Shrimp and grits: no bowls for them. So the runny "shrimp" portion ran all over our plate. And, there was no shrimp in the shrimp and grits. The grits, although creamy and tasty, were congealed and hard to get out of the serving dish. There were some other things along the table, but not much. Very limited choice, and looked very unappealing, again, because the food was just put onto the table with nothing to accent: no flowers, use of leveling, or use of color. Really, we heard the people in back of say Holiday Inn and that's exactly what it was. There was a French toast" that was hard as a rock and loaded with chocolate. We could not cut it. No could we cut the absolutely horrible London broil. For what they charged, they had a car ING station of just ham and leather-like London broil. On the opposite side of this tiny room was the dessert table which consisted of peach cobbler (obviously canned peaches) and pretty good bread pudding/chocolate strawberries. But again, just sort of tossed into the table with no artistry. They then had a small "salad" table with a few little dishes of vegetables, some good cold shrimp, and a large bowl of pimiento cheese spread. With no bread. We were crowded into the room, and it was very uncomfortable. We saw waitstaff bringing bread to some tables, but we never were asked if we wanted any. The tables had nothing pretty on them. Re cloths were low-tier banquet hall quality, as was the silverware. The very low quality and limited selection of the food, the slow, single, snaking line through service areas ("uncomfortable" was what my guest said), the drab tables and lack luster service was all embarrassing for me. And it cost us 77.00 for two (plus tip). If we'd gone to another brunch buffet (of which we all know), we would have had better quality of food, far more selection, less inconvenience and more aesthetically pleasing surroundings. And we would have paid a little less. My friends were so happy to be visiting Vinings, and I had my fingers crossed for a good experience. It didn't happen. Again, we've tried to support OVI a few times. But we won't do it again. What a let down.
(2)
Bonnie B.
OVI has been one of my favorite brunch/dinner spots in Vinings...until today. My mouth was watering for their Eggs Benedict which I had before and loved! Our server informed us " no more poached eggs". Whaattt??? Garrisons across the street has 3-4 varieties of Eggs Benedict so that's where I have to go ... My boyfriend ordered the Shrimp & Grits with Vine Ripe Tomatoes Entree.. Would you believe a very small dish of grits, 3 shrimp and 1 cherry tomatoe.... $19!!! We had to comment on how dissatisfied we were with that portion and the manager did comp the Shrimp & Grits. OVI... What has happened??? We want you to be fabulous... We really do! My grilled Meditteranean Salmon over Spinach Salad was tasty... That salmon sure looked poached not grilled to me. At least it was tasty & enough to share with the boyfriend! The warm garlic bread was outstanding but we can't go back on garlic bread alone... OVI, we are going to give you 1 more shot! And please bring back those delicious Eggs Benedict.
(2)
Allison C.
Mom and I took my Bronx-born boyfriend here because he wanted fried chicken and we didn't want to go to Mary Mac's (too heavy) or Colon-aide. Not far from house and still warmish enough to eat outside. Jason, our waiter, made the meal unforgettable for us all. When BF asked one of those stupid, "Do you have have (insert grocery stores, paved roads, etc) questions," I answered, "Why yes, and I bet they have indoor plumbing here, too." "No, not anymore," Jason answered as he came up to take our order. "Too much money." I asked if the privy had a moon cut into the door. "Again, not in the budget." BF's eyes got really wide and I told him I would lend him my iPhone for the Flashlight feature, if he made sure not to drop it. Mom and I insisted BF have a fried green tomato. He hemmed and hawwed. We got it anyway. Jason made it even better by telling him that it was possum. Mom and I dug in and I SWORE I wouldn't tell anyone that he was eating possum. The fried green tomato was excellent. Mom and I each split an arugula salad, told BF that it was kudzu, asked if he'd had before and he said, "Yes. Once in Richmond." Which interstate did he get it from? 64 or 95? Anyway, he liked it too. Mom had flounder, which was good. Knowing she wouldn't finish it, I got the smoked trout appetizer as an entree. Not impressed. BF got sage oven fried chicken with risotto. Loved the risotto. Dessert didn't stand out, but we can't remember much about it. To quote Mom, "Something chocolate w/something runny in the middle and a strawberry shortcake biscuit thing, because it was a biscuit." Dessert the next night at Coast was FAR more memorable. Jason was GREAT. Get a table in his section, especially if you have a carpetbagger in tow.
(4)
Marcus O.
yay. i'm a fan. price range is between spendy and splurge depending on whether you go for a full course + drinks. food is decent though. none of the appetizers were overwhelming. they were pretty much average. i had the six ounce filet. pretty good. very tender. not bones good... but hey it's not bones priced either. service is excellent. the ambiance of this place is pretty freakin' awesome. the restaurant is in an old house. the attic bar is a low ceiling upstairs hangout. good range of scotch there, including a few single malts. it's pretty neat in there. avoid the back corner though. no air seems to circulate back there. if you don't mind splurging more for atmosphere, go here for date night. vinings has a lot of nice shops you can walk around when you're done.
(4)
Beth B.
I went last night to Vinings Inn to see Curt Thomas (awesome band) play with some friends of mine. We had a BLAST!! Curt plays there every Thursday for sure, that is definitely the night to go. I only had some appetizers - the cheese dip and the fried tomatoes. Both were EXCELLENT! I can't wait to go back and actually try the real food!
(4)
Whitney H.
I forgot how amazing this place is! I went there last night with my dad and his best friends from out of town and the food was absolutely incredible! Everyone raved about their meals and the appetizers were super tasty with a beautiful presentation. I had the shrimp and grits, it was seriously one of the best meals I've ever had! The service was also above par, our waitress was awesome! The owner came out and chatted with us and he was super nice, he just took over 4 months ago, but had a very impressive resume of restaurants he's managed. They also have a private room perfect for 8 people you can request when making a reservation and there is live music at the upstairs bar Thurs-Sat. If you are looking for a neat fine dining restaurant to take an out of town guest, I would highly recommend this restaurant!
We just had a great surprise Bridal Shower at Old Vinings Inn. There was a private room to the side that was perfect for our 18 guests. Lee, the owner was Flexible and charming. He helped us to plan this shower while I was in California and my 85 year old mother who doesn't drive communicated with Lee. They got us a great cake, there were 2 waiters and it went seamlessly. The theme was "around the clock" and they kept the drinks coming, the salad and lunch was great. Everyone cleaned their plates! The crab cakes, eggs Benedict and the steak burger was to die for. The fried green tomatoes were the crown on the steakburger. Along with valet parking the party was very successful. Lee recently purchased the Inn and he is making a great business.
(5)
David C.
So, I was here last year for a take-out order on a break from working in the area. I ordered the blackened shrimp tacos. It was expensive for tacos. 2 tacos for $13? I guess it is fine-dining restaurant. The tortilla shell I did not like at all, maybe because I've been to Mexico and know what it should taste like. They did a good job with the contents though, and that's the reason I wolfed them down with a greedy look on my face. I'd definitely make the trek to try the food again.
(3)
Janet B.
I held a baby shower here last weekend. The food was amazing! The staff was so friendly and accommodating. We really enjoyed our time and never felt rushed. I would highly recommend this place.
(5)
Alyssa M.
We went for brunch today. The best part of the meal was the service. It was exceptional on every level. The food was pretty good but it seemed like the kitchen didn't read the tickets. Meat and eggs weren't cooked to requested temps and "no pickles" was ignored. The difference between a medium hamburger and a well done hamburger is a pretty big deal. Any kitchen that ignores the requests to leave off certain items is just asking to give a customer an allergic reaction. That being said, the taste of the food was good. Because the service was so outstanding, I would definitely go back and try their dinner menu in the future.
(3)
Eliot P.
A lovely place with a New England feel. The fried green tomatos were wonderful. Very nice menu, many items with a southern bent. I had a difficult time choosing as five dishes had great appeal. I ended up with the shrimp and grits with chorizo. Very enjoyable. All our diners enjoyed their meals. Very nice wine list with several very reasonable and tasty glass selections. The service was as good as it gets. Ella did an outstanding job. Friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, beyond attentive. One suggestion; place some kind of shading in the front Windows as the traffic lights are a little harsh. Great time, service and food.
(4)
Ruth C.
Had brunch here on a Sunday around 11:30. This place is really cute with friendly and fast service and was heading for a 5 star review... Until I found a hair in my eggs Benedict. I didn't mention it to the staff or the friend I was eating with because we were at the end of our meal and I didn't want to make her throw up. I felt like throwing up. Everything else didn't matter because nothing is more important than hygiene in a restaurant.
(1)
Molly M.
A classic favorite. The fried chicken beats Mary Mac's Tea Room and South City Kitchen! They have a social dining room for 6 that can be reserved in advance. The upstairs bar is quaint and often has live music. A great place for brunch, a romantic dinner, or even a company dinner party for 30 people (I've done then all)!
(4)
Jackie A.
The food was fantastic and the service was phenomenal. We had the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer - I would highly recommend. I was the lucky one and got the last dish of scallops for the night. They were served with an exquisite plating of vegetables and I would go back for more. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Panida S.
D I S A P P O I N T E D! I was on Open Table looking to make reservations somewhere for my husband's birthday. Vinings Inn came up, and after reading the great reviews for the restaurant (on Open Table), I was excited, and planned my husband's birthday dinner there. I thought the location sounded romantic, menu looked good (extremely similar to Horseradish Grill, which I love), what more could you want, right? WRONG! The service was good, but that's about it. We ordered: - Calamari: I've never had calamari served like this before, EVER! Cornmeal crusted calamari on a plate with a HUGE dollop of their "spicy marinara" plopped right in the middle, on top of the calamari! So, you know that everything was soggy! UGH! The sauce also looked like it had sat under a heating lamp for a long time, and tasted like it too! Daikon sprouts? Where? Not w/ my dish! What a crappy way to start dinner! - Well, the bread they serve is good, that's why they got 1 star. - Vinings Salad: Bowl of lettuce, a tomato slice, and some blue cheese dressing (with NO blue cheese pieces) in a ramikan. SERIOUSLY? For $9? - I ordered the Oven Roasted Chicken...it was roasted alright! One word: DRY! The potatoes that came with it were good, mashed style potatoes. The green bean, OVERCOOKED! - My husband ordered the Rib Eye. UNDERWHELMED! We are carnivores, steak lovers! I could've cooked a tastier steak from Publix at my house! AND, POOR PRESENTATION! The steak was served on a large rectangular plate, BY IT SELF! No garnishment or anything! It made the steak look smaller than it was because of the size of the plate! WTH? - Wild Mushroom Rissotto was YUCK! Straight up, just YUCK! Mushrooms? Are you sure you didn't mean tomato sauce??!!?!? Oh yeah, the bathrooms....at the end of our meal, I asked to use the restroom. One of waiters pointed behind the reception desk, and I continued to walk. A guy whispered to me, "Use the last bathroom, it's nicer." Um, ok? You literally walk through a dirty prep area to get to the bathroom! I walked into the "Nicer bathroom", and there was a space heater blasting, circulating a cat urine like smell. If I would've of gone to bathroom before ordering, we would've left! The prep area you walk through was filthy! Our waiter was nice, but came to the table with our food smelling like an ashtray. Ugh. I was very disappointed, and the meal wasn't cheap either!
(1)
Cathy B.
This is a review specific to anyone who is considering hosting an event at The Vinings Inn. My husband and I hosted a rehearsal dinner there last month and I can say that the service as well as the food was absolutely outstanding. We had a pretty large crowd (36 adults and 8 children) and yet our dinner was handled in a very efficient manner. The guests were extremely pleased with their food and service, and it was a memorable night for everyone there. They were easy to work with and I highly recommend them, especially if you're looking for a wonderful venue for a specific occasion.
(5)
John G.
Havent been here for a while until recently I stopped in for a late dinner. I recall the food being MUCH better but we brought some realy good wine and they charged $20 per bottle corking fee, a bit much I thought but anyway it was way better then anything on the wine list there. Service was ok and everyone seemed to enjoy what they ordered. The best part of the evening was afterwards we went upstairs to the bar, they have live music and dancing, it was a good way to top off the night.
(3)
Deanna J.
My Old Vinings Inn experience is definitely different than Eric's - this was the standard 'place to take clients to' place in Vinings for me. So I've only been around the lunch crowd. It's a relaxed atmosphere made unique because of the quaint 'house' that it's in. The waitstaff is very attentive but not overly so, and the surroundings are quiet - both good for business lunching. All the salads are good options, and my regular was the crab cake. From Eric's review, it sounds like it transforms into more of a bar at night.
(4)
Brett P.
AAAAGGGHHHH. I love this place. Perfect for a 1st date. I recently met someone and went there as they were new to the city and it reminded him of back home... food was prepared and seasoned to perfection... prices are always decent, and service is top notch! Not too much into the bar upstairs... but, if you want a relaxing and romantic get away... HAVE AT IT!
(4)
David Q.
Had been there before and it was fine. This time service was so bad we walked out. People who came in after us were actually finished eating and we had not been served. The waiter never acknowledged the reason for a delay and never even looked at us, we ordered from the menu, fish tacos, but when the third party who came in 30 minutes after us got their food, we walked out. The waiter saw us leave, but never said a thing. We won't go back.
(1)
Sarah M.
We're lived in Vinings 2 years and never ventured to OVI so we thought it was time. It was a laid back atmosphere and nice for a date night. The food was really only average. 2 stars out of 5. Also our server was nice but really slow. We were ready to pay our check and the waiter disappeared for 15 minutes. With so many wonderful choices in Atlanta we probably will not be back for dinner.
(2)
Chris B.
I pass by this restaurant multiple times a day and for some strange reason I've always had an odd attraction to it. Until recently, I've never had a chance to visit. I had some family in town this weekend and we decided to stop by. First of all, ambiance is very pretentious and annoying. Even if the food was good, I probably wouldn't be back just because the vibe is very weird. The bread basket came out right after we placed our order; simply horrid. I don't even know how you can mess up rolls and cornbread. I had the fried chicken breast, mac and cheese, and french beans. The chicken tasted strange and the breading had some strange seasonings in it. The white "gravy" was laughable and simply disgusting; it had the consistency of watered down ranch dressing. The french beans were as hard as a rock, completely un-edible for me. I realize that this is the way french beans are sometimes served in a more "upscale" restaurant; however, Yelp says this place is supposed to be southern and there is nothing southern about a frozen green bean. The mac and cheese was decent, if the pasta was actually cooked I would have said it was excellent. Someone else in my party had the roasted chicken, which was equally as terrible and completely raw inside. This is a place I would definitely never return to. I will mention though, the service was fine, nothing to really complain about there. Yelp needs to reclassify this establishment as there is nothing southern about Vinings Inn.
(1)
Mike B.
A cozy little restaurant and upstairs bar. They serve a good selection of wines upstairs, to go along with relaxing music. This is an off-beat place to take friends or business associates. The stellar service helps make this a memorable experience.
(4)
Dru J.
Martinis, piano jazz, cigars (wait, no cigars), good food in the comfortable surroundings of OVI. These are a few of my favorite things that I've not enjoyed in quite some time. Unhappily, companion was about to return home to China. So we dashed into OVI, barely missing the rain, to share some of those favorite things. Perhaps it was the prospect of not having "western" food for a while that sent her into an ordering frenzy. Meatloaf (yes, surprised even me), mac & cheese gratin, southern style green beans, Peach BBQ Shrimp over poblano-cheddar grits, additional sides followed by cocktails more than sated my soon-to-be jet lagged friend. Dining in the (setting) sun room to piano music, candlelight and soft rain provided a stereotypically, OWWW! err, I mean, memorably, romantic dinner. Service was ably performed by one Tyler, the food, while not mind-blowing, was tasty and well prepared. Dinner, drinks, and atmosphere were more than reasonably priced. OVI remains a classic.
(4)
Christy G.
We started in the bar upstairs while waiting on others to join us for dinner. Wow, Rick was an amazing bartender, not only did he pour an awesome drink he was interacting with the whole crowd. Seem to know all the locals and was very friendly. He had a game going and soon to be available to the public. "Out of the Box" so much fun, these babies won't last long once the hit the shelves. Get it when it first comes out. Dinner was fantastic. The only down side I would have to say was our waiter. He was not very attentive to our needs. We had some apps up in the bar so we decided so share some meals, I think he didnt like that fact, maybe because his tip was going to be less. IDK however I will go back. Will probably eat upstairs in the bar and stay later for the entertainment.
(4)
E J.
I miss this place. Spent many a night hanging out in the bar upstairs when I lived in ATL a few years ago. It's so quaint and just a fun time all around. Great food, good drinks, nice balcony seating area, cool intimate place to see local bands. Less of a douche-bag crowd than some other places. If I remember the drinks are not cheap but some of the food on the bar menu is reasonable. As Eric S stated, do not go here if you're a tall person. The ceilings are LOW.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Yifat G.
This was a dinner with work colleagues. The service was great. The lead waiter was on top of things. He made sure we paid attention and didn't lose track of time. At the same time, he gave us plenty of space to have our conversations. The food was fairly good. Nothing was especially spectacular, but everyone was happy. We loved the wine, as our glasses were always being filled. Overall, a good quiet place to hang out for good conversation.
(3)Jessica O.
We had a late dinner at the Vinings Inn, and it was fairly quiet downstairs (good romantic atmosphere), but the Attic Bar seemed busy. Our food was simple, but good. The appetizers are large portions. I wish they had sparkling wines available by the glass, that was the only downside to our meal. Prices were good, we had two glasses of wine, two appetizers, two entrees AND dessert for $70.00. Service was good as well.
(3)John G.
Havent been here for a while until recently I stopped in for a late dinner. I recall the food being MUCH better but we brought some realy good wine and they charged $20 per bottle corking fee, a bit much I thought but anyway it was way better then anything on the wine list there. Service was ok and everyone seemed to enjoy what they ordered. The best part of the evening was afterwards we went upstairs to the bar, they have live music and dancing, it was a good way to top off the night.
(3)Stephen L.
Delicious. We had a private room for 12. Fried green tomato appetizer was tart and tasty, petit filet with BBC potatoes, glazed brussel sprouts. Amazing filet, interesting sides. Charming atmosphere. Valet parking for $2.
(5)Dru J.
Martinis, piano jazz, cigars (wait, no cigars), good food in the comfortable surroundings of OVI. These are a few of my favorite things that I've not enjoyed in quite some time. Unhappily, companion was about to return home to China. So we dashed into OVI, barely missing the rain, to share some of those favorite things. Perhaps it was the prospect of not having "western" food for a while that sent her into an ordering frenzy. Meatloaf (yes, surprised even me), mac & cheese gratin, southern style green beans, Peach BBQ Shrimp over poblano-cheddar grits, additional sides followed by cocktails more than sated my soon-to-be jet lagged friend. Dining in the (setting) sun room to piano music, candlelight and soft rain provided a stereotypically, OWWW! err, I mean, memorably, romantic dinner. Service was ably performed by one Tyler, the food, while not mind-blowing, was tasty and well prepared. Dinner, drinks, and atmosphere were more than reasonably priced. OVI remains a classic.
(4)Kris H.
Had a date night and chose this as our destination. Sadly disappointed. Salads came out 10-15 minutes apart, beet salad had thick goats cheese between layers of beets. Too much! Pork chop requested medium; got raw. Two tries later.....overdone, tough. They tried to make it right but just couldn't.
(2)Amy H.
So I read the majority of the reviews and DID NOT WANT TO EAT HERE! But my friend made me. And would not cancel the reservation. And very glad she did I had a WONDERFUL meal here. I thought the service was fantastic. The fried green tomatoes are probably the best I have ever had. 1st place used to be South City and these blow South City's out of the water. Came for brunch so I did the corned beef hash - DELICIOUS!! Fantastic, cannot WAIT to eat it again. Our server and the manager were SO nice, making sure we were warm enough (it is an old house so it was pretty chilly) and I loved it. Can't wait to come back for dinner!!!
(4)Jam D.
Great place to try traditional southern fare with a little flair. Cool spot in downtown Vinings. Perfect to take a date. Candied bacon appetizer is fantastic. I had the Ga Mountain Trout, and my wife had the Shrimp and Grits. We both thoroughly enjoyed out meals. The owner came by our table, and was very nice and engaging. Dont forget to grab a drink in the attic bar.
(4)Caroline K.
My BF and I came here last night for Date night and we were really looking forward to it, but we left very disappointed. We had a reservation for 8:30 and when we walked in it seemed busy and the host, a gentleman in a striped blazer, was so inviting and very sad to let us know that they were a little behind and it would be a wait before we were seated. No big deal, but there was no where to sit while we waited and the waiting area is very spacious so there's plenty of room for a few benches. After about 20 minutes we were seated. The host asked us what the occasion was, we let him know it was our date night, he seated us a the tiniest 2 top in the corner of a separate room. It was private, but there were 2 open 4 tops right next to us, one was dirty during our entire visit. A very awkward female server came over to take our drink order, she did not make eye contact and looked incredibly terrified to come to our table, she did not offer any suggestions. I ordered the Panacea and my BF ordered the Oglethorpe. They were really awful. The panacea is listed on the menu as a cocktail with single malt scotch with honey and ginger over ice. There was zero ice in my glass, the drink was warm and no honey or ginger flavor, also the scotch was very poor quality. The Oglethorpe came in a very girly martini glass and my BF was not too happy with the taste or presentation. The girl just put down our drinks and practically ran away. Another male server came over very quickly and decided to take all of our orders at once, no mention of specials and he did not tell us his name. There was a table of 4 guests at a table close by in the other room that seemed to be having a great experience with their server, he was making jokes and conversation and checking on them regularly, we really felt very snubbed by our server and cheated out of a nice dining experience. A different girl brought our appetizers: truffled Mac and cheese, seafood boil, and strawberry salad. She popped them down and left. The truffled Mac and cheese was not good. It comes as 4 deep fried balls of what looks and tastes like Kraft Mac and cheese with tiny pieces of lobster. The salad was very bland, just a few crumbs of blue cheese, and we laughed because we only had ONE candied pecan on the salad with very dry leaves. The seafood boil was very nice though. The same girl came back and cleared the table very quickly and thought nothing of clearing our 3/4 uneaten truffle Mac and cheese, and left before we could explain we disliked the dish. Shortly after our entrees arrived: my BF had fried chicken and I ordered the scallops, they were very nice, both of the entrees. The room however was incredibly warm. We were both sweating and so uncomfortable. We sat there for a while waiting for our or server to even check on us, but nope... Nothing. We had to grab someone to get our server, and he came in and said he took care of our drinks, and dropped the check with zero explanation why, we appreciated the gesture, however, we had not actually seen the server at any point to fix anything that went wrong, and we never even were offered a dessert menu. Not that we would have stayed for dessert. The restaurant was not very busy, they ended up seat in another walk in couple at the larger empty table next to us, and the other 4 top stayed dirty during our entire dining experience. We did not understand why we were placed at the very tiny table when we had made a reservation and we did not feel as if we were very welcome, with the exception of the host, he was very friendly. We will not be back.
(2)Wendy D.
Lovely little restaurant, host was warm and engaging. Hubby ordered the Southern Caesar and he said it was just so so. I had the fried green tomatoes and it was strangely tough and greasy. For our entrees I had the scallops with spring risotto, the scallops were beautifully cooked but they sat on pile of blue cheese risotto, there was nothing springlike about it. I cannot understand why the chef would choose to pair delicate scallops with blue cheese. It was not mentioned in the menu or I would never have ordered it. My husband had the shrimp and grits, a little over seasoned but very tasty. We did not do dessert. We don't know if we will go back, maybe we'll give them a second chance one day.
(2)Greg R.
Enjoyed another great meal at Old Vinings Inn followed by some great live music upstairs. It's great having a quaint intimate restaurant setting amidst the sea of big box corporate restaurants that dot the Buckhead/vinings area.
(4)Hayley D.
I came here with my boyfriend for a special night and it was great! We started in the upstairs bar for drinks and then were seated promptly. We got a crab cake appetizer and it was delicious, but a bit small for the price. For our entrees we each went with the recommendations of our server. I had short ribs and he had the salmon. Both were DELICIOUS and came out so fast! The staff is very attentive and it was a great experience!
(4)Tina F.
The food was amazing especially the artichoke dip. the service was and the owner actually stopped by to say hi and see how everything was a couple times. the building was just absolutely darling all bed-and-breakfast type, amazing restaurant lighting - very romantic and we will definitely be back as soon as possible!!! Yay for good food in ATL!
(5)Ambra F.
Was going to go to Another Broken Egg Cafe but it was way packed so we came here instead and boy am I glad. The food was amazing and so flavorful. My fiancée had the angus steak burger with a fried green tomato and that was really good. He asked for American cheese and out pimento on it instead. Now I know what you're thinking, yuck, but this pimento was actually good. It didn't taste like it at all and had a little bit of spice to it. I had the chicken pot pie and let me tell you it was the most flavorful pot pie I've ever had. For an appetizer we had the fried mac and cheese balls with lobster inside and those were really good. There are other things one the menu I most definitely will be going back. Also the sweet tea is very good. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Chad F.
Our pleasant server was attentive and very positive. When explaining the history of the building, it would have been nice to hear it chronologically with the specific time periods relating to the evolution. That history presentation, when done properly, could be an excellent setup for the meal to come. The setting could have been great, it was quiet and romantic, but we were distracted by our hunger. Unfortunately our ticket time was substantially longer than the surrounding tables. Overall I rate the meal as fair. I prefer a little less alcohol within my meals. The beef stroganoff sauce was over saturated with alcohol which wasn't reduced. When it came back, the dish was drown in the sauce just not as potent with the alcohol as before. The original portion of sauce was ideal if properly reduced. My wife's meal would have been great if they cooked her chicken thoroughly. They corrected the mistake and she was pleased with her dish. So we recommend the fried chicken if you visit this restaurant but we most likely won't return.
(2)Pamela S.
I work almost directly across the street at Solar Dimensions and I decided one day to steer from my usual after work haunt and try Old Vinings Inn Attic Bar and I was glad I did. It was a lively atmosphere and there was a pretty good live band. I love music of all kinds especially if it's live. I ordered a dirty martini with a swirl of vermouth and it was exactly what the doctor ordered! I had fun unwinding here. Cute place, intimate atmosphere and drinks were moderately priced.
(4)Kristin B.
Went here for Sunday supper. $40 per couple for appetizer and dessert to split and individual entrees. This Sunday was fried green tomatoes which are stuffed with goat cheese and topped with an aioli. Hands down the best I've had. Entree was pecan crusted trout which was good, two filets in the portion, with a side of green beans. Of note their dinner rolls were fantastic. Dessert was warm peach cobbler with ice cream. Excellent service and it was a beautiful night to sit on the patio. Will have to come back and try their regular menu. Apparently they have live music wed-sat and its more crowded during those times. Sunday was not crowded at all around 7pm.
(4)Fatjeew F.
HORRIBLE!!!!!!You expected luxury, and what you get instead is the gluey texture and bland flavor of a WAR time MRE!!!! The flavor of my mahi -mahi was akin to that of mcdonalds chicken nuggets , the price 48$ The experience was rendered tortuous by the intensely stupid service.
(1)Jennifer N.
We had brunch here a few weeks ago and the food was ok. I loved the atmosphere . It looks like a great place for a bridal shower or wedding reception. However, the brunch kinda fell flat. It wasn't bad but it wasn't amazing. I really want to go back for dinner. From my understanding they offer live music a few nights a week and the place is always packed when I pass by. I am not ready to count the place out but it did not meet my expectations this time.
(3)D. E.
This has been our go-to place for special occasions for 20 years in Atlanta. We went there tonight to celebrate Mother's Day, and we we so disappointed. The first waitress was truly "out to lunch" and acted like she would have rather been anywhere but there tonight. We waited a long time before getting water. Then we sat and finally had to ask for bread. When the serving of the meal began, 5 people at our table got served, and the remaining 2 had nothing. We sat there while the wait staff started to serve another table. We requested that our remaining 2 be served. By the time they were served, our other meals were no longer hot. We complained to the waitress, and then the hostess came to our table. When we told her about our service, she was rude, said that was "how we do things", and cast us some "dirty" looks as she was walking away from the table! WHAT????? Then the owner came to our table and inquired. He at least apologized and replaced our waitress with a waiter who served us well for the remainder of the evening. I don't know if OVI is under new ownership or what has happened, but it was a disappointing experience. I don't think it is unreasonable to expect well trained and engaged wait staff at a restaurant such as OVI. One positive thing is that at least the food was good, even if lukewarm. Atlanta has too many great restaurants to waste time at those where the service is poor and personnel rude. The consensus at our table was that going forward we will find some other place to celebrate our family events.
(1)Alex P.
Majorly downgrading this place. First of all, they took away our favorite item from the menu, chicken and waffles. Secondly, they happened to be out of most of the menu items today, but didn't bother to tell us until after we ordered. Had we been told they are out of shrimp, I would have turned around and gone somewhere else instead.
(1)Nikki R.
Loved this place. My group had our annual hat brunch here in June and from the start of the planning until the day of, everything was so easy. Lee was great to work with, as was his staff. We had 34 people and there was more than enough space. Definitely look forward to going back. Everyone enjoyed the menu also, although I think I prefer ordering from a full menu, than the group menu. Other than that, no complaints.
(4)Alexander M.
Local Gem! Old Vinings Inn has to be marked in my book as one of the best places I've ate at while being new here to Atlanta! Customer service is ON POINT!! Made a reservation through open table, seated immediately! Greeted by the actual restaurant owner!! That was really cool yet not common! The drinks were made to perfection! The calamari appetizer is not like the average place! It comes tossed in some sort of Asian spiced sauce that brings a bit of a kick to it however not too much that would enable you to enjoy it! For the entrees we chose the traditional Shrimp & Grits along with the Southern Fried Chicken! Everything was priced pretty generously and the portion sizes were perfect! Would recommend this place to anybody who enjoys a nice traditional southern meal at an affordable price!
(4)Kelsey G.
I dined here for a post-graduation lunch with my family here. I was beyond pleased with the food. It was simply delicious and filling. I had been phone tagging with Old Vinings Inn about the guest list and menu for a while but everything worked out fine. We had the fried chicken--which was something to write home about, cheddar grits, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes and lemon curd cheesecake. All of it was delicious, the only thing I didn't care for was their chocolate cake but honestly The owner, Lee, came to speak with us and make sure we had everything we needed. I think the only thing that kind of bothered me is that the table might have been too small. If I were to have had more than 15 guests, I would have no clue where they would have put us. It is not a big place at all.
(4)Michelle J.
Note: I ate up in the Attic Bar on a Tuesday (read: quiet) night. I had the Smokey Sherman, which was so unexpectedly spicy that I laughed out loud after my first sip. The drink was delicious, though. For dinner, I ordered the charcuterie plate. There were a couple of cured meats, pickled veg, deviled eggs with chow-chow salsa, cheese, and dip with flatbread, and it was very good--enough to feed one or be an appetizer for a few.
(4)Janet B.
I held a baby shower here last weekend. The food was amazing! The staff was so friendly and accommodating. We really enjoyed our time and never felt rushed. I would highly recommend this place.
(5)Alyssa M.
We went for brunch today. The best part of the meal was the service. It was exceptional on every level. The food was pretty good but it seemed like the kitchen didn't read the tickets. Meat and eggs weren't cooked to requested temps and "no pickles" was ignored. The difference between a medium hamburger and a well done hamburger is a pretty big deal. Any kitchen that ignores the requests to leave off certain items is just asking to give a customer an allergic reaction. That being said, the taste of the food was good. Because the service was so outstanding, I would definitely go back and try their dinner menu in the future.
(3)Eliot P.
A lovely place with a New England feel. The fried green tomatos were wonderful. Very nice menu, many items with a southern bent. I had a difficult time choosing as five dishes had great appeal. I ended up with the shrimp and grits with chorizo. Very enjoyable. All our diners enjoyed their meals. Very nice wine list with several very reasonable and tasty glass selections. The service was as good as it gets. Ella did an outstanding job. Friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, beyond attentive. One suggestion; place some kind of shading in the front Windows as the traffic lights are a little harsh. Great time, service and food.
(4)Ruth C.
Had brunch here on a Sunday around 11:30. This place is really cute with friendly and fast service and was heading for a 5 star review... Until I found a hair in my eggs Benedict. I didn't mention it to the staff or the friend I was eating with because we were at the end of our meal and I didn't want to make her throw up. I felt like throwing up. Everything else didn't matter because nothing is more important than hygiene in a restaurant.
(1)Molly M.
A classic favorite. The fried chicken beats Mary Mac's Tea Room and South City Kitchen! They have a social dining room for 6 that can be reserved in advance. The upstairs bar is quaint and often has live music. A great place for brunch, a romantic dinner, or even a company dinner party for 30 people (I've done then all)!
(4)Jackie A.
The food was fantastic and the service was phenomenal. We had the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer - I would highly recommend. I was the lucky one and got the last dish of scallops for the night. They were served with an exquisite plating of vegetables and I would go back for more. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Panida S.
D I S A P P O I N T E D! I was on Open Table looking to make reservations somewhere for my husband's birthday. Vinings Inn came up, and after reading the great reviews for the restaurant (on Open Table), I was excited, and planned my husband's birthday dinner there. I thought the location sounded romantic, menu looked good (extremely similar to Horseradish Grill, which I love), what more could you want, right? WRONG! The service was good, but that's about it. We ordered: - Calamari: I've never had calamari served like this before, EVER! Cornmeal crusted calamari on a plate with a HUGE dollop of their "spicy marinara" plopped right in the middle, on top of the calamari! So, you know that everything was soggy! UGH! The sauce also looked like it had sat under a heating lamp for a long time, and tasted like it too! Daikon sprouts? Where? Not w/ my dish! What a crappy way to start dinner! - Well, the bread they serve is good, that's why they got 1 star. - Vinings Salad: Bowl of lettuce, a tomato slice, and some blue cheese dressing (with NO blue cheese pieces) in a ramikan. SERIOUSLY? For $9? - I ordered the Oven Roasted Chicken...it was roasted alright! One word: DRY! The potatoes that came with it were good, mashed style potatoes. The green bean, OVERCOOKED! - My husband ordered the Rib Eye. UNDERWHELMED! We are carnivores, steak lovers! I could've cooked a tastier steak from Publix at my house! AND, POOR PRESENTATION! The steak was served on a large rectangular plate, BY IT SELF! No garnishment or anything! It made the steak look smaller than it was because of the size of the plate! WTH? - Wild Mushroom Rissotto was YUCK! Straight up, just YUCK! Mushrooms? Are you sure you didn't mean tomato sauce??!!?!? Oh yeah, the bathrooms....at the end of our meal, I asked to use the restroom. One of waiters pointed behind the reception desk, and I continued to walk. A guy whispered to me, "Use the last bathroom, it's nicer." Um, ok? You literally walk through a dirty prep area to get to the bathroom! I walked into the "Nicer bathroom", and there was a space heater blasting, circulating a cat urine like smell. If I would've of gone to bathroom before ordering, we would've left! The prep area you walk through was filthy! Our waiter was nice, but came to the table with our food smelling like an ashtray. Ugh. I was very disappointed, and the meal wasn't cheap either!
(1)Gilbert G.
I had to come up with a 40th birthday idea for my wife who is pregnant. Old Vinings Inn was the perfect solution. They were very attentive to my wife and her friends needs and made everything perfect. The food is outstanding and very reasonably priced for the quality. We have found a new regular location to dine at and will recommend it to all our friends.
(5)Corey R.
Best Sunday brunch I've had in a long time! And the service was great! Gotta love the character of this old house!
(5)Heather F.
Warning: ridiculously long, gushy review ahead. I held my sister's baby shower at the Old Vinings Inn this past weekend and I couldn't possibly be happier with the way everything turned out. I had originally thought about holding the shower at Canoe, and I am so glad that I changed my mind. While I've enjoyed many meals at Canoe, I don't feel that it's a very good spot to hold a fun or more lively event like a baby shower...the event coordinator I spoke with indicated that the shower would have a very strict start and end time (only lasting exactly 2 hours) and was very resistant to the idea of us bringing in any outside decor, games, etc. The event coordinator for Vinings Inn (owner Lee S.) was the complete opposite. Every request or suggestion from us was met with a resounding "Yes!" The Inn allowed us to bring in outside decor, to hang paper poms from the ceiling, to place fresh flowers everywhere, to have several dessert and gift tables, to create a custom menu and a signature shower cocktail (which the waiters happily served to us in vintage glass milk bottles...no easy feat!) and to provide our own music to be played during the shower. The room that the shower was held in (the Wine Room) was absolutely gorgeous and charming and allowed 17 guests to comfortably brunch at a long "farm-table" setup. The Inn also arranged for the french doors in the room to open out onto the patio, where we were able to arrange a big favor/game table and a gift table. They even provided extra chairs for the patio, so we could all move out onto the patio after eating brunch and sit while the mother-to-be opened gifts. The shower brunch menu was excellent across the board...all of the guests couldn't stop raving about their meals and even requested that they be permitted to take leftovers home with them! Our waiters boxed up each guest's leftovers and added extra portions of cheese grits and turkey sausage to each box, which I thought was a nice touch. The Inn's pastry chef provided a truly amazing cake that was made to our exact specifications...lemon layer cake with strawberry filling and a whipped strawberry frosting. Delicious! Finally, what I found the most impressive was the Inn's willingness to allow us to arrive 2 hours before they opened in order to get everything set up perfectly. The Inn had an employee (Michael) waiting for us at 9:30 a.m. to let us inside. Michael didn't just unlock the doors for us. He helped us unload everything (two carloads worth!) from our vehicles, he helped to hang up paper poms and lanterns, he moved heavy tables, and saw to other small details that are too numerous to list here. He had a positive, helpful attitude the entire time and then, once the shower was over, he proceeded to take everything down and load it back up in the cars! This was a level of service that was entirely unexpected, but very appreciated. And, frankly, it's the kind of service we received from every employee (from owner to waiter) at the Inn throughout this entire process. I would whole-heartedly recommend the Vinings Inn to anyone looking for a venue to host an event, and will happily use them for future events myself.
(5)Bonnie B.
OVI has been one of my favorite brunch/dinner spots in Vinings...until today. My mouth was watering for their Eggs Benedict which I had before and loved! Our server informed us " no more poached eggs". Whaattt??? Garrisons across the street has 3-4 varieties of Eggs Benedict so that's where I have to go ... My boyfriend ordered the Shrimp & Grits with Vine Ripe Tomatoes Entree.. Would you believe a very small dish of grits, 3 shrimp and 1 cherry tomatoe.... $19!!! We had to comment on how dissatisfied we were with that portion and the manager did comp the Shrimp & Grits. OVI... What has happened??? We want you to be fabulous... We really do! My grilled Meditteranean Salmon over Spinach Salad was tasty... That salmon sure looked poached not grilled to me. At least it was tasty & enough to share with the boyfriend! The warm garlic bread was outstanding but we can't go back on garlic bread alone... OVI, we are going to give you 1 more shot! And please bring back those delicious Eggs Benedict.
(2)Vanessa L.
Stellar dining experience. Everything was equally delicious and flavorful, and our server was perfectly attentive, providing thoughtful recommendations. We started with several apps: Truffled Lobster Mac & Cheese Fritter, Charcuterie Plate (which includes the most delicious smoked duck, kale/artichoke spread, and pimento cheese), and Fried Green Tomatoes. For entrees, we had the Veal & Short Rib Meatloaf and Pecan Mountain Trout. My boyfriend isn't the biggest fan of meatloaf but this turned him into a believer. And the trout was perfectly cooked -- very moist and flaked easily. For dessert, we tried a sampler of Salted Caramel Chocolate Torte, Ice Cream and Sorbet Selection (with cookies), and Warm Bourbon Apple Cobbler. Enough said. I'm convinced you can't go wrong with anything you order. Highly recommended for a romantic date night, or if you're just looking to have a great evening out. And don't miss the Attic Bar -- live music nightly Wednesday through Saturday!
(5)Chris M.
After two fantastic visits here some months apart, I think five stars is deserved. Our service on both visits was excellent. The collard greens are slightly sweet and spicy and perfectly tender. I had the Chattahoochee cocktail and would recommend it for people that like bourbon based drinks that aren't overly sweet. The scallops and pecan crusted trout are also winners. Be sure to try the lobster Mac and cheese fritters, too. I visit Atlanta regularly and am looking forward to my next visit here.
(5)Ann D.
We had called around, trying to secure brunch reservations for Easter. We'd tried Canoe, Meehan's and a few others, however, due to no availability, then tried OVI. I live in Vinings and my out-of-town friends wanted to try OVI. I've never been impressed; however, I thought it would be good to give it a try. We were all very disappointed. OVI is a beautiful, old, traditional restaurant, and it's located in central Vinings. Everyone wants it to work. But for Easter brunch, it didn't. We had no idea it would be a buffet-and that's no problem. But if you're going to try market yourself as an upscale, farm-to-table restaurant, then the Holiday Inn-quality buffet was just... Very bad. We had to snake through their service kitchen to get into to single line. The brunch had been set up in a tiny back room and it only allowed for one line. We tried to get plates, but they couldn't keep clean plates available. Each time we went back into the long, single line, we had to wait for plates. And the plates, although clean, were wet. There was nothing attractive about the layout. No flowers, leveling, decorations. Just wet plates, of varying sizes in one stack, plopped on a little table. Then the food. Shrimp and grits: no bowls for them. So the runny "shrimp" portion ran all over our plate. And, there was no shrimp in the shrimp and grits. The grits, although creamy and tasty, were congealed and hard to get out of the serving dish. There were some other things along the table, but not much. Very limited choice, and looked very unappealing, again, because the food was just put onto the table with nothing to accent: no flowers, use of leveling, or use of color. Really, we heard the people in back of say Holiday Inn and that's exactly what it was. There was a French toast" that was hard as a rock and loaded with chocolate. We could not cut it. No could we cut the absolutely horrible London broil. For what they charged, they had a car ING station of just ham and leather-like London broil. On the opposite side of this tiny room was the dessert table which consisted of peach cobbler (obviously canned peaches) and pretty good bread pudding/chocolate strawberries. But again, just sort of tossed into the table with no artistry. They then had a small "salad" table with a few little dishes of vegetables, some good cold shrimp, and a large bowl of pimiento cheese spread. With no bread. We were crowded into the room, and it was very uncomfortable. We saw waitstaff bringing bread to some tables, but we never were asked if we wanted any. The tables had nothing pretty on them. Re cloths were low-tier banquet hall quality, as was the silverware. The very low quality and limited selection of the food, the slow, single, snaking line through service areas ("uncomfortable" was what my guest said), the drab tables and lack luster service was all embarrassing for me. And it cost us 77.00 for two (plus tip). If we'd gone to another brunch buffet (of which we all know), we would have had better quality of food, far more selection, less inconvenience and more aesthetically pleasing surroundings. And we would have paid a little less. My friends were so happy to be visiting Vinings, and I had my fingers crossed for a good experience. It didn't happen. Again, we've tried to support OVI a few times. But we won't do it again. What a let down.
(2)Lin B.
This is an exquisite restaurant. It came highly recommended by Renaissance Hotel & did not disappoint! We had salads, appetizers, fish entrees & desserts. Everything was prepared to perfection & so delicious. We had seared scallops over risotto and butternut squash gnocchi-wonderfully tasty. The key lime pie and pumpkin creme brûlée were exceptional. The feel is 'charming, comforting Old South plantation house' with wide porch with tables. Live music upstairs was a bonus to us diners downstairs. Service was impeccable, the owner came to ask us how everything was in a genuine caring way. We had a wonderful time. We will be back with more guests the next time we're in town (from SF Bay Area). A lovely and professional-created dining experience. Looks like you should ignore any review prior to 6/13, as new owner took over then.
(5)sean m.
Looks like a new owner or chef at this place, not a fan of the menu or his handling of problems that came up with our food. He proceeded to berate the server in front of us, offered us some free food (which was still under cooked and flavorless). Avoiding this place with a 10 foot poll from now.
(1)Lexi S.
Food and Service on point! As soon as you walk in you are greeted with a sincere 'Welcome!" We tried the Summer Feast and I must say it was delectable! The pimento cheese and flat bread appetizer- full of flavor and the best pimento cheese I've ever had! The entree: marinated port and paprika chicken thighs, grilled to perfection- excellent flavor with superb crisp skin! It was served with a warm, savory potato salad! The last course...wait for it... S'MORES SUNDAE! Are you kidding me?!?! Hands down the BEST indulgence I've had! You will not regret it! Everything was absolutely delicious and we will be back often! Well deserved 5 stars!
(5)Steve B.
Came here for a work lunch event. I'm a just get right to it. The Fried Green tomatoes was very good, the calamari was average. Had Salmon over Caesar. The salmon is top 10 salmon in Atlanta, very good. The desserts were pretty cool with ice cream scoops on top of a waffle, a brownie. Red velvet is pretty good. Will have to return here for the live music. But why have a valet in a parking lot of the size of most people's driveways? It was on the house, not out of my pocket. Grade: B
(3)Candace B.
I really wanted to like this place, but on the occasions I have been it's not been for me. The menu and food are wonderful but for what it is I feel it's grossly overpriced. Service seems very uptight, and most of the valets can't drive a stick shift up the incline in their lot without having to gun the engine or killing it at least once. The only times I eat here at this point is if a friend really insists on giving it a try.
(2)Marcus O.
yay. i'm a fan. price range is between spendy and splurge depending on whether you go for a full course + drinks. food is decent though. none of the appetizers were overwhelming. they were pretty much average. i had the six ounce filet. pretty good. very tender. not bones good... but hey it's not bones priced either. service is excellent. the ambiance of this place is pretty freakin' awesome. the restaurant is in an old house. the attic bar is a low ceiling upstairs hangout. good range of scotch there, including a few single malts. it's pretty neat in there. avoid the back corner though. no air seems to circulate back there. if you don't mind splurging more for atmosphere, go here for date night. vinings has a lot of nice shops you can walk around when you're done.
(4)Beth B.
I went last night to Vinings Inn to see Curt Thomas (awesome band) play with some friends of mine. We had a BLAST!! Curt plays there every Thursday for sure, that is definitely the night to go. I only had some appetizers - the cheese dip and the fried tomatoes. Both were EXCELLENT! I can't wait to go back and actually try the real food!
(4)Hambri Enta M.
I want to say I will be back, mainly just for the Fried Green Tomatoes. We wondered why it was so empty at 12:30 in the afternoon...the price! We live walking distance to Rosebuds, and they have a similar menu for way less. The prices at OVI are way up there...Springer Mnt chicken brunch meal is at $18 where Rosebuds has it between $14-16. Rosebuds has a better selection. In any case, i applaud the new menu, perhaps the owners would take a look at the prices and maybe play some atmosphere music too, it was dead on that porch! Also, list the drinks on the menu.
(3)Brandon S.
This was an interesting experience. Once again the food was good. I started with a wedge salad. For the main course I chose the veal meatloaf. It tasted very good. Our server was friendly and helpful. After dinner we headed upstairs to the bar for a few drinks. As we were preparing to leave, after last call, we started chanting the name of our next stop. This evidently angered someone. A drunk female who indicted she ran the place told us she should throw us out. We attempted to figure out her anger, but we could not figure it out through the slurring of words. On the plus side, one of the associates working felt so bad about the situation he stopped in to the next place we were stopping to buy us a round. He did a great job trying to make the situation better. Because of him I may actually give the place another try.
(1)Laura R.
I had a late lunch here with my boyfriend and his parents a few Sundays ago. We were seated right away and the service was good throughout our stay. We were immediately met with a warm bread basket. (sighs) Our table shared the calamari which was good and had an interesting sweet chili glaze. His mom and I both had the fried green tomato salad which was well portioned but just ok - there was way too much breading on the tomato. He and his dad both went with the bbq brisket sandwich and let's just say they weren't complaining. :) I'd really like to check out the attic bar that wasn't yet open (opens later in the evening) but I don't think I'd go out of my way to return for the food.
(3)Allison C.
Mom and I took my Bronx-born boyfriend here because he wanted fried chicken and we didn't want to go to Mary Mac's (too heavy) or Colon-aide. Not far from house and still warmish enough to eat outside. Jason, our waiter, made the meal unforgettable for us all. When BF asked one of those stupid, "Do you have have (insert grocery stores, paved roads, etc) questions," I answered, "Why yes, and I bet they have indoor plumbing here, too." "No, not anymore," Jason answered as he came up to take our order. "Too much money." I asked if the privy had a moon cut into the door. "Again, not in the budget." BF's eyes got really wide and I told him I would lend him my iPhone for the Flashlight feature, if he made sure not to drop it. Mom and I insisted BF have a fried green tomato. He hemmed and hawwed. We got it anyway. Jason made it even better by telling him that it was possum. Mom and I dug in and I SWORE I wouldn't tell anyone that he was eating possum. The fried green tomato was excellent. Mom and I each split an arugula salad, told BF that it was kudzu, asked if he'd had before and he said, "Yes. Once in Richmond." Which interstate did he get it from? 64 or 95? Anyway, he liked it too. Mom had flounder, which was good. Knowing she wouldn't finish it, I got the smoked trout appetizer as an entree. Not impressed. BF got sage oven fried chicken with risotto. Loved the risotto. Dessert didn't stand out, but we can't remember much about it. To quote Mom, "Something chocolate w/something runny in the middle and a strawberry shortcake biscuit thing, because it was a biscuit." Dessert the next night at Coast was FAR more memorable. Jason was GREAT. Get a table in his section, especially if you have a carpetbagger in tow.
(4)Shelley B.
We just had a great surprise Bridal Shower at Old Vinings Inn. There was a private room to the side that was perfect for our 18 guests. Lee, the owner was Flexible and charming. He helped us to plan this shower while I was in California and my 85 year old mother who doesn't drive communicated with Lee. They got us a great cake, there were 2 waiters and it went seamlessly. The theme was "around the clock" and they kept the drinks coming, the salad and lunch was great. Everyone cleaned their plates! The crab cakes, eggs Benedict and the steak burger was to die for. The fried green tomatoes were the crown on the steakburger. Along with valet parking the party was very successful. Lee recently purchased the Inn and he is making a great business.
(5)Kory R.
I'd agree with Eric on most everything. My brother and sister-in-law's band plays there quite a bit, so I tend to go and listen to them. The ceilings are very low but if you're 5'7" (it makes you look 6'2"), and you have a leg up on all the "cougars." It is definitely an older crowd, but a fun one. They also have a pretty good seating area outside.
(3)David C.
So, I was here last year for a take-out order on a break from working in the area. I ordered the blackened shrimp tacos. It was expensive for tacos. 2 tacos for $13? I guess it is fine-dining restaurant. The tortilla shell I did not like at all, maybe because I've been to Mexico and know what it should taste like. They did a good job with the contents though, and that's the reason I wolfed them down with a greedy look on my face. I'd definitely make the trek to try the food again.
(3)Britney B.
I came here for brunch yesterday with three other people, Sunday morning. We arrived right at noon. It was not crowded or busy at all which kind of surprised me because if you go around the corner to J Christopher's at this time it is packed and you are lucky to get seated right away. We sat outside on the deck/ patio and there no one else out there. I guess everyone thought it was too "cold" because it was below 80 degrees outside. The food and service were both excellent. I had eggs benedict. When we got there we wanted mimosas, but forgot about the ridiculous after 12:30 pm on a Sunday rule. Stupid bible belt. As soon as it was 12:30 our server brought the drinks right out. They were cheap too, only $4, which is a good price for a mimosa. The only reason I am not giving a 5th star is because of their parking. I hate that they have valet only. It's free but I'm just weird about that. Also, about 15 minutes before we left another table was seated right beside us. I hate it when there is a sea of empty tables somewhere and the dingbat hostess sits two tables full of people inches away from each other. I have been a hostess before and there is no reason for that.
(4)Rani C.
Went for lunch. Gazpacho was delicious. Ceasar salad was good. Hubby had the fried chicken. That was fine. He wasn't impressed with the macaroni cheese gratin. It's made with penne and the cheese is mostly on top. In general, penne upsets him when its used as the pasta on macaroni and cheese. The name macaroni and cheese implies the macaroni pasta will be used. Had apple pie for dessert. It was disappointing. I've had better. Overall, lunch was about 50 bucks. Know I could have gotten it cheaper elsewhere. And yeah, I've had better. Had to try this place out though, we drive past it all the time.
(2)Stef E.
My food was pretty good. I ordered the tomato soup and salad. The service on the other hand was subpar. I almost forgot what the waiter looked like because he was rarely around. There was also some confusion and discrepancy on what was available online and what was actually offered at the restaurant. When I was ready for my check, I had to flag another waitstaff member down since my waiter was evidently related to Casper the Ghost.
(2)Beth K.
Always enjoy the OVI! The last time we were there the menu had changed a little including some smaller plates. Great idea! Good wine list and wonderful desserts! Keep up the good work!!
(4)Jade M.
This is a review strictly of their Attic Bar. I'm glad some people gave this place bad reviews, hopefully they'll stay away! More fun for me :) If you enjoy a wildly authentic dive bar with awesome music, hilarious bartenders, stout drinks and a tight area that's a great excuse to hug up to your date; THIS IS YOUR PLACE! It's a tiny upstairs bar in downtown Vinings which used to be an actual inn. Ask the bartenders or waitresses to tell you about it's history. The crowd is the type that enjoys rolling in and joining the party like they've known each other for years. They love and expect a stiff drink and a good time. There's usually a fantastic live band and people are always dancing. Join the party! I always leave that place having gained great new stories and memories. Good times!! Be aware, they close at midnight. It's the only bummer about it but the drinks are so stiff, it's good that they shut it down early. It might get too crazy!!
(5)Henrik C.
Went to Vinings Inn with my girl friend. This is a cozy old building/stable. We only went to the dining rooms downstairs, so I cannot comment on the bar upstairs. This is a nice place and had very good service. The audience is 40+ if not 50+, so that should set your expectations. We had cesar salad, tomato soup, lamp chops and rib eye. The Casar salad was great and well presented. The tomato soup was rich and very creamy. The rib eye was thin and really not a great cut. It came with a mushroom ragout overwhelming in volume and not really great. The green beans were too al dente. The pasta and cheese came without cheese - don't do that, especially, in the south! The waiter personally corrected this. The lamb chops were a bit dry but overall OK. They came with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The mashed potatoes were a little heavy - hold back on the butter - we have to walk from here. The asparagus were not fully cooked. The ambiance is unique and very nice as a breathing room in Cobb. The service is very good. The food ... Starters were pretty good whereas the main dishes left a few things to be desired.
(3)Cathy B.
This is a review specific to anyone who is considering hosting an event at The Vinings Inn. My husband and I hosted a rehearsal dinner there last month and I can say that the service as well as the food was absolutely outstanding. We had a pretty large crowd (36 adults and 8 children) and yet our dinner was handled in a very efficient manner. The guests were extremely pleased with their food and service, and it was a memorable night for everyone there. They were easy to work with and I highly recommend them, especially if you're looking for a wonderful venue for a specific occasion.
(5)Jay J.
If you are looking for an unpretentious, special occasion place to enjoy a great meal, Vinings Inn has to be considered in the Vinings area. I used OpenTable to make my dinner reservations and had noted that we were celebrating our 10th anniversary. The host and our server BOTH mentioned it to us. See if that happens at most other high-end restaurants. Our server, Matt, was great - attentive but not overbearing and spot-on with recommendations. Here's what we had: APPETIZER: Fried Green Tomatoes: very good, tart and savory SOUP: corn chowder with poblano peppers: off the chain - if you go and they have it, it's a must ENTREES: - Crab cake with poblano grits. so, so good. No batter, pure lump crab. The green beans served with were crisp and delicious. - Brown Sugar Ancho Rubbed Pork Tenderloin: Initially, very sweet. But then when you start putting the tenderloing together with the shallot and roasted potatoes (which had a nice cayenne kick), it was very good. DESSERT: - Red Velvet Carrot Cake & Tart with Caramel and pecans: both were just OK (esp. b/c they comped our desserts for our anniversary) The patio would be an awesome venue on a warm spring/fall evening (ie. bug free). The only slight ding I'd mention is that we were starting to smell cigarette smoke (we think) coming down from the bar upstairs. The ceiling fans downstairs which were on, only kind of recirculated the smell towards the end of our meal. The menu has LOTS of variety and the portions are very good. We will certainly be back for more.
(4)Whitney H.
I forgot how amazing this place is! I went there last night with my dad and his best friends from out of town and the food was absolutely incredible! Everyone raved about their meals and the appetizers were super tasty with a beautiful presentation. I had the shrimp and grits, it was seriously one of the best meals I've ever had! The service was also above par, our waitress was awesome! The owner came out and chatted with us and he was super nice, he just took over 4 months ago, but had a very impressive resume of restaurants he's managed. They also have a private room perfect for 8 people you can request when making a reservation and there is live music at the upstairs bar Thurs-Sat. If you are looking for a neat fine dining restaurant to take an out of town guest, I would highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)Jeremy J.
I brought by fiancé and her friends here for brunch one Sunday morning. The menu has very limited options, and we reluctantly decided to stay and eat to give it a shot. The waiter was very rude and cussed when I asked if they had any biscuits. I got the hashbrowns with sausage and scrambled eggs. The hashbrowns were so nasty, stringy, and ladeled with grease and butter. The eggs were hard and tasted like they had been cooked for 30 minutes. The sausage was also untasty. The waiter got all of our orders wrong, and the other three beside myself ate one bite and quite eating. He brought me my check and it actually looked like he only charged me for my meal and could obviously tell the others hated theirs. After I paid and was walking out, he tracked me down and said he got the ticket wrong and charged me for all the meals. Spare yourself and go grab a mcgriddle from McDonald's before coming here.
(1)Deanna J.
My Old Vinings Inn experience is definitely different than Eric's - this was the standard 'place to take clients to' place in Vinings for me. So I've only been around the lunch crowd. It's a relaxed atmosphere made unique because of the quaint 'house' that it's in. The waitstaff is very attentive but not overly so, and the surroundings are quiet - both good for business lunching. All the salads are good options, and my regular was the crab cake. From Eric's review, it sounds like it transforms into more of a bar at night.
(4)Brett P.
AAAAGGGHHHH. I love this place. Perfect for a 1st date. I recently met someone and went there as they were new to the city and it reminded him of back home... food was prepared and seasoned to perfection... prices are always decent, and service is top notch! Not too much into the bar upstairs... but, if you want a relaxing and romantic get away... HAVE AT IT!
(4)Chris B.
I pass by this restaurant multiple times a day and for some strange reason I've always had an odd attraction to it. Until recently, I've never had a chance to visit. I had some family in town this weekend and we decided to stop by. First of all, ambiance is very pretentious and annoying. Even if the food was good, I probably wouldn't be back just because the vibe is very weird. The bread basket came out right after we placed our order; simply horrid. I don't even know how you can mess up rolls and cornbread. I had the fried chicken breast, mac and cheese, and french beans. The chicken tasted strange and the breading had some strange seasonings in it. The white "gravy" was laughable and simply disgusting; it had the consistency of watered down ranch dressing. The french beans were as hard as a rock, completely un-edible for me. I realize that this is the way french beans are sometimes served in a more "upscale" restaurant; however, Yelp says this place is supposed to be southern and there is nothing southern about a frozen green bean. The mac and cheese was decent, if the pasta was actually cooked I would have said it was excellent. Someone else in my party had the roasted chicken, which was equally as terrible and completely raw inside. This is a place I would definitely never return to. I will mention though, the service was fine, nothing to really complain about there. Yelp needs to reclassify this establishment as there is nothing southern about Vinings Inn.
(1)Mike B.
A cozy little restaurant and upstairs bar. They serve a good selection of wines upstairs, to go along with relaxing music. This is an off-beat place to take friends or business associates. The stellar service helps make this a memorable experience.
(4)David Q.
Had been there before and it was fine. This time service was so bad we walked out. People who came in after us were actually finished eating and we had not been served. The waiter never acknowledged the reason for a delay and never even looked at us, we ordered from the menu, fish tacos, but when the third party who came in 30 minutes after us got their food, we walked out. The waiter saw us leave, but never said a thing. We won't go back.
(1)Christy G.
We started in the bar upstairs while waiting on others to join us for dinner. Wow, Rick was an amazing bartender, not only did he pour an awesome drink he was interacting with the whole crowd. Seem to know all the locals and was very friendly. He had a game going and soon to be available to the public. "Out of the Box" so much fun, these babies won't last long once the hit the shelves. Get it when it first comes out. Dinner was fantastic. The only down side I would have to say was our waiter. He was not very attentive to our needs. We had some apps up in the bar so we decided so share some meals, I think he didnt like that fact, maybe because his tip was going to be less. IDK however I will go back. Will probably eat upstairs in the bar and stay later for the entertainment.
(4)Sarah M.
We're lived in Vinings 2 years and never ventured to OVI so we thought it was time. It was a laid back atmosphere and nice for a date night. The food was really only average. 2 stars out of 5. Also our server was nice but really slow. We were ready to pay our check and the waiter disappeared for 15 minutes. With so many wonderful choices in Atlanta we probably will not be back for dinner.
(2)E J.
I miss this place. Spent many a night hanging out in the bar upstairs when I lived in ATL a few years ago. It's so quaint and just a fun time all around. Great food, good drinks, nice balcony seating area, cool intimate place to see local bands. Less of a douche-bag crowd than some other places. If I remember the drinks are not cheap but some of the food on the bar menu is reasonable. As Eric S stated, do not go here if you're a tall person. The ceilings are LOW.
(4)Jam D.
Great place to try traditional southern fare with a little flair. Cool spot in downtown Vinings. Perfect to take a date. Candied bacon appetizer is fantastic. I had the Ga Mountain Trout, and my wife had the Shrimp and Grits. We both thoroughly enjoyed out meals. The owner came by our table, and was very nice and engaging. Dont forget to grab a drink in the attic bar.
(4)Kris H.
Had a date night and chose this as our destination. Sadly disappointed. Salads came out 10-15 minutes apart, beet salad had thick goats cheese between layers of beets. Too much! Pork chop requested medium; got raw. Two tries later.....overdone, tough. They tried to make it right but just couldn't.
(2)Amy H.
So I read the majority of the reviews and DID NOT WANT TO EAT HERE! But my friend made me. And would not cancel the reservation. And very glad she did I had a WONDERFUL meal here. I thought the service was fantastic. The fried green tomatoes are probably the best I have ever had. 1st place used to be South City and these blow South City's out of the water. Came for brunch so I did the corned beef hash - DELICIOUS!! Fantastic, cannot WAIT to eat it again. Our server and the manager were SO nice, making sure we were warm enough (it is an old house so it was pretty chilly) and I loved it. Can't wait to come back for dinner!!!
(4)Wendy D.
Lovely little restaurant, host was warm and engaging. Hubby ordered the Southern Caesar and he said it was just so so. I had the fried green tomatoes and it was strangely tough and greasy. For our entrees I had the scallops with spring risotto, the scallops were beautifully cooked but they sat on pile of blue cheese risotto, there was nothing springlike about it. I cannot understand why the chef would choose to pair delicate scallops with blue cheese. It was not mentioned in the menu or I would never have ordered it. My husband had the shrimp and grits, a little over seasoned but very tasty. We did not do dessert. We don't know if we will go back, maybe we'll give them a second chance one day.
(2)Greg R.
Enjoyed another great meal at Old Vinings Inn followed by some great live music upstairs. It's great having a quaint intimate restaurant setting amidst the sea of big box corporate restaurants that dot the Buckhead/vinings area.
(4)Fatjeew F.
HORRIBLE!!!!!!You expected luxury, and what you get instead is the gluey texture and bland flavor of a WAR time MRE!!!! The flavor of my mahi -mahi was akin to that of mcdonalds chicken nuggets , the price 48$ The experience was rendered tortuous by the intensely stupid service.
(1)Caroline K.
My BF and I came here last night for Date night and we were really looking forward to it, but we left very disappointed. We had a reservation for 8:30 and when we walked in it seemed busy and the host, a gentleman in a striped blazer, was so inviting and very sad to let us know that they were a little behind and it would be a wait before we were seated. No big deal, but there was no where to sit while we waited and the waiting area is very spacious so there's plenty of room for a few benches. After about 20 minutes we were seated. The host asked us what the occasion was, we let him know it was our date night, he seated us a the tiniest 2 top in the corner of a separate room. It was private, but there were 2 open 4 tops right next to us, one was dirty during our entire visit. A very awkward female server came over to take our drink order, she did not make eye contact and looked incredibly terrified to come to our table, she did not offer any suggestions. I ordered the Panacea and my BF ordered the Oglethorpe. They were really awful. The panacea is listed on the menu as a cocktail with single malt scotch with honey and ginger over ice. There was zero ice in my glass, the drink was warm and no honey or ginger flavor, also the scotch was very poor quality. The Oglethorpe came in a very girly martini glass and my BF was not too happy with the taste or presentation. The girl just put down our drinks and practically ran away. Another male server came over very quickly and decided to take all of our orders at once, no mention of specials and he did not tell us his name. There was a table of 4 guests at a table close by in the other room that seemed to be having a great experience with their server, he was making jokes and conversation and checking on them regularly, we really felt very snubbed by our server and cheated out of a nice dining experience. A different girl brought our appetizers: truffled Mac and cheese, seafood boil, and strawberry salad. She popped them down and left. The truffled Mac and cheese was not good. It comes as 4 deep fried balls of what looks and tastes like Kraft Mac and cheese with tiny pieces of lobster. The salad was very bland, just a few crumbs of blue cheese, and we laughed because we only had ONE candied pecan on the salad with very dry leaves. The seafood boil was very nice though. The same girl came back and cleared the table very quickly and thought nothing of clearing our 3/4 uneaten truffle Mac and cheese, and left before we could explain we disliked the dish. Shortly after our entrees arrived: my BF had fried chicken and I ordered the scallops, they were very nice, both of the entrees. The room however was incredibly warm. We were both sweating and so uncomfortable. We sat there for a while waiting for our or server to even check on us, but nope... Nothing. We had to grab someone to get our server, and he came in and said he took care of our drinks, and dropped the check with zero explanation why, we appreciated the gesture, however, we had not actually seen the server at any point to fix anything that went wrong, and we never even were offered a dessert menu. Not that we would have stayed for dessert. The restaurant was not very busy, they ended up seat in another walk in couple at the larger empty table next to us, and the other 4 top stayed dirty during our entire dining experience. We did not understand why we were placed at the very tiny table when we had made a reservation and we did not feel as if we were very welcome, with the exception of the host, he was very friendly. We will not be back.
(2)Ambra F.
Was going to go to Another Broken Egg Cafe but it was way packed so we came here instead and boy am I glad. The food was amazing and so flavorful. My fiancée had the angus steak burger with a fried green tomato and that was really good. He asked for American cheese and out pimento on it instead. Now I know what you're thinking, yuck, but this pimento was actually good. It didn't taste like it at all and had a little bit of spice to it. I had the chicken pot pie and let me tell you it was the most flavorful pot pie I've ever had. For an appetizer we had the fried mac and cheese balls with lobster inside and those were really good. There are other things one the menu I most definitely will be going back. Also the sweet tea is very good. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Chad F.
Our pleasant server was attentive and very positive. When explaining the history of the building, it would have been nice to hear it chronologically with the specific time periods relating to the evolution. That history presentation, when done properly, could be an excellent setup for the meal to come. The setting could have been great, it was quiet and romantic, but we were distracted by our hunger. Unfortunately our ticket time was substantially longer than the surrounding tables. Overall I rate the meal as fair. I prefer a little less alcohol within my meals. The beef stroganoff sauce was over saturated with alcohol which wasn't reduced. When it came back, the dish was drown in the sauce just not as potent with the alcohol as before. The original portion of sauce was ideal if properly reduced. My wife's meal would have been great if they cooked her chicken thoroughly. They corrected the mistake and she was pleased with her dish. So we recommend the fried chicken if you visit this restaurant but we most likely won't return.
(2)Pamela S.
I work almost directly across the street at Solar Dimensions and I decided one day to steer from my usual after work haunt and try Old Vinings Inn Attic Bar and I was glad I did. It was a lively atmosphere and there was a pretty good live band. I love music of all kinds especially if it's live. I ordered a dirty martini with a swirl of vermouth and it was exactly what the doctor ordered! I had fun unwinding here. Cute place, intimate atmosphere and drinks were moderately priced.
(4)Stephen L.
Delicious. We had a private room for 12. Fried green tomato appetizer was tart and tasty, petit filet with BBC potatoes, glazed brussel sprouts. Amazing filet, interesting sides. Charming atmosphere. Valet parking for $2.
(5)Kristin B.
Went here for Sunday supper. $40 per couple for appetizer and dessert to split and individual entrees. This Sunday was fried green tomatoes which are stuffed with goat cheese and topped with an aioli. Hands down the best I've had. Entree was pecan crusted trout which was good, two filets in the portion, with a side of green beans. Of note their dinner rolls were fantastic. Dessert was warm peach cobbler with ice cream. Excellent service and it was a beautiful night to sit on the patio. Will have to come back and try their regular menu. Apparently they have live music wed-sat and its more crowded during those times. Sunday was not crowded at all around 7pm.
(4)D. E.
This has been our go-to place for special occasions for 20 years in Atlanta. We went there tonight to celebrate Mother's Day, and we we so disappointed. The first waitress was truly "out to lunch" and acted like she would have rather been anywhere but there tonight. We waited a long time before getting water. Then we sat and finally had to ask for bread. When the serving of the meal began, 5 people at our table got served, and the remaining 2 had nothing. We sat there while the wait staff started to serve another table. We requested that our remaining 2 be served. By the time they were served, our other meals were no longer hot. We complained to the waitress, and then the hostess came to our table. When we told her about our service, she was rude, said that was "how we do things", and cast us some "dirty" looks as she was walking away from the table! WHAT????? Then the owner came to our table and inquired. He at least apologized and replaced our waitress with a waiter who served us well for the remainder of the evening. I don't know if OVI is under new ownership or what has happened, but it was a disappointing experience. I don't think it is unreasonable to expect well trained and engaged wait staff at a restaurant such as OVI. One positive thing is that at least the food was good, even if lukewarm. Atlanta has too many great restaurants to waste time at those where the service is poor and personnel rude. The consensus at our table was that going forward we will find some other place to celebrate our family events.
(1)Alex P.
Majorly downgrading this place. First of all, they took away our favorite item from the menu, chicken and waffles. Secondly, they happened to be out of most of the menu items today, but didn't bother to tell us until after we ordered. Had we been told they are out of shrimp, I would have turned around and gone somewhere else instead.
(1)Nikki R.
Loved this place. My group had our annual hat brunch here in June and from the start of the planning until the day of, everything was so easy. Lee was great to work with, as was his staff. We had 34 people and there was more than enough space. Definitely look forward to going back. Everyone enjoyed the menu also, although I think I prefer ordering from a full menu, than the group menu. Other than that, no complaints.
(4)Alexander M.
Local Gem! Old Vinings Inn has to be marked in my book as one of the best places I've ate at while being new here to Atlanta! Customer service is ON POINT!! Made a reservation through open table, seated immediately! Greeted by the actual restaurant owner!! That was really cool yet not common! The drinks were made to perfection! The calamari appetizer is not like the average place! It comes tossed in some sort of Asian spiced sauce that brings a bit of a kick to it however not too much that would enable you to enjoy it! For the entrees we chose the traditional Shrimp & Grits along with the Southern Fried Chicken! Everything was priced pretty generously and the portion sizes were perfect! Would recommend this place to anybody who enjoys a nice traditional southern meal at an affordable price!
(4)Hayley D.
I came here with my boyfriend for a special night and it was great! We started in the upstairs bar for drinks and then were seated promptly. We got a crab cake appetizer and it was delicious, but a bit small for the price. For our entrees we each went with the recommendations of our server. I had short ribs and he had the salmon. Both were DELICIOUS and came out so fast! The staff is very attentive and it was a great experience!
(4)Tina F.
The food was amazing especially the artichoke dip. the service was and the owner actually stopped by to say hi and see how everything was a couple times. the building was just absolutely darling all bed-and-breakfast type, amazing restaurant lighting - very romantic and we will definitely be back as soon as possible!!! Yay for good food in ATL!
(5)Jennifer N.
We had brunch here a few weeks ago and the food was ok. I loved the atmosphere . It looks like a great place for a bridal shower or wedding reception. However, the brunch kinda fell flat. It wasn't bad but it wasn't amazing. I really want to go back for dinner. From my understanding they offer live music a few nights a week and the place is always packed when I pass by. I am not ready to count the place out but it did not meet my expectations this time.
(3)Jackie A.
The food was fantastic and the service was phenomenal. We had the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer - I would highly recommend. I was the lucky one and got the last dish of scallops for the night. They were served with an exquisite plating of vegetables and I would go back for more. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Kelsey G.
I dined here for a post-graduation lunch with my family here. I was beyond pleased with the food. It was simply delicious and filling. I had been phone tagging with Old Vinings Inn about the guest list and menu for a while but everything worked out fine. We had the fried chicken--which was something to write home about, cheddar grits, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes and lemon curd cheesecake. All of it was delicious, the only thing I didn't care for was their chocolate cake but honestly The owner, Lee, came to speak with us and make sure we had everything we needed. I think the only thing that kind of bothered me is that the table might have been too small. If I were to have had more than 15 guests, I would have no clue where they would have put us. It is not a big place at all.
(4)Michelle J.
Note: I ate up in the Attic Bar on a Tuesday (read: quiet) night. I had the Smokey Sherman, which was so unexpectedly spicy that I laughed out loud after my first sip. The drink was delicious, though. For dinner, I ordered the charcuterie plate. There were a couple of cured meats, pickled veg, deviled eggs with chow-chow salsa, cheese, and dip with flatbread, and it was very good--enough to feed one or be an appetizer for a few.
(4)Janet B.
I held a baby shower here last weekend. The food was amazing! The staff was so friendly and accommodating. We really enjoyed our time and never felt rushed. I would highly recommend this place.
(5)Alyssa M.
We went for brunch today. The best part of the meal was the service. It was exceptional on every level. The food was pretty good but it seemed like the kitchen didn't read the tickets. Meat and eggs weren't cooked to requested temps and "no pickles" was ignored. The difference between a medium hamburger and a well done hamburger is a pretty big deal. Any kitchen that ignores the requests to leave off certain items is just asking to give a customer an allergic reaction. That being said, the taste of the food was good. Because the service was so outstanding, I would definitely go back and try their dinner menu in the future.
(3)Eliot P.
A lovely place with a New England feel. The fried green tomatos were wonderful. Very nice menu, many items with a southern bent. I had a difficult time choosing as five dishes had great appeal. I ended up with the shrimp and grits with chorizo. Very enjoyable. All our diners enjoyed their meals. Very nice wine list with several very reasonable and tasty glass selections. The service was as good as it gets. Ella did an outstanding job. Friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, beyond attentive. One suggestion; place some kind of shading in the front Windows as the traffic lights are a little harsh. Great time, service and food.
(4)Ruth C.
Had brunch here on a Sunday around 11:30. This place is really cute with friendly and fast service and was heading for a 5 star review... Until I found a hair in my eggs Benedict. I didn't mention it to the staff or the friend I was eating with because we were at the end of our meal and I didn't want to make her throw up. I felt like throwing up. Everything else didn't matter because nothing is more important than hygiene in a restaurant.
(1)Stef E.
My food was pretty good. I ordered the tomato soup and salad. The service on the other hand was subpar. I almost forgot what the waiter looked like because he was rarely around. There was also some confusion and discrepancy on what was available online and what was actually offered at the restaurant. When I was ready for my check, I had to flag another waitstaff member down since my waiter was evidently related to Casper the Ghost.
(2)Cathy B.
This is a review specific to anyone who is considering hosting an event at The Vinings Inn. My husband and I hosted a rehearsal dinner there last month and I can say that the service as well as the food was absolutely outstanding. We had a pretty large crowd (36 adults and 8 children) and yet our dinner was handled in a very efficient manner. The guests were extremely pleased with their food and service, and it was a memorable night for everyone there. They were easy to work with and I highly recommend them, especially if you're looking for a wonderful venue for a specific occasion.
(5)John G.
Havent been here for a while until recently I stopped in for a late dinner. I recall the food being MUCH better but we brought some realy good wine and they charged $20 per bottle corking fee, a bit much I thought but anyway it was way better then anything on the wine list there. Service was ok and everyone seemed to enjoy what they ordered. The best part of the evening was afterwards we went upstairs to the bar, they have live music and dancing, it was a good way to top off the night.
(3)Molly M.
A classic favorite. The fried chicken beats Mary Mac's Tea Room and South City Kitchen! They have a social dining room for 6 that can be reserved in advance. The upstairs bar is quaint and often has live music. A great place for brunch, a romantic dinner, or even a company dinner party for 30 people (I've done then all)!
(4)Lin B.
This is an exquisite restaurant. It came highly recommended by Renaissance Hotel & did not disappoint! We had salads, appetizers, fish entrees & desserts. Everything was prepared to perfection & so delicious. We had seared scallops over risotto and butternut squash gnocchi-wonderfully tasty. The key lime pie and pumpkin creme brûlée were exceptional. The feel is 'charming, comforting Old South plantation house' with wide porch with tables. Live music upstairs was a bonus to us diners downstairs. Service was impeccable, the owner came to ask us how everything was in a genuine caring way. We had a wonderful time. We will be back with more guests the next time we're in town (from SF Bay Area). A lovely and professional-created dining experience. Looks like you should ignore any review prior to 6/13, as new owner took over then.
(5)sean m.
Looks like a new owner or chef at this place, not a fan of the menu or his handling of problems that came up with our food. He proceeded to berate the server in front of us, offered us some free food (which was still under cooked and flavorless). Avoiding this place with a 10 foot poll from now.
(1)Lexi S.
Food and Service on point! As soon as you walk in you are greeted with a sincere 'Welcome!" We tried the Summer Feast and I must say it was delectable! The pimento cheese and flat bread appetizer- full of flavor and the best pimento cheese I've ever had! The entree: marinated port and paprika chicken thighs, grilled to perfection- excellent flavor with superb crisp skin! It was served with a warm, savory potato salad! The last course...wait for it... S'MORES SUNDAE! Are you kidding me?!?! Hands down the BEST indulgence I've had! You will not regret it! Everything was absolutely delicious and we will be back often! Well deserved 5 stars!
(5)Steve B.
Came here for a work lunch event. I'm a just get right to it. The Fried Green tomatoes was very good, the calamari was average. Had Salmon over Caesar. The salmon is top 10 salmon in Atlanta, very good. The desserts were pretty cool with ice cream scoops on top of a waffle, a brownie. Red velvet is pretty good. Will have to return here for the live music. But why have a valet in a parking lot of the size of most people's driveways? It was on the house, not out of my pocket. Grade: B
(3)Candace B.
I really wanted to like this place, but on the occasions I have been it's not been for me. The menu and food are wonderful but for what it is I feel it's grossly overpriced. Service seems very uptight, and most of the valets can't drive a stick shift up the incline in their lot without having to gun the engine or killing it at least once. The only times I eat here at this point is if a friend really insists on giving it a try.
(2)Deanna J.
My Old Vinings Inn experience is definitely different than Eric's - this was the standard 'place to take clients to' place in Vinings for me. So I've only been around the lunch crowd. It's a relaxed atmosphere made unique because of the quaint 'house' that it's in. The waitstaff is very attentive but not overly so, and the surroundings are quiet - both good for business lunching. All the salads are good options, and my regular was the crab cake. From Eric's review, it sounds like it transforms into more of a bar at night.
(4)Brett P.
AAAAGGGHHHH. I love this place. Perfect for a 1st date. I recently met someone and went there as they were new to the city and it reminded him of back home... food was prepared and seasoned to perfection... prices are always decent, and service is top notch! Not too much into the bar upstairs... but, if you want a relaxing and romantic get away... HAVE AT IT!
(4)Yifat G.
This was a dinner with work colleagues. The service was great. The lead waiter was on top of things. He made sure we paid attention and didn't lose track of time. At the same time, he gave us plenty of space to have our conversations. The food was fairly good. Nothing was especially spectacular, but everyone was happy. We loved the wine, as our glasses were always being filled. Overall, a good quiet place to hang out for good conversation.
(3)Panida S.
D I S A P P O I N T E D! I was on Open Table looking to make reservations somewhere for my husband's birthday. Vinings Inn came up, and after reading the great reviews for the restaurant (on Open Table), I was excited, and planned my husband's birthday dinner there. I thought the location sounded romantic, menu looked good (extremely similar to Horseradish Grill, which I love), what more could you want, right? WRONG! The service was good, but that's about it. We ordered: - Calamari: I've never had calamari served like this before, EVER! Cornmeal crusted calamari on a plate with a HUGE dollop of their "spicy marinara" plopped right in the middle, on top of the calamari! So, you know that everything was soggy! UGH! The sauce also looked like it had sat under a heating lamp for a long time, and tasted like it too! Daikon sprouts? Where? Not w/ my dish! What a crappy way to start dinner! - Well, the bread they serve is good, that's why they got 1 star. - Vinings Salad: Bowl of lettuce, a tomato slice, and some blue cheese dressing (with NO blue cheese pieces) in a ramikan. SERIOUSLY? For $9? - I ordered the Oven Roasted Chicken...it was roasted alright! One word: DRY! The potatoes that came with it were good, mashed style potatoes. The green bean, OVERCOOKED! - My husband ordered the Rib Eye. UNDERWHELMED! We are carnivores, steak lovers! I could've cooked a tastier steak from Publix at my house! AND, POOR PRESENTATION! The steak was served on a large rectangular plate, BY IT SELF! No garnishment or anything! It made the steak look smaller than it was because of the size of the plate! WTH? - Wild Mushroom Rissotto was YUCK! Straight up, just YUCK! Mushrooms? Are you sure you didn't mean tomato sauce??!!?!? Oh yeah, the bathrooms....at the end of our meal, I asked to use the restroom. One of waiters pointed behind the reception desk, and I continued to walk. A guy whispered to me, "Use the last bathroom, it's nicer." Um, ok? You literally walk through a dirty prep area to get to the bathroom! I walked into the "Nicer bathroom", and there was a space heater blasting, circulating a cat urine like smell. If I would've of gone to bathroom before ordering, we would've left! The prep area you walk through was filthy! Our waiter was nice, but came to the table with our food smelling like an ashtray. Ugh. I was very disappointed, and the meal wasn't cheap either!
(1)Gilbert G.
I had to come up with a 40th birthday idea for my wife who is pregnant. Old Vinings Inn was the perfect solution. They were very attentive to my wife and her friends needs and made everything perfect. The food is outstanding and very reasonably priced for the quality. We have found a new regular location to dine at and will recommend it to all our friends.
(5)Corey R.
Best Sunday brunch I've had in a long time! And the service was great! Gotta love the character of this old house!
(5)Heather F.
Warning: ridiculously long, gushy review ahead. I held my sister's baby shower at the Old Vinings Inn this past weekend and I couldn't possibly be happier with the way everything turned out. I had originally thought about holding the shower at Canoe, and I am so glad that I changed my mind. While I've enjoyed many meals at Canoe, I don't feel that it's a very good spot to hold a fun or more lively event like a baby shower...the event coordinator I spoke with indicated that the shower would have a very strict start and end time (only lasting exactly 2 hours) and was very resistant to the idea of us bringing in any outside decor, games, etc. The event coordinator for Vinings Inn (owner Lee S.) was the complete opposite. Every request or suggestion from us was met with a resounding "Yes!" The Inn allowed us to bring in outside decor, to hang paper poms from the ceiling, to place fresh flowers everywhere, to have several dessert and gift tables, to create a custom menu and a signature shower cocktail (which the waiters happily served to us in vintage glass milk bottles...no easy feat!) and to provide our own music to be played during the shower. The room that the shower was held in (the Wine Room) was absolutely gorgeous and charming and allowed 17 guests to comfortably brunch at a long "farm-table" setup. The Inn also arranged for the french doors in the room to open out onto the patio, where we were able to arrange a big favor/game table and a gift table. They even provided extra chairs for the patio, so we could all move out onto the patio after eating brunch and sit while the mother-to-be opened gifts. The shower brunch menu was excellent across the board...all of the guests couldn't stop raving about their meals and even requested that they be permitted to take leftovers home with them! Our waiters boxed up each guest's leftovers and added extra portions of cheese grits and turkey sausage to each box, which I thought was a nice touch. The Inn's pastry chef provided a truly amazing cake that was made to our exact specifications...lemon layer cake with strawberry filling and a whipped strawberry frosting. Delicious! Finally, what I found the most impressive was the Inn's willingness to allow us to arrive 2 hours before they opened in order to get everything set up perfectly. The Inn had an employee (Michael) waiting for us at 9:30 a.m. to let us inside. Michael didn't just unlock the doors for us. He helped us unload everything (two carloads worth!) from our vehicles, he helped to hang up paper poms and lanterns, he moved heavy tables, and saw to other small details that are too numerous to list here. He had a positive, helpful attitude the entire time and then, once the shower was over, he proceeded to take everything down and load it back up in the cars! This was a level of service that was entirely unexpected, but very appreciated. And, frankly, it's the kind of service we received from every employee (from owner to waiter) at the Inn throughout this entire process. I would whole-heartedly recommend the Vinings Inn to anyone looking for a venue to host an event, and will happily use them for future events myself.
(5)Bonnie B.
OVI has been one of my favorite brunch/dinner spots in Vinings...until today. My mouth was watering for their Eggs Benedict which I had before and loved! Our server informed us " no more poached eggs". Whaattt??? Garrisons across the street has 3-4 varieties of Eggs Benedict so that's where I have to go ... My boyfriend ordered the Shrimp & Grits with Vine Ripe Tomatoes Entree.. Would you believe a very small dish of grits, 3 shrimp and 1 cherry tomatoe.... $19!!! We had to comment on how dissatisfied we were with that portion and the manager did comp the Shrimp & Grits. OVI... What has happened??? We want you to be fabulous... We really do! My grilled Meditteranean Salmon over Spinach Salad was tasty... That salmon sure looked poached not grilled to me. At least it was tasty & enough to share with the boyfriend! The warm garlic bread was outstanding but we can't go back on garlic bread alone... OVI, we are going to give you 1 more shot! And please bring back those delicious Eggs Benedict.
(2)Vanessa L.
Stellar dining experience. Everything was equally delicious and flavorful, and our server was perfectly attentive, providing thoughtful recommendations. We started with several apps: Truffled Lobster Mac & Cheese Fritter, Charcuterie Plate (which includes the most delicious smoked duck, kale/artichoke spread, and pimento cheese), and Fried Green Tomatoes. For entrees, we had the Veal & Short Rib Meatloaf and Pecan Mountain Trout. My boyfriend isn't the biggest fan of meatloaf but this turned him into a believer. And the trout was perfectly cooked -- very moist and flaked easily. For dessert, we tried a sampler of Salted Caramel Chocolate Torte, Ice Cream and Sorbet Selection (with cookies), and Warm Bourbon Apple Cobbler. Enough said. I'm convinced you can't go wrong with anything you order. Highly recommended for a romantic date night, or if you're just looking to have a great evening out. And don't miss the Attic Bar -- live music nightly Wednesday through Saturday!
(5)Chris M.
After two fantastic visits here some months apart, I think five stars is deserved. Our service on both visits was excellent. The collard greens are slightly sweet and spicy and perfectly tender. I had the Chattahoochee cocktail and would recommend it for people that like bourbon based drinks that aren't overly sweet. The scallops and pecan crusted trout are also winners. Be sure to try the lobster Mac and cheese fritters, too. I visit Atlanta regularly and am looking forward to my next visit here.
(5)Kory R.
I'd agree with Eric on most everything. My brother and sister-in-law's band plays there quite a bit, so I tend to go and listen to them. The ceilings are very low but if you're 5'7" (it makes you look 6'2"), and you have a leg up on all the "cougars." It is definitely an older crowd, but a fun one. They also have a pretty good seating area outside.
(3)David C.
So, I was here last year for a take-out order on a break from working in the area. I ordered the blackened shrimp tacos. It was expensive for tacos. 2 tacos for $13? I guess it is fine-dining restaurant. The tortilla shell I did not like at all, maybe because I've been to Mexico and know what it should taste like. They did a good job with the contents though, and that's the reason I wolfed them down with a greedy look on my face. I'd definitely make the trek to try the food again.
(3)Ann D.
We had called around, trying to secure brunch reservations for Easter. We'd tried Canoe, Meehan's and a few others, however, due to no availability, then tried OVI. I live in Vinings and my out-of-town friends wanted to try OVI. I've never been impressed; however, I thought it would be good to give it a try. We were all very disappointed. OVI is a beautiful, old, traditional restaurant, and it's located in central Vinings. Everyone wants it to work. But for Easter brunch, it didn't. We had no idea it would be a buffet-and that's no problem. But if you're going to try market yourself as an upscale, farm-to-table restaurant, then the Holiday Inn-quality buffet was just... Very bad. We had to snake through their service kitchen to get into to single line. The brunch had been set up in a tiny back room and it only allowed for one line. We tried to get plates, but they couldn't keep clean plates available. Each time we went back into the long, single line, we had to wait for plates. And the plates, although clean, were wet. There was nothing attractive about the layout. No flowers, leveling, decorations. Just wet plates, of varying sizes in one stack, plopped on a little table. Then the food. Shrimp and grits: no bowls for them. So the runny "shrimp" portion ran all over our plate. And, there was no shrimp in the shrimp and grits. The grits, although creamy and tasty, were congealed and hard to get out of the serving dish. There were some other things along the table, but not much. Very limited choice, and looked very unappealing, again, because the food was just put onto the table with nothing to accent: no flowers, use of leveling, or use of color. Really, we heard the people in back of say Holiday Inn and that's exactly what it was. There was a French toast" that was hard as a rock and loaded with chocolate. We could not cut it. No could we cut the absolutely horrible London broil. For what they charged, they had a car ING station of just ham and leather-like London broil. On the opposite side of this tiny room was the dessert table which consisted of peach cobbler (obviously canned peaches) and pretty good bread pudding/chocolate strawberries. But again, just sort of tossed into the table with no artistry. They then had a small "salad" table with a few little dishes of vegetables, some good cold shrimp, and a large bowl of pimiento cheese spread. With no bread. We were crowded into the room, and it was very uncomfortable. We saw waitstaff bringing bread to some tables, but we never were asked if we wanted any. The tables had nothing pretty on them. Re cloths were low-tier banquet hall quality, as was the silverware. The very low quality and limited selection of the food, the slow, single, snaking line through service areas ("uncomfortable" was what my guest said), the drab tables and lack luster service was all embarrassing for me. And it cost us 77.00 for two (plus tip). If we'd gone to another brunch buffet (of which we all know), we would have had better quality of food, far more selection, less inconvenience and more aesthetically pleasing surroundings. And we would have paid a little less. My friends were so happy to be visiting Vinings, and I had my fingers crossed for a good experience. It didn't happen. Again, we've tried to support OVI a few times. But we won't do it again. What a let down.
(2)Allison C.
Mom and I took my Bronx-born boyfriend here because he wanted fried chicken and we didn't want to go to Mary Mac's (too heavy) or Colon-aide. Not far from house and still warmish enough to eat outside. Jason, our waiter, made the meal unforgettable for us all. When BF asked one of those stupid, "Do you have have (insert grocery stores, paved roads, etc) questions," I answered, "Why yes, and I bet they have indoor plumbing here, too." "No, not anymore," Jason answered as he came up to take our order. "Too much money." I asked if the privy had a moon cut into the door. "Again, not in the budget." BF's eyes got really wide and I told him I would lend him my iPhone for the Flashlight feature, if he made sure not to drop it. Mom and I insisted BF have a fried green tomato. He hemmed and hawwed. We got it anyway. Jason made it even better by telling him that it was possum. Mom and I dug in and I SWORE I wouldn't tell anyone that he was eating possum. The fried green tomato was excellent. Mom and I each split an arugula salad, told BF that it was kudzu, asked if he'd had before and he said, "Yes. Once in Richmond." Which interstate did he get it from? 64 or 95? Anyway, he liked it too. Mom had flounder, which was good. Knowing she wouldn't finish it, I got the smoked trout appetizer as an entree. Not impressed. BF got sage oven fried chicken with risotto. Loved the risotto. Dessert didn't stand out, but we can't remember much about it. To quote Mom, "Something chocolate w/something runny in the middle and a strawberry shortcake biscuit thing, because it was a biscuit." Dessert the next night at Coast was FAR more memorable. Jason was GREAT. Get a table in his section, especially if you have a carpetbagger in tow.
(4)Marcus O.
yay. i'm a fan. price range is between spendy and splurge depending on whether you go for a full course + drinks. food is decent though. none of the appetizers were overwhelming. they were pretty much average. i had the six ounce filet. pretty good. very tender. not bones good... but hey it's not bones priced either. service is excellent. the ambiance of this place is pretty freakin' awesome. the restaurant is in an old house. the attic bar is a low ceiling upstairs hangout. good range of scotch there, including a few single malts. it's pretty neat in there. avoid the back corner though. no air seems to circulate back there. if you don't mind splurging more for atmosphere, go here for date night. vinings has a lot of nice shops you can walk around when you're done.
(4)Beth B.
I went last night to Vinings Inn to see Curt Thomas (awesome band) play with some friends of mine. We had a BLAST!! Curt plays there every Thursday for sure, that is definitely the night to go. I only had some appetizers - the cheese dip and the fried tomatoes. Both were EXCELLENT! I can't wait to go back and actually try the real food!
(4)Hambri Enta M.
I want to say I will be back, mainly just for the Fried Green Tomatoes. We wondered why it was so empty at 12:30 in the afternoon...the price! We live walking distance to Rosebuds, and they have a similar menu for way less. The prices at OVI are way up there...Springer Mnt chicken brunch meal is at $18 where Rosebuds has it between $14-16. Rosebuds has a better selection. In any case, i applaud the new menu, perhaps the owners would take a look at the prices and maybe play some atmosphere music too, it was dead on that porch! Also, list the drinks on the menu.
(3)Brandon S.
This was an interesting experience. Once again the food was good. I started with a wedge salad. For the main course I chose the veal meatloaf. It tasted very good. Our server was friendly and helpful. After dinner we headed upstairs to the bar for a few drinks. As we were preparing to leave, after last call, we started chanting the name of our next stop. This evidently angered someone. A drunk female who indicted she ran the place told us she should throw us out. We attempted to figure out her anger, but we could not figure it out through the slurring of words. On the plus side, one of the associates working felt so bad about the situation he stopped in to the next place we were stopping to buy us a round. He did a great job trying to make the situation better. Because of him I may actually give the place another try.
(1)Laura R.
I had a late lunch here with my boyfriend and his parents a few Sundays ago. We were seated right away and the service was good throughout our stay. We were immediately met with a warm bread basket. (sighs) Our table shared the calamari which was good and had an interesting sweet chili glaze. His mom and I both had the fried green tomato salad which was well portioned but just ok - there was way too much breading on the tomato. He and his dad both went with the bbq brisket sandwich and let's just say they weren't complaining. :) I'd really like to check out the attic bar that wasn't yet open (opens later in the evening) but I don't think I'd go out of my way to return for the food.
(3)Jade M.
This is a review strictly of their Attic Bar. I'm glad some people gave this place bad reviews, hopefully they'll stay away! More fun for me :) If you enjoy a wildly authentic dive bar with awesome music, hilarious bartenders, stout drinks and a tight area that's a great excuse to hug up to your date; THIS IS YOUR PLACE! It's a tiny upstairs bar in downtown Vinings which used to be an actual inn. Ask the bartenders or waitresses to tell you about it's history. The crowd is the type that enjoys rolling in and joining the party like they've known each other for years. They love and expect a stiff drink and a good time. There's usually a fantastic live band and people are always dancing. Join the party! I always leave that place having gained great new stories and memories. Good times!! Be aware, they close at midnight. It's the only bummer about it but the drinks are so stiff, it's good that they shut it down early. It might get too crazy!!
(5)Beth K.
Always enjoy the OVI! The last time we were there the menu had changed a little including some smaller plates. Great idea! Good wine list and wonderful desserts! Keep up the good work!!
(4)Jessica O.
We had a late dinner at the Vinings Inn, and it was fairly quiet downstairs (good romantic atmosphere), but the Attic Bar seemed busy. Our food was simple, but good. The appetizers are large portions. I wish they had sparkling wines available by the glass, that was the only downside to our meal. Prices were good, we had two glasses of wine, two appetizers, two entrees AND dessert for $70.00. Service was good as well.
(3)Henrik C.
Went to Vinings Inn with my girl friend. This is a cozy old building/stable. We only went to the dining rooms downstairs, so I cannot comment on the bar upstairs. This is a nice place and had very good service. The audience is 40+ if not 50+, so that should set your expectations. We had cesar salad, tomato soup, lamp chops and rib eye. The Casar salad was great and well presented. The tomato soup was rich and very creamy. The rib eye was thin and really not a great cut. It came with a mushroom ragout overwhelming in volume and not really great. The green beans were too al dente. The pasta and cheese came without cheese - don't do that, especially, in the south! The waiter personally corrected this. The lamb chops were a bit dry but overall OK. They came with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The mashed potatoes were a little heavy - hold back on the butter - we have to walk from here. The asparagus were not fully cooked. The ambiance is unique and very nice as a breathing room in Cobb. The service is very good. The food ... Starters were pretty good whereas the main dishes left a few things to be desired.
(3)Jay J.
If you are looking for an unpretentious, special occasion place to enjoy a great meal, Vinings Inn has to be considered in the Vinings area. I used OpenTable to make my dinner reservations and had noted that we were celebrating our 10th anniversary. The host and our server BOTH mentioned it to us. See if that happens at most other high-end restaurants. Our server, Matt, was great - attentive but not overbearing and spot-on with recommendations. Here's what we had: APPETIZER: Fried Green Tomatoes: very good, tart and savory SOUP: corn chowder with poblano peppers: off the chain - if you go and they have it, it's a must ENTREES: - Crab cake with poblano grits. so, so good. No batter, pure lump crab. The green beans served with were crisp and delicious. - Brown Sugar Ancho Rubbed Pork Tenderloin: Initially, very sweet. But then when you start putting the tenderloing together with the shallot and roasted potatoes (which had a nice cayenne kick), it was very good. DESSERT: - Red Velvet Carrot Cake & Tart with Caramel and pecans: both were just OK (esp. b/c they comped our desserts for our anniversary) The patio would be an awesome venue on a warm spring/fall evening (ie. bug free). The only slight ding I'd mention is that we were starting to smell cigarette smoke (we think) coming down from the bar upstairs. The ceiling fans downstairs which were on, only kind of recirculated the smell towards the end of our meal. The menu has LOTS of variety and the portions are very good. We will certainly be back for more.
(4)Whitney H.
I forgot how amazing this place is! I went there last night with my dad and his best friends from out of town and the food was absolutely incredible! Everyone raved about their meals and the appetizers were super tasty with a beautiful presentation. I had the shrimp and grits, it was seriously one of the best meals I've ever had! The service was also above par, our waitress was awesome! The owner came out and chatted with us and he was super nice, he just took over 4 months ago, but had a very impressive resume of restaurants he's managed. They also have a private room perfect for 8 people you can request when making a reservation and there is live music at the upstairs bar Thurs-Sat. If you are looking for a neat fine dining restaurant to take an out of town guest, I would highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)Jeremy J.
I brought by fiancé and her friends here for brunch one Sunday morning. The menu has very limited options, and we reluctantly decided to stay and eat to give it a shot. The waiter was very rude and cussed when I asked if they had any biscuits. I got the hashbrowns with sausage and scrambled eggs. The hashbrowns were so nasty, stringy, and ladeled with grease and butter. The eggs were hard and tasted like they had been cooked for 30 minutes. The sausage was also untasty. The waiter got all of our orders wrong, and the other three beside myself ate one bite and quite eating. He brought me my check and it actually looked like he only charged me for my meal and could obviously tell the others hated theirs. After I paid and was walking out, he tracked me down and said he got the ticket wrong and charged me for all the meals. Spare yourself and go grab a mcgriddle from McDonald's before coming here.
(1)Shelley B.
We just had a great surprise Bridal Shower at Old Vinings Inn. There was a private room to the side that was perfect for our 18 guests. Lee, the owner was Flexible and charming. He helped us to plan this shower while I was in California and my 85 year old mother who doesn't drive communicated with Lee. They got us a great cake, there were 2 waiters and it went seamlessly. The theme was "around the clock" and they kept the drinks coming, the salad and lunch was great. Everyone cleaned their plates! The crab cakes, eggs Benedict and the steak burger was to die for. The fried green tomatoes were the crown on the steakburger. Along with valet parking the party was very successful. Lee recently purchased the Inn and he is making a great business.
(5)Britney B.
I came here for brunch yesterday with three other people, Sunday morning. We arrived right at noon. It was not crowded or busy at all which kind of surprised me because if you go around the corner to J Christopher's at this time it is packed and you are lucky to get seated right away. We sat outside on the deck/ patio and there no one else out there. I guess everyone thought it was too "cold" because it was below 80 degrees outside. The food and service were both excellent. I had eggs benedict. When we got there we wanted mimosas, but forgot about the ridiculous after 12:30 pm on a Sunday rule. Stupid bible belt. As soon as it was 12:30 our server brought the drinks right out. They were cheap too, only $4, which is a good price for a mimosa. The only reason I am not giving a 5th star is because of their parking. I hate that they have valet only. It's free but I'm just weird about that. Also, about 15 minutes before we left another table was seated right beside us. I hate it when there is a sea of empty tables somewhere and the dingbat hostess sits two tables full of people inches away from each other. I have been a hostess before and there is no reason for that.
(4)Rani C.
Went for lunch. Gazpacho was delicious. Ceasar salad was good. Hubby had the fried chicken. That was fine. He wasn't impressed with the macaroni cheese gratin. It's made with penne and the cheese is mostly on top. In general, penne upsets him when its used as the pasta on macaroni and cheese. The name macaroni and cheese implies the macaroni pasta will be used. Had apple pie for dessert. It was disappointing. I've had better. Overall, lunch was about 50 bucks. Know I could have gotten it cheaper elsewhere. And yeah, I've had better. Had to try this place out though, we drive past it all the time.
(2)David Q.
Had been there before and it was fine. This time service was so bad we walked out. People who came in after us were actually finished eating and we had not been served. The waiter never acknowledged the reason for a delay and never even looked at us, we ordered from the menu, fish tacos, but when the third party who came in 30 minutes after us got their food, we walked out. The waiter saw us leave, but never said a thing. We won't go back.
(1)Sarah M.
We're lived in Vinings 2 years and never ventured to OVI so we thought it was time. It was a laid back atmosphere and nice for a date night. The food was really only average. 2 stars out of 5. Also our server was nice but really slow. We were ready to pay our check and the waiter disappeared for 15 minutes. With so many wonderful choices in Atlanta we probably will not be back for dinner.
(2)Chris B.
I pass by this restaurant multiple times a day and for some strange reason I've always had an odd attraction to it. Until recently, I've never had a chance to visit. I had some family in town this weekend and we decided to stop by. First of all, ambiance is very pretentious and annoying. Even if the food was good, I probably wouldn't be back just because the vibe is very weird. The bread basket came out right after we placed our order; simply horrid. I don't even know how you can mess up rolls and cornbread. I had the fried chicken breast, mac and cheese, and french beans. The chicken tasted strange and the breading had some strange seasonings in it. The white "gravy" was laughable and simply disgusting; it had the consistency of watered down ranch dressing. The french beans were as hard as a rock, completely un-edible for me. I realize that this is the way french beans are sometimes served in a more "upscale" restaurant; however, Yelp says this place is supposed to be southern and there is nothing southern about a frozen green bean. The mac and cheese was decent, if the pasta was actually cooked I would have said it was excellent. Someone else in my party had the roasted chicken, which was equally as terrible and completely raw inside. This is a place I would definitely never return to. I will mention though, the service was fine, nothing to really complain about there. Yelp needs to reclassify this establishment as there is nothing southern about Vinings Inn.
(1)Mike B.
A cozy little restaurant and upstairs bar. They serve a good selection of wines upstairs, to go along with relaxing music. This is an off-beat place to take friends or business associates. The stellar service helps make this a memorable experience.
(4)Dru J.
Martinis, piano jazz, cigars (wait, no cigars), good food in the comfortable surroundings of OVI. These are a few of my favorite things that I've not enjoyed in quite some time. Unhappily, companion was about to return home to China. So we dashed into OVI, barely missing the rain, to share some of those favorite things. Perhaps it was the prospect of not having "western" food for a while that sent her into an ordering frenzy. Meatloaf (yes, surprised even me), mac & cheese gratin, southern style green beans, Peach BBQ Shrimp over poblano-cheddar grits, additional sides followed by cocktails more than sated my soon-to-be jet lagged friend. Dining in the (setting) sun room to piano music, candlelight and soft rain provided a stereotypically, OWWW! err, I mean, memorably, romantic dinner. Service was ably performed by one Tyler, the food, while not mind-blowing, was tasty and well prepared. Dinner, drinks, and atmosphere were more than reasonably priced. OVI remains a classic.
(4)Christy G.
We started in the bar upstairs while waiting on others to join us for dinner. Wow, Rick was an amazing bartender, not only did he pour an awesome drink he was interacting with the whole crowd. Seem to know all the locals and was very friendly. He had a game going and soon to be available to the public. "Out of the Box" so much fun, these babies won't last long once the hit the shelves. Get it when it first comes out. Dinner was fantastic. The only down side I would have to say was our waiter. He was not very attentive to our needs. We had some apps up in the bar so we decided so share some meals, I think he didnt like that fact, maybe because his tip was going to be less. IDK however I will go back. Will probably eat upstairs in the bar and stay later for the entertainment.
(4)E J.
I miss this place. Spent many a night hanging out in the bar upstairs when I lived in ATL a few years ago. It's so quaint and just a fun time all around. Great food, good drinks, nice balcony seating area, cool intimate place to see local bands. Less of a douche-bag crowd than some other places. If I remember the drinks are not cheap but some of the food on the bar menu is reasonable. As Eric S stated, do not go here if you're a tall person. The ceilings are LOW.
(4)Gilbert G.
I had to come up with a 40th birthday idea for my wife who is pregnant. Old Vinings Inn was the perfect solution. They were very attentive to my wife and her friends needs and made everything perfect. The food is outstanding and very reasonably priced for the quality. We have found a new regular location to dine at and will recommend it to all our friends.
(5)Corey R.
Best Sunday brunch I've had in a long time! And the service was great! Gotta love the character of this old house!
(5)Hambri Enta M.
I want to say I will be back, mainly just for the Fried Green Tomatoes. We wondered why it was so empty at 12:30 in the afternoon...the price! We live walking distance to Rosebuds, and they have a similar menu for way less. The prices at OVI are way up there...Springer Mnt chicken brunch meal is at $18 where Rosebuds has it between $14-16. Rosebuds has a better selection. In any case, i applaud the new menu, perhaps the owners would take a look at the prices and maybe play some atmosphere music too, it was dead on that porch! Also, list the drinks on the menu.
(3)Brandon S.
This was an interesting experience. Once again the food was good. I started with a wedge salad. For the main course I chose the veal meatloaf. It tasted very good. Our server was friendly and helpful. After dinner we headed upstairs to the bar for a few drinks. As we were preparing to leave, after last call, we started chanting the name of our next stop. This evidently angered someone. A drunk female who indicted she ran the place told us she should throw us out. We attempted to figure out her anger, but we could not figure it out through the slurring of words. On the plus side, one of the associates working felt so bad about the situation he stopped in to the next place we were stopping to buy us a round. He did a great job trying to make the situation better. Because of him I may actually give the place another try.
(1)Laura R.
I had a late lunch here with my boyfriend and his parents a few Sundays ago. We were seated right away and the service was good throughout our stay. We were immediately met with a warm bread basket. (sighs) Our table shared the calamari which was good and had an interesting sweet chili glaze. His mom and I both had the fried green tomato salad which was well portioned but just ok - there was way too much breading on the tomato. He and his dad both went with the bbq brisket sandwich and let's just say they weren't complaining. :) I'd really like to check out the attic bar that wasn't yet open (opens later in the evening) but I don't think I'd go out of my way to return for the food.
(3)Jade M.
This is a review strictly of their Attic Bar. I'm glad some people gave this place bad reviews, hopefully they'll stay away! More fun for me :) If you enjoy a wildly authentic dive bar with awesome music, hilarious bartenders, stout drinks and a tight area that's a great excuse to hug up to your date; THIS IS YOUR PLACE! It's a tiny upstairs bar in downtown Vinings which used to be an actual inn. Ask the bartenders or waitresses to tell you about it's history. The crowd is the type that enjoys rolling in and joining the party like they've known each other for years. They love and expect a stiff drink and a good time. There's usually a fantastic live band and people are always dancing. Join the party! I always leave that place having gained great new stories and memories. Good times!! Be aware, they close at midnight. It's the only bummer about it but the drinks are so stiff, it's good that they shut it down early. It might get too crazy!!
(5)Beth K.
Always enjoy the OVI! The last time we were there the menu had changed a little including some smaller plates. Great idea! Good wine list and wonderful desserts! Keep up the good work!!
(4)Henrik C.
Went to Vinings Inn with my girl friend. This is a cozy old building/stable. We only went to the dining rooms downstairs, so I cannot comment on the bar upstairs. This is a nice place and had very good service. The audience is 40+ if not 50+, so that should set your expectations. We had cesar salad, tomato soup, lamp chops and rib eye. The Casar salad was great and well presented. The tomato soup was rich and very creamy. The rib eye was thin and really not a great cut. It came with a mushroom ragout overwhelming in volume and not really great. The green beans were too al dente. The pasta and cheese came without cheese - don't do that, especially, in the south! The waiter personally corrected this. The lamb chops were a bit dry but overall OK. They came with mashed potatoes and asparagus. The mashed potatoes were a little heavy - hold back on the butter - we have to walk from here. The asparagus were not fully cooked. The ambiance is unique and very nice as a breathing room in Cobb. The service is very good. The food ... Starters were pretty good whereas the main dishes left a few things to be desired.
(3)Jay J.
If you are looking for an unpretentious, special occasion place to enjoy a great meal, Vinings Inn has to be considered in the Vinings area. I used OpenTable to make my dinner reservations and had noted that we were celebrating our 10th anniversary. The host and our server BOTH mentioned it to us. See if that happens at most other high-end restaurants. Our server, Matt, was great - attentive but not overbearing and spot-on with recommendations. Here's what we had: APPETIZER: Fried Green Tomatoes: very good, tart and savory SOUP: corn chowder with poblano peppers: off the chain - if you go and they have it, it's a must ENTREES: - Crab cake with poblano grits. so, so good. No batter, pure lump crab. The green beans served with were crisp and delicious. - Brown Sugar Ancho Rubbed Pork Tenderloin: Initially, very sweet. But then when you start putting the tenderloing together with the shallot and roasted potatoes (which had a nice cayenne kick), it was very good. DESSERT: - Red Velvet Carrot Cake & Tart with Caramel and pecans: both were just OK (esp. b/c they comped our desserts for our anniversary) The patio would be an awesome venue on a warm spring/fall evening (ie. bug free). The only slight ding I'd mention is that we were starting to smell cigarette smoke (we think) coming down from the bar upstairs. The ceiling fans downstairs which were on, only kind of recirculated the smell towards the end of our meal. The menu has LOTS of variety and the portions are very good. We will certainly be back for more.
(4)Kory R.
I'd agree with Eric on most everything. My brother and sister-in-law's band plays there quite a bit, so I tend to go and listen to them. The ceilings are very low but if you're 5'7" (it makes you look 6'2"), and you have a leg up on all the "cougars." It is definitely an older crowd, but a fun one. They also have a pretty good seating area outside.
(3)Jessica O.
We had a late dinner at the Vinings Inn, and it was fairly quiet downstairs (good romantic atmosphere), but the Attic Bar seemed busy. Our food was simple, but good. The appetizers are large portions. I wish they had sparkling wines available by the glass, that was the only downside to our meal. Prices were good, we had two glasses of wine, two appetizers, two entrees AND dessert for $70.00. Service was good as well.
(3)Britney B.
I came here for brunch yesterday with three other people, Sunday morning. We arrived right at noon. It was not crowded or busy at all which kind of surprised me because if you go around the corner to J Christopher's at this time it is packed and you are lucky to get seated right away. We sat outside on the deck/ patio and there no one else out there. I guess everyone thought it was too "cold" because it was below 80 degrees outside. The food and service were both excellent. I had eggs benedict. When we got there we wanted mimosas, but forgot about the ridiculous after 12:30 pm on a Sunday rule. Stupid bible belt. As soon as it was 12:30 our server brought the drinks right out. They were cheap too, only $4, which is a good price for a mimosa. The only reason I am not giving a 5th star is because of their parking. I hate that they have valet only. It's free but I'm just weird about that. Also, about 15 minutes before we left another table was seated right beside us. I hate it when there is a sea of empty tables somewhere and the dingbat hostess sits two tables full of people inches away from each other. I have been a hostess before and there is no reason for that.
(4)Rani C.
Went for lunch. Gazpacho was delicious. Ceasar salad was good. Hubby had the fried chicken. That was fine. He wasn't impressed with the macaroni cheese gratin. It's made with penne and the cheese is mostly on top. In general, penne upsets him when its used as the pasta on macaroni and cheese. The name macaroni and cheese implies the macaroni pasta will be used. Had apple pie for dessert. It was disappointing. I've had better. Overall, lunch was about 50 bucks. Know I could have gotten it cheaper elsewhere. And yeah, I've had better. Had to try this place out though, we drive past it all the time.
(2)Stef E.
My food was pretty good. I ordered the tomato soup and salad. The service on the other hand was subpar. I almost forgot what the waiter looked like because he was rarely around. There was also some confusion and discrepancy on what was available online and what was actually offered at the restaurant. When I was ready for my check, I had to flag another waitstaff member down since my waiter was evidently related to Casper the Ghost.
(2)Yifat G.
This was a dinner with work colleagues. The service was great. The lead waiter was on top of things. He made sure we paid attention and didn't lose track of time. At the same time, he gave us plenty of space to have our conversations. The food was fairly good. Nothing was especially spectacular, but everyone was happy. We loved the wine, as our glasses were always being filled. Overall, a good quiet place to hang out for good conversation.
(3)Chad F.
Our pleasant server was attentive and very positive. When explaining the history of the building, it would have been nice to hear it chronologically with the specific time periods relating to the evolution. That history presentation, when done properly, could be an excellent setup for the meal to come. The setting could have been great, it was quiet and romantic, but we were distracted by our hunger. Unfortunately our ticket time was substantially longer than the surrounding tables. Overall I rate the meal as fair. I prefer a little less alcohol within my meals. The beef stroganoff sauce was over saturated with alcohol which wasn't reduced. When it came back, the dish was drown in the sauce just not as potent with the alcohol as before. The original portion of sauce was ideal if properly reduced. My wife's meal would have been great if they cooked her chicken thoroughly. They corrected the mistake and she was pleased with her dish. So we recommend the fried chicken if you visit this restaurant but we most likely won't return.
(2)Wendy D.
Lovely little restaurant, host was warm and engaging. Hubby ordered the Southern Caesar and he said it was just so so. I had the fried green tomatoes and it was strangely tough and greasy. For our entrees I had the scallops with spring risotto, the scallops were beautifully cooked but they sat on pile of blue cheese risotto, there was nothing springlike about it. I cannot understand why the chef would choose to pair delicate scallops with blue cheese. It was not mentioned in the menu or I would never have ordered it. My husband had the shrimp and grits, a little over seasoned but very tasty. We did not do dessert. We don't know if we will go back, maybe we'll give them a second chance one day.
(2)Greg R.
Enjoyed another great meal at Old Vinings Inn followed by some great live music upstairs. It's great having a quaint intimate restaurant setting amidst the sea of big box corporate restaurants that dot the Buckhead/vinings area.
(4)Kris H.
Had a date night and chose this as our destination. Sadly disappointed. Salads came out 10-15 minutes apart, beet salad had thick goats cheese between layers of beets. Too much! Pork chop requested medium; got raw. Two tries later.....overdone, tough. They tried to make it right but just couldn't.
(2)Amy H.
So I read the majority of the reviews and DID NOT WANT TO EAT HERE! But my friend made me. And would not cancel the reservation. And very glad she did I had a WONDERFUL meal here. I thought the service was fantastic. The fried green tomatoes are probably the best I have ever had. 1st place used to be South City and these blow South City's out of the water. Came for brunch so I did the corned beef hash - DELICIOUS!! Fantastic, cannot WAIT to eat it again. Our server and the manager were SO nice, making sure we were warm enough (it is an old house so it was pretty chilly) and I loved it. Can't wait to come back for dinner!!!
(4)Jam D.
Great place to try traditional southern fare with a little flair. Cool spot in downtown Vinings. Perfect to take a date. Candied bacon appetizer is fantastic. I had the Ga Mountain Trout, and my wife had the Shrimp and Grits. We both thoroughly enjoyed out meals. The owner came by our table, and was very nice and engaging. Dont forget to grab a drink in the attic bar.
(4)Caroline K.
My BF and I came here last night for Date night and we were really looking forward to it, but we left very disappointed. We had a reservation for 8:30 and when we walked in it seemed busy and the host, a gentleman in a striped blazer, was so inviting and very sad to let us know that they were a little behind and it would be a wait before we were seated. No big deal, but there was no where to sit while we waited and the waiting area is very spacious so there's plenty of room for a few benches. After about 20 minutes we were seated. The host asked us what the occasion was, we let him know it was our date night, he seated us a the tiniest 2 top in the corner of a separate room. It was private, but there were 2 open 4 tops right next to us, one was dirty during our entire visit. A very awkward female server came over to take our drink order, she did not make eye contact and looked incredibly terrified to come to our table, she did not offer any suggestions. I ordered the Panacea and my BF ordered the Oglethorpe. They were really awful. The panacea is listed on the menu as a cocktail with single malt scotch with honey and ginger over ice. There was zero ice in my glass, the drink was warm and no honey or ginger flavor, also the scotch was very poor quality. The Oglethorpe came in a very girly martini glass and my BF was not too happy with the taste or presentation. The girl just put down our drinks and practically ran away. Another male server came over very quickly and decided to take all of our orders at once, no mention of specials and he did not tell us his name. There was a table of 4 guests at a table close by in the other room that seemed to be having a great experience with their server, he was making jokes and conversation and checking on them regularly, we really felt very snubbed by our server and cheated out of a nice dining experience. A different girl brought our appetizers: truffled Mac and cheese, seafood boil, and strawberry salad. She popped them down and left. The truffled Mac and cheese was not good. It comes as 4 deep fried balls of what looks and tastes like Kraft Mac and cheese with tiny pieces of lobster. The salad was very bland, just a few crumbs of blue cheese, and we laughed because we only had ONE candied pecan on the salad with very dry leaves. The seafood boil was very nice though. The same girl came back and cleared the table very quickly and thought nothing of clearing our 3/4 uneaten truffle Mac and cheese, and left before we could explain we disliked the dish. Shortly after our entrees arrived: my BF had fried chicken and I ordered the scallops, they were very nice, both of the entrees. The room however was incredibly warm. We were both sweating and so uncomfortable. We sat there for a while waiting for our or server to even check on us, but nope... Nothing. We had to grab someone to get our server, and he came in and said he took care of our drinks, and dropped the check with zero explanation why, we appreciated the gesture, however, we had not actually seen the server at any point to fix anything that went wrong, and we never even were offered a dessert menu. Not that we would have stayed for dessert. The restaurant was not very busy, they ended up seat in another walk in couple at the larger empty table next to us, and the other 4 top stayed dirty during our entire dining experience. We did not understand why we were placed at the very tiny table when we had made a reservation and we did not feel as if we were very welcome, with the exception of the host, he was very friendly. We will not be back.
(2)Ambra F.
Was going to go to Another Broken Egg Cafe but it was way packed so we came here instead and boy am I glad. The food was amazing and so flavorful. My fiancée had the angus steak burger with a fried green tomato and that was really good. He asked for American cheese and out pimento on it instead. Now I know what you're thinking, yuck, but this pimento was actually good. It didn't taste like it at all and had a little bit of spice to it. I had the chicken pot pie and let me tell you it was the most flavorful pot pie I've ever had. For an appetizer we had the fried mac and cheese balls with lobster inside and those were really good. There are other things one the menu I most definitely will be going back. Also the sweet tea is very good. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Pamela S.
I work almost directly across the street at Solar Dimensions and I decided one day to steer from my usual after work haunt and try Old Vinings Inn Attic Bar and I was glad I did. It was a lively atmosphere and there was a pretty good live band. I love music of all kinds especially if it's live. I ordered a dirty martini with a swirl of vermouth and it was exactly what the doctor ordered! I had fun unwinding here. Cute place, intimate atmosphere and drinks were moderately priced.
(4)Stephen L.
Delicious. We had a private room for 12. Fried green tomato appetizer was tart and tasty, petit filet with BBC potatoes, glazed brussel sprouts. Amazing filet, interesting sides. Charming atmosphere. Valet parking for $2.
(5)Kristin B.
Went here for Sunday supper. $40 per couple for appetizer and dessert to split and individual entrees. This Sunday was fried green tomatoes which are stuffed with goat cheese and topped with an aioli. Hands down the best I've had. Entree was pecan crusted trout which was good, two filets in the portion, with a side of green beans. Of note their dinner rolls were fantastic. Dessert was warm peach cobbler with ice cream. Excellent service and it was a beautiful night to sit on the patio. Will have to come back and try their regular menu. Apparently they have live music wed-sat and its more crowded during those times. Sunday was not crowded at all around 7pm.
(4)Fatjeew F.
HORRIBLE!!!!!!You expected luxury, and what you get instead is the gluey texture and bland flavor of a WAR time MRE!!!! The flavor of my mahi -mahi was akin to that of mcdonalds chicken nuggets , the price 48$ The experience was rendered tortuous by the intensely stupid service.
(1)D. E.
This has been our go-to place for special occasions for 20 years in Atlanta. We went there tonight to celebrate Mother's Day, and we we so disappointed. The first waitress was truly "out to lunch" and acted like she would have rather been anywhere but there tonight. We waited a long time before getting water. Then we sat and finally had to ask for bread. When the serving of the meal began, 5 people at our table got served, and the remaining 2 had nothing. We sat there while the wait staff started to serve another table. We requested that our remaining 2 be served. By the time they were served, our other meals were no longer hot. We complained to the waitress, and then the hostess came to our table. When we told her about our service, she was rude, said that was "how we do things", and cast us some "dirty" looks as she was walking away from the table! WHAT????? Then the owner came to our table and inquired. He at least apologized and replaced our waitress with a waiter who served us well for the remainder of the evening. I don't know if OVI is under new ownership or what has happened, but it was a disappointing experience. I don't think it is unreasonable to expect well trained and engaged wait staff at a restaurant such as OVI. One positive thing is that at least the food was good, even if lukewarm. Atlanta has too many great restaurants to waste time at those where the service is poor and personnel rude. The consensus at our table was that going forward we will find some other place to celebrate our family events.
(1)Alex P.
Majorly downgrading this place. First of all, they took away our favorite item from the menu, chicken and waffles. Secondly, they happened to be out of most of the menu items today, but didn't bother to tell us until after we ordered. Had we been told they are out of shrimp, I would have turned around and gone somewhere else instead.
(1)Nikki R.
Loved this place. My group had our annual hat brunch here in June and from the start of the planning until the day of, everything was so easy. Lee was great to work with, as was his staff. We had 34 people and there was more than enough space. Definitely look forward to going back. Everyone enjoyed the menu also, although I think I prefer ordering from a full menu, than the group menu. Other than that, no complaints.
(4)Alexander M.
Local Gem! Old Vinings Inn has to be marked in my book as one of the best places I've ate at while being new here to Atlanta! Customer service is ON POINT!! Made a reservation through open table, seated immediately! Greeted by the actual restaurant owner!! That was really cool yet not common! The drinks were made to perfection! The calamari appetizer is not like the average place! It comes tossed in some sort of Asian spiced sauce that brings a bit of a kick to it however not too much that would enable you to enjoy it! For the entrees we chose the traditional Shrimp & Grits along with the Southern Fried Chicken! Everything was priced pretty generously and the portion sizes were perfect! Would recommend this place to anybody who enjoys a nice traditional southern meal at an affordable price!
(4)Hayley D.
I came here with my boyfriend for a special night and it was great! We started in the upstairs bar for drinks and then were seated promptly. We got a crab cake appetizer and it was delicious, but a bit small for the price. For our entrees we each went with the recommendations of our server. I had short ribs and he had the salmon. Both were DELICIOUS and came out so fast! The staff is very attentive and it was a great experience!
(4)Tina F.
The food was amazing especially the artichoke dip. the service was and the owner actually stopped by to say hi and see how everything was a couple times. the building was just absolutely darling all bed-and-breakfast type, amazing restaurant lighting - very romantic and we will definitely be back as soon as possible!!! Yay for good food in ATL!
(5)Jennifer N.
We had brunch here a few weeks ago and the food was ok. I loved the atmosphere . It looks like a great place for a bridal shower or wedding reception. However, the brunch kinda fell flat. It wasn't bad but it wasn't amazing. I really want to go back for dinner. From my understanding they offer live music a few nights a week and the place is always packed when I pass by. I am not ready to count the place out but it did not meet my expectations this time.
(3)Kelsey G.
I dined here for a post-graduation lunch with my family here. I was beyond pleased with the food. It was simply delicious and filling. I had been phone tagging with Old Vinings Inn about the guest list and menu for a while but everything worked out fine. We had the fried chicken--which was something to write home about, cheddar grits, fried green tomatoes, mashed potatoes and lemon curd cheesecake. All of it was delicious, the only thing I didn't care for was their chocolate cake but honestly The owner, Lee, came to speak with us and make sure we had everything we needed. I think the only thing that kind of bothered me is that the table might have been too small. If I were to have had more than 15 guests, I would have no clue where they would have put us. It is not a big place at all.
(4)Michelle J.
Note: I ate up in the Attic Bar on a Tuesday (read: quiet) night. I had the Smokey Sherman, which was so unexpectedly spicy that I laughed out loud after my first sip. The drink was delicious, though. For dinner, I ordered the charcuterie plate. There were a couple of cured meats, pickled veg, deviled eggs with chow-chow salsa, cheese, and dip with flatbread, and it was very good--enough to feed one or be an appetizer for a few.
(4)Lin B.
This is an exquisite restaurant. It came highly recommended by Renaissance Hotel & did not disappoint! We had salads, appetizers, fish entrees & desserts. Everything was prepared to perfection & so delicious. We had seared scallops over risotto and butternut squash gnocchi-wonderfully tasty. The key lime pie and pumpkin creme brûlée were exceptional. The feel is 'charming, comforting Old South plantation house' with wide porch with tables. Live music upstairs was a bonus to us diners downstairs. Service was impeccable, the owner came to ask us how everything was in a genuine caring way. We had a wonderful time. We will be back with more guests the next time we're in town (from SF Bay Area). A lovely and professional-created dining experience. Looks like you should ignore any review prior to 6/13, as new owner took over then.
(5)sean m.
Looks like a new owner or chef at this place, not a fan of the menu or his handling of problems that came up with our food. He proceeded to berate the server in front of us, offered us some free food (which was still under cooked and flavorless). Avoiding this place with a 10 foot poll from now.
(1)Lexi S.
Food and Service on point! As soon as you walk in you are greeted with a sincere 'Welcome!" We tried the Summer Feast and I must say it was delectable! The pimento cheese and flat bread appetizer- full of flavor and the best pimento cheese I've ever had! The entree: marinated port and paprika chicken thighs, grilled to perfection- excellent flavor with superb crisp skin! It was served with a warm, savory potato salad! The last course...wait for it... S'MORES SUNDAE! Are you kidding me?!?! Hands down the BEST indulgence I've had! You will not regret it! Everything was absolutely delicious and we will be back often! Well deserved 5 stars!
(5)Steve B.
Came here for a work lunch event. I'm a just get right to it. The Fried Green tomatoes was very good, the calamari was average. Had Salmon over Caesar. The salmon is top 10 salmon in Atlanta, very good. The desserts were pretty cool with ice cream scoops on top of a waffle, a brownie. Red velvet is pretty good. Will have to return here for the live music. But why have a valet in a parking lot of the size of most people's driveways? It was on the house, not out of my pocket. Grade: B
(3)Candace B.
I really wanted to like this place, but on the occasions I have been it's not been for me. The menu and food are wonderful but for what it is I feel it's grossly overpriced. Service seems very uptight, and most of the valets can't drive a stick shift up the incline in their lot without having to gun the engine or killing it at least once. The only times I eat here at this point is if a friend really insists on giving it a try.
(2)Heather F.
Warning: ridiculously long, gushy review ahead. I held my sister's baby shower at the Old Vinings Inn this past weekend and I couldn't possibly be happier with the way everything turned out. I had originally thought about holding the shower at Canoe, and I am so glad that I changed my mind. While I've enjoyed many meals at Canoe, I don't feel that it's a very good spot to hold a fun or more lively event like a baby shower...the event coordinator I spoke with indicated that the shower would have a very strict start and end time (only lasting exactly 2 hours) and was very resistant to the idea of us bringing in any outside decor, games, etc. The event coordinator for Vinings Inn (owner Lee S.) was the complete opposite. Every request or suggestion from us was met with a resounding "Yes!" The Inn allowed us to bring in outside decor, to hang paper poms from the ceiling, to place fresh flowers everywhere, to have several dessert and gift tables, to create a custom menu and a signature shower cocktail (which the waiters happily served to us in vintage glass milk bottles...no easy feat!) and to provide our own music to be played during the shower. The room that the shower was held in (the Wine Room) was absolutely gorgeous and charming and allowed 17 guests to comfortably brunch at a long "farm-table" setup. The Inn also arranged for the french doors in the room to open out onto the patio, where we were able to arrange a big favor/game table and a gift table. They even provided extra chairs for the patio, so we could all move out onto the patio after eating brunch and sit while the mother-to-be opened gifts. The shower brunch menu was excellent across the board...all of the guests couldn't stop raving about their meals and even requested that they be permitted to take leftovers home with them! Our waiters boxed up each guest's leftovers and added extra portions of cheese grits and turkey sausage to each box, which I thought was a nice touch. The Inn's pastry chef provided a truly amazing cake that was made to our exact specifications...lemon layer cake with strawberry filling and a whipped strawberry frosting. Delicious! Finally, what I found the most impressive was the Inn's willingness to allow us to arrive 2 hours before they opened in order to get everything set up perfectly. The Inn had an employee (Michael) waiting for us at 9:30 a.m. to let us inside. Michael didn't just unlock the doors for us. He helped us unload everything (two carloads worth!) from our vehicles, he helped to hang up paper poms and lanterns, he moved heavy tables, and saw to other small details that are too numerous to list here. He had a positive, helpful attitude the entire time and then, once the shower was over, he proceeded to take everything down and load it back up in the cars! This was a level of service that was entirely unexpected, but very appreciated. And, frankly, it's the kind of service we received from every employee (from owner to waiter) at the Inn throughout this entire process. I would whole-heartedly recommend the Vinings Inn to anyone looking for a venue to host an event, and will happily use them for future events myself.
(5)Vanessa L.
Stellar dining experience. Everything was equally delicious and flavorful, and our server was perfectly attentive, providing thoughtful recommendations. We started with several apps: Truffled Lobster Mac & Cheese Fritter, Charcuterie Plate (which includes the most delicious smoked duck, kale/artichoke spread, and pimento cheese), and Fried Green Tomatoes. For entrees, we had the Veal & Short Rib Meatloaf and Pecan Mountain Trout. My boyfriend isn't the biggest fan of meatloaf but this turned him into a believer. And the trout was perfectly cooked -- very moist and flaked easily. For dessert, we tried a sampler of Salted Caramel Chocolate Torte, Ice Cream and Sorbet Selection (with cookies), and Warm Bourbon Apple Cobbler. Enough said. I'm convinced you can't go wrong with anything you order. Highly recommended for a romantic date night, or if you're just looking to have a great evening out. And don't miss the Attic Bar -- live music nightly Wednesday through Saturday!
(5)Chris M.
After two fantastic visits here some months apart, I think five stars is deserved. Our service on both visits was excellent. The collard greens are slightly sweet and spicy and perfectly tender. I had the Chattahoochee cocktail and would recommend it for people that like bourbon based drinks that aren't overly sweet. The scallops and pecan crusted trout are also winners. Be sure to try the lobster Mac and cheese fritters, too. I visit Atlanta regularly and am looking forward to my next visit here.
(5)Ann D.
We had called around, trying to secure brunch reservations for Easter. We'd tried Canoe, Meehan's and a few others, however, due to no availability, then tried OVI. I live in Vinings and my out-of-town friends wanted to try OVI. I've never been impressed; however, I thought it would be good to give it a try. We were all very disappointed. OVI is a beautiful, old, traditional restaurant, and it's located in central Vinings. Everyone wants it to work. But for Easter brunch, it didn't. We had no idea it would be a buffet-and that's no problem. But if you're going to try market yourself as an upscale, farm-to-table restaurant, then the Holiday Inn-quality buffet was just... Very bad. We had to snake through their service kitchen to get into to single line. The brunch had been set up in a tiny back room and it only allowed for one line. We tried to get plates, but they couldn't keep clean plates available. Each time we went back into the long, single line, we had to wait for plates. And the plates, although clean, were wet. There was nothing attractive about the layout. No flowers, leveling, decorations. Just wet plates, of varying sizes in one stack, plopped on a little table. Then the food. Shrimp and grits: no bowls for them. So the runny "shrimp" portion ran all over our plate. And, there was no shrimp in the shrimp and grits. The grits, although creamy and tasty, were congealed and hard to get out of the serving dish. There were some other things along the table, but not much. Very limited choice, and looked very unappealing, again, because the food was just put onto the table with nothing to accent: no flowers, use of leveling, or use of color. Really, we heard the people in back of say Holiday Inn and that's exactly what it was. There was a French toast" that was hard as a rock and loaded with chocolate. We could not cut it. No could we cut the absolutely horrible London broil. For what they charged, they had a car ING station of just ham and leather-like London broil. On the opposite side of this tiny room was the dessert table which consisted of peach cobbler (obviously canned peaches) and pretty good bread pudding/chocolate strawberries. But again, just sort of tossed into the table with no artistry. They then had a small "salad" table with a few little dishes of vegetables, some good cold shrimp, and a large bowl of pimiento cheese spread. With no bread. We were crowded into the room, and it was very uncomfortable. We saw waitstaff bringing bread to some tables, but we never were asked if we wanted any. The tables had nothing pretty on them. Re cloths were low-tier banquet hall quality, as was the silverware. The very low quality and limited selection of the food, the slow, single, snaking line through service areas ("uncomfortable" was what my guest said), the drab tables and lack luster service was all embarrassing for me. And it cost us 77.00 for two (plus tip). If we'd gone to another brunch buffet (of which we all know), we would have had better quality of food, far more selection, less inconvenience and more aesthetically pleasing surroundings. And we would have paid a little less. My friends were so happy to be visiting Vinings, and I had my fingers crossed for a good experience. It didn't happen. Again, we've tried to support OVI a few times. But we won't do it again. What a let down.
(2)Bonnie B.
OVI has been one of my favorite brunch/dinner spots in Vinings...until today. My mouth was watering for their Eggs Benedict which I had before and loved! Our server informed us " no more poached eggs". Whaattt??? Garrisons across the street has 3-4 varieties of Eggs Benedict so that's where I have to go ... My boyfriend ordered the Shrimp & Grits with Vine Ripe Tomatoes Entree.. Would you believe a very small dish of grits, 3 shrimp and 1 cherry tomatoe.... $19!!! We had to comment on how dissatisfied we were with that portion and the manager did comp the Shrimp & Grits. OVI... What has happened??? We want you to be fabulous... We really do! My grilled Meditteranean Salmon over Spinach Salad was tasty... That salmon sure looked poached not grilled to me. At least it was tasty & enough to share with the boyfriend! The warm garlic bread was outstanding but we can't go back on garlic bread alone... OVI, we are going to give you 1 more shot! And please bring back those delicious Eggs Benedict.
(2)Allison C.
Mom and I took my Bronx-born boyfriend here because he wanted fried chicken and we didn't want to go to Mary Mac's (too heavy) or Colon-aide. Not far from house and still warmish enough to eat outside. Jason, our waiter, made the meal unforgettable for us all. When BF asked one of those stupid, "Do you have have (insert grocery stores, paved roads, etc) questions," I answered, "Why yes, and I bet they have indoor plumbing here, too." "No, not anymore," Jason answered as he came up to take our order. "Too much money." I asked if the privy had a moon cut into the door. "Again, not in the budget." BF's eyes got really wide and I told him I would lend him my iPhone for the Flashlight feature, if he made sure not to drop it. Mom and I insisted BF have a fried green tomato. He hemmed and hawwed. We got it anyway. Jason made it even better by telling him that it was possum. Mom and I dug in and I SWORE I wouldn't tell anyone that he was eating possum. The fried green tomato was excellent. Mom and I each split an arugula salad, told BF that it was kudzu, asked if he'd had before and he said, "Yes. Once in Richmond." Which interstate did he get it from? 64 or 95? Anyway, he liked it too. Mom had flounder, which was good. Knowing she wouldn't finish it, I got the smoked trout appetizer as an entree. Not impressed. BF got sage oven fried chicken with risotto. Loved the risotto. Dessert didn't stand out, but we can't remember much about it. To quote Mom, "Something chocolate w/something runny in the middle and a strawberry shortcake biscuit thing, because it was a biscuit." Dessert the next night at Coast was FAR more memorable. Jason was GREAT. Get a table in his section, especially if you have a carpetbagger in tow.
(4)Marcus O.
yay. i'm a fan. price range is between spendy and splurge depending on whether you go for a full course + drinks. food is decent though. none of the appetizers were overwhelming. they were pretty much average. i had the six ounce filet. pretty good. very tender. not bones good... but hey it's not bones priced either. service is excellent. the ambiance of this place is pretty freakin' awesome. the restaurant is in an old house. the attic bar is a low ceiling upstairs hangout. good range of scotch there, including a few single malts. it's pretty neat in there. avoid the back corner though. no air seems to circulate back there. if you don't mind splurging more for atmosphere, go here for date night. vinings has a lot of nice shops you can walk around when you're done.
(4)Beth B.
I went last night to Vinings Inn to see Curt Thomas (awesome band) play with some friends of mine. We had a BLAST!! Curt plays there every Thursday for sure, that is definitely the night to go. I only had some appetizers - the cheese dip and the fried tomatoes. Both were EXCELLENT! I can't wait to go back and actually try the real food!
(4)Whitney H.
I forgot how amazing this place is! I went there last night with my dad and his best friends from out of town and the food was absolutely incredible! Everyone raved about their meals and the appetizers were super tasty with a beautiful presentation. I had the shrimp and grits, it was seriously one of the best meals I've ever had! The service was also above par, our waitress was awesome! The owner came out and chatted with us and he was super nice, he just took over 4 months ago, but had a very impressive resume of restaurants he's managed. They also have a private room perfect for 8 people you can request when making a reservation and there is live music at the upstairs bar Thurs-Sat. If you are looking for a neat fine dining restaurant to take an out of town guest, I would highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)Jeremy J.
I brought by fiancé and her friends here for brunch one Sunday morning. The menu has very limited options, and we reluctantly decided to stay and eat to give it a shot. The waiter was very rude and cussed when I asked if they had any biscuits. I got the hashbrowns with sausage and scrambled eggs. The hashbrowns were so nasty, stringy, and ladeled with grease and butter. The eggs were hard and tasted like they had been cooked for 30 minutes. The sausage was also untasty. The waiter got all of our orders wrong, and the other three beside myself ate one bite and quite eating. He brought me my check and it actually looked like he only charged me for my meal and could obviously tell the others hated theirs. After I paid and was walking out, he tracked me down and said he got the ticket wrong and charged me for all the meals. Spare yourself and go grab a mcgriddle from McDonald's before coming here.
(1)Shelley B.
We just had a great surprise Bridal Shower at Old Vinings Inn. There was a private room to the side that was perfect for our 18 guests. Lee, the owner was Flexible and charming. He helped us to plan this shower while I was in California and my 85 year old mother who doesn't drive communicated with Lee. They got us a great cake, there were 2 waiters and it went seamlessly. The theme was "around the clock" and they kept the drinks coming, the salad and lunch was great. Everyone cleaned their plates! The crab cakes, eggs Benedict and the steak burger was to die for. The fried green tomatoes were the crown on the steakburger. Along with valet parking the party was very successful. Lee recently purchased the Inn and he is making a great business.
(5)David C.
So, I was here last year for a take-out order on a break from working in the area. I ordered the blackened shrimp tacos. It was expensive for tacos. 2 tacos for $13? I guess it is fine-dining restaurant. The tortilla shell I did not like at all, maybe because I've been to Mexico and know what it should taste like. They did a good job with the contents though, and that's the reason I wolfed them down with a greedy look on my face. I'd definitely make the trek to try the food again.
(3)Janet B.
I held a baby shower here last weekend. The food was amazing! The staff was so friendly and accommodating. We really enjoyed our time and never felt rushed. I would highly recommend this place.
(5)Alyssa M.
We went for brunch today. The best part of the meal was the service. It was exceptional on every level. The food was pretty good but it seemed like the kitchen didn't read the tickets. Meat and eggs weren't cooked to requested temps and "no pickles" was ignored. The difference between a medium hamburger and a well done hamburger is a pretty big deal. Any kitchen that ignores the requests to leave off certain items is just asking to give a customer an allergic reaction. That being said, the taste of the food was good. Because the service was so outstanding, I would definitely go back and try their dinner menu in the future.
(3)Eliot P.
A lovely place with a New England feel. The fried green tomatos were wonderful. Very nice menu, many items with a southern bent. I had a difficult time choosing as five dishes had great appeal. I ended up with the shrimp and grits with chorizo. Very enjoyable. All our diners enjoyed their meals. Very nice wine list with several very reasonable and tasty glass selections. The service was as good as it gets. Ella did an outstanding job. Friendly, knowledgeable about the menu, beyond attentive. One suggestion; place some kind of shading in the front Windows as the traffic lights are a little harsh. Great time, service and food.
(4)Ruth C.
Had brunch here on a Sunday around 11:30. This place is really cute with friendly and fast service and was heading for a 5 star review... Until I found a hair in my eggs Benedict. I didn't mention it to the staff or the friend I was eating with because we were at the end of our meal and I didn't want to make her throw up. I felt like throwing up. Everything else didn't matter because nothing is more important than hygiene in a restaurant.
(1)Molly M.
A classic favorite. The fried chicken beats Mary Mac's Tea Room and South City Kitchen! They have a social dining room for 6 that can be reserved in advance. The upstairs bar is quaint and often has live music. A great place for brunch, a romantic dinner, or even a company dinner party for 30 people (I've done then all)!
(4)Jackie A.
The food was fantastic and the service was phenomenal. We had the fried green tomatoes for an appetizer - I would highly recommend. I was the lucky one and got the last dish of scallops for the night. They were served with an exquisite plating of vegetables and I would go back for more. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Panida S.
D I S A P P O I N T E D! I was on Open Table looking to make reservations somewhere for my husband's birthday. Vinings Inn came up, and after reading the great reviews for the restaurant (on Open Table), I was excited, and planned my husband's birthday dinner there. I thought the location sounded romantic, menu looked good (extremely similar to Horseradish Grill, which I love), what more could you want, right? WRONG! The service was good, but that's about it. We ordered: - Calamari: I've never had calamari served like this before, EVER! Cornmeal crusted calamari on a plate with a HUGE dollop of their "spicy marinara" plopped right in the middle, on top of the calamari! So, you know that everything was soggy! UGH! The sauce also looked like it had sat under a heating lamp for a long time, and tasted like it too! Daikon sprouts? Where? Not w/ my dish! What a crappy way to start dinner! - Well, the bread they serve is good, that's why they got 1 star. - Vinings Salad: Bowl of lettuce, a tomato slice, and some blue cheese dressing (with NO blue cheese pieces) in a ramikan. SERIOUSLY? For $9? - I ordered the Oven Roasted Chicken...it was roasted alright! One word: DRY! The potatoes that came with it were good, mashed style potatoes. The green bean, OVERCOOKED! - My husband ordered the Rib Eye. UNDERWHELMED! We are carnivores, steak lovers! I could've cooked a tastier steak from Publix at my house! AND, POOR PRESENTATION! The steak was served on a large rectangular plate, BY IT SELF! No garnishment or anything! It made the steak look smaller than it was because of the size of the plate! WTH? - Wild Mushroom Rissotto was YUCK! Straight up, just YUCK! Mushrooms? Are you sure you didn't mean tomato sauce??!!?!? Oh yeah, the bathrooms....at the end of our meal, I asked to use the restroom. One of waiters pointed behind the reception desk, and I continued to walk. A guy whispered to me, "Use the last bathroom, it's nicer." Um, ok? You literally walk through a dirty prep area to get to the bathroom! I walked into the "Nicer bathroom", and there was a space heater blasting, circulating a cat urine like smell. If I would've of gone to bathroom before ordering, we would've left! The prep area you walk through was filthy! Our waiter was nice, but came to the table with our food smelling like an ashtray. Ugh. I was very disappointed, and the meal wasn't cheap either!
(1)Cathy B.
This is a review specific to anyone who is considering hosting an event at The Vinings Inn. My husband and I hosted a rehearsal dinner there last month and I can say that the service as well as the food was absolutely outstanding. We had a pretty large crowd (36 adults and 8 children) and yet our dinner was handled in a very efficient manner. The guests were extremely pleased with their food and service, and it was a memorable night for everyone there. They were easy to work with and I highly recommend them, especially if you're looking for a wonderful venue for a specific occasion.
(5)John G.
Havent been here for a while until recently I stopped in for a late dinner. I recall the food being MUCH better but we brought some realy good wine and they charged $20 per bottle corking fee, a bit much I thought but anyway it was way better then anything on the wine list there. Service was ok and everyone seemed to enjoy what they ordered. The best part of the evening was afterwards we went upstairs to the bar, they have live music and dancing, it was a good way to top off the night.
(3)Deanna J.
My Old Vinings Inn experience is definitely different than Eric's - this was the standard 'place to take clients to' place in Vinings for me. So I've only been around the lunch crowd. It's a relaxed atmosphere made unique because of the quaint 'house' that it's in. The waitstaff is very attentive but not overly so, and the surroundings are quiet - both good for business lunching. All the salads are good options, and my regular was the crab cake. From Eric's review, it sounds like it transforms into more of a bar at night.
(4)Brett P.
AAAAGGGHHHH. I love this place. Perfect for a 1st date. I recently met someone and went there as they were new to the city and it reminded him of back home... food was prepared and seasoned to perfection... prices are always decent, and service is top notch! Not too much into the bar upstairs... but, if you want a relaxing and romantic get away... HAVE AT IT!
(4)David Q.
Had been there before and it was fine. This time service was so bad we walked out. People who came in after us were actually finished eating and we had not been served. The waiter never acknowledged the reason for a delay and never even looked at us, we ordered from the menu, fish tacos, but when the third party who came in 30 minutes after us got their food, we walked out. The waiter saw us leave, but never said a thing. We won't go back.
(1)Sarah M.
We're lived in Vinings 2 years and never ventured to OVI so we thought it was time. It was a laid back atmosphere and nice for a date night. The food was really only average. 2 stars out of 5. Also our server was nice but really slow. We were ready to pay our check and the waiter disappeared for 15 minutes. With so many wonderful choices in Atlanta we probably will not be back for dinner.
(2)Chris B.
I pass by this restaurant multiple times a day and for some strange reason I've always had an odd attraction to it. Until recently, I've never had a chance to visit. I had some family in town this weekend and we decided to stop by. First of all, ambiance is very pretentious and annoying. Even if the food was good, I probably wouldn't be back just because the vibe is very weird. The bread basket came out right after we placed our order; simply horrid. I don't even know how you can mess up rolls and cornbread. I had the fried chicken breast, mac and cheese, and french beans. The chicken tasted strange and the breading had some strange seasonings in it. The white "gravy" was laughable and simply disgusting; it had the consistency of watered down ranch dressing. The french beans were as hard as a rock, completely un-edible for me. I realize that this is the way french beans are sometimes served in a more "upscale" restaurant; however, Yelp says this place is supposed to be southern and there is nothing southern about a frozen green bean. The mac and cheese was decent, if the pasta was actually cooked I would have said it was excellent. Someone else in my party had the roasted chicken, which was equally as terrible and completely raw inside. This is a place I would definitely never return to. I will mention though, the service was fine, nothing to really complain about there. Yelp needs to reclassify this establishment as there is nothing southern about Vinings Inn.
(1)Mike B.
A cozy little restaurant and upstairs bar. They serve a good selection of wines upstairs, to go along with relaxing music. This is an off-beat place to take friends or business associates. The stellar service helps make this a memorable experience.
(4)Dru J.
Martinis, piano jazz, cigars (wait, no cigars), good food in the comfortable surroundings of OVI. These are a few of my favorite things that I've not enjoyed in quite some time. Unhappily, companion was about to return home to China. So we dashed into OVI, barely missing the rain, to share some of those favorite things. Perhaps it was the prospect of not having "western" food for a while that sent her into an ordering frenzy. Meatloaf (yes, surprised even me), mac & cheese gratin, southern style green beans, Peach BBQ Shrimp over poblano-cheddar grits, additional sides followed by cocktails more than sated my soon-to-be jet lagged friend. Dining in the (setting) sun room to piano music, candlelight and soft rain provided a stereotypically, OWWW! err, I mean, memorably, romantic dinner. Service was ably performed by one Tyler, the food, while not mind-blowing, was tasty and well prepared. Dinner, drinks, and atmosphere were more than reasonably priced. OVI remains a classic.
(4)Christy G.
We started in the bar upstairs while waiting on others to join us for dinner. Wow, Rick was an amazing bartender, not only did he pour an awesome drink he was interacting with the whole crowd. Seem to know all the locals and was very friendly. He had a game going and soon to be available to the public. "Out of the Box" so much fun, these babies won't last long once the hit the shelves. Get it when it first comes out. Dinner was fantastic. The only down side I would have to say was our waiter. He was not very attentive to our needs. We had some apps up in the bar so we decided so share some meals, I think he didnt like that fact, maybe because his tip was going to be less. IDK however I will go back. Will probably eat upstairs in the bar and stay later for the entertainment.
(4)E J.
I miss this place. Spent many a night hanging out in the bar upstairs when I lived in ATL a few years ago. It's so quaint and just a fun time all around. Great food, good drinks, nice balcony seating area, cool intimate place to see local bands. Less of a douche-bag crowd than some other places. If I remember the drinks are not cheap but some of the food on the bar menu is reasonable. As Eric S stated, do not go here if you're a tall person. The ceilings are LOW.
(4)