Bistro Niko Atlanta, Ga

Ooh la la, so I couldn't wait until I ate here three times to post about this great new restaurant in Atlanta! Bistro Niko is operated by the son of Pano Karatassos, a longtime restaurateur in Atlanta and the expertise shows in every detail, from service to food. I only have eaten lunch there, but I suspect the dinner crowd is much like the well-dressed, chic Buckhead crowd that flocks here for lunch in a very bustling piece of Peachtree just north of the Grand Hyatt.

Bob and I were staying in hotels during both lunch visits, so we entered from the street side and you actually are walking into the bar. However, the maitre`d stand is on the back side where there is, presumably, a parking lot or valet stand. The room nearest this entrance and across from the kitchen has a very French bistro feel with its tiles, art, and light fixtures. It is bright, noisy, and has tables for diners. The other dining area has booths and is darker and cozier. The bar area also has booths lined up against the windows for a view of Peachtree. In addition, there are cafe tables on an outdoor terrace for those like me who love to dine al fresco, weather permitting. There is some awkwardness in the hostess' decision-making regarding seating, however. We asked for a quiet table but we were placed in a booth in the center of the restaurant with booths to the left and right of us. She then put a family of five, including an infant seat, in a booth across from us. To the father's credit, he asked to be moved to a banquette in a more private area where there would be less intrusion to those around them. Not to mention there was no place for the infant carrier in the booth!

I think this place is filling the gap for those Buckhead and Brookhaven residents who were used to having lunch at Brasserie Le Coze because the menus here is very similar to that of the now-defunct BLC. It is now repositioned as FAB in midtown, but that would be another blog. Oh, it may already be, I forget. The requisite skate wing is on the menu and of course some wonderful French bread and perfect butter. And the FB loves her French bread and butter! I ordered fish both times I lunched at Niko and both were perfectly prepared. Desserts were very good and rich, as one would expect in a Parisian-styled bistro.

I read that many of the accoutrements were brought in from France and the architecture, particularly the ceilings, reflect this style. We made reservations for lunch and are were glad we did. It gets packed. And if you go there in jeans or sweats, you will be very under-dressed, as this is the place to be seen in your Atlanta-chic best. And that goes for the men as well! FB