by Lee T. on A part of Atlanta's soul died when the Clermont Hotel was shut down. But much happiness was shared by all when they continued to keep this infamous dive bar & strip joint open. Full monty or not, this place is a lot of fun. The bathroom was actually pretty clean, and everyone that goes has a blast. You've got all kinds of people there, too. Friendly strippers (blondie, the crowd pleaser), good people in all shapes and sizes. Great place to observe and come as you are. I would give the Clermont 5 stars, but where you have to park... and walking into the place gives me the hibbies a little bit. I always feel like I'm going into a haunted mansion. A haunted mansion with flaming nipples and sloppy seconds. :) Don't forget to tip.
by Steve B. on The bartender knew more about food than most servers I have met. I met the bartender in a bar, a few weeks before this venue opened. I overheard her talking about food--in particular a dish with chicken and fontina cheese--in such delectable, mouth-watering detail that I assumed she was a chef. When I inquired, I noticed the stack of training materials labeled "Maggiano's" next to her. She explained that she was in the midst of (rather extensive) training to work at a new Italian restaurant. I asked her how long she had been a chef, and she corrected me--she was in training, but as a BARTENDER. A bartender, a BARTENDER, weeks before a restaurant opening, waxing poetic about several dishes to come, conveying each tasty detail in such a way as to make me hungry, though I had just eaten. OK, you have my attention. Any place that takes this much care in training bar staff in the cuisine is already doing something right. [Aside: this happened at the height of the Urban An American Grill pre-opening review shill scandal. I was struck by how much better an approach to drumming up interest this unintended, unforced, organic encounter over a beer actually was]. I made note of the opening date, and planned to visit. Dad's Italian, and I grew up eating his and his Mom's cooking, so I LOVE good Italian food. I ate there last Monday, on a very quiet night, by myself. I sat at the bar, and was pleased to see my bartender there and smiling amidst the dark wood, lush fabrics and gleaming bottles. The atmosphere is dark, clubby, casually elegant. The bar and dining room are quite pleasant, yet still Austin--I felt perfectly comfortable in jeans. I had a glass of a delightfully full-bodied Coppola red, and some Calamari to start and both were delicious. The calamari was apparently marinated in advance and quite tender, lightly breaded and delicately fried--a guilty pleasure, but I do love it. I almost went for the Chicken Fontina dish on the "House Signature Dishes" section of the menu, or one of the amazing value 2-for-1 "Today & Tomorrow" Pastas (get one for dinner at $12.95, take another home for tomorrow night, like eating at Grandma's house) but with a thumbs-up from Virginia behind the bar, chose the Crab & Shrimp Canneloni. I am glad I did. It arrived, with a peppery Ravenswood Zinfandel alongside, baked surface-of-the-Sun hot, with an Asiago Cream Sauce and giving off the most mouth-watering aroma. It did not disappoint. It was one of those meals that had me stuffed about 2/3 of the way through but which I could not stop eating. Delectable. As I lingered over the Zin and ordered an espresso, I couldn't help but notice the tiny dessert menu--the menu was large actually--but it featured tiny tastes, even a sampler of tiny tastes, of each dessert. I settled on a little Apple Crostada which arrived hot and delicious in a small espresso cup. Just enough to satisfy the sweet tooth. The meal was excellent, Virginia's service pleasant and attentive, the wines by the glass attractively priced and well-paired and the espresso passable (needs a bit of work). I look forward to returning with a group and trying the family-style coursed meals, or one of the "Today & Tomorrow" pasta specials--perfect for leftovers. Welcome to the neighborhood Maggiano's.
