Atlanta Restaurant is Closing it's Doors
April 16, 2013
To large surprise, this past weekend an end has come to a storied tradition for a well recognized restaurant in
Atlanta, GA. Originally, the two establishments that were once called the 'Pleasant Peasant' and 'Peasant Uptown' opened in the 1970's and were seen as a highly coveted place to dine. During the first twenty five years of service, frequent receptions, pre-gala dinner occasions and regular nights out on the town for customers were the standard run for the business. The atmosphere was charming with white linen table tops, finely decorated fixtures, paintings, memorable food and a staff that helped sustain it's refined consistency for many years.
The cuisine of the restaurant was Mediterranean with southern flair. Such items as breaded snapper, pork medallions, halibut with lobster stuffing, grilled veal, shrimp and grits, steak tartar and prime rib were satisfying dinner choices for the decades during the restaurant's original operation. The Peasant Restaurant's concept during the initial years developed into an investable opportunity for a small hospitality management company that decided in 1983 to incorporate the two locations into a larger franchise. The 'Peasant' name and conceptual identity were largely left intact though by the new owners. And soon the 'Pleasant Peasant' and 'Peasant Uptown' became associated within the signature chain of the franchisee's other locations called Mick's which at the time was in the process of expanding it's few locations in places like Atlanta, Washington DC and Philadelphia.
Each of the restaurant's maintained a local loyalty and attraction among the cities visitors for years to come. But eventually the ownership company sought to exit the business and several properties were sold to be later occupied by non affiliated restaurants or retail businesses.
Many years later in 2008, two women who had previously been employees of the former Peasant locations, decided to buy the name and venture into a new location in the heart of downtown Atlanta. They refurbished an existing two story space into a contemporary interior of white brick, dark hardwood flooring, iron railing and marble top bars. A candle lit ambiance for dinner or sunny daytime atmosphere provided an enchanting place for patrons to dine.
As the owners would find, being in the downtown area of Atlanta has it's pros and cons due to the lack of local residents that could help provide a regular stream of steady business. However being next to the vibrant tourist area among the large convention center, two sports arenas, a state of the art aquarium and other attractions, the re-launched Peasant restaurant known as Peasant Bistro managed a significant track of business from it's inception.
The new location had a regular capacity of about 100 people, while accommodations could be easily made for another 80 or so given the private dining space in the back. Outdoor seating has included a second story patio area that served as a nice lanai during amenable weather. The customers were made to find pleasure in the cozy surroundings, consuming any of the moderate to high end menu selection that the Bistro offered. Some of the Bistro's popular dinner items included appetizers of duck leg confit, seckle pair mixed green, caesar salads and traditional French onion soup. Entrees including rack of lamb cassoullue, duck breast with cauliflower puree, trout almandine, beef short rib, steaks along with a sweet selection of deserts like the sticky break pudding or ice cream profiteroles helped round out a nice list of menu options.
Getting the guests in the door and providing a delightful meal for out of town travelers, corporate gatherings, local clients and whoever else ambled upon the location hopefully found that their experience achieved an elegant occasion while reminiscent of a local quaintness that ranked among the top list of places to eat in Atlanta.
Unfortunately though after it's original thirty years in business and reopened history in downtown for nearly the last decade, has decided to come to an end. The reason being that like a majority of industry establishments, costs were too high to viably afford on a consistent basis despite the profit from regular large group and busy days of downtown hotel occupancy.
The space is owned by the development group whose other properties line the several block section of downtown known as Lucky Marietta alongside and one block off of Centennial Olympic Park. Their list of leases include two major hotels, approximately six other restaurants and a condominium unit among within the area. The rumor is that another dining location is to move in but one which is an event space for special events and receptions.
Sadly the seven day a week, uniquely charming business that has been a known name in Atlanta will no longer be in operation. As an alternative, the year old Italian counterpart to the Peasant Bistro named Campangolo in Midtown is a recommended place to go as well as the sports bar that is currently being remodeled named Henry's to be opened in the early fall.