This is a review I probably should have done long ago, and for no real good reason I have not been eating here as much as I used to however… I digress. Let us talk a moment about an under-hyped Buckhead mainstay. Located behind Pharr Road on quiet Grandview Ave. Located in a small house with an extensive covered porch, Anis is a quaint location that serves lunch and dinner from a small neighborhood location. Even when busy, it never seems to loud providing a wonderful outdoor dining experience, weather permitting. As with any place. Anis does not have the city’s most diverse and deep menu however I often find this is the trademark of any serious kitchen. Do a handful of dishes and do them extremely well.
My most recent visit found me at Anis’ for dinner, so this review is going to limited to the dinner menu. I started things off with an arugula and artichoke salad, very light fare. I am a much bigger fan of the tomato tartare salad which when delivered resembles a fish tartare or steak tartare but prepared obviously with tomatoes and a heathy slice of mozzarella to top. With the exception of Anis’ mussels, the tomato tartare is arguably their signature appetizer. While we are on the topic of the mussels however, this might be the best in Atlanta. Always fresh and always a generous portion, not too rich and just enough garlic. The coup de grâce is the pommes frites, undeniably the best I’ve ever had. Flip Burger Botique, and Five Seasons, I still love your take on fries… very very much, but these are something you have to try to fully appreciate.
In terms of entree I decided to do something different; ordinarily I am a hard sell off of Anis’ steak au poive but as I had a long night ahead of me and needed to feign staying awake for another 4 or 5 hours after a regular work day I opted for lighter fare with the trout, which I have had numerous times but not recently. Fresh, perfectly golden trout topped with leafy greens and more artichokes provided an elegant balance of flavors without a surplus of bones or oil to detract from the enjoyment or flavor. Barely able to finish the plethora of food before me I did not have a chance to sample any of the dessert options at Anis’ this visit. I vaguely recall trying them on previous visits but not well enough to warrant any solid review here.
Anis Cafe & Bistro
2974 Grandview Avenue Northeast
Atlanta, GA 30305-3214
(404) 233-9889