If you were to ask me to describe myself, I would say I was a pretty simple person. Not simple minded, although the older I get, the more simple minded I feel. I mean, simple in taste. I am a jeans, a tee shirt and flip flop wearing kind of girl (and that is when I dress up lol.) When we travel, which is only a few times a year, I like to step a bit outside my comfort zone. When we are on vacation, I like for my family and I to be treated to the finer things in life. You know..live it up a little.
With my oldest daughter and her boyfriend still living in my hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, we try to visit them at least twice a year. If I was asked where I love to visit most when we visit Atlanta, without hesitation, it would be The Polaris Restaurant in Atlanta. If you have not been to the Polaris, here are just 8 reasons you really should!
The Structure: The Polaris Restaurant is a revolving restaurant on top of the Hyatt Regency hotel in Atlanta. The blue dome-shaped structure gives the hotel its distinctive profile. I am sure my kids are not the only people who think it looks like a very cool space ship! The restaurant gives an ever-changing panoramic view of the entire city, which is one of the reasons we love to visit The Polaris Restaurant.
The Menu: The menu at the Polaris restaurant, changes every 3 weeks, giving it’s customers something new to look forward to with every visit. Many of the items on the menu are from The Polaris Restaurant Rooftop Bee Garden, which features homegrown tomatoes, herbs, peppers and other produce, ingredients served in the Polaris’ plates and cocktails.
The Food: OH Em Gee…the food! Honestly, we have visited many restaurants and The Polaris Restaurant is one of our very favorites. The attention to detail, the combination of flavors and the large portions, makes the menu at The Polaris Restaurant one of the finest around. Trust me when I tell you, one bite of any of the amazing dishes on the menu are like a symphony in your mouth.
The Service: On the two visits to the Polaris, we have had the most professional, knowledge, down to earth and super sweet servers. I have a 15 year history in the restaurant business and Armanda and Jasmine are among the most top notch servers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. They give the Polaris that down home feel with the touch of elegance we have come to appreciate.
The Chefs: When it comes to the chefs at The Polaris Restaurant, we have come to feel as if Chef Rodney Ashley and James Gallo as a part of our family. Chef Rodney has gone so far above and beyond his duties when we visit. His heart is as big as his knowledge of creating award winning dishes. He has been classically trained and his gifts shines through in every plate he creates. Chef Ashley holds the 2014 winning title for “The Good Taste Series,” Hyatt’s elite chefs competition. Chef Gallo is by far one of the most talented pastry chefs in the nation. Each time we visit, we have celebrated a birthday and his cakes have delivered on big taste as well as big smiles from the birthday guests.
The Atmosphere: From the moment you step off the elevator (which is a bit like the glass elevator from Willy Wonka), you enter a place unlike any I have ever seen. With it’s rotating structure (which is uber cool), to the decor, the furniture, the world class bar and spectacular view, the Polaris Restaurant is absolutely one of a kind. Whether you are visiting for cocktails and appetizers or a full meal, the Polaris is THE place to go.
The Bar: In addition to the huge variety of available alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic beverages, the Polaris has something no other bar in the world has. The Polaris Bourbon is the result of a partnership with Elijah Craig, the award winning Kentucky distillery that invented bourbon. The 12-year old bourbon carries the name of Rev. Elijah Craig, the man who discovered the method of making true Kentucky Bourbon by aging his whiskey in fire-charred barrels. Be sure to order the Polaris Bourbon in a Manhattans, Old Fashioned, julep cups, or as it was intended: neat, in a fine glass, with good friends.
The Bees: The Polaris is one of the only restaurants in Atlanta with their own Bee Garden, with more than 60,000 honeybees. The Bee Garden not only produces several gallons of honey each year, but the honey is also served daily in the drinks and plates at the Polaris. I love that the bees are actually “rescue” bees” which were saved from a truck accident by the Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association and were given a new home at The Polaris Restaurant.
Whenever we visit Atlanta, the Polaris Restaurant has become a place we just have to visit. We look forward to the new menu along with a staff we now consider family. Sara Hernandez always arranges the perfect visit, the Chefs delight our palates and the servers take the best care of us. Henry has a birthday coming up in August, as does his older sister, so I can pretty much guarantee you I know where they will want to celebrate! Yes! The Polaris Restaurant in Atlanta!
Be sure to follow The Polaris on Twitter and Instagram and tell them Kelly sent you!
The Polaris
265 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 460-6425
Tuesday – Saturday, 5 p.m. – Midnight
