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
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
June 3, 2015 at 4:20 pmThe food all looks so amazing. If I am ever in Atlanta, I know where I want to go!
Christy Maurer says
June 3, 2015 at 4:50 pmWhat an awesome place! I love the location and the fact that you have such a great view. The food looks amazing…bacon popcorn! Yes, please! I’ve never been to Atlanta, but this would be on my list to visit!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
June 3, 2015 at 4:58 pmI love, love, LOVE Polaris! My husband and I go there for date night sometimes. It’s absolutely fantastic.
Lyndsey Jones says
June 3, 2015 at 11:05 pmThis looks like an awesome place to go visit. I love the photos you shared with us. Thank you.
Miranda Myrabev says
June 3, 2015 at 11:05 pmI love these pictures. It looks like a great place to go visit.
Jessica Simms says
June 3, 2015 at 11:30 pmWow what an experience! I would love to go here one day and experience their food and environment.
Jeanine says
June 4, 2015 at 12:11 amI haven’t heard of this restaurant before. But it does sound great! I would love to experience it myself someday! I just may need to travel there!
Ann Bacciaglia says
June 4, 2015 at 1:43 amThis food looks so delicious. I will have to go to The Polaris the next time i am in the area.
Chubskulit Rose says
June 4, 2015 at 1:58 amBy the looks of it, it seems like a very lucurious fining place to go to. Love the presentation of the bread!
touristmeetstraveler says
June 4, 2015 at 3:37 amThat is really cool that they have their own bee garden! I haven’t heard of that before, that is really cool.
Susan Quackenbush says
June 4, 2015 at 4:23 amI unfortunately do not get to travel as much any more but I have been to Atlanta and I’ve always loved their food! I’ve never heard of this particular place but if I find myself in Atlanta any time soon, I”ll be sure to stop in! Thank you for sharing this great restaurant with us! 🙂
Digna says
June 4, 2015 at 1:58 amNever heard of this restaurant before but if we ever visit there, wouldn’t mind checking it out. Food looks very good.. Thank you for sharing.
Bonnie @ wemake7 says
June 4, 2015 at 2:15 pmI dress the same way too, jeans, tshirt and flip flops lol. =) This place looks like a really nice place to eat and have celebrations at. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Lynndee says
June 4, 2015 at 2:30 pmI’ve never heard of this restaurant nor did I see it when we were in Atlanta in 2012. I will surely check it out once we visit Atlanta again. I would love to experience being in a revolving restaurant. 🙂
lisa says
June 4, 2015 at 2:49 pmThis place looks great! The food and drinks look amazing! If I ever make it to Atlanta I will have to check this place out.
Uplifting Families says
June 4, 2015 at 7:18 pmThis is a nice looking restaurant. The food looks amazing. I have been through Atlanta but never stayed there. My husband got stuck there last year during the horrible ice storm. He went to the Coca-Cola tour and walked around downtown.
Krystal says
June 4, 2015 at 8:04 pmThe bread and soup look really good. Those are the kinds of things I love to eat. YUM!
Echo says
June 4, 2015 at 8:17 pmThis looks like a fantastic restaurant! I will definitely have to add it to the plan if I visit Atlanta!
manuela W. says
June 4, 2015 at 9:23 pmomg I am drooling! I so need to book a trip to Atlanta just to eat at The Polaris. YUM!
Mykidsguide says
June 4, 2015 at 5:43 pmThat restaurant sounds amazing. I would love to try the baguette they are offering. I am a huge baguette fan
Erin says
June 6, 2015 at 1:22 pmWhoa, that restaurant looks absolutely amazing! I would LOVE to visit. I seriously need to get to Atlanta!
Megan Elford says
June 11, 2015 at 12:39 amThe Polaris really does look like a great restaurant to go to, even if it’s just for the experience. The food looks amazing, and who wouldn’t want to enjoy it while getting a great 360 degree view of the city!
Abundant Journeys says
June 12, 2015 at 4:04 amNext time I visit my sister, I will have to check this place out. Your pictures make the food look so delicious. And the rooms look so spacious.
Carly Brydon says
June 12, 2015 at 8:17 pmThe Polaris Restaurant looks amazing! The pasta purse is the cutest thing ever! I will have to keep Polaris in mind when I get to visit Atlanta!
CourtneyLynne says
June 14, 2015 at 7:31 pmOMG!!!! This restaurant sounds pretty fabulous!!! I would love to dine there one day. Hopefully I’m in Atalanta soon!
mycraftingworld says
March 19, 2017 at 6:31 amI never went there when I lived in Atlanta. It is not my style but I should have gone for that once in a lifetime experience. Maybe when I go back to visit.