Formerly of The Phoenician world-class resort, Executive Chef Christian Messier returns
to Atlanta with his signature succulence. With his arrival, The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar &
View has cooked up a stunning seasonal menu. Focusing on
fresh Fall fare, Chef Christian's creations embody the coziness and charm of
Autumn in Atlanta.
Kicking off the Sun Dial's Fall menu
are two must-taste appetizers. First is the Pan
Seared Duck Breast served with a sweet potato puree and garnished with
apple braised red cabbage. This tender dish has a slightly sweet finish, making
it the perfect pick for anyone simultaneously intimidated and intrigued by
duck. Next is the Shrimp Casino -
Chef Messier's take on the classic Oysters Casino. Made with a garlic cream and
parmesan cheese base, this dip is filled with shrimp and bacon then sprinkled
with scallions. This creamy, cheesy dip is served with buttered toast bites,
and is a great appetizer for sharing.
As I've mentioned, I'm not much of a fish fan - however, the
feats of flavor from Chef Messier were too enticing to pass over. So impressed
was I with his Shrimp Casino starter
that I decided to dive in head first with the "Nightly Salmon Presentation." As the dish changes according to
Chef's whims and supplies, there were no menu cues to anticipate what sort of
entree was coming my way. Delightfully, my flaky salmon fillet was browned to
perfection and plated atop a mushroom risotto. Topped with a creamy sauce and
garnished with sauteed mushrooms, this dish was arguably my favorite of the
evening.
No matter how enticing your entree, be sure to save room for the
decadent desserts! I had a sampler of three absolute must-try treats and wanted
seconds and thirds of each. The first, and arguably my favorite was a slice of Heavenly Cheesecake. Served with
strawberries and fresh cream, this quirky bite is drizzled with a cracked
pepper and balsamic reduction, which offers a silky, spicy finish. As a
bonafide Dixie darlin', my second favorite was the Fried Apple Pie topped with almond brittle and a caramel sauce.
Served a la mode with fresh vanilla ice cream, this Southern favorite is a
can't-miss. Finally, the Baked Chocolate
Fudge Brownie will slay chocolate lovers everywhere. Baked to an almost "al
dente" consistency, this soft fudge cup is covered in chocolate sauce and
served with fresh vanilla ice cream.
One interesting entree was the Tofu Mignon. It's rare to see vegan- and vegetarian-friendly dishes
on the front page, and more surprisingly still, it's one of the top sellers.
While I'm no connoisseur, the marinated and grilled tofu was tender and flaky.
Topped with a mushroom demi-glace and plated with quinoa, flax seed, edamame,
wild mushroom and oven dried tomato, this flavorful, filling dish was a delicious dinner alternative.
The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View boasts Atlanta's most
romantic view. The dining area rotates 360 degrees, offering views of Downtown,
Midtown and Buckhead from a butterflies-inducing height of 723 feet! Adding a
little urban flair to the romantic ambiance, the Mose Davis Trio provides live
Jazz each Wednesday and Thursday.
Open nightly for dinner from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m., the Sun Dial also
offers Sunday brunch from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Enjoy lunch daily from 11:30
a.m. - 2:30 p.m. or grab a cocktail from The Bar until closing each night.
