Decatur’s alfresco dining guide for spring
DECATUR IS RICH with dreamy outdoor dining spaces. Diners have their pick of places to spend relaxed afternoons and evenings with good company and appetizing eats while basking in the warm sunshine, shade or moonlight. For your patio-dining pleasure, we are highlighting a few of our favorite open-air spots peddling refreshing, chilled libations, tasty bites and fresh air.
Wahoo Grill
For 20 years, Wahoo Grill has attracted guests with their seasonal, Southern menu and enchanting garden patio. “I chose Decatur because the residents are extremely loyal, and they root for their local businesses to succeed. I listen to my guests; their feedback is crucial to my continued success,” says owner/restau – rateur Pam Ledbetter, who also credits her success to entrusting amazing, talented people.
This spring, enjoy European-influenced cuisine by Executive Chef Zach Starr out back in the fresh air, surrounded by lush greenery. “It is the most beautiful garden set – ting in the Atlanta area. It feels like an oasis from the city, without having to leave the city,” says Ledbetter.
For this season, Chef Starr will be high – lighting heirloom tomatoes, Pearson Farms peaches and more local farmers’ vegetables and fruits. “Our namesake fish, Wahoo, will make a return appearance,” notes Starr.
Wahoo Grill has expanded their wine list by 50% and will release new vintages soon. They only use the freshest ingredients in juices, homemade syrups, bitters and infu – sions for their cocktails. Try their spring cocktail, “Dolly Parton My French,” with rye, lavender demerara, lemon, and angostura bitters. I also recommend their Fried Green Tomatoes with citrus marinated lump crab, pimento cheese and creole mustard remou – lade; the Seared Scallops served with Italian salsa verde, wilted spinach, creamy polenta; and the delicious bread pudding.
No. 246
Brought to you by restaurateur extraordinaire Chef Ford Fry, no. 246 is a charming neighborhood restaurant that serves the freshest, most delicious Italian fare. And they have a great open-air patio out back where you can enjoy their famous family-style brunch or dinner beneath twinkling string lights.
“You feel like you’re in a friend’s backyard when you dine out on the patio at no.246. We wanted everything about it to feel timeless, playful and comforting, which, at the end of the day, is also at the core of our Italian cooking,” says Chef Fry.
Uplevel your brunch with a Garibaldi aperitif made with Campari and “fluffy” orange juice. And elevate your dinner with a Backyard Old Fashioned (stirred with bourbon, chai and chocolate bitters) or the refreshing Sophia Loren cocktail made with bianco vermouth, tequila Blanco, génépy, grapefruit and soda. Pizza here is always a good idea for brunch (hello, breakfast pie!) and dinner. This spring, request a table on their patio and indulge in a delicious plate of Fritto misto and Spinach agnolotti. Mangia
LEON’s Full Service
As the former gas station’s appellation states, it is full service all the way at LEON’s –from the food and hospitality to the idyllic patio.
“I can’t think of anything more enjoyable in the beautiful spring weather than relaxing in our outdoor patio spaces at LEON’s Full Service,” says partner Michael Gallagher.
“There’s nothing more quintessentially Decatur than taking in the beautiful surroundings while people-watching amidst all the beautiful plants, the sounds of our fountain and enjoying the beautiful mural by local artist Rachel Eleanor.”
Pop in for lunch or dinner and enjoy a refreshing cocktail, like Low Hanging Fruit (reposado tequila, mezcal, spiced satsuma, grapefruit, passion fruit, lime, bitters and soda) and Gallagher’s recommendation of “some mussels and frites before you order our local North Georgia trout dish and housemade ricotta.”
“It doesn’t get any better than this!” he promises.
The Brick Store Beer Garden
If you’re thinking of throwing an alfresco gathering to celebrate the warm weather, The Brick Store beer garden is happy to host you. Brick Store partner Michael Gallagher shares that the beer garden will be used more as a space for their seasonal events and private party bookings. The beloved beer garden has a fun food truck and fully stocked bar –what more do you and your guests need?
“We will be hosting year-round events with Allagash and Lobster rolls in our beer garden. It’s the best!” he says.
The White Bull
This chef-driven, Michelin-recommended restaurant serves farm-to-table Italian fare in the heart of Decatur. Featuring a menu of small plates, pasta and entrees by Chef Pat Pascarella, you simply can’t go wrong with whatever you order here. Ask for a table in their large, tented patio area and indulge in a refreshing, Aperol spritz and plate of their Black Spaghetti with chorizo, shrimp, jalapeno and breadcrumbs. I also highly recommend the yellow fin crudo and pork belly –both are flavorful yet light.
“When I started White Bull, I wanted it to be a place that people felt at home, and nothing says home to me like good food, good wine and good friends under the stars,” says Pascarella.
Definitely order their decadent Spumoni Rocher for dessert – the texture, taste and presentation make it a crowd-pleaser.
