KR SteakBar: Atlanta, GA
Speakeasy Bar & Dining Room | Image Courtesy of KR SteakBar
Sometimes you need to revisit old haunts if only to remind yourself how great they really are.
My stepdaughter Davis recently turned 13. It wasn’t a milestone event because that also happens to be Taylor Swift’s ‘lucky number.’ It was an extra special occasion for Davis and Amanda (her mother) because she is now officially a teenager, growing up, Cat’s in the Cradle, you get the idea. Needless to say, they were both a smidge emotional, perhaps tearful, and wanted to go big. Anyone who knows me understands that you don’t have to twist my arm (not one iota) to ceremonialize anything.
My party switch flipped on involuntarily, and I suggested a ‘fancy dinner’ to celebrate. Which of course includes dress shopping and makeup—the whole nine yards. When I asked what type of restaurant she would prefer, Davis was torn between Italian and steak. And the answer came home to me like truth, KR SteakBar.
I had not been there in years, but I will simply state the following facts:
Kevin Rathbun is a literal and figurative giant on Atlanta’s culinary scene.
His restaurant concepts have won multiple prestigious awards.
His prowess on an open grill is nothing short of legendary.
So why KR SteakBar, isn’t it a steak restaurant?
It’s more than that. KR SteakBar is an Italian steak restaurant with two headline offerings: handmade pastas and prime cuts prepared on a wood burning open-hearth grill fueled by hickory and oak.
KR Steakbar menu | Image by James Lewis
I made a reservation online for a party of four so Davis could bring her bestie, Lola. I noted in the ‘special request’ text field that, “we have a special birthday girl who is ready to party” and hit ‘submit.’ Perhaps that was the catalyst for what would become one of my personal top five best dining experiences/discoveries ever. Yes, I have been there before. But I have never been to the speakeasy annex of the restaurant. Honestly, I didn’t even know it existed.
We arrived a few minutes early and checked in at the host stand. The hostess confirmed our reservation, asked whose birthday it was, smiled and said, “right this way.” She then proceeded to walk right back out of the front door we had literally just entered from. I shot Amanda a confused look, shrugged my shoulders with my palms pointed up to the ceiling and mouthed, “I dunno.” We followed her outside into the muggy Georgia summer evening air. Before I could get a word out the hostess explained that we were going to her favorite part of the restaurant, the speakeasy bar and dining room. She produced a key and unlocked an unmarked door. A burst of cold air greeted us as we entered a dark hallway illuminated by red light bulbs and emerged into the prohibition themed space. Lucky 13.
Once seated with cocktails and mocktails our server described the specials, and we laid out our plan of attack. We decided to go with a family style theme (shared plates) starting with the Baby Arugula Salad and Pork Belly, followed by the Garganelli (jalapeno pesto) and Tortellini (braised lamb) pastas. Typically I refrain from putting in a full order in one fell swoop for the fear of everything coming out at the same time, but not here. Our server coursed everything perfectly. For mains we selected the Lamb Chops and two of the off-menu specials: the Golden Bass and a 16oz prime KC Strip, which we supplemented with the Asparagus and Trumpet Mushrooms. What received the top votes at our table you might ask? The Pork Belly, the Garganelli and the Lamb Chops, just insanely amazing.
For dessert Davis was presented with the birthday special, the Peanut Butter Banana Cream Pie (pictured below) plus the Ricotta Crème Brulee and Gelato 3 A Scoop (coffee chocolate chip, hazelnut caramel, pistachio). A birthday for the record books to be sure but also, a reminder that it’s good to revisit old haunts. You might just experience something unexpected. Thank you, Kevin, Melissa and your entire team for making turning 13 an impossibly unforgettable moment.
Cheers!
Peanut Butter Banana Cream Pie | Image by Amanda Lewis