Modernly elegant was my first thought as we walked into Twelve Eighty – Inspired Dining. Located in the Woodruff Art Center, and formerly known as Table Twelve Eighty, this lounge & cafe boasts a brilliant new menu prepared by an ultra creative team of chefs. Twelve Eighty is open to the public as well as to Woodruff Arts Center patrons.

Twelve Eighty – Inspired Dining boasts a menu featuring local, farm-to-fork offerings for everyone to enjoy. We offer a wide array of choices which includes fresh sandwiches, soups and salads and full entrees with several gourmet side choices.  We offer wines by the glass in several varietals, hand-crafted cocktails and ice cold bottled beer.

The redesign of the interior is gorgeous. Using stainless steel, with a white background and bright colors brings a modern feel in an open concept type design.

It’s always a great time when fellow food bloggers come together for a meal and this was no different. The Atlanta Food Bloggers Society was in full force, even with our youngest blogger, Sage of Sage Loves To Eat, in attendance.

The event began with several amazing craft cocktails perfect for summer sipping. Twelve Eighty features over 12 craft cocktails; local, craft and bottled beers; and many wines including sparkling, white, red and organic varieties.

Next came a bevy of small plates. Executive Chef John Metz shared information on the restaurant and creation of the new menu, plus descriptions of several small plates.

Our first offering was a fantastic Chopped Salad perfect for a first course or as an entree. The salad was created with crisp romaine, jumbo asparagus, vine ripe tomato, Pancetta, “Sweet Grass Dairy Farm” Asher Bleu, avocado, squash, chick pea, creamy Italian dressing and topped with Crispy Onions. The crispy onions were a nice treat an added tons of flavor.

Next came one of my personal favorites and not something you regularly see on local menus. The Maine Lobster Roll is packed full of fresh lobster and avocado on a buttery, toasted Brioche roll. It was served with a side of made-in-house potato chips. Utterly. Delicious.

A trio of house made dips followed, including a great olive tapenade, hummus, pimento cheese, fresh veggies and a perfectly grilled baguette.

Another personal favorite of mine were the Maine Lobster Deviled Eggs. Do we see a pattern here? The eggs featured chives, citrus aioli and an ample amount of sweet Maine lobster.

Even Chef Tripp Harrison can’t get enough of these! I completely understand how he feels 🙂

Next on the superstar line up was a fantastic melon and grape salad. This salad was another perfect seasonal choice highlighting fresh cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, red grapes, Arugula, fresh mint, crumbled Feta, Euro Cucumber and dressed with a very tasty honey lavender white balsamic

It was amazing with both the red and white sangria!

I had many favorites during this meal, but these were my top choice, the creme de la creme, the one dish where we almost came to blows over the last one… I present the star of the show… LOLLIPOP SMOKED CHICKEN WINGS. “Ashley Farms” frenched wings with a Maple Bourbon Glaze were the epitome of delicious. Again, you can tell by the look on Chef’s face, these are something spectacular!

A nice palate cleanser followed….

…just before these incredible jumbo sea scallops! Pearl Cous Cous, is one of our favorite sides and along with cous cous came sundried tomato, local wild greens, radicchio, shiitake mushroom, lady peas, Cremini mushrooms and parsley oil. Amazing.

More was to come including this Farmer’s Vegetable Farro…

…and a decadent Open Faced Bruschetta Steak Sandwich with baby red and yellow grape tomatoes, caramelized onion, roasted garlic aioli, pressed baguette and basil Crème Fraiche.

Although it was difficult, we did leave room for dessert 🙂 We sampled Key Lime Tarts, assorted mini tarts, and a sinful Chocolate Torte with rich layers of chocolate cake topped with house-made salted caramel ice cream. Yeah, we had that.

It was a stellar experience at Twelve Eighty. Although it was late, the weather was beautiful for our drive home and I had a very happy tummy 🙂 I’ve been very fortunate to have so many amazing dining experiences in and around Atlanta and Twelve Eighty was definitely one of the best.

 

More about Twelve Eighty

Twelve Eighty, 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-5239, twelveeightyrestaurant.com

Wine Down Fridays Visit Twelve Eighty – Inspired Dining each Friday this summer to enjoy 50% off all bottles of wine! *

$12.80 Is The Magic Number For the perfect beginning to your evening, visit Twelve Eighty to try one of the delicious combinations below for $12.80. Tuesdays – Thursdays 5 – 7PM *Riff Pinot Grigio & Tuna Poke OR Chateau St. Jean Pinot Noir & Golden Farms Organic Turkey Meatballs

* Not valid with any other offers or discounts.  Offer ends 7/31/16.

Dining Room Hours of Service:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 11:30 AM – 8 PM
Friday: 11:30 AM – 9 PM
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 8 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM

• Chef de Cuisine John Barrett
• Executive Chef John C. Metz
• General Manager Alex Polazzo

*Children’s menu and gluten free menus are available*