Growing up, tagging along with our shopaholic mom make her rounds of boutiques in Buckhead means snacking or lunching at Brasserie Le Coze, The Tavern at Phipps, or at The Zodiac. She’s a creature of habit so it’s either one of those three or nothing else. These days, Brasserie is gone and The Zodiac is now called NM Cafe.
While the menus haven’t changed, the look definitely has. Gone are the dark interiors and clubhouse feel. Today’s look resembles, well, let me just say this, it reminds me of Cafe Aquaria at the Georgia Aquarium. I have to say I have mixed feelings with the new cafeteria-style decor. It’s good that they updated their look but I’m kinda partial to the warm clubhouse feel. There’s just something about it that made the place cozier. The new plastic-looking white chairs and melamine tables do nothing for me.
One good thing is that the menus haven’t changed much. You still get these warm, fresh-from-the-oven, airy popovers served with homemade strawberry-infused whipped butter the minute you get seated at your table. Minutes later, you get demitasse cups of warm broth for dunking your popovers with — yummy and heavenly. I tell you, my sister and I can finish two of these apiece. That’s aside from our main entrees! These hollow popovers have custard-like walls that are chewy while the outside remains flaky. No trip to Neiman Marcus is complete without a visit to The Zodiac for these amazing popovers.
The bar menu offers quick bites, daily specials, and light fare while the regular menu offers more substantial choices. The she-crab bisque drizzled with sherry wine is a popular choice. The creamy soup is smooth and has huge chunks of crab. Presented in a covered tureen, would you believe only the head chef is allowed to add the sherry wine to it?
A mainstay for many years, the herb roasted chicken is another popular choice. The chicken is moist, tender, juicy and flavorful with just a hint of sweet glaze on the outside. It comes with garlic mash and steamed haricot vert. I’m not much of a sweet-glaze person so I always get a side of au jus to wash it off.If you’re tired of the usual mall food, then
The Zodiac NM Cafe is a great alternative. Expect to wait during peak lunch times when the ladies who lunch are all out. Prices are very reasonable — the soup is $8 and the chicken is $15. They also have good salad choices with the special salad of the day always a great choice (usually a combination of 3 small salads on a plate).
Insider tip:
Located on the ground floor inside Neiman way in the back.
Opt to sit at the bar where you get a choice of the two menus.
The scoop:
NM Cafe
Neiman Marcus
Lenox Mall
3393 Peachtree Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
(404) 266-8200
Mon-Sat 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Sun 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Technorati Tags: Zodiac NM Cafe, Buckhead, Neiman Marcus, Lenox Mall, Buckhead, Atlanta
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3 responses so far ↓
1 PeterP // Jan 8, 2008 at 4:22 pm
I’ve only been to this place once, and loved it. The one gotcha, at least when I was there, was that they only accept Discover cards and Cash. This has probably long since changed, but worth keeping in mind…
2 Chloe // Jan 8, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Hey Pete — Discover cards? That must’ve been before my time
I’ve always known them to accept only two cards ever: Amex and NM. And cash is always good…
3 PeterP // Jan 9, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Ahh, Amex. Right!
It’s been a while since I’ve been thee, obviously.
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