Dining out: Table & Main
If you live outside the perimeter on the North side of Atlanta, odds are you know that Roswell's restaurant selections aren't merely something you "settle" for when you don't want to go into town, but they are worth a drive on their own merit. One of our favorite "date night" spots is Little Alley Steakhouse on Canton Street, and we love to pop into Inc. Street Food. We'd heard great things about Table & Main, just a little bit north on Canton Street, and so we ventured over one evening recently.
There's plenty to enjoy at this converted home/restaurant. The owner is usually hanging around and sets a warm, welcoming tone. The service is attentive and fun. The dining room is small, so only a few tables are open for reservations, which means you should plan ahead or expect a wait for the outside seating. The porch or patio will be much more appealing as fall approaches.
There are lots of dishes to like - particularly if you like rich foods - and a few to LOVE. Our server said the chef hails from Charleston, and it's evident in the richness of the dishes.
If you've been looking for the classic Charleston She-crab soup, you'll be pleased with this dish.
Personally, I'm a big fan of a cold soup on a hot summer day and the gazpacho with buttermilk cream definitely fit the bill.
However, if you are splitting an appetizer or you're not planning on making the trek to Roswell, my favorite thing on the menu is Hogs & Quilt. This dish is your basic pulled pork bbq, but served in crepes! Brilliant and delightful. When I put together my own "List" this will definitely make the cut!
Our server was quick to tell us the Pork Chop with a balsamic glaze was a standard and "favorite" menu item. I've now had this dish twice. The first time the meat was dry, and I was disappointed. The next time it was perfect. Knowing how easy it is to overcook pork, I'll chalk the first instance up to a bad bounce in the kitchen. The second time was so much better, I suspect this deserves the praise it receives.If you're billing your restaurant as "simple, seasonal, and Southern" you better be able to nail Shrimp & Grits. You won't be disappointed at Table & Main. One evening I tried the special - white fish with summer succotash. Delicious, but SUPER rich. (This is a theme for Table & Main - lots of creamy sauces.)
If you try the diver scallops with corn succotash, you'll be in heaven. Of course, they had me at "truffle jus."
Speaking of rich dishes, the tuna comes with unreal smoked tomato grits (I don't even like grits and I was nuts about these!) and a beure blanc sauce (which is French for "enough butter to double your cholesterol"). I am a fan of every element of this dish, but the rub was simply too salty for my tastes. If you have any room left over and hear about the dessert menu, it's tempting to order the Peach Cobbler. This is, after all, a Southern restaurant. I am a tough sell on this dessert and while it was fine, the star of the show was the bourbon butter pecan ice cream. Next time, I'll save my calories for the ice cream!!
One of the things I appreciate about Table & Main is how thoroughly they think through details. From the tasty cheese sticks on the table, to the ambling side yard, to the clever "bill folder" (a novel from a southern writer); they've thought through everything. I like that...
If they could make a few low calorie dishes, I'd be a regular! Until then, this spot will definitely be a "treat."