If you are staying at Sonesta Gwinnett Place Atlanta or in the Duluth area, one of the best places to dine at is the ArtBar. I would best describe the food as “good southern cooking with a contemporary flair.”
Located at 1775 Pleasant Hill Rd, Duluth, GA 30096, in the lobby of the Sonesta hotel, it offers great choices for lunch and dinner. I had the opportunity to have a private tasting of the new Summer menu with Executive Chef Rocco Pisera. Chef Rocco plays two roles at Sonesta; he is also the director of food and beverage. What a great guy! He was kind, friendly and extremely personable. “I started at another Sonesta property but way before it was a Sonesta, so I’ve been in the industry for a very long time.” Says Chef Rocco.
Let’s get to the food!
To start me off, Chef Rocco brought out a dish that I could have had several servings of; a white polenta mixed with fresh parmesan, the perfect fusion. Perfectly, placed on top was the best-tasting mushrooms and figs I have ever had. Also, on top was freshly shaved parmesan and sauteed arugula, something that I had never seen before but Chef Rocco explained that most people don’t know that you can sautee arugula. All of the ingredients came together so well; I mean pure genius! This was only the first course.
The next two dishes were unique and delicious, more creations by Chef Rocco. Fresh Ahi Tuna Salad made with pineapples, green peppers, and spicy mustard. It was served with fresh avocado and warm in-house made pita chips. The second dish was called Lome Lome. Chef Rocco called it a Hawaiian Ceviche. This masterpiece sat on top of a full circle of fresh thinly sliced cucumbers. The mixture of different ingredients was very colorful and extremely tasty. Fresh salmon, tomatoes, green peppers, orange peppers, purple onion, crushed red pepper and little green onions. The uniquely creative part about this dish was the crunchy salmon skin on top, very different but a perfect touch.
Now for the third course, one of the best steaks I’ve had in a long time. Rubbed down with three different peppers and cooked perfectly. It was paired with roasted potatoes sitting in nut butter sour cream that had bacon and chives mixed in. On the side was a house-made chipotle sauce.
Last but not least, dessert. Banana custard, strawberry tart inside of an open face puff pastry and served with a reduced balsamic and cashew peanut crumble.
What an amazing experience! Thank you again to Chef Rocco for being a fantastic host and allowing me to be the genie pig for his new Summer menu fusions.
Hours
Daily 4 p.m. to 12 a.m
Sunday – Thursday 4 p.m. – 2 a.m
Price: $ • $$ • $$$ • $$$$ • $$$$$
Website www.sonesta.com/AtlantaArtbar
Naomi is a stylish, adventurous traveler. She’s a bit of a daredevil that loves excursions. Those that know her, call her a shoe connoisseur. She is also obsessed with music and has a playlist for just about any mood. She’s a foodie that loves a good vegetarian/vegan spot. Want to know where she is headed next… stay tuned to find out!
