The Deer and The Dove - (Near Decatur, GA)

5 /5 Cam W: The Deer and The Dove is the kind of place that makes you feel like a regular on your very first visit. Our server, Hannah, passed the vibe check immediately—fully in sync with our energy, and effortlessly personable. She didn’t just take an order; she read the table and set the tone for a start to an experience. The venison was the initial flex — perfectly rare, melt-in-your-mouth tender, with subtle coffee notes that hit first like a smooth espresso before settling into deep, earthy richness. The duck fat potatoes were unreal: a crisp, salty exterior giving way to a creamy interior so good no other potato could compare. The true showstopper was the rabbit…this was a choice out of curiosity. Might I say it delivered …bold, rewarding, and beautifully executed. And the Bear Creek Farms Oxtail Mezzaluna? Pure soul. Rich, luxurious, and comforting, like a warm hug that knows exactly what it’s doing. What truly elevated the experience was having the opportunity to personally thank the brigade. As someone who sees food and a dinning experience as an art-form of expression and edible empathy; that moment mattered. You could taste the intention behind every plate. Exceptional food, real hospitality, and a vibe that lingers long after the last bite.

3 /5 Erica Schecter: Decided to dine here for my 48th birthday dinner. The restaurant had some rave reviews, so I thought this would be an excellent way to celebrate my birthday. Unfortunately, I think the menu is overrated. Heres why: 1) The Bone Marrow + Snails were amazing. Definitely recommend it due to its richness and FLAVOR. Wow! On the contrary, the focaccia it was served on had the consistency of it being 3 days old. Not good. Since the focaccia was so difficult to cut, we decided to order the Homemade Salted Yeast Rolls. 2) The Homemade Salted Yeast Rolls - get them! And eat it with the Bone Marrow + Snails. Swirl your warm rolls all through that sauce and enjoy it. We certainly did. 3) The Halibut - sure, the fish is fresh, but the sauce underneath it had a strong mayonnaise taste that did NOT compliment the fish. My Mom and I both found it to be off. She didnt care for the taste, but ate it anyway (in disappointment). 4) The Porkchop - holy moly, it was THEEEEEEE toughest porkchop Ive everrrrrr had. And thats no exaggeration. I had to send it back because I could barely cut it! And I rarely ever send food back to the kitchen, but this was incredibly overcooked. The next one came out and, to my surprise, was almost as tough as the first one! Also, after looking at the teams online photos, it was the owner Jenn who came to our table to resolve the issue that night. Quite frankly, she was kind of a "See You Next Tuesday" about it if you catch my drift? Listen lady, if you want to be mad at someone, talk to your chefs. Dont make me feel bad for sending an extra, extra, extra well done piece of meat back. Get it right the first time. Note to the restaurant: Take the porkchop off the menu for the sake of your knives and for the customers. Its either A) not that great of a chop that youre ordering from your supplier or B) your chefs are just overcooking them, like a lot. Whatever you do though, dont get rid of that sorghum pork jus the porkchop is served in because that sauce is divine, really. So overall, was it the dining experience that I was hoping for? No, far from it. Just a heads up - if youre going there hoping for a nice, complimentary birthday dessert, it aint happening. The waiter, very rudely, said to my Mom "We dont do that here." I was taken aback with his tone. In my 11 years of working in the service industry, I would never speak to a customer that way. Ever. I realize this review may be a little harsh, but this was our experience at a restaurant that was apparently recommended by the MICHELIN Guide and was a James Beard Foundation Award Winner. Then again, that was in 2023. Just goes to show you that a lot can happen in 2 years.

3 /5 Khushboo Golyan: Pretty place with rustiv deer-and-dove theme décor and fine service, but overall overpriced for what you get. Dishes look great but don’t quite deliver on flavor. Simple, ethnic vibe — nice experience, just not worth the hype or cost.