Violette French Cuisine
Slightly off the beaten path, a funky, comfortable haven for inexpensive French cuisine.
Message from Violette French Cuisine
Violette French Cuisine, where our guests are treated with French provincial hospitality! A convivial French neighborhood place that continues to attract loyal flocks of regulars with its nearly nostalgic, value-priced menu for lunch and dinner, but also manages to convey the feel of a romantic restaurant. And the wine list has some good, reasonably priced selections by the glass. A patio looks into a lovely forested landscape of trees and. Let Violette take the hassle out of planning and preparing your next party or special function! We have three banquet menus to choose from to fit any budget...and room enough to host up to 299 guests. Add to that live music, and your special occasion will be remembered for years to come!
Editorial by Citysearch
The SceneA hangar-like concrete building houses this warm, colorful space, tucked away on an industrial stretch of Clairmont Road. The deceptively large space, with multiple dining areas, is popular for lunches and gatherings. Occasional live jazz near the bar, complete with vocalist, livens up the proceedings. Waitstaff, usually gracious and attentive, are happy to help with recommendations, if solicited.
The Food
Violette remains a reliable, reasonably priced bistro for French basics. Creative-sounding appetizers include potato and smoked salmon gallette smothered in herbed creme fraiche. One salad has fresh, chiffonaded greens tossed in a tangy vinaigrette. Entrees like steak au poivre topped with a creamy, slightly boozy peppercorn sauce work well. A breaded chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese happily retains its moisture. Violette's take on coq au vin is definitive: dark-meat chicken stewed to tenderness in a rich red-wine sauce. Light and fluffy chocolate mousse makes an delightful finale.
Key Points
- Highly Recommended lunch, dinner
- Catering to private parties
- Best French Cuisine Atlanta
The Inside Scoop
- Know Before You Go - The restaurant is easy to miss on a busy part of Clairmont Road. Use the nearby Wingate Inn as a helpful marker.
- Parking - Complimentary valet is available.
Insider Pages Reviews for Violette French Cuisine
We went to Violette for my son's 18th birthday. We ordered duck, veal, chicken, and steaks. Everything but the steaks came out superbly cooked. Of the steaks, both were undercooked, and one was not served with the rest of the entrees, but came out probably 10 minutes later--obviously they forgot to put it on with the rest of the order. The service was not good. Our waitress was very slow and did not refill drinks or even bother to check on us but twice in two hours. Aside from the service, which was very disappointing, the food was excellent once it all came out. One steak was sent back since it came out raw in the center--yich! I think the chef may need to review what medium means. The restaurant has a lovely ambiance with live musicians playing softly in the main dining area. The atmosphere is beautiful. The walls are painted a deep blue and paintings of France decorate the place adding a true French feel. My biggest disappointment, and what will keep me from returning is the service and undercooked meat. Had that been good, I would have rated this restaurant five stars.
Posted 07/04/08 | Report Abuse
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Latest reviews from Citysearch.
Worst food I've had in a long time
by lmwilliams1
Ordered veggie crepe - bland and strange vegetable mixture. Flavored with tarragon which was overpowering. Couldn't eat it. Service was lazy. I was with a group for lunch and no one was impressed. Too other many good places in Atlanta to eat so won't be back.
Posted 09/08/09
New local favorite!
by qutegirl
Surprising menu with a nice wine list. It just comes easy to them here. You get the feeling that this is what they were put on this earth to do. Don't get me wrong, this place wasn't perfect, but on a scale of 1-10 I would give them a 9 over some of the more reviewed French restaurants nearby.
Pros: 5 star for 1/2 the price
Cons: Server was too good! I was in shock
Posted 05/29/09
Wow, true excellents.. U will regret not going
by daledemps
I expected another French Res. want a be. What I got was not only the real thing, but the best French food I have ever had in the states. My wife was so happy that I took her there. Beaware, It is a little different. There were poeple that were formal, so there for Prom and some people that were in jeans. They have a mixture of social levels, which is fantastic, when you consider the prcie for one person is around 20 dollars. Thats right, it didn't cost one hundred dollars per person, its around 20 Dollars.
You can't go wrong with the real deal.
Pros: It is the Best Food you will ever eat. Amazing!!!
Cons: I felt bad for not paying more.
Posted 05/01/09
Great date place
by DCB269
This is an outstanding place for a date or special occasion. Nice wine list (they'll suggest some good ones if you are unsure). Tasty and pretty reasonably-priced for the food quailty. The atmosphere is nice, and they often have live piano music. "Casual-sheik" kind of feel and a great staff, too. A can't miss!
Pros: Great french food, low snob-factor
Cons: Occasional parking challenges
Posted 04/26/09
yummy brunch, great atmosphere
by JRebuh
A friend and I had a delicious brunch and very pleasant experience at Violette recently. (ATLrick J must have gone on an off day!). We didn't order the eggs benedict, so I can't speak to that, but the Grand Marnier French Toast was fabulous. Service was efficient yet friendly and personable, and the feel of the place very provincial French (impressionist-like paintings, wood tables, floor to ceiling windows). I look forward to returning in warmer weather to enjoy dining al fresco on their patio. The coffee was fine to us...not the best I've ever had, but very good just the same.
Pros: nice variety of brunch items, good service and atmosphere
Cons: out-of-the-way location
Posted 03/21/09
Romantic Spot and Food is excellent
by dianein30319
We had a 7:00 reservation. Easy to park even though it was busy. Greeted and seated right away. You could tell there were a lot of regulars because the staff knew other table by name which is a good sign. Server was not overbearing but efficient. We just found this place and thought we would try something different. Food was excellent and great wine selection. Would like to try this place for lunch or even brunch.
Pros: Service, parking, wine!!
Cons: hard to find
Posted 02/13/09
AVOID this place for BRUNCH!
by ATLrickJ
We have been to Violettes for dinner and loved it however they sure have missed the boat when it comes to Sunday brunch. I can see why at 12:30pm this past Sunday there were only 3 tables with patrons. The french toast was the worst we have ever tasted. IHOPs would beat them hands down. We ordered Brioche Basket with butter & fruit preserves. The fruit preserves consisted of those little packages of Apple and Grape Jelly. OEUF BENEDICTE = disaster. Hard well done eggs and this was on 3 seperate orders at our table. Coffee = cold and weak. We have had better on some airlines. Service = POOR. We had to keep asking for items that should have been on the table ie salt, pepper. The cream for our coffee = those little sealed cups. I mean this is a french restaurant ... you mean to tell me they do not have fresh cream? AVOID this place at all cost for brunch. You would enjoy the Waffle House next door and most likely receive better serivce.
Pros: Ambience is great as well as the parking.
Cons: Food and service for brunch is to be missed.
Posted 12/09/08
It's good if you like that type of food.
by hsugear
I don't know much about French food but this place seems like it offers pretty authentic french cuisine. We had someone play the piano and the service was great. It may just be my taste buds but I thought their food was okay - not that impressed.
Pros: Nice setting and servers
Cons: Wasn't that different from the usual restaurants
Posted 11/26/07
delicious, inviting and memorable
by francesfr
What can I say? This is my favorite French restaurant in town. It's affordable, absolutely delicious and inviting. One would think that affordable would mean giving up on little luxuries. Not here. I was pleasantly surprised when I came for lunch and spent $7 for a white table cloth, sit down lunch with exquisite food. I had the crepe of the day with rice and sauteed carrots. If you'd like a quick escape from the usual loud, busy lunchtime eateries Violette is the perfect vacation. It's elegance in a dressy casual enironment with a friendly staff. Not pretentious whatsoever. Can't wait to see what dinner is like.
Pros: food, value, atmosphere
Posted 01/30/07
Great food, great value.
by castufari
We tried this on a Friday night at 7:30, full and no parking. We returned the following evening at 6pm, plenty of spots.
We shared a house salad and the pate appetizer for openers, the salad was nice, lots of greens with a great dressing. The pate was good, the hot mustard was perfect with this. I had the steak au poivre; very nice, great mashies and a nice veggie medley. My wife had the crabcakes, lots of crab, little filler. My 6yo opted for the Quiche Lorraine, which was very light. For dessert we had the pear tart (very tasty), my 6yo had the chocolate mousse, which she loved.
The server was great, she went out of her way to make sure out 6yo was enjoying herself.
I'd eat here again.
Pros: reasonably priced, decent menu, easy to get to
Posted 05/06/05
What a great place!!!
by morrijo4
I have been to Violette several times over the past year and a half. Every time I have been there, I've had a wonderful experience. I've tried a different entree every time, and have not been disappointed once. The food has been just absolutely excellent and I would recommend it to anyone looking to have a great dinner. Don't miss this great spot!
Pros: Excellent Food, Friendly Waitstaff
Posted 11/09/04
Bad Service Spoils Nice Place
by janniebeth
We have finally decided NOT to return to Violette, despite good food and a pretty setting. On repeated occasions, the service has been bad, ranging from slow and clumsy waiters to --most recently-- an egregiously rude hostess. On balance, we decided that there are too many good restaurants in Atlanta to suffer through a staff with 'attitude'.
Pros: setting
Posted 08/19/04
French Countyside Inn
by remy0224
Quaint, cozy, comfortable and so affordable. A bit of the French Countyside feel is here in Atlanta.
Good food and good wine. My husband and I love this place.
Posted 06/09/04
Fantastic service, wonderful food
by laurie82
Our server was genuinely gracious, and the food was excellent in both taste and presentation. The host, however, was colder than the room temperature, and the thermostat could use some slight adjusting. We were seated next to French doors, which were a tad drafty and overlooked pails and equipment, obviously left out by a construction crew. The host was less than ecstatic when I declined the seating. I had called three weeks ahead for a quiet table. I must say Violettes has great food, great service, great potential, and wonderful prices, but a few rough edges.
Pros: Service, Food, Prices
Cons: Host
Posted 02/12/03
Came here once, it will be only once ...
by debashis
The food is good, the menu is short and not very well explained. Don't expect it all to be available, either. The prices are good too. The dress code is more dressy than others made it out to be. Jazz band was good, but I really don't want to hear the jazz version of the Flintstones theme. What really is bad here is only one thing .... the staff. It's not the whole staff, just the bartender and the straight guys who work here. They are rude and they yell across the restaurant. I liked the place, but I won't be coming back.
Posted 11/07/02
Tres Bien
by scbadiva
Violette is an absolute gem of a french restaurant especially when we don't feel like trekking down to B'head or Midtown for a nice meal. I want to eat everything and fantasize about the menu when I'm craving french cuisine.
Posted 09/26/02
Violette Comes up Roses
by rwadia
Tucked away next to a huge Salvadoran restaurant and an even bigger apartment complex, just off the Clairmont Ave. exit off I-85, is la petite Violette. A truly authentic (with a splash of cuisine d'Amerique) French restaurant, Violette is best experienced at lunch, when the inexpensive menu offers tasters a spectrum of the chef's best (and most simple) dishes. The bouchee a la reine is puff pastry perfection, the crepe du jour is consistently good and the beef bourgignon washes down well with a decent selection of vins rouge. It's not a bad place for a romantic night out either. Vive la Violette!
Posted 07/22/02
Lunch better?
by lizfirst
I've only had lunch at Violette's and, as one who was raised in Europe, enjoy their authentic couisine... I rate their lunch menu a 10!
Posted 06/30/02