Canoe

I had dinner at Canoe with 4 friends last night and it was a divine experience! We were greeted by a charmant hostess who led us to the table they had set for us outiside overlooking the chattahoochie river. Istart...absolument delishious! Our waitress was very knowledge about the food and wine and had the perfect temprament (not overzealous yet confident and likeable). I had the lamb ribs with apricot sauce to start...absolument delicious! I had the veal as my main course and it is the best veal I have had to date: utterly oozing with flavour and cooked to perfection! I finsihed off the evening with a tangerine icecream atop a slice of blueberry cake and that did not dissapoint either. I'm quite hard to please but Canoe lived up to the hype! I cannot wait to return to Canoe for brunch!

Pros: Scenic location and a festival for the palete!

Posted 06/14/09

This summer I tried Canoe for my boyfriends birthday and it was amazing!!! We sat outside right near the river. The entire staff was fabulous from the hostess to our waiter. Our waiter was exceptionally knowledgable of the menu and very helpful he greeted us by name and had already been informed it was my boyfriend's birthday and wished him happy birthday. It was GREAT food and GREAT service. On top of everything else it was one of the most romantic places we have ever been! I HIGHLY recommend Canoe to anyone and I will absolulety be back in the future.

Pros: Great food, service, and setting!!!

Cons: none I can think of!

Posted 02/28/09

We went here a few weekends ago for my best friend's 30th birthday dinner & were all impressed. When we initially looked over the menu, we were surprised that the main dishes were so unusual (rabbit, pheasant, etc.), but everything ended up being really tasty! The waiters were all fabulous, too! Unlike many of the other nice restaurants around town, they were not only attentive,helpful & knowledgeable--they had tons of personality & were each very humorous! They made our night special by paying attention to details--for instance, since my best friend had been drinking martiniis while we were waiting on the rest of our party to arrive, they brought her a chocholate martinni at the end of the night (on top of a plate that had "Happy 30th" written in chocolate). While this seems like a small detail, it made the experience more individualized than if the staff had simplty brought the traditional piece of cake!

Pros: Service, Dishes

Posted 12/14/08

Overall, it was a good dining experience. My husband and I brought his visiting father here as a farewell dinner. We had 7:15 reservations but didn't get seated until about twenty minutes later. The food had some hits and misses. For starters, they bring by this massive basket with delicious bread, but give you one slice each and never offered anymore in the twenty minutes waiting for our food. For appetizers, the mussels were very good; however, the smoked salmon which was highly recommended by our waiter was a little salty and hard to swallow. Our main courses were very good. We tried the scallops, rabbit, and skate wing which was their special that night and would say was probably my favorite of the three. The rabbit was extremely tender and tasted very much like chicken. Definitely worth a visit especially for the ambience.

Posted 11/28/08

We dined with Canoe on Sunday, November 8, 2008, while in Atlanta for a business convention. We picked Canoe based on strong reviews at this site and on Zagat. The cab ride from downtown was $25 each way, but the time and expense were well worth it. Canoe is a gem. We started with the squash soup. I had the Grilled Berkshire Pork Tenderloin entree which was as moist and as tender as any pork tenderloin I have ate. My wife had the pheasant. Both were excellent. Our server was a star, knowledgeable [she could explain the ingredients, seasoning level, and preparation method of every disk we considered], attentive, and personable. Some waiters and waitresses with this degree of knowledge can be snooty or elitist with a "Miami" attitude, but not at Canoe... where the service was top-notch without ego or stuffiness.

In my opinion Canoe is a solid value. Most entrees are in the $22 to $27 range for a full sized portion with side dishes. Canoe's wine list is deep, and offers numerous by the galss choices including two Rieslings and a Gewurztraminer. When making the reservation, Canoe asked if we were celebrating a special occasion and I advised it was our fifth anniversary. When our desert arrived (warm apple cake with buttermilk sorbet) "Happy Anniversary" was written on the plate. Canoe even called us a Marietta cab for the ride back to downtown Atlanta. From decor to desert Canoe is well worth the trip.

Pros: Superb Food, Excellent service, decor, value

Cons: None

Posted 11/11/08

We went to Canoe to celebrate our anniversary last night. It was a wonderful experience - probably the most relaxing dinner I've had at an "upscale" restaurant. We arrived about 15 minutes before our reservation & had a short wait at the bar, then were escorted to a table on the patio. The gardens were lovely and our server (June) was just right, not obtrusive, but always available when needed. We started out with the beet salad - delicious and I'm not a beet lover! I ordered the rabbit and my husband got the halibut. I must say that the rabbit was superior, very tender, slow roasted and tasty. I didn't care for the ravioli that came with it, the pasta was okay but ovewhelmed by the applewood smoked bacon in the filling.. My husband's fish was well cooked, if a little underseasoned, but the side of giant couscous with wild mushrooms and sugar snap peas was delicious. We finished with a housemade raspberry/orange sorbet with dark chocolate cookies. Perfect! June even boxed up extra cookies for us to take home to our daughter. The whole experience was delightful and we will definitely be back. One warning - be aware that Lovett School is right across the river and may be having a football game on Friday nights! It was getting started as we finished up, but didn't ruin our mood. If you enjoy dining on the patio, you might want to make reservations for other nights during football season!

Pros: Ambience, service, valet parking, romantic, lovely gardens

Cons: Often used for special events, high school band on Friday nights

Posted 09/19/08

I took my mom here for her 60th birthday. The Chattahoochee River as a backdrop is the only thing I found redeeming. The scones are worth a try. Otherwise, food is mediocre. The service is snooty.

Posted 09/12/08

This is a nice place to go if you want good (but expensive) food and fancy atmosphere. It's very loud and there are a huge number of business people there on weeknights.

Posted 08/10/08

Really, really good. The beet salad (I know this sounds awful) was fantastic. All the wild game dishes were great. Very highly reccomended. Creme Brulee is fantastic!!!

Posted 07/25/08

Canoe is a very elegant restaurant tucked away in the midst of a family community. The mystery behind its location immediately sets the restaurant apart. Once you enter you are greated by friendly and professional hostesses. Once you are seated, the table is set up so that you can put your ettiquette to work. The food is fine cuisine and the wine is aged to perfection! I absolutely love going on dates here and can't to go again.

Posted 06/11/08

From the moment I pulled up in the parking lot of Canoe I knew it would be an exceptional experience. The staff was so friendly and welcoming. Some upscale restaurants are stuffy and stiff but that is definitely not the case with Canoe. It was very relaxing and enjoyable. The decor was warm and it was definitely a romantic setting. I told the waiter qualities I enjoyed in wine and he recommended a wine that was exceptional. The food was the best food I have ever eaten in my life and that says a lot coming from a "foodie". I have eaten at upscale eateries across the country and they pale in comparison to Canoe. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Canoe for any event or just a night out!

Pros: Everything!

Cons: Little pricey

Posted 04/04/08

i am 19 and a constant customer of canoe. i recommend sitting at the bar for the best service, the tenders are always freindly and full of energy, and they will do their best to make your meal enjoyable. great scenery only adds to wonderful and inventive dishes. sitting at a table is just not as enjoyable as the bar and the winelist is always good. i recommend this if you have some time to spare food does sometimes take a little while to appear but it is always worth it i will continue to return often and can only recomment that you make this your stop for food.,

Pros: great service, great view, wonderful food

Cons: sometimes lengthy serve times, can be a tad expensive

Posted 02/19/08

I heard such good things about this place that, when I arrived, I was surprised to see rabbit on the menu. (May have been a special). To be honest, I never had rabbit before, so I said "What the heck, why not!"

Well, Canoe can make even RABBIT taste fantastic! (Not to mention the osterich appetizer)

I will go back again and again. The food and service is top notch!

Posted 02/08/08

I went to a wedding there this weekend. It was perfect.

Service was outstanding, food was good and hot (hard to do at a large function), bartenders were terrific.

The weather could not have been more beautiful! The ambience, tent, and setting made you feel like you were at a 5 star restaurant....

The experiance was Top Notch...felt warm and friendly, but classy too!

Posted 11/04/07

Great location, great outdoor dining, very friendly and knowledgeable staff, delicious food, well priced. What more can I say? Went last night and was totally surprised. The appetizers, a red and yellow beet over goat cheese dish and the pea ravioli were fabulous. Main course was braised shortrib. Masterful. Lamb ditto on the masterful. It's just the kind of cooking we've been looking for. This is a chef who has mastered it all. And then there was the service.....ask for Victoria although there was not one person in the place who wasn't very amiable and helpful. Now let's talk price. Without the fabulous bottle of "Turley" Zin and the before dinner drinks one could have the meal I described for a little over $100. People, that's a steal considering the quality and taste. Portion size also excellent. This is the place to take the out of town friends or to just give yourself a nice treat. Loved it....we'll be back!

Pros: Very Nice Dining Experience

Cons: Not one that I can think of

Posted 10/21/07

We went there for our anniversary dinner. Food was tastety and a portion was just right. They had a special soup it could be called clubshell soup and it was so good. Their servers were a little too young for this restaurant.

Posted 10/03/07

I really enjoyed this restaurant from the moment I walked in. The hostesses were friendly, and our waiter especially so. The daily additions to the menu were well described, and our other questions were well handled and humorously when appropriate. My wife had an excellent tuna dish that was lightly cooked (Sushi Grade Level One) and I had a wonderful pheasant entree on top of sweet potatoe puree and a side of spinach, also with special croquets that had the darker meat inside. Many types of bread available that were delicious and offered often! Portions were just right. A fine dining experience with valet parking that was quick and smiling, too!

Pros: Quality of food, valet parking, very friendly staff

Posted 07/28/07

We visited Canoe this week for our second anniversary celebration and it was a great experience! We were able to eat outside and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Our reservations were for 8:30, but I would suggest an 8:00 reservation in order to enjoy the view a little longer. The service was great and the food exceeded our expectations. I will agree with previous reviews in saying the wine list was a little pricey. My husband made the initial reservation and was asked if we were celebrating anything in particular, upon arriving nothing was mentioned of our anniversary, but when our entrees were finished our waiter brought us a beautiful dessert "on the house" with "Happy Anniversary" written in chocolate on the plate. That was just the icing on the cake for this restaurant. Definitely a repeat dinner spot if you're looking for a romantic evening!

Pros: View and Romance

Cons: Pricey wine list

Posted 07/24/07

This place is great! The food is wonderful, our service was wonderful, and the setting is so romantic. I was concerned when we pulled up and the restaurant is in what looks almost like a strip mall. Well, once inside you would never know it. Also you should definitely walk around outside with a cocktail after dinner, the landscaping and lighting are such that couples can sit and enjoy a quiet conversation.
I think that most of the negative comments are from people that do not frequent restaurants of this ilk. This is known as one of those "special occasion" places, where you get people whose normal idea of eating out is some chain. My husband and I found the wine list and food prices to be very reasonable. And we didn't need a "French dictionary" to understand the menu.
We will definitely add this place into our rotation. It is perfect for a romantic evening out.

Pros: Great view, service, food, reasonable prices.

Posted 05/29/07

Thanks Canoe for a great family dining experience in a special and warm setting. I recommend this restaurant for anyone who desires well-prepared food, professional and attentive service, and an atmosphere that offers "something different." While our reservations were for 9:30 p.m. on a Monday evening, we were early. To our relief, the staff welcomed us enthusiastically and they were ready for us. My wife, son, daughter, and I each ordered a different appetizer. The African Squash Soup is my favorite, as I knew to order it from an earlier lunch I ate here with friends a few months ago. My wife and son ordered New York Strip Steaks, my daughter ordered the Lamb Shank, and I chose the Carolina Rabbit. Each entree was well-prepared, delicious, and appealing in its presentation. We ordered drinks from the bar and also enjoyed our desserts. The Dining Room Manager visited our table, greeted us, and made us feel welcome. Our waiter was pleasant, attentive, and polite. We were probably the last patrons to leave that night, but no one rushed us and the valet parking attendant did not complain when we realized he was waiting for us before he could leave. Having read a couple of the negative reviews before booking this reservation, I still chose to do so because as I shared earlier, I have eaten one other meal here and knew Canoe to be a restaurant of high calibre and its staff to be concerned and helpful. Before writing this, I just booked another reservation for my whole family for a combined family celebration of Mother's Day and my birthday. I look forward to another great experience. Atlanta has many fine restaurants, and while I commend each of them, this is the one restaurant I want to reserve for that "special occasion" with my family that goes above and beyond what one would expect. The staff's attitude is not one of condescension, but concern for professional and courteous service. Thank you Canoe for a great meal and dining experience!

Pros: Delicious food, professional service, appealing atmosphere, value for money spent

Cons: None

Posted 04/17/07

My first experience with Canoe was in the spring of 2002 when taking a then-new girlfriend to dinner. The service was outstanding even though it was a busy Saturday night. Somehow the chef even gave us a sample of some dessert on the house. We were exremely impressed. That girlfriend is now my wife and we've been going to Canoe every few months for a romantic dinner for two since. The menu always changes, and we have never had a disappointing plate. We have had some service that was less than pristine, but when you go as often as we do, it's bound to happen. Whoever wrote the negative review from January is either a disgruntled former employee or had a very bad day overall.

Posted 03/09/07

My husband and I were looking for somewhere new for a celebration date-night. The food was wonderful. We started with the mussels, which was well worth every penny. There was more than plenty and they were very flavorful. I had the Scallops and my husband has the Halibut special We both enjoyed them very much. The only thing we had issue with was the wine list. It was very pricey, and the cheapest glass of wine available was around $15. There were not many wines that offered a glass at all. We opted not to have wine with our meal. It would be nice if there was a house wine offered that was less than $10 a glass.

Pros: Flavorful Food

Cons: Pricey wine list

Posted 03/09/07

Well I've read a few of the negative reviews about Canoe, and I'm shocked because I had a terrific experience! I loved my food, had great service, and the atmosphere there is awesome! I would highly recommend this restaurant! It's very upscale and has a plesantly relaxing atmosphere. I think this place is also great for a romatic dinner night out.

Posted 02/05/07

I recently visited this restaurant with a group of seven close friends while at a medical Convention in the city. Although the negative comments regarding the staff as well as the actual cuisine at this restaurant-if you can call it that-greatly outweigh its positive attributes, I was hopeful that maybe the scenery would be enough to make this a memorable evening. The wait staff members seemed flustered all evening (our table was presented with the wrong dinner twice!-after the second correction, we agreed to try what was presented to us since requesting to speak with the manager never produced a manager!). Four of the dishes were cold and none tasted anywhere near what would be considered mediocre. After becoming frustrated with the lack of service and AWFUL food, we requested the check so that we could dine elsewhere. At the top of the stairs leading out, the valet seemed extremely bothered that we asked to retreive our vehicles-we discovered why when one of our members discovered a huge dent in the front passenger bumper of her new S-class M! The valet admitted to hearing a bump but denied any wrong doing as did the restaurant-luckily my friend is covered under a wonderful inurance agency who actually commented that (friend's name) happened to be the second phone call that evening from this location at Canoe! Who comes to a self-proclaimed "fine dining" establishment and experiences such! At the end of the evening, we left with empty tummies, a $8000 vehicle repair, and eventually a tab from another resturant (which was a short drive away into Bhead and was well worth it-Check out FORBES list on citysearch!) Nothing could drag me back to this restaurant. Horribly mannered valet and wait staff, untouchable and unconcerend management, worst dining experience in any city! Find another restaurant witht a great view-there are many in Georgia!

Pros: HERE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF EVERYTHING FINE DINING SHOULDN"T BE

Cons: nonexistent management, horrible staff, inconsistent cuisine, nonchalant valet,

Posted 01/15/07

My wife and I went here for our 1 year anniversary. Great food, great service, and a great view! I highly recommend it.

Pros: Ambience, food

Cons: Price

Posted 07/17/06

My reveiw is coming from someone who has eaten at Canoe with friends, had countless business dinners in the wine room, and had a bat-mitzvah for 75 people out in a tent in Canoe's lovely garden. In all the times that I've visited Canoe each and every employee has showed nothing but the utmost professionalism. From the hosts at the front door to the gentlemen that deliver bread to the table everyone makes you feel so welcomed and cared for. When it came time to hold an event, Canoe was the only place that came to mind because of the wonderful past experiences that I have had. The special events manager, Laurie is probably one of the best planners that I have ever had the pleasure of working with in the country. Granted like most other professionals, to meet with her I had to make appointments (which she was extremely flexible at doing). During the events, Laurie and her staff did everything under the sun to make sure that my guests and I had the best time and showed us that my group and my event was the most important thing to them. Even with the hustle and bustle of a busy night in the dining room the Canoe staff did not miss a beat!! I can and will only sing Canoe's praises and encourage people, when given the opportunity, to go to Canoe whether for a business dinner, a special event, or just a wonderful dinner for two. This is a place in Atlanta that does it right from start to finish.

Pros: Food & Staff

Posted 07/12/06

I was looking for a special place to celebrate my wifes birthday. When we first arrived the lady at the counter asked for our names and immediately wished her a happy birthday. We had reservations and we were seated right away. Another gentleman we came across wished her a happy birthday as well, and so did the waitress. A small detail but it was impressive none the less. It was romantic and you also have the option to eat outside. The service was first class and so was the food and wine. I am a big seafood fan and the salmon that I had was probably the best that I have ever tasted. It also includes valet service. I highly recommend this place for any special occasions.

Pros: Service, Parking, Food

Posted 10/16/05

My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at Canoe. It was our first visit, and we were pleasantly surprised. We knew that we wanted a romantic setting and usually places with pricey food are not always the best. Canoe surpassed our expectations. We made reservations, were promptly seated, service was excellent, wine was great, entrees had so much flavor. The decor was exactly what we were looking for - romantic and dark. I highly recommend Canoe for anyone celebrating a special occasion!

Posted 08/10/05

I went last night with a group of 10 and I walked away very impressed. Service, food, everything was great. My tuna was excellent and the salad before it was enough to share wtih my girlfriend. The prices are reasonable for this kind of quality. I would go again and recommend it to anyone.

Pros: Food, Service

Posted 11/16/04

Our evening started and ended well. Service was good and attentiveness was just right. Canoe has four selections of bread, very enjoyable. The crab fritter appetizer was the size of a tennis ball and very loaded with crab. The mussel appetizer simmering in a flavorful coconut sauce was awesome with sour dough bread. My husband liked his scallop entree as much as any fine dining restaurant, but did not care for the sides. I, on the other hand, really liked the sautéed mushroom and squash ravioli sides, more so than the lemon sole entree. Hubby thought the ice cream selection was okay, but I really liked my poached pear with gingerbread and pumpkin ice cream. The dim lighting in the patio made for a very romantic evening, and their courtyard is made for an after dinner stroll with several benches for you to relax and talk after a good meal.

Pros: ambience, food, service

Posted 10/29/04

I went to Canoe with my restaurant club which consists of 9 women. We informed the server that we were a restaurant club and we were happy to be there. Our service was horrible. It took us over 45 minutes to get our food. The food was okay. Even someone in our group who had been there before indicated her food had been better the last time. We were not impressed, I was very disappointed, and I would probably not go back for dinner.

Pros: Ambiance, Wine List

Cons: , Inconsistent Food, Attitude

Posted 06/18/04

The River Room, in a booth, facing the water, at dusk is the most romantic spot in Atlanta. The food always amazing and the service undisturbing and attentive. An Atlanta classic.

Pros: River Room, Wine List

Posted 04/12/04

Food was ok, but a nice setting. Bitchy service staff, over a tip that another customer left. I don't care FEED ME! They make the food to pretty and no taste. Very fatty and heavy food.

Pros: CLEAN, Great View, Manager was good

Cons: , Wait staff, Taste of food

Posted 03/27/04

Canoe still has to be one of the best places to dine in Atlanta. The desserts and homemade ice creams are some of the most creative and daring. Yet, some of my less adventurous friends find foods they love here as well.

Seafood and appetizers are Canoe's strength. But the mandatory "turf" dishes are expertly prepared.

Pricey, but always a favorite of mine for a special occasion.

Pros: Romantic (Outside), Desserts, Seafood

Cons: Pricey, Reservations Required

Posted 10/06/03

i've been meaning to write a note about conoe for some time now (it's been several months since my visit). canoe is just spectacular. nice ambience (bit loud at times), gracious service (jennifer--a german gal-ist wunderbar!), and excellent food (gary is terrific...carolina rabbit...mmmm...and of course the ostrich is fantastic; my risotto could have used a little bit of a kick, but otherwise well done all around. extensive wine list is also a plus.

Pros: service, food, ambience

Cons: loud at times

Posted 07/17/03

This place is awsome. They cater to large crowds very well. Very beautiful interrior but if you go you must check out the beautiful gardens and the Hooch flowing not too far away.

Posted 02/20/03

I have been a frequent Diner of Canoe since its inception in 1995. I have seen its ups and downs, but overall it is my favorite place still in Atlanta to dine out. In 1998 or so, the restaurant took a turn downhill when some of the key management staff left. I could alsways be greated by name by Rob, Cullen, or Kevin. They were all very professional, the service was impeccable, and the food top notch. I cant believe all the negative reviews here. I have had a bad dish at Canoe as well (few and far between), but the Chefs always made things right if that were the case. Impressive wine list, and a great by the glass selection. Overall, it is one of my favorite places to dine in the country....just wish some of the management that made the place so special for us would return!

Pros: Food, Wine List

Cons: Somewhat loud, Not near my home

Posted 12/12/02

The food is fresh, light and delicious... This is the kind of place I could eat at every day and not find rich or over bearing... The staff was great, helpful but not imposing.

Pros: food, service

Posted 12/01/02

I couldn't pronounce half of the items on the one page menu. I don't know where this chef grew up, but apparently it wasn't the US. The food was terrible and looked and tasted like it belonged in an art gallery rather than on a table. The prices were a whole other subject. They were outrageous! The beautiful and romantic atmosphere would be my only reason for going back!

Pros: lovely scenery, great service

Cons: terrible food, too expensive

Posted 08/17/02

This is one of the best restaurants I have ever been to in the country, but with so many good restaurants in Atlanta, I would say it is part of a non-ranked top 5. Too hard to rank them, but Canoe stands out as a place you need to go to. Great food, amazing atmosphere and the best location in the city! Probably my first pick for any special occassion event! Service was perfect...we loved our waitress because she really liked her job...can't assume that will always be the case thought, but they all seemed friendly.

Pros: patio, service, location

Posted 07/31/02

such an impressive place! i discoved canoe by this website and my boyfriend and were just stunned! they surprised us with a "happy anniversary" cheesecake since they found out it was our anniversary when i made the reservations. the service was top rate, the setting romantic, the food was amazing, and the prices were decent! what was not to like?

Pros: decent prices

Cons: valet parking

Posted 07/28/02

I have always loved this restaurant and the food has never dissapointed me. However during summer I loath going there as teh airconditioning is turned up so high I have to take along two sweaters to keep warm. I would rather sit outside and risk a warm breeze than freeze inside and not enjoy the entire meal.

Posted 07/14/02

The ostrich appetizer was good. The main courses that we had were okay, but not great. A $90 bill should have me thinking, "Wow!" Even with reservations, we still had to wait for about 20-30 minutes to be seated. I was reminded of the episode of Seinfeld where Jerry told the car rental place, "You know how to take the reservation. You just don't know how to keep the reservation." Ambience? Not nearly as romantic as it should have been. Loud and crowded. Sure the lights are dim, but that just means you're tripping over the chairs because the tables are too close together. We heard every word spoken at the two tables we were wedged between. The service was passable at best. While I've seen worse, our meals were pretty simple, but they still managed to screw them up. Overall, overrated.

Pros: valet parking, ostrich appetizer

Cons: crowded, poor value, long wait for seating

Posted 06/05/02