Vickery's: fine food and a very special spirit
Published: Apr 15, 2009
Vickery's Crescent Avenue Bar and Grill in Atlanta charms diners with an eclectic array of American food, with an accent on coastal specialties. But the 25-year-old restaurant's appeal also extends to its connections with Atlanta’s most famous author — who some say still drops by, long after her death.
The restaurant is named after Margaret Vickery, who lived in and ran an antique and fabric shop there. Another Margaret — namely, Mitchell — allegedly visited her friend Margaret Vickery for hours because she hated her own house nearby.
Mitchell was fatally injured by a taxi cab in 1949 while crossing nearby Peachtree Street, leading to speculation that the author had been just leaving the place. And restaurant employees swear they’ve seen apparitions in the house. Could it be Mitchell’s spirit? Why not?
Fact or fantasy, the spectral literary cachet can only enhance an enjoyable meal at this bistro, which is tucked in among the towering Midtown buildings.
The dish that draws crowds at the city's annual food fest is Vickery's Low Country Seafood Sauté ($19). Get ready for a pile of shrimp marooned on an island of white grits and surrounded by a bayou of herbed bourbon butter — plus crabmeat, orbs of andouille sausage, ringlets of crawfish and fried oysters.
Other delicious entrees include grilled jerk chicken breast, served with fried plantains ($15), Vickery’s crab cake sandwich ($13) and the Cuban Reuben ($9). The Southern fried chicken comes with the spicy mac 'n cheese, Betty's collard greens and a biscuit ($16).
Don’t miss Vickery’s Southern pecan salad, with crunchy candied pecans and sweet golden raisins mixed with lacy lettuce and crumbled bleu cheese and served with tangy white balsamic vinaigrette.
Tasty appetizers include Maytag bleu cheese chips, fried green tomatoes, bourbon shrimp and fried calamari. The place has a full bar, a lovely patio and can accommodate large parties.
To enjoy Vickery's food without ghosts, go to Vickery's Glenwood Park at 933 Garrett Street, Atlanta, GA 30316.
Reservations can be made online, but only for the Midtown location.
Parking's scarce in Midtown, but the restaurant validates parking for $2 across the street before 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., nearby self-parking lots charge around $5. You can get change for parking meters inside Vickery’s, but don’t forget to feed the meter or you'll risk the ire of Atlanta’s parking police.
Vickery's menu.
- by Diane Loupe, Atlanta Reporter for HelloMetro
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