Fontaine's Oyster Bar

09/08/2008 Posted by mld365

The oysters are incredible plus they have a cool scene. I love the happy hour and late night specials! Not to mention at lunch, you can really get in and out.

Pros: patio seating, food, crowd

Cons: None

06/30/2008 Posted by grgagrl

The food is very good, but the bar is frequently crowded. The fresh oysters are excellent, the fried seafood PoBoys are not as good as other places. The margaritas are horrible, they use very cheap mix.

01/05/2008 Posted by bgorham

This was a great recent find for me. It has a cozy pub feel and I can only imagine how fantastic the back patio is in the warmer months. The service staff was very helpful and attentive. The menu is fairly standard, but the food itself is far from it. I highly recommend the freshly made spinach dip appetizer, and I do mean FRESH. Also, the grilled chicken sandwich reminded me of backyard summer cook-outs - perfect! If you are looking for a completely unpretentious locale, this is it.

Pros: parking in back and no valet before 5pm!

08/17/2007 Posted by atlbabe

We LOVE Fontaine's and dine there often due to the outstanding and attentive service and tasty food. The food doesn't disappoint, including various cajun dishes and specials throughout the week. They've even added the famous "steamhouse bisque" to the Fontaine's menu. The atmosphere is unique; you can count on fun quotes posted throughout the restaurant to brighten your week. The staff adds to the neighborhood atmosphere and overall charm. The last time we were there, our waitress was efficient, friendly, and personable. She never stopped smiling -- even when my husband teased her about her baseball hat and watch. As a frequent guest, I whole-heartedly recommend you visit Fontaine's often. I'll see you there.

Pros: Great service, delicious food, excellent location

Cons: Gets crowded due to populatiry

08/06/2007 Posted by sweepea

If you go (and I don't recommend it), don't sit at the bar. My friend and I went on a Sunday afternoon after laying by a pool all day and wanted a refreshing cocktail before heading home for the evening. The bartender was as rude as could be, hated being at work that day, acted like she was hungover or stoned or both. She didn't want to wait on us, obviously, and only wanted to speak to people that worked there. Couldn't recommend a refreshing cocktail, didn't bother with fruit, and was just out and out ugly. I'd been there before and had bad service, but considered it a fluke. I love the way the bar looks, and if you like Katrina oysters, then this is the place for you. Oh yeah, some fool "mother" had their child sitting with them at the bar with about a dozen smokers around. Nice! I only eat cold water oysters, and they don't have many of those. Used to like Fontaine's, but not any more! Stay away from the bar at all costs.

Pros: Great neighborhood location

Cons: Crappy, surly service from the Sunday bartender

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful

06/30/2007 Posted by unc_annie

After hearing rave reviews for months, we finally decided to check it out. Unfortunately, we left bitter and disatisfied with no desire to visit again. The food was very good but completely overshadowed by the rude, obnoxious service. From the moment we were seated, our waitress clearly had no interest in serving us: she chucked our coasters at the table and stalked off without so much as a greeting. Later our drinks ran out repeatedly and when she did finally come back to fill them she acted like she was doing us a huge favor. She split our check incorrectly (after simple, explicit instructions) and then yelled at us about it. Then when we politely pointed out an error on the bill, she proceded to argue with us loudly and angrily. Finally she snatched the bill from my hand and stomped away lke a petulent child. I have had neglectful or disinterested servers before, but I've honestly never had one so aggressive and angry. Before leaving, we spoke to a manager about to the service. She (insincerely) thanked us for telling her, but was disinterested and unapologic. There are lots of great bars and restaurants in the Highlands. We don't have to subject ourselves to this sort of treatment in order to get good food. I'll never go back and I'll never recommend it to friends.

Pros: Good food

Cons: horrible service, music so loud you have to shout to be heard

02/20/2007 Posted by ansleyma

One of the city's best casual places to down a few oysters and a cold drink. Very authentic, great atmosphere (anything but chain or concept restaurant like). Staff is great, as evidenced by the number of folks we met who described themselves as regulars. Try anything on the menu. Judging by our experience you can't go wrong.

Pros: ambience and value

02/19/2007 Posted by mandieluck

I tried Fontaine's late on a Friday night. It was packed packed packed! Shoulder to shoulder, butt to butt, breasts to breasts when you walked in... Everyone was friendly, smiling and of course, carrying atleast one drink in thier hands. We made our way to the outdoor patio which was much less populated. Had a few beers, sampled a couple dozen oysters and moved onto dinner. I continues with oysters -- YUMMM-O while my dinner date did the salmon -- big, moist, yummy. We ended with a couple of mixed drinks which were not nearly strong enough for a lush like me. I loved the crowd though. I will definately go back for beer and oysters once it warms up a bit in good ole Georgia!

Pros: Fresh Sweet Oysters

Cons: S-L-O-W service -- you have to practically be your own waiter!

02/14/2007 Posted by art__vandalay

Words can't do this place justice! I dine at Fontaine's regularly, and I am never disappointed. Table service is pleasant, friendly, fast, and attentive. The food is fantastic (especially the hushpuppies, bisque, & steampot). The overall atmosphere is fun; you just don't want to leave. There are also specials Sun - Thurs, as if I need more reasons to visit this neighborhood hot spot. I love sitting on the outside patio (it's heated and covered), and we never miss an opportunity to take friends and visitors for an outstanding dinner. If you haven't been to Fontaine's yet, what are you waiting for?

Pros: Service, Ambience

Cons: NONE!!

09/15/2006 Posted by jaymaygm

Fontaine's in The Highlands has been around for years, and I don't know why we don't do lunch there more often. It's the sister restaurant to the "Steamhouse Lounge" in Buckhead, but has a totally different vibe. It's like being in some small groovey, yes groovey, oyster bar off Bourbon St. in New Orleans. We always start with one of the coldest beers in the ATL, and a bowl of that tasty lobster bisque. Then on to oysters, half-shell, or prepared anyway you like. Our favorite is Oyster's Rockefeller. I'm starting to get hungry again, just thinking about them. Any of the fried seafood baskets are fine, but we just stick with the peel-and-eat shrimp, by the pound. This is one of our favorite lunch spots, and is the place ever so clean. The dark paneling, exposed rock walls, and oversized light fixtures, and gas lamps, set the mood. Service is always quick and pleasant. Fun casual dining at it's best!

Pros: Lobster Bisque, Oyster's, Steamed Shrimp!

Cons: Parking In The Highlands, Always A Hassel!