«It cannot be half rabbit and half cow» This was a quote from an asshole boss at a suck-ass job that I had a long time ago; however, that particular quote was a gem that I carried with me over the years. And that quote applies heavily to this place. This place wants to be a college bar /pub catering to area students and yet it also want to be a gastro-pub type restaurant serving cleverly concocted /artfully plated dishes. I am sorry, but you cannot be both things and do either thing well. I will say about this place what I have said, in the past, about Midtown Tavern(and their menu): My advice, for what it is worth, is either serve up some way above average standard pub fare and keep it simple(e.g. Manuel’s Tavern or Vortex), but delicious, or offer amazing but pricey, chef-driven gastro pub items(e.g. Tap or P’ Cheen) but DON’T try to do or be some idiotic, half-baked permutation of both. Or do like Atkins Park does and separate the fine dining area from the bar area and have separate menus for each. Service was addled and slow on the day I went. I was there with a large post kickball game crowd, and the staff was decidedly unprepared. Plus my «nachos» that I ordered were not nachos at all by any stretch of the imagination. I would say what I got was Navajo fry bread with melted /shredded jack cheese on top along with some sour cream and lettuce haphazardly thrown on top. I added chicken which upped the price from $ 9 to 1 $ 2, but otherwise did not help save the dish from being bad. Perhaps really deserves 2.5 stars but I will be nice and round out to three stars on ly because I liked the(design of the) interior space /dining area.
Andrew D.
Tu valoración: 3 Atlanta, GA
I popped by here the other night to see what it is all about. I used to like the Hill Street Tavern that was in the space. Still I wondered, as I still do how this space exists in an otherwise slow area of town. Like Hill Street, this space remains the same. Good size with character. The Drafting Table has some pretty killer reviews out the gate, but I have noted Kathleen M.‘s more recent notes. My experience was classic three stars. Pretty good cocktail menu. Nothing amazing, but the drinks weren’t bad. I also had a couple of IPA’s a Highland Brewery one I think it was, and a Bell’s IPA. Both were good. Craft beers are like $ 5 – 6 a pint. Food wise. The chicken fingers were good, and I think they were hand breaded. The Honey Mustard was really good too. The Pastrami sandwich(1 star) was pretty rough though. Seemed like reheated product from a day or two before. Very chewy and dry. Separately, the was Steak Sandwich was good even if basic. The sauteed spinach was great, but the Kale, well not so much, it was undercooked, almost raw. Service was good, very friendly. Will I be back? Can’t say I won’t, but I just am not in this no-mans land area of downtown much.
Jose O.
Tu valoración: 2 Atlanta, GA
This was a letdown… I visited the Drafting table on a Friday night for dinner. As I walked in the first thing that thought off was«where is everyone?» A slow day might be an understatement for the lack of customers. There were a couple people at the bar who turned out to be here for the same dinner and maybe 2 other people in the main dining area. Since I was early I decided to sit at the bar and get a drink while I waited. Once I sat down the bartender quickly approached and asked if would like a food menu as she presented me with their drink menu and went over what was no longer available. They had an above average selection of beers but by no means a yard house or taco mac. She did a great job of getting me my drink and being attentive to the few other patrons at the bar. Overall service at the bar was good and that made me wonder why this place was so dead. Well I soon found why! The guy who actually handled dinner was OK at best. He was able to get all the orders in and dinner went relatively smoothly. I can’t comment on the food since I didn’t try any of it. I can say that judging by the reaction to the group the food was not good. I heard that they used to do seasonal menu and were able to do some pretty good food. Sadly that menu has been replaced with a menu of chicken tenders, sliders and other typical bar food. Now this is where I lost the desire to come back here. Towards the end of the meal our waiter disappeared and it wasn’t like he was busy with other tables. So we waited around for some time until I got a bit feed up and ask the bartender if she could find our waiter. It took another couple of minutes until he showed up. He then proceeded to split checks and seemed to get everything right though those who had used the 25% off check in deal were not so sure. Overall The Drafting Table is a 2.5 star place for good bar service followed by subpar dinner service.
Aurelia W.
Tu valoración: 1 Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta, GA
I am very disappointed after my first here to the Drafting Table. The restaurant had decent reviews and I wanted to try something new so my friends and I arrived and we should have been weary then. It was in the middle of dinner hour and there were only 3 tables occupied. We stood at the hostess stand for a while then had to go hunt down someone to see of we should just seat ourselves. We were told to seat ourselves but then had to wait about 10 – 15 minutes to get a menu! We were first given menus that only had soups and salads on it so we were confused as to what else they served. They had given us the wrong menus. After about 20 minutes of waiting for someone to come ask us about drinks or take our order someone finally came. The food took about 45 minutes to come out which was ridiculous for any restaurant. The food tasted alright but not wort the wait. They told us after the food was out they ran out of fries so that was a bummer. We had a side salad and it was not good at all. Only balsamic dressing to choose from. Drink list is very limited, sprite, coke, diet coke, and ginger ale to choose from other than water. No lemonade or tea. Service overall was very poor. Of those three other tables two of them complained to the manger about how bad their experience was and they got their meals free and the other table just left after not getting service for over 30 minutes! After all is said and done I will never be coming back here to eat. Even with the 25% off coupon that Unilocal offered to come in I would not recommend it! Don’t waste your time and find another place for dinner!
Charlie B.
Tu valoración: 1 Charleston, SC
I’m a little hesitant to write this, as I used to enjoy the food and service here quite a lot. However Drafting Table pretty much sucks now. While the menu used to be eclectic, enticing and well executed its pretty much a college burger bar that doesn’t excel or even hit mediocrity in any of the dishes I’ve tried recently. I wouldn’t even let Newt eat here, thats how bad its become.
Kathleen M.
Tu valoración: 1 Atlanta, GA
I just can’t let my last review stand. The Drafting Table I once loved is gone, and it has been replaced by a really shitty college bar of the same name. No more unique, seasonal, and flavorful menu items. It’s just burgers and chicken fingers. Gone is the well curated and beautifully displayed bar. Now they’ve got cheap shots. Looking for distinctive craft beer? You’ll find discounts on pitchers of Bud Light. That lovely atmosphere I once loved has been covered in multi-colored Christmas lights and bartenders in jerseys. Also, don’t trust the posted hours. They seem to be opening late and closing early.
Lori B.
Tu valoración: 2 Atlanta, GA
Wish I had read some of the more recent reviews before going here the other night. I’d been wanting to try this place for a while, based on earlier popular reviews. But boy, were we disappointed. For a «gastropub», the beer list was a total disappointment. The waitress was thrilled to let us know that they had Yuengling on tap — seriously? On a positive note, they did have two local breweries beers featured. Foodwise, the menu was small and rather uninspiring. My husband ordered the pastrami, which was bland and fatty(not even close to the amazingness that is Wrecking Bar’s). I ordered the fried cauliflower with a chipotle mayo, which was just OK, and a kale side that wasn’t even on the menu. The waitress offered it up as an option when I told her I was vegetarian and asked what would she recommend. The kale was cooked perfectly, but it was drenched in a salty Asian sauce that they also serve with the grilled edamame, apparently. It’s probably fine as a dipping sauce where you can control the amount you ingest, but it was too salty for the kale. The ambiance was pleasant — not too loud, good view of Downtown — and I imagine it’s a nice place to hang out and have a beer after work. The service was good, and the waitress was helpful in making recommendations. However, even with the Unilocal check-in deal, we felt we didn’t get our money’s worth. I’m pretty sure we won’t be going back unless they make a serious change to their menu.
Sarah N.
Tu valoración: 4 Atlanta, GA
I visited here about a week ago on a weeknight around 7pm. I moved into an apartment nearby so I had been scoping out the block and this restaurant caught my eye. I walked in to find it quite empty, even for a weeknight. I think there was one table and two other people at the bar. I took a seat at the bar(I was alone) and was greeted by a friendly bartender named Kevin. He helped me select a beer, even gave me a sample. I ordered the 50⁄50 burger with fries, since it’s the signature menu item, to-go. As I drank my beer and waited for the food, the other bartender spoke with me, maybe her name was Shannon. She was very engaging and we carried on a conversation for several minutes. Shortly after, my to-go food arrived and I paid and walked home feeling quite lively. So I arrive home and open the box; it looks glorious. The styrofoam takeout box is lined with brown parchment, evocative of the restaurant’s tone. The glistening poppyseed bun hovers above lettuce and the burger, with melted cheese oozing below(some even managed to coat the fries… YUM.) I feared the the fries may have gotten soggy from being packed up, but they were still quite crispy. As I eat some fries, I stumble upon a ketchup cup so lovingly packed in my takeout box. I’m not usually a ketchup dipper, but I tried it anyway. I’m so glad I did because this ketchup is amazing. I believe it to be homemade as I detected a rustic texture. It also has a chile kick, Sriracha perhaps. Simply amazing. Now, the burger: it was fantastic. Juicy, cheesy, bacon-y. I found after about the halfway mark, the saltiness started to take a toll on my palette. However, still, a fantastic burger. I would be interested in trying a plain burger next time. I imagine the bacon inside the patty increased the salt level. Overall, great meal. My one trepidation about this restaurant is that it really isn’t busy. I think the strip it’s on has a quick turnover rate because the neighborhood has retained a bit of stigma from its past. One of the bartenders told me that the restaurant is going to undergo some changes to the menu, ambiance, and overall brand positioning. I’m not sure what to expect or when. My suggestion is try to get in there soon before it changes.
Tom E.
Tu valoración: 4 Denver, CO
Wow, so this is yet another review I can’t believe I forgot to write about! I am pretty sure it was the week of my last vacation, I decided to come to ATL and take care of some business. I don’t even remember what night it was either(how sad). But all I do remember is that I came straight from Memphis to meet with 2 of my favorites people(ladies, you know who you are!). I remember arriving around midnight(I think?!), and I was glad I had found the place, as I have never been to it before. Extra kudos for having free covered parking too. As I walked in(from the back entrance) — I enjoyed the dimly lit atmosphere with lots and lots of wood throughout. It almost reminded me of a rustic hunting lodge without all of the animal heads and guns. I was tired, but elated at the same time I made it back safely, and I got to spend time with people I don’t get to see enough! The bartender seemed nice too. Speaking of the bar, that is where we sat. They also had a special on some pints that night for a dollar a pint! Hell yea! Forgot what that was(I just sound absolutely worthless in this review!), except is was on the amber lager side and it wasn’t half bad! Thankfully the kitchen was still open, as I was starving. I could have honestly almost ordered almost one of everything– it all looked yum! I ended up sticking with a polish and some fries. Random intermission/memory recovery– I remember what week it was– it was during Shark Week, because I remember watching it on the TV at the bar! So yea, whenever that was… After getting my whistle wet and catching up, the food had arrived. I got a picture of it posted. It was pretty solid, and almost filled me up! So yea, good times indeed. I was surprised though to not see the place more crowded, but I guess since it was a school night, I can somewhat understand. Either way, another visit will be in store for me, I can’t wait to go back!
Pam D.
Tu valoración: 2 Dallas, TX
I really hate to downgrade my review, but after my last couple of visits, Drafting Table has officially fallen off of my «most loved» list and moved on the«do we have to?» list. I think I’m particularly sad because I know what it once was. What happened to the unique menu separated by First, Second, Third, and Fourth Drafts? Where are the inventive combinations? Now we have salads, burgers, and sandwiches. That’s IT. And in the burger section, my least favorite item of all time — the build your own. Really? Put something on the menu that sounds so good I HAVE to order it. Over the course of a week(because yes, I love this place so much I came two weekends in a row) the pizza items disappeared from the menu. Last week the server convinced me to get the spinach pizza and despite the horrendous service– she disappeared for 20 minutes after dropping off to-go boxes but before delivering the check? — she was right about the pizza. It was wonderful. But yesterday, there were no pizzas to speak of. I had to ask — I was told their pizza oven was broken, so they could still make them, but it would take much longer. Did I mention that one of the toilets in the bathroom is ALSO broken? Did I mention that they didn’t have any Crown for some guy’s Crown and Coke? I still ordered my spinach pizza but this time… to be honest, it was gross. I’m not sure if that item is supposed to have marinara sauce but last week it didn’t and this week it was overloaded with it, and it was terrible. Also way too much cheese. Last week the pizza smelled so good that everyone at my table was jealous. This week? My dining companions took one bite and were equally disgusted. The bartender didn’t even question it when we left with 2⁄3 of the pizza still sitting there. There’s no more fun bar tapas. No server or bartender cares to mention the soup of the day(would it be something I want anyway?). The friendly faces at the bar that always made a point to have a chat with me are now drones that we have to flag down to get their attention. Where are the cool menu items you can’t get anywhere else? Where’s the«gastro» in the gastropub? Speaking of horrendous service, last night we had to ask the bartender 3 – 4 times… I am not kidding… for a dinner menu. Seriously? For any business that wants to make money, that is one of the very first questions–«are you joining us for dinner?» And in the past, the bartenders would SELL you on it(bar tapas, soups, or dinner specials) and would convince you to eat dinner even if you weren’t planning on it. They replaced a bunch of the edison light bulbs throughout the restaurant with colored bulbs and strung multi-colored christmas lights around the bar area, giving the once old/classy/vintage bar a really cheap feel. I am really sad to see one of my absolute favorite places in ATL start to degrade over time. It seems like the degradation of food and service is reflected in their success, because it sure seems like they’re trying VERY hard on Facebook to get people in the doors and they are offering specials all the time. I have been really wanting to come here for brunch but after being a few times recently for dinner… well, I feel like my faith is fading. I used to think that maybe I just caught them on an «off» night but now I’m not so sure. Looks like I’ll be checking out all the other restaurants in Pencil Factory as my new go-to before Village Theatre.
Ji S.
Tu valoración: 4 Stone Mountain, GA
What a GREAT find! I have been meaning to check this place for weeks, and I finally was able to yesterday. Parking– Street or free parking in the parking deck Southern Fried Cauliflower: Unilocalers did not disappoint. This was probably the best thing we’ve tried. The cauliflowers were light and crispy and the house chow chow(red pickled vegetable) definitely added a nice taste to it. Smoky Mac & Cheese: Eh~ I had a high expectations, so it was just okay. It is VERY rich and salty. I thought they could have sprinkled more bread crumbs on it though. You can order this as a side item by paying little extra. 50⁄50 Burger(Drafting Table Pub– House Burger) 50%pork 50%Beef It’s a small size gourmet burger. The herb mayo they put on it was sooo good. It literally melted in my mouth. we were wowed with every bite! I wish it were a little bigger. 4th Ward Philly Hanger steak served on a crispy ciabatta roll. This sandwich was okay. It tasted fresh, but the meat could have been marinated or seasoned better. It was just okay. I ordered a side salad with this entrée, They use fresh spring greens, cubed cucumbers, and other vegetables. Their house salad dressing is worth mentioning! They do know how to do their sauce/dressing! ^^ Overall, it was a great experience, and I would definitely come back again!
Wendi G.
Tu valoración: 2 Atlanta, GA
Disappointed in our meal, we dined early on a Tuesday. There were maybe 2 – 3 tables full when we sat down. The place has a cool vibe and I was surprised there were not more happy hour people at the bar. We started with the twice cooked mushrooms — fresh shrooms sauteed with parsley and garlic. One word — bland. Then I tried the portobello special and asked for it to be topped with the Gouda cheese sauce and Scott had the the Smash Burger — all natural Painted Hills beef cooked classic«Smash» style w/grilled onions, mushrooms, & gouda sauce. My dish looked amazing when served but was cold(fries limp) and there was an essence of Gouda but I was charged the $ 1 surcharge. The burger was well, not medium, and cold too. On the positive, good beer selection and our service was friendly.
Heidi P.
Tu valoración: 5 Marietta, GA
Underestimated! Why don’t I hear about more people checking this place out? On the corner of the Pencil Factory Lofts, maybe people don’t think much of it because it’s not a free standing building? It’s right down the street from Village Theatre, so make a date out of it. PLUS there is covered parking in a deck behind the building! The three-sided bar is awesome and the bartenders are super friendly and attentive. The whole place is really nice looking with dark wood and clean lines. They have three flat screen TVs smartly placed in the center of the bar directly in front of you no matter where you’re sitting(at the bar). I can’t tell you how annoying it is when the TV you want to watch is in a corner or above your head at a weird angle causing you to turn and bend your neck all weird. It’s especially annoying when the person you’re with is staring at a TV over your head. They have some great drink specials, and during this particular visit they offered $ 1 Batch 19, $ 3 Lowryeder, $ 3 shots of Fireball and Kentucky Peach and discounted food items as well. …and they’ve got my number: Vodka Crans are only $ 5 each! Bravo! The braised kale is excellente, and definitely not«bar food». Sauteed with soy sauce and crushed red pepper, it is so savory and juicy, I thought for a second I was eating an invisible piece of steak with it. The nachos with hangar steak are also very good with pico, olives and white cheddar. My buddy ordered the tuna salad — This was actual sashimi tuna mixed with cucumbers, seaweed salad, soy, pecans, chili sauce and tomato. I did not try it — especially after learning it is way spicier than you might think! My other buddy ordered the Polish dog that comes in a hoagie roll covered with melted swiss. I didn’t try it either but it smelled amazing. I did steal a fry though; Thumbs up! I just checked out their website and it’s worth mentioning they advertise«All Natural, No Hormones, Antibiotics or Chemicals. All Animals used are Grain/Grass Fed All Bacon is Nitrate-FREE.» Superb! The menu has some amazing looking and sounding items, that I’ll need to come back to try. Bonus: When you check in on Unilocal,you can enjoy 25% off your food cost — who does that?! Great deal. Oh and by the way — kids eat free! I don’t have any to bring :) and it’s not the first place I’d think to bring one, but these days, I’d imagine that fact would go a looonng way with people. Mommy and Daddy can grab an awesome local beer and don’t even have to stress over whether they’re going to waste money on the meals that Little Bobby and Sally decided today they don’t like. This pub has everything you could want in an awesome, comfortable bar/restaurant. Definitely becoming a fave for me! How about a Drafting Table II in Dunwoody?
Aaron P.
Tu valoración: 5 Austin, TX
I came in here about an hour before closing on a Saturday night. The waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable about drinks as well as the food. Swift kick in the mule– great, balanced drink. The cucumber vodka is refreshing French onion soup– they make this with pastrami broth. This is the best French onion soup I’ve ever had. Hangar steak– I don’t know why they sliced the steak before plating. It was still quite good. The gnocchi it came with were appetizing as well. I am excited to go back here. This might replace Wrecking Bar Brewpub as my benchmark for a neighborhood pub.
Shyam S.
Tu valoración: 4 Isla Vista, CA
I was pleasantly surprised to discover this new gastropub near my alma mater, Georgia State, while I was returning from campus over the weekend. I know there have been some new places in the Pencil Factory Lofts, and some that have already closed, so I was not really paying attention. But it started to rain, and I was getting hungry, so I took advantage of the free parking in the garage — huge plus — and decided to check it out. This is a really beautiful bar. There is something about wood paneling, shiny surfaces and very little wall clutter that I like, so I found the Table immediately satisfying. I was there on a Sunday, and was kind of disappointed with the very limited brunch menu, till I actually tried the food, and also saw the weekday lunch and dinner menus — a truly exhaustive number of dishes, that I am anxious to try soon. I wasn’t feeling a large meal, so I just went with the fruit cup and the onion, pepper and mushroom hashbrowns. The food was excellent. The fruit cup was a delight — fresh blueberries, strawberries, cantaloupe and pineapple — and the hashbrowns were excellent — not too greasy, just right. I think this is one of those bars that GSU grad students and faculty should take advantage of because of the location, prices and set up. I can see myself grading papers here on a Monday or Tuesday night, eating a solid meal and watching the Braves game — all at the same time. P. S. I was also blown away that the bartender knew how to spell my name as soon as he heard it(SHYAM does not roll off the tongue). Kudos for having some cultural smarts.
Kristin B.
Tu valoración: 4 Atlanta, GA
I was wary in my approach of the Drafting Table. I’m a forgiving person, but I was burned too many times at Hill Street Tavern, looking for the good, making excuses to my friends, always trying to give it one last chance, only to be disappointed with disinterested service, abysmal wait times, and mediocre food. Thankfully, the Drafting Table seems to have righted the wrongs of the previous occupier of this space. The menu is fresh and new, and everything I’ve tried has ranged from solidly good to amazing. The mussels are probably my favorite thing I’ve tried, and even though they’re an appetizer, a single portion also makes a good dinner. I found the squash in the squash and ham salad just a touch undercooked, but the flavor combo was still tasty. Standouts from the selection of sides include their mac and cheese, which is made with smoked gouda, and the mashed sweet potatoes, which have a delicious and very unique preparation that’s more on the savory side. I’ve loved the cocktails I’ve tried, particularly their twist on a mojito, and though they’re of the«craft» variety, they’re still a couple of bucks cheaper than other craft cocktail spots in town. They also have great beer options, both in bottle and draft. The bartenders have always been friendly and quick, and I didn’t realize it till Pam A. pointed it out to me, but they always introduce themselves by first name. It’s a nice touch, that makes you feel more like a regular, even if it’s only your first or second time. The only thing that’s missing from this place? Lunch hours!
Monica A.
Tu valoración: 5 Houston, TX
This place was DELICIOUS and worth the walk from downtown. lol I’m from Houston, TX and we were in town for«Grits and Glory» roller derby tourney and a local told us that we HAD to go to this place. We did and certainly did NOT regret it. I had the ¼ chicken with kale and potatoes. it was soooo yummay! I will certainy go back to this place if I ever get back to Atlanta.
Brian K.
Tu valoración: 4 Atlanta, GA
I have very little patience for smokers, particularly those who consider it acceptable to light up in a confined indoor area and blaze away while the rest of us die a slow, untimely death. Coming from New York, where smoking has been outlawed inside bars and restaurants for nearly a decade, I can’t understand why Atlantans still tolerate such idiocy. Fortunately, there’s an increasing number of local bars that have chosen to voluntarily prohibit indoor smoking, including the Old 4th Ward’s newest addition, The Drafting Table. As if that wasn’t enough to garner my patronage, they also have a creative and well-executed menu to boot. Food: The Draft Table touts itself as a gastropub and has a fairly well-executed menu to back up the claim — the food offerings include everything from curried oxtail and brown butter gnocchi to grilled lamb sandwiches and mussels steeped in beer. During my visit, I started with the fried green tomatoes with honey, goat cheese, and bacon. In terms of flavor profile, the dish was a knockout — however, the tomato itself was too thick and undercooked. I was a little leery following the appetizer since I ordered the fried green tomato and pimento cheese sandwich for an entrée — fortunately, the tomatoes on the sandwich were thinner and perfectly cooked. The sandwich came with a side of hand cut fries, but I also ordered a side of baked mac & cheese — both were excellent. Service: Attentive, knowledgeable, and efficient. I recognized several of the staff from various restaurants throughout Atlanta — every employee from the manager to the waiter was well experienced and on their game. Atmosphere: Nearly half of the space inside the gastropub is occupied by a a large square bar, which can be accessed by patrons on all four sides. The remaining space is dedicated to a series of tables and booths. The décor is simple, yet contemporary — the ceiling is lined with Edison lighting and the tables are all made of dark handcrafted wood. Cost: Reasonably priced for the food quality and atmosphere. Appetizers are $ 4-$ 6, sandwiches are $ 8-$ 10, entrees are $ 12-$ 16, and sides are $ 4. Other: The Drafting Table is located at the base of the Pencil Factory Lofts in the space formerly occupied by Hill Street Tavern. Free 3-hour parking is available in the garage, which is accessible from Decatur St. Hours of operation are 4PM — 12AM daily. Various special events are featured throughout the week, including live entertainment and book signings.
Lucy W.
Tu valoración: 4 Atlanta, GA
Wonderful service, great menu, good cocktails, easy garage parking. I think for our table, we tried about 6 different cocktails, and a couple of wines as well. We also ordered an array of dishes: many of the sides and starters that included the Mac & cheese(made with orecchiette, which held the thick, smoky cheese sauce very well), braised greens, tasty spiced fries with herbed mayonnaise. We also tried the tasty lamb and mushroom pierogi(wish there were more or bigger pierogi), and a sausage pizza. Cocktails were pretty good… the ones I ordered had ginger though they were not very strong. They did have St George’s terroir gin… definitely +1 for that. Best parts were the casual comfy atmosphere with lots of wood and of course, a drafting table, and the attentive and friendly service(the server had a sixth sense on when we needed more drinks, or needed to order more food). Food prices aren’t listed online: starters and small plates varied depending on ingredients(Mac & cheese was less than mussels), pizza was between $ 10 – 15, entrees averaged between $ 15 – 20, cocktails and wine were probably around $ 10.
Ivan S.
Tu valoración: 4 Atlanta, GA
I’ll admit it. I miss Hill Street Tavern. They had good wings and above average food. Never spent a lot of time drinking there, mind you, but that’s because I don’t spend much time drinking anywhere. New kids will do that to you. It’s only after they become teenagers that the drinking comes back in full force, at least based on what I did to my parents. That brings us to Hill Street Tavern’s replacement, The Drafting Table and, yes, there’s an actual drafting table in the place. Now I’m going to go all«preliminary» and«first look» and hedge the crap out of this review since it’s based on a single visit. But hell, it was a pretty positive visit, so why not go ahead and start shouting it from the rooftops when(or if) they prove me wrong. The last thing I want is for a decent place to go all«Waffold» on us and shutter its doors after 4 months. Now the goodies. First, I can bring my kid here. OK, since she’s a baby, I won’t be doing shots with her(not for another 10 years at least), but when I called and asked, «Can I bring my kid there?» the response was an enthusiastic«Of course!» This also means(for those unfamiliar with Fulton Co. laws), The Drafting Table is mercifully non-smoking. Yep, go spend your Camel Bucks elsewhere, Smokey McCancerThroat. Second, the food was tasty. Granted, the wife and I went pretty easy on them, with me ordering the 50⁄50 burger and the wife ordering the smoked sausage(giggity.) «50÷50 burger?» you might ask. «Is that chance of it being good?» to which I’d answer«leave the snark to the professionals.» According to the menu, the burger is half chuck and half bacon. It also added about 50 points to my cholesterol level, but I say that in a good way. It’s not a huge burger, by any means, but my frame of reference has been totally thrown off by too many visits to the Vortex and Ann’s Snack Bar. This is a nice size burger that’s meaty and bacony and was served to me medium rare which I forgot to specify, but they found a way to read my mind.(Or they took one look at me and said, «Hmm…an Asian with his camera primed to snap pictures of his food, the top two signs of being a Unilocaler foodie douchebag. We should probably just go ahead serve his burger medium rare.») The wife’s sausage(gluten-free natch) was surprisingly spicy, accompanied by a nice burn of black pepper in the back of the throat. Now I dig that, but spice wimps be aware. My whiskey drink was nice and I dare say it was almost as good as the drink I had at the fancy-schmancy Proof and Provision not but 24 hours earlier. This does bring me to my one gripe of the night. The drink menu had no prices. I get that they are new and might be trying to figure out pricing. They might not want to commit them on a printed menu yet. But paper is cheap, guys, return customers are not.(For the record, my «fancy» mixology cocktail cost me $ 8.50 which is a little less than some of those other gin joints.) There you go. Four stars for now. Now don’t let me down Drafting Table. Let’s see what future visits bring.