683 Bar & Bistro

                                                                         -Image Courtesy Hotel Indigo

Hotel Indigo’s 683 Bar & Bistro boasts a “visual music” theme that successfully inserts contemporary design elements into a space defined by its traditional architectural features. The front desk is shaped like a set of drums, the banquettes mimic treble clef notes and guitars, and the bar looks like a huge piano keyboard. Throughout the space grey neutrals mix with pops of hot pink, orange and lime green. Murals recreate graffiti found in the projection room of The Fox Theatre and ticket stubs dating back to the 1970s.

The menu at 683 Bar & Bistro impresses with fresh food and flavors. One bite will get you wondering how this place has managed to stay under the radar.

Local beet salad with local greens:

This salad boasts vibrant flavors and surprising match-ups.

Local cheese plate featuring Sweetgrass Dairy cheeses:

Pleasing to the eye and the palate, this pairs perfectly with SweetWater's Sweet Georgia Brown beer.

Georgia shrimp cake slider:

Mmmm.

Intermission dessert martini:

This cocktail was the sole disappointment of the night to me, as it struck me as a fancifully decorated but straight pour of Van Gogh Vodka Dutch Caramel. That spirit is good, but it's not a cocktail. The drink would be improved with the addition of some cream and simple syrup. To be fair, however, the woman seated next to me adored this drink as it was.

Chocolate souffle:

Addictive.

Bottom Line: A pleasant surprise, this eye-popping bar and bistro serves up fresh, tasty fare that should attract locals as well as hotel guests.