Fun place
4
Posted on 06 / 30 / 2007
This restaurant was created and has continued to be modified by R. Thomas himself, who still is always on the scene, chatting with diners and mending his flowers and pets. The dining area is actually a patio -- very laid back and comfortable. While most of the dishes are vegan (and healthily so-- not fried or fake meat, but wonderful combinations of quinoa and veggies, beans, nuts or various raw veggie platters), they do serve meat. However, all meat and eggs are free-range and as many ingredients as possible are organic. They have delicious smoothies and fresh juices made on the premises. The menu was varied enough that I was able to get quinoa with veggies and tofu and wasabi, and my guest had a cheeseburger with sweet potatoes. They no longer carry vegan cakes, but they did have a raw apple pie that tasted like traditional sweet apple pie filling and had nuts on top as a crust. The atmosphere was fun and one of a kind-- a mixture of kitsh and live. I don't like animals being around me, but was so delighted when a preying mantus landed on me, just because I realized there was probably no other restaurant in the city where this would happen.
You can get there by taking the MARTA to the Arts Center station and continuing along West Peachtree St for about 1 mile. In Atlanta, a mile walk feels a lot longer if you aren't used to the heat, but I checked twice and verified that it is indeed only 0.7 miles from the subway station.
Pros: Organic, Many vegan options, So tasty!
Cons: Caged birds outside, No separate checks
Well, myself as well as some others who live locally have been there, and it sure does NOT look like what you are claiming. Anyone with compassion and eyes to see would take one look at what is going on there, and know differently. If you represent the restaurant, instead of trying to defend yourself, I would appreciate if you had a more compassion for those birds, got them away from the busy street, got them out of those small confining cages that are being used to decorate the exterior walls - and pass this message on to the owner who claims to "love" them so much. I would expect a change of heart - to have a conscience about this rather than to try to defend your name, here. I know what I saw - and so did the other people who are just as concerned as me.
Actually, this is not quite accurate. The birds are kept in very large and heated cages. They are taken out daily and are fed an organic vegetable diet. They are well-loved and well taken care of. The owner is an animal lover.
Caged birds=Cruelty to birds
NO EXCEPTIONS!
I also would respectfully disagree with the facts in this "review". If you believe that caging any animal is wrong, that of course is your right; but don't try to spin the argument by exagerating the facts. The cages are large, appropriate for the birds they contain, and have been clean every time I visited the place - at least 6 times. Yes they are outside, but they are kept warm in the winter and are further from the busy roadway than the dining area for humans. Anyone who has seen Mr. Thomas with his birds knows that he cares for them a great deal, and they are much more to him than "decorations". So yes - if you don't like caged birds, by all means stay away. But if you can appreciate some sweet, friendly, beautiful, well-cared-for birds, take a moment and say "hi" to Sparkle, and she will make it worth your while.
Regarding the birds issue: I have spoken both slyly & directly with staff & [I believe] the owner before. I was told the birds are "rotated out" and spend time at home as well -- not just at the restaurant. And again -- these cages are HUGE & heated -- "deluxe" if you will. While not ideal & possibly exploitative, *I* would say these birds are NOT stressed & generally seem happy (& I've been there countless times). Frankly, I kept my eye on the birds for ages, as I once lived across the street, before I moved back to London. If I thought these birds were unhappy or stressed, I would not eat there. But the birds seem happy and the owners seems responsible & knowledgeable with them.