5 Things to Order at Sargent in Atlanta

As if the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail wasn’t already an exciting destination, there’s a new reason to go: Sargent. The restaurant is the brainchild of co-owners Jordan Smelt and Katie Barringer, who also own Lucian in Buckhead. Like Lucian, Sargent shares space with an art-focused bookstore curated by Barringer and has a polished, cosmopolitan feel. Unlike Lucian, however, it boasts a larger dining room and a menu, developed by chef Jason Paolini, centered on American classics. The result is a restaurant that feels both familiar and fresh. Here are five things worth ordering — and doing — when you visit.

Profiteroles

Sargent’s pastry program displays the restaurant’s American classics-meets-French approach. Pastry chef Mikayla Schorr crafted profiteroles that perfectly round out the meal in a way that’s sweet and special without adding too much heaviness. Made of choux pastry, the puffs are filled with ice cream and whipped cream, then topped table–side with a hearty drizzle of chocolate sauce. There’s something particularly fun about having the sauce poured over the dessert at the table, turning a relatively simple pastry into a piece of theater.

Prime Rib Dinner for Two

It doesn’t get more classic than a prime rib dinner for two. Sargent’s slow-roasted prime rib comes dressed in rich bordelaise and accompanied by silky potato purée, creamed spinach, and béarnaise. Consider it a steakhouse dinner in its most indulgent form, with all the requisite sauces and sides for soaking up every last bite. It’s available every night on the dinner menu and on Sundays during their extended lunch hours. If you’re looking for an occasion to bring someone to Sargent, this is it.

Sherry Tonic

Sargent’s cocktail menu is tight with just the right amount of options to choose from. They focus on the — you guessed it — classics, with light aperitifs like pastis and soda to boozier sippers like a MManhattan. The sherry tonic is an ideal way to kick off a meal. It’s crisp, dry, and low in alcohol, making it a lovely prelude to a rich meal. The sherry gives the drink a savory character, while the tonic keeps it bright and refreshing. In other words, it’s the kind of cocktail you can happily sip before dinner without spoiling your appetite.

Club Sandwich

At Lucian, the restaurant’s omelette quickly became a hit with its own fanbase. At Sargent, Barringer, Smelt, and Paolini suspect that their club sandwich will be the star. It’s a classic dish that’s instantly recognizable, and when the parts are excellently prepared, it becomes something crave–able. The sandwich is only served at lunch and comes with Ffrench fries. It’s the kind of order that makes sense for a leisurely midday meal: familiar enough to feel comforting, but polished enough to remind you that you’re eating at a restaurant rather than making lunch at home.

A Book

Before opening Lucian and Sargent, Barringer owned the now-closed Cover Books in West Midtown. She brought back her knack for selecting beautiful art-focused and coffee-table books at Lucian, and now there’s an even larger selection at Sargent. The bookstore gives you another reason to enjoy the space after a meal, whether you’re looking for a design book to leave on your coffee table or something to flip through on a Sunday afternoon. In addition to books, you’ll find specialty magazines like Noble Rot and Neptune Papers, an interior design magazine based in Paris. Think of it as dessert for the curious-minded; something to browse while you finish your coffee, and perhaps take home with you.

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