Basil's Revisited (In the Light of Day)

A little background: last time AF visited Basil's, it was "after hours," and we weren't looking for food. On a random Friday evening, we rolled up to the joint around midnight. We poked our heads through the screen door and asked if we could have a drink or two at the bar while the staff finished cleaning up. Not only did the owner invite us in, he shared a few bottles of vino with us and even gave us a bottle to go!

After experiencing such an amazing bout of hospitality, we chose Basil's as the location of a recent girls-only brunch. Basil's has long been one of our favorite restaurants in Buckhead, and we wanted our friend Cathy, who was in town from San Fran that weekend, to sample their Mediterranean fare.

Located on Grandview Ave., a small side street off of Pharr Road in the heart of Buckhead, it would be easy to drive past Basil's if you weren't looking for it. The restaurant is almost hidden by the beautiful flowers and potted plants that surround its outdoor patio area, which is covered and heated in the winter. Our group requested seating on the patio when we arrived around 1:30 p.m. on a Sunday, so we could enjoy the Spring weather.

On average, you'll spend about $10 - $13 for brunch at Basil's if you forego alcoholic bevs. The menu offers traditional breakfast items like omelettes, french toast and several different takes on eggs benedict as well as sandwiches and Greek specialties like kafta, tabbouleh and hummus. Our whole group ordered something different.

First, we started off with homemade blueberry muffins in lieu of a bread basket.


Anne ordered the Chicken Balsalmic Salad, which included grilled chicken, walnuts, gorgonzola cheese, cherry tomatoes, sliced pears and orange segments served over a bed of fresh mixed greens. The homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette dressing is to die for!


We weren't letting Cathy leave town without tasting the lamb burger. At $12, this sandwich delivers a bigtime bang for your buck. Along with the super-flavorful burger (thanks to the lamb meat and spices), you get roasted potato wedges and fresh fruit.


Another of our favorites is the mesa platter, which comes with a refreshing rendition of tabbouleh, creamy hummus, super tasty baba ganoush, stuffed grape leaves and grilled pita bread, all for $10.


If we had to describe Basil's (and the owner) in one word, it's this: charming. It remains one of our favorite casual dining haunts in Buckhead for brunch, lunch, dinner or even a night cap. If the owner will oblige us again, you'll find us sipping wine at the bar after hours on any given night!

Basil's Restaurant and Bar
2985 Grandview Avenue in Buckhead
Atlanta, GA
404-233-9755
NOTE: The brunch menu that's posted online seems to be out-dated.