Atmosphere: WaterHaven opened recently in Midtown (in the spot that was formerly the Globe). One wall of the restaurant is almost entirely windows, which face the restaurant's patio and the courtyard beyond. The windows, in addition to the high ceilings, give the long and somewhat narrow main dining room a more spacious feeling. The understated green of the walls of the main dining room is a reflection of the restaurant's environmental philosophies and practices. Green initiatives include the kitchen's recycling program and the conversion of the restaurant's used fryer oil into biodiesel.
The food: As for the menu, there's an emphasis on farm-to-table cuisine that changes seasonally. Since the restaurant opened this spring, the Georgia trout has been a top-selling entree. The pan-seared fish is topped with strips of applewood-smoked bacon and served with a side of mushroom "lasagna" (layered of pasta dough and mushrooms) with sage brown butter.
The Alaskan halibut is another recommended dish. It is marinated in herbs and served over a bed of white beans and topped with roasted red peppers that add a punch of flavor to the dish. You might become one of the many people who have fallen in love with the oxtails, which are cooked until they're tender, are served with spring vegetables, herbed dumplings and natural juices.
A vegetable plate features the constantly changing picks of the season, which are grown locally. But you're still not getting enough veggies? Side orders of a grilled vegetable medley, cream corn and collard greens are also available. Additional sides are a rich macaroni and cheese, roasted fingerling potatoes, housemade French fries and cole slaw.
The spring/summer menu includes a list of appetizers that ranges from Caesar salad to roasted beet salad and fried green tomatoes and shrimp-and-crab cakes. The seafood cakes are made with a combination of shrimp and jumbo lump crab and come with a house remoulade and Kaffir limes. The fried green tomatoes are topped with poblano goat cheese and pumpkin seed pesto.
At lunch, the appetizer menu remains the same, but a steak sandwich, a fried chicken sandwich, an egg salad sandwich and a burger are available. You can also order a salmon salad or a roasted chicken salad for lunch.
Dessert: Got a taste for something sweet? You can choose from a variety of offerings that include crème brulee and a memorable chocolate pie that's almost too rich to finish.
The drinks: Your server should be willing and able to guide you through the wine menu, suggesting pairings for every course from the more than 60 varieties on the wine list. Of course, if you'd prefer a cocktail before, during or after dinner, the restaurant also has a full bar. And if you're a fan of the nearby Georgia Tech, you'll probably want to order a Yellow Jacket (let us know how that works out for you).
Parking: Heading to WaterHaven? Park in the Centergy parking garage (turn right off Spring Street at LA Fitness, which is just beore 5th Street) and the restaurant will validate your parking after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day Saturday. There is also very limited on-street parking on 5th Street, but you'll want to remember to bring change for the meters if you take your chances with a street spot.
