Sean found out about this new, upscale dining option in Chamblee called The Alden, with a chef who had traveled the world cooking – even doing a stint at Noma for a couple of months. While we love Buford Highway and the incredible multicultural cuisine we have easy access to in this part of town, “fancier” options are fairly limited. 

The restaurant offers brunch, and has a dinner too with a 7-course tasting and wine pairings (which we would like to go back for). Sean and I are not big on going out for breakfast or brunch – read anything Anthony Bourdain ever said on the brunch topic and you’ll have our many reasons, too. BUT The Alden takes reservations for brunch so we decided that would be good for us since the “waiting for an hour for eggs” brunch scene in Atlanta is really too ridiculous. As far as brunch goes, this place has great food. And the restaurant is beautiful, inside and out.

The menu is well-appointed for brunch. Many unique items and plenty of choices for someone like me who tends to prefer more lunch-oriented options at brunch.

The service was off. Our server was very strange and told us we could not order a starter item first – we had to have everything put in at once because the kitchen has “rules.” That’s weird. He also didn’t seem to know everything on the menu. 

Our server brought us out complimentary apricot scones with housemade strawberry-peach preserves. Fresh and wonderful. Sean had a coffee and was expecting something more local and fresh than what they had. Even though I don’t drink coffee, I would have expected that, too. They brought it out in a big carafe like at a diner. Maybe they’ll get there. I had a fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice that was quite refreshing.

We shared the Daily Soup of saffron-fennel, lump crab, and herbs. This was pretty good but it tasted like there was celery in there in addition to the fennel and it kind of overpowered the delicate flavor of the crab.

The french toast with guava paste, cocoa nib whip and fruit was really tasty. We were a bit thrown at first by the guava paste as it was the color of mashed banana and had a bit of that flavor but we were assured it was guava paste.

The avocado chilaquiles were very yummy. They obviously make and fry the chips in-house, they did not skimp on the avocado, the salsa verde was perfectly bright and tangy to go with the chorizo and the runny egg was just right.

Overall, a good spot in Chamblee that once, it overcomes some growing pains, will probably do very well given the area’s continuing gentrification. 

The other thing I have to note that was shocking and disappointing to me was that this restaurant, even at brunch, is not accommodating to babies. I’m not talking about toddlers who run around. A family came in with a reservation with a baby who simply needed a high chair (could not yet walk) or to be in her stroller and was told absolutely not by the staff. The owner does not allow or want any high chairs, booster seats, or strollers in the restaurant. The family tried to bring in one from a restaurant next door and was not allowed. 

This information is NOT on their site, so be warned. If you take your baby in with you, hoping for a nice brunch with your parents who are in town, you will be holding the baby the entire time. I could see this at dinnertime, but this was brunch. The family was nicer than I would have been – I would have left and taken my hard-earned money elsewhere. It was hard to get through the meal knowing that when our own little one arrives, we would not be welcomed in the same way anymore. 

Very disappointing. Hoping they reconsider this policy and attitude – they are located in an Atlanta suburb where many young families live.