Atlas opened at the St. Regis Atlanta in 2015. Since chef Freddy Money took over in 2020, he has reshaped the restaurant, blending classical French training with a more playful sensibility while working more closely with local farmers.
“Covid was an opportunity to do a reset,” Money says. “It was a chance to reimagine what Atlas could be.” Music and a collection of 20th-century modern art now play a central role in the restaurant’s atmosphere, alongside Money’s approach to food, beverage, and service. In 2023, Atlas was one of five restaurants in Atlanta to receive a MICHELIN Star in the city’s first guide and has retained it since.
“From the outside looking in with the white tablecloths, it can seem intimidating,” Money acknowledges. But a British classic rock soundtrack featuring The Rolling Stones and Elton John, along with smiley-face foie gras sandwich cookies, his take on British Jammie Dodgers, immediately put guests at ease. “I don’t want a stuffy formal dining room because it’s not my personality,” he says. “I have a deep respect for the classical way of doing things, but I also have my own ideas.”
For example, Atlas now sources most of its produce from Hickory Hill Farm, an organic farm located about 80 miles from Atlanta in Oglethorpe, Georgia. “The quality is night and day,” Money says. “A carrot isn’t just a carrot. I have to train my diners and cooks that there is a difference.”
Most guests at Atlas opt for the chef’s tasting menu, though an à la carte option is also available in both the dining room and the bar. Dedicated vegetarian and vegan menus are offered as well, which Money has developed with equal attention. “Vegetarian dishes can't be an afterthought,” he says.
The Papillon Room, adorned with 3,000 blue butterflies, seats 12 guests, and a boardroom-style private dining room accommodates up to 20. Atlas is owned by Tavistock Group, whose restaurant portfolio includes more than a dozen concepts across Florida, Massachusetts, and Las Vegas.
