IN 1967, POLARIS WAS A BLUE DOMED ROTATING LOUNGE RESTING ATOP OF THE TALLEST BUILDING IN ATLANTA – THE HYATT REGENCY. AFTER A DECADE HIATUS AND MORE BUILDINGS SURPASSING IN HEIGHT, THE POLARIS REOPENED IN 2014 WITH MUCH OF THE ORIGINAL STAFF AND MENU INCLUDING THEIR ICONIC SIGNATURE PEACH DAIQUIRI. THEY UPPED THE ANTE WITH MODERN HIGHLIGHTS LIKE FARM-TO-TABLE FARE, AN IMPRESSIVE BOURBON BAR AND 1500 ROOFTOP HONEY BEES THAT ARE PUTTING WORK TO SWEETEN UP YOUR DISHES AND DRINKS.
SO GET GUSSIED UP, HOP ON THE POLARIS DEDICATED ELEVATOR AND FLY TO THE TOP OF THE CITY. THE SOPHISTICATED LOUNGE IS SET WITH FOUR HOMEY AREAS WITH COUCHES FRAMED BY SHELVES OF BOOKS AND VINTAGE CAMERAS. CONTEMPORARY BATHROOMS AND ELEGANT ART JAZZ UP THE INTERIOR. THE WAY THE CHIC DÉCOR CASUALLY SEPARATES THE SEATING AREAS MAKES THE ENVIRONMENT FEEL RELAXED WHILE REDUCING NOISE. IT WAS RELIEVING TO BE ABLE TO HEAR EVERYONE IN YOUR DINNER PARTY AND NOT THE CHITTER CHATTER OF OTHER GUESTS AND STAFF. AS IT TAKES 45 MINS FOR A FULL ROTATION, YOUR TABLES WILL PASS THE OPEN KITCHEN AND LOBBY ON THE INSIDE AS YOU SOAK IN THE PANORAMIC SKYLINE VIEWS OUT OF THE WINDOWS. SITTING 25 STORIES ABOVE PEACHTREE STREET, YOU CAN SEE WELL OUT TO KENNESAW MOUNTAIN AND STONE MOUNTAIN.
THERE IS A GORGEOUS EXTENDED BAR MADE OF PETRIFIED INDONESIAN WOOD WHERE THE BARTENDERS CREATE ARTFUL HANDCRAFTED BEVERAGES. JT, OUR SERVER, WAS A SPLENDID MIXOLOGIST. HE GAVE US GREAT RECOMMENDATIONS AND EARNED OUR TRUST TO THE POINT WE WOULD TELL HIM WHAT WE ENJOY IN A DRINK AND JUST TELL HIM TO SURPRISE US! HE HIT THE MARK EVERY TIME.
THE FOOD WAS A REMARKABLE EXPERIENCE. WE NIBBLED ON WAGYU SHORT RIB TACOS. LET’S BE HONEST IF I PURCHASED TWO TINY TACOS FOR $16 I WOULD BE UPSET. SEND IT BACK! THESE WAGYU SHORT RIB TACOS CAN COME OVER ANY TIME! ON-SITE, I COULD TELL THEY WERE ABOUT TO BE A FULL BLOWN COMPLEX TASTE BUD EXPERIENCE. SO I PREPPED MYSELF TO REALLY TAKE MY TIME AND FEEL EVERY BIT OF THE IMPRESSIVE TACO BECAUSE IT WOULD SOON BE GONE IN TWO BITES. IT WAS A PARTY. THE HOUSE MADE CORN TORTILLAS WITH PINEAPPLE, PICKLED SHALLOT, BOURBON SALSA, AND A FINGER LIME. IT WAS A TRUE FORMAL AUTHENTIC TACO. A STUNNING TACO IN A TUX, SHALL WE SAY.
WE ALSO HAD THE POLARIS STEAK OSCAR WHICH WAS A PORCINI MUSHROOM DUSTED FILET WITH DEMI GLAZE RESTED ON WHIPPED POTATO BÉARNAISE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE SMALL POTS; SAUTÉED CRAB MEAT, CREAMY HOMINY GRITS, AND BUTTER. SPEAKING OF BUTTER, THIS HERE FILET WAS COOKED MEDIUM RARE AND WAS SMOOTH LIKE BUTTAHH BABY! YOU CAN’T SCARF THIS RAVISHING FOOD DOWN. BE AWARE OF YOUR PRIVILEGE TO BE IN FRONT OF THIS PLATE. YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOU TIME AND TRULY RESPECT EVERY BITE. 
We finished off sharing a Coconut Crème Tart featuring Coconut Sugar Cream, Coconut Mousse, Pineapple Confit and a Coconut Lime Get. I’m never amused by coconut but it was a very nice, soft, balanced and creamy desert settled in a chocolate dome. It wasn’t overly doused in coconut. Just layers of coconut accent that compliments the milk chocolate.
I WAS IN THE COMPANY OF AMAZING PEOPLE. WE HAD GREAT CASUAL CONVERSATION WITH A CHILL AMBIANCE – MY SOUL WAS TRULY HAPPY. I’m SO GRATEFUL WE WERE ABLE TO CHECK THIS SPOT OUT. I FREQUENT ATLANTA AND NEVER HEAR OF POLARIS. IT’S GREAT FOR DINNER, DINNER GATHERINGS OR EVEN A QUICK SIP BEFORE A NIGHT ON THE TOWN.
