Gilbert’s Mediterranean Cafe

I miss you, Gilbert’s. Please come back. Your new iteration is garbage.

A few years ago I would have given this place 4 SARS easily. But since they obtained 10^th and piedmont the place isn’t the same. The change to the menu was not a change for the better. The seafood paella use to be to die for. It was an awesome blend of favors. Now it tastes like tomato soup with shrimp and chicken.
I’ve also ordered the chicken kabobs and they came out uncooked.
The one thing that has remained consistent is that management will take care of you when things are not right.

This bar/​restaurant is pretty good. Did the scout mob deal and was pleasantly surprise… We started with the turkey ribs, and I had the lamb burger! D’lish! We also got two ‘signature’ drinks… Great deal for $ 29 bucks (not including tip or tax) service was o.k. But adequate… Need a local joint with some pretty good food this is your place… Enjoy!

I was honored to be invited to a friend’s 30^th (I meant 25^th, sorry) birthday here, but I forgot what the venue was or where it was. I was in town for just the night, and I had not seen my best friends in a while (the twins), so I decided to bring them along for the ride– and I figured they could help me find the place.
When I realized where the place was (right off the corner of 10^th @ Piedmont), I knew parking would be a challenge. However, I was able to park on Piedmont a few blocks down. Parking can be hectic if you don’t know where to go, but keep in mind it is more of a community hangout, so I am sure that wasn’t really on their mind when building the place (many moons ago).
The party we attended was 90’s themed, so my sense of style should of blended in perfectly. The DJ was spinning tunes of the teenage times, and nostalgia started to kick in. There were communal plates of apps, and menus to order more, but believe it or not, I didn’t eat much here (I saved my appetite for Woody’s afterwards!).
The place was small, but not overly crowded, with the bar area elevated and the dining area a few steps below. This is indeed a café, so it makes sense with the size. I like how they transform it to a bar in the wee hours.
Speaking of bar, they seem to have all of the norms for drinks, but I just stuck with Bud Light and Makers Mark (I know, so adventurous). No idea how much it all costed, that became a slight blur.
Speaking of blur, it was a great time. I remember my friend telling me that he was groped at the bar by another man and his brother sitting there awkward– fun times!
When it got later, I noticed there were garage bay doors that opened up, and with the weather, it gave it a nice vibe– that was a cool touch!
I also noticed there was another place combined with it, but I did not go to investigate, however I used the bathroom. It was hip, but had an interesting smell to it (maybe that fine ATL sewage).
I would like to come back in the day time and see what their food is like, it seems to be promising!

We went to Gilbert’s two Saturdays ago for a birthday party. There was a DJ spinning tunes and a photographer on hand, services which were organized and provided separately from the restaurant. Gilbert’s is located in Midtown near Piedmont Park, sandwiched between Blake’s and the restaurant 10^th and Piedmont. It’s part of the Communitas Hospitality restaurant network, of which 10^th and Piedmont and Hobnob also belong.
Gilbert’s and 10^th and Piedmont (formerly Outwrite bookstore) are actually connected in the back and you can freely walk between the two businesses. Valet parking is available behind the building (entrance is off of Piedmont Ave.) or catty-​corner from the building at Blue Medspa. You can get your parking ticket validated inside the restaurant for free parking. If you don’t want to valet, parallel park along any of the residential neighborhood side streets to the east of the building. We found parking along Myrtle St.
Gilbert’s is a small restaurant-​bar with two tiers of seating. The coolest thing about this place is the giant set of retractable windows. It turns the bar level seating instantly into airy patio seating. It’s fun because you can then chat and even hang out with folks on the sidewalk. It’s also convenient for smokers. The interior has a handful of TVs, one of which was used for the DJ’s music videos that night.
The size of the venue gives it an intimate feel. On a Saturday night, there were a lot of people, but it wasn’t uncomfortably packed. The servers, bartenders, and other staff were digging the music and seemed to be enjoying themselves. This added to the overall laid back and congenial atmosphere. Everyone was having a good time.
Our server was friendly and helpful. I didn’t try any of the food save for some communal plates of hummus, baba ghanoush, veggies, and pita bread. Yum.
A good time was had by all, mainly because of the company and the mild yet entertaining shenanigans that ensued. We shut the place down. Gilbert’s closes at 3am every night except Sunday night (midnight).

Nice place to meet a friend for brunch or a drink. The open windows to the side walk let you feel connected to the Midtown happenings.

We came at happy hour and got to take advantage of the half price appetizer special. We got babaganoush and calamari. The calamari was ok, the baba was pretty good. I’ve had a lot of babganoush in my life. We split the lamb burger with a side salad. The lamb burger had a thick chunk of feta cheese and it was delicious! I would come back for that lamb burger again. The wine was very disappointing, it was overpriced for the cheap wine that it was.

There was a 30% discount offer (including drinks) from Savored for Gilbert’s so we made our way here. There is valet parking located behind the restaurant but screw that. Jk, it might have been worth it considering how far away I had to park from the restaurant. I initially parked on Myrtle, but apparently there’s neighborhood parking enforcement on Myrtle and they will ticket you. I don’t know how much is the fine, but according to a friend, parking citations near Piedmont park is $ 25. I can only guess it will be around there.
Gilbert’s has a very casual atmosphere. I was expecting mediocre food, but the food here is actually pretty decent. The arugula and pear, topped with almond flakes was very good. They actually give you a ton of arugula so make sure you really like them rugulas! You have the option of adding a meat to your salad for an additional charge, around $ 4 -$ 7. The eggplant moussaka was a winner. It came with a side of warm pita triangles on a bed of rice. The moussaka had a nice consistency and had ground lamb in it. The paella was decent but I thought it was kinda of watery. The Sutterhome white Zinfindel was soft and sweet like me. teehee. I recommend it if you want something light for the late summer night.
The sweet and attentive server, Jason, told us Monday’s are half off entrees. Nice deal! I also saw posters for all you can eat Sunday brunch. In the words of the Terminator, «I’ll be back», but only if I’m already walking around the hood.

Parking was a nightmare, especially on a Friday night. I’m not sure how it is on a weekday, but there’s no way I would come back here on a weekend night. You can’t park anywhere near on the street. You can’t park in Myrtle or Argonne either. You have to go way down on 10^th, near Piedmont Park to park. That’s what I had to do if I didn’t want to risk getting a ticket or towed. I think there is a valet in the back, but it wasn’t obvious.
Gilbert’s is your standard Mediterranean food. Since it was in Midtown, I guess it had to be trendy. I tried their Seafood Paella. It came out super hot, including the pan. So you have to be careful to not to touch the pan or it will melt your skin off.
The Paella tasted good, but it was annoying to eat. It had a ton of mussel shell fragments all around the paella. Every time I took a bite, I got a nice crunch. I have to stop my enjoyment of food to spit out the shell. That annoyance brought down the quality of the food.
Their Eggplant Moussaka tasted good too. I liked the hot pita breads it came with. The flavors and the textures of the Moussaka was nice.
On Mondays, they have a 50% off deal for entrees. So if you want a good value Mediterranean, come on Mondays. I think for someone of the dishes, it looks worth it like their Lamb Tenderloin.
The parking situation sucks, their paella was annoying to eat, they play too much Britney Spears, but the food tasted good. I give it 3.5 stars.

I believe I am officially addicted to Gilbert’s.
I went AGAIN yesterday. Most people probably go to order drinks and make-​out with their significant others, but I just love the fun friendly atmosphere and their food. Of course sometimes I wish they could blast the AC, but then Gilbert’s wouldn’t be so hot and humid.
Anyway, this time I ordered the Veggie Plate, a side of risotto, and carrot cake. My coworker got a falafel which was great, but she was all up in my order, which I agree, was delish!

My only experience with Gilbert’s is their brunch. It’s all-​you-​can-​eat. And for a little more than ten bucks, it’s a decent deal. They have recently expanded their brunch menu and there are some decent choices. One complaint is the lack of veggies or fresh fruit on the all-​you-​can-​eat menu. The quality is ok, but it’s definitely not great food. This is part of the reason why I’ve never returned for lunch or dinner. The drink prices for brunch are an absolute steal.
A draw for Gilbert’s is their prime location. They open the windows, and you get a great view of Midtown passersby.

I’m sure the person for which this restaurant is named is a perfectly admirable individual — however, I secretly wish that management would change the name — primarily due to the fact that its mere mention evokes visions of the movie «What’s Eating Gilbert Grape». Needless to say, the thought of a 500 lb woman in a moo moo is the last thing I need prior to pounding an order of bacon pork tenderloin.
Food: Gilbert’s offers traditional Mediterranean fare with a few novel deviations. My personal favorite appetizer is the Zorba platter, which includes a nice sampling of standard Mediterranean favorites such as baba ghannouj, hummus, Turkish shepherd salad, kalamata olives, pepperoncini, gyro meat, dolmathakia, feta cheese, artichoke hearts, and pita bread. In terms of entrees, I typically opt for the bacon pork tenderloin, which is nothing short of impeccable. Although I haven’t tried it myself, I’ve been told that the paella is quite good as well, which can be ordered with vegetables, sausage, or seafood.
Service: I’ve always found the wait staff to be friendly, competent, knowledgeable about the menu, and both willing and capable of making recommendations when solicited.
Atmosphere: Slightly cramped, but clean and welcoming. The demographic of the clientele varies depending on the time of day, with the standard bar crowd taking over as the evening progresses.
Cost: Moderately priced. Appetizers cost $ 7-​$ 12, soups and salads are $ 5-​$ 8, and entrees are $ 10-​$ 20. Paella is $ 13-​$ 16 (serves 1) and $ 23-​$ 29 (serves 2).
Other: In addition to their lunch and dinner menus, Gilbert’s also features an «all you can eat» weekend brunch ($ 11.95 per person), which has become increasingly popular in recent years. The restaurant also offers a selection of half-​priced entrees on Monday evenings.

Gilbert’s is a hoot!
I was sitting on the MARTA train, riding home from work, a little sad because my wife would be working late.
The random fellow next to me was sick. Being stuck on a crowded train with random sick dude sucks!
Random sick dude started talking to me. I thought, «— this, I’m out.» As I stood, random sick dude asked if I was changing trains… ??? I fled.
After wandering around sunny midtown for a while, thirst drove me seek a cool dark bar where I could drink away the time until my wife got off work. I found Gilbert’s, an open air bar with a nice looking crowd. I stepped in and asked for something cold, refreshing, and loaded.
The bar tender whipped up a hand-​made Mojito that was truly delightful. Real crushed mint leaves, ice mashed by hand, the whole bit. I took my first sip and was transported to happy memories of other great Mojitos from the past.
I hung out for an hour or two. Didn’t try the food, but made a significant dent in Midtown’s Mojito supply. I would have left sooner, but Gilbert’s was so welcoming, fun, and light hearted that I didn’t want to leave. It was populated with a diverse crowd of cool, fun, laid back people. It’s a place to hang out, drink, and be merry with friends and strangers alike. I had a blast and will gladly return — even if I have to take the MARTA.

Great neighborhood bar with great food!
I used to go to Gilberts all the time about six years ago. Not sure why I stopped going.
Atmosphere:
During the spring/​summertime they open up the garage type doors and you get a nice breeze going through. At night it’s nice and dark. The bar area is tiny only a few bar stools, but I am usually able to get seat. They have great events going on here. Trivioke, wine tastings, all-​u-​can-​eat.
Service:
Great service with a smile. Jeff is a great bartender. You can usually find one of the owners in residence. They always seem happy to see you.
Booze:
The wine is kind of pricey by the glass. Next time I go will go for one of the $ 29 reds. I wish they had sangria– would be the perfect spot for it. Of course, I think every spot is the perfect spot for Sangria!
Food:
I didn’t have food when I was there recently. However, in the past I have eaten some delicious things there.

They have a new menu and I was devastated to learn that my absolute favorite lemon chicken sandwich is gone. Yes, gone! Apparently they’ve turned it into a wrap, but the bread made the difference. At first I was sad. I dried my tears and decided to try the steak gyro.
After I ate it I had already forgotten about the chicken sandwich. The steak was the same cut that they serve as an entrée and the mixed green salad is a delicious compliment. All this for just $ 10.95!
#Yelp365 — ⁴²⁄₃₆₅

I was at Gilbert’s for lunch this morning after a several year-​hiatus and I am happy to report that the Sunday brunch is still one of the best bargains in town. Try to get there early — my date and I were there by 10 a.m. — because the whole area becomes a friggin zoo by noon. The Sunday brunch works like this — pick three dishes off a list of breakfast options (biscuits, french toast, omelettes w/​and w/​o gyro, lentil soup, etc.) and enjoy. Repeat process till you are full.\
Our server, Tim, was really friendly and the music and atmosphere made everything even better. Can’t go wrong with Michael Jackson, George Michael, Cyndi Lauper, Queen and Journey in the morning. Breakfast of champions!

Squeezed down here for lunch yesterday and I’m surprised to say I was not happy.
Our server, a gal who looked like she just rolled out of bed (with a temperament to match), was just 100% not interested in what she was doing. Sorry, at least be cordial with customers even if you don’t like what you’re doing.
Gilbert’s used to have a nice mix-​and-​match menu for lunch, but that apparently has gone away in favor of the dinner menu with a few specials here and there. Cheaper? Easier? I don’t know, but we need custom choices for lunch or else there’s really no point for me.
My co-​diner Jason ordered a Newcastle that was barely cool, and our cheery server said she couldn’t replace it because «they’re all that temperature» in the refrigerator. If that’s true, you’re gonna have a lot of unhappy beer drinkers.
This was disappointing because Gilbert’s has really set the standard for a midtown walking lunch for me in the past. But this experience was definitely sub-​par. Bummer.
Not sure if Hob Nob is stretching the staff and management — but my advice is don’t let Gilbert’s, a midtown treasure, languish in the shadow of that place.

Honestly, is this place really a Mediterranean restaurant? I just thought that it had a great bar with very friendly bartenders.
The wait staff is also very nice. The food is generally good quality.
A refreshing change from Blake’s (which is right next door).
Special Tip: Stop by right after work to avoid the evening rush. This relatively small space can fill up – expecially on Sunday evenings.

What a charming little place! Located in the heart of Midtown and walking distance to Piedmont Park, this restaurant overlooks a bustling vibrant area on 10^th Street.
I came here for lunch and ordered a 3 item combo for $ 8.99… I indulged (key word) in the Turkish Shepard Salad, Veggie Panini, and the Hummus (and a couple glasses of Cab– I was both drinking and eating my lunch). For dessert, I shared the Pumpkin Cheesecake to complement the Halloween month.
While the food was certainly delicious, what was also appealling were the cute decorative notes with, among other things, stars and lamps hanging from the ceiling. Also, they have weekly events including Martini specials and even a Wii game night!
Drinks and food are reasonably priced, and this spot is great for people watching and good times. Highly recommended– I will be there again and am looking forward to it.

It is located in a predominantly gay community area of Atlanta but for those who are borderline homophobes, during the weekday lunch time is more diverse.
I had never been to this place and my buddy lives a block away so I swayed him that way and we did an early Friday lunch.
They have a good menu-​lunch specials, you can pick 2 or 3 items to fill your plate for fixed prices. Each way you go, you are under $ 11 bucks.
The menu lists 2 salads, several dishes with meats (kabobs, pork, etc) that you can order from and fill your plate.
I enjoyed their cucumber and tomato salad a LOT a LOT. The manager girl, whose name fleets me now, was so super friendly and the service was top nitch! the space is quite small, I doubt more than 2 servers can work on the floor, and the bar is super xoxo Cozy. The tables by the window feel much like you are actually seated outside, as they are huge open panes with no obstructions.
I have not had brunch but heard wonders. Will give it a whirl after I am done with my semi-​raw diet !!