Best Dishes Eater Ate in Atlanta in February 2023 - Eater Atlanta
"This little French restaurant in the heart of downtown Decatur is darling, and a gem I am glad to see survived the worst months of the pandemic. For longtime patrons like myself, Cafe Alsace is doing more to promote the food and hospitality of this unique region of France from an unassuming space on East Ponce than most French restaurants in Atlanta. And owner and Alsatian native Benedicte Ulsas Cooper is the region’s greatest ambassador, who often works the tiny dining room of the nearly three-decade-old restaurant, greeting regulars like they’re family. Cafe Alsace must and should be cherished. Located in northeastern France bordering Germany and Switzerland along the Rhine River, the region of Alsace blends the cultures, languages, and foods of the three countries together. (Think cassoulets, boeuf bourguignon, creamy egg noodle-laden spaetzle, tarte flambee, and coq au Riesling.) A rich stew of beans, pork sausages, and duck, the cassoulet is a particular winter favorite of mine at Cafe Alsace, which can easily be shared between two or three people, especially when ordering multiple dishes. If you’ve never tried spaetzle, order it at Cafe Alsace. Cooper serves spaetzle two ways: noodles baked with mushrooms, spinach, cream, and cheese or baked with chunks of ham, onions, cream, and cheese. She learned to make the traditional Alsatian dish from her grandmother, which Cooper now serves at Cafe Alsace surrounded by family photos and mementos of Alsace hanging on the walls. Lunch is also served throughout the week, and is equally as popular as dinner, so be prepared to wait. The restaurant only seats around 25 people." - Beth McKibben
