Commune - Review - Avondale Estates - Atlanta - The Infatuation

"If words like Klipsch AK6s and JJ322 tube amps mean anything to you, then this dual wine bar and listening room will be right up your alley. If those words mean nothing, but you like to sip a crisp pinot grigio while bobbing your head to the nostalgic crackle of vinyl records, then this is also the place for you. Nightly events here include DJ sets, which could be 1920s jazz, the entire Led Zeppelin discography, or Spice Girl-themed nights depending on who is on the turntables. And they also have live music performances, when the artist is close enough to smell the berry-scented pinot nero you’re sipping. But it’s not just an aural experience here. The wine list rotates more often than the vinyl records that play over the first-class sound system. And they hit all the right notes, covering bone dry reds and teeth-tingling sweet whites with equal gusto. photo credit: Sarah Newman photo credit: Sarah Newman photo credit: Sarah Newman photo credit: Sarah Newman Pause Unmute The wine director, who'll circle by your table, may hold the secret to rekindling your love affair with the red you haven't had since that bad night in college. But if you'd rather listen to "Bill For Bennie" than discuss varietals, just get the flight so you can try several and keep it moving. Unlike the wine options, there aren't many food offerings, but they all help to make Commune a night well spent. Scallops come in a cheesy, oniony broth with a sear so perfect it feels wrong to eat them. A whole snapper arrives flaky and fine—all it needs is a squirt of lemon to become complete. As music swirls around light chatter and the wine swishes around glasses, the vibe starts to feel like you may need to invest in some J322 tube amps for your own home. Food Rundown Wine In addition to ordering by the glass or by the bottle, you can get a flight for taste-testing before you commit. The wine list rotates often but always has a nice range from bone dry to so sweet your it might as well be juice. Oysters An order gets you six oysters on the half shell. The mignonette is so good you wouldn’t be wrong if you put it in a flute and toasted it. It has a champagne base with a little kick from some pepper. PlayMute video credit: Juli Horsford Caesar Salad The romaine leaves in this salad are left whole and draped with a bit of caesar dressing and a nice dusting of parmesan. It’s simple, solid, and something we would order again. photo credit: Juli Horsford Meatballs This is one of the few dishes that miss the mark—the ground pork balls are a little dry. But we would bathe in the feta whip and tomato puree that sit underneath. photo credit: Juli Horsford Rigatoni Carbonara This pasta dish tastes light and fresh with a conservative dusting of cheese and bits of buttery asparagus and mushroom. It works well with a glass of wine, which is a good thing for everyone. photo credit: Juli Horsford Scallops You only get two scallops, and that’s the only disappointment with this dish. Those scallops are meaty, come with a nice sear, and are covered in a cheesy, oniony sauce that has salty bits of ham. Even if wine wasn’t on the menu, we’d come here for this. photo credit: Juli Horsford" - Juli Horsford