Have a moody, seductive date night at Pata Negra - Review - Atlanta - The Infatuation
"The first step inside Pata Negra can be disorienting. Everything inside the dining room is black—the floors, the walls, the tables, even the plants hanging above the tequila-stocked bar. The lights also get in on the act, emitting a glow so weak it takes us back to pre-electricity days. This Buckhead mezcal bar and restaurant sits just off busy Peachtree Street, on the ground floor of an apartment complex. Despite the somewhat mundane location, Pata Negra is a seductive spot that serves up traditional, tasty Mexican dishes, and has big gothic energy that’s ideal for intimate date nights and friend reunions that don’t reach double digits. The rowdier party-chasing crowds of Buckhead haven’t infiltrated this spot yet, which is a good thing. The darkness makes it feel like your tablemates are the only people in the room. Everything here sets the stage for discreet, soul-searching conversations that will probably go well beyond remarking on the large display of axes and curved machetes on the wall. And the drinks, like the charcoal-infused negras intenciones—sweet from the fruitier Arette reposado tequila—are made for sipping, and the carefully orchestrated dishes for being slowly savored. photo credit: Amy Sinclair photo credit: Amy Sinclair photo credit: Amy Sinclair photo credit: Amy Sinclair Around you, tables will fill up with couples sliding into the sleek leather seats and chatty friends sharing plates of tostadas weighed down with an enormous amount of spicy tuna. Servers will help you pair the right mezcal flight (there are six options) with excellent entrees, like the tender carne sonora, which comes with soft cactus slivers and two salsas with such rich flavors that we take breaks in between bites. And if the temporada de lluvias makes an appearance at your table (it should), just know it’ll be accompanied by the scraping sound of spoons desperate to catch every last bit of the creamy risotto peppered with corn. Then comes dessert, which should be the sweet El Duvalin balls if they are on the menu. Filled with velvety hazelnut mousse and chocolate brownie ice cream then topped with two crunchy, candied scorpions (yes, real scorpions), it's a delicious showstopper that perfectly sums up a night at Pata Negra—a little dark, a little unexpected, and full of big flavors. Food Rundown Carne Sonora The tender teres major is cut into thin slices and served alongside sweet cactus slivers and a spicy salsa macha. photo credit: Amy Sinclair Temporada De Lluvias Buttery scallops sit on a bed of creamy, cheesy risotto. But you only get three so don’t plan on sharing this one. photo credit: Amy Sinclair Poblanas De Pollo Three enchiladas come doused in a poblano crema with a tiny bit of spice, stuffed with a huge portion of chicken and drizzled with queso fresco. photo credit: Amy Sinclair Tostadas De Atun Macha Two tostadas come loaded down with so much zaku tuna you’ll need to fork and knife this. The avocado cucumber spread on the bottom helps calm down the incredibly fiery chile de arbol sauce that’s served on the side. photo credit: Amy Sinclair Branzino A La Talla You get a whole, flaky fish sans head. A tomatillo and chiles seco provide a burst of spicy flavor that elevates this branzino to a must-order. Guacamole This guacamole is creamy and citrusy, and we would definitely order it again. But if you’d prefer not to spend $18 on a snack, skip this for another more filling shareable like the tuna tostadas. video credit: Jacinta Howard El Duvalin The candied scorpions bring in a pleasing nuttiness and crunch to the velvety smooth dessert. But even if you choose to eat it san scorpions, the chocolate brownie ice cream and hazelnut mousse balls garnished with strawberry coulis and pralines have just the right amount of sweet, tart, and chew." - Juli Horsford
