Beso Buckhead

With hit-or-miss bites, the pretty Beso is best for cocktails - Review - Atlanta - The Infatuation

"Beso works as a decent stop in Buckhead’s see-and-be-seen rotation. The two-level patio with florals and green boxwood provides a perfect backdrop for your friend who always requires a “photo sesh.” The dark, red-accented interior and loud house music add just the right amount of snazz to match your best going-out outfit. Some things on the Spanish tapas menu are really good, specifically the chili-heavy carrot dip served with pita chips, but more than half of the tiny menu is pretty skippable. You’ll want to start your Buckhead bar stroll at Beso with solid drinks and a quick bite, and then proceed elsewhere for dinner. Food Rundown video credit: Nina Reeder Carrot Dip The sweet, tangy, and savory carrot puree gets a pleasing crunch from chili-peanut sauce and black sesame seeds. It comes with pita chips, but it’s much better with the fried flatbread that comes with the Tortas Fritas. photo credit: Nina Reeder Tortas Fritas A thick chili-butter spread is topped with spicy ground chorizo and paired with crispy flatbread for dipping. Order this with the carrot dip because after several bites of this tasty but salty spread, it’s nice to have something tangy to cut through the heaviness. Seabass Coated in hazelnuts and sitting in a vibrant green herb sauce, this is a pretty dish. But the fish is underseasoned and unremarkable, and the flaccid, vinegar-heavy fennel and carrot salad just feels like the useless sidekick who showed up to battle empty-handed. Wagyu Quesadilla If you always keep a bottle of adobo seasoning in your bag, give this a go. Otherwise, you can skip this. Patatas Bravas Instead of the traditional crispy potatoes, these are fried balls of overly breaded mashed potatoes. And when paired with the flavorless smoked paprika sauce underneath, you just feel like you're chewing crumbs. photo credit: Nina Reeder Aguachile Another aesthetically pleasing dish that fails to deliver. It’s basically fish soaked in cucumber water—flavorless despite the presence of jalapeño, cilantro, lime, and peppers in the mix. photo credit: Nina Reeder Steak Frites Pretty solid steak, but the frites are actually those patatas bravas balls you already tried to forget about. Dreamy If you like a sweeter cocktail, this one tastes like a citrus punch. Plus, the combo of coconut milk and tequila make this drink a smooth sipper." - Nina Reeder