The Cantina

Went for the team's Happy Hour. We were received and taken care of by Rony and Melissa. Rony was constantly checking, giving enough time to order. He even gave us a few recommendations. Melissa was cordial and friendly. Service is quick. Tacos were ok. Corn ribs - few had more salt than required. While walking across for rest rooms, be mindful of slight un even slopes at certain places. Parking available on the road, back of the restaurant near BodyWorks.

We googled best steaks in Atlanta and we won!!! One of us has the steak and best steak ever, did not even need additional seasoning of any type. One of us has the chicken pillema and it was also delicious. The staff were great, bartender and the owner. Everyone was the right amount of chatty and it was a great experience. We will be back.

Dined tonight - first time since the new menu. Really great Mexican food at a great value. Ordered the shredded chicken burrito bowl and the Mexican pizza. The margs were amazing too. Loved the complimentary chips and salsa. Didn’t get our waiter’s name but he was attentive and friendly. We will be frequent visitors!

Beautiful furnishings in relaxed atmosphere. Shrimp had wonderful creole flavor. New York strip was grilled to perfection. Chicken was great alternative choice. Service was a little slow.

We like the new menu for Nowak's - it's nice to have a casual place nearby with good Mexican food at good prices. It's also nice to see a new place giving complimentary chips and salsa - so many new Mexican Restaurants want to charge nowadays - so this was a nice surprise. We have been twice and had the Chicken Burrito, Chicken/Beef Fajitas (very good), and Tacos. All the food has been very good! Definitely recommend Nowak's Cantina!

My husband surprised me for date night on Thursday and took me here. We didn't have a reservation, but we were able to be seated immediately since it wasn't crowded at all. Although the place calls itself a steakhouse, I have to admit that I was a little disappointed in the cut/quality of my ribeye. It wasn't up to par with other's I've had for less. Not hating at all because it was tasty, and I did eat it. Just to be honest, though, I don't think I'd order steak again. We both felt that the real star that night was the seafood. We started the meal off by being greeted by a delightful man named Erchell. Couldn't have asked for a better person to take care of us. He was so nice and only wanted to make sure that everything was to our satisfaction. Thanks, Erchell! We put in an order for a couple of delicious cocktails and for the trout bites. Omg, those things felt Iike pillows in your mouth! They were so moist and the batter was really delicious. Absolutely loved them and would highly recommend. We moved on to the main course. Firstly, lemme just say that I LOVED being able to get surf and turf. I ordered the ribeye with scallops on top and the husband ordered Loup de Mer. My scallops couldn't have been pan seared more perfectly, but damn was that Loup De Mer the absolute best thing of the night. The skin was so crispy and that beurre blanc sauce....YUM. Get it when you go. You don't be disappointed (You know, if you like fish and all). We're not big on dessert, but everything Erchell listed off from their menu sounded enticing. We opted out and had one last round of drinks before dipping out. Will definitely be heading back.

Came in from NY and was so excited to try the new menu. It didn’t disappoint! The service is a dream. Favs were the corn dip starter, beef burrito and the enchiladas! Tried a few cocktails and they were all great. We will be back! 👏🏻

From start to finish we had an awesome experience. You can make reservations online, similar to Open Table. Plenty of parking in the area. Unbelievable service. CJ was our waiter. The barbecue shrimp were good, but the mussels were great!! Had the New York Strip and was cooked to perfection. My daughter had the salmon and it too was cooked perfect. They didn't have military discount so they gave me a slice of German Chocolate cake free. We met the owner too. Just a great evening. I recommend this place for impeccable service and great food!! What a menu and we're going back!!!

Great place with a great atmosphere. We ordered the wedge and the porterhouse for 2. We were not disappointed. Definitely have an order of the truffle fries! The steak was cooked medium and had a great flavor! The service was top notch and very attentive. Definitely worth a visit

I would leave three stars due to service, but the food was so delicious that I'm bumping to four. When someone in our party asked how pink the medium steak is, our server could not describe it. On top of that, it took forever for our order to be taken so we ended up being late to the concert we were going to. That being said, I ordered a medium-rare filet which was delicious and reasonably priced - I enjoyed it so much that I forgot to let the phone eat first. If you like red wine, be advised that the least expensive glass costs $17. I probably won't be coming back for a while, but it's worth checking out at least once if you aren't in a rush.

A perfect, low-key spot for steakhouse vibes and generous cocktails in the neighborhood. I have walked past this spot many, many times and it always appeared a bit too stuffy for a happy hour, not to mention prohibitive for a me as a vegetarian. I was pleasantly surprised by how relaxed and welcoming the bar area was when we stopped in for happy hour on a Friday evening. The martinis were old-school and delicious, and while the famed bread could have been fresher, the shishitos and the blue cheese chips were sublime. Service was friendly and we felt like regulars in no time. A great option and a new favorite in Morningside.

We loved Nowak's before the change to Cantina. Tex-Mex offerings were fine. Service was not. Feeling welcomed and cared for trumps menu every time. This fell short on both. Change is good but this one is missing it right now.

Came here with a friend for dinner yesterday evening. The inside seating area was fairly empty but there were some people at the bar/outside. Parking was fairly easy but might be tough on a busier night. Pros: we liked the food we ordered (chicken parm & nowak burger), the wine my friend had she enjoyed, and we were sat immediately with no wait. Cons: upon entering, the place was more upscale than I realized and the hostess was a bit pretentious about me wearing a hat. I took it off of course but she could've gone about it more politely. She walked by often and seemed to keep an eye on us which made me uncomfortable to be completely honest. Also, definitely an overpriced menu here. The food was good don't get me wrong, but not anything new or remarkable to make up for the prices. Inside was pretty dark. Overall not a bad spot at all but you can probably do better considering the area.

The quest to try a new restaurant while shopping nearby led us to Nowak's. We arrived around 5 and sat at the bar. They weren't busy then, but many guests arrived shortly after. It's a really nice place. We were dressed casually because we came in on a whim, but the bar was laid back. We were greeted immediately. They have a nice variety of food options on their menu. I opted for a sidecar to drink and the steak frites for my entree. My husband ordered the NY strip with truffle fries. We both enjoyed our meals tremendously and discussed returning. I recently began following them on Instagram and they have great happy hour options.

Outstanding! Everything was just perfect. Our server Ian was just the right attentiveness was helpful and very pleasant. Our service was perfectly timed and of course beautifully presented and perfectly cooked. We both commented on the lovely decor and we were lucky the restaurant was a little quiet. Desert is a must!!! Homemade peanut butter mouse pie was better than my Big Mama's.

Cute place with a nice vibe. Very much a neighborhood spot. The food is good. Filet mignon- it was juicy and very good but it was too salty- at that price point it shouldn't be salty. Bbq shrimp - good. Asparagus - ok Mushroom- delicious Truffle fries- good Speckled trout appetizer- its fried but tasty

Great atmosphere. Great staff. Great food. Recommend to anyone looking for a nice neighborhood spot

Nowak's Cantina?!? Really, really wanted this to be good, but it missed in every way. Nothing at all made it special - nothing about the margarita, the food - only plus is great location. Sad.

It's Mexican cuisine now. I can't say that was the best move or the best experience. Meh to ok. Maybe another visit will be more rewarding.

Five plus reasons to be sure and dine at NOWAKS ..... mid town in Atlanta On N Highland 1. Thomas ....great , attentive , super patient , pleasant wait staff . 2. Ambience... cozy, quaint , yet sophisticated casual 3 intimate areas for private parties 4 Clean , welcoming patio dining with linen table cloths 5. Fabulous steaks , homemade desserts , great shareable small plates ......We shared the Bleu cheese chips , grilled Brussels sprouts and bite sized fried trout .....soooooo delicious We also had to order the 3 desserts offered; Lemon ice box pie , banana bread pudding and brownie topped with luscious nuts and a side of top shelf vanilla ice cream ( yum yum ) We share glazed salmon ( good size portion ) and the angus, aged rib-eye . WAH-LAH ! My palate and tummy are overjoyed .....so glad my state Senator , Gloria Butler introduced me to this restaurant.

We found this place acidentely and decided to give it a try. The place looks nice and the service was great. Our waiter was very friendly and funny! Unfortunately they don't have many vegetarian options. Luckily I was not very hungry so we just had some appetizers. The Brussels sprouts was pretty good. The fried calamari was a lil greasy. Not a bad place but probably not ideal for me or vegetarians.

Delicious.. Enjoyed the drinks and meal. Parking can be difficult if you don't eat earlier. We went Friday at 6 and got front parking. The crab cakes were meaty and flavorful. I got the scallops with fries. Cooked perfect. And the cheesecake was to Die for!!!

Came here with a party prior to going out for the night. We had two apps (fried lobster and nowak shrimp), which were very good. For dinner, I got the ribeye was good, but not the best I have had. We also had two desserts that were great. Overall a good experience

Just very average so it was a disappointing experience. Lady bartender was friendly so that was probably the highlight of the night. The food was just OK. The steak was good and properly cooked as requested, but nothing to talk about. The side order of mushrooms was literally three small mushrooms that had no flavor. The mashed potatoes were also just OK. We added crab meat to our steak and they forgot it. When they sent the crab meat in a little saucer plate, it was also disappointing. Lack of flavor was the theme of the night. There was nothing special about the food nor presentation. I believe the owner or manager was there since there was a gentleman behind the bar looking for stuff and walking to the back throughout the night. Anyway, we never found out because he did not even looked at us to acknowledge we were there. Awkward moment. Overall, it was not what I expected from a nice steakhouse.

Excellent hidden gem in VaHi. Great food and drinks - easy to get in and out with a nice vibe.

Was in for a quick bite to eat. Food was good. But some things just didn't sit well with me. First there was a child sitting at the bar. Nobody seemed like it was a big deal. The Hostess even told me that the people were regulars. Hmmm, well maybe that's how they roll. Second they were trying to get upwards of 60$ for a shot of 18 year McCallens... what? Not even in LA is it that. Then finally they double charged my card and never told me. Charging north of 300$ on my card. To many good places to eat in Atlanta. I'd just avoid this one. Everything about it was shady. Even gave them an opportunity to make it right and all I got was.... Wait for it. "I'm sorry". Accurate I imagine.

I came here with my husband for a mother's day dinner. I had never heard of the restaurant but I liked the vibe and was excited to try the off menu. There were a few things I wanted to try but decided on the fried lobster tails paired with mashed potatoes. This meal was so amazing. I recently moved from Atlanta but have already decided that I'm coming back here next time I'm in town (which will be often). We got two appetizers. The raumoulade shrimp and the spinach and artichoke dip. The shrimp were ok but the dip made my tongue and stomach extremely happy. I also ordered a couple lemon drops. The lemon drops were so good. They taste different everywhere I go but these martinis were probably the best I've ever had. Onto the entree... I like to try lobster and crab cakes at various restaurants. I actually had lobster earlier in the day at Ruth's Chris but the sauce on the side of the two at Nowak's made theirs stand out and topped my best list. I'm coming back asap!

We've been here twice now and are able to say we are unimpressed with this place and would not recommend. Both times, our steaks & sides have been brought out lukewarm/room temperature. Today's experience was unacceptable. Ordered the ribeye and received a poor quality cut. My steak was FULL of fat and was cooked rare though I requested medium. I did cut down the middle when brought out and it appeared to be fine so I'm not weighing a whole lot on the cook of it since that could have been fixed. The amount of fat on my steak though was unacceptable. We let our waitress know and there wasn't any recourse. Honestly all I wanted was for her to let the chef know and acknowledge that my steak of fat was not their norm. We won't be back.

I've wanted to really like this place because some of the food is good, and it's in my neighborhood. But I'm done coming here. The prices on the menu are not the prices on the final bill, and some lame excuse is offered up by your server. Even worse (rip off alert) is that for a dollop of aioli sauce with your french fries, there is a $9 surprise charge - you heard that right - on your bill with yet another lame explanation. I'm surprised the $19 martini didn't charge me even more when I asked for it to be stirred not shaken. Lots of a la carte surprise BS going on here. I suggest staying far away from this place or you might get a parking ticket in the free lot across the street.

The steak was fine, but everything else was weak. Very expensive. $14.00 wedge salad that was nothing more than a chuck of iceberg lettuce. Watery blue cheese dressing with no chunks. Could not find any bacon. No acknowledgment of a birthday celebration even though it was on the reservation. We were hoping for the same quality as Hal's. Not even in the ballpark.

Came in for Valentine's Day. Wack, rushed, and rude service from both our server and the manager. Wack food. I ordered the Steak Frites and I was given minimal burnt fries and a very small portion of steak. Overall would not recommend to anyone and I won't be returning.

Solid upscale restaurant located in Virginia Highlands right at the corner by the running store and jewelry store. All of our food we had {party of 5} was pretty good, nothing stood out as memorable, but it was a solid experience and we would go back. They also have good gluten free options and are very accommodating to specific needs and requests.

congrats on ruining a great place. you open a new one and decide to deicimate the trusty standby... good thing you took stuff like Caesar salad off the menu. and deftly as a steak house don't offer any toppings or accoutrements for the steaks. what a joke. first Hals declined noticeably, and now Nowaks gets down graded to cafe - as some kind of excuse to be pathetic. way to ensure long time customers won't be back. And ps - the music mixing Sinatra with Guns N' Roses, classy. Great vibe

We came here tonight for my dads 70th birthday. I came here to visit from Charlotte, my brother came here to visit from Miami and my brother is a local and wanted to take us here for an intimate family celebration with our immediate family. Our server, Janice was gracious, patient, and knowledgable. However, we had a couple of steaks overcooked and one steak that was undercooked (we ordered 6 in total). Janice, was quite understanding with "fixing" our plates and decided to get the GM, Lauren, involved. Lauren could not have been more condescending and unprofessional. She was cold, impatient, didn't want to hear from us and stated our input on the steak temperature was incorrect asking "Well, what do you want?". She "threatened" that the chef was going to come out (which was hardly a threat- since I work at a steakhouse as well and my brother is an Executive Corporate chef in Miami). Lauren's whole demeanor truly put a damper on the evening and unfortunately will reflect my review on this restaurant in the future to my family in Atlanta and other visitors that come here. The food was good, Janice was great but management needs improvement if they want to be a truly successful restaurant.

Ok, so if you're lucky enough to get Ian as your waiter and then get to meet Ethan - that alone will make your night. Did i mention the food is sensational. The Drink options are excellent. The Atmosphere rocks. Overall wonderful experience. Highly recommend.

Although we had not heard good things about Nowak's from our morningside neighbors, we decided to try it for ourselves. Our waitress and the manager were very polite and welcoming. We each ordered 1 cocktail, but could taste no alcohol so ordered an additional shot (1 vodka & 1 tequila - nothing special). we were charged $20 for each drink and $20 for each small shot of alcohol ($80 total to just get 1 decent drink each). we also ordered 1 order of fries and 1 salad with salmon filet on top (we split both). The fries were very greasy/ soggy and the salad vinaigrette and greens were not good. the grilled salmon filet on top was good. The final bill was $150 (+ $30 tip as was not the waitresses fault and she was lovely) for basically 2 decent drinks, 1 order fries and 1 salmon salad that we split. The food/drinks are very overpriced and low quality..... we will never be back.

We tried Nowak's for the first time last week. We had more than a little sticker shock at the prices, particularly when some of the lower cost entrees were not available or were "appetizer sized". We were also very surprised at the very hefty markup on wines. Then came the gratuity generously added to our bill by the restaurant for our party of 5 . On balance though - the steaks were delicious and the patio was dog friendly and comfortable. Sadly, we and our friends from Atlanta will not return.

The food here has gotten better and better, the steaks are amazing! I've always been partial to Rathbun's, this is VERY close!

Best in class restaurant with excellent food, service and comfortable welcoming environment. Highly Recommend!!

Enjoyed the night out at #Nowaks in Virginia Highlands. Good food, service and atmosphere. And with our #diningoutatlpassbook we received $20 off of one entree, which made the Salmon almost free. * Our server was excellent...very informative, attentive and kind. We learned of "wild farm" salmon. I'm no salmon eater but my wife loved it. * The sides...the cauliflower mash was interesting. I'll leave it at that. I didn't order it. That's my wife's thing. The sautéed mushrooms were not what I expected but was pleasantly surprised by the taste. * My ribeye was cooked to perfection. * Overall, the value was good...with or without the #diningoutatlpassbook we would probably go back. #goodnotgreat #probablygoingback #isaidprobably #salmonwasok #atlantanottoocheap This place is really 3.5 stars IMO but I'll round up because they are def above 3 star.

Wonderful dining experience! The ribs were heavenly. The ambiance was perfect and service outstanding!! The most amazing dining experience in this quaint jewel of a restaurant.

Steaks this good are a rare find in Atlanta. We like medium rare - and they brought it out crispy on the outside tender pink inside. We went on a Friday night when many others had decided to try one of the best steaks in Atlanta. The owner greeted us and others seating us as quickly as others enjoying the great food and wine would allow. My fiancé had the filet mignon with peppercorn cognac sauce. I had their crab cakes. They reminded me of the good seafood I remember growing up in New Orleans and the Virginia Coast. The waiter was attentive and made sure our meal was delicious with flawless service. The desert, an apple tart with cinnamon ice cream was the perfect end to a perfect evening at Nowak's. We will be back to make it our 'neighborhood steakhouse' with friends soon.

First time visiting and had a great experience! Eric, our waiter, was very knowledgeable and had great recommendations. The French onion soup had a great beef forward flavor. The salmon was buttery and moist. The steak my fiancé had was tender and juicy. Will definitely be back.

How this place is still open is a mystery. Cornball neighborhood restaurant with overpriced fare...and no one in the chairs.. Anyone want $40.00 6 oz steak, and 4 oz side of green beans? Passss

Nowak's was exceptionally great! I decided to try it out on a Friday evening, and everything from the ambiance, to the service, to the food was amazing! We both tried different cuts of the steak (New York strip and filet mignon) and we both would've eaten the plate if we could've LOL. The steaks were both cooked very well and seasoned (no sauce or toppings needed) and the mashed potatoes were great as well! Additionally, I tried the She Crab Soup and it was phenomenal as well! Definitely will be returning here to try the brunch as well. Give it a try, it won't disappoint!

Service...check! Ambiance...check! Food....check! Looks like I might've found my new favorite place. This charming restaurant delivered big in virtually every category. Nestled right in Virginia Highlands, Nowak's is strategically located across the street from Alon's Bakery. The owner is Blaiss Nowak, son of the famed owner of Buckhead juggernaut Hal's Steakhouse. I had the pleasure of meeting Blaiss and found him to be extremely friendly, outgoing, and genuinely interested in hearing feedback about the restaurant. He is definitely a people person and can be seen chatting with patrons throughout the restaurant. Located in the former Morningside Kitchen space, this place offers great ambiance. The dark wood tones coupled with minimalist ceilings and brick creates the perfect union of old meets new. This place is perfect for any occasion. Our waitress, Siggy, took great care of us. She was informative, attentive, and kept our glasses full throughout the evening. We started things off with the spinach and artichoke dip. It doesn't get much better than this. This honestly rivaled some of the best in town, including the gold standard for spinach and artichoke dip, Houston's. For entrees I went with the Ribeye, which was extremely flavorful and juicy. My wife had the grilled chicken salad, which delivered on both taste and quality. We shared sides of mashed potatoes and green beans that were both cooked and seasoned to perfection. Ummm...mashed potatoes. They were pure buttery deliciousness! A brunch buffet is now offered on Sundays that includes everything from a waffle station to an omelet station. All in all, this was a solid dinner on all levels. From ambiance and service to delicious, quality food, this place is definitely worth checking out. Don't walk...RUN...and check this place out for yourself!

My friends and I visited Nowak's for Galentine's Day and had a great time! We were sat quickly and all of the staff was very friendly. We were unaware that they had a Valentine's menu for $69/person which included an appetizer, soup or salad, entree and dessert but we decided to stay. Our waiter, I believe his name is Dennis, was very friendly and helpful with the menu choices as two of us had never been there. I ordered the salmon cake, Caesar salad, filet mignon and cheesecake. Everything was excellent and cooked to perfection. I ordered my steak cooked medium (suggestion of the waiter as I usually eat them medium well) and was pleased with my choice. Our reservation was 45 minutes before closing and by the time it was time for our dessert, they were out of cheesecake but made me an ice cream sundae which was delicious. This place is great! I will definitely visit again soon!

We moved into the neighborhood in January and a friend gave us a thoughtful gift card for Morningside Kitchen. We have been so busy post move that today was the first time we could come by- after the restaurant had changed their name and ownership to Nowaks. We sat down and after asking, were told they would accept our gift card. After we ordered and our food arrived we were then told they would not accept!! We dine out often and can walk from our home - how short sighted can you be not to honor at least half our certificate? Obviously we still ate- the food was a 3.5 out of 5 stars - but my sentiment was ruined about the place. I ordered the potato pancakes with smoked salmon, my husband had the scrambled eggs and bacon. Good but nothing special. They pitifully offered us free dessert which we did not accept - and now we have little reason to return. What a shame. These people just don't understand customer service or building loyalty. "Welcome" to Morningside!

My meal was INCREDIBLE! This is the BEST STEAK you're going to get for under $30. The Boneless Ribeye was savory and cooked to perfection. The potatoes were buttery and well seasoned. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! I got a chance to meet the Chef and General Manager who is from New Orleans, LA which explains why the food was so good! Keep up the INCREDIBLE work!

On Sunday's, Nowak's has a brunch all you can eat buffet. I did not try their regular menu, but this delicious buffet, if it serves me right, is well worth trying. Though more pricy than other buffets, Nowak's does the brunch buffet right by not only including your basic bacon and eggs and sausage, but interesting and delicious extras: my personal favorite was the captain crunch peanut butter french toast. It was to die for. There's an omelette and waffle station, even crab soup! There were wedge potatoes and mashed potatoes, turkey sausage and turkey itself. The dessert was also fun, like chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate mousse. Overall, a solid experience. I will come again for that Sunday brunch, because it was well worth the price.

Had dinner at this restaurant last night and the steak was absolutely amazing! In fact, all of our entrées were amazing. The drinks were fantastic. Overall an excellent time and highly recommend for a date night or special family dinner.

We were a group of 5 persons who recently dined at Nowak's. The food is absolutely delicious! We shared a few appetizers that were all fantastic! The entrees were fabulous! Our waitress Janice was very attentive and provided great service. They have a large cocktail and wine list. The owner Blaiss is passionate about his restaurant. It was truly a wonderful dining experience and we can't wait to come back. If you are looking for a casual atmosphere, with great food and service then be sure to go to Nowak's. It is definitely one of the best restaurants in Atlanta.

TL;DR: the service was appalling. Let's start with the host in the pink shirt: "ok your tables not ready yet, we do automated reservations and and then tasting menu screwed it all up." Next - our waiter (45 min after seating and us asking how his night was): "it's meh you know it's my first night and I'm supposed to just be shadowing so I don't know." Then as we order - "wait no one thing at a time" Overheard at a different table, a guest says "ok how much longer, then" other waiter "I don't know. I can't make guarantees." Party walks out. Second party walks out while waiting for dessert. I've never seen such a motley crowd. It's like one of those restaurants when they purposely give you terrible service. In fact, maybe this will be their niche.

Fish was extremely fishy. Most of the mills were an edible, and with a big party you cannot split a ticket. Not to mention the staff was rude and told everyone that there was a party waiting afterwards get the entire restaurant looked empty. I will never return, and I live in the neighborhood.

Our son in law treated us to one of the best meals we've ever experienced. The Creole Gumbo was like no other, excellent. My wife had the salmon, fantastic. The French onion soup by far the best ever. Loved Nowacks.

I wish there was a way to give this restaurant 10 Stars. OMG, easily the best steak I've ever had. Not kidding! The entire experience was stellar. From the moment we walked in, my GF and I were greeted by the hostess (who was very pleasant) and sat us on the very quaint patio (covered, and with fans) and Matt was our waiter. Hands down the BEST service I've received in a long time. He was SUPER attentive and very knowledgeable about the menu. He suggested the spinach dip (since I'm allergic to shellfish). SO flavorful!! We ordered a cheap bottle of wine, but was still catered-to as if it were a high priced bottle. (Chilled bucket, occasionally coming back to refill the glasses, etc.) Now to the awesome part. The food. Good LORD! we ordered the ribeye and the strip prepared Pittsburg style (crispy outer with medium center), and it brought tears to my eyes. SO FLAVORFUL!!!!! We later found out that the kitchen staff previously worked at Houston's, and also the head chef was from NOLA (he came out and met us), which explained why the food was cooked with love and so darn good! We had the caramel covered pudding for desert, and it was the perfect end to the BEST dining experience I've had in a while. So thankful to have found this gem!

This was our first trip to Nowak's, and it certainly won't be our last. As a big fan of Hal's, we were excited to try Blaiss's restaurant. For starters, traffic in the city was so backed up that we were nearly 30 minutes late for out reservation. We called ahead of time and Blaiss assured us we could be seated later, but was honest about the fact that service might be a little bit slower due to the large number of reservations. The minute we walked in, we were seated immediately and our server, Tim, had our drink order within 30 seconds. As huge foodies, this was the perfect start to dinner and made a fantastic first impression. Tim was extremely knowledgeable and offered many recommendations including homemade ravioli and crispy brussel sprouts. He also recommended the loup de mer and filet Oscar specials and our party of four ordered two each. Blaiss checked on us many times throughout the evening and I told him how impressed we were with the service, keeping our drinks full, and the quality of the food...he even asked if I was interested in restaurant management; which is probably my dream job! Cheers to Nowak's...this place is fantastic.