If you’re feeling a bit of wanderlust but can’t get out of Atlanta, a unique new retail and dining combination might help quench your appetite.
Bazati, located inside the Common Ground development and next door to New Realm Brewing Company along Atlanta Beltline’s Eastside Trail, opened in August offering global goods, a Parisian-inspired dining experience called The Brasserie and rooftop bar called Estrella.
The name Bazati is a nod to the Serbo-Croatian term translated as “lounging around.” Everything from the dining menu and shopping selections to the patio seating and circling cocktail cart has been curated by co-founder C. Scott Wilkins and his partners. Reflecting on the cultures he experienced as an expat, Wilkins’s desire was to create a space where lounging and lingering is part of lifestyle.
“We thought Atlanta was ready for a truly international concept,” Wilkins said. “We wanted this to feel like a European rail station meets boutique hotel lobby.”
In each of the places Wilkins has lived, including Paris, Southern France, Belgium, United Kingdom and Mexico City, he noticed each culture placed emphasis on slowing down and savoring. Now that he has returned to his hometown of Atlanta after 16 years abroad working in investment banking, the Westminster and University of Georgia alumnus created the Diligence Company with the desire to create environments that echo ease in life.
The anchor of Bazati is an informal Parisian eatery, The Brasserie, complete with a hangout worthy patio that overlooks the Beltline. The Brasserie has two bars and booth style seating to encourage diners to dive into the art of dinner. Couches in the lounge area facilitate informal meetings and casual gatherings. Outside, the patio translates the ambling attitude of the Beltline to relaxed seating that can accommodate 75 people.
The menu by Chef Remi Granger features steak frites, quiche Lorraine, and Wilkin’s favorite, Duck Confit, and are complimented by a largely French selection of wines and cocktails influenced by the jazz age. True to Wilkins’ style of lingering over meals, The Brasserie is open Monday through Sunday, serving continental breakfast from 9 to 11a.m. and lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Estrella, which translate to “star,” is a Latin-style restaurant and cocktail bar on the roof. Chef Cam Floyd has created Yucatan-inspired menu of small plates like ceviche, spring rolls and more. The restaurant is currently opens Wednesday through Sunday starting at 4 p.m.
The small stores inside Bazati are like shop fronts that showcase the “best of” within easy reach of browsers’ fingertips. The Fleur welcomes guests with bright flowers in both bouquets and pots. Taller Maya offers artisanal weavings of the Yucatan peninsula. With a global consciousness, unique pieces like the authentic tortilla baskets at Taller Maya support the training of artisans in the Fundación Haciendas del Mundo Maya.
Exploring further, Blumarino displays Colombian leather goods from briefcases to weekender bags, while art and fashion lovers will gravitate to Bazati Books, which features photography, art and fashion books of the German publishing company Taschen.
Bazati Books is also the first outpost in the United States of Monocle, a media brand that appeals to an international audience with a magazine that focuses on global affairs, business, culture and design. Seasoned travelers will want to pick up Monocle’s travel guides that offer a modern look into each city’s culture. Continuing Monocle’s emphasis on global awareness, Bazati will have a Victorian English newspaper rack with international newspapers in The Brasserie’s lounge to include a global perspective- just like Bazati.
Bazati is located at 550 Somerset Terrace, Suite 102. For more information, visit bazatiatl.com.