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| Eclipse di Luna by Suzanne Wright Remember the TV show Knot’s Landing? All the action took place on the bulbous end of a suburban cul-de-sac. Eclipse di Luna’s unlikely location brings to mind that long-running drama, for the eatery is located on the cul-de-sac of Miami Circle, not quite in Midtown, not quite in Buckhead. You pass by a plethora of antiques shops and the odd hair salon until you dead-end into the parking lot, the restaurant on your left. It’s an out of the way spot that everyone knows about, but often forgets, as in “Oh, yeah! I haven’t been there in a while—I forgot about it. But it’s great!” Such are the challenges of a place without curbside appeal. However these challenges don’t seem to keep the place from bustling with patrons each and every night of the week. Opened in January of 1997, Eclipse di Luna was formerly a part of restaurateur Paul Luna’s now-defunct empire. James Erlich has remained true to its funky, festive vision, which features Spanish-influenced cuisine served in an artsy warehouse setting. During the day, the fashionistas that work in the to-the-trade-only design center at the end of Miami Circle pop in for sandwiches and salads. At night, live jazz and Latin music pulsates through the restaurant and patio, where lively groups and canoodling couples nosh on small plates that burst with flavor. Flickering candles spark the room. Mismatched chairs and tables sidle up to overstuffed couches. The place has a bohemian sensibility. The bands Bonaventure (acoustic jazz), Rudah’s (new age flamenco) and Novasounds (smooth Latin) rotate entertaining. Deep, comfortable sofas border randomly matched tables and chairs. Service is fast and friendly. Even if you have to wait (as you often do at peak times), you’ll enjoy an adult beverage and the sounds until you’re seated. The tapas menu runs to three pages, so you’ll want to coordinate your ordering to sample a variety of dishes. Patatas bravas (potatoes with olive oil and spicy sauce) and tender braised chicken with saffron and garlic are perennial favorites. Chef Roberto Garrett’s jamon (ham) is sliced paper-thin and garnished with roasted peppers and dense, fruity olives. Rounds of seared rare tuna are perfumed with rich Moroccan spices. And a fresh, pretty salad of diced tomatoes and red onion perfectly offsets a plate of lightly fried calamari. Steamed mussels in a white wine and with saffron tomato sauce are popular as are the sautéed shrimp and garlic (you’re sharing, remember?). I especially like the bistec al la plancha, grilled skirt steak with marinated onions and the costilla espanola, meaty Spanish-style ribs in an aged balsamic vinaigrette. Vegetarians can order marinated asparagus, empanadas made with raisin and cheese, and antipasto platter and salads with tomatoes and mozzarella. The service is generally fast and friendly. In addition to housemade sangria, there’s a generous list of wines by the glass ($6) or bottle ($20), including Spanish, American, Australian and Chilean choices. There’s even Veuve Clicquot, Yellow Label priced at a fair $60 if you feel like splurging. Monthly wine tastings, accompanied by tapas, are held on the first Tuesday of every month from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. In real estate, it’s location, location, location. In restaurants, it’s something more. Once you’ve found Eclipse di Luna, it may well transcend its location and you’ll find yourself partaking in its merriment with greater frequency. Eclipse di Luna is located at 764 Miami Circle, Atlanta, 404.846.0449. |
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| From top: brocheta de pollo; cordoniz con pochos; costilla espanola; costilla espanola; quesos espanols; (l-r)Chef Robert Garrett and co-owner Eric Kline. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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