A Lone Two Top Amongst Parties

Tired of the same eating spots for dinner, but wanting to stay close to home, John and I found ourselves standing in front of in the Market Village.

Being that John is a vegetarian – no meat, no eggs, dairy okay - we always have to check the menu to see if there is anything he can eat.

As we stood looking over the menu posted outside the door, a couple came out of the restaurant and as they passed, the woman said to us, “It’s really good, you should try it.” Then off they went. 

We looked at each other, shrugged, and said, “Sure. Why not?”

In we went.

The place was small with limited seating. Tables had been arranged towards the back for a large party. Three men sat at one end of the arrangement chatting. The remaining 25 chairs were empty. Another, smaller table arrangement ran the length of the room, but save for the three men and two waitresses, there was no one else there. 

Hmmm, this could be interesting. 

Escorted by one of the waitresses, we took a seat at one of the available two top tables. Our waitress was Katie Lockerbie. She was not the one that escorted us the ten feet to our table. 

We inquired about the table arrangements. Katie informed us that two parties were expected; however, only a few attendees had yet arrived. Through eavesdropping we found out that the parties were a men’s softball league and a women’s night-out group. 

We asked Katie about the restaurant. She said that Howard and Krissa Garnell own the Village Cafe and that it has been open for about two years.

Wow, time flies.

We frequented the restaurant when it was Café Michael but after the owner died, the quality seemed to have died with him; and we hadn’t been back since.

I ordered a glass of the house red wine; John, his usual, sweet tea with a lot of ice. We started with the herbal feta dip with plum chutney and rosemary flatbread. Man, it was good!

Oversized original artwork, white cloth table dressings, and low, but not no, lighting created an intimacy of fine dining yet maintained a casual setting. The ambience was lovely.

The food was terrific.

I had the pasta primavera with artichoke hearts, chopped tomatoes, and broccoli. The sauce was light and the vegetables done, but not overly so. For a house wine, I have to say it, was nice – fruity, pleasantly sweet and smooth, no bite – just the way I like it. 

Katie told us that all their dressings are made in-house. John had the house salad with the mustard vinaigrette - oil and vinegar emulsified – whatever that means. He also had the tomato basil soup. He was well pleased with both. John summed it up, “This food is kickin’…" and he didn’t mean spicy.

We noticed that the softball league table was filled to capacity.  And, all the women had arrived to begin their night out.

Two parties and one lone two top dined at the Village Cafe. 

No dessert for us and after the check, we walked out. I stopped to take a photo of the outside. I noticed a couple looking over the menu by the outside door.

As we walked past, I said to them, “It’s really good. You should try it.”

The Village Cafe
2860 Atlanta Road Ste-C
Smyrna Market Village
Smyrna, GA 30080

Hours: Mon, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Tues – Fri, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sat, 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sun, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Phone: 678.293.5977
Pickup orders are welcome.