Skip to main content

Russian Renovations: Nikolai’s Roof in Atlanta Gets a Makeover

Nikolais Roof
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In case you didn’t know, the Atlanta culinary scene is expanding and progressing at a rapid rate.  Over the past year, innovative restaurant after innovative restaurant have opened all over the city, which has created a highly competitive and creative atmosphere in “Hotlanta.”

Recommended Videos

To keep up with the field, the famed and iconic restaurant, Nikolai’s Roof, located on the 30th floor of the Hilton Atlanta is undergoing a $1 million dollar renovation to update their look. Nikolai’s is known for its panoramic views of the city, ambiance, impeccable dining staff, as well as a traditional, ruby red and gilded aesthetic that is akin to New York’s Russian Tea Room. After nearly forty years of business, the restaurant has decided to go out with the old and in with the new.

The renovations will still keep in line with the Russian theme. The restaurant’s manager, Daniel Rudiger, explains that the new design (drawn up by Atlanta architecture firm CMMI) will call to mind “icy Russian winters”, featuring decorative tiles that give the appearance of cracked ice and a color palette with plenty of “whites and cool grays” for a relaxed feel. Nikolai’s long-standing clients (of which it has many) will be “astonished and amazed” by the all-new look of the restaurant—especially the intertwining glass chandeliers that hang overhead, adding to the icy, calm aesthetic.

However, patrons have nothing to fear where the menu is concerned. Rudiger says that Nikolai’s will still be serving such mainstays as their famous pierogies, borscht, herb-crusted rack of lamb, and the Grand Mariner soufflé. But Stephanie Alderete, the restaurant’s chef, wants to update and improve the overall presentation of each of her dishes to more fully align with the forward-thinking cooking that is occurring all over the city. In addition, all prices on the menu are going to be lowered 15% upon the restaurant’s re-opening.

Nikolai’s closed late in 2013 and the plan is for a soft re-opening at the end of February. Diners can look forward to new “dining niches”, one of which, Rudiger explains “will be surrounded by floor to ceiling wine cabinets for wine dinners and larger party functions.” The restaurant will now also be offering three, four and six course prix fixe menus in addition to their standard, top-level, a la carte fare.

Classics are classics for a reason, but improving on a tried and true aesthetic is something all the more admirable. That’s what Mr. Rudiger and Ms. Alderete are looking to do with the renovation of Nikolai’s rooftop. For all you ATL natives out there, we’ve already got a good feeling.

Topics
Matt Domino
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Matt Domino is a writer living in Brooklyn. His fiction has appeared in Slice and The Montreal Review, while his non-fiction…
Why this espresso machine is the ultimate gift for home baristas
Give the gift of espresso
Kenmore Espresso Machine

Buying a home espresso maker seems like a fairly straightforward task until you dive into shopping and find an overwhelming number of choices on the market. From single-serve varieties to deciding between automatic or semi-automatic functionalities, many decisions need to be made when finding the right espresso maker for you (or your gift recipient).

If you want to craft coffeehouse-quality espresso drinks at home, you'll want to choose an espresso machine that does it all—from frothing your milk to grinding your coffee beans. Here's why I think the Kenmore Espresso Machine delivers all that (and more,) making it the ultimate home espresso maker gift for home Baristas of any skill level.
Everything you need is in the box

Read more
Southern Distilling is the first brand to offer contract distilled American single malt whiskey
Southern Distilling is equipped to contract distill your American single malt whiskey
Whisky

With the recent news that the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has ratified a ruling to officially create a recognized category of American Single Malt whiskey, enthusiasm for the style is at an all-time high. There are currently more than 200 distilleries making American single malt whiskey.

To give you an idea of just how popular the whiskey style has become, more American distillers are crafting American single malt whiskey than Scottish distillers making single malt Scotch whisky.

Read more
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey and Traeger Grills announce a holiday partnership
Bulleit and Traeger are collaborating to add some smoky flavor to your holiday meal
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey

There are many partnerships in the whiskey world. Distilleries (and breweries) collaborate to craft unique, innovative bourbons, rye whiskeys, single malts, and more. But when it comes to collaborations, the recent news that Bulleit Frontier Whiskey and Traeger Grills have partnered is really exciting.
Bulleit Frontier Whiskey and Traeger Grills Holiday Partnership

Recently, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey and Traeger Grills announced a holiday partnership. This includes a two-part video series that pairs chefs and bartenders to craft the perfect holiday menu, including mouthwatering food and epic, flavorful cocktails. The first video in the series features renowned Texas pitmaster Chef Doug Scheiding and bartender Cruz G. Mojica. The duo paired to create a holiday barbecue-based menu featuring Bulleit Frontier Whiskey and Traeger Grills.
The menu

Read more