Georgia Grille Chef/Owner Karen Hilliard
Wine & Chef Secrets
Chef Secrets - Staying Power
Tucked in a quiet corner off Peachtree Street in Buckhead, Chef/Owner Karen Hilliard creates Atlanta's truest Southwestern fare with a gracious seasoning of the South.

Tucked in a quiet corner off Peachtree Street in Buckhead, Chef/Owner Karen Hilliard creates Atlanta's truest Southwestern fare with a gracious seasoning of the South at her almost twenty-year-old restaurant Georgia Grille. "In the same spot, with the same folks, for all these years," laughs the ageless chef with a toss of her long ponytail. "And the regulars just keep coming back, week after week, and year after year."

What's the secret to Chef Karen's staying power? It's her genuine commitment to quality service, community, a relaxed, fun atmosphere and good food—with a kick of course. "I cook with a depth of flavors," she explains. "It's Southwest with poblano peppers, red and green chiles and garlic. I use really fresh ingredients to build layers of flavor. My philosophy is that you can always add hot-and-spicy to a dish."

But, most times at Georgia Grille, you won't need to add a drop of anything at all.  A melange of marvelous flavors—all sweet and spicy and creamy—emerges in Hilliard's signature Lobster Enchiladas with sweet red bell pepper reduction and fresh-diced tomato salsa. "The enchiladas are a classic. There might be a rebellion should I try to rotate this dish off the menu," notes Chef Karen. Also wildly popular is sautéed shrimp and creamy jalapeno grits with squash salsa or pan-seared Flat Iron steak over smoky red pepper jus with a plump, smoke-roasted poblano stuffed full of homemade, slightly spicy macaroni and cheese. Comfort food at its best.

Weeknight specials change seasonally as do the soups (try the spicy pumpkin chowder). For starters, Hilliard offers the city's freshest (and most addictive) guacamole with crispy tortilla chips and jalapeno salsa (don't be surprised if you have to order a second serving). For libation, a small, but thoughtful wine list offers accompaniment to the menu, or select one of the famous margaritas.

For each bite full of feisty flavor at Georgia Grille, the creative chef is every bit as laid back and down-to-earth. Usually outfitted in her trademark blue jeans and cowboy boots, Chef Karen is comfortable in her surroundings and both the atmosphere and the food at Georgia Grille perfectly reflect that. "I've been doing the same thing so long, it's become second nature for me."  With her home only two blocks away, most days she eats, sleeps and breathes the restaurant. Her tiny office is hidden in the loft above the kitchen, when she's not in the kitchen or greeting guests at the door, she's up in the loft running the business end of things. 

"I can't imagine what I'd be doing if I weren't doing this," says the grandmother of two, Sam and Jack, who call her "Smooch."  But she's got that question covered. Her line of retail food products was introduced to the Atlanta market in early 2005 and included apple red chile chutney and ripe tomato relish as well as jalapeno salsa, hickory-smoked poblanos and a red chile demi glace.

Hilliard also offers in-home cooking classes for small groups in her cozy Peachtree Hills kitchen. "Cooking with friends is really fun," she explains. "I can't have more than about six people, everyone gets to taste and I do the cooking, with a little help, then we sit down together at the dining room table and enjoy the meal we've prepared."

For Hilliard part of the great success of Georgia Grille is all about that: the sharing and community of the table. "My dedicated staff and I have made so many good friends along the way," she says. "We have many regulars who come every week and sit at the same table each time.  They are just like my grandsons, who run straight into the kitchen and to my side. My regulars are the same way—they are family!"


Georgia Grille

2290 Peachtree Road

Atlanta, GA 30309

(404) 352-3517

Serving dinner Tuesday through Sunday