Fresh & Focused
Watchman’s Seafood and Spirits brings coastal chic to Krog Street Market
When the team behind Decatur’s beloved restaurant and raw bar Kimball House—Matt Christison, Jesse Smith, Miles Macquarrie and Bryan Rackley—began conceptualizing their next Atlanta concept, they knew it had to be a project that complemented—but did not copy—their original. “The idea for Watchman’s came to us pretty naturally when we realized that there really wasn’t that perfect place in town to get fresh Southern seafood,” says Christison.
Sited in the former home of The Luminary inside Krog Street Market and designed by architecture firm Square Feet Studio, Watchman’s is a breezier, more relaxed take on its sister concept, showcasing hanging plants, abundant natural light and a coastal palette of white and seafoam green. “We see Watchman’s as the feminine, dressed down, modern sister to the more masculine, refined and timeless Kimball House,” says Smith.
“Our aim was to bring the same commitment to quality ingredients and world-class cocktails but give it its own unique format, menu, and overall look and feel,” Macquarrie says. Indeed, a menu of fresh seafood, oysters and craft cocktails emphasizes sustainability and regionally sourced ingredients. Expect a changing selection of dishes such as shrimp cocktail, fisherman’s stew, corn hush puppies and, of course, oysters. The beverage program is rooted in craft cocktails (think everything from daiquiris and seasonal specialties to classic staples like the Painkiller). “It’s really important to us to honor Southern purveyors and to focus on sustainability,” Rackley says. We are proud to provide Atlantans with regionally sourced, sustainably farmed and fresh seafood at Watchman’s.”