Skip to main content

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

Nikolais Roof

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.”

Related 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.

Editors' Recommendations

The ultimate guide to world-class seafood paella, according to an executive chef
Chef Miguel Molina of La Pulperia NYC shares his culinary insight on the perfect seafood paella
Paella from La Pulperia.

Perfectly al-dente rice flush with fresh shellfish, a properly made seafood paella is one of the greatest foods in the world. This delicacy from Valencia, Spain, is the perfect dish for a festive gathering, a fun family meal, or a romantic dinner for two. While it can be made with poultry and game meat in Spain, some of the most popular versions of paella often lean heavily into seafood.

At La Pulperia, a pan-Latin American restaurant in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, they've mastered the seafood paella. Executive Chef Miguel Molina is a native of Guerrero, Mexico, and is lending his creativity and culinary background to the restaurant menu, which includes a stellar paella made with black squid ink. The food here is a blend of cultures, combining influences from Latin and South American countries like Peru, Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico, creating totally distinctive flavor combinations. So what better guide is there to help us on the journey of making a world-class paella?
The foundation: The rice
Octopus paella from La Pulperia in NYC.

Read more
How to make the perfect shepherd’s pie, according to a cookbook author
Cookbook author Licia Kassim Householder shares her delicious recipe, guaranteed to be a hit
shepherds pie recipe untitled  14

Although Saint Patrick's Day has come and gone, it doesn't mean that we want to stop eating delicious Irish-American dishes. Hence, the reason you sought out a shepherd's pie recipe. We don't want to burst your bubble, but shepherd's pie isn't a traditional Irish dish. But, for that matter, neither is corned beef. However, this colcannon version of shepherd's pie really ups the level of the dish's Irishness.

Shepherd's pie has its roots in English cuisine. Dishes like corned beef and shepherd's pie have found their way into Irish-themed menus thanks to Irish-American celebrations, with emphasis on the American part. However, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a delicious shepherd's pie on St. Patrick's Day or any day. It's a hearty and filling comfort food for the chilly winter and spring months.

Read more
Cook perfect meat every time with this Ninja indoor grill and save $80
ninja foodi smart xl indoor grill with air fryer deal best buy february 2023

Are you ready to get your grill on? If there's snow outside, you don't have to forego grilling your favorite foods and snacks, especially with a Ninja indoor grill. Best Buy has a tantalizing deal today for the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 indoor grill with an integrated 4-quart air fryer. Ninja's versatile kitchen countertop appliance can grill, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate. If you score this deal today, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL  is yours for $180, an $80 savings from the regular $260 cost.

Why You Should Buy the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Ninja Indoor Grill
The concept of a combined grill and air fryer may sound kludgy, but when you cook with this multifunction cooker, one of the best Ninja air fryers, you'll quickly realize the Ninja Foodi Smart XL indoor grill is designed to help you turn out snacks or meals perfectly, every time, with no guesswork or hassle. You can easily select the type of food you're about to cook and then choose from nine levels of doneness. The Foodi Smart Cook System includes a smart thermometer that monitors the cooking progress, so you don't have to cut or stick a manual thermometer in your food to be sure you don't under-cook or overcook it. Want to save even more hassle when you grill? You don't have to flip to food while grilling because the Ninja Foodi Smart XL has a cyclonic air system that surrounds the food with 500-degree heat to match the 500-degree grill surface temperature.

Read more