Chef Gary Mennie of Taurus
Wine & Chef Secrets
Chef Secrets - Taurus
At Midtown's newest neighborhood dining arena, Taurus, Mennie gives crowds exactly what they have come to expect from him, mouth-watering food in an exciting environment.

Chef Gary L. Mennie has taken on some of the toughest restaurants in Atlanta and walked away enormously successful, but now he is tackling a whole new kind of animal—his own restaurant. At Midtown's newest neighborhood dining arena, Taurus, Mennie gives crowds exactly what they have come to expect from him, mouth-watering food in an exciting environment.  

Fresh off the heels of a decade-long culinary winning-streak at Canoe, Mennie opened his new venue to the applause of loyal "Mennie-onites" who have been eagerly waiting since he left his palatable paradise on the Chattahoochee. Named for his zodiac sign, Taurus embodies spirit, strength and courage, the exact qualities it takes to set out on this new kind of adventure. This Culinary Institute of America graduate has, however, always seemed destined for greatness. 

Under the tutelage of some of the most recognizable chefs in the business, Mennie has had the repeated privilege of facing success up-close-and-personal. After culinary school, Mennie found himself in New York at Maxime's with French Master Chef, Maxime Ribera. His training then led him cross-country to the Mobil Five Star L'Orangerie in Los Angeles alongside Chef Jean Francoise Meteigner. Next, having two tenures with classically trained cuisine, he ventured into a more modern approach with celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck at West Hollywood's Spago. And just prior to joining Canoe, Mennie mentored under Chef Gunter Seeger at the Mobil Five-Star Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead.  Canoe also garnered public and critical praise achieving a Mobil Four-Star rating and further propelling Mennie's career into the culinary stratosphere. 

With such a varied career, Mennie has been able to find his own niche in the industry and carve out a place where he feels his tastes are best represented. Hollywood hype and A-list airs are left out of his more laid back restaurant's "around the corner" vibe. Therefore, Taurus projects an approachable New-American Chophouse-style concept with "Bone-Food" which Mennie describes as meats, game and seafood roasted on the bone to bring out more intense flavors.  His twists on traditional favorites have a broad appeal while rekindling the comfort factor that many chophouses neglect.  Delving into the menu, choices like the Peekeytoe Crab Fritter, Roasted Halibut T-Bone, Grilled Veal Porterhouse and Pan-Roasted Filet Mignon have guests salivating before the bread even hits the table.

Enhancing the bold flavors on the menu, the supper club-style setting, inspired by a traditional bullfighting arena, electrifies the dining experience.  Vibrant red fabrics envelop the interior in plush and textured forms.  Likewise, the dramatic presentation is furthered by a central seating area representing a bull ring and a circular light fixture with petal-shaped wings resembling a bull fighter's cape. The patio has a neighborly Midtown/Downtown view for guests who enjoy some fresh air while the bar and lounge caters to a more "indoors" kind of crowd. A chef's table is also available for those wanting front row seats to the main event.

Impressing all five senses simultaneously, Taurus is set to be the new star on Atlanta's dining scene. Mennie has managed to create a restaurant where foodies and finicky eaters alike can sit and enjoy a meal together in stimulating surroundings. Warm and friendly with flawless service, other restaurateurs will undoubtedly have a tough time running with this bull.  


Taurus

1745 Peachtree Road, at 25th St.

Atlanta, GA  30309

404-214-0641

www.taurusrestaurant.com