The Early Word on Buckhead's Seven Lamps

Swanky American restaurant Seven Lamps opened over two months ago, introducing the residents of Buckhead to the adventurous dishes and delicious handmade pastas prepared by chef and owner Drew van Leuvan. Early reports of the place adored the wood burning oven and lavished the creative drinks, like the Crunch Punch made with peanut butter Cap'n Crunch-infused Redemption Rye whiskey, crafted by bar manager Arianne Fielder. However, some were disappointed by the service and felt space could be cramped at times. Here's the early word on Seven Lamps:

The Good News: One Yelper loves the place: "My entree was the black linguine. I got the lunch portion and it was just the perfect amount of food. My husband had the off menu burger. It was amazing. I'm a big fan of burgers in general and this one really took the cake. I actually enjoyed the communal seating. Perhaps the people who complain about it just have a bad attitude in general. And I had great service. It was like everyone in the restaurant was waiting on us as opposed to just one specific person. If you're looking for a special night out, I'd say give Seven Lamps a try." [Yelp]

The Not-So-Good News: Creative Lofting thinks the pastas are inconsistent: "Homemade pastas are surprisingly hit-or-miss. Springy, seared gnocchi bursts with honest potato flavor piqued by funky Gorgonzola crumbles and sweet roasted pear. Lightly sauced tagliatelle was cooked perfectly and tossed with plump Sapelo Island clams, smoky andouille and sofrito, a mix of sauteéd peppers, onions, garlic, and herbs. For all its components, the dish was surprisingly one-note. Tasty, cheese-filled agnolotti tossed in a slick tomato sauce reminded me of Chef Boyardee ravioli, but not in a bad way. But then tortellini with braised chestnut, mascarpone, and a garnish of apple leather (remember those natural fruit roll up things?) was just plain too sweet." [CL]

The Bad News: A Foursquare user isn't satisfied: "the food was nasty, its expensive and over priced- although the potato soup is to die for but everything else is nasty this is not worth the visit &try" [Foursquare]

The Secret Menu News: Adventurous Tastes shares about the hidden burger: "It's not that much of a secret, but there's also an off-menu burger to consider. Made with half brisket, have top round, and topped with Thousand Island, caramelized onions, pickles, and cheese, this burger is a worthy entrant to the city's burger wars. It was meaty and perfectly cooked with enough yummy toppings to keep things interesting. The seasoned cottage fries were an awesome accompaniment. They're crisp on the outside and fluffy inside. I thought I was too full to eat this before it came, but it was so good, I found room for my half." [Adventurous Tastes]

The Better Than Bocado News: A tipster writes in: "The off-the-menu burger at Seven Lamps is better than the double stack at Bocado." [EaterWire]

The Experience News: On Urbanspoon, a customer evaluates his meal: "I had a good time at our mixed meet-up at 7 Lamps, the restaurant is nestled away in that strip mall thingy just South of Lenox Square behind the Westin hotel. I know it is harder to find in the rain then on a nice bright lunchtime day. The food I ordered was good to great, the pacing a bit uneven, but all in all it was a good experience. [Urbanspoon]

The Smokey News: Amateur Gastronomer raves about the dishes' earthy touches: "There's the saying "bacon makes anything taste better." At Seven Lamps, Chef Van Leuvan demonstrates that wood makes anything taste better (there's a wood-burning oven in the open kitchen). The Wood Grilled Hanger Steak, cooked to a perfect medium rare, is one of the best dishes on the menu. When infused with wood smoke, faro and broccoli rabe have never tasted so good." [Amateur Gastronomer]

The Goddess News: Many tipsters praise Arianne Fielder's cocktails and housemade sodas, but one in particular got real: "Arianne is a goddess. Everything she touches turns to boozy perfection." [EaterWire]

The Pork News: Eat Drink Shop Love can't get enough of this chop: "By the time it came to order and entree we were stuffed, but we decided to try their wood roasted pork chop with topped with brussel sprouts. I'm not usually a pork eater but this was one of the best pork chops I've had in a while. The chop is seared to perfection and topped with pancetta and a dried fruit jus." [EDSL]

The Server News: Ultra Epicure praises a member of the waitstaff: "In regards to service, I have had some issues, so I would highly recommend calling ahead and asking whether Jon P. is working. If he is, request a table in his section, and get ready to enjoy an evening with one of the best servers in Atlanta. He is as knowledgeable about the menu as he is personable, and his enthusiasm for the restaurant is infectious. You will leave feeling as if you have made a new friend, and he will also have curated your dining experience perfectly to create the exact meal you were craving, without you even realizing it." [Ultra Epicure]

The Seating News: An Urbanspoon reviewer would like more space: "I enjoyed this restaurant! The staff and food were not what I'd expected....in a good way! So much flavor and seasoning in everything they served! I loved it! Would definitely recommend it! The only thing I didn't care for was the seating. We were basically back to back with another table so I wish we'd had more room. But the food was so good, it pretty much makes up for it! [Urbanspoon]
— Ashley Mason

· All Seven Lamps Coverage [-EATL-]
· Seven Lamps [Official Website]