by Peter R. on I enjoyed this restaurant - and it was mostly because I had read the reviews prior and set my expectations accordingly. You should also. :) The food - not the best, but still better than average. This is Manhattan, in the Meatpacking district - there is a lot of competition for your dollar and someone is always going to outrun the next guy. The sliders were probably the best I've ever had anywhere. I would get those again in a heartbeat. The scene - vibrant, trendy, and a little classy. It's probably the first steakhouse I've ever been to with a DJ. The music was ok - not clubby, but not elevator music either. Think LITE-FM with a kick. I liked it here, and will prob come back. But if you're hunting for a great steakhouse keep looking. I still recommend BLT or Quality Meats.
by Lisa B. on This place really isn't my scene. I have been here a couple of times on different nights and it just doesn't work for me. First, it is crazy packed...crazy CRAZY packed. If you love sharing sweat with the rest of Atlanta then this is the place for you. Even if you aren't dancing you'll be sweating from all the heat generated by the thousands of bodies in there. If you are dancing forget it - when you leave you are going to look like you just got out of the shower! There is no where to move so you better set up shop in an area of the club that you like, because you won't be moving. Also, the drinks are really over priced for what you get. Yes, I bitched about Vision and Compound for the price of their drinks but they look like a value compared to what Opera is charging. And please, someone teach these 'tenders how to make a good Long Island. I thought that Long Island would be offered in Bartending 101 but apparently not. I couldn't find one bartender to get the mixture right. The music is also a mess. From hard rock to rap superstar they mix it all together. I like to go somewhere with a good mix of music but it has to work together. The DJs at Opera will put a Metallica song with a Jay-Z beat. It's just a little spastic for me. Finally, this place really thinks they are something. They love to hold the line so that you'll have to pay cover. So plan on getting there early if you wanna get in for free.
by Shalonda Lamance on Favorite place to see live music in SF - has taken over from Slim's, Fillmore, Warfield, Great American, Bimbo's, and Bottom of the Hill in my book. This is the place bands I want to hear will be playing, and ticket prices are always reasonable. For the price of a cover charge somewhere else, you can hear a couple of good live bands here. The venue is intimate and mellow with the concert floor the size of someone's living room. The bar area has a basement speakeasy vibe and I love the little couch area at the back. The staff at du Nord is always friendly, even door guys and busy bartenders, the total opposite of most venues. For a good introduction to Cafe du Nord, you can't go wrong with a Lavay Smith show. She's a fantastic local jazz-blues singer who plays here several times a year.
