I have wanted to get to Watershed for a decade--back in the Decatur, Scott Peacock days. But, never was able to make it happen until today. Was in town for a conference, hopped on the #110 bus, and 15 minutes later was at 1820 Peachtree Rd. I was looking for a heart-of-the-cusine dish. Thought about the lamb shoulder and the chicken and dumplings, but settled on the pork chop  It was served Frenched and 1" thick, resting on molasses sweet and cider vinegar sour sauced crowder pea/cow peas. Watershed calls them "appalachian cider beans"--think a toothsome, smaller alternative to the New England navy bean, but the traditional Boston treatment. After a discussion with Lexi, the very helpful and knowledgeable server, as to how to prepare the pork, I just asked her to let the chef use his discretion--prepare it to bring out the best qualities of the cut.

The dish appeared in the hands of the chef himself, served with a proud smile, and it was exquisite. Wonderful contrasts of textures and tastes: crispy and succulent, savory and sweet. Brown crusted exterior and a meltingly tender, rare interior. The earthy sweetness and the al dente texture of the beans were a perfect foil for the pork. On the side a bit of very fresh, lightly sauced slaw with sesame (or "benne" as they style it). And, as a lovely gesture in the cutlery department, the dish was accompanied by a Laguiole knife--just the right elegant and yet a but rustic touch.

What was there to do for dessert but a piece of the Watershed's iconic hot milk cake with caramel icing, sea salt, freshly whipped not-to-sweet cream garnished with ribbon cut mint? You know, if a Twinky really wanted to grow up . . . .

So, a superb evening, well worth the 10 year wait. Can't wait to come back . . . and I hope before 2015!

No Birthday Parties without Pay. My typical experience at this restaurant was great until I scheduled a 20+ Birthday gathering at the restaurant. They had apparently overbooked for the night and sat my party at tables along the bar where one side of the seating was a booth and people had to slide in and out (a party that size it would be hard if you were sitting in the middle). There were not enough seats for everyone especially space when you have a booth type of seating and rely on cramming multiple people into the space. It was a long wait from my scheduled time as well as the bar area was rather loud on a Friday night. Nonetheless, drinks and dinner were delicious. I still love the atmosphere and enjoyed the evening. I had brought a Birthday Cake, candles, paper plates, plastic forks, napkins etc. for the 20+ guests and was then told when lighting the candles that I had Watershed keep in the back when I had first gotten there 2 hours ago that there is a 5 dollar charge for each person who gets a piece of the cake that I brought, cut, and brought the utensils for the guests to use. That would have been a total of $120 charge for bringing a cake and serving it there. I understand the alcohol rule where you cannot bring your own alcohol into an establishment. But a Birthday Party Upcharge seems ridiculous. I get that they would not make money off of dessert sales. But I still brought 23 additional people to your establishment who’s bill was at least 60$ each not including drinks and tips, and you want to charge me $120 for serving cake at a birthday gathering? Not to mention tell me as I am lighting the candles? I should have been told this when looking at the website to make a reservation or making the reservation or when calling to add more people to my reservation or when I brought the cake into the building and checked into the hostess stand, NOT when I am lighting the candles in front of my party of 23 people. Note to All: Great place to eat and drink. Do not have a Birthday Party here unless you are willing to pay for it. Thought I would let everyone know ahead of time so they did not have the same experience.

Won't be back. I hosted a business dinner at Watershed on a Thursday night. The restaurant was loud and noisy, and not a good place to try to talk if you have a large party. The hostess had to get the manager to approve that our bar tab would be transferred to the table before she would seat us. I guess they were afraid that we'd run out on our bill?!? The waiter treated us like we were 3rd graders, and he was the teacher...refused to speak unless everyone was quiet and paying attention to HIM. Very rude and condescending attitude. Reservations were at 6:30, andy we did not get our food until 8:20. Several members of my party had to leave before we were served. One member of our party ordered an after-dinner drink from the bar during dessert. When the bill came, we had been charged for the drink, but he had never received it. When I brought this to our waiter's attention, we told him that it was too late to have the drink now, and asked him to remove the charge from the check. He, instead, went to the bar and got the drink. This place might be great for a small group gathering after work. But, for a large party, trying to impress a guest, it seriously missed the mark! Food was only ok....nothing special.