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Location, location, location is the oft-repeated real estate axiom. And in the case of Park Tavern, being situated at the edge of Piedmont Park, with a stunning view of the Midtown skyline, explains everything. That's because this popular party and event destination offers nothing really special in the way of food. Besides brides, politicos and festival goers, it seems everyone else comes to occupy a table on the huge patio, where you can sip a pint from the onsite brewery, and see and be seen.

PARK VISTAS: Inside, you'll find an attractive, multileveled array of indoor and outdoor bar, restaurant and private spaces. Downstairs, adjacent to the patio, the lodgelike Olmstead Room is anchored by a huge stone hearth. The bar area is appointed with comfy leather stools, craftsman-style oak tables and paneling, along with amber-glass lanterns. Deep leather sofas make for a cozy seating near the fireplace. But then, as a not so subtle reminder that Park Tavern is as much a catering hall as a neighborhood pub, half of the dining room is made up of banquet tables, covered with rental-style brown cloths and surrounded by little gold ballroom chairs.

Becky Stein/Special (ENLARGE)
Park Tavern on the edge of Piedmont Park is known as a cool hangout.
Becky Stein/special (ENLARGE)
Park Tavern has plenty of beer and bar food such as calamari.
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BURGERS & BRUNCH: The menu is primarily pub grub, with a bit of barbecue and Tex-Mex thrown into the mix. The "Ted's Buffalo Cheeseburger" is a huge, char-grilled bison patty, with thick slabs of cheddar, leaf lettuce, tomatoes and onions. Order it with the simple, fresh-tasting sweet potato fries, and a beer, and you'll eat and drink as well as you can here. The rest of the menu runs from an OK pulled pork sandwich and decent Buffalo wings and salads to pricey ribs and steaks. When the weather is nice, Sunday brunch (served from 11 a.m.) is a great time to enjoy the patio and a breakfast burrito or an omelet.

HOUSE BREWS: Before it became better known for event catering, Park Tavern was primarily known as a brewpub. But beer geeks never quite took to the rather bland, sometimes off-flavored offerings. Nowadays, though, new brewer Brian Campbell has been working to improve things. Campbell's pale ale has more hop presence. And his dark, very drinkable Piedmont Porter (a winter seasonal) was well received at the recent Atlanta cask ale tasting. The generously poured $5.50 sampler is a good way to try all of Campbell's regular and seasonal brews.

PARTY TIMES: Among the upcoming special events at Park Tavern this month: WRFG Americana Festival on Feb. 16; Oyster Fest, featuring Cowboy Mouth, on Feb. 23. And next month, there are two different, pre-March 17 St. Patrick's Day festivals, on March 8 and 15.

PARK TAVERN

HOURS: 4:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Mondays-Fridays; 11 a.m.-

2:30 a.m. Saturdays-Sundays (brunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays)

PRICES: Starters and salads, $7.99-$10.99; sandwiches and burgers, $8.99-$9.99; entrees, $11.99-$18.99

CREDIT CARDS: All major

RESERVATIONS: Accepted for eight or more

RECOMMENDED DISHES: Buffalo burger, sweet potato fries, brewpub beers

PARKING: Lot

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS: Yes

SMOKING POLICY: Permitted on patio

NOISE LEVEL: Moderate to high

TAKEOUT: Yes

VERDICT: An enticing place — with great views, a sprawling patio hugging Piedmont Park and an onsite brewery — but the food is no match for the real estate.