Branch and Barrel, the newest opening in Avalon is a quaint spot for a weekday lunch.

Branch and Barrel replaced the short-lived Bantu. If you visited when the restaurant was the prior, you’ll be amazed at the transformation. It has done a complete 180 degree turn from the sleek and modern look of Bantu to the brick and wood aged look of Branch and Barrel.

The food is much better too. We began with a trio of dips: Pimento, Beet and Crab dip. The most flavorful was the crab with tasty pieces in every bite. A pimento cheese dip was quite good too. The dips, although served with bread and veggies, are better when eaten in spoonfuls, ignoring the etiquette-recommended accompaniments.

The small menu at Branch and Barrel is the same for both lunch and dinner. Though the menu isn’t huge, there are surprisingly many healthy choices which include five entree salads. Though my lunch date opted for a salmon salad, I wasn’t in the mood for something nearly that healthy, choosing the fried lobster sandwich. Unlike a traditional lobster roll, this sandwich is fried. They could have cheaped out, providing lots of filler and breading, but they didn’t. Branch and Barrel’s lobster sandwich has a light batter, the crunch giving way to sweet juicy, perfectly prepared lobster. And the bun is soft and light too.

Normally I’d have a beer with this kind of lunch, but I had a busy afternoon ahead and could not afford to get sleepy as the afternoon wore on. However, I’d love to return for dinner and have a cocktail (like the S’marti Pants with bourbon, vermouth, grapefruit and ginger) or beer to wet my whistle.

Branch and Barrel
2200 Avalon Blvd
Alpharetta, GA 30009