Twelve Eighty: Inspired Dining at the Woodruff Arts Center

The restaurant formerly known as Table 1280 is now called Twelve Eighty. Located at the Woodruff Arts Center, it takes its name from the address. Owned by the team behind Marlow’s Tavern, the food at Twelve Eighty is more upscale.

As the locale is an “arts” center, it’s fitting that presentation is paramount. Just look at the fried green tomatoes with shrimp ($11) at the top of the page. It’s a lovely plate and it was delicious. In fact, that dish was the best dish of the evening at Twelve Eighty. Below are the Pastrami Spring Rolls. Considering they are the same price as the fried green tomatoes, the prior is a better value, though the pastrami is cured in house at Twelve Eighty.

Besides the appetizer, salads were sensational. A Panzanella salad ($12) had a duo of red and gold beets, with arugula, Burrata, served with a Lemon Thyme vinaigrette. But the signature salad, Twelve Eighty Peachtree ($10), was better with arugula, Chevre, and spiced Pistachios. A special of Sea Bass was a bit undercooked. The duck breast ($22), pictured below, was tasty and filling, but I didn’t care for the gorgonzola risotto. I’d have preferred something less rich like a green vegetable to go with the already rich duck.

While I did like the food at Twelve Eighty, I didn’t feel like it was a destination spot. Especially given the $15 parking fee, it is more a convenience, when you are visiting the high, taking in the symphony, or visiting the Woodruff Arts Center for some reason. Otherwise the parking expense is hard to justify.

Note that Twelve Eighty is closed on Mondays and only open Tuesday through Saturdays until 8 pm for dinner.

Disclosure: My meal at Twelve Eighty was complimentary but the opinions expressed are my own.