Aqua Terra

What has happened at Aqua Terra??? When they first opened, we were regulars and just loved the place! After a while, we went less because they NEVER changed the menu (still haven't, after how many years?). It was still good, dependable quality, quaint atmosphere, in a cool location. The last couple of times, though, the food has been a huge disappointment! We went with friends (6 of us) for a Christmas get together this month, and dinner was just terrible. We must not be alone in our feelings because they sat 6 of us, without a wait, at 7:30pm on a Saturday night!!! The filet mignon was chewey, had gristle through it, and it really had no flavor other than the sauce poured all over it - just a cheap piece of meat. I normally order seafood when I'm out, but just couldn't bring myself to order the 'special' tilapia (the cheapest fish available), so I went with the maple salmon. It tasted like the salmon had been marinated in a bottle of maple syrup for about a week... I really hate to see Aqua Terra fail because I just love that city feel of the revitalized Buford area, and HOPE that someone will take heed and do something about the quality and menu there!!! I know times have got to be tough for the restaurant industry, in this economy, but you can't just continue letting the quality go down. Please get it together!!! We won't be back until we hear things have changed, and we've heard the same from many of our friends. more

Date night for the hubby and I. Friend of mine now working at a salon in downtown Buford recommended Aqua Terra. Pros: delicious Cons: lived here 10 years, didnt know it existed more

i travel to GA roughly twice a year and always seem to end up happily dining at aqua terra. it's a charming destination whose american bistro cuisine is consistently good...maybe even a little too consistent. it would be nice to see some updates to the menu, perhaps more seasonally inspired? i think they would do well to offer and tell the story of locally grown/farmed foods as well. the service can be spotty and has in the past has been amateurish bordering on rude/obnoxious. like the menu, the servers at aqua terra should be dependable, attentive and without pretense. phrases like ""...not a problem!"", ""is there anything else i can get ya?"" and ""my husband's at home with my kid"" need not be expressed. Pros: consistently good american bistro Cons: amateur waitstaff and service more

The food is delicious. The ambiance is energetic. Great for a date night or a group gathering. You will have to wait to eat here on the weekends, but it is well worth it! Pros: Great food and ambiance Cons: Long wait on friday and Saturday nights more

Well, this is my fav. place to go. The servers are very respectful and usually have great recommendations for newcomers. The French Country Salad is the best. Their chicken with corn mashed potatoes and peach chutney are delicious. It is always very clean and decadent. This is 5 stars for me. A little pricey, but well worth it. You won't be let down. Pros: food, service, local, friendly, clean Cons: a little pricey more

I just want to say that Aqua Terra is my favorite restaurant for any occasion. I have been many times and have always walked out of there very happy. The service is wonderful and all the employees are always happy. The food is wonderful as well. I was especially suprised to find out that the chef is only 27! I will always choose Aqua Terra for all of my special events. I have never experienced anything like that first reviewer describes. It is supposed to be a quiet romantic restaurant, not party central. My hat is off to them! more

While the food was excellent, the indifferent waitstaff and horribly rude manager ruined my one evening there. We had contacted them several times over the month prior to our planned dinner to let them know we would be a large crowd doing a holiday gift exchange, that we might be loud at times and would be taking up a table for a long time period. We had other restaurant options available at this time, but were assured each time that we would be welcome there, to call when we were on our way and they would have a table ready. Pros: Food - great Cons: Everything else. Staff was horrendous, rude and humiliating to us more

This restaurant has removed the need for me to EVER have to go into Buckhead or Midtown or VA Highlands ever again. The food is the most superior I have ever sampled. The Pork is fantastic. Pros: worth the money, romantic, great wine list Cons: expensive more

This is our special occasion restaurant, because it is so pricy we can't afford to go very often. The food is to die for, and we usually find something different on the menu each time we go. Nothing is ever ordinary. Sometimes the staff is great, sometimes it's poor. It just depends. We never can tell when it will de crowded during the week, but don't try to go on weekends because it will be packed for sure! If it looks like a long wait, we go elsewhere and lament about what we are missing. Pros: close to home, great food Cons: , expensive more

Who would have thought that downtown buford would have a bistro like this one? Great place to hang out and eat. When we went there on a week night, there was no one there but a few tables. We ate downstairs in a romantic setting. Very nice. Their sauce for dipping the bread is unbelievable. I don't usually like bread, but the sauce was pretty amazing. You buy the sauce if you would like. Just ask the waitress/waiter. more

I have been a regular at Aqua Terra sinced they opened their doors 8 years ago, and I can honestly say that I have never had anything but exceptional experiences. The Aqua Terra menu is as diverse as the entrees are delectable, and they do a great job changing things up just often enough to keep your palate interested. The atmosphere is delightfully romantic, and their recent expansion vastly reduces the weekend wait times. The bar is now twice as long, and is a delightful place to dine as well. The Aqua wine list is varied, intriguing and always being fine tuned with unique boutique selections. But perhaps the one thing that really puts Aqua Terra Bistro above and beyond is the attentive, professional and genuinely friendly wait staff that this restaurant has consistently fielded. Never have I encountered a more knowledgeable, cheerful, and efficient group of young people, many of whom are veterans of a number of years with the restaurant. While it's true that you'll likely encounter a wait during peak weekend hours, it's a small price to pay for this exceptional dining experience. In my opinion their reputation as one of the finest restaurants in the metro area is well deserved. Pros: great wine list, wonderful food, cozy atmosphere Cons: long weekend waits more

Who knew that Buford, Georgia could house such a gem? The food here is great, the atmosphere is cozy, and the small touches make it special. Their tomato based bread-dipping sauce is great, as are the chocolate desserts with a glass of Bonny Doon port. I did feel like they were trying too hard to grow their business by handing out coupons with the check. However, you won't find a better restaurant in the far north suburbs of Atlanta. Pros: convenience, the little things, Surprise in Buford Cons: no place to wait, park on the street more

This place is great. From the outside and the look of the neighboring merchants, it may not appear to be so great. But it's well worth the wait, drive or whatever. On the inside you'd think you were in a classy Buckhead joint. The food is fantastic and the service is first rate. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Just save a table for me. more