Bantu Review

Bantu just opened in the much anticipated Avalon complex located right off GA 400 in Alpharetta. It is a new mixed use complex with residential, retail, and restaurant space, basically an Atlantic Station of the north. 

Bantu has a nice atmosphere, community tables inside and a nice patio area outside. You place your order at the counter and they bring your food to you. We ate there the second day it was open for lunch and so they were out of a lot of items on their menu. 

The menu is full of Asian items, udon, pho, bahn mi sandwiches, steamed buns, kushiyaki, etc. It was cold that day and soup sounded great. I intended on having the Coconut Lemongrass Broth but they were out of it, so ended up with Char Siu Pork Soba, which was basically crispy pork in a broth with some veggies and noodles. I had them remove the udon noodles and add extra veggies. It was oily and there was supposed to be bok choy which I never tasted, they added mushrooms, but no other veggies. The pork tasted great but it was fatty and only a few pieces. So my lunch consisted of broth, a couple pieces of pork, and tons of mushrooms. I left with $13 less in my wallet and wondering what I was going to have for lunch, yikes!

I was so disappointed especially since they made such a big deal about labeling items gluten-free and/or veggie, serving hormone-free meats and using fresh veggies. Maybe they were out of veggies and running low on other items so they skimped, but I expected more than what I received. I am hoping by the next visit things improve.

Tip - Whole Foods located in front of Bantu has free charging stations for electric vehicles