Chef Randy Lewis loves the long hot days of summer and waits patiently for its heirloom tomatoes to take back to the kitchen at The Ashford where he is owner and executive chef of the beloved Brookhaven neighborhood restaurant. He also celebrates summer’s figs, peaches, peanuts, corn and sweet potatoes.
No stranger to warm weather’s bounty, he is a native of New Orleans, where he opened a restaurant review that garnished the “Most Splurge-Worthy” restaurant title from Bon Appétit magazine. He was then lured to California’s wine country where was Executive Chef and Culinary Director of Jackson Family Wines where he was showered with more accolades. He filmed and appeared in four episodes of Ready, Set, Cook on the Food Network. On the high seas, he served as a celebrity chef for Holland America's Culinary Arts Center program and was the guest chef aboard the luxurious Crystal Cruise's Crystal Harmony in Alaska. Randy was a featured chef in the James Beard Celebrity Chef Tour Dinner Series in St. Louis and has been recognized time and time again for his excellence and redefining America’s regional cuisine.
In 2014, Randy was lured to return South to be close to his family and opening Executive Chef of Gypsy Kitchen and The Southern Gentleman and opened The Ashford in 2022. Since then, the beautiful restaurant has attracted loyal neighbors and Atlanta aficionados who appreciate fine dining, superb service and a changing menu that features fresh seasonal ingredients and thoughtful menus.
“We’re dedicated to bringing an ever-changing menu with an emphasis on local ingredients to Brookhaven. We aim to serve food that is innovative yet approachable, in an atmosphere that is sophisticated yet comfortable,” says Chef Randy.
The soothing colors and lines of the interiors are sophisticated yet inviting. All the best bottles are on glass shelves framed by an archway in the bar. The dining room is long and lean, dotted with modern art, a wine collection and broad windows flooding the space with light and energy.
And, families are welcomed with a kids menu for the little foodies.
1418 Dresden Dr Suite 170
Each table has a view to savor. Chef’s favorites for date night? “Depending on the weather I would say one of our patio tables or one of our tables in the window.”
And to order? “Our wine list is always changing, but we always have champagne and cava on the list. I would suggest our truffle-mushroom tapenade & brie flatbread. Champagne pairs with everything, so it’s hard to go wrong.”
