Roswell’s dining scene has a new destination where cocktails are crafted with intention, dishes surprise at every turn, and the experience feels both refined and relaxed. Truth Be Told, the city’s newest restaurant and lounge located on Canton Street, brings a fresh perspective with its seven course prix fixe menu, à la carte options, and inventive cocktails.
Behind it is owner Jonathan Yu, who grew up in Roswell and always knew the community would play a role in his story. He was born in Atlanta and raised locally. He attended Oxford College of Emory University and later the University of Georgia. While studying abroad in Italy, Jonathan discovered his love for wine.
“It was in Verona where I really started to appreciate wine and its nuances,” he says. “I have always had an aspiration of owning my own business, and with my passion for wine and spirits, opening a restaurant felt like a natural next step."
Building the Concept
Roswell, with its welcoming community and small town charm, seemed like the ideal setting to bring the idea to life.
“This city has long held a special place for me and my family and I wanted to bring a destination where craft cocktails are treated with the same artistry and intention I have experienced in cities around the world,” Jonathan says. “At my core I am a host at heart. I wanted to create a space that has the flavors and elegance that I’ve seen in my travels.”
The name, Truth Be Told, has its own story.
“We knew we wanted to do a craft cocktail concept but didn’t know what to name it. We came up with a long list of names and phrases in a bunch of different languages but nothing was sticking,” Jonathan recalls. “By the third day of brainstorming, we were getting a little frustrated and dad said to me, ‘Jonathan, truth be told…’ It was there that I cut him off and said, ‘Hold on, you might be onto something.’ Truth be told, I never learned what he was going to say but we had the name for our restaurant.”
The Dining Experience
Truth Be Told offers a hybrid seven course prix fixe menu in which guests select three courses while Chef Matt Marcus curates the rest.
“It is a thrilling showcase of Chef’s whimsical style of cuisine,” Jonathan says. “If you are feeling like a quick bite and drink, we have à la carte options at the bar and on the patio.”
The goal is an elevated journey that never feels intimidating.
“With that in mind, we are creating a fun and relaxed experience with finesse and class," Jonathan explains. "My team spends many hours preparing each ingredient that goes into each dish and drink."
Jonathan recommends the Dragon Fang, a cocktail featuring strawberries fermented for four days, then pureed and frozen into the ice. As it melts, the drink evolves in flavor and texture.
The food is equally inventive. Halibut is pan seared, roasted, and finished with sweet potato, black truffle, lemon balm, and caviar. The Wagyu tri tip is slow cooked, grilled, and paired with tongue shaped into a mosaic, roasted king trumpet mushroom, and a rich table side sauce.
Rooted in Roswell
For Jonathan, it always comes back to community.
“I love Roswell for the community. Roswell hasn’t changed drastically since I was a kid. Of course, there are many new faces and old favorites that are no longer around, but the soul of Roswell is still the same. I am so lucky to be able to open my first restaurant here,” he says.
His hope is simple yet heartfelt. “I hope our guests have a genuinely good time when they are here and they forget about any worries or anything other than their experience. While they are with us, they should want for nothing.”
Truth be told, Roswell has a new dining experience worth savoring.
Roswell’s newest restaurant and lounge, Truth Be Told, is where craft cocktails meet whimsical, elevated cuisine. Guests can enjoy a seven course prix fixe menu by Chef Matt Marcus, or explore à la carte dishes at the bar and patio.
Owner Jonathan brings years of experience in fine wine and hospitality, along with a passion for creating memorable moments. Truth Be Told is about more than dining—it’s an experience that feels elegant yet relaxed, elevated yet fun.
1104 Canton Street, Roswell, GA
(470) 663-6791
tbtlounge.com
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