My husband's birthday was coming up soon, and I wanted a place with nice ambiance where a few friends could easily meet for a couple of drinks to celebrate. Cafe Intermezzo fit the bill. It's located near Piedmont Hospital right on Peachtree, and it is an excellent place to go if you want a nice glass of wine, coffee or dessert.
This restaurant is known as a late night hang-out getting crowded after 10 PM, but in the early evening, it is easy to find a seat at the bar, or (with a short wait---this IS Buckhead) get a table for dining.
The walls are dark, and the feel is artsy (There was a language tape playing as elevator music in the ladies bathroom. "Hello," says the man. "Hola," says the woman. Where else can you get a foreign language lesson while putting on your lipstick?), but not brooding.
As I believe everyone should be able to choose the cake he likes the best on his birthday, Cafe Intermezzo was especially well suited for my "surprise gathering" needs. Underneath the glass of a pastry counter, there are all sorts of scrumptious desserts that will satisfy anyone's sweet tooth. My husband got an excellent piece of key lime pie, and my son enjoyed a triple chocolate piece of cake that only a child's metabolism wouldn't find scary.
In addition to decadent desserts, Cafe Intermezzo has a very well stocked bar. The drink list is extensive, and it would be hard to not find a liqueur or wine or vodka to suit your tastes. And, of course, there are a plethora of coffees to choose from....
I would say this is an excellent place to go for dessert with a date or for drinks and dessert with a small group. I do not like crowds, so I prefer this restaurant earlier in the evening.