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Openings
Oswald Morgan's Kozmo Gastro Pub focuses on a comfort-food menu that includes hamburgers, fresh salads, and velvety mac ‘n' cheese, with no main plate costing more than $13. Mixologist Jimmy Rudnick's cocktail list stars a "Kozmo" of the day, Kozmoritas, Kozmojitos and other creative cocktails, running $5-$8. There's a big city selection of draft beers and a long list of American and global wines at $6-$10 a glass. The interior could be described as very "intown," with a mix of industrial modern with roomy booths, warm lighting and a tantalizing view of the open kitchen. Dinner nightly, Brunch Sat.-Sun. Kozmo Gastro Pub, Shops of Douglas, 11890 Douglas Rd., Ste. 105, Alpharetta, GA 30005, 678-526-6094.
The huge space that once was Emeril's Atlanta operation seems to draw dramatic interiors. Gone is the huge "E" that once adorned the wall above the bar. But equally dramatic is the giant (ten-foot) brass Buddha from Thailand that now dominates the space. In place of a Cajun-influenced enterprise, Aja, as the new restaurant is called, offers contemporary Asian fare. Tom Catherall's Here to Serve Restaurant Group is the mastermind behind this venture. Dishes are served family-style, so are designed for sharing. There's an extensive dim sum list, making small-plate dining very enjoyable, and the main dishes focus on poultry and seafood. Vegetarians should be pleased with the preparations that will suit their needs, and the willingness to substitute tofu for other proteins on most main dishes. Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner nightly. Aja, The Alliance Center, 3500 Lenox Rd., Ste. 100, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404-231-0001.
Food 101 to become Rosebud Restaurant
Every chef wants his own establishment, and Ron Eyester is no exception. Longtime chef at Food 101, Eyester bought the establishment earlier this year, and on July 6, will change its name to Rosebud Restaurant. So, Sunday afternoon, after a busy Father's Day brunch, the servers team rolled up their sleeves and pushed and pulled every single table and chair out of the restaurant so that, around 5 p.m., the work could begin. Rosebud's new menu will be ready for the launch date. Food 101, 1397 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, 404-347-9747.
Portofino’s Ten-Dollar-Lasagna Sundays
Portofino has convinced chef Marty Eberly to serve his lasagna once a week. While it's not on the restaurant's regular menu, it will appear on Sundays for $10. Portofino suggests patrons consider placing their orders upon making reservations to guarantee availability. Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner nightly. Portofino, 3199 Paces Ferry Pl., Atlanta, GA 30305, 404-231-1136.
Specials at Kozmo Gastro Pub
At Kozmo Gastro Pub, owner Oswald Morgan has introduced Martinis on Monday and Comfort Tuesdays. Take advantage of mixologist Jimmy Rudnick's cocktail composition skills by joining him at 6:30 p.m. in the bar area of the restaurant, where he teaches cocktail-making classes that will feature selections from the restaurant's specialty drink menu and even some that aren't on the menu. Kozmo cocktails are priced from $5.50 to $8. Comfort Tuesdays feature fried chicken served with garlic green beans and the choice of mac ‘n' cheese or mashed potatoes for the specialty price of $11.99. In the coming weeks, look for an expanded children's menu, now in the works. Kozmo Gastro Pub, 11890 Douglas Rd., Ste. 105, Alpharetta, GA 30005, 678-526-6094.
The Georgian Room at The Cloister at Sea Island has lost Scott Crawford to The Umstead Hotel & Spa in Cary, N.C. Replacing him is Daniel Zeal, a Crawford understudy at the Georgian Room. Georgian Room, The Cloister, 100 Cloister Dr., Sea Island, GA 31561, 800-732-4752; 912-638-3611.
After holding focus groups and surveys, Concentrics Restaurants will close the main dining room at TROIS for renovations and the launching of a new concept in the space by summer's end. Meanwhile, The Bar at Trois and the private event spaces will remain available. The Bar will offer a dinner menu by chef Todd Ginsberg from Tues.-Sat. beginning at 5:30 p.m. in an intimate dining setting. TROIS's event space remains open for private affairs, and currently scheduled events are not affected by this announcement. The new restaurant concept will take over all three spaces in September 2009. TROIS, 1180 Peachtree St. Building, 1180 Peachtree St., Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-815-3337.
Dusty's Barbecue, the city's sole exponent of Carolina-style ‘cue, has closed. But the lovely pulled pork with its tangy vinegar-pepper sauce and slaw, the hush puppies de rigueur with Carolina ‘cue, and the barbecued chicken all are available through the catering division, which operates from a spot in Decatur: 215 Laredo Dr., 404-687-8002. Dusty's Barbecue, 1815 Briarcliff Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, no phone.
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