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News for Restaurants in Atlanta
August 2012 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Brothers George and Joseph Cameli have opened their second Cameli's Gourmet Pizza operation in the Atlanta area, this time at Little Five Points. The newly built outpost picks up architectural language from its much older surroundings, and sports a second level bar and a rooftop patio that offers a view of the city skyline. Besides the famous pizzas, the menu is expanded to include more pastas as well as adding a line-up of main dishes and desserts. Lunch & Dinner daily. Cameli's Gourmet Pizza, 337 Moreland Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, 404-522-1624.
 
The Capital Grille has opened its new location in Dunwoody, with veteran Atlanta chef Tom McEachern as its executive chef. The restaurant, known for its steaks and highly regarded wine list, adds another steakhouse to a part of the metro area that's already home to Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar and McKendrick's Steak House, so we expect a battle of the beef soon. McEachern comes to The Capital Grille after stints at Ray's on the River and as corporate executive chef for Ray's restaurants. The Capital Grille, 94 Perimeter Center W., Dunwoody, GA 30346, 770-730-8447.
 
On August 8, Ashley and Seth Clemence opened Graft in Grayson, the metro Atlanta town. The couple recognized that residents wanted some taste of the fine dining offered in Atlanta's tony neighborhoods, but didn't want the long drive back and forth to obtain it. So they developed Graft in one of the town's historic, modest homes. A six-month-long renovation/restoration job preceded the restaurant's debut. Blake Hargroder serves as executive chef. The team looks forward to adding brunch and later lunch to their current dinner-nightly service schedule. The menu pairs wines with dishes, and offers flight and other tastings/tapas opportunities. Dinner nightly. Graft, 516 Grayson Pkwy., Grayson, GA 30017, 770-338-9001.
 
Bar Antico, a traditional Italian gelateria and caffè, is slated to open in mid-October. Antico Pizza Napoletana owner Giovanni Di Palma is the power behind the concept, which will be located in a nearly 2,000-square-foot space across the street from that establishment. Bar Antico will offer eight original, handcrafted gelati, as well as coffees and a limoncello bar. For the limoncello, Bar Antico will use Sorrento lemons and will create signature cocktails such as the "Sogno di Sorrento." Al fresco seating for 100 and a menu of Neapolitan street food specialties will also be available.
 

News Bytes

La Pietra Cucina to Welcome a New Chef/New Look
With the departure of founding chef Bruce Logue, La Pietra Cucina has come under the Concentrics Restaurants management wand. Plans call for closing the restaurant from Sept. 2-14 to refresh the interior and prepare for the arrival of new executive chef Russell Kook, formerly on "Hell's Kitchen." A recent lunch at the restaurant showed it still has a good handle on the personalized interpretation of Italian fare established by Logue, as seen in the branzino with caponata. We understand the wine list is being fleshed out with more popular brands, a move that could cost the establishment its distinctive wine service, as the current list is totally devoted to Italian wines. La Pietra Cucina, One Peachtree Pointe, 1545 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-888-8709.
 
No 246 Restaurant is featuring a special family supper dining option Family Supper Menu at No 246 Restaurant
Decatur's No 246 Restaurant, Italian-inspired and locally driven, is featuring a special family supper dining option Mon.-Thurs. nights. The four-course meal costs $18 per adult and $6 for children 12 and under, plus tax and gratuity. The menu from executive chef Drew Belline is served family-style with the exception of the entrée and includes toast with local roasted sweet peppers, local basil, shaved heirloom garlic, EVO and sea salt; local greens with house-dried oregano vinaigrette, pepperoncinis, small tomatoes, shaved local red onions and feta; one of four pre-set pasta dishes; and for dessert, zeppole with anise sugar. No 246 Restaurant, 129 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, 678-399-8246.
 
Chicken and the Egg Marks its First Anniversary
Chicken and the Egg will mark its first anniversary with special events throughout the month of August. The West Marietta establishment plans to hand out golden eggs containing various prizes to each table from Aug. 13-16. Prizes range from complimentary beverages to a dinner for two. Teacher appreciation specials run through Aug. 14: teachers who show their school IDs to their servers receive a 15 percent deduction off their meals and can register to win a restaurant-sponsored class party. On Facebook, a photo contest will enable guests to submit photos from the restaurant's first year (runs Aug. 8-20). Throughout August, Chicken and the Egg will host a family recipe contest, enabling guests to submit their recipes. Chef-owner Mark Taft will select a winner and feature the restaurant's version of the dish on its September menu, highlighting the winner's name and family information. Chicken and the Egg, Burnt Hickory Village Shopping Plaza, 800 Whitlock Ave., Ste. 124, Marietta, GA 30064, 678-388-8813.
 
Tree Falls on Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q
Business at Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q came to a halt Thursday, August 2, during dinner service, when a tree with a 70-inch diameter looming from an unoccupied neighboring property came crashing into its two dining rooms. A patron saw the tree start to fall and screamed for everyone to run, so no one, miraculously, was hurt. The restaurant was closed the next day, but take-out resumed on Saturday, August 4, and the place was able to reopen in short order, although with limited seating in the affected space, but with plenty of room on the popular patio. Lunch & Dinner daily. Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q, 1238 DeKalb Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, 404-577-4030.
 

Chef Shuffle

Philippe Haddad is the newly appointed chef at Sip at Riverside, the small plates restaurant and wine bar at Post Riverside Town Square. Sip at Riverside, Post Riverside Town Square, 4403 Northside Pkwy., Atlanta, GA 30327, 404-233-5455.
 

Closings

CLOSED FOR GOOD
Take your taste buds on a walk down memory lane! Check out our exclusive closed restaurant database for Atlanta to virtually visit your favorite dining spots from the past. Bazzaar, R.I.P.

On August 6, Nava, which brought serious Southwestern cooking to Atlanta, closed its doors after a long run lasting well over a decade. A restaurant from Ford Fry is slated to open in this space in January 2013, and will focus on fish and meats cooked over wood. Nava, One Buckhead Plaza, 3060 Peachtree Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, no phone.
 

CULINARY EVENTS
Want to
learn to cook? Try new dishes? Meet a foodie friend for fun? Check out our compilation of culinary events in your area.

View our calendar of Wine Dinners & Tastings in Atlanta

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