News for Restaurants in Atlanta
February 2011 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

After waiting what seemed like an eternity to both the owners and the community, Decatur's 24-hour diner finally opened its doors. Liberally festooned with neon signs thanking patrons for dining there and still others exclaiming over the place, Decatur Diner offers many classic Greek dishes. Breakfast is popular on the weekends, as spring-like weather brings families and family pooches out for a Sunday morning meal. Huge portions are sure crowd-pleasers. A large menu offers nearly 40 choices for dinner. With students from nearby colleges and after-hours restaurant folk pouring out of nearby establishments, the 24-hour aspect is likely to be a hit. The same owners operate Marietta Diner, among other area restaurants. Open 24 hours. Decatur Diner, 205 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, 404-377-8787.

Josh Kramer and his father, John, retired from the fast food business and construction, along with Josh's wife Kara Ferris, opened Burnt Fork BBQ, replacing a Chinese establishment in downtown Decatur. Meat is sourced from Moonshine Farms near Athens, Ga. "No commodity meats in here," says Proud Papa John. The place makes its own sauces, including ketchup (no corn syrup therefore), smokes its own hams and bacon, and bakes its own bread---that's Kara's domain. Desserts are still under development. Kara, by the way, is vegan, so tofu is among the proteins offered as barbecue. Lunch & Dinner daily. Burnt Fork BBQ, 614 Church St., Decatur, GA 30030, 404-373-7155.

News Bytes

Brunch Begins at 4th & Swift
Beginning Sunday, March 6, 4th & Swift will offer brunch. The menu will unite classic brunch dishes with flavors closely reflecting the dinner menu. Dishes will include veal schnitzel with a fried farm egg, spätzle and caper brown butter; brioche mascarpone toast with seasonal fruit; lobster crêpes; and a red wine poached farm egg with crispy cotechino, fingerling potato hash, piquillo peppers and a hot mustard aïoli. In addition, the apple fritters with orange blossom honey will provide a sweet start or finish to the meal. 4th & Swift, Southern Dairies, Bldg. B, 621 North Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, 678-904-0160.

Goin' Coastal Virginia Highland Celebrates Mardi Gras
At the Virginia Highland location of Goin' Coastal, a Mardi Gras celebration features Nawlins classics and cocktails served up every Thursday night in February and March. Specialties include the Ragin' Cajun crawfish boil; Buffalo gator tail platters for $5; a dozen fresh oysters for $10; and Hurricanes for $4. On Fat Tuesday, there will be three-pound trays of spicy Cajun crawfish for $15, oysters for $5 per dozen and Buffalo gator tail platters for $3. Also, bartenders will pour $4 Hurricanes all evening. Note: Between now and Fat Tuesday, every pound of crawfish guests purchase comes with a chance to win two round-trip tickets to New Orleans. The winner will be selected at the Fat Tuesday celebration. Goin' Coastal, 1021 Virginia Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, 404-941-9117.

Kurt’s & Vreny's to Relocate Across the Road
After many successful years on River Green Parkway, Kurt and Vreny Eisele and their son, Alexander, are moving the operation to 3305 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Ste. 100, Duluth, in the Village at River Green, just a short distance from the restaurant's current spot. The new operation is to open in February 2011. The menu will preserve the restaurant's longtime German emphasis, with plenty of spätzle, sausages and schnitzels, but we hope for a return of Kurt's hometown (Stuttgart) specialty Maultaschen, a cross between pierogi and ravioli. Until then, we'll console ourselves with Vreny's fondue (she is Swiss). Son Alexander also makes a notable black bean soup.

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Chef Shuffle

The Feed Store restaurant's former executive chef Peter Golaszewski left in late 2010 to take a corporate chef position with Taco Mac. The new chef at the restaurant is Cooper Miller, who comes to the position having been Golaszewski's sous chef. Prior to taking that post, Miller had done his homework at Holeman & Finch Public House and at Livingston Restaurant + Bar. Miller will keep the Southern foundation of the menu, and has added his own touches, including house-cured bacon. The Feed Store, 3841 Main St., College Park, GA 30337, 404-209-7979.

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.

After moving from Midtown to Kirkwood, a gentrifying Atlanta neighborhood, Vinocity Wine Bar changed its name to Kirkwood Public House. But that evolution was not enough to save the establishment from the ravages of the recession, and it closed. Kirkwood Public House, Kirkwood Station, 1963 Hosea L. Williams Dr. SE, Atlanta, GA 30317, 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

RESTAURANT AWARDS

We just published the 2012 edition of our annual restaurant issue, featuring the Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S. and much more. Check it out!

News for Restaurants in Atlanta February 2011 Archive

RESTAURANT AWARDS

MORNING MEALS & MORE

News for Restaurants in Atlanta
February 2011 Archive