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News for Restaurants in Atlanta
May 2013 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Newly opened MAR specializes in authentic Mexican seafood fare. The kitchen is governed by former Sound Table chef Joey Zelinka, who offers such dishes as a smoked swordfish tostada, pickled oysters, foie gras empanadas, heirloom tomato gazpacho and grilled octopus salad. Fried oysters with an elote aioli had a bit too much breadingon them, but we loved the concept behind the corn-studded aioli. Lots of ceviches (here spelled cebiche) play light seasonings against fresh, raw seafood. One of the staffers makes cupcakes for dessert, and while that sounds mundane, they pick up the theme. So the lime cupcakes come flavored with Patron tequila, and chocolate is flecked with chile de arbol. The owner, Humberto Bermudez, is from Mexico, so there's good authentic guidance in the culinary arena. Fridays and Saturdays, the restaurant stays open to 1 a.m. Lunch & Dinner daily. MAR, 314 E. Howard Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, 404-373-2725.
 
Chef Kevin Gillespie opened Gunshow in Atlanta Chef Kevin Gillespie's Gunshow opened May 8 in Atlanta's Glenwood Park area. Gillespie and ai3, Inc., an Atlanta-based design firm that has done several local restaurants, formed a creative partnership to establish the venture. Challenging every notion of the traditional dining experience, Gunshow starts with a format-free menu and an evolving design that eliminates the show and formality associated with fine cuisine. Gillespie is the author of a newly released cookbook, Fire in My Belly, and has appeared as a finalist on Bravo's Top Chef Season Six. Formerly executive chef at Woodfire Grill, Gillespie was one of GAYOT's Top 5 Rising Chefs in the U.S. in 2010. Dinner Tues.-Sat. Gunshow, 924 Garrett St., Ste. C, Atlanta, GA 30316, 404-380-1886.
 
Villains has opened at Eighth and Peachtree St. in Midtown. The rather odd name denotes the "Wicked Heroes" and "Evil Potions" that constitute the menu. Owners Alex Brounstein, who also owns Grind House Killer Burgers; Jared Lee Pyles (previously chef at FLIP burger boutique and HD1); and Jason McClure (formerly at FLIP burger boutique) are the minds and talents behind the operation. Villains is open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to midnight on weekends. Lunch & Dinner daily. Villains, 903 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-347-3335.
 
BurgerFi International, LLC, has two locations in the metro Atlanta area, one in the Emory Point development off Clifton Road and the other to launch in Alpharetta. The menu features all-natural, farm-raised beef, specialty hot dogs, fresh-cut french fries, desserts and craft beer and wine. BurgerFi cares about the environment, incorporating eco-friendly and sustainable practices into each store's construction. All locations feature recycled furniture, such as chairs made from recycled Coca-Cola bottles, and energy-efficient fans as part of their design, but the Emory Point location is the first to incorporate EarthCraft design, meaning that it has met a number of stringent criteria. Joe Tuma owns this franchise, while Ron and Terrie Altman own the franchise that will open in Alpharetta on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at 5475 Windward Pkwy. Lunch & Dinner daily. BurgerFi, Emory Point, 1520 Avenue Pl., Ste. B-140, Atlanta, GA 30329, 404-665-4400.
 

News Bytes

Zocalo Joins the Richard Sandoval Portfolio
Richard Sandoval has added Zocalo in Midtown to the Richard Sandoval Restaurants portfolio. On May 4, Zocalo debuted new food and beverage menus as well as new décor and tableware. Founding executive chef Lucero Martinez-Obregon leads the kitchen at the restaurant she opened with her family in 1995. Since 2009, Martinez-Obregon has simultaneously served as chef de cuisine at Sandoval's Pampano in New York City. Guests may expect upscale versions of tacos, enchiladas, fajitas and seafood dishes. All salsas and sauces are made in house with ingredients coming from local farmers markets, as the restaurant has done since 2007. Zocalo is an important stop for tequila fans, as it offers more than 60 tequilas. New drink choices include the "Cadillac" made with tequila reposado, orange liqueur and citrus, served on the rocks. Latin cocktails such as flavored mojitos and sangrías are available, too, as well as nine Mexican beers by the bottle and a selection of wine by the glass. Lunch & Dinner daily. Zocalo, 187 Tenth St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-249-7576.
 
The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View Closes for Renovations
On April 28, 2013, after service, The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View closed its doors for a much-needed renovation following 35 busy years feeding locals and visitors alike in its revolving space. Also highly regarded as a site for listening to some of the city's most sophisticated jazz, the restaurant will return in refurbished form sometime in August. Fresh local ingredients will get the special attention of chef Jason Starnes. The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View, The Westin Peachtree Plaza, 210 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-589-7506.
 

Chef Shuffle

Executive chef Zeb Stevenson announced his impending departure from Livingston Restaurant + Bar as well as Proof and Provision, both located in The Georgian Terrace hotel. After four years Stevenson plans to depart at the end of July. Livingston Restaurant + Bar, The Georgian Terrace, 659 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, 404-897-5000.
 

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.

Maureen Kalmanson learned the restaurant management craft with the Peasant Corporation, and had kept the name alive at Peasant Bistro in downtown Atlanta. The restaurant has now closed, but Kalmanson, who opened the popular Campagnolo (meaning "peasant" in Italian) in Midtown, plans to launch Henry's Midtown Tavern at 132 10th St. NE, replacing Mint3. The venture will offer a chef-driven menu of appetizers, pastas, sandwiches, entrée salads and desserts, and will be open into the wee hours. Henry's will serve 12 beers on draft and about 50 in bottles, as well as wines. In addition, we understand that there will be puppy watering stations on the patio, and a second patio will be built sometime this summer. Peasant Bistro, Centennial Park West Condominium, 250 Park Ave. West NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, 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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