News for Restaurants in Atlanta
April 2012 Archive

Search / Openings / Closings / Chef Shuffle / News Bytes / Culinary Events / Wine Dinners / Sign up for our free, monthly newsletter / News Archive

RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Having had success with their Salt Factory and INC. Street Food restaurants in Roswell, Hicham Azhari and Fikret Kovac opened Little Alley Steak in late February 2012. The pair borrowed the name from their first and still sorely missed restaurant in Roswell, Little Alley Tapas Bar & Restaurant. For this venture, they draw on the concept of the neighborhood steakhouse, offering fine steaks and other protein cuts, charcuterie and market fresh seafood. Supporting the menu, under the direction of Robert McDonough, is an extensive beverage program, featuring fine wines and a decanting service for all red wines. McDonough, by the way, was the chef at Little Alley. For the Little Alley Steak menu, he's incorporating some of the flavors of Azhari's native Morocco, such as Moroccan-style shrimp with tomatoes and garlic, and a tagine of snails with preserved lemon, Pernod, ras al hanout spice and garlic. Many of the meats will come from Illinois-based Meats by Linz and others from Kansas-based Creekstone Farms, a source of hanger steak. Dinner nightly. Little Alley Steak, 955 Canton St., Roswell, GA 30075, 770-998-0440.

San Francisco native Maria Moore Riggs had opened Cafe Campesino in the Sweet Auburn Curb Market in downtown Atlanta, but sold her interest back to the Albany, Ga.-based roaster to open her own donut shop and coffee bar called Revolution Doughnuts (serving Cafe Campesino, of course). Currently selling her wares at the Saturday Decatur Farmers Market, Riggs dispenses prepared coffee and bags of beans by Cafe Campesino as well as her soon-to-be famous donuts. We can't pass up the salted caramel and a cup of the coffee, but we're sure the pimento cheese scones will also have a spot on the shelf. "I'm trying to incorporate Southern tastes," says the former Californian. So far, so good. Revolution Doughnuts, 908 W. College Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, 678-927-9920.

Maureen Kalmanson's downtown restaurant, Peasant Bistro, now has a sibling: Campagnolo Restaurant + Bar (Campagnolo means "peasant" in Italian). The new venture opened with a menu of regional Italian fare on Monday, April 9, in Midtown. The space features a calm interior based on neutrals and seating that includes both booths and tables. Chef Daniel Chance's dishes utilize produce from local farms and locally sourced meat and fish. Pastas are available in full- ($15-$16) or half-size ($8-$11) portions, and entrées are kept under $20. Campagnolo serves lunch and dinner daily and brunch on Saturday and Sunday. For more information and to make reservations, call 404-343-2446. Lunch & Dinner daily, Brunch Sun.. Campagnolo Restaurant + Bar, 980 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-343-2446.

News Bytes

Lobster Boil Sundays at SoHo
Taking advantage of great weather and melding Southern traditions (Frogmore stew) with a New England flavor (lobster), on Sundays from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. SoHo in Vinings Jubilee will host a fresh feast, its annual all-American Lobster Boil Sundays. For $27 per person plus tax and gratuity, the restaurant serves up Maine lobster (1.5 lbs.), andouille sausage, corn on the cob, red bliss potatoes and a green salad. This seafood soirée is offered through September 23 except on May 6 when the restaurant will be closed for the Vinings Golf Classic. Lobsters are limited, so those reservations placed by Friday at 5 p.m. for Sunday dinner will be assured of lobster. For more information and to make reservations, call the restaurant at 770-801-0069. SoHo, Vinings Jubilee, 4300 Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta, GA 30339, 770-801-0069.

Chef Shuffle

ONE. midtown kitchen executive chef Drew Van Leuvan has announced his plans to depart the restaurant and launch his own enterprise. Plans call for Seven Lamps to open in the Around Lenox shopping center sometime this summer, so for the moment, Van Leuvan is still minding the stove at ONE. midtown kitchen and will remain there at least through the end of April 2012, according to a spokesman for the restaurant. Van Leuvan has worked with some of the city's, and the nation's, most vaunted chefs, including Jean-Louis Palladin, with whom he did an eight-month externship after finishing at the Culinary Institute of America, and in Atlanta with Guenter Seeger, Joël Antunes, Tom Catherall, Mark Dommen and Michael Tuohy. He has had his hands at the helm of several Concentrics restaurants, including his current post, since 2006. Dinner nightly. ONE. midtown kitchen, 559 Dutch Valley Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, 404-892-4111.

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.

Although Harold's Barbecue announced its closing after 65 years in business, the current owner, Billy Banyon, was so overwhelmed by the protest and the rush to have a last meal at Harold's that he has decided to remain open, at least for a while. Founded in 1947, the establishment seemed to lose its moorings. But nostalgia won out, at least for the moment. Stay tuned for updates. Harold's Barbecue, 171 McDonough Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30315, 404-627-9268.

After less than half a year in business, Latitude Food & Drink in Buckhead has closed. Latitude Food & Drink, Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30326, no phone.

The Australian Bakery Café in East Atlanta Village has shuttered. Australian Bakery Café, 463 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, 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

BEYONCE INSPIRED LIBATIONS

Try these whiskey cocktails inspired by Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter album.

Check the recipes.

BOURBON IN YOUR AIOLI

This cashew aioli recipe gets a kick with bourbon.

Get the recipe.

GAYOT'S RESTAURANT AWARDS

Over the years, we have been electing restaurants to be on GAYOT's Yearly Restaurant Awards.

Check the list.

News for Restaurants in Atlanta April 2012 Archive

News for Restaurants in Atlanta
April 2012 Archive