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News for Restaurants in Atlanta
April 2016 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

South City Kitchen is on track to open its Buckhead location in One Capital City Plaza on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The project, involving 6,000 square feet of space, has been in the works for more than a year. The new South City Kitchen will serve lunch Monday through Friday, dinner nightly and brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Moving over from The Sun Dial Restaurant, Bar & View, Jason Starnes will lead the kitchen team as executive chef. South City Kitchen's original location opened in Midtown in 1998, and another outpost is in Vinings. South City Kitchen, One Capital City Plaza, 3350 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404-815-6677.
 
Linton Hopkins, owner of Restaurant Eugene, Holeman & Finch Public House and several other food and wine enterprises, opened his long-awaited Linton's. Jason Paolini, a longtime team member of Hopkins' Resurgens Hospitality Group, is its executive chef. The menu derives some of its inspiration and ingredients from the botanical garden. Linton's offers three different levels of dining and seats more than 200. Guests on a rooftop deck will enjoy views of the woodland garden and the Midtown skyline. To access the restaurant, patrons must either be members of the Atlanta Botanical Garden or obtain admission to the garden. Linton’s, Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-585-2061.
 
Barcelona Wine Bar, based in Connecticut, has opened its second Atlanta location, this one in Westside Ironworks. With features and a menu reflecting the design and cooking of its older sibling establishment, Barcelona Wine Bar Westside is led by executive chef Benjamin Meyer, formerly chef de cuisine at Iridescence in Detroit. This outpost enjoys a good view of the Midtown skyline from its vantage point, and replicates the large custom fireplace on the generous patio as at the Inman Park spot. Dinner nightly. Barcelona Wine Bar, Westside Ironworks, 1085 Howell Mill Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, 404-872-8000.
 
Kevin Gillespie has opened Communion, an innovative food truck operation and beer garden behind his Revival restaurant in Decatur. Crowds thronged, taking advantage of the lovely weather to savor such classic German beer snacks as grilled rye with Kartoffelkäse (yes, potato cheese but it contains no cheese), Bavarian-style pretzels with hot mustard and Obatzda (a spiced cheese spread), and grilled sausages with sauerkraut, mustard and beef fat-fried potatoes. When guests arrive, they purchase tokens (beverages and snacks cost between 1 and 3 tokens) for $5 each, and any unused tokens may be used on a future visit. Tax and gratuity already is figured into the pricing. Operating hours are Thursdays and Fridays beginning at 4 p.m. and at 11 a.m. on Saturdays and 12:30 p.m. on Sundays (weather permitting). Communion, 129 Church St., Decatur, GA 30030, 470-225-6770.
 
The former Social Vinings space has become 101 Steak, the latest venture for 101 Concepts, which owns Food 101, Cibo e Beve, Meehan’s Public House and Smoke Ring. Chef Joey Ahn takes charge as top toque and partner for the venue. The restaurant is open for dinner, with lunch and brunch to be added as soon as is practical. 101 Steak, 3621 Vinings Slope SE, Atlanta, GA 30339, 770-805-8855.
 

News Bytes

Aria Closing for Renovations
Aria will close for the week of April 24 to May 1, 2016, for an extensive renovation. Stacey Kirby of Atlanta’s Seiber Design is in charge of the project, which, she says, will give the popular Buckhead restaurant warm gray walls, bright canary yellow drapes and glowing backlit custom mirrors, along with new leather banquettes. An oversize antique mirror will appoint the upstairs dining room and white oak tabletops will serve the banquettes in the main dining room. Aria’s bar area will be opened up with seating for casual diners (no reservations required), and will feature a new white marble bar top along a rich walnut bar. The plan is to reduce the formality of the previously stark white space, although the exterior will still sparkle with its signature white tones. New black accents on windows and the door will be added, however, along with a new sign. Aria reopens for dinner on May 2 at 5:30 p.m. Aria, 490 E. Paces Ferry Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, 404-233-7673.
 
Relocated Yebo Becomes Yebo Beach Haus
Justin Anthony closed his Yebo restaurant in Phipps Plaza on April 1 in preparation for its move to the former Coast address that was part of Tom Catherall's Here to Serve restaurant group. Yebo, which means "yes" in South Africa, is to morph into Yebo Beach Haus and open on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, a little later than anticipated but not by much. There will be some South African touches on the menu, such as boerewors meatballs and shrimp peri-peri tacos, but the concept overall involves more small plates than were available at the previous iteration. Anthony's wife Kelly, an interior designer, has revamped the space, giving it a beachy feeling. Lunch will be added shortly after its opening. Yebo Beach Haus, 111 W. Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, no phone.
 
The Big Ketch Roswell Open for Daily Lunch
Roswell's The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill opened for lunch during the week as of Monday, April 18, 2016 (it was previously only offered on weekends). Fresh fish entrées and sandwiches featuring fish highlight the menu; ample starters and salads are still available. Anyone not eager for fish will find a burger and a jerk chicken sandwich. Lunch & Dinner daily. The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill, 1105 Canton St., Roswell, GA 30075, 770-993-5749.
 
Alfredo's Required to Close or Move
After more than four decades in its location on Cheshire Bridge Road, Alfredo's will have to move or close as the property has been sold and will be redeveloped as an apartment complex. Owner Perry Alvarez says he is trying to find another location. Meanwhile, fans --- and the old-school establishment has plenty of them --- will need to make reservations if they plan to have a final meal at the present address, as the crowds have been even more intense than usual. The last date is uncertain, but likely will be by the end of April 2016. Alfredo's, 1989 Cheshire Bridge Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, 404-876-1380.
 

Chef Shuffle

David Connolly, who had taken over the top toque spot at TAP just last August 2015, has been replaced by Tyler Williams. Williams, an alum of Woodfire Grill, Bacchanalia and Abattoir, among others, had taken refuge in the north Georgia mountains doing a pizza operation and an organic farm. In March he announced on his Facebook page that he was packing it in to return to Atlanta and was available for an executive position. Concentrics Restaurants apparently saw opportunity. Williams says he figures to roll out a new menu for summer 2016. TAP is popular with the young Midtown set for its small and shareable plates and its intriguing beer and cocktail menus. No word on what Connolly's next assignment may be. TAP, 1180 Bldg., King & Spalding, 1180 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-347-2220.
 

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.

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CULINARY EVENTS
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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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