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News for Restaurants in Atlanta
December 2014 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

Another venture from Legacy Restaurant Partners is Twin Smokers Barbecue & Bourbon in downtown Atlanta's Luckie Marietta District. The restaurant's name, “Twin Smokers,” refers to its two custom red Oyler 700 smokers: one for chicken and pork and the other for beef. The restaurant also boasts its own “wood library” for the mesquite and post oak (for beef) and hickory and white oak (for chicken and pork). The 4,000-square-foot restaurant is helmed by executive chef Chris Blobaum (Bone’sOK CaféBlue Ridge Grill). Lunch & Dinner daily. Twin Smokers Barbecue & Bourbon, 300 Marietta Bldg., 300 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, 404-698-4707.
 
Through his Resurgens Hospitality Group, Linton Hopkins, chef/owner of Restaurant Eugene and Holeman & Finch Public House, has assumed management of the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s cafe, now called The Cafe at Linton's in the Garden. Its menu focuses on natural meats and local produce. Hopkins, who is a frequent guest chef at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market in Buckhead, views "farm-to-table" as an ethic, rather than just as a way of cooking. The garden's renovation project won't be completed until 2017, but as part of that process, the cafe will morph into Linton's in the Garden, a full-service restaurant filling two stories of the contemporary glass building. When that is completed, the current cafe will house offices. Linton's opens April 28, 2016. Admission to the garden or garden membership is required to access the restaurant. Non-members admission costs $18.95 per person for adults, children ages 3-12 $12.95 and children under 3 are admitted free. The Cafe at Linton's in the Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-585-2061.
 
Thirteen Pies at Buckhead Atlanta represents the company's first foray outside of Fort Worth, Texas, where it was founded. Wood-burning ovens turn out a range of pies, the thirteenth of which changes every six weeks or so --- think a lobster affair with Gouda and way too many other ingredients. The best way to enjoy this establishment is to round up at least three good friends so plates may be shared as both the final tab and the portions are daunting for solo dining. Lunch & Dinner daily. Thirteen Pies, Buckhead Atlanta, 250 Buckhead Ave., Ste. 317, Atlanta, GA 30305, 678-791-1313.
 
Jittery Joe's coffee shop will open in the lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. With nine locations in Athens, Georgia, where the operation is headquartered, and four more outside of Athens, Jittery Joe's has acquired a reputation for extensive roasting expertise using the highest quality coffee beans. Plans call for this outpost to offer coffee in light, medium and dark varieties; coffee beverages; pastries by 181 Sweets; and retail products, too. The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta, 181 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303, 404-659-0400.
 
University of Georgia alums and brothers Alan and Ryan Pope will open The Place in Athens, Georgia, on February 9, 2015, virtually right across the street from the iconic Arch. Naming the restaurant after their name for their grandfather's Atlanta-based car dealership, the brothers will offer what they call refined Southern fare; for example, braised pork shoulder with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. A classic cocktails program also will be available. The lower level will be for the main service, while upstairs high-top table and bar seating will provide a more casual feel. Décor on both levels will feature rustic wood elements. The Place, 229 E. Broad St., Athens, GA 30601, 706-850-2988.
 
Atlanta chefs Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere have opened the newest outpost of Bantam + Biddy at Buckhead's Lenox Square Mall, the fourth location of the fast, casual, healthy concept. All units offer the same regionally grown pastured poultry and organic, seasonal vegetables. The Lenox Square Mall edition also has an espresso bar serving Batdorf & Bronson coffee. For more information, visit bantamandbiddy.com. Bantam + Biddy, Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404-841-7559.
 
Castellucci Hospitality Group, which also owns Sugo, The Iberian Pig and Double Zero Napoletana, opened its long-awaited Spanish Basque restaurant Cooks & Soldiers. Landon Thompson, former chef de cuisine at The Iberian Pig, helms the kitchen. The group took time to explore Basque cooking in its home turf, and the dishes to be presented bring Spain ever closer to Georgia diners. We look forward to head-on Georgia white shrimp, bacalao, clams in Basque cider, Basque pepper stew (piperade) and vieras (scallops) with blood orange. The restaurant serves dinner nightly, and on Friday and Saturday evenings the bar stays open until 2 a.m. Cooks & Soldiers, Elan Westside Apartment Bldg., 691 14th St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, 404-996-2362.
 
Chef, TV host and cookbook author Marvin Woods has opened Asante in downtown Atlanta's Luckie Marietta District. Woods has developed a unique style that blends the ingredients and techniques of the Caribbean, South America, the low country and the Southern U.S. and Africa. Asante is located in the space formerly occupied by Peasant Bistro, and serves dinner nightly. Lunch is offered Monday through Friday and brunch Saturday and Sunday. Asante, 250 Park Ave. West NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, 404-893-0022.
 

News Bytes

STATS Reopening December 27, 2014
STATS, a popular downtown sports bar and restaurant, experienced a small hood fire and closed for repairs. The reopening date has been set for December 27, 2014. STATS, 300 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, 404-885-1472.
 
One Eared Stag’s Monday Night Fried Chicken
One Eared Stag chef Robert Phalen is joining with local brewer Monday Night Brewing to offer One Eared Stag’s Monday night fried chicken. An order will include three pieces of chicken and two side items for $15. Guests also may upgrade to a whole chicken for $22 and two whole chickens for $32. This special feast will take place Mondays starting at 5 p.m. One Eared Stag, 1029 Edgewood Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, 404-525-4479.
 
Three-course "Surf and Turf" December 15-30
To celebrate its 20th holiday season, Horseradish Grill will feature a three-course "Surf and Turf" prix-fixe dinner from Monday, December 15, to Tuesday, December 30, 2014. The menu features lobster bisque, lobster beignets served with wood-grilled top-of-the-rib steak, sautéed spinach, and a selection of freshly baked homemade cookies with hot chocolate. Price is $40 per person, not including tax or gratuity. Reservations are suggested and may be made by calling the restaurant at 404-255-7277. Horseradish Grill, 4320 Powers Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30342, 404-255-7277.
 
OK Cafe Struck by Fire
OK Cafe, one of the city's longest running establishments having been founded in 1987, was struck by fire in the early hours of December 7, 2014. Popular for breakfast, as well as lunch, dinner and take-out, OK Cafe is part of the same company that owns the Atlanta steakhouse Bone's and Blue Ridge Grill, the latter located only steps away from OK Cafe. OK Cafe, 1284 W. Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30327, 404-233-2888.
 
Gunshow Dinner Schedule Christmas-New Year's Week
Gunshow, usually closed on Sundays and Mondays, will be open on those days during the holiday week of Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The restaurant will offer normal dinner service, from 6 p.m.-9 p.m., Friday, December 26, through Tuesday, December 30. Reservations are encouraged and may be made by calling the restaurant at 404-380-1886. Gunshow, 924 Garrett St., Ste. C, Atlanta, GA 30316, 404-380-1886.
 

Chef Shuffle

Aria's executive chef, Gerry Klaskala, has served as consulting chef for Atlas restaurant to open in January 2015 in The St. Regis Atlanta. Klaskala has tapped his former chef de cuisine, Christopher Grossman, to be executive chef of Atlas. Grossman, who has cooked not only at Aria but also recently completed a turn at Thomas Keller's The French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., plans to tap into the area farmers markets for his produce and other raw materials. This should be an exciting launch for the 2015 new restaurant season. Atlas, The St. Regis Atlanta, 88 W. Paces Ferry Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30305, no phone.
 
Zeb Stevenson is leaving his post at The Brasserie & Neighborhood Cafe at Parish to take over the helm of the kitchen at Watershed on Peachtree in the wake of the departure of longtime chef Joe Truex. Truex grabbed an opportunity to take a new assignment in Dubai. Watershed on Peachtree, The Brookwood, 1820 Peachtree Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-809-3561.
 
Watershed on Peachtree's chef Joe Truex departed in in order to leave for Dubai. The opportunity came when a former server at his restaurant, Repast, moved to Dubai, married and started a pizza operation there. When the couple decided to upscale the place and rebrand it, they reached out to Truex to come over as their consultant. Watershed on Peachtree, The Brookwood, 1820 Peachtree Rd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-809-3561.
 

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
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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