News for Restaurants in Atlanta December 2015 Archive
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Openings
Positioned as a little brother (or sister) to Ford Fry's The Optimist, BeetleCat has debuted in Inman Quarter in Inman Park. Executive chef Andrew Isabella is a Florida native and longtime fishing enthusiast, and has worked under Fry's mentorship for a while. Named for a 12-foot wooden gaff-rigged sailboat made since 1920 in New England by the Beetle family, the establishment offers small plates designed for sharing and anticipates a minimum of 12 varieties of oysters available daily. Fry's corporate executive pastry chef Chrysta Poulos is in charge of desserts. BeetleCat stays open until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Fry, who now owns 10 restaurants in Atlanta and one, State of Grace, in Houston, Texas, has been opening eateries at a dizzying pace since launching his JCT. Kitchen & Bar. BeetleCat, Inman Quarter, 299 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, 678-732-0360.
Executive chef Stephen McGuffin has opened Café Highlands in the space that formerly housed Café 640, where he served as executive chef until taking that position at Decatur's Parker's on Ponce steakhouse. The restaurant is located in The Highland Inn, in Atlanta's Poncey-Highland neighborhood. McGuffin’s résumé going back two decades ranges from French fine dining to down-home Southern fare, but his vision for Café Highlands combines progressive American cuisine with the atmosphere of a neighborhood bar and grill. Serving lunch and dinner daily and brunch Saturday and Sunday, the restaurant will offer such dishes as duck confit on sweet potato masa with salsa negra, and huckleberry pancakes at brunch. Nick Moody's beverage program showcases classic cocktails, other cask-aged libations on tap and specialty beers. Lunch & Dinner daily, Brunch Sat.-Sun. CafĂ© Highlands, The Highland Inn, 640 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, 404-698-3509.
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Shuffle
Parker's on Ponce announced the appointment of new executive chef Andre Brookins, the restaurant's former sous chef. Parker's on Ponce, Watkins Building, 116 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, 404-924-2230.
Closings
Brian Maloof, owner of Manuel's Tavern that his father Manuel Maloof founded more than 50 years ago, has closed the vaunted spot to start the long-awaited renovation project that will keep the more than century-old building in business as systems and infrastructure are upgraded to contemporary standards. An archivist has photographed the interior and, in accordance with his late father's specific wishes, all the many artefacts and images will be preserved and restored to their original places once the tavern reopens in Spring 2016. Maloof has sold the land his father owned but not the tavern, he says, to Green Street Properties, which has granted the tavern a long-term lease and will become its landlord. Manuel's Tavern, 602 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, 404-525-3447.
Brothers Pete and Mike Kontoes continued operating the restaurant that their immigrant Greek father, Spyros Kontoes, and his cousin, Pete Costarides, had purchased from the founders --- John, Tom and Herb Evans --- in 1982. Evans Fine Foods dated to 1946, and November 21, 2015, was its last day, leaving a legacy and a nostalgic hole in the hearts of many fans. Clientele had become a steady stream of retirees, many of whom ate there at least several times a week, and some daily. But the landlord had increased the rent, and the brothers didn't see any way to make the bottom line work. Its closing leaves Matthews Cafeteria as the oldest still standing restaurant in DeKalb County. Evans Fine Foods, Emory Commons, 2125 N. Decatur Rd., Decatur, GA 30033, no phone.
Palomilla's Grill House (6470 Spalding Dr.) in Norcross's Peachtree Corners has closed. But the location in Johns Creek at Johns Creek Walk (11030 Medlock Bridge Rd., Ste. 210) remains open serving contemporary Cuban fare. The menu offers all the traditional dishes, from milanesas to roast pork, and mango pie for dessert. Palomilla's Grill House
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