News for Restaurants in Atlanta June 2011 Archive
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Openings
Denver-based Smashburger opened its first Atlanta location on Thurs., July 7, at 2625 Piedmont Rd. NE. Regional dishes showcase Southern flavors, such as a burger with a peach barbecue sauce. Vidalia onions compose a special slaw. The name denotes the method: hand-formed balls of 100-percent fresh, Certified Angus Beef that is then "smashed-to-order" on a flat grill to sear in the juicy flavor. Smashburgers are served on a buttered, toasted artisan bread bun and topped with a selection of cheeses, fresh produce, and quality condiments. Also on the menu is marinated grilled or crispy chicken sandwiches, split and grilled hot dogs, and signature salads, with veggie frites and rosemary and garlic-seasoned Smashfries. Beer, wine, handspun Häagen-Dazs shakes, and root beer floats are among the beverage offerings. For more information, visit http://www.smashburger.com/. Lunch & Dinner daily. Smashburger, Buckhead Crossing Mall, 2625 Piedmont Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30324, 404-237-2374.
U Restaurants' chef/owner Riccardo Ullio has opened Escorpion Tequila Bar & Cantina. The restaurant, says Ullio, "captures the authentic ingredients and tastes indigenous of Mexico." The restaurant replaces Doug Strickland's, and later Zaza Pachulia's, Eno, which Pachulia followed by another, briefly lived restaurant. Escorpion Tequila Bar & Cantina, 800 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, 678-666-5198.
Marlow's Tavern launched in Alpharetta in 2004, and since then has expanded throughout the north metro Atlanta area. Now adding its eighth location in Cumming, Ga., Marlow's Tavern draws locals for snack fare, sandwiches and burgers, and substantial main dishes all made from quality ingredients. John C. Metz Jr. serves as co-owner and executive chef of Marlow's Taverns. Marlow's Tavern, The Avenue Forsyth, 410 Peachtree Pkwy., Cumming, GA 30041, 770-886-3666.
Wrecking Bar Brewpub opened on June 19. A private events space, to be called The Marianna, will launch in the fall above the pub. The owners, Inman Park residents and home-brewers Bob and Kristine Sandage, have hired Chris Terenzi as brewmaster and Steve Mayer as chef. The food sources naturally raised and locally grown raw materials whenever possible, and beer is an ingredient in many of the dishes. Beer cheese soup and short ribs braised in stout are just two examples. Dinner nightly. Wrecking Bar Brewpub, 292 Moreland Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307, 404-221-2600.
Three Alabama college friends moved to Vail, Colo., and soon founded Moe's Original Bar B Que, having perfected their methods while still in college, back in Tuscaloosa. In early March 2011, Moe's Original Bar B Que expanded into its fourth state with its 18th location in Atlanta, located at 349 14th S. NW. The franchisees are Preston Smith and Brett Mancuso, and their pulled pork, ribs, chicken, turkey and wings line up with other Southern specialties, such as catfish and a shrimp "Moe-Boy" sandwich. A rustic feel prevails, yet there are flat-screen TVs, a large bar and family-friendly focus, despite being nearly on top of Georgia Tech. Be sure to ask for the Alabama white sauce for your barbecue; it's great on all meats, including pork, brisket and chicken. Live music plays on the weekends. Lunch & Dinner daily. Moe's Original Bar B Que, 349 14th St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, 404-249-0707.
News
Bytes
Food Truck Park Opens in Atlanta Mark Lindenbaum missed the food truck parks he'd known in Portland, Ore., and Austin, Tex., where he went to college, and determined to do something for the city of Atlanta. Partnering with Greg Smith, founder of the Atlanta Street Food Coalition, and Brett Holtzclaw, a marketing agent, the trio bought a grassy field last year at the corner of Howell Mill and Collier Roads, and developed the plan. The park opened Tues., May 31, and within minutes it was jammed with eager customers. Parking is a bit of a problem, although there are a few spaces on site, but adjacent businesses will tow if you park in their lots. Trucks that are regulars include Westside Creamery, serving up small-batch artisan ice creams and sorbets, Sweet Auburn BBQ, Yumbii (Korean and Mexican tacos) and Tex's Tacos. The Howell Mill Food Park, 1927 Emery St., Atlanta, GA 30318, phone not available.
Chef
Shuffle
After stints with Buckhead Life Restaurant Group and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Ian Winslade teams up with longtime Atlanta restaurateur Tom Murphy to take over the stockpots and pans at Murphy's in Virginia Highland. Following his work with Vongerichten at Market and Spice Market, Winslade contributed to other organizations---notably Atlanta Hawks' basketball star Zaza Pachulia's restaurant efforts---in valiant attempts to get flawed enterprises off dead center. No longer wasting his considerable culinary acumen, Winslade tells us he plans some extensive revisions of the Murphy's menu, respecting the restaurant's signature dishes while creating a few notable signatures of his own. We look forward to the updates. Lunch Mon.-Fri., Dinner nightly, Brunch Sat.-Sun. Murphy's, 997 Virginia Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, 404-872-0904.
Closings
Occupying a restored eighteenth-century classic Greek Revival house that was moved to Atlanta from Wilkes County in east Georgia, Anthony's, one of Atlanta's most historic restaurants (1967), has ended its long run. One of the partners, Asif Edrish, blames its demise on the economic downturn. On July 15, the facility will reopen as The Helm, a semi-private club, according to Alex Suarez, chairman of The Yacht and Polo Club LLC, which will operate the facility and the club. He took over the business and began to prepare the transition May 16. The Helm will be open to the public, but will also have special memberships costing from $1,000 to $2,500 that will offer specific privileges and discounts. Anthony's Fine Dining, 3109 Piedmont Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, 404-262-7379.
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