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News for Restaurants in Atlanta
November 2010 Archive

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RESTAURANT NEWS

Openings

SIP@Riverside has opened in the former River Room at the Post Riverside Town Square off Northside Parkway. This location will differ from the original in Milton in several respects. First and foremost, it doesn't have retail wine sales. It will offer full lunch and dinner menus, as well as a daily tapas menu. There is also a private dining space, a self-service wine dispenser, and guests will be able to order by the half glass, the full glass or the bottle. Chef Daniel Massie, who runs the kitchen at Sip Crabapple Station, will oversee the kitchen until a chef de cuisine can be chosen. Insider tip: Massie reprises his Kobe beef sliders at SIP@Riverside, and he does not offer them at Crabapple. SIP@Riverside
 
Lush Life Group, the team of chef Duane Nutter, mixologist Jerry Slater and chef Reginald Washington, opened H. Harper Station in the Reynoldstown neighborhood. Serving dinner Tuesday-Saturday and a Sunday Soul Supper, H. Harper Station is located within the confines of a renovated early twentieth-century railroad station. With flavors from around the world and the region, the cuisine showcases a variety of communal dishes and small plates, cold bar offerings and a few large plates, the latter mostly priced under $20. Taste a range of country hams or a Southern take on the banh mi sandwich. Fish and grits, straight out of southeast Georgia, composes one of the bigger plates. Buffalo short ribs and crawfish hushpuppies will be classics. Late-night dining will be available until 1:30 a.m., with bar service continuing to 2 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday. The beverage menu features more than 40 traditional and classically inspired cocktails, Champagne cocktails and punch bowls, 16 craft beers from the United States and around the world, and 30 sustainably grown wines by the glass. Dinner Tues.-Sun. H. Harper Station , 904 Memorial Dr. SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, 678-732-0415.
 
Daniel Morrison's Sprig Restaurant & Bar has opened in the Oak Grove area of Northeast Atlanta with chef Robert Elliott turning out fresh, regionally focused cuisine. Morrison worked at Watershed in Decatur, where he met and worked with Elliott. The menu features a contemporary, authentic Southern cooking in snacks, small plates and entrées, such as duck sausage risotto (seasonal mushroom, farm vegetables, parsley, Parmesan) and fried shrimp and mixed greens salad (tomato, fresh herbs, creamy pepper dressing). Sweets include shortcakes and cream and sweet potato pot de crème. A full kids' menu and a variety of à la carte sides round out the menu. Sprig's extensive bar features more than 200 bottles of wine, American craft beers, and refreshing cocktails. A patio allows al fresco dining, and a semi-private space may be reserved for large parties. Lunch Sun., Dinner Wed.-Sun. Sprig Restaurant & Bar, Vista Grove Plaza, 2860 Lavista Rd., Decatur, GA 30033, 404-248-9700.
 
Tantra Restaurant & Lounge in Buckhead Tantra Restaurant & Lounge has opened in south Buckhead. Owner Max Lotfi and general manager Laurend Abraham envision not just a restaurant, but "a haven for diners to be entertained and rejuvenated." Crafted by executive chef Terry Dwyer, the menu explores the flavors of the Silk Road. Signature cocktails, bubbles and after-dinner drinks complement a saucy list of drinkable desserts. Tantra offers a candlelit dining room with red walls, and a Buddha is situated in the center of the bar, while overlooking Peachtree Road, a front patio provides al fresco dining. For additional information or reservations call 404-228-7963 or visit http://www.tantraatlanta.com. Dinner nightly. Tantra Restaurant & Lounge, Peachtree Battle Condominium, 2285 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-228-7963.
 

News Bytes

New Owner for Radial
After leaving Metrotainment, where he served as communications director, Frank Bragg looked for work in that capacity at other restaurant groups, then just took the plunge and bought Radial, Candler Park's breakfast, lunch and brunch spot. The purchase enabled founder Phil Palmer to move to London to start a new phase of his life. Bragg promises to move slowly in making any changes, taking the time to listen to his customers to see what their wishes and wants might be. He's beginning to think, though, that dinner and a place for a glass of wine might be the thing to do. Currently, Radial does not serve alcohol. But he will take his time before going full-tilt in that direction. Meanwhile, Radial is still available for private catered dinners. And Radial still touts its "green" emphasis, with its composting, recycling and efforts to shrink its carbon footprint. Radial, 1530 DeKalb Ave. NE, Ste. G, Atlanta, GA 30307, 404-659-6594.
 
Blue Ribbon Grill Chef Buys the Restaurant
Eddie Smyke and his business partner Artie Brown have purchased Blue Ribbon Grill from longtime owner Paul Sachetti, leaving Sachetti to concentrate on his Atlantic Grill in Atlantic Station. The duo has extended service hours at dinner to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends. We look forward to a planned upgrade in the wine list. Blue Ribbon Grill, 4006 LaVista Rd., Tucker, GA 30084, 770-491-1570.
 

Chef Shuffle

The new menu from renowned Atlanta chef Gary Mennie (The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, Canoe, Taurus and Livingston Restaurant + Bar) is in place at the Woodruff Arts Center, and it features many of his signature dishes. Edouard Fenouil takes the pastry chef helm. Table 1280 is the place to dine before performances at Woodruff Arts Center or visiting exhibitions at the High Museum of Art. Table 1280, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, 404-897-1280.
 
With founding chef Gary Mennie having moved on to other culinary assignments in Atlanta, his executive sous chef Zeb Stevenson has taken the top toque position at Livingston Restaurant + Bar. Stevenson's résumé includes stints at now-closed but sorely missed Dick & Harry's, where he worked under the tutelage of Harold Marmulstein. His preference for locally sourced primary materials will help keep the restaurant on a high culinary bar for the foreseeable future. Livingston Restaurant + Bar, The Georgian Terrace, 659 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308, 404-897-5000.
 
Chef Joey Riley has departed the Buckhead Diner to open his own establishment, Kaleidoscope, and coming on board from Blue Ridge Grill is Charles Schwab. Schwab has worked in many restaurants around town. He has installed a $29 three-course prix-fixe menu that focuses on products by local farmers. In his place at Blue Ridge Grill comes west coast import Christopher Blobaum, who has already made several changes to the menu, among them adding wild boar chops for the fall. Lunch & Dinner daily. Buckhead Diner, 3073 Piedmont Rd. NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, 404-262-3336.
 

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.

Fina European Bistro, having morphed from an Italian restaurant into a French one, simply shut its doors on Saturday, November 20. The team still operates Social, a wine bar in downtown Atlanta. Fina European Bistro, 3823 Main St., College Park, GA 30337, 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

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