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J. Christopher's (November 2000) J. Christopher's is scheduled to open its fifth location in December on Powers Ferry Road, followed by a sixth eatery in March 2001 in Roswell Square behind the Public House. This location will be J. Christopher's first free-standing building. J. Chris-topher's serves breakfast and lunch in a Southwestern setting.

(March 2001) Jeff McCann and Chris Brogdan will open their fifth J. Christopher's restaurant in May at 1284 Powers Ferry Road in the site which formerly housed Australian Body Works. The restaurant will serve the same breakfast, brunch and lunch fare, that recently expanded to include salmon, steaks and burgers, as the other locations. The hours of operation at all locations is 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The new location with 4,200 square feet, a banquet room and a seating capacity of 200 will be larger than the other J. Christopher's sites which average about 3, 000 square feet and have a seating capacity for about 120. The new addition will have the same airy feel with bright colors and hardwood surfaces. Artwork will be rotated on the walls. McCann say the name of their restaurants came about as the result of a mistake. "We were kicking around several names such as Scramblers, The Egg and I, The Breakfast Club or some other breakfast theme name when we opened the first location," he explains. " Since we didn't have a name our landlord wrote J & Christopher on the lease. His assistant typed it up with the name of the restaurant as J. Christopher's. So we kept it." The original location, which turned four in January, is located at 1205 Johnson Ferry Road. The other locations are at 227 Sandy Springs Place, 3000 Old Alabama Road (This location turned two in February.) and 5482 Chamblee Dunwoody Road. McCann says they are also considering opening another location on Atlanta Street across from the Roswell Mill.

J. N. Paul's - Opened February 1999

Jamaica, Jamaica (January 2001) Opened in Underground Atlanta

Jeffrey's (Opened August 1997)

Jimmy's Living Room Lounge (Opened March 2001)

(April 2001) From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the site at 2090 Cobb Parkway is a training ground for future bartenders known as the National School of Bartending. At 2 p.m. the same site becomes Jimmy's Living Room Lounge. Both are owned by Jimmy Roberts who first moved to Atlanta in 1976 to work as a bartender at the Playboy Club. He has since been the food and beverage manager at the Atlanta National Golf Club in Alpharetta and a bartender at Boomer's which is located in the same shopping center as the lounge. The interior is designed to resemble the old Zasu's that was once on Peachtree Road in Buckhead. It is dark with black and purple coloring. The furniture is comfortable overstuffed couches and chairs giving the place a relaxed ambiance. The lounge has a full bar and specializes in such vintage cocktails as the Sidecar, French 75 and an Old Fashion. Another house specialty is the Cafe L 'Amour - a coffee drink with seven liqueurs. The lounge offers very light snacks like cheese and crackers and chips and salsa for nibbling. Customers can also order sushi from Umezono located next door. Waitresses will deliver the food to lounge customers. Roberts plans to hire a piano player for Fridays and Saturdays. Dress is nice casual. The number is 770.953.4666.

Jim White's Half Shell (January 2001) Jim White recalls the day he opened like it was yesterday. "We opened January 1, I had $32 in the bank and no liquor license," he remembers with a laugh. The year was - are you ready? - 1969. Bud Carson was the head football coach at Georgia Tech. You could drive miles on I-285 without seeing another automobile. The original Underground Atlanta was red hot fun and Midtown was a haven for flower children and hippies. That era Atlanta bore little or no resemblance to today's mad metropolis. Oh, Atlanta was a party place, but much softer and more polite. And restaurants? Well, white table cloth dining was limited to a handful of eateries: Vittorio's, Coach & Six, Herren's, The Mouse Trap and Emile's come to mind. Before many months, Jim White's became an Atlanta buzzword and nightly happening with the city's freshest seafood dishes and the charming White greeting everyone at the door. The city's celebrities (mostly coaches and professional athletes), movers and shakers and working press stiffs flocked there and it became a place to see and be seen. "Those were the good 'ol days," smiles White. The nice part is White has stretched 'the good 'ol days' to a colossal run in a business where the failure rate is more than 90 per cent and most eateries never last much more than five years. This month, The Half Shell celebrates its 31st birthday. "And," says White, proudly, "we have the same chef (Richard Harris), the same food and most of the same employees." Regulars still descend upon the little restaurant in the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center in SoBuck. They come for the fresh Florida stone crabs (October through April), the lobster and the melt-in-your-mouth scamp, a deep water cousin of the grouper Harris has cooked to perfection for three decades. The key lime pie flown in from Florida is a killer too. "We've had people who've been coming since day one," says White. "We served them, then we served their kids and now we're catering to their grandkids." Last April the restaurant underwent a complete makeover, but retains its intimate, neighborhood charm. "We redecorated and lightened the place up," says White, 'just tryin' to keep up with the Joneses.'" Certainly, the Half Shell passed the Joneses a long time ago.

Joel (March 2001) Buckhead Ritz Carlton chef Joél Antunes is leaving to open his own restaurant. Antunes, who has been at the Ritz Carlton four years, plans to open a 125-seat brasserie called Joél in the Piazza at Paces, the next complex featuring the Borghese, a 12-story condo complex, and the Forum, a 212,000-square foot office building. "The ambience and cuisine of Joél will be different. It will reflect who I am as a chef and as a person. I like to have fun; I believe in simple, healthy cooking and have created my own style along the way. Now I can fulfill my dream of having my own restaurant and do it in Atlanta, a city I love," says Antunes. Noted designer Bill Johnson is constructing the space which will include a 3,500-square foot kitchen, a pastry shop and a catering business. Antunes, who worked at fine dining restaurants in Bangkok, France and London before coming to Atlanta, will feature an a la carte menu of French dishes with Mediterranean and Asian influences. He hopes to get the restaurant open in August or September.

Joe's Crab Shack (Opened March 2001) Landry's Restaurants, Inc. will open their fourth Joe's Crab Shack in the metro Atlanta area in mid March at 10800 Haynes Bridge road in Alpharetta. The menu offers more than half a dozen varieties of crab almost any way you would like it from garlic steamed Alaskan king crab to barbecued blue crab. Lunch menus, which change daily, may include shrimp, oyster or catfish po' boys; shrimp pasta; chicken finger basket; fish and chips; several salad selections; tuna steak; shrimp scampi and popcorn shrimp. Lunch prices range from $4 to $9. Appetizers for dinner include fried clam strips, stuffed mushrooms, crab balls, stuffed jalapenos, blue crab dip and oysters on the half shell. In addition to the sandwiches and salads offered at lunch, entrees include crab stuffed shrimp, farm raised catfish, a sampler platter, fried gulf shrimp and fish combo, Dungeness crab, blue crab clusters, a crab cake dinner, mesquite grilled shrimp, several steak selections and Joe's steam pot which is boiled crawfish, shrimp crab mussels, red skin potatoes, corn on the cob and onion served in the pot. The cost from dinner is from $5.99 to $15.99 Decorated with funky signs, Christmas lights, rambling decks, mismatched tile-top tables and picnic benches the restaurants resemble an old fish camp. The atmosphere is casual, fun, high energy and often loud. Staff may lead customers in a conga line around the restaurant or get them to join in some other dance. The other Atlanta area locations are at 2501 Cobb Place Lane in Kennesaw, 1965 Mt. Zion Road in Morrow and 1590 Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth.

Joe's on Juniper - Opened February 1998

(June 2000) closed on April 25 due to a kitchen grease fire that damaged the kitchen and roof. A reopening took place the end of May and all is back on track.

John Harvards (Peachtree Road location closed February 2001) (Holcomb Bridge opened May 1996)

Johnny B's, Cumming (Opened September 1997)

Johnny Rockets (Upper Roswell Road location opened August 1999)

Johnny's Hideaway (July 2000) Johnny's Hideaway is hosting its annual Christmas in July part on July 25. Sinatra tribute singer Lenny Stabile will perform and the Christmas trimmings will include a fully decorated tree.

JOHNNY'S HIDEAWAY, 3771 Roswell Road (404/233-8026)
.....20 and still cookin'
(What's Sizzlin' in Atlanta - August 2000 - December 2000)

Johnny's Pizza (January 2001) Chris Noah and Scott Bearden will open a new Johnny's Pizza in January in the Parkaire Landing at Lower Roswell and Johnson Ferry Road. The restaurant, that has a seating capacity for about 80, will offer the same menu as the other Johnny's Pizza location. Noah also owns the Johnny's Pizza locations on Medlock Bridge Road in Norcross and on Roswell Road at Morgan Falls in Dunwoody. Bearden who established his restaurant background while working at Ernie's Steakhouse and Houston's helped Noah run the Morgan Falls location but this is his first time at being a co-owner. Once they have the Parkaire location up and running for 12 to 18 months Bearden says there is a possibility they may consider opening another location.

Jordan's Sports Bar, Tilly Mill opened September 1994

Jose Cuervo (November 2000) Tired of wine tastings? Well, here's a new twist. Jose Cuervo has produced an 1800 Limited Edition Tequila in honor of the Millennium and along with some of Atlanta's top restaurants will be offering 'Tequila Tasting' dinners. Each restaurant's chef will produce special-course meals to compliment the new tequila. Participating restaurants include Nava, The Palm, Mumbo Jumbo, Sambuca Jazz Cafe, Oh Maria! and Killer Creek among others. The Palm tasting is scheduled for Thursday, November 21 at 6:30 p.m. Palm executive chef, Chris Cannizaro, has designed a five-course menu with each course being paired with an 1800 Tequila cocktail. The price is $70 per person, tax and gratuity are included. For reservations call 404/814-1955.

Kampai Sushi & Hibachi, Medlock Bridge (September 2000) Newly Opened

Karma (Opened September 1998)

KaZoo's (December 2000) Come January 1, 2001, The Shack on Jimmy Carter Boulevard will have new ownership and become KaZoo's. It has been bought by owners of the nearby Checkered Parrot. "The atmosphere will be lively," says new owner Brent Gilbertson. "The bartenders will do crazy tricks. It will be New Year's all the time." During January exterior and interior changes will be made, but the club will remain open Thursday through Saturday. Exterior changes will include stucco walls, enclosing the patio and the addition of canopies and a bright metallic roof. The new interior will have new carpet and bright colors. A house band will perform Thursday nights and bands will rotate on Friday and Saturday evenings. National acts will perform Sundays. A variety of music, from country and western to rock 'n roll and swing will be played. There will be a Cajun-inspired menu.

(January 2001) On January 5, Brent, R. J. and Terry Gilbertson, who own the Checkered Parrot on Jimmy Carter Boulevard, will open a dance club and restaurant called Kazoo's in the site that most recently housed The Shack. The family owners will keep the Checkered Parrot which sits across the parking lot from their new place. KaZoo's music will be more contemporary, pop and dance oriented than The Shack's R&B slanted selection. To ensure a high energy level on the dance floor and in the club, the Gilbertsons have hired Band X, formerly Celebrity Rock's house band, as their house band. In January, during which the club will be open Thursday through Saturdays, the band will perform Thursday nights. In February, when the club will be open Wednesday through Sunday, the band will be featured Wednesdays, Thursdays and two weekends a month. Other Friday and Saturday slots will be filled by such bands as Rupert's Orchestra, Georgia Rhythm and Paradise Radio. Various theme nights, such as big band and Latin, will be held on Sunday and will feature national touring bands. From Wednesday through Saturday the cover charge will be $5. The cover will vary on Sundays. There will also be party theme nights including a pajama party, sock hop, cupid night and cowboy. Customers and staff will dress accordingly. Also adding to the energy level will be a staff of bartenders who, in addition to twirling bottles, will also be dancing on the bar and singing on stage with the bands. The restaurant will serve a mix of Cajun and American fare including burgers, pizza, jambalaya, and po' boy sandwiches. The average entree price will be around $7. A new sound and lighting system has been added to the club. Some details for changes to the interior and exterior of the building and specialty drinks were still being worked on when this issue of the hud report went to print. Brent says that the inside will be more open and bright to add to the high energy feel of the club. The patio will be closed with no current plans for reopening it. Brent says that it will still be business as normal at The Checkered Parrot. There will be some cross promotions and advertising. For example they will soon begin running a shuttle to hotels within a five mile radius to bring customers to either location. Seating for 150 will be available in the restaurant while the club has a capacity of 700 and all major credit cards are accepted.

Ken's Tavern (January 2001) After 33 years in the business, Ken Anderson closed Ken's Tavern located at Piedmont and Lindbergh Roads on December 30. He says he plans on spending a lot of time with his "beautiful, beautiful" wife Mary and playing a little more golf. Although they were childhood sweethearts, the couple have been married only 2.5 years. "We just had different lives," says Anderson explaining the almost 40-year separation. The couple reunited after she called him three years ago to wish him happy birthday. Anderson says he originally got into the bar business because he didn't know what else to do. "I never had anything hit me in the head and say you're going to be a lawyer or a doctor. I just stumbled into this business, he adds." When he first started Anderson would put in 18 hour days, often sleeping in the stock room. In the past few years he has cut back to 5 or 6 hours a day. "I have spent 33 years making a living by standing behind a bar bullshitting with my friends. That's what I'm going to miss," says Anderson when asked what he'll miss most about the business. What he says he won't miss at all is periodically having to deal with people who don't act proper or who choose to be out of line. Over the years he says the biggest change has been the growing concern of customers who drink and drive. "I hope my next 33 years are as good as the past 33 but I don't know how that could possibly be," Anderson says. "It's been a great run."

(April 2001) Ken's Tavern, Piedmont Road - Closed

Key West Cafe (July 2000) Who doesn't love Jimmy Buffett? There isn't one person in Atlanta who can't sing a tune to at least one of his songs. And the Atlanta Buffett fan club, The Parrotheads, is one of the largest in the country. So what better than owner Theresa Brock to open her own Jimmy Buffett shrine. "My catering company, Absolutely Delicious Caters, is already set up in the kitchen," said Theresa. "There is a need for a seafood restaurant in this area so we took over the space next door and opened the cafe." The restaurant, called the Key West Cafe, opened on June 10th at 10479 Alpharetta Street, just down from Trovato's. Brock is a big Buffett fan in addition to having been to Key West many times. Her margaritaville inspired restaurant features one wall mural that looks like the front porch of a Key West home and has interior seating of patio furniture, lots of tropical plants, fishnets in the ceiling, funky hanging lights and handpainted parrots. Total seating accommodates 49 inside with a few seats on the sidewalk in the front. Let's not forget the music. Jimmy Buffett tunes are played all day long. Lunch and dinner is served. The menu, which has items named after the Buffett Key West theme, offers everything from a cheeseburger made with cheddar cheese to jerk chicken sandwich. Also included are a lighter fare of salads and grilled sandwiches. Prices range from $5.75 to $6.95. Friday and Saturday evenings offer an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet (15 items) from 5 to 10 p.m. for $19.95; add a pound of crab legs for $6.95 more or all you can eat crab legs for $29.95. Presently no alcohol is served but a license has been applied for and a full bar should be offered by middle July. Then specialty frozen drinks will be offered as well as other frufru drinks. Brock (known as Tee to insiders) has been in the business all her life with previous stints in the hotel industry in the food and beverage department as well as catering.

Killer Creek (OCTOBER 2000 - December 2000) OCTOBER'S TOP TEN DINING RECOMMENDATIONS - KILLER CREEK, Mansell Road and GA 400, Alpharetta (770/649-0064) Noted Atlanta restauranteurs Ray Schoenbaum (Rio Bravo) and Bob Amick (Peasant) have their newest creation north of Atlanta. Entrees range from $12.95 to $24.95 and specialties include, what else, steaks. Restaurant opens at 5 p.m., bar opens at 4 p.m.

(February 2001) Killer Creek No. 2? According to Bob Amick, CEO of Killer Restaurants, a Killer Creek Chop House is not currently slated to open on Peachtree Road. He and partner Ray Schoenbaum are considering the possibility of opening a Midtown location later in the year.

Kobe Steaks - Opened September 1975

Kodiak Grill (April 2000) No pun intended, but this is no (half)baked Alaska idea. Gary Coltek loves fishing and hunting. His favorite place to go is Kodiak Alaska, which just happens to be the largest fishing port in the state. Gary has been in the restaurant business for the past 20 years and it was his serious and fun idea to open an Alaskan-influenced restaurant. And it's now reality. Kodiak Grill opened in early March at 3101 Roswell Rd in what was formerly Pembrokes. The interior has a stone fireplace, green carpet and faux finish paint and of course photos of Alaska as well as artwork from Alaskan artists. There is a museum of sorts to different animals native to Alaska. Moose heads and a life size brown bear are just a few examples of what you might see as well as different kinds of fur pelts. The menu is comprised of American cuisine with an Alaskan and Russian influence. Some entree items include halibut, salmon, an 18 oz. bone-in ribeye, bison ribeye, a filet and sirloin as well as rotisserie chicken, salads and sandwiches. A rotisserie cooker is in full view from the dining room. The separate bar area seats 30 with 15 at the bar and serves a full bar as well as different Alaskan beers.

Kyma (September 2000) (See also Buckhead Life and Fusebox) Buckhead is taking its share of criticism these days, but is Pano Karatassos the glue that holds the area together or what? He has announced he will do a longtime dream, a Greek eatery concept, in the former Fusebox location on Piedmont Road. It will be called Kyma, meaning "wave" in Greek. That would give Pano four restaurants - Pricci, Buckhead Diner, Corner Cafe and the newest - within walking distance of each other. Add six other existing Pano restaurants in nearby Buckhead and well you can eat for a week and never get around to them all.

(February 2001) In May Buckhead restaurateur Pano Karatassos and his company the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group will open Kyma in the site that formerly housed Fusebox on Peachtree Road. Kyma, the word means wave in Greek, will feature seafood as a predominant part of the menu which will also have a Greek flare. Karatassos son, also named Pano, will serve as the restaurant's chef. He was trained at the Culinary Institute of America and has since worked at La Bernardin and Jean-Georges in New York, the French Laundry in Napa Valley and is currently assisting at Bluepointe in Buckhead while working on preparations for Kyma. According to Elaine LaMontagne, director of public relations for the company, dramatic changes will be taking place to the exterior and interior of the building over the next few months. The interior is being designed by Bill Johnson. Among the senior Karatassos other restaurants are Bluepointe, The Atlanta Fish Market, 103 West, Chops, Pricci, Pano's and Paul's and The Buckhead Diner.

La Boucherie (August 2000) See Creoles

Lagniappe on the Bayou (September 2000 - Hud's Corner) And across town, but still outside the perimeter, Gator Ordoyne, the energetic, former Longhorn Steaks employee, has one of the fun let-your-hair-down spots in Lagniappe in the Dunwoody Plaza shopping center. The house band, which includes Gator on keyboards, creates a rockin' good time atmosphere for toe taping and dancing.

(October 2000) Lagniappe on the Bayou in Dunwoody is now under new ownership. Huw Thomas, owner of the Dunwoody Tavern and Royal Oak, acquired Lagniappe a couple months ago and has made some changes. They include an expansion of the bar area and a separate banquet facility upstairs decorated with a New Orleans brothel theme. The inside dining area has been finished with outdoor lighting inside to create the atmosphere of feeling as if you're dining under the stars. The original chef and band have been hired back. Menu prices have been lowered by 25%. "We've brought back all the positive and gotten rid of the negative," said Thomas.

(December 2000) See Crawdaddy's

La Grotta (June 2000) Yes, everyone in Atlanta-or Buckhead at least&emdash;seems to be rolling in dough these days. The other evening at the Taste of the Nation benefit at the Buckhead Hyatt two different males in the crowd ran the bidding up to an incredible $14,000 to have five chefs from Buckhead Life, Philippe's, Sia's and La Grotta come to their house and prepare a meal. So, wisely, benefit folks said, fine, and stopped the bidding , awarding each a $14,000 meal now and the chefs-Bluepointe's Kevin Rathbun and Ian Winslade, Sia's Scott Serpas, Philippe's Philippe Haddad and La Grotta's Antonio Abizanda-will show up at two homes in their best whites and whip up a meal.

La Madeleine (W. Paces Ferry location opened October 1995)

La Paz, Woodstock (Opened September 1998)

La Strada (Roswell Road location opened October 1991)

(April 2001) George Lambrou and Dino Bikoulis have become the new owners the La Strada restaurant at 8550 Roswell Road in Dunwoody. They are not involved with the La Strada restaurant located at 2930 Johnson ferry Road in Marietta. According to Lambrou's wife Jennie, the menu will continue to keep the same Italian fare with a few more salads and sandwiches being added for lunch and with one or two daily specials being added for dinner. They will only be making a few color and cosmetic changes to the interior. Lambrou formerly owned the Landmark Diner in Rome, Georgia. His brother Anastious owns the Landmark Diner on Roswell Road. The restaurant's number is 770.552.1300.

La Tavola (February 2000) La Tavola is now offering their winter menu which features seasonal ingredients in contemporary versions of classic Italian fare. A new selection of pastas have been added in addition to two new entrees including balsamic glazed chicken with baby root vegetables, grilled salmon and pan-seared monkfish.

(June 2000) For those who have complained one too many times about the lack of parking in Virginia Highlands the owners of La Tavola, Noche, Murphy's, Fontaine's and Highland Tap are funding two new valet parking options which are located off North Highland behind the shops and restaurants. It's free while spaces last.

Lava (December 2000) Lava, an upscale dance club, is slated to open in mid-December in a renovated three-story house at 57 13th Street. The owners are Scott McCray, Brian Judd and John Costello. They are the owners of Cosmopolitan, which is located around the corner. Like the name, the interior will be turned into colors of burnt orange and reds and there will be a lava rock bar on the top floor. The first floor will have a large dance floor and acid jazz tunes will be spun. The middle floor will offer piano nightly and the third floor will house the VIP area and will be open to members only. A late 20s crowd and older will be targeted and a dress code will be strictly enforced. Light appetizers will be served.

(April 2001) Lava, the upscale lounge and dance club located in a renovated 1920's house at 57 13th Street in Midtown, is slated to hold its "Grand Opening" weekend April 6th and 7th. The club is owned by Scott McCray, Brian Judd and John Costello who also own Cosmopolitan located at 45 13th Street. The walk-in level, which is the club's middle floor, is an upscale lounge area with cobalt blue, silver and deep brown colors with velvet textures. A mosaic column and a cigar shaped glass column also make up this floor's decor. Plans are to have a piano player in the lounge area during weekdays. Downstairs, with deep burnt red and silver colors, serves as the club's dance area. There is a large banquette surrounding the dance floor. The music will be acid jazz. Various local and out-of-town DJ's including New York's Peter Shalvoy will be rotated through the club. Bars on the middle and bottom level are made from actual lava rocks. On the top floor is a VIP area with an onyx bar. The exterior color of the Lava can be changed thanks to lighting all around the building. Although the bar was not open, the building was lit green for St. Patrick's Day. The club will serve four or five light appetizers in the $7 to $8 range. All major credit cards are accepted. Lava is opened from 5 p.m. until 2 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. until 4 a.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. until 3 a.m. on Saturday. The cover charge for the weekends is $10.

Lazy Dog Tavern (Opened August 1999)

Legacy (November 2000) One evening over a bottle of Legacy, a Kendall Jackson wine, partners Calvin Lacy and Chuck Morgan (also executive chef) came up with Legacy 1031, the name and concept of their restaurant, which is scheduled to open November 15 in the former Luna Si location at 1031 Peachtree Street. "This is something we've both wanted to do," said Lacy. "I'd heard that this space was becoming available and it just worked out for us." Legacy will be a casual fine dining restaurant offering contemporary continental cuisine. The menu, being finalized at press time, will offer lamb, beef, pork and veal. Several fresh fish options will be available daily. A signature appetizer will be the duck confit spring rolls. Prices will range between $6 and $15 for lunch and $16 and $26 for dinner. The interior will have a classic feel with lots of wood tones, muted lighting and linen tablecloths. Previously the interior walls and ceiling had been covered and Lacy and Morgan have exposed the original brick and wood beam ceilings which date back to the 1940s. The windows in front are being converted to hinged windows allowing them to open to the street, weather permitting. Seating will accommodate 80. A full service bar will be offered with an extensive California (some French) wine list.

(December 2000) Legacy has opened its doors at 1931 Peachtree Street in the former Luna Si space of maverick chef Paul Luna in SoBuck. Owners Calvin Lacy and Chuck Morgan derived the name one evening over a bottle of Kendall Jackson wine, which happened to be Legacy. The restaurant is something that both partners wanted to do for a long time. "The space became available and it just worked for us," said Lacy. The interior retains its classic feel. Lots of wood tones were used and added to create the mood, muted lighting. Original brick and ceiling beams were uncovered and date back to the 1940s. The front windows have been changed to hinged windows so, weather permitting, they can be opened. Seating accommodates 80 at white linen tables. The menu, created by Morgan who is also the executive chef, offers contemporary continental cuisine. Lunch and dinner are served. Lunch will range between $6 and $15 and dinner $16-$26. Dinner entrees include oven roasted free-range chicken, seared and roasted pork loin steak, braised leg of lamb, sautéed gulf shrimp and diver scallops, and chargrilled beef tournedos. There is also a bar with an extensive California (and some French) wine list.

Le Med (April 2001) Gary Getz and brothers Dion and Gavin Abadi (Gavin was formerly with The Bubble Room and 52nd Street) plan to open La Med, a 3,500 square foot Mediterranean restaurant and tapas bar at 1170 Canton Street in Roswell in mid-April. The menu offers such mezza items as hummus, falafel, tabbouleh salad and dolmathes &emdash; grape leaves stuffed with rice, tomatoes, onions and parsley served with a yogurt mint sauce. The tapas served include calamari, pan-grilled escargot in a creamy butter sauce served with baguette slices, smoked salmon, carpaccio and chicken livers. Among the entrees are chicken paella, shish kabob, steak au poivre, seafood tahini and fettucini alfredo. The mezza and tapas are in the $3.95 to $6.95 range with entrees costing $9.95 to $21.95. The entrance is done in terra cotta. The interior's first dining room has clouds painted on the ceiling and is more suitable for those looking for a more quiet evening. The second dining area with its oak tables and wooden floors joins the bar area and has a livelier atmosphere. An open patio with metal tables and a tree growing through the center overlooks Canton Street. The restaurant also plans on offering soft, relaxing, live entertainment such as mellow jazz or folk musicians. La Med seats 100 inside and 70 outside. The restaurant's phone number is 678.277.9551.

LEOPARD LOUNGE, 84 12th Street (404/875-7562)
....Slick atmosphere with swing bands weekends
(What's Sizzlin' in Atlanta - August 2000 - December 2000)

(November 2000) See Midtown

Le Petit Bistro (February 2000) There are over 37 Le Petit Bistro's across the United States and 15 in Atlanta alone but all these are fast food counter service restaurants located in malls. Rather ho-hum maybe, but now something new is headed to Atlanta. The first dine-in Le Petit Bistro is scheduled to open the middle of February at 4475 Roswell Road in the Avenue at East Cobb. This location will be the prototype of future Le Petitís. There is a second unit in an undisclosed Midtown location already in the planning stages. Owner Ali Kabiri, who is extremely excited about this project spared no expenses on the decor, described as a French garden house. The interior will be open, bright and cheerful with golden yellow walls stenciled with ivy designs, Iberia Spanish tile floor, and lots of white pine and maple wood and Monet-like prints decorating the walls. The tables will be left uncovered to expose the unique wooden tops and there will be seating accommodations for 80. The ceiling will have three unique domes with a cloud motif and large chandeliers hanging from the middle of each dome. A large water fountain will be the center point of the dining room. The food cases will have wisteria, peppers, and garlic hanging above them. A sidewalk patio will open for springtime dining. Guest will have the choice of ordering from several food cases - each filled with either hot entrees, salads, sandwiches, pastries and breads - or they may get wait service from a menu. All food will be prepared on premise. In addition to the chef de cuisine (Joseph Bidwell) there will also be a separate pasty chef, Alain Laibache. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served with dinner only being a la carte. Breakfast will offer continental fare as well as omelets, crepes, pastries and various coffees. Prices will run around $6. Lunch will range between $5 and $8 and dinner between $12 and $17. Final menu items were still being discussed at press time. There will be a full service bar with seating for 15 and several tables scattered around the bar area. High-end well brands will be offered as well as 4 draft beers (2 of which will be French) and an extensive wine list with an emphasis on French wines. Located throughout the front of the restaurant will be French cutlery and cookware for sale as well as unique oils and other cooking paraphernalia.

Libby's (July 2000) Twenty years ago Atlanta loved cabaret. Clubs like the Purple Parrot, Upstairs at Gene & Gabes, Showcase Cabaret and Manhattan Yellow Pages flourished. "Dellas Diner," the Southern-oriented comedy, was an Atlanta institution. So was LibbyWhittemore, a bubbly twentysomething, who knocked 'em dead with her voice and sassy stage manner. Now she's back. Libby &emdash; who some think could have been a major recording force had she ventured to Nashville years ago &emdash; has opened her own cabaret called Libby's, A Cabaret at 3401 Northside Parkway in the space that has housed restaurants Avanti, Florida Fish Company and most recently Marquis. "I want to bring this concept back to the city," said Libby "and to give the young up and coming singers a place to show their talents and let them have a chance as I did." The upscale casual interior is comfortable and inviting with a color scheme of deep greens and browns with peach accents. Seating will accommodate 200. A thirty something age group is the target audience. The extended light menu is comprised of high-end appetizers and a few entrees featuring everyday meals served differently. For example a few items offered are peach salsa with chips, a Tilopia BLT, North Carolina low country barbeque, shrimp cocktail (jumbo shrimp served in a bowl), and crabcakes. An extensive dessert menu is also available. A full service bar is offered. "The reason people will come is to see the show," said Libby. Longtime friend and playwright Tom Edwards of "Della's" fame is writing the show and Libby will be performing through the end of the year. A $15 cover is charged Tuesday through Thursday and $20 on Friday nights with one two-hour show on these nights. There are two shows on Saturday night (8:30 and 11 p.m.) with a cover of $20 for each show. Whittemore's partner in the venture is an old friend, attorney Bill Pannell, who is helping fund the new club.

Library Grill & Bar, The (Opened February 2001)

(March 2001) Rubin Schulman, who has ten years of experience working in such Atlanta nightspots as American Pie and Studebaker's, plan on opening The Library Grill and Bar at 800 Marietta Street in the site that once housed the Wreck Room by the end of February or early March. The new spot will be a restaurant by day and a dance club at night. Schulman says the interior is completely different from the Wreck Room days. Inside there are seating booths, a 40-foot by 20-foot dance floor, a raised VIP section, a 40-foot main bar a 15-foot side bar, a DJ booth, three pool tables and various video games with brick bookshelves lining the interior walls. "It has a contemporary warehouse feel," he says. The music, which will be live and spun by a DJ, will vary between Top 40, modern rock and dance. There will be a $5 cover charge on nights featuring live music. Customer can have the cover charge waived if they bring in a book to be added to the shelves. Schulman says the club's dress code is "dress to impress." Food fare will include such appetizers as wings, an onion ring tower, nacho mountain, a haystack - fries covered with melted cheese and bacon and dunkers - waffle fries served with chili, salsa, gravy, sour cream, ranch or blue cheese dressing, honey mustard, or nacho cheese for dipping; a variety of salads including barbecue chicken, pasta, crunchy Chinese chicken, jerk chicken salad, and buffalo chicken; pizzas; and burgers, po' boy, rueben and other sandwiches; and deserts. Most menu items are in the $5 to $7 range. The club will also offer drink specials such as a pitcher of shots, a fish bowl and a dawg dish. Outdoor seating will be available during warmer weather. Major credit cards will be accepted.

Limelight (March 2001) They tore the old Limelight down on Piedmont the other day and with it scores of memories for longtime Atlantans. Designed in the space that was once a dinner theatre named the Harlequin, the Limelight was about a time long since passed. It aimed to shock&emdash;wild animals under the dance floor, bare as you dare parties, private rooms where cocaine, thought to be harmless at the time&emdash;was snorted freely. Rupert's, with a big band concept, followed successfully in the space, but never made the impact of naughty Limelight. It was from a different time and different mix. People lived and partied like there was no tomorrow. Today, mostly people just worry about tomorrow.

Liquid (January 2000) Are wiseguys permeating the South's nightclub business? If you ask the feds, you'd get a resounding "yes." Atlanta knows about the feds' indictment of the Gold Club, alledging ties to the New York mafia and Gambino family. Well, the same thing has happened in Miami. Chris Paciello, the 28-year-old owner of Liquid and several other hot South Beach nightclubs, has been arrested and charged with a string of robberies, burglaries and deals back in New York, one of which resulted in a death. Paciello, who has been linked romantically with Madonna and supermodel Niki Taylor, is being held in a Miami jail.The feds say Paciello has ties to New York's crime families. An undercover cop also introduced a tape of Paciello talking about assasinating a club rival. "I'm telling you the onwer of the club, we got to get his head f&emdash;in' broken in," Paciello was allegedly taped saying on September 29. "We got to get him beat up. I got to get him whacked." Paciello has denied all the charges.

Little Russia opened September 1995

Loco Luna (Opened August 1999)

April 2000) Paul Luna--Atlanta's wildest restaurateur this side of oldtimers like Bill Swearingen and Carey Dunn - has sold his interest in Eclipse di Luna restaurant, but the good news is he'll continue to operate the funky Loca Luna. Since opening last fall in Midtown near Backstreet, Loca Luna has been a funky happening for live Brazilian music, dancing and as occasional cabaret performance by Luna who is prone, on occasion, to strip his clothes off. Luna also plans to teach cooking classes and catering for in-home parties. His newest venture will be called "Lunatic in the Kitchen."

Loco Pub & Deli (Opened August 1998)

Logan's Roadhouse (Opened October 1999)

Longhorn Steaks (Buckhead Location opened August 1981), (Akers Mill Location opened August 1987), (Gwinnett location opened October 1984), (Tucker location opened October 1984)

(June 2000) Longhorn Steaks founder George McKerrow Jr., has sold his 100-foot yacht and bought land in Aspen where prices are soaring higher than the surrounding mountains.

(July 2000) Phil Hickey has been named president and chief executive of Rare Hospitality and current chairman George McKerrow will remain as a director. Rare Hospitality includes Longhorn, Capital Grille, Bugaboo and others.

Lo Sputino (June 2000) will offer a blindtasting of white wines on June 20 at a cost of $20 per person.

Louie's Bar & Grill (October 2000) Opened

(November 2000) This Bud's for you and so is the bar. Louie's Bar & Grill opened October 9 in the former Hang Time Sports Bar at 1402 Northside Drive. Louie's is a one-of-a-kind Budweiser-themed sports bar. Louie, Budweiser's talking lizard, is the club's logo and mascot. Owner Jared Vailes approached Budweiser about the idea and the two agreed on the concept. Vailes had previously worked at Hang Time so he was familiar with the area and clientele. His partner in the venture is Jack Ansley. The interior, as one might expect, is all Bud. There are Bud artifacts throughout. Some remodeling has been done with new carpet and ceiling tiles. There are 17 TV sets and two big screens. The menu is bar fare, including old-fashioned hamburgers, chicken fingers and wings, along with sandwiches, with a price range around $6. Both lunch and dinner are served. In addition to Anheiser Busch products, there is a full bar. Numerous Bud-sponsored events will take place in the parking lot to make this "the Bud bar in Atlanta."

Luckie Street Grill, Northside Drive (November 2000) Listed as Closed

Luna, Paul (November 2000) Maverick chef Paul Luna, who at one time wanted to open an Atlanta eatery with drag queens as servers, has landed in Hogansville, the suddenly hip restaurant town south of Atlanta. Luna's new restaurant will be in the Gran Hotel on Main Street across from Patrick Terrell's acclaimed Gaby's Bistro and around the corner from the nationally known Hogan's Heroes. "This is the place to be," says Luna. "To be able to prep your fruit and vegetables in the fresh, country air; to cook in this beautiful building - it's incredible."

Luna Si, Peachtree Road (November 2000) Listed as Closed

Macaroni Grill, Ashford Dunwoody location opened September 1993

MacArthur's (December 2000) MacArthur's on Peachtree closed the doors for good on its SoBuck location and has moved to the former Chart House location at 6450 Powers Ferry Road where it will reopen on December 1.

Maggiano's Little Italy (July 2000) Maggiano's Little Italy is opening its second location at the newly renovated 78,000 square foot exterior front entrance addition to Perimeter Mall on July 13th. It will be situated in the courtyard with the newly opened Goldfish and Cheesecake Factory and the soon to open Southend Brewery and Smokehouse (October). Although this location will have less banquet space than the Buckhead location, which was the first in Atlanta to open in March 1997, the concept and design will be similar. The interior will have walls covered in family portraits with seating at red-checked clothed tables. Maggiano's specializes in Southern Italian family-style dining for parties of four or more with a New York pre-war 'Little Italy' atmosphere and serves heaping portions that are sure to be left over. All menu items are made from scratch and include an array of pastas, soups, salads, seafood, chicken, steak and chops. House specialties include Shrimp Oregenata, shrimp topped with seasoned bread crumbs, baked and served with tomatoes in a light, white wine sauce; Veal Milanese, lightly breaded veal cutlets served with a light lemon sauce and topped with sauteed bell peppers and onions; and Rigatoni Di Gregorio, rigatoni pasta, herbed roasted boneless chicken, mushrooms and onion tossed in a light Marsala cream sauce. Entree prices range between $12 and $27. General manager Ralph Ruocco and Executive Chef Mychael Bonner will oversee the new eatery. Ruocco was most recently bar and purchaser for the Buckhead location and was promoted in April to open the Perimeter location. Bonner played a key role in the success of the Buckhead restaurant and was recently named a partner with Brinker International, the parent company of Maggiano's. Other Maggiano's are located in Washington, D. C., Chicago, Texas and California. A full bar will be served with an extensive wine list being offered.

(July 2000) For additional Maggiano's information See Goldfish July 2000

(August 2000) Maggiano's Little Italy and Corner Bakery opened it's doors in the newly renovated front entrance to Perimeter Mall on July 13. The two-story building offers red-checked tablecloths and walls covered with family portraits. Just like the first location (Peachtree) the family-style dining offers menu items served on large platters and includes an array of pastas, soups and salads, seafood, chicken, steaks and chops.

(August 2000) "Build it and they will come," smiled owner Tom Catherall, standing in a mob of patrons in the bar area of his new Goldfish eatery at Perimeter Mall. Goldfish, with its spacious bar area, seems to be building a happy hour crowd similar to Buckhead's Tavern at Phipps. One thing is certain. Goldfish, and its two neighbors, Maggiano's and Cheesecake Factory, have given a new uptown look and vitality to Perimeter Mall and given northsiders yet another alternative to the worrisome drive to Buckhead.

Maha Bar (June 2000) Maha Bar, set to go into the Center Stage space on West Peachtree and billed as the second coming of bar-restaurant wars, is history before it began. Owners were missing one ingredient-money-to get it open.

Malone's (Riverdale location opened August 1983), (Savoy Drive location opened October 1979), (Virginia Avenue location opened October 1979)

Mama Mae's Louisiana Kitchen (April 2000) See also Bayou Room - K.C. Ribs formerly occupied the building at 2217 Roswell Road but a new tenant has moved in and it will become Mama Mae's Louisiana Kitchen in early April. Major renovations are being made to the 450-seat interior. The room is broken down into two areas&emdash;Mama Mae's and the Bayou Room. The dining room will have a New Orleans old style feel with the use of antique lampposts and modern chandeliers. Hardwood and tile floors with a mixture of wood, corrugated metal, wrought iron and granite will also make up the interior. Dining will be in a casual fine atmosphere with white clothed tables topped with butcher-block paper. The seating will be made up of mostly tables but booths and banquettes will be able to accommodate larger parties. The authentic New Orleans menu will consist of steaks and Cajun seafood as well as jambalaya and red beans and rice. Food in the dining room will be served from 5 to 10 p.m. weekday and 11 p.m. on the weekends. Lunch may be added in the future. The Bayou Room, the full service bar complete with stage and dance floor, is located in the back room and will offer live music nightly with Monday through Thursday blues bands and Friday and Saturday nights big horn bands. There will be a cover charge on weekends with the cover depending on the band. The bar menu will be more casual offering classic po boys, muffallettas, hamburgers and etouffe. Food will be served until 3 a.m. A strong happy hour is intended with heavy appetizers being offered. Owner and chef Charles Wilhelm grew up in Marietta and is a Culinary Institute of America graduate. This is his first restaurant as owner. He was formerly with the Peasant Group but also worked under Paul Prudome in New York for a short period of time as well as spending time in Miami.

(May 2000) Old world New Orleans will hit East Cobb in mid May as Mama Mae's Louisiana Kitchen. The restaurant, located at 2217 Roswell Road in the former KC Rib Company, will offer authentic New Orleans cuisine with moderate pricing. The owner and chef is Charles Wilhelm who is a Marietta native and attended the Culinary Institute of America. Formerly with the Peasant Group, Wilhelm also worked under chef Paul Prudhomme in New York as well as spending time in Miami. The dining room interior will have an old world feel with the use of antique lamp posts and modern chandeliers, hardwood and tile floors, corrugated metal, wrought iron and metal. Diners can enjoy a meal in a casual fine atmosphere at white clothed tables topped with butcher-block paper. Seating for 250 will be made up mostly of tables for smaller parties and booths and banquettes for larger groups. The menu, being finalized at press time, will be comprised of gumbo, crawfish and steamed platters (shrimp, mussels, oysters), low country boil, seared filet, stuffed lobster tail. The bar, called the Bayou Room, will be full service and is located in the back of the building complete with a separate entrance. There is going to be live music nightly with blues bands Monday through Thursday and big horn bands Friday and Saturday nights. A cover will be charged on the weekends and the amount depends on the band. A separate bar menu will be offered and will include more International casual fare of po boys, Creole egg rolls, miniature pizzas with Creole toppings and black beans and rice.

(August 2000) No where in the world do they eat better and have more crazy fun than in New Orleans and the Louisiana Bayou country. Now, Charles Wilhelm, who has worked under famous chef Paul Prudhomme among others, is attempting to bring a touch of the Cajun and Creole flavor to East Cobb. He has opened Mama Mae's Louisiana Kitchen and Bayou Room at 2217 Roswell Road in East Cobb, aiming to put food and fun under one roof. The restaurant portion wasn't scheduled to open until July 31, but, says Wilhelm, the Bayou Room, with a separate entrance and live bands seven days a week, has already opened and is jumpin'. "We have already exceeded our expectations," said Wilhelm. "We've been slammed with standing room only crowds almost nightly and especially Wednesday through Saturday since we opened. The nearby hotels are sending people as well as the restaurant people are coming in. I'm very excited and happy to have all this with only our back room open." Wilhelm, who formerly worked with Peasant group in addition to tutoring under Prudhomme in New York, will offer authentic New Orleans cuisine with moderate pricing. The menu consists of gumbo, crawfish and steamed platters (shrimp, mussels, oysters), low country boils, seared filets and stuffed lobster tail. The dining room interior has an old world feel with antique lamp posts and chandeliers, hardwood and tile floors, corrugated metal and wrought iron. Dining is casual in the 250-seat restaurant with white clothed tables topped with butcher block paper. The Bayou Room is located in the rear with its own separate entrance. Live music from blues bands is featured Monday through Thursday with big horn bands scheduled for Friday and Saturday nights. Who said East Cobb isn't rockin'? Pictured on the August cover are (from left) Charles Wilhelm, Ted Mahoney (seated), Dana Byrd, Michael Gambaccini, Brian Perry, Gene Adams (seated) and Natalie Tolstyka.

(September 2000 - Hud's Corner) Once upon a time Cobb County's east side rocked. There was swinging Riverbend apartment complex making national news followed by hot clubs like Jeryl's, Sneakers, Studebaker's, Fat Tuesday and Miss Kitty's. Then, it all went away. By the mid-90s' Cobb was a virtual no-man's land for after-dark life... What happened? Don't know. The party crowd moved away, got old and Cobb evolved into a full-time bedroom community sporting mostly chain restaurant-bar operations... I mention all this because after a visit to the Bayou Room at Mama Mae's Louisiana Kitchen the other night, I figure Cobb has one more chance. The nightspot, attached to the restaurant with separate entrance, is a jewel. Great bartenders (one who even does magic tricks), a fine bar area and ample seating, live music nightly and a dance floor. It's classy yet comfortable. The night I was there the crowd was a wonderful mix, rarely scene in metro Atlanta. The Bayou Room, located in back of Mama Mae's at 2217 Roswell Road in Marietta, is a test for those in Cobb who complain of no place to go. Stay tuned.

(October 2000 - December 2000) TOP TEN DINING RECOMMENDATIONS - MAMA MAE'S LOUISIANA KITCHEN, 2217 Roswell Road, Marietta (770-971-2343): Bringing a touch of Cajun flavor to East Cobb, Mama Mae's offers white linen dining, moderate prices and a menu consisting of authentic New Orleans cuisine. The attached Bayou Room offers live blues music Monday - Thursday and big horn bands on Friday and Saturday nights.

Mama Wynette's (January 2001) For three decades she was the essence of country music nightlife in metro Atlanta. If the name of the club, had "Mama's" on its marquee, you were guaranteed the best in country music names, music and hospitality. Through the 1970s and most of the 1980s, Mama Wynette's clubs - which included, at one time or another, Mama's Country Showcase on Covington Highway, Mama Wynette's East in Lithonia and Mama Wynette's West in Marietta - were the place to be. Mama Wynette Mitchem, 80 years young, passed away from heart problems in mid-December. She had lived in Roswell in recent years. Everyone from Randy Travis and George Jones to Jerry Lee Lewis and George Strait performed at Mama's clubs, and they all knew her well. In his book, "They Heard Georgia Singing," now Senator Zell Miller ranked Mama Wynette as one of the state's pioneers in music. "I booked Willie (Nelson) when no one else wound because they thought he sang funny," Mama, who stood only 4'11" and had fiery red hair, once said. At the time in the late 1960s, Mama ran a country music club called the Playroom, smack dab in the middle of the hippie and flower child district in Midtown. Her annual birthday parties at various clubs in the metro Atlanta area became traditional events for Atlanta's country music movers and shakers. She is survived by a daughter, Ann Tant, of Woodstock, and son, Richard Mitchem of Roswell.

Manuel's Tavern - Opened September 1956

Margie's Pantry (July 2000) Margie's Pantry owner Margie Yondorf will be hosting a tour group to Lyon, France from July 8-16. The tour will include roundtrip airfare, 3-star lodging, tours, meals, food and wine tastings and visits to wineries and food markets. Contact Margie's Pantry at www.margiespantry@mind spring.com.

Marietta Conference Center (August 2000) (See Hamilton's) Hamilton's in the Marietta Conference Center & Resort has introduced a new lunch and dinner menu with prices ranging from $6.50-$9.50 for lunch and $15.50-$27.50 for dinner and featuring a more lighter fare of salads and sandwiches for lunch and new appetizers, salads and entrees for dinner.

(April 2001) Seyed M. Kashfipour recently joined the Marietta Conference Center & Resort (MCCR) as Food and Beverage Director. Kashfipour brings over 20 years of experience in restaurant, banquet, catering and fine dining room management to the AAA Four Diamond property. For the past six years, Kashfipour managed the 1848 House Restaurant and Conference Center in Marietta. Previously, he worked as specialty restaurant and beverage manager at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta. Kashfipour also was assistant food and beverage director and fine dining room manager at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia in Atlanta.

Martini Club Opened September 1995

(November 2000) See Midtown

Masquerade - Opened September 1989

Maui Tacos (Opened Dunwoody location in October 1998)

(April 2000) Maui Tacos surfed its way into Dunwoody in October of 1998 and has opened two other locations&emdash;235 Ponce de Leon (Decatur) and 7097 Jimmy Carter Blvd. (Norcross). Maui Tacos is known for its unique twist of Mexican burritos, tacos and salads with a Hawaiian touch&emdash;meats marinated in pineapple and lime juices. Prices average under $6. The atmosphere is laid back and casual with a retro-Hawaiian surf-shop feel. Guests are greeted with the traditional Hawaiian "aloha". The Decatur location seats 50 with an additional 24 on an outdoor patio. The Norcross store seats 45 and an additional 20 outside.

Max Lager's (February 2000) Gary Slivenik is now chief operating officer of Max Lager's American Grill & Brewery. Slivenik left Metrotainment Cafes after six years where he was instrumental in the growth of Einstein's, Martini Club, and Garrisons.

Mazzy's Sports Bar & Grill (March 2001) George Arnett and John Fan will be opening Mazzy's Sports Bar and Grill at 10729 Alpharetta highway in Roswell in mid March. In addition to showing sports events on 16- 27 inch televisions and one 61 inch screen, the club will also have a DJ spinning tunes during the evening hours. Each night a different era of music will be played. "We are trying to create a place where people can have a good time hanging out without spending a lot of money," says Arnett. "Will be providing excellent values with our food and out beverages." Prices were still being worked out when this issue went to press but it is anticipated that most menu items will run $7 or less. In addition to the usual sports bar fare such as Buffalo wings and burgers, Mazzy's will also serve a couple of steaks, fettucini alfredo, sandwich wraps and because of their location next to a Bally's fitness center, they will also serve several low-fat items including grilled chicken and salads. Walls will be decorated with sports memorabilia, album covers and the silhouettes of musical artists including Madonna, Jimi Hendrix and Michael Jackson. There will also be several pool tables and a couple of dart boards in the 8,100 square foot bar and grill. Arnett and Fan met while attending Valdosta State College. Fan's family owns the Mandarin house in Perry, Georgia and the Ming Garden restaurants in Bradenton and St. Petersburg, Florida. Arnett was a network administrator for a large telecommunications company in Atlanta before making the leap into the restaurant business. "We have wanted to open a sports bar for about eight years," says Arnett. "The funds, the location and everything else came together so it was time to do it." Although he didn't provide funding for the bar, Mazzy's is named after Arnett's grandfather who lives in Chicago. "He's very flattered," says Arnett. "If he ever comes in he can have anything he wants for free." Mazzy's, which will be open from 11 a.m. until midnight during the week and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

(April 2001) Contruction delays have Mazzy's Sports Bar on Alpharetta Highway opening in April instead of the March 1 projected date.

McClinton, Delbert (November 2000) Mentioned last month that the seventh annual Delbert McClinton Sandy Beaches Cruise has been temporarily sunk because of the demise of Premiere Cruise Lines, but am happy to report the cruise has been rescheduled for January 2-7 on the Regal Empress, leaving Port Manatee in Tampa and sailing to Mexican and Mayan ports. Besides Delbert and his great band, also jamming on the cruise will be Marcia Ball, Tommy Castro and former Wet Willie singer Jimmy Hall, The Doobie Brothers', Michael McDonald, Asleep at the Wheel, Bonnie Bramlett, Wayne Toups and Zydecajun and many more. Yours truly is booked. Come on and go along. The number is 1-800-Delbert. Tell 'em Ron sent you.

McCormick & Schmick's (January 2000) The last restaurant to complete the Ashwood Restaurant Park on Ashford Dunwoody will be McCormick & Schmick's. The steakhouse is scheduled to open middle July.

(June 2000) McCormick & Schmick's, the third and final installment to the Ashwood Restaurant Park (located one mile north of Perimeter Mall on Ashford Dunwoody) will open its doors in late June or early July. For over 28 years McCormick & Schmick's has been predominately present on the west coast with locations in Oregon (headquartered in Portland), California, Washington, Nevada, Texas and Colorado. A decision was made to move east and there are currently locations in Baltimore and Washington, DC. The Atlanta location will become store number 29 and will be the first in the southeast. McCormick & Schmick's &emdash;flanked by P.F. Chang's China Bistro on one side and Il Fornaio, an Italian bakery and restaurant, on the other side&emdash;will be a classic, traditional fish house that should compliment the existing restaurants. "After searching for the perfect location in the Atlanta market for over a year, we chose the Ashwood Restaurant Park," said Doug Schmick, CEO. "We wanted a location that guaranteed McCormick & Schmick's long term success." This is a chain, but no two restaurants are alike. The company works with the existing area that they've moved to and try to incorporate regional surroundings in each site. The casual, upscale atmosphere will seat 240 in a classical traditional decor, which will feature mahogany woods, hunter-green fabrics and brass accessories. The company is known for its custom stained glass, which will be displayed numerously throughout the dining room. The interior will also be complimented with Georgia and Atlanta historic and regional prints. There will be two patios (one off the dining room; the other off the bar) with one having a gazebo to provide shade from Atlanta's hot summer days. The natural stone exterior will have an Atlanta architectural touch with columns and railings. Fresh fish will be flown in daily both from the Pacific and the Atlantic and will feature over 35-40 varieties daily. The menu (with no two being the same) is printed on a daily basis and will offer over 75 different items (steak, chicken and pasta) including chef created regional entrees. Because the company is based on the west coast there will be some Pacific Northwest influences on the menu (example: salmon roasted over a cedar plan and served with a northwest berry sauce). There will also be 10 different varieties of east and west coast oysters daily. Lunch prices will average $10 to $20 per person and $25 to $35 per person for dinner. The full service bar, hoping to become one of the most popular in town, will feature a separate bar menu as well as an extensive wine list, a large number of single malt scotches and micro brews. All drinks will be hand shaken and the juices are hand squeezed daily.

(July 2000) McCormick & Schmick's opened its doors June 26. McCormick and Schmick's, located between P. F. Chang's and Il Fornaio in the Ashwood Restaurant Park north of Perimeter Mall on Ashford Dunwoody &emdash; is a classic traditional fish house. It originally opened on the west coast 28 years ago with locations in Oregon, California, Washington, Nevada, Texas and Colorado. It has now moved east and there are currently sites in Baltimore and Washington, DC. Atlanta is the first southeast location. According to general manager Chris Karas "this restaurant's commitment to culinary excellence - along with our emphasis on the freshest, quality catch - brings an unparalleled dining experience to Atlanta. We expect McCormick & Schmick's to quickly develop a loyal following of Atlantans, accepting only the best seafood this town has to offer." Although this is a chain, no two restaurants are alike. The designers take into consideration the local area and try to incorporate regional surroundings in each location. The natural Georgia stone exterior has an Atlanta architectural touch with white columns. Seating 240 the casual upscale atmosphere offers a traditional decor with mahogany woods, hunter green fabrics and brass accessories. Custom stained glass featuring Georgia-themed designs are displayed dominantly throughout. The stained glass is a trademark for the company. Georgia and Atlanta historic and regional prints will adorn the walls. Two patios, one off the dining room and one off the bar, face the lake with a gazebo offering a nice shady place to dine. Over 35 different varieties of fish make up the menu and are flown in fresh daily from the Pacific and the Atlantic. The menu changes daily but on any given day over 75 different items including steak, chicken and pasta as well as chef inspired regional entrees. Because of a west coast influence the menu does offer some Pacific Northwest delicacies such as salmon roasted over a cedar plank and served with a northwest berry sauce. Pan fried Georgia pecan crusted catfish, halibut baked and stuffed with Dungeness crab, Oregon Bay shrimp and brie with lemon-chive butter, and cashew crusted panfried black grouper are just a few seafood specialties. Mahi mahi, rainbow trout, bluefish and sturgeon are some of the grilled items. Also daily are over ten different types of oysters - Alaska Canoe Lagoon, Washington Kumamoto, Olympia, Trail's End and Judd Cove, British Columbia Fanny Bay and Malaspina, Virginia Parramour Island, New Brunswick Carraquet, Nova Scotia Salt Aires and Wild Maine Belon - all served on the half shell. The full service bar offers a $1.95 menu everyday. A cheeseburger and fries, mixed seafood ceviche and tortilla chips, popcorn chicken with ranch dressing and seafood stir fry with spicy hoison sauce are a few items on this menu. An extensive wine list, large number of single malt scotches and micro brews are also offered. An attention to detail is evident as they fresh squeeze all juices and handshake all drinks.

(July 2000) The newly opened McCormick & Schmick's restaurant off Ashford Dunwoody has one of the prettiest bars in the city.

(July 2000) See Goldfish July 2000 for more information

(October 2000) McCormick & Schmick's has introduced the "private" power lunch, which offers private dining areas-small curtain covered booths surrounding the dining room called snuggeries, that allow customers to conduct business without any interruptions.

(October 2000) TOP TEN DINING RECOMMENDATIONS - MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S, 600 Ashwood Parkway (770-399-9900): Featuring over 40 varieties of fresh fish and seafood, McCormick & Schmick's has joined the mix in the new "Restaurant Row" at Atlanta's Perimeter Mall sector and sports one of the best looking bars in town.

McKendrick's (July 2000) Doug McKendrick, who's been doing restaurants and clubs in the city almost as long as I've been hanging in them, is on the move again. McKendrick &emdash; whoseMcKen-drick's, Mi Spia and Park Place Cafe are Perimeter Mall area stalwarts &emdash; is purchasing land across from Chaamps and P. F. Chang's on hot Mansell Road in Alpharetta for his next creation. OK, Doug, how 'bout another elan with food.

(July 2000) See Goldfish July 2000 for more information

(October 2000 - December 2000) TOP TEN DINING RECOMMENDATIONS - MCKENDRICK'S, 4505 Ashford Dunwoody Road (770/512-8888): Aged corn-fed beef. Son of Chops and Bones also in Atlanta's Perimeter Mall sector.

McKinnon's Louisiane - Opened February 1972

Mellow Mushroom (Tara Blvd. opened February 1994)

Meno's French New Orleans Cafe - Opened February 1996

Meritage (June 2000) Due to many construction delays Meritage&emdash;which was scheduled to open in April&emdash;will finally open its doors in mid-June. Meritage will be located in the former Bacchanalia at 3125 Piedmont Road. "The name was derived from wine that features many different flavors," said owner Christian Favalli. The restaurant is situated in an old house and is being totally remodeled. The interior is being given a contemporary feel with a silver wall color somewhat 50s retro. Chris Moulder light sculptures are located throughout and in place of banquettes are overstuffed couches offering seating for 68 in a casual fine atmosphere. There will also be a separate dining area for private parties and special occasions. The cuisine, labeled creative American, will offer flavors from Latin America, Mediterranean and Asia. The menu will offer a three-part menu of tapas, appetizers and entrees including herb crusted salmon with spicy soy ginger vinaigrette, mussels steamed in a saffron shrimp broth topped with crisp lo main noodles and grilled filet of beef with a haricot vert salad, sautéed potatoes and finished with veal reduction and summer truffle essence. Prices will range between $5 and $20. The principals are Patrick Kelly, chef/partner, and Christian Favalli who purchased the lease from Bacchanalia owners Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison. Kelly took a turn at such popular eateries as La Grotta, Dish and Nickiemoto's while Favalli grew up in the business where he helped run the families two La Grotta Ristorante Italianos restaurants.

Mezza! (Opened February 2001)

(February 2001) Jason Bitar recently sold The Cedar Tree in Emory Village after owning the eatery for eight years. He plans on opening Mezza! In February at 2751 Lavista Road. "After eight years I was ready to move on to something different," says Bitar. According to Bitar, Mezza! will be unique in that it will serve only tapas with a Lebanese flair. Customers will be able to make up a complete meal by choosing several of the approximately 50 tapas items on the menu including kabobs, hummus, falafels, stuffed grape leaves, tabooli salad and baba ganoush. Approximately 75 percent of the menu offerings will be vegetarian. The tapas will range in price from $3.99 to $5.99. "Mezza! will allow customers to have more variety with their meals than restaurants that offer one or two selections on their dinner plates," says Bitar. The interior decor was still being worked on but Bitar says it will be have a modern look but maintain a feel of Lebanese culture. Music played over the sound system will be more modern Arabic jazz than the older traditional music. The dress is casual but no shorts at Mezza! which will serve beer and wine only. The restaurant will seat approximately 70 people. All major credit cards will be accepted. The phone number is 404-633-8833. The fax number is 404-636-0101.

Mick's (Lenox Square Location opened August 1983), (Park Place Location opened August 1985)

Mid City Fish Company (opened August 1991)

Midtown (November 2000) One thing is certain. There is a changing of the guard. At the same time the highly publicized Ray Lewis murders, midnight urban cruisers and marauding, underage youth have combined to stab a dagger into the heart of Buckhead's East Village district, a metamorphosis has been taking place to the south in the city's Midtown section. A tacky Midtown business district that for years was the almost exclusive home of gay clubs, strip bars, street hookers and toughs, is quickly becoming the No. 1 hangout for the city's movers and shakers. If you've cruised through Midtown lately, you'll know. Thousands of upscale apartments and condos are under construction. It is as if a whole city is merging under a starter's gun to suck up the last old building or vacant lot to produce more slick dwellings. One can only imagine the end result, especially with the former Atlantic Steel property not far to the west ready to undergo a similar fate in the early 2000s. Surely, one wonders, if by the year 2005, the magic word for entertainment, restaurants and nightlife in the city will be Midtown and not Buckhead. At any rate, Midtown is currently undergoing a rapid renaissance. With the new residences, the restaurants and clubs have come in bunches. Almost daily, new restaurants and nightspots are announced with the next wave of openings spanning the next couple of months. Interestingly, many of the operators have come from Buckhead to spearhead the Midtown explosion. George Rohrig, the man who helped create Buckhead's East Village concept, is renovating buildings for apartments, condos and restaurants in Midtown. Celebrity Cafe, a gourmet breakfast and lunch eatery, and Andaluz, an upscale Tapas restaurant run by Seeger's alum Gladys Parada, have opened in a Rohrig, who owns Nickiemoto's on 10th Street -renovated building at Peachtree and 8th streets. Rohrig has said he also has plans to open a slick 24-hour restaurant at Peachtree and sixth streets along the lines of Miami South Beach's News Cafe. Rick Seaman, owner of Buckhead's Plush, has opened the stunning Velvet Room in the old Cotton Club space at 1021 Peachtree. Shad Gerami, owner of Buckhead's Goldfinger, plans to open Tangier, a club situated in two renovated homes on 12th Street offering $1,000 memberships, waterfalls and a VIP room in a tree house. Established Midtown locations like Vickery's, Cosmopolitan, The Leopard Lounge and The Martini Club paved the way for restaurants and clubs renovated cleverly from simple 80-year-old residences and there seems no end to that Midtown trend. Bruce Patterson, who also owns Basil's in Marietta, has made major renovations to a 1920s home at 793 Juniper Street and along with Partners Chet Hutley, formerly with Prime, and executive chef Darryl Evans, will open the new location as Spice in November. Serving American cuisine with globally-influenced dishes, the restaurant, done in warm colors, will seat 175. (See Dining Out for more information.) Cherry, designed in a two-story freestanding building at West Peachtree and 12th Street, is due to open in mid-November with three large bars and a lunch and dinner menu serving sushi and American cuisine with Asian and Latin influences. (See Dining Out for more information.) Mike Burdick, co-owner of the popular Cabernet in faraway Alpharetta, along with managing partner Francois Hugon and executive chef Rhoads K. Fearn, have already come south to open Bistros at 1529 Piedmont Road, serving up a combination of American and French fare with white tablecloths and candlelight in a Roaring '20s atmosphere. Richard Selsor, owner of the Vinings Inn, the River Room and others, is already there too. He has opened Tenth & Myrtle, an American bistro-style restaurant, incorporating it into the new Post complex at the same address as the eatery, 10th and Myrtle. It includes a stylish downstairs dining area and an open-air covered deck on the second floor. Terra di Sienna, a Tuscan restaurant, is scheduled to open its doors in late November at 654 Peachtree Street adjacent to The Fox Theatre. Terra di Sienna, meaning 'heart of Sienna,' is the former Italian region where owner Riccardo Campinoti grew up. (See Dining Out for more information.) Chart House Enterprises entered the mix with Angelo & Maxie's Steakhouse, a steakhouse openly courting females as well males, in August at 1545 Peachtree Street. The interior features an art deco-style decor with a 1930's atmosphere. Tom Water, CEO and President of Chart House Enterprises, said, "It's a fun and unintimidating atmosphere with a great look and friendly environment. We've taken the stuffiness out of the steakhouse." Even the bigtime brewpubs are already there. Gordon Biersch is a giant imposing restaurant-brewpub from California at 848 Peachtree. Its subtle German-influenced theme includes a separate bar area with billiards and numerous televisions. Five years ago Gordon Biersch would have sought a Buckhead location. No more. Midtown seems bent on becoming 'the town.' Some of its players are pictured on our cover at Midtown's beautiful Piedmont Park. (From Left) Tenth & Myrtle's Glenn Barnett and Lyn McCracken, Gordon Biersch's executive chef Paul Nimmo and Bistros' executive chef Rhoads K. Fearn with co-owner Mike Burdick.

(April 2001) Atlanta nightclubs will now be true to their names. No longer will Atlantans be able to enter a nightclub and literally party until the sun comes up and beyond. The Atlanta City Council has passed a new law requiring ALL clubs in the city to close at 4 a.m. That effectively does away with the 24-hour licenses of Riviera, Backstreet, Crystal Palace and Club 112. Heretofore, at those venues operating under an old law as "private club," patrons could literally party until 9 and 10 a.m. in the morning before finally staggering out of these window-less clubs and squinting at the sun. The four will now have to close at 4 a.m. like other Atlanta nightspots. City councilman Derrick Boazman introduced the new law after a bouncer was killed in a shootout with a patron in the Crystal Palace parking lot last summer. Other complaints had heard about neighborhood noise, illegal drugs, fights and prostitution surrounding the 24-hour clubs. Opponents of the new law marched on city hall&emdash;many of them night workers like dancers, waiters and bartenders&emdash;complaining they had no where to go. More than a decade ago when liquor laws were changed to define private clubs as non-profit, places like Backstreet were able to be grandfathered in. For that reason, Jackson Cook, an attorney for the clubs, promised a lawsuit, pointing to the 1986 law that allowed the four clubs to set their own hours. According to Boazman, the private club legislation was designed for country clubs, not nightclubs serving alcohol where anyone can simply enter by paying a cover charge.

Mike's Chicago Dog Haus (Opened April 2001 #2) Mike and Wendy Sweeney celebrated the third anniversary of their Mike's Chicago Dog Haus at 5948 Roswell Road by opening a second location further north at 8540 Roswell Road in Dunwoody. The "Grand Opening" celebration continues until April 7th. "We opened the second location because of customer demand," says Wendy Sweeney. Like the original, the new location has sidewalk seating and the same ambiance with newspaper clippings, Chicago memorabilia and customer photos on the wall. The new spot, which seats about 20 more people than the original, has also added salads and soups to the menu. The menu is mostly hotdogs almost anyway you like them including with the works and Chicago style with mustard, relish, onion, tomato, pickle, sport peppers and a dash of celery salt. An Italian beef, Italian Sausage or meatball sandwich and several items for "Spicy Lovers" including Frito pie, chili cheese fries and a chili tamale are on the menu too. Almost all menu items are under $4. There are also six combination selections which include hotdog(s) or a sandwich with chips and a drink with costs between $3.19 and $5.25. Although they have been together for nine years the couple only recently wed. When the former Wendy Reid had her new business cards printed to reflect her new last name the printer made an error and printed her name as Wendy S. Weeney. How appropriate. The Sandy Springs eatery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The Dunwoody location is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The Sandy Springs number is 404.252.8484. The Dunwoody number is 770.649.8272.

Mill Street Cafe, The (May 2000) Shoppers and businesses on the Marietta Square now have a dining alternative to the full service establishments (Shillings on the Square and Jimmy's) that are already staples to the dining scene. The Mill Street Cafe opened on April 5th and offers diners breakfast and lunch via counter service with seating for 16 in a quaint courtyard just off the restaurant's back step. Breakfast consists of homemade muffins, scones and fresh pastries. The lunch menu includes salads (pineapple shrimp, Caesar, chilled asparagus to name a few) and California style wrap sandwiches. The sandwiches are filled with different meats (roast beef, turkey and ham) and served on several different flavored tortillas&emdash;sun dried tomato and spinach. The wraps can be purchased whole or by the half and range between $3 and $5. No alcohol is served but guests can order from a number of unique smoothie combinations, fruit juices and soft drinks. The owner is Ashley Payne. Ashley has been in the business for the past five years and was previously with the Marietta Conference Center.

Mint (March 2000) Could this be the headline 10 years from now? East Atlanta hotter than Midtown or Buckhead. Who knows? Stranger things have happened in Atlanta nightlife. Twenty years ago Buckhead was a bend in the road where the streets rolled up after dark. Stephen Cook, co-owner of The Crescent Room in Midtown, is one of those betting that East Atlanta is well on its way to being one of Atlanta's "cool" after-dark happenings. He plans to open Mint, in what was a 3,000-square foot home at 462 Flat Shoals Road in East Atlanta. It is across the road from the popular Fountainhead Lounge and Heaping Bowl and Brew. Cook is aiming for a May opening for the club, which will have a large dance floor, a 30-foot bar and a big working fireplace. He plans to add an outdoor patio also. Cook wants the club to have a feel of "London" and entertainment will include live sounds by jazz bands and music by DJs.

Miscellaneos (January 2000) Could one of these unique bars be the next trend heading here? Check out what's happening in New York, Los Angeles, Miami and Chicago.
•New York-Idlewild is a bar named for Idlewild Airport, now JFK, and was modeled after a sixties-era Boeing 747. The bathrooms resemble plane lavatories and banquettes are designed like coach seats. Curved ceilings resemble a fuselage. Waitresses and bartenders are dressed as flight attendants and pilots. The drink of choice is a Idlewild (a Cosmopolitan made with Chambord and fresh lime juice).
•Los Angeles-Bar at Les Deux Cafes. This bar is ultra chic featuring dark walls, tiny sconces and a silent projector beaming films that help set the tone. A live house band plays nightly blues, jazz, and opera and torch music. The drink of choice is Pernod, cognac or the French beer Fischer La Belle.
•Miami-Tantra offers a Middle Eastern theme featuring foot-tickling sod on some parts of the floor. The drink of choice is a Pure Ecstacy Martini with Grey Goose vodka, Chambord and pineapple juice.
•Chicago-Tizi Melloul is a high-techno modern French Moroccan bar with white leather chairs and plates of green olives for snacks. The drink of choice is The Cosmoblanca made with Absolut Kurant and pomegranate juice.

(February 2000) Bravo Development is bringing their upscale Italian concept to Buckhead in the former Amerigo location. A first of June opening is anticipated....The new Cosmopolitan: The Caipirinha is made with a Brazilian sugarcane liquor called Cachaca and is served with fresh lime and sugar. Already being served steadily at Beverly Hills' C Bar could it become Atlanta's next 'drink' to order?

(May 2000) An out-of-towner stumbling out of the Buckhead Ritz Carlton and into slick bars like The Tavern at Phipps and Blue Pointe has to be impressed with the city's opulence and he or she might wonder: Does everyone in Atlanta drive a Ferrari?

(June 2000) There was former police chief Eldrin Bell on the town the other night, claiming he was 65, but his twinkling blue eyes made him look more like 40. Bell, like a lot of folks, has gone south lately. In his case it's to St. Croix to write a police manual for the cops there...Don't know about you, but I still shudder when I order two glasses of house wine at an upscale Buckhead bar-eatery and the tab is $25...For the internet savvy check out Epinions.com for online restaurant customer reviews and also check out OpenTable.com for instant online reservations.

(February 2001) The Sonoma County Wineries Association along with some of Atlanta's top chefs including, Shaun Doty of Mumbo Jumbo, Jason Dauble of Eleven50, Scott Peacock of Watershed, Filippo Saporito of Terra di Sienna and Ian Winslade of Bluepointe will host a benefit for the anti-hunger organization Share our Strength at Eleven50 located at 1150 B Peachtree Street on Wednesday, February 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. In addition to food sampling and wine tasting there will also be a silent auction of hard-to-find and special vintage wines. Tickets are $35 per person and can be ordered online at www.winebrats .org.

Moe's Southwest Grill (December 2000) Planet Smoothie did for smoothie drinks what McDonald's has done for hamburgers... make them a household name. The popular healthy shakes with goofy names have been a major hit and copycats have since followed. Planet Smoothie founder Martin Sprock will introduce his newest concept, Moe's Southwest Grill, when it opens December 1 at 2915 Peachtree Road. "Sort of like a Mexican subway," smiled Sprock of his newest concept, a fast-serve Southwestern grill. Counter-service-only items are prepared before your eyes. Quesadillas, burritos and tacos are served and filled with steak, shrimp or chicken. Prices will average $4.99. Beer and wine are served as well as soft drinks. Sprock hopes a Morita - made of agave wine and margarita mix will become a favorite. It comes in two flavors (lime and strawberry). The interior theme is musical with 12 original paintings of late musicians (Elvis Presley, Bob Marley, Miles Davis, etc...) and their music will be played. Seating will be for 90 inside with an additional 100 on a front and back deck combined. Sprock's partners are Seth Salzman, Daryl Dollinger, Bob Budd, Robert Brand and Jim McIntyre. Their hope of becoming a national franchise is in the works.

(January 2001) The Originator of Planet Smoothie, Martin Sprock, along with partners Daryl Dollinger and Seth Salzman, have opened the first of seven planned locations of Moe's Southwest Grill in the heart of Buckhead at 2915 Peachtree Road in the former Einstein's Bagel location. Moe's will be open seven days a week - Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 11 AM to 10 PM, and Friday and Saturday 11 AM until 11 PM. Moe's is a totally different Mexican restaurant concept that has an upscale dining room, serves beer and margaritas, is quick serve for dining in or out, inexpensive and offers a healthy $1.99 kids menu.

(February 2001) Windward Pkwy. Opened

Mon Cherie's Chamber opened September 1994

Monty's Stone Crab Seafood Restaurant (Opened February 2001)

(September 2000) Monty's Seafood Restaurants which has seven locations in Florida, will make its first venture into metro Atlanta by taking over the former Bennigan's restaurant space next to Lenox Square. The restaurant, which has a 31-year history in Florida, is shooting for an October 31 opening. Monty's, owned by Steve Kneapler, serves fresh fish and other seafood dishes as well as sandwiches and salads. It's signature item is its in-season stone crabs, normally served from mid-October to mid-May. During other times, Monty's serves Johan crabs from New England. The restaurant will seat 200. The restaurant's interior will have an eclectic look with mahogany tables. Stone crabs will be priced at $24.95 to $59.95, but patrons can expect an average dinner tab of $45.

(November 2000) Monty's Seafood, slated to open adjacent to Lenox Square in the former Bennigan's space, has delayed its opening until January 2.

(December 2000) Monty's Stone Crab will make its Atlanta debut in late January. Monty's will be located in the Shops Around Lenox (across from Lenox Mall) in the former Bennigan's space. This will be the first Monty's to open outside of Florida. The first Monty's opened in 1969 in a gas station in Miami's Coconut Grove and was actually a Monty's Raw Bar. In the early 1980s current owner Steve Kneapler bought the company. There are now Monty's in Boca Raton, Orlando and South Beach. The interior of the restaurant will be "elegant nautical" with hardwood and carpet flooring, an open kitchen and a large display showcasing the stone crabs. Seating will accommodate 200. The average check charge will be $50 and dinner-only will be served. The menu will offer fresh fish, seafood and Florida stone crabs (available mid-October to mid-May). The full service bar/lounge will offer an extensive wine list. There will also be a patio for outside dining.

(February 2001) Monty's Stone Crab Seafood Restaurant will open its first Georgia location in Buckhead in early February. Atlantans will now be able to feast on Florida stone crab claws year-round. Culinary landmarks in South Florida for more than 30 years, Monty's restaurants have consistently been rated No. 1 for stone crab claws and native seafood cooked with a Caribbean flair. The first Monty's opened in 1969 in a gas station in Miami's Coconut Grove and was actually a Monty's Raw Bar. In the early 1980s current owner Steve Kneapler bought the company and there are now Monty's in Boca Raton, Orlando and South Beach. Besides stone crab claws, other popular menu items at Monty's are Florida bouillabaisse, grouper 'pan doo,' citrus spiced mahi mahi, Jamaican spiced snapper and many other seafood specialties. She-crab soup, Caesar salad, hash brown potatoes, creamed garlic spinach and key lime pie are also on the menu. The Atlanta Monty's is located in the Around Lenox Shopping Center near the Swissotel in a former Bennigan's space. The 8,000-square-foot tropical decor restaurant will seat 200 diners inside and up to 60 on the patio, which will be rimmed with six 20-foot tall fiberglass palm trees visible from Peachtree Road and Lenox Square mall. The full service bar/lounge will offer an extensive wine list also. Open for dinner, Monty's hours are 5 to 11 p.m. seven days a week. Reservations are accepted, and valet parking is provided. Call for reservations, 404/495-9115.

Mozzarella Cafe (Pleasant Hill location opened August 1994)

Mumbo Jumbo (June 2000) Charles Cook, owner of the now infamous Cobalt in Buckhead, is negotiating to buy Michael Krohngold's trendy downtown Mumbo Jumbo restaurant. Krohngold's selling to devote more time to his Deux Plex nightspot and other restaurants.

(July 2000) On June 2nd Mumbo Jumbo went under new ownership - Executive Chef Shaun Doty and his partners Tom Cook and Brent Persall bought the restaurant from Michael Krohngold and Co. "Our intention is to maintain the same high level of cuisine and service while also re-establishing Mumbo Jumbo as a player on the late night scene," said Doty

(November 2000) Patti Krohgold, who originally designed Mumbo Jumbo downtown, has been commissioned by new owners Tom Cook, Shaun Doty and Brent Persall to return and redesign the interior. She has plans on bringing back the original artists to finish out designs that were never completed.

MURPHY'S BLEACHERS, (September 2000) Chicago: As unusual a place as you'll ever see. This indoor-outdoor bar sits just outside Wrigley Field and swells to capacity before and after Cub games. If you're lucky enough, Murph, the owner and an ex-Chicago cop, might let you go up and sit on the roof, which peers directly into Wrigley Field. Not only is it a great place to view the wonderful ballpark but there's a bleacher to sit on and your cold beer and john are six steps away.

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