2005

 

 

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2005  

•California Dreaming

•February 2005: Marlow's Tavenr

•March 2005: Bobby G's

CLOSED •April 2005: La Vera Cucina

•May 2005: Red & Green Pan Asian

•June 2005: Fogao Gaucho

•July 2005: Shooting The Hooch

•August 2005: The 'Rare' steak saga continues

•September 2005: Olde Towne expands

•October 2005: Taurus Arrives

•November 2005: Vincent's Italian Restaurant

•December 2005: Rathbun's, M!X, Etc...

January 2005

CentraArchy's latest:
California Dreaming


click photo for larger version

by toni m. lublin

Southern hospitality meets California Dreaming; a CentraArchy Restaurant chain serving American Continental fare, recently opened in a new freestanding building in Duluth on December 6.

CentraArchy Restaurant Management owns ten different restaurant concepts in the southeast, including New York Prime, Tavern, Joey D's, Gulfstream Café, Lighthouse Grille, Manzetti's, Chophouse '47, Burro Loco, Carolina Roadhouse and California Dreaming.

California Dreaming was CentraArchy's flagship restaurant opening in 1984 in Columbia, South Carolina in a renovated 1901 railroad station. The Duluth opening marks the chains 17th unit, with another opening planned in Myrtle Beach, S.C. in February.

This is the second California Dreaming location in Georgia (the first is located in Augusta), and the local patrons are already lining up to try out the famous 'Pittsburgh-style' steaks, and huge salads, along with seafood and chicken specialties. According to our friendly server at the Duluth location, Robert Atkinson says, "People know us from other areas and they are glad we are in Duluth. We have been open only a couple of weeks, but the word has traveled quickly and we have been packed every day."

The grandeur of the light oak and cedar interior is quite impressive. There are 36-foot ceilings and 40,000 linear square feet of cedar walls and ceilings. The interior walls were shipped from the state of Washington. The creation of a high tech lighting system gives the interior a warm atmosphere. At night, candles create a warm glow whereas during the day, light pours in the large windows and the background music is a mix of seventies and eighties.

Everything seems big at California Dreaming, from the interior to the portion sizes and reasonable prices. With a focus on staff teamwork, quality food and friendly service, the casual, fine dining environment at California Dreaming is the perfect place for a family to visit after a concert (Gwinnett Arena is within a mile of the restaurant), serving up a kid's menu complete with special ice cream drinks made-to-order of peanut butter cups, strawberries or coconut.

The center of the restaurant is a sunken dining area with 24-foot palm trees. Another feature of the space is the open kitchen. Mark Baldwin, operating partner says, "The atmosphere is festive and very enjoyable, whether you are on a date or having a business luncheon."

Appetizers offer an extensive list of favorites, such as the onion ring loaf piled high with fresh battered onions and dipping sauce ($4.95) and the tasty fried crab claws, easy to eat and served with a horseradish dipping sauce ($7.95). Also popular is the creamed spinach nacho served on an oversized dinner plate with homemade creamed spinach and cheese sauce ($7.50).

The open kitchen's display windows let you watch the 30-plus employees work fast and hard preparing entrees. Steak is a must-have at California Dreaming served with a charred crusty exterior, yet juicy and moist interior. Steak choices range from a New York 14 oz. ($19.95) to a 10 oz. Filet Mignon, ($22.95). The #1 beef item is the prime rib, slow cooked in "Alto Shaam ovens" (15.95 - 19.95). The famous fall-off-the-bone baby back ribs are served in one rack ($14.95) or two ($18.95). Also on the menu are large, generous portions of salads of chicken and broiled salmon ($4.95 - 9.95). Selected sirloin and chicken entrees are marinated in a proprietary recipe of fruit juices, garlic, soy sauce and spices for an added punch. If you can (very doubtful) save room for dessert, then the Carnegie Deli cheesecake is a real treat. Seafood dishes of fried shrimp, fresh fish of the day, crab claws and flounder are also offered.

California Dreaming Restaurant and Bar is located at 1630 Distribution Drive in Duluth, 770.813.9240. Hours are Sunday - Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. to 11p.m. For more information you can visit www.californiadreamings.com.

February 2005

Restaurant duo opens
third & fourth venues

 

Atlanta restaurateur, John C. Metz Jr., and partner, Tom DiGiorgio, creators of Aqua blue Restaurant & Bar in Roswell and Hi Life kitchen & cocktails in Norcross, have opened their third venture, Marlow's Tavern in Alpharetta. The new place for eating & drinking, serves freshly prepared American tavern favorites made from scratch. A fourth restaurant for the restaurant duo, also a Marlow's Tavern, is planned to open in Vinings in March.

Marlow's Tavern has a warm-neighborhood, yet contemporary feel, "We wanted to create an approachable restaurant with Marlow's Tavern and allow our guests to enjoy great tasting food in a casual and warm environment," says Metz. The name Marlow belongs to an elderly writer in Key West that was an occasional drinking buddy of both DiGiorgio and Metz and just seem to fit for the new concept.

Partner Thomas DiGiorgio, the president of DK Group, a Florida-based architectural development and contract firm, designed the 3,000 square foot Tavern. DiGiorgio focused on modern comfort utilizing a black and white motif to create a sleek look that is accented by black and white photographs and Chicago-style brick walls.

A neighborhood feel is also accomplished with an open kitchen that invites diners to observe the chefs at work, communal tables in the bar and large cozy booths as part of the bar feel. Several flat screen plasma TVs are discreetly incorporated in-the-round, allowing guests to view a variety of shows while they dine. A spacious outdoor bar and patio, featuring a fountain, will be open during the warm months allowing guests to enjoy cocktails and tavern specialties under the stars.

Marlow's Tavern features the "Best of the Best" in American tavern fare served in the modern atmosphere. The menu offers a diverse combination of classic dishes that are updated to a gourmet level. Marlow's Starters and Snacks ($3.95 - $9.95) are an ultimate expression of common bar appetizers. The Firecracker Shrimp are dipped in tempura batter and served crispy with a spicy sauce. The Killer Calamari is lightly fried and served with spicy marinara and sweet chili sauces while the Crab, Spinach & Artichoke bread is baked on a steaming garlic sourdough baguette. Soups & Salads ($2.95 - $8.95) feature chicken queso soup, black and blue steak salad, southwestern grilled chicken and the classic Caesar.

Big Bar Sandwiches ($5.95-8.95) includes Marlow's Melt, a grand rendition of the classic burger, served with sautéed onions and provolone cheese melted on marbled rye bread and hand-cut fries. The Lamb Wrap, with feta cheese, spinach, red onions, and tomatoes, is complemented with a red wine dressing.

The menu at Marlow's continues with the house specialties or Tavern Favorites ($10.95-19.95). A hearty Cowboy Ribeye is served bone-in with a peppercorn brandy sauce. Grilled Tuna is presented as an open-faced panini on toasted focaccia with red onions, tomatoes and miso dressing. The Shake-n-Bake(r) Pork Chop with garlic mashed potatoes, garlic spinach, fried okra and Talladega gravy is a modern twist on this staple from the past. Guests can end by sampling the Sweet Stuff ($4.50) with the Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding, bourbon caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream, Metz's Classic Crème Brulee or Hand-Dipped Ice Cream available in vanilla, chocolate and strawberry

Wines are available at three price points. Both white and red wine are available for $5, $7 or $9 per glass and $20, $28 or $36 per bottle. The selection is broadened by several white and reds available by the half bottle ($28 - $100). There is also a wide selection of bottled beers including local favorites like Sweetwater 420 and Peachtree Ale.

Marlow's Tavern is located at 3719 Old Alabama Road, Bldg. 200, Camden Village Shopping Center in Alpharetta, 770.475.1800. Hi Life kitchen and cocktails is located at 3380 Holcomb Bridge Road in Norcross, 770.409.0101 (www.atlantahilife.com) and Aqua blue is at 1564 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell, 770.643.8886 (www.atlantaaquablue.com).