|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
FEATURED ISSUE
|
|
|
FOR COMPLETE STORIES, PRINT PAGES FROM OUR PHOTO GALLERY (see link at right)
COVER STORY - Page 2
4th & Swift opens in
historic Old Fourth Ward
by hud report staff
Veteran Atlanta chef, Jay Swift (Rainwater, South City Kitchen) brings a modern touch to traditional American regional comfort food with his latest venture, 4TH & Swift, in the historic Old Fourth Ward. 4TH & Swift is located at 621 N. Avenue, NE, Atlanta, 678.904.0160. Hours are Monday - Thursday 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5:30 p.m. til midnight and Sunday 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more info, 4thandswift.com.... MORE
HUD'S CORNER - Page 2
The Research Continues...
THE SCOOP - Page 3
The Research Continues...
by hud report staff
New York-based, Il Mulino, with locations in Tokyo, Chicago, Orlando and Las Vegas will open in the Peachtree Tower at 191 Peachtree Street very soon. Visit www.ilmulino.com for all the details... David Clapp has finalized the deal for the CNN space that once housed Jocks & Jills and is starting renovations to convert it into a Dantanna’s. The makeover is expected to expand the space to 100 more seats. Dantanna’s first location is across from Lenox Square on Around Lenox Drive... The parent company of Aquaknox restaurant is taking its Timpano Chophouse & Martini Bar concept to the suburbs. eBrands has signed to open its seventh Timpano at The Avenue Forsyth in Cumming in winter ‘08. eBrands’ first Atlanta restaurant, Aquaknox, opened in November ‘07 in the Terminus Building on Peachtree in Buckhead... Anderson Hinds operated Le Cafe Hinds in Atlanta for several years. Hinds will soon be returning, this time serving bar-b-que at the Stokeswood Avenue address, with Hinds Barbeque & Rotisserie... Mirko de Giacomantonio, one of the co-founders of Figo Pasta, has created his own restaurant concept, Mirko Pasta. He opened his first at 2 S. Main Street in Watkinsville, GA, and a second in Athens in the Shops at Ansonborough. A third is planned for Brookhaven’s ‘Town’ project in 2009 and other locations have been announced for Sandy Springs, Emory and Midtown.
New to town...
Morelli’s Gourmet Ice Cream has opened at 749 Moreland Avenue and is serving homemade frozen treats with flavors such as jalapeno, coconut, feta cheese and golden raisin along with sweet corn (see page 11)... Owners of The Vineyard Wine Market brother Anthony & Joseph Alvarez, at 2022 Powers Ferry Road have added a dining area serving a casual menu called the V2 Wine Room... According to the website, the new Parker’s On Ponce opening in Decatur in mid-July, will be ‘Decatur’s first independantly-owned steakhouse.’ Owner J. T. Scott is renovating the former Mick’s location on E. Ponce de Leon Avenue for his new steakhouse venture... The AMC Buckhead Backlot 6 has been converted into the AMC Fork & Screen Buckhead, a cinema with casual in-theater dining and a bar called MacGuffins. The new theatre/eatery is located 3340 Peachtree Road in the Tower Walk shopping center and makes its debut July 11. The first 100 people to buy a movie ticket on July 11, 12 and 13 will get a free gift bag filled with movie swag.
Ch, ch, changes...
With the recent closing of Frankie’s at The Prado, most of the Jocks & Jills location shuttering their doors over the past couple of years and the demise of the company by then Chairman Jo Rollins to a sexual harassment suit and mismangement allegations, the company’s future seemed bleak. Enter Phil Hickey (Rare Hospitality) and co-hort Jeff Trent (Chief Operator) to save the day. Hickey was approached by an origianl co-founder, Craig Sager (Turner Broadcasting) and ended up purchasing the ailing company recently (four remaining units) for a reported $373,500. As of this writing, plans are being set in motion to introduce ‘the new Jocks & Jills.’... 12-year-old The Food Studio on Marietta Street will serve its last meal as a restaurant on July 12th. The parent company, Fifth Group, is converting the venue to a special events facility... Joining the ranks of its other sister venues, The Spotted Dog on North Avenue, is the latest of the Derek Lawford Pubs to close it doors. The past few months has seen the closings of The Angel in Decatur and the Prince of Wales on Piedmont Avenue.
Rumblings...
Amir & Melanie Askarian purchased Cafe Michel in Smyrna from a Frenchman named Michel Sola in July 1998. The husband and wife team ran the restaurant with the motto, ‘Where Cooking Is An Act Of Amore,” until Amir passed away in 2006. Cafe Michel closed earlier this year after Melanie also passed away and now the rumblings are that Amir’s nephew and brother, Barhand & Amead, will be reopening the Market Village restaurant on Atlanta Road... Rumors are saying that the group from the Charlotte, NC unit of Ri-Ra Irish Pub is planning to open in the Atlanta area in the 12th & Midtown development that’s currently underway. When it opens, 12th & Midtown will span three city blocks... Rumor says Anton of 97 Estoria in Cabbagetown and associated with the U-Joint, Brake Pad and Standard Bar group is opening a huge gastro pub called Bureau, occupying both floors of two buildings on Edgewood Avenue... Frank Ma (he ran Frank Ma’s Gourmet until he sold it in ‘05), is rumored to have left Da San Yuan and will act as general manager of a new restaurant to open on Briarcliff Road in August called Frank Ma South.
CHEFS' CORNER - Page 4
Atlanta Cooks at Home
This month we feature Einsteins executive chef, David Hartshorn's Fusilli Pasta Salad.
A new cookbook, Atlanta Cooks at Home, released iby Melissa Libby and Associates, highlights 29 of Atlanta’s most popular chefs and their favorite menus to prepare at home. The cookbook is available online at www.atlantacooksathome.com... MORE
DINING OUT - Page 4
by hud report staff
•BONE GARDEN CANTINA...
Bone Garden Cantina opened recently in the Lumber Yard complex on Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard in the former Ambra location. The Mexican eatery is compliments of husband & wife team, Michael and Kristen Benoit, who are also co-owners of the local Vortex restaurants in Midtown & Little Five Points. Bone Garden Cantina is located at 1425 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd., Atlanta, GA, 404.418.9072, on the south end of the complex and is a bit hidden - look for a skeleton above the Lumber Yard sign, playing a guitar. Hours are Tuesday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Sunday & Monday closed. Visit www.bonegardencantina.com for more info...MORE
•DIESEL.
TheHaynie Restaurant Group, Justin Haynie and Michael Gardner to be more specific, have opened their latest concept in the spot that housed Dish restaurant for 10+ years in Virginia Highland. Diesel is located at 870 North Highland Avenue, Atlanta, 404.815.1820. Hours are Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 3 a.m., Saturday 1 a.m. – 3 a.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 12 a.m. Visit www.dieselatlanta.com for more info...MORE
•HUDSON GRILLE...
Serving the Atlanta area for over 17 years, Metrotainment Cafes, Inc., has announced the opening of its third Hudson Grille sports-focused restaurant at Perimeter Mall. Hudson Grille is located at Perimeter Mall at 4400 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, 770.350.0134. Hours are Monday – Saturday 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. – Midnight...MORE
•MERLOT RESTAURANT...
Merlot restaurant operated for 5 years on Medlock Bridge Road in the Johns Creek area and shuttered its door in December of ‘07. Partners Fraidoon (Fred) Izadi and Saeeh Mahzari have resurrected the eatery and reopened on Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Suwanee. The duo has 40 years combined restaurant experience and also own Aldo’s Italian in Tucker, Milano’s Italian in Snellville and another recent newcomer, Tuscany Italian in Alpharetta along with chef/partner Parviz Golshani. Merlot is located at 300 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Suwanee, 770.945.999. Lunch & dinner are served... MORE
•ROASTERS...
Steve Leslie opened his first Roasters eatery 18 years ago on Lenox Road serving BBQ rotisserie chicken, brisket & ribs, chicken fingers, meatloaf and country fried steak. Today, Leslie’s American eatery has grown to four units with the impending opening of an Alpharetta location in mid-July. He also has locations in Sandy Springs and the Cumberland area. Roasters newest unit will be at 12850 State Hwy. 9, Alpharetta, 770.753.0055. Visit www.roastersfresh.com for opening details... MORE
METRO BEAT - Page 5
by hud report staff
•THE COUNTER...
Step into the new Counter in Roswell and you’re greeted with a clipboard and a list of ingredients that allow you to build your own gourmet burger. There are 312,120+ different burger combinations. Former Wendy's and Panera Bread franchisees Don and Scott Harris are the owners and plan to expand to 10 Atlanta-area and 10 Tampa, FL stores within the next 10 years. The Counter is located at 850 Mansell Road, Roswell, 678.461.9661. Hours are Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. and Sun. 11:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. For more info visit www.thecounterburger.com...
•DANNEMAN'S...
Danneman’s Coffee has opened in the heart of the Old Fourth Ward on the corner of Edgewood and Boulevard. Local resident, Joe Stewardson, bought it from the Danneman family and began restoration. The first tenant, Javaology coffee shop, operated for several years before closing earlier this year. Two other restaurants, The Corner Tavern and Café Circa, opened in the remaining space of the old market, and Stewardson along with business partner, Kate Pedrick recently opened Danneman’s Coffee, in the Javaology space. The transformation was made using the original Danneman's signage and other materials from the era, together with cozy seating vignettes that are designed for working as well as friendly conversation. Danneman’s is located at 466 Edgewood Ave., Atlanta, 404.380.1393. Hours are Mon. - Fri. 6:15 a.m. - 10 p.m., Sat. 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. and Sun. 7 a.m. – 10 p.m...
•SUMMIT'S WAYSIDE TAVERN...
Summits Wayside Tavern began in 1989 with a Sandy Springs location on Roswell Road. In September of ‘93 a Snellville location was opened and in 1998 a Cumming unit followed. Although the Sandy Springs location is no longer open, the eats & brew concept recently announced the opening of their latest stop on Eagle Drive in Woodstock in the former Bennie’s Chop House. Summits Wayside Tavern is located at 2990 Eagle Drive, Woodstock, 770.924.5315. Hours are Monday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight. Visit www.summits-online.com for more info...MORE
•TACO MAC...
In 1979, a couple of guys from Buffalo, NY on their way to Florida made a stop in Atlanta. After touring the city and enjoying the weather they decided to stay. They had a great idea... bring a popular northern cuisine to the sunny South, 'Buffalo Wings.' They found a tiny taco shack at the corner of Virginia and Highland Avenues - now known as ‘Virginia-Highlands’ and with limited funds a decision had to be made... renovate the kitchen or change the sign out front? The kitchen won and the Mexican-Irish sounding name, ‘Taco Mac’ remained. The new units: Metropolis, 933 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, 678.904.7211, Monday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 2:30 a.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - midnight; and Philips Arena, 100 Techwood Drive, Atlanta, 404.835.1192, Monday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 2:30 a.m. and Sunday 12:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m... MORE
•QUICK BITES: NY BUTCHER SHOPPE, V2 WINE ROOM, MORELLI'S ICE CREAM...
Franchisee Robb Dillion has opened the New York Butcher Shoppe in Buckhead at 4969 Roswell Road, Atlanta, 404.303.0704. The D’Elia family established the concept in 1999 in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. The Shoppe features hand-cut steaks of Angus Beef, prepared entrées, side dishes, salads and dips along with sausages, frozen pastas, vegetables, hard-to-find grocery items and a selection of fine wines and cheeses. Another location is expected to open soon on McGinnis Ferry Road in Alpharetta.
Brothers Anthony and Joseph Alvarez have expanded their Vineyard Wine Market on Powers Ferry in Atlanta to include a new room, The V2 Wine Room. The new space is a dining area featuring a casual menu with an entrance in the back of the building. The room is warm and welcoming and includes 9' tall wine racks, a bar and 3 communal tables. The menu is a collection of paninis, side items, salads, small plates, artisan cheese plates and meat & cheese platters as well as desserts. 2022 Powers Ferry Road, 770.226.0099, www.thevineyardwinemarket.com.
Morelli’s Gourmet Ice Cream & Desserts has moved into 749 Moreland Avenue (404.622.0210) in Atlanta serving ice cream flavors of coconut jalapeno, sweet corn, death by chocolate, red bean and Karachi kulfi to name a few. Sorbets, along with crepes and such milk shakes at The Mexican and the Brazilian Acai smoothie are all also offered. www.morellisicecream.com... MORE
TASTE TRENDS - Page 5
•New GA Laws on weapons, wine and alcohol...
•Green Foodservice Alliance...
•Curtis McBride celebrates 40 years at Manuel's Tavern...
•Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week...MORE
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARYS - Page 6...MORE
WHAT'S SIZZLIN' AFTER DARK - Page 6
An alphabetical listing of some after dark hot spot suggestions throughout Metro Atlanta... MORE
CELEBRATING THE SURVIVORS- Page 6
•DANTE'S DOWN THE HATCH...
Dante Stephensen opened his original Dante’s Down the Hatch in the old Underground Atlanta site in 1970. It was one of Atlanta’s main draws on the nightclub scene until 1974, when part of Underground was demolished to make room for the Five Points MARTA station and business began to drop. Stephensen moved north to his current location across from Lenox Square and opened another Dante’s in 1981. When Underground opened yet again in 1989, Dante’s Down the Hatch moved in and operated until the 1999. Although declining business closed many of the ‘new’ Underground venues, Dante’s in Buckhead is still going strong today with its theme-park pirate motif and nightly soothing jazz & fondue. Dante’s Down the Hatch Jazz and Fondue Restaurant is located at 3380 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, 404.266.1600. Hours are Monday - Thursday 4 p.m. - 11:30 p.m., Friday & Saturday 4 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. and opens 5 p.m. Sunday. Visit dantesdownthehatch.com for more info... MORE
RESTAURANT & BAR WARS - Page 7