Intrigued by what she read Lynn traveled to Montreal to investigate the chain which offers dishes from China, Japan, Thailand, Korea, Vietnam and Singapore.

“I feel in love with the concept and started to shop around for a location in Atlanta,” says Lynn. Along with partner, Jerry Yuan, Zyng Asian Grill opened in Marietta in April.

The fare is prepared fresh on a Teppanyaki grille, a Japanese art form of tabletop cooking. Starters ($3 to $6) include dumplings, spring rolls, noodle salads to small bowls of soup and low-fat/low-carb entrees such as Yakitori Chicken on bamboo sticks, the focus is on healthy eating. There is also the option to create your own “meal in a bowl,” selecting the noodle or rice, protein, flavoring and vegetable ($6.99 - $8.99).

Each Zyng is approximately 3000 square feet and seats 80 to 100 guests. The food is fresh, healthy and offered two ways: traditional “sit down” or modern “build-a-meal” style.

The full-service franchise restaurants feature an open kitchen where customers can catch a glimpse of their meals being prepared. The sights, sounds and smells of the kitchen are part of the décor.

To add to the uniqueness of the restaurant, a retail market area is an integral component of every Zyng. Hard-to-find Asian noodles, sauces and condiments, Asian kitchen accoutrements, tea and giftware are all available for sale. Zyng Asian Grill is located at 3625 Dallas Highway, Marietta, 770.419.8808. www.zyngatlanta.com for more information.

Vinings has Wild Noodles

Wild Noodles is in control and offering patrons who visit the new Vinings location, set to open late June, an affordable, fast-casual experience in a contemporary environment. The open kitchen-style fast-casual restaurant prepares noodle entrees with either an Asian, American or Italian flair.

Franchisee owner, Jay Varma, traveled extensively in his former corporate job -- during which time he discovered the concept. He was impressed with the quality of the food and atmosphere and has committed to open 10 locations in Atlanta over the next five years. “I was awed by the authenticity of flavors that Wild Noodles offers,” says Varma. Wild Noodles’ first location opened in Austell in October, 2004.

Arizona-based celebrity corporate chef, Eddie Matney, promotes the chain on his weekly cooking segment on Arizona’s Channel 3 News. Entrée items from Italy include Mama’s marinara, shrimp scampi and chicken marsala. From Asia the offerings include Mongolian beef, Bangkok peanut chicken, Thai rice noodles and American beef stroganoff, mac & cheese and buttered noodles. Entrees range from $5-$7.

Wild Noodles is located at 2355 Cumberland Parkway. The Austell location is at 1830 East-West Connector, 678.945.4665. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. from Sunday - Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information you can visit www.wildnoodles.com.

Crossroads Grille expands

The motto at Crossroads Bar & Grille is, “Live, work, play and last but not least, eat.”

Partners Mike Harris, Vinny Newman and Brad Merrell are putting this into practice, with an emphasis on the “eat.”

The trio arrived in Flowery Branch in 2001 following football, houses and boats. Owners Mike & Vinny will tell you, “the Falcons were here, there was a 1,500-house development going up and Flowery Branch Marina was about 3 miles down the road, the place had potential.”

As of last month, Crossroads Bar & Grille now has two locations with the most recent opening in Suwanee on Peachtree Industrial.

It’s no surprise that the menu focus at Crossroads is on USDA Choice steak, cut fresh daily. Mike and Vinny both worked at LongHorn Steakhouse for a number of years and Brad was with Proof of the Pudding caterers. The strong backgrounds bring both a level of expertise in the front and back of the house. “I worked at Longhorn for 20 years and opened their third unit in Georgia. I saw Longhorn grow from a mom and pop company to a corporate giant,” says Harris. He adds, “The difference between a corporate chain and an owner-operated unit like Crossroads -- is we are always present in the restaurant and are in-tune with our customers needs.” The full-service restaurant has a complete bar and superb wine list along with the combined 55 years of experience in the business.

The Partners have developed a solid menu of steakhouse favorites: Hand cut eight ounce filets are served with salad, bread and choice of baked potatoes, wild rice, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, onion rings, fried okra, vegetable of the day or french fries ($17.99); New York Strip ($16.99); Delmonico ($16.99); and Dave’s Ribeye ($20.99) are just a few other tasty steak entrees. Also available are a large selection of fresh fish entrees from tilapia ($14.99), trout almondine ($14.99) and fish and salmon combo ($25.99).

The new location is 360 Peachtree Industrial, Suwanee, 770.614.7880. The Flowery Branch location is at 5900 Sprout Springs Roads, 770.967.3375. For more information visit www.crossroadsbarandgrille.com

Azoni’s No.2 due

The Azoni’s all-you-can-eat buffet, owned by Ted Rosensweig and Jeff Given, offers pizza, wings, fried chicken, salad and soft ice-cream lovers -- a great deal, all for $5.99 before 5 p.m. and $6.99 after 5 p.m. (excluding drinks). “The value is incredible and the entertainment factor equally good,” says Given.

The first Azoni’s was opened last June on Lower Roswell Road in Marietta. “We are a family-oriented restaurant that offers a great value and fun environment for both the kids and adults,” says Given.

The partners are now opening their second unit in Marietta at the end of June. The sports-themed restaurant has bright interiors and the walls are decorated with sports memorabilia collected by Rosensweig. The new location features a glass window game room and offers up to 12 top video games to entertain kids. The adults are equally entertained by three large plasma TV’s.

Both partners have extensive experience in the hospitality arena. Rosensweig was an owner/operator of Gorin’s Cafés in Sandy Springs, Woodstock, Alpharetta, Vinings and West Paces Ferry/Buckhead. He received the Franchisee of the Year Award and the Best Customer Service Award. Given brings his marketing savvy and hospitality experience from owning his own pizza and wing restaurant in Ohio and was general manager for two CiCi’s Pizza restaurants. Together the partners are growing their Azoni’s units and are currently pursuing franchisees to help expand.

Azoni’s second venue will be located 2745 Sandy Plains Road. The first unit is located at 4719 Lower Roswell Road, 770.321.9333. Children 4 - 12 dine for $3.99 and under 3 are free. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday - Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Friday & Saturday. www.azonisrestaurants.com for more information on both locations.

Sam’s Burgers arrives

Gregory Hong is following in his brother’s footsteps. He recently opened Sam’s Burgers on Peachtree Parkway in Norcross. Hong worked with his brother in Seattle, Washington for three years, helping grow the older sibling’s Herfy’s Burgers & Shakes to 13 independently owned units.

Now it’s Hong’s turn to introduce Atlantans to Sam’s Burgers, named after Hong’s son, which opened in early May. The concept is very similar to Herfy’s offering affordable, casual, quick service and specializing in charbroiled burgers and milkshakes. Burgers are offered 1/4 pound ($2.69), double ($3.79) and triple ($4.99). Added to the menu are Philly steak sandwiches ($4.39), catfish and chips ($5.49), fried shrimp and chips ($4.99) and fish and chips ($3.99).

Milkshake lovers are in for a treat. Sam’s Burgers offer shakes made with real milk and soft-serve cream in three sizes -- small ($1.99), medium ($2.49) and large ($3.69). Flavors include banana, pineapple, vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, blueberry, butterscotch, coffee and hotfudge & marshmallow.

Sam’s Burgers is located at 6050 Peachtree Parkway in Norcross, 770.263.9877. Hours are Monday - Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.