CEO, Rich Chey and his six partners are embarking on opening their fourth unit in Smyrna in Mid July, followed by a fifth unit in CityWalk in Sandy Springs by September.

The concept has not changed since its roots, offering low price Americanized Asian food. A recent menu change has added additional appetizer selections and Doc’s Favorites -- a selection of entrée specials brought back by popular demand. Price ranges are $4 to $10. Entrée items include Dim Sum wraps, infamous noodle bowls, stir fry and salads.

The Pan Asian menu encompasses the cuisines of China, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam. Menu categories include dim sum, salads, soup bowls, noodle bowls, and rice plates as well as a complete beverage menu of beer, wine, sake, herbal and green teas. The restaurants feature communal tables, counter seating and an exhibition kitchen where guests can watch their food being prepared fresh-to-order in traditional Chinese woks.

The Smyrna location reflects a new prototype and will offer a hybrid service of fast-casual at lunchtime and full-service at dinner. “We are adding a dedicated take-out area as well as dedicated take-out parking, which is in response to our customers requests,” says Chey.

The interior color scheme is also being updated with warm colors and more woods in the new units. Customers who drove intown to the existing locations prompted the expansion into Smyrna. “We are a neighborhood restaurant and always look for sites which are a good fit for our concept,” says Chey.

Chey’s partners include Brad Spratte, director of franchising; Mark McCagg, director of operations; Brook Messina, executive chef; Dick Rivera, board of directors; John C. Metz Jr., culinary consultant and John C. Metz Sr., board of directors.

The Smyrna location is in Ivywalk, 1675 Cumberland Parkway, 770.333.WOKS (9657). The Sandy Springs unit will be located at 227 Sandy Springs Place. Visit www.doccheys.com.

Cozy Persian...

Saffron Restaurant (not to be confused with Duluth's Saffron Bar & Grill) is a cozy Persian restaurant that opened in Roswell on June 2. Specializing in kabobs as well as other Persian appetizers.

Owners Parviz Zehtabchi, Mike Saydi and Reza Ghorbanan wanted to offer their customers an experience that combines a relaxing atmosphere with the opportunity to explore the many flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine. Zehtabchi, who has been in the hospitality business for 30 years, felt there was a real niche waiting to be filled by opening such a restaurant in Roswell.

The kabobs are grilled over an open fire and served with saffron flavored steamed basmati rice, soup and pita bread. The opportunity to choose from seven kabobs ranging from beef, lamb and Cornish hen makes it enticing to try more than just one type. There is the Joujeh Kabob (skinless Cornish hen kabob with bone) that is marinated in saffron sauce and charbroiled to perfection ($14.95) or the Barreh Kabobs (Lamb) marinated and charbroiled ($12.95). Four choices of beef kabobs include Chelow Kabob Barg, which is a skewer of charbroiled prime filet mignon ($14.95). The seven kabob choices range from $12.95 - $15.95.

Decorated with a contemporary flair and designed with both Persian and modern art, the atmosphere is casual and authentic. Vaulting the ceilings, adding modern tile and coloring the walls yellow redesigned the space. A private room for events holds up to 20 guests. Entertainment plans are in place to have belly dancers during dining hours.

Saffron is located at 4674 Sandy Plains Road, 770.640.0882. Hours are Sunday - Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Papa’s on the move...

Next to making it yourself, “take n’ bake” pizza is about as fresh as you can buy. According to co-owner Lea Scott of Papa Murphy’s, the dining trend is towards low cost alternatives and convenience. “This opportunity is in line with the buying trends for value and convenience -- nothing tastes better than a fresh, hot pizza,” says Scott. The price comparison to a ready-made pizza is about 30 percent less.

Scott and his partners, James Carter, David Simmons and Matt Rollings, formed Four Idiot Pizza Guys, LLC and purchased the development rights to expand with Papa Murphy’s in North Metro Atlanta. The plan is to open 31 units over a five-year span, “We were looking for different opportunities, but still satisfied the quick serve concept which is the fastest growing segment,” says Scott.

The partners currently operate two Papa Murphy’s units, one in Lawrenceville, which opened May 18, 2005 and the other in Marietta, which opened May 25, 2005. The first two units are located inside Wal-Mart stores but future units will also be placed in strip malls, averaging about 1,000 square-feet. Nationwide there are about 855 units.

Two styles of pizza are offered, your regular crust and a low carb alternative called Delite Dough which is a very thin curst. The dough is made fresh daily and prepared to order. Each pizza comes in its own baking tray and takes 15 minutes in a conventional oven. Pizza sizes range from 12”, 14” and a 16” that is stuffed crust pizza. The 16” ($12.99) is large enough to satisfy 4 - 6 people, is double curst layered, braided around the edge and topped with almost a pound of cheese.” There are three varieties of the stuffed pizza with the largest, The Big Murphy Stuffed Pizza, weighting in over 5 pounds.

Papa Murphy’s is located at 1400 Lawrenceville Highway, 678.377.4992. The Marietta location is 2795 Chastain Meadows Parkway, NW, 678.581.5588. Hours are Monday - Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visit www.papamurphys.com.

More pizza pie...

Bella’s Pizzeria opened their first unit five years ago and quickly expanded from a 1,500 square-foot space to a 5,000 square-foot space. Partner’s Mario D’Elia, Bruce Blumberg, Richard Kline, and Brian McCallum have recently added onto the business with a new unit opening in Acworth, in early July.

The New York-style pizzeria is a family-style restaurant. According to Mario D’Elia, “We offer good food and a great value with a real New York-style pizza.” The full service restaurant also offers calzones ($8.50), wedges ($7.95 - $8.75), a variety of homemade Stromboli ($8.25-$9.75) and pasta dishes ($8.95 - $10.95) from baked ziti to veal Parmesan with spaghetti.

Cooked in a stone-lined oven the thin crust pizza is the pride of the company. Seasoned with a secret “Bang” seasoning used to enhance the flavor, the dough is made fresh daily and hand rolled.

Pizza specialties include a white pizza, Alfredo Spinach and Artichoke pizza, Italian Herb Grilled Chicken, Pizza Veronesi and a 16” Sicilian pie. The pizza, which takes 12-15 minutes to bake, is available from plain to a variety of toppings including ham, bacon, mushrooms, green olives, black olives, meatballs and pineapple. The number of topping you order will determine the price of the pie. Price range from $11.90 to $21.

The partners put a spin on their idea by creating a menu that is not only affordable, with various menu selections, but also developed a space that has access to all the televised professional and college football games and a private banquet room with 65” widescreen is available to rent.

Bella’s Pizzeria is located at 5399 Bells Ferry Road, Acworth, 678.434.4300. Hours are Sunday - Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday & Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visit www.bellaspizzeria.com for more information.

Chamblee, New York...

Penang, a popular Malaysian restaurant located on Buford Highway in Chamblee (and New York's East Village), is a favorite place for many Atlantans. The recent May opening of the second Penang Malaysian and Thai Cuisine in Kennesaw is attracting a lot of new customers, “We have very loyal customers, and have had many requests for us to open a location in Kennesaw,” says manager Jessie Lai.

Like the original restaurant, Penang Malaysian and Thai’s Kennesaw location’s specialty is Malaysian cuisine. The new location will offer homemade curry sauce (red, green, yellow and masaman) to the belacan sauce (spicy Malaysian shrimp paste) and bawang putih (garlic sauce) used in the appetizers and entrees. Also recommend is the Tom yum me hoon, a generous bowl of rice noodles laden with vegetables and seafood and spiked with lemongrass and cilantro. Entrees range from $10-$18.

Appetizers favorites include the crispy roti canai, which is an Indian style pancake served with a curry sauce.

The interior decor has a bamboo-hut and brings the traditional details and service that has made the restaurant successful.

Penang Malaysian and Thai Cuisine is located at 2491 George Busbee Parkway, 678.213.4848. Hours are Monday - Thursday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday - Sunday 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.