July 2002 - December 2002
Back To Metro Page Ambra Ambrosia Bistro Atlantic Seafood Co. BBQ Blues Cafe Barcelona Restaurant & Tapas Black Bear Tavern Bridgetown Grill Broadwell House Burger Joe's Chicken Out Rotisserie Elbow Room Firehouse Food & Spirits Henry's Louisiana Grill Joe's Crab Shack Katz's Deli Maxwell Street Cafe Meehan's Ale House Millennium Market Cafe Norcross Tavern Nuevo Laredo Cantina Orange & Scarlett's Paulie's D's Perlino's Pig-N-Chik Ralph's Tavern & Grill Roasted Garlic Rockin' Hog Saloon Snuffy's Spiedie Grill Sun Grill Tango's Tib's Grill Varsity No. 6 Wings Landing Pub Yokohama Zapada's   Back To Home Page		METRO ATLANTA • DECEMBER 2002 A Taste of Spain heading into Duluth Barcelona Restaurant & Tapas Bar... Authentic Spanish cuisine arrives Chicken Out Rotisserie... Second Atlanta location opens Millennium Market Cafe... Breakfast, lunch or just coffee in Midtown Atlantic Seafood Company... Seafood serving over 300 in Alpharetta Roasted Garlic... Third Atlanta location to open in Roswell by toni m. lublin The city of Barcelona, Spain sits on the shores of the sea. The city's beauty is reflected in the architecture, art, entertainment and Spanish cuisine. Inspired by the city's culture, Barcelona Restaurant and Tapas Bar, is planning to share the special qualities of Spanish cuisine, when it opens its doors at the end of December 2002. Serving authentic Spanish cuisine from tapas (jamon, calamari, Spanish torilla-potato cake), a variety of paella's (including fideua, a type of Paella), grilled cuts of meat, fresh seafood that will include bacalao (cod) and gambas a la plancha (grilled prawns). Entrees will range from $15 - $25 and tapas will range from $4 - $9. The executive chef, Alfredo Gandara and pastry chef, Iker Carrillo, both graduates of the Basque Culinary Institute in Bilbao, Spain have recently relocated from Barcelona to the United States. Vice president of sales and marketing, Sheila Dehdashti said, "The Basque Culinary Institute in Bilbao, Spain is one of the most prestigious schools in Spain, and regarded as a top institute in all of Europe." Additional upper-class graduates from the institute will be brought in as visiting Master chefs for brief periods. The interior of the restaurant has been designed by Atlanta architect Dr. Saeed Sadri. The freestanding building has been designed to capture the warm and friendly atmosphere, typical of the city of Barcelona. Seating up to 165 patrons, the use of warm colors, rich mahogany woods, granite, glass and chrome create a modern effect. Entertainment will include a Spanish flamenco guitarist and other live Spanish music. "The Spanish culture values family, friendship, the highest quality of food and world class wine. The use of the name Barcelona is meant to serve as a symbol of the unique cultural experiences," said Dehdashti. Barcelona Restaurant and Tapas Bar is located at 11705 Medlock Bridge Road in Duluth. The phone number is 770.814.7477. Hours of operation are Monday - Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday hours are from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Reservations are accepted. Chicken Out #2 The philosophy of Chicken Out Rotisserie is quite simple: "eat good (food), always fresh, 100 percent natural," and they deliver on their promise. The privately owned "quick service" chain has recently expanded beyond its Maryland roots, opening its second Atlanta location in Sandy Springs. The owners, Rick Hindin and Lee Hindin, began their successful roasted chicken business 13 years ago and have grown to 31 units, most of which are corporately operated in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and North Carolina. With the focus on fresh rotisserie chicken, the options on the menu are beyond just plain chicken. Choose between gourmet wraps, sandwiches, fresh tossed salads, homemade sides and soups. The whole four-pound all-natural rotisserie chickens are very moist, due to the overnight marinating in a vinegar-based traditional recipe. It is this type of prepping which David Deal, who is the Atlanta marketing director, says is what makes Chicken Out Rotisserie a notch above the competition. "We do more prepping during the day and at night, which makes our chicken, fresh chicken salads and sides so flavorful," says Deal. The contemporary interior of the restaurant is bright and warm, with hardwood floors, blue cobalt tiled walls, plants and cherry-stained tables and chairs, which seats up to 90 patrons. Whether you choose to eat in, call ahead or take out, the counter service allows you to view the selection of hot and cold entree items in large glass cases. The healthy menu selections let those who are in search of a good home-cooked meal, but no time to prepare it, a welcomed alternative. House specialties such as the whole 4-pound rotisserie chicken are $8.99. Add three sides for $4.99 or four for $5.99. The sides are all freshly made in-house and include creamed spinach with artichokes, apple cornbread stuffing, real cheese and macaroni, steamed broccoli and carrots to mandarin walnut cranberry relish. There are eight cold and eleven hot sides to select from. Also available are rotisserie platters from chicken to chicken salad and barbecue pulled-chicken, served with one or two sides from $4.99 to $8.99. A kid's club meal is just the right size, for $3.99. Gourmet wraps include vegetable wrap, Chinese chicken salad or skinless grilled chicken breast wrap and range from $3.99 for a half and $6.99 for a whole. If you are in the mood for chicken salad, choose from four fresh kinds, chicken salad, apricot chicken pecan salad, pesto chicken salad and house chicken salad. Save room for a little decadence to complement the healthy eating with New York cakes which include cheese cake, titanic chocolate cake and 24-karat carrot cake. Chicken Out Rotisserie also does catering. Call 1-800-eat-good. The Sandy Springs location is at 6225 Roswell Road. The phone number is 404.705.9707. The Snellville location at Presidential Market Center, 770.978.6667. Hours of operations for Sandy Springs are Sunday - Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information you can visit www.chickenout.com Millennium opens The cozy interior, convenient location and outdoor view from inside the new Millennium Market Cafe, makes it an ideal spot to have breakfast, lunch or just coffee. The interior is a mix of hardwood floors and tile with twenty tables accommodating up to 80 patrons. The owner of the cafe, Omar Nasser opened Millennium Market in October. Serving eight types of gourmet pizzas, all American burgers, Greek, tabouleh to Caesar salad, as well as pasta salads and cold and grilled sandwiches, the Millennium Market Cafe caters to the surrounding workers on 10th street. Gourmet pizzas include the rosemary pizza with grill chicken marinated in rosemary sauce, onion, mushrooms and mozzarella cheese, or the Greek pizza, with fresh tomatoes, feta cheese, onions, Greek olives, and spinach. There is also a Chef Pizza of the day. The pies range from $4.95 to $6.95 and are a thin crust brick oven-style pizza. All the food is prepared fresh daily and such comfort dishes as meat loaf, hot turkey dinner and chicken dinner are reasonably priced at $5.95 each. Sandwiches run from the classic Turkey Club for $5.50 to the Vegetarian Foccacia, which is grilled zucchini, lettuce, tomato and roasted peppers, basil, and feta for $5.75. Coffees include cappuccino and espresso. Breakfast is also available at the cafe. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The phone number is 678.916.2123. The Millennium Market Cafe is located at 10 10th street in Midtown. Seafood Company due The Alpharetta area has a big fish coming to town. With 8,600 square feet of space to serve 300 people, the new Atlantic Seafood Company is expecting some seafood lover crowds. The owner, David Chen expects construction to be complete early next year and to be open by late January. Rich Clark, the general manager of the restaurant, relocated from Buckhead to help spearhead the operational end of the business. "The area and clientele are perfect for this type of restaurant. The flexibility of having your fish prepared anyway you like and the extensive menu, will make us a favorite destination," says Clark. Clark's experience includes five years as general manager at the Atlanta Fish Market on Pharr Road in Buckhead and opening Brassiere Le Coze at Lenox Square. With fresh fish flown in daily, from Gulf red snapper, Alaskan halibut, Hawaiian ahi tuna and wild king salmon to more local varieties such as Georgia rainbow trout and farm raised catfish, patrons can request their fish wood-grilled, blackened or steamed. Sauces are also prepared daily and include soy sesame, tomato basil olives and spicy Cajun remoulade. The fresh dishes range from $13.50 to $18 and are served with vegetables and potatoes. Lobster and crab are also specialties of the house. The lobster is served in 2 lb. portions with whipped potatoes and market vegetables for $27.50. Crab dishes are offered in five varieties, Key West stone crab claws for $28.50, Maryland soft shell crabs (fried or sauteed for $19.50), whole Dungeness crab for $26.50, genuine red Alaskan king crab legs $29.50 and red snow crab clusters for $29. In addition to the choices mentioned, you can also order combination fish entrees from surf-n-turf, 8 oz. wood-grilled filet and 4 oz. cold water baby lobster tail, served with rice pilaf and market vegetables for $22.00, along with many other fish entrees and combos. Peter Zakas of Peter Zakaspace is the architect for Atlantic Seafood Company. He has designed the interior to reflect color, feel and atmosphere of the sea and included a slight Asian aspect in the architecture and decor. Featured are large fish Aquarians, the use of cherry wood and brass, a sushi bar and a lot of color. Creating a fun, yet comfortable interior. Two private dining rooms can accommodate up to 50 people. The Atlantic Seafood Company will be located at 2345 Mansell Road in Alpharetta. Roasted Garlic #3 due Partners Federico Castellucci and Michael Hiffa opened their first Roasted Garlic in Alpharetta four years ago. The successful growth of the original location has spurred the expansion of a second Roasted Garlic in Cumming which opened February 2002 and a third soon to open the first week of December in the Roswell area. The partners' wives, Charlene Hiffa and Nancy Castellucci, are also very involved in the business. In fact their friendship and weekly tennis games led to the spark of ideas that conceived the business. Now both couples and their children are actively involved in helping to spread the good food and atmosphere. The restaurant is family oriented. Upon entering the restaurant, a montage of enlarged, black and white photos covers the walls of both partners' rich family roots. Classical opera music is piped into the restaurant, as seats fill up nightly for a home cooked meal like mama use to make. Castellucci describes the dining atmosphere and experience as being like "your most comfortable pair of shoes." The new Roswell location will have the same cozy interior. It will also feature a private dining room (the terrace room) that serves up to 100 people. Michael runs the front of the house and when not at the restaurant fits in his other career, lawyer. But he has a passion for the business and loves to interact with his customers. "We offer the combination of a great value, friendly atmosphere and know our patrons by name," says Hiffa. The restaurant's other locations have enjoyed a large repeat customer base. Dishes such as chicken cacciatore barese which is prepared with roasted peppers, shallots and crimini mushrooms served with grilled Italian sausage atop porcine stuffed ravioli, is an example of a classic dish served at Roasted Garlic. The sausage and breads are prepared especially for the restaurant by an outside source. The sauces are homemade from family recipes and unusual pestos such as walnut and fig are dressed in selected dishes. Castellucci described the impact of his roots on the concept of Roasted Garlic. "My father was born in Abruzzi, Italy and owned a pizzeria. My grandfather was born in Rome and grandmother was from Greece. I grew up with many family gatherings centered around food," says Castellucci. Even the masseria chicken is made with a special family recipe, dressed in the fig pesto, sun dried tomato, provolone with hand made ravioli stuffed with grilled vegetables and Asiago cheese, tossed with spinach, roasted garlic and sweet grape tomatoes lightly finished with fig balsamic vinegar and masseria extra-virgin olive oil. In the mood for some homemade pasta, there is Allegra's mafalde bolognaise, lasagnette-style pasta in a rich meat sauce with caramelized onions, a pinch of walnut pesto and topped with fresh Italian cheeses. Children are welcomed and have a complete menu selection of their own. Another avenue for dinner is homemade pizza which is made in a brick oven and offered in three varieties, cipoloni, porcini and asiago. Entrees range from $8.75 to $15.00. Tapas are available and include ciabato bread with roasted garlic tepende and crunchy rosemary potatoes with spicy dipping sauce. All tapas items are $2.95. The Roswell location will be located at 9850 Nesbit Ferry Road. The phone number is 770.645.0082. The Alpharetta and Roswell locations are open for dinner-only. The hours of operation are Monday - Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Friday and Saturdays the kitchen stays open until 11 p.m. The Cumming location also serves lunch. The number is 678.879.9855. METRO ATLANTA NOVEMBER 2002 New Ambra colors Atlanta's West Side Ambra... Southwestern and Mediterranean influences Perlino's... Italian Bistro opens serving homestyle favorites The Elbow Room... New owners add new choices to the menu Pig-N-Chik... Hickory-smoked BBQ delivered to your door Spiedie Grill... Popular northeastern sandwich is key Tib's Grill... Traditional Louisiana cuisine bound for Buckhead Yokohama... Fusion of Japanese and American by toni m. lublin With so many similar cuisines to choose from in Atlanta, it is those restaurants that offer a twist on the classics, which stand out. The combination of Southwestern and Mediterranean influences is the concept behind Ambra (meaning amber), a new restaurant that opens in early November. The owners, Kelly Goggin and chef/partner, John McGarry have brought together their talents and passion of food preparation, to offer a variety of dishes which are colorful, healthy and tasty. The partners worked together at Prime at one point in their careers. Most recently Goggin owned Highland Wraps and had been looking to expand her business. The area chosen to relocate her new business was the new 'it' spot for hip retailers and restaurants, the West Side, Howell Mill section of town. The Southwestern flair to the menu includes Quesadillas, burritos and tacos. These are offered in four varieties from grilled shrimp, Sonoma pepper jack and roasted garlic and chilies to grilled chicken, roasted, corn and poblano chili. Many of the meats and fish are prepared on the wood fire grill. Quesadillas range from $5.95 to 6.95. Dinner entrees include the Mediterranean flavors of wood-grilled Atlantic salmon, chili-cheese grits, smoked tomato relish for $13.95 and Ambra bouillabaisse, a mix of shrimp, scallops, mussels, clams, oysters, fish, served in a saffron lobster broth. Pasilla rubbed tuna toastada with ancho chile mashed potatoes and a cactus slaw for $17.95. The price range for the entrees will be $9.95 to $19.95. According to Goggin, the interior of the restaurant has a very urban chic feel. "We have a lot of exposed brick, concrete, walnut stains, and a beautiful mosaic tiled bar," says Goggin. The wood tables and banquets are upholstered in bright colors of red and southwestern gold, which are set off by a drop ceiling over the bar, painted in royal blue. Ambra is to be located at 1425 Ellsworth Industrial Drive at the Lumberyard Loft. The phone number is 404.352.2888. Hours of operation are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Bistro style... The taste of homemade Italian food is comforting. Think of how enjoyable it is to feast on a big bowl of four-cheese ravioli topped with an artichoke and a tomato lemon cream sauce. It is just this type of entree and many other homemade dishes that Perlino's serves in their bistro-style establishment. Sister and brother owners Elizabeth Walker and Justin Perlino opened Perlino's in mid September just off Peachtree Industrial and Jimmy Carter Boulevard. The menu offers traditional Italian dishes and Tuscan-grilled prepared meats, accompanied by homemade breads. Pasta favorites include Penne Bolognese and Rigatoni Vodka, which are served with sweet Italian sausage, sweet peas, mushrooms and a classic Vodka tomato cream sauce. Chicken and fish are also specialties of the house. Picatta di Pollo and Salmone Filet are just a couple of the tasty selections. Dinner entrees range from $9.95 to $18.95. The lunch entrees range from $8.95 to $9.95. Save room for the homemade desserts, such as Aunt Pearl's Chocolate Cake, rich and moist with raspberry sauce or a traditional spumoni ice cream sundae. Perlino's interior has a clean, sophisticated flair but the atmosphere is causal and relaxed. Hardwood floors along with black and white tiles, black chairs and white tablecloths give the interior a crisp, bistro ambiance. Black and white photos of the everyday people of Italy set off creamy yellow walls. Justin Perlino took the pictures during his many trips to Italy. The dining area seats 85 and the floor plan accommodates private parties up to 30. A full bar is also available. Perlino's is located at 7050 Jimmy Carter Boulevard in Norcross. The phone number is 770.209.4100. Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 'Elbow' changes hands The Elbow Room, a classic sports bar, was taken over by new owners three months ago, Scott Eskind and Joe Bonanno. The joint has received a little sprucing up including a fresh coat of paint, a brand new kitchen and a lot of new choices on the menu. "In addition to the existing menu, we have added blue-plate specials and other meat and vegetable selections to offer more variety to our customers," says Eskind. Since expanding the menu, Eskind has seen an increase in his lunch crowd. The four-year-old establishment has a steady crowd of regulars who come to hang out at the old bar or for the live acoustic guitar every Thursday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight. "We are home of the Oakland Raiders," says Eskind. The bar has twelve TV's. The Elbow Room is also home of the wing special. Every Friday and Saturday, Eskind draws a crowd who come in for the .25¢ per wing special. Seating is available outside on the deck, which accommodates 20 or inside which accommodates 40 patrons. The Elbow Room is located at 248 Pharr Road and is open Monday - Saturday and from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. On Sunday, hours are from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Pig-N-Chik moves Real Hickory-smoked barbecue is something you might crave from time-to-time. Better yet, how about if it is delivered to your front door? Pig-N-Chik will do just that if your abode is within a four-mile radius of their location in the Fountain Oaks Shopping Center on Roswell Road. Pig-N-Chik opened in November of 2001 for delivery-only and recently expanded their operation, and a new location, to include counter and sit down service this past October 2002. The owner Bill Marrack is interested in the potential to franchise the business. General manager Jim Graddy explained the process of smoking and how to achieve the most tasty, hickory-wood-smoked barbecue. "It needs to slow smoke and be dry rubbed. Some barbecue houses cook the meat too fast and add artificial flavors. Our briskets cook for 13 hours and we use pork butts, which are more flavorful and tender," says Graddy. The new sit down area, seats 38 inside and 15 outside. Cold beer and soft drinks are available. Sandwiches include a choice of homemade sides, such as Brunswick stew, baked beans, cole slaw, tater salad or fries. Other sandwiches include Savannah Matt's Chicken Salad and Pork Rib on the bone. Sandwiches range from $4.25 to $7.94 depending on the number of sides ordered. Lunch and dinner plates both offer smoked salmon at $6.54 and $10.25. Catering for business meetings, box lunches and events is also available. The location of Pig-N-Chik is 4920 Roswell Road. The phone number is 404.255.6368. Hours of operation are Monday - Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday & Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12 a.m. On Sunday the hours are from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Spiedie what? What is a spiedie sandwich? If you are from the Southern tier of New York, you're familiar with a spiedie. The owners of the new Spiedie Grill, which opened in October, are Richard Burke and Will Olivieri. They both have a good feeling for this popular northeastern sandwich. They both think that it will become a southern favorite as well. "We take a chicken breast, cut it in cubes and marinate it in a special blend of super concentrated Italian dressing onions, and garlic for 24 to 48 hours and serve it on a hoagie or Italian roll," says Burke. This special blend gives the spiedie its robust flavor. The chicken spiedies (pronounced "speedies") originated in Italy and quickly caught on as a favorite in the Syracuse area nearly 50 years ago. The original spiedies were lamb. At the Atlanta-based grill the spiedie fillings will only be char-grilled marinated chicken. Topping choices include provolone cheese, mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, olive oil and spices or you can order the spiedie with everything aforementioned, plus sweet peppers. A regular, which is 7 inches, ranges from $3.89 to $4.49 and a large 10 inch ranges from $5.19 - $5.99. Burke, who was formally in the computer software business, used to make spiedies for his family and friends, "everyone loved them and urged me to go into business," says Burke. Burke's partner Olivieri, is from Philadelphia and has brought his favorite hometown sandwich to the menu also, the Philly cheesesteak. Five versions of the cheesesteak are offered from the original to the mushroom, hoagie, Italian and 'everything' cheesesteak. The cheesesteaks are offered at the same price points and sizes as the spiedies. Tuna, turkey and fresh salads are also available. If you get hooked on the spiedie, the grill sells the meat, available by the pound, for grilling at home. The grill has counter service-only and seats up to 50 people. Spiedie Grill is located at 5075 Peachtree Parkway, in the Norcross Ingles Shopping Center. The phone number is 770.368.0066. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Saturday. For more information you can visit www.spiediegrill.com. Tib's Grill due Traditional Louisiana Cuisine with an innovative twist is the best way to describe the Tib's Grill, which is planned to open in Buckhead in early December. Looziana Culinary Concepts, LLC, an AFC Enterprises Inc. company, is developing the concept. The franchiser and operator of 3,911 restaurant, bakeries and cafes located globally include familiar establishments such as Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits, Seattle's Best Coffee and Church's Chicken. The new venture, Tib's Grill, will be under the watchful eye of Chef Homes,' a New Orleans native who is relocating to Atlanta to prepare the cuisine he is most proud of, including gumbos, crawfish, poultry, grilled seafood and pasta. Lunch will range from $12 - $14 and dinner from $18 - $20. Although Tib's will be located in Buckhead, upon entering you will have the sense of being transported to New Orleans. Five various-themed rooms are planned for seating, which includes the Festival room offering communal seating and is decked-out in colored string lights. There is also the Back Room, which is the private location for groups or intimate dining if one wishes. You can also sit at the bar or in the courtyard set to reflect a Louisiana garden, centered by a bubbling fountain and spinning fans. The dining room offers the classic New Orleans French Quarter experience with large booths and tables. Tib's Grill will be located at 360 Pharr Road. The phone number is 404.459.4450. Home at Yokohama Restaurant owners opening their doors in today's economy know that they must satisfy their guests on their first visit and offer value, good food and a comfortable, entertaining atmosphere. This past February 2002, Yokohama followed these guidelines and has been successful in generating a strong repeat customer base in the Duluth area. "From the beginning we did not want to be a traditional Japanese restaurant. We wanted to offer a fushion of Japanese and American comforts and service, and create an environment that felt like one's home," says Bruce Park, owner of Yokohama. The name Yokohama was chosen after the Japanese city known for its famous restaurants. Yokohama serves traditional hibachi, has a sushi bar and offers numerous Japanese dishes. Park is most proud of the hibachi. "Our chefs have over 15 years of experience and do an excellent job at entertaining our customers as they prepare their meals," says Park. Birthday parties are a popular theme for the restaurant. The private room holds up to 40 and the main dining area seats 200. Yokohama also serves beer, wine and other spirits. Park has developed three special promotions which are offered through December 4th. The first is every Sunday, buy one hibachi item and get one free. The second special, birthday guests eat for free and the third is with every $50 tab, Sunday through Thursday, $10 is taken off your check. Yokohama is located at 5805 State Bridge Road in Duluth. The phone number is 678.206.0911. Reservations are suggested. Lunch hours are 11:30 - 2:30 Monday through Friday. Dinner hours are Monday - Thursday 5 p.m.-10 p.m. and Friday & Saturday from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. For more information on menu selections visit www.yokohama.com. METRO ATLANTA • OCTOBER 2002 Bridgetown re-emerging in local spots Bridgetown Grill..Reopening locations throughout Atlanta Ambrosia Bistro...Newest Pan Asian restaurant on Piedmont Katz's Deli and Market...Re-appearing after 20 years Burger Joe's...Expanding concept to Midtown Firehouse Food & Spirits...Seafood, steaks, spirits in Suwanee Meehan's Ale House...October opening planned in Vinings by toni m. lublin The Bridgetown Grill is back and has a received a minor face-lift in the process. Two locations, Midtown (reopens in mid October) and Sandy Springs (which reopened in September) were closed briefly during a renovation period. A new third location has also opened in Alpharetta in late September. Now owned and operated by Keith Aultman, who previously has worked for the Cartel Restaurants for eight years, The Bridgetown Grill has a added new menu items and created a softer interior appearance. "We have kept the base menu and added more vegetarian, pasta and seafood dishes for today's health conscious customers," says Aultman. Special "all-you-can-eat" nights will return featuring different entree items. Most popular entree items at the restaurant are the Jerk Chicken, which is $10.99 and the Guava Barbecue Ribs, which are $12.99, according to Aultman. The interior designer Patti Khrongold, softened the bright colors, added new fabrics and drapery and toned-down previous bright colors to create a breezy island atmosphere. The new location in Alpharetta is at 9700 Medlock Bridge Road. The phone number is 770.622.0212. Ambrosia opens The owner of Eurasia (southeast Asian cuisine) and Northlake Thai Cuisine, Donald Mui has recently opened a third Pan Asian restaurant called Ambrosia Bistro. Pan Asian is the combination of Asian spices, curry sauces and dishes with origins from Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and China. Entrees include poached Chilean sea bass served with a ginger and scallion oil drizzle for $18 and seared herb crusted pork loin with spicy tamarind sauce for $14. Dinner entrees range from $11 to $20 and lunch ranges from $7 to 14. Thai soup such as Pho soup of sliced filet of beef and salads with chicken, scallions, hot peppers and peanuts in kaffir lime dressing are also part of the menu selection. The appetizers include crystal shrimp dumplings served with soy and sesame vinaigrette for $5 and stuffed crab claws with Thai chili sauce for $7. There is also a full bar. The open kitchen and fine dining atmosphere creates an elegant environment. Mui brother, Willie Mui, says "The food at Ambrosia is always consistent, with the finest quality and good service." The brothers have been in the restaurant business all their lives, growing up in New York and working at the families Asian restaurants. Ambrosia Bistro is located at 1529 Piedmont Road. Reservations are suggested, but not needed. Hours of operation are Monday - Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for lunch and dinner Monday - Thursday is 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. The phone number is 404.249.6488 and the website address is www.ambrosiabistro.com. Katz's Deli returns "It is amazing how many people remember Katz's Deli on Cheshire Bridge," says Neil Bellinger, partner in the original deli and owner of the new Katz's Deli and Market, opening in Dunwoody in mid-October. "It has been 20 years since the original closed and people still ask me about when I will open a real New York style deli like the original," said Bellinger. Bellinger has big plans for Katz's Deli and Market. He has taken over the former Harry's in a Hurry space, which occupied 21,000 square feet. The space will be broken into a market area of shops, deli, deli restaurant area, a cafe called Paradise Cafe that will offer lite bites and a juice bar. Also featured in the market area will be a soda fountain that will make real egg creams and some gourmet foods. An event hall, seating up to 300 people is also part of the floor plan. The full-service deli with restaurant will seat up to 160 patrons and will be open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 12 midnight on weekends. "We will serve breakfast all day and night long," says Bellinger. The deli is kosher style, with 75 percent of the items kosher. "We will have nova, lox, smoked fish at very good prices," says Bellinger. Sandwiches will range from $6.95 to $8.95. The special event hall, ideal for weddings, business meetings and parties, will have art exhibits on loan from the Spruell Arts Center in Dunwoody. The Deli is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The restaurant inside the deli is open from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday - Thursday. The Paradise Cafe is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Katz's Deli and Market will be located at 1420 Dunwoody Village. The phone number is 770.352.0012. Burger Joe's #2 planned "We are building the Burger Joe's name and expanding is part of the strategy," says Debbie Knipfer, marketing and operations manager for Burger Joe's, a take out and delivery hamburger joint. The first Burger Joe's opened in late February 2002 in Sandy Springs. Two more are planned this year. "There is a void in the Atlanta market to get a big, fat, juicy burger that delivers, as in to-your-door, which tastes like it just came off the grill," says P. J. Van Beneden, owner of Burger Joe's. Van Beneden has developed other restaurants concepts such as, Joe's to go, Joe Rigatoni's and Flamingo Joe's. He has been tempted to franchise many times in the past, but thus far, he has refused all offers. This may be the concept that eventually is franchised. "I grew up with a good milk shake and burger and wanted to offer the elements of convenience by having them delivered" says Van Beneden. Beef Burgers range from $5.79 - $5.99. Veggie Burgers from $5.25 - $6.25 and Turkey Burgers from $5.49 to $5.79. Depending on your choice of topping, will determine the price. There are a range of style-burgers from your traditional bacon cheeseburger to a Caribbean jerk burger and bleu cheese burger. Even the veggie burgers are said to be very tasty. There is the spicy veggie-supreme for $6.25, a combination of veggie patty brushed with a spicy hot sauce topped with Monterey jack cheese, salsa and jalapenos. If turkey is your preference, you can order a blackened turkey burger or a jerky turkey cheeses burger for $5.79. Chicken sandwiches and tenders as well as salads are also part of the fare which range from $5.49 to a 15-piece chicken tender for $14.95. P. J. Van Beneden explained the symbolism of the name "Joe" in all his enterprises present and past. "The name Joe is very nostalgic. Think of all American hero's like Joe DiMaggio, and Joe Louis. Hamburgers, fries, milk shakes, what could be more all-American?" says Van Beneden. Burger Joe's is a pick-up and delivery operation, up to a two-mile radius. Open Monday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Located at 7277 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs. The phone number is 770.671.1022. The midtown location is 141 14th Street. The phone number is 404.876.2005. Firehouse Food debuts Seafood, steak, chicken wings and spirits combined with good old fashion entertainment, are the ingredients for the new Firehouse Food & Spirits restaurant, which opened on September 30, in Suwanee. This is the second location of the Firehouse Food & Spirits. The first opened in Woodstock five years ago. A current crowd pleaser is the all-you-can-eat crab legs on Friday night for $13.95. The executive chef at the Suwanee location, Jim Cocoran has been in the hospitality business for 22 years. He prepares his own special sauces for the steak specials. Prime rib ranges from $10-$12 depending on the size. The breading used on the fish and beer-battered mushroom appetizers is homemade. The new location will seat 231 patrons. A poolroom and 35 TV's will attract a large sports crowd. Outdoor seating for 30 is also available. Entertainment includes karaoke and Monday night football. Firehouse Food and Spirits is located on Peachtree Industrial in Suwanee. The phone number is 678.614.6906. Meehan's Ale nears Atlanta restaurant entrepreneurs Steve Burero, Chris Segal, Mark Stillman, and Frank Smith owners of SoHo, Food 101 and the recently opened Mangia 101, are preparing to open their newest venture, Meehan's Ale House in November. Located in Vinings, Meehan's Ale House will be an 'upscale' Irish pub offering an Irish menu, but with a twist. Scott Crawford, executive chef of Food 101 and Mangia 101, will also be responsible for the menu at Meehan's. Some of the recipes are from Burero's grandmother, Catherine (Kitty) Meehan. "My grandmother cooked alot. I remember her playing Irish music in her Brooklyn home, which influenced me greatly," says Burero. Meehan's weathered storefront will welcome guests to the 70-seat pub lined with wood beams, 12-foot ceilings, a fireplace and a slate & stone patio that will be open year-round and seat an additional 70 people. The interior of the pub is designed to have the feeling of an authentic New York pub. The interior woodwork was done on the premise and incorporates the handy work of a distressed bar, which has been given the appearance of being aged. "We want Meehan's to be a gathering spot for all ages, offering good food, a Cheers-like atmosphere and great value," says Burero. The casual Irish charmed atmosphere will include comfort food, such as beer battered fish & chips, Irish stew, and Food 101's well received meatloaf and pot roast recipes. Prices range from $7 - $18 for entrees. Beer on draft includes up to 12 varieties, plus ales and lagers. Meehan's will be located at 2810 Paces Ferry Road, Vinings Station. Hours of operation of 11 a.m. - 1 a.m. with lunch and dinner being served daily. The phone number is 770.433.1920. For more information you can visit www.meehansalehouse.com. METRO ATLANTA • SEPTEMBER 2002 Country-style Cajun at Marietta's Back Porch The Back Porch Restaurant...Celebrating a year in Marietta Broadwell House...Circa 1843 home to open as a restaurant Henry's Louisiana Grill...Two-years-and-counting in Acworth Ralph's Tavern & Grill...Newly renovated Kennesaw sports bar Varsity No. 6...Opening in Alpharetta in February 2003 by toni lublin The Back Porch Restaurant, located in a historic home built 134 years ago one mile West of Marietta's Square, has just celebrated its first birthday. Partner's Don Lukas, Doug Webb and Howard Langford reopened the home as the Back Porch restaurant last August. The Back Porch has three main dining rooms: The front room, referred to as the Marietta room seats 60, the middle room, the Hunt Club room seats about 25 and the back room seats 20. The walls are filled with vintage pictures reflecting Marietta's history and the actual house as it went through various phases of being a private residence and restaurant. The cuisine focuses on Country-style cooking and Cajun food. The blend came about due to the chef's Cajun background and the popularity of Cajun food. Menu items include southern specialties such as country fried steak; southern-style grilled pork chops and fried catfish. Entrees range from $7.95 to $16.95. On the Cajun side of the menu, choose from Back Porch Gumbolaya (Gumbo over Jambalaya) or Shrimp Creole. Appetizers include Cajun crab cakes and fried shrimp bites. Homemade soups include Cajun seafood gumbo to French onion. Specials of the house include the Baton Rouge which is a grilled or blackened fish served with vegetable du jour and jambalaya with crawfish Mornay sauce for $16.95. The name Back Porch refers to an entrance in the back of the restaurant that leads directly to the bar. The partners converted one of the dining rooms into a bar area which seats up to 45 people. A 3,000-foot deck was built for outdoor dining of up to 35 people. Lukas, who owned a mega-sized sports bar in Milwaukee, and admits to being a 'sports nut,' has carried on the tradition of bringing the satellite game packages to the Back Porch bar area. "We have a loyal crowd that comes to watch all the games on eight large TV's. Many people don't even realize we have a bar in the back, since it has it's own entrance. That's why we ended up calling the restaurant the Back Porch," says Lukas. The Back Porch Restaurant is located at 645 Whitlock Avenue. The phone number is 770.792.6666. Hours of operation are from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. for dinner Monday through Saturday. The bar menu is available from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Broadwell House opens There is something interesting about stories of old houses that become restaurants. They have a charm that can't be reproduced. In this case, the story is about a home in the historic Crabapple area, built circa 1843 and occupied by the Broadwell family for 70 years. The house was converted into a restaurant in 1990 by the Pittman family and named Mr. John B's, after the famous grandson who lived in the house and became known for inventing a method of growing more cotton balls per plant during the era of the "king cotton." Mr. Broadwell was also very philanthropic, starting several schools in the Crabapple area. Once again, the home has changed hands and additional restorations have gone into the old house to restore it to its original glory. The current partners Whitney Crouse and Becky Hughes, renamed the restaurant The Broadwell House. It is to reopen on September 5th. The original hearts-of-pine floors, fireplaces and walls have been well maintained and the house is decorated with mid-1850's era tables, chairs and doors. The Broadwell House will serve Southern cuisine, such as skillet pork chops, oven roasted chicken and a range of fresh fish entrees, such as pomegranate BBQ salmon and coriander crusted mahi. Dinner entrees range from $14 to $24 for the cowboy ribeye. A nice list of premium beers and wines are also available. Lunch is also served, which features light sandwiches, shrimp and grits and a rustic vegetable torte. Lunch and dinner both, offer numerous daily specials. Homemade desserts are prepared daily by Miss Ruby. She bakes apple cream pies, lemon pound cake and chocolate bourbon cake, all fresh from the oven. The Broadwell House is located at 780 Mayfield Road, Alpharetta, Ga. The phone number is 770.294.3709. Henry's celebrates Henry's Louisiana Grill is celebrating its two-year anniversary. The grill has developed a loyal following over the last couple of years and customers return from locations as far away as Chattanooga to enjoy Henry's authentic Louisiana ooh la la! (oysters, shrimp or crawfish deep fried and tossed with tasso, spinach and roasted garlic in Henry's spicy cream sauce over a bread tower) and jambalaya du jour. Located in the historic Acworth area on North Main Street, Henry's Louisiana Grill is situated in a small 1909 brick building with 20-foot tin ceilings and white and black tile floors. Seating 68 people, the atmosphere is intimate, fun and festive. The owner, Henry Chandler, whose Louisiana roots influence his cooking style, was destined to share his creative cooking with others. Chandler offers classic dishes that have been inspired by his loving nanny, who he watched eagerly as a boy, as she cooked meals in the kitchen. Etouffee and Po Boy New Orleans-style are favorites of visitors who drive as far as 35 miles according to Chandler. Twice a month a saxophonist comes in to treat the guests to live New Orleans Jazz as they feast on Spicy chicken and flash-fried seafood. Private parties up to ten can be accommodated and a separate children's menu is available. Dinner entrees range from $9.95 to $17.95. Appetizers range from $3.95 to $7.95. Domestic and premium beers along with house and premium wines are served. Henry's Louisiana Grill is located at 4849 North Main Street, Acworth. The phone number is 770.966.1515. Hours of operation for lunch are Tuesday - Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner is served Tuesday - Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Friday & Saturday dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Call-ahead seating is suggested and reduces wait time. Ralph's renovates For the last six years owner Ralph Postoian, a former owner of Cheers, has successfully created a sports atmosphere in Kennesaw, Ralph's Tavern & Grill. Ralph's has recently been remodeled and has had many new sports memorabilia added to its already extensive collection. A new digital sound system, expanded dart area and new big-screen TV have added to the sports bar theme. Touting a cozy, neighborhood atmosphere and food that Ralph regards as "the best kept secret in Atlanta," Ralph's features steamed oysters, clams, shrimp and over 80 menu items. Daily and nightly food specials of value and quality are also offered. Ralph's takes pride in being 'kid' friendly and features a comprehensive children's menu too. At night, Ralph's buzzes with the new digital sounds. Darts in the new expanded are a favorite pasttime and you can watch your favorite sports teams on any one of the many TVs. Ralph's is located at I-575 and Bells Ferry Road in Kennesaw and for more information you can call 770.928.6136. Varsity No. 6 Whether you are new to Atlanta or have lived here all your life, the Varsity is an Atlanta institution to check out if you love a good dog, onion rings and hamburgers. The family business was established in 1928. Since that time the hotdog joint has expanded from its original location in Athens to downtown Atlanta, Cheshire Bridge (Varsity Jr.), Gwinnett and Kennesaw. The Varsity's number six unit will open in Alpharetta in February 2003. The grandson of the creator of the Varsity, Gordon Muir, vice president of the company, remarked why the 74-year-old company has been so successful, "People like places that don't change very much. My grandfather was very serious about maintaining quality and that focus has not changed over the years," says Muir. Muir reminisced about his grandfather's motives for opening in Athens. "My grandfather's idea was to open in college towns. At that time Athens had gravel roads and was a college town, but out of the way, so he then started to open in more populated areas." Having maintained the same red awning, the big Varsity logo, and the drive up/curb service, the restaurant has only made minor updates over the years. Even a few of the employees have been with the family business for years. Unbelievable, but true, Erby Walker has been taking counter orders for 50 years at the downtown location. The legendary Varsity keeps pumping out those dogs, burgers, onion rings and fries and like everything good-old American, Muir says, "it will always stay that way." The Varsity can be reached at 404.881.1707 or you can visit www.Varsity.com for all the locations and phone numbers. METRO ATLANTA • AUGUST 2002 Tango's brings cuisine blends to Alpharetta Tango's...Argentinian, Spanish, Italian and Cuban influences Maxwell Street Cafe...Chicago-style fare opens in Duluth BBQ Blues Cafe...Bar-B-Que and live blues arrive in Vinings Joe's Crab Shack...New locations in Buckhead and Stone Mountain Sun Grill...Opens offering California-style burritos Norcross Tavern...Replaces Olde Peculiar Public House Wings Landing Pub & Grill...To open in Lawrenceville by toni lublin Ana Pena-Guallini does her own version of the Tango as she dances around her restaurant happily greeting and speaking with her customers. Tango's is a cozy, yet elegant restaurant in Alpharetta that offers a blend of Argentinian, Spanish, Italian and Cuban cuisine. Influenced by Ana and her husband Norberto's heritage, the couple has created a menu with overtones of the Caribbean. Ana was born in Cuba and grew up in Puerto Rico. Her grandparents were Spanish. On her husband's side, Norberto's parents were from the Northern part of Italy and he grew up in Argentina. The menu highlights include the Parrillada Argentina or Argentinian Grill, which is filet mignon, flank skirt steak with chimichurri sauce, baby back ribs, half boneless chicken and Italian sausage served with assorted vegetables for $25. Homemade pastas and sauces include Ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta cheese for $16 and Fettuccini Norberto served with assorted seafood for $19. A seafood selection includes broiled lobster tail, stuffed plantains, and grilled mahi mahi. Seafood entrees range from $16.50 to $32. Lunch entrees range from $7 to $16. The Cuban bread served at the table is made fresh daily and goes well with the appetizers or items from the tapas menu. A recommended tapas selection is the codfish coquilles which are crispy and very tasty. Fried Plantains stuffed with shrimp and a sweet red Cuban sauce has a very homemade flavor and is served in unusual cup shaped plantains. The tapas menu ranges from $6 to $10.50. The interior is decorated with art collected by the couple from all over the world, including Argentina, Cuba, Spain and Puerto Rico. The pale yellow walls feature memorabilia such as original art from Cuba, Gauchos outfits from Argentina and original art from Puerto Rico. The flowers centerpieces, use of wrought iron and faroles (lanterns) and a serenading piano player create a very Argentinian atmosphere. There is seating for 80 inside and outdoor patio seats 12. The personal touch as Ana explains is what makes Tango's a place will people come back to again and again. "We are the type of owners that we are always in the restaurant, we go from the kitchen to the bar to the tables. We like to do a lot of things and are very involved, my husband and myself," says Pena-Guallini. The wine list offers bottles from Chile, California, Portugal, Italy and over twenty wines from Argentina, many of which are available by the glass. Tango's is located at 875 North Main Street. Hours of operation will be Monday -Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday hours are from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. All major credit cards are accepted. The phone number is 678.762.1695. Maxwell Street opens (as of 07/04 this location has closed) Those of you who are familiar with Chicago-style polish dogs and hoagies from the famous Maxwell Street vendors on the South bank of the Chicago River will want to check out Maxwell Street Cafe in Duluth, which opened in mid-July. Kathy Sills, owner of the cafe owns a catering company and years ago ran a hot dog stand called Danny Dogs in the Gwinnett area. The timing to open a Chicago-style concept with dogs and other Chicago favorites is favorable, as people look for value and a good time when they go out. Sills' general manager, Tiffany Howell also works with her on the catering side of the business. "We will be offering authentic polish hotdogs of ten varieties and Italian beef sandwiches on hoagie rolls, served with onions & peppers. Vienna Beef Company out of Chicago is supplying all our beef," says Howell. Maxwell Street will be offering a wide selection of dishes in addition to the hot dogs including a blackened ribeye steak. Appetizers ranging from pizza puffs to tamales, chili and potato pancakes will be $3.95 to $4.95; slabs of ribs and roasted chicken will go for $4.95 to $9.95; gourmet franks are $2.25 to $3.75 for a chili slaw dog and reuben dog; veggies and sides including broccoli, cole slaw, macaroni & cheese, salads, red beans and rice, smashed potatoes and baked beans, to name a few, are $1.50; Sandwiches include the reuben, all-American burgers, buffalo chicken, chicken salad club and meatball sandwich for $4.50 to $6.95; entrees range from a shrimp basket, scampi, blackened shrimp to roast pork tenderloin and blackened ribeye for $5.95 to $9.95. Pasta dishes, various salads and premium desserts are also available for $4.25 to $5.95. There will be live entertainment in the colorful blue and yellow cafe, which will hopefully catch the attention of patrons in the high traffic location. There is outdoor seating for 24 and inside seating for 112. The location of Maxwell Street Cafe is 3695-B Club Drive. The phone number is 678.924.9968. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday - Thursday and on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for the kitchen, with the bar closing at 2 a.m. On Sunday, the cafe is open from 12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. BBQ Blues arrives Combining two southern favorites, BBQ and live blues into one "happening" place is what Robert Anderson and Randy Spinson have brought to the table in BBQ Blues Cafe. The cafe opened July 17, in Vinings. According to Anderson, "There is nothing like BBQ Blues Cafe in the Vinings area. It is a place any age can come, have fun and eat great BBQ while listening to some great live tunes." Live blues are scheduled from Wednesday through Saturday. Recent bands include the Electro Maddicks, Heaven Davis and Frankie Lees Blues Mission. The menu includes BBQ pork and chicken sandwiches for $6.49 served with fries. A half slab or whole slab of slow cooked BBQ ribs for $12.99 and $18.99 accordingly. Also available are a range of five salads, including grilled chicken and Rotisserie Salad, which are from $7.29 to $7.99. Take out and catering are also available. The causal atmosphere is decorated in "blues" memorabilia and will seat 125 inside the cafe. Beer and wine are also served. The location of BBQ Blues Cafe is 3220 Cobb Parkway. The phone number is 770.956.8866. The website is www.bbqbluecafe.com. Hours of operation are Monday - Friday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. More Joe's openings Landry's Restaurants, Inc. is the creator of seven seafood restaurant concepts which include Joe's Crab Shack, Rainforest Cafe, Willie G's, Joe's Crab House, Cadillac and Muer Seafood Restaurants. Chairman, President and CEO, Tilman Fertitta bought an interest in the parent company in 1986 and in 1988 acquired sole ownership of the company. The most recent Landry's chain to open in Atlanta is Joe's Crab Shack, a fun filled atmosphere which looks part shack and part fishing camp with lots of "stuff" decorating the walls. The two most recent opening are in Buckhead, which opened at the end of July and in Stone Mountain, which opened in June. The awesome crab selection includes Snow, Dungeness, Alaskan, Louisiana, crab cakes and soft shell crabs. Prices range from $15.99 per pound to $23.99 per pound. The extensive menu includes steaks, salads, sandwiches, pasta, and shrimp dishes to Joe's Mama's favorites, such as the crawfish Etouffee for $5.99. Chain wide, Joe's Crab Shack serves 416,000 pounds of blue crab a years and 150,000 pounds of Dungeness crab annually. Live music along with dancing waiters and waitresses add to the zany environment. Private rooms are available for functions. A waitress at the Buckhead location said that if you have never been to a Joe's Crab Shack, it is beyond description. You have to come in and experience the atmosphere and food to get the full effect. The Buckhead location is 3013 Peachtree Road. The phone number is 404.869.0500. The Stone Mountain location is 4300 Stone Mountain Highway, 770.736.2900. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday - Thursday and Friday - Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The web site is www.landrysseafood.com. Sun Grill opens soon The California style burrito has a dedicated following in Atlanta. A new place to enjoy this type of burrito is the Sun Grill in Woodstock, which will open in August. The partners Carlos Alvarez, Julian Giraldo and Ruban Alvarez see their new venture as filling a niche for authentic South Western cuisine in the Woodstock area. "Our menu is focused on serving freshly made burritos, chimichangas and tacos to order," says Alvarez. Carlos and his brother Ruban, both born in Columbia, had a restaurant in Mexico called La Parrilla before coming to the states and working at various places to better understand the American market. The Sun Grill will be a counter service concept, made to order. The dips, such as guacamole are made fresh daily. Generous portions, good value and a brightly decorated interior are features Alvarez is banking on to attract patrons to the Sun Grill. "Our comfortable, newly decorated grill is a place to bring your family to enjoy an affordable lunch or dinner," says Alvarez. An entree with drink will range from $6 - $6.50. Located in the shopping village of Tritqum in Woodstock, the Sun Grill offers plenty of parking, and a space large enough to seat 50 inside and 15 outside. The location is 12035 Highway 92. The phone number is 770.592.7062. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday - Sunday. Norcross Tavern nears For the last two years, restaurateur Huw Thomas has kept a watchful eye on a small quaint tavern in the heart of historic Norcross. He was interested in owning the tavern and waited for the opportunity to make it his own, which he's finally done. Formerly the Olde Peculiar Public House, the 120-year-old tavern has received a new name and some "sprucing up," says the new owner. "It is a lovely old building, we just had to do some minor renovations," says Thomas. Included in the renovation is rebuilding a 33 foot-long deck and revamping the menu with all new features. Opening August 1, 2002, the tavern will reopen as Norcross Tavern. "We want the tavern to be a place that the people in town feel is a part of the community," says Thomas. Live music is planned for Fridays, along with all-you-can-eat crab legs on Saturdays and Trivia on Thursday. A dart league will be part of the activities as well, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The menu choices include soups, six varieties of salads, including the tavern salad, a turkey, ham, shrimp, avocado, tomato, diced potato, black olives and sprinkled with cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, for $7.95. Pub Sandwiches (all $6.95) are served with a choice of soup, salad or fries, and are a creative blend of classic and new traditional. There is the The Hat Trick (3-in-1) a half a club sandwich, a small Caesar salad and soup for $6.95 and The Richmond Reuben among the many choices. A dinner menu is also available for a hearty Irish stew, tavern meatloaf and Teriyaki chicken, all $8.95. Thomas owns four other Atlanta restaurants including Dunwoody Tavern, Royal Oak Pub, Dunwoody Chop House and Fandango's bar and nightclub. "Most people open one restaurant in a lifetime, somehow I have managed to open three to four a year," says Thomas. The Norcross Tavern is located at 29 Jones Street. The phone number is 678.291.9220. The hours of operation are Monday - Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Friday - Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Wings Landing due In a way, Dona Allen has spread her wings to land in a new career, that of owner and operator of Wings Landing Pub and Grill in Lawrenceville. For the last 22 years, Allen has worked as an accounts manager at Lucent Technology. Now, she is embarking on a new challenge with the support of her family and looking forward to the finished project. Wings is scheduled to open in mid-August. "It's like going for your dream. Twelve years ago, I took some classes in restaurant management and really enjoyed it and now I am acting on my dreams," says Allen. The pub and grill will focus on serving American-themed cuisine. A variety of wings will include Mild, Medium, Hot, Honey BBQ, Sesame Oriental, Honey Dijon and Jamaican Jerk. A regular 15-piece is $7.99 and are available in 10, 25, 50,100, and Super Jumbo 200 piece quantities for $88.90. Allen says, "A lot of places offer wings, but in a take-out environment. We offer a full-service environment, plus other entrees as well." Steak & Ribs, which range from $12.99 to $15.99 and Chicken & Fish, which range from $7.99 to $8.50 are also menu selections. Sandwiches and Burgers range from $5.95 to $6.95 for a Philly cheesesteak. Appetizers range from $4 - $7 and include golden fried oysters, winged onion and fried zucchini. Rounding out the selection are soups, salads and sides. Wings is located in a new shopping center anchored by Kohl's and Super Wal-Mart at 722 Collins Hill Road, Lawrenceville. The full bar will have seating for twelve, while the main dining room seats 130. The entire space is 3,300 square feet. With arched windows, lots of woods and shades of brown in the upholstered seating, the interior is designed to be comfortable and welcoming. Allen found the transition from her old job to her new job rather easy when it came to working with the suppliers. "I enjoy working with different people and my organizational skills helped, just a different end product," says Allen. Hours of operations are Monday - Sunday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and all major credit cards are accepted. The phone number is 678.442.1133. July 2002 New neighborhood restaurant opens Paulie D's.....Newest neighborhood restaurant-tavern in Decatur Orange and Scarlett's.....Second location planned for Piedmont Park Black Bear Tavern....Opens on Peachtree in South Buckhead Nuevo Laredo Cantina.... No. 2 bound for Inman Park Rockin' Hog Smoke Shack & Saloon.....New BBQ joint in Alpharetta Snuffy's... Brings secret sauce from Rochester to Atlanta Zapada's.....Newest Mexican cuisine in Norcross by toni m. lublin Lee Rosbach and Paul Dagnese, partners in the new restaurant Pauly D's, are open for business in Decatur. Serving a diversified menu in a casual, yet upscale environment, Rosbach describes the restaurant as "a neighborhood type restaurant tavern, with good comfort food." Rosbach previously owned eight restaurants, mostly in Florida. Dagnese had a sports bar in Atlanta, called Pauly D's, which CNN broadcast from during the Olympics. With their new venture they hope to attract both the business lunch crowd and evening neighborhood crowd. The interior of the restaurant is decorated in classic decor and colors. A full-bar made of mahogany, tile floors and smoky bronze mirrors with leather seating, surround mahogany columns and tables. "We serve no processed meat, all the meat is cut on the premises and we have many deliveries of fresh fish throughout the week," explains Rosbach. Appetizers range from $6.60 to $7.95. Entrees range from $10 - $17 for a rack of ribs. Specialties include, mahi mahi, and a shrimp dinner called summer time shrimp, grouper sandwich, Black Angus burgers and chicken Alfredo. A large selection of salads from chopped to Caesar are also available. The lunch and dinner menu are the same. Pauly D's is located at 1371 Clairmont Road, Decatur. The phone number is 404.486.9318. The hours of operation are from Monday - Thursday from 11:30 a.m. -10 p.m., Friday - Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 p.m. -10 p.m. Orange & Scarlett's #2 Orange and Scarlett's is a sweet concept, combining under one roof in the space of a converted midtown home. Orange and Scarlett's offers homemade-themed ice cream and a breakfast shop in a unique spot. The first location opened in Midtown in December 2001 and a second will be opening in mid-July at the entrance of Piedmont Park. The creator of the concept, Lucero Martinez-Obregon was previously involved with her brothers in the ownership of Zocalo and Oh... Maria! Orange and Scarlett's will open its second location at the entrance to Piedmont Park, in the former American Legion Building, at the intersection of 10th Street and Piedmont Road. The new location will have about 65 seats indoors and on the patio combined. Orange and Scarlett's will occupy nearly 1,000 square feet of space at 1071 Piedmont Road adjacent to Willy's Mexicana Grill. "We're thrilled to add a second location to sate Atlantans unbridled craving for homemade ice cream and fresh crepes, sandwiches and more," says Martinez-Obregon. "Two scoops are better than one." The concept for Orange and Scarlett's at Piedmont Park will expand the original location's format of breakfast, lunch, ice cream and crepes, to include picnic baskets to go. Piedmont Park revelers can enjoy summer concerts, Screen on the Green, festivals and more with items from Orange and Scarlett's. The ice cream flavors are witty and yummy. Martinez-Obregon is always coming up with something new and rotates her flavors every three to four days. Crepes are also available, filled with bananas, chocolate, apple or nutella with toasted hazelnuts. Scarlett's serves up to 12 flavors daily. The themed ice creams have names such as Piedmont Perk, which is pistachio ice cream with toasted pistachios; Sweet Jimmy (In honor of Georgia's president) which is vanilla and peanut brittle with a caramel swirl, and are very popular. Other flavors include Wake Up Atlanta! which is coffee ice cream, made with 'La Seva' organic coffee; Georgia Marble, which is cookies and cream; Georgia Pine, which is very unusual but delicious... it combines honey, toasted pine nuts and feta cheese. Sorbets include Buford highway, a Mexican mango sorbet, with lime and chili pepper. On the breakfast side, Orange offers 12 varieties of fresh bagels and large choices of spreads such as honey sunflower, strawberry, maple and even creamy avocado, fruit and yogurt. Fresh eggs are also served in combination with cheese and pico de gallo and queso blanco (white cheese). Sandwiches, which are called Bagelnini's, are a cross between a pannini and bagel. The bagels are pressed with a pannini machine, an original from Orange. The Bageloco is a jalapeno bagel with tomatoes, queso blanco and avocado. Or you can try a Bagelivoila, which offers a combination of brie, tomatoes and Dijon mustard. Bagelbreak-fast ranges from $1.69 to $4.89. The sandwiches range from $3.50 - $5.50. Salads, which include Caesar and midtowns mix range, are $4.99. The Juniper Road 1,200 square-foot space seats 25 inside and 20 on the patio. The coffee bar also features 'La Selva' an organic Mexican coffee, which is a fair trade coffee, exclusively for coffee bar use. Orange and Scarlett is the only vendor in the United States, which serves La Selva. This program improves the lives of many farmers in Mexico, by allowing them direct channels to retailers making it more profitable for the farmers. Orange & Scarlett's is located at 814 Juniper Road and the phone number is 404.877.0040. The second location will be at 1071 Piedmont Road at the entrance of Piedmont Park. The hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., and Sundays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Black Bear Tavern opens Mark Ferguson could be called the guru of creative taverns. His latest venture with partner James Rose is called Black Bear Tavern and opened in mid June in South Buckhead. Ferguson and Rose are also partners in the Lazy Dog Tavern located in Lilburn. Previous establishments owned by Ferguson include Thirsty Dog Tavern and Mc Duff's Irish Pub. With ten years of pub and restaurant business behind each partner, the two have set out to create the best restaurant and pub in one establishment. "We offer fine food in a causal atmosphere, with moderate pricing and a bar area which is ideal for the neighborhood crowd to hang and meet people," says Ferguson. An extensive wine list and the opportunity to choose up to 25 wines by the glass, offers a great opportunity to pair different varieties with your meal. The kitchen is open until 3 a.m. and serves a range of popular dishes with Latino overtones to classic All-American. The chefs, Manuel Vasquez and Charles Williams both worked together previously at the Horseradish Grill. Together again, they have developed an extensive menu of delicious appetizers, entrees and desserts. "I enjoy creating different mixes, new things and marrying together flavors and creating a beautiful presentation," says Vasquez. Recommended appetizers include the garlic butter shrimp, which are served over crispy fried green tomatoes and topped with a spicy roumelade sauce. The inside is tangy and the outside crunchy and mouth-watering. Also, the Chicken Tortilla Soup is very hearty and tasty. It is a blend of boneless chicken, potatoes, carrots, and corn served a savory chicken broth topped with tortilla strips and cheese. The appetizers range from $4.50 to $6.95. A large range of salads includes Tarragon lump crab salad and the Black Bear Caesar. Salads range from 5.75 to $6.95. During lunch you can choose between creative sandwiches, such as Tuscan balsamico, which is fresh grilled marinated vegetables served on herb foccacia bread with mixed greens on the side, to a fresh fish taco, a very good taco alternative, which is light and a nice blend of lettuce, tomatoes and cheese served with a lime marinated battered and flash fried fish served in a warm corn tortilla. You can also opt for a classic blue plate of southern fried chicken, barbeque ribs or turkey meatloaf served with vegetables for $6.95. The dinner menu, which ranges from sautéed stuffed grouper to a popular sautéed stuffed pork chop, ranges from $11.95 to $18.50. Save room for the homemade desserts. The Black bear Tavern Apple Pie is like no apple pie I have tasted. It is not too sweet, and a great combination which is topped with caramel sauce and vanilla bean ice cream. Other selections include Sobu (South Buckhead) Spice Cake with sweet cardamon sauce and a triple chocolate pancake, topped with vanilla bean ice cream and chocolate sauce. In the evening after 11 p.m. the dartboard activity swings into action. The tavern has six dartboards, which bring in a lot of people according to Ferguson. "You can't be only a fine dining restaurant and survive in Buckhead. That's why we have the best combination at Black Bear, great food, a nice atmosphere and in the evening, entertainment to enhance having a good time," says Ferguson. On Friday and Saturday, the tavern has live acoustic music from 11 p.m. to closing, which is 4 a.m. on Friday and 3 a.m. on Saturday. Black Bear Tavern is located at 1931 Peachtree Road. The phone number is 404.355.9089. The hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. and closed on Sunday. Nuevo Laredo #2 Nuevo Laredo Cantina is a cozy Mexican cafe in the northwest end of Atlanta. It has earned a reputation of having the best Mexican food in town and been awarded winner of "Best of Atlanta," by Atlanta Magazine since 1992. The customers who have discovered this inviting spot, continue coming back for the tasty Mexican food, excellent service and value. Owner Chance Evans is a seasoned operator when it comes to knowing what makes good Mexican food and running a successful restaurant. Prior to opening Nuevo Laredo Cantina in 1992, he owned and operated two locations of another well-known Atlanta institution, called U.S. Bar & Grill, which he sold in 1991. In June 2002, the Cantina celebrated its 10th anniversary. Plans are in the works for a second location to open in September 2002, in Inman Park The home-style cafe is filled with memorabilia from pictures and trinkets collected from Evans numerous Mexican travels. It is not uncommon to see celebrities who frequent the Cantina, from the likes of Mickey Rooney to local celebrities, such as coach Chan Gaily of Georgia Tech. But make no mistake; the real attraction at the Cantina is the food. With the 'sophisticated' blends of spices that bring out the flavors, Nuevo Laredo has captured and delivered on the recipe for serving consistently, good food. House specialties include Chicken Mole, which is shredded chicken that combines a subtle taste of clove, onions and tomatoes. With just the right balance of spices, the entree has a mellow flavor, which is very tasty. Another recommended specialty is the Shrimp Barbacoa, which is spiced with a tangy lemon and barbecue flavor and seals in flavors. Most dishes are served with rice, beans or Mexican mashed potatoes. The menu is very extensive and ranges from traditional Fajitas for $12.95 to Vegetarian dishes such as Tacos with avocado and cheese to spinach enchiladas for $6.95. The entrees range from $6.50 to $11.95. Appetizers range from $4.95 to $7.50 and include a fresh guacamole dip, nachos and other favorites, such as Chile con Queso. The full bar offers Mexican beers, margaritas and house select liquors. Although Evans is usually a fixture at his Chattahoochee location, he is also an avid traveler and an executive producer. He just completed five parts of a thirteen part series covering a Mexican travel documentary and cooking show. For three-weeks his filming showcased the charm and traditions of cooking in five towns in Mexico, including Pueblo, Veracurz, Ozxaca, Mexico City and Acapulco. The series will be shown on the Cooking Channel this fall. The original Nuevo Laredo Cantina is located at 1495 Chattahoochee Ave. NW, and second will be located in Inman Park. The Chattahoochee Avenue phone number is 404.352.9090. Hours of operation are Monday - Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. The attire is casual. All major credit cards are accepted. Rockin' Hog opens What do you get when you combine great barbecue and great music? The Rockin Hog Smoke Shack and Saloon, a new barbecue joint owned by Tom and Dixie Nickoloff, located in Alpharetta. The owners have been in the restaurant business for 20 years operating the well-known La Paz which now numbers five locations in the Southeast. The Alpharetta location was a La Paz for the last seven years, but the Nickoloff's decided to make a change to offer Alpharetta patrons something they felt the area lacked, real southern barbecue. "A lot of research was done on barbecue with travels to Memphis, Texas, Kansas City, South and North Carolina, to pull together the best of barbecue and Texas Beef Brisket, the best in town. We serve a cross between Memphis barbecue which is tangy and Kansas barbecue which is sweet," says Heidi Harris the general manager of Rockin Hog. The price points of the menu range from $5.99 for a sandwich to $7.99 for a dinner plate of Texas brisket with a choice of two sides. "The homemade macaroni, Texas brisket and babyback ribs are to die for," says Harris. The entire barbecue is smoked on the premises with a major sized 18-rack carousel smoker and a smaller version as well. The BBQ beef brisket is rubbed with Texas spices and slow-smoked or you can have BBQ chicken smothered in the hog's BBQ sauce and char glazed. Both entrees are $7.99 and part of the Rockin' platter. Other flavorful favorites include chopped pork, smoked sausage, taj majhog, baloneyman. If salad is on your mind you can choose from four unusual salads such as Ruby's BBQ, South Cobb Drive, which is topped with grilled chicken fingers or fried fish filet or the Blue Wedgie for $2.99 and Little Mary Salad for $1.99. The Shacks baby backs come half for $11.99 and full for $16 and includes two sides and a fresh biscuit. Catering and take-home are also available The Brisket is served sliced and the barbecue is hand-pulled and lightly chopped. A light sauce, which is tomato based and similar to a Kansas City sauce with a hint of North Carolina, brings just the right sweetness to the pork. Also, homemade sauces, a spicy and regular, are made in-house. The executive chef Ron Ouellette has been with the company for six years. Music is also an important focus of Rockin Hog. Live blues and blues-rock on Saturday is drawing a loyal crowd. Jodi Worrell with the Backbeats has been a regular favorite. The music starts at 8:30 p.m. and goes to 12:30 a.m. Harris points out that where the band performs does not interfere with dinner conversation and everyone seems to be happy with the entertainment. The Shack is fitted with a game room so the big kids and little kids have their own source of entertainment. The saloon makes it great for the bar crowd later in the evening. A full bar and six draft beers are served. "The saloon is not decorated like your typical barbecue interior. We have chicken wire suspended between the booths, funky colors, some papier-mâché art and offbeat checker tablecloths in multicolor. The Kennesaw State University Art class did some of the interior design. They designed our logo and t-shirt and helped out alot with the concept, including the menu design," says Harris. The shack seats 175 and a covered patio seats another 42. Rockin Hog Smoke Shack and Saloon is located at 11605 Jones Bridge Road in the Abbots Village Shopping Center in Alpharetta. The hours of operation are Sunday - Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday & Saturday from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. The phone number is 770.521.0506. Snuffy's secret sauce Snuffy's is not stuffy. In fact, Snuffy Hamlett restaurant owner of his namesake, is quite emphatic about making sure his customers feel right-at-home while enjoying their fried chicken, beef ribs, hot dogs and hamburgers with a side of the famous secret family recipe sauce (hot or mild) affectionately known as the "boss sauce." Snuffy's mother and uncle, boxer Snuffy Smith, opened the first Snuffy's in Rochester, New York in 1949. Using Snuffy's mother and sister's secret recipe sauce the joint became a favorite of many. The sauce is still commercially bottled and distributed to local food stores in Rochester. On my visit to the newest opening of Snuffy's in Roswell, I met Mr. and Mrs. Bob Amico, who had relocated to Atlanta three years ago from Rochester. They were elated to find out that this was the same Snuffy's they knew from Rochester. "We use to buy the sauce at Wegman's, a very large food chain in Rochester and loved the taste," says Mrs. Amico. The secret hot sauce, which is a combination of hot and tangy sweet, made Snuffy's a well known name and it has caught on in Atlanta as well. A mild version is also offered for those who want the tangy sweet version, but not the hot part. Hamlett opened his first Atlanta location with his four sons in May 1998. The business has been very successful and a catering side has developed. The second Snuffy's opened in Roswell on May 24, and has caught the attention of the neighborhood. "We want to make everyone feel welcome here. We play Oldies but Goodie music (Snuffy draws on his fifthteen year career in radio), because people love it," says Hamlett. Plans are in the works to decorate the walls with Hamlett's personal collection of album covers. Hamlett plans also to open five more Snuffy's in Atlanta. When you enter the restaurant, you pass the wall of fame which highlights photos of local politicians, teachers, police and firefighters shown enjoying their meal with their boss sauce and sides. Entrees include chicken dinners, chicken tenders, wings and the Rochester chicken cheese steak. All Chicken entrees range from $5.50 to $12.50 for a 20 piece wing order. Snuffy's famous beef includes beef rib dinner, bar-b-q steak and a snuffy big dog. Veggie dogs and burgers are also available. The macaroni salad served with a drizzle of sauce is also famous and very good. A range of sides include turnip greens, string beans, potatoes, coleslaw and rice and gravy. Snuffy's is located at 10479 Alpharetta Street. The phone number is 770.649.1233. Carry-out is also available. Hours of operation are from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday - Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday & Saturday. A customer appreciation day is planned for July 13th. Zapata to open A new Mexican restaurant will open in Norcross on July 1, called Zapata. Owned and operated by partners Ali Silva and Miguel Yelos, also being referred to as the business of Villa and Zapata, LLC, Zapata will offer authentic Mexican cuisine and was named in honor of Emilio Zapata, an important figure in Mexican history. "We will serve the same type of food you can eat in Mexico, at Zapata. We want people to have a nice time and eat quality food," says Silva. The full bar with three beers on draft and a large selection of tequila, will be surrounded by Latin American art which is for sale. The dining area, which seats 80 people, is decorated with Mexican flair. Located in a convenient strip center, Zapata hopes to draw a crowd who enjoys a causal atmosphere, good food and value, according to Silva. The entrees range from $8 - $13. Appetizers range from $5 - $7 and homemade soups are $4. Entrees include Chicken Mole, Tacos de Fajita, Flautas and, Pollo an Salsa de Mole, Enchiladas en salsa Verde. Vegetarian dishes will also be available. Zapata is to be located at 5975 Peachtree Parkway, #2 in Norcross. The phone number is 770.248.0052. The hours of operation are Monday - Thursday from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. for lunch and from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. for dinner. On Friday from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. -12 a.m. for dinner. On Saturday the hours are 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Sundays from 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Top of Page