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AND A TIP OF THE TOQUE TO. The two new faces that should add some promise for the future of our dining scene ,Kevin Maxey and Giuseppe Napoli, whose arrival should ease some the angst caused by the recent departures of several of Atlanta’s top chefs. Chef Kevin Maxey, slated as the opening chef at CRAFT Atlanta, comes with a gilded resume that includes stints at the famed GRAMERCY TAVERN and CRAFT New York as well as being the opening chef at CRAFT Dallas. Sources in Dallas’s dining community lauded his tenure and commented that he had begun the farm to table movement there. With all of the hoopla surrounding the Atlanta store, expect big things from our new friend from Texas. Across the motor court from Chef Kevin, Chef Giuseppe Napoli has taken over as chef de cuisine at NEO at the Mansion on Peachtree. A first generation Italian-American, Chef Giuseppe comes to our fair shores from New York’s acclaimed Italian fine dining spot, DAZIES, where he had served as Executive Chef since 2005. His new menu is superb and once he gets his feet set, look for a bella cucina experience from the tony hotel’s restaurant. So let’s give a warm ATL welcome to the FNGs. SOME BETTER NEWS. Effective Friday, August 8, 2008, the new owners of WOODFIRE GRILL are seasoned restaurant managers Nicolas Quinones and Bernard Moussa, under the name of Five Senses Restaurants. Quinones and Moussa have worked together as manager and assistant manager, respectively, at Midtown's LOCA LUNA for four years The partners plan to continue WOODFIRE GRILL’s mission of providing Atlantans locally-sourced, sustainable and organic food originally started by its founder and chef, Michael Tuohy. The existing kitchen team will remain; led by Executive Chef Kevin Gillespie, Tuohy’s chef de cuisine for the past two years. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Brookhaven. There may be a MURPHY’S in the Brookhaven: Town project slated to come on line in 2009. Buckhead. The developers of the Terminus project have announced the signing of 2 upscale restaurants for the under construction Terminus 200 office tower. CANTINA LAREDO, a gourmet Mexican spot, and III FORKS, a high end steakhouse, both from Dallas based Consolidated Restaurant Operations, are scheduled to open in August 2009. Downtown. CITY GRILL has promoted Shan Timothy Holler to Executive Chef. Chef Shan received his formal training at the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in Minnesota. Midtown. The former PRINCE OF WALES location on Piedmont Avenue at 14th Street is scheduled to reopen this fall as LIFT RESTAURANT. West Midtown. ABATTOIR, Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison’s proposed “meat-centric” restaurant in the under construction White Provisions development will open in November and is designed by Dominick Coyne, who did all of their previous stores. Serenbe. Nick Melvin is replacing Nicholas Bour as executive chef at the FARMHOUSE AT SERENBE. Melvin comes to Serenbe from Concentrics Restaurants, where he worked as sous chef for some of their stores, including MURPHY’S, ROOM and TAP. The New Orleans born chef starts August 28th. Question of the Week: What local Italian chain has been forced to close half of its restaurants? Thanks for stopping by and remember that what you keep to yourself you lose, but what you give away, you keep forever. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW- What highly regarded chef is rumored to be top toque at the MUSS & TURNER’s folk’s proposed Buckhead project?-is Chris Hall, former top toque at The SUN DIAL and before that, at Philadelphia’s famed LE BEC-FIN.

A LATE BLOOMER. The Dogwood tree is the classic southern symbol of the advent of the vernal equinox and the renewal that it brings. DOGWOOD the restaurant, albeit opening in the middle of summer, signals the renewal of a section of Peachtree that is full of potential but has lacked a sophisticated destination dining spot (especially since MICK’S and PLEASANT PEASANT have closed). DOGWOOD, whose Buckhead trained owners opened it " to bring the warmth of Southern hospitality to the intricacies of big city dining to Atlanta’s most famous street”, debuted downtown in the tony Reynolds condominiums at 565 Peachtree Street last month. And if my first impressions are any guide, its sophistication will allow it to flourish even in the midst of the current economic drought. Chef Shane Touhy (no relation to Michael) and business partner Scott Black are two Georgia boys who met while working at Buckhead’s BLUERIDGE GRILL and its famed sibling, BONES. Their accumulated experience is amply demonstrated in DOGWOOD’s design; menu and service. The sleek interior design is composed of soft neutral tones accented with comfortable furnishings and striking art that allows the guests and their comfort to be the focus and not the décor. The menu at the Friends and Family event featured value priced dishes composed of simple ingredients, sourced from the South and prepared with some deft touches like the panko coated fried Georgia trout. The star of the menu, however, is the grits bar; a unique take on southern tapas: ramekins of excellent stone ground grits with a rotating assortment of toppings such as low country shrimp; ham and pimento cheese; and fried oyster with a spicy hollandaise sauce. Talk about putting some South in your mouth! The grits bar is available at dinner or at the bar and, as Chef Shane assured me, on the soon to be lunch menu as well. (Expect soup flights -zucchini and watercress, Vidalia onion and white cheddar; and BLT shrimp salad sandwiches) The affable Chef Shane is as serious about the service at DOGWOOD as he is about the cuisine. Our server, a veteran of BLUERIDGE GRILL, reflected that in his work all evening. DOGWOOD epitomizes a New South hospitality that says fine dining need not always be stuffy or expensive but it must always be enjoyable. NEWS and NOTES From my keyboard to your screen). Buckhead. HOLEMAN and FINCH has been honored as Atlanta Magazine’s 2008 restaurant of the year. GENKI NOODLES and SUSHI, at 3188 Roswell Road, has closed:” temporally for renovations”. Downtown. COOPER BLUE JAZZ BAR, a 4,500 square foot multi-purpose facility, with a full kitchen and tiered seating is scheduled to open in Underground Atlanta by the end of 2008. The Georgia Dome has hired a new executive chef, Frank Abbinanti-a former executive chef at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, to thoroughly revamp the menus in the Club and Suite levels. Look for local foods plus some “wow items”. Old Fourth Ward (O4W). JUICEEZ & ETC, a juice bar with a limited menu, is slated to open this summer at 20 Jackson Street. Virginia Highland. The original owners of SALA, the Fifth Group, have repurchased it and are planning to reopen under a new name and different concept. There is no time line as of now. Question of the Week: What highly regarded chef is rumored to be top toque at the MUSS & TURNER’s folk’s proposed Buckhead project? Thank you for stopping by and remember that an ounce of apology is worth a pound of loneliness. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW- What Midtown hot spot is rumored to be slated for a change in concept soon?-is THE GLOBE.

THE O4W. Recently I broke bread with The Industry Bigfoot at DYNAMIC DISH and after the meal, had an opportunity to check out one of the most dynamic communities in the city; whose growth and development augurs well for the future of Atlanta’s dining scene. The historic Old Fourth Ward (O4W), bordered by Piedmont Avenue to the west, Ponce de Leon to the north, the proposed Beltline to the east and Dekalb Avenue to the south, has seen a range of hot spots define its nascent dining scene. And from the award winning REPAST, to the recently opened FOURTH & SWIFT to the trendinista favorite,HARLEM BAR , the hits just keep on coming. No less an authority than the erudite Atlantan magazine has named the O4W as on of the “hottest ‘nabes’ in town”. And, after a quick post meal trip, I can see why; all of the accoutrements of urban hipness are either present or soon to be: farmers markets (the Green Market started; coffee bars (DANNERMAN’S COFFEE nee JAVOLOGY); a cupcake spot (SWEET POCKETS CUPCAKES) ;and the soon to open SERPAS from uber chef Scott Serpas. Now, the Edgewood Avenue corridor is chock a block with construction of spots like NONI’S BAR and GRILL. It, as well as several other restaurants, is joining with DYNAMIC DISH, a highly regarded vegetarian spot, that had yours truly, a dedicated carnivore, raving over a salad, to create a critical mass on a still sketchy street. But a street that is an integral part of the rapidly changing face of the O4W. So for all of you folks looking for the next au courant restaurant experience, check out the Old Fourth Ward where new culinary history is being served up daily. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Atlantic Station. A TIN DRUM ASIAN CAFÉ is going into the former AU BON PAIN spot this fall. KILWIN’S , a Michigan based confectionery shop featuring hand made chocolates , is opening their first Atlanta location this fall on Atlantic Drive. Buckhead. New York ex-pat and self taught pizza guru, Jeff Varasano will open VARASANO’S, a combination Neapolitan pizza restaurant and upscale wine bar at 2171 Peachtree Road, in the Mezzo condo building, this fall. Downtown (DT). The STARBUCK’S at 250 Park Avenue West is one the 10 Metro area STARBUCK’S slated to close this fall. Midtown. TAP, Concentrics Restaurants’ gastro pub, is celebrating its first anniversary on August 1 with a 1980’s themed party. SAUSALITO WEST COAST GRILL, specializing in steak tacos, has opened at 1389 Peachtree Street(17th and Peach). LA PIETRA CUCINA will open this fall at 1545 Peachtree Street in the new retail center at Peachtree Pointe. Old Fourth Ward. NONI’S BAR and GRILL, featuring Chef/owner Matt Rupert and sous chef Chris Lyons’ (PAUL’S,VINOCITY) take on an Italian deli and bar,is slated to open at the end of July at 357 Edgewood Avenue. Sandy Springs. THE FLYING BISCUIT will open a franchised location at 5975 Roswell Road this summer. QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What Midtown hot spot is rumored to be slated for a change in concept soon? Thank you for stopping by and remember that motivation comes when your dreams put on work clothes. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW- What local top toque is currently negotiating a book and TV deal? – is Richard Blais.

HOTEL CALIFORNIA. The news that Michael Touhy is returning to California and putting his seminal restaurant, WOODFIRE GRILL, up for sale has sent seismic shock waves throughout Atlanta’s dining scene, already reeling from rumors of imminent closures and departures. Tuohy, a native San Franciscan, will return to join forces with the Joie de Vivre Hospitality Group, California’s largest boutique hotel company, to launch a farm-to-table restaurant called GRANGE in Sacramento. The restaurant will be situated in The Citizen Hotel, a new, stylish 200-room boutique hotel, and will feature his signature style of using fresh, local ingredients from small farms. Tuohy came to Atlanta to launch his first restaurant; CHEF’S CAFÉ, in 1986.It became known for its eclectic, inventive menu and was frequently tagged as groundbreaking by the local food media. At that time, CHEF’S CAFE was the only local restaurant that changed its menu frequently and cooked using local and seasonal ingredients. In his 22 years on the Atlanta dining scene, he has owned and managed restaurants; been an active member of the Slow Food movement, Chefs Collaborative, Georgia Restaurant Association, and a board member of Georgia Organics. August 12 is the official six year anniversary date for Woodfire Grill and so Tuohy will host his “Farewell Dinner” on that date for his longtime Atlanta fans and friends. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Buckhead. Mattie Hines, owner of LA LAPIN in the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center, will open his second restaurant, CAFÉ LAPIN, a neighborhood bistro, in the Peachtree Battle shopping center this summer. Grant Park. TIN LIZZIE’S, a local taqueria and cantina, is opening their second location in the former SIX FEET UNDER location this fall. Kirkwood. A LA MODE DESSERT BAR, serving gelato, ice cream and baked goods, has opened at 1963 Hosea Williams Drive, suite 104. Little 5 Points. THE PORTER, a gastro pub, is opening at 1156 Euclid Avenue this fall with 2 SEEGER’S alumni at the helm. Midtown. 4 restaurants, all new to the Atlanta market, have signed leases in the first phase of the multi-billion dollar 12th & Midtown development and are slated to open Spring of 2009. The restaurants are: RI RA, an Irish Pub; RA SUSHI BAR, from an Arizona based group; PICOLA, an Italian based group’s brick oven pizza spot; and, NOON MIDTOWN, offering sophisticated sandwiches. Serenbe. Speaking of departing Atlanta chefs who are hotel bound, Nicholas Bour, THE FARMHOUSE at SERENBE, has accepted the position of Executive Chef at The Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, DC. QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What local top toque is currently negotiating a book and TV deal? Thanks for stopping by and remember that sometimes it is the lack of responsibility that is harder to bear. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW- What is the next project for the Five Forks folks (RESTAURANT EUGENE, HOLEMAN & FINCH and H& F BACKERY)?- is an oyster bar.

HOLIDAY EATS. Revisited some of the Atlanta’s top spots over the holiday weekend and was pleasantly surprised at the continued excellence in some and the growth in others. Here are three of my experiences: KYMA. The wave is still going strong after all these years. While the décor is not as spectacular as it once was, the food and service have maintained their standards. In fact, my favorite, the octopus, has been improved. Fresh, pristine product, prepared precisely is still the order of the day here. MAXIM PRIME. My dinner was the first evening meal here following an earlier lunch that was solid but not spectacular. From apps to entrees we had the some of the great food that some of my friends had been raving about. I guess you can’t judge a book by its cover. LOLA. I popped into the spot with out any expectations. By the time I finished the meal I was shocked and pleased. It is no longer just a scene spot; there is good food to be had here and once again, my earlier impressions were exceeded big time. The point? Revisit some old haunts; they may surprise you and surpass your previous experience. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Atlantic Station. LOBBY, Concentric Restaurants’ bistronomic spot at the Twelve Hotel, has a brand new look and a new summer menu that is packing them in. Buckhead. URBAN FLATS, a Florida based group featuring small plates, wine and “gourmet toppings on flatbreads, is opening their second Georgia location in the Center City development on Piedmont Avenue next month. Decatur. MOXIE JAVA BISTRO, a family run spot that featured specialty coffees, has closed after less than six months of operation.(This economy is a @%) Downtown. (DT) BLACKBERRY COFFEE LOUNGE, a jelly tea, specialty lemonade and coffee bar, has opened at 50 Upper Alabama Street in Underground Atlanta. Midtown. The former PIEBAR location at 2160 Monroe Drive will open as EROS TAPAS BAR this fall. West Midtown. BACCHANALIA was voted the number 1 restaurant in Atlanta by the readers of the local glossy, Jezebel magazine. I guess its unanimous now. QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What is the next project for the folks at Five Forks-RESTAURANT EUGENE, HOLEMAN and FINCH and H& F BAKERY? Thanks for stopping by and remember that there is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW- What Top Chef 4 contestant was in town recently being squired around town by a major ATL restaurateur who just happens to be opening an Asian restaurant this fall?- is DALE TALDE, Chef de Cuisine at BUDDAKAN New York.

ATLANTA’S CUISINE. After reading the James Beard Foundation “The State of American Cuisine”, I thought: what is the state of Atlanta’s cuisine? What makes the city of peaches and dreams cuisine special and why? Historically Atlanta’s cuisine reflected a mixture of Southern soul and country comfort food prepared with a lot of frying and eaten in informal settings, family style. Today, it is evolving into more refined expressions, prepared with regard to a more health conscious public with premium ingredients, often sourced locally. And the settings are more upscale but with a continuing emphasis on communal style and place. The major practioners of Atlanta cuisine are Scott Peacock, the pioneer (WATERSHED); Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison, the leaders (QUINONES ROOM); and, Linton Hopkins, the innovator (HOLEMAN & FINCH). Their approach to Atlanta’s cuisine engages the diner on both a visceral and an intellectual level. While many chefs are selling intellectual arguments with their approaches, these stalwarts are selling conclusions with their preparation, product and settings So, while still in its embryonic stage, Atlanta’s cuisine is in a new epoch of excellence that will continue to draw from its historical roots while adding new flavors and drawing upon technological advances to establish a significant place in America’s culinary landscape. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen). Buckhead. AMC FORK and SCREEN, formerly BUCKHEAD BACKLOT, opens July 11th, serving a variety of cocktails and a full menu to their movie patrons. Buford Highway. Former MF SUSHI chef Atsushi Hayakawa has opened SUSHI HOUSE HAYAKAWA at 5979 Buford Highway in the International Plaza. Downtown(DT). Downtown Restaurant Week 2008 will be held from July 21st-27th.For further details, call 404-658-1877. RISE, an Asian bistro, is opening at 300 Marietta Street this fall. A new THUMBS UP DINER, the breakfast bar, is opening at the corner of Marietta Street and Northside Drive this summer. Midtown. HOULIHAN’S Colony Square location has closed. Vinings. MAMBO ITALIANO, a local chainlet, is opening a spot at 4300 Paces Ferry Road this summer. QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What Top Chef 4 contestant was in town recently being squired around town by a major ATL restaurateur who just happens to be opening an Asian restaurant this fall? Thanks for stopping by and remember that if you give a person a fish you feed them for a day but if you set them on fire, they will be warm for the rest of their life. PS. The answer to last week’s -QOTW What New York based high profile Atlanta bound restaurant has closed its Dallas store after less than 6 months of operation?- is BLT STEAK. -

WAG THE BLOG. Do you know how I know that many of the bold name restaurants that are bound for our fair shores have had a rough time in other, similar cities, including one that has closed after being in business less than six months! Or how I find out what chef is going where? Well, it’s mostly tips from you guys but more and more it’s blogs. Since I first began chronicling culinary affairs, the pace and volume of the medium has picked up tremendously. So much so that my contextual landscape now ranges from restaurant industry folks; trade publications; television programs and, most recently, PR firms. And the connective tissue for all of this is the internet. More specifically, food related blogs have exponentially increased the amount and types of information available to just about anyone who is interested. And it appears that a lot of people are. From the local media to foodinistas, to the restaurateurs themselves, everyone is getting into the act. And the outcomes can be interesting; people can make a decision on a place before it even opens. So let’s all be mindful of the huge influence of blogs and keep me bookmarked. . NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Buckhead. NEO, the upscale contemporary Italian restaurant at The Mansion on Peachtree, officially opened on Friday, June 27th. Buford Highway. TAIPEI, a Szechwan restaurant, has recently opened at 3940 Buford Highway and is already generating a buzz about their food on local food blogs. Cumming. E-brands Restaurants LLC, the parent company of AQUAKNOX, is planning to open their TIMPANO CHOPHOUSE & MARTINI BAR concept in the newly opened Avenue Forsyth development based on their relationship with Cousins Properties the developer of Terminus as well as the Avenue Forsyth. Decatur. TAQUERIA EL VEVINO has opened at 2757 LaVista Road. Downtown. Matt Rupert, formerly of the Fifth Group, plans to open an upscale Italian Deli/bar at 357 Edgewood Avenue this fall. SOCIAL RESTAURANT & BAR, a tapas and wine bar, will open this fall at 12 West Peachtree Place (behind FAB). Grant Park. The Grant Park location of ZOCALO has closed. Inman Park. PARISH now has paper menus in a swift (and correct) response to customer demand. Midtown. RI RA IRISH PUB, a unit of a Charlotte based group, is planning to open a store in the under construction12th & Midtown development. Virginia Highlands. LULU BLUE SWEETS, serving hummingbird cupcakes, jasmine tea chocolates and other treats, has opened at 1002 Virginia Avenue. West Midtown. After 12 wonderful years, THE FOOD STUDIO is closing on July 19th. It will become a special events facility for its parent company, the Fifth Group. Question of the Week: What New York based high profile Atlanta bound restaurant has closed its Dallas store after less than 6 months of operation? Thanks for stopping by and may the Fourth be with you. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW- What high profile Buckhead restaurant is rumored to be having problems after less than a year in operation?-is AQUAKNOX.

SECOND TO NONE. That is how I would describe Chef Jay Swift’s passion and zeal for both the culinary arts and community development after meeting him at his new restaurant, FOURTH & SWIFT at a recent friends and family dinner. My lovely dining companion and I loved how the former Southern Dairies space reminded us of a cool New York spot. Done up in classic Atlanta warehouse chic by the up and coming local firm,ai3, FOURTH &SWIFT is sits in the middle of one Atlanta’s emerging communities, the Old Fourth Ward. The location, 621 North Avenue, is a result of a careful search to find a community where he could become an integral part of its growth and development. The chef driven menu at the “All-American tavern” featured about 12 “seasonally inspired” items. We loved the smoky goodness of the oven roasted Amish chicken with warm bread salad and maple vinegar jus. The sophisticated wine list features several boutique wines and there are 15-20 beers as well. At FOURTH & SWIFT, Chef Jay, a veteran of Atlanta’s dining scene, both expresses his passion for preparing fresh, local ingredients and epitomizes the growing evolution of Atlanta’s chefs to cultural and business leaders quite well. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Alpharetta. Chef Joseph Chin Loy, formerly of BLUEPOINTE, is now the executive chef of PISCES SEAFOOD and JAZZ. Buckhead. Guiseppe Napoli will join NEO at The Mansion on Peachtree as the restaurant's Chef de Cuisine at the end of the month. Napoli will be responsible for NEO's daily operation and will oversee eleven staff members. This fall, he will assist in revising NEO's menu. Napoli joins NEO from acclaimed Italian fine-dining spot, Dazies Restaurant, in Long Island City, New York. Decatur. SUGAR MOMMA’S, the cupcake supplier for both AURORA COFFEE HOUSEs , is opening a retail location in Decatur this July. Downtown(DT). CANVAS ART.BAR.LOUNGE, serving small plates, art and live jazz, is now open in The Lofts of Castleberry at 170 Northside Drive. East Atlanta. SPOON, the popular downtown Thai spot, is opening a new location at 749 Moreland Avenue this summer. Sandy Springs. Long time hipster hangout, FRANKIE’S ON THE PRADO, has closed. West Midtown. BONE GARDEN CANTINA, a creation of the owners of VORTEX restaurants, has opened at 1425 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd, serving “authentic Mexican cooking and cocktails”. For the 12th consecutive year, BACCHANALIA is the top Zagut rated restaurant in Atlanta with an astounding 29 out of 30 rating. Congratulations! QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What high profile Buckhead restaurant is rumored to be having problems after less than a year in operation? Thanks for stopping by and remember that excellence is not an exception; it is a prevailing attitude. PS.The answer to last week’s QOT-What local big time restaurateur and local star architect have resumed their partnership, which has produced some of the city’s blockbusters, albeit with an out of town project?- is Bob Amick and Bill Johnson(cue Peaches and Herb).

LESS SHINE MORE PATINA, PT 2 (Continuing the review of the first half of 2008) Big things on the horizon: PANO’S GRAND CAFÉ. With a Johnson Studio design and the setting in an absolute gem of a building plus Pano’s golden touch, this spot, scheduled to open in December, should be a real standout. I smell an Esquire moment, albeit for 2009. FLIP. Blais’s burger bar will surely draw national attention with both his reputation (I thought he was the best of the bunch) , the lure of molecular gastronomy made milkshakes and 7 different types of burgers. The parade of trendinestas should begin this summer. ABATTOIR. Meat, meat and more meat prepared and served in the Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison tradition-what’s not to like. This semi-steak house will build on the fervor of KEVIN RATHBUN STEAK, HOLEMAN &FINCH et al, and take us to a whole new level, plus the location –White Provisions, next to their Westside Market place spots –is one of the coolest in town. Three things I’d like to see happen this year: 1. Local restaurants serving more Georgia wine- they aren’t going to improve if we don’t support them. (They even have a Methode Champenoise now.) 2. More Vol Au Vent on local menus. Savory pastries are becoming quite the chic item(s) globally. 3. A high end tapas bar on the order of Jose Andres’ spot in DC. With all of the national acclaim that some of Atlanta’s chefs are generating and the continued influx of bold face names, 2008 has been an exciting year for Atlanta’s dining scene. However, the uncertainty of the economy looms large. All in all, the second half of the year promises to provide additional excitement but with fewer flashy big boxes and more chef driven artistry and I believe that is a good thing. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Atlantic Station. From June 25th until the 29th, ROSA MEXICANO will observe its’ Festival de Helados(desserts) that will feature an assortment of ice creams, sorbets and creamy desserts Buckhead. ANTICA POSTA is now curing its own meats and is planning a retail outlet on site to sell them to the public later this year. Chandler Park. RADIAL, the eco-friendly American food spot, was named 2nd best brunch in the value category for 2007 by the International Restaurant and Hotel Association. East Atlanta. MORELLI’S ICE CREAM, located at 749 Moreland Avenue, is open and serving homemade frozen treats with flavors such as jalapeno coconut, feta cheese and golden raisin and sweet corn. Midtown. The International Hotel and Restaurant Association named ECCO its 2nd place winner in the categories of Best Wine List and Best New restaurant for 2007. Roswell. THE COUNTER GOURMET BURGERS, a national upscale, custom built burger group, has opened their first Georgia location at 850 Roswell Road. QUESTION of the WEEK: What local big time restaurateur and local star architect have resumed their partnership, which has produced some of the city’s blockbusters, albeit with an out of town project? Thank you for stopping by and remember that creativity is the defeat of habit by originality. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW –What Atlanta bar was slammed by Esquire magazine because of its name?-is FANDANGLES at the Sheraton hotel.

Based on my experiences: 1.Quinones Room. 2.Bacchanalia 3.The Dining Room at the Ritz Each has its own charm and you won't regret the experience of any of them.

LESS SHINE MORE PATINA. PT 1 Well keyboard cadets, it is June and it’s time for a mid-year report on Atlanta’s dining scene: what’s hot; what’s not and where are we going for the rest of the year. So walk with me church as I describe, with my lapidary like analysis, some of the new places and faces. Well first of all, the top 3 hotspots for 2008 are: 1. LOLA. Technically, it opened late 2007 but it is still the crowd pleaser among the veritable galaxy of restaurants in the still growing Terminus development. 2. SPICE MARKET. Jean-Georges’ homage to Asian street food is set right in the middle of Atlanta’s new epicenter of cool-the W hotel Atlanta Midtown and has been packing them in since March. 3. STRAITS. The Singaporean celebrity backed (Chris ”Ludicris” Brides eatery has added a new flavor to the Asian invasion of Midtown by bringing together a good mix of fur, feathers and fin to the good looking-and well heeled- crowds. The top 3 trends to watch for: 1. Chef driven, neighborhood based restaurants featuring new twists on Southern faves. PARISH, CAKES and ALE and others are the templates that others are –FOURTH and SWIFT- are following to capture the demand in Atlanta’s rapidly gentrifying in town communities. 2. House cured meats. From STAR PROVISIONS to HOLEMAN and FINCH, Atlanta restaurants are taking farm to table to new and exciting levels. 3. Hotel based restaurants. ROOM, NEO and SPICE MARKET are all part of a trend that continues to expand the range and depth of our dining options. Look for more to come, including some real eye openers. Three things that are not hot: 1. Upscale, over the top dining-it’s the economy, stupid. 2. Karaoke menus-bad covers of great dishes. 3. Bad service. Still the Achilles heel of Atlanta’s dining scene. Tune in next week for part 2. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Buckhead. SAVOR SPECIALITY FOODS is moving from Sandy Springs to the Peachtree Battle shopping center this summer into a much larger space. Downtown(DT). CHICK-FIL A has opened 2 new locations inside of Turner field. (bringing new meaning to fowl ball?) Duluth. LA based international tofu restaurant group, BCD TOFU HOUSE, has opened their first Georgia location off of Berkley Lake Road. Grant Park. SIX FEET UNDER is moving- a couple hundred feet from its current location to 437 Memorial Drive by years end. Little Five Points. ALI BABA MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT has opened their second location at 1099 Euclid Avenue, in the former OLIVE BISTRO spot. Midtown. THE GLOBE has changed ownership and its decor but Joshua Perkins is still top toque. Sandy Springs. FRANK MA’S , the local Chinese food fave located 5784 Rosewell Road, is losing its naming founder and his wife as of the end of the month. QUESTION OF THE WEEK: What Atlanta hotel bar was slammed by ESQUIRE magazine because of its name? Thank you for stopping by and let’s join together to stamp out and abolish redundancy. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW-What locally created and brewed beer took the Bronze medal at the 2008 World Beer Cup?- is NUMBERS ALE( created by a partnership of Atlanta Brewing Company and Concentrics Restaurant.

THE STAR AMONG STARS. The official opening of the W hotel in Midtown was a star studded affair that allowed me to meet one of the brightest stars of the culinary world, Jean-Georges Vongerichten. I found the self described country boy from Alsace standing quietly in front SPICE MARKET’S kitchen as the party was just getting started. After recovering my initial shock at seeing him, I greeted him and proceeded to pose a few questions, which he was kind enough to take a few moments to answer: Q: Aside from the fame, money and recognition from your peers, what motivated you to expand your brand across the globe? A:It is fun; you only go around once. Food is my passion and my life. Q: There is a rumor going around town that you are going to a restaurant in the Buckhead W; what is going to be? A: I don’t know at this point, we shall see. Q: Where have eaten here in Atlanta? A: I have been so busy here (SPICE MARKET) that I have not had time to visit any of the restaurants. Maybe the next time I am here you could show me some of them? Well you know I agreed to that. But what really impressed me about the guy was that here he is with a global empire and multiple Michelin stars with he was a humble chef trying to reach out to a new community-Atlanta- with grace and aplomb. I believe Atlanta’s dining scene will soon have another opportunity to enjoy a project from a chef whose corporate motto is “a cuisine to suit every taste”. NEWS AND NOTES: ( From my keyboard to your screen) Buckhead. The under construction W hotel Atlanta Buckhead( scheduled to open December 2008) will house Atlanta’s second Jean -Georges Vongerichten restaurant. Cheshirebridge Road. Epicurious.com, the web site for Gourmet and Bon Appetit magazines, recently named WOODFIRE GRILL as one of the top 10 Farm to Table restaurants in America. Decatur.TASTINGS : A WINE EXPERIENCE, offering more than 100 wines by the glass and featuring a menu of tapas and desserts, opens this month at 335 A W. Ponce de Leon. THE CHOCOLATE BAR will undergo a change in ownership soon and will be expanding. Stay tuned for deets. Downtown(DT). Stephen Sharp, formerly of OCEANAIRE, is the new top toque at FAB. Glenwood Park. MATADOR MEXICAN CANTINA & TEQUILA BAR will open their second location in Glenwood Park this summer featuring the cuisine of the Michuacan region of Central Mexico. West Midtown. STAR PROVISIONS was featured in the May issue of Food Arts magazine in a feature on restaurants that also do retail on the premises. QUESTION Of The WEEK: What locally created and brewed beer took the Bronze medal at the 2008 World Beer Cup? Thank you for stopping by and remember that if anyone speaks badly of you, live your life so that no one will believe it. PS. The answer to last weeks QOTW-What Atlanta born, LA based TV chef is planning a group of upscale southern themed restaurants with the first planned for the ATL?- Gerry”G” Garvin.

NEO AT NOON. At a recent lunch at NEO (short for Neapolitan), the Mansion on Peachtree’s contemporary Italian inspired restaurant, I experienced a highly personalized and sophisticated style that is going to make everyone in town really take notice. The cloistered room was the perfect setting for me, my host, and his other guest as well as the assortment of the shakers and movers (including the hotel’s developer) to leisurely lunch. The exquisitely designed space overlooks a beautiful English garden that my friends, two of the bright young stars of Atlanta’s hospitality world, and I raved about so much that the GM took us on a tour. NEO’S design features light earth tones, soft, black and white leather furniture; chrome and crystal sconces and marble flooring, a theme that is repeated throughout the building –think Ralph Lauren meets the Carlyle Hotel. We enjoyed superbly prepared cuisine from a menu that featured several pastas, a couple of seafood dishes and killer desserts. We shared an appetizer, the fried calamari and artichoke mix, that was the bomb. My entrée, the lobster pappardelle, was savory but the pasta was a tad al dente. My friends’ entrees, the sea bass and roast chicken, were spot on. Our dessert, a delightful arrangement of chocolate, fruit and cheesecakes, ended the meal perfectly. However, the key to the whole experience was the service: it was virtually seamless from our arrival to departure. With a staff drawn from the Ritz Carlton Buckhead and PRICCI and, coming soon, an Italian sous chef, NEO has 5 star potential written all over it. After just this one experience, I can foresee a time- after all of the opening kinks are worked out- when NEO and the Rosewood Hotels culture, takes its rightful place as a trend setter in style, service and cuisine in Atlanta. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Alpharetta. FIELD GOOD, a café/bakery offering salads, sandwiches and pastries to go located at 11500 Webb Bridge Way, is now open and already receiving critical acclaim. Buckhead. TONGUE AND GROOVE, the long time Peachtree Road hotspot, is relocating to 565 Main Street in the Lindberg Center City development this summer. Downtown(DT). NONI’S ITALIAN DELI and BAR will open at 357 Edgewood Avenue this summer. JAVAOLOGY will reopen soon, this time the property’s owner will operate the popular coffee shop/ mix and mingle spot. MISO IZAKAYA, a Japanese pub, will open on Edgewood Avenue this summer near THUMBS UP. Marietta. The former GRAZIE: A BISTRO is now STATE GRILL , serving southern style cooking by chef Mauricio Diaz, formerly of THE TAVERN at PHIPPS. Midtown. Speaking of hotel fine dining, the recent press report concerning the possibility of a third Ritz Carlton being located in Midtown means that more fine dining is on the horizon. Ritz Carlton has begun to add star restaurant operators, such as Laurent Tourondel's BLT MARKET, to its new properties. Many of them, like FEARING’S at the Dallas Ritz, have been designed by our own architect to the stars, Bill Johnson. So lets keep our ears to the ground and let me know if you hear anything about another Ritz in the ATL. QUESTION of the WEEK: What Atlanta born and trained TV chef is planning to start a group of upscale southern themed restaurants , with the first one scheduled for the ATL? Thank you for stopping by and remember that whatever follows an act is joined to what ever act preceded it. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW- What former Atlanta superstar sommelier is now at a newly opened Chicago hotspot?- is Chantelle Pabros(Grillhot). She is at L2O,Laurent Gras and Richard Melman’s modern seafood restaurant.

WEATHERING THE STORM(S). The recent storms , weather as well as economic, have created somewhat of a challenge for Atlanta’s dining scene and while some of the players are doing better than others, there appears to be some bright spots ahead. When stalwarts such as Anne Quatrano say that their restaurants have seen a drop off in their business, then you know that there are problems. Several downtown stores have either closed or have reduced staff and operations. And rumors have flooded the blogasphere about troubles at some the Atlantic Station restos as well as one of the big names at Terminus. However, in the midst of the sturm und drang, some of the local powerhouse operators have continued to expand. Here to Serve has completed the re formatting of POSH into HOME, featuring Top Chef 4 contestant Richard Blais and is hard at work with AJA, the pan Asian concept modeled after Paris’s MONKEY BAR, that is slated to fill the former EMERIL’S space in Buckhead. Pano Karatassos, Atlanta’s Godfather of sole, is planning a flagship restaurant in the new 3344 Peachtree building as well as opening 2-3 new CHOPS LOBSTER BARS in Florida and other out of town locations. Concentrics restaurants flush with the success of PARISH FOODS and GOODS, their New Orleans themed resto/bar/market, is being courted, rumor has it, by a hotel developer for a Buckhead project. They are also looking to open 3 new concepts, including an Italian deal, in Chicago by 2009. So, say what you will about the economy and the recent weather challenges, there are some folks who are soldiering on to keep our dining scene on the sunny side of the street. At least that’s my point of view. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Decatur. The former MICK’S location on E. Ponce de Leon is slated to become PARKER’S ON PONCE, Decatur’s first independently owned steakhouse. THE COOKIE STUDIO, serving cookies, cupcakes, bars and brownies, donates a portion of its sales to the Atlanta day Shelter for Woman and Children. They are located at 747-c East College Street in downtown Decatur. Downtown( DT). An “open air” café will be part of the downtown Atlanta W Hotel and Residences, scheduled to open this December. In the same neighborhood, a JIMMY JOHN’S sandwich shop is scheduled to open at Twelve Centennial Park Hotel and Residences this fall. Midtown. TJ’S SUB’S, at 620 Peachtree, has closed. Tracey Bloom ,the former sous chef, has taken over as the new chef de cuisine at TABLE 1280.Tracey,a CIA grad, promises to bring an artistic flair to the job garnered through her experiences with restaurants like, SIA’S ,103 WEST, and ASHER. Poncey Highland. MANUAL’S TAVERN has been selected as one of “America’s Best Bars” by Esquire magazine. Toco Hills. SIMCHA BAKERY, Atlanta’s first kosher bakery, has opened in the Toco Hills shopping center at 2899 North druid Hills Road. Question of the Week: What former Atlanta super star sommelier is now at one of Chicago’s new hotspots? Thank you for stopping by and remember that understanding human needs is half of the job of meeting them. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW-What newly opened restaurant is part of an extensive Coca Cola market research project?-is HOLEMAN and FINCH.

WHEN ONE DOOR CLOSES .. . All of the drama surrounding the recent closing of Buckhead’s EMERIL’S was resolved, at least for me, with the opening of Concentrics Resturants’ latest, PARISH FOODS and GOODS: the small, neighborhood focused resto is better than the big, tourist focused one(was). The New Orleans themed Inman Park eatery, which opened on the day EMERIL’S closed, not only provides Atlanta with a more authentic dining experience than EMERIL’S but its neighborhood focus and pricing is more in tune with current economic conditions. Plus, their emphasis on sustainable, organic and local product, reflected in the food, house baked goods, sandwiches and cured meats, is a testament to the skill and artistry woven throughout the experience. On each of my visits- as a diner, getting take out and having cocktails- I was struck by the level of detail that went into creating the rustic atmosphere that reminds me of one my favorite spots in New Orleans, PASCAL’S MANALE. But the essence of the PARISH experience is the ability to please a very diverse customer base-diner, bar hoppers, take out diners or shoppers- with not only the food but a design that invites friendly interaction between and among everyone. The food, prepared by veteran chef Tim Magee, is an adroit mixture of prime product prepared with precision. And it is whisked to you by a strong service team that is attentive without being obtrusive. According to management, the neighborhood residents have been a significant part of the business, for food and goods. This bodes well because the trendinistas will depart when the next big thing opens. So Atlanta, what we have with the advent of PARISH is not only the dawning of a new day for the rapidly gentrifying Inman Park neighborhood but a new twist on the growing trend of elevating Southern cuisine to a sophisticated art form that can be enjoyed by both residents and tourists alike. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Buckhead. AJA(pronounced Asia), Here to Serve Restaurants French Asian spot that will be located in the former EMERIL’s, is scheduled to open October 1.Word is that it will be modeled after Paris’s famed BUDDHA BAR in both cuisine and musical ambience. HOLEMAN and FINCH, the wildly popular Southern themed gastro pub, has finally obtained their liquor license. Downtown (DT). JOHNNY ROCKETS will be opening a store in the brand new Hilton Garden Inn this summer. SHRIMP BOAT FISH HOUSE, serving seafood, barbeque and po boys, has opened at 90 Forsyth Street. Both MICK’S and THE PLEASANT PEASANT on Peachtree have closed for renovations. The signs on the doors state that after 35 years structural repairs are needed. Inman Park. KEVIN RATHBUN STEAK has been named a 2007 Silver Plume award winner for ‘Best New Restaurant” by the Atlanta Concierge Society. Midtown. TROIS is a recipient of a 2008 Wine Spectator magazine Award of Excellence. ECCO has a new menu that is packing them in to the Fifth Group’s stylish Italianate spot. (Good Eats Alton Brown was spotted there recently) Sandy Springs. Chef Lenny Robinson (LES FLEURS DE LIS CREOLE CAFÉ) is now the top toque at THE TASTING ROOM. Question of the Week: What newly opened resto is part of an extensive Coca Cola market research project? Thank you for stopping by and remember that wisdom is to the soul what health is to the body. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW- What Downtown old timer is rumored to be for sale due to tornado damage that has slowed business dramatically ?- is PITTY PAT’S PORCH. NEWS FLASH: Kevin Maxey opening executive of CRAFT Dallas will be the opening chef for CRAFT Atlanta. The staff training for the restaurant will be done by The Mansion on Peachtree's Rosewood company.

ALWAYS ON A SUNDAY. One of the more interesting trends occurring in Atlanta’s dining scene is the addition of a Sunday Dinner to some of the better restaurants menus and in these troubling economic times it is providing not only a value meal but an opportunity to showcase southern cuisine in its finest form as well. RESTAURANT EUGENE has set the standard for the presentation of southern style offerings prepared with local, sustainable ingredients but have an upscale twist. Their fried chicken, for example, using locally raised organic chicken, is prepared following a historic recipe. But the star of the menu, from my experience, is the Edna Lewis chocolate cake. Using a recipe from the famed southern cuisine doyenne, RESTAURANT EUGENE has taken a staple and transformed it into an award winning treat. Check it out! Across town, JCT KITCHEN and BAR, has taken the concept of a meat and three to another level with a menu that includes 5 “fancy meats” and 9 “home style “vegetables each Sunday. The biscuits with apple butter; the fresh squeezed lemonade and the “farmstead salad’ fit the theme perfectly and when you add the dessert, you are in the way back machine transported back to the day when friends and family gathered on the Sabbath for food and fellowship. Both experiences are prix fixe but offer 2 different environments. RE is a Buckhead spot that attracts a relaxed crowd but still has an upscale vibe. JCT is more of a funky vibe: RE has a classic jazz soundtrack; JCT offers a range of R&B to Country-all Southern themed. You can’t go wrong at either for a Sunday meal deal that is truly worth the visit. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Downtown(DT). CAFÉ 458, the restaurant operated by the Samaritan House of Atlanta and serves homeless men and women during the week and the public (to SRO crowds) on the weekend, recently received a much needed renovation from TBS’s Movie and a Makeover. Glenwood Park. THE SHED, a casual bistro serving American seasonal fare, has opened with Chef Daniel Atwood, formerly of PRIME, at the helm. Old Fourth Ward. Scott Serpas, formerly of TWO URBAN LICKS, is naming his proposed contemporary American restaurant SERPAS. Midtown. Todd Immel has left TABLE 1280 and joined Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison's growing restaurant operation (for further deets,see below). The brand new Pond Room at SPICE MARKET is to place to really immerse yourself in chef Ian Winsblade’s Asian flavors. But please don’t throw anything into the pond. Poncy Highland. PURA VIDA is now offering special Spanish paella Sunday where Chef Hector Santiago has bowls of his special creations for just $20. West Midtown. The dynamic duo of Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison are planning to open ABATTOIR, a 130 seat “meat-centric” casual spot in the White Provision complex being renovated next to their Westside marketplace restaurants, this winter. Question of the Week: What Downtown old timer is rumored to be for sale due to tornado damage that has slowed business dramatically? Thanks for stopping by and remember that the manner of giving is worth more than the gift. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW- What former West Midtown restaurant owner is now Associate Culinary Director for Whole Foods Southern region-is Butch Raphael, former owner of PANGAEA.

SAVOR RATTLING. Amidst all of the hoopla about the latest entries to Atlanta’s dining scene, from new faces in old places to new places with old faces, there has been a constant clamoring among the various press releases, media stories and blog buzz: everyone is claiming that they are going to be the best thing to ever hit the ATL. So in the interest of truth, justice and your well being, I went forth to see (and taste) what was what. Here are some first impressions: STRAITS. Chris and Chris’s San Francisco treat features a mélange of Malaysian meals that are set in the former SPICE spot. The food is good but could use some more-er, spice. Has an upscale vibe. Chef Chris Yeo has the personality that could keep folks coming back for more. MAXIM PRIME. New York based operator’s model for a national franchise of sexy steak houses/clubs. Lunch menu was good, service was prompt; the hotel location is a plus. It will definitely be a big tourist draw HOLEMAN and FINCH. Atlanta’s latest gastro-pub; did not eat here but got the tour and a menu. Intimate and less formal than its parent, RESTAURANT EUGENE, it has a very intriguing menu featuring a new twist on some old favorites. PARISH. The renovated factory is, in a phrase, eclectic elegance. Concentrics’ New Orleans influenced restaurant/grocery/ take out spot has, at first glance, the vibe of a comfortable neighborhood joint where anyone can find a good time and the good times will roll here. I liked their emphasis on sustainable, organic and local produce and practices. The new kids on the respective blocks all have some strong points but at the end of the day, the hype is over; everyone is going to have to play big or go home. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Alpharetta. PIG n’ CHIX, an Atlanta barbeque fave, will open its first franchise operation this summer at 3050 Winward Parkway. Buckhead. DRESSED, the ultra modern Midtown salad with style spot, will open a store in Terminus this summer. Michael Buard has been promoted to Executive chef at the Intercontinental Buckhead. He was formerly Executive sous chef at the Intercontinental Chicago. Charley and Nan Niyomkul(NAN,TAMARIND SEED) are being sought as consultants by Here to Serve Restaurants for the Thai portion of the menu at AJA, the project slated to replace EMERIL’S. Downtown (DT). Shane Devereux, the promising young chef, has left PEASANT BISTRO. Fayettville. Truett Cathy, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Chick-fil-A Inc., is opening up a pizza place called UPSCALE PIZZA on Highway 314. Inman Park. The Atlanta City Council recently issued a proclamation honoring Chef Kevin Rathbun for his recent Iron Chef America victory. Midtown. The former SWEET LOWDOWN location at 945 Peachtree is currently being remodeled and will open this summer as ARTISTRY RESTAURANT and LOUNGE. QUESTION of the WEEK: What former West Midtown restaurant owner is now Associate Culinary Director for Whole Foods Southern region? Thank you for stopping by and remember that intention is the driver of behavior change. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW-What former Buckhead Village hotspot is rumored to be relocating to a Midtown location- is THE STEAMHOUSE LOUNGE. (Rumored to be locating in the former ELEMENT/CHERRY spot).

COOL SPICE. If you want to experience what Atlanta is moving toward in terms of taste and style, then check out SPICE MARKET in the “techno glam” W Midtown Atlanta for taste of contemporary cuisine, design and service that defines the art of the possible for Atlanta’s dining scene. SPICE MARKET is Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s fantasy interpretation of South Asian street food writ large. The Atlanta edition combines the simple preparations made, with prime product, into complex flavors that artfully blends the notes of the various spices that his cuisine is famous for. Chef Ian Winsblade is producing a menu that has more top notes than NAN; in a décor that is cooler than TAMARIND SEED and at a price point lower than STEEL. The total experience is further enhanced by the attention to details such as the menu covering mimicking the burlap sacks that rice is traditionally shipped in from Asia. The atmosphere appeals equally to trendinistas; hotel quests; as well as neighborhood noshers because there is something for everyone: good food, a great vibe; good (and knowledgeable) service, at a reasonable price. And although SPICE MARKET (and the W) is still not fully operational, all of these notes blend together into an experience as cool as a Miles Davis solo. A STAR IS BORN. I checked out STELLA NEIGHBORHOOD TRATTORIA, the new Grant Park eatery, recently and came away pleased not only with the dining experience but the positive changes being brought about in the neighborhood because of the restaurant and the residential building it is housed in. On a recent Friday night, there were families, couples and regulars all congregating in a very communal atmosphere for affordable and delicious Italian food and bar fare. Both the inside and patio sections were full of folks enjoying the food and each other. And that is the type of experience that makes a neighborhood an attractive place to live, work and play in. And STELLA appears to be a shining star in the Grant Park neighborhood. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Buckhead. CHOPS was listed at number 46($13.2 million) on Restaurant and Institutions magazine’s annual Top 100 grossing independent restaurants survey. It was the only Atlanta restaurant to make the list. Downtown (DT). PANCHERO’S MEXICAN GRILL, an Iowa based chain with 45 locations in 14 states, will open their first Georgia location in the Twelve Centennial Park Hotel and Residences this summer. TIN DRUM ASIAN CAFÉ, an Atlanta based noodle house, is opening its third store in the Flatiron building this summer. The rumor is that Kaighn Raymond is no longer top toque at FAB. East Atlanta. SANFRANCISCO COFFE HOUSE will open their third location at 1660 Dekalb Avenue next month. East Point. THE TASTING ROOM on Camp Creek Parkway has closed. Sandy Springs. COCKTAIL COVE SANDY SPRINGS will open this summer in the former AMERICAN PIE location on Roswell Road. West Midtown. MILK and HONEY, a 24 hour café with a retail component, has opened in the former PANGAEA spot. Question of the Week: What former Buckhead Village hotspot is rumored to be relocating to a Midtown location? Thanks for tuning in and remember that some individuals dream of doing great things, while others stay awake and do them. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW- What cuisine is rumored to be featured in the restaurant Here To Serve Restaurants is planning for the EMERIL’S location?- is Asian(AJA is the proposed name).

BLAIS GOING (TO) HOME. In a move that has the ATL buzzing, Tom Catherall’s Here to Serve Restaurants is changing POSH-the former SEEGER’S- to a new concept called HOME. According to my sources,” with the economy the way it is Tom felt a new concept making people feel closer to ‘home’ would surely be a hit”. HOME, which is scheduled to open Tuesday, April 22, will offer upscale southern comfort food-the draft menu that I saw had items like fried blue foot chicken and chicken fried soft shelled crab.(Think JCT does Buckhead .) But the real shocker is that Richard Blais, the peripatetic practitioner of producing playful plates, has been hired to run the show. While this turn of events is rippling through the local dining scene, it also has some implications for the national scene as well. As many of you are aware, Richard is a contestant on Top Chef 4 and is a strong contender for the top prize. With this move it certainly raises the question of whether or not he won. The good news is that after all of his travels in and around Atlanta’s dining scene, RB is back were he started, in Buckhead(FISHBONE) and this time maybe, just maybe the deal will work out for all concerned: the guy has too much talent and our dining scene needs him as much as he needs us. So let’s welcome him home. SWEET 15. SOUTH CITY KITCHEN Midtown turns 15 next week and they are celebrating with a special three-course menu of some old favorites from Tuesday, April 17 to Sunday, April 26 at both Fifth Group Restaurant locations in Midtown and Vinings. For details, visit: www.fifthgroup.com NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen). Buckhead.In addition to HOLEMAN and FITCH PUBLIC HOUSE, their gastro pub, on April 14th, Linton and Gina Hopkins will also open H & F BAKERY. H & F , which will be adjacent to HOLEMAN and FITCH, will open at 6:30 am serving coffee, bagels and breads baked in their French bread oven that will also service the restaurants as well as provide an array of wholesale baked goods. Decatur. SABA, an Italian restaurant located near Emory University, plans to move into the former PASTA PLEASE location on Sycamore Street this summer. Downtown (DT). A “top, huge international name” has been signed to oversee the restaurant slated to go into the proposed Hard Rock Hotel across from The Georgia Aquarium. RARE, the soul food tapas spot, suffered a serious fire last weekend and to add to the misery, the fire also damaged the adjacent MIDTOWN TAVERN. East Point. WHITE ELEPHANT THAI RESTAURANT has opened at 2801 East Point Avenue. It is the second restaurant from the WASABI folks and Chef Supalerk Pornponboonvif is the top toque. Marietta. CARIBE CAFÉ, the tiny Haitian owned shop, has closed. PIEZONI’S, a Rhode Island based pizza restaurant group, has opened their first restaurant in the south at 3960 Mary Eliza Place. Midtown. THE VERMONT MUSTARD COMPANY, the upscale organic soup and sandwich shop, will open a store on Peachtree Street this summer QUESTION of the WEEK: What cuisine is rumored to be featured in the restaurant Here To Serve Restaurants is planning for the EMERIL’S location? Thank you for stopping by and remember that most people are more easily led than driven. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW-What upscale multi-unit operator who just opened their first project in the ATL, is rumored to be looking for a location for another project?-is China Grill Management (MAXIM PRIME)

DINING OUT FOR LIFE. On Wednesday, April 23rd, simply dining out for breakfast lunch or dinner at the almost 200 participating restaurants during Open Hand’s 16th annual Dining Out For Life will assist in providing home delivered meals and nutritional services to senior citizens and individuals with debilitating and chronic diseases. Participating restaurants in the Atlanta metro area will donate a minimum of 20 percent of food and beverage sales that day to Open Hand. Dining Out for Life restaurants include popular hot spots, longtime favorites and casual eateries in neighborhoods throughout metro Atlanta including Alpharetta, Candler Park, Atlanta, Buckhead, Decatur, Duluth, Emory-Druid Hills, Flowery Branch, Inman Park, Virginia Highland, Marietta, Midtown, Roswell, Sandy Springs, and Vinings. For further information call 404-419-3333 or visit www.projectopenhand.org. A BRAND NEW BRAND. Brand Atlanta is about to launch a major new campaign focusing on the awards and accolades that the ATL’s restaurants received in 2007 called” The Atlanta Gourmet Adventure”. Among the features will be winning “foodie “prizes and packages to visit Atlanta. I trust that this campaign will have a better reception than their last branding effort; but to make sure, all of you “foodies” out there, visit www.atlopen.com and provide some suggestions. Please. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Alpharetta. DI PAOLO top toque, Darin Hiebel, has purchased the restaurant and is now operating it as chef and owner. VITA LAVIE, a modern tea house that also features smoothies as well as pastries from JOLI KOBE, has opened at 9945 Jones Bridge Road. Buckhead. AMC’s BACKLOT THEATER, which already offers its patrons food, wine and beer, has applied for a liquor license in order to offer mixed drinks as well. Cabbagetown. VILLAGE PIZZA has reopened with new ownership. Andy Alibaksh, who owns the nearby CARROL STREET CAFÉ, is the new owner and is reportedly using the same menu and several of the original staff. Downtown (DT). Toast of The Town, a national wine fest sponsored by Wine Enthusiast magazine, will hold its first ATL event featuring several local restos, on Thursday, April 17th at the Georgia Aquarium. For details, visit www.wineenthusiast.com. JAVOLOGY, the cash only caffeine café, has closed. Inman Park. Cake lovers can experience the ultimate in pound cakes at CAKES BY ME & GEE, located in the Irwin Street Market, 660 Irwin Street. QUESTION of the WEEK: What upscale multi unit restaurant operator, who just opened their first project in the ATL, is rumored to already be looking for a location for another of its concepts? Thank you for tuning in and remember to praise more and to criticize less. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW- What intown tapas spot is rumored to be opening a new upscale restaurant this spring?- is PURA VIDA.

A CUT ABOVE? A very reliable source reports that the newly opened MAXIM PRIME STEAKHOUSE, located in downtown’s chic Glenn Hotel, is serving out some fabulous food and is not just a hotspot for trendinistas looking for their next cool fix. With the recent rash of NYC imports coming to our fair shores, it is good to hear that this spot is going all out with its cuisine, service and style. I was not feeling them based on the print and internet material sent my way; it reminded me of some semi-sleazy joint where guys with their shirts open to their navels met girls with skirts up to their… . Anywho, it appears that this is not the case so I am looking forward to checking it out posthaste. A LOOK FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s 2008 Spring Dining Guide provided some interesting variations on the theme and looked into the near future concerning some of the new players coming on to our dining scene. In spite of the absence of a top 10 list (come on its tournament time, I need rankings) and the fact that it was not a separate stand alone document, I enjoyed Meridith Ford’s opus. But she did leave out a couple of major projects in her look down the road so I thought I would add two for your reading pleasure. First, there is the Buckhead Life Group’s new flagship at 3344 Peachtree scheduled to come on line late this year: a Bill Johnson design; Pano’s grand café and big bucks being spent. Then there is NEO, the Italian themed in-house restaurant at the soon to opened Mansion on Peachtree Hotel. With Eric Chopin fresh from the CAFÉ at the Ritz Carlton Buckhead as the Executive chef and the Rosewood people eager to establish their Atlanta bona fides (we are not impressed with Texas excess), this should be an interesting addition to the mix as well. There are others as well but you get the point; there are a lot of very interesting additions to Atlanta’s dining scene coming on line this year in a neighborhood close to you. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Buckhead. Guido Piccinni, former GM at PRICCI, has been named Director of Specialty dining for NEO,at the Mansion on Peachtree. KIKU JAPONESE STEAK AND SEAFOOD HOUSE has opened their 4th Atlanta location at 2770 Peachtree Road. Cabbagetown. Several neighborhood restaurants have planned a “dine out” on April 14th to benefit those residents affected by the recent tornado. For details, visit: www.AtlantaTornadoRelief.com. Downtown (DT). STATS’ innovative beer taps were the subject of a recent AP video story declaring them to be the first of its kind in the country. East Atlanta. THE GLENWOOD is expanding its dining room and adding a wine bar. East Point. The owners of Castleberry Hill’s WASABI are rumored to be opening a second restaurant in downtown called WHITE ELEPHANT this fall. Old Fourth Ward. TWO URBAN LICKS was featured on a recent ABC program “The View” as one of the restaurants serving the “hottest food in the country”. Tim Magee, formerly of SOUTH CITY KITCHEN, will be the opening chef at PARISH FOODS and GOODS. Sandy Springs. KC PIT BARBEQUE will move from its current spot to a larger space at 6317 Roswell Road this spring. Question of the Week: What hot in town tapas spot is rumored to be opening a new upscale restaurant this summer? Thanks for stopping by and remember to keep away from people who belittle your ambition. The answer to last week’s QOTW-What Raving Brands concept is being readied for a possible national roll out?- is SHANE’S.

SECOND TO NONE. I was feeling some angst lately about the dramatic/ traumatic changes in Atlanta’s dining scene: the departure of the local bold face name chefs; and the perception by some national operators that Atlanta is basically a “meat and potatoes town”,etc, etc. But that feeling pleasantly faded away because of a sublime experience that reminded me of just how good our dining scene is at the top. The occasion was the (REDACTED) anniversary of my birth and the celebratory feast was at QUINONES, Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison’s haute, home grown 5 star place of repose and reflection. This was the first visit for my date and me and we were excited; actually I was very excited-I had been to BACCHANALIA and FLOATAWAY but never to the storied QUINONES. But as we settled in to an environment that reminded her of a Parisian restaurant she had eaten in last year, we were treated to a pitch perfect blend of southern hospitality balanced in equal measure with impeccable service and superb execution of an innovative tasting menu. The evening’s crowd of old money; new money and no money (me) spent the next three plus hours in as a cosmopolitan atmosphere as could be found either here or abroad. Robert Payne, the Maitre D’Hotel , conducted the evening with a wit , charm and sophistication that went above the commonplace. The evening’s fare, prepared by Chef David Carson, under new executive chef Daniel Porubiansky ,and Pastry chef Carla Tomasco, was well paced and in a word-sumptuous . New York may have the swift and swank restaurants; LA, the sexy and showy spots; and San Francisco, the sustainable and sophisticated cuisine but QUINONES is the Atlanta restaurant that puts all of those elements together such that the whole exceeds the sum of its parts. Anne and Cliff have established an impressive stable of nationally acclaimed restaurants but in my opinion, QUINONES is second to none. NEWS FLASH: Sean Brock, executive chef at McCRADY’S in Charleston, will cook up a 10-course tasting menu at Quinones Room with Chef David A. Carson on March 28. Brock cooks mainly from his own 2.5 acre farm outside of Charleston that is staffed by the McCRADY’S culinary team and supplies vegetables for the restaurant. Quinones’ chef Carson and Chef Brock will be serving southern cuisine for this intimate dinner, with only 42 seats available for $125 per person plus optional $70 wine pairing, tax and gratuity. The reception will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner seating at 7 p.m. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Buckhead. Tony Seichrist, formerly of THE FARMHOUSE AT SERENBE, fresh off of a culinary sabbatical to Italy will be the chef at Linton Hopkins’s long awaited gastro pub, HOLEMAN & FINCH. STOUT IRISH PUB will open this spring in the former McDUFF’S location at 56 E. Andrews Drive. Buford Highway. SUSHI HOUSE will open next month at 5797 Buford highway. Downtown. DUA, a Vietnamese restaurant, has opened recently at 53 Broad Street in the Fairlie-Poplar district. Dunwoody. GARRISON TAP & BROILER, Metrotainment Café’s Perimeter Mall steakhouse location, will be converted to the group’s HUDSON GRILL concept at the end of this month. Serenbe. Nicolas Bour, executive chef at THE FARMHOUSE AT SERENBE, has begun a series of monthly tasting dinners with local chefs. The first was held March 19th and featured Shaun Doty (SHAUN’S). Virginia Highland. The name for the new project replacing the popular DISH, is DIESEL. Question of the week: What raving brands concept is being prepped for a possible national roll out? Thank you for stopping by and remember that words of comfort, skillfully administered, are the oldest therapy known to man. PS The answer to last week’s QOTW- Who are the latest New York design firms to bring their craft to Atlanta’s market and spice it up- is Bentel and Bentel (CRAFT) and AvroKO (SPICE MARKET).

IRON CHEF RATHBUN. Flushed with but humbled by his success in the recent Iron Chef America competition, Chef Kevin Rathbun is working harder than ever to stay on top of his culinary empire. And in spite of offers from an array of business entities to open in a number of locations, he is planning to stay close to his neighborhood and his craft. Kevin is looking into several possibilities for the future: a Mexican place; a place with a lower price point than RATHBUN’S and even a joint venture with his brother, Dallas star chef, Kent. He is also considering a book but he is clear on one point; that whatever project he pursues, he will not be leaving the ATL. So it appears that while the bright light thrown off by the Iron Chef competition win may have shone brightly on both our city and Chef Rathbun, it has not blinded him to the opportunities ahead in the Atlanta dining scene. URBAN CHIC, WITH A CARIBBEAN TWIST. This is how I felt about CIRCA CAFÉ after lunch recently with The Media Maven. I entered into what appeared to be a small neighborhood café only to be surprised by the chic setting and sophisticated ambiance inside. The Tony Akly(REPAST,TAURUS) designed space pivots nicely between café and Jazz and Blues lounge. The owners have artfully created a café atmosphere with some uptown Caribbean fare that is both borderline addictive-the guava jerked chicken- and supported by attentive and knowledgeable service. And the sound track was spot on as well. Look for Blues diva, Francine Reed on Monday’s and, soon, a jazz brunch on Sunday’s. Check it out; I think you will love it. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Alpharetta. ROAM, an innovative meeting and dining place, has opened at 5815 Windward Parkway and is managed by Jason Dauble, formerly of TABLE 1280. Buckhead. ANTICO POSTA will be one of the first ATL restaurants to serve the coveted wines of New York restaurateur and winemaker Joe Bastianich(BABO,SPOTTED PIG). Buford Highway. EL POLLO LOCO, the popular California chicken chain, will open their second Georgia location at Buford Highway and Clairmont Road this spring. Downtown(DT). THE AUBURN BISTRO will open this spring at 171 Auburn Avenue. MORTON’S plans to remodel its downtown location this summer, expanding the site by almost 50 percent and updating the bar. In addition,it recently extended the downtown lease for another 15 years. Duluth. HONEY POT, a Korean barbeque spot, has opened at 3473 Old Norcross Road. Midtown. Nimma Osman, a Top Chef 4 contestant, will be a part of the front of the house staff at SPICE MARKET in the W Midtown Atlanta Hotel. Virginia Highland. VINE is now under new ownership: Chefs Stephen and David McGuffin have taken over and will re-open on March 20th. Chris Reid has agreed to stay on and continue to run the wine program. West Midtown. Speaking of Top Chef 4 contestants, Richard Blais is slated to be the opening chef at FLIP, an upscale burger restaurant featuring ground meats” of all sorts”; “the beast veggie burger in the word “; house made sodas; and , RB’s famous foie gras milkshakes. Question of the Week: Who are the latest New York design firms to bring their craft to Atlanta’s market and spice it up? Thank you for stopping by and remember the best way to predict the future is to create it. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW- What other E-Brands restaurant is rumored to be going in to the new Terminus tower opening next spring? – is TAQUERIA CANONITA, a gourmet Mexican restaurant.

A TRADITION RETURNS. Recently, a writer described Atlanta’s dining scene as “its best and highest form of pop culture with equal dashes of art, craft and history”. But it was not always that way; at one time Atlanta’s dining scene consisted primarily of small, intimate neighborhood spaces that fed the spirit as well as the palate. And now that tradition has returned in a downtown spot run by some veterans of the era that started Atlanta’s dining scene’s ascent into national prominence. THE PEASANT BISTRO, the brainchild of Maureen Kalmanson and her partner, owners of the last remaining MICK’S and the PLEASANT PEASANT, is a traditional bistro whose cuisine , service and décor create a warm and intimate experience that harkens back to the halcyon days of the Peasant Group’s restaurant empire. Chef Shane Devereux’s country French cuisine is artfully executed. The well crafted menu is a solid template for his skills and he seems to have the chops to grow and expand as the seasons as well as the cliental dictates. The service is gracious and attentive-although they knew my host, a famed critic- and the interior design creatively implies intimacy in the surprisingly large bi-level space. A space that includes a patio deck that is sure to be heavily requested when warmer weather settles in. The minute I walked into the place, I liked it because it reminded me of how I used to go to a restaurant just to enjoy the food and the company and neither the designer; the location nor the social status of the patrons was important. Back in the day, it was all about good food and good times and, now, this is what THE PEASANT BISTRO is about. NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Buckhead. JIMMY JOHN’S, featuring gourmet sandwiches, has opened its second Atlanta location across from Piedmont Hospital. SPONDIVIT’S on Pharr Road has closed. Downtown (DT). Daniel Zoby, formerly of CITY GRILL, will be the opening chef for the Jeffery Chodorow’s MAXIM PRIME steakhouse, the first of a projected 15 unit national roll out. DANTANNA’S, the Buckhead upscale sports restaurant and bar, is planning to open a second location, 40% larger than its initial project, in the CNN Center. Emory. JAGGER’S PIZZA is opening in the Sage Hill shopping center at the end of the month, initially with pick up and delivery only but there plans for a full service operation by the end of the year. Old Fourth Ward. FOURTH and SWIFT will open at the end of the month featuring a stunning design by local architects, ai3 (GLOBE), and a dessert menu designed by dessert diva, Kathryn King (ARIA). Vinings. Paul Albrecht, along with his son Paul, will open VININGS SOCIAL, a 6,500 square foot white table cloth bistro, in the Vinings Main retail center this summer. Question of the Week: What other E-Brands restaurant is rumored to be going in to the new Terminus tower opening next spring? Thank you for stopping by and remember that a pessimist is someone who makes difficulties out of their opportunities but an optimist is someone who makes opportunities out of their difficulties. PS the answer to last week’s QOTW- What other Atlanta rapper/actor is rumored to be looking at opening a restaurant here in the ATL-is Andre Benjamin.

COMPARING PEACHES TO APPLES. There were a number of reactions in Atlanta to the news of Chef Joel Antunes’ announced departure to helm THE OAK ROOM at New York’s Plaza Hotel last week with the majority bordering on apocalyptic. They ranged from John Kessler’s “ wow,wow,wow” to the various moans and groans on local food blogs about the demise of fine dining in Atlanta. While the last few years have seen a veritable procession of ATL chefs to the Big Apple- and New York restos to Atlanta, it might be time to consider what it means for them as well as for Atlanta’s dining scene. First, in the four dimensional space that comprises the restaurant universe, opportunity must intersect with time, talent and money. M. Antunes has brought joy and awards in abundance to our dining scene; now, at 45, he can take his talents and attain the mountain top of his professional career in a storied location, primed with new and ample money. Second, Atlanta, a/k/a the Big Peach, has a very good and growing dining scene but it is not New York by any stretch of the imagination. For Atlanta’s dining scene Joel’s new gig means that there is a recognition of the type of talent that is here. And this move also creates opportunities for new and younger talent to move into the spotlight. JOEL, may not close and if it is to survive, Cyrille Holata, the “right hand man” for 18 years, must step up and seize this oppurtunity to demonstate his skills. Another example is Eric Chopin, formerly of the Mobil 5 star DINING ROOM at the Ritz Carlton, who now asumes the top toque at the soon to be completed NEO, the Italian in house restaurant at The Mansion on Peachtree.Fine dining in Atlanta is not dead, it is merely consigned, at present ,to 5 star hotels. So why don’t we all relax and give a tip of the hat to M. Atunes and wish him well. And be assured that Atlanta cares enough to send her very best. NEWS and NOTES From my keyboard to your screen) Buckhead. CRESENT MOON is rumored to opening its 4th location in the under construction Lindberg Vista apartment complex on Piedmont Road this summer. HOLEMAN & FINCH PUBLIC HOUSE, Linton Hopkins, et al’s gastro pub, is scheduled to open Wednesday, March 12th. YOGURBERRY, a Korean based company featuring several exotic flavors and toppings of frozen yogurt, will open their first Georgia location in Terminus this spring. Downtown (DT). FLEURS DE LIS CAFÉ is now FLEURS DE LIS CREOLE EATERY. Chef/owner Lenny Robinson is now serving dishes like seafood gumbo and shrimp etouffee , all under $10 at his quaint spot. SKY BAR and RESTAURANT, the rooftop restaurant located next to the helipad at the soon to be completed Hilton Garden Inn, is scheduled to open at the end of March. East Atlanta. That some industry veterans are planning a new concept called MIDWAY PUB, across the street from the ECHO LOUNGE. West Midtown. CHILOE LATIN BISTRO, named after an Island off of Chile, has opened in the former MISTRO location at 1950 Howell Mill Road. Question of the Week: What other Atlanta rapper/actor is rumored to be looking at opening a restaurant here in the ATL? Thank you again for stopping by and remember that a mediocre idea that generates enthusiasm can often go further than a great idea that inspires no one. PS. The answer to last week’s QOTW- What new Midtown sushi shop is rumored to have not gotten off of the mark in a manner satisfactory to their parent company?- is STEEL.