micropundit

The question of the day is: What is more important in Atlanta's marketplace ,good food or good design? In my opinion,Since 1996 Atlanta's ascent to the upper ranks of America's culinary capitals has been sparked by a combination of great chefs-Guenter Seeger,Anne Quattrano and Joel Antunes ,et. al. -and their well designed, attractive restaurants. Now the *wow* factor has seemingly become the driver in the increasingly competitive Atlanta market.For example,the successes of ONE MIDTOWN KITCHEN,TWO URBAN LICKS and PIEBAR stem in large part from their unique designs.The food,presented by some really fine chefs,is almost secondary to the "vibe".And most of that "vibe" was provided by Atlanta's Johnson Studio ,who has parlayed the national acclaim received by clients such as BLUEPOINT(1999 Esquire magazine Best New Restaurants listing) and RATHBUNS(2004 Esquire magazine award winner) to establish an international practice. And more design forward restaurants are on the way,featuring the work of both national and international firms. EMERIL'S ATLANTA brought New York based( and internationally acclaimed )the Rockwell Group to Atlanta for their first major restaurant here.While local food reviewers have not been overwhelmed,EMERIL'S ambience continues to pack 'em in.The GLOBE, the Technology Square hotspot,has only been open 6 weeks and it has already been cited by the local daily for"its intriguing architecture" and awarded a 3 star review.And it appears more gastronomical glamor is on the way.TABLE 1280,the Woodruff Arts Center's restaurant and tapas lounge opening September,13,was designed by Renzio Piano and a leading Boston firm.Atlanta's ROSA MEXICANO,located in Atlantic Station,will be designed by the Rockwell Group.Added to the list is TROIS,Bob Amick's take on a french bistro,which will feature a London design firm's work. It all sounds rather exciting but what do think? What will attract your dining dollars,good food/good design? NEWS and NOTES: OSCAR'S,the restaurant that focused attention on the southside dining scene, has closed. The EAST ANDREW'S CAFE's chef Nico Romo and partners will launch THE MILTON HOUSE,a 200 seat "Southern restaurant,in Crabapple -a North Atlanta suburb-this October. Chefs fromBLUEPOINT,SOTTO SOTTO,BABETTE'S CAFE and others will be featured on This is Atlanta Cooking,which airs on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. on WPBA . Well that is all from me for now.Hope to hear from you .

The word for today is: PIEBAR.Bob Amick's 21st century take on a pizza joint has caused a great disturbance in Atlanta's culinary/trendsetting *force*.Set in a former bank branch built in 1962 as a modernist expression ,PIEBAR has been renovated into a ultra contemporary see and be seen place with a menu that includes escargot as a topping as well as duck, figs, shrimp and grits, and a breakfast pie. In addition,there are a variety of side dishes (priced $4-12) and three prices for antipasto depending on number of ingredients. Wines are either $5/$7 (white or red.) "You're looking at north of $20/person checks in a fun atmosphere that takes advantage of the building's particular challenges. " There is also a great deal of excitement about the recent announcement that Wolfgang Puck will oversee the catering operation of the Georgia Aquarium. Wolfgang Puck Catering (WPC) will operate exclusive special event catering services at the Aquarium, allowing visitors to enjoy customized menus and professional event staff paired with the extraordinary setting.Large viewing windows into the Aquarium’s aquatic habitats are found in the 16,400 sq. ft. Aquarium ballroom, which anchors the Aquarium event space. The ballroom can service 1,100 for a seated dinner and up to 1,800 for a reception. More intimate spaces are available for private gatherings, and the entire Aquarium accommodates up to 10,000 for larger events. WPC will maintain a full-service catering operation, including a kosher kitchen on site. Chuck Banicki, formerly General Manager of the American Museum of Natural History for Restaurant Associates, will oversee the 250-seat Café Aquaria, located on the Aquarium’s atrium level. According to Banicki, Café Aquaria will have a selection of “Best in Class” café stations featuring local and national favorites and appealing to a broad range of tastes. The Aquarium ,which is being billed as the largest in America,will feature, among other things,the only 2 Whale sharks-nature's largest fish-in North America,is scheduled to open November 23rd. More Amick news on TAP:Bob has signed a lease to get the 5,000-square-foot space on the ground floor of the Symphony Tower building being constructed on the corner of 14th and Peachtree streets.(He already is constructing TROIS,a 13,000 sq ft space at the buildings rear-quess he will get them coming and going). Amick and business partner Todd Rushing intend to create a pub-like neighborhood restaurant, tentatively called TAP. It will include a 1,600-square-feet patio adjacent to the sidewalk on Peachtree. TAP will be among Amick's more casual eateries, with an average check price of $20, compared with check averages in the upper $30s at both ONE and TWO. 'till the next time,take care.

Today's topic friends is:The "new kids" on the block. The Atlanta restaurant scene ,such as it has been,was almost the exclusive province of Pano Karatassos'Buckhead Life Group.Now, the best new and exciting restaurants(and drawing national attention) are coming from two veterans with differing approaches but very similar results. Bob Amick and Tom Catherall are fast becoming the trendsetters and the faces of Atlanta's dining scene.One,Bob,an entrepreneur,has created an international buzz with TWO URBAN LICKS,the intown restaurant with"daring decor,fiery cuisine...and wine by the barrel."the other,Tom,a certified master chef with a country club pedigree,has recieved standing room only success with SHOUT,"a culinary multiplex...(with)food(that is)..a global grab bag of fun..the restaurant of the future.." While Pano has not developed a restaurant since 2001,the new kids have dropped TWIST(the Buckhead see and be seen bar/sushi spot/diner)and,ONE MIDTOWN KITCHEN (with the recent addition of Richard Blais,soon to become the ATL's WD-50/MOTO).And wait there is more.This fall Tom debuts in Atlantic Station-Atlanta's new chic Chicago on the Chattahochee urban oasis)with STRIP STEAK and SUSHI and Bill brings us PIEBAR,a clever fast casual pizzia concept with wine bar and tapas overtones. And in 2006,Bill will unveil,the much anticipated TROIS, "our version of a modern French Brasserie..that will be a little more refined than (the) last two projects."With a spectacular location overlooking the proposed Atlanta Symphony Center and three-insert joke here-architectual firms,as well as 13,00 square feet to work with,it should be worth the wait. With these two hard at work bring new and innovative concepts and chefs to the scene,the next few years are going to be very exciting for Atalnta and food lovers everywhere. News and notes: POP,located in dynamic downtown Decatur next to WATERSHED,is drawing rave reviews for its cool,casual decor and food. FOODS 101,whose owners also operate SOTO in Vinings and another food 101 in Sandy Springs,will open in the old INDIGO/HORIZON location in Morningside. BONEHEAD'S,another Raving Brands concept-MOE's,MAMA FU's-will open its first two locations in Woodstock,Georgia and in the old JIM WHITE'S HALF SHELL in the Peachtree Batlle shopping center. Be Good.... News Flash: According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle,Bob Amick will be opening 2 restaurants at Symphony Tower.TAP,a bistro,will open 6 months after TROIS on the corner of 14th@Peach. PIEBAR's chefs are:Melissa Fedorko, Gregory Vivier, Gerald Alexander, Executive Pasty Chef Jennifer Etchison, and Assistant Pastry Chef Emily Greer.

I have just read a review on a local foodie site re RB's tasting menu and it sounds as if for $49 a head you can experience culinary nirvana at ONE MIDTOWN KITCHEN. (M-u-s-t r-e-s-i-s-t i-m-p-u-l-s-e t-o- r-u-n t-o- r-e-s-t-a-u-r--a-n-t ...NOW!)

Atlanta's music mogul,Jermaine Dupri,has expanded his empire to include the culinary arts by opening CAFE DUPRI at 3135 Piedmont avenue in the Buckhead section of Atlanta.The 22 hour-a-day cafe's menu features healthy cuisine and desserts. The cafe is the mogul’s latest addition to his growing business portfolio, which includes the So So Def Record label, a film division, the 3 Vodka liquor brand (which is distilled from Soy) and other ventures,including a planned 50 room hotel here in Atlanta. JASON'S DELI, a Houston based franchise,will occupy the seemingly well placed but often vacated 10th street location in Post Parkside's apartment complex.It will be the third ATL location for the eatery that promises no trans fats on their sandwiches,wings and soup menu. NEW FACES: Danial Zoby is now executive chef at CITY GRILL, the long time downtown dining spot,after 2 years as sous chef.Chef Danial formely owned SAVEUR in D.C. Nancy Delgado will be the opening chef at OLA,the replacement for Here to Serve Restaurant's "to be moved to another location" PERI PERI. Craig Richards will be the new chef at LA TAVOLA TRATTORIA in August. Craig comes to Atlanta from Lidia’s in Pittsburgh Ford Fry(what a great name for a chef),executive chef for EATZI'S Dunwoody location has been named as the corporate chef to assist the Dallas based chain in it's planned 30 unit national expansion.Atlanta ,by the way,is the only city with 2 EATZI's,an upsale deli /foodmarket / catering concept that averages ,according to the company,$13 million dollars a unit. Untill next time,be good.(and if you can't,be careful)

Spice Two Urban Licks Eno The Globe Hmm, that's all that comes to mind at the moment. She'll need a cab to get to any of these, or she could take MARTA and walk a bit. There are some places downtown that I've either not visited lately or not been to at all so can't vouch: Luxe Endenu Good suggestions. Here are a few more: PACIFIC RIM-it's right down the block from her hotel and has a decent sushi bar. McCORMICK & SMICKS-seafood and close by. RAY'S IN THE CITY-.

In a move that closes one door and opens another(in the same neighborhood),Chef Shaun Doty is leaving the Midtown restaurant he founded-MIDCITY CUISINE-to become executive chef and director of catering for TABLE 1280,the High Museum's new restaurant located at 1280 Peachtree street. A graduate of Johnson & Wales, Chef Doty worked under Chef Guenter Seeger for two years and became the executive chef and owner of Mumbo Jumbo in Downtown Atlanta, while also pursuing stints at various restaurants around the world, before opening MidCity Cuisine in April 2003. According to the Friday,July 8 edition of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution,Doty signed a deal with Manhatten -based Restaurant Associates who will manage the operations.They also provide their services to such venues as NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim.TABLE 1280 is scheduled to open September 13th. In other news of note from Midtown,the Four Seasons Hotel's PARK 75 LOUNGE & TERRACE reopened last evening after a swank renovation.Billing itself as "Midtown's Living Room", the plush and intimate spot hosted a serious party that was SRO with the ATL's foodies and fashionistas.Next up a renovation for the main restaurant? TROIS,Bob Amick's 13,000 sq ft opus magnum across the street from PARK 75,will have 3 architects/designers,including a renowned London firm.It is scheduled to open April 2006.The hits just keep on coming. And on another note ,next on the 14th @Peach corridor,OLA,a Here to Serve Restaurant taqueria,will replace PERI PERI next month. Shifting from the Midtown scene,Doc Lawrence,a noted wine and dining writer,stated in his column for a local monthly magazine that Mavin Woods,the host and star of Turner South's cooking show Home Plate,will open an Atlanta restaurant this Spring.Woods, who operates a North Miami restaurant ,M WOODS,has a resume that includes top rated places in London,New York and Charlston,South Carolina.Sounds like a winner to me. Until the next time,be good.

Thanks Melissa for sharing the article,it is heartwarming tribute to food and family in the South.

The Here to Serve Restaurants crowd will be serving up 2 new concepts to Atlanta foodies and their friends: OLA,a taqueria,tapas and wine bar will be opening soon at thecurrent hot spot in the ATRL,14th@Peach. STRIP, a steak and sushi operation whose motto is Meat - Drink - Eat, will debut this fall in the Atlantic Station 's District-the public square. Speaking of public squares,JAKE's ,intown's coolest ice cream /sandwich stop,has moved from its original location in the old Fourth Ward to downtown Decatur.Adding even more panache to one of the hippest 'hoods in the metro area. In other news and notes: Jay Swift,long time top toque at SOUTH CITY KITCHEN and most recently chef and partner at SMOKEJACK,an outside the Perimeter(OTP) BBQ joint, has assumed the head chef position at RAINWATER. Not to fret,the two restos share owners and as a result chef Jay will go from a 6,900 sq ft BBQ joint to the 22,000 sq ft premier restaurant/event space OTP. Hilton Jacobs and Lucy Alverez,co-owner's of the now defunct Virgina -Highlands pioneer MAMBO,have opened MOJITO in the Wyndham Hotel in Midtown. Buckhead fave,NAVA,will sport a new patio bar-an outdoor lounge designed by Neill/Carter architects. ZOCALA,the Mexican cuisine restos,will be opening their third location in Grant Park.The will also celebrate their 10th anniversery this July 4th. Hope everyone has a safe and festive Holiday.

The GLOBE,75 Fifth Street in Technology Square,will offer free movies in the restaurant's courtyard on Wednesday evenings begining next week. The flicks start at 9:00pm;in case of inclement weather,the action moves indoors.Looks like the spirit of COMMUNE lives on. In today's (June 23)AJC former food writer John Kessler writes about Daniel Porubiansky and his largely unnoticed but substantial presence on a Atlanta's fine dining scene over the last 20 years.Danny,a 40 year old Atlanta native,has worked under Guenter Seeger,both at the Ritz-Carlton and at SEEGERS; at BACCHANALIA ;and with Bruno Menard,the recently departed top toque at the Ritz.He is currently serving as the head chef at the DINING ROOM until a new chef is named. But he is also a candidate,in fact ,he will be the first one to appear before the panal that will select the heir to the throne of one of the nation's most honored fine dining establishments. After reading about chef Daniel,I am convinced that even if he does not get this post,he will be a star-a 5 star in fact-somewhere,soon.It should be interesting to watch where he does land. Oscar Morales,the owner of the Southside super star,OSCAR'S has pulled out of his downtown venture,LUXE.According to the July issue of Atlanta magazine,he and the other partners were "going in different directions".The website indicates that LUXE is only open for dinner now and seems to be operating more as a club. Hmm? Karen Smiley,owner/operater of Castleberry Hill cool spot,SLICE'S,is planning to open a bar on the same steet as her hip pizza place called SMILEY'S.This area -on the southwestern edge of downtown-continues to garner the arts and boho crowd.

A trend seems to be forming here in the ATL:small,intimate bars/lounges are being created by some featured restaurants as an adjunct to a main,often higher priced sibling.CAFE WOODFIRE(WOODFIRE GRILL),KROG BAR(RATHBUN'S)and, to a different degree,QUINONES(BACANNALIA,are part of this growing and significant movement. Now comes CAFE BAR CENTRALE,the soon to be opened adjunct to the Howell Mill location of FIGO PASTA.The location ,in the tres hot Westside District,should make this one to watch. IN other news,WOODFIRE GRILL will celebrate its third anniversary Agust 18 with a 4 star studded affair.Celebrity chefs Mike Miller(COYOTE CAFE),Scott Peacock(WATERSHED) and ,Chris Hastings(HOT AND HOT FISH CLUB) will help Chef Michael to celebrate the occasion. Internationally acclaimed chefs Rafih and Ritat Benjellour will host a dinner honoring Slow Food USA July 18 at their restaurant IMPERIAL FEZ.

The Atlanta Ritz Carlton has named Bill Lipscmb,a physics major in college and a graduate of the Lenotre Culinary School in France,as the chain's first Dessert Sommelier.He is responsible for making dessert an important part of any meal experience at the Ritz. Now patrons can truely say,how sweet it is. THE ABBY,a more than 25 year tradition in Atlanta, has closed.The Midtown restaurant was one of the few restaurants to be housed in a former church and was the site for proms,anniversarys,special occasions as well as a tourist hot spot. SUSY WONG,the former ONYX BAR -COMMUNE'S bar, is scheduled to open this August.The views from its vantage point are outstanding and the new asian theme promises to add to the allure. A point to ponder:Bruno Menard's departure from the Ritz Carlton Buckhead's 5 star,5 diamond THE DINING ROOM breaks a mini trend that has added luster to the Atlanta dining scene for the past 10 years.Unlike Guenter Seeger and Joel Antunes before him,he is not setting up shop in Atlanta but returning to Tokyo.Makes me wonder what would have happened if he had followed precedent and opened his own shop here. With his skills ,Atlanta could have had an even better array of culinary offerings. I guess we will just have to see if the Ritz follows their tradition and selects another star to helm tthe legendary room.

The stars-culinarily speaking-are falling on Atlanta: On Friday,June 17,MID CITY CUISINE'S Shaun Doty will celebrate Miami's hottest chefs here in Atlanta. The chefs from CASA TUA,HOTEL VICTOR and THE MARLIN will heat up the local scene with their Florida flair. Rachel Ray,the Food Network's roaming reporter of all that is trendy,was in the ATL recently filming for her new show ,Rachel's Tasty Travels,set to premier this fall. The local restaurants featured include JOEL and TWO:URBAN LICKS.They are tentatively scheduled for the show's sixth episode. In other news, rumors are swirling as to who is going to be the designer for PANO's proposed 14,000 sq ft flagship restaurant in Buckhead. So far there is no word as to whether/not the Johnson Studio will be involved or will Atlanta's Master P seek the likes of uber designers Tony Chi or Adam Tihany to craft his Le CIRQUE.Stay tuned for the scoop.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here is the opening menu at the long awaited/anticipated Quinones Room. What do you think;wiould you try it? Quinones at Bacchanalia June 1, 2005 Spring Onion Custard with Petrossian Osetra Caviar St. Urbans-Hof, Ockfener Bockstein, Riesling Kabinett 2004, Saar -- Gulf Black Grouper Crudo with Young Fennel & Preserved Lemon Saint-Peyre, Picpoul-de-Pinet 2004, Coteaux du Languedoc or Foie Gras Terrine, Georgia Peach Chutney & Summerland Farm Spearmint Domaine du Tariquet, Gros Manseng 2003, Côtes De Gascogne -- Chilled Lobster with Avocado, Grapefruit & Lobster Vinaigrette Work Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc 2003, Napa Valley -- Green Garlic Ravioli with Morel Mushrooms Yering Station, Pinot Noir 2001, Yarra Valley -- Pan Roasted Squab with Potato Risotto & 50 Year Balsamico Rosso di Montalcino, Valdicava 2002, Tuscany -- Local Magda Summer Squash with Crispy Squash Blossom & Fromagerie Belle Chevre -- Lemon Balm Milk with Local Strawberries -- Local Cling Peach Tart Tatin Chateau de Fesles, ‘F’ de Fesles 1998, Bonnezeaux Ninety-Five Dollars One Hundred and Fifty-Five Dollars with Wine Pairings

THELMA'S is back! The much beloved and much traveled Thelma Gandy(and family) have taken their famous fried chicken to Auburn avenue in downtown Atlanta.A long time fave of the downtown lunch bunch,THELMA'S has been moved around more than a Bobby Fischer rook but it now appears that they have found a new home at 320 Auburn avenue. We know now when;all that is left is where? REDBOWL,the latest from the brothers Kinjo-NAM,MF SUSHI,is scheduled to open in April 2006.It will feature the "street food" of Vietnam:small plates,soups and sandwiches.The redbowls will indicate hot and spicy dishes,everything else will be in white bowls. The early buzz on the tenure of Richard Blais at ONE:MIDTOWN KITCHEN is favorable.Local foodies are raving about the short ribs with corn puree and the pineapple cake with olive and black pepper ice cream. PARK 75 LOUNGE at FOUR SEASONS ATLANTA is getting a summer make over.This July the lounge will sport both new colors and new menu items. Leave your Christmas/New Years eve dining plans open.The GLENN HOTEL,Atlanta's newest boutique hotel,is slated to open this December and will feature a 3 leveled dining and lounge experince,including a roof top bar designed by-who else-The Johnson Studio.Their press release states that international and national restaurant and club operaters are vying for this spot located next to CNN Center.

[ Today's -5/25/05-announcement of a proposed 47 story Buckhead high-rise has a foodie angle.3488 Peachtree,as the developers,Regent Partnes have dubbed their latest project,will include ,in addition to offices,hotel rooms and condos priced from $550,00 to $4,000,000 , the first restaurant from the Buckhead Life Group since 2001. "..the new flagship Pano's",as Mr. Karatassos called it, be sited at street level facing Peachtree Road. The rendering in today's Atlanta Journal Constitution depicts a grand circular expanse with ample outdoor seating.Rumors have been floating for years as to what the next project of the nationally renowned BLG would be,especially in light of Mr. Karatassos's age.It appears that whether this restaurant is named for him or his son,Pano I(eye).,it will indeed be a landmark project. 3488 Peachtree is scheduled to begin construction this fall with a completion date of 2007.

Monday May 23rd marked the return Govantez Lowndes's smooth touch to the Atlanta dining scene.THE GLOBE,a cafe,restaurant and bar,opened at 75 Fifth Street in Midtown's Technology Square.It is a suave,smooth and sleek feel that is complimented by a simple staight forward menu as well as an artfully crafted offering of wines,beer,teas and coffees.Service is a focus. An al fresco component will be added next week.I really liked the cloth covered cairs-very,very comfortable. Look for a branch of The Fifth Group's SOUTH CITY KITCHEN to open in Vinings this fall.The Johnson Studio will be the architect for the project. Speaking of the Fifth Group,their Virginia-Highland latin fusion hot spot,SALA,has a new chef.Graham Duncun,former executive chef for the PLEASANT PEASANT,is the new top toque.

Some random Friday musings: TWELVE@ATLANTIC STATION,an under construction condo/hotel/restaurant development located in the former steel mill site off of the Downtown Connector,is,according to a local foodie blog,advising potential buyers that it.."will feature a restaurant by one of Atlanta's most innovative restauranteurs that is sure to become the place to see and be seen..featuring a wood burning pizza oven,a lively bar scene and outdoor dining".Inquiring minds want to know w/not this another Bob Amick creation ,since rival Tom Catherall already has signed on to do STRIP,a steak and shushi concept in Atlantic Stations District-the town square. Richard Ullio,creator of intown hotspots SOTTO SOTTO and FRITTI,is planning a third restaurant that will feature crudos.No word on when or where. A little birdie high up in the local restaurant scene has shared that the Buckhead Life Group is very interested in the soon to- be -announced 3488 Peachtree tower.The project is a 46 story office and residential development located in the Tower Place district across from the Hotel Intercontinental Buckhead.The preliminary design is spectacular!

First of all ,let me comment on your analogy of the donut,''in the words of the immortal Homer J. Simpson"DO-nuts MMMMM" Seriously,there are a number of nationally rated,.ie Mobil/AAA restaurants inthe downtown area.ATLANTAGRILL,in the Ritz Carlton is one;NIKOLA'sROOF,in the Hilton is another.Second,there is an eat street-Andrew YoungInternational Blvd-boasts an impressive number of restaurants of different ethnic origins:AZIO;MAMA NINFA'S;HSU'S are just a few of the offerings along a short but tantalizing stretch of pavement.And if you like al fresco dining,there is McCORMICK&SCHMICKS;RAY'S IN THE CITY;and PACIFIC RIM.Brewpubs wet your whistle? There is MAX LAGER'S.And more is on the way.The Glenn building hotel renovation,slated to open Spring 2006,will feature an underground bar and a signiture restaurant designed by Atlanta's uber architect,Bill Johnson. Just thought you might like to know.

Pano Karatassos ,founder and CEO of the Buckhead Life Group,has been named as a recipient of the coveted Silver Spoon award by FOOD ARTS magazine.The award is given in recogniton of outstanding achievment in the field of food and the culinary arts.His charitable activities were cited as being among the nation's most outstanding. Congratulations to Mr. Karatassos are in order. Former FUSEBOX -the short lived restauant that brought glam and fusion cusine to Atlanta in 1999-chef Troy Thompson is drawing rave reviews at the Ritz Carlton Marina del Rey. MUSS and TURNER'S,an upscale deli/bakery.located in the outside the perimeter neighborhood of Smyna is generating a strong buzz with it's sandwiches,decor and menu.

The Seeger's v. Joel discussion highlights,IMO,the continuing weakness of the Atlanta dining scene,especially at the higher price points,:service. While Atlanta has the awards and media recognition of many of the nation's culinary capitols,on a comparitive basis,it's restaurants lack superior service across the board. The emphasis appears to be on such "glam" factors as designers or location,ie Buckhead.The possible exceptions,in my experience,are the Buckhead Life Group and Anne Quatrano/Cliff Harrison. Perhaps the rapidly expanding roster of restaurants will force more attention on service and we all will benifit in terms of personal ,commercial and national recognition and rewards.

Toque Turnovers Charles Schawb,the opening chef,has left the kitchen at highly regarded newcomer GRACE 17.20.Co-owner,Barbara D. James will assume his duties. The long time fixture as the head chef at the 4 -star NIKOLAI'S ROOF,Johannes Klapdohr,has gone south.He is now at the 5-star resort ,THE LODGE at SEA ISLAND. Martin Alba,a 14 year veteran of the Bold American Food Company,has replaced Chip Ulbrich at Westside fave,THE FOOD STUDIO. Finally,Patty Roth,the opening chef at downtown's LUXE, has landed at the soon to be opened ECLIPSE DI SOL,after brief stints at ALON'S and other places.Located in the chic boutique hotel,the Highland Inn,this will be the latest from the folks that created the popular Midtown dine and dance spot,ECLIPSE De LUNA.

With the awarding of the 2005 Best Chef : Southwest to Joel Antunes,Atlanta restauranturs have garnered the award 3 times in the last 9 years( Seeger in 1996 and Anne Quattrano/Cliff Harrison in 2003).A fact that has gone largely unreported in the Atlanta food media.With the omnipresent boosterism that permeates the city I find this just a little curious. Got a chance to get a preview of two restaurants that are located across from one another physically but are worlds apart in cuisine and approach. SAMPAN,located in the former COMMUNE space at the Westside on Howell Mill road, is an upscale ,intimate spot serving primarily Chinese cuisine.Dim sum replaces appetizers on a compact menu that features entree items such as,Lobster Tempurawith creamy black bean sauce;Hakka style stir fried shrimp and scallops in bird nest;and Orange Roughy steamed in lemongrass and papaya.The private dining room should prove to be a draw. The QUINNONES ROOM,the latest offering from the afor-mention dynamic duo of BACCANALIA, is slated to open this month.It to is in the Westside market and shares a zen-like greenspace with SAMPAN.I was lucky enough to get a guided tour by Chef Cliff and I tried to get a reservation on the spot.The artful and posh space should become a must do for gourmands both here and across the country.I kid you not.

Congratulations to Joel Antunes,2005 American Express best chef: Southeast.

In what appears to be a weird kind of math,Richard Blais has gone from TWO: URBAN LICKS to ONE:MIDTOWN KITCHEN while ONE's head Chef,Joey Masi,is doing the the opening menu for PIEBAR(is the number going to be 314159.. In other news,Govantez Lowndes,erstwhile owner of the late ,lamented COMMUNE is back.According to a local monthly newsmag,He will open GLOBE this summer in Midtown's Technology Square.Executive chef Joshua Perkins,formally of BRASSERIE LE COZE,will be the opening chef. In another interesting turn of events,SALT,one of last summer's hot spots,has been bought by SPICE.Bruce Patterson ,owner of SPICE, is expanding his empire by going across the street.Word is that the new restaurant will be a steak house. The front space at WOODFIRE GRILL is being converted to the CAFE at WOODFIRE.Look for small plaes and lower price points. Last, CELEBERITY CAFE at 903 Peachtree will soon become GOLDEN STAR CAFE and Bakery.