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I tried to eat a whole pizza at Nina and Rafi. I could not do it, but I tried.
The new Atlanta restaurant, opened just off the new section of the Atlanta Beltline, is slowing gaining momentum as a dining favorite in Midtown.
Nina and Rafi Is One Of the Best Pizza Joints In Midtown Atlanta
First off, Nina and Rafi’s design is a little different. Unlike many restaurants that have a front and back, typically facing the Beltine, this Atlanta restaurant’s front door is facing the Eastside trail of the Beltine.
Once you approach the eatery, you walk past a gorgeous patio and enter through the front door. Once you get inside, the hardwood floor has a warm brown oakish quality that makes you feel at home, or at least, invited.
The restaurant is named for Streck and Spina’s grandmothers – Nina and Rafi – and their upbringings in New Jersey and New York. Both were raised eating grandma-style pies in their family pizzerias. Spina was schooled in the art of crafting Jersey-style pizza side-by-side with his uncle in Red Bank, New Jersey.
Photo credit: CJ Johnson What’s On Nina And Rafi’s Menu?
The menu has a Classic Pies section that has faves like Cheese PIe, White Pie and Old Fashion. There’s also a Build-Your-Own Pie item.
Many of the pizzas at Nina and Rafi are Detroit-style pies. That means they are thicker than usual and have more dough.
Local restaraunt maestros Billy Streck and Anthony Spina named the new spot after their grandmothers – Nina and Rafi – and their upbringings in New Jersey and New York. Both were raised eating grandma-style pies in their family pizzerias. Spina was schooled in the art of crafting Jersey-style pizza side-by-side with his uncle in Red Bank, New Jersey.
I tried the Spicy Round pizza, which comes with super margherita and hand-sliced pepperoni, meatballs, ricotta and spicy calabrian chili.
I originally wanted just a slice, but Nina and Rafi doesn’t sell pizza by the slice during dinner time. If that’s what you want, you need to come for lunch time.
The Spicy Round pizza was simply delicious. I got a large (18 inches) because it was only a few dollars more than the 12 inch.
Does Nina and Rafi have anything other than pizza on the menu?
Nina and Rafi doesn’t just have pizzas. The menu has some salad options that are just as delicious. The Pizzeria Salad has green leaf lettuce, red onion, olives, chickpeas and more. The Panzanella Salad has sliced tomotoes, fresh mozzarella, red onion and house vinaigrette.
There’s also a great Caprese and Caesar Salad with romaine, croutons and parmigiano reggiano.
Where Is Nina And Rafi Located?
Nina and Rafi is located on the Beltline at 661 Auburn Ave NE STE 220, Atlanta, GA 30312. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Last Words
The Atlanta Beltline has several places for you to park if you want to visit a restaurant or go walking. Nina and Rafi is one of the best eateries along the Beltline, by the way.
If you’re trying to go to Ponce City Market, you can park in the parking lot on North Avenue. It costs $1 for self-parking up to 30 minutes and $1 for each hour after that.
The Eastside Trail also has parking in Old Fourth Ward.
The best restaurants on the Beltline all have excellent customer service and food. What separates them from many of the other spots is that they’re on the urban playground called the Beltline.
But the ATL has other cool eateries as well. If you’re gluten-free, there’s plenty of options. Same goes for keto-friendly restaurants or Asian fare in Atlanta.
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The chefs behind Lazy Betty in Candler Park are teaming up for a new food venture in Atlanta. Juniper Cafe is set to open on the city’s west side in summer 2021, AtlantaFi.com has learned.
The new Atlanta restaurant will offer a modern take on Vietnamese cafe and bakery. The eclectic eatery will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Coming Soon To Atlanta: Juniper Cafe
Some familiar faces will be running the place: Ron Hsu and Aaron Phillips are co-partners on the new eatery, but Carl Van Tyle Gilbert, general manager and beverage director at Lazy Betty, will also be a partner.
Customers can expect to be able to have plenty of space to themselves in the eatery. Juniper Cafe will featuree two patio spaces and COVID-friendly seating. There will also be an outdoor takeout window for pastries, coffee and to-go food and drinks.
What Will Be On Juniper Cafe’s Menu?
You may be wondering what’s on store for Juniper Cafe’s menu. Here are some Vietnamese specialties and food items you can expect to se:
- Pho
- Noodle salads (bún),
- Banh mis,
- Summer rolls
- Housemade sausages,
- Pastries (made from scratch)
- Fun shaved ice treats for kids and families like Coconut Shaved Ice with mochi and fresh mangoes and strawberries.
Where Will Juniper Cafe Be Located?
Juniper Cafe will be located at Westside Village at 2250 Marietta Blvd NW, Suite 100, Atlanta, GA. 30318. Here is a map to help you find it.
The new eatery will be just off Marietta Boulevard where it meets Moores Mill in Atlanta’s West Midtown neighborhood.
How To Try Juniper Cafe’s Menu Now
Want to taste some food from Juniper Cafe before its official grand opening this summer? Look out for some pop-ups at Lazy Betty to get a preview of the food and beverage menu.
The first pop-up will be held on Tuesday, April 13 from 6-9pm (or until sold out) and will be first come, first served. COVID-19 protocols here will be in place.
Along with the wonderful things to eat and do in Atlanta, there are also so awesome places to grab a bite!
Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
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The Nashville-style hot chicken craze continues to grow in Atlanta. Scoville Hot Chicken opens its third metro Atlanta location on Thursday, March 11, 2021, AtlantaFi.com has learned.
The new Buckhead location from owner Justin Lim adds to Scoville’s expansion from its Sandy Springs and Athens restaurants. Scoville is already one of the best hot chicken spots in Atlanta.
Scoville Hot Chicken Opens In Atlanta
The Buckhead Scoville Hot Chicken is in the space formerly occupied by Lovie’s BBQ, which closed early in the pandemic. The eatery is also hiring.
If you’re wondering what’s on the menu at Scoville Hot Chicken, you don’t have to wonder.
What’s On The Menu At Scoville Hot Chicken?
Menu favorites include the following:
- Scoville Hot Chicken Sandwich w/fries
- Hot Chicken Sandwich
No matter which sandwich you get, they all come with cole slaw, pickles and Scoville sauce.
Where Is Scoville Hot Chicken Located In Buckhead?
The Buckhead location of Scoville Hot Chicken is located at 3420 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, GA. 30305. Here is a map to help you find it.
Atlanta is having a restaurant renaissance. Hot chicken is the rage in Atlanta’s dining scene right now. But so are chicken and waffles.
If you want to check out some other food spots in the area, here are the best restaurants in Buckhead. Or you might like to read our Buckhead Steak Guide to find all the best eateries offering mouth-watering prime cuts.
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Business / Restaurants2 Min Read
HobNob Neighborhood Tavern recently opened another location in metro Atlanta. The husband-and-wife-owned eatery just opened n Atlantic Station in Midtown Atlanta.
HobNob is known for its neighborly atmosphere, stellar beer selection and great burgers.
“We’re very excited to bring HOBNOB to one of Atlanta’s most iconic developments,” says Sean Yeremyan, co-owner of Big Table Restaurants. “Atlantic Station has something for everyone, and HOBNOB operates on the same philosophy. Our menu selections satisfy every taste, and we serve guests in a welcoming environment that’s perfect for connecting with friends and family.”
HobNob has three other locations in the city, one in Brookhaven, Dunwoody and the other off Piedmont in Midtown, the original eatery.
The restaurant’s website describes it as “a ‘spirited’ place, featuring one of the largest collections of bourbon and whiskey in the Southeast. Fine Southern additions to the menu of refined tavern fare combined with sincere and friendly service make visiting this community-driven establishment a must for both weekday revelers and weekend warriors.”
What’s On The Menu At HobNob Neighborhood Tavern?
HobNob Neighborhood Tavern has some delicious eats on its menu. Winners include Roasted Cauliflower, Tavern Salmon, Pork and Veal Meatloaf. Here’s what some of the food looks like, courtesy of HobNob’s Instagram.
Where Will HobNob Atlantic Station Be Located?
The HobNob Neighborhood Tavern at Atlantic Station will be located at 245 18th Street in a spacious two-story space. Here’s a map to help you find it.
When it comes to restaurants, Atlanta is quickly gaining ground on some of the dining capitals around the United States.
Read more: 15 essential soul food spots in Atlanta
Fast-casual is the dining trend du jour around metro Atlanta restaurants. The concept involves mixing the quick accessibility of fast food with the casual dining experience. Food in Atlanta is also adapting to the various tastes of the migrants that come here to live.
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One thing we know for sure: The COVID pandemic has not stopped Atlanta’s restaurant scene at all. The Woodall, an “approachable luxury experience,” has opened up in northwest Atlanta.
The Woodall is brought to us by John Metz, Executive Chef , CEO and co-founder of Sterling Hospitality. The eatery opened on Atlanta’s west side on Feb. 8, 2021.
The Woodall Opens In Atlanta
The restaurant is billed as an “upscale gathering place” that serves contemporary, globally inspired takes on classic dishes & drink.
The Woodall is currently open for dinner and will expand its hours in the weeks ahead.
“I’m so excited to welcome our friends and neighbors to the Woodall,” says Metz. “I love this community, and I want to contribute something fresh, exciting and modern. The Woodall is an upscale gathering place that reflects the unique and energetic character of this neighborhood with a globally inspired take on contemporary favorites.”
Here’s What’s On The Menu At The Woodall
The Woodall has serving several delicious dishes right now. Here is the Seasonal Menu from The Woodall.
PAPPARDELLE
Fresh Egg Pappardelle, Wild Mushroom, Zucchini, Blistered Grape Tomato, EVOO, Parmigiano
SEARED TRIGGER
Basmati Fried Rice, Spinach, Lemongrass, Sauce Hong Kong
FARFALLE
Beef Tenderloin, Spinach, Dorati Tomato, Mushroom, Demi Reduction
*STEAK FRITES
Marinated Prime NY STRIP, Tiny Green Bean, Steak Frites, Cognac Peppercorn Gravy
VEGETABLE LASAGNA
Roasted Butternut Squash, Tuscan Kale, Pomodoro, Sauce Mornay
*CENTER CUT FILET
Grilled, Yukon Gold Whipped Potato, Dorati Tomato, Sautéed Garlicked Spinach, Demi Cognac Pan Sauce
*SEA SCALLOPS
Perfectly Seared, Potato Puree, Roasted Fennel, Butternut Squash & Green Pea Hash, Brown Butter Pan Sauce, Tomato Oil
CHICKEN PAILLARD
Prestige Farms Chicken, Glazed Heirloom Carrots, Fingerling Potato, Green Beans, Chicken Glacé
See the complete menu at The Woodhall here.
Where Is The Woodall Located In Atlanta?
The Woodall is located at 2260 Marietta Blvd NW Suite 101, Atlanta, GA 30318 in the Moores Mill mixed-use development. Here is a map to help you find it.
If you want to check out some other food spots in the area, here are the best restaurants in Buckhead. Or you might like to read our Buckhead Steak Guide to find all the best eateries offering mouth-watering prime cuts.
Interested in dining outside? Here are the best Atlanta restaurants for outdoor eating and here are those with great patios.
If you want to take your dog to the park, here are the best Atlanta parks for Fido.
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Kinship Butchery and Sundry is set to open in Atlanta’s Virginia-Highlands neighborhood in March 2021.
The new Atlanta restaurant will specialize in locally sourced meat, poultry and sustainable organic foods. Customers will also be able to order sandwiches, produce and other goods you’d find in a market.
Kinship Butchery and Sundry To Open In Atlanta’s Virginia-Highlands Neighborhood
Kinship Butchery and Sundry is coming to us by way of co-owners Rachel Pack and Myles Moody.
Pack has worked in various disciplines in the food industry, including as cook, writer and sommelier, to name a few. Most recently she served as General Manager in addition to Beverage Director at Aska in NYC.
Moody is an Atlanta native who has studied under some of the city’s greatest chefs, including James Beard Award-winning chef, Linton Hopkins.
Moody is returning to Atlanta after a stint in New York City, where he worked in the kitchen under Chef Dan Barber at Blue Hill (1-Michelin Star), Blue Hill at Stone Barns (2-Michelin Stars), Eleven Madison Park (3-Michelin Stars) and other notable eateries.
Together Moody and Pack are offering Kinship as a marketplace where customers can get food, drink and other provisions for their kitchen.
Where Is Kinship Butchery And Sundry Located?
Kinship is located at 1019 Virginia Avenue, Atlanta, Ga. 30306. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Interested in dining outside? Here are the best Atlanta restaurants for outdoor eating and here are those with great patios.
If you want to take your dog to the park, here are the best Atlanta parks for Fido.
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If you love soul food, there’s a new Atlanta restaurant you’ve got to try: Peach Cobbler Cafe.
You may have heard of Peach Cobbler Cafe from the super-popular radio commercial, which has been featured heavily on Atlanta’s airwaves.
Peach Cobbler Cafe: Everything You Need To Know
“Experience some of the best Soul Food you have ever tasted in your life, and then top it off with our signature Peach Cobbler, made with the finest peaches from our Peach State, Georgia,” it says on the eatery’s website.
If you’re a fan of downhome cooking and soul food, you’ll love what’s on the menu at Peach Cobbler Cafe. But first, let’s take a look at the restaurant’s origins.
Who Owns Peach Cobbler Cafe?
Atlanta entrepreneur Arle Alston has crafted a delightful soul food experience with authentic menu items inspired by the Southern comfort food we all know and love.
Alson, who also owns VVS, a restaurant in southwest Atlanta and U Bar in East Point, opened Peach Cobbler Cafe in the last week of January 2021.
What’s On The Menu At Peach Cobbler Cafe?
If you want to know what you can order at Peach Cobbler Cafe, just think of some of the old-fashioned dishes your grandmother would make on Sundays. Here’s a partial list of some of Peach Cobbler Cafe’s top dishes from the menu:
- Big Al’s Oxtail Dinner
- Smothered Turkey Wings
- Rotisserie Chicken
- Meat Loaf
- Beef Spare Ribs
- Fried Catfish
- Salmon and more
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”13″ display=”basic_slideshow”]Of course, because of COVID-19, strict health protocols are in place at the eatery and employees are masked up.
Peach Cobbler Cafe is open daily from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Where Is Peach Cobbler Cafe Located In Atlanta?
Are you looking for Peach Cobbler Cafe in Buckhead? it is located at 2221 Peachtree Rd N.W., Atlanta, Ga 30309. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Peach Cobbler Cafe isn’t the only awesome soul food restaurant making customers happy in Atlanta. Here are some great soul food spots across the city.
Final Word
When it comes to Buckhead restaurants, there are some good ones. The real question is this: What do you like to eat?
If you like barbecue, see our list of the Best Atlanta BBQ Restaurants.
As for eateries below I-20, these Southside Atlanta restaurants have developed quite a following. -
Restaurants / Things To Do3 Min Read
Are you a fan of chicken & waffles? Of course you are! Atlanta celebrities Ne-Yo and wife, Chef Crystal Smith, along with reality TV star Karlie Redd have teamed up to open a new restaurant in College Park: Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles.
The eatery opened its doors in December 2020, creating yet another food destination along College Park’s Main Street corridor.
Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles serves breakfast around the clock. The 85-seat eatery will close between 3 to 4 p.m. each day, but will be open throughout the night and day.
“Ne-Yo and I aim to make everyone feel at home at Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles, and you never know who you’ll see dining alongside you,” Johnny’s Chicken & Waffle co-partner Karlie Redd says in a statement.
The eatery is also a vehicle for Smith, who is an accomplished celebrity chef.
The restaurant, which is currently hiring, features a takeout counter, booths, tables, high tops and bar seating.
What’s On The Menu At Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”16″ display=”basic_slideshow”]Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles also serves pies baked fresh daily and a selection of café goods.
Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles’ guests can enjoy a menu that allows them to customize their chicken and waffles nearly anyway they like. That includes:
- Mix-and-Match Proteins
- Plain or Bacon-Flavored Waffles
- Sweet and Savory Sauces
- More Add-On Sides
Some menu standouts include Cheddar Drop Biscuits with whipped honey butter and strawberry preserves; Hot Skillet Cobbler desserts in apple or peach served with vanilla bean ice cream and salted caramel drizzle; Saints & Sinners Brioche French Toast Log served with either bacon, sunny side eggs and crispy garlic potatoes or berries, whipped topping and chocolate sauce; and The Mac Attack Chicken Sandwich with crispy chicken breast, creamy mac & cheese.
Where Is Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles Located?
Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles is located at 3725 Main Street, College Park, GA 30337. Here is a map to help you find it.
“Anyone who appreciates music will love the ambiance we created in our dining room, with awards and plaques from Ne-Yo, myself and some of our closest friends,” Karlie Redd says. “Who doesn’t love some amazing chicken and waffles, while listening to some amazing music! We hope to see you if you’re in College Park.”
Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles joins a vaunted list of the best chicken and waffle restaurants around Atlanta.Don’t miss our list of the best black restaurants in Atlanta, and there are plenty others. If you like barbecue, see our list of the Best Atlanta BBQ Restaurants.
As for eateries below I-20, these Southside Atlanta restaurants have developed quite a following.The craze hasn’t escaped metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, which has seen a fast-caz explosion in recent years.
Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: CJ@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.