Isla & Co., an Australian-inspired restaurant, opened its doors in Buckhead on Thursday, December 8, 2022.
The eatery comes from Parched Hospitality Group, which previously opened restaurants in the Northeast. This time, PHG is betting on Aussie fare to lure Atlantans to the table.
Isla & Co. Opens First Of Two Atlanta Locations In Buckhead
The eatery is operated by Parched Hospitality Group, which is in the midst of expanding the Isla brand In Atlanta and other cities. A westside Atlanta location is also in the works, according to PHG Chief Strategy Officer Tom Rowse.
Isla & Co. is open Monday-Sunday and offers brunch, dinner and a 3 to 6 p.m. happy hour.
What’s On The Menu At Isla & Co.?
While Isla’s cuisine is a nod to Down Under, it’s menu is as varied as what you’d except from one of the great American dining capitals, thanks to executive chef Matt Foley, who helmed the kitchen at a Michelin-starred eatery in New York City.
Some top menu options include: the Isla Burger, Spicy Shrimp Vodka Rigatoni, Fish and Chips, Braised Lamb Shoulder and a Half Chicken.
For dessert items like the Sticky Date Pudding (pictured) satisfy the most ardent sweet tooth.
As for the cocktails, expect a creative and flavorful mix like What the Buck,
Where Is Isla & Co. Located In Buckhead?
Isla & Co. is located at 56 East Andrews Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30305. Here is a map to help you find it.
Isla & Co. locations are also in the following cities or will be there soon.
Dallas, TX
Brooklyn, NY
Fairfield, CT
Midtown, NY
West Palm Beach (opening soon)
Miami Beach (opening soon)
Final Word
Make sure you check out Isla & Co. in Buckhead when you’re in the area and in the mood for some Down Under-inspired wonder. While you’re in the vicinity, you may be interested in what our guide on what to see and do in Buckhead.
Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
The Georgia Bulldogs ran roughshod over the LSU Tigers 50-30 in a battle of heavyweights Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in the SEC Championship Game in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.
The Dawgs punted on their first drive, but ran a blocked punt back for a touchdown after catching the Tigers off guard. UGA never looked back after that.
Georgia SEC Champions After Beating LSU, 50-30
The win puts the Dawgs at 13-0 and secures their spot as the #1 seed in the College Football Playoff (CFP).
Stetson Bennett waited until the SEC Championship Game to throw for a season-high four touchdown passes as the Dawgs put up 35 points in the first half.
LSU starting quarterback Jayden Daniels didn’t finish the game after he re-injured his leg in the first half. Backup Garrett Nussmeier came out slinging the ball, leading the Tigers (9-4, No. 14 CFP) to three second-half touchdowns.
LSU Coach Brian Kelly said the Tigers couldn’t overcome the early miscues and that the Georgia defense was too much.
““In its totality, you’re talking about five or six plays. Coulda, woulda, shoulda. The better team won. We were not clean enough in some of those areas against the No. 1 team in the country,” Kelly said.
Watch the press conference after the game:
How They Got Here: Georgia
The University of Georgia Bulldogs have not lost a game for the better part of two seasons. Coach Kirby Smart solved the Alabama curse — all the coaching assistants that Tide Coach Nick Saban has had lost to him — before anybody.
The UGA season started with a resounding 49-3 disposing of the Oregon Ducks in the Chick-fil-A Classic in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, site of the SEC Championship.
Their closest game of the season was Week 4. The Georgia Bulldogs came from behind to beat the Missouri Tigers on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 in Athens. Even though the Dawgs won, the team dropped to No. 2 in the latest AP poll. Alabama was named No. 1.
Since then, big wins over the Vols and Ole Miss put the Dawgs in the driver’s seat. Many pundits said even with a loss to LSU, the Bulldogs would make the College Football Playoff. That conversation is irrelevant after the Dawgs dominated the Tigers in downtown Atlanta.
LSU is bowl-eligible after two subpar years. The Tigers had a lot to prove this year with first-year coach Brian Kelly at the helm.
An opening loss to Florida State, where the Tigers missed the tying extra point and played a game filled with mistakes, including two muffed points, had many writing off the Bayou Bengals.
But the increased confidence of Arizona State transfer signal caller Jayden Daniels has allowed the Tigers to return to form rather quickly.
Methodical wins over Ole Miss, Florida and a dramatic one-point victory against Alabama in overtime served notice that the Tigers were back in a big way.
A bad loss to Texas A&M dashed their hopes for a College Football Playoff berth, but the Tigers have a lot of optimism about next season.
More details have come to light about movie mogul Tyler Perry’s construction of his mega mansion outside Atlanta.
The property, which is located in Douglas County, Georgia encompasses more than 800 acres, making it one of the largest pieces of in-tact land available in all of metro Atlanta.
Tyler Perry’s New Mansion: Here’s What We Know
The Madea actor bought the acreage back in 2013 with plans to build on it at some point. I guess the time is now. The massive estate is currently under construction.
According to TMZ, Perry is investing a lot of planning into the property because he wants his young son to appreciate nature as well as animals, which the property will have plenty of.
This is the second Atlanta-area mansion Perry has lived in, if you remember Avec Chateau, which is located on Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead.
As you know by now, Perry is a billionaire. Most of his worth comes from the content he’s created over the years, particularly his movies. With the ascension of Tyler Perry Studios, Perry now reportedly generates a quarter of his worth from that property.
Here Is The Latest Picture Of The Tyler Perry Mansion
As you can see, landscaping is
Where Is Tyler Perry’s Mansion Located?
The palatial estate encompasses hundreds of acres surrounding a mansion located in Douglas County, which is about 20 minutes outside Atlanta.
Some of the amenities that have been revealed to be in the mansion so far are:
Lap pool
Helipad for a helicopter
Jet runway
Organic farm with horses
How Big Is Tyler Perry’s New Mansion And What’s It Worth?
According to media reports, Perry’s new mansion encompasses 40,000 square feet of space and is valued at $100 million. According to Douglas County real estate records, Perry was able to purchase the property in liquidation after plans for a subdivision feel through.
Here are some metrics we have learned about the property:
40,000 square-foot home
2,100 acres
8 bedrooms
12 bathrooms
Under Construction: Tyler Perry’s New Mansion (Pics)
Like a good movie, the mansion is taking several years because Perry wants it done right. No doubt when the project is complete, pictures of the finished mansion will circulate on social media.
This shoe shaper safely stretches shoes up to a half a size. This is a great item for women who have fallen in love with a pair of shoes, but they’re sized differently.
Nobu Hotel has opened its doors in Atlanta, Georgia. The long-awaited opening comes more than three years after the famed hotel’s entry into the Atlanta market was first announced with none other than Hollywood actor Robert De Niro.
Located in Buckhead, Nobu Hotel offers 152 rooms and suites anchored by a plush restaurant that specializes in Japanese cuisine, bar and lounge complete with rooftop swimming pool.
When Did Nobu Hotel Open In Atlanta?
Nobu Hotel opened on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. The hotel has been taking reservations since August, but now you can actually stay there and make a reservation for the famous restaurant. The eatery comes from the mind of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, who has made a name for himself for his fusion Japanese and Latin American cuisine.
What’s on The Nobu Restaurant Menu?
Diners at Nobu’s restaurant can expect such signature dishes such as Black Cod Miso, Rock Shrimp Tempura, Crispy Rice and Spicy Tuna and Yellowtail Sashimi. The beverage program also features creative and bold cocktails. Here is Nubo’s Cold Dinner Menu:
Toro Tartare with Caviar
Salmon or Yellowtail Tartare with Caviar*
Oyster – Nobu Sauces* (3pc)
Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna
Yellowtail Jalapeño
Tiradito ‘Nobu Style’
New Style Sashimi
Tuna Tataki with Tosazu
Tai with Dry Miso
Salmon Belly Sashimi with Wasabi Salsa
Chu-Toro Truffle ‘Carpaccio’
Seafood Ceviche
Sashimi Salad with Matsuhisa Dressing
Lobster Shiitake Salad with Spicy Lemon Dressing
Butter Lettuce Salad with Creamy Wasabi Dressing
Grilled Baby Gem Salad “New Style” with Tofu Hummus
Spinach Salad with Dry Miso
with Grilled Shrimp
Who Owns Nobu Restaurant?
Now an acclaimed, Japanese celebrity chef and restaurateur, Matsuhisa is determined to add Atlanta to his stable of upscale restaurants.
Matsuhisa said that it was his mother that inspired him to venture into the culinary arts.
“Watching my mother and grandmother inspired me to cook, but my brother helped me discover sushi. He took me to a sushi restaurant in Saitama, where I am originally from,” he told Country and Townhouse magazine. “We sat at the counter and watched the chefs make it – it was an incredible experience. I didn’t know what any of the names meant, but after one bite, I knew I wanted to be a sushi chef.”
He started off with his restaurant restaurant in Beverly Hills, California in 1987. From there, his creative mix of Japanese and Peruvian ingredients grew into a success. He joined forces with De Niro in 1994 and his restaurants went global.
Where Is Nobu Hotel Located In Atlanta?
Nobu Hotel is located at 3520 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326, which is in Buckhead. Here’s a map to help you find it.
How Many Nobu Locations Are There?
As of this writing, there are xxx Nobu locations worldwide, with hotels in the following cities:
Barcelona
Chicago
Las Vegas
Ibiza Bay
London (Portman Square and Shoreditch)
Los Cabos
Malibu
Manila
Marbella
Miami Beach
Palo Alto
Santorini
Warsaw
Aside from Atlanta, additional Nobu locations set to open include Atlantic City, Bangkok, Barbuda, Danang, Al Khobar, Hamburg, Madrid, Marrakech, New Orleans, Orlando, Punta Canta, Roma, San Sebastian, São Paulo, Tel Aviv, Toronto, Tulum
On a rainy Friday morning, tens of thousands of people packed State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta to remember Takeoff, the local rapper who made it big with his hometown group, Migos.
The funeral service for Kirshnik Kari Ball, better known as Takeoff was held on Friday, November 11, 2022.
Chloe Bailey performed as did Justin Beiber.
A who’s who of celebrities came out in support of the funeral service, including his Migos partners Quavo and Offset. Although the once close friends have grown distant of late, they both made remarks that signaled that they were focused on brotherhood.
Drake also spoke at the funeral, while also announcing that he would be delaying his performance at the Apollo Theatre out of respect for Takeoff’s funeral.
Here is the funeral program for Takeoff:
When Did Takeoff’s Funeral Service Take Place?
The funeral for Takeoff took place on Friday, Nov. 11 at 12 p.m. at State Farm Arena. Doors opened to the public at 11 a.m., the arena said.
The Rev. Jesse Curney III, Senior Pastor of New Mercies Christian Church in Lilburn officiated the service.
Free tickets for the funeral were made available only to Georgia residents. Tickets became available on Tuesday, November 8th at 2 p.m. viaTicketmaster.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers or gifts that donations should be made to The Rocket Foundation which was recently established to support programs which are saving lives through proven, community-based solutions to prevent gun violence. Donations can be made at: www.rocket-foundation.org
Where Was Takeoff’s Funeral Held?
Takeoff’s funeral was held at downtown Atlanta’s State Farm Arena at 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303.
Turkey is not the only thing on the menu for Turkey Week. DriftFishHouse & Oyster Bar will feature a holiday pop-up bar during Thanksgiving week, AtlantaFi.com has learned.
Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar Introduces Holiday Pop-Up
“The bar will be transformed into an autumn wonderland, as seasonal florals will adorn the bar alongside Chinese lanterns, orange lilies and colorful leaves. The Thanksgiving Pop-Up will be serving up cups of cheer featuring several delicious Thanksgiving libations,” according to a news release.
You may be wondering what customers have to say about Drift Fish House. Here’s one Google review: ”
“Stumbled upon this gem while shopping in the area. Wonderful ambiance, nicely decorated casual but with an upscale flair. Food tastes amazing! The scallops & pork belly dish was very flavorful and the portion was just right. I’ve had salmon prepared dozens of different ways in different restaurants all over the world, this is definitely one of if not my favorite. Will definitely be back to try other dishes.”
What’s On The Pop-Up Menu?
According to the release, here’s some of the items that will be ready to be served:
For the record, DriftFishHouse & Oyster Bar will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Where Can You Eat For Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving typically is a slow week for area restaurants as the holiday prompts people to eat home meals with their families. With that said, there are still several restaurants with robust menus on the holiday.
Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar is located in East Cobb at The Avenue East Cobb, 4475 Roswell Rd #1410, Marietta, GA 30062. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Gocha’s Tapas Bar is set to open November 1, 2022, AtlantaFi.com has learned. Keep reading to find out all we know about the exciting new restaurant.
What Is Gocha’s Tapas Bar?
Gocha’s Tapas Bar is the latest offering from Hawkins, who continues to add to her restaurant portfolio. Tapas, which are traditionally snack-size plates of food, will be a departure from the portion sizes at Hawkins’ other two eateries.
Open for a few years now, Gocha’s Breakfast Bar has two locations in metro Atlanta — 3695 Cascade Rd Suite 440, Atlanta, GA 30331 and 834 Glynn St S suite 244,248, Fayetteville, GA 30214 — which are extremely popular.
She hopes Gocha’s Tapas Bar will continue to build on her success, which centers on fusion-inspired soul food and classic brunch dishes.
“I’m so excited to be expanding our footprint in the restaurant industry by creating a tapas bar,” Hawkins was quoted as saying in a news release. “With the tapas bar, I wanted to open a space where locals and visitors to the community can get together, socialize and enjoy themselves.”
What’s On The Menu At Gocha’s Tapas Bar?
While the eatery hasn’t announced the menu just yet, the neighborhood association where the restaurant is located says that it will have items such as:
Fried Lobster
Cauliflower Tacos
Impossible Sliders
Smoked Salmon Chips
Lobster Rolls
Fried Green Tomatoes with Crab Salad Pineapples
Fry options like Truffle Fries and Sweet Potato Fries
Tuna Tartare and more
Where Is Gocha’s Tapas Bar Located?
Gocha’s Tapas Bar is located at 5829 Campbellton Rd SW in the Sandtown Crossing center, which is anchored by a Publix supermarket. Here is a map to help you find it.
BrewDog features the brand’s best Headliner pours, including Elvis Juice and Punk IPA. There’s also an onsite Brew Kit that makes ciders from Georgia-grown fruit.
The business is also intentional about supporting local breweries, so you can expect to see a rotating list of Atlanta beer makers. Yes, that means the good folks at New Realm, Wrecking Bar, Halfway Crooks in Summerhill, Arches in Hapeville and many others.
What’s To Eat At BrewDog?
When it comes to pub grub, BrewDog’s menu sounds like an action picture on the plate. Here are some burger highlights:
There’s the Cluck Norris: Buttermilk fried chicken, avocado, red onion,
cajun mayo & cilantro. The Patriot, which is a 7oz beef patty, smoked bacon, cheddar cheese,
pickles, red onion, lettuce & bbq sauce. We can’t leave out the Fast Joe, a 7oz beef patty, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, pickles, red onion & Elvis Juice bacon jam.
There’s also salads, sandwiches and plant-based options for those who want to go meatless with your ale.
Where Is BrewDog Located?
BrewDog is located at 112 Krog St. NE, Atlanta, GA. 30307 just off the BeltLine Eastside Trail at The Stove Works, adjacent to Krog Steet Market. Here’s a map to help you find it.
Final Word
If BrewPub is any indication, Atlanta’s craft beer scene is on and pouring! Make sure you check out Krog Street Market, one of Atlanta’s many food halls.
Traveling to the city’s midsection can lead to unexpected adventures, including new restaurant openings and more.
You’re a cool person and you deserve a cool restaurant to chow down at in Atlanta, Georgia. It can happen.
A lot of Atlanta restaurants are investing in decor and atmosphere to supplement what’s on your plate. If you’re hungry, an intimate setting can make or break a culinary experience.
12 Cool Places To Eat In Atlanta Right Now
So we’re about to show you some cool places to eat in Atlanta this year. These spots are not all new, but many of them have added a few wrinkles since you’ve last been there. Besides, they’re cool.
1. Polaris
265 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA 30303 | (404) 460-6425
Polaris is probably one of the coolest restaurants you’ll find in Atlanta from a cosmetic perspective. Hidden inside the Hyatt Regency, Polaris literally rotates — not unlike the Sun Dial four miles away in downtown Atlanta.
Here’s what one reviewer says about Polaris: “The food and the staff made this meal a wonderful experience. Add on the atmosphere and views as Polaris spins, and I have to recommend everyone try it at least once. Weekdays are typically easier to be seated and allow the staff to provide even better personal service.”
2. Restaurant 356
One Porsche Dr, Atlanta, GA 30354 | (770) 290-4356
Restaurant 356 is an upscale restaurant located at the Porsche headquarters in Hapeville.
Here’s what one reviewer says about Restaurant 356: “The food here was awesome! I had the scallops and tagliatelle which was phenomenal. My colleagues had chicken and waffles and schnitzel and spaetzle which they reported was also fantastic. Service was great.”
3. Los Cuatro Milpas Atlanta
7056 GA-85 Suite C, Riverdale, GA 30274 | (770) 883-7734
Los Cuatro Milpas Atlanta is about 20 minutes outside Atlanta, but it’s well worth the ride!
4. South City Kitchen
1144 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 | (404) 873-7358
South City Kitchen’s menu is one of the most celebrated in the Southeast. And it’s relatively close to a MARTA Station.
Here’s what one reviewer says about South City Kitchen: “Picked this place for out of town co-workers who wanted a “southern experience”. Everyone LOVED it. Couldn’t stop talking about the amazing food. Manning and staff took really good care of us. I even got a “high-five” for recommending 🙂 A classic and modern Atlanta experience all-in-one.”
5. Helen’s Hot Chicken
200 Edgewood Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303 | (404) 731-3369
Here’s what one reviewer says about Helen’s Hot Chicken: “We tried Helen’s once and been loving them ever since! Their food is delicious! Wings, catfish was BOMB!! Best waffle we’ve ever tasted!! Prices reasonable. Their employees are polite and respectful! Establishment was very clean and welcoming! We refer all our friends! Definitely coming back!”
3500 Peachtree Rd NE #2093, Atlanta, GA 30326 | (404) 504-2961
Credit photo: CJ Johnson
One of Buckhead’s best-kept secrets opened in August 2018 in Phipps Plaza. Grand Lux Cafe is from the same people that brought us the Cheesecake Factory.
The funky decor and bold menu has been a strong selling point for Buckhead’s wealthy crowds looking to find something new to eat. The eatery clearly caters to the upwardly mobile and affluent, something that was clearly evident in the day AtlantaFi sampled a few items on the menu.
7. 9 Mile Station
675 Ponce de Leon Ave NE Atlanta, Georgia 30308 | (770) 999-1532
Entrepreneur Kelvin Slater and wife Mandy have a hit on their hands with 9 Mile Station. Described as an “elevated beer garden,” 9 Mile Station is located on the rooftop of Ponce City Market in Midtown Atlanta.
8. New South Kitchen
100 CNN Center Atlanta, Georgia 30303 | (404) 659-0000
New South Kitchen is one of the best upscale restaurants in Atlanta. Because it is primarily located primarily in a business district, many families don’t know about the daily buffets and gourmet desserts.
If you’re in the mood for a hidden gem with an open kitchen, come to the Omni Hotel’s New South Kitchen.
Here’s what one reviewer says about New South Kitchen. “Good breakfast buffet, but very expensive. Enjoyed my breakfast with a nice variety of good breakfast foods. The service and environment were very nice. Everything was great until I got my $30 bill! Probably will go somewhere else next time just based off the cost even though it was convenient and good.”
9. Wonderkid
777 Memorial Dr. SE, Suite 101A, Atlanta, GA. 30312
Wonderkid is a new Atlanta restaurant from the people behind King of Pops and Big Citizen. The diner-style eatery is a great place for eclectic bites and desserts.
10. Two Urban Licks
820 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 | (404) 522-4622
Two Urban Licks is one of those places that hometown natives tell you about, but they can’t do it justice. This place has ambiance by the pound! And the menu is great.
Here’s what one reviewer says about Two Urban Licks: “The atmosphere alone is enough to make you come back for more. The salmon chips were incredible, I could’ve had a double order and been satisfied. The Brisket was perfectly charred and an enormous portion and the Scallops with Grits were absolutely delicious.”
11. Superica
99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 | (678) 791-1310
3850 Roswell Rd NE #100, Atlanta, GA 30342 | (678) 705-1235
Superica’s two locations are hard to be when it comes to upscale Tex-Mex, eclectic selections and creative drinks.
Here’s what one reviewer says about Superica: “Great Mexican cuisine. Very attentive staff and fairly priced. Nice ambiance and very good bar area. Portions are generous. It gets super busy so go early or be ready to wait..a while..”
12. Bar-bacoa
1000 Virginia Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 | (404) 815-9155
Atlanta’s Virginia-Highland area has a new restaurant for tapas, tacos and Tequila: Bar-bacoa. This new Atlanta restaurant features Caribbean and Latin American-inspired cuisine. See more details.
13. Mi Barrio Mexican Restaurant
571 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30312 | (404) 223-9279
Here’s what a reviewer says about Mi Barrio’s tacos. “Already loved Mi Barrio, but this weekend catered them for a party. Worked with Lisa. She was upfront and fair with pricing. When I arrived to pick up my food everyone helped me out to the car, the food was INCREDIBLY fresh and tasty and the portions were SO GENEROUS. Needless to it’s Wednesday, I’ve given away quite a bit of leftovers and I’m still happily eating tacos.”
Final Word
Opening a new restaurant in Atlanta is not for the weak-hearted. Still, scores of eateries continue to debut each year in Georgia’s largest city.
There are some cool places to eat in Atlanta. And the reason is because there are good restaurants in each quadrant of the city: East, West, North, South.
All you need to do is think about what you have a taste for. Italian? Soul food? Tex-Mex? Atlanta has it all.
For the latest in metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, stay with Atlantafi.com.
