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In late July 2018, a Mexican restaurant opened in the freshly minted Beacon business development located in Grant Park.
Patria Cocina prides itself in serving what it calls comfort food, and that’s just how you feel after one of their delicious dishes.
For those keeping score, Patria Cocina comes to us from the owners of El Mexicano, which used to be the place to go on Moreland Avenue. Run by the Aguirre family, Patria Cocina has a handsome patio that looks out on the front side of the Beacon development, which is Grant Park’s answer to Krog Street Market as well as Ponce City Market.
When I visited Patria Cocina, the place was not busy and easily accommodated me. Although I almost went with fish tacos, I decided to try the enchiladas. Covered in green sauce, the enchiladas were so good and soft, they seemingly melted in my mouth.
Instead of refried beans, I went with black beans, which was a good choice. They had shredded cheese sprinkled on top of them, giving the black beans two contrasting flavors that melded together perfectly.
Other menu favorites are Torta a la Mexicana and Guiso Mexicano, which will fill you up no doubt.
Beacon is a $20 million development that refurbished a series of warehouses in a sleepy corner of Grant Park. Thanks to Patria Cocina, the area is waking up.
When it comes to restaurants, Atlanta is quickly gaining ground on some of the dining capitals around the United States.
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.
Read more: 5 essential soul food spots in Atlanta
Patrons typically order off a menu board like they would at a burger joint, but the convenience of sitting down to leisurely enjoy their food has made the segment a popular one with the restaurant industry.
The craze hasn’t escaped metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene, which has seen a fast-caz explosion in recent years.
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There’s truly nothing better than a full stomach and open heart and there’s a great way to do both in the coming days. Sunday Supper South, the annual charity dinner held to raise funds for the James Beard Foundation’s Impact Programs, returns to Ponce City Market on Oct. 28.
Created to embrace the simple cooking philosophy and inspired flavors of the South, Sunday Supper South will be hosted by Chef Anne Quatrano and W.H. Stiles Fish Camp.
This year, the event will feature a “Bewitched” theme and honor the whole hog cuisine of Rodney Scott, a 2018 James Beard Foundation Award winner and celebrated pitmaster. Tickets are now on sale here, and a full press release with more details is here.
Participating Chefs:
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Rodney Scott, Rodney Scott’s BBQ (Charleston, SC)
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Slade Rushing, Brennan’s (New Orleans, LA)
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Meherwan Irani, Chai Pani (Asheville, NC)
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Kevin Johnson, The Grocery (Charleston, SC)
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Joe Kindred, Kindred (Davidson, NC)
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Alex Lira (Charleston, SC)
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Andy Little, Josephine (Nashville, TN)
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Matthew Raiford, The Farmer & The Larder (Brunswick, GA)
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Andrew Ticer and Michael Hudman, Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen (Memphis, TN)
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Jonathan Kallini and Carla Tomasko, Bacchanalia (Atlanta, GA)
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Faye Poon, W.H. Stiles Fish Camp (Atlanta, GA)
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Evelyn Ling, Pancake Social (Atlanta, GA)
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Dorothy Copenhaver, Star Provisions (Atlanta, GA)
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Ford Fry, The Optimist (Atlanta, GA)
When it comes to restaurants, Atlanta is quickly gaining ground on some of the dining capitals around the United States.
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.
Read more: 5 essential soul food spots in Atlanta
Patrons typically order off a menu board like they would at a burger joint, but the convenience of sitting down to leisurely enjoy their food has made the segment a popular one with the restaurant industry.
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.
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Food & Drink2 Min Read
Atlanta restaurants are the place to go to cheer on the Georgia Dawgs and Atlanta Falcons as they try to win a football championship for the city this season. Football watch parties abound around Atlanta.
The Poncey-Highland restaurant Sweet Auburn BBQ is showing each UGA game throughout the fall, serving $4 select drafts during each game to pair with wings, brisket, pimento cheese wontons, and more.
For those who want to watch the game at home, Sweet Auburn also offers game day catering, available for pick-up or delivery, starting at $11.95/person.
Football watch parties: Where to go in Atlanta
Hampton + Hudson is the place to #RiseUp and root for the Atlanta Falcons this season! Join the restaurant, now an Official Bar Partner for the team throughout the season, and watch each game inside or on their outside patio.
Second Self is also inviting Dirty Bird fans to come inside watch the Falcons play! The brewery will host People’s BBQ, who will smoke a whole pig and offer food for purchase during the game. Plates are $15 each, or guests can go all out with an “all you can eat” option for $25, which includes side dishes.
There are so many Atlanta events popping off every week it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest gatherings, Atlanta happenings, parties and more delivered to your inbox.
Things to do in Atlanta on a weekly basis can range from going golfing mid-week to checking out the latest restaurant openings. At AtlantaFi.com, we curate the city for you!
Read more: The best soul food restaurants in Atlanta -
Business / Food & Drink / Restaurants1 Min Read
“The Oddbird” special for Wednesday, September 12, 2018 is Chicken And Waffle special. The Oddbird pop-up at West Egg Cafe rotates mouth-watering items each month, so you never know what you’re getting.
The Chicken And Waffle Special is comprised of white cheddar waffle, baked apple & bacon chutney. Make sure you come by Wednesday from 5:30-9pm.
The Atlanta restaurants scene is booming. The city’s suburban outposts, including places like Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek and Alpharetta are all experiencing a restaurant rebirth as developers look to branch out beyond Atlanta’s core. There is also a generous scattering of burger joints, coffee shops and more around the Perimeter. Atlanta restaurants can be found in each quadrant of the city, trading on their respective environments to offer something truly unique to the community.
Read more: 5 really cool coffee joints to check out in Atlanta
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A new restaurant, Flower Child, is set to open its doors in Buckhead this spring, AtlantaFi has learned. The concept is promoting the tagline “Healthy food for a happy world.”
The eatery will open at the Shops Around Lenox around the second week of July, according to reports. It is in four states so far, including Arizona, California, Texas and Nevada. Georgia would mark the concept’s first foray down South.
“Flower Child serves tasty, nourishing food for the free-spirited. Our bowls, wraps, grains, and greens are all made with fresh and responsibly-sourced ingredients that revitalize your body, mind, and soul,” a writeup on the site’s website says.
Another location is slated to open in Sandy Springs in the fall, according to news reports.

“Whether you plan to pick up and peace out, or you’re content to settle in to our cheery, colorful environment, you’ll be greeted with lightning-fast service and a smile. We’re all about happiness-prioritized dining with nutritional fare you’ll crave,” the eatery says.
The restaurant is being brought to The A by Fox Restaurants Concept, the same people behind nearby True Food Kitchen.
“They’re two different dining experiences: True Food is full-service, sit-down, with a bar. Flower Child has a different price point and a more casual environment,” owner Sam Fox says, according to Atlantamagazine.com. “We like the area. There’s a yoga place, a Lululemon, and a good health vibe.”
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Atlanta / Development / Food & Drink / Restaurants1 Min Read
If you’re a kid at heart, you’ll surely like the new eatery that just opened recently at Krog Street Market. It’s called Recess and that’s the greatest name ever.
The food stand comes to us from the great mind of by Chef Victoria Shore and is part of a vast family of great restaurants from the The Castellucci Restaurant Group.
You’ve eaten at a Castellucci joint before (Bar Mercado, Iberian Pig, Cooks and Soldiers, Double Zero) and they’ve done it again with Recess.
The 15-seat food stall has been operating as a pop-up as of late, offering free treats and healthy dishes for patrons to try.
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Atlanta / Business / Entertainment / Food & Drink1 Min Read
On Saturday March 3, 218, Atlanta is invited to take part in the celebration of the return of Atlanta United, aka, The 5 Stripes, with the release of United in Red.
Like last year, the malt-forward American Red ale will no doubt be a fan favorite this season.
“We will be showing the game in the Tasting Room to show our support for the home team,” Arches said in a press release. “Sport your Atlanta United gear and your first beer is on us! The Bearded Chef will be on site serving BBQ – show up hungry and thirsty!”
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Business / Development / Food & Drink / Restaurants1 Min Read

The hits just keep coming for Midtown Atlanta. Five Daughters Bakery is coming to Midtown’s Ponce City Market, the eatery announced this week.
Five Daughters is a family business,owned and operated by Isaac and Stephanie Meek of Franklin, Tennessee, along with their five daughters.
The company’s website says “Beginning as a food-lover duo in Manhattan with big visions to share that love, we have expanded our family and have enjoyed sharing meals with friends around our table over the years. Now you are invited to join us.”
No word yet on when exactly the joint is going to open in PCM.
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Development / Food & Drink / Restaurants1 Min Read
One of the top eateries in Atlanta, Staplehouse, is looking for some help.
The Edgewood Avenue restaurant is seeking “dedicated and focused” professionals to join their kitchen team, according to a job posting they put on on social media.
The dining spot is a for-profit subsidiary of The Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit organization serving our restaurant community.
Ideal candidate must be eager to learn and have willingness to grow with a tight squad. Please send your resume to hiring@staplehouse.com. Minimum 2 years experience required.
