Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency.
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A new Atlanta restaurant is coming to Midtown Atlanta’s Colony Square in the new Politan Row development. Rumi’s Kitchen is slated for the high-profile corner of 14th and Peachtree Street.
When Is Rumi’s Kitchen Opening In Atlanta?
Rumi’s Kitchen, specializing in authentic Persian cuisine, is set to open its doors later in June 2021.
Rumi’s Kitchen comes to us from renowned Chef Ali Mesghali, who has partnered with North American Properties (NAP) to bring the establishment to the Colony Square development.
Rumi’s Kitchen Opening In Colony Square in Midtown Atlanta
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to bring Rumi’s Kitchen inside the perimeter and share our passion for innovative culinary experiences and delicious food with Midtown’s diverse community,” Chef Mesghali said in a written statement. “Our team has experienced firsthand how NAP creates value by activating the public realm at Avalon, and we are eager to see the same experiential strategy come to life at Colony Square.”
This is the third Rumi’s Kitchen in metro Atlanta. There is one in Alpharetta as well as Sandy Springs.
Rumi’s Kitchen in Midtown Atlanta will encompass a 4,833-square-foot space that will also feature a 1,500-square-foot outdoor patio.
Where is Rumi’s Kitchen Located in Midtown Atlanta?
Rumi’s Kitchen is at Colony Square at 1197 Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA. 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.
Fast-casual is also 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: 20+ essential soul food spots in Atlanta
Where To Eat In Midtown Atlanta
Midtown Atlanta has some of the best eateries in the city. If you want Persian, South Asian, Mexican, American and more, Midtown has it all.
Curbside and delivery options are available as well. Here are some top places to eat in Midtown.
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.
Check out some of AtlantaFi.com’s best Atlanta restaurant stories
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Chicken and waffles restaurant Chick’nCone is set to open in Atlanta later this year, according to its website.
The new eatery recently opened in Alpharetta on Windward Parkway. For those who know about the food spot, this is a welcome addition to North Fulton.
Chick’nCone Opening In Atlanta
Atlanta has a lot of chicken and waffle spots, but this is the first time it’s been offered cone-style.
Chick’nCone started off as a food truck in New York City. That’s where co-owners Jonathan Almanzar and Josh Lanier began selling chicken-stuffed cones. The eatery opened its first location in Dubai before expanding in the States.
What’s On Chick’nCone’s Menu?
When it comes to the menu, Chick’nCone’s is simple but good: Fried chicken in several variations.
- Chick’nCone with Choice of Sauce:
Crispy chicken tossed with your favorite sauce and served in a hand rolled waffle cone! It’s truly #SoCluckinGood
- Chicken Tenders
- 3 chicken tenders. Choose your additional quantity of tenders and make sure to add some dipping sauces.
- Sandwich:
Crispy chicken tossed in your favorite sauce and served in a split top brioche roll!
Where Is Chick’nCone Located?
Chick’nCone’s Atlanta location is to be announced, although their website shows that its off Memorial Drive between Reynoldstown and Old Fourth Ward.
As for Chick’nCone’s Alpharetta location, it’s at 5215 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta, Ga. 30004. Here’s a map so you can find it.
When you enter a Chick’nCone today, you’ll find that most locations are only serving take-out or delivery and may have limited hours due to the COVID pandemic.
Before you visit, call ahead to your local Chick’nCone store for their hours.
If you want to check out some other romantic restaurants in Atlanta, these are hard to beat. But Atlanta also has trendy restaurants, pop-ups and time-tested landmarks that continue to draw big crowds.Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
- Chick’nCone with Choice of Sauce:
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Do you have a black-owned food business? If so, then you may be eligible for part of a $250,000 award to support black businesses.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an untold number of restaurant workers have lost their jobs. For the vast majority of them, finding another restaurant job has been an issue.
Local Green Atlanta Awarded Feed The Soul Foundation Cash Award
Enter the Feed the Soul Foundation. The organization is the nonprofit arm of Black Restaurant Week LLC. Fee the Soul recently announced their first-ever cohort program to support marginalized restaurant entrepreneurs.
They aim to do that by setting up financial and professional resources through the Restaurant Business Development Grant Program.
The initial awards were announced earlier this year. Local Green Atlanta, located on Joseph Lowery Boulevard, is one of the recipients for 2020.
Feed the Soul Foundation will begin taking applications for 2022 later this year. For more information about Feed the Soul Foundation, please visit feedthesoulfou.org.
Grubhub and Maker’s Mark, have both lent their support to the program, which was founded by entrepreneurs Falayn Farrell, Warren Luckett and Derek Robinson.
“Black-owned businesses were already faced with funding challenges and creating sustainability before the pandemic. We spent years speaking with restaurateurs to hear their concerns and there was an echoing sentiment,” says Falayn Ferrell, Chairwoman of Feed the Soul Foundation and co-founder of Black Restaurant Week. “We came to understand there is not a one-size-fits-all method. One restaurant needs support in building a digital presence; however, a food truck is seeking knowledge to expand to a brick-and-mortar location. We focused on developing a solution to address individualized concerns with personalized insights to improve and grow their businesses.”
Well, we all don’t have $250,000 to award to our favorite eateries. But is there something you can do on an individual basis?
How Can You Support Black Restaurants In Atlanta, Georgia?
You can support black restaurants in Atlanta by patronizing them in several ways.
Want to know where to go? Check out this list of the best black-owned restaurants in Atlanta.
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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Nouveau Bar & Grill owner Ebony Austin is set to open another location of her popular restaurant in Jonesboro.
Nouveau is one of the College Park restaurants that line Main Street down what is becoming known as the “Chow Row” of the south side.
Nouveau Bar & Grill Opening In Jonesboro
In addition to the Jonesboro restaurant, Ebony has plans to open an eatery in Miami, Florida as well.
Austin opened Nouveau in October 2019 in College Park, just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Talking to Southside Dash Radio, Austin shared why she chose College Park to start her restaurant business.
“I wanted to be in a place where I could give back to my community and it’s appreciated,” she said, referring to area youths. “Once we get older, we want them to have something solid to stand on.”
“Me and my homegirl had went and looked at the restaurant and when we saw it we said: This is it. Where do I sign?” She said that she’s really big on real estate, so she wanted to not only open an eatery but own the building where it’s located.
“It’s not just about me opening up a restaurant in College Park, but it’s about how can I give back to a city like College Park and Atlanta,” Austin said.
Nouveau has an awesome happy hour with $6 drinks begins from 3 – 7 pm. They also have a karaoke night.
What’s On The Menu At Nouveau Bar & Grill?
Nouveau Bar & Grill has one of the most tasty menus in all of Atlanta. Here are some top menu items you can get:
Chicken & Waffle
Sweet potato Belgian waffles & crispy fried chicken wings
Dyriah’s Jerk Wings
Charbroiled jerk wings, BBQ sauce & homemade blue cheese dressing
Turkey Burger Sliders
Brioche bun, gruyere cheese, fried onion, kosher pickle & nouveau sauce
Sticky Fried Ribs
Sweet-spicy BBQ sauce & Napa cabbage slaw
Where Is Nouveau Bar & Grill Located?
Nouveau Bar & Grill is located at 3775 Main St. College Park, Ga. 30377. Here is a map so you can find it.
Final Word
Austin said she is always looking to give back to the community. She always makes a point to hire people who have entrepreneurial mindsets.
You can make reservations at Nouveau Bar & Grill at 404-343-6735.
Atlanta continues to be a place with plentiful things to do, see and eat! If you like that part of town, don’t sleep on College Park either.
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. -
Le Petite Marche will march on after all. The cozy eatery in Atlanta’s Kirkwood neighborhood will remain open after brief plans to close its doors.
Owner Marchet Sparks says she is selling the restaurant to Chef Anthony Sanders and Osiris Ballard, the proprietors of The Atlanta Breakfast Club.Le Petite Marche Plans To Launch Reopening On June 1
“Welcome aboard, Anthony and Osiris!” Sparks says in a social media video about the news. “Life is full of beautiful surprises and I for one have a surprise for you.”Le Petite Marche will have a grand reopening on June 1, 2021, she announced.“They’re going to be taking over operations and keeping the dream alive,” Sparks said. “Your favorites will remain, the plates will still be chipped, the chairs will still be mismatched, the vibe will still be funk and fun and family-filled.”Sanders is an acclaimed executive chef with many kitchens under his belt. He is also co-owner of Good Food & Company and Phoenix Roasters, a coffeehouse in Buckhead.Along with Sanders, Ballard is also co-owner of ABC Chicken & Waffles and Nitro Coffee Counter on Auburn Avenue.With an emphasis on the business side, Ballard is looking to expand new ventures around Atlanta.“I’ve been a student of the food that he’s produced,” Ballard said of Sanders. “For us, it’s about doing something new and fresh, even on the business side.”Both Florida-born entrepreneurs have played a large role in the resurgence of black restaurants in Atlanta’s center.See Spark’s complete announcement below:How You Can Support Local Atlanta Businesses
With the pandemic wreaking havoc on business, many Atlanta restaurants have had to close their doors. Here’s how to support them.Atlanta has a variety of restaurants that are as diverse as its population. 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 bar 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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A new brunch spot is opening soon along the famed Main Street corridor of College Park, Georgia. The Breakfast Boys will serve breakfast and brunch all day, AtlantaFi.com has learned.
Coming To College Park: The Breakfast Boys
The Breakfast Boys is the latest venture from Lorenzo Wyche of Lorenzo Wyche Restaurants, a boutique food services company that has brought Gocha’s Breakfast Bar and Breakfast at Barneys and more to the city. Gregory “Gee” and Juan Smalls, the owners of Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen, are also proprietors of the Breakfast Boys.
What’s On The Menu At Breakfast Boys?
From a look at the menu, the Breakfast Boys have ambitious plans to appeal to the savory eater with a hearty appetite.
Here are some menu favorites you can expect:
- Handmade Brioche Beignets
- Crispy Catfish With Shrimp & Grits
- Oatmeal Brulee
- Green Eggs and Lamb
- Vegan English Breakfast
On the Breakfast Boys’ Instagram page, it says the eatery is opening in “spring 2021,” so we’re eagerly awaiting!
Where Is The Breakfast Boys Located?
The Breakfast Boys is located at 3387 College Park, GA. 30337 on the main drag. Here’s a map to help you find it.
The Breakfast Boys is just one eatery you’ll love on Atlanta’s south side. And College Park’s restaurants are a big part of that.
Just a few miles way, East Point’s Camp Creek area has numerous restaurants with some of the very best dining on Atlanta’s South Side.
See more of 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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Atlanta restaurant Le Petit Marche is closing its doors, owner Marchet Sparks announced in a recent Instagram post.
Sparks had run Le Petit Marche for 13 years in the Kirkwood neighborhood of Atlanta. As a successful restaurateur, Sparks joined a small band of black-owned eateries in the early part of 2000s that took a chance on entrepreneurship in the food industry.
Le Petit Marche Abruptly Closes Its Doors In Atlanta
Her restaurant regularly packed customers in lines out the door, but she has other plans going forward.
“I did decide to close this week,” she said. “It’s a matter of timing: My lease is up. And it’s a matter of opportunity,” she said. Sparks will resume her career as a real estate sales agent as well as manage her Airbnb in the city.
“We were able to grow the business into what it will become: a legacy, a legacy in everyone’s hearts forever,” she said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the restaurant industry hard, especially in Atlanta. Several black-owned establishments have closed their doors during that time including:
Sweet Auburn Seafood
“Our goal has always been to provide excellent food, service and memorable experiences to every guest and we hope in some way we have accomplished that for you,” the eatery said in an Instagram post days before its September 2020 closure. ” When the idea of the restaurant concept was conceived, we could think of no better place than the Historic Auburn Avenue District which resulted in the creation of Sweet Auburn Seafood.
Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint
The Peachtree Street eatery closed its doors in April 2020 and hasn’t opened back up since.
How You Can Support Atlanta’s Restaurant Industry
Support Atlanta’s restaurants by doing what you do best: eat, drink and be many! Take a moment to order takeout and delivery from eateries during lunch and dinner.
- How To Apply For Atlanta’s Senior Food Program
- Best Gluten-free Restaurants
- Best Restaurants On The Atlanta Beltline Right Now
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 bar 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.
f you’re a health nut and want more local healthy food choices, perhaps you’ll be interested in our Guide to Local Farmers Markets.
We also have special coverage of Black Farmers In Atlanta as well as How To Keto In Atlanta.
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If you love authentic Mexican cuisine and agave-based drinks, you’re going to love Antiguo Lobo, a new restaurant and tequila bar opening in downtown Chamblee.
Antiquo Lobo, which means “Old Wolf” in Spanish, is the latest eatery from restaurateur Jesús Oñate Jr., whose father embedded in him an appreciation for dishes from the elder’s home state in western Mexico: Jalisco.
“I’m honored to carry on my father’s legacy with this new restaurant, which is a homecoming of sorts as my father opened his first restaurant in the U.S. in Chamblee,” he says in a written statement.
What’s On The Menu At Antiquo Lobo?
Antiquo Lobo promises a creative menu that lends heavily on locally sourced ingredients when possible. There will be the customary small plates, ensaladas (salads), sopas (soups), but also larger entrees.
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”14″ display=”basic_slideshow”]Customers can expect to fall in love with the restaurant’s signature dish, Molcajete El Monstruo, which will be served in a volcanic rock mortar (‘molcajete’ in Spanish).
Molcajete El Monstruo can be served with a choice of steak, grilled chicken or shrimp; green onion; grilled queso fresco; tomato; nopal cactus; tomatillo cream salsa; rice and beans.
You also can’t miss with the:
- Enchiladas Verdes – tinga, tomatillo cream, rice, refried black beans, crema, cotija and
- Pollo al mole – mole poblano, rice, refried black beans, toasted sesame seeds, cotija.
- “Old South Tex-Mex” items like Nachos and Burritos and assorted street tacos served on house-made corn tortillas
Where Is Antiquo Lobo Located?
Antiquo Lobo is located at 5370 Peachtree Road, Suite A Chamblee, GA 30341. Here’s a map to help you find it.
When it opens, Antiquo Lobo will serve lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday.as far as COVID-19 protocols, Antiguo Lobo will have several safety measures in place including:
- Mandatory masks for all staff and guests unless seated
- Limited capacity
- Daily wellness checks for all employees
- Socially distanced tables
- Enhanced sanitation and surface disinfecting
Where To Eat Mexican In Atlanta
We told you that Antiquo Lobo is authentically Mexican, but we can’t sleep on the other awesome eateries in Chamblee, especially those up and down the venerated Buford Highway.
Aside from Antiquo Lobo, Jesus Jr.’s other metro Atlanta restaurants are Zapata in Norcross, Taqueria on Broad in Atlanta’s Five Points neighborhood and Monterrey of Marietta.
Here are some of the city’s best Mexican restaurants.
The city has some 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.
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 city’s coming food-focused hotel, Epicurean Atlanta, recently revealed the name of its signature restaurant and executive chef.
The highly anticipated Midtown Atlanta restaurant will be called Reverence. it will be helmed by Executive Chef Ewart Wardhaugh, who will head up the property’s culinary program.
“Reverence is about creating synergy. Plates that speak to one another but can also stand alone; cuisine that sparks global interest, but made with local ingredients,” Chef Wardhaugh says in a press release. “It’s about creating an experience that roots you in Midtown, while promising a hint of exploration in every bite.”
What Can You Expect On The Menu?
Reverence’s seasonally changing menu will be a love letter to the palate of the Southeast. Expect menu items gathered from coastal seafood, heritage meats fresh produce. Look out for these dishes:
- Wild Foraged Sapelo Island Razor Clams Ceviche with sorrel pesto, tiny vegetables, stone creek micro watercress, finger lime caviar
- Heron Farms Sea Bean Salad with fresh hearts of palm, feta, smoked sesame, bourbon ponzu, toasted freekeh
- Reverence “Steak Frites” with dry-aged Bern’s Steak House ribeye, garlic rapini, mole verde and triple-cooked chips with parmesan salt.
What’s To Drink?
Reverence promises an expansive bar program filled with top-notch local craft beers and spirits, like barrel-aged cocktails and seasonal classics. The wine selection will also feature sparkling varieties and half-bottles.
For those that abstain, there will be non-alcoholic options and low-ABV cocktails as well.
Where Will Reverence Be Located?
Reverence inside the Epicurean Atlanta will be situated in the heart of Atlanta’s Midtown neighborhood at 1117 West Peachtree St. Atlanta, Ga. 30309. Here is a map to help you find it.
Last Words
Reverence will open this summer by offering dinner service through the work week from 5 – 10 p.m. on weekdays, 5 – 11 p.m. on weekends, and weekend brunch from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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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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.
Nina and Rafi review: The down low on delicious and hearty pizzas on the Beltline #OTW https://t.co/NWDwLjN6R3 pic.twitter.com/vdK9tHUPhL
— ATLHAPS (@atlhaps) February 8, 2019
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.