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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Several Atlanta-area chefs and restaurants have been nominated as 2018 James Beard Award semifinalists, the group announced Thursday.
The nominees have a chance to take home the top prize and cement Atlanta’s place on the map as a bona fide cultural mecca with top-notch restaurants with diverse cuisine.
Atlanta’s Miller Union eatery on Brady Avenue in Midtown Atlanta is up for Outstanding Wine Program.
For Best Chef: Southeast, perennial nominee Ryan Smith of Staplehouse, Ri Liu of Masterpiece in Duluth made the cut, and so did Atsushi Hayakawa of Sushi Hayakawa along with Meherwan Irani of Botiwalla in Ponce City Market.
Also in Georgia, Brunswick’s Matthew Raiford of The Farmer & The Larder along with Savannah’s Mashama Bailey of The Grey are in the running.
For Rising Star Chef, Brian So of Spring in Cobb County and Parnass Savang of Talat Market both made the list.
The firm Meyer Davis is a finalist for best Restaurant Design for transforming the architecture of the old Bluepointe space in Lenox (with designers Will Meyer, Gray Davis, Katie McPherson) into the European-inspired St. Cecilia.
The finalists will be announced in Philadelphia on March 14. The grand prize will be announced May 7 at the James Beard Foundation Awards Gala in Chicago.
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SNL star and comedian Leslie Jones flew into Atlanta for some project and has not benefitted from the Southern hospitality that is commonplace in these parts.
First, Jones had a less-than-stellar experience at the Atlanta Fish Market in Buckhead – and she took to social media to blast them on it.
“kO dam I wanted a nice meal and wow Atlanta Fish Market gave me the worse service I’ve EVER gotten,” she tweeted. “Then instead of the manager coming to make it better, he came and gave me the worse attitude EVER! I can’t believe this!”
The restaurant promptly responded to the accusation, saying: “Ms. Jones, we’re very sorry to hear that you had a negative experience at the Atlanta Fish Market. We’d appreciate the opportunity to learn what happened & hopefully make things right. Our guests’ experience is our top priority, & we appreciate you bringing this to our attention.”
But Jones was having none of it. “Ask your snobby manager who thought it was just black people trying to get out of paying instead of it being the bad service and terrible food,” she posted. “He actually said “no you just didn’t like what you ordered” um yea cause it’s nasty son!I just wanted to eat in Atlanta! Y’all ruin that.”
The exchange set off scores of comments on social media, with people siding with Jones and others supporting the eatery.
“Saw your rant on Atlanta Fish Market. I agree with you,” one commenter said. “My husband and I went there for our anniversary several years back. Valet parked our 2 wk old new vehicle and after having a horrible meal, with complaints and same reaction you got from manager, went outside for valet to bring our vehicle and they wrecked our new vehicle hitting another car.”
Another one said: “Again, another disgruntled Black celebrity who apparently feels she is due a better service then anyone else. Was it because she wanted a free meal now or was it that she wanted a meal at a reduced rate now and a free feast later? God only knows.”
Still, most of the interactions with the popular Buckhead restaurant have been positive. People have been uploading cheerful stories about the eatery since Jones’ post. Read about it here.
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Lao restaurant Snackboxe Bistro has opened its doors in DeKalb County, AtlantaFi has learned. Snackoboxe opened Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 to such success that the establishment ran out of food and had to close.
The restaurant has been operating on a limited menu featuring several Asian hits such as khao poon, spicy thum and Lao sausage.
“Come one, come all!! Just in time for super bowl weekend, place your party platter orders with us 😁” the eatery posted on Facebook this weekend. #snackboxebistro #grandopening #laofood#laorestaurant
The restaurant is located at 6035 Peachtree St. Suite C-114, Doraville, GA. 30360.
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Read more: The best soul food restaurants in Atlanta -
Talk about a soft launch. ATL’s newest Thai spot Chai Yo quietly opened for dinner this week in Buckhead. The eatery is taking reservations only, but is looking to open fully in early February.
Brought to us by the team behind @TukTukATL, the restaurant is bringing a reputable thai restaurant back to 3050 Peachtree Road, located in one of the most prominent shopping centers in the city.
The restaurant posted on Twitter Monday saying, “Announcement]: We are now taking limited dinner reservations Monday-Saturday for our soft-opening phase. Please contact our maître d’ <Maria@chaiyoatl.com> to schedule a reservation. We look forward to having you dine with us.”
The restaurant says that it brings a “chef-driven Thai concept featuring Chef DeeDee Niyomkul’s interpretation of traditional and old-world Thai recipes using new world techniques and inspiration. From the family that created Nan Thai Fine Dining, Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft and Tamarind Seed.”
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Atlanta’s newest pizza place, The Local Pizzaiolo, opened its doors Tuesday, January 23 on the West side. “It’s officially official! Our doors are open! Head on over and let us have a 🍕your ❤!” the eatery said on Facebook.
The restaurant offered free pizza to those who donated $2 to the Atlanta Community Food Bank & No Kid Hungry! The owner, Giulio Adriani, plans three more locations in the Atlanta area, including one in Reynoldstown, Toco Hills and Sandy Springs.
Patrons are already lauding the establishment’s authentic Italian pizza. On Facebook, one commenter said this: “Best pizza in town! Incredible dough from Italy… with unique and fresh toppings… all created by 4-time international pizza competition winner Giulio Adriani from Naples, Italy. This takes Atlanta pizza to a whole new level. And they have gelato, wine, beer and espresso… I think that covers all the important food groups! Can’t wait to go back!”
Another said, “Great new pizza spot. Very authentic Italian pizza with fresh ingredients. Gelato flavors were very creative. Glad to have his new option close to home and work.
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This week Chick-fil-A is opening a new restaurant on North Decatur Road in Decatur and giving customers a chance to win free food for a year. The new location at 650 Decatur Village Way will bring about 90 jobs to the corridor and join a thriving food scene anchored by strong retail development just off Interstate 285.
To celebrate, all participating Atlanta-area Chick-fil-A restaurants are giving away a free chicken biscuit during breakfast hours up to 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 23. There is no purchase necessary, one per customer.
At the new Decatur location, the first 100 eligible adults in line when the doors open on Thursday, Jan. 25 will win free Chick-fil-A — 52 meals made up of a Chicken Sandwich, medium Waffle Potato Fries and a medium drink — for a whole year. The new eatery is the brainchild of franchise owner Rodney Johnson, who will also ask that patrons donate children’s books to a local youth organization during the festivities.
The location is expecting people to arrive a day or so in advance, so they are providing organized games, prizes, and a block party in the evening with lip sync battle and more activities.
The North Decatur Chick-fil-A restaurant is the last of four local locations to open in the first month o f 2018. On Jan. 11, the North Druid Hills restaurant reopened, along with Braselton’s first location and just last week on Jan. 18, a Vine City location opened near Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Combined, the four restaurants awarded to customers more than $120,000 in free food and have brought upwards of 400 new jobs to the metro area.
In February, a Northridge restaurant is going to reopen as well. The expansion is part of an effort to build 140 stand-alone Chick-fil-A restaurants around the United States.
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If you ever wanted to open up your own restaurant and bar, this one in the Smyrna Vinings Area comes with a patio. It’s a short drive away from the Atlanta Braves new stadium, SunTrust Park as well as Cumberland Market.
The listing says it is 3,600 square feet and has a “Stunning $850,000 Buildout with high ceilings.” The full-service kitchen is up to code and the dining room sits about 100 guests.
The spot is available for a long-term lease with options to renew at $8,200 all in per month. Sales from 2016, the most recent data available, shows that revenue hit nearly $2 million and paid management staff almost $150,000.
For more information check out Shumacher.com.
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If you’re looking for a new place to down some brews and spirits, City Tap Kitchen & Craft is set to open in Midtown on Sunday, Feb. 3 2019, AtlantaFi has learned.
The much-anticipated gastropub located in Midtown at 848 Peachtreet St NE will host a Super 53 watch party in collaboration with NFL Hall of Fame Players, and NFL Hall of Fame Players and NFL Legends will be there to mix, mingle and talk football with guests throughout the game.
Read more: 53 Atlanta events happening for Super Bowl 53
City Tap will open in the former space of Gordon Biersch, which closed in 2017. The address is 848 Peachtree St. NE.
City Tap brewery coming to Midtown Atlanta
City Tap is a national brand that sprang up in Philadelphia in 2010. Today City Tap has breweries in Philadelphia’s University City and Logan Square, Washington, D.C.’s Penn Quarter and Dupont developments, Boston’s Fort Point and Nashville’s Sobro location.
In addition to the new Atlanta location, a City Tap Kitchen & Craft is also slated for Chicago’s Fulton district in 2019.
“To properly represent the evolution of craft beer, we use our taps to show just how diverse craft beer can be, highlighting strong local brews, celebrating the success of long-standing regional partners, and enjoying centuries-old European traditions as well,” Andy Farrell, brand director at City Tap, said in a press release. “It’s fun to see the story of craft unfold across a dynamic beer list.”
Gettles to serve as executive chef at City Tap
Executive Chef Greg Gettles will helm City Tap, overseeing a food menu full of tempting dishes, like Elote “Street Corn” Dip with jalapeño, chili powder, cotija, cilantro, and chips; Ten-Spice Wings with blue cheese ranch and crisp vegetables; Corn and Crab Hushpuppies with citrus remoulade and honey-thyme butter.
City Tap’s formula for success lies in its wide, open bar, a huge selection of taps, a readable draft list and an unintimidating cuisine that appeals to local tastes.
When it comes to its brew list, City Tap says this: “Every beer is categorized by style and given a detailed flavor description so you know exactly what you’re drinking. We also provide you with the beer’s brewery of origin and proper pour size.”
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East Lake’s best new restaurant, Mary Hoopa’s House of Fried Chicken & Oysters, has launched a brunch menu as of Sunday, May 26. Heavily influenced by the Southern cuisine found in Southern Louisiana, Mary Hoopa will bring to the ATL such Cajun delights as classic Beignets, a variety of oysters,“Nashville” Hot Fried Oysters with b&b pickles and white bread.
Other faves you’ll want to try include th ePork Belly Hash with potato, calabrese chile and collard greens and Buttermilk Pancakes with bacon jam and topped with a fried egg.
Now Serving In East Atlanta: Mary Hoopa’s Brunch Menu
In the mood for a drink? You’ll love the boozy punch offered along with traditional Bloody Marys and Mimosas.
Mary Hoopa’s House of Fried Chicken & Oysters is the latest concept from Chef Robert Phalen, who helmed the kitchen at Atlanta’s One Eared Stag. The eatery’s namesake, Mary Hoopa, was the beloved family friend and caretaker of Phalen’s mother-in-law and known for her yard-to-table recipes.
Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 until 3:00 p.m. Mary Hoopa’s is located at 2371 Hosea L. Williams Dr. Building 1, Atlanta, GA, 30317
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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Hodgepodge Coffeehouse, a popular East Atlanta establishment, has announced plans to open a second location in the Summerhill neighborhood near downtown Atlanta.
The coffee shop will be located on Georgia Avenue near area landmarks such as the Atlanta Zoo and the Georgia State University stadium. The shop will also be a hub for community artists, it said in a press release.
“Along with serving coffee, one of the major focuses of Hodgepodge coffee is to promote local artists by providing them with a clean, well-lit space to display their work,” according to area developer Carter.
The Summerhill area is the site of intense development since Turner Field’s redevelopment, which has made way for a slew of GSU properties.
opening a concept at the Summerhill redevelopment called Wood’s Chapel BBQ. It’ll take 5,200 square feet in the 85 Georgia Avenue slot, with a goal of opening later this year.