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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2006 > April > 28
Friday, April 28, 2006
Local foodies, get ready to grab a table at Shaun’s
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Keeping up with Atlanta chef Shaun Doty’s culinary capers is rapidly becoming a full-time position here at Buzz Central. Just seven months after wowing diners with the debut of his Table 1280 at the Woodruff Arts Center, Doty’s wire whisk is again on the move.
In late summer, Doty plans to transform the former Inman Park Patio at 1029 Edgewood Ave. into his eponymous eatery, Shaun’s. Doty will remain as a consultant at Table 1280.
“Inman Park is an amazing neighborhood, and I want to create a dining experience that will mesh with its laid-back and creative vibe,” Doty said via a statement e-mailed to Buzz. “The concept will be simple yet creative and implemented with integrity and passion.”
The 3,000-square-foot restaurant features 65 seats inside and 25 on the patio. In comparison, Table 1280, operated by New York-based Restaurant Associates, seats 240.
Doty first made a name for himself by transforming the late, great Mumbo Jumbo downtown, and later at MidCity Cuisine.
The chef quietly confided to us Thursday that the decision was prompted by his adorable son, Dante, who will turn 3 on May 21.
“He’s at a very fragile time in his life right now and I needed to get into a place where I’m participating more in his life. This couldn’t wait. It had to happen now.”
Doty says his bosses at Restaurant Associates “have been supportive and amazing” about his decision to lessen his role at Table 1280. Said Doty: “It sounds crazy to open a new restaurant in order to find more free time, but that’s the reality of this.”
Paula Deen cooks with Reege
Savannah chef and Food Network goddess Paula Deen put Regis Philbin through the mixer during her segment on “Live With Regis & Kelly” on Thursday morning to promote the hardcover release of “The Lady & Sons Just Desserts” (Simon & Schuster, $24). Deen tried to whip up her son Bobby’s Caramel Cake with the kitchen-challenged Philbin. After Philbin sent flour, eggs and milk flying through the air, Deen leaned in to ask, “Somebody told me you [create a vacuum] at cooking. Is that true?” Reege replied: “No, that’s not true!” The cake didn’t exactly get finished, but the segment served as hilarious morning television. And oh, yes, in the show’s closing seconds, Deen announced on-air that her older son Jamie’s new bride is pregnant. Exclaimed Deen: “I’m going to be a grandma!”
We’ll drink to that
Project Open Hand advisory board member Barron Segar got a jolt when he and his Midtown neighbors ordered dinner Wednesday at Oceanaire Seafood Room in Midtown. The table of four turned out to support the annual Dine Out for Project Open Hand benefit. When Segar went up to thank the eatery’s staff, however, he was informed that, despite some misinformation, Oceanaire was not actually a participating restaurant this year. To clear up the misunderstanding though, Oceanaire’s operating partner and executive chef Adam Newlon is matching the group’s total bill with a donation to the charity. “When they told us they were making the donation, we immediately ordered another bottle of wine,” Segar told us Thursday. “I have a hangover today because of Project Open Hand!”
Morning team gives thanks
Things were decidedly less dramatic at the Food Studio at the King Plow Arts Center downtown. The Dine Out participating restaurant also served as the 12th and final stop for B98.5 FM’s morning team Kelly Stevens and Alpha Trivette on Wednesday night. The pair, along with B98.5-mobile driver and morning show producer Will Gara, make it a ritual each year to drive around to the various eateries to thank diners for helping to raise money for the charity, which provides meals for people struggling with illness. “It’s a cause that touches everyone no matter who you are,” Trivette told us. “We’re only too happy to take a couple of hours to thank folks.” Cracked Stevens as he eyed a massive steak at a nearby table: “I’m really proud of myself. I somehow refrained from asking, ‘Are you going to finish that?’ all evening.”
Nonprofit gets new digs
Georgia Lawyers for the Arts finally has a real office. Now the nonprofit just has to raise the money to pay for it.
The volunteer organization, which provides free legal help to about 5,000 starving artists and small arts groups each year, has moved into shiny new digs in the King Plow Arts Center on West Marietta Street. Most of the fixtures, from lighting to artwork, were donated, as was the interior design by Pam Moore. Even the blue paint on the walls was a gift.
It’s a big step up for the organization, which started in 1975 when attorneys Ben White and Bob Lower (both now partners at Alston & Bird) drove around in a VW van dispensing legal advice to artists. Most recently, GLA was in a closet-size space at City Hall East.
GLA has pledges of about $150,000 so far and is holding a fund-raiser at its new office tonight to help raise the remaining $350,000. Atlanta Symphony Orchestra conductor Robert Spano, honorary chairman of GLA’s campaign, will be among those attending.
GLA helps artists with everything from evictions to free speech issues. The organization got involved when Atlanta police threatened to shut down “Naked Boys Singing!” in 2004, said executive director Lisa Moore.
Celebrity birthdays
Actress-singer Ann-Margret is 65. “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno is 56. Actor Jorge Garcia (“Lost”) is 33. Actress Penelope Cruz is 32. Actress Jessica Alba
(“Fantastic Four”) is 25.
Contributing: Kirsten Tagami and news services. If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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