On March 2, sushi restaurant Poke Burri will debut at Coda in Midtown's Technology Square. The sushi and poke restaurant will be the first to open at a new food hall called the Collective, which also includes forthcoming restaurants El Burro Pollo Burrito Kitchen, Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream and Wildleaf. Poke Burri's opening was first reported by What Now Atlanta.
More news from the week:
- Francisco "Perry" Alvarez Jr., the longtime owner of Alfredo's Italian Restaurant, died on Feb. 22 at the age of 76. He was the beloved face of Alfredo's Italian Restaurant, an old-school neighborhood favorite that stayed in business for decades. An AJC photographer captured the final night of service at Alfredo's in 2016.
- On Wednesday, Feb. 26, the James Beard Foundation announced the semi-finalists for its chef and restaurant awards, and quite a few Atlanta names were on the list. In the nationwide categories, chef Maricela Vega of 8ARM was a semi-finalist for Rising Star Chef of the Year, while Lazy Betty is in contention for Best New Restaurant. Kimball House was listed for Outstanding Bar Program and Miller Union for Outstanding Wine Program. Atlanta native Steve Palmer of the Indigo Road is a semi-finalist for Restaurateur of the Year; his hospitality company operates Oak Steakhouse, Colletta, O-Ku Sushi, Tiny Lou's and more. Also from Tiny Lou's, chef Claudia Martinez is in the running for Best Pastry Chef. Chris Wilkins of Root Baking Co. is a semi-finalist for Baker of the Year, and a handful of Atlanta-area chefs received the nod for Best Chef Southeast: Bryan Furman of B's Cracklin' Barbecue; Meherwan Irani of Chai Pani and Botiwalla; Jiyeon Lee and Cody Taylor of Heirloom Market BBQ and Leonard Lewis of Bones.
- An unfortunate repercussion of the coronavirus outbreak that has generated global concern is a sharp downturn in business at Chinese and other Asian restaurants in the Atlanta area. Local Chinese restaurants have reported a sharp downturn in business despite no reported cases of the COVID-19 virus in Georgia. Not only has business been slow, but some restaurants have endured prank calls related to fears about the virus. There are more than 450 Chinese restaurants in the state of Georgia.
- In a press conference at Frederick Douglass High School, rapper and activist Michael Render, also known as Killer Mike, announced plans for Bankhead Seafood, the local restaurant he recently acquired with co-owner Tip "T.I." Harris. The two Atlanta musicians have bigger plans that reopening the restaurant, including a food truck that will begin service this spring while the brick and mortar restaurant undergoes renovation. Killer Mike explained that he and T.I. intended for the restaurant to give back to the community by serving healthy, affordable food and providing an example of black entrepreneurship. In a surprise announcement, Killer Mike also revealed that he and T.I. would be funding a scholarship for Douglass High students.
- Lazy Llama Cantina has officially replaced Hobnob Neighborhood Tavern at the intersection of Piedmont Avenue and Monroe Drive. After 10 years in business, Hobnob's owners are opening a new location in nearby Atlantic Station and decided that it made sense to refresh the concept of the original location. Lazy Llama will serve typical Tex-Mex fare such as tacos, quesadillas and enchiladas, as well as a Southwestern-influenced brunch on the weekends. The restaurant began service on Feb. 26
- Decatur favorite Chai Pani is getting a facelift. Chef Meherwan Irani's 7-year-old restaurant will temporarily close on March 1 for a redesign of the interior and total menu overhaul. Fans of the restaurant won't have to wait long for its return: Irani, who was just named a Beard Award semi-finalist for the fifth time, will reopen Chai Pani on March 10 with celebration of the ancient Hindu holiday Holi.
- La Parilla will open a new location In Sandy Springs, as reported by What Now Atlanta. The popular Mexican chain's new location is on track for an August opening in the Aria Village development.
- Chef Jarrett Stieber's long-awaited brick and mortar restaurant is open for business. Little Bear began service on Feb. 26, with multiple tasting menu options and a few dishes recognizable from Stieber's long-running popup Eat Me Speak Me.
- RoundTrip Brewing has begun construction on yet another brewery in West Midtown, as reported by Eater Atlanta. Located in the Underwood Hills neighborhood, the brewery will join a host of other beer makers on the west side of town, including Monday Night Brewing, Second Self Brewing, Bold Monk Brewing, the soon-to-open Firemaker Brewing and more.
- Nashville pizza chain Slim and Husky's will open a second Atlanta location, as reported by Eater Atlanta. The hip hop-inflected pizza and beer restaurant will land on Metropolitan Parkway in the Adair Park neighborhood on March 20.
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