By RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com, originally filed September 16, 2011
Frank Ski, the V-103 morning host, is aware of the pitfalls of opening a restaurant. Among them: high start-up costs, staffing issues, competition in a lousy economy. He could lose a fortune.
But for ten years, he has been envisioning a restaurant/lounge under his own name. On Thursday night, he finally unveiled it in the space of the Original Mick's restaurant on Peachtree Road. Tanya, his wife, said they've been prepping the space since February.
"It's all about living out your dream," he said. "It's fruition of a dream."
The party drew hundreds of friends and family, including former mayor Bill Campbell, Tamika Raymond (Usher's ex) and Ray J, Brandy's brother.
The restaurant/lounge opens on Monday, Sept. 19.
"It's straight American and has my influence of places I've been all over, growing up in South Florida to living in New York to being in Baltimore," Ski said in an interview Thursday night. "It has a little of all that put together."
His favorite dishes on the menu: fried red snapper, seafood pot pie, short ribs and Baltimore crab cakes.
There are plenty of open spaces and couches during lounge hours, plus an outdoor area. As a wine connoisseur, he also created a wine room where people could socialize as well.
"People just want a drink and some appetizers. They don't necessarily want a full meal," he said. "We have to create that environment."Â Frank Ski's will be open for dinner and late night at first, and will open for lunch in a month.
Why did he pick this location? "We're right on Peachtree. We have our own parking. We've got good visibility. It's a great building."
Ski also poached the general manager from the nearby Houston's, James Johnson. Johnson said three keys to success he learned from seven years at Houston's: consistency, efficiency and hospitality. Master those three and customers will come back, he said.
Tanya, his wife, said they are both foodies so she is supporting him 100% in this venture. They are in a lease-to-own arrangement with the landlord, she noted.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
About the Author
