From Holeman & Finch and Leon’s to H. Harper Station and Kaleidoscope, the chef-driven tavern continues to be one of Atlanta’s most happening trends.
A few weeks ago, the Family Dog in Morningside joined the list, creating an instant buzz due to its fine dining pedigree and colorful, sometimes controversial chef/owner — Rosebud’s Ron Eyester, also known by his Twitter handle, “The Angry Chef.”
The look: During a recent call, Eyester said the Family Dog is meant to be a “playground” — “Sort of Rosebud with its hair down.” Located across the street from Rosebud, it’s named for the ’60s-era San Francisco ballroom where the Grateful Dead often performed. Eyester shows his Deadhead dedication with a wall-size photo mural of the band. And the restrooms are papered with the iconic “Steal Your Face” album logo.
The scene: One Friday evening, the sprawling bar was packed three-deep, every table in the room was filled, and the noisy crowd spilled out to the sidewalk. Appearing jovial, and not at all angry, Eyester ping-ponged between Rosebud and his new place, dodging traffic and pausing to greet neighborhood friends.
The menu: Eyester said the menu concept is farm-to-table bar food, mostly from the same sources he uses at Rosebud. That translates to the likes of fried housemade mozzarella with tomato-caper chow chow ($8) and smoked and fried Springer Mountain chicken wings with orange-curry glaze ($9). There are three all-day breakfast plates ($7 -- $9) and a Riverview Farms burger ($9), too.
The drinks: There’s a small, well-curated wine list. But beer and liquor make up the bulk of the drinks menu. Potent cocktails include the White Manhattan with High West Silver Whiskey ($10) and the Angry Elk, Everclear-spiked “adult fruit punch” in a 32-ounce Mason jar ($15). The draft beer list ranges from Miller High Life ($3) to Saison Dupont ($6).
The extras: Look for a weekly hot dog and weekend brunch specials. Live music will be part of the scene soon. And the entertainment portion of Rosebud’s popular music theme dinners will migrate to the Family Dog in coming months.
Dining out
The Family Dog
Kitchen: 4 p.m. -- midnight Mondays -- Thursdays; 4 p.m. -- 1 a.m. Fridays; noon -- 1 a.m. Saturdays; noon -- midnight Sundays. Brunch: noon -- 4 p.m. Saturdays -- Sundays. Bar open late.
Snacks, $4; small plates, $7 -- $11; sandwiches, $6 -- $11; breakfast plates, $7 -- $9; main plates, $9 -$16.
1402 N Highland Ave Atlanta, 404-249-0180, thefamilydogatlanta.com
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