Have a tip about a restaurant opening or closing or other dining news? Contact Bob Townsend at btownsajc@gmail.com.
The Family Dog reopens
The Family Dog is officially back in business in Morningside. The announcement came last week via the neighborhood bar and restaurant's Facebook page. The former owner, Ron Eyester, the chef/owner of Diner in Atlantic Station, closed the Family Dog in October 2015. In November 2015, Benjie Shirah and South Capital Partners purchased the property and did an extensive remodel, before reopening with a new menu that includes small plates, sandwiches and entrees, plus a full bar and late-night menu. 1402 N. Highland Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 678-705-5324, www.thefamilydogatl.com.
The Varsity Alpharetta closes
The Alpharetta location of iconic Atlanta fast-food restaurant the Varsity closed on Feb. 1. Varsity President Gordon Muir confirmed the closing on the restaurant's website: "We weighed a number of options and came to the conclusion that our three other stores north of the Perimeter — Town Center (Kennesaw), Dawsonville and Gwinnett (Norcross) — can effectively serve our customers in this area." The original location of the Varsity on North Avenue in Midtown has been open serving chili cheese dogs, onion rings and its famous Frosted Orange since 1928. thevarsity.com.
Double Zero moving to Emory Village
Double Zero, the Neapolitan pizza and pasta restaurant on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs, is moving to the former Ink & Elm space in Emory Village in June 2016. Castellucci Hospitality, the restaurant group behind metro Atlanta concepts including Cooks & Soldiers in West Midtown and the Iberian Pig in Decatur, made the announcement last week, noting that "the Roswell Road property has been sold." Look for a redesigned menu "with more attention brought to unique Italian small plates and large shareable dishes." 5825 Roswell Road, Atlanta. 404-991-3666, doublezeroatl.com.
Pallookaville closed through February
Pallookaville Fine Foods, the Avondale Estates soda fountain and deli from Atlanta deep-fried corn dog master and TV personality Jim Stacy, will be closed through the end of February. The word from the restaurant's Facebook page: "February is one of our slowest months, and it seems like the perfect time to do some pressing mechanical repairs. While we are doing that we'll also be upgrading our dining room and kitchen." The closing comes on the heels of Stacy's recent confirmation that he is actively trying to sell the business. 17 N. Avondale Plaza, Decatur. 404-500-1785, pallookaville.com.
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