HAVE A TIP ABOUT A RESTAURANT OPENING OR CLOSING OR OTHER DINING NEWS? CONTACT BOB TOWNSEND AT BTOWNSAJC@GMAIL.COM.
Himitsu open in Buckhead
After many delays, Himitsu, the much anticipated “secret” Tokyo-style cocktail lounge spinoff of Umi, finally opened Nov. 11 at One Buckhead Place. The project, from Umi partners Charlie Hendon of Hendon Properties and Farshid Arshid of Fontanell Management, is another showcase for Umi sushi master Fuyuhiko Ito and his pastry chef wife, Lisa Matsuoka Ito. The beverage program is the creation of Shingo Gokan of Angel’s Share in New York City and Atlanta’s T. Fable Jeon. On the menu: cocktails such as the Toryufu, featuring pear-infused vodka sweetened with white truffle honey, and small bites, such as Peruvian-style ceviche with Hokkaido diver scallop sashimi. 3050 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. Reservations only by email: hello@puraibeto.com.
SOS replaces Paper Plane
The SOS Tiki Bar opened in Decatur Nov. 6. It's the newest offering from Victory Brands, the team behind Paper Plane, Victory Sandwich Bar in Decatur and Inman Park, and Little Trouble in the Westside Provisions District. SOS is in the same building as Victory, and replaces the intimate and more upscale Paper Plane, which closed at the end of August. Look for such tiki standards as the zombie and the mai tai, plus signature cocktails such as the Reverend's Fancy. On the food menu: fried coconut shrimp, Tikiyaki sliders, jerk chicken wings and Polynesian-style spare ribs. 340 Church St., Decatur. 404-377-9308, facebook.com/paperplaneatl.
Murphy’s team buys Rosebud space
Tom Murphy and the team behind Murphy’s in Virginia-Highland and Paces & Vine in Vinings is expanding its restaurant group with the acquisition of the Rosebud space in Morningside. Ron Eyester, the chef-owner of Diner in Atlantic Station and founder of Grateful Tables restaurant group, closed his two original Morningside/North Highland Avenue restaurants, Rosebud and the Family Dog, in October. Eyester closed his third Morningside restaurant, Timone’s, in July. Murphy said his team would take its time putting together a new concept, with plans pointing to a spring opening. 1397 N. Highland Ave., N.E., Atlanta. murphys-atlanta-restaurant.com.
Henri’s Buckhead under contract
Henri’s Bakery and Cafe’s property on Irby Avenue in Buckhead is under contract. The potential sale is not expected to impact the business immediately, and plans are for the location to remain open for the foreseeable future, along with a second location in Sandy Springs. Henri’s, which dates to 1929, is known for its fancy cakes and scratch baked goods, and is beloved for its signature deli sandwiches, served in a bustling cafe setting that’s made it a Buckhead lunch institution. Madeline Leonard has been running Henri’s since her grandfather, Henri Fiscus, died in 1974. 61 Irby Ave. N.W., Atlanta. 404-237-0202, henrisbakery.com.
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