Saltyard open in Buckhead
Saltyard opened last week in the Brookwood building in Buckhead. Billed as a "Small Plates and Social House," the casual-chic atmosphere features an open kitchen, chef's table and patio. Dinner is served seven nights a week, and the menu ranges from bar snacks like local pork cracklings to bigger bites like lemon and ale-braised chicken thighs. Look for 20 wines by the glass and 75 by the bottle, plus signature cocktails and craft beer. 1820 Peachtree Road N.W., Atlanta. 404-382-8088, http://saltyardatlanta.com.
Joshua Hopkins headed to ESS
Executive chef Ryan Smith confirmed that Joshua Hopkins is set to take over the kitchen at Empire State South. Smith plans to leave ESS at the end of August to head Staplehouse, the restaurant that will help fund efforts of the Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit dedicated to providing assistance to hospitality industry workers in crisis. Right now, Hopkins is the chef at downtown Atlanta's White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails. Before that, he was in the kitchen at Abattoir, Bacchanalia and STG Trattoria. 999 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-541-1105, http://empirestatesouth.com.
ESS pastry chef among F&W best
Food & Wine magazine editors recently named Melanie Durant, the pastry chef of Empire State South in Midtown, one of its Best New Pastry Chefs of 2013, which includes "the five most exciting up-and-coming talents in America's restaurant pastry kitchens." Durant took over the job from Cynthia Wong last year. All the winners will be featured in the July issue of F&W on newsstands June 14. www.foodandwine.com/bnpc.
Heavy Seas at the Optimist
Heavy Seas Beer is hosting a five-course beer dinner on June 11 at the Optimist in West Midtown. The evening begins with a cocktail hour in the Oyster Bar and moves into the dining room, where executive chef Adam Evans will explain the dishes and beer pairings. $50. Reservations required: 404-477-6260. 914 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. http://theoptimistrestaurant.com.
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