Kimball House open in Decatur
The team behind Brick Store Pub and Leon's Full Service has opened a new bar and restaurant in the old train depot on East Howard Avenue in Decatur. Dubbed Kimball House in homage to a pair of historic Atlanta hotels of the early 1900s, the refurbished space features a towering bar and ornate library-like nooks. Look for a raw bar with a large selection of oysters and a full dinner menu from chefs Jeffery Wall and Philip Meeker. Miles Macquarrie, formerly of Leon's, is in charge of a cocktail list that features classics and originals, along with absinthe, sparkling wine and craft beer. 303 E. Howard Ave., Decatur. cargocollective.com/kimballhouse.
Rathbun’s surprise reopening
Though an earlier announcement had the reopening set for Sept. 23, Rathbun's started serving dinner again on Sept. 20. Rathbun's had been closed since a July Fourth fire wreaked enough havoc to require a new kitchen and other renovations. Adding injury to insult, chef/owner Kevin Rathbun fell through a drop ceiling and suffered a broken ankle while attempting to inspect and clean up some of the damage. Nick Anderson will be the new chef de cuisine overseeing a new menu. Look for lower price points and classic dishes from past menus. 112 Krog St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-8280, www.kevinrathbun.com.
A Salt Factory Pub for Alpharetta
After a series of delays, restaurateurs Hicham Azhari and Fikret Kovac of F&H Food Trading Group and culinary director Bob McDonough are set to debut their fourth venture together on Oct. 14 with the second location of the Salt Factory Pub in historic downtown Alpharetta. The other three F&H restaurants, all on Canton Street in historic downtown Roswell, include Opulent, Little Alley Steak and the original Salt Factory Pub. In early 2014, look for one more F&H concept to land on Canton Street in the form of a chef-driven, fast-casual pizzeria concept. 102 S. Main St., Alpharetta. www.saltfactorypub.com.
Mihoko Obunai at So Ba now
Peripatetic chef Mihoko Obunai, most recently at Joli Kobe, has resurfaced at So Ba in East Atlanta Village, where she is cooking up her popular Japanese-style ramen during lunch at the Vietnamese restaurant. Somehow, So Ba has already made Eater National's list of "the 14 hottest ramen shops in the country right now." Look for as many as three flavors of ramen, including tonkotsu, chicken shoyu, and spicy miso, plus a small list of add-ons, such as kimchee and egg. Served 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. 560 Gresham Ave., Atlanta. 404-627-9911, www.soba-eav.com.
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