Manuel’s nixes smoke, raises chickens
On New Year's Day at Manuel's Tavern, there was ham, collard greens and black-eyed peas, same as it ever was. But there was one big difference. Among regulars chowing down, drinking beer and watching the Georgia game, not one person was lighting up. "No Smoking" signs were posted on the doors, on tables and at the bar. Owner Brian Maloof had kept his promise to make Manuel's smoke-free on the first day of 2014. A few days later, Maloof announced another big change via Facebook: the addition of a new rooftop chicken coop, where Speckled Sussex and Australian Australorp hens will be laying organic eggs for weekend brunch. 602 N. Highland Ave., Atlanta. www.manuelstavern.com.
Yum Bunz now closed for good
On Dec. 11, Yum Bunz, the Westside "Dim Sum Fast" concept from Mike Blum, founder of the Real Chow Baby, and Guy Wong, chef/owner of Miso Izakaya, announced via Facebook that it would be closed "for the rest of the year." Now, Yum Bunz has closed for good, according to a post on the Miso Izakaya Facebook page. It seems bad reviews of its signature steamed bao (buns) — which were being made in an off-site factory, shipped frozen, and reheated in the restaurant — are to blame. www.misoizakaya.com.
Sprinkles Cupcakes opening in Buckhead
Claiming the title of "the world's first cupcake bakery and the progenitor of the gourmet cupcake craze," Sprinkles Cupcakes of Beverly Hills is set to debut its first Southeastern location this month in Buckhead's Lenox Square mall. In addition to cupcakes, it will feature Sprinkles ice cream, Sprinkles cookies and one of the country's four Cupcake ATMs, a specially designed machine that dispenses fresh cupcakes 24 hours a day. Sprinkles founder Candace Nelson is a judge on Food Network's "Cupcake Wars." www.facebook.com/sprinklesatlanta.
Souper Jenny’s in Decatur opening in February
The exact date keeps changing, but look for a second location of the popular Buckhead soup and sandwich spot, Souper Jenny's, to open in Decatur in early February. Owner Jenny Levison will be setting up shop in the former Pita Pit space on West Court Square. In addition to Souper Jenny's, Levison also operates Cafe Jonah & the Magical Attic and Juicy Jenny juice bar in Buckhead. www.souperjennyatl.com.
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