King + Duke opening in Buckhead
King + Duke, the much anticipated new American tavern-style restaurant from Ford Fry (JCT Kitchen; No. 246; the Optimist), is set to open for lunch and dinner on May 13 in the former Nava space in Buckhead. The concept showcases primal wood-fired cooking on a 24-foot open hearth filled with hot coals. Fry and executive chef Joe Schafer have been working on a menu that features grilled and roasted meat, fish and fowl, with entrees such as whole stuffed rainbow trout and “The King” bone-in ribeye. 3060 Peachtree Road N.W. www.kinganddukeatl.com.
New Castellucci restaurant
Federico Castellucci III, president of Castellucci Hospitality Group (Sugo; Iberian Pig; Double Zero), reports his company has signed on a large corner space in the new 691 14th Street building on Atlanta’s Westside. Chad Crete is partnering in the restaurant, and Landon Thompson from Iberian Pig will be the executive chef. Look for a Basque-inspired menu with French and molecular influences. Chef John Castellucci, who is staging at Arzak in San Sebastian, Spain, this summer, will be in the kitchen as executive sous chef. Look for an early 2014 opening. sugorestaurant.com.
Blais San Diego bound
Chef Richard Blais (the Spence; Flip; HD1) will soon be dividing his time between California and his Atlanta “home base.” In a press release, Blais confirmed he’s opening a new restaurant in San Diego, with longtime partners Concentrics Restaurants and Michael Rosen of Juniper Hospitality. Atlanta’s the Johnson Studio is handling the design. “I am looking forward to sharing my passion, inspiration, and most importantly, food, with the West Coast,” Blais said in the release. concentricsrestaurants.com.
NOCA open in Roswell
NOCA, a new bar and restaurant from the creators of Roswell’s Zest Sushi Tapas Bar, has quietly opened in the former Indigo space on ever-busy Canton Street. NOCA stands for North On Canton, and the contemporary American menu features the likes of short ribs, pasta and seafood entrees. 1170 Canton St., Roswell. 770-992-8866, nocaeatery.com.
Steady Hand pop-ups
Recently displaced by the closing of Everybody’s in Emory Village, “The Boys” behind Steady Hand Pour House have opened a pop-up coffee service at the Iberian Pig in Decatur. Look for them and the “rattletrap” espresso machine from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, serving “bevs and bocadillos.” And Saturdays, starting May 18, they’ll be at Empire State South in Midtown for “coffee, snacks, bocce, beer + wine.” steadyhandcoffee.com.
Aria wine dinner
On May 15, Buckhead’s Aria restaurant and chef Gerry Klaskala will host a six-course wine dinner featuring Quintessa, Faust and Illumination pairings presented by master sommelier Larry Stone from the Agustin Huneeus portfolio. $100 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations: 404-233-7673. 490 E. Paces Ferry Road. aria-atl.com.
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