Zeal Kitchen and Bar has closed after five years of trying to create a hip, ITP vibe in a Marietta strip mall. In its place, Los Bravos plans to open its seventh metro Atlanta location.
“The market just wasn’t viable to achieve the sales,” former Zeal manager Scott Sawant told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution by phone Friday.
He said the sale was finalized about two weeks ago.
Los Bravos manager Hector Pineda said Wednesday that they plan to open sometime during January in the space, 1255 Johnson Ferry Road, about six miles from the Big Chicken.
This will be the second Marietta location.
From June 2018 | 5 reasons to check out Zeal Kitchen and Bar in east Cobb
Zeal opened to much excitement in the Market Plaza shopping center. In October 2013, Bob Townsend described the eatery in his "First Look" piece about the space.
“The inviting contemporary space was designed by Allison Hyer to include distinctive bar and dining areas. Near the bar, there’s a cozy lounge with shuffleboard tables and dart boards. Beyond, the patio features an outdoor fireplace. In the dining room, there’s a long communal table in front and booths along the wall.”
Zeal was a four-time winner of an OpenTable diners' choice award. The restaurant won Taste of Marietta's seafood award in 2016.
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Sawant previously said the restaurant served Modern American cuisine and specializes in seafood, steaks and food that is "local and sustainable." They also had many gluten-free items.
Here's how Jenny Turknett ended her restaurant review of Zeal in January 2014: "For now I'm not sure that Zeal will save me from making the 35-45 minute drive into town. Yet if I'm in the neighborhood and want a bite and a beverage, I could find myself snuggled into one of the comfy chairs in the lounge or perched on a patio bench with friends."
