The team behind the Buckhead and Midtown locations of Atlanta restaurant 5Church is set to open a Latin American restaurant in Midtown this spring.
Located at 33 Peachtree Place in the former Babalu Tapas and Tacos space, Alta Toro — a phrase used in bullfighting to describe a powerful bull — will feature a tapas-style menu from chef Rodney Smith.
The restaurant will be part of the K5 Hospitality restaurant group, owned by Ayman Kamel. In addition to the 5Church locations, the group also includes Virtue Rooftop bar above 5Church Midtown.
Kamel said he was inspired to focus on the “inspiring” cuisine and cultures of Latin America, pulling dishes “from Cuba all the way down to Argentina.”
The menu will include dishes like ropa vieja and picadillo from Cuba; Argentinian empanadas; a dish of smoked meats from Brazil; South American cazuela stews; and Nicaraguan-style tamales wrapped in banana leaves “that have a sweetness with a kick at the end,” Kamel said.
“I’m a Mediterranean man, but in another life, I was born in Latin America,” Kamel said. In preparation to open Alta Toro, Kamel traveled to several cities in Mexico and Argentina to research the cuisine and take kitchen tours, with plans to do the same in the coming weeks in Chile and Brazil.
The beverage program will highlight agave-based cocktails created by mixologist Jorge Ortiz, as well as a wide selection of rums, tequilas and wines from different countries curated by sommelier Billy Turner.
The restaurant will also offer live music and other programming in its space, which is being designed by plexus r+d, the local design firm that also designed 5Church Buckhead.
Credit: Alta Toro
Credit: Alta Toro
Artwork for Alta Toro will be sourced from galleries in Latin America as well as local artists. The space, which will seat between 120-140 guests, will include a 1,000-square-foot patio with garage doors that can be opened or closed depending on the weather.
Alta Toro will be open for weekday lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.
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