Mediterranean eatery to replace Original El Taco in Virginia-Highland next year
A new Mediterranean restaurant from hospitality group Fifth Group Restaurants (Alma Cocina, South City Kitchen, Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria, Lure) is set to open in Atlanta’s Virginia-Highland neighborhood in February 2024.
Located in the former Original El Taco space at 1186 N. Highland Ave. NE, Ela, which has been in the works for a year, will serve a variety of Mediterranean cuisines including Greek, Moroccan, Israeli and Turkish food, according to a news release.
The Ela kitchen will be led by executive chef Darragh Dudley, a native of Dublin, Ireland, who previously worked in Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City before moving to Atlanta. The Fifth Group team wanted to bring on an executive chef with a “depth of experience” when it comes to cooking from a variety of cultures, according to vice president of culinary Mark Jeffers.
The menu will include Mediterranean dishes with an emphasis on “vibrant flavors and big bold spices,” Jeffers said. There will be an array of small plates and shareable dishes as well as entrees like seafood and lamb, Greek desserts and Mediterranean wine and spirits. Diners can also expect olives, chickpeas, eggplant and charred flatbread.
“It’s a bit of a food journey, a food and beverage journey,” Jeffers said. “For us, the best way to do that is really to make sure that it’s craveable, delicious (and) shareable.”
Mexican restaurant Original El Taco, which Fifth Group Restaurants also owned, closed in March 2023 after 15 years of business. El Taco locations are still open in the international terminal and Terminal C at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
“We wanted to do something that was a little bit more fun, a little bit more exciting, a little bit more lively,” Jeffers said. “Something that tailors a little bit more to the beverage side as well as the food.”
This will be Fifth Group’s first new concept in about 10 years, Fifth Group partner and co-owner Steve Simon said.
“This is us doing something new in the neighborhood that we’ve been (in) for a long time,” Simon said.
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About the Author
Olivia Wakim is a digital content producer on the food and dining team. She joined the AJC as an intern in 2023 after graduating from the University of Georgia with a journalism degree. While in school, she reported for The Red & Black, Grady Newsource and the Marietta Daily Journal.
