Rock Bottom Gets an Upgrade

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group, operator of 37 restaurants in 18 states, including Rock Bottom Buckhead, will open their 28th flagship branded Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant in late July. The company will be re-branding the Buckhead Place Rock Bottom location to their more upscale Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant concept.

As part of the re-branding, the restaurant will receive an extensive remodel. The remodel will take approximately three months and include patio enlargement, bar area restructuring and addition of a private dining area. The restaurant will close April 20th and is planned to re-open in late July. In addition to extensive restaurant modifications, the brewery will also be significantly upgraded to accommodate the unique style of lagers brewed by Gordon Biersch.

The Gordon Biersch brand offers an upscale casual menu, authentic German lagers and an eclectic, sophisticated décor that distinguishes itself from other brewery restaurant concepts. The Gordon Biersch menu offers a wide variety of compelling flavors influenced by international, as well as American, cuisine. Popular items include Shrimp and Chicken Potstickers, Southwest Egg Rolls, Garlic Fries, Cedar Plank Salmon, Tuscan Chicken Pasta and Steak Frites. When it comes to the Gordon Biersch brewing process, nobody puts more effort into adhering to the highest quality standards. Gordon Biersch primarily brews lagers, unlike 90% of the brewpub industry that focus on ale beers. Furthermore, Gordon Biersch follows the guidelines of Reinheitsgebot (Rine-HEIGHTS-g(shwaw)-boat), the 1516 German Purity Law which mandates the use of only malt, hops, water and yeast in the brewing process.

The Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group is based in Chattanooga, TN and currently operates 37 restaurants. The flagship Gordon Biersch brand currently includes 27 locations in 18 states, as well as licensee operations in numerous airports and Taiwan. Other branded concepts operated by Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group include Big River Grille & Brewing Works, Bluewater Grille, A1A Ale Works, Seven Bridges Grille, and Ragtime Tavern. Regardless of brand, each operation features fresh, made-from-scratch menu items, freshly brewed beer and a strong service and hospitality culture that illustrates the company’s dedication to providing a unique and exceptional dining experience. The restaurants promote an inviting atmosphere, where attentive and friendly service complement fresh food and extensive beverage offerings.

www.gordonbierschrestaurants.com

Hard Times Hit Harry Bissett's in Buckhead

A note from Harry Bissett's 

Harry Bissett's in Buckhead regrets to inform Atlanta patrons of its recent closing. Due to hard financial times, and the reluctance of people to try new places during times of uncertainty when they rely on familiar comfort food (or less expensive, home-cooked food), the restaurant wasn't able to brave the infamously difficult first few years of business, a difficulty which exists even in times of economic prosperity.

"We wanted to thank everyone who helped us along the way, including our investors, vendors, and excellent staff. And we also wanted to thank our customers for coming in and we hope that they enjoyed our place while it lasted. We would like to especially thank the Buckhead Baseball community and the University of Georgia Alumni Association for being so great to work with.

Lastly, we want to thank Jim and Kim White who own the Harry Bissett's business in Athens. We are most deeply grateful for the opportunity to bring their concept to Atlanta and they have been incredibly supportive and great to work with in our project, even when it did not work out. We hope that you will be sure to frequent their Athens locations when at all possible."

Cellar 56 Opens in Buckhead

Cellar 56 opened on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 56 East Andrews Dr. in the heart of Buckhead. Every palate is accommodated with small plate choices ranging from Corn Meal Oysters with Smithfield ham gravy and Flat Iron Steak with Chimi Churri to Grilled Flatbreads. The menu is broken into food categories to include Land, Sea, Garden, and Sweets, each priced three to five dollars. Wine is also a tremendous focus for Cellar 56 with fifty-six wine choices offered.

Cellar 56 is the perfect restaurant for special events including wine tastings, cocktail parties, corporate events, and private celebrations. Cellar 56's concept is affordable wine paired with flavorful small plates served in a charming atmosphere. Cellar 56 is open for dinner Monday-Saturday from 5pm-11pm.

Chima Offers Discounted Lunch and Dinner in Dec.

In the spirit of giving, Chima Brazilian Steakhouse, (pronounced "She-ma"), is warming up the winter season with special hours and discounted dining rates for lunch and dinner.

Chima will be open for lunch this holiday season from 12 to 2:30 p.m. for special parties on Friday, December 12th and 19th and will serve lunch for $28.50, which includes the Brazilian Churrasco served rodizio style and salad bar. Guests can experience the inclusive salad bar only, which hosts a wide range of American and Brazilian favorites with more than 40 items - including salads, oven fresh breads, soups, cheeses and deli meats, for a special price of $19.50. Children can enjoy the lunch rodizio service and salad bar for $14.25 or the salad bar option only for $9.75.

In addition Chima is offering a special dinner price of $39.50 for rodizio service and salad bar and $28.50 for salad bar only. Children can eat rodizio and salad bar for $24.25 or $14.25 for salad bar only.

Served by authentic Gauchos dressed in traditional Brazilian attire, there's no better place to celebrate the end of the week than with seasoned meat, chicken and fish for special holiday prices. Guests can contact Chima to schedule their holiday bookings and to inquire about special hours and availability during the winter season.

Chima is located in the heart of Buckhead at 3215 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, Georgia. Complimentary valet parking is provided. The restaurant serves dinner Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Friday from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., Saturday from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m and Sunday from 4 to 9 p.m.

For reservations or more information, please call (404) 424-8281 or visit www.chimasteakhouse.com.

Fresh Fare Opens Oct. 19 in Buckhead

Many Buckhead residents were upset when the famed "Disco Kroger" closed in the Piedmont- Peachtree shopping center. However, Kroger is still operating there, just under its new Fresh Fare concept,  the first store of its kind in the southeast. 

The upscale supermarket highlights organic and natural products, along with ready-made, gourmet meals. Originally opened in August 1975, “Disco Kroger” earned its nickname in the early 1980s from late-night revelers who patronized the store after they left The Limelight Atlanta, an infamous disco.
 
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. to introduce the store to the Buckhead community.

Varsano's Pizzeria Coming to Buckhead

Jeff Varasano, author of the online gourmet pizza manifesto that has attracted international attention, is opening his first restaurant at Mezzo this coming December. Located between Midtown and Buckhead at 2171 Peachtree Road, Varasano’s Pizzeria will welcome Atlantans to sample some of the best pies in the Southeast.

“Jeff has developed a cult following for his pizza recipe and we are delighted that he chose Mezzo to unveil it,” states Scott L. Leventhal, president and CEO of Tivoli Properties, Inc., Mezzo’s developer. “I had the pleasure of attending one of his exclusive tastings in his Buckhead home and was immediately hooked. The care and attention he puts in to each and every pie by utilizing only the freshest ingredients available ties in nicely with Mezzo’s wellness lifestyle.”

Originally from the Bronx, Varasano moved to Atlanta in 1998 and soon realized the style of New York pizza he was used to finding at home, namely from Patsy’s in East Harlem, could not be found. This prompted a 10-year odyssey which included traveling to some of the world’s best pizzerias, experimenting with countless varieties of flour, sourdough cultures, cheese, tomatoes and temperature control techniques as well as pushing household appliances beyond their limits. He studied everything from bread making to thermodynamics in his quest to craft the perfect pie. Varasano’s quest resulted in airy light creations topped with a perfect balance of traditional Italian ingredients and crisped to perfection at 800 degrees, a temperature achieved by running his home oven on the cleaning cycle.

Varasano’s Pizzeria will seat 125 and offer al fresco dining. Garage parking will be available. Menu items will include favorites like the Margherita and New Haven-style clam as well as many of Varasano’s own creations.

“I have devoted the last decade to crafting the perfect pie,” states Varasano. “Scott offered a great opportunity in a perfect location.”

For more info visit www.varasanos.com

Savor Now Open In New Location

Savor, Atlanta’s only specialty gourmet food store of its kind, has relocated to the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center in Buckhead Atlanta. Opening their doors in early August, Savor unwrapped a new location, updated interior style and expanded product list.

The new store, located at 2355 Peachtree Road, is just minutes from downtown Atlanta and a few blocks south of Paces Ferry Road. Savor brings Atlanta hand-selected fine foods that are often rare to find, prepared lunches and dinners, artisanal cheeses, table top accents and home furnishings from around the world.

Adding to the store’s already-large inventory, Savor has added a lunch menu to its offerings featuring sandwiches, soups, salads and prepared foods. The Riviera (creamy Chevre with black olive tapenade, oven dried tomatoes and local greens), The London (roast beef, horseradish, mayonnaise, English cheddar and arugula), The Sonoma (applewood smoked turkey, creamy gouda, local greens, mayonnaise and apple nut chutney) are some of the most popular sandwiches and can be devoured by dining in, take out or delivery.

“We wanted to share products from around the world that we loved so much and found while traveling. Savor is our personality, it is everything that we love and built the store around the concept of great food,” said January Hodgson, owner of Savor.

Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 12:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. To place orders or for more information call (404) 869-0070 or log onto www.savorgourmet.com.

Toulouse Serves Up New Menu

Toulouse American Bistro, the Atlanta eatery that overlooks Peachtree Creek, is rolling out a new end-of-summer menu. 

The new menu begins with an assortment of starters including cold strawberry soup ($6.75), shrimp bisque with Parmesan flat bread wedges ($7.95), and sautéed salmon over maché with creamy garlic dressing ($10.50).

The entrée portion of the menu includes seared scallops served with broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes in a rosemary-citrus reduction ($22.45); crab fritters drizzled with honey-dijon and tarragon sauce over bed of arugula in a white wine and lemon reduction ($19.95); and wild mushroom ravioli with Gorgonzola, arugula, cranberries and pistachios in a white balsamic reduction ($15.95).

For the wine lover’s convenience, the menu offers suggested wine pairings for each entrée. These recommendations, made by the Toulouse Wine Committee, are only a guide, so dinner guests should feel free to make their own selection from the vast wine list of over 80 varieties.

Toulouse serves dinner nightly beginning at 5:30 p.m. and is located at 2293 Peachtree Road NE. All major credit cards are accepted except Discover. To make reservations please call (404) 351-9533 or for more information visit www.toulouserestaurant.com.

Trader Joe's Opening In Buckhead

California specialty grocer Trader Joe's will open another new store in Atlanta at 3183 Peachtree Rd. in Buckhead. An opening date has not been announced. This will be the sixth store Trader Joe's -- maybe best known for its popular, inexpensive wine -- to open in the metro area.

Terminus Announces New Restaurants

Cousins Properties has announced two new restaurants for Terminus 200, the under-construction 25-story, 565,000 square-foot office building in Buckhead.

Two Texas-based restaurants, III Forks and Cantina Laredo, have signed leases for locations at Terminus 200 when it opens in 2009. Both restaurants will be new to the Atlanta market, and are owned by Dallas-based Consolidated Restaurant Operations, Inc. (CRO).

III Forks is an all-prime steakhouse with existing locations in Dallas, Austin and Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Cantina Laredo offers gourmet Mexican dining with 24 locations in eight states.

“Much of what makes Terminus more than simply an office or residential project is the vibrant atmosphere created by our diverse restaurant lineup. Adding III Forks and Cantina Laredo to the project makes Terminus a one-of-a-kind dining destination in Atlanta,” said Larry Gellerstedt, executive vice president and chief development officer for Cousins.

CRO Chief Executive Officer John D. Harkey, Jr. said, “We are extremely excited to serve the Atlanta market. Buckhead is one of the most robust dining and entertainment areas in the country. Terminus 200 is the perfect setting to launch Cantina Laredo, serving gourmet Mexican food, along with our prime steakhouse, III Forks.”

III Forks and Cantina Laredo will join a host of other destination restaurants at Terminus, including AquaKnox, BrickTops, The Flying Biscuit Café, LOLA Bellini Bar & Restaurant and MF Buckhead. In recent months, Terminus has received additional restaurant commitments from Chick-fil-A and Dressed, a new specialty salad restaurant.

Chick-fil-A Opens @ Terminus Aug. 7

Atlanta’s newest Chick-fil-A restaurant will open Thursday, Aug. 7, at 3280 Peachtree Rd. in the Terminus development in Buckhead. The first 100 adults in line by 6 a.m. on Aug. 7 at the new restaurant will each receive a free Chick-fil-A combo meal each week for a year. Participants, 18 years and older with identification, can line up no earlier than 12 hours prior to the opening.

The new Chick-fil-A will be open from 6:30 am. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturdays, offering a full breakfast menu until 10:30 a.m. Lunch and dinner will be served until 10 p.m.

Stout Irish Pub Opens June 6

Stout Irish Sports Pub will hold its grand opening on Friday, June 6, at 56 East Andrews Drive, Suite 16. Located at in the former McDuff's location, this renovated Buckhead neighborhood pub will provide a full premium bar including a wide selection of over 50 beers, dark ales, refreshing lagers and rich stouts on draft and available in bottles. Miller High Life beers are always $1. In addition to a welcoming patio, the main bar features 19 TVs with international satellite, a pool table, dart boards, Golden Tee, NTN Buzztime Trivia and juke box while the lower level game room offers three additional pool tables, classic arcade games, a private bathroom and its own cocktail waitress.

"We created Stout Irish Sports Pub as the perfect complement to all of our other venues," says Steve de Haan, President of East Andrews, LLC. "After traveling to Savannah and New York to research other bars' style and culture, we feel we have recreated an Irish sports pub that is truly an authentic, yet comfortable environment to hang out, drink and watch sports."

Serving food daily from 11:30 a.m. - 2 a.m., Stout serves flavorsome pub fare. Some menu highlights include Atlanta's award-winning Reuben Sandwich with corned beef on marble rye bread with Swiss cheese and Russian dressing, Irish Whiskey Wings marinated in Irish whiskey with celery and blue cheese, Bangers Mash feature 2 pork sausage links with mashed potatoes, Guinness gravy, sauerkraut and grain mustard and Beer Battered Fish Chips with tartar sauce.  There will be extended hours on game days and special events such as European football, the Olympics, college football and more.

www.stoutirishpub.com