Ri Ra Authentic Irish Pub To Open In Midtown

Restauranteurs and Irish natives David Kelly and Ciaran Sheehan are bringing their latest masterpiece, an authentic Irish pub called Ri Ra, to Midtown.

Ri Ra is an Irish phrase that translates as "Celebration and Good Fun", and that's exactly what Kelly and Sheehan are seeking to provide for Atlantans.  The new pub, built from the remains of Irish pubs that have been restored, disassembled, shipped to Atlanta and re-constructed under Sheehan's watchful eye, will offer various nightly specials and live events, including Tuesday Pub Quiz trivia nights, Wednesday "jam sessions", where locals will be invited to play Irish music, live acoustic music on Thursday nights and live bands on Fridays and Saturdays at 10 pm.

Ri Ra will also have a private party room, called Ri Ra Beag (literally "Small Ri Ra") that will be designed as a mini Irish pub of its own.

The staff of Ri Ra is particularly excited about their menu, which will be a step above traditional pub fare and will feature traditional Irish and regional favorites with contemporary twists.  Highlights include Irish soda bread baked fresh in-house daily, Pan Seared Potato Cakes served with balsamic reduction and sour cream, the Guinness BBQ Burger with the restaurant's signature Guinness BBQ sauce, melted cheddar cheese, and onion rings, and Ri Ra's signature Reuben sandwich with Boar's Head corned beef or turkey, crisp sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese and Marie Rose sauce on grilled rye.  The menu will also please those looking for dishes with unchanged traditional Irish flavor with Fish and Chips, Shepherd's Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Irish Boxty (a scallion and potato pancake available with smoked salmon, capers, mushrooms, red onion, and traditional parsley sauce), Beef and Guinness Stew, and the Traditional Irish Breakfast of eggs, bangers (sausages), rashers (bacon), pudding, grilled tomato, and Ri Ra beans.

Ri Ra plans to make its debut in Mid-July at 1080 Peachtree Street at the intersection of 12th Street and Crescent Avenue.  The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.  Lunch will run from 11 am-4 pm, and dinner will be served Sunday through Thursday from 4 - 10 pm, Friday and Saturday from 4 until 11 pm.  Ri Ra's bar will be open until 12 am Monday through Wednesday, until 1 am on Thursday, until 2:30 am on Friday and Saturday, and until 11 pm on Sundays.  The restaurant will also offer a special "Happy Hour" menu Monday through Friday from 4 until 7 pm, and Brunch on weekends from 11 am - 4 pm on Saturday and 10 am - 4 pm on Sunday.

For more information, please visit www.RiRa.com.

Restaurants Announced for 1010 Midtown

The 12th & Midtown development team has signed leases with four new-to-Atlanta restaurants—Ri Ra Irish Pub, RA Sushi, Piola and Noon|Midtown—slated to open at 1010 Midtown, the first phase of 12th & Midtown, in early 2009. 

Located along Crescent Avenue, each of the restaurants will have a dynamic street presence that will entice diners to experience Ireland, Japan, Italy and more.  Eateries will include:

• Ri Ra Irish Pub (www.rira.com): Ri Ra is constructed from materials salvaged from famous, old pubs. Each pub is unique. Authentic furnishings and appointments are imported directly from Ireland to create a genuine Irish atmosphere where patrons experience the Real Flavour of Ireland. The name Ri Ra is derived from the phrase “Ri Ra agus Ruaile Buaile,” which translates roughly as “celebration and good fun.”

• RA Sushi Bar Restaurant (www.RAsushi.com): The stylishly edgy sushi bar and restaurant currently has 20 locations across the country. An unconventional dining concept, RA blends fresh sushi, hip music and contemporary décor all rolled up into one flavorful experience.

• Piola (www.piola.it): This unique pizzeria from Italy with locations in São Paolo, Buenos Aires, New York and Miami's South Beach features authentic thin crust, wood-fired brick oven pizza and Italian cuisine that is simple and healthy. Whether socializing after a night on the town or lounging with friends on a lazy summer day, Piola diners will experience true European ambiance in a fabulously hip and fun atmosphere.

• Noon|Midtown (www.noonmidtown.com): Noon|Midtown offers sophisticated sandwiches, soups and salads, as well as pastries and breakfast items, with a focus on locally grown produce and sustainably raised meats.  Whether rushed for time or looking for a leisurely meal, guests will enjoy exceptional food in a stylish and comfortable setting, making Noon|Midtown the perfect complement to the Midtown lifestyle.

www.1010midtown.com