As with other recent years, 2012 has only seen a handful of ambitious, independent restaurants open in its first months. But here’s one we’ve been anticipating: Brian Lewis, who mastered the art of the neighborhood restaurant with Westside’s Bocado, launches his casual Italian venture STG Trattoria tonight at 102 West Paces Ferry Road in Buckhead. Neapolitan-style pizza—baked in Acunto ovens, the same as Antico—will be the centerpiece of the menu, though executive chef Joshua Hopkins (most recently at Abattoir) and chef de cuisine Adam Waller (previously at Sotto Sotto) will also be crafting pastas and other seasonally driven dishes.
The liquor license is still pending, but once it’s in place expect cocktails from Bocado’s rising star bartender David Durnell. Wine will be sold by the bottle at retail prices (you purchase it at the counter when placing an order, and there’s no formal wine service), with a selection available by the carafe as well. [UPDATE: STG received its liquor license the afternoon of this post, hours before its inaugural night.]
The restaurant will open for dinner only tonight and through Monday; on Tuesday, April 10, it opens for lunch as well from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This week is reservations only: email brian@stgtrattoria.com to secure a spot. On Fridays and Saturdays the restaurant plans to stay open until 12:30 a.m.—a new late-night haunt for Buckhead!
