“Five Diamond” Chef Marc Ehrler Coming To Atlanta

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ATL Food Chatter: November 2, 2009
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According to Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI), a chef with an impressive, international pedigree is headed to our town to helm the restaurant at the forthcoming Loews Atlanta hotel.

ALHI’s web page for the under-construction Loews, the anchor business for mixed-use project 12th & Midtown, lists Marc Ehrler as the opening chef of the hotel’s signature restaurant, Jasmine’s. According to the bio on his website, Ehrler is a native of Antibes, on the French Riviera, who trained with decorated French chefs such as Alain Ducasse, Jacques Maximin, Andre Daguin, and Alain Barale. His cooking style is a blend of southern France and Caribbean influences.

Ehrler holds the distinction of being the first chef to receive the AAA Five Diamond ranking in two restaurants at the same hotel, during his time at the Ritz-Carlton Cancun. He began his career with his current employers at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel, and then lead the kitchen at the Ventana Room at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson. That restaurant closed this past July, and Ehrler is working with the company in San Diego until Jasmine’s opens in spring 2010. Ehler was a semifinalist for the James Beard awards this past year for his work in Tucson.

Given the dearth of fine dining options currently in Atlanta, could Erhler’s background in high-end hotel restaurants signal the return of foie gras-laced tasting menus to the city?
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
 
Brookhaven. Sushi Yoshino has opened at 2150 Johnson Ferry Road.
 
Buckhead. Atlanta Journal-Constitution dining critic Merideth Ford Goldman has named Restaurant Eugene the paper’s 2009 Restaurant of the Year.
 
Chamblee. Blissful Glutton reports that two Cuban restaurants are aiming to open under the name Havana, confusing folks as to which spot is connected with the still-missed Havana Sandwich Shop that burned to the ground last year.

Decatur. The Pharm House—featuring “American food with a 21st century twist” and some dishes with wacky, literature-inspired names—has opened on Decatur Square in the former Birdi’s and Caribbean Harry’s locations.

Downtown. Cafe Campesino, a corner cafe from Maria Moore Riggs of the Little Red Hen Bakery that features some of her goodies such as whole grain apple bran muffins, opens this week at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market.
 
Marietta. Italy’s Finest Grill & Seafood has opened in the former Fazzino’s Sports Bar & Grill spot at 3920 Canton Road.

Midtown. According to Thrillist, Aurum Lounge, an eighty-three-seat luxe bar and lounge featuring “meze” plates and Italian dishes such as roasted chicken with pesto and spicy salami with tomato sauce and mozzarella, is opening this week at 915 Peachtree Street in the Metropolis condominiums.
 
Park 75 at The Four Seasons hotel is shifting its menu focus and giving diners an experience in southern hospitality and southern cuisine with what chef Robert Gerstenecker calls “Southern Steak Redefined,” beginning the last week in October.

South Dekalb. Look for a unit of California-based Golden Bird Chicken to open on Glenwood Road this spring. 
 
Vinings. Mulberry Street Pizza has opened at 4355 Cobb Parkway.  
 
Westside. LIT Kitchen has been renamed as 433 Bishop (the private function and culinary arts facility’s address) and Sheri Davis—formerly of the late, lamented Dish—has taken over as top toque.
 
Question of the Week: What local pizza place was named number one in Atlanta by the 2009 Zagut survey?
 
P.S. The answer to last week’s QOTW—What intown coffee shop has partnered with an organic farm to offer
their customers the opportunity to purchase farm fresh organic produce
and free range eggs?—is Danneman’s Coffeehouse. They have partnered with Fresh Roots farm.

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