Courtesy of Lotus Design
A new spot for Spanish tapas is coming to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail. Adam Berlin and Juan Calle, owners of Big Sky Buckhead, are opening Buena Vida Tapas & Sol on the ground floor of the North and Line apartment complex in Old Fourth Ward in late 2019. With a name that translates to “the good life,” Buena Vida is designed to bring the feel of coastal, southern Spain to Atlanta, from international fusion dishes to the contemporary cocktail culture. And, like most BeltLine restaurants, it’ll have a patio for patrons to soak up the sunshine.
“I grew up in Morningside and spent a lot of time at the Masquerade,” Berlin says. “The Eastside Trail is super vibrant and fun. The lush trees and greenery in the area make it the perfect spot for our patio and open interior.”
Juan Hormiga, currently chef at Shamarkanda restaurant in Ibiza, is moving to the United States to lead the Buena Vida kitchen. He’ll serve authentic recipes with select ingredients, like cheese and paprika, imported from Spain, Berlin says. Dishes might include savory, crispy shrimp pancakes alongside favorites such as patatas bravas. Dinner will be served nightly; lunch five days a week; and weekend brunch.
Courtesy of Lotus Design
Though Berlin says Buena Vida won’t be as nightlife-oriented as Big Sky, it will serve montaditos (open-faced, tapas-size sandwiches) after 11 p.m., as well as between lunch and dinner.
The bar will offer “a lot of reasonably priced wine,” with a focus on Spanish varieties says Berlin (who is also working on obtaining a WSET level 2 wine certification). There will also be both Spanish and local Atlanta beers, and cocktails like gin and tonics, sangria, and tinto de verano (a wine-based drink similar to sangria).
Located at 385 North Angiers Avenue, the 190-seat space will feature a bohemian-chic look, inspired by the south of Spain and the Mediterranean coast. There will be vibrant colors, two-story windows, plants, and handmade items imported from Europe and Turkey.
