ATL Food Chatter: May 22, 2009
Abattoir, the highly anticipated opening of Anne Quatrano and Clifford Harrison’s homage to “locally-raised proteins” opened last night, Thursday, May 21. Thanks to Quatrano and PR maven Mary Reynolds, I got a sneak peek on Wednesday night and I was blown away! From the china to the lettering on the back of the bar stools, there is clear attention to whimsical details in this intimate space.
The adventurous menu builds on the growing local and national penchant toward “nose-to-tail” restaurant cooking. (And it fits perfectly with the location, a former meat-packing plant.) The opening night menu offered reasonable price points—entrees ranged from a $10 to $19 for poached Gulf snapper with fennel and peppers and $22 for a New York strip. Refreshingly novel items include tripe stew, corned lamb kidneys, homemade “Slim Jims” and beef jerky, wood-grilled bratwurst, and fun desserts such as strawberry pie and sourdough waffles with cream and bitter chocolate.
If you hit Abattoir this weekend, comment below and give us your report. (And by the way, the website says the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, but service is dinner-only for now.)
NEWS and NOTES:
Avondale Estates. Savage Pizza, the long time LP5 fave, is slated to open its second location on June 1 at the corner of Clarendon and Laredo Drives.
Buckhead. The latest rumor surrounding the name of the Buckhead Life Group’s store at 3344 Peachtree Road is that it will now be called Niko’s or Niko’s Place, after the group’s director of operations and HR (and family member), Niko Karatassos.
Twisted Taco will open its fifth location this summer in the former Wieuca Tavern spot on Wieuca Road.
Downtown. IL Mulino New York will begin offering a quick lunch menu with selections priced at $12 this summer.
The Au Bon Pain store on Ivan Allen Drive has closed.
Drinkshop at the W Downtown Atlanta was prominently featured in this week’s New York Times food section article about homemade ginger ale’s popularity in top bars across the country.
Kirkwood. The Atlanta Journal Constitution is reporting that Ann’s Snack Bar, home of the famed “Ghetto Burger,” is for sale and that “Miss Ann” is looking to move on after 37 years at the helm.
Midtown. The owners of Apres Diem and Anis have teamed up to take over the former Allegro space with a new concept that will feature a casual cafe and posh bar that will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. More details soon.
CL’s Besha Rodell reports that Shane Devereux, opening chef at of Peasant Bistro, is the new top toque at Top Flr.
Vinings. South City Kitchen Vinings will host a three-day Blues, Brews and BBQ festival, June 5-7, featuring live performances from local bands, a special barbecue menu, and lots of beer.
Westside. Central City Tavern has moved from its long tome location at Peachtree Road and Collier to 1801 Howell Mill Road in Howell Mill Station.
Question of the Week: What intown sweets suite is rumored to be for sale?
The answer to last week’s QOTW—What intown restaurant/gastropub has revamped its menu to include barbeque grilled on site every Monday?—is P’Cheen. It has started “Mike’s Bone-Lick BBQ Monday Menu,” with the likes of baby back ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, and chipotle-rubbed smoked chicken, all served solo or in three-meat combos.