ATL Food Chatter: July 6, 2010
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Since leaving her job at Bookhouse Pub, the popular and nationally recognized Julia LeRoy has not been resting on her laurels. She’s been working around town as a chef/consultant and planning to open a chef-inspired, Southern-themed restaurant that will combine her
technical training with her belief in the healing
properties of carefully prepared and locally sourced food.
LeRoy has a vision for a fifty-seat, upscale, Southern spot—inspired by restaurants like St. John’s in Chattanooga—called LeRoy’s Lunch and Dinner. The lunch and dinner menus will change daily based on the availability of locally sourced provender. She has narrowed her search to locations in Avondale Estates and Decatur Square and hopes to be open within the next eight months. She’s already selected her color palette: cream and turquoise.
LeRoy says she wants creative control at this point in her career, and this project provides her with the opportunity to practice her craft at the highest level. She plans to showcase Southern cuisine
that is prepared with both healthy and classical techniques. Her philosophy is that food is medicine.
In the meantime, LeRoy will be working with chefs like Shaun Doty— who raves about her culinary skills—and on projects such as her collaboration with the Fellini’s and LaFonda folks to develop a frozen yogurt product. And Atlanta’s dining scene will be waiting and watching as this young star joins the ranks of other emerging toques—like Keira Moritz, Lance Gummere, and Bruce Logue—who are building Atlanta’s culinary future.
NEWS AND NOTES:
Aria was named one of Open Table’s Top 50 Best American Cuisine Restaurants for 2010.
Alpharetta. Tomorrow’s News Today is reporting that Texas-based Which ‘Wich Superior Sandwiches is slated to open a store at 5250 Winward Parkway this year.
Brookhaven. Tomorrow’s News Today is reporting that the third metro-area location of Noche Tequila and Tapas Bar will open in the TOWN Brookhaven development in early 2011.
Buckhead. Didier Lailheugue, who has worked with culinary icon Alain Ducasse at Le Louis XV as well as at Le Bec Fin and La Pyramide, is the new top toque at Au Pied de Cochon.
Cafe at Pharr is moving from its original location to 3145 Peachtree Road this fall.
Dunwoody. Hudson Grille’s Perimeter Mall location has closed.
Forest Park. The AJC is reporting that former Sotto Sotto chef Jose Rego has opened Taco Rancho at 16 Forest Parkway in building 38.
Inman Park. Joe Schafer, bacon guru and former sous chef at Tap, has been named top toque at Parish.
Midtown. WaterHaven has closed.
What Now Atlanta is reporting that the Smoothie King at 1001 Piedmont Road has closed.
Question of the Week: What young ATL food impresario is rumored to be looking at a Midtown location for his next project, a supper club?
P.S. The answer to last week’s QOTW—what super sommelier is rumored to be leaving town for the Far East?—is Herve Pennequin, formerly of the St. Regis Atlanta, who is leaving to join the Hong Kong Mandarin Oriental this fall.
