ATL Food Chatter: July 12, 2010
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Table 1280 opened in 2005 as part of the Woodruff Arts Center’s High Museum expansion, and over the years it has struggled to make an identifiable mark for itself in the Midtown dining tapestry. But a shift in operators could soon change that. John Kessler broke the news last week that local catering firm A Legendary Event has snagged a ten-year contract to run the restaurant. Special Events, a trade magazine, added that the contract is a partnership with Connecticut-based company Centerplate. The combined affiliation, called Legendary Partners, won the contract over major national companies, including Wolfgang Puck. (It was rumored that local Fifth Group restaurants was also in the running.)
They replace New York-based Restaurant Associates as operators. Shaun Doty, who was Table 1280’s opening chef, commented to me that Restaurant Associates did not connect with the Atlanta community well, and that Atlanta tends to support businesses which have strong community involvement. Doty said that Tony Conway, owner of A Legendary Event, has a solid record of community involvement and is one of the best food service professionals in the business. Doty noted that some of the challenges that the new management will face include parking and the menu’s high-ish price points—challenges he has confidence that Conway’s team can successfully address.
Table 1280 had a bump in attention lately when its current chef, Tracey Bloom, landed on the current season of Top Chef. She was voted off early.
Since the new contract has just been announced, the partnership is probably hammering out details they’re not yet ready to announce. We’ve contacted Tony Conway for further comment and will post further details when we learn them.
NEWS AND NOTES:
Serenbe and the Southern Foodways Alliance are hosting a “Sunday supper potluck” for Wholesome Wave Georgia—which sponsors double-value coupon programs at local farmers markets—this Sunday, July 18, from 3–6 p.m. The event will be held at the Inn at Serenbe pavilion. Many local big-name chefs are cooking for this one: Anne Quatrano, Linton Hopkins, Shaun Doty, Joe Truex, Billy Allin, and a slew of others. Tickets are $100 per person; check Georgia Organics’ site for more information.
Chef Tom McEachern has been promoted to corporate executive chef for Ray’s Restaurants.
Halperns has been named the 2010 National Provisioner Processor of the Year by National Provisioner magazine.
Buckhead. Ian Mendelsohn is the new wine director at The St. Regis Atlanta hotel.
Thrillist is reporting that Tacos and Tequilas has opened at 4279 Roswell road in the Chastain Square shopping center.
Decatur. Tomorrow’s News Today is reporting that Napoleon’s—featuring an affordable, family friendly menu—will open at 2836 LaVista road this August.
ToNeTo also notes that Sprig, from longtime Watershed floor manager/bartender Daniel Morrison, will open in the fall in the Vista Grove shopping center in the Oak Grove neighborhood.
Downtown. Besha Rodell first reported that Googie Burger is slated to open Tuesday, July 13th in Centennial Olympic Park.
Dorine Buche , formerly of Bacchanalia and Seeger’s, has been joined BLT Steak Atlanta as sommelier.
Grant Park. Republic Social house, featuring a large roof top bar, has opened at 437 Memorial Drive.
Midtown. What Now Atlanta reports that Repicci’s Real Italian Ice, a Tennessee based chain, will open their first Georgia store in the former Smoothie King location.
Old Fourth Ward. Old Fourth Ward Pie Company has opened at 881 Ponce de Leon.
Question of the Week: What Atlanta based coffeehouse group is rumored to opening a store in a new Midtown skyscraper this fall? The answer to last week’s QOTW—What young ATL food impresario is rumored to be looking at a Midtown location for his next project, a supper club?—is Patrick LaBouff, who co-founded Dinner Party Atlanta.
