Courtesy of Grace Lee
Cruzado owner Grace Lee has leased the recently shuttered Cru Urban Lounge in the Old Fourth Ward and is turning the space into a hookah and small plates hideaway called Hookah Cru. Opening on Friday, Lee says Hookah Cru will have the “same coziness and intimacy that our [Cruzado] regulars love, just a half mile down the road.”
“Atlanta lacks places where you can go casually—and isn’t a night club—and smoke hookah,” she says. “Hookah Cru will be nice and upscale but not too rowdy or loud.” The name similarity between Cruzado and Cru Lounge was pure coincidence, says Lee.
Cruzado executive chef Carlos Collazo, who previously worked with Richard Blais, will preside over both kitchens. Hookah Cru will serve a rotating menu of small plates like quesadillas, sliders, and Latin chicken wings, and pineapple-coconut cheesecake for dessert.
Nina Lugo, lead bartender at Cruzado’s existing lounge—which is being turned into additional restaurant space—will spearhead Hookah Cru’s bar service, offering an expanded menu of cocktails, plus wine and beer. This includes a Brazilian Caipirinha, jalapeno margarita, and muddled mojitos made with a house-made brown sugar simple syrup.
Hookah Cru will be open Tuesday through Saturday starting at 5 p.m.
