Fresh on the Scene: Tavernpointe, Madras Mantra, Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, Mason Tavern

Plus an update on H&F Bread Co.
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Tavern Pointe
Photograph by Caroline C. Kilgore

Tavernpointe
A number of chefs have cycled through the ground floor of this Midtown office building at the corner of Peachtree and Spring streets. Can Drew Van Leuvan (of Seven Lamps) break the curse? With some smart editing, perhaps.  So far, we sense an identity crisis in the kitchen. Smoked Peruvian chicken and brisket share menu space with deviled eggs and a grilled shrimp cocktail. Silver Queen corn tortellini comes with, of all things, blueberries. Fewer dishes, simpler recipes, and a more cohesive theme are what’s needed to do this space justice. 1545 Peachtree Street, 404-549-3954

Madras Mantra
Photograph by Caroline C. Kilgore

Photograph by Caroline C. Kilgore

Madras Mantra
Once the proud owner’s of Atlanta’s best indian restaurant, Narendra Patel and his wife, Sonal, have returned as the forces behind this refreshingly authentic Indian establishment in Decatur. Fermented crepes (Masala dosas), savory cakes (idli), fritters (vadas, pictured), and other south Indian specialties come with splendid chutneys and brothy lentil stew (sambar) infused with classic flavors. 2179 Lawrenceville Highway, Decatur, 404-636-4400

Gus's Would Famous Fried Chicken
Photograph by Caroline C. Kilgore

Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
The location—a dark room in Peachtree Center, adorned with little more than red veneer and plastic tablecloths—is less than ideal, but the fried chicken (pictured) is a crispy, glorious lesson in Southern cookery. The Tennessee franchise features beautiful fried-to-order birds encased in a thin, burnished skin. Skip the sides in favor of the delicious coconut and chess pies. 231 Peachtree Street, 404-996-2837

Mason Tavern
Photograph by Caroline C. Kilgore

Mason Tavern
The space (formerly home to Scoreboards and Nest) seems to turn over just about every year, but this Concentrics Restaurants collaboration just might stick, thanks to the expansive bar with a quality beverage program; industrial, sexy decor; and covered patio. Too bad chef Chavez Hernandez stretches himself thin with overly complicated preparations (see: beer-brined roasted chicken with collards and charred lemon or the enormous duck confit banh mi, pictured). 1371 Clairmont Road, 404-963-2322

Rising on up
Big news from H&F Bread Co.: Linton Hopkins is moving his Westside bakery one street over into a space that’s three times the size of the current location on Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard. Hopkins has his sights set on selling flash-frozen hot dog and hamburger buns across the country and is eyeing a potential partnership with Kroger.

This article originally appeared in our November 2015 issue.

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