Fresh on the Scene: 8ARM, Saint Germain, Herban Fix, and Sri Thai Kitchen

Get a first look at new openings around town
1774
8ARM
Pain au levain chicken toast

Photograph by Caroline C. Kilgore

8ARM
Chef Angus Brown’s work at Octopus Bar in East Atlanta and the now-closed Lusca in South Buckhead made him a celebrity. Now he reunites with partner Nhan Le from So Ba in a modern space with vintage touches just down the street from Ponce City Market. Breakfast and lunch are served daily; dinner is six nights a week. The opening menu shows the chef in brilliant form, and includes tagliatelle cacio e pepe; chicken brodo with lady peas, spinach, and egg; fresh burrata with sweet corn, cherry tomatoes, shallot, and basil; and halibut with salsa verde. We love the coffee program, the baked goods from pastry chef Sarah Dodge, and the wall of plants, which swells a gardener’s heart. 710 Ponce de Leon Avenue, 470-875-5856

Saint Germain
Éclairs

Photograph by LuAnne DeMeo

Saint Germian
Jean-Marc and Christine Metairie from Atmosphere in Ansley Park gave a true gift to Ponce City Market with this Parisian-style pastry counter selling impeccable chocolate éclairs, attractive fruit tarts, classic Paris-Brests and palmiers, and adorable macarons and chouquettes (all baked by old-school François Collet in Norcross). First try the perfect croque monsieur, then treat yourself to the collection of sumptuous chocolates (by Karl Vivier in Marietta) in this little corner of France in the Old Fourth Ward. 675 Ponce de Leon Avenue, 470-823-4141

Herban Fix
Pon pon mushroom “steak”

Photograph by LuAnne DeMeo

Herban Fix
This one-of-a-kind vegan restaurant, featuring temple-style Chinese cuisine in the fancy digs formerly occupied by Dogwood, is a welcome addition to the stretch between downtown and Midtown. Come for the creative juice, herb, and booze combinations, as well as the little purses of tofu filled with taro and quinoa and tied with a ribbon of chive. Other worthwhile options are the pan-seared scallion pancake with curry dipping sauce and the superb ja jiang noodles with taro. There’s also a world of hot pots, brown sticky rice, and faux meats. 565 Peachtree Street, 404-815-8787

Sri Thai Kitchen
Roasted coconut appetizer

Photograph by LuAnne DeMeo

Sri Thai Kitchen & Sushi Bar
This new offshoot of an established Snellville restaurant by the same name belongs to the Thaicoon empire. Unlike many Thai restaurants in the Atlanta area, the chef here understands authentic dishes. Of its three menus (Thai, sushi, and special appetizers), try the latter for unique treasures such as roasted coconut in heart-shaped betel leaves, grilled Thai sausage, fish cakes with aromatic herbs, and roast chicken with Thai sticky rice in cute straw baskets. The space is immense and the lighting attractive, with a mostly Asian clientele gathering around the tables. Note: Bring your own alcohol; the restaurant is still awaiting a liquor license. 4500 Satellite Boulevard, Duluth, 770-837-2723

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