Goin’ Coastal Anchors in Virginia-Highland

1114

ATL Food Chatter: July 19, 2010
(To receive the Chatter and other culinary tidbits directly in your inbox, sign up for our weekly dining newsletter)

A suburban-based restaurant group has docked their popular Southern seafood bistro in one of landlocked Atlanta’s most urbane neighborhoods. Goin’ Coastal is a back-to-basics neighborhood seafood joint from executive chef and co-owner Zach Kell and business partner Seth Hendricks. They opened their second location last Wednesday in the Virginia-Highland neighborhood. Their first restaurant of the same name opened in Canton two-and-a-half years ago. Like its suburban sibling, the new venture features a menu that embraces sustainable seafood along with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.
 
Menu highlights include she crab soup; shrimp and grits with Andouille gravy; fresh seared New Bedford sea scallops with garlic and tarragon-parmesan butter; and (for the landlubbers) Ashley Farms free-range fried chicken with creamy bacon-thyme gravy. Starters run from $7-$15; entrees run from $18-$26; and simpler seafood platters are $13- $20.

The city-dweller-goes-to-Tybee-Island decor features distressed brickwork, weathered timber accents and walls decorated with black-and-white photos of fishermen. The dining room’s focal point is a large mural that features a vintage fishing boat and a description of Goin’ Coastal’s mission as “sustainable seafood joint.”
 
The personable Kell is very enthusiastic about the Atlanta location. “We’ve always wanted to come to Virginia-Highland,” he says. In fact, the partners bought Figo out of the location at 1021 Virginia Avenue. Kell also said that his team is looking for additional locations in other Atlanta neighborhoods.
 
NEWS AND NOTES:
 
Chef Marvin Woods has launched a new cooking healthy plan for young people as part of the White House’s initiative, Let’s Move!  

Fox News reported that the Sweet Auburn Curb Market has received almost $800,000 in federal funding to renovate and repair the facility.

Yumbii food truck has started to roll around town serving Korean, Mexican and Southern food by Thomas Lee of Hankook Taqueria.
 
Alpharetta. Tomorrow’s News Today is reporting that Rio Nuevo will open soon in the former Famous Dave’s BBQ spot at 6400 North Point Parkway.
   
Buckhead. Tomorrow’s News Today notes that a bistro-lounge calling itself La Fourchette is opening in the space formerly occupied by Cafe Dupri.

ToNeTo also reports that Clay Harper of Felleni’s Pizza will join the frozen yogurt movement with a shop called Three in Three at 1441 Roswell Road this summer.
   
DecaturIsabella’s Cafe, featuring “global cuisine,” has opened at 910 W. College Avenue.
 
Downtown. Thrillist is reporting that Frozen Cooley’s—serving freshly made frozen organic lemonades in flavors such as cherry, mango and vanilla—has opened inside the Sweet Auburn Curb Market.
 
Poncy Highland. John Kessler is reporting that Hector Santiago setting up a burrito stand across from Pura Vida at noon on Saturdays and Sundays.
    
Roswell. AJC is reporting that Biscuit Man Cafe, a breakfast spot, has opened at 11255 Woodstock Road.
    
Question of the Week: What long delayed bakery/coffee shop is slated to open July 28th?
 
P.S.  The answer to last week’s QOTW—What Atlanta based coffeehouse group is rumored to opening a store in a new Midtown skyscraper this fall?—is Octane.

Advertisement