ATL Food Chatter: November 30, 2009
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Last month, One Midtown Kitchen, an early hit in Concentrics Hospitality’s stable of restaurants, unveiled a new chef, a new menu, and a new direction that it hopes will restore some of the luster it enjoyed as one of Atlanta’s busiest dining destinations. The new chef is Drew Van Leuvan, a veteran of several Concentrics’ restaurants. He and his revamped menu were unveiled at a recent media dinner where he wowed the crowd with his culinary art. (The menu, by the way, has been further revamped since Kessler weighed in for his “30 Restaurants in 30 Days” peregrinations.)
One’s offerings now focus on New American cuisine featuring local products and Van Leuvan’s hand crafted pastas such as the sweet and savory chestnut and mascarpone tortellini. It also includes house cured and aged meats as well as wood oven-roasted seafood. The “Nightly Roasts” are a smart piece of the freshened approach, with dishes such as pork rack, duck for two, lemon sole on the bone, breast of veal, and leg of lamb (all roasted) in weekly rotations as specials. (The media dinner attendees tried the pork rack; we all gave it the thumbs-up).
Will realignments such as affordable entrees (lots of entrees between $19 and $23, and a $10 burger that’s half brisket and half top round) and lots of organic and local produce draw the crowds? Post a comment below if you’ve been lately or if you check it out soon.
NEWS AND NOTES:
Buckhead. Bobby G’s Chicago eatery, featuring Chicago style pizza, hot dogs and Italian Beef, will open their third location at Lindberg City Center in the former My Panini location in January 2010.
Quentin Donnaud, formerly of Craft, is the new top toque at Home.
Johns Creek. Por Fin, featuring “creative coastal Mexican cuisine” has opened at 2100 Ray Moss Connector.
Midtown. Bakeshop has opened and features rustic decor and a menu that includes both sweet and savory treats.
Sandy Springs. As reported by Bob Townsend in the AJC, the Taco Mac at the Prado has unveiled a private beer “speakeasy” type spot called The Fred, named after Taco Mac’s beverage director, Fred Crudder.
Virginia Highland. Genki Noodles & Sushi is slated to open a store in Vi-Hi this spring.
Westside. Anne Quatrano has shelved the rumored pizza project at White Provisions.
Question of the Week: What Buckhead Italian spot is rumored to converting to Mexican cuisine this spring?
P.S. The answer to last week’s QOTW—What West Coast frozen yogurt trendsetter will move into the Atlanta market next year?—is Pinkberry. (Thanks, Broderick, for mentioning in a comment last week that Pinkberry competitor Red Mango is also entering the ATL market next year.)
