After a recent visit, I asked Gunn about how the concept for the Stand came together.
Q: How would you describe the Chicken Sausage Stand concept?
MG: It’s all about the fun. In the restaurant industry, it’s sometimes hard to take a break and remember we do this because it’s fun. The menu is straightforward, but varied enough you could eat here everyday. We really want to be a neighborhood spot, where you can bring your kids, or your kickball team, or grab breakfast on the way to work.
Q: How did you guys come up with the location?
MG: Delia and I live nearby, and we felt like this neighborhood could use a “real food” option, as opposed to all the fast food on Moreland. Ormewood and East Atlanta Village feel like our neighborhood and we wanted to give back to the area.
Q: What has been your biggest surprise so far?
MG: We had no idea word would get out so fast! We are so lucky to have already had so many people come try us out!
Q: How do you split your time between the Stand and the Porter?
MG: When you’re opening a restaurant, it’s like a newborn baby, and it needs a lot of attention, so currently I’m at The Stand more than the Porter. The Porter is more like a teenager, pretty independent. It helps a lot that my husband [Nick] is there to keep an eye on things. I also have an amazing staff at The Porter, most of whom have been there since we opened. They really makes my job easier.
NEWS AND NOTES:
Atlanta’s first annual Hotel Restaurant Week is taking place Saturday, April 2 through Saturday, April 9, 2011. Hotel Restaurant Week is a citywide event that will offer diners a three-course dinner for just $25 per person (not including tax, tip). Participating restaurants include: Park 75 at Four Seasons, Spice Market at W Midtown, Livingston Restaurant & Bar at Georgian Terrace, BLT at W Downtown, Eleven at Loews, Paces 88 at St. Regis, Lobby at Twelve, Room at Twelve and Au Pied de Cochon at the InterContinental Buckhead.
Buckhead. The former Cheyenne Bar and Grill is slated to reopen as The American Bar and Grill, according to a press release.
Decatur. Creative Loafing is reporting that Farmstead 303 is reconcepting its menu to “casual American Southern” and changing its name to Rail Kitchen & Bar.
Downtown. What Now Atlanta is reporting that The Beignet Collection—a Creole Cajun resto featuring beignets, gumbo and po-boys—opened March 25 in the Pencil Factory Flats and Shops.
Grant Park. Cake Hag has moved from its Downtown location to 575 Boulevard, and has added cookies and bars to its daily mix of treats and breakfast pastries.
Old Fourth Ward. 4th& Swift pastry chef Chrysta Umberger’s Duck’n’Donuts dessert was noted by Nation’s Restaurant News in its March “Cool News” online column.
Roswell. Zest Sushi and Tapas Bar has opened at 957 Canton Street.
Vinings. Canoe will launch the Song of the South live music series at the outdoor river bar on Wednesday, April 13, featuring live local artists every Wednesday evening from 7– 10 p.m. throughout the spring.
Question of the Week: What long-awaited, chef-owned pub opens in Morningside this week?