Tag: Cafe

Not everyone wants to spend evenings hanging out at a bar, and restaurants need to turn tables, often preventing diners from lingering. So, what happens to those who want to be social in a tranquil, welcoming environment? Local cafe owners are taking note of the need and expanding their hours and menus to create a serene space for Atlantans to chat, sip, and savor—no reservations necessary. Here are a few.

Mario Ali, owner of Belli Pizzeria in Colony Square’s Politan Row, opened Cafe Belli in Hapeville in March. There, he’s been serving Ferrero Rocher and lavender matcha lattes, along with espresso, cappuccino, and cold brew made with Italian coffee beans. Last weekend, he expanded the cafe offerings to feature a bar program in the evenings.

Brash Kitchen will offer counter-service, takeout, and table-service options for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon cocktails. Brash founder Chris McLeod has partnered with Julia Kesler Imerman of meal prep and catering company Stop Think Chew for the menu.

The 2,700-square-foot space will include a meditation studio; a shop selling nontoxic home and body products; and a bar offering cold-pressed juices, teas, and coffees.

The size and presentation of Cafe Posh’s falafel are unmistakably Israeli. Shimon Edery, who owns this attractive, modern cafe with his wife, Simona, grinds soaked chickpeas with spices, herbs, and vegetables and shapes them into big, hunky croquettes. Fried in fresh oil, the falafel are sandwiched in soft, thick pita with a satisfying amount of hummus, tahini, roasted eggplant, diced tomatoes, cucumber, romaine lettuce, and a touch of homemade red pepper harissa or zehug—a green sauce made with herbs, fresh garlic, hot peppers, and extra virgin olive oil. They are a huge favorite of mine.