 |
|
We Hear... The Dining DishBy The Micropundit CULINARY CULTURE REVOLUTION.  The impact of the 2008 Olympics continues to resonate throughout the world as we were exposed to a vivid slice of Chinese culture that will spur new interest in its various forms. Here in Atlanta, I have found a growing excitement about some of our current Chinese restaurants and those on the horizon. First, the return of Frank Ma with FRANK MA SOUTH has soup dumpling fans a twitter. Now comes news that AJA, Here to Serve’s Buckhead Asian creation, will prominently feature dumplings and dim sum on their menu. And the first family of Asian fine dining, the Hsus, (HSU’S, PACIFIC RIM and SILK) have a new upscale restaurant called AZN (pronounced Asian) that will premier spring 2009 in Naples, Florida but will hit our shores in 2010.
Now add the rumor that chef Chris Yeo (STRAITS) is putting one of his SINO concepts here and Atlanta’s Chinese dining scene begins to have some depth and sophistication. Discussions of Chinese food will no longer be limited to Buford Highway haunts or take out places with fortune cookies in every order. As more of our new residents and visitors come with sophisticated palates, our growing culinary culture will offer them more Chinese options.
NEWS and NOTES: (From my keyboard to your screen) Buckhead. As many had predicted, Richard Blais has resigned from his position at HOME, He termed his resignation [as] “a very positive decision, as my focus needs to be directed towards FLIP, as well as future Trail Blais (his culinary company) projects, of which there are many.” Downtown (DT). WISHBONE CHICKEN, WAFFLE HOUSE and RITA’S ICE will open in Underground Atlanta this November. On another DT dining scene note, the downtown marketing group, Central Atlanta Progress, is reporting that 30 new restaurants have opened downtown in 2008. Little 5 Points. PORTER HOUSE BEER BAR, featuring 120 brands of bottled beer and 27 on tap, has opened at 1156 Euclid Avenue.
Midtown. LA PIETRA CUCINA, a progressive Italian restaurant featuring noted Executive Chef Bruce Logue (VIVACE, BABBO), is currently operating a 50 seat “trattoria” Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner until mid October at 1545 Peachtree Street, (MID CITY CUISINE). When they have their full seating capacity of 175, they will serve dinner and brunch on Sundays with an expanded menu of ingredient driven Italian cooking.
Poncy Highland. PURA VIDA owner and top toque, Hector Santiago, plans to open BODEGA GASTONOMICA, a 12 seat chef’s table and wine cellar in PV’s basement that will serve 9 courses of small plates on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, this fall.
Roswell. SE’VAUGE, the Cajun –Creole spot at 10800 Alpharetta Highway has closed.
The answer to last week’s QOTW- What former chef at an in-town French restaurant is now top toque at a suburban American bistro?- is… Kaighn Raymond formerly at FAB, now at THE RIVER ROOM. QUESTION Of The WEEK: What local in-town restaurant group has commissioned a private label of wines from California that will be served exclusively at their restaurants starting October 8th?
The Answer: Is Only A Clique Away. Tune in next week! - The Micropundit
|
|
|
|
     |
 |