ATLANTA’S RESTAURANT OPENINGS, APRIL/MAY EDITION
Spring is a busy opening season in Atlanta. Here’s the latest on what’s new.
May
Chef Kevin Gillespie’s newest restaurant, Nàdair, begins reservations
In one of the most anticipated restaurant openings of the year, chef Kevin Gillespie’s newest venture, Nàdair, has begun taking reservations with the first seating on May 24. Gillespie, who is behind the lauded restaurant Gunshow in Glenwood Park, made the announcement on Instagram and Facebook. Nàdair replaces chef Anne Quatrano’s Floataway Cafe in Woodland Hills, which closed in 2022. Expect to see Gillespie’s Scottish influences on the menu, including in the name, which is Scots Gaelic phrase “dòigh nàdair” or “the way of nature.”
Commune, a wine bar and listening room, opens in Avondale Estates
What is a listening room, you might ask. It’s a national trend, where bars play records and playlists of deep cut underground music. And now, Atlanta has its own spot. Commune, brainchild of Zopi Kristjanson and DJ Chris Devoe, has opened at Olive and Pine in Avondale Estates on May 8. The first of the listening tunes feature the Hammond Organ, and 70’s and 80’s pop and disco. Empire State South’s former sommelier, Steven Grubbs is behind the wine list, and a small menu is available for bar bites.
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar opens third location
With two popular locations in Buford and Doraville, the national chain opened a third spot in Atlanta in the Interlock Tower on Northside Drive in West Midtown on May 2. Here, diners get to pick their sushi order from a conveyor belt.
Rreal Tacos opens seventh location in Buckhead
Crowd favorite Rreal Tacos opened another location in Buckhead on May 1, just in time for Cinco de Mayo. They will occupy the former Farm Burger in Tower Place. This will be the restaurant’s seventh location, and are already found in Midtown, West Midtown, Chamblee, Sandy Springs, Cumming and Sugar Hill.
April
Vegan pizzeria Pizza Verdura Sincera opens in former Zesto space
The former Zesto spot in Little Five Points finally has a new resident. Pizza Verdura Sincera is officially open, two years after the announcement of its takeover. Owners David Smith and Paul Jones opened the doors on April 27. Expect vegan pies with toppings like vegan pepperoni and seasonal veggies like squash, zucchini, and sweet onions.
Team behind El Valle and Oaxaca opens Casa Balam in Decatur
Casa Balam is the newest Mexican restaurant in downtown Decatur, where the former Ted’s Montana Grill used to be. It opened on April 23 and comes from the same group behind popular Mexican fine dining joints, El Valle in Midtown and Oaxaca in Chamblee. Chef and co-owner Luis Damian has created a menu of traditional and modern Mexican fare, including tacos, empanadas, and family-style meat options of duck confit, beef birria, and Chilean sea bass.
Auburn Angel opens in historic Auburn Avenue
The new restaurant has opened in the Auburn Avenue Rib Shack space. Led by proprietor Asa Fain, executive chef Robbie Pacheco, and accompanied by pastry chef Pamela Moxley, Auburn Angel opened on April 19. Expect indoor and alfresco dining, with dishes like grilled octopus, striped bass on spring peas and pickled enoki mushrooms, and rhubarb almond tart.
Decatur’s newest wine shop, Vine Fine Wine, is now open
Owners Sam Pilch and Madeline Long celebrated a ribbon-cutting and grand opening of their wine shop in downtown Decatur on April 19. The shop focuses on minimal intervention wines from smaller producers around the world. Look for organic and biodynamic wines and plenty of wine books at this neighborhood shop.
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