This story is from Side Dish, our weekly Thursday newsletter about Atlanta’s dining scene. Subscribe for free via the Newsletters tab at the top of this page.
Have you heard?
Heavy metal-themed bar Halford’s closed after only two months in Little Five Points. The bar took over the Corner Tavern space and is owned by former Corner Tavern employee Mikey Braswell. The building was sold, and Braswell may be looking to relocate Halford’s elsewhere in the city.
Jay and Lasonia Terrence announced on Instagram this week that they’re closing their popular Midtown pizzeria Triple Jay’s on Piedmont Avenue. The pizzeria will close on Jan. 19. The Terrences, who founded Triple Jay’s in 2015 as a food truck, plan to become franchisees for Peach Cobbler Factory and open a location of the dessert cafe in Alpharetta later this year. They’re eyeing locations in Johns Creek and Duluth, too.
Don Fausto’s Cuban restaurant stall closed this week inside Politan Row at Colony Square in Midtown, according to an Instagram post.
Ms. Icey’s Kitchen & Bar is now temporarily closed on Clairmont Road in Decatur, according to an Instagram post. A reason for the closure wasn’t provided, but it appears the popular Caribbean restaurant may reopen. However, when and where are yet to be determined.
Southern Proper Hospitality Group is temporarily closing Buckhead Village restaurants Gypsy Kitchen and The Southern Gentleman until early February 2025 for HVAC upgrades and design improvements.
In opening news, a location of Brazilian Bakery Cafe opened in Sandy Springs this week on Roswell Road. Beth McKibben wrote about the Marietta location last spring for “The Move” and her love for the guava and cheese pastels from the bakery-cafe.
Atlanta restaurateur Gocha Hawkins, owner of Gocha’s Breakfast Bar and Gocha’s Tapas Bar, is embarking on major expansions in 2025, including a new fusion concept at Atlantic Station. The celebrity chef and WE TV star is also temporarily closing her Cascade location for renovations while launching franchise opportunities beyond Atlanta. Stay tuned for updates here.
Lelia Bryan sold Vino Venue and the Atlanta Wine School to wine enthusiast and entrepreneur Emily Mendyka. Bryan plans to launch a food tour and travel company this year to include trips to France, Italy, and the wine region of California. You can read more here from “The Aha! Connection.”
Halfway Crooks in Summerhill now features a house-brewed NA beer called Brevet Pils. Also, sandwich pop-up SamWitch departed the Halfway Crooks biergarten at the end of December but will open in a new location later this year. Taco pop-up Te Quiero will debut in the biergarten on Jan. 25.
Delbar’s new Buckhead location has launched a weekday lunch service. You can look forward to signature spreads, salads, kabobs, and seabass, plus new additions such as the lamb and labneh sandwich with dill labneh and zereshk.
Mark your calendars for Sun., April 27 for the 30th annual Taste of Marietta on the historic Marietta Square. Featuring over 50 restaurants, chef demonstrations, a kids alley, Georgia Grown Member Village, beer garden, and live music, you can stay tuned for updates on their website here.
Grant Park’s Beautiful Briny Sea has launched Pocketful of Starlight Twinkle Sugar, an edible vanilla sugar blend with sea salt and glitter stars for baking and drinks. The company makes its products by hand and continues its commitment to sustainability through partnerships with local growers and foragers for herbs, mushrooms, and spices.
“Dry January” around Atlanta
Looking for some fun events centered around Dry January? Check out the lineup at Epicurean – from a vision board workshop to a coffee experience (including a coffee-tasting flight, pastries, and a deep dive into the secret history of coffee) – the hotel has you covered. And, while you are thinking about January events, be sure to check out our full roundup here.
Related Story: 7 Atlanta restaurants and bars for NA cocktails
Need some “Dry January” NA teasers? Check out a few of these zero-proof cocktails that give a fresh take on going spirit-free. From Pendolino’s herb-forward “Basilicata” – combining fresh basil with zesty lemon and ginger tonic – to Elektra’s tropical “Under the Palm” featuring Lyre’s White Cane with pineapple and elderflower, to O-Ku’s aromatic “Rosemary’s Baby” with ginger and fresh pineapple, and Ticonderoga Club’s “Rosebush” with 20-year cider vinegar, pineapple, and lemon – there is “proof” that going alcohol-free doesn’t mean sacrificing depth or complexity.