Big Sky Buckhead will open in early 2014 from Cains Hill Group in the heart of luxe neighborhood Buckhead. For the restaurant, Top Chef alum, ex-Pura Vida/Super Pan/El Burro Pollo owner, and Abattoir exec chef Hector Santiago, will "deliver casual food with fresh, bold, and unique flare." Big Sky will be open for lunch, brunch, and dinner, serving food influenced by Santiago's roots, the "high-energy atmosphere" of Buckhead, and Super Pan, Santiago's now-shuttered, beloved lunchtime Latin sandwich shop.
Santiago, who runs the kitchen at Abattoir and will remain there, will develop the menu and oversee the Big Sky team. Joining him will be executive chef Pedro Matos from Super Pan and, most recently, Cakes & Ale.
A release informs that the much-missed pork belly buns from Santiago's past concepts will be back on the menu: "Big Sky Buckhead will provide diners the opportunity to expand their culinary profiles in the area by offering new options above and beyond the basic sandwich or a lengthy, expensive meals that are currently the primary options in Buckhead." Says chef Matos, "I want pork belly and steamed coconut buns to be synonymous with the Buckhead lunch."
The two-story restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating in a 4900 square-foot space with garage-style glass doors overlooking a view of the Buckhead skyline. Big Sky hopes to bring a "comfortable and contemporary take" to dining, "inspired by the grand lodges found in Montana, where friends are invited to gather and eat, drink and celebrate in an environment that promises good food and good times."
· Big Sky Buckhead [Official Site]
· All Hector Santiago Coverage [-EATL-]
· All Coming Attractions Coverage [-EATL-]