Look Inside Hugh Acheson's Cinco y Diez, NOW OPEN in Athens

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Cinco y Diez the new cocina from Top Chef judge and Empire State South/5&10/The National owner Hugh Acheson, chef Whitney Otawka, and Last Resort Grill founder Melissa Clegg opens today in Athens, GA. In the Five Points neighborhood, it replaces Acheson's first restaurant, 5&10, which relocated to a bigger space nearby last year.

Inside the warm dining room, order dishes "combining the vibrant flavors and distinct personalities of the Latin cuisines with locally-farmed ingredients." The restaurant's website adds that it "explores the gastronomic possibilities of the New South being reshaped and remade by influences from Central and South America," and Otawka has said that her menu was shaped by a trip to Oaxaca last year. Keep reading for the dishes and more pictures.

To start, look for oysters, ceviche, tacos, and vegetable dishes like caramelized cauliflower with golden raisins, almond, benne seeds, and mole poblano. Large plates include fisherman's style stew, Mexican fried chicken, and carnitas with braised pork shoulder, orange, beer, avocado leaves, and caramelized turnips. For drinks, expect winter agua frescas, Anson Mills horchata, wines, and cocktails using tequila and mezcal, plus things like the South by Southwest's bourbon, chipotle morita chile, cumin, Demarara, and citrus. See the full Cinco y Diez menu here.

Open for reservations and walk-ins Sunday through Thursday 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Weekend brunch and lunch run from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday; 1653 S. Lumpkin Street, Athens. (706) 850-2020.
· Cinco y Diez [Official Site]
· Chef Whitney Otawka Talks About Opening Cinco y Diez [AJC]
· Whitney Otawka Opens Highly Anticipated Cinco y Diez Next Week [OA]
· Details on Forthcoming Athens Restaurant Cinco y Diez [-EATL-]
· Hugh Acheson to Open New Mexican Restaurant in Old 5 & 10 Space, Farm 255's Whitney Otawka to Helm It [-EATL-]