Celebrity Chef Marvin Woods Is Opening Asante Downtown

Chef Marvin Woods, who has hosted TV shows, written cookbooks, and cooked for Michelle Obama, is opening a restaurant Downtown. Asante Restaurant and Lounge will begin serving on Monday, November 10, and offer Woods's "coastal soul" cuisine.

The two-floor eatery is moving into the former Peasant Bistro space at 250 Park Avenue W NW. The coastal influences include dishes such as Bahamian conch fritters and Piri Piri Nigerian king prawns, and a the po' boy list features catfish, shrimp, chicken, and Puerto Rican-style roasted pork.

"I am delighted to bring my style of cooking to Atlanta, which is the best city to appreciate this blend of flavors and genres of cuisine," Woods said in a prepared statement. "And I think this is exactly the kind of restaurant that Downtown needs-something that is fresh and creative in flavor, yet sophisticated and festive enough to be a destination for both Atlanta locals and its many tourists."

Asante will serve dinner Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. The lounge will remain open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, and until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Lunch will be offered Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and brunch will be available on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.