Bantam + Biddy Changing Concepts; Iberian Pig Alum Claims Former Timone’s Space

— Chef and restaurateur Shaun Doty has shuttered Bantam + Biddy’s Midtown location on Crescent Avenue, reports What Now Atlanta, and he’s planning a new concept in its place. Doty is reportedly planning to open something called The Federal in November. Look for "bistro-style breakfast and lunch" and a "classic fine dining experience for dinner," per WNA. Doty continues to operate Bantam + Biddy outposts in Ansley Park, Buckhead, and Alpharetta’s Avalon development. Midtown: 1050 Crescent Ave. NE.

— A forthcoming mixed-use development in Poncey-Highland has its first restaurant tenant on board. Rize Artizan Pizza + Salads will open at the 675 North Highland development next month, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Chef Eddie Russell, previously of Argosy and the recently shuttered Last Word, has created a menu that includes "a variety of pizzas, salads, flatbreads, pasta dishes, small plates, sandwiches, gelato, and sorbet." Rize’s website indicates a Sandy Springs restaurant at 6050 Roswell Rd. is also in the works. Poncey-Highland: 675 North Highland Ave. NE.

— After taking over the kitchen at Nancy G’s in Sandy Springs a couple of months ago, angry chef Ron Eyester has revamped the restaurant and renamed it Southern Bistro, according to Tomorrow’s News Today. A look at its official website reveals the restaurant is serving "locally sourced Southern cuisine from Nancy G and Ron Eyester." Eyester previously operated Rosebud, The Family Dog, and Timone’s in Morningside, along with Diner in Atlantic Station, but he closed those restaurants last year. The Family Dog has since reopened under new ownership. Sandy Springs: 4920 Roswell Rd.

— Speaking of Timone’s , former Iberian Pig chef Chad Crete is planning to open a restaurant called Whiskey Bird in the space, per What Now Atlanta. Crete and business partner Anthony Vipond have launched a new restaurant group — Back of the Napkin Hospitality — and this "tapas-style Japanese restaurant" is their first venture. "Our concept has yet to be introduced in the Atlanta market, setting the restaurant apart from our competitors," Crete told WNA. Morningside: 1409 North Highland Ave. NE.

• All Coming Attractions [EATL]