Saltyard Has a New Owner But Not Much Will Change

Southern small plates restaurant Saltyard in the south Buckhead neighborhood of Brookwood Hills has been sold to Lee Schulman, the owner of the Old Vinings Inn. Eater Atlanta confirmed the sale with former Saltyard chef/owner Nick Leahy and Schulman on Thursday. The restaurant is located behind Watershed in the Brookwood complex on Peachtree Road. Watershed sold to chef Matt Marcus in April.

Leahy is opening two new restaurants in the Stockyard’s complex in Westside later this year. Aix (pronounced “ex”) and its adjacent wine bar Tin Tin are both inspired by Leahy’s family and roots in southern France. Neighbors in the complex include Italian restaurant Donetto and gaming parlour the Painted Duck. Chef Steven Satterfield’s restaurant Miller Union is across the street.

Leahy provided Eater Atlanta with the following statement on the sale of Saltyard:
“I’m so grateful for the past five years at Saltyard and the warm welcome the restaurant received from the Atlanta community; we’ve made great friends and memories that will last a lifetime.

“We’ve decided to sell the restaurant, and I’ll be moving on to focus on opening our upcoming restaurants Aix and TinTin at Stockyards in West Midtown, which will serve cuisine inspired by my Provencal roots.”

“Thank you to our Saltyard staff and family, who we wish all the best, and thank you to our guests at Saltyard. We look forward to serving you soon on the Westside!”

The chef opened Saltyard with two former Two Urban Licks colleagues Christian and Kristy Favalli in June 2013.

Schulman doesn’t plan to make any staff or interior changes to Saltyard at this time. The executive chef of Old Vinings Inn, Chris Lee, will act as corporate chef and provide kitchen guidance for the two restaurants. The menu should remain relatively similar to Leahy’s. Saltyard is staying open during the ownership transition.

“This is an opportunity for everyone to grow,” Schulman says of the sale. “For me, Nick and his new restaurant, the team here at Saltyard...I’m super excited for what the future holds for all of us.”

Schulman, who took over ownership of classic Southern restaurant Old Vinings Inn five years ago, says he wants to continue to capitalize on the momentum Leahy has built at Saltyard since its opening.

“Nick’s restaurant has a great reputation, and I’m looking forward to growing Saltyard further and being a part of this great neighborhood.”

Eater Atlanta will continue to follow developments in this story.

Old Vinings Inn, 3011 Paces Mill Road SE, Atlanta. oldviningsinn.net.

• French Restaurant and Wine Bar Opening at Westside’s Stockyards [EATL]
• Where the Chefs Eat: Saltyard’s Nick Leahy [EATL}
• Look Inside Saltyard, Now Open in Buckhead [EATL]