Two New Atlanta Restaurants Plan to Celebrate the Flavors of Israel

More details have emerged regarding the Israeli and Middle Eastern restaurant Rina, opening next year from Tal Baum, owner of Ponce City Market’s Bellina Alimentari. Rina, located in the Ford Factory Lofts on Atlanta’s east side, is one of two new restaurants from Baum. She also plans to open Aziza in Westside Provisions District (WSPD).

The 2700-square-foot Rina is the more casual of the two restaurants. The menu centers around quick bites and lighter fare like skewers, pita sandwiches, falafel, and salads. The restaurant and its patio are located on Ponce de Leon next to Ponce City Market just off of the Eastside BeltLine trail.

Baum’s restaurant Aziza, underneath Marcel at WSPD, will lean toward finer dining. An open kitchen is planned with a wood-burning oven and a patio for al fresco dining. The restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner. A falafel stand is also in the works nearby offering grab-and-go hummus, platters, pita, and vegetarian street foods.

“Atlanta has so many fabulous food options, but nothing that fully celebrates the Israeli food and culture I grew up with,” Baum says in a prepared statement. “I can’t wait to share the tastes and textures from the culture and heritage I’m so proud of and introduce guests to our spin on the traditional recipes from my family’s kitchen.”

Aziza joins the yet-to-be-named restaurant from the Storico Fresco team at WSPD. It will occupy the former Little Bacch space and focus on the regional dishes of Rome.

• Storico Fresco Bringing a Taste of Rome and Fresh Pasta to Westside [EATL]
• All Bellina Alimentari coverage [EATL]