Buckhead Life Group Determining This Week When to Reopen Its Seven Restaurants

As the novel coronavirus continues to dominate restaurant news here, Eater Atlanta plans to provide brief news roundups each morning of COVID-19-related fundraisers and free meals for those in need, interesting takeout opportunities and cool food popups, virtual events to attend, and other dining intel for readers to consider.

Buckhead Life Group determining this week when to reopen its restaurants

In an interview with the New York Times, Buckhead Life Group chef Panos I. Karatassos told reporter Kim Severson as many as five of the group’s seven restaurants could reopen by Friday, May 1. A representative for Buckhead Life, which owns Atlanta Fish Market, Kyma, Buckhead Diner, Bistro Niko, Chops Lobster Bar, Corner Cafe, and Pricci, tells Eater Atlanta via email the group has been “preparing and planning for weeks” to ensure “flawless” execution in the dining rooms. “We plan to do service with staff mid to late this week (without the public,) and the success of that will determine which, if any, restaurants will open.” Curbside takeout is expected to begin by no later than Thursday, ahead of any restaurant reopening. [NYT/EATL]

Mission + Market offering free meals to those in need

Buckhead restaurant Mission + Market continues to offer free meals every Thursday, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., to people who now find themselves unemployed due to COVID-19. To reserve a meal, DM the restaurant on Instagram each Wednesday. Chef Ian Winslade and his team have already served over 700 meals since the initiative began in March. The restaurant continues to offer curbside takeout. [Official]

The Comfy Chicken Biscuit returns to Home Grown on Saturdays

Home Grown owners Kevin Clark and Lisa Spooner plan to serve the restaurant’s popular comfy chicken biscuit via a drive-thru service in the parking lot each Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The buttermilk biscuit is topped with fried chicken and smothered in sausage gravy. The Memorial Drive restaurant in Reynoldstown has been closed since late March, but Clark and Spooner decided to bring Home Grown’s most oft-ordered menu item back on Saturdays, along with a curbside market from Gourmet Food International. Check Instagram and Facebook for updates. [Official]

Home Grown

Chirori transforms its dining room into a Japanese Grocery

Robatayaki and sake restaurant Chirori has been closed on 14th Street in Home Park for the last month, but is now transforming its dining room into a Japanese grocery this week. Once open, the makeshift shop plans to sell Japanese snacks, desserts, instant noodles, frozen prepared foods, sake, and beer. Follow on Facebook for updates.

Stay home if sick. Check the Georgia Department of Public Health website for guidance and twice-daily updates on the latest number of reported COVID-19 cases.

• Keep Track of How the Coronavirus Is Impacting Atlanta’s Food Scene