After Closing, Roswell Lunch Spot Anna Lee’s Is Reopening Under New Ownership

Luncheon spot Anna Lee’s will reopen in Roswell

After Annelies McMorran announced she was closing beloved luncheon restaurant Anna Lee’s in Roswell last month, a longtime customer has stepped in to purchase the restaurant, the AJC reports. Uptown Cafe owner Richard Decker apparently reached out to McMorran and quickly sealed the deal to take over Anna Lee’s. He plans to reopen the restaurant on Monday, August, 24, and keep the staff, menu, and hours intact. McMorran, whom Decker met when he began patronizing Anna Lee’s in the 1980s, will be on hand to help with baking and ensure a smooth transition.

A native of the Netherlands, McMorran worked at the restaurant as a server prior to purchasing and renaming it to Anna Lee’s in 1983. The quaint cafe built up a loyal following over its 36 years under her ownership. The menu always featured a $10 lunch special, which included a soup of the day, a choice of daily entrees, and desserts, such as a slice of one of Anna’s Lee’s cakes. [AJC]

Atlanta Hard Cider scraps Westside cidery plans and heads to Marietta

Atlanta Hard Cider is scrapping its planned location in the Blandtown neighborhood for Marietta, according to What Now Atlanta. Owners Mark and Liz Deno, who also live in Marietta, say they expect to open the cidery, tasting room, bar, and outdoor patio along Roswell Street next year. Once open, Atlanta Hard Cider will offer several of the company’s ciders on tap, food trucks and pop-ups, live music, and may occasionally bring in a mobile ax-throwing company on the weekends. [WNA]

Banshee opens its covered patio next week

East Atlanta Village restaurant Banshee plans to reopen its covered patio and bar on Tuesday, August 25. Tables are limited to no more than four people and service is mostly contactless. People place orders via cell phone using the “drive-thru” menu. Chef Nolan Wynn will plate the food and place it on a table on the patio prior to arrival. Someone in the dining party can then grab the food and bring it back to their table. Reservations are required.

Banshee opened the new covered patio in mid-March, right before the restaurant closed due to the pandemic. It features garage doors that open to the outside, 15 bar seats, and seating for 18 at tables. Banshee reopened in July for “drive-thru” takeout service. Menus are updated weekly and include secret dishes and the opportunity to purchase pints of Banshee’s popular pepperoni butter for $10. People order online for curbside pickup. Follow on Instagram for updates and new weekly menu items. [Official]

Ashley Wilson

• All the latest dining news [EATL]
• Roswell Cafe Anna Lee’s Closes After 36 Years [EATL]