The Expansion Plans for Phipps Plaza Now Include a Mexican-Spanish Restaurant

Chef Mimmo Alboumeh, the former owner of Red Pepper Taqueria, plans to open a second location of his Mexican-Spanish restaurant Botica next fall at Phipps Plaza in an expanded section of the luxury mall complex that will also include Nobu Hotel and a food hall. A third location of Alon’s Bakery and Market just opened at Phipps Plaza earlier this month.

The new plaza area planned for Phipps will eventually include a 13-story office building, Nobu Hotel and its famed sushi restaurant, LifeTime Fitness, and Citizens Food Hall with restaurant stalls like Umami Burger, Krispy Rice, and Sam’s Crispy Chicken.

Located toward the back of the plaza with a covered patio overlooking the green space, the menu for the Buckhead Botica will mirror its Brookwood Hills counterpart, serving house-smoked meats, tacos like lamb birria, falafel, and chicken tinga, paella, and Spanish octopus. Expect cocktails, beer, and wine from the bar and weekend brunch offering Alboumeh’s popular mimosas.

According to the press release, Alboumeh is also looking for a third location to open Botica. A representative speaking on behalf of Alboumeh tells Eater that location could be in the Sandy Springs/Dunwoody area.

Botica

Botica

Alboumeh began his career in Mexican restaurants over 20 years ago, opening Red Pepper Taqueria in Buckhead in 2011, followed by a Decatur location a year later. A third Red Pepper Taqueria opened in Brookhaven three years ago. The chef left Red Pepper Taqueria last May to focus on Botica, which he opened in the former Watershed space in Brookwhood Hills this past January.

At Botica, Alboumeh melds some of the more savory dishes he created for the menu at Red Pepper Taqueria with flavors and ingredients in dishes reminiscent of those he grew up eating while living in Lebanon, Italy, and Spain.

• Former Owner of Red Pepper Taqueria Is Opening a Restaurant in the Watershed Space [EATL]
• All restaurant coming attractions coverage [EATL]
• Nobu Is Officially Headed to Atlanta [EATL]