Dinner Theater Agatha’s a Taste of Mystery Closes in Downtown Atlanta

Agatha’s a Taste of Mystery dinner theater closes in downtown Atlanta

Peachtree Center dinner theater Agatha’s a Taste of Mystery closed after over 30 years in downtown Atlanta. The closure announcement posted to Facebook cites funding issues after owners Ricky Warren and Cat Angerami closed the venue last April at the start of the pandemic. Warren told Fox5Atlanta that despite the landlord giving them a break on the rent for a year, the costs involved in keeping the restaurant afloat and reopening were too much.

“We had a good run it was wonderful. It’s just at this point in my life I wasn’t sure I was able to go into that much debt to reopen,” Warren said. “It cost about $5,000 a month for the restaurant to sit there empty and we had just been through all of our reserves.”

In November, Project Q reported on Agatha’s financial troubles and signs the venue might be in danger of closing. With PPP relief depleted and financial resources running low, Warren told the publication last fall, “The fixed cost without rent is almost $5,000 a month. We are just about at the end of being able to float that boat.”

A GoFundMe set up on behalf of Agatha’s staff has raised over $10,000. [Facebook/Fox5Atlanta/PQ]

Perc Coffee opens second Atlanta location in Virginia-Highland

After opening its first Atlanta location last year in East Lake and popping up at Poncey Highland restaurant Southern Belle during its winter hiatus, Perc Coffee settled on a permanent location along North Highland Avenue this month. In addition to coffee and coffee drinks, the menu also offers sandwiches and baked goods on the menu. Both the East Lake and Virginia-Highland locations are currently open for takeout only with some outdoor seating available. Open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Masks required. [Official]

Perc Coffee

Chef Christina Wai named executive chef for Drawbar at the new Bellyard Hotel

Chef Christina Wai has been named executive chef for cocktail bar Drawbar opening at the new Bellyard Hotel at the Interlock on Howell Mill Road. Wai’s kitchen stints in Atlanta include Rowdy Tiger Whiskey Bar and Kitchen at Renaissance Hotel Atlanta, Crown Plaza Hotel Midtown, Meliá Hotels International, Takorea, and Gordon Biersch.

“My vision is to position Drawbar as a colorful, innovative and trendy environment for guests and locals to savor the American-style cuisine and sip on the beautifully hand-crafted cocktails,” Wai says in a press release.

At 98 seats between the lounge, tables, and the bar and a 62-seat terrace with views of the city skyline, Draw Bar will offer 25 cocktails and a selection of over 250 spirits paired with Wai’s menu. [Official]

Bellyard

Honeysuckle Gelato and Amici Italian Cafe opening at Trilith Town Center in Fayetteville

Locations of gelato shop Honeysuckle Gelato and Amici Italian Cafe are opening April 30 at Trilith Town Center in Fayetteville, a 234-acre mixed-use development across from Trilith Studios in the south metro Atlanta city. In addition to sandwiches, wings, and pizza, the Fayetteville location of Amici Italian Cafe will also include an on-site brewery. Honeysuckle Gelato plans to offer its array of gelato flavors on the menu and serve beer, wine, and boozy milkshakes. [Official]

• All Atlanta restaurant closing news [EATL]
• A Neighborhood Breakdown of Atlanta Restaurants Opening in 2021 [EATL]