:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/71236633/175371445_307697837456896_5447289721390986512_n.0.jpeg)
The Bun Factory — Doraville
The Bun Factory recently opened in the former Melody Hot Pot (and before that Chef Liu) space at Pinetree Plaza on Buford Highway. The restaurant serves a mix of Chinese dumplings and dim sum as well as Thai and Malaysian fare, including red curry chicken and Penang curry, among other dishes listed on its extensive menu.
Azucar Cuban Cafe — Sandy Springs
A former Cuban food truck is now a full-fledged restaurant in Sandy Springs. Located next door to Three Dollar Cafe on Roswell Road, Azucar Cuban Cafe serves a similar menu to its food truck, like the Havana chicken cubanos, loaded tostones with slow-roasted pork, empanadas, ropa vieja sandwiches, and yuca fries. Cuban coffee and speciality drinks are also served here.
Knife Modern Mediterranean — Buckhead
Knife Modern Mediterranean opens Wednesday, August 17, on Piedmont Road in Buckhead, the AJC reports. Owned by Atlanta restaurateur Ali Ebrahimi and his business partners, the dinner menu features charcoal-grilled kebabs, lamb shank, whole roasted branzino, and other dishes meant to represent the “Mediterranean subregion.” A speakeasy-style bar accessed via the kitchen should open in September and also serve small plates. Weekend brunch should launch in the coming weeks. Take a look inside. [AJC]
Platez Southern Kitchen and Cocktailz — Decatur
Owned by Etanya Lucas, Platez Southern Kitchen and Cocktailz opens Friday, August 19, on Clairemont Avenue at the Courtyard by Marriott in Decatur. The space was once home to Makan and Taiyo Ramen, both owned by Michael Lo and chef George Yu. Taiyo Ramen closed in the fall of 2019.
As for Platez Southern Kitchen, Lucas plans to serve Southern dishes reminiscent of those she grew up eating and watching her grandmother cook at her restaurant Neta Dupree’s Soul Food Cafe in North Carolina, including salmon croquettes during breakfast, catfish filets and fried chicken at lunch, and crab cakes and barbecue ribs at dinner. A late-night menu features desserts of assorted cakes and sweet potato pie. Lucas named the restaurant in honor of her grandmother who used to ask her restaurant customers, “What plate of goodness are you having today,” when taking their orders.
