5 Big Atlanta Restaurant Stories You Might Have Missed

March proved to be another month for big restaurant openings and closings in Atlanta. The month saw the second location of popular cafe and coffee shop the Daily open in Inman Park and celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson open his first Atlanta restaurant, Marcus Bar and Grille, in the the Old Fourth Ward. Sadly, a handful of longtime restaurants said goodbye in March, including the Original El Taco in Virginia-Highland.

Catch up on the latest dining stories you might have missed over the last three weeks below. Cheers to the weekend, y’all!

The five biggest stories March 13 - March 31

1. Chef Marcus Samuelsson, the restaurateur behind NYC’s Red Rooster Harlem, opened his first Atlanta restaurant in March. Marcus Bar and Grille took over the former Adele’s space in the Old Fourth Ward on Edgewood. For Samuelsson, the restaurant has been a long time coming. “Atlanta’s been a city where I’ve always wanted to open a restaurant,” he tells Eater.
2. D.B.A. Barbecue owner Matt Coggin is venturing beyond Virginia-Highland with two new fast-casual restaurants opening this spring and summer. D.B.A. BBQ, opening in the former Greater Good BBQ space on Roswell Road, will serve a pared-down menu of the original restaurant, while D.B.A. Tacos and BBQ in Clarkston will offer smoked meat tacos and a drive-thru.
3. Closures once again dominated the news in March. The Original El Taco closed in Virginia-Highland but is being replaced by a brand new restaurant from Fifth Group Restaurants this summer. Empire State South, owned by Top Chef Hugh Acheson, closed in Midtown after 13 years there. Orpheus Brewing and its taproom close on Dutch Valley Road in Midtown on April 23. The brewery should eventually relocate to a smaller space. A partnership with beverage maker Bevana will continue brewing and distributing Orpheus’ beers.
4. This story about a new drinks hall opening at Pratt Pullman District in Kirkwood got a lot of people talking, some over the groan-worthy name, with others upset there are so few local options in the lineup. Dubbed AlcoHall (yes, the pun is intended), the seven beverage stalls feature different alcohol brands offering tastes, cocktails, and flights ranging from wine and whiskey to gin and beers on tap from companies like Wicked Weed Brewing, House of Suntory, and Babylonstoren Winery. Shortbarrel Bourbon, which recently acquired Old 4th Distillery, is the only local brand.
5. The James Beard award finalists were announced on March 29, and chef Terry Koval from the Deer and the Dove in Decatur is a finalist for best chef southeast. He’s also the lone representative out of the ten semifinalists nominated in January from Atlanta and Georgia headed to the awards ceremony in Chicago.

Did you miss this recent feature story on Eater Atlanta?

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The Betty