Fritti Bringing Pizza Wars To Buckhead + FLIP ?

Riccardo Ullio, owner of U Restaurants, is bringing the battle for the best pizza to Buckhead. Ullio's pizzeria, Fritti, currently with a single location in Inman Park, will open a second in Buckhead at 102 West Paces Ferry this fall. According to sources, the new restaurant will be in the abandoned building to the left of the St. Regis, land that was once Sears Automotive, and most recently housed Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead before their relocation to Piedmont. Set to open in October, immediate area neighbors such as Fellini's , Nancy's of Chicago and Buckhead Pizza Co. are sure to take note. Varasano's, a little further south on Peachtree, should still have a solid customer base given their prime location in MiBu (Middle Buckhead).

While Ullio originally would have shared the new site with a re-located Eclipse di Luna, those plans apparently fell through. Though I'd hate to see Eclipse di Luna move from Miami Circle, they are apparently not completely out of the picture just quite yet. The site is being marketed as the White Provisions of Buckhead. Though there are clear differences between the two, it is an interesting approach given the success of White Provisions. Working with seemingly less leasable space, 30,000 s/f (inclusive of 10,000 s/f underground), sources state they have over 85% either leased or nearing a lease at the property. With Pano's at the St. Regis currently delayed till fall, Buckhead foodies will have a nice surprise late this year as so many restaurants open.

In related news, Chef Richard Blais and Barry Mills, proprietors of FLIP Burger Boutique on the west side, may have interest in this site as well. Blais previously announced their intention of opening a new location in Buckhead by March, and while that opening is all but impossible, their interest in this site is not only possible but probable. Ironically, this location is across the street from Here To Serve's Home restaurant, where Richard Blais was executive chef before abruptly departing after less than a year. So much to wish for... hopefully some or all of this will come to fruition in the near future. ToNeTo Atlanta