Big Chain Shutters Buckhead Location, Small Chain Coming

After hearing talk of a planned rebranding of a local Ruby Tuesday, I have now confirmed my guess that it would be their Buckhead location was correct. Located at the corner of Lenox and East Paces Ferry Roads across from Lenox Square, the location closed this week with plans to reopen in the spring as Truffles Café. A friend of mine who valeted for the restaurant once told me that a significant number of people will make the turn for Houston's (located next door) prematurely and

Last Local Loop... is a Closed Loop

The Loop Pizza Grill at Embry Hills has closed. A sign posted on the eatery this week thanks Tucker patrons for 7 years. The last of the remaining Atlanta area locations, it was one of the first to open in the early 2000's. Subsequently, a location later opened at City Walk in Sandy Springs, and after an extensive addition and remodel, a former Citgo gas station on Peachtree near Peachtree Battle became The Loop's Buckhead outpost. The Sandy Springs location later became Fishmonger and is currently operating as Three Sheets. The Buckhead location didn't last long, and while

Galla's Pizza Opening Third Location in Dunwoody

Galla's Pizza, currently with locations in Chamblee/Brookhaven and Marietta/East Cobb, will open its third restaurant this fall in Dunwoody/Sandy Springs. Located within the Perimeter Point shopping center at the corner of Mount Vernon and Abernathy roads, the new restaurant is on the HomeGoods side, near Babies "R" Us. This

Nonna Mia is No More in Midtown

The revolving door that is the space at 980 Piedmont continues with the closing of Nonna Mia Cafe & Pizzeria. Prior to becoming Nonna Mia, the space was Sweet Devil Moon and years ago it was the popular The Big Red Tomato Bistro. After Nonna Mia opened last spring, I immediately questioned the viability of such an eatery. It

BirthWatch Progress Report : Q3

While this blog has been reporting a lot of sad news, closings and such, there are some exciting openings and expansions planned for Atlanta's restaurants, retail and hotels, in the coming months. In May, I provided a list of projects at various stages of development, here's the new updated lists of where we/they are now...

Local Boutique Lured to Chattanooga for Second Location

DrewLewis, the midtown men's boutique, is expanding. Often rumored to be closing, something must be going right for them, as they plan to open a second store in Chattanooga, in early October. The store will be far smaller than the current Atlanta store, at about 1500 s/f more, in line with the previous Atlanta location at MidCity lofts. While the Atlanta location carries

The Square Pub Should be the Right for Decatur

The Square Pub will soon open at 115 Sycamore Street in downtown Decatur. The Pub will be taking space that was most recently Birdi's and before that Caribbean Harry's. The space is located in the heart of the square and has plenty of potential. With local favorites Leon's Full Service and the Brick Store Pub not far away, not to mention the upcoming relocation and expansion of Cakes & Ale, they will will have competition, but I feel like the concept will work if managed properly. The concept is said to be an "American style pub with Southwest influence." The pub already has a Facebook page up so that you can monitor their progress. With a lease having just been signed and building permits awaiting approval, I'd expect that they may be open by early November. ToNeTo Atlanta

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Timber! The Firkin & Griffin Landing in Dunwoody

The former Smokey Bones Barbecue on Ashford-Dunwoody Road will soon become a new Firkin Pub. Smokey Bones closed a number of locations in 2007, including Dunwoody, before being sold by its owner Darden Restaurants to an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners. Up until recently there had been no activity in the space at Ashford Place. Originally home to Grady's American Grill, the Smokey Bones signature logs were recently removed, hinting at the possibility of a new tenant. The Firkin, a chain of

Louisiana out, Latin in as Pollo Campero Prepares to Open

Pollo Campero, based in Guatemala and with U.S. headquarters in Dallas, Texas, has finally begun renovations on its upcoming location at Northeast Plaza. Located on an outparcel at the corner of Briarwood Road and Buford Highway, the space was most recently a Popeyes Louisiana Chicken. While the Popeyes did undergo an extensive makeover a few years back, similar to the nearby location at Briarcliff and Clairmont Roads, it didn't last long, and closed not long after. Though I wrote on the Pollo Campero

Zaxby's Comes Home to Roost in Lowe's Peachtree Parking Lot

Last week I broke news that Athens-based Zaxby's would open a second location ITP on Roswell Road in Buckhead. I have now learned that a third is on its way! From an anonymous tip, I followed up on rumors of another Zaxby's being built along Peachtree (formerly "Industrial") Boulevard in Chamblee. Turns out there was a lengthy struggle with the city, but the restaurant recently received approval and will be moving forward in the coming weeks. The city of Chamblee adopted a number of new zoning ordinances several years ago in hopes of turning their largely industrial city into a vibrant "live-work-play" environment with strip malls and car dealerships replaced with mixed use developments with both residential and commercial components. While Zaxby's had to redesign its parking configuration to eliminate parking in front of the restaurant, it refused to eliminate a front entrance to its Drive-Thru, something that

What Was That Secret Ingredient in KC Pit BBQ?

KC Pit BBQ has closed, probably for the last time. Located in Sandy Springs on Roswell Road, KC Pit BBQ is situated just north of the Trader Joe's anchored shopping center. In mid-June, the restaurant was raided by undercover officers, DEA agents, SWAT and U.S. Marshalls related to "an ongoing investigation" believed to be drug related, but no official reason has been released. The restaurant reopened on

Java Blues Quick to Take Former ChocoLaté Coffee

ChocoLaté Cafe at the LaVista Walk apartments on LaVista Road closed last month and now another coffee shop is ready to take its place. "Java Blues" is said to be opening soon. It would seem as though they are close judging from the nearly completely finished and furnished interior. On August 2nd, their Facebook page stated they

The Doc is Out, New Baby Expected Soon

Earlier this week I reported that Genki Noodles and Sushi is apparently going to take over the Virginia-Highlands location of Everybody's Pizza. This story got a lot of people talking but has yet to be confirmed by Everybody's. Today I bring you more intown news on which I have just received confirmation. Raving Brands has sold their original Doc Green's Salads and Grill on Ponce de Leon Avenue. The Doc Green's chain has never experienced the growth Raving Brands envisioned for it, and rather

Just Loaf'n Gone Again...Going Mobile?

Just Loaf'n Cajun Cafe, previously located in Grant Park, and more recently on Roswell Road in Buckhead, has closed again. There may also be a location at 6124 Covington Highway in Lithonia but I was unable to confirm that as the phone goes straight to an individual's voicemail and there are no Yelp reviews. I do a lot for this site, but damn if I'm gonna drive over to that neck o' the woods to confirm a place is closed. The restaurant in Grant Park closed last September, and soon after there was word of them re-opening in Buckhead. With "coming soon" signs up forever, the restaurant had a soft opening in late December and a Grand Opening in late March. The Buckhead location was small, with limited parking, and I see this as the reason for their quick

Downtown Hotel Indigo Delayed, Cafe Intermezzo Opening Soon?

InterContinental Hotel Group's newest Hotel Indigo seems to be moving about as fast as Ben Carter's The Streets of Buckhead, on their new downtown hotel. Once said to be opening in May 1, then July, then August 15, and most recently, October, is now "accepting reservations for arrivals after February 1, 2011." When the hotel finally opens, it will be the third Indigo in the state, joining the midtown property near the FOX Theater and the new property in Athens near UGA. Taking advantage of an existing structure, the Carnegie Building, the Indigo downtown will feature Cafe Intermezzo as its on-site restaurant. I was told in late July that the restaurant would be open inside of "40 days," hopefully late August or early September. Given the current state of the lobby area, I find this hard to believe. I'd hope they would open before

Sushi Replacing Pizza in Virginia-Highland?

Genki Noodles & Sushi is adding a third location. Returning ITP after opening a second location last fall in The Prado on Roswell Road, the third location will be in Virginia-Highland. Strangely, the space they are said to be taking, 1040 N. Highland Avenue, is currently operating as Everybody's Pizza. Apparently Everybody's will be closing in the coming weeks and Genki will then start an extensive renovation, hoping to open early next year.


The current July/August issue of Jezebel features a half page ad for Genki where they

Buckhead Barbecue Joint Calls it Quits After 24 Years

Ribs Etc. , locally owned and operated since 1986, closed this past Saturday. Located on Roswell Road near Chastain Square shopping, the restaurant is adjacent to both Cafe at Pharr and 10 Degrees South. Ribs Etc. was started by John Pomeroy in 1986, in a smaller location less a half mile from its current space. In 2005, Clayton Cole, a former employee of Pomeroy purchased the restaurant and in 2009, current employee, Mitch Burdett came on as Managing Partner. When I reached someone at the business

Mystery Buckhead Restaurant Revealed!

Thanks to all who participated in the inaugural edition of "Mystery Restaurant." The game was well received and judging from the response, will hopefully be repeated in the future. The mystery restaurant and location is revealed after the jump!

Mystery Buckhead Restaurant Clue #7

Near the Golden Arches is where I sit,
Why, you can almost taste it...

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Mystery Buckhead Restaurant Clue #6

Buckhead will be the only the second of me ITP,
Hope my name is becoming clear to see.

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Mystery Buckhead Restaurant Clue #5

Two syllables make my name,
Do you know the answer to this game?

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Mystery Buckhead Restaurant Clue #4

Don't let the trash fool you, I have greenery in the back,

Hope this clue puts you on the right track.

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