Lamplighter, located in Atlanta’s Grant Park district has decided to cease operations as of February 1, 2009. Lamplighter, a Cappello & Company chef driven casual upscale concept was founded by Chef Carmen Cappello in August of 2008. Lamplighter was well received in the Grant Park area and received high marks from several food critics – including Cliff Bostock of Creative Loafing. “For now, we should be grateful for places like Lamplighter (280 Connally St., 404-835-7167), whose chef, Carmen Cappello, has created an affordable bistro-style café with great food. The Memorial Drive area is becoming a popular location for new restaurants, but there’s nothing of comparable quality to compete with Lamplighter so far.”

The decision by Chef Cappello and his team to close the restaurant was difficult, but the decision had to be made and was based mainly on the rash of criminal activity over the course of the last several months in the immediate Grant Park area. Lamplighter was not excluded from these activities, as the restaurant was burglarized over the Christmas holiday. While vigilantly pursuing all options to recover from this event, it was deemed impossible to re-open as Lamplighter due to the heavy burden placed on the financial position of the company.

Chef Carmen Cappello