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With the opening of Deadwood Saloon at 66 12th St NE, the Crescent Ave restaurant strip just got a little more crowded (again).  Deadwood has moved into the space that formerly housed Twisted Taco and opened with an attempt to bring something “unique” to Atlanta.  Strip away the cow-covered chairs, Captain Morgan statue, and kitschy thematics, what you have is a bar hiding out as a restaurant. 

The layout of the space is essentially the same; however, the patio out front is a little more refined and there is now an upstairs deck.  The latter might have been there before, but I was never sober during previous visits to the space to confirm or deny that.  So far, the menu looks like a mish-mash of funkified Tex-Mex and basic American food.  Details after I sample it.  The website is up, but still getting filled in.

Deadwood Saloon Restaurant Address & Information
66 12th St NE, Atlanta, GA 30361 // 404.671.4290 // Deadwood website // Deadwood menu // Deadwood on facebook

The Thirsty Dog Tavern is set to open on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 in the Peachtree Hills/Brookwood Hills area.  Located at 2110 Peachtree Rd, the Thirsty Dog is taking over the old Mick’s space (via the defunct VITA).  If that doesn’t help you place TDT, maybe this will: It’s essentially in the same strip center as the Houston’s on Peachtree and just south of Varasano’s Pizzeria.

I wasn’t able to look inside, but judging by the “salacious” pictures and sparse text on their website, this seems like a close cousin to The Tilted Kilt chain.  What I do know is that there is a strong emphasis on being pet friendly and sports, as there are 15 flat-screens on site.

Thirsty Dog Restaurant Address & Information
2110 Peachtree Rd. Atlanta, GA, 30309 // 404.367.8482 // Thirsty Dog Tavern website

Later today, Atlanta’s best bar meets restaurant (a.k.a. Holeman + Finch) is set to be a location for an upcoming episode of the Food Network’s Chefs Vs City.

The premise of the show centers around a challenge from the show’s hosts (one part Aarón Sánchez and one part Chris Cosentino).  They find two local foodies chefs and dare the challengers to eat some of the more adventurous dishes from the city they call home.  While I’m not one of the challengers (good thing – cuz I’ll put most any dish in my tummy), it’s no surprise the H+F showed up on the schedule.

The gastro pub is best known for their burger, their hot dog [it is freakin awesome], and their cocktails.  However, true fans know that the establishment serves up what most people would call “exotic” parts of the animal.  Chances that the veal brains and/or the rabbit livers show up? I’d say strong to very strong.  More later as the details leak out.

While stumbling around the Westside on Saturday night, Noodles, Dallas, and I stuck our heads in over at Ormsby’s.  This place seems ripe for success.  We all know that the Westside has exploded over the past 12-months.  However, with the army of new establishments that have show up, not a single one of them went the route of the neighborhood bar. That’s about to change with the imminent opening of Warren Bruno’s Ormsby’s.  It isn’t open just yet … but we got a little tour of the über cool space.

Upstairs is the sit down and eat section of the bar.  Approximately 2,500 sq feet is split between the kitchen and the public area.  There will be a little couch lounge for chilaxin, while the booths that line the brick walls will soon have inlay checkers and backgammon boards … UMM … AWESOME!!!!

Downstairs is 3,000 sq feet of pure unadulterated kickassness (yes that’s a word).  In addition to a drink stand, there is shuffleboard, darts, pool, and a video game cabinet complete with 41 games of childhood treats.  There are a few other cool surprises for you, which I won’t ruin; however, the coolest of the cool is the bocce ball court [ABOVE] in the back of the space.  Let’s just say Buddha tested … Buddha APPROVED!

While I sat there all giddy, Noodles confirmed that the draft and bottled beer selection should keep you beer mongers happy.  Meanwhile, Mike Guut told us that they will have a full array of libations for those of you like me … who lika da sauce.  I’m not 100% sure when they’ll actually let people in, but it seems that by next week, you should be able to walk in and enjoy the fun.

The  north end of Inman Park is packed with small businesses, a few markets, and a number of restaurants.  Amongst them, the Albert has been a long standing member of the community and the area’s requisite watering hole.  While it might not seem worthy of a foodie review, I can assure you it is.

The restaurant itself sort of meanders back and forth between a dive bar and a pub.  The majority of seats in the place are either at the bar or at a booth; and, a handful of offbeat pieces of artwork, a Golden Tee machine, a pool table, and a few TVs will keep you entertained.

The food is straight up bar fare with chicken fingers, wings, burgers, BLT’s and the like as your options du jour.  It’s all decent, given what it is, and the prices and portions are more than reasonable.  A fixed rotation of daily specials can make a trip to the Albert down right ridiculously cheap, and the chilled out vibe will almost always guarantee a good time.

Mind you, it’s a place for the everyman, where tattoos, button downs, and everything in between, are welcome.  Sure, sometimes the food is a little overcooked, and you might catch a few too many lit cigarettes if you’re a non-smoker, but as a hangout spot, the Albert is well oiled.  They aren’t trying to offer the beer menu of The Brick Store or the gastro-inspired food of The Porter, they’re just trying to be themselves.  Though I’ve never actually grabbed a table, the staff and service are always friendly, and I’ve never left feeling fleeced or cheated.  Similar to The Local, The Albert has become a popular hang out, and for good reason.

Note: The picture, starring Todd the bartender, came courtesy of the Albert website, hopefully – they don’t mind

The Albert Restaurant Address & Information

918 Austin Ave Atlanta, GA 30307 // 404.872.4990 // The Albert website // The Albert menu
The Albert on facebook

Overall:

Part gastro pub, more neighborhood hangout, Cypress Street Pint & Plate has become a popular chill out zone in Midtown, Atlanta.  As the term gastro pub has become completely overused, Cypress Street is really just a bar with a slightly elevated menu.  In that thinking, some come for the food, some come for the brew, and many come for the atmosphere.  Regardless of why you visit, this joint has gotten a lot of love (here and here) in their year-and-a-half of business.  In my world, I find this place more than agreeable, but lacking any true elevating quality.

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The 1080 block of Peachtree is bustling with new life.  In the past few months, we’ve seen Noon Midtown start to serve up gourmet sandwiches and RA slice up some “progressive” sushi.  Now, the latest entry to the Crescent Avenue strip is Rí Rá Irish Pub.

Armed with all the fixins of what everyone expects out of a snazzy Irish pub, Rí Rá has subtly announced their lofty standards.  I must admit that this chain was unknown to me until word hit that they were opening here in town.  Even then, I didn’t spend a lot of time reading up on the place.  It turns out that our recent dinner there was a bit more informative than I anticipated.

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Hope ya’ll had a pleasant weekend. I know I did.  As you might expect, the past few days have left me worn down and fried.  So, rather than pen a full review, first impression, or the like, I have decided to hit ya’ll up with some quick notes about some recent goings-on in the ATL.

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As I sit here at Taco Mac in Midtown, I can’t think of a better way to get a little tipsy than to enjoy a sweet tea vodka.  Well, that was until I stumbled upon this jewel.  Apparently, a bar in the UK is releasing alcoholic mist into the air.  Apparently, if you stand around for about 40-minutes, you’ll have had one fairly strong drink!  Awesomeness!

Alright, gonna go get my drink on – eat some food and hit ya’ll up later with my review of Paces 88.

[via Fast Company]