Posted by Foodie Buddha
on August 03, 2010
So yeah, this is a little like beating a dead horse, but here’s the latest on Empire State South, Hugh Acheson’s much discussed Atlanta endeavor.
After multiple delays, the Midtown restaurant is now scheduled for late August. This is stated on their website … but last time they did that, you know how that ended up. Frankly, I’m a little worn out on restaurants putting an opening date on their doors/websites/press/etc… when there is no way they can hit the date.
Also, Nick Melvin, who many know from his time at Parish in Inman Park, is set to run the kitchen. We’ll see how that shapes up. To date, I have yet to find Melvin’s food worthy of any real praise.
Other than that, the bocce ball court seems all but finished, there’ll be a coffee bar, and the rest is brew-haha and he said/she said.
Empire State South Restaurant Address & Information
999 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 // Empire State website
Posted by Foodie Buddha
on July 21, 2010
Grant Park’s Young Augustine’s rose from the ashes of The Standard early this year. This neighborhood take on the gastro pub is the brainchild of Chris Johnson, owner of The Standard, Andy Gonzales, a well traveled chef, and Kyle Faucher, the manager who I know little about. While the fate of the Standard seemed set by a series of tragic circumstances, these three gents set out to infuse the space with a bit of life.
Frequenters of 327 Memorial’s previous tenant will remember the joint for its dive bar atmosphere and low-brow bar food. That’s all a distant memory. The one notable holdover is the bocce ball court out back. On the other hand, the interior has been blown open, leaving a community table in the middle and a long, polished wood bar against the back wall. Taking it all in one Saturday afternoon, and on the heels of some rather flattering reviews, I had high hopes for YA’s. Unfortunately, the interior was the first thing, and just about the last thing, that I actually enjoyed during my one meal there.
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Posted by Foodie Buddha
on May 11, 2010
Last we heard, Athens’ culinarian Hugh Acheson was expanding his empire to the Capital Peach. This past April, he hoped to open Empire State South. Things didn’t go as planned and the space (located at 999 Peachtree St) is still under construction. Today, in Hugh’s post about bocce ball, Acheson mentioned that things might be ready in August. Time will tell … stay tuned!
Posted by Foodie Buddha
on February 13, 2010
Georgia has long been unofficially known as the Empire State of the South. Now, it looks like we’re finally ready to make that official (at least in the restaurant world). Empire State South is set to be the first foray into the Atlanta dining scene for the accomplished Hugh Acheson. Sporting a progressive take on Southern cuisine, Empire State is destined to add a whole new class level to the meat and three concept. Meanwhile, it will serve as the anchor restaurant for the 999 Peachtree Street office and retail building in Midtown, Atlanta.
For the better part of a year, we’ve known of Acheson’s intentions to open Empire State South. Initially, the opening date was identified as Spring 2010. Now, according to the restaurant’s website, that season has been narrowed down to April of this year. More details after the jump!
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Posted by Foodie Buddha
on December 14, 2009
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.
