Posted by Foodie Buddha
on June 12, 2012
Factoid: Nava, the longstanding “Southwestern” eatery from the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, is headed for the land of restaurants past. While I don’t think anyone from BLRG has officially gone on record, this has been rumored and considered by many people over the past months and years. The rumors are dead because this is now a fact. Nava is closing in August despite (or perhaps b/c of) the revitalization that’s happening in Buckhead. Because of that revitalization, Nava’s demise is not the only part to this story.
You see, one might argue that the intersection of Peachtree and East/West Paces Ferry is in fact the epicenter of Atlanta’s ritziest zip code. 3060 Peachtree Rd (the building that houses Nava) has kind of gotten the “Up” treatment in recent years; so you know someone was going to jump at the opportunity to move in. As it just so happens, it appears that someone is right outside the neighborhood gates.
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Posted by Foodie Buddha
on February 18, 2010
The James Beard Awards are the United States’ version of the food Oscars. Today, the JB Foundation announced their semifinalists for this years awards.
The neat thing about the awards is that have nationwide categories as well as regional categories. Much like last year, Atlanta area chefs has a handful of entrants. Pano Karatassos, Scott Peacock, and Kevin Gillespie got some national attention … as did Miller Union. In the Southeast region, locals Linton Hopkins and Billy Allin are in contention … so too is the soon to be local Hugh Acheson.
The winners will be announced in May, so for now all we can do is wait. You can find the full list on the JB website (warning: that’s a pdf). However, we’ll highlight the Atlanta standouts right after the jump!
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Posted by Foodie Buddha
on February 05, 2010
Yesterday, I mentioned that Food Network’s Chefs Vs City was philandering around Atlanta (in the foodie sense of the term). Turns out, their trip to Holeman + Finch was just one in a series of stops. As luck of the draw would have it, we caught CvC setting up shop in the Sweet Auburn Curb Market for a chitlins engagement. In between tasty burger bites at Grindhouse, I managed to snap the above picture.
If chitlins sound unappealing (cuz lord knows they stank something awful), it shouldn’t be a surprise feature. The premise of the show is that the two hosts (Aaron Sanchez and Chris Cosentino) hit up a city and challenge two local chefs to sample their cities most adventurous food. However, it appears that this episode will feature challengers of a different breed. Though I checked out a bit before filming began, I was told that Robert Irvine was one of the contestants. Irvine is a celebrity chef who has a habit of turning up on the FN.
Ah but the info doesn’t end there. Thanks to a heads up from @AtlantaDining, we’ve learned that CvC stopped in at The Buckhead Bread Company and the Atlanta Fish Market, two Buckhead Life restaurants. Though I haven’t been able to get secondary confirmation of that, AtlantaDining is a reliable source … definitely worth the follow.
Last but not least, some investigative blogging turned up that the Atlanta episode will air sometime this summer, during season two of the program.
Posted by Foodie Buddha
on January 06, 2010
Restaurants & Institutions (R&I) is one of those boutique mags that you’d go your entire life and never know existed. Still, it’s got a well known following amongst industry folk. Further to the point, they put out a handful of useful articles and reports in most every issue.
One such report is their yearly review of the Top 100 independent restaurants (in terms of gross revenue). It’s a pretty interesting list; however, those of you here in the ATL will definitely notice the lack of representation from the Capital of the South. The list itself is dominated by Las Vegas and New York City institutions. While Tao Las Vegas holds strong at #1 with roughly $65.5 million in sales, Atlanta’s lone representative is the Chops/Lobster Bar. With an impressive $13.5 million gross, I’d say that easily makes them the crown jewel of the Buckhead Life group.
Posted by Foodie Buddha
on November 18, 2009
It appears that Bistro Niko, the newest venture from the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, is a place to see and be seen. Even inside of a few days, the restaurant is dotted with 40-something Buckhead Bettys, dapperly dressed 60-something business men, Francophiles, and a few other odd and end type clientele. Somewhere in this mix, three yutes made their way over for an introductory meal.
The steady crowd is no doubt the result of a lauded reputation, some TV and press clippings (included in the notes), and a good bit of word of mouth traffic. Powered by father son duo Niko and Pano Karatassos as well as executive chef Gary Donlick, the restaurant has set forth some lofty, yet approachable expectations.
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Posted by Foodie Buddha
on April 24, 2009
Hot on the heels of places like BLT Steak and Craft Atlanta, while just ahead of Livingston, Paces 88 has opened at the St. Regis Hotel in Buckhead. Though it will be supplanted by the new BLRG restaurant, Paces 88 currently serves as the flagship, and sole, dining option at the St. Regis. This new entry into high brow Atlanta dining is a comfortable mix of old guard Southern style and new American cuisine. Though far from perfect, my initial experience here leaves me very optimistic for the future.
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Posted by Foodie Buddha
on March 14, 2009
I’ve actually got a slew of openings to report on! Unfortunately, today is a busy day for me so I’ll focus on just one for now. The St. Regis in Buckhead has been at the center of foodie talk with regards to the upcoming Pano’s restaurant. Well, the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group isn’t the only one getting in on the new digs.
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Posted by Foodie Buddha
on February 13, 2009
So I actually have a ton of work to do right now for my 9-5 … thus, this will be brief. Maybe I’ll come back later to add some context and some links…but in the meantime check out the several Atlanta culinary establishments and personalities that are semi-finalists for the foodie equivalent of the Oscars.
While Atlanta lacks the culinary depth of a place like Chicago, we do quite well at the top. The JBAs certainly seem to agree with me on the second part of that statement. 
As an aside: we launched two-months ago today – and I really wanted to write a thank you post and include a little prize for one lucky reader. I don’t have the time right now, so make sure to check back over the weekend (or perhaps Monday) for that post! Okay, onto the list!
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