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.
“Luck is the residue of opportunity and design. – Branch Rickey”
If it isn’t already, No. 246 (say it like it’s an area code) seems poised to be the next “it restaurant” in Atlanta and Decatur. While co-owner and executive chef Drew Belline mans the kitchen and his partner Ford Fry does the business stuff, Atlantans are filling this loudspeaker enclosure of an Italian restaurant like it’s nobody’s business. Quite the shock if you ask me. After all, I’ve waited well over two-months to recap my early day visits and we all know Atlanta hangs on my every word.
Just past two full trips, I will go so far as to say that of all the sub-six-month-old restaurants in and around the city, perhaps No. 246 is the one we should be most invested in. As of today (August 26th, 2011), No. 246 is another small step forward for Atlanta and its love child city of Decatur. This is not to say that 246 is without its problems (god knows there are some glaring ones); but, the list of places that do not suck has grown just a smidge longer.
I’m under a rock right now, hence the dearth of posts since Wednesday. In the meantime, here’s some stuff you can read elsewhere:
* In case you have joined me under said rock, you’ve probably heard about Eater’s big announcement. In case you haven’t heard: the online food news outlet launched their Atlanta outpost yesterday. To head up their Atlanta division, Eater secured the services of Jennifer Zyman, aka The Blissful Glutton. Zyman, who we learned has a stake in multiple Johnny Rockets, is well known for her work as a restaurant critic over at Creative Loafing. Fear not avid fans, Zyman confirmed that she will still produce some content for CL, just not at her past rate. [via Eater Atlanta]
Answer: Jay Swift, Anne Quatrano, Hugh Acheson, Chris Hastings, Kevin Gillespie, Bruce Logue. Question: Who are just a few of the awesome chef’s showing up at this years Attack of The Killer Tomato Festival?
Yes ladies and gents … it is that time again. Thanks to the good folks over at Georgia Organics, the Killer Tomatoes are back. Just like last year, the event will land at the Westside Urban Market, home to places like JCT Kitchen and Star Provisions. From 1pm – 5pm on Sunday August 8th, you’ll be able to indulge yourself in a sea of all things red.
To further wet your whistle, check out Savory Exposure’s recap of last years event. When you’re done with that, go check out Running With Tweezers flickr set. Tickets are $45 for Georgia Organics members and $50 for those of you who are not. However, prices go up this Saturday (to $65)… so I suggest you buy them now! Full details just after the jump!
Seeing as I’m actually in town, I figured … what the heck … I might as well post something. As luck would have it, today is Friday! And that means, it’s Inside The Chef’s Kitchen Day. Today’s participant is the longstanding executive chef/partner of JCT Kitchen & Bar.
Ford Fry has been a fixture on Atlanta’s culinary scene for some time and comes backed by several noteworthy awards and accomplishments. While JCT Kitchen and I haven’t always mixed well, it’s a restaurant with a solid reputation. Besides, you don’t end up on the Food Network for being a slouch.
In another one of life’s strange coincidences, I ended up at JCT for dinner last night. It was a strong meal highlighted by some impeccably fresh Otter Cove oysters and killer pork sliders (yes … those same sliders that I was so cold shoulder about).
There is no doubt that Fry is a skilled chef, a hard worker, and someone who focuses on making his restaurant and food a success. Three things this community should not overlook. So welcome Ford and welcome to ITCK!
Looking for something to do this weekend? Head down to Grant Park for the 7th annual Corks And Forks event. The event runs Saturday, August 29th and Sunday, August 30th (1-5pm both days). For $45/day, you have an opportunity to taste a lot of food and drink from a number of Atlanta restaurants. When you show up, you are given a bag of color-coded chips. The chips give you an opportunity to sample each eatery. However, food is limited, so get there early. Complete list after the jump!
JCT Kitchen just donkey punched me… alright, just had to get that out of the way.
I’ve been all up and over the Westside recently. In that spirit, it’s no surprise then that I found myself dining at JCT Kitchen yet again. It’s time to throw some more stars out, and so JCT gets the nod.
It’s a restaurant I’ve dined at a number of times over the last couple of years; early on, I felt the food drifted toward decent and solid. The unfortunate fact is that the more I visit JCT, the less I like it. In fact, elements of my last couple of meals have ping ponged back and forth between passable and horrendously terribly unforgivably bad (take that senior English teacher!). Alright peeps, no pictures for this one (crushing I know), but plenty of things to discuss.
