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Ah Riccardo and my dear sweet Lupe Taqueria.  Situated right on Juniper Street in Midtown, I wanted so badly to enjoy your company, to appreciate your culinary statement, and your bubbling atmosphere.  Alas, it was not to be.  What you gave me was a failure of Titanic proportions.  In the blink of an eye you went from a place with so much promise to a dark sea struggling to provide me with the life jacket I so desperately needed.  The waters were murky, and that’s being more than generous.

Before I head on down this path of destruction, let us take a quick detour to clarify something for those of you who are not familiar with this blog.  First impressions should be considered for what they are.  It is absolutely impossible to consider a single meal, and particularly one that takes place inside of a restaurant’s IPO week, and proclaim the establishment a failure with any degree of certainty.  However, certain elements of the meal can hint at what is to come.

I am often called to task for my propensity to hold an establishment’s feet to the fire no matter how long they are open.  I’m particularly less forgiving in instances where the owner is an established restaurateur.

In that spirit, if people are willing to proclaim Antico as God’s gift to Atlanta’s pizza scene inside of one slice, then we have to be willing to consider all establishments against some reasonably similar criteria.  Put it this way, for every Matt Ryan, there are many more Ryan Leafs.  Unless some serious soul searching takes place, Lupe Taqueria will be headed to the dead pool faster than you can say “guacamole.”

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Restaurateur Riccardo Ullio is perhaps best known for his two Inman Park flagships (Fritti and Sotto Sotto).  However, he has opened and operated multiple establishments under the “U Restaurants” umbrella.  His latest venture goes by the name of Lupe and has taken over for his now defunct Cuerno.  I haven’t been over to see the space, so I can’t comment on the digs.

While Cuerno was a restaurant that focused on Spanish themed tapas and small plates, Lupe does the same thing, only with Mexican inspired fare.  A handful of guacamole dishes account for a majority of the apps.  That section is rounded out with some queso fundido con chorizo (melted cheese with chorizo sausage) and some ceviche selections.  The entrée options include taco plates, quesadillas, an enchilada option, a chile relleno, and a few other selections.  Coming in between $10 and $15 per entrée, it’s hard to say if it’s a value … at least until we get a chance to see the quality and portion control.

I’m a bit surprised that you’re required to do three tacos at a time (and those come with the obligatory rice and beans), but I’m encouraged by the available selection of meats.  The options include barbacoa de chivo (goat) and lengua (beef tongue) amongst the more “expected” options.  Though a number of those selections are available at taquerias up BuHi, there aren’t any good nearby options … so that’s a plus.

Where Lupe might be best suited to succeed is in the liquor department.  Their list of tequilas (pdf) is extensive, and that might draw a crowd all by itself.  Even if it doesn’t, you can always check out Ullio’s Beleza, a drinking lounge that is essentially next door to Lupe.

Lupe Restaurant Address & Information

905 Juniper St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 // 678.904.4584 // Lupe website // Lupe menu (pdf)

If you head over to 560 Dutch Valley Road this evening, you’ll bare witness to Amuse, yet another new Atlanta restaurant.  The team behind Amuse is a mix of Andy Alibaksh (via  Diem Restaurant Group: Après Diem, Carpe Diem, Carroll Street Cafe, Village Pizza Co.) and Arnaud Michel of Anis restaurant.  Whether that means the restaurant will hit the ground running or not remains to be seen.

For those keen observers, you’ll notice that 560 Dutch Valley is the same address once occupied by Allegro.  I’m not sure what has been done with the space, but my understanding is that it’s a French-inspired bistro serving fusion inspired tapas.  When news broke on the biz, we learned that Lenny Robinson was slated to be chef.  Robinson last displayed his skills at Peasant Bistro, but is best known for his time at Les Fleur de Lis Cafe.

Amuse Restaurant Address & Information
560 Dutch Valley Rd, Atlanta, GA 30324 // 404.888.1890

Tucked away in the depths of Decatur’s town square, a new food-stop has emerged to beckon the foodies, the adventurous eaters, and the hip.  Backed by a wealth of internet buzz (here, here, & here – just to name a few), The Iberian Pig supposedly opened this past evening.  Truth be told, the restaurant found themselves accepting business over the weekend; hence the inclusion of the word “supposedly” in the previous sentence.

While people have shuttered at the meat-centric name bestowed on that relatively new joint over on the Westside, the reference to Iberian pigs has seemingly drawn a great deal of praise.  The truth behind the name is that Iberian pigs are the source of Iberico ham, aka pata negra, aka jamón ibérico.  As the restaurant has made it a point to include the delicacy on the menu, the name seems apropos.  Why the French word for slaughterhouse caused such a ruckus, whereas the reference to a slaughtered piece of pork brought praise, is an unsolved mystery.

But we digress.  Back on point, good press will only get you so far.  For a restaurant to succeed, they need to deliver.  Like the clockwork that is my life, the Ambiguously Foodie Duo (one part me, one part this guy) set out last night to see how things were starting off.

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A couple of days ago I mentioned that a new tapas restaurant is scheduled to open in Midtown.  At the time, I didn’t know much about it.  The sign on the door told us that it was a Caribbean inspired restaurant and lounge.  Now, we have a bit more of the 411 and a sample menu (pdf).

The endeavor is a joint venture between Randee Gilliam, Michelle Rouse, and Tran Nguyen.  While publicly verifiable information on the trio is sparse, here’s what I’ve been told (and it ain’t much).  Rouse is a restaurateur who recently relocated to our beloved Dirty.  Meanwhile, Nguyen is one of those gals around town who seems to be a part of our ever thriving bar scene.  I *think* she has a degree from GSU, but that’s me just scrapping the bottom of my marble bag for that memory.  Truth is, I think I’ve actually shaken her hand … but don’t hold me to that.

As for the nitty gritty, they are hoping to get the place open in early November.  The aforementioned menu is built around Western Caribbean tapas.  I’ve been advised that the sample menu is just that.  Expect at least a few changes before it’s finalized.

Meanwhile, the space is getting a shakedown.  Out with the cookie cutter Asian decor and in with an updated lounge feel.  The Duckett Design Group is the responsible party and they are building in a 34 ft bar with seating for approximately 150 happening hipsters.

Sometime in the past few weeks, Eastern Pearl Chinese Restaurant said adios to Midtown, Atlanta.  Shortly thereafter, brown paper went up behind the windows and a sign announcing the future plans for 239 Ponce De Leon Ave was introduced.

According to the sign, a Caribbean tapas restaurant by the name of Entice A is in the works.  I have no idea who is behind it, or when they actually hope to open.

In the meantime, one must wonder what’s in store.  Nearby restaurants include Top Flr, Mary Mac’s, MF Sushi Bar, Papi’s, and the always crap-tastic Old Spaghetti Factory.  While the price point and culinary offerings from those restaurants couldn’t be more diverse, that’s an awful lot of food options to compete with.  I’ll keep my ear to the ground on this one and update ya’ll when/if I get any substantive information on Entice A.

Rare, the “soul tapas” restaurant in midtown, is preparing to reopen inside the next sixty-days.  Though you would never know it by their website, Rare closed down in 2008 due to a fire.  To be honest, this is somewhat of a surprise.  While I always thought the concept was interesting, the location for this place is pretty bad.  They are located on Piedmont just south of Ponce De Leon.  The strip mall they are in houses Aloha and Midtown tavern.  Not exactly a hotspot for culinary genius in that respect.  I am trying to confirm a hard date, and I’ll pass along any info as soon as possible.

Address: 554 Piedmont Ave NE Atlanta, GA 30308 // P: 404.541.0665 // Website // Menu (pdf)