Tilted Kilt landing in Dunwoody

Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery will soon be taking over the former Max & Erma's building on the corner of Abernathy Road and Mt. Vernon Highway in Dunwoody.

The original Tilted Kilt opened in 2003 inside the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.  Known as a Scottish version of Hooters, Tilted Kilt offers pub-fare food with such items as the Dublin Burger, Tilted Wings, The Scottish Cheese Steak Sandwich, and Flannary's TK Steak.  For those late-nighters, there is a full bar and a wide variety of original cocktails.  The staff's uniform:  knee high socks, (short) plaid kilts, matching plaid halter tops, and white camp-shirts tied to show off the midriff.  

Located in the Perimeter Pointe shopping center at 1155 Mt Vernon Highway, the Dunwoody Tilted Kilt will be 6,800 square feet and include a covered outdoor patio. Other tenants in the center include Regal Cinemas, LA Fitness, Michael’s, Babies R Us, Stein Mart, Home Goods, The Sports Authority, Office Depot, Chick Fil-A, Atlanta Bread Company, Starbucks, Happy Summo, and the soon-to-open Galla’s Pizza.


Information gathered from:  www.tiltedkilt.com

Deadwood Saloon taking over Twisted Taco in Midtown

Sarju Patel, owner of the famous "Churchill’s British Pub" in Buckhead, will soon be opening Deadwood Saloon in the former Twisted Taco space in Midtown.  

Open for almost 10 years, Twisted Taco is wanting to concentrate more on their franchise expansion in the outlying areas of Atlanta.  With little-to-none saloon/western-type bars in Midtown, Patel saw this as a great opportunity to create a niche in the trade area.  Deadwood Saloon will offer American fare and bar food including such fire-grilled dishes as saloon burgers, grilled chicken, and their original homemade chips. Open for lunch, dinner, and late-night, the saloon will be a 180 from Churchill's in Buckhead, but is still striving to create a laid-back atmosphere "servin' all your favorite libations".

Deadwood Saloon is expected to open this month and will be located at 66 12th Street.

Information gathered from: www.deadwoodatlanta.com

Goin' Coastal Seafood coming to VA Highland

Goin' Coastal Seafood will soon be opening in the former FIGO space at the corner of Virginia Avenue and N Highland Avenue. 

After their success in Downtown Canton, Chef Zach Kell will soon be transforming the fast-casual Italian nook to a "sustainable seafood joint" featuring unique dishes such as Sullivan's Island Shrimp, Coastal Linguine, Coca Cola & Hoisin Marinated Flat Iron, and Lobster and Peekytoe Crab Cakes.  In additional to their great assortment of appetizers, Goin' Coastal also will serve soups, salads, coastal platters, and several southern sides such as Jalapeno Corn Bread Pudding and Creamy Cheesy Grits.  Open for lunch and dinner, this should be a great addition to the one-off restaurants and taverns in the Virginia Highland market.

Goin' Coastal Seafood will be located at 1021 Virginia Avenue and plans to be open by the Fall.

Information gathered from:  www.goincoastalseafood.com

Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub coming to Brookhaven

Executive Chef Joey Riley will soon be leaving the Buckhead Diner to open his own concept on Dresden Drive in Brookhaven called "Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub". 

With the re-vitalization of the surrounding neighborhoods and retail, many one-off restaurants such as Haven, Verde Taqueria, and Valenza have now made this corridor of Dresden Drive their home for several years.  Riley will be featuring seasonal dishes on the menu and plans on working with local farmers to bring as many fresh, organic items as possible.  Striving to create an atmosphere with great food in a neighborhood environment, Kaleidoscope defines themselves as "a place we can all call home at an affordable price and still be a chef driven concept."

Kaleidoscope will be located at 1410 Dresden Drive on an endcap space at Village Place Brookhaven.  Other concepts in the development include: Verde Taqueria, J. Christopher's, 10 Ten, Allure, The Mercantile, Davonshire, Natural Body Spa & Shop, Pro Cleaners, Library Coffee Company, and the soon-to-open Yoforia.  Kaleidoscope is expected to open in October.


Information gathered from:  http://kaleidoscopebistro.com/ 

Grind House Killer Burgers comes to Morningside!

After just a year of successful burgers and milkshakes on Edgewood Avenue, Grind House Killer Burgers will soon have a 2nd location in the Morningside area at 1842 Piedmont Avenue. 

Surrounded by numerous one-off neighbors such as Franco's, Fat Matts Rib Shack, and Taco Cabana, Grind House will be located in the former Atlanta Autoclean Hand Wash building on the corner of Piedmont Avenue and Wimbledon Road.  Short and sweet is the recipe for Grind House's success - their menu consists of turkey, beef, and veggie burgers accompanied by a handful of southern sides such as Vidalia Onion Rings and Grindhouse Cole Slaw.  Their hand-spun milkshakes have made a name for themselves...and are the perfect treat if you're walking around the Sweet Auburn Curb Market.

Being the only burger concept along this corridor of Piedmont Avenue, Grind House is hoping to make a big splash in the Morningside area. The 2nd location will be approximately 2,300 SF and plans to open early Fall.

Information gathered from: www.grindhouseburgers.com

Restaurant Industry Outlook Continuing to Improve!

For the first time in 22 months, restaurant operators reported net positive same-store sales.  Restaurant operators also reported a net increase in customer traffic in March, the first positive reading in 31 months. Hudson Riehle, Sr. VP of Research for the National Restaurant Association, stated that “restaurant operators reported net gains in both same-store sales and customer traffic in March, the first time in 31 months that both indicators stood in positive territory.”

The Current Situation Index, which measures current trends in four industry indicators (same-store sales, traffic, labor and capital expenditures), stood at 99.0 in March – up a solid 2.4 percent from February’s level of 96.7. The Expectations Index, which measures restaurant operators’ six-month outlook for four industry indicators (same-store sales, employees, capital expenditures and business conditions), stood at 101.9 in March – up 0.5 percent from February and its strongest level in nearly three years. In addition, the Expectations Index stood above the 100 level for the third consecutive month, which signifies expansion in the forward-looking indicators

Restaurant operators are growing more optimistic about their sales prospects in the months ahead. Fifty percent of restaurant operators expect to have higher sales in six months (compared with the same period in the previous year), up from 44 percent who reported similarly last month and the strongest level in 33 months. 

Information gathered from: www.restaurantnewsresource.com

Farm Burger opens in Downtown Decatur

Farm Burger recently opened in the former Voila space across from Taqueria del Sol in Downtown Decatur.  

Positioned in an endcap adjacent to Watershed (famous restaurant founded by Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls) Farm Burger is the newest build-your-own gourmet burger concept...with a sustainable twist.  Their burgers are made from 100% grassfed beef that is dry-aged for two weeks and ground daily. Their cows are raised on the sweet grasses of the southeast, and never fed antibiotics, hormones, or grain. Their menu is seasonal and sourced from local farms. Also serving salads, sides, wine, and beer, Farm Burger is striving to create a "marriage of ethical food and farming" while offering America's favorite sandwich.

Farm Burger is located at 410 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue in Downtown Decatur.

Information gathered from:  http://www.farmburger.net/

Bamboo China Bistro landing in East Cobb

Bamboo China Bistro will soon be opening across from the Avenue East Cobb in Columbia Properties' LA Fitness-anchored shopping center, Merchants Exchange.

Open for lunch and dinner, menu items will include traditional Chinese and Thai dishes such as Kung Pao, Masaman Curry, Mo Shu, Lo Mein, and Pad Thai. To appeal to those watching their lbs, they also offer a healthy vegetarian lunch and dinner platters, tofu, and a wide variety of vegetables. With over 44,000 vehicles per day driving by the center along Roswell Road (Hwy 120), Bamboo China Bistro is hoping to capitalize on the high-income neighborhoods and surrounding schools in the immediate area.

Bamboo China Bistro will be located at 4400 Roswell Road, Marietta GA, 30062.


Information gathered from: http://bamboochinabistro.com/

Baroni Italian taking over Wolfgang Puck Express in Buckhead

Costanzo Astarita and Mario Maccarrone, owners of Baraonda and Publik, will soon be taking over the former Wolfgang Puck Express space in Buckhead with their newest concept - Baroni Italian.

After their success with Baroanda, Costanzo and Mario are planning a similar formula for Baroni - a casual, yet sophisticated atmosphere with reasonably priced dishes. The menu is still in the process of being finalized, but will primarliy consist of pasta, pizza, and paninis. Located on the endcap into the main entrance into Brookwood Place shopping center, the restaurant will be 4,006 SF with a 447 SF patio overlooking Peachtree Street.

Baroni is set to open in the coming weeks and will be located at 1745 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Information gathered from: www.baraondaatlanta.com

Wet Willie's lands in Lindbergh

Wet Willie's is now packing them in at 2450 Piedmont Road, adjacent to the Lindbergh MARTA station.

Started in 1988, Wet Willie's is an innovative concept offering bar-type munchies and a daiquiri spinner-bar that would be comparable to an adult version of a Slushy machine. Their dining menu includes everything from chicken wings, angus burgers, quesadillas, sandwiches, nachos, soups, and salads. However, their specialty....exotic drinks and an extensive line of unique frozen daiquiris. From a "Monkey Shine" to a "Shock Treatment" to a "Monster Melon" Willie's will satisfy any happy-hour craving you may have. If that doesn't do the trick, they also offer wine by the glass, domestic and imported beer, liquor drinks, and jell-o shooters. With 12 flat screen TVs, 4 mega-projectors, and artsy and energetic murals, the atmosphere of Wet Willie's adds even more life to this growing trade area.

This will be Wet Willie's 10th location in the Southeast - existing locations include: Savannah, Charleston, Miami Beach, Hollywood FL, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Columbia, Louisville, and Memphis. Soon to come will be locations in Charlotte, Myrtle Beach, and Fayetteville NC. Jack Arnold with Carter represented the Landlord in the transaction at Lindbergh.

Information gathered from: www.wetwillies.com

Brooklyn Joe's coming to Canton!

Brooklyn Joe's recently inked a deal to lease the opposite endcap from Cheeseburger Bobby's at Canton Marketplace at I-575 and Highway 20.

Brian Miller, founder and creator of Alessio's Restaurant and Pizzeria, opened the first Brooklyn Joe's restaurant at Deerfield Place shopping center in Alpharetta. With over 20 years of restaurant experience, Brian focuses on quality ingredients, exceptional service, value, and a fun family atmosphere. Brooklyn Joe's has a full Lunch and Dinner menu consisting of Appetizers, Salads, Wings, Oven Baked Pasta, Daily Specials, Pizza, Deli Sandwiches, Paninis, Desserts, Beer & Wine, and Soft Drinks.

Brooklyn Joe's will be leasing a 2,478 square foot space in the outparcel building between Chick Fil-A and McDonald's. Amy Goldsmith with Sembler represented the Landlord in the transaction, Jimmy Davis with Colliers International represented Brooklyn Joe's.

Information gathered from: http://www.brooklynjoespizza.com/

EVOS Opening at Roswell Market Place!

EVOS will soon be opening in the former Rugs International space at Roswell Market Place, located at Highway 9 & Mansell Road in Roswell.

Founded in 1994, Tampa, FL-based EVOS sets themselves apart from other fast-casual concepts by offering a healthy alternative. The concept’s name originated from the word "evolve"... and EVOS is successfully doing this in Atlanta by offering great-tasting food with reduced calories and no trans fats or processed food. Their unique menu consists of burgers made with hormone-free beef, air-baked fries (Airfries™), sandwiches & wraps, salads, organic milkshakes, and a variety of healthy options for kids. For you ketchup lovers out there (like me), EVOS has created "Ketchup Karma" - a line of specialty-flavored ketchups that include Original Americana, Garlic Gravity, Mesquite Magic and Cayenne Firewalker.

Located opposite from Chipotle and Starbucks, this will be EVOS 3rd location in the Atlanta MSA. Melody Holley with Colliers International represented the Landlord in the transaction, Jimmy Davis with Colliers International represented EVOS.

Information gathered from: http://www.evos.com/

Tin Lizzy's Coming to Midtown!

Tin Lizzy's will soon be opening in the former Fuego Spanish Grill, located at 1136 Crescent Avenue in Midtown.

First planting their roots on the corner of Roswell Road and Piedmont Road in Buckhead, Tin Lizzy's is known for its laid-back and rustic atmosphere, unique patio seating, and singer/songwriter entertainment. Simple and priced right, their menu consists of variety of tacos, quesadillas and nachos, boneless chicken strips, dips, fresh salads, and homemade desserts. Combine the full bar with the inviting surroundings, and you have the perfect home for happy hours and networking events.

This space will be 3,000+/- square feet and should see tremendous lunch business with the surrounding office components along Peachtree Street. Tin Lizzy's is hoping to open the Midtown location before the Spring...just in time for Margarita season!

Information gathered from: www.tinlizzyscantina.com

One Cafe Blanc Opening in Foreclosed Renaissance Walk

One Cafe Blanc will be opening soon at Renaissance Walk on the corner of Piedmont Avenue and Auburn Avenue.

Serving everything from custom-made salads and burgers to freshly prepared meals to-go (such as Whole Foods and Alons), One Cafe Blanc is striving to offer not only fullfilling meals, but a healthy solution to those customers on-the-go. There will be a coffee and pastry element to the concept, similar to Starbucks, in the hopes of capturing some of the walking traffic from the GA State students. Additionally, they will offer a variety of vegetarian selections as well as special foods for customers on low sugar and low salt diets.

Although Renaissance Walk is currently in foreclosure with only a few condos occupied, One Café Blanc feels confident they will succeed due to the college student traffic from Georgia State University and the 3 dormitories within walking distance.

Information gathered from: www.whatnowatlanta.com