We're Pumped, Anticipating a Year Full of Delightful Atlanta Restaurant Openings

It's going to be a delectable new year! We're looking ahead with mouths watering in anticipation of all of the tantalizing newcomers entering Atlanta's restaurant scene in 2014. We'll keep you abreast of the details as the year progresses.

A second location of Bantam + Biddy opens in Midtown on January 13, increasing the flock of fast-casual, all-natural poultry eateries for Atlanta chefs Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere. To crow about: caffeine. The new roost on Crescent Avenue will house an espresso bar serving Batdorf & Bronson coffees at breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

St. Cecilia, patroness of music and the name of Ford Fry's newest destination is housed in the former Bluepointe space at the corner of Lenox and Peachtree roads in Buckhead. Executive chef Brian Horn's culinary style is heavily influenced by the European coast and the Ligurian coast. The menu will feature light olive oils, simple yet perfect pasta, wood-roasted fish and produce from the Southeast. The food and beverage team including pastry chef Chrysta Poulos (King + Duke) and Lara Creasy overseeing libations are in perfect harmony for the January 13 opening.

Commanding a panoramic view from high atop Hilton Atlanta, iconic Nikolai's Roof unveils a million dollar new look and menu Winter 2014. Devotees will appreciate both the nod to Russian heritage and executive chef Stephanie Alderete's of-the-moment yet timeless menu, available à la carte or in three-, four- and six-course options. Formal gloves and gold-domed plates are gone, impeccable service lives on. 

Superica is Ford Fry's 2014 addition to Krog Street Market, which opens this spring in Inman Park. Austin, Texas-inspired Mex-Tex fare of tamales, enchiladas, tacos and margaritas, wood-burning grills and an indoor/outdoor patio designed to stage live music have us cheering an anticipatory "Ole!"

Makan debuts this spring in Decatur, bringing the street foods of Hong Kong, Taiwan and Korea to the lively little city. We're looking forward to supping on George Yu's Asian comfort food both inside and out on the patio at the restaurant and experiencing its night market feel within the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel at 130 Clairemont Avenue.

Chris Hadermann and JP Piemonte, the guys behind The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill, Milton's Cuisine & Cocktails and Osteria Cibo Rustico, have three Buckhead restaurant personalities in the works, each offering craft cocktails and lunch and dinner seven days a week plus live music. We're poised with napkins ready, anticipating generous servings of 'cue and Southern culture when Smokebelly opens in late February at 128 East Andrews Drive in Buckhead. Executive chef Darrell Rice plans well-rubbed smoked and non-smoked meats and guest appearances by smoked alligator and more. Whiskey, bourbon and moonshine cocktails will reflect a speakeasy era. Gypsy Kitchen will open in early July at Peachtree Street and Buckhead Avenue in the Streets of Buckhead. Here, we'll go global for Spanish fusion influenced by Indian, Moroccan and Southeast Asian flavors. The Southern Gentleman shares space with Gypsy Kitchen. He tips his hat toward a Southern gastropub menu where ingredients from the group's farm at Milton's will play a big role.

Kennesaw friends, sit tight. FlexMex and margaritas are coming your way this summer when fun-loving Tin Lizzy's Cantina opens in your neck of the woods!

Healthy Dining Options Keep Your 

Resolve from Dissolving

TBK Ahi-Quinoa Bowl 

Be honest with yourself about healthy eating. Holing up with a case of V8, cottage cheese and a treadmill may seem like a fast save for holiday over indulgences, but the relationship probably won't last into February. Atlanta-area restaurants prove wise lunch and dinner choices can be delicious, low-cal and social.

Article 14 makes the case for a healthier Midtown lunch with pan-roasted Scottish salmon served over Anson Mills organic farro tossed with slow-roasted tomatoes, fresh herbs and broccoli rabe.

The Big Ketch Saltwater Grill casts many satisfying, good-for-you choices. The Buckhead restaurant provides a low-calorie lunch menu option as well as dishes such as TBK ahi-quinoa bowl with seared ahi tuna, crunchy macadamia nuts and toasted sesame seeds over a quinoa-couscous salad dressed with fresh herbs and vegetables and sweet Asian vinaigrette.

Mom sighting at Hearth Pizza Tavern in Sandy Springs! Their "Mom Says, 'Eat Your Veggies!'" pizza piles on spinach, roasted red peppers, broccoli, roasted crimini mushrooms, butternut squash, homemade marinara and premium cheeses. Salads rake in even more veggies.

Good neighbor Marlow's Tavern looks out for its friends with a seasonal pomegranate ahi tuna salad made with red and golden beets, field greens, baby spinach, pomegranate seeds, red onion, slivered almonds and pomegranate vinaigrette. Antioxidant jackpot!

Ray's on the River's ginger-soy tuna packs in major flavor, minor calories and plates up with bok choy, shiitake mushroom jus and a ginger-soy glaze.

Tin Lizzy's Cantina notes heart-healthy options on its menu. Try the veggie taco, filled with veggie rice, black beans, grilled onions and peppers and creamy avocado sauce

The Cook's Warehouse Winter Classes Will Sharpen Your Kitchen Skills 

Game-X Free Game Play Week Puts More Fun in Your New Year

Flex Your Mex to Create the Top Taco in the Tin Lizzy's Cantina 5th Annual Taco Contest Beginning January 6

 

Atkins Park Restaurant & Bar Santa Ride Spins $1,300 to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Fundraising Efforts