Panchero's Mexican Grill Making Play For Atlanta

Panchero's Mexican Grill, though around since 1992 is only now entering the Atlanta market. With approximately 55 units around the country, the chain is relatively small in comparison to rivals such as Denver based Chipotle Mexican Grill (over 500 units), Atlanta based Moe's Southwest Grill (over 400 units) and Thousand Oaks, California based Baja Fresh (over 300 units). Panchero's features a similar menu to the aforementioned competition but differentiates itself by "pressing" tortillas in front of the customer, made to order. They will open at 400 W. Peachtree between the new W Hotel and the Twelve Hotel. No sign states an opening, from what can be seen from the outside, I'd expect for them to be open within 30 days.

***According to a rep from Panchero's HQ, the opening was to be the February 10th but has since been delayed to the 17th.
Repeat Atlanta!

BLT Opens At W Downtown!

BLT Steak from chef Laurent Tourondel ("BLT" being Bistro Laurent Tourondel) opened this week at the new W Downtown Hotel and Residences. After being announced, then delayed, the restaurant finally opened to a warm welcome. A visit during the peak of the lunch hour saw much of the restaurant filled and many smiling faces. The resaurant serves breakfast lunch and dinner and features a surprisingly large breakfast. Repeat Atlanta!

FLIP,Not A Flop, Additional Locations Planned

FLIP Burger Boutique, which opened last month in west midtown on Howell Mill Road seems to be doing well, or so it would seem after the announcement of additional locations in the coming months. Richard Blais, whose Trail-Blais consulting business assisted in the FLIP concept announced earlier today that there will be additional locations in east Atlanta, Washington D.C. and another as yet undetermined location. He has ample opportunity to scope out potential cities as hes often traveling doing demos and appearances. Repeat Atlanta!

"W-tante" Event At W Buckhead Truly Wonderful Way To Spend A Weeknight!

Noble Investment Group officially opened their second Atlanta area W Hotel Thursday night with an event dubbed the "W-Tante". Invite only guests included local and national celebrities alike including jeweler Mark Edge and Tom Sullivan of Atlanta & Company. Former Braves pitcher John Rocker was seen in attendance (though not on the guest list) was ejected from the event after verbally assaulting local radio personality Steak Shapiro while in Whiskey Blue. Rande Gerber of the Gerber Group was spotted in his uber chic club posing for a few pictures and fielding questions on his ever expanding portfolio. Sophia Bush of the CW's "One Tree Hill" was also spotted enjoying the party. Former NBA star Kevin Willis and former Atlanta Mayor, Sam Massell, as well as actress Michelle Trachtenberg, could also be seen perusing the crowd. Though the property is small, it is rather chic, as would be expected from design guru, Thom Filicia, who was also in attendance. The hotel went through a major renovation with the addition of both the Market restaurant and Whiskey Blue club. Both spots are reasonably nice but seemed to become crowded somewhat quickly. The hotel overall is small in size; a true "boutique" feel. Though R.A. was able to view rooms at the W Midtown opening event last year, rooms seemed not available for viewing at this property. The size of the rooms, however, must match the rest of the property, especially considering the current W Hotel Buckhead was originally a Days Inn. All in all, the W Buckhead is a charming hotel and a welcome addition to the Buckhead community.

Repeat Atlanta!

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Will W Downtown Woo You?

At long last, the eagerly anticipated opening of the W Downtown is finally near. Tuesday January 27, the hotel will open to guests and will be the first W hotel built from the ground up as a W. All others in the Atlanta market were retrofitted from brands like Sheraton, Day's Inn and Extended Stay, so expect to be WOWed by this new property. Despite rumors to the contrary, BLT Steak will open as well as Atlanta's second BLISS spa. Repeat Atlanta!

Really Bad For Real Housewife Of Atlanta

Real Housewife of Atlanta star, Sheree Whitfield appears to have more financial troubles than anyone knew. According to this weeks Atlanta Business Chronicle, her long since closed west midtown boutique Bella Azul has a tax lien on it, owing the state over $66K. This factoid, a little curious given her current financial situation and the fact that word was that the store closed as Bob, her former husband had pulled the money plug. Within the past few weeks she abandoned a lawsuit against her former husband and former Falcons player Bob Whitfield as she said "he's broke." Repeat Atlanta!