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Also, don't forget to vote for the best pizza pie in Atlanta! The pizza wars are on and Repeat Atlanta wants to know where you stand in this sloppy cheese and sauce toss!

Wolfgang Puck Making a Quick Getaway, More To Follow?

Wolfgang Puck Express which opened at Selig Enterprises' Brookwood Place in August 2003 will be closing its doors as of this Saturday September 12. After delays in opening as a result of its location next to Spa Sydell, it finally opened to much fanfare with Wolfgang Puck himself in the restaurant for the the grand opening. That same month, Emeril Lagasse opened Emeril's Atlanta in One Alliance Center in the heart of Buckhead but was panned by critics and local media and closed last April. Sorry to say it but Celebrity chefs have not and will continue to have limited success in our fair city. BLT Steak by Laurent Tourondel at the W Downtown is a prime example of the new crop of celebrity chef's foray into the Atlanta market with marginal results. Having dined their, we can say with the utmost of certainty, its not nearly the "it" spot that its sibling restaurants in NYC are and not nearly as popular or as talked about. Tom Colicchio's Craft restaurant and Spice Market and Market by chef Jean-George Vongerichten are novelty additions to an already crowed restaurant landscape. We here are Repeat Atlanta are far more fond of local establishments than chain and celebrity endorsed and or operations establishments that have flooded the city in recent years. On a positive note, local restaurateurs Nan and Charlie Niyomkul of Nan Thai Fine Dining and Tamarind Seed are progressing on their new eatery "Vertigo" in the old Taurus space next door to Wolfgang Puck Express. Said to feature traditional Thai barbecue, the restaurant is said to be on schedule to open in late November. Repeat Atlanta!

Grindhouse Aims To Kill It Downtown

Opening next week, Grindhouse Killer Burgers is the latest in what seems to be a growing trend of boutique burger joints. Owner Alex Brounstein has taken over the old Red's Tasty Express in the Sweet Auburn Curb Market at 209 Edgewood Ave. Located in downtown Atlanta, not far from Georgia State University, the eatery's location is between three student dorms that together house nearly 3,000 students! Though the area in which it is located may not be thought of as the safest by some, it's the revitalization and redevelopment of real estate downtown that will make the progress necessary for downtown to thrive in ways it has not recently. With a menu unlike our local Flip, it more closely resembles Flip burger that is located inside Bloomingsdale's New York flagship. With options of single or double patties of fresh ground beef, fresh turkey or veggie along with a plethora of topping selections for under $10 bucks, its sounds like a winning menu. If you don't feel comfortable with building your own burger, pre "styled" burgers are also available. Our favorite from the menu is, "The Hypocrite" a veggie burger with Grindhouse chili, thick cut bacon and Pepper Jack cheese. Though we hope to drop by prior to opening and check out the space, Grindhouse already has both a Facebook and Twitter account for those that would kill to be the first to know! Repeat Atlanta!

Click here for free fries courtesy of Grindhouse!

White House Restaurant, Tried and True -- Rick's Pick!

Breakfast - the oft forgotten stepchild of Americaʼs meal trifecta. I rarely indulge, but I do love a classic American breakfast. I love it all; the eggs, bacon, pancakes, syrup, sausage, etc, so itʼs comforting to know that the tried and true White House Restaurant on Peachtree Road has always got you covered. Upon entering this Greek owned, family run neighborhood joint, one always observes the friendliest of staffs, with a cordial greeting - even from the rear of the room. This open kitchen churns out breakfast a bounty. I cannot think of a single item on the “all day breakfast” menu that does not bear mention. Hence, I sing their praises to all who will listen. From the leanest bacon Iʼve eaten anywhere (except Lou Mitchellʼs in Chicago), to the fluffiest omelets made to order, to the heaping hashbrowns, and the ever golden flapjacks. All orders are lovingly presented with charming poise by any one of their diverse, United Nations “envoys”. Of course, you pay at the register, where the Chiclets are another favorite. And by-the-by, the Jimmy Carter booth is always reserved for me - so donʼt get any ideas.

Read about Rick's not so favorite Buckhead eatery, Chopstix!

Surprise Surprise, Eros Erased, Now IXTLAN

Just in case you were one of the few who experienced good service and enjoyed the food and atmosphere, we here at Repeat Atlanta are truly sorry, as Eros Tapas Bar has closed. Open a little less than a year, a search on Google for "Eros Atlanta" would result in you finding escort services rather than the eatery. Having been in a couple times, we were never impressed and actually witnessed a man receiving fellatio from a woman in the men's restroom (holding ones bladder became an easier feat thereafter). What was originally Trust Company Bank and later Bob Amick's Piebar, the space just doesn't seem to have the parking or capacity to be what its recent owners need it to be to stay in business. IXTLAN Ultra Lounge, with new owners, management and a new menu, will have their work cut out for them. Our first recommendation, hire a new webmaster, and an editor. The following appears to be their mission statement of sorts:

"IXTLAN A Place of Dreams and Relaxation, Once you step out and cross the bridge “We are now Building a Relationship”, Come in an enjoy the food and the outside patio under a calming and you are about to have a memoir that you'll smile about the next day. The atmosphere is breathtaking, relaxing, and put you in a different type of vibe, the music offers something for everyone, and the decor of the Restaurant/Lounge won't let you forget you are in a Place of Dreams."

Judging from IXTLAN's website, we don't see this concept lasting much longer than its predecessor. Repeat Atlanta!

Z pizza Midtown Missing The Mark on the ABC's of Restaurants, Closes

Z Pizza in Midtown has closed. No one knew it was open, and only now will many find out of its closure. After opening about year ago around the corner from F2O on the 7th Street side of Spire Midtown, the eatery closed a few weeks ago. With what seemed like nonexistent marketing outside of the immediate area, few non midtown dwellers and even some that live nearby knew about the darn place! Owned and operated by Shaw Restaurant Group, there is little to be found on their website regarding plans for the space or public reasons behind the closure. Founded in Laguna Beach, California back in 1986, they now franchise nationwide with two remaining Georgia stores in Alpharetta and Duluth. Sadly, a similar restaurant, Pizza Fusion may suffer the same fate in SoBu near Varasano's Pizza. Back in Midtown,Firehouse Subs, just a few doors down has been struggling as well. With the success of the original Atlanta area Firehouse Subs on 10th Street near the Tech campus, the same owner opened the Spire location not long after hoping to recreate the phenomenal success of the Tech location. Realizing now, after opening, that though they may be close, they are very different clienteles, the Spire location may soon close as well. Interestingly enough, EVOS, a Tampa based "healthy fast food" eatery is preparing to open its second Atlanta area location across the street at Novare's Viewpoint property. Repeat Atlanta!

CVS Plops Down Another ITP Location, Ponce de Leon

Just when you thought Midtown couldn't get any better, it has! Adjacent to Sembler's Midtown Place shopping center on Ponce de Leon Ave, construction has begun on a brand new CVS Pharmacy! As intown residents, Repeat Atlanta could not have been more pleased by this new infill, NOT! Maybe its just us, but it seems like everywhere you turn these days there is either a Walgreens or a CVS. In Buckhead, there are now two of each within two miles of one another. With a Rite Aid up Ponce, Walgreens at North Ave and another CVS on N. Highland, not to mention the two Publix and one Kroger pharmacy, how many pharmacies does that area really need? While yes, the area that the new CVS is located on was vacant and an eyesore, we think something better could have been done, but that's just us. Repeat Atlanta!