Hot Stix A Little Cold, Closes For "Renovations"?

Thanks to Repeat Atlanta reader Jenna K. for the tip on the closure of Hot Stix at Lindbergh. Attempting to dine there this weekend, she never made it in the door. The lights were out and the doors locked, with a sign stating they were closed. For those unaware, Hot Stix is a ripoff of the hugely successful The Real Chow Baby in west midtown. Hot Stix was located in the Lindbergh City Center development adjacent to the Lindbergh MARTA station. Repeat Atlanta contacted their sister restaurant Thrive in downtown Atlanta and was told that Hot Stix is "closed for renovations". A similar sign was posted on the now months closed "The Grape" in Inman Park. In other words, a restaurant's way to save face is to say it's "closed for renovations" while in fact it's closed for good with no expectation of reopening. Though their website was up as of tonight (3/30), their phone number is no longer in service. No official word from the parent company Southern Hospitality Management, but you can bet this will hit the fan this week and they will be unable to swing the same BS for long. Taco Mac seems to be the only Lindbergh City Center restaurant doing well, as My Panini closed months ago and Urban Flats seems to be only capable of attracting a crowd for its "Wine Down Wednesdays". Repeat Atlanta!

The Nook Worth A Look?

The Nook, the new eatery in the former Prince of Wales on Piedmont Ave. opened this week. A fitting name given its quaint location. Hopefully they are able to keep busy and keep open in their "Nook" of a space! Repeat Atlanta!

Hut 1, Hut 2, Duluth! Shula's America's Steak House Opening By the Arena at Gwinnett Center

After being the first to announce the opening of Shula's 347 Grill at the then Buckhead Hotel, Repeat Atlanta has learned that Shula's will open its signature "Shula's America's Steak House" within the upcoming Embassy Suites in Duluth. Despite the Atlanta Business Chronicle's reporting in this week's edition that it would be a second Shula's 347 Grill, we have confirmed it to be his namesake steakhouse instead. Breaking the mold of most metro area Embassy Suites, they will have Shula's steakhouse rather than Ruth's Chris Steakhouse which is in their Downtown and Buckhead properties. The hotel has yet to break ground, so an opening date is far from being announced. I'd expect for it to open mid-late 2010. Repeat Atlanta!

Streets of Buckhead Destined For The Death Watch?

Ben Carter's "The Streets of Buckhead" appears destined for yet another delay, possibly until Fall 2010. This week brings word that at least two retailers have left the project though the possibility exists that others will utilize their "terminate" clauses if the economy does not improve. Originally scheduled to have opened this Spring, it was delayed to this Fall, then next Spring and according to Ben Carter himself, may now be pushed till Fall 2010 to open at a time when both their occupancy is higher and the economy is better. For now, all we Atlantans have is the sketch to the left and a gigantic construction zone. Repeat Atlanta!

Chef Mennie's "Livingston" Opening At the Georgian Terrace April 20th

Gary Mennie will be opening "Livingston" April 20th at The Georgian Terrace hotel in midtown according to a hotel representative. Mennie, co-founder of Canoe, recently closed his SoBu eatery Taurus but seems to have found his next great eatery not far away. Well respected in the Atlanta area for his culinary skills, Mennie has been a favorite of mine for years. The restaurant itself gets its name from former Atlanta mayor Livingston Mims and will be run by San Francisco-based Puccini Group. The hotel was built on land that years before was home to Mims original residence. The Livingston restaurant is the crown jewel of the $11 million dollar renovation the historic hotel is now going through. As I know the major challenge at Taurus was its second floor location within a shopping center. I hope that being in such a glamorous hotel across from the FOX will be the winning formula Mennie deserves! Repeat Atlanta!

Palomar Atlanta Finally Has A Restaurant, Pacci Ristorante

The new Palomar Atlanta hotel in Midtown has decided on their signature restaurant. Pacci Ristorante, described as a "Piemontese-style steakhouse" was designed by the Puccini Group, the same firm behind Livingston at The Georgian Terrace. Unlike the Puccini Groups design and management of the Livingston, Kimpton will manage their restaurant themselves. The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and also features a large rooftop patio. The hotel and restaurant are both expected to open by the end of April. Repeat Atlanta!

New Cafe "Sprouts" Up In Emory Village

Sprouts Green Cafe will open later this Spring in Emory Village. Taking what has become an unsuccessful location for many recent tenants, the most recent being One Hot Cookie which failed to make a go of it. With built in traffic from nearby Emory and the north Decatur neighborhoods, hopefully this time around, this concept will make it work. Repeat Atlanta!