New Inman Park Grocery Store Going After Savvy Consumers

Inman Park is getting their first grocery store and it's not a chain! It's called Savi Urban Market, and it's taking up a new building on Elizabeth street- right behind the popular Fritti and Sotto Sotto eateries. The new building itself is across the street from a store called "At The Collective" (which neighbors may recall was the old Inman Perk). Details of this new concept are slowly becoming available but the fact that it's a local market and not another chain store sounds good enough already. Savi Urban Market hopes to create a neighborhood, more compact version of a Whole Foods, with elements of The Fresh Market as well. Select produce, beer / wine and a deli counter are all planned. With an opening set for mid-late September, they will open right as Emory has resumed classes. Repeat Atlanta!

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Caribou Coffee at Piedmont and Monroe Closed

Thanks to a Repeat Atlanta reader, we have been made aware that Caribou Coffee at the corner of Piedmont Road and Monroe Drive has closed. While we would love to have super human powers and be everywhere at once, we can't and thank our loyal readers who keep us up on developments from time to time.  From the picture shown you can see all signage is already down. With Smoothie King now in the space that formerly housed Atlanta's hometown Aurora Coffee, what if anything in the near future will become of this now vacant Caribou? Any leads, ideas, thoughts? Drop us a line in the comment section and let us know. Repeat Atlanta!

57th Fighter Group Restaurant Resurrected?

57th Fighter Group Restaurant, nestled behind thick trees and shrubs on Clairmont Road, closed over a year ago with little mention of it anywhere. Located next to Peachtree-DeKalb airport, the space seemed ideal for a unique dining experience, as the eatery's outdoor patio allowed diners to view takeoff and landing closer than any restaurant we're aware of. Once said to have been considered by Metrotainment for a new concept, there is now a sign at the restaurant's Clairmont Road entrance proclaiming "57th Restaurant Coming Soon". Another chance, a new life, new owner, new menu, little is known at this point but rest assured we'll have details long before takeoff. Repeat Atlanta!

Amusing New Restaurant Opening In Former Allegro Eatery

The former Allegro restaurant on Dutch Valley Road will have a new eatery in the coming months. "Amuse", a concept developed by Andy Alibakhsh of midtown's Apres Diem in partnership with business partner Arnaud Michel of Buckhead's Anis Café & Bistro is said to feature breakfast, lunch and dinner in a casual café setting. After previously announcing that Alinakhsh would be taking the space over in May, it seems Michel may have come on board later in the game. Though the menu is not finalized, expect for it to have a French theme. Look for an opening in mid-late September. Repeat Atlanta!

BOCADO Wants a Bite of West Midtown

With the recent opening of Urban pL8 on Huff Road, West Midtown residents are starting to see eateries pop up in what some see as an under-served area. BOCADO (Spanish for bite, mouthful) is yet another restaurant opening in West Midtown. The space is currently a shell and has been converted from an existing business. The cuisine has not been determined 100% at this point, though pizza will be at least some portion of the offerings. Designed by local firm ai3, the same firm behind Flip and aja , the space seems large enough, with what appears to have once been two store fronts. The exterior looks appropriate for a Japanese style restaurant with potted plants and bamboo poles. Owner Brian Lewis recently closed his Birmingham Alabama eatery "Table" and looks to have a new start here in Atlanta. A native of Birmingham, Lewis's family has been in the restaurant and winery business for generations. Located at 887 Howell Mill Road across from Octane coffee, BOCADO, initially to be called Meiomi, is scheduled to open in late August, although it may turn out to be early September. Repeat Atlanta!

Crustacean Violation: Legal Seafood, Atlanta

Savory chowders and lobster rolls don’t just jump out of the water when you live in Atlanta.  In fact, a resignation to embrace a deserving seafood restaurant may derive of necessity.

For non-Bostonians, a New England visit almost inevitably involves an obligatory Legal Seafood pilgrimage.  Sadly, quality is a non-factor at a “powerhouse” chain like this, particularly one that seems to relax comfortably on its laurels.  The signature lobster roll exemplifies this by assessing a $23 fee for the chewy, menial amount of mollusk presented.  Additionally, a san-seasoned clam chowder, without its burdensome grit, regrettably renders another signature dish remarkably thin.  In fact, to pass off such substandard servings in a city whose abundance is less notable than that of this namesake’s feels a bit insulting.  As such, to dispense said provisions should certainly be illegal. 


Click for the previous Rick's Pick: Himalayas Indian Restaurant