In a significant transformation for local dining, Home Grown is set to expand its hours of operation, now welcoming guests seven days a week, as announced by owner Clark in a recent video.
Previously, the restaurant catered to patrons from Wednesday to Sunday, operating solely during breakfast and lunch hours from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The upcoming changes will also introduce dinner service, featuring a new menu complemented by alcoholic beverages, enticing both long-time fans and new diners.
This strategic shift mirrors a decision made by Kimball House in late 2022, when the owners acquired the historic train depot building, securing their place in Decatur’s vibrant restaurant scene.
Clark expressed excitement about the ownership transition in the video announcement, saying, “We have had Home Grown for 15 years, and we get asked all the time, ‘Do y’all own this? Are y’all leaving?’ Well, as of today, we own it.”
Located at 968 Memorial Drive SE in Atlanta, diners can now look forward to more flexible hours at Home Grown.
Meanwhile, food enthusiasts can anticipate the opening of Smorgasburg, a weekly open-air food festival in South Downtown, starting in October.
Recently, Rough Draft unveiled the first food stalls set to participate in the festival, showcasing diverse offerings from several culinary pop-ups.
Among these are Bara ATL, a food truck specializing in Trinidadian and Tobagonian cuisine, Hermanita, featuring Peruvian street food curated by chef Arnaldo Castillo, and Madre Garcia’s, a Puerto Rican pop-up serving cubanos and sandwiches.
Food lovers are encouraged to visit the festival at 140 Forsyth St. SW, Atlanta, when it opens.
In other dining news, Aria, the acclaimed fine-dining restaurant located in Buckhead, is responding to customer demand by extending its dinner service to six nights a week, adding Mondays to its schedule.
Patrons can expect the same exquisite menu and service style, with the possibility of early-week specials being introduced in the near future.
For those seeking unique cocktail experiences, The Consulate in Midtown has embraced the cocktail omakase trend with an innovative drink program.
Guests are invited to bring their passports to the bar between 5-6 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, where they can present a passport stamp to the bartender for a custom cocktail inspired by the respective country’s culture.
It’s important to note that a menu item must be purchased to request an omakase cocktail, enhancing the dining experience at this unique venue located at 10 10th St. NW, Atlanta.
Furthermore, Electric Hospitality, known for its creative establishments including Ladybird Grove & Mess Hall and Tiger Sun, has achieved a notable accolade as part of the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America.
This recognition highlights the company’s ongoing expansion, which includes launching new concepts while planning a second Ladybird location in West Midtown.
As for the latest restaurant openings, Voicebox Cocktail Lounge made its debut last week adjacent to Peoples Town Coffee Bar, situated near the Southside Beltline trail.
With a nostalgic 1990s theme, the bar is co-owned by Jaclyn and Joshua Barber, offering complex cocktails, live music, and vibrant decor.
In Hapeville, Yay Beignet, a popular beignet and Ethiopian coffee shop, has reopened after a hiatus, having relocated from the Irwin Street Market.
Another recent addition is King’s Chicken, a fast-casual concept serving fried chicken, which has established its stall in the Halidom Eatery food hall.
The menu features both mild and spicy fried chicken, rotisserie options, and Southern sides such as macaroni and cheese and kale salad, along with desserts like mint lemonade slushies and chocolate cake.
In a return to familiar favorites, Kevin Rathbun’s Krog Bar has opened again, specializing in coal-fired pizza and cocktails at 349 Peachtree Hills Ave. NE, Atlanta.
Additionally, the MilkShake Factory has marked its first Georgia location in Milton, hosting a grand opening event with enticing promotions on shakes, sundaes, and molten cups.
Customers can take advantage of a buy one, get one offer during the grand opening on August 23 from noon to 4 p.m.
As for restaurant announcements, Bellwood Coffee plans to relocate from its East Atlanta location shared with the Victorian plant shop to a new space in Grant Park by the end of the year.
Another exciting entrance is Babygirl, an all-day cafe launched by Whoopsie’s chef Hudson Rouse, which will open in East Lake in the former Mix’d Up Burger space.
Sugar Loaf, known for its brunch pop-up serving Southern dishes with Albanian and Ethiopian flavors, will establish a brick-and-mortar location in Reynoldstown later this year, famous for its biscuit varieties and unique baked goods.
In contrast, J. Christopher’s, a breakfast chain based in Marietta, has closed its downtown Decatur location after 19 years, marking a nostalgic end for long-time patrons as conveyed through a message on the establishment’s door thanking customers for their support.
The restaurant was located at 250 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, and its closure leaves a notable gap in the local breakfast landscape.
image source from：ajc
