Authors | Flagpole Magazine | Athens, GA News, Music, Arts, Restaurants

Blog posts by Hillary Brown

Drag Brunch at the National Sunday

Blog: Grub Notes

If you still miss both breakfast and brunch at The National, neither of which is available anymore, and/or you really prefer your eggs with a side of false eyelashes, note thatBoybutante's annual Drag Brunch is taking place at the restaurant this Sunday.

By Hillary Brown | November 7, 2014
Freshtopia Is Closed, Get Yourself on the Tee-Vee and More

Blog: Grub Notes

Food Network Star

After opening Sept. 19, Freshtopia, Achim Reus' newest project, a bistro in the Ansonborough development on Gaines School Road is, um, closed. Reus confirmed but hasn't given a reason or any thoughts on the matter yet.

Over in the ATL, Food Network is casting for "Food Network Star" this Sunday from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at the W Atlanta Downtown. More info is available on the casting company's website.

More below.

By Hillary Brown | November 6, 2014
Kumquat Mae Opens Saturday, Harvest for the Homeless Raffle Tix Available

Blog: Grub Notes

Kumquat Mae

After closing in Watkinsville, Kumquat Mae bakery/eatery will reopen tomorrow (Nov. 1) in the Arbor building on Mitchell Bridge Road, starting at 9 a.m. You can check out the menu on its website, which ranges from eggs benedict to pizzas and cheeseburgers.

By Hillary Brown | October 31, 2014
Olive Basket to Open in the Bottleworks, American Deli on West Broad

Blog: Grub Notes

Sometimes it seems like Flagpole is The Bottleworks Times, but it ain't our fault—or even due to our location—that we cover the mixed-use development frequently. The new owners have done a fine job attracting businesses, and the newest is set to open Saturday, Nov. 1 (grand opening Nov. 8) next to Seabear Oyster Bar.

By Hillary Brown | October 27, 2014
Charlie Noble's and Sister Louisa's to Open Friday

Blog: Grub Notes

Photo Credit: Photo via Facebook

Sister Louisa's Church

After months and months in both cases, two very different Athens establishments are both set to open this Friday, Oct. 24.

By Hillary Brown | October 21, 2014
Cinco y Diez is Closed

Blog: Grub Notes

Photo Credit: Photo via Facebook

It's been a long time since there was a closing that hit me this hard, but, as of the end of service last night, Cinco y Diez is no more.

After Flagpole received a tip that the locks on the building were being changed, Hugh Acheson confirmed that the restaurant is officially out of business and that the future of the building is in Melissa Clegg's hands. He also said he doesn't know what chef Whitney Otawka's plans are, but that he loved what she was doing.

More below.

By Hillary Brown | October 20, 2014
Lil' Ice Cream Dude Featured on Zagat.com

Blog: Grub Notes

These days, Zagat is a lot more than slim, crowd-sourced, wine-colored restaurant guides. The Atlanta version of the site has been doing some pretty fun videos, like this one on Gainesville's goofball law agin' eating fried chicken with a knife and fork. After being featured in the site's 30 Under 30, earlier this year, Beau Shell, a.k.a., Lil' Ice Cream Dude, who was the subject of a Flagpole profile here, now gets interviewed on video.

Ice cream season is winding down, but we're sure he'll be back next year. And, as he points out, "Apparently people from the North are not all that concerned about the weather when they are eating ice cream."

Watch the video below:

By Hillary Brown | October 16, 2014
Eat Local for Life Wednesday and More Food Events

Blog: Grub Notes

Photo Credit: Photo via Facebook

Big City Bread

This Wednesday, Oct. 15 is the annual Eat Local for Life percentage night, which benefits AIDS Athens. Participating restaurants and bars are: Barberitos (Eastside and Five Points; dinner only), Big City Bread, Cinco y Diez, Copper Creek Brewing Company (dinner only), George's Lowcountry Table (dinner only), The Globe (dinner only), The Grit, Heirloom Cafe, Last Resort Grill, The National, South Kitchen and Bar (lunch only), Taqueria del Sol, Ted's Most Best, Trappeze (lunch only), Viva Argentine and Your Pie (Lumpkin Street).

More news below.

By Hillary Brown | October 14, 2014
Beer Dinners, Chili Cook-Offs, Greek Food and More Coming Up

Blog: Grub Notes

Photo Credit: FiveRings/Wikimedia Commons

Mmmmm, chili.

Grindhouse Killer Burgers is hosting a beer dinner with Creature Comforts tomorrow (Wednesday). The tickets are $35 and get you five courses of beer and burgers. Email [email protected] for more information.

'Tis the season for chili cook-offs, and Cine's Schlocktoberbest is hosting one at Creature Comforts on Saturday at 1 p.m., with entries by Hi-Lo, Pulaski Heights BBQ, The Pine, The Branded Butcher, the Rooftop at The Georgia Theatre, South Kitchen + Bar, Trappeze, The World Famous and more. Admission includes chili and beer.

By Hillary Brown | October 7, 2014
Eptings Look to Open New Space in Chase Park, Complete With Food Truck Pod

Blog: Grub Notes

Photo Credit: Berlyjen/Flickr

Thanks to the Neighborhood Notification Initiative, it was brought to my attention that Daniel Epting, of Epting Events, was looking at modifying a space in the Chase Park Warehouses, on Tracy Street. Could it be a restaurant? Nah, it's an event rental space, but it has some interesting aspects that could affect the food scene in Athens.

Daniel was kind enough to walk me around the space yesterday as well as give me a tour of the Epting facility around the corner on Chase Street, by the Loop. The former tuxedo factory seems, for now, to have enough room to grow, but Epting is an ambitious company. No fools, they kept bolts and bolts of fabric, plus an unfinished sewing room that could end up being a good opportunity for Athens' small but blossoming fashion scene.

By Hillary Brown | October 2, 2014
Arden's Garden Picks a Location, Little City Diner Adds Dinner and More

Blog: Grub Notes

Photo Credit: Photo via Facebook

Little City Diner

As previously mentioned, Atlanta juice chain Arden's Garden has been looking at opening a location in downtown Athens, and its PR folks have now confirmed that it will take over the former Planet Smoothie, downstairs from Subway on College Avenue, which means that, although it's not on the same block as Juice Up and Journey Juice, you do not have to cross the street to get to it. ETA is unannounced.

Starting Oct. 9, Little City Diner in Winterville, which is already one of the most underrated brunch/breakfast places around, will be open for dinner, too, Thursday–Saturday until 8:30 p.m., giving the good folks out there another, sorely needed option for eating out.

More below.

By Hillary Brown | September 30, 2014
Preserve Is Open, Kumquat Mae Is Moving and More Food News

Blog: Grub Notes

Photo via Instagram

Preserve

After my spending the last few months driving slowly past the cute building on Broad where Lenny Miller and Ella Sternberg announced they were shooting to open Preserve in June, it seems the itty-bitty restaurant is finally open for reals, as of two days ago. A brand-new Facebook page lists the hours as 10 a.m.–8 p.m. today (and, indeed, every day but Tuesday), and an Instagram account has pictures of food and a little bit of the menu. Things look tasty.

By Hillary Brown | September 15, 2014
Stuffed Burger Is Closed, Local Table Is Open and More Food News

Blog: Grub Notes

Photo Credit: via Facebook

Stuffed Burger

Drew Meyer of Stuffed Burger confirms that his restaurant is now closed, partially due to his partners relocating to Atlanta and partially due to lots of burger competition (it's a crowded field), but he said he hopes to reopen it in a larger city.

Kiki's Bakeshop, in downtown Watkinsville, is moving in the opposite direction, expanding its offerings to include a hot breakfast and lunch in the space next door, formerly occupied by Big Easy Cafe. The new spot is called Local Table and can be reached at 706-310-4188. Breakfast and lunch will get running Sept. 9 and serve Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.–2 p.m., with Saturday brunch from 9 a.m.–1:30 p.m. You can get homemade biscuits, egg dishes, meat and three plates, sandwiches, salads and any number of desserts made at Kiki's.

By Hillary Brown | September 5, 2014
Shane's Rib Shack to Close; The Comerian Opening Brick & Mortar Location

Blog: Grub Notes

Food roundup below:

Shane's Rib Shack, on Milledge, across from The Varsity, will close Aug. 31, reportedly to make room for the expansion of the Best Western, next door. The BBQ chain had another location in Athens, on the Eastside, but that one closed a while back. It is, however, planning to open in the big Kroger-anchored shopping center on Highway 29 at Highway 72, along with locations of Jersey Mike's, Pizza Hut and a quick-service Chinese restaurant.

More below.

By Hillary Brown | August 21, 2014
Big Family Cafe, South Kitchen Expand Hours and More Food News

Blog: Grub Notes

South Kitchen + Bar (via Facebook)

Not only is Big Family Cafe, in Homewood Village, still open, despite being one of Athens' best-kept secrets, but it's recently expanded its hours to offer dinner until 9:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. It also now serves bottled beer, sangria and mimosas. Woop!

South Kitchen + Bar, in the Georgian, downtown, is also adding hours, though in the other direction, instituting lunch as of Aug. 11 (Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m.–4 p.m.) with options like a fried green tomato BLT, a BBQ chicken sandwich, a cheeseburger, a grilled veggie sandwich, soups and salads. It's also adding Wednesday night "Date Nights," where you get an appetizer, two salads, two entrees and a bottle of wine for $40.

More food news below.

By Hillary Brown | August 7, 2014
Di'Lishi Opens Saturday; Denny's Coming Soon

Blog: Grub Notes

Di'Lishi Frozen Yogurt

Food roundup below:

Oh, did you think the fro-yo bubble had already burst? Well, here comes Di'Lishi Frozen Yogurt Bar to prove you wrong or something. The "Athens" location opens Saturday at 11 a.m. in the big new Epps Bridge shopping center, with games and such. The franchise makes its headquarters in Asheboro, N.C., and stores offer 10 flavors at a time, a bunch of toppings, a focus on environmental friendliness (recyclable containers, eco-friendly cleaning products, etc.) and a smart program that gives to local charities quarterly. They also make fro-yo for your pets.

By Hillary Brown | August 4, 2014
Dale Brothers to Open Condor Chocolates in Five Points This Fall

Blog: Grub Notes

Peter Dale

Athens may be a little behind Atlanta when it comes to artisanal foods, but we're working on it, and here's the next step. Nicholas Dale, along with brother and The National chef-owner Peter Dale, plans to open Condor Chocolates in the Five Points space next to J. Christopher's sometime this fall.

By Hillary Brown | July 31, 2014
Seabear Oyster Bar Opens Today

Blog: Grub Notes

Occupying one of the spaces nearer to the street in the Bottleworks, Seabear, the new oyster bar project (early details were here) from Patrick Stubbers, Peter Dale and barman Chris Luken, and which is, we have to assume, not named after the critter from Spongebob Squarepants, starts serving at 3 p.m. today.

By Hillary Brown | July 15, 2014
Upcoming Food Events: Summer Agro Cycle Tour, Cold Brew and More

Blog: Grub Notes

Via Georgia Food Tours

It seemed like we took a little breather in June from the cavalcade of food events, but now they're ramping up again. Here's some of what's coming up over the next month:

By Hillary Brown | July 10, 2014
Four Brothers is Closed, Sweet Peppers is Closing

Blog: Grub Notes

So long, sweet pepper. We barely knew ye.

Well, dang. I had really hoped Four Brothers (reviewed here) might be able to make a go of it in the Arbor on Mitchell Bridge Road, but that space has claimed another victim, as of a few weeks ago.

Sweet Peppers Deli, at the corner of Broad and Pulaski downtown, has also announced that it will be closing after lunch on July 20. In that case, the situation is a little different, as owners Alan and Ryan Pope said they were offered a deal to sell the building they couldn't turn down.

Gigi's Cupcakes and Artini's will remain open, and there is a possibility of Sweet Peppers opening in a different location in the future, but that's all very tenuous. The new owners haven't figured out what they want to do with the space yet, so we'll see.

In other news:

By Hillary Brown | July 10, 2014