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

Blog posts by Hillary Brown

Iron Factory and La Puerta del Sol Are Open

Blog: Grub Notes

After a few days of soft opening, both Iron Factory (the new Korean BBQ spot at 255 W. Washington St. downtown, in the former Farm 255/Echo space) and La Puerta del Sol (Bruno Rubio's new project, on Cedar Shoals) are open for bidness.

By Hillary Brown | July 2, 2014
Mama's Boy to Open New Restaurant in 909 Broad Building

Blog: Grub Notes

After Mama's Boy moved to an all-brunch/breakfast format, appreciators of everything else the restaurant had to offer were left to mope around, sampling the meat-and-three offerings at hipster weddings the business catered.

That catering business has been expanding significantly, which led to the decision to rent the bottom corner space of the 909 Broad building for an as-yet-unnamed second restaurant/catering space/rental facility.

By Hillary Brown | June 24, 2014
Kiki's Bakeshop Replaces The Granary in Watkinsville

Blog: Grub Notes

So, the sad news here is that The Granary, a marvelous little bakery in downtown Watkinsville that sold hard-to-find baking ingredients and focused on whole-grain versions of standards that were just as good as those made with refined flour, is closed.

The good news is that local Kirsten Bradford bought the business and has turned it into Kiki's Bakeshop.

More below.

By Hillary Brown | June 18, 2014
PeachDish Comes to Athens and More Food News

Blog: Grub Notes

Lamb kofta via PeachDish

Food roundup below:

If you're in that in-between zone of wanting to prepare your own food but not exactly wanting to shop for it yourself or make too many decisions, PeachDish is a new ingredient-delivery service based out of Atlanta that also reaches the Athens area. Pre-portioned ingredients for two meals that consist of two courses plus a "treat" ship out on Tuesday and arrive Wednesday (in the Atlanta metro area) or Thursday (anywhere else in the country), complete with recipe cards. Visit the website for pricing, menus, details and more.

More after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | June 17, 2014
Trappeze Buys Capital Room, Reopens It as South Kitchen + Bar

Blog: Grub Notes

For a couple of days, all we knew was a name: South Kitchen + Bar. That was who had taken over the Capital Room in the Georgian on Washington Street downtown. Now it seems fairly clear that the folks behind Trappeze are the ones responsible, and Chris Benson, who's been capably running the kitchen at Trappeze, is doing the same at the new place as of yesterday (Saturday).

By Hillary Brown | June 8, 2014
Rashe's Cuisine Sets Opening Date; Automatic Pizza Is Hiring

Blog: Grub Notes

Rashe's Cuisine (first covered here), the Jamaican restaurant set to take over the Tallassee Road space still best known as Caliente Cab and most recently home to Kabana, has an actual opening day set: Friday, June 13. Let's hope the ominous date doesn't bode poorly.

Owner Rashe Malcolm has been setting up at the West Broad Farmers Market on Tuesday evenings to retail her food and build an audience, and her business's Facebook page is here.

More below.

By Hillary Brown | June 5, 2014
Taziki's, Transmet Open and More Food News

Blog: Grub Notes

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe starts doing bidness in the Bottleworks officially today (June 3), after a couple of days of "family and friends" previews.

Also, the Oglethorpe Avenue Transmetropolitan, which has no web presence, reopened over the weekend.

If you enjoyed this winter's Noodle Bowl, brought to you by the aptly named People Who Like to Eat, Rachel Bailey says you should mark your calendars for the upcoming ice cream social from the same group, scheduled for noon to 2:30 p.m. June 14, on the porch of Five & Ten. That restaurant will be participating, as well as The Savory Spoon, Viva! Argentine (which says it's contributing ice cream sandwiches), Coterie & Tie supper club and Cinco y Diez.

More news below.

By Hillary Brown | June 3, 2014
New Eastside Bojangles Offering Free Food Saturday

Blog: Grub Notes

By Hillary Brown | May 23, 2014
Alton Brown Coming to Town, Transmet Reopening and More

Blog: Grub Notes

Have you always wanted to see Alton Brown in person but would rather pay for the privilege than stalk him at the suburban Atlanta grocery store he frequents (ot at least did when "Good Eats" was on the air)? Well, you'll get your opportunity Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Classic Center Theatre, for a cost of $38–$105. "Alton Brown Live! The Edible Inevitable Tour" will have participation opportunities, comedy, music and more. Standard tickets are $38–$58 (plus fees). Fancy shmancy tickets that include a meet-and-greet, an autographed photo and special seating are $105. Both kinds go on sale Friday.

More news below.

By Hillary Brown | May 13, 2014
Preserve Coming to Broad Street Coffee Location

Blog: Grub Notes

In between frozen-custard stand and vegan restaurant, the space at the West Broad Street-Hancock Avenue intersection was a barbecue joint.

The nice little building still probably best known to long-time Athenians as The Arctic Girl and most recently housing Broad Street Coffee is finally getting another tenant and one doing something more ambitious than hot dogs. The new place, called Preserve, aims to open in June and is headed up by Ella Sternberg and Lenny Miller, of local band Cancers. Reached for comment, Miller said:

By Hillary Brown | May 5, 2014
Aromas is Closing; The Pine is Coming to Five Points

Blog: Grub Notes

Heirloom Café recently announced that Jackie Burton, who took over as its chef around December, is moving on, to be replaced this month by Sal Speights of The World Famous.

What's Jackie doing? Well, Aromas, in Five Points, which has operated successfully pouring wine, beer and coffee for 13 years now, will be closing May 25 and reopening as The Pine, with Burton in the kitchen. She describes the new venture as "wood-fired oven, casual Southern/fusion" and says it will open as "soon as we renovate the space… shooting for mid-August."

Lest you think Aromas is being booted out, owner Sachin Patel is still involved with the new venture, as is local wine dude Scott Parrish.

By Hillary Brown | May 5, 2014
Skogies is Closed, Taziki's is Hiring and More

Blog: Grub Notes

Photo Credit: Emily Hall

5&10

Food roundup below:

Although the news isn't yet reflected on its Facebook page, Skogie's on Baxter has closed. The seafood shack, the original location of which is on Lake Lanier, opened two years ago in the strip that also houses Domino's Pizza.

Taziki's Mediterranean Cafe, in the Bottleworks, is hiring, which suggests its projection of a May opening date was fairly accurate.

Junkyard Dawgs, on Commerce Road, is temporarily closed due to some water-treatment upgrades, but its second location, The Bunkhouse, should be opening soon (no official date) in the building formerly home to The Woods at the J & J Flea Market.

More after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | April 29, 2014
Sister Louisa's Church to Open an Athens Branch

Blog: Grub Notes

Sister Louisa's Church in Atlanta (photo via Facebook)

It is dang difficult to write a headline that encapsulates exactly what Sister Louisa's Churchis for those who don't know. Basically, it is a bar, but a far more interesting one than most we have in Athens, run by Grant Henry, a.k.a., Sister Louisa, an Atlanta artist who already has one location (Sister Louisa's CHURCH of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium) on Edgewood Avenue, serving drinks and light eats in an environment one could describe as nouveau Southern rococo.

Henry says he's been looking for space for an Athens location for six months and decided to take over the space at 254 W. Clayton St. that most recently housed Jack's Bar (and was formerly The Mercury Lounge, among various other iterations).

Henry says he is shooting for an opening date of Aug. 15, as he plans extensive renovations.Whether or not he'll offer food—or ping pong—is up in the air as of now Sister Louisa's Church (It's a Glory Hole)—yes, that appears to be the official name—will offer food and ping pong, according to Henry's comment below, and is sure to be a welcome addition to the Athens bar scene.

By Hillary Brown | April 25, 2014
J. Christopher's Is Open in Five Points

Blog: Grub Notes

Image via

After a sort of hiccup between announcing its first Athens location (back in July) and starting work renovating the interior of what was most recently The Local Jam (which closed in July 2012), J. Christopher's, the Atlanta-based breakfast chain, opened for business today.

There were some experiments with free pancakes over the weekend, but now you can go and pay for a plate of eggs, etc., from 7 a.m.–2 p.m. daily. The menu is here, and the place is a step up from national breakfast franchises, plus you can park in the Stiles building spaces to eat there.

By Hillary Brown | April 21, 2014
Reggie DiSante to Open Eastside Restaurant this Fall, More Food News

Blog: Grub Notes

Reggie DiSante, whom you may remember from his days at Harry Bissett's and more recently the man behind George's Lowcountry Table near the bypass on South Milledge, is planning a new venture to open in early August. The new place, Charlie Noble's, will be next to the space that houses Mirko Pasta in the Ansonborough mixed-use development on Gaines School Road.

The menu should be more straightforwardly Southern (but still on the upscale end of things) than the Lowcountry cuisine his current restaurant serves, and although it's still a work in progress, DiSante says he will have specialty mac and cheese. The restaurant, like George's, gets its name from the late George Davis, DiSante's mentor, who used to own a place by the same name on Prince Avenue years ago.

More news after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | April 14, 2014
Big Family Cafe to Open Friday, Brewfest This Weekend and More

Blog: Grub Notes

As Glenda Brown searches for a new location for Peaches (sigh), the space in Homewood Hills that most recently played home to her delicious cooking (as The Camp) is about to be something new: Big Family Cafe, an American diner serving breakfast, lunch and early dinner. Opening day is this Friday, with 20 percent off everything through Monday to attract new customers. Big Family will operate from 6 a.m.–6 p.m. seven days a week and serve items including crepes, breakfast burritos and sandwiches.

More after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | April 9, 2014
Food Roundup: Fooks Foods, Farmers Markets, Coterie & Tie

Blog: Grub Notes

Athens Farmers Market. Photo via Facebook

Hey. Yay! It's been 10 years since Fooks Foods started doing business in Athens, during which time it's moved from Baxter to South Milledge, where it seems to be doing well. Come celebrate with them on Sunday at 12:30 p.m., when Streets Cafe will be on hand serving food and lion dancers will perform at 1.

Also, in case you're not one of the 967 people who've RSVPed yes to the Facebook event,Athens Farmers Market kicks off its season on Saturday at 8 a.m. at Bishop Park, with the Wednesday evening markets starting Apr. 9 downtown. Peter Dale is chef demo-ing. There will be music and vegetables and eggs and coffee and all kinds of other things. Oconee Farmers Market starts its season the same day.

More after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | April 4, 2014
Saucehouse Update; Hugh Acheson Book Signing Sunday

Blog: Grub Notes

Food roundup below:

Saucehouse Barbeque may not have broken ground yet on the spot that used to house Peaches and is now a dirt pit, but it should in the very near future, with hopes to open in August. In the meantime, the dudes who own it are focusing on catering, with a mobile smoker that can be brought to your event, should you want bbq, and a new business (Elegantly Southern Catering) that does more high-end events.

Hugh Acheson has a new book out. No, it's not the promised CSA-based cookbook that's still in the works (referred to informally as "what the heck do I do with kohlrabi?" and formally titled Eat Well) but a cute little packet of recipe cards titled Pick a Pickle. The man of style will be signing it at Five & Ten on Sunday from 2:30–4 p.m. His flagship restaurant also has a brand-new bar menu, with a burger, confit chicken wings, cookies and more.

More after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | March 28, 2014
Little Bull, OK Cafe Close; More Spring Food Events

Blog: Grub Notes

Little Bull

Food roundup after the jump.

By Hillary Brown | March 19, 2014
Journey Juice Is Open Downtown; Classic City Grocery Delivers

Blog: Grub Notes

Hey, juice folks, Journey Juice is opening its second location (underneath Jittery Joe's at the corner of Broad and Jackson downtown) today, meaning you don't have to deal with the parking lot at Satula and Prince (read my review of that location here) if you desire a beet zinger or something green to go along with the theme of the day.

By Hillary Brown | March 17, 2014