Food - Feeding frenzy
The number of high-profile ATL chefs doing business in one place is unprecedented. Here’s what to expect when Ponce City Market’s Central Food Hall finally debuts.
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18.21 Bitters
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The first-ever retail shop for Atlanta-based bitters-and-cocktail-mixer company 18.21 Bitters is slated to debut Tues., Sept. 1. Founded in early 2014 by owners Missy and Kristin Koefod, 18.21 is known for its line of homemade bitters, tinctures, shrubs, syrups, tonic, ginger beer, and bottled craft sodas. All of 18.21’s products will be available to sample on-site and there will be a selection of cocktail books, vintage barware, and glassware for sale. 18.21 will also host cocktail classes and offer cocktail consulting services. www.1821bitters.com.
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Bellina Alimentari
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This Italian restaurant and market will be one of the largest operations at Ponce City Market. On the eatery side of things, Bellina Alimentari will feature Tuscan-inspired pastas, meat stews, desserts, and charcuterie. The retail end will specialize in imported Italian goods. Bellina also plans to have a small wine bar serving Italian-inspired cocktails, local beer, and Italian wines. www.bellina-alimentari.com.
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Biltong Bar
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Biltong Bar is the newest venture from Justin Anthony, the man behind South African restaurants 10 Degrees South and Yebo. Named for the traditional South African beef jerky, Biltong will serve savory, hand-held pies, cheese and charcuterie, imported beers, South African wines, cocktails, and, of course, natural, air-dried jerky. Expect varieties made from elk, venison, and ostrich meats, as well as from chicken and beef. www.facebook.com/BiltongBarATL.
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Boti
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Chai Pani founder Meherwan Irani will continue his tradition of serving up casual, Indian street food with Boti. Named for the Indian street grills that specialize in meats on a stick, Boti will serve unexpected items such as charred octopus, marinated beef heart, and kebabs cooked on a 5-foot-long grill. Extras such as pickled vegetables, naan, rice, and salad will also be served. www.facebook.com/botiwalla.
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Dancing Goats Coffee Bar
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Ponce City Market’s first tenant, Dancing Goats has been serving up Batdorf and Bronson coffee and espresso drinks for more than a year. The coffee bar also sells grounds to take home. With favorites such as Costa Rica La Minita del Sol, Batdorf and Bronson Coffee Roasters has been keeping PCM warm until its grand opening. www.batdorfcoffee.com.
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Farm to Ladle
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Geoff and Katie Melkonian, the husband and wife duo behind Breadwinner Cafe and Bakery in Sandy Springs, plan to open this European-style cafe and farm stand by the end of August. Expect offerings such as soups, salads, and sandwiches. Farm to Ladle’s farm stand will sell locally sourced raw vegetables and herbs. www.facebook.com/farmtoladle.
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H&F Burger and Hop’s Chicken
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One of the first to sign on to Ponce City Market, Linton Hopkins’s H&F Burger will share a space with his new fried chicken stand, Hop’s Chicken. Like H&F Burger’s Turner Field locations, the PCM outpost will specialize in Holeman and Finch’s acclaimed double-patty cheeseburgers. Hop’s Chicken will serve fried chicken buckets, fresh biscuits, and sandwiches on H&F Bread Co. bread. Other menu items may include fresh chicken broth, cole slaw, seasonal vegetables, and macaroni and cheese. On the retail side of things expect pantry items such as Holeman and Finch’s housemade ketchup, mustard, and pickles. www.twitter.com/hfburger.
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“I love being a part of a big aggregate... building a collaborative space together. And I love that these food icons involved... don’t want to chef it up too much.”?
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Honeysuckle Gelato
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Wes Jones’ hit gelato truck will get its first non-mobile location when it opens at PCM this fall. Expect more of Honeysuckle’s best-selling sea-salted caramel gelato along with new decadent combinations and Southern-inspired desserts. Honeysuckle will also serve baked goods and have a selection of gelato toppings for personalized treats. www.honeysucklegelato.com.
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Jia, Authentic Szechuan
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Tasty China’s Dahe Yang and chef Jiguo Jiang will bring authentic Sichuan flavors to PCM. Served family-style, the 100 menu items at Jia will include noodle dishes, dry fried eggplant, ribs with black bean sauce, purple sweet potato rolls, and much more.
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Jonathan Waxman’s yet-to-be-named restaurant
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Famed chef Jonathan Waxman recently confirmed his plans to open a PCM concept similar to his celebrated NYC restaurant Barbuto. According to PCM, the yet-to-be-named full-service eatery will feature “Italian and new American influences in a simple, yet creative manner.” Details as they arise.
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Lucky Lotus
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Chantel Jiroch, the woman behind Sweet Auburn Curb Market’s Rawesome Juicery and local artist Kawai Laurencin have joined forces to create this cold press juice bar. Lucky Lotus will serve all-natural juices, smoothies, and energy shots all made from fresh fruits and vegetables daily. www.rawesomejuicery.com.
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Marrakesh
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From the folks behind FuegoMundo in Sandy Springs and Pita Grille near Chastain Park, Marrakesh will serve traditional Moroccan fare such as meat kebabs and pita bread when it opens this fall. The menu will also include hummus, tahini, spices, and cheeses.
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The Mercury
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Later this fall, the Pinewood’s Brooks Cloud, Julian Goglia, and chef Mike Blydenstein plan to open their hip new PCM restaurant, the Mercury. Inspired by 1960s food and culture, says the press release, “the cocktail-focused, classic American eatery” will offer modern riffs on mid-century American classics. Serving lunch and dinner seven days a week, the menu will include “an extensive raw bar, steaks and chops, and balanced, straightforward entrees featuring seasonal produce and responsibly-sourced protein.” Beverage Director Julian Goglia hopes to craft bar experience that channels the relaxed glamour of Mid-Century cocktail culture. www.facebook.com/TheMercuryAtl.
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Minero
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Acclaimed Charleston, S.C., chef Sean Brock chose Atlanta for the second location of his taco joint. Named for the Spanish word for “miner,” Minero highlights traditional Mexican flavors with chilaquiles, various street food-style tacos, and more. There’s no word yet on whether or not the James Beard Award winner is bringing Minero Charleston’s impressive mezcal and signature cocktail menu to PCM, as well. www.minerorestaurant.com.
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“With the restoration of this amazing building, it is getting the respect it deserves. Atlanta gets a central place with so many options.”?
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Simply Seoul Kitchen
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Atlanta kimchi queen Hannah Chung is the driving force behind Simply Seoul Kitchen, a spinoff of her popular farmers market stall. Formerly a cook at Bacchanalia, Miller Union, and Holeman and Finch, Chung is best known for her Napa cabbage kimchi. Simply Seoul will feature Chung’s all-natural, vegan, artisanal kimchi and handmade Korean steamed buns. www.simplyseoulkitchen.com.
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Spiller Park Coffee
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Chef and restaurateur Hugh Acheson has teamed with Empire State South’s barista manager and coffee connoisseur Dale Donchey to introduce a new coffee concept this fall. Spiller Park will serve artisanal coffee, tea, and espresso, a small food menu, a selection of Sublime doughnuts, and ground beans for you to brew at home. www.twitter.com/spillerpark.
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“Ponce City Market is a game changer for urban Atlanta.”?
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Strippaggio
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Dedicated to all things olive oil, Strippaggio’s Ponce City Market location will sell oils sourced directly from small producers from all over the U.S., including a few from Georgia. The shop will also sell vinegars, gourmet salts, and culinary accessories. www.strippaggioevoo.com.
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Ton Ton
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Guy Wong’s newest eatery will showcase Japanese cuisine in a modern, mid-century Japanese setting. Ton Ton will focus on bowls of hot ramen, but will also feature yakitori–style chicken, sushi, and a small izakaya-style menu featuring Miso Izakaya’s signature shoyu tamago, that glorious runny egg over crispy rice dish, and more.
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W.H. Stiles Fish Camp
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Named after James Beard Award winner and restaurant maven Anne Quatrano’s great, great, great, great grandfather, this seafood-centric sandwich shop is a departure from Quatrano’s more upscale ventures Bacchanalia and Little Bacch across town. Nicknamed Dub’s Fish Camp, the counter service operation will have a fish-shack vibe and offer a casual menu of salads, sandwiches, steamed fish bowls, and more overseen by chef Daniel Chance. www.facebook.com/DubsATL.
??Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional Ponce City Market tenants.