Omnivore - It’s elemental, my dear

Last week I heard a rumor that Richard Blais — the much-lauded chef, known for his micro-gastronomic tendencies, who left Atlanta last year for the warmer shores of Miami — would be taking over the kitchen at Element. Element is the newish Midtown small-plates restaurant that Cliff Bostock reviewed a few weeks ago. I knew that Blais was back in town, but this seemed like a strange fit for him. So I asked him about it. His response:

“Yes, I am taking over the culinary program at Element and partnering with their ownership. The restaurant will now be called Element: Gastro Lounge & Food Lab. The menu will feature dishes that are smaller-sized portions and will change daily. I am very excited to be involved in such an independent project and have the chance to cook for Midtown again.”

He said that he is also separately working on a project in Kennesaw named Elevation. It should be opening in July.