Omnivore - Social Resto closed

Earlier today, Atlanta Magazine's Bill Addison tweeted that it appeared that Social Resto was closed permanently. What Now Atlanta then reported that Restaurant.com has informed folks who bought certificates for Social that they would need to trade them in due to the closure. I've tried to contact Social by phone and email and have yet to hear back. The phone number at FIna, the College Park restaurant that shared ownership with Social, has been disconnected.

It's a sad loss for downtown and Atlanta. Social was the type of casual place with good food and drinks that's common across Europe but harder to find outside of America's largest cities. In my 2008 review of the restaurant I wrote:

Downtown is still a gamble for restaurateurs, especially in the current economic maelstrom, and particularly on a lesser-known street with no foot traffic. The irony is that Social's a perfect neighborhood restaurant in a non-neighborhood. But it's also the exact type of establishment this economy calls for: a place where you can have a sophisticated meal and a fantastic glass of wine for far less money than you'd pay for a more formal experience.

I'm sad to see them go.