Omnivore - Atlanta’s year in food: 2012

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So much has happened this year, let’s see (in no particular order): We kicked off 2012 with Sunday alcohol sales going into effect in Atlanta on Jan. 1. Sugar-Coated Radical was violently robbed in Old Fourth Ward. Miller Union chef and owner Steven Satterfield disclosed his battle with cancer on social media. No one was surprised to learn that Paula Deen is diabetic. The dining room of Fox Bros. B-B-Q was assaulted by a fallen tree. CL’s food editor and lead dining critic Besha Rodell was laid off. Robert Carver of Carver’s Country Kitchen passed away. Taco Bell made a taco shell out of Doritos. Sister Louisa’s Church of the Living Room and Ping Pong Emporium was vandalized. The Atlanta Food Truck Park and Market opened, then closed, and then it opened again. People decided pink slime was unfit for eating. The owner of Boners BBQ inadvertently ignited a media firestorm by publicly skewering a dissatisfied Yelper - he later apologized for the “bonehead” move. Bell Street Burritos was forced to relocate (eventually landing in Old Fourth Ward) to make way for an auto parts supply store. With the help of chef Mihoko Obunai, Miso Izakaya brought back its popular ramen, this time at lunch. President Obama was spotted having lunch at The Varsity. 13 Atlanta chefs appeared on the cooking competition show “Chopped” in 2012 - chefs Joe Rego, Zeb Stevenson, Ria Pell, and Quentin Donnaud won. Ford Fry’s The Optimist was named best restaurant of the year by John Mariani of Esquire. The iconic fondue restaurant Dante’s Down the Hatch announced that it will close in 2013. Richard Blais marked his return to the kitchen opening The Spence in Midtown. Hugh Acheson and Linton Hopkins tied for “Best Chef: Southeast” in the 2012 James Beard Awards. Chick-fil-A COO Dan Cathy made a bunch of enemies. Following the farewell of Super Pan, Pura Vida is also closing. Guy Fieri’s restaurant gets slammed by New York Times critic Pete Wells. And several Atlanta chefs were named Rising Stars by Starchefs.com. BOOM. That’s a wrap. It’s been real 2012, keep it classy.