Quick Bites: Urban Pl8 shutters, Ah-Ma’s Taiwanese Kitchen opens, and more

• James Camp/CL File
• HONOR ROLL: Lusca (above), Sobban, and Gunshow are in the running for Bon Appetit mag’s America’s Best New Restaurant 2014 list

Three ATL restaurants have made Bon Appetit’s list of 50 nominees for America’s Best New Restaurant 2014. The three honored eateries are Lusca, from Octopus Bar’s Angus Brown and Nhan Le, Gunshow, the brainchild of “Top Chef” Kevin Gillespie, and Sobban, the Korean-Southern diner from Heirloom Market BBQ’s Cody Taylor and Jiyeon Lee. In related news Southern Living’s latest list of the 100 Best Restaurants in the South puts Decatur oyster bar Kimball House at the top of the 10 Best New Restaurants list, which also honors Bacchanalia, Empire State South, The General Muir, Gunshow, Miller Union, One Flew South, The Optimist, Restaurant Eugene, and Cakes & Ale as the best in the South.

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Craft Izakaya will officially open at Krog Street Market (99 Krog St.) on Tuesday, August 19. Only the second establishment to open at the industrial complex, it comes close on the heels of The Luminary (which opened on August 7). Featuring a strong focus on libations, it showcases the talents of Proof & Provision alum Nate Shuman as bar manager, But the cuisine will also impress thanks to executive chef Jey Oh of Sushi Huku - who’s providing sushi, sashimi, tuna tartare, kimchi pork belly, and more - plus a cotton candy machine for novelty treats.

After reports of a crazy “kitchen catastrophe” that went down last month, paleo-friendly eatery Urban Pl8 has closed its doors for good. Ownership made the announcement publicly via Facebook early this month stating that the lease for the restaurant was up and that it would not renew. Fans, however, should keep an eye out for a cookbook from chef Betsy Pitts in the future. The team is taking final steps to shutter the restaurant, including donating kitchen supplies and dry goods, but said they plan to return with a new venture in the future.

Ah-Ma’s Taiwanese Kitchen has opened in Midtown in the place of Rice Box at 931 Monroe Drive. The street food-inspired fare includes the likes of pork belly bao, beef noodle soup, and more.

H&F Bread Co. has teamed up with another local hero, Octane Coffee, for its Westside bakery location at 1401 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd. The hot beverage in the Octane Commuter Cup rings up at $2.59 for 12 ounces, and is brewed fresh each day at the seven-days-a-week establishment.

Buckhead Bottle Bar & Bistro has closed its Buckhead location at 268 E. Paces Ferry Road, but has plans to reopen in Midtown with a shortened moniker, Bottle Bar & Bistro. Look for the new iteration to open “soon” within the former home of Straits at 793 Juniper St.

After about two years in the role, Lure executive chef David Bradley has left the sophisticated Midtown seafood spot at 1106 Crescent Ave. Owner Fifth Group Restaurants is actively scouring the local culinary scene for a replacement. Bradley’s departure coincides with his new gig as executive chef and nutrition director for the Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School.

Memphis BBQ Co. has opened its newest location in Dunwoody at 4764 Ashford Dunwoody Road, the AJC reports. The restaurant, which offers items like chicken, ribs, brisket, pulled pork, burgers, barbecue shrimp, steaks, and pastas, already has locations in Horn Lake, MS, and Fayetteville, NC. Yelp reviews have already begun pouring in, and they are essentially mixed.

South Main Kitchen is slated to make an August 25 debut in a historic 1906 building at 9 S. Main Street in Alpharetta. The “kitchen-inspired,” homey restaurant will offer contemporary and healthy takes on classic comfort food. Executive chef Christy Stone has developed a menu featuring dishes like boiled peanut hummus and jam, pork osso bucco, to a kale-and-Brussels sprouts salad. Sunday brunch will begin this fall.