Chamblee restaurant closures + Beltline rail advocates
Tuesday, May 19 — Happy Tuesday! Welcome to the table.
In this edition of “Family Meal,” you’ll find a story on a fire that indefinitely closed several businesses in Chamblee, including Michelin-recommended restaurant The Alden.
This week’s industry news roundup includes details on the recently adopted happy hour rules for Atlanta restaurants and a local bagel shop speaking up in support of Beltline rail. I’m also shouting out my four favorite martinis from spring dining.
Finally, Bey Mediterranean Kitchen + Bar in Roswell shared its recipe for the restaurant’s popular crispy honey harissa cauliflower.
Cheers!
🍸 Beth
CHAMBLEE RESTAURANTS CLOSED INDEFINITELY BY FIRE
😞 Residents and businesses at the Parkview on Peachtree complex in Chamblee continue to deal with the aftermath of a devastating fire on Mother’s Day. The blaze left more than 70 people displaced from their homes and led to the closures of several businesses and restaurants in the affected building.
A rooftop air conditioning unit at the Windsor Parkview Apartments (building B) at the Peachtree Boulevard development sparked the fire. No one was injured, but the building suffered severe structural damage, including a partially collapsed roof.
Ongoing safety inspections have made the building inaccessible to residents and businesses. A temporary fence surrounds the Windsor. Bright yellow “Unsafe Building” signs from the DeKalb County Fire Marshal taped to fencing around the perimeter ban anyone from entering or working at the site. While fire officials and structural engineers evaluate the integrity of the building, Chamblee police sit stationed nearby to prevent people from trespassing.
On a warm, sunny day at the Chamblee complex, typically busy patios at restaurants like Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar and Michelin-recognized The Alden remain empty.
🍽️ Atlanta native and chef Jared Hucks opened The Alden at Parkview on Peachtree in 2018. The Alden references both his middle name and a word in Old English meaning “old friend.”
Since opening, The Alden has become known for its chefs counter, led by Hucks, along with dishes like chilled English pea soup, lavender-infused roast chicken, and black ink bucatini fra diavolo with Gulf shrimp and boquerones. Hucks and his restaurant have garnered critical acclaim over the years, including recommendations from Michelin in its 2023, 2024, and 2025 guides to Atlanta and the American South.
Hucks said that he and his staff first noticed a strong burning smell when The Alden opened for dinner around 5 p.m. on May 10. After quickly determining the smell wasn’t coming from the restaurant, the fire alarm in the building went off. Everyone evacuated safely. Thick black smoke and flames could be seen shooting from the rooftop of the building.
👷 “At this stage, there are still many unknowns,” Hucks told Rough Draft about a timeline for reopening The Alden. “The building remains in the mitigation and evaluation phase, and we’ve been advised that the overall process could take months – though no confirmed timeline has been established.”
Hucks said his primary concern right now is his employees. Last Thursday, he launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover some of their lost wages following the sudden and indefinite closure of the restaurant on Mother’s Day. (The holiday is one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants.) So far, the campaign for The Alden’s employees has raised more than $12,000, with a goal of raising $14,000.
🫂 “We’re staying focused on supporting our team and taking things one step at a time,” Hucks said of the future. “The support from the community has been overwhelming and deeply appreciated.”
The Windsor at Parkview on Peachtree is home to nearly ten restaurants and businesses employing dozens of people. In addition to The Alden and Bad Daddy’s, Playa Bowls, Rreal Tacos, Freddo Gelato, Cookie Cutters, Bishop Cuts & Color Chamblee, Hero Restoration, and The Piedmont Bank also remain closed until further notice.
It’s unclear when the DeKalb County Fire Marshal’s office will give the green light for the apartment complex and its businesses and restaurants to begin the process of rebuilding.
À LA CARTE
🍹 Atlanta City Council green lights happy hour
That’s right, happy hour is now legal in Atlanta. And yes, you aren’t the only person who didn’t know that the city’s restaurants and bars weren’t permitted to offer temporary drink specials. This (quietly) changed on April 20 when the city council unanimously approved the measure, buried on page 17 of the 101-page meeting minutes, to update the code of ordinances and allow for alcoholic beverage promotions.
Here’s what to know:
- Discount limits and restrictions: Discounts on alcoholic drinks cannot exceed 50% off regular listed menu price.
- All-you-can-drink/unlimited drinks: These specials (i.e. bottomless mimosas) are still prohibited.
- Point of Sales system (POS) reporting requirements: Restaurants must ring in alcoholic beverages at full price, then record the temporary discount separately.
- Private event exception: Happy hour rules don’t apply to private event functions, closed to the public.
🚉 Emerald City Bagels owner speaks in favor of Beltline Rail
Jackie Halcrow, co-founder of Emerald City Bagels, spoke in favor of Beltline rail during the May 18 Atlanta City Council meeting, Rough Draft’s Logan C. Ritchie reports. Halcrow’s remarks were in response to Councilperson Mary Norwood’s proposal to add a second paved trail to the Atlanta Beltline to accommodate bikes and scooters. Light rail advocates call the proposal “ill-conceived.”
“I’m here today to voice my support of Beltline rail, as the light rail has always been at the core of the Beltline master plan,” Halcrow said.
“As a bagel shop, we rely heavily on regular customers like the commuter stopping in three days a week for breakfast on the way to work, or the dad popping in every Saturday for a dozen bagels because getting breakfast for the family is part of this weekend ritual,” she continued.
“When searching for the second location for our bagel shop, we were certain that the promise of Beltline rail, along with bicycle commuters, made our chosen location in Old Fourth Ward a sure bet,” said Halcrow. “It seemed like the perfect pop-in location for those not relying on cars to get through the city.”
“During the painfully long process of building the Beltline, the general view of the Beltline seems to have changed. It’s being viewed as a recreational area or a tourist attraction, rather than a brilliant piece of infrastructure that supports the citizens of this city,” Halcrow said, as she ended her remarks. “Public transit isn’t new. The positive effects of public transport in growing cities is well documented. Please protect the Beltline transit right of way for light rail and allow Atlanta to grow into the city it’s always aimed to be. Thank you.”
🏆 SCAD-produced series “ChefATL” wins Southeast Emmy
A student-made docuseries about Atlanta’s food scene landed Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) its first Southeast Emmy Award over the weekend. The winning episode, entitled “Global South,” featured author and artist Jon Goode highlighting Atlanta chef Deborah VanTrece and her dishes.
SCAD partnered with WABE to distribute the series. There are currently seven episodes accessible online at WABE or via PBS Passport.
Sip, savor, and celebrate!
SPONSORED BY FOOD THAT ROCKS
🥂 Food That Rocks 2026 returns to City Springs on June 4 as Sandy Springs’ all-inclusive tasting event, presented by Taste of Atlanta.
From 6–10 p.m. for VIP entry and starting at 7 p.m. for general admission, guests sample bites from more than 25 neighborhood restaurants alongside craft cocktails, beer, and wine tastings. The under-the-stars evening features live music from Band X, chef meet-and-greets, and interactive sponsor activations.
Celebrating Sandy Springs’ growing culinary scene, the event brings together local favorites and new spots for one high-energy night of food, drinks, and community.
EDITOR’S PICK
🍸 My favorite martinis from spring dining
1. Classic gin with a twist martini from Burle’s Bar on the Eastside Beltline.
2. The Rosso-tini from Rosso in Midtown. It’s a have-it-your-way martini, which can come with vodka or gin made dirty, filthy, or classic with a twist.
3. The house martini at Staplehouse in the Old Fourth Ward.
4. The freezer martini at MidCity in Midtown made with Japanese gin, Dolin dry vermouth, Cocchi Americano, and fino sherry.
RECIPE
🥦 This week, we’re sharing a recipe for crispy honey harissa cauliflower, one of the most-ordered dishes at Bey Mediterranean Kitchen + Bar in Roswell.
“In Lebanese and Mediterranean cooking, cauliflower is something many of us grew up eating in simple forms — roasted, fried, or paired with tahini,” said executive chef and owner Marc Mansour.
🌶️ He recommends sourcing good-quality harissa paste from an international or Mediterranean market. The restaurant uses Tunisian brand Harissa du Cap Bon.
Fresh cauliflower is key to this recipe. “Tighter florets and fresher cauliflower will fry and caramelize much better,” he said. Mansour advises not overcrowding the fryer or pan with cauliflower. The cruciferous vegetable needs space to become crispy.
➡️ Get double the Atlanta food and dining coverage with “Family Meal,” edited by Beth McKibben, on Tuesdays at 5 p.m., and “Side Dish,” edited by Sarra Sedghi, on Thursdays at noon. Subscribe to both here.
