The Buckhead Atlanta development is going to be full of restaurants, but one of the most anticipated is an outpost of a New York favorite, Shake Shack (shakeshack.com.) The “roadside-style” burgers, hot dogs, fries and frozen custard have a loyal following since its beginnings a decade ago as a food cart at Madison Square Park. It’s expected to open in July.
Restaurateur Riccardo Ullio is expected to open Novo in late spring or early summer in Dunwoody, at 5592 Chamblee Dunwoody Road. According to a report in Atlanta magazine, Ullio will adapt menu items from his Inman Park Italian restaurants Fritti and Sotto Sotto for a more family-oriented eatery. Diners will order from kiosks, and staff will seat customers and deliver food.
Vine & Tap (vineandtapatl.com) is now open at 2770 Lenox Road in Buckhead, offering small plates and by-the-glass wine selections.
The Georgia Craft Beer Fest is set for March 22 at Red Brick Brewing, 2323 Defoor Hills Road, to benefit the Georgia Craft Brewers Guild. There will be samples from 25 breweries, including Moon River, Coastal Empire, Macon Beer Co. and Southbend. General admission tickets are $40 from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. ($75 for VIP from noon to 6 p.m.). Tickets and information at georgiacraftbrewersguild.org.
SOHO Atlanta (sohoatlanta.com) restaurant in Vinings has appointed Scott Warren as executive chef. He has served as the sous chef at SOHO for three years, and will take over the executive chef duties for departing Executive Chef Joe Ahn.
The Pub, which will feature traditional British pub fare, will open mid-summer in the former Hudson Grille location at 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road.
Octane Coffee (octanecoffee.com) will open a new outpost in Buckhead’s Atlanta Tech Village in mid-April. The space will feature a full coffee menu and bar in the lobby of the building at the corner of Piedmont and Lenox roads. There will also be a large outdoor patio space. Octane has additional locations in Grant Park and West Midtown.
Willy’s Mexicana Grill (willys.com) will open a new location in Sandy Springs Plaza on Roswell Road, near Trader Joe’s later this spring. The Atlanta-based chain is also planning a new location for Brookhaven at Cherokee Plaza, according to a report from the Tomorrow’s News Today blog.
Big Sky (facebook.com/BigSkyBuckhead) is Hector Santiago, Adam Berlin and Juan Calle’s new, fast-casual space with a Latin-inspired menu at 3201 Cains Hill Place in Buckhead.
Eat, drink and bowl a strike at Painted Pin, billed as an “upscale boutique bowling and entertainment venue,” which is set to open in April on Miami Circle in Buckhead. Check in at the concierge-style desk for your shoes, then order sandwiches, tacos, wine, cocktails and more right from the lane.
Las Margaritas (lasmargaritasmidtown.com) on Cheshire Bridge Road has recently given its building a fresh, bright look, installed a new bar and added selections to the menu, including a special Monday night fajita menu for just $10 and a Cuban buffet on Tuesdays.
Five Guys has closed at Perimeter Place in Dunwoody, while Twisted Taco has closed its location across from Perimeter Mall.