It’s been an eventful week for Atlanta restaurants.
For the March 5 edition of Quick Bites, get the scoop on Slutty Vegan’s founder, Pinky Cole, filing for bankruptcy and joining the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” cast. Learn about the newest hotel steakhouse in Midtown. And check out a bounty of food events, ranging from a burger week to a Lady Gaga dance party.
Slutty Vegan in the news…again
Following an announcement that Slutty Vegan’s Aisha “Pinky” Cole would join The Real Housewives of Atlanta cast for season 17, the vegan burger chain founder filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that Cole owes the Small Business Administration $1.2 million and $192,000 in Georgia taxes. Cole personally filed for bankruptcy in February.
Earlier this week, Cole addressed her bankruptcy filing on Instagram with a parody post, as reported by the AJC. It’s unclear how Cole’s bankruptcy filing will affect Slutty Vegan locations in Atlanta.
Openings
Steakhouse and sushi restaurant Ashland opened at the Loews Atlanta in Midtown. While the hotel restaurant specializes in steak and sushi, Ashland takes inspiration from the American South and global cuisines, offering other dishes like lobster pot pie and vegan mushroom bolognese. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.
The Sandy Springs location of Rumi’s Kitchen reopens Friday, after a series of interior and exterior renovations. The restaurant closed last year for renovations.
Coming attractions
Northern China Eatery will open a third location in Johns Creek, according to WhatNow Atlanta.
Hour extensions and menu changes
1678 Omakase in Brookhaven now serves lunch and dinner on Mondays, bringing service to seven days a week. Expect unlimited hot sake with any omakase course on Mondays.
K5 Hospitality Group restaurants 5Church Midtown, 5Church Buckhead, and AltaToro feature $1 oysters on weekdays, from 3-7 p.m. Happy hour also includes $5 beers, $7 glasses of wine, and cocktail specials.
Farmers market season begins
Farmers market season begins this weekend, with both the Freedom Farmers Market and Peachtree Road Farmers Market kicking off the main markets. Catch Freedom Farmers Market at the Carter Center on Saturdays, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and Peachtree Road Farmers Market at The Cathedral of St. Phillip on Peachtree on Saturdays, from 8:30 a.m to noon.
Add to your calendar
Virtue Rooftop above 5Church Midtown will host Total Mayhem on March 6, a Lady Gaga-themed event. Expect fire pits, cocktails, sharable dishes, and desserts, along with a live music set by DJ Montana, starting at 8 p.m. No cover charge. 21+
The Buckhead and Beltline locations of Yeppa & Co. will host Formula 1 opening day watch parties on March 7, starting at 11 p.m. Expect races on the big screen, drink specials, and late-night focaccia, among other dishes. Securing a table in Buckhead requires a $100 minimum. People headed to the Beltline Formula 1 party can partake in magnums of P’s Rosé for $69.
Related story: F1 Arcade opens at The Interlock on Howell Mill Road
Environmental activist Robin Greenfield will host a foraging walk at Mason Mill Park in Decatur on March 12, from 6-7:30 p.m. The following night, he’ll speak at Lake Claire Community Land Trust on Arizona Avenue, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Greenfield will discuss his year of foraging for food, which started in June 2025. Both events are free. Registration recommended.
Chefs Karl Gorline (Avize), Nicholas Grosse (Atlas), and Aaron Phillips and Austin Goetzman (Lazy Betty) will host a collaborative dinner at Avize on March 12. The Michelin-recognized trio of restaurants will also offer wine pairings by James Beard semi-finalist and Avize sommelier Taurean Philpott and Lazy Betty wine director and sommelier Gracie Barwick. Reservations available via OpenTable. $225 per person.
Related story: Here are Atlanta’s 2026 James Beard Awards semifinalists
The Understory dinner series at Burle’s Bar begins March 16 with a meal hosted by Atlanta chef and recipe developer Brianna Riddock (FORTH Atlanta). The evening will feature wines from The Donum Estate in Sonoma. Tickets are $190 per person and available through the Burle’s Bar website.
ENZO Steakhouse and Bar at Town at Trilith in Fayetteville will host its third annual Oscars viewing party March 15, starting at 6 p.m. Expect Red Carpet-style photos, movie-inspired cocktails, and dishes from Chef Andrea Montobbio. Tickets are $125 per person and include two drinks and food. Proceeds benefit local nonprofits Two Sparrows Village and Variety of Georgia.
Explore Gwinnett hosts Gwinnett Burger Week again this year, March 16-22. Attendees can enjoy specialty burgers from local restaurants for $12. Check out the complete list of participating restaurants at Explore Gwinnett. Read more about the burger week at Rough Draft Atlanta.