Karaoke bar singing the blues in Reynoldstown
Tuesday, July 7 — Happy Tuesday! Welcome to the table.
This week’s “Family Meal” features a story from Rough Draft reporter Logan C. Ritchie on a two-story karaoke bar headed to Reynoldstown. The new karaoke bar is getting some pushback from the community over its LED sign, which will be scrawled across the side of the Atlanta Dairies building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Reynoldstown Civic Improvement League (RCIL) has concerns about the bar’s proposed exterior alterations.
For my “Editor’s Pick” this week, I’m providing you with three recommendations for coffee, Mexican, and Venezuelan street foods with dishes and drinks to order. I’m also highlighting local spots offering ways to donate or send supplies to the victims of the twin earthquakes in Venezuela. This includes dining at Arepa Mia in Avondale Estates.
Finally, micro-bakery Lonely Sweets shared its recipe for a matcha white chocolate cake that includes options for two frosting variants: white chocolate ganache and vanilla bean Swiss meringue buttercream.
Cheers!
🍸 Beth
⚽ When the matches end, the dining begins. After cheering on your favorite teams across Atlanta, savor the city’s best tables during Buckhead Restaurant Week, July 27 through Aug. 1. More than 50 restaurants serve exclusive prix-fixe menus. Learn more here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Two-Story Karaoke Bar in Reynoldstown?
🚨 A red, lighted sign advertising a karaoke bar may soon be scrawled across the side of a historic building in Atlanta.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Atlanta Dairies in Reynoldstown is located at 777 Memorial Drive near the Beltline Southeast trail.
Already behind its slated spring opening, Yan Karaoke has submitted a Special Administrative Permit application to the City of Atlanta Office of Zoning and Development to alter the exterior of the building, including adding a red and black LED sign and red lighted awnings.
🎤 Yan Karaoke is marketing itself as the “largest karaoke restaurant in North America.” The two-story, 15,000-square-foot space will be able to accommodate more than 500 guests. It features 30 private karaoke suites, VIP areas, a full-service restaurant, and multiple cocktail bars.
“We’re building a place where you can host anything from an intimate night out to a company event. It’s going to be a true entertainment destination for Atlanta,” owner Alex Yan said in a statement.
Yan is the owner of Mics Karaoke in Doraville, an over-the-top entertainment venue with private, themed karaoke rooms.
The Reynoldstown Civic Improvement League (RCIL) has concerns about the bar’s proposed exterior alterations. In a June 25 letter to the city’s planning staff, RCIL said it supports active tenancy and programming at Atlanta Dairies, calling it “a centerpiece of Reynoldstown’s revitalization.”
🏛️ However, RCIL is requesting conditions to “protect the building’s existing fabric.” Concerns about changes to the facade include the original cast stone entry opening, lighting, canopies, and window darkening. The proposed alterations would cause “irreversible damage” to the original building.
Once reviewed, the application will go before the Atlanta City Council’s Zoning Review Board.
Historically a working dairy, it was converted into a mixed-use residential project in the 2010s by architecture firm Perkins & Will. Owned by Asana Partners, Atlanta Dairies is home to Three Taverns Brewery, the Eastern music venue, and small dining establishments.
🏡 The Reynoldstown Historic District is a large residential neighborhood located between the Cabbagetown and Edgewood neighborhoods south of the CSX rail line. Chester Avenue, Selman, Kenyon, and Wylie Streets were laid out by 1870, and are the oldest resources in the district.
Editor’s Pick
☕ Amistad Coffee (Midtown; $-$$; pictured)
Coffee: Espresso drinks, seasonal and special lattes
411: Latino-owned coffee shop across from Arts Center Station; open at 7 a.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
Drink this: Classic espresso drink like cappuccino; horchata latte
Eat this: Pan dulce, including sizable conchas made locally
Seating: Indoors; natural light; plugs; conducive to working
🇻🇪 Entre Dulce y Salado (Doraville; $-$$)
Cuisine: Venezuelan street foods, desserts, smoothies
411: Parisian Avenue complex on Buford Highway; counter-service; breakfast available; Spanish-speaking; online ordering
Eat this: Pepito el coqueto (sandwich with beef or chicken, layered with ham, cheese, shredded potatoes, tomatoes, and sauce); ham and cheese empanada; parripapas (loaded fries with protein of choice)
Drink this: Mango smoothie
Seating: Indoors
🇲🇽 Cocina De La Tia (Marietta; $-$$)
Cuisine: Mexican; tacos; gorditas; tortas
411: Family-owned, operated; next door to Season; open daily; breakfast available; online ordering; counter service
Eat this: Chilaquiles breakfast; gordita de queso (chicharrón en salsa roja, marinated pork); steak huarache; choriqueso dip
Drink this: Daily agua fresca
Seating: Indoors
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Helping Venezuelan Earthquake Victims
🇻🇪 It’s hard to fathom the devastation in Venezuela following twin earthquakes on June 24. The earthquakes claimed the lives of more than 3,500 people, displaced thousands, and left portions of the country uninhabitable. According to Reuters, 12,800 people alone are in shelters around Caracas and La Guaira, which are quickly becoming overcrowded and in desperate need of supplies.
Local organizations around the metro have stepped up to help earthquake victims, collecting supplies or fundraising to provide financial aid for the humanitarian efforts on the ground in Venezuela.
🆘 The Latin American Association (LAA) is hosting a donation drive at its headquarters on Buford Highway through Wednesday this week. The drive is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. LAA seeks non-perishable food items (canned goods only; no plastic containers or bagged items), along with baby formula, diapers, baby wipes, first-aid kits, and personal hygiene products.
🫓 Over at Arepa Mia in Avondale Estates, the Venezuelan restaurant has already raised over $6,500 for earthquake victims since launching its fundraising campaign on June 26. Owner Liz Hernandez said the goal is to raise at least $10,000 to help people rebuild their lives in Venezuela. All you have to do is eat at the restaurant. Proceeds from your meal will go directly to World Central Kitchen, which has been in Venezuela feeding people since just after the earthquakes.
🍽️ Poncey-Highland Peruvian restaurant Tio Lucho’s will host an AYCE potluck dinner fundraiser on July 13 in support of Venezuelan earthquake victims. Tickets are $50, with 100% of the proceeds donated to World Central Kitchen.
🧑🍳 World Central Kitchen (WCK) continues to mobilize volunteers in Venezuela, helping to feed thousands left homeless by the June earthquakes. WCK partners with local organizations and restaurants, allowing for an immediate crisis response by setting up emergency kitchens serving hot meals. You can donate here.
⚽ When the matches end, the dining begins. After cheering on your favorite teams across Atlanta, savor the city’s best tables during Buckhead Restaurant Week, July 27 through Aug. 1. More than 50 restaurants serve exclusive prix-fixe menus. Learn more here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Recipe: Matcha White Chocolate Cake
🍰 This week, we’re sharing a recipe for the matcha white chocolate cake from Atlanta micro-bakery Lonely Sweets. The recipe also includes two frosting variants: white chocolate ganache and vanilla bean Swiss meringue buttercream.
🍵 Get the cake and frosting recipes here.
➡️ 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.
