News You Can Eat

New Nosh

One Hot Cookie, 1579 N. Decatur Rd., has taken over the old Coldstone Creamery location in English Village. The new shop lets you pick the type of cookie dough you want, and what you want mixed inside or on top and then it is quick-baked in a convection-type oven. Ice cream and other light menu items are also available…. Roswell favorite Southern Skillet has opened a second location at 5483 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. between Brookhaven and Chamblee…. Breakfast favorite J. Christopher and Marlowe’s Tavern are now open at Plaza Midtown on West Peachtree Street…. LowCountry Barbecue is now offering catering, under the name LowCountry Catering, providing a full experience for weddings and rehearsal dinners, down to the tents, tables, linens and more. Check out the new Web site at www.lowcountrycatering.com…. For those who love dipping their meat in assorted oils and chocolates, The Melting Pot is opening a new location in the BellSouth building at 754 Peachtree St. The chain has three other locations, all outside the perimeter in Kennesaw, Duluth and Roswell…. Bojangle’s chicken chain has announced it will open 80 restaurants in Georgia this year, including some in the Atlanta area. Locations will be announced soon…. P’cheen in the Old Fourth Ward has officially opened its expanded dining room, featuring leather couches and local art. New menu items include a "bar plate" with cured meats and artisan cheeses…. LitKitchen, which specializes in planning and hosting private parties and culinary events for businesses and individuals, has opened a new event space, 433 Bishop, near Atlantic Station. The 5,200-square-foot space will be available for parties, wedding receptions, fundraisers, cooking classes, art receptions and more. Visit www.litkitchen.com for more info…. Fune, a Japanese fusion sushi bar, is now open in the Spire building, 860 Peachtree Rd. in Midtown…. Fox Brothers Barbecue, based out of Smith’s Old Bar in Midtown, is rumored to be opening its own restaurant in the old Asada location in Candler Park…. Chima (pronounced "she-ma") has opened for dinner nightly at 3215 Peachtree Rd. in Buckhead, serving authentic Brazilian Churrasco 15 kinds of meat, ranging from filet mignon, pork loin, lamb chops, chicken and salmon…. Noir is now open in Castleberry Hill at 264 Peters St. serving French-inspired American cuisine and French wines and projecting silent films on the former warehouse’s 100-year-old brick walls painted black of course. The lounge is open nightly Tuesdays Saturdays starting at 5 p.m…. Rathbun Steak is set to open the first week of May at Inman Alley on Krog Street.

In and Out

Vinocity in Midtown is relocating to Kirkwood Station at 1963 Hosea Williams Dr…. Tamarind has reopened at Colony Square after its old location on 14th Street was demolished for the bridge expansion. Expect the same food, but better parking and an easy stroll to the High Museum or Woodruff Arts Center…. Downtown sandwich shop Philly Boys has moved to the Westside at 1663 Howell Mill Rd.…. After months of serving tacos out of a van to its devoted patrons, the former Taqueria Sundown has now re-opened at 2165 Cheshire Bridge Rd. as Taqueria del Sol, serving lunch and dinner. 

Events Notes

The AIDS Survival Project’s Art of Dining fundraiser will be Friday, April 20, at the Lowe Gallery, 75 Bennett St., in Buckhead. Dozens of local restaurants will offer samplings of their menus, and there will also be live and silent auctions. The evening will be chaired by Chef Marvin Woods yleft) from Spice. Tickets are 25 in advance, 30 at the door. Visit www.aidssurvivalproject.org for more information… Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia-Highland celebrated its 24th anniversary last month.... Restaurant Eugene’s Linton Hopkins will appear on Food Network’s Iron Chef America starting on April 8. 

Shifting Chefs

Lou Spost, executive chef at the Hilton Atlanta, was named the "Chef of the Year 2006" by the United Culinary Chefs Association…. Oscar Pinto is the executive chef at Thrive.

Restaurant RIP

Asada in Candler Park…. The Supper Club in Decatur…. CafÈ Tu Tu Tango in Buckhead…. The Rustic Gourmet in Emory Village.... La Madeleine in Buckhead

Rumor Buster

Despite rumors and published reports, Radial Cafe on DeKalb Avenue is not closed. The restaurant recently expanded and is still packing them in for weekend brunch.