Author: Ligaya Figueras - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

At a time when the walkers, joggers, strollers and scooters that clog the Eastside Beltline have more bar and restaurant options than ever, Dos Burros’ slow, steady approach to building a menu might enable it to become a regular stop along the trail.

Two years after the pandemic crippled the restaurant industry, 2023 saw a steady stream of openings across the metro area, with frequent announcements of new pop-ups and food halls. Atlanta restaurants also were mentioned nationally in good ways and bad.

Demetrius Brown and business partner Brandon Blanchard began hosting Heritage Supper Club, their Afro-Caribbean pop-up, in the evenings at Bread & Butterfly in Inman Park. By August, they had assumed ownership of the French bistro. Only six weeks into dinner service, the evolution from pop-up to grown-up is one to savor.

These days, the area west of Midtown is buzzing with high-quality restaurants where meals are like a performance. Little Sparrow has the potential to fly high, right alongside them.

After months of speculation surrounding which restaurants would be included in the Atlanta’s inaugural Michelin Guide, Atlanta got its answers Tuesday night. Some of the area’s best-known culinarians packed the Rialto Theatre for the Arts to hear the list of recognized restaurants.

Asha Gomez has garnered James Beard award nominations for her now-defunct Cardamom Hill restaurant and her 2016 book, “My Two Souths.” Now, the chef is taking her career in a new direction. On Nov. 1, Gomez will open Tulip & Tea, a flower and tea shop located at 1805 Parker Road SE in the Corner Market shopping plaza in Conyers.

Breaker Breaker has been open for just two months, but this Florida Panhandle-inspired fish shack and watering hole feels like it’s been a pit stop on the Eastside Beltline in Reynoldstown for much longer. You’ll find that chef Maximilian Hines has created a smart menu of snacks, fried platters, salads, sandwiches and house specialties that should appeal to both adults and kids.

The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena have announced chef, author and TV personality Gerry “G.” Garvin as the venue’s chief culinary officer.

The owners of Baraonda closed their longtime Italian restaurant at 710 Peachtree St. in August 2021, and reopened this past June in Sandy Springs. Baraonda has moved and made some changes. A couple of pinsas, some salads and an overpour of vino, and you’ll go with the flow.

Sammy’s Pizzeria on the Green is open at Alpharetta City Center.