NEW RESTAURANT ROUNDUP

An iconic space is reborn and soup’s on in Decatur

By Collin Kelley

INtown Editor

Atlanta has truly come into its own as a culinary destination as innovative chefs open new restaurants serving up cuisine to delight all palates. For March, we’ve rounded up a list of the newly-opened (and opening soon) eateries you won’t want to miss. Make your reservations now.

Polaris

Perhaps the most anticipated opening of the year is the re-opening of Polaris at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Downtown. e iconic, blue-domed ying saucer has been a xture on the Atlanta skyline since 1967, but the restaurant and bar closed a decade ago. e new space, reimagined by Johnson Studios, will be divided into four distinct areas including a bar and media zone with communal tables, a living room space with sofas, a library space and a traditional dining room. e oor of Polaris will slowly rotate o ering one-of-a-kind views of the city. Hyatt executive chef Martin Pfe erkorn has promised a menu of light fare and small plates with ingredients sourced from a roo op garden. e Polaris is expected to reopen this month, so check facebook.com/PolarisAtlanta for more information.

Big Sky

Hector Santiago, Adam Berlin and Juan Calle have joined forces to open Big Sky, a fast-casual space with a Latin-inspired menu at 3201 Cains Hill Place in Buckhead. ose missing Santiago’s Pura Vida in Poncey-Highland will de nitely want to grab a drink, lunch or dinner. Visit facebook.com/BigSkyBuckhead for more details.

Bar Meatball

Joe Masi and his cousin, Joey Federici, teamed up to transform the Pozole space at 1044 Greenwood Ave. in Virginia-Highland into Bar Meatball, featuring a menu of traditional Italian comfort food. Find out more at barmeatball.com.

e Imperial is newly-opened neighborhood joint at 726 West College Ave. in Decatur’s Oakhurst neighborhood has a menu featuring salads, hearty bowls, wings, burgers and a full bar. e former gas station also has a big patio for when the weather warms up. More at imperialdecatur.com

Painted Pin

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.

Victory Sandwich Bar

Victory was forced to close its doors to make way for the 280 Elizabeth Street mixed-use development last year, but it’s re-opened in new digs at 913 Bernia Avenue in Inman Park and still serving up its tasty sandwiches and frozen Jack ‘n Cokes. vicsandwich.com.

Shake Shack

e Buckhead Atlanta development is going to be full of restaurants, but one of the most anticipated is an outpost of New York favorite, Shake Shack. e “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. Find out more at shakeshack.com. (Pictured at top)

Souper Jenny – Decatur

Neither freezing temperatures nor black ice could keep the soup lovers away when Jenny Levison opened the second outpost of her famed Buckhead restaurant on Valentine’s Day. Located at 1 West Court Square in Downtown, the place is already packed for lunch. souperjennyatl.com.

Spice to Table

Asha Gomez – known for the Spice Route Supper Club and Cardamom Hill – has opened Spice to Table in the Studioplex in the Old Fourth Ward. e Indian-inspired eatery serves breakfast and lunch. facebook.com/Spice2Table.