FLAVORS: A Taste of North Georgia Summer 2024

STEPHANIE WOODY

Group Publisher swoody@forsythnews.com

JESSICA SHIRLEY

Advertising Sales Manager jessicashirley@gainesvilletimes.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

STACY CLARK sclark@forsythnews.com

MEGHAN HERNANDEZ meghanhernandez@forsythnews.com

JENNA WELLBORN jwellborn@gainesvilletimes.com

ASHLEY BAEZ ashleybaez@gainesvilletimes.com

CREATIVE SERVICES

CHELSEA SUNSHINE

Lead Graphic Designer

COURTNEY SMITH Graphic Designer

APRIL SEYMOUR Prepress Coordinator

FORSYTH DINING

Auntie Kim’s Pound Cakes

433 Canton Road Ste 103 • Cumming, GA 30040 • (404) 281-8900

Atlanta Bread & Bar

410 Peachtree Pkwy., Suite 116 Cumming, GA 30041 • (678) 845-5881

Baba’s Gyro & Kabob

2310 Ronald Reagan Blvd Suite A, Cumming, GA 30040 • (770) 888-8100

Big D’s BBQ

212 Atlanta Rd, Cumming, GA (470) 695-7444

Black Diamond Grill

1485 Peachtree Pkwy., D-4, • Cumming, GA 30041 • (678) 965-4770

Branchwater

5820 S. Vickery St., Cumming, GA (470) 253-7910

Buffalo’s Cafe

1175 Buford Hwy • Suite 100 Cumming, GA 30041 • (470) 309-9464

Capital Tacos

11160 Medlock Bridge Road Johns Creek, GA 30097 • (470) 299-8907

Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant

5670 Atlanta Hwy a1 Alpharetta, GA 30004 • (770) 475-9100

Castleberry Ale House

5446 Bethelview Rd. Cumming, GA 30040 • (770) 292-9999

Cherry Street Brewing at Vickery Village

5810 Bond Street Cumming, GA 30040 • (770) 205-5512

Coco’s Cuban Restaurant 1240 Buford Hwy. • Cumming, GA 30041 • (770) 888-5668

Community Cup

125 Tribble Gap Rd., Suite 103 Cumming, GA 30040 • (470) 297-5569

Crumbl Cookie

405 Peachtree Parkway, Ste 102 Cumming, GA 30041 • (470) 239-1986

Cue Barbecue 1370 Buford Highway Cumming, GA 30041 • (770) 888-1048

Five Boroughs Pizza Tavern 1370 Buford Hwy Suite 107 • Cumming, GA 30041 • (470) 695-4011

Friends American Grill

506 Lakeland Plaza • Cumming, GA 30040 • (678) 807-7330

Gasthaus Tirol

310 Atlanta Rd. • Cumming, GA 30041 (770) 844-7244

Giorgio’s Family Kitchen

558 Lakeland Plaza • Cumming, GA 30040 • (770) 781-4525

GrapeVine’s Casual Italian

2619 Freedom Pkwy • Cumming, GA 30041 • (770) 844-4416

Hacienda Bar & Grill

549 Lakeland Plaza • Cumming, GA 30040 • (678) 341-9589

HOBNOB

6690 Town Square #420 Alpharetta, GA 30005 • (470) 448-4572

Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant

580 Atlanta Rd., Suite 212 Cumming, GA 30040 • (770) 886-8829

Ichiban Steak and Sushi

410 Peachtree Pkwy suite 112, Cumming, GA 30041 • (770) 772-6822

Izumi Asian Bistro 1510 Market Place Blvd., Cumming, GA 30041 • (470) 253-8818

Juke N Jive Creamery

450 Vision Drive • Cumming, GA 30040 (470) 655-7986

Lake Burrito

3050 Keith Bridge Rd, • Cumming, GA 30041 • (508) 443-1116

Lennys Grill & Subs 1040 Market Place Blvd. Cumming, GA 30041 • 678-947-0336

Longhorn Steakhouse 925 Market Pl Blvd Cumming, GA 30041 • (678) 947-4228

Los Rios Mexican Restaurant 12 Tri-County Plaza Cumming, 30041 • (678) 456-8892

Marie’s Italian Deli

580 Atlanta Road, Suite 34, Cumming, 30040 GA • (770) 886-0084

Mary Lucille’s Bakery

431 Vision Dr., F104 Cumming, GA 30040 • (678) 341-0054

FORSYTH DINING

Nido Cafe

5755 Clarion St. • Cumming, GA 30040 (678) 341-9695

NoFo Brew Co.

6150 GA-400 Suite A/B • Cumming, GA 30028 • (678) 771-8116

Ocean & Acre

6290 Halcyon Way, Suite 620 Alpharetta, GA 30005 • (678) 823-8887

Palapas Bar and Grill

3647 Browns Bridge Rd Ste 105-B, Cumming, GA 30041 • (678) 771-8091

Pies on Post

3310 Drew Campground Rd Suite D, Cumming, GA 30040 • (470) 695-4164

Playa Bowls

6365 Halcyon Way, Suite 930 Alpharetta, GA. 30005 • (678) 580-2458

Reveille Café

5310 Matt Hwy., Suite 400, • Cumming, GA 30028 • (470) 297-3990

Rice Restaurant & Sushi Bar

3480 Keith Bridge Rd., Suite B-1 Cumming, GA 30041 • (770) 887-9833

Rooster’s Cafe

216 Atlanta Rd • Cumming, GA 30040 (770) 889-6890

Rosati’s Pizza and Sports Pub

415 Peachtree Pkwy, Suite 200, Cumming, GA 30041 (678) 455-2903

Schuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar 415 Peachtree Parkway Suite 255, Cumming, GA 30041 (470) 253-7746

Shipley Do-Nuts

3225 Keith Bridge Rd • Cumming, GA 30041 • (470) 839-2135

Sock’s Love Barbecue 1050 Buford Hwy • Cumming, GA 30041 • (470) 302-8383

The Station House

540 Lake Center Pkwy. Suite 105, Cumming, GA 30041 • (770) 205-6032

Stoney J’s Farm Winery

1506 Stoney Point Rd Cumming, GA 30041 • (470) 239-3461

Taco Mexico

530 Lake Center Pkwy. Cumming, GA 30040 •(470) 655-7986

Talk of the Table

410 Peachtree Pkwy., Suite 218 Cumming, GA 30041 • (678) 965-4003

Tam’s BackStage 215 Ingram Ave • Cumming, GA 30040 (678) 455-8310

Tequila Fiesta Taqueria & Bar

3120 Mathis Airport Pkwy Suwanee, GA 30024 (678) 771-8136

Texas Roadhouse

510 Lakeland Plaza • Cumming, GA 30041 • (770) 844-7402

Thai Basil Kitchen

1475 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 5 Cumming, GA 30041 • (470) 695-7377

That Biscuit Place 5110 Chattahoochee Ind. Park Cumming, GA 30041 • (770) 889-7822

Vampire Penguin

440 Vision Drive, C101 Cumming, GA 30040

Vendetti’s Pizza, Pasta & Grill 5456 Bethelview Rd., Suite109 Cumming, GA 30040 (470) 239-3398

Vicky Lou’s Burgers 6730 Browns Bridge Rd. Gainesville, GA 30506 • (470) 253-7935

Village Burger

101 W Courthouse Square Cumming, GA 30040 • 470-239-4502

Whataburger

503 Lakeland Plaza Cumming, Ga. 30040

Wilkes Meat Market & Deli 5515 Bannister Rd. • Cumming, GA 30028 • (770) 889-8839

Wright’s Fish and Chips

451 Vision Drive • Cumming, GA 30040

Your Pie Pizza - 655 Atlanta Rd., Suite 607, Cumming 678-341-9023

- 4860c Golden Parkway, Buford 678-765-0560

This Korean restaurant was ranked

by Yelp as serving the BEST FRIED CHICKEN IN THE NATION.

Now it has a location in Forsyth County.

Sabrina Kerns

A popular Korean restaurant in Alpharetta opened a second location in Suwanee last week, serving up its famous fried chicken that was rated by Yelp as the best in the nation.

Kimchi Red held its grand opening at 3651 Peachtree Parkway, on Wednesday, May 1, where co-owners Alice and Joey Lee are serving the country’s “best fried chicken,” stacked high with an array of mouth-watering toppings and sauces, along with other authentic Korean dishes and flavors.

“This opening has been about 14 months in the making,” Alice said. “But we’re finally open. It’s super exciting.”

The husband-and-wife duo first opened the original location in Alpharetta in fall 2021, jumping head-first into the restaurant business for the first time.

They were running a separate company at the time, but Joey loves to cook for others. And after years of providing food for their church, nonprofits and homeless shelters in Virginia, where they lived before moving to Georgia five years ago, they decided to take a chance and try something new.

“Believe me, we had no experience,” Alice said. “All we had was a will, passion and faith to do our best.”

They started out with limited hours and only two menu items, not fully opening the restaurant until May 2022. But word spread in the community, and the restaurant took off.

Alice believes much of their success is owed not only to Joey’s unique food creations, but also their dedication to using quality ingredients. She said it is incredibly important to have organic, sustainable, whole foods in their kitchen “because it has an impact on people’s bodies.”

“I just want to offer people the best quality and the best food,” Alice said. “That’s super, super important to us.”

Thanks to Yelp’s rating, Kimchi Red has become most famous for its fried chicken, which comes with a variety of different toppings. One

Kimchi Red, a popular Korean restaurant in Alpharetta that just opened a new location in Suwanee. Yelp rated it the best fried chicken in the nation last year. Photo courtesy of Kimchi Red.

dish, the kimchi chicken, is Korean fried chicken topped with kimchi and onion stir-fry drizzled with spicy mayo. Another, the rose chon, is chicken topped with a creamy tomato Alfredo sauce.

“We’ve tried every chicken place here in Georgia and in Korea, and honestly, nothing tastes like the way we have it,” Alice said.

The menu also features favorites like BBQ Jeyuk, a spicy marinated pork; Japchae, a sweet dish of stir-fried clear glass noodles; fried rice; and K-Mega fries, french fries topped with kimchi, BBQ Jeyuk, homemade melted cheese, tomatillo, onions and cilantro.

Although the Suwanee location just opened, Alice and Joey already have

plans to expand.

Since Yelp named Kimchi Red’s fried chicken as the best in the nation last year, Alice said they have also gotten offers from people in California, Las Vegas, Texas, Maryland and more for franchising opportunities. While they plan to take their time and open the next few locations on their own, the coowners are considering franchising down the road.

For now, Alice said they are simply excited to finally see the second location in Suwanee open and customers in Forsyth trying the food that she and her husband have put so much love into.

“It’s all been quite a journey,” Alice said. “It’s such a blessing.”

For more information or to see the full menu, visit Kimchi Red’s website at www.kimchiredusa.com. Customers can also keep up with Alice, Joey and their kids on Instagram and TikTok.

DAWSON DINING

Because Coffee Roastery + Coffee House

240 Dawson Village Way N. Ste 100

Dawsonville, GA 30534

Big D’s BBQ

6566 Hwy 53 E

Dawsonville, GA (470) 695-7444

Big Red’s Biscuits & Deli

41 Big Horn Dr, Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 265-4050

Billie’s Country Kitchen

731 GA-9

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 265-3284

The Blue Bicycle A Bistro

30 Industrial Park Rd. Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 265-2153

Bojangles

- 25 Main St.

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 265-0091 - 326 S 400 Center Lane

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (678) 845-6011

Brooklyn Joe’s Pizza, Pasta & Grill

219 Crossroads Blvd

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 265-8000

Burger And Shake

66 S 400 Center Lane, Suite 175

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 216-0083

City Produce

800 Hwy 400 S Dawsonville, GA 30534 (770) 778-8646

Country Cafe

40 War Hill Park Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 216-1338

Crumbl Cookie

12 Dawson Market Way Suite 200

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 350-5553

Culver’s

252 S 400 Center Lane

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (678) 943-8452

Da Vinci’s Donuts

145 Forest Boulevard Suite 455

El Campesino Mexican Restaurant

6630 Hwy 53

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 216-3036

El Jinete Mexican Restaurant

100 N 400 Center

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 531-0012

El Rios Mexican Cafe

69 GA-9 S

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 265-6091

Fajita Grill

384 Hwy 53 E

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 265-1331

Freddy’s

1213 US 19 N

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (316) 719-7800

Friends Dawson Grill

837 GA-400, Suite 175

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 216-2800

Hacienda

Bar & Grill

219 Crossroads Blvd. Suite 110

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 256-0030

IHOP

4117 Dawson Forest Rd E, Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 265-2256

Johnny’s New York Style Pizza

355 Quill Drive, Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 216-1224

Kajun Seafood

29 Main St Ste 100

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 344-3820

Kani House

205 Dawson Village Way S, Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 344-1494

Little Peking

78 Dawson Village Way N, Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 216-8088

Thank you to our community for your support and voting us the Best!

DAWSON DINING

LongHorn Steakhouse

795 Hwy 400 South Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 265-2007

Miller’s Ale House 84 Duval Rd. Dawsonville, GA 30534 (762) 274-5010

MOD Pizza

215 Marketplace Blvd. Suite 200 Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 531-0090

Mutt & Jeff’s Smokehouse 16 Park Ave., Dawsonville Ga

Old Dad’s Wings

777 Dogwood Way

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (470) 735-0618

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant 15 Wallace Blvd Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 525-7199

Osaka Steak & Sushi

192 Dawson Village Way N Ste 100, Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 216-6988

Papa’s Place 3651 Dawson Forest Rd., E Dawsonville, GA (706) 265-6194

Rays Signature Grill

200 N 400 Center Ln

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 265-9984

Sakura Hibachi & Sushi

12 Dawson Market Way Suite 300

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 500-6988

Senor Fiesta

12 Dawson Market Way Suite 300

Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 216-5000

The Steel Buffalo Butchery

1500 Harmony Church Rd. Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 216-2170

Wild Wing Cafe

796 GA-400 DAWSONVILLE, GA 30534 (706) 429-1036

Waffle House

6636 HWY 53 EAST, DAWSONVILLE, GA 30534 (706) 216-2824

The Varsity

73 Bethel Dr Dawsonville, GA 30534 (706) 265-7273

More details on this NEW KOREAN RESTAURANT SET TO OPEN SOON in Dawson County

Julia Hansen

People in Dawson County and beyond will soon be able to enjoy savory barbecue, hearty hotpot soups and more at the area’s newest Korean restaurant.

SK Korean Steakhouse is set to open in about four weeks or so at 126 Ga. 400 in Dawson County, said general manager Sam Lin.

Now, Sam and owner Andy Lin, his business partner, are finishing preparations for the restaurant, from the building’s interior to hiring workers and handling licensing and inspection requirements. Then, they’ll host a soft opening.

“We want to adjust ourselves and make sure the food is acceptable for the locals,” Sam told DCN.

The Korean-style restaurant takes the place of the beloved Ryan’s Steakhouse, which closed eight years ago.

MORE ON THE MENU

The formula for picking out food is simple. If people want barbecuestyle cuisine, they can start by choosing from a variety of meats, seafood or vegetables.

Options include different cuts of steak, ribeye, short ribs, chicken, pork belly and shrimp, just to name a few.

Then, a server will bring out the ingredients, and people can cook the food right at their table. Each table is outfitted with electric grilling and hotpot heating elements.

If people want hotpot, they can start by choosing a soup base followed by their preferred meat, seafood and/or vegetables.

Just like the barbecue, the hotpot cooks right in front of customers. Instructions and labels are printed near each table’s cooking area.

If cooking at the table sounds like a lot to start with, or people want to try an appetizer first, SK Korean Steakhouse will have a buffet area where patrons can grab things like fried rice, onion rings, different sauces or desserts.

“For the people who don’t know about Korean food or the culture, [who] don’t understand names and taste of dishes, the purpose of our buffet is that it’s out there, and they can pick and choose,” Sam said.

“You can see the food and smell it.” Instead of offering separate entreés for sale, the restaurant will offer all-youcan-eat pricing based on age and time of day.

Unlimited lunch hours will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, and unlimited dinner will run from 4 p.m.close on weekdays. Dinner hours will span all day on weekends and holidays.

During weekday lunchtime, the cost for four- to eight-year-olds to eat barbecue is $8, and kids ages nine to 12 eat for $12. Lunch for each adult costs $20, according to the menus.

For barbecue at dinnertime, four-toeight-year-olds cost $10, and kids ages nine to 12 cost $16. Each adult costs $33.

Hotpot will cost an additional $5 for each person on top of the all-you-caneat barbecue price, Sam added.

There is a two-hour time limit from the time of a group’s first order. Two or more people must order unlimited to get that option, and all in the group must get the same option, the menus stated.

The general manager considered a meal at he and his business partner’s restaurant distinctly unique from other kinds of steakhouses.

“Sometimes you go to a new-style restaurant, and you don’t know what to order,” Sam said. “’What is bulgogi [or] pork belly?’ Because it’s all you can eat, you can try it, and if you don’t like it? That’s okay.”

Restaurants offering Korean-style barbecue and similar foods have become more popular in the Atlanta area in recent years.

“A lot of people love to try a different type of food, and the Korean barbecue with hotpot...it’s the perfect combination,” Sam said. “People can

A KAWS “Companion” cartoon figurine sitting in the lobby adds a playful touch to the interior of SK Korean Steakhouse. - photo by Julia Hansen

DAWSON DINING

enjoy two types of food at the same time.”

RENOVATIONS

In 2017, the restaurant property’s current owner, 400 Ryan Property LLC, purchased the property following an auction, according to public records.

After SK Korean Steakhouse signed a lease for the building in 2023, Sam said they had to hire a professional designer to redesign the space.

The building’s age was a factor in the renovations, as were sourcing materials, with Sam explaining that many of the items inside are from Asia. They also had to think about the air conditioning and electrical systems, as well as the new technology such as the separate barbecue and hotpot cooking areas for tables.

The electric cooking sources will be easier and safer for people to use, particularly since oils from meat could be a fire hazard with gas flames.

The interior walls are adorned with digital display panels showing serene nature scenes and fun signage. Along one wall is a series of vertical panels showing the nature-themed imagery. Set next to the booth areas, the displays help elevate the feel of the space.

Putting in the panels took quite a bit of work, though—about one month, according to Sam. Power had to be altogether connected. A frame to hold the panels was assembled and welded to the wall, and each power source was connected to a specific panel.

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE

While the steakhouse is Sam Lin

and Andy Lin’s first restaurant in Dawson County, it’s not their first one ever—or even their first steakhouse.

Andy Lin has worked in the restaurant business for about 30 years, and Sam Lin has about 25 years of experience himself.

Over that time, they’ve run a buffet, two boba tea shops, a sushi and hibachi restaurant and a barbecue restaurant named Q Korean Steakhouse in Tennessee.

The Dawson County eatery will be their second Korean barbecue restaurant.

WHAT’S WITH THE STATUE?

While several buoyant, colorful orb lights along the lobby’s ceiling catch the eye, a cartoon statue on one side of the space also attracts attention.

Next to the waiting area, a playful, yet sad-looking statue character sits, perhaps waiting for its own chance to taste Korean-style cuisine.

The cartoon figure is a recreation of the character “Companion,” a pop art figure created by American artist Brian Donnelly, who’s known as KAWS.

KAWS figures have gained international popularity in recent decades, particularly in Japan.

EXCITEMENT

“We are very excited,” Sam said. “Because we have a lot of restaurant experience, but this is the first one in Dawsonville. We really want to share with everybody to know and to try Korean culture...and to bring something new to Dawson County.”

Large

HALL DINING

Acuna’s Cake Shoppe

343 Northside Drive, Gainesville, GA (470) 892-6320

Alpha Gyro Grill

215 Jesse Jewell Pkwy Gainesville, GA (678) 696-8380

Amanda’s Farm to Fork 5951 Main Street Lula, GA 30554 (770) 540-1035

Antebellum 5510 Church St

Flowery Branch, GA 30542 (770) 965-8100

Atlanta Hwy Seafood Market

227 Atlanta Hwy Sw Gainesville GA (770) 287-8277

Atlas Pizza

104 Washington St., Gainesville, GA (770) 531-1144

Avocados

109 Bradford St., Gainesville, GA (770) 532-0001

Bare Bones Steakhouse 115 E Main Street Buford, GA 30518, (470) 266-1890

Bluefin Hibachi & Sushi 1642 Park Hill Dr, Gainesville, GA (678) 999-4392

Bourbon Brothers Smokehouse & Tavern

312 Jesse Jewell Pkwy Gainesville, GA 30501 (678) 434-0366

Caroline’s On Main 5518 Main St Flowery Branch, GA 30542 (678) 828-9440

Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen 1195 Dawsonville Hwy Gainesville GA (678) 450-4510

Chicken Salad Chick 1122 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA (678) 971-1640

Chili’s Grill & Bar

669 Dawsonville Hwy Gainesville, GA (770) 532-9844

Collegiate Grill

220 Main St SW, Gainesville, GA (770) 538-0272

Consuelo

112 Bradford St Gainesville, GA (470) 703-0300

Cotto Modern Italian

106 Spring St Ste 100 Gainesville, GA 30501 (678) 310-2071

Crossroads Bar & Grille

5900 Spout Springs Rd Ste 1A Flowery Branch, GA 30542 (770) 967-3375

Cuban Cafe 3640 Wallis Road, Flowery Branch, GA (770) 710-5118

Culver’s

1260 Dawsonville Hwy Gainesville, GA (678) 943-8452

Danny’s Donuts

417 Main St SW, (678) 450-4515

975 Dawsonville Hwy, (470) 892-6511

Diletto

528 Bradford St SW Gainesville, GA (678) 943-1304

D’Villa’s Italian Pizzeria 7378 Friendship Springs Blvd., Flowery Branch, GA (678) 828-7800

Eat at Thai 975 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA (770) 287-8811

El Carreton

Mexican Taqueria 608 Atlanta Hwy, Gainesville, GA (770) 535-2665

El Sombrero

601 S Enota Dr NE, • 770-533-9333 1705 Browns Bridge Rd (470) 290-8449

First Watch

944 Dawsonville Hwy

Gainesville, GA 30501 (678) 707-7309

Gainesville Seafood Market 1403 Atlanta Hwy, Gainesville, GA (678) 971-1977

Green’s Grocery (Lunch)

971 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA (770) 534-5621

The Haus

4009 Winder Hwy Suite 290 Flower Branch, GA (678) 696-5270

Hello Hilo

1881 Jesse Jewell Pkwy NE Gainesville, GA 30501 (470) 712-4456

The Hickory Pig

3605 Thompson Bridge Rd, Gainesville, GA (770) 503-5235

Hop’s Kitchen

999 Chestnut St SE Gainesville, GA 30501 (770) 654-8022

Hopscotch Restaurant 107 Bradford St SE Gainesville, GA 30501

The Inked Pig

893 Main St SW Gainesville, GA 30501 (678) 696-5611

Inn Between Deli 965 Riverside Dr, Gainesville, GA (770) 536-5518

Inman Perk Coffee 102 Washington Street, Gainesville, GA (678) 971-8091

Johnny’s BBQ 1710 Cleveland Hwy, Gainesville, GA (770) 536-2100

Kelley’s Tavern

628 E.E. Butler Parkway, Gainesville, GA (678) 696-5233

LongHorn Steakhouse

1709 Browns Bridge Rd

Gainesville, GA 30501 (770) 538-0400

Longstreet Cafe

1043 Riverside Terr. (770) 287-0820

405 Pearl Nix Pkwy (770) 534-7010

Luna’s Restaurant & Piano Bar

200 Main St SW, Gainesville, GA (770) 531-0848

Mediterranean Breeze Bar & Grill

130 John W Morrow Jr Pkwy Ste i and j Gainesville, GA (404) 644-8368

Mellow Mushroom

700 Green Street NE, Gainesville, GA (770) 531-1500

Nothing Bundt Cakes

1979 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Gainesville, GA (706) 807-6670

Outback Steakhouse

655 Dawsonville Hwy Gainesville, GA 30501 (770) 287-1060

Pueblos Mexican Cuisine

3630 Thompson Bridge Rd Gainesville, GA (678) 450-4500

Recess Gastro Pub

118 Bradford St. S, Gainesville, GA (678) 450-0444

Señor Fiesta 4110 Cleveland Hwy (770) 983-1040

1943 Jesse Jewell Pkwy Ste 900, (770) 534-1122

Sherry’s Bait & Barbecue

2807 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA (678) 971-5607

Skogie’s

2151 Dawsonville Hwy, Gainesville, GA (678) 450-1310

Smoke House BBQ and Catering

3205 Atlanta Hwy, Gainesville, GA 770-536-7971

HALL DINING

HALL DINING

Soco Seafood 1701 Browns Bridge Rd Ste 30501 Gainesville, GA 30501 (678)943-2018

Southern Baked Pie Co. 302 Broad Street NE Ste. C (678) 971-2555

Stan’s Biscuit Shop & Deli 1151 Thompson Bridge Road (678) 971-1144

Standard Service 400 Jesse Jewell Parkway Gainesville, GA (678) 971-1025

Sweet Magnolia’s 118 Main Street, (678) 862-0254

Taco Mac 1979 Jesse Jewell Pkw Gainesville, GA (678 971-3627

Taqueria Tsunami 106 Spring St SE Gainesville, GA (678) 310-1149

Texas Roadhouse 895 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville, GA 30501 (678)450-8447

Wild Wing Cafe 311 Jesse Jewell Pkwy., 770-536-9177

Yellow Fin Restaurant 120 Bradford St NW, 678-450-4225

Zen Ramen and Sushi Burrito 115 Washington Street NE 678-696-5739

Zuarepa 975 Dawsonville Hwy Suite 12, Gainesville, GA (678) 971-4444

Poké anyone? New JAPANESE AND HAWAIIAN RESTAURANT OPEN in Flowery Branch

Donnell Suggs

Half Japanese, half Hawaiian, there’s a new poké restaurant coming to Hall County.

Hashtag Poké is scheduled to open in Flowery Branch on Monday, April 15. It will be located within the Royal Lakes Marketplace between the Kids Dentistry and Surge Staffing. Hashtag Poké joins neighbors The Haus and Bullseye Burgers and Chicken as recent additions to the food scene in the popular shopping center.

Poké is a salad of seasoned raw fish that most often includes ahi tuna and octopus. There are also other ways to customize poké bowls, and Hashtag Poké allows customers the opportunity to build their own poké boxes. Coming in sizes ranging from small to regular, the build-yourown-poké-box menu combines two proteins (or three in a regular order) with two sides and two bases. The build-your-own-poké-box also is served with tofu as the key ingredient.

Specialty items are what often make restaurants unique. At Hashtag Poké the Unagi Box

Hashtag Poké

4009 Winder Highway, Suite 205, Flowery Branch

Open 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.

Monday-Saturday

includes baked freshwater eel served over a customer’s choice of rice or a spring mix salad. The baked miso salmon and hamachi kama boxes are also on the specialty menu.

The drink menu will include Ume (plum) soda and Yuza soda, which combines the sour flavors of lemon and grapefruit. It is reminiscent of a Sprite, but with grapefruit replacing the flavor of lime.

And of course there’s sushi. Along with the common California roll and salmon/avocado roll, there are some more interesting menu items in the roll category. The Unagi roll includes eel, cucumber, avocado and sushi rice. The Kappa roll is for the non-meat eaters and includes just cucumber and sushi rice, while the Negi Hana roll combines hamachi (raw fish) with green onion and sushi rice.

A new poke restaurant opened in May in Flowery Branch, Hashtag Poke. - photo by Scott Rogers

Get a taste with our apps OF THE EVENTS

AND NEWS IN NORTH GEORGIA SCAN TO

5” MILE HIGH TURKEY

Bring your appetite to LongHorn Steakhouse®. We believe in doing things the right way, the LongHorn® way, serving steaks, chicken and fish that are always fresh, never frozen. And our steaks are legendary, perfectly seasoned and expertly grilled to your liking. We’re fired up about bringing you a better steakhouse experience. 795 Hwy 400 South

GA

(706) 265-2007 925 Market Pl Blvd

947-4228

Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm Fri & Sat 11am-11pm