Omnivore - The Dining Room at the Ritz, among many others, closing

Last week the news came that chef Arnaud Berthelier would be leaving the Ritz at the beginning of October. Today, we learned that the Dining Room will not continue to operate after Berthelier leaves. Its last day of operation will be October 1.

I’m truly sad to see one of Atlanta’s great restaurants and institutions go away. But I have to say, I ate at the Dining Room about a month ago and found the experience frustrating. While some of the food was without a doubt some of the most exciting and inventive I’ve had in town, the price tag and setting seemed so out of touch with reality, I wondered about the restaurant’s ongoing relevence. I’m just not sure there’s a need for this style of dining at this price point right now, when the cheaper options (and by cheaper, I mean under $150 per person) are coming closer and closer in terms of quality.

In other news, both Cenci and (more surprisingly) Cantina La Casita in East Atlanta Village have closed.

And, contrary to past reports, Trois will not be re-opening as a new concept.

However, Riccardo Ullio is planning on opening a new concept, La Lupe taqueria, in the old Cuerno location.