Omnivore Atlanta

There’s good news about the beleagured location of the defunct Sala:

The owners of Fifth Group Restaurants have joined forces with Executive Chef Shaun Doty, owner of Shaun’s, to create The Original El Taco in the former Sala space in Virginia-Highland. The new restaurant will open in mid-October. Doty is developing recipes for creative Mexican fare like tacos, tortas and salsas, and the Fifth Group Restaurants team is working with William Peace, Peace Design, to change the look and feel of the restaurant.

“The Original El Taco will be lively, bright, open, and – most of all – fun,” said Robby Kukler, co-owner of Fifth Group Restaurants. “We have known Shaun for years and when we found out he had been thinking about doing Mexican too, we knew it was a great partnership.”

“I love Mexican food and have wanted to do a restaurant like this for a while,” said Doty. “To have this opportunity to work with the pros at Fifth Group Restaurants is great.”

“We are going to create an easy, approachable destination for great Mexican food,” added Kukler.

Doty will work with a chef de cuisine at El Taco when the restaurant opens, while remaining executive chef at Shaun’s.

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In other closing news, just got this press release from Melissa Libby PR:

FOOD STUDIO: A NEW CHAPTER

Fifth Group Restaurant Converts To Full-Time Event Space

ATLANTA (June 25, 2008) – From marriage proposals to wedding anniversaries, birthday celebrations to holiday parties, first dates to Mother’s Day, Food Studio®, a Fifth Group Restaurant®, has been one of Atlanta’s favorite restaurants and top choices for celebrating special occasions for more than 12 years.

But, as times change, so do the needs of Fifth Group Restaurants’ guests. That is why Fifth Group Restaurant Partners Robby Kukler, Steve Simon and Kris Reinhard are announcing that as of Saturday, July 19, Food Studio will convert to a full-time event space managed by the company’s award-winning catering division, Bold American® Catering.

“We’ve truly enjoyed operating Food Studio for the past twelve years, as it has been one of Atlanta’s most beloved restaurants, but I feel by closing the restaurant’s doors we are in turn opening many others” says Kukler. “Our patrons have always been passionate about Food Studio’s unique space and will still be able to appreciate the restaurant’s atmosphere in this new capacity,” he adds.

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Robby Kukler of Fifth Group Restaurants wants “to bring back the communal spirit of Sunday supper.” And if your memories of large family dinners favor fondness more than trauma, maybe you will, too.

At Ecco, the group’s newest restaurant in Midtown serving Mediterranean-inspired food, the Sunday Share has started, a series of family-style meals with different themes each week.

Starting at 6:30 p.m every Sunday, a limited amount of guests can share a meal at a communal table for $25 per person. Themed menus highlight different regions of the world and unique dishes.

This coming Sunday, July 22, the theme is “France, Meet Morocco,” a fusing of the two cuisines. The following Sunday, July 29, will be “Paella and Tapas: A Spanish Classic.” Should be good food and good conversation. I mean, it’s not like it’s your real family.

Reservations are required for those who wish to join in; for your spot call 404-347-9555. Ecco is located at 40 Seventh St., at the corner of Cypress Street in Midtown. For more info visit www.fifthgroup.com.

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