Omnivore Atlanta

After the announcement that Maxim Prime would be moving from its spot in the Glenn Hotel, little was said about what restaurant would replace it (one of the reasons given for the restaurant leaving was to give the Glenn more meeting space). I’ve learned however that Concentrics plans to open a restaurant in the space called 30 Tables. This hasn’t been confirmed by Concentrics, but 30 Tables already has an OpenTable page.

In other new restaurant news, Micropundit reported last week on Atlanta magazine’s blog that Gary Mennie, formerly of the recently closed Taurus, has signed on as head chef at the new restaurant planned in the Georgian Terrace hotel. The restaurant will be called Livingston.

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Thanks to Frank Bruni at the New York Times for this one (I found this link through his blog): The most disgusting internet ad ever! On a food story! Watch as they crawl all over Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant!

The Atlanta Business Journal reports on Maxim Prime’s departure from The Glenn Hotel.

Hardy over at Dirty South Wine talks about the glut of corporate wine bars, as well as the wine bars in town that make him happy. And he links back to me!! So of course it’s worth reading just for that … but seriously, we share a frustration about the many crappy wine bars cropping up like mad.

Also, check out the Blissful Glutton’s first impression of BLT Steak.

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My friend Broderick Smylie, a foodie and fabulous photographer, files this report about his recent meal at Maxim Prime in the Glenn Hotel (110 Marietta St.):

I did go to Maxim Prime on Saturday for my birthday dinner with friends. On the whole, I had a very good meal. I had drinks on the rooftop (above), very relaxed in the early evening. The bar area was dark and gorgeous with music videos playing overhead. I guess that was the Maxim influence, with a Hooters-style server flirting with some guys near us. Loved the spiral staircase leading up to the second floor restaurant (quickly found the elevator upon leaving, though)

As for the food, I had the crispy crawfish, which was good. I eyed someone’s “millionaire deviled eggs” (white/black truffle, sturgeon caviar, gold lead), which looked good. For the main course I had the Cuban “threesome,” which consisted of bitter orange/tamarind/honey-marinated skirt steak; lobster tail mai tai; and plantain mofongo with scallions and chorizo (left photo, below).

Loved the flavors in the skirt steak;the lobster tail was good. As a Jamaican who loves plantain, I found the mofongo a bit of a mess, I don’t think you need to add a lot of crap to it to make mofongo taste good. I’ve never been to Cuba, but this certainly wouldn’t fly in San Juan.

The best thing I ate there was the truffled cream corn. I’d go back just for that (right photo, above). The dessert I had was a chocolate-peanut butter concoction served in a martini glass: good stuff.

Ended the night back on the rooftop with hotel-bar prices, but the drinks were strong. It’s a completely different vibe at night — loud music and all, and it was great.

(Photos by Broderick Smylie. See more here.)

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I’ve been hearing whispers about this, but today we got the official press release:

A New restaurant from jeffrey chodorow and maxim magazine.

Atlanta, GA (March 3, 2008) – The Glenn Hotel, downtown Atlanta’s most posh locale, will house the first Maxim Prime restaurant, a modern steakhouse developed in partnership with Maxim magazine, the leading young men’s lifestyle magazine, and famed restaurateur Jeffrey Chodorow. Maxim Prime debuts in the Glenn Hotel in March 2008 followed by multiple locations around the country.

Jeffrey Chodorow, renowned for the trademark style and sleek sophistication of restaurants including (among others) China Grill, Asia de Cuba, Social Miami, Social Hollywood and Ono, will create the look and feel of the first floor lounge and second floor restaurant to complement the chic style and superior service at The Glenn Hotel. Chodorow and his culinary team will also create the menu offering the finest quality ingredients including those from local farmers.

Chodorow, an “intelligent steakhouse for intelligent people, with high quality food and beverage appropriately priced,” Maxim Prime will include international influences to match Maxim’s readership profile, while staying a female friendly, sexy yet sophisticated environment.

Atlanta is the ideal location for this first-of-its-kind steakhouse thanks in part to a booming business center and growing music and entertainment industry. Thirteen Fortune 500 companies including Coca-Cola, UPS, Home Depot, and Delta Airlines make their corporate headquarters in Atlanta and it is also home to the Civil War Museum, World of Coca-Cola and the Carter Presidential Center. The world’s largest Aquarium is located in the heart of Atlanta as well as CNN’s Global Headquarters.

Can’t wait to see the waitress uniforms.

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