The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
WHERE YOU CAN FIND NEW OPTIONS FOR LUNCH, BRUNCH
As weather warms up, restaurateurs are ready to welcome diners.
Spring is here, which means more metro Atlanta restaurants offering up new options for brunch and lunch. Check out these spots for twists on traditional breakfast and Southern dishes.
Amara
The Inman Park Indian restaurant — which recently made some changes in its kitchen — is now open for lunch from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and noon-3 p.m. on Saturday, and from Sunday brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Lunch options include Indian wraps and curry bowls all $14 and under, while brunch offers a mix of traditional and Indian brunch items including a masala omelet, pulled goat Benedict and Inman Village Waffle made with Chantilly cream, garam masala syrup and mango compote.
870 Inman Village Parkway, Atlanta. 470-305-7405, amaraatlanta.com
Mediterranea
This newly-opened Grant Park spot offers a variety of gluten-free options for lunch and brunch.
“The kitchen is completely gluten-free,” said restaurant partner Gerard Nudo. “But we tried to design the menu so it’s not overtly in-your-face. Most of the dishes, except some of the baked goods, don’t use substitutions and are just naturally gluten-free.”
Among those items from Nudo and executive chef Rob Haan, you’ll find a quartet of lemon artichoke, savory white bean, orange beet, and Calabrese chickpea spreads, a house salad with Boston lettuce, watermelon radish, sweet onion, and pistachio, and pan-seared scallops with fennel and grapefruit.
332 Ormond Street S.E., Atlanta. 404-748-4219, mediterraneaatl. com.
Smokebelly BBQ
Try out the restaurant’s new Sunday brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., featuring dishes including sweet potato pancakes with sweet potato soufflé and topped with bourbon cinnamon crème; the smoked Benny, with poached eggs over grilled biscuit halves, served with beef brisket and chipotle hollandaise and a choice of brunch potatoes or cheese grits; French toast stuffed with bananas Foster, cream cheese and Myer’s rum and garnished with praline bacon crumbles; and more traditional Southern fare including Farmhouse biscuit sandwich and Cajob jamalaya omelet.
Barbecue staples from the restaurant’s regular menu are also available, as well as a Bloody Mary bar and $4 mimosas and Bellinis, and brunch cocktails including the Nice Pear made with pisco, pear brandy, velvet falernum, lemon, bitters and Prosecco, an assortment of coffee cocktails, wines and beers.
128 East Andrews Drive, Atlanta. 404-848-9100, smokebellybbq.com.
Local Three Kitchen & Bar
If you’re a fan of this restaurant’s Sunday brunch — named by the AJC dining team as one of the five best in Atlanta — you’ll
be happy to know the spot has started serving up Saturday brunch from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., as well.
The brunch buffet, which asks guests to move through the kitchen and interact with the chefs as they pick up their food, features 18-25 seasonally-inspired items ranging from baked treats and mixed greens, to Southern breakfasts staples, lunch entrees and desserts.
The bar will be open for full service and will feature brunch cocktails including Bloody Marys, Bloody Marias, mimosas, bellinis, whiskey cocktails and beer and wine.
Brunch costs $24.93 for adults and $12.53 for kids ages 6-12.
3290 Northside Parkway N.W., Atlanta. 404-968-2700, localthree.com.
Nine Mile Station
The restaurant and beer garden, which opened atop Ponce City Market in October 2016, is now serving Sunday brunch from noon to 3 p.m.
Executive chef Jonathan McDowell’s menu offers a mix of sweet and savory items such as eggs Benedict made with two poached eggs, a pretzel croissant, Nueske bacon, spinach and hollandaise; banana stuffed French toast topped with Grand Marnier syrup and candied pecans; merguez sausage hash served with crispy potatoes, caramelized onions and harissa agrodolce; and eggsin-a-hole featuring brioche, shoestring potatoes, sausage gravy and truffle oil. Dinner items including pressed sandwiches, sausages and patty melt will also be served during brunch.
Head bartender Ryan Hayden’s brunch cocktails include the Maple Bacon Old Fashioned made with bourbon, maple, orange bitters, chocolate bitters and candied bacon; the 9 Mile Bloody Mary featuring a mix of Tito’s vodka and house-made smoked bloody Mary mix; and the Sunday Smash mixed with customers’ choice of vodka, gin, tequila or bourbon with lemon, jalapeño, maple and seasonal fruit. The restaurant also offers 12 rotating craft beer taps.
Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta. 770-999-1532, 9milestation.com/
Rize Artisan Pizza + Salads
The second location of the Atlanta pizza spot is open in Sandy Springs and offers several pizza options, salads, small plates, flatbreads, pasta and dessert, as well as drinks including craft beers, wine, sangria and several non-alcoholic options.
6050 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. 404-334-0851, rizeartisanpizza.com.
Tupelo Honey
The Sandy Springs spot has served brunch since it opened in summer 2016, but is unveiling new items for the spring.
Every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., customers can order the cinnabiscuit topped with pecans and frosted in a rum sauce and can order the chef ’s prix fixe menu option featuring two courses and bottomless coffee or tea for $22. Options include dishes such as avocado toast topped with farmer’s cheese, aleppo pepper and red chili honey drizzle, or Gulf Coast lump crab Benedict served with a buttermilk biscuit, hollandaise, peperonata and potato cracklins.
4600 Roswell Road, Building C, Suite 110, Sandy Springs. 404-649-6334, tupelohoneycafe.com/location/sandysprings/