The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gear up for the game or wind down after in The Battery
For most Atlanta Braves fans visiting SunTrust Park for the first time, the focus will likely be on the game.
But where do you gear up for the action — or wind down after it’s over? The Battery, the entertainment complex attached to the park, offers up spots to throw back a cold beer, down a gourmet sausage or chow down on a burger from a former boy band member. Here are the places that are set to open by the end of the summer.
Now open
Antico Pizza: A favorite of visiting celebrities, the popular Neapolitan-style pizzeria will open its third metro Atlanta location at The Battery (there are already locations in West Midtown and in Alpharetta’s mixed-use development Avalon).
First & Third Hot Dog and Sausage Shack: The concept from chef Hugh Acheson, who is also helping oversee the opening of Punch Bowl Social at The Battery, will offer artisanal sausages and hot dogs, most from local butcher Patak Meats in Austell, 12 miles away from SunTrust Park. House-made chow-chow, radish-serrano salad and pickled red onions will accompany the meats. It will be accessible from both The Battery and the ballpark.
Haagen-Dazs: The chain will offer its signature ice creams, gelatos, sorbets, sundaes and frozen drinks.
Live at The Battery Atlanta: Developed by the Cordish Companies, which operates Live venues at ballparks across the country, this concept will include three sections:
■ Sports & Social Club, a two-level area that will feature a 40-foot diagonal, highdefinition LED screen as a backdrop for social games and activities.
■ PBR Bar & Grill, which is branded for the Professional Bull Riders Association. The bar will be similar to its sister site in St. Louis’ Ballpark Village adjacent to Busch Stadium. (This will open in May.)
■ Todd English Tavern, a concept from celebrity chef (and Atlanta native) Todd English, who calls his restaurant a “neo-tavern” featuring Southern dishes with an international influence and an extensive beverage program. Menu items will include a number of shareable offerings as well as items like an upscale riff on an oyster po’boy of corn pone with truffles and oysters. The signature burger will be a pork and truffle version with pork shoulder confit served with fennel-apple salad. English also stated that some pub grub would be tweaked as vegetable-based offerings, such as cauliflower tater tots. Terrapin Taproom featuring Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q: A collaboration between Athens-based Terrapin brewery and Atlanta’s popular Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q, the taproom will feature several Terrapin beers — including some brews special to the location made in the ATL Brew Lab microbrewery — and favorites from the Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q menu. The Taproom will be accessible from both The Battery and the ballpark. Yard House: The pub chain — which has an Atlanta location at Atlantic Station — will serve up 130 draft beers, including several local and regional brews, and upscale bar food.
May
C. Ellet’s: Restaurateur Linton Hopkins is bringing a “great American steakhouse with seasonal ingredients tied into the American South,” to The Battery. “I’m going to bring a bunch of my New Orleans food in there, like barbecue shrimp and gumbo, because I used to cook in New Orleans, but I’ve never really brought a lot of that experience or recipes to any of our businesses.” Hopkins will also open a new location of his popular H&F Burger — which cooked up burgers and fries at Turner Field — in SunTrust Park.
FEED: The fried chicken and Southern food concept from chef Marc Taft of Chicken and the Egg in Marietta will serve up catfish, country-fried steak, meatloaf, macaroni and cheese and other Southern staples in addition to fried chicken, as well as some healthier options including grilled chicken and salads. Desserts will include soft serve ice cream, milkshakes, pies and baked goods, and the restaurant will have a full bar. FEED will offer counter service on game days, as well as sit-down lunch and dinner the rest of the year. Goldbergs Bagel Co. & Deli: The string of local delis — the first opened in Atlanta in 1972 — will serve up bagel sandwiches and deli salads.
June
Wahlburgers: The highend burger concept will make its Atlanta debut with its Battery location. The chain has a Hollywood pedigree — brothers Mark Wahlberg, an Oscar nominee, and Donnie Wahlberg, a member of boy band New Kids on the Block who’s also a star of CBS’ “Blue Bloods.”
July
Burn by Rocky Patel: Cigarmaker Patel’s luxe cigar bar concept, which will feature a design that draws on a mix of Mediterranean, Asian and Cuban cultures, will offer high-end cigars and exotic cocktails. The Battery location will join the original Burn in Naples, Fla. Cru Food and Wine Bar: The eatery’s second location (it has another in Alpharetta) will offer up a wide variety of wines in addition to Napastyle foods including stone-fired pizzas, artisan cheeses and small plates.
El Felix: Celebrated restaurateur Ford Fry will serve up Mexican food with an Austin vibe at the second location of his Tex-Mex concept. Look out for Mexican classics including tacos, flautas and enchiladas, along with heartier fare such as short ribs and carne asada.
September
Punch Bowl Social: In addition to First & Third, Empire State South owner and “Top Chef ” star Hugh Acheson will help launch the first Georgia location of restaurant and entertainment concept Punch Bowl Social as its “culinary partner.” The spot will feature bowling, bocce ball, karaoke and a 360-degree bar and will serve weekend brunch, lunch, dinner and late-night snacks in addition to craft cocktails.