Imagine spending months or even years planning and building out a new restaurant with a prospective opening in early to mid 2020, and putting all of the work into it, only to find yourself opening just before the largest upset to the dining industry in recent memory. That’s exactly what has happened to several new restaurants around Atlanta. Shortly after opening, many of these businesses have had to rethink their entire operating model and come up with inventive ways to stay open and maintain their staffing. Today we are shining the spotlight on some of the newer players on the dining scene, and how they are operating during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Companion
Chef Andy Gonzales of Steinbeck’s in Decatur opened in March in the Bolton neighborhood, but of course has not yet been able to open for full-service in their dining room. Until then, the Companion offers takeout family meals, featuring comfort foods like fried chicken served with collards, mac and cheese and cornbread. Menus are posted daily on the restaurant’s Instagram and Facebook pages.
The Companion – 2316 Marietta Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Grana
Chef Pat Pascarella, known for The White Bull in Decatur, opened his Neopolitan pizza and Italian restaurant Grana on Piedmont Avenue in March, just as Atlanta’s restaurants were moving to take out and delivery only. So, the plan for Grana changed as well. The full menu featuring wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, a mozzarella bar, build-your-own cannolis, and meatball flights will eventually be available for dine in patrons, but for now, you can order you can order from their takeout menu online from 12pm-9pm every day.
Grana – 1835 Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30324
Talat Market
The highly anticipated Thai restaurant, Talat Market, opened in April. Though chefs Parnass Lim Savang and Rod Lassiter didn’t originally intend for their new restaurant to be a takeout only establishment, that is how they are operating for now. Family style dinners can be ordered online and picked up curbside, with add-ons like cocktail-making kits also available. Many meals sell out quickly, so be sure to place your order as soon as the system goes live at noon. Meals are available for pick up Wednesday – Sunday, but you can place orders up to two days in advance.
Talat Market – 112 Ormond Street SE, Atlanta, GA 30315