The April Hit List: Bar Vegan, Barleygarden, El Viñedo Local and More

The newest enterprise from Slutty Vegan ATL’s Pinky Cole is Bar Vegan, which turns the concept of what it means to imbibe on its head, with a certifiably vegan twist. Located in Ponce City Market, Bar Vegan had its grand opening at the end of February. Those who visit will find an experiential “bar theatre” with vegan eats — a cheesesteak, egg rolls, cauliflower wings and tater tots. A wide slate of drinks are on offer, plus non-alcoholic cocktails and some drinks more theatrical than others. Think a spiked fruit punch served in a smokey volcano, delivered tableside. 

Bringing a taste of Mexican flavors from their native Jalisco and Michoacán, Roxana and Octavio Aguirre pride themselves on cooking their favorite Mexican dishes the way they remember eating them growing up. This means that no artificial coloring, pre-made sauces, nor additives are used in any of their dishes. Green chicken pozole, chicken mole negro, ceviche Jalisco and shrimp burrito are some of the menu highlights. 

The celebrity pair of Kandi Burruss and Todd Richards has added yet another restaurant to its roster: South Fulton’s Blaze Steak and Seafood. Named after their son, the restaurant hopes to provide an upscale steakhouse experience on the southside of Atlanta. Choose from charred oysters, seafood tacos, stuffed chicken, or the fried lobster tail.

Craft beer lovers will find a respite and true dwelling place in Barleygarden, located at the Town in Trilith shopping center in Fayetteville. Though the main draw for this craft beer haven is the beer itself — there are 72 beers on tap — the menu offerings are worthy of note as well. Highlights include loaded pork skins and the Vagabond, one of several fried chicken sandwich items on their menu. But this one is piled high with pimento cheese and bacon onion jam. 

Another restaurant newcomer, El Viñedo Local is a stone’s throw away from Fox Theater in Midtown. The South American coffee cafe and wine/tapas bar opened in late March, starting off serving breakfast items. Think empanadas, arepas, eggs. A passion project of owner Robert Kaster, this month will bring the kickoff of wine, tapas and other dinner offerings. 

Italian dishes are the name of the game of Piastra Restaurant on Marietta’s Square. Owners Greg and Mama Betty serve up a wide variety of favorites in their quaint cafe: wood-fired pizzas, four-cheese lasagna, whole grilled branzino fish, fried calamari, bruschetta, and so much more. 

Operating under the tagline of a New American bistro, Chastain Park’s The Chastain has something for everyone. At this newly opened restaurant, you can choose from potato and bacon-crusted Georgia mountain trout, roasted lamb loin, blue crab fritters, and the double fermented sourdough to nibble on between courses.  As of now, the Am Cafe is the only component open, daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Found inside of the downtown location of Hotel Indigo, The Drafting Table is the hotel’s resident restaurant. Formulated around craft cocktails and a dinner menu, standard offerings such as chicken wings, spinach and artichoke dip, grilled Atlantic salmon, and a honey dijon chicken burger. Cocktails round out the menu nicely, such as the Georgia Veranda (vodka, peach puree, lemon, housemade grenadine) and Ionic Order (gin, pomegranate, lime). 

Husband and wife Chris Malfitano and Carla Geniso created the Rotisserie Shop in Kennesaw, focusing mostly on rotisserie-style chicken, of course. Diners can select the signature bird or a 12-hour roasted pulled pork with a variety of sauces — tupelo honey mustard, cilantro lime tomatillo, and cayenne buffalo hot are some selections. Appetizers also have some customer favorites, such as collard green egg rolls and pork poutine.