Quick Bites: Cafe Circa reopens and more

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• Photo by Tyler Oxford??
• Lunch chef Mihoko Obunai has left Southbound, prompting executive chef Ryan Smith to debut a new menu Tuesday at the Chamblee restaurant.?

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After bouncing around a few culinary destinations (namely, short-lived posts at Miso Izakaya and Joli Kobe and an uber-popular ramen pop-up at So Ba) following RePast’s shutter in mid-2010, chef Mihoko Obunai has departed her 10-month-long post at Southbound (5394 Peachtree Road), as well. Chef Ryan Smith, who recently debuted a fresh fall dinner menu at the Chamblee restaurant, will thus introduce his own take on lunch this Tuesday, October 28. Meanwhile, Obunai is returning to the ramen game with a new Monday-night pop-up, Ramen Freak, at the Sound Table (483 Edgewood Ave.). Kicking off at 5 p.m. on November 3, it will feature masterful renditions of ramen and izakaya classics. Obunai is also launching a four-day Guatemala culinary tour this February in tandem with “social entrepreneur” Stephanie Jolluck. Details as they arise. ?

Old Fourth Ward mainstay Cafe Circa closed for renovations at 464 Edgewood Ave. earlier this year but reopened on Thursday evening under new ownership, complete with a new logo, flashier image, and a fresh concept for its rooftop lounge, the Reserve, henceforth known as CC’s Rooftop. Thanks to Tomorrow’s News Today for the tip. ?

Sweet Auburn Seafood has opened downtown at 171 Auburn Ave., on the corner of Jesse Hill Jr, Drive. Chef Sammy Davis, a former winner of Food Network’s Chopped, helms the cuisine, which includes dishes like lobster bombas, Baltimore crab cakes, and blackened-shrimp burgers. Cocktails are classic yet creative, and include both Manhattans and Hemingway daiquiris. ?

A new juice bar, Veda Juice, is coming to the two-story shopping complex at 365 Peachtree Hills Ave. in Buckhead, What Now Atlanta reveals. Located on the ground floor of the building, called Peachtree Hills Village, it will reportedly offer 100 percent cold-pressed juices made from organic and locally sourced ingredients. Although construction on the concept should start shortly, no timeline is yet available for the opening. Details as they arise.?

World of Beer, the Tampa, Florida-based pub known for offering more than 500 craft and premium brews, has opened its Midtown Atlanta location at 855 Peachtree St. Although several of the nation’s 55+ World of Beer locations do not provide their own food, this one will be the exception to the rule, serving items like bratwurst sliders and margherita flatbread.????

As first reported in mid-September, Italian/Latin neighborhood restaurant Il Gusto Bistro will open next fall in Old Fourth Ward’s iconic “Lantern House” (589 Ralph McGill Blvd.). BoccaLupo’s Bruce Logue will serve as chef consultant on the restaurant’s menu, and its owner, George DeMeglio, will move in next door following extensive renovations. DeMeglio recently gave Atlanta magazine a wealth of details on what’s to come. Dinner will include affordable pasta entrees (including gluten-free), organic roasted vegetables, shellfish, Argentinian barbecue-style steaks and more, while seasonally focused panini will eventually be offered at lunch. Read more at Atlanta magazine.?

Marbar Beachside Cantina, the restaurant formerly known as MAR Coastal that opened in late May 2013 at 314 E. Howard Ave. (right across the street from Kimball House), has shuttered. According to the breaking report from Decaturish (H/T to Eater), Marbar’s spokesperson sent a curious excerpt from the speech “Citizenship in a Republic” in response, subtly citing scathing reviews from press as one reason for the shutter. No word yet on what will usurp the Marbar space or where owner Humberto Bermudez will next pop up. Details as they arise. ?

New olive oil and vinegar tasting room Splash of Olive finally opened earlier this month at 201 W. Ponce De Leon Ave. in Decatur (H/T to Urban Daddy), serving fresh breads from spots like H&F Bread Co. and Lion Tamer Bread, pastas from Storico Fresco, and a wide variety of European olive oils and balsamic vinegars. ?

Flagpole reveals that Hugh Acheson-founded Athens restaurant Cinco y Diez, which opened scarcely more than nine months ago in the former home of 5&10 at 1653 S. Lumpkin St., has closed its doors for good (H/T to The AJC). A note from Hugh Acheson confirmed that the reasons were financial, and the celeb chef plans to focus on his more lucrative ventures instead. No word yet where Whitney Otawka, the former Farm 255 chef who ran the kitchen, will next appear. Details as they arise. ?

In other Athens news, Sister Louisa’s Church should finally debut this Friday, October 24 near the Georgia Theatre. The opening incurred a couple false starts due to permitting, but should finally be good to go at 254 West Clayton St. Athens blog the Broad Collective also published an in-depth piece this week on owner Grant Henry and his new pub that is well worth a read.??