Quick Bites: Di Palma’s new Caffé Antico, Hugh Acheson at Ponce City Market, and more

Atlanta restaurant news roundup

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  • Photo courtesy of Chris Berry/Ben Rose Photography
  • Ferrara Bakery and Cafe’s Ernest Lepore joins hands with Giovanni di Palma to commemorate their new collaborative venture, Caffe Antico



Antico Pizza Napoletana kingpin Giovanni di Palma has teamed up with the nation’s oldest gelateria, NYC’s iconic Ferrara Bakery and Cafe to offer a fresh lineup of gelato and pastries at his Caffe Gio, newly rebranded as Caffé Antico (1099 Hemphill Ave.). Di Palma says there was too much confusion surrounding the similar-sounding Gio’s Chicken Amalfitano, with patrons coming in to request lemon chicken. Both the Alpharetta and Westside locations will undergo the rebrand. Expect to see changes on Memorial Day weekend, when the gelateria will complete its move to the current Bottega Luisa building.


NYC and Naples-based Don Antonio by Starita, which operated for less than a year and a half next to the St. Regis Atlanta at 102 West Paces Ferry Road, has closed. The Neapolitan pizzeria replaced a similar concept from Bocado owner Brian Lewis, STG Trattoria, which lasted in the space just two months longer than its successor. It seems the somewhat hidden location has not been excellent at attracting patrons. Time will tell if the next business will fare better.

A members-only coffee shop is slated to open Downtown at Scoutmob founder Michael Tavani’s Switchyards startup hub (151 Spring St.). Called Western Atlantic, it will be operated in collaboration with Octane Coffee’s Tony Riffel. Although no timeline is yet available for the opening, Switchyard is currently accepting applications for memberships, which can be accessed here.


A new eatery called Wagaya Japanese Cuisine and Sushi Bar has opened in Midtown at 339 14th St. Offering fast service, ramen, sushi, sashimi, Tonkatsu, salads, and more for lunch and dinner, the establishment will soon add alcoholic beverages to the mix, including chuhai with soda, fresh fruit, and sake.

Although he originally dismissed it as a rumor, Hugh Acheson is in fact planning to open a concept inside Ponce City Market. According to the chef’s Instagram account (H/T to What Now, Atlanta), Spiller Park Coffee will serve espresso beverages and brewed-to-order coffees from San Francisco-based Four Barrel Coffee, along with whole-leaf teas, hot chocolates, and more.

Stem Wine Bar and Seed Kitchen and Bar chef Doug Turbush is opening a third East Cobb Restaurant, Drift, at 4475 Upper Roswell Road in late 2015. It will be a “chef-driven restaurant offering an approachable menu of creative, sustainable seafood preparations, and techniques,” Turbush explained to the Marietta Daily Journal (H/T to Eater). Guests can expect to enjoy fresh seafood, locally sourced produce, wood-fired meats, oysters, “modern cocktails,” and more in an ai3-designed environment complete with a chef’s table, full bar, private dining area, and spacious patio.