Midtown Foodie News That's Tasty

The Midtown restaurant scene has gained a few new players of late, including today’s 11 a.m. opening of Lime Fresh Mexican Grill at 903 Peachtree Street in the space formally occupied by The Bake Shop.

The Florida-based fast-casual Mexican concept will bring a Miami South Beach ambiance to the neighborhood and will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

With charbroiling on grills in an exhibition-style kitchen, the restaurant features a homemade sala bar, 50 variations of hot sauces and a variety of healthy options ranging from whole wheat to low-carb items.

Menu highlights include cantina steak salad with grilled steak on a bed of fresh greens with bacon, black bean corn salsa, onions, peppers, carrots, shredded jack and cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, tortilla strips and a side of creamy cilantro dressing; South Beach burrito with chicken, jack and cheddar cheese, pico de gallo and shredded lettuce served on a low-carb tortilla; and surfer tacos with grilled mahi mahi, shredded cabbage, pico de gallo and a cool cilantro sauce. 

The new location plans to hold a grand opening fiesta on April 12 featuring free entertainment, tacos and discounted drink specials.

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Last week, The Lawrence opened at 905 Juniper Street in the short-lived Cuerno space. Named after the Catholic patron saint of chefs, Saint Lawrence, the much-anticipated restaurant it is being billed as a neighborhood restaurant with innovative American cuisine.

It is open for dinner, Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m., but as Atlanta Bearings notes, it soon “plans to roll out lunch and, outfitted with a La Marzocco espresso machine, a robust tea and coffee program with heavy bar snacks in the afternoon.’’

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And The Fifth Ivory Public House has opened at 794 Juniper Street.

From its website: “The Fifth Ivory Public House is the brainchild of native Atlantians Cam Murphy and Aaron Born. They've worked hard to create a Southern version of an Irish Pub and mash it with the nostalgia of a sixties Piano Bar, for the perfect midtown neighborhood spot, where everyone is welcome. Come and enjoy an eclectic menu featuring southern fusion complete with Fried Green Tomatoes as a lead in to some great Georgia trout or a stuffed pork chop, then finish with the classic Coke Float (add a shot of whiskey for a great adult treat). A variety of piano players set the mood for some great laid back entertainment from Wednesday through Sunday evenings.”

Creative Loafing provides a review here.

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Not far away, Campagnolo (kahm-pahn-yolo), in the former Big Red Tomato space at 980 Piedmont Avenue, is set to open to the public on April 9. Two nights before, owner Maureen Kalmanson plans to start off with a fundraiser event for AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta (ARCA). The public is welcome to the Campagnolo Opening Benefit for ARCA, which will take place on Saturday, April 7 from 6 to 10 p.m. A suggested donation of $10 will be taken at the door.

The event will include complimentary chef’s sample of appetizers, signature cocktails and a cash bar.  Meaning “peasant” in Italian, Campagnolo will feature a menu created by Chef Daniel Chance that draws influences from all parts of Italy and its Mediterranean neighbors.

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Finally, on Thursday, brothers Gilbert and Sean Yeremian, owners of , launched a new facebook page announcing their expansion into the former space at the corner of Piedmont Avenue and 10th Street.

Dear Gilbert’s friends and family,

It is Official! We are very excited to announce the expansion of Gilbert’s, and wish to convey our thanks to the property owner for selecting Gilbert’s in front of many strong, established National “big-name” firms. Permitting process has begun to make this exciting new room a reality with unprecedented service to the midtown community.

We want to share our vision with you, so you can provide feedback, and contribute to shaping this project:

Our Vision:
We understand the importance of this location and the role it played in our community since the 1990s. Our intention will be to thoughtfully continue this legacy and tradition of service to the community. During the last 12 years, Gilbert's has been blessed with a thriving business from the midtown neighborhood. We created an environment with great hospitality, food and entertainment. We welcome everybody and have a deep respect for the diversity that has made Midtown so unique. The corner of 10th and Piedmont has been a beacon of progressive attitudes, acceptance and respect, we wish to continue that legacy as the city matures and welcomes an ever increasing diversity and a growing respect for general human rights.

More about the project:
In a nut shell, we are expanding Gilbert's by creating a second "room". The cozy aspect of Gilbert's will remain the same as we recognize it is a major aspect of its ambiance. Also, we will NOT be expanding the same product to next door, this would be boring and we don't want that. Instead, we envision a room that has a unique and exciting feeling. You will be able to visit Gilbert's or this new and exciting room, under one roof, without having to venture outside. Actual design is still in progress and we don’t want to give too much away at this stage. Of course, the new room will be serving delicious cocktails and food.

We will be posting regular updates on this FB page as things develop, so check back often! We will post pictures, ask questions and solicit your opinions.

Thank you for your interest, and taking your time to read this.
We appreciate your support every day.

Gilbert and Sean