New Italian eatery at Piedmont & 10th almost open

Hey Midtown, do you have March Madness? Do you have Food Madness?

The men’s collegiate basketball tournament tips off this week and Yeah! Burger’s 2012 Burger Bracket Challenge is your chance to win free Yeah! Burgers for a year.

But maybe chicken’s more your thing. The Atlantic Business Chronicle reported Tuesday that Shaun Doty, co-founder and executive chef of Yeah! Burger is looking to open a “fast casual chicken concept” in the Ansley Mall shopping center this fall.

ABC reports that Doty is nearing a lease agreement the new eatery will serve “local free-range and pastured chicken.” Read more here.

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Also this week, What Now Atlanta reported that Tim Drum Asian Café will open its third Midtown location this spring at Colony Square.

As previously reported, buffalo chicken wing eatery J.R. Crickets is targeting an opening this month at the 1197 Peachtree Street shopping complex.

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In two weeks, Lime Fresh Mexican Grill will open its second Atlanta location at the former Bakeshop location at 903 Peachtree Street in Midtown.

Last month, the Mexican grill opened in the former Johnny Rockets space in Buckhead. The Midtown establishment reportedly spent close to $90,000.00 remodeling the former bakery. The restaurant is hiring according to a sign outside it this week. Lime has announced a March 28 opening.

Diagonally across the street, the opening of Senor Patron is expected soon inside the Spire Condos at 860 Peachtree St. The new Mexican restaurant to be located in the former Fune Sushi Bar and Ultralounge space had hoped for a February opening, but is still going through the process of attaining the proper licenses.

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And progress continues to be made at Campagnolo in the former Nonna Mia Cafe & Pizzeria location at 980 Piedmont Ave. near 10th St. The space is  considered "cursed" by some, but The Peasant Restaurants hope their concept works much better.

Restaurant owner Maureen Kalmanson and former Abattoir chef Daniel Chance will feature an Italian and Mediterranean influenced menu and a casual dining atmosphere in the restored building that dates to 1901. Jeffrey Bruce Baker Designs LLC is leading the design of the project.

It will be open daily seven days for lunch and dinner with an emphasis on extraordinary weekend brunches.

This week, workers were busy throughout the building and property as a targeted late March opening looks to be about right.