Midtown Foodie News to Use

Świt Bakery and Cafe opened last week in West Midtown in the Brickworks building next to . The European-style bakery and café will be serving crepes, croque monsieurs, pierogies alongside traditional hearty favorites such as the classic Croque Monsieur.

Fresh breads and pastries baked at dawn will be its specialty and Świt Bakery and Cafe will be open Tuesday through Sunday for breakfast and lunch.

_______

Campagnolo has opened in the former Big Red Tomato space at 980 Piedmont Avenue and did so with a benefit last weekend that raised about $3,000 for AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta (ARCA). See here for pictures of the event at the Italian restaurant.

_______

Adam Evans has been named the executive chef at The Optimist and The Oyster Bar at The Optimist, Ford Fry’s new restaurant set to open early next month in West Midtown at 914 Howell Mill Road. He has an extensive history in Atlanta including serving as the chef de cuisine at Craftbar Atlanta and JCT.

Evans will concentrate on sustainable seafood for both the day-to-day menu and daily specials at this new venue. He will also utilize a wood-burning grill and oven, equipment that Evans has worked with for years.

 “It is imperative today to be environmentally conscious of where and how we source our seafood,” he stated in a release. “I am equally passionate about cooking and fishing, and I have developed a fondness and respect for our waters ever since I was a kid enjoying summer fish fries with my family. The Gulf’s waters provide me with so many great tools to support my craft and lend me the ability to create the most contemporary, culinary creations possible."

_______

Thursday is National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day and the Living Room at is celebrating with a delicious item on it’s new spring menu: a mouth-watering open-face bacon and cheese sandwich with Coca-Cola glazed bacon and local Georgia tome. Yes, please!

_______

Speaking of the W Atlanta - Midtown, Richard Wiggins, executive chef of Spice Market, has been selected as one of 12 Georgia Chefs who will be participating in the inaugural Golden Onion professional cooking competition to be held on April 22 in Vidalia, Ga. The event, which also includes Costanzo Astarita, executive chef at the new Fig Jam Kitchen & Bar located at 1745 Peachtree Street, will help kickoff the 35th Annual Vidalia Onion Festival.

_______

They’re also celebrating Thursday at the new Lime Fresh Mexican Grill that opened two weeks ago at 903 Peachtree Street in the space formally occupied by The Bake Shop. And it's not because Lime closed Wednesday on a $24 million cash deal to sell to Ruby Tuesday.

No, the Florida-based fast-casual Mexican concept has brought a Miami South Beach ambiance to the neighborhood and will be celebrating with a grand opening party of Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m.

Stop by for free entertainment and original tacos, plus $2 Dos Equis drafts and $3 Avion tequila shooters with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Hosea Feed The Hungry & Homeless.

_______

The Braves scored their second straight win with a 6-3 victory at Houston Wednesday and are now set for their 2012 home opener Friday night at Turner Field. In celebration, has brought back its seasonal Tomahawk Chop Roll– an eight-piece spicy lobster roll with cucumber and avocado rolled in rice and seaweed, topped with fresh tuna tataki and red beet tempura bits, drizzled with wasabi aioli and served with a creamy tataki dipping sauce ($12).

“The Tomahawk Chop Roll was made to represent the Braves logo,” said Andy Palermo, general manager of RA Sushi in Atlanta in a release. “We wanted to incorporate the colors of the team as well by using the seared tuna on top of the roll for red and the sauce in a soy dish on the plate in blue. The roll has a little bit of spice to it, but the flavors are meant to be very clean and straightforward. It isn’t heavy and it tastes very fresh.”

_______

What Now Atlanta reported this week that a plethora of restaurants failed Fulton County health inspections in March including several – Central City Tavern, Westside Pizzeria, El Amigo and Atlanta’s Original Uptown Comedy Corner - located near West Midtown.

_______

The Piedmont Park Conservancy’s annual event, Landmark Lunch, is just a few weeks away as a great turnout is expected on Friday, May 4 in the Promenade at Piedmont Park. Guests will enjoy locally-sourced cuisine under a grand tent overlooking the spectacular Legacy Fountain.

Atlanta Falcons fullback and environmental advocate Ovie Mughelli and award winning speaker Ira Blumenthal will provide a lively discussion addressing cross-generational sustainability of green space in today's world.

Last year more than 600 friends, neighbors, and business leaders attended the luncheon and this year will continue the tradition. See here for more information.