Quick Bites: Armed robbery at Barcelona Wine Bar, Restaurant Holmes plans Alpharetta debut, Gato’s pop-up chefs unite and more

Food news roundup

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Photo credit: Rendering by MT Studio Architecture
OLD BUT NEW: Chef Taylor Neary (formerly of Marcel and St. Cecilia) will open Restaurant Holmes early 2018 in the historic Jones House in Alpharetta City Center.

A beloved member of the service industry was killed in a robbery at Barcelona Wine Bar’s Westside location on Howell Mill Road in the early hours of Sun., Nov. 19. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of Chelsea Beller as well as other employees who were victimized during the violent attack.

Restaurant Holmes sounds like a pretty cool place. Executive chef Taylor Neary (formerly of Marcel and St. Cecilia) is opening the spot come early 2018 in the historic Jones House in Alpharetta City Center. The restaurant, whose moniker is a sixth generation family name, will serve a modern take on American cuisine with items like wood-fired fish, coal-roasted beets, pasta, and crudos. You can expect cushy leather banquettes and a little bit of the city of Atlanta with wall murals by Greg Mike.

Super pop-up alert! Candler Park’s Gato location has been home to some of our favorite series and the now guys are banding together for a “5 Year Silver Anniversary” collaboration. On Mon., Dec. 18, Nick Stinton (Gato), Allen Suh (Gatoarigato), Jarrett Stieber (Eat Me Speak Me), and Rod Lassiter and Parnass Savang (Talat Market) have something big planned. Stay tuned.

The team behind Taiyo Ramen (formerly Makan), Double Dragon, and Suzy Siu’s Baos are opening a Korean steak and seafood house with a wood burning hearth and craft bar menu. Michael Lo and George Yu’s Noona opens soon in Parson’s Alley, located in downtown Duluth.

The Midtown location of Gordon Biersch closed quietly last week after 17 years of service. The Buckhead location (3242 Peachtree Rd. NE) continues to serve beer and grub.

Hooray! The cookie dough stall is opening in Ponce City Market today, Nov. 21. Batter Cookie Dough Counter serves traditional and seasonal eggless cookie dough made with heat-treated flour. Spoon up 10 different flavors at the market or take a half pint home for when it is needed.

You can resume pekora snackin’. After a week of renovations, Decatur’s Chai Pani reopens today, Nov. 21. So fresh and so clean (and maybe with a little pepto pink).

If you noticed the “We love you dad” sign at Buford Highway dive bar The Rusty Nail, it’s in tribute to the death of owner Nick J. Cardellino, who recently passed away. The restaurant and bar with a giant smoking gun out front has been in business since 1974. Our thoughts go out to Nick’s family.

Cabo Cantina (264 Pharr Rd. NE) helps to warm the bodies and souls of Atlanta’s homeless each Thanksgiving by donating warm clothing and serving coffee and pastries. You can be a part of the effort by bringing coats, blankets, scarves, socks, gloves, and warm hats to the restaurant on Fri., Nov. 24 from 7-11 p.m. As a bonus, you’ll get a $5 margarita for a donation. Whole Foods is providing the coffee and pastries.

Who loves bacon? The Bacon Express pop-up food truck is touring the country and makes a couple of stops here in the A. Chef Ian Knauer serves up treats like candied bacon and bacon hot chocolat. Visit Whole Foods Avalon on Dec. 5 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and Atlantic Station Ice Rink from 1 to 9 p.m. the next day.

Sundays have a new twist at Second Self Brewery (1317 Logan Circle NW). From 1-8 p.m., the Westside Taproom now serves “beertails,” a menu of craft cocktails replacing spirits with beer. Bitters and house-made syrups are used to make things like the Thai Mosa (Thai wheat beer with orange juice).