My wife and I have been a bit curious about the lack of activity behind the torn brown paper at the old Tropical Smoothie Location. But we needn’t have feared.

In an email, the co-owner of Tastings: A Wine Experience, Kelly Resignola, says that they are shooting for a “early May” opening.

And not a moment too soon. The alcohol density within a quarter mile of my residence was getting scarily low.

A Cakes & Ale family member let’s us know that the restaurant will be opening “the week of March 31st”, notes that you’ll have to brown bag your alcohol, and gives us an overview of the menu. In fact, the restaurant’s liquor license is the only item on the city commission’s agenda for tomorrow night.

Here’s Rachel’s comment in full from a previous post…

Being a member of the immediate family of the Cake & Ale restaurant clan, I was invited to family night on Tuesday, March 25. The restaurant will be open to the public beginning week of March 31. There is a delay on the liquor license, but brown bagging is encouraged!!Let me just say that it was worth the wait! What a beautiful space – polished and sophisticated but warm and inviting. The menu is simple, comfortable but unique all at the same time.On the night of my visit, featured appetizers included Maine mussels in a delectable cream sauce with bread for dipping; arancini, which is a rice made like risotto, creamy with a touch of citrus, then deep fried – can you say melt in your mouth yummy good. Followed by a nice salad of radicchio and greens (nice and crunchy, not limp) with warm vinaigrette.

On to the main food – pan roasted wild stripped bass with lemon mayo; potato gnocchi in a nice, almost puree, of cabbage, garlic and caraway (I’ve never like gnocci before, but this was great!); and definitely the winner of the evening was roasted chicken with carrots and turnips – like grandma would make if she trained with Julia Child – crispy outside, succulent inside – need I say more?

I encourage you to stop by for a visit! Welcome Cakes & Ale to Decatur!

This morning the AJC reports on the controversy surrounding the 315 W. Ponce development, offering a couple new insights and a few nice pics.

One tidbit I hadn’t heard previously was that “Rents will average $1,450 per month” according to JLB.

Also, since the plans were presented last week, I haven’t heard a peep out of the neighborhood in favor or in opposition of what was shown. But the writer of this article states “Most residents who viewed the company’s plans said they liked the design and layout but remain opposed to the project’s size.”

So if the neighborhood likes the design and is cool with the graduated setback, has this boiled down to a parking lot/traffic issue? Because if the city and “parking experts” say that shared parking can work, I would much rather see that than more barren parking decks. And in regards to traffic, its this study, produced by the neighborhood, that has everyone in a panic about increased traffic. But I’m unclear who developed it and what data was used in its calculations. Personally, I would want to see a city-produced traffic study before making bold claims about gridlock in the neighborhood.

And am I the only one that is concerned about how this development will look in relation to the one existing building it will share the lot with? A bunch of 4-story brick structures are going to look awfully strange up against a 10-story international-style high rise without some very creative design. Also, how will the development along the small strip fronting Ponce relate to the massive tower behind it?

These issues have been completely overlooked (in the public discussion at least) as this process has moved forward.

(photo courtesy of AJC)