As I always say (even in non-applicable situations!), let the AJC Food & More blog do the culling of Atlanta area chefs and restuaranteurs and then just pick out the ones with a Decatur relationship!  Here they are for 2013…

Outstanding restaurateur:

• Ford Fry
• Mike Klank and Eddie Hernandez, Taqueria del Sol

Best Chef Southeast:

• Billy Allin, Cakes & Ale

Only the best for my readers!

Here’s a press release about the coming “no. 246” restaurant, that apparently everyone else received.  But no problem!  I’ll just lift it from our good friend John Kessler‘s blog.  (Interior photo of the restaurant space courtesy of Andisheh)

“Drew and I share a passion for locally sourced ingredients, simple preparations and wood-fired cooking and are both really excited to bring Italian-inspired dishes with Californian influences to Decatur,” says Fry. “I think Decatur is the perfect neighborhood for us to create this cool yet comfortable dining establishment that we both envision,” he adds.

“Lately the culinary trends in the Southeast have been very meat-centric, but we’re trying to make the food at no. 246 more about vegetables and dishes that guests can eat every day,” says Belline. “The menu will be driven by what local producers have to offer.”

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Atlanta Magazine’s restaurant/food critic Bill Addison just wrote in and reported that Ford Fry’s publicist just confirmed to him that the name of his new restaurant being built-out in the old Eurasia space (see the previous post) will be called “no. 246”, taken from the property’s lot number.  Guess a numbers name isn’t a huge surprise, since Fry has previously said they’re taking inspiration from San Fran’s A16.

On Twitter, Addison says that they’re currently projecting an April open.

Photo courtesy of Andisheh

Andisheh sends in this pic of the old Eurasia space currently under renovation to become Ford Fry’s new “Local Sourced, Italian Inspired” restaurant.  Looks like they’re well on their way!

The AJC’s John Kessler reports that Drew Belline – “longtime chef” at Floataway Cafe – will take the helm at Ford Fry’s recently announced, but yet-to-be-named Decatur restaurant, which will take over the Eurasia Bistro space along East Ponce in the coming months.

As we previously reported, the restaurant will be “Italian-inspired”, but Kessler gives us some context, stating that Fry “cites San Fransico’s A16 as inspiration.”

Hot diggity!

Jennifer, Chef Ford Fry’s graphic designer, writes in…

I am Ford Fry’s graphic designer/art director, and just wanted to send a note about his up and coming restaurant in Decatur. I handled all the design for JCT and am working closely with Ford on his new venture into Decatur, which I have been excited about as I am a resident of Decatur.

The restaurant name is still in the works, but the description that Ford would like to get out is “local sourced, Italian inspired”.

Just wanted to let you know, as I saw the earlier tweet from Kessler stating it was Mediterranean inspired, and wanted to clarify that.

Ooooh, Italian!

The AJC’s John Kessler tweets…

Ford Fry (JCT Kitchen) signs the Eurasia Bistro space in Decatur. “High profile chef” to sign on for Mediterranean menu.

Very interesting.  Here’s a little background on Chef Fry in case you’re interested.