Quick Bites: Common Quarter opens, Spice Route Supper Club returns, and more

• Andrew Thomas Lee Photography
• King + Duke named among Esquire’s Best New Restaurants in 2013

Smoke Ring opened its bardoors this week at 309 Nelson St. in Castleberry Hill. The industrial-rustic barbecue joint, complete with flat-screens for catching Falcons games, replaced what was formerly B. Beatty American soul food. Smoke Ring offers a haul of brisket and smoked pork barbecue options, pork rinds, dressed up pig ears, and more.

Wild Heaven Craft Beers, a longstanding local brew outfit launched by Nick Purdy (founding publisher of PASTE) and Eric Johnson in September 2010, has announced plans to build a full-production brewery in Avondale Estates. Set to open at 135 Maple St. in 2014, the 8,000-square-foot facility will house a 30-barrel brewing system - the same used in the past by SweetWater and Terrapin.

? ? ?
The Metropolis high-rise in Midtown is getting two new culinary tenants. The first is Newk’s Eatery, a fast-casual concept from the owners of McAlister’s Deli, which will debut this November. Next up is Sweet Hut Bakery, a local import from Buford Highway in Doraville, slated to open in early 2014. Hard-to-find treats like cream puffs, jasmine milk tea, and curry chicken wings make the menu, and both spots are bound to appeal to the corporate lunch crowd.

Ford Fry’s newest Rocket Farm Restaurants eatery King + Duke was named among Esquire magazine’s Best New Restaurants 2013. The restaurant’s hickory smoked cuisine prepared by executive chef Joe Schafer and pastry chef Chrysta Poulos were enough to wow restaurant veteran John Mariani, who awarded this year’s tony designations.

Common Quarter, the concept from several of Local Three and Muss & Turner’s brethren, opened on Tuesday in Marietta at 1205 Johnson Ferry Road. The relaxed, Southern coastal-inspired ambience boasts cuisine to match, including crawfish rolls, Georgia shrimp, St. Simons Island oysters, creative punches and rum-and-whiskey cocktails.

Chef Shane Devereux has departed from Barcelona Wine Bar, his fifth gig since 2012. The nevertheless in-demand chef left Barcelona on amicable terms. As of press time, Devereux had no details to reveal about his next move.

Cardamom Hill chef-owner Asha Gomez is bringing back her beloved Spice Route Supper Club starting October 19. The series will feature coastal flavors of both the American South and Indian South. Email spiceroutesupperclub at gmail.com to inquire about remaining seats.

Formerly private, the Belgian-style Three Taverns Craft Brewery will open a Tasting Room this Friday, October 11 at 121 New Street at East Decatur Station. Many Atlanta restaurants and bars already carry the Atlanta-made brews, like the Belgian-inspired Single Intent, A Night in Brussels IPA, and the Theophan the Recluse Russian stout. The $12-a-pop, multi-token tasting experiences include not only six 5.5 oz. samples of specialty brews, but brewery tours and opportunities to buy Three Taverns merchandise.

Among the many changes chef Hector Santiago has made since taking the helm at Abattoir is his new Tonkotsu ramen. The dish is made using a hearty broth of pork marrow, resulting in a creamy base for superb noodles, soft-boiled eggs, scallions, and high-quality meats.

Atlantic Station is getting a new novelty candy store later this month, called It’s Sugar (264 19th St.). The colorful sweets emporium, with 93 additional worldwide locations, stocks quirky gifts and unusual candies - including oversize offerings like a 23-inch gummy worm, a 15-inch Rice Krispies treat, and a foot-tall Tootsie Pop.

Downtown’s boutique the Artmore Hotel recently added a “cocktail garden” concept. Here, well-manicured foliage and low-slung, comfortable outdoor sofas become the site of pub fare like build-your-own grilled cheeses and savory crab cakes, enjoyed alongside classically rooted libations under glittering arbor lights with views of the sparkling city skyline.

With the lease on its planned Inman Park space having fallen through, Sandy and Mel Toledo’s “rustic American tavern,” Foundation Social Eatery, will instead open in Roswell - at a much later date. The ai3-designed space, which will debut behind Aqua Blue at 1570 Holcomb Bridge Road in December 2013, will offer house-made gnocchis, pastas, sausages, and much more, along with a wide range of specialty wines and craft beers, with a few cocktails to round out the beverage list.

Continuing our city’s trend toward upscale bowling alleys, a concept called Stars & Strikes, which already operates four locations far OTP, is slated to open a fifth at 8767 Roswell Road in Sandy Springs later this year. The latest Stars & Strikes Family Entertainment Center will feature an upscale rebrand, complete with contemporary decor and curvy booths, where patrons of all ages are invited to enjoy games, nightlife, and “savory cuisine.” Details on menu offerings and official opening date as they arise.