Quick Bites: Indian snack shops, Stem Wine Bar open, a new chef at Southern Art, and more

• Photo courtesy of Stem Wine Bar
• Stem Wine Bar officially opened Thursday in East Cobb

Stem Wine Bar is now open in East Cobb. The concept from Seed Kitchen & Bar’s Doug Turbush serves more than 45 different grape varietals chosen by sommelier Jason Raymond. The restaurant’s menu - the work of Turbush with chef de cuisine Brendan Keenan - is composed of small plates like French onion fondue, roasted marrow bones, and tuna crudo.

Better Half, the forthcoming brick-and-mortar restaurant from PushStart Kitchen founders Zach and Cristina Meloy, is on track to open at 1220 Foster 14th and State Streets this December. The Meloys are currently hiring front-of-house crew for the approachable eatery, which will feature adventurous dishes that combine Latin and Southern flavors.

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In case you missed it, Athens-based Terrapin Beer Company was cited by the Georgia Department of Revenue for violations of brewery tour regulations, which include matters of signage and serving size requirements.

It’s been nearly three months since HD1 shuttered and announced that it would be making the transition to a Flip Burger Boutique Now, it seems the Richard Blais-owned gourmet burger restaurant could open as early as this month.

Savor Wine Boutique, a concept from husband-and-wife duo Kyla and Gregory Cox, opened at 1963 Hosea L. Williams Drive in Kirkwood. Besides hard-to-find organic, fair-trade, and biodynamic wines sourced from France Italy, Spain, South Africa, and South America, the neighborhood wine retailer combines rustic and modern influences in a space complete with a wine library, reading lounge, tasting table, and wine-inspired furniture.

According to Eater, Florida-based coffee shop called Bishops Coffee & Tea will open at 1540 Monroe Drive beneath Varuni-Napoli around the same as the Morningside pizza place in December. Regulars praise Bishops’ cozy atmosphere as well as the quality of the offerings - think pour-over coffees named Blonde Bombshell or Madame Noir, as well as specialty drinks such as the London Fog Earl Grey latte, chocolate espresso iced latte, and Italian-style affogato.

Keoko Turner, previously of Bistro Niko, has been named executive chef at Southern Art in Buckhead. The top toque post at Art Smith’s Atlanta restaurant has been in flux since Timothy McGee departed this summer, resurfacing at downtown’s White Oak Kitchen & Cocktails in September. Turner most recently helped develop the menu at Bantam & Biddy.

Midtown sandwich shop Villains Wicked Heroes recently added full-service dinner and a weekday breakfast menu to its offerings. The former is served starting at 5 p.m., and includes new dishes like Gulf shrimp with jalapeño-parmesan grits, a double stack burger with shoestring fries, and a root vegetable salad with whipped ricotta. Breakfast options range from Greek yogurt with granola, to Sublime doughnuts, to egg-and-cheese sandwiches.

An Indian snack food restaurant called Royal Sweets is now open at 1685 Church Street in Decatur, complete with elaborate murals and an indoor food truck. Owner Tarun Desai told What Now, Atlanta that he has brought in his “completely crazy and unique concept ... straight from India.” Savory offerings like Namkeem and Indian Chaat will be up for grabs, but, as the name suggests, authentic dessert offerings will be extensive, as well. In related news, a similar Indian snack shop called Gokul Sweets has also just opened around the corner at 1707 Church Street in Patel Plaza.

A new concept called Cafe Mezo (no relation to nearby Cafe Intermezzo) is moving into the struggling location at 794 Juniper Street. It will replace piano bar the Fifth Ivory, which moved out in September after about a year and a half in the recently-renovated Victorian house. The space has previously housed Murphy’s Den, Avra Greek Tavern, and Cavu Midtown Bistro. Reports from Tomorrow’s News Today suggest that the new eatery - from Cafe Agora alum Kemal Gazi Karsli - will serve a spin on Greek cuisine.

Auburn, Alabama-based Momma Goldberg’s Deli (no relation to the longstanding Atlanta institution Goldberg’s Bagel & Deli) is opening on the retail level of SkyHouse (1080 West Peachtree St.) early next year. Among the menu offerings are deli sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups, and nachos. This will mark the 38-year-old restaurant’s sixth Georgia location, and the first in the Atlanta metro area.