Quick Bites: Freedom Farmers Market, new restaurants planned for 280 Elizabeth development, and more

• James Camp photography courtesy of Green Olive Media
• New pastry chef Kristia Paz starts at One-Eared Stag next week.

One Eared Stag has hired a new pastry chef, Kristia Paz, who will begin her new role at the Inman Park Restaurant next week. Paz is a native of the Atlanta area who has worked under chefs such as Linton Hopkins and Gary Mennie. She replaces the recently departed Emma Hofland (an alumna of Cacao Atlanta and the St. Regis Atlanta hotel).

A new farmers market will launch on March 1 at the Carter Center (453 Freedom Pkwy.), called the Freedom Farmers Market. The vendor-managed market will showcase names like Riverview Farms, Woodland Gardens, Star Provisions, 1000 Faces Coffee, and more, all of whom will have the freedom to sell items from other producers, should they so choose.

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The debut of Bantam & Biddy’s Midtown location has been delayed once again. The new Crescent Ave. restaurant is now slated to open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Tues., Jan. 21.

Three major restaurants are moving into Inman Park’s swank 280 Elizabeth mixed-use development, which is slated to open in early 2015. The Atlanta Business Chronicle reveals that Ford Fry will open a spin-off of the Optimist, featuring an oyster bar, craft cocktail and beer bar, and a wood-burning oven for roasted fish. Additionally, the Kinjo brothers will revive their MF Sushi concept along a portion of the development’s greenspace. Finally, the owners of Barcelona Wine Bar & Restaurant will open one location of its Bartaco taco bar here, slated to follow its first Atlanta Bartaco opening on the Westside by mid-2014.

Construction has begun on the new Inman Park location of Victory Sandwich Bar, which will take the place of the recently shuttered Park’s Edge restaurant at 913 Bernina Ave. Victory, which maintains another location in Decatur, was forced to close its original, Inman Park locale at 280 Elizabeth St. after redevelopment of the property was announced back in April 2013. Its new Inman Park location should open this spring.

Former “kitchen dude” Joey Ward has been promoted to chef de cuisine at Kevin Gillespie’s high-concept Glenwood Park restaurant, Gunshow (924 Garrett St.). After kicking off his career as a sous chef at the St. Regis Atlanta, Ward honed his skills with Gillespie at Woodfire Grill. Most recently, he worked as the executive chef at H. Harper Station.

Bartender Michael Searles (formerly of Holeman & Finch, Restaurant Eugene, and the Pinewood) is now full-time at Seven Lamps in Buckhead, Eater reports. Searles joins beverage manager Kevin Bragg - who began at the restaurant last September - at the Shops Around Lenox restaurant, where he shares turf recently graced by guest bartenders such as Holeman & Finch alum Greg Best. Also take note: One Flew South’s Tiffanie Barriere and Tokiwa Sears will offer pop-up mixology at the restaurant on Jan. 22-23.

Atlanta-based fruit juice, smoothie, and natural snack shop Arden’s Garden has designs to open five new metro Atlanta locations. The first two, which will be located ITP at 145 Auburn Ave. and Emory Walk, at 1248 Clairmont Road in Decatur, are already in the works. Meanwhile, the juicery is exploring Vinings, Peachtree City, and Alpharetta for its additional outposts.

Kevin Rathbun Steak has completed construction on its Beltline-facing patio expansion at 154 Krog St. The covered, heated, and dimly lit outdoor space contains a working fireplace and comfy chairs. A grand opening will be held in March. In related news, Rathbun’s will soon celebrate its 10th anniversary with its annual barbecue. Tickets go on sale Feb. 17.

Formerly a Virginia-Highland fixture for raucous dance nights, the Cavern has closed at 1035 N. Highland Ave. The neighboring Moe’s and Joe’s bar (1033 N. Highland Ave.), which recently assumed new management, is looking to expand into the vacated space, Tomorrow’s News Today reports. Details as they arise.

Sweet Auburn Barbecue will open a new location in Poncey-Highland this March. Filling the void left by Hector Santiago’s Pura Vida at 656 N. Highland Ave. when it closed in late 2012, this brick-and-mortar outpost comes on the heels of Sweet Auburn Barbecue’s continued success at the Sweet Auburn Market and its popular food truck.

The space at 1021 Howell Mill Road that previously housed LeRoy’s Fried Chicken, Curly’s Fried Chicken, and, most recently, Ben’s Brown Bag, will soon get a new tenant. A brick-and-mortar location of Vintage Frozen Custard will open by mid-March, says Tomorrow’s News Today. Known for its sweet treats served via food truck, Vintage Frozen Custard’s existing menu currently offers two straightforward flavors of custard - chocolate and vanilla - along with numerous sophisticated toppings. Details as they arise.