Quick Bites: New chef at St. Cecilia, Bottega Luisa opens, and more

Atlanta restaurant news roundup

By Kate Abney Friday April 25, 2014 12:34 PM EDT

Photo courtesy of Bottega Luisa
Bottega Luisa is now open on Hemphill Avenue.

Bottega Luisa is now open at 1091 Hemphill Ave. (or 1 Piazza San Gennaro), just across the street from Giovanni di Palma’s famous Neapolitan pizzeria, Antico Pizza Napoletana. The latest cog in his culinary empire, the mini market and eatery offers a long list of prepared, preserved, and fresh foods, along with loafs of Westside Italian bread from H&F Bread Co. and illy coffee. A private dining area is available for reservations only after operating hours. Still on the horizon, Bar Amalfi will eventually offer cabana seating, limoncello, and pizzas served until 1 a.m. A fresh seafood and produce market may follow this summer.

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Varuni Napoli is now open in Morningside. The Neapolitan-style pizzeria features 900-degree wood-burning ovens imported from Italy and a menu of delectable pies ranging from classic margherita to Spacca Napoli and more.

Craig Richards, the chef who suddenly departed Midtown eatery Ecco about a year ago, has signed on as the new chef de cuisine of Ford Fry’s St. Cecilia. He joins Fry’s new creative director Drew Belline at the restaurant, while Andrew Isabella remains chef de cuisine at No. 246.

Octane Coffee has “softly opened” its Buckhead location at the Atlanta Tech Village (H/T to Eater). Currently, its barista team is serving up coffee drinks, Little Tart Bake Shop pastries, and Sublime doughnuts, while a full menu featuring lunch items, King of Pops, and alcoholic beverages is on the way soon.

Shaun Doty and Lance Gummere will open the third Bantam + Biddy restaurant at Lenox Square by late summer, the Atlanta Business Chronicle reports. Other locations of the chicken-centric eatery are found in Ansley Mall and Midtown; a fourth will open at luxury Alpharetta development Avalon this fall. All serve pastured poultry and seasonal, locally sourced veggies.