The Atlanta skyline: a mix of skyscrapers and cranes… empty, unfinished skyscrapers and abandoned cranes. Luckily, even through the construction mayhem our city is facing, times are changing. Unfinished buildings are receiving their final touches and less and less illegal immigrants can be seen crowding the street corners along Ponce. Work has begun again, especially in West Midtown, which is in overdrive with expansion, more so now than ever before.
Becoming widely recognized as a restaurant destination, the dining options in West Midtown attract foodies from all over. Urban pl8, a new restaurant from Chef Betsy Pitts, formally of Bacchanalia and Floataway Café, is a shinning example of a new West Midtown restaurant destination (currently wna?’s favorite hidden restaurant gem).
The problem, however, are the empty apartment buildings like Apex on Huff Road (bear in mind this is only conjecture). With hopes of filled apartments in West Midtown, restaurateurs have hit the ground running in developing home-run dining options. Considering most of these new restaurant locations are off the beaten path, diners make special trips to West Midtown to partake in the plethora of over-the-top dining.
The Corner Tavern, with three other locations in Atlanta, was approached by the landlord of Apex, who according to co-owner, Jayson Da Luz, frequents the other Corner Tavern locations often. Well, according to what now, atlanta?, the landlord needed
to fill street space and had a price that was impossible to refuse, for Da Luz. That, and the promise that Apex will soon be filled with living, breathing, rent paying Atlantan’s; maybe in a year or two (just sayin’). With plans of opening in April (with an original opening date in March — delays due to concrete pouring), Da Luz says that “good service, good food, and a good price,” sum up what Corner Tavern offers its guests.Hate to say it, but who in their right mind is going to drive out to West Midtown for a chain restaurant? We hope we’re wrong for The Corner Taverns sake.
3 Responses
I don’t know if I’d consider The Corner Tavern a “chain”. Yes, this will be the 4th location, but it isn’t like there are locations everywhere like a National Chain (i.e. Chili’s, Applebees) or even a local chain like Mellow Mushroom. I think it’s a great addition to the westside.
aj — I would agree with you, though compared to other westside favorites (that people are willing to make a special trip for) like Urban pl8, bocado, bacchanalia, abattoir, etc., the corner tavern has some intown locations. traveling to that particular location would be senseless (unless you live on the westside).
— cjs
..”and less illegal immigrants can be seen crowding the street corners along Ponce.” Was that really necessary”?