Chef Jonathan Waxman and Chef Andrew Cacioppo have opened Baffi (pronounced BAH-FEE), a casual, Italian-inspired restaurant offering locally-sourced, seasonal dishes. Translating to “mustache” — a nod to Waxman’s NYC restaurant Barbuto, the Italian word for “bearded” — Baffi is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday in Atlanta’s West Midtown neighborhood at Stockyards, an adaptive reuse property with creative office, restaurant, and retail space, at 976 Brady Avenue. Baffi replaces Donetto and is a relocation of the shuttered Brezza Cucina in Ponce City Market.
“Cacioppo serves as the restaurant’s Executive Chef, melding Waxman’s Italian-Californian cooking style with his experience and knowledge of Southern ingredients,” according to an announcement Tuesday. The open kitchen is anchored by a wood-burning hearth made by local grill maker Chris Demant, where dishes are prepared such as Wood-Seared Shrimp Salad with winter greens, spicy aioli and focaccia; Cast Iron Sunburst Trout with braised greens and meyer lemon salsa; and Waxman’s JW Roasted Chicken.
Also on the menu at Baffi are fresh and dried pasta, seasonal pizzas, and a variety of shareable dishes including Braised Meatball — pork & veal, mascarpone grits; Roasted Oysters — brown butter, black pepper, parmesan; Bruschetta with ricotta, wild mushrooms, focaccia, herbs; and JW Rosemary Potatoes. On the beverage side, Beverage & Service Director Don Pirone offers a menu of “classic and creative” cocktails as well as wines and beers from Italy and beyond.
Highlights of the space include a 1,750-square-foot dining room with a bar accented by white Parisian tile and an oak top, a side room available for private dining, and a 1,000-square-foot patio with a fire pit. Complimentary valet parking is available on the drive in front of the restaurant, and vehicles can be sanitized upon request. Baffi is open Tuesday through Thursday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
