Kitty Dare to Join Ranks of Great Restaurants Housed in 1029 Edgewood

The former GM and co-owner of Athens’ Last Resort Grill, Jamshad Jaamy Zarnegar, is teaming up with Chef Guisepie Esposito to bring a Mediterranean concept to Inman Park.

“We are working very hard to bring in an influence from all countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea,” Zarnegar wrote in an email to What Now Atlanta.

Kitty Dare, named in honor of a very close friend of Zarnegar’s who passed away from cancer, is a concept that seeks to connect Zarnegar’s Iranian heritage and Chef Esposito’s Italian heritage with Inman Park and the greater Atlanta area. Once the menu has been finalized, it will reflect the influences of as many Mediterranean countries as possible.

Zarnegar, for his part, is extremely excited about the opportunity to open Kitty Dare in the restaurant space that last housed One Eared Stag. “1029 Edgewood has held some of the greatest restaurants in the city of Atlanta, and we hope to continue that honorable tradition,” wrote Zarnegar.

The building’s restaurant history dates back to 1983, according to Zarnegar, when Deacon-Burton’s Soul Food opened there. The Patio, Shaun’s, and One Eared Stag followed. Zarnegar, after learning of Shaun’s closing, recalls sitting in Ecco on 7^th St. waxing about the beauty of the building. “As I was telling the bartender that I would be the luckiest man in the world if I could lease that space for my restaurant in Atlanta, I heard from four barstools away, a gentleman possibly from Scotland, say ‘Oh, that’s going to be our new restaurant called ‘One Eared Stag’… we just signed the lease.’ ”

And good things come to those who are patient. Kitty Dare will debut this fall in the bright, open space. “One of the hidden surprises of the space is the comfortable yet cozy patio seating, which we will make full use of,” Zarnegar shared.

Kitty Dare will be open seven nights a week for dinner, as well as for Saturday and Sunday brunch. It will be a cashless establishment.

“I am most excited to open my dream restaurant at 1029 because it allows me to continue something very important in my life, which is to become a part-of and support a community like Inman Park,” Zarnegar added.