Atrium, a new restaurant from Oliva Restaurant Group, will open Monday, January 31, 2022, on the first floor of Ponce City Market’s Central Food Hall, according to a press release Friday.
From Founder Tal Baum, Executive Culinary Director Brandon Hughes, and Director of Operations Josh Riddle, the full-service restaurant and bar will feature Oliva’s “signature blend of fresh, local ingredients and curated interiors.” The group is also behind Aziza, Falafel Nation, Bellina Alimentari, Rina, and forthcoming Carmel at Buckhead Village.
Serving a modern American menu with European influence, Atrium aims to be a “destination where guests can settle in for a quiet and relaxing evening sipping finely crafted cocktails and enjoy a meal.”
The menu, overseen by Executive Chef Cole Pate, will feature seasonally-driven, vegetable-forward appetizers, crudo, light pasta, and larger entrees for sharing. Highlights include Agnolotti with duck & celery root filling, smoked celery root & percorno; Fluke with grapefruit, horseradish, créme fraîche & chive from the menu’s raw section; Bistro Steak with roasted sunchokes, king oyster mushroom, coffee & pickled red onion; and Chocolate Torte with shortbread, coffee mousse, caramel gelée, cocoa nib utile & strawberries.
On the beverage side, Beverage Director Demario Wallace offers a tight list of cocktails, wine, beer, cider, and zero-proof cocktails for guests dining in the Bistro and a more extensive beverage menu in the Parlor. The menu features seasonal cocktails, takes on punches inspired by places around the world, classic cocktails, and modern cocktails, along with zero-proof drinks, beer, cider, and wine.
Designed by Smith Hanes Studio, Atrium is described as “eclectic and bright, with thoughtful design elements like bold florals, expansive tropical leaves, and focal walls in a palette featuring pinks, greens, and golds.” The design is a celebration of local artisans and craftsmen — from woodwork throughout the space and hand-painted tiles on the bar to floral installations and an imaginative mural, each detail of the interior are made “for and by the community.”
At the entrance of the space is a lounge ensconced by colorful curtains with comfortable seating. To the left is a 1,200 square-foot cocktail lounge, the “Parlor,” complete with a bar featuring hand-painted tile by local artisan Charlotte Smith and a mural by Savannah-based artist Kipper Millsap.
Inside the 4,000 square-foot main dining room, the “Bistro,” diners will be transported to “an airy, serene wonderland” with large factory windows, floral installations by Atlanta-based floral artist Pinker Times and large pink banquettes.
“I’m thrilled to bring another unique concept to Ponce City Market,” Baum said in the release. “All of our restaurants at Oliva represent chapters of my life and the various places in which I’ve lived. Rina, Aziza and Falafel Nation symbolize my early life and growing up in Israel; Bellina Alimentari is an ode to my years living in Italy, and Atrium is a manifestation of a current chapter experiencing the evolution of dining in America. We aim for the space to capture a great sense of community while serving as a reprieve for our guests.”
Tal Baum founded Oliva Restaurant Group in 2015 with the opening of Bellina Alimentari at Ponce City Market. Born and raised in Haifa, Israel, Baum moved to Florence, Italy, at the age of 21 to study architecture at Florence University. She remained in Italy for seven years, where she mastered the language and developed an intimate knowledge of Italian cuisine.
Using her background in architecture and design, Baum translates her skills to help bring all of her concepts to life. Her eye for design led her to choose Ponce City Market for two of her concepts. “I am enamored with the expansive architecture of the building and the history of the property,” Baum said. “The idea of creating an enchanting oasis amongst the buzz of life is something I’m passionate about.”
