Ah, Chima, we hardly knew you. The Brazilian steakhouse, which opened last year on Peachtree Road, closed its doors for good on March 4. The restaurant's owner announced that the Atlanta Chima was closed due to a decline in the city's fine dining industry, as well as decreases in convention business and tourism.
The restaurant, which was located at 3215 Peachtree Road in Buckhead, was an all-you-can-eat Brazilian steakhouse that served a 17 kinds of grilled meat sliced at the table for seated diners. The eatery also had a notable salad bar that featured not only salad greens and vegetable dishes, but also soup and deli meats.
While the Buckhead Chima is closed, the restaurant's other four locations in Fort Lauderdale, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. will remain open—at least for the time being. For more information, visit www.chimasteakhouse.com.
A new place for tacos: Though many eateries and businesses are closing their doors, other restaurants continue to open around the city. Downtown Atlanta is home to the recently opened Panchero's Mexican Grill, a fast casual Mexican restaurant that is similar to Moe's and Chipotle.
The eatery offers a selection of burritos, tacos, salads, quesadillas, as well as side items like guacamole, chips and queso and rice and beans. Tortillas are freshly made from scratch at the restaurant each day.
Panchero's, which is located at 400 W. Peachtree St., is just down the street from the recently opened W Hotel Atlanta-Downtown. The Atlanta location is the first Panchero's in Georgia. Call 404-522-9990 or visit www.pancheros.com.
All-you-can-eat Sunday brunch: Think Sunday brunch isn't in the budget anymore? Well, if you can find $15 bucks you're all set at Marlow's in Vinings and at Marlow's in Kennesaw. Of course, you're going to have to make a hard decision once you get there—should you have the all-you-can-eat buffet for $14.99 or the bottomless mimosas for $15? We hope you'll be able to swing both, but if not, just make sure you eat a little something before you get there. You know you don't want to drink on an empty stomach.
The brunch will be offered on Sundays from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Vinings location and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kennesaw location. The buffet includes items such as crab cakes Benedict, French toast and made-to-order omelets. Call the Vinings Marlow's at 770-432-2526 and the Kennesaw location at 770-425-8777 or visit www.marlowstavern.com for more information.
The winning recipe: At Atlanta's second annual Great American Baking Contest on March 5, Jonathan St. Hilaire took home the top prize. The judges were quite impressed with his Ode A Payard, which was a dome of chocolate hazelnut that included chocolate mousse, hazelnut mousse, chocolate biscuit, hazelnut dacquoise and a milk chocolate feuillentine layer. Hilaire, who is the executive pastry chef for Concentrics Restaurants, won $500, while his chocolate-hazelnut creation was named Atlanta's Best Dessert.
The event, held at Cook's Warehouse in Midtown, was the kickoff party for Share Our Strength's Great American Bake Sale, a national movement that encourages Americans to end childhood hunger by hosting community bake sales. Visit strength.org for more information.
Got a tip about food-related events, restaurant news or special dishes and drinks? E-mail Rachael Mason at rmason@metromix.com.
