Restaurant Round-Up: Le Bon Nosh and Recess prepare Buckhead Village debuts

By year’s end, Buckhead Village diners may be able to try two new restaurants joining the lively scene: the long-awaited cafe Le Bon Nosh, and the first outpost of the Krog Street Market veggie stall Recess.

While the pandemic has been tough on the restaurant industry, the local scene remains active for both original restaurants and spin-offs of successful eateries elsewhere, such as the popular new Middle Eastern spot Delbar, which recently announced a Buckhead Village location coming next year.

Le Bon Nosh

Work underway on the facade of Le Bon Nosh this month at 65 Irby Ave. Cred: Ben Hirsh

Announced in 2019, Le Bon Nosh is coming to the new The Irby apartment tower at 65 Irby Ave. It will be a cafe and market serving breakfast, lunch, coffee, pastries and wine, under the direction of chef/owner Forough Vakili.

Construction is down to finishing touches, with facade work underway this month. The restaurant was aiming for a September opening but is now saying sometime this fall. 

Stay tuned for an exact date. Meanwhile, the restaurant is posting occasional updates on its Instagram.

Recess Buckhead

Some of the dishes available at Recess.

Recess Buckhead is coming to the new Hanover apartment tower at 3150 Roswell Road, where it will be a neighbor of the Iberian Pig Buckhead; both are owned by the Castellucci Hospitality Group (CHG). The timeline is “later this year,” according to a spokesperson.

Named for the play period in school, Recess is a fast-casual, food-bowl type eatery with a menu focused on vegetables and grains, though with some chicken in the mix. It originated as a stall at Krog Street Market in Inman Park, but is now undergoing a revamp and expansion into what the owners hope will be a regional presence, with Buckhead as the first outpost. (The Krog Street location is expected to reopen this fall.)

Recess Buckhead will have indoor and outdoor seating for about 20 patrons and a walk-up counter where customers move down the line as the custom order is built. However, the restaurant is also being built around a new model focused on takeout and delivery in response to COVID-19 effects that the owners expect will be permanent even when the pandemic comes to an end.

“The pandemic accelerated a number of dining changes that are here to stay,” said Recess CEO Erik Göranson in a press release. That will include a mobile app for ordering, delivery, a takeout window, and curbside pickup with “dedicated runners” so customers don’t have to leave their vehicles.

CHG also owns Bar Mercado at Krog Street, Cooks and Soldiers in Westside, Double Zero in Emory Village, Sugo in Johns Creek, and another Iberian Pig location in Decatur.

Starbright Wine

A selection of rosé wines available from Starbright Wine.

Speaking of the Iberian Pig Buckhead, it just became the pickup spot for orders from Starbright Wine, a new online wine store offering personalized help in making selections and same-day delivery.

Launched Aug. 16, Starbright is owned by longtime restaurant publicist Rachel Katz in partnership with Fred Castellucci of CHG. Its unique service is “judgment-free” expert wine-selection advice by text or online chat, starting with a five-question introduction about the customer’s tastes and needs. (If you’re not feeling chatty, direct ordering without consultation is also available.)

The selections then can be delivered anywhere within Atlanta city limits as soon as the same day or any other selected time. Delivery via Zifty costs $10, while pickup is available at the restaurant. For details, see starbrightwine.com.

Update: This story has been updated with new opening information about Le Bon Nosh.

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