I’m really sad…. The spot where Lauren and I celebrated our joint 25th birthday with a 31-course dinner (here’s the link to my write-up) is closed. Official word comes from the AJC:
WEDNESDAY PEACH BUZZ
Daring eatery Blais shuts its doors
By RICHARD L. ELDREDGE
BLAIS The restaurant that made a name for its humorous, unlikely and sometimes brilliant food innovations — closed its doors suddenly on Monday night, just shy of its six month birthday.
Chef Richard Blais hit the scene last year in a modernist renovation of the old Peachtree Cafe space in Buckhead. His off-the-wall menu appealed intensely to an adventurous segment of the dining public but scared off many.
Dried chicken skin with coleslaw ice cream, beef braised in Dr Pepper, parsnip cake with frankincense aroma, and the now-infamous foie gras milkshake were this restaurant’s hallmarks. The menu attracted more critical praise than patrons.
Partners George McKerrow, David Davoudpour and Ron San Martin pulled the plug after investing “close to a million dollars,” said McKerrow.
“Atlanta wasn’t ready for what Richard had in mind,” he added. “I think he’s one of the most talented chefs in the United States” but “Atlanta’s a meat-and-potatoes town.”
Look for another concept in the space from the investors’ We’re Cookin’ restaurant group (Aria, Canoe), in partnership with Aria chef Gerry Klaskala.
no no! I was looking forward to visit Atlanta to eat at Blais later this year. Damn those meat and potatoe eaters…
Don’t worry too much yet. I have been in contact with the hostess of Blais as I had been planning my husband’s 40th b’day party there. We had dined there 4 times in January and February and became “regular” customers. They are working very hard to relocate with different partners, and yet, keep the same staff. (Which includes my all time favorite waiter– Benjamin.) They tell me it shouldn’t be too long before Richard Blais is back to what he does best!!
Mr. Blais’s latest Atlanta restaurant venture, Element, has also closed. I found out after making a road trip from Nashville to Atlanta for Sunday brunch only to find the doors locked. Bummer!!!