Restaurant Openings: November 2014

A Top Chef opens The Luminary in Atlanta, and casual Italian reigns at Acanto in Chicago.

The Luminary’s 3,500-square-foot design is simple and sophisticated, with tiled walls, wood furniture, gleaming lights and a bar that’s situated under 100-year-old trusses.
The Luminary’s 3,500-square-foot design is simple and sophisticated, with tiled walls, wood furniture, gleaming lights and a bar that’s situated under 100-year-old trusses. (Photo by Renee Brock)

Top Chef Contestant Opens Atlanta Restaurant

Chef Eli Kirshtein, a contestant on “Top Chef: Las Vegas,” debuted his first restaurant in August in Atlanta. The Luminary, named for the city’s historic newspaper, features regionally influenced food, a large raw bar, and craft beers and cocktails. Kirshtein puts an American spin on the brasserie, serving classics like steak frites and croque-monsieur alongside adventurous items, such as roasted chicken hearts and chicken liver mousse (entrées are $14 to $28). The Luminary boasts 24 beers on tap and an additional 30 in bottles, including local labels by SweetWater Brewing Co. and Orpheus Brewing ($4 to $28 a draft pour or bottle). A selection of French wine is also available ($7 to $18 a glass; $28 to $110 a 750-ml. bottle). The restaurant’s cocktail program focuses on places with significant French influence like New Orleans and Montreal. Specialty drinks include the I Feel Pretty, made with Bombay Dry gin, Bénédictine liqueur, Gran Classico bitter, Vieux Carré absinthe and vanilla (signature drinks are $8 to $11). Located at Krog Street Market in Atlanta’s Inman Square, The Luminary aims to be distinctive but approachable.

Acanto offers regional Italian food, wine and cocktails in Chicago’s Gage building.
Acanto offers regional Italian food, wine and cocktails in Chicago’s Gage building.

Italian Restaurant Opens In Chicago Landmark

Named for the acanthus leaf used in Roman architecture, Acanto opened in August in Chicago’s Gage building. The casual Italian eatery honors traditional regional fare, including handcrafted pastas, stone oven pizzas, and daily entrée specials like black peppercorn rigatoni and suckling pig ($16 to $38). Acanto boasts more than 300 wines from such areas as Piemonte, Valle d’Aosta, Campania, Veneto, Tuscany, Montalcino and Barolo ($10 to $42 a glass; $40 to $420 a 750-ml. bottle). These offerings are joined by a variety of Italian and American craft beers ($6 to $56 a draft pour or bottle) and cocktails that incorporate Italian spirits ($9 to $14). The restaurant features large windows, butcher block tables and tufted leather banquettes.

Restaurant Briefs

  • Named for the style of aged Tequila, Añejo debuted in August in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood. The restaurant offers ceviches, tacos, upscale small plates and larger Mexican and Latin fare, along with a variety of Margaritas and specialty drinks that incorporate Tequila, mezcal and Mexican beers.
  • Focusing equally on drinks and food, Proof + Pantry opened in August in Dallas. The venue boasts a seasonal menu of global cuisine, with food items organized by Soil, Land and Sea and cocktails listed under Low Proof or High Proof. Operated by the restaurant group Misery Loves Co., Proof + Pantry has an industrial rustic interior that suits its Arts District location.
  • The modern seafood restaurant Jack’s Oyster Bar and Fish House opened in August in Oakland, California, with a varied menu and locally focused wines and beers. The venue has a raw bar and offers sandwiches and larger dishes like squid ink carbonara.
  • The Southern-inspired Jacoby’s Austin opened in August in the East Cesar Chavez neighborhood of Texas’ capital city. Serving ranch-style cuisine and updated takes on classic cocktails, the restaurant overlooks the Colorado River and serves local beers and a mix of worldly wines.