IN THE NEWS: The New York Post’s Steve Cuozzo reports that Atlanta chef Joël Antunes will be the new top toque at New York City’s Plaza Hotel’s Oak Room and Oak Bar when it reopens this summer. Atlanta’s Restaurant Joël, which recently reopened this winter after a massive redesign, will remain open even though the chef will be relocating to New York. nypost.com … And this from Creative Loafing’s Besha Rodell, “The restaurant’s chef de cuisine, Cyrille Holota, will likely run the kitchen once Antunes relocates for his new position. While the main draw of Joel is, um … Joel, the restaurant is familiar with operating without the presence of the man himself. Antunes traveled frequently during the past few years while the restaurant was open.” … Creative Loafing’s Besha Rodell gives two stars to Steel (950 W. Peachtree St., Suite 255. 404-477-6111. www.steelatlanta.com) and also reviews Sawicki’s Meat, Seafood & More (250 W. Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur. 404-377-0992,  www.sawickismeatseafoodandmore.com), while Cliff Bostick visits the new the Depot (904 Memorial Drive, 404-577-1904) and Fox Bros. B-B-Q (1238 DeKalb Ave., 404-577-4030). atlanta.creativeloafing.com …

The AJC’s George Chidi reports the closing of Little Gardens Restaurant and Lounge, one of Gwinnett County’s oldest fine-dining spots, will close as a restaurant but remain available for special functions … Meridith Ford awards four stars to Floataway Café (1123 Zonalite Road, Suite 15, 404-892-1414) and visits Beef O’ Brady’s (2715 Loganville Highway, Suite 7 C-D, Loganville, 770-682-5224, www.beefobradys.com), while Bob Townsend reviews Kasan Red (517 Flat Shoals Ave., 404-549-9630), H.M. Cauley considers Blue Plate Roadside Cafe (5920 Roswell Road, Atlanta, 404-257-8883) and Watson’s Gulf Coast Seafood (4416 Senator Richard Russell Ave., Acworth, 770-529-9933), and Jon Waterhouse reviews Mona Lisa Restaurant & Pizzeria (8465 Holcomb Bridge Road, Johns Creek, 678-822-6662). … Ford details the openings of Zaya (240 N. Highland Ave., 404-477-0050, www.zayarestaurant.com) and Peasant Bistro (250 Park Ave. W., 404-230-1724, www.peasantatl.com), from owners Maureen Kalmanson and Pamela Fur of Atlanta dining landmarks Pleasant Peasant and Mick’s Midtown. Chef Shane Devereux features seasonal dishes with Mediterranean and French influences. accessatlanta.com …

In the March issue, Atlanta magazine’s Christiane Lauterbach reviews Lola (3280 Peachtree Road, www.heretoserverestaurants.com) and Saravanaa Bhavan (2179 Lawrenceville Highway, Suite V, Decatur, www.saravanabhavan.com/restaurants). atlantamagazine.com … Blissful Glutton reviews Paschal’s Restaurant (180 Northside Drive, 404-525-2023). blissfulglutton.blogspot.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Filed under: Atlanta Restaurants | Tags: Beef O'Brady's, Blue Plate Roadside Cafe, Depot, Floataway cafe, Fox Bros. B-B-Q, Joel, Joel Antunes, Kasan Red, Little Gardens closed, Lola, Mona Lisa, Pashcal's, Saravanaa Bhavan, Sawicki's Meat, Steel, Watson's Gulf Coast Seafood |