News You Can Eat

_{A new Thai restaurant has opened in the former Wild Curry Chia Gao space at 132 10th Street, at the intersection of Juniper. SbyDee ypronounced sa-by-dee, which means “doing well” in Thai) will serve authentic Thai cuisine including rice dishes, seafood, noodles and curries. For more information, visit www.sbydeekitchen.com or call y404) 888-0868.}

_{The Universal Joint in Oakhurst will hold a Lobster Boil Festival on Saturday, Aug. 12, starting at 4 p.m. Tickets are 20 in advance or 23 the day of the event. Besides the food, there will be live music from Kevin Lewis and give-aways. The evening is being co-sponsored by the Joint, Crave restaurant and Bass. 906 Oakview Road. www.ujointbar.com or y404) 373-6260.}

_{Dressed is expected by the end of the month in the new Plaza Midtown. The restaurant will feature giant salads diners create themselves from a choice of greens, 60 toppings and 25 dressings made fresh daily. In addition to salads, Dressed will also offer two soups daily from popular Buckhead soup maven Souper Jenny, as well as a selection of home-baked goods for dessert. Dressed’s fleet of bright red delivery scooters will transport salads, soups and cookies to hungry residents and businesses within a one-mile radius of the restaurant’s Midtown location. Lunch and dinner will be served from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. www.dressedsalads.com.}

_{Lotus Lounge was expected to open this month in Lindbergh City Center on Piedmont Road in Buckhead. The “ultra lounge” concept will feature Asian-styled tapas, sushi, dim sum and specialty drinks served from a circular bar with giant lotus flower sculpture spinning overhead. There will also be live jazz, a DJ and lavish private rooms that require memberships ranging in price from 250 to 2,500. www.lotusatlanta.com.}

_{Chef Piero Premoli of Pricci in Buckhead has earned an award of excellence the first and only in Atlanta from the Accademia della Cucina Italiana, an official cultural institution of the Italian government with a delegation in Atlanta. The honor is given to chefs who create authentic Italian cuisine and use imported ingredients.}

_{J. Christopher’s, a local breakfast and lunch chain with a dozen locations in the northern ’burbs, including Sandy Springs and Roswell, is moving Intown. A J. Christopher’s sign has gone up on the ground floor of the Wachovia building in downtown Decatur, but no opening date has been announced. Also announced is a location in Plaza Midtown, at West Peachtree and 8th streets. It’s expected to open in the fall.}

_{QUICK BITES: Chef Richard Blais – best known for his work at ONE.midtown kitchen – has left Atlanta to become culinary creative director at Miami’s hip and happening Barton G. restaurant on South Beach.... Sports radio station 790 The Zone has broken ground on a facility that will include a restaurant, sports bar and rooftop lounge at 300 Marietta Street within walking distance of Philips Arena and the Georgia Dome.... Christian Messier, formerly at the Renaissance Grand in St. Louis, has been named executive chef at Sun Dial.... Zagat has named Bacchanalia as Atlanta’s best restaurant, while its downstairs sister, Quinones, was ranked number two.... Meehan’s Public House – which has locations in Vinings, Sandy Springs and Brookhaven – has introduced a new menu with a big selection of sandwiches, seafood, soups, salads and more.... Marvin Woods, host of Home Plate on the soon to be defunct Turner South network is now the new executive chef at Spice in Midtown. Expect the roll out of a new menu featuring Low Country dishes with African influences next month.... A rumor is circulating is that Golden Rule BBQ will open several locations in Atlanta next year. The Alabama-based chain is in the middle of a big expansion, planning to open 20 to 30 new restaurants across the Southeast.... Palate in Oakhurst has a new chef, Francina Sanders.... Firehouse Subs, actually created by two California firefighters, has opened a location at the corner of 10th Street and Hemphill in Midtown. The franchise plans to open 100 locations around the country this year.... Jason’s Deli – which has locations in Buckhead and Sandy Springs – has opened a two-level eatery next door to the Flying Biscuit on 10th Street in Midtown.... Chicago Nancy’s Pizza is now open in Buckhead at 3167 Peachtree Rd., Suite D. The chain serves classic deep-dish style pies.... Steinbeck’s Oyster Bar is now open at 659 East Lake Dr. in Decatur. The menu mixes Boston-style dishes with Creole-influenced plates.... MIX in Brookhaven has promoted sous chef Matthew Swickerath to executive chef after the departure of Carmen Cappello, who may open his own restaurant in the city.... A new location of past chain Figo was expected to open this month at the Edgewood Retail District on Moreland Avenue.... The Grape has announced it will open a new location at 300 N. Highland.}