Bourbon, biscuits on Peachtree

Oprah Winfrey's former personal chef is coming to Buckhead with a new restaurant at the

The newest entry in Buckhead's increasingly sophisticated and varied eating scene will be Art Smith's Southern Art and Bourbon Bar, the noted chef's first venture into the Southeast. The opening is scheduled for Sept. 26, according to the restaurant's Facebook page.

As the name implies, bourbon sippers will rejoice with what a press release calls "a well-cultivated selection of American bourbon distillers, focusing on small-batch producers and featuring select bourbons only available at Bourbon Bar through exclusive agreements." Cocktails will display distinctive twists on the American classics form the pre-Prohibition era.

"I am excited to bring Southern Art to Atlanta, which has become a very progressive culinary city," said Smith in a statement. "Southern Art will embrace my heritage and utilize fresh ingredients from local farms to celebrate the South."

The menu will blend Smith's Southern cooking heritage, love for Southern comfort food and commitment to serving traditional classics with a light, modern approach, the release said. An artisan ham-and-charcuterie bar will showcase the craft and traditions of regional country hams, and a vintage pie table will offer house-made Southern cakes, pies and desserts.

Smith is the executive chef and co-owner of Table fifty-two in Chicago, Art and Soul in Washington, and Lyfe Kitchen in Palo Alto, Calif. He served as Oprah Winfrey's personal chef for 10 years.

The restaurant at the Intercontinental, 3315 Peachtree Road, will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week and Sunday brunch. For more information, call 404-946-9070.