Buckhead Bar, Restaurant Merry Go-Round Keeps Spinning

A new year with new restaurants, new bar owners and new dining concepts: that's the course set by NPU-B's Public Safety Committee Tuesday night.

Like a busy bartender slinging drinks in a popular Buckhead bar, the committee quickly approved 11 separate agenda items, taking a good swing at setting the immediate future of the bar and restaurant scene in the Peachtree Road corridor. The entire NPU also approved the agenda.

Looking for a new restaurant concept? Xian Hung Xu, from Greenwich, Conn., received approval for a triple-treat idea for the Modern Restaurant and Bar, which will take over the old space of Copeland's at 3365 Piedmont Road in Tower Place.

The restaurateur plans to divide the space into three parts, one a fine dining area, the second a more casual spot for five course meals for $65 a person and the third a cafe that would open in early morning with gourmet coffee and stay open later with beer and wine.

How about a new twist on a familiar spot? The committee OK'd a change of ownership of , with Francisco Manuel Vidal the lead partner. Vidal said the restaurant at 128 E. Andrews Drive offes a new chef and an upgraded menu. Vidal's application was one of several handled by attorney Kevin D. Leff.

Another new business approved is the Lost Dog Tavern at 3162 Roswell Road, where construction is under way in hopes of an opening by mid-February. Marshall Whidby will run the business for the Athens-based group that owns it.

A mom, pop and son establishment — the Olde Towne Tavern & Grille — also got the green light, taking over a space at 360 Pharr Road where a couple of concepts, including one involving yak — have failed. The Olde Towne is a "family-friendly" place, said owner Patricia D. Moravek, who appeared with her husband, Bob, and son, Rob. The family also owns the Olde Towne in Suwanee, and the concept has locations in Lawrenceville and Kennesaw. A Jan. 15 opening is planned.

For those seeking a mellow mood, the committee approved new owner Justin Breiland's Mood Lounge at 3081 E. Shadowlawn Drive, with the stipulation that parking is valet-only until 6:30 or 7 p.m. Breiland told the committee that he has a valet service for parking, and the committee also asked him to provide a copy of the valet contract. Committee member Bill Bozarth noted that if other lounges are approved on the narrow Shadowlawn Avenue, "you're going to have significant problems" with parking. Other committee members pointed out that any new places would have to come before the NPU committee.

Change of agents for liquor licenses were also approved for Maggianos, the SpringHill Suites, Ritz-Carlton Buckhead, Ritz-Carlton Residences, the Doubletree Buckhead and the Flip Burger Boutique.