Firkin Gryphon

Although unemployment nationwide is hovering around 10%, things seem to be OK in Dunwoody.  Several restaurants have opened recently, and we've heard about a new bank along with a few other vacant retail spots being filled.

DunwoodyTalk staff was invited to get a sneak peak at the new Firkin Gryphon restaurant on Ashford Dunwoody Road.  If you are in a hurry with not time to read, then simply go there for a nice atmosphere and some great food.  The End.

The new restaurant is in the former Smoky Bones location.  In the same strip mall is Macaroni Grill, a mattress place, Pella window, and a few other things I can't remember.

For those wanting a little more detail, thanks for sticking around.  Firkin Gryphon is a Canadian tavern chain, now with three Atlanta locations (Cumming & Lindbergh).  This place is different than Tilted Kilt, different compared to Macaroni Grill, and different to most other eateries in Dunwoody.  It has by far the widest beer selection I've seen in the Perimeter area.  According to an alert reader, Taco Mac has a wider beer selection than this place, so I'll give Firkin a 2nd place trophy regarding beer choices.  31 beers on draft, and another 30+ in bottles.  Lots of mixed drinks, wine, and even tap water.  But it's not a beer & shot type saloon.  It's a nice atmosphere; a place to take a client, a place you can take the kids, and a place to hang out with friends.  The servers dress differently than those at Tilted Kilt (although they do wear kilts, but the kilts are longer and the Firkin girls wear blouses that actually have buttons) and the atmosphere itself is also different.  When you enter you immediately smell smoked ribs and other foods cooking. It's not a powerful BBQ smell like at Hickory House, but something unique. Being a Canadian franchise, the place has a British feel to it. Native Atlantans, transplant Yankees, and even visiting limeys will feel at home in this place.

I was there during a soft opening for family, friends, and bloggers (sorry King john and BloggerBob, I forgot to get you invites) so it was not real crowded and not much noise.  There are about 20 flat screens, mostly all tuned in to a sports channel.  I did see one tuned to Fox News and a token TV tuned to CNN.  I was told the place will have football, soccer, and all other sports on all the time.  A few booths had their own private TV.

In the back (the place is over 7000 sq feet) was a nice pool table and a couple dart boards.  Not sure how many people will throw darts.  I throw at the Tavern once in a while.

Back to the beer.  of course my first question was regarding Hoegaarden.  Again, another restaurant with no Hoegaarden.  31 beers on draft an no Hoegaarden?  But, they do keep one of the 31 taps as a rotating selection which means it may from time to time have Hoegaarden. I already put a plug in for it.  So today for lunch I had Smithwick Ale draft.  For the pre-opening event they had a limited menu so I can't talk about too  many foods.  But I did read the full menu and there are lots of things for everybody.  Also a nice kids menu.

I ordered up a full rack of ribs.  Very tasty.  Meat fell off the bone and you could eat this slab with a fork with little effort. I had real (not instant) mashed potatoes as a side - very good.  Just to make my wife happy I added a side of fresh steamed vegetables but I pretty much ignored them and focused on the ribs, potatoes, and beer.  I forgot to mention the beef sliders as the appetizer.  For dessert was a fudge brownie with ice cream.  All the food was excellent. No frozen food on site.  Everything is prepared fresh.The food is upscale, but not overly expensive. 

I think they will do well for lunch and dinner.  I also feel the place will be going after the 8 PM - 2 AM crowd by having some live music.  I'll be sure to make a late night visit soon and report back on the late night crowd. 

I met the owner before I left.  He lives here in Dunwoody and has lived here for 30+ years.  Although the place has a goofy name I think they will do well.  Give it a try.

Cold

ICE ICE Baby

Property managers over at Walgreens / Fresh Market need to understand that if you run sprinklers in the morning when the temperature is 26 degrees, the water from those sprinklers will turn to ice.

"If there was a problem, YO I'd solve it."

Chase Plans to Help Dunwoody Overcome Bank Shortage

Recognizing the shortage of banks in the Dunwoody area, Chase Bank wants to take over the abandoned Texaco station by Publix and put in a new bank.  Chase would also take over the space now occupied by a dry cleaner.  The current Chase branch in the Publix shopping center will close and the dry cleaner will move into that building (where he was originally).  The Pilates folks next to the dry cleaner may switch gears and open a pizza shop combined with a P90X infomercial/training center. The new business will be called
Smart Pizza, Smart Workout.

this Chase will move about 50 yards across the parking lot and the dry cleaner guy will move in here

 

early rendering of a new Chase bank

Water Rate Increase

Dekalb County is hosting a public meeting for the purpose of discussing water/sewer rate for all of DeKlab, including Dunwoody.  I suggest you put it on your schedule now and plan to attend. The fine folks at DeKalb Public Works are even coming out to Dunwoody to make the meeting more convenient for local residents.

From DeKalb County Pubic Works:

Infrastructure Capital Projects Information Meetings Scheduled in Dunwoody

DECATUR – Representatives from the DeKalb County Public Works/Infrastructure group will hold a public meeting to discuss upcoming infrastructure capital improvement projects (CIPs). 

The meeting is scheduled as follows:

• Tuesday, December 7, at the Dunwoody City Hall, 41 Perimeter Center East, Suite 250, Dunwoody, Georgia from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

County staff is currently assessing the water, sewer and infrastructure needs, and watershed experts have identified critical capital improvement projects that are needed over the next five years to ensure our water supply is adequate and safe for drinking, fire protection, our anticipated growth and development, and that the county is in full compliance with all state and federal regulations.

The meeting will provide an explanation of the repairs and upgrades needed in the water and sewer division, in order to preserve accessibility and maintain quality.