6 New and Coming Soon Independent Restaurants in Georgia

Business Debut is all about independent restaurants. Here's a list of new and coming soon businesses that have plans for the Peach State, but don't have the PR budgets of Caine's.

Nonna Lucia Italian — Johns Creek

Address: 11030 Medlock Bridge Rd Unit 160, Johns Creek, GA 30097

Status: Targeting a mid-August opening.

What to expect: Roman-focused Italian restaurant from owner and Rome native Alexander Richards. The restaurant is designed around authentic Italian dishes, polished hospitality and Richards’ background working in restaurants across Italy, Australia, England and the United States.

Space details: The dining room will seat about 100 guests with booths and tables, plus an outdoor area for about 30 people. Richards has custom-built some tables from wine boxes and crates he collected.

Menu highlights: Roman dishes such as carbonara with cured pork cheek and egg, cacio e pepe with sheep’s milk cheese and cracked pepper, amatriciana, oxtail alla vaccinara, osso buco and cacciatora with rabbit or chicken.

More to know: Starters will include supplì, fried calamari and salads. Tiramisu will be a major dessert focus, with multiple flavors and formats planned for dine-in and takeaway.

Retail and design: The restaurant will import olive oil, use Roman cured pork cheek and salumi, and work with a Tuscan truffle supplier. Italian ceramics, lighting pieces and rotating works from local artists will also be part of the space.

Who’s behind it: Owner Alexander Richards and chef-partner Andrea Pitera.

Read our full article.

Casa Brasa — Calhoun

Address: 214 N River St, Calhoun, GA 30701

Status: Targeting the last week of August.

What to expect: Full-service Peruvian restaurant from owners Evelyn and Ysmel Cruz. Casa Brasa will be the couple’s first restaurant and will serve lunch and dinner, with Sunday breakfast also planned.

Menu highlights: Peruvian cuisine with fish, steak and Japanese influences that are part of Peru’s food culture.

Signature item: Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken cooked over charcoal. The team has arranged to bring in a rotisserie machine from Peru to achieve the flavor they want.

Price point: Plates are expected to start around $10, with higher-priced steak options also available.

Hours: To be announced. The plan is lunch and dinner daily, with breakfast on Sundays.

Who’s behind it: Owners Evelyn and Ysmel Cruz.

Read our full article.

Santa Maria — Fayetteville

Address: 715 Glynn St S, Fayetteville, GA 30214

Status: Targeting late July or early August.

What to expect: Full-service Latin tapas restaurant with a strong Peruvian focus. The restaurant is opening in the former Speedi Pig space, a longtime local barbecue restaurant.

Menu highlights: Tapas with influences from Peruvian, Colombian, Venezuelan, Mexican and Andean cooking. Owner-chef Mario Garcia is aiming for an upscale experience with a focus on seafood quality.

More to know: Santa Maria will include a raw bar and smoked-meat component. The team kept the smokers from the former barbecue restaurant and is employing the pitmaster who previously handled barbecue there.

Drink program: A craft cocktail program is planned.

Space details: The restaurant will seat about 131 guests inside, with patio seating in progress.

Who’s behind it: Owner-chef Mario Garcia.

Read our full article.

Griffin’s Steakhouse — Martinez

Address: 1040 West Lake Commons Drive Unit 6&7, Martinez, GA 30907

Status: Now open!

What to expect: Upscale steakhouse open for lunch and dinner. The restaurant name comes from the owners’ maiden name, Griffin.

Menu highlights: Lunch will focus on sandwiches, salads and appetizers. Dinner will center on steak, with two chicken dishes, one fish dish, one pasta dish and appetizers also planned.

Space details: The restaurant will occupy about 3,500 square feet with seating for about 80 guests.

Atmosphere: The dining room will feature black tablecloths and gold accents. Outdoor seating is planned after the initial opening.

Who’s behind it: Sisters Diane McCall and Paula McCall.

Read our full article.

NY Prime Fried Chicken — Lawrenceville

Address: 1190 Five Forks Trickum Rd SW, Lawrenceville, GA 30045

Status: Preparing to reopen under new ownership.

What to expect: NY Prime Fried Chicken has changed hands and is now going through licensing and permitting before reopening. New owner Manvir Singh plans to make a few small menu updates.

Menu highlights: Fried chicken items including wings, tenders, sandwiches, drumsticks and more.

Hours: To be announced.

Who’s behind it: New owner Manvir Singh.

Read our full article.

El Rey Tequilas Bar & Grill — Brunswick

Address: 36 Canal Road Plaza, Brunswick, GA 31525

Status: Targeting the first weeks of August.

What to expect: Full-service Mexican restaurant and bar with a sports bar atmosphere. The restaurant is taking over the former Hangout Grill space and will keep a similar layout with some modifications.

Menu highlights: Mexican dishes with fast service, plus burgers, wings and other bar-style items. The menu will include traditional Mexican options, Tex-Mex dishes and American items.

Drink program: Cocktails, beer and wine are planned, with a bar program broad enough for guests ordering classic cocktails like an old fashioned or Manhattan, as well as casual beer drinkers.

Entertainment: Late-night programming is under consideration for Fridays and Saturdays, including possible salsa nights or karaoke.

Hours: Planned seven days a week. Tentative weekday hours are 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m.; weekend restaurant hours will likely run until 11 p.m., with the bar possibly open later during special events.

Who’s behind it: Co-owners Arturo Sanchez and Luis Montalvo.

Read our full article.