Food 101 becomes Food 101 American Kitchen & Bar as Chef Ron Eyester Returns, Refines Focus and Menu

Food 101 is expanding its name to Food 101 American Kitchen & Bar to reflect an exciting emphasis on “renewed American” cuisine under the direction of Ron Eyester. Sous chef for 101 Concepts restaurant group at the original Food 101, Eyester comes full circle in a rich culinary career to take the restaurant’s menu back to its thoroughly American roots. Eyester enriches the Food 101 vision with his depth of experience in NYC and Charleston, South Carolina, owning and operating his own restaurants, helping colleagues plan and rebrand, and launching I Dig Food, an event and consulting brand in which he partners with other restaurateurs to curate food-inspired events. His Food 101 menu features lighter items in addition to comfort food faves such as 101 Meatloaf ($15) and buttermilk fried chicken ($15) and “low and slow” savories like braised lamb shank with butternut squash purée, slightly pickled mushrooms and natural jus ($28). Look for new lunch and dinner items such as honey and lemon glazed smoked chicken wings with fresh herbs and slightly pickled carrots ($10), “Green Goddess” glazed Brussels sprouts with scallions and toasted almonds ($9.50) and Red Hare root beer BBQ St. Louis-style ribs with chopped Southern slaw and house-made steak fries ($26). Weekend brunch woos sleepy heads with tempters of skillet pancake with sorghum-sea salt butter and Vermont maple syrup ($10); fried cheese grits with smoked pineapple aioli ($7) and “Skinny Brunch” with sliced organic tomatoes, grilled asparagus, leeks, fresh herbs and soft-poached eggs ($13).

The restaurant’s beverage program features a comprehensive selection of classic cocktails,wine and beer, and The Barrel Bar pours from an impressive list of small-batch bourbons and ryes as well as barrel-aged Manhattans and craft cocktails. Metropolitan atmosphere and urban polish contribute to a “New Age Diner” feel within both the dining room and The Barrel Bar. Established in 1999 and having marked its 18^th birthday on Nov. 16, the restaurant has become a perennial favorite and landmark, well anchored before Sandy Springs became a city in 2005. Reservations can be made online or by calling (404) 497-9700. Self-parking is available in the adjacent lot.