Chef Kevin Rathbun has permanently closed both his namesake restaurant, Rathbun's, as well as Krog Bar, both in Inman Park. Rathbun's, featuring an American menu, opened in May 2004, and was the first of three restaurants that the chef would open in what was then an unexciting, overlooked part of Atlanta. Rathbun's second concept, Krog Bar, a small Mediterranean wine bar, opened in 2005, followed by Kevin Rathbun Steak, a "prime steakhouse" in 2007. KR SteakBar, an Italian steakhouse, opened in early 2013, but unlike the other concepts, is located in Peachtree Hills, near Buckhead. All Rathbun restaurants have been closed since mid March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rathbun subsequently sold more than $100,000 in gift cards with the proceeds going to aid his hourly staff.
The 2013 opening of the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail brought tons of new people to Inman Park (and surrounding neighborhoods) exposing Rathbun's to an even wider audience. Charlotte-based Asana Partners in April 2018 purchased, for an undisclosed sum, both Krog Street Market and Atlanta Stove Works, from Atlanta-based Paces Properties. Although plans have yet to be made public, several well-placed sources tell ToNeTo Atlanta that there are expansion/redevelopment plans in the works for both Krog Street Market and Stove Works. It's believed that the plans Asana has for the project(s), while some time off, were the catalyst for the closures, rather than the current COVID-19 pandemic.
ToNeTo Atlanta early Monday morning reached out to Rathbun though his personal Facebook, but despite having read our message, did not respond by 3 PM. We also reached out to Lily Heimburger, senior vice president with SRS Real Estate Partners, who leases both properties on behalf of Asana, and was told she [the property] has no comment on the reported closures.
Prior to opening his restaurants, Kevin Rathbun spent several years with Buckhead Life Restaurant Group (BLRG) where he was eventually promoted to Corporate Chef. In 2008, Rathbun, along with his brother Kent, defeated celebrity chef Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America.
In addition to Kevin Rathbun Steak and KR SteakBar, both of which will reportedly remain open, Rathbun is also a partner in Kaiser's Chophouse, a upscale steakhouse in Sandy Springs helmed by Rathbun friend and business partner, Chef Peter Kaiser.
Are you surprised to see Rathbun close Rathbun's and Krog Bar? What is your favorite steakhouse in Atlanta? What kinds of restaurants or businesses would you like to see open at Krog Street Market and Atlanta Stove Works?
Please share your thoughts below.