We are pleased to share that after permanently closing the Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse at Phipps Plaza in Buckhead, owner Steve DiFillippo and Simon Properties have come to an agreement to reopen the restaurant! Renovations, which according to permits filed with the city of Atlanta will total an estimated $250,000, will begin soon with the hope being that the restaurant can reopen later this fall, according to a source familiar with the restaurant's plans. Davio's at Phipps Plaza first opened in 2010.
Several changes are planned for the 10,128 square foot restaurant (9,000 square foot interior plus a 1,128 square foot patio) including a new private dining room (PDR), several modifications of the dining area, and the addition of more seating. Boston-based Sousa Design Architects is designing the new space.
Below we highlight several of the planned changes:
- NEW 4-SEASON EXTERIOR PATIO ENCLOSURE WITH LIGHTING, SIGNAGE AND HEATERS.
- EXISTING WINE ROOM PARTITIONS AND MILLWORK TO BE REMOVED TO ACCEPT NEW DINING BOOTHS.
- RECONFIGURATION OF DINING AND BAR DINING FURNITURE/ SEATING. INCLUDING:
- NEW CURVED BACK BANQUETTE AT DINING 2.
- REMOVAL OF EXISTING BANQUETTE AND SERVICE STATION.
- REMOVAL OF CHEF TABLE, TO BE REPLACED WITH BOOTHS AND PLATE SHELVES.
- NEW BOOTHS AT EXISTING WINE ROOM LOCATION.
- REMOVAL OF DECORATIVE COLUMNS IN DINING ROOMS.
- COAT ROOM AND BAR DINING TO BE REMOVED/RECONFIGURED TO ALLOW FOR NEW PDR "D".
- RE-PAINT THROUGHOUT TO MATCH EXISTING FINISHES. - FLOORING TO BE REPLACED THROUGHOUT DINING AREAS.
A release obtained by ToNeTo Atlanta which confirms the reopening plans does not mention a target date for reopening, which could be why the release also does not mention any hiring efforts. When Davio's does start hiring, they, like so many in the restaurant and other service industries, are likely to find a small and evaporating employee puddle, rather than the employment pool of pre-COVID.
Former employees of Davio's have found new jobs either in or out of hospitality, and the restaurant will likely need to start from scratch in their hiring efforts. Former Davio's general manager Paul Dunn now holds the same position, but at French-Vietnamese restaurant Le Colonial. Gary Weaver, former maître d' and before that, longtime The Ritz-Carlton chauffeur, has chosen retirement. Other employees have gone on to positions at Arnette's and various Buckhead Life restaurants, among others.
Are you excited for the planned reopening of Davio's at Phipps Plaza? What is your favorite cut of steak? Have you dined out more, less, or the same since vaccinations became readily available?
Please share your thoughts below.