Le Méridien Atlanta, which officially opened last week in place of the former W Perimeter, will soon welcome Portico. The restaurant will be built on what is currently a broken and dilapidated patio adjacent to the lobby bar on the main level.(seen above through the partially obstructed lobby windows)
According to the the hotel's website, Portico will be helmed by chef Brian Lee, who was most recently in the kitchen at the St. Regis San Francisco. Portico will feature an international menu with seemingly heavy European and Asian influences, according to a brief menu description.
The restaurant will join a far less crowded field than in Buckhead, where Jean Georges' Market failed and was recently re-concepted as Cook Hall, a gastropub. With the exceptions of Goldfish, McKendrick's and Sage Woodfire Tavern, basically all of the nearby sit-down restaurants are chain restaurants. Portico should be a nice addition to the area.
A hotel representative told me the official word is that the restaurant will be open in May. I questioned this timetable since zero work had been done to even prepare for an entire restaurant to be built. The rep conceded that the timeline she was provided with was likely inaccurate.
What are your thoughts on this new restaurant opening? What would you like to see open in the former Hudson Grill / Garrison's at Perimeter Mall? What should replace the old American Cafe within Perimeter Mall?
Please share your thoughts below.