Chef Ron Eyester's big mouth, lousy attitude and lofty expectations for his mediocre food may have cost him his budding restaurant empire. Seemingly unsatisfied with the success of Rosebud and The Family Dog, Eyester subsequently opened Timone's in Morningside and Diner at Atlantic Station. Neither restaurant was all that good with Timone's being so bad it was closed and reconcepted, only to close a second and final time this past July.
Earlier this month, I detailed Eyester's emotional letter to patrons where he expressed his gratitude for their business but also shared the dire state of his crumbling empire.
Following my post, comments flooded in with others' experiences and thoughts on the man known as @AngryChef:
"Cantankerous, pugnacious personality. Lousy food. Iffy service."
"Ron Eyester just needs to go away."
"The "Angry Chef?" You're in a service business, dumbass, and "angry" and "service" don't go together. I don't want an angry drycleaners, or an angry bank teller, and I sure as hell don't want an angry chef. Letting this label stick to you...not so smart. But maybe in your next career you can be the Careless Truck Driver or the Dumb High School Teacher."
"The 'Angry Chef' has done a good job of ruining his business by insulting customers and serving mediocre at best food."
As of last week, The Family Dog closed with signage on the front door stating they would reopen yesterday, the 6th, at 6PM. That didn't happen. Now, Diner too, is closed with what looked like the beginnings of a clearout occurring inside the restaurant. I reached out to both employees of Rosebud as well as Atlantic Station's "Concierge Services" desk, both of whom expressed doubt that either restaurant would reopen.
If Diner does in fact remain closed, it would mark one of the shortest, most expensive restaurants in Atlanta in recent memory. Not only that, with it closed as well as Strip, it's rather unfortunate timing for Atlantic Station's new owner Hines Interests. Hines reportedly paid about $200 million for the retail/restaurant core of the center earlier this month.
While Atlantic Station does have plenty of generic retail options, they are lacking a Mattress Firm. Perhaps the popular retailer will have interest in opening a superstore in the former Diner space?
Do you think The Family Dog or Diner will reopen? Do you want them to? What would you like to see open in their places if they remain closed?
Please share your thoughts below