With the hustle and bustle of the year-end and your focus on all those New Year’s goals, it’s just possible that you missed some exciting new restaurant openings around Cobb County.
Fortunately for you, our dining radar and culinary curiosity remain strong, always eager to find Cobb’s newest eateries. And while this list may not represent all of the recent new restaurant openings, here are a few that we noted and wanted to share:
Luga Italian Eatery. Opened in November in the Avenue East Cobb, this polished dining spot features an open kitchen and an inviting 28-seat bar. Founded by brothers Ben and Seth Gjuka, it brings a modern edge to traditional Italian dining. Among the top rated menu items are the homemade pappardelle with wild boar ragu and the wood-fired Margherita pizza.
Portillo’s. With family in Chicago, we eagerly awaited this Chicago staple on Cobb Parkway in Kennesaw, near Costco. It’s been packed with curious locals since opening in November. Of course, the top rated menu items include the Italian beef sandwich, Chicago-style hot dogs, and their chocolate cake shake. Our tip: try to visit in an off-peak time as lunchtime can bring Miracle-Mile-Style crowds.
Spring 2nd Branch. We visited the original before its temporary closing, then stopped in for lunch here in early January. Led by Michelin-starred Chef Brian So, this casual concept features bold, seasonal Korean flavors. It operates on a walk-in-only basis, making high-end culinary artistry accessible to the daily Marietta Square crowd. Reviews of online comments show Kimchi Jjigae and the Gochujang-glazed pork belly among the favorite dishes. But we loved our choices of BiBimBap and the Dwaeji Gogi Sundubu Jjigae – a silky, steaming stew served in hot bowl, with a raw egg ready for cracking into the boiling concoction.
Whataburger. Opened at the location of the former O’Charley’s on Sandy Plains Road, this location marks the Texas chain’s continued aggressive expansion into the Atlanta suburbs. Those mustard-forward burgers are “da bomb dot com,” along with the honey butter chicken biscuit and the patty melt.
Season at Gabriel’s. We haven’t tried this one yet, but we hear interesting things about this “shop-in-shop” partnership. This collaboration allows diners to grab “affordable luxury” meals while picking up classic Southern desserts.
