Beth McKibben

Lazy Betty chef Ron Hsu's metro Atlanta childhood shapes the tone of his debut cookbook Lazy Betty chef Ron Hsu's debut cookbook "Down South + East" is an homage to his parents' welcoming Southern hospitality at their Chinese restaurants and a reflection of his multicultural upbringing a...

Lazy Betty chef Ron Hsu's debut cookbook "Down South + East" is an homage to his parents' welcoming Southern hospitality at their Chinese restaurants and a reflection of his multicultural upbringing and dining experiences in 1980s Atlanta roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/03/10/l...

Beleaguered UK brewpub BrewDog closes its Atlanta location Brewdog's Atlanta location closed on March 9 after nearly 4 years at Krog District. The UK-based brewpub brand is undergoing an acquisition by US-based Tilray Brands, which started with its UK and Iri...

Remember when I reported on the sale of the UK assets of BrewDog last week. While the US assets are still in flux, the Atlanta location has now closed. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/03/09/b...

Beleaguered UK brewpub BrewDog closes its Atlanta location Brewdog's Atlanta location closed on March 9 after nearly 4 years at Krog District. The UK-based brewpub brand is undergoing an acquisition by US-based Tilray Brands, which started with its UK and Iri...

Remember when I reported on the sale of the UK assets of BrewDog last week. While the US assets are still in flux, the Atlanta location has now closed. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/03/09/b...

Tilray purchases BrewDog's UK assets, US and Atlanta locations unaffected US cannabis and drinks company Tilray purchased the UK and Irish assets of Scottish-based brewpub BrewDog. Currently unaffected by the UK sale, BrewDog includes an Atlanta location. Separate negotiati...

US cannabis/drinks company Tilray purchased UK assets of brewpub chain BrewDog. Currently unaffected by the sale, BrewDog includes an Atlanta location. Separate negotiations to purchase BrewDog’s US assets ongoing. Tilray also owns SweetWater Brewing. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/03/04/b...

Avondale Estates restaurant Rising Son closing at the end of March Avondale Estates breakfast and brunch restaurant Rising Son, owned by Chef Hudson Rouse, will close after 10 years on North Avondale Road. The restaurant will offer its final service on March 29.

Avondale Estates breakfast and brunch restaurant Rising Son will close after 10 years. The restaurant will offer its final service on March 29. But much of the Rising Son menu will carry over to Babygirl, opening in April in East Lake. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/03/03/r...

Avondale Estates receives anonymous $1 million gift 'thanks to Waffle House' Avondale Estates received a $1 million donation from anonymous donors, who credited Waffle House for making the gift possible to the city and its residents.

The DeKalb County city of Avondale Estates received a gift of $1 million last week. The anonymous donors shared that their contribution was made possible “thanks to Waffle House — serving Avondale since 1955.” roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/03/02/a...

MetroFresh temporarily closes at Midtown Promenade due to fire A fire on Friday, Feb. 27 caused MetroFresh to temporarily close at Midtown Promenade in Atlanta. The fire caused significant smoke damage. It's unclear when MetroFresh will reopen.

The Midtown Promenade location of MetroFresh will temporarily close following a fire on Feb. 27 that caused significant damage to the restaurant roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/03/02/m...

The best dishes we ate in February 2026 The best Atlanta dishes from February 2026, including duck leg confit cassoulet from Halfway Crooks Beer, ceviche negro from Oaxaca ATL, and mole chicken tamal from Mi Oaxaquena Authentic Mexican Food...

Check out the best dishes Rough Draft ate from Atlanta restaurants in February 2026, including duck leg confit cassoulet from Halfway Crooks Beer, the ceviche negro from Oaxaca ATL, and the mole chicken tamal from Mi Oaxaquena Authentic Mexican Food roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/03/02/b...

Midtown Atlanta dine-in movie theater IPIC closing at Colony Square IPIC, the dine-in movie theater at Colony Square in midtown Atlanta, will close in April due to the company filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Rough Draft Atlanta reached out to Jamestown on plans to replace IPIC movie theater, which will close at Colony Square in April roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/27/i...

Did you miss these February 2026 Atlanta restaurant openings? Check out this brief roundup of recent restaurant openings and announcements of upcoming restaurants you might have missed in February.

February may be the shortest month of the year, but it turned out to be a big month for restaurant openings around Atlanta. Nearly two dozen restaurants opened for business in February, equaling the openings of the previous month. Check out the list. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/26/a...

Quick Bites Feb. 26: R. Thomas birds update, Opo Coffee's Sunday hours, Downtown hotels galore In the Feb. 26 edition of Quick Bites, get the scoop on Atlanta’s latest restaurant openings, adjusted hours at one of Decatur’s best coffee shops, and a relocation update on R. Thomas Deluxe Grill’s ...

In the Feb. 26 edition of Quick Bites, get the scoop on Atlanta’s latest restaurant openings, adjusted hours at one of Decatur’s best coffee shops, and the relocation of R. Thomas Deluxe Grill’s beloved tropical birds, Ruby, Peaches, and Cream. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/26/q...

My weekly dining newsletter: February Atlanta restaurant openings, why I dig the mole tamal at Mi Oaxaquena, a burnt sugar cake recipe, and news nuggets, including murder mystery dinners, a Peruvian cocktail you should know about, and a great write-up on Atlanta’s soul food scene for BBC Travel.

Future of All Saints' century-old Egleston Hall in flux, added to Places in Peril list The future of Egleston Hall at All Saints' Episcopal Church is uncertain, earning it a spot on the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation's Places in Peril list.

All Saints’ Episcopal Church has stood in Midtown Atlanta for 120 years, making it one of the city’s oldest and most enduring structures. However, the church faces declining attendance, costly maintenance, and accessibility issues. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/24/e...

Todd Richards returns to his hotel roots as executive chef of Waldorf Astoria Atlanta After years serving as the Culinary Director for Jackmont Hospitality, which oversees airport restaurants like One Flew South, chef and cookbook author Todd Richards departed the role and returned to ...

After years serving as the Culinary Director for Jackmont Hospitality, Todd Richards recently departed the role and returned to the hotel circuit as the Executive Chef for Waldorf Astoria Atlanta in Buckhead roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/24/a...

Friday power outage temporarily closes three businesses at Krog Street Market Three businesses at Krog Street Market, Recess, Superica, and Hop City Beer & Wine, were temporarily closed on Friday due to a power outage. All other market restaurants and businesses remain open and...

A power outage that began Thursday afternoon has temporarily closed three Krog Street Market businesses. Recess, Superica, and Hop City Beer & Wine, along with the shop’s bar, remain temporarily closed on Friday. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/20/p...

Friday power outage temporarily closes three businesses at Krog Street Market Three businesses at Krog Street Market, Recess, Superica, and Hop City Beer & Wine, were temporarily closed on Friday due to a power outage. All other market restaurants and businesses remain open and operating.

Friday power outage temporarily closes three businesses at Krog Street Market

Three businesses at Krog Street Market, Recess, Superica, and Hop City Beer & Wine, were temporarily closed on Friday due to a power outage. All other market restaurants and businesses remain open and operating.

Red Phone Booth team opening three new downtown Atlanta restaurants The group behind Red Phone Booth and Amalfi Cucina will open a rooftop bar, upscale sports bar, and barbecue spot with live music at 207 Peachtree this spring.

RPB Management Group, the team behind Red Phone Booth and Amalfi Cucina, will open dining and events center 207 Peachtree this spring. 2/3 roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/18/r...

New dining concepts and a bar open in May at the former CNN Center Real estate developer CP Group will open 12 dining concepts, including a bar, in the atrium of the former CNN Center in May. The atrium will include CTR Food Works and Atlanta's "largest" full bar.

Lots of Atlanta restaurant news today. First, real estate developer CP Group will open 12 dining concepts, including a bar, in the atrium of the former CNN Center in May. 1/3 roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/18/c...

Miami-based restaurant group opens Italian spot Füm at Star Metals Füm, a contemporary Italian restaurant, has opened at Stella at Star Metals in Atlanta, featuring an open-fire cooking menu, handmade pastas, and an Italian-leaning wine list.

Miami-based restaurant group opens Italian spot Füm at Star Metals

Füm, a contemporary Italian restaurant, has opened at Stella at Star Metals in Atlanta, featuring an open-fire cooking menu, handmade pastas, and an Italian-leaning wine list.

Red Phone Booth team opening three new downtown Atlanta restaurants The group behind Red Phone Booth and Amalfi Cucina will open a rooftop bar, upscale sports bar, and barbecue spot with live music at 207 Peachtree this spring.

Red Phone Booth team opening three new downtown Atlanta restaurants

The group behind Red Phone Booth and Amalfi Cucina will open a rooftop bar, upscale sports bar, and barbecue spot with live music at 207 Peachtree this spring.

Georgia legislature proposes new food-related bills, including shrimp labeling transparency The Georgia legislature is considering three food and beverage-related bills, including a bill requiring restaurants to disclose if they serve imported shrimp, a bill allowing museums to sell alcohol ...

The Georgia legislature is considering three food and beverage-related bills, including one requiring restaurants to disclose if they serve imported shrimp and a bill making lemon pepper the official state wing flavor roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/18/2...

Belle & Lily's Caribbean Brunch House in Chamblee will close Feb. 15 Belle & Lily's Caribbean Brunch House in Chamblee will close after four years. The restaurant made the announcement on its website and social media.

The Tasha Belle Hospitality Group’s Belle & Lily’s Caribbean Brunch House in Chamblee will close after service on Feb. 15. roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/12/c...

Washington Post publisher Will Lewis says he's stepping down, days after big layoffs at the paper Washington Post publisher Will Lewis says he’s stepping down, three days after the troubled newspaper said that it was laying off one-third of its staff.

BREAKING: Washington Post publisher Will Lewis said Saturday that he’s stepping down, three days after the troubled newspaper said that it was laying off one-third of its staff.

Graphic announcing Local News Day on April 9, 2026, a nationwide initiative connecting communities with local journalism. Features logos of participating organizations including Montana Free Press, American Journalism Project, and Press Forward.

We are proud to be a founding newsroom for Local News Day (April 9) — a nationwide effort by hundreds of newsrooms to show how local journalism keeps communities informed and accountable.

Learn more: LocalNewsDay.org
#LocalNewsDay #Atlanta #LocalNews

UPDATE: Milton Police say body recovered from pond believed to be DJ Young Slade Heavy police and rescue presence searches pond near DJ Young Slade's Milton home as search intensifies for missing rapper's son.

😞 Milton Police confirmed on social media that a body recovered from a local pond is believed to be that of DJ Young Slade, also known as Nathan Murray Smith, who went missing on Tuesday roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/06/m...

Trump shares a racist video that depicts the Obamas as primates in a jungle President Donald Trump has used his social media account to share a video about election conspiracy theories that includes a racist depiction of former President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama, as primates in a jungle.

BREAKING: President Trump's racist post about Obamas is deleted after backlash. The White House had defended it but now blames staffer.

DeKalb commissioner supports students' right to protest ICE raids DeKalb County Commissioner supports students' right to protest ICE raids, emphasizes safety and peaceful action. Commissioners defer resolution on ICE funding.

DeKalb County District 1 Commissioner Robert Patrick issued a lengthy message to DeKalb County and Georgia students about their right to “stand up for what is right” while remaining safe. Read more from Rough Draft’s Stephanie Toone roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/04/c...

F1 Arcade opens Feb. 6 at The Interlock on Howell Mill Road Rev your engines, Atlanta, because the newest location of F1 Arcade opens on Friday, Feb. 6, with a full bar, food, and 68 Formula 1 racing simulators designed to put the pedal to the metal.

The new F1 Arcade opens today at the Interlock on Howell Mill Road for all of you Formula 1 racing fans roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/06/f...

Feb. 5 Quick Bites: DIY ramyeon, Smorgasburg’s return, Bad Bunny blow out In this week’s Quick Bites, get intel on some recent restaurant openings, a few Valentine’s Day events worth checking out, and new restaurants arriving later this year. We’ve also got details on Commu...

In this week’s Quick Bites, get intel on new ATL restaurants, Valentine’s Day events worth checking out, and upcoming restaurants. Plus, details on Commune’s final dinner service, a wine tasting, and a Bad Bunny Super Bowl party roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/05/q...

That’s right, a second location of Chops Lobster Bar will open in South Downtown Buckhead Life Restaurant Group will open a South Downtown location of Chops Lobster Bar in 2026, occupying 13,000 square feet at a new Centennial Yards entertainment district hotel.

Buckhead Life Restaurant Group will open a South Downtown location of its iconic West Paces Ferry Road steakhouse, Chops Lobster Bar, later this year roughdraftatlanta.com/2026/02/05/c...