Saito – Sushi, Steak and Cocktails Set to Open in Downtown Atlanta

Master Sushi Chef Saito Saito will once again join Stephen de Haan and Greg Grant, founders of the award winning Red Phone Booth & Amalfi Pizza, to bring Saito – Sushi, Steak and Cocktails, to  downtown Atlanta in early 2021 at 19 Andrew Young International Blvd. Located downtown in the former Regenstein’s department store, the 2,200 square foot restaurant will feature Pacific regional influence that truly inspires Saito as he utlitzes fresh tropical fruits, balancing delicately with the freshest fish flown in daily to create magical rolls, sashimi that melts in your mouth, and other inspired dishes. The partners are also developing an equally inspired beverage program, utilizing techniques from next door at Red Phone Booth and traditional Japanese ingredients such as shiso and yuzu.  Rare Japanese whisky will be showcased, served over double reverse osmosis ice pressed into a sphere from a Taisin ice mold.

“To have the opportunity to work alongside Master Chef Saito again, is truly an honor,” said Stephen de Haan. “His tradition, eye for detail, and passion for service truly will deliver an unforgettable experience for our guests.” 

One of only a handful of exclusive Master Chefs in the U.S., Master Chef Saito was born and raised in Fukushima, Japan where he began his sushi apprenticeship at the age of 12.  Graduating from the Tokyo Chef School, he apprenticed in Japan for over 10 years. Saito has since opened over 30 successful restaurants in such discerning cites as New York, Las Vegas, London, Paris, Aspen, and Hollywood. The remainder of his career was spent in Atlanta where he cemented his culinary reputation. Chef Saito’s sushi creations are not only mouth-watering, but are literal works of art!

For additional information, interviews, photos or a complimentary media tour, please contact Lorrie Griggs of Eskimo Advertising at lorrie@eskimoadvertising.com. For more information about Saito – Sushi, Steak and Cocktails, visit saitoatlanta.com

Red Phone Booth Set to Open Next Month in Downtown Nashville

After an extensive build-out of the 100+ year old building, Red Phone Booth is opening its 20s speakeasy concept in downtown Nashville on Thursday, December 5th (Repeal Day) at 136 Rosa Parks Blvd. Red Phone Booth is a prohibition experience featuring a turn of the century craft cocktail selection and exclusive cigar program. While the classy establishment will be open to the public, guests will need to secure a secret phone number from a friend, member or concierge and dial it into a restored London antique red phone booth to gain entry. The 5200 square foot upscale cocktail lounge will be open daily and have an extensive selection of sought after spirits including rare bourbon, whiskey, scotch and Japanese whisky selections. Additionally, cigar enthusiasts can enjoy a wide variety of blends in a cleansed and refreshed air atmosphere. In developing the humidor, Red Phone Booth prioritized quality and desirability of the cigars over quantity of any one brand, therefore will continually bring in fresh new inventory.  

“Situated just steps from Broadway, our elegant lounge offers a step back in time for guests in downtown Nashville,” said General Manager Jonathan Hoo. “Red Phone Booth also has exclusive memberships available.” 

Showcasing the 1920s speakeasy theme, the venue features restored original brick and reclaimed tobacco barn wood floors, a honey onyx bar, intimate fireplaces, custom Italian leather couches, and hand-painted ceiling with back lighting. There is a 100% fresh outdoor air system accompanied by five 2,500 cfm air purifiers to ensure little to no smoke in the air. A private room in the back is also available to rent for private events. 

At the Red Phone Booth, it is part of the credo to exceed all guest expectations. Patrons will notice the finest attention to detail that provides for exceptional cocktails including 100% fresh squeezed juices such as blood orange, mango, and cranberry, hand chipped double-reverse pass osmosis ice, garnishes cut to order, a collection of some of the rarest liquors available and over a dozen tinctures, bitters and flavoring agents to help breath new depth. Red Phone Booth is also known for its tasting events where guests not only get to sample through a flight of whiskey, but also engage and learn the spirits’ history from key leaders in the industry. 1920s-inspired small plates and authentic Neapolitan Pizza will be also served. From the comfort of the seating to the training and knowledge of the staff, and the quality of the air, it is all of these things and more that allow for Red Phone Booth to deliver an unparalleled experience for its guests.  

A media preview tour will be held in the evening on Thursday, November 21st. For interviews or additional information, please contact Lorrie Dixson Griggs of Eskimo Advertising at lorrie@eskimoadvertising.com. For more information about the Red Phone Booth, memberships and more, visit www.redphonebooth.com.

Amalfi Pizza Brings in Experts to Elevate Award-Winning Pizza Experience

Amalfi Pizza announces the hiring of General Manager Nate Sanders. In this role, Nate will lead all operations including pushing revenue and controlling cost margins while emphasizing the best possible guest experience. Additionally, Master Pizzaiolo Jose Barrios is currently at Amalfi Pizza for a week-long refinement in the art of Neapolitan style pizza making. Both of these moves were made to keep Amalfi Pizza on top as a Neapolitan pizza eatery.  

Growing up the son of a chef and restaurant owner, Nate Sanders has always been around the hospitality industry. His 20+ years in the industry include his position as Training Coordination for Ted’s Montana Grill, opening restaurants all over the US. Previously, he was General Manager and Beverage Director for the state of the art e-sports bar Battle & Brew as well as Bar Manager and Beverage Director for Metrotainment Cafes’ Hudson Grille. Throughout the years, Sanders has also consulted for several new restaurants in the city as well as completed several years of craft bartending including behind the Red Phone Booth.

“I’ve held every position that you can in a restaurant,” said Sanders. “I am very excited to be a part of the team here at Amalfi Pizza.”

Certified Maestro Pizzaiolo Mr. Peppe Miele gave Jose Barrios the opportunity to work for him in his Antica Pizzeria where he was instructed on the authentic, old-fashioned style pizza Napoletana. This old-fashioned style pizza is baked in a traditional, dome-shaped, wood-fired oven at 900 degrees for no more than 90 seconds. While training, he learned about proper dough preparation, fermentation and rising, kneading, and slapping techniques in addition to how to work with the necessary kitchen utensils and equipment. In order to further his training, he traveled to Naples, Italy and trained with the best pizzaiolos where he later won 3rd place in the Pizza Olympics. Today, Jose is a certified Master Pizzaiolo Instructor training all across the United States and internationally.

Amalfi Pizza has been named “Best Pizza in America’s Biggest Cities” by Food Network and a “Must-try Atlanta Pizzeria” by Zagat. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner downtown, Amalfi Pizza is a traditional Neapolitan pizzeria centered around two 6000 pound wood-burning brick ovens imported from Italy. It features an authentic Italian menu that includes Neapolitan-style pizzas as well as original appetizers, fresh salads, delicious pasta dishes and traditional desserts. Originating in, and the true pizza of Naples in the 1600s, Vera Pizza Napoletana is 12 inches or less in size, made from simple fresh quality ingredients from the Campania region of Italy and cooked at temperatures in excess of 900 degrees in approximately 60 seconds. In addition to traveling to Naples and throughout the entire region to find the best ingredients, owners Stephen de Haan and Greg Grant staged with the Italian Pizzaiolo Maestros at Pizzeria Mattozzi, established in 1830, and Pizzeria Da Attilo. This apprenticeship, along with studying in the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, have allowed their passion for food to develop into the skills necessary to bring this historic, simple, and beautifully executed street food to Atlanta.  

For more information about Amalfi Pizza, go to www.amalfipizzaatl.com.  For interviews, photos or complimentary media or blogger visits, please contact Lorrie Dixson Griggs of Eskimo Advertising at lorrie@eskimoadvertising.com.

Amalfi Pizza Offers Pay What You Can for Hurricane Florence Evacuees

Amalfi Pizza welcomes Hurricane Florence evacuees by inviting individuals and families to come and enjoy a meal for whatever they feel they can pay on the food portion of their bill (excludes alcoholic beverages). This offer is valid to anyone in town from mandatory evacuation zones. Guests only need to ask for a manager and show a valid ID from one of the areas affected. 

“Our family here at Amalfi understands the struggles that our evacuee friends and families are experiencing,” said founding partner Stephen de Haan. “It is our way of welcoming evacuees to our city and the Amalfi family with a warm meal to make them feel at home.” 

Amalfi Pizza has been named “Best Pizza in America’s Biggest Cities” by Food Network and a “must-try Atlanta Pizzeria” by Zagat. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner in downtown Atlanta, Amalfi Pizza is a traditional Neapolitan pizzeria centered around two 6000 pound wood-burning brick ovens imported from Italy. The 170 seat dining room has large semicircular booths, custom wrought iron chandeliers along with Juliet balconies overlooking an Italian-inspired entryway. It features an authentic Italian menu that includes Neapolitan-style pizzas as well as original appetizers, fresh salads, delicious pasta dishes and traditional desserts. Originating in and the true pizza of Naples in the 1600s, Vera Pizza Napoletana is 12 inches or less in size, made from simple fresh quality ingredients from the Campania region of Italy and cooked at temperatures in excess of 900 degrees in approximately 60 seconds. In addition to traveling to Naples and throughout the entire region to find the best ingredients, owners Stephen de Haan and Greg Grant staged with the Italian Pizzaiolo Maestros at Pizzeria Mattozzi, established in 1830, and Pizzeria Da Attilo. This apprenticeship, along with studying in the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, have allowed their passion for food to develop into the skills necessary to bring this historic, simple, and beautifully executed street food to Atlanta. 
 
For more information about Amalfi Pizza, go to www.amalfipizzaatl.com.  For interviews or photos, please contact Lorrie Dixson Griggs of Eskimo Advertising at lorrie@eskimoadvertising.com.

Red Phone Booth and Amalfi Pizza Set to Open in Downtown Atlanta

600678_196913670683067_6921313850876875509_nFrom the founder of Andrews Entertainment District that included Prohibition, Improv Comedy Club and East Andrews comes Red Phone Booth opening in August and Amalfi Pizza opening in September in the over 12,000 square foot iconic Dailey’s location located at 17 Andrew Young International Boulevard NE. As the 100 year old building had been closed for many years, a complete renovation has taken place and a new look will greet customers. In the ground floor space, cigar lounge Red Phone Booth is housed in 4,000 square feet. On the second floor, Amalfi Pizza, a traditional Neapolitan trattoria, will occupy the remainder of the building.

“With the booming businesses and tourism in the area, we are excited to bring our inventive concepts to downtown Atlanta,” said CEO Stephen de Haan. According to Central Atlanta Progress, “Downtown has witnessed remarkable growth and investment over the past five years.”

The first of a multi-location franchise rollout, Red Phone Booth is a prohibition experience featuring an extensive classic craft cocktail and cigar program led by spirit specialist and certified tobacconist Tom McGuire. Patrons will notice the finest attention to detail that provides for exceptional cocktails including 100% fresh squeezed juices such as blood orange, mango, and cranberry, hand chipped double-reverse osmosis ice, garnishes cut to order, a collection of some of the rarest liquors available and over a dozen tinctures, bitters and flavoring agents to help breath new depth. Small plates including fresh seafood, carpaccio, Neapolitan pizza and house made desserts including a rotating selection of signature desserts courtesy of former Dailey’s owner and current President of the Georgia Restaurant Association, Karen Bremer. Showcasing the 1920s speakeasy theme, the venue will feature restored original brick floors, have a honey onyx bar, intimate fireplace, custom Italian leather couches, and hand-painted ceiling with back lighting. A private “mob-style” kitchen complete with poker and pool tables will be available to rent for private events. Just like the former Prohibition in Buckhead, guests will enter by securing a secret phone number and dialing it into a restored antique London red phone booth entryway.

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, Amalfi Pizza will be a traditional Neapolitan pizzeria centered around two 6000 pound wood-burning brick ovens imported from Italy that will have to be lifted into the second floor space by cranes. The 170 seat dining room will also have large semicircular booths, custom wrought iron chandeliers along with Juliet balconies overlooking an Italian-inspired entryway. Co-founder and operating partner Greg Grant will work hand-in hand with pizzaiolo and executive chef Luis Vargas in the kitchen to develop an authentic Italian menu that will include Neapolitan-style pizzas as well as appetizers, salads, pasta dishes and original desserts from Dailey’s recipes. Originating in and the true pizza of Naples in the 1600s, Vera Pizza Napoletana is 12 inches or less in size, made from simple fresh quality ingredients from the Campania region of Italy and cooked at temperatures in excess of 900 degrees in approximately 60 seconds. In addition to traveling to Naples and throughout the entire region to find the best ingredients, both Stephen de Haan and Greg Grant staged with the Italian Pizzaiolo Maestros at Pizzeria Mattozzi, established in 1830, and Pizzeria Da Attilo. This apprenticeship, along with studying in the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, have allowed their passion for food to develop into the skills necessary to bring this historic, simple, and beautifully executed street food to Atlanta.

For more information about Red Phone Booth, visit www.redphonebooth.com and for Amalfi Pizza, go to www.amalfipizzaatl.com.