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| Fifth Group Restaurants Adds Number Six With New Midtown Eatery Ecco to Redefine the Neighborhood Restaurant Concept. Fifth Group Restaurants® is excited to announce the opening of its sixth restaurant, Ecco. Tucked away at the corner of 7th and Cypress Streets in the heart of Midtown, the restaurant is scheduled to open in May. By offering seasonally-inspired dishes in a friendly atmosphere with a sophisticated backdrop, Fifth Group Restaurant partners Robby Kukler, Steve Simon and Kris Reinhard have created a setting that will make guests say ”this is my kind of place” when they dine at Ecco. Housed in a building that was previously used by the Atlanta Fencing Club, Ecco is designed to have a tailored look of genuine casualness. The inspiration for this project stems from the classic, neighborhood eateries with relaxed atmospheres and exceptional food found in great cities around the globe. Ecco’s combination of old world style and a casual, yet contemporary setting was brought to life by Bill Johnson and the Johnson Studio. The use of rich materials such as dark walnut, leather and Italian Carrera marble; an open kitchen featuring a tile wrapped wood burning oven; an over-sized bar area; and an outdoor patio help redefine and update the much loved idea of a neighborhood restaurant. The 6,000-square foot space will have seating for 240, including a large bar area that seats 40, an outdoor patio that seats 44 and flexible private dining for groups of up to 60. Fifth Group’s owners are confident that Ecco will exhibit the same strong traits that have earned its siblings a place in the hearts of Atlanta residents. “We are thrilled to introduce this new concept to our growing group of restaurants,” says Owner Robby Kukler. “We have created a variety of dining experiences among all our establishments, and we truly feel that Ecco will be a great option for diners who are looking for something new and fresh.” The menu focuses on seasonal, European-inspired food such as wood-fired seafood and steaks; fresh, simple pastas and salads; and items to share like roasted shellfish bowls, wood-fired flatbreads, tasting plates and build-your-own charcuterie and cheese boards. Dinner will be served nightly, and menu prices will range from $6 - $24. A late night bar menu will also be offered Thursday through Saturday. To create the new seasonal menu, Fifth Group Restaurants has hired Micah Willix as executive chef. With over 12 years of culinary experience, Willix brings confidence and a fresh attitude to the new restaurant. He most recently served as executive chef of Seasons 52 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Willix also worked as the executive chef at Mark’s Las Olas in Ft. Lauderdale. At both Mark’s Las Olas and Seasons 52, Willix created and prepared nightly menus according to the freshest items available. Aside from his work as an executive chef, Willix has also held positions as a wine buyer, bread baker and caterer. He is able to use this experience to enhance his menu planning and the quality of each dish he prepares. At Ecco, Willix is looking forward to continuing his tradition of working with the freshest ingredients available and maintaining high-quality standards with each dish. “To me, the most important factor in a menu is freshness,” says Willix. “Dishes should always be seasonal, using the best ingredients available. This was my primary focus when creating Ecco’s menu. I think our guests will be pleased to find it is a progressive menu, but one that is still comfortable,” he adds. The menu will offer tasting plates such as spider crab stuffed heirloom tomatoes; fried goat cheese with honey; and grilled squid with crushed olives. Appetizers will include wood oven roasted clams with ginger and spicy ham; fried duck eggs with truffles and potato; and almond coated sweetbreads with sherry. Wood-fired flatbreads with toppings such as San Marzano tomatoes, homemade mozzarella and basil; and paninis with peppered flank steak, ricotta and lemon make tasty options for those in search of a quick bite. Pasta dishes like handmade orecchiette with broccoli, anchovies, crushed garlic and olive oil; or chili braised pork with garlic and homemade pappardelle offer a more substantial meal. Entrees include oak-roasted branzino with fennel and grilled white asparagus; balsamic marinated quail with pine nuts and roasted cauliflower; and fig-glazed lamb loin with warm potatoes and chicory. The general manager of Ecco will be Andy Fox, a Fifth Group transplant from The Food Studio. Fox has already spent two and a half years with Fifth Group earning a stellar reputation while serving as the general manager of The Food Studio. Before joining Fifth Group, Fox owned Left Bank restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, which earned three Wine Spectator Awards, two AAA Four Diamond Awards and inclusion in America’s Best Restaurant list in Gourmet magazine under his leadership. He has also worked as general manager of Stein Erickson Lodge in Park City, Utah, and of Capricorn International Resort in Northern Australia. His focus in this new position at Ecco lies on hospitality training, staff development and team building, as well as guest relations. Owners Robby Kukler, Steve Simon and Kris Reinhard have demonstrated a strong commitment to their wine program at all of their restaurants, offering wine tastings, dinners and educational seminars with leading winemakers. To further this commitment, Ecco will feature a full bar, as well as a wine list that promises to be one of the city’s most adventurous. The wine list will include exclusive “look what we’ve found” selections from some of the world’s outstanding boutique vineyards offered by the carafe. Ecco is located at 40 7th Street at the corner of Cypress Street in Midtown. Operating hours are Monday through Wednesday from 5:30p.m. to 11p.m.; Thursday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.; and Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The bar opens everyday at 4 p.m. and will have extended hours along with the patio. Valet parking is available, and all major credit cards are accepted. For more information, call 404-347-9555 or visit www.fifthgroup.com. Fifth Group Restaurants is the privately owned company that operates Atlanta restaurants South City Kitchen® Midtown, South City Kitchen Vinings, The Food Studio®, La Tavola Trattoria and Sala-Sabor de Mexico, as well as Bold American Catering, a catering and events company with onsite services at the Event Gallery at the King Plow Arts Center and offsite at private homes, offices and Atlanta's premier venues. For more information, call 678-302-3251 or visit www.fifthgroup.com. |
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| Above: Chef Micah Willix and Short Rib Stuffed Piquillo Peppers. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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