Photo by Duane Nutter
Former Just one Flew South chef Duane Nutter and restaurateur Reggie Washington departed the award-successful airport cafe in 2016 after nearly 20 a long time. 1 yr afterwards, they opened Southern Nationwide in Mobile, Ala., earning Nutter a 2020 James Beard Award finalist title. This summer season, the famed duo will bring Southern Nationwide to Atlanta, opening in Summerhill in July or August.
Serving lunch and dinner, as effectively as Sunday brunch, the restaurant will be a “more advanced and cosmopolitan” model of the Mobile spot, playing to Atlanta diners’ palate with dishes inspired by Nutter’s heritage and travels.
“The restaurant will enjoy homage to my best hits at culinary workplaces,” Nutter suggests.
He and Washington chose Summerhill for the 80-seat cafe in section for its traditionally Black roots—the location was launched by previous enslaved persons in 1865. They want to give back again to the neighborhood by choosing Summerhill inhabitants to do the job at the restaurant and creating a group backyard to give new deliver for these enduring food insecurity.
“My family members has been in the horticulture enterprise for 4 generations,” Washington says. “We want to get the neighborhood involved and improve some merchandise for our restaurant but give again to the universities and the Summerhill spot.”
We spoke to Nutter and Washington to learn extra about their programs for the restaurant—and what is in store for the potential.
Photo by Duane Nutter
Why’d you come to a decision open up Southern National in Atlanta?
Washington: It has been in our plan because we left 1 Flew South. We required to go somewhere we felt we could separate ourselves and develop our personal model. It was inescapable that we’d come back—we have deep, critical roots listed here. We developed our adhering to, our foundation, in the Atlanta area for 19 yrs with One particular Flew South.
How did you choose Summerhill?
Washington: We seemed at historic African American neighborhoods: West Midtown, Decatur, and Buckhead. When we saw the room and the vision for Summerhill, it seemed like a best fit for Southern Countrywide, which brings businesspeople, website visitors, and community individuals, and is quite accessible.
What can we expect from the menu?
Nutter: The menu is my cooking—back residence and celebrating all the locations I’ve traveled. There will be some goods I was recognised for at airport, like the pork tummy slider, but I’ll make it smoked due to the fact we’ll have a smoker. We’ll do a espresso-rubbed pork chop, collard greens and mussels, and Cherry Coke-braised short ribs since Atlanta is household to Coca-Cola. My Creole-cured salmon is about my two coasts coming with each other. (I was born in Louisiana and lifted in Seattle.) I’ll do Kentuckyaki salmon because I labored in Kentucky. I’m fantastic mates with Kevin Ouzts [of the Spotted Trotter], so I’ll do something ridiculous with his lamb sausage. We’ll be generating pastas in dwelling, like brief rib ravioli. I’m performing on snack tips for delighted hour like bulgogi tacos. It’s all about my travels.
What will the beverage plan be like?
Nutter: It’ll be a sturdy bar program with a minimal bit of every thing, including signature cocktails from Cellular. We’ll have an extensive wine checklist with a minimal of anything. Reggie is a supporter of the New Environment. I’m a lover of the Old Entire world, so we’ll blend it up.
How would you explain the area?
Nutter: Smith Hanes Studio is planning it to be really snug and open with stunning, heat pecan or walnut wooden and two garage doors that open in the bar space to give sights of the sunset. We’re commissioning artwork from a nearby African American artist—paintings that pay back homage to the community. Songs will be an intricate aspect of the restaurant. We’ll have a playlist that keeps the electrical power superior and everybody in a superior temper. I really do not want it to be much too fussy and scare away the neighborhood individuals.
What are your designs for the long term?
Washington: We’re hunting to grow in the Atlanta market place with a barbecue notion identified as Steel Smokin, and a market place with the merchandise we develop at Southern Countrywide (like pimento cheese and pastries) known as SoNat Sector. We’ll start off it with a tiny area in Summerhill. We also begun Pizza Box as a ghost cafe in the pandemic in Mobile and we’re scouting for places for it.