Whole Foods Market is about to open its first ever free-standing restaurant in the Southeast. And it happens to be in Atlanta.
Called The Roast, the 48-seat eatery sits adjacent to the store’s renovated and expanded location at 650 Ponce de Leon Avenue in Midtown. It opens to the public June 1.
Open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., The Roast will be a fast-casual eatery focused on churrasco, Brazilian-style grilled meat.
Customers can use digital ordering kiosks to select a fire-roasted protein – including vegetarian and vegan options – and then build their own bowl incorporating greens, a grain, a sauce and up to five other add-ins.
The seasonal menu will also include a half-dozen signature bowls – from Brazilian lamb to chimichurri beef – plus vegetarian and vegan options like charred tofu or crisped cauliflower. Bowls are priced between $7 and $8.
In addition, Whole Foods has teamed up with area chefs for its featured bowl. For the launch of The Roast, Whole Foods has tapped Kevin Gillespie (Gunshow, Revival) to create a Flavor of the Andes bowl. The dish features Peruvian red chicken over roasted purple potatoes and golden beets with aji amarillo sauce, roasted peanuts and mint.
The Roast will also offer a selection of local and regional draft beer, wine and cocktails. A separate menu of bar bites will be available during the evenings.
by Ligaya Figuerasby
