Lauded Atlanta chef Micah Willix is thrilled to announce his new restaurant concept, Latitude, in Phipps Plaza. Long a veteran of Atlanta’s restaurant scene and former chef at Ecco, Willix brings a focused, ingredient-driven acumen to what promises to be one of the city’s most exciting openings of 2011.
Known for his keen sense of process and procurement, Willix has been hailed by local media and food cognoscenti as one of Atlanta’s finest chefs. Latitude will offer a concise, flavor-driven menu with a wine selection of more 60 Old- and New-World bottles keenly pegged to pair with Willix’s offerings, as well as vibrant, re-imagined classic cocktails. A mix of globally and regionally sourced, high-quality meats, proteins, produce, and dairy that is unique, yet approachable, will be menu highlights. Anticipated menu items include composed dishes such as spot prawn ceviche, toasted coriander, lime, and Spanish chorizo; spicy pork sausage, roasted cherries, and chicory; braised squid, ink, lemon, ginger, and Thai basil grilled bitter greens,soft-poached egg, roasted green garlic, and tarragon; and pan-roasted blade steak with smoked potato and horseradish.
“This will definitely be a change from what I’ve been cooking for the past five years,” Willix says. “Latitude will be an opportunity for me to explore more options of different cuisines and cultures, but I still want to cook and create dishes that are simple and close to the source – grassroots.”
Together with industry veterans and power-team partners Kenny Perlman, formerly of Seasons 52 and Houston’s, and Emily Streib Marcil, formerly of Capital Grille and currently of Second Growth LLC, Willix plans to bring a world-cuisine menu that focuses on flavor, form and seasonally inspired ingredients to Buckhead this November.
“Latitude will bring the city something special and unique, the perfect compliment to Atlanta’s already burgeoning dining scene,” Marcil says.
Envisioned by award-winning Atlanta designer Brian Watford, Latitude’s welcoming space affords a new, sexy aesthetic with globe-like chandeliers, as well as tile wall treatments inset with transparent photography exuding warm tones of olive green and ecru. Natural elements of hardwood wine racking, dark wood tables and cream-colored leather seating complement a cement bar top and floor surrounded by clear glass lighting and exposed bulbs. The large 30-seat patio provides an oasis for guest’s nestled in-between a large water feature and urban garden design.
