J’ouvert Caribbean Kitchen and El Gordo are the first new restaurants to open at the reimagined mixed-use destination
This week, Uptown Atlanta, the 47-acre mixed-use destination being redeveloped by Rubenstein Partners, L.P. (together with its affiliates, “Rubenstein”), will begin to open the new first restaurants as part of its globally inspired dining district on Main Street. On March 20, J’ouvert Caribbean Kitchen, a new Caribbean brunch concept, will open to the public, followed by the opening of El Gordo, an authentic and modern taqueria. Uptown’s next wave of restaurants, which includes Bene Korean Steakhouse, White Windmill and Madre Selva, are currently under construction.
J’ouvert Caribbean Kitchen at Uptown is the latest concept from Tasha Cyril, the co-owner of Belle & Lily’s Caribbean Brunch House, APT. 4B and Ms. Icey’s Kitchen and Bar in Atlanta. With flavors rooted in the Caribbean, the new restaurant at Uptown will serve a fusion of Caribbean street food and classic items, including brunch. Its vibrant menu will feature passion fruit pancakes, guava-infused cocktails, Grandma’s oxtails, jerk chicken, Trinidadian doubles and more. J’ouvert Caribbean Kitchen intends to occasionally feature live music on the weekends as part of its commitment to creating a culturally rich dining experience.
“I’m thrilled to contribute to the vibrant global culinary scene here at Uptown Atlanta,” said Cyril. “J’ouvert Caribbean Kitchen is a unique concept to display my Caribbean roots, but also allows me to share the rich flavors and cultural diversity of my heritage with the Atlanta community. At J’ouvert Caribbean Kitchen, we aim to not only showcase delicious food but also to tell a story, to ignite curiosity, and to foster connections across borders.”
Also opening soon at Uptown is El Gordo, a new concept from the Pineda family, Nestor and Julian Pineda, the owners behind the Birria El Gordo in Marietta. El Gordo blends the authenticity of a classic taqueria with a modern, lively setting. Featuring a mix of street tacos, tostadas, specialty tacos and more, guests can also expect a variety of popular dishes from the original location, including the Guadalajara-based family’s signature recipe for birria. Designed by Liz Chinchilla and Cristina Parra, El Gordo is a modern twist on a Mexican taqueria drawing inspiration from Latin America’s colorful hues, and natural textures featuring artisan hand-painted tile from Guadalajara. El Gordo’s expansive patio space fronting Main Street is expected to be activated with live mariachi bands and DJs.
“As Uptown’s incredible restaurants begin opening their doors, we are one step closer to debuting a new dining district for Atlanta that is rich with international flavors, dishes and experiences,” said Mahesh Mani, senior vice president of asset management for Rubenstein. “J’ouvert Caribbean Kitchen and El Gordo will bring a wave of activity to Main Street and create an energized mixed-use environment for Uptown’s office tenants and the surrounding community.”
In the coming months, Rubenstein expects to open three more globally inspired restaurants on Main Street, including Bene Korean, an upscale Korean barbeque experience; White Windmill, a popular Korean bakery and coffee shop; and Madre Selva, a Latin Coastal restaurant bringing Atlanta’s premier ceviche bar. The new restaurants will join community favorites 26 Thai Kitchen and Bar and Chow À La Carte at Uptown Test Kitchen, a novel culinary experience designed to bring the community and local chefs from around the world together.
Roundhouse Kickboxing, a dynamic fitness studio offering high-intensity interval training and kickboxing circuits, and The Commodore, a retro barber shop, also plan to open at Uptown this summer. Both concepts play an important role in establishing Uptown as a highly amenitized workplace destination for Atlanta.
Anchored by the Lindbergh MARTA Station, Uptown encompasses nearly one million square feet of office space, 120,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space and a variety of community gathering spaces. The transit-oriented community features connectivity to the city’s major pedestrian trails, such as the Atlanta BeltLine, PATH400 and the South Fork Trail. As part of the redevelopment plan, Rubenstein modernized the 35,000-square-foot office atrium; elevated building facades; created a true, pedestrian-friendly Main Street; debuted Hambidge Center’s Cross Pollination Art Lab; and transformed The Lawn into a highly programmed community gathering space.
For the latest news, project updates and events schedule, follow Uptown on Facebook and Instagram at @uptownatlanta, or visit uptownatlanta.com.
About Uptown
Uptown is a hyper-accessible, 47-acre mixed-use community that brings the best of Atlanta together. As the largest mixed-use development in Atlanta to connect directly with MARTA and the city’s major pedestrian trails, such as the forthcoming Atlanta BeltLine and the South Fork Trail, Uptown combines 120,000 square feet of street-level retail, greenspace and art and one million square feet of Class A office space. Uptown is being redeveloped by private real estate investment management and advisory firm Rubenstein Partners, LP (Rubenstein). Redevelopment efforts included upgrading building facades, streetscapes and greenspaces; activating the property with local retail, artist galleries, restaurants and events; and attracting office tenants who value working in a vibrant mixed-use environment. Atlanta has a Downtown, a Midtown, a Buckhead, and now, finally, an Uptown. To learn more about Uptown, visit uptownatlanta.com and follow @UptownAtlanta on Facebook and Instagram.
About Rubenstein Partners
Rubenstein Partners, founded in September 2005, is a private real estate investment advisory firm with operations throughout the United States. The firm is led by its founder, David Rubenstein, and a group of senior real estate executives, and is focused on directing and managing office real estate investments in the U.S. Rubenstein Partners’ predecessor company, The Rubenstein Company, LP and affiliates, founded in 1969, was one of the largest private owner operators of Class A office real estate in the Mid-Atlantic, owning and operating a portfolio of assets valued at approximately $1.2 billion at the time of its disposition in 2004. Since 2005, Rubenstein Partners has, on behalf of its investors and clients, invested in more than 22 million square feet of office real estate assets throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.rubensteinpartners.com.
About Monarch Alternative Capital LP
Monarch Alternative Capital LP is a global investment firm founded in 2002 with approximately $5 billion in assets under management. Monarch focuses primarily on opportunistic credit and distressed situations across corporate debt, real estate, special situations, and other pockets of dislocation across various asset classes and industries. Monarch has invested over $40 billion in its strategy while maintaining a consistent and repeatable approach. While disciplined in approach, Monarch’s dynamic sourcing enables the firm to capitalize on overlooked and niche areas on a global basis. Monarch draws on the skills and experience of 69 employees, including 23 investment professionals, across its offices in New York and London. Monarch has a long and successful history of investing in opportunistic real estate focused on areas that leverage Monarch’s core tenets. In addition to significant internal resources, Monarch has substantial relationships with operating partners and advisors that it works with to help create value.
