ATLANTA Buckhead Life Restaurant Group said it expects to open its new Pano's restaurant in November in the St. Regis hotel here.
The company described the new restaurant as an upscale-casual version of Pano’s & Paul’s, Buckhead Life's fine-dining flagship that will close Feb. 28 as a result of a lease termination. Pano's & Paul's, which opened in 1979, was the brainchild of Buckhead Life founder and chief executive Pano Karatassos and his former partner, Paul Albrecht
Aspokeswoman for Buckhead Life said Karatassos is still searching for an executive chef for Pano's, which will seat around 90. However, she said Karatassos' son, who also is named Pano and is the company’s corporate executive chef, will be “very involved” in kitchen operations at the restaurant.
The spokeswoman added that she expects such mainstays as batter-fried lobster tails and steak au poivre to remain on the menu, but that Karatassos is “looking to make a very approachable menu."
"Like most restaurants, we’re definitely doing some value-oriented things," she said.
In addition to opening Pano’s, Buckhead Life also is planning to open Balon Rouge, a brasserie. Pano's & Paul's executive chef Gary Donlick has been tapped to lead the kitchen of the new restaurant.
Contact Elissa Elan at [email protected].