A New Soul in Downtown Dining at Asante

Staff Report

On Monday, November 10, celebrity chef Marvin Woods is bringing the world premiere of his signature cuisine, “Coastal Soul” to Downtown Atlanta at Asante Restaurant and Lounge. The restaurant will feature Woods’ unique genre of culinary art that pulls from his decades of experience cooking, traveling and studying global influence of the African diaspora.

Thanks to Woods’ experience as an Emmy-award nominated television host of Home Plate, a best-selling cookbook author of Home Plate Cooking and The New Low Country, and as lead chef for First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, Woods has developed a signature style that blends the worldly ingredients and techniques of South America, the Caribbean, the Low Country and Southern United States and Africa. The common theme through these cuisines (also considered “the Middle Passage” because of its role in history as the route where slaves were run from the West coast of Africa to the Caribbean, Americas and Europe) is their use of okra, sweet potatoes and rice, blending well with the soulful cuisine of the American South. Asante’s casual fine dining service, affordable menu and ambience is a remarkable composition of all these cultures coming together in a setting that appeals to Atlanta’s sophisticated culinary set, as well as visitors and tourists to the Downtown area.

The space, formerly occupied by Downtown’s iconic Peasant Bistro, includes two floors, with a second-floor main dining room as well as a private dining room that can seat up to 60. The expansive second-floor outdoor patio can host 80 and the ground level will feature a lounge area and a 10-seat bar with handcrafted cocktails that complement the cuisine. These versatile areas are perfectly suited for parties and receptions of any size.

Chef Woods’ menu is approachable in price, driven by what’s fresh and in season, and welcoming to all types of tastes. The cuisine is creative and adventurous, yet healthy and satisfying. The dinner menu features appetizers ($7-$16) such as Gulf Coast Shrimp n Grits and Circuit Hash, Chicharrones de Pollo (Latin fried Chicken), Chef’s signature hushpuppies and Cashew Cheese with Aeroponic-grown Arugula Salad that he is growing on his patio. The coastal specialties ($9-$26) include international flavors in both small and large plates like crispy Bahamian conch fritters, Piri Piri Nigerian king prawns and roasted wild boar. Entrees ($17-$26) feature everything from chicken sausage-stuffed wild boar with chop corn pudding to Creole-braised kingfish with Carolina Gold speckled rice. The lunch menu features signature Po’ boy sandwiches with catfish, shrimp, chicken or Pernil (traditional Puerto Rican style roast pork) ($9-$12). Salads and sides are also available. On Saturday and Sunday, Asante features a brunch menu. Shareable plates are offered at the bar, like crispy okra ($5) and Po’ boy sliders ($9-$13).

The restaurant’s management team combines an impressive roster of experience and talent, with David Espin as general manager, Jared Hall as chef de cuisine, Andre Mack directing the wine program and Lonn Coward as chef de bar.

Asante promises to be a welcome addition to Downtown’s Luckie Marietta District, with plenty of tourist destinations like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coke, Centennial Olympic Park, the new College Football Hall of Fame and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights all within walking distance.

“I am delighted to bring my style of cooking to Atlanta, which is the best city to appreciate this blend of flavors and genres of cuisine,” says Woods. “And I think this is exactly the kind of restaurant that Downtown needs—something that is fresh and creative in flavor, yet sophisticated and festive enough to be a destination for both Atlanta locals and its many tourists.”

Asante Restaurant and Lounge is open seven days a week. Dinner is served Sunday through Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. The lounge stays open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, and until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. Lunch will be offered Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Brunch will be available on Saturday and Sunday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Asante is located at 250 Park Ave W NW. For more information, visit asanteatl.com. For more information on Chef Marvin Woods, visit ChefMarvinWoods.com.