Zeal Restaurant Opens in East Cobb Friday

East Cobbers will be able to try out another highly anticipated restaurant this week. 

Zeal Modern Eatery opens at 4 p.m Friday in the former Empress of China II space at the Market Plaza Shopping Center, 1255 Johnson Ferry Road. 

The new restaurant opens shortly after the opening of Common Quarter a bit down Johnson Ferry in the Woodlawn Square Shopping Center, specializing in Georgia coastal fare.

Zeal describes itself as "a modern eatery focused on serving as a gathering place for friends and families of all ages, while putting a twist on seasonal and locally sourced foods."

Here's a look at the menu, which includes such items as chicken lollipops, green chili cheeseburger, stuffed lamb, a share plate of Georgia trout, children's dishes and desserts.

Also on the menu are locally-sourced beers (14 of them on draught), hand-crafted cocktails and various wines by the glass or bottle (full bar menu). There's also a shorter late-night menu.

The chef is Eric Mulville, formerly of Maggiano's Buckhead and STEEL Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Atlanta.

Zeal's hours will be 11 a.m. to midnight Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

More updates and information and a link to reservations can be found on Zeal's Facebook page and Twitter account. 

Also recently opened in East Cobb is the Cosmopolitan Restaurant and Bar at 2475 Delk Road, in the former Spaghetti Warehouse space. 

Seed Kitchen & Bar, whose late 2011 opening at Merchant's Walk Shopping Center sparked an East Cobb restaurant revival, is set to open the Stem Wine Bar next door this fall. 

An opening date hasn't been announced.