A design-forward food hall built especially for Midtown Atlanta is now open. The debut of Politan Row at Colony Square and its chefs marks the latest milestone in the $400 million redevelopment of the Southeast’s original mixed-use destination. Colony Square’s developer North American Properties (NAP) and the food hall’s operator Politan Group cut the ribbon on the new food hall on June 25 at a public event.
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“With Politan Row at Colony Square, we really wanted to bring an old school, neighborhood restaurant vibe to the bustling Midtown area. In partnership with our women-led design firm Bell-Butler, we’ve sprinkled nods to the project’s history throughout the space to create an inviting, familiar atmosphere,” said Will Donaldson, founder and CEO of Politan Group. “In addition to its alluring personality, the food hall also has several thoughtful hospitality elements weaved into the operational side that will provide our guests with an exceptional dining experience. We are confident this project will deliver everything the Midtown food scene is wanting.”
Curated and operated by New Orleans-based Politan Group, Politan Row at Colony Square is the company’s seventh and largest food hall. It features space for 11 independent food and beverage concepts, a central bar, an event space and a secret, hidden bar. The nine open purveyors include Belli Pizzeria, Bun Mi Grill, Federal Burger, Gekko, Locale Cafe, Pretty Little Tacos, Tandoori Pizza and Wing Co., Unbeliebubble and YŌM. The last two concepts are in the works and will be announced soon.
Coupled with the uniquely upscale design is the hands-on hospitality approach at Politan Row. Guest assistants are front-of-house staff members who are available to assist guests at their tables or answer questions about the dining and programming anywhere within the food hall. These employees are also responsible for bussing tables, offering water service from the central water station, and retiring plates. Guest ambassadors welcome guests at the door, answer the telephone, book reservations and offer the Chef’s Table package. Ambassadors essentially serve as consumer guides, and can also hold tables for larger parties up to 20 minutes prior to a group’s arrival.
More than half of the square footage at Politan Row at Colony Square is dedicated to outdoor dining. Interior space, which can seat 250 guests, makes up approximately 20,000 square feet, while outdoor space encompasses 22,000 square feet. The food hall also features a 24’ indoor/outdoor glass wall that opens up the interior space to engage with the outdoors. The outdoor experience includes The Plaza, The Patio and The Grove.
The Plaza plays host to Colony Square’s 200+ annual events. The Patio features a variety of covered seating, an outdoor bar and shuffleboards, and fronts the stage and Plaza. The Grove includes ample seating underneath a shaded canopy of trees along with a grand Spanish staircase ascending into the food hall.
The Midtown food hall is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and features several distinctive offerings, including Bar Politan, the Chef’s Table experience and a fully equipped event space. Guest parking will also be validated for up to two hours.
Bar Politan is a stunning, 40-seat bar anchored at the heart of the food hall, surrounded by the food-preneurs and managed by hospitality industry veteran Quinton Anderson. The bar program is focused on craft cocktails made with high-quality ingredients, a vast wine selection and local beer options. All syrups and shrubs are housemade, and signature draft cocktails include the Effervescent Margarita and Wheatclaw (housemade hard seltzer). Bar Politan specializes in classic cocktails, however off-menu classics are also available upon request. The central bar offers a happy hour from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, with beverage specials starting at $7. On Sundays, Bar Politan will serve a full brunch cocktail menu.
The Chef’s Table is a special way to experience the food hall for parties of up to 12 guests. The full-service, reserved dinner option is perfect for birthdays, client dinners or other special events, and features signature dishes from multiple chefs in the food hall. Prices start at $30 per person, with beverages available a la carte from Bar Politan. Daily reservations are limited, so guests are encouraged to book their Chef’s Table experience in advance or inquire with the ambassador team. Guests should allow two hours for the experience.
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The Blue Room is an internal private event space offered by Politan Row. It is fully furnished and features a 40-foot ceiling with a retractable blue velvet curtain, a private bar, and A/V capabilities for meetings and presentations. The space is inspired by the legendary Jazz venue of the same name in New Orleans, where Louis Armstorng and Ella Fitzgerald were frequent performers. The Blue Room can accommodate up to 70 guests seated or 120 standing. In addition to The Blue Room, the entire Politan Row at Colony Square, including the covered outdoor Patio and stage area, is available for buyouts, creating the ultimate Chef’s Table experience for up to 600 guests.
“Politan Row at Colony Square strikes the right balance between sophisticated and approachable; there truly is something for everyone,” said Adam Schwegman, partner and senior vice president of leasing at NAP. “We’ve had a longstanding relationship with Politan Group and knew they would be the right partners to bring Midtown the fast-casual dining options the area lacked. Our kitchen is now open and ready to serve up unique cuisines, one-of-a-kind beverages and plenty of good times.”
For more information, follow Colony Square on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit colonysquaremidtown.com.
