Mennie Fans Certain to Follow Gary to Livingston

Gary Mennie takes his toque to the new restaurant Livingston, opening at the end of April.

I won’t go so far as to call myself a chef groupie – that term I reserve for the McMen of Gray’s Anatomy and a few members of the Rolling Stones, decrepit bodies and all – but after writing about restaurants in Atlanta for more than 10 years, I do have my favorites that I follow. To me, there are few things more attractive than a man who knows his way around a skillet and makes a living with fire.

One of my favorites is Gary Mennie, chef at Canoe for 10 years before opening the glorious, yet-strangely-unknown Taurus. I mourned the closing of the restaurant, but knowing that talent like this won’t stay still for long, waited for this “New Age Soul Food guru” to reemerge on the dining scene.

I was thrilled to hear that unlike some of our other top chefs who bolted for other cities, (with mixed results), Gary is staying put right in Atlanta, moving just a few miles south on Peachtree Street in the historic Georgian Terrace Hotel. He has moved his considerable talent to the kitchen of the new Livingston Restaurant and Bar, named for Atlanta’s mayor from 1901 to 1903. The name is fitting as Livingston lived in a two-story house at this location and was a fan of wine and French food – after graduating from the Culinary institute of America, Gary began his career training under French Master Chef, Maxime Ribera at Maxime’s in New York.

But don’t look for French food on this menu. After working beside Wolfgang Puck, Gary was introduced to the concept of using the freshest ingredients, which he plans to employ in the open kitchen at Livingston, preparing “American classics that incorporate a modern culinary style.” Here’s just a sample: White Oak Pastures Flat Iron Steak, Short Ribs and Crispy Gnocchi; Georgia Mountain Trout with Braised Artichokes and Spring Peas; and Riverview Farms Berkshire Pork with Vidalia Onion Tart.

Another reason the name is appropriate is that Livingstons motto was
“The pleasure of doing good is the only one that never wears out.”  Here’s to many years of Gary Mennie doing good in the kitchen at Livingston.

Livingston Restaurant and Bar is located across from The Fox Theatre at 659 Peachtree St. and serves lunch and dinner seven days a week. Sunday Brunch is from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Complimentary valet parking is located on Peachtree Street. For reservations, please call 404.897.1991 or visit www.livingstonatlanta.com.