Johnny Liu, the entrepreneur behind the beloved Café at Pharr, has expanded his culinary footprint with the opening of Cultivate Food And Coffee, a brand-new eatery located on Howell Mill Road in Westside Atlanta. This exciting establishment promises a unique dining experience, blending Southern culinary traditions with innovative flair, all while placing a strong emphasis on expertly crafted coffee. Cultivate’s coffee bar is currently welcoming guests, and the full-service restaurant is set to launch on March 2nd, marking a significant addition to Atlanta’s vibrant food scene.
“The neighborhood was lacking a dedicated coffee shop beyond the usual chains like Starbucks. We saw an opportunity to cultivate food and coffee culture here, offering something truly special that goes beyond just a caffeine fix,” explains Liu. His vision for Cultivate extends beyond a typical coffee spot, aiming to create a destination where high-quality coffee and delicious Southern-inspired cuisine harmoniously coexist.
While cultivate food and coffee is the overarching theme, the coffee program at Cultivate is undeniably a major highlight. Demonstrating a commitment to quality and freshness, Cultivate roasts its own coffee beans in-house. Coffee aficionados can expect a global tasting journey with their brew: the cold brew is crafted from Guatemalan beans, the espresso boasts Dominican Republic origins, and the drip coffee is a blend sourced from India, Colombia, and Costa Rica. Adding an artistic touch to the coffee experience, the baristas at Cultivate are expertly trained in latte art, ensuring each cup is visually appealing as well as delicious. Furthermore, both the coffee bar and restaurant prioritize local sourcing, using only dairy products from local farms, reinforcing their dedication to cultivate food and coffee responsibly and sustainably.
Transitioning from coffee to cuisine, Liu, who will be personally involved in the kitchen operations initially, has assembled a talented team, including “an amazing chef with a background at one of the city’s top brunch destinations” (the name remains under wraps for now). The menu at Cultivate showcases Southern comfort food elevated with creative twists. Breakfast offerings, such as biscuit and cage-free egg sandwiches, are available throughout the day. For weekend brunch, diners can indulge in decadent options like rumchata French toast and shrimp and grits. The menu also features classic buttermilk pancakes, the plant-based Impossible Burger, and unique Southern-style beignets made with biscuit dough. Notably, even the grits can be prepared vegan, catering to diverse dietary preferences and highlighting the inclusive approach to cultivate food and coffee for everyone.
Lunch at Cultivate leans towards lighter yet flavorful options, primarily focusing on inventive salads. The Brussels sprouts salad is a standout, featuring fried goat cheese balls and a distinctive molasses and soy sauce dressing. Another enticing choice is the maple pecan salad, combining spring mix, baby kale, candied pecans, pickled watermelon rinds, and pickled peaches sourced from Pickled Pink in Norcross, showcasing local partnerships and a commitment to fresh, regional ingredients to cultivate food and coffee with local flavor.
To complement the dining experience, Cultivate is in the process of obtaining a liquor license. Once approved, guests can look forward to brunch cocktails like mimosas and Bloody Marys, along with a selection of wine and bottled beer, further enhancing the appeal of cultivate food and coffee as a complete dining destination.
Liu describes the ambiance of Cultivate as “a captivating blend of The Great Gatsby era elegance and modern museum aesthetics.” The restaurant’s design features a long, narrow space with concrete floors and tiled accents. Custom-made tables crafted from tree trunks add a rustic-chic element. Adding a local artistic touch, a wall painting of a buck, created by Atlanta artist John Tindel, pays homage to Liu’s Buckhead upbringing, seamlessly integrating local heritage into the cultivate food and coffee concept.
Cultivate promises to be more than just a restaurant; it’s envisioned as a community gathering place where the passion for cultivate food and coffee is evident in every detail, from the carefully sourced beans to the thoughtfully crafted menu and the inviting atmosphere. Westside Atlanta is poised to welcome this exciting new culinary gem.
