A gourmet pizza eatery that opened at Phipps Plaza just over a year ago has closed.
Florida-based Genuine Pizza has removed the Atlanta location from its website.
“After a great year of pizza in Atlanta, it was time transition the restaurant space over to an exciting new concept that will be coming very soon,” reads a statement provided by Genuine Pizza to the AJC. “We will not be involved in the new concept and don't have any plans currently to pursue another Atlanta area location. Over the last year, we have had the great pleasure to serve thousands of folks in Atlanta and appreciate greatly everyone who supported us at Genuine Pizza.”
Phipps Plaza management also released a statement to the AJC regarding the closure.
“Phipps Plaza continues to evolve its retail roster with plans to welcome an impressive selection of innovative and iconic names this year, including an exciting new restaurant concept. These new additions will complement the center’s highly anticipated redevelopment, headlined by Nobu Hotel and Nobu Atlanta Restaurant, slated to open in phases beginning 2021. Additional details will be announced as plans and leases are finalized.”
The restaurant first opened Jan. 5. Tomorrow's News Today first reported the closure.
Located at the mall's main entrance, Genuine Pizza was the brainchild of James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz, who also owns a Genuine Pizza as well as three Harry’s Pizza locations in Florida.
The eatery offered 12 quick-fired pizzas as well as snacks, soups, salads entrees and signature items including short rib pizza, polenta fries with spicy ketchup, Brussels sprouts and burrata and chocolate chunk cookies ,as well as daily pizza and soup specials, wings and Atlanta craft beers.
AJC writer Wendell Brock did not have kind words for the restaurant when he reviewed it last month: "It would be disingenuous of me, however, to tell you that Genuine Pizza, which opened about a year ago, is the genuine article. In truth, service can be confusing, cocktails lack finesse, and you may find yourself forking into an entree that is borderline unacceptable."
The Genuine Pizza closure is one of several recent changes to the culinary roster at Phipps Plaza -- Public Kitchen & Bar changed to Agency Socialtheque earlier this month, Grand Lux Cafe and Ecco both opened in the past few months.
As part of a major redevelopment, Phipps is also slated to get a new luxury hotel, office tower, fitness center and new restaurants including Japanese eatery Nobu, whose founding investors include actor and director Robert De Niro, film producer Meir Teper, renowned chef Nobu Matsuhisa and well-known New York restaurateur Drew Nieporent.
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