Editor’s note: As the coronavirus disrupts the restaurant industry, the AJC has changed its dining coverage. Previously, the AJC published a weekly roundup of metro Atlanta dining events. Beginning this week, the list highlights ways that readers can use their dining dollars to feed good causes.
With help from Maker’s Mark bourbon and chef Edward Lee, the forthcoming restaurant Eugene & Elizabeth’s will be operating a traveling relief kitchen for hospitality workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Through the LEE Initiative, Lee and Maker’s Mark connected with Atlanta-based restaurateurs Linton and Gina Hopkins to provide pickup points for boxes of food and other necessities, including diapers, cleaning wipes, canned food, paper goods and more.
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Before the coronavirus outbreak hit Atlanta, the Hopkins' announced that the opening of Eugene & Elizabeth's would be postponed as they searched for a new location. Now, they're using the restaurant's infrastructure to activate this restaurant workers' relief program. In an Instagram post from the restaurant's new page, the couple announced that Eugene & Elizabeth's would become a mobile relief kitchen for any restaurant worker who has lost a job or suffered a significant reduction in income.
“We are offering help for those in need of food and supplies,” they shared in an Instagram post. “Each night, we will pack hundreds of to-go meals that people can come to pick up and take home. Dinners are offered on a first come first serve basis. Limit 1 package per person unless there is an emergency situation. We will continue to offer this program until we can no longer financially support the program.”
Pickup locations for the relief kitchen will be announced daily on the restaurant's Instagram page (@eugeneandelizabeths).
More Helpers
Bun Mi, the Vietnamese sandwich shop in Buckhead, is supporting healthcare workers by offering to match any of its meals purchased for donation to medical personnel. Those interested in donating meals to medical personnel can identify a specific person or medical team and place an order for them with Bun Mi, alerting the restaurant that this will be a medical meal match. Bun Mi will automatically double the order with comparable entrees, sides and drinks and maybe even a few extra goodies. The restaurant will even deliver the orders of more than $100 to the medical team for free. Visit www.bunmigrill.com for more details or to place an order.
Chai Pani Restaurant Group has launched a silent auction to benefit its employee relief fund. Items include items like a one-of-a-kind dinner or a cooking lesson with five-time James Beard Award semi-finalist Meherwan Irani, private cocktail lessons and a chef's table dinner at Chai Pani in Decatur. The silent auction is live online now and will end on Thursday, April 2 at 5 p.m. Visit www.32auctions.com and search for Chai Pani.
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Tiny Lou's donated 100 hot meals to medical personnel at Grady Memorial Hospital in honor of National Doctor's Day. The French restaurant at the Clermont Hotel has been serving a takeout menu including crowd favorites from chef Jeb Aldrich like steak frites and the Clermont burger as well as desserts from pastry chef Claudia Martinez. The restaurant is also selling packaged beer, wine and cocktails to go. Order by calling 478-485-0485 or emailing tinylous@theindigoroad.com.
Sol Catering, the catering arm of Atlanta-based taco chain Taqueria del Sol, is giving away free meals to unemployed restaurant industry workers this week. Anyone interested can visit the Sol Catering facility at 1145 Zonolite Road all week from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Bring a pay stub or similar document as proof of recent employment and enjoy the company's renowned Tex-Mex food at no cost. For more details visit www.solcatering.net.
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RO Hospitality has launched a program called Table & Aid which will feed anyone feeling food-insecure every Tuesday through Sunday, 12-4 p.m. at Table & Main in Roswell. According to the group's announcement, "If you're unsure of your financial future or don't know where your next meal is coming from, you're invited to enjoy a free meal, no questions asked." Though the restaurant group has received large food donations from both Sysco and US Foods, donations are needed to keep the effort running on an indefinite basis. Donations can be made at Table & Main or by sending money directly to RO Hospitality owner Ryan Pernice through Venmo at username Ryan-Pernice. Click here for a video of Pernice giving more details about Table & Aid.
Moe's Original BBQ has set up a GoFundMe page to benefit Atlanta's medical personnel and other essential workers. The restaurant has promised to provide 50 boxed lunches for every $500 raised, and it is seeking more medical personnel, firefighters, police officers and other front-line workers to whom they can donate food. For more information, visit www.moesoriginalbbq.com.
In Case You Missed It…
Have you played ATL Food Bingo? Two Atlantans recently developed the neighborhood-based game to encourage diners to support their favorite local restaurants.
Interested in donating meals from a local restaurant to medical personnel? An Atlanta 16-year-old has created the Meal Bridge to help you do just that.
Looking for a fun, fast way to get money to restaurants and involve your friends? Former dining editor John Kessler suggests a restaurant gift card exchange.
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