Chef Bella Jones is opening Liz & Leon's at 231 Mitchell St. in Historic Hotel Row this fall. The restaurant represents a tribute to her ancestors: "Liz & Leon's is a culinary love letter to my grandparents, especially my grandmother, Elizabeth."
Jones intends to showcase African diaspora cuisine through distinctive flavor combinations and responsibly sourced ingredients. She aims to redefine soul food by honoring Black culinary traditions and illuminating their cultural and historical significance.
A secret bar called Sweet Gigi's will operate beneath Liz & Leon's, with both spaces connected via a shared outdoor area. The restaurant occupies 3,000 square feet, while the terrace adds another 2,800 square feet.
These concepts join other dining establishments opening at Historic Hotel Row this year, including TydeTate Kitchen, Spiller Park, Pizza Clementine, and Thirteenth Floor.
The South Downtown development spans 10 blocks and over 50 buildings across six acres. Newport RE is transforming Historic Hotel Row to recreate its early-1900s character through restaurants, shops, offices, and community spaces.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution