Courtesy of Fishmonger
Fresh off the success of their Poncey-Highland fish market/restaurant Fishmonger, Skip Engelbrecht and Nhan Le announce plans for a second location, this one in the Pratt Pullman District. Slated to open in October, the new Fishmonger will feature a large patio and a full bar.
“We’ve been looking for a second location,” Engelbrect says. “[Pratt Pullman owners] Maureen [Meulen] and Adam [Rosenfelt] are super good friends of ours. The space is beautiful and it’s the right timing, so we decided to pull the trigger.”
A standalone corner building on Rogers Street, Fishmonger Kirkwood was originally planned as an all-day café called Bellsmouth, along with 3 Heart Coffee—both by the Fishmonger team.
“Coffee is a tough business. It always looks busy but people hang out and [only] spend $10 all day long,” Le says. “That’s not my strength. I don’t know coffee the way I know fish and seafood. I’m going to do what I’m passionate about.”
Fishmonger Kirkwood will look and feel like the original location—bright colors, white tiles—with a lot more space. It will have an expanded raw bar with more crudo, 35-to-40 seats inside, and 100 seats on the patio. Open for lunch and dinner, it will offer a hybrid of counter- and table-service.
Partner/chef Bradford Forsblom will oversee both kitchens and maintain very similar menus, including the popular blackened grouper sandwich.
“The menu is working so well,” Engelbrecht says. “Chef has taken so much time with it.”
The biggest change, however, is the addition of beer, wine, and cocktails, starting opening day. The Poncey-Highland location does not serve alcohol, and Engelbrecht says that will not change.
With the forthcoming closure of 8Arm on October 8—due to the sale of its building—Engelbrecht and Le will pay additional attention to Fishmonger. They’re currently seeking more locations, possibly in Buckhead or West Midtown.
As for 8Arm, Engelbrecht is staying tight-lipped. “I don’t know if we will relocate. It needs to be the right space and time,” he says.
The ever-evolving restaurant will continue to host chef pop-ups Thursdays through Saturdays until its closure.
Engelbrecht and Le are also opening an elevated comfort food takeout spot called Small Fry in Atlanta Dairies in the fall. Expect fried chicken and fish sandwiches, shrimp baskets, falafel burgers, and of course, fries.
