Every Friday Roots in Alpharetta features an article on food and dining in a series called Foodie Friday.

Don’t have a ton of new stuff to report. But there’s some restaurant news out there that’s sure to generate some conversation. Let’s get right to it.

Legendary breakfast joint BB’s Bagels announced this week that they have closed their second location on State Bridge Road. According to posts on Facebook and Twitter, the restaurant thought the karma of this location was off and that they were jeopardizing their brand. I agree that this location didn’t quite have the same vibe as their original McFarland store (which thankfully remains open).

BB’s continues to talk of franchising plans. Will a franchise store be immune from the karma issues that doomed their second corporate-owned location?

Also closing is the Johns Creek location of the Tilted Kilt. The “breastaurant” chain continues to operate a location on Windward. Could it be at risk of closure as well? A few years back the television show Undercover Boss was filmed here.

Replacing Tilted Kilt in the Medlock Crossing Shopping Center will be Hurricane Grill. This will be the first Georgia location for the Florida-based chain of wing joints.

Fish House Seafood Kitchen has opened in Boga Taqueria’s old space in Milton. Missing is the promised lunch buffet. I was also able to confirm that this is the same family that owned The Shrimp Basket just around the corner. Some Milton gastronomes will be able to draw an opinion based on this fact alone. So that’s all I’m going to say about Fish House!

Chill Restaurant and Lounge is now open for dinner only. The restaurant will offer upscale Mediterranean cuisine. Look for them in the enormous old Rainwater location on Haynes Bridge.

Also opening is Kitchen of Atlanta down in Johns Creek Walk. This is a small little restaurant offering sandwiches, burgers, pastas, chicken wings and a little of everything.

And just when we thought they weren’t gonna make it, OVR Coffee Cafe has opened in Forsyth’s Vickery Village. Look for the vegan bakery and coffee shop in the old Mommy Francis space.

Restaurants Coming Soon

Branchwater – Concept from Todd Hogan coming to Vickery Village in Forsyth.
Salt Factory – Their sign still says “February 2013″. Looks like the buildout has hit a few snags.
Main Street Kitchen – From the folks behind Roswell’s Nine Street Kitchen. They will be at 52 North Main.
Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe – Alabama-based chain coming soon to Windward Parkway.
Hop Alley Brew Pub – Brew pub coming to downtown Alpharetta.
Draft Beer Market – A growler store to open on Jones Bridge in Johns Creek.
Casa Del Sol Mexican Bar and Grill – Mexican joint in Forsyth near 141 and highway 9.
7 Tequilas Cantina – Mexican restaurant replacing Smokejack in Forsyth’s Midway community.
Jose’s Mexican Grill – Opening soon next to Zaxby’s on North Point and Webb Bridge.
First Watch – Breakfast concept building at Northpoint and Old Milton.
Chipotle, Corner Bakery Cafe, Pollo Tropical, Zoe’s – Making quick progress building on Haynes Bridge near the mall.

Retail Coming Soon

Walmart – You’ll see construction starting soon at GA-141 near Brookwood/Mathis Airport.
Costco Wholesale – It’s big news in Cumming. The land is cleared along GA-400 and exit 15.
AMC at Northpoint – The new theater is taking shape behind the mall. Expect a fall opening.
Aldi – Coming soon to Johns Creek where Ace Hardware used to be.

Every Friday Roots in Alpharetta features an article on food and dining in a series called Foodie Friday.

Many years ago I traveled to Seattle for business. It was June and the height of the wild salmon season. I wasn’t real fond of the fish at the time but locals insisted I try it. I’ve been hooked ever since.

There’s a tremendous difference between wild-caught salmon and the farm raised garbage that’s available year-round. The texture is more firm and the flavors much more rich and intense.

The salmon fishery at Alaska’a Copper River always starts the wild salmon season. There’s is short season but they produce the best product. You may only have a few weeks to enjoy this fish before it’s gone for the year. But wild salmon from other parts of the Pacific northwest will be available for most of the summer and early fall.

Here’s where you can find this delectable fish in Alpharetta.

Rays on the Creek – They’ve been promoting their Copper River salmon on Facebook quite a bit recently. Yesterday it was pictures of a pineapple and jalapeno salmon topping being smoked on a big green egg. If you want Copper River salmon at a restaurant, Ray’s is likely your only choice.

Vinny’s – They usually offer wild caught salmon as specials throughout the summer. Chances are this isn’t from the Copper River but it’s nonetheless delicious.

Want to make it yourself? Don’t be intimidated! I usually marinate my fish for an hour or two in a citrus juice and soy sauce along with an aromatic veggie like onion or garlic. Pat it dry and pan-sear to medium rare in a touch of olive oil. It’s simple and really brings out the flavor of the fish.

A handful of fishmongers will carry Copper River salmon this year. Expect to pay $25-30 per pound.

Whole Foods/Harrys – Each will carry Copper River fish as well as other wild-caught salmon throughout the summer. Prices are steep.

Kathleen’s Catch – I’d buy from her. Prices will be about the same as Whole Foods or maybe a dollar or two cheaper. The difference is that you’ll get better service with Kathleen.

Other wild-caught salmon is available at Costco. Selection is always hit or miss with your best chances of finding something in the morning after they open. Prices will be good of course.

Grocery stores may also carry wild salmon including Publix and even Kroger. They usually don’t completely remove the tiny pin bones from the grocery store fish so be careful!

Every Friday Roots in Alpharetta features an article on food and dining in a series called Foodie Friday.

Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe is coming to Alpharetta. This growing chain out of the Birmingham area will open their second Georgia location on Windward Parkway next to Ichiban Steak and Sushi.

But this blogger keeps forgetting to mention their opening! It might be easy to do. Taziki’s is just one name on a growing list of Mediterranean restaurants setting shop in our area. We like to talk food trends here on Roots and this is one that’s caught me completely, and pleasantly, by surprise.

I’m going to lump Greek and Middle Eastern restaurants into the broader category of Mediterranean for the sake of this article. We could split hairs I guess.

In the time I’ve been writing about Alpharetta’s restaurant scene more than ten Mediterranean restaurants have opened. It’s staggering. They outnumber Indian joints. Can this area support so many? Do you have a favorite? Let’s run through a few.

Main Street Alpharetta – You’ve got four options for gyros along this short stretch of road. Mac Meals to the south is small and overlooked. Seven Seas on Devore Road is very good with friendly folks. Cafe Efendi is an Alpharetta institution. I like their new digs on North Main. And don’t forget Gyro King up closer to Windward.

Cubicle dwellers can hit Papoulli’s on Windward or Jerusalem Bakery on Old Milton. Jerusalem’s chicken shawarma sandwich is among my favorite things to eat for lunch in Alpharetta, in any genre of food.

Mediterranean food near the mall is lacking. Fast-casual chain Extreme Pita open and closed in a short time. Close to that was Dalia’s Grill, a rare gem on North Point before they went under. The newly opened Chill Restaurant and Lounge will offer higher-end Mediterranean food in their cavernous space on Haynes Bridge.

Johns Creek shouldn’t be left out. 1001 Nights opened recently on Medlock Bridge offering Persian cuisine. Also doing Persian food is Noosh Kitchen on Douglas Road. On the fast-casual side, try Grecian Gyro in Johns Creek Walk. The portions are huge here. They’re also on Scoutmob for 50% off.

And south Forsyth even figures into the mix. Shiraz Cafe is a beautiful little restaurant that’s hidden from drivers on McGinnis Ferry Road. And don’t forget Baba’s Gyro and Kabob on Ronald Reagan. This gem next to a gas station took Cumming by storm a few years ago once word got out.

Do you have a favorite Mediterranean restaurant? Who’s making the best gyro in town? Let me know!

Every Friday Roots in Alpharetta features an article on food and dining in a series called Foodie Friday. Today we feature a guest review from Mike Christensen. Follow Mike on Twitter @SCSA31274.

I’ll admit it, I’m pretty late to the whole food truck thing.  Really, this whole area is just becoming fertile ground for these mobile restaurants.  The city of Alpharetta has embraced food trucks and have gathered numerous ones of them for the weekly Food Truck Alley in downtown Alpharetta. The event is held every Thursday from 5-9 PM on Old Roswell St behind Smokejack.  There’s a rotating schedule of food trucks along with live music.  The idea is to get folks into downtown for some community fellowship. It’s worked.

There were several problems I noted the first week, but I wanted to see how the event changed and evolved over a few weeks to hopefully get better.  The lines at the various trucks were agonizingly long.  It took me nearly 45 minutes to actually get to the truck to place my order.  As I stood in line, I wondered how long it would take the average person standing in line to decide that it wasn’t worth it and head to a restaurant.  In the successive weeks, the crowds have died a little, but lines are still hefty.  The city has also added more trucks, nine trucks was the last count up from six the first week.

Another issue I discovered the first week was the lack of bathrooms.  I looked all over the place.  Not a Porto potty to be had.  The next week, I saw several signs labeled “restrooms” pointing the way to the Porto potties.  Two to be exact, way across a parking lot.  Maybe they were there the first week, but certainly no one could have found them.  The week after, there was one more added a little closer to the event.  There wasn’t enough seating either.  A half-dozen tables were set up, which wasn’t nearly enough for the hoards of hungry folks.  People would take over a table and set up camp the whole time.  Most people were either sitting on curbs trying to handle their fare, or were taking a hike to the park across the street for the benches.  There have been more tables added over the last few weeks but not enough to handle the crowds.

The variety of food to chose from is excellent.  Trucks ranging from burgers to sandwiches to meatballs to Vietnamese to tacos to cupcakes give everyone something to like.  I visited several trucks including Happy Belly, Mighty Meatball Mobile, W.O.W., Ibiza bites, Pressed for Time (paninis), and Yum Yum Cupcakes.  Entree prices range from $7-10 with fries $2-4 extra.  Oh yeah, drinks are $2-4 also.  So you’re looking at nearly $20 a person at the end of the day.  Try several trucks and it really adds up.

Smokejack also had a table set up selling food and drinks.  Up the hill from the event, La Casa had a gigantic sign advertising beer and wine for sale.  $4-6 for a beer or glass of wine. There was a family at a table with a growler of beer.  That’s an idea I can support!

I’m not really swept up in the whole food truck thing.  The food is good, not great, and really pricey.  What I like most about Food Truck Alley is the sense of community.  Families, kids, pets; they’re all there.  It’s practically Norman Rockwell.  The space is really nice, with one large tree and several smaller ones.  Shops like Sis & Moons are open for visitors.  There are several buckets of sidewalk chalk out for the kids, and me (I couldn’t help it).

The live music is one of the best aspects of Food Truck Alley.  And the best part is, the bands are composed of 12-16 year olds.  They’re really good!  They jam hits from Led Zeppelin, the Who, Bush and Aerosmith. I was impressed.

Downtown Alpharetta is a really great place to be.  I overhead someone say on the way to the Porto-potty, “I didn’t even know this was back here”.  I think that’s the idea behind the Food Truck Alley – feed people and get them to come downtown and hang out.  Hopefully, the city will address a few of the nagging problems to make this a great event for years to come.