By Chef Joey Ward
Joey Ward is the executive chef and owner of Southern Belle and Georgia Boy in the Poncey-Highland neighborhood of Atlanta, GA. The Georgia native began his career at the St. Regis Atlanta before joining chef Kevin Gillespie at Woodfire Grill. He was the executive chef at H. Harper Station and later at Gunshow, all located in Atlanta. Joey’s new venture focuses on celebrating the diversity of the South’s arts, culture, food, and people.
Southern Belle | Photo Credit: Andrew Thomas Lee
SOUTHERN BELLE & GEORGIA BOY
The Experience
Southern Belle serves dishes committed to embracing hyper-seasonality and local farms. Our cocktail program is focused on the stories and passions of Southern distilleries. Georgia Boy connects through a secret bookcase-turned-passageway and has sleek, minimalist interiors and an intimate, 10-course tasting menu experience for 16, which contrasts with Southern Belle’s plush, homey feel.
Pastry Chef Billy Cole preparing Biscoff Cookie Ice Cream at Southern Belle’s Delta Cart | Photo Credit: Andrew Thomas Lee
The Menu
I’m especially excited about our table-side dessert activation. It’s a Delta Airlines rolling food and beverage cart serving biscotti and homemade ice cream. Delta is based in Atlanta, so we wanted to pay homage and tap into that nostalgia, and we’re excited to have our hands on a cart that’s actually been used on flights.
Smoked Cocktail | Photo Credit: Andrew Thomas Lee
Cocktails
Our cocktails are curated by the team behind Atlanta’s Ticonderoga Club (a 2019 James Beard Finalist for Outstanding Bar Program). Everything is made with products from Southern distilleries. Look out for twists on an Aviation, Manhattan, and Boulevardier, and house cocktail variations like highballs and sours both on the rocks and up.
1043 Ponce de Leon Avenue NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
www.southernbelleatlanta.com
Chef Joey Ward’s Poncey-Highland Guide & Beyond
“PONCEY-HIGHLAND is a neighborhood that is bustling with energy and has a nice juxtaposition between the businesses, restaurants, and nightlife and the community feel of the neighborhood. Everything is walkable and community-centric, and it’s overall a really welcoming place to be.”
Photograph courtesy of East Pole
Morning Coffee
East Pole Coffee Company
It’s a husband and wife team from Atlanta and they source everything responsibly with fair trade coffee and single origin growers and roast the beans inside the space where they also serve the coffee. At Southern Belle, we’re partnering with East Pole to serve coffee and also whiskey infused with their coffee beans.
255 Ottley Drive, Suite105, Atlanta, GA 30324
eastpole.coffee
Ponce City Market | Photo Credit: Emma Valerio
Shopping & Eating
Photograph courtesy of Root Baking Co.
Ponce City Market Shops
Check out the food hall at Ponce City Market for a quick bite and shopping. Citizen Supply has a lot of great local stuff and Root Baking Co. offers some of the best bread in town.
675 Ponce De Leon Avenue NE NW208
Atlanta, GA 30308
Lunch
El Rey Del Taco
I love their chorizo quesadilla.
5288 Buford Highway NE, Doraville, GA 3034
T: 770.986.0032
elreydeltacoatl.com
Afternoon Sweet Treat
Photograph courtesy of Morelli’s
Morelli’s
They’ve got a counter-service ice cream shop in Midtown and their salted caramel ice cream is my favorite.
749 Moreland Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
T: 404.622.0210
www.morellisicecream.com
Cocktails
Photograph courtesy of Ticonderoga Club
Ticonderoga Club
The mussels are delicious, served with fermented black bean, sake broth, and toast. I don’t drink so I love their great selection of non-alcoholic beverages.
Krog Street Market, 99 Krog Street Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307
T: 404.458.4534
www.ticonderogaclub.com
Late Night
Photograph courtesy of The Righteous Room
The Righteous Room
Get their wings.
1051 Ponce De Leon, Atlanta, Ga 30306
T: 404.874.0939
www.stayrighteous.com
Atlanta Souvenir
Take home a bottle of Georgia Olive Farms Extra Virgin Olive Oil. You can find them at most farmers markets in town.
Further Afield
Masterpiece Chinese Restaurant
This is one of my favorite restaurants — I just love all the bold and spicy flavors.
3940 Buford Highway B103, Duluth, GA 30096
T: 770.622.1191
www.masterpiece-chinese.com
