Elevated Expansion
At its larger, swankier concept in Buckhead, Ponce City Market’s BILTONG BAR offers an elevated take on South African street food
“Beef jerky and booze” is the slogan at Biltong Bar, the South African-inspired restaurant from True Story Brands, the restaurant group behind concepts such as 10 Degrees South and Cape Dutch. And indeed, with a menu built around South African Street fare (including biltong, or beef jerky) and craft cocktails, the establishment
remains true to its motto.
After opening its flagship location inside Ponce City Market early 2016, Biltong Bar expanded in August 2018 with a second restaurant located in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. The expansive, 6,500-square-foot restaurant on Buckhead Avenue also boasts a more substantial menu (led by executive chef Matt Weinstein), featuring meat and vegetable-centered dishes in addition to snacks and shared plates.
“We are fortunate with the Buckhead location to have a larger kitchen than Ponce City Market,” says True Story Brands founder Justin Anthony. “This allowed us to expand on the menu and add dishes like tandoori chicken wings, the Biltong Burger and the hot chicken sammie.” Expanding the bar program was also important, he says; the beverage program (helmed by beverage director Sean Gleason) offers a 40-seat bar, more than 270 unique liquors and “one of the largest absinthe selections in the South.”
The space itself—designed by Kelly Wolf-Anthony, Justin’s wife, and constructed by builder Michael Ladisic—pairs cosmopolitan sophistication with warm, masculine touches—think dark wood, leather seats and a lounge nook with board games. “We wanted the restaurant to have a city vibe while keeping it warm and authentic,” Justin says.