Sunday, June 21, 2009 | Food, Q&A, Atlanta
A budding rose

Ron Eyester revamps Food 101 Morningside in a major way


Courtesy of Rosebud
Ron Eyester

By Hope S. Philbrick

When we heard that Chef Ron Eyester recently purchased Food 101 Morningside from its original owners, 101 Concepts, we were intrigued to learn more about his future plans for the place. Though he’s been the chef at the restaurant since the day it opened, he does plan to make some changes to the restaurant as owner. But rest easy: What won’t change is his strong commitment to cooking with seasonal, local and regional ingredients.

While growing up in New York, Eyester planned on one day taking over his father’s plumbing and heating business. His mom, with an eye toward helping him build a solid work ethic, encouraged him to get a job with an outside employer. After securing a job as a bus boy at a restaurant, Eyester says he “walked into that first kitchen and it captivated me. It was one of those ‘love at first bite’ kind of things.” He continued to gravitate to restaurant jobs throughout college and after graduation, along the way learning, he says, “what not to do.”

What’s changing?

I worked for 101 Concepts for eight years and recently bought out my partners at this location, so I’ve made the leap from part to full owner. It will definitely be different. Starting July 6 there will be a new name. The reason for changing the name in part is because of the agreement of my buying out a single location—there’s still a Food 101 in Sandy Springs. To be honest, in hindsight naming this place Food 101 was a mistake, because people perceived it as being a chain because there were multiple ones, but we don’t even have menu items in common. We’re reinventing ourselves and our new name will be Rosebud.

After the sled in “Citizen Kane”?

Ninety percent of the people who hear the name think that was the inspiration, but it’s not. Rosebud was the name of one of Jerry Garcia’s guitars. It was custom-made by Doug Irwin and considered the crème de la crème. Garcia played it in the late ’80s/early ’90s, which was my favorite period of listening to the Grateful Dead. Jerry was very involved with his instruments, not just the music, which kind of parallels my journey in this business. I’ve been at this restaurant during its entire evolution. I don’t care if people understand the meaning behind the name; it’s just personal fulfillment to me.

What’s on the new menu set to launch July 6?

The design and layout of the menu will change, and it will be shortened up a little bit so it’s easier to change more frequently. There are staples that will stay in place—favorites like Springer Mountain fried chicken, Riverview Farms pork ravioli and Wild Georgia shrimp and grits won’t be going anywhere. It’s hard to define our cooking; we’re seasonally driven and very farm-to-table. This is a neighborhood restaurant. We’re creative yet reliable. Two parts of my cooking life define me: I spent time in Charleston, S.C., and so am definitely footed in low-country cuisine. And with Food 101, I’ve had fun using my cooking and reading skills to take a clever approach to American classics, turn [American fare] on its head and present it differently.

How else will the restaurant change?

We’re making some minor interior revisions. The restaurant itself is almost four years old and needed some TLC—like paint. No structural changes will be made, nothing that redefines the fundamentals of what’s already in place. I want to reiterate that the vibe has evolved. The staff has really shaped the personality; we’re here five to six nights a week. We enjoy working here and have a good time. SP

Rosebud (previously Food 101 Morningside) is located at 1397 North Highland Ave. For more information, call 404-347-9747.