Philips Arena

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ATLANTA –- Philips Arena announced plans to add six popular, local restaurants when Atlanta’s best sports and live entertainment venue re-opens in October. Personally selected by Executive Chef Joe Schafer, the six award-winning restaurants augment the diverse dining options available to fans at the nearly-200 events and shows held annually.

Husband and wife team, Todd Tucker and Kandi Burruss-Tucker opened the first Old Lady Gang restaurant in Castleberry Hill in honor of Kandi’s mother and two aunts who shared their Southern recipes with the family. Known for its outstanding Soul Food and Southern cuisine, OLG has quickly won recognition, being honored by Open Table (2018 Diners Choice Award) and Taste of Soul (25 Best Atlanta Soul Food Restaurants). Burruss-Tucker, a star entertainer and native Atlantan, and her husband are long-time Hawks Season Ticket Members.

“My husband, Todd Tucker, and I came up with the concept of Old Lady Gang centered around the amazing recipes of my mother and aunts.  As a native Atlantan and season ticket member, I have seen the changes at the Hawks and we’re excited,” said Kandi Burruss-Tucker, Owner Old Lady Gang. “We are extremely proud to bring a little bit of Southern soul to Philips Arena.”   

Atlanta restaurateur Giovanni DiPalma brings his version of Italy inside Philips Arena. Starting with Antico Pizza on the Westside of Atlanta, DiPalma quickly expanded his restaurants and menu of traditional authentic Italian dishes into Little Italia featuring Antico, Gio’s Chicken Italiano &amp; Maccheroni and Caffè Antico.

“First of all, I’m a guy who came to Atlanta from New York 10 years ago with nothing and this city has been so good to me,” said DiPalma, Founder and President. “When sports teams ask me to do this, it’s an honor. I feel I owe it to the city of Atlanta; it’s been so good to me. That’s why I’m here. I want to be a part of it.”

Three-time GRAMMY award-winning artist Zac Brown, of Zac Brown Band, will open his next restaurant under the Southern Ground family of brands, Zac Brown's Social Club. The restaurant will be run by Southern Ground Executive Chef, Chef Rusty Hamlin, who has been cooking alongside Brown for over a decade and is the host of the renowned pre-concert dinner party, the "Eat &amp; Greet". Pulling inspiration for the restaurant from Zac's own style of southern living, Chef Rusty is designing a menu fit for Atlanta and in the tradition of southern cooking.

“We’re very excited to bring Zac Brown’s Social Club to our backyard and the heart of Atlanta, the new state-of-the-art arena. Our locally sourced, chef-driven, southern inspired menus are highlighting who we are as a family and organization,” said Chef Rusty Hamlin, Executive Chef, Zac Brown’s Social Club.

An Atlanta staple since 1982, J.R. Crickets is annually voted among the best wings in north Georgia. The wings are so revered that FX’s hit show “Atlanta” depicts a scene where its characters get emotional enjoying their signature item.

The 2017 Eater Atlanta Restaurant of the Year, B’s Cracklin’ Barbeque, brings its authentic Southern-style BBQ to the venue. With two locations, the first burned and then rebuilt in Savannah and the latest addition in Riverside in 2016, the restaurant has quickly become a destination for barbeque lovers.

With a promise of “Ice. Custard. Happiness.”, Rita’sItalian Ice adds a sweet dessert to the list of Arena offerings. The world’s largest Italian ice and Frozen Custard franchise with over 600 locations will have one of its fun-filled restaurants within the building.

For more information about the arena transformation or to book an appointment at the sales preview center, visit www.PhilipsArena.com/Transformation.

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Philips Arena Continues To Transform Food Experience With Addition of Six Popular, Local Restaurants

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Transformation Tuesday: Another Day Closer

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SEATTLE and ATLANTA –- Seattle-based design firm Hornall Anderson partnered with the Atlanta Hawks to bring the future of Atlanta to life in “The Preview,” an unprecedented sales center experience that opens this week to give potential suite and seat buyers a preview of the Philips Arena transformation. 

Beyond a simple renovation, the transformation promises to make the new Philips Arena Atlanta’s new hub for downtown nightlife, a place where “the lights never go out.” The Preview experience brings the vision to life in a big way, offering a multi-media journey into what a great night out in Atlanta will look and feel like once the world-class arena opens its doors this coming fall.

Full of interactive features and engaging, self-guided activities, the sales center offers a deep dive into how the new arena transcends the role of host for basketball games, concerts and events. Billed as the best sports and live entertainment venue in Atlanta with approximately 160 events and over 1.6 guests visiting annually, the arena and its transformation with the City of Atlanta recently won Rehab/Renovation Deal of the Year in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2018 Best in Atlanta Real Estate Awards.  

The Preview experience flows like an unforgettable night out, beginning in an inviting “green room”-like welcome area with a club lounge feel and curated wall full of iconic sports and music memorabilia to spark interest and conversation. A series of technology-powered main events follow—all choreographed and tailored to each visitor’s interests. From an inspiring video projected onto a curved theater wall that responds to guests’ movements, to a scale model inviting interaction and exploration of the new arena, there are many twists and turns to discover. The experience culminates in a relaxed conversation area inspired by the features and feel of the new arena suites, and the entertainment vibe, unique spirit and Southern charm of Atlanta itself.      

“Our objective was to create an experience with the Hawks that brought together cutting-edge technology, storytelling and physical space to excite, inspire and persuade visitors,” said Jeff Alpen, Hornall Anderson Managing Director. “The space is a beautiful combination of innovation, exploration and function and celebrates the uniqueness and vibrancy of Atlanta and its people.”  

Designed to build anticipation and reward curiosity, the sales center puts visitors in control of their experience, while empowering the Hawks’ salespeople with the tools needed to be responsive to their guests. 

“As a renovation of an existing building, we wanted the sales center to be a reflection of our approach to the building – and that’s to use new technologies to create immersive social experiences for our fan,” said Thad Sheely, Atlanta Hawks Chief Operating Officer. “That’s exactly what the Preview is – it feels more like a Disney ride than a sales center and is a true emotional and physical expression of what we strive to create in the reimagined Arena.” 

A further look into the design of the Atlanta Hawks Sales Center experience is available in Hornall Anderson’s case study.

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Hawks, Hornall Anderson Launch Preview Experience For Philips Arena Transformation

ATLANTA -- Preparing for the “Big Game” takes on a whole new meaning when Atlanta Hawks’ Executive Chef Joe Schafer debuts three unique menu items for the the March 8 Blake Shelton concert. Never before seen on the Philips Arena menu, Schafer has created a smoked deer brisket, braised elk osso bucco and roasted kangaroo loin for one night only. The renowned chef, who helmed the kitchen at Bacchanalia before joining the NBA team, has already garnered headlines for his daring spin on arena fare with cricket tacos.

A Coffee BBQ Smoked Red Cervena Deer Brisket Sandwich with Caramelized Onions and BBQ Mayo will be available throughout the arena at the following concession stands:  Burgers and Birds on the Upper Level, Chops in the Georgia’s Own Credit Union Club Level and Buds and Burgers on Hawk Walk. Served in a tongue-in-cheek camouflage wrap and selling for $13, there will be a limited number of sandwiches offered that night.

“Inspired by Shelton’s love of hunting, we decided to play around with some really interesting recipes for game meats—elk, venison, kangaroo—and we can’t wait for guests to taste what we’ve created,” said Schafer. “One of my goals as executive chef is to not only bring amazing quality and taste to our food, but to keep our in-house dining experience fresh and unpredictable. That’s all a part of having a great night out. Expect to see more themed menu options for future events.”

Those enjoying the show from the suite level will have the opportunity to order the full “Big Game Experience” from the catering menu.  The package includes:

o    Chips and Dipso    Chilled Asparagus Salado    Elk Osso Buccoo    Slow Smoked Cervena Red Deer Smoked Brisketo    Roasted Kangaroo Loin o    Root Vegetable Gratino    Parmesan Truffle Home Frieso    Pimento Cheese Spoon rolls

Schafer joined the Hawks’ organization just prior to the start of the 2017 -2018 season to lead the overall development of the dining experience, as part of its $192.5MM arena transformation.  In October he launched the exclusive Courtside Club, with his specially curated menus that are infused with his self-described style of “rustic Southern, refined with European techniques.”

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Hawks Executive Chef To Put Wild Game On Menu For Blake Shelton Concert

Watch All 124 Days of Philips Arena Construction in 97 Seconds

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LOOK: The New Hawks Bar and Courtside Club Are Stunning

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club has hired award-winning chef Joe Schafer as Executive Chef for Philips Arena. As Executive Chef, Schafer will use his vast culinary experience to impact all aspects of the food, dining and hospitality experience inside Philips Arena, including curating special event-specific menus for Hawks games and concerts in the soon-to-debut Courtside Club and signature Hawks Bar. 

The Georgia native previously served as executive chef at Bacchanalia, one of Atlanta’s Forbes Travel Guide 4-star restaurants, and Little Bacch, where he established himself as one of Atlanta’s premier chefs and redefined the culinary landscape in the city with his thoughtfully elegant menus. Prior to his work at Bacchanalia and Little Bacch, Schafer worked alongside Ford Fry at King + Duke, during which time he was named “ATL’s Hottest Chef” by Jezebel Magazine in July of 2013.

“I am beyond excited to bring my passion for food and Southern hospitality to Philips Arena,” Schafer said. “The opportunity to work for my hometown team and create an amazing culinary experience for the thousands of people that visit each week is a unique challenge that I am looking forward to tackling.”

With 22 years of culinary experience, Schafer has built a strong following with his self-described style of “rustic Southern, refined with European techniques.” His love of organic, locally-sourced foods and Southern cuisine is evident in his offerings.

“As our arena undergoes a transformation, it was vital to the fan experience that we also look to improve our food offerings. Fans want a complete experience when they buy a ticket to a game or a show and food is a significant complement to the entertainment,” Hawks CEO Steve Koonin said. “Joe’s world-class experience, attention to detail and ability to make simple dishes memorable will put dining at Philips Arena on-par with dining anywhere in Atlanta.”

Born in Griffin, Schafer trained at the Art Institute of Atlanta, where he graduated with honors in 2001.