Blue Willow, a restaurant serving Hunan cuisine based in Midtown Manhattan, is planning a location in Atlanta. The spot will open later this year in a 3,600-square-foot space in Inman Quarter, marking the first location for the brand in the Southeast, according to a release.
“Bringing a concept to Atlanta has been on our minds for a while, and for me it’s personal. I spent much of my childhood in the city after immigrating from China, and those years have stayed with me. Coming back now – not just to visit, but to open Blue Willow’s first location outside of New York – feels like a full-circle moment,” Vincent Lin, founder of Blue Willow, said in the release. “Atlanta’s food scene has grown into something truly special, and Inman Quarter felt like the perfect place for us to expand. We’re excited to share our Chinese roots through an elevated space with subtle Chinese elements, and most importantly, the authentic flavors and family recipes we grew up with.”
Founded in New York City in 2020, Blue Willow offers regional Chinese-inspired dishes in an interior inspired by the golden era of 1920s Old Shanghai. The menu incorporates spices found in Hunan cuisine, drawing upon family recipes. Menu offerings include hand-pulled noodles, wok-charred vegetables, dim sum, soups, fried rice, bone-in ginger chicken, roasted Peking duck and Chairman Mao’s Red-Braised Pork — a slow-simmered roasted pork belly with spring onion, red peppers, baby bok choy and star anise. The bar serves Baijiu-infused cocktails and tea-driven spirits as well as beer and wine.
The spot will join other spots including Beetlecat, Little Spirit, MF Sushi and VinoTeca. Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza is also on the way to the development.
“Atlanta has a diverse and ever-evolving dining scene, and we’re committed to bringing chef-driven concepts to Inman Quarter that add something truly distinctive to the city,” Adam Schwegman, head of retail leasing at Jamestown, said in the release. “Blue Willow’s approach to regional Chinese cuisine makes it a natural addition to the vibrant lineup of dining experiences at the property.”
