Pera Bistro on Collier is planning to expand into larger accommodations, according to a permit filed with the city of Atlanta.
“We’re trying to move into the next door, extending into a private room for private dinners,” owner Okan Ozyurteri confirmed by phone, listing off corporate events and birthday dinners as some events that might take advantage of the new private room. “This is the Midtown area so we have a lot of companies around here, they’re expecting to rent this space for business events.”
The new space is 2700 square feet and is specifically designed to cater to the needs of the individuals renting it out. This will include a small bar “to make things easier, so they don’t have to go to the main bar,” Ozyurteri said. The menu, too, will be slightly different — “We’re going to be doing different menus for their needs so they don’t have to pick from the regular menu.” — though they’re not sure exactly what those will look like yet.
According to the paperwork filed, the proposed construction would cost $30,000 and include removing walls, no structural work is anticipated.
Thankfully, regular diners don’t have to worry that construction will keep them away from Pera while work is being done. “This is completely separate area,” Ozyurteri confirmed. “This is the next door basically. It used to be an area rug store that is being closed, so we just took over. We’re connecting the two spaces, making a kind of bridge for going there, but we don’t have to close for business.”
That said, the timeline on opening the new space is still largely up in the air. “We’re still in the permitting process so it might take a few months, that depends on the city of Atlanta,” Ozyurteri laughed. “but we are working on it, our architects are working on it now.”
On their website, Pera Bistro describes their cuisine as “Mediterranean fare, including traditional mezzes & signature dishes, in a stylish & modern setting” and their cocktails as “playful” and “inventive.” They also call attention to their “one of a kind patio space,” which, thanks to the temperature control, can be used year-round.
Their prodigious menu has extensive offerings in charcuterie, hot and cold appetizers, pastas, and large plates, featuring classics like kebabs and lamb chops as well as fresh twists like baked ziti lobster mac&cheese.
Pera’s instagram pays particular attention to their nightlife features, including “House of Teddy” Hookah and signature cocktails like El Diablo and Smoked Double Oaked Old Fashioned.
“It’ll look very pretty,” Ozyurteri concluded of the new space. “All brand new decorations, new furniture, new floor, new walls — it’s going fantastic.”
