Barry Mills and Richard Blais redefine “hot,” one dog at a time with new HD1 restaurant
Boasting a disposition as fresh as the fare itself, HD1 will open tonight for dinner, offering an approachably modern take on America’s most beloved sausage – the hot dog – in the heart of Atlanta’s Poncey-Highland neighborhood.
HD1 is an alternative dining destination for those who value thoughtfully curated, cutting-edge flavors for inquisitive palates in an unrefined space. “I want people to feel something familiar without HD1 defining the experience for them,” said owner Barry Mills.
HD1 Food
“Top Chef All-Stars” winner Richard Blais teams with Mills again to serve as HD1’s menu consultant, creating a menu that is chock-full of American and European favorites. Bringing this vision to life is executive chef Jared Lee Pyles, heading HD1’s kitchen for daily operation. Emphasizing unique flavor combinations and vintage dishes, these chefs fuse the frank into its own haute interpretation: from basic to bold, HD1’s dogs are dressed to impress. The house-ground meats and sausages are artfully seasoned and packed with high-quality proteins for top-notch taste: fennel sausage with San Marzano ketchup, fontina and grilled radicchio; Merguez lamb sausage with red currant compote and minted cucumber salad; or the classic hot dog with sauerkraut and HD mustard. House made, unique condiments and freshly baked artisan buns add a distinct level of local. “Creating a menu that connects with each diner is a personal goal and will ultimately keep the menu energetic with new offerings each time a guest returns,” said Blais. Late-night diners can have it their way with a build-your-own Kenturkey or classic hot dog topped with their choice of house-made condiments ranging from canned beer mustard to pepper Jack foam.
In addition to getting down and dirty with dogs, “other stuff” from the menu promises to entice, too, from brisket chili with cool ranch oyster crackers and waffled fries with ma-ploy sauce to hand-churned soft serve ice cream including bourbon and brown sugar. HD1’s full bar boasts a kitschy, cocktail list with an emphasis on craft bourbon and rum libations, along with ice-cold beer-by-the-can.
HD1 Chefs
Richard Blais is one of the country’s most innovative chefs and the winner of BRAVO’S season eight “Top Chef All-Stars.” In addition, he is a recipient of Gayot Guide’s “Top Five Rising Chefs of 2005,” and appeared on BRAVO’s “Top Chef: Chicago,” as well as on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef America.” He has been featured in various media outlets, including Sports Illustrated, the New York Times, Maxim magazine and Food & Wine magazine for his creative take on American food. Blais plays a significant role in the development of the menu at HD1 where his talent and expertise are the foundation of HD1’s menu concept.
Jared Lee Pyles fuses his background and creativity as executive chef at HD1. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Atlanta, Pyles has worked alongside top chefs Mike Isabella and Richard Blais at Atlanta restaurants Kyma, Home and Woodfire Grill. Pyles was among the opening team at the first FLIP burger boutique in Atlanta where he honed creative skills that helped lead to the conception of the menu for HD1.
HD1 Design
The talented design firm ai3 is the dream team behind the design concept and architecture of HD1. Designed as a modern beer garden, HD1 offers guests a comfortable space with an edgy vibe, where garage band grunge meets California cool. Rich woods, earth tones and metallic accents create a muted palette of color. Guests are greeted with inviting views of the dining room’s central focus, a row of communal tables with bench seating, lending a relaxed dining experience and easy conversation among diners. Flanked with cozy booths on one side and a full bar and counter service on the other, HD1’s clean lines and three-dimensional ceiling and wall accents generate an atmosphere of raw energy.
HD1
HD1 is located at 664 N. Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306 and can be reached at 404-815-1127. For more information, visit www.hd1restaurant.com. Follow HD1 on Facebook and Twitter.
