Get details on the newest restaurants open at Alpharetta City Center

Citizen Soul, Chiringa offer American pub fare, ‘elevated beach food’
The exterior of Chiringa at Alpharetta City Center

The exterior of Chiringa at Alpharetta City Center

Alpharetta City Center, a 26-acre mixed use district in the heart of Alpharetta's downtown historic district, is taking shape with the opening of two more restaurants. 

Citizen Soul, a neighborhood restaurant serving modern American pub fare and specializing in artisanal cocktails, wine and craft beer, opened this week.

“Citizen Soul is approachable, fun and a place where business professionals and families alike can enjoy classic snacks and entrees prepared in a unique, modern style,” said owner Philip Cooper in a press release. Cooper also owns Vin25 in downtown Roswell.

Citizen Soul is located in the Workshop building, which was designed in honor of Hard Bailey, an African-American blacksmith who lived and worked on the land at the turn of the century. The restaurant also offers patio seating.

Citizen Soul, which also offers patio seating, was inspired by Cooper’s travels in northern California and the Pacific Northwest.

Chiringa is now open in one of the two "jewelbox" buildings located on Alpharetta City Center's Town Green. Chiringa, which means kite in Spanish, "draws its inspiration from beaches across the world with dishes featuring fresh seafood, organic or grass-fed meats, and cocktails made with juice squeezed in-house," according to a press release.

The menu features items including fish and shrimp tacos, salads and sandwiches and gluten-free fried shrimp, oysters and chicken.

“Chiringa symbolizes the bright, airy feeling of a summer day with friends and family,” said owner Andy McKoski, who also owns similar concept Chiringo in Florida and previously owned Tex-Mex chain Tin Lizzy’s Cantina. “It is also the inspiration for our motto, ‘Eat well, fly high.’”

The restaurant offers counter service and seating for 100 customers, including patio seating.

In addition, superfood chain Vitality Bowls opened this month in the area of the development known as

The District, and Restaurant Holmes opened over the summer in the main restaurant area known as The Gardens.

The Gardens features individual buildings scattered through three city blocks of parks and greenspace. It will eventually include 11 restaurants, all with outdoor dining patios, porches, rooftop or gardens. Still set to open are SHADE Street Food and Bar, Never Enough Thyme, Jinya Ramen Bar, Lapeer, Botiwalla and Highland Bakery.

Leases are also expected to be signed for the project's three other restaurant buildings, with well-known concepts expanding from Virginia Highlands and Las Vegas. The other restaurant is a new concept, envisioned specifically for its location on Market Street Park.

Alpharetta City Center opened its new City Hall, a new Fulton County Library, the five-acre Brook Street Park, the one-acre Town Green, and the 445-car parking deck in January of 2015.

Citizen Soul. 60 South Main St., Alpharetta. 678-317-3232; citizensoul.com

Chiringa. 34 S. Main St, Alpharetta. chiringa.com

Vitality Bowls Superfood Café. 364 Commerce St., Alpharetta. 770-680-2519, vitalitybowls.com/

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