Published: Tuesday - January 22, 2008
Words by Allen Starbury
Ludacris (Photo: Def Jam)
Rapper Ludacris recently revealed plans to launch an upscale restaurant in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. What's on the menu you ask? Singaporean cuisine.
The restaurant, which is called Straits Atlanta and is expected to open in April 2008, will be the fourth in a chain that was started by Chef Chris Yeo, who already owns three others in San Francisco, San Jose and Burlingame, California.
While Straits offers a modern twist on Singaporean cuisine, which is a combination of Thai, Indonesian, Chinese, Malay, Indian and Nonya cooking, its Atlanta location will incorporate local ingredients to help appeal to what will be new clients.
"I love Atlanta's charm, architecture, food and, most of all, the people," said Yeo of his decision to bring his Straits chain to Atlanta. "Chris Bridges' (Ludacris) commitment to his community and his family sealed the deal for me. This market is ideal for Straits and likewise Straits is perfect for the city."
The $2.7 million Atlanta restaurant will open in Midtown Atlanta, in a building purchased by Ludacris nearly one year ago. He has, to date, invested nearly $1 million into the renovation of the building.
"During my travels, I've experienced some of the most diverse international culinary flavors in the world," said Ludacris. "After experiencing Yeo's modern spin on Singaporean cuisine combined with the sexy dining experience, I wanted to bring this restaurant home to Atlanta."
The pair also have plans to open two more restaurants following this first partnership, which will also be located in Atlanta as well.
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