Atlanta’s Auburn Angel Speaks Its History

When Asa Fain opened Auburn Angel within a 1949-built property, he discovered it requires grit and patience. Fain didn’t seek out a historic building, but he saw potential in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood (which is also the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr.) and appreciated the building’s location within it. The building had always housed a restaurant, and a smoke pit from its resident in the 1960s remains outside. “I feel like over time we can continue to be a catalyst in our neighborhood and see the growth that I think everybody wants down there,” says Fain. He was prepared for the work that comes with renovating a restaurant, but this one came with added layers; all of the design changes had to be approved by the Urban Design Commission. Working with his partner, Chef Robbie Pacheco, and interior designer Patti Krohngold, Fain created a contemporary space interwoven with character where guests can feast on Pacheco’s globally-inspired dishes (like a lamb burger with ramp aïoli and stewed red cabbage).

The original exposed concrete block wall stands on both sides of the building and adds a patina to the otherwise modern space. “I figured let’s let the building speak its history,” he says.

Krohngold applied Dovetail gray by Sherwin-Williams to the lower level’s accent wall, adding a calming contrast to the bold colors.

Krohngold installed modern linear Sputnik chandeliers by Durrah ($679 each) to hang above the banquettes.    

Fain designed custom banquettes, built by Torched Woodworking, to fit the 60-seat dining room. Krohngold opted for chartreuse vinyl in an embossed crocodile print by Novatex.

Fain chose Qube’s hexagonal porcelain tile with a marble look ($10.99 per square foot). Installing it presented a challenge as the floor slopes up towards the bar. “I call my tile guy the ‘tile-bender,’” he says.

The turquoise chairs on the upper level were sourced from a hotel liquidation sale in Mableton, Ga. for $35 each.

The front of the bar is outfitted in durable, pre-finished wall panels by Outwater ($200 each). The bar’s surface is River White granite, because, says Fain, “marble doesn’t hold up well to the acids in a commercial space.”

Pacheco works with Chef Tableware in Atlanta to source unique dishes for the restaurant—most of which are earthenware from potters in Japan.