New Israeli Restaurant, Rina, Opening Next Month On BeltLine

ATLANTA, GA — A new restaurant will open Jan. 13, 2020. Rina is Oliva Restaurants’ newest concept, an Israeli eatery that will serve casual, fresh and bright plates. It’ll be nestled in the Ford Factory Lofts, across the Beltline from Ponce City Market, according to a news release.

Oliva Restaurants is a collection of restaurants in Atlanta.

Executive Chef Brandon Hughes oversees all of Oliva Restaurants’ ventures (Bellina Alimentari, Aziza, Falafel Nation), and is expanding his culinary creativity even further with Rina. Inspired by traditional skewer houses (or shipudiya) in Israel, the menu will feature classic Middle Eastern dishes such as pita sandwiches, skewers, seasonal mezze, hummus, salads, Israeli-inspired milkshakes, and more.

“Rina” is named after restaurant owner Tal Postelnik Baum’s grandmother to pay tribute to the woman who instilled a passion for cooking in Baum. The new restaurant follows in the footsteps of her other recent Israeli concepts, Aziza and Falafel Nation, at Westside Provisions District.

“I wanted to expose Atlanta to the fun, lively, delicious part of my culture that is not always the focal point,” said Baum. “I want everybody to know what a magical and beautiful place Israel is and share the recipes that were first served at my family’s falafel stand in Israel in the 1950’s. It means so much to me to continue to expand the flavors of this city and be a part of this Atlanta’s tremendous restaurant scene.”

Hughes said that Israeli culture and cuisine still excites and inspires him, adding that he’s eager to share Rina’s menu with diners.

“I can’t wait to share this concept with Atlantans,” said Hughes. “This concept takes more traditional Israeli food offerings, and brings things up a notch, adding in an element of fun and color.”

A drink menu will compliment the food dishes. There will be frozen drinks, draft cocktails, boozy milkshakes, and house-made sodas behind the restaurant’s large bar. Demario Wallace, who oversees the bar program at both Aziza and Rina, utilizes Middle Eastern flavors in the beverages. The menu will include authentic ingredients such as harissa, tahini, turmeric and tamarind.

Renowned Atlanta-based designer, Smith Hanes designed the relaxed and family-friendly 2,700 square-foot space which includes an inviting outdoor patio with BeltLine access. Incorporating bright and airy colors, traditional Israeli textures, and ample natural light from the large windows, the welcoming and energetic setting represents a piece of Baum’s childhood. Translating to ‘joy’ in Hebrew, that is exactly what Baum wants customers to feel once they step foot into Rina and have a taste of the cuisine.

Born and raised in Israel with many years spent in Italy, Baum says she found the inspiration for her first Atlanta restaurant, Bellina Alimentari, an award-winning Italian market and wine bar located in Ponce City Market. The 2018 Restaurateur of the Year Award nominee always reaches back to her Israeli roots. Aziza serves modern Israeli cuisine in a lively and energetic setting at Westside Provisions District. Falafel Nation is a quick bite of middle Eastern street foods and now Rina.

Follow along with Rina at rinakitchen.com and on Facebook and Instagram.