Frank Ski hosts party to promote his new restaurant
Frank Ski celebreated the opening of his restaurant in Buckhead Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com
Frank Ski, the V-103 morning host, is aware of the pitfalls of opening a restaurant. Among them: high start-up costs, staffing issues, competition in a lousy economy. He could lose a fortune.
But for ten years, he has been envisioning a restaurant/lounge under his own name. On Thursday night, he finally unveiled it in the space of the Original Mick’s restaurant on Peachtree Road. Tanya, his wife, said they’ve been prepping the space since February.
“It’s all about living out your dream,” he said. “It’s fruition of a dream.”
The party drew hundreds of friends and family, including former mayor Bill Campbell, Tamika Raymond (Usher’s ex) and Ray J, Brandy’s brother.
The restaurant/lounge opens on Monday, Sept. 19.
“It’s straight American and has my influence of places I’ve been all over, growing up in South Florida to living in New York to being in Baltimore,” Ski said in an interview Thursday night. “It has a little of all that put together.”
His favorite dishes on the menu: fried red snapper, seafood pot pie, short ribs and Baltimore crab cakes.
There are plenty of open spaces and couches during lounge hours, plus an outdoor area. As a wine connoisseur, he also created a wine room where people could socialize as well.
“People just want a drink and some appetizers. They don’t necessarily want a full meal,” he said. “We have to create that environment.” Frank Ski’s will be open for dinner and late night at first, and will open for lunch in a month.
Why did he pick this location? “We’re right on Peachtree. We have our own parking. We’ve got good visibility. It’s a great building.”
Ski also poached the general manager from the nearby Houston’s, James Johnson. Johnson said three keys to success he learned from seven years at Houston’s: consistency, efficiency and hospitality. Master those three and customers will come back, he said.
Tanya, his wife, said they are both foodies so she is supporting him 100% in this venture. They are in a lease-to-own arrangement with the landlord, she noted.
Frank Ski, his wife Tanya and minority partner DJ Tay Rock
Frank Ski with former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell. They've been friends for years.
Partygoers, including Evelyn Mims (2nd from left) and Lionel Moise (2nd from right) of 11 Alive.
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66 comments Add your comment
whybeyoself
September 19th, 2011
10:29 am
God Bless you, your wife and business partner as you go into this endeavor. Pay no attention to the haters, man they are off the chain!!!! Why is there so much hate amongst our people, when a brother or sister tries to do something for himself or herself?
belinda
September 19th, 2011
10:40 am
Great, GOD Bless and I will definitley be coming to enjoy good food and wine!! Love it when GOD allows HIS Blessings to be seen! People in Atlanta love to eat so I pray it is a very sucessful resturant!
Rodney
September 19th, 2011
1:46 pm
Hey, I wish him well and I hope he has enough influence in the day-to-day ops of the new resto to keep it going.
That said, my idea of “good food” (as so many of you have said you’re expecting to get there) is definitely not seafood pot pie, ribs, and crab cakes. I believe you can get exactly those same dishes at the 500 other chain restos around Atlanta, right? Or nearabouts the same?
Anyway – I’ll never darken the door there but I really do hope he does well.
Leslie from ATL
September 19th, 2011
10:41 pm
Congrats to Frank and Tanya on doing big things in the ATL! Much success to you and may God continue to bless you and crown your efforts with success! You always give back to the youth and the community and you deserve to reap the harvest!
Frank has a strong and supportive wife behind him making him better! I am empowered by Black Love!
Frankie Crocker
September 20th, 2011
4:31 am
Where’s that Jenika P. Thomas-Mukoro at? And her hubby, horse-trader Stan? Oh that’s right! THAT’s right! Watch your books and Just WATCH your dang money, Frank!
carla roqs
September 20th, 2011
8:26 am
ummmmm, no thanks. and rodney–love the pic you used of frank: he looks like uncle fester.
Such a lady
September 20th, 2011
8:34 am
@The Voice of Reason
The few times I’ve listened to V103, I’ve heard Frank do nothing but seek adoration. He does what is referred to as “fishing for compliments” incessantly.
@ That Guy
Thank you. I concur. I support excellent customer service and great food without regard to the ownership. I have no problems supporting black owned establishments. However, I shall not support an establishment simply because it is black owned. That is asinine.
@Beefpatty!
Sweetheart, please seek remedial grammar lessons before you continue your entrepreneurial endeavors. I’m certain it would enrich your life and augment the opportunities available to you. You should have written “eaten” instead of “ate” following the helping verb have. Also, in your first comment you should have typed “so many haters” instead of “so much haters”. First graders confuse much and many with great frequency. Use many for things that can be counted; use much for things that are measured. Further, this isn’t about hate or disdain for locally owned ventures. This is a love of excellence. No one should feel obligated to support a mediocre restaurant simply because it is minority or locally owned.
I applaud Frank Ski for starting a business. I hope he is better at this than he is at hosting the morning radio program. His long pauses and excessively detailed anecdotes induce nausea. I’ve watched the restaurant remodel as I patronize a nearby establishment. He should really dedicate resources to resurfacing the parking lot especially when he has the gall to reference it during his interview. It is has rough as the streets around the tech area and quite small. Perhaps the food will compensate for this.
Such a lady
September 20th, 2011
8:37 am
My error. It is as rough.
Frankie Crocker
September 20th, 2011
10:36 am
@Such a Lady:
Your grammar lesson is off the chain! But what’s all that got to do with the quality/price of fried red snapper, seafood pot pie, short ribs and Baltimore crab cakes at Frank’s place? Man, I can feel my arteries hardening already!
NativeATLien
September 21st, 2011
1:04 pm
In his classic narcissistic behavior, he named the restaurant after himself. SMH…Why am I not surprised…
Anyway, I certainly wish him success in this tough economy. It’s rough out here and I don’t like to see anyone’s “dreams” tank…whether I like you or not.
Houstons Bartender
September 21st, 2011
10:28 pm
The general manger from houstons is a thief as well. He talks a good game but his fingers are slippery. Check his references Frank! He will drink up your bar, pocket money, and seduce your male servers.
Jonathon G. Eberhart
September 23rd, 2011
6:10 pm
Frank Ski I will check you out. Good luck and God bless you and the family.
WeezieChefBaby!!!
September 24th, 2011
7:03 am
Enter your comments here
WeezieChefBaby!!!
September 24th, 2011
7:18 am
WOAH THERE , Isn’t this awesome one more Hater to divide a positive Man with a powerful message to you most of all,haters you better unite. Our time is NOW. How can there be any Hate when this is for the LOVE!!!!
Glad 2 have u
September 25th, 2011
12:08 am
Those who can’t do talk ‘ish’. Creating jobs, helping to market your city to guests and residents. And some people just will not give a successful Black Man congrats for what he does. But I’m sure the business will still welcome your patronage because he has style and enough business saavy to hope you’ll find the place a plus to the city in economic times like this.
Hated it
September 25th, 2011
10:00 pm
Ok, so I’ve tried it folks, I promise you I have. And, not once but twice. I was invited to the family and friends event and decided to patronize the establishment on my own for the grand opening. Smoke and mirrors was all I got. I was welcomed to Frank Ski’s a million times over as I walked through the restaurant, patio and VIP room. The tray passed food was inconsistent, over cooked, dry and just not good. Waited forever for my white wine from the bar so I set out to find the bar’s manager. I was told he had left. In disbelief I asked for the next in command and was told she was bartending and would be with me shortly. Needless to say she never came. I understand growing pains but come on people we deserve better than this. Some of you may say “well just don’t go there” and to you I say “trust and believe” I won’t be going back. However I still wish Frank and partners the best of luck.