“Timing is everything in life,” former Eno owner Doug Strickland told me minutes ago by phone. Strickland closed a deal August 5 for the sale of Eno and his wine shop Barrelman with Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia. Global Atlanta was reporting the story on its website yesterday.

“He (Pachulia) came into the restaurant several weeks ago to have dinner, then returned at least four times within five days,” Strickland explained. After a few more days, Strickland heard from a broker offering a “number that made me happy” for the sale of his restaurant.

Strickland and his wife opened the restaurant, which has a strong wine focus and one of the best — if not the best — under-$50 selections in the city in November of 1999. “It’s odd, because my children are starting school, and I was just beginning to wonder about getting out of the business to be able to spend more time with them,” Strickland told me.

Pachulia purchased the restaurant with the stipulation that the staff would remain, although according to Strickland, the new owner will be bringing in new management. So Top Chef Season 6 contender Eli Kirshtein will remain chef at the Midtown eatery for now. The Mediterranean concept will remain as well, and Strickland will remain on board as beverage consultant, though “small tweaks” are sure to be in the works.

“I’m looking forward to some time off,” the former owner said. “And then maybe I’ll venture into wine importing.”