Food & Drink
New Restaurant Makes its ‘Stäge’ Debut with Focus on Fresh and Eclectic Menu
The first thing to know about Stäge Kitchen & Bar, a new Peachtree Parkway restaurant, is how to say its name.
It’s not “stage,” as in the place musicians perform (though the restaurant does have one of those on the patio). It’s pronounced “stahj” and it’s a culinary term for the classic way fine restaurants hire a chef — by making them whip up three dishes on the spot with no advance prep as part of the job interview. The name is the restaurant’s way of saying it’s out to prove the quality of its fresh, eclectic menu every day.
“So it’s kind of a play on, we’re always on stäge, [and] we’re always on stage,” says Raquel
Stalcup, the co-owner and director of operations.
Stalcup and Charlie Sunyapong, the executive chef and co-owner, have a local reputation for quality. They also run La Belle Vie Kitchen, a well-reviewed French American restaurant that opened nearly three years ago about 10 miles up the road in Suwanee.
Stäge opened in late July in the former Noble Fin restaurant spot at 5260 Peachtree Parkway, at the Peachtree Corners Circle intersection, in the same shopping center as Lidl. The eclectic menu includes steak, seafood, pasta, “global” tapas and “elevated” sushi.
“The biggest value we bring to the area is that variety in our menu,” said Stalcup during a recent interview at the restaurant. The feedback from customer reviews so far, she said, is that “there’s something for everyone” and the new regulars are eager to return to try the entire menu.
After just six weeks in business with a soft opening, Sunyapong had already changed the menu as part of a commitment to seasonal and fresh ingredients. As with La Belle Vie, he uses as many locally grown and locally made items as possible, such as fresh pasta from a Gwinnett manufacturer. “We just kind of try to support the community, support home-grown [food],” said Stalcup.
Stalcup and Sunyapong previously worked together in the Atlanta restaurant groups Buckhead Life and Here to Serve. Stalcup also worked at the Stoney River steakhouse here in Gwinnett, and Sunyapong at Marriott’s Marquis and Renaissance hotels in the big city. Stalcup says Stäge’s cuisine is a blend of all of those places as well as “just something that we thought was missing — someplace that we would want to go and dine out frequently, and we just did not find that anywhere in the area.”
Why Peachtree Corners? Stalcup says it came onto her radar as a restaurant spot because she lived in Johns Creek for 20 years and traveled through here to work at Gwinnett restaurants. She patronized Noble Fin, and she and Sunyapong know the owners of such area restaurants as Frankie’s and Mojitos.
Stalcup says she “just loved this area. It’s up-and-coming. It’s booming right now.”
Stäge’s makeover of the old Noble Fin space included expanding the bar from about nine seats to 30; adding a full sushi bar; and an expansion of the patio, still underway in mid-September, that will boost it from a few tables to around 80 seats. There are also two private rooms, one that can be fully closed off and the other with interior windows to retain a restaurant-floor vibe. As of mid-September, the patio was hosting live music on Fridays and Saturdays, including jazz and pop with vocalists or DJs, with hopes of expanding that entertainment to daily.
Noble Fin shuttered in June 2020 after a four-year run, citing the business impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Asked if COVID affected how Stäge was set up, Stalcup says, “Yes and no.”
She said La Belle Vie was able to weather the early pandemic with a closure of only about a month, so they knew business could be done. The pandemic’s uncertainty has been a factor; when they signed onto the Stäge space in December 2020, “we weren’t sure how long it was going to continue to affect us… [and] if there were going to be any more shutdowns,” said Stalcup. The pandemic was one reason for expanding the outdoor patio seating.
Another unpredictable factor is the waves of COVID and shifts in customer confidence and feelings of safety. “I’m the same way,” says Stalcup, who was among the first in line for vaccination as a caretaker for her parents. “So I got an early dose and then I felt pretty confident, and then obviously the other strains are getting scary again.”
Today, Stäge has some guests requesting the outdoor seating as a safety measure, and also offers the private rooms for those wanting more distancing and separation indoors. “So we’re still trying to accommodate that as much as we can,” she said.
The big pandemic impact for the restaurant, and the entire industry, has been staffing shortages. There are varying speculations and studies on the reasons, including restaurant workers not wanting to return due to safety concerns and governmental COVID relief payments, as well as finding higher-paying jobs outside the industry.
For Stäge, the staffing shortage has meant a slowdown on the game plan of operating for lunch and dinner seven days a week. As of mid-September, the restaurant was open for dinner only Wednesday through Sunday, with plans to ramp up to Tuesday nights and brunch hours on Saturdays and Sundays.
For the latest on hours, menus and more, see stagepeachtreecorners.com.
Nando’s PERi-PERi honors Nelson Mandela’s legacy by fighting food insecurity — one meal at a time
This Friday, July 18, Nando’s PERi-PERi — the South African restaurant brand known for its spicy flame-grilled chicken — is inviting guests across the U.S. to turn compassion into action by joining a nationwide food drive in honor of Nelson Mandela Day.
The reward? Good karma and complimentary flame-grilled chicken and chips (aka fries).
From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., all U.S. Nando’s locations, including the location in Dunwoody and the one that opened earlier this year at The Forum in Peachtree Corners, will offer a free ¼ chicken and PERi chips to guests who donate non-perishable food items.
About the cause
Nelson Mandela Day is a global celebration of the life, legacy and activism of South Africa’s beloved leader, Nelson Mandela. Each year on July 18 — Mandela’s birthday — individuals and organizations around the world are encouraged to devote 67 minutes to doing good, symbolizing the 67 years Mandela spent fighting for social justice, equality and human rights.
With deep South African roots and a mission to serve the neighborhoods that its restaurants call home, Nando’s is launching Nando’s Pantry Raid, a community-focused campaign to fight food insecurity in honor Mandela’s vision of unity and compassion.
By simply raiding your pantry for 67 seconds and bringing those non-perishable donations into Nando’s, guests can enjoy a flavorful meal while helping neighbors in need. All food donations collected will be distributed to local food banks and pantries to support families facing hunger.
In metro Atlanta, donations will go to PAWKids, a local nonprofit and community hub that supports Atlanta families with education, wellness and essential resources.
Nando’s Pantry Raid for Mandela Day details
- WHEN: Friday, July 18, 2025 | 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- WHAT: Get a free 1⁄4 chicken and PERi chips in exchange for a non-perishable food donation, which will go to PAWKids.
- WHERE: All Nando’s restaurants across the U.S.
- HOW: Bring in at least one non-perishable food item. Get rewarded with a hot, fresh meal — on Nando’s.
“All it takes is one small act of kindness,” said Sepanta Bagherpour, chief marketing officer at Nando’s PERi-PERi. “This Mandela Day, we encourage everyone to take just 67 seconds to do something good and leave with a full heart and a full plate.”
For more information visit nandosperiperi.com or follow @nandosusa on Instagram.
Our Opening Bites series showcases photo highlights from the newest restaurant launches, menu debuts and culinary happenings around town.
Sheesh Mediterranean
Open since January, Sheesh Mediterranean in Peachtree Corners is another fresh, chef-driven concept tucked into the Politan Row food hall at The Forum. Embracing healthy Mediterranean cooking with big, vibrant flavors, the menu features a colorful mix of mezze, sharable plates, fresh salads and signature meats.
Mezze offerings include classic dips such as hummus, smoky baba ghanoush and spicy muhammara (which can be ordered together as a trio). Highlights from the small plates menu are the loaded Sheesh fries (topped with cheese, onions, tzatziki and your choice of meats) and the popular shawarma eggrolls. And on the mains menu, diners have their choice of wraps, bowls, plates and platters — all customized with your picks of protein, toppings and sauces.
Meat-lovers will want to try the chicken shawarma or savory beef kofta entree — each prepared with aromatic spices and served alongside rice, vegetables or salads that highlight the essence of the region; while vegetarians will not be disappointed with the deliciously crispy, flash-fried falafel. Add harissa or green zhoug sauce for a spicy kick or keep it cool with the lemon and herb tahini or creamy tzatziki.
Ideal for communal dining in the stylish Politan Row setting, and perfect for fresh summer meals, Sheesh provides a delicious journey through authentic Mediterranean cuisine without leaving Peachtree Corners.
Food photos courtesy of Sheesh Mediterranean
Sheesh Mediterranean
5155 Peachtree Pkwy., Suite 455, Peachtree Corners, 30092 | sheeshatl.com
This Opening Bites restaurant spotlight can be found in the July/August issue of Peachtree Corners Magazine.
Opening Bites newsletter
Our Opening Bites newsletter premieres July 1, bringing the latest restaurant launches, menu debuts and beverage trends in and around our north metro Atlanta neighborhoods straight to your inbox.
From news and reviews to a look at food-focused events and must-try spots for cocktails, casual bites or memorable evenings, we’ll cover the places where your friends and neighbors are gathering next. Sign up here.
Explore Gwinnett celebrates a decade of culinary creativity with $10 chef-crafted burgers at 23 locally owned restaurants
Explore Gwinnett, the official tourism organization of Gwinnett County, is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its popular Gwinnett Burger Week. Making its anticipated return March 17–23, 2025, the event invites burger lovers to enjoy exclusive, chef-crafted creations for just $10 at 23 locally owned restaurants across the county.
“We are proud to celebrate a decade of Gwinnett Burger Week and the incredible talent of some of our very best local chefs,” said Lisa Anders, chief operating officer of Explore Gwinnett.
“What started as a way to highlight locally owned eateries has grown into a beloved tradition, and we cannot wait for the community to see what we have in store for them this year!”
Throughout the week, each of 23 participating restaurants will feature an exclusive, off-menu burger.
Peachtree Corners highlights include:
- “The Alma” at Marlow’s Tavern — a perfectly seasoned and grilled burger with salsa verde, pepper jack, fried jalapenos, avocado, tortilla strips, lettuce, tomato and onion on a buttered sesame brioche bun.
- “The Blue Flame” at LOL Burger Bar — a 5 oz. premium beef patty topped with homemade macaroni and cheese, pulled pork, blue cheese crumbles and the restaurant’s secret sauce to add a bit of spice.
- “Fired Up Burger” at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill — a wood-grilled burger, lettuce, tomato, pepper jack cheese, jalapeno bacon jam, fried onions and tangy mayo topped with fried pickles garnish.
- “K-BBQ Burger” at Stäge — an Angus beef smash burger with Korean BBQ glaze, roasted cheese corn, house-pickled veggies and gochujang mayo on a sesame brioche bun.
Gwinnett Burger Week digital pass
Back for its second year, the Gwinnett Burger Week Digital Pass encourages diners to check in at participating restaurants and earn points throughout the week, which are redeemable for prizes.
Each check-in is worth one point. Points can be redeemed for exclusive Gwinnett Burger Week merchandise from Explore Gwinnett, including restaurant gift cards, t-shirts, totes, sicker packs and a special edition 10th anniversary burger sticker designed by Lawrenceville-based artist Max Eve in celebration of this milestone.
Diners can also vote for their favorite burger by uploading an image of their receipt to the Gwinnett Burger Week website.
The Wall of Fame
Participants who track their dining experience at 10 or more restaurants throughout the week will be inducted into the Gwinnett Burger Week Wall of Fame with their photo published on Explore Gwinnett’s website.
“Our 10th anniversary milestone reflects the passion and creativity of Gwinnett County’s culinary community and the enthusiasm of all those who make this event a success year after year,” said Anders. “We can’t wait to indulge in the exclusive $10 burger creations ourselves, as we toast to 10 years of one of our favorite events!”
More details
To sign up for the Gwinnett Burger Week Pass, visit ExploreGwinnett.org/Gwinnett-Burger-Week/Burger-Week-Prize-Pass and provide the participant’s name, e-mail address and mobile phone number. A link will be sent to the participant’s phone, allowing them to access the pass and add the pass icon to their home screen.
For a full list of participating restaurants and limited-time burger offerings, visit exploregwinnett.org/gwinnett-burger-week.
Stay up-to-date on the latest Explore Gwinnett news by following @ExploreGwinnett on Instagram or ExploreGwinnett on Facebook. Diners are encouraged to share their experience on social media by using the hashtag #GwinnettBurgerWeek.
Curiosity Lab Welcomes New Partners & Collaborators to Peachtree Corners
New Exhibit Buzzes into Fernbank Museum
Digital Edition: July/August Peachtree Corners Magazine
Natural Wonder: A Stevie Wonder Tribute Will Play the VoxStage on July 12
Over 150 Runners Participate in PCOM Georgia Blaze 5K
From the Mayor: Let’s Get Growing – Welcoming the Peachtree Corners Garden Club
City of Peachtree Corners Extends Its International Reach
One Can for One Meal: Raid Your Pantry for Free Nando’s on July 18
One Can for One Meal: Raid Your Pantry for Free Nando’s on July 18
City of Peachtree Corners Extends Its International Reach
New Exhibit Buzzes into Fernbank Museum
Curiosity Lab Welcomes New Partners & Collaborators to Peachtree Corners
From the Mayor: Let’s Get Growing – Welcoming the Peachtree Corners Garden Club
Over 150 Runners Participate in PCOM Georgia Blaze 5K
Natural Wonder: A Stevie Wonder Tribute Will Play the VoxStage on July 12
Digital Edition: July/August Peachtree Corners Magazine
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