Party report: Ludacris's Straits Restaurant Opens in Midtown

(Atlanta Restaurant News, Atlanta Dining and Food Events)

We sent assistant to the editor-in-chief/budding party reporter Ciara Walker to the opening of Ludacris’s new Midtown restaurant. Here’s her report:

Being a small-town girl from Mississippi, it’s not every day that I get to see A-list celebrities in an intimate setting. So you can imagine my surprise and delight when Jennifer asked me to attend last night’s grand opening of Straits, the new Midtown restaurant from hip-hop artist/actor Chris “Ludacris” Bridges (who lives in College Park) and chef Chris Yeo.

As I arrived and headed up the steps and onto the patio, I felt my butterflies began to flutter, but they quickly settled when I entered the restaurant and saw Chef Yeo, who greeted me with a hug. He really is as nice as he looks in his pictures. After meeting him, I continued to check out the scenery. The crowd was light, so I was able to admire the elegant and sophisticated setup. Straits was straight.

I headed back out on the patio, where I spotted Ludacris at the entrance below. There was a crowd, so I snapped a quick picture and headed back inside (where I knew he would be soon). Shortly after, I heard a rumble of parade-like music coming from outside and sure enough, it was Ludacris making his way in. Big media cameras followed him, but that didn't stop him from speaking to those who came out to support the restaurant's opening. One of his first stops was directly in front of me, so I composed myself and said hello. After our encounter, he continued on to the upstairs VIP lounge and I remained downstairs, mingling and just taking it all in. I came across a few more celebs and well-known Atlantans, such as actress Vivica Fox and V-103 DJs Frank Ski and Ryan Cameron.

As waiters and waitresses glided by with hors d’oeuvres, I hurried to take pictures before they were devoured. Partygoers sipped on champagne and cocktails such as the Red Head in Bed (vodka, lemon juice, and strawberries), and feasted on samples of Chef Yeo’s Singaporean cuisine, which included dishes like:

Kung Pao “Lollipops,” which actually look like lollipops and are quite popular as you can tell from the picture.

Crispy fried shrimp wontons served with sweet and sour sauce...

Vegetarian samosas served with chili-garlic dip...

Singapore spring rolls...

and pepper shrimp...

At the end of it all, I had to give myself a pat on the back. I’m a small-town girl at heart, but given the opportunity, I can run with the big dogs. —Ciara Walker

Straits Atlanta, 793 Juniper Street (at the corner of 5th Street and Juniper Street), 404-877-1283, straitsrestaurants.com