CentraArchy Restaurants Express Gratitude to Armed Forces

Atlanta (Oct. 2, 2024) – Local restaurants are honoring the hard work and sacrifices of U.S. military with a special discount on Veterans Day.

At all 14 CentraArchy Restaurants, on Nov. 11, any U.S. veteran or active-duty member of the armed forces with I.D. is invited to enjoy any entrée from the full menu at half price.

“We greatly appreciate our veterans and active U.S. military personnel for their service to our nation and in our local communities,” said CentraArchy Restaurants CEO Vince Van Brunt. “We invite veterans and active-duty military to enjoy our regular menu entrées including our fresh seafood, aged steaks and other popular items at half price on Nov. 11.”

Honored guests are encouraged to book reservations online in advance and bring a valid military I.D. or proof of military service to enjoy half-off any entrée from the restaurant’s regular dinner menu. The special half price offer is valid for dine-in only.

All CentraArchy Restaurants are participating. For more information and to make a reservation, please click here > or call your preferred location.

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Over $255,000 for Breast Cancer Support Raised by Dining Guests During Last 13 Years

Atlanta (Sept. 20, 2024) – For the 14th consecutive year, in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, CentraArchy Restaurants continues its annual “Pink Kiss for the Cure” campaign throughout October. All CentraArchy Restaurants are offering their limited-edition Pink Kiss martini with 50 percent of the sales going directly to breast cancer research and care.

“Hundreds of our guests generously helped raise over $255,000 for the Pink Kiss for the Cure campaign during its initial 13 years,” said CentraArchy CEO Vince Van Brunt. “This is an important tradition for all seven of our restaurant brands at 14 locations across the Southeast—we hope to make our 14th year another success.”

To participate, guests simply order the “Pink Kiss” at any CentraArchy Restaurant, including California Dreaming (Augusta, Ga., Charleston, S.C., Columbia, S.C., Greenville, S.C., Spanish Fort, Ala., and Surfside Beach, S.C.), Carolina Roadhouse (Myrtle Beach, S.C.), Chophouse ’47 (Greenville, S.C.), Chophouse New Orleans, Gulfstream Café (Garden City, S.C.), Joey D’s Oak Room (Atlanta) or New York Prime (Atlanta, Boca Raton, Fla. and Myrtle Beach, S.C.).

As in 2022 and 2023, this year’s Pink Kiss campaign contributions will go to the national nonprofit Living Beyond Breast Cancer, an organization on mission for over 30 years to provide trusted information and a community of support to those impacted by the disease, offering on-demand emotional, practical and evidence-based content that is meaningful to those newly diagnosed, in-treatment, post-treatment and living with metastatic disease.

CentraArchy dining guests are encouraged to share their photo-worthy Pink Kiss images on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #PinkKiss. For more information about CentraArchy Restaurants, visit CentraArchy.com.

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Columbia, SC — June 25, 2024 — California Dreaming, an iconic fixture in Columbia’s dining scene, is thrilled to announce its 40th anniversary. Located in the heart of historic Union Station, the restaurant has been serving exceptional food and unforgettable dining experiences since 1984, with a focus on fresh ingredients and made-from-scratch recipes.

For four decades, California Dreaming has been a beloved destination in Columbia, celebrated for its welcoming atmosphere, house-made food, and friendly service, perfect for any occasion. The restaurant’s menu, offering a mix of American classics and original dishes, has consistently delighted guests, making it a favorite dining destination for locals and visitors alike. Signature items such as the namesake California Dreaming Salad paired with honey-butter croissants, thick-cut steaks, and hearty seafood dishes have become staples that keep guests coming back.

“We are incredibly grateful to our loyal guests and dedicated staff who have made these 40 years possible,” said Karen Hall of California Dreaming, Columbia. “Our journey from opening day to becoming a cherished part of the community has been remarkable. We look forward to many more years of serving the Columbia community with the same passion and commitment that has brought us here today.”

Honoring the restaurant’s vibrant atmosphere, the signature frozen drink, “Cali Crush,” will be featured on the menu all summer long, offering a refreshing toast to four decades of excellence. As California Dreaming celebrates this milestone, the restaurant invites guests to share pictures and stories from the past on social media.

A Rich History at Union Station

California Dreaming is housed in the historic Union Station, a landmark that dates back to 1902. Originally built as a passenger station for the Southern Railway, the building has a storied past, having played a significant role in Columbia’s transportation history. The station’s architectural beauty, characterized by its grand façade and intricate details, provides a unique and charming backdrop for the restaurant’s contemporary dining experience.

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Thank you Post & Courier for featuring us in your roundup of “Where to Go for Spritz Cocktails in #Columbia“.

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Thank you Town & Country and our guest, Michael Campbell, for including us in your story about “Where to Dine in #MyrtleBeach, According to Locals”.

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“10 Best Fall Foliage Destinations to Avoid the Crowds”

Men’s Journal, October 2023

Greenville, South Carolina

The biggest sport these days in town is wining and dining. Surf and turfers will gravitate to Chophouse ’47

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Here’s to celebrating 35 years, Charleston!🎉

We’ve thrived in every way thanks to you, our community of loyal guests and dedicated staff. We’re proud to be a local favorite and can’t wait for you all to join in our milestone anniversary by trying our new seasonal cocktails, ordering your favorites dishes, and giving a hello to our team. Thank you for allowing us to serve you.

Thank you so much for the recognition, Bumble x OpenTable. We look forward to celebrating with you all soon, including the holiday season.

To read more: https://www.opentable.com/…/100-best-spots-business…/us

Here’s to celebrating 35 years, Charleston!🎉

Just a little note to wish our guests past, present, and future a BIG thank you. Our community makes us who we are, and we’ve thrived in every way thanks to our loyal guests and dedicated staff. We’re proud to be a local favorite and can’t wait to hang out with you for plenty more decades to come. Thank you for allowing us to serve you.

Here’s to celebrating 25 years, #Augusta! 🎉

We’ve thrived in every way thanks to you, our community of loyal guests and dedicated staff. We’re proud to be a local favorite and can’t wait for you all to join in our milestone anniversary by trying our new spring cocktails, ordering your favorites dishes, and giving a hello to our team. Thank you for allowing us to serve you.

Atlanta Magazine
December 2021

“Best Power Lunch”
Joey D’s Oak Room in Dunwoody sets the tone for a power lunch with a bar so impressive it requires the use of a built-in ladder. Dress to impress and enjoy charbroiled oysters, Kansas City strip steak and warm croissants in an elegant setting

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Join us as we support the Haitian earthquake relief efforts with a limited-edition Pineapple Rum cocktail where 50% of the sales benefit World Central Kitchen. Our Pineapple Rum cocktail 🍹 will be available through September 1.

World Central Kitchen’s mission is to bring fresh meals on the ground. Help Us Help Haiti.

From the Menu Of… Joey D’s, New Orleans Spicy Shrimp

AJC, March 4, 2021
By C.W. Cameron

The sauce that comes with the New Orleans barbecue shrimp appetizer at Joey D’s Oak Room is absolutely divine. It includes a mixture of spices with a smoky taste to it. I would love to have the recipe for that dipping sauce! It would pair well with other fish recipes as well. — Viviana Fernandez, Sandy Springs

This spicy shrimp appetizer has been on the menu at Joey D’s Oak Room since the restaurant opened more than 30 years ago. It’s a classic New Orleans preparation that is messy to eat but worth the mess. This is the first time the restaurant has been willing to share this recipe, so we’re glad to be able to feature it.

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Top 25 Bites

Jezebel Magazine
February, 2020

Joey D’s Oak Room

“Celebrating 30 years, this high energy restaurant, with IG-worthy bar, is a classic that still glows. Start your meal with New Orleans BBQ shrimp, messy but worth it.”

New York Prime, Atlanta

“This USDA prime-only steak joint remains a top pick for the A’s elite. Their noteworthy seafood platter, with overflowing crustaceans, is to be filed under ‘appetizer of our dreams’.”

The Top 10 Restaurants in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Carolina Roadhouse

The Culture Trip
January 2021

Carolina Roadhouse makes food fun with its generous portion sizes, comfort food dishes, and creative drinks menu. Its speciality dish is the ‘Killer Dog,’ a grilled foot-long hotdog piled high with French fries, homemade chili and cheese. The decor is similarly exuberant, and the open kitchen allows diners a peek behind the scenes. The main feature is the wraparound bar, and numerous tables clustered around a towering palm tree.

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Tulane University, Freeman News

October 2020

After graduating from Tulane University, Jerry Greenbaum (BBA ’62) grew the modest liquor store founded by his father into a family of successful hospitality businesses including a chain of beverage alcohol superstores and more than a dozen upscale casual restaurants across the Southeast.

Along the way, Greenbaum and his wife, the former Barbara Axelrod (NC ’63), also became two of Tulane’s most dedicated supporters. A past chair of the Freeman Business School Council, Greenbaum joined the Board of Tulane in 2011 and provided leadership and funding for major projects including the Goldring/Woldenberg Business Complex, the Barbara Greenbaum Residence Hall, Yulman Stadium and the Freeman School’s new online graduate program in Entrepreneurial Hospitality.

On Friday, Oct. 16, Tulane paid tribute to the Greenbaums’ lifetime of support by naming the new program in their honor. The Greenbaum Family Program in Entrepreneurial Hospitality will apply the joint lenses of entrepreneurship and hospitality to focus on the business principles needed to deliver an exceptional customer experience. The centerpiece of the program is the Entrepreneurial Hospitality specialization within the Master of Management program, which will welcome its first student cohort in January 2021 as the Freeman School’s first online graduate degree program.

“The creation of this program couldn’t come at a better time, at a better place and couldn’t have a better name — the Greenbaum Family Program in Entrepreneurial Hospitality,” said Tulane President Mike Fitts during a virtual meeting of the Business School Council. “New Orleans is a center of hospitality, Tulane is a center of entrepreneurship and the Greenbaums are highly successful entrepreneurs and models of hospitality.”

“Jerry Greenbaum was the inspiration for this program,” added Freeman School Dean Ira Solomon. “He provided the original key insights on the intersection of hospitality and entrepreneurship that drove the creation of this program. Quite simply, it could not have existed without Jerry and Barbara’s advice and counsel.”

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Charleston’s Choice
The Post and Courier, 9/2020

Best Salad | California Dreaming, Charleston

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Over $165,000 raised over last nine years by guests for breast cancer research and care.  

Atlanta, Ga. (October 6, 2020) – In recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, CentraArchy Restaurants continues its tenth annual “Pink Kiss for the Cure” campaign throughout October. All restaurants are offering their limited edition Pink Kiss martini with 50 percent of the sales going directly to breast cancer research and care.

“Unfortunately, cancer doesn’t take a break during global pandemics and access to care is more important than ever,” said CentraArchy CEO Vince Van Brunt. “While our tenth anniversary celebrations may be smaller this year, they will be held with the same hope in our hearts. We want to express our gratitude to the thousands of guests over the years who have helped raise over $165,000 for the Pink Kiss for the Cure campaign.”

To participate, guests simply order the “Pink Kiss” at any CentraArchy Restaurant (New York Prime, California Dreaming, Chophouse New Orleans, Carolina Roadhouse, Joey D’s Oak Room, Chophouse ’47 or Gulfstream Café).

This year’s Pink Kiss campaign contributions will go to the Susan G. Komen organization—specifically to fund breast cancer research and mammogram costs for the underserved locally.

Guests are encouraged to share their photo-worthy images on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #PinkKiss.

For more information about CentraArchy Restaurants, visit www.centraarchy.com.

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From the Menu Of… New York Prime Crab Cakes

AJC, August 12, 2020
By C.W. Cameron

The crab cake at New York Prime is amazing. Big lumps of crab, no bready filling, they were just right for this crab lover. What’s their secret? — Deborah Shupert, Atlanta

You can enjoy an amazing steak at New York Prime, but we are betting there are many who go just to enjoy the crab cakes. Chef Robert Kinsella says, “The preparation and minimal ingredients are meant to showcase the crab. Start with quality crab meat and the final product will be a winner.”

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We’re proud to be back serving our community for dine-in service and to go after months of quarantine.

We remain committed to ensuring a healthy environment for our guests and team. With strengthened sanitizing measures, safety practices that exceed GA, SC, AL, LA and CDC standards, social distancing, single-use menus and / or sanitized plastic-sleeved menus and more. We will continue to be proactive and appreciate your support. Read more on what we’re doing below.

We’re Open: California Dreaming, Carolina Roadhouse, Chophouse ’47, Chophouse New Orleans, Gulfstream Cafe, Joey D’s Oak Room, and New York Prime.

To our guests,
Unfortunately, our April 6th goal of re-opening has passed. The impact of the COVID-19 is difficult to process as we navigate the uncertainty of the situation on a daily basis. Our people are the heart of CentraArchy, and through this period, we are committed to doing right by our teams, guests and communities. CentraArchy remains committed to preventing the spread of the virus and keeping our families safe. Our goal is to re-open our restaurants very soon.

We will continue to monitor the situation daily and make the best decisions we can for our staff and communities. We look forward to the day we can get back to business and do what we do best – serving our guests and providing for our families.

Please take care of yourself and each other!
The entire CentraArchy team

We will not be re-opening on April 6. A new date is forthcoming.

March 12, 2020 | COVID-19 / coronavirus

At all CentraArchy Restaurants, we’ve taken additional steps to ensure a healthy environment for our guests and team. In an abundance of caution, we have strengthened our sanitizing measures and safety practices.

• We follow federal and state guidelines on all health and safety issues and are taking guidance from the CDC and our local health authorities if any additional measures need to be taken.
• We understand, from the CDC, that the virus cannot be transferred through food; only from person to person.
• We always follow the stringent Department of Public Health regulations in our restaurants every day and will continue to do so, from S.H.O.W.T.I.M.E. procedures, to food safety, to not allowing employees to come to work should they feel sick.

Thank you for putting your trust in us, we look forward to serving you soon.

As of March 16, 2020, Chophouse ’47 is an entirely non-smoking restaurant & bar

Dish of the Week, New Orleans Spicy Shrimp

AJC, February 2020
By Henri Hollis

Dunwoody spot’s shrimp are messy, but worth it

The menu at Joey D’s describes the New Orleans spicy shrimp as, “a mess to eat, but worth it!” It’s hard to disagree with that assessment, although it doesn’t do justice to the degree of messiness you’ll experience when you come face to face with this bowlful of crustaceans. And, you will be face to face, because these large, beautiful shrimp are served with heads and shells intact.

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Photo: contributed by Henri Hollis

As of January 2, 2020, New York Prime, Atlanta is an entirely non-smoking restaurant & bar

HUGE thank you to our guests and staff for supporting our relief effort for the Bahamas. In partnership with Privaira Air, a group of aircrafts/helicopters are flying a reconnaissance mission with all the supplies September 19.

Free Times, August 2019

Best Salad, 19 years running
California Dreaming | Columbia

“A salad bigger than your face, piled high with cheese, meat and bacon-tinged dressing, plus a honey croissant on the side? It’s what keeps California Dreaming’s signature salad at the top of the list for Columbia dwellers who are trying to pretend they’re being healthy and getting their greens.”

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City Paper, 8/2018

Best Salad – 9 Years Running | California Dreaming, Charleston

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CNBC, 7/2018

Travelers are picking their vacations with their appetite.

Myrtle Beach, SC | Carolina Roadhouse’s “BBQ”

A two-hour drive from Charleston, South Carolina, the town of Myrtle Beach is a seaside resort town known for great beaches, recreation sports like golf and an excellent food scene. Visitors can find an array of seafood restaurants with just-caught fish and fresh-shucked oysters. Seek out raw bars, barbecue joints (like Carolina Roadhouse with its famous “fall-off-the-bone” ribs), pancake houses and casual spots.

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SPG Weekend Channel, 9/2017

No trip to the South is complete without experiencing the food. Local favorites might change from one region to the next but all Southern food has one thing in common: It’s delicious! Explore these eight dishes for a true taste of the Carolinas.

Myrtle Beach, SC | Carolina Roadhouse’s “Killer Dog”

A hot dog and chili fries go together like sand and surf. Carolina Roadhouse serves up a foot-long
kosher hot dog that tastes like it just came off the backyard grill. Order a side of fries topped
with chili, cheese and onions to share.

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Free Times, August 2017

Best Salad, 17 years running
California Dreaming, Columbia

“Seinfeld’s Elaine Benes was ever pining for the “big salad.” Well, she’d love California Dreaming. They’ve got the biggest damn salad in town. But, the restaurant’s salads aren’t only big. They’re also fresh and delicious. The signature California Dreaming Salad is tops. BONUS: You get to eat in a castle.”

CentraArchy restaurants invite diners to toast the August 21 eclipse with limited edition beverage

ATLANTA (August 7, 2017) – As cities in the path of totality prepare to host visitors from around the region for the region’s first total eclipse of the sun in 38 years on August 21, CentraArchy restaurants are offering a month long drink special to celebrate. The limited edition adult beverage is offered at all 19 restaurant locations—many of which are in or very near the path of totality—through the end of August.

“Such a rare event in Atlanta deserves a proper toast,” said CentraArchy vice president and COO George Ogorek. “‘Total Eclipse’ features floated black rum eclipsing a refreshing blend of ginger beer with fresh squeezed lime and orange juice. A sunny orange wedge tops it off for the perfect eclipse toast.”

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Free Times, August 2016

Best Salad, 16 years running
California Dreaming | Columbia

“Why does California Dreaming’s salad dominate this category year after year? Because it’s downright legendary, from the ample serving to the fresh greens to the buttery, sticky little honey croissant served alongside it. Yum.”

OpenTable, 2016

100 Most Scenic Restaurants in America
As Voted by OpenTable Diners

Gulfstream Cafe | Garden City, SC

“Our 100 Most Scenic Restaurant list for 2016 highlights restaurants that offer spectacular views of natural wonder and city landmarks and, above all, delicious dining experiences. The list of honorees is determined after analyzing more than five million reviews of more than 20,000 restaurants across the nation – all submitted by verified diners.”

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Jezebel Magazine, April 2016

Best Steakhouse, 12 years
New York Prime | Atlanta

Best Bartender {Michael Glanz}
Tavern at Phipps | Atlanta

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Charleston City Paper, 2016

Best Salad, 13 Years Running
California Dreaming | Charleston

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Jezebel Magazine, March 2016

No. 26: New York Prime | Atlanta
No. 69: The Tavern at Phipps | Atlanta

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Augusta Magazine, 2015

Best Salad, 17 Years Running
California Dreaming | Augusta

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BisNow, 3/2015

Top Power Lunch Spots in Atlanta, Part 2

Joey D’s Oak Room | Atlanta: “Signature Dish: The Absolut oyster shooters or the original giant corned beef sandwich”

Tavern at Phipps | Atlanta: “Known For: People watching and an active single scene at the bar”

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