April 22, 2003

Atlanta restauranteur Oscar Morales, of the highly regarded Oscar's in College Park, has signed a lease on the Park Place building occupied for the past six years by Mumbo Jumbo, which is closing.

From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (4/21/03):

After overseeing an extensive renovation, Morales and his partner, Beau McGoamery, plan to reopen the space as Luxe in early August.

Construction begins this week on the installation of a garden dining area and patio on the north side of the building that will be visible from Peachtree Street. Though Morales still is looking for a chef, he says, "We do know what kind of food we want. The concept is going to be 'global cuisine' using food and ingredients from everywhere." Prices will be a notch lower than those at Oscar's, with entrees in the $15-$25 range.

For Morales, it's a bit of a homecoming. He first made his name in the Atlanta dining community as the general manager of Mumbo Jumbo. "I have a feeling for this building," he says. "I know how to
make it work."