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Business & Tech

Downtown Restaurant Fires Up the Grill

The Fire Stone Wood Fired Pizza & Grill completed its first week of business and received its temporary liquor license today .

opened their doors for business last week on Chambers Street and looks to offer historic downtown a distinctive rustic taste with its vineyard style decor and specialty menu, said General Manager Sean McEntegart. 

Owned and operated by experienced Buckhead restaurateurs, the new hot spot brings a California casual dining atmosphere to Downtown Woodstock. 

"We're so busy," exclaimed Jason Sheetz, co-owner and chief operating officer for the restaurant. "It's exciting to be open."

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Today was a big day for Fire Stone. The day started off with a at 10 a.m.

"It was packed," Sheetz said. "We're beyond exhausted, but it's good."

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Additionally, Fire Stone received their temporary liquor license today and made their first payroll. Sheetz and McEntegart high-fived over the success of the restaurant's first week of business.

Sheetz said it is likely they will be able to serve wine and other alcoholic beverages starting Thursday, just in time for the Labor Day weekend depending on the time of the inspection. 

Business partners Sheetz and William Sigley, co-owner and executive chef, along with McEntegart, and Sous Chef Mel Toledo, all previously worked in Buckhead together for Here To Serve Restaurants, which is where the recipe for this Woodstock location originated. The partners have extensive experience in the restaurant world.

Sheetz is a Georgia native and worked throughout Georgia in the restaurant industry before becoming a general manager for several Here to Serve restaurants as well as the area director for the corporation.  

Sigley began his career in Las Vegas, but now calls North Georgia home. He and Toledo were executive chefs for several of the Here to Serve restaurants, including the AJA Steak House.

All are excited to bring their expertise and fine cuisine to Downtown Woodstock, said McEntegart.

“We wanted to offer the same upscale food and wine in a casual and comfortable environment close to home,” he said.

McEntegart also said that all are North Georgia residents.

“We all live out here, and Woodstock is a great location to be in."

Business has been good so far, McEntegart said, but the restaurant expects an even larger crowd once their liquor license is officially approved.  

People will enjoy what we have to offer, he said. Fire Stone has a successful sister restaurant in Dothan, AL, which opened last year and they expect a similar success with this location.

The grand opening of the Woodstock location is being planned for September.

The restaurant derives its name from its diverse menu. Patrons can choose from unique entrees along with their large selection of wood fired pizzas.

Menu items include grilled hangar steak, braised lamb shank, slow roasted pork shoulder and wood oven baked Atlantic salmon as well as a host of side dishes and tapas style small plates.  

“Everything served here is made here including pepperoni, sauces and sausages,” McEntegart explained.

One of the restaurant’s specialties, the white bean soup, simmers all day and meats are braised or roasted, filling the dining room with a rich aroma.  

Pizzas are cooked in open-flamed Tuscan ovens imported from Italy. The ovens burn oak wood, heating to 800 degrees so the pizzas cook in just two minutes.

Patrons may also dine outside on the patio which includes a 24 foot fireplace and a 20 foot Olive tree shipped in from California.

“It’s fantastic when it’s lit and gives a rustic themed Napa Valley feel with a camp twist,” he said.

Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, Fire Stone will host live music. In the first week, patrons have already enjoyed an acoustic solo guitarist on the patio and a three-piece band inside.

“We want the music to compliment the dining,” McEntegart said.

Additionally, the restaurant offers a private room with 30 seats for private dinners, receptions and parties. 

“It’s a really fun comfortable place for people to hang out,” he said.

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