There used to be a time when folks had a favorite hangout. For kids it may have been a mom-and-pop malt shop. The older set maybe had a local watering hole with great food and an even better sense of community. While there may not be as many places like that now, the new owner of Altobeli’s Restaurant & Piano Bar — a spot that’s served Johns Creek and Alpharetta since 1988 — hopes to maintain that neighborhood-hangout atmosphere created decades ago.
Casey Black, a local entertainer known for her “sultry soulfulness” — blending gospel roots with jazz, ballads, classic rock and R&B standards — transitioned from being a regular performer at the restaurant to owning the Italian cuisine staple.
“I was at the Velvet Note, and a singer who performed at Altobeli’s was at a show and asked me to come by one weekend and sing,” she said.
Black had just finished a USO tour with her band Shimmer, which is still around today with different members. She wanted a break from the road and had secured a corporate day job.
“When I came here and sang one night, it was so much fun,” she said. “The owner said, ‘I don’t think I can afford you, but I’d love to have you join our crew as a singer.’”
Black said she hadn’t wanted to completely give up her music career, so she agreed to join the rotation of weekend performers. Soon she had a regular spot on Monday nights.
From songstress to saucier
Eventually, Black realized she didn’t want to continue her gig in corporate America. She looked to open a clothing boutique in Snellville just as COVID hit.
“The guy who owned the strip mall told me to wait until the COVID [shutdown] was over,” she said.
At the time, retail businesses and restaurants were closed, and the governor had essentially ordered non-essential workers to stay home. “[The landlord] said, ‘I’m not going to take any money. Let’s just wait,’” she said.
Once the shutdown was lifted, Black went back to him and began planning the space.
“I don’t know what happened, but things kind of fell apart. I think he got a better offer,” she said. “I drove by about three weeks later, and some kind of little convenience store was there.”
Black didn’t fret over it. Like she does with many of life’s decisions, she said she put it in God’s hands. “I said, ‘Okay, God, whatever you have for me, I’ll do,’” she recalled.
Shortly afterwards, Altobeli’s owner Ali “Al” Bashiri told her he wanted to sell the restaurant and retire. With 33 years of experience in the business, he was widely recognized for introducing quality dining and piano bar entertainment to the Atlanta region.
“It had just been him and his wife all these years. So I said, ‘Okay, let me go pray about it,” Black recalled.
There were a lot of naysayers, but a lot of supporters as well. Everyone from the real estate agent to the bank officials encouraged her to try.
“I went down to the bank on Tuesday, and I got approved on Wednesday,” she said. “I guess that was the sign.” Black purchased the restaurant and piano bar on September 27, 2022.
Building on the past, planning for the future
More than three years in, Black has maintained the friendly neighborhood vibe, but she’s looking to expand beyond established customers.
“I didn’t change too much,” she said gesturing to the photos of regulars and celebrities on the walls. “Whitney Houston used to sing here. We’ve got pictures of her under the bar. We’ve had the Braves, the US Soccer team. We’ve had Dan Reeves and the Falcons and all the football players. Guy Fieri has been here.”
Most of that was during Bashiri’s tenure, however, so Black would like to put her own stamp on things.
“I want to figure out a way to preserve the history while doing a refresh,” she said. “I haven’t quite figured out what that is yet, but I’m going to take a bit of time to do it.”
Food, warmth and community
In the meantime, she’s added her touch to many of the menu staples, with the lasagna being a favorite. The rich, meaty sauce studded with fresh herbs and vegetables gives a nod to her Alabama roots, as well as the traditional flavors guests have come to love.
“Because of our age demographic, we have folks that have been coming here for years. They’re like, 70 to 95 years old, and they like the meat and potatoes,” she said. “We’re adding things like meatloaf and the mashed potatoes and certain vegetarian dishes as specials to see how it goes.”
My favorite dish was the fried calamari. The tender young squid was lightly battered and fried to a golden brown. It had just the right crunch and chew. Served with a traditional marinara, it was reminiscent of a trip I took many years ago to the Italian coast. Although it’s impossible to obtain seafood that fresh here, the fare wasn’t far from the just-caught taste discriminating diners expect.
Black is also looking to add Sunday brunch this year. “They’re going to be buffets,” she said.
Another addition will be an increase in community involvement. Black said she’s planning to host events for local music students and schools.
“I tell my customers, when you come here, you’re coming to my house, and I want you to feel like family when you come to my house,” she said. “I have customers that come in, and they will not leave until I sing.”
For Black, the food, fun and familial feelings are the special sauce that will keep Altobeli’s around for at least another 30-plus years.
Altobeli’s Restaurant & Piano Bar
Haynes Market Shopping Center
3000 Old Alabama Rd., Ste 127
(770) 664-8055; altobelis.com
