Power Couples: Atlanta Restaurants Run by Husband / Wife Teams – Part 3

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Atlanta Eats

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August 16, 2016

In this series we are highlighting couples that own and run restaurants in Atlanta. We’ll talk about what it’s like to work together as a couple among other personal aspects. This week’s features is Zach and Cristina Meloy owner’s of Midtown’s Better Half Restaurant

1.) How did you meet?
Here’s the short version: Zach had moved to Costa Rica for a while. We had common friends in the town we were both living in. If we were to tell you the whole story, we’d have to get in to character. Regulars at the restaurant know the full story.

Better-half-review-Atlanta — Silk Handkerchief pasta at Better Half

2.) What is the first meal your spouse (the chef) cooked for you?
Zach cooked me silk handkerchief pasta with mushrooms and tomato marmalade. The dish is still on the menu at Better Half, now. It’s the only dish that never changes.

3.) If you didn’t run a restaurant, what other business would you see yourselves doing?
Zach: I’d have a go at being a full time ceramicist. I have started making many of the dishes we use at Better Half.
Cris: I’ve always loved interior design.

4.)What is the hardest thing about working with your spouse?
The hardest thing about working together is that it’s so hard to separate from work when we’re “off the clock.” Also, since the restaurant business is such a fast paced one, it’s also hard to not take work obstacles personally.

Better-half-midtown-restaurant — Chef Zach Meloy @ his restaurant, Better Half in Midtown

5.) What is the biggest challenge you face as a restaurant proprietor?
The restaurant industry is a roller coaster ride with ebb-and-flow business, the most important thing is to make hay wile the sun shines. Save and push the business during high times to push through the slow. It takes a little while to get used the rhythm.

6.) Where do you like to dine in Atlanta when you have the chance to dine out?
Something that rarely happens for us is a night out. When we manage to sneak away for a date night, a few of our favorites are: BoccaLupo, The Bookhouse, TukTuk Thai, Tasty China, Leon’s, Iberian Pig, Cooks & Soldiers. My all time favorite restaurant in town is a small Colombian place in Marietta called La Carreta.