Meet Jaamy Zarnegar of Kitty Dare

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Kitty Dare is the kind of restaurant that is perfect for all occasions. It's a neighborhood gem nestled in Inman Park, welcoming for date nights, celebrations, or an impromptu meal at the bar. You really can't go wrong! We chatted with Kitty Dare owner Jaamy Zarnegar, who opened the restaurant in 2021–and also happens to be the restaurant's wine director. The Kitty Dare Puttanesca Shrimp meal kit will be available October 9–22, and Jaamy's got the perfect wine recommendation to go with it!

Tell us about Kitty Dare! When did you open the restaurant and where does the name come from?

The restaurant opened in November of 2021. Mathew Owens, my General Manager, who was my first employee and I started working on the Menus in June of 2021. The name comes from my Best Friend who I met in the Summer of 1980 in Greensboro North Carolina. We were both studying at UNCG. Kitty Dare Etheridge from Beauford, NC was an amazing friend, and this restaurant is a tribute to her life and legacy.

Can you tell us about your experiences that led to opening up a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant in Atlanta?

I started in 1980 as a dishwasher and by 1993 I had worked every facet of a restaurant. Every job you can think of in the hospitality industry, I did. I was always very interested in Mediterranean food as it touches about 35 countries on 3-5 continents. So I felt that I could pull different flavors and directions all on the same plate from these beautiful continents.

Are there any menu items that are a “must-try” during a first visit to Kitty Dare?

I would say the Tunisi Eggplant, the English pea pistachio hummus, the Berbere Chicken and the Pasta Puttanesca (our style)

We hear you are the resident wine expert! What would you suggest pairing with the Kitty Dare Puttanesca meal kit?

Wine has always been a passion of mine. At Kitty Dare, we offer 24 wines by the glass and more than 160 by the bottle, each served in the proper glassware. For the Puttanesca Meal Kit, I’d recommend the Nivarius Tempranillo Blanco. The wines from Château Musar in Lebanon, particularly those associated with Gaston Hochar, are also incredibly distinctive. I’ve spent countless hours tasting and selecting wines that will inspire guests to try something different, and we price our list very aggressively, often close to retail. It’s difficult to go wrong.

What usually guides you as you source wines for the Kitty Dare menu?

Starting with the food menu and the fact that over the years I have learned with Mediterranean menu that white wines are the BOMB. The pairing of white wine to spicy and flavorful food is really important and also those wines work very well with the cuisine. Its not to say you cannot find a red wine to pair with our food, and we encourage people to try things they’ve never had!

Does Kitty Dare have any special events coming up? 

Yes. We have 2 wine dinners coming up on October 27 and November 11. The October 27 wine dinner is with Robert Sinskey, owner of Robert Sinskey Vineyard. On November 11 the wine dinner is with Brass Field Winery. Both from California. Keep an eye out on Instagram for our wine club starting Mid-October.

Kitty Dare's Puttanesca Shrimp meal kit with harissa pasta sauce over bucatini & feta caesar salad will be available here 10/9–22. You won't want to miss it.