17th South July/August 2017

Authentic Living in the Heart of Atlanta JULY/AUGUST 2017 ISSUE 10 FREE n

WHO'S MAKING WAVES IN ATLANTA RIGHT NOW, FROM EXECUTIVES TO ARTISANS

TRENDSETTERS &TASTEMAKERS

An Inman Park bungalow makeover

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Photos: 33. Sara Hanna; 12. Sandra Platten; Erik Meadows; 28, 30, 18.

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CONTENTS JULY/AUGUST 2017 9 LATEST

The newest restaurants, shops and other spots to arrive on the scene

Living

19 Beauty

Beauty products that’ll make you glow

20 In-Town Escape

Paddling in Sweetwater Creek State Park

22 Out of Town

12 Shelter

A mom-daughter weekend in London

17 Style to Go

Culture

A 1929 bungalow in Inman Park

Chic and simple separates

18 People

Cafe+Velo’s Jeff Demetriou

24 Headliners

Brandon Mize brings music to the ATL

26 Creators

Dot Bustelo’s streaming art service

Indulge

Happening

28 Restaurant Review

41 Events

30 Liquids

44 CAPTURED

Revisiting Nan Thai Fine Dining 20 years on

Big-batch cocktails for summer

What to see and do when you’re off the clock

Morning Glory

32 Fresh Bites

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Up your cookout game this season

Cover Story 33 Trendsetters & Tastemakers

Seven names to know in Atlanta right now

Photo: Ryan Purcell

7 Editor’s Letter

JULY/AUGUST 2017

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P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 n 17thsouth.com For advertising rates call: 404.538.9895 or email: advertising@17thsouth.com

JULY/AUGUST 2017 | ISSUE 10

Soccer in the Streets’ Sanjay Patel and Phil Hill

Serving Midtown, Ansley Park, Morningside, Virginia-Highland, Westside, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Poncey-Highland, Cabbagetown, Reynoldstown and Grant Park

Cover Photo: Sara Hanna Shot on location at Station Soccer, Five Points MARTA station

Publisher and Founder

Joanne Hayes

Chief Financial Officer

Sonny Hayes

CONTRIBUTORS Lia Picard WRITER

Handmade pasta, perfectly cooked steaks & fresh seafood expertly prepared using the �nest ingredients.

We’re lucky to live in a city with bountiful farmers markets.

My favorite summer mornings consist of swinging by Freedom Farmers Market for local produce while soaking in the great energy. Then, I’ll stop by Little Tart Bakeshop for a pastry and a cappuccino, and my day will be off to a great start.

Editor-In-Chief

Lindsay Lambert Day Creative Director

Alan Platten

Vice President, Sales & Marketing

Cheryl Isaacs

cheryl.isaacs@17thsouth.com

Executive Sales Manager

Christina Collandra

christina.collandra@17thsouth.com

Account Executive

Shanteia Davenport shanteia.davenport@17thsouth.com

Hope S Philbrick WRITER

The dining scene is my favorite thing about my adopted hometown of Atlanta.

It continues to evolve and improve, thanks to tastemakers like David Larkworthy, chef/owner of Five Seasons Brewing in Westside, who helped persuade lawmakers to sign laws that allow consumers to buy growlers of beer straight from brewers. Cheers!

Proud sponsor of

For reservations please call 404.844.4810

Website Development Management

BHG Digital Director of Audience Development

Tyler Hayes

Contributing Writers

Karina Antenucci H.M. Cauley Caroline Cox Jennifer Bradley Franklin Angela Hansberger Bobby L. Hickman Abbie Koopote Alexa Lampasona Amelia Pavlik Hope S. Philbrick Lia Picard Karon Warren Photographers

Sara Hanna sarahanna.com Erik Meadows Sandra Platten Graphic Designer

Layal Akkad Proud member of

Copy Editor

H.M. Cauley Legal Counsel

Scott I. Zucker

We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission.

Copyright © 2017 by 17th South®. All rights reserved. Printed by Walton Press, Inc. Distributed by Distributech and Distribution Services Group.

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A

tlanta might be widely known for some of the major organizations that maintain a presence here—from professional sports teams and internationally renowned educational institutions to major media companies and car manufacturers— but what impresses me most about this dynamic, energetic city is the number of creative individuals who make their home here too.

That’s why I’ve especially enjoyed putting together this, our second annual Trendsetters and Tastemakers issue; it gives us a chance to give some of those folks the time in the spotlight they so deserve.

In this issue, you’ll meet a Grammy-nominated musician, the savvy executive of a meal-kit delivery service, the founder of one of our area’s most popular artisan marketplaces, a restaurateur, an entrepreneur whose business is built on sharing locally made goods, and a couple of guys who are, literally, taking soccer to the streets of Atlanta. (I’m talking about Phil Hill and Sanjay Patel of Soccer in the Streets and Station Soccer, who you’ve already seen on our cover.)

Each in his or her own way, the forward-looking people who make up this group have found a way to channel their creativity or knack for business (and in some cases both) in a way that makes our community a more creative and colorful place. So, here’s to our local creators and innovators, in the pages of this issue and beyond.

Lindsay Lambert Day EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Find us online: 17thsouth.com

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YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA

JULY/AUGUST 2017

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Latest OPENINGS & ARRIVALS | STORIES: Caroline Cox |

FLOWER POWER Poncey-Highland’s Young Blood Boutique shares its space with blooms

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hen Ayla Gurganus decided to become a florist, calling her business “SoulFlowers” was a no-brainer.

Her mom gave her the nickname before she was even born.

“I grew up with it being similar to a second name for me,” says Gurganus, “a part of my identity, you could say.” She began by selling arranged bouquets, mostly to passersby, out of an adult tricycle she parked in front of Virginia-Highland boutique Urban Cottage.

“The idea was similar to King of Pops but with flowers,” she explains. These days, SoulFlowers is a full-on floral business catering

to intimate weddings, events and home decoration. But those in search of Gurganus’s unique bouquets to take home can head into Young Blood, where Gurganus’s microfloral shop, “Ayla,” offers walk-in services on Wednesdays and Fridays with limited availability on Thursdays and Saturdays.

“The flower shop is different than most florists in that we offer one bouquet in four different sizes,” Gurganus explains. “The bouquet changes every two weeks. Most florists in Atlanta offer services where you walk in and choose what you want, which is so great and needed, but it also creates a lot of waste in the flower industry. And why be the same

when you can be different?”Ayla also offers hand-tied bouquet flower subscriptions in one-, two- or three-month increments.

Gurganus says she felt a need in Atlanta for a trendy, modern floral shop that was offering something different and new.

“My goal is to merge modern elegance with obtainability. The art of giving flowers needs to make a comeback, and I want to be the biggest cheerleader in that,” she adds.

“I love what flowers represent in any situation. There’s not a wrong way of arranging; they always bring comfort, peace and joy, and they are simply beautiful.” n soulflowers.info

JULY/AUGUST 2017

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Latest OPENINGS & ARRIVALS

Easy-Breezy Serena & Lily to open at Westside Provisions District

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tlanta’s Westside just got a bit more stylish. Sausalito, California-based home and lifestyle brand Serena & Lily is touching down in the space formerly held by Star Provisions in the Westside Provisions District. The brainchild of Serena Dugan and Lily Kanter, the brand’s design-centric pieces serve up a breezy, beach-inspired flair without being over the top or kitschy in the form of furniture, rugs, lighting, original artwork, upholstery, outdoor wares, accessories and more. In a decidedly saturated market, they’ve managed not only to stand out, but to thrive, thanks in part to their commitment to quality pieces, original textiles and an eye for both color and pattern.

Right and below: Serena & Lily’s signature breezy, coordinated living accessories are coming to Westside Provisions District later this year.

Launched in 2003 as an online-only retailer, Serena & Lily began opening brick-and-mortar outposts back in 2013. The Atlanta location, its sixth, is slated to open toward the end of this year. As with its other stores in locales such as San Francisco, Los Angeles and Hamptons Beach, the more than 3,000-square-foot outlet will have style vignettes so shoppers can see different pieces in action, expert on-hand consultants to dish out style and design advice, and a workspace for you and your own designers to brainstorm and collab. n

Eat Fresh A French-inspired Southern bistro lands in Cabbagetown

serenaandlily.com

A Real Piece of Work

individuals or couples to come and enjoy the gallery and its amenities, and to go on art tours and art experiences.” As far as the name “Keen” goes, “Elliot loves Australia and the word ‘keen,’” he explains. “We thought it made a cool identity for the Airbnb portion, so we put it on the wall and built the vibe around that.”

Overall, the vibe that Ferrari and co. have created with this mixeduse space is a welcome addition to Atlanta’s artistic community. n

If you’re a Cabbagetown dweller used to frequenting Carroll Street for convenient dinner options, now’s your chance to branch out by adding Petit Chou to your rotating meal options. The newly opened restaurant and bakery on Memorial Drive serves up Frenchmeets-Southern cuisine, with no fryer, walk-in freezer or microwave on site (so no, you cannot get fries with that). It offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and brunch options that are switched up regularly, such as avocado toast with house-made boursin, a ratatouille sandwich with regionally sourced roasted vegetables and a Croque Madame topped with a perfectly poached egg. Coffee is from the Savannah-based PERC company, and the full coffee menu includes golden milk lattes, Americanos, iced mochas and cold brews. The baristas also whip up a bevy of craft sippers such as sparkling lavender lemonade, ACV blueberry ginger ale and turmeric-strawberry limeade. Dine inside, at the bar or on the breezy patio on one of their delightfully flaky pastries or sizeable biscuits, and don’t forget to ask for some French butter or housemade jam to top it off.

instagram.com/facetgallery

petitchouatl.com

An expansive new gallery embraces local Atlanta artists

S

eemingly omnipresent local artist Peter Ferrari recently made the leap to gallerist with the opening of Facet Gallery in the Old Fourth Ward.

Along with graphic designer Matt Daniels, local photographer Elliot Liss and entrepreneur and horticulturalist David Baker, Ferrari took over the space formerly known as Stuart McClean Gallery. For the inaugural show, Facet displayed banners created by local activists for the various marches and protests that occurred on the Presidential Inauguration day.

The owners have since hosted a fundraiser for Liliana Bakhtiari’s city council bid, an art auction, photography show, artist talks, website workshops and more, with an overall aim of providing another outlet to

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nurture interdisciplinary artists in Atlanta’s creative community.

Additionally, Ferrari has stated that Facet takes a lower commission than most other galleries, so it can provide as much support as possible to the artists. The team also wants to encourage a younger set of art collectors so local creatives can continue to grow. The spacious gallery can display 100 or so pieces at a time.

The building in Old Fourth Ward also includes Keen Space, which Ferrari describes as “an Airbnb room for

Living

SHELTER n STYLE n PEOPLE n BEAUTY IN-TOWN ESCAPES n OUT OF TOWN

12 SHELTER

TRULY SOUTHERN MODERN

Photos: Sandra Platten

Old and new come together in complementary style

JULY/AUGUST 2017

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Living

SHELTER

Truly Southern Modern An Inman Park business owner converts a 1929 bungalow into a modern gem without sacrificing its architectural appeal

A shared fireplace between the dining and living rooms opened up the space, making it a more comfortable place to relax.

| STORY: Karon Warren | PHOTOS: Sandra Platten |

T

welve years ago, Laura Saunders, owner of Inman Park Pet Works and the Krog Street Pet Works kiosk, came to Atlanta from Los Angeles looking for a change of pace. As she puts it, “Although it’s pretty, LA is really not my lifestyle. It’s just too Hollywood.

Not that Atlanta’s not Hollywood.

It came with me,” she jokes, referring to the city’s reputation as the Hollywood of the South. Her parents moved to Atlanta 25 years ago, and when visiting them, she took the Inman Park Tour of Homes.

“There was something about Inman Park that I found to be really special,” Saunders says. “I love the old homes, I love the architecture, I love the history, so when I decided to leave LA, I looked in several different areas of the country for places to live, but I just kept coming back to Inman Park.”

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JULY/AUGUST 2017

So Saunders came to see what was available. At the time, the inventory of homes for sale was low. “I got really lucky,” she says. “This house had just been put on the market. Well, I’m not sure it was on the market, or they were just showing it to agents, but I was able to get inside and look around. I fell in love with the house immediately; it just suited me.”

“The house” is a 1,965-square-foot, 1929 bungalow. The original structure was one floor, but a previous homeowner added a second. Initially, Saunders renovated approximately 25 percent of the space, including some in the kitchen, although she hopes to modernize that area a bit more. In 2015, she enlisted the services of Jeffrey B. Baker, design director

of Jeffrey Bruce Baker Designs just north of Morningside-Lenox Park, to start on the rooms at the front of the house as well as the upstairs.

“I’ve been wanting to do this renovation since I bought this house,” Saunders says. “It took me a long time to find Jeffrey and to incorporate what I wanted to but to stay true to the original design of the house.”

Left: Saunders did some initial kitchen renovations when she first moved in, but hopes to do more.

“I think my house stays true to what I really like, and has its own design aesthetic.” LAURA SAUNDERS

Left: Saunders used art to add interest and texture throughout the home.

When Saunders purchased the home, the front rooms were very small and closed off to each other, with the dining and living rooms separated by back-to-back brick fireplaces.

Those were removed and replaced with a modern fireplace and wet bar that opened up the two rooms. The original powder room was cut down in size to improve its overall design.

On the second floor, the balcony stairway and dormer windows were pushed out to create an additional 200 square feet of space.

“I really like modern design, and the house is clearly not modern,” she says. “I wanted to incorporate some modern, but have it fit in well with the original design. Jeffrey came up with exactly the design I wanted, and it fits in with the original aspects of the house.”

One of her favorite things of the renovation is the downstairs fireplace.

At first glance, it doesn’t look like a fireplace: It appears to be cabinetry and a wet bar separating the living room from the dining room. The burn

unit rests in the bottom cabinet, so when lit, the flames rise up from it.

“My whole idea was to create a quiet, serene, calming setting so when I come home from work, I can have a really nice place to relax,” Saunders says. “We definitely accomplished that.”

When furnishing the house, Saunders searched for comfortable pieces that added warmth and enhanced the relaxing setting she had created. One example is the custom leather couch in the living room that she purchased

Above: Baker designed the base to hold the custom-made, live-edge dining table.

from COCOCO Home in Buckhead.

“I wanted a really big, cushy place to hang out,” says Saunders, who loves to do just that with her dogs, Belly and Olive. She complemented the couch with a blue chair from CB2, a cream chair from All Modern Design and a Cantoni coffee table.

Saunders also had very specific ideas for the master bathroom. “I wanted a clean, big, modern, open shower area,” she says. The master

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Living SHELTER

bath now features a large double vanity topped by framed mirrors, along with the aforementioned shower.

When decorating the home, Saunders opted for a color palette drawn from shades in the downstairs wallpaper. Baker agrees the hues were ideal for the house. “Laura loves the blues, the coppers, the medium wood tones and the grays,” he says.

“We added a lot of gray in. We refinished all the floors in the house [and created] the gray and brown mix.”

Saunders used artwork to add interest and texture to the home.

In the front entry she posed a tree root sculpture purchased from Made Again in Inman Park, and hung a portrait of her dogs painted by Beth Bailiff, an artist and friend. There’s also a painting of a Chihuahua by a Spanish artist whose identity Saunders doesn’t know. “The painting is a little dark, but there’s something about it,” she says. “I named him Oscar, and he’s my little protector.”

With the renovation complete, Saunders couldn’t be happier with the results. “I think my house stays true to what I really like and has its own design aesthetic,” she says. “[The interior has] a European modern style, very clean, but it’s still warm and comfortable.”

Baker refers to the house as “truly Southern modern,” which combines the home’s covered front porches and screened-in back porch with

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JULY/AUGUST 2017

the interior’s more contemporary design and décor. “We believe we’ve done something different and unique here,” he says.

“This house still has the formality to it, so it’s a very tailored, dressedup modern. We kept the essence of the architecture and how this house was built [on the exterior].” n

Below: With its double vanity and dual mirrors, the master bathroom is now more open and modern.

Above: Saunders set her Sleep Number bed against a bookcase to create a unique headboard.

DESIGN DETAILS Interior design

Jeffrey Bruce Baker Designs, LLC 1145 Zonolite Road N.E., Suite 2 404.351.1232 Living room couch

COCOCO Home

3072 Early St., 30305 404.410.1169 cococohome.com Coffee table

Cantoni

1011 Monroe Drive N.E., 30306 404.881.8111 cantoni.com Fireplace surround

Neolith Sintered Stone neolith.com

Wine refrigerator

EdgeStar

edgestar.com Bed in master bedroom

Sleep Number

3435 Lenox Road N.E., 30326 404.467.2454 sleepnumber.com Tree root sculpture

Made Again

299 N. Highland Ave., Suite H2, 30307 404.893.0300 madeagainatl.com

The Chihuahua portrait features “Oscar,” who Saunders refers to as her “little protector.”

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Living STYLE TO GO

e m Ti d e t s Te Nikki Douglas rocks clean-lined, classic separates for an outing in Inman Park

| STORY: Abbie Koopote | | PHOTO: Sandra Platten | How would you describe your style?

I personally prefer classics rather than trends so that I can wear my pieces over and over again.

A lot of my stuff is almost 10 years old, but [the pieces] are still in style, and I plan to continue to wear them for many years to come.

Nikki Douglas AGE: 47

What is one thing from your closet that you can’t live without?

It would probably have to be a knit Catherine Malandrino sweater with ruffled sleeves that I recently bought from T.J. Maxx. I keep throwing it on even though it’s extremely hot outside!

Where are all the pieces you are wearing currently from?

My mom found my dress pants at Stein Mart, and they were only $4.99 because [the store associates] couldn’t find the tag. My top is from Nordstrom, and I got my shoes from Gilt.com. The tote is Hugo Boss and was actually a free makeup bag from Kohl’s that I got when I purchased some perfume.

Where do you find your fashion inspiration?

Ever since I was growing up, my family took real pride in dressing.

You don’t go out of the house looking like a hot mess; you put your makeup on, you put your clothes on.

So dressing well is a trait that’s just been inherited in my family.

OCCUPATION:

Brand Ambassador, Koval Distillery

If you could swap wardrobes with anyone, whom would it be?

Victoria Beckham. I love her style; she always looks extremely classic and super sophisticated. I love everything she wears! She is definitely my style icon.

What is your favorite trend right now?

I would have to say the aquacolored stiletto nails. I really love all the bright, fun nail colors that are trending right now.

What should every woman have in her closet?

Definitely a little black dress.

It’s a must-have for every woman, and I personally have several in my closet. One of my favorites is by Michael Kors that I got at Macy’s, and another favorite is by Diane von Furstenberg that I bought almost 10 years ago from a Nordstrom Rack in San Francisco. Those would have to be my two that I always go to because they are fashionable for any occasion.

Have you always been into fashion?

Yeah, I have, but I tend to buy classic pieces and wear them for a long time. I don’t mind spending a little extra for my clothing and accessories [if it means being] able to have and wear them for many years down the line, instead of buying cheaper things that won’t last and will go out of style quickly. n

JULY/AUGUST 2017

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Living PEOPLE

e k i B k a e Br I

f you’re an avid cyclist in Atlanta, chances are you’ve heard of Cafe+Velo. The coffee shop on Edgewood Avenue is an homage to the longstanding tradition of French bicycle cafes, where patrons pedal to their local coffee spot, rest their bikes beside their tables and sip on a coffee while enjoying a croissant al fresco.

In a city where cycling as a lifestyle is still coming to fruition, Jeff Demetriou, an abstract artist and mixed media designer, has created Atlanta’s first bicycle cafe. He teamed up with co-owner Ben Boisson of BeltLine Bicycle to create the Cafe+Velo concept in the fall of 2016.

“Food and coffee are not that serious,” says Demetriou. “You can do both really well. Cafe+Velo is less about pretense and more about community.”

Before this latest venture, Demetriou’s influence was big in Atlanta’s

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JULY/AUGUST 2017

At Cafe + Velo, Jeff Demetriou gives cyclists a comfortable place to relax, unwind and refuel | STORY: Alexa Lampasona | PHOTO: Erik Meadows |

art community. He created several murals around town, including a 30-foot design in the conference room of Google’s Atlanta office, and a 25,000-square-foot mural on the base of the American Cancer Society building downtown that takes up half a city block. Demetriou also ran a design and build company in Atlanta for 10 years, and his work focused on modern residential design. In one project, he added the first green roof solar panels to a residence in Atlanta.

Now, Cafe+Velo is Demetriou’s sole project, which he calls a form of community art. He designed and built the entire cafe with techniques from his background, utilizing aesthetics that are familiar to cyclists, including historic cycling photos and bike parts. “I’m sitespecific when I do projects, and that dictated to me how the space should be,” he says. “Everything is curated here. Nothing is arbitrary, from the photos on the wall to the size of the patio and the covered rooftop, and even the names of

the menu items.” “The Schwinn” (an egg and cheddar crandwich— or croissant sandwich), and “The Bianchi” (a turkey, cheddar, bacon and lettuce crandwich) are both well-known cycling manufacturers.

As an avid cyclist, Demetriou uses his bike to get around town from his home in Old Fourth Ward but bemoans the lack of destinations that cater to riders. “I know a few rare restaurants, but you are hardpressed to find places that even have bike racks available,” he says.

Demetriou bridged the gap, offering more space on the bike rack than street parking for cars.

Cafe+Velo has become a hub for cycling communities, with an on-site repair station, bike rentals and group rides starting and ending there.

Classic cycling races, such as the Tour de France, are shown live on the cafe’s projection screen. The patio is the largest real estate at the café, offering multiple tables and a sofa nook on the rooftop’s own patio, and will be utilized throughout

the summer for events, including pop-up craft markets at the end of each month and live music on the adjacent covered rooftop.

Beyond being a welcoming spot for cyclists, Demetriou wanted the cafe to create a community destination, with good food and drinks at affordable prices. His visionary in the kitchen, Boisson is a native of Brittany, France, and came up with the crandwich. The homemade croissant sandwiches are offered with a variety of sweet and savory fillings and a top price of $8.75.

With limited space in its kitchen, Cafe+Velo sticks to what it does well, serving filling crandwiches alongside Octane coffee during the breakfast and lunch hours, and closing before the nightlife begins on Edgewood Avenue.

“Atlanta needs more hangouts.

Here, the idea is to have affordable food and drink tied into a fun Cafe + Velo atmosphere that 381 Edgewood Ave. is inclusive and S.E., 30312 cafeandvelo.com uninhibited,” says Demetriou. n

Living

BEAUTY Dare to Bare Sick of shaving? Sugaring may be just the alternative you’re looking for.

“Sugaring utilizes a 100 percent all-natural paste made up of sugar, lemon juice and water,” says Raquel Souza, owner of Sweet Peach Wax & Sugaring Studio on N. Highland Avenue. “It provides a gentler, less painful experience than waxing as it pulls the hair in the same direction it grows in and is also less abrasive to the skin.”

The procedure can be done anywhere on the body, including the face.

“If it’s your first sugaring ever, stop shaving for at least two weeks before coming in,” says Souza. “To ease the pain, we recommend exfoliating the area in the shower the day before your treatment. And you should also drink lots of water the day of your appointment and avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours prior.”

Ready, Set, Glow!

Dry Shampoo

Five products for your warm-weather beauty arsenal | STORY: Amelia Pavlik |

Bare Republic Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen SPF 30

From excessive sweating to painful sunburns, summer presents a range of beauty challenges. We’ve pulled together five products to help you beat the heat and stay looking fresh all season long.

RAW Bronzing Studio, $15 “This mineral-based broad spectrum sunscreen for the face is not only water-resistant and perfect for those balmy summer days; it goes on easily with a beautiful matte finish,” says Tiffany Terranova, owner.

Mama Bath + Body, $12.95 “Our all-natural dry shampoo powder blend absorbs excess oil and lifts your roots without drying out your hair or scalp,” says Emilie Sennebogen Bryant, owner.

“Just throw it in your summer tote to skip the post-pool shower.”

Cherry Blow Dry Bar Midtown 915 West Peachtree St. N.W. Suite 4, 30309 770.462.2882 cherryblowdrybar.com

Blowpro Time to Shine 3-D Illuminating Mist Cherry Blow Dry Bar Midtown, $21

Luxe Bug Off Essential Oil Roll On Fig and Flower, $18 “Atlanta summers are hot and the bugs can be extra pesky,” says Caitlin Abshier, founder of the Cait + Co bath and body company.

“Simply roll this essential oil blend of citronella, eucalyptus, cedarwood, lemongrass, lavender, litsea, tea tree, patchouli and catnip on arms and legs before going outdoors. And voila, bugs be gone!”

“This product softens, strengthens and protects hair with a leadingedge UV filter to reduce hair damage from sun exposure,” says Jen Nuñez, manager. “Apply to wet or dry hair—it’s ideal for brightening chlorine-soaked strands or creating a sleek summer pony.”

Coconut + Pear Refreshing Mineral Mist Little Barn Apothecary, $22 “Little Barn’s hydrating spray replenishes water and vital minerals to the skin that are lost while sweating,” says Joshua Morgan, co-founder. “The formula is light and cooling, and soothes the skin on contact.”

Fig and Flower 636 N. Highland Ave. N.E., 30306 404.998.8198 shopfigandflower.com Little Barn Apothecary + Co. 1170 Howell Mill Road, 30318 470.875.5833 littlebarnapothecary.com Mama Bath + Body 99 Krog Street, 30307 404.909.9994 loveyourmama.com RAW Bronzing Studio 500 Bishop St. N.W. Suite F8, 30318 770.683.8267 rawbronzingstudio.com Sweet Peach Virginia Highland 776 North Highland Ave., 30306 404.875.5700 sweetpeachwax.com

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Living

A Calming Kayak Tour Paddling the peaceful waters of Sweetwater Creek State Park takes the edge off everyday stress | STORY: Hope S. Philbrick |

W

e float on rippled water under rustling trees.

A blue heron stands in knee-deep water, watching. As we get closer, he wings a few yards down the shoreline. Bald eagle and osprey swoop overhead against fluffy clouds. Every time I fill my lungs with crisp air, the list of chores waiting at home seems less overwhelming. If that’s not the goal of an in-town escape, what is?

This particular Saturday, my husband and I postpone several errands for a half-day getaway to Sweetwater Creek State Park, the Georgia State Park closest to the Atlanta metro area. We loop around I-285—an easy commute on a Saturday morning—to reach Lithia Springs. The park seems tucked away like a dog might hide a favorite bone, but GPS guides us to the entrance.

Our first stop is the Visitor Center for a trail map. The award-winning LEED-certified building, one of the most environmentally responsible buildings in the country, is staffed by

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friendly rangers and houses informational brochures, classrooms for lessons on nature-based topics such as snake identification, historic exhibits including Native American artifacts and Civil War remnants, wildlife displays, plus restrooms and a gift shop.

Among the 7 miles of trails available, we step onto a five-mile loop through some of the park’s most remote areas. Picturesque and peaceful, the well-worn “white trail” weaves through trees alongside the park’s namesake Sweetwater Creek. At the 1-mile mark it overlooks the ruins of the New Manchester Manufacturing Company, a textile mill burned during the Civil War. We continue up rocky bluffs past bursts of seasonal blooms, fern beds and rapids.

Next we head to the rendezvous point for our reserved, guided, twohour kayak tour. This park offers two paddling trails: one in Sweetwater Creek and the other in the 215-acre George Sparks Reservoir. We climb into a tandem kayak and paddle past ducks out toward the center of the lake. The reservoir is sometimes drained, our guide, Andy Wooten,

explains; the last time it was empty archeologists unearthed several Native American artifacts. We learn as we paddle, since our guide shares area history along the route.

“Do you want to go through the tunnel?” asks Wooten. The only way to reach one section of the lake is to paddle through an underpass.

We aren’t worried about spider webs, so we don’t hesitate. We enter a different ecosystem with calmer water, taller grasses and even different wildlife. There, we spot the great blue heron. We paddle near a beaver dam, past eagle and osprey nests, alongside wild azalea.

A cluster of 10 yurts overlooks the lake. Next time we talk ourselves into escaping chores, we’ll stay overnight. But even a few hours are enough to feel refreshed. n

SWEETWATER CREEK STATE PARK 1750 Mt. Vernon Rd., Lithia Springs, 30122 770.732.5871 gastateparks.org

Paddle Up! The Park Paddlers Club is a fun challenge to paddle 24 miles in six state parks: Sweetwater Creek plus Chattahoochee Bend, Crooked River, George L. Smith, Reed Bingham and Stephen C. Foster.

Rent a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard, or bring your own boat, and paddle the water trails through diverse ecosystems. Buy a membership card at a participating park office for $10, get it punched after each completed paddle, then get a free T-shirt to commemorate your accomplishment.

For details visit Gastateparks.org/ ParkPaddlers.

Photos: Courtesy Ga. Dept. of Natural Resources

IN-TOWN ESCAPES

You can help.

Donate at acfb.org

1 in 4 Georgia kids

faces hunger.

21

Living

OUT OF TOWN

Left: The author (right) and her mother, Kathy, make candy at Hotel Chocolat.

Right: Colorful lights illuminate One Aldwych’s façade.

Hopping the Pond From yoga to chocolate making, London offers a variety of can’t-miss motherdaughter experiences | STORY: Amelia Pavlik |

A

s the chocolate nibs kept spilling over the sides of my mortar while I smashed them into a paste with my pestle, I realized that making chocolate was the last thing I ever expected to do during a visit to London. But as it turned out, the class, which my mom and I attended at Hotel Chocolat during a girls’ weekend getaway, was just one of the pleasant surprises that the Seven Dials and Covent Garden had in store for us.

Whether you’re planning a motherdaughter escape, a romantic weekend, or a getaway with your best gal pals, here’s how to spend a long weekend in these West End spots.

Thursday Upon arriving at Heathrow Airport, we hopped an express train to London’s Paddington Station. One quick cab ride later and we arrived

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at our hotel, Covent Garden’s One Aldwych. With our room not yet ready, we took advantage of the extra down time and wandered over to the Portrait Restaurant and Bar atop the National Portrait Gallery, where we enjoyed a light lunch and a few glasses of wine while overlooking the city skyline. Back at the hotel after lunch, we settled in for a much-needed nap before heading to dinner at Eneko, the hotel’s gourmet, Basque-inspired restaurant. We feasted on chilled crab, oysters and monkfish before surrendering to our jet lag for the night.

Friday There’s nothing like strolling downstairs to the hotel’s restaurant and enjoying a leisurely, full English breakfast of eggs and assorted meats to kick off the day. Fully fueled, we set out for a bit of shopping in the Seven Dials area, the network of seven streets that link Covent Garden to Soho.

Come lunch time, we made our way to Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels, where we enjoyed a few glasses of

wine and shared plates of white asparagus and crab toast. In a satiated haze, we headed back to One Aldwych for 60-minute Well Being massages at its spa, delighting as stress melted away from our muscles. That evening, feeling refreshed, we strolled through Seven Dials to Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho, where we lapped up live music and munched on hot, gooey pies.

Saturday I started my day with a solo, 75-minute yoga class at Seven Dials fitness spot Another_Space, then met Mom for lunch at Native in Neal’s Yard, where we enjoyed venison and boar ragu. After visiting a few cosmetics shops such as Fresh (a global store known for its face masks), we headed to Hotel Chocolat for our Bean to Bar Experience, during which we made our own candy. As our weekend wound down, we made our way to Vico, on the fringes of Seven Dials in Cambridge Circle, for one last evening meal. There, we dined on small plates of fried lasagna and artichoke tortelli.

Reluctant to wrap up our visit, we opted for a nightcap in One Aldwych’s Lobby Bar before heading to our room to pack for our Sunday flight. As I sipped my Bordeaux, I reflected on the visit to these parts of the city that were now familiar to me. From the delicious meals to the yoga and chocolate-making classes, the trip was filled with experiences that made every hour of the plane ride to London and back worth it. I was left loving London—and ready to return ASAP. n

VISIT WHERE TO STAY One Aldwych Hotel onealdwych.com WHERE TO EAT AND PLAY National Portrait Gallery npg.org.uk Pizza Express Jazz Club pizzaexpresslive.com Seven Dials sevendials.co.uk

For more information, head to visitlondon.com.

Culture HEADLINERS n CREATORS

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24 HEADLINERS

MUSIC MAN Brandon Mize brings music’s best acts to the ATL

190 Tenth St NE Atlanta, GA 30309

JULY/AUGUST 2017

23

Culture HEADLINERS

Music

Man

W

hen it comes to music, Brandon Mize is one of Atlanta’s most in-the-know insiders.

The congenial talent buyer at Rival Entertainment and Center Stage in Midtown is humble about his 15 years with the company, but that’s not because he doesn’t have big chops in the Atlanta concert scene.

Mize books about 300 artists each year for Center Stage’s three venues: Center Stage Theater (a 1,050-person theater), Vinyl (an intimate, 300-person space) and The Loft (a popular DJ spot with four bars and a capacity of 650). He also is responsible for selecting the diverse talent for all of Rival’s homegrown festivals and event clients, such as Steamhouse Oysterfest, Atlanta Dogwood Festival, Blue Moon BeltLine Boil and Candler Park Music and Food Festival.

The native Tennessean joined Center Stage when the venue was

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JULY/AUGUST 2017

Rival Entertainment’s Brandon Mize is the guy behind some of Atlanta’s best fan experiences | STORY: Karina Antenucci | PHOTO: Erik Meadows |

called EarthLink Live after an internship at House of Blues (now The Tabernacle) in 2002. He says of the local live music scene at the time, “It was on fire. There was a lot of community in the local scene, where local bands supported other local bands and came out to see their shows.”

Today, Mize notes, that same community spirit still exists, but Atlanta itself has changed. “The city keeps growing, which is great for us. It has gone beyond just a local scene to a more national scene, and more artists are recognizing Atlanta as a hub for their shows. It allows all of our venues to do more shows.”

Indeed, on any given day, Mize receives hundreds of emails from artists or agents looking to book their talent. “The more we foster relationships with artists and their agents, the more shows we do with them over the years,” explains Mize, who nurtured the early careers of Marc Broussard, Citizen Cope and Needtobreathe, who all got their start at Vinyl. “When we feel

an artist has outgrown Center Stage, we recommend going outside our own spot to a trusted partner in the market. This flexibility allows us to keep working with artists as they grow.” Rival’s venue partners include The Fox Theatre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Infinite Energy Center (formerly Gwinnett Arena) and Centennial Olympic Park.

Mize’s Tennessee roots may call to mind country music, but his playlists boast a vast array of different genres, from Counting Crows to Jay Z. Right now, he’s still listening to Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, a headlining artist he booked for June’s Candler Park Music and Food Festival’s lineup that also included Lake Street Dive, Matisyahu and Railroad Earth, among others. “This event is special to me because it’s something Rival started from the ground up. We do every aspect of the festival, and it has been growing every year,” he says.

What’s next for Mize? He has his music sights on the Old Fourth Ward Fall Fest on September 9 in the mead-

ow by the neighborhood’s skate park.

The family-friendly event coincides with the popular Lantern Parade on the Atlanta BeltLine’s Eastside Trail.

“It is a fantastic event that brings the community together. I like to make the musical lineup diverse and not stick to one genre to have something for everybody who comes out,” he says of the festival that will feature local and regional bands, artist-led lantern making classes and local food and drink.

Even when he’s not working a show to take care of the artists— something he does four to five nights per week—he’s typically attending one. The man about town puts in his fair share of time at Smith’s Olde Bar and Terminal West in particular.

This year, Mize aspires to attend more out-of-town music festivals, too, such as Pilgrimage in Franklin, Tenn., and Outside Lands in San Francisco.

The only time he’s not listening to music? When he’s at his Westside home with his wife, Tasha, and Chihuahuas Penny Lane and Lily.

“That’s my quiet time.” n

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25

Culture

CREATORS Loupe enhances airport travel

e p u Lo art puts

in the

Loop

The streaming program provides ambience for home and work | STORY: H.M. Cauley |

I

magine coming home and being surrounded by inspiring art that didn’t cost you a dime.

Images of far-away streetscapes, bucolic countrysides—whatever genre you find most appealing pops up on flat screens and computer monitors in every room.

Streaming quality, curated art without charging for access is the key concept behind Loupe, a Cabbagetown-based venture founded by neighborhood resident Dot Bustelo. The former New Yorker hit on the idea of doing for art what Pandora did for music while working as part of Apple’s product marketing team.

“I was traveling around the country introducing professional music-producing techniques to producers, and I spent long hours in recording studios,” Bustelo recalls. “I found myself looking for visual support for the creative energy in the room, so I turned on old 1940s movies or sci-fi films with no sound just for the visual stimulation.

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People responded so well to it that I thought about building a platform dedicated to adding visual art as an accompaniment to a social experience, such as listening to music.”

Bustelo’s creation, Loupe, applies the same technology of music streaming to visual art, allowing the more than 150 million listeners who engage with sound through online services to do the same with images. More than 20 channels offer backdrops for almost any taste, from abstracts to travelscapes. A recently revised Loupe program now allows viewers to create personal galleries of their favorite images and to coordinate the color and style of screen visuals with a room’s décor.

“It’s been very interesting to look at which channels are the most popular—and they’re not what we expected,” says Bustelo. “A picture of a monkey, taken by a National Geographic artist, is at the top.

Another hot spot is the ‘Places I Have Never Been’ channel that opens with a picture of a car in Cuba.”

Regardless of audience, all the streaming images are the work of serious artists from around the

Above and bottom: Nicole Kutz’s “Find Your Space” and “She Once Fell Through The Street.”

Right: Dot Bustelo.

world, many of whom contact Bustelo asking to join.

“The artists are not charged; it’s free to submit and have something shown,” she says. “And since it’s a global platform, the work can be seen in about 80 countries, so it’s a great way to gain exposure and sell the art.”

Loupe makes that buying process as easy as viewing, in case one special work leaps off the screen.

“It may compel you to do more than add it to your private gallery,” says Bustelo. “If it truly resonates, you can purchase the original or a print and hang it on your wall.”

Bustelo’s research shows that many Loupe users have the program running for almost three hours at a time.

“What we haven’t entirely gotten to the bottom of is whether people are using it at home more than in the workplace,” she says, “but anecdotally, I’m hearing it’s a little of both.

You can turn on Loupe for ambience and tranquility wherever you are.” n

Check out the artworks streaming at Loupe on loupeart.com.

Through August, the Cabbagetownbased Loupe streaming art service is giving travelers at Atlanta’s airport a break from the bustle with calming images displayed on several screens in the arrivals and duty-free areas. The installation features works by Atlanta artists, including the project’s curator and featured artist, Nicole Kutz.

“The main purpose was to feature artists who are based in Atlanta,” she says. “Everyone is actively making it work in this city, so that was the first way we narrowed it down. Then I took the most eye-catching work, something that would grab even the most distracted person for a moment to appreciate something artistic.”

The installation showcases 17 local artists whose creations run the gamut from paintings to colorful photos. “It’s quite a big range, but it’s also very effective,” Kutz says.

Kutz’s contribution is a set of abstract paintings that reflect just one of the styles she’s drawn to. “I do dabble a lot; I like realistic portraits but also large abstracts. I also work in mixed media with plaster and emulsions, and I also love oil painting.”

A recent Master’s graduate of Midtown’s SCAD Atlanta, Kutz finds her inspiration in the world around her. “I can find an idea in everyday things, like the bark of a tree,” she says. “Those little things really capture my eye.”

Along with traditional artworks, Kutz has started making scarves and recently launched her own company, Sky or Silk. “I was doing paintings on silks and linens, and that gave me the idea,” she says.

“I also wanted to do something in the wake of my grandmother passing away from Alzheimer’s, so a portion of the profits will go to the Alzheimer’s association.”

While getting the company up and running, Kutz is also preparing to head west to introduce Loupe to L.A. But art lovers will still be able to connect with her work on Loupe and her website, nicolekutz.com.

Indulge n

REVIEW n LIQUIDS n FRESH BITES

28 REVIEW

HIGH-END THAI

Photos: Erik Meadows

Nan Thai is going strong 20 years on

JULY/AUGUST 2017

27

Indulge

REVIEW

Left: Tom Kha Kung is a combination of shrimp, coconut galangal soup, young coconut meat and shiitake and straw mushrooms.

Above: Nan's Larb Kai salad comprises minced chicken, chopped scallions, lime juice, roasted sweet rice powder, galangal, red onion, mint leaf and chili peppers.

Below: Gang Klua Sapparod—roasted maple leaf duck breast simmered with vegetables, pineapple and red curry.

High-End

T

In its 20th year in business, Nan Thai Fine Dining serves the familiar flavors of Thailand with a posh backdrop and polished service

akeout Thai food is easy to come by in Atlanta. Casual spots dot the city with exemplary renditions of the spices and flavors of Thailand’s moniker, “the land of smiles.” Sometimes, though, a girl wants to put on a little black dress and taste the discernible lemongrass, coconut and peanut sauces with a white tablecloth as a backdrop.

Facing the corner of Spring and 17th streets with a hulking golden tamarind pod sculpture prominently displayed out front, Nan Thai is a commanding presence. The restaurant celebrates 20 years in business this year, a remarkable accomplishment given the unpredictable nature of the industry. Executive Chef Nan Niyomkul and her husband, Charlie, came to Atlanta in 1996, opening the second iteration of Tamarind, their eatery in Manhattan. One year later, they embarked on something fancier, combining Nan’s fine dining experience in New York with recipes from her mother, a street food vendor in Thailand.

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The broad space, with its high ceilings, soaring windows and views of bustling Midtown (and that big ol’ bean), is elegant and almost zen-like. Every table is dressed with a white tablecloth, wine glasses, blue water glasses shaped like flowers, gold-tone flatware, a single artificial orchid in a glass pot and blue and gold plates. Comfy rattan chairs are nestled precisely.

Regal columns of red and gold, a giant gong and a rickshaw add to the ambience. The air is pleasant, with scents of coconut and lemongrass wafting from the vast, open kitchen.

At lunchtime, the clientele skews heavily corporate; conversations are peppered with legal jargon and talk of company box seats. Servers dressed head-to-toe in black deliver bottled water. In the evenings, the crowd is younger, hipper (think tight dresses and flashy cars).

The crowd may be hip but the food is classic.

Thai food is about the balance of four flavors and heat. Chili peppers bring the spice, cane sugar and coconut milk deliver sweetness, shrimp paste adds a salty component, lime and tamarind lend sour, and bitter melon and raw leaves contribute pleasant astringency. It’s the

| STORY: Angela Hansberger | | PHOTOS: Erik Meadows |

interplay of a couple or a few of these with masterful blending that harmonizes a Thai dish.

Most of the suit-wearing patrons seated around us had one of Nan’s tasting trees on their tables. The tiered, wonky apparatus holds the day’s assortment of starters and is a great way for diners to share bites. On this visit, the selection is golden fried shrimp with a tamarind sauce, shumai-like dumplings stuffed with ground chicken and shrimp, spring rolls, grilled chicken satay and crisp calamari. Solid. Lovely bowls of the tom ka kung soup are reason enough to visit Nan. It is impossibly silky, lightly sweet and beautifully aromatic. Unlike others around town, it had bits of soft coconut along with shiitake and straw mushrooms, tender briny shrimp and mild spice notes of galangal (similar to ginger). My friend’s order comes without shellfish; a request Nan's staff gladly accommodates, swapping in tender slices of chicken instead.

We ordered a showstopper in the chau maung. These time-honored tapioca flour-skin dumplings are a sweet served to the royal Thai family. I will warn you: They are strikingly

Left: Thai-style BBQ lamb chops with green papaya salad and sticky rice— a.k.a. Geah Yang.

Right: Kai Yang Masaman is a fragrant dish of grilled lemongrass chicken breast, masaman curry, avocado, green beans, cashews, pickled shallots and cucumber salad.

Left: Nan's steamed tea rose dumplings—with caramelized palm sugar, minced chicken, ground peanuts and pickled radish—are almost too pretty to eat.

Below: Crème brûlée is elegant in both flavor and presentation.

Lamb chops have a crisp sear, and the meat is tender with a slightly smoky flavor. pink. Six delicate looking rosettes surround a beet cut to resemble a rose. Sprays of cilantro act as rose leaves. While beautiful and certainly intriguing, a little goes a long way.

The minced chicken and ground peanuts are sticky, a bit mushy and sweet. Note that this is exactly how they are supposed to taste. Remember, they are a “sweet.”

Entrees fall under “Traditional Thai Sauté” or “Chef’s Selections.” Presentation is lovely.

Thai-style BBQ lamb chops come propped up, bones interlacing. They have a crisp sear, and the meat is tender with a slightly smoky flavor. The crisp, green papaya salad with lime works with the sweetness of the sauce for a more dynamic flavor. Pan-seared scallops have an interesting presentation with the four merged in an over-laying crust atop a disk of pineapple fried rice. The tangy red curry sauce is chock full of green beans and cubes of fresh pumpkin. The scallops come cooked well, but each one had a significant amount of grit.

Kai yang masaman is much like others around town, with chunks of avocado, green beans and cashews. The chicken, however, is grilled to

tender perfection, and with large slices of breast meat (save for one big hunk on the bone).

Pickled shallots are a zesty addition. Roasted duck in red curry is super tender but otherwise less seasoned than other dishes. The green beans and basil are the best parts of the dish.

One could easily fill up for lunch on an appetizer and a salad, such as the larb kai, a bright, fresh and zingy mixture of minced chicken, lime juice, chopped scallion, galangal, red onion, mint and chili pepper tucked inside small, fresh cabbage leaves.

My meal paired well with a dry Sauvignon Blanc but the action around the bar piqued my curiosity. Towering bar shelving separates the Bamboo Lounge from the restaurant.

Lots of old-school selections line the shelves: cognac, sambuca, the colors of Johnnie Walker, Seagram's 7. A large bottle of Dom Perignon is displayed proudly. Wine choices are safe, familiar.

Desserts are where the Thai flavors really sparkle at Nan. Classics are presented with green tea, lemongrass and tropical fruit interpretations. Thai tea crème brûlée comes in a

long dish similar to an olive tray. A delightful tea flavor comes through in the velvety custard with a thin sugar crackle atop. Coconut cake would appease any Southern grandmother.

You can expect to pay more for fancier presentation and atmosphere at Nan than you would at your neighborhood Thai takeout spot. Lunch for two with appetizers and entrees comes to around $100 with tip. Dishes taste very similar to those versions, leaning safely when it comes to spice, skewing to the milder side. But if setting and dedicated service mean something to you, it may be worth every penny. n

NAN THAI FINE DINING 1350 Spring St. N.W. #1, 30309 404.870.9933 nanfinedining.com Recommendations: Thai BBQ lamb chop ($34), larb kai ($14), tom kha soup ($9), Thai tea crème brûlée ($9).

Bottom line: Masterful Thai for business lunches or when you want to get dressed up for comfort food

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Indulge LIQUIDS

Crowd Pleasers

N

ext time you have people over for a summer soiree, don’t get stuck playing bartender. As a host, it’s your responsibility to entertain your guests, but make sure you get to enjoy your party, too!

Instead of tailoring cocktails to suit each attendee’s whims, try whipping up a batch cocktail that’s light, refreshing and sure to wet everyone’s whistle. Grab your favorite pitcher. A few of our favorite watering holes are sharing cocktail recipes to get the party started.

IN THE AIR TONIGHT Serves 28 Provided by Venkman’s In true rock star fashion, Venkman’s has a batch cocktail big enough for a summer rager.

According to Michael Hall and Bryn Rouse of Venkman’s, “It’s a little bit Pimm’s Cup, a little bit Tom Collins—or Phil Collins, if you will.”

16 oz. Pimm's No.1 16 oz. Deep Eddy lemon vodka 8 oz. Hendrick's Gin 16 oz. ginger liqueur 16 oz. simple syrup 15 dashes Angostura bitters 33-ounce bottle of club soda Stir ingredients from Pimm’s No. 1 through the Angostura bitters in a pitcher. When ready to

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serve, pour 2.5 ounces of the cocktail over ice into a Collins glass and top off with club soda

EXTENDED VACATION Serves 4 Provided by Bon Ton

As quirky as Bon Ton itself with unusual cocktail additives such as banana and sage, the Extended Vacation lends itself nicely to outdoor parties. Tyler Blackgrave, Bon Ton’s bar manager, says the tropical tipple can be kept at room temperature until you’re ready to serve it.

1 ripe banana 1 handful sage leaves 1 handful mint leaves 10 oz. Miro Extra Dry vermouth 3 oz. Blanc Agricole rum 2 oz. lemon juice

Venkman's In the Air Tonight cocktail is a crowd pleaser.

Quench your guests’ thirst with batch cocktails | STORY: Lia Picard | | PHOTOS: Erik Meadows | 4 oz. pineapple juice 2 tbsp. honey 8 dashes absinthe 4 dashes Angostura bitters Optional: additional mint and sage for garnish Muddle the banana, mint and sage in a cocktail shaker. Add remaining ingredients through honey to the cocktail shaker and “dry shake” (without ice) vigorously. Pour into a pitcher and add dashes of absinthe and bitters. Serve over crushed ice in a tulip glass, and garnish with mint and sage leaves.

NEGRONI RESERVA Serves 6

Provided by Varuni Napoli Served on tap at both of Varuni Napoli’s locations, the Negroni Reserva is owner Luca Varuni’s favorite bevanda.

6 oz. Ford’s dry gin 6 oz. Campari 6 oz. Carpano Antica Formula Rosso vermouth 6 dashes of barrel-aged bitters Optional: orange peel for garnish Stir ingredients with ice. Strain into a pitcher or bottle and chill until ready to serve. Serve in a lowball rocks glass and garnish with orange peel. n

Bon Ton 674 Myrtle St., 30308 404.996.6177 bontonatl.com

Varuni Napoli

Krog Street Market 99 Krog Street N.E., 30307 404.500.5550 Midtown 1540 Monroe Drive, N.E., 30324 404.709.2690 varuni.us

Venkman’s 740 Ralph McGill Blvd., 30312 470.225.6162 venkmans.com

Indulge

FRESH BITES What’s New & Noteworthy in Food | STORY: Lia Picard |

Photo: Erik Meadows

Delight your guests with elevated, backyardready dishes from Atlanta’s best chefs

SUN’S OUT, COOK OUT T

he cookout is one of summertime’s quintessential joys, bringing friends and families together for a backyard revel. To keep you from making the same potato salad—again—we recruited some of our favorite local chefs to share recipes that are sure to take your cookout to the next level. Reach for one of these before your next fête, and your guests will be sure to ask for seconds.

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE Serves 6 to 8 Recipe courtesy of BeetleCat BROWN SUGAR MIX: 4 oz. butter, melted 1 c. brown sugar CAKE: 4 oz. canola oil 2 c. granulated sugar 4 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 tsp. baking powder Pinch of salt 2 c. all purpose flour ¾ c. whole milk ¼ c. buttermilk 20 oz. can sliced pineapple rings, drained 10 maraschino cherries, halved

COCONUT LEMONGRASS CHICKEN WINGS

Makes 12 wings Recipe courtesy of Sweet Auburn BBQ

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 10-inch cake pan with parchment paper and spray with nonstick spray.

Prepare chicken wings to preference by oven or grill. While wings are cooking, sauté lemongrass, garlic and shallots in chili oil for 1-2 minutes or until fragrant.

Add coconut milk and oyster sauce to pan and let simmer until sauce thickens and becomes sticky. Remove pan from heat, toss cooked wings in sauce and enjoy!

ELOTE (traditional Mexican corn on the cob) Serves 4 Recipe provided by Bone Garden Cantina 4 ears corn on the cob ¼ c. mayonnaise (more or less, depending on taste) ¼ c. crumbled queso fresco Chili powder to taste Lime wedges Grill corn. After corn is grilled, cover entire cob in mayonnaise, sprinkle with queso fresco and dust with chili powder to taste. Squeeze lime on corn before eating, serving more wedges on the side if desired.

Photo: Chrysta Poulos

1 dozen chicken wings 6 tbsp. freshly ground lemongrass 2 tsp. diced garlic 2 tsp. chopped shallots 1 c. coconut milk 2 tbsp. chili oil 4 tbsp. oyster sauce

In a large bowl, whisk canola oil, sugar and vanilla. Beat in eggs one at a time, whisking until combined. In a medium bowl combine the baking powder, salt and all -purpose flour. Add the dry ingredients and milks to the sugar mixture, alternating.

Pour brown sugar mix in the bottom of the cake pan and arrange pineapple rings and cherries; press down slightly.

Pour cake batter over and bake until cake is golden brown and an inserted skewer comes out clean, about 30-25 minutes.

Let cool about 5 minutes before inverting cake on to plate.

Note: Not a mayo fan? Kristen Benoit, owner of Bone Garden, suggests a Mexican brand of sour cream such as El Mexicano’s Crema Mexicana as a substitute. n

IT'S A WING THING Consider yourself a wing nut?

Head to Springer Mountain Farms' Southern Wing Showdown (formerly Atlanta Wing Fest) at The Foundry at Puritan Mill on August 20, when chefs from around the Southeast will whip up their best, boldest wing recipes for a shot at the wing king title.

Visit SouthernWingShowdown. com for ticketing and more info.

BeetleCat 299 N. Highland Ave., 30307 678.732.0360 beetlecatatl.com Bone Garden Cantina 1425 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd., 30318 404.418.9072 bonegardencantina.com Sweet Auburn BBQ 656 N. Highland Ave., 30306 678.515.3550 sweetauburnbbq.com

Food News

Jeffery McGar

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JULY/AUGUST 2017

n Mississippi-based restaurant chain Babalu (named after Ricky Ricardo’s signature song in “I Love Lucy”) opened in June at the corner of West Peachtree Street and Peachtree Place, in the 33 Peachtree Place development in Midtown. The restaurant's executive team

will consist of General Manager Dahlio Cheatam, Assistant General Manager David Smith and Executive Chef Jeffrey McGar. Perch on the patio and dip into their signature guacamole with sundried tomatoes and sip on fresh margaritas.

eatbabalu.com

n Love Brush Sushi Izakaya but not so much the drive to Decatur? Good news!

The team behind Brush is opening Momonoki in the new mixed-use development Modera

by Mill Creek, a new residential highrise in Midtown, later this year. The restau-

rant will specialize in donburi (bowls of fish and rice), ramen and small bites. n Concentrics Restaurants, the group behind such staples as One Midtown Kitchen and Two Urban Licks, is opening Allora this month at

Twelve Hotel Midtown.

The new concept, which replaces the former Lobby Bar, will feature modern takes on Italian cuisine with house-made pastas, salads and small plates.

concentricsrestaurants.com

COVER STORY

S R E T T E S D N E TR s r e ak

m e t s Ta

&

| PHOTOS: Sara Hanna |

From executives to artisans, these inspiring Atlantans are shaping the city’s future—and it’s looking bright

JULY/AUGUST 2017

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TRENDSETTERS

& Tastemakers

SANJAY PATEL AND PHIL HILL

Board Member and Executive Director, Soccer in the Streets

P

hil Hill, executive director, and Sanjay Patel, board member, of Soccer In The Streets have this in common: They both grew up in England where soccer was readily available to all.

When he first heard about Soccer In The Streets, Patel’s initial thought was, Why is there a nonprofit for soccer? “I was shocked to learn what the cost is to play this sport in the U.S. It has become a white, middle class sport, whereas globally, it’s a working-class sport, and all you need is a ball,” says Patel, a commercial real estate development consultant who moved to Atlanta in 1999 and joined the board in 2010.

Soccer In The Streets aims to make the sport accessible to youths in all of Atlanta’s communities, but the mission runs much deeper than that.

Taking a holistic approach, the organization wants to empower its more than 4,500 kids not only on the

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field, but also in small group classroom sessions, through hands-on experiences and activities, and participation in youth leadership councils.

“Our goal is to give kids in underserved communities a better opportunity in life,” says Hill, a resident of Inman Park who initially got involved with the organization in 1998 as a board member. Hill wore many hats over the years, including donor and board chair, before assuming the position of executive director last year.

“I was initially looking for a way to combine soccer, the sport I love, and a way to help young kids who lack opportunity,” explains Hill, who moved to Atlanta in 1993 after a backpacking trip around the world with only $260 in his pocket.

Today, the timing is right for the nonprofit to blossom, as the sport is in the spotlight because of Atlanta United FC coming to town (and parents asking for it as an alternative to head injury-stricken American football). The impact of the pro team

| STORY: Karina Antenucci |

on Soccer In The Streets is significant.

Beyond giving the game a new “cool” factor and a broader local audience than ever before, the team’s charitable arm, Atlanta United Foundation, funds Soccer In The Streets’grassroots programs. It supports school programs and has invested in the Station Soccer concept that is Patel’s brainchild.

In 2013, Patel took MARTA from his Candler Park residence into downtown, where he was involved in a hotel development project. He also noticed the vast amount of unused space. One of the biggest hurdles in offering soccer to underserved communities is access, and a light went on for Patel: What if they brought soccer to public transportation hubs that kids and their families could easily get to? Currently, Station Soccer, which launched in 2016 and is the world’s first soccer stadium within a station, is in a five-year pilot phase at the Five Points MARTA station. An expansion announcement is slated for later this year, upon approval from MARTA.

In addition to kids’ programs, Station Soccer offers space for adult leagues.

The 99-by-66-foot field is conducive not only for youths to get more ball time, but also for adults who no longer have the stamina to navigate a fullsize field. The fees that come from the adult playtime benefit Soccer In The Streets. “It’s always been our goal to act as a bridge between one side of the tracks and another, and now adults who play are asking how they can get involved with the kids’ programs, refereeing or coaching,” Hill explains.

The organization is a pioneer in social impact soccer. Hill was recently invited to speak on innovation around the sport at the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Urban Soccer Symposium.

He says, “No one else has done what we are doing anywhere else in the country. What we’re doing in Atlanta acts as a blueprint for the rest of the country. Putting Atlanta on the map fuels the fire to scale this here.” n

soccerstreets.org

P

hil Sanders is what he calls “a third-culture kid,” meaning someone who grows up in one place—in his case, Kenya—and now lives in a different one. “The culture of Kenya is that you give your best to your guest, and everybody would serve everyone. It’s very familyoriented,” says Sanders, founder of Citizen Supply in Ponce City Market, whose family moved to Atlanta in 2000. Those same traits of service and community can be seen in the entrepreneur’s businesses that champion artists and creatives.

Citizen Supply, a crafty-looking retail store selling artisan goods, was the result of Sanders’s previous business that he launched in 2014 and shuttered a year later. Foster ATL was a creative co-working space in Old Fourth Ward, a gathering place for freelancers, artists and entrepreneurs where the focus was equally on business success and community growth. The idea spawned from hav-

ing many freelancers in his life— he, a photographer, and his wife, Anna, a graphic designer, included.

“While the business model was not sustainable, the intention was to support the 60 member creatives through a space where they could work, network and learn from each other and speakers,” Sanders explains.

One of Foster’s most successful programs was a pop-up market concept called “In Good Company,” where local artisans sold their wellmade, high-quality products. From this pop-up shop grew the East Atlanta resident’s next brilliant idea. “To affect artists in the sustainable way I wanted, I learned it was necessary to provide a space for them to first sell their stuff and make money before I created a space for them to produce their work in,” Sanders explains.

To empower “the makers,” Citizen Supply opened its doors in November 2015. The store now sells the work of 130 artisans from across

the country, several of whom are former Foster ATL members. All of the wares come from either a local, sustainable, handmade or small-batch business. What’s more, he offers artisans a profit-sharing option that comes with regular sales analytics on their goods. “I want them to be in this with me,” he says of his artist partners. “And we want to make the barriers for entry for local folks easier [to overcome] and for the local economy to be strong.

“Opening Citizen Supply was one of the richest experiences of my life, but it was insane. I think that’s when I lost my hair,” he jokes.

Despite its success, with 14,000 people coming to the store every month, Sanders already has his eye on what’s next. This includes making sure that Citizen Supply is sustainable in the long-term. “Retail is a beast,” he admits. He is working on merging a piece of the Foster ATL concept into Citizen Supply in order

to provide both a place to sell and a place to learn all under one roof.

This activation side of things will begin with a monthly panel discussion where anyone can come have a beer and join the conversation about a certain topic, such as bicycling in Atlanta or what it’s like to be married and starting businesses. “I hope it’s a catalyst for growth—that’s the end goal. I always tell my staff, ‘What matters is that you grow.’”

It’s a big year of growth overall for Sanders. In addition to slowly nurturing Citizen Supply, he and his wife welcomed their second boy in May. “There’s something amazing about loving what you’ve got, recognizing how blessed we are to be in charge of our time and having the options of doing things. When you get on that level, it makes any day-to-day problems seem a lot smaller,” he says. There’s that third-culture kid talking again. n

citizen.supply

PHIL SANDERS Founder, Citizen Supply

| STORY: Karina Antenucci |

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TRENDSETTERS

& Tastemakers

W

ho hasn’t gotten a gift bag full of mass-produced tchotchkes and thought, “I’ll never use this!”? On the contrary, if you’re lucky enough to receive one of Inman Park resident Sara Maffey Duncan’s thoughtfully curated and beautifully presented boxes through her company, localhippo, your first emotion will likely be elation. The 33-year-old New Jersey transplant works with local artisan makers and purveyors to craft boxes for corporate conventions, weddings and even buildings to welcome new residents that help tell the story of our local community.

Her driving force? “I want to make sure people know to shop local and that there is so much cool stuff being made in Atlanta,” she says.

Here’s the story behind localhippo.

What led you to found localhippo?

It came out of what I was doing in economic development. I have a background working with small businesses, but I’ve also done business attraction and retention projects. I was receiving a lot of swag. I felt there was an opportunity to improve what communities were giving out to represent their cities because I knew so many small businesses existed.

I make sure each box tells the story of the makers who are included.

What might one of your apartment welcome boxes include?

I always have an anchor item. For [a recent one on the] Westside, I had the Tipsy Vanilla Blueberry Jam from Preserving Place and tokens from Barcelona Wine [Bar] because residents can walk there. I also had Chattahoochee Coffee Company cards, and items from One Rooster Mongolian Bar, Le Fat and Relay Bike Share, since they’re all in the area.

Why is it so important to support local makers rather than just finding some mass-produced goods?

I grew up as the fourth generation of a family business up in New Jersey. To me, supporting local and mom- and-pop shops is literally at the heart of who I am as a person.

That’s really at the center of why I wanted to do this with local people.

How did you come up with the name localhippo?

Obviously, the local part is because everything is hyper-local. My

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SARA MAFFEY DUNCAN Founder, localhippo | STORY: Jennifer Bradley Franklin |

economic development career started with international development, and I’ve worked in Tanzania, for example, among other places.

The hippo part is reminiscent of a sense of wanderlust and getting to know all these different places through the convenience of getting a box delivered to your home.

You’ve been an Atlantan three years, but you’re passionate about this area. Why does it feel like home?

I’ve moved a lot in my adult life, and coming to Atlanta was sort of a surprise. It was the first place as an adult where I immediately felt like I was a part of the community.

And that’s only increased since I started doing localhippo. Getting to know the makers has made me love Atlanta for what it is now and what I think it will continue to become.

You work out of Switchyards downtown. Do you feel connected to other startup businesses there?

I think that Switchyards has such a creative entrepreneurial energy the second you move in. If you come visit, you feel the energy immediately. They have so many great events that showcase all of the different startups, especially in the downtown area. I’ll go and get a cup of tea and meet three people whom I

can collaborate with. I also like being downtown because I feel that’s the underdog of Atlanta, and there’s so much cool stuff happening here.

Do you have an under-the-radar thing you discovered recently?

I took the Micro-Factory Tour at Xocolatl, and it’s awesome! They make chocolate from bean to the bar in about 200 square feet, and you get to see the entire process. I learned so much about chocolate. It was my favorite nerdy thing to do recently.

I don’t think people even know that that exists as an option. n localhippo.com

JOHN BURKE Grammy-nominated Pianist | STORY: Bobby L. Hickman |

C

omposer-pianist John Burke, whose sixth album, Orogen, was nominated for a 2017 best New Age Album Grammy, says living and working in metropolitan Atlanta has been a major factor in his successful career.

While Burke is known locally for his solo albums and soundtracks, his first Grammy nod marked a significant milestone as he was the only independent artist nominated in the category.

One reason Burke gives for his success is the numerous musical connections he has made in Atlanta, including “tons of them in Midtown.

You don’t realize how many people there are here you can collaborate with,” he says.

Burke grew up in Duluth and Norcross before moving to Clarkesville in the North Georgia mountains, where he attended middle and high school.

He became interested in piano while attending Oglethorpe University and cut his first album in 2011. “I’ve been working full-time in music for years, and it has only gotten better,” he says.

“Most people don’t realize Atlanta is

a wonderful hub for music and musicians.” While New York and Los Angeles have historically been branded as entertainment cities, he adds, “Atlanta has already grown to that level.”

Burke maintains a busy schedule, splitting his time between performing at such venues at the City Winery inside Ponce City Market; practicing and composing. His “spontaneous and different” gigs include weddings, private parties, concerts and working with church choirs, plus recording his newest collection of original New Age compositions. Superstratum, his first multi-instrumental album, will be unveiled on September 10 with a release concert at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur.

Burke has also composed soundtracks for two independent films and several Atlanta-based plays.

His incidental and transitional score for Serenbe Playhouse’s “A Streetcar Named Desire” became a soundtrack CD. He composed music for two more 2017 Serenbe productions— “Robin Hood” and “Macbeth”—that include orchestral elements.

The Grammy nomination represented the culmination of a long-sought goal for Burke, whose master’s degree in public administration from Georgia State University has helped shape the business of his musical career.

Several years ago, he researched the process others follow to get a Grammy. “I came up with a methodical approach. I found out how to become a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), the group that gives out the Grammy awards, and then how to submit something, and so on.”

In December 2016, Burke was watching the nominations being announced on Grammy.com when he saw his name in a category that included Enya and Vangelis.

“I just screamed. I had worked so hard for months. I felt so much pride of achievement,” he says.

Burke attended the awards ceremony in Los Angeles in February 2017.

“I didn’t expect to win. I was the least-known act in the category, and something was telling me it wasn’t

my time quite yet,”he says. “But I knew I deserved the nomination.”

(Another newcomer, the Santa Monica-based band White Sun, won the Grammy.) Being nominated “took my career to a whole new level,” he adds. “It made me look at my career differently. I raised the bar on myself, and it felt good.”

When he’s not working—which is rare—Burke spends his downtime at home in Piedmont Heights near Ansley Mall with his fiancée and their cats. He enjoys running in nearby Piedmont Park and hiking on the weekends. “We love beer and breweries, and we enjoy all the awesome restaurants in Midtown,” he says.

Burke concludes, “For anyone out there who’s trying to be a musician, just persevere; it’s all possible.” n

For news about John’s upcoming album release concert, visit johnburkemusic.com.

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TRENDSETTERS

& Tastemakers

FEDERICO CASTELLUCCI III President, Castellucci Hospitality Group

O

f all the recipes used in his family’s restaurants, Fred Castellucci holds the recipe for success closest. He has thrived by staying true to his roots and formulating a philosophy around what sincere hospitality means. Innovation is essential, but it is also important to maintain a connection to the past.

As president of Castellucci Hospitality Group (CHG), Castellucci oversees four restaurants: Cooks & Soldiers (Westside), Double Zero (Emory), The Iberian Pig (Decatur) and Sugo (John’s Creek). This year, CHG will add two more spots to its roster, both in the Krog Street Market: Bar Mercado, serving Spanish tapas, and a yet-to-be-named food stall that he describes as “vibrant and fresh.”

The restaurant business is in Fred Castellucci’s blood. One hundred years ago, his great-grandparents opened an

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JULY/AUGUST 2017

| STORY: Angela Hansberger |

eatery in Rhode Island. “Each generation since, in some form or fashion, has been in the business,” Castellucci says. While his father, Federico II, was in law school, the family enterprise his parents started in 1947 burned down.

He quit law school and rebuilt it before moving to Atlanta in the 1990s where he launched his own venture, the Roasted Garlic, in Alpharetta. After graduating from Cornell with hopes of becoming an investment banker, Castellucci also jumped into the family business. He watched as the Roasted Garlic grew too quickly and shuttered.

As we sat in the dining room of Double Zero, he recounted how consequential failure is to his family’s success. They learned about growing too quickly. Missteps are a huge part of success to him. This is something he thinks sets him apart from his contemporaries. “People are too proud and not able to put ego aside,” he says. His dad is his greatest mentor.

“His successes and why they worked, his failures and why they didn’t— those were my greatest learning experiences,” he says, as the senior Castellucci himself conducts a meeting with his staff across the room.

Castellucci sees theatre as a good corollary to the restaurant business.

“At the end of the day, it comes down to how you deliver night in and night out on the product and the service and the hospitality, and how well you get to know your guests,” Castellucci says. “All those tiny details. To do it really well, you have to build upon it day in and day out…this production every night. And that is why some people get burned out.”

To stay relevant in the restaurant world, Castellucci’s approach is to escape it from time to time. “I try reading, writing and traveling, getting out of the business [mode] where I can make new creative connections… new ideas,” he says. Recent trips have

taken him to Japan, Mexico and Spain.

Putting together cohesive teams— the word Castellucci prefers instead of staff, employees or personnel—is important to the organization. “Creating a culture that is a positive one is important,” he says. He sees success as a collaborative endeavor, with general managers, chefs, back of the house and front of the house having equal influence. He tries to give people creative freedom with a framework to build a culture of being able to say yes to guests as much as possible and “nailing those day in/day out interactions.” The goal is to take care of each individual guest and instill that philosophy and passion in his teams.

“When hospitality really means something, it can be powerful,” he says. “It’s not just lip service; we actually follow through.” Overcoming hardships endowed Castellucci with inspiration while formulating a distinct philosophy about service and staying true to one’s roots helped him thrive. n

J

udith Winfrey has deep roots in the local farm community, a connection that has propelled her to success as president of Atlanta-based meal kit delivery service PeachDish.

The 43-year-old Grant Park resident has even been a farmer herself (she and husband Joe Reynolds have Love Is Love Farm at Gaia Gardens in Decatur, though Reynolds runs it now). Driving the company’s “farm to kitchen” model, she oversees the development of 30,000 meals delivered each month to home cooks in the 48 continental United States. This year alone, Winfrey anticipates that PeachDish will purchase 700,000 pounds of vegetables, 90% of which are organic, and many come from Georgia farmers. Here, she shares the scoop on PeachDish’s not-so-secret sauce.

With such a varied background, what drew you to PeachDish?

I was just intrigued by the model because I have roots in agriculture. I saw it as an exciting opportunity for small and mid-size farms to reach more people. I know so many growers around the Southeast, and I was

watching these meal kits were starting to happen. I was hearing from farmers in other areas that some of the meal kit businesses were taking away market share. I felt PeachDish was a good opportunity to make it viable for small and mid-size farms, too.

How have you shaped the business model since coming on board in 2014?

I’ve made it a little more foodfocused. I wanted PeachDish to compete, first and foremost, on quality of recipes and ingredients, and making sure there was a lot of provenance to the food. Every week the kit comes with a letter from me naming all of the farms that we bought from.

Plus, we now offer tremendous choice and flexibility with at least nine different recipes every week.

What sets PeachDish apart from its competition?

The quality of our food, recipes and our customer service, and the fact that we have a registered dietician on staff. Plus, the fact that we’re Southern. We’re not heavy-handed

Southern, but we definitely celebrate Southern ingredients and dishes.

You work with a lot of Atlantabased purveyors and artisan makers. Why is that important?

Well, freshness and quality are important, but local economy is important, too. So we want to support as many small local businesses and farms as possible. When you spend money in your local economy, it stays in your economy longer, and we like supporting those kinds of businesses, like Beautiful Briny Sea, Cacao, King of Pops and Preserving Place.

What does a collaboration with a local maker look like for PeachDish?

We did a make-your-own peachbasil popsicle kit with King of Pops.

That was a big hit. And with Preserving Place, we did a strawberry tart dessert kit that used a strawberry jam that they made special for us.

PeachDish has a pretty robust online store, beyond the meal kits themselves.

It really developed out of customer demand. We have customers from all over the country who loved the products in our kits and wanted to know how they could get more.

It’s an opportunity to showcase the quality products we use and spotlight great Southern chefs. We have a guest chef program with restaurant chefs such as Zeb Stevenson (Watershed), Steven Satterfield (Miller Union) and Terry Koval (Wrecking Bar) writing recipes for us. If they have a cookbook, we feature it.

Are your customers using PeachDish as a way to increase their culinary competency?

There’s definitely a culinary education aspect, even for me!

I cook the dishes every week, and I’ve learned techniques and ingredient combinations I might not have thought of before. I think that’s true for a lot of people. People get a sense of empowerment from preparing these dishes. n peachdish.com

JUDITH WINFREY President, PeachDish | STORY: Jennifer Bradley Franklin |

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BUCKHEAD: 3174 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 | 404-841-2456 MIDTOWN: 950 W. Peachtree St NW, 260 - Atlanta 30309 | 404-554-8060 DRUID HILLS: 2566 Briarcliff Rd NE, Brookhaven, GA 30329 | 678-515-8880

Happening WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND TOWN

Photo: Adam Jaime

| STORIES: Caroline Cox |

COCKTAIL COMBAT MIXOLOGISTS GO HEAD TO HEAD FOR THE BEST TIPPLE TITLE

L

isten up, mixology enthusiasts, spirits savants and cocktail connoisseurs—the Atlanta Cocktail Wars are happening this year on August 26.

The festival is hosted by Atlanta Sport & Social Club (the city’s leading organizer of adult co-ed, men’s and women’s recreational sports leagues), and will take place on Midtown’s Fifth Street Plaza, a green space along the 5th Street Bridge. The aim of Atlanta Cocktail Wars is to highlight the best of the best craft cocktails in the city.

Local mixologists will be whipping up their most top-notch ‘tails so locals can sample to determine whose concoction will take home the title of “Best Cocktail in Atlanta.”

ATL hotspots who will have talented bartenders muddling, mixing, shaking, straining and pouring in the festival include Netxo, ONE. Midtown Kitchen, Publik Atlanta, Apres Diem, Urban Tree Cidery and Edgar’s Proof & Provision, among others. There will also be a live DJ and food vendors, so you can soak up some of those libations before they go

to your head. With your ticket, you’ll also score six tasting tickets, one full-size cocktail, one voting ballot (pick wisely!) and a souvenir Cocktail Wars tasting glass to boot. As its core, the festival is a chance to meet firsthand some of the top bartenders in Atlanta who are helping put us on the map when it comes to nationally recognized food and drinks. Plus, enjoying artful cocktails and light bites while taking in the city’s skyline isn’t a bad way to spend a summer evening, if you ask us. n atlantacocktailwars.com

JULY/AUGUST 2017

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Happening

EVENTS

ATLANTA UNDERGROUND FILM FESTIVAL AUGUST 18-20

Coming up...

ATL COLLECTIVE RELIVES THE BEATLES’ “THE WHITE ALBUM” July 14 Terminal West ATL Collective are taking the stage at the Westside’s Terminal West venue to showcase the iconic Beatles record, “The White Album,” going track by track to unpack the meaning and significance behind each tune. This memorable live concert experience is sure to be a crowd pleaser for generations young and old.

“The After War” is among films that will be screened at this year’s Atlanta Underground Film Festival.

As part of the four-month long Atlanta Film Series, the 14th annual Atlanta Underground Film Festival takes place this year August 18 to 20 at Midtown’s Synchronicity Theatre.

With a focus on independent filmmakers, the AUFF aims to showcase grassroots, DIY films that don’t follow mainstream parameters of predictable plotlines

and over-the-top theatrics. Films range from shorts to featurelength, and filmmakers from both Atlanta and across the globe have the chance to show their work to a local audience of cinephiles.

Along with screenings, awards will be given in categories such as Best Feature, Best Documentary Series, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Audience Choice. To date, the festival has screened thou-

atl-collective.com

ATLANTA ICE CREAM FESTIVAL July 22 Piedmont Park

sands of films created by makers with a wide range of skill levels, from professionals to students and everyone in between. The festival prides itself on a welcoming atmosphere that encourages film lovers to mingle, connect and collaborate. Grab some popcorn, have a seat and prepare for a serious dose of pretension-free creativity and entertainment. n

Come hungry and prepare to satisfy your sweet tooth at the Seventh Annual Atlanta Ice Cream Festival in Piedmont Park.

Along with plenty of frozen samples, the free event will offer live entertainment, games and a wellness pavilion for yoga and various exercise classes. A hula hoop competition, double-dutch routines, a cancer benefit walk and free health screenings are also scheduled.

auff.org

GRANT PARK SUMMER SHADE FESTIVAL

atlantaicecreamfestival.com

“À LA CARTE” GROUP SHOW OPENING RECEPTION August 5 Parlor Gallery

AUGUST 26-27

As one of the newer art hubs in the city (the inaugural show opened in the fall of 2016), Midtown’s Parlor Gallery has already worked to garner sizable buzz in Atlanta’s creative scene. Parlor has hosted a handful of unique shows, from photography to installations, featuring a slew of local artists. Its first group show, “À La Carte,” will feature food-related pieces from dozens of artists including Heather Greenway, Ashley Anderson and Yoon Nam.

On August 26 and 27, the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival returns to its namesake, the oldest park in ATL.

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facebook.com/parloratl Photo: Ryan Purcell

As the largest fundraiser for the member-based Grant Park Conservancy nonprofit, this annual event, now in its 15th year, is packed with entertainment, activities and attractions. Two stages will host a full lineup of live music, along with a large artist market, a kids zone, a 5K run, a VIP area with special offerings and much more.

The free event will also feature libations from the likes of Status Vodka, Frida Kahlo Tequila, Monday Night Brewing and Bold Rock Hard Cider, which serve as the perfect complement to the bevy of food trucks that’ll be parked onsite.

(Past food vendors include Mix’D Up Burgers, Simply Done Donuts, S&J’s Woodfired Pizza and The Smoke Ring.) As usual, the festival

will host an 8 a.m. Adams Realtors Run that starts and ends at the Zoo Atlanta entrance. A free “tot trot” for little ones ages 5 and younger and a stroller stroll are also on the agenda. In an effort to encourage car-free transportation, the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition will also be on-hand providing free bike valet services.

The Grant Park Conservancy is always undertaking a variety of

initiatives to better the neighborhood and Atlanta at large. Current projects include mobilizing a volunteer Grant Park stewardship program, developing solutions to alleviate traffic congestion and improving landscape design.

What better way to support a great community organization than to grab friends, a blanket and enjoy a day of fun in the sun? n summershadefestival.org

WONDERROOT ARTIST MARKET Every Sunday in July & August Ponce City Market Reynoldstown-based WonderRoot has been a vital resource for Atlanta’s emerging creatives through its affordable offerings such as a dark room and ceramics studio. Now, they’re branching out to host a weekly artist market located in The Shed at Ponce City Market, where they’ll be stocking a variety of wares from more than 40 local makers. Check out the covered market each Sunday to peruse everything from handmade jewelry and paintings to accessories, bath products and more.

wonderroot.org

Captured

Morning Glory

| CAPTURED BY: Nancy Koeppel |

The story behind the snap: While out for my morning walk to Piedmont Park, at the corner of 10th and Peachtree, I was greeted by this melodic songbird. It made me stop, look up and celebrate the nature that is there for us amidst sirens, construction and the symphony of life in Midtown. | TWITTER: @NancyKoeppel | CAMERA: iPhone 5 |

If you’d like submit a photo to appear in Captured, please email captured@17thsouth.com with the photo attached (or provide a download link) and tell us: 1) Your name, 2) where the photo was taken, 3) a brief story behind the photo, 4) your Twitter and Instagram handles and 5) what device you used to shoot the photo.

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1425 Piedmont Avenue | Atlanta | 30309 404.817.7773 jameshurleydesigns.com Call us for a complimentary consultation

BUCKHEAD CUMMING MIDTOWN

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404-705-8225 2155 Market Pl Blvd Cumming, GA

678-456-8237 650 Ponce De Leon Ave NE Atlanta, GA

678-705-5955 3480 Financial Center Suite M1070 Buford, GA

770-614-9916

Save the Date!

Jeffrey fashion cares C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

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2017

Benefiting Susan G. Komen Greater Atlanta & Atlanta AIDS Fund Monday, August 28, 2017 7:00 PM Phipps Plaza 3500 Peachtree Road HOST OF THE NIGHT

Bespoke Sponsor

Presenting Sponsors

For more information on the event, including online purchase of sponsorships and tickets, please visit our website www.jeffreyfashioncares.com or call 404.420.2997

Jeffrey McQuithy, Louise Sams, Don Purcell & Lila Hertz.

Photo courtesy of Tomas Espinoza Photography.

Serving Intown Atlanta Since 1973 We understand buying and selling real estate is an emotional and scary adventure. We want to help you better understand the process!

Call us at 404.874.6357 or email scott.askew@evusa.com to get started!

Virginia Highland: $1,399,000 988 Lanier Boulevard N.E. 5BR • 4BA Advisor: Ken Covers

Briar Hills: $349,000 1142 Briarcliff Road N.E. 2BR • 2BA • 2HBA Advisor: Jana Kato

Country Squire: $299,900 2691 Millwood Court 3BR • 2BA Advisor: Michael Gaddy

Under Contract Virginia Highland: $1,189,000 830 Ponce De Leon Terrace N.E. 3BR • 3BA • 2HBA Advisor: J. Jaramillo & E. Windham

Morningside: $1,295,000 1848 Windemere Drive N.E. 6BR • 5BA • 1HBA Advisor: Ken Covers

Under Contract Freedom Heights: $200,000 821 Ralph McGill Blvd N.E., #3416 1BR • 1BA Advisor: Ashlee Heath

Morningside: $1,375,000 1651 N. Pelham RoadN.E. 5BR • 4BA • 1HBA Advisor: Ken Covers

Virginia Highland: $1,749,500 1020 Bellevue Drive N.E. 5BR • 4BA • 1HBA Advisors: m&m group

Just Sold Princeton Walk: $530,000 1072 Princeton Walk 4 BR • 2 BA • 1HBA Advisor: Heather Armstrong

Morningside: $1,595,000 1656 Merton Road N.E. 4 BR • 4 BA • 1HBA Advisor: Ken Covers

Morningside: $729,900 1034 Amsterdam Avenue N.E. 3 BR • 2 BA Advisor: Mandi Robertson

Buckhead: $750,000 2828 Peachtree Road N.W. 3 BR • 3 BA Advisor: Andreas Alsdorf

We are looking for experienced professionals to join our real estate family!

Engel & Völkers Intown Atlanta, as well our Brookhaven & East Cobb offices, provides back-office support, international connections, and Broker support not commonly found in other real estateorganizations. Contact us at 404-874-6357 or scott.askew@evusa.com for a confidential meeting to discuss the possibilities!

Our Real Estate Family

1430 Dresden Drive, Suite200 Brookhaven, GA

4475 Roswell Road, Suite200 Marietta, GA

1411 North Highland Avenue • Atlanta 30306 • 404 874 6357 • www.intownatlanta.evusa.com ©2016 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage is independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

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