400 LIFE SEPTEMBER 2019
The Food issue
We DISH on the best spots for Mexican • Wings Breakfast German fare Cold drinks and more Extra: Kick off tailgaiting season with this incredible recipe | Order up breakfast in a basket for a loved one with this unique service Plus: Featuring breakfast of champions at First Watch • Palapas Bar and Grill expands in Forsyth • Your CBD Store and benefits of product • The dish on executive chef at Tam’s Tupelo
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from the editor This time last year, we were thinking of a new recipe for this magazine. We wanted to make something that was fresh and left you feeling full. So we checked the ingredients we had been using and made some tweaks. We changed the name (from 400 The Life to 400 LIFE) and we added some spices (400 faces, 400 spaces, 400 eats, etc.) but we kept the same commitment to giving you a glimpse into what life is like along this vibrant stretch of the Hospitality Highway. In the year since, we’ve written about everything from the arts to pets, home improvement to music, fatherhood to recreation, and each magazine issue has felt more and more comfortable, like a favorite recipe that you keep going back to. If there’s one ingredient we’d like to add more of, it’s feedback and interaction with you! Follow us on Instagram at @400lifemag to see more photos from our stories, and contact me at bpaglia@forsythnews.com or editor@forsythnews.com to share any feedback or story ideas you might have. We love the recipe we’re working with now, but maybe you can help us make it even better! — Brian Paglia
inside
contributors Publisher STEPHANIE WOODY Editor BRIAN PAGLIA Production Manager TRACIE PIKE Staff Writers ALEXANDER POPP KELLY WHITMIRE Advertising director NATHAN SCHUTTER Advertising DEBORAH DARNELL STEPHANIE MCCABE
A culinary staple
Celebrating a decade of fresh, delicious Mexican food. PAGE 4
HOT WINGS Check out these local spots for some of the best. Page 8 GASTHAUS TIROL The only authentic German fare around. Page 12 SURPRISE! Woman delivers special occasion breakfast baskets. Page 22 TAILGAITING A delicious recipe to start the season off right. Page 30 400 SPACES Palapas brings a taste of Mexico to your table. Page 16 400 FACES Meet the executive chef of Tam’s Tupelo. Page 20 400 EATS Start your day right at First Watch. Page 25 400 HEALTH The benefits of CBD from Your CBD Store. Page 28
Photographer BEN HENDREN Special contributors JENNIFER COLOSIMO JORDYN PAUL-SLATER ALYSSA FREYMAN
This magazine is a product of the www.ForsythNews.com Advertising rates available upon request. Call (770) 887-3126 or email marketing@forsythnews.com
September 2019 | 400 LIFE | 3
A Mexican food lover’s (American) dream
Los Rios Mexican Restaurant celebrates 10 years Story by Jennifer Colosimo | Photos by Ben Hendren
Chances are, if you’ve ever had a bite of the Forsyth-famous steak fajitas from Los Rios Mexican Restaurant in Cumming, you’re already a regular. And while you may not need a reason to keep going back, getting to know a little bit more about the family behind the fajitas will only add to your next visit’s satisfaction. No matter what you order — or when you go — you can count on fresh, delicious food, consistent and excellent service and both done with a heck of a lot of heart. That heartbeat celebrates a decade this year and a fancy new food truck in its culinary armory (catch them at Dawsonville’s Food Truck Fridays on Sept. 3). But as great as things are going now for the Granados family, it was an uphill battle that has made the success that much sweeter (err, spicier). “Food was always my passion, but unfortunately, it was a rough time to get into that passion because of the economy,” said Miguel Granados, who runs Los Rios with 4 | 400 LIFE
| September 2019
Miguel Granados, left, runs Los Rios Mexican Restaurant with his sister, Mayra Granados, and a slew of other family members. The eatery has won the Best of Forsyth for five years in a row.
“Doing this restaurant was something that we had in our heart. No matter how hard it was, we just had to go forward with it. And now, it’s something I always thank God for. Lots of people open Mexican restaurants, but we’ve been able to succeed and gain a large following. We want to return that favor.” — Miguel Granados, Owner Los Rios Mexican Restaurant
Regulars know their servers by name (and vice versa) and are most likely ordering fajitas, or anything with the restaurant’s delicious cheese dip.
his sister, Mayra Granados and a slew of other family members — their dad Salvador, Granados’ wife Nadia, his brother-in-law Omar Sanchez and Nadia’s uncle, Cesar Taboada. “Everyone told us we would fail. Restaurants were closing all around us.” What happened wasn’t anything to prove naysayers wrong. In fact, Miguel Granados will be the first to tell you that their first week — the first year, even — was a big challenge. The difference? The Granados family believed in what they were doing, because this was their livelihood, and failure wasn’t an option. That’s a mindset well engrained in Granados’ head. His family moved to Forsyth County in 1992 from Guanajuato, Mexico. Times were tough. They spent their first few years sharing a room in the garage, and if Granados needed something for school, he’d
have to seek out a way to pay for it. That’s how Granados found his way into restaurants as a young teenager, his first job with the now-closed Austin’s Steak & Seafood in Cumming. When the restaurant struggled, Granados worked for a year straight, never taking a day off and swapping duties with family members to cut costs. They all waited tables, helped in the kitchen, washed dishes — whatever it took to get to the next day, including giving up tips to pay their handful of employees. Somewhere along the way — they earned a little reputation for themselves. “People just started hearing about us,” said Granados. “People heard maybe how we had changed things, or how
Continued on Page 6 September 2019 | 400 LIFE | 5
Several Granados family recipes all the way from that central city in Mexico have made it to the menu as well, including the rice, salsas and the pastor marinade used on the pork.
good the service and the food was. Ten years later, it’s just incredible the support people have given us. It’s something that shows how hard work pays off, and we really just feel blessed by it.” It doesn’t take much for Granados to list the reasons people why love it — the menu and the experience speak for themselves, at least for the ones who still have to look at the menu to k n ow w h a t t h e y w a n t . Regulars know their servers by name (and vice versa) and are most likely ordering the aforementioned fajitas, or anything with their delicious cheese dip. What everyone may not know is that several Granados family recipes all the way from that central city in Mexico have made it to the menu as well, including the rice, salsas and the pastor marinade used on the pork. “Everybody can be from Mexico, but there are different concepts of food in different regions,” said Granados. “These are from our hometown, and we’re honored to share them with the 6 | 400 LIFE
| September 2019
people who come here.” A spicy wink from Señor Granados is one element of why the food is so good. The other is the high quality products they buy and the quality with which it is prepared and served. Food is prepped every day, starting with the rice and beans at 8:30 a.m. and a trip to a local farmer’s market for fresh produce. And although the menu is constantly adding specials that quickly become favorites, there’s one thing that will never change. “Our prices are very low, and that’s on purpose,” Granados said. “We come from a family who rarely got to go out to eat. It just wasn’t something we were able to do. So now, we want to give that opportunity to our customers. “Doing this restaurant was something that we had in our heart,” he said. “No matter how hard it was, we just had to go forward with it. And now, it’s something I always thank God for. Lots of people open Mexican restaurants, but we’ve been able to succeed and gain a large following. We want to return that favor.” On behalf of fellow cheese-dip lovers across the city, gracias, amigos.
kingsof wings
In nearly every town in America there is a local bar, pub or restaurant where people in the know go to get their hot wings. Whether it’s on game day or just lunchtime, coupled with a cold beer and some blue cheese dressing, nothing quite beats a wellcooked hot or buffalo wing. Luckily, Forsyth County has wing places aplenty, everything from well-known corporate joints to establishments that have been serving wings in the community for decades. For this edition of 400 Life, we sat down with the owners of some of the county’s beloved local wing spots to talk about their story and what makes their recipe special. Story by Alexander Popp
Rooster’s Café Their story: As Best of Forsyth winners for wings the last five years running, Roosters Café in Cumming is truly the king of wings in Forsyth County. Over their 28-year history in Cumming, Roosters Café owner Michael Parker says that they have seen the city and county shoot up, growing from a small rural area with few options for dining to the thriving community jam-packed with new businesses it is quickly becoming. That new business has come with competition, but Parker said that it hasn’t been a bad thing, quite the opposite in fact. “It’s just proof for capitalism really, competition breeds business,” he said. “It seemed like the more restaurants that were coming into town, brought more people with it … whereas we were originally one of like three places in town.” With an eclectic family-friendly bar atmosphere and reliable food service, Rooster’s has been able to capture a dedicated following of customers in Cumming, he said. Something they don’t expect to change any time soon. Their wings: Unlike many restaurants that boast about their wing size, Parker said that Rooster’s specialty hot wings are specifically a “medium-sized wing” that are just a little bit harder to find. “Our wings are a little bit smaller,” he said. “Say for instance Taco Mac likes to sell a bigger banquet wing and some people like those and that’s fine, but our customers seem to like ours just a little smaller.” The benefits of a medium wing, according to Parker, are that they are a little bit easier to cook consistently, making them more 8 | 400 LIFE
| September 2019
Photos by Ben Hendren
Roosters Cafés’ specialty hot wings are a medium size, which are easier to cook consistently, are more tender and have more flavor. The café also has a specialty hot sauce and handmade blue cheese.
tender, with more flavor. Add to that Rooster’s specialty hot sauce and handmade blue cheese, that Parker calls “off the charts” good, and it’s easy to see why people keep coming back to the restaurant. “It’s just a great combination,” Parker said. “The secret to it all is being small and caring, and our own recipes that are made fresh in house.” Where: 216 Atlanta Road, Cumming Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday Contact: 770-889-6890, roosterscafe.net.
Castleberry Ale House Their story: Started in the wake of the great recession of 2008, over the last nine years Castleberry Ale House has been serving the people of Forsyth County with all the beer, burgers, wings and other bar favorites they can handle. According to restaurant owner, Aaron Hyder, who runs Castleberry Ale House with his mother, Christine Martines, in that time their family-run business has become an entrenched part of the community, putting the community first, whether that be with donations and sponsorships or food pricing that has remained unchanged for seven years. “We just try to give back,” Hyder said. “The community here is probably one of the best I’ve ever seen.” Their wings: “We do beers and wings great, that’s what we do,” Hyder said. Through years of working at corporate restaurants and bouncing ideas for wings off of other professional chefs, Hyder said that they have perfected a recipe for hot wings, offering a large, meaty wing that is pre-seasoned even before going into the fryer. “That gives them a little bit more flavor than most,” he said. Where: 5446 Bethelview Road, Cumming Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to midnight on Sunday Contact: 770-292-9999, castleberryalehouse.com.
Continued on Page 10
Photos by Alexander Popp
Aaron Hyder, who runs Castleberry Ale House with his mother, Christine Martines, says that the restaurant has perfected a recipe for hot wings, offering a large, meaty wing that is pre-seasoned. September 2019 | 400 LIFE | 9
Summits Wayside Tavern Their story: This year will mark 20 years that Summits Wayside Tavern has been in the Forsyth County community. Sitting on Lake Center Parkway in Cumming with a “Hot Wings” sign prominently displayed over the roadway, Summits is a locally-owned restaurant that prides quality and consistency over everything, says owner Andy Klubock. “Having a fanatical adhesion to doing things over and over again and making sure that something tastes the same at 11 o’clock in the morning as 11 o’clock at night,” Klubock said when asked about what sets Summits apart from its competitors. “Not compromising on the processes … that’s something that we try to appreciate and work hard at.” Their wings: Klubock said that the secret of their wings lies in
Photo by Ben Hendren that “fanatical adhesion” to quality. Everything must be made from scratch, the wings have to be the right size, and everything has to cook at exactly the right time. “A minute too early or a minute too late makes a big difference,” he said. Klubock said that at Summits they do a slew of flavors including barbecue and Thai chili, but their top seller is overwhelmingly the buffalo sauce, their specialty. “In [the customer’s] mind, they have an idea of what something tasted like and when they come in they don’t want to be disappointed,” he said. “We try not to disappoint.” Where: 525 Lake Center Pkwy., Cumming Hours: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Friday; 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday and Sunday. Contact: 770-886-4374, summits-online.com.
Black Diamond Grill Their story: Named after the ski slopes that business owner Terry Hanley once spent time on, the Black Diamond Grill has been in the Forsyth County community for more than 10 years. Hanley says that their mission is to provide a “family oriented” sports bar atmosphere to local residents, serving quality food that is made from scratch daily. “That’s part of our uniqueness,” he said. “I just think it’s a better quality of product when it’s fresh.” Their wings: Hanley said that at Black Diamond Grill they pride themselves in their huge hot wings, offering jumbo wings with more meat and more flavor. “You are going to get a lot more chicken on it than you would with some of our competitors,” he said. “And we’ve come up with a sauce that has been given great ratings and have won in different areas of Atlanta.” Where: 1485 Peachtree Pkwy., Cumming Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily Contact: 678-965-4770, theblackdiamondgrill.com. 10 | 400 LIFE
| September 2019
Photo submitted
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September 2019 | 400 LIFE | 11
Gasthaus Tirol
Bringing authentic German cuisine to the county for almost 25 years Story by Alyssa Freyman | Photos by Ben Hendren
Gasthaus Tirol has been serving authentic German cuisine in downtown Cumming for almost 25 years. The original owners, Herman and Heidi Eisele decided to open a German cafe in Forsyth County after noticing a shortage of places to get German cuisine. With its popularity growing, they decided to make it into a restaurant and offer more food options. In 2014, Gasthaus Tirol was put up for sale by Executive Chef Reinhold Weger, who owned the business at the time. Brian Noeske, who was working as a chef at the time, decided to buy the restaurant to continue providing the authentic German food that local residents love. “He [Chef Weger] was looking at either selling or closing it down.” said Noeske. “I thought it would be better to buy it from him.” After a month of retirement, Weger decided to come back and work for Noeske. With Noeske’s experience in business from selling pharmaceuticals and Weger’s Austrian cultural background and knowledge on creating authentic German food, it was a perfect partnership. Noeske took on the role of general manager and owner, while Weger became executive chef and co12 | 400 LIFE
| September 2019
Brian Noeske, owner of Gasthaus Tirol in Cumming, left, and Executive Chef Reinhold Weger.
“People that actually know German cuisine will go look for it. Next year will be out 25th year. We’re just a small, cozy restaurant. We’re not huge like a corporate one. We’re authentic.” — Brian Noeske, owner of Gasthaus Tirol
The Bier Garden offers a place for customers to relax outside, admire the surrounding greenery, eat dinner and sip one of the many types of beer offered.
owner of the restaurant. They have made some changes that have turned out for the better, such as expanding the menu along with some parts of the restaurant. The restaurant also offers unique activities for adults. The Bier Garden offers a place for customers to relax outside, admire the surrounding greenery, eat dinner if they choose, and sip one of the many types of beer offered. “Herman and Heidi actually added the Bier Garden,” said Noeske. “We’ve expanded it so that we can have entertainment out here and have more people enjoy it. A Bier Garden is traditionally a place where people come to drink beer and … something to eat. We serve dinner out here as well as beer.” Live music is offered on Saturday nights by local artists, such as Amy Baldwin and Ryan Davis. A schedule of the performances can be found on their Facebook page or website at gasthaus-cumming.com/
Hours of operation: Lunch: 11a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday Dinner: 5-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 5-9 p.m. Sunday
With Oktoberfest right around the corner, Noeske has big plans for Gasthaus Tirol. One is having entertainment for
guests more than one night a week. “Usually during Oktoberfest we have [musical performances] on Friday and Saturday nights in the Bier Garden.” Schnitzels, goulash and giant Bavarian pretzels are among the many German dishes that can be found in Gasthaus Tirol. The beloved restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and does catering upon request. Due to its popularity, reservations are recommended. Noeske believes that one of the many reasons why customers keep returning to the restaurant is because of its authenticity. “In Atlanta, there’s only a handful of German restaurants,” said Noeske. “People that actually know German cuisine will go look for it. Next year will be out 25th year. We’re just a small, cozy restaurant. We’re not huge like a corporate one. We’re authentic.” Gasthaus Tirols is on 310 Atlanta Road in Cumming. September 2019 | 400 LIFE | 13
Everything we serve is prepared fresh to order, allowing you to enjoy the rich, complex flavors of our home at their finest. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey -- no matter the occasion, we’re sure to treat you to a cultural and culinary adventure you won’t soon forget. SPECIAL EVENTS AND CATERING Our restaurant is cater for private events: weddings, business lunches, dinners, cocktail receptions, and more. We would love to discuss how to be a part of your next event. SEASONAL AND LOCAL We refuse to compromise on quality in our restaurant. That’s why we source our fresh ingredients from local farmers’ markets.
Experience traditional and authentic Thai cuisine made with farm to table local ingredients with spice levels that you can choose from including Mild, Medium, Hot, and Thai hot. Enjoy our outdoor patio or the new feature Chef table (minimum 6 people) special menu our chef creates just for you! Top off the whole experience with one of our famous desserts like the mango with black sweet sticky rice! Enjoy traditional meals like Pad Thai, Pad Kee Mao or Green curry. We also offer chef special’s like Thai basil lamb, beef short rib in Panang sauce and roast duck curry. Plus, try our award winning coconut cake that won 2018 Taste of Forsyth for best dessert.
Fresh Ingredients, Fresh Food, Authentic Taste Made from Scratch
470-695-7377 | 1475 Peachtree Parkway Suite 5 Cumming, GA 30041 www.thaibasilkitchen.com
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400 spaces
Palapas Bar and Grill A cool place to have some cold drinks and a good time
Story by Jordyn Paul-Slater | Photos by Ben Hendren
Owner brings touch of Mexican heritage to its new location
L
ocated in Forsyth County, Palapas Bar and Grill prides itself for creating a space enriched with Mexican culture and cuisine. Its first location on Buford Highway has been serving the county for about six-and-a-half years and counting. With a goal of spreading Mexican heritage to the Forsyth community, Oziel Rodriguez recently opened a second location on Browns Bridge Road. The new restaurant aims to continue to bring awareness of Mexican culture from every dish to the mere design of the chairs. In fact, the furniture has hand-painted images from Mexico, depicting significant cultural references. “This location has a bit more of a personal touch than the first one. Most of the furniture is hand-painted from Mexico. We wanted to give that personal Mexican feel,” Rodriguez said. Besides celebrating Mexican heritage through their decor, Palapas also dedicates themselves to the authenticity of their food. Most of their salsas and sauces are made from scratch in-house. Their genuine and detailed approach to true Mexican cuisine makes them stand out from other Mexican restaurants in the area. Their most popular dish is the “Palapas Favorite,” however Palapas’ management and floor staff all recommend something different. The owner loves the “Taquitos Tradicionales,” while some of the wait 16 | 400 LIFE
| September 2019
Palapas Bar and Grill Manager Stephen Rodriguez, Owner Oziel (Ozzie) Rodriguez and manager Joel Rodriguez.
Palapas Bar and Grill also does catering. For more information, call the Buford Hwy. location at 770-889-1002, or the Browns Bridge Road location at 678-771-8091
staff prefer the mini tacos. Regardless, there is clearly something on the menu for everyone to enjoy. Everyone who works at Palapas shares the same passion for making their customers’ experience great. The atmosphere seems to be a selling point for patrons. “A lot of customers really like our atmosphere. Our [management and floor staff] personalities combined make coming to Palapas a great visit. I personally haven’t seen anything similar to it anywhere else,” said Tabata Acosta, a server at Palapas. The owner also mentioned how the second location will continue to focus on strengthening its relationship with the community. Oziel Rodriguez aims for Palapas to not only be a provider of great food and service, but a place where people with all kinds of backgrounds can come together. “One thing that is special about Palapas is that it’s a place where people can connect with other people that they may have never before. This usually happens around the bar. The energy there connects people in ways that I’ve never seen before,” he said. Palapas prides itself on building strong relationships with each and every customer that last throughout the years. “My favorite moments with customers always seem to be fullcircle like seeing teenagers who visited us frequently grow into adults. Or, when we are booked to cater someone’s graduation event or wedding party. These long-lasting relationships with our customers mean the most,” Rodriguez said. With a hands-on management style, everyone on Palapas’ staff gets to experience some sort of direct customer interaction. The owner himself enjoys waiting tables and meeting his customers.
“[As the owner] I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know other people. I particularly love moments when I decide to wait tables to help out the staff, and customers have no idea who I am. And when I introduce myself as the owner, I love seeing their reaction,” said Rodriguez. “Moments like that also mean a lot.” From supporting local schools during events to handing out free T-shirts on customer’s birthdays, it’s evident that the staff at Palapas Bar and Grill wants every customer to leave feeling satisfied and appreciated. “We want to honor [the customers] presence, since they chose us over any other restaurant they could’ve been to,” said Rodriguez. “We want them to feel welcomed and appreciated.” September 2019 | 400 LIFE | 17
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YOUR PURCHASE OF $40 OR MORE
Dine-in only. Not valid on to go orders. Valid Mon-Thurs only. Not valid with any other offers. Food only. One coupon per party. Expires 10/31/19
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Palapas Bar & Grill | 770.889.1002
2950 Buford Highway, Suite 240, Cumming, GA
Palapas Bar & Grill #2 | 678.771.8091
3647 Browns Bridge Road, Suite 105-B, Cumming, GA
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400 faces
Abel Munoz
Executive Chef at Tam’s Tupelo is master of his craft
Munoz talks food, soccer and reveals his favorite chef Story and photos by Kelly Whitmire
Tam’s Tupelo in Cumming is well-known for their burgers, seafood and steak, all served with a Cajun flair, but fewer people are likely to know one of the biggest reasons behind the unique taste. E xe c u t ive C h e f A b e l Munoz is a two-time Best of Forsyth winner for the chef category and is responsible for helping to come up with signature dishes, prepping where other cooks need to be, ordering food and other items from vendors, creating schedules for employees and, 20 | 400 LIFE
| September 2019
of course, handles cooking. Munoz said he has nearly 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, along with two-and-a-half years at Tam’s Tupelo, and has cooked a variety of styles in the metro Atlanta area. Even off the clock, Munoz said he is constantly watching cooking shows on TV and videos on the internet to help hone his craft. Munoz spoke with 400 Life about some of his favorite foods, teams and shows.
Big question, but do you have a favorite dish? “I’d say jambalaya … Playing around the dishes and stuff, that’s what I do. I like to create and play with the food.” Do you have a favorite celebrity chef? “Oh yeah, one is Michael Symon. He’s my favorite chef.” Favorite TV show? “Chopped on [Food Network]. I like that, and I like watching soccer.” What are you favorite soccer teams and player? “Barcelona, and it’s [Lionel] Messi. No doubt.” Favorite vacation spot? “My wife and kids like Florida. When we get the time, we go there.” September 2019 | 400 LIFE | 21
Surprise! It’s breakfast!
Local woman starts surprise service for special occasions (or just because) Story and photos by Brian Paglia
F
or Vanessa Ocampo, there is a special magic to getting breakfast in bed. The food is nice, of course, but the most charming part of the experience is the element of surprise. “It’s always fun when you’re waking up and somebody has a tray with a bunch of balloons and [says], ‘Here’s your breakfast,’” Ocampo says. Ocampo has been delivering surprises around Forsyth County and beyond for the past six months, serving fancy breakfast baskets to unsuspecting customers for all sorts of special occasions through her business, But First Breakfast. Customers select a breakfast surprise from a menu, and Ocampo takes care of the rest. She cooks the meal and accentuates the presentation with crafty, Pinterest-inspired details, and she can turn it around in as little as 48 hours after an order. Ocampo has created her surprises for almost any occasion: birthdays, anniversaries, gender reveals
22 | 400 LIFE
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or just because. “I put a lot of time into it,” Ocampo says. “I do it as if I was doing it for my family or loved ones.” The business is a reboot for Ocampo, who moved to Georgia from New Jersey about two years ago. Surprise services were something of a cottage industry in New Jersey, Ocampo said, but most were simple. Ocampo saw an opportunity to do something unique by blending her skills in cooking and crafting, and it gained traction. The business was put on hold when Ocampo, with her husband and two kids, decided to move to Georgia, first to Roswell and then to Cumming in November of 2018. Ocampo found work as a dialysis technician but eventually felt the urge to revive her surprise business. She started six months ago and has been building it back up mostly through referrals and exposure on social media. Ocampo is back to getting that familiar satisfaction from facilitating special moments for customers. It hits her every time she makes a delivery and see the look on a customer’s face. “I just love seeing people smile,” Ocampo said.
You can find But First Breakfast on Instagram @ ButFirstBreakfastby_DS.
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September 2019 | 400 LIFE | 23
TAM’S BACKSTAGE provides the perfect destination for family gatherings or special date nights. A flavorful blend of American cuisines with a Northern Italian flair are enhanced by the cozy vintage atmosphere created by owners Brian and Kelly Tam. Your evening is complete with a visit to School Street Playhouse. So sit back, relax and enjoy the presentation.
215 Ingram Avenue, Cumming, GA 30040 ~ 678-455-8310 TAM’S TUPELO is a friendly neighborhood restaurant that embraces authentic southern cuisine. It’s refined casual. Exquisite regional food in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Come in and sit a spell. You’ll be glad you did.
1050 Buford Hwy, Cumming, Ga. 30041 ~ 470-839-2024
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU! TAMSBACKSTAGE.COM
TAMSTUPELO.COM
Welcoming New Patients! 1080 Sanders Road, Suite 100, Cumming, GA 30041 Call for an appointment: 770-887-2323
We accept most insurance plans, offer convenient, same day appointments and welcome walk-ins.
We have served the Cumming community for over 50 years, serving families with the highest standard of care. Dr. Nibedita Patro provides care for patients aged ten and older, and offers a wide range of primary care services, including comprehensive physicals, acute illness care and preventive care. We take pride in the good health of our patients, and spend as much time as is needed to keep you and your family happy and healthy.
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• Comprehensive physicals • Chronic Disease Management Dr. Nibedita Patro Board Certified, Family Medicine
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| September 2019
• Acute Illness Care • Immunizations • Minor in-office procedures
400 eats
First Watch
New restaurant gets Forsyth County hooked on breakfast
Story and photos by Brian Paglia
First Watch, the rapidly growing daytime-only restaurant, opened across from The Collection at Forsyth in May and has been a hit with its menu of breakfast, brunch and lunch food. The Florida-based restaurant offers traditional fare like omelets, pancakes, sandwiches, salads, coffee and herbal teas, but there’s so much more on the menu to explore. For those still unfamiliar with the trendy spot, here are five things to try:
Avocado toast Avocado toast has moved beyond cliche to become standard fare. First Watch uses thick-cut whole grain toast to hold smashed avocado seasoned with extra-virgin olive oil, lemon and Maldonado sea salt plus two basted eggs on the side.
The elevated egg sandwich Elevated indeed. This is a new take on the egg sandwich — an overeasy egg with bacon, Gruyere cheese, smashed avocado, mayo- and lemon-dressed arugula on a brioche bun served with seasoned potatoes.
Chickichanga One of First Watch’s signature dishes, the chickichanga is comprised of whipped eggs with spicy chicken breast, chorizo, green chilies, Cheddar, Monterey Jack, onions and avocado rolled in a flour tortilla topped with Vera Cruz sauce and sour cream plus fresh fruit and seasoned potatoes on the side.
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Chicken avocado chop
Morning meditation
Maybe you arrive at First Watch closer to lunch. No problem. They have several salad choices, including this one that combines kale and other organic greens with housemade maple-roasted carrots, all-natural chicken breast, dried cranberries, slivered almonds and shredded Parmesan cheese tossed in a maple-lemon vinaigrette.
First Watch has a thorough array of beverages, from coffee to herbal tea to fresh juice, but this creation from the restaurant’s juice bar really stands out. A combination of orange, lemon, turmeric, ginger agave nectar and beet that creates an amber concoction as pleasing to look at as it is to taste.
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YEAH, IT’S FRESH™ Here at First Watch, we begin each morning at the crack of dawn, slicing fresh fruits and vegetables, baking muffins and whipping up our French toast batter from scratch. Everything is made to order and freshness is never compromised. We don’t use heat lamps or deep fryers — we use only the finest ingredients possible for the freshest taste around. When you arrive, we welcome you with a pot — not just a cup — of our Project Sunrise coffee, along with complimentary newspapers and WiFi Internet access.
Cumming (770) 637-4763 365 Peachtree Pkwy, Cumming, GA 30041
Johns Creek (770) 418-1448 11720 Medlock Bridge Rd, Johns Creek, GA 30097
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Alpharetta (678) 566-3447
3450 Old Milton Pkwy Suite 220, Alpharetta, GA 30005
www.FirstWatch.com
400 health
Your CBD Store
Customers find oil helps with a variety of health issues
Story by Brian Paglia | Photos by Ben Hendren
A
shland Kayne grew up in Gainesville in a health-conscious family, so when a longtime family friend started a retail company that sold products with cannabidiol, or CBD, a chemical component of the hemp plant, they were intrigued. The family got involved in the business and started using CBD, and they found it helpful with a variety of ailments among the group. It helped Kayne’s father with his blood pressure and arthritis. It helped Kayne with pain she’d been experiencing from previous car accidents. It helped her mom and brother with “all sorts of issues,” she says. “There’s so many things that CBD can be helpful for,” Kayne says. The family now owns four Your CBD Store locations in Georgia, including their latest that opened off Peachtree Parkway across from The Collection at Forsyth in June. The store offers a variety of CBD products, from water-soluble solutions to gummies, hard candies to skin creams and even dog treats. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CBD is a legal chemical component of cannabis sativa that causes none of the intoxication or euphoria commonly found with use of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, which is derived from other forms of cannabis, like marijuana. In June of 2018, the FDA approved the first prescription drug to contain a substance derived from cannabis, a CBD oral solution called Epidiolex, used for the treatment of seizures associated with some rare forms of epilepsy. The CBD industry is in the midst of a boom, and the Kaynes are right in the middle of it. Your CBD Store is projected to have 750 locations across the country by the end of the year, Kayne says, and the family is planning to add to their own footprint. Kayne’s parents have plans to open three more stores, while her brother and an uncle are planning to open new locations in the near future. Kayne herself plans to open a Your CBD Store in the Atlanta area. “There’s not a lot of quality [CBD] retailers, especially in the suburbs,” Kayne says. She added, “We wanted to do something a little different.” Most customers seek out CBD products for two reasons, Kayne says: pain and anxiety. But Kayne says they get customers looking for CBD to help a variety of health issues, including diabetes and neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
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Kayne says that the store’s 1,000-milligram topical cream recently won “Best Pain Cream in Show” at the USA CBD Expo and provides relief from poison oak. “We’re meeting people every week who are coming in for something new,” Kayne says. There are challenges in such a new industry, Kayne says. The CBD market is still largely unregulated. Reliable information about the science and the best uses for CBD is scattered across the internet. Kayne says many Georgia politicians have been unfriendly toward CBD too. But Kayne and her family have found customers are embracing CBD products, so they keep themselves informed and trained on Your CBD Store’s SunMed products. “I think the thing we really sell is information and a service,” Kayne says. “... We want to make sure that when you leave that you have peace of mind.”
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Now opeN! Your CBD Store of Cumming 425 Peachtree Parkway Suite 325 Cumming, GA 30041 470-839-2986 Located across from The Collection near Starbucks
Your CBD Store of Johns Creek 9775 Medlock Bridge Rd Suite G Johns Creek, Ga 30097 470-448-3943 Next to Stoney River Restaurant
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your physician before use. For use by adults 18+.
ALMOST TIME TO TAILGATE! Here’s a delicious recipe to start the season off right
Chicken Bombs Recipe, photos submitted by Mark Doll
Ingredients: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs Jalapenos Cream cheese Bacon Shredded cheese Your favorite pork/chicken dry rub BBQ sauce Toothpicks
Recipe: Remove stem, cut jalapenos in half lengthwise and remove insides (leave the veins for more heat). Spread a layer of cream cheese in the middle of each half jalapeno, then fill the rest with shredded cheese. Lay out the chicken thighs flat and roll one of the prepared half jalapenos inside of the chicken thigh. Once wrapped as tightly as possible, wrap strip(s) of bacon around the chicken thighs to cover. Use toothpicks to hold everything together. Season the chicken bomb with your favorite dry rub. Place on grill around 400 degrees. Turning often so as not to burn the outside. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees (around 40-50 min). Mop with barbecue sauce 10 minutes or so before pulling off the grill and/or after you pull off the grill. Serve hot! 30 | 400 LIFE
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