VIE Magazine March / April 2017

THE

CULINARY & COUTURE ISSUE SARTORIAL FEATURE

March / April 2017

DYSTOPIA MEETS UTOPIA TAKING FASHION TO ANOTHER DIMENSION

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A P PA R E L ,

J E W E L R Y,

H O M E

AC C E S S O R I E S ,

A LY S S H O P P E .CO M

A N D

G I F T S

In this issue On the Cover

South Walton Fashion Week 2016 winning model Bella DeLeón, photographed by the incomparable Carlo Pieroni, is the picture-perfect example

84

A NEIGHBORHOOD FAVORITE HOMEMADE ITALIAN-INSPIRED DISHES AND THE HOSPITALITY OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, BLEND PERFECTLY AT CHEF FRANK STITT’S BOTTEGA RESTAURANT.

of retro chic. (Pieroni and his wife, Carol Wilson, were also judges for the SWFW

FEATURE

LA MAISON 91

26 Dystopia Meets Utopia: Taking Fashion to

92 Casual Elegance on Lake Martin

the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton

Another Dimension

100 Unmistakably Sublime: Fall in Love with

County at 30Avenue and Grand Bou-

LA CONVERSATION 21

Casa Amore

2016 model competition.) VIE was proud to sponsor SWFW 2016, presented by

levard Town Center in South Walton, Florida. Since the inception of SWFW in 2013, VIE has offered its winning Emerging Designer and Sheila Goode Models of the Year a fashion spread in

INSPIRATIONAL MUSINGS 23 Queen Be

C’EST LA VIE CURATED COLLECTION: CULINARY AND COUTURE 112 BON APPÉTIT! 121

the annual Culinary and Couture Issue

SARTORIAL 25

(formerly Food and Fashion). See the

42 Runway Report: Spring/Summer Fashion

other winners and read a not-so-classic

Trends We Love!

126 Spring Fling: Cocktails with Sparkling Ice

LA BEAUTÉ

134 Emeril Lagasse Creates Culinary Magic: The

love story in “Dystopia Meets Utopia” on page 26.

50 Beauty Spotlight: Cosmetic Vein and Laser Center

LE MONDE 53 54 Provocateurs: Don’t Let Civility Die PUBLISHED BY

LA VITALITÉ 62 Food Allergies: Be Informed and Healthy

VOYAGER 69

122 Unwind at UNwineD: The Allure of Craft Beer, Wine, and Music

Twelfth Annual Boudin, Bourbon and Beer and Carnivale du Vin in NOLA

144 Comfort Food: Good Old-Fashioned Home Recipes 150 Island Time: Okaloosa’s New Culinary Hot Spot

LA SCÈNE 158 AU REVOIR! 163

70 The Heart of Dixie: B’ham from Then ’til Now TheIdeaBoutique.com info@theideaboutique.com

84 Un maître culinaire: Frank Stitt Blends French Cuisine and Southern Comfort V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 13

CREATIVE TEAM FOUNDER / EDITOR-IN-CHIEF LISA MARIE BURWELL Lisa@VIEmagazine.com

FOUNDER / PUBLISHER GERALD BURWELL Gerald@VIEmagazine.com

EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR JORDAN STAGGS Jordan@VIEmagazine.com

CHIEF COPY EDITOR MARGARET STEVENSON CONTRIBUTING WRITERS SALLIE W. BOYLES, BILL CAMPBELL, PAMEL A DOWLING, DR. KIMBERLY MOSKOWITZ, TORI PHELPS, COLLEEN SACHS, L. JORDAN SWANSON, SUSAN VALLEE

ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY ART DIRECTOR TRACEY THOMAS Tracey@VIEmagazine.com

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR LUCY MASHBURN FILM CURATORS AMANDA CROWLEY, TIM DUTROW GRAPHIC DESIGNER RINN GARL ANGER CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS JEAN ALLSOPP, DAVE BENETT, BENNIE BOS, SAMUEL CORUM, JAB, JIM DENNEY, KEVIN DIETSCH, CHERYL GERBER, DARREN GERRISH, AMANDA HAMPEL, STEFANIE KEENAN, SARA KERENS, BRENNA KNEISS, ANDREW THOMAS LEE, CARLO PIERONI, ANDREW REPP, ROMONA ROBBINS, WEILING SHEN, BRITTANY STURDIVANT, ALISSA ARYN PHOTOGRAPHY, MODUS PHOTOGRAPHY

ADVERTISING, SALES, AND MARKETING DIGITAL MARKETING DIRECTOR MEGHN HILL WEB DEVELOPER MARK THOMAS BRANCH OFFICE MANAGER – IRELAND SHARON DUANE MARKETING MANAGER AMANDA CROWLEY CREATIVE STYLIST SUVA ANG-MENDOZA SALES AND MARKETING DIRECTOR L AUREN SHAW Lauren@VIEmagazine.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE MARY JANE KIRBY MaryJane@VIEmagazine.com

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER TIM DUTROW DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR SHANNON QUINL AN

VIE is a registered trademark. All contents herein are Copyright © 2008–2016 Cornerstone Marketing and Advertising, Incorporated (Publisher). All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher. VIE is a lifestyle magazine and is published six times annually on a bimonthly schedule. The opinions herein are not necessarily those of the Publisher. The Publisher and its advertisers will not be held responsible for any errors found in this publication. The Publisher is not liable for the accuracy of statements made by its advertisers. Ads that appear in this publication are not intended as offers where prohibited by state law. The Publisher is not responsible for photography or artwork submitted by freelance or outside contributors. The Publisher reserves the right to publish any letter addressed to the editor or the Publisher. VIE is a paid publication. Subscription rates: Printed magazine – One-year $29.95; Two-year $54.95. Subscriptions can be purchased online at www.VIEmagazine.com.

14 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

Editor's Note

DOING GOOD in a CHANGING WORLD VIE was founded in early 2008 on the premise of offering hope to our readers through positive stories in a world that was drowning in superficial reality television shows, celebrity hyper-obsessions, over-sensationalized news, and an extremely poor economy that would quickly turn into the worst collapse of our nation’s financial system since the Great Depression. I knew many people who, as a result of the Great Recession, were suffering through bankruptcy, depression, and divorce. In my mind’s eye, the core to VIE’s heart and soul would be the inverse to the mainstream media; we would present stories about good people doing good. It would inspire people to dream, to think, and to love. In-depth stories with rich photography would celebrate the Everyman and be a driving force to the editorial content. A few of the magazine’s early critics warned that stories should be shorter so as to reduce paper-, time-, and production-related costs and that publishing so many stories per issue would lead to running out of content. Obviously, we didn’t listen. And, a decade later, we are still going strong as life and people constantly surprise us with new stories of hope, love, creativity, fashion, education, inspiration, philanthropy, and animal protection.

VIE is preparing to embark on a national media tour this year—events are scheduled in Birmingham, Boston, Charleston, Miami, Nashville, and New Orleans—to make more people aware of the magazine and hopefully become fans of it. Also, we are proud to announce that, in addition to our targeted home delivery and subscription programs, VIE is now sold in over 240 Publix Super Markets, 640 Barnes & Noble locations, eleven international airports, and numerous bookstores across the country. What I’ve learned from a decade of storytelling is that good news does not go out of style—and it does sell.

VIE has been honored to have its cover graced by the likes of Robert Redford, Naomi Campbell, ZZ Top, Livia Firth, Carrie Underwood, Emeril and Alden Lagasse, Kristin Chenoweth, Ashley Longshore, Morgan James, Christian Siriano— and my absolute favorite—my late mother, Marie Ryan. We’ve nurtured talent, celebrated beautiful women who were not stick thin, and respected and honored people so that they would be proud to be in the magazine.

Since I also consider our next decade one in which we need to explore new topics, a new genre of stories has recently been published in VIE; we’ve touched on such subjects as caring for a parent afflicted with Alzheimer’s, the growing epidemic of homeless in our country, and learning how to live with disabilities, to name a few.

I want to start new conversations in an effort to create community, ideas, beauty, and unity—conversations that are often absent from our daily life.

In this, our annual Culinary and Couture Issue— which has become a reader’s favorite—we’re excited to present a fantasy fashion editorial entitled “Dystopia meets Utopia” photographed by the incomparable Carlo Pieroni. The phototorial features the winning emerging fashion designer, Richelle Valenzuela, and the two winning models, Jordan Canamar and Bella DeLeón, of the Fourth Annual South Walton Fashion Week sponsored by the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County. An authentic vintage fuel station in Florala, Alabama, owned by Charles T. Smith set the stage for an old-fashioned boy-meets-girl love story: the handsome Jordan journeys from the future to a nostalgic bygone era and meets Bella, who channels the 1950s like a pro!

Creativity expands the collective consciousness and to this I say, we all need to love, create, and keep hope alive!

—Lisa Marie Founder/Editor-In-Chief

The winners of South Walton Fashion Week 2016, models Bella DeLeón and Jordan Canamar and designer Richelle Valenzuela, pose in the 1955 Chevy Bel Air graciously on loan from Sonny Helms of Andalusia Classics and Streetrods. Photo

by Carlo Pieroni.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 15

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.

W W W. LO V E L A C E I N T E R I O R S . C O M 850.837.5563 | 12870 US HIGHWAY 98 WEST / MIRAMAR BEACH, FL 32550

The Creatives We collaborate with talented photographers, writers, and other creatives on a regular basis, and we’re continually inspired by how they pour their hearts and souls into their crafts. In this issue’s Creatives, we decided to showcase some of our VIE team members!

Follow them on Instagram and don’t forget to check out our account, @viemagazine.

LISA BURWELL

GERALD BURWELL

Founder/Editor-in-chief

Founder/Publisher

@lisamburwell

@thehairofmylife

THE SARTORIAL FEATURE IN THIS ISSUE EXPLORES “DYSTOPIA MEETS UTOPIA,” SO WE ASKED THE CREATIVES, “WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PARADISE?”

The world as we know it is always changing, and people generally don’t like change, since they don’t know what the outcome will be. Having faith that I will achieve my purpose and destiny and stay true to my beliefs continuously runs through my veins and is my idea of paradise, even when it doesn’t look like it or feel like it. Love all!

As I am somewhat of an introvert, I am the type of person who prefers simplicity in life. The publishing business—and the woman I married twenty years ago—are diametrically opposed to this lifestyle, but I would not have it any other way (although I might like to try it out someday to see what it feels like).

JORDAN STAGGS

TRACEY THOMAS

SUVA ANG-MENDOZA

Managing Editor

Art Director

Creative Stylist

@jojomonster12

A place where I can find a continuous flow of inspiration. Visions of deep forests, snowy mountaintops, and fairy-tale castles come to mind, but so do visions of bustling cities, where you can blend into the crowd and observe the pulse of life everywhere you go.

Being inspired by my surroundings to do something or to create something is my version of paradise.

@misstraceyleigh

I have a twenty-two-month-old son and a sixyear-old daughter. To say that our daily life is busy would be an understatement. For me, paradise is having drinks and catching up with friends or having a quiet dinner date with my husband.

It’s very practical, yet it rejuvenates my soul.

@aug_valentine

As cliché as this may sound, in a world so cold and filled with so many negative things, my idea of paradise is just being in love. In love with yourself, your significant other, your friends, your job, just in love with life; isn’t that the dream? Oh—of course, a closet full of Chanel, Schiaparelli, and YSL wouldn’t hurt.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 17

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La conversation

THE HEALTH & BEAUTY ISSUE WE WERE EXCITED TO BRING THE HEALTH AND BEAUTY ISSUE TO LIFE, AND WE HOPE YOU LOVE OUR CULINARY AND COUTURE FASHION SHOOT FEATURING THE WINNERS OF SOUTH WALTON FASHION WEEK 2016! SEE WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT VIE AND SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US:

@brookeloves Well I just picked up my copy of @viemagazine from @sundogbooks and of course a delicious juice from @rawandjuicy. This is surreal! Enjoying reading all of the stories and tips.

Make sure you pick one up!

@jojomonster12 Keep on dreamin’. Loved being on the set of our @viemagazine cover shoot for the winners of @swfw. Huge shout-out to Sonny Helms and Ronnie Kilgore of the Andalusia car club for letting us borrow this beaut, and Charles Smith @floralapharmacy for opening up Smith’s Fillin’ Station.

@theideaboutique Doesn’t @viemagazine look great on @magazinestreet in New Orleans, Louisiana? We had so much fun taking #VIE to #NOLA last weekend to explore for the upcoming Voyager Issue! #FlashbackFriday

@aug_valentine Food hangover from last night’s festivities, so I’m taking it easy like a Sunday morning. Getting my weekend beauty ritual on with some great Health & Beauty tips from @viemagazine!

@jojomonster12 Can’t believe it’s been almost a year since our big @viemagazine / @connemaralife photo shoot at @ballynahinchcastle feat. gorgeous looks by @csiriano.

Check out my article from the magical day, “An Enchantment,” at VIEmagazine.com!

LET’S TALK! Send VIE your comments and photos on our social media channels or by e-mailing us at info@viemagazine. We’d love to hear your thoughts. They could end up in the next La conversation! @bellathedj #onset #behindthescenes #model #1950s #pinupgirl #future @viemagazine @pasaportecompany @swfw @master_splinta_ @brookeloves @yvettenation @carlopieroni #carolwilson

@pedego30a We are BIG fans of pages 88–90 in the new Jan/Feb issue of @viemagazine! Thank you for including @pedego30a in your beautiful Health & Beauty issue, VIE!

VIEmagazine.com

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 21

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Inspirational Musings

Dear Friend, Within the hearts of most little girls, there is a desire to be a princess, or even perhaps a queen. As little girls, many of us dressed up in Cinderella-esque gowns, and we loved for our dresses to twirl as we spun round and round. We grew up looking for and desiring to meet (and marry!) our Prince Charming.

As I began to ponder the theme for the Culinary and Couture Issue, my mind went far back in time to a woman known by many as Queen Esther.

Her given name was Hadassah. She was a young Jewish girl whose entire family had been murdered.

She was alone in the world except for a cousin, Mordecai, who welcomed her into his home and raised her like a daughter. Hadassah grew into a beautiful young woman. Little did she know that one day she would be brought into the palace in Persia for the most elaborate beauty contest of all time. The king, Xerxes—a very powerful ruler—had banished his first wife and was looking to replace her.

As I reflect upon Esther and all that she had endured as a young girl, I feel certain that she had no clue that one day she would live in a palace and be a wife and queen alongside such a mighty king. The Bible talks of the royal robes that Esther wore and the extravagant feasts the king threw in honor of their marriage. One can only imagine how the most talented courtiers in the world must have adorned her.

But Esther had a purpose, and it was more than just being queen. It is a long story of those who wanted to destroy her people, the Jews, but Esther had favor with the king and was able to stop this horrible thing

from happening. Esther was asked an important question: “Could it be that you have been chosen for such a time as this?”

"And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

—ESTHER 4:14

Now let us fast-forward to January 20, 2017, and the inaugural ball for the new president of the United States. Women from all over the world attended, dressed by the finest designers across the globe. Our new First Lady was adorned in a beautiful gown designed with no less care than Queen Esther’s royal robes. She too comes from a foreign land, and

without her knowing at the time, she met and married a man who would become the most powerful man in the world. Could it be that she was called for such a time as this, just as Esther was?

We each have a destiny, a hope, and a calling. One is not greater than the other.

The mistake we make most often is in judging others by their outward appearances. We may even compare ourselves to them based on what we see. God, however, sees each of us as a queen. To Him, you are the most beautiful woman in the universe. There is none greater or more beautiful in His eyes. You are adored and loved far beyond what you could ever imagine. He wants you to believe and receive by faith His great love for you.

Blessings, Pamela Dowling

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 23

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Sartorial

Sartorial STRIKE A POSE

As we head into the spring and summer fashion seasons, we’re excited about color! The latest collection from A A K S handbags evokes that fun warm-weather vibe with bold splashes of color and natural textures handcrafted in Ghana.

Since 2014, brand founder and designer Akosua Afriyie-Kumi has worked with a women’s cooperative in Bolgatanga to produce luxurious handmade raffia bags and accessories using ethical processes and age-old traditions not often seen beyond the borders of Ghana. Shop now at AAKSonline.com.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 25

Sartorial

26 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

DYSTOPIA UTOPIA MEETS

TAK ING FASHION TO ANOTHER DIMENSION STORY BY JORDAN STAGGS PHOTOGR APHY BY CARLO PIERONI

8:57 A.M.

THE YEAR IS 1955.

THE CITIZENS OF FLORALA, ALABAMA, START ANOTHER SMALL-TOWN DAY. THE BIRDS CHIRP HAPPILY, AND A COOL BREEZE MAKES RIPPLES FLUTTER ACROSS LAKE JACKSON. A GIRL DRIVES INTO TOWN. SHE’S NEW— A MYSTERY TO THE TOWNSPEOPLE, WHO LOVE TO TALK. SHE STOPS IN AT SMITH’S FILLIN’ STATION FOR A COKE, SMILES AT THE ATTENDANT. BUT IT’S THE STRANGER APPROACHING FROM THE SOUTH WHO CATCHES HER EYE. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 27

9:01 A.M.

THE STR ANGER ISN’T QUITE SUR E WHER E HE’S ENDED UP. AFTER STEPPING OUT OF A RIFT IN THE SPACE-TIME CONTINUUM, HE WANDERS INTO TOWN, FINDING A PLACE VERY DIFFERENT FROM HIS HOME. THE BUILDINGS ARE SHORTER HERE, AND THERE ARE A LOT MORE TREES. BUT THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE IS THE PEOPLE, AND THERE’S ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT HE SEES FROM ACROSS THE STREET. SHE’S FIXED THIS CAR A HANDFUL OF TIMES BEFORE, BUT TODAY IT’S BEING EXTRA STUBBORN. NEVERTHELESS, SHE PERSISTS.

Steel-blue funnel-neck coat in coated cotton and accordion pants in aviator nylon by Pasaporte Richelle Valenzuela 28 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

Sartorial

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 29

Sartorial

30 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

9:22 A.M.

THE CAR DOESN’T START, NO MATTER WHAT SHE TR IES. SHE’S NEARLY READY TO GIVE UP WHEN THE CHARMING, ODDLY DRESSED STRANGER OFFERS TO HELP. HE’S NEVER SEEN A PLACE— OR A GIRL—LIKE THIS ONE, AND SHE FINDS HIS NEWNESS FASCINATING. SHE SMILES AND TAKES HIS HAND, WONDERING IF THEY CAN FIX THIS TOGETHER. V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 31

Sartorial

10:31 A.M.

THE COLORS AR E SO BR IGHT HER E. THE SUN ISN’T HIDDEN BY GRAY SMOKE AND CLOUDS, AND THE AIR FEELS CRISP AND CLEAN ON HIS FACE. HE WONDERS IF HE SHOULD TELL THE TOWNSPEOPLE WHAT WILL BECOME OF THEIR LITTLE PARADISE, MANY YEARS FROM NOW. HE’D LIKE TO STAY AND FORGET ALL THAT, BUT HE CAN’T ABANDON HIS PEOPLE. HE WAS SENT TO FIND HELP, BUT AS HE LOOKS AT HER, HE THINKS HE MIGHT HAVE FOUND SOMETHING ELSE INSTEAD.

Slate rayon muscle cowl tee with black bias strip silk fabric and accordion pants in aviator nylon by Pasaporte Richelle Valenzuela V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 33

11:01 A.M.

HER EYES SPAR K LE AS THE SUN NEARS ITS PEAK .

HE TELLS HER ABOUT HIS HOME, FAR AWAY FROM THE QUIET TOWN. FARTHER THAN ANY PLACE SHE’S EVER BEEN BEFORE. “I’D LIKE TO SEE THAT,” SHE SAYS. HE SMILES SORT OF SADLY. “IT’S NOT LIKE HERE. THINGS IN MY WORLD ARE DARKER. I’M NOT SURE YOU WOULD LIKE IT.”

Cook’s top in silver Oxford cotton and black twill denim and accordion pants in black raw denim by Pasaporte Richelle Valenzuela 34 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

Sartorial

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 35

Sartorial

11:11 A.M.

“I WILL IF YOU’R E WITH ME,” SHE SAYS WITH A GR IN. THEY SIT IN THE CAR AS THE SUN BEAMS DOWN. “SOMETIMES ALL THIS LIGHT ISN’T SUCH A GOOD THING,” SHE MUSES, SIPPING SODA FROM A STRAW AS THEY LOUNGE TOGETHER. “WHEN EVERYTHING’S SO BRIGHT AND SHINY, IT’S HARD TO TELL WHAT’S REAL AND WHAT’S ONLY A REFLECTION.”

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 37

Sartorial

3:46 P.M.

THE DAY IS NEARLY OVER, AND TWO STR ANGERS HAVE BECOME SOMETHING MORE. SHE TOSSES THE KEYS ONTO THE WARM LEATHER SEAT OF THE CAR; SHE WON’T NEED THEM ANYMORE. HE LEANS CLOSER TO HER. THEIR EYES LOCK, AND A WEIGHTY PROMISE FOR THE FUTURE HANGS IN THE AIR.

Pink cotton jumpsuits

by Pasaporte Richelle Valenzuela Opposite: Long zip-front top in black twill denim and structured dress in navy blue spacer mesh

by Pasaporte Richelle Valenzuela

6:01 P.M.

EVENING BEGINS TO FALL. THE STREETLAMPS, GLOWING ORANGE, ACT AS GUIDES AS HE SHOWS HER THE PLACE WHERE HE EMERGED EARLY THAT MORNING. FINGERS INTERTWINED WITH HIS, SHE FEELS A STRANGE SENSE OF CALM AS THEY WALK FORWARD TOWARD THE FUTURE. HER PULSE RACES AND SHE TAKES THE LEAD. SHE’S NOT SURE WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT, BUT SHE KNOWS NOTHING CAN STOP HER NOW.

South Walton Fashion Week 2016 Winners Richelle Valenzuela – Pasaporte Company, Emerging Designer Competition Winner Jordan Canamar, Sheila Goode Model of the Year Bella DeLeón, Sheila Goode Model of the Year Learn more at swfw.org.

Thank You Charles T. Smith, Smith’s Fillin’ Station and Florala Pharmacy Sonny Helms and Ronnie Kilgore, Andalusia Classics & Streetrods – 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Yvette Nation, makeup Brooke Miller, hairstyling V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 39

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SHOPS OF DESTINY 36236 Emerald Coast Parkway Suite B, Destin, Florida 32541 (850) 837-8750 DestinThreads.com

RUNWAY REPORT

Sartorial

SPRING/SUMMER 2017

FASHION TRENDS WE LOVE!

BY TRACEY THOMAS

REFRESH YOUR STYLE with SOME of OUR FAVORITE TRENDS OF THE SEASON: BOLD GRAPHICS, BRIGHT POPS of COLOR, METALLIC TEXTURES, and A LITTLE ROMANCE.

I

n both my personal style and my career, which includes leading numerous fashion editorial shoots, the importance of being fashion forward and looking my best can’t be overstated. After all, fashion is the best way to express your personality without saying anything at all. I have always lived by the mantra “Look good, feel good.” Instilled by my mother and grandmother, it’s in my blood, and I truly believe this is a rule to live by. Having a bad day? Put on your best dress and go run your errands like nobody’s business. (Yes, really!)

Another must is comfort. Your clothes have to fit right and be comfortable. How are you going to concentrate on which pair of Jimmy Choos you want if you can’t think, let alone breathe, because your jeans are too tight? And lastly, update your wardrobe every season with a handful of new items to stay stylish, fun, and current— but remember to keep expressing your style. Here are a few looks straight from the runway to keep you in line this season.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 43

Sartorial

1.

2.

BOLD, OVERSTATED GRAPHIC PRINTS WILL CERTAINLY ATTRACT ATTENTION.

Proenza Schouler

Altuzarra

THERE IS NOTHING MELLOW ABOUT THIS YELLOW.

Naeem Khan

44 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

Balmain

Lacoste

Naeem Khan

3.

DELIGHTFUL SHADES OF PINK.

4.

Balenciaga

Michael Kors

Monique Lhuillier

MOLTEN METALLICS ARE SURE TO GIVE YOU DISCO FEVER.

Balmain

Monique Lhuillier

Marchesa

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 45

Sartorial

5.

6.

Gucci

46 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

ROMANTIC LOVELIES. FAIRY TALE–INSPIRED LOOKS WILL SWEEP YOU OFF YOUR FEET.

Dior

Marchesa

Monique Lhuillier

SHEER SOPHISTICATION LEAVES JUST ENOUGH TO THE IMAGINATION.

Alexander McQueen

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BEAUTY SPOTLIGHT: Cosmetic Vein & Laser Center

THE ART of AGING GRACEFULLY I start each day grateful for my two beautiful children, prayerful that my family, staff, and patients are happy and well, and hopeful that I can help make the world a better place.

—Kimberly Moskowitz, MS, MD

ABOUT DR. KIMBERLY MOSKOWITZ Dr. Kimberly Moskowitz is a world-renowned board-certified physician, talented lecturer, and author. She received her master’s degree in physiology and her medical degree from Georgetown University. She performed her internship at the prestigious Washington Hospital Center in the heart of Washington, D.C., and completed her residency in internal medicine at Georgetown University Hospital. During her residency training, she also focused on cosmetic and clinical dermatology.

In 2003, Dr. Moskowitz was selected to be the lead physician for the American Vein Institute located just outside Washington, D.C., where she was one of the first physicians to perform nonsurgical closure of varicose veins using EVLT (endovenous laser treatment) combined with sclerotherapy. She

50 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

received additional training in endovenous laser closure techniques at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She is a leading expert in the field of phlebology, the study of vein disorders. In July 2008, Dr. Moskowitz passed the first-ever board certification exam for phlebology and is honored as one of only 248 physicians nationwide to become board certified in the field. She is also a member of the American College of Phlebology and the American Medical Association.

Dr. Moskowitz relocated from D.C. to Panama City Beach, Florida, to share her vast knowledge and experience in dermatology, phlebology, and internal medicine. Her experience in dermatologic procedures ranges from common medical concerns such as acne, rosacea, and skin cancer, to Botox, dermal fillers, skin resurfacing, photorejuvenation, and The Biolift. She has spent a decade researching anti-aging skincare medicine, and she and her staff are proud to use only state-of-the art technology and products. www.SkinandVeins.com

Kimberly Moskowitz, MS, MD

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Biolifting with Sculptra is redefining aging gracefully by allowing us to anatomically re-create the natural shapes, contours, and shadows of youth, replicating facial volume and bone structure based on what people actually looked like ten to twenty years ago. Biolifting allows Dr. Moskowitz to employ the use of serial photographic analysis by studying photos of patients from their twenties, thirties, and forties, or whenever they looked their best. Biolifting helps keep patients looking like a more youthful version of themselves that is never “overdone� or out of proportion. It also allows patients to see the progression of their facial aging, and from there they can decide to change

or enhance specific features such as lips, chin, or cheeks. Using natural hyaluronic acid fillers, biological collagen stimulators like Sculptra, and skin resurfacing corrects and restores the loss of skeletal structure, fat, and collagen that accompanies aging. Serial photography helps guide the replacement of volume and definition naturally and proportionally to mimic the natural projections of youth. The Biolift procedure is performed in a series of two to three treatments spaced about one month apart, and results last for more than two years. Because volume is replaced only where it is meant to be, patients look exactly the same over the years, essentially becoming ageless.

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V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 51

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Le monde

Le monde GOES ROUND AND ROUND

See the schedule at BalloonFiesta.com.

Photo by Bennie Bos

A true bucket list (or maybe basket list?) experience, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta will hold its annual event this October 7–15 over New Mexico’s largest city. From a small gathering of thirteen balloons in 1972, it has grown to become the largest balloon event in the world, attracting nearly six hundred hot air balloons each year. With concerts, light shows, and, of course, mass balloon launches, this cultural event is a tradition you don’t want to miss!

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 53

Le monde

PROVOC I DON’T LET CIVILITY DIE

By Lisa M. Burwell

recently mentioned to a colleague that I was writing about covering the presidential inauguration. I knew that a cautious approach was needed because of the dissension and upheaval that our country is currently experiencing. He smiled and said, “Then you need to write it from the moon.” An astute statement that is sadly true. The visual juxtapositions I witnessed during the forty-eight hours that I was in our nation’s capital were unprecedented and surreal. Seeing the new First Family with an unmistakable nod to a 1960’s Kennedyesque White House, albeit a conservative one, and the impending Women’s March gearing up to take to the same streets the next day felt like we were all traveling back in time to the sixties.

First Lady Melania Trump arrives for the fifty-eighth U.S. Presidential Inauguration where Donald Trump was sworn in as the forty-fifth President of the United States of America. Her light-blue dress and matching gloves and heels, designed by Ralph Lauren, took inspiration from Jacqueline Kennedy.

Mrs. Trump wore it well, looking elegant, dignified, and classic. Photo by Samuel Corum – Anadolu Agency/Getty Images.

54 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

Friday, January 20, 2017: The nation’s capital was permeated by cool temperatures and gray clouds, but it did not dampen the spirits of a crowd eager to witness President-elect Donald Trump assume the office of President of the United States of America at the fifty-eighth Presidential Inauguration. I expected security to be robust, but the gravity of potential danger really sank in while we were being funneled by armed militia through a maze of twelve-foot-high barriers that went on as far as the eye could see.

The tradition and rituals of the transfer of power were impressive. But a lack of respect and civility seems to reign supreme throughout our nation today, and it is occurring across party lines.

When President Obama and the First Lady were introduced, jeering erupted from the crowd. And, of course, wild cheering filled the National Mall when Trump and his family appeared.

I felt like I was sitting behind the uprights and watching as the visiting and home teams took the field. The mentality just didn’t

seem appropriate for an inauguration—but maybe that’s just me. No matter your party affiliation, the fact that Obama led our nation to the other side of a two-term presidency without major casualty earns him respect, gratitude, and good wishes as he and the former First Family embark on the next chapter of their lives. The moment struck me at my core, and what I had just witnessed was an unfortunate foretelling of what was to come in the next days and weeks. Even amid all the angst of our divided nation, I was honored to have my feet firmly on the grounds of the National Mall to witness the swearing in of our nation’s new president. And, a thought occurred to me about how I could make a difference. I could pray.

While waiting for several hours to hear President Trump’s inaugural address, I hoped that he would have the wisdom of Solomon and that his speech would lead our divided nation toward peace and unity. The heightened rhetoric and fervent undercurrent from his campaign were still evident in his address.

CATEURS Inauguration Day crowd converges on the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., on January 20, 2017. Photo

by Gerald Burwell.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 55

Le monde

A

t one point he mentioned “one nation” and at another said, “…we are transferring power from Washington, D.C., and giving it back to you, the people.” As promising as these words are, the tenor of parts of the speech did not match the prose. Delivery really is everything. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

The visuals from the stately inauguration ceremony were soon to be eclipsed by the thunder of the Women’s March, which took place the following day. Over a million people converged on the same streets, predominantly in protest of the new administration’s desire to reverse Roe v. Wade and the disparaging comments and actions toward women that Donald Trump had shown in the past. The quandary with the Women’s March platform is that it falsely conflates pro-choice and the historic court decision with the advancement of women’s empowerment and civil rights for all, including the LGBTQ community. Although I am not an antifeminist, I am pro-life. I hope that this decision can be considered separate from other civil liberties as I believe that grouping the abortion issue in with all civil liberty milestones that have been accomplished is a lie. The fear is understandable—that if one civil liberty is taken away, then other hard-won civil rights may soon follow.

More than a hundred thousand protestors march in downtown Denver in the Women’s March on January 21, 2017, one day after President Trump’s inauguration.

Photo by Andrew Repp/ Shutterstock.

President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama pose with President-elect Donald Trump and wife Melania at the White House before the inauguration. The Obamas were gracious and stately in their demeanor, and they exhibited a lot of class.

Photo by Kevin Dietsch – Pool/Getty Images.

56 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

Each side wants what they want. So how are we going to coexist? How are we going to love those who don’t agree with us? My hope in writing this is to foster communication and debate without hatred. My hope is to love those who disagree with me, and for my neighbor to afford me the same respect.

When did good manners and kindness of speech toward one another go out of style? I must not have received the missive that being civil and cordial was no longer practiced as a societal norm in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave. I understand that half of our country grew weary of the political establishment and wanted change, but harsh, crude discourse has seemingly become accepted behavior. There is no doubt that we are a divided nation—not since the Civil War has it been like this. The discord is on both sides, but something palpable has been ignited since the inauguration and Pandora’s box is wide open. To a certain extent, the new leadership won by being provocateurs and simply because they were apolitical and outliers, and because many wanted to see drastic change in our government. People want and need to

THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT WE ARE A DIVIDED NATION—NOT SINCE THE CIVIL WAR HAS IT BEEN LIKE THIS.

WE NEED TO SHARE OUR FEELINGS AND BELIEFS AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER; ONLY THEN CAN WE EVOKE CHANGE.

be heard, understood, and belong, as shown in the fundamentals of Abraham Maslow’s theory of the hierarchy of needs. Basic psychological needs are at play here, and to some degree the reason that so much unrest has been unleashed is because many people are scared and confused, with their sense of belonging seemingly turned upside down. Where do we go from here when half of our coworkers, brothers and sisters, and friends hold different opinions? Do we stop talking and start fighting?

Apparently for many the answer is yes.

Seemingly overnight everyone became political, the battle lines were drawn, and we all had taken one of two sides—either as a Republican or as a Democrat. We were to be, from that day forward, known or defined by our political party affiliation first and foremost, which sounds frightening in and of itself to me. Our commonality as fellow Americans, friends, brothers and sisters, business colleagues, and (with boycotts abounding) even

consumers no longer unites us. Fighting, quarreling, hurling insults, anger, protests, suspicion, and fear have taken center stage for many. I had hope on January 20 that somehow we would all get along again as we have with past presidential transfers of power, and I still do: the proverbial pendulum usually swings far to the left and then far to the right before finding its center.

We need to share our feelings and beliefs and try to understand each other; only then can we evoke change. But, I also believe we must respect our leaders and learn to present our opinions to them without hate and contention. The hope is that our leaders will in turn respect us. Our voices still need to be heard. Freedom of speech and freedom of the press are fundamental Constitutional rights that still need to be protected. Yet, the mantra of “love thy neighbor as thyself ” needs to be at the core of our society’s ethos.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 57

As I write this, barely a month has passed since President Trump has been in office but so much has happened—and continues to happen minute by minute. It’s been unsettling for so many, but for others, it’s what they wanted or believe is in the best interest of our county. No matter our differences, we can’t lose our compassion and civility toward one another. We need to listen and care about how others feel so we can understand each other. Many of our problems are so big and complicated that it will take the wisdom of Solomon and a miracle to realign our country so that we can all love and move in peace and harmony.

For weeks, all I have been able to say is “In the name of Jesus, God help us.” And you know that is really what we need, as man can’t help us. Please join me in praying for our nation. This is our country—we the people, by the people. So please pray for God to help us.

A girl holds a sign during the Women’s March on Denver on January 21.

Photo by Andrew Repp/ Shutterstock.

Love is still is the answer, so please don’t let civility die.

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IN THE KNOW

Be Informed & Healthy

BY SUSAN VALLEE

For millions of families (one in thirteen, to be exact) deciding on where to go out for dinner is a minefield. Instead of choosing between kung pao chicken and deep-dish pizza, families with a member who has a food allergy worry about crosscontamination in the kitchen and servers who don’t take their orders seriously.

62 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

W

hile it’s easy to say these people should avoid eating out, it’s not logical.

Children attend school, where they eat in the cafeteria alongside other students. And there are celebrations, holidays, and busy weeknights when dining out is the best solution for everyone.

The need for worry is not imagined. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the incidence of food allergies among children increased by 50 percent between 1997 and 2011—that’s a lot of kids with food restrictions, to say nothing of the numbers of adults who already have food allergies or will develop them. As food allergy rates continue to increase, so does the need for informed kitchen staff, no matter where you dine.

The Mayo Clinic defines the top eight food allergens as cow’s milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, peanuts, and tree nuts. There is no cure for food allergies; the only way to avoid reactions and to prevent anaphylaxis is strict avoidance of the food.

Researchers have yet to pinpoint a definitive cause for the spike in food allergies, but high-fat diets, an increased number of C-sections, a rise in formula feeding, and the overuse of antibiotics have been identified as potential culprits by Cathryn Nagler, PhD, a professor at Bunning Food Allergy Institute at the University of Chicago. Her research studied how probiotic strains could prevent and treat food allergies.

Dr. David Berger, a board-certified pediatrician with Wholistic Pediatrics and Family Care in Tampa, Florida, has seen this approach work in his practice.

“I look at food allergies as a symptom, not a disease,” he explains. “What is the underlying cause? I find

often this is related to low vitamin D, low zinc, high antibiotic use with secondary loss of bacterial flora, and/or the growth of intestinal pathogens like candida and clostridia, the lack of good bacterial flora with C-sections, and the lack of ‘seeding’ that occurs during passage through the birth canal.”

He advises mothers to check these key nutrient levels during pregnancy or lactation.

He also suggests giving probiotics and vitamin D to babies, especially if the baby was born via C-section or was exposed to antibiotics.

The Mayo Clinic defines the top eight food allergens as cow’s milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, soy, wheat, peanuts, and tree nuts.

This is all done in the hope of preventing an anaphylactic reaction to a food allergen. In most cases of severe food allergies, epinephrine (adrenaline) is given via an EpiPen as quickly as possible after exposure, but the shot is not always a guarantee, and the more time that passes before an injection is given, the worse the odds are for recovery. It’s scary stuff, but for millions of people, it is their reality.

So, what can chefs do to help? They can listen to their clientele.

The food industry has taken notice of the increase in food allergies. Large, tourismbased destinations are also taking the issue seriously. Walt Disney World Resort, for example, offers a wealth of allergy-free menu items and snacks, even on board its fleet of cruise ships. Guests can contact the resort before arriving to see sample menus and discuss allergy-safe options. In the on-property restaurants, the chefs take the time to meet face-to-face with diners to discuss dietary needs and options.

A restaurant in Montreal, Canada, recently made headlines for a vigorous crowdfunding effort by its customers. The restaurant, ZERO8, does not serve any of the top eight allergenic foods. Its chef-owner, Dominique Dion, also vets his food suppliers thoroughly to ensure that no cross-contamination of ingredients occurs. When rent increased on Dion’s restaurant space in 2013, making it impossible for him to stay in business, his loyal clientele encouraged him to launch a fund-raising effort online. He did and was able to reopen in a new location in the city.

LIVING WITH FOOD ALLERGIES DON ’ T F OR GE T: Auto-injectors such as EpiPens expire after a year. Not only will you need a new auto-injector, but the dosage may also need to be increased if your child has gained weight in that time.

Buy an allergy ID bracelet or necklace for your child.

Talk with your child’s school about the location of EpiPens and auto-injectors. Experts are now recommending that auto-injectors be stored in the cafeteria and school hallways with other emergency items (similar to the way fire extinguishers are stored).

Families dealing with food allergies should also take a look at the Amy’s Kitchen brand of frozen foods. The company’s revenue last year totaled close to $480 million, according to research company IRI. In what some considered a bold move, Amy’s Kitchen opened Amy’s Drive Thru in Rohnert Park, California, in 2015. The fast-food restaurant, whose tagline is “American Fast Food in a New American Style,” sells vegetarian and organic breakfast, lunch, and dinner items.

In its first year, Amy’s Drive Thru sold a half million veggie burgers. Paul Schiefer, director of restaurant operations, said the concept has exceeded expectations and has hinted at a second location that will be opening soon.

The allergen-free (or at the very least allergen-conscious) dining industry certainly offers room to grow, given the shocking increase in food allergy rates. Families and people living with food allergies don’t expect every restaurant to offer safe dining options, but it does help. No one can go through life in a bubble. As restaurants and resorts rise to meet these challenges head-on, it seems the customers will seek them out.

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TRAVEL SPOTLIGHT Inside this issue’s Voyager department, take a trip to the Heart of Dixie as we explore the history and culture of Birmingham, Alabama!

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V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 69

THE HEART of DIXIE

FROM THEN ’TIL NOW

View of the heart of Birmingham, Alabama, as seen from The Club on Red Mountain. Photo courtesy of Art Meripol.

70 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

B y S a l l i e W. B o y l e s

W

hether years have passed since you’ve played tourist in Birmingham, Alabama, or you’ve never gotten around to visiting, now is the time to experience the renaissance that prompted the New York Times to add the city to its list of fifty-two places to go in 2017.

Still a small, easy-to-navigate city, the metropolitan area, comprising unique districts with their own amusements and attractions, grants plenty to do over a long weekend or an extended holiday.

While often mentioned in the same breath as Montgomery or grouped with Atlanta, Nashville, and Memphis, Birmingham is like the relative who shares a family trait (i.e., a Southern soul) but has walked a very different path.

A Storied Past The other cities mentioned, for instance, predate the Civil War; Birmingham wasn’t incorporated until 1871. Also, cotton didn’t flourish in the Jones Valley (of the Appalachians) soil, but minerals filled the hills. When the railroad came through, one of the nation’s most important centers for the iron and steel industries emerged. Accordingly, Birmingham was named after England’s industrial city; it was even called the Pittsburgh of the South. Although the mines and furnaces are no longer operational, natural and man-made monuments continue to tell fascinating stories of that era.

Stretching thirty-three miles across the Birmingham area, Red Mountain—so named for its red hematite iron ore—remains a magnet to those who love

adventure. Thankfully, in the time between the last mine’s closure in 1962 and Red Mountain Park’s establishment in 2007, much of the land remained untouched. Encompassing over 1,200 acres, the urban park bumps Birmingham up among the nation’s greenest cities regarding park area per capita. Today, Red Mountain’s fifteen-mile trail offers fantastic hiking and biking, gorgeous views with two city overlooks, tree houses, rope bridges, zip line adventures, and historic mining sites. Choose from guided or unguided tours. If you’d rather relax, then amble along the two-mile flat trail or spread out a picnic.

Six acres are also available for canine companions to frolic off leash.

Vulcan—a fifty-ton, fifty-six-foot statue of the Roman god of fire and metalworking—also stands guard atop Red Mountain. Designed by Italian artist Giuseppe Moretti and cast from local iron, the iconic figure represented Birmingham in the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. Sightings of the god are possible from various vantage points in the city; however, a Birmingham trip seems incomplete without meeting the giant firsthand at Vulcan Park.

While there, step into the interactive museum for some fun lessons in history.

Another poignant monument to Birmingham’s origins, the Sloss Furnaces, received designation as a

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 71

National Historic Landmark in 1981, making them the only historically preserved twentieth-century blast furnaces in the country. Open to the public, the sleeping pipes and smokestacks no longer blow steam or smoke; instead, they emit a palpable eeriness. One hard-driving foreman by the name of Wormwood—ironically, he oversaw graveyard shifts—is deemed responsible for dozens of deaths there before losing his own life in an odd accident.

No wonder the site draws just as many ghost hunters as history buffs and is one of Alabama’s largest annual Halloween attractions. (Visitors who aren’t into ghoulish tales should plan a visit during the Sloss Music and Arts Festival each summer!)

The Road to Civil Rights Another aspect of Birmingham’s history spans the American Civil Rights Movement, as movingly depicted in the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Among many provocative exhibits, the Processional Gallery, encountered just after guests hear Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, features lifelike statues of individuals from various ethnicities taking a “walk to freedom.”

The Institute and several other points of interest lie within Birmingham’s Civil Rights District, distinguished as a National Park in 2016. In addition to holding regular services, the active congregation of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church (known for a 1963 bombing that killed four girls) offers scheduled tours from Tuesday through Friday and tours by appointment on Saturday. Other landmarks include Kelly Ingram Park, the site of many protests; the Fourth Avenue Business District, historically home to black businesses and entertainment; and the Carver Theatre, an intimate performance venue. Keep your eyes open for the Eddie Kendrick Memorial Park, a garden with bronze statues of singer Eddie Kendricks (he later added the s to his stage name) and fellow members of the famed Motown vocal group the Temptations.

The Alabama Theatre is one of Birmingham’s most historic landmarks.

Guests can still visit this 1927 movie palace for tours, films, and live performances. Photo

by Weiling Shen.

72 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

Artistic Axis Having been home to many talents, such as country music singer Tammy Wynette, actress and author Fannie Flagg, radio personality and comedian Rickey Smiley, and jazz composer and band leader Sun Ra,

Birmingham celebrates the arts. Free to all, the Birmingham Art Crawl showcases local artists on the first Thursday of each month from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., rain or shine, within several blocks of the downtown Historic Loft, Business, and Art Districts.

If your visit doesn’t line up with the Art Crawl, then drop into the Birmingham Museum of Art (also downtown) Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5:00 p.m. General admission is free.

Considering that Birmingham grew up as a blue-collar industrial city, many can’t believe that twenty-seven theaters once thrived downtown. Before television, people flocked to vaudeville and movie houses for entertainment. The three still intact are worth seeing. In addition to the Carver, which is now home to the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, the exquisitely renovated Alabama and Lyric Theatres host a variety of performances and present sensational journeys back in time.

THE ALABAMA THEATRE WAS BUILT IN 1927 BY PARAMOUNT STUDIOS TO SHOW PARAMOUNT-ONLY FILMS. INSTEAD OF DEVELOPING A COOKIE-CUTTER PLAN FOR EVERY MOVIE HOUSE ERECTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE STUDIO EXECUTED A CUSTOM DESIGN FOR EACH ONE. The Alabama Theatre was built in 1927 by Paramount Studios to show Paramount-only films. Instead of developing a cookie-cutter plan for every movie house erected across the country, the studio executed a custom design for each one. The Alabama’s predominate style is Moorish and colorfully flamboyant.

Playful diversions also appear, such as an English pub theme in a men’s room and a Chinese dragon motif in a ladies’.

Glenny Brock—the delightful storyteller, tour guide, and outreach coordinator for Birmingham Landmarks Inc., the nonprofit that owns and operates both the Alabama and the Lyric—confides that as familiar as she is with the Alabama, she continually spots some unique detail that she’s overlooked before. Hidden in plain sight, for instance, the letter A for “Alabama” appears in the antique brass railings and the plasterwork. Reflecting an intention to make the theater “a showplace of the South” are one-of-a-kind chandeliers from Venice and genuine gold leaf throughout.

Without question, the showpiece of the Alabama Theatre is a Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ, custom made to complement the theater’s decor. Used to entertain audiences before shows and to accompany silent movies until the talkies took over, the Wurlitzer is fittingly called a unit orchestra. (It saved money by replacing a forty-two-piece orchestra and providing extra sound effects.) A tour of the Alabama includes a lively professional organ demonstration, but another opportune time to hear it is during showings of the silent film version of The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney. When attending any production that

thirty themed gardens year-round. Guided tours are available by appointment but not necessary. While on the grounds, take the time to browse Leaf & Petal, a quintessentially Southern gift boutique. The Birmingham Zoo, just across the road, also presents a fantastic display of wildlife and horticulture.

If you’re more fascinated with pedals than petals, then stop by the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.

It’s a bit out of the way (thirteen miles east of the airport), but you’ll never see over 1,400 motorcycles and old-timey vehicles exhibited in a more pristine environment. Moreover, Guinness World Records proclaimed it the world’s largest motorcycle museum in 2014.

Above: The Club is the city’s most exclusive members-only venue with the best views.

Built atop Red Mountain in 1951, this modern architectural haven includes three unique dining experiences, event and meeting spaces, and an iconic dance floor that inspired the one seen in Saturday Night Fever.

Photo courtesy of Art Meripol.

Opposite: From downtown boutiques to big-name brands, Birmingham is a great place to shop ’til you drop. The English Village in Mountain Brook, shown here, offers a collection of shops, salons, and bistros. Photo by Brittany Sturdivant, Love Be Photography.

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incorporates the organ, Brock’s insider tip is to sit in the middle of the house on the floor for the best acoustics. Certain shows, like the classic Christmas film series, sell out early (tickets go on sale in September), so plan your visit in advance. Since the organ is built into the theater walls, the state chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society, aiming to save the Wurlitzer, was a driving force behind the Alabama’s restoration in 1998.

Meanwhile, cats, bats, and rats continued to dwell in the Lyric Theatre, which first opened in 1914 as a vaudeville house and once featured such acts as Mae West, the Marx Brothers, Milton Berle, and Will Rogers. Thankfully, citizens like Brock got things rolling. A forklift sat in the Lyric’s lobby back in 2008, when Brock first learned of the theater’s existence and got to work fund-raising for an $11 million renovation. With 750 seats and pin-drop acoustics, the elegant playhouse’s European character offers a glorious setting for symphonies, operas, and ballets. If you can time your trip to attend a performance, then by all means, do so!

Another legendary stop is Rickwood Field, the oldest professional baseball park still in use. Willie Mays played there as a teenager, and the Birmingham Barons, the city’s Minor League Baseball team, still play an annual exhibition game on the field. This year’s Rickwood Classic is scheduled for May 31. For the regular season, the Barons play at Regions Field, a premier complex that opened in 2013.

Do you have connections in town? Accept an invitation to The Club! Ideally situated at the top of Red Mountain, The Club (locals insist that emphasis should be on the The) provides exclusive amenities in a socially inclusive atmosphere.

Modern architecture with open interiors and fabulous outdoor space augment generous views of the city below. If possible, arrange to go for sunset cocktails.

IDEALLY SITUATED AT THE TOP OF RED MOUNTAIN, THE CLUB (LOCALS INSIST THAT EMPHASIS IS ON THE THE) PROVIDES EXCLUSIVE AMENITIES IN A SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE ATMOSPHERE.

Parks and Pastimes

Shoal Creek Golf Club, also open by invitation or membership only, features a premier Jack Nicklaus–designed course. Arguably one of the most beautiful properties around, Shoal Creek has lured champions since opening in 1977. Members and guests rave about the clubhouse (which is a replica of the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg, Virginia), a par-three course nicknamed Little Links, and the club’s swim facilities.

Moving along to an outdoor cultural experience, the Birmingham Botanical Gardens is located in the suburb of Mountain Brook and is free to the public every day. Considered Alabama’s largest living museum, the 67.5-acre expanse contains more than

Open to the public, Birmingham’s urban parks are widely appealing. Popular among college students and young professionals, Railroad Park spans eight city blocks downtown. Railroad cars and industrial architectural elements, also seen in area establishments such as Good People Brewing Company, pay tribute to the city’s

manufacturing history. People also enjoy Avondale Park for outdoor recreation, concerts, and other events.

Nearly forty acres offer wooded areas, lakes, and open spaces, as well as a restored pavilion built in 1931.

Retail Therapy Recreational shoppers who prefer name brands should head straight to the Summit or the beautiful Riverchase Galleria. The Villages of Mountain Brook is also full of posh shops that are locally and regionally based, but for a true treasure hunt, Birmingham’s downtown district offers a collection of eclectic shops and boutiques.

What’s on Second specializes in small collectibles— vintage lamps, posters, toys, vinyl records, glassware, and more. They fill every inch of Steve Gilmer’s store.

Determined to “create a place that young people want to shop,” Gilmer, an experienced antiques dealer, now looks for bargains. In fact, he marks many jewelry pieces at $5 each.

Charm, a small but rewarding treasure trove for accessories and gifts, should not be judged by its size.

You’ll want ample time to survey the on-trend, handed-down costume jewelry, including creations by owner Chatham Hellmers, who incorporates materials from vintage pieces. Likewise, each purse is tagged with a captivating personality profile, cleverly written by Chatham. (For example, “Irene,” a crimson velvet handbag, “has literally broken up with a guy because he said ‘Valentimes Day’ and ‘sammich.’”)

Several fun-loving gifts bear irreverent sayings, so enter Charm with a sense of humor!

Serious or not, readers and collectors will find thousands of books and other keepsakes in Reed Books, also known as the Museum of Fond Memories. Owner Jim Reed, a storyteller and author who loves conversations about books, authors, and all things writing, contends that a store doesn’t deserve to be called a bookstore if it doesn’t have volumes from every period and genre.

Just down the street at Sojourns, owner Melissa Kendrick lives by her commitment to fair trade. Drawing upon her insights from years working in the nonprofit sector on behalf of individuals in impoverished countries, she sells handcrafted gift items, accessories, and clothing.

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The Way to the Heart Above all, you’ll meet friendly people in Birmingham who, like all gracious hosts, want you to have a good time. Expect differing opinions of what to see and do, and importantly—where to eat. Zagat media has placed Birmingham first among America’s next hot food cities, so you could take the easy way out and graze from that list. Don’t miss out, though, if other choices entice you.

Zagat and longtime residents consistently credit Alabama native Chef Frank Stitt (see “Un maître culinaire: Frank Stitt Blends French Cuisine and Southern Comfort” in this issue) for instigating the food revolution in Birmingham. With that established, his Highlands Bar & Grill, cited again and again, deserves every morsel of recognition for making it possible to utter the words “Southern” and “fine cuisine” in the same breath.

ZAGAT AND LONGTIME RESIDENTS CONSISTENTLY CREDIT ALABAMA NATIVE CHEF FRANK STITT FOR INSTIGATING THE FOOD REVOLUTION IN BIRMINGHAM. The culinary offerings in the city range from casual food trucks to the finest in fine dining.

Shown here, a charcuterie board appetizer from Chez Fonfon in the neighborhood of Five Points South. Photo courtesy of Chez Fonfon.

At Hot and Hot Fish Club, Chef Chris Hastings, who started out with Stitt, takes the concept of regional food to places it’s never been without losing its Southern heart. Like Stitt, he strives to purvey fresh-from-the-farm ingredients from area sources. Fish, the mainstay, is most talked about, but if something like chicken-fried steak speaks to you, it’s worth trying.

The food truck scene is also alive and well in Birmingham. Hotbox at Parkside might be hidden in the courtyard of Parkside Cafe, a neighborhood hangout in the Avondale district. But with delectable options like lemongrass fried chicken (with coconut, jalapeño, and aioli) and the drunken noodle (pork belly and Chinese broccoli), it’s no secret to local foodies, especially those with late-night cravings.

Hotbox stays open from 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Avondale has yet another hideaway, the Marble Ring bar, which is accessible via Hot Diggity Dogs, located on the second floor above Fancy’s on Fifth, an oyster and burger bar. Confused? It gets even better. To be escorted inside the speakeasy-themed establishment, guests enter the Tardis (an oversized British police public call box—ask a Doctor Who fan) and use the phone to call the hostess. Easier to get to, Avondale Brewing Company and TrimTab Brewing are also in the neighborhood.

Back in the downtown area, El Barrio Restaurante y Bar serves up beautifully plated, imaginative Mexican fare. Oh, the meatloaf ! After the ground beef is mixed with homemade chorizo, onions, peppers, chipotle, and a few other secrets, it’s chilled.

When ordered, a slice goes on a wood-fired grill for a wonderfully charred flavor. In addition to lunch or dinner, keep El Barrio in mind for Saturday brunch.

Once owned by the El Barrio’s chefs and now run by former employees, Trattoria Centrale (open for breakfast, lunch, and Sunday brunch) gets rave reviews for its pizza and pasta, seasonal salads and soups, and the frittata of the day. It’s also a perfect spot to meet for coffee.

The taste and ambience of France are as close as Olexa’s in Mountain Brook (near the Botanical Gardens), where enchanting decor and a menu of crepes, quiche, paninis, bistro sandwiches, soups, and salads transports patrons to an al fresco sidewalk café. The Savory Trio—a half panini, specialty salad, and soup—delivers a satisfying sampling, but whatever you do, save room for cake—particularly the French vanilla buttercreme.

Owner Diane Olexa, who has been baking and designing wedding cakes since she was twenty-two, doesn’t mind that many use her nutritious brunch-lunch

76 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

options to justify dessert. Don’t leave without a slice or a cupcake, even if you save it for later!

An authentic taste of Birmingham isn’t complete without an old-fashioned “meat and three”—an entrée plus three vegetables. Niki’s West, on the west side of the city near the original farmers market, promises made-from-scratch entrées, sides, and desserts that have been hallmarks of the restaurant since 1957. Honoring their heritage, owners Pete and Teddy Hontzas continue to offer Greek favorites that their father prepared, such as roast lamb with mint jelly and baked Greek chicken, along with distinctly Southern delicacies like catfish and barbecue. The extensive dinner and lunch options are served cafeteria style, although you may order from the menu. They’re open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and if you go for breakfast, a large, complimentary cinnamon roll is on the way!

A different take on the meat and three, Hattie B’s is all about hot—as in spicy hot— chicken. Hattie B’s Hot Chicken originated in Nashville, but with strong family ties to the area, founder Nick Bishop Sr. knew his restaurant would be right at home in Birmingham. Son of Gene Bishop, who served as CEO for Morrison’s Cafeterias, Nick grew up in a business that aimed to please an entire family. Therefore, he and Nick Jr. do just that by offering chicken with five levels of heat—from “no heat” to “shut the cluck up.” Scrumptious sides (like pimento mac and cheese) and oldtimey desserts (think ice cream floats) make everyone happy.

A DIFFERENT TAKE ON THE MEAT AND THREE, HATTIE B’S IS ALL ABOUT HOT—AS IN SPICY HOT—CHICKEN.

Above left: Olexa’s Café in Mountain Brook offers a French courtyard ambience and impeccably crafted desserts, plus wedding cakes and catering. Photo by Brittany Sturdivant, Love Be Photography.

Above right: Hattie B’s Hot Chicken brought its Nashville heat to Birmingham last year.

Stop by the restaurant in the Lakeview district for a clucking good meal.

Photo courtesy of Hattie B’s Hot Chicken.

Family owned and operated, Magnolia BBQ and Fish, located in the historic Fourth Avenue District, serves barbecue (ribs and chicken) and fried fish (shrimp, too), some fundamental sides, and homemade chocolate and lemon cakes.

Brothers Dameione Rogers and Ty Cook use their grandmother’s recipes for

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 77

Steel City Pops offers three Birmingham locations for guests to cool down from the Southern heat with gourmet popsicles and other tasty treats. Photo courtesy of Steel City Pops.

Below: Aloft Birmingham Soho Square offers visitors a hip downtown location with amenities to match.

The loft-inspired hotel includes 24/7 dining options, a bar, a fitness center and pool, and meeting spaces.

Photo courtesy of Aloft Birmingham Soho Square.

Opposite: The Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook is the perfect stop for fairy-tale accommodations. As part of the esteemed Kessler Collection of hotels, it prides itself on including all the luxury amenities of a Grand Bohemian property while incorporating the natural beauty of Mountain Brook. Photo courtesy of the Kessler Collection.

78 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

award-winning, fall-off-the-bone ribs and sauce.

They make deliveries, but going in person is a treat for meeting some of the friendliest people in town and seeing a wall of pen-and-ink celebrity portraits by the brothers’ cousin, Mark G. For a sweet treat on a hot day, try a creamy, fruity, or cookie popsicle from Steel City Pops. Fresh seasonal ingredients (the menu varies with a different flavor featured each month) are organic or all natural, so why not?

Stay Awhile Since driving times around Birmingham rarely exceed ten minutes, sightseeing preferences needn’t dictate the hotel you choose. Uber is also a click away!

Aloft Birmingham Soho Square offers crisp and clean, utilitarian comfort in an urban loft environment. Conveniently accessible from the main lobby, complimentary parking is beneath part of the building. You can zip in and out, but instead of dashing to and from destinations, take time for a snack, a cup of coffee, or a cocktail in the hotel. You’ll find

seating in the lobby and bar areas quite relaxing. Staff members are also eager to please and suggest places to go, including walking-distance eateries ( Jinsei for sushi) and boutiques (Soca for classic contemporary clothing). Aloft also has a pet-friendly policy, so bring those fur babies along with you.

Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, is one of hotelier Richard Kessler’s beauties. Promising luxury and the acquired

knowledge of how to care for guests, each Kessler property is meticulously planned and designed with local assets in mind. For Mountain Brook, the inspiration stems from the neighboring Botanical Gardens. Blending whimsy and elegance, Kessler created an “in the woods” ambience that feels rather like a fairy tale for grownups. (Always welcome, children and canines naturally love it, too!)

ATTENTION TO DETAIL IS A GRAND BOHEMIAN HALLMARK. Attention to detail is a Grand Bohemian hallmark.

Drapery patterns, you’ll notice, resemble trees in the forest, crystal flowers sparkle from chandeliers, and a framed mosaic of live moss hangs in the spa.

Florals and vines swirl in carpeting and upholstered furniture while butterflies appear throughout the decor. Books in the lobby have been aptly chosen

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GRAND BOHEMIAN CATERS TO ALL THE SENSES. THE POSEIDON SPA, OPEN DAILY, OFFERS HOT STONE MASSAGES AND SALT SOAKS. Amenities at the Grand Bohemian Mountain Brook include a whimsical outdoor fire pit, wineblending experiences, a rooftop restaurant, the Poseidon Spa, and a gallery full of local artwork.

Photo courtesy of the Kessler Collection.

for their color schemes and botanical and pastoral topics. The bohemian at heart further rejoices over an array of original artworks, much of which comes from Kessler’s private collection. A 2,700-squarefoot art gallery also showcases different artists each month with pieces for sale.

Grand Bohemian caters to all the senses. The Poseidon Spa, open daily, offers hot stone massages and salt soaks. Cooking school, a palate-pleasing adventure, is lively and interactive. Wine blending class includes a little chemistry lesson and the opportunity to produce your own take-home private label.

Wine tasting is self-serve from a Vintec storage cooler that affordably dispenses rare and unusual varieties by the glass. Habitat Feed & Social, a vibrant rooftop restaurant with a bar and outdoor terrace, buzzes with an amiable mixture of hotel guests and locals.

You might not want to leave the Grand Bohemian after checking in, and a Birmingham getaway of that nature would also be, well, quite grand!

For additional ideas to help you plan, check out Birmingham365.org. You’ll find an extensive current calendar of happenings—the arts, food, recreation, sports, and more—and descriptions of various places of interest.

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Chef and restaurateur Frank Stitt with his wife and business partner, Pardis, at the Highlands Bar and Grill in Birmingham, Alabama.

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Un maître culinaire FRA N K ST I T T B LEN D S F R E NC H C U I S I NE

& S OU TH E R N C O M FO RT

By Colleen Sachs Photography courtesy of Frank Stitt Restaurants

S

tart talking to someone about food in Alabama, particularly in Birmingham, and Frank Stitt’s name will come up.

He has been called a genius and the Godfather of Southern Cuisine, and he’s been credited with bringing life to a Birmingham neighborhood (if not the city itself ) with the opening of the Highlands Bar and Grill in 1982. Highlands was followed by Bottega (and Bottega Café) in 1988 and Chez Fonfon in 2000.

Stitt’s journey started in Cullman, Alabama, where he grew up on a farm with his surgeon father and his mother, Marie Stitt, whom he describes as “the greatest.” Stitt says she lived to cook and to make people happy through her food: “She baked, made incredible desserts, was wonderful at braises, and made preserves and her own sour pickles and sauerkraut. She was quite the inspiration.” He grew up with Southern staples such as corn bread and preserves and his grandmother’s fresh churned butter (courtesy of her Jersey cow).

His father’s professional position on a national board of surgeons provided trips to cities with plenty of fine dining. There was Brennan’s and Antoine’s in New Orleans, the Saint Regis in New York, and the Pump Room in Chicago. Stitt’s love of food grew with each new experience.

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Voyager

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n 1972, Stitt did what so many from the South do: he left. He spent a summer in Europe, attended Tufts University near Boston, and then headed west. While studying philosophy at the University of California at Berkeley, he became more interested in the food writing of Richard Olney and Elizabeth David than the philosophers he was studying.

After being rejected by the kitchens of several French restaurants (René Verdon of Le Trianon in San Francisco instantly dismissed him after he didn’t know how to trim an artichoke properly), Stitt found Fritz Luenberger at Casablanca. Luenberger taught him the basics, and Stitt’s joy for food continued to blossom. He found the mother ship of the American Slow Food movement, Alice Waters’s Chez Panisse in Berkeley. Stitt admired the standard of integrity and the commitment to quality, flavor, and provincial French traditions using locally grown ingredients. It became a life-changing experience.

A spring internship at Chez Panisse led Waters to write a letter of introduction to her mentor, famed American connoisseur of French cuisine Richard Olney. With letter in hand, Stitt approached Olney and eventually worked as his assistant in England and France. At the time Olney was working on his 86 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

STI TT AD MI R ED TH E STAN DAR D O F I NTEG R I T Y AN D TH E CO MMITMENT TO QUALI T Y, FLAVO R , AN D PR OVI NCI AL FR ENCH T R AD I TI O N S US I NG LO CALLY G R OWN I NG R ED I ENTS .

twenty-volume Time-Life series, The Good Cook.

Stitt spent time as Olney’s personal assistant at his home in southern France in Solliès-Toucas. He learned about wine pairings from Olney as well as from Steven Spurrier at l’Académie du Vin de Paris.

One recent Highlands menu paid tribute to his mentor by featuring Richard Olney’s stuffed onions with ricotta, spinach, and Provençal tomato sauce.

Another of Stitt’s early influences, Jeremiah Tower, was the chef at Chez Panisse and worked with Olney

in London on the Time-Life series. Stitt describes Olney and Tower as “the two best cooks that I have known, and their taste and knowledge of the history of classic French cooking was amazing.” He says, “They cooked because they loved the pleasure of food and being at table with friends. They also appreciated the joys of wine—from simple country wines to the finest crus. They both built menus with a sense of aesthetics that rivaled great art.”

Stitt returned to Alabama at a time when Birmingham had its share of troubles, which included the closing of the steel mill. But he could see promise in the city from the burgeoning university and medical center.

With devoted cooking class attendees and a loan from his mother, Stitt was determined to create a place for his style of food in Birmingham. “Highlands opened on a shoestring,” he says. It was an immediate hit (and still is) with locals, who flood the bar upon opening each day. The food and atmosphere coax some

patrons to dine there more than once a week. These loyal followers include politicians, doctors, lawyers, businesspeople, and football fans. Highlands is also a destination restaurant, bringing people from Atlanta and other areas of the South for a special meal.

Each of Stitt’s restaurants, which he owns with his wife, Pardis, has its own special quality that begins with the mid-1920s birth of the buildings they occupy.

Highlands has an oyster bar and what Stitt describes as a “semiclassic vibe.” He describes Bottega as having “Palladian-like Italian style,” and Chez Fonfon as “a quirky French bistro.” Stitt likens them to his children, saying “One is not better than the other— only different.”

for dinner only, while the casual café is open from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and features snacks, salads, and mains, all reasonably priced. Recent selections included bruschetta with farm egg salad and poached shrimp, roasted cauliflower za’atar, and arancini. The Bottega Bowl salad combines quinoa, pumpkin seeds, shaved raw beets, a farm egg, kale, feta, and olives. Mains were perfect for the midwinter menu: garganelli Bolognese; café mac and cheese; and cavatelli with sausage, butternut squash, and Tuscan kale, to name a few. In the dessert section, choices such as tiramisu, affogato, chocolate budino, and coconut pecan cake left diners unable to resist.

One of the most popular items on the Bottega dining room menu is a Parmesan soufflé starter served with mushrooms and prosciutto di Parma (Bottega’s version of the Highlands baked grits), and the beef carpaccio is also a favorite. The scallop

Opposite right and left: Opened in 1988, Bottega restaurant’s sophisticated atmosphere and incredible homemade Italian-inspired dishes have made it a favorite among locals.

Below: Chef Stitt founded his Birmingham culinary empire with the opening of Highlands Bar and Grill in the city’s Five Points South neighborhood in 1982.

Highlands opened at a time when country club fare and the restaurant at the Hyatt were the norms among those looking for fine dining in Birmingham. Instead of steak and potatoes and everything served en flambé, he found wonderful local ingredients and prepared them with a nod to classic French techniques, which may seem contrary to some. The important part of the equation was that the ingredients were fresh and of the highest quality. A case in point is the popular Highlands baked grits dish: incredibly light grits are baked in ramekins and served with a Parmesan sauce, strips of country ham, and wild mushrooms.

Simple Southern ingredients substitute for French ones, and the result is spectacular.

Many of Stitt’s ingredients show up at the restaurants still wet with dew from the farm. You will find everything from fresh eggs to briny oysters and beautiful Gulf of Mexico seafood, all of the highest quality. Stitt is a chef who knows how to bring out the best in food instead of covering it up with sauce or seasoning. One Highlands dinner menu included grilled venison, lamb shoulder, crispy flounder, and duck three ways (roast ballotine, grilled breast, and seared foie gras). Desserts were classic crème brûlée, coconut cream pie, and strawberry cobbler. Each comes with a wine pairing suggestion, including Blandy’s Rainwater Madeira and Bodegas Toro Albalá Don PX Gran Reserva Sherry.

Stitt’s second restaurant, Bottega, is housed in the historic Bottega Favorita building. Chef Mario Batali has called Bottega “one of the best Italian restaurants outside of Italy.” One side of the restaurant is open V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 87

crudo featured blood orange, jalapeño, sea salt, and cilantro. Mains on a recent menu included pappardelle with braised pollo rosso, porcini mushrooms, and thyme, and black grouper with gigante beans, chickpeas, spinach, and lemon agrumato. A hanger steak came with steak tots, fonduta, and rapini. Among the desserts were persimmon semifreddo, dark chocolate raspberry cake with chocolate caramel buttercream, and satsuma sorbet pavlova. There are plenty of wines to choose from on Bottega’s wine-by-the-glass program, and the cocktail list is nothing short of enticing.

Opposite: While the menu at Chef Stitt’s French bistro, Chez Fonfon, includes savory plats du jour such as steak tartare, coq au vin, and escargots, guests will miss out if they don’t stay for delicious desserts created daily!

C

hez Fonfon is a bustling French bistro with a menu to match. Plats du jour feature lamb daube on Tuesdays. Locals know to arrive early on Thursdays for the crab cakes. Small plates include roast bone marrow with parsley and shallots, a country pâté of pork, ham, foie gras and pistachios, and fish paillard with apples, walnuts, mint, and lemon. Large plates feature classic moules et frites, trout with capers and brown butter, and shrimp and avocado with rémoulade.

“I LOVE PUTTI NG FO O D TO G ETHE R THAT IS SEN S I TI VE TO TH E DAY, TH E SE ASON, AND TH E WEATH ER . FO O D TH AT MAKE S YOU SM IL E .

CO O K I NG AN D BUI LD I NG MENUS IS PE RSONAL , AN D I T TAK ES LOVE AN D THOUGHT.”

Several sandwiches are also offered—croque monsieur, croque madame, and turkey with blue cheese aioli—while mouthwatering desserts include the classic Opera cake, a strawberry tart, and pot de crème.

With so many restaurants to run, Stitt continues to derive his inspiration from carefully sourced ingredients. “I cannot resist working with incredible ingredients and putting them together in ways that taste heavenly,” he says. “I love putting food together that is sensitive to the day, the season, and the weather. Food that makes you smile. Cooking and building menus is personal, and it takes love and thought.”

While Stitt is the force behind the food, Pardis keeps control over the front of the house. Stitt describes his wife as “the hardest-working, all-seeing, all-caring force behind the infinite details that make dining with us the most wonderful experience of your day.”

Many dishes on the Highlands menu are longtime favorites, including those sumptuous baked grits, but there has been an evolution in the restaurant since its early 1980s beginning. “I would like to think our food has become healthier and more complex without being fussy,” Stitt explains. “Some great restaurants like Galatoire’s don’t change too much because they understand their strengths and they are confident. I think that is true of us, but we try to remain fresh—it has a lot to do with sourcing the best and freshest ingredients, even if it means growing them ourselves.”

Changes at Highlands are made carefully so that the restaurant maintains its integrity while meeting the needs of its adoring community.

As the man who put Birmingham on the culinary map, Stitt remains excited about the city as a foodie destination. “Birmingham has so much going for it,” he says, calling it “easy to get around and with incredible energy in the dining scene, from Woodlawn to Avondale to Southside to downtown. It’s a great place to be cooking right now.”

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Since 2004 FireRock has manufactured and supplied quality products to the custom home market, providing turnkey service and expertise unlike any of our competitors. What began with pre-engineered masonry fireplaces has grown to include:

Masonry Fireplaces | Wood Flooring | Stone Pavers | Slate Roofing | Cedar Shake Roofing | Steel Windows & Doors

888.876.1025 | FIREROCK.US

La maison

La maison WHERE THE HEART IS

This Ardmore chair from Anthropologie is oh so pretty in pink velvet, but it also comes in a range of colors and in linen upholstery. If you’re looking to spice up your living room, office, or bedroom this season, this little beauty might be just the ticket.

Check it out at Anthropologie.com.

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CASUAL ON LA KE M A RT IN 92 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

Photography by Jean Allsopp

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Schnell says the interiors of this second home are meant to evoke luxury as well as comfort. The large fireplace in the living room helps make the house a perfect retreat for any season.

Home sweet lake house!

VIE catches up with designer Paige Schnell of Tracery Interiors to marvel at this beautiful second home on Lake Martin near Birmingham, Alabama.

Completed in 2009, the home was a collaboration between Schnell and Anna Kay Porch of Tracery and builder John Lanier.

L

ake Martin, one of the largest reservoirs in the United States, was formed by the Martin Dam, which has generated hydroelectric power from the Tallapoosa River for the Alabama Power Company since 1926. Today, Lake Martin is a popular area for swimming, waterskiing, camping, boating, golfing, and other outdoor recreation. The homes surrounding its shores are some of the most beautiful in the state, and this one is no exception.

V I E : How closely did you work with the builder on this project?

P a i g e S c h n e l l : John Lanier, the builder, is a true craftsman. We worked with him on all decisions for the home. We selected the stone and mortar on the outside, the custom window color, the wood detailing on the inside, and the wood flooring, and we customdesigned all the cabinetry. This was truly a great collaboration. To work with someone that puts so much time and effort into every detail is very special, and we loved every minute of creating this home.

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Children’s Harbor is one of the most iconic spots on Lake Martin. The property hosts children’s camps as well as other events throughout the year. Photo by Jim Denney.

Below: The home’s kitchen reflects its blend of style and comfort, with one island for food preparation and another that doubles as a seating area.

V I E : How did the owners’ intended use of the home affect your design plans?

S c h n e l l : Our clients live full-time in Mountain Brook, Alabama, and we had designed their primary home there, as well as this lake house. We planned the home for the family, which at that point included small children—but we kept in mind that those children would grow up. The home still works well for the family, and the design is classic and timeless.

Creating a home that is a retreat for a family is different than working on a primary residence. While Tracery has designed both primary and second homes over the years, we have definitely kept our feet firmly planted in creating retreats for our clients, mainly because of our company’s location in Rosemary Beach, Florida. People come to us for that, and we love to be involved in the process of creating these homes.

94 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

This home is the epitome of ‘casual elegance.’ This is a style we really love. Many of the homes we design along Florida’s Scenic Highway 30-A would also fit in this category. You can host a beautiful candlelit dinner party at the dining table, and few feet away, at the island, you can sit in your swimsuit and enjoy a tomato sandwich for lunch.

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The stairwell leading into the home from the lakeside deck is adorned with family photos, showcasing some of the owners’ most cherished memories in a place where they’ll surely make more.

96 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

V I E : What are some of the key features you wanted to include to make this a true Lake Martin retreat?

S c h n e l l : We wanted classic details, but for the design to be clean, not fussy. This wasn’t the renovation of an old home; it was new, but we still wanted a balance between old and new. Old beams, old floors, and antiques mixed with the clean, modern details in the architecture to create the eclectic mix.

Chimney Rock is another favorite spot among visitors to Lake Martin.

Photo by Jim Denney.

The owner found the antique beams from a supplier that hunts through the countryside for these treasures.

The beams really are huge and add texture and scale to this large living space. The living room has soaring ceilings, and the antique wood adds warmth and character.

We brought in the barn wood and more beams to keep the same flavor throughout the home.

Large windows and natural decor elements bring the beauty of the surrounding property into the home.

La maison

The spacious deck and outdoor kitchen area exemplify the Lake Martin lifestyle.

Right: In addition to the formal dining room, the casual breakfast nook is a comfortable gathering spot for good coffee and good conversation.

The Shops at The Hub 30a 31 Hub Lane Watersound, FL 32461 (850) 502 - 2780 | okolifestyle.com

equipping people to O V E R C O M E , demonstrating acts of K I N D N E S S , giving O P P O R T U N I T Y to those who need it most

V I E : How would you describe your style for the lake house?

S c h n e l l : This home is the epitome of “casual elegance.” This is a style we really love. Many of the homes we design along Florida’s Scenic Highway 30-A would also fit in this category. You can host a beautiful candlelit dinner party at the dining table, and few feet away, at the island, you can sit in your swimsuit and enjoy a tomato sandwich for lunch. Just like a home at the beach, a lake house has to be multifaceted, accommodating many uses in one space. We love playing with the balance between cozy and elegant, creating spaces that are not only gorgeous but also comfortable enough for sitting around in pj’s and reading a book on a rainy afternoon.

W W W .T R A C E R Y I N T E R I O R S . C O M

888.479.0068

La maison

UNMISTAKABLY

SUBLIME Fall in Love with Casa Amore

By Susan Vallee // Photos by Modus Photography

xoxo

How do you begin to describe a Gulf-front home with a translucent bridge leading to the front door? It’s like Vegas, baby. Think Austin Powers and rock ’n’ roll—complete and total luxury and excess. I’ve never seen anything like it. And (maybe) surprisingly, instead of belonging to a party-crazed bachelor, this is a family home. The heated lap pool, which the translucent bridge passes over (so, maybe you shouldn’t visit wearing a skirt!), the hot tub on the second floor, the full-size basketball court, and the music room with a stage worthy of a professional venue all make this an amazing home. And, did I mention it overlooks a private beach? As if the cornucopia of amusements in the home weren’t enough, you can walk down to the beach or relax by a fire pit and watch the sunset from the comfort of a luxuriously padded chair.

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A floor-to-ceiling pop art mosaic of red lips sets the stage for this dance studio. Pucker up, baby!

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P

am and Bill Burden own this six-bedroom, seven-bath masterpiece in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. They built the original house in 2005. At the time, the couple had two children and one on the way. By 2008, the kids were a little older, and the family was ready to have some fun with the design of a major addition to the property. They dubbed their home “Casa Amore” and, working with architect Joe Dougherty, added the heated lap pool, a commercial-grade kitchen, an indoor basketball court, a game room, a media room, and an expanded master bedroom—which has a bathroom that could make one weep from jealousy.

The family was ready to have some fun with the design of a major addition to the property. xoxo

The master bath has one of those free-standing, eggshaped tubs that almost everyone seems to covet (or maybe that’s just me). There’s a shower built for two, but I’m pretty sure at least six could fit in there with room to spin around. There’s a sauna (of course), and a large blue-and-teal mouth-blown glass chandelier bounces light across the marble tile. The expansive bathroom leads to two master closets, each boasting built-ins for shoes and handbags.

The adjacent master bedroom has floor-to-ceiling windows that perfectly frame the view of the emerald Gulf of Mexico and the white quartz-sand beach.

The Gulf can even be seen from inside the bathroom, which lends an incredible spa-like level of relaxation to the space.

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Lighthearted laser lights enliven the alreadydynamic architectural features, including this awesome flying bridge.

Opposite: With the help of their beloved Lucy, Dr. Bill and Pam Burden are welcoming and gracious hosts. Photo by Romona Robbins.

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"The inspiration for the house was love." xoxo

Remember that translucent bridge? It doesn’t stop at the front door. Another bridge crosses the home on the third floor to reach the entertainment room. Large wooden Xs are added to the floor of this bridge, though. This design is no accident.

“Throughout the house, you will see Xs in the patterns on the doors, ceilings, and cabinet work,” Bill explains.

“You will see Os in the lighting, windows, and decor. The Xs and Os represent hugs and kisses. I guess you can say the inspiration for the house was love.”

Opposite: This amazing winding staircase of hardwood treads, stainless steel balustrades, and laminated wood carriage is a spectacular centerpiece to this light and airy two-story gallery.

The entertainment room isn’t just for the kids to play video games and escape their parents. There’s

Pam and Bill show how to shake a groove thing on the dance floor. Photo by Romona Robbins.

La maison

"There is always something going on here." xoxo

an actual stage, with lights mounted on the ceiling and professional sound equipment that elevates band practice to a level not seen in most homes.

“There is always something going on here,” Pam admits. “Our kids have friends over to enjoy the beach or the pool, shoot basketball, or play in the game room or media room. Our friends stop by for a sunset glass of champagne, karaoke in the media room, dinner by the pool, or a volleyball game on the beach.”

Beach Escapes R E A L T Y

GULF FRONT. LUXURY. PRIVATE.

THE STROOP GROUP 850.376.6439 marthastroop@outlook.com BeachEscapesRealty.com

139 Gulf Dunes Lane, Santa Rosa Beach

This stunning 12,167 square foot estate located in the private, gated community of Gulf Dunes, boast 6 bedrooms, 7 full baths, and 5 half baths.

The estate is situated on 90 ft of lush, sugar white private beach.

THE HOLLOWAY GROUP 850.830.3943 Jimbo@JBHproperties.com RealEstate30AFlorida.com

Appropriately selected, these elaborate jellyfishlike pendant lights hint to the function of this spacious master shower.

Opposite: Photo by Romona Robbins V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 107

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The cool and lustrous materials of glass and metal feel right at home on the upper level of the light and spacious gallery.

Opposite: Modern shapes and planes of the new addition are masterfully blended into the more traditional vernacular of the main house through the use of copper cladding and copper soffits.

Opposite: Photo by Romona Robbins

It’s a busy place, but with more than twelve thousand square feet, it’s hard to ever feel cramped at Casa Amore. It’s also for sale for a cool $13 million.

Sure, the Burdens are leaving a house full of love, but there’s no doubt they will merely trade one dream home for another. “Now that our kids are getting older, we’re thinking that maybe we’re ready for a new adventure,” says Pam. “We love to create, and I’ve started thinking about what our next dream home could look like. We’re definitely staying in the area, though. I can’t imagine leaving this beach and all of our friends.”

In the meantime, potential buyers should get ready to fall in love with Casa Amore.

Find the listing for Casa Amore at www.ThePremierPropertyGroup.com.

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SUBSCRIBE TODAY! ONE-YEAR FOR $29.95 V IE M A G A Z INE .C O M / S U B S C R IB E

LOOK

THE HOMELESS are NOT INVISIBLE

INTRODUCING

LA SCÈNE WHERE IT’S AT

VOYAGER SPECIAL EDITION

CONNEMAR A LIFE 2016 Magazine Inside

SARTORIAL FEATURE

CHRISTIAN SIRIANO at IRELAND’S BALLYNAHINCH CASTLE

November / December 2016

NO STRINGS ATTACHED HIROMI UEHAR A’S JAZZ

PHILANTHROPY is GOOD EMERIL LAGASSE FOUNDATION GIVES BACK

C’EST LA VIE

a LIFE of HOLIDAY LUXURY

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Purchase a combination of Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances now, and get a $1,000 rebate, Wolf Gourmet products or both! The “Grand Kitchen Savings” offer is good through March 31, 2017.

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10859 Emerald Coast Parkway West, Suite 203 | FL Destin, FL |32550 | 850-650-9092 | Destin, 10859 Emerald Coast Parkway West, Suite 203 32550 850-650-9092 | Panama 1217 Harrison FL |32401 | 850-769-7043 | builderspecialties.net | Panama 1217 Harrison Avenue Avenue City, FL City, 32401 850-769-7043 | builderspecialties.net

| 850-650-9092 50-9092 appliances • fireplaces builderspecialties.net specialties.net Better Home SOLUTIONS

859 Emerald Coast Parkway West, Suite 203 | Destin, FL 32550 | 850-650-9092 17 Harrison Avenue | Panama City, FL 32401 | 850-769-7043 | builderspecialties.net

10859 Emerald Coast Parkway West, Suite 203 | Destin, FL 32550 | 850-650-9092 1217 Harrison Avenue | Panama City, FL 32401 | 850-769-7043 | builderspecialties.net

Consistently Delicious since 1995! www.cafethirtya.com

3899 East Scenic Hwy. 30A, Seagrove Beach · 850.231.2166 Online Reservations. Major Credit Cards. Open Daily At 5.

CULINARY & COUTURE

Food and fashion may sound like an unlikely match. Is it possible to indulge in the epicurean delights and have a closet full of designer clothing? We say, “Why not?” Of course, the relationship between them is about more than gaining or losing pounds. Looking at the finer details, you’ll realize that the two are actually quite relatable. Both are enticing, often beautiful, and require a touch of finesse in their creation. We think our curated collection proves the point!

1

Spring Flowers

Dolce & Gabbana Translucent Clutch $4,295 – modaoperandi.com 112 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

2

Say Cheese!

Cheese Knife Trio with Marble Handles $55 – cudesso.com

Save the Date

3

XL Reverse Burnish White Diamond Cuff with Monogram and Date $9,000 – jenniferfisher.com

Krewe for the Summer

4

Krewe Iris Sunglasses $295–315 – modaoperandi.com

Life Is like a Box of Chocolates

5

Z Chocolate Sapphire Gold $422 – zchocolat.com

6

Espresso Yourself

Bugatti Diva Espresso Machine £650 – harrods.com

Flipping Through

7

Nasty Galaxy by Sophia Amoruso $37 – nastygal.com V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 113

Tea for the HeART!

8

Rosewood London Art Afternoon Tea rosewoodhotels.com

9

Dial It Down

Michele Deco II Mid Diamond Dial Watch Case in Rose Gold $2,595 – nordstrom.com

Fancy Feasting

10

Assouline Farfetch Curates Food $25 – assouline.com

11

Between the Lines

Delpozo Striped Sleeveless Jumpsuit $5,150 – modaoperandi.com

12

Put a Ring on It

Fusion Long Ring fernandojorge.co.uk

Watch This

13

Samsung Gear S2 by de Grisogono $14,700 – degrisogono.com

114 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

14

Flower Power Alexis Resort 2017 Collection, Glory Dress in Ivory Garden modaoperandi.com Photo by Andrew Thomas Lee

C’est la vie

Let It Flow

15

Roberto Cavalli Resort 2017 Collection, Look 34 robertocavalli.com 116 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

Creative. Fresh. Local.

Located at WaterColor ÂŽ Inn | 34 Goldenrod Circle, Santa Rosa Beach, Florida | watercolorresort.com | 850.534.5050

Game On! Wildly delicious selections Wildly delicious selections of seafood and wild game of wild game and seafood

Game On! Game On! Wildly delicious selections of wild game and seafood

Wildly delicious selections of wild game and seafood

Grilled Venison

Pan Roasted Duck Breast

Sunset Special 95 $

Tini Tuesday $ 00

5-6:30pm Daily

Vodka Martinis all Night

5

14

Private Rooms & Full-Service Catering Available

Game On!

at the Shoppes of Edgewater Panama City Beach, Florida Wildly delicious selections of wild game seafood (850) 249-3359 • and fireflypcb.com

OpenTable’s Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for nine years running (2008-2016)

Urbanspoon’s “America’s Top 250 High-End Restaurants”

Florida Trend’s Golden Spoon Award

Bon appétit!

Bon appétit!

THE ESSENCE OF LIFE

Be still, my sweet tooth. Cupcake Wars alum Jeff Martin is here to make all your buttercream dreams come true. His boutique bakery franchise, Smallcakes Cupcakery, has been whipping up gourmet cakes, ice cream, milkshakes, and more across the United States and Saudi Arabia, with more Middle Eastern locations coming soon.

Learn why USA Today named Smallcakes one of ten great places to bite into a gourmet cupcake when you read “Small Cakes, Big Dreams” on VIEmagazine.com.

Photo by Alissa Aryn Photography

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Bon appétit!

Unwind at • The Allure of Craft Beer, Wine, and Music •

By Lauren Shaw

If you visit any major city in America, you’d be hard-pressed not to find a hip craft beer event or posh wine tasting close by. Panama City Beach, Florida, is not to be excluded in understanding the demand for a wine and beer bash that is fit for even the most avid connoisseurs.

Taking place in the beautiful month of March at Aaron Bessant Park, UNwineD is a spectacular two-day festival featuring superb craft beers, spirits, and wines from around the world—not to mention culinary creations by Northwest Florida’s leading chefs.

Whether a pour from a freshly uncorked bottle of wine or a perfectly brewed beer is your preference, there seems to be a camaraderie between both types of beverage enthusiasts. The “tasting event” trend that has swept across the nation is unique in its capability of pulling a mixed crowd of people from various demographics. People from all walks of life can come together for a few days of festive fun and mutual enjoyment—no politics involved!

122 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

people from all walks of life can come together for a few days of festive fun and mutual enjoyment—no politics involved!

A weekend of abundant flavor, cuisine, and music, UNwineD will feature a lineup of vintners, craft breweries, and premium spirit distilleries that will intrigue any palate. Guests can raise their glasses while Grammy-nominated American folk-rock band the Avett Brothers rocks the stage with epic hits such as “Ain’t No Man,” “I and Love and You,” and “Head Full of Doubt Road Full of Promise.” To add to their résumé of stellar accomplishments, the Avett Brothers’ recent album hit the number-one spot in four Billboard Music categories, including Top Rock Albums, Americana/Folk Albums, Alternative Albums, and Top Album Sales.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Avett Brothers to our world-class beaches as part of our new lineup of spring events,” shares Dan Rowe, president and CEO of Visit Panama City Beach. “Great music and a great destination pair perfectly with the UNwineD event—this is the ideal way to celebrate spring.”

What would a craft beer and wine experience be without expert knowledge and insight from elite chefs, mixologists, and top tastemakers of the South? Patrick Stubbers, head chef and co-owner of Seabear Oyster Bar in Athens, Georgia, has been tapped to bring his innovative seafood expertise to Panama City Beach

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through a unique menu at the Garden & Gun UNwineD kickoff party on March 24, starting at 6:00 p.m. As former sous chef at The National (also in Athens), Stubbers’s experience and his love for adventurous fare inspire culinary enthusiasts around the world.

Nothing can compete with savoring your favorite drink while enjoying the salty air and warm breezes coming off the Gulf of Mexico. UNwineD brings all the senses together in one delicious event, steps away from Panama City Beach’s famous white sands and emerald waters. So why not stop, sip, relax, and UNwineD during this unforgettable experience?

UNwineD 2017 will take place March 24 and 25 at Aaron Bessant Park in Panama City Beach, Florida. Tickets range from $10 to $200. Find more information and get your tickets today at www.VisitPanamaCityBeach.com.

EXPERIENCE SHOPPING & DINING in Grand Boulevard

OPENING SPRING 2017

OPENING SUMMER 2017 COMING SOON

Our exclusive retailers and restaurants include...

Altar’d State Another Broken Egg Cafe Anthropologie Billabong

Brooks Brothers Cantina Laredo Modern Mexican Chico’s fab’rik Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar Grand Fitness Grimaldi’s Pizzeria

J. Crew-at-the-beach J. Jill J. McLaughlin Lilly Pulitzer L’OCCITANE Mitchell’s Fish Market Orvis P.F. Chang’s China Bistro

GRAND BOULEVARD | 850.837.3099 | 495 GRAND BOULEVARD, SUITE 220 MIRAMAR BEACH | FLORIDA 32550 | GRANDBOULEVARD.COM

A HOWARD GROUP | MERCHANTS RETAIL PARTNERS DEVELOPMENT

Starbucks Coffee Tommy Bahama Restaurant Bar & Store Vineyard Vines and many more! #GrandBlvdFL

Bon appétit!

SPRING FLING { Cocktai l s wi t h Spar k l i ng I c e }

In the turn of the season, spring usually invites a string of parties and events. If you’re looking to serve something that will match the atmosphere and the renewed vibes of the season, you’ve come to the right place. Skip the heavy wines and creamy drinks that are so prevalent in winter, and welcome spring with one or two (or maybe even three) of these refreshing cocktails infused with Sparkling Ice, the wildly popular, zero-calorie beverage brand.

As most of us can attest, it’s hard to find a fruity drink that delivers on sweetness without the worry of calories, especially as we near swimsuit season. For those looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle and stick to your New Year’s resolutions, these drinks are perfect for satisfying those sweet cravings. Whether you’re into tart and sweet, zesty and sweet, or just sweet-tooth perfection, find “your” drink here. Your new favorite cocktail is only ingredients away!

126 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

POMEGRANATE MARGARITA { In g r ed i e n t s } 2 ounces tequila 2 ounces pomegranate juice 1 ounce lime juice 1 ounce simple syrup Sparkling Ice Essence of Lemon Lime Vanilla flake salt, for rim Lime wedge, for garnish

{ P r ep a r a t i o n } Rim a collins glass with a lime and dip into salt, then fill the glass with ice and set to the side. In an ice-filled cocktail shaker, combine tequila, pomegranate juice, lime juice, and simple syrup, and shake until well blended. Strain into glass and top with Sparkling Ice Essence of Lemon Lime. Stir lightly to combine. Garnish with a lime wedge. Cheers!

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Bon appĂŠtit!

GRAPEFRUIT ROSEMARY COCKTAIL { I ngredients } 1 ounce vodka 1/2 ounce elderflower liqueur 2 ounces grapefruit juice 1/2 ounce ginger syrup (recipe below) Sparkling Ice Essence of Water Rosemary sprig, for garnish Grapefruit slice, for garnish

{ Pr ep a ration } Fill cocktail shaker with ice. Combine vodka, elderflower liqueur, grapefruit juice, and ginger syrup; shake until cold. Strain into an ice-filled tumbler or highball glass and float with Sparkling Ice Essence of Water. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and grapefruit slice, and serve. Enjoy!

GINGER SYRUP { I ngredients } 2-ounce piece of ginger 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup water

{ Pr ep a ration } Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stir to dissolve sugar. Add ginger and reduce to a simmer. Remove from heat, and allow the ginger to infuse for 30 minutes. Pour syrup through a fine strainer into an airtight container.

128 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

GRAPE VANILLA MOCKTAIL { In g r ed i e n t s } 1 ounce lemon juice 1 ounce vanilla syrup (recipe below) 4 ounces Sparkling Ice Grape Raspberry Lemon twist, for garnish

{ P r ep a r a t i o n } Fill a collins glass with ice. Pour lemon juice and vanilla syrup over ice and stir. Float with Sparkling Ice Grape Raspberry, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve. Yum!

VANILLA SYRUP { In g r ed i e n t s } 1 cup sugar 1 cup water 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

{ P r ep a r a t i o n } Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan.

Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean into the pan and throw in the pod. Heat the mixture over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat, discard the vanilla bean pod, and stir in the vanilla extract. Let cool. Store in the refrigerator.

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130 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

Bon appĂŠtit!

BLACK RASPBERRY PIE TART { In g r e d i e n t s } 1 refrigerated pie crust (from a 14.1-ounce box) 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup Sparkling Ice Black Raspberry 5 cups blackberries and raspberries, rinsed and dried 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice Pinch of salt Whipped topping, for garnish

{ P r epa r a t i o n } Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Bring crust to room temperature and place in ungreased nine-inch pie plate. Press crust firmly against sides and bottom. Fold excess crust under and press together to form thick crust edge; flute.

Prick bottom and sides with fork; bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light brown. Set aside.

In small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and two tablespoons Sparkling Ice Black Raspberry. Set aside.

In medium saucepan, combine one cup of the berries and a half cup of Sparkling Ice Black Raspberry. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring constantly for three to five minutes or until berries start to break up and juices begin to thicken. Stirring constantly, add cornstarch mixture, sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Simmer for one minute or until mixture becomes translucent. Remove from heat and quickly fold in remaining four cups of berries.

Spoon mixture into baked pie shell and cool at room temperature for two to three hours, until berry mixture is set. Serve with whipped topping. Delectable!

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F O O D

B A L L E T

A R T S

M U S I C

F A S H I O N

T H E A T R E

2017 CALENDAR OF EVENTS SAT U RDAYS | YEA R-ROUND GRAND BOULEVARD FARMERS’ MARKET

MARCH 24 – 25 PURSES WITH A PURPOSE benefiting Shelter House

APRI L 1 3 DOGGIE EGGSTRAVAGANZA benefiting Dog-Harmony

APRI L 2 7 – 30 SOUTH WALTON BEACHES WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL benefiting Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation

MAY 5 CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION WITH CANTINA LAREDO

MAY 1 3 – 14 ARTSQUEST FINE ARTS FESTIVAL An official Art Week South Walton event produced by Cultural Arts Alliance

MAY 2 5 WAG THE FLAG benefiting Dog-Harmony

T HU RSDAYS | J UNE 1 – A UGUS T 3 THEATRE THURSDAYS Presented by Emerald Coast Theatre Company

JU NE 2 4 BALLET AT TWILIGHT Presented by Northwest Florida Ballet

AU G U ST 24 DOG DAYS OF SUMMER benefiting Dog-Harmony

FALL T BA SOUTH WALTON FASHION WEEK benefiting The Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County

O CT O BER 21 BEST OF THE EMERALD COAST benefiting Junior League of the Emerald Coast

O CT O BER 26 BARKTOBERFEST DOGGIE SOCIAL benefiting Dog-Harmony

O CT O BER 31 HALLOWEEN ON THE BOOLEVARD

NO VEM BER 18 – J A NUA RY 1 HOLIDAY LIGHTS ON THE BOULEVARD

NO VEM BER 21 – DECEM B ER 25 FESTIVAL OF TREES benefiting more than a dozen local charities

NO VEM BER 21

COA STAL C U LT U R E ARTS AND E NT E RTAINME NT E VE NTS AT G R AND B O U L E VA R D

TOWN CENTER HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

SATURDAYS | NOVEMBER 25 – DECEMBER 16 FREE PHOTOS WITH SANTA These events are presented as part of the Coastal Culture Calendar of Events made possible by the Grand Boulevard Arts & Entertainment Program.

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134 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

Culinary Magic E MERIL LAGASSE CREATES

E

The Twelfth Annual Boudin, Bourbon and Beer and Carnivale du Vin in NOLA

By Tori Phelps Photography by Cheryl Gerber

meril Lagasse is known for recipes, but his math is pretty impressive, too.

One recent example: Emeril plus one weekend equals $3 million. The jaw-dropping total, raised via the Twelfth Annual Carnivale du Vin and Boudin, Bourbon and Beer events in New Orleans last November, was all for charity, of course. The funds benefited the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, whose mission is to inspire, mentor, and enable young people to reach their fullest potential.

It’s an ambitious agenda, to say the least, which is why these food and beverage bonanzas are so important.

The Carnivale showgirls parading throughout the banquet hall and taking photos with guests provided a fun ambience in keeping with the theme of the evening. Photo by Gerald Burwell.

First up, on November 4, was Boudin, Bourbon and Beer, a “come one, come all” event that filled the Superdome’s Champions Square with the sound of music and the smell of boudin, a traditional Cajun sausage. The five thousand attendees munched on creative dishes provided by sixty-plus chefs, including several Floridians: Tampa chefs Habteab Hamde and Chad Johnson, Orlando chef Kevin Fonzo, and State of Florida international culinary ambassador Justin Timineri.

Colleagues from Emeril’s adopted home in South Walton, Florida, didn’t let him down, either. The Emerald Coast was represented by Kevin Korman of Roselie Dining and Seafood Bar in Inlet Beach;

Jim Shirley of the Great Southern Café and 45 Central in Seaside and The Bay restaurant on Choctawhatchee Bay; and Dan Vargo of Seagar’s Prime Steaks and Seafood in Miramar Beach.

A high-flying evening of all-you-can-eat boudin and all-you-can-drink bourbon and beer was just the beginning, though. The weekend took an elegant turn the next night at its Carnivale du Vin Gala. With seven hundred guests in black-tie attire, this more intimate gala looked like what it was: a nationally recognized charity wine auction. “It’s a really special, unique evening where people from around the country gather for incredible food, wine, and beverages at the highest level,” says Brian Kish, president of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation. “Few people can pull something like that together. Emeril is one of them.”

Carnivale du Vin began with the Bacchus Reception featuring appetizers from award-winning chefs Danny Bowien, Sarah Grueneberg, and Frank Stitt.

The “vin” portion of the evening kicked off with wines provided by Far Niente Winery.

Following that taste bud warm-up was Emeril’s Signature Dinner with the Krewe du Vin. Each of the five plated courses received a wine pairing, thanks to Kistler Vineyards, David Arthur Vineyards, Martinelli Winery and Vineyards, Arista Winery,

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 135

Bon appĂŠtit!

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1. Showgirls mingle with dinner guests. 2. Sparkling bubbles for everyone. 3. Elegant copper pineapple drinkware. 4. Celebrity chef Frank Stitt mentoring young student chefs.

5. Food Network personality Sunny Anderson. 6. Alden Lagasse poses with generous dinner patrons. 7. Vintners represented include Far Niente Winery, Kistler Vineyards, David Arthur Vineyards, Martinelli Winery and Vineyards, Arista Winery, and Crocker and Starr Winery. 8. Student chef of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA).

9. Emeril Lagasse with Chef Chris Wilson. Photo by Gerald Burwell.

136 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

and Crocker and Starr Winery. “These are world-class bottles—not exactly what you’d find in your local grocery store,” Kish explains.

The experience, he says, was a lot like what diners would find at one of Emeril’s fine dining restaurants—except the waitstaff was a tad younger. Among the organizations supported by the Emeril Lagasse Foundation is the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA), which opened a four-year high school program for aspiring chefs with a $1.5 million contribution from the foundation. It was these teenage culinary arts students who planned the gourmet dinner menu, helped prepare the food, and then served guests. Trained by Emeril’s staff—nationally renowned for its service standards—the students were a polished, professional reminder of what the evening was all about.

NOCCA is one of the several teaching-learning cafés for which the Emeril Lagasse Foundation provides monetary and hands-on support. At Café Hope, Café Reconcile, and Liberty’s Kitchen, the students are a bit older—seventeen to twenty-three—and come from incredibly challenging home environments.

“Most have dropped out of school, and they’ve all seen horrible things,” Kish says. “But they still have the strength to say, ‘I’m going to take a different path.’”

When that path leads to the teaching cafés, the young adults begin by learning soft skills that most of us take for granted. Once they’ve mastered basics like how

When they complete the program, café students have the one-two punch of soft skills and practical experience needed to land a culinary job.

to be on time and easier-said-than-done concepts such as how to trust other people, students move to the back of the house for lessons in chopping and dicing. Then it’s on to food prep with the grill, oven, and stove. Front-of-house skills, including waiting and busing tables, are the final element. When they complete the program, café students have the onetwo punch of soft skills and practical experience needed to land a culinary job.

The Foundation’s initiatives are front and center at Carnivale du Vin. In the midst of the revelry, Emeril himself offers a peek into the life-changing work to which each guest has contributed that evening.

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Among the announcements this year: a $320,000plus pledge to eight organizations—Belle Chase Academy, Common Threads, Covenant House, NOCCA, St. Michael Special School, Youth Empowerment Project, Kids in Need During Disasters, and Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Alliance—to support culinary and arts education programs, as well as youth literacy, enrichment, and outreach initiatives.

Emeril’s narrative is informative, but it also gives patrons a good reason to dip further into their wallets for the auction items. (It’s a pretty easy sell, considering the lineup of goodies.) Through silent and live auctions—the latter emceed by Food Network star Sunny Anderson—bidders had a shot at once-in-a-lifetime experiences ranging from an African wine safari to a lavish trip to Burgundy’s Côte d’Or. No wonder Carnivale du Vin is considered one of Wine Spectator’s top 10 U.S. charity wine auctions.

Considering the price tags of these donations, you’d think they would be hard to acquire. Not so, Kish says. In addition to the press they receive, everyone in the food and beverage world seems to want to help Emeril. “He was one of the first folks to bring chefs to the forefront through TV, and a lot of chefs are grateful for that,” he explains. “Plus, he’s just a great guy.”

138 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

Emeril and his wife, Alden, a cofounder of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, harness their celebrity status and their friendships to make kids’ lives better.

It’s hard to argue with that. The Foundation has given $1 million to youth charities this year alone, with a significant chunk funneled to causes along Florida’s Emerald Coast. It seems fitting, considering what Kish calls the “great generosity” of that area’s residents when it comes to foundation events like Carnivale du Vin and last year’s Throwdown Benefit Auction and BBQ.

Happy Boudin, Bourbon and Beer attendees enjoy a performance by the Banditos on stage under the disco mirror pig.

Chef Emeril Lagasse poses with Florida chefs at Boudin, Bourbon and Beer: (L-R), Jim Shirley, Jim Richard, Kevin Korman, Emeril Lagasse, Dan Vargo, and Justin Timineri.

Photo by Gerald Burwell.

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1. The very photogenic E.J. Lagasse. Photo by Gerald Burwell. 2. The many types of bourbon at the event. 3. The proud host himself, Emeril Lagasse. 4. Tempting artisan sausage. 5. A boudin palooza. 6. Mouthwatering boudin. 7. Tasty goodness in a cup. 8. Bourbon cocktails. 9. Bourbon flowing freely.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 139

Bon appétit!

area will be at Grand Boulevard, a mixed-use town center with thirteen restaurants and eateries, plus The seemingly tireless chef credits frequent travel with planting new shopping, hotels, and entertainment. “We are really excited to be opening in South Walton,” Emeril says. ideas, as well as passionate, committed team members who make “I’ve been visiting the Destin area for thirty-plus work feel more like play. But it’s the kids who keep him motivated. years, and I’ve had a house here for the past fifteen, so this area is near and dear to me and my family.

I’ve been wanting to open a restaurant here for some time, and when the opportunity presented itself, I couldn’t say no. We’re looking Emeril and his team are preparing to touch even forward to being part of the Grand Boulevard community.” more lives through a nationwide expansion of the Foundation’s signature program, Emeril’s Culinary A collection of restaurants, a charity that raises and distributes millions of dollars a Garden and Teaching Kitchen. Already active in year, and new endeavors on the front burner all the time? It’s an itinerary that sounds New Orleans, it helps kids learn about growing food exhausting to everyone except Emeril. The seemingly tireless chef credits frequent as part of their daily curriculum. Rather than an aftertravel with planting new ideas, as well as passionate, committed team members who school or elective for older students, this program is make work feel more like play. But it’s the kids who keep him motivated. “Giving designed to be fully interwoven into every subject, back to young people and creating opportunities for them to follow their dreams is from math to history. something I’m passionate about,” he says. “It constantly inspires me.”

Emeril is also expanding his restaurant empire, treating the Emerald Coast to a new culinary destination.

Visit www.Emeril.org to learn more about the foundation and its many programs and events.

His first restaurant in the South Walton, Florida,

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Comfort Food G O O D O L D - FA S H I O N E D H O M E R E C I P E S

By Colleen Sachs

Seafood Paella

Paella is a wonderful meal to serve to a group. With its colors and textures, it is beautiful on the table, and the fragrant combination of seafood and saffron is heady.

from the shrimp. You can use either pure saffron or yellow rice seasoning packets, but saffron will give you the best flavor and a pale-yellow rice. The seasoning packets taste milder and have coloring added, making the rice a brighter color. I also use Spanish Bomba or Valencia rice, both medium-grain varieties. (Shortgrain rice can turn too mushy, while long-grain rice doesn’t absorb as much of the flavorful broth.)

Instead of the chicken stock found in many recipes, I like to start by making my own stock using the shells

While this recipe calls for shrimp, mussels, and clams, it is possible to substitute other fish and shellfish that

Two of my favorite childhood recipes are my mother’s seafood paella and my grandmother’s bread pudding with lemon sauce.

are fresh and available. A lobster tail or two makes a lovely addition to the pan.

Be sure to use Spanish-style chorizo. It is a cured sausage, unlike the raw Mexican chorizo. And use a heavy, flat-bottomed cooking vessel. You can use a traditional paellera (a flat round pan with two handles), or do as I do and use a large cast-iron pan. The heavy pan will help you get that much-desired layer of crisp rice at the bottom; this caramelized crust, called the socarrat, is essential to great paella.

Ingredients 3 slices bacon, cut crosswise into half-inch pieces 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves of garlic, minced 1/2 pound cured ham, smoked pork chop, or smoked sausage, diced 8 ounces Spanish chorizo, cut into half-inch pieces 2 cups Bomba or Valencia rice, or a medium-grain rice Salt to taste 16 mussels 144 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

8 clams 1 pimiento, cut into strips 3 lemons, cut into quarters Canned baby peas Stock 2 pounds shrimp with heads and shells 1 small onion, cut into quarters 1 small tomato, cut into quarters

5 cloves of garlic, cut in half 2 bay leaves 12 stems of Italian parsley with leaves attached 1/2 gram saffron threads, or two packets of yellow rice seasoning such as Vigo 1 cup dry white wine Equipment Paellera or other large, heavy, flat bottom pan

Directions Peel and devein the shrimp, reserving the heads and shells for the stock. Refrigerate the peeled shrimp until ready to use. Place heads and shells into a large stock pot.

Add 5 cups of water to the stock pot. Add the small onion, tomato, 5 cloves of garlic, bay leaves, and saffron or seasoning. Add parsley as is, no need to cut it up.

Add salt to taste. Add wine and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.

While your stock simmers, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat the paella pan or skillet on medium on the stovetop and add the bacon. Cook at medium heat until the bacon is browned. Remove all but 3 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the pan. Add the large onion and sauté until it begins to soften. Add salt to taste. Add the garlic and sauté until it softens. Add the cured ham and chorizo and cook until it is warm. Add the rice and cook, stirring often, until it becomes translucent.

Add 4 cups of the stock and simmer on the stovetop for 7 to 10 minutes until it is not soupy, but some liquid remains. Remove from heat.

Add the shrimp, burying them into the rice as much as possible. Place mussels and clams into rice, tail end first. Distribute strips of pimiento on the top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until all stock is well absorbed. Remove from oven and cover loosely with foil until ready to serve.

Serve with lemon wedges on the side, baby peas on top, and a dry Spanish red wine. ¡Buen provecho!

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 145

Bon appétit!

Meemaw’s Bread Pudding with Lemon Sauce I always follow any paella dinner with my grandmother’s bread pudding. This is not your typical heavy pudding with whiskey sauce; instead, it is light and airy from the Cuban bread. It bakes golden brown with a custardy, almost soufflé-like center and a crisp top from the drizzle of butter and sprinkling of sugar. Each bite of the pudding is faintly sweet, and it’s perfect topped with the bright lemon sauce. Somehow, I was the only one who learned this recipe from Meemaw, so I am the designated bread pudding maker for family gatherings.

Ingredients 3 eggs 3/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 cups whole milk 1 loaf of stale Cuban bread (day-old bread is best) 1 cup raisins 6 ounces butter (1 1/2 sticks) melted Nutmeg to taste Lemon sauce 1 cup sugar 1 cup water 4 lemons, zested and juiced 146 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

Directions Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Lightly beat eggs and add 1/2 cup of the sugar, vanilla, and salt. Stir together until blended, then add milk and stir again.

Tear bread into large pieces (you will probably only need about 3/4 of the loaf ) and add to the milk mixture. Use just enough bread to absorb the milk while keeping the mixture moist and soupy. Stir in the raisins.

Pour 4 ounces of the butter into a deep baking pan. Ladle the milk and bread mixture into the center of the pan and spread it to the sides. Drizzle the top with the remaining butter, sprinkle with the remaining sugar, and sprinkle with nutmeg to taste.

Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The pudding should be firm but still moist, and the top should have a golden crust.

While the bread pudding is baking, make your lemon sauce. Stir water, sugar, and lemon juice together in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Add the lemon zest, simmer for another 5 minutes, then remove from heat.

Serve bread pudding warm with lemon sauce drizzled over the top. Yum!

Bon appétit!

Island OKALOOSA’S NEW CULINARY HOT SPOT

By Bill Campbell Photos by Modus Photography

ONE OF THE DELIGHTFUL THINGS ABOUT TAKING NEWCOMERS TO THE GULF, A NEW RESTAURANT, BAR, AND EVENT VENUE ON NORTHWEST FLORIDA’S OKALOOSA ISLAND, IS THEIR INITIAL REACTION. “I’m in the Bahamas.”

“I’m at a very special wedding, but there’s no wedding.”

“I’m back in Abu Dhabi.”

(The latter is from a Polish woman who speaks seven languages and is very well traveled.)

One quick look at this newcomer to the culinary and social scene should tell you it is quite different from other restaurants in the area, and it is. When I first heard that a new restaurant was being built out of recycled shipping containers, I envisioned a bunch of brown boxes somehow hooked together.

What a silly fool I was.

150 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

The Gulf on Okaloosa Island in Northwest Florida is the latest culinary oasis created by the entertainment specialists at Hangout Hospitality Group, whose other properties include The Hangout in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and The Gulf in Orange Beach, Alabama.

The Gulf ’s interior and exterior spaces are painted blue and white, evoking a squeaky-clean feeling—quite a departure from what used to sit in its spot: Big Bertha’s Bordello and Chili Parlor (a fun place, but this is better).

Words can’t do The Gulf justice; you must visit and see for yourself. To do so, head north on Santa Rosa Boulevard on Okaloosa Island; for locals, pretend you’re heading to the now-shuttered Pandora’s. Turn left there—or for those seeking the best photos, turn left at Sammy’s. The Gulf is two blocks down and you can’t miss it. Nor should it be missed. Docks will be added soon and made available for seafaring visitors pulling in from the Santa Rosa Sound and Choctawhatchee Bay.

AMONG THE THINGS THAT STRUCK ME ON MY FIRST VISIT WERE THREE OUTSIDE PING-PONG TABLES, THE BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPING, THE HAMMOCKS, AND THE FRIENDLY STAFF—WHO WILL EVEN PUT OUT A DOGGIE BOWL FULL OF WATER FOR YOUR POOCH. From the decor sourced by owners Shaul and Lilly Zislin to the curated collection of vinyl LPs played on the turntable in The Gulf’s gift shop, the venue focuses on providing a laid-back island-style experience for guests.

P R I M E

S T E A K S

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Among the things that struck me on my first visit were three outside ping-pong tables, the beautiful landscaping, the hammocks, and the friendly staff—who will even put out a doggie bowl full of water for your pooch. The music that wafts over you comes from a unique sound system, a turntable in the gift shop that plays one of

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Bon appétit!

about a hundred LPs guests can choose from for free.

Selections range from the Beach Boys and Buddy Holly to the Cars, Steve Miller, the Kinks, and Amy Winehouse. Just tell the attendant what you’d like to hear, and she’ll put it on. No kid stuff here.

Reviewers shouldn’t gush, but I will.

Chef John Engle is an interesting study. A former Marine whose military career was cut short by an accident, he turned to his second passion: cooking.

He started in South Carolina and then moved to the New England Culinary Institute. From there, Engle headed to Lacroix at the Rittenhouse Hotel in Philadelphia, where he interned before moving up to sous chef. There were more stints in Philadelphia and the D.C. area, culminating with work at the Barcelona Wine Bar in Reston, Virginia.

It was there that Engle met the business owners who opened The Gulf in Orange Beach, Alabama, and famed music fest venue The Hangout in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Six months in Orange Beach qualified him for the job as executive chef at The Gulf on Okaloosa Island.

The Gulf ’s menu relies on locally sourced food, along with signature beverages, for lunch and dinner. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and Chef Engle tells me about half the menu changes daily depending on fresh availability. Don’t look for prime rib—think Gulf burgers, pulled pork sliders, grilled fish tacos, and fried grouper sandwiches instead. Speaking of which, during my most recent visit, I found the emeritus director of the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, John Leatherwood, dining upstairs with his lovely wife. His assessment: “Best grouper sandwich we’ve ever eaten.”

Engle has a small staff of about ten in the kitchen now, but that will surely grow a lot for spring break and the summer season. I asked who his go-to guy was in the kitchen and he told me it was Scott Cribbs. That allows me an anecdote about Cribbs: I had been a devotee of Pandora’s Steak House on Okaloosa Island since the early 1980s, and just as many people have a favorite server, I had a favorite busser. So when making reservations at Pandora’s, I would tell the receptionist that I wanted Scott as my busser. I’m delighted to have found him again, this time as the number-two guy in the kitchen.

An Ambience of Serenity

By L. Jordan Swanson

S

teven Ivans, president of Hangout Hospitality Group, sat down with the owner of the two Gulf locations and The Hangout, Shaul Zislin, and owner/ creative director, Lilly Zislin, to provide more details on The Gulf on Okaloosa Island.

The Gulf on Okaloosa Island was built with a focus on the atmosphere, welcoming those in search of a peaceful outing.

“Once you’ve arrived, you feel like you’ve landed somewhere very relaxed,” says Ivans.

“We want our guests to feel comfortable and enjoy the food, beverages, friendly environment, and overall vibe. We want them to relax, put their toes in the sand, kick back, and enjoy time with friends and family.”

The inspiration behind The Gulf was the desire to create a magical experience. “Our design philosophy is driven by the incredible location, which allows guests to really embrace the views,” Ivans says.

Located on five hundred feet of waterfront property, The Gulf features cozy furniture from all over the country to tastefully decorate its seating areas. Owner/creative director, Lilly Zislin, is the artistic mind behind all of the special pieces of furniture and decor that complement the serene surroundings. Lilly also travels the country collecting the unique treasures offered in The Gulf ’s gift shop, including apparel, art, home decor, toys, and more.

About two hundred outdoor seats and sixty indoor seats overlook the beautiful Santa

Rosa Sound, providing the ideal way to enjoy glistening water views over lunch or dinner. Since the restaurant serves up dishes that are inspired by the seasons and incorporate fresh, local ingredients, The Gulf ’s menu changes daily. As such, it only makes sense that the day’s choices are presented on a large chalkboard.

When it comes to further enhancing the ambience, the music selection accomplishes the job. “In this era of ‘fast-forward’ playlists, we thought it would be appropriate to play whole albums or at least full sides of albums,” Ivans says of the restaurant’s vinyl selection.

“It’s kind of a commitment to slow down time while you are at The Gulf.”

Although The Gulf is a restaurant, it doubles as an event venue and is suitable for private groups of varying levels. “We have designed the property with flexibility and are able to accommodate parties of all sizes, from an intimate gathering to a fullscale wedding or large party,” Ivans assures.

During the height of spring break and the summer season, weekly movie nights featured on the restaurant’s outdoor big screen are just the start of The Gulf ’s appealing event plans. “We will be collaborating with select wine producers and launching a series of chef wine dinners,” Ivans adds, saying that details would be announced soon.

The allure of The Gulf can be enjoyed yearround, so put on your flip-flops, gather your friends and family, and experience the laid-back vibe firsthand.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 153

Bon appétit!

Let me toss in an observation about The Gulf ’s very clever gift shop. Yes, there are the requisite T-shirts, but then it gets better. When you look at the gifty things, it’s much like being back in your Philosophy 404 class. There are pillows, name plates, shot glasses, and much more, all with the “rules for life” inscribed on them. You can’t even visit the restrooms without finding a philosophical nudge on the wall. All that is the work of Lilly and Shaul Zislin, co-owners of this unique place.

With an ever-changing array of fresh seafood and other locally sourced items, The Gulf’s menu is presented on a chalkboard for easy daily updating.

When I asked Ephraim Kadish, operating partner at The Gulf on Okaloosa Island, how it all came together, he answered with the same sort of mysticism that pervades the venue: “We’re people who think outside the box,” he says. “We had an opportunity, so we took it. We want lots of locals, and we take care of one guest at a time. We have a good system in place and good people running it.”

WWW.THEGULF.COM

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GRAND BAL CHRISTIAN DIOR To celebrate Maria Grazia Chiuri’s first couture collection for Dior, the MusÊe Rodin in Paris was transformed on January 23 into a fairy-tale garden complete with unicorn, carnival attractions, and a fantastic light show. Celebrities and fashion insiders arrived adorned in Dior and, of course, a dazzling array of creative masks. Photography courtesy of Dior.

Bella Hadid 158 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

Louise Bourgoin

Eva Herzigova and Bella Hadid

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Rachele Regini

Rami Malek

Chiara Ferragni

Elena Perminova

MusÊe Rodin’s ballroom became an enchanted garden.

Bianca Jagger and Pierre Pelegry

Charlotte Le Bon

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 159

La scène

Mr. Big and the Rhythm Sisters

Kaylee Garlington and Hannah Martin

LA LUMIÈRE: A MASQUERADE AFFAIR

Danielle Cunard

Amy Giles and Alexa Blue 160 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

Northwest Florida realtor and philanthropist Hannah Martin is known for throwing her annual birthday bash including elaborate themes and grand auctions, proceeds from which benefit Special Olympics Florida. This year’s February 10 masquerade was right on trend at the picturesque WaterColor Boathouse in WaterColor, Florida, as guests wished Martin a happy birthday, enjoyed performances by Mr. Big and the Rhythm Sisters, and raised over $75,000 for the Special Olympics! Read more on our La Muse blog at VIEmagazine.com.

Photography by Brenna Kneiss, Brenna K. Artistry.

Aerial entertainment

by Showtime Events

Jordan Staggs

Sonnie VonTrese and Roxanne Southern

Glam App team member, Joey Maalouf, and Rachel Zoe at Zoe’s fall 2017 fashion show in LA on February 6. Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Rachel Zoe.

Joey Maalouf of the Glam App styles models before Zoe’s presentation. Photo

by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Rachel Zoe.

FASHION, BABY

Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid at London Fashion Week’s LOVE and Burberry party.

Photo by Dave Benett for LOVE and Burberry.

The 2017 spring/summer and fall/winter fashion shows have past, but we’re just getting the chance to really showcase this year’s to-die-for trends and memorable runway scenes. Behind the scenes, the designers, models, and influencers celebrate the season—and look good doing it.

From New York to London and beyond, here are some of our favorite fashion moments.

Naomi Campbell attends the DIESEL #MakeLoveNotWalls event at London Fashion Week. Photo

by JAB.

Gigi Hadid at the Tommy x Gigi event for London Fashion Week. Photo by Darren Gerrish, British Fashion Council.

CFDA designer Christian Siriano goofs around backstage with models and friends after his fall 2017 show at New York’s Plaza Hotel. Photo by Sara Kerens.

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 161

La scène

Chef Donald Link of the Link Stryjewski Foundation and Chef Mario Batali at Calcasieu New Orleans during the Bal Masqué preview dinner on January 6.

Masked patrons attend the Link Stryjewski Foundation’s second annual Bal Masqué in New Orleans on January 7, 2017.

LINK STRYJEWSKI FOUNDATION’S BAL MASQUÉ

Visit www.LinkStryjewski. org to learn more.

The Krickets perform at the Rosemary Beach Town Hall during the 2017 Girls Getaway weekend presented by the Rosemary Beach Foundation. Photo

by Amanda Hampel.

162 | M A R C H / APR I L 2017

On January 7, the Orpheum Theater in New Orleans played host to philanthropic foodies dedicated to having fun and raising funds for the Link Stryjewski Foundation. Chefs Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski created the foundation to support organizations combatting violence, poverty, and poor educational standards in New Orleans. The inaugural Bal Masqué in 2016 raised over $150,000, and 2017’s event included a special preview dinner with Chef Mario Batali on February 6, delicious fare from other world-renowned chefs, and performances by Dr. John and the Nite Trippers, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Cha Wa, and the Roots of Music youth band. Photography courtesy of Link Stryjewski Foundation.

Hidden Lantern Bookstore owner Diane Brady (second from left) and Saints of Old Florida authors Christina McDermott, Melissa Farrell, and Emily Raffield attend the 2017 Rosemary Beach Girls Getaway weekend benefiting the Rosemary Beach Foundation. Photo

by Amanda Hampel.

Elegance and Mardi Gras–inspired revelry abounded at the Orpheum Theater for Bal Masqué’s main event.

Au revoir!

Au revoir!

THE L AST WORD

Although the vase is sold out, Nelson says Lovestar plans to make more this spring. We’ll be among the first on the waiting list—and we’re willing to bet Adele will be, too!

See more at www.Lovestar.com.au.

If Bey is your queen (and let’s face it, isn’t she everyone’s these days?), this mirrored Beyoncé vase from Lovestar is for you! After Pretty Little Liars actress Shay Mitchell ’grammed the vase with “#earlyxmasgiftanyone” last summer, Australia-based designer Helen Bayley quickly sold out of the design. “Our Iconic range of vases is inspired by women who aren’t afraid to be themselves,” says Emily Nelson of Lovestar. “Women who are forever pushing themselves and breaking boundaries. Women who empower others. Women who have serious spunk and an utterly unapologetic attitude.”

V I E MAGAZ INE . COM | 163

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