May 2019 ISSUE 62 • FREE
YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA
FIKRET KOVAC AND HICHAM AZHARI, FH FOOD TRADING GROUP
Dynamic Duos THE ATLANTANS PROVING TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
POUR YOURSELF SOME PEACHES BECOME YOUR PET’S PERSONAL CHEF THE KOREAN SKINCARE CRAZE
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SIMPLY BUCKHEAD® |
M AY 2 0 1 9
38
69
49
Contents 12 Editor’s Letter [ SIMPLY NOW ]
15 News: A Night at the Movies Specialty cocktails and fully reclining seats await filmgoers at The Springs Cinema & Taphouse
18 Travel Near:
49 COVER STORY
28 Home: Tailored
Dynamic Duos
for the Thompsons
A Buckhead family’s custom build checks all the boxes
32 Fashion: Nailed It 38 Tastemaker: You’ve Got Mail A local entrepreneur puts her stamp on the greeting card biz
24 Approved: Seoul Searching
THE ATLANTANS PROVING TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
Buckhead salons get creative with manicures
Marietta’s historic downtown makes for an ideal day-trip
Hilton’s newest Canopy by Hilton property delivers a distinctly Atlanta vibe
58
[ SIMPLY STYLISH ]
Marvelous Marietta Square
22 Staycation: A Dose of Cool
28
[ SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ]
40 On Stage: The Art of the Review
A selection from the Korean beauty products that are all the rage
Film critic Stephen Michael Brown shares his search for the creative and different on the big screen
26 Pets: Cooking Goes to the Dogs
45 Art: Going For It
Homemade pet food is a growing trend, and we’ve got tips for serving it up right
A local art lover fulfills her dream of owning a gallery
[ SIMPLY DELICIOUS ]
58 Review: Say Ciao to Chowtime Cibo e Beve is your Italian-American home away from home
60 Drinks: Peachy Potions Sip and savor Georgia’s official state fruit
[ SIMPLY HAPPENING ]
69 Events: Places to go and things to do 73
Charitable: A spotlight on philanthropic and social gatherings
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
9
Photos: 22: David Kosmos Smith. 28, 49, 58: Sara Hanna. 69: Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for Candytopia
22
YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA
Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven and Sandy Springs MAY 2019 | ISSUE 62 P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 simplybuckhead.com For advertising rates, call: 404.538.9895 Publisher and Founder
[ F E AT U RE D C ON T RI B U T OR ]
Joanne Hayes Chief Financial Officer
Sonny Hayes Editor-in-Chief
Jill Becker Creative Director
Alan Platten ValueStream Media Chief Photographer
Sara Hanna Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Cheryl Isaacs Account Executive
Bill Garst Website Development Management
Amanda Morris Amanda Morris is a freelance writer who focuses on culinary travel and seeing the world through art and architecture. Highlights of her journeys include rappelling the Blue Mountains of Australia; climbing the 462 steps to the top of Brunelleschi’s dome in Florence, Italy; and riding an elephant through ancient ruins in Ayutthaya, Thailand. In this issue, she writes about a staycation in her favorite Atlanta suburb, Marietta. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with her husband and daughter and looking for their next favorite restaurant or coffee shop. As a family, they travel throughout the U.S. and around the world. You can follow Morris’ excursions at sushiandgelato.com.
BHG Digital Director of Audience Development
Lia Picard Copy Editor
H.M. Cauley Contributing Editor
Jennifer Bradley Franklin Contributing Writers
Karina Antenucci Jennifer Bradley Franklin H.M. Cauley Rebecca Cha Carly Cooper Jessica Dauler Mickey Goodman Angela Hansberger Michael Jacobs Nicole Letts Amanda Morris Laura J. Moss Adrianne Murchison Lia Picard Giannina Smith Bedford Karon Warren Contributing Photographers
Chris Savas Photography Henri Hollis Graphic Designer
Layal Akkad We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission. Copyright © 2019 by Simply Buckhead ®. All rights reserved. Printed by Walton Press, Inc. Distributed by Distributech and Distribution Services Group.
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May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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[ BEHIND THE COVER ] Doing a photo shoot at a restaurant has its pros and cons. Unless you do it when the place is closed, you have to try and stay out of the way of the staff and diners. And then there’s the constant distraction of the smell of all that delicious food, which was especially true for this Subjects: Fikret Kovac issue’s shoot with Fikret Kovac and Hicham Azhari and Hicham Azhari at their eatery Little Alley Steak in Buckhead. Photographer: Sara Hanna The perk was that the dishes the talented chefs Photo assistant: Tyler Hayes whipped up went home with us in doggie bags! Shot at Little Alley Steak
shop Blo Blow Dry Bar • CorePower Yoga • Crate & Barrel Draper james • Fab’rik • Gill’s alterations • indochino Kendra Scott • Lululemon • Ona Atlanta • Paper Source south moon under • soulcycle • Sprint • Suitsupply The Impeccable Pig • West elm
sip & savor Bhojanic • Dantanna’s • Flower child Roots Juices • Seven Lamps YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA
ife
[ P RO U D S P ON S OR OF ]
[ P ROU D M E M B E R OF ]
3400 Around Lenox Drive Atlanta, GA 30326
ShopsAroundLenox.com
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
11
SIMPLY BUCKHEAD®
M AY 2 0 1 9
A Place Where You Belong
[ E DI T OR ’ S L E T T E R ]
T
o my recollection, Batman and Robin
were the original Photo: The Headshot Truck
“Dynamic Duo.” I don’t want to date myself, but I grew up watching them on the original Batman series starring Adam West and Burt Ward. Even as a young child, I snickered at the cheesy costumes, less-than-harrowing stunts and contrived plotlines, but you have to admit they got the job done and kept the streets of Gotham City safe. The pairs we’re featuring in our “Dynamic Duos” cover story may not have grappling hooks or the Batmobile
Spend the day or evening on the Town! Discover over 50 shops, services and restaurants. Town Brookhaven is truly your one stop shopping and dining destination with a blend of interesting boutiques, delicious restaurants and useful services. ANCHORS CinéBistro/Cobb Theatre • Costco • LA Fitness • Marshalls • Publix
at their disposal, but they are equally successful and daring in
APPAREL & ACCESSORIES
their own way. Betty and Bob Edge, for example, have been
Boogaloos • Dress Up Boutique • Vestique
instrumental in promoting the local arts scene for so long that
SHOES Big Peach Running Co.
the Forward Arts Foundation just renamed an emerging artist
HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY
award for them. And Jaron and Alli Solomon are reinventing
18|8 Fine Men’s Salon • Benchmark Physical Therapy Brookhaven Orthodontics • Emory Clinic • European Wax Center GNC (General Nutrition Center) • Intown Pediatrics The Joint - The Chiropractic Place Julian’s Cosmetics and Skincare • Massage Heights Nail Talk & Tan • Saks Salon Salon Red • Salon Red Kids • Town Dentistry Vein Clinics of America • Vida-Flo: The Hydration Station
and reinvigorating a family-owned business that’s been a Buckhead fixture for 30-plus years. Turn to page 49 to read more about these and other noteworthy partnerships. Elsewhere in the issue, Laura Moss talks about the growing trend of preparing your pet’s food rather than buying storebought (page 26), Lia Picard reports on local salons turning ordinary manicures into works of art (page 32), Adrianne Murchison interviews a local female entrepreneur whose company filled a void in the greeting card business (page 38)
DINING Amore Cucina & Bar • Bua Thai and Sushi The Flying Biscuit Café • HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern Lucky’s Burger & Brew • Marble Slab Creamery Moe’s Southwest Grill • Newk’s Express Café Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub • Red Pepper Taqueria Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea • Tanaka Ramen There Restaurant and Bar • Tin Can Oyster Bar Tropical Smoothie Café • Which Wich? • Yogurtland
and Angela Hansberger introduces you to some beverages
HOME FURNISHINGS & DÉCOR
taking full advantage of the start of peach season (page 60).
Redefined Home Boutique • Sugarboo & Co.
SERVICES We hope, given these and the other great stories in this issue, that Simply Buckhead, paired with a hearty cup of coffee or nice glass of wine, can become your new favorite Dynamic Duo. Let us know either way.
Bank of the Ozarks • Brookhaven Alterations Brookhaven Animal Hospital • FBC Mortgage • Keller Williams Reflections Eyecare • Town Cleaners • U Break I Fix
ELECTRONICS, MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT AT&T
www.townbrookhaven.net Jill Becker editor@simplybuckhead.com
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May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
Conveniently located on Peachtree Road adjacent to Oglethorpe University.
N E W S | L O C A L S A L U T E | T R AV E L | A P P R O V E D
| PETS
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TRAVEL NEAR
Marvelous Marietta Square P18
There's more to do in Marietta Square than you may want to cram into one day, but fortunately it's only 30 minutes away.
Marietta's idyllic downtown square provides endless entertainment.
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead 
13
NEWS BY:
Karon Warren
A NIGHT AT THE MOVIES W
hen it comes to movie night, The Springs Cinema & Taphouse wants area residents to enjoy an experience as comfortable and familiar as what they’d have at home. As part of a $2.5 million renovation, the cineplex, formerly the Lefont Sandy Springs, now offers larger screens, an updated sound system and, perhaps the most popular addition, heated, fully reclining chairs. But new owner Brandt Gully knew fancy seats were just the start. “I want our customers to feel like this is their neighborhood cinema and bar rather than the typical
At the new Springs Cinema & Taphouse, moviegoers can enjoy amenities such as craft beers and fully reclining seats.
big-box chain theater,” he says. To that end, the facility also contains a gathering place in the lobby, as well as a full-service kitchen and bar. Menu items range from flatbreads to sliders, while the bar carries a variety of craft and local beers on tap. Even the onscreen content will go beyond the latest movie releases. “Quality movies ranging from independent films to blockbusters will always be our priority, but we will also be showing plenty of retro films, sporting events, locally made films or interesting content that can't be found elsewhere,” says Gully. n
THE SPRINGS CINEMA & TAPHOUSE 5920 Roswell Rd. Sandy Springs 30328 404.255.0100 springscinema.com
NEWS CLIPS LUXURY HOTEL REVEALS MAKEOVER In honor of its 10th anniversary, The St. Regis Atlanta started 2019 with what it calls a “property-wide refresh.” The changes include updated
guestrooms, the introduction of new meeting and event space, an expanded St. Regis Bar and the addition of a 3,070-square-foot terrace at the acclaimed Atlas restaurant. “With the reputation of [having one of the best addresses in Atlanta], we are highly committed to providing uncompromised luxury to our guests,” says Rosa Lope Romero, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing. The St. Regis Atlanta 88 West Paces Ferry Rd. N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.563.7900 stregisatlanta.com
PRIVATE UNIVERSITY RELOCATES TO LINDBERGH CITY CENTER After decades of operating campuses in Morrow and Marietta, Saint Leo University has closed both locations and opened a new single campus in Buckhead at the Lindbergh City Center. The Atlanta outpost of the private, nonprofit university is known for providing convenient, affordable classes for adult learners and utilizes state-of-art technology to connect with its main campus in Tampa, Florida.
“There can be an industryspecific guest speaker in Tampa and students in Atlanta can learn from that speaker and share in the discussion, thanks to our videoconferencing technology,” says Mary Estes, Saint Leo’s Atlanta area director. Saint Leo University 2450 Piedmont Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30324 770.960.5000 saintleo.edu
a 6,000-square-foot outpost at Modera Buckhead last month. Joining other restaurant and retail partners in the luxe residential high-rise, Spa Sydell offers its full menu of standard day spa services, including massages, body treatments and facials, as well as cosmetic services and men’s treatments. The facility also includes a large event space for book signings, parties and other events.
DAY SPA RETURNS TO BUCKHEAD Making yet another return to Buckhead, Spa Sydell opened
Spa Sydell 3005 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.255.7727 spasydell.com
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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Rachel Callihan Cowart
252 West Main Street, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
706.258.8067 DIRECT
706.632.7211 OFFICE (ask for Rachel) Rachel.Callihan@HarryNorman.com HarryNormanBlueRidge.com
“My family was one of the oldest to settle in Fannin County. There is a book, two mountains and a creek named after them. Being raised in the area and coming from a family that settled this area in the early 1800s, I grew up riding my horse into the beautiful trails of Cashes Valley. I grew up in real estate as my dad sold a lot of mountain property. I also grew up around the construction business, so I have a good working knowledge of the cabins that are built locally. I consider mountain property and cabins to be my specialty. I am a former founder of a very successful local trail riding business that helped folks enjoy the beauty of the mountains like I did growing up. THIS IS MY TOWN! The area has long been known for its fishing, golf, horseback riding and the train ride through the mountains. New shops are continuing to open, restaurants are continuing at its peaceful, joyful pace. I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR REALTOR!” 2018 Awards & Achievements Life Member of the N.E. GA Board of Realtor’s Circle of Excellence: Senior Marketing Consultant Blue Ridge Office: #2 Closing Units-#2 Overall
Company Wide: #8 in Volume
Under the Cork Tree 5600 Roswell Road Atlanta, GA 30342 404-228-7470
corktreerestaurant.com
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May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
LOCAL SALUTE
BY:
Mickey Goodman
Family on a Mission Annual event raises millions for cystic fibrosis Father-daughter duo Millard Choate and Emily Choate Bridges with one of the antique vehicles on display at their annual Cars & Q for the Cause fundraiser.
Her big idea was to combine an antique and collectible car show with a barbecue after the walk. She named it Cars & Q for the Cause, and to date, the company has led the charge and raised more than $3 million for CF. This year marks Cars & Q’s 10th anniversary. It takes place May 4 at the company’s Sandy Springs facility and features more than 120 over-the-top cars, tasty barbecue provided by Jim ’N Nicks, continuous pours from local breweries, a
Dr. Alan Benedict volunteers his services and supplies to help people in underserved countries with visionrelated issues.
Seeing the World Local ophthalmologist gives the gift of sight to those in need In 2005, Buckhead resident Dr. Alan Benedict read an article in a medical journal about Surgical Eye Expeditions International (SEE International) and how it was seeking ophthalmologists and medical personnel to volunteer in countries
where medical services are slim to none. Doctors not only donate their time and pay their own travel expenses, they also take with them all necessary surgical instruments and supplies, including anesthesia, intravenous drugs, eye drops, lens implants and bandages. Benedict signed up immediately and volunteers every other year. On his first trip, Benedict, who opened Georgia Eye Specialists in
CatMax Photography
Emily Choate Bridges of Brookhaven and Leann Ott met in preschool and immediately became BFFs. Their families also bonded, so when Ott was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at age 4, the Choate family joined their friends in an effort to raise money for the Georgia Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF), whose mission is to develop new treatments for the deadly lung disorder that affects approximately 300,000 people each year. The following year, Bridges’ father, Millard Choate, founded the Choate Construction company and quickly upped his fundraising efforts. “At first, we had a shotgun approach,” says Bridges, “but when I joined the company, I wanted to focus our efforts on a large event that would pump people up for [CFF’s annual] Great Strides walk.”
silent auction and live music. “We hope to top the $500,000 mark, with all proceeds going to the CF Foundation,” says Bridges. Tragically, Ott passed away in 2018, but thanks to advances in CF medications, she lived far longer than the typical life expectancy of 13 years. Ott was 33 and completing her graduate degree at Boston University when her health failed.
Marietta in 1996, went to Namibia, a land of breathtaking beauty and crushing poverty. “We examined 300 patients and did about 250 surgeries, mostly cataracts, which are a severe problem in impoverished areas,” he says. “People develop them at an earlier age than they do in First World countries because of high exposure to the sun, arid environments and poor nutrition. Many become blind as a result and family members have to care for them.” The youngest patient was only 8 years old. The long day on a SEE International mission begins when medical volunteers travel by van to a field hospital, where they examine patients who are subsequently transported into the villages for the
“The foundation receives no government grants and no big-pharma funding but continues to make amazing strides,” says Bridges of CFF. “A new triple-combination therapy coming to market in 2019 will benefit more than 90 percent of the CF population.” l For more details, visit carsnq.com and cff.org/greatstrides.
surgery if needed. They sometimes do 100 surgeries per day. “Patients are overwhelmingly grateful to get their sight and their independence back and like to give us doctors presents,” says Benedict. “The most touching gift I ever received was from a man who gave me his walking stick made from a branch. With tears in his eyes he said, ‘Because of you, I don’t need it anymore.’” SEE International runs entirely on donations and seeks money as well as medical supplies. Since 1974, volunteers such as Benedict have conducted four million screenings and conducted a half-million surgeries in more than 45 countries. l For more information, visit seeintl.org and georgiaeye.com.
Want to nominate a volunteer, company or nonprofit that makes Buckhead, Sandy Springs or Brookhaven a better place to live? Please contact: editor@simplybuckhead.com
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
17
TR AV E L NE A R
Above: The newly opened Marietta Square Market offers multicultural cuisine such as Cuban sandwiches and Indian street food.
Courtesy Marietta Visitors Bureau
Below: Glover Park Brewery serves handcrafted suds brewed on-site.
Above: Glover Park is home to the Glover Park Concert Series, Art in the Park, Taste of Marietta and other events.
Marietta’s historic downtown makes for an ideal day-trip
A
newly opened food hall, walking/biking trail and craft brewery give Buckhead residents a fresh reason to visit nearby Marietta’s historic downtown square. The blocks-long site is best explored on foot, so once you park the car, you’ll be free of traffic hassles for the day. Start your morning with a latte and pastry from Cool Beans Coffee Roasters. The croissants here are made by nearby French bakery Douceur de France. While you wait for the barista to make your drink, check out the big red coffee roaster and the paintings by local artists hanging on the walls. Marietta has strong community support for its artists, and along with four galleries around the square and the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art, you’ll notice local artists’ works hung in restaurants and in the form of street art throughout town. Out Cool Beans’ back door is one of the city’s most popular murals, Peace
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May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
STORY:
Amanda Morris
and Love Fountain, by McKenzie Snow. Look closely for the word “love” concealed in the painting. After breakfast, head east to Glover Park and its iconic fountain, the star of the mural you just admired. More than 50 shops, from clothing boutiques to record stores, sit on the oak-lined streets bordering the park. A kid’s favorite, Lizards & Lollipopz, offers toys, games and candy. At Marietta Spice Mill, you’ll find tasty tea blends, spices and oils, but the most popular thing in the store is its official greeter, Darby, an über-friendly labradoodle. For lunch, head over to the newly opened Marietta Square Market. Eighteen different eateries and retail shops are housed in the revitalized warehouse space. The building’s design is reminiscent of a train depot, complete with “rail platforms” that serve as patios. You’ll immediately notice the trolley car housed at the front of the building. It’s the same
type of trolley that ran between Atlanta and Marietta back in the day. As you walk into the bright and bustling food hall, the scents of multicultural cuisines greet you. Try, for example, the Bangkok-style street food or hand-held sushi at Shai-Karr Eatery. Or order an authentic margherita pizza from Forno Vero (Italian for “True Oven”) that comes with San Marzano tomatoes and fior di latte cheese. Cap off the afternoon with a classic Italian cocktail from Forno Vero’s mixologist or a tequila from Street Taco. If you’d rather end with dessert, head to Four Fat Cows for rich, made-from-scratch ice cream or to Bread + Butter Bakery for a Pecan Bar (a Flavor of Georgia finalist). Once your belly is full, it’s time to hit the trail. And luckily, the newly opened Mountain to River (M2R) Trail is adjacent to the Marietta Square Market. The 13.5-mile system stretches from Kennesaw Mountain to the Chatta-
Photos: Amanda Morris
Marvelous Marietta Square
Above: Peace and Love Fountain is one of Marietta's many murals.
hoochee River. Walk along the 2 miles that pass through the square, and you’ll see more street art, thanks to last year’s M2R Trailfest, a celebration of the trail opening. This immersive arts festival will be held again on May 11 and will feature art performances, live music and art installations. End the night with a beer and live music at the first craft brewery on the square, Glover Park Brewery. Its dog-friendly back patio is a favorite gathering spot, and a rotating schedule of food trucks will satisfy your late-night cravings. There’s more to do in Marietta Square than you may want to cram into one day, but fortunately it’s only 30 minutes away, so a return visit is always an option. n
MARIETTA SQUARE mariettasquare.com
Join
for
Us
Mother's Day Brunch! SUNDAY, MAY 1 2, 20 1 9 10: 30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Continue the Buckhead Mother’s Day Brunch Tradition at 103 West to honor the mother in your life! Enjoy an Elegant Buffet and Grande Dessert Display with culinary creations from Executive Chef Jeff Riedel and Pastry Chef Joseph Geonczy.
Adults $85 • Children 6 to 12 $30 • Children Under 6/Free Other beverages, taxes, and gratuity are not included. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED
Call (404) 233-5993 or visit 103west.com
103 West Paces Ferry Rd. Atlanta, GA 30305 | 103West.com
Courtesy Fredericksburg CVB
T R AV E L FA R
Peachy Keen The Texas Hill Country abounds with sweet peaches and more
G
eorgia is the Peach State, though neighboring South Carolina produces more of them, and California grows more than those two southern states put together. So it may come as a bit of a shock to find some of the juiciest, sweetest peaches growing outside the quaint city of Fredericksburg, Texas. Of course, this isn’t a surprise to the growers in the state’s central region, whose farms feature a variety of peaches that ripen at various times of the year. The rolling hills beyond the big-city hubbub of Austin and San Antonio are ideal for producing the fruit that’s sold by the bag and bushel at roadside stands just beyond the Fredericksburg borders. The Hill Country Fruit Council counts 18 members who are happy to hand visitors a sample and a paper towel to wipe the juice from hands and chins. They’ll also offer tours of their orchards and time to browse the merchandise that often includes bath and body
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May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
Right: The town's German heritage is evident in its historic sites and plethora of beer gardens and restaurants offering German cuisine. STORY:
Trish Rawls
in the Lone Star State
Above: The peach orchards around Fredericksburg boast varieties that ripen from early spring to late fall.
H.M. Cauley
products, pecans and souvenirs. Texas peaches are so popular in the country’s second largest state that there’s no reason to ship them anywhere else. So those in pursuit of near-perfect peaches have to make the trek to Fredericksburg to taste them. They also turn up beyond the orchards on the menus at local places such as Farm Haus Bistro and the Cabernet Grill, where the chefs often incorporate them into select dishes. Peaches aren’t the only surprising edible in this area. The climate is also conducive to great grape growing, and a number of vintners along U.S. Highway 290 on either side of town are ready to give visitors tours and tastes. But don’t look just for fruity dessert drinks: These serious producers are turning out awardwinning, Old World-styled viognier, pinot grigio, petite syrah, trebbiano, tempranillo, malbec and more. Almost as amazing as its wines and produce is the Hill Country’s history.
The region was settled by German immigrants who arrived in the 1840s and left their influences on the architecture and place names. An overview of their impact is on display at the Pioneer Museum, where hundreds of artifacts show what life was like in the early days of the farming community. The 3.5-acre site features four buildings in their original locations, the most notable of which is Vereins Kirche, a replica of the town’s first public building that served as meeting house, church, school and fort. More recent history happened in Fredericksburg in the early 1970s, when the National Museum of the Pacific War opened to commemorate the battles and honor those who fought in that area. The site debuted as the Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz Naval Museum, named for the town’s most decorated son, who commanded the Allied Forces in the Pacific. The grounds include exhibits and artifacts housed in the old Nimitz Hotel,
an 1850s structure that was expanded through the years and still boasts its most notable feature: a three-story tower in the shape of a steamboat. Fredericksburg offers a range of other diversions, from fine dining to shopping, along with a variety of charming inns and boutique hotels. Both the Fredericksburg Herb Farm and the Cotton Gin Village, adjacent to the Cabernet Grill, offer quaint but luxuriously appointed cottages where guests can retire after lavish meals. But if you can’t wait for the heat of summer to get that sweet peach treat, know that by the end of April, local growers will have harvested seven varieties, with another nine ready for picking in May. Leave room in your carry-on to bring back a bag or two. n
FREDERICKSBURG, TEXAS visitfredericksburgtx.com
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May 2019 | Simply Buckhead 
Photos: David Kosmos Smith
S TAYC AT I O N
Above: The lobby's large 3D mural immediately sets the tone for this modernly-styled hotel.
A Dose
of
Cool
Hilton’s newest Canopy by Hilton property delivers a distinctly Atlanta vibe STORY:
Giannina Smith Bedford
O
nly the fifth Canopy by Hilton to open in the U.S., Midtown’s newest hotel is doing a lot of things right. Following its parent company’s vision for each Canopy to showcase its hometown, the Canopy by Hilton Atlanta Midtown feels much more like a small ATLstyled boutique hotel than a property owned by a big-name brand. Pull into the tucked-away parking garage on West Peachtree Street and step into a contemporary lobby where a colorful 3D mural by local artist Ryan Coleman greets guests at check-in. After being handed their room keys, visitors also receive a welcome gift of honey or marmalade from local jam company Emily G’s (perfect to pair with breakfast croissants the next morning). Around the corner from the hotel entry, the lounge area features more art installations—an illuminated wall next to a collage of individual wood cutouts with portraits of area artists, musicians and restaurateurs. The local homage continues in upstairs guestrooms adorned in Warhol-like Coca-Cola art, movie set-inspired floor lamps and ceiling-height headboards featuring the Margaret Mitchell quote
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Cozy and woodclad, Canopy's rooms offer just enough space and style for an intown staycation.
“After all, tomorrow is another day.” Floor-to-ceiling windows offer enticing views of the Midtown skyline, and a window-side chaise lounge with a laptop table creates the ideal place to park it, even if you have work to catch up on. Done in grays, whites and wood touches, the rooms evoke an urban vibe fitting of the city-center address. Rather than full closets or dressers, open wardrobes provide hanging room for a few pieces of clothing. The rooms are definitely cozy, especially for more than one person, but the white lacquered barn doors separating the bedroom and bathroom provide just enough privacy. There are no bathtubs, but that’s made up for by large showers outfitted with handheld shower heads and multisetting overhead fixtures that provide a water flow to fit your preference. Canopy offers your typical hotel amenities, but with a twist. For example, instead of plastic water bottles available for purchase or provided at turndown, glass pitchers in each room can be filled at “hydration stations” available on each floor. Brown “breakfast bags” hang from room doorknobs so guests can select items for a free
light breakfast to be delivered to their rooms in the morning if they can’t make it downstairs for the more substantial (and also complimentary) breakfast buffet offerings, which include everything from quiches and cured meats to granola and pastries. The restaurant, Xhibit Studio, also serves up lunch and dinner, but drinks and happy hour seem to be its most active time of day. After spending an afternoon at the High Museum of Art or before heading to a concert at Center Stage, guests and nonguests mix and mingle over local beers on tap, creative cocktails and a variety of small plates and appetizers, from a charcuterie platter and local cheese selection to wood-fired
flatbreads. The menu also includes more substantial entrées, including shrimp and grits and the Canopy Tavern Burger. If heading off property for food or fun, a lobby “transit board” displays travel times to destinations such as Mercedes-Benz Stadium and wait times at nearby restaurants. Grounded with the knowledge of an experienced hotel company and infused with a hip, locally inspired edge, Canopy by Hilton Atlanta Midtown is a well-thought-out addition to the city’s hotel landscape. It may not go over the top in luxury or amenities (i.e. there is no pool or spa), but its creative touches provide just enough pizazz for a unique stay, or staycation, in the heart of the ATL. n Xhibit Studio invites you to sit and hang out over a cocktail or cup of coffee.
CANOPY BY HILTON ATLANTA MIDTOWN 1414 West Peachtree St. N.W. Atlanta 30309 404.685.1677 canopy3.hilton.com
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SUGU Glowing Skin Sheet Mask with Egg White ($7.98) Developed by dermatologists, this sheet mask is soaked in beneficial ingredients, including egg whites and botanical extracts. The mask adheres to your skin, infusing it with a concentrated essence that prevents the serum from evaporating. The result is unclogged pores and tighter, brighter skin. And at just under $8 for two masks, you don't need to save them for special occasions. Cost Plus World Market 3495 Buckhead Loop N.E. Atlanta 30326 470.447.5788 costplus.com
SEOUL SEARCHING
Eyeko Yoga Waterproof Mascara ($26) This Korean-made mascara was developed with fitness enthusiasts in mind. Infused with matcha green tea and blended with botanical fruit extracts and vitamin E, the waterproof formula boasts all-day smudgeproof color that can keep up with any hot yoga or spin session. The brush is uniquely designed with a floral, bulb-like base and a slim tip that grabs lashes at the root, helping to extend, lift and curl. The zerowaste squeeze tube is designed to prevent product waste. Bluemercury 37 West Paces Ferry Rd. N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.467.9100 bluemercury.com
A SELECTION FROM THE KOREAN BEAUTY PRODUCTS THAT ARE ALL THE RAGE K-beauty is an abbreviated term for the skincare product boom that began in South Korea and has enchanted the U.S. market. From quirky packaging to quality ingredients at reasonable price points, many of the top-selling Korean beauty items are now available in Atlanta. Here are five fantastic finds. STORY:
Jessica Dauler
Mizon All In One Snail Repair Cream ($38) Anything slug-related might sound unappealing, but people swear by the power of the skin-friendly antioxidants, proteins and elastics found in snail mucin, which, yes, is secreted from snails. It’s been used for centuries to calm inflammation and heal cuts, and has recently become even more popular thanks to the Korean beauty trend. The prized ingredient accounts for 92 percent of this all-in-one Target cream, which reduces the ap3535 Peachtree Rd. N.E. pearance of fine lines with daily Atlanta 30326 use and is a favorite for clearing 404.237.9494 target.com acne scars and blemishes.
COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence ($21)
Belif Aqua Bomb Sleeping Mask ($34) This innovative overnight treatment has a pudding-like consistency developed to revive dull, dry skin by adding a layer of nutrients to skin while you sleep. The memory-gel formula “wraps” around your skin’s Sephora contours and firms and hydrates. 3393 Peachtree Rd. N.E. The pillow-proof formula absorbs Atlanta 30326 quickly, so your morning begins 404.816.0123 sephora.com with a dewy, radiant glow.
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Like the Mizon Repair Cream, the secret ingredient in this skin essence is snail secretion filtrate. The stuff is as slick as it sounds, but in this case, it’s a good thing. The formula quickly melts into your skin, adding a layer of moisture without weighing it down. And it’s concentrated, which means a little goes a long way Ulta to hydrate, repair skin 3495 Buckhead Loop N.E. damage and scarring, Atlanta 30326 and boost elasticity all 404.266.3559 ulta.com without clogging pores.
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead 
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P E TS
COOKING GOES TO THE DOGS HOMEMADE PET FOOD IS A GROWING TREND, AND WE’VE GOT TIPS FOR SERVING IT UP RIGHT
N
early all pet owners—95 percent, to be exact—consider their pets to be part of the family, according to a recent Harris Poll. And with the number of pet food recalls these days and our desire to ensure that our pets aren’t only consuming nutritious food but also high-quality ingredients, it’s not surprising that more and more owners are actually cooking for their four-legged family members. While some people may bake the occasional treat for their treasured furry friend, other owners are forgoing the kibble entirely and preparing all of their pets’ food at home. “My dog is obsessed with human food despite years of trying to train him out of it,” says Lydia Benitez, a Sandy Springs high school teacher
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who has a 3-year-old dog named Oliver. “I started making his food as an experiment to see if it would calm down his begging habits and also because he was clearly frustrated with eating dry food every day.” Benitez got the idea to prepare her pup’s food from a friend’s mother, who provided her with a dog food recipe that contains chicken, vegetables and barley. And Oliver loves it. “[It] makes his life a little more pleasurable,” says Benitez. Think your canine companion or feline friend would enjoy a little home cooking? First, talk to your veterinarian to discuss your pet’s nutritional needs, as well as what supplements your pet may need to take while on a homemade diet. “I believe that fresh food is
STORY:
better for dogs and cats,” says Dr. Susan Wynn, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist who practices at BluePearl Pet Hospital in Sandy Springs. “However, if the diet is not overall complete and balanced, it instead becomes a liability, and processed complete and balanced foods are better.” If you choose to make your pet’s food, keep in mind that while the Internet is home to countless recipes, not all of them are created equal. In fact, a 2013 study by the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine tested 200 recipes, many of which were written by vets, and found they were short on essential nutrients. Once you select an appropriate recipe, follow the instructions care-
Laura J. Moss fully, being especially meticulous with meat preparation to kill any bacteria. And while you may be accustomed to substituting ingredients while cooking or baking for your family, don’t do the same when cooking for your pet, as you could easily change the recipe’s nutritional value or unintentionally add or subtract calories. If whipping up meals for Fluffy or Fido is an extra step you’re not prepared to make, Wynn notes that pet owners can certainly find nutritional foods at their local pet stores. “High-quality, super-premium processed foods contain plenty of quality protein,” she says. “What pets are missing are the antioxidants from fresh veggies and fruits. These should be added to the food and used as treats as much as possible.” n
HOM E | FA S H ION | B E AU T Y | W E L L N E S S | TA S T E M A K E R
SIMPLY STYLISH
Gray, silver and glass strike a winning combination in the Thompson family’s formal dining room.
HOME
Tailored for the Thompsons P28
Photo: Sara Hanna
“There are five walls, not four. You should never forget about the ceiling. You can always do something cool on the ceiling as well.” –Traci Rhoads May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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TAILORED FOR THE THOMPSONS
Above: The main level is built around the kitchen and its 12-foot island, which is lined with faux leather barstools. Right: The saltwater pool makes a splash in the backyard.
A BUCKHEAD FAMILY’S CUSTOM BUILD CHECKS ALL THE BOXES STORY:
Mimi and Andrew Thompson, with their children Drew and Anabelle, love sharing their home with friends and often host end-of-season parties for the kids’ sports teams.
M
imi Thompson felt as if she spent all her time driving her two kids to and from their Buckhead school. Although she loved her New England-style home in Ansley Park, she and husband Andrew knew it was time to move closer to school. But after a failed two-year search for the perfect residence, they decided to build instead. In 2015, they worked with Muffley & Associates to find an almost one-acre plot on Blackland
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Giannina Smith Bedford PHOTOS: Sara Hanna
Drive near Chastain Park and hired Gargiulo Homes, architect Harrison Design and interior designer Traci Rhoads of Traci Rhoads Interiors to make their residential vision a reality. “We were thinking about doing a ranch, but I didn’t know they’re more expensive to build because you have to pour more slab,” says Mimi. “So we gave [the architect a target] price range. When we first went in, we said, ‘We want this and this and this,’ including a library and a formal sitting area. He showed us our house plans and said, ‘You’re about $1.5 million over budget.’ So it increasingly got [pared down].” The resulting 8,600-square-foot home is still very much a made-to-order masterpiece that fulfills all of the family’s needs and wants. Behind the picture-book, painted-brick façade are five bedrooms, five full bathrooms and three half bathrooms divided among three levels. The main floor surrounds a jaw-dropping open kitchen with a 12-foot,
Cambria quartz-topped island; glass subway and quatrefoil tile backsplash; dome Rejuvenation pendants; and a dark wood vent hood finished to look like metal. Nearby, a dining area with a Currey & Company chandelier overlooks the backyard’s saltwater pool and putting green. It’s all open to a formal living room furnished with a Lee Industries sofa and custom Vanguard Furniture coffee table. “The style is an understated elegance that you still feel comfortable in,” says Rhoads. “You’re not afraid to sit on anything.” Less understated is the elegance of the formal dining room that glitters with a Decorative Crafts chandelier, matching sconces and a subtle metallic wallpapered ceiling above the Century Furniture dining table and chairs. “There are five walls, not four,” says Rhoads. “You should never forget about the ceiling. You can always do something cool on the ceiling as well.”
Left: The dark wood beams and floors contrast with the blue, gray and white furnishings. Right: Andrew’s study boasts a contemporary Savoy House light fixture and textured linen drapes.
“I hope my kids look back on this house and remember how much they loved growing up in it.” –Mimi Thompson
Above: A golf aficionado, Andrew practices his swing in the simulator in the basement surrounded by framed flags from some of his favorite courses. Right: After a game of billiards, the adults can gather around the swanky bar for cocktails.
a changing area, shower and blue glass-tile backsplash behind the vanity. “We designed our home exactly how we wanted to use it. We thought through every single thing in how we go about our daily lives and have nooks for everything we needed nooks for,” says Mimi. “We use every square inch of space in this house.” Another necessity was for 10-year-old Anabelle and 12-year-old Drew to have their own bathrooms—an upgrade from the Jackand-Jill bath they shared in Ansley Park. In addition to a spacious all-white bathroom with vintage-style mirrors, Anabelle’s girly quarters feature tons of personality-driven decor, from a Society6 comforter sporting bubble teas and corgis to a llama-inspired sitting area where the family often gathers pre-bedtime to play Bananagrams. In Drew’s room, dark green walls and sports memorabilia convey his passion for golf, the Georgia
Bulldogs and Atlanta’s hometown teams. In the master bedroom, the theme is muted sophistication with grays and whites, a marble-framed fireplace and silver leaded-iron chandelier with crystal drops. In the apartment-sized master bathroom, his-and-her sections are connected by an expansive standing shower with three showerheads. Not a bathtub person, Mimi wanted to make sure the shower was more than adequate. “Almost every client now isn’t doing tubs,” says Rhoads. “A lot of people just say, ‘Make the shower huge.’”
s
Across the foyer from the dining room is where you can typically find Andrew, a commercial insurance broker, sitting at his walnut partners desk in a manly study done with dark gray paneling. The room’s decor pays homage to some of Andrew’s favorite leisure pursuits, from cars and hunting to golf and shark diving. “I asked him what his interests are and went and found books on shark diving, etc. to put on the bookshelves,” says Rhoads. “He also has a record player, and we planned a cabinet just for that.” The home’s main level also includes many of Mimi’s must-haves: a spacious mudroom off the garage entry where all the coats, shoes and sporting equipment are dropped upon arrival; her cheerful office alcove done in navy and white wallpaper; a dog nook where the Thompsons’ pooches, Daisy and Hayden, nap or keep watch on the backyard; and a “pool bathroom” complete with
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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H OM E
Left: The master bedroom features motorized blackout drapes to ensure a good night’s sleep. Below: The oversize glassenclosed shower splits the master bathroom into his and her sides.
While the master bathroom might be Mimi’s happy place, the basement has “man cave” written all over it. Done in a faux snakeskin wallpaper, it boasts a golf simulator, billiards table and backlit bar with a brick accent wall and chisel-edged quartz countertop. Andrew’s dedication to the game of golf is apparent by the wall of framed flags displaying famous courses where he’s teed off, from Augusta National to Pebble Beach.
The basement even has a bathroom with a urinal for the boys. “I hope my kids will look back on this house when they get older and remember how much they loved growing up in it,” says Mimi. “Yummy meals in the kitchen, movie nights on the couch, backflips on the trampoline, many friends coming and going, basketball in the driveway, comfy bedrooms and a house filled with lots of love.” n
MIMI THOMPSON’S 5 TIPS FOR DESIGNING A FUNCTIONAL FAMILY HOME Right: Just like his father, Drew shows off his love of golf and other sports in his bedroom.
1. “Don’t be afraid to add pops of color—not everything has to be in the same color family.” 2. “Put at least one item in every room that makes you happy when you look at it. This could be a family picture, a piece of art, or in my case, a glittery white fox statue that I have in my office.” 3. “Hire a designer you truly get along with. You’ll be spending a lot of time with them, and if you don’t see eye to eye, then the house will reflect that.”
Above: Anabelle curls up in her faux-fur cave chair with a book. Left: Anabelle’s spacious bedroom speaks to her fun side with quirky bedding and girly touches.
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4. “Walk through how you use your house in your mind and lay it out accordingly. This includes cabinets as well.” 5. “Have fun. Your house should reflect your personality. If you like that bright-blue pillow with sequined cardinals on it, then get it and don’t worry about what everyone else will think.”
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INTRODUCING ARNETTE’S CHOP SHOP KNIFE CLUB
WE
INvITE yOU TO bECOmE A mEmbER Of OUR
K NIfE C lUb . f IND OUT HOW ARNETTESKNIfEClUb.COm
ExClUSIvE
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NAILED IT
Nail techs from places such as The Haute Spot, Sugarcoat and Les Mains Nail Bar create fashion statements with their manicures.
BUCKHEAD SALONS GET CREATIVE WITH MANICURES
S
croll through Atlantans’ Instagram accounts and you may notice a common theme among more and more of them: stunning nail art as a fashion statement. Creative manicures above and beyond the basic buff and polish have always been on the menu at area salons, but lately they’ve gotten a big boost. Linda Vo, owner of Les Mains Nail Bar in Andrews Square, says nail art is becoming increasingly incorporated into our everyday lives and interests. She observes, for example, that sports fans will honor their favorite teams with designs inspired by their schools’ colors or mascots, and chefs will get nail art depicting their favorite food items. One such foodie who’s an avid nail art enthusiast is Megan Roth, the Buckhead resident behind the popular Instagram account @hungrygirlsdoitbetter. The Les Mains regular says, “I always need to have
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my nails done for photos because no one likes to look at an unpolished hand. The designs are unique and different, and give my hands a little personality. They’re also a conversation starter, and I think our followers really react to them.” Similarly, local fashion blogger Adabelle Buntrock of TheDailyBelle.com has been getting nail art for more than six years. “When I first started getting my nails done, I would do really complicated art, but now I prefer to be a little more simple and subtle,” she says. “I like playing with the color varieties and add-ons like glitter or rhinestones.” Her go-to salon is The Haute Spot in Sandy Springs. If you’ve wanted to try nail art but are unsure of how to take the plunge, take a few design tips from local salon owners. First, keep in mind that if you get nail art, it has to be done with gel, the polish that dries instantly under UV light. “If you make a design mistake with regular
polish, you can’t take it off and redo it,” explains Vo. Gel, though, dries in layers, so if there’s a mistake on top, it can be taken off without ruining the entire nail. Different salons have different nail art strengths. At Les Mains, while the staff will attempt anything, the signature designs are stars, lines and florals. At Sugarcoat on Pharr Road, “Simple nail designs are most popular around spring,” says owner Peiru Kim. “Dried flower applications, negative space designs and tiny crystal and diamond embellishments are always in style around this time of year.” If you have an idea of what you want to do, just bring in a picture and let the manicurist take it from there. “Nail art makes people feel good about themselves,” says Vo. “What you put on your nails, you’re always looking at it. It’s just another added thing for self-care.” It can also accentuate any outfit and up your fashion game. n
STORY:
Lia Picard
WHERE TO GO The Haute Spot 5590 Roswell Rd. N.E. Sandy Springs 30342 404.705.8070 facebook.com/ hautespotprado Les Mains Nail Bar 56 E. Andrews Dr. N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.941.9598 facebook.com/ lesmains.nailbar Sugarcoat 320 Pharr Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.814.2121 4365 Roswell Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30342 404.600.8600 sugarcoatbeauty.com
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May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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B E AU TY
BRUSH UP EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THESE ESSENTIAL MAKEUP TOOLS
I
have a confession to make: I write about beauty, but makeup brushes, beyond the most basic, intimidate me. If there is anyone who could demystify these tools of the trade, it’s Anisa Telwar Kaicker, founder and CEO of Buckhead-based Anisa International. Over the past 25-plus years, she’s created a global brand that has designed custom cosmetic brushes for companies including MAC, Smashbox and Shiseido. In 2018, Anisa launched its own aDesign line of brushes, exclusively available on Amazon. We sat down with Kaicker recently to chat about everything from brush care to technique.
Anisa Telwar Kaicker is the powerhouse behind the company responsible for creating makeup brushes for everyone from Smashbox to Shiseido.
Myth busting. Most women are accustomed to using a brush for powder, blush and eyeshadow. Some are put off, however, by the idea of using brushes to apply things such as liquid foundation or skincare products, at least in part because it seems a brush might soak up and waste valuable product. Not so, thanks to synthetic, nonporous brush fibers that allow for more even and hygienic application.
STORY:
Jennifer Bradley Franklin
kind of brush to the type of foundation you use, whether it’s liquid, cream or powder. “Do you want to buff, sweep, press or do all of the above?” she asks, adding that there are specialized shapes to accommodate your style and preferred technique. She also uses a powder brush, sans additional product, to sweep over her face during the day, giving skin a flawless, blurred look.
Get creative. Flawless foundation. If you’re a minimalist, just having a few key brushes can make a major difference. Start with a great foundation brush, says Kaicker, pairing the
If you’re ready for more advanced brushwork, Kaicker suggests investing in a concealer brush (“great to frame lips before applying lipstick”), foundation brushes of varying shapes (“I love curved brushes to get around the hairline and even along the décolleté”), blush brushes (“one for the apple of the cheek and one that can curve and extend”) and those designed for highlighters (“they’re so great for anti-aging techniques”).
Eye-popping. “Eye brushes are just fun,” says Kaicker. “The smaller they are, the less forgiving. The larger and fluffier they are, the more you can blend.” She recommends getting a variety of fibers and shapes, so you’ll be ready for whatever look you’re trying to create, from ultra-natural to dramatic.
Duplicate. Alice Park
For brushes you use daily, Kaicker recommends having two sets, “one for at home when your skin is fresh
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and a second set for touch-ups [on the go].” If you’re keeping your brushes in a portable bag, she recommends wiping and loosely wrapping them in a clean tissue after use.
Cleaning is key. Brushes can become breeding grounds for germs, so it’s important to clean them regularly. Fortunately, Anisa has tools to make maintenance simple, including quick cleaning sprays (think of them like dry shampoo for brushes) and textured silicone pads that help get soap in and makeup out of the brush quickly. Kaicker recommends using the quick clean method once a week (simply spray the brush head and rub gently on a paper towel) and then washing them with soap and water monthly. After cleaning, reshape the brush and lay it flat to dry.
Invest wisely. “Not every brush is made the same,” Kaicker points out, adding that, with proper care, a wellmade brush can last forever.
Seek professional help. If you need some inspiration to up your makeup game, enlist the help of a pro at an area beauty counter such as Bloomingdale’s at Lenox Square or one of Woo Skincare + Cosmetics’ two Buckhead locations. Anisa also recently began releasing tutorials with various application techniques on its YouTube channel, Take Back Beauty with ATK. n
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead 
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W E LLN ESS
A Protein Powder Primer Get schooled on these popular health supplements
P
rotein powder is a pantry staple for many athletes. Its benefits include aiding weight loss, assisting with tissue repair and encouraging muscle building. However, not all protein powders are created equal. In fact, a 2018 study by the Clean Label Project found that out of 134 protein powders, 70 percent contained lead. “Most of these companies, they’re not regulated by the FDA,” notes Jamie Bodner, owner of Pinnacle Fitness, a personal training facility in Buckhead. “You don’t know exactly what you’re getting in protein powders.” We’ve delved deeper so you’ll be equipped to confidently decode your local protein aisle and decide whether supplemental protein is right for you. According to licensed dietitian Page Love of Nutrifit Sport Therapy, a sports nutrition and eating disorders practice in Sandy Springs, protein powders are defined as the “small particle powder form of protein from a variety of sources.” These sources could include anything from milk protein (whey or casein) to pea protein and everything in between. “Because of the rise of self-diagnosed and holistic food-sensitivity testing, there has been an increased demand for more protein options to help people meet their protein needs,” says Love. What exactly are those needs? Bodner explains that the first step in determining whether to add protein to
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your diet is to examine your health and fitness goals. “If you’re someone who wants to build muscle or manage your weight or lose weight, you can control pretty clearly how many calories you’re taking in,” he says. “I think from a simplicity standpoint, it doesn’t get much easier [than having a protein shake]. It’s really simple and time efficient.” Love agrees and emphasizes the importance of doing your research. “Make sure you understand what your protein needs are in grams per day and understand the gram value of the product you’re using,” she says. Love also suggests being mindful of your protein powder intake for post-workout recovery: “For most adults, a 15- to 25-gram dose is plenty to help your muscles repair.” Most protein powders on the market contain lead, but Isopure’s whey proteins received high marks from the Clean Label Project.
STORY:
When selecting protein powders, both experts say you don’t have to look further than your neighborhood grocery stores, including Costco, but Bodner cautions bargain shoppers. “I’m a firm believer in you get what you pay for,” he says. “If you find the cheapest protein powder, there’s a good chance it’s [made up of] lower-quality products.” He personally recommends Pure Protein and Isopure, as both brands’ whey proteins received high rankings from the Clean Label Project. If you do choose to add protein powders to your routine, Bodner says to keep one thing at the forefront of your mind: eating. “You want to eat your food,” he says. “Protein shakes [should be] secondary. The protein you’re taking in [via a protein powder] is not going to be the same quality as if you’re having an egg, walnuts or lentils.” Love echoes Bodner’s sentiments. “If you’re an adequate meat and dairy consumer, you may not need a protein powder. Be aware of how that protein powder will take the place of some of that normal food group nutrition.” The real lesson when it comes to protein powders is this: It’s not about incorporating the latest brand to hit the market; it’s about ensuring you’re meeting your nutritional needs in the healthiest and least toxic way possible. n
Nicole Letts
JAMIE BODNER
PAGE LOVE
Nutrifit Sport Therapy 1117 Perimeter Center W. Sandy Springs 30338 770.395.7331 nutrifitga.com Pinnacle Fitness 3215 Cains Hill Pl. N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.228.3705 pinnaclefitnessgym.com
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TA S T E MA K E R
are no cards with images of black people.” There are a couple of brands, Mahogany and Our Voices, but you don’t see them everywhere. Sometimes I would just design my own and upload it and send it out. I pondered building [a vehicle to do this in large quantities] off and on for five years. Last May, I became overwhelmed with the idea, and I just said to myself, “You have to do it.” They are all-occasion cards. Any you would find in a greeting card aisle you will find on the website, except most of Culture Greetings’ cards have black imagery or black sayings and quotes. Who are some of the artists designing the cards? There are cards designed by Steve Allen, [whose work is in a permanent collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History]. Nadiyah Rodgers, a printmaker, did a lot of the LBGTQ art. Doreen Erhardt designed most of the Jewish-oriented cards. Jesse Raudales is a Latino artist. I just licensed someone to do Asian designs.
You’ve Got Mail
Dionne Mahaffey’s new online venture prints and mails greeting cards primarily featuring “black imagery or black sayings and quotes.”
A local entrepreneur puts her stamp on the greeting card biz STORY:
Adrianne Murchison
I
nspiration may be fleeting for some, but it arrives in abundance for Dionne Mahaffey. Perhaps that’s why she’s a self-described serial entrepreneur. The Sandy Springs businesswoman’s tech expertise has led her to a multitude of endeavors. Her latest, Culture Greetings, is an online company that prints and mails
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physical greeting cards, designed by Mahaffey and professional artists, with images of people of color and from a variety of cultures. “When I wake up with an idea and it’s tech-related, it’s a done deal,” says Mahaffey, who’s been a leader on innovative technology projects for the likes of Delta Airlines, Bank of America and the NFL. Culture Greetings debuted last November. Its more than 1,200 cards,
priced at $3.99 apiece, celebrate friendships, family, events such as birthdays and graduations, and cultural holidays such as Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and Ramadan. The tech aspect of it is that, after selecting a card online, shoppers can type in a personal message and see it appear on the card in their choice of handwriting styles, and then the card is printed, stuffed, stamped and mailed to the recipient. We spoke with Mahaffey to learn more about her newest venture. What inspired the idea of starting a greeting card company? I always recognized that there was a need. I send a ton of greeting cards annually, and I just kept saying, “There
How does the Culture Greetings’ website work? On the site, you see the card collections and product descriptions. Once you select your card and [write your personal message in the box], you specify the recipient and click “Send.” The entire process takes two to five minutes. It cues up the printing press, [and the cards are mailed out the next business day.] I tell people we’re saving them a trip to the store and the post office. You also have the option of including a gift card [to stores such as Starbucks and Best Buy]. Which cards are the most popular? The majority of cards being sent right now are birthday and thank you cards. [In general], greeting cards make $7.5 billion per year. Surprisingly, millennials buy a lot of greetings cards, but e-cards haven’t done well. What’s next for Culture Greetings? Our next innovation will be an app, planned for spring, that provides the ability to customize and send a card through Facebook Messenger. It will remind you 10 days beforehand to send a card, and by clicking it, it will take you to the birthday card section of the website. n
CULTURE GREETINGS culturegreetings.com
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SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ART
Going For It P45
“It’s really pushed me in every way—physically, emotionally and spiritually.” —Katie Jones
Buckhead Art & Company showcases a range of works from artists across several media.
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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O N S TAGE
THE ART OF THE REVIEW Film critic Stephen Michael Brown shares his search for the creative and different on the big screen
S
tephen Michael Brown started writing movie reviews as a thirdgrader in Greenville, South Carolina. His parents regularly took him to the theater and movies, and the storytelling of stage and screen hooked him. He brought monthly HBO guides to kindergarten for show-and-tell, joined the Boy Scouts for a Karate Kid Part II movie night and worked at movie theaters and video stores. Thirty-five years later, he’s still at it. The chief innovation officer of Cookerly Public Relations in Buckhead runs a website on the side called silverscreencapture.com. It helps that his office is across the street from the AMC Phipps Plaza 14 theaters. “[What] comes from movies and theater fuels a lot of the ideas I have for my clients—the sequence, the surprise of them,” says Brown. Film reviewing drew Brown to Atlanta years before PR brought him here in 1998. He would drive two hours to the Tara and Lefont theaters to see
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art-house films he could review for the Greenville edition of Creative Loafing. For his senior thesis at the University of South Carolina, Brown studied five critics, then reviewed one film in each of their styles and his own. For years he reviewed films as a newspaper freelancer on the side, then took the habit to Facebook. His sister-in-law, a web developer, created silverscreencapture.com for him as a surprise in 2014. “No matter how the times changed, or how the Internet, social media or blogging changed, I always found a reason to have my reviews out there,” says Brown. He doesn’t sell ads on his site, but he does benefit. He attends some advance screenings, and Dolby flew him to the Academy Awards ceremony in L.A. in 2016. A dead phone battery prevented him from livestreaming his red-carpet chats with Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio, but he had a great time at the show and rehearsals.
When seeing a film, Brown often writes a 200-word capsule review before even leaving the theater. The hardest part, he says, is drawing the line between a B-minus (recommended but flawed) and a C-plus (too flawed to recommend). “We are at a point of great moviemaking, but it’s movies that are going to appear in the theater and streaming and on television, and you’re going to have to watch all of those to be able to find it,” says Brown. In his spare time, Brown is organizing a series of indoor and outdoor film screenings for residents of the Pinewood Forest planned community across from Pinewood Studios in Fayetteville. And the “serial board member” of arts organizations is the immediate past chair of Actor’s Express and has served on the advisory boards for the Alliance Theatre and Serenbe Playhouse. “Art can help us reimagine what we do and how we approach things,” says Brown. “My reviewing is
STORY:
Michael Jacobs
just a little part of that, encouraging somebody to see that offbeat movie or to have a favorite director.” His favorite directors reflect his appreciation for the unique—Richard Linklater, Barry Jenkins, Christopher Nolan, Spike Lee, the mature Steven Spielberg of espionage films such as Munich and Bridge of Spies—while he has no love for directors who try to repeat old successes, such as M. Night Shyamalan and the Spielberg planning a fifth Indiana Jones. Linklater’s Boyhood is Brown’s all-time favorite movie for the sheer audacity of filming it over 12 years. His favorite movie of 2018 was Steve McQueen’s Widows, which defies expectations by mixing a heist, an adventure, a political thriller and a women’s ensemble. “Surprise me,” he says. “Make a movie that surprises me.” n To read Stephen Michael Brown’s movie reviews, visit silverscreencapture.com.
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ART
GOING FOR IT STORY:
K
H.M. Cauley
atie Jones isn’t waiting for a midlife crisis or fate to take hold to do what she’s always dreamed about. Instead, the recent Birmingham-Southern College graduate has leapt body and soul into one of the toughest jobs in town: art gallery curator. Atlanta has a wealth of destination galleries—and a list almost as long of those that didn’t make it. But Jones is determined to put her youthful energy into making Buckhead Art & Company a fixture on the town’s art scene. “Owning my own gallery was a life goal, and people might think it’s crazy to jump into it right out of school,” says the Roswell native who recently moved down the street from the gallery, which is located in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. “And it’s really pushed me in every way—physically, emotionally and spiritually.” After graduating last spring, Jones didn’t envision a way to put her degree in art and business to good use. “Over the Christmas break my senior year, I had interned for [Buckhead artist] Hutton Snellings, the previous owner of Buckhead Art & Company, and we talked about my working for her after graduation, but that fell through,” says Jones. Instead, she went into software sales and pitched in at the gallery on
weekends. So when Snellings said, “I have a 2-year-old, and I really want to be painting,” the idea of Jones taking over the space began to take shape. “She told me I was the only person who cared about it as much as she did,” says Jones. “So I left my [software] job, emptied my bank account and jumped right in.” Her dad jumped in, too, providing a loan to buy the gallery that Jones is slowly paying off. “He told me he knew doing this was more important than paying for a wedding,” she says. Now, Jones oversees the 3,380-square-foot space that features works from more than 30 artists whose work is hard to typecast. “There’s power in having multiple styles; there’s something for everyone when they walk in, from paper pieces at $45 to collectors’ pieces and fine art at $25,000,” she says. “There’s photography, abstracts, mixed media. Most of the artists are from the Southeast, but I also have a few from Los Angeles, Santa Fe and Colorado, and they work well together and complement each other. I love every single piece.” Jones is also working to make the gallery a gathering space with events such as open-mic nights, special exhibits and fashion shows. “The art is what’s most important, but those events allow people who might not usually see the art a chance to see it,” she says.
A local art lover fulfills her dream of owning a gallery
It’s also vital to keep pace with the demands of the job, she added. “It’s easy to get overwhelmed sometimes because it’s just me. But a lot of people got me here, and I have to keep carrying on.” n
BUCKHEAD ART & COMPANY 288 Buckhead Ave. Atlanta 30305 404.883.3670 buckheadartcompany.com
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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L I T E R ARY
Chelsea Patricia
Act Two: Write a Book Clothing boutique founder Dana Spinola adds author to her resume STORY:
H.M. Cauley
C
all it a life crisis; call it a crossroads. Whatever it was, it hit Dana Spinola hard last year. After 16 years, the founder of the Fab’rik clothing stores and the mom of four was wiped out. “I was living at 1 percent battery life,” says the 44-year-old. “When my team told me to take a break, I was devastated. I thought I had it together, but I didn’t. So I took a sabbatical.” Going from being a full-speed business executive to taking an introspective stop wasn’t easy but critical, she admits. “I was going to refuel, reflect on the company and my family, and figure out what was next. I was supposed to be digging into where I needed to be next, but everyone kept asking me when I was going to write a book.” The Buckhead resident was intrigued by the idea but wanted to do more than merely recount her journey. “When someone tells me a story, I want to figure out why it
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matters and how it applies to my life,” she says. “I don’t want to read about someone else. So I made my book a guide to creating a life for yourself.” The result is Love What You Do, which debuted last December. Drawing on her own experience, Spinola unfurls a roadmap toward finding a dream and making it a reality. “Each chapter starts with dreaming, because some people have no idea what they want or what questions to ask,” she says of the book, which is subtitled A Plan For Creating a Life You Love Filled With Passion and Purpose. “I ask, ‘What was your dream job as a little kid, when everything was possible?’ From there, I talk through figuring out not only what your passion is, but also what makes your heart beat and what makes it break, too.” Interwoven with the provocative questions are Spinola’s tales about the pitfalls and pleasures of being both a business exec and a mom who oversees not just kids but a dozen chickens, two dogs and “a million fish” in her Peachtree Battle home. “I talk about the things that really
helped me build what I call a dream job,” she says. “It was not without pain, but it’s what I’m supposed to be doing on this planet. That’s what I want share: how to build purpose in your life and love what you do in the limited amount of time we have. Loving what you do is the fuel that keeps us going.” Spinola doesn’t regret getting the nudge to step outside her routine since it’s led her to see what mat-
LOVE WHAT YOU DO is available on Amazon and fabrikstyle.com. Proceeds from sales go to Free Fab’rik, a nonprofit that supports victims of sex trafficking.
ters most. “My team pushed me out of the nest so I can do bigger, more beautiful things,” she says. “Being overwhelmed, when everything feels like a burden instead of a blessing— we’ve all been in that space. This book lets me talk through how to clean out your life.” n
H IG H
HIGH MUSEUM OF ART ATLANTA
VAN GOGH, PICASSO, DEGAS, MATISSE, MONET
EUROPEAN MASTERWORKS
The Phillips Collection
T H R O U G H J U LY 1 4 | 1 2 8 0 P E A C H T R E E S T R E E T, N . E . | H I G H . O R G | M E M B E R S A LWAY S F R E E ! European Masterworks: The Phillips Collection is organized by The Phillips Collection, Washington, DC. This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.
EXHIBITION SERIES SPONSORS
PREMIER EXHIBITION SERIES SUPPORTERS
BENEFACTOR EXHIBITION SERIES SUPPORTER
AMBASSADOR EXHIBITION SUPPORTERS
The Antinori Foundation Sarah and Jim Kennedy Louise Sams and Jerome Grilhot
Anne Cox Chambers Foundation
Tom and Susan Wardell Rod Westmoreland
CONTRIBUTING EXHIBITION SERIES SUPPORTERS The Ron and Lisa Brill Family Charitable Trust, Lucinda W. Bunnen, Corporate Environments, Marcia and John Donnell, W. Daniel Ebersole and Sarah Eby-Ebersole, Peggy Foreman, Robin and Hilton Howell, Mr. and Mrs. Baxter Jones, and Margot and Danny McCaul
GENEROUS SUPPORT IS ALSO PROVIDED BY Alfred and Adele Davis Exhibition Endowment Fund, Anne Cox Chambers Exhibition Fund, Barbara Stewart Exhibition Fund, Marjorie and Carter Crittenden, Dorothy Smith Hopkins Exhibition Endowment Fund, Eleanor McDonald Storza Exhibition Endowment Fund, The Fay and Barrett Howell Exhibition Fund, Forward Arts Foundation Exhibition Endowment Fund, Helen S. Lanier Endowment Fund, Isobel Anne Fraser–Nancy Fraser Parker Exhibition Endowment Fund, John H. and Wilhelmina D. Harland Exhibition Endowment Fund, Katherine Murphy Riley Special Exhibition Endowment Fund, Margaretta Taylor Exhibition Fund, Massey Charitable Trust, RJR Nabisco Exhibition Endowment Fund, and Dr. Diane L. Wisebram. IMAGES: Vincent van Gogh, The Road Menders, 1889, oil on canvas. Pablo Picasso, Reclining Figure, 1934, gift of the Carey Walker Foundation, 1994. © 2019 Estate of Pablo Picasso/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Edgar Degas, Dancers at the Barre, ca. 1900. Henri Matisse, Studio, Quai Saint-Michel, 1916. © 2019 Succession H. Matisse/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Claude Monet, The Road to Vétheuil (detail), 1879. All works The Phillips Collection, Washington, DC.
{Dazzling Spring}
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COV ER S TORY
Dynamic Duos THE ATLANTANS PROVING THAT TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
History has seen plenty of powerful pairs: Franklin and Eleanor, Laurel and Hardy, Simon and Garfunkel, Venus and Serena, Barbie and Ken. Each was notable in his or her own right but were even better and badder together. Here are six awesome local pairings keeping up the tradition. PHOTOS: Sara
Hanna
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead 
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Fikret Kovac and Hicham Azhari The business partners behind Little Alley Steak cook up winning restaurant concepts.
“W
e didn’t like each other because there were always arguments on the field,” says Hicham Azhari from a secondfloor private room at Little Alley Steak in Buckhead. He’s chuckling about the years he and now business partner Fikret “Fix” Kovac faced off on the soccer field, each playing for opposing amateur teams. “His team always won,” recalls Azhari, who hates to lose. Both men worked in the hospitality business, Kovac in hotels and Azhari in restaurants, and were introduced off the field by Kovac’s brother, who felt their shared interests might make them a good team. Both looking for a new challenge, in 2004 they opened the nowshuttered Little Alley Tapas in Roswell, which offered a menu of global tapas in a tiny, sparsely decorated space. Guests from the neighborhood flowed in, including Vikki Locke, who raved about the eatery on her Star 94 radio show. “We lived poor for several
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years and reinvested every dollar back into the business,” says Azhari. More Roswell restaurant openings followed, including the casual Salt Factory Pub and the more ambitious Little Alley Steak in 2012, in the middle of the recession. “Everyone called us crazy, opening a fine dining restaurant in the worst economy,” Azhari recalls of that pivot point in the partnership. “Hicham always says, ‘Hope for the best but expect the worst,’” says Kovac. “I say, ‘Let’s do this.’” The pair, known by their corporate name, FH Food Trading Group, decided to accept only top-notch products, even though they were pricier. They traveled to some of the country’s best steakhouses, visiting restaurants in Los Angeles, Tampa and New York, before finding the prime beef they most admired in Chicago. They forged a sourcing agreement with premier purveyor Meats by Linz with the understanding that the Linz name would be displayed on
STORY:
Jennifer Bradley Franklin
the walls of the restaurant to ensure exemplary product deserving of the brand that has been producing beef for more than 50 years. Though FH wasn’t scouting Buckhead locations, a friend tapped Azhari to consult on the feasibility of putting a nightclub in the massive 12,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by Aja (and Emeril’s before it). The landlord, who liked Little Alley Steak in Roswell, didn’t want a club and reached out later to entice Azhari to bring the meat-centric concept to Lenox Road. “It’s such a big space,” he says. “We’re used to 4,000 square feet and under.” After months of negotiations and a thorough analysis of how to combat the issues that caused previous concepts in the space to fail, the deal was done, and the duo set their sights on transforming the patio, building out the interior with rich furnishings, developing a menu and crafting an extensive beverage program. Since
opening in May 2018, the Little Alley in Buckhead has become a go-to spot for serious steak lovers. “People kept telling us we were setting ourselves up to fail in Buckhead. [Hicham and I] were the only ones who really believed in it and are both proud to say other cities are now asking us to bring the concept to them,” says Kovac, adding that Nashville and Charlotte could be destinations for the pair’s next project. In the high-stakes restaurant business, the two transplants—Kovac from Bosnia, Azhari from Morocco—have found common ground and the equilibrium to thrive. “We’re more than family. I put him first—his wellbeing, his satisfaction, his happiness,” explains Azhari, noting how far the colleagues have come since those early days of arguments on the soccer field. “Obviously, it’s a business. We’ve had conflicts and different opinions. But we’ve never gone to sleep mad at each other.” n
C OVE R ST ORY
Dr. Amy Alderman and Dr. Aida Joiner The leading ladies of an all-female surgical team are equal parts business partners and “sister-friends.”
“W
e became fast friends almost on day one,” says Amy Alderman of meeting Aida Joiner almost nine years ago at their previous plastic surgery practice. Last March, after eight years of teaming up on surgeries, the two doctors decided to go into practice together and launched North Atlanta Plastic Surgery in Sandy Springs. “We are aligned in our vision for the practice and really care about patient care, and our patients feel that,” says Alderman of their winning partnership. Alderman, a board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in breasts and body for more than 10 years, and Joiner, a board-certified anesthesiologist for 25 years, took a leap of faith that their unique friendship and approach with an all-female surgical team would be well-received by their
majority-female patients. And it has been. “We thought we’d have a ramp-up time, but we have yet to ramp up. We have just been going full-speed ahead!” says Joiner, an Atlanta native. Alderman adds, “I left my previous practice on a Friday afternoon, put a Facebook post up about our new launch that got 400 responses, and then between Monday and Wednesday of the following week, we had 200 people call our office. There hasn’t been a day since we opened our doors that we haven’t had a full day of surgery.” In a typical plastic surgery practice, the patients may only interact with their surgeon; the anesthesiologist doesn’t see most patients except right before surgery. At North Atlanta Plastic Surgery, a patient gets to know not only Alderman, but also Joiner and their nurses. “One of my
STORY:
Karina Antenucci
favorite things now is to be able to see patients after their surgeries and how thrilled they are with the results,” says Joiner. “I enjoy meeting them on their initial visit when Dr. Alderman pulls me into a consultation. It’s added a new dimension to my role.” Adds Alderman, “We want to provide customized, individualized care where patients feel really special.” The doctors also have opened The Spa at North Atlanta Plastic Surgery, a nonsurgical arm of the practice that offers cosmetic treatments such as Botox and CoolSculpting (a fat-freezing procedure). Later this year, they will debut another location in Alpharetta, where all of the surgeries will be performed. “We offer both surgical and nonsurgical options because it’s not one-size-fits-all for everyone,” explains Alderman.
Despite their instant success, opening a new practice hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Managing the office is one aspect that has been a challenge. “The good news is we know what we’re not great at and have found someone who’s better than we are to handle it,” says Joiner. Busy with work and with their families, Alderman and Joiner still find time to socialize outside the office. To stay connected as friends, they go out to dinner once a week, and “the rule is we don’t talk about work,” says Alderman. The two have also traveled together to Paris three times so far, hence the new Alpharetta location will boast a Parisian theme, and they often ride bikes together or race each other virtually on their Peloton exercise bikes at home. “We’re best friends,” says Alderman. “It’s like we’re sisters.” n
Edith and Michael Rogers The vet and the CEO put their heart and soul into their businesses—and their family.
E
dith and Michael Rogers were in the same eighth grade class at The Westminster Schools. They became friends and stayed in touch through college, but it wasn’t until 2003, during Edith’s last year of veterinary school at the University of Georgia, that they started dating. “I’d always had a crush on her, and she always thought I was just a friend,” says Michael, the president and CEO of Dorsey Alston Realtors, Atlanta’s oldest and largest independent residential real estate firm. But before eventually getting together, they each followed their passions. Michael, an economics major and drama minor at the University of Virginia, moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting. After his father passed away in 2000, he moved back to Atlanta to oversee Dorsey Alston and his other business ventures. During that time, Edith was just 45 minutes away in Athens. “I went through a very calculated stalking plan to convince her I should get a chance at
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being a boyfriend,” says Michael. After vet school, Edith completed a one-year internship in Manhattan. The couple then moved to L.A. and married in 2005. Edith began practicing small animal medicine while Michael attended Stanford’s business school. He earned his MBA in 2008, but continued traveling back to Atlanta to oversee Dorsey Alston. In 2009, the two returned to Atlanta for good. By then, they had an 18-month-old son and Edith was pregnant with baby number two. “We moved back because of Michael’s business, but we also moved back because both of our families are here,” says Edith. “Having our children live in the same city as their grandparents is something I never got to experience, and I think it’s so awesome.” Once in Atlanta, Michael focused on growing Dorsey Alston. Once a boutique firm of 26 agents, it now boasts nearly 250 agents in two offices, one in Buck-
STORY:
Giannina Smith Bedford
head and the another in East Cobb. In 2017, Dorsey Alston celebrated 70 years of business. “I wake up every morning trying to figure out what I can do for [my agents] to make them more productive,” says Michael. “Our senior management has that same philosophy, and that differentiates us.” Edith brings the same level of commitment to her job at Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital, where she works part-time. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” says Edith. “I really love the animal-human connection. Animals love you no matter what. Especially today when there is so much stress and turmoil, it’s so powerful.” Edith’s dedication makes her a favorite with clients. At home, Michael says the phone is always ringing with friends and clients asking for advice. They’ve even had people show up at their front door with sick or injured animals. “She won’t tell anybody no and never complains,”
says Michael. “She is unbelievably passionate about what she does and it really comes through.” With two busy careers and now three kids—11-year-old Paul, 9-year-old Elizabeth and 6-year-old Michael—the couple makes an effort to be home every night for dinner to go over the “highs and lows” of everyone’s day. When they can get away, the outdoor lovers travel to their farm property in Kingston, Georgia. There, Michael hunts birds, Edith rides horses and the children run wild. “It’s very rustic, and we run around and get muddy,” says Edith. “We’re lucky to have that.” Edith and Michael also feel lucky to have the support of each other and try to plan date nights or catch up over a glass of wine after the kids are in bed. “I think laughter is the most important thing in a marriage. One of my favorite things about him was that he made me laugh,” says Edith. “It’s still true, and it definitely gets you through it all.” n
C OVE R ST ORY
T
his September, Bob and Betty Edge will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, and while the traditional gift for that milestone is something gold, the Buckhead couple has received something even more precious: The Forward Arts Foundation recently renamed its grants for emerging artists “The Edge Award” in their honor. The distinction is a nod to the long years of service the two have devoted to the city’s arts scene. That dedication was already established when they met in 1967, when he was a newly minted attorney from Yale law school and she had just moved to Atlanta from Columbia, South Carolina, to find a job. “We have always loved art; we love to go out and find art,” says Bob, who practices with the law firm of Alston & Bird. “And Betty is a serious photographer. She has shown at Thomas Deans’ gallery on Miami Circle and has had shows that have been very popular. She has a different perspective on flowers. I just love her work.” Though he gave up his devotion to piano to pursue the law, Bob admits that the decision allowed him to embrace music, dance and visual arts in a different way. “The law has allowed me to have this intense involvement,” he says. “But my interest goes back to college at UGA where [Georgia-born painter] Lamar Dodd and I became close friends. He’s the godfather of our personal interests.” In the 1970s, Bob served on the Georgia Council for the Arts and sat on the board of the Metropolitan Opera. He’s also a past chairman of Spivey Hall on the campus of Clayton State University. Betty has been part of the High Museum board, pitched in for the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA) and the public library, and taken on the role of president for the Forward Arts Foundation, a nonprofit that supports several area organizations, including the Swan Coach House Gallery on the grounds of the Atlanta History Center. And it was Betty who, in 1998, suggested the foundation focus on emerging artists as well. “We form the framework for supporting them by having them submit works, then we get a panel of professional artists to vote on
Bob and Betty Edge These arts enthusiasts are marking 50 years of marriage and philanthropy. them,” says Betty. “We just go to their studios to observe and learn.” The $2,000 to $10,000 grants the chosen artists receive were recently renamed The Edge Award. “After 20 years, Forward Arts members thought they should revamp, and one thing was changing the name,” says Betty. “And we
were very honored about that.” The pair, who have lived in the Peachtree Battle area for 45 years, are just as supportive of each other as of their artistic causes. It’s evident from their kind words, shared laughter and gentle joshing. “I’m 80, and she’s slightly younger,” says Bob, who barely finishes
STORY:
H.M. Cauley
the thought before his wife chimes in with, “No, I’m a lot younger. And the secret of our 50 years is that I’m very patient.” “Well, I’ve got a different spin on that,” says Bob. “We’re blessed to share the same interests, but I think it starts with chemistry. Then you work at it. Every day.” n
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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COV E R S T ORY
Alli and Jaron Solomon This husband and wife team are breathing new life into the family jewelry business—and their careers. STORY:
Karina Antenucci
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either Jaron nor Alli Solomon planned on joining the family business. The married couple, who started dating 10 years ago during their freshman year at the University of Georgia, were following different paths. Alli was in public accounting at Deloitte; Jaron was going through the management program at E. & J. Gallo Winery, selling wine and liquor to distributors.
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But when Ivan, Jaron’s father and the co-founder of Solomon Brothers Fine Jewelry, became ill in 2009, Jaron began lending a helping hand. In 2012, he came onboard full-time, at first as salesperson, then in 2017, after his father passed, taking the reins as the company’s president. “It certainly has been the greatest honor of my life,” says Jaron of the jewelry business that’s been a fixture on the Buckhead scene for more than 35 years. “My father was the oldest brother of three, and growing
up he made us all feel like it was our company. Our whole family, including my two brothers, looks out for the business and supports us. We’re all trying to carry on what my dad started.” Jaron’s uncle, Anthony, is the CTO and CFO, and his mother, Rayna, continues to consult and handle HR for the company. Alli, who assumed the role of controller in 2018, adds, “The real dynamic duo is Jaron and his dad, because his dad started it from the ground up. To see Jaron show it
the same love and nurturing and passion now is really something.” Jaron jokes that he doesn’t think he really gave Alli a choice in the decision to join the business. “Alli brought to the table tons of data,” says Jaron. “She’s a qualified CPA, but what she’s bringing to the table is new inventory controls and a transformation of the inventory itself. We now use analytical data on what’s trending. The company is running a lot differently in the last 12 months than it has in the last 20 years.” The next-gen Solomons are looking at various ways to bring modern-day touches and a “userfriendly experience” into an old business. They are exploring a complete rebrand and remodel of the store by Christmas. “Our biggest challenge is how to get people to have fun jewelry shopping,” says Jaron. “Yes, it’s important to have the best price and quality, but that’s not enough anymore. People want the experience as well.” With the goal of attracting more customers between 25 and 40 years old, store updates could include brightening up display cases, offering a “diamond bar” where you can try on jewelry without a salesperson hovering and putting games on the store TVs during football season and offering discounts that align with team scores. In addition, they are focusing marketing efforts on Instagram and Pinterest as well as influencers to share their experiences. Even the company name is changing. It will be Solomon Brothers Jewelers, losing the “Fine” to be more representative of the array of jewelry selections across all price ranges. “We are on the 17th floor of a Buckhead high-rise and are called ‘Fine Jewelry.’ It can seem to some as high-end and unaffordable, and that’s not the case,” says Alli. The couple, who got married in Alli’s hometown of Savannah in 2015, are expecting their first child this June. “Even though we’re having a baby, the business is kind of like our baby, too. It’s been nice to focus on it together and see what we can start to make happen,” she says. While the business can easily dominate their conversations and time (Jaron currently works seven days a week), the Solomons make it a point to go out to dinner and talk about something else. “We spend a lot of money on food,” jokes Jaron. “On a Saturday night, we go to places like Bones or Chops. We love the Buckhead restaurants.” n
Lauren and Emilie Scalise These enterprising teens, along with their older sister, tackled raising money for cancer rehabilitation in honor of their mother.
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hen Stephanie Scalise was diagnosed with breast cancer, the news hit her daughters, Samantha, Lauren and Emilie, particularly hard. Ages 15, 13 and 11 at the time, the three Galloway School students were all too aware of the ferocity of the disease. They knew life for their mom would be difficult during surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. But what they didn’t expect was that it would be equally hard in the months following her treatments. Their outgoing mom became withdrawn and was in a lot of pain from the edema and cording (thick, ropelike structures that develop under the inner arm) that were side effects from her double mastectomy and lymph node surgery. Then she began going to TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation in Sandy Springs. The 15-year-old organization helps survivors via a myriad of services including physical and massage therapy, counseling and exercise. “TurningPoint gave us our mom back,” says Lauren. “We were so grateful, we wanted to give back with something more significant than baking cookies.” So sitting around the dinner table one night, the girls tossed around some ideas and decided to stage a 2.7-mile walk around the Chastain Park PATH so that families with young kids could participate together. They named their charitable walk Strides for Survivors and pledged all of the proceeds to TurningPoint. One of their biggest hurdles was getting permits from the city for the walk, an issue the teens hadn’t anticipated. “It wasn’t easy,” says Emilie. “We needed a lot more legal stuff than we ever imagined. Mom helped get everything we needed and brought a lot of the pieces together.” Samantha, now a freshman at the University of Tennessee, became the public face, handled the advertising and tried to find sponsors. Lauren and Emilie worked behind the scenes making posters and garnering donations for a silent auction and raffle, as well as developing a website (stridesforsurvivors.org). They put up posters at school and in the Buckhead area surrounding Chastain Park, a favorite hangout for the teens. The park was also the site
of Stephanie’s daily exercise as she walked her way to recovery. For the first Strides for Survivors in 2017, they expected about 20 participants, mostly friends and people from TurningPoint. Instead, the walk attracted about 100 participants and raised $6,220. The girls were stunned and thrilled. They immediately began planning for the 2018 walk with the addition of a T-shirt sale, an expanded silent auction and a raffle that included handpainted items by Lauren. They also landed some major corporate sponsors and
scores of volunteers. The 2018 event attracted more than 200 walkers and raised $10,000. “Donating the money to TurningPoint was the best feeling ever,” says Emilie. For their outstanding efforts, all three girls were named to Atlanta InTown’s “20 Under 20,” and their mother received the Braves’ 2017 Diamond of Hope Award for her contributions to the community. The teens had a turn of bad luck this year. “The only date that Galloway [where the walk starts and finishes] had available for us to stage the walk was on Super Bowl Sun-
STORY:
Mickey Goodman
day,” says Emilie. “We were literally just a few miles down the road from one of the world’s biggest sporting events. We had hoped to raise $15,000, but only raised $9,000.” Undaunted by this year’s low turnout, the girls are already at work on 2020’s walk, with plans to get even more sponsors and to sell gift baskets along with the raffle and silent auction items. “We’re in awe at all of the community support and with what we’ve been able to do,” says Lauren. “Mom’s illness could have driven us apart. Instead it brought us all even closer together.” n
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SIMPLY DELICIOUS
Warm earth tones and token reminders of Italy grace Cibo e Beve’s welcoming dining room.
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Say Ciao to Chowtime P58
Photo: Sara Hanna
Whether you’re in the mood for authentic Tuscan fare or an old-fashioned Little Italy meal, Cibo e Beve will deliver. May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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REVIEW
Above: The Tuscan kale and bean soup is delicious enough to warrant weekly return visits. Left: A glass of Sicilian Morgante Nero d’Avola is the perfect accompaniment to the flavorful chicken parmigiana.
SAY CIAO TO CHOWTIME Cibo e Beve is your Italian-American home away from home STORY:
Rebecca Cha
PHOTOS: Sara
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Hanna
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
H
aving spent a quarter of my life traveling Italy with the sole purpose of consuming cibo e beve (“food and drink”), I perhaps had unrealistically high expectations for Cibo e Beve, a Sandy Springs trattoria that’s much more cozy and authentic than its strip mall locale may suggest. Helmed by chef and co-owner Linda Harrell, along with partners Gianni Betti
and Gonzalo de Aristegui, it’s a solidly run operation with an ever-crowded dining room. That’s not to say that there aren’t areas where they could tighten up their game a bit. For starters (and not the edible kind), on our first visit, the dining room carried an odor of fried food that was so heavy, it seemed to permeate the walls, upholstery and eventually our mood. When queried about the ingredients in and origins of various menu items, our server drew a blank and had to run back to the kitchen, but cheerfully returned with the requested info. These unpropitious first impressions aside, there was much to love about the space, decorated with intimate nooks and attractive tables, all brought together with warm earth tones, butterscotch leather, splashes of greenery and token reminders of Italy. It’s all quite comely, and reminiscent of my favorite family-run spots in Emilia-Romagna, Rome and Umbria. When it came to the actual cibo e beve, we resisted the urge to order one of the piping-hot wood-fired pizzas that flew by with impressive regularity and instead opted for the Cibo meatballs, two melt-in-yourmouth behemoths made with ricotta, herby breadcrumbs and seasoned ground meat served with a spectacular San Marzano tomato sauce. Next up was a selection of Italian olives, a portion that could’ve easily fed four. Taggiasche, Castelvetrano and Gaeta were served with toasted semolina crostini and were suitably briny, pungent and earthy, and proved the quintessential complement to a glass of crisp, white 2017 Santa Margherita Vermentino. The execution of the main dishes proved to be a tad, well, quirky. Take, for example, the huge plate of braised short rib ragu with spinach ravioli. The ragu was impeccable (meaty, tender and oozing with longcooked flavors), but the ravioli would be, by any account, considered spinach overkill and were totally obscured by the ragu— nary a smidge of al dente pasta goodness could be seen. More conscientious plating would’ve significantly improved this dish. The silver lining was the dessert. Classics such as torta della nonna (“grandmother’s cake”), semifreddo and gelato round out the menu, but the table favorite was the housemade tiramisu. On par with any of the best in
Above: Eyeing an order of the Cibo meatballs? They’re magnifico!
Above: One of chef Linda Harrell’s masterpieces is the velvety, rich spaghetti carbonara.
There’s an earnestness here, an ambition to please that goes a long way in this town. town, its layers of espresso-drenched, Kahluadipped ladyfingers and mascarpone mousse were rich, decadent and worth every calorie. The following visit, we arrived on a Saturday evening at the height of the dinner rush, but the mood was mellow and relaxed. And the fried food odor had mercifully disappeared. We nabbed the only remaining seats at the bar and joined the lively crowd of locals, singles, new dates and old marrieds all side by side, sipping Peronis, Campari cocktails, limoncello and Italian wines. The bartender served me a generous pour of 2015 Morgante Nero d’Avola, a Sicilian red blend full of juicy fruit and a hint of smokiness, and far better than what one usually expects from Italy’s fourth largest wine-producing region. We moved on to the Tuscan kale and bean soup. It was kale at its best, with smoky pancetta, bits of tender carrot and large chunks of potato simmered low and slow in chicken broth. It alone could prompt weekly return visits. There are moments when it feels like Cibo e Beve doesn’t know if it’s an Italian-American restaurant (à la New York’s Mulberry Street) or an authentic Italian trattoria. For example, in Italy, you’ll see spaghetti repurposed in various dishes—in a torta or frittata, for example—but not as a bed for chicken parmigiana as it’s served here. Plating aside, the food itself was well-executed and the flavors authentic. The spaghetti was lightly coated in a tomato sauce that was just the right balance of mellow, herbal and sweet; the Springer Mountain chicken breast was
breaded and fried crisp and golden brown; and it was all topped with more yummy tomato sauce and melted mozzarella. My gut tells me there’s more to Cibo e Beve than can be summarized in just a few meals. There’s an earnestness here, an ambition to please that goes a long way in this town. So we recommend giving Cibo e Beve a try. Whether you’re in the mood for a quiet family dinner of authentic Tuscan fare or an old-fashioned Little Italy meal with your sweetheart, Cibo e Beve will deliver. n
Below: Who can resist Kahlua-dipped ladyfingers and mascarpone mousse in Cibo e Beve’s decadent tiramisu? Not us.
CIBO E BEVE 4969 Roswell Rd., Sandy Springs 30342 404.250.8988 ciboatlanta.com Prices: Appetizers: $8-$16. Soups and salads: $5-$12. Pasta, pizza and sandwiches: $13-$32. Mains: $23-$36. Desserts: $4-$8. Recommended dishes: Cibo meatballs, selection of olives, Tuscan kale and bean soup, wood-fired oven pizzas, braised short rib ragu with spinach ravioli, chicken parmigiana, tiramisu. Bottom line: A Sandy Springs favorite offering both classic Italian and Italian-American cuisine, an impressive Italian wine selection and a charming, romantic vibe.
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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D R I NKS
DETAILS Arden’s Garden 3757 Roswell Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30342 404.844.4477 ardensgarden.com
Brett Ferencz
Biltong Bar 306 Buckhead Ave. N.E. Atlanta 30305 678.927.9272 biltong-bar.com Nuts ’n Berries 4274 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30319 404.254.0330 nutsnberries.com
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Roots Juices 3400 Around Lenox Rd. Atlanta 30326 888.666.0290 rootspressedjuices.com Seven Lamps 3400 Around Lenox Rd. Atlanta 30326 404.467.8950 sevenlampsatl.com
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t’s peach season. Our state’s namesake fruit begins ripening mid-May, and soon local markets will be flush with juicy, fragrant peaches. The U.S. has more than 300 varieties—four dozen from Georgia alone. Tasty and packed with vitamins, fiber and potassium, peaches can be seen everywhere, from menus to license plates. Here are six alcohol-free ways to experience the taste of summertime in a glass.
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At Roots Juices, a sip of the Seasonal Smash is transportive to a peach orchard on a sunny day. Its juices are cold-pressed on-site every day using fresh, local peaches, a process that maintains their flavor just as nature intended and preserves all of their vitamins and minerals. Peaches, mangos and mint commingle in this refreshing juice you’ll want to savor in a rocker on your front porch. Stock the fridge with extras; they have a shelf life of five to seven days.
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Kombucha, often called “the tea of immortality,” originated in China more than 2,000 years ago. The fermented drink not only has the health benefits of tea, but also includes probiotics and antioxidants associated with digestive aids and immune system support. Golda Kombucha, Atlanta’s first kombucha tea company, ages fresh Georgia
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PEACHY POTIONS
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STORY:
ZenTea 5356 Peachtree Rd. Atlanta 30341 678.547.0877 zenteaco.com
Angela Hansberger
Sip and savor Georgia’s official state fruit peaches, ginger and green and black teas in oak barrels for its best-selling Peach Ginger kombucha. The fizzy concoction bursts with peach flavor and the zing of gingery spice, softened and mellowed by a rest in oak. You can find it at the health food store Nuts ’n Berries in Brookhaven.
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Arden Zinn founded the familyowned juice company Arden’s Garden in 1995 after making healthpromoting juices for friends and family in her own kitchen. Today, using a wide array of fruits and vegetables, Arden’s makes fresh juice five days a week for stores, health clubs and home delivery. For the 2019 season, Arden’s is creating a Peach Pie Smoothie with peaches, apple juice and sweet and spicy nuts. What a delicious way to get your vitamins, fiber and potassium.
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Recently opened Biltong Bar at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta may have a humble slogan of “beef jerky and booze,” but the sophisticated restaurant is becoming a prime cocktail
spot helmed by beverage director Sean Gleason. The 40-seat bar showcases more than 250 unique spirits, and its bartenders know 4 how to show them off, combining tinctures, shrubs and fresh juices. When Gleason cooks up a fresh batch of homemade Peach Shrub Swizzle, he combines peach with crushed ice, lemon, bitters and soda. Imbibers can sip it with saffron-infused gin.
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For warm peach fuzzies, head to ZenTea, where they stock more than 150 teas from around the globe. Have a cup, share a pot or sample a tea flight in the serene setting of this Chamblee teahouse. Its White Georgia Peach loose-leaf tea has the aromas and sweet succulence of peaches
with a malty, floral white tea base. It’s also great iced. Order it as “tea and cream” and it comes fit for a queen in a pot accompanied by scones, lemon curd and clotted cream.
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Vinnie Dugan incorporates seasonal produce in his jerk soda program at Seven Lamps. “For about two months out of the year we get the most amazing peaches from the folks at Pearson Farms in Georgia, so we take full advantage while we can,” he says. The inherent sweetness of peach plays off the natural spiciness of white pepper and basil from their garden in Dugan’s Georgia Peach and White Pepper soda. He finishes it with a touch of fresh lime juice for acidity and brightness. n
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404.228.3705 Located in Buckhead at 3215 Cains Hill Place NW
pinnaclefitness8@gmail.com www.pinnaclefitnessgym.com
FOODIE JOURNAL
Culinary News & Notes
BY:
Lia Picard
FOOD NEWS
n The Southern Gentleman recently welcomed new executive chef Joseph Paire (above). He’s added delicious new menu items such as a cinnamon roll with bourbon pecan glaze and a fried chicken and skillet pancake. thesoutherngentlemanatl.com
Not So
n King + Duke has reformatted its menu to focus on shared plates. Dishes prepared over an open fire, such as the smoked lamb ribs, are meant to be eaten family-style.
At an exclusive event, Cast Iron & Collards Society members enjoyed a five-course dinner introducing Gunshow’s new chef.
Secret Society GEORGIA ORGANICS INTRODUCES AN INITIATIVE FOR ATLANTA FOODIES
G
eorgia Organics, the Buckheadbased nonprofit focused on empowering farmers, has launched a new initiative, the Cast Iron & Collards Society. While most of its
programs are geared towards farmers and workers in the food service industry, the organization is intended for all food enthusiasts. Georgia Organics director of development Jeff Romig explains, “We created Cast Iron & Collards to ensure that food enthusiasts of Atlanta have the opportunity to engage with the people who grow and prepare their food, specifically through curated events created by Georgia Organics.” Those events have included a talk with chef Todd Richards about his new cookbook, Soul, at the ASW Distillery and a dinner at Gunshow, where Chris McCord was announced as the new chef de cuisine. Cast Iron & Collards
kinganddukeatl.com
n Chido & Padre’s has a refreshing new addition to its weekend brunch service. The agua fresca bar features a variety of tequila-spiked fruity waters in flavors including hibiscus, watermelon and pineapple; nonalcoholic options are also available. chidoandpadres.com
members are given first access and discounts to the events. Other perks are in the works, too, such as a calendar that compiles restaurant soft openings and popups throughout town and a monthly happy hour. Members of the society aren’t just having fun; they’re also doing good, as proceeds from the membership fees support Georgia Organics’ efforts to provides farmers with fund-
ing for organic certification, health insurance and disaster relief. The society is for anyone, but Romig says it’s particularly for those who want fresh, local, organic food; shop at farmers markets; and are looking for restaurants that share similar values. georgiaorganics.org
A WINNING NEW SPOT WIN Indonesian Grill co-owner Ivan Raintung chats about his new restaurant Buckhead can now add an Indonesian restaurant to its portfolio of upscale eateries. WIN (Wonderful Indonesia) Indonesian Grill & Gastrobar opened in the Peachtree Battle Condominiums in February. We chatted with co-founder Ivan Raintung to learn more. How did you decide to open an Indonesian restaurant in Atlanta?
Atlanta was chosen for the first WIN due to the fact that
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it’s the largest city in the Southeast and the headquarters for many Fortune 500 companies. We chose Buckhead specifically because it’s been a mecca for upscale eateries and new chef-driven concepts intermingled with Atlanta staples. What flavors and ingredients are essential to Indonesian cuisine?
It often demonstrates complex flavors, acquired from certain ingredients and
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
bumbu dasar (basic seasoning). Indonesia has been famous for its spices for centuries. Indonesians love hot and spicy food, thus sambal, or chile paste, has in excess of 320 distinct kinds and is a crucial condiment to complement any Indonesian dish. Tell us about the partnership between your restaurant and the Wonderful Indonesia tourism initiative.
In an attempt to promote culinary tourism and achieve the target of attracting 20 million foreign tourists by
At WIN Indonesian Grill, dishes such as the rendang (right), in which short ribs are braised for 24 hours, demonstrate the cuisine’s “complex flavors,” says partner Ivan Raintung (above).
2019, the Indonesia Ministry of Tourism is collaborating with 100 diaspora restaurants across the globe through the Wonderful Indonesia co-branding program. n
WIN Indonesian Grill & Gastrobar 2285 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30309 404.352.3838 wingastrobar.com
5K WALK » FUN RUN » FAMILY FESTIVAL » FOOD TRUCKS
Sunday April 28, 2019 12–4 pm The Home Depot Backyard Register online at hungerwalkrun.org an event of:
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The Community Built for Life.® 404-252-6271 belmontvillage.com/buckhead PCH 008036 © 2019 Belmont Village, L.P.
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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TA S T E M AKE R
PEOPLE PLEASER AS THE FACE OF AMERICAN CUT, MIT AMIN’S JOB IS TO MAKE GUESTS HAPPY STORY:
Carly Cooper
M
What is your role at American Cut? I ensure every guest is taken care of as if it was their personal restaurant. We have great food and great service, but we have to make [dining here] an experience. That is my job: to make it an experience.
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FUN FACT Amin wears a red rose on his lapel every day to distinguish himself and break the ice with guests.
How do you accomplish that? It starts with a warm greeting when they get to the table. If I feel it’s appropriate, I buy a glass of bubbles for them, exchange cards and sit and chat with them. I don’t have any agenda other than making sure they’re OK. I have to sum someone up in 20 seconds—what I can or can’t do. I have a knack for it. I kiss on both cheeks. I have to make sure my English accent comes across so they’re intrigued. People call or text me for reservations all the time. What’s your favorite part of the job? I love interacting with people, making them smile and be happy. It’s great when they give me a hug as they’re leaving.
What’s the most challenging aspect of your position? My job is to troubleshoot, apologize, empathize, ease things over and provide a solution that entices people to come back. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned? Always put on a smiley face regardless of the situation, no matter how big the obstacle. It’s hard sometimes because I have to smile all day long, despite any personal issues. You say you rarely dine outside of Buckhead. Where do you go? I love Kyma, La Grotta and 10 Degrees South.
Tell us about your family. I’m divorced. I have two girls who live in London and a son in high school in Scottsdale, Arizona. What would surprise people about you? I’m bloody old! Nobody believes it. I’m ancient. Most people think I’m in my 30s or 40s. I’m actually 59. n
AMERICAN CUT 3035 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30305 770.415.9766 americancutsteakhouse.com/ buckheadatl
Heidi Geldhauser
it Amin is the face of LDV Hospitality, the parent company of American Cut steakhouse in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. And yes, “face” is his real title. “Everyone thinks I’m the owner or manager, but I’m the people person,” he says. A Sandy Springs resident, Amin was born in England and moved to Atlanta about 30 years ago. He began his Buckhead career by purchasing the Beverly Hills Inn, a boutique hotel he owned for 23 years before “parting ways” with the property in 2012. He then took his hospitality experience and knack for networking and helped open LDV Hospitality’s now-defunct Dolce Italian, as well as American Cut and The Regent Cocktail Club. “Hospitality is in my blood, and Buckhead is my life,” he says. He considers former Atlanta mayor and current Buckhead Coalition president Sam Massell a mentor, and is on the board of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau. He served as chairman of the Buckhead Hotel Council for nine years. In his spare time, he enjoys dining out and attending local events with restaurant guests. We recently spoke with Amin to learn more.
FEATURED RESTAURANTS A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead BY: Wendell
Brock, Rebecca Cha and Angela Hansberger
PHOTOS: Sara
Hanna
1KEPT KITCHEN & BAR This hidden, club-like space took over the home of old-school French restaurant Toulouse in 2013. Manned by a trio of chefs with equal authority, the collaborative kitchen strives to keep up with the contemporary culinary game. When they nail it—with the likes of pimento cheese boards, fresh seasonal salads, old-fashioned pecan pies, killer brownies and what is surely the best steak frites in town—you’ll find yourself sated and happy. Start with a classic Sazerac, then drink in the ambiance. Proprietor Thaddeus Keefe attended Buckhead’s Atlanta International School as a lad, and this is his vision of the neighborhood of today: young, prosperous and ready to embrace the good life. Salads, starters and flatbreads: $6-$14 Entrées: $20-$27 1kept.com
BIG SKY BUCKHEAD The laid-back cattle ranch decor in this West Village hotspot is the perfect foil for top-notch Tex-Mex-meets-DeepSouth eats. Specialty cocktails served up by fresh-faced mixologists combined with events such as Wednesday trivia nights, game-day viewing parties and weekend brunches with all-you-can-drink mimosas make Big Sky Buckhead a favorite urban escape.
Best-in-class dishes such as the Big Sky Nachos, Goose Island IPA wings, Original Burger and Buffalo Chicken Sandwich are good enough to brand this place in your memory forever. Good to know: Big Sky is a cashless establishment, so don’t forget your alt-currency. Also, free on-site parking spots are limited, so check the website for alternative options. Starters: $4-$12 Salads, sandwiches and tacos: $11-$13 Entrées: $15-$19 Brunch items: $12-$15 bigskybuckhead.com
BHOJANIC After a couple of meals at this North Indian restaurant in Buckhead, we’ve come to admire the flavorful, longsimmered home cooking. The samosa chat was a wonderful smash-up of potato-and-pea samosas topped with tamarind and mint chutneys and yogurt. As for the entrées, we loved the intensely flavored goat curry and wanted to sop up every drop of the gravy with rice. This second location of Archna Becker’s beloved Decatur restaurant is an appealing minimalist space, and it’s easy to get in and out and have a solid and affordable meal. Tapas and appetizers: $4-$9 Entrées: $12-$18 bhojanic.com
Made with fresh ground chuck and a branded Holeman and Finch bun, this is no ordinary burger at Big Sky Buckhead.
CO’M VIETNAMESE GRILL In a Buford Highway strip mall on the edge of Brookhaven, Co’m has been for some time now a favorite place for the vibrant, aromatic flavors of the Southeast Asian nation that owner-brothers Duc and Henry Tran once called home. While Atlanta has pho shops aplenty, the stars here are the rice and noodle dishes, which can be ordered with heavenly grilled meats, chicken or fish. The pièce de résistance, though, is the grilled grape-leaf rolls, stuffed with bits of beef, lamb, salmon, duck or tofu and doused in a pool of sweet-fishy vinaigrette and sprinkled with crushed peanuts and crispy fried scallions. Heaven! Appetizers: $3-$10 Entrées: $7-$18 comgrillrestaurant.com
ECLIPSE DI LUNA
Bhojanic’s Chicken 65 is a tasty, non-fried version of the classic.
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May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
At the tail end of Miami Circle is one of the most convivial joints in town. Head over for happy hour Monday through Thursday when most drinks and tapas are half price, and there’s live music. Yummy small plates of habanerospiced ahi tuna ceviche, smoky sundried-tomato mac and cheese (made with three different cheeses) and refreshing Granny Smith apple salad are some of our favorites. Still hun-
gry? It’s hard to pass up the succulent balsamic-y spare ribs and flavorful, crunchy calamari. If you’re with family (or a family of friends), consider the exquisite saffron-infused paella, made with authentic Calasparra rice. Tapas: $2.95-$14.95 (most in the $5-$8 range) Large plates (for two or more): $20-$24 eclipsediluna.com
F&B Like its predecessor, the much-loved former Brasserie le Coze, F&B delivers timeless Provençal fare in a classic brasserie atmosphere. The menu is bolstered by comfort dishes portioned with hunger in mind, but it’s also fortified with lighter salads, sandwiches and soups. Classics such as steak frites and skate wing with a brown butter sauce are deeply satisfying in their rustic charm. Mussels come piled high in a white wine and shallot broth, along with crusty French bread for sopping. The drink menu is built on interesting French wines and remarkable cocktails such as the well-balanced, bourbonbased Line of Destiny. Appetizers: $6-$18 Entrées: $11-$42 Desserts: $6-$8 fandbatl.net
HEARTH PIZZA TAVERN Sandy Springs is lucky to be home to Hearth Pizza Tavern, where worldclass pie is served up in a cozy corner of the Exchange at Hammond. Pizzas such as the Ring of Fire and The Cure would earn three Michelin stars if there was a pizza rating, and other menu items aren’t far behind. If you’re eating low-carb, go for the Tavern chopped salad, piled high with Italian meats and cheeses, or dig in to hot, crispy Brussels sprouts or zesty roasted cauliflower. If those don’t tempt you, then the steaming bowl of PEI mussels or an oozing, medium-rare Angus beef burger will be your best bet. Openers and salads: $6-$12 Burgers and sandwiches: $10-$12 Pizzas: $7-$19 hearthpizzatavern.com
KALEIDOSCOPE BISTRO & PUB Kaleidoscope is one of Brookhaven’s most popular watering holes. Fabulous small plates include pimento mac and cheese, roasted cauliflower seasoned with garlic and a touch of lime, and the smoked pork and pimento spring rolls. The steak frites with garlic-heavy chimichurri is exceptional, as is the poutine, a Canadian treat consisting of crisp, hand-cut fries smothered in gravy and mozzarella. Looking for somewhat lighter fare? Go for the fried chicken club salad tossed with sundried tomatoes, fresh avocado and golden chunks of bird. A table on the pet-friendly patio guarantees topnotch people-watching. Appetizers: $5-$12 Salads, pizzas and burgers: $7-$14 Mains: $13-$19 k-pub.com
SALTYARD Saltyard offers a menu of small plates with reverence for local farmers and the current growing season. Employing global imagination, it heightens these dishes with international seasonings and flavors to create worldly comfort food. With an ever-changing menu, Saltyard is never the same place twice. Rustic dishes such as crispy duck confit and super-tender grilled octopus are masterful in their simplicity and
depth of flavor. Raw and cured items such as the deconstructed salmon pastrami, while lighter, offer an equal flavor punch. This is not the place to skip the dessert course. The same amount of effort goes into the decadent chocolate nemesis with brandy cream as it does the entrées. Tapas: $5-$16 Large plates: $18-$25 saltyardatlanta.com
TAKA SUSHI AND PASSION
Its selection of local and international microbrews and bottomless mimosas at brunch make Kaleidoscope one of Brookhaven’s favorite hangouts.
Chef Taka Moriuchi learned from perhaps the most famously finicky and cult-inspiring Japanese chef Atlanta has ever known: Sotohiro Kosugi, owner of Buckhead’s legendary (but now shuttered) Soto Japanese Restaurant. Today, Moriuchi holds court at his own sushi bar, where his impeccably fresh fish and hot and cold appetizers compare to the best Japanese food in town. The only difference: His prices won’t shipwreck your budget. Among our faves, the UPS roll is a delicious nod to the Atlanta-based Big Brown fleet, and the black cod and okra tempura are packages you’ll be happy to see arrive at your table. Appetizers: $6-$20 Nigiri: $2.50-$11 Sushi rolls: $4.50-$19.50 takasushiatlanta.com
So savory and flavorful, the Georgia pecan waffles at Treehouse don’t even need syrup.
TREEHOUSE Occasionally, sitting at Treehouse feels more like a cookout. Neighbors and regulars have been coming here for the familiar comfort food and laid-back atmosphere for more than 20 years. Brunch is a big deal, with a large menu and generous portions of favorites such as the Georgia pecan waffle and Southern-style eggs Benedict covered with sausage gravy. It’s all about the patio here, and dogs are welcome guests. The chef works to enliven old favorites with as much attention to the all-American fried chicken sandwich as the New York strip au poivre. He also curates a mighty fine list of craft beers. Brunch: $8-$10 Appetizers: $3-$13 Burgers and sandwiches: $7-$10 Large plates: $17-$22 treehouseatlanta.com
Hungry for more? Visit the Simply Buckhead website to read all of our Restaurant Reviews! simplybuckhead.com
May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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E V E N T S | C H A RI TA B L E | S C E N E
SIMPLY HAPPENING
EVENTS BY:
Karon Warren
[ F E AT U R E D E V E N T ]
THE SWEET LIFE
EXPLORE A WONDERLAND OF JELLY BEANS, CANDY CORN AND MORE
or those who want to live out their own Willy Wonka fantasy, head to Candytopia at Lenox Marketplace across from Phipps Plaza. This sensory experience features more than a dozen rooms, all filled with colorful, larger-than-life interactive art installations made from licorice, Swedish Fish, chocolate truffles and all sorts of other sweets. In addition to popular attractions from exhibits previously held in other cities, this rendition includes some Atlanta-inspired elements, ranging from a Ray Charles tribute to a giant candy-coated peach. Along the
way, visitors get to sample their favorite Candytopia co-creator Jackie Sorkin (right) candies and try some new ones as shows off the sweetsthey wind through the space. Running coated giant peach through June 2, this fantastical event designed specifically for Atlanta’s event. is the brainchild of candy artist and Candy Queen TV star Jackie CANDYTOPIA Sorkin, events and production design expert Zac Hartog, and Through June 2; check retail veteran John Goodman. schedule for dates and times First introduced as a “marshmalAdults $28, children ages lowy mini theme park” in 2018 in 4-12 $20, 3 and under free Lenox Marketplace Santa Monica, California, Candy3535 Peachtree Rd. N.E. topia has now welcomed more Atlanta 30326 than half a million visitors at its candytopia.com appearances around the country.
Marcus Ingram/Getty Images for Candytopia
F
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E V E NTS
[ NAT U RE ]
Lawn Party
BUZZ
A selection of meticulously landscaped yards highlight this year’s Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour.
PARTY FOR THE PAWS May 4 puppyhavenatl.com/pftp This annual block party held on the grounds of Puppy Haven in Brookhaven raises funds for PAWS Atlanta, Georgia’s oldest no-kill shelter. In addition to being able to adopt a four-legged friend, guests can enjoy live music, a beer tent, bounce house, dunk tank, doggie costume contest and more.
ANNUAL EVENT EXPLORES NINE PRIVATE GARDENS Returning for its 35th year, the Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour continues its annual celebration with a new tour of nine private home gardens in Buckhead, Decatur and Midtown. Featuring everything from professionally designed and landscaped estates to personal “hobby” gardens, this tour is a particularly wonderful way to spend time with Mom. “Because it falls on Mother’s Day every year, we see a lot of familiar faces, as
well as new faces,” says Liza O’Hare, event co-chair along with Debbie Swann. “It gives you the opportunity to see some beautiful gardens. It’s always an exciting thing to do for Mother’s Day.” Benefiting the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the self-guided tour will take place rain or shine on May 11 and 12. Tickets are $28 in advance, $22 for Atlanta Botanical Garden members and $35 during the event. See website for a full listing of gardens.
GARDENS FOR CONNOISSEURS TOUR May 11-12, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. $22-$35 Various locations 404.876.5859 atlantabg.org
COPPÉLIA May 4-5 freshtix.com/events/biacoppelia Students from the Ballet Institute of Atlanta perform the unique comic ballet that dates back to 1870.
CONCERTS BY THE SPRINGS May 12-Sept. 8 heritagesandysprings.org/3485-2/ community-events/concerts This free concert series kicks off its 23rd season at Heritage Green on the Sandy Springs Society Entertainment Lawn. Bring your own picnic or choose tasty bites and beverages from a selection of local vendors. Remaining 2019 dates are May 12, June 9, July 14, Aug. 11 and Sept. 8.
[ N E A R BY ]
TREKLANTA
A Sunset Cruise
May 24-26 treklanta.org Get your sci-fi fix at this event at the Atlanta Marriott Buckhead for fans of classic movies and TV series such as Star Trek, Star Wars, Battlestar Galactica, Firefly and Babylon 5.
SPEND A ROMANTIC EVENING PADDLING THE CHATTAHOOCHEE If you’re looking for something fun and different to do with your significant other, head to the Chattahoochee Nature Center May 17 or May 24 for Date Night on the River. Start the evening with a picnic dinner before hitting the water for an adults-only, 2.5-hour sunset canoe paddle along the Chattahoochee. During the roundtrip journey, scout out local wildlife
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May 2019 | Simply Buckhead
with the center’s experienced naturalists. “What better way to spend an evening than taking a leisurely paddle down the Hooch?” says CNC marketing manager Jon Copsey. “Float downstream and hear the birds and river animals as they get ready for the night. It’s the perfect way to spend some time together in a peaceful setting, surrounded by nature.” The cen-
DATE NIGHT ON THE RIVER May 17 and 24, 5:30 p.m. Tickets: $35 (public) or $30 (CNC members) Chattahoochee Nature Center 9135 Willeo Rd. Roswell 30075 770.992.2055 chattnaturecenter.org
ter’s grounds open at 5:30 p.m., with the paddle starting at 6. Registration is required and must be completed by the Wednesday before each trip.
BROOKHAVEN SPRING ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL June 1-2 brookhavenartsfestival.net Always a local favorite, this free annual event showcases the wares of approximately 125 painters, photographers, jewelers, sculptors and other artisans. Other activities include artist demos, concerts and a children’s play.
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For reservations please call 404.844.4810
CH AR I TABLE
Alexa Gilomen, Terry Chandler, Annie Jorgensen
Students from Milton High School Photos: Chris Savas Photography
Mariela Romero
ARTSBRIDGE FOUNDATION OVERTURE GALA
Mike and Judy Boyce, Holly and Mike Quinlan
O
René and Barbarella Diaz
ne of the highlights of this year’s ArtsBridge Foundation Overture Gala was a surprise appearance by acclaimed singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth. Set to perform a concert later that night at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, which gala attendees each received a ticket to, Chenoweth came out in blue jeans and hair curlers and chatted up the crowd seated in the adjoining ballroom as they enjoyed the festivities and a multicourse dinner prior to her show. Also making appearances at the event were students from Clarkdale Elementary School, who played an original composition on percussion instruments, and performers from Milton High School, who sang a selection from their award-winning production of the musical Curtains. The education outreach arm of the Cobb Energy Centre, ArtsBridge holds the gala each year to raise funds for field trips, classes and more that expose students in Georgia and beyond to performances by groups such as The Atlanta Opera and Atlanta Ballet.
Michele Swann, Joanne Truffelman Mita and Samit Roy, Valerie Jackson
Kristin Chenoweth
Sarah Clay Lindvall, Audrey Durbin, Lizzy Rhodes, Kristin Chenoweth, Jennifer Dobbs, Audine Crosse
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Atlanta Pet Life atlantapetlife.com
Simply Buckhead simplybuckhead.com
P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 • 404-538-9895
CH AR I TABLE
Amanda and David Hartin
Alex Guthrie Photos: Henri Hollis
ENDURING HEARTS BOURBON GALA & AUCTION
M Bethany Chatterjee, Nick Stone, Jeff Williams
ore than 400 people gathered recently at The Stave Room at American Spirit Works for the fourth annual Bourbon Gala & Auction benefiting the Marietta-based nonprofit Enduring Hearts. Emceed by WSBTV news anchor Fred Blankenship, the event featured a performance by local singer/songwriter Alex Guthrie (whom you might recognize from his duet with Jennifer Hudson in a Nationwide Insurance commercial), whiskey and bourbon tastings, and a live auction that included a driving experience at Audi’s Circuit of the Americas track in Austin, Texas. Spurred by the speeches of two brave area pediatric heart transplant recipients, Grace Callahan and Bronco Reese, gala attendees helped raise $320,000 that will be awarded to researchers Dr. Kiran Khush of Stanford University and Dr. Shelley Miyamoto of the University of Colorado to underwrite outstanding proposals aimed at improving both the quality of life and longevity of transplant patients.
Grant Mannion, Corey Raines
Lydia Henderson, Marc Knapp
Cindy Gersch, Brittney Gray, Fred Blankenship, Teresa Pastore, Amanda Brucato
Aaron Murray, Sharon Stufken, Lauren Murray, Josh Murray, Stephen Ochs
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S C EN E
TEEN DYNAMOS These area sisters took a negative and turned it into a positive (see story on page 55). PHOTO: Sara
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Hanna
HIGHLANDS, NORTH CAROLINA
Elevated Living in Highlands Country Club No expense was spared in the quality of maing panoramic views of Satulah, Whiteside, Approximately two-and-a-half terials and craftsmanship of this gorgeous Shortoff mountains as well as Blue Valley. hours from Atlanta, this idyllic retreat and home! From the beautiful landscaping to the An custom bar in the corner of the room ofwas designed with luxurious stone porches and terrace to exquisite finishfers easy access to the kitchen. The kitchen ines, luxury greets you at every turn. The elecludes a large walk-in pantry and wood island relaxation in mind gant living room with high, coffered ceilings with seating. The spacious dining room is ide6BR/5.5BA | $5,000,000 and a stone fireplace with carved custom al for entertaining and has walls of windows mantle are reminiscent of a Scottish manor that overlook the beautiful yard and a stone house. The great room boasts a large two-story stone fireplace and ca- terrace that offers an outdoor kitchen, hidden waterfall, and another thedral wood ceiling with a custom crafted antler chandelier. A wall stone fireplace. There are two gracious master suites that include stunof stone and glass doors leads onto the covered porch that has stone ning spa-styled baths and private sitting rooms. En suite guest rooms, flooring and another floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace; it provides amaz- a bunk room for the kiddos and a theatre room complete the picture.
MeadowsMountainRealty.com | 828.526.1717 HIGHLANDS, NORTH CAROLINA: Highlands Falls CC, 2334 Cashiers Road (Hwy 64) and Downtown Highlands, 488 Main Street CASHIERS, NC: 132 Highway 107 South
Š 2019 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc. Ž Equal Housing Opportunity.
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For almost 30 years, the professionals at FirstService Residential have worked tirelessly to enhance the value of every property in the communities we manage and the lifestyle of every resident in our care. As Georgia’s leading manager of condominium and homeowners associations, we know what it takes to create great communities that residents are proud to call home. We start by putting the right teams in place – local property experts who deliver genuinely helpful service. Then we back them up with the tools and resources that only the leading property management company can provide. That’s how we make a difference, every day, for great communities like yours. To see how FirstService Residential can make a difference in your community, please contact Ashley Pafford at 404.201.6988 or visit bit.ly/BuckheadMag
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