Simply Buckhead July/August 2024

Your Guide to Living Well in Atlanta

Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Upper Westside

CARA CARA

Photos:

18: Catrina Maxwell, 26: Patrick Heagney, 64, 74: Erik Meadows

STYLISH

40 FASHION

Here Comes the Sun

Fight summer rays with Solmate’s UPF clothing

42 BEAUTY

Lash Out

A lift and tint offers low-maintenance, eye-popping results

44 WELLNESS

Shop Smart

10 healthful tips for grocery shopping

46 TASTEMAKER

Tapped In

Marie Paulic brings tapping, a unique stress-reducing tactic, to her family coaching

FAMILY

52 KIDS

Kids at Play

5 local spots to let them loose

53 PETS

Mobile Vets for Pets

Eliminating the stress of a wellness visit

54 STRATEGIES

Get Smart

Enhance your lifestyle with today’s home automation options

CULTURE

56 ON STAGE

Theater for All

Inclusivity is the hallmark of this 31-year-old Dunwoody institution

58 LITERARY

Getting Unstuck

Granddaughter of classic company founder returns to her roots

60 TASTEMAKER

For the Birds

Meet the local artist who puts a creative twist on John James

Audubon's recognizable forms

61 EVENTS

Places to go and things to do

COVER STORY

64 Rising Stars

These impressive individuals are blazing trails in 2024

DELICIOUS

74 REVIEW

Voilà Paris

Bistro Niko transports guests to the City of Light

78 DRINKS

Tropical Transport

The Mai Tai is a summer getaway in a glass

80 FOODIE JOURNAL

A New Era

The Betty's Thomas Davis chats about the eatery's refreshed identity and menus

82 TASTEMAKER

In it for the Long Haul

Meet Joseph Kahwach, the heart and soul of Basil’s Restaurant for 34 years

84 Featured Restaurants

A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead

BEHIND THE COVER

87 Charitable

Part of why we love producing the Rising Stars cover each year is getting to find a unique location. This year, our seven “stars” converged on Atlanta's Pullman Yards, a property with a long history. Built in 1904 to produce Pullman train cars, it’s now being transformed into a destination for arts, entertainment and events. We thought the industrial feel of its spaces and the fact that the property has such an enduring legacy in the city reminded us of how the Rising Stars are crafting businesses that are built to last. We partnered with savvy stylists from highend Buckhead-based retailers Poppy’s of Atlanta and Miguel Wilson Collection to dress our cover stars in fashion-forward looks. We hope you’ll agree that the effect is spectacular.

Photographer: Erik Meadows

Producer: Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Stylists: James Massey for Miguel Wilson Collection; Lindsay Wegener and Nicole Blochinger for Poppy’s of Atlanta

Makeup: Nyssa Green, The Green Room Agency

Hair: Sharonda Hogan, The Green Room Agency

For wardrobe IDs, see page 65

Special thanks to Pullman Yards for hosting us.

Editor's Letter

Atlanta is full of interesting people. Whether I’m striking up a conversation in line at the grocery store or eavesdropping at a coffee shop, the stories uncovered in our backyard never cease to amaze me. Some of the most captivating anecdotes we collect and individuals we meet often make it into our magazine, including this annual Rising Stars issue. In the pages ahead, prepare to meet a group of seven fascinating humans who are doing big things in Buckhead and beyond through their art, medical practice, restaurant, marketing firm, self-made spirits and more. From VC investor Ali Brown and self-taught artist Raymond Pickens to hardworking marketing entrepreneur Avery Schroeder, each of their paths is different, but equally admirable.

Accompanying the enthralling stories of our Rising Stars, we offer a challenge to the summer heat with Angela Hansberger’s article on refreshing Mai Tai cocktails and where to get them in our neighborhood. Lauren Finney Harden also recounts a beach babymoon to Florida’s Paradise Coast and—to balance out the cocktails and vacation—Karina Antenucci interviews an expert for tips on healthy grocery shopping.

We hope that, as you read along, you are as impressed as we are with these stories and the many others that fill our pages. Perhaps, you’ll even feel inspired to try a new restaurant, embrace a new healthy habit or strike up a conversation with someone new in your own Atlanta-area neighborhood.

Giannina S. Bedford Managing Editor

CORRECTION: In the June issue "Charitable" column, the amount of money raised at the Tasting Experience was incorrect. The amount raised was $400,000.

Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Upper Westside

P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355

simplybuckhead.com

For advertising rates, call: 404.538.9895

Joanne Hayes

Publisher and Founder

Sonny Hayes

Chief Financial Officer

EDITORIAL

Giannina S. Bedford

Managing Editor

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Senior Contributing Editor

Alan Platten

Creative Director

H.M. Cauley

Copy Editor

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Karina Antenucci

Chelsie Butler

H.M. Cauley

Carly Cooper

Emily L. Foley

Lauren Finney Harden

Mickey Goodman

Angela Hansberger

Michael Jacobs

Nicole Letts

Amy Meadows

Hope S. Philbrick

Ashton Pike

Claire Ruhlin

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Patrick Heagney

Catrina Maxwell

Erik Meadows

Joann Vitelli

SALES & ADVERTISING

Layal Akkad

Graphic Designer

DIGITAL

BHG Digital

Website Development Management

Mike Jose

Director of Audience Development

LEGAL

Scott I. Zucker

Legal Counsel

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR

Patrick Heagney

Patrick Heagney is an architectural interiors and lifestyle photographer based in Atlanta. During his more than 20 years in the industry, he’s shot hundreds of projects, from the largest private home in Georgia to the smallest church in the country, as well as the interiors of private jets, restaurants, waterfront Miami mansions and an erotica store on Cheshire Bridge Road. His work can be seen in advertising campaigns and editorial stories for clients like Truist, Tom Ford, Four Seasons Hotels, Architectural Digest, Luxe and more. You can see his work at ph-places.com

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 © 2024 by Simply Buckhead All rights reserved.

Printed by Walton Press, Inc. Distributed by Distributech and Distribution Services Group.

Sara Hanna

UP FRONT

Living The Life: Kara Brown Page 18

“There’s nothing like walking off the boat, a little exhausted in the best way possible from the sun and the sand, knowing you’ve made memories together.” — Kara Brown

Kara Brown found a way for her family to get out on the water with Freedom Boat Club.

PHOTO: Catrina Maxwell

Know-how

that says no challenge is too big.

Our commercial bankers are game changers with credit facilities

Commercial & Spe cialty Lending

Commercial Real Estate

Treasury Management to meet top-tier capital needs. But, we also bring market-specific

know-how an d loca l decisioning . So, your proj ect g ets a hometown – and home team – advantage.

BY Nicole Letts

Katherine and Jay Wolf recently opened a new coffee shop in Buckhead, Mend. The restaurant aims to be accessible for various abilities.

ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL

Buckhead residents Katherine and Jay Wolf are not scared of a challenge. Their determination is a result of Katherine’s life-altering brain stem stroke in April 2008. Despite the incredible obstacle, Katherine has beaten all odds to become an entrepreneur, speaker, author and now coffee shop owner alongside her husband. Mend, the couple’s flagship shop at Tuxedo Square, is the first of its kind

in Atlanta designed to cater to clients with varying abilities. To the naked eye, the shop is a well-appointed eatery. For the cognoscente, however, there is more at work.

Coffee grinder and background chatter noise is lessened thanks to sound-reducing panels on the walls and ceilings. Custom tables feature knobs that allow them to swivel up and down for those with wheelchairs. Floor-to-ceiling curtains are available

to close off sections of the shop for those who are overstimulated. Bathroom mirrors are tilted downward for wheelchair users, and an adult changing table is set up for those seeking dignified refreshing. “We believe it’s possible to create universally designed spaces that are beautiful and not sterile and medical,” Jay says.

Mend also employs people of all abilities. “We hope that we will be the gold standard for an integrated

employment model for business,” Jay says. The shop serves Bellwood Coffee and pastries from The Buttery ATL, Katherine’s favorite local bakery. In addition to the coffee shop, a small retail component is within the space. Guests can find small gifts, home decor and the Wolfs' three books. n

New Home for High Country Outfitters

Outdoor lifestyle retailer High Country Outfitters recently announced plans to open in the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center. The business has served Atlanta for more than four decades and has eight locations, including Athens and Peachtree City. Located in the former PetPeople space between Richards Variety Store and Gramercy Fine Linens & Furnishings, the family-owned and operated outdoor lifestyle retailer

will offer an expansive selection of products from brands such as Patagonia, Vuori, On Running and Hoka in a commodious area. “We're excited to join the Peachtree Battle Shopping Center because many of our customers have been asking for a more convenient location,” says Charlotte Fiveash, the company’s social media and marketing manager. The new Buckhead shop will be High Country Outfitters' second intown outpost. highcountryoutfitters.com @highcountryoutfitters

Fool Proof

Proof of the Pudding, one of Atlanta's leading caterers for more than 45 years, has secured a long-term lease for a 10,000-square-foot event venue atop 8West, a 200,000-squarefoot office and mixed-use space. Situated in West Midtown at the intersection of Eighth Street and Howell Mill Road, the venue boasts sweeping skyline views and room for 260 seated guests or 350 for receptions. The new venue, name TBD, is set to open in fall 2024 for

corporate events, weddings and private gatherings. The event space joins the company’s robust venue portfolio including locations at Westside Paper and Buckhead Theatre. proofpudding.com • @proofthepudding

Gathering Space

This spring the city of Dunwoody unveiled a new creative meeting and event space at the Spruill Center for the Arts. The Community Room offers 874 square feet of multipurpose space with expansive windows and

two roll-up garage doors that open to a walkway for maximum versatility. Up a flight of stairs or an access ramp is an open courtyard with a covered stage for performances and presentations, and a fully equipped catering kitchen. According to Operations Manager Joshua Morgan, the room is industrial chic and features modern barn doors as well as black trim throughout. Rental rates range from $600 to $3,600 with discounts for nonprofits. spruillarts.org • @spruillarts

BY Mickey Goodman

Earning While Learning

Green job training

Conservation and Education

Scholarships for sanctuary workers’ kids

Kerry Stumpe, co-founder of Children of Conservation, was told ahead of time that he was going to receive an award during the Jane Goodall Institute’s 25th Anniversary Gala in Kampala, Uganda. But he had no idea it would be the prestigious Ngamba Island Sanctuary’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his conservation work over the last 20 years.

The mission of MOBU Enterprises Foundation is two-fold: to train veterans, formerly incarcerated people and legal immigrants for high paying jobs in the green construction industry and to turn forgotten shipping containers into attractive contemporary homes and commercial structures.

“The three populations have similar challenges of trying to fit into society,” says co-founder Jessica Lewis. “Military personnel often have difficulty re-entering the civilian world where, sadly, they are not always welcomed. Formerly incarcerated people want to earn a living and support themselves so they can remain out of prison, and immigrants (with Green Cards) are trying to understand our culture and figure out how they fit in.”

MOBU Enterprises on the Upper West Side of Atlanta launched its

nonprofit three years ago and began partnering with the Georgia Department of Corrections, veterans’ programs and organizations that support immigrants. The groups forward lists of people who already have some skill sets in the industry so they can be assessed.

Participants are paid at least $15 per hour and start on a career track that can include attendance at a trade school and mentoring by industry professionals. For those wanting to become entrepreneurs, MOBU helps secure their LLCs.

With the completion of a new warehouse, Lewis and co-founder Ibrahim Smith will soon be able to work with 200 students on prefabricated structures inside the building, then installing them on site in less than a month’s time.

MOBU ENTERPRISES FOUNDATION mobufoundation.org @mobu_enterprises_foundation

Early Diagnosis is Key Creating awareness

A picture of Executive Director Doug Barron’s mother-in-law sits on his desk at the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance office in Sandy Springs. Underneath it says, “If only we knew,” a reference to her untimely death from the disease because the diagnosis came too late.

“It was a great honor,” says the Buckhead resident who is senior manager of national licensing and permits at Taylor English Duma LLP. “I’ve met Dr. Goodall on several occasions but never had a chance to talk with her at length. We laughed so much that my wife, Michele, teased that she had trouble getting a good photo.”

Stumpe and Michele, a partner at the law firm, co-founded Children of Conservation to protect and conserve endangered species through habitat preservation, sanctuary support and education in five African countries where school is not free. Ten years ago, they began providing scholarships to the children of frontline sanctuary workers. “They allow kids to attend school, incentivize their parents to remain on the job and elevate the status of conservation work,”

Stumpe says. “About 500 children participate every year, and recently, we completed building our second school in Zambia. We also work with anti-poaching groups to help them understand that protecting the animals brings tourist dollars.”

CHILDREN OF CONSERVATION childrenofconservation.org @childrenofconservation

“There’s no test or vaccine for ovarian cancer like the Pap test for cervical cancer, and the symptoms— repeated urinary tract infections, fatigue, bloating—are so similar to those frequently experienced by women that cancer is at the bottom of the doctor’s list,” says Barron whose mother-in-law had symptoms for several years. “At Stage 4, when most of the cases are finally diagnosed, the survival rate is only 20%. Our objective is to create awareness and get women diagnosed and into treatment at the early stages to give them a fighting chance.”

In March, GOCA held its annual Shaken, Not Stirred Gala at the Georgia Aquarium with more than 400 in attendance. The event raised $295,000 to further increase exposure throughout the state to

encourage women to question their doctors when other treatments fail. One of the organization’s biggest supporters is Les Dames d’Escoffier, women in culinary professions who prepared the meal.

“They lost a founding member to ovarian cancer, and we named an award in her honor,” says Barron.

GEORGIA OVARIAN CANCER ALLIANCE caovariancancer.org • @gaovariancancer.org

Dr. Jane Goodall congratulates Kerry Stumpe on receiving the Ngamba Island Lifetime Achievement Award.

Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance Executive Director Doug Barron poses with Barb Pires of Les Dames d'Escoffier at the annual gala.

Co-founder Jessica Lewis is hands on at MOBU Enterprises Foundation.

KARA BROWN

Supply chain entrepreneur never misses the boat as a member of Freedom Boat Club

As told to Amy Meadows PHOTOS: Catrina Maxwell

There’s nothing like getting up early on a Saturday morning and getting out on Lake Lanier. If it’s early enough, the water is crystal clear, like glass. It’s so beautiful and peaceful. That’s the pro tip: Arrive at Lake Lanier as early as possible before everyone else gets there.

My husband, Eric, and I learned that when we joined Freedom Boat Club in 2017. We had moved our family from Chicago to Atlanta the year prior, and he made me promise him one thing: that I would find a way to give him access to the water. We both grew up in the Midwest, and we had lots of fun and made lots of memories on boats as kids. He also sailed when he was younger. So when we arrived in Atlanta, where we’ve settled on the Westside, right away we started looking for an option that would be economical and allow us to enjoy motored boats without all of the maintenance that’s associated with owning them. As they say, the day you buy a boat is the day you start losing money. But we had to find a way to get on the water, and an annual club membership—through which you pay a monthly fee and never pay any usage fees beyond the fuel you use—lets us just choose a boat and spend a day on the water.

The best thing about being out on a boat is that you have to put your phone away and can just spend time together as a family. You get away from all of those daily distractions. There will always be another load of laundry to do or another device grabbing your attention. I’m an entrepreneur—the CEO of Lead Coverage and a supply chain consultant—so getting away from the screen to be with my family is very important to me. It fills

Brown has a need for speed when she’s out on Lake Lanier.

my cup. It’s wholesome and rejuvenating. There’s nothing like walking off the boat, a little exhausted in the best way possible from the sun and the sand, knowing that you’ve made memories together. Boating allows me to give my daughters, who are 10 and 11, important skills. It builds confidence, and they are true boaters. They feel so confident when we have friends on the boat because they understand the basics. They speak the boating language; they understand everything about safety, which we are very committed to; and they have learned how not to be afraid of something like being on the water. I want them to have that confidence. As a female entrepreneur, I often do things that other people don’t do. That’s par for the course for me, and I want that for my girls as well.

It’s also great to be able to take my girlfriends out on the water. In fact, spending a day out on the lake whenever we can has become a cherished ritual during the summertime. Instead of getting together for brunch, we’ll hop in the car with the top down, roll up to Lake Lanier and take the boat out for a morning. It’s such a fun way to spend a day. And while Freedom Boat Club gives us access to several types, my preference is the Bayliner speedboat. I like to go fast, find a good spot to drop anchor, jump in the water and spend time relaxing on a float or tube. It’s so important to have that time away. When we go to the lake, we go to Bald Ridge Marina, which is the farthest dock south on Lanier. I love the fact that I can get up in the morning and be at the dock in 40

minutes. I can be on a boat, hand it back to the dock crew at the end of the day and head home tired, happy and rejuvenated. That is worth getting out of bed on a Saturday morning. n

Getting on the water often is important to Brown, a busy wife, mother and entrepreneur.

Kara

One Last Summer ($29)

Available at Barnes & Noble and on Kindle as of June, One Last Summer is the latest release from Forever35 podcast host and author Kate Spencer. The story follows Clara Millen, whose chaotic career spiral and single status have her in dire need of a weekend with her closest friends. But what was meant to be a getaway with the girls turns into a mission to save their childhood camp from closure—and a chance to kindle a campfire flame with her old rival, Mack.

The Summer Pact ($30)

The newest tome from Atlanta’s own No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Giffin, The Summer Pact hits shelves July 9. It explores a decades-spanning friendship among four young women who meet during their freshman year of college. Whether you’re sitting poolside or seaside, Giffin’s page-turning prose promises— as usual—to leave you shedding happy tears.

The Paradise Problem ($28.99)

Released in May just in time to pack in our suitcase, The Paradise Problem by New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren recounts the faux love affair between Anna Green and Liam Weston, who reconnect post-divorce and fake their marriage to claim a massive $100 million inheritance from Weston’s family.

Summer Reading

Like cocktails on a patio or hot dogs at an Atlanta Braves game, modern romance novels are just better at the beach. Consider this your short list of new books to pack in your beach bag this summer. STORY: Ashton Pike

Summer

Romance ($19)

A lesson in “when life gives you lemons,” this tried-and-true beach read from Annabel Monaghan dropped in June. The heartfelt storyline follows the life of a divorcée/single mom/ full-time professional organizer, Ali. While walking her dog one day, she finds herself apologizing profusely to the man her dog decided to pee on (you read that right). And so enters Ethan, who is, of course, the soon-to-be subject of her new summer romance.

This Summer Will Be Different ($19)

All books available at: Barnes & Noble

770.396.1200 (Perimeter)

404.261.7747 (Buckhead) barnesandnoble.com @barnesandnoble

This Summer Will Be Different was released in May and marks the newest novel from Carley Fortune, author of the 2022 New York Times bestseller Every Summer After. Set on Canada’s Prince Edward Island, Fortune’s captivating story leads vacationing tourist Lucy to meet a local, Felix, with whom she has undeniable chemistry. The downside? He’s her best friend’s younger brother (oops!). As Lucy returns to the island with her aforementioned bestie, Bridget, every year, she’s challenged to decide between following her heart or her head.

Funny Story ($29)

Named a “Most Anticipated Book of 2024” by TIME The New York Times and Goodreads, among many other notable outlets, Emily Henry’s latest chart-topper made its debut in late April. Not your typical love-triangle tome, Funny Story is an account of the messy meet-cute between Daphne, recently separated from her fiancé since he fell in love with her best friend, Petra, and Petra’s ex-beau, Miles. After all, summer is the perfect time to fall in love with your ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex. With this spicy storyline, we assure you won’t be able to put it down until all 400 pages are turned.

WEST COAST WANDERING

A

quick weekend getaway to Florida’s Paradise Coast satisfies STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

Ihave fond memories of a family trip to Sanibel and Captiva Islands on the west coast of Florida, but that was about 20 years ago. The area is known for its family-friendly activities, stunning beaches and abundance of seashells. Plus it’s just a quick 1.5-hour flight from Atlanta to Southwest

Florida International Airport. In the third trimester of my second pregnancy, it occurred to me one night during a bout of insomnia that this part of Florida, also known as Paradise Coast, would make the perfect babymoon destination. I had loved the peaceful easiness of that long-ago family vacation, and

replicating it for a few days of rest before my new arrival sounded like the perfect way to celebrate.

There are lots of luxury hotels to choose from in the area, but I had my eye on one from the getgo: the JW Marriott Marco Island. Originally built in 1965 as a 50room hotel, it has grown to be one of the area’s premier accommodations, evolving through several iterations and additions. Now it stands at over 800 rooms, most with a view of the Gulf of Mexico.

We arrived at Marco Island after a meandering trip through Naples and pulled into the driveway, pleased to see that the hotel retained much of the original Balinese-inspired charm. The entrance had a grand water feature, and the two-story-high lobby gave way to sweeping views of one of the pools and the ocean beyond.

In recent years, the hotel has undergone a $320 million renovation. This included the 2019 opening of a 94-room, adults-only tower called Paradise by Sirene, the place we called home for two days. It features a separate check-in suite, dedicated staff and access to the rest of the property.

I couldn’t help but think that this would have been heaven for our 3-year-old, but we were happy to be sequestered in Paradise by Sirene and have the use of the exclusive

MORE THINGS TO DO ON FLORIDA’S PARADISE COAST

n Visit Celebration Park, a food truck park on the water. celebrationparknaples.com

n Explore Naples Botanical Garden’s 170 acres. naplesgarden.org

n Stroll 5th Avenue, stopping for an authentic Italian lunch at Molto and highend women’s finds at Marissa Collections. moltonaples.com • marissacollections.com

pool, beach umbrellas and more. Everything in the tower was accessible via a digital wristband, making it effortless to travel around the property without a key or wallet.

I’m not an “at rest” kind of person on vacation, but this pregnancy had forced me to slow down, and the Marriott had enough to keep us busy without leaving the property. The only thing on the agenda was to enjoy each other’s company and the beach views, which we did happily over meals at Quinn’s on the Beach and Tesoro, the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant at Paradise by Sirene, accessible to anyone on the property. (Tip: Get a sunset reservation at each, especially at Quinn’s, where the fire show starts at sundown.) There are 12 dining establishments at the property in total. Additional standouts for an adults-focused trip include 10K Alley, a state-of-the-art arcade and gastropub, and Ario, a fine-dining steakhouse.

I had a prenatal massage at the sprawling, 24,000-square-foot Spa by JW and enjoyed using the private pool there while my husband braved the cold plunge pool. We bounced between the breezy fifthfloor Sirene pool and the private beach club, sipping virgin daiquiris and indulging in books we had previously abandoned. A few beach walks and lounge chair naps later, we were ready to head home. n

The JW Marriott Marco Island offers access to pristine waters and southwest Florida's famous shell-filled beaches.

Rooms at the adults-only Paradise by Sirene tower at JW Marriott Marco Island overlook the Gulf.

The Marcia and L. Bates Lea Asian Garden at Naples Botanical Garden

Dance classes for all ages, interests and experience levels. Classes available at three studio locations.

Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre in West Midtown 404-873-5811 x1225 | kcooper@atlantaballet.com

Buckhead Centre at Chastain Square 404-303-1501 | abearden@atlantaballet.com

Virginia-Highland Centre at Amsterdam Walk 404-883-2178 | asuta@atlantaballet.com

September 13–15, 2024 Cobb Energy Centre

A

Playful twists. Swaying hips. Breathtaking leaps.

FEATURING

Tu Tu by Stanton Welch Music by Maurice Ravel

Elemental Brubeck by Lar Lubovitch Music by Dave Brubeck

World Premiere by Kiyon Ross

Erica Alvarado and Sergio Masero in Tu Tu. Photo by Kim Kenney.

Dylan Moore and Sandra Woodall

The Carlos Family Presents

Broadway Getaway

NYC shows take center stage

STORY: H.M. Cauley

Igrew up on a steady diet of Broadway musicals. Every birthday and Christmas meant a new cast album was added to my growing collection of vinyl LPs, which lives now in the back of a coat closet, having been replaced by tapes, then CDs and now streaming services. Classics such as My Fair Lady, Oklahoma! and Camelot became the soundtrack for my kids’ youth as well, and unlike tykes who may roll their eyes at Mom’s music, my kids embraced it. And we’ve kept up with the times,

Hamilton and even Shrek. Our latest fascination is with Six, the story of Henry VIII’s wives. So, when my birthday rolled around, it was the perfect excuse for a Broadway getaway.

A three-day New York excursion came together quickly. We researched hotels near the theater district and discovered the Civilian. Built in 2021 from the ground up, the 27-story, 203-room property on West 48th looks like it’s been there for decades, with exposed brick walls, an intimate restaurant, a rooftop bar and archival photographs of Broadway’s glitterati throughout. The amenities are thoroughly modern; the heated tiled bathroom floor and electronic

The Civilian’s central location puts it a few blocks from multiple theaters, including the Broadway, Gershwin, Lena Horne and Music Box. It’s a 10-minute walk to Radio City Music Hall, 15 to Carnegie Hall and 20 to Lincoln Center.

Our first night, we picked up last-minute, front-row seats to Perfect Crime at The Theater Center. We were wooed by the promotion of it being “New York’s longest-running play” and a “sexy, funny, fastpaced thriller.” We couldn’t verify what yard stick was used to measure the “longest-running” claim, but it was definitely fast-paced and not funny. But it was live theater, and being within arms’ length of the actors made it fun.

Our second day kicked off with a classically gigantic breakfast at the Carnegie Diner, where plates of pancakes topped with apples and caramel sauce could double as a pie, and the bagels were crunchy, creamcheese schmeared perfection. The oversized portions held us through the next five hours when we sat in the special collections room at the Public Library for the Performing Arts. The Lincoln Center branch houses recorded performances of most major Broadway shows. Signing up for a free

library card and making a reservation got us a private viewing, albeit on an oversized monitor, of The Phantom of the Opera with Tony-award winner Michael Crawford. The recording joined the archives last fall when the show closed after 35 years. We could have spent the day watching other productions, but we opted to explore the Lincoln Center area and enjoy croissants and tea at Le Pain Quotidien, a French cafe, before changing for our evening outing.

The theater district is awash with restaurants offering prix-fixe, pre-curtain menus. That’s the entire selection at Le Rivage, a French eatery with extensive options in each course offering. We savored seafood bisque and a baked seafood crepe to start, moved on to boeuf Bourguignon and coq au vin for mains and finished with molten chocolate cakes.

Our second-row seats to Six were the trip’s highlight. We capped off our last day with brunch at The Russian Tea Room, where the cherry-cheese blintzes have been the menu stars since 1927. Alas, our schedule didn’t allow for one more show before leaving town.

While Atlanta is fortunate to have touring productions of the most popular shows, it’s not quite the same as leaving a theater and having Broadway, Times Square and the glittering New York skyline as the backdrop. And no one looks at you twice if you’re singing and high-kicking it down the street. n

Above and left: New York's theater district boasts musicals and plays within easy walking distance of each other.

Six, the musical about Henry VIII's wives, turns history into a rock concert.

Product provided courtesy of Jim Thompson, Palecek, Paul +, Stark, and UpCountry Home

Navid Derakhshan is founder and CEO of Outdoor Makeovers & Living Spaces.

Ambitions Alfresco

NAVID DERAKHSHAN’S SANDY SPRINGS HOME PRIORITIZES REST AND RELAXATION

Navid Derakhshan knows the best of the best when it comes to backyard design. As the founder and CEO of landscape design and build company Outdoor Makeovers & Living Spaces, he’s outfitted alfresco spaces for clients across Atlanta. So when it came to

planning the layout and amenities of his own outdoor living space, he didn’t miss a detail, creating a sanctuary that prioritizes family time and entertainment for people of all ages.

“We have two kids and wanted a place we could retreat to. All it takes is 15 stairs off the main living space to get to it,” Derakhshan says. ➥

STORY: Giannina S. Bedford

PHOTOS: Patrick Heagney

“We have two kids and wanted a place we could retreat to.”

—Navid Derakhshan

The backyard, completed in 2023, can be accessed via a screened-in porch, bottom-level basement or a walkway of square stepping stones that meander through a modern, Japanese-influenced gate around the side of Derakhshan’s home. The pathway is bordered by landscaping placed for aesthetics

“We chose a variety of plants,

including camellias, muhly grass, hydrangeas and gardenias, to create a lush and vibrant environment,”

Derakhshan says. “These specific plants not only add beauty but also serve practical purposes like providing privacy from our neighbors and concealing the air conditioning units. The potted plants and Mexican beach pebbles add texture and a touch of elegance, enhancing the overall aesthetic of the space.”

From the side gate access, stepping stones lead to nine stone steps going down to the main backyard

The backyard features various walking paths leading from one gathering spot to another.

Quaint walkways are surrounded by various ground coverings, from pebbles to vegetation.

space. For a bit of fun, visitors can also skip the steps and get a thrill descending via a parallel slide. At the bottom is a golf putting green with a practice net, surrounded by a 3-foot stacked stone wall.

“The wall is countertop height so you can have drinks and snacks everywhere,” Derakhshan says.

A few steps away is a massive outdoor fireplace with a stone patio furnished in black Adirondack

chairs and circular side tables, all set atop artificial turf.

“We love to hang out in front of the fireplace with friends after the kids are in bed,” Derakhshan says. “And the patio stones are flush with the turf to give a nice flat area for kids to play when we move the chairs.”

Derakhshan's 3-year-old son loves to burn off energy on the modernly designed outdoor playset; an aluminum Ping-Pong table comes

in handy during parties. “The table is outdoor rated to stay out in the elements,” Derakhshan says. “We also serve food on it when we have birthday parties and gatherings.”

Part of Derakhshan’s vision for the backyard was to change out landscaping seasonally. Planters and a water feature with stone walls accompany linear gas fire elements, adding to the ambiance. Hidden among all of this is a state-of-the-

art Bluetooth sound system, irrigation and a misting infrastructure to keep bugs away.

“At night, the lit waterfall [bordered by stepping stones and stairs] guides you through three levels of cascading water, creating a soothing soundscape as you enter the backyard,” he says. “The fenced area allows us to let the kids play freely without worry.”

When not outdoors, the

Right: A network of waterfalls amidst planters offers a soothing soundtrack day and night.

Above: The backyard design blends seamlessly with the home's modern brick and stone exterior.

Below: The outdoor fireplace creates a welcoming spot for conversation atop square patio stones.

Navid Derakhshan’s Top 3 Must-Have Elements for a FamilyFriendly Backyard Space

1. Safety and privacy. “A fenced area is crucial for letting kids play freely without constant supervision, ensuring they’re safe while enjoying the outdoors.”

2. Versatile play areas. “Add elements like slides, putting greens or spacious turf areas that can be adapted for various activities and age groups.”

3. Functional and aesthetic landscaping. “Choose plants and design features that provide beauty and privacy, and consider seasonal changes to keep the space dynamic and engaging.”

Derakhshans often host family and friends in the first-floor basement they completed in 2022. Accessible through sliding glass doors from the backyard, the all-ages entertaining space boasts a full kitchen with a bar, Caracole dining table and RH-furnished living space facing an 85-inch television. The television hangs on

a black tile wall, centered over a gas-lit fire feature.

The basement is also wellequipped with all kinds of diversions, from a basketball toss arcade game and foosball to a pool table. The most noticeable feature, however, is the wall mural showcasing a panoramic image of Yosemite.

“Our hikes and memories at Yosemite are cherished, making it a special addition to our home,” Derakhshan says.

When it’s time to cook, the Derakhshans have several options outside from their main kitchen. There is the basement’s secondary kitchen as well as an outdoor cooking space

Take your pick of a smoker, gas grill or hibachi on Derakhshan's outdoor kitchen.

Courtesy of Outdoor Makeovers & Living Spaces

A chic playset and outdoor PingPong table offer diversions for the young and old.

With its spaces for fun and lounging, the Derakhshans' backyard checks all the boxes.

off the screened porch equipped with a smoker, gas grill and hibachi. Derakhshan also added a pizza oven on the patio outside the basement.

“With an outdoor kitchen upstairs and a pizza oven downstairs, we can effortlessly host,” Derakhshan says. “Pizza nights are convenient, with minimal prep and cleanup required.”

Now that the Derakhshans’ indoor and outdoor retreats are complete, they are savoring

each opportunity to enjoy them with the people they love.

“We couldn’t be happier with our outdoor oasis. We use it almost daily, whether it’s for family dinners, entertaining friends or simply relaxing,” he says. “The space truly enhances our quality of life.” n

Right: The screened-in porch on the second level is one of the many seating areas to choose from.

Below: A wall mural featuring Yosemite is the backdrop to pool and foosball in the basement.

Above: The basement's living area faces a statement television wall of black tile.

The basement bar is actually a full-sized kitchen with all the appliances needed to cook up a feast.

BULLETIN BOARD

BY Giannina S. Bedford

HISTORIC TRANSFORMATION

East Lake Golf Club debuts its recent refresh

Celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2023, East Lake Golf Club is getting ready to debut its new look just in time for the 2024 TOUR Championship Aug. 28–Sept. 1. The historic golf destination hadn't undergone significant updates since 1994.

“There is a desire to return the course to its golden age and its Donald Ross design roots,” says Alex Urban, the upcoming tournament’s executive director. “Course architect Andrew Green and East Lake leadership used an old aerial

photograph from the 1940s as a north star for the project, helping inform changes to greens, bunkers and overall hole design.”

The renovation also includes an upgraded hospitality option, The Georgian, that features all-inclusive food and beverage, climate-controlled seating and an expansive patio with views overlooking holes 8 and 9. It also offers views of the No. 1 tee and the East Lake clubhouse.

“The entire property will be

DESIGN & REALTY NEWS

n Don’t miss ADAC’s fall sample sale taking place Aug. 21-23. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the event is open to the public and full of discounts on high-end design wares from furniture to decor. adacatlanta.com • @adacatlanta

n Congratulations to the winners of ADAC’s 2024 Southeast Designers and Architect of the Year Awards who were announced at an April gala at Atlanta History Center. Atlanta’s TS Adams Studio Architects was honored in the Architect category; Tampa-based Casper and Jordan Winston of Oxford Design in Contract Design; and West Point, Georgia’s David Frazier in Residential Design. The three winners were narrowed down from 26 finalists across four states. Honorees were selected by a panel of industry experts

Timothy S. Adams,

founding partner of TS Adams Studio Architects

of the course. Every green has been reshaped, many of the holes have added movement off the tees or on

including VERANDA Executive Editor Ellen McGauley, Corey

Damen Jenkins & Associates

Founder and Principal Corey

Damen Jenkins, and Schafer Buccellato Architects Partner Aimee Buccellato.

The Warehouse, a new contemporary art space, is open on Atlanta’s Westside. The modern space features the private

beachy look works in a sunroom, kitchen or a bedroom looking to embrace a casual feminine touch. Available for $3,200 at Marguerites on Dresden. margueritesondresden.com

the approaches, and bunkers have been reshaped,” Urban says. “As a result, we've been able to offer our fans and local businesses new hospitality venues, such as The Georgian at the heart of the course, while also enhancing our current hospitality offerings.” n

EAST LAKE GOLF CLUB eastlakegolfclub.com • @eastlakegc

collection of Atlanta home builder John Wieland and his late wife, Sue, with all works relating to the themes of house and home.

More than 400 pieces by 250 national and international artists can be seen in nearly all mediums, including painting, photography, works on paper, sculpture, installation art, ceramics, textile art and video/film. Notable pieces include Vito Acconci’s Bad Dream House II, Robert Gober’s Half Stone House, Do Ho Suh’s Main Entrance, 388 Benefit Street, Providence, RI 02903, USA, and Thomas Demand’s Backyard. The Warehouse is open the second Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. by reservation only, and admission is free. thewarehouse.org

n Atlanta-based residential architecture firm Norman Davenport Askins recently announced that Geoffrey Yovanovic will join the eponymous founder as a partner.

Under this joint leadership, the firm will continue promoting classical architecture and timeless traditional design in historic preservation, restoration and new residential projects.  Norman Askins has been the sole proprietor of his firm since its founding in 1977 and considers this partnership part of the company’s “next generation plan.” Yovanovic, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, has worked with Askins for more than eight years. normanaskins.com

Clara Chambers

Courtesy of Made Goods

Above: The Georgian is one of East Lake's newest hospitality offerings.

Patina Metals Wallcovering in Blue Steel (price upon request) There’s a way to combine visual interest with a sense of serenity in one piece: Phillip Jeffries’ striking Patina Metals Wallcovering in Blue Steel. Crafted by artisans, the metallic leaf is distressed just so, giving each piece its patinaed look. If you’re worried about having it in high-traffic or eating areas, don’t be; each wallcovering has a stain-repellent finish.

Phillip Jeffries • phillipjeffries.com • @phillipjeffriesltd

Out of the Blue

Blue may not be the most groundbreaking hue, but it’s having a resurgence thanks to its calming and serene properties tied to nature. It can also spark creativity and conversation, especially when shifted towards more eclectic and modern styles. If you’re ready to have the color pop in unexpected ways, here are pieces with varying shades to consider.

STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

Leela Throw Pillow ($185)

Buckhead-based textile company Fairhaven Circle brings the traditional feel of Indian bhandani tie-dye to a Rajasthani lehenga in a south Indian textile mashup. The navy foreground is a perfect slate for the pillow’s taupe and mustard floral motif, amplified by French knots to bring dimension. The 18-by-18-inch pillows are hand-embroidered by artisans in India and showcase variations that add to their uniqueness. They come with oversized down inserts so you can have them on your couch, chair or bed immediately.

Fairhaven Circle • fairhavencircle.com • @fairhavencircle

The Rug Company Sonic Wave Rug (from $6,000)

Lauded interior designer Ken Fulk created the Sonic Wave rug for The Rug Company, bringing together the best in functionality and beauty. The cut-pile rug is made from hand-knotted wool and silk, and features an organic wave design around the perimeter. It comes in sizes 4-by-6 feet up to 18-by-12 feet, with custom sizing available for larger or hard-to-fit rooms. Check out the Nepalese craftsmanship in person at the brand’s ADAC showroom. The Rug Company • therugcompany.com @therugcompany

Hank Tufted Light Blue Velvet Dining Chair ($449)

Blue has often been relegated to the walls and draperies in dining rooms, but give your entertaining space an unexpected twist with this stunning dining chair. Designed by SCAD graduate Caleb Zipperer, it references Italian midcentury design with modern updates such as soft blue velvet, blind-tufted cushions and a gentle curve to the seat. Bonus: The solid wood frame is certified sustainable. CB2 • cb2.com • @cb2

Eos Swivel Chair (from $1,599)

Cozy up in an oversized chair while indulging in a movie or favorite novel. The Eos Swivel Chair from Room & Board is big enough to fit two people, but you might not want to share. Deep and plush, the chair moves 360 degrees. It’s made in North Carolina and comes in 220-plus fabric options, including more than 50 shades of blue. Room & Board • roomandbboard.com @roomandboard

New Brand on the Block

Two friends launch Block Betty Collection in Buckhead STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

Buckhead-based friends

Annie Griffin and Chrissie Henritze have been in the same social circle for years but never considered going into business together until they had the idea to start a block-printed textile brand. Henritze, who has a landscape architecture and residential design background, and Griffin, who comes from the fashion industry, sat around a few years ago, chatting about how much the world had changed. “We talked about how the pandemic brought people back into their homes, and there was more entertaining at home. We thought it would be a good time to launch a business,” Henritze says. Block Betty Collection, a line of block-printed home accessories, was founded in 2022. Here, the friends share more about their enterprise.

How has your past work experience helped you with the Block Betty Collection?

AG: The clothing business I had with my sister years ago helped shape my understanding of entrepreneurship. We’re applying those lessons here by keeping things simple and embracing organic growth. By selling directly to our customers, we get to know them better and understand their needs more. The home linens industry moves at a slower pace than fashion; we are focusing on designing only one to two collections a year. It aligns with our lifestyles as busy moms.

How did you decide to focus on block prints?

CH: Annie and I have always talked about how much we love block printing, an ancient technique using carved blocks. In India, they

paint the blocks and stamp them down. It’s been cool to work with this process but to modernize it. We work with a vendor who has had some of these blocks for years. They create unique colors through vegetable dye.

AG: We pick the prints, the colors and the borders. It’s been a lot of Zoom meetings and a learning process for us. We’re excited about having found a manufacturer whose mission and values align with ours.

How are you getting the word out about the brand?

CH: We’re doing pop-ups around town and selling it on our website. Our pop-ups have been in residential homes, at Gramercy and Lucy’s Market. We’ve even had one at Veronica Beard in the Buckhead Village District. We plan on getting into retail stores soon. We want to take the process slow to make sure we do it by our standards.

How do you envision people using these pieces?

AG: We love the idea of an inviting and comfortable home, and our products [tablecloths, napkins, bedding] are more casual comfort. You can dress them up if you want to. The bedding is great in kids’ rooms or dorm rooms, or you can even use them as throw blankets on the end of a bed. We like that it’s stylish and elevated.

CH: Our tabletop linens are comfortable, welcoming and elevated. Fellowship and community are important to us, so we want to make it easy to bring people together. We’ve mixed it with elegant china in a formal dining room and used it in an outdoor picnic with paper plates. We love that they also make wonderful hostess gifts. We’re working on a new tabletop collection that will debut soon. n

Kathryn McCrary

Annie Griffin and Chrissie Henritze are surrounded by Block Betty Collection pillows.

Here Comes the Sun Page 40

“Our clothes can take you from exercise and errands to sports and leisure.” — Jamie Smith, Solmate founder

Booked and Busy Bomber Jacket ($148) by Solmate, a UPF clothing brand.

I“never wanted to start a fashion line; it wasn’t a goal of mine,” says Collier Hills resident Jamie Smith. But as a fashion industry veteran and former stylist at Nordstrom-backed Trunk Club, Smith had always been drawn to beautiful and functional design.

A 2022 trip to visit her mother and sister who live on Florida’s 30A changed her mind. Smith realized she didn’t have anything to cover herself with on a boat ride, and her mother offered a fishing shirt. Smith recoiled. “I just wanted a cute shirt I could throw on!” she says. This frustration, combined with the sun damage she began noticing as she approached her mid-30s, propelled her to start Solmate, a line of sun-protective clothing containing ultra-violet protection factor that measures the effectiveness of fabrics in blocking ultra-violet rays from the sun.

Launched in late 2023, Solmate’s first capsule collection consists of 16 pieces including a long-sleeve shirt, a legging, a tank top, a jacket, shorts and a bandana. The collec tion is made from Italian fabrics that have UPF protection woven into them, an important distinguishing feature, she says. These fabrics allow for more strength, whereas UPF-coated items can wear away with time and washing.

Fight

Here Comes the Sun

“UPF is a rating for fabrics about how much sun a fabric absorbs. For example, a standard cotton T-shirt blocks about 2% of sun’s UVA and UVB rays,” she says.

summer rays with Solmate’s UPF clothing STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

Solmate’s pieces are crafted from a nylon/Spandex blend that’s densely woven to maintain the integrity of the fabric. Smith says you should look for “certified UPF” when shopping for sun-protective apparel, a label Solmate is proud to have. Smith wanted something different for her customers, offering more of a lifestyle than just protective clothing. “Our clothes can take you from exercise and errands to sports and leisure. You can sit on a patio with friends and drink margaritas or go from courtside to carpool and be comfortable and protected,” she says. Integration into a customer’s life is important to her. “Solmate is not just a brand; it’s a lifestyle and movement,” Smith says. “I want the brand to empower women to feel good about themselves and

feel confident in the choices they make. With each new day and sunrise, we have the opportunity to be better, make better choices, to do something good for ourselves.” The line is available online, and Smith has done pop-ups with popular spots like The Daily Pilates, Skin Pharm, SculptHouse and West Coast Workout, with more to come this year. She also popped up at Andee’s Army’s Pickleball Classic in May benefitting the recovery and rehabilitation of children who have sustained brain and spinal cord injuries. This year, look for additional styles in resort wear, such as cover-ups, and new colors added to her core collection. n

Bougie bandana ($30) adds a layer of protection to your neck.

Sun Seeker Long Sleeve top ($76) and Sporty Girl legging ($98).

LASH OUT

STORY: Jennifer Bradley Franklin

PHOTOS: Joann Vitelli

Afew years ago on vacation, I couldn’t help but notice a new acquaintance’s striking eyes. Though it was clear she wasn’t wearing makeup, her dark, curled lashes gave the impression of natural beauty. I asked about her secret, and she told me she had her lashes lifted and tinted. I’d never heard of such a thing, so this year, before heading to that same tropical destination, I decided to investigate.

At Sirène, a tranquil Westside salon specializing in expert haircuts, color and other beauty services, Raechel Walters is the go-to lash expert. I’ve seen her for years for eyebrow waxes, so trusting her with my lashes was an easy next step.

“The lift is essentially a perm for the lashes,” Walters said as I laid down on her table. The process began with taping my lower lashes down and ensuring that the area around my eyes was protected. Next, she selected a medium-sized curl form that she positioned just above my upper lash line. The idea was to create a curl that would add some drama and make my eyes look more open but not so tight of a curl that the lashes would touch my eyelids. Then for the next 20 minutes, she meticulously separated my lashes onto the forms with some light glue, positioning them in the exact shape she wanted so that they wouldn’t cross or overlap (“However they’re glued is how they will be set”).

The tedious part completed, Walters applied a special solution to each lash on the curled form, its sulfur smell bringing back memories of elementary school perms. After a few minutes, she neutralized the solution and removed the tape and curl form

to prep my lashes for the next step.

For color, Walters uses a jet-black vegetable-based dye specially formulated for lashes. She re-taped the area around my eyes to protect from the dye, this time leaving my lower lashes exposed so they could be tinted at the same time.

The entire process takes about an hour and a half. It’s not an unpleasant experience, but it is time consuming. The results, however, were worth the wait. While I have naturally long, thick lashes, they’re light brown, so it seems like they disappear without mascara. When I looked in the mirror after the treatment, I was pleasantly surprised at how dramatic the transformation was: My green eyes were framed by lush, dark lashes that gently curled away. It was just the result I was hoping for, without the damage or constant maintenance and fill-ins needed for lash extensions.

Walters sent me home with

instructions about how to care for my newly dramatic lashes: no water for 24 hours to preserve the color and shape, and gentle cleansers thereafter. She also gave me a spoolie (essentially, a mascara wand sans product) to brush the lashes and a small pot of castor oil to moisturize and keep them glossy and hydrated since the curling solution can make them slightly brittle.

A day later, I departed for a weeklong vacation on a sun-swept island off the coast of Mexico

blissfully makeup-free. Rather than worrying about wearing waterproof mascara and having to scrub it off at the end of each day, I enjoyed going au naturel. The effects lasted for more than a month, extending well into my at-home life. Now that I know this smart treatment exists, I’ll add it to my beach prep checklist for the future. n

At Sirène, Raechel Walters is the expert at lashes, brows, waxing and spray tans. Here, she meticulously performs a lash lift and tint on the author.

“MANE” CONCERNS

Understanding Different Types of Hair Loss

By Elise P. Barnett, M.D. Founder of Atlanta Skin Wellness Center

Hair loss is a common concern among

my patients, young and old. Because

there are many types of hair loss, it is important to seek the care and expertise of a board-certified dermatologist for the proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Hair loss is commonly divided into two categories: scarring and non-scaring. Scarring hair loss is more severe and can be permanent, so seeking early dermatological treatment is crucial.

One type of non-scaring hair loss I frequently see among my patients is telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium involves the excessive shedding of hair from the follicle or root. It is normal to lose approximately one hundred hairs per day, but if the amount of shedding greatly exceeds this number, telogen effluvium may be the culprit. There can be many causes of telogen effluvium, like a major stress on the body (surgery, childbirth or illness), a vitamin deficiency, hormonal imbalances or even chronic inflammation. Your dermatologist should perform bloodwork to determine the cause if it is not apparent. The good news is, if the underlying issue is addressed, telogen effluvium is self-limited and will completely resolve on its own. Although telogen effluvium will resolve with time, procedures and treatments exist to help regrow hair more quickly. Your dermatologist may recommend specific vitamins to support hair growth and in-office treatments like PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections directly into the scalp to induce more circulation to the scalp, feeding new hair growth. Certain at-home treatments like a laser cap are also available through your dermatologist.

Another very common cause of hair loss is a hereditary, gradual thinning called androgenic alopecia or “female/male pattern thinning.” This recognizable pattern of thinning can be inherited through mothers and fathers and affects both men and women. We know this as a “receding hairline” and thinning (mostly at the crown of the scalp), but the condition can progress to complete baldness. In late-stage androgenic alopecia, hair follicles become scarred and there is no way to revive them, so early intervention is key to thickening hair follicles and preventing progression of hair loss.

Severe or early androgenic alopecia occurring in young women raises suspicion for elevated levels of male hormones in the body. In fact, abnormally high levels of these hormones can indicate a more serious problem such as PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), and rarely adrenal or ovarian dysfunction, so further work-up may be indicated in some cases.

There are now more treatment options than ever to address every type of hair loss, and I always recommend a combination approach. Dermatologists have also added more oral prescriptions to our evergrowing arsenal of hair growth treatments. If you have concerns about hair loss, the time to act is now so schedule an appointment with your board-certified dermatologist.

Elise P. Barnett, M.D. Board-Certified Dermatologist

SHOP SMART

10 healthful tips for grocery shopping STORY: Karina Antenucci

Making healthier choices at the grocery store means your fridge and pantry will be stocked with items that do a body good. Here, Morgan Cherry, registered dietitian at Best Within You Therapy & Wellness in Buckhead, offers advice on navigating your shopping experience, from paying attention to ingredients to how to work the room.

1. Come with a list to reduce the likelihood of purchasing items you don’t need or can’t make a meal out of. “Base the list off of what you want to meal prep this week and have those ingredients listed out,” Cherry says.

2. “Shop the perimeter.” This means prioritize the produce, meats and milk/dairy sections first, making those the majority of your grocery items. Then move into the aisles for packaged goods, suggests Cherry.

3. Focus on whole grain cereals. Sift through the wall of sugary cereals to look for a product that has “whole grain” listed at the be-

ginning of the ingredient list or the Whole Grain Stamp on its packaging. “Whole grains provide vitamins, minerals and fiber, and help satisfy hunger for longer,” Cherry says.

4. Check out the ingredient lists. Cherry notes the first three ingredients listed are what the item primarily contains.

5. Look for fiber content. Find it on the nutrition facts on packaged goods, such as bread, oatmeal, rice and crackers. “It is recommended that we consume around 25 to 35 grams of fiber each day to regulate bowel movements, stabilize blood sugars and help with fullness and satiety during and after meals,” Cherry says. All vegetables and fruits will naturally offer fiber, too.

6. Don’t worry about fresh vs. frozen or canned produce. Just load up on your fruits and vegetables any which way! Frozen and canned options are a great way to avoid food waste later in the week after your grocery shop, Cherry advises. If choosing canned,

healthier choices include those low in sodium and packaged in water instead of sugary syrup or oil.

7. Save money on regular items by opting to buy them in the larger containers, Cherry recommends. These include eggs, yogurts and packaged cheese. Likewise, she advocates for buying sale items.

“You can always freeze meat, fresh fruit and veggies to use later on.”

8. Educate yourself on animal proteins. Look into brands’ farming and manufacturing practices. Also brush up on packaging terminology. For instance, “natural” doesn’t mean much, just that the poultry or meat was minimally processed without added color or artificial ingredients.

The USDA Organic seal assures that the animals were raised in living conditions accommodating their natural behaviors, such as the ability to graze on pasture, fed 100% organic feed and forage (such as grass or hay) and not administered with antibiotics or hormones.

“Grass-fed” means the animal ate only forage for the length of its life,

antibiotics. The Certified Humane label has to do with animal welfare standards from birth to slaughter.

9. Discover plant sources of protein. Meat doesn’t always have to be your main source. “Try adding in peanut butter, eggs, beans, lentils and tofu that are still high in protein and cheaper alternatives,” Cherry says.

10. Avoid purchasing foods with “guilt” language on the packaging, such as Trader Joe’s Reduced-Guilt Mac & Cheese, for your physical and mental well-being. “Guilt is not a food ingredient. Purchase the ones you enjoy and steer clear of the ones that might encourage shame,” Cherry says. n

BEST WITHIN YOU THERAPY & WELLNESS 404.997.2822 • bestwithinyou.com @bestwithinyou

Morgan Cherry, registered dietitian at Best Within You Therapy & Wellness in Buckhead.

Marie Roy Paulic is French, and has lived in Buck head since 2021. Her hus band’s work brought her from France to the Netherlands to Miami and on to Atlanta. “We chose the city in the forest over another city,” she says. The former middle and high school teacher now serves Atlanta-area families through her coaching business, where she therapeutically works with the whole family rather than individual members in a sys temic approach to reduce stress, fric tion or solve specific problems. She uses Emotional Freedom Technique, also known as tapping, as a tool to help her clients manage anxiety and stress, offering live, in-person sessions as well as giving patients the tools to tap on their own. Here, she explains her practice and techniques.

What is Emotional Freedom Technique or tapping?

It’s called tapping in the States, but Emotional Freedom Technique was created in the 1990s by Gary Craig, a Stanford University graduate. It’s an evidence-based, therapeutic tool that sends calming signals to the amygdala in the brain, which is the fight or flight alarm center. With tapping, you stimulate meridian points in the body, similar to acu puncture. The stimulation sends a calming signal and reduces the cortisol level. When we tap these points, we simultaneously address a specific issue, such as fear, phobia, stress or an emotion like sadness. It’s been shown to reduce stress by more than 40%. Research in 2019 suggests it can reduce anxiety symptoms after only one session.

How often should someone do tapping?

Whenever you are anxious or stressed. When you know the pro tocol, you can use it for five min utes before going to work, before a stressful appointment or after a difficult day. I like tapping because it’s something we can do ourselves. We can heal on our own.

What is family coaching?

I’m a certified family coach. I inte grate the whole family system into my coaching. It’s not just talking to the parents or giving parenting advice. I can help kids and teens

TAPPED IN

Marie Paulic brings tapping, a unique stress-reducing tactic, to her family coaching STORY: Lauren Finney Harden PHOTO: Joann Vitelli

Kids at Play Page 52

These interactive neighborhood venues are just the thing to let kids do what they do best.

Indoor play spaces, such as Gymboree Play & Music (pictured here), bring instant entertainment and a respite from the summertime heat.

Kids at Play

5 local spots to let them loose

STORY: Karina Antenucci

It’s summertime, and the living is not always easy for parents— and children who need some entertainment! As temperatures rise, entertain your brood at these five fun, indoor play spaces that give a respite from the heat and your home. From a make-believe city to ninja play gym, these interactive neighborhood venues are just the thing to let kids do what they do best.

1. OODAZU in Buckhead

The two-hour drop-in playtime ($25 per child) at this Miami Circle venue offers movement activities and games to work out all that energy. The indoor playground features scaling towers; climbing walls; a rip slide where kids coast down a long track in an inner tube (snow-mountain style); and games, such as Ping-Pong, gaga ball and swish. In May, it added to its repertoire by installing a new soft play,

mini ninja-warrior-style play gym.

Online registration is encouraged. 404.565.0259 • oodazu.com • @oodazu

2. READY SET FUN! in Sandy Springs

Perfect for kiddos ages 6 months to 8 years old, this bright, friendly and clean play zone provides two-hour sessions ($17 per child) and a few different playrooms. The Soft Play Adventure is like a large jungle gym with all sorts of climbing, sliding and other sensory features. The Imagination Sandbox uses light technology to bring figures such as dinosaurs and safari animals to life as kids play in it. The Imagination Art area pairs handcrafted drawings with animation that “magically” puts their artworks up on a big screen and makes them come alive. Online registration is suggested. 404.596.5566 • readysetfun.com @readysetfunatl

3. GYMBOREE PLAY & MUSIC in Sandy Springs

This cute play space (pictured above) is for littles from 0 to 5 and comes equipped with multiple drop-in play options for different age ranges. Open gym time is pure unguided free play for up to two hours that lets them explore independently and alongside other kids. Gymboree also schedules various art, music and guided-play classes, as well as preschool prep, STEAM activities and more to help them learn and encourage creativity. Drop-in rates range from $18 to $30 per child, depending on the activity, which typically lasts from 45 minutes to an hour. 404.256.2223 • gymboreeclasses.com @gymboreeplayandmusic

4. PLAZA FIESTA in Brookhaven/Chamblee

Head out for a fun excursion at Plaza Fiesta, not only for the “largest indoor playground in Georgia” (according to them), but also for a Latin American cultural experience. Located off of Buford Highway, the colorful and festive indoor mall has more than 280 retail and specialty shops to peruse and delicious food stalls and restaurants to explore. But the

main attraction for kids is undoubtedly the multi-level playground and arcade. There’s a reason why 4 million visitors head here each year: It’s one of Atlanta’s can’t-miss experiences. 404.982.9138 • plazafiesta.net @plazafiestaatlanta

5. KIDS AVENUE in Buckhead

Entrepreneur and founder of Kale Me Crazy Roi Shlomo, who was one of Simply Buckhead’s 2015 Rising Stars, has hit the jackpot on another great idea: Kids Avenue. This Maple Drive play space opened in June and transports tiny adventurers into a mini city that mimics real-world scenarios to let their imaginations run wild for two hours at a time ($25). In one area, they’ll shop and check out groceries at a market; in another, they’ll build and destroy in a construction zone. There’s also a kid-sized hair salon, dentist office, Alon’s Bakery and camping space complete with a cabin. Bonus fun: climbing and sensory walls. No matter the setting, early childhood skills will be developed as your youngsters learn and socialize through make believe. n 404.394.1519 • thekidsavenue.com @kidsavenueatl

MOBILE VETS FOR PETS

Eliminating the stress of a wellness visit STORY: Chelsie Butler

Most pets do not enjoy a trip to the vet, whether it is for a quick nail trim or something more involved. Some cats and dogs may not have an issue taking a car ride, but once they realize the destination might be a scary one, anxiety builds.

Hiring a mobile vet is a great solution for pets that are more comfortable being treated in a familiar environment. For pet parents, a mobile vet is helpful for scheduling flexible appointments, especially with multiple pets in a home. Some mobile vets don’t even require you to be present during a visit.

We chatted with three mobile vets

in our community about their companies and the benefits of at-home services.

NATHANS ARK MOBILE VETERINARIAN

Dr. Carol Tobias opened her business in 2009. According to the veterinarian, mobile services help prevent pets from motion sickness on the car ride and are a safe solution for those with limited mobility.

“It is also common for cats or dogs to pick up viral respiratory diseases or fleas in a veterinary office, so there is less exposure to these communicable illnesses when seeing a mobile vet,” Tobias says.

lished, we are also able to offer owner-absent appointments,” Hana says. “In those instances, ReadiVet providers follow up with an owner afterward to ensure they’re up to speed on their pet’s health.”

ReadiVet provides 85% of veterinary care at home and offers a clinic for surgeries, dental cleaning and X-rays when needed.

“We also divide our service areas, so the same veterinarian comes to your home, creating a consistent and trusted relationship,” Hana says.

ROYAL PAWS & PURRS MOBILE VETERINARY SERVICES

Dr. Shermaine Wilson Cox has been caring for Atlanta-area pets with her mobile vet service since 2019. She provides a wide range of services, including vaccinations, wellness exams, diagnostics and minor surgeries.

The veterinarian also treats exotic species from chinchillas to fish.

Nathans Ark charges one fee per visit no matter how many pets, and its online pharmacy makes it convenient for clients to order meds.

READIVET ATLANTA

This mobile vet service has been in business for more than 10 years.

According to ReadiVet Veterinarian Kyrollos Hana, most providers in a traditional setting spend only about 10 to 15 minutes with a patient, whereas ReadiVet doctors spend an hour of dedicated time with a pet and its owner.

“Once a relationship is estab-

“We utilize cutting-edge equipment and technology to ensure the highest standard of care for our patients,” Cox says. “Our team consists of highly skilled and compassionate veterinarians and support staff who prioritize the well-being of pets and their owners.”

According to Cox, a mobile vet provides a familiar environment, reducing stress for both pets and their owners, which leads to a more relaxed and productive veterinary visit. n

NATHANS ARK MOBILE VETERINARIAN 404.218.2776 • nathansarkmobilevet.com

READIVET ATLANTA • 404.734.3961

readivet.com • @readivet

ROYAL PAWS & PURRS MOBILE VETERINARY SERVICES

678.689.4005 • royalpawsandpurrs.com @royalpawsandpurrsdoc

Above: ReadiVet Atlanta mobile vets spend a dedicated hour visiting with clients.

Right: Dr. Carol Tobias of Nathans Ark Mobile Veterinarian treats dogs and cats, as well as exotic species.

Above: Dr. Shermaine Wilson Cox of Royal Paws & Purrs Mobile Veterinary Services says at-home appointments reduce stress for both pets and owners.

Courtney Eckdahl

Get Smart

Enhance your lifestyle with today’s home automation options STORY: Amy Meadows

The Jetsons may have lived in Orbit City in the year 2062, but some of the smart home technology they enjoyed has hit the scene nearly 40 years ahead of schedule. From robot vacuums and video phones to talking refrigerators and virtual voice assistants, a wide array of smart tech is now available to make our lives easier than ever. And the options within the home automation market continue to expand every day. If you are ready to transform your own home into a bona fide smart one, consider these tips and ideas from Gus Cueto, president of Advanced Premises Systems in Buckhead.

How has home automation evolved in recent years?

The use of home automation equipment has gotten much easier. In the past, it was a chore to get devices to talk to one another, but manufacturers are now able to bring everything together into

one app or a control panel thanks to APIs (application programming interface). For instance, we use a home automation system called Josh.ai that allows you to tightly integrate your lighting controls, music and video services, security and more and use your voice to control it. Everything has just become much more seamless.

What do I need to do prepare my house for a home automation system?

Everything in your home automation system will run off of the network in your house, so you have to have a good networking backbone. Also, while much of what we can do today is wireless, every project we do has a rack of equipment somewhere in the house—usually the basement. You need to plan out where you will put that rack.

What kinds of smart tech components can I bring into my home?

Lighting has become a very popu-

lar element. Ten years ago, a light bulb was a light bulb. Today, really precise light bulbs can produce 18 million different colors, so you can create the best white light possible. And you can control them. Of course, audio and security cameras are also in nearly every project we do. The system typically can be tied into whatever elements you are currently using, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home. Social areas, such as the kitchen, are a good place to start, especially if you want to control costs.

How should I approach the budget of my home automation project?

It’s very hard to say since there are so many components and different manufacturers out there. The Home Technology Association has a budget calculator that can help. You answer several simple questions about what you want to do in your home, and it will give you a price range to consider. It’s a great tool.

I’m ready for home automation. Where do I start?

Find a good installer. Groups like the Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association and the HTA can point you to professional,

homeowner.

quality dealers and installers who want to work with you in the right way and not just try to sell you certain products. My philosophy is always to find the simplest solution to provide the benefits you’re looking for. The least amount of gear that’s simple to use is best. That’s because the fewer links you have in the chain, the more reliable your system will be. n

Gus Cuerto believes that a streamlined home automation system can benefit any

For the Birds Page 60

“I love layers of patterns, textures and color palettes.”

—  Anna Benifield

Artist Anna Benifield specializes in hand cut bird collages.

THEATER FOR ALL

Inclusivity is the hallmark of this 31-yearold Dunwoody institution STORY: H.M. Cauley

When the curtain closed on Into the Woods JR in March, it marked an artistic milestone for Jerry’s Habima Theatre in Dunwoody. The down-sized version of the Stephen Sondheim show wrapped the 31st year the company has been staging performances that feature adults with a range of special needs.

Housed at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, Habima (meaning “stage” in Hebrew) was named for the late Jerry Blonder, whose endowment established the Blonder Family Department for Special Needs at the center. It has opened the door to theatrics for

participants like Buckhead’s Michelle Horowitz, one of its veteran actors who, after having epilepsy as a child, has experienced processing issues.

The 55-year-old was part of Habima’s first show, The 15-Minute Hamlet, in 1992 and has been seen since in the chorus of Mamma Mia!, as the school principal in Grease, the stepmother in Cinderella and Grandma Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, among others.

“After my father passed away when I was 23, I had nothing to do, and I felt theater was one of the best things for me,” Horowitz says. “I like to be active; I don’t want to be bored.”

Horowitz has worked at the Fountain Oaks Kroger for 31 years but

to mount a professional production.

“It’s a creative but working environment,” says Founding Artistic Producer Kim Goodfriend. “Our veteran actors appreciate coming to rehearsals where there aren’t kids fooling around and not working toward the goal of creating something.”

The cast is supported by neurotypical people who help run scenes and work with the chorus, but everything else is carried by the actors without any prompting. They stage one production per year and lean toward musicals because “they really galvanize our group,” Goodfriend says.

And though Horowitz admits singing isn’t her top talent, it doesn’t keep her from the stage.

has always made time to act, even though getting started was a steep learning curve. “I had to memorize lines, and I got together with friends to go over and over and over them again until I learned them,” she says.

Having those friends and a sense of everyone working together have kept her coming back to the 10 weeks of long rehearsals when shows are underway. “I like to be social and do things with other people. We’re a very social group and do things every month. And if what we’re doing makes people happy, I’m willing to be in the next production.”

Horowitz is joined in the troupe by about 35 adult actors who represent a range of disabilities, including autism, brain injuries, cerebral palsy and intellectual challenges, and are willing to put in the work required

“I’m not the strongest voice; I’ve gone from alto to soprano and back to alto,” she says. “I’ll listen to some shows over and over until I know what I’m singing. I just dive right in.”

It’s that enthusiasm that has created a community where actors with special needs can showcase their talents and forge lasting friendships, Goodfriend says. “With about 90% of our actors returning each year, and performances selling out, it's clear that our program resonates deeply within the community.

The MJCCA's commitment to this program underlines the significance of what we offer: an inclusive space where actors and audiences alike can explore and celebrate the richness of human experience through theater.” n

JERRY’S HABIMA THEATRE atlantajcc.org/our-programs/special-needs/ jerrys-habima-theatre • @mjcca

Michelle Horowitz has been acting with Jerry's Habima Theatre for 32 years. Among her varied roles was the grandmother in Fiddler on the Roof

Getting Unstuck

Granddaughter of classic company founder returns to her roots STORY: H.M. Cauley PHOTO: Erik Meadows

For many Georgians, as well as out-of-state travelers passing through the state en route to the coast, a stop at Stuckey’s was a road trip highlight. What started in 1937 as a roadside pecan stand blossomed into a business with more than 360 stores in the 1960s where the signature pecan logs and chocolate-dipped nuts were best sellers.

Stephanie Stuckey grew up as the founder’s granddaughter but knew few of the details surrounding the family business. “He sold it the year before I was born, and it was out of the family most of my life,” she says. “All that remained was the name.”

Stuckey’s career path veered well away from the company. She spent 14 years as a state representative for Lake Claire, Candler Park, Druid Hills and city of Atlanta in DeKalb

County, then turned to running an environmental nonprofit and working as Atlanta’s “sustainability czar.” In 2019, Stuckey had the chance to bring the company back into the family. She bought it from its corporate owners and is now the chair of the operation based in Wrens, about 30 miles southwest of

Augusta. She recounts that story, along with intimate details of the company’s history, in Unstuck: Rebirth of an American Icon

“This is not the typical, thirdgeneration story,” she says. “After decades of outside ownership and mismanagement, the company was in distress. When I got a call that it

Stuckey's grew from a 1930s pecan stand to more than 360 stores in the 1960s.

to record the business’ history.

“I got six cases of my grandfather’s papers that no one had looked at in 50 years,” she says. “Still, so much of what he did was lost, so I started recreating his story. I found amazing things he’d done that I didn’t know about, like how Stuckey’s was never segregated, even during the Jim Crow era.” It took two years of writing and research before the book debuted in April. Now Stuckey has a new project: to make the company’s 60 Georgia-grown products the country’s go-to pecan snacks. And she has an equally ambitious aim of her own.

“Because the barriers for getting your food brand out there are so high, my personal, audacious goal is to make Stuckey’s so profitable that I will have the resources to help entrepreneurs in the food industry,” she says. n

STUCKEY’S • stuckeys.com • @stuckeys_pecans

For the Birds

Meet the local artist who puts a creative twist on John James Audubon's recognizable forms STORY: Nicole Letts

Anna Benifield is a Georgia Master Naturalist and self-proclaimed “bird nerd.” As such, the Sandy Springs mixed-media artist almost solely focuses on birds as her subject. Her artwork is vibrant and layered. Each piece of her decoupage collages is done by hand, resulting in textured biological illustrations. Below, Benifield shares more about her fascination with winged creatures, her process and even her favorite scissors.

How did you turn your experience as a trained naturalist into an art career?

After completing the Georgia Master Naturalist program at the Chattahoochee Nature Center in 2019, I taught nature journaling there. Through that, I reconnected with my artistic side and got really into water-

color and birds. They are so accessible: If you are looking for any kind of animal to observe daily, birds are always around. During COVID, with the time at home, I focused much more on my art, and I started looking into John James Audubon. Even though his drawings are of nature, they feel unnatural because of the way they are posed. That is because he would hunt and kill those birds, study them and stuffed them with a wire to put them in these poses so he could paint them. I was curious, so I decided to recreate some of his pieces but in collage. I was, in a way, dissecting the bird, too, but with paper.

Why did you choose mixedmedia and specifically, collages as your medium?

I've always loved [French painter Henri] Matisse, specifically his later work where he used scissors to create

organic shapes without hard edges. I have always thought it was a beautiful way of using collage. I create all my papers by painting textures first, just making different marks with different brushes. I use all matte mediums, so it feels more natural, and then I do all my work on cradled birch wood boards. Once I have the paper painted, as Matisse famously said, it is like painting with scissors. I only use scissors, not an X-Acto knife, so it is a very fluid process. Everything is organically shaped and curved.

Do you use a special kind of scissors? Yes, and I have my very favorite pairs, which seems so funny and ridiculous. My mother-in-law gave me a pair of Creative Memories scissors for crafting, and I have had them forever. I pulled them out when I started doing this, and they are perfect for paper. I also use

embroidery scissors for the small details because they are very sharp and offer nice precise detail. A pair by Sajou is my second favorite.

Where do you go to get inspiration for new collections? I'm always inspired by nature, but that's a cop-out answer. Beyond that, a lot of my inspiration comes from interior design. I love layers of patterns, textures and color palettes. I like looking at rooms where I can visualize creating a bird piece for them.

What was one of your biggest “pinch me” moments in your artistic career? Last year, I did a commission for an interior designer for the Lake Forest Showhouse & Gardens in Chicago. I was commissioned by Sally Brown Thilman Interiors to create a piece for the woman's dressing room. The room had lacquered light pink walls with gold accents. She sent me all the fabrics and paint swatches, and I made a white cockatoo with a yellow crown on a dark blue background. Then I got to see it in the show house! That was great. n

ANNA BENIFIELD annabenifieldart.com • @annabenifieldart

Paige Molina

EVENTS BY Nicole Letts

FRESHLY PICKED

When the summer heat almost knocks you over, it’s time to find creative ways to spend time indoors. You could take in a movie, stroll through a museum or learn a new skill. Add amateur flower arranging to your repertoire at JJ’s Flower Shop at Ashford Lane in Dunwoody. The flower boutique offers floral arrangement classes on the third Thursday of each month. Workshops range from creating potted and structured bouquets to handheld ones. During the class, attendees will learn specifics about floral design including best practices and other tips and tricks. “We teach about the foundation of arranging, how to start and stay on a steady path and [how to] let creative freedom run,” says JJ’s Marketing Manager Gigi Corrine. The best part? Guests leave with a personally designed and professionally approved live bouquet. Previous courses have included a class in which guests created arrangements using a pattern that gradually blends hues in similar or complementary shades. On July 18, attendees are invited to create an arrangement using a selection of bright, funky and unique blooms inspired by wanderlust. At the class on Aug. 15, guests will learn how to highlight fruit \in arrangements for added textural and architectural interest. Flower selections are based on what is in season and the monthly theme.

Become your own florist for summer soirees through classes at JJ's Flower Shop.

FLOWER ARRANGING CLASSES ARE THIS SUMMER’S GO-TO INDOOR ACTIVITY

Tickets are $160 for instruction, flowers, a vessel and other supplies. A flexible cancellation policy allows ticket holders to transfer to another workshop date, or there is an option to have supplies delivered to your home for a nominal fee. n

jjsflowershop.com • @jjsflowershop

At monthly flower arranging classes at JJ's Flower Shop, students learn how to blend blooms together to create masterpieces.

Nicole Letts

Vogue

An exhibition of works by acclaimed photographer Tyler Mitchell is on display at the High Museum of Art from now until Dec. 1. Mitchell, an Atlanta native, catapulted to prominence when he photographed Beyoncé for the September 2018 issue of Vogue as the first black photographer to shoot

Fashion-inspired photography exhibit at the High

the magazine’s cover. “Idyllic Space” highlights more than 30 images from Mitchell’s fine art and fashion photography. The exhibit also publicly debuts Mitchell’s photo-sculptural artwork. Themes include determination, empowerment, masculinity and motherhood, along with other areas of inspira-

Southern Exposure

Use the sun and your imagination to create art at Bella Cucina

Tap into your inner artist at the cyanotype workshop at Bella Cucina on July 27. Led by Atlanta-based artist Terri Dilling, the class will show students how to create cyanotype prints, artwork made by placing objects on light-sensitive paper. Attendees will learn to apply the cyanotype solution before exposing and rinsing prints. The result is an interesting work of art in a distinctive indigo color. Dilling says this art form is geared toward those looking for an unintimidating artistic craft because it’s fun for all experience levels. Bella Cucina Founder Alisa Barry adds, “It’s a unique way to foster creativity and explore artistic potential in an inclusive and supportive environment.” Students are encouraged to

tion and exploration. The collection also includes examples from Mitchell’s work for Vogue and Louis Vuitton. Access to the exhibit is included in the price of admission ($23.50 for non-members; free for members). n

bring their own objects such as yard clippings, feathers or string, but there will also be items on hand. Guests will leave with their own artwork and information about how to recreate the

is $125. Reserve your spot online. n

Tyler Mitchell is a nationally acclaimed photographer. His work is on display now at the High Museum of Art.

BUZZ

NATURE LOVER’S BOOK CLUB

July 15

dunwoodynature.org

@dunwoodynaturecenter

This month’s book club read is On Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell by Sy Montgomery. Discussions are held on the second Monday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at the Dunwoody Nature Center.

TASTE OF THAILAND

July 27

vinovenue.com • @vinovenue Visit Thailand from Dunwoody with a hands-on cooking class at Vino Venue. Instruction is provided by a professional chef and light apps and wine are included. At night’s end, attendees are invited to eat the fruits of their labor. Tickets are $109.

O.A.R.

July 31

chastainparkamp.com

@cadencebankamp

Popular rock-reggae fusion band O.A.R. takes the stage for the Summer Tour 24 at Cadence Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park. The group will be joined by Fitz and the Tantrums. Tickets start at $25.

DWARF

GOAT PILATES AND MEDITATION

Aug. 14

discoverdunwoody.com

@discoverdunwoody

Join monthly Dwarf Goat Pilates and Meditation at Brook Run Park this summer. Led by Jenn Allen, the sessions include 45 minutes of guided meditation or 60 minutes of Pilates with therapy goats. All ages are welcome, but parental supervision is required.

Stars Rising

THESE IMPRESSIVE INDIVIDUALS ARE BLAZING TRAILS IN 2024

Atlanta is a top destination for highly motivated, successful people.

From entrepreneurs and artists to individuals in nearly every industry in between, Buckhead and the surrounding neighborhoods create an environment that’s ripe for creativity, problem-solving, innovation and connection with the greater community. Each summer, we profile a curated collection of standout individuals for our Rising Stars feature, and the 2024 class shines. These seven professionals are putting their marks on their respective industries and making our community a better, brighter place.

PHOTOS: Erik Meadows

(Left to Right)

Dr. Yolanda Scott: Black Halo Von dress ($399) and Mignonne Gavigan Rebecca earrings ($195).

Avery Schroeder: Rhode Lulani dress ($575) and Laura Foote Amanda earrings ($355).

Peter Kiley: Wall-Street navy 2-piece suit ($1,295).

Ali Brown: Saloni Tabitha dress ($667) and Mignonne Gavigan Gertie Flower stud earring ($325).

Raymond Pickens: Blush double-breasted suit and black houndstooth necktie ($1,295).

Victor Macias: Pacific blue sport coat with Casablanca white seer sucker trousers ($1,295).

Julie McGee: Secular Isabella blouse ($237), Loyd Ford satin pleated skirt ($368), Fairchild Baldwin beaded necklace ($395) and Mignonne Gavigan Greer studs ($95).

Men's styling by James Massey for Miguel Wilson Collection. Women's styling by Lindsay Wegener and Nicole Blochinger for Poppy’s of Atlanta. Menswear is available at Miguel Wilson Collection. Womenswear is available at Poppy's of Atlanta.

AVERY SCHROEDER

The 10 Atelier founder helps lifestyle businesses get more exposure STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

Avery Schroeder has been a hard worker her entire life, completing nine internships throughout her college career in New York at Columbia University, where she studied art history. That pivotal experience building relationships with designers, brands and editors, plus growing up in a design-centric family in Buckhead—

her father was on the product side and her mother is an interior designer—confirmed Schroeder’s path into a creative field. She originally wanted to be an editor but also contemplated getting her Ph.D. in art history to become a curator. She went to graduate school to study decorative arts, design history and material culture but still didn’t have an answer

ness plan to open a gallery, but once again, the relationships she built led to her next opportunity. “I believe in the power of timing,” she says.

“I’m fortunate enough to be surrounded by some really cool and passionate friends,” she says. Those friends, realizing Schroeder was contemplating a new move, asked her to help them with branding, marketing and public relations. Now with 10 Atelier, her firm founded in 2023, Schroeder is confident this was meant to be her path all along.

“In particular, I love helping new businesses get off the ground,” she says, though not all of her clients are new. “We curate service scopes based on partner goals. I love wearing multiple hats for each client, ultimately working to share and amplify their voices."

10 Atelier offers consulting marketing and public relations services, acting as a jack-of-all-trades for design- and art-centric clients. That includes everyone from gallery and interior design house Huff Harrington and artist Laura Deems to emerging textile brand Maison Venu, among others. Schroeder loves how the client roster has come together in an organic yet curated way, with many 10 Atelier brands complementing each other. “We work across lifestyle, decor and fine art, helping brands do everything from building their story to amplifying that story through earned press. We also do more traditional marketing, helping owners refine their point of view,” she explains. “We throw events to help expand their audiences, can get involved in wholesale conversations and help with the overall strategy.”

on what she wanted to do. While at this crossroads, she moved home to Atlanta and ended up consulting for a few interior designers in town. These relationships led her back into working within the New York design PR machine, where she happily liaised between international brands and editors for five years while based in Atlanta. However, an entrepreneurial itch appeared, forcing Schroeder to think about her next step. She designed a busi-

The firm has filled out its roster rather quickly, and in just under a year, Schroeder and her team are helping nine businesses bring their visions to life more robustly. This speed speaks not only to Schroeder’s relationships and professionalism but also to the flourishing design industry as a whole. “At the heart of it, design and art clients are focused on telling their stories and building lasting relationships. We love being part of that experience for them, helping guide them. These are exquisite stories to be told, and we love telling them productively.” n tenatelier.com • @ten.atelier

Schroeder, photographed at a vintage phone booth in Pullman Yards' AlcoHall, is wearing the Shoshanna Kimberly dress ($395), Alice & Olivia Kidman bow front jacket ($495), Julie Vos Antonia tennis necklace ($485), and Mignonne Gavigan mini Madeline earrings ($125) available at Poppy's of Atlanta.

RAYMOND PICKENS

A self-taught artist paints larger-than-life portraits

Raymond Pickens was such a gifted artist as a child, he was disqualified from a school yearbook contest. “They thought I traced it, and that’s when I realized I was a little better at this than everybody else,” he says. Now he’s one of Atlanta’s emerging artists represented by Gallery Anderson Smith in Buckhead where his large-scale pop art is available for purchase.

Pickens says despite his talent, he still pinches himself. “Being in a gallery is something I’ve only ever seen on TV. I never thought I would have a piece of my art in a gallery.”

Before hitting the mainstream art scene, Pickens was just a kid from Canton who constantly had a pen in his hand. “I was always doodling and sketching. Even in church, I drew little pictures,” he says. Pickens recalls teachers believing in his talent, but he never thought to pursue art as a career.

Three years ago, he started thinking differently about his work. He had switched from pen and ink to painting, and a friend encouraged him to reach out to a local gallery owner who liked what she saw. A solo show came next, and other galleries followed suit.

Pickens, a self-taught artist, says most of his inspiration comes from an internal connection with an intriguing person. He has painted sports titans like Kobe Bryant and Muhammad Ali, and music icons such as Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley. “I'm normally listening to their biography or their music. Once I hear a song that I connect with, I start researching the person, and that gets me on the path of who I want to paint,” he says.

Recently, Pickens has been especially moved by the late singer Amy Winehouse. Pickens pays tribute to Winehouse and her signature bouffant by painting her in black and white. Besides being a play on her album title, Back to Black, Pickens says he has other reasons for using the tones. “Many people who are super successful or gifted have

this turmoil they're dealing with.

They're so covered up in all this pain,” he says. His portrait of Wine house is just one example of his strengths in shadow and shading.

Pickens works on his pieces one at a time at home after hours, but his artwork is always on his mind.

“I'm constantly thinking about how I'm going to put this layer on this

Pickens, photographed in an indoor-outdoor event space at Pullman Yards, is wearing the Cardinal red double-breasted suit ($1,295) available at Miguel Wilson Collection.

for servers. “I was building the bones of internal operations. The things no one ever thinks about I learned firsthand,” he says.

The latest location opened on Peachtree-Dunwoody Road in October 2022. A two-story space, it includes a wraparound balcony overlooking the King and Queen buildings. The menu features the usual El Azteca staples, including nachos, burritos and quesadillas, as well as “trendier” items like tortas, chorizo tacos and queso Oaxaca.

Macias says he enjoys thinking up new items, such as a cocktail promoting a new alcohol vendor. “When I went to school, I wanted to do advertisements and commercials,” he says. “I was able to incorporate that in the restaurants by handling menu designs and promotions.”

He also enjoys roaming the restaurants and mingling with guests, many of whom are long standing regulars. “Our locations are so connected to the community they’re in,” he says. “Growing up, everyone knew who my family was. The restaurants were staples in our area. We call it the Mexican Cheers. Everyone knows your name.”

When he’s not at work, the Buckhead resident plays singles tennis, takes his English bulldog, Mr. Pickles, to the dog park and tries new restaurants around Atlanta. At least once a month, he travels, everywhere from Playa del Carmen,

He also contributes to charitable foundations, including Project Open Hand, the Atlanta Humane Society, Root Local and nsoro, which supports youths aging out of foster care. His goal is to join the board at a nonprofit in the near future.

He knows he’ll be taking over his parents’ El Azteca locations in the next few years and hopes to open additional sites in West Midtown, Brookhaven and/or Chamblee. “It’ll be a lot more work and more responsibility. I’ll be carrying on what my parents started—their legacy,” he says. n • @elaztecaperimeter

Macias, photographed outdoors at the Pullman Yards, is wearing the Casablanca white seersucker suit ($1,295), available at Miguel Wilson Collection.

Dr. Yolanda Scott, the woman behind Brookhaven's Skin Suite MedSpa, has gifted hands. She confidently works on wrinkles, creases and more on some of the most sensitive parts of the human body. “I tell my patients I have the best hands for this,” she says, alluding to her unconventional path to aesthetics. “I am going to do exactly what should be done because I'm really good at what I do, and I love what I do. ”

Scott, a board-certified physician, began her career in 2015 in interventional spine and pain management. During this time, she completed additional training to treat migraines therapeutically with Botox. “The patients I treated were happy, not only because their migraines went away but also because their faces looked great,” she says. The two-for-one success inspired her to lean deeper into aesthetics.

After her youngest daughter was born in 2017 the mother of three found herself on a postpartum health journey. “My body looked great, but my face didn’t match how I felt or how my body looked,” Scott says. She sought Botox, a treatment that created an immediate confidence boost. “I knew I wanted to do that for other people, too.” Armed with a firm grasp on the medical use for Botox, filler and hyaluronic acids commonly used for joint injections, Scott’s goal was to learn the subtle nuances of aesthetics and product selection.

Unlike traditional family medicine or other medical specialties, there isn’t yet a universal standard for aesthetic education. Instead, interested parties are certified. Scott strives to set her standards higher with intention. Products and equipment are researched and tested by Scott, and transparency is one of her core values. “I will never sell or advertise something that I don't trust or don't know much about, and I'm not going to try to get you to do services that you don't need,” she says.

Skin Suite is a warm, welcoming and safe place, she says. “I approach this field from an honest standpoint, and I like developing long-term relationships with my clients.” As such, she says privacy and discretion are important to her, so clients rarely have overlapping appointments. Above all, Scott’s goal is to

DR. YOLANDA SCOTT

Making aesthetics accessible STORY: Nicole Letts

educate others, whether or not they are her clients. Aesthetics, she says, are not just for high-end or elite patients; they should be accessible to all. “I'm very honest about my own journey, so more people will feel comfortable with it, too,” she says.

She regularly pushes herself to learn more about the growing industry to stay on the cutting edge of

new technology. Currently, her focus is on utilizing stem cell treatments to increase Botox longevity. “During my training in pain management, we were able to use platelet-rich plasma to help with joint pain. We use that in aesthetics, too, but now we're starting to get a little bit more savvy with it and are starting to look to different types of regenerative medicines.”

As for fear of getting started or looking stereotypically frozen or without emotion after treatment, Scott is quick to put concerns to rest. “Now we're a lot softer, and we're a lot better [at aesthetics],” she says. “The goal is to look like yourself but like you had a good rest, so you look more refreshed in a natural way.” n skinsuitemedspa.com • @skinsuitemedspa

Scott, photographed in a gaming area at AlcoHall at Pullman Yards, is wearing the Milly Oria pleated dress ($495), Fairchild Baldwin beaded necklace ($395) and Julie Vos Catalina stud earrings ($135) available at Poppy's of Atlanta.

McGee, photographed in a lounge at Pullman Yards' AlcoHall, is wearing the Milly gradient zig-zag dress ($495), Alexis Bittar lucite molten link necklace ($695) and Federika Padula earrings (price upon request), available at Poppy's of Atlanta.

JULIE MCGEE

Adventurous entrepreneur levels up the spray tan industry STORY: Emily L. Foley

Avid reality TV fans may recognize Julie McGee from her time as a contestant on Survivor: San Juan del Sur back in 2014, but in Atlanta, she’s known as the Spray Tan Queen.

The owner of True Glow Bronzing & Beauty Bar, McGee began her entrepreneurial journey in 2009 after

the real estate market crash forced her to pivot from her career as a realtor. “I was 27 and had just purchased my first home, so I had to figure out a way to pay my mortgage,” she shares. “I have always loved spray tanning, so I got my business license and started going door to door with a mobile spray tan business.” That

ning and her skill. “From the start, I stayed at the cutting edge of every technique and provided services no one else in town did,” she says. From her approach to blending the color on the hands and feet to being one of the first studios in the city to introduce drying powder after a spray tan session, McGee has a reputation for being at the forefront of tanning trends.

McGee also dabbled in acting after her stint on Survivor, and through conversations in makeup trailers, she developed a business spray tanning film industry A-Listers to get them perfectly bronzed for their roles. “It was like going back to my mobile tanning days,” she says. “I’d roll up to a hotel or rental home and find myself spraying the likes of Michael Douglas or Queen Latifah.”

In September of 2023, McGee moved into a larger space in the heart of Buckhead and expanded her team and services. “I train all my sprayers and only work with the best,” McGee says. “I pride myself on my reputation. A True Glow tan has to be perfect!”

She also has a retail shop and offers other body services. These include a full body exfoliation, but since spray tanning pros know you are supposed to exfoliate 24 hours before your tan, McGee has developed a system of closing the pores after the service. “We use hot towels to open the pores and help break up any old solution before exfoliating, and then we use a natural toner and ice roller (created and developed by McGee) to close the pores. Everything I offer is unique and has an incredible amount of thought behind it,” she says. Other services are non-invasive body contouring with a Lipo Laser, teeth whitening and eyelash extensions.

was in Athens, and at the beginning of spray tanning’s popularity, so while McGee was able to start her business, she wasn’t connecting with the right clientele.

So a few months into her business journey, McGee moved to Atlanta and began to make a name for herself with both her passion for tan-

McGee now juggles her business with motherhood as she has two preschoolers. She's also in the manufacturing phase of a patent-pending tool she says will change the industry. Anyone who has visited True Glow recently has seen it in action: The applicator flawlessly applies finishing powder to your spray tan in seconds. “My tool is something every spray tan studio and mobile spray tanner needs,” says McGee. “I’m going to be selling BloGlo to tanners around the world.” n yourtrueglow.com • @trueglowtan

PETER KILEY

Brewing up good for the city he loves STORY: Michael Jacobs

Peter Kiley is addicted to creation. “It’s this idea of taking an abstract thought and creating a concrete product,” says Kiley, brewmaster of Upper Westside’s Monday Night Brewing. “That is my drug of choice.”

His field of choice provides endless opportunities.

The Atlanta native and graduate of Sandy Springs’ Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School studied chemistry at the University of Georgia. But instead of medical school, he followed an aunt and uncle to northern California’s Anderson Valley and learned winemaking at their vineyard.

“A piece of me was missing” far from Atlanta, Kiley says, so he moved back and made wine at Chateau Elan. He then studied to be a sommelier and managed events but missed creation.

Monday Night Brewing was working toward opening a taproom in 2013 when Kiley applied to be its manager to get a start there. He soon was tapped instead to fold boxes part time in return for beer. He became an assistant brewer in May 2013.

By that time he was dating the sales director. He and Rachel, now the chief operating officer, married in 2017 and have two children, ages 6 and 3.

“Beer was really a thing of love, and I think it found me at the right time when I needed an outlet,” Kiley says. After winemaking's secrecy, Kiley appreciates the collaboration between brewers. Brewing offers experimentation with ingredients and flavors, though not always successfully. “I have dumped more beer down the drain than a UGA fraternity could consume in a lifetime,” he says.

The elevated “winification” of beer with techniques such as barrel aging has helped Monday Night Brewing win awards and fueled growth, he says. The company added a tasting room, The Garage, dedicated to barrel-aged beer, then expanded to Alabama, Tennessee and North Carolina. Now it is launching a wine program.

Meanwhile, Kiley and his wife started Sneaky Pete Spirits, which includes a variety of spirits. They launched Pedro Furtivo (Spanish for Sneaky Pete) tequila and Yacht Water, a tequila-based, ready-todrink canned cocktail. As with wine, Kiley says, the soil is crucial for tequila; as with beer, he plans such creative touches as barrel aging.

love again,” he says. “With beer, I respected it so much that it wasn’t as lustful and invigorating.”

Kiley to tap into his Atlanta relationship capital. “I mainly do depositing. I haven’t really done many withdrawals.”

Those deposits include serving on the board of Grove Park’s PAWKids community hub, raising money for

and benefiting from 4.04% of the proceeds from Monday Night’s 404 Lager, their fund raises money for nonprofits working on education, housing, food and mental health.

“I love the work I do in beer. I love the work I’ve done in wine.

Kiley, photographed in front of a century-old furnace in Pullman Yards' building 6, is wearing the Wall Street navy 2-piece suit ($1,295), available at Miguel Wilson Collection.

Ali Brown got her career start working at Deloitte with banking and investment clients. Originally from Columbia, South Carolina, she dated her high school sweetheart while they were living apart (she in Washington, D.C., and he in Boston). The two UGA graduates were able to move to Atlanta together, where his family had lived previously, and she began a career in mergers and acquisitions. “I learned how to be a great client service person, problem solve, analyze big data, ask thoughtful questions, understand the importance of processes and gain M&A transaction experience,” she says.

Then in 2020, when the pandemic hit, and Brown was six months pregnant, all business came to a halt. The time away from working changed her perspective on her career. “M&A is highly unpredictable,” she says. “I loved working like that in my 20s, but when I had a family and a husband with an equally ambitious career and working 16-hour days, it became really challenging. It just wasn’t compatible with my pace of life.”

While she enjoyed her time off, she itched to find something just as fulfilling but less intense as her previous business work that could use her skills to support smaller businesses. Here and there, she helped her father-in-law, Terry Brown, a managing partner at Asana Partners, with investing in worthy companies. “It was just something on the side,” she says. However, sensing that her talents could be used in a more formal setting, the Brown family officially launched Red Flyer Investments in January 2023, offering Brown the opportunity to balance her two loves: family and work. “I was able to work but also be present,” she says.

The name began with a Radio Flyer wagon. “We wanted to nod to an iconic family brand and also convey messaging for great ideas taking flight,” she says.

Brown leads the business on behalf of the family. “We’re drawn to consumer brands we feel connected to,” she says. “We look at companies across food and beverage, clean beauty, health and wellness, lifestyle, apparel, new retail concepts, baby and kids, and anything we find interesting, cool,

ALI BROWN

Red Flyer Investments’ GM helps bring new businesses to their next chapter STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

innovative or distinctive in the marketplace,” she says. That includes brands such as Alice, a functional mushroom chocolate brand; Fishwife, a tinned fish brand; and Hanni, a body care beauty brand based in Atlanta. While it’s not necessary for brands to be fully female-founded, more than 75% of the Red Flyer portfolio is made up of female owners, a point of pride for Brown.

The firm offers financial support in the form of minority

stake investments up to $500,000, as well as expertise in finance, accounting, processes, real estate, marketing, network connections and more. Brown’s duties involve driving the day-to-day business. She has become an expert at balancing the personal interests of the entrepreneurs she works with and the growth-oriented goals, with an eye toward a high valuation when the company is sold one day.

Females make up only 11% of

investing partners at VC firms according to a study by the Harvard Kennedy School of Women and Public Policy Program, but it’s a position Brown is proud to hold. “There’s a really active ecosystem of female business leaders out there, and access to capital for female entrepreneurs continues to be a significant challenge,” she says. “We’re happy to support them.” n redflyerinvestments.com @redflyerinvestments

Brown, photographed in the Porter Hall event venue at Pullman Yards, is wearing the Mestiza Carmen dress ($365), Fairchild Baldwin necklace ($395), and K. Bailey stud earrings ($92) available at Poppy's of Atlanta.

First Things you First

DELICIOUS

Voilà

Paris

BISTRO NIKO TRANSPORTS GUESTS TO THE CITY OF LIGHT

Afoodie’s exploration of Paris, “The City of Love,” can spark multiple feelings: fondness for a certain pastry, passion for a specific ingredient, a crush on a particular restaurant, obsession with a sauce or heart-fluttering wonder about what tasty discoveries lurk around the next corner.

Bistro Niko, located in the Sovereign building in the heart of Buckhead’s

business district, can cause the same reactions. Head here to satisfy longings for French fare, whether you’re curious to try it for the first time or looking to satiate cravings between overseas trips. The restaurant’s interior captures the essence of French decor, from its swirled ceilings to its red leather seats, from its bustling servers to its energetic din, from the baskets brimming with baguettes in the open kitchen to the neat rows of bottles at the bar. ➥

STORY: Hope S. Philbrick

PHOTOS: Erik Meadows

Bistro Niko presents modern Parisian dishes for Atlantan palates.

Escargot are garlicky, chewy and crispy.

Opened in 2009 as part of the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, the menu at Bistro Niko was influenced by the founders’ food-focused trip to Paris and honed by tasting hundreds of dishes. It presents modern Parisian dishes for Atlantan palates. Even menu items that aren’t classic French have a French accent.

Love at first bite is a genuine possibility. For me, it happened with the “mushroom and truffle essence,” a French pizza topped with mushrooms, gruyère and fontina cheese.

In my first review of the restaurant written shortly after its grand opening, I said of that dish: “Try to steal a piece from me, and your hand will get forked!” I stand by the threat 15 years later, though I have in that time shared a slice or two, albeit reluctantly. The tarte is always part of my order, whatever the season, time or day, or level of hunger.

My newest infatuation is the Spécialité Le St. Germain cocktail, a refreshing combination of elderflow-

times, enough to share or keep for yourself to accompany a meal.

While wearing precious clothes, I wouldn’t order a tureen of French onion soup, though some consider the contrast of sweet, tangy and earthy flavors worth the risk of a splash. I find it a bit too sweet, but my husband digs in at every opportunity. Burgundy escargot en croûte tops chewy snails with crisp rounds of pastry—tasty, though a bit too garlicky for me. Traditional country pâté, billed as Chef Gary Donlick’s specialty, is firm and hearty with salty umami; served with cornichon pickles, grainy mustard and baguette toast, it’s like a picnic on a platter.

Coq au vin is a perennial best-seller for good reason. This French classic of braised chicken in red wine with mushrooms and pearl onions

Eggs Benedict and Croque Madame are stars of the weekend brunch menu.

Right: Traditional country pâté is Chef Gary Donlick’s specialty.

Below: French pizza with mushroom and truffle is a longtime favorite.

Above: Steak au poivre tempers pepper with brandied cream mushrooms.

Right: Sweet and juicy Florida shrimp provencal has Creole flair.

Left: Veal tenderloins chasseur are sophisticated decadence.

veal tenderloins chasseur pair rounds of tender meat with mushrooms, tomato, potato confit and a white wine veal jus. It’s the sort of dish that you could attempt to make at home but probably wouldn’t, so it feels like a treat. Steak au poivre is a spicier option with pepper-crusted twin beef tenderloins, addictive brandied cream mushrooms and sauteed spinach. Tangy and salty, Florida shrimp provencal cooks the shellfish with crushed tomatoes, herbs de Provence, shallots, white wine and fingerling potatoes.

Saturday and Sunday brunch features several dishes that also appear on the lunch and dinner menus along with breakfast options. Eggs Benedict layers grilled ham and poached

eggs atop brioche toast that’s not quite strong enough to hold up to its toppings yet yummy by the forkful.

More impressive is the Croque Madame, a classic French sandwich meant to be eaten with fork and knife; it’s like a fancy grilled cheese filled with ham and gruyère cheese topped with mornay sauce and a perfectly cooked sunny side egg.

Save room for dessert. The French classic île flotante is an elegant treat featuring fluffy light “floating islands” of soft meringue on a pool of crème anglaise with toasted almond slices on top for crunchy contrast. Crème brûlée marries soft custard with crunchy burnt sugar for a delightful contrast of flavor and texture. Profiteroles sandwich ice cream between halved choux pastry puffs drizzled with chocolate sauce for added happiness.

Inspired by “The City of Light,” Bistro Niko sparkles with eye-catching design, upscale fare, attentive service and abundant energy. n

tenderloins chasseur, coq au vin, croque madame, pommes frites, île flottante

Bottom line: Upscale bar and bistro with a bustling vibe that serves French fare and drinks with modern twists.

The "floating island" (île flottante) of meringue in a pool of crème anglaise is simple yet elegant.

TROPICAL TRANSPORT

The Mai Tai is a summer getaway in a glass STORY: Angela Hansberger

Tiki conjures up thatched roofs, bamboo, lilting ukuleles and those little drink umbrellas. Neither the decor nor the overly garnished cocktails belong to any particular location. Tiki is a cultural phenomenon fabricated in the 1930s for tropical escapism with mostly rum-based cocktails. It’s as American as apple pie, and no cocktail is more iconic of the aesthetic than the Mai Tai. Like most classics, the origin story is disputed. Drink historians owe creation to Victor “Trader Vic” Bergeron in 1944. Although Donn Gannt, who opened the world’s first tiki bar Don the Beachcomber, also laid claim. (A case went to court, and Bergeron won the lawsuit.)

Basically a rum sour, the Mai Tai is a harmonious mixture of rum, fruity sweetness from orange Curaçao, tart lime juice and nutty orgeat (almond syrup) served over crushed ice. It’s complex and fairly strong, and as much a getaway as the ornamentation of a tiki bar. Done well, the cocktail is refreshing but not sweet. Tropical aroma is

the job of the garnish and, with tiki, going over the top is A-OK. Whether served plainly over crushed ice (a key component for slow dilution), with a tiny umbrella or with a spent lime half on fire, the cocktail’s framework is refreshing and lends itself to creative riffs.

MISO MAI TAI at Roshambo

At Roshambo, Assistant General Manager Annie Bradley punches things up with a bit of umami. She leans into savory notes with a miso-sesame syrup along with orgeat, Cointreau and freshly squeezed lime juice. She serves it over crushed ice in elegant highball style. It’s a fun and interesting take on traditional almond orgeat that plays up the tropical sweetness of Blackwell Jamaican dark rum. And while Roshambo’s food is not Polynesian, a Mai Tai pairs well with a plate of Disco Tots.

MY-THAI at Tiki Thai

To go along with the flavorful Thai delicacies, Tiki Thai’s version of a Mai Tai includes a kick of spice. No nuts

are involved in this one. Silver rum and a mango-chili syrup form the base with juices from pineapple and orange and orange liqueur shaken together. Pomegranate syrup gives it a fiery hue, and a spice rim carries tangy heat to the taste buds.

MAI TAI VERSIONS at Your 3rd Spot

It’s not tiki, but Your 3rd Spot aims to take you away, for a few hours at least. Along with games and shareable small plates, even the Mai Tai can be a varied experience. This version is fully tropical, beginning with Plantation Pineapple Rum, agave and orgeat, and then shaking in passionfruit and pineapple juice. It is served in an adorable pineapple glass with mint garnish for one and in a carafe for a shareable version for two to four people. There is also the option of a sampling of the spot’s top five cocktails, including the Mai Tai. n

ROSHAMBO • roshamboatl.com • @roshamboatl TIKI THAI • tikithaiatlanta.com • @tikitthai_atl YOUR 3RD SPOT your3rdspot.com • @your3rdspot

Shaking one up at home is easy enough, but most home bars don’t include fresh orgeat. Atlanta-based Tip Top Proper Cocktails has a solution to this problem. This spring, the company released a new canned cocktail focusing on the tiki classic. The Mai Tai, created by Kimball House barman and partner Miles Macquarrie, is composed of four ingredients: a blend of silver, Jamaican and barrel aged rums; lime juice; Curaçao; and orgeat. It looks small, but it is rum forward and full strength. It is somehow simple yet complex. Beyond its refreshing flavor, it takes up much less space than the many bottles needed to shake one up. And tiny umbrellas are easy to come by.

TIP TOP PROPER COCKTAILS tiptopcocktails.com • @tiptoppropercocktails

Brandon Amato

The Cocktail Shaker

Above: What's better than a Mai Tai? Make it for two at Your 3rd Spot.

Right: Tiki Thai stirs in mango-chili syrup to their My-Thai for a punch of heat.

Above: Roshambo marries tropical with savory in their Miso Mai Tai, made with miso-sesame syrup.

FOODIE JOURNAL Culinary News & Notes

A NEW ERA

The Betty's Thomas Davis chats about the eatery's refreshed identity and menu

With recently appointed Executive Chef Thomas Davis at the helm, The Betty, an elevated restaurant on the first floor of Buckhead’s Kimpton Sylvan Hotel, underwent a menu and identity refresh. The new offerings embrace classic comfort dishes and high-quality, local ingredients. We spoke with

BY Claire Ruhlin

Executive Chef Thomas Davis has crafted a new menu at The Betty, combining classic nostalgia and elevated techniques.

curated an ambiance and menu that straddle the line between upscale sophistication and laid-back comfort, making it the ideal spot for a post-work unwind or a gathering with friends. Formality takes a backseat to warmth and inclusivity.

What inspired the refreshed menu?

FOOD NEWS

n Matt Marcus, previously the executive chef-owner at Watershed, has joined West Midtown’s The Woodall as the executive chef. Expect new techniques and Southern-informed dishes inspired by Marcus’ experience. thewoodallwestside.com

n Mediterranean restaurant Aviva by Kameel, which has outposts in downtown and Midtown, is planning a third location at the Buckhead Landing development. avivabykameel.com

A location of North Carolina-based chain Summit Coffee is in the works for The Shops of Dunwoody. The company currently has two Atlanta-area locations in Roswell and Emory Village. summitcoffee.com

Davis about how this shift better represents The Betty’s team and the surrounding neighborhood.

What excites you most about the refreshed menu?

This new, truer-to-heart identity and menu at The Betty blend community and destination dining. We've

Cauliflower Power

Spice up your next veggie side dish with this recipe from NaanStop

NaanStop Gobi Serves 2-4

INGREDIENTS:

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets

(or 1 pound frozen cauliflower)

1 cup diced onion

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

½ cup tomato sauce

1 tablespoon coriander, ground

1 tablespoon cumin, ground

1 tablespoon turmeric, ground

1 teaspoon salt

Pinch red chili or cayenne pepper

Pinch garam masala

¼ cup finely chopped cilantro

INSTRUCTIONS

Place a large skillet or wok on medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil or other neutral oil. Add diced onion and grated fresh ginger and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add tomato sauce, spices (coriander, cumin, turmeric, chili,

The inspiration was a vision of approachable, nostalgic food crafted in an elevated fashion. We take pride in sourcing fresh and seasonal ingredients as well as working with regional purveyors. The menu offers comforting, classic dishes that people recognize but maybe haven’t had in a long time or don’t experience on a routine basis. Dishes like beef stroganoff or prime rib encourage diners to think, “Oh, I haven’t had that in a long time, but I know it, and I love it!”

What else is new?

The Betty is also incredibly cocktail-focused, with a wine and cocktail menu crafted by our Beverage Director and Sommelier Bill Brillinger. From classics like the signature

garam masala) and salt, and mix into a paste, cooking briefly. Add cauliflower to the skillet and mix well. If using fresh cauliflower, add ¼ cup of water. If using frozen, omit the water. Cover the skillet with a lid. Stir every few minutes, ensuring the cauliflower doesn’t burn to the bottom. Reduce heat and add a little bit of water if needed. Continue cooking 5–10 minutes until the cauliflower reaches tender-crisp. It should still have a little bit of crunch but not taste raw. Remove from heat, add chopped cilantro and stir to combine. Save a little chopped cilantro to sprinkle on top as a garnish. Serve over freshly steamed basmati rice.

Old Fashioned Betty to more modern drinks like the Antique Rose (gin, strawberry Aperol, raspberry liquor, lemon juice and club soda), Bill has used his three decades of experience to develop stellar beverage offerings for every guest.

The Betty also offers chef’s weekly specials that feature select culinary and beverage pairings curated by my team and me. n

THE BETTY thebettyatl.com • @thebettyrestaurant

REEREE’S DOUGH reereedee.com • @reereesdough

Best served over freshly steamed basmati rice, NaanStop’s Gobi recipe dresses up cauliflower florets with bold spices and a kick of heat.

In it for the Long Haul

Meet Joseph Kahwach, the heart and soul of Basil’s Restaurant for 34 years STORY: Carly Cooper

It’s Wednesday night, and Basil’s Restaurant & Tapas Bar in Buckhead is booming. Owner Joseph Kahwach is in his element, greeting patrons—90% of whom are regulars—with a hug and a smile. Thirty-four years in, the long-standing Mediterranean restaurant is still drawing crowds both for its succulent cuisine and friendly service.

A sniper in the Lebanon Civil War, Kahwach followed his brother, Sam, to Atlanta, arriving on his 21st birthday. He studied restaurant and hotel management at Georgia State University and worked in various restaurants around the South, including the John Portman-designed Midnight Sun. In 1989, he settled in Buckhead, working for Heinz Schwab at Hedgerose Heights Inn on East Paces Ferry. About a year later, the brothers opened Basil’s around the corner, named for one of their mother’s favorite herbs. For Basil’s, they drew on their Mediterranean

roots and put together a menu that was “a little Spanish, Italian, Moroccan, Middle Eastern and Lebanese,” Kahwach says. When Hedgerose shuttered not long after, Basil’s inherited much of its staff, some of whom still work there today.

Though his brother left the business decades ago, he still visits frequently. At 65, Kahwach is at the top of his game, buying fresh produce for the restaurant, checking on the kitchen staff and chatting with customers. “This is my home away from home,” he says. “I’m here day and night.”

How did your mother impact Basil’s?

Without her, the restaurant wouldn’t be here. My mother would come for long periods and cook. We had to build her a step stool so she could reach the top of the fridge because she was only 5 feet tall. Customers loved her. One time we had a fleet of 20 cars come because

they heard on the radio that she was here, and they wanted to eat her homestyle cooking. She passed away in 2008. We used to drink Turkish coffee together every morning. Now I put coffee by her picture on the bar, and we drink together.

How has the restaurant changed over the years?

We update the menu as Buckhead changes. A few signature items have been on it since the beginning: the mezze platter, shrimp Santorini (used to be called Greek shrimp) and kabobs.

In 2014, the building caught on fire from lightning. We closed, renovated and reopened in August 2015. The restaurant was once a house. It had an attic and three small rooms, and the bathroom was in the center facing the bar. Now it has a 14-foot cathedral ceiling and one huge room. We display new art from Atlanta Artists Center next door

and sell it from the walls. The bar is twice the original size. We used to just have basic drinks; now we have signature cocktails and mocktails.

I hear you’re a big Braves fan. I probably watch 150 out of 162 games. We added TVs to the patio, and sometimes it gets a little rowdy here when the Braves play.

What else do you do for fun?

I used to shoot pool six days a week. During the early stages of the restaurant, I would go to bars and pass out business cards. Sometimes I’d stay out late and come straight to work. Those were the good old days! I live 500 feet from the restaurant. There’s a pool table upstairs. If I have energy at the end of the night, I’ll go upstairs, turn on my Lebanese music or Nora Jones, and shoot. n

FEATURED RESTAURANTS

A sampling of great eats in and around

Buckhead

Antico Pizza Napoletana's Vesuvio calzone packs a punch with spicy and salty flavors; temper that heat with the tangy marinara sauce served alongside.

The Magnolia breakfast at Roshambo is always available.

Gypsy Kitchen presents an array of creative cocktails.

BY: Wendell Brock, Rebecca Cha, Jennifer Bradley Franklin, Angela Hansberger, Hope S. Philbrick PHOTOS: Madelynne Grace, Erik Meadows

ANTICO PIZZA NAPOLETANA

The best pizzas linger in memory and spark cravings long after that last piece is gone. Antico Pizza Napoletana’s original Westside location presents several contenders with its straightforward menu of 11 pizzas (five with red sauce, six with white) plus three calzones. San Gennaro makes taste buds swoon with its sweet, spicy, savory and salty combination of sausage, peppers, bufala mozzarella and cippolini onion atop the restaurant’s signature charred-yet-chewy crust. The specialty Sophia pizza is topped with mozzarella, onion, mushrooms and a hint of white truffle oil with sophisticated results. The crowd-pleasing Margherita D.O.P. presents a tantalizing combination of imported tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. Lasagna pizza tops red sauce with meatballs, ricotta and Romano cheeses for flavors that are mild yet satisfying. Off-menu items include a pre-packaged salad and imported drinks. You’re welcome to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy alongside your meal with no corkage fee.

Pizza: $19-27 • Calzoni: $18-19 • littleitalia.com

ECCO BUCKHEAD

Meals at Ecco in Buckhead have the elegance and spontaneity of a spin around the dance floor, thanks to the hyper-seasonal approach to the menu. The kitchen shines in creative interpretations of European cuisine with dishes such as Spanish octopus with Castelvetrano olives, grilled pork tenderloin with beet top risotto, and tortellini stuffed with butternut squash and mascarpone. Perennial favorites such as fried goat cheese with honey and cracked black pepper and the Allora flatbread (with its San Marzano tomato sauce, still bubbling mozzarella, hot sopressata and pepperoni) don’t fail to impress. Paired with expert service, a nicely curated wine list and an atmosphere that’s at once sleek and cozy, this Phipps Plazaadjacent eatery warrants a visit. Bottom line: If you find something you crave, visit soon to get it before it’s gone.

Small plates: $9-$18 • Flatbreads: $15-$21

Pasta and mains: $19-$36 • Sides: $7-$12 Desserts: $6-$9 • ecco-atlanta.com

FISHMONGER WEST MIDTOWN

Don’t let Atlanta’s landlocked location deter you from going all-in on seafood. It’s superfresh at this homegrown eatery, founded by Nhan Le and Skip Englebrecht. Embrace the casual vibe with well-crafted cocktails and freshly shucked oysters, all sourced from around the South. Prepare to get a little messy with an order of head-on, peel-andeat shrimp coated in New Bae Seasoning, served with much-needed sopping toast or a petite lobster roll drenched in warm butter. Or copy former U.S. president Obama’s

order of Caesar salad, given an extra kick and interest from Calabrian chiles and briny bottarga, topped with blackened grouper. There’s nothing fancy or pretentious about this eatery; it turns out consistently tasty dishes. Even the reviewers from Atlanta’s first Michelin Guide are fans.

Salad: $13 • Sandwiches: $16-$32

Oysters: $18-$22 • Crudo: $18 • Sides: $5-$8

Dessert: $8 • fishmongergroup.com

GYPSY KITCHEN

Take your taste buds on a nomadic journey at Gypsy Kitchen in the Buckhead Village District, where you’ll find abundant flavors plus an upbeat vibe. Small plates dominate the menu, true to the Spanish tapas experience. The eclectic assortment ensures there’s something to please just about anyone, with abundant vegetarian options as well as diverse omnivore plates. Don’t miss tirokroketes, a trio of crisp cheese balls served with spicy-tart almond romesco sauce. Grilled octopus is cooked to tender perfection. Roasted mushrooms and whipped goat cheese toast surely makes avocado toast green with envy. Moroccan spiced lamb skewers are pleasantly spicy. Sumac honeyroasted carrots offer a healthy way to satisfy sweet cravings. The bar menu presents wine, beer and creative cocktails including gin and tonic on draught with an exclusive tonic. Sangria is offered in both red and rosé versions, with shareable carafes available for an authentic Spanish experience.

Cocktails: $9-15 • Small plates: $9-20

Meat & cheese: $8-48 • Mains: $25-65

Desserts: $10-12 • gk-atl.com

KR STEAKBAR

Atlanta chef Kevin Rathbun’s only Buckhead restaurant feels custom-tailored for the community. A contemporary nocturnal cubbyhole where small plates rule, wine flows and the air bristles with excitement, the fashionable “steakbar” concept finds Rathbun and chef de cuisine Jessica Gamble fusing two venerable concepts: meat and Italian. Here, nearly everything speaks with a perky Mediterranean lilt: amari-kissed cocktails, steak doused with espresso sauce, heavenly olive-oil cake with almond brittle and citrus cream. Hidden touches, like the speakeasystyle bar behind the kitchen and a patio that feels like a sunken garden, make us want to continue to explore this romantic spot.

Antipasti: $6-$19 • Pasta: $12-$16

Entrees: $18-$68 • krsteakbar.com

PRICCI

Opened in 1991, Pricci is the Italian jewel in Buckhead Life Restaurant Group’s crown. This Buckhead institution still aspires to (and delivers) exceptional service, superlative

Italian cooking and a vibe that’s both elegant and inclusive. Nothing says buon appetito like silky burrata Pugliese (cream filled mozzarella), tangy parmesan and anchovy-rich Caesar salad and aromatic steamed cozze (mussels in tomato-garlic sauce). Barbera-braised short rib ravioli, pecorino-sauced cacio e pepe and pizzas of all varieties are favorites, but if you’re extra peckish, order the Dutch-imported 16-ounce veal chop. Mangia bene, but don’t forget to try Pricci’s world-class tiramisu.

Appetizers and salads: $8-$26 • Pizza and pastas: $17-$27 • Entrees: $24-$46

Desserts: $6-$15 • buckheadrestaurants.com

ROSHAMBO

Roshambo is owners Chris Hall, Ryan Turner and Todd Mussman’s “love letter to Atlanta.”

The decor honors the city, including a triplelayered wall of the Atlanta skyline and a collection of plates adorned with local icons. Lunch, dinner and weekend brunch menus present something for everyone, whatever the craving and definition of “comfort food.”

Daily specials expand the weekday options. The Magnolia plates two eggs any style with creamy heirloom grits, crispy bacon, turkey sausage and a hearty biscuit. Shrimp and grits is a popular standard that evolves with added seasonal ingredients. The best-selling faux cheval burger is packed with juicy umami.

Bucket O’Chicken, which serves up to four, showcases crispy-juicy segments of fried bird alongside two sides like collards and mac ’n cheese. Chicken shawarma has strips of spicerubbed poultry with hummus, pita, cucumber and tomato salad plus tzatziki sauce. Butter cake, a merger of bread pudding and caramel apples, is so popular it can sell out.

Cocktails: $10-18 • Starters: $9-17

Salads: $9-25 • Sandwiches: $16-21

Mains: $18-34 • Daily plates: $21-45

Bucket O’Chicken: $68 • Sweets: $10 roshamboatl.com

TWISTED SOUL

COOKHOUSE & POURS

Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours on the westside ranks among Atlanta’s dining stars. The award-winning team that includes Chef/Owner Deborah VanTrece and Executive Chef Robert Butts proves that even the most recognizable dishes can soar above expectations. The dining room sets a casual vibe, but the menu offers familiar and creative dishes that are expertly prepared and artfully presented. There’s something for most any palate. Signature cocktails showcase seasonal ingredients in innovative, well-balanced concoctions such as “Dream of Spring” and “Little Miss Staycation.” The best-selling Southern marinated fried chicken sticks around even when the menu changes every three months. Each piece of the half-chicken has crispy skin and juicy meat,

and is cast iron pan-fried to sheer perfection. Hoisin oxtails rank as the second best-seller, for good reason. Tender braised meat falls off the bone, its savory umami touched with sweet Cantonese flair. Layers of flavor and contrasting textures combine for scrumptious results.

Small plates: $6-22 • Sandwiches: $15-20

Salads: $12-16 • Entrees: $24-42

Desserts: $12 • Cocktails: $14-17

twistedsoulatl.com

VALENZA

There’s something alluring about the Italian way of life—and of dining. It’s marked by family and friends enjoying unhurried meals made with ingredients grown nearby and crafted with care. A meal at Valenza, in the heart of Brookhaven, embodies those ideals. You can’t go wrong with the spaghettini, topped with fist-sized meatballs made of tender veal, pork and beef and a tart sauce of San Marzano tomatoes and red wine; mezze maniche pasta tubes tossed with a silky ragu made of tender pork shoulder, Umbrian lentils, white wine and roasted red peppers topped with crunchy breadcrumbs; or wood-grilled octopus served on wedges of panelle (Sicilian chickpea fritters) with mint, Castelvetrano olives, pine nuts and pea shoots. Each dish is as pretty as it is delicious, and everything is served in such a welcoming atmosphere that you’ll want to become a regular.

Antipasti: $8-$24 • Primi: $20-$28 Secondi: $24-$44 • Sides: $10

Desserts: $10 • valenzarestaurant.com

YUZU

Chamblee is to Atlanta what 1980s SOHO was to Manhattan: edgy and on the verge, which is why traditional, sedate Yuzu is such a welcome respite in its midst. Veteran restaurateurs Anna and Kenny Kim run their dining room with efficiency and grace. With a flash of his Masamoto knife, Chef Kim delivers top-notch sushi and sashimi such as chu-toro, escolar and salmon, as well as mouthwatering rolls (we highly recommend the special spicy rainbow roll and the crunchy dragon roll). With dishes such as tempura udon, charred salmon skin salad, Japanese ceviche and an impeccable teriyaki chicken, there’s something for everyone at this authentic sushi bistro. Appetizers, salads: $4-$14.50 • Special plates: $13.50-$17.80 • Sushi plates, rolls: $8.50-$16.50 • Dinner entrees: $13.50-$15.90 yuzusushiatlanta.com

Note: Prices and menu items may have changed since original publication.

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Visit simplybuckhead.com to read all of our restaurant reviews!

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SPRING WINE FLING

STORY: Jennifer Bradley Franklin

PHOTOS: RaShun, Focus Minded Photo Stephanie Neimiller, Splash Design

More than 120 animal lovers gathered at the Millner Estate in Buckhead this spring to support Fix Georgia Pets, a nonprofit dedicated to battling animal overpopulation through grants for humane spaying and neutering. The second annual Spring Wine Fling featured four Georgia-based wineries and bites from Blue Bench Garden, a family farm and market in Dahlonega. Guests enjoyed entertainment by Alex Gråey, a singer-songwriter from Atlanta. Thanks to generous support through a silent auction and sponsors including First Horizon Bank, Ginger Howard Selections, CV Designs Jewelry, Lucy’s Market, Swoozies and media sponsor Simply Buckhead, $15,000 was raised for the cause.

Kyle Brooks

Susan Beers

Rex Dorsey

Joanna Tedder, Julie Cochran

Gayle Kaauffman, Alan Kaauffman

Jan Jones, Claudine Wilkins

Charles Morgan, John Feltman, Ginny Millner, Toni Moceri, Patricia Davis

Sandi Diehi, Mark Diehi

Tanya Weaver, Lauren Frost, Tricia Holder, Daniel Scruggs, Megan Scruggs

À VOTRE SANTÉ

Raise a glass at Bistro Niko's dramatic bar or on the patio overlooking Peachtree Road. PHOTO: Erik Meadows

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ATLANTA

Welcome to Assembly Atlanta, the city’s newest and most expansive studio complex by Gray Television. A one-stop-shop for creativity and innovation, with world-class technology and equipment provided by Universal Production Services. Learn more at AssemblyAtlanta.com.

JUNE 21–AUG. 25, 2024

The exhibition is curated by Francisca Parodi, founder of the Parodi Costume Collection, and Gonzalo Parodi, director of the Parodi Costume Collection, in partnership with Rafael Gomes, creative director of SCAD FASH museums.