Simply Buckhead September 2021 by Simply Buckhead

September 2021 ISSUE 81 • FREE Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Upper Westside

EXPLORE THE

OUTDOORS

YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN

GLAMPING, TRAILS, GARDENING AND MORE!

CAMPING WITH DOGS CHIC GOLF APPAREL ST. SIMONS CALLING

ATLANTA

Your Plans. Your Progress. Our Priority.

Two relationship-driven banks, both leaders in the industry, have officially joined forces. The combination of IBERIABANK and First Horizon creates a leading financial services company dedicated to enriching the lives of our clients, employees and communities. Together, we will deliver better technology, broader lending capabilities and an expanded financial network powered by a team you know and trust.

9 locations in Metro Atlanta to serve you firsthorizon.com/better-together

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404.809.4880 aldergroveproperties.com Independently Owned and Operated

Ralph Miller, Photographer

Luxury. Style. Ambiance.

Jerrimiah James, a sustainable-focused, exclusive, luxury personal shopping experience, has opened its first brickand-mortar location at Buckhead Village. Award-winning personal shopper, fashion activist and founder Jerry Buckner introduces the new storefront, offering over-the-top customized personal shopping services in a luxurious showroom studio for men and women in need of a more specialized and detailed approach to outfitting their lifestyles. Clients are invited to make appointments for their personalized shopping needs on the Jerrimiah James website. Upon arrival, guests settle into the warm, comforting space with champagne, small bites and entertainment. Founder and stylist, Jerry Buckner walks each client through a selection of designer items from major fashion houses and in addition extend invitations. They have the opportunity to shop styles personally curated by Jerry in the comfort of the Jerrimiah James studio. The brand offers one-stop, intuitive services based on clients’ lifestyle and needs, including everyday styling and special occasion shopping. In an effort to make designer fashion more sustainable, clients also have the opportunity to browse designer items available for resale and consign their own pieces for other guests to shop. Credit to Campfire Social for the article.

3073 Bolling Way NE, Atlanta GA 30305

404.940.0111

@jerrimiahjames

JerrimiahJames.com

L ’A G E N C E

HOUSTON • DALLAS • ATLANTA

To o t s i e s . c o m

@shoptootsiesatlanta

316 7 P e a c h t r e e R d . N E

4 04 . 842 .9 9 9 0

SIMPLY BUCKHEAD® |

SEPTEMBER 2021

Photos: 28: Scott Osborn on Unsplash, 38: Mali Azima, 59: Sara Hanna, 68: Joann Vitelli

68 38

Contents

59 COVER STORY 12 Editor’s Letter

28 Pets: Take It Outside

[ SIMPLY NOW ]

Safely make your cuddle buddy a camping companion

18 Local Salute:

30 Kids: Lousy Lice

Charity Begins at HOME

Local lice expert Tracey Fudge shares her best pest practices

Realtors exceed expectations and pay it forward

22 Travel Far: Just Breathe Beauty and hospitality is good for the soul at Turks & Caicos’ Amanyara

[ SIMPLY LIVING ]

32 Home: Hidden Jewel

DISCOVER THE GREAT OUTDOORS FROM FORAGING AND GARDENING TO GLAMPING AND OTHER OUTDOOR ADVENTURES [ SIMPLY STYLISH ]

[ SIMPLY DELICIOUS ]

40 Fashion: The Swing of Things More fashion equals

68 Review: Southeast Asian Sensation

more fun on the course

Le Colonial brings fine FrenchVietnamese cuisine to Buckhead

42 Beauty: Trendy Tresses

24 Staycation: Hotel Scene

An enchanting Peachtree Hills cottage mixes salvaged materials, modern industrial flair and romantic European touches

The Kimpton Sylvan breathes new nightlife into Buckhead

36 Bulletin Board:

Find out the right way to use aromatherapy at home

26 15 Minutes With: Ted Jenkin

Happy 60th, ADAC! Buckhead’s go-to spot for interior design celebrates a milestone

51 Wellness: Good Scents

70 Drinks: Simply Seasonable Transition summer to fall with rum

72 Foodie Journal: A Taste of Home

[ SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ]

A peek at Buckhead’s made-toorder Persian pastry business, Knead to Savor

Market Leaders

54 On Stage: On Her Way

The creative duo behind Interiors Market is bullish on vintage furnishings

Chiara D’Ambrosio talks about filming Bandit with an all-star cast in Georgia

[ SIMPLY HAPPENING ]

Founder of oXYGen Financial and co-host of The Shrimp Tank podcast

38 Tastemaker:

27 Approved: Style Shift Comfortable fall office fashion

Local stylists divulge what’s hot with hair right now

79 Events: Places to go and things to do

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

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YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA

Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Upper Westside SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 81 P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 simplybuckhead.com For advertising rates, call: 404.538.9895 Publisher and Founder

Joanne Hayes

[ F E AT U RE D C ON T RI B U T OR ]

Chief Financial Officer

Sonny Hayes [ E DI T ORI A L ]

Buckhead Grand

Managing Editor

Karina Antenucci Senior Contributing Editor

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Jennifer Bradley Franklin Creative Director

Alan Platten

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Contributing Home Editor

Giannina S. Bedford Willett Photo

Copy Editor

Lauren Finney Harden For almost a decade, Lauren Finney Harden was a fashion editor in New York City where she worked for magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Ocean Drive and Hamptons, and was the launch editor-in-chief of Lonely Planet’s first and awardwinning North American magazine, Lonely Planet. No topic, from travel to luxury goods to interiors, is off-limits for Finney Harden to cover. In addition to her editorial work, the print and digital content creator serves clients through editorial consulting, content creation, native and branded content and more. She is now based in her hometown of Atlanta.

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BUCKHEAD RESIDENT 22 years Experience agent1atlanta@gmail.com

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September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

H.M. Cauley Contributing Writers

Jill Becker H.M. Cauley Rebecca Cha Carly Cooper Lauren Finney Harden Mickey Goodman Angela Hansberger Taylor Heard Michael Jacobs Amy Meadows Vanessa Pascale Rust Claire Ruhlin Ginger Strejcek [ PHO T O GRA PHE RS ]

Sara Hanna David Parham Joann Vitelli [ SALES & ADVERTISING ] Senior Account Executive

Cheryl Isaacs Account Executive

Michelle Johnson Graphic Designer

Layal Akkad [ DIGITAL ] Website Development Management

BHG Digital Director of Audience Development

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 © 2021 by Simply Buckhead ®. All rights reserved. Printed by Walton Press, Inc. Distributed by Distributech and Distribution Services Group.

Mike Jose Legal Counsel

Scott I. Zucker

[ BEHIND THE COVER ]

FIND US ONLINE Read Simply Buckhead online at

SimplyBuckhead.com

Facebook facebook.com After one of the rainiest, stormiest Julys in recent memory, we were rewarded with a perfectly sunny evening to shoot our September “Outdoor” cover. To execute our vision of having a model atop a stand-up paddle board, we were lucky to find Alexandra Ott, who also works as a personal trainer and is an avid SUP enthusiast. Our team gathered at High Country Outfitters’ Paddle Shack at Morgan Falls Overlook Park in Sandy Photographer: Sara Hanna Springs for a shoot on the water. Ott, a Producer: Jennifer Bradley Franklin member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Photography assistant: Alten Hayes proudly sported her own turquoise and silver Hair and makeup: Nyssa Green necklace to accent her sporty teal SPANX bikini. Model: Alexandra Ott, courtesy Select Model Management Since our model is an expert and we didn’t Wardrobe: Classic Swim Brief ($78) want the bright orange life preserver on the and Swim Triangle Top ($98) in board, Paddle Shack employee Ethan gamely Tropical Teal by SPANX; necklace, model’s own by Zuni People, a stood on his own board just out of frame in Native American Pueblo Tribe case we needed a rescue on the Chattahoochee Special thanks to SPANX and High Country Paddle Shack. River. It was truly a team effort!

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[ P ROU D S P ON S OR OF ]

Food or Electricity?

NOW ENROLLING FOR 2021-22 A Challenging Approach to Education that Features: Socially Distant In-Person Classes Customized College-Prep Programs for K-12

FOOD

Independent Study Courses for Credit

SHOULDN’T BE AN

IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE Take action at acfb.org

Flexibility in Scheduling [ P ROU D M E M B E R OF ]

STEAM-Oriented Classrooms Attention to Individual Needs Supportive, Nurturing Environment 5:1 Student: Teacher Ratio

Hunger Action Month

CALL 770.645.2673 OR VISIT EATONACADEMY.ORG

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY BUCKHEAD®

SEPTEMBER 2021

[ E DI T OR ’ S L E T T E R ]

don’t know about you, but over the last couple of years I’ve developed a deeper appreciation for being outside—and for the South’s weather that lends itself to year-round outdoor enjoyment.

FOOD BEER WINE COCKTAIL TASTES LIVE MUSIC

My backyard, local parks and restaurant patios have become go-to spots to reconnect with friends, soak up some vitamin D and enjoy some much-needed time away from technology. That’s why we’re so thrilled to produce this month’s cover feature, exploring the many ways Atlantans can experience the outdoors. Karina Antenucci examines how to get started foraging for culinary treasures and where to have luxurious glamping experiences in North Georgia, Jill Becker offers

A TASTING EVENT, CELEBRATING SANDY SPRINGS

suggestions for seeing some of our state’s many

5 2 4 2 , 3 2 T P SE

natural wonders, Michael Jacobs shares expert recommendations for trails and parks to explore in our in-town neighborhoods, and I examine how to make your home a productive oasis (spoiler alert:

LIMITED TICKETS AT foodthatrocks.org

there’s an adorable photo of a Buckhead goat!). As always, there’s much more to discover on our pages. Lauren Finney Harden highlights some

FOOD THAT ROCKS WAS FOUNDED ON BRINGING TOGETHER COMMUNITY & ENTERTAINMENT FOR A CAUSE. A PORTION OF YOUR TICKET COST WILL PAY FOR MANY SANDY SPRINGS' FRONTLINE & PUBLIC SAFETY WORKERS TO ATTEND FREE OF CHARGE AS A SPECIAL THANK YOUR FOR ALL THEIR EFFORTS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

purveyors who help keep golfers stylish on the links, Giannina S. Bedford shares a recent travel experience at the storied King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island, and Angela Hansberger fills us in on creative ways local bartenders are shaking up cocktails with rum. It’s Sara Hanna

a packed issue we know you’ll enjoy, whether you peruse it indoors or out. Jennifer Bradley Franklin Senior Contributing Editor

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

20 21

SIMPLY NOW

TRAVEL NEAR

Heritage Hotel P20

Over its more than 80-year history, this St. Simon’s Island landmark has adapted to the world around it.

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort offers a sprawling beach and unobstructed views of the Georgia coast.

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

NEWS BY:

Ginger Strejcek

Putting on the Ritz BUCKHEAD CONSIGNMENT SHOP OFFERS LUXE LOOKS FOR LESS

rom a Michael Kors handbag and Vera Wang gown to an Hermès horse blanket and Murano glass bowl, designer deals are up for grabs at The RealReal in Buckhead. It’s the newest brick-and-mortar location of the national consignment company, billed as the world’s largest marketplace for luxury resale goods and backed by a fully authenticated guarantee. “Everything in the store is for sale down to the furniture and art, and we refresh items daily, meaning each visit

is a new opportunity to find one-of-akind treasures,” says Ketoria Holmes, head of shop for The RealReal Atlanta. “We’re able to connect our community directly with experts for convenient curbside drop-offs or one-on-one valuation meetings, and customers can see and try on pieces from a wide range of luxury brands in person.” The business model is a win-win strategy for buyers and sellers. Shoppers can score top-quality merchandise at reduced prices, and consigners can

monetize items no longer being used. In-store repair and alteration services for apparel, shoes, bags, fine jewelry and watches keep goods in circulation and out of landfills. “The pandemic has heightened environmental consciousness for many consumers, and many people are now making concrete changes to live more sustainably,” Holmes says. “We’re also in a time when personal style reigns supreme; people are shopping for pieces that feel unique and special to them.” n

Above: The RealReal is curated for the local market with such top-performing brands as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada, Rolex, Tiffany & Co. and Cartier.

THE REALREAL Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sun., noon-6 p.m. 3073 Peachtree Road, Suite 100 Atlanta 30326 therealreal.com

NEWS CLIPS cally curated to inspire style and amplify the excitement of discovering new brands and must-have trends,” says Brian Williams, Macy’s store manager. “The Park has resonated well with our Atlanta customer as he treats life as his runway.” macys.com/thepark

SHARP DRESSED MAN For guys in need of a fall wardrobe refresher, check out The Park on the first floor of Macy’s Men’s Store at Lenox Square. The 3,500-square-foot space features a kicky selection of

everyday attire, from graphic tees by Heroes Motors and urban outerwear by Manastash to deconstructed jackets by Paul Smith, with new merch on the racks every eight to 12 weeks. “The rotating assortment is specifi-

EUROPEAN EXPANSION A local culinary treasure that’s delighted patrons with freshly baked breads, handmade pastries, gourmet sandwiches, fine cheeses and chocolates since 1992, Alon’s Bakery & Market has

opened a third location at Phipps Plaza in Buckhead, on the corner of Nordstrom facing Peachtree Road. Executive chef and owner Alon Balshan couldn’t be prouder of the continued success of the restaurant, long established in Morningside and Dunwoody. “We have merged our vision with the Phipps Plaza setting to create a hub for our same great food, unique marketplace and a beautiful outdoor cafe,” he says. “We look forward to becoming a part of the Buckhead community.” alons.com

BEAUTY BOOST Got a brow-raising situation? Leza Bennett can help. The beauty guru, who’s been working her magic at The Perfect Brows in Buckhead for over a decade, has a new product line, including the All About the Brows Kit ($60) with a precision brush and setting gel for daily grooming. “It’s a go-to kit that our clients have loved, especially during the pandemic,” says Bennett, a former flight attendant whose salon success has also led to a soon-to-be launched brow certification program. theperfectbrows.com

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

LOCAL SALUTE

BY:

Mickey Goodman

Karstin Bodell and Sandy Murray of the Brookhaven Tree Conservancy spearheaded the effort to develop a sustainable tree ordinance for the city.

A Tree Grows in Brookhaven The green team In 2013, Sandy Murray watched in horror as developers cut down 19 specimen oak trees on the property next door to her Brookhaven house. “It particularly bothered me when I found out that our brand new city didn’t have a tree ordinance,” she says. Her friend Karstin Bodell was also concerned and formed an informal group that later became the Brookhaven Tree Conservancy. The two women became the driving forces. When Murray attended a city council meeting and showed pictures of the stumps, others were equally alarmed, but it took a year to get an ordinance in place. “It had no enforcement,” she says. “Since trees

provide beauty, oxygen and shade, and reduce rain runoff and prevent pollution and smog, I continued to nag the city council.” In 2019 they got support from Councilman John Park and Mayor John Ernst who told the group, “I want to look down at Brookhaven from the sky and see a green canopy.” A 2020 ordinance, written by Tree Canopy Conservation Manager Jeff Dadisman and arboriculturist India Woodson, included restrictions on cutting down specimen trees such as white and red oaks, elm, maple, hickory, etc.; notification about upcoming tree cuttings; rules on replacement trees; flexibility for builders and more, plus teeth for enforcing it. In June, Bodell, Murray and the members of the Brookhaven Conservancy celebrated the adoption of a sustainable tree ordinance. For more information, visit brookhaventreeconservancy.org.

Honoring a Fallen Colleague A lifeline for hospitality workers

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the food service and hospitality industry has the highest rates of substance use disorders and third-highest rates of heavy alcohol use of all employment sectors. Grant Hurless, COO of Ghost Town Restaurants based in Brookhaven, knows the pitfalls all too well. “By August 2018, my drinking had gotten so heavy that I knew it wasn’t sustainable,” he says. Grant Hurless was tapped to lead the Atlanta chapter of Ben’s Friends, a support group for the hospitality industry.

Christopher D. Fagan and Bert Mills (third and fourth from left) of Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors present a $10,000 check to Solomon’s Temple founder, Solomon Smallwood (fifth from left).

Thinking Forward, Giving Back Celebrating 40 years For Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors, a company with a long history of giving back, there seemed no better way to celebrate the 40th anniversary than embarking on a year-long project. The result is "Thinking Forward, Giving Back,” a campaign to spotlight four nonprofits: Solomon’s Temple, The Atlanta Community Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity and Eagle Ranch. The firm also launched a “40 for 40” social media series (#MCTurns40) to feature 40 local nonprofits the company has supported over the years. The goal is to engage people and garner donations. “Our first day of service at Solomon’s Temple in June drew 65 volunteers who

“In desperation I Googled ‘how to stay sober in the industry’ and found Ben’s Friends. It was founded by legendary restaurateurs Steve Palmer and Mickey Bakst after the death of their colleague, Chef Ben Murray, who took his own life as a result of the disease.” “I ran into a friend who had gotten clean and looked like a totally different person,” Hurless says. “I set a goal to get sober and found help within the group. It changed my life.” When the support group relaunched the Atlanta chapter, Hurless was tapped as the leader, along with co-leader Mallory Hastings. Two and a half years of sobriety later, he is helping industry workers find the support they need.

cleaned up the 2.5 acres of land behind the facility and painted the playground equipment,” says Partner Christopher Fagan, who serves on the nonprofit's board of directors. The company also donated $10,000 to the resident facility. “Solomon’s Temple has 130 beds for women and their children experiencing homelessness,” Fagan says. “Others provide shelter for 30 days, but [this] allows families to remain for six months to give them an opportunity to save money and learn new skills. Working with Solomon’s Temple has given me far more than I have given them.” For more information, visit solomonstempleinc.org.

The group meets every Sunday at Southern Belle Restaurant in Midtown, and the only requisite for membership is the desire to stop drinking or be “sober curious.” Ben’s Friends has 12 chapters in the United States and conducts online Zoom meetings every day. For more information, visit bensfriendshope.com.

Want to nominate a volunteer, company or nonprofit that gives back to the community in Buckhead, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs or Upper Westside? Please contact: editor@simplybuckhead.com

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

LOCAL SALUTE

HOME Real Estate partners with the Meals on Wheels pet pantry. Photo left: Amy Bubes and Karen Blass; Center: founders Travis Reed (top) and Michael Kriethe. Photo right: Realtors Kathy Olmstead, Caroline Nalisnick, Holly Young, Karen Blass and Amy Bubes

Charity Begins at HOME Realtors exceed expectations and pay it forward

hen veteran realtors Travis Reed and Michael Kriethe launched HOME Real Estate in March, they knew that they wanted a significant philanthropic component. “We built it in to the company culture,” Reed says. “We are proud that 100% of our realtors committed to donating a percentage of every closed transaction during the first and second quarter to the HOME Fund that’s earmarked for specific non-profits. I was astounded when we raised $14,000 during the first three months, far more than many larger companies during the same time period.” The agents have input into which charities will become beneficiaries. They bring ideas to sales meetings that take place in the office’s casual living room area and talk about supporting various nonprofits. “There are multiple worthy organizations in Atlanta, but when Amy Bubes suggested Meals on Wheels Atlanta that supports seniors and veterans struggling with food insecurity, we

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

saw the connection,” Reed says. “Its focus is on keeping people in their homes, and our business is homes.” MOWA’s primary program is Meal Services. Last year alone, the nonprofit delivered 600,000 meals to 15,000 Fulton County residents. Specific meals are prepared for those with dietary restrictions due to chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart trouble. It also has a food pantry for non-perishables, a pet pantry and home repair services, a good match for the real estate industry. The organization receives no government support and relies solely on monetary donations and contributions of shelf-safe items. An army of volunteers deliver meals every Saturday and interact personally with clients who may not get frequent visitors. “We are thrilled to collaborate with HOME,” says MOWA’s Chief Marketing Officer Hillary Baker. “Several years ago we approached another real estate agency and were turned down. It was a huge disappointment. We needed an organization to

STORY:

Mickey Goodman

come in and help fund projects and purchase essential appliances such as refrigerators and microwaves.” Since seniors often have a hard time opening cans, one of HOME’s first projects is purchasing electric can openers to be gifted to 45 homebound clients, including those on the “can’t wait” list. They receive once-a-month deliveries of shelf-stable goods while they await being added to the meal delivery services program. Pets are often a senior’s only “family,” and when volunteers reported that their clients were sharing their own food with their dogs and cats, MOWA established the pet pantry in collaboration with the Humane Society. Pet food is bought in bulk, repackaged in containers that are easy for seniors to handle and delivered by volunteers along with their client’s meals. “This is a pet-obsessed office, and the pet pantry quickly became Travis’s pet project,” Bubes says. “We’ve become the official sponsor, and it

now bears the company’s name.” The partnership with MOWA is only a few months old, but agents jumped right in to volunteer on-site, assembling pantry bags that are delivered monthly. HOME is also supporting MOWA’s new kitchen that is currently under construction and will triple the organization’s meal production capabilities. To be completed in the fourth quarter, it will include a gourmet demonstration kitchen for cooking classes, an organic garden and a community event space. “Even though the company and the partnership with MOWA have been massively successful, the agents are just getting started,” Reed says. “Money continues to be generated from closed transactions as well as from individuals. As HOME grows, we look forward to collaborations with other worthy causes, in addition to the work we are doing with MOWA.” n l For more information, visit mowatl.org.

DISCOVER ADAC 9.21  9.23

351 Peachtree Hills Ave, Atlanta Monday – Friday | Open to the Trade & Public

@adacatlanta | #discoveradac More info at adacatlanta.com

YEARS

TR AV E L NE A R

Heritage Hotel The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort embodies St. Simon’s historical beauty STORY:

Giannina S. Bedford

ention the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort to Southerners, and they are likely to know it or have visited it sometime in their lives. Over its more than 80-year history, the St. Simon’s Island landmark has survived a devastating fire, a World War, and now, a pandemic, improving and adapting to the changing world around it. Built as a private club in 1935 and named for its regal ambiance, the property was destroyed by a fire just three months later. The rebuilt property reopened, showcasing the Mediterranean-inspired architecture for which it is still known today. In 1941, after the addition of 110 ocean-facing guest rooms, the King and Prince Hotel opened its doors to the public. It was praised for its modern features such as circulating ice water, guest rooms with ceiling fans and the combination shower/tub in each bathroom. But, after German U-boats were spotted off the Georgia Coast in 1942, it was forced to close to the public for the duration of the war. Instead, the Navy

occupied its ballrooms and bedrooms until 1947. In the 1950s and 1960s, it flourished as a choice seaside vacation spot, and for many, became a family getaway tradition. I encountered many repeat guests during a summer stay with my family when we spent three nights in one of the resort’s oceanfront North Villas, apartment-style units added in 1986. While the kids played in the pool, I chatted with other guests and listened to fond memories from their summer visits. I learned of the resort’s beloved (now defunct) Friday night seafood buffet and the lobby’s indoor pool, an area that now holds a comfy lounge space and bar. They also spoke about the large-scale renovations, from the modernized lobby and updated culinary offerings to the new outdoor pool complex with three pools (my kids loved the kiddie pool with sprinkler feature). The resort’s newest addition is The Cottage Custard + Coffee, which turned out to be one of our favorite hangouts. Opened this year in the

Above: The renovation of the pool area was completed in 2012 and features three pools overlooking the beach. Right: Views from the oceanfacing North Villas can't be beat.

former Wesley Cottage, the shop sells St. Simon’s Wake Up Coffee, frozen custard and baked goods. It also retails King and Prince souvenirs and beach necessities. Outdoors, Adirondack chairs surround a fire pit and diversions such as a bocce ball court and castle playground keep both adults and kids entertained. Even with its many upgrades, the King and Prince has managed to retain its historic persona and Spanish Colonial Revival style of low-pitched terra-cotta tile roofs and cantilevered balconies with

Above: Custard at The Cottage Custard + Coffee is a well-deserved treat on a hot summer day. Left: The lobby's indoor pool was transformed into a lounge and bar space that comes alive during happy hour.

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

decoratively hewn beams. Named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, the property features stained glass windows dating back to the 1930s and depicting scenes of local history. More stained glass windows were added in the 1980s, done by the original artist’s son. ECHO, the oceanfront restaurant opened in 2014, also pays homage to the hotel and St. Simon’s naval history. Located in the former officers’ quarters, classrooms and towers, the restaurant, which serves up local coastal cuisine (think shrimp and grits and braised beef pot roast), recalls the historical war time through framed black-and-white images at its entry. While the resort will no doubt continue to change with each passing decade, one thing that will remain unchanged is its enviable oceanfront location on the Atlantic. Its sprawling beach and unobstructed views provide each guest a front row seat to the beauty of the Georgia coast. It’s the reason many choose to come back to its shores year after year. I think I will, too. n

KING AND PRINCE BEACH & GOLF RESORT 201 Arnold Road St Simons Island 31522 912.638.3631 kingandprince.com

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

T R AV E L FA R

Above: The writer (right) and her friend spotted colorful sea life on a private snorkeling excursion. Below: Open-air stretching sessions at the spa are a peaceful way to de-stress.

JUST BREATHE Beauty and hospitality is good for the soul at Turks & Caicos’ Amanyara STORY:

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

t feels as though I’ve spent the last year and a half holding my breath. From the physical impact of frequent mask-wearing to the emotional fall-out of wondering what would happen in the world and if I’d travel again, it’s been a time fraught with worry. So a trip this summer to Amanyara, on a secluded 18,000-acre nature preserve on Turks & Caicos’ Providenciales Island felt like a glorious, nourishing breath of fresh air. Katie, a friend I’ve known since preschool, flew from her New England home to join me. We cleared customs, which is more complicated these days, since all visitors to the island nation must have a negative COVID test and pre-authorization from the island’s government. Then we hopped into a private car and 25 minutes later pulled up to the resort. Greeted by a wide reflection pond framed by open-air buildings and mahogany trees with glimpses of the turquoise water beyond, I felt myself inhale the beauty on display. We were whisked to our accommodations by golf cart, admiring the dense tropical foliage as we went. All of the 38 guest rooms are situated in timber-shingled pavilions, stand-alone structures surrounded by lush landscaping that affords complete privacy from other guests. Ours, outfitted with a freestanding soaking tub, king bed draped in soft linen and floor-to-ceiling windows with motorized blackout

Above: Pictureperfect sunsets over Amanyara's infinity pool are a nightly highlight.

shades, overlooked a tranquil lagoon. For my getaway, I opted for the Wellness Immersion, a fully customized experience. Since I only had three days on property, Wellness Program Manager Raimonda Kersyte decided to focus on general stress reduction. My program included a dizzying (in the very best way) array of private workout sessions, spa services and detailed evaluations with Kersytse, who has studied Eastern practices, herbal medicine and nutritional therapies. I started with a one-on-one Pilates session with visiting instructor Nicole Silver, who specializes in the Erika Bloom Method. She put me through the paces on equipment including reformer, trapeze table and ladder barrel. I was amazed at how, with her gentle instruction and assisted stretching, I breathed into muscles I’d forgotten I had and left feeling longer and leaner. Later that day, after discussing some particular areas of potential growth with Kersytse, she gave me a sublime ultra-hydrating facial at the spa, an oasis-within-an-oasis, with four double treatment rooms and outdoor meditation spots situated around a glittering lagoon. That afternoon, I returned for a 90-minute nourishing scrub and wrap ritual. I imagined my therapist sloughing off a layer of pandemic-induced stress as I inhaled the palo santo-scented air. The next day I was back with Kersyte for a morning breathwork

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

session outdoors as tropical birds chirped in the background. Katie and I maximized our time soaking up the sun and natural beauty on Amanyara’s half-mile-long white sand beach. The water is among the prettiest I’ve seen: The effect is like millions of cut crystals, with visibility straight down, all the better for spotting the elegant sting rays that venture close to shore. We tested our balance on stand-up paddleboards to explore the pristine coastline. We got an even better view of our surroundings on a private snorkeling excursion on the resort’s motorized boat. We dove into the azure water and followed as captain Claudin Noel led us out to search for colorful yellowtail damselfish, blue chromis and rainbow parrotfish. I love to snorkel but always stay on the surface. This time, Noel encouraged me

Each stand-alone pavilion has floor-to-ceiling windows, pitched timber ceilings and a sumptuous king bed.

to learn how to take a deep breath before diving beneath the surface for a closer look at the sea life. Breath rose again as a theme, and I was proud of conquering something I’d feared in the past. For our last night, Katie and I watched from the edge of the infinity pool as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in an everchanging palette of brilliant orange, yellow, peach and red. We drank it all in, relishing the discovery of a new place, the gift of being present and the freedom to just breathe. n AMANYARA aman.com/resorts/amanyara

At Financial Innovations, LLC, you matter.

Providing money management by building relationships through financial planning for the entire family.

www.financialinnovations.biz laura@financialinnovations.biz

404-458-0065 Securities offered through Triad Advisors, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Financial Innovations, LLC. Financial Innovations, LLC is not affiliated with Triad Advisors, LLC.

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

S TAYC AT I O N

Below: Work off the Sylvan's good eats at the fitness center featuring Peloton bikes.

Phoros: Cris Molina

Above: The heated swimming pool and lounge chairs bring a relaxing oasis mid-city.

Above: One of the midcentury-styled king rooms featuring creature comforts such as Frette linens.

HOTEL SCENE The Kimpton Sylvan breathes new nightlife into Buckhead

ing areas. Everything here plays off of a garden-fresh motif, including the mostly plant-based food menu boasting snacks such as marinated peaches with Holland chili, peanuts and basil, and the falafel with shaved vegetables, tahini ranch and crispy onions. Not to be outdone, the beverages such as The Willow, which pairs el Jimador tequila with blackberry, basil and lime, are infused with shrubs, fruits and herbs. Save some room for dinner at The Betty, which is also open for breakfast and Sunday brunch. Inspired by supper clubs, the elegant, low-lit restaurant swathed in dark wood and fabrics offers delightful New American cuisine. My server suggested the addition of a pasta course in between

Andrew Thomas Lee

he only hint that The Kimpton Sylvan Hotel had a past life as a 1950s-built apartment building is its OG windows. The newly renovated property embraces its past with midcentury styling that’s anything but old fashioned. What’s so brilliant about its East Paces Ferry location just steps from Buckhead Village is that it serves business travelers, vacationers focused on shopping and locals well. Whether you’re looking for some staycation fun with a partner or friend, the hotel is a gathering spot with plenty on offer, including three stellar in-house locales to dine and imbibe, each with its own attractive energy. Kicking off a stay with a cocktail and bites at Willow Bar is encouraged. The expansive 6,300-squarefoot inner courtyard setting has an intimate “secret garden” feel and is threaded with private nook seat-

an appetizer of crispy pork belly with smoked celery root, morcilla and caramel jus, and an entree of perfectly seared scallops with bouillabaisse, fennel and saffron would not be too indulgent. So I went for it—and didn’t regret it. A glass of Hirsch pinot noir complemented the meal just as well as time spent with a best friend who was my date for the evening. During your visit, make sure to also stop at St. Julep, the ninth-floor rooftop bar. Whether for happy hour, après supper or the DJ beats on weekends, the panoramic view of Atlanta sets the scene at this bright and airy space that includes a funky indoor bar and a huge outdoor lounge. If you haven’t already had your fill, bar snacks such as loaded pork rinds,

STORY:

Karina Antenucci

gourmet corn dogs and milk and honey soft serve await, alongside local craft beers and unfussy cocktails. Feeling overserved in the morning? Take advantage of the guestsonly, heated outdoor swimming pool (seasonal) for a lounge session. Plus, the 24/7 fitness center features highperformance machines, including Peloton bikes and a Precor rower, to work it off. Complimentary bicycles and helmets are also available to explore the surrounding neighborhood that’s bathed in luxurious retail therapy. With so much to see, taste and shop in and around the Sylvan, you might not spend much time in your room. You’ll find it to be well-equipped with simply modern midcentury decor, a comfortable king or two queen beds, Chromecast-enabled TV and Bluetooth speakers, as well as amenities for your pooch, if she tags along for the stay. Common with intown hotels, the individual accommodations are “petite,” perhaps somewhat exaggerated here by low ceilings. “Where would I even put the in-room yoga mat?” I thought. And then I headed out for social hour, which is really the fun of staying there in the first place. n THE KIMPTON SYLVAN HOTEL

Above: Don't skip the pasta course at The Betty.

Right: The bar scene at The Betty.

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

Room rates starting at $265 per night 374 East Paces Ferry Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 470.531.8900 thesylvanhotel.com

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

15 MINUTES WITH

TED JENKIN STORY:

Amy Meadows

or Ted Jenkin, work is therapy. Every time he helps someone make educated decisions about their finances, he’s fulfilling a personal goal he set as a teenager. “My father passed away when I was 18 years old, and we lived in the kind of house where Mom and Dad didn’t talk about the finances,” says the Chastain Park resident and CEO of Buckhead-based financial planning firm oXYGen Financial. “My mom was left with $100,000 of credit card debt. She was a fifth grade schoolteacher, and she didn’t make a lot of money. As a kid, you don’t really ask that many questions. So now, it’s therapeutic for me to be able to help families and make sure they don’t experience what happened to my family when I was growing up.” When he began college, Jenkin had no idea that he could have a career in financial advising. However, his double major in finance and accounting opened his eyes to the possibility, and he launched his career as an employee of American Express Financial Advisors in 1991. He worked his way up through management and remained with the organization as it spun off into the publicly traded Ameriprise Financial. By 2008, he decided it was time to step out on his own. He founded oXYGen Financial that year. He also is the co-founder and co-host of The Shrimp Tank, a podcast that provides business advice to young entrepreneurs. Whether he is working directly with clients or sharing insights with listeners and viewers, his aim is to give people power over their finances.

What is your personal approach to helping clients with their finances? I thank my mom for being a teacher because that’s what I am on a lot of days. I’m educating adults on how money concepts work. The key is breaking down very complex subjects into very easy-tounderstand terms. Nobody teaches you money concepts in high school or college, or even in your adult life. They don’t even teach you how to read your paycheck. My goal is to educate you about how all of this works.

nounced in the company’s logo. I wanted to build a model that would help the next couple of generations—those people who are in their 40s and 50s and getting older. I’m 51, and I love working with people in my age range because I feel we can give them real-life financial advice. I don’t think a lot of the big banks and brokerage houses are in sync with those customers. We want to help people get over the fear of the unknown and empower them to be the CEO of their family finances.

You focus on specific age groups with your business. Why? I saw there was a need to give financial advice to the X and Y generations. That’s why X, Y and G are pro-

Why was Buckhead the right location to start oXYGen Financial, which now has offices in Alpharetta, Boston, Sarasota and Boulder? What’s not to love about being in the heart of Buck-

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

head? Atlanta is the hub of the South, and Buckhead, to me, is the epicenter. Atlanta is a transient town. It has a growing population, and many people are looking for a new relationship with a financial advisor. Atlanta also is a great location for business owners; you don’t have to live here your

whole life to be accepted into this business community. All of that makes Atlanta a great market for us. It was the ideal spot to start our business. What is your favorite part of living in Chastain Park? I think it’s the most beautiful place in the city. I walk

the park three times a week, and I never feel like I’m in the city. n OXYGEN FINANCIAL 3060 Peachtree Road N.E., Suite R-24 Atlanta 30305 678.222.2320 oxygenfinancial.com

A P P ROVE D

Style Shift Lele Sadoughi Sweater Headband ($75) Those who Zoomed it all last year already know that headbands are secret weapons to hide dirty hair. This woven tweed iteration from Lele Sadoughi can elevate a plain white T-shirt or dress down a formal work dress. The headband crown Tootsies might not turn you 3167 Peachtree Road N.E., into the Duchess of Suite P-O Cambridge, but you’ll Atlanta 30305 feel pulled-together 404.842.9990 tootsies.com like royalty.

This year’s fall office fashion looks a little different than it has in the past, thanks to shifting needs as well as changing personal preferences. (It’s super hard to go from a year-plus of yoga pants to a skirt suit!) Whether you’re working from home, enjoying a hybrid environment or back at the office full-time, there are pieces that can be strategically used in all of these workspaces. These staples can help you get back into the swing of things without sacrificing comfort while offering double-style duty for weekdays and weekends, getting the cost-per-wear down and streamlining your closet. STORY:

Lauren Finney Harden

Draper James Tie-Waist Cardigan ($135) Perhaps the ultimate sweater-of-all-trades, a tie-waist cardigan like this one from Draper James will be your best friend in any style situation. A neutral color, such as camel, is wearable all year. The lightweight material makes this a great piece to layer over a variety of tops such as blouses, turtlenecks and T-shirts, depending on the formality of your day. Ditch the tie at the waist for a looser, more casual fit. Draper James 3400 Around Lenox Road, Suite 214 Atlanta 30326 404.994.2633 draperjames.com

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Shearling Moto Jacket ($225) The company you know and love for its blankets also has apparel, and yes, you can wear it both in and out of the house. This faux-shearling jacket is the perfect in-between topper for frigid office temps and home. Pair it with structured slacks or jeans when you’re out and about, or go Nordstrom full relaxPhipps Plaza ation mode 3500 Peachtree Road N.E. at the casa Atlanta 30326 with sweat404.442.3000 nordstrom.com pants.

Spanx Jean-ish Ankle Skinny Jeans in Twilight ($128)

Veja V-10 Low Top Leather Tennis Sneakers ($150) Gone are the days of keeping shoes under your desk. Sneakers have become commonplace in some office settings, and these leather ones from French brand Veja will instantly give you that cool girl look when paired with a midi dress and cropped jacket. You won’t want to take them off, which you won’t need to since they look just as good with runaround clothes on the weekend.

Neiman Marcus Lenox Square 3393 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.266.8200 neimanmarcus.com

Not thrilled about wearing pants that button again? Ease back into them with Spanx’s cult favorite, Jean-ish jeans. They’re popular for a reason: Available in sizes XS to 3X, petite, regular and tall, and in many washes, they look like jeans but wear like leggings. A dark Nordstrom wash makes them Phipps Plaza fall-palette friendly, 3500 Peachtree Road N.E. wearable seven Atlanta 30326 404.442.3000 days a week. nordstrom.com

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

P E TS

WHAT TO PACK 5 MUST-HAVE ITEMS FOR CAMPING WITH YOUR DOG

tlanta’s proximity to hiking trails and campgrounds that offer countryside escapes less than an hour from Buckhead high-rises is one of the special aspects of living here. Instead of leaving dogs at a boarding facility or with dog sitters, many Atlantans choose to bring them along—after all, it can be just as fun for your four-legged pals. Since they may have their own set of needs while exploring the great outdoors, Clay Windsor, a certified Atlanta-based REI instructor of local experiences, shares the following best practices to keep in mind before you and your pup hit the trails or campsite.

First Aid Kit Adventure Medical Kits Adventure Dog Series Trail Dog First Aid Kit ($24.99) at REI Atlanta

Local Camping Guidelines “All Georgia State Parks have a 6-foot local leash law. Meanwhile, U.S. Forest Service lands have much fewer rules, so off-leash dogs are allowed,” Windsor says. “But you’re not a good neighbor if your dog goes wandering into someone else’s campsite, so be sure that [your dog] has good recall [skills].” Those same skills can keep a pet from getting lost.

Collapsible Dog Bowl Ruffwear Quencher Dog Bowl ($14.95) at Mountain High Outfitters

Dogs handle heat or cold very differently. Windsor suggests that if your dog doesn’t handle the heat well, find a campsite near a stream where a pet can cool off. And make sure a dog that is sensitive to the cold has a warm jacket to wear. Additionally, dogs’ paws may not be used to rough terrain. “If you’re hiking a far distance or are going to be in a rock-intensive area, you may want to get shoes for your dog so their paw pads don’t get injured,” Windsor says.

Bedtime with a Dog It isn’t cool to leave your dog outside the tent because of the potential elements and dangerous wildlife such as bears. Consider getting a large enough tent so there’s space for your pup. “Bring some kind of dog sleeping pad. Otherwise, they’ll be sleeping on yours,” Windsor says. Some tents have a vestibule, a small sectioned-off “mudroom,” but not all dogs are willing to be separated from you.

Extra Food and Water “Take into consideration the activities you’re planning while you’re out there. If your dog is getting a lot more exercise than they’re used to, they’ll need a lot more calories than they normally get,” Windsor says. For example, if you’re camping and doing big day hikes or taking your dog backpacking, then they’ll need as much as 50% more in calories than what they usually eat in a day. “Also, your dog is going to drink way more water than you think, and streams aren’t always reliable, so always carry extra water.”

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

TAKE IT

OUTSIDE SAFELY MAKE YOUR CUDDLE BUDDY A CAMPING COMPANION STORY:

Taylor Heard

Physical Limitations Make sure your dog is in shape for what you plan to do. Don’t walk your dog for only two weeks and then go on a 12-mile hike. You might end up having to carry them. “It’s also a best practice to take your dog to the veterinarian for a quick checkup and to trim their nails before a long trip,” Windsor adds. n

Photo by Scott Osborn on Unsplash

Weather and Terrain

Hiking Booties Ruffwear Grip Trex Boots ($37.50) at REI Atlanta

Outdoor Sleeping Pad Mountainsmith K9 Bed ($59.99) at Dick’s Sporting Goods

DETAILS Dick’s Sporting Goods Lenox Marketplace 3535 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30326 404.267.0200 dickssportinggoods.com Mountain High Outfitters 1248 W. Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30327 404.343.1764 mountainhighoutfitters.com REI Atlanta 165 Perimeter Center W. Suite 200 Atlanta 30338 770.901.9200 rei.com

Collar Safety Light Ruffwear Beacon Rechargeable Dog Safety Light ($24.95) at REI Atlanta

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September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

K ID S

When it comes to eradicating lice, there is no getting around a thorough, manual comb-out.

Lousy Lice STORY:

Giannina S. Bedford

ention lice, and my head immediately begins to itch. These tiny insects can cause major anxiety with parents, especially of school-aged kids. With one in four children catching lice in their childhood, it’s important to be prepared. Tracey Fudge, who was frustrated with the lack of successful treatments, stigma and misinformation associated with head lice, became owner of Atlanta Lice Happens in 2015. Here, she shares how she helps clients in and around Buckhead avoid and survive an onslaught of these pesky little critters.

Does my kid have lice? Head lice symptoms vary, and while an itchy or tingling head is often thought of as a principal sign of head lice, only some people itch. “It’s the allergic reaction from the lice’s saliva and our blood that creates the itch, and the itch is all over, not just the head,” Fudge says. “Some people never get the allergic reaction and associated burning itch because they don’t have an allergy to that saliva.” The best way to find out if a child is suffering from head lice is to check

Tracey Fudge, owner of Atlanta Lice Happens, educates families on how to deal with lice.

the scalp with the naked eye. Part your child’s hair and look for crawling lice that are brown; the eggs are oval-shaped and “super-glued” to the hair shaft. “About 95% of people don’t know what you are looking for,” Fudge says. “The baby louse are translucent, so you can’t even see them on the scalp.”

AAH! My kid has lice! First and foremost, Fudge advises parents to stay calm. “Don’t freak out,” she says. “Kids pick up on your

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

LOCAL LICE EXPERT TRACEY FUDGE SHARES HER BEST PEST PRACTICES emotions.” Then call a professional. Fudge’s company, Atlanta Lice Happens, visits clients at home, keeping the process convenient and confidential. Fudge uses a seven-step process that includes the application of a non-toxic, natural enzyme to loosen the “nit glue” and a thorough, manual comb-out. After a child has been treated, he or she can resume all normal activities with precautions, such as putting hair up and undergoing quick comb checks daily for 10 to 14 days. “You cannot get around combing, and it’s never a one and done [situation]. You have to follow up,” Fudge says. What about over-the-counter treatments and chemicals? Fudge says overuse of these products has caused lice to mutate and become “super louse” that are immune to many of these remedies. “[The OTC products] have an efficacy of less than 20%,” Fudge says.

How do I prevent lice? Head lice are transferred from head-to-head and hair-to-hair contact, so children should avoid sharing hair accessories as well as towels, hats and scarves. Fudge says wearing hair in a ponytail or bun can also help, but it isn’t 100% effective in preventing transmission.

LICE TRUTHS n Lice infestations are the second

most common ailment after the common cold. n One in 10 people (adults included) has lice. n There is no such thing as a lice-

infested house, classroom, car, etc.

“[Lice-preventing] hairsprays along with tea tree oil can also help prevent, but remember, once they are on a head, they have no means to retreat. They don’t hop, jump or fly, so once they are on a head, they are there to stay.” Fudge spends a lot of time educating families on how to prevent infestations and suggests a weekly check with a nit comb. Checks are particularly important after camps, sleepovers and visits to public pools. “Not all nit combs are created equal,” Fudge warns. “The comb that we package and resell is the Nit-free Terminator. That is the best.” n

ATLANTA LICE HAPPENS 770.776.7913 atlanta.licehappens.com

HOM E | B U L L E T I N B OA RD | TA S T E M A K E R

SIMPLY LIVING

HOME

The living room’s 22foot ceilings give this Buckhead bungalow a majestic feel.

Hidden Jewel P32

“I just fell in love when I first saw it.”

—Blair Cohen

Photo: David Parham

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

H OM E

Above: The airy living room is the home’s central anchor, surrounded by the dining room, kitchen, foyer and bedrooms. Below: Entrepreneur Blair Cohen, pictured in his basement office.

HIDDEN JEWEL An enchanting Peachtree Hills cottage mixes salvaged materials, modern industrial flair and romantic European touches STORY:

Giannina S. Bedford PHOTOS: David Parham

ince Michigan native Blair Cohen moved to Atlanta in 1985, he’s lived in a variety of different homes, from a contemporary Morningside bungalow to a sprawling estate on Tuxedo Road. But his current Peachtree Hills dwelling might be his favorite yet. “I just fell in love when I first saw it and ended up paying full price,” says Cohen, a technology entrepreneur who purchased his 2,291-square-foot home near the Duck Pond in 2016. “I’ve had bigger homes and didn’t utilize a lot of them, and I utilize 100% of this house.” Built in the 1930s, the three-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath cottage has gone through various transformations, including the previous owners’ outfitting it in salvaged materials—many of the items sourced by Wyatt “Bo” Childs of Childs Millwork in Barnesville, Georgia. Beneath its soaring 22-foot ceilings, it showcases oak beams from barns in Ohio, antique limestone floors in the entry

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

and handmade iron and glass French doors. When Cohen moved in, he enlisted designer and friend Edwin Rabine to decorate and make minor aesthetic changes. He refinished the wood floors, added some wallpaper and stained the yellowish oak in the bathrooms and on the living room mantle. Many of Cohen’s furnishings brought from his previous home fit right in, from the large custom coffee table made of two bookmatched slabs of old walnut to a 19th century Italian giltwood and iron chandelier. The living room also features a Verellan sofa and club chairs slipcovered in Belgian linen, a Dennis & Leen Italian credenza and intriguing decor objects—vintage white opium pipes from Vietnam, ivory clamshell bangles used as currency in Papua New Guinea and a large tridacna shell. The art on the walls ranges from a triptych horse portrait and a shadow boxframed, traditional Tahitian wedding skirt to

Left: The dining room features a wood-beamed ceiling and a view of the outdoors through iron French doors. Below: Accented in floor-to-ceiling subway tile, the kitchen emits a warm, communal ambiance with open shelving and a central dining table.

Above: The home’s exterior sports York stone from a cathedral and redesigned 19th century Belgian copper lanterns.

Left: Eumenean Construction built the 900square-foot, stone-clad garden pavilion. Below: A loft above the living room functions as a library and additional work space.

“Edwin won’t let me buy anything that isn’t unique.”—Blair Cohen by antique cane bistro chairs with pale yellow accents. The ochre-glazed ceramic industrial chemical sink is one of the homeowner’s favorite touches. Cohen added the kitchen’s French “crèche” hood, handmade by Atlanta-based Francois & Co., which hangs above the Viking oven. Across the room, a 12-foot-high arched iron window with a door faces an alfresco space with an antique limestone table and stone fireplace. “My big family has decided this is the place we are going to have every holiday,” Cohen says. “You can fit 30 people out there easily.” The master bedroom also exudes European flair. Below its 20-foot-tall, vaulted ceiling, a 14-foot iron window frames the four-poster bed by Paul Ferrante that features a Belgian linen headboard. The bed has a klismos bench at the foot and, on each side, custom

ebonized wood cabinets by Ironies designed with inlaid ivory sunbursts. Nearby, a painted 1880s rosewood English bobbin chair, octagonal faux-ivory inlay table from Dennis & Leen and iron lamp from Gregorious|Pineo create a comfortable, yet regal, place to read. The majestic ambiance is punctuated by the photo-worthy master bathroom where the trough-like tub faces a wood-burning fireplace. “It’s pretty nice to be in the bathtub and have a fireplace going,” Cohen says. Through another full bathroom outfitted in a tech-savvy Japanese toilet, the master bedroom connects to a sitting-meets-television room. Admittedly not a big TV watcher, Cohen enjoys relaxing and listening to the various vinyl records displayed on the ivory lacquer and iron étagère made by Bradley USA for his previous residence but cut to fit the room.

smaller midcentury vintage art pieces found at estate sales and New York’s BK Antiques. “Edwin won’t let me buy anything that isn’t unique,” Cohen says. Off the centrally located living space is a cozy dining room with an 18th century table from R HUGHES and chairs by Gregorius|Pineo and Formations bought at Jerry Pair. In the background, a cabinet in a white-gray finish shows off Hermès plates through chicken wire. The hanging lights are vintage iron garden pendants that Rabine painted and rewired. The area next to the dining room and entryway leads to the kitchen that looks plucked from a French chateau with pickled white oak cabinetry and a two-tier vintage chandelier. The room’s centerpiece is a reclaimed wood and iron work table flanked

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

H OM E

Cohen’s home is also his workplace. His office is in the basement, but he tends to spend most of his time on the entry patio where thick York stone pavers repurposed from a cathedral in England and 19th century Belgian copper lanterns redesigned with steel bases and fitted for gas create a charming, historic ambiance. The patio overlooks the newest addition to Cohen’s property: a 900-squarefoot stone “garden pavilion” that doubles as an extravagant garage. Remove the luxury cars and you have a stunning venue for a party. “The architect wanted it to look like this was the first building on the property, and the house was an afterthought,” Cohen says. “It has an oldworld feeling.” Completed in 2020, the pavilion features concrete floors made to look like pieces of stone and a door that opens

Above: The master bedroom’s tall ceilings are accentuated by the custom Paul Ferrante bed.

horizontally as to not block the view of the raw cedar ceiling and elliptical French gothic “eyebrow” windows that ultimately determined the majority of the design. “The whole building was designed around the windows. When you have a ceiling that is a masterpiece, you couldn’t ruin it with doors that were going up into it, so this door was a must,” Cohen says. Rabine was happy to supply the windows. “I bought [the windows] for Blair years ago, and we finally got to use them with great impact on the roof of his beautiful new ‘garden garage pavilion’ to illuminate the ceiling of that structure.” It has taken a real appreciation for beautiful things to make this Buckhead abode shine at its full potential. As an entrepreneur, Cohen is accustomed to developing and selling off his best projects, but this home will be hard to let go. n

Above: French doors with chicken wire hide the closets and hallway to the master bathroom. Left: Facing a wood-burning fireplace, the master bathroom tub is the ideal place to soak after a long day.

FINE FINDS

Edwin Rabine shares eight favorite places to source furnishings and art for designing a one-of-a-kind home. 1. Delray & Associates Antiques @delrayandassociates 2. Pryor Fine Art pryorfineart.com 3. Tew Galleries tewgalleries.com 4. Foxglove Antiques & Galleries foxgloveantiques.com/ antiques

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

5. Interiors Market interiorsmarket.com 6. 14th Street Modern & Vintage Home 14thstreetantiques.com 7. Parc Monceau Antiques parcmonceauatl.com 8. MK Antiques NYC mkantiquesarts.com

Dream House Alert! Located in Pine Hills / Buckhead Welcome to your new home. How can I be helpful?

1085 Ferncliff Road N.E. N E W T O M A R K E T | O F F E R E D AT $ 3 , 8 5 0 , 0 0 0 C O N TA C T F O R P R I C E | 4 B E D | 4 . 5 B AT H I N C R E D I B L E C U S T O M B U I LT M O D E R N R E S I D E N C E O N O V E R 1 . 5 A C R E S W I T H P O O L & S PA

SOUTH BUCKHEAD 1745 Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, GA, 30309

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Ken Covers 404-664-8280 K E N . C O V E R S @ E VAT L A N TA . C O M K E N C O V E R S . E VAT L A N TA . C O M

MORNINGSIDE 1411 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta, Ga 30306

©2021 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. If your property is currently represented by a real estate broker, this is not an attempt to solicit your listing. Engel & Völkers and its independent license partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

BULLETIN BOARD

BY:

Giannina S. Bedford

1961

1970

PRODUCT

SPOTLIGHT

Dress up your bottle presentation with this AERIN Champagne Bucket. The hand-thrown porcelain vessel is part of Williams Sonoma’s collaboration with Aerin Lauder, founder of luxury lifestyle brand AERIN and granddaughter of Estée Lauder. The piece combines classic Chinese designs with a woven cane handle for easy toting. Available for $159.95 at williams-sonoma.com.

Happy 60th, ADAC! S

ince opening its doors in 1961, the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center has evolved to become a preeminent Southeastern design center. This year it celebrates its 60th anniversary. ADAC was one of the first ventures from renowned Atlanta architect and developer John C. Portman Jr. It began as a display and distribution center for the manufacturers of home fabrics, furniture, fixtures and accessories. The center was expanded several times throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It underwent an extensive renovation in 2006 and became known not only as a place to find new products, but also a venue for networking and learning for

ADAC’s General Manager Katie Miner Photo: Harold Daniels

top design talents. In 2012, ADAC opened its doors to the public with General Manager Katie Miner at the helm. In 2018, the facility was acquired by International Market Centers. Over the past six decades, the 550,000-square-foot campus, which today has more than 60 showrooms, 26 design studios and two restaurants, has been home to myriad well-known brands, showroom owners and designers, including Hal Ainsworth, Winton Noah and Charles ‘Jerry’ Pair. We chatted with Miner about ADAC’s storied past and its promising future. How has ADAC helped the design industry in Atlanta grow? We’ve grown from a regional powerhouse to a global notable even more so since opening to the public 10 years ago. Our campus provides year-round educational initiatives through our programming and events. These primarily complimentary experiences offer access to designers; big names in the industry during our two annual markets and the ability to see, touch and feel products right here on-site. How do you see ADAC evolving in the next 10 years? Our mission will always be the same, which is to bring access to incredible design whether that is

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

2006

through products, people or place making. We hope that with this access we continue to inspire the next generation of designers, the design enthusiasts and the Atlanta local design community as a whole. What are some of the challenges ADAC has faced? Back in 2012, we went from a trade-only center to being open to the general public. It was an exciting time, yet we were challenged with educating the public here and beyond that they could have access to the building. Another challenge for us is having design enthusiasts and consumers understand the difference in quality, craftsmanship and materials that our showrooms offer. Investing in signature pieces, just like a wardrobe or shoes, pays off over time. Pieces become heirloom and last a lifetime. n ADAC’s Birthday Party: Celebrate ADAC’s 60th anniversary at this year’s fall market, DISCOVER ADAC. From Sept. 21-23 a series of guests, including noted interior designers, industry veterans and rising stars, will gather for a program of keynote presentations, salon-style talks, book signings, product launches, tours and more. For more information or to register, visit adacatlanta.com/ discover-adac

Greg Palmer, Harrison Design’s recently announced president, opened the firm’s Naples office in 2017.

Harrison Design Leadership Atlanta-based Harrison Design recently announced a new management structure and shareholders. Appointments include Greg Palmer, principal architect of the firm’s Naples office, as president alongside Atlanta principal architect John Albanese as vice president and Atlanta principal Rick Hatch as secretary. Atlanta principal architect Bulent Baydar also joins the leadership team. The managing principals represent 96 cumulative years of experience. The firm has also increased company shareholders, including Karen Ferguson, principal of interiors; Mark Hughes, principal architect; Nicolas Charbonneau, principal; Alan Williamson, principal architect; Emily Schickner, principal architect; and Betsy McBride, principal of interiors. The firm was established in Atlanta in 1991 by the late William H. Harrison. It now has seven offices across the U.S. harrisondesign.com

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

TA S T E MA K E R

Mali Azima

Shopping with Milton Roberts and Greg Ashby is like stepping into their home.

Market Leaders THE CREATIVE DUO BEHIND INTERIORS MARKET IS BULLISH ON VINTAGE FURNISHINGS

hile many business owners pulled back or trimmed their operations over the last year and a half, Interiors Market owners and partners Milton Roberts and Greg Ashby have grown. In July, they expanded their Buckhead footprint, adding a 4,000-square-foot curated shop on Miami Circle to complement their 10,000-squarefoot Bennett Street market where some of Atlanta’s top designers rent booth space to showcase their wares. The pair bought the business from the previous owner, who launched it in 1992. It was a natural progression, as Roberts had been working in and learning the business for 20 years. “We do a great job of sourcing interesting pieces, so there’s always an element of surprise,” Roberts says of the ever-changing inventory. Here, we learn about how the duo is primed for continued success and how they’ve built trust with both the cadre of designers who use Interiors Market as a go-to source for decor and design-loving shoppers.

Tell us about the new location. MR: The whole idea with the expansion at Miami Circle was to have a space where we can curate from many different sources and artists with whom we have strong relationships and put it together in a way that provides design inspiration. Showcasing in this way keeps things fresh for us, too! When did you start working together? GA: I came into the Interiors Market picture about five years ago. I was coming over to be helpful and revive the planters and gardens outside. When James [the previous owner] decided to retire, we were presented with the opportunity to buy Interiors Market. We spent the next three years renovating the building [on Bennett Street], removing walls, painting all surfaces white and remerchandising everything. Did you envision yourself being in interior design and/or retail? MR: I started working at Interiors Market when I was 20, and I thought I wanted to be an interior designer. Working there

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

STORY:

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

involved an angle of design that really worked for me. I found my passion in the business, learning about antiques and how to transform pieces through restoration. I love putting beautiful, quality things back into circulation. GA: I’ve always worked in retail and hospitality. I love the art of the sale. But as a kid, my best friend’s mom was a decorator, and I loved the quirkiness of designing and transforming spaces. That curiosity remained into my adult life, and by being at Interiors Market, I found my passion, my people and myself again. What makes Interiors Market special, both for designers and “regular” folks? GA: I know when a client walks in if they want my help or if they want to make a round first on their own. We don’t smother, but we work hard to make their experience better and share things they may have missed. What do you think are your biggest strengths as business owners? MR: Knowledge about what we have

is key, but my strong suit is in romancing the pieces. That translates beyond more than knowing what something is; it’s about loving what it is. It paints a complete picture. GA: I’m a good listener. I can read what [clients] want before they may know it themselves. How has the last year changed your industry? MR: We’ve seen an uptick in our retail traffic. We’ve also been selling a good bit more from Instagram (@interiorsmarket). With everyone wanting to redecorate, we’ve had more people coming to us to sell existing pieces, and we’ve also been sourcing more original art locally. n INTERIORS MARKET 55 Bennett St. N.W., Suite 20 Atlanta 30309 715 Miami Circle N.E., Suite 200 Atlanta 30324 404.352.0055 interiorsmarket.com

FA S H ION | B E AU T Y | W E L L N E S S | TA S T E M A K E R

SIMPLY STYLISH

BEAUTY

Trendy Tresses P42

“Our clients are wanting a beautiful, big, bouncy blowout to top off their fresh color or cut.” —Dyana Nemantallah

Dyana Nemantallah puts the finishing touches on a client’s fresh style at Sirène Salon. Photo: Joann Vitelli

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

FAS H I O N

Bombas Salt and Pepper Originals Ankle Socks ($12)

PXG Men’s Ombre Polo in Athletic Fit ($120)

“Men especially get into their socks,” Parsons says, pointing out that it’s usually where they like to add a pop of personality. But she also calls out that comfort is paramount. “Your golf shoe might fit more snugly than a regular sneaker, so you want a sock that’s not too thick, not too thin and has a good grip on the bottom.” Bombas provides comfort and style, and gives back: For every pair bought, a pair is donated to someone in need of socks.

It’s not just women who care about how they look on the course. “Men want to have their physique flattered, too. We try to draw attention up to the shoulders [with our ombre polo] so it minimizes the midsection and is flattering,” Parsons says. PXG’s athletic fit is slimmer than traditional polos, and all shirts come with UPF 50-plus sun protection and moisture-wicking, quick-dry technology. “When you feel confident in the way you look, you are free to perform,” she notes.

THE SWING OF THINGS MORE FASHION EQUALS MORE FUN ON THE COURSE STORY:

Lauren Finney Harden

Lacoste Bucket Hat ($55) Channel the ’90s on the green with a simple black and white bucket hat like this one from Lacoste. “We’re seeing a bit more of the street vibe reinterpreted for golf,” Parsons says. “There’s a return to the ’90s prep look. The bucket hat is super trendy right now.” While it does offer some sun protection, it’s best accessorized with sunscreen.

Golf has long been known as a sport where being stylish is encouraged. As athleisure continues to bleed into our everyday lives, there’s no better time to invest in clothing you can wear on and off the course. “I love to create beautiful pieces for the golfer as well as for the non-golfer that are stylish, flattering and performative,” says Renee Parsons, president and executive creative director of PXG Apparel. No matter at what level you compete, these on-trend pieces will have you playing and looking your best this fall. Tory Sport Cotton Pointelle Polo Sweater ($258) and Performance Golf Skort ($178) For some golfers, it’s important to have your outfit go from the course to whatever activity is planned after. “I call it après golf,” Parsons says. “Hop in the locker room, freshen up a bit, change your shoes, brush your hair, put on some lip gloss. Throw a layer on like a cashmere crew neck and head out to the grill for a cocktail.” Brands such as Tory Sport by Tory Burch make the transition seamless.

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

Bonobos Highland Tour Golf Shorts in Indigo ($99) These shorts from Bonobos feature UPF 50-plus sun protection, a gel waistband for a snug fit and a back zipper pocket to keep small items. “Comfort is key,” Parsons says. For any golf apparel, “Make sure the fabric has four-way stretch to really move with the body. When it moves with you, you perform better. It should have SPF and be moisture-wicking so you can stay comfortable and cool. Don’t let them see you sweat!”

DETAILS Bonobos 3021 Bolling Way N.E. Atlanta 30305 678.215.1617 bonobos.com Bombas Dick’s Sporting Goods 3535 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30326 404.267.0200 dickssportinggoods.com Lacoste Lenox Square 3393 Peachtree Road, Suite 3102 Atlanta 30326 404.842.9353 lacoste.com PXG Lenox Square 3393 Peachtree Road, Suite 3029F Atlanta 30326 470.355.5592 pxg.com Tory Burch Lenox Square 3393 Peachtree Road N.E., Suite 3043 Atlanta 30326 404.869.0264 toryburch.com

Atlanta’s most Atlanta’s most valuable player valuable player in real estate. in real estate.

Jimmy Hutchinson approaches real estate with an athlete’s mindset. He lives byHutchinson the mantraapproaches “opportunities happen, you create mindset. them.” AsHe Jimmy realdon’t estate with an athlete’s a former SEC Champion football player at Auburn University, he’s aAs firm lives by the mantra “opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” believer work, football preparation and earnhe’s results. a former that SEC hard Champion player at determination Auburn University, a firm believer that hard work, preparation and determination earn results. As a lifelong Atlantan raised in Marietta, his intimate knowledge of city and array ofraised contacts are key his assets for his clients. As the a lifelong Atlantan in Marietta, intimate knowledge of the city and array of contacts are key assets for his clients.

Jimmy Hutchinson Jimmy Hutchinson jimmy.hutchinson@compass.com M 678.763.3499 jimmy.hutchinson@compass.com O 404.668.6621 M 678.763.3499 jimmyhutchinson.com O 404.668.6621 jimmyhutchinson.com

Just Listed Just Listed Chase Court, Marietta 2233 Blackwell 4 Bed Blackwell | 3 Bath | $699,900 2233 Chase Court, Marietta 4 Bed | 3 Bath | $699,900 Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions. Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

B E AU TY

Sirène Salon’s Dyana Nemantallah says bouncy layers and soft curtain bangs are a major style trend.

DETAILS Cashmere Salon Salon Lofts 5840 Roswell Road, Unit 17 Atlanta 30328 404.820.4388 salonlofts.com/anna_thompson Salon V 3060 Peachtree Road N.W., Suite R-60 Atlanta 30305 404.565.0799 salonvatl.com

TRENDY TRESSES

Sirène Salon 981 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. N.W. Atlanta 30318 678.974.8389 sireneatl.com

LOCAL STYLISTS DIVULGE WHAT’S HOT WITH HAIR RIGHT NOW STORY:

Jennifer Bradley Franklin PHOTO: Joann Vitelli

f you’ve been rocking the same hairdo for years, it might be time to shake things up. We tapped three area stylists for their take on the state of post-pandemic hair, what’s next and how to make the latest trends work for you.

DYANA NEMATALLAH Owner and Stylist, Sirène Salon PANDEMIC IMPACT:

Overall, my clients came back in with much longer yet healthier hair. With less use of heat, the integrity of the hair improved. We have been cutting off so much hair. Many women have decided to return to a more natural, sun-kissed look rather than a full head of foils [for highlights]. Some clients decided to take matters in their own hands and give themselves a cut. Unfortunately for some women, their at-home haircut was not very successful, and now we are working on growing it out.

GET TRENDY: Soft curtain bangs are

the highlight of 2021. The ’90s are making a comeback, and bouncy soft layers are in as well. We’re going to see fewer beachy waves and more soft, bouncy waves. As far as trends go, roller sets are absolutely back! Our clients are wanting a beautiful, big, bouncy blowout to top off their fresh color or cut. We are thrilled to be opening our new blow-out and color bar in the fall where we can give our clients our famous “Sirène” blowout. WORK IT: Reach out to your stylist, see if something is a good fit and make a plan. I spend at least the first five to 10 minutes of every appointment consulting with my client.

ANNA THOMPSON Owner and Master Stylist/ Colorist, Cashmere Salon PANDEMIC IMPACT:

Last year was difficult for many aspects

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

of daily life, and that includes our hair. Some of my clients let their color go, some colored their own (gasp!), and I definitely saw a lot of at-home haircuts. Most of the damage I’ve seen has been from hair ties. Be careful to not pull your hair back too tight or use old-school ties that rip hair. If your hair is long enough, braids are best to keep it out of your face. GET TRENDY: The most common trend I’m seeing is the modern shag. Hair was feeling long and heavy, so the shag allows us to keep our length but gives us so much movement and fun. The shag also looks great styled straight, curly or swept up with cute fringe pieces falling around your face. My favorite color trend is the bright money piece in the front. It works for any hair color whether you are blonde, brunette or red. I love seeing the ’90s come back with a twist. WORK IT: These trends are very versatile, especially the shag. You and your stylist can decide where the shortest piece of your haircut should start so it is flattering for your face shape. I suggest getting your hair cut every six to eight weeks to keep the shape looking current.

VAN WYNNE Owner and Master Cosmetologist, Salon V PANDEMIC IMPACT:

The pandemic definitely created more of a desperation factor in service demand. Many resorted to cutting or coloring their own hair, and most weren’t very satisfied with those results. Based on what I’ve seen, I think the pandemic created less healthy hair care due to lack of access to consultation, products, salon treatments and professional services. GET TRENDY: A few cut and styling trends that have arisen are curtain bangs and the center part. These are more classical trends that are making a comeback. In areas of color, the subtle ombre is becoming a popular choice. In general, we are seeing lots of mid-length style requests. WORK IT: Go for it. Given that these trends are retro, classic and subtle, many should find these styles workable and not too extreme. n

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Maggie Schreck, PA-C is a highly-skilled and sought-after injector treating patients in the Buckhead location of Truffles Medispa. Maggie is an injector trainer for both Allergan (the makers of Botox Cosmetic, the Juvederm portfolio, and Kybella) and Galderma (the makers of Dysport, the Restylane portfolio, and Sculptra Aesthetic). Maggie is also one of the very few injectors who trains physicians and other practitioners throughout the State of Georgia in the use of Sculptra Aesthetic for both the face and body. With more than fourteen years of injectable experience, Maggie specializes in Non-Surgical Aesthetic Rejuvenation. She is a true artist who loves working with patients to help them achieve their aesthetic

maggie schreck

goals. She is known for her excellent bedside manner, exceptional patient care, and innovative treatments that cannot be found at other practices. Maggie obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Fine Arts from Miami University of Ohio and her Physician Assistant degree from Yale University. In addition to her extensive experience as an injector, Maggie has worked in the field of plastic surgery since 2007 assisting in surgery, preoperative care, and postoperative care. Maggie is a native of upstate New York and lives in Atlanta with her husband and two children.

Maggie Schreck, PA-C

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W E L LN ES S BEGINNER ESSENTIALS ADD THESE OILS TO YOUR STARTER KIT Lavender calming Geranium balancing, good for hormonal system

Eucalyptus sinus issues Peppermint digestive and antispasmodic for pains

Rosemary stimulate circulation Tea tree antiseptic and antifungal Bergamot or sweet orange mood swings, depression and anxiety

Fennel a digestive, diuretic, hormone balancing Chamomile anxiety, sleep, digestion

DIY Anxiety Blend In a 1 oz. spray bottle, add a few drops of vodka to serve as an emulsifier, then add the following essential oils: 8 drops geranium or rose geranium 6 drops frankincense 6 drops neroli 6 drops bergamot 8 drops lavender 6 drops ylang ylang

Good Scents

Fill with water. Spray on your clothes, skin or pillow.

Find out the right way to use aromatherapy at home

rom your local spa to Walmart, trendy essential oils can be found just about everywhere these days. Yet just like so many products in our lives, there’s more than meets the eye about how to select and use them effectively to reap the many benefits, including relaxation and pain relief. “Aromatherapy is using good-quality, plant essential oils therapeutically to balance body, mind and spirit,” says Roz Zollinger, founder of Heal Center in Sandy Springs, who has been practicing aromatherapy for 35 years. Here, she and colleague Shaheen Bharde, who co-teaches an aromatherapy course at Heal Center, offer their advice for beginners.

Know the Categories Aromatherapy essential oils fall into different groupings. Those that calm and nurture the nervous system are handy for sleep problems and anxiety, while oils that stimulate the nervous system can be helpful for focus. Anti-inflammatory oils can take away the sting of a bee or subdue breakouts, and the antispasmodic ones aid in lessening muscle pain.

Discover the Tools Incorporate aromatherapy into daily

Roz Zollinger, founder of Heal Center, and aromatherapist Shaheen Bharde, who co-teach an aromatherapy course at the center.

life by inhaling the scent with a room diffuser, pocket-friendly inhaler (typically a small tube with a changeable cotton wick inside) or spray bottle, or by applying it to your skin as a salve. “Anything that you smell through olfactory nerves affects us immediately,” Zollinger says. When applying essential oils directly to the skin, it’s best to mix them with a carrier oil, such as jojoba, fractionated coconut or apricot oils, to avoid skin sensitivities. “I try to stay away from nut oils because [some] people have allergies,” Zollinger says.

Look for Quality Cues Buying quality products and finding companies with reputable production methods are of utmost importance to get the full benefits of the oils. A

synthetic oil that calls itself an “essential oil” might smell good but not do anything or be irritating. “The chemistry dictates how it works in the body or mind,” Zollinger explains. Bharde adds, “If an oil isn’t extracted properly, it might not work.” Seek out brands that specialize in wild-crafted, organic and therapeutic-grade essential oils, such as Eden Botanicals, Mountain Rose Herbs and Nature’s Gift. Zollinger also produces AromaBlends, a line specifically formulated for the different body systems or to target issues such as anxiety, energy clearing or heart soothing. “I don’t work with [multi-level] marketing companies and don’t believe aromatherapy belongs to that space because it becomes a business versus a healing modality,” Zollinger notes.

Pay Attention to Shelf Life Essential oils have different shelf lives, but a good general rule of thumb is

STORY:

Karina Antenucci

they should last between two and five years. A pure, well-distilled oil will simply lose its potency over time while a synthetic oil will become rancid. “Citruses have shorter shelf lives because they can oxidize. The resinous oils like vetiver and sandalwood get better with age,” Zollinger says. “Don’t buy really big bottles unless you plan to use them a lot.” Keep your oils closed and away from sunlight and heat to preserve them.

Use Caution with Children Never use essential oils on babies. “Their lungs are not mature enough to take it,” Zollinger cautions. “And keep the oils out of reach of small children because they put everything in their mouths.” A small child will be more sensitive to oils than an adult but don’t let that scare you away from using the oils; they can provide effective, gentle relief for things such as nausea, sleep issues, colds, skin rashes and bug bites. n HEAL CENTER 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 500-505 Sandy Springs 30328 404.303.0007 healcenteratlanta.com

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

TA S T E MA K E R

Find designers such as LA PLAGE, LaRoque and Anna Cate Collection at Monkee’s of Peachtree Battle.

Deborah Celecia Wagoner

dress and earrings, like now!” They can find everything here.

Playing Dress Up A Buckhead resident opens a one-stop-shop boutique for women

hen Elizabeth Huber opened her Peachtree Battle store, Monkee’s, in March, it wasn’t the next step in a career in fashion. Instead, the longtime stay-at-home mom’s professional background included national sales for Hewlett Packard Papers, GeorgiaPacific and Champion International. Huber, whose family has a mountain house near Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has shopped at the Monkee’s there for many years. “My children, my mom and I can always find something on the same shopping trip. I am not normally a shopper, and it is always an enjoyable experience,” Huber says of the signature ample seating areas, range of styles and friendly staff. Before the pandemic hit, she

decided the time was right in her life to start something new and thought of Monkee’s, which has been a corporate franchise based out of Winston-Salem since 1995. Founder Dee Dee Shaw affectionately named the store after the phrase her mother called her four children, her “bunch of monkeys.” Monkee’s Buckhead is a 2,050square-foot space filled with upscale shoes, clothing and accessories by designers such as LA PLAGE, LaRoque, Anna Cate Collection, CK Bradley, Emily McCarthy and more. “The store has been very well received,” Huber says. “My husband and I have joked that it’s retail. It’s not surgery. If we have fun with it, we can’t make a mistake. If I select items I love, other people will love them, too.”

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

STORY:

Karina Antenucci

Why did you choose Buckhead for your location? A huge reason is because I live here, and with Atlanta traffic, that made it the most attractive. Having lived in the area since 1989, my friend network is here. I am involved in a lot of different activities within the area. For instance, my daughters go to Holy Innocents and have played competitive soccer for most of their lives, and I was able to tell all of the moms about the store. What makes Monkee’s different from other boutiques? The friendly atmosphere and the broad range of products, making it one-stop shopping for women. We have a lot of ladies coming in at the last minute now that weddings are getting rescheduled saying, “I need shoes, a

What are the hottest items for fall women’s fashion? Bright colors, flowy items and a move away from athleisure. People have been unable to go to cocktail parties, and now that they are going back to events, they are throwing black and gray to the wind and gravitating toward the bright and cheery, even into the fall. Layering is another big trend, as well as less formal workwear. For example, a dress with a jean jacket and tennis shoe. Accessory trends including fun earrings and headbands will continue to be hot. We’re also seeing recycled fashion products, such as shoes and purses, trending. We carry Lemon Jelly, vegan shoes made with recycled plastics and sugarcane. What’s your signature style? Interestingly, my friends would have said Nike shorts and a pullover before. But now I’m into the flowy dress trend and layering. The most important thing is not to take yourself too seriously when dressing. Wear what you’re comfortable in. What are your girls picking up in-store? My 12-year-old is into smock skirts and tennis shoes, and my 18-year-old, who is tall, gravitates toward longer dresses and chunky heels. It is dangerously fun for them for Mom to have a boutique! Any fashion advice for customers? Take a chance and try something new. We have a lot of ladies who come in and say, “I don’t look good in that.” But if we pull a few things and get them to try them on, they might end up [changing their minds.] n MONKEE’S OF PEACHTREE BATTLE 2353 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.963.2552 monkeesofpeachtreebattle.com

ON S TAG E

| ART

| LITERARY

SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

With the opening of her new bookstore, Virgina Highland Books, prolific reader Sandy Huff will never run out of material.

LITERARY

A New Chapter P58

Photo: Joann Vitelli

“I’ve always loved libraries. I find them such relaxing spaces.” —Sandy Huff September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

Dove Clark

O N S TAGE

On Her Way Chiara D’Ambrosio talks about filming Bandit with an all-star cast in Georgia

ixteen-year-old actress Chiara D’Ambrosio recently wrapped up filming the action thriller Bandit in Thomasville, Georgia, while she lived at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead. “The hotel was very nice and perfectly located close to shopping

and restaurants. It was a beautiful section of Atlanta,” says the star. “I ate at Onyx at the Grand, which had the best tuna tacos and hummus ever.” D’Ambrosio didn’t get to explore the area as much as she wanted to, as she had to quarantine before going to set, but she looks forward

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

STORY:

Vanessa Pascale Rust

to returning sooner rather than later since so many TV series and films are shooting here. In her new flick, based on the best-selling novel, The Flying Bandit, she stars alongside Mel Gibson, Josh Duhamel and Elisha Cuthbert. D’Ambrosio portrays Jill, the daughter

of Linda and Tommy, played by Olivia d’Abo and Gibson. “She is a spunky know-it-all who loves her dad more than anything in the world,” says D’Ambrosio about her character. “Tommy is a crook and Gilbert’s [portrayed by Duhamel] boss, but to Jill, he is a great father.” The story tells the tale of Gilbert Galvan Jr., a 1980s bank robber who successfully completed 63 jewelry and bank heists across Canada while being hunted by a rogue task force. “Galvan would fly from his home to other cities across Canada and then return to his normal family life. It is a great action adventure that I hope the audience enjoys watching as much as I enjoyed being in,” D’Ambrosio says. D’Ambrosio enjoyed working with the all-star cast and crew. “Mel is so nice and was always telling jokes in between takes. Oliva d’Abo is sweet and nurturing. Josh Duhamel was welcoming and always checking to make sure everything was OK, from set to my accommodations,” she says. This isn’t the up-and-coming star’s first gig. D’Ambrosio and her twin sister, Bianca, have been acting since they were 3 years old. The two got their start on “The Young and the Restless” playing Summer Newman. Since then, she has appeared in TV productions of “See Dad Run,” “Diary of a Future President” and “The Bay.” Several of her projects are slated for release this year, including feature films Slapface, I Am Mortal and Fear of Rain, with Katherine Heigl and Harry Connick Jr. Additionally, the twins star in “yA,” a spinoff of Amazon’s digital daytime series “The Bay” that has yet to announce a release date or platform. D’Ambrosio reprises her role as Regan Sanders in the coming-of-age drama series. In addition to acting, the teen enjoys writing and directing her own short films; playing the drums, guitar and piano; and reading different book genres. “During quarantine, my sister and I started to read way more than we ever did, and the stories have made a huge impact on our lives.” The sisters created a book club where they speak with authors quarterly, buddy-read their book picks with their social media followers and host book giveaways. We’ll be on the lookout for what this busy starlet is up to next on screen, and on her next visit to Buckhead. n dambrosiotwins.com

A Place Where You Belong Spend the day or evening on the Town! Discover over 50 shops, services and restaurants. Town Brookhaven is truly your one stop shopping and dining destination with a blend of interesting boutiques, delicious restaurants and useful services. ANCHORS

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APPAREL & ACCESSORIES Dress Up • Vestique

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HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY

18|8 Fine Men’s Salon • Atlanta Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center (Opening Soon) Benchmark Physical Therapy • Brookhaven Orthodontics Emory Clinic • European Wax Center GNC (General Nutrition Center) • Injectable Xpress RX, Inc. Intown Pediatrics • The Joint - The Chiropractic Place Julian’s Cosmetics and Skincare • Massage Heights Nail Talk & Tan • Saks Salon • Salon Red • Town Dentistry Vein Clinics of America • Vida-Flo: The Hydration Station

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26 Thai Sushi & Bar • Crumbl Cookies (Opening Soon) The Flying Biscuit Café • HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern Lucky’s Burger & Brew • Marble Slab Creamery Moe’s Southwest Grill • Newk’s Express Café Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub • Red Pepper Taqueria There Restaurant and Bar • Tropical Smoothie Café • Urban Wok

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www.townbrookhaven.net Conveniently located on Peachtree Road adjacent to Oglethorpe University.

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

ART

Parsa Behnamiri (below) created FreeMarket Gallery as a place to explore luxury fine art in a welcoming, comfortable space on Atlanta’s Westside.

Raising the Art Bar New gallery’s goal is making fine art accessible and affordable

arsa Behnamiri, owner of the new FreeMarket Gallery on Upper Westside, didn’t take a traditional route into the art world. Rather, the Emory MBA devoted his study time to economics and finance, and most of his career to IT consulting. “I have always been passionate about art, music and creative pursuits in general; I just never had an aptitude for it,” he says. “All paths did not lead to art, and it was a winding road to get here.” The road diverged for Behnamiri in 2017 when he co-founded ShowATL, a company that highlighted the creative ventures of Atlanta artists, designers, entrepreneurs and technologists. The venture expanded his contacts in the art world, who encouraged him to make it his career focus. The result was FreeMarket Gallery that opened in 2019 in Underground Atlanta. “I wanted to forge a change, try something new, take a risk,” he says. But when the complex’s ownership changed, he began looking for new locations. Then came COVID. After months of just being online, the gallery

landed on Howell Mill Road in June. “Given the westside’s proximity to what I consider the arts district of metro Atlanta between Miami Circle, Buckhead and West Midtown, this was the ideal location for fine arts, luxury home goods—anything like that,” Behnamiri says. “It had the right timing at the right moment and a 4,700-square-foot space that worked. We have room to show more than 60 pieces from more than 15 artists.” The new space also gives Behnamiri room to showcase the gallery’s mission: making fine art accessible and affordable. “I have traditionally seen luxury fine art being a bit opaque, with not a lot of visibility around the transactional level,” he says. “Prices are rarely published outright. Buying it is more like being in a club, and it’s difficult to procure without coming off as a bit exclusive to the general public. My perspective is that fine art should be in a marketplace that’s open to all people, and the idea here is to eliminate those psychological barriers around visiting galleries and meeting artists.”

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

Behnamiri puts a priority on works by local and regional artists, including mixed media specialist Niki Zarrabi, metalsmith and painter Adelaide Tai, muralist Peter Ferrari and abstractionist Phil Harris. Prices range from $1,000 to $8,000, though higherpriced pieces are on hand. “That range is relatively affordable in a luxury art space where not everything is $50,000,” he says. The founder promotes the concept that anyone can be a collector, even if they don’t have extensive art expertise or deep pockets. “Here, you don’t have to have a lot of academic training, know the right people or understand technique and form,” he says. “What we do really well, as the name suggests, is be a marketplace. That means we broker the needs of the artists and the collectors, and we don’t exploit artists for the sake of the patrons and vice versa.” Behnamiri says “fine art” has often been defined by price point, artist reputation or size, but he believes a work with a message is also in that category.

STORY:

H.M. Cauley

“I think fine art conveys a specific spirit, theme or subject that speaks to you beyond, ‘Oh, they used nice colors’—which is a perfectly good reason to like a piece of art. But fine art takes things to a different level.” A collector himself, Behnamiri favors the classics. “I can spend hours and hours in an art museum looking at Picasso, Dali, Goya or Velazquez,” he says. “And I’m happy that Atlanta is rife with talent who can take references from classical periods and make them their own.” Behnamirir, who late last year opened Ponce City Market’s The Print Shop that carries limited, signed editions of prints, is also happy being the business brains rather than an artist. “I can’t draw a stick figure. My one contribution to the fine art world is the business aspect.” n FREEMARKET GALLERY 1193 Howell Mill Road N.W. Atlanta 30318 404.963.6323 freemarketart.com

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L I T E R ARY

A NEW CHAPTER A BUCKHEAD MOTHER OF THREE TURNS THE PAGE BY OPENING A BOOKSTORE

“I

’ve always loved libraries,” says longtime Garden Hills resident Sandy Huff. “I find them such relaxing spaces. And I love looking at all the books. It’s the opposite of laundry.” A stay-at-home mother for the last 15 years, the 56-year-old Huff has created her own library of sorts. She recently opened Virginia Highland Books in the spot where clothing store Empire South used to be, near the corner of Highland and Virginia avenues. Explaining how the bookstore came to be, Huff says it was the second week of January, and she happened to be in Virginia-Highland buying a 2021 calendar at Paper Source. “I saw the ‘For Sale’ sign in the window [of the space where the store now sits],” she says, and it immediately caught her attention. “I used to live two blocks from that

corner and always loved the walkability of the neighborhood.” Huff isn’t a newbie to the world of bookstores. When her family went on vacation, they always found a local indie bookshop to explore. She also worked part-time at B. Dalton Bookseller when she and her husband, an attorney, first moved to Atlanta. “I tried to get a job at Oxford Books first,” she says of the venerable retailer, once the largest independent bookstore in the Southeast before closing in 1997. “They required you to take a 16-page test about literature,” says Huff, “and I did not pass.” After she acquired the site for her store, things started rolling quickly. “It’s been fast and furious,” admits Huff. As breakneck as it’s been, though, the pandemic has resulted in delays of shipments of necessary supplies, such as bookshelves, which in turn

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

STORY:

Jill Becker PHOTO: Joann Vitelli

pushed back the opening. “My goal was to open on June 5, which is my birthday,” says Huff, “but that didn’t happen.” The pandemic has also put her plans for book readings, storytime, author signings and book clubs on hold until the fall. But the hardest parts of the process for Huff have been picking out which books to carry (“I wanted to order them all”) and culling through all the requests for employment she got after posting that she was looking for help on Nextdoor (“I wanted to hire them all”). In the end, she ended up with around 10,000 books and 12 employees. The two-story, 4,000-square-foot shop is open seven days a week and houses not just books, but puzzles, gifts, reading glasses and the like. Soon, the selection will include vinyl in a small section set aside for music. Huff’s ultimate hope is for Virginia

Highland Books to become a neighborhood hangout, with customers dropping by nearby Perc to get a cup of coffee or a bite to eat at the newly opened Doughnut Dollies and heading to the store for a leisurely browse of its vast inventory. “I’ll consider us a success if we simply break even and provide a welcoming spot for the community,” says Huff. The day-to-day trials of running a bookstore will not diminish her love of books, Huff says. An avid reader, she says she finishes about 100 books a year. “There’s so much potential there,” she says. “It’s so exciting to get into a new book.” n VIRGINIA HIGHLAND BOOKS 1034 N. Highland Ave. N.E. Atlanta 30306 vahibooks.com

COV ER S TORY

Model is wearing SPANX Longline Medium Impact Sports Bra ($68) and Look at Me Now Seamless Moto Leggings ($88).

DISCOVER THE GREAT OUTDOORS FROM FORAGING AND GARDENING TO GLAMPING AND OTHER OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Being outdoors means access to fresh air, natural beauty and plenty of ways to get your blood pumping. Fortunately, Atlanta is famous for its temperate weather, which affords year-round enjoyment of the outdoors in Buckhead and beyond. To celebrate the many ways our neighbors are capitalizing on outdoor opportunities, we explore the art of foraging, track down places nearby where you can go glamping (that’s camping with amenities!), discover under-the-radar outdoor adventures around the state, create a productive backyard oasis and find trails close to home. PHOTO:

Sara Hanna September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

Explore Georgia/Ralph Daniel

THE GREAT BEYOND Heavenly outdoor places and spaces to explore outside metro Atlanta

ature lovers have plenty of spots to enjoy in the Atlanta area, whether it’s trekking to the top of Stone Mountain or tubing down the Chattahoochee, but the rest of Georgia is equally equipped when it comes to the great outdoors. Among these natural treasures are Georgia’s 49 state parks, from northernmost Black Rock Mountain to intracoastal Crooked River. Offering a diversity of landscapes, they attract visitors looking to experience all of the bounty the state has to offer, whether you’re heading north, south, east or west.

Julie Davis, co-owner of Spa Sydell, with locations in Buckhead and Perimeter Place, has been to almost half of the state parks. “The great thing about the outdoors in Georgia is there’s something for all ages and stages,” she says. “My husband and I have hiked with babies in tow, then with teenagers and now as empty nesters. We love to explore new places and try to venture out of the city for a long hike every weekend.” Best of all, you can go exploring pretty much year-round. “We love seeing how much each trail differs with the change of the seasons,”

Above: A suspension bridge at Tallulah Gorge State Park spans the width of the Tallulah River below. Left: Hikers on the Waterfalls Trail at Cloudland Canyon State Park are treated to this incredible view.

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

says Davis. “It’s like a whole new adventure from summer to winter.” For all of you fellow outdoor enthusiasts, we’ve compiled a list of 10 of Georgia’s lesser-known riches outside metro Atlanta. So grab your water bottle and load up your backpack for an epic wilderness quest.

NORTH GEORGIA When many people think of Tallulah Gorge State Park, they picture the suspension bridge poised 80 feet above the gorge floor that’s accessed by climbing down (and then back up) more than 300 steps. But several of the Tallulah Falls’ park’s other unique features are only accessible on guided hikes or paddles. A ranger will guide you, for instance, to the rock formation that looks suspiciously like a witch’s head, the small cave hidden at the base of the gorge and a secret spot noted as the best place in the park to watch the sun go down. As you hike the 2.5-mile loop on the Lake Trail at Unicoi State Park in Helen, be on the lookout for a large formation of mica and quartz that marks a fault line that goes through the park.

STORY:

Jill Becker

Cloudland Canyon State Park in far-north Rising Fawn has plentiful hiking trails that range from easy to strenuous and is well-known for the series of 600 stairs that lead down to a pair of gorgeous sandstone waterfalls. It’s only been since 2011, though, that parkgoers can mountain bike along 30 miles of wooded singletrack and out-and-back trails. (Bike rentals are available if you don’t have your own.) If you prefer hooves to handlebars, check out the 16 miles of equestrian trails. OK, this one’s a bit of a cheat since it’s just over the state line in Ocoee, Tennessee, and it’s in a national forest rather than a state park, but we couldn’t help but mention that just two-plus hours north of Atlanta, you can go snorkeling in one of the most biologically diverse sections of river in North America. More than 70 species of fish make their home in the Conasauga River Snorkeling Hole, and some of them can’t be found anywhere else on the planet. We’ll warn you: Even in the summer, the water can be pretty chilly.

C OVE R ST ORY

Above: Local resident Julie Davis goes on a hike with her favorite walking buddy.

Explore Georgia/Ralph Daniel

Below: Visitors to Indian Springs State Park fill their bottles with fresh spring water.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Above: A family treks up the granite formation at Panola Mountain State Park. Left: Georgia’s own “grand canyon” is less than three hours south of Atlanta at Providence Canyon State Park.

CENTRAL GEORGIA In addition to its unique rock formations, Panola Mountain State Park has cemeteries and old whiskey stills hidden just off the trail. But did you know you can also bivouac overnight in a “treeboat”? Using a set of pulleys and ropes, you can scale one of the Stockbridge park’s towering red oak or willow trees and crash in a canvas hammock perched dozens of feet off the ground, with only a sky full of stars above you. The state’s bald eagle population is declining, but bird lovers visiting

Chattahoochee Bend State Park in Newnan have the opportunity to observe a rare bald eagle nest. Binoculars are a must. Exactly 80 years ago, the Civilian Conservation Corps opened the 533,000-gallon Liberty Bell Pool at F.D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain, and visitors still swim in its refreshing spring-fed waters. Ninety miles to the east in Floville is Indian Springs State Park, where the mineral-rich spring water is said to possess healing powers. Bring a few empty bottles and take some of it home with you.

SOUTH GEORGIA Because of its unique geography, Lumpkin’s Providence Canyon State Park has earned the nickname “Georgia’s Little Grand Canyon.” Most visitors go for the day to hike the rim of the canyon and soak up its picturesque, panoramic views, but those willing to rough it a little bit can overnight at a primitive campsite along the Backcountry Trail that follows an old logging road through a forest of river birch trees. When walking the 7-mile trail at George L. Smith State Park in Twin

Swimmers have been enjoying the springfed waters of the Liberty Bell Pool at F.D. Roosevelt State Park for 80 years.

City, keep your eyes peeled for gopher tortoise burrows. The area’s loose soil makes an ideal habitat for Georgia’s state reptile. n

For more information on Georgia’s state parks, visit gastateparks.org. Please note that some parks experience large crowds on weekends, so staff may temporarily limit access to day-users until there’s available capacity.

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

Michael Jacobs

Left: Catfish the dog stays close while owner Ashley Juneghani practices yoga on a stand-up paddleboard at Morgan Falls Overlook Park.

STICKS & THE CITY

STORY:

Michael Jacobs

Above: Eric Champlin (left) and husband Rob Sollie opened Trailful Outdoor Co. in Hiawassee about three years ago.

J Mangrum wanted to stretch her physical and spiritual muscles when she walked into the High Country Outfitters Paddle Shack about seven years ago. She walked out as the owner of a used stand-up paddleboard and two new ways to enjoy the Chattahoochee River: riding the board, known as a SUP, and practicing yoga. This year she joined the woman who sold her that board, Caroline Sloan, in leading SUP yoga classes at the Paddle Shack at Morgan Falls Overlook Park in Sandy Springs a couple of Sunday mornings a month from May to September. Up to 15 people per class pay $45 for an hourplus of down dog and other poses in the river area known as Bull Sluice. Balancing on the unstable water involves more muscles than yoga on land and develops new neurological paths, Mangrum says. It’s also a more raw experience. “The studio is a controlled environment,” she says. “When I’m on my board, there’s nothing I can pretend I’m in control of.” For those who prefer paddling to posing, the Paddle Shack rents SUPs and kayaks, starting at $25 per hour. It’s open seasonally Thursday through Sunday. High Country’s flagship store in Buckhead rents those items and more seven days a week. Robbie Medwed takes a more terrestrial approach to the outdoors.

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

A teacher at the Epstein School in Sandy Springs, he cycles on roads but craves trees and nature for hikes close to home when he can’t escape to the mountains. “I feel a sense of calmness when I’m surrounded by nature that I don’t feel anywhere else,” says Medwed, who suggests searching online database Atlanta Trails by activity, difficulty and location. Morgan Falls Overlook Park itself is a scenic site for a hike, run or ride. Just across Roswell Road, the John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Forest Preserve bans running and biking but provides arboreal education and 100 feet of elevation change on its hiking trails. The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area winds for 48 miles and includes three sites for challenging runs or hikes in Sandy Springs: Island Ford, Powers Island and East Palisades. The National Park Service charges $5 a day or $40 a year for a park pass. “The Chattahoochee is such an incredible resource,” says Eric Champlin, who adds that the recreation area’s wooded trails and river views offer the illusion of being far from the city. He co-founded Atlanta Trails to meet his own need for information after he moved to Atlanta in the early 2000s. Atlanta Trails rates Powers Island as one of the underused units of the

Eric Champlin

Woods and water offer ways to run, hike, bike and paddle not too far from the madding urban crowd

Powers Island provides all of the beauty and nature of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area with little of the crowd.

river recreation area, despite being possibly more scenic and challenging than the crowded, nearby Cochran Shoals, the only unit of the park that allows bicycles. Medwed praises the extreme isolation of Powers Island: “I feel like I’m in the middle of nowhere.” But because it’s just off Interstates 285 and 75, he also finds a trail hike there to be a convenient alternative to a meeting in a coffee shop. Island Ford, home to the recreation area’s headquarters, also tends to have smaller crowds. Atlanta Trails says the paths are good for new and young hikers and offer wildlife, wildflowers and caves. Ann Honious, the new superintendent of the recreation area, says park staffers hike, jog and fish at Island Ford after the workday. She caught her first fish there in 2020.

East Palisades is ranked among Atlanta Trails’ Top 10 hiking trails in part because of the views and a bamboo forest. But Jason Toney, the store manager of Big Peach Ride + Run in Brookhaven, says East Palisades also offers some of the most challenging and rewarding trail running in the area, with steep, technical climbs. “It’s another world,” he says. “If you get out there after some rain, it is sure to be a muddy good time.” Closer to his store in Brookhaven, Toney likes to run on the dirt trails along private Silver Lake, then tack on Inman Road, whose twists, turns, rises and falls remind him of a mountain road. Roots mar the lakeside trails, he says, “but that’s part of the thrill.” The dirt path around Murphey Candler Park in Brookhaven makes Atlanta Trails’ Top 10 running trails.

Tom Wilson

C OVE R ST ORY

Above: Fall brings geese and vibrant colors to the Palisades area of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

Cathy Barnard

Below: Poppi’s Point provides a view of the rapids below the Indian Trail in the East Palisades area of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.

Tom Wilson

Above: Fall kayakers cruise along the tranquil Chattahoochee in the Island Ford area. Right: Big Peach store manager Jason Toney looks for variations in scenery and terrain when he picks a place to run. He also appreciates the feeling of safety on a trail that’s well marked or well traveled.

ates the changing elevation and the option to veer into the surrounding neighborhood for variety. Toney recommends the urban tranquility of Buckhead’s multiuse PATH400, which runs along Ga. 400 and eventually will enable extended runs and bike rides with links to the Atlanta BeltLine and Sandy Springs trails. “I think it’s amazing the number of resources that Atlanta actually has for outdoor activities tucked into very urban sections of the city, tucked into neighborhoods,” Champlin says. n

Below: Even when he isn’t training for a specific ultramarathon or crosscountry adventure, Justin Epstein appreciates trails with mileage markers for distance precision.

Chamblee Rail Trail traillink.com/trail/keswick-parkextension-trail Chastain Park chastainparkconservancy.org Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area nps.gov/chat High Country Outfitters Paddle Shack 200 Morgan Falls Road Sandy Springs 30350 404.977.2523 highcountryoutfitters.com

KEEP IT CLEAN

Ann Honious likes to explore the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area with her cockapoo, Lucy, who in 2020 served as the spokesdog for a public service campaign promoting the disposal of dog waste in the park.

Atlanta Trails atlantatrails.com Big Peach Ride + Run 705 Town Blvd. Suite Q340 Brookhaven 30319 404.816.8488 bigpeachrunningco.com

Jeff Winner

Champlin calls it a classic crossover trail that’s great for running or walking, especially if you have pets or children. For a flat addition to a run or ride through Brookhaven’s Ashford Park neighborhood or Chamblee’s Sexton Woods, Toney suggests the Chamblee Rail Trail, which connects Keswick Park to Chamblee’s retail district and is being extended. Justin Epstein, the president of the Premier Agency in Brookhaven with a penchant for extreme fitness challenges, likes Historic Brookhaven for training runs. Amid beautiful homes and trees, the changing terrain and mix of flat roads with steep climbs challenge endurance without “allowing you to fully get comfortable.” For multiple uses in Buckhead, Epstein and Atlanta Trails recommend the paved trail through Chastain Park for its scenery and mileage markers. Epstein appreci-

eople running, hiking, biking or splashing through the area’s natural resources should remember that the ecosystems are fragile, says Atlanta Trails’ Eric Champlin. “Some have received almost too much love over the years.” Atlanta Trails mixes up its top 10 lists around different topics to spread around users. Each of its trail reviews highlights the nonprofit group that maintains the space. Champlin hopes more people will volunteer, donate or at least clean up after themselves to try to leave trails nicer than they find them.

Dog waste is a particular problem, says Ann Honious, the new superintendent of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Some park users bag waste but drop the bags on the trail or toss them into the woods. Others seem to think it’s natural to leave poop where it falls. But Honious says the waste doesn’t serve as fertilizer and can introduce deadly bacteria into the ecosystem of the river that supplies 70% of the metro area’s drinking water. Plus, it’s not a pleasant surprise for others on the trail.

Historic Brookhaven historic-brookhaven.org John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Forest Preserve bigtreesforest.com Morgan Falls Overlook Park sandyspringsga.gov/recreation/ enjoying-the-outdoors/city-parks Murphey Candler Park murpheycandlerpark.org PATH400 path400greenway.org Silver Lake silverlakeassoc.org Trailful Outdoor 75 N. Main St. Hiawassee 30546 706-521-4453 trailful.com

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

GOING WILD

FROM WOODS

TO PLATE

Foraged finds at local restaurants and farmers market

Treebird Branding

Bacchanalia

How to start foraging in the Atlanta area

forager delivering chanterelle mushrooms to one of the first restaurants Todd Mussman worked at piqued the chef’s interest in the practice of foraging. Twenty years later, searching for wild foods is still one of Mussman’s go-to hobbies. “It’s a way to get outside. I’m an outdoorsman. I go whenever I get the inkling all year round,” says Mussman, a partner at restaurant group Unsukay that holds Local Three Kitchen & Bar in Buckhead under its umbrella of eateries. At Local Three, the chef utilizes foraged ingredients, such as morel mushrooms, in specials such as a 20-oz. tomahawk chop served with a cheddar and morel bread pudding and topped with a morel shoyu butter. “Foraged goods are so fresh; it doesn’t get fresher than that. They taste so much better than grocery store produce,” Mussman notes. Here, the expert serves up some tips for beginners.

FIELD GUIDE The best way to learn how to forage is to find a guide or mentor to take you out. However, foragers don’t like to reveal their spots, so this part can be challenging. Mussman recommends starting by joining a club in your area found through a quick Google search or Facebook group, and then just getting outside. A university’s mycology (the scientific study of fungi) department is a good resource for learning or helping with wild edible identification, too.

SAFETY FIRST Identifying the foraged plant is key to avoiding getting sick or poisoned. This is especially true with mushrooms,

STORY:

Karina Antenucci

Left: Todd Mussman, forager, chef and partner at restaurant group Unsukay.

which grow plentifully in Georgia’s semi-tropical climate. “You need to be very careful and really know what you’re dealing with because many of them can be dangerous,” says Mussman, who prefers to stick with what he calls “culinary mushrooms.” He warns that you can’t identify a mushroom by a picture and that many have a look-alike. For instance, the toxic jack-o-lantern mushroom is the chanterelle’s doppelgänger. It grows on dead wood at the base of a dead tree, and chanterelles do not. To truly ID fungi, you need the mushroom’s unique spore print, which is like a fingerprint. Mussman says to set a mushroom down on a piece of paper that is half white and half black, place a bowl over top and wait a day for it to drop spores, then use a field guide to identify it. Aside from inedibles, learn the safety protocols for coming into contact with wildlife that can cause you harm, such as black bears and snakes.

SEASONAL SELECTION Know what you’re looking for based on the season it grows. “There’s a supermarket in the woods, and all you have to do is a little bit of research,” says Mussman. He forages morel mushrooms and stinging nettles in

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

Below: Local Three’s 20-oz. tomahawk chop with morel bread pudding.

the spring, the latter of which are great in soups or sautés. He looks for ramps and wild mountain leeks in Blue Ridge, Georgia at the tail end of spring, then wild blackberries and chanterelle mushrooms in the summer. “Chanterelles grow in such abundance in Georgia in the summer, you can find them just by walking up the banks of the Chattahoochee River,” which is what he did on his first foraging adventure.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE Only a couple of simple tools are needed to forage: a knife to trim and cut plant stems and a mesh bag, such as a laundry bag, to allow wild items to drop seeds or spores and reseed the area as you go. Mussman says attire can make or break the experience, so wear good boots, such as muck boots to the knee, with long pants tucked in; a light, long-sleeve Tshirt and a cap, which will protect you from ticks, spiders and their webs. Of course, don’t forget your water bottle, and bring a good map and compass in case cell service drops. n Local Three Kitchen & Bar 3290 Northside Pkwy. N.W. Atlanta 30327 404.968.2700 localthree.com

The fine dining restaurant’s contemporary American menu is seasonal and often incorporates foraged fruits and more from Farm and Forage Atlanta when available. “As is the nature of foraging, the supply is never guaranteed,” says Chef Anne Quatrano. Menu items highlighting these local delights have included a gastrique with wild serviceberry syrup and a wild plum buttermilk panna cotta with popped sorghum dessert (left). starprovisions.com

Redbird Chef Zeb Stevenson gets excited when foragers bring him their goods, and then he gets creative. “Because seasons are so short on wild foods, I like to preserve as much as I can for later use,” Stevenson says. The most notable example features locally foraged bamboo shoots that the chefs pickle in beer, garlic, mustard and apple cider vinegar, and serve with grilled peaches, cucumber, mint and coriander dressing. “The bamboo is only available for about two weeks in late April, so my forager and I stay in very close contact around that time,” he says. Another dish you might find on the menu includes morel mushrooms on a split biscuit with shallots, brandy and tarragon. redbirdatl.com

Dunwoody Farmers Market When available, Ecosystem Farm brings foraged items such as mulberries, plums, figs, apples and pomegranates to its booth at the market. “We mainly forage off trees around the city as various fruits come into season and occasionally include foraged chanterelles or morels,” says Kirsten Simmons, market manager at Dunwoody Farmers Market and owner of Ecosystem Farm, who forages in public parks and private properties where she has permission to pick. For those interested in doing the same, she recommends nonprofit Concrete Jungle’s food map, concrete-jungle.org/food-map, that notes fruit trees around the city available for picking. Brook Run Park dunwoodyga.org/dunwoodyfarmers-market

C OVE R ST ORY

BUCKHEAD’S BAAAA-CKYARD

PRODUCTIVE PROPERTY

Turn your yard into a mini grocery store

STORY:

“W

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

e’re chicken farmers now,” my husband is fond of joking. He’s not wrong. Our intown backyard is home to a small flock of fluffy hens who keep us stocked with ultra-fresh eggs sporting bright yellow yolks. For us, the addition of chickens was an outgrowth of the pandemic, the combination of spending more time at home, wanting to make better use of our outdoor spaces and hoping to provide a little peace of mind when the stock on grocery shelves felt unpredictable. It turns out, we aren’t unusual. “We saw a big spike in people’s interest in growing their own food to offset having to go to grocery stores and having a little bit more security,” says Brandy Hall, founder and managing director of Shades of Green. “Anytime the supply chain is shaken, I think it’s alarming for folks.” Hall’s company focuses on employing the concept of permaculture, a design approach that mimics how natural ecosystems work, thus improving the efficiency of your garden. “Permaculture is really about using water wisely and growing ecologically important and significant edible plants,” says Hall, who has created greenspaces all around Atlanta, including large projects in Buckhead. “It’s also about building soil and restoring habitat.” Once you’ve set your garden or yard up for success, it should flourish and require less maintenance over time. Many of us have been spending more time at home than ever over the past 18 months. If you’re ready

Right: Shades of Green’s Brandy Hall helps clients transform their properties into intown oases.

to make your backyard work harder for you, here are a few ways and reasons to get started. Yard goals. Whether you want your yard to be a little oasis to escape the indoors, a place for kids to play, a spot to entertain outside or a patch to yield fruits, vegetables and herbs that will show up on your table, it’s important to identify your top priorities before embarking on an overhaul. Gardens go anywhere. Even if you live in a condo or apartment, having a garden is an option. “We’ve created patio gardens and 1,000-acre farm plans. There’s a huge spectrum, but everyone has a relationship with food, regardless of where you live,” says Hall. If you do live in a small space, consider starting with a windowsill garden of herbs or seeking out shared greenspace to plant in pots. Long-haul. It’s desirable to grow vegetables you can harvest in a few months, but don’t forget about other plants and trees that take longer to mature. For example, Hall’s team started an orchard of more than 25 trees for a Buckhead client. Within a few years, he’ll be enjoying pomegranates, mulberries, persimmons, pears, cherries, peaches and more.

If you’ve driven down Wieuca Road in Buckhead lately, you’ve probably done a double-take at a front yard full of farm animals. Seven years ago, Cam Ashling rescued a livestock guardian dog named Luna who had anxiety. Hoping to calm her down, Ashling got some goats. Now, the tribe includes nine goats and a flock of chickens and turkeys. “You start with goats or chickens and then you become a farmer before you know it,” says Ashling, whose “real” job is in finance. Want to see for yourself? Ashling leaves a box of food to feed the goats by the sidewalk outside of her fence but asks that people don’t come on the propAbove: Huey erty without an apis one of the pointment. Private friendly goats tours or parties are living at a available. For more residence on information, visit Buckhead’s facebook.com/ Wieuca Road. buckheadgoats.

ter when it rains. Rainwater harvesting in barrels is another way to become less dependent on city water.

Compatibility. “We often say, ‘Don’t plant plants; plant ecosystems,’” says Hall. She suggests considering what plants grow naturally together in nature to discover varieties that are naturally symbiotic. For example, both blueberries and strawberries favor acidic soils and grow well together. Black-eyed Susans and coreopsis pull different nutrients from the soil, making them good neighbors in a garden. Build soil. “It’s important to focus on building soil, keeping organic matter and cultivating plants that help to build soil and increasing its capacity to hold water.” One way to do this is to add organic matter such as mulch, compost and leaves. Water strategy. One of the key tenets of permaculture is maximizing water to minimize erosion and lessen the need to irrigate. On the Buckhead orchard project, Hall’s team strategically planted to slow water coming down a hill and put the fruit trees downslope so they get plenty of wa-

Expert help or go it alone. Hiring an expert like Hall can make the process of transforming your yard seamless, but if you’d like to do it on your own, she recommends the University of Georgia Extension Office’s book, The Complete Guide to Native Plants for Georgia, available for free at extension.uga. edu. Shades of Green also offers an online class for how to do ecological design for residential spaces. Clucking along. If you want to add some chickens to your family, be sure to check local ordinances to see what’s allowed in your area. Many cities allow hens if the coop is a certain number of feet away from your property line but prohibit noisy roosters. To connect with others who are raising chickens, look on social networks such as Facebook and Meetup, and search keywords such as “backyard poultry” or “city chickens” to learn the ropes. n Shades of Green 404.494.0140 shadesofgreenpermaculture.com

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

COVE R S T ORY

Luxury Tents at Lake Lanier

NOT QUITE CAMPING Glamping in North Georgia

“G

lamping”—glamorous camping—is a great way to spend time in nature with luxuries a typical campsite would not provide. Glampsites can include tiny houses, yurts, tents or retro RVs in state parks or on private properties. Each option eliminates the pain of the tent setup and the need to haul all the things along with you. That’s exactly what I was seeking on my first glamping adventure to Getaway House in Suches, North Georgia, this summer with my daughter. With no one to impress with our attire, and essentials like towels and cookware provided, we packed light. I was thankful for the easy load when we arrived at the bottom of a long wooden staircase leading up to our tiny house named Rosa, one of 30 on the property. Worth the climb, our glampsite was pleasantly tucked into a beautiful, secluded corner of the Chattahoochee National Forest and teeming with twittering birds. A picnic table, fire pit with Adirondack seating for four and a black-exterior abode with space for up to four guests greeted us. Though it was little, the interior was packed with two queen bunk beds made with comfortable white linens; a mini kitchen including a small fridge, stove and all of the

STORY:

Karina Antenucci

basics for meal making (pot, pan, knives, etc.); a dining table; and a fully equipped bathroom. Other much-appreciated touches were the radio that entertained with a few local stations, bedside LED lanterns, air conditioning and a s’mores kit, kindling and firewood for purchase. The only thing I regretted not bringing along was a coffee pot: The for-purchase pour-over coffee didn’t quite cut it with an uber-excited little one waking at 5:30 a.m. Ouch. When it’s time for activity, the areas surrounding the site have plenty of outdoor adventures including mountain biking the winding roads, hiking in state parks and on the Appalachian Trail, tubing floats and kayaking. We headed to Lake Winfield Scott Recreation Area that offered a moderate hike on the Jarrard Gap Trail and a

beach for a picnic and swimming in the lake. Later, we popped into Wildcat BBQ & Store for an early dinner and scored jars of local pickled spicy green beans and bread and butter pickles to bring home. On the way back to Atlanta, we stopped at Consolidated Gold Mine in Dahlonega to pan for gemstones and walked away with a Ziploc full of crystals such as amethyst and quartz. It was good fun, and I recommend it even for adults. My favorite part, though? A rainy afternoon with nothing to do but snuggle with my kiddo, play games and read books with a backdrop of picture windows that turned the lush landscape into art. It was the greatest gift of Getaway. n

Situated on approximately 100 wooded acres, Georgia Glamping’s Shady Grove Campground location at Lake Lanier in Cumming brings on the fun. Choose from bell tents, safari tents in different sizes and a 28-foot retro RV on glampsites that include a wood-burning fire pit, a charcoal grill, string lights, hammocks and picnic tables. Standard amenities comprise a Keurig Coffee maker, mini fridge, A/C and heating units, rugs, lamps and other well-appointed decor to make it feel more like a home away from home. Take advantage of the campground’s beach and swim area, boat ramp, playground, restrooms and showers. Customize your stay with the array of add-ons including kayaks, SUPs, paddle boats, s’mores kits, corn hole and Jenga games, pop-up dinner gazebos and Lil’ Glamper Bags filled with scavenger hunt kits and more. Rates start at $134/night. georgiaglamping.com

Yurt Glamping at Sweetwater Creek

Above: Each Getaway House offers a fire pit, Adirondack chairs and picnic table to enjoy the great outdoors.

Sweetwater Creek State Park in Lithia Springs is only 30 minutes from Buckhead for those who want the glamping experience close to home. A “yurt village” within a shady area overlooking a reservoir features 10 yurts for rent. Each 20-foot-wide circular tent with skylight, insulation and pine flooring features a fan, lamp, futon, dining table and bunk beds inside. Outside, you’ll find a front and rear deck with seating and a fire pit for cooking. Bring your own linens, blankets, cooler and all meal supplies. With several hiking trails of varying difficulties at the park, including one that leads to the ruins of a historic textile mill, as well as playgrounds, fishing docks and seasonal watercraft rentals, there are amusements for all ages. Make sure to visit or contact the park office before 5 p.m. for checkin and gate information.

Right: The queen bunk beds inside the tiny house can fit a family of four.

Rates start at $95/night. gastateparks.org/sweetwatercreek

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

Rates start at $109/night. getaway.house

RE V I E W | DRI N K S | F O ODI E J OU RNA L | TA S T E M A K E R | RE S TAU R A N T S

SIMPLY DELICIOUS

RESTAURANT REVIEW

Sombre black-andwhite photographs of a bygone era contrast with the festive spirit of Buckhead Village District hot spot Le Colonial.

Southeast Asian Sensation P68

Bahama shutters, potted palms and starched tablecloths anchor diners firmly in a romanticized version of the Vietnam of yesteryear.

Photo: Joann Vitelli

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

REVIEW

Southeast Asian Sensation Le Colonial brings fine FrenchVietnamese cuisine to Buckhead STORY:

Rebecca Cha PHOTOS: Joann Vitelli

t’s early on a Friday evening, and my guest and I are standing outside Le Colonial, the Atlanta outpost of the nationally known French-Vietnamese restaurant in the Buckhead Village District. The problem is the reservation. We didn’t make one, and the oversight isn’t appreciated by Le Colonial’s doorman who stands, arms firmly crossed, between us and the elevator to “a luxurious escapist oasis” (as described on the website). Finally, we negotiate a seat at the bar, and the proverbial velvet rope is lifted. On the second-floor veranda, a queue of 20 people, decked out in Gucci and Fendi has already formed. It occurs to me that my Brooks Brothers khakis may be well within the restaurant’s dress code, but it’s entirely conceivable I’ll be kicked out for looking so incredibly dull. Le Colonial is very chic. Owners Rick Wahlstedt and Joseph King have re-created the same Paris bistromeets-1920s Saigon scene they’ve done since 1993, when the first Le Colonial opened in New York (currently there are four). Bahama shutters, potted palms, starched white tablecloths and vintage

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

fans whirring overhead anchor us firmly in a romanticized version of French colonial Vietnam. Atlanta’s well-heeled diners gobble it up as enthusiastically as they do Chef Richard Lee’s classic Vietnamese cooking. My guest and I are ensconced in the lively bar where birdcage fixtures and haunting 19th-century photographs—farmers plowing rice fields, a child weaving, men in traditional ao dai—carry on the period theme. A glance at the heavily French and American wine list reminds us we’re in a far pricier century: Bottles run from $40 to more than $2,000. We opt, instead, for lychee martinis, one of the house specialties. The icy Helix vodka combined with milky lychee nectar is a fitting prelude to the exotic fare. We begin with banh uot, sesame beef rice noodle rolls. The light, translucent noodles are rolled like cannelloni, filled with tender sesame beef and crisp lettuce, and finished with basil, cucumber, fried shallots and a pungent lime garlic sauce. Hot, sour, sweet, salty and bitter—the fab five. It’s all there, too, in the goi du du, a green papaya salad. Mild shredded papaya gets a kick from Lee’s coconut-infused, spicy red curry dressing. Tossed with salty peanuts and crunchy cellophane noodles, the salad is light, fresh and bursting with flavor. The cari ga (chicken curry) is an exceptionally executed dish, and even at a steep $26, it’s worth every penny. The lemon-

Cari ga (chicken curry) is an exceptionally executed dish, a bubbling hot bowl of pungent aromatics, finely diced sweet mango, yam, green beans and chicken.

grass-perfumed curry arrives in a massive bowl brimming with finely diced chunks of mango, yam, green beans and chicken bites just small enough to fit my spoon. It’s a dish with such culinary integrity, I want to throw my arms around the cheerful server who delivered it (and the rest of our meal) in such a timely manner. The delicate sui cao chien, pan-seared chicken dumplings, are astonishingly crisp. Tender dough is stuffed with minced chicken, fresh ginger and scallions, fried to a delicate golden brown and served with a sweet black vinegar sauce. We couldn’t pass up Le Colonial’s version of trendy banh mi thit nuong, a Vietnamese pork sandwich. Here, Lee loads up the traditional French baguette with saucy chargrilled pork, red curry aioli, tangy pickled carrot, daikon and a generous handful of fresh cilantro. At $18, it’s a pricey, albeit delicious, version of Vietnam’s famous street food. Less exciting were the goi cuon, chilled shrimp rolls wrapped in rice paper. The Gulf shrimp were fresh and sweet, but there was scant evidence of the promised bean sprouts and Ashland Farm herbs. On closer inspection, rice noodles made up most of the real estate here, with the accompanying peanut dipping sauce adding a muchneeded flavor boost. On the other side of the flavor spectrum was the pho bo, Hanoi beef noodle

Above: A cozy bar-adjacent waiting area is the perfect spot for sipping lychee martinis and people-watching. Left: Pho bo. Chef Richard Lee's version of Vietnam's national dish is so good, customers routinely try to procure his recipe.

Above: Pan-crisped dumplings (sui cao chien) filled with minced chicken, scallions and ginger are enhanced with umami-rich black vinegar sauce.

The powers-that-be have spared no expense in making Le Colonial one of the most beguiling dining destinations in the city.

Left: Banh uot (sesame beef rice noodle rolls) dazzles with tongue-tingling flavors Left: The evertrendy street food banh mi thit nuong (Vietnamese pork sandwich) is given the star treatment with chargrilled pork shoulder, red curry aioli, pickled veggies and tufts of cilantro. Right: Le Colonial's green papaya salad is light, refreshing and bursting with Southeast Asian flavors

soup. Our server told us certain customers come in regularly trying to extract the recipe’s secrets, and we can well believe it. It’s unforgettable. There is no part of the animal I can’t taste in this bowl of hot oxtail broth. My guest and I slurp up the tender rice noodles in quiet reverie, splattering our white shirts with hot, brown broth and don’t think twice about finishing every drop before calling for some seltzer. The air is permeated with pungent aromas of fish sauce, star anise, cardamon and long-cooked bones. The dessert menu favors French classics such as creme brulee, chocolate mousse and poire belle Hélène (poached pears with chocolate). Our tarte au citron (lemon tart) was a work of art with edible nasturtiums

and diced dragon fruit and kiwi. It was impeccable, but we were still left eyeing our neighbor’s chocolate mousse. Next time. The powers-that-be have spared no expense in making Le Colonial one of the most beguiling dining destinations in the city, and their efforts are commendable. For years, the lack of quality Southeast Asian restaurants west of Buford Highway was a thorn in the collective side of Buckhead foodies. It’s finally arrived, complete with a unique update on authentic food and unparalleled aesthetic appeal. Whether it can hold on long enough to achieve institution status remains to be seen. I will certainly return, trading in my khakis for something a little more fitting of this swanky milieu. n

Le Citron is a delight with with yuzu mousse, Meyer lemon and white chocolate.

LE COLONIAL 3035 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta 30305 404.341.0500 lecolonialatlanta.com Prices: small plates: $12-$24; soups and salads: $10-$18; large plates: $14-$60; sides: $4-$11; desserts: $12-$14. Suggested: sesame beef rice noodle rolls, green papaya salad, chicken curry, pan-seared chicken dumplings, Vietnamese pork sandwich, Hanoi beef noodle soup. Bottom line: a dress-to-the-nines dining experience offering solid French-Vietnamese fare in an elegant space that transports you back in time.

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

D R I NKS

Simply Seasonable TRANSITION SUMMER TO FALL WITH RUM STORY:

Angela Hansberger

eptember is an enigma, especially in the South. Nights and early mornings can get chilly, but days are still scorchers. It’s a month for wearing layers. It follows Atlanta’s rainiest month and precedes the driest. In astronomical terms (based on solstices and equinoxes), it falls half in summer and half in autumn. In meteorological terms, Sept. 1 is the start of fall. Even if you can’t figure out what to wear or what season it technically is, we know what’s perfect to drink: rum. A byproduct of sugar production, rum is distilled from fermented sugarcane or derivatives such as molasses, cane sugar or cane syrup. White rum is clean and dry, and aged in steel or natural oak. Gold rum, like its name, is golden in color and richer in flavor and sweetness. Dark rum, made from molasses, ranges from amber to very dark brown. Materials used, type of barrel, where it is produced and length of aging all affect the variety and quality of the finished product. The best drinks keep seasonal ingredients in mind, but what season is September? It’s the season of rum. Let it help you sip through the seasonal transition. A Painkiller is tropical to the core. “While tiki drinks are perfect for any time of year, it’s great for hot weather because it is so easy to drink,” says Southbound’s Abbey Sanders. “It’s juicy, refreshing and crushable.” Her technique is to combine a blend of light and dark rums, orange juice, coconut liqueur, lime juice and pineapple juice. “Shake it up and throw it in a tiki mug,” she says. Embrace the rainy days with a Dark & Stormy. The simple mix of dark rum and ginger beer with a jolt of lime is inextricably linked to Bermuda and England’s Royal Navy. Rum was ubiquitous, and the Navy opened a ginger beer plant at

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

the turn of the 20th century. When it rains, seek out the refreshing highball from the secret menu at Battle and Brew, where they spice up their version with ginger kombucha. As seasons shift from summer’s fiery energy to the chillness of autumn, look no further than to a minimalist classic for equilibrium. Associated with Ernest Hemingway and pre-embargo Cuba of the 1930s, the Daiquiri is a proper balance of rum, sugar and citrus. With only three ingredients, it relies on striking the perfect balance between sweet and sour. The tiniest of tweaks can take it in a different direction. Chef Jonathan Waxman includes it as one of his three classics, along with Negroni and Margarita, on his menu at Baffi, where it is known as the JW Daiquiri. He doesn’t mess with tradition. The menu of both light and comfortladen dishes also hits that balance. Whiskey is often a go-to spirit as the weather begins to cool. Rum can do anything whiskey can do, with the bonus of lingering tropical flavors. Swap out bourbon for rum in an Old Fashioned for the best of both seasons. You will want to use aged rum for this, and perhaps something with autumn hues. Unaged rum doesn’t have quite the heft for a spirit-forward drink like an Old Fashioned. The Betty adds rum to whisky in the Betty Old Fashioned, where Johnny Walker Black Label mingles with Santa Teresa Solera Rum, demerara and coffee bitters. The splash of rum brings out the best in the signature classic and feels just right no matter the weather. n

Above: A splash of rum brings out the best in The Betty’s Old Fashioned. Left: The Painkiller at Southbound sips with all the vibes of summertime flavor.

Below: Baffi’s Daiquiri is a favorite of Chef Jonathan Waxman for its simplicity and balance.

DETAILS Baffi 976 Brady Ave. N.W. Atlanta 30318 404.724.9700 baffiatlanta.com Battle and Brew 5920 Roswell Road Sandy Springs 30328 678.560.1500 battleandbrew.com Southbound 5394 Peachtree Road Chamblee 30341 678.580.5579 soutboundatl.com The Betty 374 E. Paces Ferry Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.531.8902 thebettyatl.com

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404-458-0065 September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

FOODIE JOURNAL

Culinary News & Notes

BY:

Claire Ruhlin

Sara Hanna

PUMPKIN PERFECT

A Taste of Home

A peek at Buckhead’s made-to-order Persian pastry business, Knead to Savor

nspired by memories of baking with her mother, Niki Gavahi opened Knead to Savor last spring. Here, she gives us a glimpse of what to expect from her made-to-order Persian pastries, which also offers catering services for special events. What inspired you to open Knead to Savor?

My passion for baking started at a very young age while playing sous chef alongside my mom. We shared a great bond and created some of the sweetest memories together in the kitchen. My mom has a special gift and an innate knack for reinventing dishes with her own twist. I knew it was time to take a leap of faith and start my own company,

FOOD NEWS

sharing my mom’s recipes with food lovers everywhere. Knead to Savor is made-to-order. What does that mean for customers and the quality of food?

All pastries are made fresh from scratch using the highest quality ingredients. Every order placed is made at that time and delivered the next day, so our customers can savor the freshness in every bite. What makes Knead to Savor unique?

We offer traditional Persian pastries that you wouldn’t normally find in a restaurant or bakery, like Persian rosettes, baklava cupcakes, gooshe-fil (fried and glazed puffy dough)

n Saint-Germain French Bakery & Café, which first opened at Ponce City Market in 2016, has brought its classic French pastries, chocolates, sandwiches, coffee and more to Buckhead Village and the westside’s Interlock development. Both locations also offer a selection of French wine and Champagne by the glass. @stgermainbakery

Campfire

n Atlanta's Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q brought its award-winning Tex-Mex barbecue to the Upper Westside with a second location at The Works, which opened this sum-

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

and gluten-free Persian walnut cookies. I want people to get a real taste of the delicious sweets and breads we have that are infused with fragrant ingredients such as cardamom and rosewater. What's something people should know about Persian pastries?

I think that Persian pastries and breads are completely underrated in comparison to other parts of the world, such as France or India. My vision is to introduce exotic ingredients, spices and rich flavors in hopes of familiarizing people with the traditions of my culture. Persian pastries and breads have an elegant yet simplistic depth of flavor that I believe is what makes them so exquisitely beautiful and palate-stirring. n Knead to Savor kneadtosavor.com

mer. Plans are also in motion for a third location at Brookhaven Station, which will provide an open-air feel. foxbrosbbq.com n Author and Chow Chow Club cofounder Amanda Plumb highlights Atlanta’s distinctive and diverse food scene in her new book Unique Eats and Eateries of Atlanta. The book tells the stories of restaurants across the city, from Buckhead’s Chai Yo Modern Thai to Chamblee’s 57th Fighter Group Restaurant, and is available now wherever books are sold. reedypress.com

Pumpkin season has arrived, and Atlanta’s plant-based protein company, Tejari, brings back its organic Pumpkin Spice protein, made in collaboration with Scout the City. Find it, along with other Tejari flavors, locally at Stellar Bodies in Buckhead. At home, whip up these no-bake pumpkin spice latte protein balls, developed with celebrity pastry chef Heather Wong.

No-Bake Pumpkin Spice Latte Protein Balls Makes 15-18 two-bite cookie balls

1 ½ cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1 3 / cup creamy almond butter 1 3 / cup pumpkin puree 2 tablespoons honey or date syrup 1 teaspoon instant espresso + 2 tablespoons boiling water ¼ cup Tejari Pumpkin Protein Powder 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal 1 tablespoon chia seeds 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds 3 tablespoons mini dark chocolate chips 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ¾ teaspoon cinnamon 1 8 / teaspoon salt In a mixing bowl, combine almond butter, pumpkin puree, honey, espresso, vanilla extract; stir together. Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until fully combined. Use a cookie scoop to portion out the mixture and roll into balls using your hands. Store in an airtight container. Tejari tejariandco.com

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September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

TA S T E M AKE R

What is your current role in the company? I lean more to the creative side and handle design. Kelvin is CEO. He’s the connection guy, taking calls and meetings about new projects. We both do business development and new ideas. We have an office downstairs at Ponce City Market.

FUN FACT Mandy studied biology in college and planned to be a doctor.

How do you stay "on" when you're tired or not in the mood? [This job] gives me energy. As soon as I get to work, I’m fired up about everything. You don’t realize how tired you are until you get home. You’re running on adrenaline most of the time. What's the most surprising part of your job? It’s hard to go from working in a business feeling useful every day to running it and not feeling as useful. I struggled with that transition for a while. You want to get to the step where you’re not there open to close six days a week, but when it happens, it’s not too much fun. How do you and Kelvin handle disagreements given that you work and live together? We’ve gotten better at this, and now there are fewer and fewer disagreements. We used to only talk about work. Now, we have a weekly “staff meeting” of our household to talk about things that are bothering us.

Raising the Roof Mandy and Kelvin Slater prepare to open Rooftop L.O.A. on top of the Interlock building in West Midtown STORY:

Carly Cooper

later Hospitality founders Mandy and Kelvin Slater operate Skyline Park and 9 Mile Station atop Ponce City Market and are launching Atlanta’s first non-hotel rooftop pool experience on the westside this fall. In business together for more than 20 years, the couple met when Kelvin hired Mandy as a waitress at the Melbourne, Florida Chili’s he was managing. They married in 2003 and today have two children—Giana, 7, and Rocco, 9—and manage a 250-person company specializing

in rooftop hospitality. “We’re psycho about little details,” Mandy says. “We used to do everything [ourselves]. Now we have a whole team of people.” After working in both mom-andpop and corporate restaurants— Mandy in service and Kelvin in the kitchen—the Slaters moved to Atlanta to get out of the business. They opened cell phone accessory kiosks in malls and reveled in the ability to set their own hours. But when the phone accessory market became saturated, they felt the restaurant world calling and opened Blue Moon Pizza in 2003. By the time they sold it in 2015, they’d grown the funky

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

homespun chain to five locations. “Food is very important in an Italian family [like mine],” Mandy says. “It’s about bringing everyone together at the table and talking for hours.” After traveling, the Slaters realized Atlanta lacked a unique rooftop restaurant and beer garden. They pitched the idea to Jamestown, operator of Ponce City Market, and opened The Roof, the kitschy boardwalk, restaurant and (later) event space, in 2016. Now the Slaters are preparing to launch their most ambitious project yet: a high-in-thesky, adults-only resort-style pool, restaurant and bar dubbed Leave of Absence or L.O.A. Located on the roof of The Interlock building on the corner of 14th Street and Howell Mill Road, L.O.A. promises to bring a new level of hospitality to the area. We spoke to Mandy to learn more about L.O.A., her working style and family life.

What do you like to do outside of work? I spend a lot of time at the baseball fields with my kids. I play tennis and hang out with my girlfriends. We go to our house in North Georgia. Kelvin likes to play golf and chess, cook and drink Italian red wine. We love to get out of the city, try new things and travel with our team. How did you come up with the concept for L.O.A.? We always talked about this idea of a pool and poolside service without having to stay in a $500-a-night hotel. We approach business as what is not out there—and what would we want to go to. What are your plans for the future? We’re rooftop people now. We’re always looking for a new one. We like the downtown area near the stadium. n ROOFTOP L.O.A. 1115 Howell Mill Road Atlanta 30318 rooftoploa.com

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New Explorations Are On The Horizon

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September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

FEATURED RESTAURANTS A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead BY: Wendell

Brock, Rebecca Cha and Angela Hansberger

PHOTOS: Sara

Hanna, Joann Vitelli

ARNETTE’S CHOP SHOP Arnette’s will dazzle you with its no-expense-spared interiors, cosmopolitan wine list and, of course, its meat. Chicago-sourced ribeyes, strips and tomahawk steaks are the main attraction supported by a top-notch cast of appetizers and sides, from decadent roasted marrow and wagyu beef tartare to classic wedge salad and Dauphinoise potatoes. (There are also oysters and caviar, if you don’t mind shelling out a few extra bucks.) Favorite items include the 50-day wetaged cowboy ribeye; the bliss-inducing lobster spaghetti; and the shaved prime rib sandwich, a real scenestealer. Don’t forget to ask about the members-only knife club. Appetizers, salads and sandwiches: $9-$25 Shrimp, oysters and caviar: $13-$150 Hearth-roasted shellfish, fish and steaks: $13-$140 Desserts: $8-$12 arnetteschopshop.com

BLUE RIDGE GRILL For more than 20 years, Blue Ridge Grill has been a mecca for Buckhead power lunchers and chill evening diners alike. Whether for business or romance, BRG is a paragon of hospitality, and each guest is embraced like a VIP. Standard crowd-pleasers on the Euro-American menu include grilled Georgia trout, French-boned chicken

with wild mushrooms and filet mignon with Vidalia onions. Small plates and sides of iron skillet mussels, Caesar salad with crisp Beeler bacon, custardlike corn soufflé and (off-menu item) fried pickles with buttermilk dipping sauce are absolute must-tries. If cost is an issue, call ahead, as menu prices are not advertised online. Lunch: $9-$42 Dinner: $13-$62 blueridgegrill.com

BONE GARDEN CANTINA Beyond the colorful Día de Muertos dining room decor, the well-curated mezcal and tequila selections and the uber-friendly service, Bone Garden Cantina offers some of the most authentic Mexican cooking in Atlanta. Tastier guacamole and hot dipping queso you will not find, and we’ve tried! The tender-tothe-bone Mexican pork ribs are meaty, miraculous bites of earthy richness, and the tomatillo-rich pozole verde soup is pure south-of-the-border goodness. Garlic-sautéed shrimp enchiladas and adobo steak quesadilla seasoned with guajillo chile are among many fine familiar classics. Smaller plates include exemplary tamales and tacos. Appetizers: $2.50-$9.50 Soups and salads: $4.50-$9.00 Tamales, tacos and empanadas: $3.50-$5.00 Mains: $7.50-$12.75 bonegardencantina.com

F&B’s menu is filled with simple yet luminous dishes, such as this starter of crab claws.

THE CAPITAL GRILLE BUCKHEAD Despite the clubby decor (think leather oxblood booths, mounted animal heads, mahogany paneling), The Capital Grille is a blend of high-class aesthetic and Lowcountry hospitality. Your obliging waiter will walk you through the classic steakhouse menu heavy on in-house, dry-aged cuts. It’s a tough call. The juicy, 22-ounce, bone-in ribeye will make you swoon, but so will the sizzling, Kona-crusted New York strip. There’s top-notch fish and poultry, too, and gussied-up sides like lobster mac ’n’ cheese and soy-glazed Brussels sprouts. Salads run the gamut from the classic iceberg wedge to the continental burrata with heirloom tomatoes. Wine lovers will thrill over the world-class, 350-plus bottle wine list. Appetizers, salads: $10-$110 Mains: $33-$59 Sides: $11-$18 Desserts: $11 thecapitalgrille.com

F&B

Go all out at Capital Grille with the sizzling, 22-ounce bone-in ribeye and a side of creamy lobster mac 'n' cheese.

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

Like its predecessor, the much-loved former Brasserie le Coze, F&B delivers timeless Provençal fare in a classic brasserie atmosphere. The menu is bolstered by comfort dishes portioned with hunger in mind, but it’s also fortified with lighter salads, sandwiches and soups. Classics such as steak frites

and skate wing with a brown butter sauce are deeply satisfying in their rustic charm. Mussels come piled high in a white wine and shallot broth, along with crusty French bread for sopping. The drink menu is built on interesting French wines and remarkable cocktails such as the well-balanced, bourbonbased Line of Destiny. Appetizers: $6-$18 Entrees: $11-$42 Desserts: $6-$8 fandbatl.net

GRINDHOUSE KILLER BURGERS The Piedmont Avenue location of burger-preneur Alex Brounstein’s success story is where you go for a superbly flavorful, juice-dripping, napkin-soaking beef patty with all the trimmings. Though you can customize your sandwich, consider the signature “Cowboy” treatment: cheddar, bacon, barbecue sauce and a beer-battered onion ring—for a slim $7.99. To gild the lily, add an order of Frings (that’s fries and rings), and ask for a side of the chipotle ranch dipping sauce. Here you can quaff a draft brew, slurp down a boozy shake, like the banana-flavored Puddin’ Out, or sip a “Snooty” cocktail such as the mezcal-based El Guapo. Starters and sides: $2.50-$5.50 Burgers: $4.50-$7.99 grindhouseburgers.com

KALEIDOSCOPE BISTRO & PUB Kaleidoscope is one of Brookhaven’s most popular watering holes. Fabulous small plates include pimento mac and cheese, roasted cauliflower seasoned with garlic and a touch of lime, and the smoked pork and pimento spring rolls. The steak frites with garlic-heavy chimichurri is exceptional, as is the poutine, a Canadian treat consisting of crisp, hand-cut fries smothered in gravy and mozzarella. Looking for somewhat lighter fare? Go for the fried chicken club salad tossed with sundried tomatoes, fresh avocado and golden chunks of bird. A table on the pet-friendly patio guarantees topnotch people-watching. Appetizers: $5-$12 Salads, pizzas and burgers: $7-$14 Mains: $13-$19 k-pub.com

THE ONE SUSHI + This glam space wedged in the back corner of Brookhaven’s Town Village is a neighborhood hot spot for Japanese small plates. The freshest fish flown in from Japan’s Tsukiji Market will impress the discerning sushi eater, while colorful rolls with clever names please the occasional dabbler. Sharable offerings and inspired snacks of zesty, yellowtail jalapeño shots and crispy fried bang bang rock shrimp are as fun as they are tasty. The drinking experience is worth celebrating as well, with a large selection of sake, shochu and whisky. We recommend the smoked toro, tender slices of tuna served under a dome of hickory smoke and the bulgogi-like Gangnam-style roll. Dinner: $6-$37 theonesushiplus.com

The poutine at Kaleidoscope comes piled high with fries, pork, cheese, bacon and more.

inspiration, but it remains a perfectly fine, frequently delicious trattoria.

Mangia bene, but don’t forget to try Pricci’s world-class tiramisu.

the New York strip au poivre. He also curates a mighty fine list of craft beers.

Starters and salads: $2-$10 Entrees: $10-$22 pastavinoatlanta.com

Appetizers and salads: $8-$26 Pizza and pastas: $17-$27 Entrees: $24-$46 Desserts: $6-$15 buckheadrestaurants.com

Brunch: $8-$10 Appetizers: $3-$13 Burgers and sandwiches: $7-$10 Large plates: $17-$22 treehouseatlanta.com

TREEHOUSE

ZAFRON

Occasionally, sitting at Treehouse feels more like a cookout. Neighbors and regulars have been coming here for the familiar comfort food and laid-back atmosphere for more than 20 years. Brunch is a big deal, with a large menu and generous portions of favorites such as the Georgia pecan waffle and Southern-style eggs Benedict covered with sausage gravy. It’s all about the patio here, and dogs are welcome guests. The chef works to enliven old favorites with as much attention to the all-American fried chicken sandwich as

If you’re like us, the minute you hear Persian foodie buzzwords such as mirza ghasemi, hummus and kabob, your mouth starts watering, and you’ve got one foot out the door. If you’re smart, you’ll head directly to Zafron in Sandy Springs. Once seated, a beaming server will bring a complimentary sabzi plate and pita from the wood-burning oven. That extra-mile hospitality spills over into all areas, especially the food: world-class lamb kabob, fire-roasted salmon and the “Zafron special” made with chile, mango and eggplant. Plenty of classic small plates and rice dishes are joined with a few East-meets-West treats such as spicy Zafron chicken wings and tiramisu.

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 tomatogarlic 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.

PASTA VINO You can surely find trendier pizza parlors or posher places to eat Italian in Atlanta. But if you’re looking for old-fashioned linguini with clam sauce or chicken Florentine in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere with a loyal following, this Buckhead favorite has got you covered. The restaurant is beloved by many for its home-style cooking, casual ambience, reasonable prices and a staff of servers who have acquired faithful customers of their own. Owner Nancy Powell treasures her crew, most of whom have been on the job for more than a decade. Given the refined state of Italian dining in America today, Pasta Vino is not likely to win any awards for innovation or

Starters and salads: $5- $9 Wraps (lunch only): $12 Entrees: $12 - $32 Sides and rice: $3 - $7 Desserts: $5 - $7 persianrestaurantsandysprings.com Note: Prices and menu items may have changed since original publication.

Hungry for more?

Nothing wraps up an evening at Pricci like their unforgettable tiramisu.

Visit the Simply Buckhead website to read all of our Restaurant Reviews! simplybuckhead.com

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

E V E N T S | S C E N E | C H A RI TA B L E

SIMPLY HAPPENING EVENTS BY:

Ginger Strejcek

B.M. Franklin pairs traditional crafting techniques with modern design innovations to create custom hats.

RAD HATTER DISCOVER A WORLD OF MILLINERY MAGIC AT BUCKHEAD VILLAGE

hether stepping out in a jazzy fedora, saddling up with a rugged Stetson or showing off a frilly derby-worthy fascinator, hats have long captured the collective imagination for reasons both practical and pretty with a storied history that dates back to before 3,000 BC. Experience the artisan craft of hat-making first-hand in a two-hour session at B.M. Franklin at Buckhead Village. Led by expert hatters in small group settings with a six-person max, the workshop features an introduction followed by an interactive demonstration of the age-old techniques and tools of the trade. Those who want to take home their own topper at a discounted rate, can customize it from the ground up, accessorizing with a stash of handmade trinkets and vintage materials. “People wear hats for many different reasons,”

says Brandon Franklin, founder and head designer, whose passion was ignited while working at Worth & Worth, one of New York City’s oldest hat shops. “Fashion statements are great, but a lot of times they end up being trends that come and go. If you combine ergonomics and style into a piece, you will never want to take it off. This is the mark of a quality hat that lasts a lifetime.” THE ART OF HAT-MAKING EXPERIENCE AT B.M. FRANKLIN Fridays in September 6-8:30 p.m. $100 Buckhead Village 256 Buckhead Ave. N.E. Atlanta 30305 470.523.5800 bmfranklinco.com

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

E V E NTS [ FA M I LY ]

BUZZ BIG PEACH SIZZLER 10K & 5K

Ben Rose

Sept. 6 milesforcf.org/sizzler Make tracks to this sporty fundraiser for cystic fibrosis with a runner- and walker-friendly course that follows Peachtree Road from Chamblee through Brookhaven to Buckhead. The post-race party features music, food, beer and vendors. The event is a 2022 AJC Peachtree Road Race qualifier. Free parking/shuttle service. The 5K begins at 7 a.m. at Brookhaven MARTA Station and the 10K begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Chamblee MARTA Station.

Jump into a marshmallow world of fun and games at Candytopia, filled with imaginative playscapes, cool art and sweet treats.

Sugar Rush CANDY-COATED CONFECTIONS ARE BACK IN BUCKHEAD After a sweet run in 2019, Candytopia is back in town for another round of rainbow-sprinkled fun. Staged next to Buckhead’s “Disco Kroger,” the interactive art installation rivals Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory with a dozen environments to explore and a goody bag of treats to collect along the way. New this year: a jungle room, an Atlanta theme wall and one super-sized swing. “We’ve brought an imaginative

wonderland to life for you to experience with all five of your senses,” says John Goodman, CEO of Youtopia Entertainment. In addition to the signature gallery of works, including pop-art celebrity portraits and animal sculptures created entirely out of pieces of candy, the attraction is jam-packed with playful touches such as a confetti spinner and marshmallow tsunami. Snap a selfie in

one of the surreal settings with gigantic bouncy balls, color-changing beads and a maze of neon lights and mirrors. CANDYTOPIA Through September $28, $20 (ages 4-12), free (3 & under) 3330 Piedmont Road N.E., Space 17 Atlanta 30305 candytopia.com

[ F O ODI E F U N ]

BUCKHEAD FINE ARTS FESTIVAL Sept. 18-19 buckheadartsfestival.com Browse an impressive showcase of juried works by 100-plus painters, photographers, sculptors, jewelers and more with artist demonstrations, live acoustic music and food vendors.

MONARCHS & MARGARITAS DUNWOODY NATURE CENTER MEADOW Sept. 18, 6-9 p.m. dunwoodynature.org/ monarchs-and-margaritas Enjoy an elegant evening outdoors at this party-in-the-park, with live music, dinner and drinks, and a live and silent auction. The annual gala supports the Dunwoody Nature Center’s mission of inspiring a love of nature, educating future generations and preserving the land.

SYNCHRONICITY THEATRE’S “THE BLUEST EYE”

Tasty Bites

Restaurants from around the city will be slingin’ wings at this annual festival, served up with frosty brews and an afternoon of entertainment.

WINGS, BEER AND LIVE MUSIC ON TAP IN SANDY SPRINGS Savor the flavor of the best wings in town at the fourth annual Slingin’ Wings Festival on Oct. 9 in Sandy Springs. Held outdoors at City Springs, the event features an eclectic mix of restaurants, from Hudson Grille to Three Dollar Cafe, along with live music by local bands. Saucy shenanigans include a wing eating contest (the standing record is 32 wings in three minutes) and a wing toss with mighty morsels flung bowl-to-bowl.

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

There’s also a contest, where the Best Creative Wing Sauce category has turned out a Mango Habanero dry rub, Coca-Cola BBQ and Thai sticky sauce. “The chicken wing is the star of the show. Our attendees love that we have over 50 different varieties of wings all in one place to taste,” says festival co-founder and organizer Jonathan Colon of Sandy Springs. The community event supports Releash Atlanta, a dog rescue group.

SLINGIN’ WINGS FESTIVAL Oct. 9 Noon-6 p.m. $12 (includes 4 wing vouchers; additional wings $1 each). Heritage Sandy Springs 6110 Blue Stone Road Sandy Springs 30328 slinginwingsfestival.com

Sept. 24-Oct. 17 synchrotheatre.com Live theater is back at Synchronicity, where the season kicks off with a riveting tale by Nobel Prize-winning novelist Toni Morrison. Pecola, a young African American girl, desires nothing more than blue eyes to escape the oppression of her dark skin as she grapples with life in the wake of the Great Depression.

SECOND SELF’S COMEDY NIGHT ON THE LAWN Sept. 24, 8-10:30 p.m. secondselfbeer.com Yuk it up at this monthly event for adults hosted outside the taproom as host Vas Sanchez introduces some of the funniest comedians in Atlanta. Bring chairs or blankets; seating is also provided.

ALL DOGS & THEIR HUMANS WELCOME! Pet Rescues / Beer / Music / Food Trucks BRING UNOPENED DOG FOOD TO DONATE

Human / Dog Games Dog Lure Chase Human / Dog Photo Booths Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest Disc Dog Play Area and Demos

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

CH AR I TABLE

Guests mingle in the VIP area.

Brenda Isaac and Lorna Campbell

EATS AND BEATS STORY:

H.M. Cauley

B Darrell Brown and Shirley Langley, Matt Thompson and Myrna Antar

ring together delectable dishes from top area chefs, auction items for far-flung vacation destinations and live entertainment, and the result is a gathering destined to raise money for a worthy cause. That was the scene at Guardian Works in July when about 600 guests packed the Westside space for Eats and Beats in support of the Children of Conservation, a local nonprofit dedicated to conserving and protecting endangered species in Africa through education, habitat preservation and support for those who do the work. Food was curated from chefs at Local Three, The Southern Gentleman, Dantanna’s and Legendary Events, to name a few. Kevn Kinney from Drivin N Cryin and the Manga African Dance troupe gave live performances. Auction items that added to the more than $70,000 raised included trips to Jamaica, Italy and Lake Tahoe, along with fashion and home accessories from Atlanta designer Kimberly McDonald. But the most unusual items that drew attention: art works, photographs and paintings made by chimpanzees at Children of Conservation sanctuaries!

The Southern Gentleman delighted guests with hearty bites.

Manga African Dancers entertained guests. Guests had the opportunity to bid for coveted items.

Dennis Dean’s catering company helped fuel guests’ generosity.

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

Drivin N Cryin’s Kevin Kinney provided musical stylings.

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WHAT SUP? Select Model Alexandra Ott has a laugh in between takes for our cover shoot at Sandy Springs’ Morgan Falls Overlook Park. PHOTO: Sara

September 2021 | Simply Buckhead

Hanna

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CORPORATE - SOCIAL - WEDDINGS - MIXOLOGY - PLANNING

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MLS# 96785 Main Level Floorplan

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Brooks Kittrell (828) 230-4453 | John Muir (404) 245-7027

www.saratayfalls.com

©2021 BHHS Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHHS Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc. ® Equal Housing Opportunity.

Lot 9 | TWO Levels

CUSTOM LUXURY HOMES STARTING AT $2M PRIVATE GATED COMMUNITY NEAR DOWNTOWN WALK TO RESTAURANTS, ENTERTAINMENT & SHOPPING ONLY NINE .75+ ACRE LOTS AVAILABLE Béar Mór is a new community of custom luxury mountain homes to be built in the heart of Highlands, NC, by developer Loudermilk Homes, a large, custom hme builder out of Atlanta, GA, known for a relentless focus on quality custom craftsmanship, transparency, and advanced smart home technology.

Mitzi Rauers (404) 218-9123 | Judy Michaud (828) 371-0730

www.MeadowsMountainRealty.com

Main Level Floorplan

RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | INTERIOR | EXTERIOR

A cadre of satisfied customers is the mark of any successful business, and it’s a goal Scott Csaszar takes seriously. As CEO and Founder of Flawless Painting, he’s been exceeding expectations with indoor and outdoor painting projects for more than 21 years, after being downsized by corporate America. He saw Atlanta’s need for a high-quality painting company and has built his business with a philosophy of “one house, one satisfied customer at a time” and his professional motto of “attention to detail is our distinction.” Scott uses his decades of management and business experience along with the skills he learned working with his older brother’s construction company, to help Flawless Painting thrive. The perseverance and grit he developed through his days as a semi-pro baseball player continue to help him in everyday business operations. He covers the greater Atlanta area, working with new homes upgrades, simplifying, second homes, businesses and retirement communities. Scott continues to grow and network with top professionals in Real Estate, Design and General Construction, to be an extension of each other’s services. He appreciates the entire process and feels a sense of satisfaction as the projects come full circle. Scott attributes a large part of Flawless Painting’s success to his ability to attract quality, skilled painters. He prides himself on developing long-term relationships and taking care of his employees. Scott has had the opportunity to work on multiple TV shows in Atlanta, and he recently stepped into an exciting new project, painting the interior and exterior of a house in Rosemary Beach, Florida to be featured on an upcoming HGTV special. While the majority of Scott’s business is residential, he also enjoys the more complicated commercial projects, including churches, car dealerships, medical offices and finished spaces. Scott’s consistent focus on the customer has earned him the coveted Houzz Customer Service Award for the past seven consecutive years. Most recently Scott has decided to take on a new challenge and expand to the well-known Emerald Coast along Highway 30A. He’s eager to bring his signature philosophy of keeping his customers happy to Florida.

Scott@FlawlessPainting.com

678-386-7899

FlawlessPainting.com

Experience the Gift of Luxury. 2799 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 • MercedesOfBuckhead.com • (800) 713-5938

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No expense was spared in the craftsmanship in this gorgeous home! The elegant living room with high, coffered ceilings and a stone fireplace with carved custom mantle are reminiscent of a Scottish manor house. The great room boasts a large two-story stone fireplace, a wet bar, and cathedral wood ceiling with a custom antler chandelier. A wall of stone and glass doors lead onto the covered porch that has stone flooring, another floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, and panoramic mountain views. The kitchen includes a large walk-in pantry and wood island with seating. The dining room has walls of windows that overlook the beautiful yard and stone terrace that offers an outdoor kitchen, hidden waterfall, and another stone fireplace. There are two master suites that include spa-styled baths and private sitting rooms. Six bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a theatre room, and more. MLS# 95883 | $5,000,000 Read more about this magnificent home in our new online magazine, ELEVATE. See details below!

ELEVATE

OUR NEW ONLINE MAGAZINE We are proud to introduce our new online magazine! Created to be a “field guide to the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau,” ELEVATE features a calendar of events plus articles on local businesses in our area. Future issues will be produced quarterly and will expand to include charitable organizations and more. Find out what makes the Plateau so special by scanning the QR code or go online here: https://online. flippingbook.com/view/889208323/. No sign up or subscription required!

828.526.1717 | MeadowsMountainRealty.com 488 Main St, Highlands, NC | 2334 Cashiers Rd, Highlands, NC | 196 Burns Street, Cashiers, NC © 2021 BHHS Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHHS Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc. ® Equal Housing Opportunity.

Simply Buckhead September 2021

Articles inside

Foodie Journal A Taste of Home

Events

Drinks Simply Seasonable

Review Southeast Asian Sensation

Beauty: Trendy Tresses

Fashion: The Swing

Approved: Style Shift

15 Minutes With Ted Jenkin

Travel Far: Just Breathe

Editor’s Letter

Bulletin Board Happy 60th, ADAC!

Kids: Lousy Lice

Staycation: Hotel Scene

Home: Hidden Jewel