Simply Buckhead October 2023

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STYLISH

42 FASHION

Style Sister

Fashion stylist Holly Katz offers tough love fashion advice to her clients

44 BEAUTY

We Tried It!

Our staff tries and tells on three local beauty treatments

46 WELLNESS

Pickleball for Beginners

Your starter guide to America’s hottest sport

48 TASTEMAKER

Scent Profile

Carrie Hadley expands Atlanta’s perfume offerings

FAMILY

54 KIDS

Do Them a Solid

Introducing babies to allergenic foods can prevent allergies

56 PETS

Pet Protection

All things considered to care for your furry friends

58 STRATEGIES

Organize the Halls

Tips and tricks for maintaining order in your home during the holidays

CULTURE

60 ON STAGE Going Global

Radio syndication has Ryan Cameron ready to win beyond his hometown

62 LITERARY Breaking Free

Ending the legacy of abuse

64 TASTEMAKER

Still Taking the Gold Atlanta’s icon of art is 91 and busy as ever

65 EVENTS

Places to go and things to do

COVER STORY

70 Medical Marvels Innovations in medicine are advancing, right in our backyard

DELICIOUS

80 REVIEW

Fiesta Time

Chido & Padre’s pairs fresh Baja Mex with a party vibe

84 DRINKS

Fall Forward

Cocktails that straddle the seasons

86 FOODIE JOURNAL Home Grown

In partnership with Hickory Hill farm, Buckhead’s Le Bon Nosh brings customers locally sourced food

88 TASTEMAKER

Spreading Happiness

Buckhead’s “Mama Gale” Parker delights diners with over-the-top decorations at Amore e Amore

90 Featured Restaurants

A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead 92 Scene

BEHIND THE COVER

It was thrilling to produce the cover for Simply Buckhead’s “Medical Marvels” feature. While the actual vision-perfecting surgery Dr. Andrew Feinberg of Georgia Eye Partners performs isn’t cover shoot material, it is indeed a marvel for the formerly vision impaired who see 20-20 as a result. We tapped local model Brooklen to stand in as a stylish patient at the practice’s Northside Hospital-adjacent office, and photographer Erik Meadows snapped away. It’s always fun to “see” such a concept come to life.

Photographer: Erik Meadows

Producer: Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Models: Brooklen, courtesy Click Models of Atlanta, and Dr. Andrew Feinberg of Georgia Eye Partners

Hair and Makeup: Nyssa Green, assisted by Kaliyah Potts Special thanks to Georgia Eye Partners for hosting our crew.

70 Joann Vitelli

Evan Sewel

David Clifton-Strawn

Publisher's Note

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I feel it’s s time for me to speak out about my personal journey. Even though one in nine women are diagnosed with breast cancer, I never thought it would happen to me, until it did.

I’ve chosen to keep things close to the vest until now, not wanting to become a social media story for all to see, so I’m admittedly nervous about being so vocal now. I bowed out of public life last December to ensure I stayed healthy while navigating my cancer journey, which was difficult given my profession.

We had this “Medical Marvels” issue on the schedule long before my diagnosis, so when it came time to plan for our October issue, I felt it was the right time to share. Within our cover package, you’ll find, not only my story but also those of Alan Avery, who survived a harrowing emergency with the help of first responders and Atlanta’s incredible medical resources, as well as doctors pioneering new treatments in everything from vision to childhood allergies. I hope you’ll be inspired and have peace of mind that such top-notch resources exist in our city.

Additionally, I hope many women will be helped by hearing my story and will make their annual mammogram appointment a priority. I am living proof that early detection is key, and the advances in medicine every year provide new opportunities for treatment and survival that were not previously available.

So many people took the initiative, without being asked, to help my husband, Sonny, and me while we were navigating this health crisis, and we appreciated it more than they will ever know. Friends who sat with me while I was recovering; offered prayers, messages, cards and flowers; and those homemade meals and deliveries from In stead of Flowers were our lifeline.

I also want to offer huge grat itude to the Simply Buckhead team who kept the ship sailing while I was mostly behind the scenes; my team of trainers at Pinnacle Fitness, who kept me in peak condition and made my recovery much easier; and my incredible team of doctors and caregivers at Emory Winship Cancer Institute for ensuring that while I may be a statistic, I am now a survivor. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Erik Meadows

Joanne Hayes Publisher

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

P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 simplybuckhead.com

For advertising rates, call: 404.538.9895

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR

Joanne Hayes

Publisher and Founder

Sonny Hayes

Chief Financial Officer

EDITORIAL

Giannina S. Bedford

Managing Editor

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Senior Contributing Editor

Alan Platten

Creative Director

H.M. Cauley

Copy Editor

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Karina Antenucci

Chelsie Butler

H.M. Cauley

Carly Cooper

Emily L. Foley

Lauren Finney Harden

Mickey Goodman

Angela Hansberger

Michael Jacobs

Amy Meadows

Vanessa Pascale

Hope Philbrick

Gillian Anne Renault

Claire Ruhlin

Ginger Strejcek

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Erik Meadows

Joann Vitelli

SALES & ADVERTISING

Michelle Johnson

Senior Account Executive

Layal Akkad

Graphic Designer

DIGITAL

BHG Digital Website Development Management

Mike Jose Director of Audience Development

LEGAL

Scott I. Zucker

Legal Counsel

Michael Jacobs

Michael Jacobs is a freelance writer and editor who spent a quarter-century in print and online newspapers as big as USA Today and as small as a solo startup in rural North Carolina. His main asset as a reporter is curiosity about everyone’s story. A New Orleans native who grew up in Virginia, he raised two sons in East Cobb with his wife, Chris. The couple has lived there since 2005. He is a member of Marietta’s Temple Kol Emeth and serves as the president of the nonprofit Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta that strives for a better, more cooperative society.

PROUD SPONSOR OF

Enduring

Beauty Page 26

UP FRONT

Amangiri's striking pool is built around a rock formation that dates back to the Jurassic period, 165 million years ago.

“It’s easy to see why this property draws celebrities from Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber to Scarlett Johansson and Kylie Jenner.”

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PERSIAN TREASURE

MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT BRINGING THE SPICE TO BUCKHEAD

Tantalizing taste buds around town with the exotic flavors of Persian cuisine, Delbar is set to open a third location this winter in Buckhead at the corner of Peachtree and West Paces Ferry roads.

The Middle Eastern restaurant and bar delivers an authentic dining experience in the nurturing hands of Iranian-born owner Fares Kargar, whose passion for the food and culture of his homeland is reflected in the name of his establishment. Del-

bar means “heart, captured” in Farsi.

The new 6,000-square-foot space is a welcoming oasis draped in lush greenery with earthy colors, antique textiles and natural finishes. It features a main dining room and bar, a covered outdoor patio and bar for live entertainment, private dining areas and a mezzanine for special events. It will open daily for dinner, weekday lunch and weekend brunch.

On the menu: everything from hummus spreads, made-fromscratch taftoun bread and baklava

to greens, grains and beefy kabobs. Kargar’s personal favorite is the stuffed branzino. “Growing up, my mother would lovingly prepare this dish, infusing it with the essence of our heritage,” says Kargar, who left Iran at 17, sharpened his culinary skills in Turkey, earned a degree in hospitality from Georgia State University and opened his first restaurant at 31. “What sets it apart is the region’s abundance of fresh produce, including fragrant herbs and succulent pomegranates,

imparting an unparalleled uniqueness and allure.”

The adas polo rice dish is a close second, with a delicate mix of lentils and sweet raisins topped with crispy fried onions. Zesty cocktails, non-alcoholic drinks made from fruit and flowers and other Persian-flavored beverages offer refreshment.

“We have an unwavering love for what we do,” Kargar says. n

DINNER & DRINKS

For sweet sips and savory bites in a sexy setting, make a date at Forum Cocktail Co., open daily at The Works in Upper Westside. A nod to Roman forums and the classical Greek architecture that influenced these gathering spaces, the 3,000-squarefoot venue pairs opulent decor with epicurean delights for an elegant evening out. RSVP for exclusive access to the hidden speakeasy that accommodates up to 30 guests. Among the unique mix of handcrafted cocktails:

Uisgea Beatha made with Glenlivet

12, China-China, lemon, Banana Oleo and Aztec Chocolate Bitters. Perfectly paired small plates range from street fries to lobster frites, with vegetarian and dairy-free options available.

“We are a cocktail-forward environment that happens to have incredible food,” says Drew Fancher, who opened the brick-and-mortar with his wife, Brittany, following the success of their Aero Bar mobile bar. theforumcocktailco.com

@forumcocktailco

BROTHERS IN ARMS

Dunwoody is unveiling an epic monument at Brook Run Park this winter. The Vietnam War Memorial will honor both American infantry and South Vietnamese soldiers who fought for freedom with two life-sized bronze-cast statues representing each nationality. The statues will stand side by side in a beautifully landscaped central plaza with marble benches, located about 100 feet from the newly renovated DeKalb Veterans Memorial, with a connecting side-

walk. Only the seventh such tribute in the country, according to the City of Dunwoody, the $440,300 project is funded entirely by donations from the Vietnamese American Community of Georgia and the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association. dunwoodyga.gov • @cityofdunwoodyga

PATRIOT PROUD

Brookhaven residents have a new space to stretch their legs. Langford Park opened earlier this year in the Brookhaven Heights neighborhood

on Pine Grove Avenue. Paying tribute to soldiers who died in action, the 1-acre pocket park is named for local fallen war hero Robert C. “Bob” Langford who lost his life in Vietnam.

The city of Brookhaven and DeKalb County jointly purchased the property from the Langford family for the $1.1 million project. The park features a playground, bocce ball court, sheltered pavilion, water fountains for people and pets, and walking trails. brookhavenga.gov @brookhavengagov

NEWS BY Ginger Strejcek

DELBAR • delbaratl.com • @delbaratl

Prepare for an epicurean feast that ignites the palate and stirs the soul.

Andrew Thomas Lee

The Healing Whine Sips of friendship

When Kaye Jackson was diagnosed with Stage 2B breast cancer for the third time, her family and friends brought candy and flowers. Instead of cheering her up, they reminded her of death. “One day I asked them to bring a bottle of wine to share instead,” she says. “It changed the whole conversation, and we began laughing and whining about boyfriends, husbands and children. Best of all, the focus wasn’t on me.”

After her recovery, she was determined to have her own wine label. “Because I didn’t know what the next day would look like, I wanted varietals that didn’t require post-bottle aging and could be enjoyed

Delivering Nutrition

A lifeline for the homebound

In 1988, a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS was a death sentence, and Michael Edwards Pruitt recruited 14 friends to provide and deliver meals for 14 of his neighbors who were dying of the disease. What began with those volunteers became Open Hand Atlanta and has swelled to 17,000 volunteers who help prepare and deliver 5,000 meals a day. In 2022 alone, the nonprofit delivered 1,387,184 meals.

In 2001, the organization expanded to include homebound seniors and others with chronic diseases. “Food is medicine, and we’re all about preventative health,” says Executive Director Matt Pieper. “By delivering healthy meals, we lower emergency room visits and reduce hospital readmission rates, thus reducing health care costs. Our volunteers are often the only people our clients see in a day, and a smile goes a long way.”

The organization recently launched an $18.5 million fundraising campaign to provide tailored meals to an expanded population in Georgia. In mid-2024, it will move into the former home of Tony

Conway’s Legendary Events. “Tony is a long-time supporter of ours and even sold us the building below market value,” Pieper says. “We’ll have much more warehouse and refrigerated space to store inventory, so we can take advantage of value pricing, as well as a larger kitchen to teach people how to prepare healthy meals on a budget.”

immediately with everything from pizza to fine steaks,” she says. “I found a perfect match with Scotto Cellars in Lodi, California, and boom! The Random Whine was born.”

An integral part of her business plan is funneling a portion of sales to local patient-focused organizations such as Loving Arms Cancer Outreach that helps patients, regardless of their type of cancer, with everyday necessities and offers emotional support. She also serves on the board. “If people buy a bottle of The Random Whine, I want them to feel they are also giving the gift of health,” she says.

Seven varietals are sold in Georgia and will soon be at Target stores.

Derby for a Cause

Special camps for special kids

Milton transplants Wendy Lewis and Shelley Massey both hail from Buckhead, and although their paths should have crossed numerous times at church and school, they didn’t meet until both former volunteers at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta received requests to start a Friends of Children's group in Milton.

The two clicked immediately and created an Instagram account to publish news about their fundraising efforts. Soon they were receiving responses from all over the county.

“Our first Milton Friends fundraisers, a Halloween Boo sign sale and a Christmas Mailbox Brigade, exceeded expectations and sold out immediately,” says Massey.

Riding on their success, Lewis and Massey co-chaired a fundraiser to send Children’s patients to specialized camps. They chose a Kentucky Derby theme with a Southern twist and named it Down and Derby. “We posted the event on Instagram and sold out in 24 hours,” says Lewis, the former vice president of membership for the Friends of Children’s Board. The event attracted a large Atlanta contingency and was held

on Derby Day at Chukkar Farm in Alpharetta with entertainment, food and beverages provided by local sources. Highlights included dinner, dancing, viewing the race on large screens, wagering and a live polo match. All of the $161,000 proceeds went to send 161 Children’s patients to camp. The Jenny Doyle Group has already committed to be the presenting sponsor again at the 2024 Down and Derby.

Open Hand Executive Director Matt Pieper helms expansion efforts for new facility.

Former Buckhead residents Wendy Lewis and Shelley Massey launched the first Down and Derby event to raise money for Children's.

BY Mickey Goodman

Creating The Random Wine promoted healing for Kaye Jackson.

OPEN HAND ATLANTA openhandatlanta.org @openhandatlanta

MELVIN HEWITT

Local lawyer strives to support retired K-9s and their handlers

As told to Amy Meadows PHOTOS: Erik Meadows

It all started with Zoom, the four-footed K-9 partner of my good friend, Adam Gardner, who was with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office before becoming the chief investigator for the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office. Zoom, whose official title is “officer,” spent several years in the military, did three overseas tours and received commendations for saving many Marines. Eventually, he could not do the work required by the tours any-

more and moved into private police duty. Adam and Zoom worked in the Fulton County Bomb Unit, and Zoom found a lot of incendiary devices during his law enforcement career. When Zoom retired five years ago, Adam was given the opportunity to adopt him. Watching that process, I realized something: Retired K-9 officers typically do not receive any financial support once they are no longer on the job. I was in law enforcement for seven

years after I completed four years as a Marine. I moved into the private security business for 18 years before becoming a lawyer and opening Isenberg & Hewitt, a business and personal injury law firm, in 1985. I have many friends in law enforcement, and I heard stories about handlers and their K-9 partners. Most departments allow handlers to adopt their dogs when the animals are ready to retire. However, there’s no retirement fund for the dogs even though they

are officers. Their handlers don’t receive a stipend when they adopt, and their salaries don’t increase to help manage the often substantial veterinary bills that come with caring for a retired police dog. Those dogs tend to need a great deal of medical care; some have been injured, stabbed or shot. They’ve worked hard for years, and their health doesn’t get any better as they get older.

I wanted to do something. Inspired by Adam and Zoom, I started BARKs five years ago to give back to the K-9 officers who have served their communities with honor and to provide financial support to their handlers. Through the organization, we try to do two things: help arrange some kind of discount with the K-9’s vet if one has not been put in place and contribute as much as possible to their veterinary bills. We pay as much as half if we can with the funds we have. Zoom was the first dog we helped through BARKs. Recently, we were able to offer support to two retired bomb unit K-9s, one from the Georgia Tech Police Department and one from the Georgia World Congress Center Police Department.

To date, we have helped a handful of dogs, but the organization is still in its infancy. Everything has been word-of-mouth. We want to get out there and make connections with police departments across metro Atlanta and talk to legislators who would like to support what we are doing. Of course, we welcome donations or sponsorships that will allow us to do what we can for these dogs and their handlers. They deserve that. These K-9 officers have accomplished so much; they’ve recovered drugs, detected bombs or other explosives and kept a lot of people safe. But they’re also family dogs who go home with their handlers when they finish working. Many police officers are as close to their dogs as they are to their human families.

I often say that I probably like dogs more than people. We haven’t been able to help as many as we’d like to yet, but I enjoy doing this. It makes you feel like you’re contributing just a little bit to thank them and their handlers for their service. I just want to do whatever I can. n

BARKS • retiredk9s.org

Melvin Hewitt strives to honor retired K-9 officers who have dedicated their lives to serving others.

SMEG Electric Tea Kettle ($189.95)

SMEG products are known for a retro design and fun colors. (Have you seen the collab with Dolce & Gabbana?) For tea or hot cocoa, SMEG kettles boil water in a pinch. They hold up to 57 ounces or 7 cups, have a soft-open lid, auto shut-off and temperature control. They also feature a polished chrome, 360-swivel base and come in a range of colors (black, pink, pastel green, gold, copper) to enhance your kitchen aesthetic. Warning: Once you buy one SMEG product, you will want them all. Crate & Barrel • crateandbarrel.com • @crateandbarrel

Warm Me Up

Acne Studios Fringe Wool Scarf ($210)

We found a chic accessory that will not only keep you warm but also elevate your ensemble. This Acne Studios scarf is made in Italy from 100% certified wool. The midweight scarf has a fringe, features the pink Acne Studios label and is available in 14 different hues. For a nice pop of color, pick up the rose mélange or light blue. Nordstrom • nordstrom.com • @nordstrom

Zadro Ultra Large Luxury Towel Warmer ($179.99)

Is there anything more wonderful than wrapping yourself in a toasty bath towel on a chilly night? Bath time is simply more luxurious with Zadro’s 20-liter towel warmer. It holds up to two towels at a time and evenly warms blankets, robes, socks and more. The four timer settings automatically shut off for safety. This lightweight, freestanding warmer is easy to move from room to room, or from bathroom to outdoor Jacuzzi, and is available in white or gray with natural bamboo accents.

Target • target.com

• @target

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Stripes and Arrows

Blanket ($158)

Barefoot Dreams CozyChic Stripes and Arrows

Blanket is perfect for those lazy, loungingaround days and crisp, fall nights. Crafted from soft, washable knit, this. pearl-and-black blanket features an arrows-and-stripes pattern and is large enough (45-by-60 inches) to wrap yourself up in. The fun design also adds a touch of style to any room.

Saks Fifth Avenue • saksfifthavenue.com • @saks

Eberjey Chalet Recycled Plush Robe ($148)

This season, indulge in a plush new robe. So cozy you could lounge in it all day, the robe is, surprisingly, 100% polyester and made from nearly 80 recycled plastic bottles. Help the planet while you treat yourself?

Yes, please! This ankle-length robe boasts pockets and an adjustable sash, and comes in ivory, rose cloud and navy.

Neiman Marcus • neimanmarcus.com @neimanmarcus

As the weather cools down, stay warm by adding these luxe pieces to your wardrobe and home STORY: Vanessa Pascale

Camp with Calm

A visit to Under Canvas is glamping at its best

Igrew up camping with my family. Despite the downsides to roughing it, I remember loving our adventures in the outdoors and the fond memories they created. My husband and I have taken our two kids camping a handful of times, and while it’s been fun, I didn’t realize the work involved with packing everything and setting up camp for a family, not to mention the hassles of bad weather or sick kids while on a trip. So when I heard about the Under Canvas experience, I thought it might be the best of both worlds. With upscale, safari-inspired accommodations, Under Canvas offers outdoor camping with a lot less work. Under Canvas has 12 locations in the U.S., from the Grand Canyon to Mount Rushmore, but the closest to Atlanta is the Great Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg, Tennessee. So, we packed the essentials— no camp stove needed—and made the 4-hour drive to check it out.

Situated on 182 acres near the entrance of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the location is ideal. The first thing that struck me driving into the property was its simplicity: just 40 canvas tents arranged in clusters surrounded by woods. The main lobby tent is the first to greet you with stylish West Elm furnishings, communal games and an alfresco

dining area with a fire pit.

After checking-in and getting a run down on the property, including how to work our tent’s wood-burning stove and shower, we made our way to our accommodations. Furnished with a king-sized bed and queen-sized sleeper sofa, it was the perfect setup for our family, although separate “kid tents” look ideal for older offspring. Our Suite tent felt luxurious with its private shower, sink and flushing toilet. Safari-level tents don't offer bathrooms, but a well-equipped, shared bathroom facility on property earned five stars from my daughter. We visited Under Canvas in the heat of summer, but I could see how using the wood-burning stove would be delightful during cooler fall temperatures. Instead, we spent the hottest part of the day on our outdoor deck lounge chairs with fans. Luckily at night, the tempera tures dropped low enough that I didn’t miss air conditioning and slept peacefully surrounded by the sounds of nature.

Most of our days were spent off-property at the national park seeking out hiking adventures, but we fueled up each morning with a top-notch breakfast—everything from yogurt parfaits and breakfast sandwiches to French toast.

STORY: Giannina S. Bedford

Coffee, tea and fruit-infused water is available all day for guests. In the afternoons, we looked forward to returning to camp where we played board games in the lobby, listened to live music over craft cocktails and enjoyed yard games until dinner time. The cafe menu offers a selection of changing dishes fitting the season and local produce. As the sun set, we chatted with other guests over fireside s’mores, a sweet treat offered nightly. My kids also participated in crafting activities and trivia. The property also offers

complimentary yoga, painting and more. I think the best part of our visit was spending time together minus any Wi-Fi or cell service— and of course, not having to dismantle our camp when it was time to go. Instead of exhaustion, I returned home rejuvenated. My kids are already asking when we can go back. n

UNDER CANVAS, GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS undercanvas.com • @undercanvasofficial

Rates start at $199

2023 Dates: April 6 – Nov. 27

2024 Dates: April 4– Dec. 2

With safari-style tents and top-notch amenities, Under Canvas in the Great Smoky Mountains offers a ready-to-enjoy dose of nature.

The lobby boasts West Elm furnishings and lots of board games and books.

ENDURING BEAUTY

STORY: Jennifer Bradley Franklin

N“othing lasts forever but the earth and sky,” an acoustic guitarist sang on our first night at Amangiri, his rendition of “Dust in the Wind” particularly haunting and powerful. We sat on an outdoor terrace, with the towering Stud Horse Mesa a striking backdrop, enjoying a chef’s tasting menu at Camp Sarika. There in the bone-dry desert air, gazing at striated rocks I would later learn were once beneath a vast ocean more than 90 million years ago, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

Amangiri has been at the top of domestic travel wish lists for in-the-know connoisseurs since it opened in 2009. The original 34-room resort, designed in a stark, Brutalist style, is known for its world-class spa, a pool built around a dramatic rock formation and creative, Native American-inspired

In southern Utah, Amangiri offers adventure and respite set against an age-old landscape

The restaurant at Amangiri's Camp Sarika offers all-day dining framed by a spectacular landscape. While guests dine, they gaze on the Stud Horse Mesa, a rock formation dating back to the Cretaceous Period.

Camp Sarika, part of the famed Amangiri resort, opened in 2020 and features 10 one- and two-bedroom pavilions scattered across a pristine desert canyon.

cuisine. I knew less about Camp Sarika, a name derived from the Sanskrit word for “open space” and “sky,” the newest addition to the resort’s 600 acres. Opened in 2020, the 55-acre “camp” consists of 10 one- and two-bedroom luxury tents skillfully positioned in the canyon for the utmost privacy. When we arrived, my husband and I were whisked directly to our suite—no fussy check-in process here—where we discovered a living and dining area, a spacious room with a kingsize bed, a bathroom with indoor and outdoor showers, and a soaking tub big enough for two. Best of all, one whole side of the structure featured floor-to-ceiling windows that folded back onto an outdoor living space, generous plunge pool and fire pit. The visual effect is safari-chic, but the experience stands tall against any high-end accommodations. Guests have access to a dedicated electric golf cart for exploring, so everything is an easy ride or hike away.

On our first full day, guide Raymond Chee, a member of the Navajo

Nation, took us to see a natural wonder just over the Arizona border: slot canyons. Carved by wind and water over millennia, the vermillion-hued Upper Antelope and Rattlesnake (so named for its tightly wound curves) canyons feel like walking through natural cathedrals. Back at camp, I met therapist Cori Halterman for an “aqua shiatsu” massage in our plunge pool. Over an hour, I floated, supported either by her or floats cradling my neck and knees, as she stretched, massaged and swirled me in the water. It was a surreal, almost meditative, form of relaxation.

The next day, we rose early to meet our guide, Okie Jones, for the Hoodoo Via Ferrata (or “iron road”). It’s one of several guided climbing routes around the property that uses a system of cables and ladder rungs originally developed in the Italian Alps, allowing even novice climbers to scale sheer rock formations. My husband, Will, is adventurous but hates heights, so his decision to join me was last-minute. Over the next few hours, we clipped our equipment onto the strategically placed cables, crossed

a suspension bridge stretched over a 600-foot-deep gorge (my favorite part) and enjoyed near-aerial views of the dramatic landscape. I loved the thrill, but more than that, I loved watching my husband do something he swore he never would.

We finished mid-morning and decided to take it easy for the rest of the day. An alfresco lunch followed by lounging at Amangiri’s expansive pool built around a sculptural rock formation was just the right contrast to our adrenaline-filled morning. The service, views and facilities are top-notch, so it’s easy to see why this property draws celebrities from Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber to Scarlett Johansson and Kylie Jenner. In fact, we spotted a celebrity strolling around the pool (naming names is gauche, so I’m keeping it to myself).

On our last evening, we watched the sky turn painterly shades of pink, violet, orange and red before heading to Amangiri’s restaurant. Though tempting a la carte options abound, we opted for the nightly four-course tasting menu with each option inspired by a different

GETTING THERE

Some guests arrive by helicopter, using the on-property helipad. You can enjoy a picturesque four-plus hour drive from either Phoenix or Las Vegas. By far the most convenient and economical option is to fly to Page, Arizona’s small airport via regional carrier Contour Airlines. The hotel

Native American tribe. Navajo fry bread, Maricopa-inspired glazed duck and elk tenderloin based on the Apache tribe’s famous hunting skills were exquisite and nuanced in both flavor and presentation. Back at our luxe pavilion, we lit the fire pit and witnessed a meteor shower light up the pitch-black night sky punctuated by glittering stars. I wished the night could go on and on, but it reminded me of how fleeting our time is anywhere, and yet this landscape endures. Dust in the wind, indeed. n

AMANGIRI aman.com/resorts/amangiri • @amangiri

Left: The author clips into the Via Ferrata system on a three-hour climbing excursion. It's designed

Above: The temperature-controlled pool at Camp Sarika is framed by towering rock mesas and plush lounger beds.

Below: Safari-chic bedrooms have roll-down blackout shades and can be configured with either twin or king-size beds.

will send a private vehicle for the 25-minute drive to the resort.

A BUCKHEAD COUPLE CALLS IN HART & LOCK TO BEAUTIFY THEIR BASEMENT

Buckhead residents

Lauren and Zander

Brekke had a classic conundrum: what to do with a raw, unused, unfinished basement space. Instead of turning it into storage or a functional kids’ play area, the couple decided to make it a show-stopping space everyone would enjoy.

“Our family was growing, and we wanted something that could act as a flex space for entertaining, home workouts, movie nights, kids’ sleepovers and out-of-town guests,”

Lauren says. You could say hosting is in the couple’s DNA, as Lauren’s family is behind Mud Pie, the Stone Mountain-based gifting and decor juggernaut founded by her mother, Marcia Miller, 35 years ago. Now, Zander serves as president and Lauren as vice president of merchandise for the company, which focuses on home decor, entertaining pieces, kids’ items and women’s clothing.

After the pair moved into the home in October 2017, the basement sat empty for four years. At the time, they had one child but

were thinking of another, and that catapulted a renovation to the forefront. They wanted a space for the kids to play comfortably and in style. “We’re big entertainers, so we wanted a place where family and friends could gather for special events,” she says. Also on the docket were a wet bar and wine storage, a flexible area for gym equipment and a kids’ play area The space also needed to serve a practical purpose for overnight guests, so a full bedroom and bathroom went on the must-have list.

STORY: Lauren Finney Harden PHOTOS: Heidi Harris

Aged brass fixtures bring a softness to the kitchen, wet bar and wine storage area.

The Brekkes called on Hart & Lock Design to bring their dream space to life over eight months. Owner and lead designer Katie Fox came highly recommended. “She had a fresh approach and brought ideas to the table that made the space slightly more modern than the rest of the house,” Lauren says, who loved Fox’s balance between casual and sophisticated.

Fox and her team provided a turn-key service with interior architecture, finishes, fixtures, furnishing and styling, working with Cory Regan at Trademark Building Co. for general contracting. “The terrace level can be a great place to extend the current aesthetic or be a bit bolder with design decisions,” Fox says. “In this project, we blended the two. We extended the beautiful aesthetic from the main level but were a bit more playful with the materials, pulling in deep [shades

of] charcoal and warming it up with lots of soft, aged brass fixtures.”

Being family-friendly was a huge focus, so performance fabrics were chosen to withstand the wear and tear of kids and dogs. “We aimed for a casual, approachable yet sophisticated look, utilizing neutral tones like white, cream, gray, blue and black,” Fox says.

In the living area, for example, the custom Rowe sectional’s pinstripe fabric looks modern yet comfortable. The Vanguard ottoman brings in warmth, while the console table adds a touch of elegance and practicality for the Visual Comfort task lighting on top. Thoughtful Mud Pie accessories are dotted throughout, bringing visual interest and a piece of the family’s story to the room. In the wet bar area, custom cabinets by Greg Michael at Mi-Kin Creations hold a wine fridge, beverage

“We’re big entertainers, so we wanted a place where family and friends could gather for special events.”

—Lauren Brekke

A dark entertainment center brings depth to the living space. Lauren admits the idea was outside her comfort zone, but she now loves it.

Accessories from Mud Pie artfully dot the space.

fridge and plenty of storage for appliances and the accouterments needed for entertaining. Zellige tiles by Clé Tile bring a sophisticated sheen, while aged brass accents, including brass-toned pendants from Visual Comfort, brighten and elevate the space. On the perpendicular wall, arched built-ins give plenty of display room for wine.

The project wasn’t without chal-

lenges, the first being that lumber was at a premium in 2021. A second challenge was the timeline, which was twice as long as the Brekkes had expected. Fox fixated on bringing in as much natural light as possible, as well as making the narrow and long space feel larger and wider, which she achieved by positioning the bar in just the right spot, adjacent to the family/entertainment room. “This

allowed more room for seating in the family room as well as visibility from the bar and a larger island,” says Fox. “We also were able to keep the wine wall in the bar for great flow.”

The couple also wanted an open floor plan to complement the rest of their house, but two structural columns in the middle of the space couldn’t be moved. “It ended up working out in our favor,” Lauren

Homeowners Zander and Lauren Brekke hired Hart & Lock Design to finish their basement.

Erik Meadows

says. “We wrapped the columns in reclaimed wood, which made a nice separation between the gym/kids’ play area and the living and kitchen space.” They brought the same look to the ceiling in the living room with faux exposed beams to draw the eye through.

Given the nature of Lauren’s work, she was very hands-on. “At the time, Mud Pie was expanding the home accessories side of the business. It got me excited about having a new space of my own to accessorize,” she says.

The designer and homeowners worked in tandem. “I was incredibly

appreciative that Katie came to the table with new ideas and pushed me out of my comfort zone,” Lauren says. She was nervous about the board and batten in the bedroom, but she now acknowledges that it makes the room feel warm and cozy, and she’s glad she trusted Fox. She was also unsure about a black entertainment center as a

IN THE DETAILS

main focal point of the living area. “Katie suggested black, which was completely outside my comfort zone,” Lauren says. “Now it’s my favorite part. We had general ideas about what the space would be like before partnering with Katie, but she flipped the idea on its head. She maximized the potential of our basement.” n

Lauren Brekke shares some of the details that make the space sing.

really didn’t need one, so we made it a window seat. I love window seats and the way they make every space just that little bit cozier. It was also a great storage solution to tuck away extra guest linens. The pillows are from Pom Pom at Home.”

3. Mud Pie black wood link decor

“Wooden decor links are a huge trend and an inexpensive way to dress up a coffee table and show style. These links were one of my favorite Mud Pie introductions at the time, so I was so excited to style them on the coffee table.”

1. Stair runner in Stanton Crescent Ticking Stripe 2/Tuxedo: “This stair runner was one of the first things Katie picked out for our project. You can see it from the open landing on the main floor, so the runner

The sophisticated guest bedroom, done in tasteful neutrals, includes board and batten for warmth.

Give the gift of a gourmet meal and time around the table to those you love.

"I received a gift from some special long-time friends. It was so thoughtful and delicious that I sent a gift to my friend who just had a baby. Compliments galore!"

Scan the QR code to begin gifting today!

Vivian H.

Modern Marvel

Ken Knight of 14th Street Modern & Vintage Home talks showroom updates and changing design trends

How has the furniture mix changed with the transition from 14th Street Antiques to 14th Street Modern & Vintage Home?

The demand in the interior design and consumer marketplace has totally changed, and we’ve had to change with the times. The demand for modern, transitional and clean line pieces dominates now. Ten years ago, 14th Street was predominantly antiques and estate pieces. We still love antiques and vintage, but they take a back seat to modern and transitional styles at this time.

What are people looking for when they come into the store?

It’s all over the board. Our clients are in every phase of life. What they are demanding is immediate gratification. Consumers are so skeptical of

the supply chain interruptions in home furnishings that they want to buy it now and take it home today. We are fortunate to have 65,000 square feet of inventory and a full warehouse, Beaux Arts Home West in Vinings, so customers can start

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Add some color to your next wine party with these glasses by Nashi Home Resinware. Each vessel is individually designed and comes in various hues to mix and match— choose from aqua, white, lavender and mint. Each is also BPA- and lead-free. Available at Lucy’s Market at Andrews Square for $32 each. lucysmarket.com • @lucys_market

from scratch and create a beautiful home from one source.

Any design and color trends you're noticing?

Everything is leaning more modern with touches of ’70s vintage and the whole mid-century aesthetic. We are definitely seeing more traditional styles introduced with softer lines. Neutrals are still the most popular way to go with a color palette, with lots of beige and gray tones. Darker sage green, camel, rust and brown tones are coming on strong and are very popular right now.

What other trends are you seeing in patterns, fabric styles and textures?

The very nubby, textured wovens like boucles and faux furs are very popular. But we use them in small doses, mixing heavy textures with sleeker fabrics. Combining different textures creates a lot of visual interest, especially in the neutral palette.

How can buyers check for good construction and longevity in furniture purchases?

You can always tell quality furniture by the drawers and doors. Whether buying an antique or a new piece, the first move that an experienced buyer makes is to open the drawer.

s Interlock Tower, the second phase of West Midtown’s The Interlock development, has unveiled two works by renowned muralist Tristan Eaton. One features Atalanta, the archer and hunter goddess, and the other abstract piece has bright colors and designs. Eaton has painted more than 100 murals all over the world, including in Moscow, Paris and Los Angeles. theinterlockatl.com

n Hit the streets of Miami Circle on Oct. 21 for the Miami Circle Art Stroll Taking place from 4 to 6 p.m., the event invites guests to explore art from five centuries showcased at the dozen participating venues, including Pryor Fine Art, Johnson Lowe Gallery, Anne Irwin Fine Art and more. miamicircleshops.com

On vintage and antiques styles, the wood and joinery/construction of the drawer tells you the country of origin and the age. On new pieces, the quality is in the drawer and door mechanisms. Is the hardware substantial enough to stand the wear and tear of everyday use?

What is your business philosophy?

It’s really important to me that good design be accessible to everyone, so we offer something for all different tastes and genres. Designing a house can be intimidating, so we pride ourselves in creating a welcoming, friendly atmosphere. Just like Atlanta, our staff is a big melting pot of different ages, cultures and languages, so we can serve all of our local and international clients.

Photos: Chris Lawery

Designer Ken Knight of 14th Street Modern & Vintage Home loves an eclectic mix of antiques and new furniture.

Balmuda

The convenience of Bluetooth is paramount for music lovers who want to listen the modern way, and this portable speaker from Balmuda ups the ante with a dazzling display. Three vacuum tubes contain LED lights that synchronize with the music as it flows through the speaker. With superb, three-dimensional, clear and crisp sound and a sleek design, this is a speaker that brings together beauty and audio clarity for music lovers.

Crate & Barrel crateandbarrel.com

@crateandbarrel

Discotheque (from $70 per roll)

Atlanta-based artist Faye Bell wanted her Discotheque fabric collection to evoke vintage allure and futuristic vibes simultaneously. Available in groovy colors such as avocado, harvest and evergreen, its lines and loops mimic the patterns found in sheet music. Minimum orders are 5 yards with a lead time of six to eight weeks, but rush orders are available for those who can’t wait.

Faye Bell • fayebell.com • @fayekaubell

Listen Up

Listening rooms are a place to zone out to vinyl, crank pop tunes or play an instrument, allowing for creativity in a dedicated space. They can be turned up to full volume with design elements that combine the best of nostalgia and modernity. Here are design-forward elements music snobs and casual listeners alike will love.

STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

Callan (from $1,799)

Made in North Carolina, the Callan chair represents the best of Room & Board’s classic style with a midcentury modern twist. A contoured seat and back provide comfort, while channeled fabric adds a vintage feel. Available in more than 240 fabric options spanning the color wheel, it also has three wood finishes from which to choose, and shoppers can add on a matching ottoman. Room & Board • roomandboard.com @roomandboard

Paseo Carved Wood Media Console ($1,799)

An exclusive by Kravitz Design for CB2 (yes, Kravitz, as in Lenny), this wood console features Africaninspired linework that really pops. Made from FSC-certified white oak that’s stained in multiple tones to give dimension including ebonized black and dark walnut, its accents are hand-routed and hand-painted for an artisan look. Two doors, two drawers and a cord opening make this the perfect piece to center a room around.

CB2 • cb2.com • @cb2

U-Turn

The Orbit Special Turntable by U-Turn Audio boasts a stunning walnut base, perfect for a touch of midcentury flair. It includes an award-winning Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, known for delivering a vibrant and immersive audio experience. The sleek acrylic platter adds style and contributes to improved speed and playback quality. Audiophiles will appreciate the turntable's retro aesthetics and impressive performance. Also available in birch and can be purchased with or without a preamp.

Urban Outfitters

urbanoutfitters.com

@urbanoutfitters

The Speaker ($400)

Audio Orbit Special Turntable in Walnut (from $499)

Restaurant - Lounge Vietnamien OPEN EVERY DAY FOR LUNCH & DINNER

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, dining and entertainment destination with a blend of interesting boutiques, delicious restaurants and useful services.

ANCHORS

Costco • LA Fitness • LOOK Dine-In Cinema Marshalls • Publix

APPAREL & ACCESSORIES

Dress Up • Vestique

SHOES & BICYCLES

Big Peach Ride + Run

HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY

18|8 Fine Men’s Salon • Atlanta Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center • Benchmark Physical Therapy

Brookhaven Orthodontics • European Wax Center

GNC (General Nutrition Center)

• Intown Pediatrics

Johanna Clark Hair (Opening Soon)

The Joint - The Chiropractic Place • Massage Heights

Nail Talk & Tan • Salon Red • Town Dentistry

Vein Clinics of America • Vida-Flo: The Hydration Station

DINING

26 Thai Sushi & Bar • Costa Coffee • Crumbl Cookies

The Flying Biscuit Café • HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern

Kilwins • Lucky’s Burger & Brew • Mirko Pasta

Moe’s Southwest Grill • Newk’s Express Café

Red Pepper Taqueria • There Restaurant and Bar

Tropical Smoothie Café • Urban Wok • The Wing Guru

HOME FURNISHINGS & DÉCOR

Redefined Home Boutique SERVICES

Brookhaven Alterations • Brookhaven Animal Hospital

Corporate America Family Credit Union

Keller Williams

• Reflections Eyecare • Town Cleaners

ELECTRONICS, MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

AT&T

TRAVEL & TOURISM

Explore Brookhaven

HOT SPOT

Iron Studio supplies Atlanta’s best-known designers with custom metalwork

If you’ve admired an Atlanta-based designer’s drapery work on Instagram recently, chances are Iron Studio had a hand in it. Owners and married couple Jenn and Mike Vallier own the West Midtown-based metalworks studio dedicated to fabricating hardware and metal furniture, such as metal accents on draperies, beds and tables. The word-of-mouth business has grown over the past 13 years and is an essential part of Atlanta’s design community. Here, the couple

STORY: Lauren Finney Harden PHOTO: Joann Vitelli

shares how they got their start, how they balance their family of seven with work and what’s trending.

How did the idea for a metalworks studio spark?

JENN VALLIER: My mom owned a drapery business and couldn’t find a reliable hardware source locally. So she started one herself in 2010. Mike and I came in, and now we co-own and run the business.

MIKE VALLIER: I didn’t have any experience in metalworking. I just saw it

as an opportunity to try something new. I taught myself through trial and error, with a lot of internet research and videos. I had to have the courage to figure things out and be OK with making mistakes.

You’re a married couple working together. How do you get it done?

JV: Mike’s the one who exploded the business. He came in and figured everything out; it was a trial by fire. We’ve learned a lot via mistakes and figuring out solutions to problems

in the midst of it all. We’ve slowly built the business. We’ve also grown a family. We had one kid when we started; she was about 9 months old. And now we have five, the youngest of whom is 7 months. I work from home. With this many children, it’s easier. I deal with clients and the sales aspect of the business, and Mike does the production. He makes everything and deals with vendors.

Who are your customers?

JV: About 90% are interior designers for our custom metal fabrication work. We do a ton of drapery hardware, and we can make beds, tables and fire screens. The only thing we haven’t delved into is railings, but maybe in the near future. I think people enjoy working with us because we make things as simple as possible. Someone once said our hardware is like the earrings on the perfect outfit. We’re the finishing touch that can take it up a level.

Why did you choose the Upper Westside as your headquarters?

JV: We’ve been on Chattahoochee Avenue the whole time. The area was chosen because we were living near there at the time, and some of our biggest clients were based around there. It’s worked out well as a hub for design.

What are customers asking for right now?

MV: French returns [curtain rods] have been a growing trend in the last seven years or so. It seems like everyone’s migrated away from finials. French returns seem simplistic, but they can be complicated to fabricate well. We’ve perfected a method to make them simple and effective to install.

Color is also big. We have a standard set of colors that we can do, but we’re not limited by that. You can have us [paint] any color you want. That’s what makes us different. You can come in, say that you want this Farrow & Ball color, and we can do it. Gold is our most popular color right now because it looks similar but is more costeffective than actual brass. n

IRON STUDIO 404.835.2385 iron-studio.com @iron_studio

Revitalizing Legacy

DENTISTRY'S INNOVATION VANGUARD

Pharr Road Dentistry Cosmetic & General Dentists

Pharr Road Dentistry is a legacy dental practice located in the heart of Buckhead. Originally established by Dr. Paul McDonald in 1982, the practice grew to accommodate Dr. Frank Millians’s patients in 1992 and Dr. George Neal’s patients in 2002. Under the exceptional leadership of Dr. McDonald, the practice has provided compassionate care to patients for over 40 years. In January 2021, Dr. Keya Patel joined the practice and has dedicated herself to providing unparalleled dental care through the use of cutting-edge dental technology and techniques in order to personalize treatment options for patients of all ages. Together, Drs. McDonald and Patel and their wonderful team strive to create a comfortable and welcoming environment where patients can feel at ease and confident in their tailored dental care.

In today's fast-paced world, technological advancements have revolutionized various industries, and healthcare is no exception. However, innovation is not just about fancy new tools and virtual appointments – it's about skillfully balancing benefits of modern technology with a genuine commitment to patient relationships. Pharr Road Dentistry stands as a shining example of cuttingedge technology seamlessly integrating into personalized dental care while retaining the warm and comforting atmosphere of a familyoriented practice. Drs. McDonald and Patel utilize a range of advanced technologies that enhance precision, efficiency and overall patient experience. One standout feature is their use of digital imaging and 3D scanning which allows for

more accurate diagnoses and treatment planning.

Combined with the ability to 3D print, the practice is revolutionizing patient care from digitally designing smile makeovers to cleaning appointments that deliver a full snapshot of your oral health. As Dr. Keya Patel says, “I empower patients to be a part of their oral health journey by offering a platform that allows for easy visualization to discuss goals. A cornerstone of our practice’s success is our commitment to build strong patient-dentist relationships.”

As the world continues to evolve, Pharr Road Dentistry remains a beacon of exceptional care where patients are not just treated as clients, but as valued members of the practice’s extended dental family.

Style Sister Page 42

Fashion stylist Holly Katz loves helping women get out of their fashion rut.

“I’m loud, I’m bossy, and I’m going to make you better.”

— Holly Katz

STYLE SISTER

Holly Katz wants to be your BFF: not your best friend forever, but your “best fashion friend.” She’s been helping women revamp their images and take back their identities for nearly a decade. “I’m loud, I’m bossy, and I’m going to make you better,” she says.

Katz grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina, and moved to Atlanta to attend American Intercontinental Universi-

ty where she earned her bachelor’s in fashion design. Following graduation in 2003, she moved to New York. With no friends or connections, she knocked on showroom doors and handed out her resume until she got her first job. For the next seven years, she worked in garment production to learn the business side of fashion. After getting married and moving back to Atlanta in 2011, Katz realized

her heart was in the more personal side of fashion, so she became a certified stylist and while she worked in every aspect of the field from corporate to advertising and film, she fell in love with personal styling. “You really connect with the client, and it’s so rewarding to see their evolution,” she says. “Plus, I’m a really great shopper because of my years in fashion production.”

In July, Katz’s book, Stop Making These Fashion Mistakes, debuted as an Amazon exclusive title. Katz wrote it to answer the fashion questions people have always been afraid to ask or never knew they should. She says, “It’s the perfect book to keep on your nightstand as a reminder of how to continually evolve your style.”

While Katz has clients of all ages, her “sweet spot” is women over 40, noting that she started her business styling her own friends. “I always ask people if their image is holding them back in life, and that is a very tough question to face,” she says. “But so many women don’t prioritize themselves, and coupled with the fact that they hate to shop, they get stuck in a fashion rut that doesn’t serve them.”

Katz’s umbrella of services includes shopping trips and virtual styling services, but closet cleanouts bring her the most joy, and she considers it a type of therapy. “I provide a safe space for people to get to the heart of the issue, and it’s never just about the clothes,” she says. “It’s about so much more like prioritizing yourself, and the message you want to convey to the world. If I just showed up with a rack of clothes without getting to know my clients, that doesn’t help them.” When it comes time to shop for her clients, Katz is a department store loyalist. “If someone needs a wardrobe overhaul, I need a onestop shop because it can be a tiring process,” she says. The brands she buys depend on the client, but some of her go-to favorites include Eileen Fisher, Levi’s (“They never fail =for men or women!”), Anne Klein and in-house brands like I.N.C. at Macy’s and Gianni Bini at Dillard’s. Most of Katz’s clients are in Georgia and Alabama, but people learn from her fashion expertise worldwide. In 2020, when Katz wasn’t able to meet with clients, she launched her podcast, Fashion Crimes with Holly Katz. New 30minute episodes drop weekly, when Katz shares fashion advice laced with her personal brand of humor and honesty. She has also interviewed guests, including fashion designer Nicole Miller, style critic and TV personality Melissa Rivers and famed fashion model Emme. n

Fashion stylist Holly Katz offers tough love fashion advice to her clients STORY: Emily L. Foley

HOLLY KATZ • hollykatzstyling.com @hollykatzstyling • fashioncrimespodcast.com

Katz believes your clothing should tell the world who you are.

Top 10

Spa

WE TRIED IT!

OUR STAFF TRIES AND TELLS ON THREE LOCAL BEAUTY TREATMENTS

WHAT: GOLD INFUSION

WHERE: SKIN PHARM

STORY:

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

hate needles, so I had some trepidation about trying a Gold Infusion at Skin Pharm. However, the promise of glowing skin won me over, as did the intel that major country music superstars such as Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris are fans of the Nashville-founded brand.

I arrived at Skin Pharm’s Buckhead location, which opened in 2020, feeling nervous, but the friendly staff and the spa-like atmosphere put me at ease. Since I was wearing moisturizer and sunscreen (always!), I gave my face a thorough wash with the brand’s proprietary cleanser. Then I was shown to a private treatment room where I met Ashley Harrison, a nurse practitioner specializing in cosmetic dermatology.

She explained the procedure in which a small stamp of fine gold needles, each the width of a hair, would create tiny punctures to infuse a customized cocktail of serums into my skin. Together we decided to treat my face, neck and chest, and to use the hyaluronic acid “super serum” to promote hydration, collagen production and improved skin texture. I also opted to add Dysport, a neuromodulator commonly used as an injectable to reduce wrinkles, but in this justbelow-the-skin treatment it provides subtle smoothing, decreased redness and pore minimization.

Clinical-grade topical lidocaine was applied and allowed to sit for 10 minutes for an ample numbing effect. Next, Harrison gently stamped my skin with the needle-tipped vial filled with the custom serum cocktail, and I felt nothing but a small amount of pressure, even as she treated the sensitive skin around my eyes and lips. Once my skin was covered in barely visible pin-pricks, she slathered on the remaining serum plus Sculptra, a biostimulator to boost my collagen production. My skin was pink enough that I

After applying numbing cream, nurse practitioner Ashley Harrison explains the Gold Infusion procedure at Skin Pharm.

Caroline Willet Photography

wanted to go straight home—a good move, as it’s not recommended to apply makeup or anything else for at least the rest of the day. Post-care instructions included the brand’s gentle cleanser and a soothing moisturizer, which Harrison sent with me in a travel-sized kit. Two days later, my skin looked more firm, plump and bright, an effect that increased over the following week. I’m glad I didn’t let my needle phobia keep me from saying yes to a treatment offering such terrific results with minimal discomfort.

Starting at $400 for Gold Infusion with hyaluronic acid (face only)

SKIN PHARM • 404.314.4545 skinpharm.com • @skin_pharm

WHAT:

FOREST THERAPY TREATMENT

WHERE:

THE SPA AT WALDORF ASTORIA ATLANTA BUCKHEAD

STORY: Karina Antenucci

After a stressful week, I felt in need of some grounding and thought the 105-minute Forest Therapy treatment at The Spa at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead might do the trick. I wasn’t wrong. Created as a nod to Atlanta’s “City in the Forest” nickname and inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, the luxuriously lengthy spa service brings in elements of the earth to further relax and soothe the senses.

Massage therapist Kelly began the treatment by applying a heated mud mask to my back to draw out

toxins, followed by a layer of plastic wrap and warm towels to help the mask penetrate more deeply. She then began a limb, foot and hand massage using an oil blend of evergreen, pink pepper, cypress and juniper that offered a subtle earthy scent. Before moving on to a back massage, Kelly removed the mud mask and started gently tapping and gliding a warmed, anti-inflammatory poultice made from native Georgia herbs such as St. John’s wort, comfrey, rosemary and mint soaked in warm oil and wrapped in cloth over my skin.

A circular UV lamp sat on a side table throughout the treatment, casting a glow over the room. It is said to offer the mood-boosting benefits of daylight, though in my bliss haze with eyes closed (and eye-masked when face up), I barely noticed it.

I continued to drift in and out of a light slumber as the therapist systematically kneaded every muscle in my body, paying close attention to issue areas such as my lower back where I’ve been experiencing pain due to SI joint inflammation and wrists that seem to be hinting at carpal tunnel as of late. The result was a truly relaxed state that had me feeling ready to get back out and at it in our urban jungle.

Bonus: Each purchase of a Forest Therapy treatment supports Trees Atlanta, a local nonprofit that helps look after the city’s greenspaces.

$395 for Forest Therapy Treatment

WHAT: DEEP CLEANSING BACK THERAPY

WHERE: SPA INTERCONTINENTAL ATLANTA

STORY: Giannina S. Bedford

I’ve been lucky enough to have had many facials in my life. A few years ago, I started getting them regularly, and they completely changed my skin for the better. One thing I’ve never experienced, however, is a back facial. I hadn’t considered my back to be a problem area for my skin, but after a summer at the pool and lots of missed spots of sunscreen, a Deep Cleansing Back Therapy at Spa InterContinental sounded like a great idea. What’s more, the spa uses Biologique Recherche products, cold formulated at the company’s laboratory in France, with botanical, marine and biological active ingredients.

After I was comfortably face

down on a warmed massage bed my therapist began by cleansing and hydrating my entire back. Next, she exfoliated with a non-abrasive rubber mitt and the gentle and vitamin-enriched Lotion P50W. After a dose of steam, it was time for extractions. I typically cringe when it’s time for these during my regular facials, but there weren’t many problem spots, and the skin on my back felt a lot less sensitive than my face. After just a few squeezes came the Gel d'Algues detoxifying algae back mask. The 60-minute treatment was topped off with a soothing back and neck massage that left me nearly asleep. Even though I don’t stare at my back on a daily basis, it felt indulgent to treat this often-neglected area to some well-deserved cleansing, unclogging and exfoliating. My therapist says the Deep Cleansing Back Therapy is a great way to refine and tone the skin on your back for bathing suit and backless dress season. I’ll keep that in mind for next summer!

$160 for Deep Cleansing Back

404.946.9175

intercontinentalatlanta.com/buckhead-spa

@spaintercontinentalbuckhead

SPA

Skin Pharm Buckhead's bright, comfortable waiting area puts patients at ease.

Caroline Willet Photography

Pickleball for Beginners

Your starter guide to America’s hottest sport

Pickleball, a cross between tennis, badminton and ping pong, was invented in 1965 by three dads in Washington State who wanted their kids to have something to play. Though it has had a slow claim to fame, it has seen exponential growth in the last five years and is the fastest growing sport in America. According to The Association of Pickleball Professionals, 48.3 million adult Americans—nearly 19% of the total adult population— have played pickleball at least once in the past 12 months. Atlanta has a Major League Pickleball team, The Atlanta Bouncers, as of this year.

“Atlanta is the ninth biggest pickleball market in the U.S., but we’re 77th for the number of courts available,” says Robb Herzfeld, owner of Atlanta Pickleball Center in Upper Westside that opened last year to provide a place for the increasing demand.

So what’s the big deal about it? Herzfeld says, “People get addicted to it very quickly because it’s fun,

social and competitive, and the exercise is incredible. I started playing four years ago when I was 48.”

Here, he illuminates us on the basics of the game.

Partners at Play

Pickleball can be played as a doubles or singles game on a 20-by44-foot court about half the size of a tennis court, but Herzfeld notes that doubles are more popular. “My favorite thing about the sport is as long as you have two or four players at a similar skill level, it does not matter your age, sex, nationality, background, anything,” he says.

Rules that Rule

The game is played until 11 or 15 points are scored and can take anywhere between 10 to 25 minutes per game. Herzfeld says many players choose to play several games in one session, spending around 1.52 hours on the court per outing.

The ball is served underhand and diagonally over the net. When

STORY: Karina Antenucci

the play for each new point begins, the ball has to bounce on the other team’s side and on the serving team’s side when it’s returned. From the third shot on, players can hit it back from the air as long as they don’t step into the non-volley zone or “kitchen” area in front of the net.

Three numbers are used in scoring, so if the server calls out 7-4-2, that means the serving team is winning 7 to 4, and their second server is serving. That third number will always be a 1 or 2. Herzfeld admits keeping score is the hardest part about pickleball.

“It isn’t difficult to catch onto the rules. A 30- to 60-minute clinic or lesson does the trick, and then skill and strategy can be honed by playing a few times,” Herzfeld says. “Scoring gets easier over time.”

Equipment Essentials

“Unlike more expensive sports like golf, it’s very easy to get in the game without having to buy a bunch a stuff. All you need is a paddle,

which can be rented for $3 at APC, a pickleball and some sports attire.

As you get better, you can upgrade the paddle,” Herzfeld says.

The paddle is like an oversized ping pong paddle. The balls are similar to sturdy whiffle balls with 40 holes in them for outside play on a hard court or 26 holes for indoor play on gym floors. Whereas tennis has always been a quieter sport, pickleball is noisy, which is why many prefer dedicated indoor courts for the sport.

Sporty Fashion

Pickleball attire is very similar to tennis. Most people play in tennis shoes, shorts or tennis skirts and a T-shirt. For serious players, pickleball sneakers are available from several brands such as Wilson and ASICS. “They look exactly like tennis shoes, but there are slight differences in the stability points,” Herzfeld says. n

Singles and doubles pickleball games abound at Atlanta Pickleball Center.

NEW SEASON, NEW GLOW

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

Now that summer has ended, we can find that the products and routines we used during summer aren’t exactly what our skin needs during the cooler months. There are a few things to keep in mind when considering fall skincare tweaks.

The first thing that our skin may need more of during fall is moisture. Products like hyaluronic acid are lightweight moisturizers that absorb

the atmosphere and hydrate the skin. These products are great for summer as they hydrate without being excessively oily or poreclogging. During the cooler months, there is less humidity in the air, and we may find that our skin becomes dryer. Switching your hyaluronic acid for a creamier, richer moisturizer or adding a moisturizer in addition to your hyaluronic acid products can be a highly effective method to boost the skin’s hydration.

When summer is over, we can feel the effects of the sun’s damaging rays on our skin. We notice fine lines, roughness and brown spots. So, this is a great time to rejuvenate with topical retinoids. Although topical retinoids can be used throughout the year, bumping up your nighttime retinoid or retinol regimen in the fall can help reverse damage suffered over the summer. Fall is also a wonderful time to add in creams and products to help remove unwanted pigment from the skin such as melasma and sunspots. Today, there are more products available than ever to remove dark spots and create a more even skin tone - including topical prescriptions such as hydroquinone, non-prescription brightening agents such as tranexamic acid and even oral prescriptions. It is important to seek the opinion of a boardcertified dermatologist to determine the right approach for your skin’s specific needs.

Fall is also an ideal time for treatments that erase the wear and tear from a playful summer’s indiscretions. Chemical peels varying in strength and intensity can help tighten, brighten and remove unwanted pigment from the skin. Now is also the best time of year to treat with laser procedures to decrease brown spots and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. These lasers can be stacked together into one treatment to reduce pigment, remove redness and smooth the skin’s texture. Of course, facials, micro needling and the newest, non-invasive, tightening and lifting device called SofwaveTM can be used all year round and remain invaluable tools in our arsenal against summer sun damage and ageing. At Atlanta Skin Wellness Center, we can help you erase summer skin damage so you can look your best for the upcoming holiday season.

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

Fall skincare essentials for healthy, glowing skin humidity from

COVID)—of 2020. In November of last year, the second location arrived in Westside Provisions District.

“Fragrance is like fine jewelry, sexy shoes or a gorgeous handbag. It’s an accessory!” she says. Here, the founder and creative director talks perfume and how INDIEHOUSE stands out.

What’s the INDIEHOUSE experience?

When you walk into our shop, all of the unisex fragrance bottles are grouped by mood. For example, the “modern romantic” section is florals, musks, things that are soft and sensual. The “urban bohemian” collection features sugar, spices, fruits and vanilla notes. “The sophisticated” group includes woods, mosses, the richer and more powerful scents.

What’s the best way for someone to pinpoint a personal scent?

Think of fragrances as an extension of what you want to communicate.

The one thing I know for sure is that women don’t have one mood. You don’t have one pair of shoes because you are communicating different

SCENT PROFILE

Carrie Hadley expands Atlanta’s perfume offerings

STORY: Karina Antenucci

versions of yourself with each wardrobe choice. It’s good to know where or how you’ll wear the scent.

What are the criteria for selecting the brands you sell?

I look at price point to make sure we have offerings in the $100, $100-200 and $250-plus ranges, and for a motivating or inspirational story behind the products—what is the fragrance artist trying to tell us?

Why is it important to you that your products follow European Union ingredient laws?

Products manufactured in the EU are key for us because it has one of the highest clean standards for tox-

ins and allergens in the world. The only one cleaner is Japan, and we have a line from Japan as well. The EU is strict about what you put on your skin and what you can inhale.

What makes the brands you sell special?

All but three or four brands are exclusive to us in Atlanta. The only crossover we have with those brands is with Saks and Nieman’s. I travel a couple times a year to Paris and Milan to see what is going on in the marketplace. What’s fun about our shopping experience is that you will interact with brands, such as Maison Crivelli from Paris, Masque Milano from Italy and Spirit

of Kings from Dubai, that you’ve never encountered before. A regular department store needs to move volume and has to offer things most people will like. Our niche brands don’t need to sell to the masses, so they can play a bolder game because most of them are formulating in really small batches using the highest quality ingredients.

What is your personal favorite scent of the moment?

It depends on the day and what I have planned! I tend to lean into the powerful leather scents like White Whale by Masque Milano that has a salty ocean top note and warms up into gorgeous, powerful leather. n

INDIEHOUSE MODERN FRAGRANCES indiehousefragrances.com @indiehousefragrances

CatMax Photography

Organize the Halls

Page 58

Professional organizer Nancy Meck helps bring peace to the holidays with practical tips.

“Organizing isn’t about what things look like; it’s about how things feel.”

— Nancy Meck

SAMPLE MENUS

Coleman shares a few solid meal options to complement breast milk or formula, which is still an infant’s priority nutrition until 12 months old.

BREAKFAST:

l ¼-½ of a well-cooked boiled egg with 1 tablespoon mashed avocado

l Iron-fortified infant wheat-based cereal with 2 teaspoons peanut butter and mashed banana

LUNCH:

l Well-cooked ground meat, such as beef or finely shredded chicken, moistened with breastmilk or formula

l Mashed tofu

l Mashed beans or lentils

SNACKS:

l Peanut butter or mixed nut infant puffs like, pictured left, Mission MightyMe (as is or mix with breastmilk or formula to make a slurry)

l Well-steamed broccoli or baby carrots

l 2 to 4 tablespoons unsweetened whole milk yogurt

DINNER:

l Well-cooked and mashed fish (no bones) with well-cooked sweet potato wedges

l Mashed tofu with quinoa or brown rice mixed with soft-cooked veggies or lentils

Do Them a Solid

When their babies are 4 to 6 months, parents are encouraged to introduce solid foods, including the nine most common food allergens. This isn’t only for nutrition and developmental reasons, such as teaching kids to pick up and swallow, and about flavor and texture, though. It’s also a key step in preventing allergies to milk, nuts, fish, shellfish, crustaceans, eggs, wheat, soy and sesame. Research indicates that the risk for food allergy increases when introduction is delayed until 12 months.

“Parents often experience so much fear around introducing allergenic foods, yet the risk is much higher to kids when we don’t introduce them early on,” says Sherry Coleman Collins, registered dietitian at Southern Fried Nutrition and spokesperson for the National Peanut Board.

Here are her helpful tips for how to get common allergens into little diets.

Healthy Thinking

From tree nuts to shrimp, allergenic

fare is healthy and nutritious. Temper your fear of introducing these foods to baby by thinking of them as part of a nourishing diet. “More than 90% of children do not develop food allergies. If they do, the reactions in infancy are typically pretty mild and much less severe than in older children,” Collins says.

Quantity Matters

While quantities vary by baby size, in general, aim for 2 teaspoons of allergenic food per feeding. “We want to get enough of a food to avoid the allergy but don’t want it to be an unpleasant experience,” Collins says.

Responsive Feeding

Never force-feed children if they are uninterested in eating what’s in front of them. Collins suggests looking to your baby for cues like turning their head or throwing the meal on the ground to show they’re not hungry or all done.

Introduce It Well

Feed babies new foods when they’re feeling well and start early in the day before a nap to observe them for ideally two hours postintroduction. “Don’t start with a sick baby who has an ear infection or upset tummy because it can confuse another issue with food allergy reaction,” Collins says. “The most common food allergy reactions are vomiting and hives all over the face, neck or torso, which usually happen within minutes but can take up to two hours.” A rare but more severe reaction, called anaphylaxis, may include lethargy, crying a lot more than normal, pawing at the mouth or difficulty breathing, and requires immediate medical attention.

Keep It Up

Once it’s successfully introduced, keep the food in the diet and offer it two to three times per week. “This consistency lowers the risk of developing allergies down the road,” Collins says. n

Introducing babies to allergenic foods can prevent allergies

STORY: Karina Antenucci

Sherry Coleman Collins, registered dietitian at Southern Fried Nutrition

PET PROTECTION

Anyone lucky enough to have pets should know how important it is to take them to the vet for regular checkups. But even the more seasoned animal owners may not be aware of everything they need to know when it comes to their pet’s health. For instance, indoor cats need certain vaccinations, and puppies and kittens require more specialized care when they are at such a vulnerable age.

Dr. Shannon Ewing, veterinarian and owner of Collier Animal Hospital in Collier Hills, recommends bi-annual exams and explains that taking your pet to the vet every six months is the equivalent of a person going to see the doctor every three to four years. “A lot can change in that time frame,” she says.

Cat Care

You may think that because your kitty never leaves the house that she’s not as susceptible to the woes of outdoor cats, but indoor felines still need

some annual vaccines, including the one that prevents rabies. This vaccine is also required by law in Georgia.

Ewing recommends that cats also receive the feline leukemia virus vaccine in their first year to ensure they build up antibodies while owners are deciding if they will be 100% indoors. She also explains that keeping a kitty inside is a safer lifestyle with less exposure to parasites, predators and cars.

Straight to the Heart

“Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitos, which are prevalent in the southern U.S.,” Ewing says. “Dogs and cats can serve as hosts for this parasite, and it is 100% preventable.”

According to Randi Schroedel, also a veterinarian at Collier Animal Hospital, it only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to transmit heartworms.

“Though dogs and cats cannot directly give heartworms to other

animals, mosquitoes that bite an infected dog or cat can then transmit them to other unprotected pets in the area,” she says. “Therefore, all dogs and cats need to be on heart worm prevention.”

Dental Duty

Just like having a clean mouth is imperative for humans, this also rings true for dogs and cats. Pets can get gingivitis, tooth decay, infection and periodontal disease, which Ewing says can lead to problems with an animal’s heart, liver or kidneys. Schroeder adds that while at-home dental care techniques for pets are important, those do not replace the need for professional cleanings and dental X-rays to evaluate root disease.

Detecting Discomfort

If your pet is doing anything out of the ordinary, such as hiding, acting lethargic or not eating, it’s important to take them to see a veterinarian.

“Any change in behavior or routine events, like drinking more than usual, more or less urine production and changes in stool consistency, should warrant a vet visit,” Ewing says. A good rule of thumb is to bring your pet to the vet for regular checkups, but if yours suffers from a chronic disease or condition, they may require additional care.

Little Blessings

Kittens and puppies need a little extra TLC during their first 16 weeks. According to Dr. Harshila Ballal, another veterinarian at Collier Animal Hospital, they need various vaccines every two to four weeks starting at six weeks of age. “We cannot predict when their mother's immunity wears off and the vaccines can take over the responsibility, which is why we have to do several rounds,” she says. n

All things considered to care for your furry friends

STORY: Chelsie Butler PHOTOS: Joann Vitelli

COLLIER ANIMAL HOSPITAL 404.407.0200 • collierah.com

Drs. Shannon Ewing and Hashila Ballal take pride in caring for clients' pets at Collier Animal Hospital.

Organize the Halls

The last months of the year are typically filled with gatherings and gifts. Of course, the holidays also bring something else to your home: clutter. From rooms full of decorations and tables set with beloved place settings to closets filled with crafts, presents, gift wrap and more, you often find yourself surrounded by so much stuff that it can be difficult to enjoy your time with loved ones. Fortunately,

there are measures you can take to make your home the perfect place to celebrate. Here, Buckhead-based professional organizer Nancy Meck shares her advice for keeping the clutter down and your spirits up this holiday season.

How can I make my home feel less cluttered during the holidays?

You have to be strategic about when you pull decorations out for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christ-

mas or Hanukkah. You need to reduce the amount of time that you feel there’s clutter in the house, so make sure you have the time, the energy and even someone to help you so you don’t take items out and leave them there waiting to be hung. Also, something becomes clutter when it no longer brings a positive impact to a space. If you have old decorations that are broken or that you don’t enjoy anymore, then it’s time to let them go.

Should I avoid purchasing new decorations each year?

The less we have, the less we have to manage. You should enjoy the spontaneous experience of buying something you like, but you need to be intentional about introducing new items into your home. It can be challenging with all of the marketing that stores do and the photos we see on Pinterest. But before you buy an item, think about how much you’ll be spending and the value it’s adding to your life. It might look great in a picture, but you have to figure out if it’s really going to work for you.

How do I manage all of the gifts I purchase during the holidays?

Start with a triage zone. Whether you’re buying from brick-andmortar stores or ordering online, you must have a place to put those gifts. Clear out a space to use so you’re not putting one item in a closet and another under the bed; you can forget where you put things. As items come in, carve out time to get them wrapped instead of waiting and having a five-hour wrapping fest, which can be stressful. If you can’t wrap something right way, make sure you have a place to park it.

What do you suggest when it comes to gift wrapping supplies? To cut down on gift wrapping clutter, consider using solid paper. You can get all sorts of fun colors and add holiday ribbons, stickers and trinkets to the wrapping. Ribbon takes up much less space, and solid paper can be used year-round. If you insist on having holiday-themed paper, do a proper inventory of what you have before you go to the store.

How can my family stay organized all season long?

Explain to your family what order is going to mean during the holidays. Maybe it means not leaving stuff on the floor, taking that extra effort to put dirty clothes in the hamper or emptying out the dishwasher when it’s full. Organizing isn’t about what things look like; it’s about how things feel. Staying organized during the season is about injecting joy into the holidays. n

Amy Meadows

Going Global Page 60

CULTURE

Ryan Cameron is a syndicated radio host, restaurant owner, foundation head and more.

“"I've never had more fun than I'm having right now.”

— Ryan Cameron

GOING GLOBAL

STORY:

Ryan Cameron’s 12th floor downtown Radio One office hints that the 57-year-old is more than a newly syndicated, afternoon radio host.

On his desk are two Southeast Emmy Awards from 1994 and 2006 for on-camera performances with WXIA-TV. A new addition received during the Ryan Cameron Foundation’s annual Father/Daughter Dance fundraiser in June is the Fatherless Foundation’s Dream Award for advocacy for men and their daughters.

Out the window is a striking view of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where he hypes up the crowd at Atlanta Falcons games.

A loaded keychain dangling from the office door’s lock serves notice that Cameron is in, not making community appearances or visiting his Dough Boy Pizza restaurant.

“I’ve never had more fun than I’m having right now,” he says.

The Atlanta native and Brookhaven resident has spent all but one year of his career in town. For

“Some people, they’re on the radio,” Ryan Cameron says. “Some people play on the radio. I live the radio. It’s what I do every day.”

almost two decades until 2021, he was the in-arena announcer for the Atlanta Hawks, a role he has handled for the Falcons since 2018.

Some fans blame him if the Falcons flop, he says. “They think that it’s more about what’s going on in the crowd and on the speakers than what’s going on on the field.”

He has no such problems with his youth-focused foundation, where programs range from a year-round leadership academy to golf clinics. The key, he says, is to focus on “just

the regular, everyday kid off the street with ambitions and goals.”

One foundation program helped him move into the pizza business. After he sampled Dough Boy Pizza in Birmingham, Alabama, and befriended the chef-owner, Erica Barrett, she agreed to let him open an Atlanta franchise if he found the right location. From holding an annual health fair at The Gallery at South DeKalb, he knew the mall had a long-vacant former Subway. Although Cameron sees Dough Boy’s authenticity as a big upgrade from typical food court pizza, he opened there in February.

“We are pretty secure in our pizza braggadocio,” Cameron says.

He tries to be at the restaurant every Saturday and is looking for a second location unrestrained by mall hours.

Dough Boy opened three months before he moved into syndication.

“The reason that shows get syndicated is because you’re dominating in your own market,” says Cameron, whose contract at Majic 107.5/97.5 expires in December. “We’ve been doing very well for a very long time.”

Four stations quickly picked up his afternoon show. Cameron expects to add more in his bid to go global through acting, voiceover work, podcasts, videos—whatever it takes to escape “kind of obsolete” traditional radio.

Cameron’s drive to be hailed as a “25-year overnight success” comes after he nearly died in 2020. He had heart-valve surgery that led to sepsis and developed into septic shock.

“If you ever feel like you’re about to die” after any hospital procedure, he says, ask your doctor about sepsis and the special blood test for the infection. The experience made him “look at things with more vigor, more excitement,” he says.

“Everything I do now is very purposeful and very deliberate.”

He does not, however, intend to slow down, especially while his three children in college and graduate school “act like education is the next best thing to sliced bread. They’re just going and going and going. There’s no way I can retire.” n

Radio syndication has Ryan Cameron ready to win beyond his hometown

Michael Jacobs

BREAKING FREE

Ending the legacy of abuse

Award-winning author, journalist and Buckhead resident Jennie Miller Helderman was researching an assignment about poverty in Alabama when she interviewed Ginger  McNeil, a polished, court-appointed advocate for victim’s rights who resembled a New York lawyer with Southern grace and charm.

Little did Helderman imagine that McNeil had been a victim of both physical and emotional abuse, trapped for years in a 500-square foot cabin deep in the Tennessee

STORY: Mickey Goodman

woods by her husband, Mike, who used the Bible like a weapon and wielded a .38 handgun.

Thus, began Helderman’s fiveyear odyssey to write McNeil’s story, As the Sycamore Grows, to shine a light on domestic violence and serve as a cautionary tale. The first edition was published in 2010, 10 years to the day after McNeil’s daring escape. It earned six literary awards and a stunning review by Pulitzer Prize-winning-author Rick Bragg. McNeil and Helderman made countless public appearances to

talk about abuse prevention.

“After the dramatic increase in domestic violence during the COVID-19 lockdown and beyond, I wanted to re-focus on the issue,” says Helderman, who updated Sycamore and added a list of resources for victims. It was re-released in June 2023 by Atlanta-based Lucid House Publishing and earned a top rating from Kirkus Reviews, a designation received by only 10% of the books the magazine evaluates.

McNeil’s brutal honesty and chilling story reads more like fiction

than fact. It’s enriched by Helderman’s interviews with more than two dozen friends and family members. She even inserted herself onto its pages. “I wanted to learn if any insight had come from reliving their experiences, and I had to be ‘there’ to tell their story,” she says.

One day, Helderman received a call from Mike who said, “If Ginger is going to tell her story, I want to tell mine.” To the author’s surprise, Mike readily admitted abusing McNeil and said he had no remorse and would do it again.

McNeil successfully escaped several times and returned to Mike because she wanted their sons to grow up with their father. Each time, she prayed he would live up to his promises to stop abusing her, but one day his threats became so violent that she feared for her life.

Remembering the phone number for a woman’s shelter she had seen on a billboard, she gathered her sons and fled, never to return.

At the shelter, McNeil thrived and felt safe enough to get a job, apply for a Federal Pell Grant and land a scholarship from a community college. After graduation, she devoted her career to advocating for victims. “My story represents hope and proof that the legacy of abuse can be broken,” she says.

Because six out of 10 children of abusers become abusers, McNeil warns her sons that she will intervene and do whatever it takes, even having their children removed, if they become abusive to either their wives or children. “People can change,” she says. “I changed. n

As the Sycamore Grows is available on amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and lucidhousepublishing.com

Nourishing your Body and Soul with

&

Share the experience, spread the word

Still Taking the Gold

Don’t use that “r” word around art connoisseur Fay Gold. The city’s leading lady of art may be 91, but she’s far from retired. The Buckhead resident continues to work with clients as a curator, discovering paintings and sculptures for private homes and businesses. On Sept. 19, Gold is the guest of honor at “Art is Gold – A Tribute to Fay Gold” at the Woodruff Arts Center. The gala, inspired

by the one at the Met, celebrates her legacy while raising funds for National Jewish Health, a Denver-based respiratory hospital she has long supported. Here, Gold gives a brief recap of her story.

What brought you to Atlanta in 1966?

I grew up in Brooklyn’s Manhattan Beach, and in 1964 I was married in The Plaza hotel. My husband manufactured women’s lingerie,

and he built a factory in Cartersville. We built a house in Atlanta with an art studio in the back. My children were 6 and 10 years old, and when they went to sleep, I’d paint.

Did you set out to have an art business?

No. I was a drama major at Adelphi college, but I was always interested in art. When I lived in New York, I took art lessons every Wednesday night,

and after moving to Atlanta, I took more classes for about four years at the High Museum here. Then someone in my neighborhood asked me to teach their children, and I soon had 60. So in 1966, I created Fay’s World and taught children and ladies two days a week. I soon started taking women to New York and D.C., and with the money I earned, I became a major art collector. Soon I was getting art for other people.

When did you open your first gallery?

It was 1980, and I did it because nobody was bringing New York artists to Atlanta. In fact, no one took me seriously. I was Mrs. Gold who taught painting in the backyard. But eventually the gallery became my focus, and I closed the school. I brought contemporary art to the South and developed the careers of many regional artists who are now famous, like Radcliffe Bailey.

What led to closing the gallery in 2009?

We had a bad recession. My husband retired and was home alone. I had an 8,000-square-foot gallery with three openings every month, and I decided, after 29 years, it was time. We had 600 people at the closing. I packed up 15 boxes and gave them to the Rose Library at Emory.

But you never stopped working? No! I don’t go out looking for the work, but clients come to me because of my reputation. I just did 14 pieces for the newly reopened Chops restaurant. I did a new unit at The Graydon and a townhouse on Peachtree. And I still do some pop-up shows. I’ll have one at the Buckhead Art and Company gallery before and after the Sept. 19 event.

Will you go back to painting?

Sometimes I think I will, but I'm busy working on my memoir, Basquiat's Cat, that's coming out next year. It’s been great therapy to remember the things I did as a child. And my home is still filled with art. I share a condo with my daughter, and I kept what I had room for. I had to let go of the sculptures and big pieces that didn’t fit, but I know they’re in happy homes. n

FAY GOLD AT JENNIFER BALCOS GALLERY 404.625.9094 • faygoldgallery.com

Fay Gold has been a mainstay of

Atlanta’s icon of art is 91 and busy as ever STORY: H.M. Cauley

David Clifton-Strawn

EVENTS BY Gillian Anne Renault

TASTE OF BUCKHEAD

EAT, DRINK AND GIVE BACK

It’s time for the 18th annual Taste of Buckhead. This year it will be at The Stave Room at American Spirit Works Oct. 19 and will feature restaurants such as NaanStop for Indian-inspired goodies, Fogo de Chão for Brazilian foods and Cinnaholic for dessert. Shake Shack and the Australian-inspired Isla & Co. will also be among the many restaurants, chefs and distill eries at the event.

This year, Taste will bring back its philanthropic initiative known as the Spirit Wall. Attendees can pur chase tickets to win donated bottles of wine or spirits, with all proceeds benefiting Rescuing Leftover Cuisine. RLC is a national nonprofit dedicated to redistributing excess food to individuals facing food insecurity. Robert Lee, RLC’s co-founder, experienced food insecurity during his childhood and was inspired to give to others this way. Over the last eight years, RLC has rescued more than 7 million pounds of surplus food.

“Together we are making a meaningful impact on our community,” says Rizwan Peera, the event chair and president of Taste of Buckhead’s host organization, Buckhead Business Association.

"It is an honor to spearhead an event that not only showcases the finest culinary delights of Buckhead but also raises funds for our chosen charity.”

Attendees will have a chance to pose for the caricature artist, take photos in a special booth and enjoy

tour of the ASW distillery. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. with VIP entry at 5:30 p.m. n

win donated wine or spirits, or just enjoy what's being poured, as this guest did at last year's event.

Cromwell Parkes Photo Credit

EVENTS BY Gillian Anne Renault

Chilling With Chili

What’s not to like about chili, especially when it’s cooked in different ways by more than 50 teams of amateur cooks, restaurant chefs and caterers? And when you can taste and eat all you want? On Nov. 4 at Dunwoody’s Brook Run Park, attendees can vote for their favorite chili of the day. The judges

Atlanta Chili Cook Off

will give out $5,000 worth of prizes to the top amateur team, the top restaurant team, the most spirited team and people’s choice. When you’ve had your fill (is there such a thing?), relax at the open bar to the sounds of DJ Suspense. There will be face painting and a playground nearby. General admission

BUZZ

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF

Oct. 6-8, 12-15, 19-22 cityspringstheatre.com/ shows/upcoming

is $25 in advance, $30 at the door. The fun starts at 1 p.m. The VIP allinclusive ticket ($50 before Oct. 15, $65 after) includes admission at noon. Children 10 and younger are free with an adult ticket purchase. n

The Opera Does Frankenstein

It’s that time of year again when friendly ghosts and smiling pumpkins haunt city’s neighborhoods. The Atlanta Opera’s contribution to Halloween is a big screen showing of the 1931 film Frankenstein, with original, live music accompanying the thrills. Tomer Zvulun, the Opera’s general and artistic director, has brought in composer/conductor Michael Shapiro for this first-time-in-Atlanta event.

“The film is a masterpiece, and with this new operatic, musical addition, it gains even more power and relevance,” Zvulun says. “Wear your favorite Halloween costume and come early for the pre-show costume party. The night promises

to be spooky fun for fans of scary movies and live music.” The event is part of The Atlanta Opera’s thriller theme this season, which includes an operatic version of The Shining Shapiro’s evocative score for Frankenstein will be performed in English

by five singers and The Atlanta Opera orchestra. The event takes place Oct. 28 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Tickets start at $30.

This 1971 musical won nine Tony Awards, and the songs, including “If I Was a Rich Man,” “Sunrise, Sunset” and “Do You Love Me?” became instant hits. Hear them all again, live. Tickets start at $37.

DUNWOODY SUNDAY CYCLE

Oct. 17

bikewalkdunwoody.org/events/ monthly-community-bike-ride

This fun, and free, family bike ride meets at Village Burger in Dunwoody Village and departs promptly at 4 p.m. Participants can bike the entire 4.5 miles or peel off on the shorter route. Helmets are required.

AUTO SHOW AT CHASTAIN PARK

Oct. 22

chastainparkautoshow.com

Car crazy? Sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead, this free car show supports the Chastain Park Conservancy’s mission. It takes place in the park’s red lot from noon to 3 p.m.

ATLANTA KNITTING GUILD

Oct. 4, 11, 18, 25

atlantaknittingguild.org/series/ social-knitting-in-person-wed Knitting doesn’t have to be a solo pastime. The Atlanta Knitting Guild meets on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon in the Parlor at St. Luke’s Presbyterian in Dunwoody. Bring whatever is on your needles and share tips with others.

The food will be hot at this year's Cook Off, but getting there doesn't have to be a hot mess. Festival goers are encouraged to get there by Uber, Lyft or taxi since parking is limited.

The Shops You Need For The Lifestyle You Want

With over 50 independently owned shops, Miami Circle is a top resource for both the interior designer and retail customer. It is one of the few places in Atlanta where you can find an extensive and diverse selection to suit all of your home décor needs. From traditional to modern, antique to new, The Shops of Miami Circle provide a world of interior design opportunities.

miamicircleshops.com

Pryor represents more than 60 exceptional artists, carefully selected from emerging and established talents across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and Berlin. Demand for the work of its artists has made the gallery a state- and nationwide destination for fine art. Top designers throughout the country source Pryor for commercial clients and for private collections each year. Centrally located on Miami Circle in Atlanta, Pryor Fine Art is a must-visit for art lovers in the area.

The quality and breadth of the art at Pryor makes it distinctive. The gallery’s artists span schools of abstract and representational painting and sculpture, displaying works in a range of expressive styles, and engaging with traditions from Abstract Expressionism to portraiture. The wide variety of artwork at Pryor reflects the gallery’s unique curatorial vision—defined by technical mastery and depth of feeling. A diverse group of artists has become a unified, cohesive family under the striking aesthetics and emotional authenticity they all share.

Since 1990, gallery owner Susie Pryor has cultivated a luxurious and welcoming environment for art viewing. Pryor’s first space in Atlanta, Bennett Street Gallery, brought her respect and recognition over 20 successful years at the original location. In 2010, Pryor renamed her gallery, and in 2011, moved into the 5,700-square-foot modern space that houses Pryor Fine Art today. A visit to the gallery, which is staffed by knowledgeable, committed art professionals, promises to be a captivating experience. Photography credit on home page and installation images, courtesy of Emily Followill Photography.

pryorfineart.com

Dr. Andrew Feinberg, a surgeon at Georgia Eye Partners, helps patients see clearly with a cutting-edge new surgery. Here, he's joined by model Brooklen.

MARVELS MEDICAL

INNOVATIONS IN MEDICINE ARE ADVANCING, RIGHT IN OUR BACKYARD

Health is something many of us take for granted, but if and when we experience an illness or other crisis, we turn to experts who can help. Fortunately, medical advances are happening all around us. From doctors conducting clinical trials to address childhood challenges and surgeons pioneering new ways to help cancer patients to organizations funding cutting-edge testing, we shine a light on those in our community doing impactful, forward-thinking work. And we hear from a couple of neighbors who have been the beneficiaries of medical advancements.

PHOTO: Erik Meadows

SURVIVING THE UNSURVIVABLE

Alan Avery fought his way back from a fatal bacterial infection

Buckhead gallery owner Alan Avery of Alan Avery Art Company attended a family reunion on the shores of North Carolina in August 2016. A news story on NPR talked about bacteria in the ocean, so he and his husband, Michael Newton, followed its advice to check their bodies for any cuts before they went in and thought nothing further of it. A week later, after Avery returned to Atlanta, he began feeling flu-like symptoms. That’s when things got weird.

Avery began to think someone was trying to break into his house. He was so paranoid that he nailed windows shut and called the police five times over the course of two days.

“In hindsight, I have now learned that it was the proverbial Grim Reaper trying to break into my house and my brain’s way of surviving by keeping him out,” Avery says of the hallucination.

The fifth time the police showed up, the officer recognized him from his call the day before and began asking more probing questions about drugs, mental health and infection, as she noticed some bleeding on his leg. With Avery’s consent, the paramedics arrived to give him

a drug test that came back clean. He doesn’t remember refusing to go to the hospital for treatment. The officer called his husband, who was across town, to explain her concern for Avery and to suggest he return home quickly.

When Newton arrived, Avery was talking to a friend who wasn’t there. Then his eyes rolled into the back of his head, and he began bleeding profusely. He was rushed to Emory University Hospital where the head of urology immediately diagnosed him with necrotizing fasciitis in his abdomen. The rare yet highly aggressive skin and soft tissue infection is commonly thought of as a “flesh-eating disease.” If not quickly treated, it can lead to sepsis, which is what Avery was experiencing. He later discovered his case was caused by Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium that naturally inhabits warm coastal waters around the world and can be contracted not only through seawater but by consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, particularly oysters.

What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. The surgical team at Emory performed five live-saving surgeries in 24 hours to

remove all infected flesh to stop the infection’s spread. During this process, Avery was put into a coma and given a life-saving combination of IV drugs to move blood away from the extremities to keep vital organs alive, a process that often leads to the loss of extremities. After being in a coma for a couple of months, he flatlined three times coming out of it.

It's incredibly rare for anyone with Vibrio in their abdomen to live, as a large portion of the lymphatic system is located in that area and can cause bacteria and infection to spread quickly. “I have more to do I guess!” Avery says.

Once back home, Avery was on a wound VAC, usually given to burn patients, for a year and underwent an excruciatingly painful process of every-other-day bandage changes by three nurses for seven hours. His daughter, Ayn Remillard, stayed by his side for support (and later returned to medical school to become a registered nurse with interests in emergency and wound care).

“It felt like I was being skinned alive. I could see down to my organs; that’s how much flesh the surgeons had removed. As your

skin grows back, it grows into the bandages,” Avery says.

He has since had 32 corrective operations, including skin grafts and multiple eye surgeries to save his eyesight from narrow-angle glaucoma, a residual problem along with short-term memory loss. Doctors and researchers, including those from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, continue to study Avery’s case because of his atypical outcome of survival with all of his extremities intact.

With sky-high out-of-pocket medical bills, another miracle ensued. In 2016, the now-late artist Todd Murphy rallied the arts community in one social media post to support Avery, a 42-year fixture in the Atlanta art scene. The Westside Cultural Arts Center put on a benefit that raised in one full night almost enough money to pay all of Avery’s bills.

“It was very humbling and changed who I was and how I saw people,” he says.

At first in a wheelchair as he learned to walk again, Avery returned to work in 2018 not only as a gallery owner but as a patient advocate. He became an advisory board member at Grady Memorial Hospital, where he went for skin grafts at its world-renowned burn center, to encourage better patient care practices.

In 2021, battling PTSD but amongst 200 people cheering him on, Avery got back into the ocean. “The only way to get through a traumatic experience is to walk through it. By sharing my story, I hope my scars become someone else’s sign of hope and that they also can and will live, like I did.”

Words to live by. n

STORY: Karina Antenucci PHOTO: Joann Vitelli

ALAN AVERY ART COMPANY 404.237.0370 • alanaveryartcompany.com @alanaveryartcompany

At home in Atlanta and on a wound VAC for one year.

Avery thanks guests for their support at a benefit at the Westside Cultural Arts Center.

Avery returns to the ocean in 2021, five years after contracting Vibrio vulnificus.

Avery is pictured here at the Alan Avery Art Company in front of Flatulence From Four Angles by Join Murugavell.

SEEING THE BIG PICTURE

Cutting-edge technology lets patients ditch their glasses

Dr. Evan Schoenberg knows plenty of people who can’t find their way out of bed in the morning without first grabbing their glasses. But he has a solution for that.

“A big part of what I do is getting people out of glasses and contacts,” he says. “It’s what I feel very passionate about. Being able to just see is so liberating, and that’s why ICL is one of the most important tools in a big toolbox.”

An “ICL” is the implantable collamer lens that Schoenberg and his part-

nearsightedness and nearsightedness with astigmatism. Part of the Georgia Eye Partners, the two are among 600 doctors in the country and the first in Georgia trained to perform the procedure named EVO (shorthand for evolution). Though it’s been accepted in Europe for some time, it was approved in the U.S. about 15 years ago but has yet to become as well-known. One reason may be because information about the procedure and its effectiveness hasn’t been widely distributed; another may be that as an elective, it’s usually not

STORY: H.M. Cauley

similar procedure, LASIK.

“The closest competing procedure is LASIK, which has been around a lot longer,” Feinberg says. “EVO is an untapped, under-recognized procedure that we’re working diligently to get the word out about.”

Both doctors agree EVO has distinct advantages when it comes to corrective surgery. At the top of the list is the ability to ditch those glasses and lenses.

“EVO has opened the door for people who didn’t think they could ever get away from glasses or contacts because they were told they weren’t good candidates for LASIK, usually because they’re too young, and their eyes haven’t stopped changing,” Schoenberg says. “But the criteria are totally different from LASIK. And for some people, it’s necessary. What if a lens falls out or you can’t find your glasses in an emergency?”

Feinberg touts EVO’s fast and easy recovery that usually has patients up and around the next day. Also, the implanted lens is designed to stay in the eye indefinitely but is removable, if need be. That’s a distinct difference from LASIK that causes perma-

nent changes to the cornea, he says.

And then there’s the COVID factor.

“We saw a big uptick in patients after COVID because a lot of people were frustrated by wearing glasses that fogged up with masks,” Schoenberg says. “And some thought, ‘Maybe I don’t want to be putting my fingers in my eyes [to wear contact lenses].’ People think that surgery is a big risk, but three years of wearing contacts daily has a higher risk of infection.”

Making it easier for people to see clearly is extremely satisfying, Schoenberg adds, who describes his family as “very visual” with a grandmother who was a professional artist and a father who was a physician. “I’m not an artistic person, but I get to use my hands and create in a way that works with my training and ability,” he says. “I’m also a futurist, so I always wanted to do something detail oriented and technically advanced. The fact that I get to stay on the cutting edge keeps me excited. And I still wake up and think how cool it is that I can see.” n

GEORGIA EYE PARTNERS 404.531.9988 • gaeyepartners.com

Dr. Evan Schoenberg (above) and Dr. Andrew Feinberg (left) are local pioneers in a process that helps patients see without glasses or lenses.

Last September, a 6-year-old boy was diagnosed with a low-grade brain tumor. His medical team started him on low-dose chemotherapy, and he began reacting negatively to the treatment, which caused fluid on his brain and necessitated a shunt. During that precarious time, his team received the young patient’s results from genetic sequencing through the Precision Medicine Program at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. According to Kristin Connor, chief executive officer of CURE Childhood Cancer, those results completely changed both his diagnosis and prognosis.

“The sequencing revealed that it was a high-grade tumor. It also contained a mutation that is commonly found in lung cancer,” she says. “The chemo he was on was never going to work for him. With the information, they were able to put him on a drug that targeted his tumor’s mutation, one that treats adult cancer. He’s now 7. He started the first grade, and he’s doing great. That genetic sequencing drastically changed his course of treatment.”

What boggles Connor’s mind, however, is that insurance does not cover the genetic sequencing offered by the Precision Medicine Program. What’s more, only 4% of the federal funding designated for cancer research is directed at pediatric cancers. That is where CURE steps in. Founded in 1975 by Emory University pediatric oncologist Dr. Abdel Ragab, CURE has raised more than $89 million for research and support services over nearly five decades.

“We focus 100% on research that’s specific to childhood cancers,” Connor says, adding that many adult cancer treatments do not work on childhood-specific ones. “Our goal is to help those kids who don’t really have any treatment options and get [treatments] to their bedside within two to three years. That’s where we focus our research funding.”

In 2015, Dr. Douglas Graham, director of the Aflac center, approached CURE about genetic

BE PRECISE

CURE Childhood Cancer funds testing that leads to personalized treatment in young cancer patients

STORY: Amy Meadows

mutations and genetic changes and target them with very personalized and precise treatment,” Connor says. “This is the most promising option that’s come along in decades, but there’s no funding for it.”

CURE committed $4.5 million in 2017 to help develop the Precision Medicine Program at the Aflac center. Since then, the organization has donated approximately $1.5 million per year to the program. The money helps pay the $5,000 fee for compre-

“Some of the mutations that are found do not have a drug that treats them yet, so this is informing research,” Connor says.

Six years after that initial financial gift, the researchers working with the Precision Medicine Program published a paper revealing that 85% of the children who receive genetic sequencing get information that impacts their treatment. It’s why CURE continues to partner with the Aflac

center and Children’s to make the program available. “These kids need our help, and no one is helping them. It is not a priority nationally, but we have the ability to really impact survival for them,” Connor says. “We can do it, and we should. It makes a huge difference.” n

Courtesy Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta

CURE CEO Kristin Connor is dedicated to helping fund research focused on childhood-specific cancers.

Drs. Kelly Goldsmith and Ryan Summers of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center’s Precision Medicine Program understand the need for personalized treatments for young cancer patients.

THE REVOLUTIONARY ALLERGIST

Dr. Brian Vickery leads cutting-edge pediatric

When Atlanta native Dr. Brian Vickery was doing his residency in pediatrics at New York Presbyterian Hospital in 2001-2004, he noticed a surprising trend. Almost every other child who came into his clinic for care had an allergy. He found himself spending all his free time reading about allergies and organi cally found his calling.

“I learned there’s a lot that we don’t know about the epidemic of allergic disease in kids. I think maybe this specialty chose me,” says Vick ery, chief of Allergy and Immunology and director of the Food Allergy Program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and an associate professor at Emory University School of Medicine.

In 2018, Vickery was recruited to Children’s to helm the Food Allergy Program in collaboration with research partner Emory. Last year, the program grew into an independent division of the hospital, Allergy and Immunology.

Vickery chose to focus his career on food allergies, a form of allergic disease that is the most common cause of anaphylaxis, or severe allergic reaction. “It didn’t make sense to me that a perfectly healthy kid could take two bites of a snack and find themselves in a life-threatening situation,” he says.

Food allergies affect 8% of children, or one in 13. Studies have shown that allergic disease tends to run in families and is more common in both urban environments and in kids from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, but there is not a single, elegant explanation of why yet. Vickery notes that food allergy prevalence is increasing over time for reasons that also are not clear. Without a treatment option other than the EPIPEN, the current recommendation is simply to try to avoid the foods that cause a reaction.

“It’s not a good standard of care, to be honest. Accidental reactions are common, so avoidance is difficult. It also comes with a lot of mental health costs for families, and it follows these kids every-

where—at home, at school, during travel and when they are socializing,” Vickery says.

During his time at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Medicine in the mid2000s, Vickery was instrumental in changing the national food allergy treatment guidelines. An NIH-funded study he conducted showed that consuming food allergens, specifically peanuts, in the first three years of life is safe and can desensitize children with allergies. The findings were subsequently validated by another large, randomized trial and have made their way into practice nationwide.

Today, Vickery and his colleagues at Children’s and Emory are on a mission to advance pediatric food

allergy research and treatments, with 11 active clinical trials and more to come by the end of the year. “When you have multiple shots on a goal, you increase the chance of making the shot,” Vickery says. The big future goal is to find a cure for food allergies, but in the meantime, they are working on solutions to protect kids from severe reactions. To do so, the researchers are testing administering immunotherapy through shots, orally, on the skin and sublingually. The results of one promising phase-three global trial were recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine and show that 12 months of treatment

with DBV Technologies’ Viaskin Peanut patch desensitized toddlers to peanuts, decreasing the chance of experiencing an allergic reaction.

Another approach the group has in the works is developing a biologic drug like those that have been approved for and useful in other immune-system-related or inflammatory conditions such as asthma or Crohn’s disease.

“I’m proud of the work our division is doing and how we will continue to grow over the next five years and beyond,” Vickery says. n

Dr. Brian Vickery, chief of Allergy and Immunologyand director of the Food Allergy Program at Children’s, is on a mission to protect kids from severe allergic reactions to food.

JUST BREATHE

Implanted devices keep kids sleeping

For much of her child’s early life, neither Nikki Vanderberg nor her daughter, Cassie, got much rest. Cassie’s severe case of sleep apnea connected to her Down Syndrome was keeping them both awake.

“It was so hard,” Vanderberg says. “I could hear her stop breathing and then gasping.”

Even after following the standard recommendation to have Cassie’s tonsils removed, the situation didn’t improve. The next step was to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, but that wasn’t much help either: Finding a mask small enough to fit a child was a challenge, and even after getting one, Cassie constantly fought wearing it.

The struggle continued after the family moved to Atlanta in 2014. But it wasn’t long before Vander-

berg’s doctor recommended a visit to Dr. Nikhila Raol, a Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta ear, nose and throat specialist conducting a clinical trial on an implantable device designed specifically for Down Syndrome children who suffer from severe sleep apnea.

“I’d never heard of it before, but they thought Cassie would be a great candidate,” Vanderberg says.

“They had to run all sorts of tests and sleep studies, but finally, in 2017, when she was 10, she was the youngest person to get the implant.”

The device, marketed under the name Inspire, is designed specifically for adolescents and young adults with Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy or other cranial issues. These patients have significantly higher rates of sleep apnea: between 30 and 60% compared to the general pediatric population, where rates

H.M.

range from 1 to 4%. In the medical trials, the device had a 73% success rate, measured by the numbers of patients who dropped out of the “severe” range. In some cases, patients were cured.

“Much of the time, these children have issues with sleep apnea because they have a different facial skeleton,” Raol says. “The tongue is large, they have less muscle tone, and they tend to be overweight or obese—all things that contribute to sleep apnea.”

The device, about the size of a pacemaker, is implanted in the patient’s chest. Sensors are placed near the lungs and under the chin to move the tongue out of the airway.

“It was a major surgery for a little girl,” Vanderberg says. “But after she healed and recovered, and we went through several more sleep studies to check the results, things

changed immediately.”

Vanderberg turns on the battery-operated device when Cassie goes to bed and shuts it down each morning. “It’s pretty incredible,” she says. “I don’t hear her stop breathing. It’s been life changing. Sleep has gotten so much better for both of us.”

Along with similar sleep success stories, Raol has heard from parents that their children also have improved cognition and speech.

“It’s all anecdotal, but it has given us the idea for another trial,” she says.

Raol also encourages parents with children who might be helped by the device to explore the possibilities with their doctors. “Getting it approved has really improved access for many more children.” n

soundly

STORY:

Cauley PHOTO: Joann Vitelli

A revolutionary treatment for sleep apnea in children with Down Syndrome has helped Nikki Vanderberg (left) and her daughters, Cassie (center) and Alyssa, get a good night's sleep.

AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

Joanne Hayes shares her personal story of facing and beating breast cancer

Simply Buckhead publisher Joanne Hayes was sitting in bed on a Sunday morning last November, drinking coffee and watching the news with her husband, when she received a notification: The results of her breast biopsy had been posted in her MyChart portal. She had the procedure after a routine mammogram six months earlier showed a small spot that led to an ultrasound and a follow-up appointment. The spot demonstrated some growth in the updated mammogram, and the radiologist immediately sent Hayes for the biopsy. While she had experienced five brushes with breast aspirations and having fibrocystic breast lumps removed in her 20s and 30s, she did not expect to read what she did that day.

“The biopsy came back as invasive ductal carcinoma. It was shocking,” she says. “MyChart can be a blessing and a curse because sometimes you get your results faster than even your doctor does. But I knew what I was reading. Within two hours, I had reached out to our friends at CURE Childhood Cancer to get a recommendation. I was referred to Emory Winship Cancer Institute. On Monday morning, I called for an appointment. Eight days later, I was sitting in a surgeon’s office. That’s the point when your journey begins.”

For Hayes, that journey included more in-depth imaging that ultimately revealed an additional concerning spot near the original one, as well as two spots in her other breast. Those results led to both ultrasound-guided and MRI-guided biopsies to determine the severity of the cancer, as well as the options for treatment. Fortunately, because of the location of the cancer, Hayes was a candidate for a new state-ofthe-art surgery: a nipple sparing mastectomy.

“A nipple sparing mastectomy is usually done through a lower

STORY: Amy Meadows PHOTO: Erik Meadows

incision hidden along the inframammary fold (lower breast crease) or around the nipple with a plan for immediate reconstruction. No skin is removed in an effort to preserve the natural breast shape and allows patients to keep their own nipple and areola,” says Dr. Angela Cheng, who specializes in breast reconstruction surgery at Winship Cancer Institute. While a key benefit of the surgery is a cosmetic one compared to a traditional mastectomy, this type of surgery provides equivalent cancer control to a standard one. What’s more, a small percentage of patients may be able to retain sensation in the nipple area after surgery. Dr. Lauren M. Postlewait, breast surgeon at Winship, adds, “The option should be discussed with both the plastic and breast surgeon to determine what is best for each individual patient.”

Four months after her initial diagnosis, Hayes underwent a double nipple sparing partial mastectomy. She was grateful to be treated at Emory Winship Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center. She received treatment at the Clifton campus, where all of the services she required—from visits with her surgeons and oncologist to advanced imaging and the surgery itself—were located. “Having breast cancer is stressful every single day,” she says. “Here, everything is in the same building. It minimizes the stress, which is a big deal.”

After her first surgery, Hayes learned that she would have to have a double mastectomy, removing the additional breast tissue to ensure no growth beyond the original margins. The second surgery, along with Oncotype DX testing that predicts how likely breast cancer is to return, let Hayes avoid additional treatment such as radiation or chemotherapy, due to her

extremely low chance of recurrence.

“After my second surgery in June, I was declared cancer free,” says Hayes, who underwent a fat grafting surgery in September to reduce some skin rippling. And while her surgeries and subsequent recovery were long and grueling, she now sees her experience as an opportunity to encourage other women to take control of their health and get screened regularly.

“When I went for that mammogram in May of 2022, I didn’t feel anything,” Hayes says. “The cancer was buried so deep. There wasn’t a physical lump. I never felt unwell. There was no indication that anything was wrong. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Early detection is absolutely key. Get tested. Never push aside any of the doctor appointments that you should be doing like your annual gynecological appointment or your mammogram.”

Hayes offers advice for navigating the unexpected journey. “You have to be your own advocate. Do your research about what is happening to you. Ask a million questions. Every person’s journey will be different. How you choose to deal with the journey is also a big part of how you come out of it. I ended up being the one in nine who has to go through it. But cancer doesn’t

COMPREHENSIVE CARE AT EMORY WINSHIP CANCER INSTITUTE

Winship Cancer Institute is Georgia’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, which boasts eight clinical sites across metro Atlanta. The newest location opened in Midtown in May 2023, offering pioneering treatments and new standards of care for cancers of the lung, blood, head, neck and breast, as well as genitourinary and gastrointestinal cancers.

The Winship Midtown location uniquely joins outpatient and inpatient cancer care into care communities. Each of the five care communities consists of two floors designated for treating a specific type of cancer, with one floor for inpatient care and one floor for outpatient care; this model is the first of its kind. And across the communities, patients have access to world-class care that includes advanced imaging, personalized treatment plans and much more. Winship is leading the way in cancer care with innovative approaches and unique services.

EMORY WINSHIP CANCER INSTITUTE

404.778.1900 • winshipcancer.emory.edu

David Kresses

DELICIOUS

CHIDO & PADRE’S PAIRS FRESH BAJA MEX WITH A PARTY VIBE

Whether it’s the sounds, aromas or sights that first hit you, prepare to be wowed when entering Chido & Padre’s on East Andrews in Buckhead.

When visiting any restaurant for the first time, it’s my taste buds that I most hope to impress. Rarely does the decor grab my attention. But Chido & Padre’s beguiles in

every direction. If the name didn’t tip off that this is a Mexican restaurant, the lavish bright colors, Frieda images, calaveras (decorated skulls associated with Day of the Dead), flowers, textiles, tiles, succulents and cacti should do the trick. Running out of things to say to your dining companion? Look around: Fascinations abound and can help spark a conversation.

STORY: Hope S. Philbrick PHOTOS: Erik Meadows

Carne asada, Spanish for ‘roast meat,’ makes a meal of juicy skirt steak with black beans, cilantro rice, fresh avocado, corn salsa, vibrant sauces and warm tortillas.

entrance and an earthy wood one along a side wall. Several booths and tables strategically face each bar. Additional seating is offered in individually decorated areas. One round table under star lights is hugged by a wall of lush plants on one side and deer wallpaper on another. A sunroom mimics the outdoors with tile-top tables plus a variety of metal and wicker chairs; an umbrellashaded patio is part of the outdoors. Tables vary in size and shape to accommodate nearly any size group.

Wherever you sit, and even if you arrive as the doors open and most seats are still vacant, it feels like a party is going on. Music plays at high volume; at times selections are spun by a DJ. Servers bustle around, sometimes stepping with the beat. A mouthwatering mix of peppery,

shows no signs of stopping.

Whether it’s brunch or dinner, a margarita is a good place to start. Several versions are offered, including a tart take on the classic called The House Authority with blanco tequila and fresh citrus. Smoky Hibiscus carries strong smoke notes even if you swap the mezcal for tequila. Watermelon Ginger delivers a firm spice kick. Raspberry Mint is liquid yum that’s not too sweet or too tart, just right. Prefer a different quencher?

Any signature cocktail may do the trick. The Buckhead Cucumber Lemonade with gin, ginger beer and the named fruits is one refreshing option.

Guacamole with chips makes for satisfying nibbles while pondering the menu. Crisp tortilla chips and fresh avocado smashed with onions, lime and cilantro are so good that

1. Kicky fresh avocado guacamole is a heavenly match with crisp tortilla chips.

2. Breakfast tacos offer warm comfort and a tongue-tingling good morning.

3. A colorful treat, tostadas offer a tasty contrast of textures packed with zesty flavors.

4. This Mexican street corn is hard not to gobble down in record speed.

5. Enchiladas rojas bursts with sublime smoky, peppery and umami flavors.

6. Charro beans get a spicy kick from chorizo sausage.

7. Chicken mole’s velvety sauce harmonizes spicy, smoky, earthy and fruity notes.

Huevos rancheros is a brunch menu hero that makes its ingredients shine.

and tomatillo; two arrive stacked atop a warm, spicy red sauce. It’s wise to save a few chips to use as scoops in order to not miss a drop.

Enchilada rojas is a standout. Four guajillo pepper-soaked corn tortillas, stuffed with either shredded chicken or vegetables, are topped with a medium-hot red chile sauce plus Oaxaca (semisoft) and cotija (aged) cow’s milk cheeses. Cooked to perfection, the smoky, peppery and umami flavors are sublime.

Chicken mole douses grilled chicken breast with red mole s auce that’s velvety smooth with complex spicy, smoky, earthy and fruity notes. A basket of warm, soft tortillas is served alongside, perfect to sop up extra sauce.

Carne asada plates grilled-to-order skirt steak with fresh avocado

Mexican street corn dresses roasted kernels with traditional ingredients including mayo, spice and Cotija cheese for a delightful combination of char, sweet, salty, creamy and tart flavors that beg for repeated forkfuls. Charro beans kick pintos to tingling new heights with spicy chorizo sausage in the dish.

Brunch menu heroes include huevos rancheros that layer black beans, avocado, cotija, ranchero chili salsa and pan-fried eggs atop crispy tostadas. It’s the kind of dish that proves the sum can be greater than its parts. A comforting dish, breakfast tacos tuck scrambled eggs, chorizo, potato hash, queso, tomatillo salsa and lime crema into a trio of warm tortillas.

If you manage to save room for dessert, consider tres leches, the famed three milk cake with

fluffy frosting and berries. The generously sized piece can easily be shared by two. Four fried churros, served warm and crispy, arrive with chocolate and vanilla bean dipping sauces; both are scrumptious, yet

Chido & Padre’s 404.848.9100

• chidoandpadres.com

may favor the vanilla one.

In Mexican Spanish, chido is a colloquial way to say cool, nice or good. Padre means father. Cool folks of all ages can enjoy vibrant sensory delights at Chido & Padre’s. n

• @chidoandpadres

Prices: Signature cocktails, $11-14; starters, $5-18; salads, $10-12; traditional dishes, $14-18; large plates, $22-30; sides, $3-6; desserts, $8-9; brunch plates, $14-22; happy hour margaritas, $8; snacks, $4-15; kids’ menu, $4-10.

Recommended: Raspberry mint margarita, huevos rancheros, enchiladas rojas, Mexican street corn, chicken mole.

Bottom line: Casual restaurant with a vibrant ambiance and festive vibe serves fresh Baja Mex fare alongside high-quality drinks.

Cocktail options abound with flavor profiles that range from smoky to fruity, tart to sweet.

Treat your taste buds to tres leches (three milk) sponge cake layered with fluffy frosting and berries.

FALL FORWARD

Cocktails that straddle the seasons

The word “fall” brings to mind piles of leaves, harvest, sweatshirts and bonfires. Sept. 23 is technically autumn, but in the South, days are commonly warm, and the seasonal shift arrives a little later. Still, mornings are cool, and sunset comes sooner. Just as we don’t hang up our bikinis and pull on a sweater, beverage menus don’t abruptly move from frosé to toddies.

Bartenders make subtle changes or additions to cocktails when it is no longer summer, but it doesn’t yet feel like fall. Aged and darker spirits and spices evoke autumnal flavors, with citrus and tropical fruit keeping a toe in the summertime pool.

Corn is one ingredient that can bridge seasonal taste. Once barren corn stalks dry, we adorn our fall tablescapes and front porches for harvest season. Adding corn liqueur evokes the summertime sweetness of fresh corn as well as the caramel, toasty notes of autumn.

STORY: Angela Hansberger

The bar at Miller Union balances the grassy notes of tequila with Nixta’s Licor de Elote, made with heirloom corn. It may be called Electric Mayhem out of reverence for the jam band on “The Muppet Show,” but it’s a sophisticated sipper that could easily take inspiration from shifting seasons.

Electric Mayhem gets a ruby hue from Cocchi Rosa Americano aperitif and fruit balsamic, which also lend fruity flavor and an acidic complexity. Fresh squeezed lime juice brightens, while those roast corn flavors pull your taste buds to fall.

Il Campione is literally “the champion” of Dryver Bar’s Formula One-themed cocktail pit stop. “The cocktail was made to recreate pistachio gelato,” says Jose Pereiro, who co-created the drink with fellow barman Bernardo Carrillo. Savory Patron Silver tequila and Nixta corn liqueur shake together with pistachio orgeat for nutty fall flavor. Huana soursop liqueur

harkens to summer with tropical sour notes. Albumin powder (dry egg whites) helps achieve a creamy texture. “An ice sphere represents a scoop of gelato,” Pereiro says. When clinking glasses on an evening at Rooftop L.O.A., you can be next to the pool or a firepit, should the evening get chilly. Dance with the Devil puts those vibes into a glass with an edgy twist on a margarita. Siete Misterios mezcal is the bold, subtly smoky backbone of the drink. Turmeric adds a savory, slightly bitter essence, while habanero brings vegetal notes to the glass. Fresh lime juice brightens and heightens with citrus zing, and summertime comes with a wave of passionfruit. n

DRYVER BAR dryveratls.com • @dryverbar

MILLER UNION millerunion.com • @millerunionatl

ROOFTOP L.O.A. rooftoploa.com • @rooftop_loa

FLY ME TO FALL

Want an easy transitional cocktail to make at home? The Paper Plane is a modern classic similar to a whiskey sour, only a bit smoother—a whiskey drink non-whiskey drinkers like. It's bitter, bright and delightfully complex. Plus it is simple to make and remember thanks to its 1:1:1:1 ratio of equal parts bourbon, Aperol, lemon juice and Amaro Nonino. Nonino is an Italian bittersweet liqueur known for its light, citrusy and herbal qualities. Less expensive Montenegro makes a delicious swap. Not a bourbon fan or simply want a lighter version? Trade out bourbon for gin, and the cocktail still sings.

Paper Plane Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

¾ ounce bourbon

¾ ounce Aperol

¾ ounce Amaro Nonino (or other herbal liqueur)

¾ ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice

INSTRUCTIONS

Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled and the outside of the shaker is frosty, about 20 seconds. Strain into a cocktail glass.

flavor in Dryver Bar's Il Campione.

Left: In Electric Mayhem at Miller Union, Nixta corn liqueur is a tender modifier between tequila and the savory depth of fruit balsamic.

Dance with the Devil at Rooftop L.O.A. the perfect sipper between seasons.

The Cocktail Shaker

Evan Sewel

n Buckhead’s Prefecture Japanese Steakhouse is open in the former Restaurant Eugene space on Peachtree Road. Wagyu beef is the star of the tasting menu that features the meat prepared in an array of different methods. prefectureatl.com

n Buckhead Village’s Storico Vino is now Pachengo’s, a Mexican taqueria featuring a simple menu and a casual, communal space. @pachengos

t In honor of its one-year anniversary, Rooftop L.O.A. has expanded its offerings with an upgraded menu and a private chef’s table. rooftoploa.com

HOME GROWN

In partnership with Hickory Hill farm, Buckhead’s Le Bon Nosh brings customers locally sourced food

Buckhead’s all-day cafe, Le Bon Nosh, is expanding upon its mission to celebrate simple, seasonal fare with the launch of its weekly $42 organic produce bag, produced in partnership with Hickory Hill Farm in Carlton. It includes at least seven vegetables and one fruit, and a QR code with a featured recipe inside a branded tote bag. Orders may be placed through the Le Bon Nosh’s website, with pickups available in the restaurant every Wednesday. We spoke with Le Bon Nosh chef/founder Forough Vakili about this new initiative and what else to expect.

What inspired the organic produce bag? We wanted to give our guests a chance to experience the amazing ingredients that we source locally for the restaurant in their raw form. We feel strongly about eating with the seasons and believe these organic produce bags are a great opportunity for our guests to support Georgia farmers while nourishing their bodies.

What do pantry and grab-and-go add-ons look like?

These options are the staples that we have in our pantry, such

Season's Eatings

Chow À La Carte house chef Michele K. Tompkins shares her comforting stuffed sweet potato recipe

Now open at Uptown Atlanta on Piedmont Road, Uptown Test Kitchen highlights cuisine from seven different house chefs and rotating guest chefs on weekends with its Chow À La Carte culinary

as salad dressings, soups, ragu bolognese, pesto, baba ganoush, chimichurri and desserts. They pair beautifully with the weekly produce and make getting a nourishing meal on the table even simpler.

How is this offering unique?

The concept of the organic produce bag is to totally differentiate itself from popular meal kits, in that we are providing our guests with locally sourced, organic produce from farmers in the metro area. Popular meal kits are typically centrally processed, distributed nationally and

program. One of the house chefs, Michele K. Tompkins of Roots & Culture Craft Kitchen, shares a signature dish.

Stuffed Baked

Sweet Potato Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

6 medium to large baked sweet potatoes, warm

1 ½ cups tri-color quinoa, cooked

1 small red pepper, thinly sliced

1 small poblano pepper, thinly sliced

1 ½ cup black-eyed peas, cooked

1 cup roasted red beets, diced

1 cup fire-roasted corn cut off the cob

½ cup red onions, thinly sliced

½ cup each fresh yellow squash and zucchini, thinly sliced

come with a big carbon footprint. We also provide a recipe based on the weekly produce to inspire the home chef to cook seasonally.

What will your e-commerce offerings look like over the coming months?

The e-commerce arm of Le Bon Nosh is just getting started.

We will be adding prepared meals for two or four, additional dips and sauces, more soup options and our house-blend spice mixes. n

4 ½ cups curly kale, chopped ½ cup golden raisins

½ cup pepitas, toasted

INSTRUCTIONS

In a medium mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients except potatoes and toss until well mixed. Toss with vinaigrette until lightly coated, reserving half a tablespoon for each potato. Cut a small insert vertically along the baked sweet potato, then push towards the center from the four corners. Season with a pinch of kosher salt and freshly cracked pepper, and drizzle half a tablespoon of the champagne vinaigrette onto the potato. Using a set of tongs, evenly portion the black-eyed pea and vegetable

mixture into the sweet potatoes.

Champagne vinaigrette

3-4 garlic cloves, chopped

4 tablespoons Dijon mustard

½ cup champagne vinegar

4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons agave or honey

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper

1 cup extra virgin olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients together except olive oil. In a slow, steady stream, whisk in the oil until the dressing becomes emulsified. Adjust salt and pepper to taste as needed.

LE BON NOSH • 404.835.2007 lebonnosh.com • @lebonnosh

UPTOWN TEST KITCHEN @testkitchenuptown

organic produce bag offering at Le Bon Nosh.

Spreading Happiness

Buckhead’s “Mama Gale” Parker delights diners with over-thetop decorations at Amore e Amore

When Gale Parker met her husband Giovanni Ferro, her entire life changed. She went from working in textiles in New York to marketing in Atlanta, then to running Asti, a Buckhead restaurant. When Ferro sold Asti, Parker assumed the couple was retired. While out to dinner one night, Ferro stumbled upon an Italian restaurant called Il Localino in Inman Park.

“I liked traveling and lying on the beach, and didn’t really want another restaurant,” says Parker, who lives in Buckhead. “But Giovanni had to have that restaurant. He has incredible instincts. Somehow he just knew.”

They transformed the space into the successful, white-tablecloth Il Localino that they ran for the next 20 years. After the pandemic, they renamed it Amore e Amore, keeping the menu and redesigning the interior to

reflect different holidays and themes throughout the year, the most recent of which was Harry Potter.

“I still work seven days a week. The love we receive in the restaurant is extraordinary,” says Parker, who goes by Mama Gale. “For most people, in the two to three hours they spend with us, their lives are lightened a little bit. That gift bounces off the walls to us. It’s a party.”

Here, she shares her story.

Tell us about the early days of Il Localino.

We got the keys at 1 a.m. on September 30, 2000. We decided to just open the doors, see who showed up and build the restaurant the neighborhood needed. Giovanni was in the kitchen; I was on the floor schmoozing. I asked people if they could have anything to eat, what would it be. We did this for 140 consecutive days. We were there almost 24 hours a day. Within two weeks of people finding out we were [in Inman Park], there was a line around the block.

Why do you live in Buckhead when the restaurant is in Inman Park?

Buckhead is where life started for Gio and me. If I’m going to be in Atlanta, Buckhead is home. We are high-rise people. We have 14-foot windows. It’s breathtaking—the greenery, the quiet.

Buckhead is a city inside a city. People are out and about all the time. I can feel the pulse of the city coming through my shoes when I walk down the street. There are 1,000 places I can get to in 10 minutes.

How did you come up with the concept for Amore e Amore?

In 2021, people were not themselves. Everyone was going through something. I started searching for a way for all of us to get back [to normal]. After New Year’s Eve, I didn’t take down the decorations. I said, “We are going to do New Year’s Eve all month.” Nobody could get enough of it! Next was Valentine’s Day. It was so well received that I started to panic about what would happen in March. I thought, “Who doesn’t love The Wizard of Oz?” The minute people walked through the door, it was like COVID never happened. My favorite part of the night was standing at the door and watching the faces of the guests walking in. I became addicted to that rush.

Why do people call you Mama Gale?

The restaurant is a family. My staff are like kids to me. If they’re sick, I have doctors for them. It’s become part of my identity. n AMORE

STORY: Carly Cooper PHOTO: Joann Vitelli

FUN FACT

Parker has two children: a glassblower in Denver and a graphic designer in New York. Her stepdaughter also lives in Atlanta.

FEATURED RESTAURANTS

A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead

The Flying Biscuit Café's "famous" breakfast features “creamy dreamy” grits, fried eggs, chicken sausage and those yummy biscuits.

Lamb and prawn namtok is a perennial favorite at Bangkok Station.

Tender ricotta gnudi with delicate sauce and seasonal produce is wine-friendly fare at Lucian Books and Wine.

BY:

BANGKOK STATION

Of all the restaurant staffs in Buckhead, these folks may be our favorite. Polite and accommodating to a fault, they make it nearly impossible not to enjoy its exotic comfort food. Whether you eat in the cavernous dining room or out on the sexy, music-infused patio, starters such as peek gai tod thoong-thong and Crying Tiger will crush any doubt you may have about whether there’s good Thai food down South. For more substantial but no less authentic fare, dig in to the massaman and panang curries, Drunken Man noodles or our favorite Thai chicken dish, gai yang som tum. Save room for homemade coconut cake; it’s as sweet and genuine as the staff’s warm invitation to return again soon.

Starters, soups and salads: $7-$23

Curries, sautés and noodle and rice

dishes: $14-$23 • Main Entrees: $19-$32

Desserts: $5-$9 • bangkokstationthaifood.com

CASI CIELO

Casi cielo translates to “almost heaven,” and it’s a fitting description for this sophisticated Sandy Springs Oaxacan eatery. You’d be loco to miss the tender, charcoal grilled octopus, earthy portobello or mahi-mahi

tacos, the crunchy plantain croquettes or buttery Chilean sea bass. Equally enticing is the world-class mezcal collection and the exotic cocktails made with favorite brands such as Alipus, Nucano and Gracias a Dios. The gracious staff epitomizes high-bar professionalism.

Appetizers, soups and salads: $6- $18

Quesadillas, tacos and bowls: $12- $18

Main dishes: $15-$43 • Desserts: $9 casicieloatl.com

FLYING BISCUIT CAFÉ

Flying Biscuit Café is a touchstone of diner life here in Atlanta, and with good reason.

“Creamy dreamy” grits and flaky Southern biscuits round out most every meal, and there are loads of tummy-warming substantial dishes to choose from. Turkey hash, the Not

Your Mama’s Pimiento Cheese Sandwich and chicken pot pie (made with hot, buttery biscuits, of course) are reminiscent of grandma’s kitchen, and the congenial staff will keep you coming back for more. Gordo Stevens’ artwork across the walls and ceiling adds a funky, kitsch-cool vibe to the Brookhaven outpost of this breakfast and brunch favorite.

Breakfast: $3.29-$12.99

Lunch: $4.99-$12.99 • flyingbiscuit.com

GRINDHOUSE KILLER BURGERS

The Piedmont Avenue location of burgerpreneur 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

LE COLONIAL

Le Colonial’s website describes this upscale French-Vietnamese restaurant as “a luxurious escapist oasis,” and we’d agree. Amidst potted palms, starched white tablecloths and whirring vintage fans, glitzed-up diners are transported back to 1920s Vietnam and enjoy the culinary synthesis of the era. Favorite street fare such as banh mi thit nuong (chargrilled pork sandwich) and pho bo (beef noodle soup) get the white glove treatment with chef Richard Lee’s skillful way with Asian herbs and spices. Classic favorites of crispy pan-seared chicken dumplings, garlicky beef rice noodle rolls and curried green papaya salad will have you hankering for a one-way ticket to Saigon.

Small plates: $12-$24 • Soups and salads: $10$18 • Large plates: $14-$60 • Sides: $4-$11 Desserts: $12-$14 • lecolonialatlanta.com

LUCIAN BOOKS AND WINE

Whatever you order, bet on stunning presentations and delicious flavors at this Buckhead Village-adjacent eatery. The concept combines the owners’ passions of art, books, wine and hospitality. Executive Chef Jason Paolini helms the fine dining kitchen. Harmonious flavors, contrasting textures, sophisticated preparations and artful plating are running themes. Seasonal produce drives the menu, so options evolve. From starters through desserts, all plates are easy to share, though you may envy every bite your dining companion takes. More than 400 wines are featured on the drinks menu, including some rare finds. The stunning cases are packed with books for sale; all non-fiction, they’re primarily about art, design, fashion, food and wine.

Reservations are strongly encouraged: Lunch reservations are for 90 minutes, dinner for two hours. Call or book via Resy with a credit card; no-shows and late cancellations trigger a $50 per person fee. Lucian validates parking for two hours in the building’s underground lot.

Small Plates: $6-25 • Medium Plates: $16-29

Mains: $38-48 • Desserts: $12-18

Wines: $16-34/glass; $50-990/bottle lucianbooksandwine.com

NEWK’S EATERY

This Mississippi-based chain has popped up in the Atlanta market, and though it looks like a fast-food joint, it tastes like homemade. Salads—from shrimp remoulade salad to a delicious steak-and-blue-cheese version to old-fashioned chicken salad—are a standout. At this casual, family-friendly, crowd-pleasing spot you can also get sandwiches, pizzas and mac and cheese but, refreshingly, no burgers. We are pretty crazy about the sausage-and-pepperoni pie, with its thin crust and warm and gooey toppings. And who can resist a crispy rice treat with chocolate and peanut butter? Not us. Salads, sandwiches and pizzas: $7-$11 newks.com

PIG-N-CHIK

Co-owner Jim Graddy tells us he learned the art of the pit on his granddaddy’s pig farm in Manchester, Georgia. Graddy remembers cooking whole hogs all night long over hot coals, and when we tear into his pulled-pork sandwich— a delicious pile of pink, smoke-tinged meat between two thick slabs of white bread—we believe him. Graddy has proudly transported his family’s traditions to his casual Southern ’cue counter. Man, is the food good. The freshtasting coleslaw (with just a little mayo) and excellent new potato salad are just the things to cut the richness of the succulent pork. Some other tasty go-withs are fried okra, long-cooked collards, mac and cheese and Brunswick stew. We’re sated. We’re sauce-splashed. We need a moist towelette and a nap. Entrees: $8-$24 • pignchik.net

STORICO FRESCO ALIMENTARI

Is a trip to Italy on your bucket list, but you can’t get away? A meal at oh-soauthentic hot spot Storico Fresco may be just the ticket. A must here is the meat and cheese board, piled with prosciutto, bresaola, culatello, fragrant cheeses and gooey honeycomb. Its refined, rustic and utterly classic pastas, including garganelli con funghi, tagliatelle alla Bolognese and ravioli spinaci, conjure up images of Tuscan vistas and Michelangelo statues. Seconds such as the pork shank for two and bone-in veal chop will sate your Italian cravings as well. End your repast with a glass of the world-class Miscela d’Oro espresso. Appetizers: $12-$24 • Salads and sandwiches: $10-$21 • Pastas: $11-$23 • Mains: $24-$30 Side dishes and desserts: $6-$7 storicofresco.com

TWISTED SOUL COOKHOUSE & POURS

Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours on the westside ranks among Atlanta’s dining stars. The award-winning team that includes Chef/Owner Deborah VanTrece and Executive Chef Robert Butts proves that even the most recognizable dishes can soar above expectations. The dining room sets a casual vibe, but the menu offers familiar and creative dishes that are expertly prepared and artfully presented. There’s something for most any palate. Signature cocktails showcase seasonal ingredients in innovative, well-balanced concoctions such as “Dream of Spring” and “Little Miss Staycation.” The bestselling Southern marinated fried chicken sticks around even when the menu changes every three months. Each piece of the half-chicken has crispy skin and juicy meat, and is cast iron pan-fried to sheer perfection. Hoisin oxtails rank as the second best-seller, for good reason. Tender braised meat falls off the bone, its savory umami touched with sweet Cantonese flair. Layers of flavor and contrasting textures combine for scrumptious results.

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

Salads: $12-16 • Entrees: $24-42

Desserts: $12 • Signature Cocktails: $14-17 twistedsoulatl.com

THE WHITE HOUSE

At this venerated breakfast nook, you’ll find Atlanta movers and shakers in ties and starched shirts huddled over omelets and pancakes. But regardless of a guest’s status, owner Demos Galaktiadis, who came to America from Greece in 1966, treats everyone the same. He has run this Peachtree Road institution for 45 of its 68 years, and over time, the food has evolved into a unique combination of home-style Southern and Greek standards. At lunch, you might have moussaka and collards or fried grouper and a Greek salad, finished off with a dish of banana pudding. But breakfast is king here. We recommend the Olympic omelet, stuffed with spinach, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms and peppers and served with a side of tzatziki, or a breakfast sandwich laden with sausage, cheese and egg.

Breakfast: $6.40-$15.30 • Lunch: $6-$16.70 whitehousediner.com

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

HUNGRY FOR MORE?

Visit simplybuckhead.com to read all of our restaurant reviews!

Wendell Brock, Rebecca Cha, Jennifer Bradley Franklin, Angela Hansberger, Hope S. Philbrick PHOTOS: Sara Hanna, Erik Meadows

RAISE A GLASS

Chido & Padre's handcrafted margaritas can make any meal feel like a celebration.

PHOTO: Erik Meadows

1600 PEACHTREE ST. NW ATLANTA SCADFASH.ORG

Photo by Mike Ruiz

CASHIERS, NORTH CAROLINA

HIGHLANDS, NORTH CAROLINA

CUSTOM LUXURY HOMES NEAR HIGH HAMPTON

• MODERN RUSTIC DESIGN

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• ONLY TWENTY 1+ ACRE LOTS AVAILABLE

CUSTOM LUXURY HOMES

• PRIVATE GATED COMMUNITY NEAR DOWNTOWN HIGHLANDS, NC

• WALK TO RESTAURANTS, ENTERTAINMENT, & SHOPPING

• ONLY NINE .75+ ACRE RESIDENCES AVAILABLE

TWO FABULOUS COMMUNITIES. ONE GREAT TEAM.

Both Bear Mór and Saratay Falls are new communities of luxury mountain homes to be built just minutes from Cashiers, NC, and Highlands, NC, by developer Loudermilk Homes, a custom home builder out of Atlanta, GA, known for a relentless focus on quality craftsmanship, transparency, and advanced smart home technology. Loudermilk Homes is the exclusive Southern Living Magazine Custom Builder for Cashiers.

THE MICHAUD/RAUERS GROUP

JUDY MICHAUD: 828.371.0730

MITZI RAUERS: 404.218.9123

TOM GOLDACKER: 828.200.9045

JOHN MUIR: 404.245.7027

BROOKS KITTRELL: 828.230.4453