Simply Buckhead November/December 2023

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

ISSUE 99 • FREE

Your Guide to Living Well in Atlanta

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

ENTERTAIN ME!

THE VISIONARIES SHAPING ATLANTA’S FILM, MUSIC AND ARTS

MOODY INTERIOR ACCENTS AN EXCEPTIONAL BUCKHEAD ABODE LE BILBOQUET’S FRENCH FINESSE

A lot can come from a conversation between a client and his banker.

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For more information about how we can help you achieve your goals, contact Brad Silcox Executive Vice President/Southeast Region President 404.760.2182 bsilcox@wilmingtontrust.com

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Wilmington Trust traces its roots to the founding of WTC in 1903. ©2023 M&T Bank Corporation and its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. AMP-5092 231010

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

Contents 78

26

40

30

XX

28 12 Editor's Letter

Photos: 30: Patrick Heagney, 40, 70, 78: Erik Meadows

70

20 LIVING THE LIFE Kathryn King

26 TRAVEL FAR Chill Out

36 BULLETIN BOARD Wallpaper Dos and Don’ts

UP FRONT

Celebrated Buckhead pastry chef whips up a jewelry business

Soak up the season north of the border

17 NEWS Honor Society

22 APPROVED Bottle Service

28 STAYCATION Dog-Gone

Libby Patrick, founding principal and CEO of Buckhead interior design firm Sims Patrick Studio, shares her wallpaper best practices

Sandy Springs pays tribute to veterans at its newest greenspace

According to the latest trends on social media—namely TikTok—chic water bottles are the new must-have accessory

Thanks to the host of local pet-friendly hotels, Fido can come along for a staycation

38 TRENDING Fade to Black

LIVING

Black is making a comeback as a bold hue in interior design

30 HOME Good Bones

40 TASTEMAKER Style, by Design

A Buckhead property with pedigree becomes Travis Reed and Michael Kriethe’s unexpected dwelling

Alejandra Dunphy celebrates 15 years of her eponymous interiors studio

18 LOCAL SALUTE Recycling Builds a Community Aluminum cans fund Habitat homes

24 TRAVEL NEAR At Home Greenville’s Hotel Hartness imparts local hospitality

➥

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

Contents STYLISH

CULTURE

44 FASHION Show a Little Legwear

62 ON STAGE Theater Tradition

Leggings and socks are having a moment

Mother and daughter star on and off stage in Sandy Springs

46 BEAUTY Beautifully Local

44

simplybuckhead.com

@livingwellatl

@simplybuckhead Icons: Freepik.com

64 LITERARY Breaking Away from the Flock

Georgia-made products are just the ticket to round out your gift-giving

Local author flies off in new direction

48 WELLNESS Medicinal Mushrooms

66 TASTEMAKER Crowning Achievements

Why we should all be eating more fungi

Miss North Buckhead Ta’Neile Simmons has her eye on the pageant prize

DELICIOUS

67 EVENTS Places to go and things to do

78 REVIEW Vive La France

50 TASTEMAKER Tea Ritual Marsha Chin-Glover encourages habitual sips

COVER STORY

FAMILY

70 Entertain Me!

56 KIDS Baby Blueprint

Meet the visionaries shaping Atlanta’s thriving film, music and arts scene

Interior decorator and mom Sarah Glenn Boman on nursery decor

84

Le Bilboquet brings a taste of France to Buckhead

82 DRINKS The Sidecar Take a classic for a spin

84 FOODIE JOURNAL Culinary Creativity

86 TASTEMAKER Distilling a New Venture

Joann Vitelli

Dog waste-removal amenities are in high demand

How to plan and host a spectacular New Year’s Eve party

@simplybuckhead

Led by Chef Freddy Money, Atlas and The Garden Room get creative with reimagined menus

58 PETS Scoop Patrol

60 STRATEGIES Get This Party Started!

FI N D U S ON L I N E

Culinary Director: Freddy Money, Curated By: Tomas Espinoza

S I M PLY B UC KHEA D ®

70

Ryan Millsap turns his attention to Berckmans

91 Charitable

88 Featured Restaurants

A spotlight on philanthropic and social gatherings

A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead

96 Scene

BEHIND THE COVER Atlanta has a wealth of talent, from people making the music we can’t stop singing to creating films that draw us to theaters. One such visionary is Catherine Brewton of Broadcast Music Inc. The Simply Buckhead team met her and her hands-on “glam squad” at Bravo Ocean Studios, a music studio with a sleek, cool vibe.

Photographer Erik Meadows encouraged her to get creative with her poses while she perched—clad in high-fashion attire—on the sound board and in front of a floor-to-ceiling botanical wall. Be sure to see the behind-the-scenes reel on our Instagram page @simplybuckhead when this issue hits newsstands.

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Photographer: Erik Meadows Producer: Jennifer Bradley Franklin Special thanks to Bravo Ocean Studios for providing the location.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

ISSUE 99

Editor's Letter

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

W

hen I was little, my mom planned special individual outings for my two brothers and me. My brothers played violin and cello at the time and went to see an orchestra or show relating to their instrument of choice. I was enthralled with ballet, and we went to see Swan Lake.

I’ll never forget it. I was mesmerized. The arts have a way of getting under your skin, but the form in which they do is different for everyone. Some people love the opera; others prefer theater. And some are avid attendees of film festivals or live concerts. Lucky for us, Atlanta has more than its fair share of options when it comes to entertainment. In this issue’s Entertain Me cover feature, we highlight individuals who bring us joy through varied art forms. Their talents range from composing to acting and directing, but each has a dedicated passion for their medium that is inspiring. From songwriter-producer-composer Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, who was behind Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Beyoncé’s megahit “Single Ladies,” to Lois Reitzes whose distinct voice has come through the radio airwaves at WABE for more than 40 years, our community is awash with artistic genius.

P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355

simplybuckhead.com For advertising rates, call: 404.538.9895

Joanne Hayes Publisher and Founder

Sonny Hayes Chief Financial Officer

EDITORIAL

Giannina S. Bedford Managing Editor

Jennifer Bradley Franklin Senior Contributing Editor

Alan Platten Creative Director

H.M. Cauley Copy Editor

In this issue, we also cover real estate agents Travis Reed and Michael Kriethe’s impressive Buckhead home, an art piece in its own right, and share the story behind the recently released children’s book, The Goose Who Talked to the Wind, by magazine editor and author, Allison Entrekin, a long-time friend of Simply Buckhead. Hope Philbrick takes us on a visit to Le Bilboquet in our restaurant feature, and Karina Antenucci introduces us to Marsha Chin-Glover of Tea Tales, an online organic tea retail business.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Karina Antenucci Chelsie Butler H.M. Cauley Carly Cooper Emily L. Foley Lauren Finney Harden Mickey Goodman Angela Hansberger Michael Jacobs Nicole Letts Amy Meadows Hope Philbrick Ashton Pike Gillian Anne Renault Claire Ruhlin Carol E. Ryerson PHOTOGRAPHERS

Patrick Heagney Erik Meadows Joann Vitelli SALES & ADVERTISING

Michelle Johnson Sara Hanna

These pages are packed with intriguing stories to accompany you through the holiday season and share with loved ones who are likely making an appearance to share in celebrations. We wish all our readers a happy and healthy end to 2023 and a rewarding start to the new year!

Senior Account Executive

Layal Akkad Graphic Designer

Giannina S. Bedford

DIGITAL

Managing Editor

Website Development Management

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We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission.

Copyright © 2023 by Simply Buckhead ®.

All rights reserved.

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

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FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR

Director of Audience Development

LEGAL

Scott I. Zucker Legal Counsel

Nicole Letts Nicole Letts is a Buckhead-based freelance journalist focused on the modern American South.

Beyond Simply Buckhead, her work has been published by some of the country’s top magazines and digital publications, including AAA Explorer Alabama, Architectural Digest, BBC Travel, Fodor’s Travel, Garden & Gun, Good Grit, Southern Living and many more. She is also the author of the new book, Unique Eats and Eateries of Alabama. When she’s not writing, you can find her stitching cheeky needlepoint canvases or exploring local antique shops for her online business, Grandmillennial Shop.

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NEWS

LO CA L SA LU T E

LIVING THE LIFE

APPROVED

T R AV E L

UP FRONT

At Home Page 24 The Captain bar is cozy and upscale with more-than-a-century-old barn wood combining with modern touches.

“Hotel Hartness introduced me to the quieter side of this growing Southern town.”

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Restaurant - Lounge Vietnamien OPEN EVERY DAY FOR LUNCH & DINNER

LECOLONIAL.COM 16 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D

NEWS

BY Nicole Letts

HONOR SOCIETY SANDY SPRINGS PAYS TRIBUTE TO VETERANS AT ITS NEWEST GREENSPACE

A

triangular plot of land at the convergence of Roswell Road, Johnson Ferry Road and Mt. Vernon Highway is now Sandy Springs’ latest park.

In development since 2015 as a part of the City Springs project, Veterans Park debuts as a space of honor and reflection. It spans 2.5 acres and includes a walking path, a large public art piece, a 3,700-gallon fountain and a monument garden known as Memorial Court. Here, under branches of shady trees, monuments honoring the six branches of service are on display. Gold Star, P.O.W. and Purple Heart monuments are there alongside three flags from Sandy Springs, Georgia and the U.S.

Above: Sandy Springs' newest park adds more than two acres of green space to the area.

Below: Monuments around the park will reflect the various military branches.

“We wanted a space where the veterans can go and reflect,” says David Wells, director of facilities and capital construction for Sandy Springs.

He says the city is excited to provide a place of respite for residents at nearby Mount Vernon Towers. Plans are in motion for installing a crosswalk so those residents can safely cross the road to the park. The $5.7 million greenspace is slated to open in time for Veteran’s Day Nov. 11. n sandyspringsga.gov • @cityofsandysprings

NEWS CLIPS Making Moves Real estate brokerage Engel & Völkers Atlanta is growing again. Its latest expansion includes absorbing the existing Buckhead and North Fulton Engel & Völkers markets and opening in Sandy Springs. The new shop will be led by Atlanta’s top-producing advisors Matt LaMarsh, Christin Coffin and Kristen Skebe. Christa Huffstickler, founder and CEO of Engel

& Völkers Atlanta, says Sandy Springs was a natural fit. She points to Sandy Springs’ sought-after schools and convenient location as reasons for its flourishing real estate market. evatlanta.com • @engelvolkersatlanta

French Connection Balmain Phipps Plaza opened in late July. The French luxury fashion house was founded in 1945 and today is

best known for its sleek men’s and women’s ready-to-wear and iconic Unicorn sneaker. The Atlanta store marks the sixth U.S. outpost following Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Houston and Las Vegas. With accents of brass details and plush velvets, the 2,000-square-foot shop’s aesthetics reflect a contemporary Parisian pieda-terre. Find the boutique alongside Zimmerman and across from Hermes

on level one near Monarch Court. us.balmain.com • @balmain

Full Coverage Put your best face forward at FACE FOUNDRIÉ at Star Metals. The area’s newest facial bar offers services such as hydra dermabrasion and facials, lash tints and lifts, brow henna and tints, waxing services and more. The studio is franchised

by mother-daughter duo Deborah Grayflowers and Morgan Flowers .

The pair have a background in IT, but once Morgan started facial treatments for her acne struggles, she realized how beneficial these services were and how important they could be as a tool for self-confidence, too. The West Midtown digs are the brand’s first location in Georgia. facefoundrie.com • @facefoundrie

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LOCAL SALUTE BY Mickey Goodman Right: Garth Lagerwey, president of Atlanta United; Suzanne Lindsay-Walker, vice president of sustainability at Novelis and Greg Beadles, president of the Falcons.

Left: Andrew Bohenko, sustainable initiatives manager, is helping turn Mercedes-Benz Stadium 100% green.

Recycling Builds a Community Aluminum cans fund Habitat homes

The interior may be painted red and black, but since achieving Total Resource Use Efficiency (TRUE) platinum status from the U.S. Green Building Council, Mercedes-Benz Stadium is well on its way to turning 100% green. That achievement will make it the first sports stadium in the world to reach zero waste status. The stadium is also LEED Platinum Certified.

In partnership with the Recycle for Good program, AMB Sports and Entertainment and recycling partner Novelis have recycled more than 14 million aluminum cans that funded four Habitat for Humanity homes in the surrounding area.

The last one was dedicated in July.

“Our work never stops,” says Andrew Bohenko, sustainable initiatives manager at Mercedes-Benz. “We’re on the way but can’t start our fifth build until we collect 3 million more cans, the equivalent of $80,000.” The participation of fans is essential. After every event, it takes 14 to 18 employees to physically sort cans, which net two cents each. By dropping cans into the bright blue recycling bins, fans cut down the sourcing process that helps the recyclability of the stadium as well as members of the community.

One of the partnership's goals is to inspire Georgia-based businesses to develop recycling programs that impact their own communities. Another is to educate fans on ways they can introduce more recycling in their homes and create greener neighborhoods.

MERCEDES-BENZ STADIUM mercedesbenzstadium.com/sustainability @mercedesbenzstadium

It Takes a Village

Preserving History

Celebrating fundraisers

Celebrating the past

When the Association of Fundraising Professionals hosts its 41st annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon Nov. 2 at the Georgia Aquarium, it will also mark the 55th anniversary of the Greater Atlanta chapter. “It’s a celebration of philanthropy,” says event chair Liz Loreti. “We want to focus not only what has been accomplished in our community through philanthropy, but what is coming down the pipeline.”

National Philanthropy Day brings together more than 800 area business, civic, foundation, nonprofit and volunteer leaders. For the 10th year, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is the title sponsor for the event that will attract more than 1,000 members and guests.

It will also honor three men dedicated to the community: Philanthropist of the Year and Dunwoody resident Jerry Wilkinson, president of The Wilkinson Group Inc.; Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year and Buckhead resident Tom Johnson, former CEO of the Los Angeles Times and CNN; and Philanthropic Leader of Tomorrow Ryan Wilson, co-founder and CEO of The Gather-

Community involvement is a way of life for Home Real Estate agent Cathy Boston. From underwriting the book Brookhaven (Images of America) to becoming a legacy sponsor for Little Nancy Creek Park and volunteering on numerous civic associations, she is leaving an indelible mark on Historic Brookhaven. The approximately 1,000-home area is listed on the National Registry of National Places and surrounds the Capital City Golf Club, the first planned golf course community in the South.

Boston has immersed herself in the community since 1969. She served as a board member and vice president of the Brookhaven Neighborhood Association, chaired the Zoning Committee for 25 years and was business representative to Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit Buckhead/Brookhaven District.

In 2007, when Atlanta purchased approximately five acres to create Little Nancy Creek Park and save the green space in the area from development, Boston became a founding sponsor.

An award-winning realtor, Boston

Liz Loreti chairs the 41st Annual National Philanthropy Day luncheon that honors fundraisers.

ing Spot. Past honorees include Bernie Marcus, Dorothy and J.B. Fuqua, Michael C. Carlos, Stephanie and Arthur Blank, and a host of Atlanta’s major philanthropists.

Atlanta’s AFP chapter has over 400 members and holds monthly meetings that offer training on best practices and personal development, as well as opportunities to network and exchange ideas.

ASSOCIATION OF FUNDRAISING PROFESSIONALS community.afpnet.org/afpgaatlantachapter @afpgreateratlanta

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Home Real Estate agent Cathy Boston is dedicated to preserving Historic Brookhaven.

was a founding member of Buckhead-based Home Real Estate, launched in March 2021 with giving as part of the company’s corporate culture. To date, the company has donated $1.2 million to charities such as the Boyce Ansley School, a tuition-free private school for homeless kids, and Meals on Wheels. She’s also a long-time supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

HOME REAL ESTATE homegeorgia.com • @cathyboston

LIVING THE LIFE

KATHRYN KING

Celebrated Buckhead pastry chef whips up a jewelry business As told to Amy Meadows PHOTOS: Erik Meadows

T

he first time I successfully soldered two pieces of metal together, I felt like I could make anything, even a building. You can talk to people who’ve been working with metal for 50 years, and they’ll tell you it can still be a mystery because each piece reacts differently. When I soldered those pieces together, it was so exciting. Everything just went on from there.

I always wanted to learn how to make jewelry. I studied ceramics and design as an undergraduate student at the University of Georgia, but I decided that the life of a ceramics artist wasn’t for me. I had begun working in restaurants at the age of 16, and I migrated to cooking as a profession. Years ago, I helped open Canoe as the assistant pastry chef and then spent a number of years on the pastry staff of what is now the Four Seasons Hotel in Midtown. I’ve been the pastry chef at Aria in Buckhead for the last 23 years, and I just love creating interesting desserts with highquality ingredients. For me, it’s all about technique. How do you make a perfect puff pastry? It’s in the technique. I’ve found that jewelry is very similar to pastry in that way.

I started jewelry making as a hobby about 10 years ago. I initially took classes at the Spruill Center for the Arts in Dunwoody and began making pieces for myself.

I’d also give them to my sister and friends as gifts. After a while, I realized that I didn’t want to sit on all of this precious inventory; I had to sell some of it. That’s when I launched Black Crow Metalwork. I make rings, bracelets, pendants and earrings, as well as small boxes and vessels, perfume vials and other one-of-a-kind pieces using a combination of materials such as sterling silver and semi-precious stones.

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Turning her hobby into a business has allowed Kahthryn King to grow and learn an array of new jewelry-making techniques.

Each item takes a long time to craft, but I love learning and using new techniques. I moved on from the Spruill Center and now work with a private teacher who holds small classes in her converted garage studio. I’m always learning new skills.

I don’t think I’ll ever stop learning.

I think that shows in the jewelry line I started last year, Black Eyed Pearls. A friend asked me one day if I was familiar with Charleston rice beads, which are oval sterling silver beads symbolizing the rice that historically was grown in the city and are used in necklaces and bracelets. She wondered if I’d ever thought of doing something like that with black-eyed peas. I had not, but it sounded really interesting.

So I started working with real dried black-eyed peas, which I have cast in sterling silver. I then finish them with a chemical that’s like an instant patina; it leaves this beautiful blackness around the eye of the pea and in the wrinkles. I’ve been able to do

something similar with dried okra pods. Right now, I’m just making necklaces, but I hope to expand into other pieces as well. The reaction to them has been wonderful, particularly from gardeners, cooks, chefs and Southerners in general. There’s a sort of nostalgia around those vegetables. It’s funny because I just started by buying some black-eyed peas at a local farmers market. From there, it was trial and error. You should have seen me trying to drill holes in a tiny, dried black-eyed pea.

Right now, I mainly sell through my website, but I recently discovered a place in Grant Park called Grant & Little. It’s an old corner grocery store that was purchased by three women who are interior designers. They opened the space as a place to showcase their interior design pieces. On Sundays, they feature different items. I had a jewelry show there in August. It was the perfect spot, and I hope to do more shows.

For Kathryn King, creating a piece of jewelry requires the same level of artistry and skill as crafting a delectable dessert.

Making pastry and making jewelry allow me to be creative in ways that are both different and the same. Both processes feed my need to invent and create, and I’m passionate about both. Of course, making jewelry was an unexpected endeavor. I built a garage a few years back, and now half of it is

a studio. When I go in there to make jewelry and I’m in the middle of crafting a piece, I’m in my zone. I just love it. n BLACK CROW METALWORK @black_crow_metalwork BLACK EYED PEARLS blackeyedpearls.com • @black_eyed_pearls100

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APPROVED

Hydro Flask 40 ounce Wide Mouth ($49.95)

Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState Tumbler 40 ounce ($45) Since this hydration sidekick went viral in 2021, the hashtag #stanleytumbler has more than 479 million views on TikTok. Thankfully, we’re past the days of the tumblers selling out in a matter of minutes, but don’t be fooled: It’s still the holy grail of water bottles at the moment. The 40-ounce tumbler is popular for its many colorways, nifty handle and its ability to fit in a standard cup holder despite its larger size.

REI Brookhaven 404.633.6508 rei.com • @rei

One of the OG water bottles that set the trend into motion, Hydro Flask gained momentum in 2019 and has held strong ever since, with 1.8 billion (with a “b”) views on TikTok and counting. This 40-ounce water bottle features a wide mouth and a carrying handle for on-the-go hydration, plus it keeps drinks hot up to 12 hours and cold up to 24 hours.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Lenox Marketplace 404.267.0200 • dickssportinggoods.com @dickssportinggoods

Bottle Service

According to the latest trends on social media— namely TikTok—chic water bottles are the new must-have accessory. STORY: Ashton Pike

S'well 17 ounce Stainless Steel Bottle ($35.49) Another OG in the mix, S’well turned water bottles into a fashion accessory with a sleek, sophisticated design and ability to keep drinks cold for 36 hours and hot for 18 hours. Its popularity hit a high note around 2015 when you’d have been hard pressed to go anywhere without seeing someone proudly toting their own S’well bottle. Even today, the hashtag #swellwaterbottle has more than 1.5 million views on TikTok. Target Buckhead South 404.720.1081 target.com • @target

Owala FreeSip 24 ounce Stainless Steel Water Bottle ($27.99) Lululemon Back to Life Sport Bottle 24 ounce ($48) With more than 4.5 million views on TikTok, Lululemon’s Back to Life Sport Bottle has clearly become a staple sipper. The leak-proof lid, slip-free texture and carrying handle make it an ideal companion for Atlantans who are always on the move.

Spot the bottle’s gradient design at workout studios, gyms, parks—you name it.

Lululemon Shops Around Lenox • 470.394.5809 • shop.lululemon.com • @lululemon

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A newcomer water bottle brand that launched in 2020, Owala quickly caught people’s attention for its two-in-one ergonomic design feature that allows you the freedom to sip from a straw or a normal opening as you please without swapping out lids. It helps that the bottle’s bold, color-block aesthetic doubles as a fashion statement.

REI Brookhaven • 404.633.6508 • rei.com • @rei

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Photos: Brandon Barre

TRAVEL NEAR

The great room was modernized, but still retains the original floors and herringbone ceilings.

At Home

G

reenville, South Carolina, is known for its quaint downtown, packed with bustling eateries, shops and hotels.

Thirteen miles east, however, is where I escaped for a solo overnight getaway at a burgeoning development’s new hotel property.

Hotel Hartness, which opened in spring 2023, resides in the former home of the Hartness family, an entrepreneurial, multi-generation clan that owns and is spearheading the development of the more than 440acre estate that surrounds the hotel.

Entering Hartness, I drove past a growing Village Center—planned to one day have multiple restaurants and shops—into a hamlet-like community designed by Lew Oliver, the visionary whose work is found in destinations such as Rosemary Beach, Florida, and Serenbe in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia.

Purposefully designed homes put through architectural reviews boards populate the picturesque streets, with more residences under construction and to come. Past a great lawn, ponds and part of the 180-acre nature preserve is the hotel, where the midcentury French manor house built by Pat Hartness in 1980 is still recognizable despite a modern wing added to house 69 guest suites. The hotel also offers a restaurant, Patterson Kitchen + Bar, and Spa H with six treatment rooms and four spa suites.

Greenville’s Hotel Hartness imparts local hospitality STORY: Giannina S. Bedford

After dropping my bags in the Holly Suite, a spacious guestroom with a wow-worthy walk-in shower and soaking tub, I took a tour to see the hotel’s stylish interior. Designed

by Buckhead-based Sims Patrick Studio, it combines contemporary touches with a warm residential style that weaves neutral tones with green and blue. The Great Room impresses with the home’s original vaulted ceilings, two large fireplaces, tall windows and numerous places to sit below grand light fixtures, surrounded by books and eclectic decor. Throughout the rooms and hallways, art from local and regional artists makes a statement, from Donna Weathers’ abstracts to the

watercolor pieces by emerging artist Kaitlyn Etchison.

Down a hallway, in the cozy, wood-clad bar, The Captain, a reclaimed wood piece by Josh Bagwell conveys the artist’s version of an airplane, paying homage to the pilots in Hartness family tree.

Later that evening, I spent morethan-planned time at the bar, taking in the commissioned portrait of Tom Hartness—Pat’s father and grandfather of Hartness Development CEO Sean Hartness —and moody space with Tennessee barn wood, plush seating and custom light fixtures. More family history is displayed on a wall of framed photos depicting events and bene-

Patterson Kitchen + Bar is a popular gathering spot for hotel guests and Hartness residents.

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A portrait of Pat Hartness and artwork by Josh Bagwell are some of the creative focal points at the bar.

fits where Willy Nelson, The Beach Boys and other celebrities posed with the Hartness family members.

After happy hour, I headed across the manicured lawn and courtyard to Patterson to dine on pork belly lettuce wraps and filet mignon.

Outfitted with a wood paneled ceiling, gold touches and green leather banquettes, the restaurant features a lively open kitchen. Guests can watch the cooking action or take in views of the outdoors from the large windows and wraparound porch.

Before departing the next day, I took a long walk on part of the property's 15-mile private trail network. Then I fueled up on the hotel’s complimentary breakfast, offered to all guests. I didn’t get a chance to experience the free-to-use bikes or pool, but I did fit in a visit to Spa H, where the 50-minute massage was just the pampering I needed before driving back to Atlanta.

I’ve always loved Greenville’s vibrant downtown, but a stay at Hotel Hartness introduced me to the quieter side of this growing Southern town. The Hartness family has hosted a myriad of friends and family at their estate and now they are opening their doors to the general public, sharing a lifestyle that would be easy to get used to. n HOTEL HARTNESS hotelhartness.com • @hotelhartness

TRAVEL FAR Snow and cold don't keep holiday revelers from heading outdoors in Quebec City.

CHILL OUT Y

ears ago, when I moved from the Northeast to Georgia, one of the first things I did was toss my snow shovel and windshield scraper. (I held on to the fur-lined, waterproof boots just in case.) Goodbye cold weather and all the complications it brings to clothing, driving and life in general.

But when the holidays roll around, I’m seduced by images of crackling fireplaces, evergreens with snow-dusted boughs and revelers sipping hot chocolate. The music conjures up scenes of sleigh rides, red noses and searching for the perfect present. It’s just not the same when the temperatures are too high to light the living room fireplace.

A December visit to Quebec City,

Soak up the season north of the border STORY: H.M. Cauley

Canada, brought those holiday elements together in a place where people really know snow. No wondering how to get from the hotel to dinner; the sidewalks are shoveled and salted regularly. The roads are wet but regularly cleared by giant snowplows that operate even as the white stuff is swirling down. Winter here allows life to go on as usual, never mind that 8-foot pile of frozen snow in Place Royale square or workers shoveling it off buildings’ roofs. Here, making merry means moving outside.

Start with the German Christmas Market that takes over five locations in the heart of the historic district.

Akin to the outdoor Yule markets of many northern European countries, this one features about 90 vendors

of artisanal cakes, artworks, decor, crafts and a myriad of goodies made with maple syrup. One of the sweetest treats I found was the rollyour-own maple lollipop: A stream of syrup is poured onto a tray of ice, then everyone gets a popsicle stick to twirl the hardening candy onto. The sweetness then melts in your mouths.

Amid the stalls are pop-up musical performances, carolers, puppet shows and an ice rink. The Rue du Petit Champlain, one of the oldest commercial streets in North America, is lined with boutiques of locally produced goods and restaurants specializing in poutine, a local favorite of French fries and cheese curds covered in beef gravy.

Quebec City also celebrates out-

Left: Outdoor markets with local crafts, food and drinks spring up around the city's historic district during the holidays.

Right: The historic Chateau Frontenac, reputed to be the most photographed hotel in the world, overlooks the St. Lawrence river.

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side during the annual Winter Carnival, slated for Feb. 2-11, 2024. Visitors will find an ice palace and sculptures, night-time parades, canoe races on the partially frozen St. Lawrence river, kids games and the not-for-thefaint-hearted bain de neige, a “snow bath” where brave souls clad only in bathing suits frolic in the snow.

No matter the season, the historic area known as Vieux Quebec has the charm of a European village where the locals are bilingual and welcoming. From the doormen bundled in heavy navy blue wool to the gracious concierges, I was treated like royalty at the castle-like Château Frontenac, reputed to be the most photographed hotel in the world for its imposing turrets and commanding views of the surrounding area. Dating to 1893, the hotel’s indoor pool, two restaurants overlooking the riverside boardwalk and luxurious suites have welcomed real royalty (Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Grace of Monaco) and Canadian royalty (singer Celine Dion). Alfred Hitchcock filmed part of the 1953 I Confess in the grand ballroom, lit by eight enormous chandeliers. More intimate accommodations await in the quaint auberges and B&Bs that dot many of the narrow, winding streets.

A five-hour flight from Atlanta, Quebec City offers the flavor of a European getaway without the overseas haul or having to brush up on a foreign language. A December visit of just a few days is enough to sate my desire for a white Christmas and makes me appreciate Atlanta’s balmy January even more. n quebec-cite.com • @quebeccite

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S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

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STAYCATION Dogs enjoy access to Fetch Park, unlimited treats and a toy as part of the Bellyard Bark package.

“The Bellyard Bark Package ensures that pets are entertained and showered with love,” says General Manager Brendan Abraham.

The package covers up to two dogs and must be booked at least five days in advance. A $150 pet fee per night applies.

KIMPTON SYLVAN HOTEL

Dog-Gone STORY: Chelsie Butler

I

f the idea of boarding your dog while you are away seems unfathomable, consider bringing your pooch along for the trip. These days, it’s easier than ever to include furry friends on your travels or just an Atlanta staycation. In fact, multiple local hotels offer pet-friendly packages and incentives. Here are two properties stepping up to the plate.

BELLYARD, WEST MIDTOWN ATLANTA

BELLYARD WESTSIDE ATLANTA bellyardhotel.com • @bellyardhotel KIMPTON SYLVAN HOTEL thesylvanhotel.com • @thesylvanhotel

Bellyard, one of Atlanta’s newest boutique hotels, offers 161 guest rooms and a Southern cuisineinspired dining venue called Drawbar. Nestled in walkable West Midtown, it’s a great spot to enjoy with your pooch in tow.

Bellyard recently introduced a package geared toward man’s best friend. The Bellyard Bark Package includes access to Fetch Park where parents can socialize with refreshments while pups enjoy ramps, tunnels and a sprinkler. Bellyard also The Kimpton Sylvan’s Pet Getaway Package includes $50 toward a professional grooming session, healthy dog treats and a special toy from a local pet shop.

28 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D

@thedogist

Thanks to the host of local pet-friendly hotels, Fido can come along for a staycation

provides a dog-friendly guide listing nearby groomers, dog bakeries and pet-friendly eateries. Four-legged friends are also welcome at Drawbar that serves craft beer for humans and pups (no alcohol included in theirs). The package also includes allyour-pup-can-eat treats and a toy.

Buckhead’s Kimpton Sylvan is known for its cool midcentury vibe, American continental fare at The Betty and its chic bars, St. Julep and Willow Bar. The property is also pet-friendly, offering an entire floor geared toward pooches with dog beds and courtesy waste bags. Book the Pet Getaway Package that includes $50 toward a grooming session at Animal House Buckhead next door, healthy dog treats from Willow Bar and a special toy from a nearby pet shop. A Fetch Park location is nearby. There is no weight or size limit for dogs, no limit to the number and no deposit wor cleaning fee required.

The hotel has also partnered with Wag!, an app service that matches pet parents with professional pet caregivers for pet boarding, sitting or walking. During their stay, guests enjoy complimentary access to WAG! Premium, plus 10% off all services, waived booking fees and a 24/7 vet chat. n

S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

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HOME

BULLETIN BOARD

TRENDING

TA S T E M A K E R

LIVING

Good

Bones

A BUCKHEAD PROPERTY WITH PEDIGREE BECOMES TRAVIS REED AND MICHAEL KRIETHE’S UNEXPECTED DWELLING

T

STORY: Giannina S. Bedford

PHOTOS: Patrick Heagney

ravis Reed and Michael Kriethe

ia-Highland home for a 2006 six-bedroom

are no strangers to home

residence in Buckhead’s West Paces

renovations. As veteran real

Ferry neighborhood. They purchased the

estate agents and owners of

two-story abode with a basement in July

HOME Real Estate, they’ve bought, fixed

2019 and thought they’d live in it for a

and sold their fair share of residences.

couple years before moving on. But as they

When their daughter, Lilly, started school

began renovating, they were impressed

in Buckhead, they traded their Virgin-

with the quality of its construction.

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The main living area overlooks the vast backyard through large windows and a paneled door that will eventually lead to an outdoor terrace.

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HOME

Above: A dark ostrich painting by the late Todd Murphy and RH lighting preside over the formal living room.

“We adjusted our more formal lifestyle to the less formal house.” —Travis Reed “We bought it because it has a great architectural pedigree. The bones and construction were really good,” says Reed, who showed the William T. Baker-designed and Berndsen Custom Homes-built residence to several clients before purchasing it. “When we bought it, I thought we’d paint it, get rid of the brick in the kitchen and sell it, but when we started working on it, it’s so much better than we thought it would be. As the contractor was taking it apart, the house was built better than anything we’d ever owned.”

Despite its good bones, the dwelling needed updates. In 2021, Kreithe and Reed embarked on renovations with the help of Lucas Tilton Residential. They updated the heart pine wood floors with quarter sawn white oak. The kitchen got a complete overhaul: Sleek marble took the place of brick backsplash, and the small Travis Reed and Michael Kriethe of HOME Luxury Real Estate found an unexpected gem in the William T. Baker-designed home.

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window above the sink was enlarged and replaced with a steel paneled window to bring in more daylight.

They changed the orientation of the kitchen island and went from one to two; one island doubles as informal dining for up to eight people.

The pantry and kitchen office space became a scullery to hide small appliances behind sliding doors.

The refreshed and modern kitchen opens to a den that overlooks the backyard through new steel-paneled windows and doors that will lead to the soon-to-be-added outdoor terrace. Because of pandemicinduced supply chain issues, what was supposed to be a four-month renovation stretched into a year.

“Usually we run out of money on renovations. This time we ran out of patience because we were doing it through COVID,” Kriethe says.

“The windows were delayed for six months, and they took the windows out so we had holes in the house covered with plywood. At one

The pantry and kitchen office was converted to a scullery.

The island count went from one to two in the renovated kitchen that is ideal for hosting.

Featuring portraits of the homeowners' daughter, the renovated screened porch is fully equipped for entertaining.

point, we moved the kitchen into the laundry room.”

In the end, the waiting was worth it. The transformed main living areas are ideal for entertaining, flowing easily into the formal living room and dining space. One of the home’s biggest surprises during renovation, however, was the lot it sat on. Previously covered in foliage with a hillside, Kriethe and Reed cleared and unearthed to create

a gorgeous green space that now offers a pool, fire pit and an orchard with 10 peach trees. It also has blueberry bushes and plum trees, and they are planning to add a pecan tree out front. “We tried to put in a lot of food plants,” Reed says.

The backyard also boasts a recently redone screened terrace accessible from the finished basement level.

Equipped with an outdoor kitchen, natural stone countertops and blue

cabinetry, it screams pool party.

“We do lots of entertaining for our company, including the annual Christmas party, summer pool parties and monthly coffees on the porch. The house lends itself to large gatherings both inside and out,” Reed says.

Inside, the homeowners decorated with hand-picked items, including furniture purchased from Shane Evans at Ansley Interiors and one-of-

a-kind pieces found during travels to Thailand, Myanmar, Morocco and Greece. Art is also abundant, including a noteworthy 5-by-9-foot ostrich painting by the late Todd Murphy in the formal living room that Reed obtained by trading commission on Murphy’s personal home. In the dining room hangs a 6-by-7-foot work

by Tony Hernandez, who shared a studio with Murphy in the late 1990s.

The dining room also showcases

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33

HOME

The dining space is elevated with a statement-making chandelier and oversized art.

a sparkling rock crystal chandelier purchased from Red Baron Antiques.

“The chandelier has been with us for the longest time. Before we started buying jewelry for our daughter, it was the most expensive thing we ever bought except for cars,” Reed says. “We moved it from Virginia-Highland to Hawaii and back.”

Kriethe and Reed have come a long way in making this residence their own, but they are not done.

After finishing the terrace off the den, they plan to add a new front porch, rework the basement level with a bar, yoga room and sauna, and add a larger dressing room and closet for Lilly upstairs.

“This house is a work in progress,” Reed says. “We always thought we would end up in a more formal ‘old Buckhead’ type home. We bought it thinking we would only be in it for a couple of years. As we developed the front and back yards, we realized that the property would be difficult to duplicate. We adjusted our more formal lifestyle to the less formal house, and during the process, fell absolutely in love.” n

The study off the primary bedroom is the ideal quiet space to read a book or watch a movie.

34 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D

One of the homeowners' next projects is adding a larger front porch.

The backyard is a resort-like oasis with lots of green.

The backyard's food plants include a small peach orchard with 10 trees.

The original lot stopped halfway through the pool at a hillside before Travis and Michael carved it out and added a sleek pool.

Travis Reed’s Favorite Design Details 1. Glass window wall over kitchen sink. “In addition to the light, this lets the outdoors into the kitchen space.”

2. Scullery. “This all around perfect extra kitchen space gives us a coffee bar, dishwashing area for events and extra storage all in one place that can be easily opened to the main kitchen or shut off completely.”

3. Wide plank quarter sawn white oak floors. “We waited a very long time to get these from Kentucky. The cut of the flooring adds stability and less shrinkage to the floors and the grain is much more subtle.”

The primary bedroom on the main level features tray ceilings, a chandelier and three pieces by artist John Folsom.

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BULLETIN BOARD

BY Giannina S. Bedford

PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

Left: A bathroom at the Terrace Hotel in Florida, a Sims Patrick Studio project.

Below: Libby Patrick offers insight into incorporating wallpaper into interior design.

Sara Hanna

No holiday party is complete without a beautifully displayed charcuterie board. An ideal hostess gift, these Swoozies mini charcuterie board sets offer a cheat sheet for the placement of nibbles, from meat and cheese to fruit, olives, nuts and crackers. The engraved mango wood paddle boards, each with a honey dipper, are available for $29.95 for a square set of two or $24.95 for a round set of two at Swoozies. swoozies.com • @soswoozies

Wallpaper Dos and Don’ts Libby Patrick, founding principal and CEO of Buckhead interior design firm Sims Patrick Studio, shares her wallpaper best practices DO: Use fun and bold patterns to emphasize the story you are trying to tell in your space. This can be done using specific motifs such as trees, insects, reptiles, birds, plants, flowers—all depending on who will be using the space and the type of mood and narrative the room is trying to convey. You can even bring in the flora and fauna from a specific locale that is meaningful to you. Once identified, these themes can also be used to design custom wallpaper patterns.

Be inspired. Use your imagination and interests to narrow down your inspiration points, and then your wallpaper can be a key point of that

final vision. For example, if you are inspired by an era in history, say the 1920s or 1960s, a particular pattern from that time can be easily pulled into the wallpaper, and the space can evolve from there.

Think outside of the box. Put decorative wallcoverings in spaces you might not expect. This could be the inside of a closet, behind the mirror in a powder room, or in a more relaxing space. For example, use an ombre gradient in a spa or a metallic ceiling covering in a communal area.

DON’T Go in without a strategy. Wallpaper is most effective when used

as a statement piece in a room or to advance a design narrative.

Basically, don’t just use it to use it.

Make sure it is a key part of the story you are trying to tell, otherwise you can use strategically placed artwork or other thoughtfully placed design elements instead.

Blow your budget. When used effectively, a dramatic wallcovering can make all the difference in a room. But be mindful of your budget, and make sure you are using it for necessities and accents where they really count. Allocate your funds for statements where they are most needed and use other impactful pieces to pull the space together

when wallpaper isn’t an option.

Mix influences. Once you have decided on a central narrative, make sure that you are keeping the space cohesive. For example, in our project at the Terrace Hotel [in Lakeland, Florida], the design was 1920s inspired, and we pulled this into all aspects of the property. The wallpaper was a key part of rounding this out with thoughtfully designed, ornate Art Deco patterns. Too many mixed influences can make any space feel chaotic, be stressful to the user and will muddle your overall vision. n SIMS PATRICK STUDIO • 404.261.6043 simspatrickstudio.com • @simspatrickstudio

DESIGN & REALTY NEWS n Visit Buckhead’s Christkindl Market from Nov. 17 to Dec. 24 at the corner of E. Paces Ferry and Peachtree roads in Buckhead Village. Wrap your hands around a hot mug of cider and shop through the outdoor market stalls filled with Christmas tree ornaments, holiday-themed table linens and gifts for the season. The free event is open Friday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Monday through

Thursday, 3 to 8 p.m. christkindlmarket.org Hidden Gem Restoration has opened its doors in Buckhead. The design firm’s 1,500-square-foot showroom is located on Roswell Road and offers a variety of furniture brands, from SUNPAN and Nuevo to Uttermost Revelation and Elk Home, to name a few. It will also offer

36 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D

design services, including furniture restoration. “Now my clients have a space to consult, review samples, converse ideas and map out a plan for their home,” says Hidden Gem owner and interior remodeler Kourtney Ashley.

“After we remodel their space, they will now have a place to shop their interior decor.” hiddengemrestoration.com @hiddengemrestoration

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TRENDING Annie Selke Aspen Black Mirror ($498) This mirror is playfully curved, bringing an unexpected organic touch to any bathroom, entry or fireplace mantle. Its antique finish is done by hand in India.

The hand cut mirror can be hung horizontally or vertically, offering versaility for wherever you choose to display it. Play up its neutrality with whites and creams, or use it to ground a wallpapered powder room.

Redefined Home Boutique • 404.812.0350 redefinedhomeboutique.com • @redefinedhome

Fade to Black Kelly Wearstler for Visual Comfort Tiglia Tall Table Lamp ($1,649) Designer Kelly Wearstler took inspiration from the pop-y Memphis Design style to create her Tigila Tall Table Lamp. The contrast between the crisp white linen shade and the high-gloss base offers a striking juxtaposition, and the round embellishments add a playful yet sophisticated touch. It’s a thoughtful addition to a bedside table, sofa console, credenza or entryway.

Visual Comfort • 404.233.4131 visualcomfort.com • @visualcomfort

Black, long relegated to the sidelines as an accent color, is back and taking center stage in design.

This season, black runs the gamut from deep, glossy hues to stark matte to artfully patinaed. No matter which style or finish you choose, inky accents will add a bit of mystery, moodiness and depth to your space. Here are a few items to consider.

STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

Ava Chair ($690)

Clayhill Coffee Table ($4,299) Made from rare, petrified wood cut from fossilized trees, this coffee table from Arhaus’ Clayhill collection is perfectly imperfect.

It’s handcrafted by artisans who pick the wood from volcanicrich forests in the Philippines. The slices are arranged in an inlaid mosaic and epoxied, and a sculpted resin base is added for heft.

The natural textures, colors, shapes and patterns create visual interest like no other in any living room, office or sitting room.

Arhaus • 404.869.0003 • arhaus.com • @arhaus

38 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D

Curvy, glossy and unapologetically modern, the award-winning Ava chair from the Italian design house Roche Bobois is a sexy take on a dining chair. It was created by Chinese designer Song Wen Zhong who used the Ming dynasty’s armchairs and mythical dragons as points of inspiration.

Made by polycarbonate injection, a unique molding technique that gives the chair its signature flair, it’s as innovative as it is beautiful.

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Biggio Bowl (from $1,000) Artist Gregor Turk, who works out of his Blandtown studio, is a native Atlantan.

Turk’s artistic quest is to study what places and environments reveal about us as a culture. His Biggio Bowl is made from ruched rubber sourced from bicycle inner tubes meant to mimic topography, current and wood grain. This decorative piece is sure to spark conversation.

Gregor Turk • gregorturk.com

Artfully Inspired

D I NIN G Kimpton Sylvan Hotel BUCKHEAD ATLANTA thesylvanhotel.com

TUCKED AWAY IN THE TREES OF BUCKHEAD VILLAGE, you’re invited to experience Chef Thomas’ elevated supper club-inspired menu at The Betty, sip colorful cocktails on the rooftop in St. Julep, and mingle in the sprawling lush gardens of Willow Bar. Three distinctive dining experiences, one destination.

S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

39

TASTEMAKER

STYLE, BY DESIGN Alejandra Dunphy celebrates 15 years of her eponymous interiors studio STORY: Lauren Finney Harden PHOTO: Erik Meadows

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lejandra Dunphy has been designing since she was a child in Peru. “My grandfather owned an antique store where he sold jewelry, decor and unique furniture. I was intrigued by the craftsmanship and detail, and wanted to learn more about where things came from and how they were made. This inspired my love for interior design,” Dunphy says. She moved to Savannah to attend SCAD and has stayed in Georgia over 20 years, curating a list of commercial and residential clients that stretches from Atlanta to Belize and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Here, the founder and creative director of Alejandra Dunphy Studio shares how she got her start and what’s currently absorbing her focus.

a baby, you want everything to be safe in that way. And back in 2007, eco-friendly was new. I began Alejandra Dunphy Studio on a consulting basis 15 years ago.

to social media and sites such as Pinterest. They want to think a little more outside the box.

You also teach interior design at SCAD. Why is this an important

How did you end up in Atlanta?

How does your background in

part of your design work?

After SCAD, I got an internship in Atlanta with a luxury hospitality firm, HBA, and I moved here for that. After that, I ended up at [design and architecture firm] TVS for five years and then went to Collins Cooper Carusi, another firm. I stayed there for a few years and then had kids. That changes your lifestyle; I couldn’t work long hours anymore, so I decided to change my course. I wanted more flexibility and got more into sustainable design. I became a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited professional and was a sustainable design consultant.

Meanwhile, I was also working with artisans in my native Peru and importing sustainably made home decor. They used natural dyes, organic cotton, etc. When you have

hospitality inform your designs?

It’s also kind of a full-circle moment because I am an adjunct professor who teaches lecture and studio classes around interior design. I’ve been doing that for seven years. I teach about two classes a year and sometimes summer workshops for high school students. I love it.

At SCAD, a lot of the classes are real work classes, like through SCAD Pro, where the school gets hired by a company to design. SCAD is so multicultural and so diverse, and there are so many perspectives.

I teach because I also want to learn more and connect with students.

They are so creative. n

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When I was at TVS, I mainly focused on convention centers, which have a huge scale, such as the ones in Puerto Rico, Richmond and Knoxville. You have to have a sense of scale and create a cohesive environment and sense of place. There’s an element of storytelling, so I was trained to have that mindset. I still do quite a few commercial projects in addition to residential design.

What are your clients asking you for right now?

I recently went to [luxury furniture fair] Salone del Mobile in Milan, Italy, and I came back inspired. A lot of my clients don’t want things that are too trendy; they want timeless but unique. Clients today are so exposed

ALEJANDRA DUNPHY STUDIO • 404.455.5812 a-dstudio.com • @adstudioatlanta

S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

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42 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D

FA S H I O N

BEAUTY

WELLNESS

TA S T E M A K E R

STYLISH

Tea Ritual Christopher Jamar Payne

Page 50 Marsha Chin-Glover launches an online organic tea retail business.

“Come home and have tea instead of a cocktail!” — Marsha Chin-Glover S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

43

FASHION

SHOW A LITTLE LEGWEAR

Leggings and socks are having a moment STORY: Karina Antenucci

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eggings are mostly equated with athleisure, and socks aren’t typically on the forefront of fashion, but they are both trending this season as major accessories to complement any look.

“Legwear should add a statement to an outfit, and these items do just that,” says Melissa Young, fashion stylist at Melissa J. & Co. Styling in Buckhead. Here, Young highlights some of the season’s top legging and sock styles.

Sheer Leggings and Knee-High Hosiery Socks “Look for a color close to your skin tone or go for black, which looks good on everyone, and avoid sheer white because it can appear dated and not elegant,” Young says, who suggests splurging on a highquality pair of sheer tights and socks to avoid runs. She likes to pair sheer tights or knee-high hosiery socks with a mini skirt and a chunky sweater, or to go for a “Chanel vibe” with a tweed dress and a nice pump—"a look that’s cute for holiday parties.” She notes that even gray can be a good sheer color for an elevated look, but if you choose the hue, then go for a monotone ensemble with a gray dress or skirt to make it blend together effortlessly.

thigh-high and calf-height socks that have two or three black, white or colored stripes around the top.

Wear them with running shorts and sneakers for a casual, on-trend look, suggests Young. For slouch socks, Young loves Skims’ selection. “I have them in every color,” she says.

“They look super cute for a workout and give the old Richard Simmons athletic vibe.” But you can also don them over black sheer or ribbed leggings and pair them with loafers or Doc Martens, a look Young says has been super-hot on and off runways.

Faux Leather Leggings

Vintage Striped and Slouch Socks

This long-lasting trend is still going strong. “There are so many ways to wear the faux leather,” says Young.

For a sporty look, style it with a white or graphic T-shirt, a black button down and sneakers, and top it with a moto jacket and skull cap.

Or dress it up with a turtleneck sweater, ankle boot such as a Chelsea boot, and layer with a trench coat and fedora. “Think flowy and wide up top for balance and proportion,” Young says. Another option for a sophisticated look: Wear tights underneath the leggings, add a blouse, tailored jacket and a heeled sandal [to show off the tights], which Young says Atlantans can get away with because of our mild winter weather. n

These two throwback sock trends are pure fun. Retailers from Free People to Amazon are selling the

MELISSA J. & CO. STYLING • 470.869.0093 melissajyoung.com • @stylebymelissaj

Cotton-Ribbed Leggings “Any type of ribbing adds character to an outfit, and it camouflages legs a bit more than a sheer style.

Ribbed leggings are great for an office look,” Young says. Pair them with menswear, such as a waist vest, a blazer and loafers, and add feminine accessories like a cute headband and chunky necklace. For a going-out getup, style them with a knee-high boot, a mesh turtleneck and a long maxi coat that falls above the ankles. And make sure to accessorize with gold and/or silver jewelry.

44 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D

Melissa Young, fashion stylist at Melissa J. & Co. Styling

BEAUTY Clover, by Clove + Hallow The Clean Girl Starter Set ($57) Finding clean makeup options that are every bit as effective as heritage brands is becoming a top priority for many beauty lovers. This sampler by an Atlanta-based company comes with volumizing mascara, an illuminating highlighter stick, blush balm and a rosy lip jelly (inspired

by Dior’s cult favorite lip oil). You’re practically guaranteed to find a new favorite among them.

One Love Organics Botanical B Enzyme Cleansing Oil ($42) Effective cleansing is an important step in any wellrounded skincare routine, but it can be tough to do away with makeup and dirt without stripping vital moisture. This oil cleanser from a small-batch brand founded in Georgia’s Golden Isles gently lifts away impurities while reinforcing an ideal pH balance. Fruit enzymes exfoliate, and a botanically based B complex promotes tone and a natural glow. Even though it’s a slamdunk for dry skin, it’s suitable for all skin types. oneloveorganics.com @oneloveorganics

cloverbyclove.com • @cloverbyclove

Range Beauty Bali Face & Body Glow ($25) Glowing skin is beautiful skin, and this product by an Atlanta-based beauty brand takes it to the next level with shimmering particles suspended in hydrating organic argan oil. Equally appropriate for use on your face or body, this product can also be added to damp, post-shower skin for an all-over glow or dotted on cheeks, shoulders or collarbones for a subtle highlight. rangebeauty.com • @rangebeauty

BEAUTIFULLY LOCAL

Georgia-made products are just the ticket to round out your gift-giving STORY: Jennifer Bradley Franklin

This is the time of year when we start seeing “shop local” on everything from artisan-made crafts to boutique windows. And that applies to beauty brands as well. Whether you’re looking to stock up for your own use or pick up thoughtful gifts for a beauty lover on your list, these made-in-Georgia brands are winners.

Sally B’s Skin Yummies Happy Hands Collection ($50)

Cosmedix Opti Crystal ($105) Made by the Atlantaheadquartered clean brand that delivers clinical-style results, this liquid crystalinfused eye serum has a serious following of in-theknow beauty mavens. It’s as pretty as it is effective, thanks to a copper complex to promote firmer, renewed skin, liquid crystals to hydrate and alpha-lipoic acid to combat free radicals. cosmedix.com • @cosmedix_

’Tis the season for healthy habits, and thorough hand washing and moisturizing are important parts of a smart routine. This citrus and vanilla-scented duo includes a luxurious foaming hand soap and rich healing hand butter, both infused with plant-based oils. The Buckhead-based brand is on a mission to bring non-toxic skincare to the forefront. sallybskinyummies.com • @sallybskinyummies

Bevel Beard Conditioner ($9.95)

Sapelo Skin Care Sea Lavender Mist & Toner ($32) Sometimes you need a little boost for a dewy complexion, and this skin refresher does the trick. Savannah natives and cofounders created this product that doubles as a toner, with micro-clusters of water molecules, humectants to hydrate and sea lavender oil for a gently fresh scent. sapeloskincare.com • @sapeloskincare

Facial hair deserves the same TLC as the hair on your head and the skin on your face. This specially formulated beard conditioner is designed to prevent breakage and promote softness and hydration. The bearded gentlemen on your gift list can use this non-greasy product from a Buckhead-based company with confidence that it won’t clog pores. getbevel.com • @bevel

46 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D

Let yourself be transported to the timeless elegance of France in the heart of the Buckhead Village.

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47

WELLNESS

Medicinal Mushrooms

Chiara Visconti di Modrone, integrative nutritionist and founder of Intuitas Integrative Wellness

Why we should all be eating more fungi STORY: Karina Antenucci

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ushrooms have long been appreciated for their culinary and nutritional value, but they are now gaining more notoriety for their valuable medicinal qualities. An extensive body of scientific research validates their health benefits.

“One thing that I love about medicinal mushrooms is that their benefits are not only supported by modern scientific studies and successful clinical trials but also are steeped in traditional knowledge that spans many cultures from Native Americans to traditional Chinese medicine,” says Chiara Visconti di Modrone, integrative nutritionist and founder of Intuitas Integrative Wellness, who works with clients in Buckhead and around Atlanta. “We now have a lot of solid research on mushrooms’ properties and benefits for immune health, stress, neurological health and different conditions, maybe even for cancer prevention.”

’Shroom vs. ’Shroom Different varieties of mushrooms bring unique properties to the

wellness table, but they can all be considered medicinal. That’s right: Even the plain old button mushroom found at the grocery store stands up to its fancy and less available reishi cousin that’s native to East Asia. “Lion’s mane is particularly good for brain function and focus, for example,” Visconti di Modrone says. “But generally speaking, the main and common benefit of all varieties of mushrooms, including turkey tail found in Georgia forests, is their ability to boost immunity.” Some mushrooms, such as reishi and cordyceps, are also considered adaptogens that help the body moderate its stress response and protect it internally from stress-related damage.

Fungi Consumption Mushrooms come in all forms— tinctures, supplements, fresh, powders, dried and wild. You can even buy a DIY grow kit or inoculate a tree in your backyard with mushroom spores. “For medicinal purposes, you get a bigger bang for your buck when using a powder, tincture or supplement that’s more

48 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D

concentrated. But if you want to eat your medicine, cooking them is a fun and delicious way to consume them,” Visconti di Modrone says.

She recommends a simple recipe of sauteing them with some garlic, olive oil, fresh herbs such as rosemary or thyme, and salt and pepper.

Shopping Tips If quality products and environmentally friendly sources are important to you, it’s best to do your own research and look into the practices of the companies you’re buying from.

“When choosing a supplement, don’t just buy one randomly on Amazon,” cautions Visconti di Modrone.

“Make sure it is third-party tested and uses a dual-extraction method to ensure you get the full spectrum of beneficial compounds.” If mushrooms are wild-crafted or wildharvested, check out the brand’s ethical and sustainability practices so as not to deplete Mother Earth of her natural bounty.

the body to start recognizing and using plant medicine, so long-term dosing is important,” Visconti di Modrone says. “From what we know, mushrooms are just a nice foundation for our health and, whether through food or supplement, we should have them in all of our diets. It’s not some woo-woo wellness thing; they’re a well-researched food as medicine.” Of course, always check in with your health professional regarding dosages for your personal constitution. n

A Long Game Consistency is the key to reaping the benefits. “It takes time for

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TASTEMAKER

B

uckhead resident Marsha Chin-Glover says that, for her, a time of loss and grief often blossoms into a major life change. That was indeed the case with the summer 2022 launch of her online organic tea retail business, Tea Tales, that came on the heels of her beloved aunt and mentor passing.

Chin-Glover, who owns the luxury fashion boutique Elmozene in Jamaica and was previously a cardiac nurse at Emory University Hospital for 10 years, had been thinking about starting a tea company for several years. Her aunt, who shared a mutual appreciation for teas, encouraged Chin-Glover to take the leap.

“Part of the grieving process is that it puts life into perspective and purpose. What kind of contribution are you leaving behind? After my aunt passed, I was left thinking about health and the benefits of teas. That was the push to get this started through my grief,” she says.

How was Tea Tales inspired by your Chinese-Jamaican heritage?

Christopher Jamar Payne

My mother is Jamaican, and my dad is part Chinese. Both cultures are big on teas, but my greatest influence was my Jamaican maternal grandmother who helped my mom raise me when my parents split up. We have a joke that if you broke an arm, she’d say make a tea. It was part of our wellness rituals and lifestyle.

What’s your advice for creating a daily tea ritual?

In Chinese culture, it’s common to choose an upper, midday and downer tea. I suggest creating a ritual around your lifestyle that helps you get the day going, refresh in the hump period midday and aid with digestion at night, which will help prevent bloating in the morning. Tea in the morning can have the same caffeinated effect as coffee, but the health benefits are better with teas. In our society today, we equate relaxation with spending money on a spa or taking a trip but it can come from just a bubble bath or sipping a tea for a few dollars. Come home and have tea instead of a cocktail!

How did you decide on the types of teas to offer, and what are your favorites?

I chose seven teas to start because,

TEA RITUAL Marsha Chin-Glover encourages habitual sips STORY: Karina Antenucci

in numerology, it’s a number of completion. The number seven has come up throughout my life, including when I met my husband on 7/7/2007. I like a black tea like our Vintage Earl Grey in the morning; it’s an upper and has a great aroma.

Midday, I go for our Ginger Orange Peach. At night, I like our Mint Chamomile, a mint—my favorite— mixed with relaxing chamomile. I

50 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D

add honey or sugar. Or I like black tea with a little bit of cream.

Why is empowering women and mothers in particular important to you, and how does Tea Tales aim to do that?

It’s because I’m a mother and a woman. If I learn something that works, I want to share that, and it helps me fulfill my purpose to serve

others more. Tea Tales’ tagline is “Steeped in Story.” We are creating a blog that will hopefully be available by the end of the year, where women will be able to share their stories.

We will encourage women to find their voices, get to know themselves better and therefore feel more empowered. I started a personal blog many years ago called Marsha Diaries, which still exists, but hasn’t been active lately, and I found that sitting down to journal my story was kind of like meditating. As women, we don’t often sit down and take 10 minutes to steep in our stories. n TEA TALES blendedteatale.com • @blendedteatales

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KIDS

PETS

S T R AT E G I E S

FAMILY

Baby Blueprint Page 56 Decorator Sarah Glenn Boman suggests filling a nursery with meaningful pieces, from art to toys and textiles.

“Make the nursery a room you are really going to enjoy spending time in.” — Sarah Glenn Boman S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

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KIDS Sarah Glenn Boman’s favorite places to shop for nursery decor 1. Seed Factory: “It’s great for small items for decorating shelves. They have wonderful books, stuffed animals and the sweetest collection of wooden animals.” seedfactoryatlanta.com

2. Blabla: “Blabla has my favorite collection of handmade mobiles. They also have the sweetest dolls. They sadly no longer have a brick-and-mortar store in Atlanta, but you can shop online or find their products at Seed Factory.” blablakids.com

3. West Elm and Crate & Kids: From accent walls and lighting to mobiles, nurseries can be personalized in numerous ways.

“These are my two favorite big box stores for nursery decor. I love their more modern design approach, and these are my go-to places to shop for cribs and gliders.” westelm.com • crateandbarrel.com

4. Maisonette: “Great for decorative accessories like pillows, storage baskets, blankets and wall art.” maisonette.com

Style File Above: Shelving is a great way to display toys, books or other decor items, Boman says.

BABY BLUEPRINT

Interior decorator and mom Sarah Glenn Boman on nursery decor STORY: Giannina S. Bedford

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any parents begin scouring Pinterest for nursery design ideas as soon as they find out they are expecting. Designing a nursery is an important piece of the nesting puzzle and one that can also feel overwhelming, particularly for first-time parents. Interior decorator and Buckhead native Sarah Glenn Boman of Sarah Glenn Interiors started her design career working on nurseries for friends, then clients. She estimates she’s helped design six nurseries “officially” since starting her business five years ago and given guidance to friends for many more.

Here, she offers us her baby room design tips, both as a decorator and soon-to-be mother of two.

a comfortable chair or rocker for feedings and reading books. “With a nursery, there is sort of a formula because there are things you need to have,” Boman says. She notes that it’s important to start with the necessities “because when people learn they are going to have a baby, they can get carried away.”

Other Goodies

Sarah Glenn Boman got started in design by helping friends decorate their nurseries.

First Steps Start off with the must-have items, Boman says, such as the crib, a changing table (often a changing pad on the top of a dresser) and

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Aside from the obvious must-haves, Boman also suggests shelves for books or other decorative items, such as wooden animals or toys. Baskets or storage cubes also come in handy for all the extra items, from blankets to stuffed animals, that tend to accumulate during the first year.

Bringing in a “soft but non-shedding rug” can also add some color and texture. “You end up spending a ton of time on the floor, so you want it to be comfortable,” Boman says.

There is no right or wrong way to style a nursery. Boman has worked on ones that run the gamut from traditional to bohemian, genderspecific to neutral. What she does suggest is to make the nursery a room you love.

“My biggest piece of advice that I give people is to make the nursery a room you are really going to enjoy spending time in,” Boman says. “It’s nice to keep it a calm space and make it feel peaceful because it’s a very chaotic time. It’s nice to have it be a room you want to be in, and that means something different to everyone.”

When Boman was designing her daughter’s nursery, she based the color palette off a local artist’s artwork that caught her eye. She also included pieces with meaning, such as a wooden Swedish horse, an homage to her husband’s family’s heritage.

“It’s nice to put things in the room that are special to you,” Boman says. “Maybe a wooden horse isn’t the most practical thing for a toddler to play with, but for a nursery it’s nice to include adult things that you might appreciate and aren’t necessarily all catered towards the child.” n SARAH GLENN INTERIORS • 404.403.7528 sarahglennboman.com • @sarahglenninteriors

PETS

SCOOP PATROL

A plethora of dog waste removal companies in Atlanta eliminates the hassle of you having to do it yourself.

Dog waste removal amenities are in high demand STORY: Chelsie Butler

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e have all heard of pest control, housecleaning and landscaping services for the home, and now there’s a new service to add to your list: a company that removes doggy doo-doo from your yard. For busy homeowners or those who just don’t like the unsanitary nature of the task, this can be a much-needed provision, plus it reduces the chances of spreading disease via pathogens in the feces. Atlanta has no shortage of such businesses that specialize in cleaning up after dogs, ahem, do their business.

The following are a few pet waste-removal companies that service our community.

ALL POOPED OUT? is the pet waste-removal arm of Reigning Cats & Dogs, a pet-sitting company started in 2001. Employees, not contractors, provide services, and the company offers free quotes.

First-time clients get a 5% discount and can choose from weekly, biweekly, monthly or custom schedules.

Reigning Cats & Dogs donates to the Atlanta Humane Society and the Gwinnett Humane Society, and its employees are actively involved in various Atlanta animal rescues. petsatlanta.com

SCOOP SOLDIERS has serviced the metro Atlanta area since 2018.

The technicians send a photo of the homeowners’ secured gate after each cleanup, so there is no worry that Fido accidentally escaped. The company partners with Valor Service Dogs, a nonprofit that assists wounded post-9/11 veterans and first responders with mobility assistance and PTSD service dogs, some that Scoop Soldiers have sponsored. A 10% discount is offered to activeduty military, reserves, retirees and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as first responders. And if a new client mentions the company’s

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“first scoop free” promo, they receive their first visit free of charge. scoopsoldiers.com • @scoopsoldiers

DOODY CALLS has the clever tagline: “Being number one in the number two business.” Their technicians thoroughly walk each yard twice to make sure all the waste is removed, and their bi-weekly option is the most popular with clients. First-time users get a 50% discount off the initial cleaning, and Doody Calls Atlanta franchise owner Theo Brown says if customers permit the company to place a yard sign on the property, they receive a 25% discount on all services for one month. doodycalls.com • @doodycallsusa DIRTY WORK has been servicing Metro Atlanta since 1998, and its technicians are reliable. The same ones visit your home each time so they can become familiar with your surroundings and pets. The company

is involved with local shelters and animal groups, including the Ahimsa House, and as part of its 25th anniversary celebration, Dirty Work is offering new clients a 25% discount for the first month of services. It also offers a referral program where clients receive two weeks free for referring a new one. dirtywork.net

RUFF STUFF says one of its customer segments includes homes with elderly or disabled individuals; some need the service temporarily while recovering from a surgery, for example. The company, which began serving the Atlanta area in 2019, is a supporter of the Atlanta Humane Society and Adopt a Golden Atlanta, and it provides pet waste-removal services to the Brook Run Dog Park in Dunwoody.

New clients receive 10% off the first month of service, and Simply Buckhead readers who sign up enjoy 10% off the first three months. ruffstuffatlanta.com n

S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

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STRATEGIES

GET THIS PARTY STARTED! How to plan and host a spectacular New Year’s Eve party STORY: Amy Meadows

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hen that sparkling ball drops on New Year’s Eve, where will you be when you sing “Auld Lang Syne?”

Hopefully, you’ll be at an amazing party. If you want to make sure of it, host one yourself. And to guarantee that your soiree provides a memorable start to 2024, Katrina SmithMay, event sales manager for Southern Proper Hospitality, which plans events across Buckhead, shares her insights for organizing the social gathering of the season.

As a bonus, Natacha Cargile, SPH regional event sales manager and certified wine expert, includes her tips for enhancing the party with delightful libations.

Why is New Year’s Eve an important night to celebrate?

KATRINA SMITH-MAY: Of all of the holiday gatherings, New Year’s Eve is for everyone. It represents fresh beginnings, and everyone wants to acknowledge that.

There’s also an old Southern saying: Whatever you’re doing at the stroke of midnight is what you’re going to be doing for the rest of the year. It’s a night when you want to be around the people who matter to you.

Where should I host my NYE party?

Which beverages

KSM: If you want to open up your

should I serve for NYE?

home for the party, keep in mind that you’ll have to get your house ready. A better idea might be to find a restaurant that allows you to set it and forget it. Many restaurants have a private space so you’re not in the main dining area. And if you use a private event planner, they can work with your budget to help with space planning, decorations and menu and beverage choices.

The challenge is that restaurants book up very early; you need to call as soon as possible to find a location for NYE.

NATACHA CARGILE: New Year’s Eve is

What kind of food should I serve?

KSM: I’m a huge proponent of a standing cocktail event with small bites. Start with a charcuterie and cheese board so there’s a little bit of something for everyone. Also, introduce some hot canapes or tapas at the beginning of the party.

Front load the menu with something savory, salty and a little bulky.

You’re going to scale up the alcohol during the evening while you scale down the food. At the midway point, your guests’ stomachs will start to get full. You don’t want to be left with too much food.

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all about celebration, so you’ll want something festive and fizzy. Sparkling champagne and Prosecco will bring pizzazz to the party. You could do a nice Lambrusco or a Pinot Noir.

Just remember that a New Year’s Eve party can be a long event—four hours or more—and you’ll want to pace yourself. Start with something light and bring out your best champagne for the big toast at midnight.

How can I make the party stand out?

KSM: You can have an action station—

Katrina Smith-May (above) and Natacha Cargile (below) know how to make a New Year's party magical and memorable.

maybe a cigar roller or a bourbon tasting. It adds a wow factor. People can mill about but still be nearby when you need to gather everyone for the big moment. I also recommend syncing your countdown with the ball drop in Times Square. If you’re at home, have it on your big screen TV. If you’re at a restaurant, see if they have monitors. People really want to see that ball drop.

How do I eloquently end the party?

KSM: Party favors. You can display them or hand them out at the end of the night. It’s a polite and gentle way to say goodbye. n

SOUTHERN PROPER HOSPITALITY GROUP 404.334.0943 • sphospitality.com @southernproperhospitality

O N S TA G E

L I T E R A RY

TA S T E M A K E R

EVENTS

CULTURE

Theater Tradition Page 62 Supported by her mother, Jan Collins, Courtenay Collins Eckardt's global theater journey came home to Sandy Springs in October.

“I love the community aspect of theater. I love being with other people.” — Courtenay Collins Eckardt S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

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ON STAGE

Theater Tradition

Jan Collins and daughter Courtenay Collins Eckardt have made their community and theater dreams come true at the City Springs Performing Arts Center.

Mother and daughter star on and off stage in Sandy Springs STORY: Michael Jacobs PHOTO: Joann Vitelli

J

an Collins and her daughter, Courtenay Collins Eckardt, have made matches between the arts and patrons in Sandy Springs, so it’s fitting Eckardt was cast as Yente the matchmaker in Fiddler on the Roof in October’s production at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.

In an international career that began at 18 and finally took Eckardt to Broadway with Prom in 2019, Fiddler marked her debut for the City Springs Theatre Company that she and her mother helped launch.

“It is one of those full-circle moments,” Eckardt says. “I’ve been sort of on the outside, gawking as a fan, and now to just dive into this beautiful, healthy, vibrant arts community is just thrilling.”

The family’s theatrical circle has long combined performance, education and philanthropy.

Collins’ mother, Gladys Williams,

was an English teacher who led the drama program at Atlanta’s Roosevelt High School and taught piano.

She got Collins involved in music and theater, and Collins taught high school English and drama. More than 50 years ago, they all moved to Sandy Springs, where Eckardt attended Riverwood High School. Her husband, Michael, and two grown sons also are Riverwood alumni.

Eckardt says she was smitten around second grade by a high school production of Brigadoon her grandmother directed. A few years later, Mitzi Gaynor “mesmerized” her with a one-woman show at the Fox Theatre, and she never could wash the theater out of her hair.

“I wrote notes in the program of things that I wanted to do when I was grown up.”

Ferrying her daughter across the metro area for lessons showed Collins the value of consolidating

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the arts close to home. While she served on the boards of the Atlanta Opera and the Alliance Theatre, she hoped to see musical theater in Sandy Springs someday.

Collins and Eckardt eventually became a fundraising tag team for that cause. A voice coach as well as an actor, Eckardt sang at gatherings where Collins persuaded friends to join her as $5,000 founding sponsors.

“The first time I walked into our theater, I just burst into tears,” Collins says. “It was so beautiful.”

That success hit home this summer as the two walked to the Byers Theatre for a show after dinner at The Select. Eckardt says, “We looked at each other and went, ‘It came true.’”

Beyond City Springs Theatre, mother and daughter continue to support Sandy Springs’ arts ecosystem through the boards of Act3

Productions, the Sandy Springs Arts Foundation and the Sandy Springs Society, for which Collins was a founder.

“I see everybody pulling in the right direction,” Collins says.

“It binds our community together, and we are creating space for the betterment of lives and opportunities for families.”

They see opportunities for more in their city, such as art galleries and a dance program. “We’re just so thrilled with what’s going on in the arts in Sandy Springs,” Collins says.

“We just see that it will continue to grow and elevate the lives of those who work, live and visit.” n ACT3 PRODUCTIONS act3prod.org • @act3playhouse CITY SPRINGS THEATRE COMPANY cityspringstheatre.com • @CitySpringsTheatre THE SANDY SPRINGS SOCIETY sandyspringssociety.org

DENTISTRY’S ROLE IN COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH

BEYOND

THE SMILE

By Keya Patel, DMD What do these public figures share in common? Marcia Cross, Michael Douglas, and Babe Ruth were affected by cancer potentially linked to human papillomavirus (HPV).

According to the CDC, 70% of oropharyngeal cancers are linked to HPV, a common sexually transmitted virus. Oral and oropharyngeal cancers are severe conditions with potentially lifealtering or fatal consequences.

Extensive and aggressive treatment measures, including surgical removal of the jawbone, teeth, and tongue, are necessary interventions to halt the progression of the disease and prevent its spread to other parts of the body. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 54,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer, with 11,230 succumbing to the disease. These cancers often exhibit no symptoms in their early stages, underscoring the critical importance of early detection for

improved prognosis and more effective treatment. Regular screenings are essential.

When was the last time someone checked your lips, the inner lining of your lips and cheeks, the base of your tongue, and the floor and roof of your mouth, as well as the middle part of your throat, including the tonsils and the base of the tongue?

At Pharr Road Dentistry, our commitment to quality care extends beyond routine clinical examinations. We are proud to introduce VELscope, an advanced oral assessment system utilizing fluorescence visualization to detect abnormal tissue that might be invisible to the naked eye.

Additionally, we are collaborating with OB/GYNs in the Atlanta area to raise awareness about the connection between HPV and oral cancer. Your oral health is our priority, and our comprehensive approach aims to ensure your well-being and peace of mind.

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LITERARY

Jenny Pham

The Goose Who Talked to the Wind is available on Amazon and at allisonentrekin.com.

BREAKING AWAY FROM THE FLOCK Local author flies off in new direction

I

t was divine intervention that inspired the idea for her new book, says Brookhaven author and magazine editor Allison Entrekin. It happened five years ago while she was enjoying the view of sky and sea from a vacation spot in Pensacola.

“I saw a flock of geese flying in formation, but then one peeled away and started flying in the completely opposite direction,” Entrekin

STORY: H.M. Cauley

says. “Then in 30 seconds, this book idea downloaded into my brain.

I had a journal nearby, and I wrote the entire story. It felt divine.”

The result is The Goose Who Talked to the Wind, a book for 3- to 5-year-olds that follows the adventures of a nameless goose that is beckoned by the wind to set out on a different course. But the 32-pages hold meaning for adults as well.

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“It’s what we’re seeing more and more of: a book aimed at young readers that also speaks to their parents,” Entrekin says. “Children will read one story, but whoever is reading to them reads for themselves. I have found that happening for people who have read the drafts. The adults hear the call to the message of adventure.”

The story of the goose’s creation

mirrors the book’s message in several ways, Entrekin says. Her first work, For the Love of Dogs, came out in 2011 from Triumph Books that handled the production and publicity. This time was different.

“I had no intention of writing a children’s book, but I thought if it was divinely inspired, then publishing it would be easy. Silly me. The ones who were interested wanted to make too many changes. It made me freeze for a few years.”

The idea surfaced again on New Year’s Eve as she talked with her husband and two children about their 2023 goals. “I decided I was going to self-publish it,” she says.

“I could do a gorgeous book the way I wanted to with the words I wanted.

But then I learned that self-publishing has changed so much. It’s very different from my past experience with a traditional publisher.”

Flying away from the publishing flock meant learning all the intricacies of survival on her own, Entrekin says. “This was way out of my comfort zone. My flock is staying in my lane with magazines where I know what I’m doing. To do all the many facets to get this book out into the world was taking me in a different direction. I didn’t know where it was going. In some ways, I’m the goose.”

For the journey, Entrekin hired a local designer and an illustrator, and put her own money into the project. “I am incurring some risk, but I believe in it. I think we all have an inner longing to try something new, to take a risk. This was my going in a different direction.”

And the journey might continue in the future. “I don’t know where it’s going to go,” she says, with just a hint that there may be more goose adventures to come. n

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S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

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TASTEMAKER

Ta’Neile Simmons will compete for the title of Miss Georgia USA in November.

this can help me further the work I already pursue.

How are you preparing for the state pageant this month?

I’m working out with a personal trainer four days a week, and I also take Pilates and yoga classes each week. I’ve also hired pageant coaches and do interview prep at least one hour per day, and I have sessions to work on my walk two times per week. It’s a pretty rigorous schedule.

I really didn’t know how much work a pageant was until I got into it!

Your platform is veteran disability awareness. Why is this cause important to you?

What made you decide to

What is your goal after competing

enter the pageant world?

as Miss Georgia USA?

People were constantly telling me that I did all the things pageant contestants do and that I should get a crown for my work, and the timing finally felt right. I began pursuing the role, and in May, I received my acceptance into the Miss USA organization. I’ve always admired women in the pageant world for their discipline, poise and public service, and I’m excited about how

I plan to win the title and devote myself fully to it and my platform, and to compete at the national level. Then I want to get back into the fashion world and become a top merchant in the field. I am so excited to experience pageantry at the highest level and have that knowledge and experience to impart to the girls I’ll continue to mentor. n

@bukunmigrace

in.” She’s also continued to pursue modeling and acting, passions since she was a child, and serves as a mentor and poise coach to young women. Simmons currently holds the title of Miss North Buckhead, which she earned via an interview process, and will compete for the title of Miss Georgia USA at the state pageant Nov. 16-18. Here, we chat with her about her next big endeavor.

My father was a disabled vet who suffered from mental, back and foot disabilities after his time in the Navy. He was unable to care properly for his family for many years while he tried to get his disability benefits. I know the impact this had on my and my younger brother’s lives, and I don’t want any other families to go through the same thing. I’ve partnered with the Georgia Department of Veterans Service so we can bring more awareness of the tools and resources available to disabled veterans, and help them achieve a better quality of life for themselves and their families.

Crowning Achievements

Miss North Buckhead Ta’Neile Simmons has her eye on the pageant prize STORY: Emily L. Foley

T

a’Neile Simmons has been a high achiever her entire life.

The Louisville native graduated magna cum laude in 2019 from the University of Kentucky with dual degrees in marketing and merchandising. During her undergrad years, she earned two prestigious international study opportunities: an internship at Kilometre in Paris and a spot at Florence University of the Arts to study under renowned fashion professor Sandra Nannini.

Upon graduation, she beat out

thousands of other applicants to land her dream job in fashion merchandising at the Nordstrom corporate offices in Seattle before she was part of COVID-induced, company-wide layoffs.

Despite the setback, Simmons bounced back quickly. She moved to Atlanta in 2021 for a merchandising job in the home improvement field.

“I was devastated, but it was a blessing in disguise,” she says of the layoff.

“I seriously love Atlanta. It’s the most vibrant, homey city I’ve ever lived

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@taneilefaye

BY Gillian Anne Renault

Kim Kenney

EVENTS

THE HOLIDAY CLASSIC ROSWELL DANCE THEATRE NUTCRACKER TURNS 35

Eric Yap

T

he Nutcracker ballet is in Nancy Tolbert Yilmaz’s DNA. It’s also on her phone. Her ring tone year round is a snippet from the famous Tchaikovsky score. “It’s amazing how many people recognize the music,” she says. As artistic director of Roswell Dance Theatre, Tolbert Yilmaz started rehearsals for the holiday classic in August with 350 dancers and brought in four male guest artists, including Jonah Hooper, formerly with Atlanta Ballet.

Tolbert Yilmaz, a Roswell native, founded her ballet school 44 years ago and launched The Nutcracker production nine years later. Over the years, as her students grew up, they enrolled their own children in the school and auditioned them for the holiday classic. “I think the most rewarding thing is seeing the second and third generation of children perform,” Tolbert Yilmaz says.

“We’re like family.” This year, dozens of children, some of them as young as 5, will dance in the production.

Five years ago, the production moved from the Roswell Cultural Arts Center to the Byers Theatre in Sandy Springs, and the company had to buy new sets to fit the much larger stage. “We took a huge leap of faith,” Tolbert Yilmaz says. “But the mayor of Sandy Springs has been a big supporter, and we’ve been very successful there.”

Every year, she and the school faculty make subtle changes to keep the ballet fresh. And every year, at

every performance, Tolbert Yilmaz, now 65, dances the role of Marie Von Stahlbaum, the mother in the party scene. “I can’t not do it,” she says. “It’s like breathing!” Evening and matinee performances are Nov. 24-26 and Dec. 1-3. Tickets start at $27. n tysod.com/nutcracker-landing

The Waltz of the Flowers is one of the highlights of the ballet's second act.

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EVENTS

BY Gillian Anne Renault

BUZZ NEW YEAR’S EVE WITH THE ATLANTA SYMPHONY Dec. 31 citysprings.com/events/ new-years-eve-atlanta-symphony

Atlanta’s orchestra will provide an evening of classical favorites, leading into a party with DJ Newk to ring in the New Year.

The concert starts at 8 p.m.; the party kicks off at 10 p.m. It’s all at the Byers Theatre in Sandy Springs. Tickets start at $48.50.

WIND DOWN WEDNESDAYS Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29 & Dec. 6, 13, 20 discoverdunwoody.com/event/ wind-down-wednesdays/18524

Sparkle Sandy Springs Join the holiday parade This fun-filled event, the seventh annual, kicks off with the Sparkle Holiday gift market, complete with food trucks and festive music from The Rupert’s Orchestra, followed by the Sparkle Parade that loops around the City Springs District.

Marching in the parade will be members of the Sandy Springs council, the Sparkle Brigade and the ever-popular Twilight Twirlers, so named because twirlers must be at least 45 years old to join. The parade will end at City Hall with that man in red who knows if you’ve been naughty or nice.

The event closes with the annual

The Twilight Twirlers contribute to the Sparkle with their own personal Christmas lights.

menorah and tree lighting. And don’t forget to put on your skates, hold your partner’s hand and tickle the ice on the inaugural City Green ice skating rink. The Dec. 3 festivities begin at 4 p.m. on the City Green, with the parade starting at 6 p.m. n citysprings.com/sparkle • @citysprings

The Elegant Elf Market Gift buying that gives back Few things feel better than buying the perfect holiday gift and knowing that your purchase benefits local nonprofits. That’s what The Elegant Elf Marketplace does. The holiday event was founded by the Sandy Springs Society, a charitable organization that supports programs that improve the quality of life for the city’s residents.

Last year, the market raised more than $300,000, benefiting nonprofits in education, health, elder care, food insecurity and more, says lead chair Beth Norton. This year, more than 90 local and regional artisans and small businesses will set up in the Sandy Springs Performing Arts and Conference Center, offering holiday

The Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center continues its Live Music on the Terrace with specialty drinks and complimentary appetizers. When the weather is less than fine, the event moves indoors. Check website for holiday hours.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A LIVE RADIO PLAY Dec. 1-3, 7-10, 13-17 stagedoortheatrega.org

If you’re tired of seeing this classic holiday film on TV, but love the warm and fuzzy message, spend an evening with Stage Door Theatre’s version.

The Dunwoody ensemble brings the story to life as a 1940s radio broadcast. Tickets are $28. Sunday performances are at 2:30 p.m. All others are at 7:30 p.m.

AUTHOR TALK Dec. 6 atlantahistorycenter.com/ event/elizabeth-varon

decor, clothing, jewelry, accessories, home furnishings, gourmet edibles, hand-crafted items and artwork. New this year is a gift-wrapping service.

The market will take place Nov. 4 from

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9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Nov. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $8. n sandyspringssociety.org/the-elegant-elf @sandyspringssociety

General James Longstreet fought tenaciously for the Confederacy during the Civil War, but he later supported black voting and urged racial reconciliation. Elizabeth Varon, author of Longstreet: The Confederate General Who Defied the South, will talk about Longstreet’s astonishing aboutface. Members get discounted admission and a copy of the book for $30. Non-members get the same for $35. General admission (no book) is $5 for members, $10 for non-members. 7 p.m.

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S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

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ENTERTAIN ME!

COVER STORY

MEET THE VISIONARIES SHAPING ATLANTA’S THRIVING FILM, MUSIC AND ARTS SCENE Atlanta is an arts hub on the rise, from music and film to radio and television. Our hometown is thriving, thanks to creative homegrown talent and an increasingly robust infrastructure of facilities for producing art and educational opportunities for honing skills.

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LIVING LEGACY

Catherine Brewton leaves her imprint on the music industry and her community STORY: Nicole Letts PHOTO: Erik Meadows

C

atherine Brewton says her mother, a Southern pastor, largely shaped her music preferences. Singers like Al Green, Gladys Knight and Diana Ross belted through the speakers of Brewton’s home, but as she listened, she was more intrigued by what happened to a song behind the scenes. “I was very much [interested in] who wrote that song, and who was the producer. I was always intrigued by how it all came to fruition,” she says.

After working in corporate finance, Brewton was recruited by the Grammys to open the Atlanta chapter of the Recording Academy in 1995. Once again, she was captivated by the inner workings. “I would be in the production meetings, and I would see a lot of talent being booked and how the sets were built,” she says.

That fascination with production led Brewton to Broadcast Media Inc. (BMI), one of the country’s top performance rights organizations, entities that collect and pay creatives for any public performance. Brewton now serves as a vice president of creative. “We're seeing talents in their infancy before they become super successful,” she says, recalling meeting country singer Kenny Chesney in 2000 before he became the international megastar he is today.

In addition to working with recording artists, Brewton produces several marquee events annually, including How I Wrote That Song in conjunction with the Grammys, the BMI R&B/Hip-Hop Awards and the BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards, as well as regular listening events around the country. “What I’ve learned is how similar the music

genres are and how much of a thread of commonality they have. When you put creatives in the same room, there's a lot of synergy,” Brewton says. She describes a recent songwriters' event in Nashville: “We had Evvie McKinney, a faith-based artist, who ended up cutting [a track] with a pop writer. Even though the musical delivery may be different, the stories are often the same.”

Brewton is devoted to using her resources to help those in underserved communities. When she lost her mother, a fellow humanitarian, in 2007, she inherited a 16,000-square-foot center as well as a 5,000-square-foot gymnasium in Charlotte, North Carolina. She named it the Barbara Brewton Hope for Harvest Youth Center. Its mission is offering free summer programming for children, providing a homeless shelter, feeding individuals experiencing homelessness and regularly handing out toiletries. Brewton hopes to open a satellite campus in Atlanta in the coming years.

Locally, Brewton co-founded the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame. The emblems are located near Mercedes-Benz Stadium with plans to continue the path on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. This year’s inductees include Dallas Austin, Jermaine Dupri, Magic Johnson, Queen Latifah, Mahalia Jackson, Marvin Sapp, Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes. “It's easy to show up and give 100% for what you get paid to do, but I often say [the real dedication] is how many of us show up when there's no check attached.

For me, that's the most important thing that I can hang my hat on.” n hopeforharvest.org • @hopeforharvest_1

A CHORUS LINE Ready to record your own song?

Drop a demo at one of these area studios.

MAD STUDIOS 678.561.5444 madstudiosatl.com @madstudiosatl SOUL ASYLUM STUDIOS CHAMBLEE 404.991.7081 soulasylumstudios.com @soulasylumstudiosgroup LOUD HOUSE 404.963.7374 loudhousestudios.com @loudhousestudios

S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

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FANCY YOUR OWN STAR TURN? The Alliance Theatre offers both youth and adult classes.

Acting I for Adults: a foundations class focusing on basic techniques as well as physical and vocal awareness.

Musical Theater II for Adults: an advanced curriculum class teaching healthy singing habits and culminating with acting in a duet.

Kids in Film: an experience that offers on-camera acting opportunities and critiques.

Babies: Off Book!: a tactile class that incorporates props, movement, and songs for early learners up to 2 years old.

Greg Mooney

COMPASS ACTOR SERVICES 404.829.4485 compassactorservices.com @compassactorservices

BETTER TOGETHER

For the first time in its history, the Alliance Theatre names two artistic directors STORY: Nicole Letts

W

hen Tinashe KajeseBolden and Christopher Moses were asked to fill in as the interim artistic directors at the 55-year-old Alliance Theatre, neither thought it would lead to a new model. Their tenure was meant to bring immediate stability to the organization during a time of transition. But the duo’s managerial strengths quickly emerged.

With collaboration in mind, unified decision making came easy to Kajese-Bolden and Moses.

The duo was full steam ahead, and the momentum was palpable, but the board was not interested in changing the course of history, since they’d never had co-directors before. “We experienced the deepest joy, fun, laughter that was starting to filter down within the organization, and the board and certainly

our patrons and our artists began to feel it, too,” Kajese-Bolden says.

She and Moses applied together and were vetted alongside the more than 250 nationwide applicants until they were among eight finalists, and notably, the only two-party applicant. It was the combination of the team’s institutional awareness, intellect and experience at the organization that ultimately won them the job in June.

It didn’t hurt that both KajeseBolden and Moses are creative visionaries who share a growth mindset. The Alliance’s goal was to expand, and the pair knew in order to do so, it would take a greater effort than in the past. The goals were many: building and renovating a new space for a full-time youth and family theater, developing shows that are going on to Broad-

way and cultivating the next great voice of the American theater, all at the same time. “We knew it would require two people,” Moses says.

So far, the results have spoken for themselves. Water for Elephants premiered the week before the artistic directors were announced, and a few months later, they received the news that the production was bound for Broadway.

The show will run at the Imperial Theatre in New York beginning in February 2024.“That was a win, and then the play English has become the most successful show on our Hertz Stage since Driving Miss Daisy in 1989,” Moses says.

Under their leadership, the co-artistic directors have also embarked on a major campaign to renovate the Rich Auditorium on the Woodruff Arts Center campus

to transform it into the Goizueta Stage for Youth and Families. “A family, students or educators could come to the Woodruff Arts Center virtually any day of the week and know that there is something inspiring happening on that stage. That's going to be our hallmark for several years in this position,” Moses says.

Over its history, the Alliance has brought to life more than 150 premieres including Tony Award winners The Color Purple, Aida and The Last Night of Ballyhoo. “We love Atlanta so very much, and with that love comes that sense of responsibility that we’ve got to live up to the aspirations of Atlanta.

Anything short of that, we failed,” Moses says. n ALLIANCE THEATRE alliancetheatre.org • @alliancetheatre

COVER STORY

Rick Burns, senior vice president of Gray TV corporate relations and Assembly.

STUNNING STUDIOS

Assembly arrives on the Atlanta film and TV scene STORY: Karina Antenucci PHOTO: Erik Meadows

T

he Hollywood of the South just landed a new Instagrammable star. You won’t find this one walking the red carpet, though. It is a 135-acre property called Assembly in Doraville that was converted from an old General Motors factory into state-of-the-art television and film studios, bringing Atlanta’s growing industry a new home base for major productions. It will also offer the public a destination for entertainment and hospitality.

“We are in a whole new growth chapter for Georgia when it comes to the arts, including the film and television industry, which is very beneficial to the state. An overwhelming majority of the production workforce and the peripheral companies that gain business supporting productions here come from within Georgia,” says Rick Burns, senior vice president of Gray TV corporate relations and Assembly. “With Assembly Studios, we are filling a need for a studio lot like you would find in Los Angeles with every amenity a

production needs in one place.”

Assembly is a product of Gray Television Inc., a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta. Gray’s traditional broadcasting arm owns and/or operates television stations and digital properties in 114 TV markets across the U.S. With the purchase of Raycom Media Inc. in 2019, its portfolio expanded to include production assets such as Tupelo Honey, producer of live sports events, and Swirl Films that produces smaller-budget films and award shows for channels such as Hallmark and BET. In 2020, Gray scooped up Third Rail Studios, a full-service film studio currently leased by Apple that now lives within the Assembly property.

Gray worked with developer The Gipson Company, land planner HGOR, engineer Kimley Horn and Smith Dalia Architects to bring Assembly to life.

“The GM property sat dormant for a while. It’s serendipitous. The timing was right for this development. The location—inside the Perimeter, close

to MARTA and near PDK and Hartsfield-Jackson airports—is one of its attractive attributes,” Burns says.

Phase one of the development began in 2021 and opened this fall with 19 Assembly Studios. Gray has partnered with Universal Production Services to lease and operate the facilities. Universal will provide essential production amenities all in one place, including set lighting, wardrobe, transportation equipment, a paint shop, an expendables store and more.

The studio spaces and backlots boast coveted features not found ITP such as catwalks, high-end finishes in dressing rooms and facades for storytelling featuring Tribeca and brownstones a la New York, iconic European cities and New Orleans. These backdrops are public facing on one side (for those Insta reels) and all business on the other. Plus, a trestle bridge on the west side of the property serves as a combined filming location and walking path for the public.

Planned to be a tourist destination as much as a production mecca, future phases of the project will reveal more areas for the community to enjoy. Things to look forward to include a clamshell amphitheater that will host concerts and movies, a public park with ponds, and water fountains, restaurants, retail, hotels and event spaces. A giant 140-foot, LED-lit digital tower will broadcast the amphitheater’s entertainment and serve as an advertising platform for the site and the Doraville community. All will be filmable.

“It’s like a studio in Los Angeles, New York or London. We appeal to major feature films with a purpose-built design and are a destination for visitors at t he same time,” Burns says.

The development is expected to create thousands of jobs in Atlanta and to support local businesses across Georgia. n ASSEMBLY assemblyatlanta.com • @assemblyatlanta

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RECORD IT

Manila Nine Three

Looking to be the next Tricky Stewart? GRAMMY U is a Recording Academy education program with an Atlanta chapter. It’s open to anyone between the ages of 18 and 29. recordingacademy.com/ membership/grammy-u/about

ATLANTA’S MEGAHIT PRODUCER How Tricky Stewart changed pop music STORY: Carol E. Ryerson

"

Y

ou will probably never go to a wedding and not hear that song,” says songwriter-producer-composer Christopher “Tricky” Stewart of Beyoncé’s megahit “Single Ladies.” He created the song with its pop culture slogan “put a ring on it” with writing partner The-Dream (Terius Gesteelde-Diamant) in 2008. “It changed the game,” he says.

Hits like that propelled Stewart, 49, into the stratosphere of pop music success. When Beyoncé performed for thousands of her Atlanta fans in August, she sang two of Stewart’s songs the night he was there: “Break My Soul” and “1+1.”

“It’s an amazing feeling to know your work is appreciated that way,” he says. “She is trending to be one of the most famous artists of all time. To be in the right place at the right time with the right artist and to be part of history is truly a blessing.”

Stewart grew up in a successful musical family in Chicago, but he initially took a different path. Football. Though he was an accomplished quarterback as a kid, he didn’t grow brawny enough for a career in the sport, so he began writing songs with his family. When he was 15, his song “Be My Girl” made it onto an album

by Immature, an R&B group. Since then, he has won seven Grammy Awards and has contributed to more than 50 million records sold.

In 1995, Stewart and two of his brothers founded RedZone Entertainment on the westside, turning out hits for stars such as Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige. Remember Justin Bieber’s 2010 breakout hit “Baby”?

That’s Stewart’s too. He moved to Los Angeles in 2011 to work in the music industry but came back four years later because, he says, music created in Atlanta impacts culture in a way that music in LA doesn’t.

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“The songs I write that shake the world always come from Atlanta,” he says. He credits the city’s melting pot of cultures and musical styles: Country, jazz, gospel, hip hop and trap impact one another here in a unique way. Here, he says, he has pop culture conversations that ultimately change the world. “So many creative people here have kicked in the door with a new sound or a new type of music connectivity. That’s why we say Atlanta influences everything.”

Last year, to honor his worldwide success, SCAD awarded Stewart an honorary doctorate. Jewelry designer David Yurman was the other honoree.

One of the first songs that catapulted Stewart to pop music fame was Rihanna’s “Umbrella.” It won multiple awards including a Grammy in 2008. He and his wife, Makeda, named their first child

Ellah with an H “because that’s the way the hook is sung in the song.”

Katy Perry’s “Hummingbird Heartbeat” is one of his favorite creations. “That one felt like magic,” he says. “I have five songs on that album, one of the biggest in history.

It was pretty amazing.”

But Stewart is more than a writer-producer; he is a creative entrepreneur. Last year, he opened a recording studio, Sessions Atlanta, near his company offices. “The concept is elevated, curated experiences for artists that include private dinners, listening parties and live performances,” he says.

Unlike most recording studios, Sessions also provides unique music-themed, team building experiences for businesses such as Truist Bank.

It’s one more way Stewart is changing the game. n sessionsatlanta.com • @trickystewart

THE VOICE OF ATLANTA’S ARTS

COVER STORY

Lois Reitzes’ 44 years at WABE radio STORY: Carol E. Ryerson PHOTO: Joann Vitelli

MIC UP Broadcast journalism is a highly competitive field, but both Georgia State University and the University of Georgia offer degrees in journalism, often a step toward a career in radio.

Volunteering or interning at radio stations is also a great way to learn the business and develop contacts in the field. majors.admissions.uga.edu/ degree/journalism admissions.gsu.edu/program/ communication-journalism-ba/

L

ois Reitzes’ voice is instantly recognizable: deep, with a gentle vibrato. It’s as familiar to many Atlantans as the Braves or Coca-Cola and it’s heard daily across WABE-FM’s many platforms.

Founded in 1948, and an NPR affiliate since 1971, the public radio station celebrated its 75th anniversary this year. Reitzes has been with the station for 44 of those years.

When WABE was all classical music, she hosted the popular “Second Cup Concert,” spinning Bach and Beethoven. (Reitzes now programs and hosts the show on the station’s HD Classics channel.) “Spivey Soirée” was another Reitzes specialty that ran from 2003 to 2019 and showcased classical concerts from Spivey Hall, the performance venue on the campus of Clayton State University in Morrow.

Today she’s the voice of “The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Broadcast,” which she has hosted since 1992, and “City Lights with Lois Reitzes,” the arts and culture interview show at 11 a.m. each weekday morning.

Music has been the consistent thread in Reitzes’ life, although she has said she loves the Muppets and Mel Brooks as much as Mozart. Born in Evanston, Illinois, she started playing the piano at 3 and has perfect pitch. She earned a bachelor’s in music from the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University in 1975 and studied musicology in grad school at Indiana University.

Her first job in radio was as a music host with WFIU in Bloomington, Indiana. In the late 1970s, when her husband, Don, got a teaching job at Georgia State University, they

moved to Atlanta, and in 1979 she launched her career at WABE. Over the years, she became an Atlanta celebrity, her name synonymous with public radio.

In 2015, the station changed from a classic music mainstay to a news and talk format. The switch gave Reitzes a broader and more varied platform with “City Lights.”

Her guests range from artists and actors to authors (Reitzes is a voracious reader), composers, comedians, restaurateurs, dancers and more.

“Dance was not in my wheelhouse, but I soon learned that they are some of the best storytellers,” she says.

The racial reckoning after George Floyd’s murder in 2020 marked another important shift for Reitzes. She had regularly covered established black arts organizations such as True Colors Theatre Company and the Na-

tional Black Arts Festival, but lesser known black artists and arts groups “had not been recognized as they should,” Reitzes says. Now they are.

Reitzes has seen seismic changes in radio as it moved from broadcast only to HD radio, streaming and podcasts. She has gracefully embraced every new development, moving from host to program director to director of Arts and Culture and now executive producer and host of “City Lights.” In 2017 she received the Governor’s Award for the Arts and Humanities for her career.

She and her husband still live in the home they first bought when they moved here. He has retired, but Reitzes, 70, has no desire to stop doing what she does. “I’m just so fortunate to do what I love.” n WABE-FM • wabe.org • @wabecitylights

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Found Timeless Treasures for over 30 years ANTIQUES AND BEYOND 1853 Cheshire Bridge Rd. Atlanta GA 30324 404.872.4342

antiquesandbeyond.com

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REVIEW

DRINKS

FOODIE JOURNAL

TA S T E M A K E R

R E S TA U R A N T S

DELICIOUS

Vive

La France LE BILBOQUET BRINGS A TASTE OF FRANCE TO BUCKHEAD

STORY: Hope S. Philbrick

W

PHOTOS: Erik Meadows

hite tablecloths

dresses. Sparkling glassware.

and petite

A relaxed yet sophisticated vibe.

flower arrange-

Servers offering helpful menu rec-

ments on tables

ommendations. Whenever I think

indoors and out. A couple kissing

of my favorite little bistro in Paris,

in a corner booth. Irresistible

these memories flash through

crusty baguettes and salty butter.

my mind. And it’s exactly what I

Gentle whiffs of perfume, spice

experienced at Le Bilboquet at

and smoke. Ladies in beautiful

the center of Buckhead Village.

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➥

Salmon drizzled with exquisite beurre blanc sauce is simple elegance.

Spinach, cabbage, bok choy and shitake mushrooms add earthy flavors to the dish.

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REVIEW

Croque Madame, the classic French grilled sandwich, is a satisfying choice for brunch or lunch.

Le Bilboquet opened its Atlanta location in November 2014; the original New York restaurant opened in 1986. The main dining room in Buckhead Village is well-lit and airy with pops of color thanks to its blue velvet banquettes, fresh flowers, strategically placed stacks of thick books and a rotating collection of artwork by nationally acclaimed artists. The expansive patio offers an al fresco option with an enhanced French vibe, thanks to views of neighboring clothing boutiques and a pastry shop.

The menu of modern and classic French fare is managed by Executive Chef Cyrille Holota, originally from Montluçon, France. Before taking the helm of Le Bilboquet Atlanta’s kitchen in 2016, Holota cooked at Michelin-starred and award-winning restaurants across the globe, including Spain’s Le Clave and Le Radio and L’Arpège in France. Renowned Chef Joël Antunes is among his mentors; Holota worked alongside him at The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead and JOËL in Atlanta. He also served as executive Lamb curry tickles the tongue with mild spice.

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chef of Atlanta’s BLT Steak by Chef Laurent Tourondel then worked stints in Bora Bora and New York before returning to Atlanta.

The menu of modern and classic French fare touts Cajun chicken as the signature dish; unexpected, so I asked a server about it. “It’s best known for its beurre blanc sauce,” she replied. “I recommend ordering French fries with a side of that sauce.”

Excellent advice! These are what all fries should aspire to be: long, slender, crisp outside, soft inside with a light sprinkling of salt. They’re served hot, yet not too hot to handle for immediate enjoyment. Beurre blanc, a classic French emulsified butter sauce, proves the ideal companion.

Pair that decadent treat with a refreshing cocktail. Consider a spritzer like the spicy/fruity Belle or citrus/berry Printemps. Classic cocktails are another option, as are innovative creations like the bourbon-based spin on the Soleil with melon liqueur, maple simple syrup and lemon juice. It’s a refreshing sipper well worth a try. A recurring winner of Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence, Le Bilboquet offers more than 25 French wines by the glass as

Cajun chicken, the restaurant's signature dish, is a popular favorite thanks to its beurre blanc sauce.

Bouillabaisse is a treat for the eyes, nose and taste buds.

well as many bottles hand-picked by the sommelier with selections from France, Italy and the U.S. Classic dishes at Le Bilboquet transport you to France. Escargot balances earthy umami with garlic and butter; whether you adore snails or haven’t dared try them yet, this is a good place to go for the classic dish. Tender duck confit with lentils and red wine sauce is divinely rich and savory; it earns my vote for don’t-miss dish. Croque Madame at brunch and lunch tops an upscale grilled ham and cheese sandwich with a sunny-side-up egg.

If you’re craving “French,” don’t shy away from menu items that at first glance appear out of place.

One bite of the mushroom pasta, Les Pâtes Tagliatelles Forestière, will have you thinking oui not sì. Mushrooms are sauteed to just-tender perfection and arranged circling a mound of al dente pasta tinged with pale green arugula pesto. The flavors

are delicate, refined and so satisfying that you may not want to share a bite with your dining companions however hard they beg. Salmon is simple elegance, cooked to order and served atop beurre blanc with spinach, cabbage, bok choy and shitake mushrooms alongside. Lamb curry is tender yet toothsome with a pleasing mild spicy kick.

It seems a gastronomic crime to skip dessert at a French restaurant, and here is no exception. You can’t go wrong with vanilla crème brûlée, dreamy creamy custard topped with hard caramel for a delightful contrast of soft-yet-crunchy.

Among the alternative temptations, Le Financier à La Noisette presents little hazelnut butter-flavored almond cakes with fresh raspberries and tart lemon sorbet for a bright finish to the meal.

From first impression to last bite, Le Bilboquet brings an authentic French bistro experience to Atlanta. n

Save room for perfectly prepared vanilla crème brûlée.

Le Bilboquet 404.869.9944 • lebilboquetatlanta.com • @lebilboquetatlanta Prices: Sunday brunch specialties: $6-36. Lunch specialties: sandwiches, $18-26.

Dinner: spritzers, $16; creative cocktails, $17-20; wines, $14-35/glass; beers, $8-12; appetizers, $13-29; caviar, $125-278; sides, $12; entrees, $23-62; desserts, $12-16.

Recommended: Belle spritzer, croque madame, French fries, salmon, lamb curry, duck confit, mushroom pasta, crème brûlée.

Bottom line: Upscale bar and bistro with an authentic French atmosphere that serves elegant, refined cocktails and dishes.

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DRINKS

Above: Bartenders at The Capital Grille give a traditional sidecar a Southern accent, swapping bourbon for Cognac.

Left: A sidecar at The Painted Pin comes with a sugared rim garnish like the classic drink's predecessor.

Heidi Harris

Right: In Harry's New York Bar in Paris, which claims inventions of the sidecar cocktail.

THE SIDECAR Take a classic for a spin STORY: Angela Hansberger

Sidecar Serves 1

L

INGREDIENTS 1 ½ ounces Cognac ¾ ounce Cointreau ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice Lemon or orange peel or twist for garnish

ike the little black dress, the sidecar cocktail is timeless and effortlessly elegant.

It has no season. It’s adaptable: refreshing on a sunny day and rich and comforting on a chilly winter’s eve. Bartenders, both professionals and at home mixers, can easily pull the cocktail together with little fuss. That, along with its delicious balance, is why it remains a classic a century after its inception.

The sidecar became popular when cocktail culture was emerging in places such as London and Paris.

Travel, migration and even war reshaped the bar landscape. As with many famous drinks, origins are disputed, and many claim ownership.

Such is the case with the sidecar.

With a recipe consisting of Cognac, triple sec and lemon juice, the sidecar first appeared in print in Harry MacElhone’s Harry’s ABC of Mixing Cocktails in 1919. As the tale goes, at the end of WW1, an American soldier ordered a brandy crusta

at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris.

The cocktail of brandy, Curaçao and lemon has roots in 1860s New Orleans, where the soldier would soon return. This being France, the bartender swapped Cognac for brandy and Cointreau for Curaçao, and named it for the motorcycle attachment in which the army captain was customarily driven.

Buck’s Club in London also lays claim to the sidecar with an origin story of bartender Pat McGarry serving up the drink. The creation yarn is much the same as the Paris tale, with a soldier friend arriving in a sidecar.

As dubious as origins are, so are the ratios. The French mix up equal parts Cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice, while the English way calls for two parts Cognac to one each of orange liqueur and lemon juice.

The brilliance of this cocktail is that you can change ratios to match preference, whether strong, tart or sweet. You can tinker with proportions, and alternative ingredients

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can be used. Brandy, Cognac and Armagnac easily interchange as the base spirit. Cointreau has that perfect blend of dryness and sweetness, but triple sec, Curaçao and Grand Marnier also do the job.

At The Painted Pin, the sidecar takes the bowling, Ping-Pong and Skee-Ball experience up a notch.

A game of indoor bocce becomes refined with a luminous, golden-hued sidecar. Their version uses Cognac, triple sec and lemon juice, and has a sugared rim, much like the drink’s forefather, the brandy crusta.

Taking the journey to La Grotta’s concealed Buckhead dining room almost feels like an excursion to a speakeasy, where one would have to drink a sidecar during its heyday during the 1920s Prohibition era. La Grotta adds an appropriate Italian spin. The Tuaca Sidecar has a base of Tuaca, an Italian blend of brandy, Mediterranean citrus and vanilla spice, along with Cointreau and freshly squeezed lemon juice.

INSTRUCTIONS Add all ingredients to a shaker filled with ice. Shake until chilled, about 10 seconds.

Strain into cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon or orange peel/twist, if desired.

To go along with the gracious service at The Capital Grille, the Blackberry Bourbon Sidecar gets a twist that feels Southern. A swap of Woodford Reserve Bourbon for Cognac plays well with dry aged steak but also drinks like a porch sipper with the addition of Cointreau, blackberries, lemon juice and thyme. n THE CAPITAL GRILLE thecapitalgrille.com • @thecapitalgrille LA GROTTA lagrottaatlanta.com • @lagrottaatl THE PAINTED PIN thepaintedpin.com • @thepaintedpinatl

Nourishing your Body and Soul with

Grace & along with EXTRAORDINARY Food & Drink

Share the experience, spread the word

CHOP SHOP

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WO M R E STAU R A N TS .CO M

FOODIE JOURNAL

Culinary News & Notes

BY Claire Ruhlin

FOOD NEWS n Chicheria MX Kitchen is now open

at The Works and offering Baja-inspired Mexican cuisine. This is the second restaurant from Juan Sebastian Calle and Adam Berlin, founders of Buena Vida Tapas & Sol. Top Chef’s Whitney Otawka consulted on the menu alongside Chicheria Executive Chef Alejandro Tamez. chicheriamx.com n The team behind Brush Sushi plans

to open Lucky Star in the Star Metals building on Howell Mill Road this winter.

The concept will include a cocktail bar as well as pastries, coffee, an all-day menu and a reservations-only back bar. @luckystaratl

Chef Freddy Money is known for artful presentations such as the Waygu filet pictured here.

Culinary Creativity Led by Chef Freddy Money, Atlas and The Garden Room get creative with reimagined menus

I

n August, Atlas and The Garden Room debuted forward-thinking menus that highlight the “whimsical techniques I've picked up throughout my travels around the world and great kitchens that I've had the privilege of working in,” says Culinary Director Chef Freddy Money. He also draws upon local Georgia ingredients to produce fresh, seasonal flavors.

Here, he reflects on the inspiration behind both menu reinventions.

Tell us what to expect from the new Atlas.

For the main dining room, we’re really focusing on our seasonal dining menu. This will change dramatically maybe four times throughout the year. We’ll start with a series of snacks to break the ice, and then we'll go into the seven-course menu.

The food is really a beautiful piece of fish married with exceptional vegetables and all brought together by a delicious sauce. We also have a series of add-ons. The Tavern [bar and lounge area] features the same ingredients, care and technique but is a little more free-spirited and casual. If you just want to pop in for some oysters and Champagne or a nice steak with our homemade tater tots, you're more than welcome.

What do you mean by “whimsical techniques”?

It will always be a play on temperature, texture and experience.

It might be something hot that explodes in your mouth, dissolves or looks hot, but it’s really cold.

We like to be creative and play with your senses in a fun way.

What’s new at The Garden Room?

It’s the same high quality ingredients prepared with the same attention to detail and care but presented in a more informal way. We have an à la carte menu with a beautiful selection of appetizers and entrees, as well as some add-ons if you want to add Wagyu beef or Maine lobsters.

I really prompt everybody to try the shareable side of the menu, which includes things such as caviar, oysters, shellfish and lobster rolls. I’m never getting rid of our warm oyster dish

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Tacos Yield: 8 tacos

Flavor Fiesta The new Politan Row at Ashford Lane food hall brings nine culinary stalls to Dunwoody. Embrace Creole-Mexican Street food with this recipe from Chef Michaela Merrick of tenant Pretty Little Tacos.

INGREDIENTS: For the Pulled Chicken: 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs 1 medium onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes (fire-roasted, if available) ¼ cup chicken broth 2 tablespoons tomato paste 2 teaspoons cumin 1 teaspoon granulated garlic 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon dried oregano

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n Sunday brunch is now served at

Palo Santo. The Westside restaurant offers dishes such as blue corn masa pancakes and huevos rancheros, along with margaritas and a live DJ. palosanto.restaurant

because it’s amazing. We have a crab escargot where we take snow crab claws and cook them as the French would cook snails in garlic butter with some breadcrumbs. We also have small plates and an amazing caviar service and pastries. Executive Pastry Chef Eric Snow is a wizard, and he’s doing some cool, interactive desserts like La Vie En Rose, where we freeze a rose in nitrogen, and you can smash it yourself and garnish your own dessert. n ATLAS • 404.600.6471 atlasrestaurant.com • @atlasbuckhead THE GARDEN ROOM 404.600.6471 • thegardenroomatlanta.com @thegardenroomatlanta

½ teaspoon salt (or to taste) ¼ teaspoon black pepper Juice of 1 lime For Serving: 8 small flour or corn tortillas Shredded cheese Sliced red onion Chopped fresh cilantro Lime slices Sour cream Hot sauce (optional) INSTRUCTIONS: Place the chicken breasts or thighs in the bottom of a slow cooker on the sauté mode until chicken is browned on each side. In a mixing bowl, combine the rest of the pulled chicken

ingredients. Mix until well combined. Pour mixture over the chicken and switch to the slow cooker mode. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is tender. Remove the cooked chicken from the slow cooker and shred into smaller pieces. Warm the tortillas on the stove with oil in a frying pan until the shells are the desired crispiness. Add cheese and pulled chicken to each tortilla while the tortilla is in the frying pan. To serve, add the other toppings.

POLITAN ROW AT ASHFORD LANE ashfordlane.politanrow.com @politanrow.ashfordlane

805 Mount Vernon Hwy, NW, Atlanta, GA 30327 PK3-12 | hies.org

Simply Buckhead Ad Oct 2023 2.indd 1

10/20/23 2:35 PM

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TASTEMAKER

FUN FACT Millsap started a scholarship fund for UGA football players to attend grad school at Oxford University in England.

Distilling a New Venture Ryan Millsap turns his attention to Berckmans STORY: Carly Cooper PHOTO: Erik Meadows

I

n the 1850s, P.J. Berckmans sailed from Belgium to the U.S. and purchased 315 acres of land in Augusta, Georgia, to establish Fruitland Nurseries. He planted more than 3 million peach trees in his lifetime, giving Georgia its Peach State nickname. His land eventually became the famed Augusta National Golf Club, and his legacy continued.

Real estate acquisition management and film mogul Ryan Millsap is one of the people keeping the Berckmans name alive. A Buckhead resident, Millsap invested in the alcohol company about two years ago with the goal of making it the signature vodka of Georgia.

“There’s no alcohol that’s quintessentially Georgia at this point. We

hope it becomes like Coca-Cola and Delta—[a brand] everyone relates to, knows about and takes pride in,” says Millsap, whose production clients once included Sony, Universal and Paramount.

We spoke with Millsap about his involvement with Berckmans and his plans for the future.

How’d you get involved with Berckmans?

Harrison Lance in Buckhead brought me the deal. I wasn’t in the market for a vodka company, but I loved the story, and the product was great.

The company needed a cash infusion to help it grow. It was originally called Fruitland and sold peachflavored vodka, but the story behind

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it centered around P.J. Berckmans.

We wanted to provide vodka for general use, so we decided to create an unflavored vodka. It’s probably the smoothest vodka you’ll ever have.

Disney or Warner Bros. Production and distribution are complicated.

There’s a massive opportunity in that marketplace, but it’s a heavy lift to get it built here.

What is your role with the company?

What’s your family life like?

I’m the primary investor with Robert LaChapelle. We’re focused on getting Berckmans to as many places in Georgia as possible. I love to start dinner with a good martini, straight up with a lemon twist. The vodka you’re using makes a huge difference. I encourage the restaurants I love—Chops, War Horse, Yebo Beach Haus and Lions Head Private Club— to feature Berckmans.

I have a wife and four kids, ages 6 months to 18. We have two dogs: a labradoodle and cocker spaniel.

I travel a couple weeks a quarter to Los Angeles, New York and London, and visit my [older] kids in California a lot.

What else are you working on?

I still do a lot of real estate development across the country. That takes up a lot of my time. I’ve been trying to build a Netflix competitor based in Atlanta on the scale of

What do you do for fun?

I golf at East Lake and play padel. It’s a cross between tennis and squash.

I believe we have the only padel court in Georgia [at my house]. We split our time between Buckhead and our farm at Social Circle. n BERCKMANS AMERICAN VODKA berckmansusa.com • @berckmansusa

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FEATURED RESTAURANTS

A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead

An array of well executed Mexican dishes makes every visit to Chido & Padre's a reason to celebrate.

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

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Don’t say “ciao” to a meal at Storico Fresco without trying the chocolate tortino and Miscela d’Oro espresso.

BY: Wendell Brock, Rebecca Cha, Jennifer Bradley Franklin, Angela Hansberger, Hope S. Philbrick

PHOTOS: Erik Meadows, Joann Vitelli

BANGKOK STATION

Appetizers: $5-18 • Salads: $10-12

NEWK’S EATERY

Of all the restaurant staffs in Buckhead,

Traditional dishes: $14-18 • Large plates:

This Mississippi-based chain has

TWISTED SOUL COOKHOUSE & POURS

these folks may be our favorite. Polite and

$22-30 • Sides: $3-6 • Desserts: $8-9

popped up in the Atlanta market, and

Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours on the

accommodating to a fault, they make it

Cocktails: $11-14; happy hour margaritas, $8

though it looks like a fast-food joint,

westside ranks among Atlanta’s dining

nearly impossible not to enjoy its exotic

Brunch: $14-22 • chidoandpadres.com

it tastes like homemade. Salads—from

stars. The award-winning team that

shrimp remoulade salad to a delicious

includes Chef/Owner Deborah VanTrece

comfort food. Whether you eat in the cavernous dining room or out on the sexy,

FLYING BISCUIT CAFÉ

steak-and-blue-cheese version to

and Executive Chef Robert Butts proves

music-infused patio, starters such as peek

Flying Biscuit Café is a touchstone of diner

old-fashioned chicken salad—are

that even the most recognizable dishes

gai tod, thoong-thong and Crying Tiger

life here in Atlanta, and with good reason.

a standout. At this casual, family-friendly,

can soar above expectations. The dining

will crush any doubt you may have about

“Creamy dreamy” grits and flaky Southern

crowd-pleasing spot you can also get

room sets a casual vibe, but the menu

whether there’s good Thai food down South.

biscuits round out most every meal, and there

sandwiches, pizzas and mac and cheese

offers familiar and creative dishes that are

For more substantial but no less authentic

are loads of tummy-warming substantial

but, refreshingly, no burgers. We are pretty

expertly prepared and artfully presented.

fare, dig in to the massaman and panang

dishes to choose from. Turkey hash, the Not

crazy about the sausage-and-pepperoni

There’s something for most any palate.

curries, Drunken Man noodles or our favorite

Your Mama’s Pimiento Cheese Sandwich

pie, with its thin crust and warm and

Signature cocktails showcase seasonal

Thai chicken dish, gai yang som tum. Save

and chicken pot pie (made with hot, buttery

gooey toppings. And who can resist

ingredients in innovative, well-balanced

room for homemade coconut cake; it’s as

biscuits, of course) are reminiscent of

a crispy rice treat with chocolate and

concoctions such as “Dream of Spring”

sweet and genuine as the staff’s warm

grandma’s kitchen, and the congenial staff

peanut butter? Not us.

and “Little Miss Staycation.” The best-

invitation to return again soon.

will keep you coming back for more. Gordo

Salads, sandwiches and pizzas: $7-$11

selling Southern marinated fried chicken

Starters, soups and salads: $7-$23

Stevens’ artwork across the walls and

newks.com

sticks around even when the menu

Curries, sautés and noodle and rice

ceiling adds a funky, kitsch-cool vibe to

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

the Brookhaven outpost of this breakfast

PIG-N-CHIK

of the half-chicken has crispy skin and

Desserts: $5-$9 • bangkokstationthaifood.com

and brunch favorite.

Co-owner Jim Graddy tells us he learned

juicy meat, and is cast iron pan-fried to

Breakfast: $3.29-$12.99

the art of the pit on his granddaddy’s

sheer perfection. Hoisin oxtails rank

Lunch: $4.99-$12.99 • flyingbiscuit.com

pig farm in Manchester, Georgia. Graddy

as the second best-seller, for good reason.

remembers cooking whole hogs all

Tender braised meat falls off the bone, its savory umami touched with sweet

CASI CIELO Casi cielo translates to “almost heaven,” and

changes every three months. Each piece

it’s a fitting description for this sophisticated

GRINDHOUSE KILLER BURGERS

night long over hot coals, and when we

Sandy Springs Oaxacan eatery. You’d be

The Piedmont Avenue location of burger-

tear into his pulled-pork sandwich—

Cantonese flair. Layers of flavor and

loco to miss the tender, charcoal grilled

preneur Alex Brounstein’s success story

a delicious pile of pink, smoke-tinged

contrasting textures combine for

octopus, earthy portobello or mahi-mahi

is where you go for a superbly flavorful,

meat between two thick slabs of

scrumptious results.

tacos, the crunchy plantain croquettes or

juice-dripping, napkin-soaking beef patty with

white bread—we believe him. Graddy

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

buttery Chilean sea bass. Equally enticing is

all the trimmings. Though you can customize

has proudly transported his family’s

Salads: $12-16 • Entrees: $24-42

the world-class mezcal collection and the

your sandwich, consider the signature

traditions to his casual Southern ’cue

Desserts: $12 • Signature Cocktails: $14-17

exotic cocktails made with favorite brands

“Cowboy” treatment: cheddar, bacon,

counter. Man, is the food good. The fresh-

twistedsoulatl.com

such as Alipus, Nucano and Gracias a Dios.

barbecue sauce and a beer-battered onion

tasting coleslaw (with just a little mayo)

The gracious staff epitomizes high-bar

ring—for a slim $7.99. To gild the lily, add an

and excellent new potato salad are

THE WHITE HOUSE

professionalism.

order of Frings (that’s fries and rings), and ask

just the things to cut the richness of

At this venerated breakfast nook, you’ll

Appetizers, soups and salads: $6- $18

for a side of the chipotle ranch dipping sauce.

the succulent pork. Some other tasty

find Atlanta movers and shakers in ties

Quesadillas, tacos and bowls: $12- $18

Here you can quaff a draft brew, slurp down a

go-withs are fried okra, long-cooked

and starched shirts huddled over omelets

Main dishes: $15-$43 • Desserts: $9

boozy shake, like the banana-flavored Puddin’

collards, mac and cheese and Brunswick

and pancakes. But regardless of a

casicieloatl.com

Out, or sip a “Snooty” cocktail such as the

stew. We’re sated. We’re sauce-splashed.

guest’s status, owner Demos Galaktiadis,

mezcal-based El Guapo.

We need a moist towelette and a nap.

who came to America from Greece in

CHIDO & PADRE’S

Starters and sides: $2.50-$5.50

Entrees: $8-$24 • pignchik.net

1966, treats everyone the same. He has

Chido & Padre’s beguiles with lavish decor,

Burgers: $4.50-$7.99 • grindhouseburgers.com

run this Peachtree Road institution for

STORICO FRESCO ALIMENTARI

45 of its 68 years, and over time, the food

LE COLONIAL

Is a trip to Italy on your bucket list, but

has evolved into a unique combination

from spicy to tart, sweet to crisp. Guacamole

Le Colonial’s website describes this upscale

you can’t get away? A meal at oh-so-

of home-style Southern and Greek standards.

and chips make for satisfying nibbles. Corn

French-Vietnamese restaurant as “a luxurious

authentic hot spot Storico Fresco

At lunch, you might have moussaka and

tamales stuffed with veggies arrive with a

escapist oasis,” and we’d agree. Amidst

may be just the ticket. A must here is

collards or fried grouper and a Greek

spicy red sauce (save a few chips to scoop

potted palms, starched white tablecloths and

the meat and cheese board, piled with

salad, finished off with a dish of banana

up every drop). Enchilada rojas boast sublime

whirring vintage fans, glitzed-up diners are

prosciutto, bresaola, culatello, fragrant

pudding. But breakfast is king here.

smoky, peppery and umami flavors. Chicken

transported back to 1920s Vietnam and enjoy

cheeses and gooey honeycomb. Its

We recommend the Olympic omelet,

mole is crowned with a velvety smooth sauce

the culinary synthesis of the era. Favorite

refined, rustic and utterly classic pastas,

stuffed with spinach, tomatoes, onions,

layered with complex notes. Carne asada

street fare such as banh mi thit nuong

including garganelli con funghi, tagliatelle

mushrooms and peppers and served with

makes a meal of juicy skirt steak with black

(chargrilled pork sandwich) and pho bo (beef

alla Bolognese and ravioli spinaci, conjure

a side of tzatziki, or a breakfast sandwich

beans, cilantro rice, fresh avocado, corn salsa,

noodle soup) get the white glove treatment

up images of Tuscan vistas and Michelan-

laden with sausage, cheese and egg.

vibrant sauces and warm tortillas. Mexican

with chef Richard Lee’s skillful way with Asian

gelo statues. Seconds such as the pork

Breakfast: $6.40-$15.30 • Lunch: $6-$16.70

street corn is so scrumptious you may gobble

herbs and spices. Classic favorites of crispy

shank for two and bone-in veal chop

whitehousediner.com

it down in record speed. Brunch heroes

pan-seared chicken dumplings, garlicky beef

will sate your Italian cravings as well.

include huevos rancheros and breakfast

rice noodle rolls and curried green papaya

End your repast with a glass of the

tacos, both offering a tongue-tingling good

salad will have you hankering for a one-way

world-class Miscela d’Oro espresso.

morning. For dessert, consider tres leches, an

ticket to Saigon.

Appetizers: $12-$24 • Salads and sandwiches:

ultra-light three milk cake layered with fluffy

Small plates: $12-$24 • Soups and salads: $10-

$10-$21 • Pastas: $11-$23 • Mains: $24-$30

frosting and berries. Fresh Baja Mex fare and

$18 • Large plates: $14-$60 • Sides: $4-$11

Side dishes and desserts: $6-$7

vibes await on East Andrews.

Desserts: $12-$14 • lecolonialatlanta.com

storicofresco.com

delectable aromas and scrumptious fare. At brunch or dinner, refreshing margaritas range

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

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

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90 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D

CHARITABLE

Ore Tomori, Butch Whitfield, Ope Tomori

PARTY IN THE KITCHEN STORY: H.M. Cauley PHOTOS: David Carr Photography

O Steven Carpenter, Carolyn Calloway, Matt Pieper, Roger Smith

pen Hand Atlanta recently celebrated 20 years of delivering healthpromoting meals and nutrition education to homebound seniors, at-risk youth and families, and those living with or disabled by chronic disease. This year’s late September Party in the Kitchen at The Stave Room at American Spirit Works raised more than $500,000 for the nonprofit. Guests sampled foods from 20 of the city’s top eateries. In between bites, they bid on live and silent auction items, sipped cocktails and enjoyed entertainment from DJ Twitch and DJIT, who took the crowd on a musical journey to 1988, the nonprofit’s founding year. The evening was chaired

by Marlene Alexander, Peter Kaiser of Kaiser’s Chophouse, Kevin Rathbun of KR SteakBar and Butch Whitfield, owner of Butch Whitfield Realty Group.

Sonny Hayes, Joanne Hayes

Tom Abrams, Kim Folger, Yvonne Spiotta, Robert Spiotta, Britt Wood

Mark Holland, Deidre Williams

Peter Kaiser, Gerry Klaskala, Kevin Rathbun

Marlene Alexander, Kevin Rathbun, Peter Kaiser, Butch Whitfield

Guests enjoyed food treats from 20 of Atlanta's best restaurants.

S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3

91

MOST LIKELY TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

Even the smallest gift can change a life.

There is something special in every child. And when you give to CURE, you are helping a child have a future – and a chance to realize their potential.

Join the fight for children with cancer.

Together, we can turn each child’s ‘most likely’ into a chance to change the world.

curechildhoodcancer.org

CHARITABLE

Condace Pressley

Terry Barcroft, J. Veronica Biggins, Nathan Deal, Diane Vaughan

HEROES, SAINTS AND LEGENDS STORY: H.M. Cauley

Katie Jo Ballard, Corinna Robinson, Joy Forth

PHOTOS: Kim Link and Bre Sessions

S

Olivia Johnson, Mary Helton, Wanda Johnson

Joyce Smith Wilson, Dr. Kay Crosby, Brad Crosby

eptember saw more than 300 guests raising $405,000 at the Heroes, Saints and Legends event that supports the Wesley Woods Foundation and its mission to create communities for seniors around the state. Held at Flourish in Buckhead, the evening was hosted by emcee Condace Pressley of WSB who oversaw musical entertainment by saxophonist Ollie Patterson and a performance by Tiffany Uzoije, accompanied by Joshua McClure, both representing Northside United Methodist Church.

Phil Jacobs, a prior honoree, chaired the gala that this year recognized the work of three individuals who have transformed Atlanta's community through a lifetime of achievement and commitment to leadership, service and philanthropy: J. Veronica Biggins, managing partner of the search firm Diversified Search and a Southwest Airlines board of directors member; former Gov. Nathan Deal; and the late Sandra Deal, the state’s First Lady from 20112019. In honor of Sandra Deal’s commitment to literacy, a library at the senior living facility Branan Towers was dedicated in her name.

Lillian Budd Darden, Nathan Deal, Buddy Darden

Merritt S. Bond, Ingrid Saunders Jones, Lillian Budd Darden, Phil Jacobs

Vicki Riedel, Phil Jacobs, Diane Vaughan

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CHARITABLE

Dr. Jon Minter, Dr. Plas James, Charlie Haddock

CRYSTAL BALL STORY: H.M. Cauley

PHOTOS: Madeline VeZain

A

Karen Greer

bout 400 guests took part in the 41st Annual Crystal Ball, held in mid-October at The St. Regis Atlanta to support the accomplishments of the Arthritis Foundation. The gala fundraiser was chaired for the second year by Taylor and Stacy Courtnay, who were supported in their efforts by emcee Karyn Greer of WSB, media sponsor Simply Buckhead and major sponsors Northside Hospital, Genuine Parts Company and Emory Orthopaedics and Spine Center.

This year, the foundation was also named the charity of choice by sponsor Dragon Con. The evening’s honorees were Dr. Plas James, recipient of the Hugh McLeod III M.D., Award of Excellence; and Mason Salmon, recipient of the Pat Pratt Award. NASCAR driver Natalie Decker delivered a keynote address. Along with featuring dinner, a live auction, music and dancing, the event raised $500,000 for the foundation’s work.

Billye Aaron

Michael Privette, Carrie Mapp, Natalie Decker, Charlie Haddock, Stuart Winborne

Matthias Grasbon, Luis Weers, Ansley Bokath, John Courtnay

Ricardo Barraza, Melissa Barraza, Sonny Hayes, Joanne Hayes

Heather Canepa, Andrea Pagnotta, Carly Kay, Stacy Courtnay, Vivian Uchitel, Erin Brennan

Jordan Campbell

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SCENE

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

BMI Vice President of Creative Catherine Brewton is a music industry visionary—and a vision in pink at our cover photo shoot. PHOTO: Erik Meadows

96 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 3 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D

NEW TO MARKET

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828-888-9153

©2023 Engel & Völkers. All rights reserved. Each brokerage independently owned and operated. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Engel & Völkers and its independent License Partners are Equal Opportunity Employers and fully support the principles of the Fair Housing Act.

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FOR THE HOLIDAYS... AND BEYOND. Specialists in luxury home sales on the Highlands Cashiers Plateau in the mountains of North Carolina.

The town of Highlands, NC is a hidden jewel just two hours’ drive north of Atlanta situated atop a mountain plateau at an elevation of 4,118 feet. Highlands is rich in culture, shopping, dining, and outdoor pursuits. Come see why Southern Living magazine chose Highlands as a Top 5 Small Town Getaway.

THE MICHAUD/RAUERS GROUP JUDY MICHAUD: 828.371.0730 MITZI RAUERS: 404.218.9123 JOHN MUIR: 404.245.7027 TOM GOLDACKER: 828.200.9045 BROOKS KITTRELL: 828.230.4453

Office: 828.526.4101 | 488 Main Street, Highlands, NC 28741 | www.MeadowsMountainRealty.com ©2023 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.