Simply Buckhead January/February 2020 by Simply Buckhead

January/February 2020 ISSUE 68 • FREE Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Chamblee and Dunwoody

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

77 32

Photos: 32, 52, 66: Sara Hanna

Contents 27 Approved: 12 Editor’s Letter [ SIMPLY NOW ]

15 News:

Turn Up The Heat Cold-weather hacks to keep you warm when the temperature drops

28 Kids: Drive Time

Game Night, Retro Style

What you should know as your teen prepares to get behind the wheel

Red Door Tavern introduces a whole new audience to nostalgic video games like Galaga and Ms. Pac-Man

30 Pets:

57 COVER STORY GET FIT!

[ SIMPLY STYLISH ]

40 Fashion: A Little Flair Spanish-born brand UNOde50 talks men’s accessories trends for 2020

OUR GUIDE TO MAKING GOOD HEALTH YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

42 Beauty: Facial Hair Care An expert take on good beard grooming

[ SIMPLY DELICIOUS ]

You Pet It, She Paints It

44 Wellness: Get Salty

66 Review: In Full Bloom

How Sarah Miller turned her passion for animals into a full-time business

Halotherapy is the latest wellness craze

Healthy food cafe Flower Child blossoms in Sandy Springs

The Atlanta Hawks’ Million Meal Pack event surpasses its lofty goals

[ SIMPLY LIVING ]

[ SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ]

70 Foodie Journal: Worth the Squeeze

20 Travel Near:

Florida transplants aim for less conspicuous decor in their palatial Buckhead home

18 Local Salute: Plenty to Crow About

Civil Sojourn Alabama’s capital is an ideal place to mark historic milestones

24 Travel Far: An Island’s Rebirth Hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico is growing back stronger

32 Home: Tony Tone Down

Matt and Nicole Scott are on a mission to save lives through juice

52 On Stage: Laughing His Way to the Bank Stand-up is a side gig for mortgage banker Kevin Dwyer

[ SIMPLY HAPPENING ]

The Perfect One-Match Fire

56 Literary:

and things to do

The secret to mastering a warm, crackling fire for those cold winter nights

Open Wide!

36 Bulletin Board:

77 Events: Places to go

Dentist Hugh Flax’s new book aims to take a bite out of tooth terror

81 Charitable: A spotlight on philanthropic and social gatherings

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA

Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Chamblee and Dunwoody JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | ISSUE 68 P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 simplybuckhead.com For advertising rates, call: 404.538.9895 Publisher and Founder

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

Joanne Hayes Chief Financial Officer

Sonny Hayes Editor-in-Chief

Jill Becker Creative Director

Alan Platten ValueStream Media Chief Photographer

Sara Hanna Vice President, Sales & Marketing

Cheryl Isaacs Account Executives

Lisa George Michelle Johnson Website Development Management

BHG Digital Director of Audience Development

Mike Jose

Ginger Strejcek Sparked by an innate curiosity about almost everything, Ginger Strejcek is a freelance journalist with more than 25 years of experience, including work as a newspaper reporter, magazine editor and graphic designer. She most recently served as associate editor of Southern Seasons magazine. Her writing assignments have taken her on adventures near and far, from an emu farm in East Cobb to the sunny shores of Jamaica to the fairytale streets of Prague. She’s a lifelong shutterbug and folk art enthusiast, an animal lover with a flock of five formerly feral felines and an incurable collector of farmhouse relics and other random stuff.

Copy Editor

H.M. Cauley Contributing Editor

Jennifer Bradley Franklin Contributing Writers

Giannina S. Bedford Jennifer Bradley Franklin H.M. Cauley Rebecca Cha Carly Cooper Jessica Dauler Mickey Goodman Angela Hansberger Michael Jacobs Nicole Letts Laura J. Moss Lia Picard Ginger Strejcek Muriel Vega Karon Warren Contributing Photographers

Kimberly Evans Leah Roth Graphic Designer

Layal Akkad We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission. Copyright © 2020 by Simply Buckhead ®. All rights reserved. Printed by Walton Press, Inc. Distributed by Distributech and Distribution Services Group.

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

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[ BEHIND THE COVER ] Sometimes it takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to make our cover photos look so effortless. To achieve the fun shot on this issue’s cover, part Photographer: Sara Hanna of stylist Iyda Negasi’s duties included creating a Photo assistant: Scott Asano giant foam core calendar, wrapping wire around Model: Tribble Reese the shoelaces on a pair of sneakers and then holdStylist: Iyda Negasi ing the sneakers in place as photographer Sara Hair and makeup: Richie Arpino Hanna snapped away. Then Sara had to work her Shot at the Sara Hanna Photography studio Photoshop magic to make the strings and other supporting items disappear. Model/entrepreneur Tribble Reese, hair and makeup artist Richie Arpino, publisher Joanne Hayes and editor Jill Becker added to the behind-the-scenes shenanigans.

YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA

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Our animal liability policy covers all animal breeds, including those with a bite history!

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[ P ROU D M E M B E R OF ]

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

SIMPLY BUCKHEAD® JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

A Place Where You Belong

[ E DI T OR ’ S L E T T E R ]

The Headshot Truck

he issue you have in your hands marks my 22nd as the editor of Simply Buckhead. While that number may not sound all that special, it’s meaningful to me, as this issue is my last as editor. I’m moving on to something new, and while change is scary, it’s also exhilarating. As I ponder the road ahead, though, I can’t help but reflect on the last two and a half years, during which I have been blessed to work with a truly incredible group of people who help put this magazine together. They welcomed me, nurtured me, humored me, inspired me and amazed me. I wish I had room to list them all and all of the many contributions

Spend the day or evening on the Town! Discover over 50 shops, services and restaurants. Town Brookhaven is truly your one stop shopping and dining destination with a blend of interesting boutiques, delicious restaurants and useful services. ANCHORS CinéBistro/Cobb Theatre • Costco • LA Fitness • Marshalls • Publix

APPAREL & ACCESSORIES Boogaloos • Dress Up Boutique • Vestique

they’ve made during my tenure.

SHOES Thankfully, I’ll still be writing for the magazine. And, of course, I’ll still be an avid reader. I’ll get to page through each issue with fresh eyes and continue reading about all of the people, places and things that make Buckhead so special. Take, for example, Atlanta Hawks’ owners Tony Ressler

Big Peach Running Co.

HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY 18|8 Fine Men’s Salon • Benchmark Physical Therapy Brookhaven Orthodontics • Emory Clinic • European Wax Center GNC (General Nutrition Center) • Intown Pediatrics The Joint - The Chiropractic Place Julian’s Cosmetics and Skincare • Massage Heights Nail Talk & Tan • Saks Salon Salon Red • Salon Red Kids • Town Dentistry Vein Clinics of America • Vida-Flo: The Hydration Station

and Jami Gertz, who, along with 5,000 other volunteers,

DINING

spent an afternoon packing more than a million meals for

Bua Thai and Sushi • The Flying Biscuit Café HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern • Lucky’s Burger & Brew Marble Slab Creamery • Moe’s Southwest Grill Newk’s Express Café • Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub Red Pepper Taqueria • Tanaka Ramen There Restaurant and Bar • Tropical Smoothie Café Which Wich? • Yogurtland

local organizations that feed the hungry (see page 18). Or Elaine Sterling, who moved to Atlanta from South Africa and, despite the odds, founded a successful esthetician school and spa that just moved into a snazzy new 25,000-square-foot space at Lenox Square (page 46). Or CryoEvolution owner Tribble Reese and all of the other folks featured in our cover story (page 57) aimed at helping you make your health a priority in 2020. The new year is marking a new regime at Simply Buckhead, and I, for one, can’t wait to see what’s next.

Jill Becker editor@simplybuckhead.com

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

HOME FURNISHINGS & DÉCOR Redefined Home Boutique

SERVICES Bank of the Ozarks • Brookhaven Alterations Brookhaven Animal Hospital • FBC Mortgage • Keller Williams Reflections Eyecare • Town Cleaners • U Break I Fix

ELECTRONICS, MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT AT&T

TRAVEL & TOURISM Brookhaven Convention & Visitors Bureau

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One of the toughest decisions you'll have to make at Puerto Rico's Wyndham Grand Rio Mar is whether to hit the beach or a poolside lounge chair.

Less than three years after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico is showing signs not only of recovery but of revitalization and growth.

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NEWS Karon Warren

Photos: Dave Roland of DR3 Photography

BY:

GAME NIGHT, RETRO STYLE F

or those who grew up killing time at the local arcade, Red Door Tavern welcomes you to relive those glory days at its new interactive game room, Arcadia at Red Door Tavern. The 800-square-foot space features more than 20 classic arcade games ranging from Ms. Pac-Man and Joust to Tekken and Galaga. “We opened Arcadia as a way to provide the Buckhead neighborhood

with a unique experience that we weren’t seeing present within the immediate surrounding area,” says owner Steve Shamatta. “When our guests visit Arcadia, we hope they’re transported back in time to the 1980s with our retro games and feel.” The game room is decorated with appropriately themed artwork, such as murals of Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros. and Mega Man,

plus a handcrafted floor made from more than 180,000 pennies. While those who grew up in the 1980s may feel a special affinity for Arcadia, Shamatta hopes all patrons will enjoy the game room. “Our hope is that the space appeals to an audience of all ages, from people in their 20s to their 50s, and that we’re able to provide an experience that everyone can enjoy.” n

ARCADIA AT RED DOOR TAVERN 3180 Roswell Rd. Atlanta 30305 404.846.6525

NEWS CLIPS NEW SPA PREMIERES IN BUCKHEAD Give your tootsies some much-needed pampering at Buckhead’s newest spa, which specializes in natural hand and foot care. At Foot Fetish Spa & Shoetique, enjoy one of the many unique-themed nail services, or bring your friends for a girls’ night out, birthday party or bridal shower. Foot Fetish also features a selection of footwear, so you can find the perfect pair of shoes to match your pedicure.

In addition, the boutique offers regular and special events, which are announced on the spa’s Instagram account (@footfetishspa.shoetique). Foot Fetish Spa & Shoetique 3222 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.549.9263 footfetishspashoetique.com

THEATER TROUPE GARNERS AWARDS Act3 Productions, the semiprofessional theater company in Sandy Springs, received kudos for its work on the

stage from the Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre Awards. The company received a total of nine awards, ranging from best choreography and best costume design to best director for a musical. The MAT Awards are voted on by members of the Atlanta theater community. “It’s a huge honor to win and have your work acknowledged by your fellow theaters,” says Michelle Davis, Act3’s artistic director. “It helps shine a light to the public that your theater is

producing the kind of quality work they should see.” Act3 Productions 6285-R Roswell Rd. Sandy Springs 30328 770.241.1905 act3productions.org

LUXE OUTFITTER OPENS STAND-ALONE BOUTIQUE As part of the Phipps Plaza transformation, Dolce&Gabbana opened its first stand-alone Atlanta store last month at the Buckhead shopping mecca.

The luxury retailer features women’s and men’s readyto-wear clothing collections and accessories. “Phipps Plaza and Dolce&Gabbana are a perfect pairing, combining one of fashion’s most prestigious names with one of the Southeast’s most iconic mixed-use developments,” says Eric Howard, general manager for Phipps Plaza. Dolce&Gabbana 3500 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30326 dolcegabbana.com

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

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LOCAL SALUTE

BY:

Mickey Goodman

Jenn Hobby is all smiles over the success of the inaugural Ring the Bell fundraiser.

Cancer Slayer

Buckhead Coalition president Sam Massell (right) salutes Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation honoree Jacques Murphy.

Raising funds for research

Answering the Call Area first responders honor Buckhead resident When Buckhead resident Jacques Murphy walked into the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation’s (AFRF) 10th annual Breakfast With Our Bravest last year, he had no idea he would be recognized as an Honorary Battalion Chief, an accolade very few civilians across the nation ever receive. “I was totally blown away,” says Murphy, who was given the title for helping raise thousands in private funds in support of the city’s first responders. “They presented me with a real fire helmet, and I took an oath of office administered by fire chief Randall B. Slaughter. But the honor also goes to my enablers, Buckhead Coalition president Sam Massell, coalition board members, city council

members and our key sponsors.” Murphy has served on the board of the Buckhead Coalition for 15 years and chaired the AFRF committee for six. “Firefighters don’t get to pick where they’re assigned, and some firehouses are better equipped than others,” he says. “We’re trying to create equity by providing equipment such as bunk beds, kitchen items, recliners, television sets, grills and workout equipment where they’re needed most. Since 80% of public safety funds go to salary and pensions, there’s not much left for items like these,” he says. l For more information on the Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation, visit atlfrf.org.

A Good Egg

Dedicated volunteer Andrea Jaron is the new executive director of Second Helpings Atlanta.

Veteran volunteer takes helm of fooddriven nonprofit Andrea Jaron, the new executive director of Second Helpings Atlanta, brings a rich legacy of volunteerism to the organization. In college, she manned a suicide prevention hotline, and while in law school she worked at a free legal aid clinic. Following graduation, she became development director at the Southeast Region Anti-Defamation League and continues to serve as chair of the Jewish Women’s Fund, which

The words “your child has cancer” are daggers in the hearts of parents. “When it’s stage IV sacrococcygeal teratoma, a rare germ cell tumor, it’s even more devastating because little is known about it,” says Jenn Hobby of Star 94’s Jenn & Friends, whose daughter Reese was diagnosed when she was 10 months old. But Hobby and her husband, Dr. Grant Rivera, superintendent of Marietta City Schools, were among the lucky ones. After four rounds of chemo to shrink the tumor, followed by surgery performed by Dr. Thomas A. Olson at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Reese, now 4, shows no residual signs of cancer. “Our relief was immense, and we decided to help raise

is committed to effecting social change for Jewish women and girls. The Brookhaven resident came to Second Helpings from Meals on Wheels, where she served as chief development officer. “It primed me for this position and gave me an awareness of food insecu-

rity issues,” she says. “While Meals on Wheels focuses on providing and delivering meals for seniors, Second Helpings rescues healthy surplus food that would otherwise be thrown away and delivers it free of charge to more than 50 partner agencies that provide meals for a steady flow of clients of all ages.” All rescued food—which includes large volumes of fresh, perishable and frozen prepared foods—is donated by more than 85 restaurants, grocery stores, corporate kitchens and large events such as the Super Bowl.

money for MaGIC (Malignant Germ Cell International Consortium), which is searching for better treatments and a cure,” says Hobby. The couple initially raised $157,000 through corporate partners, small events, store openings, product sales and a live radio show. That was followed with an additional $50,000 from the first annual Ring the Bell Benefit, named for the tradition of patients ringing a bell when they’re declared cancer-free. “We plan to host the fundraiser every year and continue to be involved in the Aflac [cancer] community, a ‘family’ you’re a part of but never wanted to join,” she says. l For more information, visit choa.org and magicconsortium.com.

The organization has expanded exponentially since it began in 2004 at Temple Sinai in Sandy Springs. It became a standalone nonprofit in 2013 and now has 450 volunteers who rescued more than 1.4 million nutritious meals in 2018. l For more information on Second Helpings Atlanta, visit secondhelpingsatlanta.org.

Want to nominate a volunteer, company or nonprofit that makes Buckhead, Sandy Springs or Brookhaven a better place to live? Please contact: editor@simplybuckhead.com

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

LOCAL SALUTE

PLENTY TO CROW ABOUT The Atlanta Hawks’ Million Meal Pack event surpasses its lofty goals Mickey Goodman

hen a professional Atlanta sports team, a civicminded corporation and area citizens join hands, great things happen. Case in point: The Atlanta Hawks, State Farm and 5,000 volunteers came together at the Million Meal Pack event at State Farm Arena last October to pack 1,020,672 meals to help combat food insecurity. It was the largest philantropic project in the Hawks’ 51-year history. “The mission of the Hawks Foundation is to do small acts that make a big impact on the community,” says Andrea Carter, the team’s vice president of corporate responsibility and inclusion. “But we were looking for a bigger way to draw in community participation that would make a difference in the lives of a large number of people. With help from Feeding Children Everywhere, we came up with the Million Meal Pack, then put out a call to our fans, season ticket holders, religious groups, corporations and the community via e-mail and social media. Everyone thought it would take two to three months to get to our goal of 5,000 volun-

teers, but 72 hours later, we had reached capacity.” Feeding Children Everywhere served as the logistics lead for the event and handled everything from training to distribution by local feed-the-hungry groups. The Atlanta Community Food Bank, Second Helpings Atlanta, Fountain of Hope, Goodr, Lost-n-Found Youth and Veterans Empowerment Organization of Georgia picked up and delivered the more than one million food packages to organizations and shelters that regularly feed the hungry. The volunteers worked in six 90-minute shifts to help package and seal six servings of premade vegetable jambalaya. “Some volunteers returned for multiple shifts and five remained the entire day,” says Carter. Among the volunteers were a number of recognizable faces, including Congressman John Lewis; Atlanta Hawks owners and Buckhead residents Tony Ressler and Jami Gertz; Hawks’ head coach Lloyd Pierce; Steve Koonin, CEO of the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena; Travis Schlenk, the Hawks’

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

From left to right: Atlanta Hawks owners Tony Ressler and Jami Gertz and State Farm senior vice president Dan Krause were among the thousands packing food for the hungry at State Farm Arena.

president of basketball operations and general manager; State Farm senior vice president Dan Krause; and David Green, CEO of Feeding Children Everywhere. There was also representation from the team, including players Vince Carter, Trae Young and De’Andre Hunter, as well as former Hawk and Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, who all donned the required hairnets and gloves and pitched right in. Although this was the Atlanta Hawks Foundation’s largest event ever, it is hardly the organization’s only philanthropic effort. “In partnership with State Farm’s Good Neighbor Clubs, we pledged to build 25 basketball courts and activity spaces beginning in 2015,” says Andrea Carter. “We exceeded that goal in just four years and have thus far com-

Photos: Kat Goduco Photo Crew

STORY:

pleted 27 safe, fun places for teens to go after school.” Carter says they also built a dance studio with space for activities such as yoga that was scheduled to open in December. In addition, the Hawks Foundation provides scholarships to basketball camps and clinics, and is developing a high-level instruction course for volunteer coaches. It also offers mentoring, teaches leadership skills and provides free tickets, transportation and food so teens can attend Hawks games. n l For more information, visit hawks.com/community.

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January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

TR AV E L NE A R

Above: Martin Luther King Jr. made his “How Long, Not Long” speech on the steps of the Montgomery Capitol. Right: Designed to resemble an Army bomber base, the Aviator Bar is part watering hole, part museum. Above: The National Memorial for Peace and Justice commemorates the lives of the thousands of African Americans who were the victims of racial lynchings.

Civil

Right: Artifacts and exhibits at the Rosa Park Museum pay tribute to the woman who sparked the Montgomery bus boycott.

Sojourn Alabama’s capital is an ideal place to mark historic milestones STORY:

H.M. Cauley

anuary is a significant month in civil rights history. And while Georgia has an array of destinations where that past can be explored, one of our neighbors to the west, Alabama, also claims a remarkable number of locations where the fight against oppression took place. About a two-and-a-half hour drive from Buckhead, the capital city of Montgomery boasts a combination of historic sites and museums that bring the civil rights era to life, making it an ideal destination for a long weekend. First stop: The National Memorial for Peace and Justice, a 6-acre site where sculptures and artworks by African and African American artists pay tribute to those impacted by violence. Its moving centerpiece is a display of 800, 6-foot monuments that represent the many victims of lynching in the U.S. About a mile from the memorial,

The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration sits on the site of an old warehouse in an area that was once the center of the city’s slave trade. The museum uses a variety of media to immerse visitors in that experience, as well as to examine what life was like under the Jim Crow laws that segregated Southern society until the civil rights movement of the 1960s. One of the buildings dominating Montgomery’s architectural landscape is the Greek Revival state capitol, a National Historic Landmark perched on a hill overlooking the city since 1851. The rotunda’s three-level spiral staircases below the domed ceiling are the work of African American carpenter Horace King. The building has been dubbed “the birthplace of the Confederacy” since it was here in 1861 that the articles of confederation were drafted and Jefferson Davis was sworn in as president. History was made on the steps there in 1965 when the Rev-

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

erend Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “How Long, Not Long” speech that concluded the famous march from Selma. King’s presence is also felt at the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, where he led the congregation from 1954 until 1960. Nearby, the 1912 parsonage where King lived is now a museum furnished with many pieces that belong to the family. Around the corner is the city’s Civil Rights Memorial, designed by Maya Lin, the architect of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C. Montgomery also played a key role in the journeys of the Freedom Riders, volunteers who traveled across the South to challenge segregation on buses and at bus stations. A former depot now serves as the Freedom Rides Museum, where visitors can explore the mission and dangers embraced by the riders. The Rosa Parks Museum, located on the Troy University campus, shines a light on the heroism of the civil

rights icon and those involved in the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott. Studying such serious history is sure to work up an appetite. Refresh with drinks at the Aviator Bar, where airplane models dangle overhead and vintage posters adorn the walls. Take in scenic views of the Alabama River while dining on seafood at the Capitol Oyster Bar, where on Sunday nights the food is accompanied by live blues bands. Grab a coffee at Prevail Union, tucked into a renovated 1920s building, and save room for a meat-and-three meal at Derk’s Filet & Vine Market, where at least 17 sides are on the menu. When it’s time to turn in, keep the historic theme going with a stay at The Lattice Inn, a 1906 cottage with just four guestrooms in the heart of the city’s Garden District. n

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T R AV E L FA R

Escape to Undiscovered

Mexico

Above: At Villa del Palmar, you'll enjoy scenic views of the property and beyond from the privacy of your own balcony.

STORY:

Karon Warren

Below: The hydrotherapy circuit at Sabila Spa will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed.

Villa del Palmar resort offers luxury on the quiet side of our southern neighbor

ooking for a luxury Mexican beach vacation away from the crowded tourist spots like Cabo San Lucas or Nueva Vallarta? If so, make your way to Villa del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa at the Islands of Loreto. Tucked away on the Sea of Cortez just 45 minutes from the town of Loreto, this resort is not unlike an oasis in the desert. It rises out of the earth against a backdrop of mountains to the south and east and the sea to the north. But rest assured this property contains all the comforts of home—and then some. Unlike a lot of area hotels, Villa del Palmar features oversized accommodations that include kitchenettes or full kitchens in addition to spacious balconies offering views of the surrounding countryside. I bunked in a one-bedroom suite that rivals most similarly sized apartments in Atlanta.

The custom greeting composed of tiny pebbles that was laid out for me on my bed was just one example of the personalized service I received during my stay. It didn’t take me long to shed my belongings and head outside to explore the resort. Behind the main building, I found five different swimming pools. Farther on, I reached the beach, which was filled with a row of lounge chairs and umbrellas. Both provided many hours of relaxation in the warm sun. What I loved, too, was the opportunity to be as active as I wanted without leaving the property. On the beach, I chose a kayak and paddled across the clear waters to check out the marine life. At one end of the beach, the water meets the rocky cliffs of the mountains, and it’s here I saw fish, starfish and even an eel swimming just below the water’s surface. Left: Beach loungers welcome guests to soak in the sun as they watch the waves roll in. Right: The resort boasts not one, not two, but five scenic swimming pools.

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

Another afternoon, I set off on one of the resort’s hiking trails, which took me across the mountains by the golf course and provided amazing views of the Sea of Cortez. Speaking of golf, TPC Danzante Bay will please players of all skill levels thanks to a scenic 18-hole course designed by Rees Jones. One of my favorite, and most relaxing, activities took place at Sabila Spa. I enjoyed an hour-long massage followed by a session through the hydrotherapy circuit. The five-station routine alternates hot- and coldwater therapies to detoxify your body and is refreshing, calming and invigorating all at once. During my visit, the resort was hosting its semi-annual Wellness Week, which features special fitness

classes, wellness talks and meals from celebrity trainers and chefs. I enjoyed several cooking demonstrations and a couple of dinners by noted chef David Fuerte of Los Angeles. Although Villa del Palmar offers a full schedule of on-site activities, guests also have the option of taking a trip into Loreto for shopping, dining and sightseeing, whale-watching adventures, ATV tours and more. I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention the dining at the resort, which includes five restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining. My recommendation? Check out the wood-oven pizzas at Casa Mia and the breakfast buffet at Market. Offering traditional and all-inclusive rates, you can plan the vacation at Villa del Palmar you’ve always wanted, be it a couple’s escape, girlfriends’ getaway, health and wellness retreat, or a family vacation. n VILLA DEL PALMAR BEACH RESORT & SPA villadelpalmarloreto.com

WALL, WINDOW, FLOOR AND CEILING

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE To Have The Smile You’ve Always Wanted

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January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

T R AV E L FA R

Above: The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar is one of the few resorts that kept its doors open during and immediately after Hurricane Maria. Left, top and bottom: The author takes a trek on an ATV through the El Yunque National Forest, which is also viewable from the Yokahu Tower observation deck.

An Island’s

Rebirth

The Wyndham Grand Rio Mar’s newest restaurant, Iguanas Cocina Puertorriqueña, focuses on fresh seafood.

Hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico is growing back stronger

t's a rebirth. It’s pretty amazing,” Carolyn Krupp, a public affairs officer for the United States Forest Service, is telling me as we look out over El Yunque National Forest in northeastern Puerto Rico. From the Yokahu Tower observation point, with a blanket of lush vegetation in every imaginable shade of green stretching down the mountain toward the rippling sea beyond, it was hard to imagine it hadn’t always been that way. Krupp, who has made the island her home for more than 20 years, showed photos taken in 2017 just after Hurricane Maria, the Category 5 storm that ravaged the Atlantic and Caribbean, swept over the ancient rainforest. The post-storm images looked like photos taken after a fire. It wasn’t far from the truth: The deluge of saltwater from the ocean burned the foliage to a crisp, decimating the 240 native tree species in the 28,000-acre park. Later that day, I got to see the rapidly regenerating forest up close on an

adrenaline-filled ATV ride with Carabalí Rainforest Adventure Park. I noticed the phenomena again during a walking food tour in Old San Juan, the colorful historic district in the capital city that’s a mix of old and new. Our group sipped coquito, a rum- and coconut-infused holiday drink, at Caldera Café; tasted chocolate made by the fourth-generation bean-to-bar makers at Chocobar Cortés; and tried some of the city’s best mofongo, a savory dish of mashed and fried green plantains, at Hecho en Casa. Our guide explained that, because of the hurricane, many local businesses closed their doors, unable to generate enough income to stay open when product sourcing and power supply were uphill battles. However, a new crop of entrepreneurs—from art gallerists to fashion curators—has started populating the technicolor-hued buildings, much to the delight of locals and tourists alike. Of course, there’s always more to the story for the people who live

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

and work in a place as devastated as Puerto Rico was after the storm. During my visit, I stayed at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar, a rambling beachside property that’s one of the few hotels that was able to keep its doors open during the disaster. It became a nerve center for recovery, hosting the relief workers who came to give aid. “Maria was no match for us,” executive chef Ramón Carrillo told me. His emotion was evident as he recalled how the staff pulled together to keep the business afloat during the island’s darkest days. Case in point: Everyone got paid for two months whether they were able to work or not. However, many staffers still walked or cycled in, some even bringing equipment such as chainsaws and rakes to help clear the resort’s driveway. Now, the beach is once again pristine, the world-class golf course is verdant, and the hotel’s restaurants are not only open but growing. Earlier this year, the property welcomed Iguanas Cocina Puertorriqueña, an eatery

STORY:

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

serving Caribbean and Puerto Rican fusion with a focus on locally caught seafood. The artfully presented fare, leveraging the location’s unique natural assets, feels emblematic of the new chapter in the island’s history. For all of its devastation, less than three years later, Puerto Rico is showing sure signs not only of recovery but of revitalization and growth. On my visit, only a few miles of trails—of the 24 total—were open in El Yunque. “We’re getting there. We’re in a new normal,” Krupp told me. So is the rest of the island. While I’m sorry I never got to see Puerto Rico before Maria’s impact, my first visit gave me a deep appreciation for its fighting spirit and has left me longing to return. n

IF YOU GO Discover Puerto Rico discoverpuertorico.com Wyndham Grand Rio Mar wyndhamriomar.com

15 MINUTES WITH

JAY GOULD

STORY:

Jill Becker

PHOTO: Sara

Hanna

t’s been reported that in Atlanta, Buckhead has the least amount of public park space per capita. Jay Gould is working hard to change that. The Buckhead resident is the recently instated chairman of the board of HUB404, a proposed multi-purpose, 8-acre green space that would sit above Ga. 400. The president and CEO of Interface, a global flooring company that makes Flor carpet tiles, Gould took over as chair after a rebranding of the project, which was previously called POG 400 (as in the “park over Ga. 400”). “The project has been around for years but was languishing to be honest,” says the Ohio native, who holds an MBA from Harvard. “We needed to reframe the conversation. With the old name, it seemed grounded in Buckhead. We wanted to reframe it from a place in Buckhead to be a part of Atlanta as a whole.” Give us the HUB404 elevator pitch. It’s a new elevated green space where people across Atlanta can connect. It will extend from Peachtree Road to Lenox Road, and connect to the PATH400 and the BeltLine. We’re creating a gathering space out of thin air. We anticipate the ribbon cutting in 2025. How will HUB404 compare to projects like the BeltLine or the High Line in New York City? The High Line is a great example of what we’re trying to do with HUB404. I would love it to be that successful. Why does Atlanta need HUB404? Of the top 100 U.S. cities, Atlanta ranks 42nd in terms of parks systems. That part of Buckhead [where the HUB404 will be] wasn’t originally built for high-density living, but in the last 15 years there’s been an influx of condos and apartments. The goal is bringing people together in nature. Also, we anticipate it will bring 27,000 new jobs to the area. The BeltLine [demonstrates] how a park can change a community. What is the status of things? We’re currently in fundraising mode. We’ve done the first engineering study, and now we need to figure out the details of what the construction will take. We’ve

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

articulated the vision; now the true work starts. What’s been the biggest obstacle so far? It’s a public/private partnership involving the Department of Transportation, MARTA and other state and city agencies, so it’s complicated. Having the Buckhead Community Improvement District and [its executive director] Jim Durrett involved is so important. Jim understands how to navigate these things. Another one of the things you’re passionate about is the environment. I was a climate change skeptic five years ago, but now I go around the world talking about it. One of my goals for Interface is to have a negative carbon footprint with no offsets by 2040. I also currently have 900 Interface employees following me in doing Meatless Mondays, [which severely reduces the amount of carbon dioxide released] into the air. This is our fitness issue. What do you do to stay in shape? I work out at the gym at the Sovereign, where I live. And I swim at the pool at the Waldorf Astoria. I have a membership to their spa. I swim with a snorkel and underwater iPod. What do you listen to? Books on tape. I just finished listening to the biography of [New England Patriots’ coach] Bill Belichick. What do you like to do in your off-time? My family and I have a home in Savannah, and I love to go boating, fishing and jet-skiing. We get out there three or four times a year. What are your go-to places in Buckhead? Bistro Niko. It’s in my building, so it’s like our kitchen. We go there probably three times a week. And you can usually find me at Sunday brunch at Le Bilboquet. It’s a great place to have champagne and people watch. And I can bring my dog, Moxie, a miniature rat terrier, with me. What’s something on your bucket list? I’ve never been to Patagonia. I would love to go and experience all that nature. n

A P P ROVE D

Laura Ashley Mulholland Flannel Sheet Set, Grey ($39.99-$79.99) You’ll love jumping into bed on chilly evenings with these timeless flannel sheets. The fabric is extra soft thanks to brushed cotton flannel, and the chic gray tartan plaid will complement your decor by day (other colors available). Bed Bath & Beyond 1 Buckhead Loop N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.869.0457 bedbathandbeyond.com

Hammer Tone Commercial Patio Heater ($499) Much like the outdoor heaters you see on your favorite Buckhead restaurant patios, Frontgate offers an affordable home version that helps stretch your outdoor time when the temperature starts to drop. A wheeled base makes it easy to maneuver, and the maximum heat output keeps your porch or patio toasty warm even on chilly Southern nights. The sleek, modern appearance keeps it from being an eyesore.

TURN UP

THE HEAT

Frontgate 3500 Peachtree Rd N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.841.7170 frontgate.com

Winters can be harsh, and sometimes the only consolation to a long, frigid day is the thought of cozying up at home. UGG Marlow Double-Face Fleece Robe ($145) Start the new year right by creating If there was ever a perfect example of a lounging a warm, welcoming space by adding aesthetic, cult favorite UGG has it down. Boasting these simple cold-weather unbeatable softness, this fluffy fleece robe puts many hotel robes to shame. Wrap up in it and you’ll feel hacks into your life. STORY:

Jessica Dauler

Cozy Pom Pom Throw ($49) A cozy throw is key for brisk evenings and mornings, and this one gets a playful twist from the cute pom pom fringe. The ultimate in softness, you'll want to snuggle up with it when watching TV or simply lounging. When it’s not in use, it doubles as a stylish accessory, elevating the look of any room. Given the price, you might even want to invest in a few colors (there are seven to choose from). Pottery Barn 3393 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.812.9726 potterybarn.com

like you’re wearing a favorite blanket. The pockets warm your hands, and it pairs well with your favorite UGG footwear.

Nordstrom 3500 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.442.3000 nordstrom.com

Crane 1500-Watt Mini Fireplace Heater ($84.99) The appeal of a fireplace isn’t only about the heat, but about the ambiance it creates. For homes not outfitted with a proper fireplace, this mini heater is the perfect dupe, producing the ideal atmosphere, aesthetic and mood while emulating the look and glow of burning wood. And it’s powerful enough to heat an entire room. The Home Depot 6400 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd. Sandy Springs 30328 770.804.8065 homedepot.com

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

K ID S

DRIVE TIME WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW AS YOUR TEEN PREPARES TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL

etting a driver’s license is a milestone for teenagers that easily ranks at the top of their to-do lists as their Sweet 16 approaches. However, for both teens and their parents, preparing for the big event needs to start well before the birthday candles are blown out. In fact, it begins a year earlier, when teens apply for their learner’s permits on their 15th birthdays. Here’s a teen driving guide to help ensure you’re putting a safe and well-prepared driver out on the road.

Getting their learner’s permits. In Georgia, you must hold a learner’s permit for one year and one day before applying for a driver’s license. Therefore, if kids want their licenses as soon as they turn 16, they’ll need to have a learner’s permit on their 15th birthday. They’ll then be eligible to apply for their official license two days after they turn 16.

Taking a driver education course. Under Joshua’s Law, all 16-year-olds must complete an approved driver

education course to apply for their driver’s licenses. This course should include 30 hours of classroom instruction and a minimum of 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training. Teens can sign up for courses at local driving schools or online. For instance, at Nathan’s Driving School, which has a location in Chamblee, students can take classes on-site or have instructors bring the lessons to a nearby public school or church. “Getting the experience of an instructor and engaging with peers aids in learning and remembering information better,” says Rachel Marie Galotti, vice president of Nathan’s Driving School. Plus, learning to drive from an instructor rather than a parent could reduce stress for both the student and the parent.

Get the safest car you can afford. When buying a car for your teen, you want to make sure he or she is safe on the road. When shopping for a new or used vehicle, look for the following advanced safety features: front and side air bags, antilock brakes, electronic stability control,

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

HELPFUL LINKS STORY:

Karon Warren

blind spot detection, adaptive headlights, lane departure warning and a rear-view camera. If possible, also get a Bluetooth-enabled car so, if necessary, teens can make or answer phone calls hands-free.

Make sure your teen is invested. Owning and driving a car is no easy or cheap task. Teach your teens to take ownership by having them pay for gas or car insurance. “Having a stake in the game certainly helps,” says Galotti.

Teach your child basic car maintenance. Nothing is worse for new drivers than getting stranded on the side of the road. Along with driving instruction, teach your teens the basics of car maintenance, such as how to check the tire pressure, change a tire and check the oil and other fluids. And instruct them to always fill up with gas before the gauge drops below 1/8th of a tank.

Do your homework. Refer to the helpful links in the box

Georgia Department of Driver Services Basic requirements: dds.georgia.gov/provisionaldrivers-license-class-d Joshua’s Law requirements: dds.georgia.gov/joshuaslaw-requirements National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Teen Driving nhtsa.gov/road-safety/ teen-driving Keys2Drive: The AAA Guide to Teen Driver Safety teendriving.aaa.com/ga Partners for Safe Teen Driving safeteendriving.org/resources

above to educate yourself and your teen as thoroughly as possible on everything from the rules of the road to safe driving tips. Also, look into the various apps that aid teen drivers and allow parents to monitor young drivers. A sample includes DriveSafe. ly, Canary, Life360, TrueMotion Family and LifeSaver. n

NATHAN’S DRIVING SCHOOL nathansdrivingschool.com

A magical evening curated by Richard Garner, where grownups will celebrate the joy and wonders of childhood play. Featuring the talents of OK Cello.

Presenting Sponsor

From L to R: Okorie Johnson, Jane Turner, Wonya Lucas, Stephanie Blank, Richard Garner

P E TS

You Pet It, She Paints It How Sarah Miller turned her passion for animals into a full-time business STORY:

Laura J. Moss

arah Miller was a junior in college when she first got the idea to paint a pet. She’d always had a knack for art but kept it contained to the occasional doodle, until her oneyear anniversary with her boyfriend was approaching and she couldn’t afford to get him a gift. Her boyfriend had a beloved cat named Merlin, so Miller got out her watercolors and painted a portrait of the orange tabby. The painting was such a hit among her friends at Georgia College that Miller began accepting offers to paint pets for $10 apiece. Soon, she was inundated with orders. “I got like a hundred orders during my finals that I had to finish before Christmas,” says the 24-year-old Brookhaven resident. “I was really busy—like almost-failedmy-classes busy.”

In addition to taking a full course load, Miller also played soccer, so she had a constant waitlist for her portraits. When she graduated in 2018 with a marketing degree, she decided to take her side business fulltime. She named it Sarah Paints Pets. “I always had a three-week waitlist during school, so I thought when I opened up the floodgates, it was going to be great,” she says. “That wasn’t the case.” Miller had recently moved to Charlotte, so she was in a new city where she didn’t know many people, and she was running a business alone in her apartment. It was an isolating experience, but she found comfort in one of her favorite television shows, Queer Eye. “I’d watch it to feel better because I was so sad and lonely,” she says. “My business wasn’t going well, and I had all this self-doubt, but it’s

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

this very empowering show that just makes you feel good.” Miller was especially taken with Jonathan Van Ness, a cat-obsessed hairdresser who serves as the show’s grooming expert. When she heard that one of Van Ness’ beloved cats, Bug, had recently passed away, she painted a portrait of his cats and sent it to his publicist. Months passed, and Miller didn’t hear if her gift had been received or not, but then she spotted her portrait in an Instagram photo Van Ness posted of his bedroom. “He's in his underwear on his bed, just posing all fabulous, and in the background is my portrait,” she says. “I commented ‘That's my portrait,’ and he immediately tagged me in the post and sent me a really sweet message, thanking me. I got thousands of followers overnight. I suddenly had all these

orders coming in.” Since then, Miller’s orders have increased each month, and now she paints about three pet portraits a day from her Brookhaven apartment, where she’s now closer to friends and family. When she’s not painting, she’s marketing her business on social media and making frequent trips to the post office to ship orders. While she credits Van Ness for her growing popularity, anyone who follows Miller’s Instagram account, @sarahpaintspets, will see that she’s certainly created her own success story. Her talent and passion for animals, as well as the people who love them, is obvious in every portrait. n

SARAH PAINTS PETS sarahpaintspets.com

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

SIMPLY LIVING

HOME

Tony Tone Down P32

Ann Marie Govic’s elegant office includes an abovemantle artwork that retracts to reveal a TV hidden behind it.

“The house has a lot of amenities, but it’s not sprawling on 5 acres. I didn’t want that. I wanted more of a city feel.” — Mario Govic

Photo: Sara Hanna

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

H OM E

The formal living room, once clad in gold moldings, features clean white walls and some sparkle.

TONY TONE DOWN Florida transplants aim for less conspicuous decor in their palatial Buckhead home STORY:

After relocating from Florida in 2018, the Govic family is embracing its stunning new Atlanta address.

hen searching for a new home, it’s difficult to find one that checks all the boxes. Inevitably there are going to be things one wants to change, whether it’s the layout or the decor. The key is being able to look through the clutter—even high-end clutter—and see the vision of the home you want. That’s exactly what Mario and Ann Marie

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

Giannina S. Bedford PHOTOS: Sara Hanna

Govic were able to do with their Buckhead home, an almost 20,000-square-foot dwelling named Sterling Hall they purchased in December 2017 after deciding to relocate to Atlanta from Florida. The 7-bedroom, 14-bathroom residence came equipped with nearly every amenity one could imagine in a home of its size, but the decor wasn’t in line with the Govics’ more transitional style. “It was very dark and heavy, Mediterranean with a lot of brown and gold,” recalls Mario, a Croatian-born wealth manager who runs Govic Capital. “But it had 90% of the features we wanted, so it was a good fit to begin with, even though we had to make some changes.” While the kids—15-year-old daughter, Marissa, and 12-year-old son, Jack—finished

school back in Florida, the home got a facelift that included removing many of the dark and overly ornate details. Gold moldings in the formal rooms were repainted or taken down, large built-ins were removed and heavy wood elements were eliminated or repainted in lighter hues. The Govics did keep certain unique features, acknowledging the investment made by the previous owner in materials such as natural stone—namely marble, onyx and limestone—and fixtures, such as the 24-carat-gold-plated sinks and faucets from Waterworks in the bar area and some bathrooms. “The previous owner put a lot of effort and money into certain features of the house, and I wanted to preserve some of the more valuable or nicer pieces,” says Mario.

Above: Built in 2010, Sterling Hall was once on the market for $10 million. Above: The family room features high ceilings with stained beams ideal for showcasing the antique stone fireplace. Right: The spacious kitchen boasts two islands and two chandeliers.

“It had 90% of the features we wanted, so it was a good fit to begin with, even though we had to make some changes.” — Mario Govic

York City a lot, so I feel like I have a little bit of activity going on when I look out the window,” says Ann Marie. Across the foyer is the formal dining room, where the couple repainted the gold moldings and installed a shimmering wallpaper to compliment the glitz of the chandelier, Restoration Hardware sconces and sparkling artwork from Beaux Arts Home. Nearby, the formal living room, furnished with a Century coffee table and cheetah-print chairs Ann Marie had reupholstered when they moved from Florida, also boasts a bit of sparkle from another Beaux Arts Home piece. The Govics removed most of the boxed molding that

once lined the living room’s walls to be able to hang artwork, but kept the room’s original chandelier and elaborate stone fireplace, one of 12 in the home. The largest fireplace, sourced from a French château, is in the family room and measures 24-by-9 feet. “The fireplaces are antiques brought over from France by the previous owner,” says Mario.

After the major renovations were done, the family moved in during the summer of 2018, just in time for the kids to start school at Pace Academy, which is conveniently located across the street. The Govics continued to make tweaks to the interior, with the lady of the house leading the charge. “I did most of it myself,” says Ann Marie, a real estate broker (still licensed in Florida) whose family is also originally from Croatia, although she grew up in New Jersey. The vision of the home today is a striking one. It begins in the majestic entry foyer, decked out with marble floors, a massive chandelier and a cathedral-like gold dome, one of the few gold elements that survived the renovation. To the left of the foyer is Ann Marie’s office, where the dark wood paneling that covered almost every wall was repainted a calming gray. Furnished with a sheepskin rug, Caracole desk, Massoud desk chair and oversized leather Massoud ottoman with nickel nailheads, the room is a stately mixture of glamour and warmth. Its windows face West Paces Ferry Road and offer a view of the bustling thoroughfare. “We lived in New York City [at one point], and I miss New

The dining room is furnished with a Marge Carson table, ornate end chairs from Massoud Furniture and a chandelier from Progressive Lighting.

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

H OM E

A main-level bathroom was designed to replicate the stylish men’s restroom at the St. Regis Atlanta.

Above: From a sprawling bar and billiards to a beauty salon, the Govics’ basement offers various diversions. Right: The lavish media room pays homage to Atlanta’s Fox Theatre. Below: The home’s mirrored elevator is a match to those at the St. Regis hotel. In the basement, it opens aside the theater’s playful “box office.”

The statement-making hearth in the family room remained, but the Govics removed the 13-foot built-ins that blocked the window view and a faux balcony overhead that was purely decorative. Today, the chic and inviting space has clean white walls, restained beams and sleek furnishings, including sheepskin benches from Horchow and a Caracole media unit with more than 300 pieces of inlaid white bone. The family room opens up to the kitchen, which, surprisingly, didn’t undergo too much change. The Govics kept the white cabinetry and high-polish Caffe Bruno Italian marble, but switched out the dark-brown hardware for gold and replaced what was a three-tiered island with a structural copy of the one-level island nearest the stove. Karpaty Cabinets installed all of the cabinetry in the house initially, and the Govics hired the company to create the match-

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

ing new island, which features a light-gray base and countertop of Imperial Danby marble from Vermont. The kitchen is a favorite hangout spot for the family and is well-used by their personal chef, who also lives on the property. “A lot of the renovation entailed throwing things out of the house, unfortunately,” says Mario. “But I’ve heard some people say they’re surprised that [the interior] looks fresher than what they expected coming through the front door.” Several of the rooms in Sterling Hall were modeled after statement-making designs the previous owner admired—some of which the Govics kept and some they altered. The master bedroom, for example, was originally inspired by Versailles, with red and yellow walls and mirrors all over. The Govics toned down the color palette with gray and white and removed some mirrors, but kept a regal feel via a tufted, upholstered bed from Marge Carson that features an antique mirror inset. The master bathroom, however, was left nearly as-is with marble finishes and elaborate mosaics imported from Italy. Atlanta’s St. Regis hotel also provided some design vision for the previous owner. A mainlevel powder room with marble from floor to ceiling is a replica of the men’s room at the luxury hotel, as are the mirrored elevator doors on each of the three floors. The elevator transports you to the basement, where there’s a red and gold theater room reminiscent of the Fox Theatre, and to the second floor, which was once painted in the same yellow hue the previous homeowner spotted in the White House. Today, the upstairs, which is shared by kids Marissa and Jack, is repainted. Marissa’s living room and bedroom are done in a glittery finish that compliments the gray, off-white and pale-pink hues of her lavish teenage girl spaces, while Jack’s game

Above: French doors open to the outdoors in the master bedroom.

Below: The master bath features shiny gold fixtures and intricate mosaics.

Above: A cabin bed from Restoration Hardware is the focal point in son Jack’s room. Below: Daughter Marissa’s glittery bedroom includes a custom headboard adorned in rhinestones.

room and bedroom are light blue. Surprises continue on each level of the home. A bonus space above the second floor is a train room the previous owner left filled with everything a model railroad enthusiast would drool over. Ann Marie also created a special gift-wrapping room near the garage entry. The basement is equipped with amenities akin to a luxury hotel: a wine cellar; wood-paneled bar with seating area; billiards table; hair salon; gym with massage room, steam shower and sauna; and a seventh bedroom used as a lounge space. The outdoors ups the ante with a saltwater pool, hot tub

“grotto,” fire pit and second-level outdoor patio big enough to entertain the masses. “This house has a lot of amenities, but it’s not sprawling on 5 acres. I didn’t want that,” says Mario. “I wanted more of a city feel with a big house, but close to the action.” More than a year in, the Govics are finally starting to use their home to its full potential and share it with others. In fact, they are so committed to their new address, they recently purchased the lot next door. It’s still to be determined what they’re going to do with it, but, judging by their current residence, it will be grand. n

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

BULLETIN BOARD

BY:

The Perfect One-Match Fire N

othing gets us through the dark, cold winter like a warm, crackling fire. The key is starting one without a fuss and keeping it going long enough to relax and enjoy it. Leroy Hite and his company, Cutting

Edge Firewood, which he founded in 2013, supplies and delivers high-quality firewood that ensures an idyllic fireside experience— minus the smoky, smelly mess. Each piece of Cutting Edge’s wood is conditioned

Giannina S. Bedford

for 48 hours to produce display-worthy logs that are said to be easier to light (with just a single match!); burn hotter and longer; create less smoke; and are pest, mold and fungus free. Cutting Edge delivers across Atlanta, including Buckhead, and all the way up to mountain destinations such as Highlands, North Carolina. Along with its white-glove delivery service, the company also offers a fire butler service and fire pit rentals. Here, Hite shares the secrets to creating and maintaining the perfect one-match fire.

t Step 2: Put a piece of heart pine on the lit fire starter and two to four pieces of kindling on top of that—you’re going from small to big.

PRODUCT

SPOTLIGHT

t Step 3: Place logs on top. It’s best to use the logcabin-style stacking method with some smaller logs in the middle so you have the firewood directly above the heat source. You also want to put the biggest log towards the front so when the wood starts breaking down, it collapses toward the back.

s Step 1: Dry firewood is the key, so have some handy. Light a fire starter, such as Cutting Edge’s Excelsior Fire Starter, and let it burn for a few seconds. Note: Don’t pour lighter fluid on it because it adds unwanted chemicals to the fire, and there’s a greater chance of accidents.

TIP: Never put wet firewood on your fire. It creates dangerous creosote in the

rock formations protruding from the floor and ceiling. ToyTropolis is reached via a kid-sized cave hallway. Airport-grade glass security gates guard Kefi’s entrance and exit, and the white and gray walls offer a blank canvas for the always evolving digital experiences. While Kefi’s kid-focused spaces are colorful and live-

ly, the adult-only lounges evoke a feeling of calm and sophistication with soothing tunes, modern furnishings, leather booths, original artwork and glass walls. Video feeds from the play areas are displayed on screens so mom and dad can keep an eye on the kiddos. Kefi also boasts a high-end cafe called Xander Coffee,

The holidays might be behind us, but the gift of a candle is never out of season. Wax Candle Bar makes the process of picking out a candle a personal one, allowing you to select the container, fragrance and wax (coconut, soy or beeswax). Once your candle is done, reuse the eye-catching container as a vase or send it back and have it refilled. Brookhaven resident and Wax Candle Bar founder Teri Xerogeanes suggests the newly added Reign container filled with coconut wax and a fragrance of Siberian Pine or Winter Birch for the winter season. Available for $55 at waxcandlebar.com.

chimney, makes the fire smaller and less hot, and creates musty smoke that sticks to you. n Cutting Edge Firewood

cuttingedgefirewood.com

A BLUEPRINT FOR PLAY As the father of a 5-year-old, Drew Panayiotou knows firsthand the power of play in a child’s development. So does the American Academy of Pediatrics, which in 2018 recommended that kids enjoy more unstructured playtime. This inspired Panayiotou’s vision for Kefi, a technologyand design-driven hangout for families that recently opened in Buckhead. “Kefi was intentionally designed to make it easy for parents to give kids their daily requirement of one hour of unstructured play,” says Panayiotou. “Kids are free to roam the space and choose what they want to do or where they

want to spend their time.” When conceiving Kefi, Panayiotou teamed up with creative partner Barry Williams, who spent more than 15 years leading technical teams at Lucasfilm for motion pictures such as the Star Wars and Harry Potter franchises. The duo enlisted the talent of designer Christian Carlson, formerly of global architecture firm NBBJ, and Atlanta design firm BLUR Workshop to create the 25,000-square-foot space, where an origami-inspired, minimalist design and immersive play spaces stimulate creativity. The Storycave, for example, features faux

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

where an abstract painting by artist Greg Lynquist adds pops of color. Large garagestyle doors, kept open during optimal weather, welcome an abundance of light into the hip, whimsical hangout. n Kefi 3637 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30319 404.937.3352 playkefi.com/atlanta

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TA S T E MA K E R amses have renovated and furnished with antiques for show and sale. “I’ve always been thankful to be part of this family-owned business,” says Garrett, now married with two children of his own. “I love meeting other people who have an appreciation for antiques and interior design, and it’s very rewarding to see our hand-selected pieces in the homes of our clients.” While Garrett has yet to top the 100plus buying trips his father has made, he’s a scouting pro. Here he shares his expertise on the world of antiques. What is a buying trip like? They are lots of work and lots of fun. The days can be very long; however, the sightseeing and amazing lunches and dinners are certainly precious memories. Some of my favorite trips include full loops around France and then into the heart of Italy. With a lifelong love of art and design, Garrett Adams (left) is blessed to carry on the family business at Jacqueline Adams Antiques.

What kinds of relics have you discovered? We’ve found everything from large French walnut wedding armoires with carved kissing doves to intricate accessories such as model yachts and Louis Vuitton trunks. I think many people don’t realize how well-built a lot of antiques are and that they hold their value, too. Any celebrity shoppers? Our famous clients have included Tyler Perry, Elton John and Brian McCann of the Atlanta Braves.

Pieces of the Past GARRETT ADAMS BRINGS EUROPEAN CHARM TO BUCKHEAD AT JACQUELINE ADAMS ANTIQUES STORY:

Ginger Strejcek

ooking for a one-of-a-kind statement piece to take that ho-hum interior from ordinary to extraordinary? Garrett Adams is sure to have a fantastic find. As the owner/manager of Jacqueline Adams Antiques in Buckhead, he’s proud to continue his family’s 38-year legacy of importing fine furnishings from the best antique dealers in Europe. “I like to kid around and say technically I’ve worked in the family business my whole life,” says Garrett, who’s joined by his sister, Vicki, in running

the 16,000-square-foot showroom in the posh Galleries of Peachtree Hills. “As a child, I spent countless hours on buying adventures and around the shop keeping myself busy, so working in the business came naturally when I became a teenager.” The venture began in 1980 on the sunny shores of Hilton Head Island, S.C., where Garrett’s parents, Jim and Jacqueline, opened a gallery by the iconic Harbour Town Lighthouse. “They followed their passion for art and antiques,” says Garrett, fondly recalling boyhood days of watching boats in the resort town. “Our inventory back then

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

consisted of maritime prints and lots of English pine furniture.” The family relocated to Atlanta a decade later with even more in store—French antiques, Italian marvels and unique Swedish pieces dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. In 2004, the store moved to its current location next to the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center, offering a curated collection of furniture, architectural accessories, mirrors, lighting, paintings and porcelains. Treasure hunters can also enjoy an immersive shopping experience at one of several residential rental properties the Ad-

What’s your personal style? I like using lighter colors and mixing antiques. I really love Swedish grays and blues, natural wood tones such as honey pine and light walnut, the use of stonework and whitewashed brick, English- and French-style gardens, and antiques that depict animals. There’s a pair of stone dogs I saw recently that I’m in love with! One-of-a-kind pieces will always have my heart. Can antiques blend with any decor or style? The biggest misconception about antiques is that they’re only “for my grandmother” and not in line with today’s trends, but designers are mixing antiques into modern decor with spectacular results. Antiques have a presence without being overwhelming. They can provide the pop a room needs. n

JACQUELINE ADAMS ANTIQUES 425 Peachtree Hills Ave. Atlanta 30305 404.869.6790 jacquelineadamsantiques.com

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

SIMPLY STYLISH

TASTEMAKER

Elaine Sterling celebrates the opening of her new esthetician school and spa at Lenox Square.

Beauty in Training P46

“If you feel and look good, you can tackle the world.”—Elaine Sterling

Photo: Sara Hanna

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

FA S H I ON

Many of UNOde50’s pieces have a minimalist design that appeals to both men and women.

Bracelets like this one are ideal for stacking.

A Little Flair SPANISH-BORN BRAND UNODE50 TALKS MEN’S ACCESSORIES TRENDS FOR 2020

ith the widening of fashion and its influencers within the industry thanks to social media, the spectrum of accessories available in the market can match any personal style, no matter how outside the box it is. That’s at the heart of Madrid-based brand UNOde50 (Spanish for “one of 50”), which has a shop at Lenox Square. “The brand was essentially responding to this need for a style of jewelry that broke away from the traditional or conventional,” says Justin Brown, an UNOde50 brand representative. When the company launched in the late ’90s, each collection consisted of only 50 units that combined different materials to maintain the quality and unique personality of UNOde50. The brand evolved to offer more pieces and more inventory as popularity grew, but it kept the namesake 50-itemsonly for its limited-edition collections. Motivated by his own bold, creative style, creative director José Azulay focused on handcrafted jewelry pieces inspired by the seasons. The use of leather and other materials, such as crystals and pearls, defines the line’s

DNA. “The inspiration behind each collection is essentially storytelling of each season and our customers’ individuality,” says Brown. “For the fall/ winter collection, ‘my squad’ is the focus. [It relates to] the people and things that matter to you most and helped you get to where you are.” The “my squad” theme can be seen in the honeycomb motifs across the collection, but also in the concept of nature and how you perceive it with organic designs and natural textures.

STORY:

Muriel Vega

The spring/summer 2020 collection will explore Asia and gather inspiration from China, Japan and Indonesia. “We want to create something that feels special,” says Brown. While UNOde50 offers women’s jewelry, the men’s section has grown in popularity in recent years since guys are starting to express themselves and develop a style, says Brown. Here are the men’s jewelry trends UNOde50 sees exploding this year. GENDERLESS For 2020, the brand sees genderless bracelets, made with silver or gold plating, leather, small chains and unisex charms, growing in fashion among men. Although they’re not explicitly classified as “genderless” on their site or in the store, UNOde50 shares that men have been gravitating to the organic nature of how these unisex bracelets are molded and handcrafted into a minimalistic design.

José Azulay has been UNOde50’s creative director since the late ‘90s.

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

STACKING BRACELETS “Stacking is a huge thing we encourage when guests visit our store, [and we suggest] mixing textures, some-

UNOde50’s handcrafted watches add style to any man’s wrist.

thing that’s different from how women do it. [Men are] willing to take that risk,” says Brown. An associate can help guys select different materials as they stack. For example, a leather bracelet plus a silver-plated metal cuff and a mixed-material bracelet create a unique but cohesive style around the wrist. METAL CUFF WATCHES “The guys who come into our store are interested in our watch design and the handmade quality. It doesn’t quite look like a traditional watch,” says Brown. What stands out in UNOde50’s watch collection is the metal cuff instead of a watch strap. It looks more sophisticated and syncs up with the rest of the jewelry. The face of the watch remains simple, with thick lines and subtle colors. “It’s not too complicated,” says Brown. “It’s easy for a guy to gravitate UNODE50 toward 3393 Peachtree Rd. N.E. and make Atlanta 30326 it a con470.705.8150 versation unode50.com piece.” n

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January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

B E AU TY

FACIAL

HAIR CARE AN EXPERT TAKE ON GOOD BEARD GROOMING

here was a time in the not too distant past when facial hair was considered déclassé, visible stubble thought to signify that the wearer was unkempt or lazy. Not so these days. Even in professional settings, some form of facial hair is becoming commonplace. “Beards, in general, are becoming more popular,” says Alejandro “Alex” De León, owner of De León Barber in Buckhead, who estimates that as many as 35% of his regulars sport facial hair. His speakeasy-meetsbarbershop (yep, there’s beer in the fridge) services all kinds of clients, from CEOs to actors. “People are taking advantage of more relaxed standards in corporate settings. Guys are letting their beards grow longer than they would have in the past,” he says. Now, there are as many shapes and styles of beards as the diverse group of men who wear them. If you’re thinking of transitioning from clean-shaven to joining the ranks of hairy-faced gentlemen, here are some things to keep in mind.

THE RIGHT STUFF

STORY:

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Be patient. A stylish beard (or mustache, for that matter) doesn’t happen overnight. Just how long it can take varies widely. “It ultimately boils down to the individual,” says De León, citing different hair densities, growth patterns and rates of growth. A good rule of thumb? Plan to let it grow without trimming for two to five weeks before seeing a barber.

Get professional help. A little facial hair may look effortless, but the reality is that it takes expertise to get it right. You’ll probably be happier with your look overall if you have an expert guide you. “A consultation is very important,” says De León. During the meeting, the veteran barber and store owner talks with clients about things like face shape, how much effort they want to put into maintaining the look and what length would best fit into their lifestyle. During a styling session, clients lie back in the chair while De León freehands the shape and length with tools including scissors and an electric razor. Then there’s the option of hot towels

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

in conjunction with a neck shave, followed by aftershave and beard oil.

Personal training. If beard training sounds like the stuff of hyperhipsters, think again. “Training your beard is [a technique] where you manipulate the growth pattern with brushing and beard oil,” says De León. To control the shape of your facial hair, he recommends applying beard oil a few times each day and brushing the hair in the desired direction. “This technique can enhance and stimulate growth,” he adds.

Fuel up. Just like growing strong muscles, nails and a lush head of hair, beards can benefit from good nutrition. Load up on the nutrient-rich foods recommended for overall health. n DE LEÓN BARBER 2962 Grandview Ave. N.E. Atlanta 30305 470.485.4005 deleonbarber.com

Investing in beard-specific products is a must since facial hair texture differs from what grows on your head. When Jenny Brown’s husband, Mitch, started growing a beard a few years ago, she decided to whip up a batch of essential oil-laced beard oil to help soften his scratchy whiskers. Her blend of almond, vitamin E and jojoba oils, scented with eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint and tea tree, was a hit, so in 2016 the Atlanta-based couple launched The Hairy Gentleman. The line now includes a range of fragrances in beard oil, beard shampoo, beard balm and shaving supplies, available in Buckhead at De León Barber, Crafted at Lenox Square and the Atlanta History Center’s gift shop. That original blend, called The Artisan, is their most popular. To give yourself every advantage on the path to sporting a fetching beard, the brand’s Dopp Kit + Beard Care Essentials ($69.99) is a good place to start. It includes moisturizing shampoo, beard oil and balm, so you can see what works best for you. thehairygentlemancompany.com

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckheadâ&#x20AC;&#x192;

W E L LN ES S

GET

SALTY HALOTHERAPY IS THE LATEST WELLNESS CRAZE

hile breathing in salty air at the beach is often credited with bringing serenity, there’s more truth in the healing benefits of salt than you might think. In fact, halotherapy, the technical term for salt as an alternative treatment, has been a wellness method for centuries. It dates back to the salt mines and caves in Eastern Europe where salt miners, unlike their prospecting peers, thrived with good health. Today, salt therapies are incorporated into spa treatments and beauty products, and entire buildings are dedicated to salt rooms. Recently, Buckhead gained its own salt room at the newly renovated The Whitley Atlanta Buckhead hotel, whose spa is open to the public. “The large room simulates the environment of a therapeutic salt cave, with Himalayan salt blocks covering the walls to calm and detoxify the mind and body,” says Drinne Rawlins, the assistant spa manager. Dry salt therapy, in which micro particles of salt are dispersed into a room by a halogenerator, is said to improve ailments ranging from asthma to sinus inflammation, and for good reason. By nature, salt draws out moisture, leaving lungs and sinuses clear. According to Rawlins, during a relaxing 30-minute salt room session, the “micro particles of salt are promoting better breathing, healthier skin, sounder sleep, improved physical fitness and endurance and overall wellness.” Rawlins simplifies the experience even more, “We consider dry salt therapy like a toothbrush for your lungs and skin.”

Other area spas and businesses have various salt-related products, treatments and remedies that can be just as beneficial as dedicating time in a salt room. Here are a few more ways you can implement the benefits of salt into your wellness routine.

Try a spa treatment. The newly opened Spa Sydell in Buckhead offers a body treatment combining two buzz-worthy ingredients: salt and CBD. The CBD Calming Body Treatment includes dry brushing, a body polish using sea salt that rids the body of unwanted dry areas while exfoliating and nourishing the skin, a CBD mask and a warm wrap. It ends with a massage sure to send you into relaxation bliss.

Spa Sydell’s CBD Calming Body Treatment includes a sea salt body polish.

STORY:

Nicole Letts

Bed Bath & Beyond and HomeGoods. The Phoenix & Dragon Bookstore in Sandy Springs also has a modest selection.

The recent renovations at The Whitley hotel include a new therapeutic salt room.

Incorporate holistic solutions. Shannon Salter Sliger, the founder and CEO of Sama Food For Balance, has her own line of bath salts, which are “created to help you find your balance according to your ayurvedic dosha.” According to Sliger, “The Pitta salts have red kaolin clay, rose, Epsom salts, Himalayan pink salt and Dead Sea salt. This is a very cooling bath. It’s great for the summer months or for those with skin issues such as eczema and psoriasis, or for menopausal women. The Vata Bath is very grounding and warming, while the Kapha Bath is great to use before going out to revitalize you. It has matcha, mint and French green clay along with Epsom salts. The medicinal benefits include readily absorbable magnesium that can calm you or reduce stomach cramps.” n

DETAILS Phoenix & Dragon Bookstore 5531 Roswell Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30342 404.255.5207 phoenixanddragon.com Sama Food For Balance 56 E. Andrews Dr. N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.500.3550 samafoodforbalance.com Spa Sydell 3005 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.255.7727 spasydell.com The Whitley Atlanta Buckhead 3434 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.237.2700 thewhitleyhotel.com

Use a salt lamp. Himalayan salt lamps are said to be natural ionizers and mood boosters. The lights, made from blocks of Himalayan salt, are sold at big-box retailers such as

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

The bath salts available at Sama are good for everything from eczema to stomach cramps.

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TA S T E MA K E R

Beauty in Training Elaine Sterling teaches the next generation of estheticians

eauty expert Elaine Sterling left a lot behind when she moved from South Africa to Atlanta, but two things have stayed with her. First, she still has the remnant of an accent, and second, she’s still a devotee of skincare, beauty and spa treatments, and of teaching the next generation of estheticians. The ongoing passion for perfect nails, pores, muscles and more culminated in the Brookhaven resident’s recent unveiling of the bigger, betterequipped version of The Elaine Sterling Institute at Lenox Square. The 25,000-plus-square-foot space houses classrooms and treatment areas where 220 students hone their skills on clients who pay significantly reduced prices for services. “My mission is combining European standards of beauty and spa treatments with American technology,” says Sterling. “It’s that classic, healing touch and professionalism married with a lot of machines. Esthetics

and spas are thousands of years old, but now we can use physiology and chemistry in the treatment room.” When Sterling moved here with her then-husband 23 years ago, she found only a handful of spas that were largely patronized by the wealthy or those with gift certificates. “The needs of the community have changed, and now I hear of people spending $300 a month on their skin,” she says. “The spa has become part of our lifestyle.” For years, Sterling trained the 400-person staff of the Spa Sydell chain. Then she went off on her own as a consultant and learned about the state regulations required to open a school. In 2008, after a bout with cancer and a divorce, she opened her own spot with a few dozen students. “I didn’t have a business degree or any money, but I thought, ‘What’s the worst that can happen after being hooked up to chemo drugs?’” she says. “And then

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

the recession hit. It was a very bad year, and people had no money to spend on continuing education.” Rather than scrapping the idea, though, the mother of two went all in, getting a license to teach and earning the school’s accreditation as an undergraduate program eligible for financial aid. The new venture launched with 60 students and soon mushroomed into three locations that had her running between them. Last year, she started searching for one location close to MARTA and the interstates and with enough parking for students and clients. The answer was the former movie theater at Lenox Square. “This is a multibilliondollar industry, and I wanted to give it a serious space,” she says. “We’ve created a university-type curriculum with sections and levels in a dynamic learning space as well as online.” Along with promoting beauty, Sterling is devoted to transforming students’ lives. “This is an energetic,

STORY:

H.M. Cauley

creative industry that’s very rewarding and where you can make a difference,” she says. “I’ve seen my students go from cleaning houses to owning houses, from sleeping in their cars to having a roof over their heads. This is an industry that creates women entrepreneurs.” It’s also an industry that can’t be relegated to online status. “We’ve become such a touchless society. We don’t want to shake hands, do any gestures, get too close to people,” she says. “But we find people are so disconnected that they’re looking for experiences, and spa and beauty offer a way to have that. And if you feel and look good, you can tackle the world.” n

THE ELAINE STERLING INSTITUTE 3393 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30325 404.256.5228 elainesterling.com

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January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

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Cynthia Porche knows design! With knowledge of market trends in design and construction, and vast resources at her fingertips, Cynthia will create a custom design for your space, transforming it into a casually elegant, graciously comfortable retreat. Cynthia is sought-after for her discerning eye for each client’s individual taste, vision and lifestyle.

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January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

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January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

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SCOTT ANTIQUE MARKETS Scott Antique Markets are America’s favorite treasure hunts! We host the world’s largest indoor antique show the second weekend of every month at the Atlanta Expo Centers. With an astonishing 3,500 exhibit booths filled with antiques and designer items, there is sure to be something for everyone! 3650 & 3580 Jonesboro Road SE, Atlanta 30354 740.569.2800 l scottantiquemarkets.com

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January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

ON S TAG E

| ART

| LITERARY

SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ON STAGE

Brookhaven resident Kevin Dwyer is a mortgage banker by day and comedian by night.

Laughing His Way to the Bank P52

The nervousness of waiting to be called onstage and the rush of getting those first laughs keep Kevin Dwyer doing stand-up.

Photo: Sara Hanna

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckheadâ&#x20AC;&#x192;

O N S TAGE

Laughing His Way to the Bank STAND-UP IS A SIDE GIG FOR MORTGAGE BANKER KEVIN DWYER

nterest rates, property values and down payments don’t build the laughs of many Saturday Night Live skits, but mortgage banker Kevin Dwyer has crafted a comfortable home in the comedy world. “There’s a lot of humor in mortgages,” jokes the 44-year-old Brookhaven resident. The lifelong Atlantan poured the foundation for his double life early in the new millennium. In 2002, he switched from selling software and technology to originating home loans, which he now does for CenterState Bank in Buckhead. In August 2004, he married Dawn, whom he met at a friend’s wedding. In between, he took a six-week comedy course and made his standup debut at The Punchline on Roswell Road. He drew on the upheaval in his life for one of his first bits: “I got a new job. I’m engaged. And I still live with my parents.”

Dwyer grew up with divorced parents: an ex-Marine lawyer dad and an artist mom. “They were an interesting match,” he says. “The Catholic family ended up bringing a lot of comedy. I don’t even really have to write jokes.” Dwyer loved Eddie Murphy and later Chris Farley on SNL, and admires Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle. But as a comedian who avoids dirty material, Dwyer cites Jeff Foxworthy, Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan as influences. He doesn’t perform as often as in the days when he did sets every weekend at clubs such as the Laughing Skull Lounge, whose owner, Marshall Chiles, he met when Dwyer won an “Atlanta’s Funniest” contest there in 2008. He’s earned as much as $2,500 for a half-hour of comedy at corporate gigs and has thrived on such stages as the Hollywood Improv and The Ice House in Pasadena, Cali-

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

STORY:

Michael Jacobs

PHOTOS: Sara

Hanna

fornia. But even one of his successes almost a decade ago—five nights of 45-minute sets opening for a headliner in Florida—exposed the unfunny and lonely side of comedy. “They put you at a fancy hotel like a Best Western and give you dinner. There’s not a lot of money in the comedy world at that stage,” says Dwyer. He recalls the headliner saying, “I’m just going to smoke a bunch of weed and go fish today, so I’ll see you.” Dwyer never seriously considered comedy as a career, even during the housing meltdown of 2008 and 2009, which was doubly disastrous for the Dwyers because Dawn is a real estate closing lawyer. Besides, “the $50 a night wasn’t paying a lot of bills.” Dwyer emphasizes self-deprecating humor—he boasts of owning an electric car, only to confess it’s a Nissan Leaf, not a Tesla. That approach helps when jokes bomb: He just dives

deeper into self-criticism and laughs at himself. “You really have to love stand-up comedy to fight through those years of asking yourself ‘What am I doing?’” he says. The nervousness of waiting to be called onstage, the rush of getting those first laughs and the thrill of developing material keep Dwyer doing stand-up. “If I go watch comedy, I’ve got to get back out there,” he says. “I’ve got to get the juices flowing.” He keeps those juices flowing by working with Chiles’ company Humor Wins, which brings humor to the corporate world through team-building sessions, comedy workshops and industry-themed shows. When Humor Wins ran “Atlanta’s Funniest Real Estate Agent” in 2018, Dwyer featured work observations in his set, just as he tries to deploy humor at work. “Part of my goal is to bring more laughter into the world,” he says. n

You can find some of Kevin Dwyer’s stand-up routines on YouTube.

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckheadâ&#x20AC;&#x192;

ART

Adrina Richards decorates her handmade crafts with designs inspired by her family.

Down to Earth Artist Adrina Richard specializes in practical pottery

s far back as her teen years, Adrina Richard, 72, has been fascinated with ceramics. “I read about primitive pottery, collected pottery and bought pottery,” says the Brookhaven resident. “Why? Beats me! I just know I’ve always been drawn to anthropology, archaeology, historical things and what people did in ancient times.” Richard moved from New York to Atlanta to attend Georgia State before embarking on a career as a bookseller that included 35 years as Oglethorpe University’s bookstore manager. In 2003, five years before she retired, a friend convinced Richard to attend a pottery-making session at MudFire, a gallery and studio in Brookhaven that has since moved to Decatur. Suddenly, those seemingly disconnected interests came together. “I got hooked,” she says. “By the

time I retired, I was going to MudFire as often as I could. I’d never taken an art class and wasn’t even sure I could do it, but I picked brains, went to about 80 workshops with potters all over the country, read books and went to meetings to learn.” Richard was soon turning out so many pieces she was running out of room at home and started giving her creations away. “It gets to the point where people don’t want to see you coming anymore,” she says with a laugh. “Then someone at MudFire said I should sell my work. I put a few pieces in a show in Decatur, and they sold.” In 2009, Richard was featured as an emerging artist at the American Craft Council show in Atlanta. “There I was with other ‘emerging’ artists in their 20s when I was in my 60s,” she says. “But I was ecstatic and delight-

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

STORY:

ed that anyone would think my work was good enough to buy.” Since then, producing pottery has been Richard’s second career, and she’s been accepted as a member of the Piedmont Craftsmen and the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Guild, based in Raleigh, North Carolina. She attributes much of her success to her pieces all being practical as well as decorative. Every bowl, basket, tumbler or plate is food-safe “so you can look at them, enjoy them and use them as well,” she says. Many are decorated with designs inspired by her love of Chinese and pre-Columbian artifacts, and from her family. “I’m first generation American-born Armenian, and all the women in my family made things with their hands; they crocheted, knitted and cooked,” she says. “The little roses I use on some designs are a stamp I copied

H.M. Cauley from lace my grandmother made. Another pattern that looks like a hot air balloon is also one she made. I love textures and layers, so I work with wet slabs so I can layer designs.” Richard put a kiln in her garage and can now finish pieces at home. The final creations are priced at $38 to just over $500. “The thing about pottery is that you don’t have to have ceramic anything,” she says. “It’s becoming more of an art statement than a utilitarian thing. But I’m still fascinated knowing that ancient peoples found the clay beneath their feet and figured out how to make it hold water or food. It represents how enormously inventive people are.” n

To view Adrina Richard’s pottery pieces, visit adrinaearthworks.com.

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckheadâ&#x20AC;&#x192;

L I T E R ARY

A SMILE IS ALWAYS IN STYLE is available on Amazon.

OPEN WIDE! Dentist Hugh Flax’s new book aims to take a bite out of tooth terror

andy Springs dentist Hugh Flax has heard all the corny jokes as well as the terrifying stories of people traumatized by the mere idea of making a dental appointment. It started early, in 1979, when he was accepted to Emory University’s (now closed) dental school. “I was watching [the movie] Marathon Man and saw that scene where Laurence Olivier is doing dentistry on Dustin Hoffman without anesthesia, and I looked at one of my buddies and said, ‘What did I get myself into?’” says Flax. “Even before that, when I was 8 years old, I saw how fearful my mom was of going to the dentist. Her bite was off, and she was never

confident about her smile. I realized going to the dentist for her meant a lot of medication, but I also saw how transformed she was when her smile looked good. That was my first thrust to go into dentistry—to help people like my mom.” After graduating in 1983, Flax, who lives in Sandy Springs, used that motivation to build his business, Flax Dental. “I wanted to translate that motivation to patients’ smiles,” he says. Flax also saw cosmetic dentistry as the future. “It’s been growing ever since I left school, with bonding becoming a very common part of the profession,” he says. “We learned to take advantage of the chemistry and

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

STORY:

H.M. Cauley

microstructure of teeth to get things to stick to them. You can be artistic and do so much more than fillings.” Flax became one of a few hundred dentists in the U.S. to earn accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a group he led from 2010 to 2011. He also founded the Georgia Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and has written prolifically on the subject. His latest writing is his first book, A Smile is Always in Style, in which he guides readers through common misconceptions about cosmetic dentistry. “The public isn’t aware of the industry and the good dentists out there,” he says. “The internet has so

much misinformation. So I thought somebody ought to write a book. I’ve been busy building a practice and being with my family, but last winter, I said I was going to do it.” In the book, Flax covers topics from finding an accredited dentist to the latest options available to improve smiles. “The procedure everybody asks about is whitening, followed by veneers and bondings to rebuild parts of teeth,” he says. “Implants are now part of that, too. Think about that: A natural tooth takes 10 years to take root and grow, and now we can do that in about 10 months. It’s pretty miraculous.” While advances in science and technology have made procedures less invasive and scary, people still need to get past their fears, Flax says, because the results are not just about have great-looking teeth. “When people see themselves in veneers, it’s like a birthday celebration,” he says. “A smile makes such an impact that it puts a little more strut in their walk and changes their persona. It’s life-changing.” While the book may give some people renewed courage to climb into the chair, Flax knows there will still be skeptics. “I remember watching a Braves game and heard the commentator say, ‘They needed that like a root canal.’ Those negative perceptions are just always going to be out there.” n

COVE R STORY

GET

FIT! OUR GUIDE TO MAKING GOOD HEALTH YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

A new year brings a welcome clean slate, an opportunity to start fresh and try something new. The goal of getting fit and living a healthier lifestyle is at the top of the resolutions list for many people, which is one of the reasons gym memberships spike in January. This year, we wanted to help make your workout aspirations attainable. From cool gear and fun classes to expert advice on how to begin a workout regimen, then stick with it and optimize it, we’ve covered the gamut of things you need to make your fitness goals a reality. You’ve got this! — Karina Antenucci

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

COV E R S TO RY

Start It and Stick to It! How to begin a wellness routine that lasts STORY:

Karina Antenucci

t can be overwhelming to start working out and eating better if you haven’t ever really done it, or it’s been a while. Many people start a new routine in a new year and then drop it around four to eight weeks later, says Tyler Potts, registered nurse and certified health coach at Regenerative MedSpa of Buckhead. So how can you pull it off this year? Our fitness and nutrition experts shared some tried-and-true tips on how to get active and stay motivated in 2020.

Pick a workout you enjoy. This is everything. If you don’t like it, you won’t do it. And if you don’t know what you like, then shop around. You might not enjoy a spin class, but you might love a Pilates class. “When you do find something you love and start burning calories and feeling those endorphins, it’s addictive and you’ll look forward to doing it,” says Ashleigh McDonald Hughes, cofounder of Reb3l Fitness, a new online dance-fitness program, and teacher at Dance 101 in Brookhaven.

Set realistic expectations. The struggle will be real. Exercising is going to be hard. Don’t expect to be good at it overnight. “Would you walk into a college class expecting to know all of the material already? Then don’t expect to go to the gym for the first time and know how all of the machines work. It takes time,” says Potts.

and nourishment. “Make your goal obtainable and maintainable. Start slow and go week by week,” says Potts. Additionally, don’t change everything at once. For example, don’t cut out sugar, fast food, alcohol and meat as well as start working out all at the same time. “That’s just not realistic,” says McDonald Hughes. She suggests simply practicing mindful eating to begin with. This entails sitting down for two bigger meals per day instead of grazing throughout the day, which can lead to never feeling full and ultimately, overeating.

It can be easy to get fixated on losing 5, 10 or 25 pounds, but try not to focus on a number. Instead, concentrate on jumpstarting a regular workout routine and eating food for fuel

TYLER POTTS

Get a workout buddy. This is all about motivation. If someone else is counting on you to be there, it’s more difficult to hit the snooze button and go back to sleep instead of getting your butt out of bed and to the gym. “Find someone who’s willing to be committed to holding your feet to the fire when you don’t want to go exercise. Letting someone else down is harder than letting yourself down,” says McDonald Hughes. Potts adds, “Make sure that person is on your same level and has similar interests and goals. Don’t choose your really fit friend you can’t keep up with.”

Or, find a coach. Focus on small goals.

Optimize Your Fitness

No workout buddy? Don’t sweat it. A health coach or personal trainer can also help keep you accountable, especially if you need that extra motivation and don’t think you’ll be able to sustain the routine on

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

Get the most out of your workout routine by following these best practices STORY:

Karina Antenucci

Y ASHLEIGH MCDONALD HUGHES

your own. He or she may also help with advising on nutrition and other lifestyle habits. Or seek advice from a registered dietician. n Reb3l Fitness reb3lfit.com Regenerative MedSpa of Buckhead 3235 Roswell Rd. Atlanta 30305 404.816.8557 regenmedspabuckhead.com

our New Year’s goal may include getting stronger and more fit, but did you know that you could be sabotaging those efforts by not following some best practices before, during and after your workout? Brookhaven resident and women’s wellness expert Kim Schaper, who provides online coaching and wellness programs, offers the following advice on how to make your fitness routine the most effective it can be.

Just do it. Yes, 45 minutes is ideal for your workout, but even 10 minutes is better than nothing. “People often have this preconceived notion that they have to hit the gym and work out

forever or it doesn’t count, so they end up doing nothing,” says Schaper. “But even just 10 or 20 minutes can provide benefits. It doesn’t have to be this all-or-nothing mentality.” On the other hand, you don’t want to overdo it. A cardio workout for longer than an hour can actually have a negative effect because it stimulates a cortisol response in your body. “It stresses your system, which can work against you and in turn, keep more weight on you,” she notes.

squat is where you bend your knees and lower your hips and then stand back up. Hinges mean you’re hinging from your core with something such as a dead lift or kettlebell swing. A push could be a chest press or pushup. A pull is a seated row or seated lateral pull-down. And a lunge refers to any position where one leg is forward with knee bent and foot flat while the other leg is behind it. An optional additional move is a carry, which could be something like holding dumbbells over your head and walking slowly.

Workout in the a.m. if you can. The ideal time to work out is when your energy is at its peak. The morning is the best time for most people, but it really depends on your schedule. “Consistency out-weighs everything else,” says Schaper. So think about when you’re most likely to exercise and when your willpower is the highest.

Start with a dynamic warm-up. From our high school gym days, we may have gotten into the habit of stretching before exercise. Stop. That. Right. Now. Schaper says “static stretching” can hurt more than help you. “Cold muscles lead to injury. You’re more prone to getting injured by stretching before your muscles are warmed up,” she explains. Instead, begin your workout with a dynamic warm-up. These mobility drills or explosive movements include moves such as the inchworm, where you stand to start, then put your hands on the ground and walk out to a push-up parallel to the floor. From there, you can hold a plank or do a push-up and then walk your toes back up and stand up, finishing where you started.

Drink water. You’ve heard this before and you’re hearing it again, because hydration is essential. Sixty percent of the human adult body is water, and you need the fluid before, during and after a workout. “When you’re dehydrated, you’re more fatigued and prone to dizziness, both of which affect your fitness,” says Schaper. If you’re a person who has a hard time drinking water during a workout because you get stitches in your side, Schaper suggests taking small sips versus large gulps.

Fuel your body. Don’t work out hungry. “If you don’t eat, you won’t be as strong or fast or have as much energy,” says Schaper. Eat a snack of protein and carbs about 30 to 45 minutes prior to your workout if you’re running on fumes. Schaper’s go-tos are a banana and some yogurt, a protein shake or half a bagel with almond butter. “The carbohydrate and protein combo is great because carbs release glucose to keep your energy up, and protein keeps you feeling satisfied for longer. We burn through the carbs first and then protein,” she explains. Then again, everyone is different, so see how it makes you feel. If you’re shaky or tired during your workout, you likely need some fuel. Another option is to eat right after your workout.

Try a foam roller post-workout. When it comes to foam rolling, there are no absolutes. In general, the best time to foam roll is after your workout to help improve local tissues. “When used appropriately, foam rolling can be super effective and a great tool for improving performance, recovery and proper mobility,” says Schaper. “When used in excess, it can become problematic and cause issues such as dysfunction and improper movement patterns.”

Above all, listen to your body. “Tap into your body’s cues and see how you feel,” says Schaper. “If you’re sore and tired, take a day off. If you’re rested and recovered, go for another workout. Quality over quantity, every time.” n

Get back to the basics. While there’s certainly nothing wrong with Bosu balls or TRX machines, you can get the results you desire by simply making sure every workout incorporates five basic moves: squats, hinges, pushes, pulls and lunges. “Those foundational movements are game changers that you want to use in every workout,” says Schaper. A

Kim Schaper kimschaper.com

A Speedy Recovery I

f you’ve overdone it and are feeling post-workout aches and pains, and an ice pack isn’t cutting it, consider cryotherapy. In this technique, the body is exposed to extremely cold temperatures for short bursts of time, which helps reduce inflammation, ease joint pain and muscle soreness, and increase blood flow. “Fitness enthusiasts, including many pro athletes, use it because it speeds up recovery times, allowing them to take advantage of getting more out of their training schedule,” says Tribble Reese (above), owner of the new CryoEvolution studio in Chamblee. “Our fitness clients range from endurance athletes, MMA fighters, CrossFitters, football and basketball players, golfers, tennis players and more.” During a three-minute session, clients enter a chamber in which the temperature hovers around -200 degrees. “Most people are nervous at first because they’re being exposed to an extreme

STORY:

Jill Becker

atmosphere the body has never felt before,” says Reese. “But once they complete a treatment and feel the benefits, most come back willing to get out of their comfort zone for that short amount of time in order to operate at peak performance for the next 24 to 48 hours.” Additional benefits of cryotherapy include stress relief, weight loss and improved sleep. How many sessions you need varies from person to person. “The more times you can get in the chamber, the better,” says Reese. “For someone hoping to keep their body at optimum levels, one to two times a week should do the trick, but someone with a nagging injury or chronic pain should try to come at least every other day for the first two weeks until the pain subsides.” n CryoEvolution 5070 Peachtree Blvd. Chamblee 30341 678.696.9004 cryoevolution.com

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

COV E R S TO RY

Revitalize Your Workout Freshen up a stale fitness routine by trying a new class this year STORY:

Karina Antenucci

ored with your same-old exercise routine? Spice things up with one of these fun area classes.

Kickin’ It Who doesn’t have a little aggression to work out after a stressful day? Punch and kick it out of your system while burning up to 900 calories an hour at Atlanta Kick’s kickboxing class. Each cardio-intensive session starts with a warm-up followed by a full-body workout that incorporates stand-up kickboxing bags, ground punching bags, medicine balls and kettlebells. The first class is free; memberships are $99-$129 per month.

Belly Up Watch out, Shakira! Atlanta Belly Dance offers a plethora of beginnerfriendly belly dancing options that will have you shaking and shimmying your way to improved posture and stronger core and back muscles while you perfect moves such as the “alluring upper body” and “hypnotic hips” and play with props such as veils, canes and swords. Choose a drop-in class for a single sweat session or from five-week choreography and technique course options. $15 per drop-in session; $79 for a five-week course.

Sky’s the Limit If you’ve always wanted to know what being one of those Cirque du Soleil acrobats would feel like, try Sky Barre’s signature 50-minute Sky Barre class, which combines cardio, strength training and restorative exercises, all while playing on low-tothe-ground aerial silks. The full-body

workout fuses barre, Pilates, cardio, HITT and TRX with circus play. You’ll be flying high on endorphins by the end of it. Single classes are $25; packages and membership options are also available.

class options. Start with a free week; several monthly memberships and packages are available.

Row Fast Perfect for the time-crunched, the 30-minute Row30 class at Total Row Fitness is a quickie rowing workout you can fit into your lunch hour. Rowing builds aerobic capacity and strengthens your entire body, with each stroke working up to 90% of your body. It might sound intimidating, but the activity is very much open to all fitness levels and has little to no impact on joints, making it a viable choice for all ages. If you want more, try the 45- or 60-minute

Atlanta Belly Dance 2664 Cove Circle N.E. Brookhaven 30319 404.638.6530 atlantabellydance.com

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

Dance Break The Reb3l Groove class at Dance 101 is so much fun, you might forget it’s actually a major workout. The exclusive DJ remixes inspire you to shake what your mama gave you for 60 minutes of high-intensity grooving that’ll shed calories and sculpt muscles. Each song has a dedicated routine, which you’ll

Atlanta Kick 764 Miami Circle N.E. Atlanta 30324 404.352.1140 atlantakick.com

Dance 101 2480 Briarcliff Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30329 404.545.8048 dance101.org

chip away at each time you attend. $25 for single classes; new student discounts, class cards and memberships also available. (Plus, you can take this class on the go or do it from home with a $20 membership at reb3lfit.com.) n

Sky Barre 2700 Northeast Expy. Atlanta 30345 404.989.4652 theskybarre.com

Total Row Fitness 3655 Roswell Rd. Atlanta 30342 404.806.0026 totalrowfitness.com

Workout Buddy

House Fly

Extra Cushion

Now you can get your favorite spin classes in the comfort of your own home with a Flywheel Home Bike ($1,699, or $121 per month for 24 months). Ride anytime with the Bluetooth- and Wi-Fi-enabled at-home exercise bike, which streams live classes as well as offers an on-demand library. You can also stream the interval-based classes on your TV and crank up the volume. Thanks to the bike’s built-in Fly Tech, you’ll be able to accurately track your Flywheel Sports performance and even compete and race 3063 Bolling Way N.E. with other riders. Not sure about the inAtlanta 30305 vestment? Stop by the Flywheel studio 678.702.5684 in Buckhead to try it out in flywheelsports.com/ person before you order. home-bike

Comfortable socks are a workout essential. Kick your sock game up a notch with these Balega Hidden Comfort No-Show Running Socks ($13), which offer several key features to ensure your tootsies are well taken care of while you hit the gym or pavement. For starters, the plush under-sole cushioning helps prevent blisters. Second, the Drynamix moisture-wicking fabric and ventilated mesh panels keep feet dry no matter how much you Nordstrom heat up. Another win: Its new and 3500 Peachtree Rd. N.E. improved elastane material offers a Atlanta 30326 second-skin, no-slip fit and tucks 404.442.3000 shop.nordstrom.com seamlessly into your sneakers.

Twelve years of SoulCycle rider insights, instructor feedback and technology development led to the production of this perfect workout outfit. The Soul by SoulCycle Blue Camo Double Knit Legging ($88) and Bra ($58) combo pairs sleek, high-waisted tights with a medium-support, racer-back sports bra in a trendy camo pattern. The duo does your body good during a workout with its moisture-wicking properties and highcompression double-knit fabric (read: it provides a lift and tuck in all the right places). SoulCycle 3400 Around Lenox Rd. Atlanta 30326 470.381.4770 soul-cycle.com

Sweat Tech

Products that support your workouts with cutting-edge materials and functionality STORY:

Reversible Genius Now there’s no excuse to hibernate inside the rest of the winter season. Perfect for a day on the trail or wearing to and from your fitness class, this Pulse Reversible Down Jacket ($158), available from Athleta, does double duty to keep you warm and shield you from the elements. It’s fully reversible, so you can wear it with the quilted side in or out. Made of a recycled material, it is both water repellent and abrasion resistant. Choose from navy/black (pictured) or brown/beige.

Athleta 3393 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.949.9924 athleta.com

Karina Antenucci Get Shorty Athleisure tights are great, but not everyone wants to show off their rear all the time. That’s just one of the reasons the Athleta Rainier 2 in 1 Tight in Plush Supersonic ($108) is so rad—it’s tights and shorts in one so you can move and bend however you like without feeling self-conscious. The get-up goes with the flow, from low- to highimpact workouts that take place indoors or out. Its compression fabric is made of recycled, highperformance nylon and is water repellant in light rain. Plus, the shiny, monotone leopard print on the shorts adds a certain je ne sais quoi.

Safe Ride Safely bike Atlanta’s streets and trails with the high-tech Lumos Matrix Helmet ($249.95), the first smart helmet that integrates lights, hand brake and turn signals. It features 59 super-bright LED lights on the front and back, providing great visibility day or night. When synched to an Apple Watch, it helps riders communicate turns and stops through smartgesture-recognition algorithms. If you don’t have the watch, Apple Store then simply tap 3393 Peachtree Rd. N.E. a button on the Atlanta 30326 included wireless 404.926.3085 handlebar remote. apple.com

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

Scott Reeves

COV E R S TO RY

Park It Outside Reap the benefits of the great outdoors while working on your fitness STORY:

Karina Antenucci

resh air and exercise are a solid combination for your health. Research has shown they boost mood, improve blood pressure and increase energy, to name just a few of the benefits. Atlantans are lucky to typically enjoy a pretty short winter, making alfresco workouts possible almost all year-round. Here are a few ways to incorporate the great outdoors into your workout regimen this year.

Running and Walking Trails Lace up those sneakers and hit a neighborhood park to get in your daily steps. Chastain Park’s 268 acres offer a plethora of activities, including three color-coded, paved and dog-friendly loop trails (two 5K and one 3K). The scenic paths border the North Fulton Golf Course and wind across a bridge overlooking Nancy

The East Palisades Trail is just one of the scenic area spots where you can get your walk or run on.

Creek. Another expansive neighborhood green space is Brook Run Park in Dunwoody, where you’ll find 100plus acres and a 2-mile, multi-use trail loop. If you don’t want to go it alone, Big Peach Running Co. holds social group runs in several locations around town, including weekly jogs in Brookhaven. Check out its website for the most up-to-date calendar.

SUP Yoga A combination of yoga and standup paddleboarding, SUP yoga offers both the relaxation that comes with being out on the water and a challenging workout that tests your balance and core strength. Starting in the spring, High Country Outfitters offers SUP yoga at its Paddle Shack location at Sandy Springs’ Morgan Falls. Each class takes place on the Chattahoochee River and starts with an introduction before the group paddles out to a nearby protected area where the boards are anchored for a yoga class with basic sun salutations and various flow postures. Yes, you will fall into the water. And yes, it will be fine.

Check out The American Boot Camp Company (TABCC), which has offered its 45-minute alfresco workouts for more than 10 years. The camps are held at a pavilion in Chastain Park, and you can select from HIIT (high-intensity interval training) sessions, or TRX Suspension Training that’s a combination

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

of Pilates, yoga and mobility training. You’ll be pushed and challenged, and the team at TABCC will hold you accountable for showing up to meet your fitness goals. n The American Boot Camp Company Chastain Park Outdoor Studio 4469 Stella Dr. N.W. Atlanta 30342 404.345.2741 thebootcampcompany.com Big Peach Running Co. 705 Town Blvd. Atlanta 30319 404.816.8488 bigpeachrunningco.com

Outdoor Boot Camps There’s something about being out in nature with a view of trees and green grass that softens the high intensity of a boot camp workout.

Get a leg up on your fitness with a SUP yoga class on the Chattahoochee.

Stretch your muscles and your limits with an outdoor boot camp.

High Country Outfitters Paddle Shack 200 Morgan Falls Rd. Sandy Springs 30350 404.977.2523 highcountryoutfitters.com

A Home Gym Guide Local fitness gurus offer their recommendations for equipment you can use at home STORY: Nicole

Letts

yms are great, but sometimes you just want to get in a workout in the comfort of your own home. Below, five area fitness experts recommend a favorite piece of equipment and explain how you can effectively incorporate their selections into your in-home exercise regimen.

TARGET MUSCLES: While the wear-

able wrist and ankle weights mostly target your arms, legs and glutes, you can adjust them to also work your core and back. HOW TO USE: Just strap on the Bangles and start your workout. Use them to weight your walk, add a little something to your yoga routine or anything else you can think of. WHAT’S TO LOVE: The extra 1 to

2 pounds create a real burn and added cardio.

Megan Armstrong Personal trainer RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: Gliding Discs, available on Amazon, $12 TARGET MUSCLES: Core, legs, obliques and upper body HOW TO USE: There are varying exercises you can do with the discs, but the goal is to move slow and controlled to keep tension on the muscles; this is also known as tension under time. WHAT’S TO LOVE: They’re simple and cheap, and you can use them on any floor they’ll slide on. You can also do shorter or longer workouts with them depending on the muscles you’re targeting.

Paige Castor Owner, Paige Castor: Fitness, Health and Wellness RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT:

Power Systems Deck, available on Amazon, $160 TARGET MUSCLES: Total body HOW TO USE: This aerobic step is incredibly versatile. You can adjust the height of it and lift the back for an incline. It’s great for training the whole body, but Castor’s favorite uses are step-ups, chest flys, rear flys and elevated lateral lunges. You can even attach resistance bands under the ends of the deck. WHAT’S TO LOVE: With a limited number of dumbbells and bands, you can use it to train your entire body. It’s also extremely portable and is a vital part of Castor’s arsenal when training clients in-home.

straps to any stable or permanent fixture in your house, and you can complete a whole series of exercises that work any number of body parts. WHAT’S TO LOVE: This all-in-one system is so multifunctional and effective, Moore writes multiple, personal workouts for his clients using only the TRX.

of ellipticals is they incorporate the largest variety of muscles compared to almost any other type of exercise. HOW TO USE: Hop on and pump your arms and legs simultaneously for an upper- and lower-body workout. Most good ellipticals will be intuitive to use and will have easy-toaccess programs and instructions.

Phil Verstraete President, Premier Fitness Source RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT:

Elliptical cross trainer, available at Premier Fitness Source, starting at $1,000 TARGET MUSCLES: The advantage

Sebastian Moore

Donna Burke Owner, Forme Studios RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT:

Bala Bangles, available at Forme Studios, $49-$65 a pair

Owner, Tailored Fitness ATL RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT: TRX Fit System, available at Dick’s Sporting Goods, $99 TARGET MUSCLES: Triceps, shoulders, chest, abdominals, lower back, hip flexors, glutes, quads and hamstrings HOW TO USE: Attach the resistance

WHAT’S TO LOVE: The arm and leg movements are coordinated for you, so you don’t have to be a coordinated athlete to get a great workout. It’s non-impact and therefore easy on your joints, and provides serious cardio in the privacy of your own home. n

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

Enduring Hearts 5th Annual Bourbon Gala & Auction All proceeds directly benefit Enduring Hearts life-changing and life-saving research efforts. Audi Dream Driving Experience Raffle

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January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

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

SIMPLY DELICIOUS

RESTAURANT REVIEW

In Full Bloom P66

Flower Child and its ilk are harbingers of a food movement that isn’t going away.

Eat your greens! Flower Child makes it easy with its organic kale salad containing bits of grapefruit, apple, black currants and smoked almonds. Photo: Sara Hanna

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

REVIEW

Above: The tender and juicy grass-fed beef in the Forbidden Rice bowl could rival any chophouse in town. Left: Flower Child’s decor is as light and fun as its food.

Interior photo: Mia Yakel

Below: Creamy French cheese, spicy arugula and horseradish yogurt complement the sumptuous shaved-steak Rebel wrap.

IN FULL BLOOM Healthy food cafe Flower Child blossoms in Sandy Springs STORY:

Rebecca Cha PHOTOS: Sara Hanna

Y The Mediterranean Quinoa salad is a generous portion of finely chopped greens, quinoa, feta and a pinch of peppery heat.

ears ago, when I was a calorie-counting, label-reading, food-obsessed teen, I dreamed of a restaurant like Flower Child. This was back when health food was sold in small, dusty shops, kombucha was a muddy, stinky brew sipped by hippies, and even the mere mention of quinoa was treated with suspicion. Health food, you’ve come a long way, baby! Flower Child is the creation of Sam Fox, the same fellow who brought us True Food

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

Kitchen with partner and anti-inflammatory food guru Dr. Andrew Weil. Of course, this health food thing is nothing new, but Fox couldn’t have planned his launch any better, opening smack in the middle of the wellness zeitgeist. It is, at least in part, why the Flower Child concept is so successful. The other factor is the consistently delicious food. If you’re a patron of True Food Kitchen at Lenox Square, you know it’s so popular there’s often a wait to be seated. Not so at Flower Child in Sandy Springs. Despite the crowds, the seating seems to magically regenerate like the loaves and fishes; there’s always enough for everyone. With its lofty industrial ceiling, pastel color scheme and sunny staff, the vibe is 1970s Malibu meets New York’s Upper West Side, with stroller-pushing “Lululemoms” sitting next to bespectacled executives and NoHa (north of Hammond) hipsters. If you’ve just come from a workout at Orangetheory or Pure Barre, the Flower Child menu will be a natural extension of that experience. Chicken, tofu, fish and beef are identified as “protein,” and all come with qualifying adjectives: “all-natural,” “sustainable,” “grassfed” and “organic non-GMO.” And items are designated as vegetarian, vegan and/or gluten-free. For the uninitiated, the menu will astound in its gastronomic righteousness.

We revved up our first visit with a pristine cold brew coffee (on tap) and embraced the Mother Earth bowl, a mound of nutty ancient grains beneath grilled sweet potato, sautéed portobellos, ripe avocado, pistachio pesto, crisp arugula with an exquisite red pepper miso vinaigrette and, somewhere in there, hemp seed. The diced cucumber tossed with sesame oil and seeds added a delicious, if familiar, Asian touch to the dish. While the first visit was a pleasant shock to the system, the second was a revelation. We began with the Mediterranean Quinoa salad, consisting of Georgia-raised chicken, finely chopped greens, flecks of opaque quinoa, a dusting of chunky white feta and a hint of heat from minced peppers, all tossed with a zingy harissa-yogurt dressing. Our beverage of choice was, you guessed it, kombucha. The fermented tea drink here is nothing like the sour greyish muck it used to be. Flower Child’s version, served on tap, is lightly effervescent, mild and apple-y. From the iced tea bar, we selected black passionfruit. Refreshing and naturally sweet, especially with a bit of almond milk, the tea was the yin to our meal’s yang. The Forbidden Rice bowl, with added steak, was superlative-worthy. The grass-fed sliced steak could rival that from any chophouse in town, and the black pearl and red japonica rices were seasoned impeccably with a smoky sesame-hoisin sauce. Tossed in the mix were al dente broccoli, snap peas and wafer-thin carrot slices. Black rice—called “forbidden” because of its low yield and association with aristocratic tables of ancient China—was a first for me, and its nutty sweetness was a masterful match for the juicy, medium-rare steak.

Left: Tangy goat cheese and nutty pistachio pesto add creamy, crunchy layers to the tomato toast appetizer. Below: A modern twist on chips and guacamole, the avocadorich hummus is served with whole grain and flax pita segments.

For the uninitiated, the menu will astound in its gastronomic righteousness.

Left: This all-veggie bowl, aptly named Mother Earth, has something for everyone, from meaty portobellos to spicy sweet potato. Below: The vegan dark chocolate pudding is so good, we could eat a whole tub of it.

On our third visit, the magic waned a bit. The organic kale salad—fresh as always and tossed with whole smoked almonds, pink grapefruit segments and black currants—was underdressed and underwhelming. Likewise the avocado hummus. A modest portion of something resembling guacamole, though not as rich and flavorful, it was served with whole grain and flax pita segments that were too flimsy to handle the hummus. These were followed by a wrap—here again, featuring the flax pita—intriguingly called The Rebel. Our cashier raved about The Rebel’s grass-fed steak, creamy French Port Salut cheese, arugula and horseradish yogurt, but the dish itself was disappointing. The shaved steak was messy (think sloppy joes), the cheese and arugula were an afterthought, and we definitely missed the kick of horseradish.

A smattering of desserts is on offer, all prepared daily and in-house. The standout was a rich, vegan dark chocolate pudding that comes with a side of toasted shaved coconut and sprouted almonds. It’s a good thing it’s portioned at a mere half cup, because we could have eaten a mixing bowl full. Even if you’re a diehard Southerner, and it isn’t a meal without chicken and biscuits, you’ll likely soon cotton to the fact that Flower Child and its ilk are harbingers of a food movement that isn’t going away. And I, for one, am all in. But I also believe the true pleasure of food is about balance. So, sure, I’ll be dining plenty at Flower Child in the future, and health-wise, it’s worth every kale-lovin’ penny. But if you happen to see me sneak across the street to Brooklyn Cafe for a bacon double cheeseburger, don’t be surprised. n

FLOWER CHILD 6400 Blue Stone Rd., Sandy Springs 30328 470.481.7850 iamaflowerchild.com Prices: Soups and appetizers: $6.50-$8. Salads: $9-$12.75. Plates: $4-$10. Bowls and wraps: $10.25-$13. Recommended: Tomato toast, avocado hummus, Mediterranean Quinoa salad (with chicken), Glow bowl, Mother Earth bowl, Forbidden Rice bowl (with steak), vegan dark chocolate pudding. Bottom line: At Flower Child, there’s no mediocre food riding the coattails of celebrity chefs, no smoke-and-mirrors marketing concealing unhealthy grub. The food is the celebrity, and for all the right reasons.

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

D R I NKS

Photos: Brett Ferencz

Get Steeped SAVORING THE RITUAL OF MATCHA TEA STORY:

Angela Hansberger

ranquil voices, the gentle sound of a bamboo whisk, steaming bowls of foamed molten vibrant green—there’s so much more to a cup of matcha than pouring hot water over crushed tea leaves. Matcha is Zen in a cup. Matcha is on drink menus and in pastry cases these days in everything from ice cream to doughnuts. You can even pull up to the drive-through at Starbucks and order a Matcha Green Tea Latte. It may seem like a trend, but it’s been a thing in China and Japan for centuries. Japanese Samurai warriors as far back as the 13th century enjoyed a tea

ceremony before a match for energy and focus. There is a meditative act in preparing, presenting and sipping a cup of matcha. Chinese Zen Buddhists drank it as a connecting ritual for clarity with focusing on the now. So what sets matcha apart from regular green tea? Matcha comes from the same tea bushes (camellia sinensis) as all true tea. What distinguishes it is how it’s processed. Several days before harvest, farmers build structures around the plants to shade them. The highest-grade matcha grows in near darkness by harvest time. The decreased light encourages plants to crank out a boost of chlorophyll and amino acids. This is where the vibrant green color, and possibly the health benefits, originates. The Zentea in Chamblee has all the goodies you need to make the perfect cup of matcha.

newest growths, just developing at the very top, are softer, sweeter and delicate. These pristine leaves are the only ones picked for matcha. After harvest, the leaves get quickly steamed. They are laid out to dry and then placed in rotating drums to finely grind them without damaging their chemical composition. What’s left is a delicate, bright-green powder. A wealth of information is available on the health benefits of matcha. It contains three times as many antioxidants as standard green tea. Antioxidants are the substances in food that safeguard the body by protecting cells from damage, thus lowering blood pressure and favorably changing cholesterol numbers. It has a natural calming effect, too. The

powder is rich in L-theanine, which promotes a state of relaxation in the body. Matcha increases metabolism, revving up calorie burning. Zentea in Chamblee has everything you need for a matcha tea service. Tea barista Anna Finco walked us through the various steps. First, make sure your matcha is fresh. If it’s not bright green, it’s probably past its prime and will taste bitter. Heat water to almost boiling in a tetsubin, a traditional cast iron teapot. Use 2 to 4 ounces of water with 1 to 2 teaspoons of matcha powder. First, scoop the powder into your cup or chawan (wide-brimmed bowl). Break up the powder until smooth with a chasen (bamboo whisk). Add a small amount of water to form a paste. Add the rest of the water and whisk in a zigzag pattern. “You want to create a foam,” says Finco. “If I was making a latte, I would pour this into hot milk.” Then sit back, relax and sip the earthy, vegetal deliciousness and you will be on your way to sado or chado—“the way of tea.” n ZENTEA 5356 Peachtree Rd. Chamblee 30341 678.547.0877 zenteaco.com

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

POSSIBILITIES

childrensmuseumatlanta.org 404.527.3693 Major support is provided by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs

Georgia Power Foundation, Inc.

Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

Schedule a tour today to experience Epstein for yourself. At Epstein, students experience an exceptional education led by specialized STEAM and Hebrew language programs. The school prepares confident lifelong learners grounded in their unique Jewish identities.

NEW THIS YEAR: Kindergarten–8th graders will also be learning the language of coding.

Simply Outstanding

BO GA RT Z FOOD ARTZ

227 Sandy Springs Place NE, Suite 502 Sandy Springs, GA 30328

833FOODART (833 366 3278) bogartzfoodartz.com

335 COLEWOOD WAY NW | SANDY SPRINGS, GA 30328-2956 EPSTEINATLANTA.ORG

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

FOODIE JOURNAL

Worth the

Culinary News & Notes

SQUEEZE

BY:

Lia Picard

With Press Blend Squeeze, the Scotts are out to prove healthy food can taste good.

MATT AND NICOLE SCOTT ARE ON A MISSION TO SAVE LIVES THROUGH JUICE

e’ve all been there: You’re hungry but in a rush, so you grab the nearest convenient bite, which isn’t usually that nutritious. Matt and Nicole Scott, the husbandand-wife team behind Dunwoody’s Press Blend Squeeze, are on a mission to change that. The duo has opened two locations of their juice bar-meets-cafe (the other is in Peachtree Corners) and hopes that it will one day be a household name. We chatted with Matt to learn more.

What was the inspiration for opening Press Blend Squeeze?

One of the reasons we went down this path was both of our parents got sick. My father had cancer and was given five months to live. But we changed his diet, did a whole bunch of research and learned all this stuff. And through food and other things, my dad lived for more than five years. [Nicole’s father] lived to his mid-80s, and while he ate healthy, he did have one of the most horrible habits in the world [smoking], but we believe the reason he was able to live such a high-quality lifestyle was because of the way he ate.

ICE COLD Nitrolicious brings liquid nitrogen ice cream to Buckhead

We use 100% pure açaí, and there's no middleman. A lot of these places, they add in certain things, or they mix it. We have people who travel— they literally pass two or three stores that sell açaí bowls—and come to get ours. I've had legit Brazilians come in and say, "We've lived in Sao Paulo. This açaí bowl is the closest we've ever had [to theirs]. This is exactly what we would eat in Brazil.” Why was it important to you to have a kid’s menu?

We have two kids, and they’re one of the reasons why we started this.

To be fully transparent, after my father passed away, I was pretty upset and had some anxiety, and I went to his doctor and said, "You got to help me out. I'm very nervous. I’ve got two young kids." He said that my father's cancer was not genetic and that there are only three things proven to help fight cancer: eating clean, eating green and exercise. So we're doing this for our kids. And not only for us to be there and provide for

them, but also to introduce and get healthy options into their hands. And we're not the type who are just going to push healthy for healthy. We wanted the options to taste good and make kids believe that healthy food is delicious as well. n Press Blend Squeeze 5527 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd. Dunwoody 30338 470.719.9479 pressblendsqueeze.com

FOOD NEWS recently opened their own ice cream shop, Nitrolicious. But it’s not your typical ice cream parlor, as the ice cream is made instantly in front of you with liquid nitrogen. Here’s how it works: An ice cream base is blended with flavor combinations of your

Photos: cromwellparkes.com

Don’t let the cold outside keep you from a cool treat. After owning a Häagen-Dazs franchise, Ken Mansfield and his business partners, Tanja McPeters and Natasha Mann,

In addition to fresh juices, you also have açaí bowls. Tell us about them.

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

choice (Mansfield’s favorites are chocolate habanero and peach pie). A computer system adds liquid nitrogen to the bowl, which instantly freezes the base. Once the liquid nitrogen burns off, you’re left with a creamy, delicious treat. In addition to the dairy

option, there are vegan and frozen yogurt options. Nitrolicious also sells cheesecakes, smoothies and coffee drinks. Nitrolicious 2900 Peachtree Rd. N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.228.6880 nitrocreameryllc. wixsite.com/mysite

n Give yourself a midweek boost by going to Le Bilboquet for its new Wine and Cheese Wednesdays, which feature three wine and cheese pairings for $35. lebilboquetatlanta.com s n Beard Papa’s, a Japanese-based franchise, recently brought its famous cream puff treats to Sandy Springs. Flavors include green tea, strawberry and Nutella. beardpapas.com n The General Muir, the popular Jewish deli with a Southern twist, is set to open its second location early this year at City Springs in Sandy Springs. thegeneralmuir.com

TA S T E M AKE R

items range from miso sea bass to steak frites. He says he’d like to build more chef-driven concepts, but right now he’s focused on making The Select the best it can be.

FUN FACT Green has seven siblings, and all of their names start with the letter D.

What are your most memorable experiences in the restaurant industry? I went back to a restaurant I had opened 20 years before, a chain steakhouse. My father used to wander around in my restaurants and stop at every table. [I was thrilled by] the number of people who came out of the woodwork to tell me stories about the time they had a bad day, or lost their wife, and how we sat there, talked to them and were their support. That’s the most satisfying part of the industry. Any funny stories come out of your work? When we first opened Paces & Vine, we had a huge leak in the restroom, and the water was coming out toward the dining room. I was in there, mopping it up as fast as I could for an hour and a half. The water came out into the hallway, but we managed to keep it out of the dining room until we could shut it off after business hours. What motivates you to keep going when issues like these arise? When you have a restaurant, you build a team. The team overcomes the challenges together. That’s very satisfying. You do everything at a fast pace. It’s constant. I thrive on the energy in the room.

ONE OF THE SELECT Dave Green helms Sandy Springs’ new 1920s-style restaurant STORY:

Carly Cooper

orn to an U.S. Air Force colonel, Dave Green lived all over the world—Ohio, Spain, Maryland, Florida, Germany and Hawaii—before settling in Sandy Springs. So it should come as no surprise that his latest restaurant, The Select, has global inspirations. Named after the famed Paris brasserie, Le Select, where cultural icons such as Ernest Hemingway and

Pablo Picasso were said to gather, The Select Restaurant + Bar serves modern continental fare merged with flavors from across the Atlantic. “The name is meaningful because we wanted The Select to be a place where everyone was welcome and everyone came as they were. It’s a gathering place,” says Green. Green has more than 40 years of experience in hospitality. He started as a dishwasher and has worked in nearly every function of a restaurant,

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

What’s next for The Select? [We now have Saturday and Sunday] brunch. It’s a 1920s Plaza Hotel-style brunch with red velvet crepes, lobster Benedict and foie gras Benedict. [We’ve also started] late night with food, live music and a DJ, and happy hour from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. with half-price oysters. from waiting tables to bartending and managing. He started his career at chain steakhouses, but after visiting a friend in Atlanta about seven years ago, he became “intrigued by the artistry of chef-driven concepts” such as Two Urban Licks, Ecco and Empire State South. “I saw the scene and knew this was something I’d like to do,” he says. After working at Virginia-Highland mainstay Murphy’s, he partnered with its founder, Tom Murphy, on a new restaurant: Paces & Vine. “Tom introduced me to the process of working with chefs,” says Green. A few years later, he left to focus on The Select, where favorite menu

What do you do for fun? When you work seven days a week, you give yourself to a restaurant. I’ve never been married, but I have a great girlfriend. I love surfing. It’s my passion. I used to follow the swell. I’d go to Florida, Costa Rica, Hawaii or wherever there’s a big swell coming in. I lived on the North Shore of Oahu for five years. n THE SELECT RESTAURANT + BAR 6405 Blue Stone Rd. Sandy Springs 30328 770.637.2240 theselectatl.com

HAPPY HOUR DAILY 3-7PM PATIO PERFECTION WEEKEND BRUNCH OPEN LATE FESTIVE INTERIOR

GEORGIA chidoandpadres.com 128 E. ANDREWS DR ATL 30305 404 848 9100

2020 & Buckhead Business Awards

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckheadâ&#x20AC;&#x192;

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

Brock, Rebecca Cha and Angela Hansberger

PHOTOS: Sara

Hanna

ANIS CAFÉ & BISTRO Anis is everything you’d hope to find in a French bistro, without having to buy a plane ticket: traditional Provençal dishes, relaxed patio dining and often a small congregation of Frenchspeaking diners to help set the mood. Grilled North African-style Merguez sausage, coquilles St. Jacques or a bright, crisp salade d’Arnaud (named after the owner) are all winning starters. Entrées of truite meunière, poulet rôti and boeuf au poivre are sure to bring you back to that quaint Provençal village square. Best-in-class items are the croque monsieur, salade Niçoise, moules marinières and not-to-bemissed chocolate mousse. Lunch prices: $8-$19 Dinner prices: $8-$35 anisbistro.com

BIG SKY BUCKHEAD The laid-back cattle ranch decor in this West Village hotspot is the perfect foil for top-notch Tex-Mex-meets-DeepSouth eats. Specialty cocktails served up by fresh-faced mixologists combined with events such as trivia nights, game-day viewing parties and weekend brunches with all-you-can-drink mimosas make Big Sky Buckhead a favorite urban escape. Best-in-class dishes such as the Big Sky Nachos, Goose Island

IPA wings, Original Burger and Buffalo Chicken Sandwich are good enough to brand this place in your memory forever. Good to know: Big Sky is a cashless establishment, so don’t forget your alt-currency. Also, free on-site parking spots are limited, so consider carpooling or ridesharing. Starters: $4-$12 Salads, sandwiches and tacos: $11-$13 Entrées: $15-$19 Brunch items: $12-$15 bigskybuckhead.com

BUCKHEAD DINER This indispensible, neon-splashed diner is a jewel in the crown of the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group, which includes the Greek temple-like Kyma next door and the Atlanta Fish Market down the street. For 30 years, fans have flocked here for the housemade chips with Maytag blue, the “sweet heat” Thaichile calamari, juicy burgers and the decadent white-chocolate banana cream pie—all classics. Simply by virtue of the way it lights up Piedmont Road, this diner has always been, and will always be, a star. Appetizers: $6-$12 Sandwiches and burgers: $13-$16 Entrées: $17-$30 buckheadrestaurants.com/ buckhead-diner

Buttermilk Kitchen's pancakes with butter and syrup never go out of style.

A glass of Sicilian Morgante Nero d’Avola is the perfect accompaniment to the flavorful chicken parmigiana at Cibo e Beve.

BUTTERMILK KITCHEN Chef Suzanne Vizethann offers thoughtfully handcrafted food in a room as pure and simple as its namesake drink. Southern classics are the foundation of this Roswell Road breakfast-and-lunch spot, and you can’t go wrong with the Brunswick stew, chicken salad, pimento cheese or the fried chicken biscuit with pepper jelly and pickles. Vizethann’s love of sweet confections really shines at weekend brunch, when folks line up in front of the inviting bright-blue cottage for the likes of toasted blueberry coffee cake and poppy-seed pancakes with strawberries and lemon curd. Breakfast dishes: $8-$13 Salads and sandwiches: $8.25-$11.50 buttermilkkitchen.com

CIBO E BEVE An unassuming strip mall cover belies the cozy sophistication awaiting inside this popular Sandy Springs trattoria. Chef Linda Harrell’s menu is punctuated with exquisite, simple fare such as Tuscan kale and bean soup and braised short rib ragu with spinach ravioli, and is anchored by classics such as woodfired pizzas and chicken parmigiana. Don’t bypass the Italian wine list with top-notch selections both familiar

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

(Santa Margherita Vermentino) and obscure (Morgante Nero d’Avola). On Monday evenings, select bottles are half price. Weekends are especially busy, so plan your visit accordingly. Appetizers, soups and salads: $5-$16 Pasta, pizza and sandwiches: $13-$32 Mains: $23-$36 Desserts: $4-$8 ciboatlanta.com

FARM BURGER Of the locally pastured gourmetburger chains, Farm Burger, which has a Buckhead shop on Piedmont Road near Tower Place, has long been a favorite. And it’s hard to imagine a more decadent list of toppings for your grass-fed, dry-aged patty than oxtail marinade, apple slaw, red-bean chili, pork belly, bone marrow, cured lardo, bacon, fried egg or the six kinds of cheese. Keep your eye on the blackboard for seasonal specials, too. In spring, you might get a burger decked out with Vidalias and pesto; in summer, a dollop of peach chutney. While we don’t normally pass on beer-battered onion rings, Farm Burger’s sweet potato fries are irresistible. Snacks: $2-$4 Burgers: $6.75-$8.50 farmburger.net

FLYING BISCUIT CAFÉ Flying Biscuit Café is a touchstone of diner life here in Atlanta, and with good reason. “Creamy dreamy” grits and flaky Southern biscuits round out most every meal, and there are loads of tummy-warming substantial dishes to choose from. Turkey hash, the Not Your Mama’s Pimiento Cheese Sandwich and chicken pot pie (made with hot, buttery biscuits, of course) are reminiscent of grandma’s kitchen, and the congenial staff will keep you coming back for more. Gordo Stevens’ artwork across the walls and ceiling adds a funky, kitsch-cool vibe to the Brookhaven outpost of this breakfast and brunch favorite.

You can’t talk to an R. Thomas fan without hearing gustatory praise for their fish tacos.

Breakfast: $3.29-$12.99 Lunch: $4.99-$12.99 flyingbiscuit.com

HAVEN RESTAURANT AND BAR Haven is exactly that—a safe, inclusive place where your every gastronomic need is met. If weather permits, enjoy the serenity of patio dining while indulging your taste buds with crisp Gulf oysters, the Southern cheese board or Timmy’s Wild Georgia shrimp. Or go inside and soak up the classy atmosphere while digging into seared Georges Bank scallops or spice-roasted Green Circle Farms chicken, and wrap things up with a warm chocolate brownie with artisan espresso sauce. Small plates and salads: $6-$15 Entrées: $18-$38 Steaks: starting at $51 Sides and desserts: $7 havenrestaurant.com

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

LA GROTTA This four-decades-old institution is as popular today as it ever was. And that has as much to do with the genera-

tions of devotees—many of them old school Atlanta royalty—as it does with its reliable, often superlative food. Whether you begin with earthy bresaola Valtellinese, milky burrata di mozzarella fresca or verdant insalata di carciofi freschi, it’s imperative you save room for the mains, for this is where the kitchen truly shines. Silky creamsauced pastas such as penne con verdure and pappardelle con astice will become your new gastro obsession, and delectable meat dishes such as scaloppine di vitello Antonio and filetto di manzo al Barolo are best enjoyed with a bottle of fine Italian red. Appetizers and salads: $9.95-$15.95 Pastas and risottos: $10.95-$35.95 Mains: $21.95-$39.95 Desserts: $7.95-$9.95 lagrottaatlanta.com At Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub, the sliced hanger steak pairs perfectly with the chimichurri sauce and garlic Parmesan fries.

R. THOMAS DELUXE GRILL Open 24/7 and bedecked with ’70sstyle disco lighting, beaded curtains and groovy plastic walls, this Buckhead favorite feels like a throwback to the days when the health food craze was in its genesis. Whether you go for the sizzling bone-in hot wings or Dr. Joe’s Mango Salad with a side of raw cashew “cheese,” R. Thomas lives up to its promise to “treat carnivores and vegetarians with equal respect.” More menu favorites include the quinoa-rich Thai Express bowl, the classic Thomas Burger with sprouts and guacamole, the curry coconut seafood linguine, Southwestern-style R.’s Quesadilla and an unforgettable peanut butter chocolate pie. Breakfast: $9.75-$14.75 Appetizers: $4.50-$17.50 Sandwiches, salads and

veggie mains: $5.99-$17.50 Entrées: $13.25-$20.75 Desserts: $6.50-$8.75 rthomasdeluxegrill.net

TRUE FOOD KITCHEN Don’t be put off by the mobs of hipsters waiting for a table or the funky menu items with unfamiliar ingredients such as hemp, flax and chia. Though it could easily be mistaken for an ephemeral, crunchy beardo hangout, True Food Kitchen is here to stay—not just because of its good intentions and exemplary karma, but because of its tasty eats. Favorites include the shiitake lettuce cups, spring asparagus toast and the T.L.T. (tempeh, lettuce and tomato) sandwich. Good for the uninitiated are the margherita pizza, steak tacos and Mediterranean chicken pita. Recommended drinks include the non-alcoholic Cucumber Cooler and Medicine Man tea or the buzz-inducing lemongrass margarita, citrus skinny margarita and Strawberry Smash. Starters and vegetable plates: $7-$13 Salads and bowls: $10-$14 (added protein $3-$9) Pizzas and sandwiches: $12-$16 Entrées: $14-$26 truefoodkitchen.com Note: Prices and menu items may have changed since original publication.

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

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

Seasonal cocktails, handmade pasta, perfectly cooked steaks and fresh salads expertly prepared using the finest ingredients. At Davio’s, it’s all about the guest.

For reservations call 404.844.4810 3500 PEACHTREE ROAD NE (PHIPPS PLAZA), ATLANTA, GA 30326

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

SIMPLY HAPPENING EVENTS BY:

Karon Warren

The documentary Ali’s Comeback tells the story of how a group of Atlantans, including businessman Robert Kassel (top photo, on right), former mayor Sam Massell (middle photo) and Senator Leroy Johnson (bottom photo), arranged for boxer Muhammad Ali to stage his big comeback fight.

[ F E AT U R E D E V E N T ]

“THE GREATEST” RETURNS THE PREMIERE OF A NEW DOCUMENTARY SHARES AN INSPIRING ATLANTA STORY

fter being stripped of the world heavyweight boxing title following a conviction for draft evasion in 1967, boxer Muhammad Ali’s future was unclear. While he fought the conviction in the courts, he was banned from boxing. After three-and-a-half years away from the ring, Ali would finally be able to return to boxing. The film Ali’s Comeback

documents how a group of diverse Atlanta residents—including an enterprising white businessman, a formidable black senator and a forward-thinking Jewish mayor—came together to help Ali return to the sport he loved. Directed by local filmmaker Art Jones, the movie will make its premiere at the Atlanta History Center on Jan. 17. “We were

interested in hosting the premiere because, in part, it tells an Atlanta story that deserves to be told: how a diverse cast of Atlantans worked together behind the scenes to give Muhammad Ali the opportunity to resume his boxing career,” says Sheffield Hale, president and CEO of the Atlanta History Center. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion.

ALI’S COMEBACK Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m. $10 for non-members, $5 for members; reservations recommended Atlanta History Center 130 West Paces Ferry Rd. N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.814.4000 atlantahistorycenter.com

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

E V E NTS

BUZZ “PATRICK KELLY, THE JOURNEY”

[ NAT U R E ]

Forging a New Path PATH400 UNVEILS NEW SECTIONS TO CONNECT MIAMI CIRCLE TO PEACHTREE PARK It may be cold out, but don your coat and scarf so you can check out the newest section of the PATH400. This multi-use trail in Buckhead now includes a stretch between Lenox

Square and Miami Circle that puts pedestrians within a short stroll of a variety of local and natural attractions. Says Denise Starling, executive director of Livable Buckhead, the driving force behind PATH400: “Train enthusiasts can watch Norfolk Southern and MARTA trains zoom by just yards from the trail. Nature lovers can check out the adjacent wetland that has everything from snakes to geese to beavers. Art lovers will be blown away by the gorgeous mural that

local artist Krista Jones painted for us. One of my favorite features is a beautiful stone overlook that honors Maxine Rock, a longtime Buckhead resident and one of the founders of the PATH Foundation.” With 80% of the 5.2-mile-long trail now complete, work continues to connect PATH400 with the BeltLine and exPATH400 tend it all the way to Sandy path400greenway.org Springs.

Jan. 14-July 19 scadfash.org In this exhibit at the SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film, artist Derrick Adams reflects on the life and work of famed African American fashion designer Patrick Kelly. To inspire his creations, Adams delved into the Patrick Kelly archives at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, which included a book proposal about Kelly written by his friend and esteemed poet Maya Angelou.

Derrick Adams’ mixed-media collage Runway No. 1

THE CATHEDRAL ANTIQUES SHOW

[ N E A RBY ]

Jan. 23-25 cathedralantiques.org Held at the Cathedral of St. Philip, this annual festival of art, antiques and floral and interior design remains a community favorite. This year’s keynote speakers include style expert Carson Kressley and interior designer Thom Filicia.

Cowabunga! THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES INVADE THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM On Jan. 18, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will arrive at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, where they hope to share life lessons and teambuilding skills with the city’s younger residents. In Nickelodeon’s “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Secrets of the Sewer,” museum visitors can practice their ninja skills, create a sewer pipe and see where it goes, navigate a rope maze and much more with

Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello and Leonardo. “We can’t wait to welcome children and families to this exhibit,” says the museum’s executive director Jane Turner. “Little ones will have the opportunity to learn about the value of teamwork and togetherness as they discover how each member of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles plays a pivotal role in the group’s accomplishments.”

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

“TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: SECRETS OF THE SEWER”

ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL

Jan. 18-May 10 Tickets start at $13.95 online, $15.95 on-site Children’s Museum of Atlanta 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr. N.W. Atlanta 30313 404.659.5437 childrensmuseumatlanta.org

Feb. 10-27 ajff.org Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival returns with an all-new collection of international cinema that delves into the themes of identity, history and culture.

CURE CHILDHOOD CANCER. As we ring in the new year, our mission remains the same. Until there is a cure, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s CURE.

Learn more: CUREChildhoodCancer.org

b u c k h e a d

A SOPHISTICATED CO-WORKING SPACE AND COMMUNITY FOR WOMEN Work, recharge, connect and collaborate

BUCKHEAD’S PREMIER SLEEP SOLUTION CENTER Highest rated Temper-Pedic retailer in Atlanta Experienced, expert consultants Financing, delivery & on-site configuration Recommended by chiropractors & physical therapists www.stores.relaxtheback.com/Atlanta-Buckhead 3330 Piedmont Rd. NE, #2•Atlanta, GA•30305 404-848-7977

Advertising For information, email us at advertising@simplybuckhead.com or call 404-538-9895

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

3535 Northside Parkway NW/Paces Ferry Plaza (678) 909-0960 eleanorsplace.com @eleanors_place

CH AR I TABLE

Aníbal Torres, Teresa Torres

Photos: Leah Roth

Kathy Kim, Salvador Chavez-Holzman

LATIN FEVER BALL

Steward Ramirez, Gillian Ramirez

undreds of revelers packed a ballroom at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta for the 31st annual Latin Fever Ball. The festive black-tie gala is the Latin American Association’s largest and most important fundraiser of the year, and two of Atlanta’s most respected executives—Carol B. Tomé, recently retired CFO and executive VP of corporate services for The Home Depot, and Hala Moddelmog, president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber—served as co-chairs. As the night unfolded, Latin rhythms filled the air and costumed dancers dazzled the crowd, who dined on Latin cuisine and bid on exciting items in the live and silent auctions. In all, the event raised an astounding $700,000—the most money ever raised at a single event during the organization’s 40-plus-year history. The proceeds benefit the Latin American Association’s critical programs and services that touch on everything from immigration and economic empowerment to family well-being and youth education.

Marie Marquardt, Chris Marquardt

Carol B. Tomé, Hala Moddelmog

Maria Guzman, Phil Brown

Mallory Morman, Tobi Lovelace

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

THE HIGHEST POINT OF FITNESS EST. 2008

MORE THAN A GYM : A COMMUNITY HAVE YOUR FITNESS GOALS FAILED IN THE PAST? We have the technology to analyze and understand your body. Our InBody Body Composition Scan reveals what your body is made of between muscle, fat, and water, as well as where in your body it resides. We have the team in place to personalize your program. And we have a community to keep you motivated. Come and see what our community is all about. 404.228.3705 3215 CAINS HILL PLACE NW

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CH AR I TABLE

Photos: Kimberly Evans

THE SECRET’S OUT FASHION SHOW AND SILENT AUCTION

M Jordan Ball, Ulises Gunzalez, Chelsea Ybanez, Brandon Alexander Amanda Smith, Sarah Chapman, Arline Chapman

Mohamed Faty, Karen Faty, J’Nae Johnson, Jason White

ore than 250 attendees gathered at the Mason Fine Art gallery in Buckhead recently for The Secret’s Out Fashion Show and Silent Auction. The annual event is an important fundraiser for the nonprofit Defined With Purpose, founded by Crysta Marshall, which mentors individuals who have experienced child molestation and sexual abuse, and provides funds for the costs of therapy and legal fees. Guests contributed to the cause by bidding on auction items that included wine tastings, luxury vacations, autographed sports memorabilia and oil paintings created specifically for the event by artist Cynthia Perryman. They also enjoyed a fashion show featuring models wearing gorgeous designs from Rawan Asad’s exclusive Elite Pour La Vie boutique in Alpharetta and from designer Miguel Wilson’s menswear store at Phipps Plaza. A barista was on hand to serve specialty coffee drinks and tea from Mocha My Day, and the tasty bites were provided by Not Just Desserts.

Kasey Emm, Nia Emm

Erastus Deline

Stanley Redwine, Alexa Redwine, Aaron Marshall, Crysta Marshall, Gia Blanco, Jacque Redwine

January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

S C EN E

HANGING BY A THREAD Cover model Tribble Reese and stylist Iyda Negasi demonstrate the reality of what goes into some of our photo shoots before touch-ups are done in Photoshop. PHOTO: Sara

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January/February 2020 | Simply Buckhead

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Buckhead Lives Different Here A boutique collection of luxury residences, nestled in a pinpoint perfect location on Peachtree Road, is now on the horizon. Everything you’ve always wanted, right where you want to be. To schedule an exclusive preview, call or register. 404.301.5302 | TheGraydon.com | Priced from $1.69 Million

Broker Participation is welcomed and encouraged. ORAL REPRESENTATIONS CANNOT BE RELIED UPON AS CORRECTLY STATING REPRESENTATIONS OF THE SELLER. This project has been filed in the state of Georgia and no other state. This is not an offer to sell or solicitation of offers to buy the condominium units in states where such offer or solicitation cannot be made. Prices and availability are subject to change at any time without notice. Picture is an artist’s rendering and may not represent the final building.

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Here at the Lodge at Gulf State Park, you can reunite with nature. Enjoy relaxing views of the sugar white sand beaches and emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico, or walk or bike our 28 miles of trails through 6,150 acres covering nine ecosystems. The Lodge is a resilient, environmentally-friendly coastal development where sustainability and connectivity to the outdoors are a central focus. Come experience the reasons why your visit is really something.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT LODGEATGULFSTATEPARK.COM 21196 EAST BEACH BLVD. GULF SHORES, ALABAMA 36542 | 251.540.4000 HILTON RESERVATIONS: 1.800.774.1500

Another great community from Old Edwards Hospitality! Located in-town and an easy walk to all that Highlands has to offer, this property is just over three acres; six homes will be constructed, each on a half acre lot. The community will be gated and heavily landscaped and include a common area with a pavilion and small pond. John Lupoli, the renowned Highlands builder, will build them so the quality will be second to none! There are two floor plans — a one level and a two-story, both with three bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths. The beautiful finishes will include: • 12 foot ceilings in the great room with wood beams and high baseboards

• Stainless steel KitchenAid appliance package

• Kohler fixtures, granite in all baths and in the kitchen

• Wonderful outdoor spaces with a wood-burning fireplace

• Carrera or travertine tile in the baths and heated master bath floors

• Maytag appliances in the laundry room

Pricing includes a full membership to Old Edwards Club valued at $80,000. This membership includes all of the new family-friendly amenities at GlenCove by Old Edwards. Offered for $1,695,000 | Contact Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty for more information

Your real estate experts in Highlands, Cashiers, Sapphire Valley, Glenville, and Lake Toxaway, North Carolina 828.526.1717 MeadowsMountainRealty.com 488 Main Street, Highlands | 2334 Cashiers Rd, Highlands 132 Hwy 107 S, Cashiers

© 2019 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc. ® Equal Housing Opportunity.