Issuu

Taste

West Cobb F O O D + B E V E R AG E

A SLI CE O F ITALY IN M ARI ET TA ENTERTAINTMENT

TH E FALL DIN N ER PART Y

O C TO B E R 2 02 6

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

Letter From the Editor Something about October makes us want to slow down. The days are getting shorter, the air is cooling, and suddenly gathering around a table with good food and good company feels a little more special. Fall has a way of turning even an ordinary dinner into an occasion, and that’s exactly what we’re celebrating in this month’s issue of West Cobb City Lifestyle. Our October Food & Drink issue invites you to explore what’s cooking in our community. We’re taking you inside local restaurants, raising a glass to the people and places behind some of our favorite drinks, and sharing inspiration for bringing a little of that fall magic into your own home. Food has always been about more than what’s on the plate. It’s the pizza shared after a long week, the recipe passed down through generations, the cocktail enjoyed over conversation, or the dinner party that stretches late into the evening because no one is quite ready to leave. These moments become memories, and they’re often the simplest ones we remember most. This month, I hope you’ll try somewhere new, order something you’ve never tasted, invite a few friends over, or simply linger a little longer around your own dinner table. There’s plenty to discover right here in our community, and I’m excited to share a taste of it with you. So grab a fork, pour yourself a drink, and settle in. Here’s to good food, great company, and making a meal out of the moments that matter. Cheers,

October 2026 PUBLISHER

Marcus Dickman | marcus.dickman@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

Ana Markosi | ana.markosi@citylifestyle.com S E N I O R AC C O U N T E X E C U T I VE

Ian Jarvis Hathaway | ian.hathaway@citylifestyle.com P U B L I CAT I O N M AN AG E R

Lisa Thibalt | lisa.thibault@citylifestyle.com STAF F P H OTO G R AP H E R S

Linda Carroll | lclifephotos@gmail.com Paul Bickford | paulwbickford33@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Andrew J. Bramlett, Tran Bui, Wendy Edwards

Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt President Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz CoS Janeane Thompson AD DESIGNER Rachel Chrisman LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Marina Campbell

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Learn how to start your own publication at citylifestyle.com//franchise. Proverbs 3:5-6 West Cobb City Lifestyle® is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the West Cobb area’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle

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inside the issue OC TOB E R 2 02 6 | FOOD & D R I N K

Print Prestige Meets Digital Power.

24 12

Featured

22 24

Departments

Hotel Bennett

Inside Charleston's Grand Hotel, a vision of 25 years

Taste the World

Four International Dining Destinations in Cobb County

The Fall Dinner Party KandidlyKait shares her secrets for creating a cozy evening your guests won’t want to leave

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Travel Journal TRAVEL

Culinary Creations FOOD + BEVERAGE

Eat Right FOOD + BEVERAGE

Hosting Tips ENTERTAINMENT

Outdoor Living ENTERTAINMENT

Must See FOOD + BEVERAGE

Chef ’s Selection FOOD + BEVERAGE

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OCTOBER 2026

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1: Mayor Steve Tumlin visited Marietta Schools to welcome students and staff for the new year 2: City of Kennesaw staff 3: Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Glover Park Concert Series 4: Kiwanis Club of Marietta honors of each life lost on September 11, 2001.

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Exotic Envy Reptiles Kennesaw opened its storefront in Kennesaw this past August, offering everything from reptiles and reptile supplies to live and frozen feeders, reptile boarding services, and unique merchandise. Exotic Envy Reptiles has plenty for reptile enthusiasts and curious shoppers alike. They also carry a small selection of bird food and toys. Reptile enthusiasts can stop by and discover something new at Exotic Envy Reptiles at 3655 Cherokee St NW Ste 22. Photography by City of Kennesaw

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Cobb Students Outpace State, Lead Metro on Georgia Milestones Results from the 2025-2026 Georgia Milestones Assessments show Cobb students outperformed the statewide average in every subject and posted the highest combined scores in the Atlanta metro. 82.1% of Cobb students scored at achievement levels 2-4, the highest percentage of any metro Atlanta school district, showcasing that Cobb is better preparing students for their next steps in education than anywhere else.

Seasons change. Peace of mind is here to stay. Making your funeral arrangements ahead of time can help protect your family’s peace of mind. We can help. Contact Madi Ferrara at 770-419-9234 or scan the QR code to learn how West Cobb Funeral Home & Crematory can help you plan ahead or support your family’s needs.

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OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6

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HOTEL ARTICLE BY WEST COBB CITY LIFESTYLE

Bennett

Inside Charleston's Grand Hotel, a vision of 25 years There are hotels you stay in, and there are hotels that tell a story the moment you walk in and leave you with an experience worth taking home. Hotel Bennett, on the corner of King Street and historic Marion Square in downtown Charleston, is unmistakably both. From the marble-clad Grand Court to the pink-hued glow of Camellias, every inch of this 179-room property was built with a deeply personal goal: to give Charleston the grand hotel its developer always believed it deserved. Before we'd even walked into the lobby, we were greeted by three young men, full of smiles and genuine warmth, who took our car to the charger, carried our luggage to our suite, and struck up conversation about what we liked and where we should go around town as well as what to enjoy inside the hotel. The feeling was magical before we'd taken a single step inside the grand lobby. Handing us glasses of champagne upon entrance was just one small gesture the staff extended to us, again and again, over our four-day stay. Hotel Bennett is the vision of Michael Bennett, an eighth-generation Charlestonian and founder of Bennett Hospitality. His family purchased the land in 1990, but the project spent more than twenty years winding through city approvals, and legal battles with preservation groups over building height. This fight made its way to the South Carolina Supreme Court before Bennett won. Joe Riley, Charleston's longtime mayor and Bennett's mentor, stood beside him, reportedly telling Bennett's mother, "We're going to cut that ribbon." And they did. After breaking ground in March 2015, the $101 million hotel opened in January 2019. The site itself carries its own layers of Charleston history, it once housed the original west wing of The

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

Citadel, and later, Charleston County Library. That legacy lives on in quiet, deliberate details: bookshelves tucked into the suites, stacks of books coordinated across tables throughout the property, a soft nod to the library that stood there before. "Hotel Bennett was constructed with the same classical character and quality as buildings from centuries ago," Bennett says. "To complement Charleston's architectural heritage, we used the finest materials, beautiful limestone, marble, bronze, and copper." He named the hotel to honor his family and his beloved city. That family imprint is everywhere. Throughout the lobby, we noticed artwork and photography celebrating meaningful milestones in the Bennett family's own story as a reminder that this is first and foremost a family business, built with many personal details, down to the crown-embroidered "B" pillows and hotel-branded soaps. It feels as though it has stood on Marion Square for a century. Hotel Bennett blends old-world European architecture with unmistakably Southern warmth. Sweeping rotundas, handpainted murals, and a Grand Court set the tone, while floor-toceiling windows and remote-controlled drapes remind you this is a hotel built for the modern traveler, too. It truly has all the modern conveniences you'd want, layered over that historic imprint giving you the perfect blend of both worlds, and we really felt that embraced in every corner of our stay. The hotel's dining options alone are worth the trip. Gabrielle, the two-tiered signature restaurant, opens onto sweeping terraces overlooking Marion Square. We had a delicious dinner and a wonderful espresso martini to close out the evening. Then there's Camellias, an

Hotel Bennett

Rémy Fünfrock, Executive Pastry Chef

Tallest rooftop Pool in Charleston

entirely pink champagne-and-caviar lounge outfitted with reclaimed marble from the original Charleston Library. This was my favorite room in the hotel and it's become one of the most photographed rooms in the city. It is as popular for afternoon tea as for a glass of champagne. Fiat Lux is the hotel's rooftop pool bar, pouring ocean-inspired cocktails with sweeping skyline views. La Pâtisserie brings a slice of Paris to King Street, serving pastries from a Frenchtrained pastry chef. As a late night treat, we did indulge in the famous Ruby and it was well worth the calories. “This dessert is named for my daughter, Ruby. It's a celebration of the flavors she loves most: rich dark and milk chocolate, lifted by bright raspberry. Vanilla has always been a magical ingredient for me, so a silky vanilla cream brings it all together. The result is a balance of a father's love and a daughter's joy. At the heart of it is a flourless chocolate sponge, wrapped in layers of color, texture, and flavor. I wanted the Ruby to be enjoyed by as many people as possible, so I designed it as gluten nut free. The one thing I could not leave out was the butter and cream. I am French. Some traditions are simply too delicious to break.” Rémy Fünfrock, Executive Pastry Chef at Hotel Bennett CONTINUED > OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6

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“We've known all our lives we Bookshelf in Suite as ode to library

Beyond the plate, Hotel Bennett's amenities read like a checklist for the ultimate Charleston escape: the largest heated rooftop pool in the city, with pastel-painted private cabanas inspired by Rainbow Row. We enjoyed a full lazy afternoon sipping cocktails and snacking there. Also there is a full-service spa with luxury treatments and a state-of-the-art fitness center and more than 20,000 square feet of event space anchored by the 30-foot Crown Ballroom. We had the pleasure of experiencing all of it as hotel guests, and we weren't disappointed once. It's easy to see why Hotel Bennett has earned a reputation as one of the top hotel experiences in the country. It isn't just the marble and the champagne, although that's reason enough to visit. It's that every detail, from the concierge team to the turndown service, was built around genuine Southern hospitality. I come back to the staff as the property's defining feature: the team that remembers names, anticipates needs, and treats every visit like a homecoming rather than a transaction. We were greeted by first name at every turn, and we learned many of the staff's stories being local college students who never wanted to leave the city and many who have remained at the hotel for years. Everyone there seems to genuinely enjoy serving others, and it shows. “I stayed here before I ever worked here. My school put me up at Hotel Bennett my senior year of college while our apartment was being finished, and the staff made me feel looked after at a moment in my life when nothing else felt settled. When a job opened up, I jumped at it. I wanted to be the person who does that for someone else.” Bambi Barr, In-Room Dining at Hotel Bennett For Bennett, the hotel was never a business venture, it was a love letter to his hometown, decades in the making. "We've known all our lives we lived in the most beautiful city in the world, today Charleston is at her best " he said. There's no doubt this will not be our last visit to Hotel Bennett and I recommend you take the short drive over to experience how history and luxury have emerged together in one remarkable place. Hotel Bennett: 404 King Street, Charleston, SC hotelbennett.com

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

lived in the most beautiful city in the world, today Charleston is at her best” Michael Bennett

Suite level terrace

Gabrielle dinner Champagne at Camellias

Michael Bennett, his mom and family portrait art Hotel Bennett

The Grand Lobby

Suite bathroom

First day check-in champagne

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THE DRUNK GHOST ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHAKE DRINK REPEAT

It's time to get your cocktail menu ready for Halloween party season! Looking for a cocktail that is extra “spooky”? Try this yummy Drunk Ghost. Sweet and bubbly, this cocktail is festive and delicious. Made with coconut rum, vanilla vodka, coconut cream, and lemon-lime soda, it is the perfect Halloween drink. The Drunk Ghost is perfect for your Halloween party and will have your guests raving, asking for another, and asking for the recipe. The foggy appearance is ghostly and mysterious, making this drink a showstopper. To make one Drunk Ghost cocktail, you will need 2 ounces of coconut rum (like Malibu), 1 ounce of vanilla vodka, 2 ounces of coconut cream, and about 4 ounces of lemon-lime soda such as Sprite or 7-Up. When you think of Peeps candy, you probably think of Easter and the colorful chicks, but they make the cutest ghost version that is the perfect garnish to make the Drunk Ghost cocktail extra festive.

THE DRUNK GHOST Ingredients • • • •

2 ounces Malibu coconut rum 1 ounce of vanilla vodka 2 ounces of coconut cream 4 ounces of 7-Up, Sprite, or other lemon-lime soda • Ice • Ghost Peeps

Directions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice 2. Add your Malibu coconut rum,

vanilla vodka, and coconut cream 3. Give it a good shake until the coconut cream is well mixed 4. Strain into a glass 5. Top with lemon-lime soda 6. Garnish with a ghost peep and enjoy

How to Serve Serve your Drunk Ghost in a glass tumbler over ice. A Ghost Peep is the perfect finishing touch. To batch-make Drunk Ghost cocktails, simply combine your desired servings of rum, vodka, and coconut cream in a large pitcher and save the lemon-lime soda to top off individual drinks.

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Taste the World Four International Dining Destinations in Cobb County What makes Cobb County’s international restaurant scene special is its variety. Within a relatively short drive, diners can move from Cuban and West African flavors to Australian baked goods and Spanish tapas. That diversity reflects the

Cuban Diner T H E C U B A N D I N E R .C O M

Start the journey in Cuba at Cuban Diner, an East Cobb favorite serving traditional Cuban cuisine in a casual, welcoming setting. The restaurant is a great introduction to the rich flavors of Cuban cooking, where garlic, citrus, spices and slow-cooked meats come together in hearty, comforting dishes. Cuban cuisine is known for its combination of Spanish, African and Caribbean influences, and the menu offers diners an opportunity to experience that culinary heritage close to home. Whether you are already a fan of Cuban cuisine or trying it for the first time, Cuban Diner is a flavorful stop for anyone craving a taste of the Caribbean.

Chioma’s African Cuisine C H I O M A S - A F R I C A N - C U I S I N E .C O M

Next, head to Kennesaw for a taste of West Africa at Chioma’s African Cuisine. The restaurant showcases the bold, layered flavors of African cooking, making it a destination for diners looking to discover something different. From savory stews and richly seasoned meats to flavorful rice and traditional accompaniments, West African cuisine is all about depth and character. For newcomers to Nigerian food, it can be an especially fun dining experience: order a few different dishes to share and turn dinner into a culinary exploration.

EAT R IGH T | FO O D + BEVE RAGE

people and cultures that make Cobb County such a vibrant community. The county’s annual Cobb International Festival celebrates cultures from around the world through food, music, art and traditions, while

local restaurants provide opportunities to experience those cultures throughout the year. The next time you’re looking for something beyond the usual dinner spot, skip the airport and take a culinary trip instead.

Australian Bakery Cafe AU S T R A L I A N B A K E RYC A F E .C O M

Sometimes a trip around the world starts with something as simple as a pastry. Located on Marietta Square, Australian Bakery Cafe brings Australian-inspired baked goods and savory favorites to Cobb County. The bakery is particularly known for its selection of sweet and savory offerings, including meat pies and pastries. It’s an ideal stop for breakfast, lunch, an afternoon snack, or simply a chance to try something you might not find at the typical neighborhood bakery. And because it is located around Marietta Square, visitors can easily turn a bakery stop into an afternoon of shopping, sightseeing and exploring.

Silla del Toro S I L L A D E LTO R O.C O M

For the final stop on our international food tour, stay in Marietta and head to Silla del Toro for a taste of Spain. The restaurant specializes in traditional Spanish tapas, making it an excellent choice for diners who enjoy sharing food and trying several flavors in one meal. Tapas dining encourages guests to order multiple small plates, making dinner feel less like a meal and more like an experience. Silla del Toro also offers an extensive Spanish wine selection, along with cocktails and sangria inspired by Spanish classics. Gather a group of friends, order several plates for the table and settle in for a leisurely evening that feels like a world away, even though you're still in Cobb County.

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ARTICLE BY ANA MARKOSI

The Fall Dinner Party KandidlyKait shares her secrets for creating a cozy evening your guests won’t want to leave

There’s something special about gathering around the table as the seasons change. The temperatures drop, the candles come out, and suddenly an ordinary dinner feels like an occasion. But hosting doesn’t have to mean spending days in the kitchen or stressing over every detail. Atlanta-based lifestyle and entertaining creator Kait Smith-Chisolm of KandidlyKait believes the best gatherings are the ones where the host gets to enjoy the party, too. Drawing on years of entertaining, recipe development, and creative event planning, Kait shares tips for creating a fall dinner party that feels thoughtful, festive, and most importantly, fun.

1. Start With the Feeling

Before planning the menu or pulling out the pumpkins, Kait recommends thinking about what you want your guests to experience. Is this an intimate evening with a few close friends, or are you hoping to start a new fall tradition with a larger group? Establishing the mood first will make the rest of the decisions easier. “Think about the vibe you want to create,” Kait suggests. A cozy dinner calls for

H OST IN G T IP S | ENTERTA IN ME N T

warm lighting, comfortable seating and plenty of opportunities for conversation, while a livelier gathering might benefit from music, a self-serve drink station and spaces where guests can naturally mingle. Think about the experience from beginning to end, too. Have something ready when guests arrive, like a warm cider, a seasonal cocktail, or a simple appetizer, and make sure they have a comfortable place to settle in.

2. Know Your Guest List and Create Your Zones

A successful dinner party starts with knowing who is coming. Kait recommends determining your guest count early and thinking about how those people will actually use your space. Her advice from hosting larger gatherings is especially useful here: create zones. Rather than expecting everyone to remain in one place all evening, consider creating natural gathering points, like a dining area for dinner and conversation, a comfortable spot for drinks and appetizers, or even a cozy corner for dessert and after-dinner conversation.

For a smaller dinner party, that might simply mean setting up drinks away from the dining table so guests can mingle while you finish dinner. For a larger gathering, separate areas can keep the kitchen from becoming overcrowded while giving guests freedom to move around. Kait's tip: Put the little things guests need, like napkins, coasters, and even a small trash receptacle, where they'll actually use them. It keeps traffic moving and means you won't spend the entire evening playing hostess and cleanup crew.

3. Set a Table That Feels Like Fall

You don't need to completely transform your dining room to make it feel seasonal. For a classic fall table, reach for vintage-inspired plates, cloth napkins and candleholders. Or take inspiration from nature with a simple runner, colorful leaves, dried flowers and miniature pumpkins. Don't be afraid to mix textures, either. Wood, linen, ceramic, glass, and natural elements can make even a simple table setting feel layered and intentional. Remember: your table doesn't have to be perfect. A few thoughtful details will go much further than an elaborate setup that leaves you stressed before your guests even arrive.

4. Make the Menu Work for You

The secret to a relaxed dinner party is planning a menu that allows you to be part of your own party. Kait's approach to entertaining emphasizes making things easy for both the host and the guests. For larger gatherings, she recommends thinking about the menu in terms of variety and giving guests opportunities to customize their food. Build-yourown stations, in particular, are a favorite because guests can choose what works for them while the host avoids accommodating everyone's preferences individually.

5. Try a Dessert Bar

If you want dessert to become part of the entertainment, take a cue from Kait's popular s'mores dessert bar. Her formula is simple: determine the guest count, choose plenty of toppings, organize everything into easy-to-grab containers, and make sure guests have all CONTINUED >

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the supplies they need. Kait recommends using trays, buckets, and ramekins to organize ingredients, plus tiered trays to add height and visual interest. For fall, you could translate that idea into an apple pie bar with warm apple slices, caramel sauce, whipped cream, cinnamon streusel, and vanilla ice cream, or a s'mores bar with seasonal chocolate flavors, cookies, and marshmallows. The beauty of a dessert bar is that the dessert becomes an activity rather than another course you have to serve.

6. Add a Personal Touch

Kait's housewarming gift philosophy centers around what she calls the three P's: purposeful, personal, and a little playful. The same philosophy can easily translate to dinner-party hosting. Personalize place cards with your guests' names. Put a favorite snack at each place setting. Send guests home with a small jar of homemade seasoning, a fall candle, or a packaged dessert from the evening.

7. Don't Forget the Music

The right playlist can quietly tie the whole evening together. Choose music that complements the season and your gathering without overpowering conversation. For a cozy dinner, think of warm acoustic songs, mellow jazz, or soft classics. For something more energetic, add a few upbeat favorites, but keep the volume low enough that guests don't have to compete with the speakers.

8. Give Yourself Permission to Enjoy It

Perhaps the most important rule of all: don't spend the entire night worrying about whether everyone else is having a good time. You've made the guest list. You've planned the menu. You've set the table. You've lit the candles. Now enjoy the gathering you created. Kait's Super Bowl hosting guide ends with essentially this philosophy: once the planning is done, take a breath, put on your hostess hat, and actually enjoy the event. Because the best dinner parties aren't the ones where every napkin is perfectly folded, or every dish arrives at precisely the right moment. They're the ones where people linger around the table, go back for seconds, laugh a little too loudly, and don't notice when the evening turns into night.

KandidlyKait Kait Smith-Chisolm is the Editor-in-Chief of KandidlyKait, a lifestyle publication and brand dedicated to guiding readers to live their "Sunday's Best, every day." As a Georgiabased tastemaker, Kait curates accessible inspiration across low-fuss recipes, floral design, everyday style, and standout finds. Through her signature blend of warmth and practical elegance, she inspires her community to elevate everyday moments into something intentional and celebratory.

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A Fluttering

Escape

There are places you visit to see something beautiful, and then there are places that invite you to slow down and notice the beauty already happening around you. Set amid five acres of gardens in North Georgia, Dahlonega Butterfly Farm offers a chance to step away from screens and schedules and spend time surrounded by butterflies, flowers, and nature's rhythms. What began as a butterfly conservation effort has grown into a destination focused on education, pollinators, community and, perhaps most importantly, reconnecting with the outdoors.

STEP INSIDE THE BUTTERFLY FLIGHT HOUSE

One of the farm's highlights is its indoor butterfly flight house, where visitors can see species that aren't typically found in Georgia. Butterflies arrive weekly and are released into the flight house, allowing visitors to encounter species they might never see in their own backyards. Inside the flight house, the butterflies live out their natural life cycles, offering visitors more than a colorful photo opportunity. It's a chance to observe these delicate creatures up close and learn about the environments they depend upon.

FIVE ACRES BUILT FOR POLLINATORS

Dahlonega Butterfly Farm is steadily becoming a larger conservation landscape. The property includes five acres of outdoor pollinating gardens, with more land and additional gardens being developed each year. The goal is to create an increasingly welcoming habitat for butterflies and other pollinators. That work is particularly important for monarch butterflies. Cindy hopes to make the farm a major stop for monarchs in North Georgia by planting thousands of milkweed plants. It's an ambitious goal, and one that requires plenty of time, money and labor. The farm has also recently launched a nonprofit arm, the North Georgia Pollinator Foundation, to potentially secure funding to expand its pollinator gardens and conservation work. For visitors, that means a trip to the farm is also an introduction to the plants and habitats that make their existence possible.

MORE THAN A BUTTERFLY FARM

The farm is also evolving into a destination for community events and outdoor experiences. The farm hosts plant bingo, a playful way to introduce visitors to plants and gardening. Rather than traditional bingo, the game uses plant-related cards, turning a familiar activity into an educational experience.

Discovering Dahlonega Butterfly Farm

O UT D OOR LIV IN G | ENTERTAIN ME N T

October will bring additional plant bingo events, along with a monarch release day. The farm also offers native plants and houseplants for sale, giving visitors the chance to take a little of the experience home. The farm welcomes field trips and homeschool groups, and private events can be arranged even during the farm's seasonal public closure. The property is also being developed for retreats, wellness experiences, weddings, micro-weddings and elopements. For adults looking for a different kind of afternoon in the country, the farm hosts wine tastings and events.

PLANNING A VISIT

Dahlonega Butterfly Farm is generally open to the public during its warmer-season operating period and typically closes from November through mid-March. October can be weather-dependent, as an early frost may bring the public season to an earlier close. That makes fall an especially appealing time to check the calendar, particularly with monarch-related activities and plant bingo on the schedule.

Whether you arrive for a special event or simply to walk among the gardens, the experience is ultimately about understanding the delicate connections between plants, pollinators and the places we call home In a region known for mountain scenery, wineries and charming small-town escapes, Dahlonega Butterfly Farm offers another reason to venture into North Georgia: the chance to trade a little screen time for sunlight, flowers and the quiet flutter of wings. dahlonegabutterflyfarm.com

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SAVORY SOURDOUGH SLICES ELEVATE YOUR FALL SOURDOUGH WITH THESE SIMPLE, SATISFYING TOPPINGS

ARTICLE BY KIT GARROTT PHOTOGRAPHY BY BONNER MORGAN Sourdough has seemingly taken over the world of bread. Those blessed with a family sourdough starter had a jump on the naturally fermented trend. For those still deciding whether to dive into the world of proofing and kneading, great sourdough loaves can be found at local bakeries. These shops may offer seasoned French bread toasts, a bagged and ready-to-eat option no toasting required. Here are two ways to serve your toasted sourdough slices this fall, but the options are endless!

PESTO PERFECTION INGREDIENTS • • • • •

Basil pesto Toasted pine nuts Shaved parmesan cheese Sliced cucumber EVOO

DIRECTIONS

After toasting your bread, spread pesto and sprinkle toasted pine nuts and cheese on your slice. Top with cucumber slices, salt and pepper to taste and drizzle with EVOO.

TOASTED MEDITERRANEAN INGREDIENTS

• Either homemade or store-bought roasted red pepper hummus - spicy hummus is a great option, too! • Feta cheese • Olives

DIRECTIONS

Spread your hummus, sprinkle with feta cheese and top with olives of your choice. Add salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon to taste!

M UST SE E | FO O D + BEVERAGE

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A SLICE OF

Italy IN

Marietta Pisano's Pizzaria & Italian Kitchen Joins Marietta Square 32

C HE F ’S SE LE CT ION | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANA MARKOSI

A familiar favorite has found a new home on Marietta Square. Pisano’s Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen, a longtime Kennesaw neighborhood staple known for New York-style pizza and Italian American comfort food, has brought its laid-back, welcoming atmosphere to downtown Marietta. From cheesy slices and hearty pasta to sandwiches and calzones, the new location offers plenty of reasons to settle in for a meal and perhaps stay awhile to soak up the lively atmosphere. I had the opportunity to sample some of the menu and get a taste of what’s cooking at Pisano’s.

Mystery Starburst Organic Vanilla Vodka, Watermelon Schnapps, Sour Mix, Simple Syrup, Sprite My experience started on a fruity note with the Mystery Starburst cocktail. Vanilla and watermelon come together with bright, muddled basil for a refreshing and surprisingly vibrant sip. Finished with lemon and lime, the cocktail is easygoing at first taste but packs plenty of flavor and a bit more punch than its sweet, fruity profile might suggest.

Chicken Parmesan Sub Freshly Breaded Chicken Breast with Marinara and Melted Mozzarella on a Toasted Sub Roll By this point, I was already stuffed, but I couldn’t leave without finding out how Pisano’s handles a chicken Parmesan sub. The generous portion of tender chicken made a strong first impression, but the thin, crispy breading really sealed the deal. Paired with tangy marinara and plenty of melted mozzarella, each bite was savory, gooey, and satisfying. This is the kind of sandwich that calls for an ice-cold beer, a pile of napkins, and a spot in front of the TV on game day. CONTINUED > OCTOB ER 2 0 2 6

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Bruschetta Toasted Italian Bread Topped with Marinated Grape Tomatoes, Fresh Basil, Shaved Parmesan and Balsamic Drizzle Next came the bruschetta, and it quickly became clear that this is a dish for balsamic lovers. The Italian bread was toasted just right, crisp around the edges while remaining tender enough to bite into comfortably. Marinated grape tomatoes added a balance of tartness and sweetness, while fresh basil and shaved Parmesan rounded everything out. The generous balsamic drizzle ties it all together. If you love balsamic, grab a fork and dig in.

Viva Italia! Mozzarella Cheese Base Topped with Fresh Basil Pesto, Garlic and Fresh Tomato Sauce I quickly learned why the Viva Italia! is a crowd favorite. The foundation of any good pizza is the crust, and Pisano’s gets this one right: tender and flavorful with a satisfying crisp edge. A generous layer of mozzarella provides a rich, creamy base, while fresh basil pesto and garlic bring brightness and depth. A light drizzle of tomato sauce adds that classic Italian flavor without overwhelming the other toppings. Think of it as a margherita pizza with a flavorful upgrade.

Spaghetti & Meatballs Hand-Rolled Meatballs Served Over a Bed of Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce As a mostly vegetarian, I don’t often reach for meatballs, but these exceeded my expectations. The hand-rolled meatballs were tender, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned, with a rich, decadent quality that paired beautifully with Pisano’s classic marinara. Served over a bed of pasta and accompanied by a crisp Caesar salad and buttery garlic rolls, the meal is the definition of classic comfort food: hearty, satisfying, and made for lingering over the table.

C HE F ’S SE LE CT ION | FOOD + BE VE RAGE

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