Simply Buckhead June 2018

June 2018 ISSUE 55 • FREE

YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA

TALKING WEDDING GOWNS WITH SAY YES TO THE DRESS’ LORI DAVIS

VA-VA-VA ROOM! 5 OF BUCKHEAD’S BEST LIVING SPACES

UPPING YOUR HOME’S IQ PUTTING 3 HEALTHY CLEANSES TO THE TEST

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Dr. ChiChi Berhane is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who possesses a skill set which cannot be duplicated. As the founder of Tailor Made Looks Institute of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Berhane believes that the most important aspect of plastic surgery is developing a relationship with his patients that allows him to understand their aesthetic and reconstructive goals. Those who know Dr. Berhane best describe him as being a perfectionist who is thorough and carries out all tasks with exact precision. He specializes in minimal scarring plastic surgery by using the most advanced techniques and technologies to improve his surgical results. Our mission at Tailor Made Looks is to provide a physical transformation that will propel you towards a healthier body, self-image, and a more enriched life.

He is the director of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at The Shepherd Center. Philanthropy is critical to our mission. He has volunteered for medical missions numerous times with MedShare to South America, Doctors without Borders to Africa, Operation Smile to Asia, and Georgia Surgical Expedition to Southeast Asia to perform Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery on adults and children in underserved areas.

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SIMPLY BUCKHEAD® |

JUNE 2018

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Contents 12 Editor’s Letter [ SIMPLY NOW ]

20 Travel Near:

A North Carolina Charmer

True to its tourism slogan, Charlotte’s “got a lot”

24 Staycation: Old Story, New Chapter The latest renovations at Barnsley Resort offer further reason to escape to northwest Georgia

26 Approved: An Intelligent Abode Handy, high-tech devices that let homeowners control everything from thermostats to garage doors

29 15 Minutes With: Chris M. Groom

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[ SIMPLY STYLISH ]

48 COVER STORY

32 Fashion: Wedding Belles

SPACES WITH STYLE

Say Yes to the Dress’ Lori Davis shares what’s hot in bridal fashion

34 Beauty: Skincare Made to Order

Five of Buckhead’s most eye-popping rooms + HIGH STYLE: 10 rules of design for great interior spaces

We try out the new Apothecary Preparations service from Kiehl’s

38 Tastemaker: Drinks, Italian Style A Sandy Springs stylist raises a glass to cocktails from her favorite country

[ SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ]

40 On Stage: Real Estate By Day,

[ SIMPLY DELICIOUS ]

56 Review: Dinner and a Show Katana Teppanyaki & Sushi surprises with its diverse bites and knife-wielding chefs

58 Drinks: A Summer Day Surprise Presenting five warm-weather scotch cocktails

Acting By Night

Talking gear, the great outdoors and more with the man behind Mountain High Outfitters

Katrina Stroup opens a new theater company with her acting colleagues

30 Kids: The Tours Less Traveled

45 Literary: 20 Years

Five out-of-the-ordinary day trips your kids will flip for

48

of Stylish Gatherings

Tony Conway’s first book showcases his Buckhead company’s over-the-top events

[ SIMPLY HAPPENING ]

67 Events: Places to go and things to do 71

Charitable: A spotlight on philanthropic and social gatherings

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

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Photos: 29, 40, 48, 56; Sara Hanna Photography. 20; charlottesgotalot.com

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YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA

Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven and Sandy Springs JUNE 2018 | ISSUE 55 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 Vice President, Sales & Marketing

Cheryl Isaacs Senior Account Executive

Jeannine Blanco Account Executive

Bill Garst Website Development Management

BHG Digital Director of Audience Development

Tyler Hayes Contributing Writers

Carly Cooper A content strategist by day and lifestyle writer by night, Carly Cooper has a passion for food, fashion and travel. She writes Simply Buckhead’s Simply Delicious Tastemaker column and other features and is a regular contributor to Atlanta magazine. When she’s not at her keyboard, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 2-year-old son at the pool, on the BeltLine and at the city’s best restaurants. Born in Florida, Cooper has lived in Atlanta for the past 12 years, interspersed with visits to destinations across the globe, ranging from Australia and New Zealand to Greece and Croatia.

Karina Antenucci Wendell Brock H.M. Cauley Rebecca Cha Carly Cooper Jessica Dauler Jim Farmer Mickey Goodman Angela Hansberger Amelia Pavlik Lia Picard Sue Rodman Giannina Smith Bedford Karon Warren Chief Photographer

Sara Hanna sarahanna.com Photographers

John Beach Simon Salt Sylvia Small Communications & Marketing Graphic Designer

Layal Akkad Copy Editors

Karina Antenucci H.M. Cauley 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 © 2018 by Simply Buckhead ®. All rights reserved.

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

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

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Scott I. Zucker

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[ BEHIND THE COVER ] It was an appropriately hot day in May when our Chief Photographer Sara Hanna went to Suni and Derek Weilbaecher’s Buckhead home to photograph their pool and pool house for this issue’s cover. Of course, she couldn’t help but want to get the couple’s adorable labradoodle, Charlie, in the shot as well.

(Admittedly, it took cajoling him with a handful of treats to get him to pose on that chair.) For other great spaces in other cool houses, see page 48.

Interested in Advertising?

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

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Chief photographer: Sara Hanna Shot on location at the home of Suni and Derek Weilbaecher

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YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA

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SIMPLY BUCKHEAD® JUNE 2018

[ E DI T OR ’ S L E T T E R ]

A

Photo: The Headshot Truck

s Dorothy famously said in The Wizard of Oz, there’s no place like home—which is why so many of us go to such lengths to make it comfortable, or chic, or cluttered with all of our favorite things, as the case may be.

Of course, the Buckhead area has more than its fair share of breathtaking homes. Just drive down any of its streets and you’ll see everything from cute Craftsmans to regal ranches to cool contemporaries lining the block.

The five rooms in the houses Giannina Smith Bedford reports on in our “Spaces With Style” cover story are standouts among them—not necessarily because they’re crazy big or blinged out with golden fixtures or other over-the-top features. Each of them is certainly gorgeous to look at, it’s true, but what makes them special is that they reflect the varied lifestyles and interests of their owners. And isn’t that what makes a house a home anyway? Turn to page 48 and judge for yourself.

In an accompanying article on page 51, Karina Antenucci picks the brain of noted local interior designer Steve McKenzie for helpful tips on how the rest of us can make our home decor sing. And in our Approved column on page 26, Jessica Dauler reveals some high-tech gadgets for turning your simple abode into a smart home.

For when you’re ready to leave home for a spell, H.M. Cauley reports on the latest enhancements to an Atlanta weekend getaway favorite, the bucolic Barnsley Resort in Adairsville (see page 24). And Wendell Brock writes about castle stays in Spain (page 22).

There’s much more of interest within the issue as well.

So plop down in your favorite chair in your favorite room with your favorite beverage and give us a read.

Jill Becker editor@simplybuckhead.com

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N E W S | L O C A L S A L U T E | T R AV E L | A P P R O V E D | 1 5 M I N U T E S W I T H | K I D S

SIMPLY NOW

TRAVEL NEAR A North Carolina Charmer P20 I found that a weekend wasn't nearly long enough to discover all that Charlotte has to offer.

Charlotte, North Carolina, has options galore for those interested in both indoor and outdoor pursuits.

Photo: charlottesgotalot.com

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead 

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4/18/17 10:44 AM

NEWS BY:

Karon Warren

READY TO RIDE SOULCYCLE OPENS FIRST-EVER STUDIO IN BUCKHEAD

W

ell-known as a fitness favorite with celebrities such as Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, SoulCycle now brings its popular indoor cycling classes to Buckhead in a new location at the Shops Around Lenox. Featuring 56 bikes, the 3,128-square-foot studio offers a variety of classes geared to everyone

from first-time riders to hardcore jocks. “SoulCycle is different from anything out there,” says instructor Olivia Ward. “Our riders [receive] an incredible workout, but we work from the inside out. We get the opportunity with each ride to physically tap into our inner athlete while filling our hearts and souls at the same

time.” The company is known as much for its class leaders’ inspirational and motivational banter as its sweat-inducing and calorie-burning sessions.

With the Buckhead studio, SoulCycle makes its entrance into not only Atlanta, but the entire state of Georgia. Ward says it’s a natural fit for the company. “SoulCycle at its

core is about creating community and working together as a pack,” she says. “I know that in the South these values line up with who we are as people.

It’s truly a perfect match.”

Classes are $20 for firsttime riders and $30 per class for regular riders. Packages of 5, 10, 20 and 30 classes also are available. n

chat pics and videos of your pet so you can feel confident he or she is being well cared for. Owner Robert Fisher adds that its sitters “are required to have extensive pet care experience before being brought onboard.”

third location, this time in Brookhaven. Focused on express offerings such as blowouts, hair extensions and makeup services, the salon provides premium services at affordable prices.

“We enjoy providing some much-deserved ‘me time’ for our clients, and our stylists personalize each of our nine signature hairstyles so each customer has the best blowout experience,” says franchise owner Christian Pillat. First-time clients can receive a blowout for $39.99,

with memberships available starting at $69.99 for two blowouts per month.

Take a spin at SoulCycle’s new Buckhead location, and tap into your inner athlete.

SOULCYCLE 3400 Around Lenox Road Atlanta 30326 470.381.4770 soul-cycle.com

NEWS CLIPS NEW COMPANY ELEVATES PET SITTING IN BUCKHEAD Now available in Buckhead, Tuxedo Pets offers a variety of professional pet-sitting services to Atlanta residents and their best friends. Ranging from drop-in visits for a walk or some playtime to overnights and custom services such as taking your pet to the dog groomer, Tuxedo Pets provides premium options for clients and their furry companions. Its sitters will send you Snap-

Tuxedo Pets 678.551.8664 tuxedopetsatl.com

CHERRY BLOW DRY BAR BLOWS INTO BROOKHAVEN Continuing its expansion into Atlanta, Cherry Blow Dry Bar recently opened its

Cherry Blow Dry Bar 3575 Durden Drive N.E. Brookhaven 30319 770.835.4955 cherryblowdrybar.com

LUNA MAKES MOVE TO NEW POP-UP LOCATION After a stint in the Shops Around Lenox, women’s retailer Luna has made the move to a pop-up location at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta.

The contemporary women’s

ready-to-wear boutique is a favorite with shoppers because of its collection of designer denim, accessories and apparel from brands such as Amanda Uprichard, Parker, Joie and Citizens of Humanity. The Buckhead store joins Luna locations in Charleston, South Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Bethesda, Maryland.

Luna 3035 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.233.5344 shopluna.com

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

LOCAL SALUTE

BY:

Mickey Goodman

Local Dentist Rights a Wrong Helping Teens Find Their Groove Coach Foundation sponsors mentoring program for girls To kick off the Atlanta Step Up program that helps young girls reach their potential, the Coach store at Lenox Square hosted an event for students from underserved area high schools and the professional women who have volunteered as their mentors.

“The Coach Foundation’s $3 million grant over three years allowed the organization to expand into Atlanta,” says Buckhead resident and the Atlanta nonprofit’s executive director Ann McMikel. “We hoped 130 girls would sign up

from Booker T. Washington, South Atlanta and Benjamin Banneker high schools. We were thrilled that 147 joined. We want to empower them to be college-bound, careerfocused and ready to join the next generation.”

According to McMikel, female role models are woefully lacking for teenage girls in the targeted schools, where the graduation rate hovers around 70 percent and only 15 percent are prepared for college. “In contrast, 100 percent of the girls in the Step Up program graduate, and

Left to right: Step Up CEO Jenni Luke with Step Up girls Nayai, Autumn and Bryonna at the recent Lenox Square Coach store event.

nearly 100 percent are college bound,” she says.

“The longer they stay in the program and are exposed to professional women, the greater their chances for success.”

Sharon Green of Buckhead, a consultant at BloomTree Educational Services, volunteered immediately. “As a woman of color in Atlanta, I want to give back to the community by supporting young women in their journeys toward the careers of their choice,” she says. l For more information, visit suwn.org/atlanta.

Giving free dental care to Holocaust survivors The number of Holocaust survivors dwindles each year, but those still living continue to face hardships. One of their major issues is a lack of proper dental care, the result of sustained malnutrition during World War II, little or no treatment due to costs or even a fear of dentists.

To enhance their quality of life, Dr. Michael Friedman of My North Atlanta Dentist in Sandy Springs provides probono services to survivors referred through Jewish Family & Career Services. To date, he’s treated six survivors.

The program was developed by the Alpha Omega-Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program, which expanded to Georgia in 2016.

Friedman, a member of

Valery Kats (right) is one of the Holocaust survivors who received free dental services from Dr. Michael Friedman.

the dental fraternity, was among the first to sign up.

One of his patients, 78year-old Valery Kats, was having difficulty eating due to broken and missing teeth.

“Survivors like Mr. Kats, who was born in the Ukraine, received less than ideal dental care through the years," says Friedman. "Those I’ve treated have needed everything from fillings and implants.”

For Friedman, it’s all about giving back. “The added bonus is that treating survivors has meant a lot to our team,” he says. “Some knew very little about the Holocaust and have taken a personal interest in the patients and their stories.” l For more information, visit mynorthatlantadentist.com.

Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way Buckhead Coalition provides free legal forms When pop star Prince died back in 2016 without an estate plan, the six potential heirs to his reported $200 million fortune were left in legal limbo. “We didn’t want that to happen to anyone over 18 living in Buckhead, and decided to come up with a solution,” says Sam Massell, president of the Buckhead Coalition. “So we’re offering free will forms drawn up by an attorney that are legal in Georgia.”

MBA students at Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business assist in filling out the forms. “All anyone has to do is call the Coalition office and request a free copy,” says Massell.

According to Linda Klein, senior managing shareholder at the Baker Donelson law firm, Prince’s situation is not unusual.

“Fifty-six percent of Americans die intestate [without a will],” she says. “That leaves all the deci-

sions about wealth management, guardianship of children and more up to the state where they live, not family members.”

“Many people procrastinate because they don’t want to think about their demise,” adds Massell. “Others say they’re too young to worry about it or fear it will be too expensive. But regardless of age or circumstances, everyone needs a will.” l For more information, call the Buckhead Coalition at 404.233.2228.

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

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

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LOCAL SALUTE

Remembering

Carey Carter A beloved local hairdresser leaves a legacy of giving

STORY:

Mickey Goodman Above: A Phipps Plaza sign announces the arrival of Carter-Barnes Hair Artisans in 1987.

Below: Carey Carter in his natural habitat waiting for his next customer at Carter-Barnes on Paces.

W

hen Carey Carter, co-owner of the CarterBarnes on Paces hair salon, failed to show up for work Jan. 3, the staff knew something was terribly wrong, because Carter prided himself on never arriving late for a client’s appointment. Equally disturbing, he didn’t answer his cellphone. Fearing the worst, Kyla Edwards, the salon manager; her husband, Mike; and Perri Higbie, one of the three salon co-owners, broke into his house. The police were standing by.

“Carey was unconscious but still breathing, and I held his hand in the ambulance,” says Higbie. “Before lapsing back into a coma, he whispered, ‘How did you know?’”

The diagnosis was grim: An inoperable blood clot had caused

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

a massive stroke. Carter died three weeks later, leaving an enormous hole in the community in which, over the course of his years in Buckhead, he had raised millions of dollars for organizations such as AID Atlanta, UNICEF, Susan G. Komen, Open Hand and the Alzheimer’s Association.

For his philanthropy, Carter received WXIA’s Channel 11 Community Service Award in 2009.

Despite his involvement in other nonprofits, Carter’s heart belonged to the Murphy-Harpst Children’s Centers in Cedartown, a residential treatment facility for abused and neglected kids.

When it was threatened with closure, he hosted fundraisers to ensure long-term solvency and also created an onsite library.

Carter’s path to success was circuitous. As toddlers, he and his half-sister were left at a Florida orphanage by their mother. They lived in a series of foster homes, sometimes together and sometimes apart. At age 16, he got a job at the Greyhound bus station so he could buy a bus ticket to Atlanta to pursue a career in hairdressing. In a stroke of luck, he landed an apprenticeship at Rich’s Hair Salon, where he became known for his creativity and talent. Ten years later, Mitchell Barnes joined Rich’s, and the two were named style directors for all of its stores.

Higbie connected with the pair while she was a sales representative for L’Oréal Paris. “We put on hair shows in the U.S. and Europe showcasing the brand’s products,”

she says. “Over dinner, we planned our dream concept: Carter-Barnes Hair Artisans.”

The dream became a reality in 1987, when Carter, Barnes and Higbie launched the salon in Phipps Plaza. It was an immediate success and garnered loyal followers.

“One faithful client was involved in a carjacking and robbery in the parking lot,” says Higbie. “When the police asked for details, she said, ‘I don’t have time to talk to you right now. I have a hair appointment with Carey Carter. Come back in two hours.’”

When Carter-Barnes moved to a freestanding building in 1996 and changed its name to Carter-Barnes on Paces, clients happily followed.

To celebrate Carter’s life and legacy, more than 400 Atlantans gathered at Flourish in March for a benefit cocktail reception donated

by Tony Conway, the owner of Legendary Events. Saks Fifth Avenue presented a fashion show.

“It was a wonderful event and we raised more than $40,000 for the newly named Carey Carter Therapeutic and Medical Services Center at Murphy-Harpst,” says Higbie. “He would have loved every minute.” n

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TR AV E L NE A R

A North Carolina

Charmer O

n lap five, as I was speeding around the Pomona Raceway at more than 150 miles per hour, my crew chief’s voice came through my headset, warning me of a crash on the turn ahead. I was able to miss the wrecked cars, but I slid in the grass as I tried to avoid the mayhem, and my car spun around several times. No damage was done, but the episode slowed me down considerably, and I ended up finishing the race in eighth place.

I’m too chicken to actually drive that fast or that crazy in real life, but experiencing it in the state-of-theart stock car racing stimulator at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, complete with the sights and sounds and feel of an actual NASCAR event, was a thrill I won’t soon forget. I could have sat there and pretended to drive that Sprint Cup car all day.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame is one of

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

Clockwise from left: Rev your engines during a stay in Charlotte with a drive in a race car simulator at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, the vibrant Uptown scene and endless cups of joe and tasty pastries from Amélie's.

True to its tourism slogan, Charlotte’s "got a lot"

Charlotte, North Carolina’s top attractions. And it’s one that will surprisingly appeal to folks who aren’t particularly big fans of NASCAR or racing in general. There are a ton of cool cars to look at, dating back to the early days of motor transportation and up through modern racers driven by some of the sport’s biggest names, plus all sorts of interactive exhibits that will have you designing your own car, participating in a pit crew challenge and more.

The 150,000-square-foot museum covers four floors, and you can easily spend a couple of hours there.

But there’s plenty else to do in The Queen City, a nickname earned due to the fact Charlotte was named after Queen Charlotte Sophia of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the wife of England’s King George III. For example, you can sip some German-style ales and take a tour of the facility at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery; relive a

civil rights lunch-counter sit-in at the Levine Museum of the New South; fire a tennis ball launcher, touch live sea urchins and perform other hands-on activities at Discovery Place Science; or paddle a raft or kayak down some class III and IV rapids at the U.S. National Whitewater Center.

Charlotte is also an up-and-coming foodie city. Winning critics’ raves are spots such as Haberdish, where homespun eats including fried chicken, local trout, charred okra and housemade pickles can be ordered family-style when there are multiple mouths to feed. One of our favorite restaurants was Amélie’s French Bakery & Café.

It boasts four area locations, but the charming flagship store on Davidson Street is open 24 hours for those with a late-night craving for flaky chocolate croissants, gooey pecan sticky buns and luscious bread pudding. Also open 24/7/365 is the RedEye Diner, a down-

STORY:

Jill Becker

town spot known for its throwback decor and plentiful breakfasts.

Our hotel was the Le Mèridien on South McDowell Street. It’s immediately adjacent to a Sheraton, so you have access to both hotels’ amenities. It offers a nice view of the downtown skyline, and the rooftop bar is the hopping place to be at night.

The Evoke restaurant has an enticing menu that includes barbecue pork rinds, maple-glazed cornbread, charred octopus and filet mignon.

To sum up the trip, I found that a weekend wasn’t nearly long enough to discover all that Charlotte has to offer. So I’ll be back. And I’m determined to get the checkered flag in that racing simulator next time! n

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T R AV E L FA R

Left and below: This parador in Sigüenza is a former castle whose origin dates back to the 12th century.

CASTLES IN SPAIN

Right: One of the plentiful tapas bars in Zaragoza.

The country’s paradores offer an enchanting alternative to conventional hotels

I

n Spain, it’s entirely possible to live in a castle and eat like a king— if you stay in a parador, that is.

That’s exactly what I did on my last visit, after two of my favorite traveling companions noticed the state-owned, luxury-hotel network was offering a steeply discounted five-night pass for any of its accommodations, which are situated in palaces, monasteries, fortresses and other fanciful historic structures in destinations from the Canary Islands to the Alhambra complex. We quickly jumped on the deal, which ended up being about $73 per person per night and included a welcome drink and generous buffet breakfast.

Upon landing in Madrid, we set out for Sigüenza, in central Spain, via rental car. While researching the trip, my friend Cesar, a Valencia native who now lives in Madrid, had told me our property in Sigüenza would fulfill every American’s fantasy of medieval

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

Europe. Sure enough, the parador, housed in an imposing 12th-century castle perched on a hill above the small, picturesque town, was decorated with suits of armor, elaborate tapestries and baroque furniture. It was the ideal spot to start an adventure that allowed us to mosey through the countryside, skirting the major cities to visit paradores in the darling towns of Sos del Rey Católico, León and Ávila.

Along the way, we stayed one night each in commercial hotels, first in Zaragoza (think Roman ruins and tapas bars) and later in Bilbao (for the Guggenheim Museum and Basque food). As we drove toward Bilbao, we stopped for a morning walk in Pamplona, famous for the Running of the Bulls, and, as we circled back to Madrid, at El Escorial, the monumental burial site of Spain’s monarchs.

If after a day of sightseeing we were too tired to find a restaurant, we ate at our parador. The cooking

Above and right: In León, what was once a Renaissance-era convent is now a lovely parador complete with a museum and pretty garden maze.

STORY & PHOTOS:

was rustic, plentiful and consistently excellent, with beautiful salads and charcuterie platters, decadent lamb shanks with gravy and potatoes, and plenty of vino. We became so smitten with the wines made by Bodegas Fariña that we arranged a tour of the winery in Zamora as we traveled between León and Ávila.

In the walled medieval town of Sos, where King Ferdinand II was born in 1452, our parador sat dramatically on a peak affording lovely vistas of the Pyrenees. The quiet hamlet was intimately scaled and good for walking.

By far the most impressive parador we visited was in León. The sprawling Renaissance structure that once housed a convent today contains a church and a museum. In fact, the experience was like staying inside a museum. Our room looked out over an ornate boxwood maze, and we loved sipping rosé in the garden. In the afternoon, we toured the opulent

Wendell Brock baroque cathedral at the center of town, and at night, strolled in and out of tapas bars, where the servers draped our wineglasses with thin slices of buttery local ham.

Our last parador experience before returning to Madrid to go our separate ways was in Ávila, an ancient city of churches and steeples that is completely encircled by a Gothic wall begun in 1090. Our sleek and elegant lodging was in a refurbished stone palace. After scaling a foreboding wall to get a bird’s-eye view of the town, we found it a welcome retreat from the heat of the day, a reminder that in Spain, anyone can reside in majestic splendor, if only for a brief interlude. n

DETAILS For more information on Spain’s paradores, visit paradores-spain.com.

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Located on Peachtree Road adjacent to Oglethorpe University June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

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S TAYC AT I O N

Left: Fire pits dot the property as inviting gathering spots year-round.

Above: The ruins of the Barnsley mansion are flanked by meticulously tended gardens.

Above and below: The spacious guestrooms at Barnsley's new inn feature upscale amenities and glam baths.

OLD STORY, NEW CHAPTER The latest renovations at Barnsley Resort offer further reason to STORY: H.M. Cauley escape to northwest Georgia

I

t started with a romantic but tragic love story that predates the Civil War. Godfrey Barnsley’s dream was to build a country estate for his sickly wife who needed to escape Savannah’s swampy air. Though she died in 1845 without seeing its completion, Barnsley made it his life’s work to build a manor house surrounded by lavish gardens as an homage to his beloved.

In the 1860s, the red-brick Italianate structure survived General Sherman’s invading army, only to fall victim to tornadoes and abandonment. Today, all that remains of the original structure is a roofless framework, surrounded by lush landscaping and a restored kitchen house that holds Barnsley family memorabilia.

The tale of ill-fated love provides an unusual backstory for the 3,000-acre estate now known as Barnsley Resort, where visitors can not only tour the ruins, but also arrange to have an intimate dinner or group celebration amid them. But since the resort was born in 1999, the strongest draws to

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

the Adairsville destination, located a short hour’s drive northwest of Buckhead, have been the Jim Faziodesigned golf course, full-service spa, lakes and overall bucolic setting that exudes quaintness thanks to the Victorian-inspired cottages housing 90 guestrooms and suites, all with hardwood floors, fireplaces, private porches and glamorous baths.

In the last few months, Barnsley has completed a number of projects that further enhance an overnight or long weekend stay. To start, there’s a new 55-room inn. Built to match the English influences of the property, its spacious double and queen guestrooms are laid out with foyers, sitting areas, exposed beams, dormer windows and sloped ceilings. The upscale baths have oversized showers with both hand-held and rainshower options. Two suites boast living rooms, dining rooms, butler’s kitchens and terraces overlooking the property. The inn’s lobby and public rooms are decorated with over-

stuffed couches and club chairs that invite guests to linger near the fireplace or enjoy the afternoon breezes wafting in across the porches.

A new spa experience is also in store. The facility has been thoroughly refurbished and now features an outdoor hot tub that guests can enjoy late into the evening. After a relaxing soak, pull up an Adirondack chair beside one of the many fire pits dotting the estate. S’mores ingredients are readily available from the inn’s lobby, providing friends and families another way to unwind together after a day of horseback riding, canoeing, hiking, fly-fishing, clay shooting or leisurely biking. And for anyone looking to host a family reunion, wedding or other celebration, the new 9,000-squarefoot Georgian Hall has room enough to entertain several crowds at once.

While Barnsley Resort offers plenty of amusement within a short stroll of each guestroom, the local area holds its own attractions. Within a 30-minute drive is the Tellus Sci-

ence Museum, Booth Western Art Museum and historic Etowah Indian Mounds. But there’s no need to leave the grounds for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The rustic Woodlands Grill, overlooking a lake and putting green, serves all three meals in the dining room and on the screened porch.

The bar area, with big TVs and a billiards table, doubles as the 19th hole, as well as the pre- and post-dinner spot for a cocktail. On weekends, dinner is served in the Rice House, a restored 1800s farmhouse that was moved onto the property. The menu is hyperlocal, featuring seasonal produce grown or found on the grounds (think wild mushrooms) or sourced from nearby farms.

Fewer than 60 miles up Interstate 75, Barnsley Resort continues to offer an enchanting BARNSLEY RESORT escape into the country— 770.773.7480 as well as barnsleyresort.com the past. n

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead 

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AP P ROV E D Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 4-Bulb Starter Kit ($200) A smart bulb is one of the easiest ways to experiment with home automation. Just screw the bulb into any existing light socket, connect it to your Wi-Fi and access control via the app. It’s easy to make over a room and change the ambience to any of the multitude of color choices. Brighten or dim the lights for a party, or add security while you’re away from home.

It also works with Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple HomeKit. Bed Bath & Beyond 1 Buckhead Loop N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.869.0457 bedbathandbeyond.com

AN INTELLIGENT

ABODE STORY:

Jessica Dauler

PHOTOS: Sara

Hanna

Smart-home technology is front and center these days, with a range of devices and price points to make any house the smartest in the neighborhood. These handy, high-tech devices allow homeowners to control everything from lighting to thermostats to garage doors, all by remoted gadget or voice command.

Chamberlain MyQ Smart Garage Hub ($99) This smart garage door opener connects directly to your home's Wi-Fi network and can be controlled from anywhere in the world using a smartphone or tablet. Program the opener to set alerts and be notified when the door has been opened, closed or remains open by accident. The device allows for reliable remote entrance for friends, family or deliveries.

Photo: Courtesy Amazon

Amazon Echo Dot ($35)

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Alexa is Echo’s virtual assistant, developed by Amazon, to control your smart home devices. You will initially need the Echo speaker to power Alexa, but Alexa also works directly with a number of smart home products. Using nothing but your voice, you can play music, search the web, shop online, make travel arrangements, order an Uber, get weather reports, set alarms and so much more.

Target 3535 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.237.9494 target.com

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

The Home Depot 2525 Piedmont Road N.E. Atlanta 30324 404.841.5608 homedepot.com

Ecobee4 Wi-Fi Thermostat ($249) A smart thermostat allows outof-home access to your heating and cooling, daily scheduling and room sensors to help manage hot or cold spots. Placing the clever remote sensors in favorite areas allows Ecobee4 to read the temperature and detect occupancy to ensure rooms are properly cooled or heated. This version comes with built-in Alexa technology.

Best Buy 2537 Piedmont Road N.E. Atlanta 30324 404.842.0938 bestbuy.com

Ring Video Doorbell ($99) The easy-to-install and very popular Ring doorbell allows users to check on their property and see, hear and speak to anyone at the door from a smartphone, tablet or PC. The innovative design blends in discreetly to your home or office, and built-in motion sensors alert users to visitors, deliveries and on-demand live viewing.

Office Depot 2625 Piedmont Road N.E. Atlanta 30324 404.467.7554 officedepot.com

Welcome Dr. Diana Denman Perimeter North Medical Associates is now offering services in endocrinology for the Greater Atlanta and North Fulton communities. Dr. Diana Denman is a fellowship-trained endocrinologist and board-certified physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and management of disorders of the glands and hormones in adult patients. She serves with the same excellent, attentive care you are accustomed to, treating each patient with compassion and empathy. She accepts most insurance plans and is welcoming new patients in our Atlanta and Alpharetta locations.

We offer a full range of services for: • • •

Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes Thyroid Nodules

• • •

Parathyroid Disease Adrenal & Pituitary Gland Disease Osteoporosis

•

Thyroid Cancer

•

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Call 770-395-1130 for an appointment PNFM.com 28

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

Diana Denman, M.D. Endocrinology Locations: Atlanta Office: 960 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30342 Alpharetta Office: 3400-A Old Milton Parkway, Suite 130 Alpharetta, GA 30005

15 MINUTES WITH

CHRIS M. GROOM STORY:

Jill Becker PHOTO: Sara Hanna

C

hris M. Groom is a rugged-looking guy, with a fit physique, healthy tan and that general air of someone who spends a decent amount of time outdoors. It’s not surprising then to learn that Groom is the founder and CEO of Mountain High Outfitters, an “active lifestyle" store with 13 locations in three states, including a 6,600-square-foot outpost on West Paces Ferry that stocks everything from backpacks to Birkenstocks. After graduating from the University of Alabama, Groom moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and took a job at the Jack Dennis Outdoor Shop. His experience out west inspired his love for spending time in nature, and after a stint there and a foray in the smoothie business, he was presented with an opportunity to buy an outdoor store that was going out of business in Birmingham, Alabama, which became the first Mountain High Outfitters. Groom moved to Buckhead in 2011 when he opened his first store here, and continues to expand the brand in Atlanta and beyond.

You just debuted your 13th store in Nashville. How have things changed at Mountain High since you opened the first location back in 2001?

It’s become less technical and more of an everyday lifestyle experience. We cater to anyone doing extreme pursuits, but it’s also about people going tailgating, hiking, biking or doing yoga. It’s athleisure.

water Creek or on the East Palisades Trail along the river.

Trail running is a little more technical than running on pavement. And it’s amazing because you’re in the woods.

What’s your best-seller?

Patagonia apparel.

Music you listen to when doing something active: Pearl Jam.

What’s your favorite thing in the store?

A brand of footwear called On. It’s a Swiss brand. I like it for its comfort and aesthetics.

I’m wearing On shoes right now.

What’s your favorite outdoor activity and where do you do it?

I go paddleboarding a lot in Stone Mountain Park.

Any other favorites?

Trail running. I go to White-

Describe a typical weekend.

I work a lot, but fitness is a big part of my life, too. So I do something active every day, either running, riding, paddling or going to the gym.

Name the most extreme sport you’ve ever done.

I used to do those threeand five-day multisport adventure races.

Personal motto: Be active.

Every day I …

Incorporate a positive message in my day. I read different quotes that keep me inspired to be a better human being. Oh, and drink coffee.

I’m a sucker for …

Sunsets.

I unwind with …

A glass of wine.

Preferably cabernet.

Favorite book: The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment,

by Eckhart Tolle.

Item on your bucket list: Learn to fly to a plane. I travel between my stores a lot and would like to own my own plane someday to get me around.

Favorite outdoor destination: Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

It has the Tetons and the Snake River. The landscape is breathtaking.

Name your dream paddleboard destination: Bali. Or the Maldives. n MOUNTAIN HIGH OUTFITTERS mountainhighoutfitters.com

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

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K ID S

Above: The man who created Sleepy Hollow's fanciful fairy houses is a former Disney Imagineer.

Below: Explore the legend of Sasquatch at Expedition: Bigfoot!

Above: Head south to Milledgeville for a day of fun paddling on the Oconee River.

Right: Sample fresh chocolate milk and more at the Rock House Creamery working dairy farm.

The Tours Less Traveled

STORY:

Sue Rodman

FIVE OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY DAY TRIPS YOUR KIDS WILL FLIP FOR

W

hen lazy summer days at the pool start to get a little old, it’s time to plan a fun day trip with the kids. There’s no shortage of museums and attractions in Atlanta, but why not break out of the norm and plan something a little offbeat? Here are five unique Georgia adventures, all within two hours of Buckhead.

Explore a fairy garden.

There are playhouses, and then there are the lifesize fairy cottages hand built by Art Millican Jr. and showcased at his 2,500-square-foot studio, Sleepy Hollow, in Blairsville. Millican is a former Disney Imagineer and model-maker, and that whimsical, artistic background shows through in his work. In addition to the full-size cottages you can play in, Millican also makes birdhouses and fairy doors you can purchase at the store adjacent to his workshop.

Search for Bigfoot.

Are you a believer? After visiting

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Expedition: Bigfoot! near Ellijay, you just might be. This quirky, well-done museum combines movies, audio stories and displays to tell the tale of Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, the hairy, upright-walking ape that legend has it terrorizes the wilderness. But don’t worry, the museum is more fun than scary. There’s even a plaster cast of Bigfoot’s bottom.

Tour a farm.

Show the kids where their food comes from with a farm tour. Rock House Creamery near Madison has been a working dairy since 1940.

In addition to touring the creamery to see how milk is processed and cheese is made, youngsters can meet the cows and visit the vegetable gardens. Top off the experience with samples of freshly made milk and cheeses such as cheddar and tomme.

The kids will love hearing how the cheese curds squeak when they bite them, and also making mustaches with the premium chocolate milk.

Bask on the beach.

Atlanta may be a landlocked city, but Robin Lake Beach at Callaway Resort & Gardens is only an hour from Buckhead and has enough activities to keep the kids busy all day long. The little ones may be happy building sandcastles on the shoreline, but the older kids will likely crave the challenge of Aqua Island, an inflatable obstacle course in the middle of the lake.

There’s also waterskiing, tubing and lots of beachside activities, including giant chess and checkers, mini-golf, table tennis and shuffleboard, that are fun for kids of all ages.

Paddle the river.

Get everyone outside to experience nature by way of kayak or canoe.

Mac’s Yaks Kayak Rental in Milledgeville can set you up for a day on the water. The Oconee River runs near town, and because its shoreline remains largely undeveloped, you’re likely to see native

plants, animals and birds. For those who prefer dry land, the Oconee River Greenway Park has trails along the river made for walking, biking or pushing strollers.

Plan to stop at the observation deck at Fishing Creek, the Greenway’s southern boundary, to see the remnants of a bygone island. n DETAILS Callaway Resort & Gardens 844.512.3826 callawaygardens.com Expedition: Bigfoot!

706.946.2601 expeditionbigfoot.mdom.mobi Mac’s Yaks Kayak Rental 478.454.8348 macsyaks.com Rock House Creamery 678.729.1459 rockhousecreamery.com Sleepy Hollow 706.379.9622 whimsicalfairygarden.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

FASHION Wedding Belles P32 “Listen to your heart. You will know when you have the wedding gown of your dreams.” –Lori Davis

Lori Davis of Bridals by Lori is showing brides the way to their dream dresses in season 10 of Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta this summer.

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

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FA S H I ON

WEDDING BELLES SAY YES TO THE DRESS’ LORI DAVIS SHARES WHAT’S HOT IN BRIDAL FASHION

I

f Lori Davis, who owns Bridals by Lori in Sandy Springs, has one piece of advice for brides on choosing their wedding dresses, it would be: “Listen to your heart. You will know when you have the gown of your dreams.” The Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta star (the TLC show’s episodes are filmed at her salon) has been in the bridal business for 38 years and says she’s watched this strange “connection” between brides and their dream dresses happen over and over again. “You cannot force this to happen. Once it does, order the dress,” she advises. Here, the wedding style maven, set to appear in season 10 of the show sometime this summer, weighs in on the top trends for brides this year.

SHOULDER ACTION Brides are giving the cold shoulder to strapless dresses in favor of sleeves this year. “We’re seeing less and less strapless, which I’m thankful for. I’m tired of it,” says Davis.

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HOW LOW CAN YOU GO? V-neck silhouettes also are replacing strapless dresses—though Vs aren’t about covering up.

“Designers are showing very low fronts and backs, sometimes all the way down to the waist. But we’re in the South, and moms and brides often ask us to raise that deep V a bit [at their fitting],” notes Davis.

STORY:

Karina Antenucci

Rivini did black dresses. Lazaro did a red dress. I bought all of them,” notes Davis. While there are certainly brides who crave those bold hues, a subtler blush is still the most popular color. “We have a ton of blush dresses. Blush underneath an ivory lace overlay is beautiful,” says Davis.

READY FOR THE BALL LACE IT UP Lace has always been a wedding dress staple. This year, bridal fashion designers are opting for a softer look, such as Chantilly lace, rather than the heavier, thicker Alençon lace that’s been popular for a while.

“These laces are lighter and softer,” Davis explains. “Designers are doing a lot of flower patterns and embroideries, such as daylilies.”

IN LIVING COLOR Colorful wedding dresses has been a trend for a few years, with no signs of slowing down. “This year,

The quintessential wedding gown look is making a comeback. Ball gowns with a big, full skirt are hotto-trot down the aisle for 2018. “It’s a look you can’t wear again. When people think of a wedding gown, they think of that,” says Davis.

LESS IS MORE Gone are the days of the large-andin-charge chandelier earrings that grazed the shoulder. Davis notes that earrings are getting smaller. Also out are necklaces. Many of today’s dresses have such beautiful, ornate fronts, they don’t need accessorizing.

TECH INFLUENCE While online shopping has exploded, buying wedding fashions may be the one niche where purchasing over the Internet isn’t as popular. “This is touching and feeling, looking at the color. It’s too important to do online,” Davis says of the tactile shopping experience. That said, brides are using technology to bring remote family and friends into the picture. Bridals

by Lori was the first bridal boutique to feature webcams on its website.

“Girls Facetime now,” says Davis, “but if you have a mom in Tokyo, as we just had, and Dad is in Denver and Grandma wants to be a part of it, we can give you a passcode so that they can see you trying on your dress.”

As for what Davis herself would choose if she were getting married this year, she says, “Something classic. I wouldn’t follow BRIDALS

BY LORI trends. A simple, great fabric and bridalsbylori.com fantastic fit.” n

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

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B E AU TY

Skincare Made to Order WE TRY OUT THE NEW APOTHECARY PREPARATIONS SERVICE FROM KIEHL’S STORY:

Karina Antenucci

B

eauty brands come and go, but the staying power of Kiehl’s can perhaps be attributed to staying true to its roots. Originally opened as a single pharmacy in New York City in 1851, it evolved into a skincare company in the 1950s, but it never lost its apothecary swagger.

When I walked into Kiehl’s at Lenox Square to experience its new service, an Apothecary Preparations consultation, I immediately noticed several striking details that paid homage to the company’s beginnings. All sales personnel wore white lab coats, just like their pharmacist predecessors. On one side of the store hung a skeleton.

“Mr. Bones,” who now appears in every Kiehl’s location, was used in the original apothecary to help immigrants who spoke little English identify what ailed them. On the other side of the store was another oddity—a motor-

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

cycle. Apparently, the founding family had an extensive collection of HarleyDavidsons, and starting in the 1950s, they liked to keep one in-store to add interest for men who were waiting on their cosmetics-shopping wives.

Additionally, the funky beauty boutique features glass Erlenmeyer flasks, beakers and vials that are filled with dried herbs and flowers reminiscent of the ingredients you might find in its products.

After educating me about the brand’s history, store manager Arthur Morrell began a 20-minute personalized skincare consultation. First, he held a “skincare tab” to my cheek and forehead to rate my skin type from oily to dry. It showed that I had mostly normal skin with some dryness. Then, Morrell used a “dehydration analyzer” wand that emitted a painless electric current into my cheek to test for moisture levels.

My diagnosis: dehydrated. Next, I filled out a brief questionnaire about

my skincare concerns, my top two being redness and clarity.

Armed with this information, Morrell selected the Brightening Complex, made up of vitamin C and scotch pine extract, to lighten my freckles and uneven skin tone, and the Redness Complex, with sunflower seed oil extract and vitamin E that reduce redness and dryness, to create my own custom serum.

He then showed me how, when I got home, both of these pharmaceuticalmeets-herbal complexes were to be mixed into the Skin Strengthening Concentrate, a base made up primarily of squalene, a light oil derived from olives.

And that’s part of the apothecary fun. Kiehl’s sends you away with a printout of your skin evaluation and instructions on how to mix and apply your personalized facial concentrate (cost: $95). Morrell advised me that the formula activates the second it’s blended together and should be

used immediately thereafter because the highly active and natural ingredients lose their potency after about three months.

That evening, I “activated” and sampled the product. As recommended, I applied it following cleansing, toning and eye cream application, and prior to moisturizing. I put just two tiny drops into the palms of my hands, rubbed them together and pressed the serum into my face and neck. It felt light and smooth, due to the base oil’s small, refined molecules, and my skin drank it in.

As for its results, only time will tell.

With the confidence that comes after 167 years, Kiehl’s will be waiting to re-up my unique “prescription.” n KIEHL’S 3393 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.816.7636 kiehls.com

BUCKHEAD: 3174 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30305 | 404-841-2456 MIDTOWN: 950 W. Peachtree St NW, 260 - Atlanta 30309 | 404-554-8060 DRUID HILLS: 2566 Briarcliff Rd NE, Brookhaven, GA 30329 | 678-515-8880

Demetrious Williams

W E LLN ESS

Raftermen

Considering a cleanse? Sama’s includes filling kitchari, Cafe West Express’ features several soup options and Dtox Juice’s boasts delicious Brazil nut milk and other bottled liquids.

DIET DETOX 3 CLEANSE OPTIONS FOR HITTING YOUR EATING RESET BUTTON

F

rom boozy patio brunches to burger-laden barbecues, summer brings a slew of unhealthy temptations that leave many of us needing to hit “reset” on our eating habits. There’s a lot of talk out there about how cleanses can jumpstart that process. So I recently decided to dip my toe in the dietary detox pond. I tried three of the alcoholand caffeine-free options that Buckhead businesses are serving up. (FYI, I did each cleanse for just a day to get a taste of what it entailed versus doing the recommended length.) Here are the results.

Clean Eating Challenge Cafe West Express The basics: For cleanse newbies, a day on this challenge begins with a glutenfree starter of Life Porridge or Detox Green Juice, followed by four soups of your choice, including carrot ginger turmeric and hormone- and antibioticfree chicken soup.

The benefits: “This is a nutritious first step for those who aren’t ready to give up animal proteins, and want to eat a diet richer in vegetables, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories,” says Tammy Stokes, the cafe’s owner.

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STORY:

Amelia Pavlik

What I liked: The soups are filling, and I didn’t have to give up meat for the day.

The nittyCafe West Express gritty: Four 3792 Roswell Road days at $39.50 Atlanta 30342 to $41.50 404.800.5379 per day. cafewestexpress.com

ensuring I could make it through my evening workout.

The Sama nitty-gritty: 56 East Andrews Drive Three days Atlanta 30305 at $55 404.500.3550 per day. samafoodforbalance.com

Kitchari Cleanse Sama

The basics: Another beginner option, a day on this cleanse starts with a bottle of Dtox H2O (lemon, cayenne pepper and alkaline water), followed by two juices and Brazil nut milk. You enjoy a meal of your choice—50 percent raw, all vegetarian and free of meat, sugar and dairy—at either lunch or dinner.

The benefits: “This option floods your body with micronutrients and rids it of toxins, and the length makes it very versatile,” says Kyleigh O’Leary, a holistic health coach who works with Dtox.

What I liked: The Brazil nut milk is delicious and filling, and I was a fan of having a real meal—a salad with avocado and olives— Dtox Juice for dinner.

3850 Roswell Road The nitty-gritty: Atlanta 30342 One to five days 404.812.0819 at $34 per day. n dtoxjuice.com

The basics: The day begins with hot tea, followed by two different juices (combinations such as dandelion and green apple, and coconut water and activated charcoal), and then kitchari, a dish made of split mung beans, brown basmati rice and vegetables. The afternoon’s menu starts with another tea, followed by two additional juices, kitchari, a final juice and tea.

The benefits: “The legume used in the kitchari is the most easily digested, ensuring that energy is used for detoxing rather than digesting, which is the same idea behind taking the fiber out of the juice,” says Sama founder and CEO Shannon Salter Sliger.

What I liked: The variety of the menu is good, and the kitchari filled my belly,

Dtox ’Til Dinner Dtox Juice

3 PRE-CLEANSE PIECES OF ADVICE Before you commit to a cleanse, Julie Taube, a registered dietitian and the owner of Nutrition Ventures in Buckhead, wants you to know the following:

1. A cleanse can help you clean up your eating habits quickly.

“Cleanses can provide positive short-term gains such as increased vegetable and fruit consumption and decreased sugar and processed food intake,” says Taube.

2. Choose a cleanse you can stick to. “If intense strength and endurance workouts are part of your routine,” explains Taube, “a juice cleanse might be unrealistic and unhealthy for you. Instead, you might need a plan that offers a better balance of carbohydrate, protein and fat. Pick an option that doesn’t set you up for failure on the first day.”

3. You should have an exit strategy. “Know ahead of time how you’ll change your daily meals and eating habits,” she adds. “Without this plan, transitioning back to real life and the habits that motivated you to cleanse initially can reverse any gains made by your efforts.”

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead 

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TA S T E MA K E R

S

ummer is the perfect time of year to host a patio or porch drinks party. And this year, whether it’s a neighborhood gathering or an intimate dinner for two, Annette Joseph has the secrets to putting an Italian spin on the soiree in her new book, Cocktail Italiano.

The Sandy Springs resident built a reputation as a hospitality and styling expert with her first book Picture Perfect Parties, a primer on how to organize and host holiday get-togethers, dinners, barbecues, brunches and drinks. In the four years since then, Joseph turned her attention to infusing those events with the spirit of Italy, a country she’s adored since her visit as a teenager.

“My grandparents are from Hungary, and I spent every summer with them and went to Italy a lot, since I was 13,” she recalls.

“My husband and I traveled there our whole lives and took our kids when they were little. We lived in Alassio, a Riviera beach town, for about 12 years, and my son learned to speak Italian by playing with kids on the beach.”

Through years of visiting, Joseph became intimately familiar with the rituals of Italian life and grew particularly fond of aperitivo, the art of having drinks and small bites in that window between the workday’s end and a formal dinner. “We enjoyed aperitivo almost every night, and that’s what inspired me to write a travelogue and recipe book,” says Joseph.

The book also gives Joseph a chance to champion her bestloved Italian clubs, beachside bars and restaurants. “I picked 11 of my favorite towns and wrote about where you can meet your friends and family and have a cocktail or two along the Italian Riviera,” she says. “It’s also a peek into that lifestyle, with tips on how to re-create it here in the States.”

Five years ago, Joseph began teaching those tips, along with workshops on cooking, paint-

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

Drinks, Italian Style

STORY:

H.M. Cauley

A Sandy Springs stylist raises a glass to cocktails from her favorite country ing, photography and styling, that keep her in Italy for half the year. “We’ve done them on the Riviera for a couple of years, but we’re renovating a 12th-century fortress in Fivizzano, a small village in northern Tuscany, in the mountains, but close to the seaside,” she says. “This summer, we’ll open a workshop retreat and styling school there where we have a vineyard.”

Despite growing grapes, Jo-

seph admits to loving cocktails and wine equally. “We drink a lot of wine over the summer, and it’s perfectly okay to order wine at aperitivo,” she says. “But my favorite cocktail is a Negroni. I also drink Campari straight up, iced, with a wedge of orange.”

While splitting her time between two countries, Joseph is working on her third book, an autobiography that recounts the travails of buying, selling and

renovating houses in Italy.

“People are always asking if we’re going to move there,” she says. “But I love it here.

Our children are in Hilton Head and Texas, and we like seeing them.” Even so, Joseph admits her next book is an homage to her adopted country. The title?

Italy Is My Boyfriend. n l For more information, visit annettejosephstyle.com.

ON S TAG E

| LITERARY

| TA S T E M A K E R

SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ON STAGE

Real Estate By Day, Acting By Night P40

“I knew that this would be my stage family for a long time.”

Katrina Stroup has found a way to return to performing, courtesy of the new Marietta Theatre Company.

Photo: Sara Hanna Photography

—Katrina Stroup

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

39

O N S TAGE

REAL ESTATE

BY DAY, STORY:

Jim Farmer

PHOTO: Sara

Hanna

ACTING

BY NIGHT

Katrina Stroup opens a new theater company with her acting colleagues

W

hen she was on stage as a young child, Katrina Stroup realized she had aspirations to perform for the rest of her life. Singing in her church choir and getting cast at age 5 in a production of The Adventures of Peter Cottontail led to other roles, as well as some commercials.

Stroup now works full-time in a different

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

field, but has been able to find a way to get back to her acting roots with the new Marietta Theatre Company.

After growing up in Houston and attending Texas Christian University in Fort Worth (where she studied finance with a concentration in real estate), Stroup took a marketing position at Pulte

Homes. In 2004, she moved to Japan for a government program, working with kids to educate them about American culture.

Once back in the U.S., she decided to leave the Lone Star State and move to Atlanta to start a new career path.

For the last four years, Stroup has worked at Beazer Homes, where she serves as the vice president of business development. Slowly and steadily, though, she has returned to acting, first with a variety/burlesque show at Laughing Skull Lounge and later with full-time productions, leading to a Metropolitan Atlanta Theater Award nomination back in 2014 for her role as Pickles in a production of The Great American Trailer Park Musical at the Cherokee Theatre Company.

Stroup met fellow actress Gina Ann Riggs while performing in that show, and the two hit it off. Before long, the two also became close friends with actors Blaine Clotfelter and Jeff Cooper and began producing shows together.

“I knew that this would be my stage family for a long time,” says Stroup.

Enjoying their collaboration, the group opened the Marietta Theatre Company in 2017, with Zac Phelps as artistic director, and began producing shows last fall with the musical Forever Plaid. The five-show season concluded this summer with [title of show] (yes, that’s the actual name of the production). The actress calls being part of the troupe a dream of hers.

Although it’s been a lot of fun, it’s also been a challenge, says Stroup. One of the biggest tasks has been finding funding to produce their shows. “I had no idea what it would cost to present an entire season,” she says. Yet she has slowly learned the ropes of going after grants and finding donors and has been encouraged by sold-out houses during the company’s inaugural season.

Stroup commutes to the theater from her home in Buckhead, and claims she wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. She laughs, though, about how her relocation was supposed to be temporary. “I thought I would be here for two or three years for career opportunities and to experience something different, but I fell in love,” says Stroup. “I’ve been here 10 years, working in new home building and in the entertainment industry pursuing my lifelong passion of theater. It’s MARIETTA THEATRE COMPANY been amazing.

It’s become mariettatheatre.com home.” n

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20

YEARS OF STYLISH GATHERINGS Tony Conway’s first book showcases his Buckhead company’s over-the-top events

T

here are two things you need to know about event maestro Tony Conway, owner of Buckhead-based Legendary Events.

First, he gets bored easily. “I’m in this business because I can do an event, be done, then go on to the next one,” he says. “It’s why I have such a passion for it. I don’t get bored.”

He’s also an avid collector of both quotes and coffee table books, because neither are boring. “I love quotes,” he says. “They give a message or inspiration quickly. And I have about 3,000 books with photographs and a little text where I get my inspiration for fashion, art and food.”

So when people began pestering Conway about a fitting way to mark his 20th anniversary as Atlanta’s go-to event guy, the idea of a book crammed with spectacular photos and inspirational quotes seemed like a great idea. He assembled a team to wade through the more than 200,000 photos he’s amassed over the years and to design a print work of art worthy of any coffee table.

“I did tell them that if [the project] went on too long, I’d get bored and cancel the whole thing,” says Conway.

Fortunately, the team, led by Mysty McLelland and Laurie Shook, kept his attention for almost seven months as they sorted through images and tracked down photographers’ names.

“It was daunting and time consuming, but they were great memories to look at,” says Conway. “In fact, we had fewer photos than I thought, since we usually don’t have time to take pictures before we have to get out of the way and let the event begin.”

The finished reflection is Tony Conway / Legendary Events, set to be released this month. Its 252 pages are an exquisite collection of settings and smiles captured at events over the course of the company’s career.

Two of Conway’s favorite images feature him with Atlanta’s Tyler Perry (who also wrote the forward), as the star roars with laughter, and another with cake queen Sylvia Weinstock.

“I loved the photo of myself with Sylvia,” says Conway. “It reminded

STORY:

H.M. Cauley

me of the hundreds of parties we’ve done around the world where she’d fly in and we’d make cakes together.

And that one of Mr. Perry laughing like crazy, that’s not necessarily an event, but I love it.”

The book is divided into three sections that showcase style, taste and service. “Those are the things we sell in our company, so we wanted photographs of beautiful parties,” says Conway. “Once we had that, we wanted photos of the beautiful culinary works our chefs have done over the years. The third part is about the village that produces all that—our company. More than anything, this book is a thank you to them.”

So don’t flip to the back for an index of favorite recipes or entertaining tips. “People have asked, ‘Why didn’t

you do a cookbook?,’” says Conway.

“That’s another thing I collect; I read cookbooks like novels. But I wanted this to be about the events and to be a thank you to everyone who’s been a part of all those years.” n

TONY CONWAY / LEGENDARY EVENTS is available from amazon.com.

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

45

TA S T E MA KE R

Daniel Riggs

Buckhead’s

Puppet Master

STORY:

H.M. Cauley

Nancy Riggs pulls the strings of an educational nonprofit built on the puppetry arts

F

or 20 years, Nancy Riggs has had a tight grip on her arts nonprofit. Literally.

The North Buckhead resident has devoted her talents as an actress and storyteller to animating educational hand and shadow puppets. As the director of the touring The Piccadilly Puppets Company, she comes up with characters and tales to take to schools and festivals. It’s a gig she fell into after answering an ad for the Center for Puppetry Arts in Midtown.

“I was an actress and had studied acting in college, but I was used to doing all sorts of things,” she recalls.

“Then I heard the center needed puppeteers to go out on the road.

They asked if I had any experience, and I said no, so they let me meet with the director, who taught me the basics before the audition. In the end, I made them laugh and got hired.”

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

In 1997, after two years honing her skills with the center, Riggs became the third member of the Piccadilly team, which she took over in 2011 as the only employee. Now, she’s responsible for the entire show, from concept to presentation, and all the administrative details that go with it.

“Most of the shows are oneperson, but if I need someone else, I find out who’s available,” she explains. “But I know all of the shows.

Once it’s in the repertoire, I keep it.

Some have been around more than 20 years, and I’ll often update a line here or there to keep them fresh.”

Of the 180 shows she puts on each year, the most popular is one about the lifecycle of a butterfly that Riggs also presents in Spanish for bilingual audiences. Whatever the story, it ties into the schools’ curriculums, from science to literature.

“The holiday shows are the only exception, but even The Night Before Christmas has literary ties to the famous poem,” says Riggs. “I’ve found that if they’re working on something like the water cycle, it’s more fun when done with puppets. I also have a couple of Bible stories and some folk tales.”

Riggs has even found a way to work her hobby into a show. “My father was a founder of the Atlanta Figure Skating Club, and when I was a child, my whole family skated,” she says. “I got back into it about 13 years ago, and I still go to Alpharetta to train twice a week. So when I had the chance, I had an ice skater in a holiday show.”

Along with schools, Riggs and her puppets most frequently pop up at libraries, preschools, churches and festivals, where her audience is usually children ages 2 to 10.

“Children respond to puppets because they’re very relatable,” says Riggs. “Kids in the upper ages often come in thinking, ‘This isn’t for me.’ But once you get them laughing, they realize it is.

There’s a misconception that puppets are just for small children.”

Neither is it a fading art form. “Is puppetry dying? That conversation happens all the time in puppetry circles,” says Riggs. “Here in Atlanta, it’s thriving. The Center for Puppetry Arts is a hub that has spawned a number of puppeteers and raised awareness in the community of how creative puppetry can be. Some puppeteers I’ve worked with have gone into film and special effects.

One worked on Stranger Things.

Then something like The Lion King will come along and expand people’s idea of what puppetry can do. It’s such a creative form, THE PICCADILLY PUPPETS COMPANY that it just reinvents piccadillypuppets.org itself.” n

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

Spaces With Style FIVE OF BUCKHEAD’S MOST EYE-POPPING ROOMS

STORY:

Giannina Smith Bedford

PHOTOS: Sara

Hanna

A room is more than just a room. It’s a place where you get ready to face a new day, where you rejuvenate when the day is done, where you gather with family and friends to celebrate, and where you retreat with your other half for a glass of wine once the kids are asleep. They are the places where you build lasting memories. So why not make these spaces extraordinary? That’s exactly what these five local residents did. Here, we show off their showstopping spaces.

Left: The Weilbaechers’ backyard oasis includes a resort-style pool, outdoor kitchen and swanky pool house.

Right: With a full kitchen, lounging furniture and Ping-Pong table, the pool house is the ideal place to take a break from the sun and water.

PINCH-ME POOL W

hen Suni and Derek Weilbaecher went to Turks and Caicos on their honeymoon in 2012, they stumbled upon the secluded Amanyara resort while walking along the beach. They fell in love with the design of the pool area and wanted to bring it home. In 2013, when they bought their eight-bedroom Buckhead home, they spent the first six months transforming the outdoor area into a dreamy resort-like retreat.

“We wanted to bring that stayvacation literally to our back door, creating a playground for our friends and family to enjoy,” says Suni, a makeup

artist whose work has appeared in Vanity Fair and Marie Claire. “We specifically bought this house because it was a walk-out, and we wanted a pool that was close to the house.”

Built by Artisan Pools, the customized swimming pool is surrounded by a hot tub, fire pit and hardscape in silver travertine. It all sits among manicured landscaping and lighting that brings the environment to life when the sun sets. “At night, it’s magical to sit in the pool house and see the city lights of Buckhead and hear the sounds of peaceful waterfalls all in the same moment,” says Suni.

The couple worked with architect Joseph Na to design a pool house that was a natural extension of the main house. Redwood Custom Homes constructed the 1,100square-foot structure. Equipped with a full kitchen, sitting area, bathroom, bedroom (used as an office) and extra space large enough for a Ping-Pong table, the pool house is party central.

The Weilbaechers worked with Emily Dunn Designs to decorate the space in white and neutrals. Grayish LVP (luxury vinyl plank) flooring balances with the furnishings upholstered in allwhite Sunbrella fabric. A 75-inch TV

is centered above the gas range and the walls are hung with farm-inspired pieces that recall Suni’s family horse farm in Charlotte, North Carolina.

There is a large black-and-white cow image, faux deer heads and wood barrels from the George Dickel Distillery in Tennessee where Suni’s aunt used to work. Framed horse harnesses Suni plucked from her late father’s barn also hang on the wall.

“It’s a place that inspires my imagination to host many fun holiday and birthday parties to make unforgettable memories with our kids,” says Suni. n

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

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CLOSET QUEEN N

othing makes a woman feel more fabulous than a closet fit for royalty. So when Danielle Rollins divorced her husband and rebuilt her life by renovating a 1970s Buckhead home, she created a personalized dressing area that mimics the shopping experience at a high-end store and serves as a place to display some of her favorite pieces of art.

Connected to her bedroom through the master bathroom, the closet is painted a lively shade that matches Rollins’ favorite Estée Lauder lipstick: Princess Grace Coral.

“I wanted something that was personal and bright, but I really wanted a place that didn’t feel like a closet,” says Rollins, an author, Veranda contributing editor, founder of Danielle Rollins Interiors and an upcoming home collection, as well as the designer of her own capsule clothing collection. Her armoire is in the same pinkish hue and topped with purses by Céline, Hermès and other top designers. All of her apparel—be it vintage items from Valentino and Oscar de la Renta, basics from J.Crew, edgy pieces from Chloé or items of her own design—is color coordinated and hangs on open racks. “I think it’s important for people to be in places that make them feel inspired. Your eye has to see things to generate that sense of creativity,”

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

says Rollins. “I like to keep everything grouped by colors because it allows me to dress how I feel.”

In the center of Rollins’ closet are two mirrored dressers she pushed together to create an island of sorts.

The top is a piece of plywood that is covered in padding and a flowered fabric Rollins had left over from an event she hosted that she topped with a custom-cut piece of glass.

Through a pair of pink-and-white gingham curtains is a shoe room where all of her footwear is displayed on open shelving. There’s also a small coat hallway that leads to a hidden door opening to an exterior hallway.

Everywhere you look is art—contemporary pieces, the works of fashion illustrator René Bouché, images

by American photographer Slim Aarons and personal photographs of Rollins pregnant and at parties.

The entire space is anchored by a vintage wicker light fixture from Scott Antique Markets that was rewired and painted a brass color.

Rollins’ closet is a collection of the items she loves and a perfect prep space for the woman she is today— not just an entrepreneur preparing to launch her eponymous fashion line and second book (slated for fall 2019), but a woman who has taken her life by the reins and is galloping through it joyfully. n

WINE NOT S

uzanne and Jeremy Lloyd may not consider themselves oenophiles, but the 704-bottle collection in their 430-square-foot wine cellar begs to differ. When they bought their six-bedroom Brookhaven home in 2016, they called upon the talent of close friend and interior designer Lauren Davenport of Davenport Designs to freshen it up.

They painted it an earthy Maryville

Brown hue from Benjamin Moore to allow for the stone and architectural details to stand out, and decorated it with masculine leather chairs from Lee Industries with custom Kuba cloth pillows and an acrylic-on-canvas artwork by Melissa Payne Baker. At the center of the room is a reclaimed wood table that Jeremy, who works at Raymond James, built with his friend

HIGH STYLE 10 RULES OF DESIGN FOR GREAT INTERIOR SPACES STORY:

Karina Antenucci

Not sure which direction to go in with your own interiors?

Whether you’re revamping a room, undergoing a complete remodel or simply wanting to make better use of the furniture and decor you currently have, a designer’s eye can always help. Buckhead resident Steve McKenzie, principal at McKenzie Design LLC on the Westside, specializes in luxury residential interiors and says there are certain design rules that, well, rule. The interior designer offers the following 10 key tips for bringing out the best in your spaces.

GOING WHOLE HOG IN THE BASEMENT S

teve Franklin is a former associate dean at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, chairman of the governing board for The American University in Dubai and a member of the board of regents at the University of Oxford’s Harris Manchester College. But when he isn’t wearing a coat and tie, Franklin dons an apron and tongs and cooks up a mean smoked brisket.

So profound is Franklin’s love of barbecue that he dedicated 300 square feet of his Sandy Springs basement to cooking. The aptly named Hawg Heaven Kitchen is where he and his son, Stephen Franklin Jr., tested many of the recipes used at Franklin Jr.’s Westside restaurant Das BBQ. Franklin Sr. built the kitchen with a

friend over the course of two years, finishing it in 2015. It features a silestone center island surrounded by stainless-steel countertops showcasing various kitchen gadgets—from a juicer and food saver to food processors in all sizes. There’s also a dishwasher, microwave, oven and warming drawer for ribs—everything except a stovetop. Instead, Franklin uses a hot plate to prep sauces.

There is a nearly floor-to-ceiling rack of spices below a suspended pink pig that Franklin named Fronita—the “matron of Hawg Heaven Kitchen”—after his favorite cousin.

The walls showcase his credentials as a certified barbecue judge, and the decor, both purchased and gifted from friends, is all barbecue themed.

One wall showcases Franklin’s

collection of more than 20 meat cleavers from the U.S. and England (another 25 or so hang in Das BBQ), and 3 from France hang above the sink. Another wall is devoted to steels used to sharpen knives and a shelf stacked with books all about barbecue, smoking and grilling.

Hawg Heaven Kitchen is a perfect prep area for the action that takes place out on the outdoor patio, where eight smokers and grills are fired by wood or charcoal.

It’s where Franklin and his wife, Eileen, host parties, gathering guests around a 10-foot Southern Pine table for a feast of finger-lickin’ Southern barbecue.

“Hawg Heaven Kitchen is a haven of food, fellowship, family, fun and love,” says Franklin. n

Ted Kalb. Other unique touches include a wine barrel from The Wine Gorilla, a wine club in Johns Creek.

“It’s a great room to host friends for wine tastings and dinner parties as the ambience makes you feel like you’re in a private room in a restaurant,” says Jeremy.

The cavernous retreat is also a great spot for an after-dinner drink.

“We always end up down here if we have a party, and if we go out, we’ll invite friends to come back over late-night,” says Suzanne. “This past

weekend, after the kids were asleep, Jeremy and I came down here and were drinking wine. It was fun.”

The basement room has a backup generator to protect the wine collection in case of a power outage. It’s also vented for cigars and has a wet bar with a wineglass dishwasher and a large wine fridge. Arched cut-ins in the rock walls hold cigar boxes and racks of vintages the Lloyds purchase locally and receive in the mail from Napa Valley wine clubs. The most impressive bottle is a 2014 Mockingbird

Red from Tuck Beckstoffer, although Suzanne admits she prefers “whatever red is uncorked and ready to drink.”

Davenport, who happens to be a wine connoisseur herself, also stores some of her and her husband’s wine in the Lloyds’ basement.

“We have a 700-bottle rack and it’s full,” says Davenport, whose wine acumen comes from living in Washington State for three years.

“If we come for dinner, we don’t have to bring wine, because we just pick it from the wall.” n

1. RULE NUMBER ONE No matter the space that McKenzie is designing, his number one rule of thumb is to “have a mix of both old and new items, as well as personal pieces that reflect the owner’s history and their interests,” he explains. This way, it’s more interesting and reflective of the homeowner.

2. GIVE IT PERSONALITY To give a room “soul,” McKenzie suggests incorporating the personal interests of the people living there. “There are a variety of ways to do it,” he says, “such as including objects from travels or interests that can be framed, styled into a vignette or hung on the wall.”

3. CURATE THE PHOTO DISPLAY McKenzie suggests keeping personal photography to a minimum in communal spaces, such as a downstairs living room or dining room. “I think it’s fine to have photo frames of iconic moments such as weddings or babies. But reserve the family photo wall for a private space within a home such as an upstairs hallway, TV room or master bedroom.”

4. TIMELESS, NOT TRENDY No one wants to revamp their home’s interior decor every few years, right? So make sure each room has good “bones,” meaning timeless foundational items, such as a high-quality rug, sofa and club chair.

5. NEUTRAL BASE For timelessness, stick with a neutral color for those foundational pieces. Then your drapes, throw pillows and an interesting

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

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COV E R S TO RY

object sitting on a bookshelf, or something like that, can incorporate color and make it exciting. “Don’t design a room in the color or style of the moment,” recommends McKenzie.

“If you stick to one style or one color palette, you’ll likely grow tired of it.”

6. GO WITH THE FLOW “There should be a cohesiveness to a home to make it more comfortable,” says McKenzie.

This could be through common colors that manifest throughout the home, but don’t all match.

“Maybe the sage green in a sitting room appears in a pillow in the bedroom.”

7. ADD SOMETHING QUIRKY “I always like an unexpected piece in every room,” says McKenzie. He loves to bring in something repurposed to fill this prerequisite. For example, an end table in his office is a sheet-music cabinet from the 1800s that features a canvas with a painted landscape on it. “It’s totally unexpected and interesting.” However, that quirky item doesn’t always need to be an antique—in the kitchen, for instance, it could be a range in a bright color.

8. FLEA FROM STANDARD RETAIL To find unique pieces and antiques or to start a collection, visit flea markets, estate sales and antique stores on the regular, and be patient to pinpoint those diamonds in the rough.

“Eventually, you will find things you respond to,” notes McKenzie. “Trust your gut on that. It takes a bit of poking around.”

9. SHAPE SHIFTERS Have a difficult room shape to deal with? McKenzie recommends thinking about the purpose of the room and being strategic about it. “Say it’s the living room, and you want to create conversation areas, then you might need several smaller, purposeful spaces to create that dialogue,” he says.

10. QUICK FACELIFT If your rooms need a little oomph without doing a full interior redesign, set your sights on freshening up your rugs, pillows and other textiles. “And don’t be afraid to move objects and art around to keep rooms visually interesting,” says McKenzie.

McKenzie Design LLC 404.618.0422 mckenzieinteriordesign.com

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

BATHED IN LUXURY F

rom golf and country clubs to personal homes, interior designer Traci Rhoads is a pro at bringing her clients’ design dreams to life. When a busy Buckhead couple enlisted her help to transform their spacious master bathroom into a sanctuary of relaxation, where they could recharge after a full day raising two adolescents, she chose a calming palette of soft blues, gray and white. The 345-square-foot bathroom is just as impressive as a high-end spa with muted blue-andwhite Manuel Canovas wallpaper and marble throughout, from the floors and countertops to the tiles.

The real showstopper, however, is the Windsor Smith settee from

Century Furniture that stands in the center of the room on Lucite legs. “The ability to incorporate soft seating within a bath is a true sign of luxury,” says Rhoads.

There’s also a striking mirrored Ann Sacks soaking tub, perfect for those nights when a long, relaxing bath with a tall glass of wine is in order. But if there isn’t time for a leisurely bath, the 48-square-foot glass-door shower with multiple showerheads and jets offers more than enough room to stretch out.

When it came to window treatments, Rhoads wanted to give her clients privacy, but keep the feel of the space light and airy, so she

paired shimmery Romo curtains with light-filtering shades. “I didn’t want to put in shutters or anything permanent, so we used a sheer fabric that still lets in some light.”

The abundant sunlight bounces off huge over-the-sink mirrors and an ornate reflecting piece above the makeup table that Rhoads found at an antique store. At the center of the room hangs an orb light fixture from Hudson Valley Lighting.

“The main goal was to create a master bath that was a place of peace and solitude, made even richer with luxurious decor to match,” says Rhoads.

Mission accomplished. n

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June 2018 | 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

Dinner and a Show P56

In Katana’s Soul OldFashioned, whiskey and hickory smoke are combined together and poured tableside.

Photo: Sara Hanna Photography At Katana, it’s impossible to fixate on your iPhone when your teppanyaki chef is juggling a raw egg along a cleaver blade.

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REVIEW

DINNER AND A SHOW Katana Teppanyaki & Sushi surprises with its diverse bites and knife-wielding chefs STORY:

The teppanyaki New York strip comes with a pinch of truffle salt and fresh microgreens.

A

t first blush, so much of Katana Teppanyaki & Sushi emits a flashy Times Square vibe. With its primo real estate, valet-only parking, glitzy interiors and excessively friendly waiters, one can hardly expect much from the food. Right? Imagine my delight then as, over the course of several visits, my prejudice was turned on its head. Those super-friendly waiters are actually authentic, informed and deferential.

The dark, sexy dining room, which shares a towering bar with the adjacent teppanyaki room, glows from the bar’s warm back lighting. And the food, in a word, is superb.

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Rebecca Cha PHOTOS: Sara Hanna

Katana’s sushi chefs are a spirited, backslapping bunch who keep the raw fish platters and “signature sushi” dishes rolling out night after sake-drenched night. At our inaugural dinner, we chose a simple starter of edamame, a generous mound of spring green pods made special by the accompanying black sesame and matcha green tea salts for added sprinkling. Next, we went straight for the “signature rolls,” consisting of some familiar and some not-so-familiar ingredients presented in combinations with amusing names such as Sex and the City, She-So-Fresh and Train to Bussam. A few of these, along with some perfectly chilled junmai ginjo sake, promised to keep the evening’s meal a culinary adventure.

The picante roll, made with salmon, yellowtail, serrano chiles and jalapeño, hit all my sushi sweet spots in one delectable bite.

The She-So-Fresh roll proved to be more fusion than my palate could handle. Latin flavors dominated, and though the shiso leaf and cilantro-based salsa verde went surprisingly well together, the addition of the seared red snapper was too overwhelming for the spicy salmon to coalesce. For the

youthful diners at the table, we ordered the chicken yakisoba, which was just shy of the tipping point in terms of sweetness.

The cocktails at Katana are palate-pleasing to say the least, as we discovered on our second visit. If you’re lucky enough to catch Mali Hu, the restaurant’s co-owner and cocktail creator, while you’re there, ask her to share her inspiration for drinks with names such as Victim of Love, The Hobbit and Green Wire. We were knocked over by the Soul Old-Fashioned, made with George Dickel rye, yuzu marmalade and a splash of bitters. Whiskey and hickory smoke are combined in a sealed bottle and poured tableside, and the heady aroma will instantly transport you to the Kentucky hills. Prefer something sweeter? Go for the Beehive, consisting of Lunazul Reposado Tequila, lime, ginger, yuzu sour and a tiny buzz button flower for garnish. A few sips of it, paired with the Bang Bang shrimp appetizer, and you’re off to the races. “Bang Bang” alludes to the gochujjang (chile paste) aioli that makes your mouth tingle with every blacksesame-dusted bite of tempura-fried shrimp.

Poke, one of my favorite dishes of all time,

Below: The chicken yakisoba, with noodles and plenty of veggies, is kid-friendly and parent-approved.

Above: For those with a hearty appetite, the teriyaki salmon seared on the teppanyaki grill comes with soup, salad and steamed rice.

Left: The pretty and delicious picante roll is one of Katana’s winning “signature rolls.”

Below: The Bang Bang shrimp with chile paste aioli is a spicy twist on classic tempura.

Above: The signature rolls at Katana have amusing names such as She-So-Fresh, Train to Bussam and Sex and the City.

Below: Warm edamame is served with black sesame and matcha green tea salts.

A communal gaiety defines the grill-room experience. has finally hit the big leagues, and Katana has its own version, named JG Poke in honor of famed French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Visually, it’s impeccable: a tall pink cylinder of raw fish juxtaposed against an onyx-hued bowl in a pool of creamy ponzu sauce. The chunks of raw tuna were dressed in a sesameoil-based sauce infused with serrano chiles, but the delicate chunks of avocado only accentuated the far too many sinewy bites of fish.

A few nights later, we partook in teppanyaki.

Families, children, dates and singles filled the surrounding tables, and it’s this communal gaiety that defines the grill-room experience. It’s impossible to fixate on your iPhone when your teppanyaki chef—the Cirque du Soleil performer of the restaurant world—is juggling a raw egg along a cleaver blade and simultaneously setting fire to an onion “volcano.” Kids love it, parents love it and restaurant critics love it.

Sipping an icy-cold Sapporo beer and fruity glass of Bouchard Aîné & Fils chardonnay, we perused the teppanyaki menu, eventually settling on a little surf and turf. (Tip: Dinners here come with soup, salad and steamed rice,

which means there are multiple plates in front of you before your entrée even arrives.

This is a good thing, but ask the chef to take his time so you can enjoy it all.)

Our custom-aged New York strip was seared off masterfully with sizzling garlic butter and garnished with crunchy microgreens and a touch of truffle salt. The teriyaki salmon was the yin to our beefy yang. It was all we could do to keep from licking the plate of farm-raised Atlantic salmon with a sauce of ginger, soy and a hint of sugar. For the sides, which are ordered separately, the Shanghai bok choy and soy butter mushrooms rounded out our teppanyaki experience nicely.

In terms of sweets, there aren’t a lot. We weren’t wowed by the pretty yuzu cheesecake—it was fairly nondescript and bland. We should have opted for the fried ice cream.

But personally, if I’d had room for anything else (which I didn’t), I would’ve given the chef another shot at the JG Poke. Or had another few sips of the Beehive. But for now, it’ll all have to wait. Good thing we already have our next reservation on the books. n

Above: The Beehive is one of Katana’s many must-try cocktails.

KATANA TEPPANYAKI & SUSHI 3345 Lenox Road N.E., Atlanta 30326 404.869.1888 katanaatl.com Prices: Lunch appetizers: $4-$10. Lunch mains: $10-$18. Dinner appetizers and salads: $4-$35. Signature sushi: $12-$20. Teppanyaki and mains: $18-$42. Basic sushi and sashimi priced separately.

Recommended dishes: Edamame, signature sushi rolls (especially the picante), yakisoba, Bang Bang shrimp, New York strip and salmon teppanyaki.

Bottom line: A terrific sushi and teppanyaki place thanks, in great part, to strong management that engineers an exquisite experience from every angle.

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D R I NKS

Brandon Amato

Left to right: Scotch, served in refreshing cocktails such as Hobnob Neighborhood Tavern’s Christmas in Ireland, Local Three’s Six Gummie Bears and Some Scotch, and The Painted Pin’s Blood and Sand, isn’t just a wintertime beverage.

A Summer Day Surprise PRESENTING FIVE WARMWEATHER SCOTCH COCKTAILS

W

e tend to gravitate to different spirits when the seasons change. Scotch isn’t the libation that springs to mind when the temperature rises, but there’s no reason why it shouldn’t; it doesn’t have to only be a wintertime ambassador. It’s warmth and occasional smokiness can be just as refreshing and bright as the tequila in a margarita.

Think of the peated scotch hailing from Islay. Its campfire-like profile is the perfect complement to the earthy scents of summer and smoky barbecues. Crafting a summery scotch cocktail just takes a different perspective: using a light-bodied, blended scotch, fusing the drink with summer fruits, tempering it by adding citrus and keeping it cold. Here, bartenders around town showcase the spirit with a slightly lighter feel for sunshine season.

The bar at Umi is chockful of Japanese whiskies, but it sticks with a Highland style in its Penicillin, which showcases the scotch and pairs well with its light Japanese dishes. The frothy cocktail shakes together Glenmorangie 10 Year with lemon, ginger and honey, and is finished with a floater of Ardbeg 10, adding a dose of heavy peat to the citrus aromas and toasty almond flavors

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STORY:

on the palate. It’s a thirst-quencher on a hot day. umiatlanta.com Sterling Archer’s memorable quote “All I’ve had today is like six gummie bears and some scotch” from the FX series Archer, which is produced in Atlanta, comes in liquid form at Local Three. The Six Gummie Bears and Some Scotch is like a scotchy Sazerac, melding rye, Monkey Shoulder scotch, Demerara syrup, absinthe and Peychaud’s Bitters. The result, with the addition of malty Speyside whiskey, is sweeter and smokier than a classic Sazerac. Six accompanying absinthesoaked gummie bears are just the thing to take you to the danger zone. localthree.com

Hobnob owner Sean Yeremyan ordered a drink with scotch at a cozy pub in Ireland on a recent trip and became so enamored, he had to put it on the menu of his Brookhaven tavern.

Forget that the drink is called Christmas in Ireland, because this summer sipper is fitting for the patio. Blended whiskey, St. George Spiced Pear liqueur, bitters and housemade rosemary-sage syrup are stirred together, resulting in a balanced, light and herbal cocktail with gentle sweetness. The addition of Banhez mezcal adds roundness with mild,

Angela Hansberger

tropical fruit notes. A sprig of rosemary adds garden flair. hobnobatlanta.com You can change the complexion of a drink with your choice of scotch. The Painted Pin’s beverage director Trip Sandifer employs scotch in his warmweather arsenal. He says it’s extremely versatile, and that younger whiskies are perfect for summer drinks. He uses Great King from Compass Box for a classic Blood and Sand. The gentle whiskey with hints of baking spices blends equal parts Italian vermouth and Cherry Heering, a Danish liqueur made from crushed cherries. An homage to the matador in Rudolph Valentino’s 1922 film of the same name, the shaken cocktail is approachable yet complex and utterly refreshing. It first appeared in The Savoy Cocktail Book in 1930.

Impress your bowling mates with its origination story. thepaintedpin.com The Southern Gentleman’s Don’t Call Me Earl drinks like a late-century scotch sour. In it, smooth Monkey Shoulder whiskey pairs with Lapsang Souchong, a black tea dried by smoking it over a fire. Dry Curaçao orange liqueur and fresh lemon juice cut its heft with bright, flavorful citrus notes. It’s like enjoying a campfire beside the heather on the hill. thesoutherngentlemanatl.com n

SCOTCH SCOOP For an Atlanta scotch experience (and, yes, there is one), be on the lookout for ASW Distillery’s forthcoming Ameireaganach Tire Fire. The heavily peated expression is reminiscent of Islay-style, single-malt scotch and is made at the Armour Yards distillery from barley imported from Scotland, selected especially for this release. aswdistillery.com

FOODIE JOURNAL

Culinary News & Notes

BY:

Lia Picard

A collection of photographs, advertisements, grills and other artifacts trace the long and storied history of barbecue at a new exhibit at the Atlanta History Center.

INTERNATIONAL GRILLING TRADITIONS Grilling didn’t start in the American South.

With roots in West Africa and the Caribbean, barbecue was “discovered” by European explorers who brought the technique back to the continent. This portion of the exhibit dives into how slaves built barbecue in America. There’s also a pamphlet on display from 1707 called The Barbecue Feast—one of only three known copies in the world—that contains the first known use of the word.

A HISTORIC FEAST A NEW EXHIBIT SERVES UP A SMORGASBORD OF BARBECUE CULTURE

A

tlanta is a city that loves its barbecue. But other than knowing the best places to eat it, few people know how deep its roots really go. “Barbecue Nation,” a new exhibit on view at the Atlanta History Center through June 16, 2019, sheds light on the history of the cuisine.

For instance, did you know that in 1909, barbecued possum was served at a banquet in Atlanta to honor President-Elect William Howard Taft? Here’s a taste of what else you’ll find at this mouthwatering exhibit.

FOOD NEWS n Public Kitchen & Bar, now open in Phipps Plaza, brings Daniel Reed Hospitality’s Savannah concept to Atlanta. With a focus on featuring the best possible ingredients, its beef and most of the produce is sourced from managing partner Jamie Durrence’s family farm in Glennville, Georgia. thepublickitchen.com

n Chef Boyd A. Rose of Secreto Southern Kitchen & Bar opened a Brookhaven outpost of the Alpharetta Southern restaurant this spring. Meaning “secret” in Spanish, the restaurant’s name refers to Rose’s proclivity for re-creating family recipes. Look for regional staples such as fried chicken with buttermilk mashed potatoes and grilled lemon-basil jumbo shrimp. secretokitchen.com n Ian Winslade, formerly the executive chef of Murphy’s in Virginia Highland, as well as nationally esteemed dining rooms such as Le Bernardin, has opened Mission + Market in Three Alliance Center. The new Buckhead spot emulates restaurants in Northern California with bright and comforting cuisine. missionandmarketatl.com

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Secreto’s smothered and covered Southern fried chicken.

THE EVOLUTION OF THE GRILL Are you a total grill nerd? Then you’ll love this section featuring a timeline of cookers that includes a 1930s Ford charcoal unit, a 1948 Char-Broil Wheelbarrow Picnic Cooker and a 1965 Weber Kettle in a “Westerner” motif. A display of artwork, advertisements and cookbooks showcase how barbecue became enmeshed with community and recreation.

BARBECUE AND SENSE OF PLACE Sauce or no sauce? White or vinegarbased? How you answer these

questions may indicate where you’re from. Barbecue traditions vary from state to state, and even regionally within states. This section explores geographic variations in barbecue and how rivalries have ensued.

The artifacts include a chopping block from Skylight Inn BBQ in Ayden, North Carolina, and an 11-foot sign from the Southside Market & Barbecue in Elgin, Texas.

The fun doesn’t stop there, though.

Several special programs are being offered in conjunction with the show.

On the weekend of June 16, in honor of Juneteenth, author-chef Michael W. Twitty will give a talk on African and African-American traditions in Southern barbecue. And on Oct. 5, the museum will host Hogtoberfest, a whole-hog barbecue supper. n Atlanta History Center 130 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.814.4000 atlantahistorycenter.com

SUMMER TREAT BEAT THE HEAT WITH A SOOTHING SMOOTHIE High temps are back, and if you’re like most people this time of year, you’re probably shying away from heavy meals. Smoothies to the rescue! They’re cool, packed with nutrients and an easy way to grab a bite on the go. Stop in for a sip at one of these area smoothie spots.

KALE ME CRAZY You can’t beat Kale Me Crazy, with locations in Buckhead and Sandy Springs, when it comes to fresh smoothies. Standouts include the Pink Splash, made with beets, apples, strawberries, coconut yogurt, dates and lime, and

the Tropical Tripping, consisting of orange, mango, pineapple, coconut yogurt and coconut milk. Best of all, you can order on the app and skip waiting in line to order. kalemecrazy.net ROOTS JUICES This juice and smoothie bar is a staple at the Shops Around Lenox, and it’s easy to see why. The Maca Spice is a bestseller and is sure to help you power through the day. Packed with spinach, honey, almond butter, almond milk, banana, flax, vanilla and maca, it’s a mean-green machine. rootspressedjuices.com

VEDA JUICE Head to one of Veda Juice’s two area locations for its delicious concoctions.

Besides sippable smoothies and juices, you’ll also find filling smoothie bowls.

Try the Acai Power Bowl with bananas, strawberries, protein powder, almond butter, granola and honey. vedajuice.com

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TA S T E M AKE R

How did you know you wanted to become a chef?

I learned to cook out of necessity and survival. I was raised by a single mother working two jobs, so I had to help out in the kitchen. I fell in love with the fact that I could create something and see it take someone back to a memory or a place. I’m Puerto Rican, so my mom taught [my brother and me] Caribbean dishes.

I love the attention to detail and passion that you have to put into food.

You were trained in classical French techniques. How did you learn the Mexican style?

It’s always been a passion of mine to broaden my horizons. I want to push myself to the limit and learn everything I can. I worked at Maggiano’s and learned Italian cuisine. I started working at Rosa Mexicano, and the techniques, sauces, purity and labor-intensive things that go into creating Mexican dishes made me fall in love with the cuisine.

What dishes are you most excited about at Chido + Padre’s?

We have a Baja fish taco made with red or yellowfin snapper, escabeche and cabbage that’s served on a blue

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FUN FACT Mercado was an active member of Toastmasters for a year.

THE WHOLE

ENCHILADA

Chris Watkins

B

uckhead foodies may have noticed that Chido + Padre’s, a Mexican restaurant, took over the old Smokebelly space on Andrews Drive a few months ago. At the helm of the festive new spot is Jonathan Mercado. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu in Orlando, he has worked at Bartaco, Rosa Mexicano and True Food Kitchen, but the young chef doesn’t stop cooking outside the restaurant doors. In fact, his whole family has culinary ties.

Mercado, 33, met his wife in the industry, and the pair frequently hosts their own Chopped-style cooking competitions with their four children. “My kids love cooking,” says Mercado. “The passion has trickled down to them.”

Mercado credits hard work, loyalty and dedication to his craft for his rise from an 18-year-old father and Publix butcher to executive chef of a popular new eatery.

“It resonates through your cooking and work,” he says. We chatted with Mercado to learn more.

STORY:

For Chido + Padre’s Executive Chef Jonathan Mercado, cooking is a family affair corn tortilla. The chicken Milanese is breaded in crushed tortilla chips and served with mole (made in house), green rice, black beans and an escabeche garnish.

On a more personal note, how did you meet your wife?

We were working at a restaurant together. I loved her at first sight, but she hated me. In the kitchen, you’re a little cocky. I was from New York and loud. She’s a Southern girl. We began working close to each other, and she got to know me as a person. When we first became friends, I looked at her

and said, “I think you’re going to be my wife one day.” She thought I was crazy. We got married two years later.

How do your family’s cooking competitions work?

We’ll make a mystery basket for the kids and give them 10 minutes to make a dessert, for example. They put on their chef coats and aprons and take it seriously. Or my wife and I will do it, and the kids will be the judges. It’s our way of getting them involved in making dinner and exposing them to a lot of new foods.

We cook, critique and have fun.

Carly Cooper

What’s your go-to dish to make at home?

Salmon in puff pastry with wilted spinach, nutmeg and Boursin cheese.

We make it into the shape of an actual fish with a wine, mushroom, lemon and butter sauce, and serve it with couscous or rice pilaf. n

CHIDO + PADRE’S 128 East Andrews Drive N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.848.9100 chidoandpadres.com

Buckhead

Marietta

2045 Peachtree Rd. NE

1519 Johnson Ferry Rd

Buckhead Suite 200 2045 Peachtree Atlanta,Road GA 30309 Suite 404.351.7546 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 404.351.7546

Covington 4151 Hospital Drive

Marietta Covington Suite 100 Covington, GA 30014 4151 Hospital Marietta,Drive GA 30062 4800 Olde Towne Parkway 770.784.0343 Suite 250 Covington,770.971.3376 GA 30014 Marietta, GA 30068 770.784.0343 770.971.3376

June 2018 | Simply Buckheadâ&#x20AC;&#x192;

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

Brock, Rebecca Cha and Angela Hansberger

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-tobe-missed chocolate mousse. The time to visit is now, before Pharr Road real estate development triples the wait time for a table.

Lunch: $8-$19 Dinner: $8-$35 anisbistro.com

BUCKET SHOP CAFÉ Atlanta’s answer to TV’s Cheers, this casual, family-owned spot across from Lenox Square is a game-day institution with seriously good pub grub, friendly prices and spirited, efficient service.

Burgers, wings and sandwiches of all kinds dominate the menu. But one dish on the starting lineup deserves a special trophy: the chicken rolls. Perhaps they sound like a fusion experiment, but in fact, these crispy, deep-fried

egg roll wrappers stuffed with chicken, cheese, sour cream, chives and TexMex sauce (salsa mixed with ranch) are downright addictive. The Bucket Shop team gets extra points for its solid, ever-changing list of local craft brews.

Starters: $6-$13 Sandwiches and burgers: $9-$13 Entrées: $12-$18 bucketshopcafe.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 cheese, the “sweet heat” Thai-chile 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

CABO CANTINA Even if you aren’t a sports fan, you’ll welcome a visit to this Mexi-Latin sports bar on Pharr Road. The 35 varieties of 100 percent agave tequi-

The boeuf au poivre at Anis Café is served with lyonnaise potatoes and roasted portobello mushrooms.

las are just the start. Kick off with a five-star margarita that’ll have you shouting “touchdown!” long before the national anthem begins. And just try to keep your eyes on the game when knockout dishes such as braised short rib empanadas, smoky-spicy chorizo or chipotle shrimp tacos and a side of tender yucca fries arrive at your table.

Mains such as the adobo chicken and charred rib eye, or healthier fare like the citrusy, fresh ceviches, are big winners as well. Let’s just hope your favorite team is, too.

sweet and creamy, such as kulfi (Indian ice cream), kheer (rice pudding) or ras malai (similar to cheesecake without the crust). Your dining adventure wouldn’t be complete without trying the masala chai, consisting of milk, tea, ginger, black pepper and bay leaf.

Brunch: $10-$17 Starters and shared plates: $5-$12 Tacos and sides: $3-$4 Entrées: $12-$25 cabocantinaga.com

F&B

COPPER COVE INDIAN BISTRO

The Bucket Shop Café does right by burgers.

Behold the blackened beef patty with bacon and blue cheese complemented by a side of onion rings.

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Anjali and Subrata Roy have won our hearts with this pan-Indian bistro, their third restaurant in the Atlanta area.

Whether you visit for the bountiful lunch buffet or a more relaxed evening meal, you will leave sated and inspired by the Roys’ formidable talent with the Indian spice palette. Proprietary blends transform standards such as Chicken 65, tikka masala and tandoori into something sublime. Just as commendable are the lamb rogan gosht, chicken shahi korma and shrimp bahadur. For afters, go for something

Accompaniments, appetizers and soups: $2-$10 Chef’s specials, tandoori and traditional dishes: $12-$22 coppercoveindianbistro.com

Like its predecessor, the much-loved former Brasserie le Coze, F&B delivers timeless Provençal fare in a classic brasserie atmosphere. The menu is bolstered by comfort dishes portioned with hunger in mind, but it’s also fortified with lighter salads, sandwiches and soups. Classics such as steak frites and skate wing with a brown butter sauce are deeply satisfying in their rustic charm. Mussels come piled high in a white wine and shallot broth, along with crusty French bread for sopping.

The drink menu is built on interesting French wines and remarkable cocktails such as the well-balanced, bourbonbased Line of Destiny.

Appetizers: $6-$18 Entrées: $11-$42 Desserts: $6-$8 fandbatl.net

A slice of design-meets-delicious coconut layer cake will whet your appetite for a postprandial ADAC tour at The Hungry Peach.

THE HUNGRY PEACH Despite the hyper-elegant surrounding showrooms, The Hungry Peach, located inside the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center, serves up anyone’s idea of a perfectly down-home lunch. Colossal salads and delectable renditions of classic sandwiches, such as the meltin-your-mouth corned beef Reuben, egg salad and smoked bacon-pepper jack wrap, are sure to please visitors and hungry professionals alike.

Sides including the Cajun mac ‘n’ cheese and loaded potato salad will knock your designer socks off. Not to be missed are the freshly made sweets, such as the five-layer coconut cake and Callebaut chocolate brownie.

Wash it all down with a bottomless mason jar of iced sweet tea.

Starters: $4-$9 Salads: $10-$12.50 Sandwiches: $8.50-$12.50 Desserts: $2.50-$6 thehungrypeach.com

OK CAFE Just as we send diners to Bones for the definitive steakhouse experience, we suggest OK Cafe as a classic diner with a strong Southern twang. The offerings here are anchored in time and tradition: Root beer floats and cherry lemonades are called Black Cows and Pink Ladies.

Meat-and-twos and veggie plates laden with silken collards and exquisite mac and cheese are meant to be washed down with sweet ice tea and sopped up with a perfect corn muffin. Fat slices of meatloaf encrusted with tomato sauce, roast turkey with cornbread dressing and gravy, chicken pot pie with an adorable little “OK” stamped onto its puff-pastry blanket—this stuff draws a crowd. If you don’t want to play the waiting game, you’d better ar-

rive before 11 a.m. or between the lunch and dinner rush. After a quarter-century, OK Cafe never goes out of style.

Appetizers: $4-$8 Burgers and sandwiches: $4-$13 Mains: $12-$16 okcafe.com

SALTYARD Saltyard offers a menu of small plates with reverence for local farmers and the current growing season. Employing global imagination, it heightens these dishes with international seasonings

and flavors to create worldly comfort food. With an ever-changing menu, Saltyard is never the same place twice.

Rustic dishes such as crispy duck confit and super-tender grilled octopus are masterful in their simplicity and depth of flavor. Raw and cured items such as the deconstructed salmon pastrami, while lighter, offer an equal flavor punch. This is not the place to skip the dessert course. The same amount of effort goes into the decadent chocolate nemesis with Brandy cream as it does the entrées.

Tapas: $5-$16 Large plates: $18-$25 saltyardatlanta.com

STORICO FRESCO ALIMENTARI

At Saltyard, there are international touches throughout the menu, such as in this Moroccaninspired octopus dish.

Is a trip to Italy on your bucket list, but you can’t get away? A meal at oh-so-authentic hot spot Storico Fresco may be just the ticket. A must here is the meat and cheese board, served with prosciutto, bresaola, culatello, fragrant cheeses and gooey honeycomb. Its refined, rustic and utterly classic pastas, including garganelli con funghi, tagliatelle alla Bolognese and ravioli spinaci, conjure up images of Tuscan vistas and Michelangelo statues.

Seconds such as the pork shank for two and bone-in veal chop will sate your Italian cravings as well.

End your repast with a glass of the world-class Miscela d’Oro espresso.

Appetizers: $12-$24 Salads and sandwiches: $10-$21

Pastas: $11-$23 Mains: $24-$30 Side dishes and desserts: $6-$7 storicofresco.com

TREEHOUSE Occasionally, sitting at Treehouse feels more like a cookout. Neighbors and regulars have been coming here for the familiar comfort food and laid-back atmosphere for more than 20 years. Brunch is a big deal, with a large menu and generous portions of favorites such as the Georgia pecan waffle and Southernstyle eggs Benedict covered with sausage gravy. It’s all about the patio here, and dogs are welcome guests.

The chef works to enliven old favorites with as much attention to the allAmerican fried chicken sandwich as the New York strip au poivre. He also curates a mighty fine list of craft beers.

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

Hungry for more?

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

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

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THE HIGHEST POINT OF FITNESS!

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE Pinnacle Fitness is the Premier Personal Training Fitness Center in the Buckhead area of Atlanta, Georgia with revolutionary equipment including the only Kinesis Wall in the area. At Pinnacle Fitness, you will be carefully guided by professional, certified trainers and a staff dedicated to your personal fitness and wellness program, which also includes nutritional guidance. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no wonder that members often define Pinnacle Fitness as a New York or LA facility with Southern charm - and with a commitment to have each of its members reach their own Pinnacle of Fitness.

OFFERING: Personal Training | Golf Fitness Classes | Tennis Fitness Classes | Wellness Programs

404.228.3705 Located in Buckhead at 3215 Cains Hill Place NW

pinnaclefitness8@gmail.com www.pinnaclefitnessgym.com

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

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

BIKIN’ BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON A PARTY ON WHEELS OUT UNDER THE STARS ntering its sixth year, the Atlanta Moon Ride welcomes Atlantans to don their favorite costume, colorful helmet and some glow sticks for the annual starlit 6-mile bike ride through some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods. Benefiting Bert’s Big Adventure, the event continues to grow in size and scope. “Atlanta Moon Ride just gets better every year,” says Bert Weiss, founder of Bert’s Big Adventure and host of Q100’s The Bert Show. “It’s a party, then it’s a party on wheels, all the while raising money for Bert’s Big Adventure. People love its unique spirit. There are thousands of lit-up costumes, strange bicycles and great

music.” The June 8 event, which begins and ends at Piedmont Park, kicks off with live tunes and outdoor bar areas before everyone jumps on their bikes and hits the road. The event is open to cyclists of all ages and skill levels.

ATLANTA MOON RIDE June 8; pre-party starts at 7 p.m., the ride at 11 p.m.

General admission $35, VIP admission $95 Piedmont Park 1320 Monroe Drive N.E. Atlanta 30306 atlantamoonride.com

Photos: Alex the Photo Guy

E

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

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E V E NTS

BUZZ JEDWIN SMITH: OUR BROTHER’S KEEPER

Photos: Courtesy of Wentworth Gallery

June 6 heritagesandysprings.org At this free Titles @ Twilight event presented by Heritage Sandy Springs, author Jedwin Smith recounts his journey with his brother Jeff’s Marine buddies as Smith learns more about his sibling’s service in Vietnam, and his eventual visit to the country to see where his brother died.

FOOD THAT ROCKS

[ A RT ]

From Guitar Solos to Art Shows Fans of the band Kiss know Paul Stanley as the flashy frontman wailing on his guitar and belting out hits such as “Detroit Rock City” and “Rock and Roll All Nite.” This month, Stanley is showcasing his talents on a different kind of stage—the walls of the Wentworth Gallery in Buckhead. An avid painter for many years, Stanley was the man behind the design of

the iconic Kiss logo, along with some of the artwork that appeared on the group’s album covers. Viewers will find his portraits and abstracts, which will be on display through June 18, as lively and colorful as his stage persona, and will get a chance to meet Stanley in person when he makes an in-store appearance at the Phipps Plaza gallery on June 16.

KISS’ PAUL STANLEY ROCKS OUT AN EXHIBIT OF HIS PAINTINGS

June 9 foodthatrocks.org Eat, drink and be merry at the annual Food That Rocks event when it moves to its new venue, the City Green at the City Springs complex in Sandy Springs. Enjoy tasty bites and beverages from 20 of the area’s best restaurants while you listen to live tunes.

MISSISSIPPI IN THE PARK PAUL STANLEY Exhibit on view through June 18, personal appearance June 16, 5-8 p.m.

Free Wentworth Gallery 3500 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.233.0903 wentworthgallery.com

June 23 mssocietyofga.org The Mississippi Society of Georgia invites you to make your way to Chastain Park to partake in catfish eating, live blues listening and more at this 9th annual celebration of all things Mississippi. Admission is free, but those who preregister receive food and T-shirt discounts.

STAND UP FOR THE HOOCH SUP RACE

[ FA M I LY-F RI E N DLY ]

Keep On Truckin’ GET HANDS ON WITH SOME AMAZING VEHICLES At Brookhaven’s annual Touch a Truck event at Blackburn Park on June 16, families will love getting an up-close-and-personal look at a variety of police cars, fire trucks, utility trucks, maintenance vehicles and more. “We bring in various types of emergency vehicles, bucket trucks from Georgia Power, even 4x4 trucks—things kids might not normally get to see or sit behind

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

the wheel of,” says Brian Borden, parks and recreation director for the City of Brookhaven. Police, firefighters, utility workers and others will be on hand to demo the ins and outs of each vehicle, and youngsters will be invited to touch them, climb up into them and pose for pictures in them. In addition, emergency responders will be sharing safety tips and information.

June 24 highcountryoutfitters.com/ standupforthehooch-418 Bring your paddleboards and prepare to speed down the waters of the Chattahoochee River with your fellow paddlers. Open to all ages and abilities, this year’s event features a 2- and a 6-mile course, plus a free kids race. The festivities kick off at Morgan Falls Overlook Park in Sandy Springs at 7 a.m.

TOUCH A TRUCK June 16, 9:30 a.m.–12 p.m.

Free Blackburn Park 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road Brookhaven 30319 404.637.0542 brookhavenga.gov/parksrec/ page/touch-truck

I want

to be a

DIRECTOR – Ethan, age 12

At CURE Childhood Cancer, our mission is to support kids like Ethan during their fight with cancer and to fund research that will one day lead to a cure. So that every child will be able to reach for their dream.

Save childhood dreams.

CURE childhood cancer.

Donate today or learn more at CUREChildhoodCancer.org

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

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Your Life. Your Plan.

Experience the Lenbrook Difference.

Everything about this life plan community is designed to offer new experiences and a new perspective on life. Lenbrook is a vibrant and beautiful community with amenities galore.

There are so many options every day—exercise classes, excursions, a meal with friends or just relaxing.

Lenbrook also offers a full range of excellent health care, if the need arises. Plus, it is the only not-for-profit senior living community in Atlanta to earn national accreditation.

Visit lenbrook-atlanta.org to learn about the Lenbrook Difference. Or call 404-476-7526.

We Mean Business For over a decade we have delivered a full suite of services with the personal attention only a local bank can deliver.

Call us direct at (404) 231-4100 and lets get started.

GeorgiaPrimaryBank.com Bu sin ess Lo a n s Trea su r y Se r vices Co n su me r Lo a n s

3880 Roswell Rd., NE, Atlanta, GA 30342

David R. Coxon President & CEO

Mariela Hoffman, BO Treasury Services

Thomas Rockwood, VP SBA–7(a) & 504 Loans

Mani Swarnam, VP Commercial Loans

NMLS #1174631

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

CH AR I TABLE

Alice McDonough, Hill Robertson

Photos: Sylvia Small Communications & Marketing and John Beach

BUCKHEAD HERITAGE SOCIETY SCAVENGER HUNT

M Melody Thomas, Tamara Bazzle, Richard Waterhouse, Tracy Gray Monk, Tres Carpenter

ore than 100 participants hit the streets of Buckhead recently for the third annual Buckhead’s Hidden Secrets: A History Scavenger Hunt. To kick off the event, which is presented by the Buckhead Heritage Society and was chaired this year by Barbara Bazzel, Penny Hart and Belle Turner Lynch, contestants gathered at the Atlanta International School for hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Then, teams of guests competed against each other to solve clues, seek out historic locations and take photos related to the community’s vibrant past. Each successfully resolved clue was worth points, and the teams with the most points took home prizes.

The teams led by Ann Stuart Pearce and Claudia Gill narrowly won. After the hunt, participants returned to the school for a delicious buffet from Lovies barbecue and J. Christopher’s. The $31,700 raised from the event benefits the Buckhead Heritage Society’s mission to identify, preserve and promote the area’s historic resources.

Barbara Bazzel, Penny Hart, Belle Turner Lynch

Lauren and Ben Hirsh

Claudia Guild and Jean Redding show their solved clues at the check-in.

John DeGuenther and Howard Benson solve a clue during the hunt.

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

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Monday 1/2 Priced Bottles of Wine Tuesday 1/2 Priced Bottles of Wine Wednesday $5 Martinis Thursday Free Wine Tastings 5-7 pm Sunday Buffet Brunch Adults $19.95/Kids $8.95 $5 Mimosas & Bloody Marys $25 Champagne 1/2 Priced Raw Oysters 4-6 PM Everyday!

Monday 1/2 Priced Bottles of Wine

Tuesday (Starting at 5 o’clock)

$21 1 lb. Maine Lobster with 2 Sides

Wednesday $5 Martinis

Thursday $5 Kentucky, Moscow & Mexican Mules 7285 Roswell Road Sandy Springs, GA 30328

770-395-9592 Www.HammocksTradingCompany.com

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June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

Located at “The Prado” 5600 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, 30342

404-228-7470

www.CorkTreeRestaurant.com

CH AR I TABLE

Melissa Willis, Martin Willis

Photos: Simon Salt Johanne Beaudoin, Anaya Pupo

BEST OF TOWN BROOKHAVEN

A

Libby Campanella, Meleia Miller, Ashton Booher

Caroline Moore, Chris Gold

Allison Howard, Bobby Kelly

sunny spring day greeted the several hundred attendees of the recent Best of Town Brookhaven (formerly Taste of Town Brookhaven), an annual event held on the central green at the Town Brookhaven mixed-use development off Peachtree Road. Eleven restaurants, in addition to Publix and Costco, set up booths on the lawn and served up everything from pizza and paella to cold beer and chili cheese fries to hungry ticketholders. Participating eateries included Bua Thai + Sushi, Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub, Hobnob Neighborhood Tavern, Tin Can Oyster Bar and Amore Cucina & Bar. Guests were also treated to the happening sounds of the 80ators, an ’80s tribute band, and posed for pics at the photo booth.

Best of all, the festivities raised more than $3,500 for Bert’s Big Adventure, which provides free, fun-filled trips to Disney World and other year-round support for chronic and terminally ill children and their families.

Cora and James Hedgis

Amar and Jigna Patel

Hannah Micheli, Sydney Brown

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S C EN E

SHOES, GLORIOUS SHOES! Strappy or stiletto, striped or snakeskin, Danielle Rollins likely has it in her footwear collection.

PHOTO: Sara

74â&#x20AC;&#x192;

June 2018 | Simply Buckhead

Hanna

For reservations please call 404.844.4810

The rides are thrilling. The shows are captivating. And the food - oh the food - is everything your taste buds crave. But at Dollywood, it’s the little moments in between that make all the difference.

Here, surrounded by the beauty of the Smoky Mountains and greeted by a remarkably friendly staff, you’ll experience quality time with friends and family while enjoying Dollywood’s fun-filled attractions, breathtaking views and an incredible lineup of award-winning live performances all season long.

Plan your Smoky Mountain getaway today at Dollywood.com.

DOLLYWOOD.COM | GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS, TN

Simply Buckhead_WinniethePooh.indd 1

5/17/18 2:45 PM

Nostalgic Estate with Enchanted Setting in Highlands, NC 1840 NORTH 4TH STREET, HIGHLANDS NC Can you imagine owning your own waterfall property with 20 lush, private acres? With Cullasaja River frontage it’s the perfect place for fly fishing, kayaking, or swimming in the waterfall and river pools. This home was thoughtfully designed and placed to accentuate the river and waterfall views & the thick forested mountain surroundings seen from each room. An extended breezeway leads to the stone-floored foyer. The open and airy living room with massive river stone fireplace leads nicely into the dining area with a second side to the fireplace. The kitchen is expertly clad in rich wood finishes and features all upgraded appliances and countertops. The main floor master suite is open and airy with a focus on the river and waterfall. The master bath has twin rain shower heads, with river - rock lined shower. The property also features a 2/2 guest house detached 2- car garage and 2- car parking pad. Private gate & exceptional grounds.

Offered at $3,500,000 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty Andrea Gabbard, Luxury Specialist 828.200.6742

andrea@bhhsmmr.com

John Muir, Broker 828.526.1717

A Highlands Country Club Cottage Nestled on the Fairway 230 HUMMINGBIRD LANE, HIGHLANDS NC When only the best will satisfy, this charming home provides just that! The stunning lot faces expansive views of the golf course, and it’s an easy stroll to the fitness center, pool & clubhouse.

You’ll love the spacious living room, upscale kitchen and breakfast room, while the cheerful solarium is perfect for winding down at day’s end. A beautiful screened porch provides breezy space to take in views of the extended garden areas. Beautiful French doors lead to decks and terraces. The property touches the edge of the Club’s lake for a canoe ride, fishing or reflecting by the waterside.

Most of the house is on the main level, where a spacious master with sitting room offers separate His and Her bath areas with walk-in closets. The 3 additional guest suites have private baths.

One bedroom has its own den and can be accessed outside the main house, making it a great area for a nanny, parent or older child. The house has a large room for arts and crafts, work out equipment or storage and a garage for golf cart and car.

Offered for $1,695,000 Viewed by appointment For a private viewing and more information contactBerkshire Hathaway HomeServices Meadows Mountain Realty Andrea Gabbard, Luxury Specialist 828.200.6742 andrea@bhhsmmr.com Dot Champion, Champion Realty Office: 828-526-3235 Cell: 404-310-1722 dottiechamp@yahoo.com

jmuir@bhhsmmr.com

Mountain Elegance in Downtown Highlands, NC 896 RAVENEL RIDGE ROAD, HIGHLANDS NC You will be instantly captivated by the beautifully landscaped grounds, gardens & babbling sounds of the water feature that flows through the stone driveway. This 4 bedroom, 5.5 bath home has spectacular views of more than 30 mountains, including Satulah, Little Bear Pen & Shortoff, as well as overlooking downtown Highlands. It’s a perfect home for entertaining, with its covered screened outdoor living space with fireplace; soaring ceilings and open living room add to the appeal. The oversized master bedroom and bath has two separate closets. With its own kitchen and fireplace, the terrace level is perfect for a guest retreat, mother-in-law suite, or spacious home office. This home is located in the exclusive gated community of Ravenel, which is walking distance to downtown Highlands. 3D Home Tour available online.

Offered at $3,250,000

A Highlands Country Club Masterpiece

Majestic Views of Whiteside Mountain & Beyond

74 DONALD ROSS ROAD, HIGHLANDS COUNTRY CLUB

39 BEAR SHADOW ROAD, HIGHLANDS NC

Located between the 8th & 9th fairways of Highlands’ oldest & most prestigious golf course, you will be steps from both the clubhouse & croquet court. Beautiful new construction from the ground up with pressure treated, hand split wood shakes on the roof, poplar bark and board & batten siding and stone accents. Detailed with vaulted ceilings, a soaring stone fireplace and rich reclaimed wood beams & railings. The upscale island kitchen features quartz countertops, Wolf range, Sub Zero refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher. Entertain guests & relax on the wrap around porch with open & covered areas and 2 fireplaces. Two guest ensuites & baths with quartz counters, tiled showers & heated floors offer luxury quarters for your visiting friends & family. The large master suite has luxury His & Her baths and a cozy sitting area & sleeping porch with stone fireplace. Golf cart storage plus an eco-friendly permeable paver system for four cars.

The Highlands estate is the epitome of mountain elegance with a artful blend of a poplar bark and stone exterior that sits above the famous “bear shadow view” of Whiteside Mountain and Devil’s Courthouse. Long range views as far away as South Carolina abound. Five ensuite bedrooms include a spacious master with decadent spa like bath & with a private deck. An outdoor living space with stone fireplace and grill area, perfect for entertaining & watching the sunsets and cloud mists come and go. There’s also an oversized 2 car-garage as well as a 600-bottle temperature controlled wine cellar, gourmet kitchen and large butler’s pantry. Three stone fireplaces, soaring ceiling in living room and sun room only add to the appeal. 3D Home Tour available online.

Priced at $1,950,000

Priced at $2,495,000 MLS# 88383

MLS# 87347

Mitzi Rauers

Broker 828.526.1717 404.218.9123 cell mitzi@bhhsmmr.com www.BHHSMMR.com

Over $12 Million Sold

Now Selling One-, Two- and Three-Bedroom Residences from the $500,000s to $1.4M+ CLOSINGS MAY 2019

Sales Center Now Open 2955 Peachtree Road NW, Suite A2 | Atlanta | 30305

To schedule a private appointment, call 404.939.9595.

L E A R N M O R E AT T H E S U T TO N B U C K H E A D. COM

Copyright © 2965 Peachtree LLC. All Rights Reserved. ©MMXVIII Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

Equal Housing Opportunity.

C HAS TA I N - SANDY SPRINGS O FFICE HARDIN R I DGE A G AT E D C O M M U N I T Y

Hardin Ridge ¦ Sandy Springs ¦ Chastain A Gated Enclave of 10 New Construction Luxury Homes from $1.3. Unique and individualized plans ensure your special new home will be a jewel unto itself.

Skilled craftsmen and high-end finishes combine resulting in a truly special finished product. Several homes nearing completion. Hurry for the best selection!

MARCIA WEINHOFF ¦ 404-983-0309

4765 HARRIS TRAIL ¦ ATLANTA, GA 30327

2928 VININGS FOREST WAY ¦ ATLANTA, GA 30339

SANDY SPRINGS

VININGS

Elegant Atlanta Classic 6 bedrooms 6 full baths/2 half baths

Masterful Renovation 5 bedrooms 4.5 baths

$1,950,000

$995,000

FMLS: 5974243

FMLS: 5977634

PHEBE ETHEREDGE ¦ 404-387-2342

SANDI & WENDELL HARSH ¦ 404-376-5114

940 VISTAVIA CIRCLE ¦ ATLANTA, GA 30033

4810 MIRROR LAKE DR ¦ POWDER SPRINGS, GA 30328

EMORY/CDC

PAM HUGHES ¦ 404-626-3604

Contemporary Ranch 4 bedrooms 3 baths

MIRROR LAKE ESTATES Resort Living 5 bedrooms 3.5 baths

$695,000

$487,000

FMLS: 5993918

FMLS: 5979511

JILL HUITRON ¦ 404-376-5114

CHASTAIN-SANDY SPRINGS ¦ 5290 ROSWELL ROAD, STE A ¦ ATLANTA, GA 30342 DIANE SMITH, SR. VP, MANAGING BROKER ¦ HARRYNORMAN.COM ¦ 404-250-9900 The above information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted. Offer subject to errors, changes, omissions, prior sales and withdrawals without notice.

N OW OV E R 60% S O L D O U T Two- and Three-Bedroom Residences and Penthouses Starting from $1.5 Million

THECHARLESBUCKHEAD.COM

©MMXVIII Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission.

Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.

Equal Housing Opportunity.

404.237.5000

The Charles Sales Gallery 315 East Paces Ferry Road Atlanta | 30305 | 404.975.3770