March/April 2013 Issue 15 • free
Your Guide to Living Well in Atlanta
Buckhead Insider’s Guide Hunger Games: Catching Fire’s Megan Hayes and 6 Others Show Off Our Neighborhood
Go for the Gold:
Travel to Georgia’s Golden Isles
¡Qué Bueno!
Jalisco celebrates 35 years in Peachtree Battle
“We found a bank that appreciates our new approach to the burger business.” When my business partner, Barry Mills, and I began our quest to reinvent the burger, we knew we had a recipe for success when Richard Blais joined us as our creative director. The next step was to find a bank that believed in us. Georgia Commerce Bank CEO Mark Tipton and I knew each other from college, and we had served on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta together, so I gave him a call. The bank’s staff helped us open our first location, then our second and now our new location in Buckhead. They have been easy to work with and extremely helpful in launching our business. What’s next on the menu? A growth strategy that our bank will help us serve up. Dedication and innovation in banking — that’s an appetizing concept.
RichaRd Blais Flip Creative Director
— Ron Stewart, co-founder of Flip
Ron stewaRt Flip Co-Founder
Georgia Commerce Bank has seven locations in metro Atlanta.
Seth Gray
Christin Nally Viola
Tripper Mansfield
Senior Vice President Commercial Lending
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Let us turn a board meeting into a sweet success. Let us create the perfect setting for your next big idea. Let us welcome you to our exclusive Club Level. Let us inspire your team to aspire to greatness.
We invite you to host your next conference or reception with us in downtown Atlanta or Buckhead in one of our newly renovated meeting rooms. Please call us at 404-348-5600 or visit ritzcarlton.com/atlanta or ritzcarlton.com/buckhead to reserve your next event.
ATLANTA BUCKHEAD
Š2013 The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.
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March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
S I M P L Y B U C K H E A D ® | ma r ch / ap r il 2 0 1 3
/// COVER STORY
66
exploring buckhead’s neighborhoods
How Buckhead was and will be built
Hong Sun Wills at Antonio Raimo Galleries.
Contents /// FEATURES
/// DEPARTMENTS
34
15 LETTERS
where the hart is Former suburbanites create a beguiling high-rise home in Buckhead TRAVEL NEAR: georgia’s golden isles
24 26 28 50
Photo: Sara Hanna Photograhy
45 SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
17 SIMPLY NOW 53 SIMPLY DELICIOUS 33 SIMPLY STYLISH 79 SIMPLY HAPPENING
Buckhead’s retreat Sea Island remains a captivating destination
30 Simply approved
lost in time A Golden Isle getaway
“Five amazing muffins served in Buckhead that are worth loosening your belt for.”
TRAVEL fAR: beloved bavaria Explore gems along the Danube River On campus with a cause Oglethorpe’s new museum director mixes art with a mission
54
Buckhead’s Tex-Mex standby A family atmosphere and consistent quality make Jalisco a neighborhood favorite
Photo: Sara Hanna Photograhy
March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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Your Guide to Living Well in Atlanta
Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Vinings, Decatur and Virginia Highland march/april 2013 | ISSUE 15 P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 www.simplybuckhead.com For advertising rates call: 404-538-9895
/// BEHIND THE COVER
Publisher Joanne Hayes Editor-In-Chief Allison Weiss Entrekin Creative Director Alan Platten Creative Production Assistant Sandra Platten Senior Account Executive Cheryl Isaacs
cheryl.isaacs@simplybuckhead.com Marketing Coordinator Heidi Romeo
Professionals in The arT of animal GroominGtm Since 1975
Megan Hayes saw her share of adventure while filming scenes for The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the second film in the hugely popular Hunger Games franchise. (In the movie, she plays one of the Tributes who fights for their lives.) So when we asked her to take her shoes off and splash around in Tanyard Creek in the middle of February, she didn’t blink. “This is nothing!” she laughed. Hayes, who lives near Tanyard Creek Park in Cross Creek, loved showing off her neighborhood to our team. It was her first-ever magazine photo shoot; once her movie hits in November, it will no doubt be followed by many more. Producer/Chief Photographer: Sara Hanna Publisher: Joanne Hayes Editor: Allison Weiss Entrekin Stylist: Morgan Henzlik Cohen, Morgan Kylee Hair/Makeup: Crystal Rock, Authentic Beauty
the pet set-buckhead 2480 Briarcliff Rd • Atlanta 30329 404.633.8755 the pet set-midtown 976 Piedmont Ave • Atlanta 30309 404.249.6668 the pet set-mobile 404.633.8755
$10 off any first time client/pet for afull haircut Monday-Thursday! Make reservations and appointments at
www.ThePetSet.com Grooming • Boarding • Day Care • Training
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March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
Wardrobe: Dress: A.L.C. from Morgan Kylee Necklaces: Silver ball necklace—Diane Cotton from Morgan Kylee; turquoise necklace— stylist’s own
heidi.romeo@simplybuckhead.com Associate Editor Giannina Smith Bedford Contributing Writers Kate Abney Wendell Brock H.M. Cauley Carly Cooper Jennifer Bradley Franklin David Goldstein Curt Holman Catherine O’Connor Hough Doc Lawrence Olivia Putnal Chief Photographer Sara Hanna www.sarahanna.com Contributing Photographers Austin Holt Jimmy Johnston Contributing Illustrator Jon Dahlstrom Graphic Designer Michael Baker Copy Editor
Ellen Glass Legal Counsel
Scott I. Zucker Marketing Intern
Ellen Blockowitz
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 © 2013 by Simply Buckhead®. All rights reserved. Printed by Walton Press, Inc. Distributed by Distributech, Network Communications, Inc., and Distribution Services Group. Simply Buckhead® is a member of the Buckhead Business Association.
find us online
Authentic MAnAgeMent AdvAntAge©
Read Simply Buckhead online at
www.SimplyBuckhead.com with click-through capability Facebook facebook.com “Like” or “Friend” us at Simply Buckhead Magazine
• Business and Marketing Plans • sales and cash Flow development • credit, Loans, and Financial Proposals • human resources development
AMA Business services, LLc 3525 Piedmont Road Atlanta, GA 30305 (404) 844-6812
(404) 815-8859 www.chocolatesouth.com
Twitter twitter.com Follow us @SimplyBuckhead
/// featured contributor
Jennifer Bradley Franklin Jennifer Bradley Franklin knew three things from early childhood: she would be a writer (her mom still has a book she wrote in fourth grade), seeing the world would exert a strong pull and the kitchen always felt a bit like home. Lucky for her, being a freelance writer covering food and travel—among other things—rolls three passions into one. For this issue of Simply Buckhead, she writes about a recent trip to Germany, flying high in an aerial silks class and about the culinary adventures available to Buckhead residents. When she’s not writing, you can find her buried in a book, likely sipping a cup of coffee, and in 2013 she plans to resurrect another passion: ballroom dancing. Jennifer is the editor of Manner & Lane, and regularly contributes to People, Time.com, American Way, All You, Flavors and others. She’s always plotting the next stamp in her passport.
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March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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My friends Ceasar Mitchell, Sam Massell and I pose with Mr. Buckhead at Simply Buckhead’s party. Photo: Austin Holt
/// publisher’S LETTER
I am SIMPLY GRATEFUL for all the wonderful things that have happened in just three years!
F
rom our humble beginnings in 2010 with a format unique to this market (our name chosen by our then-10-year-old son Ethan), to our solid standing as one of Buckhead’s fastest-growing publications, I am so appreciative of every moment of working in this wonderful place. Our celebratory event at Atlanta Decorative Arts Center honored and benefited our charity partners, Share Our Strength/No Kid Hungry and CURE Childhood Cancer. That evening, we were in turn honored with a Proclamation from the Atlanta City Council for our commitment to philanthropy, presented by Council President Ceasar Mitchell. We also heard remarks from our friend, Buckhead Coalition President Sam Massell, on the growth of Buckhead and our place in it. That evening, we unveiled “Mr. Buckhead,” created by artist Morris Ward, which we purchased as a donation to Livable Buckhead, an organization that strives to ensure the vitality and prosperity of the Buckhead community by working cooperatively to integrate sustainable strategies that improve the environment and quality of life. Just two weeks earlier, we were one of five recipients of a 2012 Buckhead Business of the Year Award from the Buckhead Business Association. Our staff (and families) have also expanded dramatically—2012 saw a second child born to our Editor-in-Chief Allison Weiss Entrekin and her
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March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
husband Ward; the promotion of Giannina Smith Bedford to Associate Editor; the contributions of some of Atlanta’s top freelance journalists adding to our already powerhouse editorial; and the additions of Production Assistant Sandy Platten, dynamic Senior Account Executive Cheryl Isaacs, and in January 2013, Marketing Coordinator Heidi Romeo. Our team continues to impress me and the entire community with their passion, creativity, discovery of hidden gems, fresh look and unique Simply Buckhead take on things right in our backyard. Our distribution continues to grow, with 24,000 copies placed in more than 200 locations in the Buckhead area. Our new website debuted in January, and to date, we have had viewership in 58 countries, 49 states and 117 cities and towns in Georgia. This promises to be another spectacular year, and I continue to appreciate being loved and encouraged by my husband and children, without whose support I couldn’t have devoted such effort to this publication. I’m Simply Grateful for the embrace and respect of the Buckhead community and the team’s commitment to put forth their best journalistic effort, issue after issue. Simply Grateful for the blessing to practice the art we love, combining mentoring skills with philanthropy, in one passionate package. My position allows me to fulfill my dream while fostering the dreams of others, and I am Simply Grateful to everyone who has touched my life these past few years.
Joanne Hayes publisher@simplybuckhead.com
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March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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770.717.1650
S I M P L Y B U C K H E A D ® | ma r ch / ap r il 2 0 1 3
Letters praise for our party! Here’s what a few attendees of Simply Buckhead ’s three-year celebration (see page 82) had to say: May I thank you for the kind words in your article. That and the photography were so exciting that I am afraid my head may be swelling. My wife and I were waiting for our table at Seasons 52 Saturday night and the hostess said, “Are you the gentleman on the magazine cover?” as she pulled out the magazine to show us. Needless to say, you were very flattering and I will always remember this. –Bruce Cusmano, Metropolitan Artifacts As usual, great job with the Jan/Feb issue. We haven’t received ours at the office yet, but I saw them at Kroger this morning and snagged one. I enjoyed reading through it as always and thought the bridal insert was very well done! I was also thrilled to see the spotlight article on Alfredo’s restaurant— it is truly one of my favorites. My boyfriend is from a 100 percent Italian family and we always enjoy bringing his out-of-town family members there. –Lauren Heflin, Castle Painting I must admit, it was very exciting to see this article in print! A big thank you to writer Helen Cauley. Today I’ll go get a bunch of these in hard copy at various locations nearby. Cheers for a good start to 2013! –Dr. Warren L. Woodruff, musician and author of Dr. Fuddle and the Gold Baton Again, the very prejudiced Mother of the Publisher was very impressed with the latest edition of Simply Buckhead! Especially by the story of the lady helping homeless people learn a new craft and the lady who collects birdcages, and the cake lady. The bridal section is gorgeous. Congratulations to all for the good work. –Diane Jackson I saw the article on Joanne [Truffelman] and I thought it was awesome. The magazine looks good—nice job. Glad you “found” us—it’s been a nice friendship. I have a lot of admiration for you. –Linda Silber, Woo Skincare and Cosmetics
Enjoyed celebrating the magazine’s success along with Mayor Sam Massell. Congrats on your third anniversary! –Ceasar C. Mitchell, Atlanta City Council President, via Twitter It was a great event and I hope everyone involved was pleased with your fantastic turnout! You definitely helped ADAC shine and we appreciate it. –Amy Musarra Kramer, ADAC The Simply Buckhead party last night at ADAC turned out incredibly. I am so proud of what Joanne Hayes and Allison Weiss Entrekin have accomplished with this wonderful magazine and how quickly it’s become a mainstay of the Atlanta community. –Kate Abney, writer, via Facebook It was fantastic … Loved all the extra Simply Buckhead step plates. Simply Perfect! –Garth Z. Peters, Buckhead Coalition OK, now I’m really impressed! Last night’s event was such a feel-good atmosphere. The buzz about Simply Buckhead is wonderful and well deserved. –Scott I. Zucker, Weissmann Zucker Euster Morochnik P.C. Lovely event. Congrats on three years. Mr. Buckhead rocks. –Kathy Hoskins via Facebook So proud of you and Simply Buckhead tonight! What a fantastic event! Congratulations! –Anny Deirmenjian Deese, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse Your gala event was wonderful—Chocolate South is honored to have been a part of the evening. You have a talented team! –Chocolate South via Twitter Thank you to Simply Buckhead for including CURE in your third-anniversary party last night and for your continued support of our organization. We are so grateful for your generosity!
–CURE Childhood Cancer via Facebook
/// LETTER BOX ///
Tell us what you think! Send your comments, compliments and criticisms to editor@simplybuckhead.com. All letters will be considered for publication and may be edited for length and clarity.
/// EDITOR’S LETTER
I
read A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe before I moved to Buckhead.
He described my now-home as its stereotype: lots of mansions, little diversity. But as I’ve discovered in my 11 years here, Buckhead is far from onedimensional. We have philanthropists who work Photo: Sara Hanna Photography tirelessly for charity; a tuckedaway museum featuring local contemporary art; a historic music venue highlighting singer-songwriters on the rise; even dive bars filled with PBR-swigging frat boys. Buckhead is both upscale and down-toearth; forward-thinking and steeped in Southern tradition; prone to boast and given to generosity. And it is within Buckhead’s many contrasts that I’ve found what makes this area truly rich. Award-winning writer Curt Holman covers Buckhead’s neighborhoods in all their glorious complexity in this issue’s cover feature. I found myself fascinated by his research—who knew that Brookwood Hills is Atlanta’s only completely enclaved neighborhood, or that Margaret Mitchell never actually lived in the Margaret Mitchell Neighborhood? Curt’s feature is full of history, landmarks, little-known facts and resident profiles—I hope you find it as spellbinding as I have. Also in this issue, we review the notoriously press-shy Jalisco in Peachtree Battle Shopping Center (shh … we had to practically sneak in to take photos!), tour a high-rise Terminus condo and spotlight Kim Wilson from Lucy’s Market. Enjoy reading about this amazing area we call home. Meanwhile, I’m going to send a copy of this issue to Tom Wolfe.
Allison Weiss Entrekin editor@simplybuckhead.com
March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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APRIL 13, 2013 Join us for the 48th running of the Atlanta Steeplechase Reserved ticket packages are on sale now! Choose from many different ticket packages including: Picnic Box on the Hill - A reserved table and 4 or 6 seats on the finish line. Bring your own picnic, decorate your table, enter the Picnic Box Decor contest and be a part of the most exciting area of Sponsor Hill. Tailgating on the Homestretch or Backstretch - Drive right into the infield to your reserved tailgating spot with 6 tickets. Pop up your 10x10 and make it a party! Chairman’s Tent - A reserved table for 10 on Sponsor Hill - the most luxurious experience on race day. Racing Members - make a day of it in the infield cheering on the horses and enjoying the infield activities. (Purchased through Ticketmaster only) The Atlanta Steeplechase would like to thank Simply Buckhead for their generous sponsorship! Please call 404-237-7436 for more information or visit www.atlantasteeplechase.org Children under 12 are free!
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March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
E V E N T S | L O C A L S A L U T E | T R A V E L | a p p rove d
Simply now
Built in 1928 and renovated in 2006, The Cloister is Sea Island’s centerpiece hotel.
travel near
Buckhead’s retreat, Page 24
Photo: Courtesy of Sea Island
“It’s amusing to recall the days when I’d never heard of Sea Island; when you live in Buckhead, that’s like not knowing what the Pink Pig is.” - Allison Weiss Entrekin
March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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SELLING ATLANTA SINCE 1930
AT L A N TA FISH MARK E T B I S T R O N I KO
NE I GH B O R H O O D F R E NC H B IST R O
B U C K H E A D DINE R
NE W AM E R I C AN
C H O P S L OB STE R B AR C O R N E R C AFÉ KYMA PRICCI
S E AF O O D
P R I M E S TEA K S & SE A F O O D
E U R O P E AN S TY L E C A FÉ & B A K E RY
M E D I TE R R ANE AN S E AF O O D C O NTE M P O R ARY I TAL I AN
V E N I VI DI VIC I 103 WEST
C L AS S I C I TAL I AN
P R I VATE E V E NTS
B O C A R ATO N C H O P S LO B ST E R B AR C I T Y F I S H MARK E T
P R I M E S TE A K S & SE A F O O D
S E AF O O D
F O R T L A U D E RDAL E L O B S T E R B AR SE A G RIL L E
C O M IN G S O O N !
W W W. H A R R Y N O R M A N . C O M B U C K H E A D N O RT H O F F I C E 404-814-9000 BUCKHEAD OFFICE 404-233-4142
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March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
BUCKHEAD/NORTHWEST OFFICE 404-261-2700 B U C K H E A D C H A S TA I N O F F I C E 404-233-1492
S IMP LY n ow
e ve n ts
/// FEATURED EVENT ///
two days of dream kitchens Junior League shows off designer kitchens—some in Buckhead!—for a cause
Left: This Buckhead kitchen on Friar Tuck Road showcases the work of home builder Dresser Homes. Above: Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio created the kitchen of this Leighton Court home.
T
he Junior League of Atlanta fires up the stove for their hottest event of the year. The 16th annual Tour of Kitchens brings local celebrity chefs to some of Buckhead’s most elaborate homes for a fundraising event that will leave your taste buds yearning for more and your imagination reeling with the possibility of creating your very own dream kitchen. The weekend event kicks off Friday, March 22 with Toast of the Tour at Mason Murer Fine Art in Buckhead—a night of
innovative eats, signature cocktails, a gentlemen’s sports lounge, mixology demonstrations, a silent auction and more. The self-guided tours of Atlanta’s most renowned kitchens take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., providing the perfect resource for those looking to renovate their kitchens, rejuvenate their homes or merely sample delicious dishes from some of Atlanta’s most celebrated chefs, including Chef Jonathan St. Hilaire of The Lawrence and Chef Tom McEach-
ern of The Capital Grille in Dunwoody. Many of the featured homes are even located in the heart of Buckhead. “The homes are beautiful, the designs are innovative and the celebrity chef demonstrations bring a fun, lively element to the event,” says Chairperson Evyan O’Keefe. The largest charitable event fundraiser for Atlanta’s Junior League, the Tour of Kitchens has raised more than $1 million for the empowerment of women and children in the community. – David Goldstein
Toast of the Tour Party Friday, March 22 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets $75
2013 Tour of Kitchens Saturday, March 23 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 24 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets $35 in advance, $40 at the door
www.tourofkitchens.org
/// FAMILY-FRIENDLY ///
On the Hunt Callanwolde a blooming backdrop for Easter celebrations Gather the kids and hop on over to Callanwolde Fine Arts Center in Druid Hills for the 2013 Eggstravaganza. The always exciting annual Easter egg hunt begins March 30 at 10 a.m. Make sure to bring an extra large Easter basket to collect the thousands of candy-filled eggs scattered throughout Callanwolde’s 12-acre grounds and picturesque spring gardens. The fun-filled day outdoors includes Atlanta Braves-themed games and prizes, and a chance to meet the real Easter Bunny. Kids will also have the opportunity to make holiday arts and crafts while munching on homemade goodies from the bake sale, Callanwolde Fine with all proceeds benefiting the Callanwolde Dance Program. Personal Arts Center cameras are encouraged in order to capture a scenic family photo op 980 Briarcliff Road N.E. in the landscaped gardens. The day’s festivities are free for adults Atlanta 30306 and children’s tickets—$10 for 12 and under and $14 at the door—are 404.872.5338 available for advance purchase online through www.ticketleap.com. – David Goldstein
www.callanwolde.org
March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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SI MPLY now
events
/// free event ///
Local history lesson Stroll through a 1927 Colonial Revival church. Visit graves dating back to 1869. It’s all part of a free tour of Sardis Church and Cemetery, a 5-acre site on Powers Ferry Road. The one-hour tour led by the Buckhead Heritage Society takes place on March 23 at 10 a.m. and noon. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012, the church and cemetery, known today as Sardis United Methodist Church, has a storied past. Its first incarnation is estimated to date back to the 1840s (around the same time settlers formed Irbyville, which eventually became Buckhead). The cemetery—one of Buckhead’s earliest—was known as Shady Oaks Cemetery until the 1930s, and church records indicate more than 750 people are buried here, many in unmarked graves. It’s also the final resting place
of some famous names, including Henry Irby (1807-1879), Wesley Collier (1824-1906) and Napoleon Cheshire (1843-1921), prominent landowners whose land tracts eventually made up Buckhead’s core. The tours are offered as part of the Atlanta Preservation Center’s 10th Annual Phoenix Flies: A City-Wide Celebration of Living Landmarks. – Giannina Smith Bedford
Tours of Sardis Church and Cemetery March 23, tours at 10 a.m. and noon 3725 Powers Ferry Road Atlanta 30342 404.467.9447 www.buckheadheritage.com
Explore Sardis Church (top) and Cemetery, which was recently listed on the National Register of Historic places. Photos: Courtesy of Buckhead Heritage
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March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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Town Brookhaven is truly your one stop shopping and dining destination with a blend of interesting boutiques, delicious restaurants and useful services.
www.townbrookhaven.net Conveniently located on Peachtree Road adjacent to Oglethorpe University.
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March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
S IMP LY n ow
Local Salute story:
Carly Cooper
Stacey Flamm (left) poses with her team after the 2012 Ovarian Cycle Ride to Change the Future. Photo: Courtesy of Ovarian Cycle
Cycling for Change Resident rides to remember her mother and raise money for ovarian cancer research To 25-year-old Stacey Flamm, the Ovarian Cycle Ride to Change the Future is both a way to honor the memory of her mother and to find a cure for the disease that took her away. A Buckhead resident and third-grade teacher at Pace Academy, Flamm has been participating in this indoor fundraiser for five years. The annual event was established shortly after Flamm’s mother, Debbie Flamm, passed away following a three-year battle with ovarian cancer. Bethany Diamond, a fitness instructor and friend of Debbie’s, created it in Atlanta in 2004 to inspire people to exercise while promoting ovarian cancer research. Since its launch, the Ovarian Cycle has expanded to New York City; Seattle; Dallas; Birmingham, Ala.; and Tallahassee, Fla. “My mother was very into exercising and taking care of her body,
so I feel the cycle is a great way to honor her memory,” Flamm says. “I can make a difference by getting the word out there and raising money to hopefully one day find a cure. I don’t want women to ever have to go through what my mother—and my family—had to go through.” This year’s ride takes place April 20 at Midtown Athletic Club, when participants will ride stationary bikes to music for 6 hours. Riders must raise at least $600, or $400 if they are trading off riding with a friend or family member. “My team, The Little Debbies, was the third-highest fundraising team last year!” Flamm says. “I encourage anyone to get out there and do it, no matter your fitness level.” For more information, to donate or participate, visit www.ovariancycle.org.
Hearts and Crafts Sixteen-year-old Kenzie Mabrey started Beads for Ben to raise money for autism research A junior at North Atlanta High School, Buckhead resident Kenzie Mabrey first learned about autism at the young age of 6, when her cousin, Ben Harty, was diagnosed with severe autism—a neurodevelopmental disorder. Her family began participating in the annual Autism Speaks walks in 2006, and the vast number of walkers with matching T-shirts supporting the cause awed her. Two years ago, at 14, Mabrey decided she wanted to create her own team, which meant she had to raise funds. She turned to one of her passions—crafts—for help. “I was always interested in jewelry and arts and crafts. One day, I realized I could raise a lot of money for a great cause just by making bracelets and doing what I enjoy,” she says. With that in mind, Mabrey established a small nonprofit called Beads for Ben. She reads fashion and jewelry magazines for inspiration and creates bracelets, earrings and necklaces from recycled charms salvaged from old, broken jewelry. Mabrey then sells her
Kenzie Mabrey sells jewelry to raise money for autism research.
creations (ranging in price from $10 to $80) on her website and at home shows in Buckhead; they are also for sale at Ambrosia Salon, Brina Beads, The Dogwood Shop at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, and many other locations. Select shops in Nashville, Birmingham and Seaside, Fla., also retail her wares. So far, Mabrey has raised more than $5,000 for Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to research and finding a cure for autism. “I’d like to keep growing my business and creating new designs that will help raise more money to donate to autism,” she says. “I love what I’ve done so far and can’t wait to see how far it takes me.” For more information or to purchase Mabrey’s jewelry, visit www.beadsforben.com.
Connecting the Community Local charity teaches teens leadership and creates a holiday to remember for foster children Buckhead resident Deedee Hamburger remembers exactly how the seed for Creating Connected Communities was planted. It was 1994, and her then-12-year-old niece, Amy Zeide, was watching a news story about gifts being stolen from a local shelter the night before Christmas. Hamburger says the story upset Zeide so much that she collected gently used toys from her friends, added some of her own, and gave them to the shelter to replace the missing gifts. The following year, Zeide took $400 of her bat mitzvah money and threw a holiday party at the shelter. This be-
came an annual tradition, and in 2010, Zeide established Creating Connected Communities to involve local teenagers in community service, teach them leadership skills and provide holiday cheer to the underprivileged. The nonprofit hosts car washes and bake sales throughout the year, plants community gardens and organizes shelter dances. Companies like Mellow Mushroom and the Defoor Centre pitch in to sponsor parts of the holiday party. A current board member and a volunteer since the organization’s inception, Hamburger has been at all 18 holiday parties. “These are children
who don’t have anything. If it wasn’t for people like Amy who throw these parties, there’d be no Christmas [for them] and that’s a big deal!” she says. “I love the fact that there are so many teens who learn to get involved in the community. It’s just phenomenal.” Hamburger continues: “One woman wrote in a letter to Amy, ‘With all the stress we have in our lives, this is a day we really look forward to,’ and that just says it all.” For more information, to get involved or donate to Creating Connected Communities, visit www.cccprojects.org.
Deedee Hamburger (left) has volunteered at all 18 shelter holiday parties that her niece Amy Zeide, founder of Creating Connected Communities (right), has thrown.
Creating Connected Communities 2012 Holiday Party By the Numbers:
3,000 gifts 700 guests 300 teenage volunteers 250 pizzas 30 partner service agencies
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The pool at The Beach Club is flanked by Southern Tide restaurant on one side and a private, five-mile beach on the other. Photo: Courtesy of Sea Island
Buckhead’s retreat Sea Island remains a captivating destination
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rowing up in Central Florida, I didn’t know Sea Island existed. But when I moved to Buckhead 11 years ago, Georgia’s ritziest Golden Isle came up every other conversation. “We were in Sea Island this weekend.” “My parents have a home in Sea Island.” “We saw so-and-so in Sea Island.” I’ve now vacationed there with my husband twice (he’s a native Buckhead resident who grew up going there), attended the wedding of a friend at its Ocean Forest Club, and written several stories about Atlanta brides who held their nuptials there. It’s amusing to recall the days when I’d never heard of Sea Island; when you live in Buckhead, that’s like not knowing what the Pink Pig is. Recently, my husband and I took our two young children on their first trip to Sea Island. They are 3 and 1 (not ideal ages to vacation with), and as I jammed their diapers, sippy cups and strollers into the car, I wondered whether the effort of the five-hour-plus road trip was worth it. It was the Central Floridian in me doubting; my husband, on the other hand, couldn’t wait. He has great childhood memories from The Cloister, Sea Island’s historic hotel. Swimming in the pool. Playing bingo and arcade games. Running around with his friends. And so—with kids and cargo in the car—we began driving southeast. After hearing Dora the Explorer announce herself (“Hola! I’m Dora!”) on our DVD player 100 times during our trip, we finally arrived at Sea Island. The guard opened the gate to this private enclave, and we pulled into The Cloister, which looks like a series of Mediterranean man-
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sions shaded by mossy oaks. Some Sea Island regulars whose names I shall not divulge say the place lost a bit of its charm when it got a $350 million makeover in 2006. To me, it’s hard to find fault with this Old South paradise, but of course I don’t have any vintage memories here. We checked into our two-room suite, which had a small porch with panoramic views of the marshes. The sun was setting, and Dora began to fade from my mental radio. We poured ourselves a glass of wine and took the kids for a stroll. As we walked, it seemed every family we passed mirrored ours. Young boys pedaled tricycles. Little girls walked home in wet bathing suits. How had I ever come here without kids? It practically seemed a requirement for entry. We had dinner at Southern Tide at The Beach Club, which allows casual attire and serves American food with a Low Country flair. Along with the East Coast oysters and roasted beet salad, the best part of our dinner was watching our 3-year-old daughter frolic on the beach playground from the comfort of our dinner table. Afterward, we had ice cream at Wonderland Sweet Shop, also at The Beach Club. As my daughter licked her strawberry cone and told me about the friend she’d made at the playground, her eyes got this dreamy look. So this is what happened to my husband when he was a kid, I thought. Another generation drinks the Sea Island Kool-Aid. The next morning, I took my daughter for a mommy-and-me breakfast at the Georgian Room, a Forbes Five-Star restaurant that offers a formal full-service breakfast. The gold-plated
Allison Weiss Entrekin
place settings and crystal glasses were just a tad fancier than a typical breakfast in the Entrekin household, and my princess-in-training was in heaven. After she ate, I took her to Camp Cloister, where she joined other children her age for a morning of supervised crafts, pool time and lunch. She didn’t bother to say “bye, Mommy” as she rushed into the action. Fine with me: I was off to the Spa at Sea Island for a Stone & Scent Concerto treatment. The 70-minute hot-stone massage/ aromatherapy combo took me to that elusive place between meditation and sleep. When I left to meet my family for lunch, my eyes had that dreamy look too. They got me. The rest of our trip was packed with fun, from a tennis lesson taught by none other than French Open doubles winner Murphy Jensen, to a family fishing trip through the marshes. My daughter’s first catch? A bonnethead shark! We took a photo to prove it. We also played bingo at The Cloister, a longtime Sea Island tradition. This is no ordinary game night: All the men wear coats and ties and the legendary “Billy Bingo” uses insider lingo to call the numbers (for example, “couple of ducks” is 22). But my favorite part of our trip came our last morning, when my daughter and I met naturalist Kristen Morris outside The Beach Club at 6 a.m. We rode with her on her golf cart to check on each of the 5-mile beach’s sea turtle nests. It was time for many of the eggs to hatch, and Kristen’s job was to make sure none of the endangered little fellas got stuck or disoriented on their march to the ocean. The first 30 minutes or so, all the nests
Illustration by Jeffrey Zwartjes
Written and directed by Jon Ludwig Can the superhero Mighty Bug defeat the villainous Scorpiana and save Bugville? Find AGES out in this comic book & Up style adventure!
4
Top: Wonderland Sweet Shop is a retro ice cream parlor and candy shop located in The Beach Club. Above: The Georgian Room at The Cloister is the only Forbes Five-Star restaurant in the state. Right (from top to bottom): The author’s daughter shows off her first-ever catch, a bonnethead shark, with the help of her father; the author’s daughter greets a baby sea turtle; the author’s son kicks back in a (very) oversized chair at The Cloister.
By Barefoot Puppet Theatre of Richmond,VA
Journey to the far-off Galapagos Islands and meet George: the last tortoise of his kind. This uplifting eco-fable shares the true story of this famous, not-so-little tortoise and the islands he calls “home.”
Mar 19 - Apr 7
AGES
4&Up
Coming July 22 - 26
PUPPET CAMP! Five magical days filled with all sorts of puppet adventures for ages 9 - 12 Email education@puppet.org for more info.
© Center for Puppetry Arts
we visited were either long-hatched or still incubating, and Kristen explained that on some mornings, there were simply no baby turtles to see. It was all right with my daughter and me—the sun was coming up, and the seagulls were a joy to watch as they dove for their breakfast. But then something magical happened. As Kristen dug into a hatched nest, she found a baby sea turtle who had gotten stuck beneath his siblings’ broken shells. Holding out her hand, she showed my daughter the squirming, palm-sized creature. I’m not sure who was more excited, my daughter or me. Together, we pet the turtle, wished him luck on his journey, then watched as Kristen placed him on the ground and he slowly waddled into the sea. “He has a small chance of surviving to adulthood,” Kristen told me quietly. “He’ll encounter predators and strong currents, but if he makes it, his instincts will help him swim toward areas where he’ll make a home and be safe.” My daughter and I held hands and watched him go. As I write this, something tells me that little survivor is still paddling in the ocean, making his way toward home. Of course, we had to return home too, sand in our clothes, suntans on our faces, digital memories saved in our iPhones. For the next few weeks, I found “Sea Island” tumbling out of my mouth in countless conversations. “In Sea Island we did this.” “In Sea Island, that happened.” “Oh yeah, I love that about Sea Island.” I guess I’m officially a Buckhead girl now. n
Warren Johnson
through Mar 17
404.873.3391
www.puppet.org 1404 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 Limited FREE Parking • MARTA Accessible Advance purchase is highly recommended as many shows sell out quickly. Season supported in part by: Fulton County Arts Council, City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs, Georgia Council for the Arts.
Sea Island 855.572.4975 www.seaisland.com
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Village Inn and Pub When the owners decided to expand a 1930s stucco cottage into a full-fledged inn in 2002, they hired architect Larry Evans, who had worked on the Jekyll Island Club project, to make sure the new blended with the old. And they built around the live oaks, so that the resulting 28-room structure, with charming balconies and fig-vinestudded walls, looks like a vintage apartment building from, well, the ’30s. We stayed just around the corner at the Inn’s pet-friendly retreat, in a commodious room with a pool just outside our door. The Inn, which has a lively pub housed in the original cottage, is a short stroll from the picturesque village of St. Simons. 500 Mallery Street St. Simons Island 888.635.6111 www.villageinnandpub.com
lost in time A Golden Isle getaway Wendell Brock
A piece of remarkably fresh grilled grouper with peanut succotash at Halyards. Photo: Courtesy of Halyards.
Brogen’s A prime spot for burgers, wings and beer, this casual pub is steps from the village pier and lighthouse.
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ven sleepyheads who flunked Georgia history must feel a slight move of the needle when they hear the words “Fort Frederica” and “Jekyll Island Millionaires’ Club.” Frederica? Yes, that’s the tabby barricade Oglethorpe built on St. Simons Island to fend off Spain in the swashbuckling 1700s. Jekyll? That’s the pristine, tooth-shaped island where snow-birding Vanderbilts and Pulitzers erected dinky little “cottages,” circa the late 1800s. About five hours south of Buckhead on Georgia’s secluded southern tip, Jekyll and St. Simons are two of our state’s more enchanting barrier-island destinations. By turns tacky and time-swept, they brim with live oaks, Spanish moss, monuments, world-class resorts, golf and good food. Over a recent three-day weekend, my dog, Lucy Belle, and I enjoyed a relaxing retreat on these tranquil southerly isles. We ate like kings, slept like Rockefellers and found the perfect doggy sweater for Lucy’s first boat ride. While Her Majesty lounged in our hotel, I visited a sea-turtle hospital, pigged out on seafood and sipped bourbon and ginger from the third-floor veranda of the fabled Jekyll Island Club, now an immaculately restored hotel. For those considering a Golden Isle getaway, we offer this handy guide. n
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200 Pier Alley St. Simons Island 912.638.1660 www.brogens.com Fins on the Beach Good fried seafood makes up for the flaky service at this Jekyll mainstay. At Jekyll Island Club Hotel, visitors can play croquet on the meticulously manicured lawn.
PLACES TO STAY Jekyll Island Club Hotel. Last time I was on Jekyll, I slummed it in a shabby cottage. This time, I checked off a bucket list fantasy: sleeping at this former playground of the rich and famous. (A fella can pretend, right?) Here you may sit in a rocking chair on the veranda by the bay, play croquet on the perfectly manicured lawn or just mosey around the property, including the glorious Italian villa-like Crane Cottage. We slumbered at the spiffy Sans Souci, in a sprawling room with a fireplace, Jacuzzi bath and luminous balcony view of the water. Superb. 371 Riverview Drive, Jekyll Island 855.535.9547 www.jekyllclub.com
Southern Soul Barbecue These dudes smoke their oakkissed meats in outdoor pits, to divine results. Try the Burnt End sandwich—super-moist brisket with the charred bark intact— and creamy coleslaw. 2020 Demere Road St. Simons Island 912.638.7685 www.southernsoulbbq.com
PLACES TO SEE Christ Church and Fort Frederica National Monument It only takes a couple of hours to stroll these nearby sights on the north end of the island. Both are steeped in live oaks and history. Fort Frederica: 6515 Frederica Road St. Simons Island 912.638.3639 www.nps.gov/fofr Christ Church 6329 Frederica Road St. Simons Island 912.638.8683 www.christchurchfrederica.org
PLACES TO EAT feature:
Tramici: 75 Cinema Lane St. Simons Island 912.634.2202 www.tramicirestaurant.com
200 North Beachview Drive Jekyll Island 912.635.3522 Halyards/Tramici. Chef Dave Snyder has upped St. Simons’ dining game with this duo of restaurants. At the upscale Halyards, you can dine on fresh snapper with roasted tomatoes and peanut succotash. (Be sure to get a side of the creamy grits.) The chef is an enthusiastic fisherman, so “catch of the day” might be literal. Across the courtyard at Tramici, you may sit on the patio and enjoy an appetizer of crispy fried artichokes flecked with feta and parsley pesto, a pizza margherita and a glass of Chianti. If it’s chilly, there are outdoor heaters and plush lap blankets to keep you warm. Kids and dogs welcome. Halyards: 55 Cinema Lane St. Simons Island 912.638.9100 www.halyardsrestaurant.com
The Georgia Sea Turtle Center Learn about endangered turtle species and visit a hospital for sick turtles. A fascinating and essential stop. 214 Stable Road Jekyll Island 912.635.4444 www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org The Marshes of Glynn Whether by kayak or fishing charter, consider taking a boat around the islands. Good for bird watching and seeing Sea Island and private Little St. Simons up close. Two good services from St. Simons, both recommended: Sea Georgia Adventures: 912.638.9430 SouthEast Adventure Outfitters: 912.638.6732 www.southeastadventure.com St. Simons Lighthouse Climb to the top of this 1872 structure for a bird’s-eye view of the town, the marshes and the sea. 610 Beachview Drive St. Simons Island 912.638.4666 www.saintsimonslighthouse.org
From the top of St. Simons Lighthouse, you can get a 360-degree view of land and sea.
SCAD offers year-round workshops and classes in a variety of art disciplines for SCAD students and the general public. For questions regarding the Atlanta program, email atlantace@scad.edu or call 404.253.6814. For questions regarding the Savannah and eLearning programs, email savannahce@scad.edu or call 912.525.5968.
Visit scad.edu/ce to learn more.
Continuing Education A FRESH DINING EXPERIENCE THAT CELEBRATES LIVING WELL
© 2012 Darden Concepts Inc. 13287
Located on Peachtree road at W Paces 3050 Peachtree road NW atlaNta, Ga 30305 404.846.1552 Located by the Perimeter maLL 90 Perimeter ceNter W duNWoody, Ga 30346 770.671.0052
For details on group and event dining, visit www.Seasons52.com 13287_S5_FreshDining_Ad_Buckhead.indd 1
10/22/12 2:12 PM
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Above: Nuremberg’s old city center, including the castle, was one of the few sections of the city that largely survived World War II. Left: Frankfurt’s St. Paul’s Church isn’t used as a church anymore—rather, it’s a destination for cultural events and festivals. The luxury river liners of the A-Rosa fleet are long and sleek in order to navigate Europe’s winding rivers.
Beloved Bavaria Explore gems along the Danube River
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ermany was never a place that crept onto my list of “must-visit” countries. But standing on the bow of the stunning luxury river liner, Silva, cruising the Danube is such a beautiful experience that Bavaria has a permanent place in my dreams henceforth. My 6-day voyage on German river cruise line A-ROSA’s newest, 450-foot ship represented two firsts for me: my first time in Deutschland and my first cruise. I might be forever ruined for the water now since this trip set the bar rather high. The spacious 156-square-foot room with a French balcony and waiting Champagne left a lasting impression, with its flat-screen TV, fluffy down comforter and round-the-clock room service. The grand dining from a team of attentive, talented chefs offered numerous options, from healthy and light to rich and decadent. And the constant care by the expert staff only added to the many highlights that made it clear why AROSA is one of the top cruise lines in Europe. The good news for Atlantans: 2013 represents the first year they’ll dedicate routes to North American travelers (trips of varying lengths are currently offered on the Rhine, Rhône, Saône and Danube rivers), offering inclusive packages with airfare, excursions and even food and spirits tailored to American tastes. The point of embarkation for my cruise was Frankfurt, so I took time to explore. It’s the banking capital of Germany, known for its
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Jennifer Bradley Franklin
exemplary efficiency, but to characterize it only by that would be to miss so much. I wandered along the Eiserner Steg, a pedestrianonly bridge over the Main River, dotted with thousands of engraved padlocks. Lovers come to the bridge to attach a lock bearing their names and then toss the keys into the river to symbolize their everlasting bond. It’s an unexpected moment of romance and whimsy in a city built to serve the gods of prudence. For shopping of every kind of ware, from home décor to Euro-chic clothes, I wandered along Frankfurt’s most famous street, The Zeil. The short road, less than a mile long, is bookended by two grand plazas (Hauptwache and Konstablerwache) and makes for a nice stroll, even if your only shopping is of the window variety. During the ship’s next stop in Regensburg, Mother Nature served up a grey drizzle, but that only seemed to add to the city’s medieval charm. For your own trip, be sure to wander across the simply named Stone Bridge near the city’s old quarter; it was built between 1135 and 1146 and is Germany’s oldest vaulted stone bridge. Hungry for a traditional German sausage? Stop at Wurstkuchl, at the bridge’s edge; its tiny kitchen has been serving bratwursts since the 1100s and it has the singular distinction of being the oldest sausage haus in the world. While strolling the streets of the city it’s practically impossible to miss St. Peter’s Cathedral, visible above most of
the other buildings. Whether you’re religious or not, it’s awe-inspiring, with five original Gothic ciborium altars and brilliant stained glass windows dating from 1220 to 1370. Fortunately, the city was barely touched during the air raids of World War II, so almost all of the charming architecture is preserved. My final stop was Nuremberg, made famous as the site of the Nazi war crimes trials. The city (a favorite of Hitler’s and the site of the Reich Party Rallies) presents a stark contrast to Regensburg, since it was almost totally bombed during World War II. Luckily, Nuremberg Castle was spared and stands on a hill overlooking the old, walled portion of the town. Meander around the cobblestone streets, along the Pegnitz River, and find postcard-perfect Fuell Street, which is lined with timber-framed houses. During my experience in the land of pretzels, lederhosen and beer (the second of which I did not attempt), I have become a disciple of seeing the world via cruise ship. Certainly, it’s a departure from a traditional traveling experience, with the absence of train and bus schedules and schlepping suitcases everywhere. For a true holiday, it’s lovely to allow a well-appointed ship to be both your mode of transport and your home-away-from-home. In any case, charming Bavaria will occupy my dreams for some time to come. n For more information visit: www.arosacruises.com
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simply appr oved t Mae’s Bakery: Blueberry “While I always love playing around with unique flavors, I also respect the ‘classics,’” says proprietor Beth Castro. Keeping this in mind, the charming bakery offers a particularly delicious version of a blueberry muffin ($2.95 each), made with marble-sized fresh berries and topped with crumbly streusel. 2770 Lenox Road, Atlanta 30324. 404.565.0938 www.maesbakeryatl.com
s Highland Bakery: Espresso Chocolate Chip If enjoying a coffee in your muffin is your (jittery) speed, this is just right for you. Chef Stacey Eames says her inspiration for this flavor was “being able to incorporate my love of java with my love of baking.” Real espresso is blended with freshly milled wheat (to retain the vitamins) and dark chocolate chips. The result is a dense, lightly sweet, crumb-topped muffin ($2.59 each) that might give you a little caffeine jolt. 1180 Peachtree Street N.E., Atlanta 30309. 404.835.3130 www.highlandbakery.com
s Sugar Shack: Maple Bacon “At first, our customers thought it was a crazy combination, but after trying one, they were addicted,” says managing partner Wendy Seel, who created this unusual flavor. Actual chunks of crispy bacon dot the muffins ($1.95 each), which taste like an entire plate of bacon and pancakes, all condensed in a scrumptious little package. 4058 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30319. 404.816.6161 www.metrocafes.com
Muffin Mania Some fresh-baked bites to jumpstart your day story:
Jennifer Bradley Franklin Photos: Sara Hanna Even in a carb-counting world, muffins still top the list of favorite breakfast treats. They’re portable, decadent and go perfectly with a steaming cup of coffee. If you’re going to splurge, better enjoy it, so we found five amazing muffins served in Buckhead that are worth loosening your belt for.
s
Buckhead Bread Company: Lemon Poppy Seed
Made with pungent lemon extract and fresh lemon juice, these oversized muffins ($1.95 each) are baked fresh daily by pastry chef Chloe Aguirre. They’re a classic flavor combination done really well—consistently moist and dense, the muffins flecked with jet-black poppy seeds have an appealing tangy flavor. 3070 Piedmont Road N.E., Atlanta 30305. 404.240.1978 www.buckheadrestaurants.com
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s Henri’s: French Vanilla These fist-sized muffins ($1.89 each) are served upside down and generously coated with veteran pastry chef Jean-Luc Verbist’s sugary “French vanilla smear.” The vanilla cupcakes … er … muffins, are so moist and sweet they could easily pass for dessert. 61 Irby Avenue N.W., Atlanta, 30305. 404.237.0202 www.henrisbakery.com
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Simply stylish
home
Where the Hart is, Page 34
“We love our home and we absolutely love Buckhead.”
The view from Larry and Stephanie Hart’s 17th-floor condo in Buckhead’s 10 Terminus Place. Photo: Sara Hanna Photography
- Larry Hart on his high-rise condo
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SIMPLY stylish
home
where the hart is Former suburbanites create a beguiling high-rise home in Buckhead feature:
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Above: After decades in the suburbs, Larry and Stephanie Hart love living in the heart of Buckhead. Top: The “party space” of the condo, the kitchen overlooks the dining and living rooms and features a spacious island with Bolier bar stools done in playful fabric from Groundworks at Lee Jofa.
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Giannina Smith Bedford Photos: Sara Hanna
arry and Stephanie Hart wanted to shake things up. After more than 25 years in a Doraville house, they were ready to enjoy life inside the Perimeter, near the restaurants and theaters they frequented on the weekends. “I always saw myself as moving back to Atlanta because my church is here, I’m a volunteer at the Atlanta Humane Society and so much of what we do is down here,” says Stephanie, a retired first-grade teacher who grew up in Piedmont Heights. In March 2010, after a two-month search, the grandparents of 10 settled on a 2,800-square-foot contemporary condo in Buckhead’s 10 Terminus Place. On the 17th floor, the three-bedroom, three-bathroom residence’s spacious interior (400 square feet larger than their previous home, providing lots of room for grandkids) and sweeping views were the factors that sold the Harts from day one. “The first time we saw this unit, we came in after dark and saw Downtown and my mouth dropped. I said, ‘I have to live here,’”
says Larry, group chair for Vistage International, a CEO peer advisory membership organization. “This place is fabulous at night.” While stunning, the modern condo was a drastic departure from the Harts’ traditionally decorated residence in Doraville (Stephanie’s home since 1973—12 years before she met Larry). So when it came to filling the raw space with furniture, the task seemed overwhelming. At Larry’s request, Bryan Alan Kirkland of BAKDESIGNS stepped in to find a happy medium between Stephanie’s classic style and Larry’s contemporary preferences. “He was responsive to Stephanie and to me—and we are dramatically different people in our styles,” says Larry, who met Kirkland at his West End showroom, now located in Buckhead. “I felt he had potential to honor Steph’s heritage and legacy and yet bring it more up to date.” The finished product—a high-rise haven of modern fixtures and classic furniture
Above: Custom rugs from the Moattar Ltd. Finer Rugs showroom at Atlanta Decorative Arts Center (ADAC) are spread throughout every space in the house, including the welcoming media room.
Above left: The jaw-dropping views of Downtown and Buckhead are even more spectacular at night. Left: The “party space” of the condo, the kitchen overlooks the dining and living rooms and features a spacious island with Bolier bar stools done in playful fabric from Groundworks at Lee Jofa.
Left: Two oil paintings of Italian scenery from local artist Bill Davidson adorn the living room, which has a panoramic view of the city.
“The first time we saw this unit, we came in after dark and saw Downtown and my mouth dropped. I said, ‘I have to live here.’” everything behind, but bring part of who I was into our new home,” Stephanie says. Contrasting with the formal living room is a casual, clubby media room with a Hickory White sectional in Kravet fabric with Lee Jofa-upholstered pillows and a Century Furniture coffee table. These pieces face a custom wall unit designed by BAKDESIGNS that showcases artsy décor, books and a flat-screen TV. It also hides a custom desk behind pocket doors and stores Stephanie’s scrapbooking accessories (Kirkland made sure the shelves fit the precise height and shape of her scrapbooks). While Stephanie is a scrapbooker, Larry is a wine lover. Not just your casual wine aficionado either, but a Certified Specialist of Wine and proud owner of a 200-bottle collection. So it’s no surprise that the media room boasts a bespoke bar done in back-painted glass and crowned with a Champagne bottle giclée by Roswell artist Wayne Sloop. “One of the things I like about this room is it has a very masculine feel to it,” Larry says. “[The bar] is nice to have, as that is where I serve all our wines.”
s
done with luxurious fabrics—truly impresses upon entry. Step into the foyer, beneath the pendant chandelier, and you’re knocked off your feet by the sweeping floor-toceiling views of Buckhead below and Downtown in the distance. Inspired by the view, Kirkland based the color palette on the sky and ground, using neutrals, khakis and blues throughout. The spacious kitchen—done in Wolf appliances, brown marble countertops and a backsplash of chocolate glass tile from Waterworks—is the centerpiece of the condo. Steps away, the sunlit living room features a 30-year-old sofa redone in bronze-and-white Lee Jofa fabric. Its new look fits well with custom Leathercraft chairs in pale blue Donghia fabric, a Century Furniture Gino chair in Jerry Pair silk velvet and a Lillian August coffee table. The living room also contains another heirloom—an upright piano that, like the sofa, was passed down from Stephanie’s mother. “Traditions have always been important to me. Because I was moving to a totally different lifestyle, I didn’t want to leave
Below: Set into the wall, the custom bar features glass doors on each side with storage for wine glasses.
March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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SIMPLY stylish
home
Above: The Harts’ customized the spacious master bathroom with bespoke cabinets, wallpaper and sconces from Fine Art Lighting and added personal touches like family photos in crystal frames. Below: The guest bathroom—with a custom cabinet by BAKDESIGNS and Restoration Hardware mirror—was made to look like a powder room by hiding the shower behind silk drapery.
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When asked what he likes best about his new home, however, Larry steers away from the bar and points to the sparkling cracked glass floor in the guest bathroom. “It was the only thing in here I said, ‘I gotta have.’” Done in silvers and blues, the hallway bathroom also features a white marble countertop and shower hidden behind silk drapery. The guest bathroom is a stunner, but nothing compares to the luxurious master bath that may just be the key to a happy marriage. With Emperador brown marble countertops and Seabrook pale blue silk-and-grasscloth wallpaper, the bathroom has his-and-her (almost) everything—two toilet rooms, two inlaid custom vanities by BAKDESIGNS and two walk-in closets. “I haven’t met a woman who’s walked into that bathroom and not said, ‘I want one of these,’” Larry says. “What’s really nice about this bathroom is that Stephanie can have her privacy, but we can still be together.” When they aren’t in their spacious bathroom, the couple relaxes in a sophisticated master bedroom with slate blue walls. Anchored by a four-poster bed from Bolier flanked by two mahogany chests, the room pops with touches of red—including Oscar de la Renta cabinets, Global View urns with red koi and a Rebecca Currin koi glass art piece from the Vidrioso collection. On each side of the bed is a Lillian August piece—one a replica of an antique Swedish-style desk and the other a deco-inspired makeup table. The master incorporates both homeowners’ styles—its warm wood furniture calls to mind Stephanie’s penchant for the traditional, while the bright splashes of color and cool walls give a nod to Larry’s more modern tastes. While initially the project seemed to be a tremendous undertaking, the couple is delighted with their new city digs. “We love our home and we absolutely love Buckhead,” Larry says. n
Above: The master’s four-poster bed has Kravit bedding and pillows from Donghia and Sunsilks. Below: Facing a John Richard mirror with goldleafed edges, the glass-adorned makeup table is paired with a Century Furniture chair covered in bright red and yellow dog fabric from Kravit.
The Harts’ Top 5 Favorite Things About High-Rise Living 1. The views, including sunrises and sunsets. 2. Amenities: pool, hot tub, club room, media room, security, concierge, exercise facilities, valet, dry cleaning service and social events. 3. Very low maintenance: There is onsite staff for all common areas, inside and out. 4. Location: Daily shopping (groceries and drug store) and restaurants are all within easy walking distance. 5. There are many more neighbors with wider diversity than in a traditional neighborhood.
BUCKHEAD SP R IN G 2 0 1 3 R E A L E S TAT E R E P O RT THIS SPRING COULD BE ONE OF THE BEST HOME BUYING SEASONS IN YEARS
T
HE LION’S SHARE OF HOME SALES IN ATLANTA typically come in the spring and early summer, April, May, and June accounting for 35-40% of all transactions annually. If the first two months of 2013 are any indication, Buckhead real estate is roaring back at all price levels. Below are the home sales figures for the year to date versus 2012 sales figures.
1 MILLION AND UNDER: UNDER CONTRACT IN 21 DAYS: 139 Dudley Court $2,395,000
2012: 24 Sold, 10 Short Sales, 2 Pending 2013: 19 Sold, 9 Short Sales, 67 Pending and 33 Under Contract
1.5 – 2.0 MILLION:
2012: 2 Sold 2013: 1 Sold, 4 Pending and 3 Under Contract
IF A HOME IS PRICED CORRECTLY, IT WILL SELL VERY QUICKLY.
This was by far the largest increase since 2007 and is most likely the reason that inventory levels below 1 million are at a 6-year low.
1.0- 1.5 MILLION:
2012: 4 Sold, 1 Short Sale 2013: 4 Sold, 11 Pending and 5 Under Contract
SOLD : 3958 Tuxedo Road $2,600,000 / Under Contract in 14 days
one of these factors is affecting the price of the home.
This is a very positive sign that this price point is going to be very popular with buyers and if a home is priced correctly, it should sell very quickly. It all has to do with the location, the neighborhood, the elementary school district, and the topography of the lot. For homes that have been sitting on the market for 6 months or longer, most likely
2.0 – 2.5 MILLION:
2012: 1 Sold, 2 Short Sales 2013: 3 Pending, 1 Short Sale, 1 Under Contract Of the 5 homes in this price level, Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty listed 4 of them and 2 of those 5 were listed with The Bayne Group.
2.5 MILLION AND ABOVE:
2012: 0 2013: 2 Sold, 1 Pending and 3 Under Contract Although there are fewer homes selling above 2.5 million we truly believe that Buckhead will have a trickle up effect this spring with more homes than ever going under contract based on the lower price level activity. We believe that right now is a great time to buy or sell a home. It might take a little longer in a higher price point but, if it is priced well for the current market, we will get it sold quickly.
THE BAYNE GROUP: (from left) Jay Bailey, Marisa Green, Ashley Battleson, Sam Bayne, Jill Seigel, Stacy Vaughn-Gatwood, and Sujay Dalal.
#1 Team Companywide, 2011 Over $36 Million Sold in 2012
SAM BAYNE 404.375.8628 cell 404.237.5000 office sam@atlantafinehomes.com
www.baynegroup.com © MMXIII Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Office Is Independently Owned And Operated.
March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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SIMPLY stylish
fashion
Left: The staff of Brookhaven’s Esquire Cleaners provides next-day service. Right: Eco-friendly Carriage Cleaners in Buckhead has a six-point quality inspection system.
Spring clean
your closet Simply Buckhead readers share where to go to spruce up your wardrobe story:
Above: At Alexandra’s Alterations in Buckhead, Alexandra herself works on clients’ clothing.
Olivia Putnal Photos: Austin Holt
F
inding a reliable and trustworthy dry cleaner, seamstress, cobbler or personal stylist can be a bit overwhelming. Whether you’re a newcomer to the Buckhead area or a born-and-bred Atlantan, you’ve probably searched high and low for just the right individuals to entrust with, say, your wedding dress, your best pair of heels or your desperate need for a new wardrobe. Don’t fret. Our readers helped Simply Buckhead uncover where to go for Buckhead’s best dry cleaning, alterations, and shoe and leather repairs, and identified a few top-notch personal shoppers and stylists to solve your fashion woes.
Dry Cleaning
For your weekly dry cleaning drop-offs or alterations, the owners of Esquire Cleaners in Brookhaven are personable and always dependable. “The owners call me by name, have great hours and good prices, and are overall genuine people,” former Buckhead resident Alyssa Hayes says. With more than 60 years of experience, Carriage Cleaners on Piedmont is another go-to. They specialize in eco-friendly dry cleaning, alterations and specialty cleanings such as wedding gowns and leather— and even have a drive-thru.
Alterations
For consistent and reliable service, try Alexandra Alterations. “The staff is honest in their assessment of each alteration and always have
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Below: Ryan Embry at Classic Shoe and Leather Service in Buckhead takes before and after shots of each item he works on to ensure it’s up to customers’ standards.
your items to you within a week,” Buckhead native Beth Messer says. If you’re out shopping around Lenox Square, stop in to Gill’s Alterations for adjustments on your most-prized fashion possessions. “I took an old bridesmaid dress in to be altered into a shorter cocktail dress and Gill’s had it prepared fast, and most importantly, I was extremely happy with the quality of their work,” Buckhead resident Jaimi Beckerman says.
TRIO Shoe Service exhibits quality repairs each and every time—and they even want to teach you how to take care of your items. “They saved my Cole Haan boots, talked me off the ledge when I spilled water on my Kate Spade purse and in general, taught me how to care for the investments that I make in my wardrobe,” Virginia Highland resident Emily Nolte says.
Shoe and Leather Repair
Buckhead fashion guru Jessica Camerata of the blog My Style Vita can share her tips and tricks for navigating the fashion world with wardrobe styling, virtual styling and personal shopping. If you’re in Atlanta, Camerata can help you style your current pieces right inside your closet, and if
Ryan Embry at Classic Shoe and Leather Service is a master cobbler with more than 20 years of experience. His team’s unique approach to making customers happy includes a before and after snapshot of every piece they work on. Likewise,
Personal Shoppers and Stylists
you’re living outside of Atlanta, she will coordinate a Google Hangout session to style your pieces virtually. “I no longer have the urge to throw my clothes into the fireplace and start over,” says Buckhead client Megan Callahan. Personal Shopper Nicole Borsuk has three years of personal styling experience and many more in retail. She loves solving her clients’ fashion troubles and helping them reinvent their style. “I’m a young business woman who spends 50 percent of my time on the road. Nicole has done a tremendous job getting to know me personally so she can help pick out clothing and accessories that are not only trendy, but fit my body type, personality and lifestyle—all while staying within my budget,” says Buckhead client Erica Gold. n
Above: Buckhead’s TRIO Shoe Service will not only repair your most damaged shoes and leather pieces, the staff will teach you how to care for those pieces as well. Left: Gill’s Alteration’s recently moved into a more spacious location at Shops Around Lenox.
Dry Cleaning Carriage Cleaners 3620 Piedmont Road N.E. #A, Atlanta 30305 404.237.9986 www.carriagecleanersbuckhead.com Esquire Cleaners 3974 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30319 404.233.2556
Alterations Alexandra Alterations 4920 Roswell Road Atlanta 30342 404.843.9533 Gill’s Alterations 3400 Around Lenox Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.261.8157
Shoe and Leather Repair
Above: Jessica Camerata can help you feel style-inspired again by working with your current closet or helping you branch out to something new. Photo: Rebekah Carson Photography
Below: Nicole Borsuk will help guide you to a confident new look, whether it’s for the office or weekend-wear. Photo: Corey Shulman
Classic Shoe and Leather Service 312 Pharr Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.949.9844 TRIO Shoe Service 3145 Peachtree Road N.E. Ste. 117, Atlanta 30305 404.233.8122 www.trioatlanta.com
Personal Shoppers and Stylists Jessica Camerata 404.434.3493 Jessica@mystylevita.com www.mystylevita.com Nicole Borsuk 404.964.1648 nicole@nicoleborsuk.com www.nicoleborsuk.com
March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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S IMP LY ST YL IS H
W EL L NESS
Beauty
+ Strength Fly high with aerial silks story:
Jennifer Bradley Franklin
M
uscles I didn’t know I had are screaming. It’s the day following my first aerial silks class at Sandy Springs-based Sky Gym Atlanta, and I can’t help but admit that it was both exhilarating and totally challenging. At first, watching advanced students soar above me doing complicated tricks on the silks (which are actually extra-strong nylon), the sport, or art, looked graceful and beautiful. Once their feet were planted firmly on the ground, however, these toned aerialists were short of breath and their well-defined muscles were glistening with hard-won sweat. I guess that should have been a warning that it’s serious work to look that effortless in the air.
As I watched Amber Monson, founder and owner of Sky Gym, perform, it was clear that she lives her mantra, “strong is the new skinny,” her trim frame rippling with sinewy muscles. I have to admit: I was a little nervous, since I’ve always had little of the requisite upper body strength for hoisting myself up. “Aerial is an intensely physical activity that demands an incredible amount of both strength and flexibility,” Monson explains. “Aerialists develop incredible core and upper body strength while simultaneously increasing range of motion and flexibility.” Monson, who has a dance background but officially fell in love with the art of aerial silks while watching an off-duty professional at a New York City rave, opened the current location in June 2012.
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She’s become a leader in the sport, working with a network of other instructors around the nation to establish a standard of teacher training (something that doesn’t currently exist) and safety testing. After a warm-up focused on the muscles you use when climbing and holding on (shoulders, wrists and even fingers), I was ready for my turn on the silk. As Monson showed me basic moves—how to tie the silk to support my weight, hold myself up and protect my rotator cuffs—it was apparent that working on the silks is not only physical but mental as well. “The focus required to practice aerial arts is huge,” she explains. “There is too much at stake to risk losing your concentration, so it becomes almost meditative.” We started with the simple “angel” trick, which allowed me to
get a running start to fly across the studio, the tails of the silk flowing behind me like wings, and we quickly progressed to an inversion move that had me hanging upside down, in a kind of topsy-turvy yoga move. I even got to try my hand at a standing arabesque, gracefully (or at least, I felt graceful) supported by the slightly stretchy silk. The best part? This is a workout that’s so much fun you hardly notice how hard you’re working. I can’t wait to fly again soon, screaming muscles and all. n Sky Gym 6780 Roswell Road Sandy Springs 30328 404.309.9696 www.aerialsilksatlanta.com
flying high Can’t get enough air? Check out these nearby studios to fulfill your need to fly. As its name implies, Buckhead’s Body Central Pilates is all about 100s and planks. However, the studio hosts guest workshops in aerial silks and trapeze as a way to complement the practice. www.bodycentralpilates.com
Fly Fitness Studios on the edge of the Virginia Highland neighborhood offers classes for all levels, from their “Super Fly Kids” series for children all the way up to their advanced workshops, where students learn drops, wraps and advanced sequences. www.flyfitnessstudios.com
Photo: Marilyn Chen Photography
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SIMPLY stylish
tast e ma k er
Daring
designer story:
Giannina Smith Bedford
Architect and interior designer Jason Bailey shares his style smarts feature:
B
Jason Bailey poses with the playful art piece that inspired his room design for the American Craft Council Atlanta Show. Photos: Shawn Brasfield
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Giannina Smith Bedford
uckhead resident Jason Bailey has been putting pencil to graph paper since he was a 4-year-old in Heber Springs, Ark. Graduating with a bachelor’s in architecture from the University of Arkansas, he moved to Atlanta in 1996 and landed a job at TVS & Associates Inc. He progressively moved to smaller architecture firms and even had a stint overseeing the contemporary flagship stores of Alessi Atlanta, Kartell Atlanta and the retromodern.com showroom before launching his own interior design company, jason todd bailey llc, in 2006. “In my mind I never considered myself ‘switching’ between the two disciplines,” Bailey says of moving from architecture to interior design. “I always have seen the interior design as an integral part of the entire architectural design.” Today, he works on residential projects for clients across the country and says his priority is to reflect his clients’ personality and vision while adding his own modern twist. In March, Bailey joins nine interior designers participating in the American Craft Council (ACC) Atlanta Show by creating a craft-inspired room design. Although still brainstorming his project at press time, he is planning a sitting room or lounge that incorporates contemporary
art with sentimental craft accessories. Simply Buckhead caught up with Bailey to chat about his crafty project and passion for his career. As an Arkansas native and Atlanta resident, would you say your style incorporates any Southern influences? I’ve always enjoyed yard sales or flea markets or antique stores. … When I find something in a place like that, that is really unique, I just think it’s super-cool and I try to mix things like that into my work so not everything is brand new off the shelf. I’m not sure if that is really a Southern trait, but it’s a personal trait. What would you say is your design mantra? Make your design environment a personal reflection of yourself instead of trying to conform to what you think it should be. What should readers keep in mind when incorporating crafts into their interior design? If something strikes you and speaks to you, don’t be afraid if it’s not the same color that you have in the room or you’re worried it’s not going to be the same period. If you love it, you can make it work somewhere in your home. n
Craft Corner More than 200 jewelry, clothing, furniture and home décor artists will gather at Cobb Galleria Centre March 15-17 for the American Craft Council Atlanta Show. It’s the largest juried indoor craft show in the Southeast. On-site admission is $13 for a one-day pass; $20 for a three-day pass; and free for ACC members and children under 12. www.craftcouncil.org/ event/american-craftcouncil-atlanta-show
jason todd bailey llc 678.508.3227 www.jasontoddbailey.com
Exploring Buckhead’s Neighborhoods? Let an Expert be your guide!
To buy or sell your home, contact Daniel to take advantage of the historic opportunities happening in Atlanta today
Office: 404-495-8269 Direct: 845-444-4822 daniel.hammond@harrynorman.com www.daniel.hammond.harrynorman.com https://www.facebook.com/FolioFineHomes
Betsy Franks-Broker. If your home is currently listed for sale, this is not intended as a solicitation. The above information is believed to be accurate but not warranted. Source: Trendgraphix, July 2012.
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Free Custom Bleach Trays ($350 value) or Free Cosmetic Veneer consultation
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March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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C RE ATI VI T Y I S C A LL I N G
ALL NEW CLASSES FOR 2013!
IN 2013 ! Binders Art School offers a variety of classes, workshops, and demo/lectures for all skill levels with some of the most talented and well know artists and instructors locally, regionally, and internationally. We are located within Binders Art Supplies and Frames®.
F E AT U R E D W O R K S H O P MODERN IMPRESSIONISM IN OIL
WITH COLLEY WHISSON FRIDAY TO SUNDAY I MAY 10 – 12 {REGISTRATION DEADLINE: APRIL 15TH}
BINDERS ART SCHOOL 3330 PIEDMONT ROAD, SUITE 18
ATLANTA, GA 30305 For registration or more info please visit www.bindersart.com or call the education office at 404.237.6331 ext. 203. Find us on Facebook ®
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O N S TA G E | L I T E R A RY | A RT V I E W
Simply arts & entertainment
art view
On campus with a cause, Page 50
“To work on shows that actually help people” is the goal of Oglethorpe University Museum’s new director.
Oglethorpe University Museum Director Elizabeth Peterson is on a mission to impact the community.
March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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SIMPLY A&E
on stage
Ace of
e g a t s
Actor Chris Kayser’s journey from tennis sets to stage sets story:
Curt Holman Photo: Anna Rich
A
s a teenager, Decatur resident Chris Kayser never dreamed of pursuing a life on the stage. Quite the opposite: He spent four years in a Benedictine monastery in Arkansas, but realized he might be a little too young to take vows. “I saw how the monks had life experience and thought I’d better sample the world first,” Kayser recalls. Arguably every time Kayser stars in a play, he samples a different world, from Dickensian London to Shakespearean Italy to 1980s New York. A vigorous 63 years old, Kayser has proved to be a seemingly inexhaustible mainstay of Atlanta theater, playing such juicy roles as Cyrano de Bergerac, Richard II, Angels in America’s Roy Cohn and Ebenezer Scrooge. “The twin pillars of my career have been Georgia Shakespeare in the summer and the Alliance Theatre’s A Christmas Carol in winter. I just did my 26th Christmas Carol,” he says over coffee at the Dancing Goats Coffee Bar in Decatur. Kayser took a circuitous route to the theater. After his stint in the monastery, he became a tennis pro at Atlanta Athletic Club and began dating a young actress. In 1978, she took a role in My Three Angels at the now-defunct Barn Dinner Theater, but when the male ingénue dropped out, the manager asked Kayser if he could step in. Kayser recalls, “I didn’t know anything
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about acting, but I could read. That’s how I became a professional actor. Doing it, I was profoundly bit. I loved every minute of it.” He has never taken an acting class, but nevertheless applies himself assiduously to his craft. “Whenever I do something, I’m the best student ever,” he says. “I got hired at Georgia Shakespeare only because they were doing Twelfth Night, the most musical of the Shakespeare comedies, and they needed a singer to play Feste. When I landed at the Georgia Shakespeare Festival, I was all eyes and ears. I remember listening to actor and Emory University professor John Ammerman at a reading of The Comedy of Errors, and I thought, ‘Oh my God, that’s how good you have to be.’” This spring he takes a famously demanding role in Actor’s Express’ Equus (March 21-April 21) as Dr. Martin Dysart, a psychiatrist trying to learn why a troubled young man committed a horrible crime against a stable of horses. “It’s a big mountain of a climb,” he acknowledges of the role, played by Richard Burton in the film version. “You have to get a handle on all of the lines before you’re free to rehearse. It’s all part of studying the play. That play has to do with more than comforting that damaged young man. It has to be live and real and electric. A lot of it is about how these events affect [Dysart] and raise the question that he’s been avoiding.”
Kayser and his wife recently paid off the 30-year mortgage on their Decatur home (as he puts it, “We were in Decatur before Decatur was Decatur.”) He acknowledges that he took some less-than-inspiring roles to pay the bills. “I have done dumb commercials. I’ve been an Ed Sullivan impersonator. I wore a foam tomahawk to a Braves game because they gave me $100 and a seat. I have a wife and children, and I always said I wouldn’t sacrifice my children on the altar of my career.” As an actor, he prides himself on never having missed a performance or a rehearsal. Whether tackling new roles in Horizon Theatre’s contemporary scripts or playing Scrooge in the Alliance Theatre’s annual production, Kayser takes his work ethic very seriously. “My concern is to keep it real,” he says. “I have a blue-collar approach. I do the best I can every time and honor the people who paid to see it.” n
Equus March 21-April 21 Actor’s Express 887 W. Marietta Street, Suite J-107 Atlanta 30318 404.607.7469 www.actors-express.com
You are going to Love this store!
24,000 sq.ft. of unique items for the home
Antiques • industriAl Home decor • Art custom sofAs & tAbles
6450 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs 404-255-2548 Visit our sister store: Kudzu Antique Market in Decatur voted ‘Best of atlanta’
March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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SIMPLY A&E
L it erary
From Buckhead to rock bottom (and back)
Strikingly honest memoir recounts the highs and lows of an “heiress in waiting” Attorney and Buckhead resident Lynn Garson says she wrote about her life “as it really happened.” story:
I
t’s impossible to talk about Lynn Garson’s Buckhead upbringing without using words such as “privilege” and “advantage.” The corporate attorney started out as the pampered daughter of Dan and Charlotte Garson, a wealthy businessman and an imageconscious mother who raised their family in a quintessential white-columned mansion on West Paces Ferry Road. Yet life surrounded by nannies and butlers was far from serene, according to Lynn. Dad was distant; Mom was angry and abusive; and both were often absent. “It was a family that was very aware of its public image and was also critical and judgmental,” says Garson, 59. “It was frightening. I became very good at wearing a mask.” Garson continued living a privileged life into her adulthood. She married high-powered attorney Wayne Goodman, traveled extensively, earned a law degree from Emory and had three picture-perfect children. For six years in the early 1990s, she held court for Buckhead’s discerning shoppers at her gift boutique, Garson Goodman, that anchored a prominent spot on East Andrews Drive. But by the late-2000s, faced with a difficult divorce and estrangement from her children, the facade gave way when she was diagnosed as being bipolar and suffering from post-traumatic stress, panic and eating disorders.
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H.M. Cauley
“I had no coping skills,” says Garson. “I never learned how to knit things back together when they fall apart.” The low point hit in January of 2010, when Garson, on the recommendation of her therapist, signed herself into an Atlanta mental health institution that catered to some of the city’s most indigent patients. She was also in dire financial straits after being out of work for eight months. The experience inspired her to started two blogs: “Suzy Creamcheese Goes Inpatient” and “The Further Adventures of Suzy Marmalade,” which she still updates. Her goal was to connect with others sharing similar experiences, and soon she began adding her observations about the facility and its residents. Some of the anecdotes are humorous (the staffer who believed space beings were watching); others are violent (an inpatient stabbing another patient with a fork); but the majority are simply sad. A friend who read it made one observation: “‘You don’t need a shrink; you need a literary agent,’ she said,” Garson recalls. “I never started out to write a book, but there it was.” Garson took her experience as a twoweek inpatient and four-month outpatient and turned it into Southern Vapors, a Comeback Story, which hit stands last summer. She writes with brutal honesty about her journey from “heiress in waiting” to independent, self-sufficient adult; she doesn’t hesitate to open up about her
story in person either. “I always wrote it to be public; even from the beginning, I encouraged my family to read it,” Garson says. “My mother actually took it with good grace, considering she gets blasted on occasion. It’s definitely part indictment and part coming to terms. But I’m not the only person this sort of thing has happened to. ” Garson, who now lives in northwest Buckhead, does a good deal of public speaking on her life and recovery, as well as her ongoing daily struggles to stay sane. She does that by attending twice-weekly individual therapy sessions, a weekly group session, spiritual services every Sunday and regular yoga classes. “So many people come up to me and say they can relate on so many different levels,” she says. “Most of all, they relate to the idea that we Baby Boomers grew up feeling entitled, and no one prepared us for the life that really happens.” n southern vapors Published by CreateSpace, Southern Vapors is available online at www.amazon.com and www.southernvapors.com. It’s also sold locally at Paces Papers in Buckhead and Charis Books in Little Five Points.
Get to Know BucKhead. Order your copy of the Buckhead Guidebook tOday! Available at area bookstores and from the publisher ($5.00 + $5.00 s&h) Published by Buckhead Coalition, Inc. 3340 Peachtree Rd., NE, Suite 560 • Atlanta, Georgia 30326 (404) 233-2228 • (800) 935-2228 www.buckheadis.com or Text Buckhead to 99699. The Buckhead Guidebook is honored by Atlanta Planning Advisory Board, International Association of Business Communicators, Georgia Downtown Association, Communicator Awards, American Chamber of Commerce Executives, American Society of Association Executives, Communications Concepts, and International Downtown Association.
Partial list of contents Annual Public Events Business & Civic Associations Childcare and Preschools Decorator Districts Demographics Dining Educational Institutions Employers Entertainment
Economic Development Galleries Historic Markers Houses of Worship International Agencies Lodging Neighborhood Associations New and Proposed Real Estate Developments Office Leasing
Parks Population and Household Forecasts Public Meeting Facilities Residential Multi-Family Units Retail Centers Sculpture Sightseeing
Social Service Organizations Street Map Transportation
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Tax and Consulting Services for Growing Companies Like Yours H&R Block Tax & Business Services, the world’s most trusted name in tax preparation. H&R Block Tax & Business Services provides tax and consulting services to small business in Buckhead. • Small Business Services • Accounting • QuickBooks Consulting • Payroll Services • Corporate Tax
2900 Peachtree Rd. NW Atlanta, GA 30305 404-237-2355
March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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SIMPLY A&E
art vie w
On campus with a cause Oglethorpe’s new museum director mixes art with a mission
E
lizabeth Peterson’s job as the director of Oglethorpe University’s art museum gives her the chance so many of us wish we had: to go back to college as a grown-up. “The minute I saw the campus, I felt incredibly at home,” says Peterson, 45, a graduate of Wells College in New York, who now lives in Buckhead’s Lenox Hills neighborhood. “This was like my undergraduate experience: a private, liberal arts school with a tight-knit community and students who feel empowered and connected.” But Peterson brings an adult perspective to the Brookhaven campus, where she’s sensitive to the far-reaching impact art can make beyond the walls of Oglethorpe’s 7,000-square-foot gallery. “Our mission is to present exhibitions that are international or national, with humanitarian or spiritual aspects,” she says. “That goal really speaks to me. Some of the work I’ve done has been with Arts for Peace, an NGO [non-
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governmental organization] affiliated with the U.N., and that has really inspired me to work on shows that actually help people.” In addition to Arts for Peace, Peterson’s track record includes a master’s in art history and conservation from the Pratt Institute in New York, a stint at the Museum of Modern Art there, and a job as the gallery director and an instructor at Eastern Connecticut State University. Peterson saw the move to the 1,100-student Oglethorpe campus last summer as a way to keep her day job in line with her passions. “I know having a humanitarian bent to a show isn’t new to Atlanta, but that’s one of the reasons I want to be here,” she says. “Exhibitions can be a vehicle for helping people, and I want to make a difference.” She’s off to a dramatic start, curating her first show to highlight immigrant issues. She got the idea from previous work she’d done with United Nations-affiliated Arts for Peace. “Beta Israel: Ethiopian Jews and
story:
H.M. Cauley
the Promised Land” features more than 100 photos exploring the difficulties faced by that group as they try to integrate into Israeli society. The exhibit, running through April 21, not only fits Peterson’s and the university’s mission for the gallery; it also gave her a chance to connect to local immigrant groups through the Refugee Resettlement International Services of Atlanta, who will have information about their organization at the exhibit. “Donations to this show will help them,” she says, “and that’s the kind of impact I’d like to see.” n Beta Israel: Ethiopian Jews and the Promised Land Through April 21 Oglethorpe University Museum of Art 4484 Peachtree Road, Atlanta 30319 404.364.8559 www.museum.oglethorpe.edu
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Simply delicious
restaurant review
Jalisco is a Peachtree Battle institution that’s been dishing out dependably delicious Tex-Mex for more than 30 years.
Buckhead’s Tex-Mex standby, Page 54
Photo: Sara Hanna Photography
‘Jalisco has yellow walls strewn with Mexican tchotchkes and little plaques installed by loyal customers to mark their favorite spot.’ March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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R E VIE W
Above left: The front door of Jalisco at Peachtree Battle, flanked by high chairs for the kids. Above: A low-calorie chicken fajita salad.
Buckhead’s Tex-Mex standby A family atmosphere and consistent quality make Jalisco a neighborhood favorite feature:
Wendell Brock Photos: Sara Hanna
O
n Saturday nights at Jalisco—the TexMex institution at Peachtree Battle— the atmosphere gets as raucous as a piñata party. Neighborhood kids bop like Mexican jumping beans before bowls of salsa and chips. Parents cringe at every spill, but no one at this super-family-friendly restaurant gives a flip. Hungry customers mill about on the sidewalk, eager for a chair. Servers navigate the tiny room juggling combo platters piled high with tacos and rellenos, guacamole and cheese. With their oven-mittened hands, they set the food in front of you, issuing a warning that never changes. Careful, the plate is very hot! Yes, I’m having the No. 14 again, gracias. And the minute that scalding plate hits the table and I stare down at my cheese-oozing hot mess, my inner chihuahua is drooling. Quiero Jalisco. After dining here for nearly three decades, Jalisco remains, for me, a giddy, guilty pleasure trip through a tunnel of cheese. Especially when I espy my holy trinity: a chile relleño, all gooey with beef and cheese; a chalupa (a toasted cylindrical tortilla smeared with
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smashed beans, sprinkled with Monterey Jack and slathered with cooling guacamole salad); and a taco (hard shell, never soft) filled with spicy ground beef (never chicken), tomatoes, lettuce and cheese. Munching the taco and scooping everything else up with chips, my old standby, Numero Catorce, never fails me. Whether I’m alone with a Negra Modelo and my favorite dish or locking chips over queso dip with friends, I’m happy to toss off my critical sombrero and go back in time to those innocent, pre-taco-truck days of yore. I’ll even forgive the bored-looking dude at the counter who takes my money with barely a thank you. Or the fact that there are no margaritas. Or Mexican shrimp cocktails. Or pozole. Since there’s usually a famished throng lurking out front, dawdling is rarely encouraged. Service is upbeat and brisk. A hole in the wall in the best possible way, Jalisco has yellow walls strewn with Mexican tchotchkes and little plaques installed by loyal customers to mark their favorite spot or commemorate a special occasion. I once bumped into a colleague who lives in nearby Brookwood Hills;
her teenage son was celebrating his birthday and wouldn’t dare go anywhere else. (A classic Jalisco moment!) Another time, I brought a Turkish friend here who was disappointed that chili con carne was not on the menu. (Bless his heart.) Yet truth be told, he wasn’t all that far off the map. For the food here is of the Americanized style that predates Atlanta’s knowledge of Baja-style fish tacos, chocolaty Oaxacan moles and chiles en nogada. That is to say: It’s better than an El Paso taco kit but not exactly a showcase of the sophisticated techniques and ingredients of the Mexican larder. Without apology, Jalisco is what it is, a place with consistently good, standardissue burritos, enchiladas, fajitas and even an “Hamburguesa Mexicana.” (It’s topped with nacho cheese.) This is not a place where the kitchen thrives on change and creativity. For the most part, the menu is the same as it has been since Jalisco opened in 1978. As with most restaurants of this genre, you can order pretty much any combination imaginable, many with sides of refried beans and rice for $8.95 and others with more fill-
Clockwise from top left: The writer’s favorite—No. 14; every meal at Jalisco starts with chips and salsa; server Juan M. Coronado decorates cups for the kids each night; crayons and decorated cups at the ready; a platter of chicken nachos; a warm bowl of chicken tortilla soup.
“Yes, I’m having the No. 14 again, gracias. And the minute that scalding plate hits the table and I stare down at my cheese-oozing hot mess, my inner chihuahua is drooling. Quiero Jalisco.” ing choices for $9.95. Though you can get your taco or enchilada stuffed with chicken, cheese or beans, I find the white-meat chicken rather stringy and bland, so I always have the beef. I love me a good fried chimichanga. Alas, Jalisco’s are made with soft tortillas and are rather a snooze, be they chicken or beef. Slightly more adventurous diners might go for one of the house specialties, say, carne asada, enchiladas rancheras, or beef steak a la tampiqueña. The carnitas dinner is a bountiful platter of crisped pork chunks with all the fixings (guacamole; sour cream; a “salad” of lettuce, tomato and onion; one slightly charred jalapeño; rice and beans topped with a puddle of cheese). Roll up whatever you like in a soft taco and carry on. The Mexican stew is a spicy, long-simmered concoction of beef tips, tomatoes, onions and peppers. Honestly, it’s not the most appetizing-looking dish I have ever seen, but as the Mexican equivalent of a hearty beef stew, it makes for a flavorful, palatepricking sensation on a chilly day. The beverage list is limited to typical Mexican and American brews and $5.50 glasses of “house” wine. I’ve never once had dessert at Jalisco, though you can get flan and sopapillas (beignet-like like fried pastries). If I’m in the mood for something sweet, I prefer to waddle over to the Baskin-Robbins next door. The bright pink ice-cream parlor is always full of youngsters who have moved the fiesta from Jalisco, ready to continue the shenanigans as if they were in their own family rumpus room. Qué bueno. n
Jalisco 2337 Peachtree Road N.E. 30305 404.233.9244 Lunch specials: $5.45-$8.50 Entrées: $8.95-$13.25 Bottom line: A cheap, dependable Tex-Mex joint.
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win e
Palate pusher Decatur’s Vajra Stratigos brings new wines to Atlanta restaurants story:
Doc Lawrence
Photo: Courtesy of Melissa Libby & Associates
W
ine is like oxygen to Vajra Stratigos, the high-energy oenophile and beverage director for Atlanta’s Fifth Group Restaurants. Following in the footsteps of four generations of Greek and Italian restaurateurs, the Decatur resident earned certifications from the International Wine Guild and the Court of Master Sommeliers. While stocking the wine cellars and planning the wine lists for Virginia Highland restaurants like La Tavola Trattoria and The Original El Taco might seem daunting, simultaneously overseeing their cocktail development could easily stretch the limits of a lesser professional. In less than a decade, Stratigos mastered both disciplines, elevating to prominence the wines and cocktails under Fifth Group’s growing umbrella. “When I began,” Stratigos says, “the company was committed to sustainable local food. Finding compatible wines is a constant for us.” Certain characteristics govern his wine choices. “Appropriate alcohol levels that are not too high, that will not suffocate the food. For warmer months, I select wines compatible with our lighter menus.” For example, his restaurants offer sparkling wines by the glass. “These are chilled, high in acid to cut through fat and have just enough residual sugar,” he says. “Diners have a preference for some sugar, which may surprise many, but it’s true.” He cites Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco from Italy at La Tavola and Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Cava from Spain at The Original El Taco as “highly popular sparkling wines that pair well with the distinctive food at each restaurant.” According to Stratigos, whose cellar inventory displays not a whit of
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provincialism, some wines work better with his spring menus. “I would not,” he says, “favor a vegetal Sauvignon Blanc. It’s too big. Vivacious wines that dance on the palate are better.” The Austrian white wine Laurenz und Sophie Grüner Veltliner 2011 at La Tavola is an example. Not familiar with this wine? You needn’t invest in a whole bottle to try it. “I designed our wines-by-the-glass menu to encourage diners into new taste adventures for a reasonable price,” Stratigos says. “What we present by the glass says that we have faith in diners by investing in some great wines.” A self-taught cook who apprenticed with noted chefs in France and Italy, Stratigos says his family influences and cultural heritage “weight me toward wines.” Despite his international background, Stratigos says he is here for the long haul. “I live and work in Atlanta,” he says. “This is my home.” n
SCARLETT’S SERENADE Vajra Stratigos created this beverage especially for Simply Buckhead’s readers. “Atlanta’s legendary first lady is the namesake of a venerable cocktail, the Scarlett O’Hara. Using one of the original cocktail’s ingredients, Southern Comfort, I added sherry, a favorite of Rhett Butler and a popular drink during Atlanta’s Civil War days, and finished with other ingredients for taste, balance and authenticity. It’s my gift to Atlanta.”- Vajra Stratigos
Ingredients: 4 slices of a ripe Georgia peach 1 1/2 ounces Dry Sack Medium Sherry 1/2 ounce Southern Comfort 1/2 ounce The Famous Grouse Scotch 3/4 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice 1/4 ounce honey syrup
Method: Muddle sliced peaches into a highball glass; add ice. Place liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake until frosty and cold. Strain into highball glass over muddled peaches and ice.
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foodie journal | Culinary News & Notes story:
Jennifer Bradley Franklin
Want Fry’s With That?
I
t seems like everywhere we look, Chef Ford Fry is making news. With existing (and wildly successful) restaurants on the Westside ( JCT Kitchen and The Optimist), Fry continues to expand his reach. King + Duke, his first foray into Buckhead, opens in March in the space formerly occupied by Nava. The name is a nod to two wily characters from Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; the restaurant, with Chef Joe Schafer in charge of the kitchen, focuses on open-hearth cooking, rather than a particular cuisine or concept. Meats will be roasted and grilled over open hearths with some Colonial-era cookware, such as cast iron. “For example, we may have ducks hanging and slow roasting above a roasting pan of great local potatoes or even plums (in season) to capture the ‘drippings,’” Fry explains. King + Duke 3060 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30305 678.399.8246 www.kinganddukeatl.com
Meat and Greet
No. 246 129 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue Decatur 30030 678.399.8246 www.no246.com
At press time, Fry’s impending takeover of the former Bluepointe space across from Phipps Plaza was just getting underway, but he did tell us he plans to remove the varying levels of the restaurant (except for a mezzanine-level private dining space), add a “huge, classic European-style bar, which will bleed out onto [a new] outdoor bar space” and add a wood-burning hearth and a “crudo” bar. New Yorkbased restaurant designer Meyer Davis will create unique spaces for this project and King + Duke. It’s hard to watch Fry take over two former Buckhead Life Restaurant Group properties and not draw a comparison between his budding empire and the one that bears our neighborhood’s name. “Some people say I am being ambitious, but it is really not that complex,” Fry says. “I am just having fun and doing what I enjoy. And a big part of that is bringing different passions and experiences to Atlanta.”
Meanwhile, Fry’s Decatur outpost, No. 246 (named for the original plot of land it now occupies on Ponce de Leon), now offers a rather unique take on pastries, vending them from a window on weekends. Cranberry clafoutis, sugared brioche, apple tartes, potato-onion-blue cheese turnovers and doughnuts, along with a healthy rotation of seasonal pastries, are offered from the front window on weekends. The mastermind behind the program is chef Taria Camerino, who used to helm the mercurial Sugar-Coated Radical off Howell Mill and missed its “Bakery Sundays” after it closed. “I was inspired by the opportunity to reach a more mobile clientele,” she says, adding how much she enjoys “Decatur’s love of food.” Through the window program, locals passing by on foot can pick up a flaky and sometimes still-steaming pastry to enjoy with a cup of coffee.
Photo: Jaimie Goss
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KR SteakBar ADAC West 349 Peachtree Hills Avenue Atlanta 30305 www.krsteakbar.com
ADAC West is now a destination for carnivorous delights conceived by none other than star chef Kevin Rathbun. KR Steakbar, opened in February, is tucked south of Buckhead’s historic Peachtree Hills neighborhood. The menu differs from Rathbun’s similarly named Kevin Rathbun Steak in Old Fourth Ward, presenting smaller, sharable cuts of meat. While his restaurant still won’t land on your budget list of dining options (steaks range from $18 to $72), Rathbun says he’s determined to strike a balance of stellar quality and accessible prices in order to create a convivial, neighborhood atmosphere.
Berry delicious
As a little girl picking strawberries with her father in Troy, Ohio (his way of teaching her work ethic), Tisha Hopper never imagined that the plump, ruby berries would become a theme in her adult, entrepreneurial life. Life has a way of coming full circle, and Hopper’s did when she launched Buckhead Berries in the autumn of 2012. The growing Buckhead company offers white and milk chocolate hand-dipped strawberries ($10 for a box of six), with the option to top with “crunchies” of hazelnut, toffee or pecan. Since the berries are delivered within a 20-mile radius of Atlanta, Hopper and her team get to see the delight of the recipients firsthand. “It is a wonderful feeling to see that reaction from something I have created,” she says. “It’s simply a beautiful thing.” Freshness is key: The berries aren’t dipped until an order is placed and it’s recommended they be consumed the same day (we dare you to try and resist). The former music and movie industry veteran hopes to open a storefront Buckhead Berries soon, but for now, berries may 404.750.9519 be ordered by phone or online. www.buckheadberries.com
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March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
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tast emaker
We love Lucy’s The owner of our beloved neighborhood market gives us the scoop on her success, her standouts and what’s fresh for spring story:
Kate Abney
K
im Wilson, owner of Buckhead’s cherished little food-and-gift mart, Lucy’s Market, worked 20 years in the corporate world, selling advertising to commercial developers and brokers for Atlanta Business Chronicle. She retired in 2006 to spend more time with her children and grow a vegetable garden, which proliferated year after year. But when it was time to go back to work, she dreaded putting on a power suit. A friend gave her an idea: Why not work with local farmers and sell fruit and veggies to Buckhead dwellers? Beginning in 2009 in a rehabbed gas station on Roswell Road, Wilson became a go-to for some of the freshest produce in the city. And her move to the development at 102 West Paces Ferry Road in 2010—with neighbors Baby Braithwaite, Drybar and Huff Harrington Home, no less—has proven just as brilliant. Word spread like wildfire, and Lucy’s grew with it. With The Paces being redeveloped and still more luxury apartments on the way, the growing walking community will no doubt help Lucy’s continue to thrive. To get the scoop on Wilson’s success, check out our chat with her below:
Photo: Austin Holt
Besides lots of hard work and a little help from friends, to what do you attribute your success? I’ve been fortunate to get to know my customers and what they like, as well as what they don’t like. They’re looking for something a little different. We are different from Whole Foods; we’re different from the vegetable stand; we’re different from the farmers markets. Because we’re small, I can be hands-on. I get those special things from vendors who can’t produce enough for the big stores, and I choose carefully. We have the best brownie in town, so we don’t have 10 options. We have one. That must be why locals are so devoted to Lucy’s. Do you get all the town gossip? Yes, I should probably write a column for the paper every day! I really do talk to everyone that comes in. I develop great friendships with my customers, and I truly believe we have the best customers in town—who they are, how nice they are. They’re why we’re here.
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Say one of our readers drops by Lucy’s during her errand run. What can she get? Well, she can find vegetables to cook for dinner, a casserole for her neighbor, a potted plant for her table. We have candles for a housewarming gift, cakes for dessert and decorative birch logs for her fireplace. We sell firewood November through February, but going into spring, people that have fireplaces don’t want to burn fires, so birch logs are a beautiful alternative. So, who’s Lucy? Oh, that’s a good question. My grandmother is Lucy, so I named my daughter Lucy. And when I was opening the market, going back and forth with names, I started with Lucy, and I ended with Lucy. It just seemed to fit. Kim’s Market doesn’t sound as nice. That’s funny. How did the tomato become your calling card? You can’t be a good market without good tomatoes. If I get a bad tomato from someplace, you can
forget it; I won’t be back. So I try to make sure I have good ones year ’round. We buy the best you can find. I get the beautiful red ones, but also the ugly ones—the white, the green, the orange. Sometimes they just taste better. You do always manage to have the best produce. What’s your secret? I used to get up and go down to the farmers market at 5 a.m., and that’s something no one wants to do! But now, the farmers are coming to me. The thing about the farmers market … it’s only open three hours on Saturday morning, but we’re open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, so you can always get the good produce—peaches, lady peas, cauliflower, kale, Honeycrisp apples—without the hassle. Anything new for spring? We’re expanding our gift basket program. Customers love them. They’re perfect for a neighbor, someone who’s sick or someone who’s moving; or for birthdays or a new job. They’re fabulous and
so personal. We have so many items to put in them and can customize for anywhere from $30 to $150, depending on the budget. We also have fresh herbs—we grow basil right outside—and floral arrangements, which Nancy Izlar just started doing for us in November. They’re beautiful, and very high-end. You’ve put so much into the growth of Lucy’s, but you also put much back into the community. That’s a big thing. If we don’t sell some of our produce, at the end of the day we won’t trash it. We give to Second Helpings three times a week now, and they distribute the food to a lot of other organizations, homeless shelters, Buckhead Christian Ministry. … It’s a wonderful cause. n
Lucy’s Market 102 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.869.9222 www.lucysmarket.com
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S IM P LY D E L I C IOUS
featured restaurants A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead by:
Catherine O’Connor Hough
Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee
n Alfredo’s Italian Restaurant 1989 Cheshire Bridge Road N.E. Atlanta 30324 404.876.1380 www.alfredosatlanta.com
n Leon’s Full Service s 131 East Ponce de Leon Avenue Decatur 30030 404.687.0500 www.leonsfullservice.com
The second you enter Alfredo’s, its old-fashioned décor might convince you that you’ve walked onto the set of Goodfellas or into a family-run restaurant tucked away on a Sicilian street corner. Mind tricks aside, one thing is for sure: You are in store for the kind of meal that would give any Little Italy favorite a run for its money. Since 1977, owner Perry Alvarez has overseen this beloved restaurant that prides itself on being a “home away from home” for the diners who cram in the entryway on weekends (tables are a little easier to come by on weekdays). The cream of mushroom soup is an excellent starter and the complimentary garlic bread could be a five-star meal in itself. Entrée standouts include the fresh Snapper Casalinga, broiled in butter, white wine, lemon and capers; the rich eggplant Parmesan; and the Padrino, a trio of tender, hand-cut veal medallions. Although the substantial portions do not leave much room for dessert (or for your belt to buckle), try to squeeze in a few bites of the spectacular spumoni cake, a combination of ice cream, mini-chocolate chips, almonds and vanilla cake.
Recently named one of the top 50 bars in the country by Food & Wine, Leon’s Full Service is a casual-yet-sophisticated gastropub that prides itself on attentive and friendly service. The large windows and earth-color palette of its dining room create a relaxing vibe, while customers on the outdoor patio bask in the romantic glow of exposed light bulbs. Start off your meal on the right foot with one (or two) of their unique and deservedly famous cocktails. The menu offers many tempting options, such as the surprisingly satisfying seared veggieloaf, served with roasted cauliflower-shiitake-sundried tomato salad and pecan romesco (a nut and red pepper-based sauce); and panroasted trout, served with a radicchio and wax bean salad and sprinkled with an apricot vinaigrette. We recommend rounding out your meal with a few of their satisfying small plates and sides. Our favorites are the warm chickpea and cherry salad, accompanied by basil, aged provolone and red wine vinaigrette; or the famous pub frites, which come with a choice of two (from a list of 14!) unique dipping sauces. To satisfy your sweet tooth, the molasses toffee
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Spotlight n LPC 1545 Peachtree Street Atlanta 30309 404.888.8709 www.lapietracucina.com When LPC, formerly known as La Pietra Cucina, emerged from its conceptual transformation in the fall of 2012, it was met with enthusiasm from Atlanta foodies. While remaining true to its reputation for exceptional Italian food, new chef Russell Kook’s more accessible approach to modern Italian fare makes LPC a breath of fresh air for the intown dining scene. New modern furniture and lighting balance the touches of naturally inspired décor, giving the restaurant an airy vibe. Kook, whose pedigree includes stints at famous restaurants like The Photo: Heidi Gelhauser of Our Labor of Love Venetian in Las Vegas and appearances on “Iron Chef America” and “Hell’s Kitchen,” overhauled the menu while maintaining a commitment to high-quality foods. The wine list offers a wide selection of affordable wines divided by region, for those wishing to test their Italian geography. Start off with the addictive Brussels sprout salad tossed with hard-boiled egg, pecorino grand cru and marcona almonds and balanced with a light lemon vinaigrette. If you’re in the mood for something more substantial, the veal meatball with Anson Mills polenta, pecorino and peppadews is an excellent choice. On the entrée side, the delicately rich orecchiette pasta with calabrese, charred rapini and melted fontina cheese (called fontina fonduta) took our breath away. We are also partial to the chicken cacciatore with Tuscan kale, ceci beans, baby bell peppers and sherry jus. Put the finishing touches on your meal with the heavenly warm chocolate cake, enhanced with sea salt, Nutella and extra-virgin olive oil. In non-winter months, the outdoor patio overlooking Peachtree Street is a popular choice for people-watching during lunch and dinner.
pudding with roasted pecans and sea salt whipped cream strikes the perfect balance between sweet and salty.
n Jalisco 2337 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.233.9244 Jalisco (see full review on page 54), the Buckhead gem that has been giving Atlanta families their south-of-theborder fix since 1978, is known for its authentic, no-frills Mexican food. Sitting unpretentiously next to a BaskinRobbins shop in the Peachtree Battle shopping center, it’s hard to imagine
that the wait at this low-key restaurant can easily pass the 30-minute mark. The efficient wait staff doesn’t mess around when it comes to the provision of their complimentary (and delicious) homemade chips and salsa. Despite this worthy temptation, we recommend leaving room for their most popular starter—the creamy nacho cheese dip. Classic entrées, like the chile relleno stuffed with flavorful beef and melted cheese, and the hard shell tacos filled with seasoned pulled chicken, lettuce and rice, always hit the spot. House specialties like the carnitas dinner served with pork tips, rice, beans, salad and tortillas offer something for those looking to expand their
horizons beyond the standard fare. The kitchen’s practice of including potatoes in almost every menu item brings a unique taste to their timehonored Mexican classics. Keeping in line with the family-friendly vibe, Jalisco serves beer and wine, but no liquor (sorry, margarita lovers!).
n Bistro Niko 3344 Peachtree Road N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.261.6456 www.buckheadrestaurants.com/ bistro-niko Whether you’re in the mood for romance, power-lunching or a celebration, Bistro Niko is the perfect place for almost any occasion. The outdoor patio overlooking the heart of Buckhead on Peachtree Road provides diners with an urban vibe, while the expansive indoor space, with its mirrored walls and red wrap-around booths, oozes modern French charm. The menu, developed by executive chef Gary Donlick, focuses on French fare that is uncomplicated yet authentic. Hors d’oeuvres, like the chicken tortellini bathed in a butter sauce and the mussels “Gilbert” served in a broth of white wine, shallots, cream and parsley, do not disappoint. Entrée standouts include the pan-fried scallops placed atop a light potato purée and complemented by a wine, butter and lemon broth; and the surprisingly tender hanger steak with French fries and your choice of three sauces (béarnaise, green peppercorn, or a mâitre d’hôtel butter). On the beverage side, the extensive wine, beer and cocktail menu offers something for every taste. Despite our hesitation to order a dessert as “predictable” as crème brûlée at a French restaurant, Bistro Niko’s creamy version of this traditional favorite leaves us throwing caution to the wind.
n Bone’s 3130 Piedmont Road N.E. Atlanta 30305 404.237.2663 www.bonesrestaurant.com There’s something about a place where the mâitre d’ knows when you last booked a birthday celebration and where the servers address you by name. It just makes the experience at one of Atlanta’s most revered restaurants that much more special. Inside, the restaurant’s oak-paneled dining
rooms and handsome bar hum with patrons throughout lunch and dinner. Start the meal with wine selected on an in-house iPad from the 1,000-plus-bottle wine list. To warm up our palate, we like to start off with the spinach salad or the lobster bisque, which strikes the perfect balance between creamy and spicy. Choosing among their revered steaks is likely to be the most stressful part of the evening; thankfully, it is nearly impossible to go wrong. We’re partial to the tender and perfectly seasoned 20-ounce bone-in rib-eye and the melt-in-your-mouth 14-ounce bone-in filet. To round out your meal, you can choose from side items that run the gamut from decadent (creamy macaroni and cheese) to downright healthy (steamed broccoli). For those wishing to experience a more intimate atmosphere, Bone’s offers private rooms in addition to their upstairs and downstairs dining areas.
n Hearth Pizza Tavern 5992 Roswell Road N.E. Sandy Springs 30328 404.252.5378 www.hearthpizzatavern.com There are few meals more satisfying than a great slice of pizza and a cold beer (or soda!). Judging by the loyal crowd at Hearth Pizza Tavern, we aren’t the only ones who are partial to the joy of this pairing. Families and friends sit at wood-slatted tables and booths surrounded by exposed-brick walls inside this tavern-inspired restaurant. Ample patio seating is also available for those hoping to get some fresh air. To start, we like the crispy panko-crusted eggplant chips, served with a chipotle and sun-dried tomato aioli dipping sauce. As its name implies, pizza dominates the restaurant’s menu, which boasts thirteen specialty pies (as well as the option to create your own) made with homemade dough and cheese. Their “Ring of Fire” pie, with garlic chili oil, chorizo salami, sliced cherry peppers, caramelized onions, roasted cremini mushrooms, cheese and cilantro is a popular choice. One of our personal favorites is the clam pizza (yes, clams!), which brings together fennel sausage, roasted cremini mushrooms, oregano, parsley and, of course, clams. For those who prefer to forgo the pizza, the restaurant also offers a variety of entréesized salads, sandwiches and burgers. To wash it all down, pick from a wide selection of top-notch beer and wine.
n Café Sunflower 2140 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30309 404.352.8859 (Buckhead)
your preconceived notions deny your taste buds the glory of this downright decadent dessert.
n The Iberian Pig 121 Sycamore Street Decatur 30030 404.371.8800 www.theiberianpigatl.com
5975 Roswell Road Atlanta 30328 404.256.1675 (Sandy Springs) www.cafesunflower.com For those who say that vegetarian food can’t be both healthy and delicious, Café Sunflower would like a word. Since it came on the scene in 1994, this vegetarian restaurant that also caters to the needs of gluten-free and dairyfree diners has deservedly become one of the most popular restaurants of its kind in Atlanta. Modestly decorated, with an upbeat staff, it’s clear that the focus at Café Sunflower is, first and foremost, the food. Almost every type of cuisine is represented on the diverse menu, giving customers the chance to mix things up. For starters, the Jamaican limbo plantains with chipotle pepper and black bean dip, and the portabella mushroom Florentine with grilled spinach, cheddar cheese and roasted shallot marinara sauce are winners. The peppercorn and walnut-crusted tofu cutlet with kale, bean sprouts, anise-scented rice and a spicy shiitake mushroom sauce is a terrifically filling entrée. We are also fans of the basil soy chicken served with Brussels sprouts, zucchini, celery, scallions, purple onion, red bell pepper, peanuts and brown rice. Though the name “vegan chocolate cake” might not make your mouth water (no offense, vegans!), don’t let
There’s nothing like a few tapas, fun cocktails and warm, jewel-toned lighting to make you feel like you’re celebrating a special occasion. From the second you enter The Iberian Pig, with its modern European-inspired décor and attractive, exposed-brick bar, it’s clear that creating the perfect ambiance is something its proprietors don’t take lightly. Tapas are their specialty and they offer a wide variety of choices for meat, veggie and fish lovers. We adore the bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Manchego cheese and walnuts; the pork cheek tacos with corn salsa, avocado, arugula and lime; and the chorizo plate with apples and pine nuts. If you don’t believe small bites from small plates constitute a real meal, there are a few entrées (called “large plates”) to choose from, as well. The pork tenderloin with spinach, chickpeas, pearl onions and morcilla sausage finished with piquillo peppers, candied walnuts, crispy shallots and cherry-Rioja demi-glace is a favorite. Another delicious option is the slow-roasted goat with chittara pasta that is tossed in a carbonara sauce with bacon and a poached egg. Their take on sorbet, which includes white chocolate, fresh whipped cream and berries, is the perfect way to complete your brief culinary visit to Spain.
Photo: Courtesy of Hearth Pizza Tavern
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March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
cov er story b u c khe a d n e i g h b o r ho o ds
Exploring Buckhead’s neighborhoods How Buckhead was and will be built feature:
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Curt Holman PhotoS: Sara Hanna illustration: Jon Dahlstrom (Base Map: Buckhead Coalition)
alling Buckhead “the Beverly Hills of the South” creates a false impression. Out-oftowners might imagine old-money enclaves of gated communities, intent on throwing up barriers to the outside world. While an occasional gate will bar entry to some developments, Buckhead’s numerous neighborhoods convey physical openness. “It’s not a gated community. Buckhead is open to one and all,” says Sam Massell, head of the Buckhead Coalition and Atlanta mayor from 1970 to 1974. “Maybe there’s one or two that are gated, but that’s not the typical Buckhead style or image. It may be the most affluent community in Georgia, but it’s not an elitist group.” The community originated as a Cherokee trading post and in the mid1800s adopted the name “Buckhead” after an actual buck’s head that hung outside a tavern at approximately the Roswell and West Paces Ferry intersection. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Buckhead became a rural vacation spot and second-home neighborhood for Atlantans of means; it was annexed by the city in 1952, along with several neighboring communities. Often, the name “Buckhead” is used as shorthand for its boutique shopping/nightlife district and the mansion-lined streets nearby, but the community actually spans 28 square miles. About 25 years ago, the Buckhead Coalition and the Buckhead Business Association established the district’s official boundaries, which resulted in a community with 44 official neighborhoods too varied to summarize. “We have houses for $14.5 million and a
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quarter of a million,” Massell says. “We have some apartments for $6,000 a month, and some for $600. There is a spread, and I think that’s healthy.” A perennial “hot” part of town, Buckhead faces frequent real estate development, but its many neighborhood associations work tirelessly to preserve the local character. “Our community’s success, progress and prosperity can be attributed to the leadership of the neighborhoods,” Massell says. “Every association has a president, a vice president and a treasurer, and everyone has a common weal, an interest in going in a positive direction. Buckhead has 13 PTAs, 31 houses of worship, groups like the Rotarians, the Kiwanians, the Lions, but the neighborhoods cover the entire community, the entire 28 square miles.” For Buckhead neighborhoods, the future is looking up In the future, Buckhead neighborhoods may not grow out so much as grow up. In general, Buckhead is one of the fastest-growing parts of Atlanta. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Atlanta’s Neighborhood Planning Unit B, which includes Central Buckhead, grew by 8,647 residents from 2000, an increase of 22.4 percent. During this time, Buckhead’s population became more diverse, with its white proportion dropping from 82.8 to 75.5 percent, its black proportion rising from 5.9 to 12.3 percent and its Asian proportion climbing from 3.1 to 5.3 percent. Composed of long-established neighborhoods with fixed boundaries, Buckhead can only expand so far.
March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
Sales information suggests that future growth depends on neighborhoods becoming taller, not wider. According to the Buckhead Coalition, last year Buckhead saw 476 single-family home sales for under $1 million, 130 single-family home sales for more than $1 million, and 880 condominium and townhome sales, suggesting that Buckhead’s fastest-growing areas in the future will be high-rise “vertical neighborhoods.” In addition, Buckhead and Brookhaven are seeing a boom in new apartments. Atlanta Business Chronicle, quoting real estate consultant Haddow & Co., reports that the area has 1,097 units under construction and 2,387 proposed. Buckhead Coalition President Sam Massell expects the increase in apartments and multi-family developments will cause tomorrow’s Buckhead to be younger. “It’ll change the profile of the age group of the population by attracting more young people who are not ready or able to buy a single-family home,” he says. Numerous developments have
Rather than attempt an in-depth profile of all of Buckhead’s 44 neighborhoods, we’ve divided the community into seven sections based primarily on geography and overall neighborhood character. Even within these clusters, Buckhead proves more diverse and full of surprises than you might guess. And with a minimum of gates, Buckhead proves ripe for exploration, whether you’re a longtime resident, just visiting or ready to move in.
been announced or are in progress that will increase Buckhead’s population. San Francisco-based developer Oliver McMillan has invested $300 million in the six-block, eight-acre “Buckhead Atlanta.” Looming near the intersection of Peachtree and East Paces Ferry Roads, the luxury mixeduse project will include two 12-story apartment towers, 300,000 square feet of retail and about 98,000 square feet of office space, according to Atlanta Business Chronicle. Multifamily highrise rentals are also planned for Pharr Road and West Paces Ferry. While Buckhead’s future likely means more population density, such groups as Livable Buckhead strive to ensure that the community will have green space to accommodate its new residents. Projects include a GA 400 trail, which will connect parks and green spaces along the GA 400 corridor, with construction expected to begin in 2014. Parks are also under consideration or in development at Tower Place, Buckhead Forest, Mountain Way and Loridans Drive. n
Oh Thank Heaven for 30327 Like most of the United States, Buckhead’s neighborhoods suffered repercussions from the economic slump of the late 2000s. Based on household income data, the 30327 area code (which includes Peachtree Battle, Wildwood and Spring Lake) has bounced back the fastest. Here’s the data, as per the Buckhead Coalition’s Buckhead Guidebook: Buckhead zip codes such as 30326, 30305 and 30342 saw average household incomes decline from 2007 to 2010. The 30327 zip code saw a drop from 2007 to 2009, but it increased between 2009 and 2010, from $194,187 to $203,058. Given that Forbes Magazine ranks 30327 as the ninth-wealthiest zip code in the nation, it’s not surprising it would show such resilience.
2. 1.
5.
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Which Buckhead Neighborhood Is Right for You? If schools are a priority for you and your kids… The Peachtree Battle/South Buckhead area (6.) includes two highly ranked public schools, Morris Brandon Elementary and North Atlanta High. Warren T. Jackson Elementary in Northside/ Mount Paran (1.) and Sarah Smith Elementary in Northeast Buckhead (2.) were also highly ranked in a recent survey, while Paces (7.) includes a pair of Atlanta’s most prestigious private schools, Westminster and Lovett.
If you’re a foodie… You’ll want to be close to as many restaurants as possible; either Peachtree Park (3.) or the more affordable Garden Hills (4.) will give you access to the highest
quantity. (Hint: Try to live within walking distance of your favorite, so you can more easily burn off the calories you ingest.)
If you’re single… Peachtree Hills (4.) and Colonial Homes (6.) offer many apartments and townhomes where you can meet other like-minded singletons.
If you want to keep fit outdoors… Peachtree Battle (6.) not only has convenient access to Bobby Jones Golf Course and the Bitsy Grant Tennis Center, it also incorporates part of the PATH and several parks for walkers, runners and bikers. Chastain Park (1.) offers many of the same amenities for golf, tennis and PATH-tracing.
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If you’re a mallrat… Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza (3.) stand close to Ridgedale Park, Pine Hills and Peachtree Park, with the latter connected to the back of Lenox with a spiffy pedestrian bridge. (Note: If you tend to buy more than you can carry, walking distance won’t be much of an advantage.)
If you want to feel like you live away from it all (while still being close by)… Neighborhoods with homes close to the Chattahoochee River, including Paces (7.), Mount Paran/Northside (1.) and Whitewater Creek (1. & 7.), feature plentiful forested areas that feel worlds away from city concerns.
If you want to be close to houses of worship…
If you like living large, and want to be seen doing it…
The Jesus Junction blocks of Peachtree provide homes for three of Atlanta’s most impressive houses of worship—the Cathedral of St. Philip, the Cathedral of Christ the King and Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church—so consider Peachtree Heights East (4.) or West (5.).
Tuxedo Park, Peachtree Heights West and the other ’hoods of Central Buckhead (5.) feature many of Atlanta’s most expensive and lavishly appointed houses, as well as occasional bus tours if you want your home to have an audience.
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cov er story b u c khe a d n e i g h b o r ho o ds
1. northside Consists of: The northwestern Buckhead neighborhoods east of I-75, west of Roswell Road and south of Sandy Springs, including Mount Paran Parkway, Mount Paran/Northside, Chastain Park, East Chastain Park and Whitewater Creek.
Carol Grady at Mount Paran Country Store
“After being here 40 years, I love it.” – Carol Grady
General character: The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area intersects with the northwestern part of Buckhead, which feels thickly forested, with twisty roads and towering, shady trees. Families gravitate as close to Chastain Park as possible, and while the neighborhood has seen its share of infill homes, it still seems largely unchanged over the decades.
of the Atlanta area’s most beautiful and densely forested hiking trails.
History: Most of the area’s history surrounds Chastain Park itself. Creek Indians once farmed in the floodplain of Nancy Creek, and the ball fields south of Wieuca Road are believed to stand on the site of their former village. The Galloway School and the Chastain Arts Center originated as almshouses for the poor, constructed by Fulton County in 1909. Many of the facilities in Chastain Park were constructed by the Work Progress Administration in the 1940s to encourage residential development in North Fulton. In 1946, the park was dedicated to Fulton County Commissioner Troy Green Chastain, a driving force behind its development.
Cool attraction: Mount Paran Country Store If you round a corner on Northside Drive or Mount Paran Road, you might be surprised to discover the Mount Paran Country Store, the lone commercial building situated in the heart of a genteel residential area. For more than a century, the old-fashioned store has served the surrounding neighborhoods; it added gasoline as an offering around 50 years ago, when prices hovered around 25 cents a gallon. Despite its rustic wooden façade, the store’s interior doesn’t offer a Cracker Barrel feel. Instead, it has a few snug, dimly lit rows of food and the kind of hardware items you’d find at most quick marts, as well as a snack bar-style grill. “Our main business is meals—biscuits and breakfast in the mornings, burgers at lunch,” explains Peter Chevallier, the store’s owner for the past decade. Chevallier, who lives in Clayton County, makes a point of stocking certain items that his all-the-time regulars can’t live without. “Some of the middleaged and older ladies, all they drink is Tab, and they don’t want anything else,” he says. “We might be the only place in the Atlanta area where you can find Tab and Fresca in a can.” n
Prominent parks and outdoorsy places: Chastain Park not only includes tennis courts, multiple ball fields and a golf course, but also the Chastain Arts Center, the 13-acre Chastain Horse Park and the Chastain Park Amphitheatre, which features musical performances under the stars (James Brown recorded the album Live at Chastain Park in 1985). Just within Buckhead’s northern border lies the Palisades entrance to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, which offers a car-accessible entry to some
School zones: The Chastain Park area provides the home for both Sutton Middle School and the private Galloway School for grades 3 through 12. The Northside area is also home to Warren T. Jackson Elementary and Holy Spirit Preparatory School.
resident profile carol grady Carol Grady discovered her future home near Chastain Park through the barest of clues. It was 1970, and she and her first husband spotted a “For sale by owner” classified ad that simply read, “44 Carlton Drive.” “That was all it said,” Grady recalls. She says that even in an era before the Internet, “you needed to know something, not just the street, but there was nothing!” Fortunately, she had friends from the Allatoona Yacht Club who lived on Carlton Drive, directly across from the Chastain Park golf course, so she knew where the home was located. She and her husband wound up deciding to move to there, albeit a
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bit reluctantly. “We moved from the area of Bobby Jones Golf Course to Chastain Park golf course, and I felt like I’d moved to the boondocks. It felt like the end of the world to me, because I’d always lived so close to downtown before. I just really wanted to be close, but it was a lot of house for the money,” she admits, articulating the eternal trade-off of Atlanta home-buying. The neighborhood has long since changed her mind. “After being here 40 years, I love it. We used to walk to the hill overlooking Chastain Park Amphitheatre and look down at performances, both the concerts and the
March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
plays they’d have,” she says. She also slowly but enthusiastically embraced the PATH trail through Chastain Park. “I always loved to walk around the park. When they announced they were going to put the PATH in, I wasn’t in favor of it at first—we just needed a sidewalk! But the PATH has been such blessing.” She acknowledges that proximity to the park brings its share of problems. “It’s busier since we moved in. The traffic is kind of bad on Lake Forrest and Powers Ferry. I love the Northside Youth Organization, the things they’ve done and continue to do, but the traffic is bad during football
and baseball games. And it’s bad on concert nights at Chastain.” She now shares the house with her second husband, former Fulton National Bank Trust Officer Henry Grady IV (great-grandson of famed crusading journalist Henry W. Grady), and between them they have four children and eight grandchildren. She particularly likes the latest wave of new neighbors. “We were the younger people in this part of the neighborhood when I first lived here. Now there are all these darling young people, adding such vitality to the neighborhood,” she says. “We have cookie swaps and children go caroling at Christmas. It’s really nice.”
resident profile Teresa Gipson
2. northeast buckhead
John and Teresa Gipson at Nancy Creek Park
Consists of: Neighborhoods east of Roswell Road, including Buckhead Forest, North Buckhead and Historic Brookhaven. General character: The National Register of Historic Places named Historic Brookhaven Georgia’s first planned golf club community, but it defies the stereotype of condos filled with retirees tooling around in golf carts. An upscale, showcase neighborhood nearly on the scale of the Tuxedo Park area, Brookhaven provides a home for residents who seem as socially engaged as they are physically active on the streets’ sidewalks. The streets of North Buckhead maintain a low-profile coziness despite its status as Atlanta’s fourth most-populous neighborhood. (Note: Historic Brookhaven lies within the city of Atlanta limits and thus remains part of Buckhead, while such neighborhoods as Lynwood Park and Brookhaven Village do not.) History: Formerly Creek Indian territory, the area saw its first white settler, Harrison Goodwin, homestead a tract of land in the early 1830s and provide the name for the still-extant historic Goodwin House on Peachtree Road. Downtown Atlanta’s Capital City Club, founded in 1883 by 62 Atlanta businessmen, purchased a 150-acre golf course property in 1915, around which grew the residences of Brookhaven. Buckhead Forest originated with the Shadowland subdivision’s cottages in the 1920s and 1930s, but more contemporary home styles have grown up in the interim. Prominent parks and outdoorsy places: One of Atlanta’s best-kept secrets, the Blue Heron Nature Preserve off Roswell Road includes a walking trail, a community garden, an apiary and plenty of flora and fauna. The roads encircling the Capital City Club provide a lovely place for walking or driving in springtime, with many featuring triangular green spaces at the intersections.
School zone: Sarah Rawson Smith Elementary has been honored as a Georgia School of Excellence. Cool attraction: Little Nancy Creek Park Some neighborhood attractions draw attention for their impressive size or one-of-a-kind appearance. Little Nancy Creek Park’s appeal lies more in its modesty. Built on five acres purchased by the City of Atlanta in August of 2007, the charming little park officially opened in the spring of 2012 and seems to have popped up out of nowhere. It stands at the intersection of Peachtree Dunwoody Road and Winall Down Road (opposite the house known for filling its yards with inflatable Christmas decorations every year) and has clearly become a favorite with local families longing for a convenient playground. A private group called The Friends of Little Nancy Creek Park raised about $360,000 toward the initial phase of the park’s development. Weekends find the playground crowded with parents who chat while pushing their kids on swings. The park features a community garden and a quarter-mile walking trail, which includes 13 paving stones for nimble visitors to cross the creek until a bridge is built as part of the park’s Phase II (organizers are still raising money for this phase). The design promotes healthy habits through exercise stations and such signs as “Make half your plate fruit and vegetables.” The park’s very existence seems a step toward better living. n
Teresa Gipson wasn’t going to take no for an answer. When she moved to Brookhaven 33 years ago with her husband, real estate agent John Gipson, and their two sons, she certainly liked their new house on Winall Down Road. But the Gipsons had their eye on their dream house, a larger, four-bedroom Regency home on West Brookhaven, situated on a hill and overlooking the fairways of the Capital City Club. John Gipson told stories about driving around Atlanta in his early 20s and thinking that he’d like to move into that house someday. Teresa found out the Regency home was occupied by a single man and reasoned, “That man doesn’t need that house, and we do!” So she wasted no time making her intentions known. “I put a note in his mailbox introducing us and saying we were interested in buying. He was an old Southern gentleman and wrote back, saying that he had no intention of selling, but looked forward to getting to know us as neighbors,” the 68-year-old recalls. Undeterred, Teresa notified the owner’s real estate agent that they wanted to buy the house, only to be told, “Honey, it’s not for sale.” When the Gipsons finally met with the owner at the house, Gipson recalls, “We made an offer—and damn if he didn’t counter it! We negotiated with him, got the house and in 1983 we moved in.” Today Gipson describes her favorite role in life as being grandmother to her five grandkids, and her family takes advantage of their proximity to the club. “Everyone in the neighborhood belongs, and we meet there for dinner all the time,” she says. “It’s not like it’s a country club, it’s like the neighborhood gathering place. Every year they have Santa Claus, an Easter Egg Hunt, a hayride at Thanksgiving, overnight campouts in tents on the greens—they’re always doing things for families.” She admits that some of Historic Brookhaven’s personality has changed over the years. “They’ve taken the precious little houses from the 1920s, torn them down and replaced them with big ones, and I don’t like that,” she says. “The land has gotten valuable, so they’re putting in big houses that don’t have character.” Still, she values the neighborhood’s sense of connectedness. She explains that they moved to Brookhaven in the first place because, “We didn’t want to be on Wieuca or Peachtree Dunwoody. Those are just streets with houses on them. This is a neighborhood.”
Teresa Gipson’s husband tells stories about driving around Atlanta in his early 20s and thinking that he’d like to move into what is now their Brookhaven home someday.
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cov er story b u c khe a d n e i g h b o r ho o ds
3. around lenox
Hong Sun Wills at Antonio Raimo Galleries
Consists of: Southeastern corner of Buckhead—Lenox Square Superblock and Ridgedale Park—as well as the neighborhoods directly south, such as Peachtree Park, Pine Hills and Lindbergh Morosgo. General character: This part of Southeastern Buckhead approximates a shopping sandwich, with Lenox Square and Phipps Plaza on top, the Lindbergh Plaza-area shops on bottom and woodsy neighborhoods in between. Sealed off from cut-through traffic following the construction of Georgia 400, Peachtree Park includes the Craftsman, Tudor Revival and Minimal Traditional homes of the Peachtree Highlands National Historic District, and its outdoor playgroups for children convey the vibrancy of an active community. Pine Hills features numerous condominiums along Lenox Road, as well as homes on twisty, well-forested side streets. History: In 1913, First National Bank President John K. Ottley built a Tudorstyle summer home named “Joyeuse” on the future site of Lenox Square. Peachtree Park’s oldest neighborhood was developed in the 1920s and ’30s as a trolley car neighborhood for middleclass tradespeople. Lenox Square opened in 1959 as an open-air shopping center with 60 shops anchored by Rich’s and Davison’s department stores. In the 1970s, the Broadview Shopping Center (later named Lindbergh Plaza) served as the home of the Great Southeast Music Hall, a venue that hosted the likes of Billy Joel, B.B. King and the Sex Pistols, the latter in a reportedly chaotic and disastrous performance. Prominent parks and outdoorsy places: The area around Lenox offers plentiful greenery but surprisingly few public parks. Pine Hills includes several creeks and streams, while Pinnacle Park is a modest greenspace at the bustling corner of Peachtree and Lenox, with a half-moon fountain and a large wheelshaped sculpture.
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March/April 2013 | Simply Buckhead
Cool attraction: The Shops of Miami Circle The Shops of Miami Circle includes more than 60 stores and showrooms for fine art and antiques, and the exteriors of most of the buildings prove less interesting than their wares. That’s not the case with Antonio Raimo Galleries, which displays an eye-catching, 120-foot-wide, 20-foot-high mural along the exterior of the 22,000-square-foot building, home to interconnected galleries for rare books, prints, maps and paintings. Raimo established the antiquarian book dealership in Atlanta in 1996, just ahead of the Olympics, and wanted to enhance the galleries’ curb appeal without resorting to hyperbolic signs. “I have a real aversion to festooning the place with all kinds of signage. That’s T-A-C-K-Y. You need to think of a better way to draw attention,” Raimo says. Instead, in the late 1990s he commissioned painter Allen Mason to create a trompe l’oeil mural that offered a soothing depiction of the galleries inside, with Raimo’s family rendered as browsers. “It took about nine months, but when it was finally finished, it tripled my business,” Raimo says. When Raimo wanted to expand his framing business about 10 years later, he pondered how to get the word out without doing another mural. The resulting decoration, also located on his building’s exterior, uses 970 frame-corner samples painted with boat varnish. Raimo considers it the equivalent of a 19th-century tradesperson hanging a sample of his craft, like a cobbler displaying a shoe. Overall, the Miami Circle cul-de-sac enjoys a reputation as one of the most comprehensive art, design and decorating districts in Atlanta. In addition to antiquing, visitors can browse for everything from chandeliers to Persian rugs and cap off a day with drinks or tapas at Eclipse di Luna Bar and Restaurant. n
“I think we have quite a few little secrets, especially the landscaped pocket park with the pedestrian bridge that connects us to Lenox Square.” – Hong Sun Wills
resident profile Hong Sun Wills China’s Jiangsu province isn’t far from Shanghai, but it’s a long way from Peachtree Park. In 1997, Hong Sun Wills moved from this province to Atlanta to study at Georgia Tech and then Emory Law School. Now an associate in the corporate and international practices of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, Wills has lived in Peachtree Park since 2004. In lightly accented English, Wills explains how she chose the neighborhood primarily for its convenience. “The location of Peachtree Park is awesome. I work in Midtown, five miles from my house. I can easily get to my office, grocery stores, restaurants, retail shops and all the major highways,” says the single, 30-something Wills. Not to mention the two gyms she frequents. “My primary gym is the legendary Jeanne’s Body Tech in Buckhead. It has so much history and feels like a family,” she says. “I also keep my LA Fitness membership so I can swim at least once a week. I also run and bike in Peachtree Park.” Wills finds her home to be a shrewd investment. “Most of the neighborhood is still relatively affordable compared to others in Buckhead. With all the commercial development around it, the land will only go up, not down in value,” she says. She suspects that Peachtree Park’s relatively secluded quality means that most Atlantans don’t know about its hidden amenities. “I think we have quite a few little secrets, especially the landscaped pocket park with the pedestrian bridge that connects us to Lenox Square. On July 4, we bring picnic blankets and wine over there to watch the fireworks without worrying about traffic.” Wills says her neighborhood highlights one of the sharpest contrasts between her new home and her old one. “Many cities in China are having huge pollution problems. The air is much cleaner here in the U.S., particularly Atlanta. Most of the houses in my neighborhood have beautiful landscaping, lawns and trees,” Wills says. “It’s like a hidden island in the heart of Buckhead.”
4. the hills
Consists of: Southern Buckhead neighborhoods found east of Peachtree Road and west of Piedmont, including Brookwood Hills, Peachtree Hills, Garden Hills and Buckhead Village.
General character: Compared to the palatial communities on the opposite side of Peachtree Road, these neighborhoods may look less intimidating to some. The single folks living in the many apartments of Peachtree Hills can come across as downright rambunctious, but when they feel like settling down, they can find more family-friendly, closely knit streets with numerous schools, small parks and sidewalks just a few blocks away. History: Brookwood Hills originated as an intersection of two major Creek Indian trails and later stood witness to some of the Battle of Atlanta’s fiercest fighting in 1864. In the late 1880s, hotel owner Joseph Thompson built a country estate on the land, and in 1912, developers B.F. Burdett and E.F. Chambless began the Brookwood Hills subdivision, which is now known as Atlanta’s only completely enclaved neighborhood. The oldest section of Brookwood Hills is on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated as an Atlanta Conservation District. Outside Brookwood Hills, in the late 1880s, a black community of 400 families known as Macedonia Park could be found on the land now occupied by Frankie Allen Park. In 1938, the architectural firm of Stevens and Wilkinson built the Peachtree Hills apartment complex as an early example of International Style modernism. Prominent parks and outdoorsy places: Built in the 1920s, Garden Hills Pool encompasses not only a popular place to swim, but also a playground, soccer field, picnic area and allaround gathering place for the area’s families. The Garden Hills Pool & Park Association is currently raising money for a renovation. Nearby Frankie Allen Park changed its name from Bagley Park in 1980 to honor a popular umpire and still features baseball fields, tennis courts and walking trails. The Hills area also includes the Brookwood Hills Community Club, Peachtree Hills Park, Sunnybrook Park and Alexander Park, but its most famously lovely spot is known for its web-footed residents (read on). School zones: Highly regarded Garden Hills Elementary School, Christ the King School and the Atlanta International School lie in The Hills. Cool attraction: Duck Pond If one were to make a shortlist of the most beautiful places in all Atlanta, the little body of water known as the “Duck Pond” in Peachtree Heights East would undoubtedly land on it. Beautifully landscaped lawns and gorgeous trees surround the two-acre pond, which provides a year-round home to about a dozen non-migratory, well-fed ducks.
Jill Helmer at the Duck Pond
“It’s not real cookiecutter here. There’s a diversity in age and people’s interests— it’s inclusive.” – Jill Helmer
Built in the 1920s, the Duck Pond features stacked-rock retaining walls, curved stone bridges and strategically planted willow trees that make it a photographer’s paradise. In 1933, the widow of Peachtree Heights East’s original developer, Eretus Rivers, deeded the Duck Pond and its two adjacent parks, known as the Middle Park and the Lower Park, to the neighborhood. Kathy Collura, president of the Peachtree Heights East Neighborhood Association, says that the general management of the park costs between $35,000 and $40,000, which is provided by neighborhood association donors and doesn’t include such unplanned expenses as fallen tree removal. “The park is a wonderful asset and it’s open to the public, but no public money supports it, and it’s very expensive,” she says. The park’s age contributes to its timeless appeal, but Collura points out that it also means there’s more upkeep. “Because it’s almost 100 years old, and many of the trees are 80 to 100 years old, there are definite age issues,” she says. Maintaining the park serves to unify its residents, who gather several times a year for weekend clean-up and improvement projects. A women’s group called Ladies of the Lake also works to preserve the parks, hold fundraisers and cultivate the gardens (see Simply Buzz, Page 80). The Duck Pond even provides a location for an annual “regatta” of more than a dozen motorized toy yachts. “It’s definitely the centerpiece of the neighborhood,” Collura says. n
resident profile jill helmer Jill Helmer expected to spend her adulthood in Dallas, close to where she grew up. “But then my college roommate moved here, and when I came to visit, I fell in love with Atlanta,” Helmer, 57, recalls. “Dallas just doesn’t have the trees and hills.” Owner of the floral business Jill Siegel designs and co-author of the coffee-table book Evergreen: Decorating with Colours of the Season, Helmer lives across the street from the Duck Pond and stays highly attuned to her natural surroundings—at times, to the exclusion of all else. “My home office faces out the front window, toward the park, and sometimes I have to close the blinds because I spend so much time gazing at nature,” she says. When Helmer and her husband, Time Magazine’s manager of ad sales for the Southeast, moved to the neighborhood, they renovated a 1917 bungalow in a Dutch Colonial style, adding a second floor. “I’ve always lived in older neighborhoods since I moved to Atlanta—Brookwood Hills, Garden Hills, Spring Lake—and I always will,” Helmer says. “I just couldn’t live in a subdivision where nothing was mature.” She enjoys the neighborhood’s people as much as the park and the pond. “It’s not real cookie-cutter here. There’s a diversity in age and people’s interests—it’s inclusive.” She particularly likes the fact that it accommodates pedestrians so well. “We have families with small children who walk to the park, and it’s neat for me to see the mothers walking their children to Christ the King Elementary School. I saw it in Garden Hills, but overall you don’t see children walking to school anymore.” With two nearly grown daughters, Helmer admits that she and her husband have considered relocating. “We’re empty nesters now, with the last one graduating from college this May. We talk about moving—but where would we go?” The loveliness of Peachtree Heights’ surroundings may keep Helmer from saying goodbye.
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5. central buckhead Consists of: Neighborhoods bound by I-85 to the east and Peachtree Road to the west, including Argonne Forest, Castlewood, Peachtree Heights West, Tuxedo Park, South Tuxedo Park and Wyngate.
Tamara Bazzle at Harmony Grove Cemetery
resident profile tamara bazzle As a retired interior designer for a Buckhead architecture firm, Tamara Bazzle has a deep appreciation for the layout of her Peachtree Heights West neighborhood. She points out that it was designed 100 years ago by New York architects Carrère and Hastings, who paid special attention to the interplay of the streets and houses. “I appreciate the way the houses relate to the natural environment—they don’t try to conquer it,” Bazzle says. “On the same street, some of the lots will be 3 or 4 acres, and some will be much smaller. I think that reflects the charm of the neighborhood, that it’s not all one style or one size.” Bazzle and her husband, Kenneth, a retired insurance executive, live in a three-bedroom house that’s modest compared to some of the neighborhood’s mansions. Having lived there 29 years, she says she appreciates its sense of community. “This neighborhood has been very close. We just had six houses sold to young families–that’s how I became the grande dame here,” says Bazzle, who turns 66 in April. The Bazzles live only three doors down from the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip, which she finds to be a boon to the neighborhood despite having one of the largest Episcopalian congregations in America. “The neighborhood is enriched by the Cathedral of St. Philip,” she says. “They make their meeting spaces available for people. They have a huge parking lot and the traffic’s not really objectionable.” While Bazzle is Episcopalian herself, she continues her lifelong practice of attending services at All Saints’ Episcopal at West Peachtree and North Avenue. Bazzle works to preserve her community’s history as an active member of the Buckhead Heritage Society and feels relieved that her neighborhood has escaped extensive transformation, give or take a McMansion or two. The one thing she feels her neighborhood lacks is a park. “We have Sibley Park, but it’s more of a green space because of its steep terrain. I would love a dog park,” she says. She feels nostalgic for some bygone aspects of greater Buckhead. “I do miss the days when you could go shopping in Buckhead at places like Wings Camera, and some of the wonderful restaurants, including Vino and Peachtree Café. I miss some of the houses that have been torn down. There was one on Habersham— a boxy, white, wood-frame house built around 1910—I really miss the visual of that house.”
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General character: When people hear “Buckhead,” they almost certainly envision this part of town, which features tony streets with hundreds of historic homes. Tuxedo Park’s name is appropriate, as many of its opulent mansions and impeccably landscaped grounds are the real estate equivalent of formal wear (with the dogwoods and azaleas that bloom in springtime serving as corsages and boutonnieres). Central Buckhead’s scale and reputation tend to eclipse its more modest and affordable dwellings, but you can find them if you look hard enough. History: Famed architects Philip Trammell Shutze and Neel Reid designed many of the Tuxedo Park homes in the Georgian, Greek Revival, Italianate and Tudor styles beginning in 1904. Shutze built the Swan House, arguably the neighborhood’s crown jewel, for the Inman family in 1928 in imitation of Rome’s Palazzo Corsini. It is now operated by the Atlanta History Center as a 1920s and ’30s house museum. And while the Governor’s Mansion is one of the area’s key attractions, it’s a relatively recent addition, built in the traditional Southern style in 1967. Prominent parks and outdoorsy places: The Atlanta History Center not only features exhibits that recount the city’s heritage from the Civil War to the 1996 Olympic Games, it also includes such lush outdoor sights as the Frank A. Smith Rhododendron Garden. Sibley Park offers a thickly wooded conservation area at Habersham Road and West Wesley Road. Buckhead Triangle Park at the intersection of Roswell Road and Peachtree Road is the site of Henry Irby’s original, mid-1880s settlement (which would eventually become Buckhead); it’s marked with a statue of a deer-headed human called “The Storyteller.”
School zones: Pace Academy on West Paces Ferry has a particularly appealing campus. The Atlanta Girls’ School is also in Central Buckhead. Cool attraction: New Hope African Methodist Episcopal Church and Harmony Grove Cemetery In 1872, Buckhead farmer James H. “Whispering” Smith bequeathed two acres of land for the area’s African-American populace to use as a church and school. Originally called the New Hope Camp Meeting, the Arden Road property has served as a locus of AfricanAmerican worship for more than a century. The congregation built the first plank building, now known as the New Hope African Methodist Episcopal Church, sometime prior to 1900, and it has weathered more than its share of adversity: It burned down in 1927 and the rebuilt structure suffered tornado damage in 1975. Under its current pastor, the Rev. Philip R. Chisholm, the church continues to hold services and features a lighthearted roadside marquee with adages like “God answers kneemail.” The white, wood-framed building with a simple steeple was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. Whispering Smith also has ties to a small hill on West Paces Ferry, about halfway between the Governor’s Mansion and Cherokee Town and Country Club. Covering slightly less than one acre, the historic Harmony Grove Cemetery provides the final resting place for an estimated 171 people, although only about 40 have marked headstones. Harmony Grove’s earliest recorded burial dates back to 1870, when “Whispering” Smith interred his infant son, James. In 2006, the Buckhead Heritage Society spearheaded the cemetery’s restoration; its efforts earned the State Preservation Award in 2009. n
“I appreciate the way the houses relate to the natural environment—they don’t try to conquer it.” – Tamara Bazzle
“Since I was a kid, [this area] has become even more affluent than it had been. When I moved back, I noticed how the restaurants and culture have increased.” – Megan Hayes Megan Hayes at Tanyard Creek Park. Stylist: Morgan Henzlik Cohen, Morgan Kylee Hair/Makeup: Crystal Rock, Authentic Beauty Wardrobe: Top: Stylist’s own; Necklace: Diane Cotton from Morgan Kylee; Pants: A.L.C. from Morgan Kylee; Shoes: Stylist’s own
6. battle Consists of: The southernmost neighborhoods in Buckhead, bracketed between I-75 to the west and Peachtree Road to the east, including Peachtree Battle Alliance, Memorial Park, Collier Hills, Colonial Homes, Channing Valley, Haynes Manor, Wildwood and Springlake.
resident profile megan hayes In late 2012, actress Megan Hayes commuted daily from a neighborhood near the site of past warfare to a place of future combat. Hayes plays one of the “tributes” who fight for their lives in the highly anticipated Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which was partly filmed in Atlanta. The role of “District 6 Tribute Girl” is the highest-profile part yet for the rising Atlanta actress, who regularly displays her flair for comedy at local theaters. You may have seen Hayes on HBO’s raunchy sitcom “Eastbound and Down” or in a frequently aired Georgia Lottery ad called “Extreme Green,” in which Hayes’ winning lottery ticket uncontrollably sprays money in a fancy restaurant. Hayes moved to a two-story townhouse in Cross Creek seven years ago and particularly likes its strategic location. “It’s near everything and connected to everything. For me, ‘close’ means within a five-minute drive,” Hayes says. “It’s near the highway, but it’s on a golf course and is very woodsy and pretty.” Hayes has spent much of her life in Buckhead, having grown up in the community’s northern edge, near Mount Paran and Northside. She spent eight years in New York studying and starting her acting career before returning to the South. “I moved back to the same ZIP code where I grew up,” she says, noting how it has changed over the years. “Since I was a kid, it’s become even more affluent than it had been. When I moved back, I noticed how the restaurants and culture have increased. I actually think that the restaurants are one of the best things about Atlanta. Everyone on the shoot from LA was saying how many great places to eat Atlanta has.” Hayes frequents such eateries as Figo Pasta and Nuevo Laredo, and likes to buy presents and opening-night cards at Richards Variety Store at Peachtree Battle Shopping Center. She also enjoys the fact that Cross Creek has its own claim to fame: “Every single person I’ve ever met has either lived here, or knows someone who did.” Perhaps someday, Cross Creek will become famous as a place where Megan Hayes once lived.
General character: With its proximity to Midtown and Downtown, numerous parks and the presence of young renters at its apartment and townhome complexes, this area projects a cosmopolitan quality and youthful energy. Haynes Manor features some of the most impressive homes in the city, particularly along Peachtree Battle Avenue, a parkway with greenspace running down the center of the road. The streets tend to be relatively more modest and quiet around Collier Hills. History: Atlanta’s roadside historical markers are particularly numerous in this area, even though commuters may have few opportunities to read them. The battle that gives Peachtree Battle its name took place along Peachtree Creek (read on) and featured some of the fiercest fighting of the Battle of Atlanta. Haynes Manor was developed in the 1920s; Collier Hills, built in 1941, took its name from the operator of an antebellum grist mill. Prominent parks and outdoorsy places: Such inviting areas include the 199-acre Atlanta Memorial Park, with Bobby Jones Golf Course and Bitsy Grant Tennis Center; the Woodward Habersham Park conservation area; Tanyard Creek Park; and an extensive section of the paved PATH greenway trail for walkers, runners and bicyclists. School zones: Morris Brandon Elementary, E. Rivers Elementary and
North Atlanta High are well-regarded public schools that serve this area. The Heiskell School also borders on this area. Cool attraction: Tanyard Creek Park The small-scale beauty of Tanyard Creek Park has a bittersweet quality once visitors know what happened there nearly 150 years ago. Amid the park’s sheltering trees and babbling brooks stand commemorations of the Battle of Peachtree Creek, which took place July 20, 1864. After defeat at the Battle of Kennesaw, Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston spent several weeks retreating south. Lt. Gen. John Bell Hood replaced him and launched a bold offense on Union Gen. William T. Sherman’s forces as they neared the city. Confederate forces attacked at 4 p.m. but failed to break the Union line, at a cost of 4,796 Confederate soldiers and 1,710 from the Union. A Federal general remarked, “Few battlefields of the war have been strewn so thickly with dead and wounded as they lay that evening around Collier’s Mill.” Today, Tanyard Creek Park features six large historical markers so visitors can read a detailed summary of the site’s role in the Civil War. The park also offers lovely views of the creek and a nearly irresistible portion of the PATH and Beltline trail for strolls. You don’t have to dwell on the thousands of casualties while paying a visit, but it’s important to remember the magnitude of the events that happened there. n
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Alan Elsas at Hermi’s Bridge
“One of the benefits of the neighborhood is the serenity, because the houses are so far apart.” – Alan Elsas
7. west of 75 Consists of: Paces, Pleasant Hill, Margaret Mitchell, Wesley Battle (also known as West Peachtree Battle) and part of Whitewater Creek. General character: Even though they’re not high-profile showcase neighborhoods like Historic Brookhaven or Central Buckhead, Paces and the residential communities around it contain some of Atlanta’s priciest homes— the median price is $367,500. In fact, the area tends to be so quiet and unobtrusive that it’s easy to overlook its residences, despite the fact that some streets have long straightaways, big lots and venerable trees that make for excellent driving tours. Living here can be the next best thing to having a mountain home, only without the change in altitude. History: The Creek Indian settlement of Standing Peachtree was situated where Peachtree Creek meets the Chattahoochee, making it the closest Native American community to what eventually became Atlanta. Paces takes its name from Hardy Pace, a ferryman and miller who in 1809 moved to the area now known as Vinings, where he established a ferry service across the Chattahoochee River. The ferry’s success allowed Pace to accumulate around 10,000 acres of land and inspired Buckhead’s several “Paces Ferry” street names. The Margaret Mitchell neighborhood was developed in 1950 and originally called Cherokee Forest; its current name simply pays tribute to the Gone With the Wind author, as she never lived there. Prominent parks and outdoorsy places: The hills of Buckhead west of I-75 have so many trees, gullies and hidden trails that you may not notice the scarcity of parks. Fort Peachtree, a re-creation of a rustic 200-yearold fort, may be the neighborhood’s most interesting historical site, but it’s located adjacent to the Atlanta waterworks pumping
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station within a security fence and currently closed to the public. The Rivermeade subdivision includes a scenic private lake. School zones: The area is home to such prestigious private schools as The Lovett School, The Westminster Schools and Trinity School. Cool attraction: Hermi’s Bridge “She built bridges across gulfs of prejudice and ignorance,” reads a plaque on a Paces Ferry Road pedestrian bridge at the Chattahoochee River. The marker honors Hermione Weil Alexander, and wooden signs on either end of the 280-foot structure identify it as “Hermi’s Bridge.” For 70 years beginning in 1904, a one-lane bridge replaced Hardy Pace’s ferryboat as the primary means for people to get from Buckhead to Vinings. In 1974, a modern two-lane automotive bridge supplanted the original and the old bridge faced demolition. Residents such as architect Cecil Alexander and his wife “Hermi” successfully lobbied to save it from destruction. In 1983 Hermi was tragically killed by a drunk driver, and the bridge was dedicated to her memory the following year. After 20 years, it fell into disrepair; it was closed to pedestrians in 2006. Fortunately the City of Atlanta, Cobb County and the PATH Foundation, in addition to Alexander, raised money for its restoration, reopening Hermi’s Bridge in 2010. With car noise nearly constant from nearby Paces Ferry Road, Hermi’s Bridge isn’t exactly a tranquil spot, but it affords a lovely view of the river, with Westminster on one bank and the restaurant Canoe on the opposite side. It also provides a true bridge from the neighborhood’s present to its past. n
resident profile Alan Elsas Alan Elsas has lived the better part of his life in Paces, within a handful of wooded acres. “I’ve been on my property 73 years,” quips the retired stockbroker, although the story is a little more involved than that. Elsas was born at Piedmont Hospital in 1940, and within a few months moved with his parents and brother to a newly built home on Paces Ferry Road. “It was pure country in those days,” Elsas recalls. He suspects his father was attracted to the low cost, natural beauty and privacy of the 20-acre property. Elsas grew up in that house until he graduated from high school, attending Vanderbilt University and later starting his own family with his wife, Katharine. In the late 1970s, Elsas’ father offered his sons 14 acres of land behind the house— almost literally in his backyard— and Elsas and his wife decided to build a home there. In 1981 they moved into the house, which remains their residence to this day. He says, “The wonderful thing about our being there was that our kids could run through the woods to their grandparents’ house, about 300 yards away.” Plus, the three generations of Elsases could meet at the small fishing pond between their homes. Elsas enjoys the neighborhood’s secluded quality. “All the lots have a minimum of two acres, so there’s lots of woods and space,” he says. “One of the benefits of the neighborhood is the serenity, because the houses are so far apart.” He’s not a fan of some of the infill development the area has seen in recent years. “Quite a few megahouses and McMansions have been built around us, and too much of the old woods has been taken down for large lawns. We like the woods better.” Small wonder: The woods offer Elsas’ three grandchildren a place to play.
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Simply happening
The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia’s (MOCA GA) annual fundraiser brings together several hundred Atlanta art enthusiasts and collectors.
Spotlight The MOCA GALA Art Auction April 13 MOCA GA 75 Bennett Street, Suite A2 Atlanta 30309 404.367.8700 www.mocaga.org
Looking for local art? Hold up your palette and propose a price on a one-of-a-kind piece, or search through a silent auction, quietly bidding on your favorite creations via smartphone, iPad or computer. The 2013 Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia (MOCA GA) GALA Art Auction offers two auction styles,
dealing out an array of art by an invitation-only group of Georgia artists. Ranging in value from $250 to $5,000, the works are handpicked by Annette Cone-Skelton, MOCA GA’s director, and include works by Lucinda Bunnen, Don Cooper, Betty Edge and more. Experienced auctioneer James H. Landon will lead the
fast-paced live auction that is sure to have some exciting moments. Taking place from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., MOCA GA’s annual fundraiser benefits the museum’s exhibitions and programs. Tickets are $150 per person, which includes a buffet of heavy hors d’oeuvres, full bar and valet parking. Dress is comfortable cocktail attire.
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SIMPLY happening
simply buzz n The Cathedral of St. Philip Rummage Sale March 9 The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.365.1050 www.stphilipscathedral.org Search for hidden treasure during the Cathedral of St. Philip’s annual Rummage Sale, which attracted more than 2,000 attendees in 2012. The annual event, put on by the Cathedral Choir, brings together a huge assortment of items at bargain prices. From furniture and books to sporting equipment and jewelry, there is something to entice just about everyone. This year the sale kicks off with a Preview Party and Silent Auction on March 8 at 6:30 p.m., giving first dibs to savvy rummage sale enthusiasts looking for the best stuff (tickets are $10). The free main event follows the next day, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Replace last sentence with: This year, the Rummage Sale assists the Cathedral Choir with expenses related to their upcoming trip to England, where they’ll spend time at St. Paul’s Cathedral and Canterbury Cathedral.
n Three-Star Michelin Dinner Hands-On March 20 The Cook’s WarehouseBrookhaven 4062 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30319 404.949.9945 www.cookswarehouse.com Astonish your friends and family with an award-worthy meal after learning the tricks of the culinary trade from Brookhaven resident
Events, exhibits, galas and more
Adeline Borra. Her cooking class, taking place at The Cook’s Warehouse in Brookhaven, shares her gastronomic gusto, which she learned growing up in a winemaking family in France and cooking alongside several Michelin chefs. From 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Borra takes inspiration from names like Heston Blumenthal and Laurent Pourcel to teach attendees how to prepare sophisticated cuisine, including black truffle gougères, porcini cappuccino, pan-seared sea scallops and parsnip purée with a balsamic reduction and, for dessert, an apple tart with homemade vanilla ice cream. The cost of the class is $65 and reservations are required.
n OLA Spring Stampede March 23 Oglethorpe University 4484 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30319 404.261.7181 www.olaspringstampede.org Run like the wind on a picturesque, fast course during the third annual OLA Spring Stampede. Kicking off at 7:30 a.m., the race starts and finishes at Oglethorpe University; in between, the 5K route winds through the Silver Lake community. Following the run, an after-race party awaits with food, entertainment, awards and giveaways, as well as race T-shirts for participants. Part of the Run & See Georgia Grand Prix Series, the race’s proceeds benefit Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church (OLA) Outreach Ministry’s work within the surrounding Brookhaven neighborhood. There will also be a 1-mile run beginning at 8:30 a.m., followed by a tot trot for pint-sized runners. Registration is $25 until March 18, $30 after and on race day.
n An Evening with Andrew Solomon April 11 Atlanta History Center 130 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.814.4000 www.atlantahistorycenter.com National Book Award-winning author Andrew Solomon is makPhoto by Jeff Roffman Photography
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by:
ing a stop at the Atlanta History Center to discuss one of his latest literary works: Far From the Tree: Parents, Children, and the Search for Identity. Following 10 years of research and 40,000 pages of interview transcripts with more than 300 families across America, Solomon’s book shares the stories of children who have been victims of prejudice and the parents who helped them through difficult times. Recently featured on “60 Minutes,” Solomon is also the author of A Stone Boat and The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression and the winner of 14 national awards. An Evening with Andrew Solomon begins at 8 p.m. in the McElreath Hall Woodruff Auditorium and tickets, which can be purchased online, are $10.
n Spring Festival on Ponce April 13-14 Olmsted Linear Park 1451 Ponce de Leon Avenue Atlanta 30307 404.845.0793 www.festivalonponce.com Stroll beneath shady trees and along meandering paths at Olmsted Linear Park while carefully selecting a new piece of art to add to your collection. During the third annual Spring Festival on Ponce, attendees can spend the day enjoying one of Atlanta’s historic green spaces and take part in an event showcasing the works of some of Georgia’s most talented artists. Designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Sr., the park is situated between Atlanta and Decatur in Druid Hills and has a $10 million capital improvement plan in place to protect it. Along with art and live acoustic entertainment, the free festival, taking place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, also includes a children’s area and local food and beverages.
Giannina Smith Bedford
Get outside and enjoy the springtime air during the 2013 Sandy Springs Artsapalooza. The two-day event, held in the heart of Sandy Springs near the new City Center, brings together more than 100 participants of various artistic disciplines—from pottery and jewelry to painting and sculpture. Let the little ones frolic in the children’s play area while you take in the sounds of local musicians or participate in interactive art stations. Taking place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, the free celebration is held in partnership with Art Sandy Springs (ArtSS) and is part of the ArtSSpring celebration.
Buckhead Wine Festival, held in the Andrews Entertainment District. Along with swirling, sniffing and sipping some unique vintages, attendees can sample craft beer and spirits or take part in wine seminars. There will also be a DJ, live music and a pop-up shop with gourmet treats and snacks from local food trucks. VIP entry begins at 1 p.m. with doors opening for regular admission at 3 p.m.; the event continues until 6 p.m. General admission tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door; VIP admission (advance sales only) are $40. Photo: Warren Grant, Windfall Communications
n Decatur Earth Day Festival April 21 Wylde Center 435 Oakview Road Decatur 30030 404.371.1920 www.wyldecenter.org Celebrate the 43rd Earth Day Decatur-style at Oakhurst Garden, a branch of the Wylde Center. More than 400 attendees are expected at the pirate-themed event, which kicks off with a 12:30 p.m. parade beginning at Harmony Park and ending at the Wylde Center. Participants are encouraged to decorate their bikes, wagons, strollers or themselves in pirate and earth themes and join the parade marching crowd. Live music, crafts and more than 40 vendors will come together in honor of Mother Earth. The fun will continue until 4 p.m. with pirate-themed arts and crafts for kids, more than 40 vendors, a live raptor show and a pirate cake-decorating contest. Once the judging takes place and winners are announced, the elaborate cake creations will be served up to the public. Yummy!
n Buckhead Wine Festival April 27
n Sandy Springs Artsapalooza April 20-21
Andrews Entertainment District 56 East Andrews Drive Atlanta 30305 404.389.0856 www.buckheadwinefest.com
Sandy Springs Artsapalooza Sandy Springs 30328 404.845.0793 www.sandyspringsartsapalooza.com
Taste your way through the wine globe with hundreds of other foodies at the Second Annual
n Ladies of the Lake Garden Club Annual Garden Party May 5 Duck Pond Park Lakeview Avenue N.E. Atlanta 30305 www.ladiesofthelake.org Don your best garden attire, complete with a bonnet or chapeau, and join the Ladies of the Lake Garden Club and more than 200 garden-goers for the much talkedabout annual soiree. Taking place at Peachtree Heights’ scenic Duck Pond Park, the 28th annual event is the largest revenue generator for the upkeep of the neighborhood’s three private parks. Expect music, a silent auction, an open bar and food by Peachtree Heights East resident and Personal Chef Billy Williamson. “It’s a festive gathering of neighbors and friends and people who just enjoy coming to the Duck Pond,” says Cathy Ward, Ladies of the Lake Garden Club president. “It is the social event of the year for our neighborhood.” The adult-only, pet-free event takes place from 4 to 7 p.m., rain or shine. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 after April 30 and at the door. For more information visit www.ladiesofthelake.org or email lolduckpond@gmail.com.
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Simply Buckhead Three-Year Anniversary Party
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imply Buckhead celebrated its three-year anniversary in grand style at the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center. Nearly 500 attendees, including Buckhead Coalition President Sam Massell, Atlanta City Council President Ceasar Mitchell and Atlanta Hawks player Zaza Pachulia, came out for the festivities. Guests bid on incredible silent auction items, noshed on food from many of Buckhead’s top eateries and enjoyed wine, Red Brick beer and Sinless Margaritas. One of the evening’s highlights came when Publisher Joanne Hayes revealed the magazine’s very own “Mr. Buckhead” Buck, which is now on display outside Davio’s in Phipps Plaza. Proceeds from the evening benefitted CURE Childhood Cancer and Share our Strength Atlanta.
1. Guests bid on almost 100 silent auction items like signed sports memorabilia and jawdropping works of art. 2.Gail Shattah and Patsy Alston 3. Claude Guillaume, Joanne Hayes and Anny Deirmenjian 4. Randall Fox, Elizabeth Baker, Allison Palestrini and Kristin Connor 5.Ceasar Mitchell, Drewnelle Thomas and Joanne Hayes
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6. Duwan Northcutt and Steve Pettitt 7. Marcia Jaffe, David Hightower and Dr. Michaela McKenzie 8. Sam Massell and Sonny Hayes 9. Tika and Zaza Pachulia 10. Ahi Tuna Tartare from Ocean Prime 11. Allison Entrekin, Giannina Smith Bedford and Larry and Stephanie Hart 12. Jason and Alyson Myerson, Cheryl Isaacs and Phil Isaacs
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A chip off the old block
Little Macaulay Poer samples Jalisco for the first time. Her mom, Britt, has been coming to the Peachtree Battle institution since she was Macaulay’s age. photo:
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Sure, we have a lazy river. Of complimentary drinks at sunset. Follow this with a chef’s breakfast the next morning, then complimentary bikes and boxed picnic lunch along a mile of unspoiled beach. Sometimes grown-ups have all the fun.
destin
florida
www.thehendersonparkinn.com 866.398.4432
Wears Valley, Tennessee LoT for SaLe! You’ll be looking directly at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park from this gorgeous homesite, as well as into Wears Valley! It is the last remaining “big view” property on the east Side in the Homestead Development, so don’t miss out on a great opportunity. When you stand on this homesite, the view of the Smokies will take your breath away!
for More Information Call 678-234-6551 View From The Homesite
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2810 Paces Ferry Road Southeast | Atlanta, GA 30339 | (770) 435-7700
www.radiancemedspaatlanta.com
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We would like to thank our generous participants and silent auction donors, who made our third anniversary celebration benefitting our major charity partners, CURE and Share Our Strength a huge success!
We are Simply GRatEfUl!
Atlanta’s Premier Spa Destination
Celebrating 20 Years of Romance With a Luxurious New Look 35,000 sq. ft. Newly Renovated Spa Mansion Flavorful Spa Dining at the Fleur de Lis Restaurant Luxurious Overnight Spa Guest Suites • Romantic Couples Treatments Spa Loyalty Program • Wellness Assessments & Fitness Classes 35 Treatment Rooms • Relaxation Room Visit us at www.chateauelan.com to start planning your next getaway. Or, Call 678-425-0900
Join us at www.facebook.com/chateauelan for exclusive offers. Château Élan | 100 Tour De France, Braselton, Georgia 30517 Located I-85 North, Exit 126 - 30 Minutes North of Downtown Atlanta
Best View in Highlands Located at the top of Old Edwards Club adjacent to national forest lands, this home is jaw-dropping from the minute you get your first glimpse. Working with Architect Rand Soellner of Cashiers and Highlands Interior Designer Darren Whatley, the owners wanted a “big lodge” feel with open spaces yet wanted to maintain a sense of intimacy for them and their guests. The approach is so welcoming with a circular driveway, large porte-cochère and water feature, making a lazy afternoon on the front porch swing the best event of the day. The handsome front door and stone work on the porch lets visitors and guests know that something special is about to be revealed. Then the door opens and there it is — the best view in Highlands. The oversized deck with fireplace and massive beams frame a view that seems to go on forever.
This is a home that can be enjoyed by just a couple or a large family. One of the favorite rooms for the owners is a cozy bedroom suite located near the kitchen, which is perfect for overflow guests or a great spot for an afternoon nap. The inviting master’s retreat, complete with fireplace and sumptuous bath, evokes a feeling of sensuality and has all the trappings of a five-star hotel. The upper level of this amazing home is all about guest comforts. Each of the light-filled bedrooms has its own individual character, and features balconies, gorgeous views, fireplaces and en-suite baths. The upstairs also boasts an entertainment bar, adjacent to a relaxing media lounge — which is the perfect place for children to play games or guests to unwind.
• Over 6,200 sq. ft. of living space • 3,000 sq. ft of covered and open decking • Outdoor kitchen w/Lynx range • Seven fireplaces • Old Edwards Club amenities w/membership at Old Edwards Inn 41 Church Street Highlands, NC 28741 828.526.1717 888.526.3558
at Highlands Falls CC 2334 Cashiers Road Highlands, NC 28741 828.526.4101 888.454.4342
W W W. M E A D O W S M T N R E A LT Y. C O M
JH JAMES HURLEY DESIGNS
Gown by Anne Barge Atelier, photography by Sara Hanna Photography and Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta.
Floral • Events • Interiors • Gardens
404.817.7773 jameshurleydesigns.com Call us for a complimentary consultation.