Simply Buckhead May 2025 by Simply Buckhead

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

PREMIER WORLDWIDE PROVIDER OF

LUXURY COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Dr. Debra Gray King | Dr. Charlie Cooper | Dr. Brett Reeve | Dr. Laura Justice |

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Named a 2023 Atlantan Magazine Woman of Style, Marjorie Walker Cundy is a dedicated philanthropist actively supporting organizations like CURE Childhood Cancer, Meals on Wheels, and the Alzheimer’s Association. This year, she is taking the stage to compete in Dancing Stars of Atlanta, using her passion and energy to raise critical funds for Alzheimer’s research. Having witnessed the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s firsthand, she is committed to finding a cure. We are honored to stand beside Marjorie in this mission—not just as her trusted dental family, but as friends who admire her heart, strength, and dedication. Please consider supporting Marjorie by scanning the QR Code to donate to the Alzheimer’s Association and help fund research, spread awareness, and join the fight for Alzheimer’s.

“My new smile looks natural, radiant, and has given me a confidence I didn’t realize I was missing. If you’re considering cosmetic dentistry, I wholeheartedly recommend them. Their skill and commitment to excellence are unmatched!”

— MARJORIE CUNDY Philanthropist | @marjorie_cundy Headshot | @hhempelphoto

Dr. Jennifer Bisig

MARJORIE CUNDY

HOUS T ON • DALLAS • A TLANT A

THE REALTOR WHO KNOWS LAKE OCONEE BY HEART.

$120M SOLD In 2024

#1 REALTOR

Lake Country Board of Realtors 2024

Cancer upends your life. We’re doing all we can to change that. By reimagining the care experience to ease the burden of cancer. With experts in your cancer and the research, trials and treatments you can only get here. All so you can focus on what matters most: the best chance of living a full life.

8 LOCATIONS IN GEORGIA.

Learn more: emoryhealthcare.org/winship-cares

Photos:

19: 161

Photography, 24: David Christensen, 34: Joann

Vitelli,

56: Patrick Heagney, 70: Erik Meadows

STYLISH

36 FASHION

Investing by Design

Choose and spend wisely on enduring fashion pieces

38 BEAUTY

Patched Up

Beauty patches might deliver fast, focused results

40 WELLNESS

Men, Take This to Heart

Tips to lower the risk of heart disease

42 TASTEMAKER

Lend an Ear

SJ Bailey Co. dazzles with elegant accessories

FAMILY

44 KIDS

Sister, Sister

Recruitment consultants help navigate sorority life

45 PETS

Senior Status

How to help your elderly pets live their best lives

46 STRATEGIES

A Place for Space

How to keep your garage tidy this spring

CULTURE

48 ON STAGE

Setting the Scene

Home-staging company expands into props

50 LITERARY

A Brunch for All Seasons

Atlanta chef’s new book inspires delectable brunches at home

52 TASTEMAKER

Solo Female Traveler

Author Pattie Baker takes us on a sustainable ride across the U.S.

53 EVENTS

Places to go and things to do

COVER STORY

56 Discover the Peach State

DELICIOUS

70 REVIEW

Inspired Italian

Make it a date night at Pendolino

74 DRINKS

Spirit-Free

Zero proof is a menu standard with all of the flavor and none of the booze

FOODIE JOURNAL

Sweet Success

In his new book, King of Pops co-founder Steven Carse shares how work and fun go hand-in-hand

TASTEMAKER

Milestone Anniversary

Canoe celebrates 30 years on the bank of the Chattahoochee River

Featured Restaurants

A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead 83 Charitable A spotlight on philanthropic and social gatherings

Scene

BEHIND THE COVER

The joy of a discovery doesn’t just happen in farflung places. For our travel-themed cover shoot, our crew descended on the Buckhead treehouse of photographer and artist Peter Bahouth. The property, tucked along Peachtree Creek and amid soaring trees, was the perfect whimsical backdrop. Professional model Chloe donned stylish clothes from local retailer Tootsies and gave her best travel influencer vibes while photographer Patrick Heagney snapped away. Read more about this hidden treasure property (available to rent via Airbnb) on page 66.

Photographer: Patrick Heagney

Producer: Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Hair and makeup: Nyssa Green

Model: Chloe (courtesy Click Models of Atlanta)

Wardrobe: Cara Cara Julie sleeveless belted midi dress ($595), Deepa Gurnani earrings ($195). Available at Tootsies. Special thanks to Peter Bahouth for hosting our team.

Russ Cambell Photohtaphy

Editor's Letter

I’m always looking forward to my next big trip. My bucket list gets longer every year, but rather than filling it up with faraway lands, I’m now adding destinations closer to home that fit more easily into my schedule and energy level. From quaint small towns and outdoor wonders, our region has so much to be discovered. In this issue, we pay homage to the adventures found right here in Georgia, shining a light on destinations such as Athens, a Southeast foodie mecca, and Thomasville, where the antique shopping rivals Atlanta’s. Ocmulgee Mounds National Historic Park is another special spot that writer Michael Jacobs highlights as worth a visit for its fascinating history and natural beauty.

The exploration of the not-too-far continues in our travel section with family-friendly getaways to the recently opened Cloudland at McLemore Resort on Lookout Mountain and a Dollywoodcentered visit to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. This issue also includes timely stories, such as writer Lauren Finney Harden’s look at how first-year college students are using sorority recruitment consultants to get a leg up as well as expert tips on organizing your garage to be ready for the spring and summer season.

As the weather warms and the flowers bloom, we hope the stories in this issue entice you to get out and explore, both near and far. As for me, I’m adding a few of the destinations in this issue to my growing bucket list.

Sara Hanna

Giannina S. Bedford Managing Editor

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

P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 simplybuckhead.com

For advertising rates, call: 404.538.9895

Joanne Hayes

Publisher and Founder

Sonny Hayes

Chief Financial Officer

EDITORIAL

Giannina S. Bedford

Managing Editor

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Senior Contributing Editor

Alan Platten

Creative Director

H.M. Cauley

Copy Editor

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Karina Antenucci

Jill Becker

Chelsie Butler

H.M. Cauley

Carly Cooper

Lauren Finney Harden

Mickey Goodman

Angela Hansberger

Michael Jacobs

Nicole Letts

Amy Meadows

Hope S. Philbrick

Ashton Pike

Claire Ruhlin

PHOTOGRAPHERS

David Christensen

Patrick Heagney

Erik Meadows

Joann Vitelli

SALES & ADVERTISING

Layal Akkad

Graphic Designer

DIGITAL

BHG Digital

Website Development Management

Mike Jose

Director of Audience Development

LEGAL

Scott I. Zucker

Legal Counsel

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR

Joann Vitelli

Joann Vitelli began as a photojournalist in Chicago. She later relocated to South Florida to join the Fort Lauderdale News/Sun-Sentinel as a staff photographer. She moved to Atlanta in 1998 and spent more than 20 years as a staff photographer for the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Her current client list includes Georgia Trend Magazine, Emory University Goizueta Business School, Shepherd Center and several area nonprofits. When not working, she enjoys all outdoor activities and has the goal of hiking every state park in Georgia. She is also studying to be a certified yoga instructor.

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.

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UP

A Trip Down Dolly Lane Page 20

“From the splendor of the area to the glut of family-friendly entertainment options, I finally understand when people say the mountains are calling.”

Dollywood rollercoasters offer thrills for every age.

NEWS BY Nicole Letts

WEDDINGS ON THE WEB

FILMING MEMORIES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA-SAVVY BRIDES

Lacee Tarter, president and founder of marketing firm Kay Social, has launched Bride's Post, a unique service designed to capture the intimate, real-time moments of a wedding day through short, engaging videos. Recognizing the shift in how modern couples consume and share content, Bride’s Post aims to fill the gap between traditional videography and the desire for immediate, shareable memories.

The new service offers on-site

Proof of the Pudding has launched Summit at 8West, a new 10,000square-foot event space on the eighth floor of the 8West building at 889 Howell Mill Road in West Midtown. The venue offers panoramic views of Midtown, Georgia Tech, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and downtown. Inside, the moody interior design by Niles Bolton Associates highlights wood details complemented by dark hues. “This venue offers an unparalleled experience with stunning views of the Atlanta skyline,” says Director

content creators who photograph and video candid moments like emotional dress fittings, bridal party reveals and even pre- and post-party events such as rehearsal dinners, bridesmaid luncheons and farewell brunches. Unlike traditional videography that focuses on a comprehensive film, Bride's Post delivers edited videos within hours of the wedding, allowing couples to share their joy in real time.

“We work with the couple and the wedding planner to determine

of Venue Sales and Business Development Chris Bazemore. Summit at 8West joins other new Westside event venues, the recently opened The Dogwood at Westside Paper and Collier Hall, which opens this spring in Collier Village. The new space provides event capacity for up to 400 guests in reception and theater-style arrangements, 240 people for seated dinners and 150 observers for classroom setups. Valet and self-parking are available. westmidtownvenues.com @summitat8west

Peak Caffeine

some of those key moments. We ask for a shared inspiration album on Instagram and TikTok, and when the day arrives, we are flies on the wall, bringing that vision to life,” Tarter says.

Thanks to their attention to detail, Bride's Post captures the often missed stories within a wedding day.

“Weddings are complex, and you only have one chance to get that moment on film. The team behind Bride’s Post understands how to capture the video, what equipment

The Shops of Dunwoody on Chamblee Dunwoody Road has several new tenants including Summit Coffee. The North Carolina-based coffee company opened its third Atlanta-area location in late 2024. The cafe features a communal table and bar as well as indoor and outdoor seating, a menu with locally made pastries from neighboring Breadwinner and a small retail corner with complementary products such as drinking vessels, coffee beans and other gifts.

summitcoffee.com

@summitcoffeedunwoody

Breathe In

and lighting are needed and how to make quick edits in real time all while being able to deliver assets within hours. The couple gets an online album for downloading and posting.” Deliverables include B-roll footage, voice-over clips, trending songs and more, giving couples an optimized way to share their event via social media.

Packages begin at $2,500 with customizable options available. n

BRIDE'S POST • bridespost.com • @bridespost

Pause, a wellness studio owned by mother-daughter team Leigh and Ryan Brady, has expanded to Buckhead, opening in the former Eleanor’s Place space on Northside Parkway. The team’s first studio and the franchise’s second location in metro Atlanta offers therapies using floatation, infrared saunas, LED light, IVs, contrast, cryotherapy and compression. After obtaining her

graduate degree in clinical psychology with a focus on spirituality and mind-body practice from Columbia University in 2022, Ryan began researching potential franchise partners and landed on Pause. Having grown up in Buckhead, she says the area was a natural fit. “I knew the community had an interest in the wellness space, just given the other brands popping up around town, but also I felt like Buckhead needed it. And so far, that seems to be true!” Services start at $25. pausestudio.com • @pausebuckhead

Fool Proof

Bride's Post aims to give brides and grooms quick, real time video for social media sharing.

Play Ball

Hitting home runs year after year

Soon after Buckhead resident Amy Douglass’s 10-year old daughter, Ella Perry, was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, she met friends for lunch at The Betty in Buckhead. “We were talking about our kids’ sports teams and decided it would be fun to get off the bleachers and form a softball team to raise money for charity,” Douglass says. “Because of Ella Perry’s recent diagnosis and our lunch location, we named it the Betty League and chose the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation [as the beneficiary].”

Douglass, Betsy Meacham, Annie Everett, Catherine Mealor and

Cristina Anthopoulos wasted no time. Within a month, they had recruited enough friends for two teams, ordered T-shirts, reserved a field at Chastain Park and staged the first tourna ment on Mother’s Day weekend with Douglass’ dad serving as umpire. It raised $12,000.

The league will celebrate its fifth anniversary on May 10, the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend at Blackburn Park with fun activities for kids, a food truck and beverages.

For her fundraising efforts through

A Styling Event

Fashion show celebrates people touched by cancer

In 2013, members of Friends of Winship were looking for positive, uplifting ways to raise funds for research on cancers that affect women when they hit upon the idea of a fashion show and luncheon at the Piedmont Driving Club. They named it Fashion a Cure and since then the annual gathering has raised $2 million. Chairs Lynne Rankin, Jennifer Raulet and Ashley Whitehurst hosted this year’s event on April 29.

“This is a professional but casual fashion show with a long runway and musical accompaniment, but the real stars of the event are the models,” Rankin says. “They’re cancer survivors, women still in treatment, loved ones, caregivers, those touched by cancer, doctors and nurses, each representing a different facet of their journey. Each carries a long-stemmed rose in a unique color to signify their connection.”

Twenty local boutiques, some that have participated year after year,

will supply the clothing for men, women and children. Some of the original organizers continue to serve on the committee. The event also features a raffle and a live auction. Each of the Buckhead chairs has been touched by cancer. Rankin and Raulet both lost their fathers to the disease, and Whitehurst and her mother are survivors of breast cancer. Whitehurst credits the advancement in research with her early diagnosis.

the years that have totaled $150,000, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation’s Georgia chapter named Douglass the Elvin C. Price Volunteer of the Year at the Torch Gala in February. She accepted on behalf of the league.

“I couldn’t have done it without friends, family and the players who come out year after year,” she says.

BETTY LEAGUE • bettyleague.com THE CROHN'S & COLITIS FOUNDATION crohnscolitisfoundation.org

Empowering Women and Girls

Addressing barriers to success

In 1986, 10 women donated $10,000 each and founded the Atlanta Women’s Fund under the auspices of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. Their vision was to create new pathways for women and girls living in poverty with a focus on education, housing, mental and physical health services, workforce readiness training and more.

“Twelve years later we became an independent foundation and, using a collective impact approach, we chose the best of the best and provided direct grants to nonprofits that addressed multiple barriers for women to succeed,” says Buckhead resident and CEO Kari Love. “Our first focus was on mental health, and we helped 10 women set one-year goals. Using wraparound services, most accomplished their goals in six months, proving the model worked. By the end of five years, AWF had helped 30,000 women secure jobs and permanent housing.”

Today, the AWF has broadened

its reach to include services for professional women wanting to become community leaders, achieve pay equity and climb the corporate ladder. “Everything we do is very strategic and impact focused so we can tell our story to the community,” Love says. Its Too Big to Ignore Luncheon, chaired by Trish Harrison and Heather Lamb, raised $1.7 million. Major donors included Norfolk Southern and The Coca-Cola Foundation.

Atlanta Women's Fund founder Kari Love conceived unique fund raising method.

Fashion a Cure chairs Ashley Whitehurst, Jennifer Roulet and Lynn Rankin

On May 10, the Betty League celebrates its fifth year of competition raising money for Crohn's & Colitis Foundation.

Backbone One Game Controller ($99.99]

For gamers who love to travel and battle, the Backbone One mobile controller turns your iPhone or Android into a full-fledged gaming rig. Thanks to its compact design that doesn’t require a battery, gamers can stay in the action even while away from home. Whether crushing it on Apple Arcade or grinding through Xbox Game Pass, users can play any game that supports controllers with this innovative, pocket-sized gadget. Take it further by streaming directly from your Xbox, PlayStation or PC for an on-the-go experience that rivals your home setup.

Backbone • backbone.com • @backbone

Power Up

Function meets flair with these luxe, gamer-approved accessories.

STORY: Ashton Pike

Premium Headset Stand ($79.99)

Give your headset the throne it deserves with the ST100 RGB Premium Headset Stand. Crafted from sleek aluminum with a rubberized base, it’s as sturdy as it is stylish. Customizable nine-zone RGB lighting lets you tailor the look to your setup, while a built-in 3.5mm jack delivers 7.1 surround sound for immersive audio. Plus, dual USB 3.1 ports keep your gear powered up so you can power on. Best Buy • bestbuy.com • @bestbuy

Wells Tufted Leather Gaming Chair (from $1,599)

Tech-savvy with a smart design, this mod gaming chair from Pottery Barn comes in an array of styles to fit any gamer’s aesthetic. Luxe features like builtin Bluetooth speakers, a volume control panel, USB port and vibration simulation that mimics game-play make this a first-class seat. Pop by your local Pottery Barn and choose from 11 different fabrics and 40 colorways to craft this made-to-order chair precisely to your liking.

Pottery Barn potterybarn.com • @potterybarn

Arctis Nova 5 Wireless Headphones ($129.99)

Level up your gaming experience with SteelSeries’ top-rated Arctis Nova 5 Wireless Headphones— precision audio wrapped in a sleek, lightweight design. Between 100-plus pro-tuned presets and 360-degree spatial audio, you’ll feel like you were dropped right in the heart of the action. A 60-hour battery life means you avoid unwanted interruptions. To boot, its retractable mic, convenient on-ear controls and simplified cross-platform support make it the ultimate accessory for serious gamers. Target • target.com • @target

The Valari Pillow (from $69)

For dominating your game without the strain, the Valari pillow was specially engineered to help pro gamers maintain perfect posture while battling it out online. This comfy, customizable gaming companion, which gained fame from its feature on Shark Tank, supports your arms and back so you can stay locked in sans pain and fatigue. Choose from the Legendary, Rare or Epic Collections, and get ready to game smarter, not harder. The Valari • thevalari.com • @thevalari

In the Clouds

Pick your vacation speed at Cloudland at McLemore Resort STORY: Giannina S. Bedford

The closer we got to our destination, the less we could see, as my family and I drove into a mass of fog that made it hard to know exactly where we were going. We entered the gates of McLemore, a master-planned community atop Lookout Mountain in northwest Georgia, and were directed to the entry of Cloudland at McLemore Resort. Just a two-hour drive from Atlanta, this Hilton Curio Collection property opened in May 2024 and, from our initial introduction, fulfills the development’s motto, “Above the Clouds.”

Perched 2,300 feet above sea level on a cliff edge overlooking McLemore Cove and the Cumberland Plateau, the 245-room resort offers striking mountain views on clear days. We weren’t blessed with great weather until the final day of our stay, but were stunned to wake up that morning to the mountain panorama framed through our room’s floor-to-ceiling windows. My kids quickly threw on their swim suits (in the middle of winter) and ran down to the warmed infinity edge pool and hot tub to splash about while my husband and I took in the scenery. For a traveler who likes to mix being active with lounging, this property is ideal for both. Spend

hours playing board games fireside, reading a book in Cloudland’s stylish library or getting acquainted with Selah Spa. I spent a rainy afternoon sweating it out in the spa’s sauna that has a Himalayan salt wall said to release negative ions that help create a bacteria-free environment, reduce stress and increase energy. I also indulged in a Selah Flow Massage that got out any of the kinks that were left. I nearly floated out of the spa in a completely earned state of relaxation. The property also offers a calendar of events ranging from complimentary morning yoga and cocktail tastings to movie and game nights. My kids enjoyed a “Creature Connections” wildlife talk where they learned about area rep-

tiles and mammals, and got to meet Winnie the Owl. For golfers, there are three courses: The Highlands Course with a 10-ranked finishing hole, The Keep that offers mile-long cliff-edge play and the more casual and fun Cairn Short Course.

For those looking to sweat outdoors, Cloudland is a great jumping off point for open-air adventures. Along with the on-site hiking trails traversing the residential community, the property is in easy access to Cloudland Canyon State park, a 10-minute drive, and Lookout Mountain, a 26-minute drive. The area is also renowned for its waterfalls, rock climbing, bouldering and caving, including the Fantastic Pit, one of the deepest caves in the U.S. Overall, the surrounding mountains and valleys offer more than 50 trailheads, many that have been used as sites for IRONMAN triathlons.

Whether staying in or adventuring out, Cloudland awaits guests’ appetites with lots of options for

eating and drinking. We had all of our meals on property, as there aren’t many options close by. For upscale dining, visit Auld Alliance, a French-Scottish restaurant featuring wood-fired dishes. Croft and The Pocket Café, both all-day dining venues, were our best fit, allowing us to eat and drink while the kids roamed in our view around the hotel’s public areas. We also had the opportunity to dine on chicken marsala and pan-seared steelhead trout at classy The Creag, located at the McLemore Clubhouse. Skyside, the property's seasonal poolside bar, was closed during our visit, but imagining the view from the openair venue at happy hour is enough to inspire a spring or summer return trip. Next time, we’ll check the weather and know that through the fog is a worthwhile treasure. n

CLOUDLAND AT MCLEMORE RESORT

888.391.1148 • staycloudland.com @staycloudland

Photography

Left: Just a two-hour drive from Atlanta, Cloudland at McLemore Resort feels a world away.

Above: Guest room windows frame nature's art, the striking scenery of the Cumberland Plateau.

The upscale Auld Alliance serves locally farmed and foraged produce. The inviting library features books for all ages and classic board games.

A TRIP DOWN DOLLY LANE

Exploring Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg as a family of four STORY: Carly Cooper

As a native Floridian, I have a natural-born love of the beach and an innate understanding that Walt Disney World is “The Most Magical Place on Earth.” Living in Atlanta for the past 18 years, I’ve come to realize that neither is particularly easy to get to from here. Instead, I’ve gradually branched out, learning to appreciate the proximity of other child-friendly amusements, such as Dollywood, and the beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains. A long weekend in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tennessee, confirmed the

benefits of these attractions.

We stayed at Heartsong Lodge & Resort, an elegant Dollywood property opened in late 2023.

Founded by singer-songwriteractress-philanthropist Dolly Parton, the resort is designed to reflect her love of the Smokies. Its exterior is that of a rustic mountain chalet, but the inside is all luxury. A giant image of Parton greets guests at the entrance, with handwritten song lyrics and sparkly guitars framed in a room nearby. Multiple dining options are available, from the classy Ember & Elm to the more casual wHigh Note,

where my family and I grabbed burgers and curly fries before heading outside for “toasties” (s’mores) by the campfire. Children splashed in the pool while parents swayed to live music outside. The property features a nature-inspired playground, cornhole and board games galore. Camp DW offers complimentary family crafts and activities throughout each day. With so much to do, my kids practically fell into their bunks that evening.

One of the biggest perks of staying at a Dollywood property is the onsite trolley that goes directly to the park. Plus, all stays include TimeSaver passes for expedited entry on at least five rides. We spent a day and a half exploring the amusement park, discovering that my 6-year-old daughter is a roller coaster aficionado, while I preferred the tamer

attractions, such as visiting one of Parton’s retired tour buses.

Next, we headed to the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, a twostory, half-scale model of the 1912 ship. At the entrance, everyone is given a “boarding pass” with the name, age and class of a real Titanic passenger. For two hours, we followed their stories. Even my 8-year-old son, who needs constant stimulation, was engrossed in learning about the ship, its captain and the artifacts left behind. We took a photo on the grand staircase and practiced steering, holding on for dear life as the ship tilted to different angles. At the end, our fates were revealed.

Afterward, the Pirates Voyage Dinner & Show lightened the mood. Pure entertainment, it features an indoor lagoon with mermaids, parrots, dancing sea lions and plenty of dueling pirates. They flipped and dove, and swung on ropes in an impressive display of acrobatics. We cheered them on while filling up on fried chicken, biscuits, mac ’n’ cheese and more. On our final day, we made our way to Gatlinburg, about 20 minutes from Dollywood. There, we took the scenic Anakeesta Chondola (chair lift/gondola) up the 70-acre mountain, even spying a bear in a tree on our journey. Once there, we climbed the AnaVista Tower, took in the 360-degree views of the picturesque area and traversed the Treetop Skywalk with hanging bridges that took us far above the lush forest floor. The kids enjoyed controlling their speed on the mountain coaster, and my husband and I appreciated the plethora of food and beverage offerings available. None of us wanted to leave, but school and work beckoned. From the splendor of the area to the glut of family-friendly entertainment options, there are plenty of reasons to return. I’ll always be a beach girl, but I finally understand when people say the mountains are calling. n

ANAKEESTA • anakeesta.com • @anakeesta DOLLYWOOD, DOLLYWOOD’S HEARTSONG LODGE & RESORT dollywood.com • @dollywood

PIRATES VOYAGE DINNER & SHOW piratesvoyage.com • @piratesvoyage

TITANIC MUSEUM titanicpigeonforge.com • @titanic_museum

Board the Dollywood Express for a 20-minute trek through the foothills of the Great Smokies.

Opened in 2023, Heartsong Lodge & Resort features 302 rooms, six eateries, and a welcoming vibe.

Dolly fans can get an up-close-and-personal look at her fashion throughout the years.

photos: Courtesy of The Dollywood Company

Around the House

A weekend in D.C. revolves around sights near the White House STORY: H.M. Cauley

The highlights of Washington, D.C., like so many other great cities, are almost impossible to capture in a few visits. Each time I head there, I discover new neighborhoods and districts that make this town more than the political epicenter of the country.

A recent rendezvous there with my sister was anchored around the White House on Pennsylvania Avenue. Along with catching up, we planned to take in a show and check out one of the city’s newest attractions, The People’s House Museum. We managed to squeeze in a few more fun things along the way.

Our first meet up was at the Hotel Washington, situated directly across from the White House on 15th Street. We picked this historic property, complete with original chandeliers and elevators dating back to the 1917 opening, for its proximity to the destinations on our list. The choice was a good one: Save for one afternoon when our feet succumbed, and we called an Uber, we were able to easily stroll to our selected spots. The hotel served breakfast in an elegant dining room,

adjacent to a spacious bar with plenty of room to relax in a conversation nook or grab a late-night Impossible Burger at a hightop. Weekend brunch is also served in the 10th floor’s rooftop dining room with views of the White House and surrounding federal buildings.

We also dined next door to the Washington at an equally famous hotel, the Willard InterContinental, on the corner of 14th and Pennsylvania Avenue. The hotel opened in 1818 and built its reputation as “the residence of presidents,” having hosted every chief executive at some point since the 1850s. Now part of the Historic Hotels of America group,

it’s also noted for serving one of the best high teas in town. We skipped the afternoon treats and opted for dinner at the hotel’s Café Du Parc, where classics from onion soup to steak frites anchor the menu. It was also easy to pick up a dessert or croissant at the hotel’s grab-and-go eatery with a sidewalk patio of tables.

A chief attraction in this neighborhood is the National Theatre, another historic site that traces its story back to 1835. Today, it features burgundy walls, a gold ceiling, chandeliers and three tiers of seating for about 1,600 patrons. It’s also home to touring Broadway productions such as Beetlejuice and Mean Girls; we saw Six, the story of Henry VIII’s wives. As with the Willard, the theater’s Pennsylvania Avenue location has drawn presidents since Andrew

Jackson in the early 1830s.

A highlight of our visit was The People’s House: A White House Experience. Opened eight months ago, the free exhibit features three floors of portraits, replicas and interactive displays that take visitors into the areas of the mansion rarely seen by the public. We spent the most time in the Cabinet Room, where holograms of various presidents and their aides discuss critical issues in history, and viewers get to vote on what action they think should be taken. But the most Insta-worthy moment was putting my feet up on a replica of the Resolute desk in a faithful reproduction of the Oval Office. We squeezed in a few other spots during this trip, including a free tour of The Kennedy Center and the 1815 St. John’s Episcopal Church, whose location a block from the White House gives it the nickname, not surprisingly, "Church of the Presidents,” as every leader has been there at least once since it was built. As we found, it’s hard to escape the influence of history that permeates this area of the District anchored by the White House. n

HOTEL WASHINGTON thehotelwashington.com • @hotelwashingtondc

NATIONAL THEATRE thenationaldc.com • @broadwaynatdc

THE PEOPLE’S HOUSE thepeopleshouse.org • @peopleshousedc WILLARD INTERCONTINENTAL washington.intercontinental.com @williard_intercontinentaldc

Above: The historic Willard InterContinental has welcomed presidents since the 1850s.

Left: The National Theatre is the capital's home for touring Broadway shows.

A faithful replica of the Oval Office is a highlight of The People's House: A White House Experience.

RightTheFit

SANDY

SPRINGS EMPTY NESTERS FIND THE IDEAL SPACE FOR THEIR NEXT CHAPTER

Erik and Sally Belenky loved living in Sandy Springs, but they wanted a home that offered a little more space and flow. With one daughter in college and the other a junior at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, the couple desired one more move before becoming empty nesters. They looked for a property for two years and finally settled on a spec home under renovation by custom builder EverCraft LLC. “It took a little imagination and a

lot of faith, as the house had been taken down to the studs the time we first saw it,” Sally says. “We are both lawyers, and it’s not easy for us to visualize something like this, but we had a feeling.”

The Belenkys signed a contract in July 2022, and the renovation was completed in November. Kattia Easterly, a partner at EverCraft, worked with the couple on the project. Coincidentally, Easterly and Sally knew each other from when their kids were in preschool and played sports together. ➥

STORY: Giannina S. Bedford

PHOTOS: David Christensen

Homeowner Sally Belenky and Kattia Easterly, partner at EverCraft and founder of Nectar & Nest Interiors, worked hand-in-hand in the creation of the Belenkys' custom residence.

Marilyn Morgan

“I was excited to be in something that was a little bit more of a transitional style.”

“I love that EverCraft is all femaleowned, and then I saw that Kattia was one of the partners, and I felt really good about it. I also kind of begged Kattia to take on the interiors and help me with that,” Sally says.

This wasn’t Easterly’s first interior design project. She’s helped friends and clients finish interiors for more than a decade, but the Belenky home ultimately led her to the creation of Nectar & Nest Interiors, the design firm she launched this year.

"Kattia had a real vision that we were excited to bring to fruition,” Sally says. “She had already selected all of the interior finishes and had a great sense of the house and its potential.”

Today, the 6,512-square-foot home mixes a transitional style with a coastal vibe, infusing pops of color through paint and wallpaper. The

—Sally Belenky

blue-and-white living room features a white sectional from Kravet, a Serena & Lily Driftway coffee table wrapped in painted linen and swivel chairs sourced from a vendor at Scott Antique Markets. Flanking each side of the fireplace are deeply set built-ins displaying some of the Belenkys' artwork and mementos.

In the open kitchen, white and gray quartz countertops and backsplash contrast with the dark blue island lined with Palecek barstools covered in Crypton fabric by Thibaut. Bell Cabinetry & Design outfitted the space with white cabinets housing the Thermador appliances. Visual Comfort white and brass pendants illuminate the space. Off to the side, the would-be breakfast nook is instead a welcoming sitting space with club chairs.

“It adds comfy seating and is a nice

The dining room features Sally's favorite piece of art, a painting by Amy Dixon that Erik gifted to her for Christmas more than a decade ago.

The Belenkys spend most of their time in the living room, where most of the furnishings are new.

place to enjoy coffee in the morning,” Sally says. “I knew I wanted a much more open feel. My house before this one was a lot more traditional, so I was excited to be in something that was a little bit more of a transitional style. Kattia pushed me out of my comfort zone a little bit.”

Part of the risk-taking was with wallpaper. In the dining room, green grass cloth wallpaper from Thibaut surrounds the Restoration Hardware circular dining table and chairs recovered in fabric, also from Thibault. The room also features a Julie Neill chandelier from Visual Comfort and artwork by Amy Dixon.

Across from the dining room, Erik’s study has walls painted in Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, a tartan custom rug from Prestige Mills and an antique chair recovered in green velvet. An heirloom desk that belonged to Sally’s grandfather anchors the space.

“We both love blue and green, and landed on having the blue and green facing each other in the entry way with the dining room and office,” Easterly says.

The eye-catching wallpaper choices continue in the primary bedroom where a black-and-white damask print by Lee Jofa makes a statement, paired with a dark green velvet head board and Made Goods side tables.

“The black-and-white wallpaper took me out of my comfort zone, but I love it. I also like that we kept an antique marble-top dresser that had belonged to my grandfather since he was a young man,” Sally says. Along with colorful, high-end accents and fixtures, Easterly’s designs are intentionally focused on making life easy for the lady of the house. This includes having lots of storage, two powder rooms on

the main floor (one for guests and one for kids near the most-used exit) and incorporating a “command central” space for Mom. In the Belenky abode, Sally’s office is housed on the main floor’s oversized laundry room and, along with a practical desk area, features stylish accents such as marble countertops, Schumacher fabric window treatments and an Aiden Gray beaded light fixture as well as a reupholstered counter stool found at

Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

“I aim to be mindful of Mom and to understand all those nuances, and not just build or renovate a cookie-cutter house,” Easterly says. “I really like it to feel curated and bespoke.”

Near the laundry/office is a scullery that further fulfills the practicality of a family home. The Belenkys’ has an additional oven, beverage drawers, pantry storage and more.

While the main level is often just for Erik and Sally, the upstairs belongs to their daughters, Maggie and Miller, whose rooms showcase their personalities. Maggie’s is adorned in mementos from Copenhagen where she studied for a semester, and Miller’s is done in a blush, green and white palette with bedding and window treatments in Laura Park fabric and green shelving from Ballard Designs. When their daughters are in town, the family often entertains friends in the backyard, which the Belenkys overhauled after moving in. They moved a retaining wall, installed a pool and built an outdoor kitchen and covered patio.

“We are thrilled with how it turned out. Lucinda Bray from Floralis had the idea to place the pool vertically to the house,

Sally Belenky loves that her open kitchen layout allows her to cook while spending time with her family.

which preserved more green space on either side and gave a beautiful focal point that you can see from the front door,” Sally says. “We are excited to have a walk-out backyard in metro Atlanta. I had to be talked into the turf, and now I love it.”

The best thing about the home, Sally says, is that when their girls are home, there is plenty of space for everyone. And when they aren’t, the home doesn’t feel too big for just the two of them.

“I love that our home feels open and airy while also being cozy. It is truly the perfect size for our family, and the layout works really well for us as empty nesters when our kids are away at college,” she says. “After looking for two years, we absolutely love this home and can’t imagine living anywhere else.” n

Above: Neutral bedding from Peacock Alley lets the pops of green in the primary bedroom shine.

Left: A favorite entertaining spot, the backyard hosted more than 100 people for the Belenkys' daughter's graduation party.

Lauren Chambers

Always up for a project, Kattia Easterly gold-leafed the previously silver mirrors in the homeowners'

Kattia Easterly’s Top Five Design Tips for Moms

1. Space just for you. If you don’t have the space for an office, you can always have a desk in the laundry room, kitchen or den. Make it bespoke by adding custom window treatments, a piece of furniture you love or a fun light fixture.

2. Think of lighting and art as jewelry for your home. Some furniture may not be practical with young children, but lights are a great place to get the look you want. You can find beautiful lighting that reflects your style for any budget. And light fixtures are out of the reach of kids! Similarly, don’t be afraid to start collecting art that is meaningful to you. It doesn’t have to be expensive. It needs to be something you love and that brings joy.

3. Incorporate color. If you aren’t sure where to start, try looking in your closet. Pick the clothing items you love and see if any really speak to you. You may find that you are drawn to certain colors. If you are using more than one, try to match the intensity of the hues.

4. Take a design chance in the powder room. The smallest room in the house is a perfect place to try out a fun wallpaper. It can be peel-and-stick

if you aren’t ready to commit, an interesting paint color, plaster wall finish or some adventurous art. Have fun with it! nectarandnestinteriors.com @nectarandnestinteriors

Above: Black, white and brass dominate the elegant primary bathroom.

Right:

bathroom by hand.

Above and below: The ensuite bathrooms in the home's extra bedrooms each feature colorful and lively tile choices.

Lauren Chambers

BULLETIN BOARD BY Giannina S. Bedford

Design Efficiency

How to create an effective mood board

Starting an interior design project can be daunting, especially if you’re a novice. A mood board is a useful tool to get the creative process started and one professional interior designers rely on regularly. Here, Brookhaven’s Audrey Frances, principal designer at the residential and commercial interior design firm Audrey Frances Design, shares the ins and outs of creating mood boards.

Why are mood boards important?

Mood boards help clarify and communicate the overall vision for a space. By seeing visuals placed together, my clients and I can deter-

mine whether the concept is aligned with the intended atmosphere, style or function of the space. They also help avoid unnecessary revisions and enable us to make faster decisions, knowing what works and what doesn’t within the scope of the design.

Where should one look for mood board inspiration? Where do you look?

A piece of artwork or a photograph can serve as the centerpiece of your mood board. It’s fairly common for my clients’ artwork to be the inspiration. The colors, shapes and overall vibe of a painting or photograph can often set the mood for the entire room.

DESIGN & REALTY NEWS

n Happy 50th anniversary to the Georgia chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. ASID Georgia is a regional resource for knowledge sharing, advocacy of interior designers’ right-to-practice, professional education and expansion of interior design markets. The chapter office is located in ADAC. On May 15, the organization will host the 44th Annual Design Excellence Awards. ga.asid.org/asid-georgia

n Miami Circle’s Gallery Stroll is back. The free, bi-monthly series kicked off in March, and the second stroll of the season is set for May 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. During the Saturday event, attendees may tour the collection of private galleries, taking in exhibitions that range from painting and sculpture to photography. The event was launched in 2022 by Livable Buckhead coinciding with the completion of a nearby

Add whimsy to your outdoors with this Montreal Rattan Hanging Egg Chair. Woven around a metal frame, it features an armchair style cushion and an adjustable headrest. Plus the rattan’s UV-resistant material helps protect against fading and deterioration. Available in taupe or gray for $499 at Pike Nurseries in Buckhead.

templates you can build from, or you can create your own. The app is easy to work with, and it helps me create beautiful collages of visuals for the foundation of the design process.

What’s the ultimate goal of a mood board? verall, mood boards should display a feeling or emotion you want to evoke in the space. It could be an energizing workspace or a calming spa-like bathroom. When creating mood boards, focusing on the intended emotional response helps guide my color choices, textures and furniture. n

AUDREY FRANCES DESIGN audreyfrancesdesign.com @audreyfrancesdesign

section of PATH400 that provides bike and pedestrian access from Miami Circle to Lenox Square. miamicircleshops.com livablebuckhead.com/gallerystroll

n From May 15 to July 31, the Swan Coach House Gallery is hosting The Summer Invitational. The annual exhibition kicks off with a reception on May 15 from 6-9 p.m. Highlighting contemporary craft and craft-based fine art from

Atlanta and the Southeast, the event features functional ceramics, sculpture, design, mixed media, jewelry and two-dimensional works. The exhibit is curated by Maria Bruckman, SCHG gallery director, and Jacob O’Kelley, SCHG artistic director. swangallery.org

Swan Coach House Gallery's The Summer Invitational showcases contemporary craft and craft-based fine art.

- Brian McGowan, President of Centennial Yards

Rimadesio Rialto

Bar Cabinet

(price upon request)

This bar cabinet by the Italian brand Rimadesio quickly upgrades a drinks nook. Pour spirits and mix cocktails in style with its mirrored back panel, wood interior and LED lighting system. A glass shelf makes storing essential items easy. It’s available in eight sophisticated, sleek finishes.

Switch Modern switchmodern.com @switchmodern

Iconic Hand-Tufted Rug (from $2,090)

Bring warmth and a dash of Art Deco flair to a room with Jaipur Living’s Iconic rug. Hand-tufted viscose and New Zealand wool give it a plush feel. It’s available in four sizes with the option for custom sizing. The simplicity and texture of the rug bring vibrancy to a room. Best suited for low-traffic areas, you can choose from four chocolatey shades: Taos taupe, tobacco brown, lark and partridge.

Jaipur Living • jaipurliving.com @jaipurliving

Chocolate Hip

Pantone’s Color of the Year, Mocha Mousse, is the first shade of brown to gain the moniker. Rich, creamy and comforting, the color conjures a perfectly milky cappuccino and a creamy chocolate bar. Inspired by “little treat” culture, it’s the perfect shade to relax into. You deserve a decor pick-me-up; try the shade out with one of these Mocha Mousse-inspired items.

STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

Silva Chair (from $1,399)

This chair’s curved low back and minimalist design bring style to a space without adding weight. The loose back cushion provides support, while the curved arms sit at just the right height for conversing. It’s available with a matching ottoman. If browns aren’t your favorite color family, the chair comes in 220 fabric options spanning the rainbow. Room & Board • roomandboard.com • @roomandboard

LODES Random Cloud Light (from $4,315)

Designed for lighting brand LODES by Chia-Ying Lee in 2024, the Random Cloud Light is a contemporary chandelier that brings body and volume to a space without formality. It comes in seven finishes such as glossy bronze, rose gold, chrome and clear. The bulbs come in seven cluster sizes, so you can make a statement no matter the size of the room.

Illuminations Lighting illumco.com • @illumco_lighting

XLIGHT Ceramic Tile in Oxide (price upon request)

Recreate the look of oxidized metal with Porcelanosa’s XLIGHT collection. The large-format, technical tiles are available in four finishes (polished, silk, texture and nature) and come in four sizes. The 6-centimeter thickness allows for durability and resistance, while its handcrafted look mimics a metallic patina. Check it out in person at the brand’s new Buckhead showroom. Porcelanosa • porcelanosa.com • @porcelanosa

GAME-CHANGER

Milieu’s tables make game night gorgeous

STORY: Lauren Finney Harden PHOTO: Joann Vitelli

Recreation rooms have been upgraded thanks to Buckhead-based game table company Milieu. “We’re reinventing the conversation around the game room,” says Lizz McKay, who co-founded the company with her husband, Chris. “In the past, it’s been very rudimentary, even in a retail store. There’s no customization and no client experience.”

The two inherited Venture Games, a game table company offering standard styles, from Chris’ father who purchased assets of a previous company that was almost 100 years old. The McKays both have been in the industry for decades, and Lizz has an interior design degree. With their backgrounds, they knew they could create something better than what was available for homeowners seeking a custom game table experience.

Milieu was founded in 2003, and the ADAC showroom opened last year. Here, she explains the process.

What’s the process for creating a custom game table from scratch?

While Venture Games are batchmade, Milieu are bench-made, one at a time. Chris works from beginning to end on a table, so it’s more like a piece of art. A batch-made game table takes about three days, but a bench-made table takes about two to three weeks to produce. The entire process can take up to 20 weeks.

What kinds of game tables does Milieu produce?

We can make tables for billiards, shuffleboard, air hockey, bumper pool and poker, to name a few. We customize everything for each client, so each table is special. For

a benchmade piece, every aspect of the table can be customized; wood, color, size, and felt can be custom-made in any color. We offer metal details in brass or silver and can custom coat in many other accent colors. We also offer fully custom options. Our most popular are billiards and shuffleboard.

What makes Milieu different?

People often don’t think about a game space until after the home has been fully constructed. We educate designers and clients on starting the process earlier. We’ve worked with recognizable architects and designers, such as Bobby Berk and Robert Brown, and had the conversation on the front end. We want to help with how the room feels and operates.

We think about things they might not think about, such as whether the space is too big. That’s harder to do because you have to break up

the space and make it comfortable and intimate for people to use it.

Where do you get your inspiration for your designs?

Like designers, we use travel, history, architecture and more for our inspiration. For example, we have a table called the Gigi. It has a beautiful hand-turned, bobbin-style leg. It’s based on a Louis XIII leg. We took that inspiration and modernized it so it doesn’t feel heavy. We have archives that go back to 1928. There are lots of pictures, too. We even have the original patent paperwork for the climatic adjuster on the bottom of a shuffleboard table.

What’s one of the most challenging installs you’ve done?

To get our client’s table into a home in Nantucket, we had to re-engineer the product so it could be reassembled in the space. We built it in four pieces with hidden hardware. When we put it together, it was seamless, and you’d have no idea unless you watched the process. n

MILIEU • milieu1928.com • @milieu1928

Milieu founders Lizz and Chris McKay in their ADAC showroom

Lend an Ear Page 42

STYLISH

“Our pieces capture a sense of timelessness and femininity with just the right touch of whimsy.” — Sara Jane Bailey

Feminine and fun, SJ Bailey Co.'s jewelry elevates spring fashion.

Investing by Design

fashion pieces STORY: Amy Meadows

Chanel. Armani. Gucci. Dior.

From the runway to the red carpet, these are just a handful of the renowned designer brands that have been associated with high-end style, sophisticated glamour and superior quality for decades. Fashion enthusiasts covet the exclusive pieces from these collections and are often willing to pay top dollar for the branded clothing and accessories, seeing the opportunity as a smart investment. Buy why?

“Fashion is so much more than

clothing. It’s a beautiful art form, a glimpse into history and a deeply personal way to express who you are,” says Buckhead’s Lauren Amos, owner of designer fashion boutique Antidote in West Midtown. “To me, investing in designer fashion isn’t just about making a financial investment; it’s about cherishing artistry, uplifting talented creators and exploring more about yourself through your unique style.”

If you’re considering adding some designer fashion pieces

to your own closet collection, Amos shares her thoughts on selecting items that make the most sense (and cents) for you.

Finders Keepers

From haute couture dresses and trendy coats to distinctive purses, jewelry and footwear, there are countless choices on the market today. To start, it’s important to know what even qualifies as a designer piece. As Amos says, “A true designer item embraces creativity and dares to challenge the norm. It pushes the boundaries in concept, construction and tailoring, all while celebrating its rich ties to art and fashion history. These remarkable pieces often come from fashion houses celebrated for their innovative vision—brands that don’t just keep up with the trends but actually shape them.” These pieces can be sourced

directly from designers, vintage auction houses, passionate collectors or carefully chosen retail stores, Amos says. You need to do some research to find the right spot with the items that speak to you.

“If you’re eager to build a wonderful collection, it’s essential to explore different avenues and foster connections with those who genuinely appreciate fashion’s value beyond just the price tag,” she says.

Feel Like a Million Bucks

Of course, the financial aspect must be considered when looking into designer fashion items. Depending on the piece, you can expect to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars. But you can look at that money as an investment that could pay off in the long run. “Fashion operates in cycles, and pieces that may seem undervalued now can become highly coveted in the future,” Amos says. “When trends make a comeback, original items from previous decades typically fetch high prices. And as clothing ages into vintage status (over 20 years), pristine examples become scarce, further increasing their worth.”

If you want to know how much an item is worth, or what its value could be in the future, look up similar pieces that have been sold at auction or contact a consultant who specializes in fashion-based investments. Even if you are not concerned with resale opportunities right now, remember to properly care for and store your designer items to help them maintain their potential value.

For Good Reason

Having designer fashion pieces in your collection can make you feel like you’re sitting on a secret gold mine, but Amos says fashion transcends financial value. As you consider a designer piece, try to tap into how it makes you feel when you look at it or put it on. That is the real reason to select it. She says, “If you find yourself in love with an item, and it really speaks to your heart, that’s what makes it worth investing in. The true worth of fashion lies not in resale. Rather, it’s about how it enables you to live more authentically and freely in the world.” n

Alex Rosu

Lauren Amos (left), wearing a couture Iris van Herpen dress at the Grand Dîner du Louvre fashion event, understands the inherent value of designer fashion.

Blumbody Chest & Neck Wrinkles Pads

($40.99 for a 30-day supply)

The neck and chest area can be the first to show early signs of aging, thanks to fewer oil glands and thinner skin. To combat lines and wrinkles—especially for side-sleepers— these clever silicone pads for chest and neck should be worn overnight to repair while you sleep. The reusable pads are designed to boost skin’s moisture, reduce the look of “crepe-y” skin and smooth horizontal neck lines caused by sun exposure and the looking down at tech devices. Blumbody • blumbody.com • @blumbody

Peter Thomas Roth Peptide Skinjection Expression Line

Hydra-Gel Patches ($65 for 60)

The market has tons of eye gels designed to sit right below the eye. Part of what makes this product unique is that it comes with under-eye patches and patches shaped for use between the brows and on top of the nose to smooth those pesky “scrunch” lines. The gel patches are infused with a 2% solution of the brand’s proprietary Uplevity, a clinically engineered peptide proven to reduce wrinkles, as well as brightening niacinamide and hyaluronic acid and squalane, both included for their moisture-plumping properties.

Ulta Beauty • ultabeauty.com @ultabeauty

PATCHED UP

Beauty

patches might deliver fast, focused results

STORY: Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Dearcloud UV Block Hydrogel Sun Patches ($6 per pair)

So much of skincare is aimed at correcting issues, but these clever patches help head off damage. Developed by Korean beauty brand Dearcloud, these wing-shaped patches protect the delicate under-eye skin from UV exposure. Infused with a sweatproof hydrogel, they’re designed to be worn for up to five hours to block sun. Plus, aloe soothes irritation, and collagen helps add extra hydration for parched skin.

Ulta Beauty • ultabeauty.com • @ultabeauty

If you’re looking for skincare solutions targeted to a specific concern, beauty patches could be the way to go. Designed to deliver results quickly, transdermal patches have become a favorite tool in beauty and self-care routines, and a recent study by BCC Research predicts that the global market will hit $8.8 billion by 2027. From blemish-busters to products designed to smooth wrinkles in just a few hours, here are some patches to boost your beauty routine.

Nature Spell Clear My Spots Pimple Patches ($8 for 36)

Feel a pimple threatening? Take swift action with these convenient, ultra-thin circular patches. Made of hydrocolloid material, they are designed to draw out impurities to facilitate a faster healing process. Free from skin-irritating alcohol, parabens, phthalates and fragrance, they are translucent so people of all skin tones can use them discreetly during the day or overnight. You might just wake up to a clear complexion. Nature Spell • naturespell.com @naturespelluk

If you struggle with congested pores on your nose, these patches offer a gentler solution versus the stick-and-rip strips that gained popularity in the late 1990s. Instead, this iteration contains a proprietary blend of ingredients to absorb oil and sebum (an oily, waxy substance that can clog pores) while you sleep. Just apply the patch to your nose, snooze for eight hours or so and remove in the morning to reveal smooth skin. Fazit • fazitbeauty.com • @fazitbeauty

Fazit Nose Pore Patch ($15.99 for 10)

Men, Take This to Heart

Tips to lower the risk of heart disease

STORY: Karina Antenucci

Heart disease is the No. 1 health issue for men (and women) in the United States. Its name refers to several types of heart conditions, the most common of which is coronary artery disease, where plaque buildup in the blood vessels affects the blood’s movement to the heart.

“Think of the plaque like gum, and it’s sticking inside a tube, which is your blood vessel, making it hard for blood to flow,” says Dr. Belinda Brown-Saddler of Piedmont Concierge Medicine in Buckhead.

“This decreased blood flow to the heart can lead to a heart attack. Also, a piece of plaque that breaks off and travels to your brain may cause a stroke.”

Older men are more affected by the condition, but men in their 20s and 30s are not off the hook by any means. “I’m seeing it in younger and younger men,” Brown-Saddler says. Here’s what she says every man

should know and do to prevent heart disease.

Be aware of the risks Obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, stress,

smoking and drinking excessively (for men, that is more than two alcoholic beverages per day) are risk factors for heart disease. Brown-Saddler says high blood pressure makes the heart beat harder, forcing blood through narrowed vessels, potentially causing the blood vessels to burst and trigger a stroke or heart attack. It also strains the heart, which may lead to enlargement and failure. High cholesterol contributes to plaque buildup, and the excess glucose in the blood with diabetes generates free radicals that cause inflammation and weaken blood vessels.

A loss of testosterone due to aging also increases the risk of heart disease in men because the hormone typically promotes dilation of the vessels, allowing blood to flow. With less of it, vessels narrow, muscle mass is lost, and body fat is gained. Low testosterone affects

energy levels that can lead to less activity and a decrease in the “good” HDL cholesterol that helps protect from heart disease and an increase in the “bad” LDL cholesterol.

Good health practices to follow Go to the doctor for an annual physical and blood lipid panel. This way, blood sugar, cholesterol and pressure can all be monitored. “Testing is important because symptoms don’t appear for heart disease until it has really progressed,” Brown-Saddler says. She also encourages men to get testosterone levels checked for the first time between 40 and 45 years old.

Prevent heart disease

Brown-Saddler says even with a family history of heart disease (also a risk factor), several lifestyle modifications can help you control your genes. For starters, quit smoking. Maintain a healthy weight and reduce belly fat, which research shows is directly correlated with heart disease, by doing at least 150 minutes of cardio exercise per week. “Cardio means getting your heart rate up, working up a sweat. You want to feel winded and not be able to talk while you exercise. This is going to increase HDL and lower LDL cholesterol, as well as lower blood pressure, which is normal at 120/80.”

Also, reduce fried, fatty, salty and sugary foods in your diet and limit eating out to once per week because restaurants, especially fastfood joints, add more sugar and salt to appeal to taste buds. And don’t drink too much alcohol because it contains a lot of carbs, and doing so can lead to weight gain and obesity. Plus, get between seven and nine hours of sleep. “That’s when your body is rejuvenating; cells and blood vessels are turning over,” she says.

Lastly, pick some ways to decrease stress, such as meditating, journaling daily gratitude, getting a pet, listening to music, socializing and talking to people. “Men keep things inside and don’t talk to family and friends as much as women.” Exercise helps with stress, too, by increasing natural endorphins. n piedmont.org • @piedmonthealth

Dr. Belinda Brown-Saddler, Piedmont Concierge Medicine, says not to miss your annual health check-ups.

Real Talk With Dr. Fonda Martin

Modern wealth management starts with a trusted relationship.

Let’s start planning for a brighter ﬁnancial future.

We believe investors deserve better. To us, that means a wealth management approach that’s rooted in open, transparent relationships.

With Schwab, you can expect low costs and full service— backed by a Satisfaction Guarantee. Talk with a Schwab Financial Consultant today for straightforward answers and actionable guidance.

How Do I Know if I’m in Menopause?

Women reach menopause after they’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a period. But if you’re between the ages of 40 and 55 and experiencing symptoms like mood swings, insomnia, brain fog, and hot flashes, “the change” is on its way.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SIGNS OF MENOPAUSE AT MYBOUTIQUEGYN.COM

Yes! A Doctor Who Gets It!

As a concierge gynecologist and certified menopause practitioner, Dr. Martin offers a whole-woman approach to managing menopause. By keeping insurance companies out of the exam room, she can tailor care to your needs and empower you to embrace this exciting new step in your life!

• Hormone therapy • Sexual health counseling

• Weight control • Routine GYN care

Let’s get the conversation started and get you one step closer to living your happiest, healthiest life!

Visit or call me at the Atlanta–Midtown Branch

Joanne Bryant, AAMS, CWS Vice President & Sr. Financial Consultant 1075 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 1 Atlanta, GA 30309 (404) 724-2470 schwab.com/midtown

Brokerage Products: Not FDIC-Insured • No Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value

The Charles Schwab Corporation provides a full range of brokerage, banking and ﬁnancial advisory services through its operating subsidiaries. Its broker-dealer subsidiary, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), Member SIPC, offers investment services and products, including Schwab brokerage accounts. Its banking subsidiary, Charles Schwab Bank (member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender), provides deposit and lending services and products.

Wealth management refers to products and services available through the operating subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation, of which there are important differences, including but not limited to, the type of advice and assistance provided, fees charged, and the rights and obligations of the parties. It is important to understand the differences when determining which products and/or services to select. Schwab Satisfaction Guarantee: if you are not completely satisﬁed for any reason, at your request Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”), Charles Schwab Bank, SSB (“Schwab Bank”), or another Schwab afﬁliate, as applicable, will refund any eligible fee related to your concern. Refund requests must be received within 90 days of the date the fee was charged. Two kinds of “Fees” are eligible for this guarantee: (1) “Program Fees” for the Schwab Wealth Advisory (“SWA”). Schwab Managed PortfoliosTM (“SMP”), Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium® (“SIP Premium”), and Managed Account Connection® (“Connections”) investment advisory services sponsored by Schwab (together, the “Participating Services”); and (2) commissions and fees listed in the Charles Schwab Pricing Guide for individual investors or the Charles Schwab Bank Pricing Guide.

For more information about Program Fees, please see the disclosure brochure for the Participating Service, made available at enrollment or any time at your request. The Connection service includes only accounts managed by Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., an affiliate of Schwab. The guarantee does not cover Program Fees for accounts management by investment advisors who are not affiliated with Schwab or managed by Schwab-affiliated advisors outside of the SWA, SMP, SIP Premium, and Connection services. The guarantee is only available to current clients. Refunds will only be applied to the account charged and will be credited within approximately four weeks of a valid request. No other charges or expenses, and no market losses will be refunded. Other restrictions may apply. Schwab reserves the right to change or terminate the guarantee at any time.

Lend an Ear

SJ Bailey Co. dazzles with elegant accessories STORY:

Lauren Finney Harden

Sara Jane Bailey loved sketching and creating as a child, eventually turning to jewelry making in high school. “I loved making something I could actually wear,” she says. She made pieces for her friends and family, but the UGA graduate’s jewelry took a backseat when she entered the Terry College of Business in 2016. After graduating in 2019, she

took a job in software marketing. “I missed having creativity,” she says. She began tinkering around with designs for herself, started her business in a formal way in 2019 and quit her day job in 2024. Now her Buckhead-based company, SJ Bailey Co., has over 40 stockists nationwide, including The Fête, Anne Barge and Bella Bridesmaids. Here, she shares a glimpse into her line.

How do you describe your jewelry?

Our pieces are fun and have a twist. They’re great for elevated, everyday looks as well as milestone moments. Florals are a major influence. I’m drawn to the softness and beauty of flowers and the effortless elegance they exude. I also find inspiration in the curves and symmetry of French architecture. Our pieces capture a sense of timelessness and femininity with just the right touch of whimsy.

We mostly focus on earrings because they are versatile. Earrings can easily change the look of what someone is wearing. It’s what I find I’m personally drawn to time and time again.

Bridal has become a big part of your business. How did that happen? We work with a lot of mother of pearl, so it’s been a naturally good fit for brides and bridesmaids. I love its iridescent sheen, and I think it enhances the aesthetics of the earrings and perfectly complements the light blue aquamarine, light pink rose quartz and brass findings we use in our designs. It’s very lightweight. We’ve worked with bridesmaids in over 700 weddings in the past five years. I love being part of such an important milestone in people’s lives. Now these brides, mothers of the brides and mothers of the groom are coming back asking for custom designs for baby showers or baptisms and all the special moments that come after that.

You’re focused on giving back this year. How is that coming to fruition? We’ve always been focused on it, but this year, we’re doing more with charities that highlight different causes around Atlanta. For example, we have a cool collaboration with Chastain Horse Park where 100% of the sales from a style of earring will go towards them. We dropped it in February and had a successful event in April.

You have a second Instagram account, @sjbaileycurated, that boasts almost as many followers as your main one. Why are there two accounts?

After my husband and I bought our first home in Buckhead, I began showing more behind-the-scenes work we were doing on our house, like wallpaper and tile stuff. It didn’t feel congruent with the brand as it was growing and getting bigger in the bridal space. Because of my brand marketing background, it was driving me nuts! I started a second, more curated account where I share estate sales tips and Facebook Marketplace finds, day-in-the-life videos and hosting tips. It works because I’m able to show how SJ Bailey Co. is elevating everyday style. n

SJ BAILEY CO. • sjbaileyco.com @sjbaileyco • @sjbaileycurated

A Place for Space Page 46

“You have to store everything everywhere with a purpose, including in the garage.”

— Mary Kathryn LaVallee

Organizer Mary Kathryn LaVallee gets garages in tip-top shape for the busy spring/ summer season.

PHOTO: Erik Meadows

Sister, Sister

N“We’re already working with girls for 2026 recruitment,” she says.

Application Station

Pieces of the application process now feel distinctly 21st century. Newberry estimates that 90% of sororities have a video requirement that asks women to introduce themselves in a one- to three-minute clip. She suggests that young women clean up their digital footprints to represent themselves in the best light and create a social resume that outlines their accomplishments and includes a picture.

Recruitment gets a bad rap for being superficial, but what young women wear can be a deal-breaker according to Newberry. It’s less about the labels and more about presenting themselves in the best light.

“It’s important to not show too much cleavage or wear something too short, for example,” she says. Newberry offers styling sessions where no detail gets overlooked, including which towels match a dorm room’s interior design scheme.

Letters of recommendation are still an important tool at highly competitive sororities. Newberry puts it into perspective: "Each sorority can receive several letters of recommendation for one potential new member. Some schools have 19 sororities. That's a lot of letters to coordinate," she says.

Confidence is Queen

Recruitment consultants help navigate sorority life

owadays, many young people outsource stages of college prep work to experts such as college admissions advisors and dorm room interior designers. Recruitment consultants are also becoming part of a young woman’s arsenal, helping prepare them for sorority recruitment (formerly known as rush). It’s a big business: The National Panhellenic Conference, the governing body that rules over sororities in the United States, estimates that in 2023, more than 5.8 million members were initiated into 26 sorority organizations that raised $28 million for philanthropies nationwide.

Buckhead resident Leighton Newberry is the founder and owner

STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

of Recruitment Ready that offers young women and parents one-onone coaching, online courses and in-person events related to sorority recruitment. She has made it her full-time job to help women succeed in getting bids to their top-choice sororities. Unlike recruitment of yesteryear, when a young woman might just show up and hope for the best, it’s now a process that needs management, says Newberry. She estimates that up to 50% of an incoming pledge class uses an advisor. “People don’t understand how much work it can be,” she says. Here, she shares how to prepare, why the process is worth it and why you might want to hire a professional to handle the details.

Recruitment Ready founder Leighton Newberry

Plan (Way) Ahead

Registration for August recruitment opens in May, with the majority of sororities rushing the week or two before school officially begins. While any participation in recruitment takes planning, Newberry has parents approaching her 12 to 24 months in advance, with some electing to go through the confidence-building or etiquette programs she offers as early as the first year of high school.

“Recruitment can be an overwhelming situation, but it can help you find your people,” she says. To do that, young women need their confidence built up so they feel steady during the process. Newberry’s offerings include coaching, organizational checklists, templates, tips, conversational role play, information on unspoken rules, networking tools and more to help young women feel as confident about the process as possible.

Confidence is the key to having successful recruitment where lifelong friends, long-term connections and networking opportunities begin to bloom, says Newberry. “The skills you use during recruitment week can help you far beyond that, such as with finding an internship or a first job,” she says. “I believe confident women can accomplish anything.” n

SENIOR STATUS

How to help your elderly pets live their best lives

We love our cats and dogs like family members, and they get older just like we do. It’s imperative to plan ahead to ensure they age as comfortably as possible.

Whether your elderly pet is suffering from aching joints or experiencing a more major health issue, there are some simple ways to be proactive regarding their care.

Look for the Signs

Dr. Elizabeth Devenish, lead veterinarian at Chewy Vet Care in Atlanta, says the top indications your pet is getting up in years are behavioral, including a decrease in time spent playing and an increase in naps throughout the day.

“For dogs and cats, we see mobility changes often related to osteoarthritis and subsequent pain,” she

says. “They may become weaker in their hindlimbs and struggle with slippery surfaces such as wood floors in the home.”

Older pets can also suffer from kidney and liver issues, so it is always a good idea to keep up with annual screenings and blood work. Aging dogs can undergo vision loss and skin issues.

“This is also true for cats, who are notoriously good at hiding their symptoms,” Devenish says. “It’s important to keep a close eye on them if you suspect they may be in pain.”

Calls to Action

There are several things to consider as your dog or cat reaches their golden age, including providing easy access to basic needs like food, water, toys and litter boxes. Using ramps or short staircases can help

STORY:

Chelsie Butler

pets easily reach their favorite resting place like a bed or couch.

Senior pets still need mental and physical stimulation, although these needs may be a little different as they age.

“Look for ways to help them enjoy their favorite activities without discomfort,” Devenish says. “Dogs may love the wind in their hair, but if long runs are hard on their joints, consider taking them for a drive instead.”

More to Consider

Elderly pets may need extra care while you are out of town. They may also require some relief when it comes to young children and/or other pets in the residence.

“Anytime you have multiple pets and/or children in the home, it is key to make sure everyone is aware

of boundaries and social cues,” Devenish says, advising to make sure your pets have a solo space they can retreat to away from children or other animals. It’s also important to teach children how to be hyper aware of aggressive warning signals, like growling or hissing.

When your cat or dog was younger, they may have enjoyed the occasional journey, but as they age, they rely on the comfort of home.

“If you don’t have to bring your pet, consider leaving them with a trusted sitter who can keep their routines intact,” Devenish says.

“Designate some quality time together before you depart, as they value your attention, especially during their later years.”

Diet changes may also be necessary for your elderly pet so make sure to talk with your veterinarian about the best game plan to support them as they age. n

Photo courtesy of Chewy Vet Care

A Place for Space

How to keep your garage tidy this spring STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

One of the greatest joys of spring is the ability to spend more time outdoors. That can also mean having more “stuff” around for activities, such as biking, trips to the pool or backyard playtime, all of which get stored, often haphazardly, in the garage.

“Getting your garage organized can be easier than you think,” says Mary Kathryn LaVallee, owner of Order Up Design, a professional home organizing company. Here, the Sandy Springs resident gives tips for keeping your garage in tip-top shape.

What’s your philosophy on storage?

You have to store everything everywhere with a purpose, including in the garage. Make sure every piece in there is something you are actively using. Try to create easy

access, which means it's more likely to be put away and easier to maintain. Don’t let the garage become a catch-all. The more stuff you have, the heavier you’ll feel.

What’s your process?

Whether in a junk drawer or a garage, my team and I have the same approach. We categorize everything first. Clients can be involved in the categorizing, but a lot don’t want to be. They come in when we are done, and we can assess how many items they have per category.

Then we put it all back in a way that makes sense to our clients. Aesthetics are important because it’s more likely that people will want to upkeep the storage, but it has to function first. We use clear bins that help the whole family put things back where they belong. Then we label everything so it can be maintained.

What belongs in a garage?

Seasonal items used every day should have dedicated space. When it’s not pool season, for example, bins for pool supplies should be swapped out for relevant ones, such as winter accessories. It’s preferable not to store out-of-season stuff in the garage, but I get it. A lot of older homes in Atlanta are short on storage space. The key is for everything to have a home. That ideally means having everything off the floor and utilizing shelving, hooks and systems. You can also mount slim shoe storage units on the walls where there’s not a lot of clearance for a shelf to accommodate opening car doors. Keep easy-to-grab stuff like sunscreen and bug spray on these. For bikes, use a bike mount with a swivel hook. It makes it easier to adjust the direction of the bike when it’s hanging.

How often should you reassess what’s in your garage?

Twice a year. You can swap things and make seasonal items more accessible, although you might want to reassess kids' items sooner to check that they’re age-appropriate.

You have a master's degree in social work. How does that experience play into organizing?

Social work begins with the idea of starting where the client is. Nobody starts an organizing journey the same. Everyone has different goals. You have to work with the client on what they have and what they are willing to let go, just like in social work. I’m here to help along the way. n

PHOTO: Erik Meadows

Order Up Design organizer Mary Kathryn LaVallee in a client's garage.

CULTURE

“Trust the journey. There are so many ways to live a life.”

—Pattie Baker

Pattie Baker turned 60 while riding her bike across the U.S. and wrote a book about the journey.

PHOTO: Erik Meadows

What do you do when you’re based in one of the country’s major hubs for film production, and you have a warehouse full of furniture and home accessories? You open a prop shop. That’s what Kelley Bowden and Ricci Taylor did in October 2023 when they teamed up to debut Everly Props, a onestop prop rental house on the Upper Westside.

The pair, who have been friends since the fourth grade, had always talked about running a business together, and when Taylor moved back to Georgia in 2020 to open an Atlanta office of her successful home-staging business, Everly Design Company, they seized on the opportunity. The idea was to open a prop house that made Everly Design’s vast collection of couches, chairs, rugs, artworks and other home interior pieces available to production designers for the various movies, TV series and commercials being filmed in the area.

Bowden, a Dunwoody resident, says the company’s 8,400-squarefoot warehouse houses close to 10,000 pieces. “We hit $1 million in inventory last year,” she says. But one of the things that makes Everly Props stand out, she notes, is that the majority of its inventory is cataloged online, making it easy for clients to pick and choose what they want if they can’t make it to the warehouse.

Given that Everly Props piggybacks on its sister company’s home-staging business, which

Setting the Scene

Home-staging company expands into props STORY: Jill Becker

works with real estate agents and homeowners to get properties ready for market, most of the pieces in its inventory are in the Hollywood Regency, midcentury modern, art deco or contemporary industrial style. “We’re not capital-

izing on the entire props industry. Ours is a more curated and modern collection,” Bowden says. Also unlike a lot of other local prop shops, Everly provides design services to its clients who might need an on-set stylist. “We can help them choose which items to use and can help them style them on set as well,” Bowden says.

Most of Everly’s pieces come from wholesale vendors. “We go to the Atlanta and High Point markets, and we

Ricci and Kelley (bottom row, middle) join the stagers, logistics team members, and other staffers that make up the Everly team.

went to the market in Vegas in 2023 to prepare for the launch of the prop shop,” Bowden says. “We love to shop locally, too, when we can, like at Kudzu. We also get pieces from Nadeau in Buckhead. The people who own it are great to work with.” Everly also sources items from local candlemakers, potters and other artists. But its pieces can come from anywhere. For example, for a commercial the company Solo Stove was shooting in Dahlonega, they found a vintage typewriter in an antique store there that is now a permanent addition to their inventory.

Some of the other clients Everly Props has worked with so far are Capital One, Coca-Cola, Edible Arrangements, Publix and HGTV. “It’s so exciting to see our pieces on screen when things come out,” Bowden says. “We’re thrilled to be a part of such an exciting industry.” n

Everly Props owners Ricci Taylor (left) and Kelley Bowden have a knack for arranging.

Anyone who snapped up Suzanne Vizethann’s Welcome to Buttermilk Kitchen already has many of the secrets that have made her Buttermilk Kitchen restaurant a success for 12 years. The 2020 book featured 100 favorite breakfast, lunch, dinner and leftover recipes from the Buckhead eatery.

Vizethann had so much fun with that project she’s launching a second book this month. Seasonal Brunch: A Year of Delicious Mornings from the Buttermilk Kitchen narrows the focus to the first meal of the day featuring fresh ingredients from each season.

“I did the first cookbook just because of a lot of people asking me to put my recipes down,” says the Atlanta native. “I found the whole process really rewarding and wanted to do a second one. Obviously, I am known for brunch food and knew I wanted to do a brunch book.”

The twist is the seasonal aspect, she says. “I didn’t think there were many books on the market doing that. So I went with recipes I serve in the restaurant as well as what I like to cook at home that show my style of using seasonal ingredients.”

It took a year of concentrated effort to produce the final version that had to be photographed each season to highlight the freshest ingredients. “Then you have to write it, test it, style it and shoot it,” she says. “It’s a lot of work, but I find it all really rewarding because I love being creative and all aspects of cooking.”

Vizethann calls the collection a “mixed bag” of recipes from restaurant specials to what she serves at home. Look for watermelon mimosas, heirloom tomato toasts, roasted squash oatmeal and choc-

A BRUNCH FOR ALL SEASONS

Atlanta chef’s new book inspires delectable brunches at home STORY: H.M. Cauley

olate hazelnut sticky cake, to name a few. Readers will also uncover a few surprises such as a corned beef hash inspired by the chef’s latest venture: running a Buttermilk Kitchen in Camden, Maine.

She and her husband, Ryan Barfield, moved to the Pine Tree State last year and gave an 81year-old diner a major overhaul before introducing the locals to a taste of the South.

“We came up on a trip to visit friends and found this amazing

community that looks like a postcard,” she says. “When we opened, I didn’t really know what was going to be popular, but they love the fried chicken and the grits. They don’t have as much of a sweet tooth as people in Atlanta, and they like big, strong, bold coffee. And of course, maple syrup is huge here.”

But she still comes to Atlanta every quarter. “I check in with my team and make sure everything’s running well because the best way to run a business is with a lot of solid communication.”

Vizethann is now looking to expand the concept’s e-commerce division. “I’d like to focus on things like our blueberry basil jam and prepared biscuit dough; I think those are great opportunities.”

As to her home state last year naming cornbread the official “bread” of Georgia, Vizethann has mixed feelings that biscuits were bypassed. “It’s really hard to pinpoint that for the state when you’ve got two staple Southern foods.” n

Buttermilk Kitchen owner Suzanne Vizethann has a new cookbook based on seasonal brunch dishes.

In 2023, Dunwoody resident Pattie Baker traveled 10,000 miles across the United States alone on three modes of transport: her ZiZZO foldable bike featuring a rubber duck on its handle bars, bus and train. She did this for around $20 per day by coordinating her route around farm stays with the help of Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, a nonprofit that links visitors with organic farmers. The visitors volunteer on the farms; the farms provide room and board. Baker is an urban farmer who founded the Dunwoody community garden, among others around Atlanta. She’s also an avid biker and writer who turned 60 during the five-month journey and wanted to show other women how to solo travel safely. Another goal was to model sustainability and see if she could do it for the same amount of money in 2023—not accounting for inflation—that she spent backpacking across Europe in her early 20s in 1985. And she wanted to document the reactions to the rubber duck. Last year, Baker published her 11th book, Round America with a Duck, that details this experience including doing 500 hours of manual labor on farms (“I loved

Solo Female Traveler

Author Pattie Baker takes us on a sustainable ride across the U.S.

STORY: Karina Antenucci PHOTO: Erik Meadows

every minute of it!”). Beginning with a pilot stay in Mableton prior to taking off from Atlanta, the 11 farms she visited included a commercial lavender farm in Lookout Mountain, a homestead with goats in North Carolina, a Krishna temple in Utah with a herd of llamas and a suburban “mini farm” in Boulder, Colorado. Here, appropriately timed with National Bike Month, Baker points out, we chat with her about how she came up with this idea and the lessons she learned along the way.

What made you decide to do this? I specialize in experiential journalism with a focus on triple bottom line sustainability: people, profits and planets. This is how the multitude of sustainability actions can affect the bottom line. I am an empty nester, and during COVID, I had been scheduled to leave for the Peace Corps in Uganda where I’d be for over two

years, but that trip was delayed six times. [Instead of leaving,] I got a position with the CDC Foundation, heading the “Healthy You in 2022” campaign for the state of Alaska. When that contract was up, I was itching to tell a bigger story that was my own. A friend had given me a silly rubber duck, and I put it on my bike’s handlebars. After a time of isolation during COVID when people had headphones on and didn’t even wave as I rode by, the duck made people smile and talk to me again. I wanted to see what happened when I went across the entire U.S. with the duck.

You describe your book as a “quick read.” What do you mean by that? My dad is 90. He and other family members have severe eye problems. I chose the font, spacing, short sentences and breathability of the page for readability. It’s 225 pages but a quick read for those reasons.

It’s also for the younger generations: Attention spans are short, so I wrote it in a way that you can pick it up and put it down. It is an external and internal journey. It’s about what’s happening during my travels, and you also get my thoughts and reactions along the way.

What are some takeaways and lessons you’d like to share?

The biggest, and my motto, is: Trust the journey. There are so many ways to live a life. We get into a routine, and there are expectations in our culture for what we should be doing. But this next chapter, we can write with more freedom than we think. Also, so much good is happening in this world. Look for the good, find the good and be part of the good. I worked with a number of young folks who are getting degrees to pursue positive solutions. There’s not one farmer who doesn’t recognize that climate change is affecting their lands. Step away from what you’re reading and go and speak with people about what they are experiencing. n roundamericawithaduck.com

EVENTS BY Nicole Letts

SEW COOL

DUNWOODY ENTREPRENEUR’S CONTEMPORARY CRAFTING CLASSES

Justus Keaton is a Jane of all trades. She consults with small businesses and fellow entrepreneurs, she is skilled in graphic design, and she loves working with her hands. Armed with a degree in design and applied arts from the University of Southern California, Keaton shares her passion with others by teaching sewing courses from her studio near Georgetown Shopping Center. Her refreshing approach to traditional crafts attracts a diverse range of students from teenagers to aspiring entrepreneurs.

For those interested in sewing, Keaton offers both weekly, four-week courses and individual one-day classes. Individual, one-day sewing classes are held on Sundays and require a $130 registration fee while four-week courses begin on the first Saturday of the month and are held in the evenings for $375.

The weekly courses build skills progressively, each week taking previous steps a bit farther. Beginners start with simple projects like keychains or dog collars, then move to more complex items like sleeping masks and rollup jewelry organizers. After taking classes herself, Keaton wanted to give her students autonomy and choice. She selected a series of simple, relevant and engaging projects to choose from.

In addition to sewing, Keaton offers Saturday soapmaking that has become one of her most popular classes. Participants learn to craft their own soaps and design and prototype their own labels, providing a valuable introduction to branding for budding entrepreneurs. “The idea is if you started a soap business, what would your logo look like? What would your labeling look like? I help attendees actually make prototypes of their logos,” Keaton says.

Students of all ages, including teenagers, are welcome to register. With a maximum of 10 students per session, participants receive personalized attention and guidance. Whether you're looking to learn a new skill, explore your creative side or start a small business, Keaton's crafting classes offer a unique and empowering experience. “I found my calling in teaching other people how to do these skills. I want them to be successful, so they can love it as much as I do.” n

jkeatondesigns.com • @designedby_justus

Justus Keaton teaches sewing classes to students of all ages.

EVENTS BY Nicole Letts

Amped Up

The city of Sandy Springs is hosting its annual Concerts by the Springs series at the Heritage Amphitheatre on Sunday afternoons throughout the summer. The series provides free, live musical entertainment for residents and visitors. The concerts take place on the lawn of the amphitheater, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and picnics. The

Sandy Springs live music Sundays

musical lineup features a variety of genres, including rock, funk and R&B. "Originally produced by Heritage Sandy Springs, the series transitioned to a city-led program in 2020,” Mayor Rusty Paul says. “This long-standing tradition continues to entertain both residents and visitors, serving as a valuable platform that unites our community."

The series begins June 1 with a

performance by Funk Force Five playing Motown, oldies and classic R&B hits, while the July 13 concert features Troubadour Project, a ’70s rock revival band. The rest of the summer is completed by local and regional musical acts. Concert by the Springs is free and open to the public. n

sandyspringsga.gov • @cityofsandysprings

Hot Flash Happy Hour

Laughs about life at City Winery

Samantha Bee, the Emmy Award-winning host of "Full Frontal with Samantha Bee," is bringing her acclaimed one-woman show to Atlanta's City Winery for a single performance May 14. The one-night-only event is a traveling revival of her successful Off-Broadway production that debuted in late 2024 as part of Audible Theater. It has garnered praise for its raw honesty and humor. During the show, Bee delves into the often-taboo subject of menopause, regaling the audience with relatable and personal stories that capture the rollercoaster of emotions and physical changes associated with the life transition.

In interviews, Bee describes menopause as “reverse puberty,” highlighting the shared experience of hormonal upheaval and the awkwardness that often accompanies it. The show aims to help women cut to the chase and have open conversations (and plenty of giggles) about the inevitable. Doors to the event open at 6:30 p.m., so attendees can have dinner and drinks before Bee takes the stage at 8 p.m.. Guests should note there is a food and beverage minimum for the performance. Tickets start at $55 for mezzanine level seats. n

citywinery.com/atlanta • @citywineryatl

Sunday concerts at the Heritage Amphitheatre in Sandy Springs are back for 2025.

MIXOLOGY CLASS

May 3 & June 7

thewhitleyhotel.com

@thewhitleyhotel

The Whitley Hotel in Buckhead hosts its Whitley spirits mixology classes on the first Saturday of every month. Seasoned bartenders reveal their secrets to hotel guests and the local public. Tickets are $40.

DUNWOODY ART FESTIVAL

May 10 & 11

discoverdunwoody.com

@discoverdunwoody

Dunwoody Village Parkway becomes a vibrant outdoor gallery at the Dunwoody Art Festival. Featuring local and national artists, the event draws more than 60,000 attendees. Enjoy unique art, live music and kid-friendly activities.

FAMILY FIELD DAY

May 17

spruillarts.org • @spruillarts

Families of four or more can compete in classic field day games like sack races and a water balloon toss at the Spruill Center for the Arts’ Family Field Day. Registration is required, but it’s free to participate.

BREW TO BREW RACE

May 24

mondaynightbrewing.com

@mondaynight

Runners and walkers will start at Monday Night Brewing West Midtown and travel 7-miles down the Westside Belt Connector and Westside Beltline, arriving at Monday Night Garage. Pizza and beer are included in the ticket cost, which begins at $29.

Click Atlanta model Chloe stands at the entrance to a treehouse hidden along Peachtree Creek in Buckhead.

Wardrobe: Alexis Robia dress ($620), Deepa Gurnani earrings ($195). Available at Tootsies.

Discover the

State Peach

EXPLORING GEORGIA’S DESTINATIONS, NATIONAL PARKS AND UNDISCOVERED TRAVEL GEMS

It’s exciting to explore a far-flung destination, but there’s so much to enjoy closer to home. The Peach State boasts miles of coastline, mountain vistas, sizable cities and charming small towns. Plus, Georgia has 47 spectacular state parks, each offering opportunities to get outdoors and experience everything from hiking to water sports. While this collection of stories barely scratches the surface of all there is to explore, we hope it whets your appetite for some nearby travel opportunities.

PHOTO: Patrick Heagney

Get outside around Georgia’s

largest city STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

third-

ADVENTURE OUTDOORS IN COLUMBUS

Columbus was once known as the last “frontier town” of the original Thirteen Colonies, acting as a far west outpost on the Georgia-Alabama border. Now, it’s a bustling city, Georgia’s third largest. While the original economy was built around textiles and Fort Benning, today, the city is known as a center of commerce. In-the-know travelers understand it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, with unbeatable access to the Chattahoochee River.

Start with a trip to Woodruff

Riverfront Park, a pet-friendly greenspace running between the Chattahoochee River and the end of downtown. While it’s technically a part of Columbus State University’s campus, it’s used by the college, local residents and visitors alike. It’s family-friendly with a splash pad and playground, and hosts events such as concerts and parades throughout the warmer months. Experience the park and the surrounding area on two wheels with rented transportation from Ride on Bikes on Broadway for $10 a day.

Some of the best whitewater rafting starts downtown on the Chattahoochee River. Whitewater Express, deemed the longest urban whitewater rafting experience in the world, begins off Woodruff Riverfront Park. Choose from four expeditions, including a family-friendly trip that leads you to a lazy river or a challenging experience featuring some of the biggest rapids on the East Coast. More than 2.5 miles of fun are included. The same outfitters offer kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and fly fishing lessons.

Nearby is Blue Heron Zipline Adventure Park with a 1,200-foot zipline cable. You can choose from myriad experiences, including the Flight of the Osprey with three ziplines across the Chattahoochee, the Blue Heron Adventure with four sky bridges and three ziplines, and the Blue Heron Aerial Course with 10 elements to test your sense of adventure. If simple trails are what you’re after, add the 15-mile Chattahoochee RiverWalk, North Columbus’ Standing Boy Trails and dogfriendly Flat Rock Park to your list.

Columbus, the third-largest city in Georgia, is known for its abundance of outdoor activities.

For those who prefer to keep their heart rates steady, the Columbus Botanical Garden is a must. Visitors can enjoy manicured gardens, historic buildings, birding and the Joann Holt walking trail, a shady, mile-long path through the forest. To continue the outdoor fun, head to Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center at Columbus State University at the end of the RiverWalk. Interactive exhibits, programming and events highlight the importance of the flora and fauna of the Chattahoochee Valley. Combine art and exercise by taking a self-guided tour of Art Walk Columbus, an interactive installation that weaves through downtown and highlights 60 public art sculptures and fountains. Stop at points of interest such as the W.C. Bradley Co. Museum, where you can see Dimitri Gerakaris’ hand-forged iron archway The Evolution of the Cotton Plant and Jim Collins’ Mickey Watcher, a climbable, powder-coated aluminum and steel sculpture. n

STAY AND EAT

Below: Artist Chris Johnson's Mrs. Columbus

Stay at City Mills, the city’s first luxury boutique hotel. Located on the edge of downtown in an old grist mill, it’s pet-friendly and has sweeping views of the Chattahoochee River. For 10 years, Mabella has brought Uptown Columbus good eats in the form of an Italian-style steakhouse. Housed in an old telephone switch built in the 1900s, the building is a stylish backdrop on which chef Tom Jones serves innovative Europeaninspired cuisine, such as strozzapreti pasta with wild boar and apple Bolognese, and pistachio-crusted halibut. Epic’s award-winning cuisine features a prix-fixe menu that highlights the best in seasonal produce; standouts include fried green tomato salad with crab cake and birch syrup-glazed duck breast. Works by regionally acclaimed local artist Teil Duncan dot the dining room.

City Mills • citymillscolumbus.com Epic • epiccuisine.com Mabella • mabellas.com

ART WALK COLUMBUS • artbeatcolumbus.org

BLUE HERON ZIPLINE ADVENTURE PARK whitewaterexpress.com

COLUMBUS BOTANICAL GARDEN columbusbotanicalgarden.com

OXBOW MEADOWS ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER • oxbow.columbusstate.edu

RIDE ON BIKES • rideonbikes.com

STANDING BOY TRAILS • standingboy.org

WHITEWATER EXPRESS whitewaterexpress.com

City Mills, a boutique hotel

Food meets art at Epic.

Zipline over the Chattahoochee River for an adrenaline rush.

Left: The Columbus Botanical Garden's farmhouse lawn and barn is a must-see.

on the Heritage Tower

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

IN ATHENS

Pack your day—and plates—with an eating tour around the Classic City STORY: Lauren Finney Harden

Rich in musical heritage as the birthplace of alternative rock and bands like R.E.M., the B-52s and Widespread Panic, as well as the home of the University of Georgia, Athens has also gained traction as a foodie town. You can expect the best in new Southern cuisine, Asian flavors and more, making it the perfect place to indulge. Start with an empty stomach at Seabear Oyster Bar, where the lengthy list of fresh oysters changes daily. They’re complemented by expertly crafted cocktails, such as the Escubie Snack. Made from London dry gin, the botanical liqueur Escubac, turbinado sugar, lime and Peychaud’s Bitters, it’s a refreshing and zippy sip that offsets

A visit to downtown Athens includes several lively and delicious stops.

Osteria Olio at Rivet House hotel offers modern Italian cuisine.

the brininess of the oysters. Settle into the casual dining room built in a former Coca-Cola bottling plant.

Last Resort Grill deserves a spot on any Athens restaurant itinerary. The original was a music club that opened in 1966 and featured acts such as Townes Van Zandt, Jimmy Buffett and Steve Martin before they were famous. It was converted into a restaurant in the ’90s and has served cult favorites like praline chicken and shrimp and grits ever since. The wait is usually long but worth it; kill time at the full bar in the side yard. After dinner, head down the street and pop into Creature Comforts Brewing Co. for a quick sip of its famous brews, such as Tropicalia IPA or awardwinning Classic City Lager.

Vibes are high at The National, where a Mediterranean-inspired menu offers classical tapas alongside larger plates such as panroasted mahi mahi with grits and buttered onions, and a robust and filling seasonal veggie plate. For something different, head to Puma Yu’s, an innovative Thai

restaurant. Small plates like Sea Island red peas with edamame and collards, shrimp tempura with garlic white pepper sauce and larger plates like tamarind fish soup and mushroom tom yum showcase an eclectic and diverse perspective.

Just outside of downtown is Osteria Olio. Located in the new Rivet House hotel, the restaurant features a modern Italian menu that includes twists on favorites like burrata and carpaccio, plus a handful of mouth-watering pizzas and housemade pastas. Dive in with the family-style chef’s tasting that allows diners to feast on a curated three-course meal.

ZZ & Simone’s in Five Points melds together the best in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Dinner has unique dishes like mortadella with olive chutney and sourdough, and standbys like tagliatelle Bolognese. Pizzas run the gamut from classic tomato and cheese Margherita to lemon topped with red onion, thyme, chili flakes and Pecorino Romano. Jewish favorites such as latkes, babka and an impressive bagel and lox tower are

front and center at Sunday brunch. No foodie trip to Athens would be complete without the OG upscale dining experience at Five & Ten. Originally the brainchild of chef Hugh Acheson, the Five Points restaurant is now under the leadership of Peter Dale, who also owns Seabear, The National and a handful of other restaurants. Upscale Southern cuisine such as fried airline chicken breast with creamy grits and Vidalia slaw, and Carolina Gold “risotto” with asparagus, carrots, cippolini onions and braised turnip greens steal the show. A word to the wise: No matter how you choose to fill your days, come hungry. n

CREATURE COMFORTS BREWING CO. creaturecomfortsbeer.com

FIVE & TEN • fiveandten.com

LAST RESORT GRILL • lastresortgrill.com

OSTERIA OLIO • osteriaolio.com

PUMA YU’S • pumayus.com

SEABEAR • seabearoysterbar.com

THE NATIONAL • thenationalresetaurant.com

ZZ & SIMONE’S • zzandsimones.com

Stay and Play

You’ll need a place to lay your head and belly after all the food fanfare, and the newly refreshed Bell Athens hotel downtown is the place to rest after a long day of eating. It is housed in the former Southern Bell Telephone building that’s over 100 years old and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Walk off your meals around the University of Georgia’s Historic North Campus. The school was the first state-chartered university and dates back to 1785. Stretch your legs even more by walking around the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Spread over 323 acres, the donation-based attraction includes a Porcelain and Decorative Arts Museum, a conservatory featuring tropical and subtropical species and nature trails.

State Botanical Garden of Georgia botgarden.uga.edu

The Bell Hotel • thebellhotel.com University of Georgia • uga.edu

Downtown's Bell Athens hotel makes a great home base.

Puma Yu's uses Thai cuisine as a starting point for innovative small and large plates.

Above: Frogmore stew becomes an elegant dish at Five & Ten.

Andrew Thomas Lee

FINDING TREASURE IN THOMASVILLE

South Georgia is a honey hole for antique-hunters STORY: Nicole Letts

Why compete to antique in Atlanta when I-75 South leads right to Thomasville? The picturesque town just under five hours away offers a variety of shops filled with vintage treasures and new-to-you heirlooms. Spend a weekend away seeking curated finds, taking in Southern charm all while enjoying local flavors. Your itinerary begins with a Friday afternoon drive and an antique stop along the way. The Big Peach Antique Mall hugs I-75 at exit 149 in Byron. Here, more than 200 dealers present a selection of home decor, furniture, art, books, coins and other treasures in 33,000 square feet of warehouse space. Stretch your legs without busting your budget before hopping back in the car for the remainder of the trip to Thomasville.

On Saturday morning, delve into the world of fine antiques at C.H. Whitney Antiques and Art. The shop is an expansion of Charlie Whitney’s architecture, restoration and interior design business, and walking into it is like stepping back in time. It features a collection of antique furniture, Chinese export porcelain and fine and folk art dating from the 18th and early 19th centuries. Around the corner of Remington Avenue and Broad Street, dip into Toscoga Marketplace. At this sprawling 18,000-square-foot emporium, you can lose yourself amidst new and vintage furniture, home decor and unique collectibles. The store is a self-proclaimed “interior designer’s secret” where inventory changes daily. In addition to its antiques, it also showcases

Get lost in 18,000-square-feet filled with antiques at Toscoga Marketplace.

custom CR Laine furniture, Thibaut fabrics and original artwork from nationally acclaimed artists such as wildlife painter James Hautman and sporting artist Beverly Ford Evans.

Just a short walk from Toscoga sits Big Oak Tree Rug Gallery. The shop presents a selection of fine Oriental carpets and handmade rugs. The floor coverings are exclusive to Spend a long weekend searching for one-of-akind antiques in Thomasville.

its showroom because the gallery prioritizes the in-person shopping experience. The proprietors encourage visitors to see and feel a rug’s artistry, color and texture firsthand before making any buying decisions. Turn your attention from the floor to the ceiling and visit the Brass Ring. When you see the unassuming building on South Stevens Street emblazoned with “antique lighting,” you’ll know you’re in the right place. While the shop is best known for its light restoration, it also houses a collection of lamps, globes, sconces, flush mounts and more. A purchase here might be the ultimate souvenir from your weekend away. From there, conclude the day’s shopping spree at Vintage Treasures II. Here, more than 20 vendors present a delightful shop brimming with eclectic finds ranging from furniture and artwork to china and collectibles. As the weekend winds down, enjoy a leisurely dinner at one of Thomasville’s renowned restaurants, known for their Southern cuisine and warm hospitality. Sunday morning offers a chance to explore Thomasville’s historic downtown (including the 1,500-plant rose garden for which the city is nicknamed) before making the scenic drive back to Atlanta, your car laden with new finds. n

SHOP ’TIL YOU DROP

A weekend in historic Thomasville provides a slower pace amid a charming setting.

WHERE TO SLEEP: Opt to stay at the Courtyard Downtown Thomasville, within walking distance of shops and restaurants. marriott.com

WHERE TO EAT: Locals swear by George & Louie’s for lunch. The family-owned and operated restaurant has been in business for over 40 years. For dinner, try Sweet Grass Dairy, a long-time favorite, or snag a reservation at St. James, a new kid on the block already making an impression with hearth-grilled fare. georgeandlouies.com • sweetgrassdairy.com stjamesthomasville.com

WHERE TO SHOP: No trip to Thomasville is complete without a stroll through The Bookshelf, the town’s independently owned bookshop of over 30 years. bookshelfthomasville.com

Toscoga Marketplace offers a mix of new, custom furniture as well as vintage pieces.

BIG OAK TREE RUG GALLERY bigoakruggallery.com

BIG PEACH ANTIQUE MALL facebook.com/ bigpeachantiques

BRASS RING thomasvillega.com/ things-to-do/all/brass-ring

C.H. WHITNEY ANTIQUES AND ART chwhitney.com

DISCOVER THOMASVILLE thomasvillega.com

TOSCOGA MARKET PLACE toscoga.com

VINTAGE TREASURES II facebook.com/ VintageTreasuresII

A cheese plate from Sweet Grass Dairy tops off a day of shopping in Thomasville.

Exposed brick walls emphasize Thomasville's historic setting.

ON THE MUSIC TRAIL IN MACON

Step into record history in central Georgia STORY: Nicole Letts

Little Richard, Waylon Jennings and Dickey Betts are just a few of the artists who have eternalized Macon in their soulful songs. These giants sing about Southern roots, fictional characters and dusty roads, all while referencing “the city where soul lives.” The town’s dynamic musicians, their fans and supporters helped Macon become the birthplace of Southern Rock. The sound is closely associated with The Allman Brothers Band that eventually inspired countless listeners and budding musicians, including local Macon high schoolers-turnedaward-winning artists R.E.M.

Today, Macon honors its music history through hotels, restaurants, museums and more than 43 other musically oriented sites, making it an ideal road trip for music lovers.

To make the most of your time, download the city’s Macon Music Trail app before arriving. The pocket-sized guide to the city's rich musical heritage uses GPS to lead visitors to iconic landmarks such as The Grand Opera House and hidden gems like Red Lamp Lounge

Begin the day at Mercer Music at Capricorn. The Allman Brothers Band, The Marshall Tucker Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded some of their biggest hits in this studio, and

the company produced nine platinum albums, 17 gold albums and five gold singles in its short, 10-year lifespan. While it closed in 1979, it was revitalized and reopened in 2019, and the site is now part recording studio and part museum featuring 1,200 square feet of artifacts and interactive experiences chronicling Capricorn’s industry impact.

Experience ’70s rock and roll life at The Allman Brothers Band Museum at The Big House. It was here at 2321 Vineville Ave. that the group lived with friends, families and roadies from 1970 to 1973. Guests can tour the home and meander through various rooms while perusing memo-

rabilia including the pool table once belonging to Gregg Allman and Cher.

From there, shift the tour from rock to blues at the Otis Redding Museum at the Otis Redding Foundation. Established by the musician’s widow, Zelma, the foundation offers youth music education while the museum presents information and artifacts from his life including various awards and albums. At The Tubman African American Museum, you’ll find a collection of African American art as well as a piano belonging to Little Richard. For an even deeper dive into Macon's vibrant Black musical legacy, book a Thursday afternoon

Grant's Lounge is a live music venue, restaurant and bar where musical giants and newcomers regularly perform.

Russ Cambell Photohtaphy

“African American Music Experience” excursion with Rock Candy Tours. During the docent-led experience, you’ll explore iconic landmarks such as the Douglass Theatre where Redding was discovered and other greats including Ma Rainey and Cab Calloway performed.

As the day comes to a close, listen to live music at Grant’s Lounge, the self-proclaimed “Original Home of Southern Rock.” Established in 1971 by Ed Grant Sr. and renovated in 2021, this unassuming venue has hosted icons like Eric Clapton and Tom Petty, and continues to provide a stage for up-and-coming artists. It’s the quintessential nightcap. n

PLAY AWHILE

Macon’s deep musical roots are prevalent in museums and tours and in the city’s accommodations, restaurants and boutiques.

WHERE TO SLEEP: Kick off your shoes at Hotel Forty Five, situated at the 45-degree corner of Cherry and First streets. Its name is a tribute to its location as well as the city’s musical legacy, with a nod to the 45 rpm record. marriott.com

WHERE TO EAT: Founded in 1959 by Inez Hill and Louise Hudson, H&H is celebrated for its soul food and, most notably, the extraordinary bond between "Mama" Hudson and The Allman Brothers Band. This friendship resulted in Hudson joining the band on tour in 1972. Today, H&H is where food and music history intertwine, offering a taste of authentic Macon. handhsoulfood.com

WHERE TO SHOP: Fresh Produce Records has been selling vintage vinyl before it was cool. Here, find new and classic vinyl records along with merch and other goods. freshproducerecords.com

Left and Below: The Big House is the Allman Brother's iconic residence in Macon. Within its walls, fans will find artifacts, albums and more.

THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND MUSEUM AT THE BIG HOUSE thebighousemuseum.com

GRANT’S LOUNGE historicgrants.com

MERCER MUSIC AT CAPRICORN capricorn.mercer.edu

OTIS REDDING MUSEUM otisreddingfoundation.org

THE TUBMAN AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM tubmanmuseum.com

VISIT MACON • visitmacon.org

Hotel Forty Five features throwback mid-century modern decor in a convenient location.

Peruse Otis Redding memorabilia at his eponymous foundation.

Head to H&H Soul Food for breakfast or lunch (they're closed for dinner).

IN BUCKHEAD ON HIGHER GROUND

A whimsical treehouse continues to draw visitors almost a decade after its first guest

“

When guests arrive, the first thing I do is introduce them to the old man, the oldest and biggest tree at the end of the three treehouses,” says Peter Bahouth, the owner, builder, keeper and host of the Secluded Intown Treehouse Airbnb

STORY: Nicole Letts PHOTO: Patrick Heagney

property in Buckhead. “I ask them to look up, and, almost always, they crane and smile. That’s what it means to be in the treehouse.”

A lifelong environmentalist, Bahouth wanted to make unique use of his spacious, wooded lot by building a place that would allow him to enjoy the bountiful nature beyond a walk in the woods. Recalling his boyhood treehouse and enamored by the nostalgia,

he was struck with an idea to recreate that feeling. “Treehouses are classic things. [I could create] a bit of an escape where I’d chosen to have a home,” he says.

Partnering with a professional builder, Bahouth constructed his three-building structure around seven trees using found and reclaimed materials. The buildings required a delicate balance between structural integrity and

Another Forest Escape

East Atlanta has its own treehouse.

The Alpaca Treehouse is built from reclaimed architectural pieces, offering a unique, historic stay. Its cedar and heart-of-pine siding, salvaged from an old Atlanta home, surrounds antique furnishings. Stained glass, church floors from 1905 and French doors leading to a catwalk highlight the design while an 1871 tin roof lulls visitors to sleep in any rainstorm. Live-edge cedar stairs and bamboo spindles access the structure, nestled in an 80-year-old bamboo forest. Alpacas and llamas roam around the property below.

Alpaca Treehouse alpacatreehouse.com @alpacatreehouse

outdoor living space each connected with footbridges—offered a secluded in town escape. Since then, he’s hosted more than 2,000 people, their memories and experiences tucked within the pages of five volumes of leather-bound journals. “The very first people that came here bought me my first guest book and put the first note in there. It was amazing.” Bahouth leaves the journals for guests to peruse during their visit.

More than just a place to stay, the treehouse offers a chance to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature. "Travel is important, not because it changes you, but because you bring yourself to that place,” Bahouth says. “And that place influences you and who you are." The treehouse, he believes, allows guests to be present.

the trees' natural movement. “We knew the trees were going to let us know what to do. They were only going to put up with so much. We had to do it right, or they were going to spit it back out,” he says. The project was completed in 2000. At the time, he kept the peaceful retreat to himself, but he welcomed his first guest in 2016. The unique design, a suite of three distinct spaces—a living room, a bedroom and an

For an accommodation built around living, breathing things, it is elegant and refined yet rustic and simple. Seashells, branches, nests and stones serve as tchotchkes. Flowers and leaves are pressed between glass as the artwork. The bed, situated in front of a window draped in ethereal curtains, is on wheels, so it rolls just slightly beyond the structure for sleeping beneath the stars. A babbling stream covers any city noise. “This is a Southern treehouse; it's gracious,” says Bahouth. “It's just like what you would expect from someone who is a good Southern host. It's not me; it’s the treehouse.” n

Rates starting at $389 202.341.3310 • @treehouseatl

TRAIL OF YEARS AT OCMULGEE

Amid push to become Georgia’s first national park, Macon mounds offers history and nature now

STORY: Michael Jacobs

Abipartisan effort is making progress toward turning

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park into Georgia’s first national park. But you don’t have to wait to experience the history and natural beauty fewer than two hours south of Buckhead on Macon’s eastern edge.

Ocmulgee, whose mounds are evidence of 17,000 years of indigenous habitation, became a national monument in 1936 and gained national historical park status in 2019. Each September it holds an Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration. Yearround, its 1,860 acres offer fishing, hiking trails and access to American Indian and Civil War historical sites.

“The Ocmulgee Mounds are not just a Georgia treasure but a national treasure,” says Democratic Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr., whose district includes the site. “Its significance makes it worthy of being the first national park and preserve in our state.”

The site will expand by thousands of acres if it becomes a national park, as proposed in legislation reintroduced in the U.S. House and Senate

in late March, and the National Park Service will share management with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, which controlled 90% of Georgia and had a capital at Ocmulgee until being forced out by the 1820s treaties.

As a national park, annual attendance is projected to grow from 200,000 to 1.3 million, says Tracie Revis, a Muscogee citizen and the director of advocacy for the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative.

The larger tribal role and the higher profile would help the Muscogee (Creek) Nation ensure Georgians understand the horrific truth about the Trail of Tears that drove the tribe to Oklahoma, Revis says.

Her nation of more than 100,000 is working on reconciliation with Georgia, where state law technically banned the presence of American Indians until the 1970s.

“The park is the physical remains of the history. But if you don’t understand the culture and the people, then you can’t understand how we use the land,” Revis says.

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation now is consulted only on cultural

interpretation, she says. The national park legislation would make the tribe a full partner in protecting the land and its nearly 300 animal species, as well as in telling its people’s story.

The legislation gained a U.S. House subcommittee hearing and Senate committee approval in November.

“Establishing the Ocmulgee Mounds and surrounding areas as Georgia’s first national park and preserve remains a top bipartisan initiative for all lawmakers and stakeholders involved,” said Republican Rep. Austin Scott, whose district abuts the site, in an email.

Making Ocmulgee a national park, Bishop says, “will raise awareness about it, increase public hunting and fishing grounds, welcome more visitors to our area and boost the local economy. We will do our level best to drive this towards the finish line.”

Sen. Jon Ossoff, working with fellow Georgia Democrat Raphael Warnock on the legislation, touts the “unprecedented progress in the last Congress” and said in an emailed statement, “We still have some distance to go, but we’re

The Funeral Mound at Ocmulgee is part of the history of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and its predecessors going back 17,000 years.

State Park Hit List

Building your bucket list of Georgia state parks? Here are three that deserve a visit.

n Providence Canyon State Park, outside of Columbus, is known as Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon.” Go for a hike among the colorful rocks.

n Explore Stephen C. Foster State Park, the 402,000-acre refuge that’s a gateway to the Okefenokee Swamp. Keep an eye out to spot some of the more than 12,000 alligators that call it home. As a certified International Dark Sky Park, it’s also a top spot for stargazing.

n Trek down to see spectacular views at Tallulah Gorge State Park in Georgia’s northeastern corner. It’s nearly 1,000 feet deep, two miles long and well known as one of the east’s most impressive canyons. gastateparks.org

closer than we’ve ever been.”

Revis is optimistic about the outcome but says the process itself has succeeded the past four years. More than 200 community leaders visited Oklahoma to understand the Trail of Tears. Macon has Muscogee translations on street signs and flies the Muscogee (Creek) Nation flag over City Hall.

“We’re resetting that break to heal a community together,” Revis says. n

OCMULGEE MOUNDS

NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK nps.gov/ocmu • @ocmulgeemoundsnps

Courtesy of NPS

DELICIOUS

Italian Inspired

MAKE

A DATE NIGHT AT PENDOLINO

Arestaurant gem can hide in plain sight. Pendolino at Chastain Market on Roswell

Road in Sandy Springs is just that: an upscale yet unpretentious eatery housed in a shopping center anchored by a Trader Joe’s. Chef-owner Kevin Maxey’s menu is inspired by Italian fare and also

takes cues from local ingredients. The cocktail list underscores this duality with drink names like “Roman Holiday” and “Sonny Boy.” Pendolino expands Maxey’s culinary experiences that include working alongside chef Tom Colicchio at Gramercy Tavern and Craft in New York and serving as culinary vice president for Ford Fry’s Rocket Farm Restaurants in Atlanta. ➥

STORY: Hope S. Philbrick

PHOTOS: Erik Meadows

Chef Kevin Maxey’s Pendolino is named for a slow-growing olive tree with white flowers.

Named for a Tuscan varietal of olive tree, Pendolino has retro decor that lends the airy space a relaxed vibe, where you feel equally welcome to linger over multiple courses or grab a quick snack. Glass chandeliers hang from high ceilings, olive green tiles accent cream walls, and linen curtains hug the lower half of windows. Classic rock dominates the soundtrack. Seating options include

leather booths straddling a short wall, chairs circling marble-topped tables and stools at a wood bar with views of the wood burning oven. A private dining space seats up to 34 people, and a dog-friendly patio has banquette seating, umbrellas and couches. Wherever you sit, attentive servers offer menu suggestions, answer questions and keep water glasses filled.

Don’t miss the pork and veal meatballs, available as a starter with garlic bread or as an entree with spaghetti. Either way, the generous rounds of fork-tender meat present delicate, savory flavors paired with tangy-sweet tomato ragu. Each heavenly bite begs another, so I wouldn’t blame you for ordering both the starter and entree to indulge in the menu’s brightest star. It would be a shame to miss the pizzettes, though, with their soft dough that’s charred the just-right amount. These tiny, wood-fired pizzas are packed with sophisticated flavors. The mushroom and fior di latte pizzette with garlic confit and salsa verde showcases earthy flavors and manages to seem light and decadent at the same time. The fennel sausage pizzette with red onions and cherry peppers pops with contrasting spicy and sweet notes. About the size of a salad plate and cut into four slices, the pizzettes work as an appetizer, shareable plate, small entree or companion to a salad or any combination of menu items. Another noteworthy antipasti option is the crispy calamari fritti with sundried tomato. The dish boasts a satisfying crunch and compelling contrast of salty, herby and savory notes. It arrives with a schmear of lemon aioli, but if you also ordered the meatballs, try dipping the calamari into that tomato sauce and thank me later. Marinated olives with Pecorino cheese are salty nibbles with light citrus notes that play well with other food and drinks.

Garnished with an olive and citrus wedge, the house draft Negroni mixes Campari, vermouth and London dry gin. The alcoholforward sipper packs a bitter kick layered with sweet-tangy spice. Prefer something alcohol-free? Paisano is a lip-puckering blend of cherry, lime and ginger tonic. Chicken scallopini parmigiano is a favorite entree for good reason. This version of the hearty comfort food envelopes juicy meat in a crispy coating that’s smothered with gooey cheese and sweet tomato sauce. The portion size is a platter full of wow. Add a side of al dente house-made pasta to round out the meal. If you can’t finish, take

Wood-fired pizzettes pop with creative flavor combinations.

the rest to go because both the chicken and pasta reheat well.

Ricotta ravioli with butternut squash and sage delights with soft round pillows of sweet flavor drizzled with earthy-sweet sauce. Scattered pine nuts add light crunch. Most restaurants stuff butternut squash inside ravioli; this dish makes a strong case that the squash is even better when employed in the sauce. Even a great date can have a couple awkward moments. Pendolino presents many hits, but we stumbled upon a couple of misses. Gulf shrimp alla vodka tasted like it was swimming in a martini. The shrimp was cooked to perfection, and the

Above: Pillowy ravioli with butternut squash sauce impresses at any course of a meal.

Right: Chicken scallopini parmigiano with a side of pasta is a popular favorite that can easily fill you plus a to-go bag.

Left: With or without alcohol, there’s a creative drink worth sipping on the bar menu.

Tiramisu and coffee is a match made in culinary heaven.

pasta had a welcome toothsome bite, but the sauce was too sharp. We gave the BBQ octopus, touted as a best seller, two tries, but the first was rubbery, and the second was overly charred. We sent that dish back both times, and it was removed from the bill without a fuss.

Save room for dessert. Olive oil cake is a sweeter finish than the name might suggest with snappy citrus notes. Tiramisu layers coffee, cocoa, and mascarpone. Portions are large enough to share, but I wouldn’t blame you for claiming a whole sweet dish.

Spend quality time with someone over dinner at Pendolino. n

Pendolino

404.937.3057 • pendolinoatl.com • @pendolinoatl

Prices: Antipasti, $9-19; pizzette, $17-20; small plates, salads & sides, $12-22; entrees, $22-39; dessert, $9-12; cocktails, $13-15; wine/glass, $13-19; beer, $7-8; spirit-free drinks, $7-12. Recommended: Draft negroni, pork and veal meatballs, mushroom and fior di latte pizzette, sweet fennel sausage pizzette, ricotta ravioli with butternut squash, citrus olive oil cake.

Bottom line: With retro decor and a neighborly vibe, this contemporary casual restaurant presents Italian fare with a Southern twist alongside confident cocktails.

SPIRIT-FREE

Zero proof is a menu standard with all of the flavor and none of the booze

STORY: Angela Hansberger

Zero-proof drinks are becoming commonplace on restaurant and bar menus, with offerings included alongside wine and cocktail options. In the nonalcoholic concoctions bartenders make today, they combine, shake and present ingredients in the same fundamental and sophisticated way as their full-proof counterparts.

“We realized a couple years ago that there was an underserved market for higher-quality, well-crafted non-alcoholic drinks that went beyond just fruit juices mixed together,” says GM and sommelier for The Select Michael Kunz. “We approach these drinks the same way we’d approach traditional craft cocktails: Everything starts from an idea about a flavor profile or a classic riff. Then it’s just figuring out the engineering to get there.”

Along with clever combinations of

syrups, herbs, juices and shrubs, Kunz and team often use nonalcoholic distillates for cocktails that mimic the process of traditional classics.

The Lavender 75 is an aromatic and herbaceous take on a French 75 using Lyre’s Dry London non-alcoholic gin and lemony bubbles. A chai espresso martini is a spiced up version with housemade cold brew, chai concentrate and Lyre’s Sugar Cane spirit, a nonalcoholic white rum. The team also added nonalcoholic wines to the menu, opting for Proxies, a line with flavor profiles similar to those of their boozy counterparts.

In addition to a list of signature drinks and classics, the Westside’s Lucky Star team pays close attention to creating zero-proof options. “I am trying to make a point to incorporate other elements—floral, bitter, earthy—with whatever techniques best bring out the flavors so that

drinks are a little more complex,” says Beverage Director Kirk Gibson who runs the program with Nik Soukavona.

Tomato and Tonic, made with clarified tomato juice and Fever Tree tonic water, is an instant classic. The Bee’s Ginger sips very much like a Bee’s Knees, only with alcohol-free “gin.” A recent visit included a taste of a nonalcoholic Manhattan that was the mirror image of its full-proof sibling. Gibson says they are still “getting their legs under them,” dreaming up a sophisticated zero-proof version. “Well, that and trying to incorporate local and foraged [ingredients] when we can,” he says.

During the past year or two, there has been a significant increase in guests searching for nonalcoholic cocktails when dining at Chamblee’s The Alden, says chef Jared Hucks. “We wanted to create delicious beverages that have all the flavors of a great cocktail, just without the alcohol,” he says. “As we really highlight locally sourced produce on our menu, the same holds true

for our zero-proof cocktails.”

The Gooseberry Fields cocktail combines gooseberries and strawberries with fresh ginger, making it a complementary and refreshing zero-proof sipper that pairs well with food. The pom pom passion is another sparkling refresher that combines the essences and aromatics of pomegranate, lime and mint.

The Alden also offers Athletic Brewing Company’s “Lite” NA Beer as well as Climbing Kites THC-Infused Prickly Pear Sparkling Water. The latter is “ideal for guests who don’t want to drink alcohol, but want to relax with a clean-tasting, refreshing beverage,” Hucks says. ”The feedback from our guests on these beverages has been great. They love the flavor, as well as the fact that it’s low-calorie and low in sugar.” n

Above: It is difficult to comprehend how Lucky Star’s alcohol-free Manhattan tastes like a Manhattan. This one is crafted by dealchoholization.

Right: The Alden’s pom pom passion drinks like a spritz without the alcohol.

Ashley Nonalcoholic concoctions get the same consideration as traditional cocktails at The Select, including the chai espresso martini.

A Place Where You Belong

Spend the day or evening on the Town!

Discover nearly 50 shops, services and restaurants. Town Brookhaven is truly your one stop shopping, dining and entertainment destination with a blend of interesting boutiques, delicious restaurants and useful services.

ANCHORS

Costco • LOOK Dine-In Cinema • Marshalls • Publix

APPAREL & ACCESSORIES

Dress Up • Vestique

SHOES & BICYCLES

Big Peach Ride + Run

HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY

18|8 Fine Men’s Salon • Atlanta Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center • Benchmark Physical Therapy

Brookhaven Orthodontics • European Wax Center

GNC (General Nutrition Center) • Intown Pediatrics

Johanna Clark Hair • The Joint - The Chiropractic Place

Massage Heights • Nail Talk & Tan • Salon Red • Town Dentistry

Vein Clinics of America • Vida-Flo: The Hydration Station

DINING

26 Thai Sushi & Bar • Chico Cantina (Opening Soon)

Costa Coffee • Crumbl Cookies • The Flying Biscuit Café

HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern • Jerks Caribbean Grill

Kilwins • Mirko Pasta • Moe’s Southwest Grill

Newk’s Express Café • There Restaurant and Bar

Tropical Smoothie Café

HOME FURNISHINGS & DÉCOR

Redefined Home Boutique SERVICES

Brookhaven Alterations • Brookhaven Animal Hospital

Keller Williams • The Little Gym (Opening Soon)

Reflections Eyecare • Town Cleaners

Tutu School Brookhaven

ART, ELECTRONICS & ENTERTAINMENT

AT&T • Hawaii Fluid Art

TRAVEL & TOURISM

Explore Brookhaven

www.townbrookhaven.net

Conveniently located on Peachtree Road adjacent to Oglethorpe University.

BY Claire Ruhlin

FOOD NEWS

by my travels in Latin America, I finally took the entrepreneurial plunge. King of Pops took off, but something unexpected happened: I realized I didn’t have to separate work from fun. I could actually enjoy what I did every day, not just in the margins of my life. Now, 15 years later, as my role within King of Pops has shifted, I’ve realized something even bigger: I could have had fun at that insurance job, too; I just wasn’t approaching it the right way.

What do you hope readers will take away from your story?

This book is part story about how we built King of Pops and what makes it special, but more than that, it’s a handbook for anyone looking to find joy in their work, no matter where they are in their careers. The truth is you don’t have to start a business to make work fun. You just have to change the way you approach it.

Sweet Success

In his new book, King of Pops co-founder Steven Carse shares how work and fun go hand-in-hand

F or Steven Carse, co-founder of Atlanta popsicle brand King of Pops—whose frozen treats are sold in carts and retailers in Buckhead and throughout Atlanta—2025 brought two business milestones to celebrate: the ice pop brand’s 15th anniversary and the launch of his book, Work Is Fun, a reflection on the King of Pops story and advice on making work more meaningful.

What was the inspiration behind your book?

I’ve been obsessed with the idea of having fun at work since I was young.

I put my writing dreams on hold and took a job in the insurance industry.

That’s when I told myself that work wasn’t supposed to be fun. [After the 2008 recession hit], I got laid off, and after spending years talking about starting a popsicle company inspired

Small Bites, Big Flavor

Chicheria Mexican Kitchen’s chef reimagines the Caesar in a bite-sized, gluten-free form

When Juan Hormiga joined Chicheria Mexican Kitchen as executive chef in January, he introduced Baja-inspired flavors and made the restaurant’s entire menu gluten-free. This commitment to bold flavor and gluten-free dining shines in this recipe.

Caesar Salad Bites Yield: 4 bites

n Zunzi’s and Zunzibar owner Chris Smith and brand director Dalia Simpson talk all things related to the restaurant industry in their new podcast, cheekily titled “[expletive] YEAH!” The South African-themed bar Zunzi’s originated in Savannah and has an Atlanta outpost at 1971 Howell Mill Road. zunzibar.com

n May is Celiac Awareness Month, highlighting the autoimmune disease that impacts approximately 1% of the population. Burtons Grill & Bar in Buckhead always offers a robust gluten-free menu, including favorites such as firecracker shrimp, pasta bolognese and seven-layer chocolate cake.

tisserie known for its French-inspired handmade desserts, is now open in Brookhaven.

INSTRUCTIONS:

You’re selling a portion of your company with the acquisition of P10 Foods by Rainforest Distribution. What does that mean for your customers?

This deal immediately expands our distribution into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast not just for our pops, but also for our future “cartrepreneurs,” our franchisees, and we’re doing it with a partner who truly understands our business. For customers, that means easier access to King of Pops, whether it’s at their favorite local store, at a festival or from one of our franchisees. It also gives us more room to focus on what we love: making ridiculously good pops and dreaming up new flavors.

Cut the gem lettuce in four pieces. In a pan, melt the butter and add the bread crumbs and the ground chili powder and mix until well combined (set aside). Add the avocado into a blender with the Caesar dressing and blend until smooth. Place the gem lettuce and dress with the avocado Caesar dressing. Top with the Parmesan cheese and garnish with chili bread crumbs on top of the cheese. Add anchovies, if desired.

What’s next for King of Pops?

First up, our King of Pops Road Trip campaign is rolling out, and it’s gonna be a blast. Think of it like a delicious scavenger hunt: Collect all the special edition pop sticks, and you could win big. Of course, we’ve always got new flavors in the works: more super-thoughtful ingredients, more awesome partnerships and more ways to surprise your taste buds. n

KING OF POPS kingofpops.com • @kingofpops

CHICHERIA MEXICAN KITCHEN

Ascenic, fine dining restaurant on the edge of Buckhead, Canoe is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Founded by George McKerrow, creator of Ted’s Montana Grill and LongHorn Steakhouse; Gerry Klaskala, founding chef of Aria; and Ron San Martin, it’s known for its picturesque location on the banks of the Chattahoochee River, as well as locally inspired fare and authentic Southern hospitality. In three decades, the restaurant has been led by only three chefs: Gary Mennie, Carvel Gould and currently, Matthew Basford, who has been executive chef since 2013. The general manager, Vincent Palermo, has been in charge for 29 years. Though the leadership team and select menu items, such as smoked salmon and spring rolls, have stayed consistent, Canoe has changed with the times. McKerrow is still president of the company. He lives across the street from Canoe and visits regularly. “To have a restaurant that’s increasingly more popular and relevant on its 30th anniversary than it was on its first is something we should all be proud of,” he says. Here, he looks back to the origin of Canoe and ahead at what’s to come.

What was the original concept? It was the first of its kind, farm to table with a seasonal menu inspired by Georgia. We went out West to look at the locally sourced restaurants in Napa Valley. We studied Chez Panisse, Alice Waters’ restaurant. We were inspired to create a locally sourced, modern American, California-style restaurant.

How has Canoe evolved over the years?

The original building was built in 1945 as Robinson’s Tropical Gardens. We added the glass dining room and the back of the building. We spent $3.1 million renovating and opened in August 1995. We continue to make small improvements and enhance the experience. The first few years, we had an organic garden in the picnic area. We added the River Bar. At one time, we had 25 to 30 tables on the lawn. We’ve enhanced the interior and renovated it several times to keep up with today while getting ready to deliver on tomorrow.

MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY

Canoe celebrates 30 years on the bank of the Chattahoochee River STORY: Carly Cooper

What do you think has made Canoe successful for all these years when so many restaurants in the city come and go?

Canoe was successful from the get-go. It’s the consistent delivery of great food, great service and a great attitude in a unique setting. What percentage of your diners are regulars? I would say way more than 50%. We have third generations dine with us.

What kind of challenges have you overcome?

The Chattahoochee River has proved to be a major challenge. We regularly have floods that inundate the lawn. The restaurant flooded completely in 2009, and the water entered in 2024, too. It’s a big property with lots of moving parts. We have two banquet rooms, a covered patio and the lawn and gardens. There are challenges with maintenance.

Most important: We’re off the beaten path, and we must keep awareness alive. We’re not a big company, so we certainly can’t spend a ton of money on advertising. We rely on our reputation, so our diners tell their friends.

What is planned for the future?

The food scene in the United States is always changing, and it’s important to keep the food and beverage programs relevant. We’re going to innovate to keep it going for another 20 years. n

FEATURED RESTAURANTS

A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead

For an elegantly presented starter at Chops Lobster Bar, opt for oysters on the half shell, served over chipped ice.

Alma Cocina in Buckhead offers modern Mexican cuisine with colorful presentations.

At Roshambo the chocolate and hazelnut bar comes accented with mandarin-yuzu sorbet.

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

ALMA COCINA BUCKHEAD

Located in the Terminus development, Alma Cocina Buckhead presents modern Mexican fare and high-quality, creative cocktails. The decor suggests industrial greenhouse while a pleasant mix of instrumental and Spanish language music plays in the background. Smiling servers add a welcoming vibe. The menu is packed with pleasant surprises.

The Smoke & Berries cocktail arrives with a wooden gizmo that’s set aflame then whisked away leaving a cloud of smoke. Lechoncito (suckling pig) tacos are rich with umami. Chicken empanadas pack serious heat. Huarache, a dish named for its sandal-shaped masa (corn dough) base, comes across as authentic Mexican, genuine Tex-Mex and bona fide Southern cuisine all at once. Mushroom and corn enchiladas could persuade a carnivore to eat vegetarian, while chicken mole smothers juicy airline chicken breast with a scrumptious sauce with deep, complex flavors. Craving dessert? Go for the churros.

Cocktails and wines/glass: $10-18 Tequila flights: $25-90 • Guacamoles and salsas: $4-25 • Small plates: $12-20 Tacos: $13-24 • Main plates: $15-44 Sides: $5-10 • alma-atlanta.com

BABYLON CAFÉ

When Iraqi native Saad Marwad and his wife, Kelly Rafia, opened Babylon Café in 2014, the city’s foodie community started to buzz about the couple’s fresh, flavorful repertoire of Middle Eastern classics, from falafel and hummus to kebabs and baklava. While the starters are quite good—try the fattoush salad, the lentil soup and the eggplant badenjan—the earthy, long-simmered stews are unlike anything else in town. We like the herb-based qurma sabzi with super-tender lamb shank and the bamia (okra and tomatoes) with oxtail. Don’t leave without a sip of the anise-flavored aperitif called arak and a bite of kanafeh, a sweet made of shredded phyllo, housemade sweet cheese, rose- and orange-water syrup and pistachios.

Appetizers and sides: $2-$7

Entrees: $12-$20 • babyloncafeatl.com

THE CHASTAIN

Chef Christopher Grossman and his team find the best in-season ingredients, some of which come from an on-site garden, and use their culinary wizardry to turn them into something even greater than the sum of their parts. Aside from some mainstays, the menu changes so frequently, there’s always something new to discover. A recent visit yielded an appetizer of fluke, battered with locally brewed Steady Hand IPA and served with sauce gribiche, akin to remoulade. Beef tallow-fried tater tots were adorned with tangy creme fraiche and Osetra caviar, while Faroe Island salmon came with almond-

infused brown butter, new potatoes and tender-crisp French green beans. Châtel Farms ribeye, a beautifully marbled and wetaged cut, was cooked perfectly medium-rare, sliced and served in a just-right puddle of rich jus. The Chastain walks the line between comforting and supremely elegant, and thanks to the eatery’s bucolic, park-adjacent setting, it feels like a discovery every time.

First courses: $7-$24 • Greens: $16-$17

Mains: $29-$49 • A la carte: $50-$125

Pasta: $16-$44 • Sides: $10-$15

Desserts: $10-$15 • thechastainatl.com

CHOPS LOBSTER BAR

Chops Lobster Bar has been an undisputed top steakhouse in Atlanta since it opened in 1989. After a 2022 fire, the Buckhead go-to spot for flawless surf-and-turf reopened, complete with smart renovations that elevate the experience. Don’t skip the fried lobster tail as a starter: Order it portioned into bite-size “nuggets” with drawn butter and tangy-sweet honey mustard aioli on the side. Go for the spinach salad, served with warm vinaigrette, candied shiitakes, bacon lardons and toasted pine nuts, prepared tableside. It’s impossible to imagine a visit without a steak from the extensive list, ranging from a petite 4-ounce Wagyu filet mignon to a massive 40-ounce porterhouse. While steak is the name of the game, the seafood offerings, from Hawaiian ahi with port wine glaze and Dover sole with lemon and capers, never miss. Bottom line: There’s a lot of life left for this Buckhead stalwart.

Appetizers and salads: $14-$38

Entrees: $36-$59 • Steaks: $56-$179

Sides: $12-38 • Desserts: $12 chopslobsterbar.com

FLYING BISCUIT CAFÉ

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

Breakfast: $3.29-$12.99

Lunch: $4.99-$12.99 • flyingbiscuit.com

IL GIALLO OSTERIA & BAR

Experience the love-through-food feeling in generous portions at il Giallo Osteria & Bar in Sandy Springs, where Italy’s Piedmont region is brought to life by Chef Jamie Adams and General Manager Leonardo Moura. The

menu showcases classic, seasonal and regional Italian dishes. Fresh pasta is made overlooking the dining room during service. Spaghetti and meatballs present al dente pasta and fork-tender spheres of ground duck, turkey and beef. “Crazy lasagna” layers braised short ribs with sheets of pasta, drizzled with garlic and rosemary juice for yummy umami. Chicken parmigiana is so big it fills the plate. Pizza, made by Pizzaiolo Brendan Keenan, features a Neapolitanstyle thin crust that’s cooked through; one bite of margherita is all that’s needed to be impressed. The wine list showcases varietals and blends from around the world, including several Italian picks. Beer and classic and creative cocktails are also offered. Save room for tiramisu or hazelnut chocolate bars.

Appetizers: $4-20 • Salads: $14-16

Pizza: $16-24 • Pasta: $18-39 • Sides: $12-13

Entrees: $29-51 • Desserts: $10-12 ilgialloatl.com

ROSHAMBO

Roshambo is owners Chris Hall, Ryan Turner and Todd Mussman’s “love letter to Atlanta.”

The decor honors the city, including a triplelayered wall of the Atlanta skyline and a collection of plates adorned with local icons. Lunch, dinner and weekend brunch menus present something for everyone, whatever the craving and definition of “comfort food.” Daily specials expand the weekday options. The Magnolia plates two eggs any style with creamy heirloom grits, crispy bacon, turkey sausage and a hearty biscuit. Shrimp and grits is a popular standard that evolves with added seasonal ingredients. The best-selling faux cheval burger is packed with juicy umami. Bucket O’Chicken, which serves up to four, showcases crispy-juicy segments of fried bird alongside two sides like collards and mac ’n cheese. Chicken shawarma has strips of spicerubbed poultry with hummus, pita, cucumber and tomato salad plus tzatziki sauce. Butter cake, a merger of bread pudding and caramel apples, is so popular it can sell out.

Cocktails: $10-18 • Starters: $9-17

Salads: $9-25 • Sandwiches: $16-21

Mains: $18-34 • Daily plates: $21-45

Bucket O’Chicken: $68 • Sweets: $10 roshamboatl.com

STARFISH

Starfish—which can look just a little lost on the block that houses Restaurant Eugene and Holeman and Finch—is exactly the kind of sushi joint we have been trolling for. In a city where Japanese cuisine can be hit-or-miss and sometimes not the freshest, chef-owner Seung K. “Sam” Park’s reticent little pearl is a superior catch—cute and compact as a bento box but with just a hint of luxury. At dinner, we were delighted to see how the kitchen plays

around with untraditional ingredients such as truffle oil and balsamic vinegar, slicing fish as thin as carpaccio and arranging it in dazzling presentations. When our flounder sashimi arrived, the server told us to place a dab of the ponzu jelly spiked with cilantro, jalapeño and lime on a strip of the fish and roll it up. Exquisite. Starfish isn’t the kind of place that announces itself with screaming klieg lights or red carpets. But in this culture of excess, sometimes being a little bit under-the-radar can be very seductive.

Lunch entrees: $7-$16 • Dinner entrees: $12-$30 • starfishatlanta.com

TRUE FOOD KITCHEN

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

YUZU

Chamblee is to Atlanta what 1980s SOHO was to Manhattan: edgy and on the verge, which is why traditional, sedate Yuzu is such a welcome respite in its midst. Veteran restaurateurs Anna and Kenny Kim run their dining room with efficiency and grace. With a flash of his Masamoto knife, Chef Kim delivers top-notch sushi and sashimi such as chu-toro, escolar and salmon, as well as mouthwatering rolls (we highly recommend the special spicy rainbow roll and the crunchy dragon roll). With dishes such as tempura udon, charred salmon skin salad, Japanese ceviche and an impeccable teriyaki chicken, there’s something for everyone at this authentic sushi bistro. Appetizers, salads: $4-$14.50 • Special plates: $13.50-$17.80 • Sushi plates, rolls: $8.50-$16.50 • Dinner entrees: $13.50-$15.90 yuzusushiatlanta.com

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

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

PHOTOS: Madelynne Grace, Erik Meadows

QUIET HEROES

STORY: H.M. Cauley

PHOTOS: Lynn Crow Photography

A19-person host committee that included Simply Buckhead Publisher Joanne Hayes welcomed about 550 guests to the 20th Annual Quiet Heroes benefit for CURE Childhood Cancer in late March. Held at Flourish Atlanta, the luncheon was emceed by media personality Jenn Hobby while comedian Keith Alberstadt added levity to the festivities. The Quiet Heroes, all moms of children who have had or are currently battling cancer, had the chance to bid on silent auction items that included a getaway to a private Bahamas island, and each left with a gift bag packed with goodies from jewelry to shortbread cookies. Along with raising about $450,000, a highlight of the afternoon was the presentation of the Chris Glavine Love in Action Award to Chris Glavine, who founded the fundraiser and continues to be an ardent supporter of families struggling with cancer.

Kristin Gordon, Sarah Clement, Carolyn Sannuti, Luiza Uralova

Rakiya Muhammad, Alethia Avery-Joseph, Tosha Settles

Chris Glavine displays her award.

Kristin Connor

David Buckel, Tom Glavine, Kevin Kennedy

Joanne Hayes, Kristin Connor, Jenn Hobby

Kelsey Geller, Jonathan Geller

The Quiet Heroes host committee welcomed 550 guests to the 20th anniversary of the event.

Dawn Cole, Katie Monroe, Frances Egan, Matthew Clark, Nikki Glee, Heather Tardif, Thomas Gordon

A CURE IN OUR LIFETIME

STORY: H.M. Cauley

PHOTOS: J. Alexander Photography

It’s been 10 years since A Cure in Our Lifetime was launched to support breast cancer research. In March, this special anniversary of the annual event brought together more than 350 guests who enjoyed breakfast at the Cherokee Town and Country Club while celebrating those who battle and have survived the cancer scourge. An executive committee, spearheaded by Jennifer Fink, hosted a number of notable speakers, led by author, TV host and breast cancer survivor Joan Lunden. The local speaker, Sandra Storrar, was also honored with the organization’s Badge of Courage Award as a three-time survivor who is now cancer free. Along with enjoying an elegant meal and door prizes worth $20,000, guests raised more than $370,000 for the cause.

Joan Lunden

Allison Jowers, Kelly Kardian, Vonda Rogers, Elizabeth Nichols, Mary Katherine Willis, Gretchen Webb

Susanna Powell, Sandra Storrar, Jody Goldstein

Dr. Kevin Kalinsky, Jody Goldstein, Jennifer Fink, Joan Lunden, Dr. Jane Meisel.

Debbie Levinson, Robin Zusmann, Amy Arogeti

Dr. Jane Meisel

Megan Underwood, Beth Price, Christen Chandler, Katherine Butler

Joanne Hayes, Jami Gertz

SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2025 | ATLANTA, GA

You are invited to join us for an unforgettable day of fun and laughter. Fight childhood cancer by lacing up for the 31st Annual Lauren’s Run & Picnic. After the race, celebrate with us at the

You are invited to join us for an unforgettable day of fun and laughter. Fight childhood cancer by lacing up for the 31st Annual Lauren’s Run & Picnic. After the race, celebrate with us at the best family picnic in Atlanta.

ENCORE GALA

STORY: H.M. Cauley

PHOTOS: Ben Rose Photography

Anew celebration of the arts debuted in February when the first Encore Gala took over the Studio and the Byers theatres at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. The event began with dinner in the Studio, followed by a performance of A Chorus Line highlights in the 1,000-seat Byers. The show featured half of the City Springs Theatre Company’s 2022 cast and three of the 50-year-old show’s orig inal Broadway cast members, including Tony Award-winning actor/choreographer Baayork Lee, who was presented with the theater’s first Ovation Award for her commitment to the company. The festivities were overseen by Fox 5’s Paul Milliken and chaired by Sandy Springs resident Joan Plunkett. The $150,000 proceeds of the gala benefit the City Springs Theatre Conservatory Program.

Jai Rogers-Thomas, Dave Thomas

Kate Dalba, Joan Plunkett, Marilyn Clifford

Shuler Hensley, Baayork Lee, Natalie DeLancey

Mickey Katz, Gina Kellis

Sherry Abney, David Abney

Performers take a bow

Dan Van Horn, Jennifer Van Horn, Kim Plaziak, John Plaziak

TREETOP ESCAPE

Click Atlanta model Chloe settles in for some solitude at a Buckhead treehouse, available for rent. PHOTO: Patrick Heagney

Wardrobe: Frame Le Slim Palazzo jeans ($278), 27 Miles Malibu Flora knit top ($195), Deepa Gurnani earrings ($195). Available at Tootsies.

*Or so it seems. It’s a decadent, house-made, S even-Layer Chocolate Cake topped with chocolate frosting, hot fudge & sprinkles of sea salt in a drizzle of raspber ry coulis. Better yet, it’s gluten free & prepared with adherence to our extensive allergy safety protocols.

It’s best enjoyed a er ordering your favorite dish from our wide-ranging gluten free menu, like General Tso Cauliﬂower, Chicken Milanese Alfredo, Crab-Crusted Haddock, or our signature Maxx Burger with a side of fries.