OCTOBER 2026
ISSUE 122 • FREE
Your Guide to Living Well in Atlanta
SOUTHALL SOJOURN THE WONDERMINT STORY REVIEW: THE IBERIAN PIG
Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Upper Westside
TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE
Globetrotting locals exploring the world in unique ways
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SIMPLY B UCK HEAD ®
OCTOBER 2026
Contents 22
26 Photos: 16: Kimberly Evans, 26: Patrick Heagney, 61, 68: Erik Meadows
61 68 24
16
12 Editor's Letter
UP FRONT 15 NEWS Wide Open Spaces Chastain Park to include 30-acre Palisades Project
16 LOCAL SALUTE Kids with a Cause Brothers start a nonprofit
20 APPROVED The Outfit is Outerwear
24 STAYCATION Enduring Elegance
32 BULLETIN BOARD 65 Years Strong
Usher out the lightweight simplicity of summer and welcome the layered looks of fall
The St. Regis Atlanta upholds the hotel brand’s historic legacy
ADAC celebrates a milestone birthday
21 TRAVEL NEAR Gourmet Greenville
LIVING
34 TRENDING Come Fly With Me Birds inspire fresh design elements
A wealth of food finds has turned this town into a culinary destination
26 HOME Moody Meets Minimal
36 TASTEMAKER Raise a Glass
22 TRAVEL NEAR Tennessee Time
In her North Buckhead home, designer Samantha Miller pairs a transitional palette with pure personality
Leslie Averitt’s Pieces by Leslie bring fun to the table
➥
Southall Farm & Inn delivers memorable moments
S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6
9
S I M PLY B UC KHEA D ®
OCTOBER 2026
Contents 52 ON STAGE Retro Pleasure
Wondermint Goods founder brings color back to accessories
Tori Gideon packs joy and meaning into her debut album
40 BEAUTY Your Skin’s Hidden Ecosystem
54 LITERARY When the World Is Wiped Away
Healthy skin starts with tiny microbes
A Buckhead author helps kids handle major upheaval
42 WELLNESS The Brain Reset
56 TASTEMAKER Painting the Town
How magnets may improve mental health
Local artist Krista M. Jones debuts her latest public art piece
44 TASTEMAKER Wellness Redefined
57 EVENTS
Inside “Amazing Race” alums Leticia and Rod Gardner’s cutting-edge med spa
FAMILY Three schools, three unique educational philosophies
@simplybuckhead
54
68 REVIEW Small Wonders The Iberian Pig showcases Spanish flavors in Buckhead
COVER STORY
72 DRINKS Gimme a Gimlet
Meet the globetrotting locals seeing the world in unique ways
A cocktail invented for your health
74 FOODIE JOURNAL A Toast to the Coast Michel Arnette’s latest restaurant brings coastal cuisine to Brookhaven
61
48 PETS Fall Fun with Fido
76 TASTEMAKER A Taste of Rome
Dog-friendly activities to celebrate the season
50 STRATEGIES Home Alone Pediatrician advises when it’s safe to leave kids unsupervised
Erik Meadows
76
The Gelatist in Sandy Springs serves house-made, Italian-style gelato
81 Charitable
78 Featured Restaurants
A spotlight on philanthropic and social gatherings
A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead
84 Scene
B EHIND THE COVER Our October theme of “travel with a purpose” presented a creative and logistical challenge for the cover, since every person we profile in our feature is highlighted for their international travels. So we challenged Atlanta-based fashion designer, “Project Runway” contestant and stylist Octavius Terry, along with his colleague Cedrick Harris, to come up with a one-of-a-kind look for a model. They were inspired by the 1980s game show, “Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego?,” creating a stylish red coat dress. Our team converged on the Atlanta History Center’s replica of the personal library of renowned local historian Franklin Garrett for the shoot in which our model, Esabela, posed with a globe and a magnifying glass to give her best Carmen impression.
10 O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D
@simplybuckhead
DELICIOUS
Places to go and things to do
61 Travel with a Purpose
46 KIDS Learning Differently
@livingwellatl
Icons: Freepik.com
38 FASHION Finding Wonder
Joann Vitelli
CULTURE
simplybuckhead.com
Joann Vitelli
STYLISH
FI N D U S ON L I N E
Photographer: Erik Meadows Producer: Jennifer Bradley Franklin Stylists: Octavius Terry, Cedrick Harris Makeup: Nyssa Green Model: Esabela, courtesy Click Models of Atlanta Wardrobe: Custom coat dress by Octavius and Cedrick, commissions available upon request by contacting octavius@octaviusmarsion.com; Custom hat by Fruition Hat Co.; Judith Leiber passport cover ($495), Christian Louboutin stilettos ($575), vintage necklace ($280), available at La Librairie. Special thanks to the Atlanta History Center for hosting our team.
OCTOBER 23 - NOVEMBER 1, 2026
Photo Credit:Benny Tong
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OCTOBER 2026
ISSUE 122
Editor's Letter
A
s a young adult, anytime I romanticized about
Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, Chamblee,
traveling somewhere new, my father would say,
Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Upper Westside
“Planes leave every day. What is stopping you?” As a
P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355
result of his influence, I’ve visited numerous global
simplybuckhead.com
destinations and experienced all kinds of itineraries.
For advertising rates, call: 404.538.9895
But as time has become more precious, I’m finding
Joanne Hayes
it hard to follow the crowds to popular and over-
Publisher and Founder
exposed locations where everyone comes away with a
Chief Financial Officer
Sonny Hayes
similar experience. I find myself looking for one-of-a-
EDITORIAL
kind travel destinations personalized to my priorities
Managing Editor
FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
Giannina S. Bedford
and purpose. That is exactly what this issue’s cover
Jennifer Bradley Franklin
feature is about. In the pages ahead, you’ll read about
Alan Platten
Senior Contributing Editor
individuals who have found a way to fulfill their
Creative Director
purpose through travel and for whom travel fulfills
Copy Editor
H.M. Cauley
a purpose. From one man’s drive to run marathons on
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Karina Antenucci Jill Becker Chelsie Butler H.M. Cauley Carly Cooper Lauren Finney Harden Brandi Fowler Katie Hughes Mickey Goodman Angela Hansberger Michael Jacobs Nicole Letts Amy Meadows Hope S. Philbrick Claire Ruhlin
all seven continents to locals’ volunteering overseas, the profiles shared are of people in our community fulfilling their life and travel goals all in one. This issue also includes a variety of entertaining pieces, from a fashion profile on Alicia Stemper, founder of colorful local jewelry brand Wondermint Goods, to an informative beauty feature on how to support your skin microbiome. Writer Carly Cooper also interviewed
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Reza Momin of The Gelatist, a Italian-style gelateria in Sandy Springs, for our Food Tastemaker, and I
Patrick Heagney Erik Meadows Joann Vitelli
delighted in recounting a much-needed getaway last
SALES & ADVERTISING
Bea Bolia
spring with my husband
Account Executive
to Southall Farm & Inn
Layal Akkad Graphic Designer
in Franklin, Tennessee.
DIGITAL
Chelsie Butler Chelsie Butler is the executive editor of Kitchen & Bath Business, a trade publication that serves design professionals. She has been an editor for various trade magazines in the Atlanta area since graduating from the University of Florida with a journalism degree in 1993. Besides her career, another of Butler’s passions is volunteering at local animal rescue shelters such as Good Mews, Best Friends and Furkids, which she has been involved with for more than 12 years. She pens Simply Buckhead’s Pets column.
BHG Digital Website Development Management
I hope this issue motivates
Mike Jose
you to put a new travel
Director of Audience Development
destination on your list—
LEGAL Sara Hanna
one that checks more than one box—and to actually make the trip happen. After
Giannina S. Bedford
all, planes leave every day!
Managing Editor
12 O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D
Scott I. Zucker Legal Counsel
We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission. Copyright © 2026 by Simply Buckhead ®. All rights reserved. Printed by Walton Press, Inc. Distributed by Distributech and Distribution Services Group.
NEWS
LO CA L SA LU T E
APPROVED
T R AV E L
UP FRONT
Tennessee Time Page 22 Southall Farm & Inn's purposeful design includes floor-to-ceiling windows and numerous outdoor seating areas overlooking Middle Tennessee farmland.
A two night stay at Southall Farm & Inn in Franklin surpasses expectations. S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6
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NEWS
BY Nicole Letts
WIDE OPEN SPACES
Chastain Park is set to turn a natural landscape into public greenspace.
CHASTAIN PARK TO INCLUDE 30-ACRE PALISADES PROJECT
T
welve to 16 months of construction is set to begin for the Palisades Project at Chastain Park before the end of the year. Once completed, the expansion will transform roughly 30 acres of underutilized natural landscape into distinctive public greenspace. “Since the 1940s, Chastain Park has been an Atlanta recreational gem, and the Palisades Project represents an exciting next chapter in its history,” says Rosa McHugh, president and CEO of Chastain Park Conservancy.
Landscape architecture firm Lord Aeck Sargent designed the project, which will be built by SG Contracting. McHugh says the community has been clear it wants more passive greenspace. The project will open a section of the park that’s long been inaccessible. Plans include a 1-mile trail system, a native tree arboretum, a natural play space for children, a native plant garden and scenic overlooks with views across the golf course and Nancy Creek Valley. The project also incorporates environmental
restoration work to protect wildlife habitats along the creek corridor. A new pedestrian bridge will span Nancy Creek to connect visitors to the site, alongside a new entrance drive and parking area serving the Conservancy offices, Farm Chastain and the trail system. Chastain Park draws more than 3 million visitors annually, and Conservancy leaders say the demand for accessible, natural areas continues to grow. The Palisades Project is designed to meet that need by transforming an untouched
section of the park into a space where visitors can walk, gather and experience a quieter, more natural side of Chastain. “We’re grateful to have a strong partner in the City of Atlanta, whose collaboration is helping make this vision a reality so generations of Atlantans can enjoy this incredible regional park for years to come,” McHugh says. n CHASTAIN PARK CONSERVANCY chastainparkconservancy.org @chastainparkconservancy
NEWS CLIPS A New Home for History Buckhead Heritage, a nonprofit created by residents committed to protecting the area’s historic resources, has secured its future headquarters. After a $100,000 renovation, the group will move into The Lodge, a small structure at Peachtree Road and Peachtree Battle Avenue. Known historically as E. Rivers Lodge and Mrs. Bloodworth’s Kindergarten, the 1911 building was designed by New York firm Carrère and Hastings, the same architects responsible
for the look of the New York Public Library. Prior to the acquisition, the building served as the administrative offices for an after-school program for E. Rivers Elementary. Upon completion, the space will be used for community programming, education and further preservation efforts. buckheadheritage.com @preservebuckhead
Drybar Sandy Springs Debuts Drybar, known for its focus on hairstyling without cuts and color,
opened its newest Atlanta-area location in Sandy Springs on July 31. The 1,650-square-foot shop is located at 6068 Sandy Springs Circle in Centre Court between Benjamin Moore and Base Fashion and Facial Bar. It features 12 styling stations plus a four-chair VIP area for bridal parties, birthdays, girls’ days out and other group events. “Guests can enjoy our signature blowouts in a bright, welcoming space designed to feel equal parts luxurious and approachable, complete with complimentary
beverages and our full collection of Drybar products and styling tools,” says owner Candice Mann. The Sandy Springs location is Mann’s second location, following Drybar Vinings. drybarshops.com @drybarshops_sandysprings
Award Winner A student-produced docuseries from the Savannah College of Art and Design has won its first Southeast Emmy Award. Dubbed “chefATL,” it examines Atlanta’s food scene
through its chefs and had two episodes nominated in the Lifestyle Long-Form category at the 2026 Southeast Emmy Awards, held May 16 at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead. The episode “Global Soul,” featuring Twisted Soul chef and owner Deborah VanTrece and poet Jon Goode, took home the win. More than 300 SCAD students across 20 majors, plus a dozen faculty supervisors, worked on “chefATL,” which was produced in partnership with WABE radio. scad.edu • @scaddotedu
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LOCAL SALUTE BY Mickey Goodman
Kids with a Cause
Kimberly Evans
Brothers start a nonprofit
Rishab Anand, Prakhar Saxena and Rohan Anand of Rise 'N' Reach.
Exceeding Their Goal Serving the community Chamblee-based Jewish Family and Career Services’ Growth, Innovation & Durability Campaign raised $8.9 million in new endowment commitments from 2024 to 2026. “It doubled our endowments from its precampaign level and was fueled by seven-figure gifts,” says Amanda La Kier, chief advancement officer. “This milestone reflects the extraordinary generosity from our donors and a shared commitment toward a long-term impact.” Major donations included $3 million from the Henry and Etta Raye Hirsch Heritage Foundation, $2.5 million from the Bunzl Family Foundation and $1 million from Judith and Gary Alembik to support teen mental health. Though based on Jewish values, JF&CS’s services are open to everyone. Funds from the ongoing campaign will be used to support its five programs across aging, mental health, disability and families, plus the Ben Massell Dental Clinic where volunteer dentists
JF&CS CEO Amanda La Kier helped lead the campaign.
have been serving patients at no cost for the last 100 years. Since 2019, JF&CS has increased its operating budget to more than $27 million with a goal of $30 million. According to La Kier, the success of the campaign reflects the philanthropic confidence in the organization’s vision and durability to serve the community now and in the future. La Kier, former CEO Terri Bonoff and current CEO Jay Cranman led the campaign. JEWISH FAMILY AND CAREER SERVICES jfcsatl.org • @jfcsatl
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Westminster students Rohan Anand and his brother Rishab recently received ESPN’s Billy Jean King Youth Leadership Award of $2,500 for their nonprofit, Rise ’N’ Reach. The student-run organization works with local centers to provide sports lessons and health education to underserved communities. “We feel that sports have provided invaluable life lessons for us and want to help kids who don’t have access to coaching and equipment,” says Rohan. In 2023, they reached out to the Clarkson Community Center and began volunteering. “We had so much fun that we wanted to keep going, so we began doing afterschool workshops,” says Rohan. Working in tandem with the Emory School of Medicine’s Urban Health Initiative, the brothers, along with a grow-
ing group of volunteers that includes sports experts and medical students, began providing a variety of sports lessons and nutritional workshops. Word spread, and today, Rise ’N’ Reach is a global organization with 10 centers in the U.S. and India. How do a rising senior and a rising junior make the time? “We couldn’t do it without one another because we’re able to split the work. We also have over 30 volunteers with unique expertise,” says Rishab. Prakhar Saxena, a classmate, who has been extremely helpful with the organization by developing all our health lessons,” He is the organization’s Volunteer of the Year. The group is planning an online fundraiser to hopefully raise $20,000 to broaden their reach. RISE ’N’ REACH • risenreach.org • @rise_n_reach
Eat, Drink and Change Lives Learning life skills The Department of Juvenile Justice and a casual fine dining restaurant seem to have little in common, but teens 15 to 19 who have been released from the system are defying the odds at Café Momentum. The idea to create paid internships for 15 to 20 youth who have served their sentences was conceived in 2011 by Chad Houser, a chef and restaurateur in Dallas, Texas. He wanted to offer an opportunity for interns to learn the restaurant industry that includes mental health support, academic and financial education, and recreation. He’s replicated that casual fine dining in Atlanta in 2025. “Our success rate is approximately 75% with ‘graduates’ working with our partners at FedEx, nearby restaurants and upscale hotels” says Executive Director Sandy Welfare. According to a National Center for Juvenile Justice report, entitled “Youth and the Juvenile Justice
Interns at Cafe Momentum are ready for work.
System National Reports, 2022,” the U.S. has the highest youth confinement rate among developed nations, with more than 29,314 incarcerated on any given day. “We support Café Momentum because we believe in the power of second chances paired with real opportunity,” says Buckhead resident Christian Fischer, former CEO of Georgia Pacific. “The young people gain practical life skills that will serve them well beyond the restaurant.” CAFÉ MOMENTUM cafemomentum.org • @cafemomentum.atl
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S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6
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APPROVED Firelady Fur Belted Trench Coat ($295.50) Corduroy is a trending fabric for the fall, and this jacket from luxury outerwear brand Firelady Fur is a rustic take on a classic belted trench coat. It has a soft, structured material that uses preshrunk treatment for lasting shape and wrinkle resistance, and it’s differentiated by a sleek, waxed leather trim collar and belt. The oversized, relaxed fit creates unique proportions, while the pleats allow for a customizable wear. Firelady Fur • fireladyfur.com • @firelady_fur
Sofia Cashmere Leopard Scarf ($295) Animal print is here to stay this season and can be worked into your wardrobe in a few inspired ways. One approach is with this leopard-print, 100% luxe cashmere scarf from Sofia Cashmere. It’s flowy and lightweight, allowing for a wide array of draping options, such as the standard scarf, a head scarf or hood. The scarf is 38-by-80 inchesand also comes in a light caramel shade.
The Outfit is Outerwear
Saks Fifth Avenue • saksfifthavenue.com • @saks
October in Atlanta is a month for fashion. It all kicks off with Atlanta Fashion Week Oct. 1-4, followed by the Atlanta Apparel market Oct. 6-9, ushering out the lightweight simplicity of summer and welcoming in the layered looks of fall. Although we often focus on the perfect chunky sweater or ’90s-fit jeans, pivot your attention to jackets, boots and scarves instead. Refine your wardrobe with these five items because sometimes, the outerwear
Journee Sonnet Boot ($79.99) They say boots are made for walking, and that’s especially true for fall activities. Journee is bringing back the 2000s with their slouchinspired Sonnet boot. The draped silhouette is faux leather and comes in a variety of autumn shades. The 3-inch covered heel and pointed toe bring sturdiness and timelessness to the stylish shoe.
is the outfit. STORY: Katie Hughes J. Crew Perfect Raincoat in navy ($148)
Hunter Boots Women’s Original Tall Gloss Rain Boots ($190) Hunter Boots has blended functionality with fashion for decades, a testament to the craftsmanship of the company’s classic rain boots. The fully waterproof rubber is handcrafted from 28 individual parts and finished with a gloss, bringing enough shine to combat a rainy day. A rounded toe and block heel allow for comfort, while the signature tread pattern delivers reliable grip for any weather occasion. Hunter Boots • hunterboots.com • @hunterboots
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Protect yourself from rainy Georgia days and match with Paddington the bear in this raincoat from J. Crew. The 100% recycled polyamide fabric is water-resistant, and the snap closure and patch pockets allow for comfortable convenience. This raincoat reimagines and modernizes a classic silhouette with a longer length and draw cord at the waist for added shape. The hooded outerwear staple fits oversized and hits below the knee. For a more fitted look, size down. J. Crew • jcrew.com • @jcrew
DSW • dsw.com • @dsw
TRAVEL NEAR
Above: Meat is big on the menu and served in big portions at Scoundrel. Left: A pedestrian bridge over the Reedy Falls gives outdoor enthusists a pastoral view.
Gourmet Greenville A wealth of food finds has turned this town into a culinary destination STORY: H.M. Cauley
I
was standing on a pedestrian bridge in downtown Greenville, South Carolina, overlooking the Reedy River as it cascaded over giant rock outcroppings, when the tour guide casually pointed to an abandoned structure at the water’s edge and tossed out, “That old building was where Duke’s mayonnaise was first produced.” Stop the tour! I had to pepper the poor guy with a plethora of questions. Having grown up knowing only Miracle Whip as a condiment, I became a devoted Duke’s fan after discovering it in Atlanta decades ago. (And I’ve successfully converted others to its delectable qualities as well.) Turns out this town, about a two-hour drive from Buckhead, is where, in 1917, Eugenia Duke started selling sandwiches with her homemade mayonnaise in nearby Army canteens. A year later, she had a delivery truck, and by 1920, her sandwiches were selling at local tea rooms and groceries. Today, only one outlet has cornered the market on Duke’s recipes: The Duke Sandwich Company store stocks an array of products and prepared foods. But Duke’s isn’t the only foodstuff feeding the Greenville community. The culinary culture has captured the eye of out-of-town foodies such
as the James Beard Foundation. At Scoundrel, the menu designed by 2026 James Beard’s Best Chef finalist Joe Cash opens with oysters and escargots and winds its way through Paris-inspired dishes of steak frites and vol au vent. The duck-fat fried frites alone are worth the visit. In 2023, Dayna Lee-Márquez was a semifinalist for Beard’s Best Chef: Southeast for her restaurant, Comal 864. The sleek Midtown eatery opens early with breakfast versions of burrito bowls and tacos before switching to chili-lemon wings, Mexican street corn and quesitacos, a blend of braised beef, chihuahua cheese, onions and cilantro. Other notable dining destinations are The Anchorage, named a Beard semifinalist for Best New Restaurant when it opened in 2017, and earned a place in the 2025 Michelin Guide as an American South Recommended Restaurant for its craft cocktails and innovative small plates such as cabbage kimchi pancakes and summer squash agnolotti. My favorite dining spot was Between the Trees, a rustic dining room overlooking the Reedy River falls where lobster fritters and bison tartare lead off a steak- and seafood-heavy menu. For a casual lunch, I dove into a crispy, mixed greens salad with
apple rosemary dressing homemade by the chefs of Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery, a popular quick-bite site with mostly outdoor seating. The menu items are stocked to-go in the store—a good thing because I had to bring two bottles of that dressing home. My visit did take in more than food, though walking a short portion of the trails along the Reedy River did help work up an appetite. Cyclists and avid runners or walkers can fan out across the 32-acre Falls Park that features a 345-foot curved suspension bridge. Another fun pastime is watching a game with the High-A minor league Greenville Drive baseball team, an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, who play in a scaled-
down version of the Sox’s home turf, Fenway Park, complete with a 30-foot “Green Monster” left field wall. On game days, fans can tour the 1940s ranch home of “Shoeless Joe” Jackson that was relocated outside the ballpark. The Greenville slugger played with the Chicago White Sox but today is best remembered for being part of a group permanently banned from baseball for attempting to rig the 1919 World Series. Each of my few Greenville days ended with a pampered stay at the Westin Poinsett, an historic hotel from the 1920s whose classic BeauxArts look was completely restored in 2000. But the best, for die-hard Duke’s fans like me, was a selfguided driving tour that highlights locales and historic spots connected to the famous mayo. I made it to the best one about five minutes before it closed: The Duke Sandwich Shop was open just long enough for me to pick up pints of the classic chicken salad to savor back home. n visitgreenvillesc.com • @visitgreenvillesc
Grab some classic chicken salad to go at the store that gave the world great mayonnaise.
S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6
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Patrik Argast Photography
TRAVEL NEAR
The Nomadic People
Above: Dottie's Speakeasy, tucked into the hills behind Southall, offers a late night musical adventure on property. Left: The Southall property includes hiking trails, meticulously tended gardens and apple orchards.
TENNESSEE TIME Southall Farm & Inn delivers memorable moments STORY: Giannina S. Bedford
A
quick getaway with my husband isn’t easy to execute, thanks to having three kids and lots of responsibilities. So when we do decide to go away, we select our destination carefully to make it worth our while. Our two night stay at Southall Farm & Inn in Franklin, Tennessee surpassed our expectations. The property, a 12-minute drive from downtown, is set on a working farm. Opened in 2022, accommodations include 62 guestrooms and suites, as well as 16 separate cottages sprinkled among the rolling hills. The farm also has a 15,000-squarefoot spa, 7-acre lake and eight-plus miles of trails through old-growth forests. On-property activities run the gamut from adventurous (aerial ropes course, axe throwing, falconry) to educational (a beekeeper tour and guided nature hike). Two restaurants incorporate ingredients grown, raised and foraged on the farm. Two nights wasn’t enough to experience it all, but here are some highlights that made our visit more than worthwhile.
on the lobby’s back patio and sipped wine fireside while taking in the views.
Design The property’s design offers visual interest at every turn. The rusticmodern interior by LA-based Indidesign includes locally crafted furniture, with some pieces built from lumber sourced on the property. Pops of color are introduced through textiles and wallcoverings featuring local flora and fauna. Our guestroom followed suit with sleek wood furnishings, dark green floral upholstery on window side chairs and modern light fixtures. After settling in, we took a walk around the lake then sat in Adirondacks
The dining room at January is done in Sossego dining chairs, hand-blown glass fixtures by Bomma and custom-designed furnishings.
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Dining Dinner at January was a top priority. The restaurant earned a 2025 Michelin Green Star for its sustainable gastronomy and a menu shaped by the local harvest. Our meal began with wood grilled oysters topped with tomato, preserved lemon and pink peppercorn, and a dumpling filled with nduja, a piquant spreadable, fermented Italian pork. Our mains of diver scallops and short rib were delicious and rich. Another culinary adventure was a “Food Fables” dinner at The Jammery, an
on-site preservation kitchen. Hosted by Chef Richard Jones, the coursed meal offers a themed seasonal menu that explores a chapter in culinary history. Our visit took place in early March, so the dinner was Irishthemed with courses of reinvented corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew and black pudding accompanied with root vegetables and potatoes. As each course was served, Jones shared the historical origins of the dish and the sourcing of each ingredient used to make it.
Dottie’s A stay at Southall isn’t complete without a late-night visit to Dottie’s Speakeasy. A shuttle transported us into the dark hills behind Southall to a living-room-meets-bar gathering spot for music lovers. We listened to country tunes and sipped old fashioneds in the dimly lit space done in velvet and jewel tones. When the resident musician took a break, an audience member, who turned out to be Effie Passero of musical group Postmodern Jukebox, took the stage on a whim and belted out a goose bump-inducing rendition of an Adele song. We felt lucky to have been there to enjoy Passero’s talent and to have made the effort to spend a weekend at Southall. I have no doubt I’ll move mountains once again to revisit this special property’s gorgeous surroundings, stellar gastronomy and one-of-a-kind experiences. n SOUTHALL FARM & INN southalltn.com • @southalltn
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STAYCATION
At 26-stories tall, The St. Regis Atlanta commands Buckhead's attention.
Enduring Elegance The St. Regis Atlanta upholds the hotel brand’s historic legacy STORY: Giannina S. Bedford
T
he St. Regis’ pioneering luxury has left a mark on the hotel industry. Founded by John Jacob Astor IV in 1904, its iconic history includes being one of the first brands to offer in-room telephones. It’s known for aristocratically inspired butler service, as well as being the birthplace of the Bloody Mary cocktail at the King Cole Bar in New York. Today, each St. Regis around the world has its own local version of the drink. The St. Regis Atlanta is the
kind of place that makes you feel important the moment you step on property. In my day-to-day life, I’m often taking care of others, but I experienced complete role-reversal during a recent staycation. From the personalized, attentive service and plush surroundings to the signature programs and stellar food, it was easy to see how the hotel has earned its Forbes Travel Guide FiveStar ratings, something it holds for both the hotel and its restaurant, Atlas. The Buckhead location is
Michael KleinbergPhotography
Get up close and personal with MercedesBenz Stadium at Signia by Hilton Atlanta.
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the only property in Georgia and one of 14 worldwide to be honored with the guide’s Hotel + Restaurant Double Five-Star distinction. I checked into my superior king accommodations, one of 151 guestrooms and suites, and was soothed by the neutral palette and classy furnishings. My bathroom at home leaves something to be desired in terms of space, so the room’s marble washrooms with double vanities, a walk-in shower and deep soaking tub took me straight into pampering mode. I drew a bath and slid open the adjacent mirrored French doors to take in the Buckhead view through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the
Left: The St. Regis Atlanta pool piazza is the kind of place you could enjoy all day. Right: Astor Court is the spot for a power breakfast or a leisurely bite to kick off your day.
main bedroom while unwinding from my day. Next, I prepared to meet my husband for a much-anticipated dinner at Atlas where the staff was about to exceed our expectations. We were blown away by the culinary prowess of Chef Freddy Money and got the chance to communicate our gratitude when we were invited into the kitchen to meet some of the team post-meal. While I could only delight in the St. Regis bubble for one night, I made sure to fit in breakfast at Astor Court the next morning and a workout in the state-of-the art fitness center. From the treadmill, I took in a view of the 40,000-square-foot pool piazza that recently underwent a fashionable revamp in a collaboration with Etro. The luxury Italian lifestyle house curated a fabric exclusively for The St. Regis Atlanta with a paisley motif of pink, blue and green on a canary yellow background that adorns host uniforms, umbrellas, awnings and accents pillow. The pool deck also features a cascading waterfall that adds to the Italian-villa vibe. I watched the staff move efficiently between lounge chairs to provide guests with all their needs. I didn’t have the chance to enjoy the pool service or the Forbes four-star spa. However, just as I finished my run, a gym attendant was at the ready with a cool bottle of water. Small touches like this perfectly embody The St. Regis way that continues to endure more than a century after its founding. n ST. REGIS ATLANTA • 404.563.7900 stregisatlanta.com • @stregisatl
More than a place to live, it’s a place to come alive.
FIND SERENITY FROM CITY LIFE IN SERENBE FOR SALE
37 Swann Ridge, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 2 bedroom - 2 bathroom main residence with furnished carriage house apartment & 2 car garage $1,285,000
37-swann-ridge.intownfocus.com
When you arrive at the residence at 37 Swann Ridge, you arrive at breathtaking architecture intergrated into the splendor of nature. Come enjoy the Costwolds-inspired hamlet in Serenbe.
WELCOME TO THE FOUNTAIN OF
you.
Please call to schedule a tour and discover CARF-accredited senior living that creates a space for you.
THE PIEDMONT AT BUCKHEAD
650 Phipps Boulevard NE • Atlanta
thePiedmontATBUCKHEAD.COM | 404.594.5085
PATTI SIMMS Intown Focus Realty Atlanta & Thomasville 404-585-5975 IntownFocus.com
Assoc Broker & Serenbe Resident
Patti@IntownFocus.com 770.851.6440
Patti Simms is an Associate Broker at Intown Focus Realty. Contact Patti for representation in Serenbe, Atlanta, and Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, FL. For more information on her philanthropy work, see the editorial in this month’s issue or contact Patti directly.
AN SRG SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY
S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6
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HOME
BULLETIN BOARD
TRENDING
TA S T E M A K E R
LIVING
Moody Meets
Minimal IN HER NORTH BUCKHEAD HOME, DESIGNER SAMANTHA MILLER PAIRS A TRANSITIONAL PALETTE WITH PURE PERSONALITY
T
STORY: Nicole Letts
PHOTOS: Patrick Heagney
he Miller home in North
walk leading to the front steps.
Buckhead starts mak-
Gas lanterns flank the double iron
ing an impression at
front door, and arched windows
the curb. Vibrant green
add visual interest to the first-
Limelight hydrangeas burst from
floor exterior. A beautifully man-
the ground around the painted
icured lawn harkens to English
white brick facade while hedged
estates, blending naturally into
boxwoods hug a herringbone side-
the surrounding neighborhood.
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➥
The kitchen's simplicity is purposeful; the Millers don't often cook, so it's streamlined and tidy.
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HOME
The television is intentionally not placed above the fireplace, so the room remains about connection and conversation. Homeowner and design professional, Samantha Miller, says she loves the thrill of a good deal.
“Throughout the spaces, you can see a mixture of old and new furniture and accessories,”— Samantha Miller Inside, the three-story home has five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms across 5,678 square feet, plenty of space for owner and interior designer Samantha Miller to leave her mark on every room. Miller is a project design manager at commercial real estate company Cushman & Wakefield, though design has been part of her life for longer than her title suggests. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in interior design from New York School of Interior Design and a Master of Arts in design management from SCAD. Her career has largely focused on hospitality and corporate interior design, though she has assisted friends and family with their residential projects along the way, finding the side
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work to be a fun, creative outlet. Miller shares the home with her husband, Jason, a managing partner at Gate City Advisory, their 3-yearold daughter and 5-year-old King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, Charlotte. The couple purchased and renovated the home in 2022, transforming it from a traditional residence to one that was more aesthetically transitional. The goal, according to Miller, was to maintain a neutral color palette for the home’s base, giving it a clean canvas for layering signature elements and details. “Throughout the spaces, you can see a mixture of old and new furniture and accessories,” Miller says. “My favorite activity is hunting for a less expensive version of an idea or inspiration
The library is color drenched in Sherwin-Williams Laurel Woods, making a remarkable statement in the otherwise minimal Miller home.
that I had. Using places like Scott Antique Market, HomeGoods and Amazon are key in helping to find finishing touches without always having to break the bank.” Her thoughtful approach is evident in the family room, where a sectional from Quince frames the room around a fireplace, versus around the television that sits above a sideboard. “The unconventional placement of the TV throws people off at first; it’s always a conversation starter,” she says. “Placing it where I did just made the most sense for the way the room is used.” The decision also reflects a broader philosophy Miller holds. To her, a home is built from connection and emotion, from family and love down to laughter, grief and everything between. “A home should feel safe and secure, your own personal sanctuary,” she says. Miller designed a few spaces with that connection in mind. The library and bar exude personality and are ideal gathering places. “It is the first thing you see when you enter, and it’s hard not to pay attention
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Artwork from Bella Cucina in Buckhead is creatively hung in the dining room.
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HOME
The Miller home in North Buckhead is stately and timeless.
Dark flooring mimics the home's hardware and window mullions.
to it since it is unlike the rest of the house’s design,” she says. SherwinWilliams Laurel Woods covers the walls. It’s a deep green, but Miller added an extra 10% of black to make the color richer. Stikwood, peel-and-stick planks made with real wood, lines the ceiling. Both are complemented by an antique mirror backbar. Pairs of club chairs face each other for conversation, and a Scrabble game sits on the coffee table. The room sits almost suspended in time, as though the only thing missing is the people who were here earlier sipping beverages and competing over words. “I wanted it to feel like a speakeasy, as if you stepped into a boutique hotel lounge,” Miller says. The dining room is another of the homeowners’ favorite spaces, which Miller says is ironic since the family “isn’t big on cooking.” Instead, the room gets its moment to shine during mahjong games, family celebrations or tarot card reading at the Millers’ annual Halloween party. “I love the textured plaster walls, jumbo iron chandelier, custom
wood buffet and uniquely oriented gallery wall with framed artwork from Bella Cucina in Buckhead Village,” she says. Two cowhide rugs add warmth and texture, a round table means plenty of face-to-face chatting, and a Chesterfield sofa offers extra seating for lingering after late nights around the table. Nearby, the kitchen, with its expanse of counter space and generous storage, looks built for a serious home cook, but the Millers rarely use it. “Shamefully, I do not cook and neither does my husband,” Miller says. “It seems like a sin to say we do not use our kitchen, given its size and the ability it provides for an avid chef to thrive.” The original butler’s pantry, however, tucked just off the kitchen, was too cramped to function well, so Miller reimagined it as a coffee bar. “I designed it with black grasscloth wallpaper, black custom cabinetry, black stained wood top and black metal shelves,” she says. “It’s moody, but in such a small space it doesn’t feel too dark.” The primary bedroom favors
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restraint over the personality on display elsewhere in the house. “I wanted the less-is-more concept. Minimal furniture and accessories were the goal,” she says. Bordering the fireplace are built-in bookshelves filled with a curated collection of black, white and grey volumes from Books by the Foot. Above the mantel hangs a mirror, another Amazon find. Miller held firm on keeping the room free of artwork, though she did not win every battle over what belonged in the space; a TV was one of her husband’s requirements. “Shocker, I didn’t win that one,” she says. Miller did, however, advocate for other ways to have a restful respite. “The one item in a house I advocate to spend good money on is your mattress and pillows. This is where you spend the majority of your physical time in your home. The Purple Pillows are the absolute best,” she says. In the primary ensuite, a black and marble floral tile gives pizzazz to an otherwise neutral space. “I knew that I wanted to add a fun floor tile that still flowed with the color palette,” she says. Penny and subway tile line the shower where matte black fixtures mirror the room’s colorway. Miller’s smart choices continue throughout the home. The nursery was designed in a unisex color scheme to flow with a potentially growing family without making too many changes. The basement is fully dedicated to kid play and fun. “There is even a cute little movie area,” she says. The Millers didn’t have family heirlooms to incorporate, but they remain focused on creating intimate, personal spaces that will last
SAVE VS. SPLURGE Homeowner and interior designer Samantha Miller gives a few tricks of the trade, each of which she incorporated into her own house. For unique accessories, try Zara Home. “It is where I got some mirrors and special accessories to fill bookshelves. People forget it exists,” she says. Lucian Books and Wine has a special selection of books that are made to be seen. Use the special ones on top of a book stack that’s seen from above. Then slide Amazon ones underneath. HomeGoods and Target are a must for pillows and throws. No need to break the bank on those items. If you have a set of fancy plates that you do not use (handed down or wedding gifts gathering dust), purchase plate holders online and create a wall display. “I had a bunch of white decorative wooden plates I had accumulated, and they were just sitting in the basement. These were placed on a set of wall plate holders I found on Amazon for $13,” she says. Use wrapping paper or wallpaper as backgrounds for artwork. It is a fun and unique way to create something different for your space.
a lifetime. “The most special piece we have would probably be my daughter’s first-ever painting. I had it framed over at Tuxedo Frame Gallery,” Miller says. It’s ready to be hung in her daughter’s room, which is the next project. “I already have a ton of ideas; I just have to start working on putting everything together,” she says. n
Above: With the rest of the home leaning into more personality, Miller opted for peaceful restraint in the primary bedroom to encourage rest.
Right: Black and white flooring in the primary bathroom continues the neutral palette of the suite.
Stripes are repeated through both furniture and textiles in the nursury.
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BULLETIN BOARD
BY Nicole Letts
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Whether it’s a quiet weeknight glass or a table set for a crowd, the right stemware turns a sip of wine into an occasion, and nothing does that faster than a silhouette with real presence. The Palazzo Conical Wine Glass, available at Marguerite’s On Dresden, brings sophisticated style to the everyday table. $50. margueritesondresden.com
65 Years Strong F
or more than six decades, Buckhead’s Atlanta Decorative Arts Center has provided the city and surrounding region with the best of what the design industry has to offer. From access to sprawling designer showrooms to intimate expert conversations, ADAC has become an essential gathering place for the design community. This year marks its 65th birthday. We sat down with general manager Katie Miner to discuss how far the design destination has come and how it will continue to grow. Looking back over 65 years, was there a moment that really changed the trajectory of what ADAC became? Since 1961, ADAC had only been open to credentialed designers. In 2012, we opened our doors to the public to show more people what
was available to them to decorate their homes. We invited them in to see the showrooms, sit in the chairs and look at the fabrics in person. Transactions are still mostly handled through interior designers with business licenses, but what mattered most was that we drew back the curtain. It helped homeowners understand the value of hiring a design professional to help them navigate everything that was suddenly available to them. Shortly after that, we also leaned into the fact that we’ve always served a 10-state region. Designers were already coming in from Nashville, Charleston, Charlotte, Birmingham and beyond, so we started going into those cities ourselves, sponsoring design events and meeting designers in their own hometowns.
Patrick Heagney
ADAC celebrates a milestone birthday
ADAC general manager Kate Miner reflects on the design center's past, present and future.
What’s something ADAC has intentionally kept the same? That sense of community and bringing people together through design. The interior design industry is a relationship industry at its core, and we’ve never forgotten that. We work hard to foster relationships and build community here. Designers don’t come to ADAC just to see the product. It’s about the events, their peers and their clients.
Where is ADAC headed in the next few years? We’ve never stood still, and we don’t plan to now. We’re continuing to strengthen our position as the Southeast’s design destination. Whether it’s opening to the public, expanding into the region or bringing design studios and new restaurants to ADAC West, we’re always looking to the horizon for what’s next. If there’s one thing I want people to take from my time here, it’s that we’re committed to staying ahead and building on this success for the future. n ADAC • adacatlanta.com • @adacatlanta
n Saatva, a direct-to-consumer mattress brand, held the grand opening of its West Midtown showroom in July. Located at Westside Provisions District, the 4,490-square-foot space is the brand’s 30th location and the first in Georgia. Through interactive technology, customers can learn about products while experiencing beds firsthand. In addition to its signature, madeto-order mattresses, the store
also displays an expanded nightstand collection, new Provence bed frames and other sleep accessories such as sleep masks and candles. saatva.com n Ainsworth-Noah introduced the Alfredo Paredes Collection to its ADAC showroom this summer, giving the design trade its first local access to the designer’s furniture line. The presentation brings together several signature
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pieces, including the Santana Sofa, San Miguel Woven Panel Club Chair, Isla Dining Chair, Savannah Coffee Table and Delfina Armchair, and allows designers to view and specify the collection in person rather than through a catalog. ainsworth-noah.com Vivian Bencich has announced the launch of Vivian Bencich Interiors, a residential design practice based in Atlanta and
serving local and regional clients. It marks a new chapter for Bencich, who is stepping away from Square Feet Studio, the commercial design firm she co-founded with her husband, John, in 2001, to return to her first love of residential design. The studio will handle renovations, new builds and furnishing projects, and guide clients from early planning through installation. vivianbencich.com
Emily Followill
DESIGN & REALTY NEWS
TRENDING Chapman & Myers Diego Petite Classical Perching Bird Lantern ($1,299) This adjustable-length chandelier brings the outdoors in with its perching birds. The hardwired fixture comes in two finishes, golden iron and hand-painted rust, both of which bring personality and elegance to a room. Use them as kitchen pendants or in a hallway. The Diego lantern also comes in a larger size, dubbed grande. Visual Comfort • 404.233.4131 • visualcomfort.com • @visualcomfort
Come Fly With Me
Parrots Moderne Fabric (Price upon request)
Graceful, elegant and considered a symbol of freedom, birds have long been an inspiration in design, whether traditional or modern. For centuries, they’ve appeared on everything from hand-painted wallpapers to fine porcelain. Movement, beauty and aweinspiring nature come together in these timeless pieces for your walls, tables and everywhere in between. STORY: Lauren Finney Harden
Many Schumacher prints are inspired by nature, but not all are as energetic as Parrots Moderne, part of the brand’s Rhythm in Motion collection that draws inspiration from Art Deco and the Schumacher archives. Available in two colors, dove and sandstone, it is a large-scale botanical bird design on a silk cotton blend that gives it a subtle sheen. See it in person at the brand’s ADAC showroom. Schumacher • 404.261.2742 schumacher.com • @schumacher1889
Ornithology Hand-carved Six-Drawer Dresser ($2,998) For a showstopping avian-themed piece, try this six-drawer dresser from Anthropologie. It depicts a scene of birds in a tree in textured relief and is a romantic twist on a classic design. Use it in a bedroom, living room or entryway to anchor a space and bring visual interest. Looking for a set? Check out the matching nightstand and headboard in the collection. Anthropologie • 404.237.4175 • anthropologie.com • @anthropologie
Oiseau Pitcher ($150) While Tory Burch has been quietly focusing on clean lines and more modern silhouettes in clothing, the tabletop collection is decidedly traditional, such as this 8-inch glazed terracotta pitcher depicting abstract birds in a background of leaves. This hand-painted piece comes in three colors, white/green, brown and blue, and looks just as good as a water jug as it does a vase for fresh-cut flowers. Tory Burch • 866.480-8679 toryburch.com • @toryburch
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John Derian Parrot #3 Tray ($110) A tiny trinket and decor pickme-up, this handmade-toorder tray is the perfect wink in a bathroom, living room or bar. Petite at only 4.5-by6.6 inches, it features John Derian’s signature collaged vintage image reproduced on paper under handblown glass. Use it to hold keys, sweets or other accoutrements. Dixon Rye • 404.883.3939 dixonrye.com • @dixon_rye
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Give your pre-loved pieces a second life
Closet Confidential A Shopping Event Saturday, November 7th, 2026 10 AM - 2 PM VIP FIRST LOOK 10 - noon
Shopping the closets of THE most fashionable benefitting Dress for Success Georgia
6255 Barfield Rd, Suite 155 Atlanta, GA 30328
The Closet Edit: Donate with Purpose
What you can contribute:
That handbag collecting dust. That pair of heels with nothing to match. That dress waiting for another moment. Your piece can shine again through another woman! The Closet Confidential Shopping Event gives luxury fashion a second life while directly supporting the women that Dress for Success Georgia serves who are on their journey to economic independence.
Designer handbags & accessories Luxury & contemporary women’s apparel Statement pieces & elevated basics Shoes, outerwear & occasion pieces Brands such as: Max Mara, Alice + Olivia, Zimmerman, Celine, Louis Vuitton, Veronica Beard, Akris Punto, etc.
What to Expect:
Items must be in good condition & lightly worn.
One-of-a-kind clothing, accessories, and shoes straight from the chicest closets around. On-site personal stylists to help you slay your selections New clothing and handbags from your favorite boutiques
Why it matters: Every donation helps fund the mission of Dress for Success Georgia, empowering women with the professional attire, career development tools, & support they need to thrive in work and in life.
Donate or get tickets here!
C ON T A C T M E G@ M R PR A T L .C OM FOR D E T A I L S
S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6
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TASTEMAKER
family encouraged me and said that I could also do something creative. One day, I saw a box with a geode on it, and thought, “Gosh, I can do this.” What is a geode?
Geodes are hollow, unassuming rocks. When broken open, the interiors have sparkling crystals inside. Miners, like the ones we work with in Brazil, slice a bigger rock into pieces, and they are called sliced agate geodes. They are then polished. Sometimes I will attach pyrite onto it to give it that gold-rimmed look. What does Pieces by Leslie offer?
There are three styles of glasses: wine, tumbler and champagne. But the options are endless. I’m a oneman show, and you can come by appointment to choose your geodes. I can also FaceTime with people, and I have curated sets available that you can choose from, ready to go. They are for everyday use. I want them to be used and enjoyed, but they are special pieces. They are like your grandmother’s fine crystal, so they need to be handled with care. Think of them as jewelry for your tabletop. They’re intentional and elevated gifts. What are your goals for Pieces by Leslie in your first year in business?
Raise a Glass
Leslie Averitt’s Pieces by Leslie bring fun to the table STORY: Lauren Finney Harden PHOTO: Erik Meadows
H
istoric Brookhaven resident Leslie Averitt’s path to entrepreneurship was shaped by many things, including her post-college years. She majored in consumer economics at UGA, which she describes as a blend of economics and life skills. “I probably should have pursued something more creative as I am more of a
right-brain person,” she says. After choosing the corporate path and working in medical device sales, she became a mom. As her kids got older, she shifted her attention to something more in line with her need for creative fulfillment: geode glassware company Pieces by Leslie, which she debuted in January. Here, she shares her company’s story.
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How did the idea for a geode glassware company come to you?
My mom, my sister and I were hanging out one night and admiring a gift a friend, Sarah Olsen, had given me. She is the co-founder of S. Carter Designs, and she makes really cool jewelry with stones, diamonds and gold. She’s been a great mentor, friend and inspiration to me. My
I wasn’t sure how successful we would be, and I’ve been overwhelmed with support. I hope to just keep going. We want to keep doing pop-up parties where I bring my store to someone’s home. Everyone can pick a glass and then create their own. My goal for the next six months is to keep doing them and to do trunk shows and artist shows. What else fuels you?
A friend gave me The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin. There’s a quote that says, “An idea does not belong to you. If you ignore the idea or do not act on it, it will eventually move on to someone else.” You have an antenna, and the universe is constantly sending out signals, and it’s your job to quiet your mind and receive. This motivated me: If I don’t act on this idea, then someone else is going to take it. Everyone has an idea, but not everyone acts on it. n PIECES BY LESLIE piecesbyleslie.com • @pieces_by_leslie
FA S H I O N
BEAUTY
WELLNESS
TA S T E M A K E R
STYLISH
Wellness Redefined Page 44 Leticia and Rod Gardner are putting their personal touch on wellness in Buckhead. PHOTO: Joann Vitelli
“We genuinely care about creating a lifestyle change and not quick fixes.” — Leticia Gardner S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6
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FASHION
Alicia Stemper, creator of Wondermint Goods, brings color and individuality back to fashion through her tarnish-resistant and hypoallergenic accessories.
FINDING WONDER
I
n a society pushing for uniformity, Brookhaven resident Alicia Stemper is bringing individuality to fashion. And she’s doing it through jewelry. Stemper is the creator of Wondermint Goods, an Atlanta-based jewelry brand that specializes in handmade, lightweight acrylic jewelry. Founded in 2019, Wondermint’s mission is to put the creativity and lightheartedness back into fashion. “We at Wondermint Goods really like to push the limits and try to add some color into our accessories again,” Stemper says. Growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, Stemper was an imaginative child, and she spent time rock and gem hunting with her grandfather, who also made jewelry—a skill that was passed down to Stemper. “I've always been fascinated with jewelry making, and I've always made jewelry for some
Wondermint Goods founder brings color back to accessories STORY: Katie Hughes
kind of hobby, even throughout my career,” she says. After swapping her advertising career for a job as a full-time mom, Stemper turned to woodworking as an outlet for her creativity. Eventually, she started playing around with acrylic, using the laser machine she had used to make nursery signs to revolutionize her longtime hobby. “I fell in love with it and totally shifted my hobby jewelry business to making acrylic jewelry,” she says. “I created Wondermint Goods and made it my niche and my mission.” Stemper pivoted from woodworking and took on a new target market: Atlanta moms looking for elevated, themed earrings. From holidays and sports games to customizable school events, Won-
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dermint Goods has jewelry for every occasion. As a mom herself, Stemper understands what her customer base is looking for. “I visualize where I am and then what I would want to be wearing in that situation,” she says. Each piece of jewelry, which is tarnish-resistant and hypoallergenic, goes through a thorough process of designing, cutting and assembling. Stemper meticulously adds the finishing touches by hand. Stemper says Wondermint Goods is a “fun” and “colorful” jewelry brand, which she believes the world needs more of. “What you're wearing is an outward expression of what you feel inside,” she says. “It comes out in so many other outward ways: the way
you treat others, the way you walk, the way you smile and just interact with others. There are so many benefits to both you individually and as a society when you just feel good about what you're wearing.” This message is catching on as Wondermint expands, and Stemper’s jewelry is now in roughly 80 stores across the country. She strives to keep growing. “It's really fun for me, now that I've grown so much in Atlanta, to walk around and then see someone wearing my earrings,” she says. “And I'm like, ‘I don't even know that person; this is wild.’” Throughout her company’s growth, Stemper has continued to keep that “kid-like sense of wonder” that initially inspired her, a theme at the core of both her childhood and her brand. “It was always just about looking all around you for the wonder,” Stemper says. “And just slowing down to enjoy life's little details.” n WONDERMINT GOODS wondermintgoods.com • @wondermint.goods
S U G A R C O A T®
Atlanta's Best Nails + Beauty Destination! @SUGARCOATBEAUTY
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BEAUTY
Healthy skin starts with tiny microbes
F
rom probiotic yogurt to gut-friendly supplements, microbiome health has become part of the everyday wellness conversation. But your digestive tract isn't the only place where beneficial microorganisms live. Your skin has its own microbiome—a community of bacteria, mites, viruses and fungi—with a makeup that is unique to you. A slew of new skincare products are touting their “microbiome-friendly” benefits, but what does that actually mean, and do you need an entirely new routine to protect your skin’s ecosystem? Dermatologists say caring for your skin and its diverse array of microorganisms may be simpler than you think. Here, Dr. Sylvia Wright, a board-certified dermatologist at Peachtree Dermatology Associates in Buckhead, weighs in on how to keep those tiny inhabitants in balance.
Start by Simplifying The biggest culprit for damaging your skin’s microbiome is over-
STORY: Karina Antenucci
doing it with over-exfoliating or over-cleansing, which disrupts the protective skin barrier function, Wright says. This can lead to loss of moisture and the skin becoming more vulnerable to irritation and environmental stressors. The result can be redness, dryness, sensitivity, acne breakouts, eczema flares and increased susceptibility to sunburn. Wright recommends gentle cleansing once or twice a day and choosing one method of exfoliation. For instance, “retinol is a wonderful product for increasing cell turnover, but then people add alpha hydroxy acids or beta hydroxy acids, scrubs, cleansing brushes or abrasive washcloths. That's when the skin barrier starts to break down."
evidence to say which microbiome ingredients consistently work best.” Instead of chasing the latest trend, she recommends focusing on ingredients with well-established benefits for overall skin health. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid in moisturizers help maintain hydration and strengthen the skin barrier, while vitamin C provides antioxidant protection against environmental damage. Products that are gentle, fragrance-free and less irritating are also more likely to support a healthy skin environment. “If I had to pick three products for good skin overall, I would recommend a retinol or Retin-A, vitamin C and sunscreen," she says. “Those are still the foundation for keeping skin healthy over a lifetime, in addition to healthy lifestyle factors.”
Don't Believe Every Label Buyer beware. “A product claiming to support the skin microbiome is not necessarily dangerous or bad. Some ingredients, like bifida ferment lysate, may be helpful, but there isn't yet enough unbiased scientific
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Dmytro Buianskyi
Your Skin’s Hidden Ecosystem
Healthy Skin Starts Inside Skincare products are only part of the equation. “The skin is often a reflection of what's going on inside the body,” Wright says. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins
Dermatologist Sylvia Wright recommends a simple beauty routine to support your skin's microbiome.
helps support a healthier gut microbiome, which emerging research suggests may also influence skin health. Adequate sleep, regular exercise and stress management also contribute to overall balance, even if the effects on the skin microbiome are indirect. In other words, when it comes to supporting your skin's microbiome, less can often be more. A simple routine, healthy lifestyle habits and a few products backed by science may do more for your skin than chasing the latest skincare trend. n PEACHTREE DERMATOLOGY ASSOCIATES 404.355.1919 • peachtreedermatology.com @peachtreedermatology
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41
WELLNESS
Jesus Rodriguez
Tricia Pease, COO and co-founder of Serenity Mental Health Centers
THE BRAIN RESET How magnets may improve mental health STORY: Karina Antenucci
F
or many years, medication and talk therapy have been the foundation of depression treatment. Now, another approach is gaining attention. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation is a noninvasive, FDA-cleared treatment prescribed by psychiatrists for depression and a growing number of other mental health conditions. Using targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood and thought patterns, TMS is helping patients who haven't found enough relief through traditional approaches or are looking for another option earlier in their journey. “You don't have to wait until you're desperate,” says Tricia Pease, COO and co-founder of Serenity Mental Health Centers, which has Atlanta-area locations in Sandy Springs and Dunwoody. “Even
if you're dealing with moderate depression or struggling with brain fog, come in when you need help. Let's get in front of it instead of waiting for things to deteriorate.” Here, Pease offers insight into how TMS works.
A Workout for Your Brain During treatment, Pease says, patients wear what looks like a bicycle helmet while a magnetic coil delivers gentle pulses to specific areas of the brain based on the condition being treated. The magnet never touches the brain. Instead, it stimulates neural pathways, encouraging them to fire more efficiently and strengthening the brain's natural ability to adapt, a process known as neuroplasticity. “We know exercising muscles is good for the body,” says Pease. "TMS is how we've learned to
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exercise neural pathways. What might take years naturally through therapy and other work can happen much faster with TMS.” A typical course of treatment at Serenity includes 36 sessions over about eight weeks, five days per week, with 30-minute appointments. The most common side effects are a headache or feeling tired. Pease likens the mild side effects to post-workout soreness, calling them “proof it's working and making the brain stronger.”
Not Just for Depression TMS first gained FDA approval for the treatment of depression in 2008 and has since received clearance for obsessive-compulsive disorder and smoking cessation. In 2024, the FDA expanded its approval from only adults to include adolescents ages 15 and older. Pease says TMS also is
used broadly for conditions including anxiety, PTSD, ADHD and addiction, and that promising research is underway for neurodegenerative diseases and chronic pain. Many insurance providers now cover TMS for eligible patients, making the therapy more accessible. One patient story sticks with Pease: A military veteran couple underwent TMS for PTSD and depression. They had become accustomed to going through life without dreaming of it getting better. “When they finished the sessions, they told us they were finally thinking about having children, enjoying hobbies again and building a future,” Pease says. While TMS provides an alternative option for patients, it doesn’t require patients to stop taking medications or pause talk therapy. “Many people continue both while going through treatment. Some need less or are able to go off medication, while others stay on it,” Pease says.
Common Misconceptions Pease says that people often think that TMS will be painful, but most patients describe the sensation as feeling like a gentle tapping on the scalp. Another worry is that it will change their personality somehow, but Pease assures that it won’t. “My own kids have used TMS. So has our entire executive team. It just makes your brain work better,” Pease says. n SERENITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS 844.310.1649 • serenitymentalhealthcenters.com @serenityhealthcenters
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TASTEMAKER
Wellness Redefined Inside “Amazing Race” alums Leticia and Rod Gardner’s cutting-edge med spa STORY: Brandi Fowler PHOTO: Joann Vitelli
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ynamic3 Med Spa has the feel of an upscale retreat. The wellness destination in the heart of Buckhead is wrapped in soft neutral tones, sculptural furnishings and arched architectural details that are more artistic than clinical. “Amazing Race” alums and co-founders Leticia Gardner and her husband, Rod, built it from the ground up, with Leticia designing the interior and Rod serving as the contractor. It's a calming environment where nurse practitioners and licensed estheticians offer everything from injectables and facials to IV therapy and weight loss programs. The med spa, which opened in January 2026, is rooted in holistic health and functional medicine. “It’s where aesthetics meets cellular health,” says Leticia. “We do every-
thing from the inside to the outside to feel good and look good all the way around, no matter the age.” The duo have long been advocates of healthy living. Rod is a former NFL wide receiver, and Leticia became a fitness instructor after meeting him in Atlanta in 2009. She founded an online fitness and nutrition program that offered workout and meal plans. Both have built personal brands centered on family, lifestyle and health and wellness that have garnered a combined millions of social media followers. They also started a line called Rep Nation Supplements. Simply Buckhead spoke with Leticia about their new spa concept. Why was Buckhead the right location for this concept?
We opened our first location in
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Jacksonville, Florida, where my husband's from. But Atlanta was always home and where we wanted to be. Atlanta has so many trends, but we wanted to create a one-stop shop where you can get everything from a facial, Botox, fillers, peptides, weight loss, IVs, body scans and full optimization from cellular health to stem cells all in one place. I feel like Atlanta is the place that, if anybody's going to have it, we should have it. So we wanted to create that. Functional medicine is a big part of your philosophy. Why?
It’s more holistic. We want to heal the root of the issues so that we can live longer, be healthier for our families and lead by example. You don't have to suffer in silence. You don't have to have hot flashes at 40. Your doctor will tell you it's normal,
but it's really not. There's so much that can actually help us. What kind of reaction have you received since opening?
The first thing people say is, “It smells so good in here.” Then they tell us it looks even better in person. They're also surprised by how many services we offer. What's next for Dynamic3?
My husband definitely wants to expand faster than I do. Long term, we would love to create more of a wellness retreat where people can come, stay and experience even more services in one place. What do you hope people take away from Dynamic3?
We genuinely care about creating a lifestyle change and not quick fixes—things that are really going to impact the next generation. We want to continue to lead by example, and we pray the city receives that and comes through. n DYNAMIC3 MED SPA • 678.904.9812 d3medspa.com • @dynamic3medspa
KIDS
PETS
S T R AT E G I E S
FAMILY
Fall Fun with Fido
Explore Georgia
Page 48 Discover a slew of fall activities you can enjoy with your pup.
It's an ideal time get out and about with your four-legged friends. S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6
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KIDS
teaching rather than relying on a single teacher, as well as onsite speech-language pathologists and occupational therapists, allow students to progress at their own pace. The school aims to equip children with specialized reading strategies, a multisensory math curriculum, overall academic skills and the self-confidence they need to be successful learners. Its goal is to transition the kids back to traditional public or private schools after approximately two to three years, in many cases. Beyond the school day, students can participate in creative enrichment activities through Phoenix Fun, the school's after-school enrichment program, or receive additional academic support in Homework Lab.
FUSION ACADEMY in Buckhead WHO IT'S FOR: Students in grades 6-12 Ridofranz
seeking a customized educational experience, whether full time, part time or supplemental.
Learning Differently Three schools, three unique educational philosophies STORY: Karina Antenucci
W
hile a traditional classroom and teaching style may be the right fit for many children, they are far from the only way to learn. Some students flourish with individualized instruction, and others benefit from specialized support for learning differences. Some thrive in classrooms that encourage hands-on discovery. As Carlisle Montessori School of Buckhead Founder and Director Gina Garcia Ward observes, every child has the capacity to thrive when they're in an environment that supports the way they learn best. Buckhead-area families have access to a variety of educational models designed to meet children where
they are. These three local schools offer distinct approaches to helping students succeed.
PHILOSOPHY: Learning is personal-
and hands-on activities, from cooking and gardening to grace and courtesy lessons, help children build executive functioning, leadership, social and problem-solving skills and healthy self-esteem. The mixedage classrooms include a toddler program covering ages 12-36 months and a primary program with ages 3-6, where older kids serve as classroom mentors for the younger children. Teachers work closely with families to support each child's development, and the home-like classrooms are intentionally designed to foster curiosity, independence and a strong sense of community.
THE SCHENCK SCHOOL
ized because every student learns differently. Fusion Academy centers its educational model around one-to-one instruction, with one teacher and one student in every academic class. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT: At Fusion,
asynchronous scheduling, flexible enrollment and hyper-individualized teaching allow courses to be tailored to each student's needs and goals, which can be a good fit for individuals navigating chronic illness, elite youth athletes, working actors and more. The school offers more than 300 courses for credit including at honors and AP levels, as well as tutoring and college counseling. Another unique aspect is that it doesn’t expect homework to be finished at home; it has an onsite mandate where all assignments must be completed inside the two Homework Cafés, one that operates as a silent, distraction-free zone, and the other functions as a highly social collaborative hub. n
CARLISLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL in Buckhead
in Sandy Springs
WHO IT'S FOR: The preschool
kindergarten through sixth grade
serves toddlers beginning at
with dyslexia or related language-
12 months (and walking) through
based learning differences.
age 6, including kindergarten.
PHILOSOPHY: Designed specifically
PHILOSOPHY: Children learn best
for students with dyslexia, The
through purposeful exploration,
Schenck School uses the highly
independence and collaboration.
structured, evidence-based
Carlisle follows the authentic Montes-
Orton-Gillingham approach to help
sori method, encouraging students to
children build strong literacy skills
develop practical life skills alongside
while gaining confidence as learners.
a strong academic foundation.
WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT:
FUSION ACADEMY 678.335.2382 • fusionacademy.com @fusionacademy_buckhead
WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT: Beautifully prepared learning environments
Small classes and low student-toteacher ratios with supportive team
THE SCHENCK SCHOOL • 404.252.2591 schenck.org • @schenckschool
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WHO IT'S FOR: Students in
CARLISLE MONTESSORI SCHOOL 404.949.0053 • carlislemontessori.com @carlislemontessorischool
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Explore Georgia
PETS
FALL FUN WITH FIDO
A family and their dog enjoy a walk on East Palisades Trail.
Dog-friendly activities to celebrate the season STORY: Chelsie Butler
A
s the weather cools and fall foliage appears, it’s an ideal time get out and about with your four-legged friends. We scoured the city for ideas, including a visit to local breweries, romps in the park and even a trip to a pet-friendly pumpkin patch.
Food & Libations Mutation Brewing & Distilling Co. in Sandy Springs hosts Woof Wednesdays when patrons are invited to bring their dogs and enjoy $2 off each pint of beer or seltzer. Owner Chris Shapiro says the brewery usually hosts at least 10 dogs every week. Contrast Artisan Ales in Chamblee also allows leashed dogs inside the tap room and outside on the patio. For another option, head to Monday Night Brewing in West Midtown where well-behaved dogs can hang out on the taproom patio. If coffee is in order, Dancing Goats in Buckhead serves up complimentary puppucinos for dogs while their owners enjoy drinks on the patio.
Farmers Markets Saturdays through Dec. 19, the Peachtree Road Farmers Market at the Cathedral of St. Philip is a great outdoor destination for socialized dogs. Some vendors provide doggie water bowls. On Saturday mornings through November, the Sandy Springs Farmers Market at City Springs is also a dog-friendly event. Pups are welcome in the plaza and on sidewalk areas, but not on the City Green. The year-round Dunwoody Homeowners Association Farmers Market on Saturdays also invites pets and their owners to Brook Run Park, where many vendors sell treats for four-legged friends.
Seasonal Events Include your pooch in your Christmas tree selection by visiting one of Trees for Tuition’s lot locations, including two in Buckhead. The organization donates 100% of its sale profits back to the community through a scholarship fund and other nonprofits. Pups are also welcome at the Trees for Tuition
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pumpkin patches in the Grant Park and Virginia-Highland communities. “Our staff is always more than happy to assist in a photo shoot of you and your pup in our pumpkin patches or tree lots, and our mini pumpkins make a great snack for dogs,” says Calder Johnson, co-founder of Trees for Tuition.
On the Move Spend a crisp fall afternoon with your dog along the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. The East Palisades Trail has entrances in Sandy Springs (Indian Trail) and Buckhead (Whitewater Creek) where your pup can enjoy a water and beach area, as well as a scenic trail walk. Dunwoody’s Arrow Creek Park has a dog park with separate enclosures for small and large pups, complete with agility equipment. Brookhaven Park is another worthwhile spot with a 5-acre area for dogs of all sizes to discover. Wooded areas provide shade, and a small creek is an exciting feature for dog and human visitors alike n
ARROW CREEK PARK chambleega.com/ parks_and_recreation/ arrow_creek_park.php • @chamblee.ga BROOKHAVEN PARK explorebrookhaven.com/directory/ brookhaven-park • @explorebrookhaven CONTRAST ARTISAN ALES contrastartisanales.com @contrastartisanales DANCING GOATS COFFEE dancinggoats.com • @dancinggoatscoffee DHA FARMERS MARKET dunwoodyga.gov/government/ departments/parks-and-recreation/ programs/dha-farmers-market @dhafarmersmarket EAST PALISADES TRAIL exploregeorgia.org/sandy-springs/ outdoors-nature/trails-tours/ east-palisades-chattahoochee-rivernational-recreation-area • @exploregeorgia MONDAY NIGHT BREWING mondaynightbrewing.com • @mondaynight MUTATION BREWING & DISTILLING CO. mutationbrew.com • @mutationbrewery PEACHTREE ROAD FARMERS MARKET peachtreeroadfarmersmarket.com @ptreefarmersmkt SANDY SPRINGS FARMERS MARKET citysprings.com/farmersmarket @sandy.springs.farmers.market TREES FOR TUITION treesfortuition.com • @treesfortuition
orafotograf
STRATEGIES
Home Alone Pediatrician advises when it’s safe to leave kids unsupervised STORY: Jill Becker
I
f you’ve got kids, there’s a good chance you sometimes crave alone time. Or maybe you have a doctor’s appointment or want to make a quick solo run to the store. So you may be thinking about
leaving them at home alone. But at what age is it safe? It’s a common dilemma, amplified by the fact that each child is different. To provide some insight, we spoke with Dr. Kevin Colton, a board-certified pediatrician who’s been with Children’s Medical Group with offices in Brookhaven, Buckhead, Decatur and Johns Creek for the past 25 years. At what age is it generally OK to start leaving a child at home by themselves, and what are some factors to consider?
When it is safe to leave your youngster at home alone depends on the individual child, says veteran pediatrician Dr. Kevin Colton.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says 12, and I think that sounds reasonable. It depends, of course, on where the child is developmentally. Part of it is how responsible they are. Some are ready, and some aren’t. It’s about knowing your child. For instance, past unpredictable or destructive behavior or thoughts of self-harm would be a deterrent.
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What are some safety factors to think about?
Basic things like knowing not to open the door for anyone and how and when to call 911. Also important is making sure they have a cellphone or other way to communicate with you. I would also suggest prohibiting certain behaviors, like cooking, taking medicines or swimming— anything that might put them in harm’s way. People need to look at what’s dangerous in their house before they give their kids the responsibility. They need to make sure medications and firearms are locked up. There are household rules you’d want them to abide by, too, not necessarily for safety, but about things like homework and screen time. You can’t throw all the rules of the house out the window just because you’re gone.
their phones. How do you walk the line between checking on your child and spying on them?
It kind of defeats the purpose if you’re going to watch them on the camera the whole time. And it’s not a very relaxing trip out for you. Maybe do it the first go-round. Always tell your child that you’re going to be able to see them on the camera, though. Doing it in secret breaks trust. What details should parents give their children before walking out the door?
They need to give kids as much information as possible, like where they’re going, how far away they’ll be, how long they’ll be gone and how to get in touch with them. And they have to stay true to their word. Like not saying they’ll be gone for an hour and then coming home four hours later?
Yes. You want to give them a sense of security. If, say, something came up, and you were unreachable, that could be traumatizing to a child. n
A lot of people have video cameras inside their houses so they can watch the kids from
CHILDREN’S MEDICAL GROUP 404.633.4595 • cmg-pc.com
O N S TA G E
ART
TA S T E M A K E R
EVENTS
CULTURE
Painting the Town Page 56
Muralist Krista M. Jones' work livens up a local crosswalk.
“Public art is about enriching sterile spaces and being able to see color in this concrete world.” —Krista M. Jones S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6
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ON STAGE
Retro Pleasure Tori Gideon packs joy and meaning into her debut album STORY: Michael Jacobs
W
hen actress Tori Gideon found she was aging out of roles, she embraced another way to spread joy by moving into music with her first album, Meant 2B. Debut single “Glitter Punk
1985” is a power-pop ballad dripping with nostalgia for a time when cellphones didn’t distract kids. The video pays homage to big hair and Back to the Future. Like all 10 songs on the album, every bit comes from Gideon—
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born 28 years after 1985. “Obviously, I’m a 12-year-old kid, so I wasn’t around then,” she says. “But I connect with it mainly just because I love that time.” She’s thrilled by stories of that screen-free era, such as “how my dad broke almost every single bone he has.” David and Kristen Gideon’s daughter began acting at 4. She appeared in two movies, An Angelic Christmas and Angel Mine, but she’s now too old for cute child roles and too young for high school and up. Still, her acting coach, Erik Lingvall of Catapult Acting Studios in Brookhaven, taught her a valuable lesson, she says: “start creating now and not to wait for an opportunity to come.”
Singing was a natural choice. She’s the family DJ in the car with tastes ranging from before-her-time Bon Jovi and Avril Lavigne to contemporary Billie Eilish and Justin Bieber. And she appreciates that, unlike acting, she can make up her own characters with music. She felt added urgency to pursue her dreams after a young family friend died from cancer last year. Star producer Jan Smith took Gideon as a client at her studios in Chamblee, where she is polishing her album and planning a follow-up, Voyage. Inspired by Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song,” it’s a concept album about traveling among worlds. Aiming to “spread light, joy, peace and love,” the Alpharetta resident donates proceeds to charities. “Glitter Punk” benefits the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, and her second single, “Jericho’s Wall,” supports Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where she once received treatment for a traumatic brain injury. The light also comes from her songs’ messages. While “Glitter Punk” is a call to go outside and have fun, “Jericho’s Walls” advocates mental health. “We’re kids, so no one expects it, but there’s a lot of stress and anxiety in the world all from lies—that you aren’t good enough, you aren’t beautiful, you’re a liar,” Gideon says. “If you break down the walls by telling yourself the truth, then the walls come down, and you no longer have stress and anxiety.” She breaks up such grownup insights with giggles about a seventh-grader’s joys, from failed attempts at making slime and building cardboard toys for 10-year-old sister Dove to making movies featuring turtle Trixie and dog Sunny. Because of her age, she performs publicly only on special occasions, such as the Fulton County Relay for Life in April, but she wants to be the youngest girl to sing at Madison Square Garden and is determined to start touring when she turns 15. Meanwhile, any minor sacrifices are worth it, the Fideles Christian School student says. “It’s like someone saying, ‘You can have a diamond, but you can’t have this plastic ring.’ I would obviously take the diamond. I don’t care about the plastic ring. This is my dream, and this is what I love.” n @torigideonofficial
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LITERARY
WHEN THE WORLD IS WIPED AWAY A Buckhead author helps kids handle major upheaval STORY: H.M. Cauley PHOTO: Joann Vitelli
I
t really was a dark and stormy night when Category 2 Hurricane Helene slammed into Elisabeth Anderson’s Wesley Battle neighborhood in September 2024. Suddenly, the ranch house she shared with her husband, Michael, and then 7-week-old was awash in rapidly rising flood waters. “It was supposed to be just a tropical storm,” Anderson says. “We slept in the main room, but when water started filling up the
basement, we were afraid the house would wash away. I had never been through a flood, but I realized we had to flee our house.” With the baby strapped to her chest, Anderson and her husband climbed into their car and set off for drier land. But within minutes of leaving the driveway, a wall of water powerful enough to crack concrete cascaded down the street and knocked the car sideways. “It was like white water rapids all around
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us; it was so scary,” Anderson says. The couple climbed through the sunroof and were rescued in what Anderson calls a “miracle survival story.” But their house and belongings were gone. What followed was a year of renting a house, battling insurance companies and assuring her 9- and 11-year-old stepsons that the world had not ended. “They lived with us all summer, and they saw what happened on TV,” Anderson says. “Losing our house overnight, not having access to any of their stuff—it was a lot for them
to process. They were freaked out.” Through a Facebook group of others who had fled the storm, Anderson picked up an array of coping tips, including how to untangle the red tape of insurance claims and rebuilding. It was there she met J. D. Rainwater, a former child psychologist, and the two teamed up to write Goodbye, Little House that was published earlier this year. Aimed at kids from birth to 12, the book incorporates activities designed around the same coping techniques Anderson and other adult survivors used to deal with the crisis. “The more we talked, the more I realized we could write a book together to help children handle sudden loss and process grief, be it from a flood or just moving unexpectedly,” Anderson says. “We wrote from our perspective of being mothers and survivors.” The book also encourages kids to seek out others who have been through trauma and talk about it. “When you talk about what you’re going through, it helps you feel not so isolated,” Anderson says. “It teaches kids how to be there for other people going through similar things when something bad happens.” An equity banker, Anderson has also started encouraging others to be ready for the unexpected. She was part of a group that met with lawmakers in D.C. about ways to help extreme weather survivors. And she’s working on another book about how to handle the financial aspects of a crisis. “And as part of what I do, I’ve found ways to use what happened to us to help others be more prepared,” she says. “So much was lost, and with grace, we were spared. But I want to help other parents be as prepared as they can be before the storms of life hit.” In August 2025, after almost a year of renting a house in Midtown, the family finally moved back into the rebuilt ranch, an event that came with one significant change, Anderson says. “We now get automated alerts when the creek levels go above a certain height,” she says. “We’ve learned how to monitor creek levels so we’re never in that position of almost dying again.” n elisabethandersonauthor.com @theelisabethedit
Open House: Becoming Galloway Saturday, November 14
Natalie Venetia Belcon, Photo by Bradley Credit
Discover what school can be.
Oct 27 - Nov 1 • Fox Theatre BroadwayInAtlanta.com
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Alex Ferror
TASTEMAKER
Painting the Town
Local artist Krista M. Jones debuts her latest public art piece STORY: Jill Becker
P
“
ublic art is about enriching sterile spaces and being able to see color in this concrete world,” says artist Krista M. Jones, and her latest piece along the PATH400 trail is proof of that. Done through a partnership with the regional nonprofit Livable Buckhead, her new mural is transforming a once barren set of walls along the Wieuca Road bridge connecting the east and west sides of Buckhead into a colorful and dynamic outdoor canvas. Livable Buckhead Executive Director Denise Starling described the spot as an important link in the trail but one that was previously “visually pretty
forgettable.” We talked with Jones, aka JONESY, to get the scoop on the project, as well as her background, influences and more. You'll be finishing this new mural sometime in October. What can you tell us about it?
It’s roughly 220 feet long and about 2 feet high on each side. Denise gave me a few initial parameters, like staying within their branded color palette. I then came up with three concepts, and they put them out to the public to vote on. This isn’t the first mural you’ve done for Livable Buckhead. How did your
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piece Great Blue, which features a group of herons gracing a large retaining wall between Lenox Square
went on to a graphic design career for about 13 years before becoming a full-time artist and muralist.
and Miami Circle, come about?
It came through a call for art back in 2019. Denise and I had a site visit and talked about the things they liked about my previous work and discussed the birds and plant life that were seen on-site. There was a water element close by, and some herons had been spotted there, which was part of the inspiration.
How would you describe your style?
I’m a symbolist, which stems from the fact there’s meaning in the colors I use and elements I choose. There’s a lot of pattern recognition in my work, examining the parallels between our inner and outer worlds and how they mirror each other. In September, you completed a three-
Nature seems to be an influence
month residency at the Fulton County
in a lot of your designs.
Central Library, where you were one
We’re part of the natural world, so it makes sense to draw inspiration from that. A lot of my work has avian themes. It’s not about them as birds necessarily, but rather the freedom and movement they represent.
of three artists working in a glass
Have you always been artistic?
I’ve always had jobs that were sort of creative adjacent. I was a professional tattoo artist for a number of years and also practiced photography before finishing my degree [a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Columbus State University]. After that, I
studio. Your mural work is obviously very public, as well. Is it weird to have people watching you as you create?
As an artist focusing on work that’s about processing the human experience, I describe the collective experience of people watching me while I work as a social experiment to a degree. I’m creating something for other people to see, and I try to do it in a way that’s not performative. n KRISTA M. JONES jonesyartatl.com • @jonesyartatl
EVENTS
BY Nicole Letts
TURNING PAGES
The MJCCA might draw more than 15,000 people, but events allow attendees an up close and personal experience.
MJCCA’S BOOK FESTIVAL MARKS 35 YEARS OF BRINGING READERS AND AUTHORS TOGETHER
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very November, the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta draws thousands of readers for one of the region's largest literary gatherings. This year, the MJCCA Book Festival celebrates its 35th edition, running Nov. 1-22, with a lineup organizers say reflects both the festival's growth and its staying power. "The festival offers something we all need: a place to gather, learn, share ideas and be reminded that we are part of a vibrant, resilient community," Co-chair Staci Libowsky says. The festival now draws more than 15,000 attendees annually and has become, in the words of Co-chair Debbie Kurzweil, "One of the premier literary events in the Southeast." Kurzweil credits the growth to an expanding roster of bestselling authors and the backing of patrons, sponsors and Pacesetter donors. This year's headliners include Rachel Goldberg-Polin discussing When We See You Again and OB-GYN and menopause educator Dr. Mary Claire Haver presenting The New Perimenopause. Chef Alon Shaya will appear as part of the festival's annual Kristallnacht commemoration, and composer Marc Shaiman, known for Hairspray and South
Park, will give a live performance alongside his talk. Additional celebrity appearances include Jill Biden and Harry Connick Jr. New this year, the festival showcases interactive programming that also gives back. Tickets are available for hands-on workshops, including jewelry-making with author Amanda Kingloff and floral design with Los Angeles florist Jenny Barker. The session on Jewish entrepreneurship in the toy industry, featuring authors Michael Kimmel and Renee Rosen, will double as a donation drive for Amy's Holiday Party, a local toy collection effort. The festival will also collect pet food and supplies during a program with veterinarian Dr. Barak Benaryeh. Organizers say the festival has adapted to shifting reading habits, including the rise of BookTok, without losing its focus. Still, Libowsky says, the format hasn't fundamentally changed. "The experience of gathering in person to hear an author, ask questions and connect through stories has always been at the heart of what we do and perhaps feels even more valuable today.” n atlantajcc.org • @mjcca
Previous MJCCA Book Festival expert, Alton Brown, on stage with media personality Holly Firfer.
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EVENTS
BY Nicole Letts
BUZZ RIPCORD AT STAGE DOOR THEATRE Oct. 3–18 stagedoortheatrega.org @stagedoortheatrega
Season 53 of Stage Door Theatre will open with Ripcord, a comedy written by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Lilliangina Quinones. The story unfolds when a bet between Bristol Place Senior Living residents Abby and Marilyn reveals the truth beneath the women's exteriors. Tickets are $36 for adults, $33 for seniors and $20 for children.
SANDY SPRINGS OKTOBERFEAST Oct. 17–18 sandyspringsga.gov/feast
A Haunted History NETHERWORLD turns 30 this season For three decades, NETHERWORLD Haunted House has shaped the modern haunted attraction industry, growing from a 1997 Kennesaw start-up into one of the nation's most celebrated horror destinations. Founded by film veterans Ben Armstrong and Billy Messina, the attraction pioneered theatrical, cinematic-style
storytelling in walk-through horror, eventually relocating to a permanent Stone Mountain campus in 2017. Today, that campus at 1313 Netherworld Way includes escape rooms, a monster museum and a Halloween midway. This year's 30th-season celebration will spotlight the attraction's history through two new attractions centered
@CityofSandySprings
on returning characters and iconic storylines drawn from its archives. Curse of the Collector unites classic NETHERWORLD monsters in a battle against a new character known as The Collector. Beyond Oblivion: Legacy of Evil centers on the villain The Mangler and a nightmarish world of twisted labs and forgotten horrors. NETHERWORLD opens select nights beginning now and runs nightly from Oct. 14-Nov. 1, with a final weekend Nov. 6–7. n fearworld.com • @netherworldhauntedhouse
Opening Doors A Sunday home tour in November benefits CHOA The second annual South Buckhead Friends Tour of Homes, benefiting Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, will take place Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with 100% of proceeds going to the hospital. The self-guided tour will showcase homes in the Collier Hills, Garden Hills and Peachtree Hills neighborhoods and will feature work by notable interior designers and tastemakers. The event
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is presented by Ansley Real Estate in partnership with Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. "As real estate agents and moms to littles, my Co-chair Anna Rogers and I are most excited to bring together our passion for homes, family and community once again to support a meaningful cause," says Co-chair Melissa Morris Fuller. Tickets are $75 and on sale via the South Buckhead Friends Tour of Homes website. n choa.org/tourofhomes @southbuckheadfriends
Bavarian flair arrives in Sandy Springs for two days of community celebration. Neighbors and families can enjoy live music, polka lessons and family yard games, plus authentic Bavarian cuisine. Adults 21+ with wristbands can sample specialty German beers. Tent seating is free and open to all attendees.
CHILDREN’S STORYTIME AT PRELUDE BOOKS Ongoing preludebookstore.com @preludebookstorega
Calling all budding bookworms! This Dunwoody shop invites the youngest readers and their adults for weekly storytime on Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. Featuring engaging read-alouds perfect for little ones, the event requires no registration or advance planning. Families are welcome to simply pop in, listen and enjoy a morning of reading together.
EVENING OF INSPIRATION Nov. 7 iansfriendsfoundation.com @ians_friends_foundation
Supporting Ian's Friends Foundation's mission to fund pediatric brain tumor research, this Atlanta gala at The Foundry at Puritan Mill features a silent and live auction. Since 2006, IFF has funded 57 groundbreaking research projects at 31 renowned institutions. Tickets are $375.
Where students pursue their passions and are challenged to reach their full potential.
PK3-12 | hies.org WHY HIES? Scan here to learn more.
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TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE MEET THE GLOBETROTTING LOCALS SEEING THE WORLD IN UNIQUE WAYS PHOTO: Erik Meadows There’s a difference between vacation and travel. The former often involves chilling out in a destination that’s not home as the main objective. Travel is something else: It allows the getaway to serve as a conduit for learning something new, accomplishing a major goal or giving back to those you encounter along the way. On the following pages you’ll meet some neighbors who have made traveling a priority, from one man’s quest to complete marathons on all seven continents and two women’s overseas volunteering to another man’s feat of visiting all of the countries in the world. No matter where your next trip takes you, these stories are sure to inspire.
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ROAM IF YOU WANT TO
Garrett Gravesen likes to encourage his audiences to think differently about a bucket list.
What traveling to all 197 countries taught Garrett Gravesen about himself and the world STORY: Nicole Letts
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arrett Gravesen left the country for the first time when he was 21. The recipient of the Courts Scholarship from UGA, he was entitled to an allexpense-paid trip anywhere in the
world. “You can put your finger on Atlanta on a globe. You spin it all the way around, and it’s the same longitude line as Hong Kong. So I kid you not, with a backpack and a dream, I went to Hong Kong. I had no job,
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and I had to figure it out,” he says. Figure it out he did. He landed an internship with Merrill Lynch and spent the summer in equity sales. The experience proved to be his global entry into world travel. He spent the next summer in Kenya and stayed for a year, starting a nonprofit for children living with HIV and AIDS. In a few short years, Gravesen went from not having a passport to landing on multiple continents, all while confidently choosing his next stops. Now 46, he says his secret to success is permitting himself to mess up. “Give yourself permission to be awful,” Gravesen says. You’re going to miss the trains, and you may miss the bus, but you’re going to end up in some random Italian restaurant with an 85-year-old grandmother, and you’re going to have the greatest meal of your life,” he says.
This philosophy of expecting the unexpected is how Gravesen came to be known as the guy with the tuxedo. On a trip to Antarctica, Gravesen became a victim of lost luggage. He arrived for a 10-day stint without anything other than the clothes on his back and a tuxedo in his carry-on that he had tossed in at the last minute to take a quirky photo with penguins. He spent the trip in the tux. “That tuxedo broke the ice and became the easiest conversation piece ever,” he says. From that point, the tuxedo went, intentionally, into Gravesen’s suitcase and became a conversation starter in countries all over the world. As an in-demand public speaker, Gravesen has entertained audiences at companies such as Chick-fil-A, the NFL, the MLB and Coca-Cola by telling tales of travel but mostly of living a full life. He encourages people to embrace courage and step out of their comfort zones and redefine what’s possible in leadership and life. “I always say ‘the dash’ is the line on your tombstone that defines your life. What will you do with your dash?’” Gravesen says it’s not a numbers game. It’s not traveling to all 197 countries, a milestone he completed in 2022, or visiting all 50 states. “It’s not about traveling farther; it’s about living fuller,” he says. “How do you soak up all this stuff in every visit, in every city, in every place?” Before his father passed away in 2013, Gravesen asked him for words of wisdom he could hold onto. “He said, ‘I want you to do one thing you’d be insanely proud of and do it now.’” The statement encouraged Gravesen to continue his travel and speaking and to write a book as well. Published in 2017, 10 Seconds of Insane Courage is a guide for anyone standing in that split-second gap between courage and comfort. It’s a call to stop waiting for the “right time” and take the leap now. These days, Gravesen says he’s driven by two things: legacy and significance. Whether he’s on a stage in front of thousands or buying a stranger a drink at a bar in Sierra Leone just to hear their story, Gravesen says the real prize was never the passport stamps. “For me, the greatest souvenir I got from travel was perspective. It’s the power of chance encounters; you can learn something from anyone if you just listen.” n garrettgravesen.com • @ggworldwide
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atti Simms started traveling at a young age, moving from her birthplace in Baltimore to Decatur as a child. As an adult, she’s visited Portugal, fished in Bermuda and explored Italy and Spain. She spends half the year in Key Largo and the rest in metro Atlanta. But it was a trip to the tiny town of Iquitos, Peru, that turned her from a visitor into an integral part of the community. With fewer than 500,000 residents, Iquitos is known as the largest city in the Peruvian Amazon region and the world that can’t be reached by road; only planes and boats provide access. And 40% of the population lives in poverty. A real estate agent by trade, Simms was invited to visit Iquitos by a missionary there who knew her work running Operation Dignity, a church-supported program for people in public housing. The church dissolved, but Simms continued the nonprofit, an effort that in 1990 earned her a Point of Light Award from President George H.W. Bush. Only two days into her visit to Peru, she decided to continue that work in Iquitos. For about seven years, she recruited volunteers to work on a program to feed the town’s children. But life got in the way. Twelve years went by during which Simms put her travels on hold, met her husband, Charles, in Key Largo and regaled him with stories about Iquitos. He wanted to visit, too, so they headed there together in 2012. “Even though it had been 12 years since I was there, 15 people from the town greeted me at the airport,” Simms says. “That’s when I reestablished the nonprofit and got it going again in 2014.” The first project was setting up an orphanage, and that was quickly followed by working closely with residents of three small villages near Iquitos. Now, local and visiting volunteers provide one meal a day and host tutoring in reading, math and leadership skills three times a week for an average of 75 children. Every August, a summer camp hosts kids for two weeks of workshops, lessons and fun. “One of our goals was to improve the health of children, and since we began testing for anemia and malnutrition, our numbers have gotten so much better,” Simms says.
THE PULL OF PERU
Patti Simms has devoted years to helping children in the small town of Iquitos.
Patti Simms puts her time and talent into a worthy cause STORY: H.M. Cauley PHOTO: Erik Meadows “We’re now looking into a project to provide clean water. When we see a need, we do what we can, like buying a bed for a boy who was sleeping on the floor or supplying school uniforms, shoes and supplies so they can go to school.” The work is supported by volunteers Simms finds largely through other volunteers sharing their stories. The nonprofit’s nearly $100,000 annual budget is funded solely through individual gifts and
fundraisers, with 100% going into the program. One upcoming event is slated for the evening of Nov. 12, when the trunk show at Tootsies on Peachtree Road will donate 10% of sales back to the nonprofit. Simms says her experiences in Peru keep her going back a few times a year. “It’s the people,” she says. “They’re very loving, friendly and incredibly grateful for anything you do. And there is such a big need.” n
OPERATION DIGNITY operationdignity.net • @operationdignityiquitos
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LANDING WITH PURPOSE A globetrotting career pays off for girls from Atlanta to Africa STORY: Michael Jacobs PHOTO: Erik Meadows
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alarie Mackey has always traveled for business. When she was an Atlanta-based management consultant for Ernst & Young after graduating from North Carolina A&T State University, she spent four days a week visiting clients from West Palm Beach to Ogden, Utah. As a global technology leader for The Coca-Cola Company, she built and trained teams in the Philippines, Ukraine, Brazil and other countries. The Buckhead resident left Coke nine years ago to found training firm WrightNow Solutions and deliver corporate lessons across six continents, including “the
value of bringing together talent that is different and universal.” For five years, Mackey’s company has volunteered with Atlanta nonprofit HYPE, which provides free tech training in yearlong cohorts of 12 to 15 high school girls. WrightNow team members teach them about leadership, communication and workplace etiquette. “How you present yourself, how you stand, how you speak, all of those things are important,” says Mackey, 50, the mother of twin 19-year-old college sophomores. She talks about the impact of being “the only,” someone who stands out in a room based on sex, race, age or nationality.
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Like Mackey, HYPE embraces the value of travel. Its students serve as teachers during a cultural immersion trip each summer; Mackey joined them for the first time in June on a 10-day trip to Ghana. She joined nine HYPE alumnae ages 17 to 22 in Kokrobite, Ghana. “This is everything I’ve done, all the work with different demographics,
different cultures, different companies,” says Mackey, who taught leadership skills. “This is why we do it.” The HYPE scholars taught tech to 50 girls ages 10 to 14. “It helps them really take ownership and become leaders,” Mackey says, “and the girls that they’re teaching, the younger girls, have a deeper connection.” But cultural confusion arose from the start. “We would say stuff like, ‘OK, hit shift,’ or ‘hit space bar,’ or ‘at-sign.’ Some of the girls had no idea what we were talking about,” Mackey says. But the Ghanaians were fast and committed learners, she says. “They will sit from 9 to 5 because they are that interested in their education.” Tasked with researching community problems, the girls chose issues such as sanitation, teen pregnancy and clean water. By the third day, they were building web pages. Within 30 minutes of learning the basics of artificial intelligence from Mackey, they used advanced prompts to create images and songs. By week’s end, they made presentations applying Mackey’s lessons on presence, confidence and credibility. The Ghanaian students were left with new knowledge and laptops. Now Mackey receives midday text and video messages from Ghanaian tweens excited about the latest TikTok dance. The HYPE scholars came home with custom African outfits and leadership lessons in adaptability and flexibility. The next global leaders could be the girls who sat in that classroom halfway around the world or the young Atlanta women who taught them, Mackey says. “To see that and be a part of that is very profound.” n wrightnowsolutions.com gethype.org • @gethype_inc
Valarie Mackey and Atlanta HYPE alumnae taught 50 girls in Kokrobite, Ghana, in June.
The Great Wall of China Marathon includes only about 8 miles of the wall, but the elevation change is equivalent to 460 flights of stairs.
RUNNING WILD Ironman takes seven-continent marathon challenge to an extreme STORY: Michael Jacobs
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ometime by 2030, Matthew Krivanek expects to cross a finish line in Australia or South America and complete a marathon on each of the seven continents. But the Sandy Springs resident has an extreme twist on the seven-in-seven challenge: He prefers the marathon as the last leg of an Ironman triathlon, which first requires a 2.4-mile swim and a 112mile bike ride. Krivanek first heard of the Ironman while training with Operation Boot Camp around 2007. His first reaction was that it was impossible. His second: “I’ve got to do one.” The University of Georgia grad built up slowly. He completed a sprint triathlon in 2007 and ran marathons in Philadelphia and Chicago in 2009. An Olympic-length triathlon, ending in a 10K, led to a couple of half-Ironmans in his hometown, Augusta, before he was ready for a full Ironman in 2012. “I said to myself, ‘If I’m damn near going to kill myself to do this crazy An Atlanta Tri Club-arranged trip brought Matthew Krivanek to the Challenge Roth, an Ironman-length triathlon in Nuremberg
race, I might as well do it somewhere epic,’” he says. He chose South Africa’s Indian Ocean coast. He planned the trip himself, from a couple of days to acclimate before the 14-hour race to a week and a half afterward backpacking, waterfall rappelling, cliff diving, swimming with sharks and doing the world’s highest bridge bungee jump. “For me, there’s two types of travel. There’s leisure travel, and then there’s eye-opening, see-the-world travel,” says Krivanek, 44, a marketer and tech entrepreneur who co-founded education management
company Incident IQ. He prefers adventure about 70% of the time. Sometimes he picks a destination then looks for a race. Other times he travels for a race and makes a vacation of it. “There’s a gratifying feeling in the front part of your trip to do a great race, and then it’s like, ‘OK, now I get to play for the rest of my trip.’” His European marathon was the Challenge Roth, an Ironman-length triathlon near Nuremberg, Germany. The Atlanta Tri Club organized that trip, which toured France and Spain after the race. Krivanek accounted for North America with his 2009 marathons and ran an Ironman in Louisville, Kentucky.
In spring 2025, he opted for a marathon rather than triathlon in Asia, but it was China’s grueling Great Wall Marathon, a six-hour run including the equivalent of 460 flights of stairs. Marathon Tours handled the arrangements, including a two-week vacation with his then-fiancée, Jenna. They wed later in 2025 and are proud parents to a newborn daughter. He intends to run a marathon while visiting friends in South America and an Ironman in Australia. But before those continents, he wants to conquer “the daunting one,” Antarctica. A triathlon is not an option. The only marathon opportunity comes each March with temperatures in the mid-20s. “For running weather, you bundle up a few layers,” he says. "It's not insane.” But leaving an infant daughter would be crazy, so Krivanek is targeting March 2028. An Ironman requires 18 to 24 months of training up to 20 hours a week, whereas he can prepare for a marathon in four to six months. But while he’s a lifelong cyclist and finds swimming meditative, he merely tolerates running. “I’m a very goal-oriented person, so I put in the work to achieve the goal,” Krivanek says. “I love travel, and I love endurance sports, so I’m kind of merging the two of them.” n
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SEA-ING STARS
Above: Sixthman’s festivals at sea allow fans to forge deeper, more personal bonds with their favorite artists. Below: Sixthman cruises take passengers on excursions through the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and New England.
Sixthman brings fans and artists together for immersive festivals on the high seas STORY: Amy Meadows
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f you’ve ever wavered between buying the best concert tickets to see your favorite band or booking that cruise you’ve always dreamed about, you actually don’t have to choose. And it’s all thanks to Sixthman, an experiential travel company that breaks the barrier between fans and artists by creating community-inspired vacation experiences at sea. “Think of your typical multi-stage music festival at a park, except the park is a ship that contains everything you need or want for an immersive experience,” says CEO Jeff Cuellar, the Buckhead-area resident
CEO Jeff Cuellar helps people find community with others who share their passion.
who took the reins of the company in 2024. “We take away all of the challenges, like parking, traffic and hotels, and provide VIP event value with a vacation. As guests disconnect from the hassle of everyday life, they connect with each other and the talent in a way that is challenging to replicate on land.” The idea for these three- to fivenight excursions derived from founder Andy Levine, a concert promoter who had a deep understanding of the connection between artists and their fans. In 2001, he wondered how he could give fans a different experience. A chance encounter with a travel agent on a flight one day brought forward the concept of a cruise ship takeover. Soon after, The Rock Boat set sail with the band Sister Hazel and 400 fans. “It marked the first time guests experienced more than just bands on a stage,” Cuellar says. “It really invited them to vacation alongside their favorite artists, tearing down the usual wall between talent and a fan. That shift from a fan at a concert to a fellow guest on vacation is what turned a one-off idea into the repeatable business model that is Sixthman.”
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This year, Sixthman celebrates 25 years of bringing together hospitality, entertainment and shared passion in a unique way. During that time, the company has hosted 242 festivals, catered to more than 544,000 guests and set the stage for more than 3,600 artists. And the festivals have gone beyond music of all genres, tapping into comedy, sports, television and film, Broadway and the culinary world. From Edwin McCain, Train, and Jon Bon Jovi to the Hallmark Christmas Cruise and Chefs Making Waves, there’s something for everyone. In 2012, Norwegian Cruise Line acquired Sixthman, allowing the latter to focus on talent curation while the cruise company took over logistics, operations and event production. Now guests get up close and personal with their favorite talent on the Norwegian Jewel class of ships while enjoying port stops and days at sea. “Today more than ever, people are craving community and a good reason to get out from behind the screen so they can experience life,”
Cuellar says. “When built around their passion, we are that reason.” 2026 is a record-setting year for Sixthman with 15 new voyages and expansion into new categories, and Cuellar looks forward to what comes next. “When I stepped into this role, I realized it wasn’t to build more music cruises; it was to scale that same special feeling that built the brand through impactful hospitality. The main goal we have for the future is to continue to find passionate communities, so we can build a special place for everyone to be together. Imagination is our only limitation.” n SIXTHMAN • 404.525.0222 sixthman.net • @sxmliveloud
Above: Group trips with Brookhaven Wines take customers to vineyards around the globe. Left: SPO Brookhaven Wines manager/sommelier Bethany Taylor and store owner Jeff Madsen.
GLOBETROTTING BY THE GLASS
How local wine clubs turn vineyard treks into lasting connections STORY: Angela Hansberger
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pening a bottle of wine is a quick way to travel without a passport, offering a direct link to a distant hillside, a specific microclimate and generations of farming heritage. A single pour can tell the story of the soil where it was grown and the family who tended the vines. But for Bethany Taylor, shop manager at Brookhaven Wines and founder of Sip with Bet, wine is a way toward global exploration and lasting local community as much as it is a sensory escape. When Taylor joined Brookhaven Wines in 2020, she expanded the shop’s travel program, established in 2017, with a distinct and immersive vision. She wanted to move travelers past crowded, commercial tasting rooms and take them straight to winemaking regions. “We don’t simply go to tasting rooms,” she says. “We sit down with winemakers and their families and break bread and dig in the dirt of the vineyards.” Traveling in small groups across Europe, South America and an upcoming expedition to South Africa, Atlantans gain an intimate, unvarnished appreciation for artisanal viticulture and
terroir-driven bottles. That same passion for connection fuels Taylor’s personal venture, Sip with Bet, where she acts as personal sommelier and trip leader for smallgroup wine journeys designed to eliminate the filler. Her curated itineraries take travelers to offthe-beaten-path cellar doors you cannot book by Google. Recent and upcoming excursions include a four-day Riesling deep-dive across Seneca and Cayuga lakes in New York's Finger Lakes, a Loire Valley chateau trek focusing on crisp chenin blanc, and intimate sangiovese explorations through the rolling hills of Tuscany. The wine journeys create personal bonds that endure long after landing. Sharing a meal with winemakers abroad transforms fellow Atlanta travelers into lifelong friends, turning a neighborhood wine shop and local tasting rooms into vibrant gathering hubs once everyone returns home. n BROOKHAVEN WINES brookhavenwines.com • @brookhavenwines SIP WITH BET sipwithbet.com • @sipwithbet
More Wine-Fueled Wanderlust THE PERLANT At Buckhead’s design-forward private social club, global travel serves as a seamless extension of its deep, 1,000-bottle cellar. Wine Director Elizabeth Dames and sommelier Jason Wilfore lead members on highly curated wine trips to historic viticultural regions, taking travelers beyond standard tours and directly into the cellars of acclaimed producers. Designed as an all-day hospitality space, The Perlant features a wine bar, library and main dining room. Shared memories of far-flung vineyards can convert into lasting friendships over regular tastings, educational classes and casual evening pours at the bar. theperlant.com • @theperlant
PERRINE’S WINE SHOP Founder and sommelier Perrine Prieur Gallardo approaches global wine travel through intimate curation and has previously led groups as small as four to the legendary cellars of Burgundy to meet small-batch producers face-to-face. While her international treks return in 2027, Gallardo is spending this year channeling that same globetrotting spirit into exclusive, experiential local immersion for her 150-member wine club. Using wine as a passport for connection, she curates immersive local gatherings ranging from intimate rooftop cocktail previews to a family style, eight-course wine dinner cooked by chef Shai Lavi at The Third Space. Whether her members are exploring family-run vineyards abroad or gathering for exclusive pairings via taco Tuesday, hikes or flower bouquet making back in Atlanta—events she is planning— Gallardo ensures the journey always centers on shared discovery and building community. perrineswineshop.com • @perrineswine
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DRINKS
FOODIE JOURNAL
TA S T E M A K E R
R E S TA U R A N T S
DELICIOUS
Small Wonders THE IBERIAN PIG SHOWCASES SPANISH FLAVORS IN BUCKHEAD
T
STORY: Hope S. Philbrick
PHOTOS: Madelynne Grace
apas have a way of making everyone
vegetarians and gluten-free diners as well
at the table happy. With its tradition-
as beverages with and without alcohol.
al and innovative spins on Spanish cuisine, The Iberian Pig Buckhead
invites you to sip and snack on repeat.
The main dining room has a warm gold and chocolate color scheme, modern wood and concrete elements, plush banquettes and
The menu takes a ‘more the merrier’
velvet drapes, eponymous ham legs hanging
approach with its array of cured meats and
above the sprawling bar, and varied styles
cheeses, tapas, larger plates, desserts, classic
of music reverberating off hard surfaces
and creative cocktails, plus a wine list with
and floor-to-ceiling windows. Servers weave
picks from around the world with special
throughout the space, attentive to customers
emphasis on Spain, Chile and Argentina.
without hovering. The welcoming vibe invites
There are options for omnivores, pescatarians,
you to relax with your dining companions.
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➥
The wide range of tapas available at The Iberian Pig makes it easy to avoid falling into a same-old-thing rut.
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1
2
3
4
5
1. Pisco Sour is a foamy
2. Paella ranks high among
3. Ibérico mac and cheese is a
South American tradition.
Spain's national treasures.
classy spin on a familiar favorite.
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4. Octopus brings a taste of the ocean to the table.
5. Flaky empanadas impress with each bite.
A drink is a good place to start, and sangria is one of Spain’s most iconic. Here, the wine-based punch is more fruity than boozy, though you can add brandy if you prefer an extra kick. Pisco Sour, the national drink of both Chile and Peru, has delightful sour citrus notes under a cloud of puffy egg white dotted with bitters. Desvio de Verano, one of the bar’s original creations, mixes bourbon with herbs, lime and soda for sophisticated refreshment. No need to worry about biting off more than you can chew: Tapas are perfect for tasting and sharing. Order whatever calls out to you. Peppadew peppers are a surefire way to cheer the eyes and palate. Presented in a small bowl, the bright red spheres are stuffed with white goat cheese for a contrast of color as well as piquant/tangy flavors and creamy/ crispy textures. Empanadas are golden half-circles of crispy dough stuffed with tender braised beef short rib and milky mahón cheese. Green salsa and white crème fraîche plated alongside add visual pops of color as well as tangy contrasts to the savory flavors. Ibérico mac and cheese layers creamy noodles with a layer of crispy bits of ham elevated comfort food. Whether you build your own charcutería (meat) and cheese board or get the happy hour chef’s selection, expect an artsy presentation of the picks. They come with small piles of pickles and bread plus drizzles of jam, honey and/or mustard for dipping and dragging bits through like edible paint. Don’t miss the restaurant’s namesake jamón ibérico, dry-cured ham made from legs of acorn-fed black Iberian pigs. It merges buttery, salty, sweet and nutty flavors. Duck ravioli tops two firm rounds of duck confit-stuffed pasta with a black garlic and truffle sauce, foie gras cream and maitake mushrooms. Each umami-packed, earthy bite boasts tender and toothsome textures. The melt-in-your mouth albondigas (pork meatballs) arrive coated in a creamy cascabel pepper sauce that’s mildly zesty. Pulpo crosses octopus over a bed of shaved fennel and orange segments. The meat is cooked to perfection with salty, sweet smoky notes. Gambas al ajillo lines shrimp in a puddle of kicky sherry garlic butter sauce with grilled sourdough slices alongside for dipping. Bocadillo layers crispy calamari between soft slices of bread with a
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tangy/sweet olive oil mayo. Paella, one of Spain’s best-known dishes, serves up to three people as a main dish, though I would understand if you claim it for yourself. There’s no one definitive paella recipe; chefs like to wield creativity. Here, the rice is not bright saffron yellow as expected in Valencia; rather, it’s reddish-brown, thanks in part to the inclusio of chorizo. Chicken, shrimp and seasonal vegetables are tucked into the rice for layers of complex savory flavors. Served in a traditional shallow pan, the proteins are cooked to perfection. This is not the place to skip dessert. Blackberry Basque cheesecake arrives standing tall as if knowing it’s the best thing here. Each forkful has a heavenly balance of firm and creamy textures, tangy and sweet flavors. The dish can lead to a debate about who gets dibs on any crumbs and lingering bits of the accompanying blackberry caramel pool and vanilla chantilly quenelle off the plate. Or, indulge in pan con chocolate. Dark chocolate custard topped with a puddle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of salt is ready to smear onto grilled bread wedges. The Iberian Pig Buckhead is worth visiting more than once. The range of tapas makes it easy to avoid falling into a same-old-thing rut. n
1. This tart and tangy sangria is $6/glass during happy hour.
2. Bocadillo proves fried calamari deserves more than a mere side of dipping sauce.
3. Shrimp in garlic butter is a match made in culinary heaven.
4. Order the peppadew peppers immediately for something to nibble while reading the menu.
Blackberry Basque cheesecake is too delightful to count calories.
The Iberian Pig Buckhead 404.994.4990 • iberianpig.com/buckhead • @iberianpig Prices: Tapas, $5-$29; charcuterie, $9-$14 or $38/3, $54/5; cheese, $6/each or $17/3, $32/6; raciones plates, $23-$37; desserts, $9-$15; wine, $12-$18/glass; cocktails, $11-$16; spirit-free, $6-$8; beer, $7-$8; sherry, $12-$14 or $15/3. Recommended: Jamon happy hour, peppadew peppers, short rib empanadas, Ibérico mac ‘n cheese, ravioli de pato, Basque cheesecake. Bottom line: This tapas restaurant offers a welcoming vibe, attentive service, warm decor and creative Spanish fare bursting with flavor.
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DRINKS
Above: Crisp and bright, Flight Club's Kiwi gimlet starts with a base of cucumber infused gin. Left: Grab a mint-laced gimlet in a can with Post Meridiem's Southside.
GIMME A GIMLET A cocktail invented for your health STORY: Angela Hansberger
A
cocktail born not from luxury but out of necessity has an unmistakable beauty. Long before it became a mid-century darling of cocktail clubs, the gimlet was a matter of survival on the high seas. In the 19th century, British Royal Navy sailors were plagued by scurvy, a painful affliction brought on by severe vitamin C deficiency. Officers did have a daily prescription for intensely sour lime juice but found it unpalatable. Enter surgeon Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Desmond Gimlette who suggested mixing the citrus with an officer’s daily ration of gin. To ensure the medicine went down smoothly, it was often sweetened with a bit of sugar, creating the first iteration of the cocktail we sip today. The drink takes its name from the clever doctor, but history also notes a parallel to the gimlet, a sharp boring tool used to pierce the wooden barrels that held spirits on ships. Over the centuries, the libation
evolved from a crude naval medicine to the marvel of easy execution bartenders serve today. The simplicity of a gimlet’s spirit, citrus, sweetness and nothing to hide behind rewards a good bar program. Atlanta has no shortage of those. At Incognito Cocktail Bar on the Westside, the Incognito Gimlet leans playful without losing the bones of the original recipe with Condesa Gin, strawberry and Thai basil layered with lime. The result is a vibrant, ruby-hued elixir with jammy strawberry and anise notes of basil anchored by a clean citrus punch. Flight Club’s Kiwi Gimlet takes a dramatic, silky turn. At the newly opened tech-enabled darts club, where high speed cameras automatically score your throws, Empress Cucumber Lemon Gin, lime juice, kiwi and egg white are shaken into something velvety. The gin provides a crisp, cooling baseline that plays naturally with tart kiwi and lime, and the egg
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addition takes it to cloudlike form, elevating the once naval ration to seaside luxury. The gimlet’s lineage also stretches to two historic cousins: the Army & Navy and the Southside classic cocktails. The former trades limes for lemons and introduces orgeat, a rich almond syrup. The latter adds a cooling slap of mint. At The Painted Duck, the bar resurrects the Army & Navy with precise reverence, shaking gin with housemade orgeat, fresh lemon juice and a few heavy dashes of Angostura bitters. The almond syrup gives a nutty sweetness under the tart lemon with the bittersweet spices of Angostura, providing a warming marzipan-kissed weight that feels right at home in the dimly lit, subterranean bowling parlor. The Southside goes in another direction, adding mint that brings a gimlet into julep territory. This one you can easily crack open and pour at home because Atlantabased Post Meridiem offers a ready-
The nickname of “limey” to describe Brits by Americans came from the usage of lime juice by the British Navy.
to-drink version of the Southside packed into their signature tiny cans. The company’s take is a mint-laced gimlet that balances a backbone of crisp gin with the zestiness of real lemon and lime juices, smoothed out with cane sugar and a generous infusion of garden mint. It’s snappy, portable and fiercely refreshing. Whether you seek the classic, a botanical twist or a canned companion for a porch sit or tailgate, the gimlet remains a testament to simplicity and ingenuity. So raise a glass to the good doctor, settle into your evening and rest easy knowing your next order will no doubt keep scurvy at bay. n FLIGHT CLUB flightclubdartsusa.com • @flightclubdartsusa INCOGNITO COCKTAIL BAR incognito404.com • @bar_incognitoatl POST MERIDIEM postmeridiemspirits.com • @postmeridiemspirits THE PAINTED DUCK thepaintedduckatl.com • @paintedduckatl
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FOODIE JOURNAL
Culinary News & Notes
BY Claire Ruhlin
FOOD NEWS n High Noon Brunchery is open in Buckhead after relocating from its original Douglasville location in August. The all-pink breakfast cafe highlights Southern-inspired flavors in its brunch menu, served from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
highnoonbrunchery.com n Following openings in Ponce City
Market and Peachtree Corners, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream’s third Georgia location is open in Dunwoody’s Park Place shopping center.
Andrew Thomas Lee
vanleeuwenicecream.com
Siren is the latest concept from Word of Mouth Restaurants and its founder, restaurateur Michel Arnette.
A new concept from award-winning Chef Jonathan Beatty, Pretty Hens Rotisserie, is open on Howell Mill Road in the former Zunzi's space. The fast-casual concept serves slow-roasted rotisserie chicken and house-made sides. prettyhensrotisserie.com
A Toast to the Coast
Michel Arnette’s latest restaurant brings coastal cuisine to Brookhaven
S
iren, the latest concept from restaurateur Michel Arnette, the talent behind Arnette’s Chop Shop, Haven, Valenza and Vero, is now open in Brookhaven. Accessible through Arnette’s Chop Shop, the restaurant highlights wood-fired seafood, crudos and raw bar selections. We spoke with Arnette about what to expect. After opening several successful restaurants in Brookhaven, what inspired you to create Siren? Siren's concept has been in the works for a couple of years. The thought is to provide Brookhaven
with a new dining destination focused on modern coastal cuisine with culinary influences from around the world. Additionally, we want our newest concept to complement the success of our modern upscale steakhouse, Arnette's Chop Shop. The menu highlights wood-fired seafood. What makes that cooking method such a natural fit here? Executive Chefs Stephen Herman and Matt Swickerath have been cooking over multiple wood species for years. The intent is to showcase the delicate nature and finesse of
wood roasting with seafood, vegetables, herbs and other proteins. How did you create a menu that feels both elevated and approachable? That is always our intention with every concept. We understand seafood can be intimidating to diners, especially considering menu choices with crudo and raw bar selections. Our approach is to offer pristine, fresh seafood options that are familiar to our guests and prepared with simple ingredients and culinary techniques. The expansive open kitchen provides incredible theater for diners to relish the craft of culinary refinement.
Shared Plates This Peruvian appetizer is among the first recipes learned by The Select’s Executive Chef Lorien Vilchez, previously of the Lazy Betty Group and the Four Seasons Hotel.
Papa a la Huancaína Serves: 4 INGREDIENTS 4 to 5 ají amarillo peppers (or ½ cup jarred ají amarillo paste) 200 grams queso fresco 1 cup evaporated milk 4 to 6 saltine crackers 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
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What do you hope Siren brings to Brookhaven specifically? My hope is to always inspire our neighbors to dine here in Brookhaven and provide unique dining experiences that continue to highlight Brookhaven as a dining destination. n SIREN • sirenatl.com • @siren_atl
A Peruvian dish from Chef Lorien Vilchez
2 garlic cloves, chopped ½ red onion, chopped Salt, to taste 4 large yellow potatoes, boiled, peeled and sliced into rounds Lettuce leaves (Bibb, butter or iceberg) 2 hard-boiled eggs, halved or quartered Black olives (Peruvian botija or Kalamata) INSTRUCTIONS If using whole ají amarillo peppers, remove the seeds and white ribs, and roughly chop. Skip this step if using jarred paste. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and saute the
peppers, red onion and garlic for 2 to 3 minutes, until soft and fragrant. Transfer to a blender with the queso fresco, evaporated milk and 4 saltine crackers. Blend until smooth, creamy and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Add 1 to 2 more crackers to thicken or more milk to thin, if needed. Season with salt and cool to room temperature. Arrange a bed of lettuce leaves and top with the cooled potatoes. Spoon the Huancaína sauce over the potatoes and garnish with eggs and olives. THE SELECT • theselectatl.com • @theselectatl
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828.526.1717 MeadowsMountainRealty.com © 2026 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Equal Housing Opportunity.
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TASTEMAKER
A Taste of Rome
The Gelatist in Sandy Springs serves house-made, Italian-style gelato STORY: Carly Cooper PHOTO: Joann Vitelli
A
t The Gelatist in Sandy Springs, Reza Momin and his cousins Saif Momin and Shahbaz Momin are channeling Rome by way of Atlanta, with Italian-style gelato, imported equipment and a pink-and-white shop steps from City Hall. The 36-seat space, located next to Breadwinner, features neon signs, arched cityscape details and a nod to the brand’s location near the Trevi Fountain. For Momin, a Sandy Springs resident and former Dairy Queen manager, the family-run shop is the first step in what he hopes will become a larger Georgia footprint. Founded in Italy in 2013, The Gelatist has recently expanded to the Southeast. The Momins own the Atlanta shop outright and brought in two Italian team members to train the staff, a step meant to preserve
the brand’s Rome-born approach. Whenever possible, ingredients are sourced from Italy, reinforcing the shop’s focus on authenticity from the machinery to the flavors. So far, Momin says, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. “People are amazed by the quality,” he says. “They say they’ve never had this kind of gelato in the U.S. An Italian customer came in last week, and he was impressed, too.” Momin shares how The Gelatist came together, what makes gelato different and the unexpected family tradition that connects his story back to Rome. How did you get involved
needed Italian gelato. The concept is “From Rome to ATL.” Everything needed to make our gelato comes from Italy: the ingredients, the gelato display and the machinery. It can’t get more authentic than that. What makes The Gelatist different from ice cream shops around the city?
Ice cream is colder than gelato. When you eat ice cream, it makes your mouth cold. When you eat gelato, you taste the flavor more because it’s warmer and denser. Ice cream has more air, more fat, more cream and more preservatives. Our gelato is made with all-natural ingredients like cacao, chocolate, milk and cream. We also make crepes and pastries in house and offer Italian coffee. We have tres leches cake, key lime pie, cake jars, macarons, cannoli, brownies and three flavors of tiramisu.
in this business?
We went to the Greenville, S.C., location and liked the quality and vibe. We thought Sandy Springs
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time. There’s pistachio, wild berry, pineapple-mint-ginger, mango and strawberry. I make specials like Dubai Chocolate on the weekends. We also have gluten-free, sugar-free and dairy-free flavors. The dairyfree ones are water-based instead of milk-based. What’s a typical day for you?
I usually get to the shop around 11:30 a.m., and it takes about six to seven hours to create those flavors. I help customers and do some work in the store, too. We have the bases and recipes from Italy. A machine pressurizes the milk, then cools it down. The gelato comes out; we decorate it and serve it to customers. Making gelato is new for me, so I’m enjoying every bit of it, including being able to experiment with different flavors. I usually leave there about an hour after the shop closes, around 11 p.m. What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
My family has a history of collecting ancient coins. We have a huge collection in India of about 25,000 coins. n
What are the most popular flavors?
We have about 50 flavors that rotate, with 28 on display at a
THE GELATIST • 404.975.3488 thegelatistatl.com • @thegelatist_atl
SUPPORTIVE, CONNECTED, INSPIRING.
THE
WOODWARD WAY
woodward.edu/inquire
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FEATURED RESTAURANTS
A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead
The Vesuvio calzone at Antico Pizza Napoletana packs a punch with spicy and salty flavors; temper that heat with the tangy marinara sauce served alongside.
Terra Terroir's Gambas al Ajillo is packed with layers of flavor.
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Use the provided mallet to crack open Umi's chocolate Kyu sphere to reveal cream and berries inside.
BY: Wendell Brock, Rebecca Cha, Jennifer Bradley Franklin, Angela Hansberger, Hope S. Philbrick
PHOTOS: Madelynne Grace, Erik Meadows
ANTICO PIZZA NAPOLETANA
well as sweet and spicy flavors. The wedge
MADRE SELVA
Gambas al Ajillo is a crowd-pleasing Spanish
The best pizzas linger in memory and spark
salad tops half of a baby head of iceberg
Located in Uptown Atlanta near the
starter with shrimp in sizzling olive oil
cravings long after that last piece is gone.
lettuce with blue cheese, grape tomatoes and
Lindburgh Center area, Madre Selva—“mother
infused with garlic and red pepper. French
Antico Pizza Napoletana’s original Westside
bacon nuggets. Eleven market fish options
jungle” in Spanish—showcases Latin Coastal
Country Supper is a menu standout featuring
location presents several contenders with its
can be grilled, broiled or blackened. Redfish
cuisine in its scratch-made dishes that
fork-tender duck leg confit plus andouille
straightforward menu of 11 pizzas (five with
Pontchartrain presents white fish with dirty rice,
merge tradition and innovation. It offers a
sausage and white beans. Coconut Thai
red sauce, six with white) plus three calzones.
shrimp, jumbo lump crab and crawfish sauce.
wide array of creative cocktails, a Peruvian
salmon with curry broth is spiced just right. A
San Gennaro makes taste buds swoon with
Classic crème brûlée is one sweet finish.
ceviche bar with seafood, vegetarian and
hearty slow-braised Duroc pork shank arrives
its sweet, spicy, savory and salty combination
Appetizers: $16-$30 • Soups and salads:
vegan options, upscale service and an
with creamy parmesan polenta. Grapefruit
of sausage, peppers, bufala mozzarella and
$15-$35 Seafood platters: $24-$255
upbeat vibe. If this is jungle fever, you’ll be
and pomegranate salad with mixed greens
cippolini onion atop the restaurant’s signature
Market fish: $30-$46 • Entree specialties:
happy to get it. Peru’s national drink, the
is a lighter option. Assorted charcuterie and
charred-yet-chewy crust. The specialty
$44-$48 • Crab and lobster: $45-$85
pisco sour, is a frothy delight. An octopus
cheese might accompany a wine tasting
Sophia pizza is topped with mozzarella, onion,
Steaks and chops: $58-$95 • Sides: $9-$36
appetizer gets zesty with anticuchera,
or stand alone as a hearty starter. Sweet
mushrooms and a hint of white truffle oil with
Desserts: $12-$15 • House cocktails: $12-$20
chimichurri and sweet cream sauces. Lomo
temptations include flourless chocolate tart,
sophisticated results. The crowd-pleasing
Wine: $12-$30/glass or $48-$580/bottle
saltado is the beef stew you wish you’d
sweet potato bread pudding, crème brûlée
Margherita D.O.P. presents a tantalizing com-
candsoysterbar.com
grown up eating. Raices de la costa, which
and sabayon.
presents as a smoky cousin to paella, is a
Raw bites: $19-23 • Appetizers: $15-25 Salads: $15-26 • Mains: $19-49 Cocktails: $14-18 • terraterroir.com
bination of imported tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. Lasagna pizza tops red sauce with
GYPSY KITCHEN
seafood and rice dish rich with prawns and
meatballs, ricotta and Romano cheeses for
Take your taste buds on a nomadic journey
calamari. While dinner showcases refined
flavors that are mild yet satisfying. Off-menu
at Gypsy Kitchen in the Buckhead Village
cooking techniques and artful presentations,
items include a pre-packaged salad and
District, where you’ll find abundant flavors
brunch dishes are casually prepared and
UMI
imported drinks. You’re welcome to bring a
plus an upbeat vibe. Small plates dominate
styled after Peruvian home cooking. Don’t let
Searching for the perfect bite is a
bottle of wine to enjoy alongside your meal
the menu, true to the Spanish tapas
anyone steer you away from this place.
guaranteed success at Umi in Buckhead.
with no corkage fee.
experience. The eclectic assortment ensures
Starters: $13-$25 • Ceviche: $17-$45
Every dish seems aimed at achieving
Pizza: $19-$27 • Calzoni: $18-$19
there’s something to please just about
Sides: $3-$8 • Mains: $21-$73
harmony between sweet, salty, sour, bitter
littleitalia.com
anyone, with abundant vegetarian options
Desserts: $14-$16 • Brunch plates: $10-$36
and umami flavors, and arrives perfectly
as well as diverse omnivore plates. Don’t
Lunch sandwiches: $18-$26 • Cocktails:
composed, with no guesswork required
BANGKOK STATION
miss tirokroketes, a trio of crisp cheese balls
$13-$42 • madreselva.restaurant
to find the precise sensory experience the
Of all the restaurant staffs in Buckhead,
served with spicy-tart almond romesco
these folks may be our favorite. Polite and
sauce. Grilled octopus is cooked to tender
POSTINO WINECAFE BUCKHEAD
start with the avocado salad. Made simply
accommodating to a fault, they make it nearly
perfection. Roasted mushrooms and whipped
Postino WineCafe Buckhead embraces its
of half a ripe avocado filled with delicately
impossible not to enjoy its exotic comfort
goat cheese toast surely makes avocado
quirkiness with endearing charm. Located
piquant wasabi vinaigrette, it’s exquisite
food. Whether you eat in the cavernous dining
toast green with envy. Moroccan spiced lamb
in a former Blockbuster, the space has one
in its buttery simplicity and sized right for
room or out on the sexy, music-infused patio,
skewers are pleasantly spicy. Sumac honey-
wall plastered with VHS tapes. Even to-go
one person. Share the melt-in-your-mouth
starters such as peek gai tod, thoong-thong
roasted carrots offer a healthy way to satisfy
containers burst with personality, including a
chutoro tataki that comes charred, sliced
and Crying Tiger will crush any doubt you may
sweet cravings. The bar menu presents
reminder that “drinking wine at lunch is not
and served in a pool of sweet-tangy sauce
have about whether there’s good Thai food
wine, beer and creative cocktails including
a crime.” The wink-wink fun doesn’t detract
made with yuzu, wakame seaweed and
down South. For more substantial but no less
gin and tonic on draught with an exclusive
from the fact that Postino takes food and
su-miso. Glossy pieces of flawless sashimi,
authentic fare, dig in to the massaman and
tonic. Sangria is offered in both red and rosé
drink seriously. All roles are well played.
from hamachi to sake-cured salmon,
panang curries, Drunken Man noodles or our
versions, with shareable carafes available for
Balance is a consistent theme. Kitchen
showcase Umi’s commitment to impeccable
favorite Thai chicken dish, gai yang som tum.
an authentic Spanish experience.
techniques are solid. Menus present fresh
freshness, as does a selection of creative
Save room for homemade coconut cake; it’s
Cocktails: $9-$15 • Small plates: $9-$20
combinations. Whether you want a snack,
nigiri offerings. Don’t miss hot dishes,
as sweet and genuine as the staff’s warm
Meat and cheese: $8-$48 • Mains: $25-$65
meal or feast, you’ll find it here. The OMG
including rich lobster toban-yaki in lobster
invitation to return again soon.
Desserts: $10-$12 • gk-atl.com
grilled cheese with creamy tomato soup is a
brown butter and duck leg confit cooked
classic that exceeds expectations. Meatballs
in A5 Wagyu fat, lacquered with a soy-ginger glaze and served with Brussels sprouts.
Starters, soups and salads: $7-$23
chefs intended. No matter what follows,
Curries, sautés and noodle and rice
LE COLONIAL
and goat cheese offer melt-in-your-mouth
dishes: $14-$23 • Main entrees: $19-$32
Le Colonial’s website describes this upscale
comfort. Bruschetta boasts 12 sophisticated
Feeling adventurous? Ask a server for off-
Desserts: $5-$9 • bangkokstationthaifood.com
French-Vietnamese restaurant as “a luxurious
combinations. Weekend brunch presents a
menu specialties and prepare to enjoy
escapist oasis,” and we’d agree. Amidst potted
range of savory and sweet options.
an of-the-moment creation.
C&S SEAFOOD AND OYSTER BAR
palms, starched white tablecloths and whirring
Snacks: $8-$17 • Bruschetta and boards:
Starters: $9-$80 • Sashimi: $12-$58
Brookhaven’s C&S Seafood and Oyster Bar is
vintage fans, glitzed-up diners are transported
$17-$19 • Paninis: $14.50-$15 • Soups and
Nigiri: $6-$29 • Sousaku nigiri: $17-$34
upscale yet relaxed with a high level of service.
back to 1920s Vietnam and enjoy the culinary
salads: $7-$13.50 • Sweets: $8 • Brunch:
Hot dishes: $19-$185 • Vegetables: $9-$12
The main dining room has moody amber
synthesis of the era. Favorite street fare
$9.75-$15.50 • postinowinecafe.com
Traditional rolls: $9-$15 • House specialty
lighting, swanky Art Deco-inspired tiles, rich
such as banh mi thit nuong (chargrilled pork
leather accents and a shiny rounded bar. An
sandwich) and pho bo (beef noodle soup) get
TERRA TERROIR
enclosed patio overlooks Peachtree Road. The
the white glove treatment with the culinary
Escape the ordinary at Brookhaven’s award-
menu showcases an array of fresh seafood
team's skillful way with Asian herbs and
winning Terra Terroir. With its secret garden
plus steaks, lamb and lots of vegetables
spices. Classic favorites of crispy pan-seared
setting, service-oriented vibe, upscale fare
in portions ranging from nibbles to feasts.
chicken dumplings, garlicky beef rice noodle
plus full bar with an impressive wine list,
Preparations nod to Italian, French, Southern,
rolls and curried green papaya salad will have
this bistro is ready to surprise and impress.
Asian and New Orleans cuisines. The most
you hankering for a one-way ticket to Saigon.
The eclectic lunch and dinner menus show
popular cocktail, Lycheeback, offers tangy
Small plates: $12-$24 • Soups and salads: $10-
American, European and Asian influences.
refreshment with gentle alcohol. Shrimp spring
$18 • Large plates: $14-$60 • Sides: $4-$11
Dishes boast layered flavors, surprising
rolls contrast crackly and tender textures as
Desserts: $12-$14 • lecolonialatlanta.com
combinations and artful presentations.
rolls: $15-$45 • Desserts: $9-$16 • Omakase: from $175 per person • umimodern.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!
S I M P LY B U C K H E A D • O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6
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Kayla, Age 7 Wilms tumor
This year’s Corporate Challenge raised $150,000 for CURE Childhood Cancer
Congratulations to the 2026 CURE Corporate Challenge
Grand Champion
and the category winners!
Rincon
CURE’s Corporate Challenge turns a little friendly competition into a big impact for children with cancer. Companies compete to raise money for childhood cancer research and support for families. This year, Novelis earned the title of Grand Champion with the highest fundraising total of an incredible $72,790. Congratulations to Novelis, our category winners, and all of the companies that made this year’s Challenge such a success!
Learn more at curechildhoodcancer.org
CHARITABLE
Jacolvy Garcia, Jori Hila, Ashley Stewart, Nikki Calthoun, Larry Dorfman
NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS
Live auction
STORY: H.M. Cauley
PHOTOS: Kimberly Evans
I Scott Jacobsen, Kelly Leone, Troy Evans
CJ Russell, Trixy Castro
Cathy Dorfman, Robert Taylor, Lisa Cannon Taylor
n late August, some of Atlanta’s top chefs cooked up a successful fundraiser for FreeRent ATL, a nonprofit that provides rental assistance and a path to financial stability for working families. The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Annual Community Fundraiser at The Foundry at Puritan Mill brought in more than $1 million from sponsors and about 400 attendees who delighted to the culinary creations made on site by chefs from Aria, The Alden, FÜM, Pricci, Kyma, Il Giallo Osteria and The Perlant, to name just a few. Along with silent and live auctions, dancing and desserts from The Four Seasons Hotel and Café Momentum, guests got to meet Atlas chef Freddy Money who signed copies of his new cookbook. Simply Buckhead was the proud media sponsor.
Daniel Farr, Kahlil Bostick
Lara Dorfman, Adam Dorfman
Jen Hancock, Phillip Hancock
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STARFISH BALL
JANUARY 23, 2027
“A perfect musical comedy!” DEADLINE
ST. REGIS ALTANTA
NOV 17-22 • Fox Theatre BroadwayInAtlanta.com
MEASURABLE VALUE ADD PRODUCTS OVERSIZED PRINT VERSION 24K copies – 8 issues/yr 450+ distribution locations
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SOME ROOMS CHANGE WHAT
HAPPENS INSIDE. 770.881.7360 | monica@nsoro.foundation
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SOCIALS 30K+ followers on socials MONTHLY NEWSLETTER & EMAIL BLASTS 40%+ open rate 99% successful delivery rate P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 • 404.538.9895 advertising@simplybuckhead.com • simplybuckhead.com
CHARITABLE
Thomas Fowlkes, Sara Womack
ARTSBRIDGE FOUNDATION STORY: H.M. Cauley PHOTOS: Hannah Jones, Blink Studio Arts
A
late August gala for the ArtsBridge Foundation brought 200 guests to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre for cocktails, dinner, live and silent auctions, dancing and performances by the Shuler Encore Ensemble of high schoolers. The evening raised $225,000 for the foundation that provides arts experiences for Georgia students in pre-K through 12. Highlights included the presentation of the Bridge Builder Award to Sara Womack, a Cobb County educator who has coordinated with the district to bring the arts to more than 10,000 students a year, and gala sponsors and supporters Jerry and Cheryl Nix. Media sponsor Simply Buckhead joined an array of partners to make the evening a success.
Natalie DeLancey, Barbara Williams, Pam Hubby
Fran Friedrich
Larry Green, Lisa Cupid, Michelle Swan
Christine Nix, Jay Nix, Jerry Nix, Cheryl Nix, Hope Martin, Craig Martin
Brooke Malone, Nikki Peters, Bess Yank, Nick Morrett, Sara Womack, Luke Rabun, Sarah Rabun, Sarah Grant
Ned Blumenthal, Renay Blumenthal
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SCENE
GIRL POWER
Entrepreneur Valarie Mackey volunteers with HYPE, a nonprofit that offers tech training to high school girls. PHOTO: Erik Meadows
84 O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 • S I M P LY B U C K H E A D
the Cuisines A PASSPORT ACROSS
ONE GROUP. NINE DESTINATIONS.
Toast. Celebrate. Stay. Celebrate the holidays at InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, where unforgettable gatherings meet luxurious touches.
From intimate dinners to large celebrations, our team brings every holiday gathering to life with exceptional service and attention to detail.
Enjoy 25% off accommodations for your holiday party guests, so they can simply take the elevator home.
Plan Your Celebration: icbsales@ihg.com
El Azteca
Serving Atlanta for 45 Years and Counting.
Join us on Sundays for Brunch! *Perimeter location only
El Azteca is a proud supporter of the Atlanta Humane Society
Private Parties and Catering
Family Owned and Operated. Expanded patio dining, catering for all of your needs and a colorful wall mural for those Social Media photo opportunities.
Celebrating 45 years serving Atlanta
Enjoy Outdoor Patio Seating and Our Fresh Margaritas At All Locations! Dunwoody Perimeter Mall
6115 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 | 470.395.6143
Buckhead
1784 Peachtree Rd NW Atlanta, GA 30309 | 404.249.1522
Sandy Springs
5925 Roswell Rd Sandy Springs, GA 30328 | 404.252.7347
elaztecaatlanta.com
Victor Macias Owner
A BOLD NEW EXPERIENCE IN BROOKHAVEN MODERN COASTAL CUISINE
Wood-fired Seafood
Crudo
Raw Bar
Bubble Bar
RESERVE YOUR TABLE SIRENATL.COM 2700 Apple Valley Road Brookhaven, GA
Craft Cocktails
WON D E R L A N D Pundits say there’s no such place. Yet in glorious, tax-free Tennessee (also overlooked by pundits) is a lake and golf community with an enthusiastic and welcoming membership whose days are spent on the lake, the course, courts and trails. Manicured, private and featuring exceptional residences. Makes you wonder, why not Tennessee?
WINDR IVER LIVING .COM |
865-988-1864
|
COME & SEE FOR YOURSELF
NEW RELEASE: GOLF COTTAGES FROM $1.15M · LAKEFRONT ESTATES FROM $2.349M–$4.8M · HOMESITES FROM MID $200K THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE AN OFFER TO SELL OR SOLICITATION OF OFFERS TO BUY REAL ESTATE IN WINDRIVER TO RESIDENTS OF ANY STATE OR JURISDICTION WHERE PRIOR REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED OR WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW, UNLESS REGISTERED OR EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION. FOR CORRECT REPRESENTATIONS MAKE REFERENCE TO TENNESSEE STATUTES, TO BE FURNISHED BY THE DEVELOPER TO A BUYER. ©2026 WINDRIVER PROPERTIES, LLC.
KZ_K STUDIO
HOUSTON • DALLAS • ATLANTA
TOOTSIES ATLANTA 316 7 P E A C H T R E E R D N E . A T L A N T A , G A