Simply Buckhead May 2017 by Simply Buckhead

May 2017 ISSUE 46 â&#x20AC;¢ FREE

YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA

Vets ithPets w

The love between local animal docs and their furry friends

BONUS: THE LIFE OF A PET PORTRAIT ARTIST

HOME: A PEACHTREE HILLS REVAMP A TRIP BACK IN TIME TO PAWLEYS ISLAND

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M AY 2 0 1 7

Photo: Celina DeSantis Photography

Photos: Sara Hanna Photography

[ C OV E R S T ORY ]

64 VETS WITH PETS The love between local animal docs and their furry friends

Contents [ F E AT U RE S ]

30 20

[ DE PA RT M E N T S ]

HOME: THE NEXT CHAPTER

12 EDITOR’S LETTER

45 SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Empty nesters put the finishing touches on a charming Garden Hills bungalow

13 SIMPLY NOW

53 SIMPLY DELICIOUS

29 SIMPLY STYLISH

69 SIMPLY HAPPENING

TRAVEL FAR: A TOWN FOR ALL SEASONS Snow or sun, head for year-round fun in Telluride, Colorado

TRAVEL STAYCATION: AWAY TO ALPHARETTA

SUSPENSE STARTS AT HOME

A 24-hour visit to a burgeoning Atlanta suburb

Brookhaven author’s latest book shows off Atlanta

AGREEABLE ALFRESCO Treehouse enlivens with old favorites

A DAY IN THE LIFE

26 AT YOUR SERVICE As lead concierge at the Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta, Janice Dempsey has the job of making guests’ dreams come true

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

Fabulous Dogs Need Fabulous Things

Buckhead's Only Highend Retailer for Fabulous Dogs Dating Support & Coaching Dr. Tequilla Hill Hales, LMFT

YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA

Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven and Sandy Springs MAY 2017 | ISSUE 46

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P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 simplybuckhead.com For advertising rates call: 404.538.9895 Publisher and Founder

[ F E AT U RE D C ON T RI B U T OR ]

Joanne Hayes Assistant to the Publisher

Tyler Hayes Chief Financial Officer

Sonny Hayes Editor-In-Chief

Giannina Smith Bedford Contributing Editor

Karina Antenucci Creative Director

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Cheryl Isaacs cheryl.isaacs@simplybuckhead.com Account Executives

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

You might remember Daryn Kagan from her more than 12 years as a CNN anchor. Today, Kagan is a syndicated newspaper columnist for Cox Newspapers. Eighty of her most popular columns make up her latest book, Hope Possible: A Network News Anchor’s Thoughts On Losing A Job, Finding Love, A New Career, And My Dog, Always My Dog. She is the creator and host of Darynkagan.com, an inspirational website featuring stories that “show the world what is possible.” Kagan lives in Atlanta with her husband, daughter and Little Sister from the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Her threelegged cat, 5-month-old rescue hound puppy and nine chickens complete the family.

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[ BEHIND THE COVER ] Wrangling four dogs and a cat for a cover image is no easy feat. Thanks to the skill of our Chief Photographer Sara Hanna and Photo Assistant Scott Reeves, we captured an endearing cover image of Dr. Will Draper, Dr. Francoise Tyler and their brood of lively animals on the elevated bocce ball courtyard of Buckhead’s 92 W. Paces Apartments. Chief Photographer: Sara Hanna (Huge thanks to Property Manager Photo Assistant: Scott Reeves Thomas Coffee.) When the camera Shot on location at 92 W. Paces Apartments wasn’t clicking, the dogs had a blast running around the enclosed space, with the smallest pooch, Satchmo (aka Cheeseburger), struggling to keep up with the other dogs as they weaved through the courtyard fire pit and landscaped gardens, narrowly missing the photo equipment and lights. All a very realistic example of life with a pet!

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S I M P LY B U C K H E A D ® M AY 2 0 1 7

[ E DI T OR ’ S L E T T E R ]

A large animal vet, to be exact. It was a passion that developed while growing up on a farm in Chile. But by high school, science became my least favorite subject. I decided I needed a plan B. I followed my love of writing into journalism, but have filled the animal void by writing about furry creatures and welcoming four-legged friends into my home. Currently, it’s an anxious and lovable pit bull/boxer mix named Turner that my husband and I adopted from the Humane Society of Atlanta shortly after moving here. Despite the trials and tribulations Turner has thrown our way over the past eight years, including two torn ACLs that required pricey surgeries, he’s filled our lives with joy and taught us patience and understanding—something the pets in this issue’s cover feature have also imparted on their veterinarian parents. I learned that even with years of advanced schooling in animal medicine, vet parents are just as concerned and in love with their fur babies as we are. Dr. Heather Krohne spends the day treating animals at VCA Buckhead Animal Hospital then goes home to a “circus” of dogs, chickens, fish, a 15-year-old cat and her baby girl. Dr. Anne Kuik is a volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence. Dr. Jennifer Wilson adopted her lab/border collie the week before she started vet school, making him an easy guinea pig for research during her studies. Dr. Tara Rittle’s cat has the biggest personality of all her pets, which includes another cat; a hairless Chinese crested dog; two tortoises; and a leopard gecko. And (our cover model) Dr. Will Draper and his wife, Dr. Francoise Tyler, are such softies for adopting rescues, they ended up with two dogs named Louie. Each of these blended animal families—like ours—has hilarious and hair-raising anecdotes that we can relate to. In this issue, we also highlight Jake, an avalanche rescue dog who retired in Atlanta with his pet parent and take a peek into the world of being a pet portrait artist with Buckhead resident Lisa Gleim. It seems perfectly timed that this animal-focused issue is my last as Simply Buckhead’s editor-in-chief. Just as my childhood dream of being a vet metamorphosed with the changing tides of life, so comes my decision to leave this post and seek out new challenges. I’ve been blessed to have had the opportunity to work with Simply Buckhead’s talented team and will remember each and every issue we created together. It’s been an absolute blast, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to the magazine’s creation as a writer. Like being a pet parent, being the editor of Simply Buckhead has taught me so much and I’m so incredibly thankful.

Giannina Smith Bedford editor@simplybuckhead.com

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

Photo: Sara Hanna Photography

f I weren’t a writer and editor, I’d be a vet.

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TRAVEL STAYCATION

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Downtown Alpharetta is filled with quaint coffee shops, boutiques and restaurants catering to couples and families.

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SIMPLY NEWS STORY:

Caroline Eubanks

To market, to market G

ather up the family for your new favorite weekend activity: farmers market shopping. Even pets are welcome at Sandy Springs’ seasonal market, now open every Saturday until Oct. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Each week, more than 45 vendors sell local produce, prepared foods, pasture-raised meats and fresh dairy, all with live music in the background. The producer-only market, which was established in 2010, is sponsored by local businesses and organized by Heritage Sandy Springs, a nonprofit organization that coordinates community events. “It is a highlight of every week,” says Gail Fore, a Sandy Springs resident and frequent patron. “I see my favorite, nearby

HERITAGE SANDY SPRINGS FARMERS MARKET OPENS FOR THE SEASON

Vendors from around the state gather to sell their produce and wares in Sandy Springs.

farmers who know my name and offer plenty of beautiful, fresh produce. Some of them humanely raise livestock and fish for consumption.” So, grab your morning jolt from Rev Coffee, a pastry from Breadwinner, your week’s fruit and veggie essentials from Bray Family Farms and a hostess gift from Indigo Bath and Body in one stop! This market makes it easy to buy local. n SANDY SPRINGS FARMERS MARKET Saturdays from mid-April to Oct. 28; 8:30 a.m. - noon 6100 Lake Forrest Drive Sandy Springs 30328 404.851.9111 heritagesandysprings.org

NEWS CLIPS BEAUTY MOTHERSHIP LANDS SECOND LOCATION You now have another destination for getting your makeup fix. Beauty megastore Sephora just opened its second Buckhead location last month. Setting up shop at the former Luna in The Exchange, a newly renovated shopping center at Peachtree

Road and Grandview Avenue, the 4,800-square-foot space is larger than its other Atlanta outposts at Lenox Square and Ponce City Market. Both of those sites will remain open. Sephora The Exchange 3167 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30305 sephora.com

MOVING ON UP Buckhead beauty specialist ReeDawn Rose Beauty is on the move ... farther down the street. It is now open in a newer, grander space three times the previous size on West Wieuca Road, less than a mile from its former location in the heart of Chastain Park. The appointment-only

operation specializes in eyelash extensions, hair extensions, skin care and nails. “It’s more space, more luxury, new services and new products!” says owner ReeDawn Rose, a licensed cosmetologist with more than 15 years of experience. Guests can enjoy lash lifts, Deva Curl certified

treatments for curly hair and brow shaping as well as purchase products, such as brow pencils, anti-aging BB cream and ReeDawn Rose liquid velvet lipstick. ReeDawn Rose Beauty 173 West Wieuca Road, Suite 207 Atlanta 30342 678.763.9337 reedawnrose.com

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

Save the Date! June 10, 2017! Everyone is invited to make a lantern and parade to the river! Bring your family, friends, and neighbors for a magical stroll to Morgan Falls Overlook Park. Lantern Workshops June 3-6! Registration opens May 3.

Why get your mortgage with us? We’re neighbors. We’ve got your back.

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May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

Details at

VisitSandySprings.org/lanternparade

S I M P LY NOW

LOCAL SALUTE

Photo: Tim Wilkerson Photography

BY:

Dr. Warren Woodruff aka Dr. Fuddle shares his joy of classical music with children through scholarships and books.

The Music Man Turning children on to classical music Pianist, musicologist and author Dr. Warren Woodruff of Buckhead is a man on a mission: to instill a new generation with a love of classical music. A teacher for the last 30 years, he spreads his message wherever he goes and volunteers to help students with extraordinary talent. In 2016, Woodruff endowed The Dr. Fuddle Music Scholarship to the Atlanta Music Club. The award was named after the hero of his children’s novels. Woodruff was instrumental in raising funds to develop a music therapy program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), as well as helping the hospital’s Tower of Talent event raise more than $1 million. “I’ve seen firsthand how transformative and healing classical

music can be,” Woodruff says. “It gives children joy and carries them through tough times. The power of music is the most untapped resource on the planet.” The Magic Piano, a play written by Woodruff, debuted in Atlanta in 1999 and was so well received that he expanded it into a fantasy novel and screenplay titled Dr. Fuddle and the Gold Baton. A sequel to the book, a feature film and toys will debut this year. “In the story, children go to a magical land where the great composers live and learn how to solve real world problems through music and nonviolence,” Woodruff says. The book is available on Amazon.com. l For more information, visit drfuddle.com.

Mickey Goodman

Focus on Abilities, Not Limitations Hiring individuals with disabilities benefits businesses and nonprofits When Trevor Ramos was introduced to Lauren Riddick by her employment specialist at All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD), he hired her on the spot. “She loves sports, is an energetic and personable young woman and is well qualified as a program aide,” says Ramos, a supervisor and instructor at the Sandy Springs Parks and Recreation department. Like many others, Riddick, a Sandy Springs resident, has found employment with the help of AADD, a nonprofit organization that focuses on family support services, including employment assistance, benefits navigation and financial planning. “Finding a job is always difficult, but it’s even harder when people focus on a person’s limitations instead of his or her abilities,” says Michael Adair, an AADD employ-

Lauren Riddick coaches kids in four sports at the Sandy Springs Parks and Recreation Department.

ment specialist. “We match our clients with jobs they are wellsuited for. Lauren was a perfect fit for the recreation department because she was captain of the cross country, track and field and basketball teams at the Cottage School, as well as a college athlete and camp counselor. Riddick, 28, loves coaching kids in basketball, soccer and volleyball, but since she loves to run, track and cross country are her favorites. “I tell the kids, ‘Do your best; never give up, and above all, don’t put pressure on yourself,’” she says. “Sports are supposed to be fun, not stressful.” Ramos couldn’t agree more. l For more information, visit aadd.org.

Susie Davidow Leaves Lasting Legacy Sandy Springs resident Susie Davidow retired at the end of March as director of the Blonder Family Department for Special Needs at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA). On March 19, she was honored at a reception for her 16 years of service to Jerry's Habima Theatre, a program within the department and Georgia’s only theatrical company featuring actors with special needs that is directed and produced by professionals. Davidow’s retirement will be far from idle. “I plan to volunteer

for several political organizations whose decisions affect the entire community and to help staff Habima programs, if I’m needed,” she says. “Working at the MJCCA allowed me to meld my love of Judaism and my passion for enriching the lives of people with special needs.” Under her leadership, Jerry’s Habima Theatre received the Spirit of Suzi Bass Award and was a two-time recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America Grant. “She strengthened the program,

was dedicated to the participants and launched the B’nai Bracha [Jewish Spiritual Journey] initiative that combines special needs with Judaism,” says Lois Blonder, whose family funded the program in 2006 in honor of her husband. "Susie not only strengthened the program, she took her actors to Washington, D.C., Orlando and even Israel. We've had a wonderful relationship, and I will miss her enormously," Blonder says. l For more information, visit atlantajcc.org.

Photo: Jennifer Sarni

Marcus Jewish Community Center honors theatre director

Susie Davidow retires after 16 years at the Marcus Jewish Community Center directing musicals starring young adults with special needs. Want to nominate a volunteer, company or nonprofit that makes Buckhead, Sandy Springs or Brookhaven a better place to live? Please contact: editor@simplybuckhead.com

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

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TR AV E L N E A R

Clockwise from above: The beachfront porch is lined with rocking chairs and is perfect for afternoon board games; bedrooms here are simple but provide everything you need; the dining room serves three meals daily.

Pawleys Island (and Pimento Cheese) LIFE STANDS STILL AT THE SEA VIEW INN

ven though houses—some quite grand—have grown up all around it, time has stood still at the Sea View Inn. The old-fashioned Southern resort has been a mainstay on Pawleys Island in the South Carolina low country since 1937. It’s the sort of place you can imagine your grandparents’ spending summers—charming and rustic, peaceful and relaxing. A stay here can transport you back to the time when Pawleys Island was, as its tagline says, “arrogantly shabby”—when the ocean breeze was the air conditioner, and everyone ran around barefooted. The tiny, 4-mile island is about five-anda-half-hours from Atlanta, and was originally settled in the early 1700s by wealthy rice planters. Twelve homes still date back to the late 18-th and 19th centuries and mark the island’s historic district. Families have been coming here for generations. The 20-room white inn sits close to the historic district in the middle of the island. It’s surrounded by the ocean on the front and the

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

salt marsh along the back. The idyllic location is what drew current owners Brian and Sassy Henry here in 2002. They moved their family to Pawleys Island from Buckhead to escape their hectic schedules. They were overwhelmed, juggling two high-powered careers—he over time with Anderson Consulting, Coca-Cola and an internet startup; she with her own landscaping business, as well as Atlanta traffic and their daughters’ social lives and extracurricular activities. They purchased the inn and have worked to maintain the appeal that has lured families to the Sea View for decades. Part of that draw means no frills. Though you can get Wi-Fi in one section of the inn, there are no TVs or telephones. There is no pool or spa. But you won’t lack for things to do because what you get instead is a beachfront porch lined with at least a dozen rocking chairs and perfect for afternoon board games with the family. Hammocks decorate the property and will gently rock you into an afternoon slumber. When the beach

STORY:

Sarah Gleim

itself beckons, the inn provides beach chairs, umbrellas and toys—everything to get your feet in the sand. The rooms are simply appointed, but with all you need. Each features two beds (either a double and a single or two doubles) with handstitched bedspreads from Guatemala and a private half bath. The inn has three indoor showers, as well as private hot water showers outside for guests to share. All rooms have views of either the ocean or marsh, but you’re encouraged to relax in common areas and mingle. Socializing is part of the draw here, and so is the food. The inn specializes in seafood and low country cuisine. Three meals a day are included and announced when the kitchen staff rings a bell that can be heard up and down the beach. They’re about as Southern as anything a good Georgia grandmother would have made. The “dinner” meal is served at 1:15 p.m. and "supper" at 6:15p.m.—both might include anything from fried chicken and fresh vegetables to seafood gumbo,

shrimp creole, barbecue ribs and potato salad. Breakfast starts daily at 8:30 a.m. and always includes eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, grits and more. But the Sea View Inn’s claim to fame is its pimento cheese. The recipe was owner Sassy Henry’s from her days living in Atlanta. It became a popular hors d'oeuvre at the inn and an instant guest favorite. Vertrella Brown, a longtime Gullah cook at Sea View, began making large batches of the yummy cheese, and guests started buying tubs of the stuff. Now it’s available in more than 5,000 stores as Palmetto Cheese. Yea, that pimento cheese. The Sea View might not be for everybody, and the Henrys are the first to admit that. If you’re looking for luxury spas and high-tech toilets, this is not that place. But if SEA VIEW INN you want a spot where 414 Myrtle Ave. Pawleys Island life stands South Carolina 29585 still, this is 843.237.4253 as good as seaviewinn.com it gets. n

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

S I M P LY NOW TRAVE L FAR

Above: The ski valet at the Madeline Hotel has your gear ready when you are. Left: A ride on the free gondola lifts riders high above the Telluride valley.

Below: Mountain Village, home to the Madeline Hotel and Residences, is built around a town square lined with boutiques and restaurants.

A Town for

All Seasons Snow or sun, head for year-round fun in Telluride, Colorado

ack in the late 1870s, the rush was on to Colorado for the gold, silver, copper and zinc running in rich veins beneath the snow-capped mountains. Those days are long gone, but the majestic ranges remain as alluring as ever for visitors to Telluride. Whether they’re looking for a bit of that boomtown history, ski runs or a bucolic setting where they can escape the daily grind, they find that Telluride offers a range of activities, from the get-outand-go to the kick-back-and-veg. Getting to the historic town in a remote southwest corner of Colorado does take a bit of maneuvering. The tiny, local landing strip on the side of a mountain is open only to private planes, so if you’re not chartering a Cessna, the best route is through Denver. From there, hop a commuter flight to the Montrose-Telluride Regional Airport, then prepare for an 80-minute ride to the heart of town. It’s tempting to take a snooze during that last leg, but alert riders will be charmed by the area’s natural beauty— the rippling creeks at the edge of the road, the snowy peaks, perhaps a glimpse of elk feeding on a hillside. Once in Telluride, travelers will find activities are dictated by the time of year. During the cold months, tourists and skiers swell the population beyond its usual 2,400 to almost

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

20,000. Sixteen ski lifts ferry folks to some of the steepest mountainsides in the country, the highest being Palmyra Peak, 13,150 feet high. Winter time also lends itself to just about any fun that starts with “snow” (mobiles, boards, sleds and shoes) or “ice” (fishing, climbing, skating). Though this is a destination dominated by winter, the warmer season has just as much to offer. In early September, it’s awash with Hollywood glitterati as the Telluride Film Festival gives viewers a glimpse of upcoming showstoppers. In 2016, the lineup included La La Land, Arrival and Manchester by the Sea, as well as workshops and discussions with directors and actors. The rest of the off-ski season teems with festivals around literary arts, beer, hot air balloons, bluegrass, wine and more. Hiking, biking and driving through the surrounding San Juan mountains reveal jaw-dropping landscapes dotted with natural waterfalls, green meadows, peaks covered with melting snow and a variety of wildlife. No one would blink if Julie Andrews appeared and started singing, “The hills are alive …” History buffs can hop a ride on an oversized 4x4 that will take them high into the hills where the remains of deserted mining camps are haunting reminders of the past. Building

foundations, shuttered mine entrances and an odd collection of rusting equipment offer a hint to the area’s prosperous industrial past. There’s also plenty to see along Colorado Avenue, the main street downtown where refurbished stores and restaurants date back to the late 1800s. Check out the gleaming wood-and-brass bar of the New Sheridan Hotel or snap a selfie in front of the old bank building with the distinction of having been held up by the infamous outlaw Butch Cassidy. And since this is Colorado, visitors will also find a few shops selling marijuana in both smoking and eating varieties. (Be forewarned: It is illegal to bring it back to Georgia!) Beyond the downtown canyon is Mountain Village, a contemporary resort area home to about 1,000 year-rounders and anchored by the Madeline Hotel and Residences. The property features a town square with shops and restaurants; the hotel itself boasts a luxurious spa and an outdoor bar terrace with panoramic mountain views, fire pits, hot tubs and a heated, outdoor pool. The hotel also offers skiers an area to dry out and store their gear after a day on the slopes, as well as a “ski valet” who has your equipment ready when you are. One of the town’s must-see attractions is the free gondola that

STORY:

H.M. Cauley

ferries visitors from the Mountain Village to the historic heart of town. Operating from early morning to midnight, the gondola is worth riding for the views alone, even after the sun goes down and the town’s twinkling lights form a carpet below the cars. Riders can step off at the midway point and visit Allred’s Restaurant, where visitors pack in for the sunset views over cocktails and food. After a few days surrounded by Telluride’s incomparable natural beauty, the most challenging part of the trip is making that 80-minute drive back to the rest of the world. n

IF YOU GO... Where to Stay Madeline Hotel and Residences 568 Mountain Village Blvd. Telluride 81435 970.369.0880 madelinetelluride.com New Sheridan Hotel 221 W. Colorado Ave. Telluride 81435 970.728.4351 newsheridan.com

Where to Eat Allred’s Restaurant Top of the gondola Mountain Village 81435 970.728.7474 telluride.com/allreds-restaurant

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May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

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S TAYCATION

Above: Like its intown locations, Goldbergs at Avalon delivers with full cups of coffee and New York-style bagels. Left: Alpharetta's picturesque downtown is ideal for a family stroll. Right: The writer's husband gives their daugher a firsttime golf tutorial at Topgolf.

Away to Alpharetta A 24-HOUR VISIT TO A BURGEONING ATLANTA SUBURB

’ll admit it: I’m a bit of an intown snob. I love being close to the beating heart of the city and the interesting people it attracts. So when my family and I took off for a quick staycation in Alpharetta, I was unsure what this suburb 20 miles north of Buckhead could offer. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. Here is our fun-filled, 24-hour itinerary.

SATURDAY 10 a.m. To avoid Friday rush hour, my husband, 2-year-old daughter and I drove north Saturday morning. The first stop was check-in at the Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta, where the American Girl package is a top attraction. In partnership with the American Girl Boutique and Bistro at Alpharetta’s North Point Mall (the only store of its kind in Georgia), the package includes a personalized “Very Important Girl” (V.I.G.) check-in on a pink carpet for one girl, fresh-baked cookies, an American Girl doll-sized travel bed to keep and much more. To top it off, our transformed “Everything Pink” hotel room lived up to its name with a pink duvet cover and even a pink alarm clock. While a bit too much pink for the adults, my daughter was thrilled. Noon Next stop was brunch at Topgolf, the sprawling golf entertainment complex boasting climate-controlled hitting bays,

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

STORY:

Giannina Smith Bedford

a full restaurant and bar, and a rooftop terrace with a fire pit. After being greeted at the front desk, we were ushered to a cozy hitting bay with a table and sofas under outdoor heaters. Topgolf’s casual and social ambiance is designed for both experts and novices to enjoy. Even our energetic toddler got into the swing of things with a kid-sized club. When we weren’t keeping her from walking too close to the edge of the bay or using her new toy club as a weapon, we sipped coffee and all shared a couple of Ultimate Breakfast Flatbreads topped with scrambled eggs, pecan wood-smoked bacon, roasted tomatillo salsa, a three-cheese blend and pico de gallo. It was the ideal breakfast finger food to feast on between strokes. 4 p.m. After naps back at the hotel, we drove through Alpharetta’s charming downtown. It was a bit too chilly to explore by foot, but we got a great feel for the quaint historic center that is home to boutiques, coffee shops and restaurants. I made notes to return on a solo trip to shop the vintage goods at Sis & Moon’s, the chic home furnishings at White Dog Decor and the fashions at UB4Me Apparel, where a percentage of profits is given to charity. 6 p.m. Our early-bird dinner was at Ceviche Taqueria & Margarita Bar, a

casual and family-friendly spot in the center of downtown. The adults sipped margaritas, and we all chowed down on guacamole and chips before our shrimp tacos, pork barbacoa and kid’s cheese quesadilla arrived. While the eatery was a little sleepy during the early dinner hour, it was obvious that the place—which has a tequila bar in the back—transforms into a lively late-night spot. With full bellies, we retreated to our pink-clad hotel room for a well-earned rest.

SUNDAY 9 a.m. Before hitting the road back to the city, we wanted to check out Avalon, Alpharetta’s massive mixed-use development that debuted in 2014. The sustainably designed, 86-acre development, which has a “Phase II” coming this year, is currently home to a 12-screen movie theatre, national and high-end retailers and a plethora of restaurants, including concepts from well-known intown restauranteurs (think Bocado Burger, Antico Napoletana and Bantam and Biddy). Since it was breakfast time, we found a booth at Goldbergs Bagel Company & Deli and culminated our staycation over a hot cup of Joe, New York-style bagels and conversation about this OTP community. As we drove back inside I-285, I looked behind me with a new perspective on suburban life. n

IF YOU GO... Where to Stay Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta 5750 Windward Pkwy. 770.754.9600 marriott.com/hotels/ travel/atlaw-atlantamarriott-alpharetta The American Girl Package ranges from $141 - $279, plus tax and depending on number of guests.

What to do Topgolf 10900 Westside Pkwy. 770.217.0513 topgolf.com/us/alpharetta

Where to Eat Ceviche Taqueria & Margarita Bar 42 Milton Avenue 770.777.0230 cevichetaqueria.com Goldbergs Bagel Company & Deli 3180 Avalon Blvd.  770.663.8555 goldbergbagel.com

Where to Shop Avalon 2200 1st Street 770.765.1000 experienceavalon.com Sis & Moon’s 24 Milton Avenue 404.414.5765 sisandmoons.com UB4Me Apparel 2 Milton Avenue 678.825.2890 ub4meapparel.com White Dog Decor 21 Milton Avenue 770.733.1790 whitedogdecor.com

Join us on the green space for culinary delights from our restaurants! Enjoy food tastings, wine, beer, cooking demonstrations, music, prizes & more.

Advance Tickets: $25 Day Of Event: $35 To purchase tickets, visit www.eventbrite.com and search Taste of Town Brookhaven.

FESTIVAL

TASTE OF TOWN BROOKHAVEN

26 Thai's craft cocktails

FOO

Cozy, pet-friendly patio

Chicken Kao-Soi

D & FUN

Saturday, May 20th 3-7pm Participating Restaurants:

CinéBistro, HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern, Jefe’s Tacos & Tequilas, Lucky’s Burger & Brew, Marble Slab Creamery, Newk’s, Olde Blind Dog, There Restaurant & Bar, Tin Can Oyster Bar, Tropical Smoothie Café & more

Benefiting LifeLine Animal Project

Live Jazz $5 Mimosa www.townbrookhaven.net

Conveniently located on Peachtree Rd. adjacent to Oglethorpe University.

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A PP ROV E D

2 4

BALLED OVER Step aside, trendy coffee drinks: The bubble tea craze is here to stay. Hugely popular and originally from Asia, bubble tea is a black-or green tea-based drink with milk served hot or cold in a variety of flavors. The most notable ingredient is the marble-sized tapioca balls called “boba” that sink to the bottom of the glass and must be sucked through an oversized straw. With careful straw placement, each sip can create a distinct series of sensory experiences.

1. Ssam Burger Thai Milk Tea ($3.50)  Ssam Burger is a full-service Korean restaurant that also serves bubble tea on the side. The Thai Milk Tea is made from strong black tea, sugar, milk and boba, then spiced with ingredients such as star anise, crushed tamarind and cardamom. This is a favorite among chai tea drinkers because of the familiar spice flavors.   Ssam Burger  2072 Defoors Ferry Road N.W.  Atlanta 30318  404.609.5533  ssamburgeratlanta.com

2. Sweet Hut Bakery and Cafe Hong Kong Milk Tea ($2.95)  One visit to this recently opened Asian-inspired bakery and you will understand why it is rapidly expanding to more locations throughout Atlanta. Try the Hong Kong Milk Tea, brewed from Ceylon leaves and mixed with evaporated milk, condensed milk and boba. It is not as sweet as the standard original milk tea and has a stronger tea flavor.   Sweet Hut Bakery and Cafe 3393 Peachtree Road N.E.  Atlanta 30326  sweethutbakery.com

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3. Kung Food Tea KF Milk Tea ($3.35)  The original, plain Milk Tea is a great drink for bubble tea beginners due to its mild flavor. The tea and boba are made to order behind an open counter, ensuring quality and freshness. The perfect balance of milk, black tea, sugar and chewy boba make this drink extremely creamy and light. As is standard with most boba drinks, sweetness is adjusted to taste at the time of order by specifying light, regular or heavy sugar.  Kung Food Tea  5280 Buford Highway N.E. Doraville 30340  770.455.8585  kfteausa.com

STORY:

Jessica Dauler

PHOTO: Sara

4. Bubbleology

Hanna

5. Chow Bing

Milk Tea Coffee ($2.99)

Passion Fruit Milk Tea

The perfect pick-me-up, milk coffee tea is as simple as it sounds: coffee, milk, tea and boba. This smooth drink starts with original milk tea and blends it with a shot of coffee. Java drinkers will appreciate the coffee aroma, flavor and added caffeine boost. Coffee and tea lovers alike can have the best of both worlds with this combination of two favorites.

($3.25)

Bubbleology   3393 Peachtree Road N.E.  Atlanta 30326  404.869.1596 bubbleologyusa.com

Chow Bing serves Chinesefusion fare and offers bubble tea on the menu. With a refreshing, sweet and tangy twist on traditional milk tea, this passion fruit variety will brighten your day. Made with a flavored syrup, it's fruity with a slightly tart taste that is offset perfectly by the creamy milk tea. Chow Bing 3330 Piedmont Road N.E. Suite 22B  Atlanta 30305  404.816.8008  chowbing.com

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A DAY IN THE LIFE

d’Or, an international organization that only the most experienced and talented concierges can get in to. “There are only about 5,500 members worldwide,” says Dempsey. “It’s an honor to be in that group.” What’s it like to be at the beck and call of 15 floors’ worth of world travelers? “The thing about being a concierge, no two days are ever the same,” admits Dempsey. Here’s how one of those atypical days went down recently. 9:35 a.m. On her drive in to work from her home in an east-side suburb, Dempsey listens to the radio to pick up ideas and stay abreast of what’s going on. “I have to know not only what’s happening in Atlanta, but all of Georgia,” she says, noting that guests will ask everything from “Where can I get Vidalia onions?” to “Where can I go ziplining?”

AT YOUR

service AS LEAD CONCIERGE AT THE MANDARIN ORIENTAL, ATLANTA, JANICE DEMPSEY HAS THE JOB OF MAKING GUESTS’ DREAMS COME TRUE STORY:

Jill Becker PHOTOS: Sara Hanna

anice Dempsey’s phone typically rings every five to 10 minutes. “Hello, this is Janice. Can I help you?” she’ll ask way too many times to count throughout the day. That’s to be expected, though, for someone who works as the lead concierge at a luxury hotel like the Mandarin Oriental, Atlanta. Along with the calls, she gets dozens of emails with various guest requests and internal notices about incoming VIPs, flowers that are going to delivered and the like. “Things come quickly,” admits Dempsey, who’s

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

been with the Buckhead property for four and a half years. “You’re in a time crunch, and you have to prioritize. And you really have to be able to multitask.” Born in Germany, but a resident of Atlanta since the age of 2, Dempsey began her career as a flight attendant for TWA. Decades later, after American Airlines took over TWA, Dempsey opted to take early retirement. But she had no plans to stop working, so she decided to become a concierge. “There are a lot of similarities between working for the

airlines and for hotels,” she says. “For one, both are very service-oriented. So it was a natural transition.” Plus, she genuinely seems to like helping people, and, as she puts it, “making the impossible possible.” Like the time she saved an elderly gentleman who’d just driven in from Alabama a trip to the hospital because she was able to track down vital medical supplies he’d forgotten to pack. Her dedication and professionalism have earned her the right to proudly wear on her lapel a pair of golden keys, the symbol of Les Clefs

10 a.m. Uniformed, energized and ready to start her shift, Dempsey heads to the concierge desk tucked in a corner just to the right of the main entrance. She fires up the computer and gets out the spiral notebook where she jots everything down. Despite having to log every guest request and call in the computer, whether they’ve forgotten a toothbrush or need transportation to the airport, Dempsey also scribbles notes and marks items off as they get done. It’s one of the checks and balances she does to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. “We take ownership of each guest request to ensure guests don’t have to repeat themselves,” Dempsey says. She also ends every call by repeating back to the guest the details of the request. “So, you need reservations at suchand-such restaurant for tomorrow at 8 p.m. for four people, and I can reach you at such-and-such number to confirm the reservation, correct?” 10:10 a.m. Among the other tasks Dempsey does straight out of the gate is going over the “New Day at Mandarin Oriental” briefing sheet that chronicles everything happening at the hotel that day, from who has what spa appointments to which meetings are being held in which room. “I have to be informed,” she stresses. 11:05 a.m. The hotel gets a lot of repeat business, and Dempsey is quick to remember names and facts about frequent visitors. Commiserating on the phone with a guest about the fact they both went to the Falcons’ playoff game the previous Sunday, she tells him, “I’m still hoarse from screaming.”

Left: Dempsey treats guests of the hotel the way she would want to be treated. "They're all VIPs in my book," she says.

3:45 p.m. While on the 14th floor checking on the progress of a rose petal turndown for a guest’s anniversary, Dempsey runs into the gentleman who was looking for the business center earlier. “Did everything go okay?” she asks. “Do you need any more assistance?”

12:55 p.m. A guest comes up to the desk and asks where the business center is. Rather than just pointing him in the right direction, Dempsey walks him there and then helps him log into the computer. “When a guest asks where something is, we always walk them at least half or three-fourths of the way there.” 2:20 p.m. A family with a small child is checking in, so Dempsey pulls out the hotel’s little red wagon that’s filled with toys and lets the youngster pick out his favorite. “We’re heavy on the amenities,” Dempsey says. “It’s our way of saying thank you to our guests.”

Below: Next to the shelves piled with helpful Atlanta maps, brochures and restaurant menus, Dempsey keeps a stash of toys for the kiddos.

5:15 p.m. A woman walks up to the desk and asks where she might go for a jog nearby. Dempsey opens the doors of the adjacent closet— nicknamed Narnia—and pulls out a running map. The closet is stacked with copies of local magazines, maps, menus, brochures from local attractions and other materials that guests might find handy. 6:30 p.m. Dempsey signs off and heads home. After dinner, she spends the next couple of hours dealing with paperwork relating to her role as an officer with the Concierge Society of Atlanta. “We’re deep into membership renewals right now,” she says. After that, she plops down on a cozy chair on her screened porch with a book and her cat, Sweet Pea, curled up on her lap. After standing up for a good eight hours, what Dempsey looks forward to most at the end of a long day is “just sitting down and getting off my feet.” Still, she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I have the best job at the hotel,” she insists, “because I help people create memories and have a good time while they’re here.” n

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

PE TS

Photo: Bob Zumwalt

S I M P LY NOW

DOGSCAPE YOUR YARD PLAN AN OUTDOOR AREA BOTH YOU AND YOUR PET WILL LOVE

uchess the Doberman may be a digger, or perhaps Hank the labrador likes to sprint through the grass day after day. Dogs will be dogs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a beautiful backyard that can both survive and celebrate their habits. We caught up with Buckhead dogscaping (definition: landscaping for dogs) experts for their tips on keeping both family and four-legged friends happy out back.

TIP ONE: CUSTOMIZE YOUR DESIGN FOR YOUR FURRY COMPANION Most dogs want places to play, rest and relax, but what’s your buddy into? Melodie McDanal, a horticulturist at Pike Nurseries, which has a Buckhead location, says that the first thing to do when designing a backyard for your pet is identify the things your dog likes. For example, if a pet wants to see what’s happening outside the backyard, install paths, remove plant barriers and provide a see-through fence.

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

STORY:

TIP TWO: BEWARE OF DANGEROUS PLANTS  Some plants can make dogs sick if ingested. The reaction can be as mild as an upset stomach or more serious, depending on what was consumed and how much. “Some toxic plants include foxglove, yews, oleander, lantana and azalea,” McDanal says. She adds that, just like people, blooming plants can trigger seasonal allergies in animals. If you have questions about what to plant and your pet’s health, consult your veterinarian, and ask questions about toxicity when selecting plants at your local garden center.

TIP THREE: PICK RESILIENT PLANTS When selecting plants for the landscape, consider the size of your dog. Danna Cain, landscape architect, garden designer and contractor with Home & Garden Design who often works on Buckhead properties, says owners with big dogs might select large shrubs of the 30-gallon size or larger, such as camellias or Japanese

Maggie Haynes

cedar, that won’t be trampled by large paws. For medium-sized dogs, choose plants that will regenerate quickly if foliage is broken, such as forsythia or miscanthus ornamental grass. For sun and shade gardens for small and medium dogs, Cain uses autumn fern that allows dogs to run through the plant without damaging it. For smaller breeds, Cain prefers hostas for the shape and color they bring. Last but not least, groundcover plants, such as dwarf mondo grass and creeping Jenny, are a great solution for small and medium dogs. For grass, McDanal suggests using Bermuda or zoysia that will survive better than fescue.

TIP 4: ADD FUN FOR FIDO So many options can add fun and give your dogs their own domain. McDanal suggests adding a dog run along a narrow area of the backyard by creating a border with shrubs or

Above: Duncan, the yellow lab, relaxes in his Sandy Springs backyard designed specifically for him by Danna Cain.

fencing. Fountains are a great source of fresh drinking water for dogs. If you have a pet who loves to dig, add a digging pit that’s hidden behind shrubs or a fence. Have big ideas but not sure what the process is? A professionally designed dogscape can take six months for the design process. If you want to tackle it yourself, don’t get overwhelmed. McDanal suggests starting with one project at a time, such as a dog run or a section of the yard, and upon completion, moving on to the next. n

HOM E | FA S H ION | B E AU T Y | W E L L N E S S | TA S T E M A K E R

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HOME

The next chapter P30

Once leading to an unfinished attic, the stairs in Nancy and John Mullinses’ home transport guests to charming two-bedroom, two-bathroom accommodations. Photo: Sara Hanna Photography

“We didn’t want to go in and gut the place and then try to start from scratch ...we just wanted a couple of projects.” – Nancy Mullins

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S I M P LY S T Y LIS H

HOM E

THE NEXT CHAPTER Empty nesters John and Nancy Mullins put the finishing touches on a charming Garden Hills bungalow STORY:

Above: After nearly two decades living OTP, Nancy and John Mullins love their city digs in Peachtree Hills.

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

Giannina Smith Bedford PHOTOS: Sara Hanna

fter nearly two decades in the suburbs, John and Nancy Mullins were ready for city life. John, a banker with SunTrust in Midtown, was also ready for a shorter commute. So, after their daughter graduated from high school and their son married in 2014, they put their spacious Alpharetta home on the market, sold it to the first person who saw it and went on a mission to find their ideal intown abode. “[Alpharetta] was a great place to raise the kids,” Nancy says. “But John’s commute was 1 ¼ hours one way on Ga. 400, which we decided was too long.” An interior designer with her own namesake firm, Nancy was open to a home that needed a little TLC, but she didn’t want a complete fixer upper. After some looking around, Beacham & Company realtor Janey Lowe eventually led them to the brick Garden Hills abode that would become their home for their next stage of life. “This home fit the bill. Some work had been done, and we didn’t want to go in and gut the place and then try to start from scratch,” Nancy says. “We just wanted a couple of projects.”

The previous owners had already updated the kitchen and family room, so all Nancy and John did to personalize those rooms was repaint and change light fixtures, including two large gold pendants above the concretetopped kitchen island. Nancy also added a French plaster hood above the kitchen’s FiveStar range for a little old-world flair. Today, the gourmet cook-worthy kitchen is an eye-catching mix of traditional and industrialchic elements, including a large concrete laundry sink, Calacatta Gold marble countertops and backsplash with white shiplap walls. “I love the backsplash being the same as the countertop. It just makes for a quieter kitchen,” Nancy says of the space that also features a butler’s pantry with matching marble counters and a walk-in pantry. The kitchen opens up to the welcoming family room—converted from a bedroom by the previous owners—where shiplap walls run into nearly floor-to-ceiling windows that bring in the outside. This is where the Mullinses admit to spending most of their time and where Nancy showcases her discerning

Left and Right: John and Nancy Mullins give credit to the previous homeowners for the renovation of the kitchen and family room. They simply finished them off with new paint and light fixtures, including the eye-catching gold pendants from Circa Lighting. Below: The light-filled kitchen features a oversized concrete laundry sink that the home’s former owner found in the basement.

“The house is totally livable on the first floor when it is just the two of us, but when we have guests, they have room.” – Nancy Mullins consists of items they’ve had for years. “We haven’t really bought much new; we’ve filled in with lamps and things to freshen it up,” Nancy says. “This coffee table we’ve had ever since we got married. I’m real big on being able to prop your feet up on the coffee table.” Although the kitchen and family room didn’t require too much heavy lifting, the Mullinses’ ambitious plans to transform their unfinished attic space into accommodations for visitors did. After Nancy designed a new layout for

the upstairs space—two spacious bedrooms each with a full bathroom—and made all the material selections, Renew Properties LLC went to work to make her vision a reality. Now when guests come to stay, they have their choice of two fabulously plush bedrooms with 8-foot ceilings and spacious, marbleclad bathrooms, each decorated in Nancy’s signature transition- meets-classic style. In her “daughter’s room,” a headboard and mirror from Scott’s, travel photographs of Morocco

eye for décor. She mixes antique elements such as the French laundry cart and locker picked up at Scott Antique Markets, with statement-making pieces like the custom cowhide ottoman. The seating area is centered around a wood coffee table that was once the meat butcher block in a general store owned by John’s dad in his hometown of Pine Mountain, Georgia. Although the Mullinses say they had to downsize for the move intown, the majority of the furniture decorating their current home

Above: Large enough for friends and family and small enough for dinner for two, the dining room is soon getting a new wood ceiling and draperies to enhance its casualmeets-elegant feel.

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

S I M P LY S T Y LIS H H OM E

and Capri taken while studying abroad, shiplap walls, barn doors and charming details, such as the antique-style bathroom knobs from Anthropologie, create a vintage setting that begs for lounging with a good book. “Our contractor understood my love of texture and a casual transition style mixed with the classic,” Nancy says. “The house is totally livable on the first floor when it is just the two of us, but when we have guests, they have room.” In addition to the interior revamps, John and Nancy dedicated a lot of their efforts outdoors. They tore down and rebuilt the detached garage with a storage space on the left side for trash cans and other outdoor tools. One of the biggest exterior overhauls, however, was the landscaping of the front and back yards, including the creation of an outdoor patio and fireplace ideal for entertaining. Decorated with a teak table and chairs from AuthenTeak and black patio furniture from Lowe’s, the backyard patio is where the Mullinses love to hang out during months of good weather. Just when you thought these homeowners might take a break from renovations, they have more big plans up their sleeves. This spring, again with the help of Renew Properties, they are diving head first into the reconfiguration of the main-level master bedroom by combining two bedrooms and two bathrooms to create a laundry room, powder room, master bedroom, master bath and master closet. Below: Part of the Mullinses’ outdoor revamp included a rebuilding of the detached garage, complete with a side storage area for trash cans.

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

Once complete, the residence will go from being four bedrooms and four baths to three bedrooms and three and a half baths to perfectly fit with the Mullinses’ empty-nester needs. “The contractors are really excited about it because I’ve really worked hard on that floor plan. They said they were amazed and that it’s going to be good,” Nancy says. John and Nancy are relishing their new life as city slickers and love being in close proximity to Buckhead’s restaurants and shopping. They may not be raising kids anymore, but their new home is sure to be a place where their grown children and grandchildren will want to visit for many years to come. n

Above: One of the two upstairs attic bedrooms added in the renovation is where the homeowners’ college-age daughter stays when in town. It’s adorned in her travel photography and a tufted headboard from Scott Antique Markets. Right: The marble and white upstairs guest bathroom features shiplap walls and a mirror Nancy created from a frame bought at a sample sale. Below: With stonework and landscaping by Upgrade Landscaping in Cumming, the outdoor fireplace and patio provide the perfect place to entertain during the spring and fall.

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SHOP LIKE SHERRI “Nordstrom isn’t completely designer all the way. I’ve found some of my favorite pieces in the Trend Department. Their Articles of Society jeans fit like butter and are only about $50.” 3500 Peachtree Road 404.442.3000 shop.nordstrom.com

“I love Zara. You can find clothes that feel professional and put together and at good price points.” 3393 Peachtree Road 404.948.1516 zara.com

“Dress Up in Town Brookhaven has trendy clothes for great prices and in really cute styles.” 305 Brookhaven Avenue 404.812.7018 shopdressup.com

Top by PinkBlush, available at shoppinkblush.com; Denim by AG Denim, Shoes by Jeffrey Campbell and Backpack by Rebecca Minkoff, available at shop.nordstrom.com.

Local blogger Sherri Dickens combines style savvy, humor and authenticity STORY:

Jennifer Bradley Franklin

Out-rage-ously fun

n a fashion and mommy blogosphere filled with saccharine-sweet voices and unattainable designer style, Brookhaven-based blogger Sherri Dickens is a breath of fresh air. As the personality and fashion brains behind Rage Against the Mom Jean (RATMJ), she’s keeping readers in style and in stitches. The 36-year-old wife and mother of two has worn a number of hats over the years, including time spent as a real estate agent and most recently as a successful wardrobe consultant. She loved writing guest posts for other style blogs but felt there was an untapped audience,

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

since so many preferred to focus on either ultra-high end clothes or impractical items (think sky-high heels and teeny mini skirts). “I wanted to do a mashup of motherhood and style around the idea of ‘Let’s be cute while we do it and not turn into these sad, mom-jean-wearing moms who have given up on style,’” she says of RATMJ, which launched in September 2016. “I’ve been there, but it’s important to feel like yourself, be creative through your clothes and be comfortable while you’re running around after the crazy little people you’re trying to raise.”

As we caught up over salads at the Nordstrom cafe in Phipps Plaza, I couldn’t help but admire Dickens’ outfit of the day (that’s #OOTD, for Instagram fans). She looked as if she could go from a high-powered meeting to a date night in head-to-toe black, with a Ted Baker lace sleeveless top, BCBG faux leather culottes and Donald Pliner peep toe booties. Her blog certainly resonates with mothers, the core audience, but has practical tips and product finds for women of all ages and income levels. “I try really hard to make sure there’s a range of price points when I post looks,” she says, her shoulder-grazing

tassel earrings swinging as she speaks. “None of us want to spend our child’s college fund on clothes, or at least I don’t.” Part of Dickens’ appeal is that her witty, self-deprecating voice comes through in every post. She regularly talks about her love of sweatpants, athleisure and comfy clothes, even while sharing styling tips with fashionable leather jackets, oversized totes, flowing tops, sweet dresses and boyfriend jeans. Take a recent “Friday Favorites” post in which she describes her top purchase of the week: black leather, metal-studded Derringer moto ankle boots by John Fluevog. She writes, “Apparently, in my mind I’m now a biker chick named Rhonda. Whatevs. These boots are killer, and guaranteed to embarrass my child when I visit her at school. What more can you really ask for?” Reading it might make you laugh out loud and want to make Dickens your friend in real life (she does occasional local wardrobe consults, so you’re in luck). Though the blog is just shy of a year old, its intrepid writer has big plans, including continued partnerships with her favorite fashion brands and possibly writing for other outlets. Did I say Dickens is a breath of fresh air? Rather, RATMJ is like a RAGE AGAINST THE MOM JEAN bold, bohemian print in a sea of ratmj.com boring suits. n

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What to expect: You’ll lie down on a massage table in a relaxing, dimly lit room as the cryotech (the cryotherapy version of an esthetician) uses a vacuum-esque hose to waft cold nitrogen vapors (-256 F, to be exact) across your face, neck, décolleté, scalp and hands for about 12 minutes. It feels soothing until just before the 10-minute mark when your frozen visage is ready for warmth again. It’s the fastest facial ever, but boasts major skin benefits for any age, including stimulating collagen growth, tightening, killing bacteria that creates acne, reducing inflammation and treating some chronic conditions, such as eczema. You’ll see the most noticeable results in a series of five treatments that are one week apart. I only went for one, but my skin felt tighter and glow-y afterwards.

What to expect: Guys and gals over 40 will benefit the most from this two-hour service that utilizes the tiniest of acupuncture needles to stimulate circulation and increase blood flow to the face, improve muscle tone and reduce under-eye bags and wrinkles for a more youthful appearance. The number of needles varies from person to person, but you can expect around 20 in the face, ears and neck, and 14 in the body, too, to benefit overall wellness. Once they are in, you’ll relax on the massage table for 30 minutes or so under a silver Mylar blanket with the room’s otherwise glaring lights off. The only visible result I saw after one treatment was, unfortunately, a slight bruise on my lip. That said, the acupuncturist recommends a series of 13 over the course of 10 weeks for the best results.

What to expect: Though it’s a medspa, you’ll feel more like you’re at a spa than a medical office with soft blankies, a knee pillow, dimmed lights and soothing music. The esthetician begins the 60-minute treatment with a luxurious facial cleanse before hooking you up to the high-tech microcurrent machine’s electrodes (similar to an EKG machine). The applicators use a low electric current to stimulate muscles and treat fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin. It doesn’t hurt, but you’ll feel a tingling sensation, and some facial muscles may twitch. To gain the full benefit, around eight weekly sessions are recommended, as well as a maintenance treatment every three or four months. I felt very relaxed but didn’t see any immediate skin results post one service.

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ust off those golf clubs and hiking boots, y’all. It’s that time of year when the warm weather ushers our workouts outside. But before you take your first swing or hit the trail, check out these four yoga poses, contributed by several Buckhead instructors, that will help you build the strength and flexibility needed to avoid injury while enjoying your outdoor options.

TENNIS AND GOLF

POSE: REVOLVED CHAIR THE EXPERT: Natalie Skubic,

Infinity Yoga Benefits: “This pose opens up your shoulders and chest, so it’s great to increase your mobility for an optimal swing in either tennis or golf,” Skubic says. Try It: Stand with your feet together (or hip-width apart, if it’s more comfortable), and sit back into a low squat. Pull your hands together in a prayer pose in front of your chest. Find length on your inhale and on your exhale, twist from your mid-back to drop your elbow to the outside of your opposite leg. Keep hips low, stack elbows and draw your chest to your hands. Look up or down, depending on what is most comfortable. Hold the pose for five breaths. Repeat on the opposite side.

HORSEBACK RIDING AND KAYAKING

POSE: BOAT POSE THE EXPERT: Jana Smith, Burn Studios

Benefits: “A strong core, which includes the muscles in your torso, is essential to avoiding injury with both of these sports,” Smith says. “This pose requires

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

STRIKE A POSE 4 yoga moves to get you summer sport ready STORY:

Amelia Pavlik PHOTOS: Sara Hanna

the body to balance, building strength exactly where you need to.” Try It: Start in a seated position, and rock back so you are balancing on your sit bones and your tailbone. Tap your toes to the floor and hold on behind your quads. Lift your chest and lean back slightly. If you’re comfortable, slowly begin to lift your toes up off the floor. Deepen the posture by bringing your shins parallel with your mat or begin to lengthen your legs to create a V shape. Bring your hands to your hamstrings or your heart, or extend your arms straight out toward your feet. Hold the pose for five breaths. HIKING AND MOUNTAIN BIKING

POSE: PYRAMID THE EXPERT: Carly Grace,

Thunderbolt Power Yoga Benefits: “This pose is excellent for stretching the hamstrings and calf muscles,” Grace says. Try It: Stand and step your right foot forward about three feet and align your right foot at a 12 o’clock. Turn your left toes counterclockwise 30 to 40 degrees. Take a deep bend into your left leg while keeping your left foot planted, and use the extra space to lift the sole

of your right foot off the earth. Ease your left hip down and slightly forward, and lift your right hip slightly up and back to create neutral hips. Use this neutral space to lengthen your spinal column down your right shin. Tuck your chin in toward your chest. Reground your left foot solidly into the earth, and place the sole of your right foot back to the ground. Hold the pose for five breaths.

SWIMMING

POSE: CAMEL THE EXPERT: Angela Portwood,

CorePower Yoga Benefits: “This pose opens up the front line of your body and strengthens your back,” Portwood says. Try It: Kneel with your hips stacked over the knees. Bring your palms to your lower back, and point your fingers down. Hug your elbows in. Inhale and lift through your chest, and exhale and look up. Keep your chest up. Continue to send your hips forward as you send your shoulders back, and hold at a comfortable position for you. Hold three to five breaths. n

DETAILS: Infinity Yoga 2293 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30309 678.871.5199 infinityyogaatlanta.com Burn Studios 3575 Durden Drive N.E. Suite 202 Brookhaven 30319 770.837.0051 livetoburn.com Thunderbolt Power Yoga 3872 Roswell Road N.E. Atlanta 30342 404.556.1605 thunderboltpoweryoga.com CorePower Yoga 3400 Around Lenox Road N.E., Suite 204 Atlanta 30326 404.865.3264 corepoweryoga.com

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Becoming her own

Martha The creative genius behind a popular Atlanta homegrown brand finds her groove STORY:

Kate Abney

fter testing the waters with a handmade bracelet business on Etsy, Mandy Kellogg Rye, a former digital healthcare consultant and Chicagoan, launched her well-read blog Waiting on Martha (WOM) in 2012. The site eventually transformed into an e-commerce business aimed at serving stylish women who were looking for witty gifts and chic yet lighthearted and colorful home-decor items. “I think, like a lot of people, I wanted a creative outlet, even though I loved my job.” After making the jump to WOM full-time in July 2014, Rye’s business blossomed, yet she admits it took probably three buying seasons (a year and a quarter) to fully understand her customer and which products would sell. In time, WOM also brought opportunities to style major campaigns for big-name brands out of her Sandy Springs home that serves as an office, storage space and photo studio. Having recently revamped her blog and online store to be more user-friendly with cleaner graphics and simpler fonts, Rye revealed some of her latest happenings.

First up, the question on everyone’s lips: Who’s Martha? I named my company right after watching the Christopher Guest film Waiting for Guffman over a bottle of wine. Martha Stewart was in her heyday. I love her because she does everything I love—food, interiors, DIY—and I couldn’t use my real name because I was still working fulltime. So WOM was an homage to her.

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

What new products can we expect to hit the online store soon? We’re so excited about the amazing beach bags coming in, plus on-trend pool inflatables for summer like a pineapple, a banana, rainbows, swans, flamingos. We stock everything in our warehouse on Collier Road [shared with Country Club Prep], where we do all of our order fulfillment and shipping. You’ve lived on the northern outskirts of Buckhead for a few years now; what attracted you to this area? When I was living in Chicago and visiting my parents in Atlanta, we’d always go shopping in Buckhead, and my husband, Anthony, does commercial real estate here. Buckhead has always felt like home; there could be no other choice for me. As a community, it’s always been very nurturing; there’s such an incredible group of creatives here who have helped me grow with WOM. And my blog readers and customers are definitely Buckhead dwellers. They are the ones I relate to most. You’re consistently involved in big brand collaborations. What are some of the latest campaigns you’ve styled? I just wrapped a spring one for J. McLaughlin and an Easter theme with Pottery Barn. I’m also working on a project with the Canopy

by Hilton brand of hotels; the first U.S. location opened here in Atlanta last year. I’m also working with the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Orbitz gum, Draper James, Mark and Graham, Farrow & Ball, and a lot of other fun ones. Wow! A lot going on. So what else is on the horizon for you? Beyond strengthening the business, we’re working toward a brick-and-mortar store. We just can’t comment on it at this time. This dream is four years—and four pop-up shops— in the making, so I feel well prepared. There’s a solid foundation now, and it gives me a lot of ease about signing a long-term lease. And you just launched another concept recently. Yes, it’s a sister site to WOM called The Well Code, a modern-day apothecary. I’m very interested in health and wellness, and everything we carry is nontoxic and natural—think brands like One Love Organics, French Girl Organics and a great line from Canada, Woodlot, that makes these cool salt-and-clay soaps. Along with our favorite beauty products, we’ll also have Eastern remedies like crystals and smudge WAITING ON MARTHA sticks. I feel like the Buckhead crowd is ready waitingonmartha.com for something new. n

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SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

ART VIEW

Opting for art P48

“I had to pick between advertising and art.”

– Renée Bouchon

Brookhaven artist Renée Bouchon shows off several of her works, now at the Gregg Irby Gallery.

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

S I M P LY A & E

ON S TAGE

JAZZ

FIX

Area establishments offer hard-tofind listening experiences STORY:

Jim Farmer

tlanta’s reputation as a music capital is well earned, but for all the sounds that spring from the city, live jazz is not easy to find—in Buckhead or its surroundings. Events such as the Atlanta Jazz Festival (May 26-28) provide a weekend of distinguished sounds and artists, but finding a venue dedicated to the musical art form is a challenge. Luckily, some nearby bars, restaurants and hotels offer opportunities to take in the smooth sounds of the genre. Here is a trio of places to check out.

CAFE 290 It’s not a stretch to call Cafe 290 a hub of area jazz. Located in Sandy Springs, the 30-year-old establishment has featured jazz since opening day. Owner John Scatena acknowledges that while the art form is loved and appreciated by many locals, there aren’t many places to savor it. His eclectic spot fills that void. The jazz/dinner club hosts local, national and international performers such as Julius Williams, Reggie Hines and Joe Gransden, who is accompanied by a 16-man group specializing in big band music. The laidback environment includes a 180-seat jazz room, lit by candlelight, with dinner tables, cocktail tables and a bar. Celebs such as Jamie Foxx, Dave Chappelle and Tyler Perry have made appearances at the place over the years, and the club remains a must for jazz enthusiasts.

THE ST. REGIS ATLANTA The St. Regis New York is heralded for its embrace of jazz legends such as Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Trying to introduce similar music to Buckhead patrons, The St. Regis Atlanta, which opened in 2009, has hosted its Jazz Legends series every Thursday night since 2015 in the

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

Clockwise from top: The musicians of Joe Gransden’s band stir up the night at Cafe 290; the jazz/wine room of The St. Regis Atlanta; Joe Gransden giving it his all.

hotel’s Wine Room, an intimate 35-person capacity space next to The St. Regis Bar. Guests gather comfortably in the lounge, sipping on cocktails and nibbling on light fare from Executive Sous Chef James Ellis. Theresa Hightower, a frequent stage musical performer with a devoted fan base, is the guest artist every week, accompanied by various piano players. Her rich, elegant voice and blues and jazz selections attract crowds week after week. Rosa Romero, the hotel’s director of sales and marketing, says her clientele are in-house guests and locals who love listening to jazz in an intimate, exclusive atmosphere. Hightower makes her evenings memorable by interacting with guests and occasionally pulling musician friends up on stage to perform with her.

WATERSHED As if a morning blast of beignets and coffee wasn’t enough to kick-start a Sunday morning, Watershed’s jazz should do it. The Buckhead location of

this former Decatur-based restaurant opened five years ago and has built a successful Sunday brunch, with a twist. According to Marlo Mauricio, one of the restaurant managers, Watershed’s live music component began with its former chef, Joe Truex, who specialized in creole cuisine and brought in the Ruby Red’s, a trio of jazz musicians who’ve been together 50 years. While the restaurant experiments with other jazz events on certain dates, the Ruby Red’s are Watershed’s in-house crowd pleaser, engaging brunch-goers with their rowdy, weekend New Orleans jazz and gutbucket blues. Mauricio describes Sunday jazz brunch as lively, but not overly crowded. The band performs in the bar area inside, next to the restaurant’s patio, facing both diners grabbing a drink or settled in at a table for a meal. Many regulars come specifically for the music, too, and make reservations—either by calling ahead or putting in a special request online—to sit as close as possible to the performers. n

DETAILS: Cafe 290 290 Hilderbrand Drive Atlanta 30328 404.256.3942 cafe290atlanta.com The St. Regis Atlanta 88 West Paces Ferry Road Atlanta 30305 404.563.7900 stregisatlanta.com Watershed 1820 Peachtree Road N.W. Atlanta 30309 404.809.3561 watershedrestaurant.com

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S I M P LY A & E

Opting for Art Brookhaven’s Renée Bouchon tosses in the corporate towel and picks up a paintbrush

rowing up in New Orleans, Renée Bouchon always had a crayon or pencil in her hand. An early fascination with drawing led her to kids’ classes at Tulane and Loyola that fueled a life-long compulsion to paint. But getting to explore that artistic side took a bit of a detour down a more practical walk of life. “I studied advertising at UGA, but I always took art classes on the side,” admits the 32-year-old Brookhaven resident. “I’m not quite sure how I wound up on the advertising side of art; maybe it was the most creative side of business I could do.” After graduating in 2006, Bouchon moved to Atlanta and worked for marketing firms Moxie and J. Walter Thompson. “I had different accounts and managed clients while working with a creative team on websites, online banners and the like,” she recalls. “And I did that for 11 years.” But seven years ago, Bouchon found the siren call of painting too seductive to ignore. “I think it really started when a friend asked me to do a work for her home,” she says. “I remember my first thought was,

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

‘What, you want me to do it?’ I had no confidence. But she loved it, and from there, people got wind that I was painting and things took off.” Bouchon found herself painting in every spare moment and putting her work online. “I promoted it on Instagram, but I’ve never been sure how it happened. Things just exploded.” It wasn’t long before Bouchon had designers up and down the East Coast calling for one of her abstract works. “One designer had multiple clients; that kept me busy for a while,” she says with a laugh. “But a lot of them bought my work from what I had available.” Seven months ago, Bouchon reached the tipping point. “I had to pick between advertising and art,” she says, “and I decided to make the move to full-time artist. I had to pick my heart.” Dedicating all her time to painting also meant finding a better location to produce it. While she was doing it in her spare time, she often worked in whatever room was convenient. “I had a spare sunroom I used, but I also found myself cooking dinner

STORY:

H.M. Cauley

in my paint apron and working on a project while something was cooking in the oven. There were brushes on my kitchen table. I knew if I was going to start a true art business, I had to have a separate studio with no distractions. It was time for that sort of distinction and to keep ‘home’ as the place I could relax.” Now, Bouchon heads out to a Brookhaven studio where she still manages to spread out, painting sometimes on an easel, sometimes on the floor—whatever works for the project she’s doing. Wherever she winds up working, the results are often the same: abstract works of unique color combinations she often creates in the moment using gouache, charcoal, oils and acrylics. “The colors have to speak to me,” she says. “I love the way unexpected hues pair together, and I use colors you wouldn’t necessarily think of putting together. I couldn’t tell you what they are; I have to be in the moment to pick them. I just mix, name them and mark what went into them, so they’re not colors you can buy. I also love dimension, so

each work has about eight layers of paint to give it depth.” No matter what colors move her in the moment, Bouchon’s goal is always the same: to be fresh and different. “I don’t really follow the rules,” she admits. “Sometimes abstracts can all look the same, but for me, there needs to be something crucial that makes it special. I want my art to be fresh and cool, something people will appreciate over the years.” More Atlantans will get to see Bouchon’s style since she recently paired with Buckhead’s Gregg Irby Gallery to display her work. “I’ll have more to show now that I’m painting full-time,” she says. “It was a great decision to paint; I haven’t looked back. Now my goal for 2017 is not to make boring art.” n

RENÉE BOUCHON AT GREGG IRBY GALLERY 966 Huff Road Atlanta 30318 404.941.9787 greggirbygallery.com reneebouchon.com

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Photo: Sherri Innis

HOME Brookhaven author’s latest book shows off Atlanta

eeding that old adage “Write what you know” made writing her third novel a bit easier for Brookhaven’s Kimberly Belle. She set The Marriage Lie in Atlanta largely because she needed a setting with a major airport. What could be better than her adopted hometown? “I usually come up with the plot first,” she says. “My first book needed to be in a small town; my second had a lot of military in it, so D.C. worked. But for this book, it didn’t matter where I set it; it just needed a big airport. So I went with Atlanta, and after a chapter or two, I thought, ‘Why didn’t I do this before?’ It was so easy to write about what I know.” Readers will find more than the airport as a setting. Belle takes her main character, a widow searching for the truth about her husband’s complicated past, to Lenox Square, the BeltLine, Inman Park and Vinings. “It turned out to be a little love story for my town,” Belle says. But a “love story” this novel is not: It falls squarely in the suspense genre, an area Belle ventured into

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

with her second book, The Ones We Trust, that came out in 2015. The plot of The Marriage Lie, published in late December, came together during the many overseas trips Belle has taken to Holland, her husband Ewoud’s native land and where her son is currently attending graduate school. “We were on planes a lot, and I started thinking about a suspense story that started with the worst possible thing that would happen,” she says. “So, it started with a plane crash and took shape from there, but the real story is about what [the heroine’s] husband was hiding from her and why was he on that plane when he said he was going somewhere else.” That scenario, Belle insists, is entirely made up—not in the least related to what she knows. “This year, we’ll be married 25 years, so people who know us laugh and ask, ‘Where did this come from?’” she said. “And my husband is definitely one of them who asks. I just tell him I don’t know where it came from. It’s a sad story you wouldn’t write about

a happily married couple.” The Tennessee native has no dark past or tribulations of the sort her heroine faces. Rather, Belle came to Atlanta to attend Agnes Scott College, and after meeting her real estate exec husband, moved with him to Holland where they lived for 12 years. “I worked in fundraising for nonprofits, but I always thought I had a story or two or three in me, and writing has always been in my sights,” she recalls. Having a full-time job while raising her son and daughter, now in high school, left little time for writing. And when the family moved back to Atlanta in 2008, Belle opted to go back to the fundraising field she was familiar with. “Then when the market crashed, I lost all my business,” she says. “But it turned out to be my now-or-never moment: either get a job or write a fiction story. And I decided writing was what I’d always wanted to do.” Since that decision, Belle has been on the “book-a-year” track, and she’s found her niche in the page-turner genre.

STORY:

H.M. Cauley

“I enjoy writing suspense. It’s such fun to structure stories so that every chapter ends on a mini-cliffhanger. My daughter loves to talk about plot, and sometimes we work through it together. I love the way suspense pushes the story forward—and it’s a super-hot genre as well.” n

THE MARRIAGE LIE is available from HQN Custom Pub on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble and at the author’s website, Kimberlybellebooks.com.

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May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

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RESTAURANT REVIEW

So savory and flavorful, the Georgia pecan waffles at Treehouse don’t need syrup.

Agreeable Alfresco P54

Walking into Treehouse is like entering a backyard get-together.

Photo: Sara Hanna Photography

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

S I M P LY D E LICIOUS REVI E W

Above: The deck is cozy, comfortable and dog friendly.

AGREEABLE

ALFRESCO W

alking into Treehouse is like entering a backyard get-together. If this is your neighborhood, it’s comfortable straightaway, filled with neighbors and friends who visit regularly. If new to the party, the restaurant is welcoming and informal. A sign reads, “Seat yourself.” Most folks congregate on the patio and sip cold beverages. The eating house serves plenty of old favorites. Order a burger and an Atlanta-made craft beer and escape from the bustle of the city. Treehouse is tucked away in the curve of King’s Circle in Peachtree Hills. But don’t take the moniker too literally. Open since June of 1986, the restaurant began in a little structure that formerly housed an arborist. Get it, “Treehouse”? There are a few tables inside and some stools at the bar, but the real action is the patio. The entire concept aims to make you feel among the trees, and you do because of the tall Georgia pines looming above and the lush plants hanging in every nook and cranny. The patio is cozy but not cramped, with outdoor tables and comfy chairs. Chef Kyle Youmans calls it “Swiss Family Robinson-style.”

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

Treehouse enlivens with old favorites STORY:

Above: Smoked salmon drizzled in rich hollandaise is the perfect complement to a citrusy mimosa.

Angela Hansberger

PHOTOS: Sara

Hanna

Youmans came to Atlanta in 1996 to attend culinary school at The Art Institute of Atlanta and began cooking as Treehouse’s sous chef. He eventually worked his way to executive chef. Some of his staff have been here 10 to 15 years as well. “It’s always been pub-oriented. Back when I started, it was a watering hole. It just sort of evolved. We have been growing up with our customers. Now our regulars sit with high chairs on the patio.” While some things have shifted—the downstairs dining area now houses cooking equipment—Youmans has had to do it gradually since regulars have strong feelings about changes. “We have a lot of new [menu items, cocktails and renovations] coming up, but everything that makes us what we are—our patio and our comfort food—is going to stick around. We’ll never lose our character and identity; we’re not trying to reinvent the wheel here.” What keeps regulars coming back, besides the patio? Youmans says it’s the comfort food: the basic burger, the jumbo wings tossed in buffalo or teriyaki, and brunch on a patio. You won’t find experiments here. Instead, Treehouse perks up beloved American standards. The English burger is a half-

pound of Black Angus grilled to order with thick slices of sweet and slightly smoked bacon enrobed in melted cheddar cheese on a toasted English muffin. Not overcomplicated, but juicy and with a perfect ratio of bun to burger. It’s rivaled by the patty melt with grilled onions and Swiss on buttery, toasted rye bread. It has crunchy edges and a juicy interior. Each comes with hand-cut fries that are long and thin, but still golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender inside. Chicken sandwiches stand out here, with almost 10 medleys to choose from. Buns are soft and lightly buttered and, like the burgers, come with fries. The All-American has the smoky-sweet bacon and cheese cheddar combo. The bigger-than-the-bun Buffalo comes batter-fried and bathed in a tangy and slightly hot sauce, but the breading kind of falls off this one. I liked the jerk chicken best. The super juicy bird is first marinated in allspice, cayenne, nutmeg, smoked paprika and black pepper, then grilled and covered in white American cheese. If you visit for appetizers, the starter of lightly battered and flash-fried artichoke hearts is warm, crunchy and tart with a bright lemon aioli and drizzles of balsamic.

Left: Marbled rye, buttery and crisp, envelopes a thick burger patty, grilled onions and melted Swiss.

Above: The massive buffalo chicken sandwich is smothered in sauce and fried to a crisp.

Left: The Asian salmon salad delights with brightness in color and flavor.

What keeps regulars coming back, besides the patio? Chef Youmans says it’s the comfort food. Artichokes are also executed well in another app—a creamy and snappy dip served with toasted pita chips. Youmans likes an entrée salad and makes all the dressings from scratch, except for the ranch (“Why mess with perfection?”). The Asian salmon salad is zingy with freshness, color and zest. The fish is grilled with a wasabisoy glaze and served atop mixed greens, cucumber and Mandarin-orange wedges, with a thick and punchy ginger dressing akin to the kind served at Japanese steak houses. As for brunch, the earlier the better: A line forms when Treehouse opens at 11 a.m. Service suffers a little with a crowd, guests’ dogs on the patio and coffee/mimosa refills, but it’s really about sitting in the sunshine here.

The menu boasts an extensive list of egg dishes, and I enjoyed the Southern-style Benedict with two poached eggs atop buttery biscuits smothered in sausage gravy. The salmon Benedict with sautéed spinach suffered from timing: The thinly sliced fish cooked a bit under the hot eggs. A fluffy Belgian-style waffle stuffed with crushed Georgia pecans was crisp and didn’t need syrup with the addition of whipped cream. The beer list is extensive and well curated by Youmans. “I try to pull from local breweries. Our city is full of great beers.” The wait staff is knowledgeable about flavor profiles. My server noted the hop-forward and citrus notes in a Three Taverns Night on Ponce—spot on for what I said I liked. There is no cocktail list, aside from brunch bloody marys and mimosas, but Youmans is working on “dabbling in craft cocktails with proper glassware.” Wine and desserts fit the restaurant’s casual nature and sense of familiarity. I loved the gluten-free chocolate torte, its dense and rich flavors of high-quality dark chocolate drizzled with a sweet and spicy raspberry-chipotle sauce. It paired well with the citrusy notes and natural acidity of a Groth sauvignon blanc. Treehouse does exactly what it sets out to do. It’s a casual, expansive patio with a kitchen offering affordable food and drink. Without fuss, chef Youmans makes dependably flavorful versions of American comfort food. n

Above: In the Treehouse Pasta, blackened chicken tops penne pasta tossed in a vodka cream sauce.

Above: The dense chocolate torte comes drizzled with a sauce of sweet and spicy raspberry-chipotle.

THE TREEHOUSE 7 Kings Circle, Atlanta 30305 404.266.2732 treehouseatlanta.com Prices: Appetizers $3-$13. Desserts $5-$6.50. Egg Dishes $8-$12. Burgers and Sandwiches $6-$10. Entrées $17-$22. Brunch Cocktails $5-$8.50. Recommended Dishes: Flash-fried artichokes, Asian salmon salad, patty melt, all-American chicken sandwich, gluten-free chocolate torte, pecan waffle. Bottom Line: Casual American fare al fresco.

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

S I M P LY D E LICIOUS

D R IN KS

Clockwise from left: Toast mom with cocktails from the Bloody Mary bar at Dantanna’s; indulge in Mexican fare at Red Pepper Taqueria and snag bottomless mimosas for $15 extra; take mom for a steak dinner at Maya and enjoy the ambience; 103 West’s buffet brunch serves up 30 different dishes!

MUM’S THE WORD Celebrate your No. 1 lady this Mother’s Day with a beverage in Buckhead

ublic service announcement: Mother’s Day is rounding the corner—May 14, to be exact. If you have forgotten this, or are aware of the date but haven’t made any plans yet, there’s still time. Fortunately, the Buckhead area is chockablock with events dedicated to our leading ladies, so you can ensure she feels special. Here, we’ve pulled together a smattering of locales featuring Mother’s Day events where the beverage is central. This round’s on us, Mom. Cheers to you!

Maya Steaks & Seafood and Red Pepper Taqueria Toast mom with non-stop OJ and bubbly during the bottomless mimosa special offered at both Maya Steaks & Seafood and Red Pepper Taqueria. The two restaurants share the same owner (and the same sweet $15 price tag for this cocktail special), but offer varying takes on tasty Mother’s Day fare. For steakhouse dining with a Spanish spin, opt for a table at Maya. A more casual experience calls for queso, crispy tortilla strips and al pastor tacos at Red Pepper. If mom changes her mind about drinking, both restaurants will give her a complimentary dessert instead.

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

Dantanna’s Between 12 and 4 p.m., moms eat for free on Mother’s Day at Dantanna’s locations in Sandy Springs and Buckhead, when they are accompanied by a paying diner (that means you, reader). Brunch fare encompasses a range of typical mid-morning staples in addition to more luxurious dining, like the Shirred Eggs in Tulips (eggs baked in crepes with Maine lobster, shrimp and crawfish). While you’re there, scoop up a couple of Bloody Marys complete with all the fixin’s from the Bloody Mary bar.

Atlas Sweep mom off her feet with a swanky, $65 prix-fixe dinner at Atlas. She’ll be met with a rose and a complimentary glass of bubbly before indulging in an elegant meal created by Executive Chef Christopher Grossman and Pastry Chef Christian Castillo. In between bites and conversation, admire the art-covered walls and the upscale surroundings at this restaurant in The St. Regis Atlanta.

103 West Delve into an elegant array of eats at 103 West’s Mother’s Day brunch. A pianist will set the tone while you and

STORY:

Kelly Jordan

mom snag cocktails (mimosas or your other go-to brunch bevvy) and splurge on the 30-item buffet and accompanying dessert display. $75 for adults, $24.50 for children 12 to 6, free for children under 6.

Southeastern Designer Showhouse and Gardens Combine several of mom’s favorite things on May 13 (the day before Mother’s Day) when you bring her to the Southeastern Designer Showhouse and Gardens in Buckhead. When you’re finished fawning over the home and gardens, pop in for a Bloody Mary at the release party for New York Times bestselling author Mary Kay Andrews and her new tome, Beach House Cookbook. Tickets to the showhouse and book signing are $30 and include the drink.

Bistro Niko Whisk mom over to Bistro Niko for Parisian eats paired with a cocktail crafted just for her. For Mother’s Day, the French restaurant is slinging La Mère (“the mother”), made with Grey Goose Cherry Noir, Combier, framboise (raspberry liqueur), lemon and lime juices, 18.21’s Tart Cherry and Saffron Bitters and topped with meringue. The cocktail costs $10. n

DETAILS: Maya Steaks & Seafood 6152 Roswell Road Atlanta 30328 404.705.8880 mayasteaks.com Red Pepper Taqueria 3135 Piedmont Road Atlanta 30305 404.869.2773 eatredpepper.com Dantanna’s Buckhead 3400 Around Lenox Drive Suite 304 Atlanta 30326 404.760.8873 Dantanna’s Sandy Springs Abernathy Square Shopping Center 6649 Roswell Road, Unit 30 Sandy Springs 30328 404.705.8873 dantannas.com Atlas The St. Regis Atlanta 88 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.600.6471 atlasrestaurant.com 103 West 103 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.233.5993 buckheadrestaurants.com/ restaurant/103-west Southeastern Designer Showhouse and Gardens 3740 Paces Valley Atlanta 30327 southeasternshowhouse.com Bistro Niko 3344 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30326 404.261.6456 buckheadliferestaurants.com/ bistro-niko

S I M P LY D E LICIOUS

FOODIE JOURNAL

Culinary News & Notes

BY:

Sarah Gleim

LOCAL THREE STRAWBERRY TRIFLE WITH ALMOND GRANOLA

FROM FARMERS TO SENIORS If you don’t already get your produce from the Peachtree Road Farmers Market, we’ve got another reason why you should. The hugely popular market at The Cathedral of St. Philip just opened for its 11th year in April and is the largest producer-only farmers market in the state. That means everyone there grew or raised the food they sell. But what many of them can’t sell to the public, they either donate or offer at a drastically reduced rate to Meal On Wheels Atlanta so seniors can have fresh fruits and vegetables. The partnership, Farm to Table for Seniors in Need, is not quite two years old and was the brainchild of Saltyard Chef Nick Leahy, a board member of both organizations. In that short time, it’s provided more than 5,000 pounds of fresh, locally grown produce to Atlanta seniors, all the while helping eliminate food waste and supporting local farmers. Meals on Wheels Atlanta 1705 Commerce Drive Atlanta 30318 404.351.3889 mealsonwheelsatlanta.org

Peachtree Road Farmers Market 2744 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30305 404.365.1078 peachtreeroadfarmersmarket.com

SATURDAY BRUNCHING Don’t wait until Sunday when you can have one of the city’s best brunches on Saturday If you’re a fan of Local Three Kitchen & Bar’s Sunday brunch, get in line—literally. The much-loved brunch is served buffet style, with guests weaving through the restaurant’s 6,000-square-foot kitchen while they chat with chefs and pile on their plates. It’s been a staple on Atlantans’ Sunday schedule since it debuted in 2010. But now you can indulge on your favorite dishes both days of the weekend. The brunch menu changes daily, and it’s all you can eat. Most portions are small, so you’re encouraged to go back and try everything, from breakfast staples such as eggs and bacon to lunch entrées and seasonal desserts such as pastry chef Gary Scarborough’s strawberry trifle (see recipe). Brunch is Local Three Kitchen & Bar served from 11 a.m. to 3290 Northside Pkwy. 2 p.m. and is $24.93 Atlanta 30327 for adults and $12.53 404.968.2700 for kids 6 to 12. n localthree.com

INGREDIENTS: 1 cup rolled oats 1/2 cup sliced almonds 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tsp. orange zest 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 4 oz. butter, melted Pinch of salt 1 tbsp. maple syrup 1 pint strawberries, hulled and quartered 3 tsp. granulated sugar 1/4 tsp. lemon zest 1/4 tsp. orange zest Pinch black pepper 1 pint ricotta cheese 1/4 cup honey DIRECTIONS:

1. Prepare almond granola: Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine first 8 ingredients (through maple syrup) in medium mixing bowl. Spread mixture into even layer onto buttered and parchment paper-lined sheet. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes until browned and crisp. Let cool and break into pieces. 2. Prepare macerated strawberries: While granola is baking, combine strawberries, granulated sugar, lemon zest, orange zest and black pepper. Reserve. 3. Prepare honey ricotta: Whisk ricotta cheese until smooth. Add honey and combine. 4. Assemble trifle: Alternate layers of strawberries, honey ricotta and granola into your favorite glass or bowl, and serve.

FOOD NEWS n Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse has named a new chef to helm its restaurant at Phipps Plaza. Matthew Rosekrans (right) is executive chef and has worked previously at Pricci, Blackberry Farm, Chattahoochee Country Club and the Georgia World Congress Center. Before taking on a new role at Davio’s, Rosekrans was executive sous chef at the Georgia Dome.

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

n A second location of Rize Artisan Pizza + Salads opened in early March in Sandy Springs. Rize features artisan pizzas, salads, small plates and pasta, plus craft beers, wine and sangria. n Il Giallo Osteria & Bar co-owner Leonardo Moura and Chef Jamie Adams will participate in Chefs Cycle 2017, a fundraising endur-

ance event May 16 to 18 in Santa Rosa, California, featuring chefs and members of the culinary world. Their team, Squadro il Giallo (Team il Giallo), will complete a three-day, 300-mile ride, and hopes to raise $15,000 and awareness for No Kid Hungry. To support them, visit Chefscycle.org or Ilgialloatl.com.

Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse 3500 Peachtree Road Atlanta 30326 404.844.4810 davios.com/atl Il Giallo Osteria & Bar 5920 Roswell Road Sandy Springs 30328 404.709.2148 ilgialloatl.com Rize Artisan Pizza + Salads 6050 Roswell Road Sandy Springs 30328 404.334.0851 rizeartisanpizza.com

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May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

S I M P LY D E LICIOUS

TA S TE MAKER

Photo: Jamie Hopper

The original Dessert Place founders Sheryl Meddin (left) and Bennett Frisch (right) taught their famous cream cheese brownie recipe to Marisa Meddin (center), who resurrected the business.

Brownies à la nostalgia N

early 40 years ago, Sheryl Meddin and Bennett Frisch were looking for a place to hang out and eat dessert. When they couldn’t find one, they created their own, and The Dessert Place was born. Its biggest location resided in what is now The Shops Buckhead Atlanta in the ‘80s and ‘90s. In 1996, four locations and many cakes, cookies and brownies later, the pair decided to close the business to focus on their families. But last year, Meddin’s daughter and Frisch’s goddaughter Marisa Meddin, 29, began the process of resurrecting it. “The Buckhead community was so passionate about The Dessert Place. People went on first dates there and hung out with friends until late,” says Marisa Meddin who moved back to Atlanta in 2016. “It’s a really special brand to people who have been in Buckhead for 20-plus years.” “I relished cream cheese brownies for years, then had to go through withdrawal,” says longtime customer

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

Marisa Meddin brings the much-loved The Dessert Place treat back to Buckhead Blake Van Hoy. “I got some from my sister in Atlanta this Christmas and it was game on! They were just as good as I remembered. So, I happily disburse them as gifts now.” The new Dessert Place sells the original’s famous cream cheese brownies online, as well as at Michael Burton Colors in Buckhead (her godfather’s store) and Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit in Virginia-Highland. Meddin, who bakes them with her mom at a commercial kitchen north of Buckhead, also added a gluten-free option. She shares her story below. Why did you decide to re-launch The Dessert Place? I was working in corporate marketing at Pepsi, living in L.A. and looking for something new. My mom was telling me how a stranger in Alabama

messaged her and begged her to send her cream cheese brownies. We used to get a lot of requests like that. In August 2016, I launched the website and started selling. What’s the “secret sauce” that makes your brownies so special? The recipe is top secret. I’ve never tasted a brownie like this. It’s a unique combination of a chocolatey base and a layer of cream cheese mixed into the top. Tell me more about yourself. I love to play sports like soccer and basketball and walk the BeltLine and Piedmont Park. I went to University of Michigan and studied business. I also love to travel. I’ve been to 30 countries. I just got back from Cuba, Israel, Greece, Turkey, Brazil and Costa Rica.

STORY:

Carly Cooper

What are your plans for the future? My goal is to see what other products I can add, or think about a physical location where people can pick up [products] one day. That’s been the biggest request since I came back [to the business]. Do you find that most of your customers are driven by nostalgia? My mom’s generation of people who heard it was back is the biggest chunk of customers. My friends here have started telling their friends. Anyone who finds out about it is addicted and loves it. I also deliver them through UberEats. That has THE DESSERT PLACE brought in a 404.382.8878 younger thedessertplace.com crowd. n

Buckhead

404.254.4050 ©

4285 Roswell Road Suite 4 Chastain Square Shopping Center elementsmassage.com/buckhead

2017 Elements Therapeutic Massage, LLC. All rights reserved. Massage session includes time for consultation and dressing. Rates and promotional offers vary; see individual studios for pricing and other details. Each Elements Massage® studio is independently owned and operated.

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

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

Brock, Rebecca Cha and Angela Hansberger

Sara Hanna

1KEPT KITCHEN & BAR This hidden, club-like space took over the home of old-school French restaurant Toulouse in 2013. Manned by a trio of chefs with equal authority, the collaborative kitchen strives to keep up with the contemporary culinary game. When they nail it— with the likes of pimento cheese boards, fresh seasonal salads, oldfashioned pecan pies, killer brownies and what is surely the best steak-frites in town—you’ll find yourself sated and happy. Start with a classic Sazerac. Then drink in the ambience. Proprietor Thaddeus Keefe attended Buckhead’s Atlanta International School as a lad, and this is his vision of the neighborhood of today: young, prosperous and ready to embrace the good life. Salads, starters and flatbreads: $6-$14 Entrées: $20-$27 1kept.com

BLUE RIDGE GRILL For 23 years, Blue Ridge Grill (BRG) has been a mecca for Buckhead power lunchers and chill evening diners alike. Whether for business or romance, BRG is a paragon of hospitality, and each guest is embraced like a VIP. Standard crowd-pleasers on the Euro-American menu include grilled Georgia trout,

French-boned chicken with wild mushrooms and filet mignon with Vidalia onions. Small plates and sides of iron skillet mussels, Caesar salad with crisp Beeler bacon, custard-like corn soufflé and (off-menu item) fried pickles with buttermilk dipping sauce are absolute must-tries. If cost is an issue, call ahead as menu prices are not advertised online. Lunch: $9-$42 Dinner: $13-$62 blueridgegrill.com Blue Ridge Grill’s seared crottin and toasted baguette hints of lunch in the French countryside.

BHOJANIC After two meals at this North Indian restaurant, I’ve come to admire the flavorful, long-simmered, aromatic home cooking. The Samosa Chat was a wonderful smash-up of potato-andpea samosas topped with tamarind and mint chutneys and cool yogurt. As for the entrées, I really loved the intensely flavored goat curry and wanted to sop up every drop of the gravy with rice. This second location of Archna Becker’s beloved Decatur restaurant is an appealing minimalist space, and it’s easy to get in and out and have a solid and affordable meal. We are delighted that it’s finally here. Tapas and appetizers: $4-$9 Entrées and thalis: $12-$18 bhojanic.com

CAFÉ AT PHARR New Orleans owns the po’boy. Philadelphia has its cheese steaks. Maine gave us the lobster roll. So … what about Buckhead? I’d have to say that the neighborhood’s defining dish is chicken salad, the classic bird-andmayo spread that can be crammed in your mouth between slices of bread or eaten daintily with a fork. Thanks to the entrepreneurial zeal of Johnny Liu—whose Taiwanese immigrant parents opened the original Café at Pharr in 1993—this comfort food has become a new fast food. You have to love the story of Café at Pharr. An enterprising family comes up with a formula that charms and beguiles the locals: Fresh food served in an accessible and unfussy environment that never loses its friendly neighborhood feel. Entrée sandwiches and salads: $7.50-$9.50 cafeatpharr.com

F&B

1Kept’s Chicken schnitzel and herbed spaetzle is comfort food with a German accent; here it’s sauced with caramelized onion cream and served atop a pile of braised red cabbage and haricots verts.

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

Like its predecessor, the much-loved former Brasserie le Coze, F&B delivers timeless Provencal fare in a classic brasserie atmosphere. The menu is bolstered by comfort dishes portioned with hunger in mind, but it’s also fortified with lighter salads, sandwiches and soups. Classics such as steak frites and skate wing with a brown butter

sauce are deeply satisfying in their rustic charm. Mussels come piled high in a white wine and shallot broth, along with crusty French bread for sopping. The drink menu is built upon interesting French wines and remarkable cocktails such as the well-balanced, bourbon based Line of Destiny. Appetizers: $6-$18 Entrées: $11-$42 Cocktails: $10 Desserts: $6-$8 fandbatl.net

JALISCO After nearly three decades, Jalisco remains a giddy, guilty pleasure trip through a tunnel of cheese. This Tex-Mex institution at Peachtree Battle is better than an El Paso taco kit, but not exactly a showcase of the sophisticated techniques and ingredients of the Mexican larder. Without apology, Jalisco is what it is, a place with consistently good, standard-issue burritos, enchiladas, fajitas and even a “Hamburguesa Mexicana.” (It’s topped with nacho cheese.) This is not a place where the kitchen thrives on change and creativity. For the most part, the menu is the same as it has been since Jalisco opened in 1978. Lunch specials: $5-$9 Entrées: $9-$13 404.233.9244

PASTA VINO

Portofino’s limoncello cheesecake is bright, zingy and perfect for summer.

You can surely find trendier pizza parlors or posher places to eat Italian in Atlanta. But if you are looking for old-fashioned linguini with clam sauce or chicken Florentine in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere with a loyal following, this Buckhead favorite has got you covered. The restaurant is beloved by many for its home-style cooking, casual ambiance, reasonable prices and a staff of servers who have acquired faithful customers of their own. Owner Nancy Powell treasures her crew, most of whom have been on the job for more than 10 years. Given the refined state of Italian dining in America today, Pasta Vino is not likely to win any awards for innovation or inspiration. But it remains a perfectly fine, frequently delicious, middle-ofthe-road trattoria. Starters and salads: $2-$10 Entrées: $10-$22 pastavinoatlanta.com

PORTOFINO We often dream about this slightly-offPaces Ferry slice of Italy, where executive chef Matt Marcus’ earthy cooking evokes Liguria while staying smartly anchored in America. (And sometimes the American South.) Since 2000, this neighborhood gem has been a primo spot for feasting on the vibrant flavors of its Italian Riviera namesake. Vealand-ricotta meatballs, fried artichokes, luxurious pastas, polenta with shrimp, limoncello cheesecake: It’s the sort of wonderfully comforting, hand-crafted fare that satisfies our longing for La Bella Vita when a trip to Italy is simply not in the cards. Soups, salads and antipasto: $7-$14 Pastas and entrées: $18-$29 portofinoatl.com

SALTYARD At Saltyard, Chef Nick Leahy offers a menu of small plates with reverence for local farmers and the current growing season. Employing global imagination, he heightens these dishes with international seasonings and flavors to create worldly comfort food. With an everchanging menu, Saltyard is never the same place twice. Rustic dishes such as crispy duck confit and super tender grilled octopus are masterful in their

simplicity and depth of flavor. Raw and cured items such as the deconstructed salmon pastrami, while lighter, offer an equal flavor punch. This is not the place to skip the dessert course. Leahy puts forth the same amount of effort in his decadent chocolate nemesis with Brandy cream as he does entrees. Tapas: $5-$16 Large Plates: $18-$25 saltyardatlanta.com

TAKA SUSHI AND PASSION Chef Taka Moriuchi learned from perhaps the most famously finicky and cult-inspiring Japanese chef Atlanta has ever known: Sotohiro Kosugi, owner of Buckhead’s legendary (but now shuttered) Soto Japanese Restaurant. Today, Moriuchi holds court at his own sushi bar, where his impeccably fresh fish and hot and cold appetizers compare to the best Japanese food in town. The only difference: His prices won’t shipwreck your budget. Among our faves, the UPS roll is a delicious nod to the Atlanta-based Big Brown fleet, and the black cod and okra tempura are packages you’ll be happy to see arrive at your table.

Jalisco’s low-calorie chicken fajita salad.

Appetizers: $6-$20 Nigiri: $2.50-$11 Sushi rolls: $4.50-$19.50 takasushiatlanta.com

WHITE HOUSE RESTAURANT At this venerated breakfast nook, you’ll find Atlanta movers and shakers in ties and starched shirts huddled over omelets and pancakes. But regardless of a guest’s status, owner Demos Galaktiadis, who came to America from Greece in 1966, treats everyone the same. He has run this Peachtree Road institution for 45 of its 68 years, and over time, the food has evolved into a unique combination of home-style Southern and Greek standards. At lunch, you might have moussaka and collards or fried grouper and a Greek salad, finished off with a dish of banana pudding. But breakfast is king here. We recommend the Olympic omelet, stuffed with spinach, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms and peppers and served with a side of tzatziki, or a breakfast sandwich laden with sausage, cheese and egg. Breakfast: $6.40-$15.30 Lunch: $6-$16.70 whitehousediner.com

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

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

S I MP LY B U C KHE A D C OVE R S T ORY

s t e h P s t t Ve i From vaccinations to emergencies to making the tough calls, they are the local veterinarians we trust with our beloved pets’ lives. Ever wonder how they are with their own pets? Turns out their hearts have also been stolen. STORY:

Daryn Kagan

PHOTOS: Sara

Hanna

r. Will Draper and his wife, Dr. Francoise Tyler, of The Village Vets have big hearts. For 26 years, they’ve grown their pet family by adopting rescues, so much so that these animal lovers ended up with two dogs named Louie. Besides their four dogs and two cats, they also have four human children. “One of the side benefits of having a veterinarian practice is getting word when a rescue needs a home,” says Draper, who opened his first practice with his wife in March 2000. Today, their veterinary clinic has three locations, including one in Buckhead. A couple of years ago, the couple heard about a goldendoodle breeder in Marietta who was getting out of the business and needed to find homes for some puppies. They were looking for a companion for their 9-year-old goldendoodle, Max. “We decided to name this pup ‘Louis’ after Louis Armstrong,” Draper says, continuing a theme of musicinspired names. They also have Frankie, a French bulldog named after Frank Sinatra, and a cat, Kid Charlemagne, after the Steely Dan song.

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

DR. WILL DRAPER, DR. FRANCOISE TYLER AND TWO DOGS NAMED LOUIE THE VILLAGE VETS The Draper-Tyler pack was complete at six: two cats, Kid Charlemagne or “Charlie” and Zig Zag; the French bulldog, Frankie; goldendoodles Max and Louie; and Gypsy, a Jack Russell terrier who had Draper’s heart. “I love all our dogs, but she was my dog,” he explains. “Her personality just fit mine. She was my work dog. Came with me to the office and just about everywhere.” When Gypsy turned 16 last November, Draper had to face the agonizing decision so many dog lovers can relate to. It was time to let Gypsy go. “My wife was so patient with me. She knew it was time before I was ready to see that it was,” Draper remembers. “She would prod me: ‘Is it today? Is it next week?’” “I reminded Will what we tell our clients,” Tyler says, “that it is so hard to let them go, but we have

the ability to leave them with the gift of a little dignity. They deserve that.” It took about three weeks before Draper was finally ready. With Gypsy gone, there was a void to fill. “Will thought there was a hole,” Tyler laughs. “I thought we had plenty going on at home.” Draper heard about an 8-year-old French bulldog from a rescue group called F.R.O.G.S. “The woman from the rescue said he was good with other dogs, great with kids. Everything sounded perfect. Then she adds, ‘Oh, by the way, his name is Louie.’” Draper’s first idea was to rename the goldendoodle, since he had been Louie for only a year, and the new bulldog rescue had had that name for eight years. “The kids weren’t having it,” Tyler says, “Besides, our goldendoodle Louie is a wonderful dog, but not the

smartest. I don’t know if he would understand the name change.” A careful physical examination of their new Frenchie solved the problem. Turns out Louie No. 2 is pretty much deaf due to some deep ear infections the previous owners didn’t know about. Draper and Tyler are treating him at The Village Vets, but with the hearing loss, they figured he wouldn’t care what his new family called him. So, Louie No. 2 has become Satchmo, which was the jazz great’s nickname. “I also like to call him Cheeseburger,” Tyler adds, “because his adorable face looks like a cheeseburger when he goes into a deep sleep.” Curious to see the entire DraperTyler pack in action? Lucky for you this brood is currently starring in new reality show on Nat Geo Wild Channel called “Vets and Love” that premiered in March. n

DR. ANNE KUIK AND NERF TREEHOUSE ANIMAL CLINIC

r. Anne Kuik knows the days with her puppy, Nerf, will be limited. Their relationship was set up like that from the beginning. “I still love him like my other dog, Duffle,” says the veterinarian at Treehouse Animal Clinic located off Moores Mill Road. “But I know he’s going to be gone.” Nerf was born with a purpose: He’s a service dog. Kuik has been a vet for 30 years and a volunteer puppy raiser for Canine Companions for Independence for three years. They’ve been together since the 15-month-old black labradorgolden retriever mix was 8 weeks old. Nerf will live with Kuik until he’s about 18 to 20 months. He’s been learning how to walk on a leash, be housebroken and respond to the 35 commands he’ll need to move onto advanced training. “Some of the commands are easy,” Kuik explains, “like going into his kennel or jumping into the car. But others are more advanced. He doesn’t just

need to learn to lie down; he needs to do so with his legs away from me in case he becomes a service dog for someone in a wheelchair. His legs need to be out so they don’t get in the way of the chair.” What kind of service dog will Nerf be? Canine Companions trains and provides dogs for a range of people: children with autism, hearing impaired adults, veterans with PTSD. Kuik doesn’t get to choose, but she does have her opinion on where Nerf would do best. “He’s very calm. He would be great with a kid,” she says. But there’s no guarantee he’ll make it all the way to service. Nerf is the fourth puppy Kuik has raised for Canines Companions. “My first dog is with a lady with fibromyalgia. The second dog had a medical condition and was released from the program. He now lives with some friends of mine. My third puppy is now a hearing dog in upstate New York.”

Nerf will continue to live and learn with Kuik through November when she’ll turn his leash over for advanced training. “That will be a sad day,” she admits. “But months later I’ll be at graduation day when I’ll get to see him meet the human we’re training him to serve. He’ll be changing someone’s life in more ways than can be imagined.” That, she says, makes the training, and the goodbyes worth it. “I do this because it’s very rewarding to hand that leash over to someone who needs this dog more than I do.” n

DR. HEATHER KROHNE AND MR. ROSIE VCA BUCKHEAD ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Photo: Celina DeSantis Photography

r. Heather Krohne’s cat is proof that with the right home and some age, you can overcome a checkered past. Mr. Rosie is a 15-year-old Maine coon mix that, like many of his breed, has a strong hunting instinct. “In his younger days, he had a tendency to hunt chipmunks outside the home of his first family,” says Krohne, a veterinarian at VCA Buckhead Animal Hospital. “He’d leave them in the bed of the family’s little girl. Cats hunt and provide for those they think can’t, so really, he was just showing his love for this little girl. But understandably, it was freaking her out.” The girl’s father decided the cat had to go and gave it to the man who serviced the family’s large fish tank. That was Zach Krohne, owner of Krohne Tanks and Ponds, and later Heather’s husband. Although the little girl had named the cat Rosie, Zach added “Mister” to make it more appropriate for a boy. When Zach and Heather got together in 2009, they had to introduce Mr. Rosie to Heather’s boxer, Moxie. “The first meeting did not go well,” she remembers. “I had to be at the office, so I left Moxie and Mr. Rosie together and came back to find Moxie had a corneal scratch.”

With Heather’s medical attention and some TLC, the scratch healed. And time has healed much for this ever-growing family. The Crazy Krohne Circus, as Heather calls her family, lives in Marietta. The Circus now includes a second boxer, Murdoch; six backyard chickens; a 230-gallon fresh water tank of South American discus and other river fish; and a 9-month-old baby girl, Evelyn. The chickens started out as a gift for Krohne’s mother-in-law. “Zach bought some chicks to give her for Mother’s Day, but we fell in love with them and kept half for ourselves,” Krohne laughs. Everyone appears to coexist just fine, but the cat is the head honcho. “Mr. Rosie is king of us all,” Heather laughs. “He bosses around the dogs and tells us when he expects to be fed.” Time has also mellowed him. “He’s 15 now, so not as interested in hunting chipmunks. He’s more interested in the wet food he gets because of his thyroid condition.” Heather believes the blend of her family is complete. “Mr. Rosie is now my cat, and the dogs prefer my husband,” she laughs. n

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

C OV E R S T O RY

s VetswithPet

DR. JENNIFER WILSON AND FIGO VCA BUCKHEAD ANIMAL HOSPITAL

his is the story of how a dog raised a veterinarian. Dr. Jennifer Wilson adopted a black lab/border collie mix the week before she started vet school at Michigan State University in 2006. “My boyfriend at the time/ now husband really wanted a puppy. I was more hesitant because I knew all the work that would entail, but he insisted. We found the puppy at a rescue organization in rural Michigan.” This turned out to be the best argument Wilson ever lost. She thought she was getting a puppy, but the

DR. TARA RITTLE AND DIMITRI

r. Tara Rittle thought she wanted a new cat. Little did she know, when she adopted a black and white tuxedo kitten, she would also be getting a medical mystery reality show. “It was like an episode of ‘House,’” remembers the Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital vet. “Dimi” is part of an exotic family of pets that includes another cat named Gus; Wizard, a hairless Chinese Crested dog; two tortoises, Mortimer and Frank; and a leopard gecko named Bloke. “Adopting exotic animals is simply a byproduct of where I went to vet school,” Rittle shares, remembering fondly her days at the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary and Zoological Medicine. But even with this colorful array of different pets it’s 9-year-old Dimitri who steals the spotlight. “It’s Dimi who is most likely to knock something off the kitchen counter and make it look like one of the other animals did it. It’s Dimi who is most likely to sneak into the turtles’ room and eat their greens. It’s Dimi who is

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

most likely to sit and stare at Bloke in his tank like he’s watching ‘Gecko TV.’” And it’s Dimi who stumped Rittle when he started passing out a few years ago. “I was at work at a clinic in Acworth,” Rittle remembers, “when my husband at the time called me in a panic about Dimi. I told him to rush him to my friend who was a vet at an intown clinic.” A few hours after arriving at that clinic, Dimi was fine, though the

pooch they named Figo has turned out to be so much more. He’s the dog that raised Jennifer Wilson into a veterinarian. “He was definitely a guinea pig during vet school,” she remembers. She was always poking and prodding, listening to his lungs and doing ultrasounds on his puppy belly. The last place she wanted to practice on him was in the emergency room, yet the need to do just that came not long after her move to Atlanta in 2012. “One day before I had to go to work, I saw Figo sniffing at something in our backyard,” she remembers. “In a flash, I saw him jump back as a copperhead snake lunged at his face!” Figo took off into the house. Wilson found him hiding in the laundry room of their house, a place Figo considers his safe place during thunderstorms and

fireworks. “He was drooling and obviously in pain. I scooped him up and rushed him to the hospital,” she recalls. “He was bleeding from the two puncture marks the snake’s fangs left behind. I went into overdrive, ordering blood work and anti-venom medicine.” Only then could dog mama turn on. “Thank goodness it was a slow night at the clinic,” she says. “I was able to be by his side and soothe him all night long.” That one scary incident gave Wilson more empathy for her human clients when they see their pets in pain. “I get it,” she says. At 10 ½, Figo is now teaching Wilson lessons on having a senior dog. And he’s always happy to help out with her work at VCA Buckhead. “Just last week he was my model as I gave a seminar on brushing your dog’s teeth.” n

PEACHTREE HILLS ANIMAL HOSPITAL

vet couldn’t figure out what had gone wrong. “We figured maybe it was a one-time thing,” Rittle says. “Until it happened again a few days later, and then again.” After several episodes of Dimi’s passing out, Rittle’s thenhusband discovered a big clue. “He saw Dimi vomit right before he passed out,” Rittle says. “Part of the mystery was solved. Some cats, even some people, have something called vasovagal syncope where the body overreacts to some sort of trigger. In Dimi’s case, just the act of vomiting was making him pass out.” Luckily, Dimi presented another clue to as to what was making him sick. Dr. Tara Rittle’s family of pets also includes Wizard, a hairless Chinese crested dog.

“Not to be gross, but my thenhusband found a big clump in what Dimi gave back. It looked a lot like the new carpet in our dining room.” Sure enough, a close examination of the dining room carpet showed a frayed area where Dimi had been chewing. It was clear the new carpet had to go. “We had to re-do the dining room and put in a new sub-floor and hardwood floors.” Dimi the barn kitten became one expensive cat. “He’s the reason we found out what so many pet owners know. We can’t have nice things, but we have one awesome cat.” n

Woof-worthy

art works

STORY:

Daryn Kagan

The adventures of a pet portrait artist

ou swear your beloved pet is as pretty as a picture. Buckhead’s Lisa Gleim will assure you that is absolutely the truth. The overwhelming love people have for their dogs and cats has helped her build a thriving business as a pet portrait artist. Gleim works in pastels, oil or charcoal, whichever medium clients want to create life-sized portraits of their pets. Her first subject was her own beloved family dog, Bonnie, whom she had to put down in 2001. Gleim’s husband suggested she paint a portrait of Bonnie as a way to work through her grief. Someone saw that one painting, and her business took off from there. “It never dawned on me that this would become up to half of my business, which also includes portraits of people,” she says. Lisa has developed a process for capturing the essence of each pet’s look, personality and quirks. She starts by going to the client’s home and photographing the cat or dog. Then she Photoshops the image with the background the client wants. The whole process takes a week or more, depending on the season. “I tell clients to get their Christmas orders in by October,” Gleim says. “Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are also very popular times.” The portraits start at $450 for a charcoal head drawing and go up to $850 for an oil painting. Full body drawings and paintings go up from there. This career that Gleim never saw coming has brought her into some laughable situations. “I did a photo shoot with a Jack Russell who would not perk up or give any good pose,” she says. “The woman who hired me got her cordless phone and

Lisa Gleim immortalized her golden retriever named Aslan in this one-of-a-kind portrait.

Howlin’ Hero After years of working search-and-rescue in Maine, Jake the avalanche dog retires in Atlanta

STORY:

Daryn Kagan

H put her husband on speaker. Once the dog heard the husband’s voice, he did anything the husband asked.” There was also a dog who was absolutely petrified of any kind of camera. Lisa had to bring her telephoto lens and sit on one side of a very large yard while the woman and her daughter sat on the other side with the dog, blocking any view of the camera. And she still laughs thinking of the little dog who would only follow commands if she said the word “chicken.” “‘Chicken, chicken, chicken’ got me the shots I needed to create the portrait,” Gleim remembers. She says the best part of her job is meeting the dogs and cats, and the people who are as crazy for their pets as she is for hers. “Some clients will say, ‘I’m so embarrassed. I’m having my dog’s portrait done, but I’ve never done one of my kids.’” As mother of an 11-year-old daughter, Gleim understands the love for both kids and pets. Her family includes two dogs: Ben, a 6-year-old plott hound, and Milo, a golden lab mix puppy. She loves the emotional moment when clients see the portraits of their fur babies for the first time. “There are usually tears,” Gleim shares. “There is just something about a painting or a drawing. It captures something a photograph simply can’t.” It’s something she remembers each time she gazes at the portrait of sweet Bonnie, the dog who inspired one woman to capture the beauty of so many well-loved pets.“Just having that portrait makes me feel better,” she says. n lisagleim.com

ilary Laliberte’s dog is a hero. Most dog lovers would say that about their four-legged best friends, but in Laliberte’s case, it’s true. As a retired avalanche rescue dog, this 8-year-old golden retriever has helped saved lives. “We were both born in a small town in Maine called Carrabassett Valley. Jake was bred to be a search-and-rescue dog, and we were his host family,” says Laliberte, receptionist at Pharr Road Animal Hospital of Buckhead. That meant training him for the first 19 months of his life before he went to work with Maine Search and Rescue. “He’d go up on the mountain at the Sugarloaf ski resort at 4 in the morning and come down around midnight, working the same schedule as his handler,” Laliberte explains. “He did that four days a week, and he absolutely loved going to work.” In the event of an avalanche, it was Jake’s job to dig for bodies. In his four-year career, he was involved in two major rescue operations. “After an avalanche in 2011, he was part of the team that dug out a woman from Florida and helped save her life. In 2013, there was a major fire up on the mountain in the ski shop. Jake was part of the team digging to make sure there were no survivors stuck in the rubble. That was right before his retirement.” Yes, dog heroes have to hang up their careers, too. “After Jake’s sixth birthday, the vets decided it would be best for him to give up full-time rescue work before it caused too much stress on his hips.” Jake retired last year and moved with Laliberte to Atlanta. Now he comes to work with her each day. “He’ll hang out or just walk around. He’s very social. Everyone knows Jake.” No doubt he’s still dreaming of being on the mountain. Luckily, he gets to visit the work he was born for twice a year. “Each February and November, he flies up to Maine for a week of work where he helps train new human handlers learning how to save lives on the mountain. I miss him when he’s gone, but I know that’s really his happy place—in the cold and saving lives.” You can take the dog off the mountain, but you can’t take the hero out of the dog. n

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

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May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

E V E N T S | C H A RI TA B L E | S C E N E

SIMPLY HAPPENING

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

A WALK IN THE GARDENS

The Boxwood Garden above and Memorial Quarry Garden below are just two of several on display at the Atlanta History Center for National Garden Day.

ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER CELEBRATES GEORGIA’S BOTANICAL HISTORY

pring has sprung in the city, and there’s no better way to celebrate than spending an afternoon outside. For National Public Gardens Day on May 12, the Atlanta History Center offers free admission and tours of its six historic gardens—Mary Howard Gilbert Memorial Quarry Garden, Goizueta Gardens, Smith Family Farms, Swan House Gardens and Cherokee Garden Library—that span 33 acres and represent different times in Georgia’s history. The Mary Howard Gilbert Memorial Quarry Garden, for instance, showcases the state’s plant species native to pre-settlement

Georgia, while the Smith Family Farms grows produce and other plants from the 1860s. The Library documents the region’s horticultural and botanical history with more than 32,000 rare books, photographs, drawings and seed catalogs. “We love the idea of National Public Gardens Day bringing attention to lesser-known gardens such as ours. We are excited to participate, and especially invite Atlantans, who have never experienced our 33 beautiful acres in the heart of Buckhead, to visit,” says Sarah Roberts, director of Goizueta Gardens and Living Collections. National Public Gardens Day was

founded in 2008 by Rain Bird and the American Public Gardens Association to bring exposure to local gardens and their role in the community. The nationwide event hopes to inspire all who visit. – Caroline Eubanks

NATIONAL PUBLIC GARDENS DAY May 12; 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free for gardens Atlanta History Center 130 West Paces Ferry Road N.W. Atlanta 30305 404.814.4000 atlantahistorycenter.com

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

S I M P LY H APP E N ING

E V E N TS

BUZZ KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY AT CHASTAIN HORSE PARK May 6 404.350.7778 derbyday.com The Kentucky Derby means big hats, mint julips, horses and one great party! Join the Junior Committee of the Shepherd Center from 2 to 8 p.m. at Chastain Horse Park for an afternoon filled with music, live and silent auctions, casino and lawn games, and a broadcast of the Derby, naturally. Giddy up! General admission tickets are $75.

CHASTAIN PARK SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL

[ F O ODI E ]

Rock for a Cause SECOND ANNUAL EVENT BRINGS TOGETHER SANDY SPRINGS EATERIES Put on your stretchy pants for Food That Rocks on May 6. In partnership with the Sandy Springs Restaurant Council and Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce, Food That Rocks is presented by Taste of Atlanta, and has quickly become the area’s most flavorful event. The evening brings together 20 tasting stations from top local restaurants, including Food 101, Cibo e Beve and Under the Cork Tree,

Sandy Springs restaurants showcase their best dishes for Food That Rocks.

and offers attendees food, drinks and live music under tents in Hammond Park. VIP tickets get you in at 6:30 p.m. so you can get first dibs on the delicious offerings. Tony Levitas and Friends, Ed Roland and the Sweet Tea Project and Tommy Dean Trio will play classic rock tunes into the night. Proceeds benefit the Georgia Ovarian Cancer Alliance, Ian’s Friends Foundation and Second Helpings Atlanta. – CE

FOOD THAT ROCKS May 6; 7 - 11 p.m. $40 for adult general admission, $50 for VIP Hammond Park 705 Hammond Drive Sandy Springs 30328 foodthatrocks.org

[ FITNESS ]

Trot for the Troops

beginners. The beneficiary of the event is the Charity Benevolent Fund that assists active duty, reserve and retired soldiers with living and medical expenses. Strollers, pets on leashes and walkers are welcome for the rain-or-

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

GREATER ATLANTA ROSE SHOW May 13 - 14 404.876.5859 atlantabg.org Just in time for Mother’s Day, the Greater Atlanta Rose Show returns to Atlanta Botanical Garden to showcase the South’s most beautiful and fragrant roses. Judges and attendees can meander through 65 categories of roses in Day Hall. And with names like Daddy Frank, Louisville Lady and Hot Princess, these roses are sure to delight.

MOMMY & ME PRINCESS TEA

BUCKHEAD RACE BENEFITS SOLDIERS Lace up those running shoes to honor the men and women who protect our country. Starting and finishing at Chastain Park and passing the Galloway School, the scenic but mostly flat Salute Our Troops 5K course is perfect for

May 6 - 7 404.873.1222 chastainparkartsfestival.com Get outside, enjoy the spring weather and take in the work of more than 185 artists at the Chastain Park Spring Arts Festival. Organized by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces, the weekend will feature acoustic musicians, food trucks and a children’s area. The festival is free and will take place along Park Drive.

shine race, which will have water stations along the way. Awards will be given for the top finishers in each age category. The race also includes a Kids Dash for younger runners, which is a shorter course of a quarter mile. – CE

SALUTE TO OUR TROOPS 5K May 27; 7 a.m. $10-$35 Chastain Park 110 W. Wieuca Road Atlanta 30342 mycbf.org

May 21 404.695.2384 tea4girltalk.com Ladies, get in formation. Buckhead Theatre will host a Mommy & Me Princess Tea to benefit Girl Talk, a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring young girls. Don your Sunday best (or tiara, your choice), and enjoy an afternoon tea with treats and lemonade while you take in a musical performed by princesses Belle, Moana, Rapunzel, Jasmine and more. Tea begins at 2 p.m., and tickets start at $50.

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May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

Buckhead

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1519 Johnson Ferry Rd

4151 Hospital Drive

Suite 200

Suite 100

Covington, GA 30014

Atlanta, GA 30309

Marietta, GA 30062

S I M P LY H AP P E N ING

CHA R ITAB LE

Patrick and Madelyn Gahan, founders of Enduring Hearts

Event guests sipped bourbon and helped raise money for a worthy cause. Photos: Ninh Chau

BOURBON GALA AND AUCTION

D Nathan Hall, Ankur Chatterjee, Greg Lanier, Stephen Ochs

Jeff Boutwell, Ashley McCue, Andrew Butler

Bill Jones, Andrew Kubaszewski, Ben Buchanan, Reid Buchanan

espite being scheduled the evening of the I-85 bridge collapse, Enduring Hearts’ Bourbon Gala and Auction was a great success. Of the 300 guests registered to attend, 167 were able to make it to The Stave Room at American Spirit Works, even though some abandoned their vehicles and walked miles to get there. Guests included NFL football players Chris Conley of the Kansas City Chiefs, Tavarres King of the New York Giants and others. Guests were treated to performances by John Driskell Hopkins, a founding member of Zac Brown Band, and singer/songwriter Erin Alvey O’Sullivan. Through a live and silent auction and donor appeal, the event raised more than $85,000 for Enduring Hearts, a nonprofit aimed at funding research to increase the longevity of pediatric heart transplants and improve the quality of life for transplant recipients. Live auction items included rare and valuable bottles of bourbon from Pappy Van Winkle and a luxury vacation at a villa in Cabo San Lucas. More bottles of high-end whiskey were bid on through the silent auction along with six heart pendants made and donated by a child with a heart condition and NFL game-worn cleats with the Enduring Hearts logo.

Connie and Michael Sinclair

Erin Alvey, Bethany Chatterjee

Jim Marino, Alok Gupta

John Sears, Ricot Jean, Jonathan Kyle

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

S I M P LY H APP E N ING

S CE N E

BLENDED BROOD Veterinarian Heather Krohne and some of the colorful characters that make up her family. She also has a cat (Mr. Rosie,) five more chickens, fish and a baby girl. PHOTO: Sara

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May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

Hanna

THIS EVENING WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS:

4TH ANNUAL

– PRESENTING – Donna and the late Jack Kennedy

– DIAMOND – Lauren and Michael Gearon Christine and Tom Glavine in memory of Jack Kennedy

– PLATINUM –

SATURDAY, MAY 13, 2017 ST. REGIS ATLANTA Hosted by Christine & Tom Glavine and Sylvia & Pat Tylka

– GOLD –

Recognized as one of Atlanta’s premier social and philanthropic

Cooper’s Crew Kathy and Mike Eckard Ellen and Jeff Gregor Leigh Ann Herrin LEH Investments Emily and Louis Shapiro The Tylka Family Sherri and Michael Wright

events, the Believe Ball brings together more than 630 guests to help find a cure for childhood cancer. In three short years, the event has raised more than $2.7 million to further CURE Childhood Cancer’s mission to find cures for cancers which affect children and to provide critical support to patients and their families. Visit www.believeball.org for information and to participate in the incredible silent auction.

BENEFITING – MEDIA – Simply Buckhead 17 South

May 2017 | Simply Buckhead

What is ATLNext? A dramatic evolution of air traveler needs has taken place over the past 40 years. To meet – and exceed – these needs, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has launched a $6 billion capital improvement program called ATLNext. ATLNext consists of a series of projects over the next 20 years designed to boost capacity, renew and replace existing facilities, and enhance ATL’s aesthetic appeal.

The centerpiece of this terminal modernization will be a multipurpose canopy that will protect guests from the elements as they arrive to or depart from the Airport. These projects will help secure Hartsfield-Jackson’s position as the world’s busiest and most efficient airport, and further bolster the Airport’s goal to provide the best possible customer service while meeting passengers’ changing needs. Learn more at next.atl.com

As part of this development initiative, ATL will undergo a curb-to-gate modernization of the Airport’s domestic terminal.

next.atl.com

@atlairport

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2017-18 BUSINESS

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BUCKHEAD

YEAR-TO-DATE MARKET UPDATE

# HOMES SOLD

AVERAGE SALES PRICE

AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET

30305 50 Sold

$898,108

90 Days

30327 62 Sold

$1,389,851

138 Days

30342 50 Sold

$941,331

121 Days

STATS through FMLS YTD

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Monday, May 15th Mixology Class

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