October 2019 ISSUE 66 • FREE Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Chamblee and Dunwoody
YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA
BUCKHEAD'S BEST BUILDINGS A GUIDE TO THE AREA’S ARCHITECTURAL WORKS OF ART
SPOOKY HALLOWEEN PUNCHES HOW TO WORK A TUXEDO THE ABCS OF CBD
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Erin Yabroudy and Associates is a full service team that brings over 20 years of luxury real estate experience, both residential and commercial, to their clients. Local neighborhood experts, each member specializes in a different area of Atlanta, resulting in a team with a comprehensive understanding of the in-town market and the nuances of each neighborhood in which they live and work. Recognized as the top producing large team since 2015 with over
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O L I V I A + A L I C E
H O U S T O N
D A L L A S
A T L A N T A
T O O T S I E S . C O M
SIMPLY BUCKHEAD® |
OCTOBER 2019
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Contents
38
62 COVER STORY
12 Editor’s Letter 28 Approved: [ SIMPLY NOW ]
18 Local Salute: Spreading Cheer Local company turning 85 performs 85 acts of kindness
22 Travel Far:
Learning Your CBDs
42 Fashion:
CBD products are all the rage for their healing properties. We reveal some of our favorites featuring the legal, non-psychoactive oil
A men’s guide to pulling off a tuxedo
[ SIMPLY LIVING ]
Fitness Exclusive
Desert Discovery
32 Home:
Scottsdale is a prominent part of Arizona’s allure
Bespoke in Brookhaven
24 Staycation: Third Time’s a Charm The recently rebranded Waldorf Astoria affords a luxury stay smack in the heart of Buckhead
26 15 Minutes With:
[ SIMPLY STYLISH ]
Black Tie Triumph
48 Tastemaker: Ex-NFL player Bryan Jean-Pierre trains a select Atlanta crowd
BUCKHEAD’S BEST BUILDINGS A Guide to the Area’s Architectural Works of Art
[ SIMPLY DELICIOUS ]
74 Review: Otherworldly Underworld Italian mecca La Grotta is the hidden heart of Buckhead
Steven and Brie Prediletto add modern, global flair to a Craftsman-style home
[ SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ]
36 Bulletin Board:
56 On Stage:
78 Foodie Journal: Meat the Chef
“Doing Life” Over the Airwaves
In the kitchen with Little Alley Steak’s Joe Brown
Radio hosts Kevin Avery and Taylor Scott prove that good, clean fun still has its place
[ SIMPLY HAPPENING ]
Charting Her Own Path Meet up-and-coming designer Susie Prince
Kristin Cowart
38 Tastemaker:
The founder of Brave Public Relations looks back at the journey to becoming one of Atlanta’s top PR firms
Painting the Town
60 Literary:
Miguel Castillo of Castle Painting tells us what’s hot and not in paint right now
The athletic Pease brothers take on a new challenge as authors
Breaking Boundaries
85 Events: Places to go and things to do 89 Charitable: A spotlight on philanthropic and social gatherings
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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Photos: 26, 32, 38, 74: Sara Hanna
32
YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL IN ATLANTA
Serving Buckhead, Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, Chamblee and Dunwoody OCTOBER 2019 | ISSUE 66
MARISA BARATELLI – LUXURIOUS THAI SILK DESIGNS Trunk Show – Oct 10 and 11
P.O. Box 11633, Atlanta, GA 30355 simplybuckhead.com For advertising rates, call: 404.538.9895 Publisher and Founder
[ F E AT U RE D C ON T RI B U T OR ]
Joanne Hayes Chief Financial Officer
Sonny Hayes Editor-in-Chief
Jill Becker Creative Director
Alan Platten ValueStream Media Chief Photographer
Sara Hanna Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Cheryl Isaacs Account Executives
Bill Garst Lisa George Michelle Johnson Website Development Management
BHG Digital
Adrianne Murchison Adrianne Murchison is a veteran journalist in the print and digital world. She served as editor of the Atlanta JournalConstitution’s former lifestyle magazine, Living Northside. Her work has appeared in the Atlanta Business Chronicle and Making a Difference magazine, a publication of the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities. In early 2019, she launched the weekly Let’s Start Healing podcast on multiple platforms, where she talks with guests of every faith about their spiritual path. Murchison is a fan of professional sports. She is a two-time triathlete and has completed numerous marathons and half-marathons.
Director of Audience Development
Mike Jose Copy Editor
H.M. Cauley Contributing Editor
Jennifer Bradley Franklin Contributing Writers
Karina Antenucci Giannina S. Bedford Jennifer Bradley Franklin H.M. Cauley Rebecca Cha Carly Cooper Jessica Dauler Mickey Goodman Angela Hansberger Ann Hardie Neal Howard Michael Jacobs Nicole Letts Kevin C. Madigan Laura J. Moss Adrianne Murchison Lia Picard Karon Warren Contributing Photographers
We welcome all contributions, but we assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. No portion of this publication can be reproduced in whole or in part without prior written permission.
Henri Hollis Maggie McDaniel Randy McDow Graphic Designer
Layal Akkad Legal Counsel
Scott I. Zucker Copyright © 2019 by Simply Buckhead ®. All rights reserved. Printed by Walton Press, Inc. Distributed by Distributech and Distribution Services Group.
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October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
FIND US ONLINE Read Simply Buckhead online at
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[ BEHIND THE COVER ] The photo shoot for this issue’s cover was held in an interesting location: the Sandy Springs offices of Mercedes-Benz USA. Sadly, it didn’t include getting behind the wheel of one of the automaker’s latest models, but it did involve getting to check out its cool new headquarters. The sleek glass structure, designed by global architecture firm Gensler, made our list of the Buckhead area’s best buildings (see page 62). Two Mercedes employees even graciously volunteered to be our models for the afternoon.
Photographer: Sara Hanna Photo assistant: Kelly Lane Hair and makeup: Mica David Models: Kat Reynolds and Michael Swearingen Shot on location at the Mercedes-Benz USA headquarters in Sandy Springs. Special thanks to corporate communications specialist Benjamin Zhang for his assistance.
The Hunger Monster lurks in every community... There’s only one thing that can spoil his mood, a satisfied belly full of good, healthy food. This Halloween, donate to the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Let’s stop hunger.
Visit acfb.org to help.
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
11
SIMPLY BUCKHEAD®
OCTOBER 2019
[ E DI T OR ’ S L E T T E R ]
A
s I drive around Atlanta, I have to admit it’s
hard to pay attention to The Headshot Truck
the road sometimes. I find myself constantly looking left and right at the opulent homes, gleaming office towers and other impressive structures around town. More and more of them are brand new, but others have proudly stood
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for more than 100 years. Granted, Atlanta isn’t an architectural powerhouse on the level of, say, Chicago or NYC, but it has its fair share of structures designed by renowned architects such as Philip Schutze and Marcel Breuer, as well as plenty of other buildings
3535 Northside Parkway NW/Paces Ferry Plaza (678) 909-0960 eleanorsplace.com
from architects and developers whose work is eye-catching nonetheless. We’ve handpicked some of our favorites
@eleanors_place
in our cover story “Stone, Steel, Glass and Light” (page 62). We’ve captured notable things of beauty elsewhere
Enter for your chance to win the all-new, 2020 Mercedes-Benz A 220 Sedan, generously donated by our friends at RBM of Alpharetta.
in the issue as well. On page 18, Mickey Goodman reports on how Georgia’s Own Credit Union set out to perform 85 acts of kindness in honor of its 85th anniversary. Giannina S. Bedford takes us to the stunning cactus-strewn
_C=55. M=100, Y=0, K=15 • if used as spot color, match to pantone 2070U or pantone 259C
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There are only 1,500 raffle tickets, and it will sell out! Raffle tickets must be purchased by Wednesday, October 23 at 5 p.m. Drawing on Friday, October 25, on-air during The Bert Show, 6-10 a.m. Visit www.bertsbigadventure.org/mercedesraffle/ to get your ticket today!
_C=0, M=29, Y=72, K=0 • if used as spot color, match to pantone 1225U or pantone 1365C
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landscape of Scottsdale, Arizona (page 22), and H.M.
_C=0, M=0, Y=95, K=0 • if used as spot color, match to pantone 102U or pantone 102C
Cauley chats with Aixa Pascaul about her work bringing
_reversed out version
area Latino artists’ work to light (page 58). I also wanted to introduce our new Living section (page 31). In addition to including our longstanding Home feature, in which we give you a peek inside some of Buckhead’s most interesting residences, we’ve added a Tastemaker
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column in which we chat with area interior designers, real estate agents and more, and a Bulletin Board, where you can pick up all sorts of design-related info and tips. As noted architect Frank Gehry once said, “Architecture and any art can transform a person,” and our hope is that something you read in this or any issue of Simply Buckhead transforms you in some small way. Raffle-ticket sales benefit Bert’s Big Adventure, a non-profit organization that provides a magical. all-expenses-paid, five-day journey to Walt Disney World® for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families.
Jill Becker editor@simplybuckhead.com
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October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
To learn more, volunteer, or donate, BertsBigAdventure.org
N E W S | L O C A L S A L U T E | T R AV E L | 1 5 M I N U T E S W I T H | A P P R O V E D | P E T S
SIMPLY NOW
STAYCATION
Third Time’s a Charm P24
“As the first Waldorf Astoria property in Atlanta, it’s important to bring in fresh and exciting options for guests." — Kerry Hing
The Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead's 60foot saline pool is ideal for doing laps or just taking a casual dip.
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
9/16/19 7:11:04 AM
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NEWS Karon Warren
Photos: Kimberly Evans
BY:
A New Incarnation F
ollowing a multimillion-dollar renovation that began in fall 2018, The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, recently unveiled its new look. The updates included a redesign of all guestrooms, a remodeled reception area and lobby, the addition of a 5,000-square-foot ballroom and renovations to the Trade Root Restaurant and Lounge. The Spa at The Whitley also received attention, including the addition of one of the only Himalayan
salt rooms in an Atlanta hotel. According to Shah Adil, general manager at the property, the updates were reflective of both the hotel’s reputation and its guests. “We wanted to ensure that The Whitley reflected the contemporary aesthetic of the clientele, giving them a new lens through which to experience Buckhead and engage with the hotel,” he says. “Formerly The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead, we wanted to provide The Whitley
with a look and feel that was authentic to its own unique identity.” That identity is rooted in Buckhead’s history. “The hotel name and chic design aesthetic pays homage to John Whitley, the prolific farmer, hunter and tradesman credited with the founding of Buckhead,” says Adil. “The newly renovated hotel lobby reflects that of a Southern front porch, aiming to foster a sense of community and upscale hospitality known only in the South.” n
THE WHITLEY ATLANTA BUCKHEAD 3434 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.237.2700 thewhitleyhotel.com
NEWS CLIPS
MACY’S NOW OFFERS CUSTOM TAILORING For gentlemen who have a hard time finding an outfit with the perfect fit, Macy’s at Lenox Square is ready to help through its new Tailor Square Made to Measure service. Introduced at 15 Macy’s stores nationwide, the program
helps customers not only with men’s suits, but also trousers, jackets and shirts. Working with a personal stylist, customers can select the fabric and preferred details such as lapels, buttons and linings to customize their apparel. Pricing varies based on the customer’s budget, but suits start at $455. From start to finish, delivery is expected in approximately four weeks. To book an appointment, write to lenoxsquare@ tailorsquaremtm.com.
Macy’s Tailor Square Made to Measure 3393 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.231.2800 macys.com/ce/splash/ custom-suits/index
HIGH-END FASHION RETAILER DEBUTS AT LENOX Amsterdam-based Scotch & Soda opened its first storefront in Georgia this month with a 1,500-squarefoot space at Lenox Square. Decorated with hardwood floors, unique cabinetry and bespoke vintage furniture, the high-end fashion retailer brings its eclectic, effortless style to Atlanta shoppers.
Outfitting men, women and children, Scotch & Soda is well-known for combing the world for inspiration that is then crafted with unexpected fabrics and patterns into uniquely stated clothing. Scotch & Soda 3393 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30326 scotch-soda.com
NEW PLAY SPACE OPENS IN BUCKHEAD Labeled a “Playtainment paradise,” Kefi opened its doors recently in the Buckhead Triangle shopping center, welcoming kids and their parents to in-
dulge in all things fun. The 25,000-square-foot space features a variety of digital play experiences ranging from the StoryCave for creating unique adventures using computer vision to BeatBox, a recording and dance studio. “Kefi was created to serve today’s busy parents with young children,” says CEO Drew Panayiotou. Two-hour passes are $14.99; memberships start at $99 a month. Kefi 3637 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30319 404.937.3352 playkefi.com
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
15
LOCAL SALUTE
BY:
Mickey Goodman
Scottish Rite patients Lexie and Malachi Delaney pose with Lego character Emmet at the hospital's new Magic Mobile Unit.
Dr. Mark Hanna, shown with his family at the Arthritis Foundation's Walk to Cure Arthritis, was one of the event's top fundraisers.
Providing Mobility Orthopedic surgeon volunteers at home and abroad For his philanthropic work with Operation Walk USA, Mercy Care Atlanta and the Arthritis Foundation, Resurgens Orthopaedics surgeon Mark Hanna was named a Medical Honoree for the Arthritis Foundation’s May 2019 Walk to Cure Arthritis. To help support the event, Hanna invited his colleagues, patients and their families to participate and made a donation for each. When the results were tallied, Hanna was one of the leading fundraisers, and his efforts were matched by the Resurgens Charitable Foundation. “One of my patients had undergone a joint replacement through Operation Walk, a medical nonprofit that provides free hip and knee surgeries to suffering, uninsured patients. She also brought her
family with her,” says Hanna. The Brookhaven resident first became involved with Operation Walk after traveling to Guatemala with the global humanitarian organization. During their weeklong stay, a team of five surgeons and medical personnel performed about 40 operations on prescreened patients. The physicians also trained local doctors and other personnel on the latest techniques to better assist the patients in their recoveries. Through Mercy Care Atlanta, Hanna performs no-cost joint replacement surgeries throughout the year, and Resurgens provides the facilities. Referrals come from Mercy Care and from The Giving Kitchen, which offers emergency assistance to food service workers. l For more information, visit operationwalkusa.org, mercyatlanta.org and resurgens.com.
Serial Volunteer
Fun for young surgical patients Lexie and Malachi Delany are all too familiar with pre-surgery routines at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite Hospital. The tween siblings have undergone more than 100 combined surgeries for a genetic disorder, Treacher Collins syndrome, that affects facial features. When they checked in for procedures in May, they got a big surprise, though: the new Legoland Discovery Center’s Magic Mobile Unit in the hospital’s day surgery wing, donated by Merlin’s Magic Wand, a worldwide charity for ill children. “It was wonderful to see the siblings dance with six-foot-fiveinch Emmet, one of our costumed characters, and play with the Xbox and other interactive toys,” says Legoland marketing manager Whitney Kemmerick. “Having fun hopefully helped them forget about their upcom-
Wick Garrard (left) and Ellen Sacchi (center) join Erin Yabroudy at the Piedmont Park Conservancy's 21st annual Landmark Luncheon.
Area realtor gives back in a big way Busy Buckhead-based Harry Norman Realtors agent Erin Yabroudy is a tireless volunteer and has been heavily involved with numerous organizations, including The Cathedral of St. Philip, the Ansley Golf Club and both The Westminster Schools’ and The Lovett School’s parent organizations. But her pet project is the Piedmont Park Conservancy. “The park
Making Magic
is owned by the City of Atlanta and is the city’s largest park, but the additional funds needed are raised by the Conservancy, which contributes
$3.5 million annually for upkeep and improvements,” says Yabroudy. “Everyone thinks when Piedmont hosts festivals, it reaps the benefits. Instead, funds are spread among parks throughout the city.” Yabroudy is on the Conservancy’s board and has chaired its Landmark Luncheon, the group’s primary fundraiser. She also chairs the Olmstead committee, whose goal is to bring in individual donors at $1,000 or more a year. Other favorite projects include the St. Philip Cathedral Antiques Show, Ansley Park Civic Associa-
ing surgery for a while. The unit also gives parents some breathing room and alleviates anxiety.” The idea behind the mobile units is to bring the joy of Legoland to kids unable to trek to Discovery Centers like the one in Phipps Plaza. Because the units are on wheels, they can also be unplugged and taken to young patients unable to leave their rooms. “A little-known benefit at Legoland is providing free tickets to underserved families and children with disabilities to the location of their choice,” says Kemmerick. “They don’t have to be affiliated with an organization to apply and can register at merlinsmagicwand.org to learn if they qualify.” l For more information, visit atlanta.legolanddiscoverycenter.com and choa.org/locations/scottishrite-hospital.
tion, Ansley Park Tour of Homes and Ansley Park’s Art in the Park benefit. She’s also a participating member of Harry Norman Realtors Philanthropy Fund in partnership with the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. l For more information, visit erinyabroudy.com and piedmontpark.org.
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
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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LOCAL SALUTE
Georgia's Own Credit Union celebrated its 85th birthday by doing 85 good deeds, from handing out free popsicles to rewarding public school teachers.
Spreading Cheer Local company turning 85 performs 85 acts of kindness
A
s the 85th anniversary of Georgia’s Own Credit Union approached, its leaders cast about for a significant way to celebrate. “In keeping with our foundation’s mission ‘to serve the public good in unique and unexpected ways,’ we decided to perform 85 acts of kindness throughout the year to give back the community that has always been so good to us,” says Marin Kraushaar, executive director of Georgia’s Own Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the full-service, not-for-profit financial institution that boasts 35 locations throughout the state, including a branch on Morosgo Drive in Buckhead. “Our first act of kindness occurred during the government shutdown in January [of 2019] when TSA employees were working without pay,” she says. “We reached out and asked what would help them the most.” One of their top issues was gasoline for their cars so they could get to work, so
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October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
Georgia’s Own set up at two RaceTrac gas stations near the airport, where the credit union’s employees pumped 8.5 gallons of gas for each of the 400 TSA workers who showed up. “It’s my favorite act to date,” says Kraushaar. Another of her favorites was helping fund a five-day trip to Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama in partnership with Bert’s Big Adventure. While most chronically and terminally ill children and their families go on an all-expense-paid group trip to Walt Disney World, a young NASCAR fan yearned to go to the races at Talladega, and with Georgia’s Own’s help, he got his wish. To make April 15 a little sweeter for taxpayers, the company handed out 850 King of Pops popsicles at Woodruff Park and the Marietta branch. Experts were on hand at both locations to provide free financial guidance. Educators got a lot of love during Teacher Appreciation Week in
May. The five Atlanta public school teachers who received the most engagement through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter received more than $150 apiece to buy school supplies. Their pictures were also displayed atop the company’s digital billboard at 100 Peachtree St. in the middle of Atlanta’s skyline. Credit union members also benefited when they got a .85% reduction in their mortgages in May. Another initiative encouraged employees to get involved. The first 85 staffers who volunteered were each given $8.50 to do some good in the community, such as buying a meal for a homeless person. Some acts of kindness were much larger, such as the recent golf challenge that raised $110,000 for L.E.A.D. (Launch. Expose. Advise. Direct), a group that helps transform the lives of young men through baseball. Founded by C.J. and Kelli Stewart, the organization is celebrating its 10th anniversary. “Ninety percent
STORY:
Mickey Goodman
of the prison population in the state comes from three zip codes, and L.E.A.D. is helping turn this around,” says Kraushaar. “It’s become one of Atlanta’s most impactful nonprofits, with a 90% success rate.” Other acts seem small but bring delight to the recipients, such as partnering with Six Flags Over Georgia on two days in July to select 85 random thrill enthusiasts to jump to the front of the line at the new Pandemonium ride. At Scoops for Socks held at Woodruff Park in July, the company dished out free scoops of ice cream to customers who brought in new socks or gently worn children’s clothing for Threads, a volunteer ministry run by All Saints’ Episcopal Church that provides clothing and shoes for kids in need. n l To learn more about Georgia’s Own Credit Union, visit georgiasown.org. To donate to Georgia’s Own Foundation, visit georgiasownfoundation.org.
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19
TR AV E L NE A R
Above: Nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the town of Black Mountain boasts a quaint downtown district.
Small Town, Big Adventures Black Mountain, North Carolina, offers a charming alternative to nearby Asheville
R
eady for some fall foliage viewing but sort of over the Asheville scene? That mecca for food, music and the Biltmore can get crowded with tourists, but just 15 miles east is another option with a bit less bustle. Black Mountain calls itself “the little town that rocks,” and the nickname has a number of interpretations. It covers the cool vibe of a downtown dotted with locally owned boutiques packed with handbags, scarves, clothing and all sorts of footwear. It’s an apt description as well for the plethora of galleries that showcase jewelry, sculptures, paintings, pottery and handcrafted creations by local artists. Shoppers in the market for camping gear or gifts for the folks back home will find rockin’ ideas at the Town Hardware and General Store, a throwback to the “we stock everything” emporiums from days gone by. Before heading into the woods or to the lakeside campsite, pick up
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October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
lanterns and fireproof frying pans, as well as nostalgic toys and games to keep the kids entertained. The small town’s dining scene also rocks, with a range of options that run the gamut from Southernstyle biscuits and barbecue to traditional German dishes and wood-fired pizzas. Get a jolt of energy at The Dripolator Coffeehouse or Sassafras on Sutton, where books are sold alongside espresso shots. Drop by The Artisan Gourmet Market for a wine tasting after picking up local, organic goodies at the Roots & Fruits Market or the Black Mountain Tailgate Market, held every Saturday morning from May through November. The town also rocks, literally. Tucked into a number of home decor and specialty shops are rocking chairs ready to take home as your own slice of North Carolina. They also dot the porches and patios of various bedand-breakfast inns and private mountain homes where outdoor living is
Right: Milton’s in the Monte Vista Hotel is an outpost of the popular Alpharetta eatery.
STORY:
H.M. Cauley
possible almost year-round. One of the most charming patios surrounds the firepit behind the Monte Vista Hotel, a three-story, restored historic property within walking distance of the commercial area. If the red-brick facade reminds guests of a community school building, it may be because the original Monte Vista morphed out of an old school structure. As a nod to those simpler times, the hotel’s 45 guestrooms and suites feature hardwood floors, cast-iron beds and colorful quilts. (There are no TVs to draw attention from the mountain views, but there is Wi-Fi for those who need technological connections.) The hotel has an Atlanta connection as well. Its dining room is an outpost of the North Fulton-based Milton’s, an upscale restaurant specializing in contemporary Southern cuisine. Pimento cheese, shrimp and grits, and fried chicken share the menu with filet mignon, brown butter-roasted
The historic Monte Vista Hotel has 45 guestrooms, a courtyard and a porch perfect for rocking.
cod and glazed duck breast. For outdoor enthusiasts, Black Mountain is also a base for hiking or biking along the Blue Ridge Parkway or spending a day gawking at Chimney Rock State Park’s stunning vistas. But if you’re still craving the big-city vibe, Asheville is only 20 minutes away. n
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Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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Photos courtesy of Experience Scottsdale
T R AV E L FA R
reminiscent of a tropical locale. With Bauhaus-inspired graphic patterns, two pools surrounded by lush gardens and rooms decorated with wooden furniture and Arizona flair, there are eye-catching elements at every turn.
3 LAUDABLE LANDMARKS
DESERT DISCOVERY
Above: Pinnacle Peak is a popular morning hike for visitors and locals. Top right: Desert Botanical Garden hosts multiple events, including lightdriven displays during evening hours.
Scottsdale is a prominent part of Arizona’s allure STORY:
Giannina S. Bedford
A
rizona has always held a mysterious intrigue to me. The state’s cactus-dotted topography, desert air and western roots create an ambiance unlike that of any other place I’ve visited. And each city within Arizona is its own puzzle piece in what makes the state unique. Sedona is known for its red rocks and new-age mentality, while Tucson boasts a thriving arts and culinary scene. Scottsdale, much like Buckhead, offers glitz and glamour, yet it also pays homage to its roots as “The West’s Most Western Town.” With revamped historical hotels, landmarks for varied interests and more hiking trails than you can fit into one weekend (or maybe even a lifetime), Scottsdale’s magnetism is one that draws me back again and again. Here is a small sampling of the city’s captivating highlights.
3 STORIED STAYS Hotel Valley Ho This midcentury modern hotel in downtown Scottsdale originally opened in 1956. In 2005, it underwent
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The Old Town Scottsdale Arts District at dusk.
extensive renovations that restored it back to the luster of its heyday as a Hollywood hideaway for icons such as Bing Crosby, Tony Curtis and Zsa Zsa Gabor. It continues to retain an air of exclusivity thanks to amenities such as the colorful OH Pool, recently revamped restaurant ZuZu and VH Spa equipped with chromotherapy saunas. Mountain Shadows Set in a stunning desert landscape in Paradise Valley, this resort opened in 1959 but was completely rebuilt and reintroduced in 2017. The updated contemporary design features two 75-foot pools connected by a waterfall feature and abundant floor-toceiling glass throughout from which guests can take in the stunning views of nearby Camelback Mountain.
Desert Botanical Garden Although technically in Phoenix, this outdoor attraction is only 4 miles from downtown Scottsdale and worth the short drive. Its 55 acres are home to 50,000 desert plants from around the world. It also hosts a variety of festivals, classes, concerts, tours and other events. Old Town Scottsdale Scottsdale’s picturesque downtown is filled with restaurants, galleries and retailers, many of which are housed in renovated buildings that date back to the 1920s. Park your car and hop on the free trolley, which stops at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), the Waterfront and Scottsdale Fashion Square, among other worthwhile spots. Taliesin West Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home was established in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains in 1937. Today, it’s an UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark, as well as the location of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin. Take a guided tour through Wright’s private quarters, drafting studio and music pavilion to learn what inspired the design of this architectural attraction.
The Scott Resort & Spa This Old Town Scottsdale property completed a $15 million makeover in 2018, unveiling a boutique hotel with an eclectic, Havana-inspired vibe. Originally built in the 1960s in Spanish Revival style, the hotel boasts a new design that honors its past and incorporates natural light and greenery
3 HEART-PUMPING HIKES Camelback Mountain Select from the Echo Canyon or Cholla hiking trails and expect to break a sweat at this popular, and slightly punishing, mountain. Traverse Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West is a must for architecture lovers.
A Place Where You Belong
Above: The event lawn at Mountain Shadows is framed by stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Spend the day or evening on the Town! Discover over 50 shops, services and restaurants. Town Brookhaven is truly your one stop shopping and dining destination with a blend of interesting boutiques, delicious restaurants and useful services.
Right: Hotel Valley Ho has been modernized but still retains its hip '50s vibe. Below: The front desk at The Scott Resort & Spa hints at the hotel's one-of-a-kind decor.
ANCHORS CinéBistro/Cobb Theatre • Costco • LA Fitness • Marshalls • Publix
APPAREL & ACCESSORIES Boogaloos • Dress Up Boutique • Vestique
SHOES Big Peach Running Co.
HEALTH, WELLNESS & BEAUTY 18|8 Fine Men’s Salon • Benchmark Physical Therapy Brookhaven Orthodontics • Emory Clinic • European Wax Center GNC (General Nutrition Center) • Intown Pediatrics The Joint - The Chiropractic Place Julian’s Cosmetics and Skincare • Massage Heights Nail Talk & Tan • Saks Salon Salon Red • Salon Red Kids • Town Dentistry Vein Clinics of America • Vida-Flo: The Hydration Station
DINING boulders and a variety of cacti, ascending approximately 1,200 feet, to earn the expansive view. During the winter holiday months, snap a pic with the Camelback Santa and his Christmas tree at the top. McDowell Sonoran Preserve A sprawling 30,580 acres, this Scottsdale preserve has more than 200 miles of shared-use trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. For a leisurely walk or trail run, the 4.5-mile Gateway Loop Trail is a top pick. If you’re looking for a higherclimbing feat, the 4.6-mile Tom’s Thumb Trail offers a steep climb and elevation gain of 1,100 feet. Pinnacle Peak Park Located in north Scottsdale, the Pinnacle Peak Park summit trail offers wide paths and panoramic views of Paradise Valley. At 3.5 miles round-trip and with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet, it’s short and sweet, but not without challenge. n
IF YOU GO... Sleep Hotel Valley Ho hotelvalleyho.com Mountain Shadows mountainshadows.com The Scott Resort & Spa thescottresort.com
Sightsee Desert Botanical Garden dbg.org Old Town Scottsdale oldtownscottsdale.com Taliesin West franklloydwright.org/ taliesin-west
Bua Thai and Sushi • The Flying Biscuit Café HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern • Lucky’s Burger & Brew Marble Slab Creamery • Moe’s Southwest Grill Newk’s Express Café • Olde Blind Dog Irish Pub Red Pepper Taqueria • Tanaka Ramen There Restaurant and Bar • Tropical Smoothie Café Which Wich? • Yogurtland
HOME FURNISHINGS & DÉCOR Redefined Home Boutique
SERVICES Bank of the Ozarks • Brookhaven Alterations Brookhaven Animal Hospital • FBC Mortgage • Keller Williams Reflections Eyecare • Town Cleaners • U Break I Fix
ELECTRONICS, MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT AT&T
TRAVEL & TOURISM Brookhaven Convention & Visitors Bureau
Sweat Camelback Mountain climbcamelback.com McDowell Sonoran Preserve mcdowellsonoran.org Pinnacle Peak Park scottsdaleaz.gov/parks/ pinnacle-peak-park
www.townbrookhaven.net Conveniently located on Peachtree Road adjacent to Oglethorpe University.
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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S TAYC AT I O N
Third Time’s a Charm STORY:
Above: A king terrace suite features space and luxury galore.
Jill Becker
The recently rebranded Waldorf Astoria affords a luxury stay smack in the heart of Buckhead
T
he old adage “the only thing constant is change” has proven true for one upscale Buckhead hotel property. What began as the Mansion on Peachtree back in 2008 became the Mandarin Oriental in 2012 and late last year became the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead. In all of its iterations, it has been a popular intown stay for luxury-seeking Atlantans, and I visited recently to see for myself what all the fuss was about. As you pull up to the 42-story hotel’s circular entrance off Peachtree Road, then make your way past the flower-filled foyer to the art decoinspired reception area, you’ll notice that the overall appearance of the hotel remains largely the same, but signature Waldorf touches have been added throughout. “As the first Waldorf Astoria property in Atlanta, it’s important to bring in fresh and exciting options for guests, while distinguishing our hotel from its predecessor,” says general manager Kerry Hing. Some of the most exciting changes have come courtesy of the new executive chef, Christophe Truchet, who oversees everything from the in-room
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dining to the menu at The Café & Bar restaurant. The Waldorf Astoria brand is known for its food—it is credited with originating eggs Benedict, red velvet cake and the Waldorf salad, to name a few—and Truchet has upped the hotel’s culinary game by introducing a Sunday brunch buffet (said to be the only one at a Buckhead hotel), an afternoon tea service, and new power lunch and three-course dinner menus. “We wanted to create a culinary experience that embodies the standards and ideals of the Waldorf Astoria brand while drawing a connection to the region’s flavors and Southern inspirations,” says Hing of Truchet’s gastronomic vision. New experiences and services are forthcoming at the spa as well, but in the meantime, there’s much to enjoy at the 15,000-square-foot retreat, including luxe treatments such as the Peach Indulgence, a nearly-twohour-long pampering session that starts with an all-over body scrub and ends with a relaxing scalp massage. A trip to the spa might just be warranted after working up a sweat at the fitness center, which includes
Above: Executive chef Christophe Truchet's culinary improvements include a new three-course dinner menu.
everything from stationary bikes and a steam room to a full-on yoga studio complete with exercise videos you can cue up on the big screen. The indoor saline pool is worth a visit whether you want to swim a few laps or just relax in a lounger as you gaze out on the hotel gardens. The accommodations at the hotel start at an ample 482 square feet and feature spacious bathrooms with walk-in showers and deep soaking tubs, so you may never feel the need to leave our room’s cozy confines.
Below: Pre or post treatment, guests can enjoy the spa's vitality whirlpool.
Many of the larger suites have their own private balconies where you can take in the hustle and bustle of the street below while sitting back with a cocktail and room service, all the while reminding yourself that your relaxing getaway was just a quick hop, skip and a jump away. n WALDORF ASTORIA ATLANTA BUCKHEAD 404.995.7500 waldorfastoria.com
15 MINUTES WITH
KRISTIN COWART
"I
t’s hard to believe we’ve reached such a milestone,” says Buckhead resident Kristin Cowart on the eve of her company, Brave Public Relations, celebrating its 20th anniversary. “It causes me to reflect back on so many people and organizations that took a chance on me and the firm. They could have gone with a global PR team, but they went with a boutique firm. It’s humbling for sure.” The Florida-born entrepreneur had never even seen snow when she headed to Boston College to pursue a career in broadcast journalism, but taking a PR class her junior year changed her path. Today, her all-female firm handles regional and national clients such as T-Mobile, Coca-Cola, Giorgio Armani, Pike Nurseries and Chicken Salad Chick. You weren’t even 30 when you opened your own firm. What was your journey like? I moved to Atlanta in 1993. I got an unpaid internship, then was offered a position at Golin/Harris. I worked there for four years, then wanderlust set in, so I started applying to global PR firms. I got a job at Edelman in London. I got there on a Monday, and by Thursday I was working a press conference in Oslo. I stayed there for two years, then got the bug to start my own shop. What was your vision at the time? I had seen how work was done in a big corporate structure and had ideas about to how to run a company differently—how to service clients, how to structure a team, etc. It felt like the right thing to do.
What’s one of your most memorable client experiences? It involves the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake [Golf Club]. I pitched them in 2016 and went through a whole lengthy process. At the end, I was told we weren’t the right fit, which, of course, was disappointing. But a week before the 2017 tournament, one of the executives called and said, “We made a mistake.” They had gone with an agency that had a background in sports, but they realized they wanted to tell their story to a broader audience. We took over with the 2018 tournament. It just goes to show how unpredictable the business is. What’s the most common misconception about PR? It’s often glamorized on TV as being a bunch of press conferences, parties and other events. It fails to show all the details and minutiae that go into in. Our biggest challenge is that people don’t really know what PR is. They think we can just snap our fingers and articles [on them] will appear. But it’s not a turnkey, fast process. One of the services you provide is reputation management. Does that mean you’re on call 24/7? Yes. I think clients find our greatest value on a random Tuesday night at 9 p.m. Given that, how do you juggle your home and work lives? I have two kids: a daughter, 10, and a son, 12. There’s a lot of classic working-mom guilt. But the company is
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STORY:
Jill Becker
PHOTO: Sara
Hanna
my baby as well. I do love that my son sees an example of a strong working mom, and someday that might be the norm. I bring my daughter to work a lot and love that she’s exposed to [a company run by women] on a regular basis. I hope it inspires her. Do you ever unplug and step back for a while? No. I know my team doesn’t need me, but I kind of can’t help it. I have an insatiable curiosity to know what’s going on. My family and I went to a remote area of Nicaragua over spring break, and I did try to unplug, but it lasted maybe two days. I knew everything was being covered; it was the wondering that caused me anxiety. Who’s one of your role models? My grandfather. He grew up in south Georgia as one of nine children. He went to school through the eighth grade, then quit because his dad needed him to work on the farm. Later he got a job as a busboy at Morrison’s Cafeteria. He worked hard and got promoted again and again until he became CEO of the company. I’m so awed by his story. What are some of your go-to places in Buckhead? True Food Kitchen. I could eat there all day, every day. And Baby Braithwaite. Sometimes I just go in and walk around. It takes me back to when my kids were babies. What’s one of your guilty pleasures? Krispy Kreme donuts. If the “Hot Donuts” sign is on, my car automatically drives into the parking lot. Name something about yourself most people don’t know. My father was a professional race car driver, and I grew up in the pits. n
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October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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A P P ROVE D
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LEARNING YOUR CBDS While marijuana isn’t legal in Georgia, almost anyone can enjoy the benefits of CBD-infused products. Also known as cannabidiol, CBD is a legal, non-psychoactive oil (meaning you won’t get high) that’s very different from regular and medical marijuana. Commonly used as a natural alternative to treat dozens of conditions from anxiety to chronic pain, CBD products are available in a variety of forms that range from lotions to drops to edible gummies. STORY:
Jessica Dauler
Mary's Nutritionals Elite Transdermal Gel Pen ($50)
Kat's Naturals Relax CBD Hemp Oil ($34.99) Kat’s Naturals organic hemp is grown on farms and created in the Southeast by an herbalist who uses her knowledge of natural remedies to enhance her line of CBD products. A few drops of this hemp oil under the tongue during the day promotes relaxation and emotional balance. Use it in the evening to help destress, relax and get a good night’s sleep. Nuts 'n Berries 4274 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30319 404.254.0330 nutsnberries.com
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In terms of convenience, you can't go wrong with this easy-to-use gel pen to help relieve aches and pains anytime you need it. A quick swipe of the lotionlike substance can be applied to your wrists, joints or ankles to support exercise recovery and alleviate muscle and joint pain minus any side effects or chemicals that come from prescription medications. Anthropologie 3393 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.237.4175 anthropologie.com
Sagely Naturals Headache CBD Roll-On ($29.99) One of the main reasons CBD oil is so popular is its ability to quickly relieve pain. This convenient roll-on is designed to provide relief from headaches and contains essential oils such as peppermint and menthol, so expect a soothing cooling sensation when applied to the forehead, neck, temples or shoulders.
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P E TS
Area practitioners who are Fear Free certified, such as Dr. Mark Belyeu (left), are trained in making a pet's visit to the vet as stress-free as possible.
Trip to the Vet? Fear Not STORY:
Laura J. Moss
A FEAR FREE EDUCATION HELPS PET PROFESSIONALS ALLEVIATE THEIR FOUR-LEGGED CLIENTS’ ANXIETY
O
ne of veterinarian Mark Belyeu’s regular patients is an older, small-breed dog with a collapsing trachea, a disorder that restricts the airway, especially during times of stress. The dog was growing increasingly anxious with vet visits, and once his stress was so bad that Belyeu, who practices at Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital in Buckhead, had to administer oxygen to the animal. Recognizing that the pup’s fear was a hazard to its health, Belyeu discussed the issue with the dog’s owner, and they came up with a plan.
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“We dispensed a pre-appointment medication that was safe for him and could significantly reduce his stress,” he says. “We attempted this medication at the next visit, and the pet did wonderfully. A complete exam was performed without issue, no oxygen was needed, and the pet even seemed to enjoy his visit.” Severe anxiety while receiving veterinary care isn’t uncommon among pets. In fact, the stress it can cause our furry friends is one of the chief reasons many pet owners, especially kitty caregivers, forgo regular
vet checkups. That’s why Dr. Marty Becker, who earned the nickname “America’s vet” from Dr. Oz, created Fear Free, an organization that aims to “take the ‘pet’ out of ‘petrified’” by educating professionals on how to alleviate animals’ stress. Belyeu, who is Fear Free certified, says the training he received as part of the program has positively impacted his personal practice and helped him to be more sensitive to pets’ needs. “Taking the course and implementing it in my daily practice has allowed me to put myself in the
pet’s shoes,” he says. “I am empathetic to the fact that a pet is taken out of its normal day-to-day and placed into a potentially stressful environment.” But Fear Free involves much more than simply administering medication. Professionals who complete the education learn how to recognize signs of fear, as well as a variety of techniques to help alleviate it. The courses include methods of distractions, tips for using calm body language and recommendations that pet owners themselves can implement prior to a vet visit. Belyeu says he uses the techniques he learned on a daily basis. “The Fear Free concept is based on reducing the signs of fear, anxiety and stress in pets,” he says. “When those signs are reduced, I’m a better veterinarian. I’m able to have a calm approach to performing a thorough exam and obtaining samples that can give us insight into the pet’s health. This allows me to be the best advocate for my patients.” Whether it’s teaching felines to tolerate nail trims or feeding treats to energetic dogs to help them relax during an exam, Belyeu says Fear Free training revolutionizes pet professionals’ relationships with their clients and helps them develop customized care for every animal. “Every pet is different and responds uniquely to each situation,” says Belyeu. “So when a pet is anxious, stressed or fearful, we can discuss this with the owner and develop a specific, individualized plan that will allow us to reach the best possible outcome for that pet.” n To learn more about Fear Free, or to find a Fear Free certified professional near you, visit fearfreepets.com.
HOM E | B U L L E T I N B OA RD | TA S T E M A K E R
SIMPLY LIVING
HOME
At the top of the stairs in the Prediletto home, Heart by Kara Nicole awakens the senses.
Bespoke in Brookhaven P32
Photo: Sara Hanna
“We wanted to make it as contemporary as possible.” — Brie Prediletto October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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H OM E
The edgy living room draws inspiration from one of Steven’s favorite artworks, a blackand-white image of a woman created with vinyl records.
Bespoke in Brookhaven Steven and Brie Prediletto add modern, global flair to a Craftsman-style home STORY:
Steven and Brie Prediletto have put their heart into every detail of their home, and it shows.
S
teven Prediletto has lived in Brookhaven for almost two decades and has been witness to its transformation. When he purchased his current 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath Craftsman-style residence in 2006, it was one of the first new homes on Apple Valley Road, a thoroughfare now booming with new construction and hip eateries. Even after meeting his Inman Park-dwelling wife, Brie, and marrying in 2010, the couple chose to settle in Brookhaven.
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Giannina S. Bedford PHOTOS: Sara Hanna
“I’ve been here since the beginning,” says Steven, a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch. “We are a seven-minute walk from everything Brookhaven has to offer, and MARTA is right here.” Although the Predilettos considered their location ideal, the style of the home was a little too traditional for their combined tastes. Over the past five years, they’ve given the home’s interior a more contemporary twist and filled it with handpicked art and furnishings purchased during their many sojourns across the globe. “We wanted to make it as contemporary as possible,” says Brie. “It’s been a very personal process because there’s a lot of stuff we’ve chosen and carried halfway across the world through customs and pat-downs.” To help make the style transition, the Predilettos enlisted the help of interior designer Paisley Gamble of Paisley Gamble Interiors, who combined their modern preferences with a decor that includes masks from Peru, textiles from Mexico, art from New Zealand and mementos from South Africa (one of their favorite locales).
The eclectic items breathe life into each room of the 3,200-square-foot home. “Paisley is super creative and knows how to help us pull all of the things we love together,” says Brie. “If we fall in love with a piece of art and buy it, she helps us figure out where it works in the house. It’s a good, collaborative relationship.” In the foyer, a custom 22-foot zebra runner sets an edgy tone that’s further elevated by Brie’s adjacent office boasting pink and teal walls and a green shag rug. The entry’s animal print floor covering creates a pathway past the dining room and metallic painted powder room into the living room, an area furnished with black suspension chairs from Philips Collection, a Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams sofa and a futuristic light fixture from Arteriors. Gamble redid the living room’s fireplace with glass tile and a cedar mantel to give it a more modern look, and built-ins on each side display figurines, pottery and even a megalodon fossil shark tooth. The room also showcases one of Steven’s favorite artworks—a mixed-media piece of a woman created from vinyl records
“It’s been a very personal process because there’s a lot of stuff we’ve chosen and carried halfway across the world.”–Brie Prediletto
Right: The office colors tie perfectly into the paintings Brie’s parents purchased while on vacation in Haiti. Below: The renovated kitchen is anchored by an island with a waterfall countertop, wine fridge, beverage center, numerous USB plug-ins and tons of storage.
Off this sitting area are the bedrooms, including two guestrooms. One is dressed up with three hot-pink South African headdresses and a colorful Mexican throw atop a white bed. The other—a room designed for the Predilettos’ nieces and nephews—features two twin beds with headboards upholstered in a colorful ikat fabric and octopus throw pillows. In between the guestrooms, a recently updated Jack-and-Jill bathroom features woven
s
by Jonathon Romain, which they purchased at the Brookhaven Arts Festival. The living room flows seamlessly into the recently renovated open kitchen, where the couple selected Copacabana white marble with severe black veining for the countertops and white and blue glass tile for the backsplash behind the BlueStar range (in the same blue hue as the inside of the front door). They also painted the formerly cherrywood cabinets a grayish white created to match the color of an Apple charging cord. Up the nearby stairs, which feature a blackstriped railing reminiscent of the dark streaks in the marble countertops, are more novel surprises. Rather than an oversized light fixture in the stairwell, the ascent to the second floor showcases art by Australian artist Greg Hyde, a suspended painting by Kara Nicole and metal cubes from Global Views that appear to be floating on the walls. A sitting area at the top of the stairs makes an impact with another Kara Nicole artwork, a painting of a large neon-pink heart that’s Brie’s favorite.
pinstriped wallpaper, a dark navy vanity and quartz countertops. The last of the upstairs rooms is the master, which Brie and Steven worked with Gamble on to overhaul with gray walls, a Lucite bed from Bernhardt Design, a West Elm dresser and a dark blue rug. Although the Predilettos love their interior, they spend a lot of time outside with their two Labrador-mix pooches, Stella and Max. Three years ago, they contracted Holly Brooks, co-owner of King Landscaping, to overhaul the backyard, which originally came with just “one tree and a heap of pine straw.” Today, the picturesque oasis features Pennsylvania bluestone pavers, a vegetable garden, dry creek beds and an under-thedeck potting bench. “The garden is my favorite. It gives me a sense of relaxation,” says Steven. In addition to focusing on the interior of their home, Brie and Steven are also on a mission to make their residence a net-zero carbon home that produces as much electricity as they use. Currently, the EarthCraft-certified house is equipped with rain barrels, LED lightbulbs and a 10-kilowatt rooftop solar array that provides 70% of the
The dining room features a table from Cantoni and artwork by Cuban artist Luis Rodriguez NOA.
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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H OM E
Above: The recently redone master bedroom combines sleek furnishings from Bernhardt, West Elm and more. Left: This guestroom’s global decor showcases the homeowners’ love of travel.
THE PREDILETTOS’ TOP 5 TIPS FOR RENOVATING A KITCHEN 1. Hire a designer who has similar tastes. It’s hard to take somebody who has his or her own taste and shove that in a box. 2. Use Rev-A-Shelf technology for organization and to maximize space. There are many different high-quality styles and options to help you streamline your kitchen. 3. Don’t be afraid to paint cabinets. Paint can go a long way without you having to rip everything out. 4. Explore different stone options. The many beautiful choices can really separate your kitchen from your neighbor’s. 5. Transform any leftover stone from the countertops into shelves, a stone cutting board or a tabletop.
home’s electricity needs. They have plans later this year to add two Tesla Powerwalls, batteries charged by the rooftop solar panels to provide electricity during the night when the sun isn’t shining. “We make conscientious decisions to reduce our impact on the planet,” says Steven. “Small modifications in our collective behavior—eating less meat, installing solar panels, reducing overall consumption of stuff we don’t need—goes a long way toward mitigating the impact of climate change.” The Predilettos’ actions in all aspects of their home are very intentional, as is their decision to stay in Brookhaven for the long haul. “In our perfect world, we’d be in a very modern house,” says Brie. “But we also love our house and love where it’s located.” n
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Holly Brooks of King Landscaping helped create the backyard oasis.
Fine Fare & Impeccable Service Never Go Out of Style
Book your holiday or special event with 103 West by November 15th, and receive an Ultimate Dining Card of up to $200. All room rental fees are waived and designer holiday decor throughout the facility is included! Additionally, each guest will receive a $20 Ultimate Dining Card for parties that are held on Sunday through Thursday. To start planning your next event, please contact: ask103west@buckheadrestaurants.com | 103west.com | 4 04 . 233.5 993 Offer valid for new bookings at ��3 West only thru January 3�, 2020
Pick Up Catering available at:
Private Dining also available at:
buckheadrestaurants.com 404.237.2060 dish@buckheadrestaurants.com
BULLETIN BOARD
BY:
Giannina S. Bedford
KID STUFF 5 KEY ELEMENTS FOR A FUN YET PRACTICAL PLAYROOM 1. Pint-sized seating: Whether it’s a small table and chairs or a comfy bean bag chair by Atlanta-based Jaxx (above), have a place for little ones to lounge or curl up with their favorite picture book.
Charting Her Own Path Meet up-and-coming designer Susie Prince
S
usie Prince’s colorful background runs the gamut from working in visual merchandising and packaging design for Home Depot corporate to serving as the graphics lead and stylist in season four of HGTV’s Emmy-winning series Elbow Room. In 2015, she and then-boyfriend now husband, Victor Prince, participated on Fox’s show Home Free, competing in design and build challenges for the chance to win a dream home. She may not have won the competition, but that same year she launched Susie Mae Design. Today, the 32-year-old works with a variety of residential clients in and around Atlanta, and stays busy refreshing her midcentury modern home in Chamblee. She also has a passion for pooches and volunteers regularly at LifeLine Animal Project. We sat down with this rising designer to learn more about what inspires her.
Where did your love of design start?
I grew up in Effingham County, Georgia, in an old farmhouse that’s now about 150 years old. My parents fixed the house up from shambles to a beautiful place, which I think started my love of seeing the potential in something derelict and making it better. What’s your design inspiration?
It depends largely on the client, but there is a common thread. I love the idea of totems. Not a totem
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pole, but having that thing that anchors the space, something that is deeply personal and authentic to the client. It may be a different style for every client—one may be super traditional, one may be more modern—but there’s always going to be that common thread, the totem that’s uniquely them that defines the space. I love using pieces that are familiar to the client so that even if the whole space is brand new, they walk in and it feels familiar and like home.
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
2. Activity nooks: Create “centers” for endeavors such as arts and crafts, dress-up, open play or building with blocks or Legos to ensure the tykes never get bored.
carpet tiles by Atlanta-based Flor (below) to create a safe and engaging landing spot for the youngsters to romp around on. 4. Decorative display: Dedicate a wall to silly family photos (maybe holiday-card outtakes) and kid-created masterpieces. 5. Easy storage: Stock up on lightweight baskets and bins for toys, books and art supplies so even your children can clean up in a flash.
3. Padded floor: Cushion the ground with a plush area rug, foam tiles or mix-and-match
What’s your personal style?
Modern, but not super modern. I don’t really like that cold, super streamlined style. I’d say it’s modern with soul. I like something that feels kind of old and cozy, with clean, modern lines and brighter colors.
PRODUCT
SPOTLIGHT
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I would love to have a small line of furniture and collaborate with a really good carpenter. Midcentury modern furniture so often has really smart storage ideas and clever ways of storing things in a small space. I love smart, well-fitted furniture that looks great but serves a purpose and then some. I’d love to work on something like that with someone. Design the furniture and build it: That would be a dream. n Susie Mae Design
susiemaedesign.com
Howard Payne Company 3600 American Dr. Chamblee 30341 770.451.0136 howardpayne.com
Now you can add a little more color to your bar, kitchen or outdoor entertaining space. Refrigeration brand True Residential recently launched a line of undercounter units that can be customized with a variety of finishes and hardware—48 different combinations to be exact. Part of the Build Your True program, the indoor/outdoor appliances include wine fridges and ice makers, as well as beverage centers and dispensers. This sleek cobalt-blue beverage center with stainless steel hardware is available to order for $4,390 at Howard Payne Company in Chamblee.
Schedule a tour today to experience Epstein for yourself. At Epstein, students experience an exceptional education led by specialized STEAM and Hebrew language programs. The school prepares confident lifelong learners grounded in their unique Jewish identities.
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335 COLEWOOD WAY NW | SANDY SPRINGS, GA 30328-2956 EPSTEINATLANTA.ORG
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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TA S T E MA K E R TASTEMAKER TIPS NOT ON TREND: n Dark or bright colors n Too many different colors throughout the house n Dark paint on trims and interior doors
“The evidence of this focus is in the results—more than 80% of my business comes from referrals and repeat customer engagements.” Here, Castillo tells us what we need to know about paint right now. What role does paint play in a room makeover? Painting a room is probably the lowest-cost investment in a home transformation as long as it’s done correctly by using the best products with good color choices. What’s trending in paint colors right now? Overall, the trend for interiors is monochrome for walls, trim and ceilings, with a satin finish for the walls and trim, and flat for the ceiling. The color palettes are grays and off-whites, such as SherwinWilliams Agreeable Gray or Benjamin Moore White Dove. The other trend is to use the same palette throughout the house and then integrate textured finishes like shiplap or complementary color choices for accent walls.
Painting the Town MIGUEL CASTILLO OF CASTLE PAINTING TELLS US WHAT’S HOT AND NOT IN PAINT RIGHT NOW STORY:
Karina Antenucci
PHOTO: Sara
Hanna
M
iguel Castillo moved his family from Venezuela to Atlanta in 1998, right after controversial former president Hugo Chávez was elected. He chose Atlanta because of the hypergrowth the city was experiencing after the 1996 Summer Olympics. A professional basketball player in his native country,
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Castillo turned his sights to finding a new career path. “I saw the explosive growth in the suburbs and the opportunity for building a healthy business around painting and remodeling that would leverage that growth while raising my family in the community that the business would serve,” he says. In 2000, Castillo launched Castle Painting. Today, it has a customer base exceeding 12,000, including several celebrities and professional athletes. His company provides a variety of
home services, including interior and exterior painting, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, and installing and refinishing flooring. It services both residential and commercial businesses in the greater Atlanta area, primarily in Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven and Roswell. “I spend 100% of my time and energy building a strong team that delivers the highest quality and consistency, and building trust with each and every customer,” says Castillo.
Are there any other interesting ways to update a home with paint? Fun trends that are also great choices for price performance include painting cabinets, vanities, built-ins and even accent furniture. Painting stair treads and handrails is great for an easy update. Painted brick will bring a whole new look to an exterior update. How has paint changed since you’ve been in business? Paints and stains have greatly benefited from technology advancements in the last two decades. The higher-quality products are very eco-friendly and low VOC [volatile organic compounds], which is safe for your family, pets and landscaping. They are also longer lasting, more durable, fade resistant and washable. The other great advancement is with color choices and color matching. Because of the advancement in the products, as well as the tools used, color options are much more precise. n CASTLE PAINTING 4627 Roswell Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30342 404.236.8948 castlega.com
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1424 WEST PACES FERRY ROAD, NW | ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30327
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead 
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FA S H ION | B E AU T Y | W E L L N E S S | TA S T E M A K E R
SIMPLY STYLISH
WELLNESS
Health Nut P47
“Wellness isn’t just going to the gym and drinking smoothies or trying the latest superfood.” — Gabrielle D’Auria
The upcoming WellScene conference includes healthrelated speakers, breakout sessions and products. Photo: XXIII Photo Studio
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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FA S H I ON
BLACK TIE
TRIUMPH A MEN’S GUIDE TO PULLING OFF A TUXEDO STORY:
Neal Howard
W
hether renting or buying a tuxedo for your 2019 events schedule, start with two simple, iconic words: Cary Grant. For anyone born before 1990, the very mention of the man’s name evokes a red carpet snapshot from the American consciousness that, to this day, remains synonymous with masculinity at its most elegant. Slim-fitting, clean lines, whispered touches of tastefulness—a custom stud set here, an Italian shoe there—slyly contravene an inferred “too manly to care” attitude. And a fondness for navy blue. “We continue to see navy tuxedos as a staple,” explains Tim Richey, vice president of Guffey’s of Atlanta, a top men’s formalwear retailer since 1965. “It’s not even a question of ‘Is it in?’ anymore; it’s now a staple in the industry. There’s a great photograph of Cary Grant in the Smithsonian. He’s sitting Indian style, arms crossed, big glasses on, and he’s in a navy blue tuxedo. Tuxedos were pretty much navy blue up until the ’60s and the advent of fluorescent lighting. Black tie was a black tie; the lapels were black, but [the rest of the tux] was dark blue.” A highly meticulous man whose passion for the craft emanates from every pore, Richey has spent the last 43 years dressing men on every rung of the social ladder, from internationally renowned celebrities such as André 3000 of Outkast to major CEOs attending presidential inaugurations to the average Joe on a shoestring budget who simply needs to look his best for a single afternoon. No matter who you are, Richey insists, “Keep it simple; keep it clean.” First off, accessories are out altogether. A divinely made vest can provide a big win if well executed, but eighty-six the ever-unflattering, plumping effect of the cummerbund. If you feel naked absent a pocket square, avoid going over the top with
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respect to color and prominence. Demure and understated is the ticket. A useful tool might be to compare the styling choices you make with the thought of driving a brand new Bentley down Peachtree Road. Is that super-loud, “look-at-me” bowtie you’re contemplating the equivalent of adding a neon-green spoiler to your otherwise immaculate ride? Very likely so. Rather, think Rat Pack-era class and sophistication. Imagine Sinatra or Sammy Davis Jr. backstage at the Copa Room in Vegas circa 1960, a look so game-changing it effectively migrated American tux style from the softer-fitting, midcentury suit to a narrower, crisper feel. “But how do I set myself apart from the crowd?” you might ask. The answer is, with subtlety. In 2019, a tux’s distinctiveness, as well as the stylistic keenness of its wearer, arrives in the fine details, such as the choice of fabrics (silk and wool blends, mohair) and/or an exquisite handmade shoe from a brand such as Santoni or Scarpe di Bianco. For the recent needs of a high-profile executive attending a beach wedding in Newport, Rhode Island, for instance, Richey procured a clever oyster stud set for the shirt that paired beautifully with the ocean theme and set the wearer apart from the pack. As for the age-old question about whether you should purchase or rent a tuxedo, Richey suggests, “If you’re going to wear a tux again over the next year or two, purchase it. The guy who always needs to be on point should buy his tux.” n GUFFEY’S OF ATLANTA 3340 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.231.0044 guffeys.com
Nyssa’s Nods
S PECIAL ADV ERTIS ING SE C T ION
SURVIVAL GUIDE
We are proud to introduce Simply Buckhead’s NEW special advertising promotion: NYSSA’S NODS. Nyssa Green is a well known influencer throughout Metro Atlanta. She has attracted a large audience through her TV, Print and Radio segments. People look to her for advice and suggestions on local products and services, and she is now bringing her talents and influence to Simply Buckhead.
THE GEORGIA HEMP COMPANY Doggy Daily Hemp Extract Pumpkin Treats – 4mg CBD/treat Made from delicious, healthy ingredients that dogs love! Five tasty gluten-free biscuits per bag, each containing 4 mg of hemp extract exclusively sourced from our partner farm in Northern Colorado. All products are human grade.
REMEDY BY JP Private Yoga Coaching & Reiki Healing Custom designed yoga practices with emphasis on anti-aging. Beginner to Advanced. Upper Westside Studio or your location within a 10-mile radius of 30318. Workshops available. l Yoga teacher certification by internationally acclaimed Blue Osa. l Reiki certification Usui I, II & Master Level.. 404.668.6448 l janet@remedybyjp.com l remedybyjp.com FB @remedybyjpllc l IG @remedybyjp
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290 Hilderbrand Dr. B-3 Sandy Springs GA 30328 404.343.2796 l thegeorgiahempcompany.com
3150 Roswell Road, Ste. B-1, Atlanta, GA 30305 770-637-2919 l artisanbeaute.com
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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B E AU TY
The Look of Things THE NEW TIFFANY DANIELLE BEAUTY BAR OFFERS CURATED SERVICES IN ONE SPOT
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where,” she says. In late 2018, an established beauty entrepreneur approached her about opening a location in Atlanta after being impressed by her wellresearched beauty-related posts on Instagram (her @tiffanydanielleh account has more than 30,000 followers). Haynes jumped at the chance. After leaving her career in finance and real estate, she spent the first half of this year interviewing dozens of providers and aestheticians for services including waxing, eyelash extensions, lash and eyebrow tinting, facials, microdermabrasion, makeup application and spray tanning. She also traveled to manufacturers around the country to test products. “I won’t put anything in the store I wouldn’t use myself,” she says. One of the highlights of her new venture was fulfilling a longtime dream of developing her own makeup line, Tiffany Danielle Cosmetics. The initial offering includes foundations, lipsticks, lip plumper, bronzing powder, lip liners, concealer, powder, highlighter and eyebrow pencils. “I’m excited because I love makeup as much as I love skincare,” she says. The new 600-square-foot shop
Jennifer Bradley Franklin
FAB FIVE HERE ARE THE HANDFUL OF PRODUCTS TIFFANY HAYNES (LEFT) SAYS SHE CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT.
1. Bronzer: “I love to have a glowing tan year-round, and bronzing powder is my secret weapon between spray tans.”
2. Tiffany Danielle Lip Plumper: “This is my favorite replacement [for Chapstick] because it boosts hydration and collagen production with peptides and vitamins C and E. It also gives my lips a nice fullness with a smooth shine.”
Ahmad Barber
T
hanks to our busy lives, one-stop shops of all kinds are thriving— think of the success of Target and Amazon, nicknamed the “everything store” of online shopping. But when it comes to beauty services, most aficionados have specialists they love spread across town. Tiffany Haynes, who lives on the border of Buckhead and Sandy Springs, aims to change that with her new store, Tiffany Danielle Beauty Bar, which opened in September. “I wanted a place that had everything I could want in one place,” says the self-described beauty junkie, who was visiting six or seven individual locations for services every two weeks. “I like to get a facial, eyebrow wax, have my makeup done, get a spray tan. I’ve been getting those things for the last 10 years, so I know when [the service] is good and when it’s bad.” To solve the problem of inconvenience, the 31-year-old was inspired to curate some of the best in the business all in one place. “It’s timeconsuming for people who love to get all those things done when one provider is by the Perimeter, one salon is in Midtown [and so forth]. You’re spending hours driving every-
STORY:
includes two service rooms and retail space that will feature five skincare lines in addition to Haynes’ own makeup. Even the Perimeter Mall location is designed to create comfort and ease for visiting beautyseekers. “I wanted a site that had easy parking access,” Haynes says of the storefront that’s near the mall entrance so self-conscious clients won’t have to walk far without makeup on their way to a service. n
3. Vitamin A creams: “These are the best defense for aging skin.” 4. Nude lip color: “It can be a lip pencil, liquid lipstick, lip gloss or a dot of foundation. I love a nude lip with bronzed cheeks.” 5. Dry shampoo: “To keep my hair from drying out, I only wash it two times a week and use dry shampoo in between. It also gives my hair texture and volume.” TIFFANY DANIELLE BEAUTY BAR 4400 Ashford Dunwoody Rd. Atlanta 30346 470.222.2016 tiffanydaniellebeauty.com
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ShopsAroundLenox.com
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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Regain Your Health & Mobility! We specialize in non-invasive, minimallyinvasive and robotic techniques for advanced weight loss and general surgery procedures. Let Dr. Srinivasa Gorjala, a board-certified physician, and our on-site dietician help you to live to your full potential with one of our medical or surgical weight loss programs.
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6135 Barfield Road, Suite 150, Atlanta, GA 30328 46
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
WEL L N ESS
WellScene’s founder Gabrielle D’Auria.
but it stems from being in a place of good health. I believe good health is a mind, body and spirit approach, and that’s what WellScene promotes. Wellness isn’t just going to the gym and drinking smoothies or trying the latest superfood. The way to lifelong wellness is by creating daily habits that support your mental health and stress [levels], working your body and fueling it with good food, and living your life to honor your dreams and desires. When these areas are in balance, I believe that’s when you have true wellness.
HEALTH NUT
STORY:
Nicole Letts
XXIII Photo Studio
WELLSCENE’S FOUNDER SPOTLIGHTS WOMEN’S WELLNESS
W
ellScene is the fruit of founder, certified health coach and Buckhead resident Gabrielle D’Auria, and it’s quickly becoming Atlanta’s premier women’s wellness event. This oneday conference, to be held at The Stave Room on Nov. 10, will feature a wellness marketplace offering goods from local and national companies; breakout sessions on topics such as infertility; and a bevy of speakers, including Julie Granger, a mindset coach who specializes in combining functional medicine knowledge with wellness coaching. D’Auria says her
goal for the event since the beginning has been to “connect women at every stage of their wellness journey and empower them to live their best lives, naturally.” We chatted with D’Auria about WellScene’s mission, what attendees can expect at this year’s conference and her favorite healthy spots around town. How did WellScene get started? WellScene came about when I was searching my community for healthy places to eat. I had no idea where to start because there weren’t any resources out there. That’s where my
mission came from: to create a community and connect women to wellness resources in Atlanta. I have always had a love for event planning and creating experiences and celebrations for people. I realized that Atlanta didn’t have anything to celebrate women’s wellness and give them a judgmentfree place to learn about ways to live their healthiest lives. How does WellScene encourage women to think about wellness holistically and get them started on a path of lifelong health? Wellness is such a trendy term lately,
What can attendees expect at this year’s event? Confirmed speakers include Samaira Dumpson of Corrective Chiropractic, Weather Channel meteorologist Liana Brackett, Megan Broadhead of The Brookhaven Center, November Nichols of L’Artisan Muse and Kristin Oja of STAT Wellness. We have also partnered with a company called Rowdy Elephants to make sure that our event is as environmentally friendly as possible. We’re working to make sure that everything is compostable and recyclable, and all food compost will be donated to a local community garden. You’ve also started something on the WellScene website called Little Green Book. Tell us about it. I started the Little Green Book because I wanted a tangible [wellness] resource for people. I get so many messages about where to go for naturopathic doctors or clean beauty stores in our area, so we put together a guide to search for different categories in your neighborhood. What are some of your favorite wellness spots in the Buckhead area? Perspire Sauna Studio is amazing for detoxing. [I’m] currently loving Peachtree Yoga Center’s restorative yoga class. Aillea for all my natural beauty products. Nuts ’n Berries is a health food store that has great local finds such as Georgia Grinders nut butter. n WELLSCENE Nov. 10, 8 a.m-5:30 p.m. The Stave Room 199 Armour Dr. N.E. Atlanta 30324 wellsceneatl.com
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TA S T E MA K E R
Tell us more about your football experience. I’m still tired of football. You throw a football at me, and I won’t even catch it. The picture didn’t play out the way I wanted. It’s like dating somebody. I’d been dating this “girl,” football, since eighth grade, and then it didn’t work out. We’re divorced, and we’re never going to speak again, but I have a fuel for what I do now. I’m very passionate, and I just learned how to transition what I was doing and what I wanted to do into something I could do. So I created my own business. How did you take what you learned from being an athlete and turn it into a business? Everything I’ve learned since eighth grade is what I apply now. Most people assume that people can only be trained like athletes if they are athletes, but it’s not like that. Looking back, it would be one trainer training the entire football team. When you go see Alabama or UGA, there aren’t 50 coaches out there. There’s one main coach who’s somehow able to put these guys in the best shape of their lives. I’ve never had a one-on-one coach. It’s always been me amongst 10 guys. That mentality allowed me to remove myself. Instead, there are nine other people [in class] who are depending on you to clap it up if somebody’s slacking, or somebody can’t push, or somebody thinks they can’t do it and they’re struggling, and that pushes everybody.
FITNESS EXCLUSIVE Ex-NFL player Bryan Jean-Pierre trains a select Atlanta crowd STORY:
Nicole Letts
O
wned and operated by Buckhead resident and former NFL defensive lineman Bryan Jean-Pierre, MiscFit is arguably the most exclusive club in Atlanta. After all, you need an invitation to be a part of the private fitness studio. Once selected, you’re privy to group classes led by Jean-Pierre and his hand-selected training, boxing and yoga experts.
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It comes as no surprise that JeanPierre, who last played for the Carolina Panthers, has launched a successful fitness enterprise. His attitude, charisma and knowledge are undeniable. The William & Mary graduate double-majored in economics and sociology, and has watched his yearold gym flourish into a full-fledged business. As the son of Haitian immigrants, he has always valued hard work. Even when he was living out of his car while struggling to find a football team that felt like home, he
pressed on. Jean-Pierre recently filled us in on where he came from and where he’s headed. Why did you choose Atlanta for your business? I grew up here. I went to Dunwoody High School, Peachtree Middle School and Hightower Elementary School, all in the same district. My parents still live in the same house. They actually wash my gym towels for me. Atlanta was just home and naturally where I wanted to be.
What does that look like in terms of the training you provide? I cut the lights off, and the music is pumping. I have heart rate monitors that [clients] connect themselves to, and it shows up on a TV. As soon as that clock hits [five minutes after the hour], whatever class we’re in, we go. I write all the workouts the night before, and they never do the same workout ever. Leg day doesn’t look like lunges, squats and box grunts, like the same routine stuff. I like to keep it funky and creative. What’s your go-to piece of equipment? I love the TRX. You can literally take it anywhere. You can do chest, back, abs, hamstrings and cardio. It’s a very versatile piece. n
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This is JUST ONE HOUR NORTH OF ATLANTA, Big Canoe is an 6,600 acre, gated residential community that spans across six mountains in stunning north Georgia. Access to resort-style amentities such as golf, tennis, fitness, dining, boating, swimming and hiking can literally be in your backyard. You can call, “the best kept secret in the Southeast” home, with homes from $200,000 to $3,000,000+. Schedule a private tour or book your Fall 2019 Discovery Package experience today!
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October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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ON S TAG E
| ART
| LITERARY
SIMPLY ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
ART
Putting Latino Culture in the Spotlight P58
“Art and culture are a very important aspect of being Latino, but a lot of time people don’t see that.” — Aixa Pascual
Through the Latin American Association, Aixa Pascual works to showcase the work of Latino artists. Photo: Sara Hanna
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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O N S TAGE
“Doing Life”
Over the Airwaves Radio hosts Kevin Avery and Taylor Scott prove that good, clean fun still has its place STORY:
Ann Hardie
W
ith Kevin Avery and Taylor Scott, the longest-running morning show hosts on Atlanta music radio, what you hear is what you get. Over a cup at Dancing Goats Coffee Bar in Buckhead, not far from their station, 104.7 The Fish, the conversation goes pretty much like their chats over the airwaves about moms making school lunches and commuters crawling along on Ga. 400. There are updates on Scott’s nieces and nephews, and Avery’s soon-to-be six rescue dogs (including two retired racing greyhounds). There’s talk of Avery’s obsession with cycling (he clocks 200 miles a week) and Scott’s love of mountain biking. They give
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each other the business. “I have four sisters, and I always said I wanted a brother until Kevin,” jokes Scott, letting out her signature snort-laugh. In an industry that’s ever more cookie-cutter, Avery and Scott still rely on their ability to personally connect with their audience—or “doing life together,” as they put it. They have listeners who have been calling in for the 19 years they’ve been on The Fish, an FM contemporary Christian radio station. They now get calls from those listeners’ children. “Radio is so personal,” says Scott. “It’s you and someone in their car or in their kitchen.” “Personal” still resonates. The Kevin & Taylor Show, on from 5:30 to 10 a.m. weekday mornings, consistently comes in the top 10 among local radio morning shows according to Nielsen Media, and has been in the
top five of late. In 2017, the show went into syndication and can now be heard in more than 100 markets nationwide. “A listener in Portland, Oregon, sends me coffee,” says Avery. Avery attributes his love of radio to the fourth grade when he got marooned to the back of the room for incessant chatting. “I’ve always been a talker,” he says. The show, which features eight contemporary Christian songs an hour, also addresses his love of music and lack of talent, he says. Scott links her career choice to doing the announcements in high school. For the duo, “doing life together” on the radio dates to 1997 when Avery hired Scott to work at a Christian station in West Palm Beach, Florida. Two years later, he hired her again after he moved to Atlanta to help launch The Fish. “We work because
there is mutual respect,” says Avery. “It really is 50-50.” They also are friends—Scott and her husband, Glenn, are godparents to Avery and his wife Tracy’s four children. The Kevin & Taylor Show promotes “good, clean fun” with no dirty jokes or sexual innuendoes. There also are no political screeds or proselytizing. “From day one, we didn’t want our show to be judge-y or preachy,” says Avery. “When we hear from people of different denominations and faiths, that’s the best compliment,” adds Scott. While much of the banter is lighthearted, it can turn serious. Avery has shared how he and his family are dealing with his mom, who had a stroke and is having memory lapses. Scott recently decided to talk publicly about her infertility. “I know I’m not the only one out there who’s gone through this,” she says. How much longer will Avery and Scott keep this up? “I really hope we’ll be doing this for another 20 years,” says Avery. Scott, too. “We do pinch ourselves that we can still do this,” she says, then reveals a downside. “Getting up at 3:20 a.m.—you never get used to that.” n
Enjoy The Kevin & Taylor Show on 104.7 The Fish weekday mornings from 5:30 to 10 a.m. Visit kevinandtaylor.com for more information.
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ART Left: A native of Puerto Rico, Aixa Pascual leads local efforts to spotlight Latino artists. Right: Yehimi Cambrón (top) and a team of artists painted a butterfly mural on the side of the LAA’s offices.
Sara Hanna
Below: Little Mother, an oil on canvas, is the work of Columbian-born artist Catalina Gómez.
Putting Latino Culture in the Spotlight STORY:
H.M. Cauley
Aixa Pascual works to promote Latin American visual artists
A
ixa Pascual has her own immigrant story. She grew up in Puerto Rico, came to the mainland to study international relations at Princeton University, then earned a master’s in journalism at Columbia. A job with a business magazine brought her to Atlanta 19 years ago, and since then, she’s written for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and worked in public relations for Kennesaw State before taking on the communications role for the Latin American Association in Brookhaven. Two years ago she segued into a position at the LAA that gives her the chance to discover, promote and support Latino visual artists—a job that also helps tell an overlooked aspect of the immigrant story. Tell us about the LAA. We serve people based on their needs: Do they need English classes, help with their kids’ applications for financial aid, finding information on how to become entrepreneurs, legal immigration services or Medicaid? But we’re much more than that. Art and culture are a very important aspect of being Latino, but a lot of time people don’t see that; it’s something we have to showcase. So more than anything, we’re trying to support Latino artists by being a source of encouragement and connection, and to help them understand what they do is important. Atlanta has a lot of very talented, vibrant Latino
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visual artists from South and Central America and the Caribbean, but there’s no center of support for them. What sort of art projects has the LAA supported? We have some art here in our space on Buford Highway. In May we got a new mural on the side of our building facing the street. It was painted by a former DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient who’s now a teacher at Cross Keys High up the street. It has beautiful butterflies and the themes of education and being here to stay. About a year ago, a Mexican artist left us a big U.S. flag with portraits of
Hispanic people on it that’s inside the building. And I’m currently working with another artist who wants to donate a piece about immigrants. What kind of exhibits has the LAA sponsored? We’ve done two that came from a high school competition for students. We distribute a call for submissions to the schools, and we’ve had about 20 entries each year that we exhibit at a real museum. Two years ago it was at [the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia]. Last year, we did a joint event with students and artists we’ve been working with, and transformed our auditorium into a museum. We’re now getting ready to work with MOCA again this year. The theme is about portraying the undocumented experience, but students don’t have to be [undocumented]. They just have to capture the experience of being an immigrant or outsider in their art. How else does the LAA promote the community’s culture?
Two years ago I started a book club that reads contemporary Latin American literature in Spanish. We read the classics, such as Gabriel García Márquez, and some I’ve never heard of. How else are you involved in the arts? I’m part of Brookhaven’s arts council. We’re in the process of hiring someone to do a cultural assessment of what they have, what they want and how we identify ourselves with the arts. Are you artistically inclined? I have no artistic talent! In my office I have eight pieces of art I’ve done at those places where you go and sip wine [and paint] with your friends. I’m not a visual artist by any means, but it’s my pleasure to support them. n
LATIN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION thelaa.org
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L I T E R ARY Kyle Pease has never let cerebral palsy stand in his way. Along with brother, Brent, he has competed in marathons and Ironman competitions that have broken barriers for others.
BREAKING BOUNDARIES THE ATHLETIC PEASE BROTHERS TAKE ON A NEW CHALLENGE AS AUTHORS STORY:
H.M. Cauley
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hat sort of challenge makes a worthy followup to competing in an Ironman championship? For brothers Brent and Kyle Pease, the next hill to conquer was writing their first book. A few months ago, the two ticked “author” off their bucket lists with the publication of Beyond the Finish, which opens with Kyle’s birth in 1985, follows his battle with cerebral palsy and culminates with both brothers finishing an Ironman contest together in Hawaii. Their work brings attention to the battles fought daily by a family with a disabled member and the extraordinary triumphs that come with determination and hard work. “We always wanted to share our story with others, but it was a long, three-year process,” says Kyle, 34, who lives near Piedmont Hospital, where he works as a greeter. Each brother takes turns relating personal fears and aspirations in alternating chapters, with additional material added from their parents and Brent’s wife, Erica. “It’s got everybody in the family’s perspective,” says Brent, 36. “It’s not just about one race and how
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Kyle rose to the challenge, but about what the entire family, our friends and supporters have helped us do.” What they’ve done is backed the brothers in their various athletic competitions that have Brent pushing Kyle in a sleek racing chair. “Brent does the physical work, and I’m there as a coach,” says Kyle. “For me, it’s more of a mental challenge than anything else. But it doesn’t work without Brent or without me.” It works so well that a few months ago the two became the first brother duo to compete in and finish the Ironman World Championship, cross-
BEYOND THE FINISH and information about the Kyle Pease Foundation are available at kylepeasefoundation.org.
ing the finish line at 14 hours and 29 minutes. They’d been working toward that milestone by competing in more than 100 races together since 2011. “I remember when Brent started getting into fitness and doing triathlons,” says Kyle. “He invited the entire family to come watch, and I really got into it.” After finishing their first race eight years ago, the two founded the Kyle Pease Foundation to help other disabled athletes participate to the fullest extent. “We own and maintain more than 40 race chairs as well as bikes, boats and other equipment that allows people like Kyle to compete,” says Brent, who directs the nonprofit. “We pay for everything regardless of need, and that includes race fees and training. We pair
athletes with volunteers and take them to races. The idea is to give them the fully inclusive experience.” Beyond the Finish not only tells their remarkable tale, it also contributes to the cause as well, with 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the book going back to their foundation. “We want to get it in the hands of people who have never heard our story,” says Brent. “This is a great way to do that with people who may not be geographically near us and know about us.” And while learning about the foundation, they’ll also be inspired, hopes Kyle. “We want to help others realize they can do whatever they put their minds to.” n
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STONE, STEEL, GLASS AND LIGHT OLD AND NEW BEAUTY TAKE MANY FORMS IN THE AREA’S IMPRESSIVE ARCHITECTURE STORY:
Oglethorpe University 4484 Peachtree Rd. N.E., Atlanta 30319
The signature Collegiate Gothic style of the Oglethorpe campus in Brookhaven dates to the first building, Hearst Hall, which debuted in 1915, and has carried through to the newest building, the Cousins Center for Science and Innovation that opened this spring. The architecture draws inspiration from Corpus Christi College in Oxford, England, the alma mater of James Oglethorpe, the university’s namesake. The Atlanta architectural firm Morgan, Dillon and Downing, as it Lupton Hall, and most of the other buildings on the Oglethorpe campus, are a stunning example of Collegiate Gothic architecture.
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was known then, set the standard, including Stone Mountain granite, Indiana limestone and slate roofs, with the first three buildings. Hearst Hall’s Tudor-style details have drawn film crews from shows such as Sleepy Hollow and The Vampire Diaries. Lupton Hall was erected in three connected phases and includes the bell tower where students celebrate completing their studies. Lowry Hall, which includes the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, offers a glimpse at the past with a wall inside the Weltner Library that was the back of the building before an expansion. Passersby on Peachtree Road see the Gothic architecture on the outer
wall of Hermance Stadium. Thornwell Jacobs, who served as university president from 1915 to 1943, mandated copying the look of the great English universities when he revived Oglethorpe and brought it to its current Peachtree Road location (the school had shuttered twice since its 1835 founding before being permanently resurrected by Jacobs). “There was nothing this far out. This was almost rural Georgia,” says Eli Arnold, the university librarian, explaining that electricity, water and the streetcar had to be extended to the campus, built on a portion of 600 acres donated by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst.
The buildings are Oglethorpe’s “silent faculty,” Jacobs wrote in 1927, adding that they served as “a constant source of delight and inspiration to its students, teaching quietly but surely the highest ideals of life.” Even the one academic nonconformist from the university’s signature style brings that inspirational flair: midcentury modern Goodman Hall, designed by Toombs, Amisano and Wells, the firm behind such Atlanta landmarks as Lenox Square and The Woodruff Arts Center. Larry Schall, who is retiring as Oglethorpe’s president next summer after 15 years, says the Cousins Center and the 6-year-old Turner Lynch 100 Digital Creativity
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oet John Keats wrote “beauty is truth,” but the truth in architecture is that beauty emerges from a balance of form and function. The beautiful buildings we’re highlighting in this issue range from more than a century to just a few months old, but all of them combine eye-catching features outside and in with the amenities and conveniences that make them pleasurable to use as well as view. You can tour local history and peek at the future through these area works of architectural art.
Michael Jacobs
Opposite page, top: Christie Pearce; Right: 100 Digital Creativity
The St. Regis’ Pool Piazza is reminiscent of an Italian Renaissance villa.
Left: Oglethorpe’s graduating seniors traditionally ring the bells atop Lupton Hall, whose tower was renamed the Lale Özgörkey Bell Tower in 2013.
Above: The top of Lowry Hall provides a panoramic view of Oglethorpe’s academic quad, athletic facilities and Gables Brookhaven, which provides student housing and classrooms as part of its long-term lease of university land.
Campus Center fit with the original buildings on campus in their use of stone and Oglethorpe’s quatrefoil symbol while being “21st century in every way” in their application of technology, glass and natural light. Cousins was built in a U-shape around the shell of half-century-old Goslin Hall with granite from Elberton, Georgia, which matches the Stone Mountain stone because it likely shares geological origins, says architect Brian Campa of Atlanta firm Cooper Carry. “I think the beauty of our campus is largely about great and lasting architecture and wonderful open spaces,” says Schall. “Our quadrangle is still dominated by our three historic, granite, Collegiate Gothic buildings. Their proportions are graceful, and the relationships to each other and to the quad are just right. When planning our new, modern buildings, we seek to honor and integrate the spirit of the old.”
been with The St. Regis since the project began, says Rabun brought its understanding of the “Southern vernacular of architecture” with touches such as the circular drive at the entrance and the dual curved staircases framing an 800-pound, 3,000-piece Czech crystal chandelier in the hotel lobby. “One of the things that is key is the sense of arrival,” says Merl. “I would tell you that there are so many hotels that get it completely wrong. I think for a classic hotel, a classic brand that we are, this was really well conceived.”
The building’s external features, such as the distinctive ledges and projections on both wings, reflect internal elements, including high ceilings and views of the city in three directions from each of the 53 residences. The thick cast concrete helps dampen the sounds of neighborhood construction. The pool deck and the event balcony above it evoke an Italian Renaissance villa at the back of the building, while the dark woods of the St. Regis Bar and meeting spaces decorated with towering bookcases provide the feel of a private club from the early 20th century. The St. Regis recently underwent a property-wide refresh. One of the improvements was the transformation of an unused space into the three-level Maisonette, a selfcontained, flexible meeting space
with the latest high-tech conveniences and a modern chef’s kitchen with seating for two dozen. “There are a lot of nice buildings,” says Merl, but “buildings come alive with people. That’s the difference— a commitment to providing service and maintaining the building.”
Right: The Tavistock Group’s Jay Jacob cites Charleston architecture as an inspiration for the St. Regis lobby. Below: The extended wings ensure views in three directions from the living rooms of the St. Regis residences, all of which have covered patios with fireplaces.
The St. Regis Atlanta 88 West Paces Ferry Rd. N.W., Atlanta 30305
A luxury hotel below and residences above, the 10-year-old St. Regis sits just far enough from Peachtree Road to soar above its surroundings. Seen from the west, the skyscraper signals a shift from largely residential to commercial buildings. Seen from the north or the east, it marks a change from glass towers and other ultramodern looks to classic European elegance. “When you come in on any of the roads that lead here, you can see it. You don’t miss it,” says Guntram Merl, the general manager since 2017. “It separates itself clearly from the rest.” The Beaux Arts example of the original St. Regis in New York served as a model for Atlanta’s Rabun Architects when creating the hotel. But Jay Jacob, who works for the hotel’s owner, the Tavistock Group, and has
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Above: The Spanish Baroque details of the Buckhead Theatre’s facade offer a contrast to the high-tech marquee. Left: The Buckhead Theatre’s balcony carries pleasant memories for those, such as 92-year-old owner Charles Loudermilk Sr., who saw movies at the theater when they were teenagers.
on a 20-year lease. “The seats are good. The venue is good. The audio is excellent. The lights outside are very good,” says Loudermilk. “If you know Buckhead, you know that the theater is there, and you wonder what’s next.”
Mercedes-Benz USA 1 Mercedes-Benz Dr., Sandy Springs 30328
Buckhead Theatre 3110 Roswell Rd. N.E., Atlanta 30305
What is now a music venue and event facility at the foot of Roswell Road began in 1931 as a movie theater designed in a Spanish Baroque style with art deco doors by the Atlanta firm Daniell & Beutell. The low-slung building with the spiky facade is an attractive throwback amidst an ever-rising skyline. The facility had fallen on hard times after a couple of decades holding concerts as the Roxy Theatre when businessman Charles Loudermilk Sr. bought it and the retail spaces on either side in 2008.
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Two years of renovations later, the Buckhead Theatre opened across the street from a new green space, Charlie Loudermilk Park, and a clock tower reminiscent of the one at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Loudermilk’s alma mater. “I think everybody appreciates the theater. I haven’t had anybody wish it wasn’t there,” says Loudermilk, now 92. “This community is large enough and sophisticated enough to warrant a nice get-together theater.” The renovations included gutting the interior, lowering the floor, replacing the plumbing, upgrading the audio system and tripling the in-
terior space with the addition of the adjoining retail stores. Snazzy barrooms were built to the sides of the entrance lobby. A 10-foot electronic marquee was installed outside. But for Loudermilk, who remembers spending Saturdays at the movie theater as a boy and bringing dates there when he was in high school, the restored balcony is one of the most important features. “That was a lot of fun to be in the balcony,” he says. “The best seats are in the balcony.” Events promoter and venue operator Live Nation took over the management of the theater in 2017
One of Atlanta’s newest corporate headquarters moves in a different direction from the area’s increasingly common glass-and-steel towers. Instead of rising above nearby Ga. 400, the $90 million Mercedes-Benz building rolls out 200,000 square feet in only three and a half levels. The result is a sleek, airy structure that looks like a futuristic black box from the outside but is bathed in natural light on the inside. The headquarters reflects the automaker’s brand with its design, technology and emphasis on ergonomics because international firm Gensler based the architecture on how 1,000 employees would use the facility, says Mercedes-Benz spokesperson Donna Boland. “Every one of its 200,000 square feet has a purpose. Every floor is
designed around the collaborative way that we all work,” says Boland. “We wanted to encourage a creative, innovative and empowered workforce more representative of a startup than a conventional corporation.” Construction required 14,000 cubic yards of concrete, 1,500 tons of steel, 1.6 acres of glass and 425,000 hours of labor. The LEED Silver-certified building won Interior Design magazine’s Best of the Year award for large office projects in 2018. The magazine cited the “clean lines, prominent grids and unapologetic orderliness” inspired by Bauhaus designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The dominant feature is the central atrium that runs the length of the building, creating a feeling of being in Above: The Mercedes-Benz atrium provides light and space to some 1,000 employees and can be quickly transformed into an event site. Below: Mercedes’ Sandy Springs headquarters features a sleek glassand-steel exterior with black and silver details, including the automaker’s logo.
the world’s biggest, cleanest automotive garage or car dealership. “The atrium is a crucial part of our desire to bring in the outside for a bright, open environment that provides a great informal setting for conversation and collaboration,” says Boland. The atrium is flanked on the first floor by amenities such as a cafeteria and on the upper floors by individual and open workspaces, including 77 glass-enclosed reservable rooms designed for two or more people to work together. The atrium can also be quickly converted to seating for special events, such as the headquarters’ grand opening in March 2018, and Mercedes-Benz allows organizations it works with, including educational nonprofits, to hold events in the space. Employees also enjoy a rooftop deck, gym and on-site day care center. “It’s a vibrant, bright place to work, and the open layout brings people together in a way we’ve never been able to do before,” says Boland.
3344 Peachtree/Sovereign 3344 Peachtree Rd. N.E., Atlanta 30326
The tallest building in Buckhead and ninth tallest in Atlanta stands out from its glass-and-steel neighbors not only because of its 635-foot height (roughly twice that of nearby towers), but also because of its sweeping curves and the dramatic shift in shape where the commercial
At 635 feet, the 3344 Peachtree/ Sovereign tower, Buckhead’s tallest, is visible from all directions.
portion (3344 Peachtree) gives way to the residential (Sovereign). The overlapping curves turn counterclockwise as they rise from Peachtree. They make the building feel as if it’s in constant motion and reflect the bend of Buckhead’s main street between Lenox and Piedmont roads. “Our approach was to take conventional building materials— concrete structure and glass and metal curtain wall skin—and sculpt the building form in such a way that it evolves upward from the street through a series of overlapping curved planes in a way not typically seen with these types of building uses,” writes Gil Garrison, who led the design team for developer Regent Partners as a principal with the Atlanta architectural firm now known as Smallwood. The curve and flow of the 11-yearold building begin at the street level, offering restaurants (Bistro Niko) and retail (Fifth Third Bank) while providing openness to pedestrians and vehicles as the gateway to the Tower Place development. From the 1st to the 26th floor, 3344 Peachtree offers 484,000 square feet of office space owned by Cousins Properties since its
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merger with Parkway Properties in 2016. From the 28th floor to the 50th, Sovereign has 82 condominiums, sold at prices starting at $1.43 million, and amenities such as an outdoor swimming pool towering 300 feet above the road. Smallwood designed Sovereign to provide a panoramic view of the city from the entrance of each home. The prominent condo balconies are integrated into the bending glass walls. “Like a piece of fine sculpture, the building cannot be understood in its entirety from any single vantage point,” says Garrison. “It reveals itself to the viewer as one moves around it sensing the continuous transition of form and shape.” Above: The shifting curves of 3344 Peachtree follow the bend of Peachtree Road. Below: A horse sculpture provides a center of calm amid the hustle and bustle of the 3344 Peachtree lobby.
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With Batson-Cook Development Company and a real estate investment trust recently merged into Cousins, Regent plans to break ground next year on a sister tower at 3354 Peachtree Road. It will be 44 stories, with commercial space through the 26th floor and condos above.
The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Rd. N.W., Atlanta 30305
One of the miracles of the home of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta is how inconspicuously the sprawling complex fits into the neighborhood’s hilly terrain. But behind a screen of trees is a modern version of the soaring Gothic architecture that has inspired awe since the Middle Ages. Designed by architect Francis Palmer Smith with an orange exterior in Tennessee orchard stone, the complex was erected in phases
across approximately 13 acres after the diocese moved from downtown in 1932. The cathedral itself replaced what was known as “the little gray church” in 1962. The most recent additions, including an atrium and education wing, were built in 2004. The tower, buttresses, arched and circular windows, and cruciform design make the Gothic model apparent from the outside. But the architecture
The topography and screening trees help The Cathedral of St. Philip blend into the neighborhood.
exerts its power inside the sanctuary, which comfortably serves 1,000 to 1,200 worshippers and has welcomed as many as 1,400, says the cathedral’s dean, the Very Rev. Samuel Candler. The vaulting creates an epic space filled with natural light streaming through the stained glass on the sides and the skylights in the ceiling, and carries the gaze to the altar, surrounded by intricate woodwork and backed by a massive pipe organ. “An epic worship space should enable God’s people to be epic, too,” says Candler, who notes that clergy must speak loudly and slowly during services because their voices echo. “The soaring space helps us to know the transcendence of God, but the worship space also helps us be intimate and in touch with each other.” The complex also includes an archway, a secondary chapel, a parish hall, offices, a bookstore, a preschool playground open to the public during off-hours and a parking lot big enough to host the Peachtree Road Farmers Market. “What ultimately makes the cathedral beautiful is the people who pray and serve here,” says Candler. “But beautiful architecture and art and landscaping also speak to us of God’s beauty and truth.”
Concourse Corporate Center V and VI 5 and 6 Concourse Pkwy., Sandy Springs 30328
Known more familiarly as the King and Queen towers (Building VI and V respectively) because of their chess-piece tops, the two Concourse skyscrapers near the intersection of Ga. 400 and Interstate 285 are recognized as the tallest suburban buildings in the United States, at 570 feet for the King and 553 feet for the Queen. The Atlanta architectural firm now known as Tvsdesign created the iconic towers. The buildings, so visible to commuters on the nearby highways, are formed from intersecting rectangles in distinctive blue-green reflective glass with exterior lighting atop four-story bases of precast concrete and granite. The Queen wears a circular white crown, while the King’s is square. The roofs light up at night, and the colors change to fit any holiday or other special occasion. The King tower, the building closer to 400, is 33 stories with 697,400 square feet of office space. The Queen is 32 stories with 687,107 square feet. Since the Queen opened in 1988 and the King in 1991, each building has won several Dorey’s The Industry’s Choice awards and Building Owners and Managers Association awards for corporate facilities and high-rise office buildings. The Concourse development has
HONORABLE MENTIONS THE BUCKHEAD AREA OFFERS MANY OTHER ARCHITECTURAL TREASURES, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING. ATLANTA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL 2890 N. Fulton Dr. N.E., Atlanta 30305 Designed by renowned Atlanta architect Philip Trammell Shutze, this Georgian-style brick building opened in the 1920s as North Fulton High School and has been the private school’s home since 1995. Architectural Digest recognized it as Georgia’s most beautiful private school in 2018. “It’s truly a privilege to work and study in such a beautiful and historic campus. It’s not something you take for granted,” says school headmaster Kevin Glass. “There’s not a single day when it fails to lift the soul.”
proved to be popular real estate since the recovery from the 2008 recession. Regent Partners bought the King and Queen and the rest of the Sandy Springs complex in 2012, reportedly for more than $300 million, then sold them in 2015 to Connecticut-based Building and Land Technology for almost $500 million. When Building and Land Technology sold off much of Concourse in late
BUCKHEAD LIBRARY 269 Buckhead Ave. N.E., Atlanta 30305 In 1989, Atlanta-based Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects designed this avantgarde library building, which is currently undergoing a $2.7 million renovation. Its Deconstructivist style features structural steel, odd shapes and angles, and wings rising above the sidewalk. The un-library look represents a rupture between the past and future and between urban decay and suburban sprawl.
CITY SPRINGS 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs 30328 The Selig/Carter-built city center for Sandy Springs combines housing, retail and offices with green space, fountains and a glass-and-metal centerpiece that contains a theater and City Hall. “We had hoped City Springs would serve as a gathering spot. What we see
2017, it kept the two towers. Regent continues to manage the buildings and recently had Atlanta’s Smallwood renovate the lobbies and other public spaces to help them compete with newer office towers. The work included wood panels, marble walls and stone flooring to restore the luxury look of the interiors. “The King and Queen towers are Atlanta icons, and we are investing in
a year later far surpasses that expectation,” says Sandy Springs mayor Rusty Paul. “There is an energy here, drawn from the meetings and events, as well as the everyday opportunity for neighbors just to meet up with other neighbors. Like the water fountains surrounding the property, City Springs is an ever-changing myriad of molecules continually taking shape.”
CONGREGATION OR VESHALOM 1681 N. Druid Hills Rd. N.E., Atlanta 30319 This Sephardic synagogue, founded in 1914 by Jewish families from Rhodes, features an appropriate Moorish style, highlighted by the distinctive rotunda and arches outside and the spiral columns inside. The peaked ceiling, woodwork and stained glass in the sanctuary are awe-inspiring elements of the structure, which was designed by Atlanta
The King (left) and Queen buildings tower above the rest of Sandy Springs’ Concourse development and establish a distinctive suburban skyline near the intersection of I-285 and Ga. 400.
significant improvements that further increase their stature in the market,” says Carl R. Kuehner III, the chairman of Building and Land Technology. “Our goal is to create the finest office environment in Atlanta.” n
architects Warren Epstein and Benjamin Hirsch in 1971 and renovated at least twice since.
GOVERNOR’S MANSION 391 West Paces Ferry Rd. N.W., Atlanta 30305 Georgia architect A. Thomas Bradbury designed the threestory, red-brick Greek Revival mansion, which was built in 1967. Despite its 30 Doric columns made from California redwoods, the building is no White House, but it comes alive each December with holiday decorations.
SWAN HOUSE 130 West Paces Ferry Rd. N.W., Atlanta 30305 Built for the Inman family in 1928 and now part of the Atlanta History Center, the Second Renaissance Revival-style house and its gardens represent the peak of local architect Philip Trammell Shutze’s residential work. The entrance facing Andrews Drive is straight
out of Italy, while the opposite facade features a four-column portico of the English Palladian style. Bird motifs inside give the house its name.
VILLA LAMAR 801 West Paces Ferry Rd. N.W., Atlanta 30327 Also known as Hollywood, Twin Oaks and Newcastle, this still-private home dating to 1912 is the only known Georgia building designed by international architect George Oakley Totten Jr. The twostory Italian Renaissance-style structure, which has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1988, was inspired by Rome’s Villa Medici and features a red-tile roof, stuccoed brick and a Palladian-style entrance. Totten is best known for his work in Washington, D.C., where he may have drawn the attention of Villa Lamar’s original owner, William Lamar, a congressman from 1903 to 1909.
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Adrianne Murchison
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Courtesy Granite Properties
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Our Favorite Places Local architects weigh in on the area structures that move and inspire them STORY:
Adrianne Murchison
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nce upon a time in the ’80s, Atlanta had a very minute skyline. Not so today. Now it’s something to be proud of, with tall, creatively designed buildings from downtown to Midtown to Buckhead and beyond. We asked several local architects to name some of their favorite designs in the Buckhead area.
ANALYSIS: “It’s one of the few office complexes that took care to create an atrium and incorporate trees and nature.”
4 Holly Jeffreys CREDENTIALS: Co-founder of
Campbell earned a master’s in architecture from Georgia Tech. He has worked on institutional designs and projects at Collins Cooper Carusi in Buckhead since 2015. Recently, the firm won the 2019 Spring Learning by Design grand prize for its work on The New Commons at Life University in Marietta.
Shear Structural in Chamblee, Jeffreys has more than 20 years experience in structural engineering. She has worked with masonry, concrete, steel, wood and more. The Georgia Tech grad is a member of the Chamblee Design Review Board. The firm’s work includes the Ponce City Market rooftop buildout and remodeling of the Doctors Center at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital.
STRUCTURE:
STRUCTURE:
2. THE PINNACLE 3455 Peachtree Rd. N.E., Atlanta 30326
3. CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE KING 2699 Peachtree Rd. N.E., Atlanta 30305
Brian Campbell
Rene Hoelting
CREDENTIALS: LEED-certified
Maurice Hoelting CREDENTIALS: The Sandy
Springs resident is a retired architect for the U.S. Forest Service, where he designed visitor centers and offices at national parks. STRUCTURE:
1. PIEDMONT CENTER 3565 Piedmont Rd. N.E., Atlanta 30305
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doing a beach house project that had the same form. The Pinnacle has an unorthodox form against the skyline. There’s a glass wall terrace near the top with trees. It’s a very light and ethereal kind of building.”
ANALYSIS: “When I was in [under-
graduate] school, I came here for a visit, and it inspired me. I was
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ANALYSIS: “I have always loved
that building. Every time I drive
down Peachtree and see that church, it’s grandeur, the stone and the stained glass windows, I’m taken by it. I’ve been there for weddings. I enjoy the arches and tall ceiling, and how majestic and peaceful it is inside.”
and provides architecture and interior design services to wellness, small-scale hospitality and residential projects. He previously worked with Renzo Piano Building Workshop architects and the Lord Aeck Sargent firm on such projects as the High Museum expansion. His certifications include LEED and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. STRUCTURE:
4. WINDSOR MEADOWS PARK 835 Windsor Pkwy., Sandy Springs 30342
Stephen Flanagan CREDENTIALS: Flanagan
is founder of Studio One Architecture in Sandy Springs
ANALYSIS: “What I like about
Windsor Meadows is it’s a relatively new park along Nancy Creek, and they’ve done a nice job of making it good for walks.” n
The First Practice in Georgia to perform 10,000 CoolSculpting Treatments
Buckhead (404) 351-7546 | Marietta (770) 971-3376 | Covington (770) 784-0343
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© 2004 Tom Hamilton; image courtesy The Portman Archives
Left: John Portman in front of a sculpture he created that stands outside SunTrust Plaza in downtown Atlanta. Right: Portman was noted for his atriums, such as this one at the American Cancer Society Center. © 2018 The Portman Archives, image by David Naughton
REMEMBERING
John Portman AN ODE TO THE ACCLAIMED ARCHITECT WHO HELPED SHAPE ATLANTA STORY:
Kevin C. Madigan
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sculpture Portman dedicated in 2017 to fellow business leader Charlie Loudermilk. “John did a lot of sculptures and used a lot of different materials. That one was stainless steel,” says Mickey Steinberg, Portman’s longtime colleague. “He did it for Charlie. They were very close friends.” Portman was an artist as well. “He built his home [in Sandy Springs] to display his art and other people’s art, which he collected,” says Steinberg. The other homes Portman designed were research and development projects and experimental in nature “where he developed concepts and ideas that he’d use for the rest of his career,” says Steinberg, who adds that Peachtree Center could be seen in the distance from the second floor of Portman’s house. “That was very meaningful for him.” Steinberg, now 87, began working with Portman in the early ‘60s. “What inspired me was his ability to get you
excited and to get you into his logic of why he was designing things the way he was,” says Steinberg. “John didn’t have his own draftboard in the office. He went from board to board and worked and talked with each guy as he designed. That way he was teaching you.” Portman was also something of a philosopher and studied the work of Ralph Waldo Emerson on the advice of Frank Lloyd Wright, who visited Atlanta when Portman was a young novice. “John became almost an Emerson scholar,” says Steinberg. “That had a big influence on him.” Rodney Mims Cook Jr., president of the Atlanta-based National Monuments Foundation, says of Portman: “His complexes around the world contain extraordinary civic spaces, including his signature innova-
tive hotel atriums. Nothing of this scale had been done since ancient Rome.” Local architect William Carpenter says Portman “had no fear in blazing the trail for an architect to design, develop, build and manage buildings. His influence on me directly was to have the courage to work across disciplines and to break the normal boundaries of design and architecture.” The work goes on today. Portman’s company, now called Portman Architects and led by his son Jack, announced in May that construction has begun on its third office tower at Midtown’s Technology Square, and numerous other projects continue globally. n Portman built his modernist Sandy Springs home, complete with separate pool house (left), in 1964.
Photos: © 2014 Michael Portman, images courtesy The Portman Archives
ohn Portman made a tangible impression on Atlanta that few can match. The renowned architect, who died in 2017, created landmark buildings downtown such as Peachtree Center, the Hyatt Regency, Westin Peachtree Plaza, Marriott Marquis and the American Cancer Society Center. He made his mark north of downtown as well. The Atlanta Decorative Arts Center in Buckhead, which accommodates 550,000 square feet of showroom space for interior designers, architects, and home decor professionals, was founded by Portman in 1961. ADAC’s general manager Katie Miner says the building was one of Portman’s first ventures and that “his visionary additions of the atrium, skylights, Presentation Room and more have built ADAC into a destination for many of the world’s top design talents.” Also in Buckhead is the Aspiration
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SIMPLY DELICIOUS
RESTAURANT REVIEW
Otherworldly Underworld P74
La Grotta is the quintessential Italian ristorante with Southern charm to spare.
La Grotta’s filetto di manzo al Barolo tenderloin, served in a Barolo-Pommery mustard sauce and topped with Gorgonzola, is a triumph of complementary flavors. Photo: Sara Hanna
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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REVIEW
OTHERWORLDLY
UNDERWORLD Italian mecca La Grotta is the hidden heart of Buckhead STORY:
Rebecca Cha PHOTOS: Sara Hanna
C The cornerstones of Italian cuisine come together in the burrata di mozzarella fresca appetizer.
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omic hashtags aside (#frozenintime, #oldatlantamoney), La Grotta restaurant, located in the basement of a Peachtree Road condo building, is much more than a relic. It is the quintessential Italian ristorante with Southern charm to spare. Enter the nondescript building and an elevator delivers you to a subterranean wine cave. Past the wall of celebrity headshots and a discreet host stand, you turn the
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
corner and suddenly find yourself in a cheerful dining room that feels like a private supper club. Hand-blown floral sconces around its perimeter cast a golden hue across happy faces young and old. Whether you’re seated at a cushy banquette, a center-of-attention table or outside in the courtyard, you’ll be treated as one of the family. Forty-one-year-old La Grotta seems fortified against the competition in this town, and that has as much to do with the generations of devotees—many of them old school Atlanta royalty—as it does with its reliable, often superlative food. On our first meal at La Grotta, we lingered over the menu while sipping a sensuous cocktail mysteriously named Shoot the Messenger. Made with Absolut grapefruit, St. Germain (an elderflower liqueur), lime and a sprig of rosemary, it was icy-crisp, totally Tuscan and the perfect device with which to people-watch (one of the true delights of dining here). If wine is your muse, refer to the incomparable wine list, all handpicked by master connoisseurs Vince Stewart and Christian Favalli, the manager and owner, respectively.
Craving something from the sea? You can’t go wrong with the filetto di salmone.
Our first bites were of the scrumptious Italian amuse of microgreens atop thinly sliced bresaola, salty manchego cheese and droplets of balsamic that arrive at your table gratis, along with a basket of warm Holeman & Finch bread and the equally generous gift of kalamata olives and olive oil for dipping said pain au levain. There are occasional hits and misses and various combinations of the two. One of the best examples of the latter is the cold appetizer of milky burrata cheese atop wafer-thin slices of prosciutto di Parma and marinated vine-ripe tomatoes. Sounds glorious, right? But wait, there’s more: truffle oil. How perfect the plate would’ve been had the kitchen not doused the very cornerstones of the Italian table in said oil, the Milli Vanilli of condiments. But executive chef Antonio Abizanda swears his customers love it on anything and everything he serves. The insalata di carciofi freschi fared better with its crunchy slivers of marinated artichoke, peppery green arugula and shavings of Parmigiano-Reggiano. There were no quibbles with the pastas, whose flavor combinations are timeless and executions flawless. Our favorite was the penne con verdure, featuring houseblend Italian sausage, green peas and wild mushrooms in a Gorgonzola cream sauce that feels like velvet on the tongue (if you’re a blue cheese hater, this dish will convert you). Hand-cut pappardelle con astice consists of delicate ribbons of pappardelle and succulent lobster tossed in a white wine cream sauce accented with just enough shallot and aromatic rosemary to conjure a midsummer night’s walk in the Italian hills. La Grotta is known citywide for its veal dishes, so choose one of the scallopinis or
Above: La Grotta is known for its finesse with veal, including the masterful scaloppini di vitello alla Grotta. Left: In the penne con verdure, house-blend Italian sausage, penne and fresh veggies mingle in a Gorgonzola cream sauce.
There were no quibbles with the pastas, whose flavor combinations are timeless and executions flawless.
Above: The camarones a la parrilla consists of butterflied grilled shrimp atop salsas, guacamole and corn cakes. Left: Layered with steak, chorizo, sliced ham, peppers and Chihuahua cheese, the torta de carne y chorizo is one very ambitious sandwich.
Above: For something a little different, try the bresaola Valtellinese— salty air-dried beef with crisp arugula and Parmesan.
chops and a fine bottle of Barbaresco. The masterfully prepared scaloppini di vitello alla Grotta—veal loin with wild mushrooms and creamy Marsala sauce—was so tender it cut like a hot knife through butter. Equally solid was the filetto di manzo al Barolo, a thick, juicy beef tenderloin topped with melty Gorgonzola in a Barolo-Pommery mustard sauce. La Grotta has a few dishes from the sea as well. While our neighbors raved about the fresh Dover sole in lemon butter sauce and the gamberetti fra diavolo (jumbo shrimp in spicy marinara over pasta), we opted for the forktender filetto di salmone with herbs and roasted veggies atop a red pepper beurre blanc. While the presentation was simple and traditional, the fish was well-seasoned and cooked perfectly with a hint of pink sashimi at its center. As with most, if not all, of the menu items, the dessert selections are solidly planted in the Italian-American canon. The torta di
Above: The sublime pappardelle con astice, made with hand-cut pasta, succulent lobster, shallots and rosemary, shows off the chef’s talents. Right: The housemade tiramisu boasts Marsala-scented mascarpone, amaretti cookies and a thick dusting of cocoa powder.
formaggio, for example, was simple and straightforward—a slice of ricotta cheesecake garnished with lemon zest and retro raspberry coulis. Our preference, though, was the housemade tiramisu, a classic made with Marsala-scented mascarpone, a dense layer of amaretti cookies, a thick dusting of cocoa powder and a scattering of raspberries. Despite the kitchen’s resistance to move toward the culinary road less traveled, La Grotta continues to seduce and delight diners with thoroughly enjoyable dishes made all the better by the staff’s haute professionalism and congeniality, qualities that, outside these otherworldly walls, are all too quickly becoming things of the past. n
LA GROTTA RISTORANTE 2637 Peachtree Rd. N.E., Atlanta 30305 404.231.1368 lagrottaatlanta.com Prices: Appetizers and salads: $9.95-$15.95. Pasta and risotto: $10.95-$35.95. Mains: $21.95-$39.95. Desserts: $7.95-$9.95. Recommended: Specialty cocktails including Shoot the Messenger, bresaola Valtellinese, burrata di mozzarella fresca, insalata di carciofi freschi, penne con verdure, pappardelle con astice, filetto di salmone con crostata d’erbe, scaloppine di vitello alla Grotta, filetto di manzo al Barolo, homemade tiramisu. Bottom line: A Buckhead institution with five-star service and cuisine that won’t disappoint. Worth noting: La Grotta is only open for dinner Monday through Saturday, so book a table well in advance. Also, parking can confuse first-timers: Pull up in front of the condo complex and let the complimentary valets park your car. Otherwise, take Uber or Lyft.
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D R I NKS
Autumn
Punches Fall-centric potions for Halloween, the Hunter’s Moon and more STORY AND PHOTOS:
Angela Hansberger
T
he arrival of crisp autumn weather is reason enough to celebrate the season. Add to that the changing leaves and harvest flavors of apples, pumpkins and warming fall spices, and it’s downright magic. If you gather your crew to admire the Hunter’s Full Moon (Oct. 13), for a Halloween bash or simply to jump in a pile of freshly raked leaves, preparing a festive punch bowl is a crowd pleaser that lets you, the host, enjoy the moment, too. Here are three easy recipes you can pre-batch to ensure everyone has a hauntingly good time. Raise a glass to the season while you surprise and delight all ages. And if you want to add a little booze, we’ve provided recommendations on how to spike things up; the amount depends on how strong you want to make it. n
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SPOOKY PUNCH Serves a crowd 1 envelope grape drink mix 1 envelope orange drink mix 2 cups sugar 3 quarts cold water 1 liter ginger ale Add drink mixes, sugar and water to punch bowl or drink dispenser. Stir well. Just before serving, mix in the ginger ale. SPIKE IT WITH: VODKA
SPOOKY PUNCH
HUNTER’S MOON PUNCH
HUNTER’S MOON PUNCH Serves 8 1 apple, cut into wheels 1 orange, cut into wheels 1 lemon, cut into wheels 2 cinnamon sticks 4 cups apple cider 1 cup orange juice 2 12-ounce bottles ginger beer Add fruit wheels and cinnamon sticks to punch bowl or pitcher. Pour cider and orange juice over fruit. Stir. Refrigerate
for an hour. Add ginger beer just before serving. SPIKE IT WITH: WHISKEY
SLOW COOKER MULLED CIDER Serves a crowd 1 gallon fresh apple cider 3 to 5 cinnamon sticks 1 tablespoon whole cloves 1 hunk fresh ginger ½ teaspoon allspice 1 orange, sliced 1 lemon, sliced Cranberries for garnish Add cider and spices to slow cooker. Warm until hot on high setting. Add fresh fruit. Reduce to warm. Ladle into cups. SPIKE IT WITH: RUM
To make any of these punches spookier, place a block of solid dry ice in bottom of punch bowl or cauldron and pour punch over it. Note that dry ice is extremely cold (-109.3°F) so you should wear protective gloves when handling it, and an adult should be in charge of ladling the punch. Another option is to fill a disposable glove with water, seal with rubber band and freeze, then float in punch bowl.
blomedry.com
BUCKHEAD
Distinctive Residential Settings | Chef-Prepared Dining and Bistro Premier Health and Wellness Programs | Award-Winning Memory Care Professionally Supervised Therapy and Rehabilitation Services
The Community Built for Life.® 404-252-6271 belmontvillage.com/buckhead PCH 008036 © 2019 Belmont Village, L.P.
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
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FOODIE JOURNAL
Culinary News & Notes
BY:
Lia Picard
Buckhead is a steakhouse mecca. What sets Little Alley apart?
Meat the Chef In the kitchen with Little Alley Steak’s Joe Brown
L
ittle Alley Steak opened its Buckhead outpost in May of 2018, giving folks inside the Perimeter a chance to indulge in what was already quite popular up in Roswell.
Four months after opening, the Buckhead location welcomed Joe Brown as executive chef. He was previously at Blue Ridge Grill, so he knows a thing or two about good steak.
FOOD NEWS
Are you nuts for doughnuts? Then make a beeline for Doughnut Dollies’ new Buckhead location.
Mia Yake
n You don’t have to travel far to taste the state’s best sandwich. According to a recent article on Thrillist, the best sandwich shop in Georgia is the South African-inspired Zunzi’s, which has an outpost in Collier Hills. zunzis.com
n If you like doughnuts with artistic flair, head to Doughnut Dollies. The shop stole Atlantans’ hearts at its Marietta location, and the treats arrived at a new Buckhead outpost on Howell Mill Road in June.
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Standout flavors include the Sweet Jane (brioche filled with pastry cream), Birthday Cake (boasting sprinkles and cream cheese icing) and Cereal Bowl (topped with Froot Loops).
n Buckhead has a new coffee shop. Sheep & Meadow opened at the Holland Macrae showroom near ADAC. The cheery, stylish space offers Methodical coffee and treats by Proof Bakeshop.
mydoughnutdollies.com
hollandmacrae.com
October 2019 | Simply Buckhead
Yes, Buckhead is the destination for steakhouses in Atlanta. Little Alley Steak is the new kid on the block, certainly. I think what makes us stand out is our beef program. We use Meats by Linz out of Chicago exclusively, which is 100% black Angus corn-finished for approximately 150 days prior to slaughter. Linz controls the aging of the beef as well. Bottom line: Linz is very conscious of quality. What’s Little Alley’s signature dish?
Definitely the 18-ounce bone-in rib-eye that’s aged 38 days. This
adds a very deep flavor that enhances the beef profile. However, the age isn’t so strong it distracts from the steak itself either. Do you cook for the family on your days off?
Yes, I like to cook for my wife and son at home. When we do go out, I’m usually in the mood for simple comfort food that’s healthy and a nice glass of Old World wine. n
Little Alley Steak 3500 Lenox Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30326 404.254.1899 littlealleysteak.com
GET INTO OUT OF THE KITCHEN Twenty of Atlanta’s best chefs will gather at The St. Regis Atlanta in Buckhead on Oct. 30 for the starstudded Out of the Kitchen event. The annual fundraiser for CURE Childhood Cancer counts Nick Leahy of Aix, Philippe Haddad of Cape Dutch and Jamie Adams of Il Giallo on its lineup. Here’s how it works: Guests are At Out of the Kitchen, diners are treated to seated at a table in the hotel’s meals made tableside by expert chefs such as the St. Regis’ Jordan Barnett (below). magnificent ballroom, and each table is assigned a chef who prepares a three-course meal tableside. An auction and presentations take place throughout dinner. After the meal, attendees are invited to exit the ballroom and partake in a dessert feast. It’s a fun way to interact with the chefs, who are usually confined to the back of the restaurant. Jordan Barnett, executive chef of the St. Regis, serves as the event’s chair. “My favorite part of the experience is the high energy felt in the room,” says Barnett. “Knowing that we’re all doing what we love alongside other talented chefs for a touching cause makes the event truly one of a kind.” To learn more, visit outofthekitchen.org.
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TA S T E M AKE R
FUN FACT Every spring, Macy visits New Hampshire to make maple syrup with his family.
menu. They weren’t selling, and the menu was kind of stagnant. Haven has always been Southern comfort food. I wanted to make it a more social dining [experience] with items to share. I probably changed 75% of the menu. What didn’t you change? The certified Angus beef tenderloin stayed because people love it. It’s a staple. What are some of the new favorites? We’ve gotten really good feedback on the changes. We’re doing a smoked short rib made on the Big Green Egg. In the summer, it’s served as a barbecue plate with baked beans, cucumber and Vidalia onion salad, and potato salad. The shrimp and grits is popular, too. There’s a snack section with deviled eggs and pimento cheese. We always have seafood specials. I gravitate to fish and seafood. I went to college in Charleston and have always cooked Southern coastal [fare].
16 Years Strong EXECUTIVE CHEF JOE MACY LEADS HAVEN INTO A NEW ERA
W
hen Haven Restaurant and Bar opened in Brookhaven in 2003, it was one of the first upscale restaurants in the area. Through the years, it has maintained its status as a reliable neighborhood staple with sister spots Valenza and Vero Pizzeria alongside. In early 2019, Joe Macy took the helm in the kitchen after former executive chef Stephen Herman stepped away to help open Arnette’s Chop Shop. “Stephen and I were both from Charleston. We worked for all the same people,” says Macy.
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STORY:
Carly Cooper
Now, the Marietta resident and father of two is taking Haven into a new phase, having revamped the menu to focus on shareable, social plates. We spoke to Macy to learn more.
All I wanted to do was come up with new recipes for my family. I love my mom’s shepherd’s pie. I’ve made it for a staff meal. I love doing baked cod with Ritz crackers and butter.
How did you get into the culinary world? When my parents divorced, my mom was working a lot. I started cooking so we could eat every night. It was something I picked up from my mom and sister. Then I started reading cookbooks, went to occupational school and got a job at a restaurant.
What’s changed since you were promoted from chef de cuisine to executive chef? When I started at Haven, it was understood that I was being groomed to take over. I watched what Stephen was doing and who he was ordering from. When he moved over to the Chop Shop, we had a lot of steaks on the
How do you balance work with family time? I work a lot, but I get some nice breaks. We love going up to Ellijay in the [North Georgia] mountains. We just got back from Big Canoe. When we’re home, we swim a lot. Both kids are kind of learning to cook. We make a lot of breakfast items: pancakes or waffles, eggs and bacon. My 2-year-old likes to watch, and the oldest, age 9, likes to crack eggs. What are your goals for the future? We’ve tossed around the idea of moving up to New Hampshire or Vermont and opening a country store. The small business aspect and the idea of using local produce and ingredients like I do at Haven appeal to me. I don’t think I could ever do anything that wasn’t related to food. n
HAVEN RESTAURANT AND BAR 1441 Dresden Dr. N.E. Brookhaven 30319 404.969.0700 havenrestaurant.com
HAPPY HOUR DAILY 3-7PM PATIO PERFECTION WEEKEND BRUNCH OPEN LATE FESTIVE INTERIOR
GEORGIA chidoandpadres.com 128 E. ANDREWS DR ATL 30305 404 848 9100 October 2019 | Simply Buckhead 
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FEATURED RESTAURANTS A sampling of great eats in and around Buckhead BY: Wendell
Brock, Rebecca Cha and Angela Hansberger
PHOTOS: Sara
Hanna
10 DEGREES SOUTH After 15 years on the scene, this Roswell Road establishment is a highly original destination where food and wine from the tip of the Southern Hemisphere are celebrated with flair. Before we could pose the server with a query on the peri-peri, we got the hard sell on South African reds—particularly the Rupert & Rothschild 2009 “Classique.” The big, full-bodied R&R was the perfect match for the luscious, spicy food that followed. We wager that nobody makes bobotie (the South African national dish) like 10 Degrees South. The dish consists of tantalizingly sweet curried ground beef topped with a custardy crust. It’s time to get your head out of the sand and indulge in the kind of stuff our parents enjoyed when “Continental” cuisine was in vogue. Appetizers: $10-$16 Entrées: $21-$38 10degreessouth.com
BHOJANIC After a couple of meals at this North Indian restaurant in Buckhead, we’ve come to admire the flavorful, longsimmered home cooking. The samosa chat was a wonderful smash-up of potato-and-pea samosas topped with tamarind and mint chutneys and yogurt. As for the entrées, we 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. Tapas and appetizers: $4-$9 Entrées: $12-$18 bhojanic.com
BROOKLYN CAFE This Sandy Springs institution is never without crowds of satisfied diners, and it’s easy to see why. Join lunching locals over sandwiches and fresh salads such as the petite Caesar with peppery cayenne croutons or the mission fig and crumbled blue cheese with greens. The in-house smoked salmon salad is near perfection, as is the Brooklyn-famous Reuben consisting of juicy corned beef piled atop buttery toasted rye. Dinner highlights include the blackened mahi tacos and crab cake salad. Wrap things up with mile-high double chocolate cake or the homemade Key lime pie, each one sliced to feed two or more. And as if the phenomenal grub weren’t enough, it’s all served up by a friendly, whizbang staff, making for a delightful meal you won’t soon forget. Appetizers and salads: $7-$12 Sandwiches and mains: $11-$31 Desserts: $7 brooklyncafe.com
10 Degrees South brings safari chic to Roswell Road.
CO’M VIETNAMESE GRILL In a Buford Highway strip mall on the edge of Brookhaven, Co’m has been for some time now a favorite place for the vibrant, aromatic flavors of the Southeast Asian nation that ownerbrothers Duc and Henry Tran once called home. While Atlanta has pho shops aplenty, the stars here are the rice and noodle dishes, which can be ordered with heavenly grilled meats, chicken or fish. The pièce de résistance, though, is the grilled grape-leaf rolls, stuffed with bits of beef, lamb, salmon, duck or tofu and doused in a pool of sweet-fishy vinaigrette and sprinkled with crushed peanuts and crispy fried scallions. Heaven! Appetizers: $3-$10 Entrées: $7-$18 comgrillrestaurant.com
DAVIO’S NORTHERN ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE
Davio’s top sirloin with a Gorgonzola topping, wilted greens and crispy fries is a dish fit for a king.
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With its handmade pasta, terrific steaks and foundation of classic Italian dishes, the Atlanta outpost of Massachusettsbased chef-preneur Steve DiFillippo sets a higher-than-usual standard for a mall restaurant. Fine-food lovers flock to Phipps Plaza for Davio’s delicious fried calamari, tagliatelle Bolognese and warm spinach salad like ravenous shoppers on the hunt for Louis Vuitton
bags, Tiffany silver and Dior gowns. And they can do no better than the buttery medallion of impeccably grilled top sirloin, slathered with Gorgonzola and paired with wilted spinach and sea-salt-and-truffle-oil fries. No wonder the Davio’s menu is as tantalizing as the shoe department at Nordstrom. Appetizers and salads: $9-$16 Pastas, entrées and steaks: $18-$48 davios.com/atl
ECLIPSE DI LUNA At the tail end of Miami Circle is one of the most convivial joints in town. Head over for happy hour Monday through Thursday when most drinks and tapas are half price, and there’s live music. Yummy small plates of habanerospiced ahi tuna ceviche, smoky sundried-tomato mac and cheese (made with three different cheeses) and refreshing Granny Smith apple salad are some of our favorites. Still hungry? It’s hard to pass up the succulent balsamic-y spare ribs and flavorful, crunchy calamari. If you’re with family (or a family of friends), consider the exquisite saffron-infused paella, made with authentic Calasparra rice. Tapas: $2.95-$14.95 (most in the $5-$8 range) Large plates (for two or more): $20-$24 eclipsediluna.com
F&B Like its predecessor, the much-loved former Brasserie le Coze, F&B delivers timeless Provençal fare in a classic brasserie atmosphere. The menu is bolstered by comfort dishes portioned with hunger in mind, but it’s also fortified with lighter salads, sandwiches and soups. Classics such as steak frites and skate wing with a brown butter sauce are deeply satisfying in their rustic charm. Mussels come piled high in a white wine and shallot broth, along with crusty French bread for sopping. The drink menu is built on interesting French wines and remarkable cocktails such as the well-balanced, bourbonbased Line of Destiny. Appetizers: $6-$18 Entrées: $11-$42 Desserts: $6-$8 fandbatl.net
Pure Taqueria has tacos and homemade salsas for every palate and dietary restriction.
HEARTH PIZZA TAVERN Sandy Springs is lucky to be home to Hearth Pizza Tavern, where worldclass pie is served up in a cozy corner of the Exchange at Hammond. Pizzas such as the Ring of Fire and The Cure would earn three Michelin stars if there were a pizza rating, and other menu items aren’t far behind. If you’re eating carb-free, go for the Tavern chopped salad, piled high with Italian meats and cheeses, or dig in to hot, crispy Brussels sprouts or zesty roasted cauliflower. If those don’t tempt you, then the steaming bowl of PEI mussels or an oozing, medium-rare Angus beef burger will be your best bet. Openers and salads: $6-$12 Burgers and sandwiches: $10-$12 Pizzas: $7-$19 hearthpizzatavern.com
OK CAFÉ Just as we send diners to Bone’s for the definitive steakhouse experience, we suggest OK Café as a classic diner with a strong Southern twang. The offerings here are anchored in time and tradition: Root beer floats and cherry lemonade are called Black Cows and Pink Ladies. Meat-and-twos and veggie plates laden with silken collards and exquisite mac and cheese are meant to be washed down with sweet ice tea and sopped up with a perfect corn muffin. Fat slices of meatloaf encrusted with tomato sauce, roast turkey with cornbread dressing and gravy, chicken pot pie with an adorable little “OK” stamped onto its puffpastry blanket—this stuff draws a crowd. If you don’t want to play the waiting game, you’d better arrive before 11 a.m. or between the lunch and
KYMA The name means “wave,” and making waves is exactly what executive chef Pano I. Karatassos has been doing at his family’s stellar Greek seafood restaurant since 2002. From marides (tiny, “French fry”-size white fish) to Greek specimens grilled whole (try the barbounia or bronzino), Kyma excels at delivering the kind of simple, unadorned flavors you’ll encounter on a patio by the Aegean. Order a glass of Greek wine (there are many options) and a few classic meze for sharing (we like the dolmades, spanakopita, cuttlefish stuffed with lamb stew and the feta-zucchini fritters), and your meal will go just swimmingly. Meze: $8-$14 Mains: $26-$46 (whole fish $30 or $36 per pound) buckheadrestaurants.com/kyma
dinner rush. After a quarter-century, OK Café never goes out of style. Appetizers: $4-$8 Burgers and sandwiches: $4-$13 Mains: $12-$16 okcafe.com
PURE TAQUERIA Nestled in the heart of Brookleigh Marketplace, Pure Taqueria is a true Brookhaven oasis. After 6 p.m., head up to the adults-only rooftop bar for killer Lunazul tequila margaritas and sumptuous soft tacos complemented by more than a half dozen chile salsas. Downstairs in the bright and sunny dining room, families and hipsters gather for silky fondue-like queso con todo, sizzling cazuela bowls, hearty sandwiches such as the torta de carne y chorizo and myriad Tex-Mex special-
ties featuring the freshest seafood, meats and vegetarian options. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more cheerful and accommodating waitstaff. Appetizers and taco platters: $4.79-$15.99 Classics, sandwiches and specialties: $8.49-$22.99 Desserts: $5.09-$8.49 puretaqueria.com
SALTYARD Saltyard offers a menu of small plates with reverence for local farmers and the current growing season. Employing global imagination, it heightens these dishes with international seasonings and flavors to create worldly comfort food. With an ever-changing menu, Saltyard is never the same place twice. Rustic dishes such as crispy duck confit and super-tender grilled octopus are masterful in their simplicity and depth of flavor. Raw and cured items such as the deconstructed salmon pastrami, while lighter, offer an equal flavor punch. This is not the place to skip the dessert course. The same amount of effort goes into the decadent chocolate nemesis with Brandy cream as it does the entrées. Tapas: $5-$16 Large plates: $18-$25 saltyardatlanta.com
Hungry for more? Saltyard’s ever-changing menu includes dishes such as rustic duck confit with Southern-fried cabbage.
Visit the Simply Buckhead website to read all of our Restaurant Reviews! simplybuckhead.com
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2018 Atlanta Magazine Best New Steakhouse Luxurious Private Dining Available
2700 APPLE VALLEY ROAD, BROOKHAVEN, GA (404) 969-0701 ARNETTESCHOPSHOP.COM
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RAISE A GLASS WHISKIES OF THE WORLD ISN’T YOUR AVERAGE BEVERAGE TASTING
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et ready to wet your whistle. On Oct. 26, Whiskies of the World returns to the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta hotel, bringing together more than 250 distilled spirits from around the world. But you don’t have to be a whiskey connoisseur to enjoy the festivities. “This event combines all levels of interest, from the whiskey curious to the whiskey aficionado,” says Douglas Smith, event coordinator and spokesperson. “The goal is for everyone to discover or learn something new about whiskey, from whiskey and food pairings to whiskey and cigar pairings.” General admission tickets to the event, which benefits the North Atlanta Rotary Foundation, include entrance to
the main tasting hall, food pairings and a souvenir tasting glass. VIP ticketholders also enjoy a VIP hour and VIP pours. Although not black tie, attendees are encouraged to wear kilts, jackets, party dresses or similar cocktail apparel. All attendees must be 21 years or older. WHISKIES OF THE WORLD Oct. 26, 5-9 p.m. General admission $120, VIP tickets $145 InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta 3315 Peachtree Rd. N.E. Atlanta 30326 408.225.0446 whiskiesoftheworld.com/atlanta
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Philip Groshong
E V E NTS
The Atlanta Opera’s Discoveries series, which kicks off with Frida (left), allows it to present smaller, more intimate operas in new and exciting locations around town.
BUZZ
[ M U S IC ]
A Harmonic Anniversary
BROOKHAVEN ARTS FESTIVAL Oct. 19-20 brookhavenartsfestival.com Explore creations by more than 140 artists from around the country working in everything from photography to painting to sculpture at this annual juried show. Other festivities include a classic car show, concerts and a kids’ zone.
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF THE ATLANTA OPERA This month, The Atlanta Opera kicks off its 2019-2020 season. However, this is no ordinary occasion. Founded in 1979, The Atlanta Opera celebrates its 40th anniversary of bringing music, drama and art to the stage through the musical genre. According to Tomer Zvulun, general and artistic director, there are a myriad of reasons for the company’s longevity, ranging from a loyal fan base to knowing how and when to adapt to the times. “The opera is also
courageous in its programming choices, producing new and innovative works while reimagining classics and also producing popular crossover pieces such as West Side Story and the upcoming Porgy and Bess,” he says. The season kicks off with the opera’s new Discoveries series at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at City Springs. Taking the stage on Oct. 5, 9, 11 and 13, Frida documents the life of Mexican-born artist Frida Kahlo.
THE ATLANTA OPERA Check website for performances, dates and venues Tickets start at $28 404.881.8885 atlantaopera.org/tickets
FALL FAMILY SPECTACULAR Oct. 26 chastainhorsepark.org/ upcoming-events Bring the family to this free event at Chastain Horse Park, where you can enjoy an Atlanta Mounted Police demonstration, a horseshoe competition, a horse costume parade and competition, guided barn tours to meet the horses, face painting, photos with horses and more.
Left: Alex Katz’s “Coca-Cola Girl” series pays homage to Atlanta’s most iconic brand.
CHASTAIN PARK ARTS FESTIVAL
Jeff Roffman
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Right: Maune Contemporary owners Ramsey and Heidi Maune were inspired to open their own gallery by a trip to Art Basel in Miami.
For the Love of Art NEW GALLERY MAKES ITS ATLANTA PREMIERE When husband and wife art collectors Ramsey and Heidi Maune decided to start their own gallery, Maune Contemporary, they didn’t keep it under the radar. To the contrary, they launched with an exhibition by an iconic artist with an equally iconic tie to Atlanta: Alex Katz. The renowned American figurative artist draws inspiration from advertising art history, including hometown brand Coca-Cola. As part of the gallery’s opening exhibition, Katz’s
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“Coca-Cola Girl” series made its area premiere in September. The couple says they were thrilled to have Katz in their opening show, which they felt was a fitting way to honor their new home in Atlanta, given the brand’s rich heritage and extensive ties to the city. “We’re also extremely fortunate that we were able to procure an original Alex Katz Coca-Cola Girl oil painting to feature as well,” they say. The exhibit will be on display through Nov. 16.
Nov. 2-3 chastainparkartsfestival.com Returning for its ninth year, the Chastain Park Arts Festival features approximately 185 artisans showcasing their wares along Park Drive. Attendees can also enjoy live music, a children’s area and tasty bites and beverages.
BOOK FESTIVAL OF THE MJCCA “ALEX KATZ: COCA-COLA GIRL” Through Nov. 16 Free Maune Contemporary 747-A Miami Cir. N.E. Atlanta 30324 678.705.4735 maune.com
Nov. 2-17 atlantajcc.org/interior-pages/artsand-culture-book-festival-preview At the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, this annual book festival spotlights an impressive lineup of authors, celebrities and influencers over a two-week period. Activities include book signings, panel discussions and more.
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CH AR I TABLE
Sarah Massey, Allen W. Yee, Gina Perregrino
Vir Nanda, Kiran Agnihotri, Reay Maxwell, Sucheta Kamath, Amy Sweeney, Bina Desai, Bharat Desai, Niko Carleo, Damon Young
STRING FLING
Photos: Randy McDow
F Vincent J.Y. Liu
Reagan Charney, David Charney, Lauren Brenner, Tyler Brenner
estive puppets mingled with well-dressed partygoers at the recent String Fling, an annual fundraiser for the Center for Puppetry Arts. The black-tie affair was held at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead, and raised more than $175,000, which goes toward ensuring “that children of all backgrounds have the opportunity to experience the unique educational opportunities that only the Center can provide,” says development manager Kerry Ayres Smith. In addition to enjoying a sit-down, three-course dinner, eventgoers bid on silent and live auction items such as a private cigar tutorial and tasting, a Porsche driving experience, memorabilia from the film The Dark Crystal and a photo shoot on the set of the Center’s upcoming production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. In addition to posing with the puppets and puppeteers at the photo booth and as they mingled amongst the crowd, guests were given their own finger puppet upon check-in so they could play puppeteer themselves for the evening.
Eric Wilson, Cherie Wilson, Sarah-Elizabeth Langford Reed, Susan Pease Langford, Joshua Butler IV, Heather McKeen, Rob Chomiak, Kelley Chomiak
Susan Kinney, Vincent Anthony
Umut Er, Guido Vliegen, Jeffrey Blake, Greg Fox, Bruce Bard
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For reservations please call 404.844.4810
CH AR I TABLE
Berlin Sewell, Ellen Marsh
Missy Derr, Britt Harrison, Abigail Derr
EATS & BEATS
Photos: Henri Hollis
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f you’re going out dining, drinking and dancing, why not have it support a good cause while you’re at it? That’s exactly what the folks who showed up for the eighth annual Eats & Beats event did recently. Held at The Fairmont, the fundraiser is a benefit for both Children of Conservation, which is dedicated to conserving and protecting endangered species in developing countries, as well as The Giving Kitchen, which provides emergency funds to Atlanta hospitality workers. Attendees enjoyed complimentary cocktails and unlimited tastings from more than 25 area eateries, including The Big Ketch, The Southern Gentleman, Hobnob Neighborhood Tavern, Chido + Padre’s, Dantanna’s and American Cut. As they sampled the tasty offerings, guests were treated to live music from Risky Biscuit and Ashanti “The Mad Violinist” Floyd, as well as an African drumming and dance performance by Giwayen Mata.
Zachary Bailey, Cecelia Borgman
Debra Leerssen, Scott Leeerssen
Ali Williams, Chris Williams, Carly Shipp, Daniel Porubiansky, Jessica Paynter, Melissa Paynter
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S C EN E
WE BRAKE FOR GOOD DESIGN Mercedes-Benz’s Sandy Springs headquarters is as sleek and sexy as its cars. PHOTO: Sara
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Hanna
Family Compound on 8 Acres in Highlands, NC Estate Home, Guest Cottage and Log Cabin in the Western NC Mountains $2,295,000 | MLS# 89607 This amazing historic property features three completely updated homes! The main house boasts five bedrooms, the guest house has one bedroom, and a charming log cabin holds two bedrooms. All have been meticulously maintained by the current owners. The main home’s living room has two walls of windows on opposite sides; the back of the living room opens to a great screened porch which then opens to stone patios. The kitchen is oversized and includes a large work island and has plenty of room for a kitchen table and a cozy seating area. The current owners raised championship Golden Retrievers and have a terrific kennel adjacent to the home or you could turn this area into a great art studio. The guest house has a covered walkway from the main house and is perfect for live-in help or a mother-in-law’s suite. Clear Creek runs through the property and a lake has been formed with a picnic pavilion and walking paths along the stream. The compound sits on over 8 acres of cleared and forested land and is located just a short two miles from Main Street in Highlands.
Custom Golf Front Home in Highlands Falls Country Club Mountain and fairway views from this wonderful 4BR/4BA/2HBA home in Highlands, NC $1,895,000 | MLS# 91903 Overlooking the 17th fairway of the beautiful Highlands Falls Country Club golf course with a long-range mountain view, this stunning home is located on a private cul-de-sac. You will be seduced by the charm of the finest finishes and impressed by the highest attention to detail this home has to offer. The front porch is a work of art with amazing stone entryway and stunning custom doors. The great room features shiplap walls, a coffered ceiling, and a striking floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace. The kitchen is worthy of a magazine spread and boasts custom cabinetry, an incredible glass backsplash, Viking appliances, a huge island with seating, and an entertainment bar with wine chiller and icemaker. In addition, there is a convenient butler’s pantry and a cozy breakfast area with built-in storage. The kitchen opens into a sunny living area with a floor-to-ceiling stone gas fireplace and built-in entertainment center. The main floor master suite has vaulted ceilings, a sitting area, deck access, and upscale bathroom with Kohler walk-in soaking tub, oversized marble shower, heated floors, beautiful vanities, and custom “his and her” walk-in closets. Three guest bedrooms on the second level have private baths. An enclosed back deck is complete with a gas stone fireplace and all weather windows that can keep you dry in inclement weather. An open deck is accessed from the enclosed deck for enjoying sunny days or for star gazing on clear nights.
828.526.1717 MeadowsMountainRealty.com 488 Main Street, Highlands, NC 2334 Cashiers Rd, Highlands, NC 132 Hwy 107 S, Cashiers, NC VACATION RENTALS: 828.526.1762 © 2019 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc. ® Equal Housing Opportunity.
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE. Every Day. For almost 30 years, the professionals at FirstService Residential have worked tirelessly to enhance the value of every property in the communities we manage and the lifestyle of every resident in our care. As North America’s leading property management company with Buckhead expertise, we know what it takes to create great communities that residents are proud to call home. We start by putting the right teams in place – local property experts who deliver genuinely helpful service. Then we back them up with the tools and resources that only the industry leader can provide. That’s how we make a difference, every day, for great communities like yours. To see how FirstService Residential can make a difference in your community, please contact Ashley Pafford at 404.201.6988 or visit bit.ly/SimplyBuckheadMag.
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