Simply Buckhead

THE NEW FOOD & DRINKS ISSUE IS HERE! Under-the-radar foodie finds, chefs' tables and flavor-forward offerings American chef, television personality and cookbook author James Beard once said, "Food is our common ground, a universal experience." We wholeheartedly agree. Great food—and drinks—bring people together in a way few other experiences can. Fortunately, our local neighborhoods are replete with creative chefs, innovative barkeeps and hidden gems of culinary experiences waiting to be discovered. On the coming pages, you'll find stories on next-level martinis, chefs' tasting menus, tips on how to introduce children to the pleasures of eating out well, complementary snacks that set the tone for a meal and more. Bon appetit! Grab your physical copy at over 400 local hotspots around town or click the link in our bio to read the digital edition today! Photography: Erik Meadows Producer: Jennifer Bradley Franklin Makeup: Nyssa Green Model: Mika Takahashi, Koshu Club Special thanks to the Koshu Club for hosting our team. #TheFoodAndDrinksIssue #AtlantaEats #AtlantaFoodie #BuckheadLiving #SimplyBuckhead @erikmeadows @nyssag @CbyMATL

TURTLE TIME SSPD LAUNCHES NEW COMMUNITY-FIRST INITIATIVES. In late summer, the Sandy Springs Police Department started bringing a little fun to the job by giving away rubber duck-like turtles dressed in uniform. The idea came from the police department’s annual National Night Out event that brings officers and the community together the first Tuesday in August. Sgt. Giovanni Gomez, public information officer for the department, says, “Every agency that participates brings some type of swag with them. This year we were looking for something new to give out to the community. We wanted something different, something that would put a smile on everybody’s face.” Since a turtle is the official mascot of Sandy Springs, that’s the character the department chose. Following the August event, some officers are keeping SSPD turtles in their cars to gift to citizens caught in action doing something right. “Most of the time when people interact with the police, something has gone badly. We want to change that. We want to humanize the badge and show the community we serve that there could be [good] encounters with the police department,” Gomez says. SSPD also recently added a community dog, the black Labrador Skye, that will work alongside the force’s Victim Advocates to provide emotional support to residents. Skye’s handler and SSPD victim advocate Caity Donegan says to expect to see the pup at future events and around the community. “We want to educate people on why we have a therapy dog and what she can do,” says Donegan. “But also if I go out on calls for hard cases, I can bring her, and she can be a support for the family. We want her to be there for the community and be that support and comfort for them.” sandyspringsgapolice.gov @SandySprings_PD 📝 Nicole Letts #TurtleTime #SandySpringsPolice #SSPD #CommunityPolicing #SimplyBuckhead @nicolemelv

CANNED CONFIDENCE Free Bird spring water is a brand with Southern attitude! After more than 25 years in real estate, Buckhead resident Jay Williams was ready to do something different. The Atlanta native, Lovett alum and University of Georgia graduate had built capital funds, led investment groups and worked on marketing for the Atlanta Olympic Games. Then he turned his attention to water. In 2024, Williams founded Free Bird Southern Spring Water, a still and sparkling brand sourced from the Blue Ridge Mountains and sold in tallboy aluminum cans. The idea is simple: Make water fun. With its “Drink Freely” tagline, Southern humor and American swagger, Free Bird takes a cue from Liquid Death without losing its own drawl. The 12 packs are sold across the Southeast, from Walmart and gas stations to Savi Provisions and City Farmers Market. Sparkling flavors and iced teas may be next. Here, Williams shares more. What does Free Bird taste like? It tastes clean, pure and crisp. Drinking cold water out of a can versus a plastic bottle is absolutely night and day. There’s something very flat and stale about purified water out of a plastic bottle. Aluminum bottles have an aftertaste. But aluminum cans, at least ours, have no aftertaste whatsoever. Plus, because we’re not in plastic, we’re doing better for the planet. Does Free Bird appeal to the sober-curious? A lot of people don’t drink or are drinking less. When they go out, they feel out of place. The Free Bird cans resemble beer, so it looks like they’re drinking something like everybody else, and they don’t feel out of place... Read more in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead out now! 📝Carly Cooper FREE BIRD drinkfreebird.com #CannedConfidence #FreeBirdWater #SouthernSpringWater #BuckheadLiving #SimplyBuckhead

THE (WHITE) ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM We are in the whirlwind season of holiday tunes, stores decked out in red and green, and homes sporting garland and holly. The most wonderful time of the year quickly becomes the busiest. Eliminate some of your endless to-do list and turn to these reliable items for your next White Elephant gift party. Candle Warmer Lamp ($58) If holiday shopping has you feeling like you’re burning the candle at both ends, a candle warmer is a go-to gift-giving savior. This scalloped tortoise-styled option from Anthropologie has a sleek marble base, a glass shade and an iron rod, and it includes a dimmer and timer. This alternative to burning the candle wick melts the wax with top-down heat to release the fragrance, making it a safer option that allows your favorite candles to last longer. Anthropologie anthropologie.com @Anthropologie 📝 Katie Hughes #TheWhiteElephantInTheRoom #WhiteElephantGift #Anthropologie #HolidayGifts #SimplyBuckhead

PEDALING FORWARD Homebuilder donates children’s bikes! On Aug. 18, eight local Atlanta children received new bikes, helmets and bike locks. But these were no ordinary bikes, as they had been built by regional and area managers from Quinn Residences, a leading Buckhead-based owner, operator and developer of rental communities in the Southeast. The company partnered with the Atlanta Police Athletic League that selected the families for the donation. “Our mission goes beyond developing homes. We strive to build thriving communities that serve, connect and enrich the lives of all our residents,” says Blake J. Thomas, Quinn’s VP of operations. “Best Corporate Events assisted in helping us connect our event with an organization that aligned with our commitment to giving back and making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.” Best Corporate Events also provided an instructor who helped the Quinn Residences participants put the bikes together. And according to Thomas, all eight children were thrilled with their new two-wheelers. “It was incredibly rewarding to hear their excitement,” he says, adding that the company plans to continue its partnership with the Atlanta Police Athletic League and find new ways to give back to the community. “Giving back is at the heart of who we are,” he says. “We aim to leave every neighborhood better than we found it.” QUINN RESIDENCES live-quinn.com @QuinnResidences 📝Amy Meadows #PedalingForward #QuinnResidences #AtlantaPAL #CommunityImpact #SimplyBuckhead @knowatlanta

IN GOOD HANDS Give the chef carte blanche at your next dinner outing! Deciding one thing to order is difficult for me, so a chef’s tasting menu is my saving grace. My husband and I recently indulged in one at Atlas, an eight course meal that is as much an artistic experience as a culinary journey. It began with a colorful assortment of “Snax.” A smiling “Jammie Dodger” took on the likeness of a British shortbread biscuit, this one with cherry jam and foie gras cream. What appeared to be two small oysters in their shells were in fact completely edible bites of cold gel and foam that hinted at the briny ocean. Many other wow moments were in store. A bowl of what appeared to be blackberries was the biggest revelation. Our server prompted us to take a bite and guess what we were eating. My husband’s first taste was of a true blackberry; mine had the familiar flavor of foie gras disguised as a berry. On our second bites, the experience was the opposite. A stunning arrangement of flowers, leaves and greens in a bowl was served with a red beet gazpacho poured tableside. Of the three protein courses (fish, lamb and beef), my favorite was the melt-in-your-mouth turbot with radishes and herb sauce. For the cheese course, we tried three types—one from Tasmania, one from Sweden and one from Indiana—selected from a spread of nearly 15 varieties presented on a rolling cart. The meal was topped off with various temptations of dessert, with my top pick being the FM Rocher 2.0, an homage to Ferrero Rocher hazelnut chocolate candy... Read more in the latest issue of @SimplyBuckhead out now! 📝Giannina Bedford ATLAS atlasrestaurant.com @AtlasBuckhead #InGoodHands #AtlasRestaurant #ChefTastingMenu #BuckheadDining #SimplyBuckhead

FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR Since moving to Atlanta from Philadelphia 35 years ago, H.M. Cauley has established herself as an award-winning writer, editor and author who tells intriguing stories for local and state media outlets. In the last few years, she’s branched out to write about fascinating travel destinations that have taken her around the country and beyond. In addition to writing, she has spent 10 years as a journalism lecturer at Georgia State University and as the Simply Buckhead copy editor. Her spare time is filled with learning French, cooking and searching the South for soft pretzels and cheesesteaks that remind her of home. 📸Sara Hanna #FeaturedContributor #HMCauley #AtlantaWriter #Journalism #SimplyBuckhead

BLUE RIDGE BEAUTY A curated cabin is ideal for a multigenerational mountain trip! I clutch my steaming cup of coffee and cuddle under the fleece blanket, hiding my feet from the first cold snap of fall. Looking out above the tree line to the Blue Ridge Mountains, I understand why this home is named Bella Vista. The 180-degree view is absolutely stunning. My quiet moment is quickly interrupted as all three of my kids come running out to join me on the outdoor sofa, filling me in on all the fun games—ping-pong, foosball and an arcade console—in the basement and the hot tub and pool on the downstairs sundeck. It seems everyone is happy. I love renting a property in the mountains. When the home isn’t mine, I don’t feel the need to always be working on a project. As my family has grown through marriage and children, it gets harder and harder to find a place that truly has something for everyone. On this recent getaway to Blue Ridge, Georgia, I had my family of five, in-laws and a brother- in-law along to celebrate my father-in-law’s 83rd birthday. I’m happy to say, Bella Vista and Blue Ridge proved to be the perfect place for all. Set on 3 acres 10 minutes from downtown, the home offers four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms all decorated in a modern mountain aesthetic with clean lines and natural materials. I didn’t plan to do too much cooking, but the kitchen was a chef’s dream with quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances... Read more in the latest issue! 📝Giannina Bedford BELLA VISTA bellavistablueridge.com #BlueRidgeBeauty #BellaVistaCabin #BlueRidgeGA #MountainGetaway #SimplyBuckhead

🎄Help create joyful holiday memories for families facing childhood cancer. CURE is hosting holiday parties in Atlanta, Savannah, and Augusta to bring families together for fun activities, sweet treats, and a visit from Santa! This event gives families a chance to celebrate the season and enjoy time together beyond appointments, treatment schedules, and hospital routines. We're seeking sponsors to help make these special events possible for more than 100 families across Georgia. To learn more, contact Karen Rutherford at [email protected]. #CUREChildhoodCancer #HolidayParties #ChildhoodCancerSupport #AtlantaEvents #SimplyBuckhead

HOUSE RULES Wright Mitchell brings historic preservation to life online. It’s rare to meet an Atlanta native; it’s even rarer to meet a Buckhead one. Wright Mitchell grew up in Buckhead and attended The Lovett School, the University of South Carolina and Emory University School of Law. He practiced law for almost 30 years but always had historic preservation on his mind. “I saw things in my own neighborhood of Peachtree Heights West that troubled me,” he says. That led him to found the Buckhead Heritage Society in 2005. In September 2023, he jumped from law to historic preservation full-time as the president and CEO of The Georgia Trust, one of the largest statewide nonprofit organizations in the country focused on preservation. “I now get to do something I love for a living rather than just a hobby,” he says. Here, he talks about preservation, social media and his ties to Buckhead. What does The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation do? We save the places that tell Georgia’s story. We have a revolving fund to acquire distressed properties. We match them with preservation minded buyers, place an easement on the property when it’s sold and monitor it in perpetuity. There are 83 of those across the state, including the condominium building at 2909 Peachtree Road and a home at 15 Cherokee Road. We work with organizations like Buckhead Heritage Society or the Atlanta Preservation Center, and we highlight places in peril. We also hold member events such as educational programs and tours of homes and historic buildings. Our members love our “rambles,” seasonal tours that take them inside Georgia’s private homes like no one else does. Our spring ramble is in April in Columbus... Read more in the latest issue! 📝 Lauren Finney Harden 📸 Erik Meadows THE GEORGIA TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION 404.881.9980 georgiatrust.org @TheGeorgiaTrust #HouseRules #HistoricPreservation #TheGeorgiaTrust #BuckheadHeritage #SimplyBuckhead

FOOD NEWS Following openings in Ponce City Market and Peachtree Corners, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream’s third Georgia location is open in Dunwoody’s Park Place shopping center. vanleeuwenicecream.com 📝Claire Ruhlin #FoodNews #VanLeeuwenIceCream #DunwoodyEats #ParkPlaceATL #SimplyBuckhead

NEWS CLIPS Award Winner A student-produced docuseries from the Savannah College of Art and Design has won its first Southeast Emmy Award. Dubbed “chefATL,” it examines Atlanta’s food scene through its chefs and had two episodes nominated in the Lifestyle Long-Form category at the 2026 Southeast Emmy Awards, held May 16 at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead. The episode “Global Soul,” featuring Twisted Soul chef and owner Deborah VanTrece and poet Jon Goode, took home the win. More than 300 SCAD students across 20 majors, plus a dozen faculty supervisors, worked on “chefATL,” which was produced in partnership with WABE radio. scad.edu • @SCADdotedu 📝 @nicolemelv #AwardWinner #ChefATL #SoutheastEmmys #SCAD #SimplyBuckhead

THE OUTFIT IS OUTERWEAR Hunter Boots Women’s Original Tall Gloss Rain Boots ($190) Hunter Boots has blended functionality with fashion for decades, a testament to the craftsmanship of the company’s classic rain boots. The fully waterproof rubber is handcrafted from 28 individual parts and finished with a gloss, bringing enough shine to combat a rainy day. A rounded toe and block heel allow for comfort, while the signature tread pattern delivers reliable grip for any weather occasion. Hunter Boots hunterboots.com @HunterBoots Read more in the latest issue! 📝 Katie Hughes #TheOutfitIsOuterwear #HunterBoots #RainBoots #FallFashion #SimplyBuckhead

TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE MEET THE GLOBETROTTING LOCALS SEEING THE WORLD IN UNIQUE WAYS! There’s a difference between vacation and travel. The former often involves chilling out in a destination that’s not home as the main objective. Travel is something else: It allows the getaway to serve as a conduit for learning something new, accomplishing a major goal or giving back to those you encounter along the way. In the latest issue, you’ll meet some neighbors who have made traveling a priority, from one man’s quest to complete marathons on all seven continents and two women’s overseas volunteering to another man’s feat of visiting all of the countries in the world. No matter where your next trip takes you, these stories are sure to inspire. Read more in the travel issue while it's still on stands. 📸 Erik Meadows #TravelWithAPurpose #GlobalTravel #AdventureAwaits #Wanderlust #SimplyBuckhead @ErikMeadows @OctaviusTerry @nyssag @FruitionHatCo @EsabelaEva @ATLHistCenter

FEATURED RESTAURANTS MADRE SELVA Located in Uptown Atlanta near the Lindburgh Center area, Madre Selva—“mother jungle” in Spanish—showcases Latin Coastal cuisine in its scratch-made dishes that merge tradition and innovation. It offers a wide array of creative cocktails, a Peruvian ceviche bar with seafood, vegetarian and vegan options, upscale service and an upbeat vibe. If this is jungle fever, you’ll be happy to get it. Peru’s national drink, the pisco sour, is a frothy delight. An octopus appetizer gets zesty with anticuchera, chimichurri and sweet cream sauces. Lomo saltado is the beef stew you wish you’d grown up eating. Raices de la costa, which presents as a smoky cousin to paella, is a seafood and rice dish rich with prawns and calamari. While dinner showcases refined cooking techniques and artful presentations, brunch dishes are casually prepared and styled after Peruvian home cooking. Don’t let anyone steer you away from this place. Starters: $13-$25 • Ceviche: $17-$45 Sides: $3-$8 • Mains: $21-$73 Desserts: $14-$16 • Brunch plates: $10-$36 • Lunch sandwiches: $18-$26 • Cocktails: $13-$42 Madre Selva 470.516.1389 madreselva.restaurant 📝 Hope S. Philbrick 📸 Erik Meadows #MadreSelva #LatinCoastalCuisine #UptownAtlanta #BuckheadEats #SimplyBuckhead

Hope is more than a feeling. It's a powerful part of the fight against breast cancer. 💗 For Angela, a motorcycle rider and rock climber, breast cancer wasn't going to define her future. Today, she's back to living life at full speed. At City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta, breast cancer specialists recognize that every patient's journey is different. Through personalized treatment plans, access to leading-edge treatments, clinical trials and compassionate support, their mission is to help patients return to the lives they love. With a singular focus on cancer and a commitment to superior outcomes, City of Hope believes that ending breast cancer starts with hope. Learn more at CityofHope.org/Atlanta or call 844-479-HOPE (4673). #CityOfHope #BreastCancerAwareness #CancerCare #BreastCancerSupport #AtlantaHealthcare

COME FLY WITH ME Graceful, elegant and considered a symbol of freedom, birds have long been an inspiration in design, whether traditional or modern. Ornithology Hand-carved Six-Drawer Dresser ($2,998) For a show-stopping avian-themed piece, try this six-drawer dresser from Anthropologie. It depicts a scene of birds in a tree in textured relief and is a romantic twist on a classic design. Use it in a bedroom, living room or entryway to anchor a space and bring visual interest. Looking for a set? Check out the matching nightstand and headboard in the collection. Anthropologie 404.237.4175 anthropologie.com @Anthropologie 📝Lauren Finney Harden #ComeFlyWithMe #Anthropologie #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #SimplyBuckhead

NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS In late August, some of Atlanta’s top chefs cooked up a successful fundraiser for FreeRent ATL, a nonprofit that provides rental assistance and a path to financial stability for working families. The Neighbors Helping Neighbors Annual Community Fundraiser at The Foundry at Puritan Mill brought in more than $1 million from sponsors and about 400 attendees who delighted to the culinary creations made on site by chefs from Aria, The Alden, FÜM, Pricci, Kyma, Il Giallo Osteria and The Perlant, to name just a few. Along with silent and live auctions, dancing and desserts from The Four Seasons Hotel and Café Momentum, guests got to meet Atlas chef Freddy Money who signed copies of his new cookbook. Simply Buckhead was the proud media sponsor. 📝 H.M. Cauley 📸Kimberly Evans #NeighborsHelpingNeighbors #FreeRentATL #AtlantaChefs #TheFoundryAtPuritanMill #SimplyBuckhead

DESIGN & REALTY NEWS Ainsworth-Noah introduced the Alfredo Paredes Collection to its ADAC showroom this summer, giving the design trade its first local access to the designer's furniture line. The presentation brings together several signature pieces, including the Santana Sofa, San Miguel Woven Panel Club Chair, Isla Dining Chair, Savannah Coffee Table and Delfina Armchair, and allows designers to view and specify the collection in person rather than through a catalog. ainsworth-noah.com @AinsworthNoah 📝Nicole Letts #AinsworthNoah #AlfredoParedes #ADACAtlanta #InteriorDesign #SimplyBuckhead @nicolemelv

TURNING PAGES MJCCA’S BOOK FESTIVAL MARKS 35 YEARS OF BRINGING READERS AND AUTHORS TOGETHER. Every November, the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta draws thousands of readers for one of the region’s largest literary gatherings. This year, the MJCCA Book Festival celebrates its 35th edition, running Nov. 1-22, with a lineup organizers say reflects both the festival’s growth and its staying power. “The festival offers something we all need: a place to gather, learn, share ideas and be reminded that we are part of a vibrant, resilient community,” Co-chair Staci Libowsky says. The festival now draws more than 15,000 attendees annually and has become, in the words of Co-chair Debbie Kurzweil, “One of the premier literary events in the Southeast.” Kurzweil credits the growth to an expanding roster of bestselling authors and the backing of patrons, sponsors and Pacesetter donors. This year’s headliners include Rachel Goldberg-Polin discussing When We See You Again and OB-GYN and menopause educator Dr. Mary Claire Haver presenting The New Perimenopause. Chef Alon Shaya will appear as part of the festival’s annual Kristallnacht commemoration, and composer Marc Shaiman, known for Hairspray and South Park, will give a live performance alongside his talk. Additional celebrity appearances include Jill Biden and Harry Connick Jr... Read more in the October issue! 📝Nicole Letts atlantajcc.org #TurningPages #MJCCABookFestival #AtlantaAuthors #LiteraryFestival #SimplyBuckhead @nicolemelv