January/February2016 • winter issue EWISH FILM FEST AJ SNEAK PREVIEW OF THE ATLANT od ityho oc SANDY SPRINGS Suburb steps int ing meals without leaving home er ing Club ox rB Mast HE DISTANCE tu ca GT THE CRAFT OF THE KITCHEN De GOIN at SPINE JanuarJanuary/Fy/Februebarruy2ary2016016• wi• nterwinter issue issue editor’s note The following is based on a real conver- Curt: Anyway, my idea was to share sation between my wife, Lane, and me: where we shop foR different kinds of groceries, which seems like a practical Lane: What are you doing? angle, and that’s where you come in. I Curt: I’m writing the editor’s note to keep us stocked with bagels from Ba- introduce the magazine’s “Home Cook- gel Palace, and between the two of us, ing” issue. Because it’s January, I want- I probably make the most Publix runs. ed to have a coveR package on different The Shallowford Publix is convenient, aspects of cooking and dining in, in- and I like the vibe there. Isn’t it funny cluding kitchen design, cooking clubs how one store in a chain can feel dif- and classes, as well as a profile of a per- ferent than another? sonal chef. So I’m writing an editor’s Lane: I think we’re getting off track. note to provide my own insights. Curt: Right. You have the better Lane: Oh. grasp on where to get the best, fresh- Curt: What? est stuff. So I was wondering when Lane: Well, you don’t really cook. you decide to go to someplace like the Curt: I can cook. I can totally follow DeKalb Farmers Market. I enjoy going there, but it can mean a a recipe. Lane: I would call myself an oppor- half-day commitment and sometimes Lane: But when was the last time tunistic grocery shopper. I’ll go where it’s like combat shopping. Lately, the you did follow a recipe? You tend to I can get the best quality and decent farmers markets on ouR side of town just cycle through the same three or customer service – and price plays a have been more competitive. FoR pro- fouR basic entrees. You could easily ex- part, too. Your DeKalb Farmers Mar- duce, I’ll go to one of the farmers mar- pand your repertoire. ket has a great range of options, and kets, Costco or sometimes Aldi. Curt: What about meat? How often will you go to a specialty butcher like The Spotted Trotter? Lane: I adore The Spotted Trot- teR foR special occasions, but I usually shop foR fresh organic meats and poul- try closer to home at Costco, Kroger and Whole Foods. FoR staples, I’ll go to Aldi, Publix or Trader Joe’s. Trad- er Joe’s is probably my favorite overall grocery store. Curt: Perfect. By the way, I’m also using this note to pay tribute to ouR ad directoR Molly Padilla, who retired in December. She essentially proposed the idea foR Living Intown in early 2013, and brought a real vision to this one and Living Northside since their in- ception. We wouldn’t have the maga- zines without her, and things won’t be the same with her gone. Do you want to say anything? Lane: Molly! We’ll miss you! Curt: So what should we have foR dinner tonight? Lane: I don’t know, what are you going to make? Curt Holman [email protected] 4 LIVING INTOWN ! Jan. - Feb. 2016 in this issue 4 Editor’s note 12 Contributors 14 Calendar: January/February 15 Spotlight: Book a trip [FEATURES] COVER STORY: 25THE CRAFT OF THE KITCHEN The ingredients to mastering delicious meals NEVER TOO MANY COOKS 26WITH LES MARMITONS Plus: Chef Michael Bologna’s recipes KITCHENS ON THE CUTTING EDGE 32Design and devices enhance the heart of a home COOKING CLASSES TURN UP THE HEAT 36Local lessons to raise your culinary skills PERSONAL CHEF COMES TO THE RESCUE 40Feeding the folks too tired to cook for themselves 32 INSIDER TRIPS: SITTING ON 44THE DOCK OF THE BAY Fairhope puts an elegant spin on small-town charm About the cover This shot from Living Intown photographer Jenni Girtman shows a built-in warming drawer in Kevin A publication of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution [email protected] and Vicky Kuo’s Midtown kitchen, Editor Managing Editor designed by Rao Design Studio to Curt Holman Mark Waligore maximize space. The heated drawer [email protected] [email protected] Copy Editor Editoral Director keeps coffee cups warm and is part of Rebecca Bowen Bob Howard a Gaggenau combination steam oven Cover Design [email protected] and coffee/espresso maker. Sara Bryant Senior Manager, Designers Major Accounts Shane Blatt, Evelyn Ortega Annemarie Poterba [email protected] Photographers JennI Girtman ADVERTISING OR DISTRIBUTION QUESTIONS: 404-526-5275 8 LIVING INTOWN ! Jan. - Feb. 2016 in this issue [DEPARTMENTS] Dine Do 66 Going the distance at Decatur 48 Restaurants that cultivate romantic Boxing Club ambiance Corrections Home In the November/ 52 Bite: Oh you squid December 2015 issue, 70 Home offices provide room to work the final two quotations in “Journey to the Center Shop 74 Furniture designer sets the table of a Menu” should be attributed to Brian Jones of Restaurant Eugene. 54 Fitness gadgets help get you moving Insider’s Guide In that issue, the story Arts 78 Sandy Springs steps into cityhood “Home on the Range” Plus: At home in Sandy Springs misspelled the name of 58 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival’s golfer Roberto Castro. movies and mitzvahs 86 Eat your way up Buford Highway 62 Artistic accommodations at 89 Where in Atlanta am I? Mandarin Oriental hotel contributors Backstory Decatur Boxing Club trains on sweet science aving spent several years exploring a variety of fi tness experiences, including yoga and kettlebells, this past Hspring I gave boxing a try. For as long as I can remem- ber, the sport had fascinated me, including the larger-than-life personas of its biggest stars such as Ali and Tyson, as well as the inspirational tales of the “Rocky” fi lms. Once I mustered up the courage to set foot into Decatur Boxing Club, I felt the sudden jab of authenticity. Passion and determination perme- ates the air, and I knew a story had to be in there somewhere. JON WATERHOUSE has been a With Xavier Biggs as your guide, the boxing workouts prove regular contributor to The Atlanta challenging yet surprisingly exciting. The rhythmic beat of Journal-Constitution for the past the music echoes through the gym as you push your body in- 10 years. He has written for to uncharted territory, learning the art of this age-old tradition such publications as Esquire and in the process. When I walk out of Decatur Boxing Club after BlackBook, as well as MTV.com. each workout, I never feel more alive. He lives in Decatur with his family. EDWARD ADAMS has been culture surfing around KERI JANTON is a freelance writer and photogra- Atlanta more than 10 years. The former web man- pher living in Sugar Hill. She has written for The At- ager and fi lm critic for Creative Loafing has also lanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Magazine, East written for Huffington Post and been a contributing Alabama Living Magazine and Atlanta Parent. writer for several stage productions. H.M. CAULEY, an Atlanta-based freelance writer, PAMELA A. KEENE is a freelance writer who has has written about the local scene for 20-plus years. lived in Atlanta since 1981. She has written for The Most of her work has appeared in The Atlanta Jour- Atlanta Journal-Constitution and other publications nal-Constitution, but she has also produced three across the Southeast. She lives near Lake Lanier city guidebooks and written for national magazines. and is an avid sailor. JASON GETZ, owner of Getz Images, is a photog- ADRIANNE MURCHISON is editor of Living North- rapher for the Associated Press, USA Today and side magazine and has worked as an Atlanta Jour- Sports Images, and is a freelance photo editor for nal-Constitution staffer. She has penned a play and CNN.com. He has 16 years of experience, including a nonfiction book on relationships. A native of Buf- eight at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. falo, N.Y.,she now lives in Sandy Springs. JENNI GIRTMAN, Living Intown photographer, has NATASHA NYANIN, a Ghanaian native who has more than 15 years of professional experience, in- lived in Atlanta for the past 11 years, is a freelance cluding eight years on staff with The Atlanta Jour- writer and creative consultant. She formally worked nal-Constitution, as well as contributions to The for the CDC and writes regularly on her blog, The New York Times and USA Today. Ecstatic Flash. GWYN HERBEIN, formerly the editor of KNOWAt- BOB TOWNSEND has been writing for The Atlanta lanta magazine, is a freelance writer whose work Journal-Constitution for more than a decade. Since has appeared in Bespoke and Sea Island Life mag- moving to Atlanta in 1986, he’s lived in Midtown, azines. An Emory graduate, she lives in Midtown Grant Park, Poncey-Highland and Cabbagetown. with her husband, daughter and dog. He’s the editor of Southern Brew News. BOB HOWARD is editorial director of Living Intown. MURIEL VEGA has written for Creative Loafing, Je- A journalist for 37 years, he has worked at news- zebel magazine and Newcomer magazine. She co- papers in Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and De- edits a local arts magazine and spends time eating troit, and has been with The Atlanta Journal-Consti- her way across Buford Highway and exploring the tution for 12 years.