Carly Cooper

Foodie Tastemaker Columnist at Simply Buckhead. Contributing Editor at Atlanta Magazine. Restaurant Aficionado and Mother of Two.

83 Articles Published | Follow:
Joseph Kahwach
IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL

Meet Joseph Kahwach, the heart and soul of Basil’s Restaurant for 34 years. It’s Wednesday…

Macias, photographed outdoors at the Pullman Yards, is wearing the Casablanca white seersucker suit ($1,295), available at Miguel Wilson Collection.
VICTOR MACIAS

Son of the El Azteca empire prepares takes over the throne! Sandy Springs native Victor…

Otis Sallid and Dave Green
THE GREATEST SHOWMEN

Dave Green and Otis Sallid team up for Damsel, a cabaret and supper club at…

TOP SHELF TALENT

Ty Nicole Tucker wins cocktail competition with a $30,000 brand ambassador contract. Ty Nicole Tucker…

Chef G. Garvin
SLAM DUNK

Chef G. Garvin’s culinary expertise is a win for State Farm Arena! If you’ve visited…

RENAISSANCE MAN

Bar Ti Amo owner Marco Betti embraces everything he does with passion. Marco Betti has…

DISTILLING A NEW VENTURE

Ryan Millsap turns his attention to Berckmans. In the 1850s, P.J. Berckmans sailed from Belgium…

SPREADING HAPPINESS

Buckhead’s “Mama Gale” Parker delights diners with over-the top decorations at Amore e Amore. When…

FUN FACT Alvarez was originally a biochemistry major. She believes her chemistry knowledge helps in her wine work.
WILD ABOUT WINE

At 24, The Alden’s Nicole Alvarez is the youngest sommelier in the area! A sommelier…

Spacious cabins and myriad outdoor activities are a chic way to experience East Tennessee. Photos: Ben Finch Photography
PEACE ON THE FARM

Windy Hill Farm and Preserve offers an idyllic escape in East Tennessee. Serene. Idyllic. Relaxing.…

Chef Ashkan Famili of Yalda | Atlanta
The Persian Prince

Ash Famili is the face behind Yalda, a blossoming Middle Eastern restaurant in Sandy Springs!…

Nadia Deljou’s Delle Dining
CULTURAL COOKING

Nadia Deljou’s Delle Dining merges food, music and heritage. Nadia Deljou grew up as part…

SON OF A BAKER MAN

Johnny Di Palma brings panini and pastries to Buckhead at Pala Bakery. At 22, Johnny…

CHEESE, PLEASE

Capella Cheese founder Raymond Hook elevates Atlanta’s dairy game. Cheesemonger Raymond Hook is best known…

Architect Norman Askins
KEEPING UP WITH THE CLASSICS

Architect Norman Askins brings the past into the future. At age 80, Buckhead-based architect Norman…

THE BAGEL GUYS

Goldbergs Fine Foods celebrates a half-century in Buckhead. In 1992, Wayne Saxe and Howard Aaron…

Gillespie grinds oryx, a kind of antelope, on “Sabertooth.”
HUNTERS, GATHERERS AND BROADCASTERS

Kevin Gillespie combines his passions in “Sabertooth”. Chef Kevin Gillespie grew up hunting and fishing…

The Heiress

Sachi Nakato Takahara celebrates 50 years of Nakato Japanese Restaurant! Sachiyo “Sachi” Nakato Takahara was…

Chef Sosa
The Flexitarian

From culture to food and travel, chef Chad “Sosa” Hester is always mixing it up…

FUN FACT As a child, Seaman ate chocolate chip cookies in her sleep, while sleep walking
Innovating with Olives

Nikki Seaman is changing the way Atlantans snack! A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania…

Nothing beats the sunset views 15 stories above the city at Spaceman.
To Dine For

A stay at the Hyatt Centric Buckhead brings food and beverage delights. I’m a mom…

Mr. Johnny’s Hideaway

Chris D’Auria celebrates 25 years at the Buckhead nightclub. Since 1979, Johnny’s Hideaway has been…

Smith Hanes
The Set Designer

Smith Hanes creates restaurants’ signature look. The Select. King & Duke. Nina & Rafi. Watershed…

FUN FACT Abes once dined with basketball legend Michael Jordan at The Capital Grille in Charlotte, N.C., 10 years ago, after meeting at nowdefunct Twist in Atlanta.
The Duke of Dunwoody

DASH Hospitality’s David Abes strives to make The Village Dunwoody the heart of the community.…

FUN FACT Kamel played soccer in college at the University of Naples in Italy. photo: Brandon Amato
Buckhead or Bust

5CHURCH FOUNDER AYMAN KAMEL HAD ONE GOAL: EXPAND TO BUCKHEAD! An Italian-Egyptian immigrant, Ayman Kamel…

FUN FACT Mcleod is a founding investor of the popular Australian menswear company M.J. Bale.
Risky Business

From Australia to Atlanta, BRASH Coffee founder Chris Mcleod takes chances at every turn. BRASH…

FUN FACT Mandy studied biology in college and planned to be a doctor.
Raising the Roof

Mandy and Kelvin Slater prepare to open Rooftop L.O.A. on top of the Interlock building…

FUN FACT Rodbell has an identical twin who lives in Buckhead.
The Real Drinkmaster

Andrew Rodbell introduces authentic canned cocktails to the Southeast from his West Midtown warehouse. Andrew…

Like Father, Like Son

Following in his father’s footsteps, John Metz expands his empire with the opening of The…

Ted’s Montana Grill CEO and cofounder George McKerrow
From Dishwasher to Philanthropic CEO

How George McKerrow climbed the ranks in the restaurant industry. Ted’s Montana Grill CEO and…