Featuring 150 Local and Regional Artists, Live Music, Food Trucks and More
Saturday, March 30, and Sunday, March 31, 2024
Sandy Springs Artsapalooza returns on Saturday, March 30, and Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. The award-winning, free festival features more than 150 painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metal craft makers, glass blowers, jewelers and more. Transforming the tree-lined streets of Sandy Springs into an expansive outdoor art gallery, festival-goers will have the opportunity to view artist demonstrations, participate in hands-on art activities, and enjoy music. The event also has an expansive children’s area and plenty of food trucks and beverages for all tastes. At 2 p.m. on Easter Sunday, the festival is once again hosting the largest Easter Egg Hunt in Sandy Springs with over 10,000 hidden Easter eggs. Kids are asked to arrive early with a small bag or basket. The festival is free to attend, open to all ages, and dogs are welcome. For more information about Sandy Springs Artsapalooza (6100 Lake Forest Dr. NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328), visit sandyspringsartsapalooza.com or www.affps.com.
Tickets are Officially on Sale for Food That Rocks, Presented by Taste of Atlanta All-inclusive Eatertainment Event Returns June 8 Showcasing Sandy Springs’ Delicious Culinary
Communities, Wine, Beer, Craft Cocktails, Live Music and More
Tickets are officially on sale for the eighth annual Food That Rocks, presented by Taste of Atlanta, Visit Sandy Springs, and the City of Sandy Springs. The carefully curated gourmet gathering takes place on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Recognized as Sandy Springs’ premier food and drink tasting event, Food That Rocks brings an incredible energy to City Green at City Springs for one-night only where attendees will sip, savor and celebrate the community’s vibrant culinary scene. A treat for your tastebuds, this “ultimate eatertainment experience” features unlimited tastes of mouth-watering food from 25+ of Sandy Springs’ best restaurants, a decadent dessert bar, wine, beer & craft cocktails, live music and an array of interactive experiences.
Tickets for Food That Rocks are all-inclusive, providing an all-access foodie fest full of craveable bites and beverage tastings for adults 21+. General Admission and VIP Tickets are now available and can be purchased at FoodThatRocks.org. VIP ticket holders get early access to Food That Rocks from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., a special welcome cocktail and VIP goody bag (one per household) and cost $125 per ticket. General admission is from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and tickets cost $85 per person. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended as tickets typically sell out prior to the event. Group ticket packages are also available at an exclusive special rate, contact Tickets@TasteofAtlanta.com to inquire.
“I’m incredibly proud of Sandy Springs’ growing restaurant scene. There’s always something new to check out along with favorite spots to re-visit. If you’re having trouble picking one restaurant over another, Food That Rocks lets you sample from some of the City’s most popular dining destinations all in one night,” says Rusty Paul, Mayor of Sandy Springs.
FOOD THAT ROCKS HIGHLIGHTS • One Night Only, 7-10 p.m.; VIP Early Access 6-7 p.m. • Eat and greet with local chefs • Bottomless tastes of a variety beer, wine and craft cocktails • Unlimited signature bites from 25+ of Sandy Springs best restaurants and top chefs • Live music by The Geek Squad, cooking demonstrations, plus other exciting entertainment
PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS • Big B’s Fish Joint • Breadwinner Café • Brooklyn Café • Chef Rob’s Caribbean Café • CityBar. • City Barbeque • Colonial Kitchen & Bar • Da Vinci’s Donuts • The General Muir • Gus’ World-Famous Fried Chicken • Hearth Pizza Tavern
• il Giallo Osteria & Bar • McDaniel’s QN2 • Nothing Bundt Cake • Nowak’s • SabaRaba’s • The Select Restaurant + Bar • Southern Bistro • Tailgate Taqueria + Bar • Tupelo Honey • Under the Cork Tree • Yalda
*Check Food That Rocks’ website often for most up-to-date restaurant list
“We are thrilled to bring Food That Rocks back to City Springs for the eighth year. This year we will take over City Green for one night only. Our mission is to provide a true eatertainment experience for attendees and unite the community with the amazing Sandy Springs’ chefs and restaurants. It is a wonderful way for people to try new restaurants and revisit old favorites, all in one location and for one ticket price. We promise that the event will truly be a one-of-a-kind culinary celebration,” says Dale DeSena, Founder of Food That Rocks and Taste of Atlanta.
Event goers will eat their music loving hearts out with live tunes from a violinist and popular Atlanta band, The Geek Squad, a lively group is an energetic, get-up-and-dance band, performing all the best Motown, jazz, funk, hip-hop, and Top 40 Hits. In addition to musical talent, Food That Rocks features one jam-packed evening of other captivating entertainment including live cooking demonstrations by some of Sandy Springs’ rockstar chefs, a tarot card reader, caricature artist, 360 photobooth and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote on their favorite food and drink at the event. One restaurant will be deemed “best taste” and one drink tasting will take home the “best beverage” and go down as this year’s Food That Rocks crowd- selected favorites. With community connection always in mind, Food That Rocks is a true party with a purpose providing attendees a way to contribute to several area non-profits including Community Assistance Center, The Giving Kitchen, Second Helpings Atlanta, and Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Fiddler on the Roof, White Christmas, Disney’s Beauty & the Beast and Legally Blonde The Musical
City Springs Theatre Company (CTSC)is delighted to announce the productions for its 2023-2024 season. Coming to the Byers Theatre at City Springs will be Fiddler on the Roof, White Christmas, Disney’s Beauty & the Beastand Legally Blonde The Musical.
Specifically curated by CTSC patrons, based on a seasonal survey, the productions were selected to showcase the wide range of musicals for which the Company is known. Season subscriptions are now available, which can save as much as $40+ off individual ticket prices when purchasing tickets for all four shows. Subscription information may be found at: www.cityspringstheatre.com/subscribe.
Note: Subscribers enjoy the exclusive benefit of complimentary ticket exchanges when they need to move their seats to a different performance.
Fiddler on the Roof, based on the book by Joseph Stein, with music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, will take place Oct. 6-22, 2023. Winning nine Tony Awards when it debuted in 1964, this classic has touched audiences worldwide with its humor, warmth and honesty. Set in the remote village of Anatevka, the story centers on Tevye, a poor milkman, and his five daughters. With the help of a colorful and tight-knit Jewish community, Tevye tries to protect his daughters and instill in them traditional values in the face of changing social mores and the growing anti-Semitism of Czarist Russia.
Based on the classic Paramount Pictures 1954, White Christmas will play Dec. 8-24, 2023, bringing the timeless music and lyrics of Irving Berlin and the book by David Ives and Paul Blake to the stage. The holiday favorite shares the story of WWII veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis and their successful vaudeville routines. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beautifulsinging sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, whichjust happens to be owned by the duo’s former army commander. With adazzling score featuring well-known standards including “Blue Skies,” “I Lovea Piano,” “How Deep Is the Ocean,” and the perennial title song, White Christmas is an uplifting, holiday production that will delight audiences of all ages.
Inspired by the fairy tale and ground-breaking Academy Award-winning animated film, Disney’s Beauty & the Beast roars into Sandy Springs March 8-24, 2023. With music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice and the book by Linda Woolverton, this beloved tale takes the audience into the enchanted world of Belle, Gaston, Lumiere, Mrs. Potts, and all of the mesmerizing cast of characters as they adventure into a “tale as old as time.” Winning three Tony awards, including Best Costume Design, and running for more than thirteen years on Broadway, Beauty & the Beast became the catalyst for a burst of Disney musical mega-hits, including The Lion King, Newsies, and Aladdin. This production is captivating with not only its characters and choreography, but also its unforgettable songs including “Be Our Guest,” “Human Again,” and the Oscar-winning title tune, “Beauty & the Beast.”
And finally, City Springs Theatre Company closes the season with the fabulously fun Legally Blonde The Musical, runningMay 3-19, 2024. Based on the adored film starring Reese Witherspoon with the book by Heather Hach and music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe & Nell Benjamin, this musical follows the transformation of lawyer-to-be Elle Woods as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances, this musical won three Laurence Olivier Awards when it premiered in London’s West End, including Best New Musical in 2010.
“We can’t wait to bring this season to life! Based on input from our patrons, this season will showcase a variety of genres, including classics, newer productions, family productions and those that will have the audience wanting to sing along!” shared City Springs Theatre Company’s Executive Director Natalie DeLancey. “As with all of our productions, we’ll be casting on both a local and national level to ensure that we find the best talent and have the highest quality productions. We’re truly delighted to have audiences be our guests for a fantastic season.”
Inside the new Aria development in Sandy Springs, Yalda is a top notch Middle Eastern spot with a spacious dining room, open kitchen, sprawling bar, and expansive patio to welcome you! Beyond the décor, on the menu, everything from spectacular hummus and Labneh with amazing toppings, delicious dips, fresh salads, gorgeous grilled meats, sensational small plates, decadent desserts, as well as cool cocktails. This is not one to miss.
When we arrived, the bar manager put together an amazing coursed meal for us and we had a little bit of everything on the menu and it’s pretty epic. Let’s start with their cocktail menu. They have a great wine and beer list, but the cocktail we got was a treat. The Hafez’s Last Word is a mix of a tangy, tiki-inspired mai tai with a creamy, NY sour. It does start out sour with a red wine topper, but ends up sweet from the mai tai. It’s both beach and city! Yes, please.
Our first course started with the spreads like the Za’atar Labneh, Hummus, and Mirza Ghasemi. Starting with the Hummus that is earthy and creamy on it’s own and you can flavor it up with either pickled mushroom mixed with carrot or lamb shawarma. We opted to top it with the pickled mushroom that added a tang and crunch that comes through on the end. We’ve not experienced this combo of flavors before, but glad we have now! It is all together earthy with white truffle, well seasoned, tangy, crunchy.
Our favorite, surprisingly was the Za’atar Labneh, but this time with lamb shawarma. The lamb is tender and well seasoned a top a sour yet creamy labneh yogurt. We’ve tried this before at various restaurants and it was lack-luster. Yalda does a good job with a delicious mix of creamy, savory, and seasoning. We’re all-in. Finally, the Mirza Ghasemi is not to be missed either with smoky, smashed earthy eggplant mixed with tangy tomato, flavorful spices, and earthy garlic. You can eat it alone or as a dip with the pita bread they bring for snack!
The second course they put together for us was Mezze with the Roasted Haloumi Cheese, wings, and Zeytoun Parvardeh (olives). Starting with the meaty, smoked wings, they’re perfectly charred and tender inside. A great wing paired with a creamy, spicy harissa that goes so well with the char of the wings. Something we didn’t expect to like was the Zeytoun Parvardeh. Not being big on green olives, this dish also boasts ground walnuts and pomegranate seeds. That takes the olives bitterness and tang down a notch with the earthy of the walnut and fruitiness and burst of tang from the pomegranate. Wow!
Our favorite of the mezze was the Roast Haloumi Cheese. Spongy, springy cheese with a sharp rich flavor then perfectly charred and roasted outside that changes the texture. It comes atop the pickled mushrooms to give it tangy, earthy, crunchy flavor in addition of the delightful roasted cheese.
The third course was the healthiest of the night with the salads! Don’t miss out on these, there is a lot of delicious options on this menu, but save room for a salad, you’ll be happy you did! First, a staple on any middle eastern menu is the Mediterranean Salad. Mixed green that starts crunchy and a good helping of earthy feta, as well as a fantastic wine vinaigrette. Another staple, the Shirazi Salad is the freshest and healthiest, but doesn’t skimp on flavor. Crisp and clean cucumbers paired with tomatoes, tangy onion, and earthy parsley then doused in a bright lemon dressing.
Our favorite of the salads was the Beet salad. Think a bed of spring mix surrounded by sweet pickled beets, crunchy and nutty walnuts, tangy onion, a sprinkling of cheese, all slathered in a tangy bright and sweet pomegranate dressing. It’s actually sweet and rich, a must try.
The final course we got was an epic grilled meat duo of Salmon Kabobs and Lamb Chops paired with crispy, Tahdig rice. The rice itself is cooked on the grill to add a crunchiness and you can chose between Lentil and Raisin or Fava Bean and Dill. Between the two the fava is more earthy with a flavorful dill mixture, while the Lentil and Raisin is sweeter with raisings and crispy, crunchy onions, with was our favorite.
As far as the Salmon Kabobs, they’re tender and flaky fish with a ton of flavorful seasonings and charred crispy skin for that added je ne said quoi. If you get one meat, it would be the Lamb Chops. Succulent, meaty, large chops that are fall apart tender, perfectly seasoned, and a good lemon flavor on the back end. That pairs so well with the sweetness of the Lentil and Raisin rice. Along with your meat, they have a large list of sauces to try. We imagine any of the creamy offerings would be delicious with the lamb.
We passed on dessert because we were so full. This meal was very well put together and Yalda is well run for it being so new, we went in the second week. We were astounded by how well it was run.
Salads: Shirazi, Beet, MediterraneanDecorRoasted Haloumi CheeseMirza GhasemiWings and OlivesHafez’s Last WordLamb Chops and Salmon KabobsLabneh with lamb
Tre Vele, Italian Restaurant and Market, to Open Mid-Summer
Following the success of opening award-winning Buckhead restaurant Mission + Market, brothers Ryan and Jonathan Akly and Ian Winslade today announce their expansion into the Atlanta restaurant scene with new restaurant, Tre Vele. The new concept will open in the former {three} sheets location in Sandy Springs and will be a modern, elevated Italian restaurant specializing in handmade pasta as well as other classic Italian dishes.
In collaboration with Chef/Partner Ian Winslade, most notably of Mission + Market, Executive Chef Giancarlo Ruiz will be at the helm of Tre Vele. Ruiz touts vast experience in Italian cuisine with both his Italian heritage and culinary training in Florence where he lived for 16 years. Following his tenure under Italian chefs, Ruiz moved to Atlanta where he gained experience in some of Atlanta’s top restaurants, including Storico Fresco, before being appointed Executive Chef at the new concept.
Chef Giancarlo will be serving up classic Italian dishes with a modern twist including fresh house-made pasta courses like Cavatelli al Sugò D’agnello (homemade Cavatelli with lamb sugo) and Strozzapreti with vegan kale pesto. Guests can expect starters like fresh burrata with heirloom tomatoes and grilled baby artichokes with salsa verde. Mains will consist of items including Veal Milanese, Coda alla Vaccinara (braised oxtail with a red wine tomato sauce), and Red Snapper Acqua Pazza. The dessert selection will be comprised of items such as Basilico Panna Cotta finished with Saba and summer fruit Tiramisu.
Tre Vele features a 3,500SF dining room as well as a 1,500SF rooftop patio. The restaurant will also offer a 600SF Italian market and café, open for specialty coffee drinks and fresh pastries all day, and retailing house-made pastas, sauces, and prepared meals to go. In addition, the market will retail a specially curated selection of Italian wines while also hosting wine tastings, wine dinners, private events, and pasta-making classes.
Restaurants Consulting Group, Inc., an award-winning full-service design-build firm with a focus on hospitality, restaurant, bar, and nightclub design, led the interior design transformation of the space. At the helm, President of RCG, Tony Akly’s, vision has created a light-filled, bright atmosphere with inspiration from Italy seen throughout, from the plant-filled trellises on the ceiling to the Carrara marble accents. Elements of the market and café include a glass-enclosed pasta room upon entering where guests can observe Chef Giancarlo in action, retail wine, pasta, and dessert displays, design accents of white and black marble, and white ceramic walls accented by gold leaf mirrored backlit shelving. The dining room, featuring a 30-foot Carrera marble bar, is designed to be humble and exciting, inviting guests to meet up with friends and loved ones. The interior feel is warm yet striking with natural wood accents and bold geometric shapes all against a white background. Above the dining room, guests will find the rooftop terrace and bar, designed to create a continuous experience operating as additional dining and lounge areas. With seating for up to 90 guests, the rooftop bar is the perfect place to begin the night with an Aperitivo or end the night with a relaxing cocktail.
“While we are so proud of our long tenure running {three} sheets, we are very excited for this next chapter,” said partner and co-owner Jonathan Akly. “Like many in the industry, the pandemic brought upon challenges, especially for {three} sheets since its focus was hosting large corporate events and gatherings. Looking ahead, this presented us with the perfect opportunity to pursue this new endeavor. Additionally, Sandy Springs’ food and beverage offerings have transformed so much in the last few years, and we are excited to be a part of the evolution.”
From the moment you walk in and see the lavish and gorgeous garden room adorned with a chandelier and notice the dynamic food, Zafron Restaurant turns out to be a true Persian gem in Sandy Springs that has style. From dips and starters for every taste, an extensive wine list, to tender sea bass, and the fantastic and unique experience of the Rhubarb Lamb Shank, we sipped and tasted our way around the menu. We can’t wait to share our experience any longer, let’s dive in.
Dipping into the Starters, the Dolmeh Stuffed Cabbage and Zafron Special are both highly recommended one being savory and the other spicy. First, the Zafron Special has a ton of flavor with the crunch of the palm to the sweetness of the mango, paired with a very spicy chili. This one has a flavor journey from sweet to spicy all in one bite. Just wow! Then, the stuffed cabbage is the perfect balance of savory and earthy. The cabbage was so tender and easy to eat, then perfect pair with the stewed tomatoes and the meat in the middle. It ended up being savory, earthy, and rich with the stewed tomatoes. So good.
John’s favorite ended up being the Baked Goat Milk Feta Cheese and this one is a flavor explosion! Just imagine the creamy and milky feta topped with a pistachio compote that levels out the earthiness of the cheese with an injection of sweet. It’s a one-two punch of awesome. We found out you can ask for more or less pistachio compote depending on how sweet you want it. But we liked the way it was served. Pro tip for the appetizers: get the Zafron Special and the Baked Goat Milk Feta and MIX THEM together. The Zafron Special is very spicy, but the feta is very sweet so they go together like PB&J! They compliment each other so well and the feta cools the special a little for an all-around great bite. Thanks to our server for recommending it!
Whatever you do, get the Rhubarb Lamb Shank. It’s an exclusive experience you can only have at Zafron! When the lamb comes out, it is in a bowl with a pita laying on top. What the pita does is soak up all the flavor and keeps in the heat. When you’re ready to eat, you punch the pita down into the broth. Give it a few minutes so the bread can soak up the broth and spices, then enjoy. Beyond the grand experience, the lamb comes out perfectly tender, while the broth had a so many spices and flavors. With the pita added and the addition of the fava beans and rice, this concoction becomes a hearty meal once mixed together. So many great flavors and textures, it’s a must get. On the other side of the spectrum, the other entrée we got was the Chilean Sea Bass that was so very tender and fell apart off the skewer. The just right amount of seasoning on top, side of fluffy rice, and you have a light, tender, dynamic little dish.
Now that you’re starving, what would you want to try first?
About: Join us on Saturday, September 28th for the second annual Sandy Springs Wine Festival at Heritage Sandy Springs! From 12:00pm – 5:00pm enjoy complimentary wine and craft beer tastings, music performances, and fun wine-themed activities on the entertainment lawn at Heritage Hall. Additionally, enjoy the entire Sandy Springs Festival ranging from Sandy Springs Place to City Green. Tickets at the time of posing were $42 and will go up. Tickets include a souvenir tasting glass, complimentary wine and craft beer tastings (50+ varieties), live music performances from Heart of Pine, The Sagas, and DJ 2-Smooth, wine-themed activities. Food Available for Purchase. Sandy Springs Wine Festival is a 21+ event, however the Sandy Springs Festival is open to all ages.
Join us on Saturday, September 28th for the second annual Sandy Springs Wine Festival at Heritage Sandy Springs!
From 12:00pm – 5:00pm enjoy complimentary wine and craft beer tastings, music performances, and fun wine-themed activities on the entertainment lawn at Heritage Hall. Additionally, enjoy the entire Sandy Springs Festival ranging from Sandy Springs Place to City Green. Tickets at the time of posing were $42 and will go up.
Tickets Include:
• Souvenir Tasting Glass
• Complimentary Wine and Craft Beer Tastings (50+ varieties)
• Live Music performances from Heart of Pine, and The Sagas and DJ 2-Smooth
• Wine-themed activities
Food Available for Purchase
Sandy Springs Wine Festival is a 21+ event, however the Sandy Springs Festival is open to all ages.
About: The Taproom Concert Series is a craft brewery pop-up held in partnership with Heritage Sandy Springs’ Outdoor Concert Series – “Concerts by the Springs”. We’re teaming up with a different craft brewery each month to bring their taproom tasting experience TO the concert. Tickets range from $10-$18. They include, Early admission (4 pm), 12 3 oz craft beer samples, tasting glass, pre-concert house DJ. Concert starts at 7:00pm, food available for purchase from local Food Trucks. The breweries for July are Birds Fly South, Carolina Bauernhaus, Catawba, Fonta Flora, Highland Brewing, Palmetto Brewing, Quest Brewing, Thomas Creek, TrimTab Brewing, Westbrook & Wild Leap, while the band is The Departure.
About: Spend quality time with friends and family on Easter weekend during the eighth annual Sandy Springs Artsapalooza presented by on Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21, 2019. The award-winning, two-day festival that features more than 150 artisans transforms the beautiful tree-lined streets of Sandy Springs into an expansive outdoor art gallery. On Easter Sunday, the Atlanta Foundation For Public Spaces is joining forces with Heritage Sandy Springs to host the largest Easter Egg Hunt in Sandy Springs with over 5,000 hidden Easter eggs kicking off at 2 p.m. Festival goers are also invited to bring their cameras and take pictures with the Easter Bunny from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees will also have the opportunity to view artist demonstrations, participate in hands-on art activities and enjoy live acoustic performances, a children’s area, food trucks, beverages and more. The festival is free to attend, open to all ages, and dogs are welcome.
