Articles by Sejal Bhima

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Food in Focus: Seed Kitchen & Bar

March 23, 2012 in Food & Recipes, Restaurants by Sejal Bhima | 2 comments

Chef Doug Turbush’s recently opened Seed Kitchen & Bar in Merchant’s Walk is quickly gaining recognition for its simple-yet-sublime modern American cuisine served in a unique Ai3-designed space, where patrons can pull up a chair to butcher block dining tables or the arrow-shaped bar. For a recent issue, Chef Turbush chatted with us about East Cobb’s newest culinary gem.

How did the restaurant get its name? The name ‘Seed’ fit perfectly with our philosophy to use local farmers and artisan producers.

What can diners expect? A chef-driven restaurant with unpretentious service. The last thing dining out should be is stressful, and we really want you to feel comfortable trying new food, wine, craft beers and cocktails.

What’s on the menu? We print menus daily because, at the end of the night, you’ll see me and my chef de cuisine at the chef’s table with cookbooks laid out to dream up new dishes and tweak past ones. A popular item we’ve served was the scallops and pork belly with roasted butternut squash and brown butter vinaigrette. 

And the bar? It’s important to me that this restaurant be the wine destination for all of East Cobb. Therefore, you will find incredible values on cherry-picked boutique wines.

What’s your favorite design element in the space? I wanted guests to visualize local farms and my worldwide influences, so Ai3 came up with this incredible idea for mosaic art pieces that are made up of hundreds of personal photos from produce markets to travels with friends and family. As you get closer to the art the tiny pixels become apparent, but as you step away you’ll see a dandelion releasing its “seeds” for the next season. 

What culinary trend could you do without? I could live without the term “farm to table.” I prefer “locavore.” I was doing this concept 15 years ago in Minneapolis when all of the local farmers pulled up out back to drop off their best produce; nothing has changed for those of us that have always tried to use premium local products to make our food taste even better.

What unexpected ingredients do you love to use? Charred ginger adds spice, depth and dimension to soups and sauces. And we use roasted shallots on practically everything for their sweet, mild garlic flavors.

eatatseed.com

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Dashing Decanters & Carafes

February 21, 2012 in Editor Picks, shopping by Sejal Bhima | 3 comments

Here’s a round-up of some recent favorites:


A cluster of these would make for great decor.


Equally at home in a traditional or modern setting, this decanter exudes a  masculine quality.


These stunning Antropologie decanters were featured in our January issue.


Classic designs from Villeroy & Boch.


This carafe testing set would make a charming addition to a dinner party tableau.


I’ve blogged about these beauties from Pieces, Inc. before, but I’m still smitten with their unique shapes.


Lastly, I’m loving these glass water bottles by Italian company Seletti. They’re available via Lekkar Home.

What are some of your favorites?

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Food in Focus: Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar

February 21, 2012 in Restaurants by Sejal Bhima | 1 comment



For a recent issue, I got the chance to chat with one of the owners of Atlanta’s newly opened Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar  in historic Inman Park. The brainchild of acclaimed restaurateurs Sasa Mahr-Batuz and Andy Pforzheimer, this Spanish-inspired tapas bar is a welcome addition to the city’s growing wine culture. Designed by local talent Square Feet Studio architects, the rustic-yet-polished space features a clever mix of raw materials like wire glass, terracotta, steel and reclaimed wood to give newly built space tons of vintage-like appeal. Here’s a little more inside dish from Mahr-Batuz…

How did the concept for the restaurant begin? I was looking to recreate my memories of living in Spain and Portugal, particularly those perfect evenings with good friends enjoying tapas and wine on the Ramblas in Barcelona. Andy has also lived in Europe as an international chef and enjoys its vibrant food-and-wine scene.

Why Inman Park? It’s a very innovative restaurant town and when we’re looking for locations, we always look for a kind of neighborhood where you get to know everybody, where you see regulars.

What’s on the menu? Chef Michael Blydenstein is serving up an authentic Spanish menu of small and large plates, including dishes like red snapper ceviche and a delicious paella. And hopefully guests will save room for deserts like flan, crepes and an orange-and-saffron-honey leche frita.

And the wine list? Our wine director Gretchen Thomas travels throughout the world and works directly with winemakers to bring the wines back to the States, so we offer an extensive collection with an emphasis on those from the lesser-known regions in Spain and Portugal.

Describe the restaurant’s ambiance. The atmosphere is causal, yet sophisticated. We hope it’s a place you can come with family and friends, or by yourself, and feel right at home.

What’s your favorite food-and-wine combo? I enjoy any of our fantastic Spanish or Chilean red wines coupled with Churrasco.

What wines do you always keep on-hand at home? I’ll always have a variety of reds at the house. From Cabernet to Malbecs, I keep a nice supply for entertaining.

Have you had a chance to visit Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar? Are you a fan of tapas-and-wine bars? Let us know some of your favorites!

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Kitchen Redux

January 12, 2012 in Designing, Editor Picks, Kitchen & Bath by Sejal Bhima | 2 comments

This month’s annual kitchen issue has me thinking of my favorite kitchens that have previously graced the pages of AH&L. Here are a few:


I could bake for hours in this classic white kitchen by Summerour Interiors.


Featured in our 2008 Lake Keowee Showhouse, this “non-kitchen kitchen” blends seamlessly into the combination living/dining room.


This beauty by Beth Webb is the epitome of country chic.


John Oetgen takes a bold approach in this vacation home nestled in the Blue Ridge mountains.


Kitchen guru Matthew Quinn used a striated marble for this cool and contemporary island design.


I’ve always admired this kitchen by Sara Steinfeld, who makes traditional walnut look positively sleek in this stainless steel-clad space.

What are some of your favorite kitchens that have been featured in AH&L?

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2012 Calendars

January 11, 2012 in Editor Picks, New Product by Sejal Bhima | 2 comments

Need a stylish way to keep track of the days? Here’s four beautiful calendars I’ve come across online….


This beauty by artist Michelle Armas provides a more affordable option for displaying her colorful abstractions in your home or office space.


Love this calendar’s whimsical watercolor wash by Chelsea Petaja. It proudly hangs on my inspiration board at home.


Rifle Paper Co. never disappoints with its hand-painted prints.


I’m a sucker for anything with a chevron print and was immediately smitten when I came across this collection on Etsy by Jen Owens, who provides a color swatch that lets you customize every month.

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