Carly Cooper

A veterinarian for 30 years, Alicia Darden, DVM, provides at-home pet euthanasia, helping Atlantans say goodbye to their loyal companions in comfort. “I help pets transition to passing in a humane way,” she explains. “It allows people to grieve privately, and other members of the household can have closure.”

Atlanta is chock-full of fun pet-friendly activities and pet-pampering goods and services. Here, we round up a few of our favorites around town.

The James Beard semifinalist shares his plans for the future of the beloved restaurant

At the Postcard, iced matcha lattes come in flavors such as blueberry lavender, strawberry rose vanilla, and coconut water mango. A strawberry yuzu matcha tonic is also available. Other, off-menu matcha drinks are in the works and offered to regular customers.

Barry Mills opens Steak & Grace in Dunwoody Village! Many people associate FLIP Burger Boutique, Atlanta’s defunct trendy burger spot, with celebrity chef Richard Blais. But a local Atlantan founded it with him. Barry Mills has worked in restaurants for more than 20 years alongside hospitality pros at Buckhead Diner, Rathbun’s and JOËL. Owner of…

A new addition to Atlanta’s culinary scene is bringing a sultry blend of Southern warmth, Spanish-inspired tapas, and eye-catching cocktails to Midtown. Mistora, the latest concept from the group behind Verdure Kitchen & Cocktails, opened its doors in early June in the former Atmosphere on Piedmont Road.

Located in a former Urban Wings off Collier Road near Patrick’s Sub Shop and DAS BBQ, Mission Burger serves plant-based burgers, chicken sandwiches, reubens, brisket mac ‘n’ cheese, and more using a variety of vegan meat substitutes ranging from Impossible to Gardein Ultimate Chicken to Be Hive seitan.

In 1914, Charlie and Orania Sarandou emigrated from Greece to Pittsburg, bringing family recipes for chocolate and ice cream. They built a modest chocolate shop and soda fountain that passed from generation to generation, evolving to include a chocolate factory and later, gourmet milkshakes. In 2003, Dana Edwards Manatos, the great granddaughter of the Sarandous, created a business plan—as part of a college program—to make her mother’s chocolate shop less of a seasonal business and drive year-round sales. Milkshake Factory was whipped into existence.

At Yaba’s, Lena Abdallah offers bagel sandwiches, house-made schmears, and baked goods, but the items that stand out the most incorporate her Mediterranean heritage.

In 2011, Jonathan Butler and Eric Demby launched a food festival/market designed to foster community in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg. Called Smorgasburg—a combination of “smorgasbord” and “Williamsburg”—it features a carefully curated group of food vendors, along with music and beverages. Since then, the weekly event has grown immensely, bringing approximately 50,000 people to Brooklyn, Miami, and Los Angeles. Starting in October, Atlanta will join that list, welcoming Smorgasburg to South Downtown.