FOOD FOR THOUGHT | November-December 2018

Barbecue and Southern comfort food in Alpharetta, Del Frisco’s

steaks in Dunwoody and fresh lobster in Buckhead are among

the new tastes to savor and anticipate.

SMOKED MEATS come to Alpharetta and lobster bellies to Lenox Square, while new life reaches Colony Square and the Atlanta BeltLine. It’s all Food for Thought.

Go to Alpharetta for King Barbecue’s pulled pork, brisket, ribs, brisket-baked beans, mac-n-cheese and more. All photos by David Danzig.

Well done

Alpharetta’s mini-metropolis of Avalon, KING BARBECUE is winning hearts and taste buds with its regionally influenced ’cue — pulled pork, brisket, sausage, turkey, chicken and pork ribs. Dip into the distinctive homemade pickled bar, where free accouterments include pickled tomatoes, beets, several varieties of pickles and even ghost peppers for the daredevil diner. Sides include a dense and slightly sweet jalapeno cornbread, slaw, Brunswick stew, collards and brisket-baked beans that almost steal the show. …

Naming your restaurant “Secreto,” the Spanish word for “secret,” might not sound like savvy marketing, but word is traveling about SECRETO SOUTHERN KITCHEN & BAR’s two locations (Alpharetta and Brookhaven). Chef Boyd Rose has taken out the Southern-comfort-food playbook and cheffed-up some classics — warm pimento cheese, truffle deviled eggs, fried green tomatoes. The result: bold flavors and hearty plates. Also expect Southern fried chicken, shrimp and grits, andouille-crusted redfish and grilled apple-brined pork chops. …

You’re going for the steak, right? This is Del Frisco’s bone-in filet mignon.

Steak lovers, the Eagle has landed — the Double Eagle. Texas-based DEL FRISCO’S DOUBLE EAGLE STEAK HOUSE has joined the crowded steakhouse arena in Dunwoody’s new Perimeter Park Center, home to State Farm’s headquarters.

The Del Frisco’s space is Lone Star State-sized, an 11,000-sq. ft. stunner by the Johnson Studio that begins with a dramatic ascending entrance and uplighting that illuminates a tunnel of 2,200 bottles of wine. Another 2,500 bottles of wine “float” around the space in a sprawling exposed cellar.

The chain eatery’s menu features USDA Prime wet- and dry-aged cuts, including the namesake “Double Eagle Steak,” a 32-ounce, 45-day dry-aged, double bone-in prime ribeye. Carnivores can also choose a rare marbleized Wagyu steak — Japanese A5, Australian Wagyu or a cut from Rosewood, Texas. Double Eagle also flies in seafood daily, has an ocean of fancy wine and cocktails, and a butter cake that’s one of the best non-chocolate desserts around. …

The Maine-style lobster roll at Buckhead’s Cousins comes chilled with mayo.

If you can’t get your claws on enough fresh lobster, head to Lenox Square mall and COUSINS MAINE LOBSTER. Two cousins from the Northeast started the lobster-centric food truck four years ago in Los Angeles. They soon found themselves on national TV, pitching the idea on “Shark Tank,” the ABC competition show for budding entrepreneurs, where they landed enough funding to go nationwide.

Strap on your bib and order lobster rolls — Maine style (chilled with a touch of mayo) or Connecticut style (served warm with butter and lemon), plus lobster tacos, a lobster B.L.T., lobster grilled cheese, lobster tots and lobster bisque. Clams, crab and shrimp also appear on the menu but clearly, the lines out the door are for the lobster rolls, heaping piles of lobster belly meat stacked in perfect hotdog-style buns, steamed just the way they should be.

Simmering 

The redeveloping COLONY SQUARE in Midtown Atlanta has landed its showcase restaurant. Developers of the $160 million renovation say ISELLE KITCHEN + BAR, an Italian spot, will open in fall 2019. The menu will feature ricotta-stuffed squash blossoms, speck-and-blueberry bruschetta, seared Ora king salmon and burrata gnocchi. Iselle will join a 28,000-sq. ft. food hall and several other new restaurants as Colony Square tries to reassert its relevance in a sea of new intown mixed-use properties. …

LE COLONIAL, an upscale French-Vietnamese spot, comes to the SHOPS AT BUCKHEAD in spring 2019 from the owner groups behind Le Bilboquet (also in the Shops) and Umi (on Peachtree Road). Le Colonial is already open in Chicago, Houston, New York and San Francisco, and features what are described as “romantic, turn-of-the-century, tropical environments.” Atlanta’s version will reportedly be the most modern interpretation of that concept. Look for such specialties as Bo Luc Lac Shaking Beef, crispy wild-caught red snapper and spicy yellowfin tuna tartare with soy caviar and taro chips. …

RYAN GRAVEL, the godfather of the Atlanta BeltLine, will open a restaurant called AFTERCAR on the Eastside trail. Look for it in the still-to-come Telephone Factory Lofts. Details on Aftercar’s theme and menu aren’t clear, but it’s described as a “retro-future BeltLine social house. A late-spring, early-summer 2019 opening is projected. Aftercar will sit adjacent to, and share profits with, Gravel’s Generator, a nonprofit urban development think tank.

Toast

Say so long to CHEEKY, the Mexican taqueria and sports bar that shuttered on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs after about two years of cervezas and soccer. But worry not, a Greek eatery named SANTORINI will take its place. Santorini is a full-service Greek taverna from GEORGE TSELIOS, who owns Gyro City Grill and is a founder/former partner in the Landmark and Marietta diners. …

Midtown’s wild and wacky party bar, FLIP FLOPS, purveyor of frozen daiquiris named Jet Fuel, the Gator Hater and Horne Hurricane, has had its last call. The 1920s Crescent Avenue bungalow was, to some, a shrine to tacky, beachy fun. To others, it was a cheesy eyesore. …

And finally, the 80-year staple S&S CAFETERIA has closed its last Atlanta outpost. The family-owned dining institution known for Southern cooking served its last bit of chicken and dumplings at the end of September. Six other S&S locations still operate outside metro Atlanta, including one in Augusta, two in Macon, and single locations in Greenville, S.C.; Charleston, S.C.; and Knoxville, Tenn.

Food for Thought, Encore Atlanta’s bimonthly dining column, keeps you up to date on openings, closings and what chefs are up to in one of three categories — well done (reasons for praise), simmering (what’s in the works) and toast (what’s closed, etc.). Email kathy@encoreatlanta.com.

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GOOSSENS X HARUMI KLOSSOWSKA DE ROLA

On the one hand, the House of Goossens, established in 1950 and a part of Chanel’s Métiers d’Art since 2005, with its gold and silver creations and artistic objects. On the other hand, Harumi Klossowska de Rola who creates exceptional works between fine jewelry and art objects. When the former decided to invite the latter to celebrate the new season, the result was a release of uniquely free creativity. They both deeply love expert know-how and hand crafting, are fascinated by the beauty of the deceptively irregular, and combined their talents to give birth to an original capsule collection focusing on 6 decorative items and their accompanying 6 jewels. 

What do they have in common? The presence of strong symbolic elements relating to three main themes. 

Case in point, on a box with two lids inlaid with baroque garnet, a decorative branch, a pair of earrings, a bracelet and a sautoir, we find a grenade (in several forms), a fruit that is sacred in all civilizations, synonymous with resurrection, fertility and life. 

The fig leaf, a symbol of generosity, adorns a small tray, a little dish named “three fig leaves” enlivened with a small caterpillar entirely pavé-set with brilliant cut stones, in old bronze metal. 

As for the mistletoe, a sacred plant that evokes immortality as well as prosperity, it covers a branch, a candlestick, earrings, a ring and a bracelet. All of which are in antique gold metal and baroque rock crystal beads. 

The focus is on beloved materials: rock crystal, antique gilded bronze, old gold and fine stones. Rock crystal and garnet give life to these creations. 

fashionado

OUT ON FILM Sep. 24, 2018

by Julie Bookman

ABOVE: A scene from “When the Beat Drops,” the festival’s opening-night film, screening Sept. 27.

::

Atlanta’s 31st LGBT film festival screens 128 features,

documentaries, shorts and more at 3 venues

over 11 days

IN WILD NIGHTS WITH EMILY, Molly Shannon delivers a surprisingly upbeat take on 19th-century New England poet Emily Dickinson.

In The Happy Prince, Rupert Everett plays Irish poet-playwright Oscar Wilde in his twilight years, a role for which he’s received early raves.

Matt Smith, best known as the BBC’s 11th “Dr. Who” and “The Crown’s” Prince Philip, has the title role in Mapplethorpe, embodying the famous — some would say infamous — New York City photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, who died in 1989 at age 42 of AIDS-related complications.

The biopics are among the highlights of the 31st annual Out on Film, Atlanta’s LGBT film festival, running Sept. 27-Oct. 7.

The event screens 128 films in 11 days at one of three locations — Midtown Art Cinema, Out Front Theatre Company in West Midtown and the Plaza Theatre in Poncey-Highland. About 50 films are full-length narrative features or documentaries. The rest are short films and Web series (grouped into 16 programs).

The event expanded from eight to 11 days last year and attracted 10,000 moviegoers, according to fest director Jim Farmer. The year’s films speak to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender experience in 25 countries, including Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Portugal, South Africa, South Korea, Tunisia, the U.K. and, of course, the United States.

The lineup includes a starry staged reading of The Laramie Project, about the 1998 gay-bashing death of Wyoming college student Matthew Shepard (7 p.m. Sept. 30 at Dad’s Garage Theatre Company). It features Atlanta-based TV, stage and film actors Amy Acker, Steve Coulter, Randy Havens, Jessica Meisel, Rosemary Newcott and Tara Ochs. All proceeds benefit the Matthew Shepard Foundation, in remembrance of the 20th anniversary of his murder. Details, tickets HERE.

The festival’s opening film, When the Beat Drops, has a strong Atlanta connection, Farmer says. The 87-minute documentary details “bucking,” a term for athletic dancing created in the American South by gay African-American men who were banned from cheerleading or being major/majorettes because of homophobia.

Atlanta native Anthony Davis, who’s in the documentary, helped grow the dance into a nationwide program that now includes an annual competition in Atlanta. Davis, actor-choreographer-director Jamal Sims, producer Jordan Finnegan, and other cast and crew members will attend the screening.

Paul Rudd (left) and Steve Coogan in “Ideal Home.”

Also worth checking out:

• Lez Bomb, with Cloris Leachman, Bruce Dern and Steve Guttenberg, about a closeted young woman played by Jenna Laurenzo, who wrote and directed (Sept. 28, Landmark).

• 1985, with Cory Michael Smith as a closeted gay man coming home for Christmas.  Virginia Madsen and Michael Chiklis play the parents (Sept. 29, Landmark).

• Studio 54, a 90-minute documentary about the legendary New York City disco, a hit at this year’s Sundance Film Festival (Sept. 29, Landmark).

• Ideal Home, with Paul Rudd and Steve Coogan as a bickering gay couple shaken by the 10-year-old on their doorstep (Oct. 6, Plaza).

In the festival’s first two decades, Farmer says, the lineup was dominated by coming-out stories. “And while those are still here and always relevant, we’re dealing with so many other things.”

A scene from the documentary “TransMilitary.”

Several films address transgender issues: The 93-minute documentary TransMilitary (winner of the 2018 audience award at the SXSW film festival) looks at 15,500 transgender individuals in the U.S. military (Oct. 6, Out Front); Man Made follows four men in a bodybuilding competition (Oct. 3, Landmark).

The fest holds its first horror night (Oct. 5, Out Front), with a late-night program of shorts preceded by the feature films What Keeps You Alive, about a lesbian couple’s not-so-cheery anniversary getaway, and Devil’s Path, in which two men meet on a gay-cruising park trail.

Pick up the free 78-page Out on Film guidebook at the screening venues and throughout Midtown. It includes the full schedule and information on every film. Details and festival passes ($175 + $200); three-packs ($30); and single tickets ($11 per screening) available HERE. Daily updates also on Out on Film’s Facebook page HERE.

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Atlas Reveals Renovation Plans for New Terrace

Atlas, one of the Southeast’s premier dining destinations located within the St. Regis Atlanta, has revealed initial plans for a complete renovation of its already popular terrace.  What will be an oasis in the heart of Buckhead, the terrace will provide guests with an all-season, enchanted garden experience.  Not only will the new terrace be an extension of the comfortable and lively atmosphere the Tavern at Atlas has become known for, but it will also serve as a stand-alone bar and dining destination boasting chef-driven small plates, award-winning cuisine from the dining room, cocktails and live music.  

“When Atlas took over the restaurant space at the St. Regis, a complete renovation of the interior occurred as part of a three-phase plan,” says Atlas General Manager Geno Dew. “With the Tavern at Atlas being the second phase, we’re now thrilled to give the exterior a facelift as we continue our commitment to always provide exceptional experiences as one of the Southeast’s must-go dining and cocktail destinations.  We could not be more thankful of Buckhead community and locals and visitors alike for their support to help us achieve this vision and for our ongoing success.” 

Set to be completed in early 2019 in conjunction with the four-year anniversary, the new 3,070-square foot terrace designed by The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry will offer 100 seats in the dining area along with 24 dedicated bar seats. Playing to Atlanta’s weather and complimenting Atlas’ acclaimed interior, the new terrace will feature a vaulted glass and steel roof, sliding glass windows that open onto One Buckhead Plaza, an up lit tree sculpture featured at the bar, and focal trees throughout the dining space that will create an intimate dining setting.  More details will be released in the coming months. 

Throughout the renovation process, which will take place outside of operating hours, Atlas will continue to provide its unparalleled standards of service. Celebrating the very best in seasonal American cuisine combined with European influences created by Executive Chef Christopher Grossman, guests are invited to revel in a fine dining experience in the dining room or take advantage of The Tavern featuring a chef-driven small plates menu and hand-shaken cocktails. Atlas also boasts an acclaimed art installation that includes more than 30 pieces from esteemed artists including Foujita, Monet, Chagall, Modigliani and Soutine. The impressive gallery of 20th century artwork has been hand-selected from The Lewis Collection, one of the largest private art collections in the world.      

For more information or reservations, visit atlasrestaurant.com. 

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The 90s Urban Chick Gets A Revamp

During the 90s, slowly but surely women’s fashion became dominated by denim. Jeans were already killing off the flared trousers of 80s. But it was going further than that by jackets that were made completely of denim, and even backpacks made from this material also. Nowadays we don’t bat an eyelid when we see someone wearing any one of those kind of clothes but we don’t realize why we should be paying attention. As much as other styles like streetwear and modern urban was to claim the top spot of the go-to fashion for women in major cities, it's actually the humble 90s background that claims true victory. Denim Wear became immensely popular for going to the beach. Sand and sea salt didn’t get stick in your jean, denim shorts and jacket, unlike clothes made from wool and cotton. It was noticed from this that denim was durable, even when wet and being hit by the elements. Hence why now, we have seen a revamp of the urban chick, mainly because of the contrasts the 90s fashion offered.

Confident in simplicity

Remember when urban fashion was obsessed with denim clothing that was artificially ripped and torn? The look of jeans having been through a blender was all the rage in the early 2000s. Especially for people that wanted a rebel look, this kind of clothing was attractive. And where better to go against the grain than in a city setting where so many people follow fashion trends? The need to be different was palpable by the urban chick style. Young women that were into hip-hop and rock n’ roll wanted to be separated from the pop culture of the day. However, this fashion style has gotten to a point where there is one dominant approach. No longer being excessively ripped, jeans with tears or rather holes at the knees are simple yet confident. Lighter denim is the choice here, and jeans that are either stretchy or straight cut are the most popular choices. Boot cut and tapered are also great choices but the retro look boot cut styles offer is perhaps the best option if you’re not sure.

A hint of attitude

In large cities, it's not uncommon to find all manner of people walking around and making up the fabric of the urban environment. There are people that don’t care about fashion, those that do, those that wear floral dresses, leather jackets, knitted jumpers, and a whole raft of other items during the same season. It's almost as if any kind of fashion is hip and ‘in’ at any time of the year. Mixing this kind of attitude of anything goes, you can wear round glasses from Eyebasic. The EyeBuyDirect review showcases why thin frames don’t have to be dainty and how metal is always going to be able to mold into any outfit. And perhaps that’s one of the more remarkable things about the modern urban fashion. Sunglasses aren’t as cool as actual glasses, as function is set above form for a change. This philosophy was always respected by the style, since practical wear and tear was needed for clothes worn in the bustling cities. However frames that are slim, lightweight, and always blend into the outfit without stealing the spotlight are exactly the kind of items that last the longest.

The famous bomber

You could say that certain celebrities have made the bomber jacket remain the popular choice of the urban fashion admirer. However, wouldn’t be doing justice to the designers that have constantly revamped the style to make sure that the bomber remains the top choice for jackets among younger women. Bomber jacket fashion was dominated by men, again in the 90s especially, as well as the early 2000s. However, they have been designed to compliment the body of a woman who is in shape. The stretchy elastic waist, flexible wrist and elbow material is directly destined to be worn tightly. The bomber is becoming slimmer also, and finally there is a vibrant color palette to choose from, as maroon and military green are becoming the fading choices. It's not uncommon to see urban women wearing this kind of style, in the new streetwear fashion. It's amazing how the bomber hasn’t been replaced by another jacket altogether, but it's understandable as it's practical and has been made more feminine over the years.

The urban chick has gone through a slow transformation. Since the 90s and 2000s there have been many changes but now, the style is supremely confident and knows what works, and what doesn’t. Practical and having stood the test of time, if the urban style speaks to you, rest assured that you have every right to be confident in the revamped designs.

fashionado

 

VIP Lounging at the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival

Grant Park Summer Shade Festival

Photos by Fabian Fernandez

Grant Park Summer Shade Festival

Grant Park Summer Shade Festival

Grant Park Summer Shade Festival

Grant Park Summer Shade Festival

Grant Park Summer Shade Festival

Grant Park Summer Shade Festival

Grant Park Summer Shade Festival

Grant Park Summer Shade Festival

Those who love the art of VIP festival life, can dive into Grant Park Summer Shade’s VIP experience at this year’s festival on Saturday, August 25th and Sunday, August 26th.  

Presented by the Grant Park Conservancy, VIP festival goers can relax in a private tent, enjoy complimentary bites from Love, Eat, Local and The Shed at Glenwood, premium wines, Monday Night Brewing craft beer, and the Signature Summer Shade Cocktail served in a souvenir cup.  Guests can also enjoy private air-conditioned restrooms, misting stations, and lounge seating in addition to the 16th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival’s impressive lineup of live music, expansive artist market, diverse selection of local food trucks, Kids Zone and much more. 

 The Summer Shade VIP Lounge be will open on Saturday, August 25th from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, August 26th from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Saturday VIP attendees will receive complimentary food and six drink tickets to redeem cocktails, beer and wine. Sunday VIP attendees will receive complimentary food and 5 drink tickets to redeem cocktails, beer and wine. Guests must be 21 or older to enter the VIP Lounge and a limited number of VIP tickets are available. VIP tickets start at $55 for Grant Park Conservancy members and $70 for non-members and are available for purchase at www.summershadefestival.org/vip.  All proceeds benefit the Grant Park Conservancy, a non-profit, membership-based organization committed to the restoration, beautification, and maintenance of historic Grant Park. 

An annual tradition for more than a decade, the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival presented by The Beacon Atlanta will welcome music and art lovers to Atlanta’s oldest park for two days of nonstop fun on Saturday, August 25, 2018 and Sunday, August 26, 2018.  For the most up to date information, visit www.summershadefestival.org.

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DOGS GONE - TRAVEL WITH YOUR DOGGIE

Ponyboy, a Great Pyrenees from Lithonia, is ready to hit the road from the driver’s seat of his retro Karmann Ghia. His favorite vacation destination: the beach, always the beach. Photo by Wendy Palmer.

Pack a bag and prepare for a tail wag.  It’s easier than ever to take your pooch along on your vacation.

WHO’S A GOOD DOG? Your pup, of course. And as much you might love a getaway that promises a beach splash or mountain vista, it’s heart-tugging to leave fur family behind. Pleading puppy-dog eyes boring into your soul as you walk out the door with a suitcase are real, people.

America has some 85 million pet parents. Like Boomerang’s mom, they now have more spots that are dog- and, sometimes, cat-friendly. Photo: Wendy Palmer

We’ve got good news: Leave the guilt. Take the dog.

For animal lovers, two of the sweetest words around are “pets allowed.” It’s heard more and more often these days as businesses figure out how to cater to America’s 85 million pet parents.

Teen Vogue magazine this year offered a paid internship with only two duties: Travel with dogs, and post the photos on social media. Amtrak, which banned everything but service animals since its inception in 1971, recently dipped a toe — or paw, if you prefer — into the pet pool. Dogs and cats up to 20 pounds can now travel with owners on routes of seven hours or less.

If a road trip with your BFLF (best four-legged friend) sounds good, the Southeast has spots that let you roll right in.

Don’t chase your tail looking for destinations. We’ve done some digging for you. They’re arranged by vacation type (beach, mountain, hotel), then alphabetically by state.

Sea Spot run

Three Southern beaches get a paws up from Coastal Living magazine in its list of the seven “Best Dog-Friendly U.S. Beaches.” It mentions Jekyll Island, Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina, and Fort DeSoto Paw Playground and Beach near St. Petersburg, Fla. We’ve added a few to that list, too, so read on.

ALABAMA: Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores (5.5 hours southwest of Atlanta) allows dogs in its campground ($24-$57) for free and in select cabins/cottages ($152-$364 nightly plus $15 Fido fee). Leashed dogs can sniff their way through a picnic area and 27 miles of trails. A fenced dog park with its own pond and agility course lets you leave the leash behind. No dogs permitted on Gulf Shores beaches, though. To do that, go 20 miles west to Fort Morgan near Mobile. Gulf Shores details: 800.252.7275 or alapark.com/gulf-state-park.

Even though dogs aren’t allowed on Tybee Island’s beaches, they can take to the water. Photo: Gavin Edmondstone

FLORIDA: Fort DeSoto Paw Playground and Beach (6.5 hours south of Atlanta) is near Tampa, St. Pete and Clearwater but tucked away in nature. It’s attached to Fort DeSoto Park, twice named America’s Best Beach by TripAdvisor. You and Rover can camp together and romp in the waves. He can make friends in fenced areas where size matters — little pups and big dogs each get a designated yard. Details HERE or at 727.852.2267.

If you want to play but not stay at the park, go 11 miles north to Madeira Beach (“Mad Beach” to locals) and get comfy in a pet-friendly condo or cottage (about $100 nightly). Dogs aren’t allowed on Madeira Beach, but it’s between Fort DeSoto and dog-friendly Honeymoon Island, 23 miles to the north. Madeira details HERE; Honeymoon Island details HERE.

GEORGIA: Jekyll Island and nearby St. Simons (about 5 hours southeast of Atlanta) let dogs on beaches with a few restrictions. St. Simons’ East Beach prohibits pets from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. all summer. They’re OK on or off leash for early-morning and evening walkies.

Jekyll’s beaches, long known as a bring-your-pup paradise, welcome leashed dogs all year long. Choose from dozens of lodging choices, including the Westin Jekyll Island  ($222 nightly) and the Hampton Inn & Suites Jekyll Island ($152 nightly plus $75 pet deposit). Details: goldenisles.com.

At Edisto Island in South Carolina, canines can go kayaking. Photo: Frank DiBona

Dogs are strictly prohibited on Tybee Island beaches (fines are a yowl-inducing $290 plus court costs), but congenial canines can cruise with you aboard Captain Mike’s Dolphin Tours ($8-$18).

Spend the night with your mutt at the Atlantis Inn Tybee Island ($89 and up nightly for pets up to 15 pounds) and the Dunes Inn & Suites Tybee Island ($100 and up). Both charge $25 per pet per night. The Sandcastle Inn ($114 and up) allows dogs of any size for a $25 one-time fee. It also has Tybee’s only saltwater swimming pool. For humans.

Despite beach restrictions, Tybee (18 miles from Savannah and four-plus hours southeast of Atlanta) is a pleasant place for pet people. It’s laid-back, family-friendly, not overdeveloped, the eclectic neighborhoods are fun to walk and bike, and you’ll find gorgeous marshland views. Tybee details: tybeeisland.com.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Drive the doggo to Hunting Island State Park (about 4.5 hours southeast of Atlanta) for a low-country vacation on a semitropical island. Camp here and walk or run 5 miles of beaches. If your pooch prefers not to “ruff it,” stay in Beaufort, 20 miles away. The boutique City Loft Hotel ($170 and up) charges $22 nightly for dogs up to 80 pounds. The Cuthbert House Inn ($190-$290 nightly), an antebellum mansion turned bed-and-breakfast, charges a one-time pet fee of $50. Hunting Island details at 843.838.2011; Beaufort details HERE or at  843.525.8500.

Charleston was voted “Best City for Pet Travelers 2016” by readers of GoPetFriendly.com, nosing out Florida’s Port St. Joe, the previous winner. On popular Edisto Island (30 miles north of Charleston, 5.5 hours from Atlanta), dogs must be leashed on the beach May through October; it’s your call whether to tether the other months. Charleston details HERE; Edisto details HERE.

Pups and peaks

If dogs could, they’d give mountain adventures two thumbs up. It’s often cooler than sea level for those with a fur coat, with plenty of room to roam. North Georgia offers lakes, waterfalls and hours of hiking (including 76 miles of the Appalachian Trail). Take a picnic, and don’t forget to allow time for sniffing every little thing of interest.

At Barking Fox Farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, your pooch can rub noses with the horsey set. Photo: TripAdvisor

GEORGIA: The Last Resort in Blue Ridge (93 miles north of Atlanta, $125-$200 nightly) allows pets in most mountain cabins for $10. For humans, every cabin has a hot tub. For fishing fans, there’s a lake full of trout. Ellijay and B.J. Reece Orchards are 16 miles away. Let Fido help you pick whatever’s in season and sample goodies from the bakery.

SOUTH CAROLINA: Barking Fox Farm, a 43-acre horse farm in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains (3 hours north of Atlanta) offers two guest cottages. One has a deck overlooking the pasture; both have whirlpool tubs and full kitchens. Four-footed travelers are greeted with biscuits and a cushy pet bed. Details: 864.457.7300.

Sit, stay

More and more chain hotels are accepting pets, including Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, LaQuinta and Kimpton Hotels. Kimpton is so welcoming, in fact, it’ll offer you a fish for your room if you arrive without a four-legged friend.

Bottom line: Don’t forget to pack your pup. Photo: Tim Mossholder

At Loews Hotels, VIP means “Very Important Pet.” The national chain introduced the first pet guest program 18 years ago with its “Loews Loves Pets.” Amenities rival perks for humans and include a room-service menu for dogs and cats; food prepared on-site by the hotel’s culinary team; pet beds and  litter boxes; mapped dog-walking routes; and list of dog-friendly eateries.

If your fur-child stares at you expectantly because there’s no rawhide bone or scratching post nearby, those are available, too. Loews allows up to two pets per room. Expect a one-time fee of about $75 at properties in Atlanta, Nashville or Orlando. You even get a “Pet in Room” sign for your door so everyone knows that’s not you snoring. Details: loewshotels.com/loews-loves-pets, loewshotels.com.

The tail end

Run to BringFido.com (or get the app) to find more than 200,000 pet-welcoming places to stay, dog parks and more. Likewise GoPetFriendly.com.

Take your dog on vacation. Loyalty should be rewarded.

fashionado