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Byline: GEORGIA LEE / ANITA J. FINKELSTEIN
BEYOND EXPRESSO
ATLANTA — Looking for something unique in a sea of generic coffee bars all over the city? Now there’s Ferrara, a one-of-a-kind espresso bar that brings a taste of Little Italy to Atlanta.
The original Ferrara, established in New York’s Little Italy in 1892, sold espresso and pastries to a neighborhood that was then filled with pushcarts and horse-drawn carriages. With six locations in New York, Ferrara now comes to the South, with its first location next to the Fox Theater, at 660 Peach Tree St.
Lou Foah, third-generation owner, said theatergoers make up the main clientele. For those who don’t have time to stop in prior to the show, Ferrara also has a gourmet coffee cart in the Fox.
Espresso drinks, pastries and light luncheon fare, such as focaccia sandwiches and Neapolitan quiche, are specialties. Pastries straight from the New York shop include Italian classics such as sfogliatelle, cannoli, biscotti and tiramisu, and American favorites including assorted muffins and specialty breads.
The cafe has a European feel, with a stand-up marble-topped bar and long banquette and Italian tile. Lining the walls are family artwork and photos of Italian scenes.
Foah plans to open at least two more Atlanta locations in 1996, planning as many as 40 more stores for the East Coast over the next few years.
THE HIP BALLET
ATLANTA — The Atlanta Ballet wants to capture the attention of the MTV generation.
At least that’s why it accepted a $350,000 donation from Nationsbank to create new costumes for “The Nutcracker.”
The new costumes will replace those used since 1976 and are meant to dazzle a new generation of children with high visual expectations, said Atlanta Ballet executive director Mary Bear Haden. Some 150 new costumes were created by local designer Judanna Lynn and put together in London, England, under the supervision of Carol Lingwood, who is senior supervisor of the London Royal Opera House.
“The Mouse King was kind of a stuffed animal before,” said Haden. “Now he’s turned into a character far more sinister.”
SWEPT AWAY
ATLANTA — Seaside is probably the best-kept secret in Florida, and that’s just the way the writers and artists who escape here like it. Hidden in the middle of the Panhandle, the coastal village is a perfect mix of quiet sophistication and home-town friendliness. There’s an abundance of art galleries in the Ruskin Place artist’s colony for wandering about and a gourmet shop called Modica Market that’s easy to spend hours in.
Otherwise, there’s little to do but stroll the paths that wind through the homes or relax in a big wooden chair on the deck of one of the many pavilions that lead to the ocean. The developers, Robert and Daryl Davis, created a Seaside code that insures that the 280 homes and all surrounding property is perfectly cared for. There’s one bed & breakfast, but no hotels. You can rent one of the 240 privately owned homes on the rental program. Just don’t try to do it during Thanksgiving; that’s when most of the owners get together for yearly reunions. Seaside Cottage Rental Agency: 1-800-591-8696.