A stylish tour of this Southern capital that’s getting buzzier by the day.

If ever there were sartorial soulmates, it would be Ann and Sid Mashburn. They met in New York City in the early ‘80s where Sid held design posts at J. Crew, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, and Ann was an editor at Condé Nast, with stints at both Vogue and Glamour. With a shared dream of making great things to share with others, they headed south in 2007 where they opened their menswear flagship, Sid Mashburn, in the Westside Provisions District of Atlanta. “It felt a bit like the Meatpacking District in NYC in the late 80s,” says Ann. “Lots of opportunity, creativity and empty warehouse space.”

The store quickly garnered attention and devotees with their smart store concept: A combination of their own designs (shirting, footwear, accessories, tailored pieces) and a curated array of classic, iconic and hard-to-find pieces they love (i.e. vintage Polaroid cameras, ceramic flasks, preppy Tretorn sneakers). The idea in their own words is to have “a place that is elevated yet accessible, cool yet uncomplicated, a place that signifies to us, the very best of everything.”

The idea in their own words is to have “a place that is elevated yet accessible, cool yet uncomplicated, a place that signifies to us, the very best of everything.”

Now, in addition to the original men’s shop, there’s Ann Mashburn for women, and Mashburn, which offers home accessories, records, room fragrances, and baby clothes (with their new label Kid Mashburn). Plus, they’ve added a coffee bar where you can sip a macchiato while mulling your many, many options.

It’s a perfect amalgamation of Gotham savvy and infectious Southern hospitality. “I so love the mix of southernness and sophistication here,” says Ann. “There's a certain romance to this region that I fell in love with.” They even take two of their company’s core values from their first experiences in Atlanta, “helpfulness and hopefulness.”

With an expanded empire (they’ve opened stores in Houston, Dallas, DC and Los Angeles), their sartorial wit and wisdom has been praised in GQ, The New York Times, Esquire, and Departures, among other leading lifestyle magazines and papers.

One glance of their Instagram (@sidandannmashburn) and we knew they were ideal tour guides for the Peach State’s capital city.

Read on to find where you can catch them on any given day.

EAT

For Breakfast…

Bread & Butterfly (290 Elizabeth Street | 678-515-4536) “A French brasserie that feels like you literally are steps off the street in Paris. They do an amazing brunch—a favorite is the soft scrambled egg with smoked trout on top, which is just a delicious.” Sublime Doughnuts (535 10th Street | 404-897-1801) “We first tried these donuts when employees kept picking them up and bringing them to the office. They are close by, and the baker, Kamal, wears a chef’s coat and comes up with the most inventive menu, especially what he creates with fruit.” Café Lapin (2341 Peachtree Road | 404-812-9171) “This spot is tucked into the hub of Buckhead. What it lacks in atmosphere in the parking lot, it makes up for in sheer originality and sense of self!  It is a little Parisian café, with the best chicken salad and omelets...but it is just so NOT cool that it is SO COOL.” Mashburn Coffee/Your Needs Met (1198 Howell Mill Road, Suite 109 | 404-350-7134) “We took over the space next door as an excuse to open our very own coffee bar! The space is modern, warm, airy, and just kooky enough (my favorite part is the junk-store Calder-ish mobile at the front.)

For Dinner...

The Optimist (914 Howell Mill Road | 404-477-6220) “Soaring seafood emporium (with a secret weapon oyster bar). At its essence, a fine dining fish camp.” Storico Fresco (3167 Peachtree Road | 404-500-2181) “Sid and I spend about a month out of every year in Italy, and this restaurant hands down could square up against any local Italian trattoria. The dining room is loud, but the food is totally worth it. We love the meat ragu and the tuna with beans but everything on the menu is exceptional.” Antico Pizza (1093 Hemphill Avenue | 404-724-2333) “The Godfather of Neapolitan pizza in Atlanta. Just the best”. Buford Highway “No trip to Atlanta is complete without trekking up I-85 to Buford Highway, a culinary melting pot and home to some of the city’s best culinary gems. Some of our favorites are Masterpiece (Sichuan Chinese), El Ray Del Taco (authentic Mexican), Lee’s Bakery (Korean sweets and baked goods), Bobo Garden (Chinese) and Pho 24 (Vietnamese).” 

Photos: Andrew Thomas Lee (The Optimist) and Mashburn (Buford Highway).

For Cocktails and Music...

 
Johnny’s Hideaway (3771 Roswell Avenue | 404-233-8026) "Classic Atlanta. This is a late-night spot that self-identifies as ‘Atlanta’s cougar bar,’ but the old-school music and disco ball atmosphere are so much fun that we actually have our company holiday party here every year.” Fox Theatre (660 West Peachtree Street | 404-881-2100) “I would sit through almost any show at the Fox Theatre.  It is exceptionally beautiful inside, with a starry sky painted on the ceiling in the front half of the theatre.” Chastain Park Amphitheatre (4469 Stella Drive | 404-733-5012) “My favorite concert to date was at Chastain! (Brian Ferry of Roxy Music) It is an outdoor amphitheater that is tiny and intimate. People love to play there so the venue drives the performance to that next level! Indigo Girls, Lauryn Hill, Leon Bridges…good times!”

SHOP

Bungalow Classic (1197 Howell Mill Road | 404-351-9120) “[Owners] Randy & Courtney Tilinski are great friends with great taste. An exceptional home goods store." Scott’s Antique Market (3650 Jonesboro Road | 404-361-2000) “It’s called ‘America’s Favorite Treasure Hunt & World’s Largest Indoor Flea Market’ which sums it up, but it is one of the best reasons to visit Atlanta and probably the best place to find things you need (or maybe didn’t realize you needed) for your home.”  Le Jardin Francais (1100 Howell Mill Road | 404-792-1680) “A flower shop in the Westside Provisions District by our store that does the most creative, whimsical, and elegant arrangements. Walking into the store feels as if you’ve just walked into a secret garden.” Perrine’s Wine Shop (1168 Howell Mill Road | 404-254-5077) “A boutique wine shop at the Westside Provisions District, and run by an incredibly chic French woman, Perrine, who has an amazing curated selection of wines at any price point. We typically swing by Fridays on the way home from work to pick up a bottle (or two) for the weekend.” Jackson Fine Art (3115 E Shadowlawn Avenue | 404-233-3739) “I’ve worked in fashion magazines for years, so photography was a part of my ‘work’ life. But fine art photography is so special and different, and the owner, Anna Skillman’s take on it is fantastic. It’s in a tiny house with the most charming employees. The art world for me could never look more hospitable!”

Our Own Edit Note

We couldn’t let a guide to Atlanta go by without also suggesting a stop at Gramercy (2351A Peachtree Road | 404-846-9244). They have a dreamy selection of bedding, furniture and home decor.

SEE 

Atlanta Beltline “The Beltline has become the heartbeat of Atlanta. Similar to the High Line in NYC, it creatively connects various neighborhoods in Atlanta using former railroad beds. Hop on at Inman Park and walk/bike/run to one of the markets…Krog Street or Ponce City Market.” Atlanta Botanical Garden (1345 Piedmont Avenue) “One of the best attractions here. They do a magnificent job with their rotating exhibits and installations. We go there a few times a year and the ‘Garden Lights, Holiday Nights’ light show is one of the most spectacular sights.” Georgia Aquarium (225 Baker Street | 404-581-4000) "The foundational piece to downtown Atlanta’s development. And the largest aquarium in the U.S. It’s surprisingly cool and perfect for kids. The dolphin show is wildly entertaining!” High Museum (1280 Peachtree Street | 404-733-4400) “A Richard Meier-designed art museum. Even if you don’t have time to go inside, the Lichtenstein house on the lawn is a must-see and worth the drop by.” World of Coca-Cola (121 Baker Street | 404-676-5151) “The city’s history and Coca Cola’s history are intertwined, and it’s a fascinating look at the evolution of Coca-Cola. Plus, you can try weird Coke flavors from around the world—super fun for kids (just don’t give them too much sugar).”

STAY

St. Regis Buckhead (Eighty-Eight, West Paces Ferry Road | 404-563-7900) “Super luxe of course, but the rooms are beautiful, and you cannot beat the five-star service. Also, there’s a lively bar scene and patio; and walking distance to loads of top Buckhead restaurants—not to mention the top restaurant in the hotel, Atlas, which boasts one of the best private art collections in the country. Where else in Atlanta can you dine and admire works by Picasso, and van Gogh?” Four Seasons Midtown (75 14th Street | 404-881-9898) “They have an indoor salt water pool! This is great for anybody coming to town. But Sid and I have even tucked away for an overnight in the middle of winter just to feel like we had a getaway! Their wonderful Bar Margot bistro has a delicious burger too!” Stonehurst Place (923 Piedmont Avenue | 404-881-0722) “A boutique historic hotel in the heart of Midtown. A quaint and charming escape.”

Photos: Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta and Anne Simone (Stonehurst Place).

ANN & SID’S MINI ESCAPES

Athens, GA “Just a little over an hour away is one of America’s favorite college towns. This city is small, but the downtown is super colorful. The food scene (James Beard Award winning Five & Ten, also The National), the music scene (40-Watt Club, where REM got their start) and bar scene (too many to name) make Athens a fun day-trip from Atlanta.” Highlands/Cashiers, NC “Two hours from town and at least 10 degrees cooler in the summer. Hiking…woods…some water. Heaven!”