There’s something special about sitting down at a proper dining table to share a proper meal with friends and family during the holidays.

Maybe it’s because we all tend to be constantly on the go, and the holidays allow us to slow down, relax and reconnect with the people who are most important in our lives. Maybe it’s a much-needed respite from social media, a chance to savor conversations face to face across the table. (And by the way, when did that become a novelty?) Maybe it’s the heart-warming, soul-soothing feeling that comes with digging into a plate of homemade food, which, if you’re like my husband and me, is becoming all too rare an experience thanks to hectic schedules that often lead to takeout.

All of the above are reasons why, for this issue’s cover story, we decided to invite ourselves to a holiday brunch at the Decatur home of chef Robert Phalen who helms Inman Park eatery One Eared Stag. Phalen makes a living by feeding the restaurant’s discerning, food-savvy patrons, so we couldn’t help but be curious about what he puts on the table for his own family to celebrate the holidays. By the time the cooking and the shoot were complete, our team was so charmed by the Phalens—including Rob’s wife, Allison, and the couple’s three adorable kids—that we were secretly wishing for an invitation to future family gatherings. Oh, and as for what Phalen actually did put on the table for his brood to eat? Head to page 36 to find out. You’ll also find a recipe for each dish, and we hope you’ll tear them out and recreate the family’s feast for your own holiday guests. I can assure you, they’ll head home with full bellies and full hearts. And isn’t that what the holidays are all about? Enjoy!

Lindsay Lambert Day
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF