A chef-led dinner series featuring exceptional wines, seasonal menus, and immersive pairings.
Understory is a recurring dinner series from Burle’s Bar and The Victorian that brings together talented chefs, exceptional winemakers and distillers, and long-table conversations built around food, wine, plants, and place.
Inspired by the layered world beneath a forest canopy, Understory takes place in the lounge below Burle’s Bar — a space designed for thoughtful dining, conversation, and shared experience. Like the understory of a rainforest, the series is rooted in what grows beneath the surface: connection, curiosity, and a deep appreciation for the people and places behind what we eat and drink.
Each dinner features a different chef, maker, region, or spirit, with menus and pairings designed specifically for the evening. From intimate wine dinners to cocktail-focused collaborations, Understory is meant to be immersive, educational, and beautifully shared.
THIS MONTH AT UNDERSTORY
Atlanta Summers. Italian Wines. Shared Around One Table.
This month we're welcoming Nicky Firmin-Chavez of UMAMI F(r)IENDS for an evening inspired by memories of Southern summers and the people who gather around the table. Morganne Lee of Avant Partir has paired each course with wines from small Italian producers whose stories are every bit as compelling as the food.
No. 3
For the third installment of Understory, we're welcoming Nicky Firmin-Chavez of UMAMI F(r)IENDS for an evening inspired by Atlanta summers, family traditions, and the connections forged around a shared table.
Drawing from his Afro-Caribbean heritage, Southern roots, and a deep curiosity for flavor, Nicky's multi-course menu celebrates the season through thoughtful, ingredient-driven cooking. Expect playful dishes inspired by memories of crowded kitchens, ripe summer fruit, and long conversations that linger well after the meal is finished.
Each course is paired with wines selected by Morganne Lee of Avant Partir, highlighting small family growers across Italy. From biodynamic Prosecco to tiny Nebbiolo producers in Alto Piemonte, every bottle has a story as compelling as the food.
Many of the evening's ingredients will be sourced from local farms, including Grow Where You Are, Riverview Farms, Hickory Hill, Decimal Place Farm, and Woodland Gardens.
Join us for an evening of thoughtful food, vibrant wines, and the kind of gathering that reminds us why we come together around the table in the first place.
Monday, July 20, 2026 | 7 - 10PM
"Food has always been about connection."
This Month's Collaborators
Chef
Nicky Firmin-Chavez
UMAMI F(r)IENDS
Wine
Morganne Lee
Avant Partir
Local Produce
Grow Where You Are
Riverview Farms
Hickory Hill
Decimal Place Farm
Woodland Gardens
Tablescape
Libby Hockenberry, The Victorian Atlanta
One night. One menu. One pairing. One table.
Every Understory dinner exists for one night only.
Past Menus
We’ll be sharing past menus here as the series unfolds—an easy way to get a feel for each dinner and what the experience looks like from one evening to the next. Each menu reflects the chef, the season, and the wines behind it.
Understory No. 1
Understory No. 2
