The Blissful Glutton

Mounds of crumpled paper napkins, sauce-stained chins and finger licking are an entrance fee most hardcore grubbers gladly pay for good wings. If the getting's good, people will drive miles for chicken wings, but you don't have to go far if you know where to look. The South is littered with freestanding wing shacks offering stellar wings that rival the top-notch restaurant versions. Click here to read the rest...

Baguettes are as ubiquitous as supermarket sushi, but convenience comes at a price. No amount of expensive butter or homemade jam can mask the lack of love and precision in a bastardized baguette. Bread baking is an art and a science. Forget authenticity. Flavor, freshness and texture are the only factors that matter. We went hunting and here are our picks — after tasting many stale and downright odd specimens — that are worthy of any crumb connoisseur's breadbasket. Click here to read the rest...

For my daily bread, I am more of a multi-grain or rustic fan, but certain dishes--like French toast--call for good old white bread. I prefer to buy full loaves for such occasions, but can't seem to find a satisfactory version at conventional supermarkets. So, when I need white bread, I head to Korean bakeries for this "milk toast." You can find it at spots like White Windmill, SuperH and some Japanese stores like Tomato where I got this loaf. The bread is just heavenly--densely packed with layer after layer of buttery bread-y goodness. They also have it in half loaves (at most locations) if the full loaf is more than you need.

REVIEW:
I am always in search of a good piece of baklava. I decided to try out the Jerusalem Bakery on a recent jaunt to Tasty China. I bought a box of freshly-made baklava for around $5. It was good. Not the best I have ever had, but definitely solid. There was a bit of residual raw flour taste and quite a bit of honey, but still a nice version. They also make fresh pita if you are in the mood for a good falafel sandwich. I would buy it again.

INFORMATION:
Address: 585 Franklin Rd Se
Phone: (770) 419-1666
Website

REVIEW:
I am a sucker for little cakes of any kind. Cupcakes and petits fours are my favorites though. I pass Rhodes Bakery on Cheshire Bridge all the time but I never go in. Someone told me they had some good petit fours so I decided to stop by last Friday. The selections are pretty basic...Undecorated caramel, chocolate and white cakes. Also had a few little cookie items. The cheese straws are supposed to be good too. My eyes went straight to the petits fours which they have in two sizes. I grabbed some and boy, they were delicious. Most petits fours have a hard shell with a small piece of dry cake in the center. These had a light fresh glaze and very moist cake. How could anyone resist these things? They are the perfect portion size so you don't have to feel guilty about indulging.
INFORMATION:
Address: 1783 Cheshire Bridge Rd
Phone: (404) 876-3783
Map
Cuisine: Bakery

RESTAURANT REVIEW:
Grabbed some lunch here yesterday. Got the pulled pork sandwich and the BF got the pot roast sandwich. We both got side salads and I bought a baked doughnut for later on. The pork was pretty good...lacked a bit of salt though. The bread (baguette) was not as crispy as I like but was good since it was fresh baked. The sandwich could have used a sauce or something aside from the pickled peppers. The BF's sandwich was better. Great walnut leek bread and tender meat. the salad was also very good. BF loved the dressing which they bottle and sell. A bit too sweet for me. The doughnuts were awesome. You would never know it was baked. $20 for two sandwiches, 1 drink and a doughnut. Nice outdoor seating area and the hostess brought a dog bowl full of ice water for my puppy. I'd go back.
RESTAURANT INFORMATION:
Address: 111 New St
Phone: (404) 371-8823
Website: Duck's
Map: Duck's
Cuisine: Sandwich joints

REVIEW:
My friend and I headed over here after Grape Leaf Grill for some pastries and coffee. I was excited at the prospect of a an authentic french patisserie in Atlanta. I greedily ordered a slice of their sour cream pound cake, a crossiant, 2 caneles and a coconut macaroon filled with chocolate truffles. Here is the breakdown:
-Pound cake: Boring..nothing French about it..they have some with other flavors but it tasted like something I could make at home.
-Crossiant: There was not enough butter added to the dough so it was too chewy and not as flaky as it could have been...I still ate the whole thing because I am a pig
-The caneles: The biggest let down...there was no crunchy shell which IMO make caneles great...I found out why...they keep them in the freezer and defrost them..yuck.
-The coconut macaroon: Rich, stale coconut though and the chocolate they used did not fit somehow. My friend liked it though.
We did not eat lunch there so I cannot comment on their offerings but that creme brulee french toast at breakfast looked good.
INFORMATION:
Address: 367 Glover St Se
Phone number: (770) 425-5050
Website: Douceur de France
Map
Cuisine: Bakeries, French

I have a new addiction. I found these little slices of heaven at the Buckhead Bread Company on the corner of Pharr and Piedmont. They are baked pieces of thick fresh bread flavored with a delicious symphony of caramel, butter and cinnamon. They are only available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They are 95 cents for a generous portion and sell out quickly. They are even better when heated in an oven @ 350 degrees for about 5-7 minutes. Do yourself a favor and pick one up. Your sweet tooth will thank you.

REVIEW:
Went to over to grab some goodies while I was waiting on my order at Book Chang Dong Tofu House. What a great bakery. Take one of the provided woven baskets and start filling it up. They have many Korean and European baked goods to choose from. They also have a nice cafe area where you can enjoy your purchases and a coffee from their coffee bar. It is very clean and warmly lit. I especially like their salted doughnuts, corn bread and loafs of bread. Stop in next time you are over at Super H Mart. You won't be disappointed.

INFORMATION:
Address: 2550 Pleasant Hill Road
Cuisine: Korean bakery