Posted by foodiebuddha
on May 04, 2010
Somewhat beneath the surface, just under the wave of pizzerias and the influx of burger joints, Atlanta’s bakery scene is seeing an infusion of new life. With establishments like Bakeshop in Midtown leading the way, this new brand of baking is in stark contrast to what you and I may remember as the quintessential bakery. While some of my fondest memories were youthful excursions to Rhodes Family Bakery (website) on Cheshire Bridge, the glorified home kitchens and come as you are personas are being pushed around by big budgets and treated woods.
Don’t believe me? Look what happened to Holeman + Finch Bakery. While that no frills storefront suffered from location woes, they too were a bake first, look good second kind of a place. Consequently, their front windows have been boarded up, leaving those of us who crave delicious goodies scampering to places like Savor Specialty Foods.
Bakeries are no longer places to pick up your favorite treats, talk to your baker about the fam, and dream of all that hippy dippy stuff. They are now as much sandwich shop and coffee stop as they are dessert purveyor. It is smack dab in this world that we find Bakeshop, one of the newest explorations from the gang at Concentrics.
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Posted by foodiebuddha
on October 12, 2009
Tucked away in the sprawling Toco Hills Shopping Center, the Bagel Palace Deli & Bakery has been around for at least a couple of decades. Somewhere in between Emory University and Druid Hills, the Toco Hills neighborhood is home to Atlanta’s most concentrated Jewish population. It seems appropriate that one of the more widely known delicatessens is here.
At any given time, especially on the weekends, there is bound to be a bit of a crowd meandering around this two-tiered eatery. Lined with a handful baking cases and a number of free-standing tables, the Bagel Palace has everything in place for a successful meal. Despite that fact, and despite the benevolent adoration from those around these parts, Bagel Palace is a bit of a mixed bag. Against the Atlanta backdrop, this is about as good as you’ll find in the deli-bakery hybrid so popular in The Big Apple. Still, it doesn’t mean that it gets a total pass.
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Posted by foodiebuddha
on May 13, 2009
A long time ago in a sandwich shop, far away…
I best most of ya’ll thought I had forgotten about the sub & sandwich tour. Truth is, I just got a bit worn out on sandwiches. While I did grab a few sandwiches in the past few weeks, my rate of consumption plummeted. The time off has rejuvenated me and I hope to have this thing wrapped up in the next couple of weeks.
To get things back up and running, I elected to visit the Highland Bakery in Inman Park. In true Foodie Buddha fashion, the meal let me down. While many people revel in the fresh baked goods and the variety of options on the menu, my meal just didn’t come together as I had hoped. Services issues aside (they aren’t factored in on the tour), I found both of my sandwiches disappointing.
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Posted by foodiebuddha
on March 27, 2009
The economy continues to take prisoners at a vicious rate. Decatur Metro is reporting that the Atlanta Bread Co. location in Decatur is throwing in the towel. What a bummer!
Posted by foodiebuddha
on January 14, 2009
As reported via a variety of media outlets, famed French Chef Gaston Lenôtre passed away on January 8, 2009. Chances are that if you’ve eaten sweets or if you’ve eaten at a French restaurant, then you have seen his influence.
Lenôtre revitalised the pâtisserie, a French bakery known for sweets, and established a world renowned brand. His empire, which bore his name, stretched all over the world. They were so popular that his boutiques can be found in twelve countries!
Some very good articles have been penned since his passing. Spend some time and read up on him!
New York Times Article // AP story at Google // Huffington Post
Posted by foodiebuddha
on December 28, 2008
Henri’s Bakery is an old-guard, Atlanta tradition located in the heart of Buckhead. Like the Colonnade, it is one of those places that has “been there forever.” In this case, forever is actually 75 years. While I find it difficult for a place like this to live up to its lofty reputation, Henri’s has done a fairly good job of doing just that. Things aren’t quite the same as they used to be; but, I cannot name any institution (food or otherwise) that hasn’t evolved.
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Posted by foodiebuddha
on December 20, 2008
Today, Adam, one of the FB guest bloggers, and I dropped in on Joli Kobe Midtown for a late lunch. It is unfortunately located in the Invesco building on Peachtree. Being a Saturday, parking was not an issue; however, people who dine here during the week often complain of a lack of available spaces. I am a bit surprised with this as there is a parking deck, though I have never parked in it. As an insiders tip, I eat next door at La Pietra Cucina, about two times a week. There are some available metered spaces on West Peachtree that never seem to get checked by the Blue. I won’t guarantee you will get away with it, but you should know that I always have. While the parking does not affect my feelings on the restaurant, it is certainly worth noting.
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