Omnivore Atlanta

ALON’S BAKERY AND MARKET: This widely loved bakery’s assortment of mini cookies is proof that the best things often come in small packages. Chewy and gooey Krakovskis—raspberry preserves sandwiched within an almond-based cookie—and crumbly Mexican wedding cookies are displayed alongside the occasional specials of French macaroons and hamantashens. Lazy bakers will love the convenience of buying a tube of dough—like the chocolate chunk pecan—to bake at home and pass off as your own. Our lips are sealed. 1394 North Highland Avenue. 404-872-6000; 4505 Ashford Dunwoody Road. 678-397-1781. www.alons.com.

HENRI’S BAKERY: Henri’s doesn’t try to be overly fancy, but it churns out every classic sweet imaginable to an extremely loyal clientèle. Gingerbread men (and women), thumbprint cookies dotted in a spectrum of pastel icing and every other cookie you can imagine sit side by side in the colorful case. The bakery also makes plenty of fun cookies for holidays, such as a large sugar cookie decorated with romantic sentiments to let your valentine know just how sweet he or she is. 61 Irby Avenue. 404-237-0202; 6289 Roswell Road. 404-256-7934. www.henrisbakery.com.

THE COOKIE STUDIO: The owners of The Cookie Studio approach every cookie recipe with a scientific approach until their ideal is met. An example is their pitch-perfect chocolate chip cookie, which the bakers worked on for eight months. A simple sugar cookie exhibits the proprietors’ skill. It’s everything you could ever want in a sugar cookie: crumbly, soft and just sweet enough without being cloying. 747-C East College Avenue. 404-373-8527. www.thecookiestudio.net.

(photo by Jennifer Zyman)

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Last week, I wrote about how much higher the price for Drunken Goat, a favorite cheese, is at Alon’s ($20), compared to Whole Foods ($12.99). Meanwhile, I checked out the fancy new cheese counter at the Ansley Kroger, and they are also selling the cheese for $20.

I received this email from Alon Balshan, owner of Alon’s:

I was reading your comments about our prices on the Drunken Goat cheese and was not flattered, but it definitely makes me run around to find out how come our prices are so much higher than Whole Foods. There are two reasons that our price was so much higher: we bought the product for a lot more money than we could have, and Whole Foods was able to get the product for less money than I can get it, for the fact that they are a much larger company with more buying power. Since I know the owner of Mitica/Forever cheese, the company that imports the product to the USA, I called Michelle and asked her about it, and she explained to me that the month of June was a promo month for Whole Foods for this cheese. However, it still was way too low….

Alon’s is not an overpriced establishment, never has been. For the quality of product we use, our prices are too low. Our artisan handmade breads are less expensive than Whole Foods’…. Cakes at Starbucks are more expensive than they are at Alon’s. I’m sure their quality is not as high as ours. Many times, some of our products are less expensive than Whole Foods, but you may have not been shopping for these products. However, we could just forget about all these special stores that bring us these special products, take great care of these products, give personal service, and contribute to the quality of our living style, and doing so with passion…. [We could get rid of all that] and just have few Sams Clubs around and save lots of money.

Alon also included an email from Drunken Goat’s importer, saying: “

I called a [Whole Foods] store and was told the retail is $12.99 – not sure for how long. In other regions, it ranges from $14.99 to $17.99. That means they are NOT taking a full mark up on this.

Meanwhile Alon has reduced the price to $17.99.

I’m not sure why Alon seems to think my noting the price difference on one item means I’m generally critical of his bakery. I’m not.

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Thanksgiving at Atlanta Restaurants
Tired of spending hours cooking only to burn the sweet potato casserole you don’t even like that much? Check out these Thanksgiving dinners that don’t require you to set one foot in the kitchen.

103 West, Meals for small groups including Ashley Farm turkeys and traditional dressings, sides and desserts. Leftovers go home with you to enjoy the next day. $35-$69. 103 W. Paces Ferry Road. 404-233-5993.

Agnes & Muriel’s, Traditional Thanksgiving dinner buffet. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. $12.95-$28.95. 1514 Monroe Drive. 404-885-1000.

The Cafe at Ritz-Carlton, A brunch featuring traditional Thanksgiving fare. 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $36-$82. 3434 Peachtree Road NE. 404-237-2700.

The Clubhouse, Classic Thanksgiving dinner. 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. $15-$30. 3393 Peachtree Road NE. 404.442.8891.

The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton, Two items per course from the four-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings. 5:30-8:30 p.m. $137-$207. 3434 Peachtree Road NE. 404-237-2700.

Fire of Brazil, A Brazilian-style Thanksgiving featuring traditional Thanksgiving fare as well as the regular Brazilian meat menu. The evening dinner also includes exotic meats, such as boar, alligator and venison. Lunch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dinner, 3:30-9:30 p.m. $13.25-$39.50. 218 Peachtree St. NW. 404-525-5255.

The Highlander, Thanksgiving dinner with turkey and all the fixin’s. $12.95. 931 Monroe Drive Suite C-101. 404-872-0060.

Imperial Fez, Turkey prepared the Moroccan way along with a choice of two, three or five sides. 6-10 p.m. 2285 Peachtree Road. 404-351-0870.

Lobby at Twelve, A la carte breakfast and a Thanksgiving dinner buffet featuring a carving, salad, seafood, trimmings and dessert station. Breakfast, 7-10:30 a.m. Buffet, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. $17-$44. 361 17th St. 404-961-7370.

The Palm, A four-course turkey dinner, in addition to the regular menu. Noon-9 p.m. $18.95-$38.95. 3391 Peachtree Road NE. 404-814-1955.

River Room, Special prix fixe three-course meal. 11:30 a.m-8:30 p.m. $19.95-$39.95. 4403 Northside Parkway NW #150. 404-233-5455.

Vinings Inn, Special prix fixe three-course meal. 11:30 a.m-8:30 p.m. $19.95-$39.95. 2011 Paces Mill Road. 770-438-2282.

Thanksgiving Takeout
Want Thanksgiving dinner in the comfort of your home (and your pajamas) without all the fuss of cooking? Check out these fully prepared options from Atlanta area restaurants. Don’t worry; we won’t tell your in-laws the beautifully cooked organic turkey is only proof of your excellent ordering skills.

Alon’s Bakery, Thanksgiving to go including traditional items and dishes for the day after. Order by Mon., Nov. 19. 1394 N Highland Ave. 404-872-6000 Ext.11.

Dish, Organic turkey and all the traditional fixings available to order. Order by Fri., Nov. 16. Pick up Nov. 19-21.

Murphy’s, Full meals for four or eight people, including turkey, sides and your choice of pie. Order by Fri., Nov. 16. Pick up Wed., Nov. 21. 997 Virginia Ave. NE. 404-872-0904.

Star Provisions To Go, Complete Thanksgiving meal including whole organic turkeys, breakfast and bakery items and wine and cheese selections. Order by Sat., Nov. 17. Pick up, Wed., Nov. 21. 11198 Howell Mill Road Suite 100. 404-365-0410, #134.

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Let’s check the mail.

Michelle Botwinick writes: “Wanted to tell you about a dish I tasted at Alon’s last week – potatoes mashed with sauteed spinach and carmelized onions. When I voiced concerns about my husband Jay’s heart issues, they assured me it was made with vegetable stock and only the slightest bit of cream. My plans were to plate it next to a filet mignon off the grill, but I kept sneaking tastes of it cold, right out of the carton. Next time you’re in Alon’s, be sure to give it a try.”

Michelle also asks if I’ve been to Lamplighter Cafe. I did in fact review it here.

Jared Ripps writes: “What are your top Malaysian restaurants in town? I lived in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore and I am looking for some food from these two places, as I miss it daily! If you have any favorites in the city, let me know. Thanks in advance!”

My favorite is Penang on Buford Highway. You can also find Malaysian dishes at Top Spice on Piedmont Avenue, across from Ansley Mall, and at its sister restaurant, Spice, in Toco Hills Shopping Center. There’s also Malaya on Collier Road.

This is from Sarah South: “My husband and I are chronic eat-outers. We have tried to get help, the 12-step programs, the-patches, but nothing seems to work. While you may be labeled an enabler, I just want to thank you for taking the time to search out really great places in Atlanta.

“My husband wants to thank you personally for Miss Ann’s Snack Shack. He was suspicious when I spoke about the Wall Street Journal review. Given your street cred, he was standing in line at 10 a.m. the next day, texting me pictures of the ‘Greatest Burger EVER!’ We read your column weekly, and while food is very subjective, we have had enough successful dining experiences from your articles to have a great degree of trust for your recommendations.

“I would like to ask for your help. My husband has asked for a difficult birthday present. He would like me to make him the cheesecake that we had at Abruzzi Ristorante about 6-7 years ago. Yes, I can cook. I just have no idea how to get a hold of Susan Petrucci, the pastry chef for the now closed restaurant. “

I’m happy I could make your life more compulsive, Sarah. Unfortunately, I don’t know what has become of Susan Petrucci. If someone out there knows where she is, let us know in the comments section.

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