About Atlanta senior life. (Sandy Springs, GA) 2016-2023 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 31, 2019)
COURTESY OF ALON’S BAKERY FOOD By Judi Kanne This year, Christmas and Hanukkah arrive during the same week. From Atlanta to Alpharetta and Decatur to Doraville, grandparents are mulling over ways to spend memorable holiday time with their families. Some of today’s busiest grandparents may get creative in their kitchens, while others will search for an exceptional bakery. Perhaps you’ve decided to bake with the kids as a bonding activity. If the grandchildren are too young, or you prefer to save your kitchen floor and cabinets from accidental spills of finger-licking icing and chewy chocolate, Atlanta has other delectable options for holiday treats. ALON’S BAKERY 8 MARKET Alon’s owner and Executive Chef, Alon Balshan, offers what feels like a European market as soon as you walk in the door. In addition to a made-from- scratch selection of baked breads, European-style cakes and handmade pastries, there’s an array of everything from soup to nuts—and, of course, cookies. The kids will thank you for introducing them to Alon’s Yule log. This special pastry can fit on a Hanukkah buffet, a Christmas table or serve as a special treat for Kwanza. Once you taste the luscious passionfruit chocolate mousse with a mango cream (or creameux, in French) center, the almond cake and buttery shortbread, you may relinquish homemade cookies forever. The log should arrive about the time mistletoe gets hung. WHO DOESN'T LOVE A HOLIDAY TREAT? COURTESY OF THE RITZ-CARLTON, ATLANTA DECEMBER 2019 ATLANTASENIORLIFE.COM Alon’s first 1,300-square-foot bakery opened in 1992 in the Virginia Highland area. Today, a second location can be found on Ashford-Dunwoody Road, across from Perimeter Mall. The Dunwoody store has about 11,000 square feet to provide treats for every holiday taste imaginable. Locations: 1394 North Highland Avenue, Atlanta 30306, 404-872-6000 4505 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta 30346, 678-397-1781 More info: alons.com DOUCEUR DE FRANCE Chef Luc Beaudet, from Douceur de France PHOTO BY TGA COMMUNICATIONS, LLC Perhaps you’d rather bring a special treat home. In that case, a multitude of bakeries will be pleased to help you out. For example, Douceur de France (Sweets of France) has two metro locations, one in Marietta and the other in Roswell. Each offers French specialties galore. The owner, Luc Beaudet, says his mother was his inspiration. His formal training took place in France, where he learned the art of patisserie. Later, he studied with an organization dedicated to touring France and other European countries while learning specialized pastry techniques. Beaudet grew up in Le Retail, a small village in western France. Fortunately for the northern Atlanta suburban population, he began selling his famous pastries in Marietta about 20 years ago. The Roswell location opened in 1999. FACEBOOK.COM/ATLANTASENIORLIFE
