Mae's Bakery, Atlanta

Located in trendy Buckhead, Mae's Bakery merges sophistication and simplicity. The decor emits an upscale farmhouse vibe. The crew draws you in with charm and culinary know-how.

Before looking into the bakery case at Mae's arm yourself with the realization that you can't (or shouldn't) binge on everything in it. Cupcakes, cookies and a bevy of treats will tempt your resolve!

Try a whoopie pie. The Mae's variety features shortcakes stuffed with luscious cream. Oh, and the coffee is great too!

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Slope's Barbeque, Atlanta

I needed to pig out. It was nearly 6:00 and I'd skipped lunch. My first choice, a pizza place had closed permanently. Seeing that sign on the door made my stomach grumble even more. Then, I remembered Slope's wasn't too far away plus I had a Scoutmob deal.

This joint is unassuming and welcoming. White and red checked plastic clothes drape each table. Autographed photos of celebrities cover paneling near the drink station, but the staff treats even everyday folks like stars.

Hush puppies listed as a special piqued my curiosity because the establishment doesn't sell seafood. A girl at the counter, the owner's daughter I assume, answered my questions like a pro. I ordered an assortment of items: ribs, green lima beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw, and those hush puppies. The baked macaroni and cheese was unimpressive: short on cheese and less flavorful than what most home cooks could conjure up.

Luckily Slope's claim to fame lies in barbeque, which is what they do best. Slightly sweet sauce covered my ribs but, frankly, I think the abundance of sauce masked some of their inherent flavor. Clearly, talented cooks handle the smoker and the meat in it with care. The beans and puppies deserve honorable mentions, as does the coleslaw.

I heard the staff talking to other customers who entered as I ate. What impressed me as much as the bbq was the level of interaction and familiarity the staff had with patrons. I suspect that most customers return as much for the genuine customer service as for the food.

Doc Chey's Noodle House, Atlanta

Doc Chey's mainly serves stir fry dishes. It's the hangout of choice for my nephews whenever they sleep over if I'm not in the mood to cook. Entrees come in a variety of combinations based on starch and protein preferences.

My current fave, Thai Coconut Red Curry, features peanuts, eggplant and mild curry sauce. I sometimes delve into the vegetarian version sans tofu but often choose the succulent shrimp.

The Thai Iced Coffee is a creamy, chocolatey concoction that I crave. One of this restaurant's best offerings is its commitment to community in the form of charitable events. Doc Chey's also gives back to customers who sign up for Karma Cards to rack up rewards.

Sally's Gluten-Free Bakery, Alpharetta

Lately my sister, Nicole, has delved into trying gluten-free foods. Finding flavorful bread and baked goods has proved challenging. We each tried Sally's Gluten-Free Bakery and found that their products are viable options.

Sally's is, essentially, a small storefront. Refrigerated cases contain take-and-bake pizzas. Samples of bread and sweets line the checkout counter. The guy who helped me gave a bit of info on the cookies, breads and cupcakes without overselling them. He also refrained from pressuring me to add another product to my tab after I told him I wanted to redeem a deal for a free mini loaf. He advised that the pumpkin loaf I picked would last 2-3 days (the package stated less time) and that I could freeze it immediately and enjoy it later. I also purchased a pack of chocolate chip cookies.

I ate half of the loaf two days later. Even when I finished it off, the loaf remained moist. Initially, I noted the lack of butter in and thicker consistency of this soy, gluten, egg and dairy-free product. Warming spices (cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger) permeated the bread. The more I tasted, the more I liked it.

Thin and crunchy, the cookies contained butter and diary. No one would have guessed they lacked gluten. A few days after purchase, they too remained fresh. Six come in a small pack. They are so rich that two were enough to satisfy me, but they were so scrumptious that I ate three.

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Spiced Right Barbeque, Suwannee GA

After watching an episode of United Tastes of America, I sought out finger-licking ribs. Most places I found online were farther than I wanted to drive or closed on Sundays. Spiced Right won my patronage by default.

The ribs might've been a fluke, but I won't return to find out. I pretended the parched top layers didn't exist. Futile attempts at gnawing through them left no alternative. I peeled them off but dryness awaited underneath.

If I could judge this establishment solely on customer service, it would rank highly. I left unfulfilled. Some of the fresh-cut fries were undercooked. The brisket verged on being overdone. It was spiced right as were the collards.

No heavy hands prepared those greens. Laced with slightly salty pork, a well-orchestrated symphony of sweetness and acidity enveloped each leaf. Regretfully, the merits of this side dish were not enough to erase all the wrongs I encountered.

Figo Pasta, Atlanta

I discovered Figo Pasta as a mystery shopper years ago and patronize it now as a regular customer. It’s grown to multiple locations since but hasn’t lost its rustic appeal. At Figo, meals aren’t rushed. Each bite rings of carefully cultivated flavor profiles, transporting diners to Italy.

My enthusiasm for Figo continues to grow. I had a small gathering there for my birthday. I normally go to the Hammond Drive location in Atlanta but have had positive experiences at others. Figo outshines national chain restaurants, especially those serving boxed pasta and masquerading as fine dining.

Figo offers homemade traditional pasta as well as wheat, spinach, gluten-free and paprika.The restaurant serves standbys, like eggplant parmesan, but being able to select your own pasta and sauce combination continues to draw customers. I’m fond of the spinach tagliatelle and the crab ravioli, usually with a cream sauce. As Figo expands its seasonal offerings, I venture more outside of my comfort zone: Think strawberry risotto or bacon cheeseburger ravioli.

Even if its addictive, signature olive oil was the only item for sale Figo would still shame its competition. A coupon calendar sold every December adds to Figo’s value. Part of the proceeds go to charity.

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GA (Georgia) French Bakery, Duluth

One morning I drove all around the Pleasant Hill Mall area in Duluth searching for a real bakery that sold fresh blueberry muffins. I almost gave up when I happened to notice GA (Georgia) French Bakery. Items in the display all appeared decadent. The blueberry scones and the blueberry bread pudding were sold out, so I chose a fruit tart. Slices of deep red strawberries, vibrant kiwis and mandarin oranges crowned creamy custard atop a golden crust.

GA French Bakery's quality is better than swanky Atlanta-area bakeries I've tried and less expensive. Its offerings include loaves of bread, croissants (sweet and savory), danishes, cookies, cakes, soups and sandwiches. Every pastry I've tried has pleased my palate, offering a twist on the familiar. Clearly, the owner incorporates classic baking techniques. And, in case you're wondering, the owner is from France.