Atlanta Bread Company offers healthy alternative By KELLEY R. DAUGHERTY
Special Sections Editor
One of the latest trends in restaurants is providing hot, fresh bread and gourmet coffee to patrons and among the many full-service bakeries, the Atlanta Bread Company was the one of the first to take off.

Thirty four stores later, the Atlanta Bread Company has settled into Fayette County, located at The Pavilion on Ga. Highway 85.

When the restaurant opened in April 1998, the staff could hardly keep up with the demand, filling at least an order a minute.

The bread company has an extensive menu with 10 different deli sandwiches including honey maple ham, albacore tuna salad and veggie sandwiches with homemade dill sauce.

The "A.B.C. Special" will allow you to sample the very best with roast beef, turkey, ham, provolone cheese, pepperoncini, lettuce, tomato, onions and condiments, on fresh French bread.

Of course the highlight of the Atlanta Bread Company is the bread itself. Baked fresh daily, the bakery serves up a selection of sourdough, french, sourdough rye, nine grain, asiago cheese, pumpernickel, Italian pesto, honey wheat, cracked wheat, sundried tomato and challah.

In addition to these breads, there is a variety of about 12 different muffins including non-fat muffins in the apple, chocolate, blueberry and pumpkin flavors.

Other specialties along the dessert and breakfast variety include several kinds of croissants, danishes, Belgian danishes and bagels. For the health-conscious, the bread company offers plain, honey walnut raisin, olive, chives, veggie and raspberry low-fat cream cheeses.

You can't leave the restaurant without sticking a weekly soup schedule card in your pocket. There are at least three usually four soups a day, which often include a vegetarian soup. Make sure you stop in early though, before the lunch crowd eats up all of your favorite.

Soups such as garden vegetable, cream of broccoli, chicken chili, black bean and ham, and pasta fagioli are hot and perfectly seasoned. If you're really hungry, try the "Loaf of Soup," where you're favorite soup is served in a sourdough bowl.

Delicious sides or as a meal are the Greek, Caesar, house, and fruit salads.

Of course, it's hard to leave without partaking of the rich, gourmet desserts. A great selection of cheesecakes beckon and everyone has to experience their specialty chocolate eclairs and Napoleons.

No dessert would be complete without a cappucino or latte to sip. The Atlanta Bread Company has several house blends available each day and also serves flavored mochas, lattes and cappucinos.

Average meals cost approximately $5 a person and is available for take-out. The atmosphere itself offers a great alternative to a fast food meal, with a wonderful aroma and classical music playing gently in the background.

For more information about the Atlanta Bread Company or for catering services, call 770-719 2883.