DaVincis Donuts - Sandy Springs Atlanta Georgia

You can find this location of DaVinci's Donuts at 5610 Glenridge Dr, Ste 103, Sandy Springs, GA 30342 this is in a small shopping center crammed into the end of the Glenridge Heights townhomes complex. There's also a Sushi Nami, Qdoba and Blue Moon Pizza in the same short row of buildings. Parking here is a hot mess - the parking lot really needs to be 2-3 times larger to handle the load on these restaurants. Also you get fooled as it appears that there's covered parking in the decks but they're for residents only - due to this try to get in the lot very early or after lunch and between dinner (actually in the case of the donuts the earlier you get there the more likely to get your selection).

DaVinci's Donuts is a fast-casual, local-chain bakery that specializes in small, what I think of as "traditional homemade" gourmet donuts - there are a few locations in Atlanta including this and locations in Alpharetta and Dunwoody. The goods are similar to cake donuts but are lighter in texture, more like something you would make at home or that you would see from one of those street-side vendors where the donuts are dropped into hot oil. These are small, 2-3 bite donuts that are best bought as a "DiVinci's Dozen" - this is 16 donuts fit into what looks like a slightly taller, square pizza box. You can mix-and-match from any of the specialty donuts they have or you can make your own, choosing toppings to put onto a plain donut or one already prepared.

I've sampled pretty much all of these and have bought boxes to bring back to the office - quite fun and not too expensive ($14.25). My favorites are the Maple Bacon, the Salted Caramel, the Key Lime and the Samoa but frankly, I liked all of the flavors that I tried - great variety from tart to sweet to savory to salty. I know these aren't for everybody but I think there's definitely a need for a niche donut shop and this one fits in nicely. They also serve Jittery Joe's coffee so you can get your afternoon fix on location if you prefer not to share a box. They also support online ordering so you can call ahead (a day or so ahead).

Service was great with people anxious to answer questions and make recommendations. The interior is clean and well maintained, as are the bathrooms.

(also posted to Yelp)

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts - Old Fourth Ward on Ponce

This is one of the oldest Atlanta area Krispy Kreme Doughnut locations still standing and viable. It can be found at 295 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta GA 30308. It's also the first Krispy Kreme that I ever visited during a short stay in Atlanta before moving here in the mid-80s. Until I had my first hot donut, I had no idea what I've been missing, growing up with the likes of cake donuts found at my local, small-town bakery. We'll have none of that now - the Krispy Kreme doughnut (and yes they use the proper spelling here - none of that do-nut label you find at other, inferior establishments) is produced with dough that expands when heated, providing a delicate, less-cake interior texture. Add the hot glaze and you have something really special.

Full of neon lights and brilliant graphics, this KK still have its classic facade - none of that current Dwell-modern look here! This is still an ongoing operation where you can see huge conveyer-belt equipment that moves the doughnuts through various stages until purchase. It's quite a treat to stand on the other side of the glass partition and watch the skilled workers make magic in milled-flour and confectioners sugar! From what I recall, it originally had more equipment, but like so many restaurants much of the Krispy Kreme operations have moved to dedicated production facilities where the doughnuts can be made in massive bulk (it's also where the doughnuts sold in grocery stores comes from). No issues with those doughnuts, however you do miss out on the hot glaze experience that no microwave can reproduce.

Old Fourth Ward can be a little sketchy, especially at night - it's not uncommon to have someone in the evenings ask for a handout - if you intend to visit this delightful location plan your outing during the day, or better yet, near twilight so you can enjoy the incredible light show. On weekends the interior is often full of balloons and free paper hats - do partake as it's another way they make the visit special. Or better yet, take a trip to the Varsity first and down a couple of flattened chili dogs before coming here for dessert (don't forget the onion rights or frosty orange for the trifecta!) and ask for a paper hat. You can then swap hats and have two keepsakes!

Service here is very good although at times the lines can get fairly long. I like to get a dozen (make sure you bring friends!) of the glazed (and maybe a second dozen of the specialty doughnuts as they often have a 2-for-one special on the boxed dozen) but really, the glazed are where-it's-at. Or better yet, get whatever flavor is coming off the conveyer belt - which brings me to the "hot doughnuts now" sign - look for that fabulous red beacon to ensure you're getting-the-goods.

For the glazed - I can do 2, maybe 3 before my sugar levels spike to atmospheric levels (one isn't quite  enough and three may be a bit too much). Bite into a hot doughnut and allow it to melt in your mouth. If there's a heaven on earth, this might just be a brief taste. Are there better doughnuts in Atlanta? That's a tough one - if you haven't tried Sublime or Revolution then you are indeed missing out. Let's just say that these are a different type of goodness, with variety being the spice of life!

(shorter review also posted on Yelp)