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)

Raging Burrito and Taco - Decatur Atlanta Georgia

You can find Raging Burrito and Taco at 141 Sycamore St, Decatur, GA 30030. This is the strip of stores and businesses behind the Decatur Square when faced from Ponce. Parking is both good and bad for this area - in general it sucks a bit due to how busy it is, especially around prime feeding times. The good news is that there's a bunch of on street parking and nearby lots. The bad news is that pretty much everything is pay-to-park but Decatur did a pretty smart thing and put technically advanced meters in place so you can use a credit card - you can also input your mobile and if you start running out of time you can pay for more from your mobile - it's awesome.

This is my first visit to Raging Burrito - it seems like every time I've wanted to go in the past there was a wait and frankly too many other restaurants nearby to hold out for this one. Fortunately I was with a group who had either called called ahead or waited it out (they were already seated when I arrived) so no wait for me. The interior of this place is typical for this row of buildings - exposed brick walls with a mix of industrial and modern fixtures, and some eclecticism like a wall of African-styled masks. There's additional seating to the back and also a hidden patio.

The food is Tex-Mex with a focus on jumbo burritos and their "World Famous" margaritas. They also have a handful of local craft brews on tap, but on this late afternoon I went for the margarita - quite tasty and served in a pint glass so enough to whet-your-whistle for a while.

We started with an Appetizer Trio (choice of dips - we went with Raging Avocado Sauce, Homemade Guacamole and Queso Dip - all were quite good and the chips very fresh, served warm.

Dinner included lots of beans, melty cheese, salsa fresca and plenty of cilantro on pretty much everything. I thought the food quite good as were the margaritas.

The service was a bit iffy - the party included 8 people and the place was busy - we had to hunt for a server a few times to get basics like water, napkins and setups. I think we would have stayed for an extra round if it had been better. In general the experience was 3.5 stars but I feel like being generous and will round up to 4/5.

(also published to Yelp)

Willy's Mexicana Grill - Druid Hills - Atlanta Georgia

You can find this location of Willy's Mexicana Grill at 2566 Briarcliff Rd, Atlanta, GA 30329 - this is in the shopping center across from Loemann's Plaza at the Northwestern corner of the Briarcliff Rd and North Druid Hills Rd. There's parking out front but the negative is that the shopping center can be a bit tough to get into and out-of due to the proximity to the shopping center, etc. For instance, if you're approaching from I85 you need to head north on Briarcliff to enter the shopping center.

We were on our way to a concert at Lakewood Amphitheater and needed something to eat before the show so we just pulled off on North Druid Hills and looked out the window - I know, very scientific but it is "Old School" and you know I'm def in that category. We spotted this Willy's which I hadn't known about prior to the random search, so you see, sometimes things just work. As people that have known me for long know, I'm a big fan of the Willy's Burrito over just about any other chain. I think they do the best job with ingredients and portions and I just like the flavors. The only downside is that the various branches (my go-to is the one near the Concourse on Hammond, by the way) tend to loose a bit of food quality and consistency. Also I've eaten in a few where the service wasn't what I was used to - but I guess that happens.

This particular location is practically new, with all new equipment, industrialized furnishings, wood, ceramic and glass interiors and well-positioned menu boards. This is fast-casual from before it was called that, so you get in line and order at the counter. The guys behind the line assemble however you tell them to make your items. On this day I ordered a Willy's Salad with Adobe Chicken - my wife ordered a chicken burrito with black beans. My other favorites here are the nachos - these are some of the best in Atlanta and an amazing value - comes with choice of meat, sour cream, pico and guac salad.

I've since eaten at this location a few times and the service in general has been good, with enthusiastic people behind the register and taking your custom order. I like this Willy's but I wish the parking situation was better. After you get a burrito go next door to Sublime Doughnuts and enjoy an Orange Dreamstar doughnut (only one - more and you'll fall asleep in the car) - you can thank me later.

(also posted to Yelp)
 

Sublime Doughnuts - Druid Hills Atlanta Georgia

You can find this location of Sublime Doughnuts at 2566 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 - this is the shopping center across from Loemann's Plaza at the Northwestern corner of the Briarcliff Rd and North Druid Hills Rd. There's parking out front but the negative is that the shopping center can be a bit tough to get into and out-of due to the proximity to the shopping center, etc. For instance, if you're approaching from I85 you need to head north on Briarcliff to enter the shopping center. I believe this is the nearest Sublime to my Northcrest neighborhood.

As memory serves, Sublime Doughnuts was probably the first of the "gourmet" doughnut shops to enter the Atlanta market - or at least the first that I became aware of. These aren't your run-of-the-mill Krispy Kremes or Duncan's (not that there's anything wrong with them but I believe most of you have sampled what they offer). Sublime takes things up a notch by offering unusual confectionaries with some higher value ingredients. It was at the 10th St location where I had my first bacon and maple donut - it's been a downhill from there. 

This satellite location is a bit easier to get to by car, in my opinion, even with the wonky shopping center layout. Of the donuts, my favorite is the Orange Dreamstar but I also like the Butter Toffee and the previously mentioned Bacon and Maple (which seems to be gone from their menu for some reason). One unusual thing that Sublime does is if you want to spell out something like a Birthday or someone's name, you can call ahead (day previous) and pick up a box or boxes . It makes for a special something for your favorite donut-loving person.

The service at this location is top-notch. I've popped in for a donut and/or ice cream (yes they have that too) and was quickly greeted and promptly served. Note that later in the day the selection (from about 30 specialty donuts) starts to diminish, as you would expect.

Some would argue that Revolution is better (actually I think it is - love the peach slider) but then again, if you don't live in Inman Park it can be a bit tough to get to - plus you have to deal with parking. For convenience this location of Sublime is much, much easier.

(also posted to Yelp)