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The demise of Eatzi's in the Perimeter Mall area left several voids, not just among folks looking to grab a prepared dish to take home for dinner. It also left diners in the lurch for a quick gourmet lunch and eliminated a place to grab a fresh-baked loaf of bread and bottle of wine to take to a dinner party.

Enter Alon and Janine Balshan, owners of Alon's on North Highland Avenue intown. In the past 15 years, the two have taken a neighborhood bakery and turned it into a destination for ready-to-go goodies, desserts, cheeses and more. The only problem: Not enough elbow room inside and even less parking outside. The availability of the 11,000-square-foot Eatzi's building gave them the space to prepare their signature foods and service the area's hungry crowds as well, while still keeping the intown customers happy.

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"Here, we were able to build in the equipment, the tables, the bars — everything we needed, with much more room," Alon Balshan said. "There's seating for about 60 inside and outdoor seating as well."

Whether you're shopping or stopping to eat, Alon's is a feast for the senses. Put on the comfy walking shoes and take a tour.

Dine in

Assemble your own feast from all the items in store, or select from one of the dozen gourmet sandwiches and paninis, filled with garlic roasted lamb, chicken pesto, spicy tuna, warm pastrami and more. Salads are a mix of greens with pears and pecans, buckwheat noodles and Asian chicken or house-smoked eggplant. There's also an area where you can custom-order your bruschetta toppings or pick up a piping hot soup. A variety of daily specials keeps the menu fresh.

In a hurry? Get to the important party quickly by grabbing a seat at the gelato and chocolate bar, where you can sample selections of several made-on-premises flavors of the cold treat and the candy. There's also a sugar fix in store in the pastry department, packed with mini fruit tarts, cakes, chocolate-dipped strawberries and more.

Early risers at Alon's will find bagels, croissants, scones, Danish, muffins, egg paninis, oatmeal and grits to get them going.

Take it home

One of the big hits of the new store has been the rotisserie chicken, Alon Balshan said. Shoppers are also going for the vast selection of cheeses and spreads, including Alon's signature hummus dip. Make a meal of the crab cakes, braised brisket, poached salmon, beef tenderloin and salmon cakes.

From the bar

Whether you're taking a break or starting the happy hour, settle into the wine bar and sample a glass of the dozen that are opened daily. Find one you like and take home a bottle from among the 140 vintages in the retail section. There's also a selection of a dozen bottled beers. The bar also serves an assortment of coffees, espressos and lattes. Along with your libation, nibble on small plates of cheeses, olives, bruschettas and more.

ALON'S BAKERY AND MARKET

• Where: 4505 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, 678-397-1781

• Signature dishes: hummus, cheese selection

• Lunch prices: $5.99 - $11.50

• Hours: 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays

• Reservations: no

• Credit cards: yes

• Web site: www.alons.com