Build a meal from these 7 Atlanta shops and restaurants

Craft the perfect dinner party this year
1201
Photograph by Whitney Ott; styling by Angie Mosier
Photograph by Whitney Ott; styling by Angie Mosier

Dining in has its advantages: You can wear what you want, eat when you want, and drink as much as you like. To craft the perfect dinner party but skip dirtying the kitchen, look to these seven purveyors for the best meat, cheese, pasta, wine, and dessert.

The Little Tart Bakeshop
Sarah O’Brien is the King Midas of pastry, turning out decadent chocolate croissants, fruit galettes with crusts that crumble to the touch, and buttery French cookies. Baked goods sell out quickly on weekends, so call ahead for special requests and large orders. 437 Memorial Drive

Hop City Craft Beer & Wine
Set to expand to Krog Street Market, this warehouse of a store carries every craft pour and local brew you’ll ever need. Hooked on hard cider? They sell every one available in Georgia. A hefty wine selection and a staff eager to please make it an ideal one-stop shop. 1000 Marietta Street

Storico Fresco
A carb party isn’t complete without Michael Patrick’s stuffed pastas, filled with the likes of butternut squash and amaretto or Italian sausage and cheese. Patrick also layers spinach noodles with a meaty Bolognese sauce and a creamy béchamel for one of the richest lasagnas around. 3210 Roswell Road

Perrine’s Wine Shop
List off your courses, set your price range, and watch Perrine Prieur work her magic. This Burgundy native leans toward French wine. But Prieur—formerly of Michelin-starred Le Gavroche in London and the now-closed Joël Brasserie—easily dives into the New World. 1168 Howell Mill Road

Gio’s Chicken Amalfitano
Go full-on takeout with Sorrento lemon chicken swimming in an herby broth that seems like it’s been simmering for years. Pasta with spicy sausage and broccoli rabe or salads dressed with a bright vinaigrette prove Gio is more than just a pizza man. 1099 Hemphill Avenue

Pine Street Market
Size doesn’t matter when it comes to charcuterie. Just ask the creative butchers at this tiny market in Avondale Estates, where housemade pepperoni echo with smoke; dry-cured salami hint of paprika; and sausage links bounce with dark chocolate, cinnamon, and chipotle. 4 Pine Street, Avondale Estates

Star Provisions
Cheese­monger Carolyn Bender commands a wide selection of local churns like Many Fold Farm, rich French triple creams, and nutty cheddars. For something funky, grab an Époisses de Bourgogne that’s as smooth as butter. In the deli, find fresh baguettes and airy pain d’epi. 1198 Howell Mill Road

Check out more of the year’s best dining picks in our annual Best of Atlanta list

This article originally appeared in our December 2014 issue.

Advertisement