Good French Fare Now Closer Than Ever

Henri’s Bakery & Deli opens a Peachtree Corners location.

“Un bon repas adoucit l’esprit et régénère le corps.”

That common French saying, “A good meal softens the mind and regenerates the body,” is gradually becoming a theme in this part of metro Atlanta. As the Peachtree Corners food scene expands its offerings, world-class cuisine is becoming more and more available.

For example, one can find the mouth-watering goodies of a French patisserie near the Town Center. Henri’s Bakery & Deli is one of the newest food purveyors in the area, but it has a long-standing tradition of quality and service.

A tasty history

French immigrant Henri Fiscus started his first bakery at the corner of 10th and Peachtree streets in Atlanta in 1929. He quickly became known for his inventive recipes and the attention to detail he paid to his customers’ needs and wants. 

That legacy led to several shops across the metro area with the newest location in Peachtree Corners, according to company literature.

Fiscus passed away in 1974, just one day shy of his 80th birthday, but his family has carried on the traditions and original recipes but has employed modern business practices to spread the quality throughout the area.

To keep consistency and streamline costs, all the products are baked at central location in metro Atlanta.

“We have one commissary, where all our products are made daily overnight. We get a delivery every morning at 6:00. So, whatever we need is freshly made for the day,” said Henri’s Peachtree Corners General Manager Tarik Aboudi. “We want to keep the recipe the same and make sure there is someone on top of orders.”

Aboudi, originally from Morocco, has many years of experience in this kind of food business. When the Peachtree Corners location was looking for someone to lead it, he’d been at a local family-owned bagel restaurant.

“I enjoy what I do here and like working with the company. It’s a good concept,” he said. 

Unlike the other company, the hours are a little more family-friendly to his lifestyle, with the eatery closed on Sundays and wrapping up daily service by 6 p.m.

And the location is just 10 minutes from his home. “That’s one of the reasons I came here,” he said. “I don’t want to work eight to 10 hours and then spend another two or three hours in the car.”

With Henri’s being local and family-owned, it appealed to Aboudi on many levels.

“Family-owned businesses have a different personality than many corporations,” he said. “People care more about their legacy, and you get to talk to the owners face-to-face. It’s more personal and it feels more like you are part of a family.”

Feast for the eyes and tastebuds

When you get right down to it, the food is what brings people back.

“There’s a good selection of fresh pastries,” said Aboudi. “I was raised on fresh pastry and one of my favorites is the Napoleons.”

Of course, you can’t call yourself a French pastry shop without eclairs and croissants — sweet and savory. And although the name is French, Henri’s has lovely Italian fare like tiramisu and Greek baclava.

There is plenty to choose from for everyday eating, but Henri’s also provides sandwiches, salads and desserts for special occasions. “We have these little, small cakes with a flower on top called petit fours. Also, there is shortbread; that’s been popular for years and years,” said Aboudi.

There’s a wide selection of cookies, too — chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and a specialty called the ‘Mediterranean’ that’s gluten-free, as well as classic favorites like snickerdoodle and gingerbread people.

But wait, there’s more!

Breakfast sandwiches — with a bagel, croissant or toast base — come with eggs, cheese, bacon, chicken sausage, ham and/or cream cheese. For those looking for classic Southern fare, there are several types of cheese straws and wafers with chives, jalapenos and other tasty ingredients. 

Aboudi stressed that you’ll not find a more delicious cake anywhere. “Our cakes come in a lot of different sizes and flavors. You can get a six-inch round to a full sheet cake,” he said. 

Southern favorites, like red velvet and coconut, to modern twists, like cookies and cream and peanut butter, are just a few choices on the menu.

If you have a hankering for something different, customers are encouraged to work with Henri’s staff through the online form, by phone or in person, to build the perfect cake for their occasion.

For customers who just want to run in, grab something and go, there’s a refrigerated case with pre-made sandwiches and salads.

“We try to accommodate customers on every level,” said Aboudi. “We already are seeing a lot of business and we are getting good feedback.”

Henri’s Bakery & Deli is located at 5005 Peachtree Pkwy., Ste. #820 in Peachtree Corners. Visit them at henrisbakery.com/peachtreecorners or call 470-282-3349. Their current hours are 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.