The Flying Biscuit Cafe Cookbook: Breakfast and Beyond

April Moon's cookbook captures the essence of what it means to be nourished by the Flying Biscuit Cafe, an anchor in its neighborhood and the primary reason Atlanta's suburbanites "outside the perimeter" even know where Lake Claire/Candler Park is located.The recipes for simple, nutritious comfort food all have a delicious twist. Moon even knows what ingredients to combine with collard greens so that my husband, who doesn't otherwise stomach collard greends, relishes each bite.That she shares her recipes -- yes, even for her famous biscuits, albeit with hesitation -- is a gift to all who no longer live close enough to enjoy the meals AT the cafe, but will for years savor the chance to bring the scents and flavors alive in our own kitchens.

This amazing little cafe in Candler Park has become a local landmark. The friendly casual atmosphere, consistent quality, and creativity make this a must for visitors to the city, and a very regular place for the locals. Every year they win the 'Best Biscuits' title in the Creative Loafing 'Best of Atlanta' issue, and their biscuits really are a sight to behold.For some reason April Moon and Emily Saliers (yes, the Indigo Girl) have decided to reveal their secrets in this incredible book. It has all of my favorites, like sweet potato pancakes, turkey sage sausage, peach blueberry cobbler, and of course - flying biscuits. After a dozen absolute failures trying to make these biscuits I've found a couple of tricks 1) don't use a metal bowl, 2) When the recipe says not to overwork the dough, they are not kidding. Stir til all the milk disappears, and you're done. Stop right there, knead it, roll, ... Too much stirring will keep these things from rising at all. Now mine come out great, rise incredibly high like the real things!If you're in town be sure to check it out. They have a new location near Piedmont Park, but I haven't been there. At the original location in Candler Park go early if it's a weekend. Get there by 10am and you can probably walk in. By noon the line is out the door and around the corner with over an hour wait.

Although I live in Atlanta, I have never been to the Flying Biscuit Cafe. I'm an avid cookbook collector, this is absolutely one of the best I've ever tried! I made the pumpkin cheesecake for a friend of mine for a Christmas party and it received high praise. There were NO leftovers! The recipes are relatively simple to prepare and always come out wonderfully.

Every time I have eaten brunch at the Flying Biscuit Cafe I have had to wait over an hour, sometimes more. It has always been more than worth the wait. So, my last night in Atlanta before moving away from the city I took my mother to the restaurant to say goodbye to Chef April Moon's cooking. As a souvenir I bought her cookbook. It is even more fabulous than the restaurant! Now, I don't have to wait for the sumptuous meatloaf and pudge, or to spoil myself on her low-fat banana muffins. You will love it- by making home style cooking accessible for everyone April Moon has truly accomplished something spectacular.

April Moon's food at The Flying Biscuit Cafe is so popular in Atlanta that it's typical to see very long lines of people patiently waiting to get into the restaurant each weekend. This cookbook allows you to duplicate their popular dishes at home. Last night I made The Flying Bisuit's Key Lime Pie for a dinner party and received lots of smiles and happy thumbs-up. You should also try the Turkey Meatloaf and, of course, the signature dish, Flying Biscuits. Try everything! I bought this cookbook last summer and it is already stained and dog-eared. (The only other cookbook in my kitchen which is in similarly deplorable condition is the Cafe Beaujolais cookbook written over a decade ago by California restaurateur Margaret Fox.) If you are looking for a cookbook which will inspire you to make deliciously cozy meals for your loved ones, then stop. You've found it.