We know that dinner party problem: You want every course to be fabulous, but after spending all that time on the main course, who has the energy for dessert beyond scooping up a sorbet? Here's the solution: Visit Southern Sweets, a wholesale bakery in Decatur that recently has opened to the public. This is the place that makes the fabulous pecan pie for Dante's, the apple-walnut crunch for the Cabin, the chocolate mousse for Bone's - and dozens of other dreamy desserts for restaurants and hotels around Atlanta.

Chief baker Nancy Cole was a mom with a serious baking hobby until the kids went to school. Then she started Southern Sweets seven years ago. New she employs the whole family. The Coles recently moved into larger quarters in a warehouse district just across from the Dekalb Farmers Market. They plan to begin baking classes by month's end. Call for details.

In the maintime, stop in for an old-fashioned chocolate cake, carrot cake with cream cheese icing, lemon walnut poundcake, tiramisu, rustic apple pie, Key lime pie, Oreo cheesecake or chocolate truffle tart. There are dozens of choices by the slice (generally $3) or $18 to $24 for the whole schmear. Expect cakes to serve 14 to 16, pies to serve eight to 10. Selections vary daily. They take special orders with at least a day's notice, and holidays bring a host of specials. 186 Rio Circle (404-373-8752)