Man (or woman) does not live by bread alone. Sometimes you need a little good cheese or some kinda spread, or hey, if you wanna slap some good turkey, greens, and a little Dijon on a coupla slices while you're at it. Or maybe a little knock-your-socks-off soup to dip that bread in. And then maybe something sweet. So while we can state with confidence that you won't be disappointed with Ned Atwater's hearty, exquisite artisan breads, as fine as any in town and baked fresh each day, natch, Atwater's wins the mark above for its full spread of bread come-withs. In addition to cooler cases full of artisanal cheeses, many of them local (the fresh Firefly goat cheese from Garrett County will re-create a cool, green, slightly salty pasture in your mouth), Atwater's runs the Ploughboy Soups counter/takeout featuring daily soups and sandwiches that are worth a stop all their own. (Blessed be the humble chalkboard menu, for it is a sign that the kitchen isn't just phoning it in.) And then there are the desserts and treats (man, those cranberry scones, whew), and milk trucked in from Middletown's South Mountain Creamery (see also,
"Best Dairy") to go with those good cookies. Yum.