Every time I take a weekend trip to Atlanta, it goes without saying that I’ll be having a hearty and healthy breakfast at J. Christopher’s. For the life of me, I cannot make a pancake, so I rely on this cheerful restaurant (with several locations in the area) to bring me a stack of blueberry crunch cakes, served with granola, and a Thermos of hot coffee. Usually I’ll order a side of turkey sausage and some scrambled eggs too. Service is quick, friendly and helpful, especially if you can get there before the churchgoers arrive. The skillets are highly recommended and satisfying, and if you’re feeling indulgent, you can’t go wrong with the Eggs Benedict.

I’ve stayed in the Buckhead neighborhood the last few times in the city, and there’s now a J. Christopher’s location just up the street from three of my favorite stores — The Container Store, Crate and Barrel and Cost Plus World Market. (We don’t have these in Nashville yet.) Another popular location is in Decatur, which is probably where I’ll stay next time I’m in town, because of its numerous downtown drinking establishments. I’ll gladly take you to IKEA if you just let me spend one night at the Brick Store Pub. If you’re ever in the Decatur area, take in some music at Eddie’s Attic, where singers like John Mayer, Shawn Mullins and Jennifer Nettles all paid their dues.

J. Christopher’s also has eateries in Savannah, Ga., and Tampa, Fla., and a new location has just opened in Franklin, Tenn., about a half-hour south of Nashville. That’s not far from some challenging bike courses — lots of hills out there. I figure I’ll work up an appetite one Saturday morning and reward myself with a plate of pancakes. That’s something I’d never do at home.