Archive for the 'Bakery' Category

Dahlia Bakery – Seattle

Published by Gastronomer on May 10, 2013 in Bakery, Restaurant Review and Seattle. 7 Comments

There was much to love about our accommodations in Seattle, the Mayflower Park Hotel, but the amenity I relished most was its proximity to Dahlia Bakery. I appreciate graceful service, plush beds, and luxurious bathrooms as much as the next out-of-towner, but my passion for amazing baked goods trumps all!

I’ve dined at a handful of Chef Tom Douglas’ restaurants over the years—Dahlia Lounge, Serious Pie, and Seatown—but this was my first visit to the hearth of the operation: Dahlia Bakery.

While the lunchtime menu consisting of salads, soups, and sandwiches sounded quite lovely, I was particularly drawn to the breakfast offerings that are served until 10 AM on Mondays through Fridays and until 2 PM on weekends. Breakfast sandwiches and fried-to-order doughnuts? Yes, please.

I came into the bakery with a solid game plan, but couldn’t resist one impulse buy: the Creamsicle Whoopie Pie ($3). What can I say? I get weak around glittery sprinkles. This unplanned purchase proved to be a great one—the luscious cream center tasted orangey to the core, while the cakey cookies were definitely zesty.

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The Sycamore Kitchen – Los Angeles

Published by Gastronomer on March 21, 2013 in Bakery, Los Angeles, Mid-City and Restaurant Review. 4 Comments

Chefs Quinn and Karen Hatfield can do no wrong in my book. Their restaurant Hatfield’s in Hollywood is one of the loveliest spots in town, serving desserts that dazzle and a Croque Madame worthy of being my deathbed meal.

The two Hatfields debuted The Sycamore Kitchen, a fast-casual bakery and sandwich concept, last summer, and I’ve been eager to check it out ever since.

The Astronomer and I made our way to The Sycamore Kitchen late one Saturday afternoon. The daily special, a Vietnamese steak salad, was unfortunately sold out at this hour, as were the famous Salted Caramel Pecan Babka Rolls, but most everything else was still available.

We placed our order at the counter, grabbed a seat nearby, and awaited our spread.

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Dominique Ansel Bakery – New York City

Published by Gastronomer on February 22, 2013 in Bakery, Dessert, French, New York City and Restaurant Review. 0 Comments

With our bellies full of chicken livers and smoked meat, The Astronomer, my sis-in-law Sonia, and I strolled over to Dominique Ansel Bakery for one final sugar rush.

Chef Dominique Ansel opened his eponymous bakery at the end of last year after toiling at Daniel for six years and at Fauchon in Paris before that. Even though the shop has been open for only a short while, there’s already buzz that it’s the best bakery in town. Hype in these here parts can be intense.

I had my sights set on the “Perfect Little Egg Sandwich” ($5) this afternoon, but unfortunately it is only available before noon on weekdays. I quickly switched gears and perused the pristine pastries on hand.

In addition to croissants, ice creams, sorbets, and sandwiches, the bakery offers an array of jaw-droppingly beautiful tarts and cakes. Each one was assembled with precision and was far too fetching to eat, really.

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Cinco Sensational Sinoloan Sweets

Published by Gastronomer on November 19, 2012 in Bakery, Dessert, Media Event (this meal was free), Mexican, Sinaloa and Street Food. 3 Comments

While exploring the local culinary scene during the Gran Fiesta Amigos de Mazatlán, I was introduced to a plethora of sugar high-inducing sweets that really made an impression on me. Here are the five (plus a few bonus entries) most sensational Sinaloan dulces that passed these lips in chronological order…

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Uno!

Following lunch in Puerta de Canoas, we walked over to Jamoncillos de Doña Delia a few feet away to taste the shop’s signature candies: jamoncillos.

Also known as Mexican fudge, these bite-sized caramel kisses are made by cooking down leche de bronco (unpasteurized cow’s milk) with brown sugar.

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{swoon} Old Fashioned Ice Box at Lark Cake Shop

Published by Gastronomer on October 8, 2012 in Bakery, Dessert, Los Angeles, Silver Lake and {swoon}. 5 Comments

Cupcakes are cute and all, but here at James and Colleen Standish’s Silver Lake bakery, it’s the sky high layer cakes that rule the sugar high roost. A dozen different creations, including “Stacey’s Old Fashioned Coconut Cake” (coconut cake with cream cheese icing and coconut shavings) and the “Berry Shortcake” (white cake layered with fresh berries, pastry cream, and whipped cream), are baked fresh every day ready to be personalized and picked up for backyard birthdays and celebrations of all sorts.

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