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News & ArtsFriday, September 4, 2009
City / Chow This Is What A Bakery Looks Like, You Dicks!
Posted by Jen Graves on Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 11:33 AM
Okay, granted: I HAVE LOST MY MIND THIS MORNING ON THIS SUBJECT, and therefore I am shouting.
But I am extremely happy to see Paul Bobby Constant's lifting of a commenter's VERY REASONABLE request that COULD WE PLEASE JUST HAVE AN ACTUAL BAKERY? "We need more motherfucking all-purpose bakeries all up in our shit," PBC writes. YES.
I have been giving a long speech about this to anyone who would listen for quite some time.
What the hell, Seattle? What the hell, West Coast? Do we East Coast people REALLY have to tell you what a bakery is?
A bakery has cookies that were squeezed out of a thing. (They smell strongly and specifically.)
A bakery has a cannoli.
A bakery has people wearing white coats.
A bakery gets up BEFORE DAWN just like in the Dunkin Donuts commercials.
A bakery does not show you how it's made by standing there and applying an "artisanal" frosting swirl™ on your cupcakes.
In a bakery, you SEE flour.
A bakery has a black-and-white cookie.
A bakery has yellow institutional trays.
A bakery is lit badly.
A bakery is called Joe's Bakery.
A bakery has a pie.
A bakery is not a place to hang out.
A bakery is the opposite of a boutique. The shit is good, therefore THE SHIT HAS NO NEED FOR CUTE.
4
I know it's not in town, but Sluy's poulsbo bakery is what you're looking for -with an added scandinavian thing going on.
Actually, Larsen's in North Ballard is pretty close as well.
Actually, Larsen's in North Ballard is pretty close as well.
6
I guess folks from the east coast don't understand how demand fits into the equation.
YOU ARE A FAILURE, JEN GRAVES. YOUR BAKERY INSURRECTION IS DOA.
YOU ARE A FAILURE, JEN GRAVES. YOUR BAKERY INSURRECTION IS DOA.
9
Channeling Will in Seattle here... 6 FTW. This whole thing sounds like hipsters trying to prove themselves by declaring a trend dead.
10
Man, Columbia City rules. Great butcher, Awesome bakery...once I get my candlestick making business off the ground we will rule the world of nursery rhymes.
11
A bakery like this is in the Pike Place Market. In fact, there are probably three of them hidden in there.
Half the stuff that people say "Seattle needs...(i.e. real Mexican grocery, good deli, cheap street food, blah, blah) can be found in the Market.
Half the stuff that people say "Seattle needs...(i.e. real Mexican grocery, good deli, cheap street food, blah, blah) can be found in the Market.
12
BTW, what Seattle needs is ITALIANS. That's who's making the donuts every morning on the East Coast.
Seattle used to have Italians, but they ran off at some point after the turn of the century.
Seattle used to have Italians, but they ran off at some point after the turn of the century.
15
North Hill Bakery? Macrina? They have many of the things that you desire in one location. No white coats, though. And probably fancier than you require.
16
Ravenna lost their really good bakery (well the retail front) They had the best cherry danish in Seattle. Just slightly sweet and the pastry was super light.
17
@6: Baconcat, so often I agree with you -- but in this case, folks from the east cost don't understand demand? The basis of our economy is supply and demand and our economy has its heart in New York (which is on the east coast and has spectacular bakeries). I'm not sure why for the hating on bakeries, but I'll say this: my dear, lovely, sweet Seattle will always be a bit provincial until good bagels are available there. And a good black & white cookie. I'm addicted.
18
Italians or Greeks. We were just in Melbourne, and the place is teeming with Italians and Greeks and Italian and Greek bakeries. A couple of French ones, too. Imagine the Pike Place Market, minus about half the tourists (and ALL the cruise ship fatties), and spread out and duplicated over hundreds of miles of shopping and eating streets and lanes. Their coffee is better than ours, too.
19
I feel your pain Jen. Seriously west coast, wtf (I'm looking at you San Francisco!). F your cupcakes. Where are my napoleans, apple turnovers, and croissants? I love you west coast, I do, but please make my life more tasty.
20
Ex-New Yorker here to say that Jen is totally and completely correct (and do I get points for being Jewish, too?).
However, the problem with the cramped, hot, formica-floored, fluorescent lighted, fly-buzzing and fantastically wonderful East Coast bakery setting up shop in the West is this: Seattleites have come to expect every place that offers food to be modeled after a Starbucks. If it vends food, it must also have an espresso machine, a bathroom, a newspaper stack, an outdoor terrace with umbrella tables and wi-fi. The concept of "get in, pick food, bag it, and get out" is unutterably uncivilized on the West Coast. Cries of "what, I can't get a doppio and eat my black and white cookie while streaming Pandora for three hours?" would resound through the streets. The bakers would be hounded out of town for not giving samples and smiling wide enough.
I share your dream, Jen, but I don't see it happening until everyone in Seattle decides to turn their sense of entitlement down just a few notches.
However, the problem with the cramped, hot, formica-floored, fluorescent lighted, fly-buzzing and fantastically wonderful East Coast bakery setting up shop in the West is this: Seattleites have come to expect every place that offers food to be modeled after a Starbucks. If it vends food, it must also have an espresso machine, a bathroom, a newspaper stack, an outdoor terrace with umbrella tables and wi-fi. The concept of "get in, pick food, bag it, and get out" is unutterably uncivilized on the West Coast. Cries of "what, I can't get a doppio and eat my black and white cookie while streaming Pandora for three hours?" would resound through the streets. The bakers would be hounded out of town for not giving samples and smiling wide enough.
I share your dream, Jen, but I don't see it happening until everyone in Seattle decides to turn their sense of entitlement down just a few notches.
23
Here are the bakeries in the Pike Place Market:
Cinnamon Works
Daily Dozen Doughnuts
Le Panier
Mee Sum Pastries
Pike Place Bakery
Piroshky-Piroshky
Svedala Bakery
The Confectional Cheesecakes
Three Girls Bakery
I'm guessing one of them fits the bill. Go visit.
Cinnamon Works
Daily Dozen Doughnuts
Le Panier
Mee Sum Pastries
Pike Place Bakery
Piroshky-Piroshky
Svedala Bakery
The Confectional Cheesecakes
Three Girls Bakery
I'm guessing one of them fits the bill. Go visit.
27
YES!!! And I am fucking sick of every god damn fucking place thinking they have to offer espresso (That's you TOP POT and GREATFUL BREAD!!!) When I go to a bakery or donut shop I want to by the shit I need and GET THE FUCK OUT!!
I don't want to wait for some idiot from Sandpoint ordering 16 coffee beverages when I just need a god damn loaf of Wheat Bread!!!
I'm looking at you Greatful Bread!!!!
I don't want to wait for some idiot from Sandpoint ordering 16 coffee beverages when I just need a god damn loaf of Wheat Bread!!!
I'm looking at you Greatful Bread!!!!
28
@22. Oh, you don't even want to ask that question. Every time an "authentic New York Jewish Deli"
opens on the West Coast (namely Portland or Seattle) it's a laughable, pale imitation. It either limps along--patronized by those who have never had an actual gefilte fish or slice of pickle and deem it good--or it crawls back under the rock from whence it came. It's usually not even the deli's own fault, it's just doomed by the type and quality of food it can source out here.
Just tighten your belt and wait til the next time you can get to Newark.
opens on the West Coast (namely Portland or Seattle) it's a laughable, pale imitation. It either limps along--patronized by those who have never had an actual gefilte fish or slice of pickle and deem it good--or it crawls back under the rock from whence it came. It's usually not even the deli's own fault, it's just doomed by the type and quality of food it can source out here.
Just tighten your belt and wait til the next time you can get to Newark.
29
The Original Bakery in West Seattle. Mmmm, donuts and thumbprint cookies. (I think he's Greek, too.)
31
@17: I'm pointing out the reason there aren't any bakeries and why we have cutesy cupcake shops all over the place. People aren't clamoring for industrial-style bakeries in large enough numbers that the bakery counter at QFC is so full that some young entrepreneur says "I should open my own". People ARE lining up in droves at those cutesy cupcake shops, though!
And by the way, Jen has it all wrong-- after all, Magnolia Bakery is cutesy. Sweet Revenge is hipstery. And they're both in NYC. And Magnolia expanded. And Sweet Revenge's owner is looking at sharing her model with others.
OH NOES, BOUTIQUE BAKERY INVASION!!!!!!
And by the way, Jen has it all wrong-- after all, Magnolia Bakery is cutesy. Sweet Revenge is hipstery. And they're both in NYC. And Magnolia expanded. And Sweet Revenge's owner is looking at sharing her model with others.
OH NOES, BOUTIQUE BAKERY INVASION!!!!!!
33
True, Seattle does not have many dirty, poorly lit bakeries making institutional-quality food like you crave. (Grand Central has flour, pie, people up before dawn in white coats and you can watch everything being through a window, though it's a clean window. Sorry.) And if you must go to a dingy place where the food is made conveyor-belt style with little love or soul, try Borracchini's on Rainier Avenue. It has all of these things you mention.
37
Because if reality doesn't conform to a David Lynch masturbation fantasy I'm going to throw hissy fits on a my blog.
How about this. Walk into Tim Keck's office and demand that The Stranger be redesigned to look like quaint throwback to a circa 1947 newspaper and the whole staff and their boyfriends too has to dress like extras from His Girl Friday, 24-7, including affecting a hard-boiled inkstained wretch accent. Once that's all going swimmingly, whine about why there are no retro bakeries.
Could also check Disneyland. Don't they love stereotypes?
How about this. Walk into Tim Keck's office and demand that The Stranger be redesigned to look like quaint throwback to a circa 1947 newspaper and the whole staff and their boyfriends too has to dress like extras from His Girl Friday, 24-7, including affecting a hard-boiled inkstained wretch accent. Once that's all going swimmingly, whine about why there are no retro bakeries.
Could also check Disneyland. Don't they love stereotypes?
38
@31: Magnolia Bakery is not a bakery. I've not been to or even seen Sweet Revenge, so I can't comment. Amy's Bread is a bakery. H&H Bagels Midtown East is a bakery (though admittedly limited). Sullivan Street Bakery is a bakery.
And yes, the Jewish deli thing is another sad lack. There's gotta be some mensch out there who wants to bring the real thing to Seattle!
And yes, the Jewish deli thing is another sad lack. There's gotta be some mensch out there who wants to bring the real thing to Seattle!
40
Henceforth no person from the East Coast is allowed, permitted, or authorized to reiterate for the umpthousandth time that the West Coast needs anything resembling, related to, or conspecific with:
pizza, thin crust
pizza, deep dish
stands, food
bagels
do(ugh)nuts
bakeries
Polish food
Italian food
Greek food
Southern food
Mexican food
(further items added as necessary)
We *already* know that you don't like what we have out here, or that you think we lack it, and we don't care.
In addition, people who think that the Seattle area has no Thai food, beer, or coffee must be immediately remanded to reeducation camps with Michelle Bachmann.
pizza, thin crust
pizza, deep dish
stands, food
bagels
do(ugh)nuts
bakeries
Polish food
Italian food
Greek food
Southern food
Mexican food
(further items added as necessary)
We *already* know that you don't like what we have out here, or that you think we lack it, and we don't care.
In addition, people who think that the Seattle area has no Thai food, beer, or coffee must be immediately remanded to reeducation camps with Michelle Bachmann.
42
Idea: Once the bubble starts to burst, wouldn't it be a great idea to turn the cupcake royales and what-not into the bakeries everyone wants? The interior would be nice than the eastcoast, but they could easily diversify and sell the kinds of stuff people are obviously wanting (and needing?) long term… Seems like a good way to change the business model once the cupcake gold mine goes bust.
43
@38: I never said it was a bakery, did I? I'm just pointing out that this trend has been going on for yeeeeeeeears and is still growing. Oh, and that the east coast also has many a cutesy little hipstery boutique bakery.
44
The problem is that most of you East Coasters seem to fail to take into account the fact that, culturally high-density, long-established neighborhoods in large East Coast cities like NYC, Boston, Philly, et al have these kinds of places primarily because: A. of all) they've always been there and; B. of all) they traditionally haven't had to compete with large-scale regional suburban chains like A&P, Wegmans and such.
However, on the West Coast (heck, pretty much anywhere BUT the Northeast, and maybe Chicago), the large chains: Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, Hannaford, Piggly Wiggly, you name it - have pretty much been the norm since the 1940's, because even in relatively denser urban cores in the South, Mid-West and West Coast there was still enough cheap land available to plop down a 40,000 ft sq supermarket in the middle of an in-city neighborhood.
Seriously, do think think that if Manhattan had the equivalent chain-store density of Seattle that most of those little neighborhood butchers and bakers would still be around? I sincerely doubt that would be the case.
However, on the West Coast (heck, pretty much anywhere BUT the Northeast, and maybe Chicago), the large chains: Kroger, Safeway, Albertsons, Hannaford, Piggly Wiggly, you name it - have pretty much been the norm since the 1940's, because even in relatively denser urban cores in the South, Mid-West and West Coast there was still enough cheap land available to plop down a 40,000 ft sq supermarket in the middle of an in-city neighborhood.
Seriously, do think think that if Manhattan had the equivalent chain-store density of Seattle that most of those little neighborhood butchers and bakers would still be around? I sincerely doubt that would be the case.
46
@40 As far as I know, it's usually the Californians pining for Mexican food, not the East Coasters.
47
Based on the post, you seem to believe Capitol Hill is reflective of the whole city. If you left the hill, you would note bakeries all over town.
Some were mentioned in the comments. Also of note is Bakery Nouveau in West Seattle. They've won international awards and are always busy on the weekends.
Some were mentioned in the comments. Also of note is Bakery Nouveau in West Seattle. They've won international awards and are always busy on the weekends.
49
@37: It's already like that here! You should see my hat and my shoulderpads. Also, if you keep at it like this with our Miss Graves, you're gonna take a nap in a pile of dirt, only you're not gonna wake up, see?
50
Any discussion of Seattle bakeries that omits mention of Remo's is utterly bizarre.
http://www.nowcake.com/
http://www.nowcake.com/
51
Sometimes I think the Slog should be renamed "Reluctantly in Seattle." Is there anyone that writes for the Slog/Stranger that's even from here? When I went away for a couple of years, I never did the "in Seattle, we do such and such way better, and you should do it the same way." It's just so tiresome. The bagel rants are especially crazy.
52
@50, what are you, an outta towner? That's Borracchini's, which has been mentioned multiple times. We don't call it Remo's. :D
53
The problem with East Coast Bakeries is that the stuff looks way better than it tastes. I'm from New York so don't start with me. Most of the best "standard" EC bakeries I've been to are in New Jersey. Check out B&W in Hackensack sometime. Delish. the coffee cake is un-friggin-believable.
For Seattle, the best bakery,far and away, is Cafe Besalu. No black and white cookies, no scones (I never saw a scone unitl I moved to Seattle) and the Lindsor Tart (sp?) is an actual tart and not some lame ass cookie. Not a standard EC bakery at all. Just awesome.
For Seattle, the best bakery,far and away, is Cafe Besalu. No black and white cookies, no scones (I never saw a scone unitl I moved to Seattle) and the Lindsor Tart (sp?) is an actual tart and not some lame ass cookie. Not a standard EC bakery at all. Just awesome.
55
@40 @44: Agreed! (And I'm one of those "East Coasters).
I'd add Philly cheesesteaks to the list. And I'd also add that what Jen wants (and all the other folks posting that they want this or that from the east coast) is atmosphere. Jen has wonderful choices here, but she still craves the environment of where she originally enjoyed conveyor-belt cookies, cannoli, etc, not the actual food stuffs. And that environment is impossible to duplicate. Because when people open new businesses to look like old, unaffected ones, it comes off as the opposite: posh and inauthentic. She needs to seek out existing old generational businesses (Borracchini's, Larsen's etc) to get her fix.
I'd add Philly cheesesteaks to the list. And I'd also add that what Jen wants (and all the other folks posting that they want this or that from the east coast) is atmosphere. Jen has wonderful choices here, but she still craves the environment of where she originally enjoyed conveyor-belt cookies, cannoli, etc, not the actual food stuffs. And that environment is impossible to duplicate. Because when people open new businesses to look like old, unaffected ones, it comes off as the opposite: posh and inauthentic. She needs to seek out existing old generational businesses (Borracchini's, Larsen's etc) to get her fix.
56
shut up....seriously, this is the reason i left the East Coast.....these places are fat-ass factories.....they serve one purpose....making people fat.
fuck you bakeries!
fuck you bakeries!
57
What you just wrote here is a great metaphor for why I am moving back to Seattle from New York after living here six years. First of all, there are bakeries in Seattle like you describe. Second, sure, it is fun to find a hole in the wall bakery in Queens that specializes in black and white cookies--but I like a little romance with my sweet. Give me good lighting and a place to hang out (great harvest/even cupcake royale--which is really a coffe and t-shirt shop as far as I am concerned) over a surly guy with florescent lighting any day. Seattle has won the coffee war in New York City--people hang out, and drink coffee from independent coffee shops. And now with places like Billy's opening, bakeries are headed that direction. I agree with some of the above posts that this cupcake bubble will burst, but I think there is a market for bakery/cafes. While I am happy to bring back the best of New York--I refuse to let that include crappy lighting--sorry Jen.
58
@52 -valid point. I've never called it Remo's, either, but was pretty sure I would fuck up the spelling if I went for its proper name.
Borachinnis is pretty much exactly what this post laments Seattle lacks. Maybe a little too 'hood for the author or something.
Borachinnis is pretty much exactly what this post laments Seattle lacks. Maybe a little too 'hood for the author or something.
59
Jen, this is the first time you've ever posted anything I agreed with. Sure, it's about bakeries and you're on the staff for writing about art, but it's the little things that bring people together.
These kinds of bakeries exist all over the place. They're just not fashionable, cute, or expensive, so the general public doesn't feel they are news worthy.
The baked goods at Bay Cities in Santa Monica is great. The bread they make their sandwiches with.... oh god... the bread... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....... ohhhhh.... god yeeesssssss....
Uh, I mean I kind of like the place.
These kinds of bakeries exist all over the place. They're just not fashionable, cute, or expensive, so the general public doesn't feel they are news worthy.
The baked goods at Bay Cities in Santa Monica is great. The bread they make their sandwiches with.... oh god... the bread... mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....... ohhhhh.... god yeeesssssss....
Uh, I mean I kind of like the place.
60
#19 - I didn't think we had any of these cupcakes shops down here. I've never noticed anything but dozens of unaffiliated businesses called "Happy Donuts" that often sell Chinese food and Cheeseburgers, also. With one notable exception on 24th street, they are rarely happy places.
61
Borracchini's on Rainier is pretty bad quality, but it's what you're describing. Better pastry but not 100% right: Columbia City Bakery or Madison Park Bakery. MPB in particular is a get-in/get-out place with turnovers and donuts and cake and spritz cookies in many shapes and colors. They only have drip coffee, which is a nice change.
The best one I've found is a drive from Seattle: Sultan Bakery, in Sultan. Two kinds of bread, donuts, eclairs, cookies, and strange things like "apple cups" which involve cinnamon rolls dough cut into chunks and canned apple pie filling. I believe they open at 6am; it's on the way to Stevens Pass. Kids are in line to buy .35 cookies; the bathroom is back through the kitchen, which is a totally basic production facility like you're talking about.
The black-and-white is a totally regional item, toots, so the only way to get a good one here is to bake 'em yourself. They're not hard.
The best one I've found is a drive from Seattle: Sultan Bakery, in Sultan. Two kinds of bread, donuts, eclairs, cookies, and strange things like "apple cups" which involve cinnamon rolls dough cut into chunks and canned apple pie filling. I believe they open at 6am; it's on the way to Stevens Pass. Kids are in line to buy .35 cookies; the bathroom is back through the kitchen, which is a totally basic production facility like you're talking about.
The black-and-white is a totally regional item, toots, so the only way to get a good one here is to bake 'em yourself. They're not hard.
62
Oh yeah, we've also something here en mass you probably won't find on the East Coast; the Mexican bakery. Hell yes.
63
--quote:
"I don't want to wait for some idiot from Sandpoint ordering 16 coffee beverages when I just need a god damn loaf of Wheat Bread!!!
I'm looking at you Greatful Bread!!!!"
--end quote
There is not a percentage high enough to measure how much I agree with this comment. Christ that place irks me something fierce.
"I don't want to wait for some idiot from Sandpoint ordering 16 coffee beverages when I just need a god damn loaf of Wheat Bread!!!
I'm looking at you Greatful Bread!!!!"
--end quote
There is not a percentage high enough to measure how much I agree with this comment. Christ that place irks me something fierce.
64
I would like to point out the bakeries in the ID, second Larsen's, add my voice to the the others calling out Borrichinni's, and say, HELL YES! to the Mexican & Salvadorian bakeries in the South end.
65
Honore sits on 70th between Ballard and Crown Hill. It will make you forget the wads of earwax and dustbunnies that pass for baked goods in NYC. Seriously, fuck macaroons- get a salted caramel macaron.
66
Jen, if you are ever in Puyallup, look up the Pioneer Bakery downtown. It matches your description to a T.
Sluys in Poulsbo bears a superficial resemblance, but their cookies suck.
Sluys in Poulsbo bears a superficial resemblance, but their cookies suck.
67
Don't listen to this madman @65. He's spouting nonsense. Get of the bad drugs, freak!
There is no bakery on 70th. Nobody waste your time looking for one because Honore is a myth and even if it wasn't a myth it sucks and you would hate it there. Go somewhere else, trust me. Go stand in line to that Besalu place. It's heaven; you'll love it.
Who lets these nutters post lies on the internet?
There is no bakery on 70th. Nobody waste your time looking for one because Honore is a myth and even if it wasn't a myth it sucks and you would hate it there. Go somewhere else, trust me. Go stand in line to that Besalu place. It's heaven; you'll love it.
Who lets these nutters post lies on the internet?
68
On the east coast everything is made with american cheese, i think we got the better half of the deal.
69
If I were a sadistic person, today I would present to Paul Bobby Constant The New England Yankee Cookbook published 1939, in which Northeastern recipes and culture from a bygone era are shared. Let's see how much of his novel he could finish while he's affixing post-it notes to pages with requests of "Make this, please, while I work" or answering quizzes like "R U a Yankee Cook?" Then he'd be forced to make his novel something like "The Burly Androscoggin Lumbermen Stew Slurpin' Club", an inverse of the Suthen culinary chick-lit novel trend.
70
I like the theory of Borrachinni's much more than the reality. The pastries are dusty-feeling and lack flavor. Ugh. The decorated cakes crapped out at lightning speed are something to behold.
73
Jen,
I would like to recommend Nielsen's Bakery on 520 2nd Ave W in Queen Anne. They do Danish pastries with a rotating daily menu (chokoladebollers on Friday, that's all I know).
My daily pastry haunt is Grand Central Bakery in Pioneer Square. I would highly recommend the peach hand pies, sticky buns (give em a once-over, though, the buns are not consistent).
Also Louisa's in Eastlake. Get a blueberry muffin or a coffee cake.
Quinton
I would like to recommend Nielsen's Bakery on 520 2nd Ave W in Queen Anne. They do Danish pastries with a rotating daily menu (chokoladebollers on Friday, that's all I know).
My daily pastry haunt is Grand Central Bakery in Pioneer Square. I would highly recommend the peach hand pies, sticky buns (give em a once-over, though, the buns are not consistent).
Also Louisa's in Eastlake. Get a blueberry muffin or a coffee cake.
Quinton
74
The cookies at Borracchini's taste like stale Crisco. In that respect it can pass as an east-coast bakery.
77
Ok, this is serious now. Jen, a fat girl foodie (and friend of Lindy West) wants to hug you so tight for what you accurately summed up the bakery as. I love you.
I grew up going to Borracchini's and remember it fondly. However, I go to Chicago once every year or two and eat like a queen in New York City and we don't measure up out here. Which is fine. Fuck competing. What is this high school? We're not the losing team, we're not challenging the East Coast like that stupid Domino's commercial or whatever.
I love small businesses, I love deliciousness, I just want doughnuts, cupcakes, scones, cakes, bread, and all my other carb friends to get along.
Segregation never! Baked goods together! (PS if anyone jacks this for their business logo I better get my piece of the pie. Pun intended.)
I grew up going to Borracchini's and remember it fondly. However, I go to Chicago once every year or two and eat like a queen in New York City and we don't measure up out here. Which is fine. Fuck competing. What is this high school? We're not the losing team, we're not challenging the East Coast like that stupid Domino's commercial or whatever.
I love small businesses, I love deliciousness, I just want doughnuts, cupcakes, scones, cakes, bread, and all my other carb friends to get along.
Segregation never! Baked goods together! (PS if anyone jacks this for their business logo I better get my piece of the pie. Pun intended.)
78
I'll second (3rd?) Borracchini's on Rainier and all the mom & pop places in the ID. Also try Delite Bakery in Beacon Hill. Both are within a few blocks of a light rail station (and my house--yay!).
Columbia City Bakery and Macrina both produce far superior quality--and charge correspondingly more.
Where are these Mexican and Salvadoran places people mention? We have a couple of tiendas, but no bakery per se. Red Apple has a South American baked goods section...where is the bakery?
Columbia City Bakery and Macrina both produce far superior quality--and charge correspondingly more.
Where are these Mexican and Salvadoran places people mention? We have a couple of tiendas, but no bakery per se. Red Apple has a South American baked goods section...where is the bakery?
79
Honestly, I'm just shocked Jen wrote about something other than someone else's money-wasting art wank.
80
Just went to Madison Park Bakery for the first time in years because I learned they serve my favorite donut - the Buttermilk Old Fashioned. When I entered, I almost passed out from the heavenly smells and array of options. Luckily I made it back to the donut counter before cinnamon breads, cookies, and other pastries got me first. It's a little pricey, but I can't WAIT for my next opportunity to cross town to this gem. Go take your pictures there and drool.
Meanwhile, I live within walking distance of Besalu and shooting distance of Larsen's, FTW! I'm a Beacon Hill native, so Remo Borracchini's holds fine childhood memories for me, but my adult tastebuds do not like spending my indulgence calories there.
Meanwhile, I live within walking distance of Besalu and shooting distance of Larsen's, FTW! I'm a Beacon Hill native, so Remo Borracchini's holds fine childhood memories for me, but my adult tastebuds do not like spending my indulgence calories there.
81
"Honestly, I'm just shocked Jen wrote about something other than someone else's money-wasting art wank."
So says the sports obsessive. Wankery and gross wastes of public funds abound in the sports world.
So says the sports obsessive. Wankery and gross wastes of public funds abound in the sports world.
82
@67 You're pretty damn funny. First I was like WTF?, but then I realized you've been standing in those long the lines get at honore on Sunday morning, so you are putting up a smokescreen to make sure no else steals your gruyere tart.
I grew up in NY, and totally lament the lack of good cannolis italian bread, but I'm not going to complain about some of the great stuff here in Seattle.
I grew up in NY, and totally lament the lack of good cannolis italian bread, but I'm not going to complain about some of the great stuff here in Seattle.
84
81. Hey, at least sports wank a) doesn't use up Federal funding and b) actually makes some money in return... even if it does go back down the wasteful chute of athletes' and franchises' bottomless pockets.
What is a $2 million iron sculpture out in the desert, other than pretty to look at and something for Graves to write about as if the artist just added to the canon of humankind?
What is a $2 million iron sculpture out in the desert, other than pretty to look at and something for Graves to write about as if the artist just added to the canon of humankind?
85
The Delite Bakery on Beacon Hill looks exactly like the one pictured. Their pastries are huge, delicious and CHEAP. There's no menu board and no chi-chi little cards telling you what things are called. If you know what it's called, good for you, otherwise you'll just have to point.
They have a Thai slant so there's weird stuff you've never tasted but should (purple frosted cakes). The best thing there is a banana wrapped in an egg roll wrapper, deep fried and drizzled with caramelized sugar syrup.
They have a Thai slant so there's weird stuff you've never tasted but should (purple frosted cakes). The best thing there is a banana wrapped in an egg roll wrapper, deep fried and drizzled with caramelized sugar syrup.
86
@26 gets it right, REMO's is indeed the little italian run place. and North Hill Bakery on 15th is okay, but lacking in any variety of choices, tiny, and wayyy overpriced compared to the real NYC thing . George's deli on madison has some Greenpoint-ish pastries.
@44 nails half the economics: the other half: food is cheaper in NYC; not sure why, but it is. ergo, you can operate a bakery that sells 25 cent cookies even today. Or a hundred of them in one town.
(My own personal fav was the Vaccaro Bakery in Astoria, Queens: ten bucks would get you two medium bags of goodies - bread, rolls, cookies, pastries, and even those little cheesey-bread-not-quite-sandwich masterpeices.)
@44 nails half the economics: the other half: food is cheaper in NYC; not sure why, but it is. ergo, you can operate a bakery that sells 25 cent cookies even today. Or a hundred of them in one town.
(My own personal fav was the Vaccaro Bakery in Astoria, Queens: ten bucks would get you two medium bags of goodies - bread, rolls, cookies, pastries, and even those little cheesey-bread-not-quite-sandwich masterpeices.)
87
Just so you know Jen, this post inspired me to attempt making cannoli for the first time this weekend. They were excellent. Thanks.
90
Oh, and the next person who starts whining on Slog about how Seattle doesn't have any of this or that Jewish or Italian food should perhaps consider that Seattle also doesn't really have any Jews or Italians.
92
This is what I used:
http://www.recipezaar.com/Cannoli-95546
A few notes for any of you that try this:
The wine for the dough seemed weird but it worked fine. I needed about a cup though, not the 3/4 cup the recipe called for.
They're not kidding when they say make the dough paper thin. I rolled with a pasta maker on 3 and that was still too thick. I'd probably go 4 or 5 next time.
Leave yourself time for dough frying. Took forever.
For the filling, I skipped the cherries and instead replaced with orange zest. After sitting for an hour in the fridge the filling (with the mini-choc chips) was awesome.
I had better luck with the Frigo whole milk cheese than other brands. Was a little difficult to find but worth it. Top had it.
I didn't use the whipped cream option.
Buon appetito!
http://www.recipezaar.com/Cannoli-95546
A few notes for any of you that try this:
The wine for the dough seemed weird but it worked fine. I needed about a cup though, not the 3/4 cup the recipe called for.
They're not kidding when they say make the dough paper thin. I rolled with a pasta maker on 3 and that was still too thick. I'd probably go 4 or 5 next time.
Leave yourself time for dough frying. Took forever.
For the filling, I skipped the cherries and instead replaced with orange zest. After sitting for an hour in the fridge the filling (with the mini-choc chips) was awesome.
I had better luck with the Frigo whole milk cheese than other brands. Was a little difficult to find but worth it. Top had it.
I didn't use the whipped cream option.
Buon appetito!
93
Jen, if you were a new yorker, you would know, what seattle lacks is not an east coast bakery, what we need is a real new york style korean deli.
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