Does anyone know a Really Good Bakery in the DC area? I'm planning a menu for my birthday party, and even though I had baking ambitions to begin with, I'm looking over the menu right now and there's no way in hell I can cook AND bake for 30 ppl AND keep my looks and spirits as a hostess at least serviceable.

So. Need to find a place where I can get desserts worthy of the rest. Will probably be looking for things like coffecake or streusel, not overly creamy or chocolatey. Will also need fancy brunch-y bread assortments for the table, so if I can get both, that'd be very convenient. Please help me out with suggestions, oh you who know better. Thanks a lot.

I'd consider hiring mktye if I were you.

In case you think he's kidding, a tip-top restaurant in town recently asked me if I knew of any good pastry cooks, and I referred them to mktye.

And don't forget about BCakes by BKeith!

I like Randolph's in Arlington. It's on Lee Highway, east of Glebe Rd. in the same strip of stores as Arrowine and Crisp and Juicy. Unlike many commercial bakeries, they use only fresh butter in their cakes and pastries.

A French friend of mine swears by Patisserie Poupon on Wisconsin in Upper Georgetown. What I've had was good.

Depending on the date, i'd be happy to help... pm me if interested

Take a look at today's food section in the Post, page F5. It sounds as if Natalia's Elegant Creations may be exactly what you are looking for. 571-239-0256/ www.nataliaselegantcreations.com.

Ah yes, bkeith, the creator of the ventworm cake. Post 224

Randolphs has fabulous breakfast pastries.

Whoa, bumping this topic up from way back when.....
I've wanted to try out Caboose Cafe in DelRay for some time now..for the breads. They have a schedule of breads which changes up a bit daily. I've had their sandwiches and have been pleased. Haven't been for dinner yet, but plan to try it out. The prices are very low and interestingly, they have an emphasis on ethiopain!
Well, now I'm eating the ciabatta bread and it's a winner. Big holes, chewey, moist inside with a crusty outside. I plan on checking out the other daily specialties, including Thursday's challa (for Sat. morning french toast).
We have a bottle of Routa's cab sauv (the one the boar prefers) from Planet Wine, as well as cambazola and 4 star Vermont cheddar from Cheesetique
I also noticed, as we were in planet wine , totally immersed in the smell of BACON, that they had a cheese "party pack"? (maybe that's not the exact name) but it's 5 cheeses, with descriptors in a bakery box...for $20. Also, you can get a multi pak of wine to accompany it.
We're having company next week, and will try that one out!
DelRay is so full of gems.

editted to add that my Italian husband thinks the ciabatta needs "a bit more salt"

Caboose also makes a rich, dense, sweet and moist bread pudding from their own bread.

Mmmmmmmm,,,,,,good to know!

It is time to turn the talk to the positive. Since there has been much Cakehate going own I would like to add my top spots for pastry/baked goods in the area. Please feel free to chime in.

The Swiss Bakery- (Burke)..It is run my Laurie Alleman (former PC at Galileo) and her husband who I think used to do something at Albert Uster. Everything I have had there has been quite good. Nice Swiss/German style cookies, danish, etc...I had a palmier there this morning that was near perfect. (I still need to clean the crumbs out of my car...)

Best Buns- (Shirlington).Don't knock it because it is part of a "chain". Their breakfast items are good, as well as their bread. They have a real nice petite olive loaf. The muffins are tasty as well.

Patisserie Poupon-(Georgetown) I havent been there in some time, but the croissant I had was memorable, best I have had in the DC area.

Any other thoughts, hidden gems, etc...I am always looking for something....

For cakes I love Victoria's Cakery in Fairfax City. Thet also have wonderful lemon Bars and Raspberry Bars.

Randolph's on Lee Highway next door to Arrowine in Arlington. Beautiful cakes and pastries--made with all butter.

This is a good topic! I'd love some hints from any of you on where in Adams-Mo, Woodley Park, or Dupont, I can go to pick up the best weekend morning croissant...

Cupcakes (and cookies, and anything really!) at Baked and Wired -- on Thomas Jefferson Street in Georgetown.

Since I have already taken on the daunting task of compiling the brunch places, I will gladly compile the list of bakeries.

There is some macroon place in Arlington that is good too..

You beat me to it!

Mother's Macaroons. I've almost gotten hit by cars several times while running across Harrison Street after a meal at Taqueria Poblano or Pie-tanza in search of a chocolate-covered macaroon for dessert.

I'm partial to their Bee Stings.

For some reason, I always enjoy the cakes and pastries and desserts at Firefly more than at any place. Not an argument about what's best, just what I find to be the most enjoyable and satisfying for their deliciousness and goodness. Never been dissapointed. Never a miss.

I'll second this. Great croissants and other pastries; I also like getting hot chocolate, madeleines and pecan shortbread cookies for an afternoon snack. Only issue is sometimes having to jockey for a table inside - tight space.

Ah, but they don't have a storefront just for desserts. Does Firefly do carryout?

Shuman's Bakery on S. Washington St. in Alexandria...been there forever, great for Sunday brunch, lazy paper reading and relaxing.

Alexandria Pastry Shop in Brad-Lee Shopping Center (next to the wine shop. Two temptations within easy shopping distance)

Do any of you ever make it to The Upper Crust in Middleburg? I've used to love going there as a kid, it was so unique, and as far as I know, still really is. Cow Puddles, Mutton Button (??) and all these yummy bars.

Many times. It was great in the early 90s - the best bakery in the Washington area - then went through a down period where they were actually buying their croissants from Vie de France (!), then made a comeback, and now ... I don't know.

Does anyone remember a French guy who had a bakery down Indian Head Highway in the general vicinity of Oxon Hill? Whatever happened to him?

Don't forget that custard place in del ray

I think that Shuman's has become the latest addition to the Firehook family.

Is that the one that had the old rickety rocking chair out front? I used to gorge on their lemon bars! They were pure butter and tartness! And their raspberry bars...
Are they even still open? Was their name the Upper Crust? That was my absolutely favorite in them olden' days...

It's near the safe Safeway. I can imagine a old rocksing chair on the porch.

Shuman' Bakery had been there forever. It is now a Firehook. Which I might add is pretty mediocre in my opinion. The bread there always seems underbaked to me, very pale crust with alot of sourdough flavor, not my personal preference. On the subject of bread, I still think Breadline makes the best bread in DC, hands down. There is also a bread company out of Baltimore called Bonaparte which makes some nice stuff. They used to carry their baguettes at Dean and Deluca, not sure if they do anymore. They had a real nice, almost burnt, crust...quite tasty. They have a retail bakery in Fells Point if you are ever in that neck of the woods....

Bonaparte sells their bread at the Dupont farmer's market. Their baguette is good; their croissants a little loose but tasty.

Don, I do remember the guy in Oxon Hill but can't remember his name or the name of his shop.

oh my!! I'm speechless. homogenization, here we come..

My boss purchased a sheet cake from Randolph's for my going away party (quitting the job feels so good!) and it was delicious. Chocolate layer cake with chocolate buttercream and a layer of raspberry jam on the bottom. The buttercream was so good, as it actually tasted of chocolate and not like I was eating a stick of butter.

I'd also submit Le Matin De Paris. 7326-A Little River Turnpike Annandale, VA. Korean run, but amazingly cakes and buns.

Split off into separate topics:

Gold Crust Baking Company (Jacques Gastreaux)
The Swiss Bakery (mdt)
Desserts by Gerard (mktye)
Stella's Bakery (smokey)

Bonaparte's bread is excellent. If you have your heart set on getting the bread you want, better call a day ahead and order it. I go early and scarf up as many miches and pain de mies as they let me buy. Their pastries are excellent too.

An out-of-town colleague is asking for a recommendation on a DC bakery where she can order a basket of cookies or brownies. Not exactly sure what she wants it for -- a treat for an in-town friend, perhaps.

Based on that sketchy info, where would you recommend?

Thanks!

From out-of-town perhaps a local chain is easier to deal with than a standalone bakery? They might be better set up to do what your colleague wants than a smaller operation would be. I don't know.

I've had their cookies but don't know if I've specifically had brownies:
https://www.firehook.com/e-com/index.cfm


Last I had from them was a pie that I thought was good:
http://www.breadandchocolate.com/menu.htm#Desserts

Last time I had a brownie from Firehook it was on the dry side.

Marvelous Market? They used to make a decent brownie, and their salty oat cookies were genuinely delicious. My last sampling was disappointing but perhaps something made to order might be better than buying from the case.

I'm looking for a decent place near Farragut North or Dupont. I personally find Firehook pretty gross.

Have you been to Reeve's?

What bakery around here has really good soft, white sandwich bread? I could make it myself, but I'm not going to have time. I want bread that I can turn into toast points as delivery vehicles for foie gras, and most good bakery bread nowadays is not appropriate, and the best supermarket bread is horrible. Any ideas?

Where are you located? Not sure about white sandwich bread but the Swiss Bakery in Burke has some very good product. You may want to give them a call, 703-569-3670.

Yikes. Burke isn't very convenient to me in NW Washington.

Depends on the day of your event, but Atwater's is still participating in the Sunday market at Dupont Circle. I like their breads. Here's the web site in case you wish to contact them to order or find out if the come to town other days: Atwater's

My event is tomorrow, unfortunately. Maybe I can squeeze making a loaf of bread into my already busy day tomorrow, but I doubt it.

Then, you're in luck! Maybe. Click link. Read "About Us" and see several DCesque locations on Saturday! N.B. Market on H St closed in late November, so just call.

As I recall, Atwater comes to the Saturday morning Arlington Courthouse farmers' market.

Indeed, that is documented on the "About Us" link. I need to run out to Virginia tomorrow anyway, so this might just work! Thanks y'all.