Best Bakeries of 2008 from East to West
Summer is over along with all the moving, site launching and yard selling that spent it. But I never missed a chance to eat!
Just to get things going again, l'll keep this one short and sweet. Here are my picks for the two best bakeries of 2008, from coast to coast.
Best Bakeries of 2008
East Coast: Clear Flour Bread
178 Thorndike Street, Brookline, MA
618-739-0060
www.clearflourbread.com
It's a Sunday morning, the sun is shining, the air is crisp and all you can think about is a hot beverage and freshly baked brioche. Maybe that's just me, always thinking I can live like a Parisian wherever I am, but if you ever had a similar thought in your mind -- any day of the week -- this is the bakery for you. The line at the door of this tiny shop, tucked away in the residential streets of Brookline, should not deter you from stopping and picking up your favorite Italian rustic bread, chocolate croissant, banana scone, fresh fruit tart, French dinner rolls... It's amazing how many beautiful things you can do with flour. And every bite into these delicious doughy treats is better than the next. Don't bother getting cash before you go. Surprisingly, they take cards!
I may have to retire to this bakery and pretend I really am in France.
West Coast: St. Honoré Boulangerie
2335 NW Thurman Street, Portland, OR
503-445-4342
www.sainthonorebakery.com
In a city where you'll find many intriguing dining experiences, at places like the The Farm Café and Noble Rot, the one place you should go before any other is St. Honoré. Quite a bit larger than Clear Flour, you can dine outside or in this popular neighborhood bakery, preferably at a table facing the pastry case. There you will gaze at chocolate eclairs, powdered-sugar-coated almond croissants, coconut macaroons, apple toasts.... petit pains, baguettes, ficelles... Croque Monsieurs, Quiche Lorraines, Brie Bartletts... That is what you think it is. Melted brie and carmelized pears on ciabatta. I considered trading in my Chiboust breakfast for a Brie lunch, but I had a hard enough time sharing a taste of my apple-wine soaked treat with my mother, right before I finished off her croissant. The extra touch? A hot pot of fresh jasmine green tea. I never used to crave tea. Now I'm on the hunt for tea leaves that can even compare to what they have brewing over there.
Go for breakfast and lunch, every day you're in Portland.
Happy Dining!
FC
Just to get things going again, l'll keep this one short and sweet. Here are my picks for the two best bakeries of 2008, from coast to coast.
Best Bakeries of 2008
East Coast: Clear Flour Bread
178 Thorndike Street, Brookline, MA
618-739-0060
www.clearflourbread.com
It's a Sunday morning, the sun is shining, the air is crisp and all you can think about is a hot beverage and freshly baked brioche. Maybe that's just me, always thinking I can live like a Parisian wherever I am, but if you ever had a similar thought in your mind -- any day of the week -- this is the bakery for you. The line at the door of this tiny shop, tucked away in the residential streets of Brookline, should not deter you from stopping and picking up your favorite Italian rustic bread, chocolate croissant, banana scone, fresh fruit tart, French dinner rolls... It's amazing how many beautiful things you can do with flour. And every bite into these delicious doughy treats is better than the next. Don't bother getting cash before you go. Surprisingly, they take cards!
I may have to retire to this bakery and pretend I really am in France.
West Coast: St. Honoré Boulangerie
2335 NW Thurman Street, Portland, OR
503-445-4342
www.sainthonorebakery.com
In a city where you'll find many intriguing dining experiences, at places like the The Farm Café and Noble Rot, the one place you should go before any other is St. Honoré. Quite a bit larger than Clear Flour, you can dine outside or in this popular neighborhood bakery, preferably at a table facing the pastry case. There you will gaze at chocolate eclairs, powdered-sugar-coated almond croissants, coconut macaroons, apple toasts.... petit pains, baguettes, ficelles... Croque Monsieurs, Quiche Lorraines, Brie Bartletts... That is what you think it is. Melted brie and carmelized pears on ciabatta. I considered trading in my Chiboust breakfast for a Brie lunch, but I had a hard enough time sharing a taste of my apple-wine soaked treat with my mother, right before I finished off her croissant. The extra touch? A hot pot of fresh jasmine green tea. I never used to crave tea. Now I'm on the hunt for tea leaves that can even compare to what they have brewing over there.
Go for breakfast and lunch, every day you're in Portland.
Happy Dining!
FC
I'll surely check out these places when Im in town. Thanks!
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Though you are a busy person, it seems that you never forget to "EAT". Anyway, we're alike in this way.
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