The Bake Shop. Williamsburg Virginia

In my continuing quest to sample the baked goods of multiple bakeries in the Mid-Atlantic Region, we ventured to the Bake Shop in Williamsburg while we were there in June.  Located close the campus of the College of William and Mary, and just outside of the Historic Area, this wonderful bakery is a staple of Williamsburg.  

The Bake Shop has sourdough bread... it is to die for.  They make their sourdough fresh each day.  It goes on sale early and when they are out for the day, they are out.  Personally speaking, I think it is worth the effort to get up early and get over there by 9 am when they put their bread out for sale. It goes fast, because it is absolutely amazing!

In addition to the sourdough, we "forced" ourselves to try a croissant breakfast sandwich and sticky buns.  They were beyond words GREAT!  Alas, we were so busy enjoying the town, eating our breakfast in the Historic Area and people watching that I did not take any pictures of the food.  

So instead of food pictures, I give you the link to their website. The website has mouthwatering pictures of their food! 

If you are ever in Williamsburg and want to step out of the Historic Area for some most excellent baked goods, this is the place to go!

The Bake Shop - website

Paris Baguette

A new location of this chain bakery cafe opened up across the street from my office last month. Now that the novelty has worn off and the lines have gone down, I ventured across the street this morning to pick up my lunch.  I loved my salad!  Korean BBQ.  It was spicy, but it was good!

I also sampled one of the tarts. It was so very cute, and so very delicious!  While I may not have been over there today, several of my coworkers have gone on investigative expeditions and brought back the very tasty results.  I have to say, this little tart is my favorite.  It's just enough to give me something sweet, without being an overwhelming amount of sugar.

Look at all of the beautiful cakes!

Leonard's Bakery

 Malasadas.  They should be called a gift from the Hawaiian Gods to humanity.  These wonderful Portuguese doughnut without a hole are filled with a delightful creme. I know that they sound like Boston Creme donuts, but let me assure you that a Boston Creme can't hold a candle to the light fluffiness of a Malasada. 

Malasadas were on my must try list for Hawaii.  We went to Leonard's Bakery.  Leonard's is the Original Malasada Bakery.  They began making Malasadas on Shrove Tuesday in 1953, and now they make them every single day.  

And the fillings?  Absolutely amazing. I tried several different fillings - Dobash, Haupia, and Pineapple.  Trust me when I tell you that they were absolutely amazing.

Leonard's offers so many other pastries.  I never got around to trying anything else because Malasadas were so high on my list.   

5/5, would recommend Leonard's Bakery to anyone who is passing through O'ahu!

Malasadas, fresh out of the fryer!

The famous pink box!

 

The Reister's Daughter

 It's been cold.  Very cold.  So very cold in Maryland.  One cold Friday when I was off work, I stopped by The Reister's Daughter for a cup of coffee and a sandwich.  Located on Main Street in Reisterstown, this little coffee shop has become a community hub.  The building itself is considered to be a Historic Building, The Beckley House.  This building was built in 1779.  It is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Reisterstown.  Walking into the cafe, located on the first floor of the building, is walking into a juxtaposition of time and place.  

I had the best Egg Salad Sandwich I've had in a very long time.  And a Biscoff Latte.  I ran into a friend who lives in the area, and we sat and caught up for a while. We watched the kids leaving school and laughed a lot!

Drink Specials:

When I left, I stopped and picked up some Banana Pudding and a Vegan Red Velvet Bundt cake.  They were so very, very good. 

Red Velvet (vegan) Bundt Cake

Banana Pudding!

It was a perfect way to spend a very cold day!

Website for the Reister's Daughter: https://thereistersdaughter.com/

Elli Mochi Donut

For years, I ate gluten free. I learned to tolerate the weird consistency of gluten free food.  And then... I had cancer surgery and my surgeon put me together with a nutrition team. I'm learning to eat healthier.  I've also learned two other life changing (for me) facts:

1) I am lactose intolerant.  Who boy, does that explain a lot.  Wow.

2) I can tolerate gluten.  Who boy!  I'm like a kid in a candy store!

In an effort to eat better, lose weight, and still enjoy some of that gluten filled deliciousness, I am visiting one gluten loaded bakery each month and partaking in one or two items from their menu.  Believe it or not, I spend a lot of time looking up bakeries, checking out their menus and their online reviews, looking at pictures...  (drooling a little)  *sigh*  This honestly seems like the only way to do this - indulge in some sweet treats - and NOT gain the weight I am trying so desperately to lose!

My first stop on the bakery tour was Eli Moochi, in Ellicott City.  Their donut flavors very from day to day, but there is one consistent theme: YUM!

We had company when I stopped by to pick up a dozen donuts.  We demolished those donuts in a day!  They are very good.  They are chewier than a Krispy Kreme, and denser than a Dunkin'.  They are so very good!  Also on the menu at Elli Mochi are teas and smoothies, as well as Korean Corn Dogs.  What is a Korean Corn Dog?  As near as I can tell, it is a hot dog, wrapped in the mochi dough, and then fried.  While I would absolutely love to try one, my current status of "needs to lose weight" has me bypassing this delicacy for now.  I'll be back to try them once I make these 25 extra pounds a thing of the past!

A box of Elli Mochi Donuts!  They are little pieces of art.

The cookie monster one is so cute!

My personal favorite!
I added the little umbrella - they didn't give it to me.
I thought it seemed appropriate!