It's hard to believe, but one of my favorite bakeries in the Peninsula is actually located in the shopping mall. It's not tucked away on a cute side-street in downtown Menlo Park. Or housed in a charming bungalow or Victorian. Nope, it's just sitting there next to a Banana Republic and a big ol' Macy's.
But let me tell you, I could eat their raspberry rings morning, noon and night. In fact, I have had it for breakfast ... as well as for dinner (just last night, which is what prompted this post). My husband always opts for one of their sandwiches. They're pretty simple but yummy -- just the delicious bread, meat, cheese and BUTTER. Yes butter. How Parisian!
There are lots of other great treats here, too, including cakes that look divine. And if raspberry rings aren't your thing, you can't go wrong with one of La Baguette's croissants.
La Baguette
170 Stanford Shopping Center
Palo Alto, CA
(650) 321-0535
Showing posts with label bakeries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bakeries. Show all posts
Friday, October 13, 2006
Friday, September 01, 2006
La Patisserie, Cupertino
I can't believe I haven't written about this place yet! After a satisfying lunch at Ramen Rama today, a co-worker and I decided to grab some sweets at La Patisserie -- which is in the same strip mall off of Stevens Creek.
I often complain (to anyone who will listen) that the Peninsula/South Bay is lacking in really good bakeries. You know, a place with tasty cookies and cakes -- like Tartine, Citizen Cake or DeLessio in San Francisco. But La Patisserie is one of the few places I've found down this way that can satisfy my sweet tooth.
The cakes are beautiful to look at, and just as wonderful once you take a bite. I am a big fan of their classic strawberry shortcake. But they also have a chocolate version that is topped with chocolate-dipped strawberries. Decadent! Whether your taste leans towards something rich or something light, La Patisserie probably has something to tempt you.
The cookies and tarts that I've tried have also been quite good. The fresh fruit tartlet is a winner -- no surprise considering it features an ALL-BUTTER shell. Today, I picked up a couple of mini-turnovers (available in apricot or raspberry), and they are proving to be the perfect afternoon treat.
La Patisserie
19758 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Cupertino, CA
(408) 446-4744
I often complain (to anyone who will listen) that the Peninsula/South Bay is lacking in really good bakeries. You know, a place with tasty cookies and cakes -- like Tartine, Citizen Cake or DeLessio in San Francisco. But La Patisserie is one of the few places I've found down this way that can satisfy my sweet tooth.
The cakes are beautiful to look at, and just as wonderful once you take a bite. I am a big fan of their classic strawberry shortcake. But they also have a chocolate version that is topped with chocolate-dipped strawberries. Decadent! Whether your taste leans towards something rich or something light, La Patisserie probably has something to tempt you.
The cookies and tarts that I've tried have also been quite good. The fresh fruit tartlet is a winner -- no surprise considering it features an ALL-BUTTER shell. Today, I picked up a couple of mini-turnovers (available in apricot or raspberry), and they are proving to be the perfect afternoon treat.
La Patisserie
19758 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Cupertino, CA
(408) 446-4744
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Satura Cakes, Los Altos
Last month, I mentioned that Satura Cakes would be opening soon in Palo Alto. With that opening now nailed down for June 2, I decided that I should probably try out their Los Altos location. You know, so I could determine whether or not it's worth getting excited about their new bakery. And after sampling two of their cakes, I have concluded that it is indeed worth the anticipation.
I was in downtown Los Altos yesterday around 5pm, so a few of the goodies were already sold out for the day. But there was still plenty to choose from -- cakes, cookies, pastries, chocolates. I was tempted by a ganache-filled fig that was dusted in cocoa powder, and the mango pie piqued my interest, but I decided to devote my calorie consumption to the cakes.
I picked up slices of the Satura Shortcake ($5) and the Banana Chocolate ($4). I have to say, the shortcake is quite pricey when you consider that the slice is, oh, maybe a 1.5" square. That's it, people. So, $9 poorer, I walked out of the bakery with a cute little box with a label attached indicating that these treats should be eaten today. Of course, I complied.
After dinner last night, Jon and I brought out the box. The Strawberry Shortcake was delicious -- the cake was moist, the whipped cream frosting was light and not too sweet, and the strawberries were fresh. Jon's first bite into the Banana Chocolate resulted in an odd reaction. The chocolate sponge cake is rolled with a caramel banana cream. But looking at the cake, you might think the cream is mocha. So when you get caramel banana instead, it's a little strange. Once I explained to him what the cream was, he enjoyed the rest of it. I really liked the chocolate sponge cake, but wasn't crazy about the cream filling.
Those of you waiting for the Beard Papa to set up shop in the Peninsula (downtown Redwood City, to be specific), will be happy to know that you can get your cream puff fix taken care of at Satura. When I dropped in yesterday, the two flavors offered were caramel/banana and green tea. I think they were all out of vanilla. The cream puffs are $3 each (which is a little steep), but you can also grab 5 for $10 (much better).
Although Satura's Palo Alto location isn't even open yet, there are already plans to open two more in the Peninsula by the end of the year. Good news, yes, but it means I may have to join a gym if they set up shop closer to my house...
Satura Cakes
200 Main Street
Los Altos, CA
(650) 948-3300
Opening on June 2:
320 University Avenue
Palo Alto, CA
I was in downtown Los Altos yesterday around 5pm, so a few of the goodies were already sold out for the day. But there was still plenty to choose from -- cakes, cookies, pastries, chocolates. I was tempted by a ganache-filled fig that was dusted in cocoa powder, and the mango pie piqued my interest, but I decided to devote my calorie consumption to the cakes.
I picked up slices of the Satura Shortcake ($5) and the Banana Chocolate ($4). I have to say, the shortcake is quite pricey when you consider that the slice is, oh, maybe a 1.5" square. That's it, people. So, $9 poorer, I walked out of the bakery with a cute little box with a label attached indicating that these treats should be eaten today. Of course, I complied.
After dinner last night, Jon and I brought out the box. The Strawberry Shortcake was delicious -- the cake was moist, the whipped cream frosting was light and not too sweet, and the strawberries were fresh. Jon's first bite into the Banana Chocolate resulted in an odd reaction. The chocolate sponge cake is rolled with a caramel banana cream. But looking at the cake, you might think the cream is mocha. So when you get caramel banana instead, it's a little strange. Once I explained to him what the cream was, he enjoyed the rest of it. I really liked the chocolate sponge cake, but wasn't crazy about the cream filling.
Those of you waiting for the Beard Papa to set up shop in the Peninsula (downtown Redwood City, to be specific), will be happy to know that you can get your cream puff fix taken care of at Satura. When I dropped in yesterday, the two flavors offered were caramel/banana and green tea. I think they were all out of vanilla. The cream puffs are $3 each (which is a little steep), but you can also grab 5 for $10 (much better).
Although Satura's Palo Alto location isn't even open yet, there are already plans to open two more in the Peninsula by the end of the year. Good news, yes, but it means I may have to join a gym if they set up shop closer to my house...
Satura Cakes
200 Main Street
Los Altos, CA
(650) 948-3300
Opening on June 2:
320 University Avenue
Palo Alto, CA
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Coming Soon to Palo Alto: Satura Cakes
Walking along University Avenue the other day, I noticed a storefront that will soon be the home of Satura's second Peninsula location. I haven't been to the Los Altos outpost, but I am all for more bakery options around here.The Metroactive had this to say when the Los Altos Satura opened in January:
The high-concept bakery creates pastries as artfully presented as sushi made with premium ingredients. Masahito Motohashi, one of the top 5 pastry chefs in Japan, designed the menu. Typical of Japanese confections, these desserts are less sweet than their American counterparts, and ingredients, local and organic when possible, are paired down to bare minimums so the flavors shine through. Satura Cakes does not use any hydrogenated shortenings and bakes its cakes, cookies and pastries daily. The store will also sell premium espressos and coffees.I'm especially looking forward to trying the strawberry shortcake, green tea pound cake, vanilla cream puffs, carmelized banana tart and macaroons. The menu also includes unique offerings such as strawberry or pistachio tiramisu, green tea chestnut roll and sesame blancmange.
Satura Cakes
200 Main Street
Los Altos, CA
(650) 948-3300
The Palo Alto location is scheduled to open in May.
Monday, April 10, 2006
Woodside Bakery and Cafe, Woodside
We were looking for a convenient late-lunch yesterday, so we headed up the hill to the Woodside Bakery and Cafe. Although I have stopped in many times for a pastry or dessert, my previous dining experience here was limited to one dinner. (It was a fine dinner, but not that memorable to be honest. If only I had a food blog back then to record what I ate/thought!)
So anyway... We sat inside yesterday, as we thought the rain was going to come pouring down any minute. (On a sunny day, the patio in the back is a great spot to enjoy an iced beverage and a sweet snack.) There were very few tables left when we were seated, and the bakery side of the space had quite a line of people. The restaurant's cuisine is Italian -- with a good selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas and pastas to choose from. I went with one of the daily specials: quiche with a cup of mushroom and spinach soup, as well as a side of Caesar salad, for about $11. Not a bad deal.
When the order arrived at the table, I was a little surprised by how small the wedge of quiche was, and how large the salad portion was. I immediately got started on the hot soup, which was awesome -- rich, creamy, chock-full of garlic and bits of mushroom. The quiche was okay (I wanted more crust!), as was the salad.
Jon ordered a sandwich, which was served on yummy housemade foccaccia. And our friend Josh opted for the asparagus soup (which he raved about) and a side of Caesar with grilled chicken.
After lunch, I checked out the cookies, pastries, cakes and pies. I finally decided on a slice of apricot pie, which I warmed up at home later in the evening. I put it in the oven for a few minutes (a microwave would have ruined the crust) and it was delicious.
Between the restaurant and the bakery, I think the latter is the stronger/better offering. Despite a lackluster lunch yesterday, the Woodside Bakery and Cafe still remains one of my favorite Peninsula places for breads and sweets... and now soups.
Woodside Bakery and Cafe
3052 Woodside Road
Woodside, CA
(650) 851-0812
So anyway... We sat inside yesterday, as we thought the rain was going to come pouring down any minute. (On a sunny day, the patio in the back is a great spot to enjoy an iced beverage and a sweet snack.) There were very few tables left when we were seated, and the bakery side of the space had quite a line of people. The restaurant's cuisine is Italian -- with a good selection of soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas and pastas to choose from. I went with one of the daily specials: quiche with a cup of mushroom and spinach soup, as well as a side of Caesar salad, for about $11. Not a bad deal.
When the order arrived at the table, I was a little surprised by how small the wedge of quiche was, and how large the salad portion was. I immediately got started on the hot soup, which was awesome -- rich, creamy, chock-full of garlic and bits of mushroom. The quiche was okay (I wanted more crust!), as was the salad.
Jon ordered a sandwich, which was served on yummy housemade foccaccia. And our friend Josh opted for the asparagus soup (which he raved about) and a side of Caesar with grilled chicken.
After lunch, I checked out the cookies, pastries, cakes and pies. I finally decided on a slice of apricot pie, which I warmed up at home later in the evening. I put it in the oven for a few minutes (a microwave would have ruined the crust) and it was delicious.
Between the restaurant and the bakery, I think the latter is the stronger/better offering. Despite a lackluster lunch yesterday, the Woodside Bakery and Cafe still remains one of my favorite Peninsula places for breads and sweets... and now soups.
Woodside Bakery and Cafe
3052 Woodside Road
Woodside, CA
(650) 851-0812
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