Flour Bakery is an iconic bakery in Boston, run by James Beard Chef Joanne Chang.

Chang's diet growing up consisted of traditional Chinese cuisine, but always enjoyed baking chocolate chip cookies with her mother. She went to Harvard (majoring applied mathematics and economics) when she began selling chocolate chip cookies and became known as the "Chocolate Chip Cookie Girl." Fast-forward to 2000 when she opened her first Flour Bakery in Boston's South End.

In 2007, she challenged Bobby Flay with her famous sticky buns on Food Network's Throwdown with Bobby Flay and won. (Wikipedia)

Crusty, crackling baguettes warm from the steaming oven . . . buttery, raisin-filled brioche shaped in a swirl and drizzled with sweet icing…silky-smooth chocolate cream pies…lemon curd cakes filled with crushed raspberries…fresh, made-to-order salads and sandwiches. Flour’s concept was born out of a passionate desire to share the simple pleasures that mouth-watering pastries and foods can bring. Imagine enjoying a muffin still warm from the oven, made with real butter and fresh fruit, alongside a steaming cappuccino. For lunch, choose among daily specials such as three cheese pizza with spicy tomato sauce and fresh herbs or an oven-baked asparagus and country ham quiche with a side salad. Bring home a beautifully decorated birthday cake made with flourless chocolate cake layers, rich chocolate mousse, and ganache. We offer buttery breakfast pastries, grand homemade cookies, luscious tarts, delicious pies, gorgeous cakes, and fresh, made-to-order sandwiches, soups, and salads. Everything is prepared in-house by our professional kitchen staff. Our business includes morning commuters stopping in for breakfast, area employees and neighbors enjoying lunch, friends meeting for coffee and talk, office workers seeking to satisfy their 3pm sugar craving, regulars picking up bread, salad, take-out dinner specials or dessert for their evening meal. Along with our quality product, our success depends on a well-trained, professional service staff. We strive to be constantly and consistently friendly, attentive, hospitable and courteous. We want each guest’s experience to be an enjoyable one, therefore we focus on all aspects involved: great food, gracious service, warm atmosphere, heady aromas, and irresistible displays.

This bakery + cafe is absolutely lovey. Cases full of fresh baked goods greet you as soon as you enter. Playful - yet refined - small touches graced the space. Modern lighting, friendly staff and a bustling young professional community lined the interior. I instantly fell in love.

So, I went up to the case to browse my options. A few things stuck out to me, so we ended up getting a mini sampler to try a few items - lemon ginger scone, parmesan garlic scone and a mushroom and parmesan savory brioche spiral. They also have a whole host of sandwiches and salads available and tons of other goodies.

And, I sipped my hot chocolate (which was also quite tasty) while waiting for our goodies to be done. Wow, I had no idea what I was about to devour.

The lemon ginger scone - with such a delicate flavors - was still bursting with goodness. Perfect texture: just a bit crumbly but moist and rich.

The parmesan and chive scone was divine. Perfectly bready and moist and cheesy. This is everything I want in a scone and rarely get.

The last - the savory brioche - had ground up bits of actual mushroom inside. The slightly crisp and umami bit of heaven was also complemented with some creamy cheesy flavor.

So. I mean, I don't know what else you could ask for in a bakery + cafe. The vibe here is relaxing, yet very cool. There are so many deliciously tempting items, it's difficult to choose. I could come here for scones and coffee, stay here for sandwiches and salads and if they served wine, I may never leave.

My only regret is that I didn't try a sticky bun, because I didn't know that was a ~thing.~ But, next time.

Grade: A