Dan the Baker is a small toast bar in Columbus.
"Dan Riesenberger produces world-renowned sourdough breads using time-honored practices and honest ingredients with great integrity, right here in Columbus! His products are available in some of the best grocers and restaurants in the city," reads his Facebook.
His website continues: Dan the Baker's artisan breads are deftly created from 100% organic grains, using the ancient method of sourdough fermentation. For most of our breads, we use only our wild leaven to raise the dough. This time-honored technique imparts a beautiful complexity and savor to our bread, and yields easily digestible loaves.
Dan the Baker's breads are baked directly on our Italian oven's radiant stone hearth and develop a deep, flavorful crust. We are inspired to use many unique whole grain combinations, some of which are 100% whole grain pan loaves, (rye, whole spelt) and additions of sprouted whole grains (millet, quinoa, buckwheat and oats, to name a few.)
Dan has a passion to source as many locally cultivated ingredients from small purveyors whenever possible. We believe that in order to make the best, most nutritious food available, one must start with the best possible ingredients.
Dan the Baker's breads and pastries are a reflection of this philosophy: from the stone-ground Ohio whole wheat flour to seasonally gathered local fruits and vegetables, to locally grown herbs and mushrooms, each ingredient has been carefully chosen with this in mind.
I left with two pastries, which were simple yet tasty and artfully executed. Not overly sweet or out of the ordinary. But solidly good.
Grade: B
I found this small business called Sweet Burcheez that makes fruit breads at The Wild Ramp in Huntington. I thought it was so tasty that I wanted to learn more:
Harper and my mom have dreamed of owning their own bakery for years... they spend hours in the kitchen making pumpkin muffins, brownies, jams, pies and so much more... so they have decided to pursue their dream and start with online orders and setting up at the Farmers Market in Huntington! I will be posting their items weekly (and sometimes more)... You can request an item or pick from something offered! Everything will be made fresh... Jams, Jelly's and AppleButter are currently being made and canned for enjoyment throughout the year!!! A good friend gave me the Nickname "Burchee" and my kids have loved it.. and that's how the name "Burchees Sweets" was formed!!! Get ready to start seeing some wonderful items posted... these ladies can't wait to start baking (more)!!!
Blissful Bites is a bakery that sells goods at local markets and events. I was lucky enough to catch them recently in Charleston and had to nab some sweets. I devoured a vanilla flavored cake pop as I walked through holiday lights. I tend to like mine a bit more moist, in this one was more on the dryer cake side. Still fun and whimsical.
Grade: B
Izzio Bakery is a family-owned Colorado bakery that has been baking traditional organic sourdough breads since 1994.
At the Denver Central Market location, the bakery also features breakfast and lunch items in addition to an enticing dessert display.
A fresh fruit tart caught my eye. A cookie disc layered with a frosting and topped with a colorful bounty of summer berries. What's not to love? It was absolutely lovely.
Next time, I may opt for a sandwich and try that fresh-baked bread.
Grade: A
Great Harvest Bakery is a franchise bakery & cafe that has recently expanded to The Mountain State - in Bridgeport and Elkins.
"For over 30 years we have been using long, traditional methods of baking to create breads that are truly one-of-a-kind, simple, wholesome, and delicious. Bread. The way it ought to be ... We still fresh mill our 100% whole grain flour every day. Baking from scratch was the norm for our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so forth. Bread. The way it ought to be ... Our wholesome sandwiches are layered with premium, nutritious ingredients between fresh baked bread. Sandwiches where the outside is as good as the inside! Bread. The way it ought to be."
The fast-casual cafe features sandwiches and salads, as well as breads, muffins, rolls, scones and the like. It reminds me of a more country-style Panera Bread with the agriculture-focused decor and menu items.
I visited around lunchtime, so I perused items like the Cubano, Roasted Pepper Chipotle Cheesesteak and the Spicy Apple Bacon Grilled Cheese before ultimately deciding on the Italian with genoa salami, smoked ham, roasted red pepper, black olive tapenade, provolone cheese, red wine vinaigrette, lettuce, tomato and onion on Farmhouse White Bread.
I gotta say - I was pretty happy with this sandwich. It was piled high with those classic Italian deli meats that when paired with fresh veggies and a nice, acidic vinaigrette, it is *chef's kiss*. Fresh, but flavorful.
I also snuck a butterscotch and coconut blondie type situation that was dang good. Sweet, but not too sweet. A little crunch, a little bitter. I appreciated the well-roundedness.
Grade: A
"Loveberry" may sound like a Bath & Body Works scent. But in Weston, it's a bake shop.
This bake shop carries a variety of sweets in a case at the front, some savory baked goods to the side, and there is even some seating in the middle if you would like to dine in.
The space is a decent size for the amount of product they have available. The design is a bit country chic with primitive decor.
Sweet options included cupcakes, cookies and a few other delights. But, admittedly, I arrived later in the day, so I imagine there were more goodies earlier on.
I ended up with a cookies & cream cookie. That meant there was a cookie that was topped with cookies & cream icing and even a little mini Oreo. it was definitely a sugar bomb, but I think you know that going into it. The icing was a bit thick and I could've done without the extra chocolate drizzle. You can't really go wrong with the flavors, though.
The shop also made pepperoni rolls, much to my delight. I selected a pepperoni roll with jalapeño and habanero cheese.
I was concerned because I'm not a huge fan of spice, but I really didn't taste much of that in this roll. I actually could have done with more of that flavor and more cheese overall.
Grade: B
I stumbled upon Guilty Pleasures Sweet Shop while shopping in Elkins and couldn't resist peeking inside.
"We offer a tasty selection of fresh-baked Grab-n-Go seasonal goodies—muffins, breads, brownies, cookies, pepperoni rolls, and our ever-popular cake pops," according to their website.
I know it's difficult for bakeries to offer a wide variety of options because those goodies don't keep for long. So, you have to have a pretty consistent, steady customer base to have many different sweets for sale.
So, I was pleased to see quite a few varieties of treats to try. Of course, I first scoped out the pepperoni rolls. There were a few versions, but I kept it simple for my first roll. It was a decent roll. The second - with garlic - was a bit more exciting.
The Reese brownie had a thick layer of peanut butter and chopped Reeses on top. The brownie was a bit cake-like to me, so I would've liked it to be even more dense.
There were plenty of other items I want to try next time - like a muffin or cake pop.
It's a cute little shop to walk around in and see what the latest offerings are.
Have you been?
Grade: B
Black Bear Bakery in Oak Hill is a lovely little spot that offers up some tasty treats.
In addition to classic bakery goodies, this business also offers lunch specials, like sandwiches, salads, and more.
When I visited, I snagged a slice of pumpkin roll, which was so moist and full of cream cheese filling that I wish I would have ordered five more. Pumpkin roll is one of my favorite things this time of year, but a homemade one with tons of cream cheese takes it to the next level.
Next on my list to try are their donuts, cupcakes, pies and anything else I can get my hands on.
Grade: A
I was pleased to stumble upon Love Joy & Create at an event held at Base Camp Printing Company recently.
I had not heard of them before, but the scent of delicious goodies led me right in their direction.
Here's everything they had available: peanut butter bars, chocolate chip cookies, cheesecake, lemon sugar cookie, snickerdoodle and brownies.
There's something about a brownie that makes it one of the ultimate desserts. I'm not a huge fan of chocolate chips within the brownie, but I understand I'm in the minority. This was a good rendition of a brownie that wasn't too sweet.
Then, we also had a cheesecake bar. CHEESECAKE. BAR. I think that's enough said here. How perfect is this for when you just want one piece and don't wanna make a whole cheesecake? Delicious. And, finally, the peanut butter and chocolate bar. Who doesn't want a grown-up version of a Reese Cup? This wasn't as saccharine sweet as candy version, but it was just as satisfying.
Grade: A
La Estrella Panaderia is a Mexican bakery in Mesa, Arizona.
The store is flush with savory goods, pastries, bread, snacks, and every other thing you might need from a bakery.
There's a large window case, which has myriad goodies lining one side of the shop: conchas, pan dulce, tres leches, and so much more.
but more than that, they also are a butcher shop. They have a number of cuts of meat available. It may be an odd pairing, but it is convenient to be able to get your protein and your tortillas all in one spot.
I picked out some of the baked goods that looked interesting and delicious.
That included a sweet bread with tiny rainbow nonpareils (which are just the round sprinkles).
And also, a churro filled with caramel.
Plus, a few other goodies here and there.
For those who are Miller familiar with Mexican pastries, what should I get next time?
Are there any must-tries?
And, is there anywhere in West Virginia to get similar pastries?
Grade: B
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