Bonjour French Bakery and Cafe, Mt. Washington

Bonjour French Bakery and Cafe in Mt. Washington is a special place.

Full size and fun size desserts! (pics from Bonjour's website)

It's a place to take out-of-town folks when you have time to sit and chat over a pastry and coffee.  It's a place you come with a friend to gab about life while sharing a small cake.  This is a place where you come to get a special breakfast.  AND on Thursday nights from 5-8PM, it's a place to get some crepes!  Check out their Facebook page for more information about their casual crepe night.

If I am just quickly stopping in, I'll grab an almond pastry to go.  What's not to love about a place that makes their croissants from scratch and fills it with a luxurious almond paste?  There have also been plenty of times when I come, sit down with a cup of coffee, and select one of their mouth-watering mini desserts.

As well as the delectable treats offered at the store, they also do catering for events.  Definitely check them out if you're interested in getting a Croquembouche for your wedding! 

 Croquembouche (pic taken from Bonjour's website)

One recent morning I decided to pop in for something savory.  I ordered a mocha latte ($3+) and a turkey and cheese croissant ($5) for breakfast.  This ended up being an expensive breakfast, yes, but wow was it a special one.

Yes, you are right, that IS a terrible picture of my breakfast

The mocha wasn't too sweet and since it was probably made with some type of French Roast bean, it was quite dark and smoky - I liked it a lot.  The warm (I asked for it to be heated) croissant sandwich was rich, buttery and flaky, and that was just the croissant!  I'm not sure what the cheese was, perhaps gruyere?  But it had gloriously melted over the turkey.  I have never been so full from a breakfast sandwich before!  I could tell that this croissant was made from scratch - it just seemed richer and, well, more calorie-ridden :)  It was great!

I can't say enough about this charming little cafe.  Oh wait, yes I can.

They make their own macarons.

Simon's Bakery, Cockeysville

 

 Half of a Strawberry Party Cake (the other half was in my tummy)

Mr. Simon of Simon’s Bakery has been providing the Schurman family delectable treats for YEARS, so it is quite astounding that I have not written to the world about this great bakery!  Every Christmas there is ALWAYS a bag of Simon’s famous sugar cookies around my in-laws house to nibble on, and even though I prefer a soft cookie over Simon’s hard and crispy variety, I still love these.  I love that they come in different shapes every year, and I love that they are decorated with yummy sugar crystals that lightly add to the sweetness of the cookies.

But my favorite item from Simon’s Bakery are their party cakes (70/80 cents each...I don't remember :o/).  Party cakes are a larger version of petit fours – and they come in many different flavors, though the original has chocolate icing.  I LOVE the strawberry icing (pictured), but the lemon is a strong contender for my favorite as well.  The chocolate icing, which is reminiscent of Berger cookie icing, is Dan’s favorite.  I, however, find it a bit too sweet, which makes sense because that’s how I feel about Berger cookies as well (I KNOW, I KNOW).  The strawberry and the lemon icing highlight the layer of raspberry filling – and that’s what I care about!  You can order these in bulk as well!  In fact, I ordered some recently to serve as favors for a Bridal Shower I hosted.  You can also ask them to create petit fours as well, though you have to order a dozen of those at a time for $9.60/dozen. 

The bakery carries many other treats that you should check out.  Their hot cross buns during Lent are always a big hit, as are their Peach Cakes during the summer.  Just stop in and let your eyes and stomach guide you!!!!!

Patisserie Poupon, Baltimore City

I FOUND MACARONS IN BALTIMORE!!!!!!

This cute little French bakery is walking distance from my work!!!!!!

Thanks to my wonderful friend who steered me here for Macarons, I ended up buying 1 almond filled croissant (amazing, I need to eat more of these as well), 1 Madeleine (good, a little dry though), 2 almond macarons (I'm pretty sure I shed a tear because of its sheer deliciousness), 1 chocolate macaron (yum), and 1 raspberry macaron (I REALLY liked this as well) all for a little less than $5!!!  Isn't that incredible!!!! I can't even tell you how much money I spent in France when I bought pastries for myself!

So, my dear Baltimore readers (all two of you!), we now know where to get some macarons and other amazing treats!!!!

Patisserie Poupon

820 E Baltimore St
Baltimore, MD 21202
(410) 332-0390