I have in fact found, THE BEST lemon tart on the planet earth. The crust, the lemon curd, the meringue, it was all perfect and I think I may have let out a little moan with each delicious bite. Actually, I know I did.
Lemon tarts are my thing. It’s ALWAYS the first thing I look for when we go into a pastry shop and let me tell you Bob, I hit the jackpot at Coyle’s Bakeshop in Seattle.
It’s more of a neighborhood cafe than a tourist destination {thank goodness} and I can’t help but think if we lived around the corner from Coyle’s Bakeshop I might plant myself there for an hour or two each day to work on the blog, sip on tea, people watch and enjoy some sweet goodness. To say I can’t wait to go back would be the biggest understatement of the year. Seriously.
The Girl chose a yummy berry meringue. I tell ya, this goal of visiting 52 bakeries in 1 year has got to be hands down my favorite goal I’ve ever made. Who knew that a less than stellar trip through an Albertsons bakery last december would inspire me to seek out delicious pastries?
So I want to know… what is your ALL TIME favorite thing to look for when you go to bakeries? Loaves of bread? Croissants? Giant cookies? Hand pies? I need to know. Maybe I’ve been missing out on something all these years and don’t even know about it.
If and are in the Seattle area, make sure to stop by Coyle’s for a treat, and be sure to take a look at the outdoor seating area across the street at The Yard. I plan on duplicating it {for a chicken enclosure/coop} once we bust out of this joint one day.
Keep calm… and sample on. 🙂
~Mavis
Coyle’s Bakeshop. Go check it out!
8300 Greenwood Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103
Kathie S. says
Hi Mavis,
That lemon tart does look yummy. If a bakery specializes in pastry I usually look for something with an almond flavor first and if they don’t then it’s fruit I go for. I love chocolate but Almond wins hands down. But if a bakery specializes in bread I look for one of the more unusual breads they have. We have a wonder bakery nearby The Bantam Bread Company in Bantam CT that offers up delicious breads. There my all time favorite is the Kalamata Olive Bread. It’s to die for. Thank you for the wonderful recommendations from your bakery travels. If I ever got out that way I’ll be sure to try one.
Mavis Butterfield says
The shop looks amazing. I’m adding it to our list!!!
Kathie S. says
Please do. And across the street is Arethusa Farm’s retail store-ice cream, cheese etc. The farm’s owners are the president & vice president of Manolo Blahnik shoes. No cows around but there are benches to people watch.
Mrs. C. says
GAH! I WANT THAT TART!
For me, it’s lemon tarts and/or plain croissants.
Carrie says
I need to branch out. I’m crazy about muffins and scones or anything with chocolate. I will try a lemon tart next time!
Dotty's Mommie says
I LOVE ANYTHING LEMON!! I’m so jealous I can’t stand it. Anyone have good bakery suggestions for Washington County Oregon?? That’s my neck of the woods and there’s not much here that I know of.
Rene says
We just opened a small coffee shop in. Beaverton. Bennett Coffee Roasting Comapany. I do all the baking for the shop. Mostly I do Scones and cinnamon twist bread but you can find small pies from the Pie Guy and shortbreads from The Great British Bakery there too. Come and visit!
Dotty's Mommie says
Rene! Thank you I’ll google the address and check it out. I’m not in Beaverton on a regular basis but my dentist is there so I’ll stop by…after the dentist of course. hehe
Helen in Meridian says
That reminds me of coming to Boise to the dentist(an all day event) and after we went tot the child’s specialist, mom would take us to the Apple Blossom Candy Shop for treats.
i laugh everytime I think of that. I ,too, love lemon things, but am a big sucker for Merengue shells, and wouldn’t not stop at one.
Ramona says
I look for Cream Puffs. As a kid my Dad did most of the grocery shopping and he let me get what ever I wanted at the bakery department. So one cream puff per visit. Once in a while I would get an eclaire. Our grocery store had a bakery that made fresh, good,baked goods. I believe the store is gone and the bakery went on to it’s own store front. Have not been there in years but it was City Market Bakery In Durango,Colorado
Stacie says
I look for fancy cupcakes at bakeries!! I love to try different flavor combos!!
DebbieB says
Here in the Baltimore area we have a fabulous bakery/cafe called Atwater’s. March is their bread month and they will feature specialty breads, especially the Irish soda bread for St Paddy’s Day. As for sweets I’m not picky at all. Love scones, cinnamon rolls or a chocolate goodie. In Baltimore we have a type of cheesecake called smearcase that’s like a cakey cheesecake baked on a sheet pan with cinnamon sprinkled on top. It’s hard to find anymore but I did find it last year at the annual German Festival at our fairgrounds.
Liz says
Bearclaws, with lots of sliced almonds and not overloaded with the almond paste..
Sisters Bakery in Sisters, Or makes the all time best!
Mavis Butterfield says
I LOVE sisters Oregon. Is that super cool quilt shop still there?
Teresa says
Yes. Stitchin’ Post is still there.
Preppy Pink Crocodile says
A lemon or berry tart is always my go-to. I also love a really really good apricot croissant. I’m not a big chocolate person so I don’t think I’ve ever picked chocolate anything from a bakery.
XOKK http://www.preppypinkcrocodile.com
AlysonRR says
I love, love, love savory croissants. Or regular croissants. Or almond croissants. Lemon meringue is good, too, but I don’t generally like very many sweet things. It’s always something salty/fatty/crispy for me…
Christy says
I worked in a bakery in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle for a while and his Almond Croissants were to die for! So, now if I do stop in at a bakery it is the one thing I’m looking for.. you know what I’ve found? PCC grocery has a pretty damned good almond croissant! Have fun on your exploration of bakeries!