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B Is for Breads Bakery


A perfect choice for B and a great bakery. 
 
 
Thanks for the visits and comments on yesterday's first post for the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Today we're staying in my neighborhood, the Upper West Side, and visiting Breads Bakery. There are two other branches of this treasure -- Union Square and in Bryant Park at 42nd Street -- but this branch is half a block from the Y where I go to exercise and I know I will be a frequent visitor when the weather warms up.
 
There had been two small sandwich and coffee places -- not especially good coffee, but very convenient -- that went out of business about a year ago, much to my disappointment. I was thrilled when I discovered the replacement. I had my tried and true, iced coffee light, several weeks ago and it was a good iced coffee, a solid B. It is definitely worth many return visits.  But the stars of this show are the breads and pastries.
 
I haven't tried the bread yet, but the aroma of baked goods wafted into the small park in back of the bakery where I sat to savor my coffee. If heaven had an aroma -- other than the scent of lilacs in bloom -- it might be the aroma from Breads. 

I did try a sample of the pastry and it was delicious. I had a piece of the fabulous chocolate babka, and it may be the best I've ever had, (The best!) with the perfect blend of butter and chocolate.
 

The chocolate masterpiece on the top shelf is the Concord Cake. It was originally created in 1969 to honor the Concorde which began flying then. I think it may be the choice for my birthday cake -- or I just might stick to the perfect babka. The babka isn't a fancy pastry, but it was fabulous.   
 

I've thus far visited at least a dozen places, and it seems a number of them begin with either B or C. I'm going to have to be creative with my titles in order to write about some of my favorites.
 
I'll be back tomorrow to join Pink Saturday and I have another coffee rendezvous in the morning. It's tough, but someone's got to drink all that coffee.
 
As ever, thanks for visiting and let's have another cup of coffee. 

15 comments

Paula said...

I wish I was there with you while you made all of these visits. All of that pastry looks so delicious. We would need to do lots of walking to get rid of all the calories we piled on. Can't wait for Monday!!

TARYTERRE said...

All those pastries and that fresh made bread look delicious. Coffee what coffee?

Marie Rayner said...

Ohh Carol, one day I really hope to visit NYC and eat some of the delicious food there! Those baked goods look fabulous! xo

LuAnn @ BackPorchervations said...

OMG I have GOT to visit NYC!!!! *lol*

LuAnn (approx #369 on the list) @ Back Porchervations.
(and one of co-host AJ Lauer's #wHooligans)

Anonymous said...

And to think I had just plain Cheerios with my coffee this a.m.! How I would love to try one of the tarts! Always a joy to visit you, Carol. Have a great day.

Mimi said...

You're making me hungry as I sit here with not another building in site of our house, much less a bakery!

Linda said...

Y.U.M.M.Y.!!! (big smiles)

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Looks like you are blessed to have that place close to home for sure ! Hope you have a wonderful Sunday !

Denise said...

I love small independent bakeries. I have a place just north of where I live that is only open for breakfast and lunch. But the baked goods are out of this world.

Anonymous said...

I wish I could join you! Coffee is an experience. Discovering a place like that to enjoy coffee and a delicious, sweet creation is a treasure! Where are we going tomorrow?
http://ffmamas.wordpress.com

Anonymous said...

Such a fun A-Z you have chosen! I feel like pouring a cuppa while I read each coffee post. Thanks for taking us with you! Happy Sunday from Minnesota!

Mevely317 said...

I'm not usually mad for bread, but those olive & cheese bread-sticks have my mouth watering from clear over here!

Just my 2-cents worth, but your creative titles have always been a real draw.

Wishing you a lovely day!

Janet said...

Chocolate Babka! Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode. I love the smell of bakeries! Love the smell of coffee too! Thanks again for another great post!

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

I could never pass up the bread. You have now put that aroma of baked goods in my brain, and I might break my pledge to myself to not eat any carbs after 7 PM.

Strayer said...

I want one of each!! The last photo, the pie slices with the dark chocolate and strawberries, making me crazy!