When I was in college, I told my boyfriend Curt that I wanted to open a bakery when I finished school.
He thought it would be a bad idea and his reasoning was that I would end up the size of a house if I baked for a living.
Being young and gullible, I believed him and gave up on that idea pretty quickly, but my love of baked goods grew exponentially anyway.
Needless to say, I don't need much of an excuse to visit a bakery, so when a friend mentioned that she hadn't eaten much of anything today, I suggested an impromptu trip to Aurora and their bakery over at Fourth and Grace Streets.
How better to improve a Monday afternoon?
When we got there, the place was empty except for an employee at the bar and Aurora's baker Scott Davison who, when asked if we could get some baked goods, insisted we start with a sample.
He told us the story of the Sarah Bernhardt pastry, created by culinary legend Escoffier to win the favor of the actress.
It was an almond macaroon topped with a bulb of dark Meyers Rum-spiked chocolate whipped cream which was frozen and then dipped in chocolate pate glace.
Oh. My.
We each scarfed one down in an embarrassingly short amount of time and that was only the beginning.
When Scott found out I was from D.C., he regaled us with stories of places there he had worked, including the Hay-Adams Hotel, the Ritz Carlton and one of my favorite off-the-beaten track restaurants, the 50-year old L'Auberge Chez Francois.
All the while we were eyeing the case for what we were going to buy and take home.
So many choices in individual servings!
Mini Boston Creme Pies, Chocolate Truffle Tortes, Apple Strudel, Harlequin Italian Shortbread cookies, Lemon Tarts, Lithuanian Tarts.
After much deliberation, I got the Linzer Torte and the Tuscan Filberts; my friend got a half dozen goodies to share with her main squeeze.
By the way, for you caffeine junkies, coffee is complimentary when you buy a bakery item.
As we left half an hour later with our little white boxes and bags, it occurred to me that Curt may have been right about me and baked goods.
Besides, with a bakery the likes of Aurora a half mile away, I think I'll let Scott get up at 2 a.m. and do the baking while I sleep.
These days, that's more like when I'm going to bed.
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Has Aurora been around for a while? I'm feeling kind of clueless for never having heard of it.
ReplyDeleteI think it opened last fall. The bakery opens in the morning and stays open till 5, then they do lunch, which I've had and is very good, and Thursdays through Saturdays they're a dance club. It's an odd combo but the baked goods are worth checking out.
ReplyDeleteI would have never known! I pass by almost every other day as it's only 2 blocks away, but I just always thought it was a lounge/club. I would have never known they harbor such a sweet secret.
ReplyDeleteYou should stop by and ogle the bakery case. I bet you'll find something you just have to try.
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