The Bakery
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You circle and circle, all in vain, in search of a parking space. You’re beginning to give up. We’ve all been here. The Bakery is the story of a place that makes it all worth it. The sign out front has some water stains, and it’s visually pushed behind the Bicycle Rack sign hanging in sun-bright yellow beneath it. Past an angled city map and flyer information box, through a little courtyard defined by an Inversa Norway Spruce, you come to a red brick building with evergreen accents and a roof with a pitch of 10. The real excitement comes when you walk in to view of a second floor through latitudinal ceiling beams and the track “Old Blue Jeans” by Hannah Montana catches your ear. A calm bucha tap is a surprising quirk opposing the pastry case filled with traditional croissants and cookies, the less common linzer tarts and rugelach, and finally the seasonal selection of vegan raspberry scone, maple cheddar muffin, and peach raspberry galette. This tall display also doubles as the ordering counter, some green (VEGETARIAN), yellow (SANDWICHES), orange (BREAKFAST SANDWICHES), and pink (BAGELS, BIALYS & ROLLS) menus hanging back and listing a solid set of food offerings. There were no prices on the menu, so I had to ask that while I worked out my decision. However, once I got past my internal and external debates, I was free to admire the chalk marker that picked up where the suspended menus left off—Spring Drinks, MUFFINS, Syrups, and ON AUX - Lilly. That’s right. Next to the pre-packaged, sprinkle-adorned graduation cookies was a sign announcing who was to blame or credit for the tunes. Oh, step aside Employee of the Month, I only want my name in chalk-marker, audiocratic (made this word up—audio+autocratic) glory. Lily’s choice was 2000s Disney music with Sharpay taking the lead (as she does) in many songs, and in others the baristas on duty would join in giving her a run for her money (that she would shut down immediately if she heard). “Strut Like You Mean It” by the Cheetah Girls had me tearing up a little while I ate my food in the upstairs area that offered just enough privacy and plenty of aquamarine vinyl. You can eat inside among hung Rachel Hunderfund oil-on-canvases of forests, skies, and brush while not needing to worry about how you eat (anyone else always get gross fingers and food all over their face? Nope, just me?). However, with the even higher roof beams and railing with a view of the entrance below, all the goings-on of the cafe still travel to you. This spot is the rare fusion of separation, the jumping in the cafe waters and coming up for air. It has the diversified spacing you want and the employees you need. The barista—when I told her about my blog—even recommended another spot down the road. And that’s how you do it, my friends: community support, a last glance at the mounted Nick Driano illustration to the right of the exit, and a push of the door with your non-drink-holding hand into a New Paltz day (and a Mario Kart Rocket Start to check that the parking meter hasn’t run out).
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Drink: Iced Oat Milk Latte with Honey and Lavender
This drink was the barista’s recommendation. The remark that made this possible when I ordered food: “We have the best coffee in town. I like my coffee...” This woman brought the talk. Time for a friendly test. Apparently, this drink is her coffee ritual. It reminded me of a Gregory’s Honey Badger (cold brew, almond milk, honey), which might make sense to some, but it confused me a little. I think the sweetening by the honey pulls back the lavender and espresso flavors a bit more than I tend to prefer. Nevertheless, it’s a fun one with the appearance of sealed sous vide flan.
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Food: Vegetarian Reuben on Rye
I was curious about the PURPLE PEOPLE EATER, and my decision-making process led me to finding out that any of the sandwiches could be on any bread. I would definitely get the challah for that one. But, for a Reuben, I had to stay true to the rye bread equation. The rest of the sandwich was made up of soy ham, sauerkraut, Swiss, and 1000 island dressing. It was a lot smaller than I was expecting (but I’ll accept that Reubens are normally just obscenely large), and, while the soy ham gets air time, it’s really a sauerkraut grilled cheese with a little soy ham. It still tasted fine given that I didn’t have any real expectation. With nothing against the rye and the gasconades around the space about their challah—even their napkin dispenser opted for the message, “Come back on Friday for the best challah in town!”—I’d love to go back and test this challah claim (I’m picky when it comes to my challah) paired with PURPLE PEOPLE EATER goodness.
Broccoli Salad
I asked about what this was exactly; it had that kind of “it’s not exactly what you’re expecting” look to it. The woman who took my order told me that it was broccolli with cranberries in a mayo type sauce. It also has pine nuts inside, so don’t be surprised. She’s right—it isn’t mayonnaise. However, to say that it is a mayonnaise-style sauce might not be correct either. It has a ranch consistency and a kind of sour cream sourness. It was different, so I enjoyed it with the sandwich, but it’s definitely something to eat in small quantities—think whether you would eat a side of mayo-like sauce, and you’ll easily understand the reasoning.
Price: Vegetarian Reuben=$10.95; For the scoop of broccoli crunch salad (Cookie open price)=$5; Small Iced Oat Latte (with honey and lavender syrup)=$4.95*
*No upcharge for oat or almond milk!!