Being new to downtown living, the idea that I can walk down the street to buy freshly baked pastries and a hot cup of coffee early on a Saturday morning is truly wonderful. Sweet Mary's Bakery opened shop right on time for this city dweller.
It was so easy to get to, especially since I was able to park right across the street from the bakery. The whole shop was warm, clean, and brightly lit. Cheerful Christmas music played overhead in a room that could easily seat thirty people. It made for a fun brunch adventure.I ordered the quiche lorraine. I have to tell you, it was the best quiche lorraine I have had in a long time. The crust was super flaky, there were generous cuts of real bacon, sweet onions, and just enough spices to make this savory dish feel habit forming. I was lucky to get the last serving. They had already sold out of all their other quiches.
To round my meal off I also bought one of each cookie on display. The Russian tea cakes were perfect. Seriously. Try one, they are perfect. This round mound of butter, nuts, and flour rolled in confectioner's sugar was so good I did a double take. Which is to say I ate the whole cookie as opposed to taking a small bite and then putting it back in the box as I had intended to do.
The rugelach was also delicious; small cream cheese dough rolled into miniature croissant shaped cookies filled with nuts and sprinkled with a proprietary mixture of spice. Perfect for tea time.Being tempted by their golden beauty, I ate a whole peanut butter cookie: crunchy on the outer rim, chewy without being under-baked in the middle, with chunks of peanuts throughout. It wasn't overly sweet, which made it the perfect companion to my cup of Black Squirrel coffee.
There were some hidden perks to my downtown brunch at Sweet Mary's. I was able to pick up a jar of honey from Akron Honey Company for my tea later, and maybe come Monday I can also snag myself a bottle of Norka ginger ale to take to my son when I pick him up from school.
I have a feeling that Sweet Mary's and I are going to be really good neighbors, especially if she keeps making those pecan pies.
Sweet Mary's is located at 76 E. Mill Street, across from the John S. Knight Center, between Broadway and South High Street.
www.sweetmarysbakery.com
www.norkabeverage.com
www.akronhoney.com
