that result in delicious gluten-free baguettes and Montreal-style bagels with a fine crumb and moist texture. Available at some Peninsula farmers markets and through Farmigo, these products overcome the usual taste issues with gluten-free bread. With so much activity among local bakers, carb nirvana is within reach in the South Bay. Here’s our guide detailing some of the area’s enticing starch purveyors, where miraculous bread, stunning pastries and eye-popping special-occasion cakes show off the artistry and passion of our baking stars. As Ruzicka explains it, “It’s so easy to go to work even on the hardest day when you love what you do.” 62 South Bay Accent SPINOFFS Manresa Bread Just a few exquisite bread and pastry offerings are available at the small retail store and the farmers markets that still sell this bakery’s fine products. The handcrafted breads burst with flavor, highlighted by an amazingly seedy pumpernickel that’s a personal favorite of the head baker, along with addictive pastries like chocolate brioche, monkey bread laced with cinnamon and superb little tea cakes punctuated with a squirt of chocolate ganache. Or inhale a flaky kale scone, savory puff-pastry tart with onion and cheese, a perfect croissant or caramelized kouign amann. None of the pastries—which come in individual portions— is overly sweet, thus they don’t distract from sublime ingredients and complex flavors. No cupcakes, birthday cakes or standard items here, just sophisticated baked goods that show off careful techniques. • 276 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos; 408/402-5372; manresabread.com Alexander’s Patisserie Looking like a minimalist art gallery, this new bakery offers more than just pastries, selling high-end levains, epis and flavored breads that include some phenomenal rolls stuffed with nuts, fruit and chocolate. The Belgian head baker was snatched from famous chef Joël Robuchon’s eponymous restaurant and turns out sophisticated baked goods as well as handmade chocolates. The many-flavored macarons are popular, as are some remarkable tarts like caramel with sea salt and an out-of-this-world vanilla iteration. Given the perfect looks and nosebleed prices of the pastries here, patrons often compare Alexander’s to Tiffany’s or Cartier, but nobody slams the great taste. Need to bring something to a party to wow a host? This is the place. It’s also a cafe that serves breakfast and sandwich items. • 209 Castro St., Mountain View; 650/864-9999; alexanderspatisserie.com SWEETS & LOAVES Icing on the Cake Although the founder had no culinary training, this kitschy pastry shop attracts professional chefs as well as slews of self-indulgent consumers. Pleasure is the driving principle, with amazing-tasting cakes, cupcakes, cookies, pies, all-butter pound cakes, brownies, loaf cakes, breakfast pastries and even doggie treats. Bake-at-home cookie dough is available (much of it probably gobbled up prior to cooking) as well as “icing shots.” Fans drool over the amazing banana cake with cream cheese frosting, the best-around carrot cake, deeply lemony pie, seasonal cheesecakes, irresistible brownie flavors and an enticing cookie selection covering every favorite and more. There’s even biscotti based on a family recipe, rice crispy treats, a slew of shortbreads and a repertoire of cupcakes containing 68 versions. Cookie dough cheesecake cupcake, anyone? • 50 W. Main St., Los Gatos; 408/354-2464; icingonthecakebakery.com Fleur de Cocoa Founded by a Frenchman in 2000, this popular French bakerycafe got new American owners a few years ago who wisely kept things much the same. The dessert counter could have been lifted COFFEE PALMIER VOYAGEUR DU TEMPS EMMELINE FLEUR DE COCOA
South Bay Accent - Oct/Nov 2015
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