(macrinabakery.com) – Belltown, Seattle, Washington

How I heard of this place: A good friend of mine once asked me to join her at Macrina for lunch about a decade ago. Since then, Macrina has been at the top of my favorite bakery-cafes in Seattle. While I rarely venture there, now, in it’s newer, updated facility, Macrina continues to serve hundreds of freshly baked breads, pastries and house-made meals daily; this time we were among them!

Type of cuisine: “From our wholesome, freshly baked breads andpastries to the rotating selection of seasonal fare in our cafés, we’re proud to share good food with the community and ready for another year of eating well!”

“It’s hard to resist the aroma when you walk into our bakery. Our display case is a feast for the eyes, overflowing with all kinds of pastries. Several dozen treats fill up the case, shelves and counter. “I’ll take one of each!” is a comment that we never tire of hearing.”

Ambiance: “The Belltown Café is the original Macrina Bakery and Café. We opened with six employees, a French Bongard oven as our centerpiece, a stack of convection ovens, one mixer and an espresso machine, an antique display case and a lot of ambition.

Right off the bat we offered a full line of artisan breads, ranging from full-flavored, naturally leavened sourdoughs to American favorites like our Rustic Potato loaf. The pastry section was limited to a few muffins, coffee cakes and tarts. Our cozy bakery was soon bursting at the seams, and we took over an adjoining retail space in 1994, which became our café. Today, our line of breads, pastries, cakes and savory selections is extensive.”

What I ordered: On this trip, we were with my my dear high school friend and her daughter, and joined by two of our Seattle friends, one of whom is studying at Duke (and suggested Macrina)! Everyone chose their own goodie, from the Cinnamon Roll ($3.70) with hot chocolate

to the Morning Glory Muffin ($2.95), a supremely moist muffin loaded with pineapple, carrots, apples, coconut, walnuts and raisins.

Seeing how the once-full plate was down to a sole Roly-Poly ($3.25), “Our homage to the classic cinnamon roll, enhanced with coconut, raisins and walnuts“, I decided that must be my shared pastry with hubby.

What I loved: The layers of sweetness in the Roly Poly are unparalleled. Everything from the buttery croissant dough to the coconut and cinnamon, from the hint of walnuts to the  ooey gooey sugary cinnamon roll frosting on top!

Why I loved it: A simple space, limited seating, abundant windows and high ceilings, and a plethora of fresh baked goods to entice and suffice!

Cost: Average to high ($2.95 – $4.50 per pastry)

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