Baker City

Ride the sugar rush into next year.

By Tim McGinnis
Add Comment Add Comment | Comments: 0 | Posted Dec. 26, 2007

How sweet it is: Pink Rose's jumbo macaroons are worth every calorie.

So you've squandered the Christmas cookies on the white-bearded big guy who helps himself to baked goods in exchange for the newest Apple anything. 'Tis the season of overeating, and there are still pound cakes, panettones and gingerbread aplenty to be had before your sobering New Year's resolutions kick in.

If You Like Your Pastry Chefs Looking Like Pro Wrestlers

The mammoth-sized pastry chef at the Pink Rose Pastry Shop (630 S. Fourth St. 215.592.0704) is matched by his massive macaroons. Despite his pleasant demeanour, Chef Sherman could crush your head like a bug if angered. Then bake you a great get-well cake. V G E F P

If Your Mother's Mother's Mother Was From County Cork

At least the newbies haven't driven out the good people at Stock's Bakery (2614 E. Lehigh Ave. 215.634.7344). The ladies behind the counter in Fishtown's famous pastry shop are fast, friendly and garbed in green smocks. The pound cake is as dense as their family ties to Ireland and as delicious as sugar-spiked Guinness. Get there before the interlopers do. C V R G E F P

If You're Primate-Friendly

Before comedian Mike Myers starred as the computer-animated green ogre Shrek, he was spouting the catchphrase "when monkeys fly out of my butt!" in Wayne's World. Flying Monkey Patisserie (Reading Terminal Market, 12th and Arch sts. 215.928.0340) is nowhere near as obnoxious, and the coconut, chocolate, pecan and banana monkey bars are so good we punched Garth in the face. V E F P

If You Prefer Trinidad Over Tobago

The Trinidadian street food called doubles are made fresh Wednesday through Saturday at Brown Sugar Bakery and Caf� (219 S. 52nd St. 215.472.7380). The flat fried bread and curried chickpea sandwiches are not only delicious but also inspired the Rolling Stones song "Brown Sugar," when a munchie-stricken Mick Jagger visited the cafe in 1970.* C V R E F

If You're Hungry for Dessert a Half-Hour After Eating Chinese Food

The lone fact that the counterperson at Hong Kong Bakery Shop (917 Race St. 215.925.1288) winced when we ordered the advertised "thousand years egg cake" should've been a red flag. We tried it anyway. And winced right back at him. The taste defies description. However, their sweet black bean cakes and fluffy, barbecue-pork-filled steamed buns redeemed the entire experience. C V R E F

If You Don't Mind Child Labor

The pastry chef at Isgro's Paticceria (1009 Christian St. 215.923.3092) has worked in the bakery since he was a 5-year-old bambino. The anise, fruit and nut, and espresso biscotti are delizioso and as hard as Rocky Marciano's chin (that's a good thing). V R E F P

* Not actually true.

Key
C: Cheap.
V: Variety of baked options.
R: Family recipes.
G: Giant portions.
E: Eat here ASAP.
F: Freshness guaranteed.
P: Perfect gift.

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