Tag Archives: cookies

Aug15

Jim’s Small Batch Bakery. 2336 Gulf Gate Dr, Sarasota, FL

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Stop #2 on my father and I’s little culinary adventure in Gulf Gate led us to Jim’s Small Batch Bakery and WOW this was the highlight of the day for me. This tiny little shop tucked away in the corner of Gulf Gate is just awesome, with a staff who clearly has a ton of integrity about what they do. Jim was on hand to chat and give us some samples of his sorbets and ice creams and I simply couldn’t resist. I ended up with a scoop of coconut sorbet and a scoop of strawberry sorbet and they were both so incredibly delicious. Smooth, creamy and very natural with nothing but the fruit, a little sugar and a binding ingredient. Some of the best sorbet I’ve ever had actually. I couldn’t help topping my cup with a lemon sand dollar cookie that was super thin, crisp and delicate. I also tasted my father’s vanilla ice cream which was equally outstanding.

The case full of treats was extremely tempting, and I’m lucky that I work pretty close by. I will absolutely be back for lunch soon- as they had a wonderful little menu of sandwiches, soups and quiches in addition to their baked goods. The almond croissant was LOUDLY calling my name and I promised it that I’d come back for it soon. The lemon bar, breads and cakes also looked amazing and I’m sure I’ll eventually try them all.

YUM. I will be back within a week, I’m sure of it. Thanks Jim!

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Mar11

Mille-Feuille: 552 Laguardia Place NY NY

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My friend told me about this bakery when I told her that I’d finally made it to Maison Laduree. https://bigforkinmouth.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/maison-laduree-864-madison-ave-new-york-ny/

She told me that the macrons here were the best in the city, and I, being a huge macaron lover, had to check it out asap. After lunch together, we ended up with a little extra time to kill so we wandered over together so I could see what all of her raving was about. Well, WOW. I have never doubted this particular friend’s food-raving about anything because she is basically never wrong. This went even further to prove that point. It was so so so so so right.

Yes, they are expensive. Yes, the place is tiny. Do I care? Nope, not at all. These macaron are indeed sent from heaven. They are fluffier, WAY more flavorful and more texturally complex than any other I’ve tasted. The fillings were a bit thicker than most other bakeries make them- and especially in the salted caramel one, that was something I really appreciated. I had the vanilla, the salted caramel, the coconut and the pistachio and  it would be difficult to pick my favorite. They were all seriously out of this world. GO. Go immediately…and please bring me back a few.

p.s. I have also heard that the croissant are amazing here but I filled up on the macaron this time…I’ll plan to try them next time I go. They were making almond ones when I was there and If I’d had 30 minutes to wait for them to be ready, I totally would have…they looked incredible.