Sherman's Food Adventures: Bakery Nouveau

Bakery Nouveau

Okay, what do you call a person who randomly serves you yummy food? No no, not a waiter or waitress. And no, I'm not talking about Costco. Although it's a treat to do "brunch" at Costco every now and then... Really, what kind of person would go to Seattle, visit one of their most popular bakeries and bring back goodies right to your doorstep. That person would be Kim (I'm Only Here for the Food!). Yes, he is an excellent foodie. I think the last time someone brought me back food from Seattle was Vandelay with his dozen of Top Pot donuts. Thanks to him, I get a dozen every time I'm down there. Wait, I really should despise him for doing so!!!

Anyways, Kim was gracious enough to get 3 items for me to try. He wasn't even mad that I went to Steveston Pizza without him! Er... at least I hope he is not mad? I really wonder if he added anything "extra" to the pastries... Alright, the first item was the Twice Baked Almond Croissant. Looking very similar to the one from Thomas Haas, this one was a tad smaller. I'm not sure if the croissant experienced any degradation due to the fact they were purchased earlier in the day. However, it was not as "crunchy" as the one from Thomas Haas. Furthermore, I thought the chewy honey(?) sugar (?) found on the bottom a bit too sweet. It was not bad; but as I said to Kim, it would've been better if I hadn't tried the one from Thomas Haas first.

The next item is a peculiar one - Peppermint Cheesecake. The cake on its own without the peppermint top layer was quite light for a baked cheesecake. Furthermore, it was not overly sweet (Viv thought there should've been more cream cheese taste). I particularly liked the Oreo crust since I've never really liked the traditional graham cracker crust. Now, when eaten with the peppermint layer, the cake suddenly becomes more sweet, resembling a peppermint candy. Not necessarily a bad thing; yet it does initiate a few question marks when taste hits brain processing. For me, I liked it. For Viv, she wasn't as sure.

Lastly, we tried the Lemon Pastry (resembled a Danish) which was actually lemon filling surrounded by balls of puff pastry. Again, it was a bit different from the traditional French version of a lemon tart; but it was decent in its own right. Probably suffering from a bit of staleness due to sitting in the car, the pastry was not crisp. It was quite buttery though. I did like the creamy and tart lemon filling. It wasn't too sweet or too tart. As a whole, I would've preferred a traditional tart shell since it was a bit too much to eat as a dessert. However, taking into account that it was eaten under less-than-perfect circumstances, I liked all 3 items in differing degrees. Thanks to Kim for introducing me to Bakery Nouveau! Watch me bring home a dozen Top Pot's and a dozen pastries next time...

The Good:
- Items appeared to be made with care
- No overwhelming flavours, quite balanced
- Pastry is buttery, just the way it should be

The Bad:
- Texturally, the pastries could've been crispier (but might be due to the time sitting in a box)
- Kim is supplying me with buttery treats... He's trying to kill me...

11 comments:

KimHo said...

Thanks for your kind words! No, I am not trying to kill anybody here, just sharing the goodies, hehehehehe. But, of course, to confirm the other "bad", that means next time you are down in Seattle for Salumi, you should drop by here as well!

And, no, I am not mad about Steveston Pizza. That only means we will have to go again! :)

trisha said...

that croissant looks like it has a marzipan filling. mmm... i need to brave the crowds at thomas haas and try one there. i love bakeries, they're my ultimate weakness. i've heard good things about a place called lisbon bakery on east hastings. great pastries but dingy atmosphere? have you heard of it?

Sherman Chan said...

Yes, it was marzipan! You have to try Thomas Haas, very carefully made pastries. I've seen Lisbon, but never have gone in... Is that a dare? hehe...

Follow Me Foodie said...

If I were to die from a 7 sin it would be from gluttony. or envy...I envy racheal ray for having eating + traveling as her career.

I really have to make it Thomas Haas.

Follow Me Foodie said...

Wait...AND I also envy that you go to try the lemon pastry thing!

I totally don't care for the peppermint cheesecake. I'm not a fan of cheesecake and not a fan of peppermint in desserts. I'm not a fan of mint and chocolate either. So this is like everything I don't like into 1...just add a red Morchino cherry and some red beans and I'd puke.

I'd try this cake as a foodie, but never order it. I'm SO glad i got the Pistachio Blueberry Mousse cake!....btw are YOU envious of ME!??!?! ;)

Sherman Chan said...

If you pursue your passion, it'll all work out!

Yah, I thought I wouldn't like the cheesecake cuz I'm not a big fan of peppermint. But somehow, to my surprise I did. Go figure.

Mijune, I'm just plain jealous that you can eat and be so thin!

KimHo said...

Mijune, I'm just plain jealous that you can eat and be so thin!

Amen...

holly said...

I know, where does Mijune pack all that food and yet still remain so gorgeous looking?

As a woman, I'm even more jealous than you guys.

trisha said...

yes, it's a dare! i need you to scope it out before i go :)

Sherman Chan said...

Yes Holly, I look at her and got WTH??? Anyways, trisha, game on! Gonna pay Lisbon a visit!

Follow Me Foodie said...

LOL! Ok I didn't know about these comments until Kim FYI'd me!

You're making me blush guys!! Thanks!

I'm very deceiving though!! On the surface it appears that I have little fat...BUT (Kim's favourite word hehe)...my blood sugar levels and arteries probably hate me.

AND I wear a lot of "pregnant clothes"...buffet dresses can conceal anything ;)

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