True Confessions, World-Class Cakes

I have a habit. An excellent habit, frankly. Almost every Saturday morning, unless we’re breakfasting out, I indulge a a stuffed croissant—strawberry or blueberry cream cheese. My partner kids me about being set in my ways. I don’t care. Comfortably oblivious, I prepare a large cup of cappuccino or other liquid complement.

FYI, the purveyor of these weekend croissants is Black Forest Bakery & Café. They’re available here every day, as you might guess, along with a passel of other fresh-baked goods—traditional butter croissants, pastries, cookies, brownies, bagels and more. The aromas by themselves are worth a visit.

Several weeks ago, on a crisp and clear Sunday morning, we decided to dine in at Black Forest. Found a comfortable table in the café’s homey dining room. My partner knew precisely what she wanted: made-from-scratch German strudel with freshly brewed coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice. Yah, the strudel is sehr duftig, sehr authentisch. My leanings, however, favored Black Forest’s ham-and-egg croissant sandwich with melted cheddar. Yum!

A bite of lunch, perhaps? OK, consider sundry sandwiches (on croissant, mini baguette, ciabatta, multigrain or white) such as albacore tuna, Black Forest ham and smoked turkey breast. This too: a trio of salads—Mediterranean, strawberry spinach and “NutsBerry.”

The last of those was my most recent solo order here. Its healthful, flavorful cast: baby leaf greens, feta cheese, Cape Cod cranberries, toasted almond slices, cucumber and tomatoes.

As a closing flourish here, with no hyperbole whatsoever, I'll observe that we've never seen such striking and often stunning cakes anywhere. I'm told that Black Forest's designer has been at it for more than three decades. It shows. He's an authentic artist!