in search of bakeries

[Janine]

Hello,

I'm looking for suggestions for great Philadelphia bakeries (accessible from the University City area without a car). I'm hoping to find more dessert-type bakeries than bread-based ones. I know of Petit Four and Isgro's--any other ideas?

Thanks so much!

[Bride of the Juggler]

There's Swiss Pastry Shop at 19th and Chestnut, a basic bakery, nothing special but excellent cookie selection.

Miel at 17th and Walnut is a fancy patisserie with great stuff at high prices.

Metropolitan Bakery at 19th and Spruce (other locations too) has really been growing their dessert selections. They always have interesting looking tarts and cakes.

Termini Bros in Reading Terminal is classic Italian, but I like Isgro's better.

In University City, try the bakery at the Restaurant School at 42nd and Walnut. They have good stuff at very reasonable prices. Sometimes they have interesting things the students have been working on.
Thank you.

[nsawicki]

Miel does indeed have great stuff. It's expensive, but worth it.
If you're looking for a bargain, you may want to stop by Miel in the late afternoon/evening .. I don't know if they are still offering this, but during the summer months they were selling a half-price sampler plate with portions of various amazing desserts (I believe this was only near the end of the day, and perhaps only on Fridays) - $9 rather than $18 for a sampler plate that would easily feed 4-6 people. Again, I don't know if this offer is still around, but it might be worthwhile to check.

[Bob Loblaw]

you know, miel just doesn't do it for me.
i like it, but don't love it. my standards are pretty high here, from having lived in paris, but it just strikes me as normal stuff, not particularly destination-worthy.

[joypirate]

Actually, closer to University city, the new coffee shop at 24th & Walnut (across the street from Sweat Gym) has Miel's pastries brought in. They've also got some chocolates from San Fran. I think it's called something obvious, like Walnut Street Cafe or something. Not a bakery, but they did have a fair amount of stuff.

[Leonidas]

Walnut Bridge. Really nice folks. Too far for me (and I like La Colombe), but great little place.

Also, a place just opened on 22nd, just south of Pine. Make their own (former LBF patissier, I think), including some great cheesecake.

[Cruz]

A word of caution on Miel: Chef Robert Bennett left in late July. I haven't been back since then, so I can't speak to whether it has gone downhill. Does anyone else have an opinion?

[Leonidas]

Haven't noticed a difference yet. I thought the slide would be on new product development, rather than execution, but the new chocklits they unveiled for Fall *rawk*. Except the pepper isn't very peppery at all.

[Jay]

Cosmi's on Oregon Ave between 12th and 13th is a very good traditional Italian bakery, and very close to the Oregon Ave stop of the Broad St. subway line.

[Ravenous]

Hope on the el to 2nd Street. Try Tarte on Arch right off of 2nd towards 3rd. All individual sized items. Never had anything bad from there. You walk up to the window and order, there is a chalkboard menu and one of everything in the window. Very nice people also.

All of this is assuming you aren't looking for a cake for a dinner party but a treat for yourself.

[zeffer81]

have you checked out sugar hill on 49th and baltimore? locally run, delicious cakes and pastries. unfortunately, however, it doesn't seem to keep the most convenient hours.

if you live in u. city, i'd definitely check them out. they're good, close, and you'd be supporting a local business.

good luck!

[Bluehensfan]

What exactly are you looking for in a bakery?

Good cookies or apple pie (Petit 4)?
Italian specialties (Termini's at Reading Terminal)?

[menace]

Metropolitan has the most amazing flourless chocolate cake and a homemade oreo on Wed. with marcopone inside! It is to die for!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mazza3]

pink rose at 4th and bainbridge, just off south street. it's set up like a cafe so you can get a cup of coffee with your pastry. there is an awesome cupcake shop on liberties walk which is about a ten minute walk from the spring garden street el stop. and liberties walk is a nice place to visit if you haven't been.

[Ali]

The Restaurant School one is a good suggestion for the UCity area - it's cheap and good, though usually not especially special. Sugar Hill & Brown Sugar are both good local ones that keep odd hours.

If you're travelling across the river, aside from the suggested spots, I would also reccomend Pink Rose Pastry Shop. That and Tarte are my 2 favourites spots. (Miel is [still] good, but so many spots carry their goodies, including Cafe Pier One at Baltimore & 45th.)