Holland's Best Bakery/Holland Pastry [San Jose] Reports?

[Ruth Lafler]

I came upon the name of this bakery looking for some Dutch licorice. The name wasn't familiar so I did a search, and the only mentions on chowhound were a couple of brief mentions, most of them more than five years old.

Anyone have any more info and experience with them?

Holland Pastry & Gift Shop
524 S. Bascom Avenue
San Jose

http://www.hollandsbest.com/english/b...

[extrasalty]

I've ordered from them several times over the years and only been disappointed once -- but it was with a kerstkrans that wasn't packed well; the licorice has always been great. Since they're a ways away from SF (hence my lazy mail-ordering), you might consider Haig's on Clement. Oddly, our Mollie Stone here in Sausalito has a great Dutch candy selection as well. Good luck!

www.haigsdelicacies.com/store/
www.molliestones.com/

[Ruth Lafler]

Have you tried any of their other baked goods?

I'm specifically looking for the brown sugar sponge licorice, which I've only purchased at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia. San Jose is a lot closer than Philadelphia!

[extrasalty]

Nope, haven’t tried their other baked goods. I usually focus on goodies that will travel well for Sinterklaas/Christmas care packages: hagel, stroopwafels, hopjes, and dubbel zout licorice. Haven’t tried that brown sugar version (tho used to live right by Reading Terminal) but this griotten may be it:

http://www.hollandsbest.com/licorice/...

[Ruth Lafler]

Yup, it's this one: http://www.hollandsbest.com/licorice/...

I was just wondering if it was worth making a trip to the shop instead of ordering it.