The French Bakery Offers a Moment of Calmness with a Side of Pastry

Off of the beaten path, pedestrians walking up and down Germantown Avenue may miss a cozy French bakery aptly named . Set behind other commercial buildings, such as Cosimo’s Pizza Café, this cozy French patisserie offers handmade artisan pastries and rustic sandwiches.

Following my directions, but hesitantly approaching the nondescript door, I noticed a handwritten sign that stated The French Bakery was indeed open.  It greeted me with a neighborhood friendliness that is standard to the area. Classical music streamed throughout and you can smell the wonderful perfume of fresh baked goodness.

The décor swept you away to a comfortable feeling that you are in someone’s dining room. The owner would seem an eclectic sort, collecting kitschy vintage dinnerware and glass sets and books that are no longer in print.

The tables are placed close together and even if you desired to be alone, you truly can never be. The music set the mood even further along with the humble décor. The atmosphere invited you to come in and rest yourself, but since you are here you should enjoy a pastry or sandwich. 

The proprietors welcomed me and said I could sit anywhere I wished. The sandwiches and salads were written on a blackboard with a detailed description of each item. On the sweeter side, each pastry was protected behind a pane of glass just waiting to be bought.

Although The French Bakery opened their doors just a few hours earlier, there was a sizable dent of pastries that already found a home. Available to eat in or take away, you can choose quintessential French pastries such as chocolate and butter croissants and melting-pot American fare like sticky buns.

I decided upon the bacon and melted mozzarella cheese on a croissant which was served as an open-faced sandwich. Sitting upon the croissant, the gooey cheese held steady the smoky applewood bacon. The buttery croissant didn’t make the sandwich overindulgent —it made it a delight.

To counteract the sinful richness, the sandwich was paired with a seasonal fresh fruit salad. It offered cubes of honeydew melon, slices of strawberries, and grapes. The fruit held the summer sweetness that will be soon a distant memory in the upcoming winter months.

I dined with a cup a coffee that I consider part of my morning elixir. During my time at The French Bakery, I never saw the bottom of the cup. When the brew came close to being empty, I was asked if my cup could be refilled to which I eagerly confirmed. The coffee was served in refined china teacups that once again one would find in French cafés.

I decided to push the limit of my stomach’s fullness by trying one of their pastries. Cafés that offer their own items made onsite seem to be a dying breed so I thought I would have done a disservice to myself if I did not try something.

I chose the blueberry muffin to close out my breakfast. Not gargantuan as many muffins are nowadays, it was only slightly larger than usual.  It was served to me sliced and warmed with a pat of softened butter to the side. Not that it needed the extra richness, but the addition didn’t hurt it either.

So many breakfast pastries are deceptive at first sight. What seems to be a mouthwatering delicious treat sometimes turns out to be a disappointment. Not this time. This muffin included a nice strudel crumb on top that gave me an extra kick of sweetness.

Walk slowly at the Top of the Hill or you may miss the handwritten “Open” sign. With plenty of parking in the back, your taste buds and weary spirit will thank you for the extra moments it would have taken you to find this out-of-the-way café.