Story Published:
Oct 10, 2006 at 7:40 PM PST
Story Updated:
Mar 31, 2008 at 12:23 PM PST
SEATTLE - Light, flaky tarts filled with raspberries? Or baguettes with mortadella and cheddar cheese? Whatever you're craving, you'll find it at "Sweet & Savory" in Seattle's Mount Baker neighborhood.
"We definitely have some things that are always here, like our coffeecake... we always have a quiche, we'll always have scones and muffins and tarts," says owner Cynthia Brock, a classically French trained pastry chef from Portland's Western Culinary Institute.
After 30 years of baking from scratch, Cynthia still manages to make her way into the kitchen by 4 o'clock every morning to make her homemade treats and roll out croissant dough.
"We probably have a six-by-four space in the back that has a mixer, a table is our baking station, and we actually roll it out on some boards right behind the counter."
The best sellers are the apple tarts, coffee cake and croissants, but Cynthia say everything sells out.
"I think it says a lot about pastries, because usually if there's one thing left it kind of looks lonely, like 'somebody take me!' and nobody wants it. It's not the case here! Everyone just snatches the last thing up!"
Cynthia even makes her own bagels! "People say they're as good as some of the stuff you get in New York."
But Cynthia says it's another kind of round and savory item that really packs 'em in on the weekends.
"There are people who know we make fried egg sandwiches on the weekends and they're here the minute they're done. I mean, I have the sandwiches done at 11 o'clock and everyone is standing there waiting for them."
If it's a liquid treat you want, check out the rich, thick drinking chocolate.
"It's pretty classical French hot-chocolate. It's basically chopped chocolate, cream and spices."
Cynthia travels to Paris every-so-often to take continuing education classes - she's even trying to learn the language. "I'm taking French, which is not really going that well," Cynthia laughs. "But I'm pursuing it!"
Cynthia started Sweet & Savory as a full-on catering business on Bainbridge Island 8-and-a-half years ago, moved it to Ballard, then switched gears and opened her current bakery in 2004.
She still caters business and private parties on the side - including weddings, picnics and brunches - just ask!
Right now, she's getting ready for summer, preparing strawberries, raspberries and other seasonal fruits to fill her tarts, cakes and muffins.
She says she likes keeping her business small and hands-on, but wouldn't mind working with a restaurant someday...a place where she can demonstrate her cake and decorating skills, while keeping the rustic, neighborhood charm of her food.
For More Information:
Sweet & Savory
1418 31st Ave S.
Seattle, 98144
(206) 325-2900
Tue-Fri 6a-2p
Sat-Sun 7a-2p
closed Mondays
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