Pile on the Pastries at Center City’s Adorable Carbs Counter | Eater Philly

"Run by prolific Philly restaurateur Ellen Yin’s High Street Hospitality Group in a small counter-service space in Center City, this bakery balances a daytime pastry counter with nighttime baking workshops. Inside, more than 20 pan-Asian–influenced pastries (with flavors like yuzu, candied ginger, cardamom, matcha, miso, and black sesame) share space with creative breads such as caraway rye, epi sesame baguettes, cherry buckwheat loaves, and luscious loaves sold by weight. Standout items include the tuna nicoise hoagie on an excellent soft-but-sturdy seeded roll loaded with tuna, white anchovies, black olive spread, diced jammy egg, roasted peppers, and greens; a thick, squiggly matcha croissant loaf with a crispy exterior and soft, matcha-cream-filled interior; and a chewy, not-too-sweet miso tahini cookie topped with sesame seeds for a bit of crunch. The drink menu plays off the pastries with options like a croissant milk cortado that’s short and sweet and a black sesame latte whose subtle sweetness pairs well with the cookie. The walk-up counter is flanked by flowers, but seating is limited to a few counter window spots and a couple of tables, so it’s smart to plan ahead, order online, or take everything to go. After hours, the space transforms into a bakery workshop for pizza-making classes for children, lamination lessons, sourdough introductions, and private group sessions." - Nadia Chaudhury