Adem A.
Yelp
Flour. Water. Salt. Bread. Ecstasy.
This should be the unofficial title of the establishment from my experience. I've never really been a sourdough person, after all I'm not really a sour guy. Sure, I'll have it with my omelet at the diner and get the sourdough boule from TJ's because it seems like the chic thing to do, but I've never craved sourdough. That was until I was exposed to FWSB(E) this summer.
Despite having many slam dunks of products, the sourdough loaf shines through for me. Thanks to my aunt's (she's technically my cousin but the age gaps are too severe to keep that up) overwhelming patronage of FWSB(E), I have averaged nearly a loaf a week. From soaking up the juice of a well-baked branzino to being a vessel for a juvenile peanut butter and jelly, the sourdough is truly a jack of all trades. Even when I am full beyond belief, I find myself subconsciously playing a slice in the toaster, eager to delight in its light crisp and robust flavor.
The scintillating sight that greets you upon entry, however, is their plentiful array of sweet, bready delights. From sea salt cookies to kouign amann's to the biggest damn coffee cake you've ever seen in your life, they have a treat to make you feel sweet and special on any occasion. When my heart desires for everything but my wallet cries for forgiveness, I am often left with a difficult choice that leaves me defaulting for a cookie, choosing the safe option like a bachelorette with her final rose. However, FWSB(E) remedies this disappointing stalemate by providing free samples for thise who dare submit to sweet sweet desire. The bite sized arrays of pastries lining the case is a simple invitation for me to try a bit of everything, approximately tripling my pastry consumption to dollars spent ratio. I am still yet to try the glossy cardamom bun, but clearly I must be down bad for it if I am writing this review at 4am. Other honorable mentions are the croissants (more buttery than Burton Guster) and the wide selection of schmears (it's not cream cheese, it's schmear, iykyk).
Overall, FWSB(E) ideally represents my vision of a pricey, but very much well worth it, local bakery. The aesthetic and interior match that of which I aim for in my future bakery, and the outdoor seating, complete with a *fountain*, provides a great place to unwind after spending half a paycheck on a diverse range of carbohydrates.