Eva M.
Yelp
How are the people around the Phinney neighborhood not extra fat? There are at least 4 incredible dessert places within 2 blocks of each other. I wish I live closer!
Anyway, Fresh Flours at the corner with doors wide open on an inviting sunny day, taking a peak is a must. Immediately I see some awesome looking pastry options and also recognized Japanese treats from the nearby Tokara, which is difficult to buy from the main store but they offer selections here. Yay! Between goodies from Fresh Flours and goodies from Tokara, this is an excellent place for treats!
Fresh Flours Items:
Chocolate croissant - 4.5 stars
Despite the number of things I bought, I had 3 little white baggies to carry all the items nilly willy, and I had to request the 3rd baggie. As a result, I partly moshed my chocolate croissant by the time I walked back to my car, which is a shame. It's a gloriously rounded half dome, crispy crust, with two pieces of chocolate inside. It's much better warmed with the chocolate softened. This is near perfection ignoring the moshed parts.
Macarons - Yuzu lemon, Earl Grey, Black Current - 4 Stars
The flavor of the yuzu and the black current is amazing! Earl Grey was too subtle; I couldn't recognize it. They are a touch flat, visually and literally. The outside is not quite as crispy (but can't be crunchy!). The ratio of the outer shell and inner cream is just right.
Matcha Tea Cakes - 5 Stars
The matcha flavor is strong, which I love! Tea cakes can be dry sometimes, but this one has the right balance. The bits of sugar on the outside makes it extra naughty.
Azuki Bar, $2.25 - 4.5 Stars For the azuki fan, this is a must. It's an extra fancy cookie sandwich with a generous azuki center and handmade soft cookies on the outside.
Tokara Item:
Mochi, $5.20 - 4.5 Stars
I don't know the exact name of the one I bought as the signs are all moved around; I think it's called the Young Grass. (The staff was annoyed that I asked the name...) The cost is for the workmanship. A fresh, pretty, soft-gummy mochi forms the outer floral petals. Strips of yellow mochi forms the stamen of the flower. The inside is generously filled with azuki. This is yummy and spendy. But it's worth it once in a while.
There was one staff member when I went. He was nice but came across as impatient, kinda annoyed that I was looking at everything. Ah well.