Hen & Heifer

Visited Guilford, CT this past weekend with my family, and the main reason for our trip was this bakery! I first saw it on my feed and immediately knew I had to visit. The shop is adorable inside—perfect for picking up desserts and snapping some photos in their warm, cozy space. They also have outdoor seating to enjoy your treats. We tried a few different items and every single one was amazing!

I ordered the milk chocolate passionfruit cake for my birthday and was absolutely blown away. I might not be able to wait until next year to order again. Thank you so much to Whang and the staff for the obvious meticulous care taken in such a unique cake!

Now let me tell ya, friends — Hen & Heifer in Guilford isn’t just a bakery, it’s an experience. You walk in and right away the air is rich with the warm, buttery scent of pastries that could stop you in your tracks. These folks are true French bakers, and it shows in every detail. Every bite feels like it was made with care and skill, the kind you just don’t find every day. Hen & Heifer is where elegance meets comfort. It’s the kind of place you find once, and then keep going back to because nothing else measures up. Magnifique.

This is by far some of the best desserts I have had! 5-star desserts. Everything about the items were thorough and well executed. The Vietnamese coffee is the best I have had. Had to order two! They have a very organized system so wait time is short. There is a little bit of sitting inside and lots outside. Definitely recommend this place! Worth it!

Amazing food and great vibes! I heard about Hen & Heifer from Heyla and I’m so glad I checked it out. Everything tasted fresh, the burgers were cooked perfectly, and the staff was super friendly. You can tell they really care about quality. Definitely coming back and recommending to others!

Every dessert I have tried has been phenomenal. There are some with ingredients I may not personally prefer to eat generally, but am thoroughly impressed with the well-balanced execution. Often, I find myself seeing that ingredient in a novel light, and it sometimes inspires me to try a new preparation at home. Most of the desserts win the beloved, "Not too sweet" acclamation as they are often bright with, maybe fruit, or harmoniously paired light flavors and delicate textures. I also love the subtle nuances, as if you're tasting a story he ventured out on and the morsel was a recollection memory. The signature flavor profile is both comforting and intriguing. You could blindfold me amongst a pile of pastries and I'll immediately know it's Whang's because of the exact uniformity and attention to detail. In searching for inconsistencies, I rarely, if ever, find any in his desserts. Every chef has their taste ratios and his are incredibly creative. They are pastry academy models. Several of my pictures are seasonal desserts that were offered for a limited time only. They are marked with ✨ Coming here is such a treat! 💐

The place is great for a quick coffee. Their bakery goods are sooooo good. There's a great selection.

Charming, friendly and delicious high end French pastries. Chef Whong and his team are creative and talented. All cookies are so delicious, an hour drive is well worth it.

It is a really good thing that I live 150 miles away from here. Otherwise I would be broke and as big as a house. I cannot resist stopping here when the open sign is out. Today I got 4 cream puffs, chocolate and caramel, and 2 seasonal ones, maple cardamon and cinnamon roll. They were amazing, the maple cardamon the best of all. The staff is friendly and I can tell they enjoy what they do. One of these days I'll try something else but their cream puffs are the best.

Is it possible for beautiful food to also be delicious? At Hen & Heifer, the answer is absolutely yes. One step in the bake shop transports you to a delicious wonderland of cakes, pastries, wonderful smells, and adorable decor. I've never experienced a bakery make me feel like I was being given a warm hug like I felt when I was here. After placing our order my friend and I stepped into the small courtyard on a bright sunny day and marveled at the gorgeous pastries sitting in front of us. They were velvety and delicate, creamy and light. You can tell that Hen & Heifer has carefully thought out the flavor profiles of each baked good to make each visit feel new and exhilarating. This is always one of the highlights of my trips to Guilford.

Every now and then, when we are in Guilford on the weekend, we stop by the store. Its ambiance is warm, stylish and the cakes display is classy. I absolutely adore the cream puffs, so fluffy & delicate. My husband loves packaged English toffies. The staff is amazing. They all seem to be part of the baking shop across the cute yard. So knowledgeable about the cakes.

I made a point of visiting H&H because some Food Blogger friends are big fans. I can see why. Based upon my experience, H&H is in the top tier of CT Bakeries and is even worthy of a drive to visit. H&H is small but elegant. There is no inside seating, but there are some umbrella crowned outside tables. The display case is first rate and there are many eye catching options. They have beautifully designed whole cakes, such as a chocolate shaped heart and a cake with raspberries and rose pedal designs. I stayed away from those whole cakes because I wanted to sample as many different things as possible. Cream puffs, and elevated torte shaped cookies looked like stand out items, and they were. We ordered one of each of the 6 Cream Puff flavors and 4 cookie flavors. The peanut butter and salted caramel cookie, and the vanilla and chocolate cream puffs were 10s out of 10. Most of the rest of the treats I tried were not far behind that, but I wasn't a big fan of the Ker Royal Cream Puff. The cream flavor profile just didn't completely connect for me. The other parts of that cream puff were still top notch though. I understand some of these flavors rotate. I would focus on chocolate and vanilla (and my son was a fan of pistachio, which I didn't try). I also loved the Pecan Sandies. Nice sweet and salty contrasting flavors. And I loved the house made Tropical Soda with mango and passion fruit flavor. It was perfectly balanced for me and very refreshing. I also tried the rice pudding with salted caramel sauce and the small Polenta Almond Cake. I respected what H&H was going for, but I probably wouldn't order either of these again. I'm very impressed with H&H, and I'll be looking for opportunities to visit in the future. 5 Stars

Absolutely dazzled by my first visit to this small, welcoming space with BIG flavor! Beautiful pastry offerings that somehow, incredibly, taste even better than they look. The limited seating was occupied on our visit but the hospitable owner encouraged us to make ourselves comfortable at the counter, as she deftly made space for us. I should share that I do not care for puff pastry or any cream puff I have ever met. Today I found the exception to that rule. The cream puff pastry layer has a barely there "crunch" sensation that delicately gives way as you bite into it. And then you're at the creamy center! Ooooh....so smooth, flavorful yet not heavy. The cinnamon roll truly did taste as though eating a cinnamon roll. Cassis is a new flavor offering and you really must try it - wonderful raspberry cream with a pleasantly tart profile. The cookies are tender with an outer hint of chew. We had peanut butter (massively peanut buttery in a good way) and dark chocolate (deep chocolate flavor but not overly sweet). Lastly, the hot chocolate with a thick homemade whipped cream that slowly melts into it. Velvet in a mug. A mug that's custom made to nest in your hands in just the right way as you sip, savor, linger over this richly chocolate nectar that is delightfully decadent.

A cozy patisserie with stellar pastries and cakes. Whenever I'm in the area I always make an excuse to stop by! The display case is artistically decorated and the staff are helpful and friendly. More often than not I end up ordering more than I intended to - I'm always excited to see and taste all the creative seasonal tarts/pastries! One of my go-tos on their more permanent menu is the basque cheesecake - so smooth, velvety, and delicious! I've also never had a seasonal tart that I haven't liked - but my all-time favorite is hands-down the salted caramel toffee cookie! Indoor seating is very limited so I've been ordering to go during the colder months. There is a large outdoor courtyard that opens as the weather gets nicer. The pastries are on the expensive side but personally I'd say well worth the price when you're treating yourself!

This is probably one of my favorite bakeries. Everything here was beautiful and delicious. I loved everything we got, from pastries to drinks. The outdoor garden dining area was beautiful. Very friendly and nice staff too. Highly recommend it for anyone nearby!

Ooh la la--Hen & Heifer is the bakery to splurge and indulge. Every bite of cake, cream puff, cookie or sip of coffee transports you on a flavorful journey. The pastries, cakes, and other treats have high-end price tags, but are unique, meticulously crafted, carefully curated flavors & spices, and visually works of art. Hen & Heifer has been on our list of places to try this year and it was so worth the hype. The hours were nice, unlike other bakeries that you need to arrive at the crack of dawn before they sell out. They are currently open Thursday-Sunday, 12pm to 5pm. The shop is tiny, but the walls, counter and shelves are a beautiful French blue (literally the colors of my parent's kitchen). There were shelves filled with jars of jams, honey, pickles, mustards, tea and more. There were a few small seats and tables tucked in there too. On full display at the counter were cakes, pastries, tarts, cookies, drinks and etc. with very descriptive name tags including allergy information. A few treats that we decided to eat in were a slice of Gateau Breton, Caramel Cream Puff and Rose Cream with a Vietnamese Iced Coffee. The Gateau Breton slice was a dense, buttery cake, similar to a very rich pound cake. The cream puffs were the best I have ever had. The outside texture was a nice crispy texture like an old fashion doughnut, but light and airy on the inside. The creams were full of flavor, the rose one being my favorite. They are presently pretty with the colored white chocolate caps and powder sugar dusted on top. I tried the Vietnamese Coffee Latte and the flavor was surprising. I have had Vietnamese coffee before, but not like this. It was rich with warm spices like cardamom, cinnamon, orange-citrus and star anise. To go, we got a fresh loaf of bread, a few cookies, and a beautiful Mother's Day decorated shortbread cookie. There is a patio outside with tables and a lot of shad to enjoy your treats on a nice day. The staff were so kind and friendly too. For the items that we were enjoying there, they were brought on a nice tray with plated on small saucers and the cutest like fork. While we were there, the shop was slow so we were able to relax and take it all in. If you have a sweet tooth and have appreciation for French pastry, Hen and Heifer in Guilford is the spot to try. I've been dreaming about the cream puffs and the iced coffee ever since.

I read they had the best almond croissants about 5 years ago.. Well, I was 5 years too late to try them. I was told they no longer make them. Everything was perfectly displayed here! The hot drinks were okay- nothing great and the tart with coconut was good. The chocolate chip cookie was also very good. I would say it is one of the better bakeries around quality wise. Very expensive. Wouldn't return unless they bring back the croissants! I'd say it's great to try if you're in the area.

Really delicious, decadent, gorgeous and creative desserts here. They use high-quality ingredients which is reflective on the price. We tried the pistachio cream puff and coconut tart. Both were divine, but a little pricey!!! I believe it was $13 for coconut tart and $4 for cream puff.

I was very excited to try this place as it has a great reputation. However, I've been there several times now and I have to say that I'm not at all impressed. I spent $48 for a dozen cookies that were thick and tasteless. I had a piece of French cake that was extremely dry and a specialty espresso drink that was borderline disgusting. The girl at the register was extremely rude and they had no inside seating. Prices are almost shocking for what you get. I would not return.

Hen & Heifer is a gem. The bakery itself is charming and elegant, with a small, curated selection that changes seasonally. The pastries are truly incredible -- my favorites are the seasonal items and the beautifully layered cakes. It is not a cheap bakery, but for the quality, the prices feel fair. Make sure to check the hours before you visit, since they're only open a few days a week. An absolute must-visit on the Connecticut shoreline (grabbing a few pastries and heading to the beach is one of my favorite summer activities).

Hen & Heifer was on my list of places to visit in Guilford, and it did not disappoint. It's a very small space and no public bathroom, but if it's nice outside there is outdoor seating. The cream puffs are incredible. I tried the blueberry and caramel flavors and they were both amazing. I also tried the salted caramel toffee cookie, and it was a tad too greasy. The flavor was good, but it tasted like one cookie had half a stick of butter in it alone. If I'm ever back in the are I would skip the cookies and stock up on cream puffs!

Hen & Heifer is a very nice pastry shop in Guilford by the green. The pastry chef seems very creative because there are some unique pastries. They're so beautiful! Staff is friendly. You can find free parking easily. There's a nice seating area outside.

Finally tried this place last week after hearing how amazing it was & it 100% lived up to the hype. I tried the Pumpkin Basque Cheesecake & the Chocolate Cream Puff. They were both excellent! The staff is amazing & the inside of the place is adorable. They have a few couches & tables and an outside patio. Will definitely be going back to try some more of their desserts.

Hen & Heifer has amazing goodies! Butterscotch caramel cookie is the best ever it is soft chewy, and all you need in your life. I've tried so many different different flavors of the cream puffs and those are pockets of deliciousness. I can eat millions of those all day every day and pop them in my mouth like skittles. The treat here on the side but you can taste the quality that are made in each morsel. Will definitely recommend the spot and come back.

When I moved to this area we tried this bakery.I ordered a cake for my husband's birthday. We were very disappointed. We are dessert people and have had great cakes in other places. We would not go back or suggest this place to friends.

Only tried a dark chocolate cookie, and it was great! Family members tried other options with good feedback. the presentations in the display cases looked amazing! The line was growing and the interior is tiny, so wait for yor order outside. It seems to be one of those places that would have a line down the street during warmer weather. Recommend a visit!

Exquisite pastry! Juan deserves every pastry award there is, I love it here. Great atmosphere, nice staff, delicious treats. I have not had better anywhere, not even in Paris!

This is my number one spot of sweet things in the world I love everything about this place everything beyond beautiful absolutely delicious great for pictures tiny but gorgeous garden everyone here seem very enjoy hand having fun to work and great great service I always come here with my little husky tried to come every week if I could

Truly one of the best bakeries I've ever been to!! I usually find that bakeries that focus on how their pastries look don't care as much about how they taste, but that is not at all true for hen and heifer--they have mastered both! Everything I've tried was incredible, including desserts I tried at Hachiroku (a restaurant in New Haven that serves their desserts). We also ordered cakes for my moms birthday from here and they were unbelievable! Can't recommend Hen & Heifer highly enough!

Tiny bakery with a large selection of both beautiful and delicious baked goods. They do not have any indoor seating, but they do have ample outdoor seating. The staff are very friendly as well. Have a few different drink options, including hot coffee. I got 2 cookies with my GF (the chocolate chip and the salted caramel) and both were delicious 9

This bakery makes edible art. Layered flavors and beautiful presentation. It's the kind of food you don't want to eat, because it's too pretty. Literally try anything, and you'll be impressed. Prices are on the high side. Very high. Worth it? Arguable, but I'm not complaining. It's too good to fuss about value. Grab something, eat on the little patio outside--or take it to Guilford Green's charming environs. Nothing could be finer.

I first heard of Hen & Heifer when my fellow Yelper friend insisted that we make the trip down here to try the baked creations of a James Beard semi-finalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef (Chef Whang Suh). To be honest, I was skeptical at first, could a place that is supposed to be this good be tucked away in the sleepy CT town of Guilford? Let alone a nationally recognized place? Oh were my preconceived notions so wrong. Upon first entry, you are greeted with a quaint atmosphere that has limited seating but large windows which allow natural light to showcase Chef Suh's creations. The real star here are the delicacies gleaming behind the glass. With so many enticing looking items, we could not help but just pick one of each desired baked good: Dark Chocolate Macaron (5/5): Everything a macaron should be and so much more. The bitterness of the dark chocolate here was balanced perfectly with the sweet halves of the macaron. My only complaint is that we only had one. London Fog (5/5): With the base being an earl grey mousse, one can see where this creation derives its name. Light, airy, and almost too beautiful to eat, the London Fog was one of the first treats to catch our eyes. Matcha Creme Puff (5/5): The matcha filling here does not hold back the green tea flavor intensity and is easily one of the best creme puffs I have had. Chocolate Merveilleux (5/5): As a chocolate lover, this one was hands down my favorite creation. The glossy exterior hides some of the best chocolate ganache I have ever had the privilege of tasting and it was tough to cut into this one as well seeing as I did not want to interrupt the smooth, shiny surface. I could not help but close my eyes and bob my head as I was enjoying the merveilleux, no doubt causing amusement among the staff. Mango Passionfruit House-made Soda (5/5): These sodas are made completely with house-made syrups and it truly shows. Refreshing and light, this drink was a perfect finish to the myriad of desserts we sampled. The characteristic mango and passionfruit taste come through strong here! Hen and Heifer is worth every penny even if you aren't a dessert fanatic and well worth the drive out. Here's hoping Chef Suh secures that coveted title because both he and his team truly deserve it. Bravo Hen and Heifer, bravo! See you all soon!

A truly lovely French patisserie right in guilford. The staff is attentive and helpful but the fare will knock your socks off. Visual and palate pleasing delights!! Stunning baked good to also include seasonal drinks like egg nog and hot cocoa. Truly a hidden gem for lovers of delicate sweets. Very small location with a few tables to enjoy treats and an outside area as well. Festive delights all year that cater to the season and holiday!

Review disclaimer: I've never really been a big fan of cakes. So, sex is good and all, and we even got married this week, but seriously have you ever had a cake from Hen and Heifer?

They create some of the most unbelievably delicious desserts you will ever try. The flavors are perfection. I love everything about this bakery. The menu changes constantly, so the constant array of new desserts is part of the fun. Staff is lovely! I only get to visit a few times a year, but always leave with a few individual desserts - all for me. Run, don't walk. (And get the toffee cookie - just do it).

Absolutely exquisite deserts and work of art! Soooo glad we have this little gem in CT! Whang... I love you and your golden fingers for bringing so much joy and happiness to our dinner parties.

I only post reviews that are worth your time, the person viewing them. Do yourself a favor, just go there. Then you let me know if you'd give it a 4-5

This review is not about the food which is always excellent although a bit overpriced This is about customer relations On Hen and Heifer's Instagram page I recently wrote "still no tarte tatin [sad face emoji]" I got a very rude reply to which I responded "interesting approach to client relations" and then I was blocked This is really bad policy for two reasons 1) I always used the Instagram page to check out if they had something cool I would be interested in trying 2) I also don't really want to spend my money on an establishment that treats its customers so poorly I sincerely hope this was the work of a disgruntled social media intern rather than the owner Nevertheless it will be a long time before I set foot in here again

They make treats that are almost too beautiful to eat! They have really great drinks, too, and lots of gluten free options. Their small outdoor patio is a cute, intimate spot for enjoying your dessert, too. The staff is lovely, as well!

Rude; wouldn't go back here if the food was free If you don't learn how to be nice you won't have any customers

Cute little spot that brings high end desserts to you without having to leave the country! Very nice woman working behind the counter and fast and attentive service!

Each pastry made with expert care, from flavor to looks, no detail spared. Cozy and small, a Parisian flair. Warm window benches and wooden chairs. The sable Breton is a buttery treat, kissed with vanilla and not too sweet, Ashlawn Farm coffee makes it complete, served in paper-thin ceramic mugs, so neat!

This place This is a high end, luxury pastry shop. Everything here is beautiful to look at. Truly the artistry in these goods is unlike anything I have found elsewhere in Connecticut. Flavor-wise, I have been impressed as well! I have tried their peach & ginger pavlov which had such a nice balance of the flavors that it was a flavor memory for days. Since I've tried their caramel cookie which was good, but not as impressive as other things. The lemon tarte is smooth and lemony, without being very tart or sour. It's lovely and balanced between mild and bland. Plus the crust is so crumbly and buttery! The quiche is delightful and whipped in texture. They are so light. Really a wonderful experience. Not drink we have only tried the chocolate milk because it's so rich and yummy we repeated it. Seriously it makes me feel like a kid it's so sweet and fun coming out piled with mouse. The shop is adorably decorated, begging to be in the background of your Instagrams. Plus, they play unique French music. It sorta feels like an escape inside. UPDATE: I have since been back several times and brought family with. I stand by my five stars. I'll also now say that I've had the cream puffs and they are divine. Visit for sure, this is a gem.

Cute place. The only thing that deters me from adding a fifth star is that the service is extremely slow and they run out of stuff by like 8:30 AM. Do they only make 5 plain croissants? Idk. Anyway, the almond croissants are fantastic - though they could do without the icing - as is the plain shortbread. The iced coffee, from Ashlawn farm (another magical place you should visit) is excellent. I didn't care for the chocolate pound cake - it was pretty bland - but was pretty satisfied by everything else. Edit 5/2016: They stopped making croissants, which I'm fine with. Never got to have a plain one, anyway. The shortbread cookies are still a must, and the toffee caramel cookies are INCREDIBLE - they've got an amazing chewy texture and a nice toffee flavor. The pistachio financier that I had was good. Blueberry muffin was also a hit. Edit 5/2017: Amazing pastries as always. The apple crumble tart is phenomenal. Chocolate chip cookie is also excellent but the toffee remains my favorite - it's a must.

A hidden small paradise for French bakery lovers! As soon as you walk in the store, you are traveling to a magnificent small store which brought be me back to childhood when my grand grand mother would bring me to the bakery in our small village for a Sunday treat But the comparison stops here, because the pâtisseries here are no longer... But pâtisseries are works of art. So elegant that I paused before even touching it, savouring with eyes. Each piece has been creatively reinvented by the Master Pâtissier, and the list of ingredients had my head spinning and my mind starting to enjoy all these sophisticated flavors. I haven't tasted a patisserie so rich in delicious flavors it seemed unreal. Despite my mind was already prepared for it, the magnificent tastes caught me off guard like a firework for my taste buds. The small terrace is a peace of heaven. This place is so unique that I will definitely go back as a pilgrimage for a guilty pleasure.

Probably one of the best bakeries that has gluten free options. My anniversary cake was absolutely gorgeous. This is my new go to place for special occasion items.

Stopped in today for a treat and everything looked so beautiful, that my husband and I got four different desserts for just the two of us. Everything we tried was delicious. The staff is very friendly and helpful as well. This is my first time reviewing, but the Hen and Heifer is always on the list when we go to Guilford.

A tiny French bakery, tucked in a plaza near the Guilford Green. We found out about this spot through a silent auction. We had to check out the $85 chocolate cake. I was warned that they might close at 1:00 pm. I was surprised to find them open, when we showed up around 1:30 pm. Insides, there are a few small tables and a counter. They did a wonderful job on the decorating. It's really quite charming. There are also a few tables outside on a patio. We were told that they were open till 4:00 pm, so I was a little upset to find out that they had already run out of 1 of 3 flavors of macaroons. At $3 a piece, they were on the smaller side. I chose a coconut; the texture was spot on, and I was pleasantly surprised by the taste. It was not dry, it was actually moist in the center. I also purchased a lemon Madeleine for my son. It had a light glaze and was sprinkled with lavender. He wasn't big on the lavender, but loved the buttery little cookie. Maybe next time, I'll get him the bigger than his head, hen or heifer cookie. Oh, and that $85 chocolate cake was in the case. It looked like it was worth every penny, just not in my budget. Would love to try it one day!

My Saturday treat when living in CT and now my favorite place to go when traveling back! Everyone is so nice and the desserts are delicious amazing art! Such talent in one little shop!

By Elizabeth Rubin Classically trained pastry chef Whang Suh has been delighting the Shoreline with his on-point French pastries at his bakery, Hen & Heifer, since 2013. Where better to find a showstopper for a dinner party? A visual feast that will indulge your every sense, his charming shop tucked behind Whitfield Street channels the finest of Parisian patisseries. But I needed some direction and Whang steered me towards his Chocolate Merveilleux. I audibly "oohed" when he took the culinary marvel from the glass case. Cocoa nibs and tempered chocolate squares accent this breathtaking chocolate confection. Hoping for just a taste, Whang offered up a miniature version to sample; a brilliant combination of flavors and textures: chocolate mousse, cocoa meringue, and creamy ganache. A marvelous Merveilleux it was, but I didn't stop there. Platters of macarons, madeleines, canneles, and pavlova tempted, but a simple and perfect chocolate cream puff had my name on it. Despite the careful and elegant packaging, needless to say, it didn't make it home. ww.henandheifer.com

Yumm, happened to be in the area and found this place via yelp. It was so worth the stop. Great customer service, the presentation is amazing, fresh ingredients and deliciously. There is no specialty coffee here but they do have tea. If you are in Guilford, make sure you stop in.

I've died and gone to pastry heaven. There's no other place in Connecticut quite like Hen & Heifer! Each dessert is a work of art. I'd recommend getting one of everything :)

Truly the most amazing bakery in the area! Artisan treats made with attentive detail and love! Each dessert or quiche is a masterpiece! Don't miss Hen & heifer!

I don't like sweets... this is amazing .... so many flavors and textures and great Covid service!!! Go! I wrote this as to not forget but let me tell you.. a cookie is not a cookie here . It is a buttery, magical ride... the cream is stuff that dreams are made of... the polenta cake is the best for people who don't love sweets but want a taste sensation.... it is worth the price! Bb

O-M-G. The desserts at Hen & Heifer are TO-DIE-FOR. I had been drooling all over the macro shots on their website and their Insta profile for weeks and am oh so thrilled we finally mad the drive down to Guilford one Saturday afternoon. I had heard all about pastry chef Whang Suh and how he'd been nominated as a semi-finalist for the James Beard award and knew that I had to experience his creations for myself. Upon stepping into the charming dessert boutique, it is not hard to see why their confections are award-worthy. For such a small shop, the sheer number of desserts is astounding. From macarons, mini tarts and cakes to cream puffs, mousses and cookies, Hen & Heifer does it all and impressively so, as well. The dessert fiend in me had one heck of a time deciding which ones to try! We sampled the following: Dark Chocolate Macaron (5/5): Featuring a generous layer of luscious dark chocolate ganache in between two light-as-air shells, their macarons were the definition of perfection. Matcha Cream Puff (5/5): Don't let its petite size fool you--their cream puffs are stuffed with a whopping dollop of their a matcha-forward and uber velvety pastry cream. London Fog (5/5): I was drawn to the London Fog for its shiny mirror finish, asymmetrical accents and and the idea of an earl grey lavender mousse. The dessert was just as delicate in taste as its description. I really loved the vanilla biscuits and the waterfall of lavender buds coming down one side of the mousse. Chocolate Merveilleux (5/5): The merveilleux was absolutely marvelous and the ultimate way to satisfy a chocolate lover's sweet tooth. My favorite part of this one, besides admiring the glossy, pearl-shaped exterior, were the bits of chocolatey crunchies that were interspersed within the layers of ganache, chocolate mousse and chocolate meringue. Tropical Soda (5/5): All their sodas are made (and carbonated) in house. This one featured fresh-pressed mango and passionfruit juices and made for a refreshing treat. No matter what desserts you go for, I am confident you will be thoroughly impressed. I am already dreaming of the next time I will be able to return for another heavenly escape to a Parisian patisserie.

I finally made it to Hen and Heifer after hearing about it from my co-worker. I live in Guilford but don't frequent the little plaza behind the shops on the Guilford Green very often. When I walked in at about 11 am on a Saturday, my first impression was that the place was tiny, things were very expensive ($3 each for a small macaron, some individual cake servings were $8-$9 each and all sizes were pretty small). Whole cakes were in the $60-$85 range for a small 6 person sized cake. Nevertheless, I had my 7 year old son with me and one does not walk into a bakery that sells cookies and leave empty handed when bringing a 7 year old along. As we waited in line, I had time to really look at what was in the case and everything was beautiful, made with the finest attention to detail. I also observed what others were eating and the quiches looked delicious and the custom made drinks appeared refreshing. We ended up purchasing some reasonable priced individual sized (all about $3-$4) lemon cakes, pistachio financier, apple tart, chocolate chip cookie, and large heifer cookie. Everything was delicious. I especially loved the olive oil lemon cake, it had just the right balance of sweet and tart. I wasn't aware that financiers are traditionally made with almond flour and I suspect the one at Hen and Heifer is also. Be aware if you have allergies (my husband does). Everything was excellent, some of the best pastries I have ever had and I wish I could give this place 4.5 stars. The prices are where they lost a star. I may not be fair in rating 4 stars and others may think that 5 stars is appropriate due to the attention to detail and fine ingredients in every pastry, but I just think $9 for a very small slice of cake is too much. I will be returning to Hen and Heifer and I hope they do well in their location, which has had a lot of business not be successful.

Hen & Heifer is a nothing short of a treasure, starting with the warm and welcoming staff. Everything they offer is world class, and I'm not just talking about the pastries and cakes, which are better than anything you'll find anywhere, but also the sodas, fruit drinks, teas, coffees, and retail items. No matter how near or far, come one, come all, you'll be glad you did, it's worth the trip!