Michael P.
Yelp
"Are we going to Quail and Condor today?"
Be prepared for this question if you're kind enough to share this gem of a bakery with someone.
This unassuming roadside bakery in healdsburg is worth making the drive to. Everything they make is fantastic and quality.
I tried: quiche, kouign amann, caramelized honey morning bun, scone, canele, epi, pane siciliano
The poor staff was so patient with us when we ordered. It's a tough decision when everything looks so good. Of all the things I tried, there was only 1 pastry that I preferred from a bakery at home in RI, and that's the kouign amann, for me, Quails didn't have the signature caramelized almost creme Brule like glaze that makes kouign amann so special.
The quiche though, if you told me I could only have quiche one last time before i die, I'd pick this quiche. It's insanely rich, but it is so delicious. Creamy, velvety, savory, it's honestly almost like eating a savory cheesecake with the most delicious buttery and flaky pastry crust. Try it and share it to save room for....
The caramelized honey morning bun: The next standout for me was this thing. I took a bite into the caramelized honey infused pastry cream and literally said "Holy sh...". If that cream was slapped in a supermarket hotdog bun I'd eat it no questions. But no, they didn't stop at the cream, the flaky layered pastry dough was so light, so crispy and structural enough to support the cream.
If you don't want something so rich (maybe to pair with the quiche like I did) go with the scone. A nice, crispy, buttery, simple scone. The sugared top was a perfect extra layer of crunch and sweetness. The filling was some kind of berry, which escapes me, but it was very good.
Going to some wineries or to a relative's? Be a hero and grab some bread. The epi was perfect to savagely rip pieces off of after a wine tasting and the pane siciliano was what a relative grabbed to take to a lunch stop when we were meeting up with some other family that lived out here. All sourdough, all tasty and has a nice fluffy, moist texture. Slight tang, not too much and crisp crust, just the right thickness.
I don't know what else I can say. Just go here and plan on coming back. You'll want everything. Just have a game plan because this place doesn't have seating. There is a little square a little further up the street. A short walk or drive. I wish you good luck- your taste buds will thank you.