Why: Sweet Touch Café & Bakery is part of and located next to the Svitoch European Market. The bakery has several cases of every colorful pastry imaginable, for filling a to-go box or for eating at its comfortable café. A full espresso menu for beverage selections and made-to-order crêpes is available, as well.
Atmosphere: A few different tones of wood have been used in the flooring, furniture and siding on the walls. Plant boxes hang from the ceiling above tables. Seating consists of tables and chairs, both standard and tall heights. There is also a window-side bar with bar stools and a lounging area with a sofa and club chairs for a more relaxed experience. The café has an overall modern vibe with contemporary, farmhouse-inspired decor.
What I tried: For dining in, I tried a ham and cheese crêpe and a feta turnover. My dining companion had a chicken and beef pie. We also selected numerous pastries to box and take home. The crêpe was made fresh with mozzarella cheese and two slices of deli-style ham. The turnover combined dill with the feta and was also sprinkled with it. This was a new combination for me, and I thought how perfect it would be on a cold winter day with a cup of tomato bisque soup. The chicken and beef pastry was pre-made and reheated. My dining companion and I shared our selections and thoroughly enjoyed every bite. I liked the sweetness of the crêpe combined with the savory flavors, and although it did not have any sort of sauce added, it was not too dry. The pastry’s flavor and texture reminded me of other pocket-type, meat-and-pastry sandwiches found in several other cuisines — from a Chinese egg roll to a Bosnian burek, all of which I find very appetizing. Similar to the crêpe, it was not too dry. Mustard and ketchup are available if you want some added flavor or something to dip it in.
Among the pastries I settled on was a chocolate torte, a blueberry and cream cheese pastry, a salted caramel and brownie cookie, a chocolate-dipped coconut macaroon, a lime and mint Italian meringue macaroon and a fancy, bird nest-style baklava. Every selection I chose was expertly crafted and tasted out of this world. I could not pick a favorite because each stood alone for its qualities and appeal. Their freshness was as impressive as the huge selection on hand, all of which is made in house daily. I could not shake the magical, Narnia-type impression of Sweet Touch’s selection. Unlike Danish or American-style bakeries — where everything is basically the same, just in different shapes and a few different fillings or icings — Sweet Touch is a smorgasbord of sweet delight. Hands down, the most impressive quality and selection I have ever encountered.
