Elizabeth! You didn't take my advice and get some of those weigh-nothing bags- in-an-envelope from baggubag.com. They look very chic with all your groceries packed into them (I think the smoke color is the chic-est) and you can easily have it in your purse at all times without adding significantly to all the other crap in there. You'll never feel environmentally incorrect again.

Baby carrots sure seem like whole carrots to me...whole carrots that are insufficiently peeled by whatever mechanical process is used. I don't like them.

I try not to think about Bonjour. It's just a block away from where I work and much too close. And just walking to the other side of the bridge is not enough exercise to justify partaking in the wonderful assortment of delights there.
You Baltimore Sun people keep trying to remind me how wonderful it is. (Rob Kasper rhapsodizing about their pear tart was NOT helpful.)

I used to visit Bonjour Bakery quite frequently a few years ago because I enjoyed the ham and cheese croissants.

The problem was that they would often run out and the owner was so hot or cold from day to day that I just tired of coming in one day to be cheerfully greeted and then the next she would be gritty or just plain rude.

I found Parisians to be more friendly than this lady on many occasions. If she was always rude and gruff that would be one thing. It was the inconsistency that made it not worth my time.

I'll drive down to Poupon and be inconvenienced by the parking there now.

Oh, the Whole Paycheck in Mount Washington has a long tradition of smug staff.

There was a staff member there for years who was in charge of the samples.

You almost had to come with your hat in your hand when you asked for a sample. Please, Governor, may I have some toasted pecans?

Then she would make you feel like a real dead beat if you took a sample and didn't immediately put six of that item into your cart.

Speaking of croissant, is there anywhere in Baltimore I can get zatar croissant? All the Lebanese bakeries in Detroit make them, and the combination of buttery, flaky croissant, tart sumac, thyme and sesame seed is perfect.

Lissa - I don't know of any place that sells them around here, but if you find them, please pass the location along. it sounds liks they would make an amazing breakfast.

Lady EL (or anyone else), do you know anything about the The Breadery in Ellicott City? I recently discovered it as we were leaving Starbucks and never knew it was located where it is - very nondescript, pale looking commercial building off Rt. 40.

I'm a fan of its cranberry-orange-pecan bread. Grains Galore is good, too, but a bit sweet for a non-sweet bread. It's expensive. EL

Eric (POG) - I've been there and agree with Elizabeth that it's expensive. Some of the breads are tasty, but not necessarily worth the cost (and I am basing cost on what I remember from several months ago, before the spike in wheat prices); the whole wheat rolls are nice. They supposedly have sourdough which I've wanted to try as I have yet to find a decent sourdough this side of San Francisco, but they always seem to be out. No employee has ever been able to tell me when the sourdough might once again grace the shelves.

And shame on you for supporting Starbucks.

And shame on you for supporting Starbucks

I knew someone's going to say something about that. I hesitated first, but what the heck - what's this blog without controversy? My wife actually asked me to go there and she was not feeling well all week so I gladly obliged being the sweet husband that I am :) Now if they would just open up a Cafe Malongo like the St-Andre Des Arts location we hung out in, then you'll find us there everyday.

And thanks for The Breadery info. We might hold off in visiting until we got our rebate checks from big brother.

Dr. Erlenmeyer Cantaloupe - a unique user name. Are you new, or just a new name?

Rosebud, zatar croissant are the best use of fusion cooking (something I usually don't much care for) ever. If I find them here, I won't be selfish.

I haven't managed to find a Lebanese bakery here yet. In Detroit, there are a number of wonderful bakeries with French pastries on one side and Arab pastries on the other. And the ice cream..!

Well, as long as it was out of the kindness of your heart for a slightly delirious woman... I would hold out for the Café Malongo like the one in Orly.

But seriously, nothing against the Breadery, but depending on where you live it just ain't worth it spend the gas to drive there and then buy the bread (there goes half of that rebate!). Atwater's and Bonaparte turn out equally lovely breads for more reasonable prices.

Dr. Erlenmeyer Cantaloupe reminds me of Anastasia Beaverhausen.

Hi, Rosebud - I've been around here for several months, and am testing out a new name. I had another but it wasn't quite so fancy. I'm hoping this one sticks.

I definitely think that this one is a keeper!

I really tried to give Bonjour my business on several occasions, but I too experienced the Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde persona of the owner one too many times. The last straw was when I took my mom for a treat on her 84th birthday and the owner snapped at her when mom asked a question about one of the pastries. We were the only ones in the place, so it wasn't like mom was holding up a line of customers! I work hard for my money, and I'll patronize establishments that appreciate my business.