In Search of the Perfect Pastry

I've been thinking about microbreweries a lot lately (but not necessarily for that reason!). The offer a wonderful, hand-crafted, unique product, much like coffeeshops do. However, one major difference is that rarely, in my experience at least, are micros just breweries or bars. Usually, they have a restaurant menu, chock full of delicious foods that compliment their beers. Coffeeshops, especially in smaller towns like Beaver Falls, often try to just be bars--just the beverages and maybe a few little things on the side. However, for us here at BFC&T, things didn't work out that way. We offer a nice sized lunch menu and would like to eventually expand it to a "made to order" style, more cafe-ish. But that, actually, isn't my point tonight.

Returning to the micros, they carefully select their menu items to compliment their beverages. Focus on the beverage, but food isn't an afterthought. That is similar to what we are trying to do here. We've gotten raves about our scones and they are good stand-alone, but they really do compliment either a small cup of drip brewed coffee (especially Yirgacheffe) or (even better) a double normal shot of espresso. Great little breakfast or mid-morning snack. However, scones aren't the only pasty on our radar. We keep plugging away at perfecting a biscotti recipe. Biscotti is, probably, the ultimate coffee compliment pastry. It is like they were meant for each other. Hopefully by the time school starts up again we'll have a nice selection on the floor for you.

The pastry that I'm having the hardest time with, though, is cinnamon rolls. What wonderful creations that scream "Have a cafe au lait or cappacino with me!" However, each time I've made them it has been an unmitigated disaster. This week, I made them for a catering job, rising up early at 430am to make them. By 630am, it was clear that the rolls did not want to be made. Sigh. However, the will happen. That is where you come in. Part of the problem, I think, is that I haven't found a good recipe for cinnamon rolls. If you have one, I would love to try it out, and if we decide to use it in the shop, we'll make sure to put your name on the menu beside it.

I hope when you stop by that our selection of sandwiches, soups, and pastries compliments your drink perfectly. If not, please tell us what we can do to make it so.