A bakery is a bakery, right? It's a place with bread, muffins, maybe cakes or cupcakes. But around D.C., there are some bakeries that bake up more than what's expected. Got dietary restrictions? Well, there are bakeries for those that keep kosher, can't handle gluten, and/or are vegan. Looking for a bakery that doesn't offer everything under the sun but delivers only a few creations? Here's a bakery with one item on its menu. Want something with a different flavor? How about a Chinese bakery for something on the savory side? From Bethesda to Chinatown to Silver Spring and Capitol Hill, there's something to satisfy anyone's Atkins-unfriendly craving.
Bakery: The Pretzel Bakery
Location: 340 15th St SE
The Hook: There are pretzels. And then there are Philly-style soft pretzels. Philly native and former DJ Sean Haney decided to leave the turntables behind and mix it up in the kitchen when he started The Pretzel Bakery. What does he bake? Pretzels. That's it. 1 for $2, 3 for $5, and $18 for a dozen. And well, there are also some mustard dips available. And to keep the Philly tradition alive, on the menu is La Colombe Coffee from his hometown.
Bakery: Whisked!
Location: 14th & U Farmers Market, District Flea, Each Peach Market, The Wydown, and other locations throughout DC
The Hook: Taking the community-supported agriculture development to its next logical step, Whisked has a pie-specific CSA. Pie patrons can sign-up for the CSA and receive sweet and/or savory pies on a biweekly or monthly basis. And make sure to indicate if 6-inch pies or 9-inch pies should be delivered. Because despite what others say, size matters.
Bakery: Springmill Bread Company
Location: Bethesda, Eastern Market, Gaithersburg
The Hook: For the bread centric, Springmill doesn't just make its own bread. It also mills its own flour. By keeping the milling in-house, Springmill is able to "control the process to ensure that the heat gain doesn't destroy the protein, vitamins or baking quality".
Bakery: Kosher Pastry Oven
Location: 1372 Lamberton Drive, Silver Spring
The Hook: Just in time for Hannaukah, those that keep kosher can have their cake and eat it, too. For those who crave cheesecakes, Kosher Pastry Oven pumps out non-dairy or pareve cheesecakes for $34 for 9 inches. Bonus: These pareve cheesecakes also work well for those who are vegan.
Bakery: Sticky Fingers
Location: 1370 Park Rd NW
The Hook: While on the subject of vegans, Sticky Fingers delivers where others fall short. No need for vegans or those with gluten-allergies to be relegated to a limited selection of dry, tasteless baked goods. Bakery owner and founder Doron Petersan offers patrons everything from vegan shakes, brownies, s'mores, cakes, and other non-bakery items, such as biscuits & gravy. And yes, the bakery caters to the city's love for cupcakes.
Bakery: Joy Luck House
Location: 748 6th St NW
The Hook: Arguably one of the last remaining Chinese anything in Chinatown, the Joy Luck House bills itself as the only "Chinese bakery in Capitol City". And what's at the bakery? Think both sweet and savory. There are buns with taro, red bean paste, or pineapple paste for less than $2. There's also a wife cake (but no husband cake) and a moon cake (but no sun cake). And of course they do delivery.