Things are coming together at RareSweets, Meredith Tomason's new bakery at CityCenterDC. The walls are painted a steel gray, millwork inspired by patterns in old cookbooks is about to be installed, and cake dome-esque lights will soon be hung. Just don't expect this to be a stereotypically pink and cutsey bakery.
"A lot of times with bakeries, men have a hard time coming in the bakeries that are cutesy and girly. I want everyone to feel comfortable," Tomason said of the bakery's "gender-neutral" look. "It's for everyone," she said.
With an open kitchen and an airy feel, RareSweets will encourage customer interaction and customers will be able to see the pastry team at work. The 1,300-square-foot space will have an eye-catching European-style patisserie display rack in the window, and coffee and espresso from La Colombe. There will be three two-top tables and a stand-up counter for guests as well.
Designed by CORE, the shop's look combines ideas borrowed from the past with a modern interpretation — the same way the bakery will offer desserts based on historical American recipes. The floor tiles are hexagonal, like floor tiles in old soda shops, but RareSweets' hexagonal floor tiles are oversized. There will be bright yellow accents, and particularly cheery yellow coffee mugs too. The logo, designed by Cherry Blossom Creative, is inspired by the font in Victorian novels.
The slated opening date for RareSweets is December 2, but the bakery is already taking pre-orders for Thanksgiving and holiday desserts, with choices like layered cakes and breakfast baskets. See all the Thanksgiving options on the RareSweets website, and keep in mind that Thanksgiving orders must be placed by 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 20.
RareSweets will be located at 963 Palmer Alley, NW, Washington, DC 20001; website.
