“There’s more than meets the eye” is the mantra we’ve all heard since childhood, and something I’ve grown to learn as an adult. As an avid foodie, I can tell you that it sucks when what you’ve been anticipating to try ends up being a dud. One bad encounter after another has led me to believe that I shouldn’t eat with my eyes. This is a big ordeal; what better way is there to find the desire to try new things? I find myself praying for warnings or any sort of guidance on the sweet treats available near me, and unable to wait for such a thing, I’ve decided to take it upon myself to do just that. I wish to save you from making the same mistakes I have, and to no longer mourn the hardworking hour that went to your paycheck. So, I visited bakeries around Richmond that looked aesthetically pleasing both in space and menu to find out if they’re actually worth going to.
I understand that what I find to be enthralling in terms of taste is subjective, so I made sure to try the most popular items from each place. Generally, the most successful item is the one that tastes the best to a large group of people, so it would be the best control group for this review.
Every dish mentioned will be rated on a scale of one to ten.
1🍰 An awful experience, please get this off my plate and never approach me with this dish again.
2🍰 It’s awful, but I’m not as angry.
3🍰 A slight improvement from awful, I was somehow able to go for another bite!
4🍰 This was an okay experience, but as I kept eating, I was thinking about the different things I could be having at the moment.
5🍰 This is a neutral point.
6🍰 I could see myself purchasing this dish on my own.
7🍰 This is pretty good! On a regular person’s scale, this would be amazing!
8🍰 This is more than pretty good, but it’s missing something that would bring it to a 10.
9🍰 I’m so very happy at this moment!
10🍰 This is the greatest thing ever and has given me a ton of dopamine. I am on cloud nine and see nothing but joy in the world!
Brecotea
This place … this place … THIS PLACE … is the catalyst of this article. It was Eid morning, and my friend and I were ready to taste the wall of treats that notoriously cascades down the wall of Brecotea. We’d never seen anything like it and were so ready to take a chance. Our mouths watering, we were ready to feast with the sun after spending a whole month fasting during daylight. Unfortunately, this place had different plans for us. It left us disappointed, as we continued to bite through the ube bun, mango custard croissant and coffee cake. Although this day was tragic, we decided to give them the benefit of the doubt and leave in peace. This was Brecotea’s first offense with me.
On Sept. 8, my friend and I decided to give this place another try. We bought an ample amount of treats, ready to turn the other cheek and be graced with a kiss. But,history tends to repeat itself, and we were left with frowns.
This place is so beautifully structured. Like a siren, the wall of goods stares at you and reels you in. However, it is not worth your money, so avert your eyes if you want to get through your voyage safely.
Strawberry Custard/Mango Custard: 5/10
The fruits taste good, and so does the custard. I think the pastry is the dish’s downfall. It’s the main part of the dish, but it lacks any substance. I expect it to be a big star worthy of all my attention, but it’s bleak and forgettable. This leaves me sorrowful. I feel as though the pastry portion should be what holds the treat together, not let it fall apart.
Pineapple Bun: 3.5/10
There is no filling for this bread, so it loses its appeal the more I bite into it. The bread is tough. I don’t find this to be horrible though, it’s just not fun. It tastes sweet, but I think that factor gets repelling the more you continue to eat it.
Caramel Cake: -10000/10
This is not caramel. This cake tastes nothing like caramel, and it is very disappointing! On top of the cake is a layer of jelly, which is a consistency I find fun. However, all of my amusement comes to an end once the flavor reaches me. It tastes like straight-up dark roast coffee, which is not what I want. I want to say the icing isn’t bad, but it’s hard to pay attention to it over the overwhelming clashing of the jelly topping and cake texture playing offbeat in my mouth.
Ube Bun: 0/10
Cardboard bun. This is the biggest disappointment from Brecotea and is unfortunately the first thing I bit into on Eid morning. The bread doesn’t taste good, that’s all I can say because it’s forever trauma-blocked from my memory. Despite being ube-flavored, it doesn’t taste like anything. It feels like eating air in the form of stale, thin bread.
Brown Sugar Bun: 4/10
This one leaves my friend and I surprised because we like it. However, the more I eat, the worse it becomes. This might be due to how sweet it is. It says that there is “milk cream” inside, but it isn’t exactly a cream substance. Its consistency is somewhat like jelly. It reminds me of caramelized sugar before it gets hard: light brown, filled with sugar, and in the same way, a bit greasy. However, this is something I won’t harp on too much because it’s one of the better options.
Coffee Cake: 0/10
Horrible. What makes this worse is that we decided to take a chance and ask the cashier what her favorite cake was. From that moment on, we’ve learned to never trust anyone. The flavor of coffee is there, which is something I will positively acknowledge. It’s bitter coffee-esque, kind of similar to an americano. I don’t mind this, but it doesn’t work well in this cake, which is sad. I hate wasted potential.
Mango Cake: 1/10
At this point, I’m anticipating the cake to taste like the others, and it does. This cake also has a jelly component, but the flavoring is right this time around. The cake part is lifeless and leaves me running for water. I find the cakes here tend to follow a pattern of being desertic. The mango portion of the cake tastes like the juice Tang, and this I don’t favor. The one thing that trips me up is that it is light in weight, which makes me forget about the bite quickly. This is a positive factor, the only one I can find in this dish.
Tous Les Jours
This place recently opened in the Lotte supermarket. It proved popular, as they continuously sold out for the first weeks they were open. Hearing this, I became very excited. Just like Brecotea, the setting is enchanting. Its presence is very inviting, which could be due to the abundance of sweet treats lined up aesthetically, or the white marble and gold embellishments that accompany them. One thing I appreciated about my visit is that, unlike Brecotea, it didn’t leave me running for water to clear my palette. A majority of what I ordered left me wanting another.
Chocolate Pretzel: 6/10
This is a chocolate croissant cut into the shape of a pretzel, with flakes of pretzels glazed on top. This dish is a magnificent creation, and nothing less! The chocolate is very rich, so much so that it leaves an aftertaste. I’m not sure if I like this aspect a lot, but for a chocolate croissant, I think it is pretty grand.
Taro Cream Bread: 10/10
This is very yummy! I was hesitant when getting this item due to my bad experiences with flavored bread. Luckily, this item beat my expectations and left me wanting more! Tous Les Jours’ most popular item is their milk bread, and I without a doubt agree with the general public that this is an item you shouldn’t ignore! The cream is fluffy and a great pair for the soft bread surrounding it. The purple cloud tears effortlessly, and is the sweetest part of the whole dish. This is shocking, as I would expect the filling to take that title. However, I’m not complaining. I enjoy the bread being saccharine; I think it makes the cream a lot more enjoyable, as it is light in flavor and isn’t sickening. There’s a great ratio of filling throughout, meaning it isn’t too heavy or too light.
Chocolate Filled Doughnut: 6/10
This is essentially a fried doughnut with sugar on top. The true star of this piece is the filling. It’s whipped, airy, and fluffy, so it feels like you’re biting into a cloud. However, just like the chocolate pretzel, the chocolate is very rich. There are multiple flavors of this doughnut though, including vanilla. So, there are other options for those who don’t enjoy such a prominent flavor.
Green Tea Cloud Cake: 1/10
As an avid fan of anything green tea, I’m disappointed that this cake has no flavor reminiscent of it. One could argue that it does, but I refute that by saying I was too distracted by its texture to notice. The cake is arid. It is supposed to be a sponge cake, but it lacks the moisture it needs to be granted said title. You know when you leave a sponge out for a long time and it dries up? To paint an image, it’s like Spongebob from that one episode where he was dying from dehydration. Inside each layer of the cake are strawberries. Fruit brings out the best in a dish and I will forever stand by that. Nonetheless, it just seems to make the cake worse; it feels sour and apathetic.
Whisk
I was introduced to Whisk through a friend. I remember she came home with their most popular items, macarons, and immediately sat us down so we could try them. The next fifteen minutes were composed of us sitting in silence devouring each macaron and exchanging nothing but smiles, letting the other know that the moment was too good to waste time speaking over. I decided to revisit this bakery for this article, and just like that night, I was left with smiles of approval. With zeal, I say this place is worth going to. Even if you aren’t a fan of macarons, I recommend trying their other treats, as they all seem appealing.
Lavender White Chocolate Macaron: 8/10
With each bite, I was fiending for more! This is an amazing treat and I recommend everyone try it! The lavender flavoring isn’t too strong, but it does linger a little after its bite. I don’t find this annoying. In fact, I think it adds more to the experience!
Tiramisu Macaron: 7/10
The flavoring of this macaron is pretty strong. A macaron usually has a nutty flavor, and I think this factor becomes prominent when mixed with the tiramisu portion. Alas, I can give credit where it is due, and I think it is a well-done treat. It is just well-suited for someone else’s taste buds, not mine.
Blueberry Pancake Macaron: 9/10
I bought this out of curiosity and I’ve never been more proud of a decision! Its filling is reminiscent of blueberry pancakes, which makes me pretty happy, as I love when things are actually what they seem.
Sugar and Salt
After searching “bakeries near me,” this place appeared and I was ready to give it my all. Their cake decoration immediately attracted me, as it is very admirable; I could easily see the amount of love and precision that goes into their work. Taking the time to look at each line, dollop, and topper gave me a new appreciation towards the profession. Quick to try the fine art that laid in front of me, I found everything to be underwhelming. Not in a bad way necessarily, but in a way that allowed me to be grateful for the experience and not see myself going there anytime soon.
Key Lime Tart: 5/10
I’m not a huge key lime pie fan, but just like Whisk’s tiramisu macaron, I can acknowledge when something is well made, and I can see why it is considered to be one of their most popular items. It’s garnished with fresh fruit, which I find both yummy and beautiful. Overall, there’s nothing I find special about this dish. I feel like it is pretty average.
Red Velvet Cake : 5/10
The cake’s consistency is moist and something I love! No mouthful is scratching my throat, and I’m over the moon! Citrus isn’t usually what comes to mind when I think of red velvet, yet it is another popular item. This element is fun in theory, but it just doesn’t work for me.
Vanilla Cheesecake: 5/10
Although I’m not a fan of the item as a whole, I fell in love with its appearance as soon as I walked through the door. Golden paint embellishes the top of the cheesecake, along with caramel drizzle. The artwork’s centerpiece is a “gold bar” (a mini white chocolate bar covered in gold paint). Ringing everything in is a dollop of espresso whipped cream, which is my favorite part of this dish. It is nice and fluffy, with a robust flavor of espresso.
Shyndigz
Shyndigz is famously known for its cakes, and rightfully so, because their slices are substantial and decorated nicely. This wasn’t my first time having Shyndigz. I remember going once ten years ago; I had the fruit cake and genuinely thought it was one of the best cakes I’ve ever had. I was excited to visit again to see if it would remain one of the best or take me back to that night. Unfortunately, it didn’t — but in a way, it granted me a new one.
Spotted Cow Cake: 4/10
There’s nothing that distinguishes this cake from other chocolate cakes I’ve had in my life. As one of the store’s popular items, I’m struggling to see its appeal. The only thing that comes to mind is the frosting; it’s so well-made! It carries the right balance of sweetness and makes me yearn for the spaces between each cake layer.
Fresh Fruit Cake: 5/10
Unlike a traditional fruit cake, Shyndigz’s version is a vanilla cake iced with cream cheese frosting, and lined with fresh fruit between its layers. The fruits include strawberries, blackberries, pineapple and kiwi. Like the spotted cow cake, its icing is phenomenal; however, the cake itself is simply okay. The fruits stay true to their title and taste fresh, which I’m content with.
Sub Rosa Bakery
I once had a conversation with my coworkers about great bakeries around Richmond. One mentioned Sub Rosa, and as she talked about their menu she rolled her eyes back. This immediately caused me to mark it down as a place worth trying. Through research, I found out they stone mill their flour and use organic grains for their bread. Their bread is not included in the review, as it technically isn’t a sweet treat, but I’ve been told that it is amazing! Unfortunately, Sub Rosa had a big fire recently and is currently temporarily closed. I send my regards to the owner and community affected by the fire and wish nothing but the best for all! I hope the bakery is up and running soon, as I know when it does, I will be there in line ready to devour their amazing dough!
Chocolate Croissant: 5/10
This is a pretty basic dish. I can’t really think of ways to mess up a chocolate croissant, except burning it. Thus, I don’t have anything grand to say about it other than it met the criteria. What I will say about it is that it’s nicely baked. It has the perfect ratio of flakiness and good, rich chocolate to support it. A neutral rating; I was pretty pleased.
Hazelnut Praline Cookie w/ Escazu Chocolate: 5/10
The name praline piqued my interest and its flavor kept it. The cookie is grainy, but not in an “ugh, it’s constantly falling apart” way. I mean in the way that you can taste each crumb’s origin and how they differ from one another. I find this amusing, the cookie is wholly unique and doesn’t hide the fact that it is. Despite all that, it’s not so much for me, but I do love the experience it brings.
Minglewood Bake Shop
A coworker recommended Minglewood to me during the same conversation I previously mentioned.I hold her opinion highly because she understands the science and artistry behind baking, so I decided to try it out Minglewood is a vegan bakery, which I was eager to try, as I haven’t been exposed to many vegan treats. I recommend this place to anyone who prefers a higher level of sweetness, as everything listed is pretty heavy in sugar. There is also a fun selection of items, making it palatable for a wider audience.
Biscoff Tiramisu: 6/10
I saw this item through the glass door, and with a spirit awakened in me; I glided across the floor to grab it right out the fridge. Since Biscoff became a trend, I’ve become a devoted lover to the cookie, and immediately rush to taste any dish it features in. Did I fall in love with this one? I’m not sure. I think because it’s a vegan product, it lacks the strength of a non-vegan treat. There’s this aftertaste that feels silky and oily; It is noticeable, but not overbearing.
The cream part of tiramisu should feel like cutting through water, meaning that no effort is needed. Unfortunately, I can’t say that applies to this dish. Everything feels abnormal, and yet I still don’t hate it.
Pumpkin Cream Pie: 7/10
Like the Biscoff tiramisu, it has a silky/oily consistency. It wasn’t overpowering; I felt that the consistency of the pie was fun and works better with this dish. It is nicely sweet, and the pumpkin flavoring is pretty prominent, which I’m happy about!
Chai Cinnamon Roll: 6/10
There’s a homey essence in the roll, which I appreciate. It is made with love, and that is apparent with every bite. I believe this is why it’s so popular! I definitely recommend eating this dish warm, as it brings out the flavor of the dough more.
From what I’ve learned, many of RVA’s bakeries aren’t astounding. This is something that leaves me heartbroken. To be honest, I’m disappointed, but not surprised. Richmond is known to have a lot to offer in terms of restaurants, and I hope in the next few years, that will apply to the sweet treat industry as well! For now, all I can do is reminisce about all of the great cities that have bakeries that produce cake that doesn’t insult my tongue — and eat a bunch of macarons!
Although this article is meant to serve as a guide, I still encourage each of you to try some of these places. Yes, you may suffer and mourn your paycheck like I once did, but you could potentially fall in love and cry tears of joy. Take that chance, because life is short. We all deserve some sugar in our lives!
Photographer: Lydia Behler
Stylist: Emily Mance
Models: Chynia Harris, Noonïe Elmain, Dylan Hline