Karen Donatelli Bakery
Almond Croissant
Berries n’ Cream Brest
Chocolate Chip Cookie
Apple Tart, Sour Cherry and Almond Cream Tart, Blueberry Peach Tart
Thoroughly underwhelmed by Over Easy Café I next made my way to Karen Donatelli Bakery, a short walk through downtown Asheville that not only led me past a number of really interesting stores I’d later visit, but one that led me to the best bakery I visited during my ten days in Knoxville/Asheville/Charleston/Savannah/Atlanta and in all reality, one of the best I’ve been to in the United States. An elegant space, large with seating up front plus three pastry cases and a demonstration/prep kitchen in back, I was greeted soon after entry by a young server and after perusing the options I selected a half dozen items, the croissant and the cookie still warm and thus eaten immediately, with the others saved for later. Speaking to the quality of the goods, it may sound like hyperbole, but to call Ms. Donatelli’s Almond Croissant ‘one of’ the best I’ve had is probably an undersell as it may have just been the best with a crisp, well layered shell giving way to a cavernous wispy interior free of frangipane and instead studded with pure almond paste; it was good enough that I immediately purchased a second that proved almost as good six hours later when enjoyed next to the lovely choux based brest, another ‘best of’ contender with thinly sliced fresh strawberries sandwiched between berry and vanilla cream layers that melted on the tongue while the delicate pastry gave way with a light, buttery finish. Not forgetting the cookie which was rich, golden, and still soft from the oven when I enjoyed it but moving last to a trio of small tarts, if there were any doubts at this point about Donatelli and her team they were completely erased by the three buttery shells each filled with lacquered custard and fresh berries – the cherry almond version particularly memorable with a silken texture dotted by tiny, explosive bits of sweetness that made me regret not having purchased a larger size.
http://www.donatellicakedesigns.com/