Sugar Bees Bakery
Pineapple Pink Peppercorn Macaron
Cinnamon Vanilla Bread Pudding
Raspberry Financier
Coffee Kahlua Macaron
Almond Croissant
Chocolate Chip Cookie
Already in the area for breakfast at The Cracked Egg and having stopped in to Sugar Bee’s only once prior simply to browse it was with a bit of surprise that Chef Chesto recognized me as I walked into the small shop, but going so far as to reference our previous conversation about the financiers labeled as ‘tarts’ in order to avoid confusion I have to say I was impressed – yet nowhere near as much as I would be after tasting the bakery’s artisan wares. Formerly a pastry chef at Craftsteak and likely having fed me twice in that role it was a rather simple process of selecting personal favorites and paying a modest bill of $13 that led me back to the car with a half dozen selections and beginning with a freshly minted almond croissant it was love at first bite, the warm shattering layers and wispy yawning interior rife with natural almond flavors…no detectable frangipane, paste, or fillers…the best I’ve found in Vegas to date. Moving next to the macarons, innovative flavors and excellent filling was unfortunately marred by cold temperatures but allowing the second half to warm proved an admirable bite, though not on par with the rest. Taking a break and waiting until home for the rest a chocolate chip cookie served notice to a lovely rendition of the classic with dark and milk chips aplenty while the financier, in all its density and plump berries was Parisian textbook whether labeled ‘tart’ or not. Last but not least, the puck of bread pudding received gentle treatment on a cast iron pan, griddled until custard began to melt, and filling my new kitchen with wafts of cinnamon and butter it will be remembered fondly as the first thing I ever ‘cooked’ in my house…and far better than anything I will actually cook anytime soon.
