Sunday Morning Bakehouse hits the spot
Sunday Morning Bakehouse offers delicious baked goods, teas and fresh coffee drinks to shoppers in the heart of Pike and Rose in North Bethesda. Sitting between Sweetgreen and Drybar, this new bakery truly hits the spot with its homemade treats.
Upon entering the restaurant, my parents and I proceeded to stand in line to order. The line was a bit lengthy but gave us ample time to scan the menu.
The food portion of the menu features baked goods, breads, sandwiches and toasts. Next to the line, there is a glass display of the baked goods which are made fresh daily.
I chose to get a cinnamon brioche doughnut and an herbal flowering tea, which was made with hops, marigolds, lavender, mint, chamomile and jasmine.
My dad ordered the avocado toast on sourdough bread, and my mom ordered a traditional croissant.
The ordering and payment process was easy and the staff was friendly. Afterward, we, fortunately, found the last open table in the limited seating area.
I appreciated the short waiting time for my tea. I was pleased to see that the tea was loose leaf, rather than a stale tea bag. It was nutty and fruity, and I could taste each ingredient in the bag very distinctly. It was really tasty and paired well with my doughnut.
The doughnut and croissant came out fast since they were already made. However, the wait time for the made-to-order avocado toast was lengthy, but the freshness was w
orth the wait.
The doughnut was my favorite dish of the three we ordered. It had a perfect combination of textures: crispy on the outside but soft and gooey on the inside. The cinnamon and sugar layered on the outside added a whole other flavor to it. I was pleased that they had heated it before handing it to me. Doughnuts at Dunkin’ don’t begin to compare to these delicious confections. It was so fresh and simple that it didn’t even taste like a normal doughnut; it was so much better.
I also enjoyed the avocado toast. The bread was crunchy and crispy, and the avocado itself had salt, pepper and oil mixed in with it. The dish was topped with bean sprouts. The sprouts added a bit more of a crunch to the dish. I enjoyed the simplicity of the dish and the few ingredients made the avocado shine while emphasizing its flavor.
Lastly, I tried their traditional croissant which was pretty average. I was really excited to try it as the croissants are freshly baked, but I was disappointed. It was not much better than a croissant from Starbucks, which prepares hot items in a microwave oven, across the street.
The croissant was $3.75, the avocado toast was $5.00 and the doughnut was $4.20. I thought these prices were reasonable considering the freshness of the ingredients.
While the food was amazing, the bakery itself had a very plain exterior with double doors and large windows. The interior stuck to the basic colors of gray and white with subtle wooden accents, but I was pleased to see all the greenery incorporated on the shelves.
The environment felt very cold and industrial to me, as if it is the type of place you should order your food to go. It didn’t feel inviting or warm, which I thought was strange for the bakery; it’s called Sunday Morning Bakehouse, and to me, Sunday morning implies getting cozy and staying awhile.
Despite the poor ambiance, I highly recommend Sunday Morning Bakehouse. Whether you’re in the mood for yummy baked goods, a delicious tea or even a sandwich, this is the place to go. The quality of the ingredients and the freshness of the dishes is what makes these simple foods so amazing.
Sunday Morning Bakehouse is located at 11869 Grand Park Ave, North Bethesda. Hours are Monday-Friday from 7 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
This story was featured in the Volume 37, Issue 3 print edition of The Lion’s Tale, published on November 21, 2019.
