brooklyn bound: baked

June 2, 2011/

I discovered the Brooklyn neighborhood of Red Hook in New York Magazine a few years ago, and finally got myself there last year. I was already a fan of the (BEST!) lobster rolls served up by the Red Hook Lobster Pound, but there seemed to be a number of other interesting places to explore. I’ve been back to Red Hook several times since, and never leave without a visit to Baked.

Baked is a cafe/bakery run by 2 guys who came from the advertising industry, and they bring their sense of style and visual acumen to this hip, yet relaxed place.

Each time I’ve gone there’s been a great mix of young families, older couples out for a stroll and 20-somethings busily working on their laptops.

But it’s really all about the sweets.

Owners Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito set out to create a neighborhood bakery offering a selection of desserts, brownie mixes and granolas that have roots in classic American baking, but with a modern sensibility. And, since opening in 2005, Baked has achieved well-deserved national acclaim. They’ve appeared on the Martha Stewart Show, the Today Show and the Food Network, and their brownie mixes are now available at Williams-Sonoma.They also have 2 outstanding cookbooks.

They even won last year’s “Best Cupcake” as voted by New York’s Serious Eats, and I couldn’t agree more (especially for their “Sweet and Salty” – which I once had for breakfast).