No trip to Europe would be complete without indulging in a magnificent pastry. The glass cases at a classic French Patisserie display little jewels in the form of macaroons in a rainbow of colors, tartlets dressed in nature’s freshest fruits and pate au choux dough loaded with cream and shining with a chocolate ganache. My personal favorite, however, will forever be the humble croissant. Not much can compare to the rich, buttery treat that flakes apart into a million pieces as you head in for your second bite. It takes me back to Thanksgiving dinner when the Pillsbury dough boy blessed our table with his crescent rolls that tastes its best when the dough is still warm from the oven and butter within the dough melts as the steam rises. So I am always on the hunt for sweet dough that will transport me to that space and time. Thankfully, I have found that here in Denver, but in a place that probably wouldn’t make you think of a croissant upon first glance. Located on Pearl Street, right where the farmer’s market hits every Sunday, lies a bakery mastering the art of morning pastries adding a unique twist to the flavors we have all come to enjoy.
Tokyo Premium Bakery serves up some of the best laminated pastry in the Denver area. The lamination allows for that iconic flake that makes a croissant or danish so addicting. It plays off the crisp exterior but leaves a doughy inside that resembles that strained off a soft sourdough. Their success could be from their meticulous attention to detail, the creativity in constructing unsuspecting flavor combinations or their wide variety to cater to all of your cravings. In order to preserve Japan’s traditional food culture, you will see the emergence of umami and sweet inspired treats. There are laminated doughs with rich milk cream, rum and raisin which replicates the taste of your grandma’s oatmeal raisin cookie If you are in the mood for fried dough with a Japanese twist, then the red bean bun is sure to be your pick. It is a perfectly shaped ball of dough with an even light brown toasting around all sides and a deep maroon center that is exploding at the seams with the flavor of sweet potato casserole. The only thing missing here is the charred marshmallow.Another must-grab is either a pastry or sandwich featuring their egg salad that resembles the finest soft scrambled eggs, bolstered with fresh herbs. When you feel a hankering for a first or second breakfast, it will definitely do the trick.
All of these glorious finds are right at the hands of the customer, which is amazing yet dangerous. They provide trays with the assumption that you wouldn’t limit yourself to just one pastry. Instead it allows for you to graze and end up at the register with a tray stacked so high that it covers your eyes. Your tray will most likely be filled with at least one plain croissant, because when the humble flavor of yeast, flour, water and salt come together it cannot be beat. But, they do have other danishes that feature fruity flavors like peach, mixed berry and orange which beautifully displays a dehydrated orange slice on top. On the other hand, their less sweet options are also a hit because they have reimagined the quintessential ballpark bite the hot dog. This dog is wrapped in layers of white brioche dough and baked off, leaving a tent of dough surrounding the dog like a puffy winter coat. No hot dog would be complete without toppings and to satisfy all types of customers. They use a ketchup based drizzle and a Japanese spicy mustard to paint the rest of the dog. It resembles a long twisted seashell, but this one’s surprise does not have claws. Instead you will find chocolate ganache with a deep cocoa flavor that has the decadent flavor of a truffle. Another route is vanilla pastry cream, which appeals to children who love classic vanilla soft serve. Finally, they return to their roots with a matcha pastry cream as an herbal and fragrant alternative.
Regardless of what items line your tray, the pastries are complex in flavor and technique which lends itself to being of such high quality. The kind counter staff are more than happy to ring up the twenty plus items that you have to try. Then, all that’s left is to find a spot to eat, preferably at the bar along the window. This cafe does not showcase the Eiffel Tower in the back, but it poses a great view of Colorado’s radiant blue sky or the hustle and bustle of the Sunday Farmer’s market. But the view could never distract you from the fixation you’ll have with your pastry of choice. Good thing this brick and mortar is here to stay because while other local coffee shops are nice for studying, here is where I look to reward myself after It is motivating to know that once my work is done, it is just me and my lovely croissants.
