Wooden furniture, a glass display of pastries, huge pots of rosemary lining the counter and doorway, and a corner stocked with children’s books – these simple yet soft touches make Boulangerie Nanda the perfect nook to sip coffee and munch on baked goods with the family. The books belong to Nanda, the daughter of owner Jennifer Yeh, whom the bakery is named after. The air is infused with the smell of herbs and warm bread. In the back room, several cooks hustle about, making homemade quiche from scratch. That’s right – everything from Boulangerie Nanda is made on the premise, a far cry from chain stores like Bread Talk, where dough arrives frozen and is assembled on a greased tray. Here, the emphasis is on quality; the European-style breads are made with imported ingredients and baked in the early morning, making their way out of the oven right in time for opening hours. And the offerings extend delightfully beyond just bread. The selection of muffins rotates daily, with orange, blueberry, and almond whole-wheat in hot demand (RMB 10). A mini cheesecake (RMB 15) hits the spot without bringing on guilt. If you’re craving something savory, the 6-inch bacon and spinach quiche makes for a hearty lunch (RMB 40). Take home a multigrain foccacia (RMB 16) or sour rye bread (RMB 15); the loaves will keep fresh for up to two days. Kids with allergies needn’t fear; every single ingredient used in the baking process is carefully listed, guaranteeing that everyone can participate in the carbohydrate-eating festivities.
Daily 9.30am-7.30pm. 1/F, 52 Jingshun Lu, Chaoyang District (8459 0134, 139 1127 2032) Delivery available; pick-up is available at nearby Lohao stores. 朝阳区京顺路52号乐活城1层(在Giant自行车店旁边)
