Taste of the Week - April 5-11

Mrs. London's Bake Shop in Saratoga Springs is simply marvelous- possibly the single most wonderful culinary treasure of the entire area of northeastern New York. Their product is truly world class from ethereally light and flaky croissants to deep, complex and rich kouign amans to blissful chocolate concoctions to honest, hearty breads and beyond. Michael London is the man who founded Rockhill Bakehouse, taught Zingerman's how to bake bread and was a major inspiration for Jeffrey Steingarten in his search for "Primal Bread" in Steingarten's classic compilation, "The Man Who Ate Everything". In addition, in their March 2007 issue No. 100, Saveur Magazine called London "possibly the best baker in America". Michael, his wife Wendy and their staff create magic in their ovens. A consistent favorite in my household is their apple tart. Though not in peak season at the moment, good local apples remain abundant and the pastry is always delicious. Very, very rich, I can not and do not have them nearly as often as I would like, but when I do have one, it is a special treat. This past week, I treated myself to one and it is my taste of the week.