Yes :-) Jennifer's review (Nov 27th 2006)

BitterSweet Bakery and Bistro has only been open a few months but it has already developed a following. On a recent Friday morning Remi and I stopped in after meeting an inquisitive Boston Terrier named Ike at the Urban Canine boutique next door. We discovered several couples slowly sipping coffee over hushed conversations. The bakery staff busily tinkered in the back of the house, while a spirited dark-haired woman took our order and eagerly answered my many questions.

A sense of panic washed over me as I was forced to choose between fresh baked muffins, cookies, and scones artfully displayed in glass jars. Then I spotted the chalkboard menu behind the spotless glass dessert cases. They had handmade savory crepes! Until you’ve passed on crepes, it is hard to explain how difficult it really is to walk away. I slowly inhaled, took in the calming cornflower blue walls and padded white cushions, and chose a huge dark chocolate and orange scone to complement my iced mocha.

The mocha was served in a sturdy ceramic IKEA tumbler and was perfectly iced. Sometimes baristas don’t thoroughly understand the concept of iced drinks and I’ve been served lukewarm mochas with melted ice on several occasions. BitterSweet Bakery and Bistro understands cold drinks. I passed on the whipped cream and sipped the strong chocolate coffee while nibbling on the monster scone.Owned by caterer Gina Garcia, formally of Take the Cake, BitterSweet Bakery and Bistro specializes in lighter desserts and cakes. Available whole or by the slice, I’d use the coffee as an excuse to have cake for breakfast. But that’s just me!

Yes :-) Remi's review (Jan 31st 2006)

A scone—BitterSweet style.

One is apparently supposed to visit BitterSweet Bakery and Bistro for their scrumptious crepes. The Remi, ever the rebel, decided to take a more adventurous route however, which included a warm chai and a chocolate and orange scone. I like scones, largely because they are ficle friends, and you never quite know what you’re going to get. It seems that every European country has its own variation of it, and exactly how a restaurant prepares it here in America depends largely on the baker’s preference. Getting the right dryness and consistency of it is also quite the balancing act.

BitterSweet’s scone is decidedly something one would expect from southern Europe, which might not sit too well with the purist who prefers the British original. Having spent more time than I care to mention in Spain, however, I have to say that the South Hill bakery got it right. At least from my perspective. It was crumbly, yet not excessively so, and the dark chocolate went perfectly well with the zesty taste of the orange. Your average American-style scone tends to be a little bit too sweet for my liking, but that was not a problem here. The only actual issue I had was with the size of it; scones are pretty filling, and half of one from BitterSweet Bakery would be a meal in itself.

But yes, I would recommend BitterSweet’s scone, and I’m definitely ready to check out their crepes on our next visit.

Yes :-) Stefan's review (Jun 25th 2006)

My pet peeve in regards to breakfast pastry is not being able to taste the butter over the sweetness. Nothing at Bittersweet is overly sweet, always just sweet enough. They do a great job balancing both the buttery flavor with an appropriate amount of sweetness.

The selection Monday-Thursday is pretty much scones and cookies but Friday and Saturday look forward to brioche, some amazing cinnamon rolls and occasionally something else special.

Bittersweet is definitely my favorite Spokane bakery. Gina Garcia (the owner and chef) really does a great job of recreating European style treats. Last time I was there they had a new (to Bittersweet) pastry called Monkey Bread. It was a bunch of balls of dough all baked in a funnel cake mold. It was fantastic. Words don’t do justice to the flavor that it held.

The best thing about Bittersweet is that all their products are of the highest quality. The portions are smaller (or European if you prefer) then other places. The price is similarly small.

So what’s the dish?: Bittersweet Bakery is bucking the trend of cinnamon rolls the size of your head. They should be applauded for it.

Yes :-) altitudeaddict's review (May 6th 2006)

I had the LouLou (I think that’s what it’s called) crepe. It was fantastic! Great combo of pears, brie, chicken and watercress. I wasn’t expecting it to come out not rolled up, just the 4 sides sort of folded over the filling, but it was delicious. It came with a side of cut fruit. Nice atmosphere. A little expensive, but still probably worth it.

Yes :-) lolobird's review (Jul 2nd 2006)

We had a cake delivered from BitterSweet for my husband’s birthday and it was beyond delicious! I would recommend this bakery again and again.

Next time we need a cake for a special occasion I’m definitely calling on them again!!

Yes :-) Greg's review (Dec 1st 2006)

I went there on a Sunday morning recently, ostensibly to get an egg nog latte (yes, I enjoy those. I left there with the latte as well as a chocolate/banana crepe AND a bag of day-old scones. The day-old scones were still really good! And I LOVE that there is finally a place where I can indulge my addiction to crepes.

Best bakery on the South Hill? Sorry, that still goes to Rockwood Bakery. But BitterSweet is certainly next in line and definitely fills an important niche.

Yes :-) m's review (Dec 15th 2006)

I was treated to a birthday breakfast here, and much to my surprise, found The Bruno to be an excellent and supremely tasty start to the day. Chicken sausage, mushrooms, edam cheese (sans spinach because of “the scare”), and your crepes (or at least ours) came with half a muffin.

I know! Half a huge muffin on top of a huge crepe.

The place is unique in that it is very pared down and,as hinted at,very calming. Library-esque but with food. Which is good for the digestion. Or something. :)

Yes :-) Cassandre's review (Feb 1st 2007)

One of my favorite places to grab either a small snack to tide me over OR to grab one of the best savory crepes ever. I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying the Bruno crepe and the mixed greens salad with vinaigrette dressing. Both were delectable! If you are one who appreciates a light and lucius lemon chiffon cake, you have found your mecca. It is simply the best!

Yes :-) Rebecca's review (Feb 5th 2007)

Wow! We have driven past this gem many times on our way to Rockwood. We stopped in and gave it a shot!

Are we glad we did! Artistically designed, amazing food and friendly staff make this a refuge from the mundane!

We went back for breakfast and enjoyed good coffe, great crepes, and look out for the chocolate croissants!

Nice to see such a place in Spokane, made me feel more at home!

Yes :-) loulou's review (May 31st 2007)

If you live in or around Spokane, you must go! If you appreciate great coffee, sublime pastries and desserts, yummy crepes and salads, a gorgeous and welcoming dining space and friendly staff members, you’ll be happy that you did.

Yes :-) Leio's review (Jun 1st 2007)

Best crepes in town, bar none.

Yes :-) Ashley's review (May 8th 2008)

So I finally stopped in at Bittersweet and tried one of the crepes that everyone is raving about…and they certainly did not disappoint! They sure do know what they are doing at this place! Yummmmmmmmmm!!!!