Banh & Butter Bakery Cafe

It was the best of bakeries, it was the worst of bakeries, it was the age of rising yeast, it was the age of fallen soufflés, it was the epoch of perfectly proofed pastries, it was the epoch of collapsed cakes; in short, the oven temperature was so precise, that some confections went to perfection, while others met their doughy demise.

Early 2020, the block of 9935 East Colfax opened a new bakery called Third Culture. They served baked mochi donuts and muffins. Aurora wasn't ready. Ultimately, the Pandemic sealed their fate. I still think about their black sesame muffins and mango passion fruit donuts...

A few months went by and I was excited to learn another bakery would open in the same location. I went as soon as Banh & Butter Bakery Cafe opened. I knew nothing could replace Third Culture but even with an open mind, there was nothing memorable. I moved on. Fast forward a few years, this same bakery started receiving accolades and recommendations. So...I decided to swing by not once, but twice!

Food

Flavor and Texture - 25/60

There are a variety of offerings at this establishment. This is why I chose to come here twice for this review. The first time to review the sweeter baked goods, and the second time for the more savory options on their breakfast menu. Since I tried six items, I will rate them out of 10 points each.

Pistachio Muffin - Out of all the items I tried, this muffin has to be my favorite. There were bits of pistachio nuts on top of the muffin, while the inside was soft and sponge-like. I think tapioca flour was used to give it that texture – 8 points.

Ube Cupcake - I like ube, so I have a bias when it comes to these types of desserts. However, I tasted no ube in the cake and it was slightly dry. The frosting... 🤢. The bitter taste of food dye from store-bought cupcakes comes to mind when trying to eat the frosting. The aftertaste lingers on the tongue which is quite lovely 😭 – zero points.

Mocha Almond Layer Cake Slice - Cake has redeeming qualities, and I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that this slice was not overtly sweet. The cake itself was moist while the frosting was light and creamy. The top of the cake had a semi-ridged chocolate layer that offset the overall lightness of the cake. Now, all that being said...there was some sort of syrup or sweetener that they used for the almond flavoring that overtime developed a bitter aftertaste. This cake would be great if not for that lingering bitter flavor – 5 points.

Strawberry Croissant Bird's Nest Tart - I knew better when I saw that purple ube frosting...but I believe in second chances. I took one bite of the strawberry with that purple cream on the end...needless to say, it was a one-way ticket to Bitter Town. I wiped the frosting off the strawberries with a napkin, and did not finish the rest....yeah, seriously, it should be crime to serve that frosting. I give 1 point for the strawberries.

Egg & Cheese Breakfast Croissant Sandwich - The croissant was flaky, there was no holding back the butter on this pastry. Ham was slightly dry, but saved by the creaminess of the cheese. The egg was cooked over-hard, perhaps would have been better over-medium but that is a personal choice. Additionally, the sandwich was a tad too salty. Not exactly reinventing the wheel with this dish - 5 points.

Fried Egg Rice Bowl - Three eggs cooked over-hard on rice with daikon, cilantro, cucumbers, fresh jalapeños and fish sauce – pretty straight-forward. No complaints, but for the price I could make this at home – 6 points.

Quality /Skillfulness - 4/10

I commend the skill needed to make the muffins slightly spongy.

Value - 4/10

Prices are comparable to other bakeries, but the value is questionable.

Dining Experience

Service and Setting - 4/5

I thoroughly enjoy the location. There is plenty of parking in back. The space is medium sized to accommodate eating inside. Service is friendly and prompt.

Presentation - 4/5

The treats look so tasty! (Yet, my tongue deceived 😒)

Legitimacy or Creativity/Uniqueness - 3/5

A bakery with other savory offering is an interesting combination.

X-Factor/Memorability - 5/5

I will now question any purple frosting that crosses my path. 😢

Total - 49/100

2.5 Stars - A tale of two bakeries... "a dream, all a dream, that ends in nothing, and leaves the sleeper where [they] lay down, but I wish you to know that you inspired it"...if you should go, skip the frosting.