If there is one type of restaurant certain to make a list of things I adore, it’s a cozy bakery and café. There is a peaceful and neighborly feel about such a place. Yes, Tiffany’s is to Holly Golightly as cafés are to me – especially those with excellent coffee. Recently, on a long weekend trip to Aspen, I was ushered towards the Main Street Bakery and Café. In a town with quite a reputation for glitz and glamour, it was both interesting and refreshing to enjoy my very first Aspen breakfast in a very small house.
My friend and I had just walked inside, noticing all of the tables were full, when a waitress stepped up and took our coats, hanging them behind the door. We waited a few minutes and took the chance to admire the contents of the glass case, the shelves of which were filled with mounds of sinful pastries touting a just-baked appeal. The icing was still dewy on the Cheese Danish and the croissants were so fluffy they looked as if they were going to float right off the shelves. Then, at what seemed to be a few moments too soon, we were ushered to an open community table and seated with a local family of three. The family was incredibly friendly and on top of offering their own suggestions on how to spend our time in Aspen, they shared some of their favorite items from the menu as well. I began my breakfast with a tall iced coffee and a fresh squeezed orange juice – both were delicious.
After minutes of covetously gazing at our neighboring table’s platter of syrup covered Bananas Foster pancakes, I ordered one of five types of Eggs Benedict. My Eggs Monterey came with eggs, bacon, grilled tomato, and avocado. It was perfect and certainly not too heavy on the hollandaise (which I’m always fearful of). The vegetables tasted freshly cut, the bacon crisp, and nothing was soggy. Even the hash brown potatoes offered the perfect amount of soft crunch. My friend decided on the So-Cal omelette of smoked bacon, pepper-jack cheese, avocado, and salsa fresca. She was asking to go back the next morning, so she could order it again!
The Main Street Bakery and Café is a casual must-stop for any visitor to Aspen. Not only are you certain to mingle with Aspen locals, but whether you are in the mood for cakes, coffee, breads, pies, pastries, or a simple plate of eggs and bacon – you are sure to find something to suit your taste buds. I know on my next trip, I plan to try lunch there as well! And, I sure do regret not sampling one of those Danish.
Main Street Bakery – 201 E. Main St., Aspen, Colorado 81611 – (970) 925-6446
Haley Schultheis is a writer and blogger based in Dallas, Texas. She founded her blog, Nonsense & Sensibility in 2009 and is a member of the Vogue Influencer Network, the Condé Nast Style Society, and is excited to contribute to One for the Table.
