MarJo Bakery
MarJo Bakery is a family business making sweet and savoury baked goods from around the world on site.
It’s named for the two children of the main bread and cookie baker, Maria and Jonathan, who help run the place. The family themselves are actually from Uruguay, meaning plenty of Latin American treats like alfajores and facturas can be found here.
The space is small with limited seating but bright and cheery, goods displayed neatly on three sides.
Indulgent and expertly decorated pastries taking after more French traditions include mango mousses and cheesecakes, black and white cakes, chocolate and pistachio cakes and vanilla rolls ($2.99). They can also do custom cakes, including wedding cakes.
They usually tend to have a couple gluten-free versions of items like chocolate mousses ($4.49) on hand as well.
Simple natas ($1.99) are a classic of Portuguese baking, these ones relatively small but nicely domed with a fluffy yet appropriately burnt top.
White buns going for just 60 cents remind me of the likes of those sold at Portuguese bakeries as well.
They’re a great choice for sandwiches ($5.49) in deli-style varieties like ham and cheese or tuna.
Simply accented with tuna, lettuce and mayo, Monterey Jack and ham might be a basic combination but it’s a winner, and the fluffy, crusty bread does everything to improve it.
Other savoury baked options include spinach and ricotta or cheese buns ($1.50).
Possibly more beautiful and an even better deal are a wide selection of butter cookies sold by weight ($11.70/lb), including lemon fondant twists, alfajores and biscotti. One cookie sandwiches dulce de leche, dipped in chocolate with a jam centre.
Churros ($1.25) and Spanish donuts ($1.75) are just the beginning when it comes to a range of products with Spanish and Latin American influences.
Facturas ($9.99/dozen) are sort of like Spanish danishes though they also look a little like they’re crossed with croissants, and come in all kinds of varieties here, from plain to dulce de leche or chocolate. They also make Uruguay-style beef and chicken empanadas ($2.50).
You can always sit at the teeny tables and accompany your treat with anything from a small Americano ($1.50) to a large mocha ($3.50).
If you’re looking for a bakery that makes everything from macarons to arancini all under one roof, head to MarJo.
Herman Wong