By Sasha Moedt (The Cascade) – Email
Print Edition: June 18, 2014
103 – 2686, Montrose Ave, Abbotsford
Tuesday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. — 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m.
Picture this: a vanilla cream Danish topped with strawberries. The pastry is flaky and tender, the cream is cool and light, and the strawberries are a burst of fresh sweetness. Or how about a rich carrot cake, with layers of icing, topped with a crown of swirly icing? Or decadent chocolate brownies, with lacy chocolate sauce on top?
It’s no longer a dream, my friends.
I first visited Duft and Co. Bakehouse because of a friend’s recommendation. I love visiting new local coffee shops and bakeries. I thought Afterthoughts in Abbotsford couldn’t be beat for baked goods, but with a pear and almond Danish — dusted with sugar, and topped with toasted almonds — Duft and Co. blew me away.
It was magic. I’m the type to have a few favourites and stick with them. For Duft and Co. that includes anything with fruit, especially strawberries. And if it has cream… Well, I’m a sucker for cream. Though I don’t like taking risks, I managed to try a variety of items on the menu, and I wasn’t ever disappointed.
Pastry lovers will swoon in the presence of Duft and Co. Bakehouse’s products. Whether you love croissants, muffins, cakes, donuts, éclairs, biscuits, cookies, or pie, Duft and Co. will seduce you. Pastries cycle in and out of daily features, and there is always a variety to tempt you. If you are more of a savoury person, they’ve got tomato pie — essentially pizza, with a very crispy crust and delicious toppings such as ham, red onions, and herbs (fresh basil is the best). Duft and Co. also serves soups — from sweet pea to potato leek — paninis, and sandwiches.
The magicians — ahem, I mean, bakers — that run Duft and Co. Bakehouse are professional chefs. Tyler Duft is a Northwest Culinary Academy graduate, and Cassandra Crocco (maybe it should be called Duft and Cro!) is a Red Seal pastry chef and a Vancouver Community College graduate. They and the rest of the staff are very friendly, and aren’t shy of small talk!
The interior of Duft and Co. Bakehouse is very spacious and simply decorated. Rolling pins adorn some of the walls, looking like something straight out of Pinterest. The table that has the cream and sugar for drinks is some kind of vintage stove. It comes across as professional but cozy.
The tables are my favourite part. I despise rickety and wobbly tables, which so many coffee, tea and bake shops seem to gravitate towards. Comfort over cute vintage, I say. Duft and Co seem to agree with me. The tables are heavy wood, with a pleasant potted plant on top. Perfect for leaning on with your elbows, playing a card or dice game, or setting down your notepad to write.
My one complaint about Duft and Co. is that they don’t have drip coffee. The closest you can get is an Americano. As a coffee addict — and for someone who doesn’t believe in going out for tea (I mean, come on. Two bucks for a cup of tea? And my tea at home is WAY better) — I was disappointed. You can get a mocha or a latte or a London Fog, or a whole list of specialty drinks. My issue is that their coffees are too expensive compared to a plain old cup of joe (and not as tasty).
This place will be the new bakery of the year in Abbotsford, guaranteed — maybe even the Lower Mainland. I’m pleased that Downtown Abbotsford has such a wonderful addition (especially after the closures of Little Farmhouse and the Roasted Grape), and I’m looking forward to seeing Duft and Co. Bakehouse flourish and expand.
