Enter Parisian style bakery Balthazar on Dean Street in Englewood and prepare to be overtaken by aroma, exquisitely prepared and displayed sweet and savory baked goods and lines that can be slow-moving. Don’t feel like baking over the holidays or need to contribute to your host’s dessert table? Call ahead to see what’s still available: 201-537-9717. Northern Spy Apple Pie, Maple Pecan Sweet Potato Pie or Pumpkin Pie ($30) are selling briskly. Smaller scale sweets preferred? Precious Pear Hazelnut Galettes ($6.50) are just the right size for two to enjoy. Only those who seriously enjoy butter, flavor and pastry perfection need visit Balthazar. (The bread is spectacular as well.)
Heidi Raker Goldstein is our Bergen county regional editor. A locavore, cooking enthusiast, publicist and mother of three junior gourmands, Heidi is equally comfy in greasy spoons and high-end restaurants. When not visiting local farmers markets and farm stands in Bergen and Rockland counties, this New England native, former Manhattanite and Bergen county resident is busy running her PR and green marketing agency, Raker Goldstein & Co., buying food, planning menus, cooking food, writing about food or simply eating. To reach Heidi, email her at heidi@rakergoldstein.com.
