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Sweet Touch a dessert-filled dream

Café, bakery offers impressive selection of fresh baked goods

By Karen Livingston, for The Columbian
Published: September 7, 2018, 6:03am
13 Photos
Salted macaroons at Sweet Touch.
Salted macaroons at Sweet Touch. Nathan Howard/The Columbian Photo Gallery

Why: Sweet Touch Café & Bakery is part of and located next to the Svitoch European Market. The bakery has several cases of every colorful pastry imaginable, for filling a to-go box or for eating at its comfortable café. A full espresso menu for beverage selections and made-to-order crêpes is available, as well.

Atmosphere: A few different tones of wood have been used in the flooring, furniture and siding on the walls. Plant boxes hang from the ceiling above tables. Seating consists of tables and chairs, both standard and tall heights. There is also a window-side bar with bar stools and a lounging area with a sofa and club chairs for a more relaxed experience. The café has an overall modern vibe with contemporary, farmhouse-inspired decor.

What I tried: For dining in, I tried a ham and cheese crêpe and a feta turnover. My dining companion had a chicken and beef pie. We also selected numerous pastries to box and take home. The crêpe was made fresh with mozzarella cheese and two slices of deli-style ham. The turnover combined dill with the feta and was also sprinkled with it. This was a new combination for me, and I thought how perfect it would be on a cold winter day with a cup of tomato bisque soup. The chicken and beef pastry was pre-made and reheated. My dining companion and I shared our selections and thoroughly enjoyed every bite. I liked the sweetness of the crêpe combined with the savory flavors, and although it did not have any sort of sauce added, it was not too dry. The pastry’s flavor and texture reminded me of other pocket-type, meat-and-pastry sandwiches found in several other cuisines — from a Chinese egg roll to a Bosnian burek, all of which I find very appetizing. Similar to the crêpe, it was not too dry. Mustard and ketchup are available if you want some added flavor or something to dip it in.

Among the pastries I settled on was a chocolate torte, a blueberry and cream cheese pastry, a salted caramel and brownie cookie, a chocolate-dipped coconut macaroon, a lime and mint Italian meringue macaroon and a fancy, bird nest-style baklava. Every selection I chose was expertly crafted and tasted out of this world. I could not pick a favorite because each stood alone for its qualities and appeal. Their freshness was as impressive as the huge selection on hand, all of which is made in house daily. I could not shake the magical, Narnia-type impression of Sweet Touch’s selection. Unlike Danish or American-style bakeries — where everything is basically the same, just in different shapes and a few different fillings or icings — Sweet Touch is a smorgasbord of sweet delight. Hands down, the most impressive quality and selection I have ever encountered. 

Dining out guide: Sweet Touch Café & Bakery

• Where: 4804 N.E. Thurston Way, Unit D, Vancouver, next to Svitoch European Market.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Contact: 360-433-2963 or sweet-touchbakery.com

Health score: Sweet Touch Café & Bakery received a score of 5 on April 13. Zero is a perfect score, and Clark County Public Health closes restaurants with a score of 100 or higher. For information, call 360-397-8428.

Menu highlights beyond what I tried: Kombucha on tap and cold brew coffee are on the beverage menu in addition to artisan coffee. Sugar cookies of different varieties and colors, basket cookies, cakes, cannoli, tiramisu, meringue cookies, numerous macaroons, chocolate mousse cups and a large selection of layered desserts fill four full-sized, three-tiered bakery cases. Crêpe options include strawberry banana Nutella, lemon, strawberry cream cheese, white chocolate raspberry, chocolate strawberry, dulce de leche and banana pecan.

Other observations: Service is friendly and the café is spotless. All the deliciousness within Sweet Touch is what dessert daydreaming is all about. Svitoch European Market next door has produce, a wide selection of deli meats, cheeses and frozen items as well as candy and dry goods.

Cost: Beverages come in 8-ounce, 12-ounce and 16-ounce sizes, and range from $2.25 to $5.25. Rishi tea is $2.75. Crêpes cost $6 to $9.75. Some cookies are sold by the pound for around $9.99. Pistachio baklava is $3 per “nest.” Most layered dessert slices are $4 each. Fancy cookies are generally $1.50 to $2.99 each. Mousse selections are $5.

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