jandres374 Posted January 20, 2011 Share Posted January 20, 2011 Oh and near the space that used to be Athenian Plaka (which is now a Gaylord's lamps store) is a new pastry place. Not open but coming soon. Some kind of sticky sweet sounding name but we'll see what it is like when it opens. Bethesda Magazine's article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol_ironstomach Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Tout de Sweet opened about a month ago, in the row of stores across Woodmont Ave from BGR. It's a worthy contender in the search for DC's best macaron. Chef Colin's version retains a bit more moisture than the ones from Praline, which makes them slightly dense, but at the same time very tender and delicate. The outer crust of each cookie is a fragile shell, which leads me to believe that you simply must have these very very fresh. And fresh they are; instead of producing a wide range of flavors to have on hand, he makes only five or six types each morning, rotating the selection at whim. The dollop of cream between the halves is easily the freshest I've had in town. His almond croissant is marvelous too; well-browned, flaky, and encrusted with thick sliced almonds and a judicious ribbon of almond paste. You must try these desserts in part because they do not offer any savory lunch or breakfast items, and I fear for the survivability of a dessert-only operation in that neighborhood. The prices for his baked items (and good coffee) are surprisingly reasonable - $1.50 for a macaron, $4ish for a beautifully architected mousse - so much so that it should be a crime to queue at any Starbuck's within walking distance. hazelnut, lemon macarons; almond croissant There is also a menu of cakes made to order; he'd prefer three days' advance notice. Alas, no canelés nor any breads here...I'll still have to hit St-Michel in Rockville for those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted March 31, 2011 Share Posted March 31, 2011 The drip coffee is brewed to order, the chef/owner is very nice, and the plain & chocolate croissants are delicious. I agree with Dave - there's no reason at all to go across the street Starbucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol_ironstomach Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Website here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Boy Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 Tried their plain croissant -- really good. I only wished these were ever so slightly darker, but that is just me and my taste. Also tried the chocolate variant, was good, but not as good as the plain. Their complex confections look and sound wonderful. Might have to try them someday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALB Posted April 8, 2011 Share Posted April 8, 2011 I went in last weekend and picked up almond croissants and a few macaroons. I thought the croissants were perfect, crispy but not dry and perfectly sized for one person rather than being excessively large. I couldn't believe they were only $2.75. Tout de sweet would be dangerous for me if I still lived in the neighborhood. I accidentally crushed the macaroons in my purse so I can not give a reliable review on texture but the hazelnut and pistachio were very tasty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baczkowski Posted April 9, 2011 Share Posted April 9, 2011 I liked the macarons. I loved my blueberry muffin. It had a crunchy top from seemingly being brushed with butter before baking and then dusted with powdered sugar. The soft body contained all the small blueberries, which were an afterthought following that muffin top. If I keep coming back here, I'm going to develop a muffin top of my own. Pax, Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockcreek Posted June 17, 2011 Share Posted June 17, 2011 I shall run there, scarf, and run back. Good 6mi loop. Thanks, bro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glee4 Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 I just swung by there this morning and I absolutely love it. Their iced latte is strong but without the bitter taste. The macaron looks about the same size at the ones at Cacao but it's actually bigger. I'm not sure if the cookie is thicker or just have more cream. The lemon macaron was delicious. Looking forward to trying the hazelnut and pistachio macaron and almond croissant later this morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Boy Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 I wonder if they will ever consider doing any breads. Hmmm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidO Posted July 16, 2011 Share Posted July 16, 2011 I got a plain croissant and a pain aux raisins this morning and both were really good. The espresso I had was fine but it didn't transport me the way the pastries did. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Forcing myself to remember to walk the extra block to Tout de Sweet is always worth it. I tried a muffin today for the first time - coconut apricot - and it was outstanding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jandres374 Posted August 10, 2011 Author Share Posted August 10, 2011 Has anyone tried the cakes here yet? Need to pickup a cake for my Dad's birthday and thought about giving them a shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Boy Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 Have not tried their cakes yet. Did try a blueberry muffin, which was fine, but not mind-blowing. The top half of the muffin is where all the action resides... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidO Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Not to sound like a fanboy, but I got a choc. croissant hot from the oven a few days ago and it was mindblowing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collije Posted August 13, 2011 Share Posted August 13, 2011 +1 on the Coconut Apricot muffin, quite good. Also had an Almond Croissant, very very happy with it. Might be better than St. Michel's that I'm also a fan of. Need to go back and give it another go, along with the Chocolate version. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Boy Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Not to sound like a fanboy, but I got a choc. croissant hot from the oven a few days ago and it was mindblowing. I had this before, but not hot from the oven. It was good, but not mind blowing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jandres374 Posted August 15, 2011 Author Share Posted August 15, 2011 Ended up getting a chocolate ganache cake for Dad's birthday. I am not much of a cake person but everyone raved that it was very good - moist and not too dense. Also the chocolate ganache was a nice version, not too sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkstar965 Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Stopped in today for the first time. Liked it quite a bit but think they're going to have to broaden their offerings if they're going to stick around long term. ...It's a worthy contender in the search for DC's best macaron. Chef Colin's version retains a bit more moisture than the ones from Praline, which makes them slightly dense, but at the same time very tender and delicate. The outer crust of each cookie is a fragile shell, which leads me to believe that you simply must have these very very fresh. And fresh they are; instead of producing a wide range of flavors to have on hand, he makes only five or six types each morning, rotating the selection at whim. The dollop of cream between the halves is easily the freshest I've had in town. His almond croissant is marvelous too; well-browned, flaky, and encrusted with thick sliced almonds and a judicious ribbon of almond paste. You must try these desserts in part because they do not offer any savory lunch or breakfast items, and I fear for the survivability of a dessert-only operation in that neighborhood. The prices for his baked items (and good coffee) are surprisingly reasonable - $1.50 for a macaron, $4ish for a beautifully architected mousse - so much so that it should be a crime to queue at any Starbuck's within walking distance. Totally aligns with my own experience. I only had a couple of macaroons but they were the best I've had in our area. Also, the pastries and cakes looked pretty fab but there were only 5 or so in the case at 2 or 3pm today; probably not enough selection for many. As for the "crime" of going to SBUX across the street, totally agree based on coffee and baked goods quality (and staff niceness) but can see them also losing some biz to those who want a place to sit, sip, talk and enjoy; or god-forbid, open a laptop or read the paper on an ipad. They have only 3 or so counter seats. I really hope they introduce some additional items--breads and limited savories are the most obvious. Bethesda can and, I think would, support a broadened business. I just swung by there this morning and I absolutely love it. Their iced latte is strong but without the bitter taste. The macaron looks about the same size at the ones at Cacao but it's actually bigger. I'm not sure if the cookie is thicker or just have more cream. I'm a big Cacao fan (especially the Cleveland Park location). Cacao CP offers a wide range of quality chocolates in addition to the pastries and quality sandwiches, salads and baguettes. The location on Bethesda Lane only offers pastries and chocolates because they weren't allowed to introduce lunch items in competition with the Le Pain Quotidien chain across the alley. Bit of odd regulation there. And Chef Jacques Polain and Vili (who own Cacao) are fantastic people. All said, Tout de Sweet's macaroons are better IMHO. Was really impressed with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 They have added cupcakes, which look gorgeous and cost $2.75 for a quite large, beautifully decorated little cake. Also featured regularly are a variety of quatre-quarts, poundcakes, that are excellent and a steal at $6.50 each. My latte & croissant yesterday were delicious, as usual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkstar965 Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 Wish they offered eclairs more consistently but have to agree with Heather. This is a great spot even more important now with Cacao gone. Just hope they can stick around for a long while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bookluvingbabe Posted January 14, 2012 Share Posted January 14, 2012 When I tried it last year, the pastry was wonderful but the coffee was bitter. I haven't been back. I should try again. There are so few little spots these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol_ironstomach Posted June 29, 2012 Share Posted June 29, 2012 Pastry is the glorious triumph of sugar and butter over reason. That is all, citizens. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Boy Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Tried their salty caramel macaroon sandwich thingers. Where is the salty? Grr. The pain au raisin was a triumph, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Boy Posted May 4, 2014 Share Posted May 4, 2014 These guys also do some pretty good coffee, too, without having to deal with the people that love sugar drinks with slight coffee flavoring just down the street at Starbucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Boy Posted May 19, 2014 Share Posted May 19, 2014 Expanding. http://www.bethesdanow.com/2014/05/19/tout-de-sweet-expanding-for-more-seating/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithhemb Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 Great news -- I love this place!! Lack of seating has typically made it a takeout destination for me. Agree that the poundcakes are a steal (one of my favorite weekend breakfast vices) and with the recommendation of TdS as a birthday cake source. My daughter and I share a birthday and were delighted to find a cake (a custom variation on Black Forest with raspberries and framboise replacing cherries and kirsch) that neither of us consider a compromise and that I don't have to bake myself (e,g. Pierre Herme's Reine de Saba). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Boy Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 They make POUND CAKE there?!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithhemb Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Well, not exactly. They make "loaf" cakes -- orange or lemon poppyseed, raspberry, strawberry. They're about twice as large (6 slices) as the carrot-maple-pecan one I bought at Bread Furst last week and very tasty. The orange cake (with a candlied orange slice on top) is great with fresh blackberries. They're pre-wrapped in the short part of the counter at the back near the register. One flavor per day, I think -- I don't remember ever having a choice. I don't know if there's any pattern/schedule. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Boy Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Still sounds great to me. I was clueless about this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Boy Posted June 17, 2015 Share Posted June 17, 2015 I got one of their chocolate cupcakes topped with chocolate icing today, and fresh (regular) coffee (I think it is still Peet's). Coffee good. The cupcake was pretty amazing. Locally, though I have not been in a couple of years, is Georgetown Cupcake. GC makes great icing, and decent cake. GC's icing tends to be fairly to very dense, but packed with great flavor. Tout de Sweet makes great cake. The cake balances the air/cake/moistness balance perfectly. This is what cupcake cake should be! The top part of the cake is slightly stiffer than the bottom, of course, to allow for proper installation of icing. Oh and the icing - it is tremendous. TdS's icing is more fluid and alive than GC's icing, and packed with even more flavor if you can imagine - it was revelatory. This was a cupcake where it was all chocolate - chocolate cake and chocolate icing. I am a sucker for excellent chocolate and this cupcake truly delivered. It was perfect for 'second breakfast' today.The thing is, TdS is horrifying close to my office and I could die in less than a year from overconsumption of cupcakes. [separately, I think this might be my first trip back there since they expanded the space. The have maybe 20 seats total now. I saw they have a lot of delicious looking goodies there, including various pastry (chocolate almond croissant! Loaf-like bread 'pudding' (looks more like pound cake!) and expanded higher end pastries in the other case. Even saw some cookies). Not sure if they do wifi, but it is a pleasant space to hang out and indulge if you want to.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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