I took my well-behaved three children into North Hill Bakery for nostalgia purposes. We used to visit it once a week when we lived two blocks away. The blond woman with the bangs who was working was... More

I took my well-behaved three children into North Hill Bakery for nostalgia purposes. We used to visit it once a week when we lived two blocks away. The blond woman with the bangs who was working was so rude to me, I left there speechless and upset. We each ordered a pastry. My three children went and sat quietly in the corner by the window. She rang up five items, and I politely told her we ordered four and she had already rung them up. I said it with a sympathetic smile, knowing people make honest mistakes. She said "Do you want my job?" I was taken aback, but said "Sure." She retorted "I am not taking your kids though." She was horrible. Just horrible. I cannot believe someone this miserable is working with the public. I will never go back. There are so many wonderful bakeries in town that the decision is easy. And on 15th Ave East, their coffee is hands down the worst - espresso burnt every visit. I can handle that with a smile, but not with inexplicable insults. I hope for North Hill's sake she is not an owner or manager
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I used to stand at the bus stop across the street early in the morning when this bakery first opened, and felt tortured enough by the smells coming from within that I inevitably started regularly... More

I used to stand at the bus stop across the street early in the morning when this bakery first opened, and felt tortured enough by the smells coming from within that I inevitably started regularly going in for treats. The coffee has come a long way, and yet still not up to par with Lladro or Victrola up the street, but their baked goods are delicious and well worth it. They are baked fresh every day and are not too fussy nor too sweet nor too expensive, unlike what many other bakeries offer (and sadly not many actual bakeries are left at all these days but that is another story...). The pain au chocolat is good, and the daily selection of muffins are good, and the danishes are good, and the cinnamon rolls are good (basically everything is good but it's a question of what you like). The breads are good too, and I have made delicious French toast from the challah. My favorite choice, however, is by far that Granny's Chocolate Cake, which is outstanding. You can't have it with your coffee every morning without paying in ways other than cash, so it's a good thing that all the other more reasonable baked goods here are tasty too. That chocolate cake is moist and chocolate-rich and the frosting full of flavor and not overpowered by sugar, a welcome reprieve from the likes of hip cupcakes all over town. It brings to mind chocolate cakes from days past, when mayonnaise or sour cream was used to give that unparalleled moistness and it was a crime to make a cake with a dry tasteless crumb no matter how much butter or oil it took. I've also enjoyed the Poire Normande tart, which is almond and pears, and the petits fours and lemon bars. It's a nice space to read the paper and take a moment, and the owners are very nice and often available either behind the counter or talking to regulars. One downside is their hours, as they close at 5:30 pm daily and some of us work later, and astonishingly enough they are closed on Sundays! It's a small business so they must have their reasons but who doesn't want to walk to the local bakery on a Sunday morning to read the paper or grab rolls for the family or such? Apparently not enough folks near 15th on Capitol Hill!
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This is the best possible retreat from the kind of morning at home where no one can find the permission slip for today's field trip and the printer runs out of ink before the homework can get... More

This is the best possible retreat from the kind of morning at home where no one can find the permission slip for today's field trip and the printer runs out of ink before the homework can get printed out. Grab a few dollars and escape out the door and go have a blessedly peaceful cup of coffee at a table where you can read today's paper and eat something buttery and fruity and just sweet enough, and be surrounded with an atmosphere of quiet simplicity. The women who run this place move back and forth smoothly between the baking area and the front counter, and the food couldn't be fresher.
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I used to love going to my favorite bakery in Seattle, to have zucchini bread and a mocha. They bake breads and cakes every day, and sell cakes and pies by the slice. However, The North Hill... More

I used to love going to my favorite bakery in Seattle, to have zucchini bread and a mocha. They bake breads and cakes every day, and sell cakes and pies by the slice. However, The North Hill Bakery is definitely not a good place for dieters, because their flavorful, buttery pasteries can easily add a pound a week to one's frame, as I have found. Their petite-fors with marzipan are excellent for hours-devours, but so are a lot of other things that they bake.
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There are many things to love about this spot. It is convenient on Capital Hill. It is a local neighborhood, non-corporate place. But, the best thing in our hearts and minds is the chocolate... More

There are many things to love about this spot. It is convenient on Capital Hill. It is a local neighborhood, non-corporate place. But, the best thing in our hearts and minds is the chocolate cake. We've been getting birthday cakes from these folks regularly. A great tip from a close friend. I have to say, they are just spectacular. Not too sweet or too fancy, but rich, dense and satisfying. Plus, they have a great set of CDs to listen to while you wait. A good dose of what folks on Capital Hill are listening to. One of the rare times I've gotten into a whole new genre (Folk Country) because I was on an errand to buy a cake :-)
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This place makes great stuff. The goods are always fresh, and well done. Too many bakeries over do goods by making them too sweet and too rich. This place does it just right. We go there for... More

This place makes great stuff. The goods are always fresh, and well done. Too many bakeries over do goods by making them too sweet and too rich. This place does it just right. We go there for special occasion items: they do super cakes, desserts and holiday goods. The owners (two professional women) really are great people, and know their art. They also do amazing wedding cakes. The place isn't a scene, and most of their customers seem to really like it that way.
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This is a quiet, unassuming place on north Capitol Hill. They have great sinful desserts, which I've bought for special occasions. They also have a rotating special bread, which is usually yummy.... More

This is a quiet, unassuming place on north Capitol Hill. They have great sinful desserts, which I've bought for special occasions. They also have a rotating special bread, which is usually yummy. But the best thing on the menu is the whole wheat cinnamon roll. Just darn good--not too sweet, not too grainy. They also serve espresso. They have nice art and window benches surrounding four tables. People are nice and move over. If you are in the mood for socializing, you will be disappointed, as both the staff and the customers all seem to be extreme introverts. They are, however, nice to my kids when I bring them, and leave me alone when I want to be left alone. The only downside is that they don't serve the whole wheat cinnamon rolls every day, and I can't actually remember which day they serve them. Give them a call or take your chances. If they aren't available when you go you will be forced to eat one of their sinful brownies.
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