Oh, sugar, sugar

For a mix of personal and professional reasons, I just gave notice at my day job. I loved the position, and resigning has got me thinking about other dream jobs: Editor-in-chief of Motor Trend magazine has taken the lead over flying fighter jets. Another job I could lovingly embrace is the reality of the two gentlemen at work during a recent trip to Brickhouse Bakery. I could really see myself growing a huge beard, covering myself in tattoos and baking fabulous treats for the people of Reno.

My wife, Kat, her mother, Pam, and I visited the Brickhouse Bakery on Memorial Day. I love bakeries, and I was excited to spend the morning sampling a variety of baked goods.

Brickhouse Bakery is part of the West Street Market and fronts the West Street demonstration garden in a cool little space with sidewalk seating and interesting artwork, including a large adaptation of Picasso’s “Guernica” depicting the tragedies of a world overrun by baked goods.

While we ate, the two bakers rolled dough and measured ingredients for new batches of goodies. The smells escaping the kitchen were near-maddening. And while both of the men were exceptionally friendly, one of them just couldn’t stop smiling. It’s likely he’s just that happy, but maybe he needs a break from the swirling smells of all those fresh-baked cookies, scones and cinnamon rolls.

We all shared a crème brulee cookie ($0.50), a strawberry and lemon muffin ($2.50), the turkey, pesto and provolone scone ($3), a white chocolate and lemon cookie ($0.50), a brownie brick ($2), and the three beignets billed as “Reno’s Best” ($3). The most prominent flavor and ingredient in my scone was sundried tomato, which wasn’t listed as an ingredient on the menu. Had I known this, I would have ordered something else because I was really most interested in turkey and provolone. Pam’s crème brulee cookie was quite dry, but Kat’s muffin, which melded sweet strawberry and sour lemon, was fantastic. Likewise, my lemon and white chocolate cookie was stellar. The cookie, though dense, was incredibly creamy, and the lemon wasn’t the least bit overpowering. While the beignets were perfectly fine, it’s a bold statement to say they’re Reno’s best. In fact, I’ve had fluffier, less greasy ones elsewhere.

If none of the above has piqued your interest, Brickhouse Bakery’s selection extends well beyond what I’ve mentioned. They offer sandwiches, cakes, vegan options and will bake just about any type of cookie you can imagine.

Pam ordered a Naked blueberry juice to wash down all the carbs. She finished half the bottle before the kindly old veteran who’d been vocally enjoying a scone next to us walked up and announced that, with all the police working downtown, she should be careful about announcing her “naked” desires. To drive home the joke, he kept handling the lip of Pam’s juice bottle and pointing at the label—get it, “Naked.” Kat’s mom, being the biggest germaphobe I know, laughed but promptly threw away the half-full bottle. You never know who you’re going to meet downtown.

Brickhouse Bakery is a fantastic addition downtown, offering Renoites the opportunity to meet their neighbors over sugary delights.