Bouchon Bakery in Yountville

With January here, everyone is back at work, including me. In September I gave up the freelance life for a full-time job working for a wine sales and marketing company. While I miss my old commute—just a few feet away—my new one has its perks.

The best is Bouchon Bakery is about halfway between my front door and my office. There is something so civilized about stopping for a café au lait and pastry that makes work seem like a luxury, especially when it comes from a place that Thomas Keller has put his stamp on. In fact it’s right next door to Bouchon and between Keller’s new ad hoc restaurant down the street and renowned French Laundry in the other direction.

I’ve been a huge fan of Bouchon Bakery since it opened. They have an awesome assortment of very French-style breads. They make some fantastic sandwiches, including a ham and cheese on baguette with a little Dijon mustard and butter. I also love their Nutter Butter cookies. Unlike any peanut butter cookie I’ve ever eaten, these have oatmeal in the cookie, making them a little bit chewy although they are also super light. What puts Bouchon Bakery’s Nutter Butter over the top is that two cookies are sandwiched together with a light, creamy peanut butter filling.

During my recent pre-work visits to Bouchon Bakery, I’ve become enamored with the carrot muffins. Light and moist, they are packed with pieces of bright orange carrot and have a slightly crunchy top that makes them irresistible. And while I tend to order a carrot muffin more often than not, I am always tempted to get one of the croissants, coffee cakes, or even one of the chocolate bouchons that are the bakery’s signature good.

Even if you don’t make it to Bouchon Bakery for breakfast, lunch or to get a baguette for dinner, you must stop for at least a cookie.

Bouchon Bakery Yountville
6528 Washington Street
Yountville, California 94599
Phone: 707.944.2253
Open everyday, 7:00am to 7:00pm
www.bouchonbakery.com