Recently, my wife has really taken a liking to Vincent Bakery Cafe in Duluth. An oldie, but a goodie, Vincent Bakery is a Korean bakery and cafe that has been around for over a decade now; it opened in 2010. The business has held strong as the competition has opened and closed around them.
Why has Vincent Bakery been so successful? Their pastries are really good. I think Vincent's pastries are currently among the best when it comes to Asian bakeries in metro Atlanta. This place simply flies under the radar. It's underrated. There's another location in Johns Creek: https://bit.ly/32cqsOh (also opened in 2010).
You can find this location in Pleasant Hill Station, in the same strip as E. M. Bop, What the Pho, and Cafe Todamgol, near the Duluth H Mart. If you're a regular on Pleasant Hill Rd, then you've probably passed Vincent Bakery countless times.
The store is nice, clean, and well-kept. Generally, it's cut in the same mold as some of the other older Korean bakeries and cafes in Atlanta; for example, Hansel & Gretel, Mozart, and White Windmill. It's not as trendy or polished as say, Paris Baguette or Tree Story. Unlike the latter two chains, during our visits to this Vincent location, the staff and clientele have been 100% middle-aged Korean folks. The staff were older Korean ladies. They've been welcoming, attentive, and friendly. Great service.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, if you choose to dine-in, the staff will take your temperature. I saw the cashier check one man's temperature. She used an infrared temperature gun and aimed it at the outside of the customer's wrist.
Something I like about Vincent Bakery that not many Asian bakeries and cafes have is this location has a small, umbrella-covered patio. Patio seating is more in-demand these days thanks to the virus and Vincent has a serviceable one.
Like other Asian bakeries and cafes, Vincent has a self-serve selection of on-site or locally-made, individually-wrapped, pastries plus a beautiful glass case filled with eye-appealing cakes, macarons, and other treats. Examples of grab-and-go items include:
* Snowpea Paste Soft Cookies - $6.90
* Chestnut Paste Soft Cookies - $5.99
* Sweet Potato Pie - $5.90
* Mocha Cake Pie - $4.99
* Blueberry Cream Bread - $4.99
* Mocha Cream Bread - $4.99
* Strawberry Jam & Butter Cream Bread - $6.50
* Yogurt Cream Bread - $6.50
* Red Bean Paste Bread - $2.19
* Snowpea Paste Bread - $2.19
* Biscuit Crumble Bread - $2.19
* Coffee Cream Bread - $2.19
* Butter Cream Bread - $2.19
Examples of whole round cakes include strawberry, blueberry, and matcha fresh cream cakes ($30-32 each) and handmade roll cakes ($20 each) in vanilla, mocha, chocolate, blueberry, and green tea flavors. The latter are swirled with cream and colorful.
On the beverage and dessert side, Vincent has a fairly extensive coffee menu plus tea, smoothies, and Korean desserts like bungeo-ppang (fish-shaped pastries stuffed with red bean paste, 12 pieces for $7.99) and patbingsu (red beans shaved ice $10.99-12.99 per serving). Most coffee and tea drinks can be prepared hot or cold and they're priced around $3-5 per drink.
Some of our favorites here have been the Custard Cream Bread ($2.19), Red Bean Paste Bread ($2.19), and Strawberry Cream Bread ($4.99) as well as their Mochi with Red Bean Paste ($4.20). Everything has been excellent. The bread in the pastries has always been really fresh and they always smell fantastic. On the Custard Cream Bread, the bread is super soft and spongy, buttery as well. The custard is smooth and delectable. There's also plenty of it. The same can be said for the red bean paste in the Red Bean Paste Bread. One thing we really appreciate about Vincent is the consistently generous portions. As for the Strawberry Cream Bread, there are six pieces, served connected together, per bag. The outside of the bread has chocolate chips, almond slivers, sugar, and a baked-in cream drizzle. The inside has a wonderfully delicious, light and fluffy, strawberry cream. My wife particularly likes the cream because we could see it was made with real strawberries. The Strawberry Cream Bread is a lot more crumbly than the stretchy, yeasty Custard Cream Bread. I recommend both, especially the latter.
Something you have to try is the Mochi with Red Bean Paste. It's outstanding. Eat it fresh. They get the texture of the mochi just right. It's super soft, supple, and gratifyingly chewy. Like the aforementioned pastries, the inside of the mochi is just packed with generous portions of delectable red bean paste.
Inside, the atmosphere was quiet, peaceful, and relaxing. I like the little attentions to detail, such as the plants and artwork on the wall. I also like the branding on the windows and packaging. The place is simple and well put together; not overdone nor gaudy. It looks like an ideal spot to meet up and hang out with friends and family and/or pull out your laptop to get some work/studying done. The Wi-Fi password is This1is4u. read more