[Photographs: Erin Jackson]
When seeking something sweet at Macrina Bakery in Seattle, it’s tempting to choose a traditional pastry like a muffin, scone, or slice of coffee cake to accompany a cup of joe. My pick at any time of day is a slice of the Lemon Tart ($4.00). The generous slice is decorated with swirls of white chocolate and a duo of precisely placed berries.
A take on lemon chess pie, it’s the bakery’s signature tart—but it’s at least twice as deep as a standard pie. I didn’t have the foresight to pack a ruler, but my best estimate is that the distance from the thin layer of flaky crust to the browned lemon custard top is at least two inches, maybe even three.
That lemon filling has a classic flavor profile: tangy yet sweet, and so smooth your fork will glide right through it. It’s not a tart that’s trying to be daring and new; it’s proof that the only thing missing from traditional tarts is more lemon filling. A lot more.
Macrina Bakery
Three locations in Seattle; see macrinabakery.com for listings.
About the author: Erin Jackson is a food writer and photographer who is obsessed with discovering the best eats in San Diego. You can find all of her discoveries on her San Diego food blog EJeats.com. On Twitter, she’s @ErinJax