85°C Bakery Cafe
2700 Alton Parkway, Suite # 123
Irvine, CA, 92606
(949) -553 -8585
Whenever I think of Asian pastries, I instantly conjure up an image from my childhood: a bland strawberry sponge cake frosted with "vanilla" whipped cream (vanilla=glue-flavored) and almond slivers, with the words "Happy Birthday" scrawled on top with bloody red gel. Thanks to my mother's unrefined palate, I now avoid any bakeries with an Eastern influence.
The other day I decided to let go of my prejudices and try out the hot new bakery that opened down the street from my work. There's always a line whenever I pass by, so I figured it was worth a shot.
85°C accomplishes what bakeries like Goldilocks and Red Ribbon try to mimic but fail to achieve: delicacy. The pastries are very light and airy in texture, and the flavors come in subtle notes like a sweet perfume. Their baked goods are more of an experience rather than just dessert. I first tried what appeared to be the simplest of the selection, milk bread. I was pleasantly surprised. The bread had a very soft texture, but wasn't doughy or chewy like pan de leche can be. The gentle sprinkle of powdered sugar on top was enough to enhance the bread's sweet milk flavor.
I was also amazed by the variety they offered: Dutch brioche buns, savory French bread with spinach, Italian tiramisu, an Austrian-inspired chocolate truffle cake, traditional Chinese red bean buns with a non-traditional twist of sweet cream. I froze in front of the display cases, gawking for what seemed like a century until a hostess/baker/tour guide offered me her aid. (Side note: the service is very warm and friendly, but a little slow when it comes to serving drinks.)
The 85°C cafe in Irvine is the first one to open in the U.S. The company hails from Taiwan, started by a group of business men and award winning pastry chefs dedicated to serving world class desserts at a 3rd world price. Whether you're a sugar junkie looking for a quick fix to your addiction, or a foodie in search for something pleasing to the palate, give 85°C a try and experience this Taiwanese sensation.
