Rustica

"The Star Tribune reports that Shawn McKenzie, co-owner of Café Cerés and one of the Twin Cities’ most lauded pastry chefs, will join Rustica Bakery as executive chef. McKenzie is a Portland transplant who got her start leading the pastry program at three of Isaac Becker’s restaurants: Burch Steak and Pizza, 112 Eatery, and Bar La Grasa. From there, she ran Penny’s, a small chain of cafés and coffee shops, and then opened Café Cerés in partnership with chef Danny del Prado (of trio Martina, Colita, and Rosalia). Café Cerés’ menu is influenced by McKenzie’s culinary travels through the Middle East: she’s known for her babka and tahini carrot cake, among other things. Rustica’s bakery has been in flux during the pandemic: after a brief partnership with Bread Lab, owner Greg Hoyt closed down wholesale production. McKenzie’s presence in Rustica’s bakery means increased capacity for Café Cerés — and look for more of her flair among Rustica’s classic croissants and muffins." - Justine Jones

"Artisan Bread & Sweets at Rustica Neighborhood bakery, Rustica, bakes classic and unique varieties of breads with daily specials including brioche (Tuesdays), currant rye (Fridays), and egg braid with raisins (Fridays). Their hands-on approach brings out the best in taste and texture in their breads as well as their pastries, cookies (try the bittersweet chocolate), and desserts."

"With craggy, sugar-crusted tops and crisp, burnished edges, the scones at Rustica always hit the perfect balance of buttery layers and hefty mix-ins. The excellent, classic English currant is always available, but the daily specials are the way to go: particularly Tuesday’s chocolate ginger, a dark chocolate dough studded with sparkling bits of candied ginger and Friday’s lemon poppyseed." - Julie Zhou

Bakery