LEVEE BAKING COMPANY

A COTTAGE BAKERY IN NEW ORLEANS

New Orleans is a food city.

Certainly, a trip to Spain, New York, Italy, even Los Angeles comes with thoughts of getting a prized table at a fabled landmark restaurant or a spot at a new whiz kid chef''s counter in those eating places.

But what city, other than New Orleans, do you build an entire itinerary around food?

Nothing against the amazing jazz and live music, the local artists, the beautiful architecture, the mighty river, the endless diverse neighborhoods, the walkable blocks, the famous cemeteries and so much more -- but food, food is why we go to NOLA.

In a city where people fret over even the provenance of the bread for a Po Boy or the source of the coffee in the morning mug o' mudd, it's not always easy for a newcomer to make the grade.

That's why we're so impressed with Christina Balzebre and her Levee Baking Company. The young master of breads, pastries and more has them lined up out the door at her pop up cottage bakery at 3824 Dryades Street.

People come for breads, cookies, pastries, pies, coffee and more -- served Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The location is just 3 blocks west of the St. Charles streetcar, just south of jumping Freret Street and a bit north of Central City's up and coming culinary enclaves.

We found out about Levee because we've known Christina's family for more than a decade and her proud papa in our hometown of Miami has shared the many rave review news clipping's about his daughter's magical baked goods.

We were first through the door on Saturday April 15 and we're glad we were. We bought her out of mini chocolate pies. They don't need refrigeration, so they were perfect for the plane trip home hours later.

We also indulged in savory tarts and muffins for the plane. If only airplane food were 1/100th as good as Levee Baking Company.

Christina, thanks for chatting with us and serving us delightful coffee to go with the cookie we ate while selecting our sweet and savory baked goods.

We're glad we got there early, because your loyal followers were lined up out the door by the time we headed for the rental car.

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