Just in time for Carnival season, highly-anticipated cafe and sweets shop Bywater Bakery has officially landed in the 70117 with eight, yes eight, different types of king cake, Ian McNulty reports. Baker and operator Chaya Conrad was most recently the bakery director for Rouses, overseeing an operation that turned out a whopping 400k king cakes locally last year. She tells The Advocate that she wanted to offer something “old school that would still stand up to modern expectations” in terms of baked goods at the new spot.
Hence her signature ooey gooey butter brioche king cake (called the Bywater King Cake, $16). Stuffed versions range from $20-$25 with a pecan praline, apples and cinnamon, and Creole cream cheese cheesecake variations, and plenty more:
There's a take on tarte à la bouille, a custard pie that's a staple in Louisiana's bayou country. Another is based on Chantilly cake, made with mascarpone whipped cream and a mix of fresh berries.
The bakery will roll out counter service for breakfast and lunch in the week ahead, with a menu built around easy take-out items including shrimp and grits in go cups, salads in mason jars (or plated if you want to eat-in), sandwiches, baked goods, and Coast Roast coffee.
Status: Officially open at 3524 Dauphine Street, Mon-Fri, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sat-Sun, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (504) 336-3336. Website here.