From The St. John’s Sentinel, September 2007 issue:
New grub in da’ hood
New Lombard businesses deliver flavor
By Vanessa Nix
I’m sorry. We can’t help saying it…but…these muffins are purrrrfect. Pastrycat, one of a half dozen new businesses to open up in the 5Q over the last few months
PASTRYCAT
There is something about Pastrycat. Maybe it’s the cute little grey house nestled on Lombard between North Burr and Buchanan, or proprietor Denise Le Drew’s welcoming, down-to-earth demeanor. Or maybe it’s the array of baked-fresh-daily muffins, scones (both savory and sweet), zucchini bread, cheddar biscuits and luscious “rustic cakes” as she calls them, for their lack of fancy decorations. But I think it’s the care and thought that Le Drew seems to put into every aspect ofher one-woman show. Pastrycat does baked goods like your grandma used to — from scratch. Le Drew donates her leftovers to the Union Gospel Mission, so nothing goes to waste and her customers get only the freshest goodies. On Friday and Saturday, Le Drew bakes up treats for her vegan customers and is currently working on some gluten-free recipes. Much of what she serves is local, seasonal, and trans-fat free. Best of all, Le Drew only bakes her favorite things so, as she says, everything’s good! “I love this neighborhood,” says LeDrew. “I’ve lived all over the country and this neighborhood and the people are the best.”
All I know is that LeDrew’s baked goods are the best. Her healthful marionberry cornmeal muffin was moist and lightly sweet and the sinful chocolate cream cheese muffin tender, with the deep cocoa cake cradling the creamy cheesecake top. I had to remind myself to breathe as I inhaled this decadent bliss. Cash only.
From Portland Picks September 28th, 2007
That Darn Cat
We hate skipping breakfast … especially coffee. It’s 11:30 am and we’re on the road, now frantic with need and searching for a kind place to take us in and fill our cup, and there it is, off in the distance … Pastrycat’s bright pink cheerful cottage signaled that it was time to pull over and grab a much-needed caffeine infusion.
Sometimes we worry that small little pastry shops won't be able to supply us with our 12-ounce double-iced soy sugar-free vanilla latte, but owner Denise didn't let us down. "We use 100% real vanilla in everything, is that okay?" Is that okay? It’s fabulous!
You see, Pastrycat is the real thing. And each delicious, freshly made pastry is baked every morning from scratch. They only use seasonal, organic, local and natural ingredients, plus everything is trans-fat-free. Knowing all that, it was hard to decide between a thick slice of Ginger Raisin Bread, a gooey Cinnamon Roll, or a Peach Cobbler Muffin that looked like it had an entire peach in it. The decision ended up being easy, and breakfast never tasted so good.
From portlandmercury.com Review
Pastrycat (North)
(Bakeries, Coffee Shop)
As you may be able to imply from the name, the thing here is pastries (probably not cats so much),but it goes beyond that, using local, sustainable ingredients the proprietor creates traditional and unusual baked goodies that are good for you and good for the world. Look for the little gray house.
Tue-Fr 6am-12pm,Sat 7am-2pm, Closed: Sunday & Monday
A Fly on the Wall Review:
A Fan of Friendly Flies on Walls Says:
September 15th, 2007 at 1:10 am
St. John’s is gaining new ground lately with the addition of Little Red Bike and another favorite Pastrycat, just a short distance more west on Lombard. Pastrycat’s homemade, baked from scratch, organic and natural, trans fat free goodies warmed my belly and my heart this morning. I had a delicious Peach Cobbler muffin and vanilla latte. When I asked for sugar-free vanilla, she said “oh, well I use real vanilla, will that do?” I knew I would come back.
