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Bonaparte Breads
Categories: Food Bakeries Restaurants Sandwiches Bakeries, Sandwiches [Edit]
Savage Mill8600 Foundry St
Savage, MD 20763
(410) 880-0858
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 10 am - 6 pm
Sat-Sun 9 am - 6 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
24 reviews for Bonaparte Breads
Review Highlights
"...every buttery sweet almond-y almond croissant morsel we can."
(in 5 reviews)
"...been to Bonaparte Breads' brick-and-mortar store; they..."
(in 4 reviews)
"Bonaparte Breads is located in the Historic Savage Mill."
(in 3 reviews)
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24 reviews in English
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Review from Antonio Q.
Norfolk, VA
10/24/2011
Great food and atmosphere. Good bread and pastries.
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Review from Jim S.
11/2/2011
BThe coffee and pastry's are really good. After that it tastes far too mediocre.
Very small but the staff is almost always friendly and fast.
I would not go out of my way too far, but if in the area it is a good place to fix that craving. -
Review from Peter H.
Ellicott City, MD
6/12/2011
Great coffee and pastry. The chocolate croissant and the raisin au pain is amazing. This is the closest thing to having the actual pastry in France.
They also make some of their own bread the baguettes is to die for. If you get in toward the end of the night right before they close and they still have a bit of bread left, they will let you do a buy one get one 50% off. -
Review from Antonio M.
Arlington, VA
**2.75 Stars**
My trip to Bonaparte began with a long long drive motivated by the anticipation if finding a great French bakery. I had decided to visit this bakery on the recommendations of my fellow Yelpers married with my love for all things sweet and of trying some new place in a town I had never visited.
With the car fueled and the address programmed into the GPS, I headed across the Potomac river towards Savage, MD. Braving construction delays and crazy MD drivers, I finally reached the Savage Mill area. Funny enough, although the GPS said I had arrived, I saw nothing resembling the Yelp pictures of this bakery. "What the freak" I thought as I parked the car and explored the area on foot.
Here's an important hint: When you see the signs for the Historic Savage Mill off of Foundry St, turn left into thy parking lot. You won't see Bonaparte from the street or the parking lot, but follow the markers for the Ram's Head Tavern after you park your ride.
You'll get a glimpse of this one time working mill transformed into an commercial area now hosting a bar, community areas and this bakery. The inside of Bonaparte blends the historical mill decorated with the look an feel of an old French bakery. It's a if an old working American mill had a love child with a old French bakery. Ooh-la-la!
The old oven that will catch your eye is built into one of the brick walls with a large pile of cut wood next to the oven. The baking staff bustles busily as the staff at the counter take your order or run food and coffee out to customers seated at the tables. The interior also holds six small tables where customers can sit and enjoy their Bonaparte treats.
Under the green support beams is the main counter with a display case showing off all the tasty bakery offerings. I settled on the custard and chocolate croissant and accompanied that sweet treat with a latte (see pix). The croissant was tasty but soft, bordering on soggy and not as light and flaky as I had anticipated for an award winning French bakery. With my expectations so bit high, I was let down. The latte was "enh", not too warm and a bit cold; completely shattering my expected French experience.
The cakes in the display case looked tasty, and although I was tempted to buy some....I decided against it. I was going to be outside for the rest of the day and didn't want to leave them to air in the car an have them go bad. I did pick up an extra croissant to try out later.
So was Bonaparte as good as I had expected? Unfortunately no. I may come back, but I won't make the long drive just to come here. My search for a great French bakery continues! -
Review from Elissa O.
Hanover, MD
9/5/2011
I love Bonaparte's croissants. They are light, flaky and are super filling. The other croissants: chocolate and almond are also the bomb. From what I have been told, the other breads are amazing as well. The coffee is nothing to write home about. My issue with this place is generally the service. They are usually less than customer service oriented but if you know what you want, it is no big deal. I do wish they would improve the quality of the coffee so I could sit down with a coffee and croissant before wandering around Savage Mill. Alas, I'm not sure they are motivated to change anything but if they keep making the croissants, I will keep coming back.
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Review from Jessica T.
Ellicott City, MD
8/13/2010
The bread looked fabulous - it may be great, that may be the reason for all of the gushing reviews... but I didn't have any, I stopped in for lunch and a cappuccino.
I ordered their mozarella, fresh tomato and basil sandwich and a small cappuccino.
The Cappuccino: quite literally 4 tablespoons of bitter coffee in a mouthwash-sized dixie cup. I double checked to make sure it was a cappuccino and not a shot of espresso... nope, cappuccino. Right. $4.
The Sandwich: This is a bread shop, but my sandwich came out on some thin slices of pseudo-grilled slightly-better-than-Wonder-bread. Tomatoes were fine, cheese was fine, but it was frosty cold even though the sandwich was advertised on their "hot" menu... if barely toasted bread qualifies it as hot. The fresh basil: brown dry bitter little pieces from a McCormick spice shaker. The whole thing was soaked in so much olive oil the bread turned to absolute mush. It was inedible.
It took over 20 minutes to bring out a coffee and a soaking wet, cold "hot sandwich" and one mediocre at best pastry. Over $17.
If you're heading here, I would stick to nothing but bread. It looked fine, but this place is not set up for a decent lunch. -
Review from Su K.
3/20/2009 4 photos
This is going to be my most unPC review to date. Thankfully, PC W. gave me the go-ahead, so that makes it ok.
The Short: Good breads. BIG croissants, big prices. Almond croissants ($3) = awesome! Napolean ($4.50) = not very awesome.
Engrish Review. Some Chai-Knee some Ko-Lee-Uhn. I only speak ritter Chai-knee Engrish, so I mix long time w/ Ko-Lee-uhn poh yoo. Prease read phoneticarry
HI! I hearing about Sa-veggie meer for rong time. I think myself, "Oh. Sa-veggie meer so crose sound so nigh," so I pire up my rate 90s model Toy-Yo-Dah Camry and take famry to sa-veggie meer. I like little not so much.
Very first, how come no sampo in food court? And what kinduhva food court have no Panda Express? This no food court; this just ritter open space.
Very second, Bonaparte bread is French? How you even say? Ahn Young, my Koh-lee-uhn friend, how you say?
Ahn Young: Ohhhhh~ dis one? Ohhhhhh~ dis one, I sink, is core, Bonuh-pah-teuh.
Bonerparteuh? Stupid name. How come name so stupid?
Ahn Young: ohhh~ dis one? Ohhhh~ dis one, I sink name uh beuh, Puh-renchee lee duh oh some sing lie keuh debt.
Ok. Many ways. Dis place, day have bread. I go up and say, "Hey! How come bread so big?" They guy say they core kwa sungs. I say I have friend kwa sung. Core-lee-uhn man. He nice. I say, "How much?" He say three dollah for kwa sung. Three dollah for kwa sung?! Dey make in France probary, so much money.
Ahn Young: Ohhhhh~ dis one? Ohhhhhh~ dis one, I sink ex euh pensive, oh bee coz uhbeuhduh, people in da Meh Lee Landeuh and Dee Shee sink dey cha jee any sing dey wanteuh poh beuh lad~
Brad?!
Ahn Young: No~ I say beuh lad.
I know! Like Brad Peeeees?
Ahn Young: No~ I say beuh ledeuh
Many ways. The kwa sung fill almond nuss. Is taste berry good. Berry sweet. I rike that one. My honoraber wife, she ordering Naporean. She say is rike bonerparte first name. I say that stupid name. Naporean Bonerparte. Sound kinda painfer to me. Make me want to cross regs. I say, "How much Naporean?" "$4.50 sir." Fie dollah for bonerparte? How come parte so much monees?
Many ways. Honoraber wife say naporean no taste very nice. So I try. I sink same sing. Not so good. Naporean bread so hard, can't eat berry nice.
Many ways. We say song que berry much to guy and we reave prace. Is nice prace, righy Ahn Young?
Ahn Young: Ohhhhh~ dis one? Ohhhhhh~ dis one, I sink berry nie seuh. Bus, I jogum expen see beuh. Also, Seh Bae Jee Meal is he so toric, bus wee uh deuh. Dees boys, I sink study por testeuh, bus dey studying for meh jeec. Dey toke abouse casting seuhpells and elbis andeuh other sing like das. Little wee uh deuh, I sink, dis one~
Non-Engrish Tangent:
When we finally got to Savage Mill, I went OHHHHHHHHHHH YEAAAAH!!!! a la Macho Man...my wife was not amused. -
Review from Julie H.
Irvine, CA
8/11/2008
As I write this, I'm eating a Bonaparte Breads croissant. This isn't your typical bakery croissant! I consumed half of it for breakfast, now I'm staring at the flaky insides of the second half, bite marks rapidly diminishing the remaining piece, croissant flakes flying into the keyboard. I'm a mess, but this is so worth it. The taste is buttery but not too oily, flaky but not too dry, and chewy but not tough. In a word: perfect.
I've never been to Bonaparte Breads' brick-and-mortar store; they practically come to me at the Dupont Farmer's Market every Sunday. The boyfriend and I set our alarms to be in line as early as possible; the good stuff sells out fast, sometimes before 11am! We'll buy a few croissants for breakfast, and if my sweet tooth is calling I'll also indulge in an almond croissant - imagine a slightly chewy butter croissant layered with almond paste filling. Admittedly, it sometimes makes my teeth hurt they're so sweet.
My budget usually maxes out at the croissants, but I have my eye on the other bakery offerings: mini apple tarts, mushroom crepe lasagna, pain au chocolate, and various quiches. Your heart won't hurt if you only try one at a time!
Be prepared to wait in a fast-moving line, it helps to scope out the table beforehand to figure out what you want, and they only take cash (though there are ample PNC ATMs nearby). If you can't make it to Dupont, or the actual storefront, they're also at the Georgetown/Rose Park Farmer's Market Wednesdays (which does not sell out as quickly). -
Review from Bobbi B.
Washington Metro
Updated - 9/17/2008
Given the fact that two years or so have passed since I last visited, and given some of the positive recent reviews I've seen from Yelpers, we bucked up and headed to Bonaparte.
My main beef with this place remains: why bill yourself as an authentic French bakery if you're not serving authentic French bakery goods? It creates perhaps unreasonable expectations in those of us who've actually eaten authentic French bakery goods. (I realize this isn't France; I don't think anyone could ever mistake Savage, MD, for France. But that doesn't mean I don't seek truth in advertising.)
The only thing that seems to have changed is that their croissants are now American-sized monstrosities. A longing for the delicious croissant au jambon I had overseas came over me so I braved their ham & cheese croissant.
Okay - rule number one with croissants (and most bread, actually):
NEVER put bread products in a microwave, unless you happen to really like smushy, damp croissants and bread. Toasters and ovens exist for a reason, people. The counter girl stuck my ham & cheese version in a microwave, didn't ask first either, and the result was a wet mess with a thick slab of slimy ham in it. I did my best to pick it apart to locate edible portions but ended up creating what looked like a grisly dissection project. I left it on the plate for the employees to clean up as a passive aggressive expression of my dissatisfaction.
The coffee hasn't improved either. How hard would it be to invest in a Nespresso machine?
Maybe Bonaparte's pastries are better - I've never tried them - but given my experience with their more basic offerings I don't think I'll waste my money. La Madeleine offers a much better experience.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/17/2006 First to Review
I REALLY wanted to embrace this little french bakery, given my longing to find a little bit of… Read more »
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Review from Margaret L.
Surprise, AZ
2/18/2008
Chocolate Pear Mousse
Almond Croissants
Praline Napoleons
Chocolate Raspberry Mousse
Apple Tart Tartan
Drooling yet?
You must go on a bakery spree once in your life. Best in groups, everyone gets something different and shares around the table. It's the best way to find your favorite. For the Mousse in me, it was the chocolate pear that did me in. Light and airy, the chocolate ganache was perfectly smooth. I wasn't aware of what a good pair chocolate and pear made.
Prices are decent and you can't beat the fact that it's located in a historic old textile Mill now the Savage Mill Mall. -
Review from Libby F.
8/11/2007 2 photos
The aroma of freshly baked breads and pastries overwhelms you when you walk in the front door of this shop. Everything smells so good.
And it is!! I've had the chocolate almond croissant and apple tart in the past. Both were delicious. The breads are great when eaten right away.
Today my friend and I decided to have lunch here before our antiquing adventure. She had the ham and cheese croissant. Excellent. I had the mushroom quiche. Also excellent. It was light and creamy, not eggy like some I' ve had or made before. It was a bit pricey though, but that wouldn't stop me from ordering it again. Though next time, I'd have to get some pastries to go!
Bonaparte Breads is located in the Historic Savage Mill.Listed in: Bakeries That Love Me
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Review from Jean L.
9/9/2008
2/26/2008: Savage Mill is a neat little destination for a rainy day. The shops tend to have more interesting wares than what you'd typically find at your average mall. Bonaparte Breads is one of those gems tucked inside and I'm happy to have stumbled across it. I don't know about the authenticity but this is the only place I've been to in my area where they line the lemon tart with chocolate so that the custard doesn't seep through the crust, leaving the crust nice and crisp. An added bonus, the packaging for their pastries are oh-so-cute~
9/9/2008 Edit: I've gone back and I'm sad to say it's gone a bit downhill in Savage since they started a new location over in Baltimore. What saddens me the most is that the last time I went, their lemon tart was not lined with chocolate! Their chocolate almond croissant is still delicious, albeit leaning towards too heavy and sweet. I think they might dip the whole almond-topped dark chocolate-filled thing in a lightly caramelled sugar syrup and as if that isn't enough, they dust it with powdered sugar.
Price-wise, expect the fancier items to cost a bit more... I spend over $20 on a few items per trip. It isn't inexpensive for what it is.Listed in: La Vie en Rose
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Review from Tu-van L.
10/11/2007
Haven't been to this brick and mortar bakery, but from the shopping bag I brought back home from their stand I assume this is one bakery featured at the Dupont Circle Farmers' Market on summer weekends. If this is correct, their chocolate croissant is sweet and tasty with the right balance of dark chocolate center. My fiance's blueberry and pear torte slice was delicately delicious and we were fighting over every buttery sweet almond-y almond croissant morsel we can!
Mm.......almond croissant..... -
Review from Alyce M.
Baltimore, MD
1/19/2008
I thought Bonaparte Breads was average.
I liked its location in Savage Mill and tried a couple of kinds of bread and the chocolate croissant. It was decent - but its not anything I'd get excited about. -
Review from HowChow B.
Fulton, MD
4/11/2009
Bonaparte Bread sells the best bread in Howard County. What else do you want to know? Crusty baguettes that have the look and crumb of a champion. Speciality breads with olives or chopped fruit. French pastries that make every carbohydrate worthwhile.
I get all the reviews that smack around the service and the complex food like sandwiches and filled croissants. I can even read the reviews that complain that the food isn't as good as they remember from France.
But this ain't France. The breads are great. The pastries are delicious. If you live anywhere near Savage, it's certainly worth checking out. -
Review from Melissa H.
Woodbine, MD
4/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
The coffee doesn't even compare to Starbucks. Its so good and their pastries are to die for. So rich and delicious
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Review from Kevin L.
Washington, DC
1/4/2009
Stopped here in between Baltimore and DC for a quick brunch and was relatively pleased with both the food and the surrounding shops and artistry.
Compliments:
I bake a fare amount, and so I inquired about the attractive artisan loaves for sale and whether any of the bakers were there to answer questions. None were, but the lady working that day offered to give a short tour. She showed me the modified oven--what once was a mill with an immense brick chimney tower is now an antique mill-mall with an immense rotating oven inside the brick chimney tower. The modification alone is worth visiting to see.
That said, the lady who gave this impromptu tour was friendly and helpful. I purchased a relatively inexpensive lemon sesame seed loaf. The tast was a little bland; the lemon hardly noticeable.. but the texture of the bread was fine. We used it for a nice variation on french toast, and chopped/baked the rest of it for croutons. All quite good.
The adjoining restaurant was also good, and most of the people in our party enjoyed the outdoor seating and respective foods (mostly omelets or breads of some sort). The universal complaint? The a/c units in the back underneath the porch effectively destroy the peace and quiet, and drown out the live music (unfortunate, since the band was quality and it's a rare treat to have live light music played for brunch at an affordable place).
Bonaparte would get an easy 4-stars otherwise, but the problems noted were too intrusive. -
Review from a m.
Baltimore, MD
9/21/2010
I've been a customer of this store for more than five years and have been very satisfied with the service and the pastries at the Fells Point location. But my recent experience at Savage was the worse it had ever been.
This past Sunday I visited the Savage store for a fruit tart and coffee, and I was very dissatisfied. Not only did the fruit tart taste like it sat in the refrigerator for more than a week, the coffee was lukewarm, and the manager was unwilling to replace the item when I brought my food back to the counter.
When the manager told me I ate half of the fruit tart, I showed her 2/3rds of the remaining pastry... And even after she asked to look at the plate to be sure I hadn't eaten half of it, she told me I could not replace it. I explained that I wanted to give the fruit tart a chance! If I were truly hungry for more food, I would have purchased another item, but my appetite had vanished after *trying* to eat the pastry. The manager offered to give me another pastry at a discount instead of refunding my money or offering another item and refunding the difference.
I have always looked forward to visiting Bonaparte, but after my visit to Savage, I have to think twice. I love visiting Fells Point... But would love Savage so much better if they put baking soda in their refrigerator and cleaned it out, and trained their manager to be more than willing to satisfy her customers if she expects to sell her fruit tarts... or retain her faithful customers. -
Review from Scott R.
Westminster, MD
1/27/2008
Open confession, it's been at least a year since I've been here. I used to live just up the road from Savage Mill, but now that I'm "way out" in God's country, I don't get to stop by much. But I do try to make a stop in anytime I happen to be in the area.
So the reviews for the cafe seem mixed. I can't remember that I've ever actually eaten at the cafe. I say just skip that whole deal, and get yourself a few loaves of bread to go. This place has the absolute best bread. Try it with olives, or the one with walnuts, or even just a rustic country-style loaf. Really, this has to be the best bread I've had in this region. -
Review from Victoria H.
Rockville, MD
2/23/2008
I visited around Christmas of 2006, when visiting MD from CA. It was very cold outside, so imagine my delight when we walked into Bonaparte Breads, where it was warm, cozy, and richly decorated in Christmas cheer.
They had a case full of different desserts, and you ordered entrees at the cash register. When the meal is ready, they bring it to your table. The food (I think I ordered a quiche) was delicious. I loved it here, though I think a lot of it could be attributed to the people I was with and the general holiday spirit, and the feeling of Christmas that isn't quite so nicely captured in CA. -
Review from Nathanael E.
Washington, DC
10/19/2008
I haven't sampled the full range of Bonaparte Breads's offerings, but I've been at least a dozen times to their location in Savage Mill. They have a delightful shop tucked in the bottom level, and the first time my wife and I dropped in we had cappucinos and almond croissants. The croissants, especially, were so tremendous that we've never succeeded in ordering anything else. We've brought back both friends and relatives to share in one of our favorite area rituals time and time again. Our service has always been friendly, and--again--the location couldn't be more perfect.
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Review from barry b.
Columbia, MD
12/24/2008
I give them five stars for their pastries, which I deem superlative. Their selection certainly differs from most other bakeries. I would give their breads a somewhat lesser rating.
These pastries are delicate and must be eaten the day you purchase them. Perhaps that's why some people have given Bonaparte's less than five stars.
My favorite is their pan raison (sp?), which is a pastry in spite of its name. It is too rich to be called raisin bread in English.
Most of their young counter employees are not very knowledgeable about the products, but where in the U.S. do you find knowledgeable employees in retail establishments? -
Review from Jeff K.
Columbia, MD
11/13/2008 1 Check-in Here
I find the food at Bonaparte hit or miss; the breads have always been great, the pastries are usually good, but the service is almost always poor. It's a great place to pick up some bread on the way home, or snack on an apple or chocolate croissant, if you are not in a rush; but I really would not recommend it for work day lunch.
Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from cindi n.
San Francisco, CA
6/3/2007
cute quaint little cafe/bakery. got a bag of baked goods, but don't remember what i got cause its been about 2 years, but do remember that MOST if not all were yummeee ESPECIALLY the almond croissant -- it is the BEST almond croissant in this area of maryland which is comparable to the almond croissant from point reyes' bovine bakery...........
san francisco's tartine's almond croissant is still THE BEST IN THE WORLD -- well IN THE US (cause i've yet to go to france -- land of croissants)!!!
