Blue Dog Bakery and Cafe (Louisville, KY)

Croissant

Since it opened several years ago, Blue Dog has been supplying the Louisville community with crusty, delicious Artisan bread.  Having enjoyed their bread (and cookies!) for years I was eager to test the brunch repertoire they are now offering.  What can I say except the whole experience was a delight! 

Blue Dog has a very homy feel buoyed by the fact that it is outfitted primarily with customized wooden benches, tables, and chairs.  The pastries are displayed neatly and piled high behind the counter so they catch a customer's gaze when they first walk in the door.  Not only does Blue Dog have an amazing variety of cookies, macaroons, croissants, and brioche but all of their products actually taste good! The scones are tender and crumbly, the croissants are buttery and flaky yet avoid being greasy, and the bread is crusty, moist and light.

Bourbon French Toast

I have now brunched at Blue Dog twice.  On my first trip there I tried the Bourbon French toast and a croissant.  On my second trip I sampled the arugula, bacon, and poached egg pizza.  Let's start with the french toast.  It was light, fluffy, and very bourbony but not heavy or cloyingly sweet.  Also the toast arrived beautifully presented with a twist of orange on top which made me all the more eager to eat it.  The croissant was also a delight and was presented beautifully with Hero apricot jam and Plugra butter.  These garnishments alone convinced me to take Blue Dog seriously. Use of Plugra definitely indicates that a pastry chef is not messing around.

A week later I tried the bacon and egg pizza.  This pizza was.....heavenly! The crust was light, soft with a crunchy exterior.  The cheese base was delicious and not overpowering to the bacon and arugula toppings.   The pizza was, beautifully presented on a clean wooden board.  I would say the serving size was adequate for two moderately hungry individuals.

Bacon Arugula Poached Egg Pizza

The delicious treats coupled with the friendly staff, and buzzing ambiance implore me to give Blue Dog 4 out of 4 stars.   This place is a MUST if you are ever in Louisville.  Blue Dog....you rock my world!