*Crome Bakery and Cafe in Fort Lee, NJ

“Crome Bakery”

While Schlosser Street, Fort Lee may ostensibly seem like a poverty-stricken town encompassing nothing better than a deli, it actually houses the most resplendent bakery that I’ve encountered so far. My expertise around Asian bakeries is not limited, I often travel out of the state to different bakeries around New York. But I have found that the Crome Bakery and Cafe exceeds the very best expectations that I had fabricated during this time. I’m no older than a middle school student, but this bakery/ cafe is both visually appealing for all ages, as well as supplying ambrosial pastries.

The Good

There are infinite areas to cover, but the main attraction of this store is the food. Imagine walking into a warm room, aromas of freshly baked bread and tarts wafting in the air, suspended in the air. To your side, lambent lights illuminate displays of products, small samples of the desserts resting neatly in the front of the cakes. Along with this visually appealing display, the desserts at this bakery compliment every sense, for example their textures are perfection, such as the buttery and flaky tarts. Every individual concession gleams brightly, an ocean of almond, sienna, and hazel colored creations, attracting customers like honey bees to nectar. And when you bite into your first pastry, the sugar dusts your tongue, and the flaky or crunchy dessert is savored on your every taste bud. Sitting in this contemporary-styled bakery, consuming such a succulent pastry is bliss. The craftsmanship of the cakes and the assiduous quality of them is applaudable. Furthermore, the sanitation in this bakery conquers the average standards. The bathroom can even be noted for its appearance!

The Bad

Although the bakery’s modern structure, and the food described is exquisite, the service is one component of this store that I cannot commend. The two employees move at a lethargic pace, the time they take is interminable. They are unable to complete an order for a small Chai Tea without causing a hold up! I am not regular to this store, so it may be a case of lunch-rush hour that cause this hiatus, however that is not excuse to decrease working speed! As a whole, the service is incredibly disappointing. I’ve only been to this bakery a minimum of 3 times however, on every visit, there was some sort of line at the cashier and several customers looking weary by the cafe tables. The bakery even has to resort to restaurant pagers to accomplish such a mundane task!

Overall, the majority of this bakery’s aspects are laudable. Impressive displays of their desserts that occasionally offer free samples is appreciated, and although such mediocre service is initiated, every other aspect is enough for me to want to recommend the reader to explore this area. Receiving a score of 4 stars out of 5, my opinion lies against a 5 star rating particularly for the prolonged service that I’d witnessed. Nevertheless, the quality and craftsmanship of the pastries are enough to eclipse this property, and I would definitely suggest that you try out this bakery!