Turtle Bread Company

Why are there limousines and Porsches stacked up outside Turtle Bread every holiday? Because fresh baked-from-scratch pies, heart-shaped cookies, and world-class breads have profound emotional value. Pick up one of the dense, almost meaty breads here and it's clear that the bakers are competing on an international, pan-historic stage. The wild yeast, organic, and locally milled levain breads have a big, lively taste--chewy and tender inside thick, crisp, breathing crusts. Buttery croissants, goodie-studded muffins, house-made crackers, fresh soups, tables by the great big windows, and a cheese counter to be reckoned with, and little gifty jams and mustards complete the bakery and market. Ye of meager checking accounts, take heart: No matter how profound its emotional value, a loaf of bread just doesn't cost much, so add your tattered Schwinn to the pileup outside.