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It’s no surprise that traditional Italian bakeries decorate the better part of the Garden State; so when a bakery of a new caliber comes onto the scene, it’s sure to cause some excitement. Team Dadzie Patisserie, located at 162 Glenwood Avenue in Bloomfield, is the latest eatery to open in the area that offers a refreshing spin on what it means to be a small-owned bakery in New Jersey. Read on to find out more about the delicious pastries, cakes, and gelato selections customers won’t be able to find at just any ‘ol NJ bakery.
About the Owner
Photo Credit: Ebow Dadzie
Read More: Nutley Gem: Queen Margherita’s Traditional Bakery + Restaurant
Ebow Dadzie is a decorated pastry chef who quickly fell in love with the artistry of the field. He credits the training he received in culinary school and his college externship in the southwest region of France for developing his tasting palate and artistic abilities. He has also represented the United States in international competitions, helped create the world’s largest sugar skyscraper for Food Network during the Guinness Book of World Record Week in 2006, and was named Pastry Chef of The Year by Paris Gourmet in 2007. In 2014, he was even named one of the Top 10 Pastry Chefs in America while working at prestigious Manhattan venues including Hyatt New York and New York Marriott Marquis.
Photo Credit: Ebow Dadzie
Ebow has lived in Linden for the past ten years but decided to make his self-named business his full-time career after being forced out of work due to the pandemic in 2020. The business focused more on building the brand’s catering presence for private clients in the Bloomfield, Glen Ridge, Livingston, and Montclair areas. Once the pandemic was calming down, becoming a vendor for weddings and wedding venues was the top priority. Team Dadzie Patisserie quickly became successful by producing customized decorative cakes for over 85 wedding clients in one year and even becoming the preferred vendor for Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. After a small renovation for the original space quickly became larger than expected, Ebow finally decided for the business to go public and designated a new space in Bloomfield for clientele to visit.
The ‘Team Dadzie Effect
Although the bakery looks tiny at first glance, it is filled with delicacies that are more than mighty. Customers can spot classic breakfast pastries like croissants and scones in the window upon arrival, but what stands out are the various sizes of cakes displayed in the cases. The bakery has full-sized cakes and cupcakes ready for any birthday or “just-because” occasion on the fly. The real show-stoppers, however, are the signature miniature pastry cakes that are decorated based on their flavor. Dubbed “The 7 Specialties” on its menu, the selection includes hits such as strawberry shortcake, lemon, pistachio, chocolate, raspberry, fruit tart, and its signature carrot cake which features a gelatinous texture that differs from the rest. “We believe that we eat with our eyes first but the product must taste as good as it looks; otherwise, what is the point?” Ebow said. “We have only one opportunity to make an impression and we want to gain a client base that understands what a good pastry tastes like.”
See More: Best Bakeries to Visit in Hoboken + Jersey City
Besides decadent cakes and breads to devour, Team Dadzie also offers a wide range of homemade gelato. MG was lucky enough to sample each of its 20 flavors (with a handful of them being dairy-free), and we cannot recommend them enough. From a seasonal selection like apple pie to a unique creation such as lemon and ginger, each flavor offers a rich and refreshing taste even in the coldest NJ months. This year, Team Dadzie plans on entering one of the largest wedding expos in the state to showcase its talents. Its New Year’s resolution is to get into more of the event industry as well as have future brides, as Ebow puts it, “be able to experience the Team Dadzie effect!” The bakery is open Tuesday through Friday from 7AM to 6PM, Saturday from 9AM to 5PM, and Sunday 8AM to 1PM.
The beer industry has been expanding over the years to include microbreweries that elevate the beer experience to another level. These breweries teach us about the complexity of beer and the numerous variations available worldwide. New Jersey, not always known for small breweries, is slowly becoming a destination to visit and experience beautifully crafted beers and the welcoming culture that accompanies them. Pallet Brewing Company, located at 30 Newark Way in Maplewood, is quickly making a name for itself, and people are coming from far and wide to try the brewery’s IPAs. Read more about Pallet Brewing and Eric and Jesse McGowan, the owners.
Behind Pallet Brewing Company
Pallet Brewing Company is located at 30 Newark Way in Maplewood. The owners, Eric and Jesse McGowan, serve over seven crafted beers that are made in-house. The space is in a unique industrial setting that is modern, colorful, and full of life.
The couple looked to Maplewood, where Eric was born, when they were ready to leave their home in Washington, D.C., and move to New Jersey to be closer to their parents, raise their daughter in a small suburb, and open the brewery they had been working towards and dreaming about.
Read More: The Best Breweries in Montclair + Northern New Jersey
Eric first stumbled upon the brewing industry after college while volunteering for a home repair nonprofit organization in West Virginia, where he also learned about home-brewing beer. His interest was immediately piqued, and he knew brewing beer was exactly what he wanted to do.
For the next few years, Eric worked for both small and large brewing companies, starting at the front of the house and eventually moving to the back, where he gained a deep understanding of the brewing process and has been professionally brewing beer for ten years.
As Eric began to put together the plans for brewing his beer, Jesse took the reins, helping to organize the business side of running a brewery, navigating government systems, and obtaining grants available for new businesses in New Jersey. They are part of the New Jersey Brewers Guild and take pride in being part of this growing industry, which supports one another.
Eric and Jesse’s vision for Pallet is to be a regional destination for beer connoisseurs and anyone who enjoys Pale Ales or would like to learn more about different kinds of beer. The spirit of community is their inspiration, and the establishment is family-friendly, providing high chairs, a changing table, and games suitable for both adults and children.
Pallet Brewery’s beers are organized by color, which corresponds to each type of beer, creating a cohesive look with the vibrant colors on the walls and merchandise. The Hazy Session IPAs are color-coded with the color mist. IPAs are marked with denim labels, Porters have pewter labels, the shade of a mantis distinguishes Pale Ales, Lagers feature a canary color, Saison beers are scarlet, and Zwicklebiers have dune-colored labels.
The alcohol levels, the size of the pour, and the price are marked for each beer. If customers are not sure what they would like, or are hoping to try something new, Eric and the Pallet Brewery family are happy to find the right beer for every palate. Pallet beer is also available for purchase in cans to-go. An outdoor patio is also set to open soon.
Hours
Pallet Brewing is open Wednesday through Friday from 4PM-10PM, and Saturday and Sunday from 12PM-10PM.
See More: Your Guide to Wineries + Breweries Near Hoboken + Jersey City
The brewery also hosts weekly events, including Thursday Night Trivia, live music, and rotating food vendors. Follow on Instagram here to stay up-to-date.
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Dining and Cooking