Bagels in Atenas: It’s All About Life’s Simple Pleasures.
This past Saturday, as I was finishing a morning walk with friend Karol Sanchez, we passed in front of Crema y Nata, a tiny new store front in downtown Atenas.
For the past few weeks, the entire town of Atenas has been buzzing about this new bakery that is tucked into a cove next to POP’S (ice cream shop). Inside, Crema y Nata is stylish, fresh and clean, with a glass display case full of yummy goodness. As locals and expats alike will tell you, Crema y Nata is a much welcomed and needed addition to our baked good choices in Atenas.
As Karol and I walked backed to her house, I jokingly said I was going to go back and see if what everyone was saying about Crema y Nata’s ‘goodies’ was true. Karol reminded me that we had just walked two hours and that I should restrain myself. I reminded Karol that I saw bagel’s in the glass case and that my will power was fading fast.
Fast forward 2 minutes and I was parked in front of the cute little store front. As I walked through the door, I was greeted by a friendly chap, Leonardo, who was setting up shop and frosting fresh cinnamon rolls. I looked at the blackboard menu hanging on the back wall, offering everything from savory and sweet breads, cakes, pies and cookies. There is also a small selection sandwiches as well as hot and cold beverages.
My intention was to only purchase bagels but I kept seeing those fresh cinnamon rolls out of the corner of my eyes. I quickly scanned the display case and chose two plain bagels, two ‘mixed’ onion bagels that were topped with corse salt as well as sesame and poppy seeds, three cinnamon rolls and three mini pineapple upside down cakes.
While I waited for Leonardo to package my order, I started a conversation by saying how nice the bakery looked and that it reminded me of a typical bakery that you may find in any European village. I found out that Leonardo is a native of Atenas and that the business was started by his cousins over afternoon coffee.
Leonardo and his primos (cousins) would often have afternoon coffee and as is customary in Costa Rica, accompany the beverage with baked goods. Leonardo’s cousins had lived in the United States for several years and became accustomed to having a larger variety of quality of baked goods and soon became tired of their choices in Atenas. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention, the family began baking goodies at home for their afternoon delights.
One day over coffee, a friend who was trying their homemade baked good for the first time, suggested that they turn their hobby into a business. They decided to take a chance and created a product line. With a simple plan in place, the baking began and they were soon selling their baked goods at local ‘feria’s’ (farmers markets) in Escazu, Atenas and other neighboring villages.
After a year of hard work and positive reception from the community, the family members were convinced that the business would work. A few weeks ago, they opened their first shop in Atenas, which in my opinion, is going to be a complete success.
Once back at home, I quickly sliced open one of the onion bagels. The texture was perfect. I put it in the toaster and then loaded it down with cream cheese. I took a bite. I knew I had struck gold! Crispy outside, chewy inside. All I can say is that I will need to walk two hours everyday to indulge in my re-discovered bagel fetish.
Over the next 24 hours our household devoured the other goodies, with the cinnamon rolls and bagels being a HUGE hit. We can’t wait to try a variety of the other baked goods offered at Crema y Nata. Starting this week we will have a standing order for bagels!
The next time you are in Atenas, make sure that Crema y Nata is on your must do list!
Like the writing on the shop wall states “La vida es muy corta….empeza por el postre.”, or “Life is short….start with dessert.”
Bagels in Atenas: It’s All About Life’s Simple Pleasures.
Article/Property ID Number 4856
[custom_script adID=187]
Andrew Makarik
to@welovecostarica.comAndrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.
Are you into beautiful Costa Rica?
All interesting things you want to know about Costa Rica are right here in our newsletter! Enter your email and press "subscribe" button.
