Roggenart is a bakery and coffee shop focused on the classics with a twist.  At their Columbia, MD location you are greeted by a long counter of pastries grouped together and bins of bread loaves against the back wall. On the right side of the bakery are some book shelves and large mirrors which make the location feel more open. Lots of sunlight streams in from the front windows and there are oak tables and black chairs with cushions. The black industrial ceiling helps draw the eye down toward all of the tasty choices on offer. Roggenart also makes quiche, soups, and a small range of breakfast sandwiches.  Incidently, Roggenart is a German term for “the art of rye.” Their coffee is sourced from Lavazza.

My first visit, on a busy Sunday for brunch, had me ordering a mocha, an apple turnover, and their Salmon Bite. The Bite is an open sandwich of Finnish multigrain bread, dill mayonnaise, capers, smoked salmon, soft boiled egg slices, and fresh sprouts.

All of the ingredients worked very well together and yet each had an opportunity to sing their own tune. Judging from other tables their Salmon Bite is a hit. The apple turnover was good, but it didn’t really distinguish itself. I tasted superior ingredients and enjoyed the apple filling, but I had hoped for a flakier crust with more definitive butter flavors.

On my way out I ordered an apple filled croissant with sprinkled cinnamon sugar, a raspberry pastry, and a piece of their bread pudding to go. With dinner at home I had the apple croissant and it fulfilled the promise of flaky pastry and soft apple filling rounded out with cinnamon and sugar. As it was smaller I still had room for the bread pudding. Made from their french baguettes, the pudding was a delightful blend of vanilla, cinnamon and raisins.

On my second visit while reviewing the Alfa Romeo Giulia, I ordered their egg and cheese breakfast sandwich, a blueberry danish, and a latte. The sandwich bread had a lovely crust with just enough give, along with soft interior, to hold the fluffy egg and cheese combination.

The warm blueberry danish had lots of strong blueberry flavors combined with a flaky, buttery crust. The latte was very good with very frothy milk and strong coffee flavors. I was properly caffeinated by the end.

On both visits, staff members were courteous and helpful with dishes appearing quickly from the kitchen. Having sandwiches arrive on a wooden serving board and pastry on a rectangular slate was a nice touch. As my car and motorcycle reviews take me into this area of Maryland again, I certainly look forward to another visit.

Roggenart
6476 Dobbin Center Way
Columbia, MD 21045

http://www.roggenart.com

https://goo.gl/maps/NA8vA4KdzV8BXAAH8

Notes:
-Parking on weekends is a challenge.