Whether you have an affection for sweet confections or you’re an absolute fiend for caffeine, May’s Parlor at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront is a delightful new spot for anyone craving some baked goods, crafted coffee and tempting teas.
The lemon-accented bakery-café located in a beach cottage on Pacific Avenue has an ever-changing menu of sweet and savory goods made fresh daily, from European-style pastries to tarts made with local fruits to cakes by the slice. Many of the baked creations draw on 26-year-old Owner and Baker Racheal Browning’s experiences as a student at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. as well as her work at several restaurants before opening May’s Parlor this summer.
For those with a penchant for pastries, some crispy, buttery and flaky favorites include the nutty and chocolate-drizzled Chocolate Almond Croissant and the Manchego Jalapeño Scone with a taste of fancy cheese with flair. Have a try of one of their Danishes richly topped with seasonal strawberries and vanilla cream or another with goat cheese, fig, walnut and honey. As summer changes to the fall, look for fruit flavors sourced from local farms to change to foods made with autumn spices.
Beyond the seemingly countless choices for breakfast goodies that do go quickly, May’s Parlor also offers lunch with the Sandwich du Jour and dessert items including cookies, cakes and macaroons, which essentially are little cake-cookie combinations. Perk up and get your caffeine fix too, with warming La Colombe coffee and espressos and loose leaf and iced black tea from Harney & Sons. And in addition to the range of locally and responsibly sourced ingredients, there’s also a splendid selection of gluten-free and vegan options.
May’s Parlor is located at 2708 Pacific Ave., Virginia Beach. Visit MaysParlor.com for more on their pastries, coffee and tea.
Ryan Miller
