Hahn’s Bakery x Graham’s 318 Coffee House

It was Saturday, but we had two for the time. A crossover, a mashup, it’s two for the show.

Three to get ready and four to go.

Never for the money, always for the love.

Scroll down to see more photos and read more about Hahn’s Bakery x Graham’s 318 Coffee House.

“The Mixed Berry Scone is very tasty and satisfying, but not heavy. Berries are everywhere!”

Berries are everywhere indeed. And does this surprise? Are you not entertained? For your reading and eating pleasure, may I introduce Hahn’s Bakery, a quaint and cozy bakery that will drive your appetite to satisfy your sweet and salty tooths. And to whet your appetite and quench your fire, I introduce coffee hot or iced to speed up your happy returns at Graham’s 318 Coffee House. Historic downtown Geneva is calling. Pick up the pace! We have a short walking tour in four…three…two…one.

Lisa, my mom and I first discovered Hahn’s Bakery a few years ago at a local French market. Their Cinnamon Crumb Cake was the best we ever tasted. The following year at the French market, Hahn’s Bakery was not a participating vendor. Like a cat staring at the closet door, knowing that its favorite toy was behind the monolithic blockade, we never strayed or budged. We hoped and waited.

A sweeping hand never came to restore our joy, so unlike a cat we did some digging on the internet.

Bingo.

I must’ve dissolved the last bit of cinnamon floating through my system because it suddenly came to me: Hahn’s Bakery in Geneva. Now I know how cats find their way home after a 1000-mile journey.

Except this trip wouldn’t be that long or arduous. So, Lisa, my mom and I made a morning of it, adding a coffee side step to Graham’s 318 Coffee House, kitty corner you might say.

Since Hahn’s Bakery features a cozy front, we thought best to spread out and enjoy everything at Graham’s 318 Coffee House. At the 318, with everything laid out before the carnage, it was like Christmas morning. Here it was and there we went.

“I like this Apple Turnover. The filling has a nice cinnamon flavor, and I taste the sourness of the apples!”

Scones tend to be not tender. Often dry and tough, they’re usually an exercise in exercising temples and drinking fast. Not the Mixed Berry Scone. Mom: “I like the tartness of the berries. This goes well with coffee!” Lisa: “The Mixed Berry Scone is very tasty and satisfying, but not heavy. Berries are everywhere!” And me: “This is surprisingly tender and moist. Fresh berries and the juice are infused in the scone!” Not fully baked, we were just warming up.

The Pecan Roll was a lightning-quick choice for me; however, it gave Lisa and my mom pause. That’s because they have a bad rep much like scones. Today was a day for setting new standards. Mom: “The pecans are big and fresh. This has the right amount of sweetness that lets the pecans come through!” Lisa: “I find this exceptional. I normally don’t like pecan rolls, but this is the perfect balance of pecans, cinnamon and sweetness!” And me: “The Pecan Roll is my first choice and my favorite. The flavor is just the right amount of cinnamon sweetness. The pecans are the stars!” Two for two.

One more bite before we took our first sip. The Apple Turnover was hard to pass over. We had high hopes. It turns out that we were aiming too low. Mom: “I like this Apple Turnover. The filling has a nice cinnamon flavor, and I taste the sourness of the apples!” Lisa: “This is delicious. The pastry has thin layers that are so light. This is my favorite!” And me: “Wow. This is so light and airy. This Apple Turnover is the best that I ever tasted!” This would be like the closet door opening and a new, improved cat toy sitting there all along.

It was time to coffee up at Graham’s 318 Coffee House. So much for “But first coffee.” Lisa and my mom ordered hot Latté coffees. I chose a Vietnamese Cold Brew. Mom: “This is very smooth and deep.” Lisa: “The Latté is deep and rich.” And me: “The Vietnamese Cold Brew is smooth with a surprise spicy note. This is so refreshing!” As we soaked in the ambience, we committed to coming back a little later this year. A few years is a few too many. Think of all the Hahn’s and Graham’s.

At home we enjoyed the balance of our haul from Hahn’s Bakery. And we hadn’t even made a dent in their glass showcases. We tasted the Carrot Cake Supreme. Mom: “I taste sweet and tender carrots. The cake is light and fluffy, but the frosting is a little bit sweet for me.” Lisa: “I definitely taste carrots, and maybe cinnamon or nutmeg. The frosting is the perfect complement that brings everything together. The cake is so fluffy!” And me: “I see and taste tiny carrot shreds throughout the Carrot Cake Supreme. The frosting is the right ratio to the cake. There’s a little bit of sourness that chases the sweetness and spice!” Then we served the Cinnamon Crumb Cake. Mom: “Oh, the cake is so light and moist. The crisp cinnamon and brown sugar topping is so yummy!” Lisa: “The Cinnamon Crumb Cake is our introduction to Hahn’s Bakery from the French Market a few years ago. The topping is over an inch deep. The cake is moist and light—wow!“ And me: “Hahn’s Bakery is so famous for this, it can be ordered online. Look how thick the topping. I can’t open my mouth wide enough. Man vs. crumb cake. People don’t know what crumb cake is until they’ve had Hahn’s Bakery Cinnamon Crumb Cake!” So far, so great!

We wanted to appease the salty tooth. Tomato Cheddar Focaccia and Spinach Focaccia just fell into our mouths. Like so. First, Tomato Cheddar. Lisa: “After lightly warming up in the oven, the Tomato Cheddar Focaccia is fantastic. This is so light and flavorful. I taste a little spice!” And me: “After a quick refresh in the oven, the top part of the bread has a nice snap. I feel a warming spice!” Next, Spinach. Mom: “This bread has nice body and flavor.” Lisa: “The Spinach Focaccia has spinach and mozzarella that go so well together. This is very satisfying!” And me: “This isn’t as juicy as the Tomato Cheddar Foccaccia, but there’s more to chew because of the spinach. There’s also a nice melody of herbs for fragrance and flavor!” After switching from sweet to salty, I wanted to end with sweet. Sound familiar? Or the other way around?

Sugar Cookies in the shape of a tulip and a spring flower paired nicely with tea. Lisa (tulip): “This might be made with almond extract. I like this thin cookie!” And me (spring flower): “This is the sweetest thing we’ve tasted, but it might be for ideal for kids. This is perfect with tea!” My mom opted for a slice of Pumpernickel Bread. Mom: “The Pumpernickel Bread is mild and not heavy. Raisins are the surprise ingredients that go so well!” And the day ended sweetly.

“The Vietnamese Cold Brew is smooth with a surprise spicy note. This is so refreshing!”

I asked everyone for their thoughts about Hahn’s Bakery, Graham’s 318 Coffee House, and Geneva. Mom: “Everything in Geneva is so good. I feel like I’m on vacation, and it’s not far. You can spend all day here!“ Lisa: “I’m really impressed. Everything is wonderful. Graham’s 318 Coffee House is unique and has a great menu. At Hahn’s Bakery, the Apple Turnover is my favorite with the Pecan Roll a close second!” And me: “I’m very impressed by Hahn’s Bakery. I remember it very well from the French Market a few years ago. We’ll keep coming back to Geneva because Hahn’s Bakery is that good. Graham’s 318 Coffee House crafts innovative, invigorating coffee. The ambience in the house is a welcome escape. These are just two great reasons to come to Geneva!”

As the next weekend approaches, take advantage of the improving weather and two great reasons to visit Geneva, Illinois: Hahn’s Bakery and Graham’s 318 Coffee House. I don’t know if you’ll spend all day in the historic downtown, but I definitely know one thing.

You and I will be back.

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To learn more or plan your visit to Hahn’s Bakery, click Hahn’s Bakery

To learn more or plan your visit to Graham’s 318 Coffee House, click Graham’s 318 Coffee House

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