People in Bay Harbour, Bal Harbour, Surfside and North Miami can rejoice, there is finally a bakery serving delightful, made-from-scratch baked goods. Nichi’s Sweet Confections is located at 1017 Kane Concourse. Blink and you may miss this tiny shop. I found this little place when I was going for a stroll. I was welcomed warmly from the moment I stepped inside this modest storefront. Nichi was working behind the counter and even offered me a cup of coffee while I was deciding which treats to pick. A little background on Nichi – she has quite the pedigree – she has been in the business for over 15 years, working in hotels and restaurants. She has been at the Mandarin Oriental, Loews Miami Beach, the Sheraton Bal Harbour, the Phoenician in Arizona, and she ran the cake boutique at the Fontainebleau and was a pastry chef at Katsuya at the SLS. She created and executed the pastries there. Nichi is the parent of a child with a severe peanut allergy. Her focus is to provide high quality and delicious products that are peanut and tree nut-free. It really has become a struggle for many families to find good quality products that have not been in a nut environment. The shop serves cookies such as chocolate chip, oatmeal, key lime crinkle and dulce de leche. They have brownies and blondies, cupcakes, a variety of muffins and chocolate covered strawberries when they are in season. I sampled a decadent and rich chocolate cake that was out of this world. She also makes bundt cakes such as carrot cake, pumpkin, zucchini, s’mores, lemon blueberry and streusel apple. There are usually a few cakes and French pastries on display too. Niche excels at birthday and wedding cakes and can make them for you with a little notice. They have a large variety of cakes, fillings and frostings to choose from. There are also gluten-free items as well. The shop also had a few items I am not familiar with being a gringo but Nichi explained these treasures that come from her family recipes in Puerto Rico. I tried this sweet bread and this amazing crunchy stick filled with cream cheese that was so awesome and addictive. The place has a few seats as well as a children’s area, where kids can sit and draw while you order. They serve coffee, tea and natural juices.
I always complained about the substandard desserts at Epicure or Fresh Market. Now I don’t have to drive all the way to True Loaf or Bachour Bakery every time I want some good desserts (although I still LOVE those places for special occasions – they surpass all the rest).
Nichi’s Sweet Confections is moderately priced and open every day for my daily fix. It’s really filled a void in the area (and in my stomach …).
Recommend.
Happing Noshing,
Shanea