SnackTime With Jen— Start Your Engines, September 6th

Welcome to my newest feature, SnackTime With Jen. This midweek morsel is a small taste of something fun. Topics range from food (of course) to fashion, amusing little discoveries both locally and abroad, and a variety of interesting intel too tempting not to share. So let’s get snacking…

Machine Shop is an amazing patisserie and boulangerie at the BOK Building in South Philly and it’s just perfect for breakfast. The BOK itself is an old school turned workplace, full of makers, artists, nonprofits, small businesses, and casual spots for snacking. The vibe is totally industrial with high ceilings and cement floors, bulletin boards and orange painted double entry doors (membah those?!).

The best part about visiting Machine is that the first period bell is permanently silenced so you can stay and enjoy without watching the clock. Having breakfasted my way through central France last fall, I can tell you that this place is completely authentic and the offerings are just as good as any Parisian café… if not better!

I’ve never seen danish with anything other than a sweet filling but Machine cranks out seasonal Savory Danish. (Seriously brilliant!) On the day of my visit the featured flavor was Roasted Tomato and Basil. It’s sort of an egg washed tarty square with a crispy bottom and a well-seasoned thick slice of tender, ripe tomato baked right in. Incredible. The Everything Croissant, filled with melty cream cheese at the core, shatters when you take a bite and honey, so will you. It’s just SO dang delicious. On the sweeter side, the Twice Baked Chocolate Hazelnut Croissant is super chocolatey butter baking bliss with a crumbly top, a hint of nutty goodness, and rich but delicate airy insides.

Machine only hums along from Thursday to Sunday with limited bakery hours from 9am-2pm each day. So don’t stall. Make sure you’re breakfast ready when the doors fly open and Machine’s motor is running. Jen’s Little Black Book cannot be found in the now defunct school library on site, but if it were, the shoutout would show that Machine Shop earns high marks for both their savory and sweet Parisian treats.