Corina Bakery

Yesterday morning, I took a little trip over to see Walter and Jessica Gaya’s bakery that David posted on last week.

 (clickee for mondo-size)

Easy to find and with plenty of parking, even at 8am in downtown Tacoma, the Corina Bakery is a place I should not visit too often if I want to keep the ‘ol Doc in a good mood (but that’s his problem, not mine, so I’m going).

The smell that hits you as you enter the door is one that will send you to your knees with pure bliss. They were already cooking and still getting set up as I walked in and I let them know I’d be happy to wait while they brought out the goodies.

Neither Walter or Jessica were there at that time; from the info I got from the nice young lady working behind the counter, they both come in a little later in the day. I will adjust my time for my next trip.

The Corina is not a large place, as you can see in the picture above, but as I watched the ladies fill the display cases that stretch nearly all the way across the store with treat after delectable treat, I could only hope that I wasn’t wearing too odd and expression.

I ended up walking out with a piece of apple pie, a piece of tripple layer Devil’s Food cake and two peices of Chocolate Cheesecake. The portions on each were rather sizable and the Devil’s Food slice was probably the heaviest piece of cake I’ve ever hefted.

The RNS Food Review gives the Corina Bakery the maximum 5-Stars for taste, texture, and all around “Good Lord, that could have been too delicious!”

I ate the Apple Pie for breakfast when I got home. The ultra-thin layer of carmelized sugar across the top of the pie made it perfect. I had the Devil’s Food for desert last night and, to be completely honest, I couldn’t finish it, even though I waited for my stomach to make some room. Co-worker, Tits McGhee, was working early and had the remainder for breakfast. She asked twice if I was sure I had only brought one piece.

I’m eating the Cheesecake right now and, while my cheesecakes get rave reviews from everyone who has tried them, I feel humbled by this creation. Smooth, rich and if I didn’t know any better, taken out of the Corina ovens by angelic beings (actually, the young lady who helped me yesterday morning was a cutie, but I’m married and not supposed to notice that).

The Corina Bakery is located at 510 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA. 98402 (click the addy for a mapquest link)

They are located just north of the County/City Building and the Tacoma Public Library. The whole of Tacoma is going through a sort of rebirth and the Corina Bakery has arrived just in time. Their block and those surrounding it are revitalizing and that whole area will probably be as close to new as you can get by the end of summer.

I’m guessing that they do one hell of a lunch business and probably a sizable “Just getting off work and need something for desert” business, and I see no reason for it to ever slow. Because of that, I won’t be expecting to hold either Walter or Jessica’s attention for more than a quick “Thank you for your sacrifice” or other compliment. Though, if I was able to say more than that, I’d be quite grateful.

Walter has what looks to be a couple of the photos of his time in Iraq on the wall behind the register. Above that are the very reasonable prices per slice. If you would like a whole cake of whatever variety, you should probably call beforehand.

Here’s the low-down on getting Corina Baked Goodies without living in Washington: Right now, you can’t (neener!), but Walt sees the demand and is working on it. I’ll let you know as soon as I do. I was told by the lady behind the counter that I was the dozenth person to ask and that they’ve been fielding phone calls since Michael Yon’s piece was posted.

RNS Co-Poster, David, was one of those calls and yesterday he got a message back from Walter confirming they’re working on it and that while cakes and pies are probably not a good thing to hand off to FedEx or UPS, Lemon Bars, Cookies, Brownies and Muffins woudl probably survive the shippers handling quite well.

Again, either David or I will let you know when we are told, and if I have to transcribe the offered items, I will do so.

If you do live in the Seattle/Tacoma/Olympia area and have a sweet tooth (and if you don’t, what’s wrong with you?), make a special trip to a special place owned and operated by a very special husband and wife team.

If you don’t, it can only be considered as your loss.