That's Also Amman #85 : Abdoun Bridge

Wadi Abdoun Bridge: The only of it's kind in Amman and in Jordan for that matter.

It took 4 years to build this cable stayed bridge, it opened in 2006. It links Abdoun to the 4th circle.

A good baby shop and a talk about bread

Opposite the Kuwaiti embassy, on the road from the US embassy towards Dair Ghbar there is a little stretch with some shops. I have already blogged about it, that's where you find a second cup and a cactus shop (or is it cacti?!) - well I was told there was a new bakery opened and of course I had to check it out.

But before I come to that (and the lovely cookies they make) well I have to talk about Rawhi Pharmacy. You see, I have learned to go into every single pharmacy I find on my way, just to have a look at their baby stuff selection - sometimes, like today, one can have a fab discovery.

The call themselves the "One Stop Baby Shop" and yes it probably could be. On the first floor they have a huge amount of strollers and car seats - several UK and French brands (the prices are huge as well...) but the choice is there. Then sell playpens and booster seats, high chairs and bath tubs and all kind of security things (monitors, mats for the bath, shades for the car windows... etc) and the whole collection of bébé comfort (toys, plates and cutlery, baby carriers...). You can even make a wish list for the arrival of your little one. And then the best thing of my discovery... They sell "organix" products!

Amazing!

Don't get too excited, I got the 2 last pouches (2.400 JD), but I did tell the pharmacist to get more and to get other flavours.... A part from the pouches, they have teething biscuits, cereals bars, raisins... so good stuff!

So after leaving baby shop heaven, I arrive at BreadTalk, the bakery. I got a bit disappointed as I had a "no" when I asked the shop assistant if I could take pictures (that's the first time in 2 years). It's a bakery, there is nothing so special about their concept and I just wanted a couple of pics to illustrate my blog. Shame.

So a part from the not so understanding shop assistant, it's a nice place. There is a small sitting area to enjoy coffee and cake. They have lots of salty things (garlic bread is one I remember) and then they have a few different types of toasts, biscuits... and cakes. They have an open kitchen which is a nice feature, the pastry guy was making what seemed to be a yummy cake. 

this is what you get for 12JD...

This is what I bought. A carrot toast and wholegrain toast, both are very nice. Bibs loved the wholegrain one. And then the reason why I went, their biscuits: they are freshly made by hand, no additives, only good stuff. A little sweet maybe for some, but with a good cup of coffee or a lovely cuppa tea they are perfect. It's a bit expensive - the wholegrain toast is 3JD, which double the price of the supermarkets. Biscuits are 3JD as well. 

I love days like this! It's always nice to discover new places. 

Another cake shop in Amman: The Cakery

It's my friend's birthday on saturday and I told her I would get the cake. I thought for a while where to get it from and remembered I saw a shop in Abdoun that seemed to be just perfect: The Cakery. Obviously I can't talk about the cake, because I know she'll read this... but I can certainly show you a couple of pictures of the place. They make big cakes and lovely pastries, jams, marmalades and macarons, as well as some savoury things like salmon roulade, quiches and finger foods. They caterer for parties or meetings.

Shop in Abdoun

I love macarons. However, I didn't get to taste theirs! I bought just one, pistachio flavour, and Bibs ate it all! It's a meringue based cookie with a cream inside, usually small and round. It comes in several flavours - the cakery has them in: chocolate, coffee caramel, vanilla, pistachio, green tea, mango, rose petal and raspberry. The don't look of much, but they are very difficult to make. I have looked at the recipe I don't know how many times and given up before I even started. My favourite macarons come from the Parisian pastry shop Laduree. Thanks to Bibs I have  a valid reason to go back to the shop very fast. Box of 18 is sold for 14JD.

Macarons...

Pastries

Some of their cakes

Some prices....

Cookies: from 7JD / 500g

Tarts and cakes: from 20JD (12-14 pers)

Bites (sweet and savoury): 0.45JD/piece

Special orders: from 30JD 

I'll share a picture of the birthday cake, I really love it!
Location updated on my map, link at the bottom of the page.

A piece of cake

A year ago I had to drive all the way to City Mall to get some cake from Paul's. But that changed around Ramadan last year - some guy had the brilliant idea to open a shop in Abdoun. Life changed.

I'll go and take pics one day of the actual cafe in Abdoun, but I couldn't resist sharing today's cakes. I didn't eat them all by myself and even kept de coffee eclair for Bobs. Maybe he would have preferred the mille-feuille, but that one was too good looking! And as we say in French, absentees are also wrong!

Above... Strawberry tart, raspberry tart, lemon tart (definitely one of my favourites), banana and chocolate cake (for the kiddies, but the mummies loved it as well), strawberry mille-feuilles and the coffee eclair. Which one do you prefer?!

If you want to indulge, looking for some comfort, or simply have a sweet tooth like me and any occasion is  good for cake-time  (today lunch with a couple of mummy-friends) go to Paul. In my opnion, their pastries are the best in town. 

And because Bobs is still not home, I might just go and suck out a bit of cream of that coffee eclair!