The Hawthorn Bistro & Bakery

Update November 2024: This is a very different place now than it was six years ago, being more sortof a bakery/breakfast/lunch type of place. I had a Caesar salad yesterday. Overall it was very good, although needed lemon, and the bacon was a great touch but the croutons were rock hard; I'd definitely get it again sans croutons or, bettter yet, with some if they'd make them properly next time. Service here has always been good to excellent and that's the only thing keeping this at four instead of three.

They did away with offering the best oysters I've ever had and don't seem to be making their wood-fired pizzas that we enjoyed and I wish they'd bring back those and the higher end dishes I reviewed below. The regular baked goods I've had have mostly been cooked perfectly with very good crust but were very bland and/or didn't have enough filling although an apple pie was excellent and some of their galettes are good too; hand pies look great and great crust texture but the fillings had zero seasoning. Same with their breads of seeming textbook but mostly somehow bland.

2018ish original review:
Overall this was expensive, but worth the price and I'll definitely go back for a special occasion. I have never had oysters that were anywhere near as good as this place. Ribeye was absolutely perfect as far as cooking and flavor, although tougher than I would expect a ribeye to be. Root veggies with it were great. The lacquered duck was excellent, although I'd suggest a different name for it; cuz paint doesn't evoke positive expectations. :) The slaw that came with it was tasty and vinegary in a great way, but spicy enough that there should've been a warning. Lamb crepe was good, but a little gamy and missing something. The squash toast was unique and very tasty. Apple upside down cake was great. I would expect a pepper grinder to be offered at a restaurant like this, rather than the dust in a shaker. Service was adequate. The only bad note was that we didn't realize that we hadn't grabbed our packaged-up leftovers until we were pulling out of the parking lot and even though it was only a few minutes, when we called, they'd already chucked them.

Food: 3

Service: 4

Love the open kitchen concept. Great food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Croissant

This place is an 11/10. I was visiting from Jersey and happened to eat here the first day of my trip and it ended up being so good I came back every day. The pastries are out of this world, I don’t think I have had a pastry to even compare. Specifically the sourdough pop tart, the salted caramel scone and the sweet potato cinnamon roll. This place has the best of both worlds because not only were the sweets impeccable but the savory as well. I got the grilled cheese, the Italian sandwich, the tomato toast, the quiche and the Cuban sandwich, all exceptional. Super friendly staff, I recommend it to everyone.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Seasonal Quiche, Cuban Sandwich, Italian Sandwich

I saw the photos of the food, and The Hawthorn peaked my interest. Once arrived, I don’t know if the lack of music being played to muffle out the silence and cutlery clinging on the plates, or if the sense of “what do we do now?”… since it took us a bit to figure out that we were to order at the counter, take a little number with us to our table, and the food would be delivered… but a bit of the “shine” was taken away. The food, however, was yummy and the price was decent. So, as long as you’re prepared for a “off you go; you’re on your own” service, and eating in silence (maybe the music was just off when we went) then you’ll enjoy the Hawthorn.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Seasonal Quiche, Croissant

Freshly baked

Parking: Parking space is available free of charge just close to shop

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Seasonal Quiche, Croissant, Focaccia

The yummiest focaccia bread! Went wonderfully with our minestrone soup night at home! ??

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Focaccia

Always delicious and unique offerings. It's hard to stop here and not get one of their Guava poptarts!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had the reuben and it was good. I'd have to request that my toasted rye be "dry". Condensation plus the butter/margarine spread was too much and made the toasted rye soggy/wet.?
I will be back with better requested instructions!?

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

The croissants and other baked items are amazing! My favorite bakery!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Friendly staff, great Caesar and club.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

It's a bit pricey but so worth it! I love getting their farmhand pies! They taste just like British Pasties! Also, I very much recommend their milk bread & desserts!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Milk Bread

Food is always fresh and amazing, one of my favorite Italian sandwiches

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Italian Sandwich

I'm not sure this place knows what it's trying to be. I think it's strange to have breakfast and pastries with really no coffee.
I ordered a breakfast sandwich on brioche, and when it was brought to me, I asked if he was sure because it didn't look like brioche, but hell, I'm not French and certainly not the authority on bread.
he said it was, but as I kept eating I realized this was not my sandwich, I tried to tell the kitchen but that didn't really help. I definitely ate someone else's sandwich and am now facing that shame.
pretty good sandwich though.

Another solid restaurant from this group spreading across the neighborhood.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

First visit here. It was clean, nice atmosphere and food appearance was delightful and tasted quite delicious. I will be back. I had the Kale n greens salad. My friend had the tomato basil soup. It looked quite delicious and very nice presentation.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Spinach Salad, Soup