Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Catania Bakery, 1404 North Capitol St. NW, 202-332-5135, http://www.cataniabakery.com.

It's hard to find a good croissant, let alone a great one that costs only $1.25. But that's what is on offer here. On Saturday mornings, this old-school Italian shop, which for 76 years has sold Italian bread and biscotti, caters to the new, gentrified locals in Bloomingdale with buttery treats that are Paris-worthy but American-sized, plus chocolate- and fruit-filled varieties for $1.50. (Even better, a cup of coffee with lots of conversation is free.)

Be warned, though. This is an early-bird special: The 200 or so croissants, made by a "secret source" but baked at Catania, sell out by 10:30 a.m.

-- Jane Black

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