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Review content:
If the historic charms of downtown Frederick aren't inducement enough, maybe a delicious sandwich, a killer pastry and a perfectly brewed cup of coffee will do the trick. You'll find those and more at Proof Artisan Bakery & Barista along with baskets of bread, butter-colored walls and a laid-back atmosphere. It opened in June 2005 and keeps things fresh by rotating the creations dreamed up by four pastry chefs and a bread baker. One such concoction is the chocolate banana buttercrunch pyramid, which manager and pastry chef Melissa Hernandez says is a favorite with customers. And for good reason: A thin square of banana cake is topped with a fluffy, rich chocolate mousse that has been shaped into a pyramid and coated with bits of buttercrunch. It's surprising and addictive. The large chocolate chip cookies are another favorite, according to Hernandez. "Those and the blueberry muffins. For some reason, people tell us they don't taste the same anywhere else," she says. "We wanted [the cookie] to be chewy but somewhat caky, with sufficient chocolate chunks in every bite." To achieve that, three types of chocolate are used: semisweet chunks, semisweet morsels and bittersweet pastilles. While customers go especially crazy for blueberry, Hernandez has perfected a coconut macadamia nut muffin that is moist, dense and wonderful. Also noteworthy are the sandwiches, assembled with flavorful house-made breads and with meats roasted nearby at the Tasting Room, which owns Proof. The balsamic roasted chicken sandwich served on a crusty Italian roll has a mellow tang, with pistachio nuts and scallions added for taste and texture. The pressed Cuban sandwich on a baguette is also satisfying, thanks to its generous layers of ham, roasted pork, gooey Swiss cheese, pickles and spicy mustard. The best way to wash all this down is with a hazelnut praline latte -- which is listed under the heading of "Seattle-style" coffees -- perhaps while seated at a cafe table with a view of what's going on in the kitchen. If you can't make it to Frederick, the shop can come to you. "We are starting our wholesale business, and we can do catering," Hernandez says. "We're still a very young business, so every day we're progressing." -- Rina Rapuano (Jan. 23, 2007)
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