Tía María Café and Bakery Now Open in Santa Rosa

Sonoma County has plenty of options when it comes to fantastic Mexican food. Now, we can count another notable destination, the new Tía María Bakery in southwest Santa Rosa.

It is set on the east end of Sebastopol Avenue and the bakery, cake shop, grab ‘n’ go, or dine-in café is all the more notable since it comes from bakery royalty. It’s the work of Will Seppi of the acclaimed Costeaux French Bakery in Healdsburg.

Here, round, seashell-shaped, deeply grooved sweet rolls called conchas come in the traditional colors of pink, mocha, cream and yellow, and satisfy traditional cravings with their slightly sugary-spiced, bread interiors, and a crunchy crust. They’re perfect as is, but the bakers add in savory stuffings like eggs, bacon, and cheese (better than a donut breakfast sammy, and delightful with an abuelita hot chocolate). Crispy warm caramel-filled churros also go great with hot chocolate, and you’ll find unusual morning pastries, too, such as the beehive of sweet custard sandwiches between almond-sprinkled dough pastry cookies.

Thick slabs of multi-layer carrot cake would make a great breakfast, too, while the fancy, elaborately decorated festival cakes make any occasion special. Cold sandwiches are offered all day, or, you can make a meal out of one of the best cheese danishes you’ll ever enjoy.

For another sweet treat, chocolate mousse cups are perfection, stabbed with skinny chocolate straws, while eclairs have a whipped mousse filling that’s thicker than classic cream. Thick slabs of multi-layer carrot cake would make a great breakfast, too.

The tidy shop is as pretty as the display case. Paper flowers swarm the white walls, and white bistro tables invite you to linger over Bella Rosa coffee, fresh juices and blackberry croissants (yes, those buttery, amazing Costeaux croissants), while listening to upbeat Spanish music.

44 Sebastopol Ave., Santa Rosa, 707-540-9864, https://www.facebook.com/Tiamariapanaderia.