Machine Shop — Restaurant in Philadelphia

Yikes. I gave this place a couple chances, but as a french person, it really breaks my heart another “french” bakery is getting it wrong in Philly. The 3 stars are for the food quality, because you can tell they have talented bakers working there. The food is good, although the pastries are always too burnt (croissants shouldn’t be brown, they should be tan/beige). The two missing stars are for the insane prices and, most of all, the weaponized incompetence I witnessed today. I kindly told the woman at the counter that they should get a sign out front, because I cannot tell which entrance is the right one every single time I come to bok (which isn’t often). There are no signs at all for the bakery or any other shops. So I’ve had to go around the building in the rain multiple times trying to find the entrance. There’s also no phone number on their google page, so it’s impossible to contact them to ask them for directions. I told this to the lady at the counter, and she simply replied “I just work here.” … I told her I know it’s not her fault, but she could pass on the message to higher ups. She kept replying “I just work here”, implying she would absolutely not pass the message along, which was fairly frustrating obviously. I’m not sure why a business would purposefully choose to hide their location. But it was enough to give me a bad taste...

If I lived in Philly, Machine Shop would def be my regular spot. The quality and options resonate with Radio Bakery in NYC and I love them both!

＊Cara Cara Croissant 🌟🌟 I was sent to heaven at first bite. This orange cream croissant was dangerously delicious. It was generously stuffed (yes, fully stuffed!) with light whipped cream and bits of candied orange. Chef’s kiss.

＊Mushroom Danish 🌟 I always prefer savory pastries so this one was right up my alley. Loved the golden twist they made. It balanced the buttery aroma from the pastry and savory umami from the mushroom filling.

＊Double Pain au Chocolat Soooo flaky! I seldom get pain au chocolate. Here they might have used dark chocolate so it was on the bitter side, which made me in love with it.

＊Orange Cardamom Morning Bun We were surprised by how flaky it was even we ate it on the next morning. A pity that we could taste neither orange nor cardamom flavor. It just tasted straight up like a regular morning bun.

＊Latte We got the coffee at Two Persons Coffee next door. They are neighbors at Bok Building so you can enjoy their drinks with Machine...

Came on a recommendation from a baker friend and was surprised with how it was somehow even better than described!

It's located in an old school building, which is super cool. We did end up going through a further entrance, but it was sweet to explore and we ended up getting there right when they were opening anyway. Though it was early, there was a small line already and a longer one forming quickly after us, but they moved through fast, without making us feel rushed as we browsed and added more to our orders. I got a variety to take home and tarts for the walk back to parking. By the time we got to the car, we decided to drive by and find a closer spot to get a few more lemon tarts even if it might mean waiting a while (it ended up not being long though), because they were that good. Staff was all so wonderful too! I could not rave enough about how in love I am.

I also got a hat when we went back for more...it's so lightweight and breathable and my...