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Kemi Dessert Bar is now — softly — open on Capitol Hill

You have a few days to think about your choices. Friday, Kemi Dessert Bar will be open for another weekend of service as the 12th Ave sweet shop settles into rhythm on Capitol Hill.

CHS broke the news here in January on the plans from Kelly Miao to bring her creations to Capitol Hill after honing her craft in New York City’s “Instagram Bakery Scene” at a prestigious roster of NYC bakeries, bars, and restaurants.

“When I first started, I fought really hard to not identify as an Asian inspired bakery. But it transformed into just what it is,” Miao told CHS about flavors like black sesame, matcha, jasmine, and hojicha balanced by platforms like her basque cheesecake. Miao says the dense cakes make the perfect base for flavors from around the world.

Miao joins a community of Capitol Hill dessert creators including the well-worth-your-wait-in-line dessert walk-up R&M Dessert Bar on E Pike and Baking Company and its nostalgia-filled Squareos a few blocks south on 12th Ave. Central District transplant Shikorina Pastries has also settled in on E Pike. There are also other sweet Capitol Hill openings coming this year. CHS reported here on the plans for the Insomnia Cookies chain to join Broadway in the Pride Place building.

For now, Kemi Dessert Bar is a weekend-only venture with Friday, Saturday, and Sunday service from 11 AM to 5 PM.

Kemi Dessert Bar is now open at 1828 12th Ave. Learn more at kemidessertbar.com.

 

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Tiffany
Tiffany
2 months ago

Hope it lasts longer than Coping Cookies.

Ariel
2 months ago
Reply to  Tiffany

I loved Coping Cookies and am happy to see someone making great use of that huge kitchen

Gem
Gem
2 months ago

Looks like a lovely place…that I will likely never set foot in because holy shit, I think those prices just called me poor

Guesty
Guesty
2 months ago
Reply to  Gem

Seemingly even the simplest of foods are now soooo expensive here anymore.

Mrman
Mrman
2 months ago
Reply to  Gem

Yup – $5 cookie. I guess if you share it then it becomes affordable.

Tony
Tony
2 months ago
Reply to  Gem

I’m not saying this is a good thing but those prices seem pretty comparable with literally everything else in the world right now.

psionic_fig
psionic_fig
2 months ago
Reply to  Tony

Yeah, I’d be hard-pressed to find something under $5 on Capitol Hill. Maybe there’s a place or two that still will do a latte for $4.50, if we’re not counting tip.