If you don’t know the name Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery yet, you soon will. On June 19, the small, New York-based chain will open its largest link yet in Arlington’s National Landing neighborhood in collaboration with DC-based KNEAD Hospitality + Design. According to baker-owner Umber Ahmad, a one-time semifinalist for an Outstanding Baker award from the James Beard Foundation, the space will serve not only as a relaxed cafe, but also a commissary and test kitchen.
Ahmad opened her first location outside of NYC in DC’s Navy Yard neighborhood late last year. With the upcoming debut of Amazon HQ2 at National Landing, Ahmad says that the neighborhood “is undergoing a renaissance of sorts.” One on which she hopes to capitalize with “a lot of outdoor seating, as well as indoor seating,” at which customers won’t be discouraged from settling in with a phone or laptop.
Since Ahmad says the Arlington location will serve as a test kitchen, expect the menu to go well beyond the doughnuts and croissants for which it’s already well-known. “You’re going to see a lot of savory items,” she says. “Also things that might be specific to the area and what the growing season brings us.” That means “really beautiful sandwiches” on locally made bread as well as grain bowls. On the sweet side, expect fruit pies made from ingredients harvested nearby.
As Mah-Ze-Dahr rapidly expands, Ahmad says that there will likely be more locations opening in Northern Virginia within the next couple of years. Until then, a trip to National Landing is in order for anyone who drools at the idea of croissant monkey bread. 1550 Crystal Dr., Arlington
Feature image courtesy Mah-Ze-Dar National Landing
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