Escaped
Flavors
C
lose your eyes. Think of flowers in a fresh garden but next to brownstones. Hear birds singing but also car horns honking. You’re smelling a fresh roast along with the musk that follows a large crowd. Where are you? Possibly someplace congenial, but with history. A fairly calm corner in a big city. A warm home with lots of neighbors. Have you figured it out yet? Let’s pin our location at Jonquils Café & Bakery on Newbury Street, in the heart of Boston, MA. Known for its molded desserts and fine teas, Jonquils has been delivering a whimsical escape through its dine-in and catering services since 2019. The café is named for the flower, as owners Khalid and Hamad Al Ahbabi find the jonquil inspiring. Jonquils originated as a simple café focusing on quality coffee choices. It wasn’t until Khalid and Hamad came across pastry chef Dinara Kasko that their bakery was transformed into what it is known for today.
28
“When they [Khalid & Hamad] actually met Dinara, who created the molds for pastries, they were so into it and decided to fully add desserts to the menu.” said Ahmed Abdalla, General Manager. The final decision resulted in a menu of varying beverages and desserts. It’s these fine drinks like Oolong tea or Ethiopia Odola coffee and exotic pastries such as an apple caramel treat or the origami cake that bring Jonquils to the next level. Kasko, their Brand Pastry Chef, can be credited for the uniquely molded and crafted desserts found at the bakery. Born in Ukraine, Kasko originally studied an entirely different craft from baking. She went to university for architecture and remained in her profession as a 3D visualizer for only a short period of time. She later combined her craft with her love