ESCAPED FLAVORS

Close 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. “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

of baking to develop techniques involving a 3D printer with which she designs the molds used for her cakes and desserts.

“Her works of confectionery art employ the mathematical principles of the Voronoi diagram and biomimicry.” (jonquilscafe.com).

A Voronoi diagram is used in mathematics and is based on the minimal distance needed to reach a point or landmark. Kasko uses this strategy in conjunction with biomimicry, taking innovations from nature and applying them to technology, to create her 3D pastries. Kasko has the lucky advantage of working with locally sourced goods, primarily the ingredients she uses or needs to bake her desserts. For the coffees and teas, however, Khalid and Hamad want you to experience the flavors and quality of ingredients from abroad. For example, their highly sought after iced Flora Tea comes directly from London.

“We prefer to work with local goods as much as possible, but some of our key ingredients are imported internationally,” said Ahmed.

Jonquils Café and Bakery doesn’t just want you to love their exotic pastries and exquisite drinks. The Al Ahbabi brothers want you to feel part of their luxurious home and heritage while visiting the café. They want their menu to invite you to taste the richness of the many cultures they’re inspired by. Upon entering, you’re welcomed by soft hues that coat the space and delicate designs throughout the shelves. You see their menu filled with fascinating treats and beverages from “Exotique Spheres” to “Flying Snow Flora Tea.” The café is an escape from reality, yet it brings life from cultures worldwide. Ahmed continually speaks about the fact that they are able to share this concept with the heart of Boston and those who come from abroad. Being on Newbury Street, locals and tourists of all kinds come together to have the fortunate opportunity of experiencing the café with one another. The diversity of both Boston and Jonquils allows the two to come together and offers history, culture, and luxury to anyone who enters. The team at Jonquils is passionate, theatrical and willing to pursue their craft for the pleasure of their consumers. The café, a delicate, calm, and warm home with surrounding neighbors is just that: a home. But like homes around the world, their family dynamic took a massive shift amid the worldwide pandemic. While we all are on the road moving forward, it’s important we recognize the strength and perseverance that has come from such a tragedy. Jonquils had to close for several months and suffered the expected financial loss. However, reopening may have been just as hard as closing down, if not harder. Business was extremely slow, and the reality of an unmasked society was no longer just an idea and kept thousands of people in their homes. Jonquils was left with no choice but to adjust to massive challenges and learn how to make their café a home again.

“COVID-19 affected nearly every business in the world. We are no exception. But we had to adjust to these kinds of changes. We did our very best and the belief of our owners put the business back on its feet.” said Ahmed.

Prior to the pandemic, Khaled and Hamad thought about expanding the business to a second location. The pandemic put an unfortunate pin in that idea, initially. Covid fueled the incentive to franchise and has the team working that much harder to make it happen. The current and only location prepares and serves all menu items. The owners hope to expand so they can have a space large enough to serve beverages, baked desserts and pastries, as well as cook the original items and possibly develop new ones. Khalid, Hamad, and their team are more determined than ever to make this next step for the business possible.

Jonquils Café and Bakery on Newbury Street invites you to their house of luxury, delicacy, and warmth. They share the sounds of china clinking and tea steeping with bustling streets outside. This cozy location is a breath of fresh air after trekking through the streets. The drinks and treats at Jonquils bring flavors from cultures around the world, allowing you to escape from your own reality.

@jonquilscafe; jonquilscafe.com

Tala Khoury