Portuguese custards: Where to buy these suddenly popular sweets
Portuguese egg custards, Pastéis de Nata, are suddenly very much in demand. It started recently when the upscale San Jose restaurant Adega sold a whopping 1,000 of the heritage desserts in one hour.
Are you eager to try these bestsellers? Or to relive childhood memories? Here are a few options. And if you have a favorite bakery we missed, let us know at food@bayareanewsgroup.com.
— The Silva Bakery, in the Portuguese-rich Hayward/San Leandro area, bakes (and ships) Pastéis de Nata. Father and son Alvaro and Bruno Silva also fill the bakery case with Portuguese sweet breads, coconut tarts and cookies. $1.50 each or $16 per dozen. Open at 7 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday. 18563 Mission Blvd., 510-278-3322; www.silvabakery.com.
— At Popular Bakery, in San Jose’s Little Portugal, owner Gualter Torres and his team offer a full array of Portuguese sweet and savory baked goods, including the Pastéis de Nata, $1.50 each, and tarts of other flavors. Open at 7 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday. 408-258-2800; 1636 Alum Rock Ave.
— Every Saturday, Adega pastry chef Jessica Carreira’s custards will be offered at a pop-up event at the restaurant. Six for $24. The pop-up runs from 11 a.m. until they sell out. 1614 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose. 408-926-9075; www.adegarest.com.