The Belle of Ohio
One of the largest capitals located in the Midwest, Columbus, Ohio, has become the base of a diverse culinary renaissance. The finest jewel in the crown might be Japan Marketplace, a charming cluster of restaurants and shops that acts as a beautiful microcosm of Japanese cuisine and culture. It’s the work of Takashi Takenaka, an entrepreneur who immigrated to the United States in 1972. Nestled in the back of Japan Marketplace is the fifth addition to Takashi’s empire, Belle’s Bread. This French-inspired Japanese bakery is the sweet cap to an enduring vision.
Walking in, a display case greets you with feather-light sponge cakes in pastel shades of matcha green and snowy white, glossy fruit-topped pastries, and custard-gold wedges of cheesecake. Shelves are stacked with perfect rectangles of pillowy . Perhaps most inviting is the center display, tier upon tier of flaky croissants, cream-laden Danish, crackle-topped Melon Rolls, and cushiony Red Bean Rolls. Not a single pastry is out of place,
