EVERY weekend, my husband, children and I trundle off to the “red bakery”  our unofficial moniker for the Columbia City Bakery, named for its south Seattle neighborhood  and sit down near people in eccentric hats, cyclists, dog walkers and other families with small children who share our scone-and-coffee routine.

It’s all very neighborly, except that we’re not actually neighbors. We live five miles north, and drive past several alternatives along the way. We’re drawn to the bakery for its excellent morning treats, but we linger in the sunny space filled with pastry-induced bonhomie.

Perhaps it’s the slog through the dark winter months that makes Seattle-area residents crave sweets: a little extra sunshine, even if it’s only from butter and sugar. No matter the cause, this area has an impressive collection of sweet shops with strong ties to neighborhood residents.

COLUMBIA CITY BAKERY

Columbia City is owned by a serious bread maker, Evan Andres, but his impeccable loaves of pain de campagne and walnut levain share the spotlight with the sweets of his pastry kitchen, which is overseen by Karra Wise.