Shiny croissants at Boulangerie Christophe. | Boulangerie Christophe The bread business is rising in a big way across D.C., with inventive spots like SakuSaku Flakerie, Rose Ave Bakery, and Yellow joining tried-and-true favorites like Bread Furst and Baked Wired. Wholesale bakeries like Hy attsville, Maryland’s Lyon and Alexandria, Virginia’s Bread Water Co. continue to supply stellar breads to restaurants all over town. Meanwhile, out-of-town chains with a growing taste for D.C. include NYC cookie companies Levain and Boston’s Tatte Bakery Cafe. Sadly, vegan bakery Sticky Fingers closed its Takoma Park flagship this summer after a 25-year run, and Souk Bakery shut down on Barracks Row last year. For this latest map refresh, we add two French standouts: Capitol Hill newcomer Boulangerie Saint Georges and Georgetown’s tried-and-true Patisserie Poupon. Here are 18 essential D.C. destinations for extra-crusty levain, flaky croissants, brioche doughnuts, baklava, cupcakes, French baguettes, and everything in between. And for D.C.’s best cakes, go here. ...read more read less