Baguette Magic Downtown is a charming bakery located in the heart of downtown. Known for its delicious assortment of baguettes, this is a must-visit spot for bread lovers. The bakery has a magical atmosphere that instantly transports visitors to a quaint French village. Upon entering, the aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air, creating a warm and inviting ambiance. The shelves are lined with an assortment of baguettes, each carefully crafted and baked to perfection. From classic plain baguettes to unique flavors like rosemary and olive, there is something for everyone's taste buds.
That's the inspiration for the new Harriet's Delicatessen pop-up, located at Paula and Sam Kramer's 73 Spring St. downtown Charleston Baguette Magic location. It's an ode to their late grandmother, Harriet Keyserling, best known for her influential work as a politician.
White menus with Harriet s Delicatessen written in burgundy and forest green script are spread across a granite countertop that is normally filled with laptops, notebooks and cups of coffee. Pop-Up Picks is a recurring series in The Post and Courier s Food Section that previews an upcoming pop-up breakfast, lunch or dinner and the chefs behind it.
From classic plain baguettes to unique flavors like rosemary and olive, there is something for everyone's taste buds. The Baguette Magic Downtown takes pride in using only the finest ingredients to ensure the highest quality of bread. The skilled bakers put their heart and soul into every loaf, resulting in a bread that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Jewish deli-inspired pop-up takes over downtown Charleston café
Harriet’s Delicatessen has temporarily taken over Baguette Magic’s 73 Spring St. downtown Charleston location. The pop-up is an ode to Baguette Magic owners Paula and Sam Kramer’s grandmother, Harriet Keyserling. Parker Milner/Staff
Pop-Up Picks is a recurring series in The Post and Courier’s Food Section that previews an upcoming pop-up breakfast, lunch or dinner and the chefs behind it.
White menus with "Harriet’s Delicatessen" written in burgundy and forest green script are spread across a granite countertop that is normally filled with laptops, notebooks and cups of coffee.
The coffee is still present, but bites coming from the kitchen have shifted from casual café fare to dishes one would expect to find at a Jewish deli.
Strawberry cheesecake Danish. Parker Milner/Staff
That's the inspiration for the new Harriet's Delicatessen pop-up, located at Paula and Sam Kramer's 73 Spring St. downtown Charleston Baguette Magic location. It's an ode to their late grandmother, Harriet Keyserling, best known for her influential work as a politician.
The Kramer sisters remember her as a doting grandmother and fantastic host.
Pop-up meals are sweeping Charleston. What does a service entail for the chefs involved?
- By Parker Milner [email protected]
Born in New York City as Harriet Hirschfeld, Keyserling moved to Beaufort in 1946 with her husband Herbert, a physician in the Navy during World War II. She later helped organize a Beaufort branch of the League of Women Voters, helping her earn election to the Beaufort County Council in 1974. Thirty years after she moved to Beaufort, Keyserling became the first Beaufort County woman in the South Carolina House of Representatives, where she served for 16 years, focusing on women's issues, energy, nuclear waste, education and the arts.
Keyserling is memorialized inside the Harriet’s Delicatessen pop-up, with printed photos of the Kramers’ grandmother scattered across the white walls. The food menu honors her Jewish heritage, starting with the pastries.
Women-owned downtown Charleston bakery opening soon in former WildFlour Pastry space
- By Parker Milner [email protected]
Rugelach, hamantash, chocolate babka and strawberry cheesecake Danishes cover the sweets category, while knish — a baked pastry filled with a smooth stuffing of potatoes, onions and a little sour cream — is available for those who prefer savory.
Matzo ball chicken soup is served at Harriet's Delicatessen. Paula Kramer/Provided
The attachment to knish and other Harriet’s Delicatessen menu items like pastrami on rye, trout salad, challah bread, cabbage rolls, corned beef hash and matzo ball chicken soup appears to be about more than just the taste; multiple patrons express their nostalgic sentiments as they place their orders, with some purchasing in bulk.
Even Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg stopped by Harriet’s last month.
The pop-up hits especially close to home for Sam Kramer, who for years operated a Jewish and Mexican-inspired pop-up called Matzo Y Masa.
“It’s just the food I’ve always been interested in doing,” Sam Kramer said. “This is a concept that I've been developing in my head for two to three years.”
The sisters realized Harriet’s Delicatessen needed more than just a handful of events, so it will stick around through April. During the pop-up, Baguette Magic favorites like the honey lavender latte and buttery croissants will still be available during opening hours, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.
For more information, visit harrietsdeli.com.
Photos of Harriet Keyserling hang on the walls at Baguette Magic's Harriet's Delicatessen pop-up in downtown Charleston. Parker Milner/Staff
In November 2019, sisters Paula and Sam Kramer purchased Baguette Magic at 792 Folly Road. Since then, the duo has revitalized the bistro, creating a James Island staple voted Best Bakery two years in a row in City Paper’s Best Of awards.
Each bite is a delightful experience that has customers coming back for more. In addition to their signature baguettes, the bakery also offers an array of pastries and desserts. From buttery croissants to decadent chocolate-filled eclairs, these treats are a perfect complement to the bread. Pair them with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, and you have the perfect breakfast or midday snack. One of the unique aspects of Baguette Magic Downtown is the opportunity for customers to see the bakers in action. Behind a glass window, visitors can watch as the dough is kneaded, shaped, and placed in the ovens. This creates a sense of transparency and adds to the overall enchanting experience. Whether you're a local looking for a quick breakfast or a tourist exploring the downtown area, Baguette Magic Downtown is a bakery that should not be missed. The combination of delicious bread, delightful pastries, and a magical ambiance makes it a truly special place. So next time you find yourself in downtown, make sure to stop by and indulge in the baguette magic..
Reviews for "Baguette Magic Downtown: A Journey of Flavors and Exquisite Tastes"
- John - 1 star - This place was a huge disappointment. The baguettes were stale and tasted like cardboard. The fillings were mediocre at best, and definitely not worth the price. The service was slow and unfriendly. Definitely won't be coming back here.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I had high expectations for Baguette Magic Downtown, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype. The baguettes were average at best, lacking the fresh, crispy exterior that I was hoping for. The selection of fillings was also quite limited, and the ones available were nothing special. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and won't be returning.
- Michael - 1 star - I don't understand the positive reviews for this place. The baguettes I had were dry and lacked any flavor. The service was slow and disorganized. The prices were also quite high for what you get. I expected much more from a place that claims to have "baguette magic". Needless to say, I won't be recommending this place to anyone.
- Jennifer - 2 stars - Baguette Magic Downtown was a letdown for me. The baguettes were nothing special and the fillings were mediocre. The portion sizes were also disappointing for the price. The staff seemed disinterested and the overall atmosphere was lacking. I won't be giving this place a second chance.