Hidden Gems Of Connecticut

AVON, CT — The latest trip to a Hidden Gem in Connecticut takes us to a stylish bakery in Avon whose creations are as unique as the owners.

Welcome to BouNom Bakery.

BouNom is tucked into the lower level of 136 Simsbury Road. It's the creation of two sisters who love to travel the world and, from those travels, have brought together "the very best of French-inspired baking."

And they come from different backgrounds.

Chan Graham is BouNom’s executive chef and co-owner. She is a classically trained chef, who holds a bachelor of science degree in culinary arts and an M.B.A. in finance and marketing. Chef Chan waked up before the sun rises each day to curate BouNom's baked goods, all of which are made from scratch, by hand, and are baked and sold daily. Chef Chan also creates each of the flavors in BouNom’s specialty drinks from fresh fruit, flowers, and other natural ingredients.

BouNom's host, Khamla Vorasane, was a kidnap and ransom underwriter director for Lloyd's Syndicate 5000. Before moving to Connecticut, she lived in New York City and London as an executive for K&R Insurance and senior consultant for an independent, global risk consultancy specializing in political, integrity and security risk.

The list of treats at BouNom is extensive, but the specialties of the house, Vorsane says, are the croissants.

Like this one ...

And these ...

And this one ...

Oh yeah ... the macarons are pretty good too.

Always check the menu and head to the bakery early if you crave a certain flavor. Sometimes the most popular items sell out.

For a full menu and the listed hours for BouNom, see the bakery's Facebook page.

____

The Hidden Gems series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path, all located within Connecticut. Other columns in this series for 2021 include:

• Union Pond Park/Jay Howroyd Fitness Trail
• The Submarine Force Museum/USS Nautilus
• The UConn Dairy Bar
• Grove Hill Cemetery, Vernon
• Backwoods Smokin' BBQ
• The Ranch House
• Connecticut State Police Museum
• Berlin Historic District
• Connecticut Parachutists Skydiving Club
• Tail Winds Ice Cream Shop
• The MLK Mural
• The Hilltop Restaurant and Bar
• Fork & Fire
• Lena's Italian Kitchen
• The Benedict Arnold Trail
• Swank Pearce
• Vernon Depot Historic Park
• Farr's Sporting Goods
• Robs Drivin Diner

To register for free, local breaking news alerts from more than 100 Connecticut communities, click here.