La Saison, a bakery tucked away in a residential area a few bus stops away from Harvard Square, cultivates an inviting atmosphere despite its small size. The Persian roots of the bakery, which originally opened in Tehran, Iran, in 2007, can be seen especially through the decor and the culinary offerings. The moment customers step through the door, they are greeted by a pastry case filled with an array of beautiful pastries. Fittingly, the pastries are the visual pinnacle of the store. Beyond the displayed baked goods, customers get a peek at their Sicilian-style pizza and fresh-baked breads used to make their sandwiches.

The Marzipan Orange Scone is a highlight — even before taking a bite, the scone looks mouthwatering, with orange zest and toasted almonds being spattered over a gorgeous, golden brown pastry. The marzipan provides a sweet almond taste without being too sweet. While scones are typically very dry, the marzipan gives the scone a delightful texture. Despite the name, the orange taste is slightly lacking throughout the pastry. However, as the bites with orange zest are delectable adding more of the flavoring throughout would make a great dessert even better. There is clearly care put into every aspect of the scone, with even the almonds on top of the scone being sugared, adding an amazing, sweet crunch on top of the pastry.

The Pistachio-Almond Biscotti, besides being a tasty treat on its own, is the perfect accompaniment to a hot drink. It is not too sweet, and the nuts provide a nice, fairly neutral flavoring, perfect for dipping into tea or coffee. The snap of the pistachios and almonds pairs perfectly with the crunch of the cookie. The Tehran Fog Tea, La Sasion’s version of a London Fog made with Persian black tea and steamed milk, is a bit disappointing on its own. While the base Persian black tea is amazing, the overwhelming amount of steamed milk dilutes the taste of the tea and takes away from the overall merits of the drink. Still, it combines well with the biscotti.

In addition to the well-crafted menu, La Saison’s staff adds to the charm of the bakery. The staff is happy to answer questions and provide clarifications about their menu. The positive interactions with the staff help to cultivate the warm, welcoming environment of the bakery.

While the counter area is wonderfully cozy, the lack of space was definitely apparent, as it is clear that the ordering space is not made for many people to be there at the same time. Additionally, with no indoor seating, La Saison feels like a place to just pick up baked goods rather than a place to enjoy them. The limited outdoor seating was adequate, but not incredibly pleasant in February, though it’s sure to be a lovely area during the warmer months. Despite the cold, being outside was very serene, providing a nice respite from the normal hustle and bustle of Harvard Square.

La Saison offers a wide variety of menu options, with an option for everyone. For someone searching for a full meal, they offer different types of Sicilian-style pizza, as well as sandwiches, soups, and salads. Notably, they also offer pastries in a range of distinct flavors, such as lavender, saffron, and za’atar, adding to the overall uniqueness of the bakery.

La Saison provides not only amazing baked goods and pastries, but also a warm, welcoming atmosphere. If in the area, this cozy bakery should definitely be added to a list of places to try.

—Staff writer Olive J. Ritchie can be reached at [email protected].