"C'est voila." These were the words spoken often by Chef Mekdes' grandmother, the phrase with which she announced the arrival of a home-cooked meal. After all, she'd attended a French school early in the 1900s, so her grasp of the language—and the culinary approaches—was above average. The matriarch passed down her passion for French cuisine to her granddaughter, who now serves as head chef at Voila Pastry & Cafe.

At her bakery, Chef Mekdes uses natural, high-quality ingredients to handcraft cakes, pastries, and cookies for pairing with hot coffee and tea. You can also come by to grab a Danish or croissant on your way to work, or pick up a handful of lemon tarts, eclairs, or mocha tortes for a special treat after dinner. Chef Mekdes and her team also craft various mousses from scratch ranging from the Chocolate Trio to passionfruit, so take your time deciding on a sweet.

Voila Pastry & Cafe
5908 N. Kings Highway
Alexandria, VA 22303
(703) 329-1780
www.voilapastryandcafe.com
www.yelp.com/biz/voila-pastry-and-cafe-alexandria

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