Some days are perfect for warming up with a hot cup of soup or a fresh cup of coffee. These days I have been in the mood more and more for these simple cold weather foods, like tomato basil soup, a nice chai latte or a straight-from-the-oven cookie, so I head over to Two Saints Baking Co. & Cafe in Bee Cave to quell the cravings.
If you’re ever in the area by Highway 71 and 620, take a turn into the Shops at the Galleria, where you can find Two Saints nestled at the west edge of the shopping center. The fresh food offerings, including breakfast, lunch, coffee drinks and treats, are all made in-house and from scratch.
One trip to the cafe and bakery and I was hooked — the welcoming attitude of the place made me feel right at home as I ordered a panini and a cup of potato soup to warm up on one of Texas’ cold weather days.
As I chowed down on my lunch, customer after customer came in and ordered — some taking home large cakes for impending parties, others just a coffee drink or two — and all of them seemed to be friends with the smiling woman behind the counter. This is co-owner Heather Tworoger, the person you’ll most likely interact with when you visit the cafe. Together with her husband Dave, two head bakers and team of kitchen staff, the cafe and bakery has been serving the Lake Travis area fresh food and treats since they opened over 2 1/2 years ago.
Wedding cakes, party cakes, expertly-decorated and personalized desserts of all kinds, the bakery doesn’t shy away from the most impressive of sugary displays. A quick search of a handful of their baked goods will give you a glimpse into their capabilities, but you can see more examples in the shop. Not only do these cakes and cookies look amazing but they taste delicious, too! Try one of their famous lemon bars or a Texas-sized chocolate chip cookie if you have a sweet tooth. Of course there are healthy options — salads, sandwiches, the works — so you can save a little room for the sweet temptations for later.
Their passion for pleasing their customers is evident in the little details throughout the shop — the cleanliness of the place, the way Heather knows her customers by name, the warm atmosphere of the cafe — not to mention the delicious food! It’s a great way to take in a quick lunch, a meet up or even a place to study for a while with ample chance to snack.
“Mostly I take care of my customers — it’s the part that I enjoy the most is that connection that you make with your customers. And that’s the pay off, that’s the return on your investment — is making a place where people feel welcome and at home.”
Heather and Dave, locals to the Bee Cave area, know how to keep this welcoming spirit alive in their eatery. Some afternoons it resembles a community watering hole more than a restaurant, drawing people as far as Spicewood for that special something Two Saints serves — whether it’s their signature soups — always expect to see tomato basil on hand and several recipes passed down through Heather’s family — or their warm hospitality. They are even the house caterers next door at The Backyard to some of Texas’ music legends, like Willie Nelson and his roadies.
Ask her about how she got into the business after being a flight attendant and stay-at-home mom, and her eyes light up about her work and just how much it means to their customers. The perfect wedding cake will last forever in the minds of the bride and groom, a well-themed sugar cookie adds just the right touch of character to a kids birthday party. But when it really comes down to it, she does it all for the customers.
“I love my customers, I do.”
And in case you’re wondering about the name “Two Saints”, it’s a play off their last name (TWO-roger) and Heather’s maiden name, Santos, which means “Saints” in Portuguese.
Update: Two Saints has temporarily moved and will be finding a new permanent residence in the Bee Caves area in the near future. Stay tuned!
Two Saints Baking Co. & Cafe
13011 Shops Parkway #600
Bee Cave, TX 78738
Hours:
Monday–Friday 7am-6pm
Saturday & Sunday 8am-2pm
