Baguettes the French like

Patisserie Poupon's baguettes are hard to beat. But a completely unscientific poll among local native Frenchmen puts the French bread from La Madeleine French Bakery & Cafe high on the crunchy-crust-and-soft-crumb hit parade. Stores at: 7607 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda; 11858 Rockville Pike, Rockville; 5861 Baileys Crossroads Center, Falls Church; 1915 Chain Bridge Road, McLean;1833 Fountain Dr, Reston; 500 King St, Alexandria; 3000 M St NW, next to the Latham Hotel.

Wholesalers Uptown Bakers supply a wide number of top Washington restaurants with their excellent bread. It is available retail in a limited number of supermarkets, including Brookville, 3427 Connecticut Ave NW, 202 244 9114. 

The Bonaparte Bakery, in Savage, MD, makes what some say is the most authentic French bread in the area. It's carried by the Bethesda Co-op, and Wagshal's, Massachusetts Ave NW in Spring Valley.

The French bake - and buy - baguettes twice a day. But if you have a baguette that's got stale, spritz it with water and put it in a 375F oven for 5 minutes to crisp up and refresh.

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