Pastries By Randolph   

This European-style bakery is known for having some of the freshest treats around, and the glass cases are well-stocked with goodies when the place opens at 7AM. How do the bakers make it happen? They arrive at Pastries by Randolph shortly after midnight. The family-owned shop run by Mark and Deborah Randolph has been an Arlington institution for over 15 years. A former Watergate chef, Mark is in charge of the baking, and his wife takes care of the business details. The rest of the Randolph family pitches in at the bakery, too, giving the place a homey mom-and-pop feel. Pastries by Randolph offers a variety of sweets like croissants, pastries, cookies, individual-size desserts and cakes. Their signature creation is the marble mousse cake, and the bakery constantly receives requests for wedding cakes. The Randolph family is your saving grace if you forget a birthday or anniversary: They only need a day's notice to whip up a custom-made dessert.