Walking into this place is likely to excite the sweet tooth in anyone.

Cakes, pies, brownies, bars and cheesecakes stare beckoningly back at you beneath glassed enclosures. Freshly made sweetbreads of all sizes are piled together on a central table. And some days, dozens of freshly baked cookies and petit fours are spread about, waiting to be iced by one of the three generations of family members – some neighborhood residents – who own and run the place.

But though it’s obvious that Celebrity Bakery, Café & Takery specializes in all things sweet, the restaurant’s name proves that’s not what it’s all about. There is also some lunch fare on the menu, such as salads, quiches, soups, smoothies and a variety of different sandwiches, from Southwestern steak to pimento cheese. And as the “Takery” part implies, Celebrity also offers a number of casseroles that its customers can take home, pop in the oven and serve for dinner.

But at a place like this, it’s almost impossible to deny yourself a sampling of the sugary confections that are available with lunch or dinner. Things such as chocolate pecan pie, Italian cream cake or one of the items pictured here: divinity fudge cake and coconut meringue pie. Call ahead if you want to order a specific cake, pie or other treat, or if you want something done for a special occasion, such as the wedding-themed sugar cookies and petit fours with baby booties shown at left.

Though the café’s atmosphere has been pretty bland in the past, it’s getting ready to improve. Sometime this month, the café moves into a new space next door to its current location in Preston Oaks Shopping Center.

CELEBRITY BAKERY, CAFÉ & TAKERY
10720 Preston, Suite 1016 ~ 214-373-0783
Hours: Mon-Sat 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
$

Arts & Entertainment

Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse Friday, Aug. 1, The Blue House with Susan Shore ($12 advance, $15 at door); Friday, Aug. 8, Tom Kimmel with Karen Mal; Friday, Aug. 15, Kimmie Rhodes; Friday, Aug. 22, Jim Ross Celebration Show. Closed Aug. 29 for Kerrville Wine & Music Festival. A smoke-free, alcohol-free venue for live music. All shows start at 8 p.m. and are $10 unless noted. Northpark Presbyterian Church, 9555 N. Central. For information, call 214-363-0044 or visit www.unclecalvins.org.

Pugsley’s Library Live music on Saturdays. Openers 7-8:30 p.m., headliners 9-11 p.m. 2443 Walnut Hill. For information, call 972-243-1111 or visit www.pugsleys.com.

Community

Jazzercise Mondays, 10-11 a.m. Dance and get fit at the same time. $10 for JCC members and $15 for non-members per session. Aaron Family JCC, 7900 Northaven. For information, contact jcohn@jccdallas.com.

Readers’ Theatre Mondays, 1 p.m. Sharon Cane leads weekly sessions reading various plays, with one or more performances planned throughout the year. No memorization required! Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact info@jccdallas.com.

Movie Time Every first, third (and fifth, when applicable) Tuesday of the month, 10:30 a.m. Each session includes an interactive discussion following the film’s conclusion. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact info@jccdallas.com.

Stretching and Exercise Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9-10 a.m. Stretching and low-impact group exercises with instructor Dorothy Gross. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact info@jccdallas.com.

Art Classes Thursdays, 10 a.m.-noon Artist Veronique Jonas leads the class in ceramics and painting. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact scane@jccdallas.com.

Photography Club Thursdays, 1-3 p.m. Coordinator Mel Bruck focuses each session on the various elements of photography. Bring in photos for review. Some classes include outings to local sites for picture-taking. Aaron Family Jewish Community Center, 7900 Northaven. For information contact scane@jccdallas.com.

Culinary

Sizzling Summer Saturdays Saturdays, noon-3 p.m. Join Whole Foods and experiment with the art of the BBQ, grilling everything from T-bones to garlic bread. Whole Foods Market, 11661 Preston (at Forest). 214-361-8887.

CookingClass Saturday, Aug. 2, 11a.m. Learn fresh ideas on how to prepare summer dishes with Lanie Fioretti. Fish tacos and grilled fruit kabobs with bean and corn salad will be prepared. Free, but class size is limited. Sign up at Customer Service. Whole Foods Market, 11661 (at Forest). 214-361-8887.

Vegetarian Low Fat Cooking Saturday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m.-noon. Chef Leslie Washburne focuses on whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, soy products and promoting a plant-based approach to cooking. Free, but class size is limited. Sign up at Customer Service. Whole Foods Market, 11661 Preston (at Forest). 214-361-8887.

Why Eat Raw? Saturday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m.-noon. Some believe that eating a high-enzyme diet consisting of raw fruits and vegetables, sprouted seeds, nuts, grains and seaweed will help increase your chances of achieving optimal health. Come see how good raw can be. To eat: ice cream and apple pie. Free, but class size is limited. Sign up at Customer Service. Whole Foods Market, 11661 Preston (at Forest). 214-361-8887.

Community Giving Day Wednesday, Aug. 13. A percentage of every sale will go towards Young Audience of North Texas, to support the arts in the area. Whole Foods Market, 11661 Preston (at Forest). 214-361-8887.

Simply Italian Saturday, Aug. 16, 2-3 p.m. Italian chef Domenico Biasa will present sorbets and ice cream. Free, but class size is limited. Sign up at Customer Service. Whole Foods Market, 11661 Preston (at Forest). 214-361-8887.

Back to School Taste Fair Saturday, Aug. 16, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Join each of our departments for a taste of delicious and nutritious ideas for school lunches. Whole Foods Market, 11661 Preston (at Forest). 214-361-8887.

Cooking Class Saturday, Aug. 23, 11 a.m.-noon. Learn how to eat healthfully without compromising the taste. Join Francee Griggsby as she shares Oriental chicken salad and spring rolls. Whole Foods Market, 11661 Preston (at Forest). 214-361-8887.

Immune Defense for Families Saturday, Aug. 23, 2-3 p.m. Join our resident expert, Abraham French, who will give supplement strategies that will help safeguard your family against seasonal infections and back-to-school bugs. Whole Foods Market, 11661 Preston (at Forest). 214-361-8887.

Ask the Doctor Thursday, Aug. 28, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dr. Lane Cawthon will answer questions and concerns on how to improve your diet & health with nutritional healing. Sign up at Customer Service, class size is limited. Whole Foods Market, 11661 Preston (at Forest). 214-361-8887.

Late Summer Entertaining Saturday, Aug. 30, 11 a.m.-noon. Gourmet can be good for you! Chef Leslie Washburne focuses on whole grains, fresh fruits & vegetables that promotes a plant based approach to cooking. Whole Foods Market, 11661 Preston (at Forest). 214-361-8887.

Family & Youth

End of Summer Bash Event Wednesday, August 6, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Starts with storytime with Neighborhood Touring Program artist Audrey McClure and continues with crafts and rainforest activities. Dallas Children’s Museum, Valley View Center, Preston at LBJ. For information, call 972-386-6555 or visit www.dallaschildrens.org.

Library

Library Exhibit Needlework by Joy Cobbs. Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

Fun Film Days Mondays, Aug. 4 and 11, 2 p.m. Short films and snacks. Walnut Hill Branch Library, 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376.

Kreative Kids Klub Tuesdays, Aug. 5 and 12, 2 p.m. Crafts and stories for children of all ages. Walnut Hill Branch Library, 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376.

Luke’s Letters Thursday, Aug. 7, 2 p.m. A program for dog lovers and book lovers. Walnut Hill Branch Library, 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376.

Library Live! – Aunt Pittypat Tuesday, July 8, 10:30 a.m. Participate in movement, choral sounds and role playing while enjoying classic European tales with Gene Raye Price. Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

Library Live! – What Makes a Song? Tuesday, Aug. 12, 6:30 p.m. Interactive journey of how music is made, with Doc Gibbs. Walnut Hill Branch Library, 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376.

Library Live! West African Percussion Tuesday, Aug. 12, 10:30 a.m. Discover the meaning of music, dance and ritual, and learn to play some percussion instruments with Kweku Codrington. Preston Royal Branch Library, 5626 Royal. 214-670-7128.

Back to School Party Thursday, Aug. 14, 2 p.m. Frank Seddio presents Escape School, and interactive program teaching children personal safety and how to avoid abduction. For ages 6 and older. Walnut Hill Branch Library, 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376.

Leyendo Junlos Saturday, Aug. 16, 11 a.m. Celebrity readers from Telemundo will present bilingual stories that both children and their parents can enjoy. For ages 3-8. Walnut Hill Branch Library, 9495 Marsh. 214-670-6376.