The Baking Grounds Bakery Cafe

the scent of brown butter hits you before the coffee does at the baking grounds bakery cafe. here's the thing about buford's best-kept secret on south lee street: they understand that coffee and pastries aren't separate acts. they're a conversation. 4.6 stars from over a thousand reviews tells you something, but sitting here with a proper cup while watching the morning regulars order "the usual" tells you more. the barista knows your drink. knows you take it with one of those flaky croissants that somehow manages to be both crisp and tender. this isn't the kind of place that needs neon signs or branded everything. the coffee stands up on its own. clean shots, milk steamed to that sweet spot where it's creamy without being dense. and those pastries? baked in-house, which you can tell from the way they crumble just right. sometimes the best coffee shops are the ones…