I love a good neighbourhood bakery, so I was disappointed with my taste-test of Nicholson Street Baker. On the basis of its cheerful orange awning, RM and I had a brief morning tea there and sampled a dry chocolate cupcake and a sturdy apple and walnut muffin containing minimal fruit and nuts. The best of the bunch was ‘Kylie’s famous’ Hummingbird cake – it was the right texture and was smothered in a nice cream cheese icing, but it wasn’t so good that it deserved any sort of fame.
I get pies from here occasionally, which have always been good. Plenty of variety and flavour and the pastry is delicious.
Standing at the counter waiting to be served while the two ‘assistants’ fluff around avoiding eye contact and doing nothing in particular is more of a deal breaker for me than the slight dryness of the cakes.
The sourdough breads are always delicious.
Hi Poosie
Thanks for your tip – I will have to try their pies one day. Lots of people seem to visit at lunch time for them – do you have any particular favourite fillings?
It’s a shame that you had a bad servce experience. In the times that I’ve visited I’ve found the service super-friendly and helpful, but maybe it was because I went on a weekday morning. The baker even came out to chat to me when I had a question about the hot cross bruns.
A North Carlton local (owner of the Green Grocer) told me that the best sourdough in the area comes from Loafer Bread. Have you tried the bread there?
Jetsetting Joyce
Loafer Bread does have the best bread in the area, and the croissants are exceptional.