The bread down south in the USA really sucks. Can't get a decent hard roll or Italian bread. What they sell as Italian bread is white bread in the form of a loaf. They don't know what crust is here.
Lived in MA for 40 years. Now in Florida. I buy the best freshly baked Italian, ciabatta, sourdough with yummy crusts at the Sprout grocery stores in Sarasota County. You need to look.
Supermarket bread is generally par baked, and arrives frozen or packaged to be finished at the store. It really cannot compare with bread from a bakery. See if you have a good bread bakery nearby.
People go crazy over the bread at Zingerman’s Bakehouse in Ann Arbor, which is mainly sourdough based. You can read about their lengthy process in my book Satisfaction Guaranteed. I’m a fan of two Massachusetts bakeries. The baguette at Clear Flour Bakery in Brookline is sublime - flavorful and chewy, and their entire lineup is outstanding. It’s tiny and you often have to wait outside on the street, but worth it. Pain d’Avignon in Hyannis, behind the airport, is also wonderful. I will eat any variety of their bread.
It is not baguettes, however, the most asked question at my (LEGAL) bed & breakfast as the guests finish eating is: "Can we have the rest of our bread?" When I make bread (either English Muffin Bread or Herb Bread) each guest gets their own 3x5 loaf directly from the oven with a steak knife tucked under the bread plate. As I hand them a zip bag, I suggest they slice it now so they can get lunch meat or cheese for sandwiches later in the day.
I love bread. The best croissant (or bread) I have ever had came from Aux Merveilleux on Old Brompton Road in London. The almond croissant was to die for-the filling was perfect and throughout the croissant. A shout out to Macek and Drew in Fez Morocco who make amazing black olive bread and sourdough bread. It is flavorful and great!
I was traveling from Cusco to Macho Picchu and had a night stop at Casa Anduya in the outskirts of Urubambe, Peru. They bake their bread and rolls in their kitchen. The aroma of the baking was as wonderful as the scenery from their dining room. The bread and rolls were made from local grains and were very aromatic.
I had a sourdough baguette at Timberline Lodge in Oregon. It was served with Brie and grapes and I still remember how delicious that was. I forever think of Brie and grapes when I think of sourdough baguettes. Never have found another sourdough quite as good or maybe it was the location and atmosphere that influenced my memory. Oh and a great glass of Sauvignon Blanc to round it out.
Jul 2, 2022·edited Jul 2, 2022Liked by Christopher Elliott
On my nightmare Honeymoon when my wife and I were stranded in the South of France the highlight was the morning baguette. I still love an evening with a baguette, cheese, and olive oil.
I had no idea you could have baguettes cooked to order.
“Bien cuit” means well-done. You can always request it. And ask for a croissant au beurre, a butter croissant. A croissant ordinaire is made with shortening. It’s why they can be rubbery and not crisp.
Wow, I'm so happy to see all of your comments on this podcast. We had SO much fun making this one. We're going to do another food-themed one soon. Stay tuned.
My husband is from a small town in upstate NY. Nearby in Auburn NY is Cameron's Bakery. Their Italian bread is to die for. They routinely sell out by mid-morning on Saturday and Sundays. We live in VA and get at least 12 loaves to bring home to freeze. We're visiting in July and a highlight is getting bread, rolls, eclairs and cinnamon rolls.
I enjoyed the video. Thanks, Chris. The best bread: a baguette at Boulangerie Alexine - when we were in Montmartre, Paris France. Also, the best croissant. If you're still in Paris and neaby stop in and enjoy a delicious baguette and croissant.
The bread down south in the USA really sucks. Can't get a decent hard roll or Italian bread. What they sell as Italian bread is white bread in the form of a loaf. They don't know what crust is here.
I have had great bread in Florida at the Yalaha Bakery. Run by a bunch of East Germans. Bread is as good as any I've had in Germany.
Lived in MA for 40 years. Now in Florida. I buy the best freshly baked Italian, ciabatta, sourdough with yummy crusts at the Sprout grocery stores in Sarasota County. You need to look.
Nearest sprouts to me in SC is 43 miles. Best we have is Publix 5 grain bread. Moved here from NJ/NY, miss Pizza also.
Supermarket bread is generally par baked, and arrives frozen or packaged to be finished at the store. It really cannot compare with bread from a bakery. See if you have a good bread bakery nearby.
Listening to your podcast.... Bring on the butter and strawberry jam! I'm hungry!
Ahh, we have some great strawberry jelly from our friends at the Fauchon Hotel. I'm going to break some out tomorrow morning with my baguette.
People go crazy over the bread at Zingerman’s Bakehouse in Ann Arbor, which is mainly sourdough based. You can read about their lengthy process in my book Satisfaction Guaranteed. I’m a fan of two Massachusetts bakeries. The baguette at Clear Flour Bakery in Brookline is sublime - flavorful and chewy, and their entire lineup is outstanding. It’s tiny and you often have to wait outside on the street, but worth it. Pain d’Avignon in Hyannis, behind the airport, is also wonderful. I will eat any variety of their bread.
Lavash in Armenia fresh out of a bee hive shaped oven.
It is not baguettes, however, the most asked question at my (LEGAL) bed & breakfast as the guests finish eating is: "Can we have the rest of our bread?" When I make bread (either English Muffin Bread or Herb Bread) each guest gets their own 3x5 loaf directly from the oven with a steak knife tucked under the bread plate. As I hand them a zip bag, I suggest they slice it now so they can get lunch meat or cheese for sandwiches later in the day.
I love bread. The best croissant (or bread) I have ever had came from Aux Merveilleux on Old Brompton Road in London. The almond croissant was to die for-the filling was perfect and throughout the croissant. A shout out to Macek and Drew in Fez Morocco who make amazing black olive bread and sourdough bread. It is flavorful and great!
Oooh. I'm headed to London next. I will have to try that.
You will have to get in line!
I was traveling from Cusco to Macho Picchu and had a night stop at Casa Anduya in the outskirts of Urubambe, Peru. They bake their bread and rolls in their kitchen. The aroma of the baking was as wonderful as the scenery from their dining room. The bread and rolls were made from local grains and were very aromatic.
Mmmm. That sound so good!
I had a sourdough baguette at Timberline Lodge in Oregon. It was served with Brie and grapes and I still remember how delicious that was. I forever think of Brie and grapes when I think of sourdough baguettes. Never have found another sourdough quite as good or maybe it was the location and atmosphere that influenced my memory. Oh and a great glass of Sauvignon Blanc to round it out.
Sourdough is my favorite.
And I wrote my comment before I listened to the podcast!!
On my nightmare Honeymoon when my wife and I were stranded in the South of France the highlight was the morning baguette. I still love an evening with a baguette, cheese, and olive oil.
I had no idea you could have baguettes cooked to order.
I didn't know either until Jane told me. I'm going to try that while I'm still here. Extra crunch, please!
“Bien cuit” means well-done. You can always request it. And ask for a croissant au beurre, a butter croissant. A croissant ordinaire is made with shortening. It’s why they can be rubbery and not crisp.
You
Must try Maison Bour’s Olive Fougasse in Cagnes sur Mer.
Wow, I'm so happy to see all of your comments on this podcast. We had SO much fun making this one. We're going to do another food-themed one soon. Stay tuned.
My husband is from a small town in upstate NY. Nearby in Auburn NY is Cameron's Bakery. Their Italian bread is to die for. They routinely sell out by mid-morning on Saturday and Sundays. We live in VA and get at least 12 loaves to bring home to freeze. We're visiting in July and a highlight is getting bread, rolls, eclairs and cinnamon rolls.
I enjoyed the video. Thanks, Chris. The best bread: a baguette at Boulangerie Alexine - when we were in Montmartre, Paris France. Also, the best croissant. If you're still in Paris and neaby stop in and enjoy a delicious baguette and croissant.