There Is A New Bakery In Town - Bread By Us Artisan Bakery & Espresso Bar

The much anticipated new small-batch bakery, Bread By Us, opened just a day or two before Christmas.  It's located at 1065 Wellington Street West - almost across from the Hintonburg Community Centre.

The official GRAND OPENING for the sourdough-focused organic bakery will be this weekend on both Saturday and Sunday. Mark the date. January 11 and 12 from 8 am to 5 pm. You really must go.

The place has been selling their many temptations to rave reviews so far. Yesterday I popped in to pick up a loaf of their Country Sourdough.  Customers streamed in steadily behind me.

Their other bread offerings (though not every day) include: baguettes, focaccia, whole wheat, olive, burger buns, seed, ciabatta, brioche.

Their sweet treats include: cookies, croissants, cinnamon buns, almondines, scones.

Sandwiches are served at Noon.

The sidewalk sandwich board shares their daily offerings, including what time you can expect each option to come from the ovens and nestled in their baskets at the front of the house.

In addition to being an artisan bakery, they are an espresso bar - equipped with a shiny Rancilio machine. They are also well-stocked for selling bags to go of the Happy Goat Coffee Company's beans. Seating is limited. Really limited. One high-top with 4 stools, 2 slipper chairs and 2 stools at the counter.

The Hintonburg community has become well-known for looking after their own.  So it is no surprise to see that Bread By Us is participating in a Suspended Program.  Here's how it works. "When you make your purchase, you can buy another item and leave it in the store.  This credit will be available for others to claim, free of charge." Any suspended items not picked up will then go on to the nearby Parkdale Food Centre to be shared around.

Now about that sourdough loaf that I bought.  We dug into it as a late afternoon treat.  At $4.50 I thought it was well priced, considering its goodly size.  None of our bread knives are long enough to cut across the loaf. Practise your double-sided saw technique here. Our tasting crew sung their praises. And loud. Mainly by asking for more. Toppings included butter. Lots of butter. We also tried Jarlsberg cheese, ham, jam. All pleasing.

For my tastes, it is one of the top sourdoughs in the city.   The centre has both softness and pull, as well as balanced moisture.  Not in anyway dry.  The crust knocks hollow and gives a good chew, despite being quite firm and crisp.  But most importantly, Baker Jess got the 'sour' just right.  For me, breads with too much 'sour' are distracting and make toppings more of challenge.

A clear victory here. I bet you it would be just as stunning if it was toasted.

Grand Opening. This weekend. You really must go.

Bread By Us Artisan Bakery & Espresso Bar
1065 Wellington Street, West
Ottawa
613.422.5300

Mon: 8 am - 5 pm * Baker's day off. Café is open.
Tues to Fri: 8 am - 7 pm
Sat to Sun: 8 am - 5 pm

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Website: www.BreadByUs.com