Vancouver, Canada (The Joy of Food) — I always judge a bakery by the quality of its croissants. They’re ubiquitous, and I can’t say no to a stick of butter first thing in the morning.
Walking in to Purebread, you’re immediately witness to a mile-high pile of carb-laden goodies that range from specialty breads and baked goods to savory treats that could serve as either breakfast or a picnic lunch. If George Clooney himself walked into Purebread as you’re first seeing this vision, even he wouldn’t upstage the carb mothership in front of you.
You might not expect anything at a place named Purebread to be anything less than perfect, but despite all of the butter bombs on hand, it’s easy to go awry. Plenty of the croissants, of both butter and savory varieties, lack a good rise and seep with butter to the point where even as Instagram-only material, these wouldn’t pass muster.
A proper croissant should be puffed and golden on the outside, flaky layers that give way to soft, pillowy blankets that pull apart gingerly like a ribbon. Instead of being fiendishly delighted by perfect, flaky, light-as-air laminated dough, this is like munching on day-old bread from the discount bin — a few average bites.
The bread baskets are extensively filled with every loaf, baguette, and boule under the sun: hazelnut fig, sour cherry chocolate, rustic baguettes, and olive rosemary. Hot breakfast items are available including a bacon and egg brioche, and those stopping by purely to satisfy a sweet tooth have chocolate cakes, brownies, cheesecake, and meringues.
And yet, your visit to Purebread will be average at best. Churning out breads the likes of which you’d see in any number of European boulangeries and cafes it’s not, and if you set that bar as your expectation, you’ll be disappointed.
Written by Joy
Thanks for reading. The Joy of Food blog celebrates eating well, traveling often, and living la dolce vita. San Diego, California is home base, but thoughts are from all over. Reviews and photos help to highlight wonderful (or not) food experiences from around the world.
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