Date of Last Visit: Saturday May 16th, 2009
The Victim: Me
The Damage: Not much
The Background: I've lived in Islington for more than four years now. And every so often, I still discover something new. Like the other day, when I got on the bus that just happened to go up the Essex Road. And I saw a few people queued up outside a shop. And I looked closely (or as closely as one can from the upper deck) and saw that it was a bakery. In Islington. That I had never seen before.
The Entrance: So I stopped there on my way back home from Dalston. And it was crowded. I had to queue. What I liked about it was that it seemed like everyone knew each other, and all the neighborhood kids must have worked there. To be honest, the donuts all looked a little sad. They could maybe work on their presentation. But in bakeries, as in all things, there is willingness and there is ability. And Raab's has a lot of willingness.
My Order: I honestly had no idea what to order. But I felt like I had to be quick about it. So an apricot and walnut loaf it was. Covered in sesame seeds. Did I want that sliced? Why yes, of course I did. And a few quid later, it was all mine. And I will admit to eating more than one slice on my way home.
What I really wanted, however, was pumpernickel. This country does not do pumpernickel, does it?
The Bread: Well, I certainly went for a novelty loaf. But I'm a sucker for that stuff and I liked it. I liked it a lot. I was sad when the loaf was gone. Very sad. Not sad enough to get on the next bus to get me another, but sad enough.
The Verdict: Why do we buy mysterious bread in bags from Tesco? Why not go to Raab's?
9 comments
Ha! Good question. Why do we buy mysterious bread in bags from Tesco?
I haven’t had pumpernickel since I moved to the UK either- maybe I’ll try making some? 🙂
Sure, you can get pumpernickel quite easily. Try Carmelli’s bakery in Golders Green or Daniel’s in Temple Fortune. A bit closer to home for you, you might find that Happening Bagel in Finsbury Park sells them. I’ve never been, but wouldn’t surprise me given this post http://youngandfoodish.com/?p=2092 if they did.
The other two definitely will – I think!
Anthony, you rock. I love Carmelli’s, but must have missed the pumpernickel
last time I was there. I’ve also heard that the bagels at Daniel’s are
awesome so maybe I will kill two birds with one stone this weekend.
Pleasure, but remember they’ll both be shut on Saturday for Shabbat, but will be open from early on Sunday.
Yup, I know the drill!
There is a real dearth of bakeries in London I have never worked out why. Fresh bread is so hard to beat!
Where is it?
http://www.ahacook.com
ooh bad of me. Well, it’s on the Essex Road. North of Islington Green. a
quick Google says #136. Enjoy!
I buy bread in waitrose bags, but would happily consider switching to Raabs 🙂
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