Gail’s Bakery - is it really all that?

[BarrellChested]

When a Gail’s Bakery opened within walking distance of the office where I worked, people could barely contain their excitement. It felt like something magical had been bestowed on us, and I maybe got caught up in the hype.

I was aware of Gail’s before, of course, but had never been to one.

The great day arrived - a few of us went over and it was…… fine. Nice coffee and a decent enough pastry. But nothing beyond what I’ve had at the myriad of other coffee shops in the area.

Yet still my colleagues talk about it in reverential tones. So maybe it’s just me that doesn’t get it.

AIBU?

Is that another over priced bakery or is it a good one or a bit of both? Never heard of it!

I don't know Brown and Green, but Blackbird staff seem to love ignoring me 😄

Fingals in Maze hill is a good shout.

It's an amazing bakery, small chain think mostly in the south west but absolutely proper old school bakery goods, the best sourdough you've ever tried... Everyone else's sourdough tastes like a tangy house brick after you've tried this!! Can't think of an item they do that isn't delish actually.... Most central one is probably Winchester or Salisbury?

Speaking of the south west, when I lived down there they had “Burns the Bread” in a few locations which was excellent and I wish they’d branch out up north where I am now!

Yes I have heard of burns the bread, but not tried yet!! One for the list 😁

It's okay, nothing special. Our one in Sevenoaks gets really busy especially at weekends. I think it's pricey for what it is and prefer to go to an independent.

No I'm not - most people don't use the word "boycott" to say they don't use a particular bakery so I was asking if there is another reason you are boycotting it beyond it being in your opinion the "most overrated place in the universe".

Most people who boycott things are happy to say they do and why. I don't assume that everyone who boycotts Gail's is antisemitic, people are entitled to boycott businesses for political reasons if that is what you are doing.

Anyway - you don't want to answer the question - fair enough.

Ooh nice I’ll have a look and see if I can get to one. I love sourdough!

At my office, the team are so obsessed with it that our work WhatsApp group photo is the logo. 😂

I've never been myself but I'm not into bakery stuff, cakes and pastries etc.

@Twiglets1”boycott” can simply mean to abstain for buying or using. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re doing it for political protest reasons.

Stop policing my use of the English language. The reason I don’t go to Gail’s is because the quality of their offer is nowhere near good enough for the price. It’s not that “I don’t want to give a reason”. I have already clearly explained that reason about 3 times on this thread.

You could have just said No when I asked if there was any other reason.

As often said on MN, No is a complete sentence!

Back to the topic - I will have to go to a Gail's now to try their cinnamon buns.

But I doubt they will be better than my one true love which is the White chocolate and raspberry cookies at Pret.

Just the other day dh told me that in a SW London area once considered pretty rough, (certainly not ‘sort after’ as some EAs like to put it) - but in the past few years said to be becoming ‘gentrified’ - both a Gail’s and an M&S Food will shortly be opening!

All it presumably needs now is a Waitrose for full aspirational status! - and for property prices to rise even further. (Nothing very special 2 bed flats already at £500-550k).

I enjoy Gail’s and wouldn’t mind one in my area. Compared to the choices around me, I’d happily take Gail’s compared to Costa. There are two in town that are on the opposite ends of the high street.

@Twiglets1this post is me explaining there is no other reason. Can’t you see that?

I'm baffled by 3 virtually identical pictures of that muffin 😅

Gails bread at Ocado is very hit and miss IMO - the logistics of getting it delivered via Ocado, means it can be a couple of days old when it’s delivered to your home. I’ve had refunds from Ocado for this!

We also bought Gail’s bread directly from the shop, but in recent years it’s gone downhill - seems very dry now and doesn’t last at all. I bought their olive bread a few months ago which I used to love, but it was horrible and tasted old - I picked out all the olives and threw the rest away. We’ve given up on the bread now, occasionally buy a coffee or a spinach roll when I’m at Euston but nothing else. As others say, private equity always seems to lower the quality and increase prices.

Favourite bread now is from Jolene. Also pricey, but so delicious and very fresh/lasts well.
https://www.jolenebakery.com/locations/bakery

edited to add: was quoting this post re Ocado, but it disappeared 🤷🏻‍♀️

TheChicDreamer · Today 07:07
I’ve bought their sourdough on Ocado a few times (we don’t live near a shop) and I have to say I wasn’t massively overwhelmed by it.

Had to wait in one recently whilst DC2 took a test and I was so excited for this - https://gails.com/collections/sweet-cakes/products/pistachio-lemon-rose-cake

It was horribly sweet, to the point I couldn't finish it. It was a very sad morning for me. I love cake!

Is this Tooting by any chance?

I'm not interested in any more conversation with you that doesn't involve pastries.

That has actually reassured me that I'm not missing out. I can't eat pistachio but have looked longingly at that cake before. Now I know it's too sweet for some - so thanks!

@Twiglets1really? Suddenly only interested in the actual topic of this thread?

I had understood you were mainly just extremely keen on jumping to unreasonable and unfounded accusations of prejudice against Jewish people.

My mistake.

Yes!!

I’m actually very fond of Tooting, just in case I gave a different impression!

I have been in several branches but just walk back out again. I don’t like the decor. I am not a fan of shiny brioche. The portions look small. The queues are off putting. It looks sterile and to me à bakery should have a bit of warmth to it. There is a gap in the market where Patisserie Valerie used to sit before it went to shit. I prefer independents. I love a cafe and bakery who does things well.

Seriously - the Christmas ones were gorgeous. I'm going to order two dozen and atick them in the freezer for a fortnightly treat throughout the year.

The cinnamon ones are even better taken to go and warmed up at home IMO. Enjoy your coffee on site, but take the bun home