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| The Grumpy Baker | ||
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Considering
the hours that bakers work, it's reasonable to allow them a modicum
of grumpiness. So it was with trepidation that we approached Oxford
Street's The Grumpy Baker, especially when a first glance reveals a
tough-looking tattooed chap with a shock of Billy Idol-type hair. Grumpy
and a punk too - scarey stuff! But an initial salutation allayed all
terrors, as co-owner Gino, the peroxide punk, turned out to be an amiable
if extremely eclectic fellow. His accent is straight out of Scotland,
but his name ... Gino???? Turns out he admits to being Italian, which
is great news as he also admits to being the barista, not the baker.
As the co-owner, it's no wonder he's always there, keeping a dedicated
eye on the baked-on-premise delights such as the scrumptiously juicy
muffins, the hand-made gourmet breads (with flavours such as choc-chips
with banana, sour cherry, coffee and walnut, or pumpkin and poppy seed),
the sambusaks (Israeli-style pitta bread with fetta, olives and spinach),
the chocolate croissants (white choc or dark), the pastries, the pies,
the cakes, the milkshakes, the iced coffees, the granitas, and, according
to Gino, the "best coffee on Oxford Street or your money back".
The place is like a lolly shop for adults, open 24 hours on the weekend
(generous hours as well as generous serves), the analogy only frayed
because their savoury stuff hits the spot too - we tried the potato
and rosemary boreka - and the Bulgarian fetta cheese boreka - on first
visit and knew we'd be back for more. And more on Gino? His accent may
be "straight" outta Edinburgh, but that's possibly the only
"straight" thing about him. The man is sure to be an Oxford
Street foodie legend. |
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