This tiny bakery in Crystal Palace, South London, is one of my favourite shops on this planet. I love everything about it, as I’m one of those freaks who actually runs into traffic towards a good bakery window display. When it opened several years ago, I was one of their first customers through the door and think it sells the best croissants outside of France!
Everything at the Blackbird is handbaked using organic flour from Shipton Mills. The quality is fantastic. You can buy knobbly rustic loaves that feel satisfying when you pick them up – some sourdough, others flavoured with aromatic herbs such as rosemary and caraway, plaited challah loaves and spelt bread topped with seeds. They also make knockout cakes: think lemon and poppyseed, apple and spice, carrot with cream cheese icing or flourless chocolate cake. Proper wedges of English cake – not flimsy slices.
The bakery occupies a triangular Victorian corner shop space that was derelict for several years because retailers couldn’t figure out how to fill it, but it fits in perfectly, as though it has always been there. Aside from the tempting cake counter and shelves of homemade jams and biscuits, there is a wood burning stove, a general air of chilled out contentment and you can sit inside and watch the world go by nursing a nice mug of tea and some thick slices of toast. It’s cosy bliss.
But what I would walk across hot coals for are their plain butter croissants. They are magnificent – huge, crusty, buttery, salty and boasting a properly serious heft to them without being stodgy. Being half French, I feel I have a little bit of a say in what makes a good croissant, and I seriously consider these ones to be the best I have eaten outside of France. French friends of mine have also been amazed by them.
In fact, I start thinking about my weekend croissant from the minute I reach my desk on a Monday. I’m not even joking!
The Blackbird Bakery
71 Westow Street
Crystal Palace
London SE19
Tel: 020 8768 0357
Branches also in Dulwich and Herne Hill
Oh gosh, you've given me a food hard-on. I love bread more than life itself. YUM!
ReplyDeleteThe version in Herne Hill was akin to one of those v posh clothes stores, with only one rack along one wall and 6 pieces of clothing spread spaciously along the rail, staffed by an imperious uber-thin spanish diva, who ultimately turns out to be v nice and great at making espresso. It used to hold 4 croissants, a tartlet of some variety and 3 loaves of bread. That was all. Great place, used to make you feel special buying one of the fashionista baked products.
ReplyDelete(I'm not really stalking your blog but...)
ReplyDeleteThe last time I had a Relationship Crisis, my friend Laura went out and bought an entire carrot cake from that den of delights. It was cheaper that way she said. Of course, said I, that makes much sense!
We ate some. I cared not for Relationship Crises. We ate more. As we lay in a sugar coma, we decided that I should have a Crisis more often.
I commend your whole cake eating scenario - the only thing to do in a Crisis...
ReplyDeleteAnne, it was The Only Thing To Do. *nods*
ReplyDeleteI work next door to a branch of Patisserie Valerie, across the road from a Paul's and 4 minutes walk away from a Carluccio's deli. I am never far from cake. This has a lovely, secure feeling to it.
Their butter croissants are my favourite as well!
ReplyDeleteI had a hilarious middle class moment in the Blackbird Bakery a few months ago - I commented on the smaller size and consistency of the croissants, and asked if the recipe had changed. They said yes it had, but had received so many complaints that they were changing it back! I was incredibly relieved, as I couldn't contemplate an inferior croissant...
ReplyDelete