A trusty, cozy cafe serving comfort food can often become a community hub of sorts. Locals go there to have a coffee or enjoy a relaxed meal with family. Visitors are quick to rave about this “hidden gem” in the neighborhood – sometimes in an unusual or unexpected location. Many of our cities or localities may have a lovely place like this. We recently visited one such place in Chembur and it was an exciting discovery. We are talking about The Bread Bar in Chembur, which is run by chef Rachi Gupta (who is also the force behind Bandra’s popular dessert stop, The Gelato Bar).
Photo Credit: The Honest Illustrations
Chef Rachi first launched Bread Bar in 2021. It started out as a limited-seat establishment that operated primarily through pickup and takeaway orders. After a surge in sales and walk-ins last year, there was a demand for more seats, we’re told. This led to the decision to launch Bread Bar 2.0, a 45-seater dine-in space adjacent to the original location. The menu has also been expanded to include old favorites as well as new brunch and cafe-style dishes.
Photo Credit: The Honest Illustrations
Through the Bread Bar, Chef Rachi Gupta seems to be channelling her love for baked treats and their power to bring people together. After her stint at the Taj Group of Hotels in the country, she trained in French pastry arts at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de la Patisserie under Ducasse Education in France. She then interned at Pierre Hermé in Paris and the Michelin-starred Azurmendi in Spain. She returned to India to set up her own ventures – The Gelato Bar and The Bread Bar.
Photo Credit: The Honest Illustrations
We began our binge with the pleasantly balanced Turkey eggsAfter Hummus and Shrooms. The latter deserves a special mention: we’re still thinking about those wholesome charred mushrooms spiced with za’atar, generously layered on multigrain toast with hummus. Who knew a relatively “healthy” option – especially in this carb and calorie haven – would turn out so delicious? However, we must admit that we conveniently forgot about dieting and restrictions for the rest of our meal. We were there for the weekend and the Bread Bar served up a memorable feast.
Photo Credit: The Honest Illustrations
Before we tell you more about the food, it’s worth mentioning the warmth and playfulness of the decor. The interiors are adorned with motifs and illustrations related to different kinds of bread and baking. While you’re enjoying the food, don’t forget to check out the fun graffiti on the end wall, which features adorable frames of miniature human figures and bread in loaves and real-life scenarios (by Mumbai-based agency, The Honest Illustrations). Pet lovers, you’ll also be happy to know that your furry friends are welcome at The Bread Bar.
Photo Credit: The Honest Illustrations
Other recipes we liked include: bagel with cream cheeseBut if you’re here for a full meal, we suggest you save your ‘cheese quota’ for the pasta and pizza. Fettucine Pesto It was the epitome of casual café-style dining. The freshness of the basil, the cheesy creaminess of the sauce and the flavour of the pasta – every aspect worked perfectly. Among the pizzas, we enjoyed a pizza loaded with vegetables Foreigner with a deliciously soft and chewy khameera base.
Photo Credit: The Honest Illustrations
Need a break from bread? We highly recommend it chicken tendersServed with a delicious homemade garlic aioli. Crisp and juicy, we couldn’t stop ourselves from eating more. We complemented the delicious dishes with sips of hot and cold beverages. There is an extensive list of coffee-based drinks with options for almost every mood. Our classic Latte Grandly served in a giant bowl-like cup – coffee lovers will surely be delighted by this sight. We also enjoyed the bottled coffee KombuchaWhich comes in three flavors.
Photo Credit: The Honest Illustrations
Chef Rachi is an extremely skilled pastry chef, so you better save room for dessert. If there’s one thing you can’t leave without trying, it’s the signature Almond Croissant. The delicately flaky and buttery bread has a molten almond core that creates an effect that can only be described as dreamy. As we tried to finish every last piece, we glanced at the many plates that were going to different tables. From a tempting OG pepperoni pizza and smoked lamb burger to the fabulous looking brioche French toast and textures of chocolate, we realised that Bread Bar really is worth a second trip to Chembur. If there is one thing that can inspire us to visit the city, it is this option.
Where: The Bread Bar, Unit No. 2, Shah Industrial Estate, Deonar, Chembur, Mumbai.
Photo Credit: The Honest Illustrations
Photo Credit: The Honest Illustrations
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