If you are like me and have a strange addiction with bread, or even knowing where restaurants get their products from….you need to check out Bread & Cie.
My San Diego travels took me down to one of the hottest breakfast spots a couple weeks back – Breakfast Republic. I immediately fell in love with their French Toast (something I don’t typically like, which is strange since I am such a bread-head) and needed to know where they get that fluffy, delicate, delicious, and decadent Brioche bread. Long story short? Not even a week later, I was back in San Diego at Bread & Cie stuffing my face with all sorts of Heaven-sent bread.
Quick history on Bread & Cie… The founder, Charles Kaufman, was originally a film director. When the film crisis hit, he spent time in Italy learning the amazing science and nature of bread. 1994 came, he returned to San Diego, and Bread & Cie was born. (See their website for a more detailed, hysterical explanation). Mr. Kaufman is one of the greatest guys I have ever met. If I could spend every day with this man, I swear my life would be ALL smiles. His passion for bread and humor are just one-of-a-kind.
So now fast forward to today, and you will see Bread & Cie open everyday of the year, baking 10,000 pounds of bread DAILY. What kinds of breads? All kinds. Literally. 25 different varieties of bread- along with daily flavors. It is no joke. And that is just at the CAFE. The WHOLESALE bread menu is a whole other story!
If you are familiar with any restaurants in San Diego, the chances that they use Bread & Cie are pretty likely. If you go to any grocery stores or farmer’s markets in San Diego, the chances that you find Bread & Cie are pretty likely. If my dreams are fulfilled, Bread & Cie will eventually takeover San Diego, then make their way up north to Orange County for me. 🙂
(If you like cinnamon rolls…. check out #25 in this article : http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-1w01diningm102236-25todiefor-2009jan01-story.html )
As for the cafe itself, we are talking much more than just bread. Breakfast, soup, salad, panini, sandwiches, pastries, drinks, and cakes galore! I tried a couple different cafe items, but would HIGHLY recommend…..
- Curried Chicken Sandwich. This is a must. I noticed there was a strangely high number of reviews and pictures on Yelp pertaining to this sandwich. I was already planning to order it, because I just love curry chicken. My expectations were far surpassed. This was some of the best curry chicken ever. I could probably eat 3 of these sandwiches at once.
- Housemade Granola & Yogurt. Ok, granola is one of my obsessions, so you know I had to try this. Granola parfaits and me are best buds. Bread & Cie is pretty well-known for their granola along with their bread, and it was no question as to why.
- “Specialty Bread Sample Plate”. The word sample is a bit misleading. It should be more like “specialty bread MEAL plate.” Your choice of three MONSTROUS slices of bread served with sweet butter, house-made preserves (BOMB!), and cream cheese. Can you say Heaven on a plate???
As far as actual breads go, I have not tried them all yet, but I will be going to the actual wholesale distribution center for a TOUR soon – which will be added to this post.
From the breads I have tried so far, however, I am in love with :
~Fig & Anise
~Brioche
~Focaccia
~Caramelized Onion
If you visit or have visited Bread & Cie…. PLEASE let me know! I would love to talk bread. 🙂
Sauce Boss Shelby 