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| - Bon Breads is located in a tiny corner shop on a little side alley behind Tommy Bahama's. I wanted to get that fact out at the top of this review because we drove around Town Square for almost 20 minutes on our first visit and finally had to call the store to ask. (Both Town Square's and Bon Breads' websites are useless in this regard.)
So, after my first visit, I was too undecided on how to rate Bon Breads to even write a review. The bread? Five stars. The service? Um, not five.
However, after my second visit, I've decided that the lone staff member I've encountered both times in this tiny shop isn't so much hostile as she is taciturn, and no one has probably pointed out to her how off-putting it is for her to stop what she's doing when customers come in and simply stare at them while they turn circles in the little showroom, trying to decide.
(You've got to be cool about these things: pretend to be busy with some paperwork, but use peripheral vision and body language clues to decide if someone needs guidance or a boot to the head for stealing.)
But she almost cracked a smile today in response to my chatter, so let's talk about what's good - scratch that, GREAT - about Bon Breads:
- The breads, duh. We came here after our first visit to DW Bistro because their bread is amazing, and they're on the Bon Breads client list. (DW Bistro's pretzel bread is not available in the BB store, alas.) The ciabatta is so airy, the baguette chewy, the sliced sourdough light yet flavorful, and the feta cheese batard has a tang that sings through the crumb without just dumping a sour brine taste in your mouth.
- Loyalty card. After you buy nine loaves, you get a free white chocolate batard. It only took me two visits to get one. Go carbs! (Oh, and even though I'm not a white chocolate fan, this batard is so moist and yummy that I'll pay full price next time. As it was, I got the last one today.)
- Daily specials. Both times I've visited, there has been a half-price batard available for $3. The first time it was the feta cheese, and the second time it was the bacon onion. (You'll have to wait for my husband's review on the latter as I don't eat bacon.)
- Yelp specials. If you check in using the Yelp app on your smartphone, you will get a free baguette with a purchase of a batard. (And yes, the half-price batard counts!)
- Special ordering. You can special order any of their breads with no minimum. Remind me to not be so lazy and order some of those pretzel rolls soon.
- Accompaniments. Honeys, oils, and tapenades of the usual ilk plus a few unusual offerings are available as well.
Things that I'd like to change:
- I wish the cozy store was a little closer to one of the lots because I rarely carry change for the meters, and I don't want to park in a lot/garage if I'm just coming in for bread. (I also wish I was brave enough to ignore the meters. Metered parking should be free with proof of purchase from an adjacent store.) Of course, all of this assumes there will even BE a parking spot available. It's hard to pop by when parking is a bit of a fuss.
- My husband asked the salesperson what kinds of bread we could special order. "There are over 300 kinds." Yeah? That and a helpless shrug is not really an answer. Give me a product list or - better yet - put this information on the website. I'm trying so hard to give you money. Please let me!
- Speaking of the website: pretty, but it's just a glorified billboard. Not only should the special order breads be listed there, but directions to the store should include more than an arrow pointing at the Town Square complex.
- Furthermore, some kind of mechanism for doing special orders online would be really great. I would love to be able to place my order online then pick it up at the store at some future date.
- Artisan bread, but pedestrian drinks in the cooler. Fresh (brand) Ginger Ale and other cane sugar drinks would be a great addition. Vitamin Water tells me you're trying to play MiniMart to the passersby, not create an experience.
- Have a different special bread on offer every day. Tweet/FB/etc. about it. You will get me in the door more often (and stop me from just getting bread while shopping at Whole Foods around the corner) if I'm intrigued by an unusual offering. (And then if I love it, I'll special order it on the website later, eh?)
I'm not going to admit to how much of the white chocolate batard I've eaten while writing in this review, and I have no plans to stop. In fact, I need both hands to get my full savor on. Typing fingers, tear me off another hunk!
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