Dishing with Dale: Love Is In The Air at Birchtree Bread Company
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Thursday, September 01, 2016
Dale LePage, GoLocalWorcester Food Critic
It is no secret to anyone who really knows me, knows that I am a true hopeless romantic and believe there is magic in the world.
Little did I know when I sat down to lunch at Birchtree Bread Company. it would be the start of a love affair with a place so magical with food so incredible.
Let me set the scene for you
A massive 5200 sq foot space designed flawlessly to bring the diner a feeling of down home comfort with a metropolitan flair, which is a hard thing to do, it’s open country kitchen let’s customers view the baking of artesian breads and food preparations, with the smell of coffee brewing, your eyes scan creative art work by local artists with the sweet sound of live music fill the air. For those of you who continually complain about parking forgetting that Worcester is a city, there is on street parking and a HUGE parking lot in the rear of the building. There is such a community feeling to BIRCHTREE BREAD COMPANY that you are instantly aware of your stress melting away.
The Dream
The husband and wife team Robert Fecteau, and Avra Hoffman are driving force behind this wonderful eatery, their tireless work ethic and commitment to a dream is inspiring to say the least. Looking to create a more sustainable lifestyle with his wife and fulfill his long-term goal of owning his own business, Rob left the late night restaurant hours to pursue the trade of artisan baking. He travelled to northern California to actively observe and intern at several well-known bakeries and returned to Five Loaves Bakery in Spencer, MA to apply his experience and create his own brand of bread baking.
Searching for the right location, Rob found the community in the Crompton building fit his vision for BirchTree Bread Company.
Let’s eat!
This time I was lucky enough to be dining with the king of realtors Mr. Jeff Burk and the fabulous singer Jennifer Antowiak
Let me start this portion of the review by saying I looked at a thesaurus for other words to say amazing, and yummy.
JUSTINO'S QUICHE - Zucchini, summer squash, ricotta, mozzarella, and tomato cheese served with a side salad $8.50
Delicious!
SANDWICH SPECIAL - BLT-local tomatoes, lettuce, and VT Smoke & Cure bacon with basil mayo on local whole wheat $9.00
One of the best I have ever had.
Gourmet Sandwich – Grilled Cheese Cabot extra sharp cheddar, Apple Mostarda on coriander raisin bread $9.00
Decedent and scrumptious
BREAD PUDDING
SAVORY- Oyster mushrooms, peppers, onions, and fontina cheese topped with a zesty marinara and served with a side salad $7.50
Incredible!
SWEET- Pineapple, coconut, banana and almond with a citrus caramel sauce $5.50
Did not want this to end, can you pour the citrus caramel sauce directly into my veins please.
There is so much to see and experience here that this review could go on and on.
When we were leaving the restaurant I saw a couple of friends and stopped to chat. Turns out what we had just discovered they had known since they were open for business.
I had enjoyed Rob's culinary talents when he was at Five Loaves in Spencer so when I heard he was opening up a place in Worcester I was thrilled. I remember walking in and instantly being hit with good energy. The building is beautiful, rustic and the space is raw...but it's the owners who have created something magical. They support local farmers and the food that results is artistry. I try and broaden my horizons each time I go and work through the menu but there are a few favorites that I keep coming back for. The olive bread with whipped feta is so savory...I never want it to end. The foccacia bread I've decided is what heaven tastes like and the salads are amazing. Everything tastes phenomenal but what makes us equally happy is supporting a business that is built on love and integrity. AND a very sweet bonus...it's the only bread I can eat without getting sick. I have a gluten sensitivity but their bread is naturally leavened which makes all the difference!
Now if all of this is not enough get you to try the Birchtree Bread Company, add on that is directly above the phenomenal store Crompton Collative owned by Amy Lynn Chase another great Worcester force for betterment. And in the same building as the popular store Seed To Stem store, with one of the best gift stores in the city Birch Alley sharing the same parking lot.
In closing let me reiterate GO TO BIRCHTREE BREAD COMPANY!
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