Organic Bread Bar, Paddington – Rating: 20.5/25

I was keen to see whether all of this waiting was worth it and as luck would have it, someone was departing as we arrived this morning.  Thankfully, the tens of other patrons were waiting for their takeaway coffee.  This makes OBB a great place to sit, talk to strangers and people watch.  The counter and bread bar proudly display what owner Andreas Rost has learned over decades of baking.  So we chose some savoury items and a selection of sweet pastries to share…

La Hacienda beans are in use as well as organic milk (also available to buy in two litre cartons, $7).  Our coffees (regular $3.50, large $4) were outstanding with a strong and unique flavour.  Belgian hot chocolate ($4) as well as a huge selection of Tea Craft teas ($4) are also available.

The selection of savoury rolls represent not only a quick snack to have while on the move but also a delicious, high quality meal to eat in.  With offerings such as ham, emmental, tomato and seeded mustard, tuna capers, parsley, mayonnaise and iceberg or  poached chicken celery, walnuts, mayonnaise and iceberg lettuce ($9 each) it is apparent that thought and quality ingredients have gone into the mix.  We sampled the bocconcini, tomato, pesto and tapenade roll which all worked brilliantly together.  The bread itself is obviously what they take pride on and one bite was enough for me to decide that this is the bakery where I’ll be purchasing bread for my family’s Christmas lunch this year!

And once again with the organic poached egg, tomato relish, bacon and avocado roll ($8) it was the baked goods that shone through.  The rosemary roll itself was outstanding; soft and full of flavour.  These rolls are preconstructed but with this smoky bacon, runny yolk and fresh avocado, it heated up well and the slightly spicy tomato relish was a winner.  A must-try.

We didn’t plan to have anything else savoury but when we say the focaccia scrolls ($4) rolling out of the oven, we couldn’t resist.  Simple but a delicious snack.

The apple turnover ($3.80) is surrounded by light pastry with a sweet interior of apple and sultanas.  You can’t help but be reminded of family recipes when you take a bite.

There were a few varieties of frangipan fruit tarts ($3.80) including rhubarb and apricot.  Out tart melted in the mouth and had just the right amount of sweetness.  These pastries were so good, we were encouraged to grab some other offerings to enjoy at home!

The bakery itself is a spotless example of classic influence thanks to original machiney (like boards, scales and mixers), most of which are the items that Andreas used as an apprentice baker.  The few tables inside offer a prime view of the action so there’s plenty to watch and talk about.

For now, there are no baking classes on offer but it’s something that I’d love to see at OBB.  Maybe with some more time to settle in and find its feet, we’ll see these services on offer.  Until then, I can only suggest that you drop by and experience baking excellence for yourself.