I have a little black book. A little black Moleskine actually that I write down places that I’d like to eat. It’s full of recommendations and I often flip to it for inspiration and regularly consult with it. And one place that was on the top of the list and the very first entry was Brasserie Bread. It remained uncrossed off for ages, mainly as they are open during hours that I just don’t or can’t really get to Banksmeadow (near Botany) closing at 2pm on Saturdays. But this one Saturday morning, we had to be in the general area early at 9am and I immediately scheduled in a visit there for breakfast. And they’re now open on Sundays too.
Free kid’s cooking classes
It’s kind of in the middle of not very much and I don’t wish to offend residents of Banksmeadow but by that I mean there aren’t a lot of shops or a lot to do out there aside from visit. And visit they do. This Saturday morning the communal tables and separate tables are full. There’s a large gaggle of mums relaxing – and you might be wondering how a bunch of mums can relax. Easy, take the kids to Brasserie Bread where at 10am and 12pm, they can learn how to make bread for free and take home the goodies they make. Needless to say classes are booked months in advance and I can only imagine the mums relief at the day rolling round where they can offload their kinder if only for an hour to relax with a cup of Allpress and have a child learn the valuable skill of bread making at the same time. In the cafe area, the banquettes are said to be the right height for kids to stand on and peer into the kitchen windows and watch the bakers doing their thing. There are also adult classes for $130 per person.
The front display has their award winning pane croccante which we tried as part of the Easter Show deli bag which was fantastic. Although we tried a packet of the Nigella seed croccante, the Rosemary flavour is the award winner. Samples for these are generous and the rosemary is indeed the best out of the two.
There are also samples of their sourdough and lemon and garlic flavoured olive dips which are also delicious.
Having wanted to go here for so long and stalking the menu, I know what I want. Ordering and paying at the counter, we’re lucky to snag a table quickly. We order the sourdough pancakes which we can have with either raspberries and double cream or maple syrup and bacon. I choose the latter – nothing stands between me and bacon. We also order a Croque Monsieur and the Organic Sourdough toast with avocado, tomato & goat’s curd. All eggs are free range organic.
Allpress coffee
Organic sourdough toast with avocado, tomato & goat curd $10
The Organic Sourdough toast with avocado, tomato & goat’s curd is a DIY breakfast. Spread the rich goat’s curd, ripe avocado and tomato slices (3 thick ones, could we make it 4 thinner ones please? I need 2 pieces of each slice) and crunch away to a delicious breakfast.
Sourdough pancakes with maple syrup and bacon $12
My husband looks grumpy when he tries this and makes a face. He looks unhappy and when I ask him what is wrong he says “It’s terrible” and then says “You might want to just eat yours”. I smell a rat – my husband is a terrible liar and his acting prowess only goes so far and before long his grin stretches across his face and I see that he is lying. I ask him how it really is and he says “Pretty damn good” (Mr NQN speak for fantastic).
Croque Monsieur $10
The croque monsier is filled with ham, heidi gruyere cheese and rocket. I didn’t realise and wasn’t asked if I wanted an egg on it (I did) so it feels a little empty when I get it although it’s not bad but it’s only one piece, not the two pieces that are shown in the picture on the menu so I’m a bit disappointed on both counts.
Caramelised Garlic Loaf $6
For good measure we buy two of their very famous breads, the sour cherry loaf and the caramelised garlic loaf. The caramelised garlic is done so in a sugar syrup with balsamic vinegar and pepper and these are baked in a soft Italian dough fermented with unbleached organic flour, olive oil and milk.
Sour Cherry Fruit Loaf $6
I slice this up for sandwiches filled simply with Beerenberg’s Strawberry jam and cheddar cheese and it’s delicious, particularly lightly toasted. And worth getting up early on a weekend for.
Brasserie Bread
1737 Botany Road, Banksmeadow, NSW
Tel: 9666 6845
Open 7 days
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49 Comments | Add your own
Caramelised garlic loaf… sounds fantastic! I love that they do classes too
I’ve heard good things about this place but same as you, aren’t generally in the area on weekends. I like the look of the cherry fruit loaf, going through a fruit toast phase… Re the croque monsieur, random that you didn’t get the full 2 pieces, but I think without egg is standard, madam version comes with egg??
This is soooo cool! The pancakes look AMAZING too =)
Don’t worry, no offense taken
I’m glad you enjoyed it! It is quite strange they only gave you half the croque monsieur though! It’s good that they’re open on Sundays now – I definitely need to pick up some of that garlic loaf!
i’ve never heard of this place. those breads look delicious! i just love sourdough bread. mmm.. thanks for the post
Looks phenomenal. I like a good sourdough and will travel for it. Thanks, will certainly pay this a visit.
Gosh, I wish they’d open somewhere closer. Though I’d certainly consider travelling for those bacon and pancakes!
Hahaha thats so funny how your husband pretended it was terrible, though I probably would have done it too for that dish! I’ve never tried sour dough pancakes before, looks so yum!
What a fab place – I’m a bread junkie! Hey, I’m only 5ft, do you think they’d let me in on the kids’ class?
Sourdough pancakes sounds lovely! I like the baking classes for kids too. It looks like fun.
Great post and photos. Amazing timing as I was recently explaining the benefits of Twitter to the folks at Brasserie Bread (a local haunt of mine – lucky me) when after doing a search on Brasserie Bread – your post pops up. Great example of the use of social media to “listen” to what your customers are saying about your business.
I’ve been coming to this place for years and it just gets better and better. I can recommend the Adult Cooking classes too – I attended one of the first ones in November – and blogged about the experience here: http://thefoodzeitgeist.com/2008/10/22/learning-the-art-of-artisan-bread-making-brasserie-bread/
I’d also recommend trying their toasted granary or quinoa bread with marmalade – delicious.
It’s pretty busy travelling here from Mon-Sat so great news they’re open Sundays. Remember the ED gets you to Botany Rd from the city in about 10 minutes and its an easy run from there: see http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=William+St,+NSW&daddr=Flinders+St+to:South+Dowling+St+to:-33.936595,151.204319+to:brasserie+bread&geocode=FVAc-_0dzWsDCQ%3BFfX–v0dumQDCQ%3BFaSp-v0dqlgDCQ%3B%3BFb_S-f0dPkcDCSF4RuKv23Z2FA&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz=14&via=1,2,3&dirflg=h&sll=-33.939515,151.21419&sspn=0.057108,0.111752&ie=UTF8&ll=-33.900555,151.228695&spn=0.057135,0.111752&z=14
Cheers
Tony Hollingsworth
I think Im gonna make the trip here this weekend! My pals luv breaky!
I find it completely unacceptable that places like this are so far from me. I need some way to protest this injustice.
caramelized garlic loaf! wow! and goat curd? not sure what that is, but it’s probably some sort of cheese right? anyways, sounds and looks lovely to me!
and puahahhaah! I was LOL-ing at your husband’s attempt to lie!what a stunt!
omigod, I looove Brasserie bread and for those in the CBD they are at the Rocks Market on Fridays! The garlic loaf is gorgeous and deadly, and so is the sour cherry…yuuum!
this place has been recommended to me recently so it’s great you’ve pre-checked it out for me
s
MMmmmmm bbreeaaddddd ^^! I like how they put the olive oil in an actual loaf hee hee
I totally would have gone the raspberry and double cream pancakes…though I must admit, bacon is pretty awesome
The breads have really got to me, the caramelised garlic one in particular! Mr NQN is quite the ‘drama king’ eh? Fun fun fun!!
Croque-monsieur with an egg = croque-madame
. So it’s not surprising that you wouldn’t be offered an egg with it!
Thanks for the review, I’ll be giving this place a go soon.
That caramalised garlic loaf looks amazing.
haha, the Brasserie bread people run a stall at my local farmers’ market, the caramelised garlic loaf is my all time favourite but I always manage to buy some sourdough each time too!
Those breads look lovely! And that cup of coffee looks scrumptious.
OMG! Is that bread in the first pic? It looks almost like ginger root… how beautiful.
Delicious breakfast! Wish we had a place like this near us so I would take my daughter to some of those cooking classes for kids!
I’m such a carb addict – this looks right up my alley!
The sourdough, goats curd, avo and tomato is literally my ideal breakfast. Perfect. That alone would be worth the trip out there!
that is some COOL knobby bread in the first picture, but boy, what i wouldn’t give for those pancakes with bacon and syrup. drool.
Hi Anita-It was very nice and I should book myself in for a class!
Hi Miss Honey-Yes if only it were closer! Although it might start an addiction
Well I should explain, I know the difference between a Croque Monsieur and Madame but I showed them the picture of the item I wanted in their brochure and they said “that’s the Croque Monsier, that’ll be $10″ and on the prices there was a price $10/$11. I didn’t realise the extra $1 was for the egg version and I didn’t get it even though I wanted the version in the picture 
Hi Brianna-It was delish indeed and the pancakes are stuff dreams are made of
Hi Zam-Hehe cool!
So I was supposed to get two pieces? I was confused as I just wanted what was in the picture 
Lucky
you being close by and yes garlic loaf at any time!
Hi Betty-Ahh it’s a haven for sourdough lovers! Definitely worth a visit
Hi Mike -Ah excellent, well their sourdough is amazing!
Hi belle-Yes me too! I’m dreaming about those pancakes right now!
Hi Steph-He’s a sneaky bugger although I admit I’ve done the same
Hi Angela-Hehe you’re about my height too! Good things come in small packages. I should try!
Hi Arwen-It looked like the kids were having a great time (and their parents were too!)
Hi Tony-thanks! I saw that Brasserie Bread’s blog linked to me from you so thankyou!
Sounds like the classes are great-
perhaps one day I’ll get to do one!
Hi Aubrey-Ahh well it’s a breakfaster’s paradise!
Hi SydneyGal-Haha do and perhaps they’ll open one up Northside!
Hi Sophia-Goat’s curd is soft goat’s cheese and it’s delicious! Hehe he’s a naughty schemer but I understand!
Hi Reemski-Good to know! Although I wish those pancakes were a bit closer!
Hi Simon-Heh yes well it’s well worth a visit.
Hi FFichiban-Olive oil is never a bad thing with bread!
Hi Esz -I was very tempted but bacon wins it for me every time
Hi deeba-Hehe he tried it on for the first time! But he isn’t a very good liar
Hi k-Please see my comment to Miss Honey above-I know!
Wonderful!
Hi Michelle -It was really good!
Hi Moya-Hehe yes I couldn’t choose so I had to buy two too!
Hi anna-They were both great indeed!
Hi anudivya-Yup it sure is! Their famous Epi bread
Hi 5 Star Foodie-Yes they’re a great idea and I think they get to make some pretty kid friendly flavours too!
Hi maris-Ah yes a carb addict’s dream really!
Hi SarahKate-It was really so good-so simple but so delicious!
Hi grace-I know, it’s supposed to be great for dinner parties where I guess you pull off a piece! And yes I’m dreaming of those pancakes…
The caramelised garlic loaf looks absolutely fantastic. I could probably put a fair dent into one of these myself just on the way it looks.
Interesting place and I like the rhizome like bread stick and how they use a bread loaf as a dipping receptacle.
Hi Nigella thanks for the nice review:) I’m all over the sourdough pancakes too, especially with the bacon but right now i’m going through a quinoa and nutella phase! great blog by the way, it makes for nice lunchtime reading.
we’ve got our brasserie bread blog up now so feel free to leave comments on your experiences or thoughts on BB: http://www.inthedough.wordpress.com
Hi Simon-Haha we both did! That was gone in a flash
Yes it’s very clever isn’t it!
Hi Mei-It’s Lorraine
It was a great breakfast/brunch! I must try the quinoa as Tony Hollingsworth also recommended it. Thankyou! That’s great to hear 
Glad to see you finally made it there doll!! For those that don’t live near Banksmeadow I often see them at Farmer’s markets, in fact they make a regular appearance on Kirribilli Market days too
Fancy bread don’t do it for me, you have to cut it yourself
Hi Teena-That’s great to hear although I am still hankering for a North side venue for those pancakes!
Hi Ridves-Ahh well you see they can slice it for you in the shop!
The garlic loaf sounds wonderful.
LOL at your husband for faking out the pancakes. They do seem “pretty damn good” to me too
Hi ArtemisIII-He’s such a sneaky bugger. And I wonder where he learned a trick like that? Not I surely?
We finally went to Brasserie Bread for breakfast today. It was well worth the trek, even my huband agreed. I loved the pancakes with berries and he was impressed with the eggs benedict and a ham and cheese croissant. The sour cherry loaf was perfect for afternoon tea. Am making Donna Hay’s onion soup to go with the sour dough baguette we brought home too.
Hi romaverona-Thanks so much for letting me know! That is great-it is a bit of a trek but a well rewarded one
Hi Lorraine,
Just wanted to report back as I returned very happy, satisfied from a tasty lunch at Brasserie Breads. (Needless to say, I also managed to purchase a bag load of goodies to take home for the family…)
Braving the Botany Road trek from the North and dodging between large cargo trucks, my hubby and I made it to the much raved about Brasserie Bread. So pleased to see the place filled with happy lunch-ers and queue up for the food. I ordered the special ‘ Chicken with cheddar’ burger for the hubby and the Tassie smoked trout with cucumber salad in rye for myself. Food was D-elicious with a capital ‘D’ and didn’t want the dishes to finish. We enjoyed the food so much, hubby and I decided to order more food after our delightful ‘starters’. The friendly waitress advised the ‘sourdough’ pancakes, which was an excellent choice, as my hubby and I found myself lapping up even the sauce on the plate. We even got to meet Mei from BB afterwards – we got chatting and I said I was reading your blog and visited as a result. We both admired your blog and said how weird that we ‘know’ you but haven’t met you! We should all catch up one time! It will be swell!
Anyways, just wanted to thank you for being a beautiful blogger and an inspiration. Blessings!
Eve x
Hi Eve-Oh cool! YAY, what did you buy? I’m always curious about what food people buy
hehe sounds like you did the same as us 
We ordered two and couldn’t help but order a third item. Aww that’s so cool that you met Mei! She’s lovely! Aww thankyou so much for leaving such a lovely comment! It’s so nice to read things like this 
x
a friend really wants to take me there this weekend but i’m contemplating rather going to bill’s again… what should i do?
are the sourdough pancakes really that good?!
7 Trackbacks/Pingbacks
[...] Cafe that was found by Tony Hollingsworth, loyal Brasserie Bread Head and blogger extraordinaire: http://www.notquitenigella.com/2009/05/11/brasserie-bread-banksmeadow/. Thanks for popping by Nigella – we’ll remember that egg the next [...]
[...] is the way things happen in blog land, I went to Brasserie Bread a few weeks ago and wrote about it. Tony from The Food Zeitgeist and I follow each other on twitter and as a fellow [...]
[...] the local Dojo bread which is a thickly sliced white loaf) and perhpas I’ve been spoilt by Brasserie Bread’s version. Mr NQN and Miss America’s Bacon and Eggs have a lot of bacon but again standard country [...]
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[...] Not Quite Nigella, 11 May 2009 [...]
[...] Cafe that was found by Tony Hollingsworth, loyal Brasserie Bread Head and blogger extraordinaire: http://www.notquitenigella.com/2009/05/11/brasserie-bread-banksmeadow/. Thanks for popping by Nigella – we’ll remember that egg the next [...]
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