Miel Bakery
Sweet by name, delicious by nature
From Miel Bakery’s website
Opening Ramble
One of my favourite bakeries pre pandemic was Miel Bakery, and unlike many of my favourite bakeries, they’ve managed to survive through Corona and Cozzie Livs. 1Understandably, many businesses have had to adapt and change during these trying times so I thought it was worthwhile to check in with Miel Bakery again just to see if they still had that sweet magic.
The Menu
There wasn’t a menu as far as I’m aware, maybe it was hiding in plain sight and my brain just went straight to the treats.2 I’ve found their menu online and it seems to be a normal indie bakery of the usual suspects and we have it until it’s sold out.3
The Food
The sausage roll, I think gets a bad rap and most people think of a Greggs sausage roll, which is low key the worst roll they sell. It’s bland, dry and inferior to the vegan sausage roll. People like it because it’s cheap and/or warm. I remember the first time I had the Miel sausage roll, it was pissing down outside and they had just pulled a batch out of the oven. Definitely not cheap like Greggs but I was wondering if external factors made it seem better than it was. So when we arrived at 5pm to a cold batch, on a decent British summer’s day, I had perfect conditions to test.4 Those fears melted away like the buttery pastry; the chutney was the perfect amount to add a sweetness along with the seasoned meat. It was awesome regardless of condition.
The Rating 8.7/10
I’m usually a Palmier sceptic, there’s just so many bad ones and even the good ones are fine to me.5 I did notice something different, peep that extra deep brown colour in the pic above. That’s not by accident friends, it’s what makes Miel’s palmiers different to any other I’ve had. It unlocked an intense caramel and brown butter flavour and chewiness to the palmier that makes me want to try baking them like this going forward. Honestly, one of the best pastries I’ve ever had.
The Rating 9.4/10
I can’t remember what they called this cookie but it’s kind of a thick thumbprint cookie. Made with oatmeal (I’m guessing because it was a super dense) and a silky smooth milk chocolate drop in the middle. It was a good cookie but a bit boring. I think it would benefit from a darker chocolate, as there was not much flavour. With a glass of your chosen milk, I’m sure it would have been delightful but isn’t that true of most cookies.
The Rating 7.5/10
Overall Rating 8.5/10
If you’re ever anywhere near Warren Street, I don’t think you’ll find anywhere with better quick treats for breakfast/brunch/lunch. So good, I’m considering going to their bakery classes…I need that Palmier in my life more frequently.
Miel = Honey in French, hence all the sweet/sugar puns
They have their drink prices etc on the board but the food prices are on little stands above the produce.
They also sell out daily which tells you the food bangs and it’s gotta be fresh everyday.
It’s a British summer’s day so it still drizzled later that evening.
Best ones are found in those danish big biscuit tins but I don’t know if they count