Bakerie needs a quick arm-up

Though the 2-month-old Bakerie at Worli holds promise, it better buckle up quickly if it hopes to be compared with the city's fancy new cake shops

"My cake is dough," says a disappointed Gremio in William Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew ufffd those are the words that instantly came to mind when we sampled the Schezwan Paneer Tikka Croissant (Rs 45) at The Bakerie, Worli's new pastry and bread store. Though its paneer filling was flavoursome, the sticky, chewy bread fell far short of the ideal. The Reshmi Kabab Croissant (Rs 50) turned out better with a delicious stuffing encased in an edible, albeit sweet, roll. But a croissant must deliver a predominant taste of butter with a slight suggestion of sweetness (not the other way around) and it should have a crispy exterior, a golden base and a soft centre, not one with a clay-like texture. Besides, it must practically ooze freshness and a buttery aroma ufffd ours didn't.


Sandwich Bar

Though conspicuously missing from their menu, the Lamb Puff (Rs 50) was very good. With moderately spicy minced lamb filling packed inside a wonderfully crisp and flaky, golden pastry, the puff looked every bit as tasty as it turned out to be. Though it was a struggle to bite into, it wasn't so hard to imagine that the Chicken Quiche (Rs 45) would taste much better at 9 am, when the store receives the day's fresh stock.

Of the sweets we sampled, the Blueberry Cheesecake (Rs 55) was a slightly sharp gelatinous mousse, the Nutties Pastry (Rs 52) was pleasant though it delivered none of the crunch its title implied and the taste of egg in the Lemon Tart (Rs 21) hadn't been effectively concealed.

We had also hoped to sample a Submarine Sandwich from their customise-your-sandwich counter (Rs 110 for vegetarian, Rs 140 for non-vegetarian), but with one person before us in queue, the three attendants behind the counter seemed to have their gloved hands full.

Queries needed repetition and most were answered with a nod or a blank, baffled gaze, which led us to wonder how the place plans to compete with the city's new bakeries that deliver everything from world-class pastries to efficient service. Perhaps their secret weapons are the reasonably priced, interesting cake variants on their menu. Though unavailable for us to sample, Zebra Torte (Rs 600 per kg) and Chocolate Symphony cakes (Rs 565 per kg), may be ordered with a 24-hour notice (1 kg minimum).

At 4, ground floor, Hargun House, 148 A, Annie Besant Road, near Poddar Hospital, Worli.u00a0
Call 24932929

Bakerie didn't know we were there. THE GUIDE reviews anonymously and pays for meals.