flour bakery + cafe

12/17/09

Not really sure.....

by burner1 at Citysearch

I walked into Flour and observed a small, clean, unique bakery. My purpose was to inquire and potentially order and purchase multiple full sized cakes. I first noticed three employees working behind the counter. One individual immediately dissapeared into the kitchen/prep area, the second was watching some soup being heated in some sort of oven (I wasn't really paying attention), she acknowledged me and stated, "just a sec!" and the third was explaiaing to a customer the different types of breads that were on display , while he was assembling a small box to place a cupcake into that the customer had selected. After watching the girl finish and hand the soup to a customer who was seated, she assisted the male employee with the customer looking at bread. After not being acknowledged for over five minutes (beleive me I timed it), I decided to leave. Having previously been in the food service/hospitality industry, it is known that service is everything. At flour, on the evening that I visited, it didn't exist. I will probably visit Flour again with the hope to sample some of their food that I'm told is delicious. This review is only my personal experience regarding the service. I will honestly say that the foods on display looked delicious and the establishment smelled delicious. Two stars based solely on what I smelled and saw for food.

• Pros: Clean, Food looked good.....
• Cons: slow/no service....

05/21/09

Not Memorable

by Ian76 at Citysearch

My friend and I selected several cakes and pastries to take with us before leaving town. They had potential, but were fairly bland. Not terrible, but not that memorable either.

02/28/09

If in Boston it is a must go to!!

by travelerz1 at Citysearch

I have no idea what some of the other reviews are talking about!! This place is a great little spot. The amount of people in line are proof. If the food was bad there would be ample seating but its not and the seating is limited. this is a must go to for a pastry if your in Boston!!!

• Pros: FOOD !!!!!!!!
• Cons: snotty people that write bad reviews

04/12/08

a line for food, a line for seats...

by freewilly7 at Citysearch

felt slightly overrated as the soup/sandwich/coffee is just about what i expect at a decent place like this, but it's good regardless.

the place is crowded as is, w/long order line; took us at least 20 min to finish the food-getting process, and then there's another line for the limited seating (about 25) there were! and there are people who just won't finish their very last bites (or sips) and get the heck out but instead took their sweet time chatting it up and giggling around as if they're at a fine-dining restaurant or something. yes, they have every right to do that regardless, but in my personal opinion i just thought people can use a little bit more consideration and compassion when eating at a small sandwich place like this, especially during peak-time.

order out if you can, esp during peak times (weekend included).

thought ms. chang started off as a pastry chef (and expect more items to that end on the menu), but all we had was just her sandwiches. have yet to try her sweet stuff. maybe next time.

it's a cool place to hang--if you can find a seat first.

:)

• Pros: good neighborhood, park right outside for a little picnic!!
• Cons: packed area, seat-your-self style (good lucky w/your tray of food)

12/11/07

Food is great, service is...blah

by meljab at Citysearch

I visit Flour once or twice a week on Tues/Wed mornings. I have to say that the Cinnamon Cream Brioche, scones, Sugar Brioche Buns, quiche and soups are to die for. The service is horrible, at best. The milk/cream station for coffee is always empty and after telling staff I waited 4 minutes for someone to come out and service it and the kid doing it wiped down everything and then went in back for the milk instead of doing that first so I could get the heck out of there. It is perpetually crowded and the setup for tables and chairs isn't the greatest. If you are waiting for food to be warmed (quiche, "hot pockets" etc.) expect to wait at least 15 minutes, if not more and keep an eye out for your items so it doesn't sit on the counter waiting for you to ask for it. They need a better system for paying/picking up food, perhaps (this is a genius idea, really) asking for your name then yelling it out when your food is ready. The coffee is not that great and there doesn't seem to be a selection of juices.

11/19/07

Sandwiches to die for!

by cambridgegirl123 at Citysearch

I used to live around the corner from Flour Bakery in the South End and it is the highlight of the neighborhood. The sandwiches are deliciously constructed: Roast beef with crispy onion pieces, Lamb with tomato chutney, all atop fluffy bread with a crispy crust.

Also wonderful: the homemade oreos, the granola bar (!) with jam, the raspberry jam filled donuts, the bread pudding and the tiramisu.

Yes, you may have to wait for a table, but on a nice day there's a lovely park just down the street where you can take your food to go and watch the neighborhood dogs cavort (or beg for a morsel from you). The servers are friendly and prompt, and if you visit often enough they may even get to know your name and preferences for food :). If only they'd open a location in Cambridge!

• Pros: Sandwiches, Service

08/20/07

Best baked goods and pastries in town

by bengalifoodie at Citysearch

Not sure why these negative reviews. The baked goods and pastries are to die for (and cry for). The sandwiches are very tasty (try the roasted lamb with tomato chutney and goat cheese), the bread is always fresh, the brioches full of flavor and the pastries are delicious. I wish the one in the South End was a bit bigger and less crowded on weekends. The one in Farnesworth Street (Forth Point Channel) is bigger.

ps: I ordered my wedding cake from Flour (a carrot cake) and the guests loved it. A great alternative to traditional cakes.

• Pros: Great food, good coffee
• Cons: long lines, long wait for a table

02/05/07

Bright, inviting South End spot caters to local sugartooths with a remarkable selection of fresh, inventive pastries, savory snacks and coffee.

by Contributor at Citysearch

A steady stream of South Enders stop by at all hours to Joanne Chang's award-winning bakery and cafe. Friendly employees start each day by listing the daily specials, a quote-of-the-day and the weather forecast on a large blackboard. With a mountain of newspapers and tons of natural light, this is a perfect spot to linger over breakfast. The bakery is a labor of love, evident in Chang's irresistible offerings. Those looking for sweets can choose from an astounding selection, including ginger molasses cookies, homemade pop tarts and the much-beloved sticky buns. Sandwiches are made to order on superb focaccia; fillings include apple-wood smoked bacon, tarragon chicken and oven-roasted vegetables.

Photo by Christine Liu

01/25/07

Stick to the Sandwiches and Cookies

by ah8 at Citysearch

For $7 you can get a cup of watery soup and a "salad". The "salad" is a handful of lettuce with a side of dressing that isn't enough to cover the lettuce. I should have asked what they consider a "salad" to be and I should have asked for a sample of the soup. Flour is known for their desserts...and now I know why!

Agree with other reviews that the service is slow (even the coffee)- especially at the new location. Hopefully, management takes notice and makes some changes so that they don't lose business to the local spots who have some dedicated customers.

• Pros: New place in the area
• Cons: Slow service and more expensive than other local spots. Has kids menu- if you want to pay $5 for a PB&J.

11/03/06

Awesome sandwiches

by kaydeej21 at Citysearch

I'm not sure what's up with some of the negative reviews, but I just ate at Flour for lunch today for the first time and it was great. I got a BLT sandwich which was to die for. The bread was grilled prefectly, it was just amazing. It was crowded since it was 12pm and a lot of the people from the hospital go there, but it was worth the 10 min wait. The only negative thing is there really is not much place to sit so you're better off getting your food to go.

• Pros: food
• Cons: Not much place to sit