Acme Bread Company
(1) 415 – 288 2978
1 Ferry Building, Market Shop #15
San Francisco, California 94111

www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com

Open Hours:
6:20 am –  7:30 pm   Monday   – Friday
8:00 am – 7:00 pm   Saturday – Sunday

Founded in 1983 out in Berkley, CA by Steve Sullivan, Acme Bread was a pioneer on the Artisan Bread Culture.  Now 26 years later with two bakeries in Berkley, one in Mountain View and one  in the Ferry Building downtown San Francisco, dedicated customers are still enjoying the flaky joy that is warm bread.

While visiting this commercial handmade bread company,  it is hard to make a choice once you reach the counter!  There is a perfect  selection of the sourdoughs that San Francisco is famous for (it is because of the humidity and climate that the starters take so well).  Acme uses French and Italian techniques and only organic flour to create their magnificent selection of Viennoiseries ( croissants, Danishes, Brioches) and Breads  (Ciabatta, Focaccia, Baguette, Sourdough, Swetbread, Rye, Pumpernickel ……).

The Ferry Building itself is a wonderful foodie enclave.  If this were in another, more commercial city it would be housing all sorts of chains (read Au Bon Pain, Starbucks, Sharper Image, etc ..).  I was expecting another lost, culturally significant locale- a la Fanual Hall in Boston or the South Street Seaport in New York.  I was so happy to find all local food producers and a climate that defines San Francisco eating: width, breadth taste and locale.  Bravo.

Blue Ribbon Bakery Market
212.647.0408
14 Bedford Street ( 6Ave. – Downing St. )
New York, NY 10014

www.blueribbonrestaurants.com

Open Hours:
11:00am – 8:00pm  Monday – Friday
9:00am – 6:00pm  Saturday and Sunday

The Blue Ribbon Market, not the cafe, is a little place in the west village where you can find some of the best breads this city has to offer; including flavored ciabattas (arugula, rosemary…), country breads, baguettes, rye, 9 grains…. some of them with organic alternatives.

They also have a wonderful selection of Mexican raw honey, with flavors like: Mesquite Blossom, Autumn Flower, Veracruz Orange, MT Mexteca and Golden Reserve

Seasoned salts, flavored sugars, cheese and eggs from local farms, pickles, smoked fish olive oil , the best baklava ever with made real honey…. and now the selection really begins to fill out.

Prepared open toasts with all sort of toppings like honey and manchego cheese,  or  herring and pickled onions are just a bonus – try  to have with one of their daily soups.

But beyond all the tantalizing foods and top quality ingredients, once again we find service is king.  The staff here is ALWAYS on top of their game and easy with a smile.  This is one of the places that makes you feel great about spending your money there.

(above left) Mexican Honey

(above right) Honey Manchego cheese toast