A look at what's going on in Trinidad, on H Street, and in the larger area north of Capitol Hill.
Friday, January 03, 2014
Batter Bowl Bakery Turns 1 Year Old
Stop by Batter Bowl Bakery (403 H Street) anytime this weekend & partake in the celebration of the bakery's first anniversary. They'll be giving out free mini-cupcakes, cookie, hot chocolate, & crostini.
I have only been by once, and it was when they first opened, but every time I pass by, it is empty and it seems like this is more of a pastry shop than an actually bakery. Has anyone been in? I would love to have a legit bakery in the neighborhood.
Tom, I assure you that they have multiple types of freshly baked loaves for sale each day (mostly along the back wall). The baguettes have been huge hits when I've taken them to parties. If you did not see the bread, maybe you were there later in the day & they had sold out. Perhaps try them again. The sourdough bread is quite good.
Tom, I agree with you. They are nice to have in the neighborhood, but when I was able to go by there early in the morning (between 7am-8am) it was either not open or very empty. I use to live above a bakery years ago (they made loafs of bread every day, not just cutesy things to sell with a cup of coffee) and know they were baking before 5am. I would rather have Marvelous Bakery (pseudo) than this. If they were really worth it, I would be there all the time and praise them.
The Batter Barn is a small-batch bakery and elegant-sandwich shop. It's definitely about the experience, not strictly the carbohydrates... That explains the 8-8 hours.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The commenters on this site are the absolute worst. Are you dour jerks really my neighbors? Why are most of the comments about places on H negative?
Tom, you clearly haven't visited Batter Bowl enough to have an accurate picture, given that I, and others have bought many, many loaves of freshly baked bread, and baguettes, and bagels, and yes, pastries from the place in the year that it's been around. You went once, and somehow felt empowered to talk shit? Give me a fucking break.
If it's empty, that's news to me and everyone else on the West end of H. Really, inked, I love your blog, but do us all a favor and nix the comments. It just makes people in this neighborhood look like dicks.
It seems you are indulging in the very behavior you claim to dislike. Ironic. As my post said, I only went once and was looking for advice. Thank you to all who gave me advice. You were just mean and used foul language. The only dick who posted is apparently you.
well, we could be real tough guys and meet at the front of batter bowl at dawn and figure things out for real, yo. You that kinda real life tough guy? All we know for sure right now is that you're a dick on the internet.
ooh, you are that kind of a tough guy. The "I can't win an argument on a little website but, hurf durf, I'll beat you up with my big gorilla fists in real life" tough guy. YOU GET THE POWER UP AND WIN THE GAME.
You're right, Tom. Out of frustration, I did resort to dickishness, and for that I apologize.
I would say, however, that you were not "looking for advice," as evidenced by your reply to inked and heyktb's descriptions of their experience at BB.
And by nixing comments, I most assuredly include myself in the "looking like a dick" category. Doesn't everyone else get tired of reading people disparage every business/event mentioned by inked on this blog?
No problem, apology accepted. Other commenters on here have taken this to the next level however, namely Bill who has challenged me to a duel. Still waiting to hear back from him if he is free to meet up tonight.
Back to my origial post, while it was disparaging, it was based on only one visit, but to be I did mention that and I did ask if anyone else has been there.
Other people told me it is a good place, and I will check it again. Perhaps my question didn't rise to level of a true call for advice, but it was based in a legitimate interest in how others fared there.
Tom is quite a guy; enough of a mince to get into an argument over the merits of a coffee shop, and then wants to beat people up in real life. What a champion.
Before you call people names, you should get your facts straight. I asked a simple question about BBB. It angered some, but mostly a good conversation flowed from it. Bill however insinuated that he wanted to fight me. So I offered to meet up with him to talk. He didn't reply because he is full of shit. One less troll on the comment boards. Others offered apologies on this thread to me, Would you like to follow their noble example, or are you no better than Bill?
I think we'd all do better to be a bit more positive (and try to keep the language clean). I very much understand (and agree with) Westender's frustration. I'd say that critical comments are fine, but keep your tone of voice in mind. Imagine that you are the neighborhood business owner reading it. Make sure criticisms (this is a general comment, not just for this thread) are well thought out, and phrased in a constructive manner. Nobody wants this to become strictly a complainers blog that just makes business people want to slap their foreheads.
Westender, Have you read the comments on WaPo, DCist, or PoPville? They get just as bad. But yeah, I agree with you.
Oh yeah, inked...most comment sections are a cesspool. I get frustrated with this particular one since it has the potential to have a neighborhoody vibe, but mostly is folks bitc--er, griping.
H St II, thanks for checking up on us. I am actually across the street at Boundary Road having a drink (wanted to make sure Bill was gonna show up with a little gang--can never be too careful these days) Not surprised Bill was a no show. You still at BBB?
Why is it people cant say what they feel without a mob of sheeple attacking? If I question a biz because it is empty when I visit or I recv questionable service. I am looking for my neighbors opinions that is why I visit this blog.
I thought some people suggested he look behind the counter for bread was kind and helpful....the rest just jumped on like savages
My gripe with BBB is that its products are average, its decore is aseptic, and its customer service is frigid though tolerable. I am admittedly spoiled having grown up only blocks from one of New York's last old-world bakeries. And therefore have overly romantic notions of what a proper bakery should be. But there's really nothing noteworthy about BBB.
Those of you that are A. Litteri fans will understand what I mean when I say BBB is the Arlington Italian Store equivalent of bakeries...
I feel the same way about the Italian Store in Arlington.
BBB is not the best but its all we have until whole foods arrives. why are we trying to get the hipster fired?
Has anyone tried the bakery on Barracks Row? The sweets are really dense and hard to cut but the flavors are great. The place has an Amishy feel to it.
the frustration that I'm seeing on here stems from a complete lack of neighborhood appreciation for the risk these businesses on H have taken over the years.
anyways the comments section on this blog has really become worthless. I just read it for a occasional chuckle. Thanks for humor!
I am very happy to have BBB in the neighborhood. They are typically busy on the weekends when I go. They are often sold out of stuff by the time I get there, so I imagine they have a pretty good business going. Congrats to BBB!
I really love BBB. It has great croissants, apple and berry turnovers, twists, and the breakfast waffles are delicious. Consistent quality, they do a small selection of things very well. I'm as critical as the next guy so I don't mind people knocking them but I for one think their pastries are tasty.
BBB bakery has awesome quiche, if you can get in the mornings before it is sold out!
Also, the breakfast Sammys are way better than Sidamo.
I do have to agree, the surly hipster who looks at you like you're stupid when you order is a problem. Although I do relish in the fact that he is horrified that he has to work to eat a la Hannah Horvath.
I don't go to BBB as often as I might like because it's a west end shop and I'm an eastender, so I forget about it a lot. But I've liked everything I've had from there.
"the frustration that I'm seeing on here stems from a complete lack of neighborhood appreciation for the risk these businesses on H have taken over the years."
Just because a business takes a risk doesn't mean I have to like them. You could otherwise defend TruOrleans under the same principle, a truly worthless business.
That's interesting, I will have to look at their kitchen more closely when I go there. I can't recall ever smelling anything freshly baked while in there nor any freshly baked smells nearby (I live a block away)...
We live by the alley right behind BBB and we always get blessed with the smell of baking pastries and bread especially the weekend... and the smell of Sidamo's roasted coffee, smell of cooking onion(Ethiopic?), fried food... we get it all.
man. you know the area has gentrified when hipsters offer to fight each other outside a bakery over whether the coffee and croissants are good or just mediocre. The area has come a long way since I moved here 8 years ago...
As for my vote- the food here is just mediocre. The lemon tart was bitter and pithy. The cookies are over-soft and taste like chips a'hoy. The berry muffin had all the fruit at the bottom and was dry. The croissants, however, are very good.
So now, I get to sit back and wait for a threat and offer to fight?
55 comments:
I have only been by once, and it was when they first opened, but every time I pass by, it is empty and it seems like this is more of a pastry shop than an actually bakery. Has anyone been in? I would love to have a legit bakery in the neighborhood.
Tom,
Define legit bakery. Batter Bowl has a variety of breads, as well as cupcakes, pastries, sandwiches, & more.,
great coffee. fresh bread. really nice baked goods. sounds like a bakery to me.
Oh I don't know. A place that offers a variety of freshly naked loaves of bread. Not a high standard. Just don't think coffee and croissants cuts it.
Tom,
I assure you that they have multiple types of freshly baked loaves for sale each day (mostly along the back wall). The baguettes have been huge hits when I've taken them to parties. If you did not see the bread, maybe you were there later in the day & they had sold out. Perhaps try them again. The sourdough bread is quite good.
Tom,
I agree with you. They are nice to have in the neighborhood, but when I was able to go by there early in the morning (between 7am-8am) it was either not open or very empty. I use to live above a bakery years ago (they made loafs of bread every day, not just cutesy things to sell with a cup of coffee) and know they were baking before 5am. I would rather have Marvelous Bakery (pseudo) than this.
If they were really worth it, I would be there all the time and praise them.
The Batter Barn is a small-batch bakery and elegant-sandwich shop. It's definitely about the experience, not strictly the carbohydrates... That explains the 8-8 hours.
I especially like the garlic loaf.
What? Surely people are trolling. Batter bowl is always packed. Love it.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The commenters on this site are the absolute worst. Are you dour jerks really my neighbors? Why are most of the comments about places on H negative?
Tom, you clearly haven't visited Batter Bowl enough to have an accurate picture, given that I, and others have bought many, many loaves of freshly baked bread, and baguettes, and bagels, and yes, pastries from the place in the year that it's been around. You went once, and somehow felt empowered to talk shit? Give me a fucking break.
If it's empty, that's news to me and everyone else on the West end of H. Really, inked, I love your blog, but do us all a favor and nix the comments. It just makes people in this neighborhood look like dicks.
Westender,
It seems you are indulging in the very behavior you claim to dislike. Ironic. As my post said, I only went once and was looking for advice. Thank you to all who gave me advice. You were just mean and used foul language. The only dick who posted is apparently you.
Why is that hipster guy who works there always so sad? Dealing with him is difficult.
He is rude and the only reason I don't go back there.
The bathroom was adequate when I went there once. I liked it and will go back.
turn that frown upside down, Tom; you can both be dicks. And you both are.
People get real brave when they hide behind the anonymity of the Internet. You're a real digital tough guy.
well, we could be real tough guys and meet at the front of batter bowl at dawn and figure things out for real, yo. You that kinda real life tough guy? All we know for sure right now is that you're a dick on the internet.
There, now I have an internet name. I'm a big boy, just like Tom!
Bill,
When? How is right now? I'd love to meet you.
ooh, you are that kind of a tough guy. The "I can't win an argument on a little website but, hurf durf, I'll beat you up with my big gorilla fists in real life" tough guy. YOU GET THE POWER UP AND WIN THE GAME.
You're right, Tom. Out of frustration, I did resort to dickishness, and for that I apologize.
I would say, however, that you were not "looking for advice," as evidenced by your reply to inked and heyktb's descriptions of their experience at BB.
And by nixing comments, I most assuredly include myself in the "looking like a dick" category. Doesn't everyone else get tired of reading people disparage every business/event mentioned by inked on this blog?
Westender,
No problem, apology accepted. Other commenters on here have taken this to the next level however, namely Bill who has challenged me to a duel. Still waiting to hear back from him if he is free to meet up tonight.
Back to my origial post, while it was disparaging, it was based on only one visit, but to be I did mention that and I did ask if anyone else has been there.
Other people told me it is a good place, and I will check it again. Perhaps my question didn't rise to level of a true call for advice, but it was based in a legitimate interest in how others fared there.
Tom is quite a guy; enough of a mince to get into an argument over the merits of a coffee shop, and then wants to beat people up in real life. What a champion.
Bruce,
Before you call people names, you should get your facts straight. I asked a simple question about BBB. It angered some, but mostly a good conversation flowed from it. Bill however insinuated that he wanted to fight me. So I offered to meet up with him to talk. He didn't reply because he is full of shit. One less troll on the comment boards. Others offered apologies on this thread to me, Would you like to follow their noble example, or are you no better than Bill?
alright, that's it. I've had it. Meet me in front of the store in 45 minutes. you had damn well better be there.
Ok Bill, great.
I will be wearing a brown jacket and jeans. I'll wait outside for you. I am looking forward to hear what you have to tell me.
I think we'd all do better to be a bit more positive (and try to keep the language clean). I very much understand (and agree with) Westender's frustration. I'd say that critical comments are fine, but keep your tone of voice in mind. Imagine that you are the neighborhood business owner reading it. Make sure criticisms (this is a general comment, not just for this thread) are well thought out, and phrased in a constructive manner. Nobody wants this to become strictly a complainers blog that just makes business people want to slap their foreheads.
Westender,
Have you read the comments on WaPo, DCist, or PoPville? They get just as bad. But yeah, I agree with you.
this is why we can't have nice things
Yo, ya'll better not be bs'in. I'ma be in front of BBB to videotape proceedings about 6:45!
Hope ya'll got your bail money ready, H St has too many cops.
LOL, Frozen Tropics is the best.
Oh yeah, inked...most comment sections are a cesspool. I get frustrated with this particular one since it has the potential to have a neighborhoody vibe, but mostly is folks bitc--er, griping.
Been out front for bout 10 mins and now inside bbb. No sign of either party!!
H St II, thanks for checking up on us. I am actually across the street at Boundary Road having a drink (wanted to make sure Bill was gonna show up with a little gang--can never be too careful these days) Not surprised Bill was a no show. You still at BBB?
I'm tired of waiting and am gonna leave. No shows!
I'm sitting in the bay window with my wife and sleeping toddler, Tom.
Why is it people cant say what they feel without a mob of sheeple attacking? If I question a biz because it is empty when I visit or I recv questionable service. I am looking for my neighbors opinions that is why I visit this blog.
I thought some people suggested he look behind the counter for bread was kind and helpful....the rest just jumped on like savages
My gripe with BBB is that its products are average, its decore is aseptic, and its customer service is frigid though tolerable. I am admittedly spoiled having grown up only blocks from one of New York's last old-world bakeries. And therefore have overly romantic notions of what a proper bakery should be. But there's really nothing noteworthy about BBB.
Those of you that are A. Litteri fans will understand what I mean when I say BBB is the Arlington Italian Store equivalent of bakeries...
I feel the same way about the Italian Store in Arlington.
come at me bro
The guy with glasses always seems annoyed to take my order. Love their coffee and croissants but at least at sidamo you get a smile ={
BBB is not the best but its all we have until whole foods arrives. why are we trying to get the hipster fired?
Has anyone tried the bakery on Barracks Row? The sweets are really dense and hard to cut but the flavors are great. The place has an Amishy feel to it.
the frustration that I'm seeing on here stems from a complete lack of neighborhood appreciation for the risk these businesses on H have taken over the years.
anyways the comments section on this blog has really become worthless. I just read it for a occasional chuckle. Thanks for humor!
It never smells like freshly baked anything... are they just purchasing the product from somewhere else and selling it at BBB?
5:12,
They make their stuff in-house.
Love the comments, snark and all. Don't change a thing.
I am very happy to have BBB in the neighborhood. They are typically busy on the weekends when I go. They are often sold out of stuff by the time I get there, so I imagine they have a pretty good business going. Congrats to BBB!
I love that you lot are arguing over the merits of a coffee shop and the young man who works behind the counter. What full lives you all lead.
i personally cant wait for maketto and all that it promises to bring
I really love BBB. It has great croissants, apple and berry turnovers, twists, and the breakfast waffles are delicious. Consistent quality, they do a small selection of things very well. I'm as critical as the next guy so I don't mind people knocking them but I for one think their pastries are tasty.
BBB bakery has awesome quiche, if you can get in the mornings before it is sold out!
Also, the breakfast Sammys are way better than Sidamo.
I do have to agree, the surly hipster who looks at you like you're stupid when you order is a problem. Although I do relish in the fact that he is horrified that he has to work to eat a la Hannah Horvath.
I went Sunday. Full house, barely got a seat. Apple danish is pretty good. Their apple juice is delightful (a bit pricy, but worth it!).
The gentleman in glasses behind the counter seems a bit introverted, but I never took it the wrong way.
None of you yuppie nerds will ever fight anyone. Entertaining comments though.
Tom will fight you to defend his e-honor. He will flat slap the taste out of your mouth. For real. Just challenge him.
I don't go to BBB as often as I might like because it's a west end shop and I'm an eastender, so I forget about it a lot. But I've liked everything I've had from there.
"the frustration that I'm seeing on here stems from a complete lack of neighborhood appreciation for the risk these businesses on H have taken over the years."
Just because a business takes a risk doesn't mean I have to like them. You could otherwise defend TruOrleans under the same principle, a truly worthless business.
"They make their stuff in-house."
That's interesting, I will have to look at their kitchen more closely when I go there. I can't recall ever smelling anything freshly baked while in there nor any freshly baked smells nearby (I live a block away)...
We live by the alley right behind BBB and we always get blessed with the smell of baking pastries and bread especially the weekend... and the smell of Sidamo's roasted coffee, smell of cooking onion(Ethiopic?), fried food... we get it all.
man. you know the area has gentrified when hipsters offer to fight each other outside a bakery over whether the coffee and croissants are good or just mediocre. The area has come a long way since I moved here 8 years ago...
As for my vote- the food here is just mediocre. The lemon tart was bitter and pithy. The cookies are over-soft and taste like chips a'hoy. The berry muffin had all the fruit at the bottom and was dry. The croissants, however, are very good.
So now, I get to sit back and wait for a threat and offer to fight?
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