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Post by smartcom on Oct 31, 2007 11:44:05 GMT -5
I recently tried the new Neidlov's Breadworks on E. Main St across from the No.1 Firehall. Upon entering I noticed that the floors looked like the place was still underconstruction. They were filthy. I dont know if that was the look they were shooting for or what, but Its a turn off when you are about to order food. It basically looked like construction workers had been walking around in there. As I got to the counter I noticed there was no menu posted. The girl gave me a paper menu that listed several sandwiches. I decided to go with the Neidlov's Club. The club was not bad. The sandwich consists on turkey, ham and cheese and topped with an olive tapanade, which was actually a nice touch. It was served on slightly toasted stone wheat. Overall it was pretty good, but at almost $9.00 you are almost expecting something a bit more. The entire time I was sitting there I kept thinking to myself that this was basically a Panera Bread knock off with the exception of the limited menu that Neidlov's provides. Something else I was alittle confused about. A place that prides themselves in healthy breads did not seem to serve soup. What else better goes with bread than soup?
They posted that they also have pasteries, but I guess I just wasnt looking hard enough. I saw in the case where they had an assortment of t-shirts, which I found a bit odd considering I cannot find one reason why I would wear a coffee shop/bakery t-shirt. I think their concentration is a bit off. It could be maybe that their establishment is a work in progress, but for heaven sakes clean the floors or do something with them.
The bread was good dont get me wrong and I think there is something there, just not quite enough to make me want to continue to eat there. I still in the future will continue to buy breads at Bluff View or Panera. It would help if they were to display their items a bit more for the public to see. You basically have no idea what you are getting. I did see a small batch of breads on display, but they were behind the counter. The whole place kind of confuses me. Maybe another time, just not soon
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Post by caterer on Oct 31, 2007 15:07:53 GMT -5
We have been using Neidlovs for years and have rarely been dissapointed. retail is new and they are working into it. I have had the pastries and thought they were great. We also use Bluff view and are equally as happy with their service. I am not sure in what rule book is said that a bakery has to serve soup...but possibly they think that maybe soup is not their thing. The sandwiches are a way to showcase the bread...not a bunch of lettuce and crap to cover up the taste of what you are really eating...Panera's bread comes to the store as frozen, proof and bake dough, full of preservatives. Of course you need a lot more on the sandwich to distract you from the low quality of ingredients.
I don't think Neidlovs has ever really given Panera a thought and would be insulted to be compared to them. They are a locally owned artisan bakery that specializes in naturally levened organic breads and they have been supplying bread to locally owned restaurants and caterers for over 6 years now. If they did not impress i hate that but at least go to Bluff view before you buy overpriced frozen dough from a guy in st louis.
Support Local Businesses and growers.
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Babs
Senior Forumite
Diet Spryte
Even cuter?
Posts: 3,674
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Post by Babs on Oct 31, 2007 16:33:13 GMT -5
I like their bread. They sell it at Greenlife. A little off the subject, but we went to the Club Lib gathering last week at the library. It was a lot of fun, and the food was wonderful. Put together by some of our favorite forumites. We heard you are doing the preview party at the museum Monday. Will there be more of the same?
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Post by smartcom on Oct 31, 2007 17:16:00 GMT -5
I think the comment about Panera Bread being full of preservatives is a bit innaccurate. If you have ever tried to eat a day old bagel from Panera, you will know what I mean. Its hard and doesnt taste very well therefore lacking preserves. I know that they normally give away left overs to public and homeless shelters because it does lack preservatives and is basically useless to them.
I cannot complain about Neidlovs bread. I am not a big fan of wheat bread, but theirs was actually fresh and very tasty. I think I said before the sandwich from there was actually quite good. My problem is their retail end of things. When you have a product you should be showcasing it, so it can appeal to a customer. I think that is pretty standard. When you are seeing more t-shirts than breads and pasteries it almost makes you sort of wonder. I wont say that I wont got back and buy bread from there, but I am a little based on what I saw. I feel there was no excuse for the way the floor looked. I would hate for them to be offended at being compared to Panera, and I think I wouldnt compare their food to Panera, but the overall appeal. It just lacked something different in terms of appeal. If you goto places like Main and Mocha, Rembrandts, and even Greyfriars they all have their own appeal and showcase it nicely to make you want to come back because you know the quality and know that you saw something on that visit that you might want to try next time. Neidlovs basically had nothing that would entise me to come back....I would go somewhere else
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Post by caterer on Nov 1, 2007 10:55:01 GMT -5
Ciabatta bread ingredients from Paners breads website: Ingredients: Enriched durum wheat flour [durum flour, niacin, ferrous sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid], water, natural wheat sour, salt, rye flour, wheat gluten, malted barley flour, soy lecithin, ascorbic acid, enzymes, olive oil blend [extra virgin olive oil, canola oil], yeast, calcium diphosphate, fava bean flour, dextrose, malted barley flour, distilled monoglycerides, wheat flour, wheat starch, soy lecithin, enzymes, ascorbic acid. www.danisco.com/cms/connect/corporate/products%20and%20services/product%20range/emulsifiers/distilled%20monoglycerides/distilled_monoglycerides_en.htmwww.westonaprice.org/soy/lecithin.htmlsci-toys.com/ingredients/ascorbic_acid.htmlmakes you want to run right out and by some of the "no preservatives added" bread doesn't it. Of course, most commercial food has preservatives in it I am not knocking that, its just that is what Niedlovs and bluff view are doing that is great. And rembrandts does not bake bread in the cafe area...thats why you don't see the flour dust and semolina on the floor. If you look through the door beside the reatil counter you can watch the process in action..bakery's are incredibly dusty places..something about flour in the air.
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Dreamwebber
Senior Forumite
Denise Who?
Burning up my minutes since 1973
Posts: 2,181
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Post by Dreamwebber on Nov 2, 2007 0:03:00 GMT -5
Have only eaten Panera's sandwich once because it was catered. I prefer the IC caramel and a shortbread cookie.
I rarely buy "sandwiches" because I am cheap and I have a hard time digesting bread......that being said.....I understand what Smartcom is trying to say. I too hate going to eat some place under construction. Too bad they can't close briefly to finish the project. I don't think he/she was saying choose Panera....but, only used them as an example cause there are so many places that sell sandwiches. I am glad she compared to a place I know (unfortunately I tend to go to chains because I am in and out....now when I am on vacation or going out special....that is different) had he/she not compared to Panera I would have no clue if it was like Subway, blimpie etc. Panera is upscale IMO to that style.
I also know what he/she meant about the display as Panera does a pretty good job with their displays kinda like dunkin doughnuts use to do with their doughnuts. If the bread looks "pretty" I am tempted to buy.
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Post by caterer on Nov 2, 2007 8:10:16 GMT -5
Neidlovs is not "under construction" it is just really a bakery...right through the retail area doors. Panera get frozen dough in, so you would not have flour dust in the air...neidlovs starts with a natural fermentation process not yeast and they are mixing and baking the bread there..thus the flour dust and semolina on the floor...
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Post by smartcom on Nov 2, 2007 11:26:18 GMT -5
Flour on the floor from it being a bakery may be the case; however I have been to Bakeries all over the country and yet to see what I saw in the dining area.
I think Neidlovs has something, I really do. I just think they need to show it off better, nothing more
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Red
Global Moderator
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Post by Red on Nov 5, 2007 13:34:13 GMT -5
Neidlov's has a fantastic product and the owners are very nice people. Like Caterer said they are growing into their new establishment and every time I drive past I see cars in the parking lot.
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