Monday, January 30, 2006

Taste test: Heirloom Bakery, South Pasadena



South Pasadena has several hot newish dinner spots (Firefly, Bistro de la Gare, Bistro K), but not all that many good breakfast places. The opening of Heirloom Bakery & Cafe (at the corner of Mission and Meridian) is a big step in the right direction, as well an excellent place to wait out a tennis lesson with the Sunday paper. As the name suggests, the emphasis is on baked goods, but there's also a full breakfast menu available with omelettes, other egg dishes and stone-ground oatmeal and granola. I ordered a breakfast sandwich which comes on the house-baked bread with scrambled eggs, cheese and bacon. (They could have mentioned that it also has tomato!) The coffee was strong and flavorful, and the sandwich worked well with the pain au levain bread. I also got a banana golden raisin muffin and a cinnamon roll for the family, both of which went over well. I don't think the baked goods are life-changing or anything, but it's a pleasant spot for a bite in the morning, and that oatmeal looked very warming. Oh, and there's also a nice selection of salads and sandwiches for lunch.
One warning: If you go early and have a low tolerance for toddlers making strange squeals, take the iPod.
Heirloom Bakery
807 Meridian Ave.
(626) 441-0042

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

They have the most amazing egg salad sandwiches - full of fresh herbs and creamy yolks! This pulls me back to the Heirloom Bakery weekly. Don't miss their take on a hostess cupcake - delish!

Sarah said...

Thanks for the review! I only live a few blocks away but didn't realize that they had a breakfast menu! I'll have to go this weekend and try it out :)

Anonymous said...

they have the slowest service in the amnericas
c'mon people, get it together

Anonymous said...

great food but terrible bus service - there are always dirty tables waiting to be cleared (but people waiting to take those tables)

Anonymous said...

heirloom bakery is wonderful! everytime i eat there i feel like i could heal someone afterwards... it's the little details: using green grapes in the oatmeal cookies; "neiman ranch" bacon on the breakfast sandwich; all of their breads are baked on the premise in addition to all of the bakery items as well; "equator" espresso beans for the lattes and so forth. if you enjoy the delicious eats like "magnolia bakery" in nyc or "pine cone cafe" in san francisco, then surrender yourself to the gravitational pull towards heirloom bakery.

Anonymous said...

Right, I agree with Josef that if you are accustomed to great cafes with good food like the Bijou in Portland, the food here will be a welcome reminder. Loved it.

Anonymous said...

love the food, but hate the service!!...also, need heaters on the patio to warm up the few tables available

Julie in South Pasadena

reybustos said...

It's my new regular spot. I love to draw,read and just watch the world go by as I enjoy an always wonderful cup of Sally's coffee. It's a great addition to a great little town, our own Mayberry...I can be Floyd and Heirloom is the Mayberry Diner. See you there! Rey

Anonymous said...

While visiting family in South Pasadena, we stopped one day for an early lunch. I was amazed by the quality of the food, the delicious breads and pastries..we tried the Hostess cupcake takeoff..yummy!
As we were leaving, my sister in law pointed out the owner whose back was to us. I used to be in he industry ( DC3, Spago, Stein Eriksen Lodge-Park City) so went over to compliment her. She turned to face me and I said Sally Cook?! She said Rachel?! We hadn't seen each other in over 20 years when I left LA for the mountains of Utah.
Fantastic restaurant run by a great lady!!!