Batch Bakehouse
Carrot Cake Cupcake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Bourbon Pecan and Salted Caramel Danish
Strawberries and Cream Buttercake
Monkey Bread
Almond Croissant
Located at 1402 Williamson Street and as such a logical follow-up to breakfast at Lazy Janes it was a short walk in the sun to Batch Bakehouse and with a selection of pastries even more sizable than the place I’d just been it was with much hemming-and-hawing that selections were made, another five pastries joining leftovers from Lazy Janes in a smorgasbord of sweets to be consumed throughout the course of the day. Trending far more artisan than its nearby neighbor with French techniques infusing classics from the American cookbook and the bakers themselves acting as servers it was only after several questions that I eventually settled on an order far smaller than I should have liked and beginning my tasting at the small countertop with a moist carrot cake topped in tangy cream cheese I knew right away that none of this one was leaving the store – a similar sentiment shared by later samples, though each was indeed eaten only in part with the rest saved for a later day snack. Moving from cupcake to the only item that would prove the least bit dull, suffice it to say that monkey bread is found better elsewhere, but moving on to arching layers not the least bit burdened by frangipane beneath a shattering shell I’d be really surprised if a better almond croissant can be found in town. Admittedly a bit sugar-saturated at this point it was onward to the dense butter cake that I progressed and, although enthusiasts from the Show Me State may claim the rounded muffin to be unauthentic, the creamy texture was divine – a similar superlative soon to be lavished on the buttery Danish with flavors both savory and sweet to spare, a light smokiness from the baked bourbon tickling the palate as candied pecans crunched with each bite.
RECOMMENDED: Carrot Cake Cupcake, Bourbon Pecan and Salted Caramel Danish, Buttercake.
AVOID: Certainly not shabby, but not nearly as good as the one from a day earlier at Milwaukee’s Blue’s Egg I imagine the Monkey Bread would have been much better warm, an option unfortunately declined when I inquired as the restaurant lacks reheating capabilities.
TIP: Closed on Monday but open from 7am to 6pm the rest of the week with fresh items baked throughout the day those looking for good coffee can find Intelligentsia here, though with Wi-Fi unavailable those looking to get some work done while enjoying coffee and pastry would be wise to bring their own access.
