Maison Kayser fail

Jeff Grossman

Jeff Grossman
The US branch of Maison Kayser, the French chain of superlative bakery, changed their offerings about two weeks ago. They withdrew basically every bread with a crispy crust and several other good products - the Epi, the seeded baguette, the buckwheat baguette, the Bressandes, almost all the full loaves, and greatly reduced the amount of brioche they make.

Why do otherwise-capable people shoot themselves in the head foot so often?

I tried the new seeded baguette: it is the worst thing they've ever sold; the sponge at my sink has better texture and is cheaper, besides. The new poppy-and-walnut baguette is OK.

I wrote to them to complain and asked them to relent on these woeful changes. Their first response was a tissue of lies written by Marketing. They got my name wrong, however, so I took a second shot to correct them and reissue my complaint. The second response was more personal and more informative:


Dear Jeff,

I am so sorry for mixing up the names!

You are correct, we did remove some of our original breads, and replaced them by new options. You can still find our original bread selection at the following locations:

1294 Third Ave & 1535 Third Ave (Upper East Side)
921 Broadway (Flatiron)
2161 Broadway (Upper West Side)

Be sure that we heard your feedback and that we will see what can be done to bring back some of the options we had before.

Thank you again so much for taking the time to write to us!

Be well Jeff,

Marine Blotacz | Senior Project Manager

None of those locations is near me. I'm on the lookout for a new baker. The two likely candidates near me are Sahadi's (an import/export shop) and Stinky (cheese a specialty, 'natch).

What a loss.
 
They better not change the ones on my block! The bread Jayson and Don brought over on Saturday were deeelish, as usual.
 
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
Maison Kayser failThe US branch of Maison Kayser, the French chain of superlative bakery, changed their offerings about two weeks ago... I'm on the lookout for a new baker. The two likely candidates near me are Sahadi's (an import/export shop) and Stinky (cheese a specialty, 'natch).

What a loss.

Near Sahadi's on Atlantic:
--Bien Cuit, 120 Smith. Aptly named, much of their bread is borderline burnt, but good nonetheless.

--Mazzola's, 192 Union St. Killer lard bread, but good multi/whole grain alternatives. Some good cookies too.
 
Thanks for reminding me about Bien Cuit. I have liked Zach's breads before.

Mazzola is not familiar to me; I don't walk down to Union much.

There are also numerous old Italian bakers further down Court Street but I know them more for cookies than bread (but that might not be fair).
 
Bien Cuit for bread will be fine. I do not love their viennoiserie nor their pastry. But the bread is good.
 
originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
Thanks for reminding me about Bien Cuit. I have liked Zach's breads before.

Mazzola is not familiar to me; I don't walk down to Union much.

There are also numerous old Italian bakers further down Court Street but I know them more for cookies than bread (but that might not be fair).
Mazzola's is old school, but my favorite among the ones I've tried in Carroll Gardens.
 
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