Okay, the good, the bad and the ugly
The Good - Good sourdough in the following restaurants - Millenium,
Greens, Citizen Cake (but see below). So-so in Jeanty at Jacks. And
Acme's boule was marvellous. Not in it with the very best Parisian,
but definitely better than best UK boulangeries. Good strong crust,
rich crumb. Creamy. So too was the raisin and hunt bread, which
hadn't abandoned bread for filling.
Citizen Cake's boulangerie was much better than their viennoiserie.
The Ugly - an almond croissant at Tartine remarkable only for its
size. It was THREE TIMES the size of a French almond croissant, and
the baker had missed the pint of simplicity - tender interior
enhanced by almond beurre, crisp exterior likewise enhanced by a
light sprinkle of flaked almonds. This was STUFFED WITH TOO MUCH
ALMOND PASTE and an unnecessary and very thick layer of flaked amonds
scored through the centre like a sandwich. The croissant dough
itself was overcooked and brittle. Too much icing sugar.
The Bad - Boudin - the boule wasn't proper sourdough at all - chalky
white, chalky taste, pappy crumb, limp crust. Just
awful. Industrial nonsense. Not remotely artisanal.
Dottie's True Blue Café had GREAT cornbread - crumbly like pound
cake, only faintly sweet.
Thanks for all your help, friends.