664784 Wed Nov 04 15:40:54 -0800 2009 13 12 Boston Area 0 5156450 Just came back from a vacation in Europe and I could not believe how much better fresh baked bread is there.So I am curious if others have noticed this difference as well. Does anyone know of any really good bakeries around the Salem, MA area? I am specifically looking for european style bakeries and ones that focus on bread and not pasteries. I am a big fan of the italian pastry shoppes in the north end, but thats not what I am looking for here. Thanks for the help..... Wed Nov 04 15:40:54 -0800 2009 230295 scottdrums 1 5156514 A&J King Bakery in Salem. Better than some I've been to in Europe. http://www.ajkingbakery.com/ Wed Nov 04 16:02:14 -0800 2009 5156450 46685 pdude 2 5156578 Here is a review and a photo of their croissants: http://bistrobroad.com/ Wed Nov 04 16:23:46 -0800 2009 5156514 159317 greygarious 2 5159156 Does A&J King distribute their breads to any retail outlets in Boston/Cambridge? I'd love to try the bread but don't get out to Salem much. Thu Nov 05 14:30:35 -0800 2009 5156514 12377 bella_sarda 3 5159222 Taken from their web site, these are all their retail outlets. Looks like they are all North Shore. The Coastal Greengrocer – Ipswich Common Crow Natural Foods – Gloucester Cornerstone Books – Salem The Fruitful Basket – Beverly Farms Grapevine Restaurant – Salem Green Meadows Farmers Market – Hamilton Henry’s Market – Beverly Marblehead Chowder Co. – Marblehead New Meadows – Topsfield The Northey Street House B&B – Salem The Peabody Essex Museum – Salem Shubie’s Market – Marblehead Tiger Lily Catering - Beverly Whole Foods Market – Swampscott Zumi’s Espresso and Ice Cream – Ipswich Thu Nov 05 14:53:50 -0800 2009 5159156 278138 hhookk 4 5160556 thanks. Looks like it's worth the trip to Salem, which isn't that far anyway. If they're selling to Whole Foods in Swampscott, others can't be far behind, although I just checked the website too and they said they're not taking new wholesale customers at this point. they must be doing well. I wonder how they will compare to Clear Flour, B&R, etc. Fri Nov 06 07:06:58 -0800 2009 5159222 12377 bella_sarda 5 5160563 A&J is amongst the top tier of Boston bread bakeries, period. I imagine the reason they are limiting wholesale is their bakery itself is not huge along the lines of an Iggy's, etc. Though Iggy's started small too... Fri Nov 06 07:08:47 -0800 2009 5160556 10169 StriperGuy 1 5156636 A&J King in Salem and Annarosa's Bakery in the Tannery Mall in Newburyport, MA are the two finest artisan bakeries on the North Shore that I know about. Wed Nov 04 16:45:35 -0800 2009 5156450 11222 Infomaniac 1 5157135 I am a major fan of excellent breads and feel very lucky to live in boston , home to the superb Iggy's breads. I too agree with the excellence of A&J's product. I was very impressed with their bread when I first had it a few months ago at Soma restaurant in beverly. Now I'll make a point of visiting and getting some other things. Wed Nov 04 20:38:52 -0800 2009 5156450 10110 opinionatedchef 1 5157546 mamadou's artisan bakery - winchester ma Thu Nov 05 05:45:44 -0800 2009 5156450 106410 phonelady 2 5159911 Annarosa's in Newburyport, especially for the croissants and pain au Levain; Mamadou's in Winchester, Thu Nov 05 19:53:53 -0800 2009 5157546 23680 pastrytroll 1 5157757 Yep, I've got to concur with everyone else here. A&J King are really worth checking out, both their breads and their specialty items are top-notch. http://www.northshoredish.com/ Thu Nov 05 07:10:09 -0800 2009 5156450 285543 NSDishGal 1 5157998 A&J King is *terrific*. First had their bread at the Marblehead farmers market and have had additional opportunities to have their fabulous bread and incredible pastries. Really, really good. Thu Nov 05 08:37:38 -0800 2009 5156450 38538 nlg 1 5159054 Wow thanks all.... looks like I will have to try A&J King Bakery ,here in my hometown of Salem.... I will be heading there soon..... to be continued........ Thu Nov 05 13:56:44 -0800 2009 5156450 230295 scottdrums