Help me find a GOOD Bakery on the North Shore

[scottdrums]

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.....

[pdude]

A&J King Bakery in Salem. Better than some I've been to in Europe.

http://www.ajkingbakery.com/

[greygarious]

Here is a review and a photo of their croissants: http://bistrobroad.com/

[bella_sarda]

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.

[hhookk]

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

[bella_sarda]

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.

[StriperGuy]

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...

[Infomaniac]

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.

[opinionatedchef]

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.

[phonelady]

mamadou's artisan bakery - winchester ma

[pastrytroll]

Annarosa's in Newburyport, especially for the croissants and pain au Levain; Mamadou's in Winchester,

[NSDishGal]

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/

[nlg]

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.

[scottdrums]

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........