The ever expanding Grounds of Alexandria adds the Bakery
By Jane de Graaff|9:17pm Oct 04, 2016
The Bakery at The Grounds of Alexandria opens
Hot off the back of news that they are planning to open on the lower North Shore, the garden/coffee house/bakery phenomenon that is The Grounds of Alexandria comes at us with fresh new announcements.
Click through for delicious shots of what's happening.
The custom display cabinets at the new Grounds Bakery
As of the weekend just gone, they've expanded their original Alexandria location again, introducing the new bakery seating section. This is after already acquiring additional spaces for the Potting Shed, the BBQ, their resident florist, and unveiling weekend markets to add to their original café and coffee roastery. It's an ever-expanding feast for all the senses, shrouded in hanging vines and with a supporting cast of organic fruit, veg and farm animals—including the famous resident pig, Kevin Bacon.
The new Bakery interior at The Grounds
The new bakery extension serves to highlight their already famous baking skills (sourdough, tartlets, cakes—you name it) and has opened up the back of the venue, to allow an unimpeded view to the inner workings of the bakery. There's literally nowhere for the bakers at work to hide, with all their skills on show.
The new Bakery space at The Grounds
"What I love most about the new Bakery is the intricate beauty in the design and the way in which it allows us to invite our guests in to experience our world," says founder Ramzey Choker. "We're always working to create new experiences that wow our guests and make them feel welcomed and at home."
Bread fresh from the oven at the Bakery
He's not wrong, with plans for The Grounds to host pop-ups at both The Galeries in Sydney's CBD as well as at the annual Sculpture by the Sea in coming weeks.
The new Bakery space that can be hired for private events - with a view through to the baking
All of this is noteworthy because—despite plenty of mimics and a flattering trend inspired by the sustainable greenery—The Grounds are still the originals and innovators of the inner-city-farm-cafe.
The new Modbar at The Grounds
Proof of this can be seen in yet another café advancement they have revealed—the Modbar—a coffee bar for true coffee nerds that includes pour overs, steamers, filters and all the usual third-wave coffee gadgetry, but designed with the bulk of the usual equipment hidden under the benches.
The Modbar counter at The Grounds of Alexandria
"Traditional systems typically feature large, boxy equipment, which can create a barrier between the barista and customer," says Jack Hanna, co-owner and head barista. Modbar's elegant and open design helps create more of a connection," he says.
Baked goods at The Grounds new Bakery
"It's going to be a teaching tool. I love the flexibility the system offers you. It really lets you take espresso to the next level. You can take one coffee and make it taste several different ways because of the control of the system." It's also another example of all the skills of the artisan on show, again there's nothing for the barista to hide behind.
Strawberry tarts from the Bakery at The Grounds
Being able to view how our food is made is an ongoing drawcard for Australian diners, with open kitchens becoming the norm (see Bouche on Bridge and the about-to-be-opened Nour), with bakeries including Sonoma, Brasserie, Brickfields and Lune Croissanterie, to name just a few—all offering windows through to their baked-goods action.
The Grounds Bakery sourdough, fresh from the oven
It seems that dinner and a show is what we're all really after—and The Grounds certainly has a glorious stage for that.
Sweet treats from the Bakery
The newly opened bakery space has been designed by the award-winning team of interior designer Caroline Choker and ACME&Co architect Vince Alafaci, and has been inspired by classic bakeries from around the world, while still drawing on The Grounds industrial heritage
Pastries from the Bakery
It also provides 40 additional seats for the café and a space for private events that looks into the bakery through huge glass windows, offering that view of the bakers at work. Keep an eye out for the distinctive, jet black bamboo charcoal loaf—an Asian and European combination sourdough loaf.
Pistachio, olive oil and polenta cake
For diners with a sweet tooth, try the salted caramel and chocolate tartlet with short pastry, salted caramel and milk chocolate ganache or the gluten free pistachio olive oil and polenta cake with strawberry confit.
salted caramel and chocolate tartlet with short pastry, salted caramel and milk chocolate ganache
Now open - The Grounds of Alexandria Bakery
The bakery at The Grounds officially opened its doors for business from the beginning of October, The Bakery operates Monday—Friday: 7am-4pm and Saturday—Sunday: 7:30am-4pm.