Bostock Bakery — Restaurant in Scotland

In a time where convenience has killed quality it is so reassuring to see that people still care, and not only care but are blinkin' good at what they do. Bostock Bakery is unfortunately a rarity. A place where you can not only find just the thing you've been longing for, but also to have your minds eye cranked right open to a whole world of baked goodness you never knew existed.

I don't even know where to begin, those sausage rolls…. they'll make you weep in delight, the beautifully crafted desserts…one bite and BAM!!!.1930's Paris - no small feat on a rainy day in N. Berwick, but above all else, and thank god it's summer, those Bear Claws, well they will melt your trousers clean off! They alone can change a man! Also, the croissants…I have never seen layering like that in all my life, not on the continent and not in the bourgeois hipster cafes of London, delicate, fresh, light and a flavour that words can simply not put justice to.

And so to the main event. The Bread! It's lucky Jesus was a caring man as I wouldn't be breaking this bread with anyone. The colouring - sublime, the crunch - reassuring, the taste - heart warming…this is the bread that keeps on giving, you owe it to yourself to eat this. With enough varieties to make H. J. Heinz himself worry you're sure to find something you'll love (and then be disappointed you can't eat on a daily basis unless you live locally).

But above all that, the setting itself is a lovely place to be, fronted by lovely staff and a clearly talented, passionate, and if I may say, a beautifully bearded baker. It makes the whole experience all the more special with the knowledge that the food you're eating has been created by someone who cares so much and that in turn you are supporting someone to continue creating these wonderful items.

I noticed there was a previous review mentioning a 'scruffy looking arrogant chap'… I'm not sure how anyone would arrive at this conclusion. Attentiveness should not be misconstrued as arrogance. I'm also rather glad I wasn't served by someone looking like they stepped out of a Morrison's bakery or an abattoir. In regards to "mucky paws", are you sure it wasn't a delicious set of bear claws you were feasting your eyes on? Also in respect to touching the bread….did you not see the massive sign saying "wait to be served?" If you can't follow a simple, clear instruction then I'd be rather sceptical of your culinary opinions. Also, you know this is a bakers not an army barracks…I don't think the brigade is coming mate!

I'm all for honest reviewing and the phrase "if you haven't got anything nice to say then don't say anything at all" is an awful sentiment but Jean Sean your review reads as a personal attack rather than a review. You're not by change affiliated to the Sicilian Bakery you speak so highly of are you? You speak of Mr. Baxter's lack of respect for customers, well I'm a customer and felt no such disrespect, if praise is due it will indeed be bestowed, and it has, many times, hence all the various awards & accolades. The Sicilian Bakery that you hold so dear to your heart creates chintzy birthday cakes with low quality printing (yummy) and Frozen-themed monstrosities aimed at 2 year olds so it's not fair to compare to artisanal creations that show individuality & imagination. Throwing a few strawberries in a bit of frosting does not an award-winning creation make. There's as much a taste of Sicily in those supermarket-looking-cakes as there is taking a swig out of a freshly decanted bottle of Jif.

Alas there is one negative to end on, and it's that I live so far away from Bostock that it can't be a more regular indulgence. Despite living in central Edinburgh and having many well respected bakeries and dessert options locally (Falko's, Nardini's etc) they simply pale in comparison to what is being offered here. That being said it makes visiting Bostock Bakery an event, and one well worth making the trip for, you will not be disappointed*.

*unless you're after an Arsenal-football-shirt themed...

I visit the north berwick store regulary. Unfortunately the young girls have messed up my orders on a few occasions now but everytime I have left it as they are perfectly pleasant. I ordered three chocolate croissants the other week and they then tell me after i’ve paid they don’t have any so gave me the plain instead with no refund for the difference. I left this as I was too bothered. I was in yesterday… Placed a large order with one of the young girls again and ordered and paid for a lady loaf to take away also. She never gave me an order number or a receipt Unfortunately and the girl forgot to give me the lady loaf too. I was so busy dealing with my kids who were unwell that i left after we had finished the food and drinks and didn't realise until i got home that she hadn’t given me the loaf. I immediately contacted and then spoke to the owner who was extremely unhelpful, absolutely ridiculous suggesting it needed to go through some sort of process when i had indeed essentially been defrauded. The owner sent a email to the staff to tell them not to just give me the loaf… they showed me the email which was lengthy and to be quite frank.. ridiculous . The staff today were embarrassed to have to not give me the loaf as they know I am always in and always pay. Thier owner specifically went out her way and spent time on sending them an email instructing them not to hand one to me. Customer relations are non existent here and in fact antagonistic. I drove all the way back over in the morning… Honestly expected it to be easily resolved with them giving me the loaf they owed me today but instead was faced with having to call the owner who was completely unhelpful and a pain. I am most disappointed with the owners attitude as I have spent thousands here over the years and due to the stinking attitude from the owner I will definitely never be returning to the store. *she as indeed now discovered she was in the wrong after all the needless hassle...

Five stars for the product !

The pastries and bread are fabulous , if you like an acidic bean coffee you’ll like the coffee , not to my taste . but that’s just me. No atmosphere to speak of.

They have signs up to ask customers to not touch the produce and wait to be served. That’s absolutely fine, however they open the paper bags with their hands ( sticking their hands right inside the bags) instead of using tongs ( food handling 101) and don’t use tongs at all for the bread . Even if their hands are clean it’s about perception. They jump on people who accidentally pick up the bread , one woman looked very uncomfortable when she was told off .

When I asked the staff member not to use her hands to open the bags ( defeats purpose of using tongs to pop pastries into bag) she threw the bag down and rolled her eyes, and was very rude. The staff need some food hygiene and customer service training . We ate-in both times and also took things away. We won’t go back tomorrow because of the attitude of this staff member . Over two days we spent £41

Loved,...