GAIL's Bakery St Albans — Restaurant in St Albans

Having seen Gail's in the UK I hadn't ventured until today. The minimalist artisanal shop interior design is bright and trendy with exposed ceiling AC ducting. The baked goods and bread are lined beautifully and one would assume it's baked locally? That wasn't the case as it factory baked which was a shock but also kinda of expected with a chain. The Brand design and use of sans serif typeface similar to Century Gothic simple design branding analogous to elements of Swiss Design & Nordic Design styling. The coffee was prepared well and the latte art on my Cappuccino was done well, which is a good indication of good quality beans with enough oil to add florid decorations to your beverage unlike the N's, S's and C's ubiquity that offers no nonsense slap bang coffee. The taste was average, unremarkable that gave a slight bitterness aftertaste that had no distinct bean profile. The baked goods Pain au Chocolat was pleasantly made, proofed well and size impressive. After the initial crunch of the outer layer Mon voucher was met with a half baked kind of card board soggy texture that is atypical of many baked goods that are pre-preped and in great numbers. What was curious was the small amount of chocolate of the interior. My mouth was certainly confused with the ingredients of the Pain au Chocolat. Did it contain both butter and margarine rather than just Butter? My continuos curiosity with food cooking and baking is a blessing but also a curse. Suffice to say my experience was pleasant in a trendy place but do I think 🤔 Gail's is worth the effort and money? I would have to place my reservations on the unspectacular level of gastronomy in the UK today. The baked goods are neither as scrumptious as the Old Bakery Guard from our Parisian friends across the Channel neither are they as perfected, curated as the Taiwanese & Japanese artisans. I would wager as Food Culture doesn't appear to form a large part of the local culture in the United Kingdom has resulted in the current low level of quality and innovation in gastronomy. The apparent rise of celebrity chefs with a slap bang approach with moderate copies of worldwide cuisines seem to dominate the media showing a lack of Excellence, Consistency, Commitment & Talent with food. In this case, baked goods, is average even with Gail's hailed as great. Would I visit? I would from time to time but I certainly haven't come across a place I would class as excellent that I would become a...

I was very enthusiastic when they opened. maybe this is why I failed to notice their prices. I could be wrong but I have the suspicion that since they opened, their prices went slightly up and their portions went slightly down. paid £7 for a double espresso and a slice of carrot cake (which was not a slice, but a bit of carrot cake). I was expecting to pay £4.50 to £5. don't get me wrong. in the past, I have paid more (in other places) for similar items. I was up in the Alps, or in a Greek island, feet touching the sea... not in a nondescript little bakery in the centre of St Albans where you get half of a square meter for you and your stuff to enjoy your coffee (it is a very small place with very small tables). To be fair though, they did serve me a good coffee, and the carrot cake, regardless of how small of a piece it was, it was very nice. I might go back there again; pay £7 (or maybe more; they have loads of nice things) and try to understand why it is so busy all the time. evidently, people are happy with what they are paying? I am not, but...

I am absolutely appalled with the service myself and my girlfriend are treated with. We go to Gail’s near enough every day for food/coffee (sometimes both) which money wise it does add up! We carry on going as most of the staff, coffee and food are lovely minus one in particular (lady, quite tall and black rimmed glasses), even when she is outside collecting coffee cups outside and I walk past we get patronising looks up and down! Myself and my girlfriend have never been rude or horrible to anyone in Gail’s, as well as the coffee and food!

Other than her service and all in all her persona, it is extremely uncomfortable and unprofessional. As it is not only me that has noticed this I have had other people say that she is ‘rude’.

I’d love to make a 1-1 face complaint however the other staff are so lovely I would not like to complain! But if needs be, I will happily! Not impressed...