Goodman Bakes — Restaurant in City of Rochester

I grew up going to all sorts of bakeries with my parents and sister. I remember peeking through the glass case on my tippy toes, and loving every minute of it. Walking in to smell the flavors, choosing the colors, textures, and shapes and wondering what each will taste like. I was curious about the chefs skill and how they could take ingredients and make a pastry lumpy, smooth, flat, or puffed.

My sister is now a pastry chef, and it's also a part of me now, as an adult. My pleasant associations are why I love bakeries so much. Now, I like to take my son to different bakeries to have the same experience I did.

A few weeks ago, I went to a different local bakery (It wasn't Goodman Bakes) with my 5yo son, and it was our 2nd time there. Unfortunately, they didn't treat him well. He wasn't causing any havoc, and I'm pretty careful about him being respectful in a public place. They gave off a very tense vibe, and they didn't like him touching things. He wasn't running or making a mess. He was being a kid and he was curious about the feel of things. I get it, kids can be hard sometimes, I've worked in customer service and around kids. However, just being at this other local bakery, we felt unwelcome. I felt sad because bakeries are often bright and full of regulating smells and flavors that bring a sense of home. I didn't feel that there, both times I've taken my kid.

This week, I walked into Goodman Bakes, and it was the exact opposite experience! It was so pleasant that it led me to write this long story of a review! They immediately acknowledged my son as a person. They interacted with him and welcomed him with joy. I asked about all the flavored cakes, and they were so patient and kind.

My son did the same thing I did as a kid. He stood on his tippy toes, peeking into the glass, taking in all the smells and colors. He observed the shapes and was curious about all the different tastes. It was a whole new world to him. I could see his curiosity around the shape of a cookie, the crumbly texture of a scone, and the thickness of the drippy lemon glaze.

We ordered a slice of Red Velvet cake and carrot cake. We also got the kouign amann and a piece of the Cuban sandwhich.

We left smiling because of their welcoming presence and their well crafted goodies.

We took our food home,and you can tell that the ingredients and recipes are top-notch. You could tell that the pastry chef stays up late or mulls over the recipes constantly so the creations meet the bowl, to the oven, to the plate just as he imagined. Everything was absolutely delicious!!

The next day, my son wanted to play bakery. He imitated everything he experienced at Goodman Bakes. He cut kinetic sand like cake as carefully as the pastry chef did there. My son placed the pieces of fake cake onto plates and put things in a toy oven. I asked him if he wanted to be a baker one day. He said, yes.

The whole experience reminded me of why I love bakeries so much. A pastry chef takes their creativity and shares it with the world. To meet little feet to big, so they experience new flavors invoking fond memories and/or leaving little ones speechless, trying to find the right words to describe what Red Velvet tastes like. They translate what they see, taste, hear in their play, and grow up to emulate the same to others.

When people treat little kids like customers and people too, it makes a difference in our world. It did for me growing up, and now it's helping my 5-year-old son learn the science and art of pastry and how it works.

It's more than just baked goods at Goodman Bakes. It's an experience of pleasant associations, creativity at its finest, and kindness and compassion in...

I love bakeries and always excited to try new place. Overall, it tastes good.

Their cakes are fresh and soft which is perfect. However, there is no the wow moment, nor distinct taste.

Most cakes taste the same; but, some unique bakeries have this distinct taste which makes their cakes special and different from others.

For that reason, I don't think it is worth the price you are paying for. I'm not sure if it is due to inflation; but, for that taste, size, and lacking of a distinct taste, $7.50 a bit too expensive.

Perhaps, by adding a side of real homemade whipped cream (maybe using a secret recipe, if any) might make it slightly better.

I also tried their Apple Pie. I am not sure if this is a special kind of pie, but their apple is a bit undercook. Pretty crunchy. But, one thing I love about the pie is they aren't too sweet. That was perfect, flavorwise.

In conclusion, everyone should try this new place. Taste in food is pretty subjective, you can...

From his blueberry-lemon scones (my favorite) to his chocolate focaccia (my second favorite) to his tres leches cake (my third favorite) to literally EVERYTHING ELSE I’ve tried - it’s SO good. We’re so lucky to have Lucas and crew baking up delicious, creative and classic, consistently awesome baked goods in downtown Rochester. I travel a lot - and always miss Goodman Bakes while not in town. I personally have to restrict myself from going everyday they’re open. A great place to grab a snack to nibble before or after a matinee at the Little, or to bring home treats and impress friends or family. And don’t sleep on their takeout lunch salads - or their frozen pot pies. Those pot pies have saved us from sadness and starvation on many a cold winter night - freezer to oven to...