Leavened — Restaurant in Cleveland

Leavened may look like the latest trendy cafe in Tremont, but it's actually an elaborately aesthetic front for dealing one of the most addictive substances known to man - carbs. Complete with floor to ceiling windows, trendy light fixtures and stylish seating options, how more tempting could it be?

The design of the bakery itself is simple - a single high-ceiling room with an array of choice seating and ample natural lighting. Tables are appropriately socially distanced but sound reflects easily and you'll definitely hear every order that people are placing even when you're sitting at the furthest possible table. Their music is chill, but I recommend headphones if you need focus. The cushioned shelf-style bench offers some outlets if you plan on being here a while and yes, Wi-Fi is available.

Coffee options are simple so as not to detract from the true star of the show. They only brew one medium roast, plus espresso variations. There's a different daily soup and sandwich and just about every fifteen minutes you'll hear someone call in asking what the special is. There's a limited supply of sandos starting at 11 AM, and they are locked and LOADED with goodness.

Now, can we talk bread? Made fresh, every day, with rotating creations? The perfectly oily Rosemary Foccacia slabs you can tear apart on the drive home? The shareable Epi chains made for dinner parties? The Hand Pies sized for bearpaws? Or the flaky Mobius swirls of the Danish Twists? I could go on - or you could just go in and taste...

Let me start by saying... even tho it only got 4 stars from me, Leavened is awesome.

My mom and I finnallllyyy made the drive to Cleveland today to try this wonderful new bakery I’ve seen/heard so much about. I wish we had come sooner! The two employees were extremely kind, welcoming, and careful. They helped us make our selections but couldn’t help sharing our same sentiments of “oooo that’s good too” about everything!

We settled on the Italian sandwich , pepperoni roll (something I try just about everywhere I find them), and the bread pudding. The Italian sandwich was overpriced at 11.50 (10 would have been more reasonable) but very delicious! I think the focaccia could have used a bit more rosemary and the bottom was a little “gooey-doughy” for me .... but the RELISH omg. So good. The pepperoni roll’s bread was delicious... thankfully... because there was very little pepperoni or cheese to speak of :/ The bread pudding reminded me of a very dense, gooey, fruit panettone. It was loaded with spiced flavor, not for me but my mom thought it was incredible.

Next time, we return for some plain bread (sourdough looked fabulous) and a cardamom bun!! Hopefully those will warrant a full 5 star review because I really really want to love this place!

If you haven’t been, you need to go. Asap. All their options savory and sweet look and sound incredible!

Give...

I used to love this place. I stopped in weekly for coffee, bread, pastries. Something has changed in the last 6 months or so. Pastries aren't as good, & the newer folks at the register are NOT friendly, or at least not consistent? On my last visit the 2 people up front stopped talking the moment I walked in and then said nothing, just stared at me. I said hello, still nothing. I asked for my items, said please & thank you with basically no acknowledgment other than telling me to choose the tip on the screen so they can help the next person. The man at the register was then fairly nice to the next customer, making suggestions, etc. I guess that's my cue not to return.

Edit- after scrolling through comments a bit it looks like this has been a clear pattern for the last 6 months but the only response FROM THE OWNER was "it's just bread dude" and to blame the customers. Wow. I'm sorry that I ever wasted money here. Plenty of other bakeries with better than mediocre, inconsistent pastries to choose from that don't treat customers...