Honey Baked Bee — Restaurant in Richmond

Stepping into the ominous abyss that is Honey Baked Bee, I hoped to be enchanted by the eerie delights of a Halloween-themed bakery. Instead, I found myself ensnared in a web of flavorless horrors, cold confections, and an atmosphere so lifeless, it could give a ghost pause.

Let's begin with their cinnamon buns, or should I say "cinnamon blunders." These ghastly creations were not only flavorless but as cold as the chill in the graveyard on a moonless night. It was painfully apparent that they had been resurrected from the depths of a refrigerator, far from the warm embrace of a freshly baked treat. The disappointment was palpable, leaving me wondering if I had unwittingly entered a pastry purgatory.

But the horrors didn't stop at the pastries. The silence inside Honey Baked Bee was deafening, as if the bakery itself had been cursed into a never-ending hush. There was no music to be heard, no ghostly tunes to set the mood; it felt more like a tomb than a place of pastry pleasure. The unsettling stillness only magnified the discomfort of the experience.

As for the decorations, they were nothing short of a disappointment. It seemed as if the bakery had plundered a clearance sale at Michael's Craft Store to adorn its eerie ambiance. The result? A hodgepodge of cheap, uninspired decor that failed to transport me into the spooky spirit of Halloween. It was a far cry from the immersive experience I had hoped for.

In conclusion, my visit to Honey Baked Bee was a terrifying ordeal that left a bitter taste in my mouth. The flavorless, cold, and seemingly un-fresh cinnamon buns, the absence of music, and the lackluster decorations combined to create an experience that was more trick than treat. It was as if the bakery had been cursed by a pastry poltergeist, dooming it to serve lackluster offerings in a lifeless, uninspiring environment. Spare yourself the horror and seek your Halloween delights elsewhere; you won't find any magic at Honey Baked Bee, only disappointment and despair.

The employees were very friendly and welcoming...

Update (Summer 2024)

My next trip to HBB was disappointing as the bakery items I purchased were not very tasty. One item in particular, a slice of cake, was very mealy and not quite sweet enough; the taste and texture of the icing read like cold butter. The brewed coffee was just a smidge over lukewarm and of below average quality (for a local bakery.) Lastly, there was nothing specifically wrong with the service, but the vibe felt somewhere between unwelcome and ambivalent. I'd give less credence to my service critique, since it's so subjective and not necessarily indicative of what most experience.

Prior Review:

I recently tried a couple of items from Honey Baked Bee for the first time—specifically, a piece of strawberry cheesecake and a blackberry roll. The cheesecake was very good and prepared "homestyle" with a big, softish square sitting on top of a thick homemade graham cracker crust. The top was glazed with a sweetened strawberry syrup—it had elements of a compote and tasted very fresh. The blackberry roll was also tasty with notes of fresh berries, if a bit dry around the filling. I also ordered a brewed black coffee, which was below average for a bakery, but it was later in the day. I can't speak to the ambiance of the place as I ordered my stuff to-go but it certainly checked most of the boxes for a local bakery/cafe.

TL;DR: Very good strawberry cheesecake; good blackberry roll—both items tasted like they were made with fresh ingredients. The brewed coffee was "meh" but drinkable. It's a convenient location and I would go there again, but it hasn't quite elevated itself above some of the other Church Hill bakeries. However, I personally prefer the homestyle approach to their cakes/pastries over places like Sub Rosa and Whisk, which can be a bit too...

Gotta love this little piece of heaven! You can definitely tell this is a BRAND NEW up & coming business; but I can see it flourishing in the future!

Their items are kept at room temperature & inside a cooler so it was suggested I throw them in the microwave for a few seconds and it truly brought everything to life (because who wants a cold cinnamon roll or cookie; but I had no problem heating them up and grabbing a fork to dig in!)

1/2 lb cookies! They are absolutely to die for (my son’s favorite hands down).I kept walking back and forth snacking on them throughout the day!

Jumbo cinnamon rolls! Sturdy on the outside but soft (not doughy) on the inside! Popped in the microwave for 15 seconds and it was perfect!! Not too sweet, not too bland. Just right! (Maybe add a little more cinnamon or fruit just because I’m selfish and like a lot).

Breads are always a fall staple for me and it’s officially The ‘ber months!

Brownies! These are some THICC brownies but they are oh so good! One can last me quite awhile!

Coffee….quick and simple to the point. Nothing fancy but that is okay with me! Just needed a little something to wash down everything with.

The prices at first I thought we a bit high but then k realized how big their items were and I was like okay I can work with this! It is the city taxes that get you!

The decor is cute with their icon Gary the Ghost and golden bee decor! Just a little bit of Halloween, spooky, and gothic mixed together. The honeybee education and live feed stream was such a hit with my son that he tried finding the Queen Bee for the longest time. I loved the fact the bakery was supporting children’s education and a special cause.

It isn’t perfect but the truth is, nobody or nothing is perfect! We all have a little room to grow and I can’t wait to watch this bakery on their journey! Welcome to the...