Wren's Nest Baking Co. — Restaurant in Ruston

I really wanted to love this place, but it's only ok. I understand that they just opened so I am going to hope that they will fix some things as time goes on. I visited 2 times over the past week and this is my experience.

FOOD AVAILABILITY: both times I have been, they didn't have multiple things available. This morning we showed up right at 8am and I would have expected them to have quiche ready for the breakfast crowd, but they didn't. I tried to get some bread as well but they said it wouldn't be ready until noon. I'm going to chalk this up to not knowing what their demand is going to be in the opening week, and I hope that availability improves as time goes on.

FOOD TASTE: I bought multiple items and split them with my husband so I've tried a range of food. Below is the food in order of deliciousness.

Ham and Swiss hand pies: So good! The best thing on the menu that I've tried!

Beef empanada hand pie: Also delicious! Tastes like a taco pie.

Molasses bread: super tasty! We ate it over several days and it was still good on day 3.

Coffee cake: quite good, but there was a grainy texture in it that was confusing. I wasn't sure if it was flax seed meal or almond meal, but either way it was just odd.

Apple hand pie: Good, but not the greatest thing I've had. It was a bit bland. But you would probably like it if you like apple pie.

Peach cardamom muffin: eh, not that great. The texture was a bit gummy and they used too much xanthan gum in their flour.

Sausage and egg kolache: not good. There was too much dough, and not enough filling. The dough was also lacking flavor and was kind of dry. They heated it up for me, but it was stone cold in the middle, which could have also impacted the flavor.

Egg and spinach kolache: even worse than the sausage version. Cold in the middle, and the flavor was not exciting. It could have used something like onion, garlic, or nutmeg.

DRINKS: They were out of chocolate, so I couldn't get a mocha. I got a caramel latte instead. It was fine, but don't expect a real coffeehouse experience in your drink. They have an automated machine that they just press a button and put a cup under. It's like a fancier version of coffee vending machines.

MAJOR NUTS WARNING: my sister has a nut allergy so I'm always on the lookout for nut usage. They don't tell you anywhere, but there appear to be nuts in multiple products. I was surprised to find what I think was walnut in the molasses bread. A fellow patron in line told me that they use nuts in the cheesecake crust. I haven't asked them about it because they have been so busy, but it's probably in other items too. Note that there is not going to be any separation of nut goods from others, so cross contamination risk would be high. If you have a nut allergy, I would definitely ask lots of questions before consuming any food here.

So will I be back? Of course, since it's the only local gf bakery and they are still getting their sea legs. I'll update my review if things improve, and I...

This place appears welcoming but don't be fooled. I had a SUPER disappointing experience this morning at this cafe. I stopped by this place in a bit of a rush to find a good place to sit and take an important work meeting. Because I was behind on time I didn't have time to walk in and order first, but I did choose this location so I could grab a bite and drink and even a treat for my partner after my meeting. I sat outside on the table so I wasn't distrubing anyone by being inside while I was completing my meeting. Within the time I was there (1 hr) I was approached twice by employees who interrupted me rudely indicating I needed to order, both choosing to talk to me WHILE I WAS actively talking during my meeting. This is a walk up to the register, order and then sit if you please kind of cafe vibe, FYI. Also the establishment was not super busy and no one was sitting outside. The first individual (Hugo) was kind enough and once I indicated I could not place an order and was in a meeting he gave me some space. That was enough for me to get the message they we anxious about me ordering if I was going to sit out front the cafe. That was fine, but not a few minutes later another different employee (Cathi) came out and AGAIN actively interrupted me while I was talking and basically said that I had to order and the seating was for guests only. They made me feel incredibly unwelcome, were super rude and pushy. FYI the ourdoor seating does not indicate it is for paying customers only, nor does it say "wait to be seated", etc. After my meeting was over I came inside with the intention to share feedback about my experience, see if they would listen, make it right so I felt good about order something (because as I expressed I choose this location FOR the bites and drinks) but while I was waiting in line with customers ahead of me, Cathi looked at me and very passive aggressively "thanked" me for coming in - with the tone of "finally, you owe us buisness for sitting out front our cafe". It wasn't welcoming but rude. I left at that point. None of my feedback was going to be well received. She thought what she did was acceptable. I am disappointed the employees police the way people can interact and enjoy the cafe and space which is a MASSSIVE damper on the atmosphere and unfortunately will not be going back. Also I am not sure if it is helpful for other or a contributing factor, but I am a visibly queer person and these days can't rule that out as a factor for being treated poorly at...

I hate to write a review. The line is already too long and the items sell out too fast. But since we went back 3 times this weekend, a review is in order. The first time, we stopped by around 3 in the afternoon and most items were gone. I tried a kolache, carrot cake, and two sourdough loaves since that's all they had left. I didn't know this was a gluten free bakery until I googled it after leaving. The items were all delicious - the sourdough toasted up so crispy and sour, with good crumb, not gooey, and fragrant with that sour goodness you can smell before you bite in. The carrot cake was perfect - moist without being soggy, icing perfectly cream cheesy but without overpowering powdered sugar flavor.

We went back that evening for the live music and small plates on the roof. It was a bit chilly, and once again they were sold out of the items we wanted, but the things we did try were very good. Excellent negroni. Succulent short ribs. Music was ho hum (they'd do better hiring some of the UPS jazz kids) but the views were fantastic and the grilled cheese the best I've ever had, crispy and seasoned well, a mixture of coastal cheddar and something gooey, and again the bread redolent of piquant levain with a crunch in every bite. No drippy oil. Whomever is in the kitchen knows his/her stuff.

The next morning I sent hubby back to get cake, as they were always sold out by afternoon. He came back with - (in order of our favorites) a strawberry cream genoise - perfectly moist with a tender velvety crumb, a blueberry lavender that actually tasted like blueberries and lavender - not too sweet but beautifully flavored, a cinnamon roll that was perfection, a dairy free coconut cake, chocolate tea cake, and the olive oil citrus cake. I was in a sugar coma and haven't tried the last two yet. Every item was excellent, not even taking into account that every item was gluten free and some were dairy free. There is some kind of magician in the kitchen, 100%.

Gluten free or not, this is the best...