Well-Bred Bakery & Cafe — Restaurant in Weaverville

My family and I have been patrons of the Well Bred for more than 15 years. We've always enjoyed interacting with the staff, the warm ambience and of course, amazing desserts. The reason I'm sharing this review is because I hope someone in management will listen. A recent visit on a Sunday morning with four people found the place somewhat deserted and there were 7 staff members behind the counter. We asked about their breakfast baked goods as the only items in the case were cookies and a streusel cake. No croissants. No muffins, etc. We asked if they still had croissants and were told yes- plain only. We ordered them and also asked for one cookie. They were all put in a box and handed to us. We not asked if we were dining in or if it was to go. We were dining in and took our box and paper cups to our table. We missed our mugs and plates. The croissants were definitely not baked in house. Absolutely horrible. No butter or jam was offered or provided. The cookie - tasteless and stale. We asked a staff member if the place was under new management. She replied that they had no staff. No staff? There were 7 - yes - 7 people behind the counter. She said no one in the back of the house. Okay - we all understand there's a labor shortage - however, it's not a good idea to pass off sub standard products as your own. Why would you? How about putting up a sign in the case informing customers that you're currently looking for a pastry chef and that many items are currently being brought in from elsewhere and to please bear with during this transition. The staff did not have the usual warm and friendly rapport, the ambience has become bland and without personality and the whole experience was somewhat sad and very disappointing. Our small town bakery has turned into a profit-making locale for tourists. Sorry to see this happen. Things change - in this case - for the worse. I hope they get back on track. Not sure we'll ever be back. Too many other better choices for locals now. The competition will surely be nipping at...

There are food establishments who do some things well, but there are few that do everything EXCEPTIONALLY WELL. We live in Hendersonville and our son will be married in Weaverville. The first few times we visited just for coffee (exceptional) and to try a slice of cake, possibly for the wedding cake. Their cream cakes, we tried three flavors over our last three visits were all fantastic and not overly rich. The, their eclairs are incredible, we brought a couple home for ourselves and a few more to share (reward) with friends. While there, we noticed patrons having delicious lunch salads, sandwiches, soup etc. So, yesterday we had lunch there. I had the Italian Ciabatta (WOW), my wife the Turkey Gouda on pretzel role. Not only were the hot sandwiched great, but the kale salad side was large and delicious. I paid $1 extra to upgrade my side to a curry chicken salad, so much we took some home.

Though not 100% perfect, on one of our visits we ordered a coffee and desert to enjoy in house. The coffee seemed to take forever. I went back to the counter to see if my order was lost. What I received was a sincere apology, an offer for me to select any cookie or pasty for free and within a minute or two my coffee was rushed to me.

My only recommendation is to open another shop in Hendersonville. Of course we will be back and will take some treats...

Food was cold and microwaved. How is it cold if you microwaved it? Pastries are grocery store like. Quality was stale and not fresh tasting. Waited 25+ mins for a coffee, quiche, and eclair. Coffee was burnt and cold, quiche was rubbery and felt sick afterwards, and eclair was bland and stale. Not a tradition eclair or pastry cream by any means. There were only a couple people and the lady with the beanie seemed frazzled and out of sorts when I asked for help. They were out of napkins, most coffees, tables were dirty, and no worker there seemed to have answers when I asked. I remember coming here as a kid and it's disappointing to see such a business on the decline. Also not sure where the regular staff went. I heard from another table that they all left. It can be felt as there was no warm welcome or ambiance. It felt transactional and lifeless. Not the small town bakery I grew up coming to with my family. They used to be warm comforting place to be and had so many fresh options to choose from. Now I can't even get a muffin or a warm cup of coffee. I can't in good faith recommend this bakery anymore. Everything they stood for is but a distant memory from the past. Maybe the word on the street is right, they've sold out for money and tourism. Can't support a business who settles for...