A CBD Bakery!
Finally, the bakery that we have been eagerly awaiting since reading about it some months ago opened last Friday. It’s hidden in a laneway (as with everything good in Melbourne) off the section of Little Collins St between Queen & Elizabeth St. They had a soft opening with the cafe and are planning to expand into the back section with a casual-style restaurant later on.
At the moment, there is a selection of baguette sandwiches, pies and salads to choose from for lunch, or you can take one of their sourdough loaves away. We went with a chicken cooked in white wine pie and it was to-die-for.
Sweet pastries are also available, and one of the best spots to have your coffee, in my opinion, is the standing bar.
I’m waiting for them to go full steam ahead and keeping my fingers crossed that there will be many more varieties of bread in the future. In the meantime though, I couldn’t resist purchasing one of their chocolate and fruit loaves (price varies depending on size). I nibbled on this all the way back to the office. I mean, it’s carbs and chocolate all-in-one!
April 25th, 2007 at 10:30 am
I’ve been dying to visit this place and keep forgetting. It’s run by Con Christopolous, the same guy as that place we had the photo shoot. Apparently the coffee is manually pulled. Great pics.
April 25th, 2007 at 5:32 pm
Excellent news… there are bakeries springing up all over the place. You would know Wildflour (or Flower??) in George Street, Fitzroy?
Someone mentioned at a lunch I was at Monday that there’s also an interesting new one in Port Melbourne, or maybe South Melbourne.
April 25th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
WOW… this place looks really nice. I only work up the street from here. I”ll definitely give this place a try.
April 26th, 2007 at 9:54 am
Ed: I met Chris, a part owner of the business. Haven’t tried the coffee yet but that’s the plan. Maybe we should meet up there next time you’re in the city.
Stephanie: Yes, Simon Johnson are serving bread from Wildflour to taste the olive oils with. Great bread! I’m just happy there is actually one plonked right in the middle of the city as it makes it much more convenient for me
Cherrie: Yep, try it out. Hopefully they will have a greater range and open weekends as it gets busier.
May 1st, 2007 at 6:14 pm
It’s places like this that makes me wish I worked in the CBD. Maybe I need to take “a day off” during the weekday one of these days..
May 4th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
hi, my name is alex.
accidently, i found this web page, and i was happy to realize you’ve got so many great information.
CBD news was one of the best to me..
i went there today, i was lost for a couple of times, thou…but today! i made it..
i purchased a cute muffin and chocolate strudel, which were amazingly delicious..
i am so excited to know this place..i will be a regular customer, but i am not living in the city..so, only when i go to school in the city..
i hope to meet someone who likes exploring this kind of place…
i am korean, but i am studying Patisserie at william angliss..anyway, i would like to say thank you for this sweet info.
hope to know some nice friends thru this site..
all the best
alex
May 14th, 2007 at 10:12 pm
hi,i was wondering if you knew the exact address of this shop? or what is the nearest building near it?
May 15th, 2007 at 11:24 am
Sure, Keri, it’s on Gills Al just off Lt Collins St. Do you know where Equitable Pl is? It’s diagonally opposite that. You really have to approach from the Elizabeth St side to see the shop because it’s quite hidden. If you come from the Queen St side, you will most likely walk straight past it.
May 21st, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Oh My God. This place looks amazing! Thank you for writing about it.
May 22nd, 2007 at 12:14 am
sundenly, i feel like having some coffee with delicious pastry with some nice people like you!
yeah…it was a sudden thought…lol
good nite!
May 23rd, 2007 at 8:19 am
Andrew: Do check it out – I\’m trying to encourage more bakeries to open up in the CBD ;D especially with the latest news.
Alex: You should definitely try the coffee and pastries because they are delicious!
June 1st, 2007 at 9:21 am
I visited Commercial Bakery on the strength of your review, and I was not disappointed! I wrote up my experience – I had a fantastic chocolate and almond danish. My photos aren’t as good ‘food porn’ as yours though!
June 1st, 2007 at 10:56 pm
mutemonkey: It’s great that they are just round the corner from me
Glad you enjoyed it.
August 4th, 2007 at 9:57 pm
Is the other restaurant/bar thingy open yet? If not any idnication of when it will?
Somehow, not sure where, its located next to it. Christopoulos owning it as well.
September 8th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Address is 360 little collins street. Gills Diner is a must for both lunch and dinner. This is the restaurant at the back of the bakery. I LOOOOVE this place
The spanakopita is delicious (Greek feat/spinach pie) and apparently comes from Christopoulos’ grandmothers recipe.