Looking for some fresh treats and new experiences in Philly? The Bread Room might be just what you knead.
Chef Ellen Yin’s High Street Hospitality Group has launched its latest venture in the city, and with it comes a large menu of experiences — it is part bakery, part workshop and part event space. The bakery aspect will be overseen by High Street’s Executive Chef Christina McKeough and Head Baker Kyle Wood, and together, they will deliver a daily drop of more than 20 handmade viennoiseries and baked goods.
On the opening menu, Philadelphians can find bites like a matcha croissant, a fromage blanc danish with everything spice, rotating crullers like tahini-honeycomb and candied fennel, different homemade pop tarts (with flavors changing regularly), biscuits with herb and parmesan or bacon and cheese and much more. Visitors can also order up different savory sandwiches while in the shop, with options spanning a tuna nicoise hoagie, black lime chicken salad and chili crunch on ciabatta, and muffalettas on sesame focaccia.
In addition to a wide selection of pastries, The Bread Room will also feature a daily lineup of High Street’s signature whole grain sourdough loaves. This fall, the Bread Room will also debut a fresh-milled local grain miche, aka a large country-style loaf made with whole wheat and white flour (served by the pound), a release notes.
The Bakery will be operated during the day, but by night, the space will switch over to its other missions with community-driven workshops in the evenings and hands-on baking classes. Children’s classes will happen regularly, as will private classes (upon request). And eventually, a visiting baker's series with acclaimed chef hosts will be announced for the venue, plus, holiday classes will be open to reserve for bakers of all ages soon.
Classes will span subjects like bread baking (think sourdough, baguette, brioche, babka, focaccia, soft pretzels and bagels) to pizza making and even pastry classes (think viennoiserie, cakes, pies, cookies, buche de noel and croque en bouche). The space is also available for private events such as showers, receptions, and other corporate, community, or personal gatherings.
"Bakeries are historically a gathering place for communities — whether it's grabbing a cup of coffee on your way to work, a place to randomly run into your neighbors, saying hello to the barista who remembers your order or even a place where like-minded individuals might meet — bakeries connect people," says Yin. “We’re all craving a little connection these days. Our workshops and classes further this sentiment, and we’re eager to share our expertise with our community.”
The intimate, 19-seat venue was a product of a partnership with HSH’s longtime collaborator Meg Rodgers of Marguerite Rodgers Interior Design. The result — a space that balances rustic charm with industrial character. It even houses a six-foot by eight-foot abstract painting by Kevin O’Brien Studios (which some may recognize as a previous fixture in Fork restaurant’s private dining room.)
Sticking with the theme of Philadelphia history, guests will gather around a communal table once owned by Dr. Albert Barnes, the celebrated Philly art collector and pharmaceutical scientist while here as well.
The Bread Room (834 Chestnut St.) is now open to the public. To find out more information, visit thebreadroomphl.com
