Baker and Nosh – The Smells are Free from Authentic Pastries

By Samantha Schoville

Uptown is lucky to have such an institution as Baker and Nosh; the antithesis to Starbucks, if you will. Instead of a maddening crowd to worm through at 6 a.m., stepping into Baker and Nosh made me feel like time had slowed down, if only for just that moment. Not only did the scent of fresh croissants and La Colombe coffee waft through the air, but the quality of everything lingered amongst my nose as well.

I met with the owner and visionary of Baker and Nosh (not to mention baker and teacher), Bill Millholland, one sunny Sunday morning. Taking time from his busy schedule, he kindly sat with me to answer some of my questions about his journey and how it lead to not only one, but soon-to-be two bakeries. Bill has stood above most as a career changer, embraced his love of cooking and has poetic take on hospitality, making every person he’s fed feel at home.

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It’s exactly what he did when he greeted me with a cup of La Colombe coffee and an assortment of all freshly made pastries. Lucky for me, it was the weekend, and Baker and Nosh was making Croissants (croissants are available on weekends only—they also go fast so get there early!).

We munched on a Ham and Cheese Croissant, Butter Croissant and a seasonal Strawberries and Cream Croissant, which was a highlight of our visit. As Bill weaved stories from his time as a student at the French Culinary Institute in Manhattan to teaching in Tuscany, we embarked on our own culinary tour.

Bill’s creation, The Edelweiss was a standout favorite: Brioche Dough layered with Nutella ribbons. It was not only delicious, but beautiful. The Scones, which Bill reported are a local favorite, was also a knock-out. Although we sampled the Raisin Scone, apparently the Savory Bacon Asiago Chive is famous in this locale. Last but not least, the Apricot-Layer Bar was exactly what it should be, and paired perfectly with that strong La Colombe coffee.

But not only should you go to sample the pastries, coffee, and bread (which touts from classic French Baguettes to deviant Polenta Loafs), you should also sign up to take a class. Monday and Tuesday nights are class nights at Baker and Nosh, with the two topics being Bread Basics and Croissants ($75 and $85 respectively). Better yet, you can take home the goodie you create!

Though I feasted on pastries and bread, I was still hungry for the well-rounded soup and sandwich menu that include such tantalizing creations as The Caprese, The Roasted Eggplant, or a no-fail BLT. So if you’re in Uptown, or even if you’re not, be sure to stop by to sample on the high-quality products that Bill and his crew of bakers and servers so lovingly provide. Every neighborhood should have a bakery like Baker and Nosh; one within walking distance, serving quality products at affordable prices. If you’ve ever traveled to Europe, you’ve realized that finding textbook pastries can prove to be a real hunt in the U.S. You can find them here at Baker and Nosh.

I promise calories don’t count as much if you’re enjoying every bite!

Baker and Nosh is open seven days a week. Hours can be found on their website. A second location will be opening in Edgewater in mid-June, which will provide the full menu plus five days of baking classes, including Saturday.

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