Where do you go to get artisan bread?

I just got the new issue of Saveur and after salivating for awhile, I got the craving for some outstanding artisan bread. The problem is - where should I go. I live in the Western burbs but I'm willing to travel for some outstanding bread.

On a side note, do any of you know of any classes on bread baking? I know that it is not supposed to be difficult when some techniques are mastered but I would like to practice around experts.

Have you tried Cooks Illustrateds No Knead loaf, easy as pie and very, very good. They've updated the recipe so I think it is called something like No Knead 3.0.

In the city,Floriole,La Farine, & Hendrickx Belgian Bread Crafter make lovely loaves.

Good Luck & Keep us posted on your experiences.

PS I' m kind of picky about bread and generally fall into the leave it side versus take it side.

Oh, I read that Saveur article too! Of the bakeries they talked about, I didn't see ANY in Chicago. Good to know about the recommendations-- I agree, keep us posted.

I've heard good things about Fox and Obel, but that information may no longer be current!

I also agree about making your own. I have Peter Reinhardt's Artisan Bread Every Day-- good stuff. The bagels are tops and you don't have to leave the house for fresh, hot carbs!

Cheers, Jen

dude dig this
http://www.sourflour.org/chicago/

Hi! ... well, that's enough about me ....

The Oak Tree Restaurant in the 900 Building has a bakery that produces a range of "artisan breads", so far I've tried the sourdough loaf, potato cheddar, & raisin pumpernickle, and I think they're pretty darn good.

900 N Michigan
7 days, 7:30-6:00

If you are in the western suburbs try Labriola.

http://www.labriolabaking.com/home.htm

If you happen to go to the Labriola cafe on Butterfield Rd., they have great burgers there too.

More support for Floriole's lovely bread offerings comes from Bon Appetit http://www.bonappetit.com/blogsandforum ... erica.html

Publican quality Meats at 825 W. Fulton has good breads.

Baker and Nosh at 1303 W Wilson(edgewater/uptown)sells some outstanding bread and cakes. Classes will also be offered in the spring.

Baker and Nosh at 1303 W Wilson(edgewater/uptown)

Not anywhere near Edgewater; it's in Uptown, due east of Lincoln Square.

sundevilpeg wrote:

Baker and Nosh at 1303 W Wilson(edgewater/uptown)

Not anywhere near Edgewater; it's in Uptown, due east of Lincoln Square.

sorry, i thought these areas were next to each other!

welshie wrote:

sundevilpeg wrote:

Baker and Nosh at 1303 W Wilson(edgewater/uptown)

Not anywhere near Edgewater; it's in Uptown, due east of Lincoln Square.

sorry, i thought these areas were next to each other!

Welshie-

LTHers like to veer into the occasional city neighborhood debate. Edgewater starts at Foster, which is at 5200 North. Wilson is 4600 North. Not so far in my book.

What are some of the things you've liked at Baker and Nosh? I'll have to make my way there from Edgewater soon.

GP - i really enjoyed the brioche. Great flavour, not too sweet. I only made it 5 blocks in the car before the poor thing was gone...I've also enjoyed the multigrain, nice and dense. Unfortunately I've never got there in time to buy a baguette. They also have a number of nice looking fresh fruit pastries and cakes which i plan on trying and there always seems to be a few people in there enjoying sandwiches and flatbreads.

I like the Brioche rolls quite a bit at Baker and Nosh. I also enjoy the sesame semolina, especially when it is right out of the oven. They load the exterior of the loaf with sesame seeds, lending a rich nuttiness to the bread. The sourdough is a bit of a letdown, lacking the nice tang a good sourdough has. I've been addicted to the ham and cheese croissants and the fresh fruit inside a sweet croissant cup with lemon curd lately. The sticky buns get most of the pub, but I've had them once and were simply ok. Maybe I had one on an off day.

They also have a pretty nice cheese selection, along with one or two pate selections. Seeing as I live a stone's throw away, its a great addition to the neighborhood.

Webers bakery at about 7000 on Archer ave has a great chedar onion bread and one of the best saurkraut rye breads I`ve ever had.Their grandpa rye is always available in 1/2 loafs

Thanks for the tip about Baker and Nosh - I didn't know about this place.

Bennison's is another good place for artisan bread.

Bennison's Bakery
1000 Davis Street Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 328-9434
http://www.bennisonscakes.com/
Also available at the Evanston, Andersonville, and Green City farmers markets.

I've ordered bread baking supplies from the San Francisco Baking Institute, which is a well-known school for bread baking.

If you want to get into baking bread, check out these threads:

Bread-making and -breaking

Break making

Bread 101

How do you score your bread?

Bread baking supplies

Recommendations for a good bread making cookbook/guide

Whole wheat bread

Intriguing no-knead bread

More about buying than making bread: Is this the best bread in Chicago?