Restaurants
School Bakery and Cafe
School Bakery and Cafe in Liberty Village doesn't look like any school I attended. The huge glass displays that cordon off the kitchen from the crowd are definitely cafeteria-esque and there are a few tips of the hat to study hall--the odd chalkboard scattered around this sunny space, a wall full of clocks that have all been magically frozen at "3:30", that golden moment school lets out-- but it doesn't feel like all the pieces add up to a cohesive whole.
I was told the servers would be in school uniform and while the outfits the staff actually sport definitely flatter the statuesque servers; I think most fetishists will be slightly disappointed.
The card is comfort food but definitely a step up from your usual high school cafeteria fare. All the dishes we order come in cute, single serving cast iron skillets that add a nice visual touch but their high sides make for slightly more challenge than you should really have to muster on a Sunday morning.
Still, it'll take a lot more than tricky tableware to keep me from sopping up thick, creamy complimentary hollandaise that I've smothered all over School's steak and eggs ($19). The toothsome homefries are well-seasoned and worth ordering an extra side just in case the small portion that comes with your meal doesn't seem like enough (trust me, it isn't). Not strictly 'textbook', the SBC Benni ($13) floats standard poached eggs and bacon atop a crumbly cheese scone.
The potato-sausage omelet is definitely a stand out offering a spicy puck of homemade porky goodness pillowed on fluffy, brie-laced eggs'n'spuds ($12) who's recipient is probably left a little puckish since he's forced to share his meal with the rest of the table.
Newly sated, the crew at our table agree that school's definitely 'in' for a decent (albeit slightly pricey) brunch if you happen to live in Liberty Village. But unlike its namesake, you might wanna get to this School a little early.
Photographs courtesy Martino Lozej
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Not only were we led around the whole restaurant (after waiting in line) because they couldn't figure out which table to put us at, but good grief the food was terrible!
My brunch partner ordered coffee, which came in a tall skinny glass. and the spoon she was given was half the height of the glass. when we asked if they had any other spoons, they said no so she used her knife.
we ordered and waited for about 40 minutes before we asked the waitress to check on our food. direct quotes:
"um, we've been waiting a while. can you go to the kitchen and check on our food please?"
*nodding nodding*
"so you want more coffee?" (?!?!?!?!!!!?)
when our food finally arrived, the portions were small, the food was luke warm, the home fries were oily and soggy and we were just really disappointed. the really sad things is, the flavours were there, but the execution and service just killed it.
i agree that the prices are too high and this place is WAY overrated. won't be going back, that's for sure!
After finally being seated we waited 10 minutes to have our orders taken. Coffee was served in paper cups because they were out of cups. We waited at least 30 minutes for out food. I had the omelette soufflé and my fiancé had the smoked salmon with spicy scrambled. Yikes. Cold plates + hot food = warm food by the time it reaches the client. The kitchen staff was allergic to sodium because no salt touched my food or my fiance’s either. As a matter of fact I tasted her spicy scramble and it was tasteless. I also experienced not having my biscuit (as was already posted by another blogger) with my meal and having to point it out to the waiter who replied “oh yeah, I’ll be right back.”
The topper was receiving the bill in a little envelope that I was ready to pay without looking at it to expedite our exit. Thank god my fiancé is more thorough. We were charged for our meal and coffee (this is where the fun starts) as well as a tea, 2 freshly squeezed o.j. and a side of bacon. We flagged down our waiter after another few minutes to point out the issue before we could go up to the cash and pay to end the experience of School Bakery and Café.
Yikes is all I can think of saying…
I'm starting to think that this reviews are bulls*** and untrustworthy.
People at McDonald's aren't expecting much in terms of food and service. However, the same can't said for other restaurants like School. It's a no brainer that people are expecting more than what they get at McDonald's.
Compare apples to apples, please--not apples to oranges.
it's not really worth your time (and believe me, it takes a lot of time as the lineup was ridiculous for some reason) but hey if you've got cash to burn and a morning to kill, by all means...
I don't think the business on the weekends truly reflects the poor organization, service and execution of dishes at School.
Word of mouth will and lack of repeat business will level things out. then MAYBE they'll have time to properly prepare the food and get back on track. so sad.
Nirvana French Toast lived up to its name with strawberries pistachios and chocolate! Artistic coffees and lemon cranberry scones! Souffle omelet light as a feather. Caramel coffee cake to go that we ended up eating in the car!
Going back tomorrow to get the Super cheesy French Toast and Coconut Caramel Pancakes!
As we worked through the cocktails list, the bartender came out to greet us and ask how we were enjoying the mixes, trying to get a better feel for how the new cocktails list was being received. Smart. And later in the afternoon, he brought us all a taste of a new cocktail to try out. Brilliant.
Maybe it was the right time to go, but it was a fantastic experience and I'd be happy to return. And hopefully that banana cinnamon muffin tasting cocktail will be on the menu when I get back. Tasty!
Too bad. I know two good experiences and one bad shouldn't keep me from going back but unfortunately it will.
I will definitely come back again and again - but I will also make sure to get there close to opening so that I avoid the rush! Maybe after waiting through the hoards of people, you're grumpy enough that it's very hard to be pleased.