Ottawa Foodies

Drove my mom to a couple of stores yesterday, including the market the St Honaire bakery has moved to.

There are now 2 cash registers in that corner, one of the BBQ and takeout food and the other for the Bakery. The lady and an older lady was there and there were a few standard cakes in the display cases and several types of New Years Cake (in round takeaway tins) for sales near the cash register. There are the sweet new years cake for 3.88 but also 2 savory ones for $5.38 or 2 for $10. For the savory cakes, 1 with turnip and the other with taro and both have small pieces of chopped bits, likely bbq meats or chinese sausages.

The bun sections was almost bare with some curry beef buns, some ham buns and a plate of fried balls with red bean paste and sesame seeds on the shelves. These balls disappeared pretty quickly and I managed to snagged the last 2. Asked about the coconut twists and they brought out the large twist still warm yum... My mom bought some of the new years cakes and will try to upload the picture later when I have some time and my connector.

Asked them about the move and they moved about 2 weeks ago. Told them I went to Booth mid Jan and found the sign that they were closed for reno.. Guess they were already getting ready for moving. Wonder if they cut a deal to supply some stuff to the restaurant next door.

The store was busy and they cannot keep up with demand on a busy day since a few people were hanging around waiting for stuff. I usually go to Booth St. later in the afternoon during the week when I can stop by on way to somewhere else. I have rarely seen more than 1 or 2 other people at the same time when I get a 6 pack..

Do they make banh mi buns?

I haven't seen any.

Strictly Hong Kong style bakery I thinks.

The BBQ has always been separate but that used to cover the bakery too.

Do they make banh mi buns?

3

2

Rizak ... seems they let the buns cool down before placing them in the display cases. Don't let that stop you from buying some.

I love the coconut twists and once went in to get 4. The display case only had one. I was about to leave. Went over and asked at the counter instead.

The Buns Nazi asked me "Haw meeny u whaa ?". I said 4 and with that he pulled 4 from a cooling rack.

Don't let his abrupt coolness fool you .. he real is a customer focused kinda guy. (But don't expect a smile though ... no matter what.)

2

I dropped by yesterday and wandered around the store, picking up a few items. From 9am to almost 10am I watched them making buns and separating them, but never putting them on the floor. Nobody approached the counter, so neither did I. The bins were silently waiting, their plastic maws open, for the contents to be placed as described on the placards below. But no.

I felt creepy, stalking the bakery section like that, so I bought my items and left. Unsatisfied.

It appears that they are set apart from the bbq section as there is a sign that says all bakery items are to be paid for separately.

So do they run the take out food as well i.e. BBQ Pork, etc. or just the bakery?

My doctor used to be down the street from the market above the Shoppers at Vanier Parkway so it was convenient before. Now that she change back close to where her original office was, more of a special trip.

Will be there on Sunday to check out the selection and the quality. Kids will be happy for wiener buns in their lunch on Monday.

1

Maybe once they move we can change the company name to the proper spelling: St Honore Bakery.

I guess we'll have to wait to see how they list it this time.

1

The sneering fellow was the 'Buns Nazi' like the 'Soup Nazi' in Sienfeld.

Instead of "No soup for you", it was "Pho-dollah fiffy eh" ($4.58) or "No moe coco-nuh twiss" (no more coconut twist buns).

I kinda got used to his cool, stand-offish, straight to the business 'tude.

Glad to see them back. Good product at a good price.

Warm and tastey ones here.