Ornivea

This seems like a pretty old topic, but here goes. Beyond Bread (the new incarnation of Transylvania Bakery), received a shippment of red fife flour last week. Their plan is to have it availabile for their customers to buy and also to turn it into some amazing loaves. O

Good news for us healthy-eating folk. Transilvania Bakery has switched completely to certified organic flour without upping the price. From what I can tell the new flour produces the same great texture and flavour. Yum! O.

The Georgia Straight Best of Vancouver results are in! Or are they? No matter how hard I tried I wasn't able to find the Best Bakery (bread) and the Best Bakery (patisserie) categories. In the end I was able to figure out that Cobs had won in the best bread category (a sad day for bread in Vancouver!), because of their ad thanking everyone for voting for them. Wake up Terra Breads! You guys used to win this one easily year after year. O.

Just a little piece of trivia I picked up from Transilvania's brochure. Their large Peasant Bread loaves were used as props in a scene from the just released Scary Movie 4. Apparently, the bakery was not chosen for its name, but for the rustic look of the loaves.

The masses have, indeed, spoken. (Next time I should remember to cast my ballot.) Terra Breads has lost its traditional first place faster than anyone could have anticipated. And what happened to Ecco il Pane? It is refreshing though to see that some of the smaller players are getting some recognition as well. As someone who lately buys bread exclusively from Transilvania, I would have like to see them in first place, but fourth is still OK for now. It is hard to understand how someone who bakes two or three dozen loaves a day can still get enough votes to compete with the "giants".

Here is what the Georgia Straight readers had to say about the best bread in town: 1. Cobs Bread Various locations 2. Terra Breads 2380 West 4th Avenue, 604-736-1838; Granville Island Public Market, 604-685-3102 3. Uprising Breads Bakery 1697 Venables Street, 604-254-5635 4. (tie) Transilvania Peasant Bread 3474 West Broadway, 604-319-5623 4. Aran Foods 1692 Venables Street, 604-258-2726 Any coments?

serious? edited to abide ← It is an exciting scene (I can't go back now on what I said!); you just have to take the time to explore it. I know of at least five or six truly artisan bakeries in the Lower Mainland.

Has anyone seen the Transylvania Bakery on CityTV's Breakfast Television last week? I've missed it, but heard it was very interesting. I have not had the time to drop by and talk to the owner lately. As one of their biggest fans, I would appreciate some more details. Isn't it great that local TV station are finally catching on to the exciting artisan bread scene in Vancouver?

I hear that Cobs is getting ready to open its first Toronto store. O.

Here's a question I'm trying to find an answer for, and some help would be appreciated: Who makes the BEST baguette in town? Speaking of baguettes, I am very impresed by European Bread's Georgian baguette. Though not a baguette in the classical sense (e.g. shape; contains milk), it's flavour is quite unique. O.

European Bread on Fraser has indeed a very nice line of ryes. Also, check out the 100% whole rye at Choices on 16th. Cheers.

Went by Transilvania Bread today. Their rye is getting better and better every day. I bought five gift certificates (what a great gift idea -- bread!), so my Christmas shopping is all done. Ho, ho, ho. O.

No matter what we do, it seems that Cobs keeps coming up in most bread posts. Let's forget Cobs for a minute and concentrate on real bread instead. Besides, I tend to agree with someone who was saying that Cobs has a very important role in bringing bread awareness to the masses ... "they just won't get my business." I was searching for the "perfect rye" a couple of weeks ago, and in the process I have (re)discovered the Transilvania Peasant Bread bakery on West Broadway. The (new?) owner has recently started baking a light sour rye that is out of this world, and the regular peasant bread has greatly improved -- it's almost as good as Wildfire bread --, and comes now also in smaller loaves (2 lb.). For a while there I had given up on Transilvania bread because the loaves where just too large and, well, after you went past the whole name and decor thing, the bread wasn't all that great. But the new guy seems to know what he's doing and the bread is a lot better. Just wanted to share. O. PS: Anybody know what's with the German flag on top of the building?

Where does one find a really good rye bread in Vancouver? You know, the one with great sour/rye flavour and trully fantastic crust. Thanks. O