Until someone mentioned it to me, I wasn’t aware Ginger and Baker served coffee. I was mostly under the impression it was an expensive bakery/even more expensive restaurant. However, after finding myself nearby recently, I decided to take a chance and see what they had to offer.
Stepping inside, I was a little overwhelmed. It was one of those situations where a couple different business models collide: the coffee bar was situated in the center of a large square room, surrounded by racks of holiday-themed retail items and flanked on either side by the entrance to the fancy restaurant and what looked to be a room where cooking classes are held. Although it was a lot to take in, I appreciated the rustic feel the barnwood and brick accents lent to the place.
There were quite a few intriguing menu items and many different types of coffee available, but for that day I went with the simple drip coffee.
Considering I spent around $2 on the drink itself, I wasn’t expecting anything incredible, but I was actually pleasantly surprised. It was a strong brew, building up in a quick crescendo of bitterness and eventually fading into an subtle nuttiness. My eyes were drawn to a warmly lit display of pies and pastries on the other side of the bar, and realized this is the type of coffee that’s meant to be had with something sweet to counter it–although I managed to finish just fine without one.
Ultimately, I’m glad I took a chance on Ginger and Baker, and have confidence the rest of their menu is quality as well. The drip coffee is nothing special, but it’s a great simple blend, and sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
Black Coffee in Collins 