Jim's Small Batch Bakery: Baked Perfection

The mark of a stellar chef is when you notice that his name no longer leave its mark on a restaurant menu. That’s what happened on a visit to Michael’s on East when I noticed James Plocharsky was no longer named as Pastry Chef. After years of enjoying Plocharsky’s desserts, creations that were worth a trip to Michael’s in itself, discovering his whereabouts was paramount. Fortunately, my waiter was forthcoming with the information. James opened his own bakery, Jim’s Small Batch Bakery in Gulf Gate -- a well-deserved feat.

As my friends to the north and the south frequently remind me, it takes a lot to get me to veer me from downtown. But one thing certain to lure me away is good food (with free parking running a close second these days). Rationalizing that I should sample an abundance of baked goods, seeing as how I made the long drive and all, I took home some of just about everything. And I kid you not; each and every item was baked to perfection -- light, moist, and sweet without being overly sweet. Although I was disappointed to find the day’s loaves still baking, Jim offered bread from his freezer. Knowing that bread that’s been frozen is incomparable to fresh bread, I was reluctant. Yet I was pleasantly surprised. Warmed in the oven, the bread tasted amazingly fresh-baked, making his fresh bread even more irresistible.

Jim’s Small Batch is exactly what it says – a bakery with small batches of a variety of baked goods. Since Jim’s Small Batch Bakery is a one-man operation, each and every item is baked by Jim himself. Only fresh wholesome ingredients are used – butter, unbleached flour, local produce and eggs, and fresh-squeezed juice for the sorbets. To add to the allure, prices are extremely reasonable.

What you will find in the bakery case depends on what time of day you visit Jim’s Small Batch Bakery. But whatever time you arrive, you’ll be amazed at one man’s production in the course of only a few hours. Everything in the bakery case has been made that very day. In the mornings, you’re likely to find fresh baked pastries, croissants that have been personally rolled by Jim with a rolling pin rather than the sheeter used by other bakeries, as well as an assortment of muffins likely to include Clementine Cranberry and Whole Wheat Raisin Bran. Midday, you’ll be welcomed by the smell of fresh-baked artisan bread. Each day, Jim features a different kind of bread. I can personally vouch for the Kalamata Olive and Potato-Chive. A bakery bonus, there’s always of an assortment of homemade ice cream and sorbets. As the day progresses, desserts become more and more prevalent. I love that the bakery offers guilt-free versions of cakes in the form of mini-cupcakes, enabling repeated indulgences in Jim’s famous Carrot Cake. Loyal followers of Jim can enjoy some of same desserts they enjoyed at Michael’s on East for a fraction of the price. On Saturdays, you’ll also find the gorilla bread I deemed to be the best of the best at this year’s UCP Chocolate Sundae and Chocolate Festival.

Jim’s Small Batch Bakery is just the kind of bakery I’ve been hoping to find. Housed at the far end of the strip shopping center on Gulf Gate drive, it’s definitely worth the drive -- even if unlike me, you actually are driving a long distance. I’ll be returning again and again.

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