Bakery. Manchester, UK

June 2021

Sourdough, exciting viennoiserie, great coffee, canal-side, revived warehouses... Pollen instantly reminded me of Northern Rye in Newcastle.  There's a smaller range of baked goods but they're equally as innovative - pineapple and coconut twice baked croissant is basically a socially acceptable way to have a Pina Colada for breakfast...

The flat whites are expertly crafted using Hasbean beans, there's a squeezing machine for the sweetest, freshest OJ, a selection of breakfast baps served in potato sourdough rolls.  But the absolute star of the show has to be the long fermented sourdough.  By far the very best I've ever had (and I've sampled a lot of excellent sourdough!).  The crust was caramelised and blistered to perfection, the inside so soft and chewy at the same time, with a lovely full flavour.  Presented warm from the oven in to my hands, I could have devoured the whole loaf plain, no butter needed (and nearly did!).

Get your goods and sit looking out at the barges - both the outside tables and window seats have a great view.  They also sell Gothenburg's Morgon beans (at least they did at the time of writing).

Find Pollen on Cotton Field Wharf.