Blackberry River Baking

Wow, Blackberry, what happened? Our last two visits in a row, over the past month, and both on the weekend, have been complete disasters. We thought that perhaps the past visit was a fluke, and decided to try again. Our latest experience was a mid-​day (just after noon) breakfast for two. There are three other parties in the restaurant, two are eating. Eventually we get our order taken by a young guy. Food comes in about 10 – 12 minutes and it was déjà vu: overcooked browned eggs, cold burnt-​black bacon, burned/​charred home fries, cold toast with cold unmelted butter on it, and, to remarkably top it off, to the cold side of lukewarm coffee. All that times two. Now we’ve all had uninspired food, but apathetic? Did the cook and the waiter both not see the burned, fragile, cold bacon, too overcooked to even pick up? The charred sunken home fry bits? Brown, not yellow, eggs? Did the waiter not wonder why the coffee wasn’t steaming or why the cup was cold? Or why the creamer congealed when poured into the coffee? And, to top it off, the wait service was poor — we saw him once when he took our order and once when he dropped it off and never again. Had to hunt down a bill. And the amazing thing was, this was a repeat of our earlier experience. Not sure what happened, but Blackberry really has become uninspired and apathetic with their breakfasts, at the very least. Really sad to see this happen.

Unassuming from the street, brimming with character and foodie passion inside, and a bargain in the bill! Took my unruly family of 5. Service was impeccable and kind. The food was perfect: fluffy pancakes, crispy home fries, substantial Italian burger, fresh salad. It’s clear the menu is all made from scratch and with many locally sourced ingredients. Couldn’t resist a few gorgeous pastries from the display as we left. This small and diverse eatery is a treasure — full of heart.

Has a great menu, with breakfast always available. I had a long personal battle trying decide between the extensive breakfast and lunch menus, and then noticed the daily specials. I picked the Italian Burger special and it was fantastic, perfectly cooked with excellent toppings.
The staff were all very friendly and accommodating for a family with three young kids.
I’ll definitely be back to explore the menu some more!

Very good food and reasonably priced. That said, service is slow and unapologetic, even evasive when called out on it. Shouldn’t take 90 minutes or more – this was for lunch, not a dinner with drinks, appetizers and desserts.

Great food. Unfortunately coffee refills are non-​existent. I go here regularly for the food but always end up going to get more coffee at Dunkin right after. They will bring it if you ask but they conveniently don’t come to the table until you’re done eating and are bringing you the check.

I would love to review the food, but when we arrived they informed us that the kitchen was about to close (half an hour before their posted closing time) and then after taking my quick order (less than 1min) someone else showed up to say that the kitchen had already closed. When I asked if that meant they could take cold sandwich orders they checked and came back to say that the chef was willing to make one (1) cold sandwich. We had a party of two, were there just over half an hour before closing, and had driven from New Haven. I don’t know if you’re comfortable buying food from someone who seems resentful enough in making it to bargain, but I was not. We just left, since every question about other options was met with a shrug from the unfriendly hostess. We were going to try to meet a few friends here later in the week, but it seems unlikely that they would be any more organized or less petty. It’s a pity, I like to recommend places like this to our local GF group.

Sorry Blackberry River, I came here with my 80 year old parents and they are the most brutal reviewers I know so their 3 stars mixed with my 5 stars gives you 4. I would have given you 5 stars based on the bruleed grapefruit alone.
I liked the updated country modern décor and hand painted mural, my 80 year old Mom not so much. I loved your new menu, my 80 year old parents didn’t like the corresponding updated pricing. The place was like a walk in freezer when we arrived, then too hot by the time we left. Also a serious issue to a senior citizen. Most importantly the food sounded great but had a few mis-​steps.
We started with a cinnamon roll while we waited for our orders. It was OK, but I didn’t immediately crave another one. I ordered corned beef hash and eggs made with in-​house brined corned beef and potatoes fried in bacon fat (about $ 9). The house-​made corned beef was fantastic, the potatoes not so much. «Fried in bacon fat» sounds indulgently and health-​defyingly great but then the reality is you’re sitting there eating bacon grease and it’s just not so delicious. I would rather see the potatoes fried in olive oil with bacon pieces rather than the full-​on bacon grease that was kind of overwhelming. Also I ordered scrambled and this dish would be way better with over-​easy. My fault on that. The glaring error on this plate was that the toast came out loaded with what looked like some kind of creamy paste. I assumed it was a delicious cheese spread, until the first bite. It was just a cold hard toast slathered with cold unmelted butter. Basically inedible. Despite the corned beef being fantastic, overall I wouldn’t order this dish again.
My parents split the Popeye’s breakfast combo (about $ 10) that had spinach in the eggs, a spinach pesto on the english muffin, some greens, and a bruleed ½ grapefruit, also a half order of brioche french toast (about $ 4). It all sounded great on the menu but they reported they just weren’t wowed by the actual food. Sorry I can’t be more specific, they replied «it was just OK.» They also wouldn’t order it again.
I thought overall it’s a great update to a local breakfast joint and bakery, but the local 80 year olds will need some time to adjust to 21^st century menu items and prices. And the kitchen needs to be more diligent about every item on the plate really being hot at the same time (cold toast sent out loaded with cold butter). And the climate control system needs to be improved. But I’d totally go back. Overall a great job and lots of potential here.

Very courteous & friendly, pastry very fresh & delicious, my son’s girlfriend purchased one of the huge chocolate chips cookies & loved it, she bought me an apple pie pastry that was made so fresh, tasted like I just made it, delicious, worth the stop !!! Thumbs up !!!

Had a delicious lunch. I had the ham and brie and my mom had the turkey club. Sandwiches were really good and the ice tea was also brewed perfectly! It’s my first time eating here, but so far so good! I plan to come back soon!

We often bring visiting family members here for breakfast We often order some of their pastries and breads. Unfortunately, we will not be going there again. I ordered an english muffin plain with 2 eggs. The eggs were fine but the muffin was soaked in butter, which I cannot eat. I asked for another muffin plain and was informed that I would be charged extra. So I asked for just a piece of plain toast and was informed again that there would be a charge! I was not upset about having to wait 35 or 40 minutes for my meal, watching several other table (later arrivals) get served before us. But this poor attitude was disturbing — it came from the cook, not the waitress.
This is now a place that we used to go to.

As a matter of fact had breakfast there again this morning. I just didn’t order the Hash again. If I have to tell you to add stuff, you’re doing it wrong? No mention of the puke although, I had to walk past it again. I can’t be the only one that observes it? The good stuff you have worked out, sorry if I didn’t blow smoke up your apron. The improvements are great, I hope you do carry it further. If it was bad I wouldn’t go back. Just pointing out what I thought were needed improvements. Didn’t know I had to Be happy go lucky during restaurant reviews.

Good place when youre in the area. Baked good were very yummy and fresh. Breakfast was good, average portions, nothing super. Service is usually good. Atmosphere is a little odd but good for a coffee shop kinda place. Prices are reasonable. No complaints.

They had run out of Hollandaise at 2:20 p.m., so no Eggs Benedict for me… I was pretty sad. But, I ordered a sausage omelet… it came chock full of roasted peppers and fresh sausage — delish! And real jam in a jar… thank you!!! A beautiful, lightly dressed salad and I am really happy… no sadness remains… snappy service with a smile too!

We stopped off here after skiing
We got brownie, apple turn over, apple strudel and chocolate egg Clair
Was late in day but most stuff was just ok some was not worth it
Apple strudel had mold inside
Would not recommend bakery

I must be the only one who made the mistake of ordering lunch. The food is Wayyy overpriced and does not meet my criteria of lunch. Sorry!
YMMV

One of my contractors brought me an apple turnover for breakfast last week. It was fantastic!
Have been in several times since then and everything I have ordered has been good. Great pastries and breakfast, friendly staff, haven’t tried lunch yet.

My bestfriend and i were enjoying a girls day out and stopped in here for a quick bite. We ended up just going for their baked goods as there are so many to chose from, and we surely were not sorry.
The café itself is huge and airy, bright and inviting. Has a bit of a country feel to it, which is geat.
I ordered a lemon square– anyone who knows me knows that I will choose anything lemon if the option is there, and my bestfriend ordered a layered bar, which she fully enjoyed.
This place is a bit of a drive from where my parents live, but very much worth the drive. If you’re in the area, it’s a must stop!

I have so many memories attached to this place. As a child, this used to be Christensen’s, the local breakfast and lunch joint with THE best coffee crumb cake in the world. I used to come with my dad, grandmother, and aunts constantly. Canaan was a different place back then, with the (then small) Finast Supermarket across the street and the row of gorgeous Victorian houses. Now… those houses are gone and an egregious Super Stop & Shop complex has taken its place. Still, when I walk into Blackberry River Baking Co., I feel like I’m back at Christensen’s. Even the same long lines of florescent tube lighting line the ceiling above. It’s familiar. It’s comforting.
I’ve actually had more pastries from this place as opposed to sit down meals, but there is much to ballyhoo about. Their pasties are to DIE for. Their scones are some of the best scones I’ve ever had in my life. (This is a fact I can not tell one of my co-​workers, as she is a superb scone maker as well. I hope she doesn’t read this. Ha!) They are the perfect combination of crumbly, buttery, and perfect moist as far as scones go. If you want to die and go to Food Heaven, I’d suggest their peach scones made with fresh peaches. Also go for their buttermilk cinnamon rolls, their plain croissants, their peach coffee cake, and their Russian Tea Cookies.
As for food, I’ve had a handful of breakfasts and lunches there while home visiting my parents. Their Heavenly Cakes are perfectly advertised. No lie there! Their BLTs are fantastic, as are their Chicken Caesar Wraps. The chicken is grilled to order, with a decadent caesar dressing and fresh organic greens. I also appreciate the classic ruffled potato chips and pickle slices among the sandwiches. Sometimes, French fries are too heavy and the chips are a light and needed accompaniment.
This place is non-​pretenious with an amazing quality of both menu items and pastries. The prices are right. The service is great. My mother says she’s knows the owners and they are «the most beautiful couple in all of Canaan». (Ha!) They are also clearly talented in the kitchen. I’m so glad they have brought some culinary life back to this building I spent so much time in as a child.

Housed in a charming building with cheerful staff we visited several times with the family while on vvacation in Norfolk. The freshly prepared breakfasts were generally very good excellent as was the lunch.
So why 2 stars? Because bakery goods from the counter case are usually stale. I suspect pastries kept in the display case for 2 (or maybe more) days. We dislike stale pastry.
Internet is spotty but Verizon wireless throughout Cannan, CT is very spotty. Our internet, mail and text addicted kids became a bit fussy.

The food was pretty good and the wait staff were great, but the kitchen was sloooooow. We waited almost 40 min for eggs benedict and a sandwich. When it finally came out the hollandaise was not on the side, which I had requested, but I wasn’t about to send it back and wait another 30 min. My eggs were also over cooked to the point of being hard boiled, not poached. I’d come back if the kitchen staff can get their act together.

Whilst rolling through beautiful Connecticut on a visit with friends, I had the enjoyable experience of eating at the Blackberry River Baking Co and within a few delightful bites, it became one of my favorite places to dine on the Eastern seaboard.
The menu is large enough to offer something for every taste without being so large as to become unfocused. There are even a few eclectic items for the more adventurous and most importantly, everything is hand-​made and fresh. When is breakfast, you say? All day, every day, baby.
I’m a a corned-​beef hash lover and the hash at Blackberry River Baking Company is exceptionally good. Big, hand-​cut chunks of corned beef fried with potatoes and onions: seriously, my mouth is watering right now.
The sweet treats available from the bakery are worth the trip alone. Fresh-​baked daily, the selection is wide and plentiful and can keep the indecisive whirling from case to case, peering at every new piece and whispering «Oooooh — or maybe THAT one!» The muffins are so good it makes me want to curse.
In a world of uncertainty and dollar-​menu heat-​lamped chemistry, Blackberry River Baking Co is a shining beacon of delicious food that’s homemade, handmade and heart-​infused without any haughty pretentiousness.
What are you doing still reading this review? You should be headed there now!