Four and a half stars.
Now that "artisan" breads have become a cliche in the Seattle area (from Trader Joe's to Safeway to Essential Bakery and a la Francaise), one might think that having a host of choices, it would be difficult to choose one "brand" over anyone.
Not necessarily. My choice: La Panzanella.
Though 14th & Union bakery/cafe has closed La Panzanella continues to bake quality Italian breads and to furnish them to a few outlets such Madison Co-op and Metropolitan Market. I am guessing that much of what they bake goes to restaurants.
I miss the butcher block tables, the fresh flowers, the rustic-intimate cafe/bakery atmosphere of the the original location, unmatched anywhere else in Seattle, to my knowledge (La Macrina seems too obviously upscale /hip).
Maybe it is because the owner/baker is from Italy (Tuscany?) and is essentially a one-man show (not a franchise!). According to a Seattle Times article from several years back, not only does he has his own authentic recipes, he his imported ovens from Italy.
In any case, when I can, I do pick up the focaccia as well as the Italian peasant bread baked by La Panzanella.
When I explained to the Great Harvest Bread that I preferred a brown paper bag rather than the plastic bags they would place their just baked breads in, after they had cooled down, I was given a quizzical look. Their breads become cushion-y and unappetizing after bagging.
Even with delivery to a few stores, La Panzanella uses the crinkly, transparent plastic bags that does not cause the crust of the bread to quickly become soft. It seems to be a reasonable enough compromise between a brown paper bag (Essential Breads) and the heavy, opaque plastic bag. read more