You are what you eat. Do you know what you’re eating? Heritage Grand Bakery does. Heritage Grand Bakery, Restaurant and Pizza Bar serve fresh, ethically sourced ancient grains in their food that have not been treated with chemicals and pesticides, providing their patrons with carbs that they will never regret.
On Wednesday, June 12th, The Knockturnal was invited to taste the food and baked goods at Heritage Grand Bakery, Restaurant and Pizza Bar’s new mid-town Mediterranean hot spot across the street from the iconic public library on 40th and 5th Ave. Heritage Grand Bakery has two storefronts, a bakery offering everything from loaves to patisserie, and a restaurant with a full menu for brunch, lunch, dinner, and drinks. The two storefronts are situated next to each other and connect inside for ease. The Heritage Grand also has a private event space, popular for wedding parties and private events.
Upon arriving at the Heritage Grand Bakery, Restaurant and Pizza Bar, their host greeted me warmly. I started my tasting by trying a croissant from their bakery, which did not disappoint. As a person who has tried most of the croissants in the city, I would give it a spot in the top 5 for taste and balance of the butter-to-dough ratio. While enjoying the croissant, I was graciously filled with information about the company’s commitment to using ancient grains in all its products.
What sets Heritage Grand Bakery apart is their use of ancient grains, a classification that is rare to find in our foods. These grains, which have never been manually crossed or selected by seed companies, belong to the farmer from whom they were naturally cultivated. This, along with their traditional harvesting techniques that don’t include any chemicals, ensures that Heritage Grand Bakery and Restaurant serves the most nutrient-dense and natural version of food available to the public. Not only is this the most sustainable food on the market, but the traditional practices of using ‘helper plants’ instead of fertilizer keep the soil in its natural nutrient-rich state for continued growth and harvest of the ancient grain population.
In my evening at Heritage Grand Bakery, Restaurant and Pizza Bar, I sampled the Mezze platter, which came with a generous amount of freshly baked bread from the ancient grains and 4 delicious dipping sauces. The hummus was my favorite; it was tasty, properly hydrated, and had a delicious garlic flavor I still dream about. For my main course, I sampled ancient grains, such as spaghetti, which came with roasted mushrooms and garlic and was topped with an oil-forward sauce and freshly grated parmesan. This pasta was light, flavorful, and melted in my mouth. I recommend this to fellow vegetarians visiting. I ended my sampling with the Charred Cauliflower, served over a perfectly balanced tahini picatta and topped with an arugula and shallot salad. I selected the Pink Lady Mocktail to accompany my meal, which was surprisingly refreshing.
My experience at Heritage Grand Bakery was truly unique. The flavor and freshness of everything I tasted were impressive, but what truly stood out was the restaurant’s unique commitment to the natural world. This was not only evident in the food they served but also in the décor and ambiance of the restaurant, which features botanicals and softly carved-out nooks for a cozy and contemporary dining experience. I’m already planning my next visit with some girlfriends to enjoy the pizza bar and bottomless brunch!
