That little slip of space on Gottingen Street between Portland Place and Cornwallis Street is thick with incredible food and drink options. Not only did The Foggy Goggle just announce a move across from Squiggle Park this past week, bringing a new, chill pub vibe to the area, but last month also saw the opening of LF Bakery at 2063 Gottingen Street, the old home of The Community Carrot Co-op.
A small boulangerie focusing on traditional French flavours, LF Bakery is owned and operated by Laurent Marcel.
Marcel grew up in Le Mans, a small city in the Loire Valley region of France. “My parents had a bakery in France,” Marcel says. “I started with pastry in France, but since I’ve been in Canada, I’m more interested in bakery products using organic flour.”
After working with Boulangerie La Vendéenne for a couple of years, Marcel considered a move to Montreal to open his own bakery, but ended up finding a spot in Halifax with the help of a customer at La Vendéenne—a fellow Frenchman who has clearly had an eye towards developing Gottingen Street’s expanding food repertoire—Frédéric Tandy from Ratinaud French Cuisine. “We have the same philosophy and work ethic,” says Marcel.
Their businesses also complement each other very well. The possibilities of having a charcuterie and butcher shop down the street from a French bakery can only lead to great collaborations, whether it’s between the two businesses or in their customers’ kitchens.
Now settled on Gottingen Street, LF Bakery has a menu built on Marcel’s French inspiration: Baguettes, brioche, croissants and sweet and savoury pastries make up most of the menu, along with fresh brewed coffee.
“There are many possibilities,” Marcel says, “but I need time to develop them. I will try to do my best!” LF Bakery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9am-7pm Tuesday through Friday from 9am-7pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 9am-6pm.
This interview was conducted in French and translated.
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This article appears in Oct 13-19, 2016.
If the bread isn’t $7/loaf and called “artisanal” (as once priced and described at a local north-end farmer’s market), then you will have a customer. Bear in mind there are 2 other bakeries in Halifax who don’t get my business because they think I’m an idiot with loose pockets; I’m not and won’t pay $3.50/croissant. Price point is key to making money. There are lots of us who have money but won’t pay to be ripped off… just a suggestion. If you’re wondering who I am, I will be the one walking out without making a purchase; pending prices, of course.
First it was craft beer and now this, the locals are going to lose their minds…. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/…
Another Halifax “artisanal” bakery that thinks it’s ok to open at 9 or 10AM?!?!?! What a complete joke. These people (TOA INCLUDED) have NO IDEA what a real bakery is. They should be in there all night preparing for a 7am open with shelves completely full. Won’t be going to this place EVER and I love bread!!! Hipster businesses disgust me.
Rest easy, YHZ. The plain croissants are $2, tax in, and fantastic. The loaves of bread start at $2.75 and are really good. The fruit tarts (beautiful but a little above my paygrade) are $3 and $3.50.
the inherent dilemma with small businesses in Halifax is so eloquently demonstrated through the rant of a previous poster. in order to help small business, we the consumer MUST make conscious commitment to supporting LOCAL and be apt to accept that with quality and artistry in a concentration in the creation of Food comes a financial responsibility. Though everyone would agree that we do not all have the disposable income to always support Local HOWEVER!!! I’m convinced that if one makes a commitment to make at least one monthly purchase which in turn fosters the artisan we can help him control his prices… Unfortunately, we as consumers are at times “consumed“ by the lowest price and willing to compromise quality… you know the WALMART crowd. Understood!!! You`re not willing to pay the $2.00 for good quality croissants, made in house by a baker and would rather pay ¢ .83 for a mass produced croissant which was probably frozen… Just like I would rather enjoy a good micro brewed beer done locally in lieu of a mass produce (INSERT NAME GENERIC NAME OF INDUSTRIAL BEER)…
We only have one voice that serves purpose as consumers… we have a choice of WHAT we put in our bodies and that has a direct impact on those who supply us what we put in our bodies… if we as consumers, en mass, decide to stop purchasing an item, it sends a clear message!!!
Hello all!
I work at LF Bakery and would just like to correct our hours, we are open Tuesday – Friday from 9am – 7pm, as well as Saturday AND Sunday from 9am – 6pm. Thanks!
Juice is on target, but I think we’re all a little tired of “Buy Local”. Its thrown around a little too much nowadays and legit people like the one this post may be about get lost in what is essentially white noise. I mean, we even have “Buy Local” license plates.
Re my deleted comment:
The 2SLGBTQ+ might be for a lot of things, but freedom of speech is not one of them…
been there several times ,, the croissants are the best around .. not like fake ones made out of bread … the sour dough bread is sour, crispy and delicious … don’t know why they will not supply artificial sweeteners for their dark roast coffee … may be because it is not organic … they lost out on a sale today… LOL