While it’s not often that I find myself in a position where I don’t want to finish my meal, my recent visit to Boulangerie Oscar in Haarlem sadly proved to be one of those rare occasions. Despite the promising exterior and a tempting menu board showcasing their focaccia sandwiches, my experience left much to be desired. Let me take you through the details of this unfortunate visit.
Our visit to Boulangerie Oscar began with high hopes. As we walked past the bakery, a board outside caught our eye, advertising their focaccia sandwiches. One in particular, featuring gorgonzola cream and porchetta, sounded irresistible. With a hint of anticipation, we decided to give it a try, hoping for a delightful and satisfying meal.
Upon entering the bakery, we encountered a slight delay. The staff, a group of young employees, seemed more engrossed in their own conversation than in assisting customers. We patiently waited as they finished their chit-chat, which felt somewhat unprofessional, especially given that it was evident they were still new to the job.
When it was finally our turn to order, we were excited to sample the porchetta sandwich. We had high expectations based on the sandwich’s enticing description and the small line we saw outside, which we hoped indicated a quality product. Unfortunately, the reality fell far short of our expectations.
The porchetta sandwich was a significant letdown. Instead of the fresh, warm, and juicy experience we anticipated, we were served a sandwich with dried-out, cold porchetta. The gorgonzola cream, which should have added a rich and creamy flavor, was bland and lacked character. The focaccia bread itself was another disappointment: it was tough and hard to chew, yet oddly soggy on the inside. This combination made the sandwich not only unappealing but also difficult to enjoy.
As if that wasn’t enough, we also decided to try a triple chocolate cookie. Although the cookie was slightly warm, it had a stale taste and the texture of a cookie that had been sitting there for several days. The cookie offered nowhere near the satisfying sweetness and richness you would expect from a freshly baked treat.
It’s always disheartening to encounter such a negative dining experience, especially when expectations are high. The issues we faced at Boulangerie Oscar extended beyond just the quality of the food. The service left much to be desired, and the lack of attentiveness from the staff detracted from the overall experience.
In summary, Boulangerie Oscar in Haarlem did not live up to its promises. While the bakery’s exterior and menu may initially attract customers, the reality of the food and service fell significantly short. The dried-out porchetta, bland gorgonzola, and subpar focaccia bread were disappointing, as was the stale triple chocolate cookie. For anyone considering a visit, I would advise tempering your expectations and perhaps exploring other dining options in Haarlem.
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Review: 4/10
Price / Quality: 1 | Service: 4 | Originality: 5 | Freshness: 1 | Choice: 9
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