Just when you thought Melbourne’s bakery scene couldn’t get any better, To Be Frank go ahead and open a shiny new venue with all the things you love about TBF and so much more. Opening Friday 16 May at East Brunswick Village, there’ll be a collective cheer heard in Brunswick & surrounds when the doors officially open for this widely adored bakery.
The original To Be Frank location is nestled down Bedford Street in Collingwood, and won hearts not only with their perfectly baked bread (made using the Respectus Panis method of bread-making which involves long fermentation and minimal yeast), but also with playful culturally relevant creations like Ted Lasso’s shortbread (we love).
To Be Frank East Brunswick Village | Image: Stephanie Bailly
Regular suspects will be in attendance: the ever-popular baguette, fruit loaf and focaccia. The EBV store is larger than the OG Collingwood store which means you can expect even more carb-loaded fun. Sourdough aficionados are in for a treat with the new 2kg super wholemeal sourdough ‘miche’. On the sweeter side of things, there are some truly show stopping additions. The Chocolatine is a double chocolate croissant made with Melbourne produced "Amphora" 65% dark chocolate by Cuvèe. The Coconut & Dulce de Leche Bomb is a rich, indulgent pastry that pays homage to co-owner Franco’s Argentinian roots. And the sandwich selection will be expanded, each one made from their famous focaccia.
The new venue isn’t just bigger, it’s also purpose-built and open, meaning you can watch on with shiny eyes as the pastries are laminated and the croissants are rolled. In short, you can watch the masters do their work.
To Be Frank East Brunswick Village | Image: Stephanie Bailly
If the smell of straight-out-of-the-oven pastries isn’t enough to stop you in your tracks on your next EBV visit, the pairing of freshly ground coffee beans by local Melbourne roaster, Symmetry Coffee Roasters, will probably do the trick.