Find Your Healthy Place Madison Highlights — Bloom Bake Shop and Bloom Bindery
A month ago, when I introduced this series, I compiled a list of questions that we would be looking to answer at our featured restaurants. We would review:
- The food
- The knowledge of the staff regarding different diets or preferences
- The overall experience
Without further ado, let’s review our second restaurant — one of my family’s favorites!
Bloom Bake Shop and Bloom Bindery, Madison & Middleton WI
My family and I have been going to Bloom, a local bakery, for its delicious, gluten-free treats since developing my gluten sensitivity back in 2012. Back then, the Middleton location was their only storefront. Recently, however, they have grown to two locations and have greatly expanded their menu and their mission.
Bloom Bake Shop is located near downtown Madison on Monroe St. and their newest venture, Bloom Bindery, is in downtown Middleton.
Bloom Bake Shop is a charming bakery and café that offers a wide variety of gorgeous cakes, sweet treats, and savory dishes that can be enjoyed all day. My personal favorites are their gluten-free and vegan orange donuts and their gluten-free biscuit sandwiches. They also serve salads, omelets, waffles, and housemade granola. This is one of our favorite spots in town to grab breakfast or lunch!
Bloom Bindery, which was the original storefront for Bloom Bake Shop, was remodeled and reopened in August of this year (2018). It is a “cookie bakery, bookstore, and coffeehouse” that supports the community and local literacy initiatives. Not only do they donate a percentage of their profits, but they also bring in guest authors, host story times and book clubs. Their menu offers a wide variety of cookies, ice cream sandwiches (that feature both organic and vegan ice cream options), and whoopie pies. They also have an extensive drink menu that pairs nicely with their sweet treats.
What Makes Bloom So Unique?
What impresses me the most about Bloom is the integrity and the dedication they have to serving their customers food of the highest quality. I was able to speak with the owner, Anne Marie about their commitment to quality and sustainability. She explained that they source their meat, cheese, eggs, produce, butter, syrup, honey, and more from local farms.
Their coffee, chocolate and teas are also fair trade and they prioritize food that is organic. In the restaurant industry today, this is rare — and it is a huge part of what makes Bloom a Madison gem. That, and of course, their incredibly tasty treats.
To learn more about Bloom and their story, check out their website.
The Bloom Bus & Weddings
Bloom is also well-known in Madison for providing the perfect sweet treats for weddings. They offer gorgeous cakes (free of artificial coloring, gum paste and fondant), cupcakes, and donut towers. You can even rent out their vintage Bloom Bus to serve sweet treats and beverages at your special event.
Do they offer a variety of healthy options? (gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan)
While Bloom is often known for their sweet treats, which are awesome, they do also have an excellent variety of healthy options. For those who are looking for a healthy meal, Bloom Bake Shop offers eggs, greens and biscuit sandwiches. There are also many choices for people that have food sensitivities and preferences.
Do they use seasonal, local foods when possible?
Yes! The integrity they have for using local and organic foods and products that are fair trade is one of the things that draws me to Bloom. They believe that local food has the best taste and by supporting local farmers and businesses, they are giving back to the community they love.
Do they accommodate food sensitivities and allergies?
Yes! They have separate cases for their regular items and their gluten-free/vegan items. All of the gluten-free/vegan items are also prepared in a separate space. The only thing they can’t claim is that their items are peanut free.
Do they have separate menus?
Yes, they have an extensive gluten-free and vegan menu in addition to their regular menu.
Do they have separate kitchens/ food preparing spaces?
Yes! They use separate cooking spaces, utensils, ingredients, and even separate towels for hand washing purposes. The only items that are shared are their baking sheets, but these are sterilized after each use, and they use new liners for every batch of goodness.
Are the servers/staff knowledgeable?
Yes, everyone I spoke with was knowledgeable and helpful. Something that I really appreciated was that when they brought my food, the server clarified, “Here is your gluten-free biscuit sandwich.”
While it may seem like a small thing, it is reassuring for someone with a serious allergy to gluten. In other restaurants, I will usually have to ask the waiter or waitress to make sure it actually is gluten-free. There have been instances when there was a mix up with my food and had I eaten what I was served, I would have gotten sick. So, I appreciate their attention to detail.
What is the atmosphere like?
It is both charming and inviting. It is one of those places that makes you feel welcome to sip on a cup of coffee and spend hours chatting with friends.
Is the food delicious?
100% yes! I haven’t found an item on the menu I haven’t loved.
Loving Our Local Madison Community
Our Madison community if fortunate to have such a special place to call our own.
Bloom values high- quality ingredients, community outreach and education, and is accommodating and welcoming to so many with different dietary needs. It is the perfect stop to enjoy a sweet treat with your family and celebrate a special occasion or place to grab breakfast and catch up with friends. If you haven’t had a chance to stop by either of their locations, I would encourage you to do so soon!
Stay tuned for upcoming restaurant reviews as we continue to search for other awesome options in and around Madison!
You can visit Bloom at either of these locations!
Bloom Bindery
1834 Parmenter St
Middleton, WI 53562
Bloom Bake Shop
1851 Monroe St
Madison, WI 53711
The Healthy Place – Apple Wellness
6313 McKee Road Suite 100
Fitchburg, WI 53719
608-663-2640
The Healthy Place – Apple Wellness
550 Junction Road
Madison, WI 53717
608-203-5245
The Healthy Place – Apple Wellness
2824 Prairie Lakes Drive Suite 108
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
608-825-0080