Sweet Bar Bakery, Launches As Part Of Oakland’s Uptown Foodie Revival

Aug. 27, 2012 - PRLog -- Oakland, CA - Already building a strong community following with a successful Kickstarter fundraising campaign of over $20,000, locals have been getting a taste of Niall’s baked goods at the Sweet Bar Bakery pop-ups on location during Oakland’s increasingly popular Art Murmur evenings (first Friday of every month).

Niall’s vision for the venue is to bring in the classic on-site bakery and coffeehouse culture where folks can spend time, at all hours, whether reading the paper with a coffee and delicious cake or sipping a wine with friends; something not yet available in the neighborhood.

“As an Oakland resident for over 8 years, I have personally benefitted from the growth of the downtown area, enjoying the restaurants, music venues and dynamic art scene, crowned by the monthly Art Murmur.   I was seeking a space in this neighborhood, Uptown, for a classic bakery/coffeehouse/café, like the bakery I owned in Los Angeles and have found in other cities. Sweet Bar Bakery will be an American bakery with everything made in-house; I bring the same dedication to quality baking ingredients as a chef does on their menu. I wouldn’t think of leaving anyone out, so there will be plenty of gluten free, vegan and savory options – we bake for everyone!”

Niall plans to offer service morning through night, with American baked goods and some of his own classics, such as pumpkin cranberry muffins, chocolate dipped peanut butter cupcakes and peach cornmeal upside down cakes. From the espresso machine will be Oakland’s own Mr. Espresso, an Oakland roaster since 1978. The savory menu includes grilled panini’s, flatbreads, wine and a local microbrew beer selection, plus house made chai and sunflower~honey lemonade.

And not just in any old building, the 15ft windowed venue location is at Broadway & 24th St, the perfect setting for this new venture with the historic building previously home to MacFarlane’s Candy and Ice cream.

About Mani Niall – Chief Cupcake Froster
Gaining pop notoriety in the kitchen world as Michael Jackson’s personal chef during the Thriller tour, Mani Niall’s real credibility in artisan baking started with the founding of Mani's Bakery in 1989, two artisanal bakeries that were in business for 20 years in Los Angeles. Since then, Niall has authored several cookbooks such as Covered in Honey and Sweet & Natural Baking, and from 2006 has been the executive chef for Just Desserts, the award winning Bay Area bakery, until departing in June to create Sweet Bar Bakery. Niall is about to complete his fourth cookbook, Good Morning Baking (Egg & Dart Press), which focuses on the delights of breakfast goods and is expected to be on the shelves holidays 2013. Niall is also an amateur beekeeper and has travelled the US and Japan teaching culinary students how to cook with varietal honey.  

Details: 2355 Broadway at 24th St Oakland, CA
http://www.sweetbarbakery.com/
https://www.facebook.com/SweetBarBakery
twitter @sweetbarbakery