After months of renovation, Mani Niall, Michael Jackson’s former private chef, officially opened Sweet Bar Bakery on Friday. It also happened to be the anniversary of the best selling album of all time, Thriller. From 1946 to 1976, the space was MacFarlane’s Candy and Ice Cream and it was most recently Mimosa Champagne Lounge. I stopped by for a late lunch and ordered the Pounded Chicken Sandwich, with a fresh-but-not-very-spicy Ancho Chile Slaw on Acme Bread ($8.25). Be careful because they’re going to add more heat as they develop the recipe. Since Mani literally wrote the book on Sweets, I wasn’t surprised that the baked goods would be impressive. Everything I tasted was somehow new and familiar at the same time: the tender Pumpkin Ginger Cupcake with Mascarpone and Salty Caramel ($3.50), the balanced Oatmeal Sour Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookie ($2), the crunchy Sweet Bar (Chocolate Dipped Almond Shortbread, $2). Mani happened to be handing out samples of an Apple Pie, which had me murmuring “mmm” after every bite. Flaky, crispy and delicate with the comforting flavor of butter, it was definitely the best pie crust in recent memory.
2355 Broadway, Oakland
510-788-4997
- photo: Christina Mitchell
Christina Mitchell
Latest posts by Christina Mitchell (see all)
- La Casita: Food for the Soul - September 28, 2018
- How To Cook Vietnamese Sausage - September 7, 2018
- Let’s get it started… - September 6, 2018