Went back for more fried chicken today and they had swapped out the very fancy vented re-usable containers for costco-type chicken containers. The thick crust was soggy and it did not travel well. Maybe they ran out. Maybe Sang Yoon gunning for the fastest downhill alert in FTC history. Retracting my recommendation for the present.
Was excited to try the espresso cruller but it was very airy and didn’t know if it wanted to be a pastry or a donut, which was not a selling point for me. Nice job at making the espresso flavor pop though.
Returned here for a bunch of pastries for visiting fam. No lines and everything was pretty great. Lunch was solid too - some great focaccia slices and sides for a reasonable price.
Sad they got rid of the biscuit/breakfast plate and wish there were more savory breakfast options but they seem to have found a groove
that was quick (seems like lots of new f&b projects pull the plug quickly nowadays, maybe a 1 yr thing). i liked their croissant loaf, great for warming with a little butter on the pan then some jam.
i think that to stand out and sustain business as a new f&b venture now, places need to develop/become known for a signature. FO is famous of course for their burger and beer. i got the sense that Helms offered a lot but i wouldn’t say they were known for anything in particular. i think that a Joan’s on Third kind of place needs a fantastic location with good foot traffic to build.
They must have sunk so much money into renovating the space, to close so fast is crazy. Bakeries in general seem to be booming these days (BadAsh, Fondry, Maru, Car, Petitgrain, Jyan Isaac, Bub, Clark St, Santa Canela, etc etc etc), I wonder why this didn’t work. Just the overhead?
I’ve had some stale ass crossaints at this place and some great ones. Mileage really varies here (At des crossaints)
At helms the non viennoisserie were rather great. An amazing biscuit great cakes and pies. Semolina pistachio cookie rocked. And lunch specials also great.
Disappointing news. I was impressed by the baked goods (especially the cookies and olive oil cake) and their offering of tinned fish service (by purchasing a tin you got the option of eating the fish onsite, with complimentary crusty bread, lemon wedges, olives, peppers and a cute little wooden fork). I just enjoyed the whole vibe of the place. Agree that it wasn’t cheap but still well worth it. I’ll miss this bakery.
