Quiche, anybody? Yesterday I stopped by Proof Bakeshop next door to One Eared Stag by the Inman Park MARTA station to check out its new eight-item lunch menu, which debuted earlier this month. The most delightful thing I tried was a big wedge of quiche filled with a weightless, eggy custard of soft onions, broccoli, and smoky cubes of lardon. Next to a vibrant salad lightly dressed with lemon thyme vinaigrette, the thing wobbled like a plate of Jello. If I lived in the neighborhood, I’d probably be made of quiche by the year’s end.
The space was originally home to Dough Bakery, which sold only vegan goods. Now, Billy and Kristin Allin of Cakes & Ale have moved in, bringing with them butter, fresh loaves of sourdough, chocolate croissants, raspberry Linzer cookies, lemon pounds cakes, and flaky Danishes. Head bakers David Garcia and Abigail Quinn are working out of this kitchen to supply products to the main restaurant, the cafe, and Bread & Butterfly, an all-day European cafe slated to open Fall of 2015 in the Inman Quarter development.
Less convincing is the bakery’s try at grilled cheese, where quince paste dominates mild sheep’s milk cheese with sugar and fruit. If sugar is what you want, there’s always the monte cristo, which is what happens when a Croque Monsieur visits the state fair. The turkey and ham sandwich is typically deep fried, dusted in powdered sugar, and served with a preserve or jam. Some use white bread dipped in an egg batter and fried in butter. Proof sticks with brioche, emmenthaler cheese, a Panini press, and a side of raspberry jam. If anybody is counting, it’s the healthy monte cristo alternative.
Lunch is served Monday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. proofbakeshop.com