Bread in Common is a place you’ll want to linger a while. The warehouse location affords plenty of space; mixed textural elements of brick, exposed tin; and a busy open kitchen. During the day there’s a flood of natural light and by night there’s the low-key ambience of low-slung lights and glowing filaments. Lines between kitchen, bakery and dining room blur with pallets of flour dotted around the cavernous space.
There’s a backstory of quality here. Gotthard Bauer of Yallingup Woodfired Bread was brought in to set up the bakery. As at Bauer’s south-west institution, people flock to pick up their daily bread. There are brunch and dinner menus, a dedicated cheese menu and charcuterie – able matches for the fresh loaves being created on the premises.
The dinner menu is designed for the meat lover. Lamb, beef, kangaroo and duck all feature. With a delicate hint of chilli, the lamb rib with mint and black garlic has a balance of sweetness, heat and acidity. The ribs are sticky and fall away with the tease of the fork.
Veggos aren't left hanging, though. Carrots roasted in cumin, almond, ginger and served with carrot tofu stands tall. The natural sweetness of the carrots shines through, with the cumin supporting but not overpowering the produce. It’s a dish that sums up the approach here: paying respect to excellent produce.
Bread in Common is the new face of Fremantle writ large and we love it. But above all, it retains Freo’s relaxed vibe, from talkative servers to the sharing of plates and even tables. More bread is always required, and you may find yourself unashamedly mopping the plate.