An assortment of pastries from the new Backhaus bakery in Burlingame. Photo by Sophia Markoulakis.
On Nov. 7, fans of San Mateo’s beloved bakery, Backhaus, celebrated the opening of its second location in Burlingame at 261 California Drive. “The build-out took two years, and although opening so close to Thanksgiving wasn’t the ideal time to do so, we knew we had to open as quickly as possible. Every day that we are not serving customers is money lost,” said co-owner Anne Moser.
The 5,000-square-foot century-old space, which was originally a movie theater and most recently a fitness studio, is steps away from the bustle of Burlingame Avenue. The airy, two-story interior is flooded with light thanks to skylights and arched windows that make the second-floor seating area a pleasant place to read the paper, catch up with friends and enjoy the bakery’s expanded menu. In all, the space seats 80, a big change from San Mateo’s quaint back patio.
Having a second location means that Moser and her team can utilize two baking spaces. A flour mill and kitchen are part of the Burlingame location’s production footprint. Besides Backhaus’ breads and pastries, breakfast dishes like a coddled egg with truffled potato purée, micro greens and toasted seeded sourdough, and a breakfast sandwich with housemade sausage patty, runny fried egg, smoked gouda, roasted red pepper aioli and greens on a poppy seed brioche roll will satisfy patrons looking to bridge that gap between a morning and afternoon meal.
The interior of Backhaus in Burlingame. Photo by Sophia Markoulakis.
There are many similarities between the two locations, including the pastry counter and ordering system (pastry first, then beverage and menu items with the cashier). With only a few tables on the first level, most patrons need to head upstairs where they can enjoy their food in a Scandinavian-like space with clean lines, natural oak tables, chairs and floors.
“We wanted this location to have a similar aesthetic but still be different,” Moser said.
Adding to the calming aesthetic are custom-made ceramic dishware from Sven and Oakland’s Sarah Kersten.
Check their Instagram for holiday hours and special menu items, including special savory items for Hannukah and Christmas.
==I Backhaus, 261 California Drive, Burlingame; 650-200-9493, Instagram: @backhausbread. Open 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.==
