Baker's Square

Look at that, will you. We're eating east of Moreland Road. I didn’t think we’d get this far. We still haven’t sampled the offerings of the Old Country Buffet, but we did try. On Saturday night at about 6 PM, we couldn’t even get near enough to the door to ask how long was the wait. There were people lined up three deep outside, into the parking lot. Who knew it was so popular? And I wonder why? I suspect it isn’t due to their fine wine list...

BRIGHTLY LIT Baker’s Square doesn’t sport a fine wine list either. Nor any wine list, for that matter. Now that I think about it, I don’t think they serve alcohol at all. But it was next on our trip east along Bluemound Rd.(skipping Flemings for the moment).

The ambiance at Baker’s Square is BRIGHT, in case you hadn’t guessed. Almost blindingly BRIGHT. This lighting does not create a warm and fuzzy atmosphere, even with the fireplace lit on this chilly evening. The crowd here is elderly accompanied by their middle-aged children. There were handicapped walkers with wheels, walkers without wheels, wheelchairs and several canes on the evening we were seated – feeling pretty darned spy, actually. Tables are close together, so what with the way-beyond-adequate lighting, you are able to examine the makeup in the wrinkles of the great-grandma seated at the next table.

Baker’s Square’s food is good – Basic, maybe even boring, but good. The menu is a bit long on chicken and short on fish for my taste, but it all sounded like down-home food. For instance, The Man Who Craves Boring, Comfort Food Way Beyond The Average Person ordered a Chicken Pot Pie ($7.49), a bowl of Vegetable Beef Soup ($2.99) and a glass of Diet Pepsi. Is that predictable, or what? I ordered the small portion of the Catch of the Day, which was Cod, Grilled Vegetables and Rice Pilaf ($8.29). And a small portion it was. The piece of cod could not have weighed 3 ounces. The Man suggested that these small portions probably appeal to Baker’s Square’s elderly customers. He recalled that when we ate at Luther Manor when my mother lived there, the residents would complain if there was too much food on their plates. A chicken breast with a small baked potato on the same plate would actually render them unable to eat at all. Well, they wouldn’t have to worry about that at Baker’s Square. If I ever see the day when the sight of too much food decreases my appetite, I’ll know which restaurant to go to.

The Vegetable Beef Soup was really good, with a good, tomato broth and nice chunks of vegetables, and not much beef. The pot pie was reportedly tasty also. My fish was moist, if tiny, and my vegetables were a nice treat. There was summer squash, carrots, broccoli, red bell peppers, and onions, all grilled perfectly. There was a more than adequate portion of rice pilaf, that, unfortunately, looked and tasted like it came from a box.

Baker’s Square is not a healthy place for The Man Who Is Unable To Pass Up A Piece Of His Favorite Types of Pies (apple, lemon meringue and chocolate French silk. He’s even picky about his pies.). Before he even ordered his meal, The Man asked the waiter if they had their French Silk Pie this evening. Of course they did. And he asked if it was possible to take a piece of pie home. Of course it was. A piece of pie is a rip off – Baker's Square sells an entire French Silk Pie is $10.99. A single piece is $5.00.

Later that evening, in the more subtle lighting from the glow of his computer screen, The Man announced that the pie was worth it.

Kitchenless in Brookfield