About Gail’s
It seems like there’s a Gail’s everywhere these days but that’s a good thing as they sell a fantastic array of breads and baked goods. This branch is situated where Church Road meets George Street in Hove. I used to live close by but don’t make it down that way too often. There are better and cheaper bakeries in Hove but I’ll stop by Gail’s if there’s no queue out front. Going to Gail’s reminds me of living in London and working in Soho. When I worked in bars, I’d stop at their branch on Wardour Street for a coffee before shift. It’s strange to think about how long ago that was and how infrequently I’m in London these days. I miss it but not too much.
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1. Appearance
Did the sausage roll look appetising? Was it lovingly displayed in the shop window?
The sausage room was lovingly displayed and the pastry had a beautiful golden sheen to it, as if just from the oven.
9/10
2. Price
How much did you pay for it? Was it good value for money?
£3.40 for takeaway felt pretty steep but this is the fanciest bakery in that part of town. Truffles is a minute away and they offer a vastly different dining and shopping experience.
7/10
3. Packaging
Was it carefully wrapped? Did it arrive home intact?
The sausage roll was served in a plastic bag with bakery branding on it. There was a good bit of grease transfer and some steam inside the bag due to the heat. I would have liked a napkin but none was given.
8/10
4. Weight
Did it have a satisfying weight? Was it reassuringly dense?
This is a chubby sausage roll, far more meat than pastry and it reminded me of those from the Ginger Pig.
8/10
5. Warmth
Was it warm and ready to eat or cold on arrival?
It was the perfect warmth for immediate snacking.
10/10
6. Pastry
Was it buttery and flaky? Did it hold together?
Excellent pastry with a nice bit of flaking. The sesame seeds on top was the perfect finishing touch.
8/10
7. Quality of meat or filling
Was the filling substantial or did you mainly chew air?
The meat was juicy and there was lots of it. The warmth of the sausage roll meant the filling was still moist.
8/10
8. Flavour
Was the sausage roll delicious and well-seasoned?
Again, I felt this was under seasoned. Some cracked black pepper and salt would have really elevated this sausage roll. The pastry had good flavour but overall, the sausage roll was a tad bland. Some English mustard would have helped.
6/10
9. Satisfaction
Were you left satisfied or wanting more?
I sat on a bench close by and scoffed it down whilst having a staring contest with an aggressive seagull. A little bit of heartburn followed. Satisfaction would have been higher with a touch more seasoning or sauce.
7/10
10. Bonus Points
Did anything warrant bonus points? Eg. a little pot of mustard or friendly service from the staff?
No queue demands bonus points and the excellent loaf of bread that I bought was a big plus. The seed on top is always a win for adding flavour, texture and a touch of decoration.
5/10
Overall Score
76/100
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