I have been asked why I keep writing about the Acme Bake Shop breads when there are so many other artisan breads being made here. The answer: It’s a matter of time. The Acme Bake Shop and Baker Michael Runsvold are the “new kids on the block”, sort of. As the Boise Weekly reported sometime back, “… “Everything that I make, I try to make like it would be an exceptional version of its type of bread,” Runsvold said.
Using experience garnered over years working for Zeppole and Gaston’s Bakery in the basement beneath Le Cafe de Paris, Runsvold decided to branch out and open his own bakery, Acme Bakeshop, using personal recipes he has handcrafted through years of trial and error.” Here are some of the “older” and “more established” artisan bakeries in Boise.
 
Zeppole Bakery, on the other hand and as stated on their website at Zeppole Bakery,” … Zeppole Baking Company opened its doors in 1993 with the goal of providing superior hand–crafted breads to the Boise Area. The company’s founder, Gary Ebert, a local attorney who was tired of the legal rat race, traveled extensively throughout Europe studying Old World techniques and gathering the best rustic bread recipes for the fledgling company. He named the company “Zeppole,” after a fried dough treat he discovered in Italy, although that item isn’t on the menu because the bakery sells only baked, not fried, items.” And if you want an awesome Scottish Short Bread, this is the bakery to find it. Zeppole has been in business for 20 years.
 
Gaston’s Bakery, owned and operated by Mathieu Choux, Le Cafe de Paris, was started “… in 2006 Gaston’s Bakery was created to be able to meet the demand. Now we bake for all of the good restaurants, supermarkets and hotels around the treasure valley which we deliver fresh every day. We also sell frozen breads for restaurants in neighboring states via food distributors.” Their beads and bakery items include a wide variety of French breads, croissants, pastries and desserts. You can vierw them on the web by Clicking Here. They have been in business for 7 years.
 
Alpicella Bakery, according to their web site at Alpicella Bakery, states that, ” … Alpicella Baking, based in Boise, Idaho, produces local, fresh, authentic sourdough and premium variety breads for restaurants, institutions, and the major grocery trade. We invite you to view our product menu then contact us for more information or to answer any questions … In 1996 Alpicella Bakery was started to meet the demand for a full-service, wholesale French and sourdough bread producer. The sourdough and French market was nonexistent at that time, so Alpicella was born in a 7000-square-foot building in downtown Boise.”. They have been in business for 17 years.
 
The Acme Bake Shop has been in business for not even a year. Michael has spent his time wisely perfecting his craft and his product. If you are on Facebook, you can search for Michael Runsvold and view his page there. Is my bias showing? Probably, but only because I am for the “new guy on the street”, no matter what their culinary skill level is. That is not to say, though, that the other bakeries listed here are not good. That would be totally false. They are good! And if you want a good lunch sometime, visit Zeppole Cafe on Park Center Blvd in Boise or go to Le Cafe de Paris. Both places will deliver delicious meals using their pastries and breads.
 
Zeppole Cafe and Bakery are located at, “Zeppole Bakery & Café — 983 E. Parkcenter Blvd. (at the corner of Apple and Parkcenter Streets) Phone/fax: (208) 338-1499 Monday – Saturday 6 am to 6 pm (Friday until 7) and Sunday 8 am to 4 pm
Zeppole Downtown — 217 N. 8th St. (between Bannock and Idaho Streets) Phone/fax: (208) 345-2149
Winter hours: Monday – Friday 6:30 am to 5 pm, Saturday 8 am to 3 pm, and closed on Sundays.”
 
Le Cafe de Paris is open ” … Sunday-Wednesday 7 am to 3 pm
Thursday 7 am to 10 pm
Friday and Saturday 7 am to 11 pm.
They are located at 204 N Capitol Blvd. (208) 336-0889″ See Their Link for more information.