Yesterday, whilst the boys were at school, Dan and I stole a precious hour for lunch together in the sunshine. Something we don't get to do very often. We chose to wander down to Temple Meads Railway Station in Bristol to eat at a hidden gem.
Harts Bakery resides in an old railway arch beneath the station. Beautifully renovated, painted in a pale jade colour tongue & groove, it houses the kitchen bakery, renowned around these parts for the best baked sour dough and sumptuous custard tarts. Plus a small cafe area where customers can eat the baked treats with the best coffee care of Extract.
Dan and I sat in the April sunshine, and devoured a pancetta and blue cheese pasty (him) and spiced lentil soup (me).. served with crusty sour dough bread. It was bliss.
The first I learnt of Harts Bakery was a few months back when my father in law attended the Bread & Breakfast Workshop. Saturday evening he went along and learnt how to make a Sour Dough loaf, croissants and pastries. The next morning he returned to bake them after a night of prooving.
We were lucky to sample his hard work, by having brunch delivered, eager to share the fruits of his days work. The standard of his baking was incredible and doubly delicious. Rufus remarked that they were still warm...mmmmm.
(and yes The Dude Abides - The Big Lebowski)