Off to downtown Richmond, VT we went to visit Sweet Simone's Bakery & Cafe, a stop on the Bakery Tour from King Arthur Flour!
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Our family seems to have a knack for turning the simplest of journeys into a complicated, emotional roller coaster experience! Take, for example, our journey to visit Sweet Simone's Bakery & Café in Richmond, a stop on the King Arthur Flour Vermont Bakery Tour.
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Getting there
This could not have been a more straightforward trip: hop on Interstate 89, get off at exit 11, and turn onto Bridge Street. But oh no, we had to add some twists and turns. To begin with, we left the house late. (All my fault.) Then we remembered that there was a triathlon happening in our town... we remembered, that is, once we were stopped in traffic waiting for runners to go through.
Once on the interstate, we should have been in the clear, but unfortunately, we were guilty of distracted driving. Not distracted by cell phones, eating while driving, or even by the beautiful scenery... we were distracted by a discussion and fond reminisces of food discoveries from last summer. We blew right past the exit. And it was 15 miles until the next exit.
My husband and I became a little tense after that, and our poor son was just along for the ride in the back seat. We had no choice but to drive the 15 miles, get back on the highway, and arrive to face our waiting friends and family: a full hour late. Happily, the story gets better after that.
At Sweet Simone's
When we got to Sweet Simone's there was a line out the door, (a fitting penance for our tardy selves... our punctual friends had already secured pastries and seats), but the staff moved everyone through pretty fast.
Our friends the Rosackers were there, as they are participating in the Bakery Tour too! Cousin Lars, his wife Susan, and their kids were there too—they live in Richmond and visit Sweet Simone's daily. Our Aunt Anne met us there as well, so it became quite a friends and family affair that morning. Our crew occupied the entire right side of the café.
The treats at Sweet Simone's
Though we missed some treats (the breakfast sandwiches and bagels sold out quickly!), my husband found a deliciously moist slice of coffee cake for his breakfast.
I found a Coconut Chocolate Chip Scone that was tender and light, and full of toothsome coconut flakes. (Lars had one, too.) It was wonderful alongside a Café Americano.
My son enjoyed a Cherry Chocolate Almond Muffin, crusted over the top with glittering sugar and full of cherry flavor.
Lisa and Andrew had French bagels with lox, and Susan had a gluten-free Morning Glory Muffin (which she said is tied with their flaky croissants for her favorite Sweet Simone's treat!)
From the pastry case, we also picked up to take home a luscious brownie the size of a baby's head, and a Lemon Cupcake with Strawberry Filling and Basil Buttercream. That basil buttercream was fabulous, so refreshing and bright.
Basil is not an herb I have had a whole lot in sweet dishes, so it was a unique treat!
Learning more about the bakery
Thanks to my cousinly Richmond connections, I had the chance to meet and chat with owner Lisa Curtis, who is not normally in on Sundays but came in to be able to meet us. (Yep, we kept her waiting too. So sorry, Lisa.) She was very gracious and sweet.
We chatted about the bakery and the renovations she and her family did to the space when she moved her bakery there almost three years ago.
The bakery is full of light with sun streaming through the large front windows, illuminating the sage green walls on one side, and exposed brick on the other. A long, white, wooden counter faces the entry and handsome, dark, restored wood floors tie the whole space together. The bakery is both sophisticated and comfortable.
Lisa said that business in the bakery is steady year-round but with a spike in summertime thanks to orders for the stunning wedding cakes she is known for.
Check out the website and Instagram feed for a glimpse at these wedding cakes, as well as custom cakes for birthdays and other special occasions. Her custom cakes are quite creative, and she does an amazing job of incorporating her customers' sometimes quirky requests.
When we spoke she was just beginning to draw up sketches for a cake that, at the customer's request, would be sculpted to look like a can of beer, a peppermint pattie, and a golf course. All in one cake! Lisa confessed it to be a design challenge, but a challenge that she is certainly up for!
We had a lovely breakfast that morning at Sweet Simone's. Though some goods had sold out, I noticed that shortly after we arrived a Flatbread Pizza with Mushrooms, Radicchio, and Tomatoes was available in the case.
Seeing this and the variety of sandwiches and pastries showcased on their Instagram page, it seems that there are always new and creative eats rolling out of the bakery that sits right behind the counter. Watch the feed and get there quickly!
Sweet Simone's Bakery & Cafe is located at 40 Bridge Street in Richmond, VT. They have a large assortment of fresh-baked pastries, croissants, bagels, cookies, and bars, and plenty of hot and cold drinks to enjoy alongside them. Find out more on their website, including how you can order one of Lisa's beautiful cakes for your wedding, birthday, or any special occasion!
The old King Arthur Flour Vermont Bakery Tour consisted of eight bakeries scattered over the northern half of Vermont. Participants visited the bakeries, tasted the fine baked goods, and had their Bakery Passport stamped at each. The completed passports were then redeemed for an exclusive Bakery Tour tote bag!
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