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This weekend we trekked to downtown Burlington to visit our second bakery on the King Arthur Flour Vermont Bakery Tour happening this summer: August First Bakery.
August First is located in a renovated garage, just off Main Street, with huge bay doors at the front. On this summer day the doors were wide open to let the warm air and sunshine into the vast interior. There are dozens of tables arranged close together inside, and tables and benches outside.
My husband, son and I visited August First for Sunday brunch. The offerings include egg sandwiches, scramble bowls, and an array of fresh pastries, all to pair with a hot cup of coffee. (And there are other drinks too, of course. For me, at that hour... at most hours, it's all about a hot cup of coffee.)
The boys ordered Sausage, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Sandwiches, which are usually served on 7-grain rolls. My son, however is enduring the pain and lengthy do-not-eat list that comes with freshly installed braces (poor kid), and so ordered his sandwich on a pillowy biscuit instead of the chewy roll. The breakfast sandwiches were very filling, with mildly-spiced sausage and melty Cheddar cheese that together with the egg gave the sandwich a creamy taste and texture.
I tried their Avocado Toast, with that cup of hot coffee of course. This was also a creamy breakfast treat, served on a soft roll. The spread of avocado was topped with basil, roasted red pepper and a sprinkle of crumbled feta. I really like a spicy or strong bite in almost everything I eat, so the sharp, salty feta over the top of the mild avocado was perfect. We ate at a table by the front of the bakery and had a lovely, open-air brunch.
The pastry shelves at the front counter hold a tasty display of cookies, turnovers, macaroons, and scones. I asked about the crescent-shaped Walnut Hungarian Rolls, which the website says is their signature pastry. The staff did speak highly of them, but said the treat that they're really known for now are the Vermont Maple Biscuits.
I had already been ogling the platter on the counter stacked with tall biscuits, each with a sugary shine on top, so I promptly had her bag one up for me. This was the same biscuit my son had for his breakfast sandwich, making it a nice, little savory-sweet combination. The biscuits are about 4 inches across and 2 or 3 inches high... which is why that stack at the counter was so impressive!
They are hefty but tender and buttery inside. The maple sweetness is subtle, but unmistakable in every bite. You really must give these a try.
Though I passed them by for the giant, sweet biscuits, I still find myself thinking about those Walnut Hungarian Rolls, bathed in powdered sugar. I'll probably be heading back downtown shortly to snag one of those.
Check back for more Delectable Destinations: Vermont Bakery Tour posts, as I trek to all eight bakeries on the list!
August First Bakery is located at 149 So. Champlain Street in Burlington, Vermont. They serve breakfast and lunch, and are available for private parties or catered events. Find out more about them and see their menu on their website!
The King Arthur Flour Vermont Bakery Tour consists of eight bakeries scattered over the northern half of Vermont. Participants visit the bakeries, taste the fine baked goods, and have their Bakery Passport stamped at each. The completed passport can then be redeemed for an exclusive Bakery Tour tote bag! Visit this link, King Arthur Flour Vermont Bakery Tour for more information.
Here's another great initiative from King Arthur Flour: the Bake For Good Program.
The Armchair Squid
Yum... looks good! Can't wait for the next stop.