Bread Source

Sat in a coffeeshop yesterday morning with a notebook and pen I was feeling quaintly old fashioned as I started to write this. I wasn’t the only writer there but I was the only one who hadn’t had to ask for the wi-fi password.

I was in the new Bread Source cafe on Bridewell Alley in Norwich. The bakery part of the operation has been open for a couple of weeks now but the cafe only opened yesterday and apparently I missed out by one on being the first customer in there. 

If you’re a local reader then I’m sure you already know Bread Source from St Giles Street, Norwich Market or their shop in Aylsham. If you don’t know them then let me tell you that they were recently listed in Sarah Guy’s book Europe’s Best Bakeries: Over 130 of the Finest Bakeries, Cafes and Patisseries Across Great Britain and the Continent.

I’ve long been a fan. Last year I did a one day sourdough baking course in their St Giles shop The day was full of great hands on experience. We all got to take home the three loaves we produced ( white, wholemeal and beetroot ) and also some white and wholemeal sourdough starter. I did have some doubts about being able to keep the starters alive but last time I checked in the fridge they were both doing fine. If you enjoy baking bread a thoroughly recommend this course.

During last summers heatwave the courtyard at the back of the St Giles shop was a sheltered oasis and I spent many hours there with a coffee , a book and one of their sweet pastries. The new venture also has an alfresco option as there are tables in the churchyard just across Bridewell Alley. The indoor area is spacious and if yesterdays John Lee Hooker soundtrack is anything to go by is also going to feature some very good music.

The shop offers a great rage of artisan breads and all of the pastries are available to take away as well.

I loved the whole thing and will be back there very soon. 

Coffee with a view. Summer fruit brioche and a black Americano.