My love for this place will never wane even though it's already so popular that it gets completely…read moreslammed every day during the period that is winter break for surrounding school systems -- and probably many other times as well.
I love that they're socially conscious and really care about social justice and the environment.
- They compost.* My pup discovered this after we emerged from a trail next to the back of the bakery. She found all this very scientifically interesting.
- They serve in house with reusable metal utensils and plates, which you return to the counter.
- They're committed to sourcing organic, sustainably produced flour from a few family-run farms.
- Takeout containers (and I feel awful when having to use these at times) are waxed cardboard -- maybe professionally compostable or recyclable, but I suspect not. Still, better than plastic. Eat in if you can. Someday I'll remember to bring my own containers and see if they'll use them.
The bread is world class. We've probably tried almost every loaf at this point. They tend towards being traditional styles with robust crusts and a good, slow, cold rise -- breads that take time to make. Our preferences lean towards the sourdoughs, the miche-type loaves, anything with olives, and the potato breads (for those of us with old teeth or missing baby teeth). But everything you could possibly order will be amazing. We loved the beautiful pain d'epi most recently, though the 10 year old (who doesn't have a full set of chompers right now) found it tough to consume without a good dip in Mom's stew at the end of the day. The only version my family cited as more beloved was from Maison Kayser -- yes, a chain, but a very good one where my kiddos literally cut their teeth.
Pastries are shockingly good as well, particularly the laminated ones that someone must be getting up at 2 or 3 a.m. to prepare. Chocolate croissants and almond croissants are perfectly layered, generously filled with high quality chocolate (real chocolate, not Nutella!) or almond paste filling that is even good when cold. The "simplest" of pastries (not really at all simple for anyone's whose tried to make these), a plain croissant, will wow a purist. My kiddos love the perfectly frosted maple bun visit after visit. Savory pastries are often filled with beautifully caramelized / browned onions, cheese, and other ingredients depending on the whims of the chefs. Again, I don't think you can go wrong; we certainly never have.
There are decent sandwiches and salads on the menu (from the perspective of the spoiled). Nothing is groundbreaking, but they're 200% competent and ingredients are consistently excellent.
A recent Harvest Salad, for instance, included fresh and tender butter lettuce, winter squash roasted to tender perfection, nuts and dried fruit in perfect balance. We'd had about 10 different "harvest salads", in the past few weeks in VT at that point, but though this one was more simply designed than many, it was more delicious, given the impeccably fresh, high quality ingredients. We sometimes get here on the earlier side, but never seem able to score a breakfast sandwich, which seems to sell out fast.
We like the down-to-earth staff, who smile when they mean it and don't when they don't -- and show fatigue when they need to and ought. I love that the management appears to be humane, opening later than usual when an ice storm makes driving conditions perilous. We recognize some staff members from some years past and we like the continuity a lot.
Love the entire picture. All of it.
* I just read that all VT households and businesses are required to compost per a state law passed in 2020. Cool! Red Hen seems to have a great sorting system set up, though, with many neat, well maintained bins lined up out back.
