With some time to explore on a long layover in Richmond, Virginia, I was delighted to find Sub Rosa Bakery near downtown Richmond (thanks to my new best friend Yelp). The word sub rosa means “under the rose” or “in secrecy” and this bakery is the true hidden beauty of Richmond.
Earl of Shirley’s taxis dropped me off at a roundabout near a freshly revitalized historic district of Richmond with major character. The Sub Rosa Bakery was nestled on the roundabout by cute connected pink, blue and yellow skinny walk up houses that give Richmond it’s color. We just don’t have adorable doll houses like this in Texas.
I’m impressed with those willing to take culinary risks in life and bringing this bakery to a dicey neighborhood was a risk but it’s paying off. People are noticing. The bakery has been written up in the New York Times for their old school (or kitchen;) approach of milling their own grains on site. It’s one of the few remaining REAL wood fired bread makers left in the states. The neighborhood is coming to life. Like field of dreams, if you build it they will come. Sub Rosa has built their dream and in the restaurant biz, if the food is good, they will come.
So, now to the good stuff! THE FOOD from Sub Rosa - OMG! For a carb & coffee lovers this is nirvana. Bread heaven. They poured a steeped hot tea into faux jam glass to drink and that was a neat presentation but the bread, DEAR GOD, THE BREAD…buttery and delectable. Here’s what I tried:
TOP PICK: Salami & Gruyere Croissant- I NEVER eat Salami. It kind of grosses me out. I have a salami-phobia from childhood but it didn’t look like the kind of salami we found as a “gift” on Christmas morning in our stocking (i'm sure it was a "re-gift" used as filler for our stockings). This lunch snack was recommended by the owner so I tried it. YUM YUM YUM. The salami was savory and reminded me more of bacon than the stuff we got as kids that tasted like week-old bologna.
CLOSE SECOND: Fig & Manchego - a star fish shaped croissant surrounds a thin layer of shaved manchego cheese that is dappled with fig jam. The combination of the crunch of the croissant, the saltiness of the manchego and the sweetness of the fig preserves left me speechless (that’s a first ;) I closed my eyes and savored every single bite.
Croissant: This Virginian croissant is a close cousin to the ones found at the cafes in Paris.
Peach, blueberry & Blackberry Tart- The crust was lined with pastry cream and all of the current in season fruits. Peach, blueberry and blackberries may be fruits that don't typically go together like socks that don’t match but they made a good pair with the pastry cream.
I’m proud of those who don’t give up on their dreams when they experience setbacks. Sub Rosa, as one of the few remaining wood fired bakeries, played with fire and they got burned. An early morning fire closed the bakery down for 9 months. Like a phoenix, they’ve risen from the ashes for a second chance at this thing. On the other side of it, they have come out of the fire tested and refined by the fire as pure gold. I see good things in the future for Sub Rosa Bakery. Come get some carbs!
Restaurant Deets:
Sub Rosa
Wood Fired Bakery
620 N. 25th Street, Richmond, VA 23223
804-788-7672
http://www.subrosabakery.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/sub-rosa-bakery-richmond
On a funny side note: Here’s a pic of my taxi driver Earl and yes that's a red teddy bear with a rose riding shotgun beside Earl. Also, meet his wife Shirley of 54 years. A picture of Shirley in her prime graced both of my back windows. If you need to hitch a ride, Earl’s your guy. He’s good people.
Shirley’s Taxi (804) 562-5632
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