Coffee and Cake in Bristol VT
On a snowy Saturday morning I drove 45 minuets south of Burlington to the small cozy town of Bristol. The roads snaked through fields and forests, up hills and down into small valleys. Spaces opened up that placed me in absolute isolation then quickly plunged me into another small town with its own unique community going about their day. On my way I quickly stopped into Parkside Cafe in Hinesburg Vermont for a small
”mild” roast by Vermont Artisan to aid me in my adventure. The atmosphere was akin to bowling alley, dark and long with the scent of fried food lingering in the air. I picked a quiet corner to sip with a book while the snow began to fall faster outside. The coffee was sweet and smooth. Along the way to Bristol were old barns and houses deserted or gutted. They dotted the landscape like small reminders of what once was in the place I was now. Families and travelers once inhabiting the place I was zipping through in a Subaru.
Minifactory - Bristol VT
My coffee stop was the new cafe, market, and jam manufactory Minifactory. A disclaimer for this coffee review, I work for and have a vested Interest in the roaster who produces the coffee being served at this location. The facade of the shop was striking with large glass windows with bold white print describing the offerings inside. I stood out amidst the neighboring shops that had a more traditional small resigned display. Above the widows is a two story old brick building that adds to the buildings projection. What lacks is a clear designation of the name but I am sure this is symptom of being brand new. Inside is a bright and lively space that contrasts the dark facade outside. The wooden floors were shiny and almost glowing. The counter was a hot pink with white trimming around the back wall. In front was the display of their in house pastry offerings. Part of the space was a storage rack for what looked like flour and other baking needs. This gave the space a feeling for the factory part of the name.
The house drip of the day was the Belle Epoque blend by Briocoffeeworks. A blend that balances funky fruit notes with smooth buttery cocoa. This brew emphasized the cocoa side of that equation which paired nicely with the gluten free tea cake. Layered in the middle of the cake was a sampling of the in-house V Smiley jam. This gave the cake a burst of a bright lively acidity that complemented the sweet crust and powdered sugar topping. The atmosphere of the cafe is delightful. Alot of natural light breams through the large glass windows which washed over a small but plentiful selection of yellow chairs and wooden tables. Sitting in this space was easy and restful. Time coasted on as I flipped the pages and watched the world go by.