Vergennes Laundry
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There’s nothing like a good stomach bug to make you appreciate health, to inspire an outing in sub-zero weather, to revive an appetite nourished by ginger ale and dry toast for too many hours.
Last Friday morning, after a day spent on my deathbed, my aunt, Wren and I drove to Vergennes Laundry, a wood-fired bakery located in a former laundromat in Vergennes, VT. Run by a husband and wife, this gem of a café is the kind of place you could lounge in all day, beginning with a latté and croissant, moving onto fresh-squeezed orange juice and cheddar-and-tarragon gougères, finishing with an espresso and chocolate crème fraîche truffle. Every bite will make you wish you lived two doors down and kindle dreams of opening up your own Vergennes Laundry, which your town (that you love dearly) so desperately needs.
Everything we tasted, from the blueberry scone to the canelé to the morning bun (which Wren hoarded) to the gougère to the loaf of bread we brought home and cut into thick slices and slathered with butter, was exceptional. I can only imagine what a treat the tartines and seasonal tarts must be.
Anyway Friends, I hope you all have managed to stay healthy. No recipe today — just happy to be alive. It’s a new day! Things are looking good.
my favorite: cheddar and tarragon gougère:
morning bun:
morning bun hoarder:
canelé:
blueberry scone:
Julianne, shaping loaves:
Didier and Julianne:
Vermont
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23 Comments on “Vergennes Laundry”
So happy to hear you are feeling better! The photographs are as lucious as the food looks….I desperately want a piece of bread and good butter right now! The eyes on that small child are astonishing….Spring is right around the corner! Hugs and Kisses! Laurie
Thank you, Laurie! I keep feeling signs of spring but yesterday I awoke to -8º weather…I’m trying not to be too optimistic 🙂 xoxo
Thank you for writing this post! On each of my visits to Vergennes, I look longingly into the windows of the Laundry because they have closed for the day. But one can always look forward to an amazing meal at 3 Square a few doors down.
Oh, such a bummer! It sounds as though there are quite a few gems in Vergennes. I need to get back to explore more.
So sorry to hear you were sick. Glad you are better.
Isn’t it amazing how the simplest of ingredients like flour, sugar, butter and eggs can be transformed into bread, scones, morning buns and gougere? I love that baking is a combination of art and science. Speaking of art, thank you for sharing your wonderful photos. And your baby is so precious! She certainly has the right idea. I would have been hoarding that morning bun in one hand and the blueberry scone in the other.
Stay warm…and well.
Yes! I know, I am feeling obsessed with making gougeres and caneles now — there is something irresistible about those custardy centers. I think I need to make a comparison chart 🙂 It will be interesting to see the differences in their ratios. And re morning bun, I had to order another one because Wren wouldn’t share. She was being a little naughty but I couldn’t blame her 🙂
Wow, this place looks amazing. Every picture on that website you linked to really spoke to the kind of place I wish I could start up. Maybe one day 🙂
Do it! No time like the present, right? I dream of opening something like this one day, too. We shall see.
Yum! I have also just gotten my appetite back after quite the stomach bug (intense but, thankfully, brief). I still haven’t had anything nearly as delicious as all this! Beautiful photos.
Oh Becky, isn’t it the worst? Everyone I know has ben hit.
Beautiful pictures. Living in VT day-to-day I resent the snow and cold, and I automatically added the feel of walking into a warm bakery to your pictures. I live but 20 minutes from there, and I haven’t been to the bakery yet. My usual go to is the Black Sheep Bistro and Daily Chocolate. I will be sure to visit the Vergennes Laundry next!
Oh Livia, I am envious of your proximity to VL! But I do understand your daily resentment to the cold. I live in the Albany/Schenectady region, and winters are LONG. Alas. I will check out the two spots you mentioned the next time I get back to VT. Thanks for the recs!
1. I’m happy you’re alive! 2. Yes, you should open the Ali and Ben equivalent of this cute little bakery cafe. 3. Miss you and your rosy-cheeked babies!
Oh KatyKat, thank you! I miss you and your rosy-cheeked pups. Let’s do something about that. xoxo
I have been asked to drive to Vergennes from Schroon Lake NY on frequent occasion. For a canele. Now you know why.
Haha, I love it. I do know why! That custardy center. Oh my. After the gougere, that may have been my favorite, but as I said, everything was exceptional.
Alexandra, glad to hear you’re feeling better – and what a great way to celebrate your health than eating some of that delicious food! The pictures are mouth-watering just as is… and that baby is just so adorable! Will definitely have to make my way over to Vergennes in the near future! xo
Oh Phoebe, this place is a dream! I wish we could go together. xo
Oh Ali I am so sorry that you were laid up with the creeping crud! I’m happy you’re alive and healthy! That bakery is just the sort of place that I’d love to spend the morning in! Gorgeous photos–I can smell the bread through the screen! Rest up and I hope you’ll be back to normal soon!
Thank you, Tracey! We are all on the mend, fortunately. xo
What a darling little spot! I’m in love! The food looks so good….. a happy place for you to rise from your deathbed 🙂 Glad you’re feeling better!
I have so many delicious memories of stopping there on our way to UVM
My son has graduated and your post has motivated me to take a road trip
Please please open a similar cafe. It will be a huge success I know.
Awww so nice to hear this 🙂 Thanks so much for the encouragement. I do still dream about opening a cafe.