Mystery Bread Shop

mazphd

Follow your nose... 13th March 2008

4 found this helpful

This place is a dream! The setting is quintessential York. Hidden at the top end of the Shmables the 'mystery bread shop' is too easily walked past during the day; usually because of the mass of tourists 'hanging about' , but also becuase if you do not get here for early oclock (BEFORE 10am) then its likely that the shutters will be down and it will be transformed into just another shop front.

Wander into the Shambles pre 10am and it is easier to find, look for the queue, follow your nose in the direction of delicious bakery smells and once you're at the front the only decision that needs to be made is which loaf to select from the fresh baked goodliness! Or just take a selection of them all!

Loaves include; walnut and stilton, Raison and date; Blueberry (a new one); Raison twist sticks; Basil and garlic, Rosemary and...

You can't go wrong they are ALL delicious and fresh from the oven with husband and wife team up from 4am baking. Warm and insisting on being sliced, spliced and put onto the brunch table as soon as possible.

Best thing is to get into York on a early Saturday morning (nod the acknowledged 'smug' nod to other Yorkies who are 'in the know' and in the queue), grab the w/e papers and enjoy a long leisurely breakfast of fresh sliced loaf, preserves and butters. A large pot of tea is especially good too!

How decadent; how York!

If you are a visitor to the fair city and without a nearby abode for breakfasting around, take a loaf home and heat up for a lazy Sunday morning. You can pretend you baked it all yourself!

Yum!

coldclimate

Hidden gem of crusty goodness 12th May 2007

7 found this helpful

I call it the Mystery Bread Shop because as far as I know it doesn't have a name. Outside hangs a blank red shield shaped sign, and the header board has nothing written on it. To find it head up the Shambles, and if you are facing Oggy Oggy Pasty Shop, it's two doors to the right.

I only ever visit on a Saturday morning, and unless you get in early (pre 11am) everything is gone.

The Mystery Bread Shop sells only one thing, bread, but on a given day there are about 10 different flavours in, in three different sizes. Today I have feasted on Pesto (oily and garlicly with a good dose of basil through it) and Sicilian (smokey cheese, ham and a touch of garlic).

All of their loaves are very "chunky" in appearence, with rough tops and plenty of which ever flavour. The onion loaves have bit sticking out and the Sicilian had some wonderfully burnt bits of ham poking out to the sizes.

Judging by the texture and feel, quite a dose of olive oil it worked through it before baking, meaning it all has a slightly greesy feel, but with a wonderful luxary feel.

I always end up buying two things when I'm in there. A full size loaf for the weekend (about £1.70) and a small loaf (70p or 80p) for tearing hunks off and eating still warm from the brown paper bag as I walk home. I'd highly recommend doing the same.

The lady who mans the shop can be a touch grumpy at times (hence the four stars not five), and make sure you shut the door behind you as you come in, she's very particular about that. The shop is also aways rammed, but thats never a bad sign in my book.

Pop in, you'll not regret it, and help yourself to a Marmite and Cheese, a rosemary and garlic, a cinneman loaf or a thyme and olive, they're all wonderful.

satsu at 21/05/07

It's called Via Vecchia. We like the foccacia, although you do sometimes have to squeeze the olive oil out of the bread before you eat it. :-)

minyork at 06/06/08

It is indeed called Via Vecchia and mighty fine it is too. All the breads are delicious especially the cheese and Marmite. Note there are some new opening times for 2008, not sure what they are though. Also you can buy their breads at the Hairy Fig Deli on Walmgate!

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