There are some moments in life that just do such a great job of reminding us how lucky we are to be alive, right here, right now. You know those. Playing Cleopatra on a grassy lawn. Gardening. A good laugh or cry with a soulmate.
Since quitting my job last year, I’ve had the time and the awareness to notice these moments. And you know what they say – the more you notice them, the more they keep appearing. Which probably explains how I ended up taking a mini-road trip with two lovely ladies last week to check out the Big Sur Bakery. It’s a two-hour drive South of where I am – for San Franciscans that’s pushing the journey closer to three hours in smooth traffic. One-way. That’s a long way away for someone who grew up on a tiny island in Southeast Asia, but in California terms? No sweat!
Especially when the landscape cooperates to provide rolling hills, fierce waves and abundant sunshine and fog just to mix things up a bit. Driving in California (and for the most part of the US) is as commonplace as eating, so it’s really not that big a deal to commute an hour to work everyday. But beyond the humdrum of quotidian life, a drive like this provides the opportunity to really appreciate the beauty of the landscape that we’re lucky enough to live in. To take it all in.
This would be my second visit. M and I jaunted down on July 4, when a big party with American fare was planned for that foggy July afternoon – BBQ pork ribs and beef brisket, boiled sweet corn doused in butter, slow-cooked baked beans that completely redefined my relationship with them, and chocolate chip cookies and brownies decadent enough to make the most stoic of gourmands cry.

We thoroughly enjoyed this good ol’fashioned American barbecue, but I left feeling a little wistful, wanting to return for their main menu, and perhaps to sample some of the dishes I’ve been drooling over in their cookbook.
And so, on a quiet weekday afternoon, we drove up to the tiny strip of a parking lot, with its resident gas station, all of two pumps. The restaurant is unassuming, humble and cute. You could almost mistake it for a small inn, or a section of the charter school it neighbors.
Famished after the drive, we walked up to porch and devoured the menu on display, tempted by all the items. My memory fails me on the other dishes on offer, but perhaps it was because a pizza with prosciutto, squash, sage and brown butter caught my eye.
Alas, it was not to be. We were looking at their dinner menu, when lunch was a simple affair of open-faced sandwiches, soup and salad. And an array of baked treats lying in wait.
We had a leek and feta cheese open-faced sandwich, and an onion and tomato version – both served on pillowy soft slices of freshly-baked foccacia. There was also a hearty cup of corn soup, an an order of elegantly layered potato frittata with a simple side salad.
Light, energizing and moderate, leaving us ample room for dessert, in the form of one strawberry jelly donut.
Oh. Man.
If I ever get around to writing a memoir one day, this donut is going to be in there. It might even get its own chapter. Immaculately dusted with sugar on its golden brown, display-case best, the donut’s true essence was oozing its way onto our fingers on its other end. There we were, three women standing right outside the bakery, our collective silence punctuated by oohs and aahs as we bit into the soggy outer layer, our palates revelling in the slippery sweetness of strawberry jelly. This was the perfect donut moment – sticky fingers, meditative smiles and general amazement at the depth and intensity of flavor.
I planned ahead and took home a citrus morning bun that made for a delicious breakfast the next morning. After a few minutes in the oven, the bun was back to its airy, crisp, delicious self, washed down with a shot of espresso. Simple pleasures.
Of course, another trip is in order to taste their full menu, but in the meantime, the memories of this meal, like the BBQ we stumbled upon previously, will last a while. That’s all part of the Bakery’s charm, courtesy of its location and its dedication to using the freshest, local and seasonal produce. There are a number of destinations in the Bay Area where one could ‘escape’ for the day with good food and views, but none of them will make you feel as if you’ve just dined at a friend’s cabin in the woods, and wishing that you could stay for just another meal.
Big Sur Bakery
Highway 1
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-0520
Before you leave, check out Megan’s take on our lunch over at Bay Area Bites.
You’re so lucky to live nearby one another. What a fun trip. I’ve heard of the place and am glad to see it’s not hype. What a beautiful ride with great company and delicious looking food!
It’s the total opposite of hype – simple, honest-to-goodness food that’s fresh and seasonal. No frills = good stuff 🙂
Oh! What’s 3 hours of commute to that stunning jelly donut!!!
Lovely photos of the road… sighhhh I have yet to visit SFO .. someday! I promise myself 🙂
Hahaha, yes, 3 hours doesn’t seem so bad when there’s a donut at the end of it! Let me know when you head out West and we can hang out! 🙂
Aaah you make every foodie proud: driving 2-3 hours for a yummy donut 😉
Gorgeous views, and beautiful narrative as always 🙂
thank you for the inspiration–i may need to take a road trip down there myself this weekend–and for sharing the stunning photos.
Happy to share – I hope your trip happens, you’ll have a great time.
Oh you’re so lucky to be only 2-3 hours away! Us poor socal folks have to drive 6 hrs 😉 your beautiful photographs are fun to compare with the similar images I got, as I’m editing my photos of my big sur trip at the moment.
At the same time, you guys have Santa Monica and San Luis Obispo not too far off! Can’t wait to read and see your take on Big Sur – good luck with the editing.
What a gorgeous post! Your pictures, your words! I’m so glad you were in charge of this photography, not me. 🙂
What a fabulous day – can we please do it again soon?
You know I’m game any time 🙂
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What a fabulous post the photos make me want to jump in my car now. I love th cookbook and now more than ever feel the urge to make a road trip just to sample the goodies.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! we’re planning an early spring road trip from LA to Seattle and will be sure to stop there. Any other suggestions along the way?
Food-wise, there’s La Bicyclette in Carmel, a cute little French restaurant for a pretty authentic French meal. There’s also Isabella’s Restaurant in San Jose for what I hear are pretty good Pisco Sours and Peruvian cuisine. If you want to try Dim Sum in SF, head to City View on Commercial Street and avoid Yank Sing at all costs. Other recommended eats in SF: Sociale (Italian), Aziza (Modern Moroccan), Magnolia (Gastropub+microbrewery), Contigo (Spanish).
All addresses and details can be found on Yelp – good luck and have fun!
Oh I’ve eaten here before on a trip up to San Fran. What amazing photos you took. Lovely, just lovely.
You know, this is the second time in a week I’ve read about this bakery on a blog. That must mean it’s beyond awesome, right? I cannot believe I was in Big Sur just two weekends ago but didn’t know at the time that this bakery existed… what a missed opportunity! Those photos are gorgeous – I almost want to drive back down there now!
As good as the cookies looked, the fruits with shortbread and lemon verbena cream looked even better!
strawberry’s “slippery sweetness” — sounds sexy. and delectable
and with all the
donuts are my favorite breakfast food.
you’ve inspired me to go drive 40 minutes for the best donut i can get here.
Oooh!! You were apart of this lunch with Megan & Janet!! I heard all about it! Jealous. We could do a lot of damage…you and I.
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