RISE Artisan Bakehouse & Cafe — Restaurant in England

Saw this in Living North Magazine and decided to give it a try. Excellent just isn't a good enough word. From the start the window display of breads intices you in. Once inside a menu of savoury bakes, panninis, ciabatta sandwiches, soups and lovely sweet treats await. I opted for a fresh chicken ciabatta and my husband ordered Cream of Leek soup with Mediterranean veg Foccacia for lunch. Everything was absolutely delicious! My sandwich was enormous and full of fresh cooked chicken with salad and red onion chutney: would easily serve 2. Bought cheese scones, fruit scone and enormous sausage roll to take home. This independent bakery is definitely worth a visit if you are in Barnard Castle. And by the way, the goodies brought home were...

An asset to the town! Proper, hand-baked produce, that tastes as good as it looks! Highly recommend the seeded sourdough bread. Flavoursome, filling and goes well with everything from soup, toasted with jam, or as a savoury sandwich bread. The steak pie is made with a shortcrust pastry base, succulent steak filling and a puff pastry lid, topped with a sprinkling of poppyseeds, adding a lovely texture and additional flavour element, elevating the pie to the next level. And then there are the sweet tarts. Oh my days! Rich chocolate, pear, apple, raspberry & choc, strawberry, the list goes on. All beautifully made, generously filled and delicious. But special mention must go to the outstanding lemon tart - a must try on...

Stopped here on the way home as it had been closed for holidays whilst I was staying in Stanhope . The exterior looked amazing, and as someone who makes their own bread and always buys from Artisan makers, I was keen to see what they had. 1st off, a friendly greeting and as I asked I was told what all the different breads were. I made my choices wishing I had something like this near me . The taste and texture of the sourdough bread stick was incredible. No impossible to bite through crust, and as I had stuffed it with salad, it was awesome . The other loaves were malted and were again perfect and what bread should be. Dont miss out, go and try some, I will certainly go again...