I think I'm a bread snob....

It's small business Tuesday over at Three's {4} Me and while this isn't my business, I have to share this incredible little bakery in our town.
LoNardos
This is an old carhop that Karen & Ty converted into a bakery.  You can read more about it here.  

Karen LoNardo (owner, LoNardo's Gourmet Bakery)

This place has character - not the typical bakery where you can sit and enjoy a delightful pastry.  No.  This is a mix of  kitchy and industrial  - just squeeze in and get your order to go.  But that is not a bad thing.  You go there with a purpose - knowing that whatever you buy will be a special treat and whoever you share it with will be delighted with sweet gooeyness.  
That is what I did this morning.   I was in charge of picking up the office pastries for a staff birthday and while I was at it, I ordered a fresh multi-grain loaf for us at home.
I must admit - the moment I came home for lunch, I had to open this up.  It was still warm - even hours later when I cut a slice to go with my soup at lunch.

Let me just say lunch was delightful.  Homemade chicken noodle and fresh, FRESH bread.

It still had the smell of the oven.  And the first bite?????  AMAZABALLS!
The crunch of the crust - the melting of the bread.  Every grain you could imagine was in there...and you could taste it all.  It was as this moment I realized that I was a bread snob.

Just like the passion a coffee snob has about their french press, or perk, or espresso.  I felt that passion knowing that I now had my bread of choice.  How could I ever again go back to store-bought bread when I make homemade soup.  I can't do it.  I just can't!
I had the passion for the crispy crust - the fresh scent of yeast, butter and flour, the crunch of the grain with each bite.  It was amazing that as hearty as this loaf was, the lightness was still there.
It was a masterpiece.
I think LoNardo's must be a distant relative of Leonardo's.  However don't even dare to call them that....I think so many people mispronounce the name of the bakery that there is rumor of a temper that comes out very similar to the soup nazi.  It's LONARDO's - don't put in the extra "e".  Trust me.  I'm just saying.
But, with a masterpiece like this bread, they have every right to be pronounced correctly.
So if you are ever ANYWHERE close to the Tri-Cities...you must stop in and buy some.  You won't be disappointed.
with love,Tammy