VA Local Eats: What a Blessing Bakery
Bakery, Deli, & Buffet In One!
Almost seven years ago, Elizabeth and I drove to Amherst, Virginia, because I was looking for a job in the area and we both wanted to see if it was the sort of place we wanted to make a home. After soaking in the quaint old town charm and rolling countryside scenery, we had decided the answer was a resounding yes.
When it was almost time to leave we realized we were hungry and had not eaten lunch yet, so we decided to patronize a local shop and get some sandwiches. On our way out of the south end of town we stopped in the Ambriar Plaza at a tiny little place called What a Blessing Bakery, a bakery/deli/buffet/whatever else tucked away on the backside of the strip. Both of us immediately fell in love with the place: knickknacks everywhere, a small but textured multilevel dining room, lamps on the tables, rustic colors.
This one trip to a local food establishment cemented our love of Amherst and its residents forever.
The food was amazing, the wait staff pleasant and eager to please, and our short talk with the owner left us laughing and promising to come back to visit. And come back I did, just a few weeks ago, to patronize them again.
I honestly can’t remember what I ate the first time we visited the place, but this past time I ordered a soda and an Italian meat sub. I was not disappointed. Melted cheese burst out of every corner of this sandwich. The Italian dressing was on point. And I was full right before the last bite. So good. I also ended up sitting at this little table in the corner that was perfect for one person.
The kitchen also supplied a generously sized doughnut-like pastry for dessert, a feature of the meal I didn’t know about until it showed up on my plate. It was amazing too, and tasted fresh. The funny thing is, the first thing you see when you walk in the door is the doughnut display case with a mouth-watering array of sweet pastries.
Of all the places we’ve reviewed so far, this one still brings back some of the best memories. Elizabeth and I were still new to the area and the people at this place made us feel particularly welcome. It was a delightful end to a very productive trip, one that eventually led to us finding a home in the foothills nearby.
We highly recommend you make a memory here too.
Food Pantry Feasts Rating:
Family Friendly: Mostly Yes (dining room is a little cramped, full of knickknacks, but there are some nice big tables)
Food Prices: Low to Medium
Food Quality/Tastiness: High
Dining Room Size: Small to Medium
Wait Time for Food/Table: Low to Medium (sit wherever you like, the food takes a little time to come but it is worth the wait)
