Thyme in the Ranch is my favorite Southern California bakery. Just the other day, as I walked in the door and approached the counter, my first words were, “It’s worth coming here just to smell the goodness!”
Many years ago I had the fortunate experience of being a professional baker in an amazing french bakery. To this day, it remains my favorite bakery. In the world. The owner was a Paris-trained baker and was fanatical about her delicious breads and pastries. I could not count, on a daily basis, the number of times I heard customers say how great it smelled in the tiny little bakery. 30 years passed before I walked into a bakery that smelled that good. It was Thyme in the Ranch in Rancho Santa Fe, California. Pretty unique name, huh? Well the bakery is unique as well. The atmosphere is beautiful, comfortable – the perfect place to enjoy a yummy baked good with a delicious cup of coffee. I should mention I am not much of a coffee drinker, but I think their coffee is some of the best I have had. One time I had dessert first – a giant piece of coconut cream cake. I didn’t make it past dessert.
Anyone who knows me well knows I am very particular about baked goods. When traveling, I stop at just about every bakery I see. Sometimes I just go in, look around, and walk out. Bakeries fascinate me. Maybe because I know what it takes to create that perfect croissant, delicious crispy-topped muffin, or a chocolate chip cookie that sets itself apart from all the others. Or maybe it’s the culture itself, the civility of bread-baking, kneading dough, seeing your daily creations enjoyed by complete strangers, making the world a better place by putting smiles on people’s faces by offering a selection of indulgences they can’t get anywhere else.
Thyme in the Ranch not only satisfies the taste buds, but also touches the soul with its beautiful atmosphere, soft background music and calming views from the windows. The bakery is a little off the beaten track, but this must be one of the things that the great bakeries have in common. It’s only open until 3 pm and sells out of most of what comes out of the ovens – another unique characteristic of the best bakeries in the world.
For more information, a peek at their menu, and directions, please visit: www.thymeintheranch.com I’m heading there now… Yum! P.S. If you’re into bran muffins, try their walnut raisin version. I believe it is the best I have ever had.
