the loaf, Crich, Matlock

Serious lack of real bread in the Nottingham area, I made a special trip to Crich. I was not disappointed. Their sourdough is really tasty, will definitely return.

I live less than a mile from the epicentre of Harrogate, the UK's tea room capital. I've seen nowehere here that can rival the potent mix that Andrew and his team have created; tantalising, great value fare, baked with passion and served in style, with a warm dollop of friendliness thrown in for good measure.

Sadly I do not visit Crich very often but when I do the visit would not be complete without calling at 'the loaf'. Like all food shops you have to take your chance with product availability, and in any case, the range of breads is so comprehensive that one of the joys is being able to try something different. Standardisation can be found, indeed expected, in the supermarket, but not at an artisan bakery. 'The Loaf' is a great place to visit to find the best examples of artisan baking, and the food in the cafe is not bad too!

It's a shame the experience isn't as good as the bread!

I have just got back from 'The Loaf' Crich, on what I can only imagine was a bad day. The other times I have been, I have had a pleasurable experience, and have shared my recommendations with friends and colleagues.

Unfortunately, the same can not be said for today’s shopping trip. Having made a special journey to get come bread, I was unable to spot it on the display, so opted for an alternative, on conveying my request I saw the bread I had gone for so said
‘Oops sorry, could I change that for the caraway, I couldn’t see that at first, but that’s what I had come for.’ my request, although met, was answered with a sigh.

A sigh!! Now what kind of customer service was this?! All additional purchase ideas then went out of the window, and we just left with the bread, thus reducing your profit line, and potentially loosing a customer in the process.

It seems a real shame, as I am an advocate of independent stores, although I wish your continued success, I will recommend with caution and think it will be a while before I visit again.
Shame, because the bread is fab, and the egg and salmon breakfast was divine.

I do believe that the owners are comitted to sharing their enjoyment of the product and this experience with customers, so hopefully this can be addressed in the future.

Isn't it awful when somewhere is so good that you want to keep it a secret rather than share it so that you can always find a table! This is, I am afraid, the case with the loaf.
We have been customers since it opened and have watched with dismay as its wonderful bread, marvellous home prepared and cooked (and often created) food, delicious deli goodies and warm and welcoming staff have attracted more and more people.
And just when we thought it couldn't get any worse (better?) they attracted more people by starting Pizza Nights on a Wednesday. The pizzas are superb but if you don't book early the chances are you will be too late - we usually book for next week after having eaten this weeks offerings, just to be sure.
So - the breakfasts are brilliant, the lunches lovely and afternoon tea is... very good. All the bread and other bakery bits are superb too. But please do not go there - we want to always be able to just walk in and sit down!
Andrew's Mum (no, not really ;-) )

Went to the loaf for the first time today - Sunday morning breakfast - what a treat - hardly anywhere in the region is open at this hour on a Sunday. We took the dogs, went for breakfast, went for a long walk then returned for coffee and cake. The staff are very friendly and welcoming. The whole experience was FABULOUS and we will be back!

I visited the loaf during a weekend break with my family recently and it was wonderful. I was encouraged to try sourdough bread for the first time and it was delicious. All of the food was so obviously fresh, they had even gone to the effort of making their own salad - not just some leaves out of a packet thrown on my plate. The staff were very friendly and helpful, not just about their products but also giving local information. We all agreed it was the best meal of the weekend. We also bought some other breads and took them back to our cottage and everything was absolutely excellent.
You MUST give it a try, I promise you won't be sorry. The only downside it that it's a 3 hour drive from where I live!

I am a regular to the loaf. I not only buy their excellent bread but also their own blend coffee beans (I am a coffee enthusiast).
The food is "home cooked" and delicious. Thankfully open Sunday mornings for breakfast treat. And there is more... a good selection of cheeses and deli items.
No relation to the owners! Just grateful to have such a resource in our village
Peter