New bakery to merge edible and beautiful
Pretty pastries coming to new Roanoke bakery. The Roanoke Times | File photo.
Happy Valentine’s Day, my lovely blog readers. May this day bring you bunches of roses, chocolate, champagne and stuffed bears — if you’re into that sort of thing. If you’re not, well, I hope you have a blissfully simple day devoid of sappy romantic gestures.
This being Valentine’s Day, however, it did seem appropriate to share some news about a new bakery coming to Franklin Road near Tanglewood Mall. It will be called Edible Arts, and the owner said he is going to specialize in French-style pastries that are both delectable and gorgeous to behold.
Calvert LaFollette, 46, told me he is originally from West Virginia and was an artist in Florida for more than 20 years before he fell in love with cooking. He said he attended culinary school down there and worked at hotels while still doing his art on the side. He is particularly fond of creating chocolate and sugar art.
LaFollette has been showing his drawings around Roanoke for the past few years; he has participated in the Open Studios show and had his own studio on Campbell Avenue for a time. If you’d like to see a piece of his art work, click here.
When LaFollette found the former Foodies space at 4054 Franklin Road, he said, it was perfect for his new business. He’s been having some remodeling done on the inside and hopes to open about mid-April. He said plenty of bakers are doing good bread in Roanoke so he will specialize in pastries, although he will sell a few breads and some lunch items.
LaFollette would like to have the occasional art show at his bakery, but it won’t be your typical art show.
“I will try to do a couple of events a year where it’s all edible,” he said, “and you can come in and eat it.”
February 14, 2013 - 5:29 AM
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Sounds exciting – cannot wait to try it.
It will be great to have this addition to the southern Roanoke area. I think he will be successful as the area could use a quality “scratch” bakery. The supermarkets put some beautiful pastry and cake displays but the product quality is certainly compromised.
Bring on the French macarons! BTW, does anyone know where you can buy these precious cookies in the region?
Lindsey, Someone inquired while you vacationing…do you have any scoop on what’s going to happen with the old “Back Creek Grill” since it went up on the auction block?
Stephanie, macarons were the first things I thought of. I hope he’s going to make them!
I don’t know the story on that, Scott, but I’m going to see what I can find out.
Re: French macarons, I called Bread Craft thinking they might have them on occasion, but they said their oven runs too hot to make them properly there.
However, Our Daily Bread in Blacksburg has them every day for $1 apiece. The baker/owner, Thierry Tellier, is from France so I’ll bet they’re great!
Is Back Grill the same location as Old English Inn?
I can report that yes, the macarons at Our Daily Bread are truly wonderful!
I’d walk a mile for a good brioche.
Lindsey, thanks for the Our Daily Bread tip. I’ll have to make a special macaron quest!
It is definitely worth it, Stephanie. You need to make a lunch trip of it. They have WONDERFUL food all around!
@David, yep, that used to be Ye Olde English Inn.
Where in Bburg is Our Daily Bread? I’d love to make a pit stop next time I’m down there.
Kristen, Our Daily Bread is at 1329 S. Main Street. It is in a strip mall, near Oasis World Market, which is also a great stop to make if you are making a trip over there from Roanoke!
Regarding the Back Creek Grill location – I live out that way and used to love Ye Olde English Inn when it was there – nothing has really succeeded there since. And the area is still growing. I think something like a Fork in the Alley would do well – Fork in the Country??? Why not?
Please tell, where is the Bent Mtn Bristro located> I was thru there yesterday but did not see it and would like to try the sandwiches, they LOOK to die-for-delicious in the photo.
Bent Mountain Bistro is at 9607 Bent Mountain Rd., Roanoke.
Please tell me where the Bent Mountain Bistro is located. I came thru Bent Mtn. yesterday but did not notice construction going on and would love to go Sunday morning to get sandwiches, they are so yummmy looking in the photos. Thanks!
Oh! Sorry! I just this minute saw that you left me the needed info to get there on Sunday. Thank you Lindsey!
WHERE on Franklin Rd. will Edible Arts Bakery be??
Emmy, the blog entry states that Edible Bakery will be on Franklin Road near Tanglewood Mall in the former Foodies space at 4054 Franklin Road.To explain further, it will be right on the road on the left near IHOP. Before Hunting Hills Plaza.