[title]
In an era of ‘cronuts’ and ‘townies’, this cute little village pâtisserie in Stokey sticks to the traditional roots of its French owners. Situated in a Grade-II listed building, Belle Epoque is a popular pit-stop for locals: part bakery and chocolatier, part delicatessen, part café. High points include a strawberry and rhubarb crumble tart, with its crumbly pastry crust and balanced filling.
The display of individual cakes and and mousses looks exquisite, and there’s a section dedicated to croissants and pain au chocolat. But our savoury lunch was disappointing: a goat’s cheese and spinach quiche suffered from a soggy bottom; and the brie in an under-seasoned brie and pear baguette was very mild. A latte was weak and watery – opt for tea instead.
The tea room between the shop and the pretty, fenced garden is a comfortable spot in which to sit and read the papers. Sandwiches and quiche are also available to take away, and traditional French deli goods are sold alongside the bread baked on site.