The Stanley Bakery is my happy place. The staff is friendly and I dare say adorable, their menu with breakfast classics as well as bomb paleo and veggie options is delectable, and the cinnamon rolls are like little sugar balls of heaven. However, it is the atmosphere that sets the Bakery apart from the pack, unmatched in my experiences, and I have been a lot of places.
The first time I encountered the deliciousness of the bakery my new Ketchum friends had taken me for a quintessential weekend north of town. It began with a ride of fisher creek on the drive up, followed by a dip and camping at Alturas Lake. Sunday morning, waking up early and achy, the Bakery was like a cathedral of awesomeness, calling to me with smells of caramelizing onions and coffee, the line out the door a mix of river rats, cowboys and general mountain enthusiasts. I sunk my teeth into an oatmeal pancake, and then enjoyed the quinoa breakfast of champions, ready for the next day of adventure, which included a rafting trip with a guide who looked like a combo of young Clooney and dreadlocked hobbit. Trust me, he was hot.
Maybe your weekend isn’t that jam-packed, and maybe my memories enhance the flavor to elation, but if you haven’t tried the Bakery yet, it is time for a brunch adventure. The scenery is breathtaking, the air fills your lungs with mountain essences, and the activities are endless. If you see a girl there Sunday mornings licking her plate with absolute joy, say hey — that’s me.
