North Amherst’s Newest Restaurant, Bread & Butter, Is Open

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The sunny Bread and Butter Restaurant is the second business to open at the former Cowls Lumber sawmill complex in North Amherst.
The sunny Bread and Butter Restaurant is the second business to open at the former Cowls Lumber sawmill complex in North Amherst.

When I met Cinda Jones at a party on New Year’s Eve, she was very happy to talk about her nascent Mill District and the new businesses that would be opening up there in 2015. Today we ate at the new restaurant that occupies the second half of the Trolley Barn, called Bread and Butter.  So far The Lift, a hair salon, has opened, and plans call for the opening of Atkins North, a branch of the famous South Amherst grocery emporium to be opened in a nearby building this year as well.

Bread and Butter is one of the sunniest restaurants I’ve ever enjoyed a meal in, with huge plate glass south-facing walls that make the hardwood floors and chairs sparkle.

There had just been three large parties before us, and our waitress was happy when we said we were kidding about bringing in another party of ten. No, today it would be just my regular lunch companion Ed Valerio and me.

The menu for this first day of business was simple. They were only offering breakfast items for this shakedown cruise. I asked about the house specialty and heard it was duck confit.  So I ordered the duck confit hash with eggs.

Ed ordered the eggs Benedict, one of a trio of menu items that includes regular Benedict plus Florentine (with spinach) and Pork Belly Benny.   Our decaf and regular coffees were strong and hot, and the service was good.  They had run out of all the bread except a very delicious cranberry walnut loaf, and I’d say this is indeed the highlight–the bread was outstanding!

A cheery vibe permeated the place, since so many people are rooting for them, and for the larger Mill District to succeed.  While today the lunch menu wasn’t available, it will be offered soon.  Breakfast includes pancakes, (gluten free ones too!) omelettes, a tofu scramble and granola parfaits.

Lunch is mostly sandwiches, salads and that famous pork belly that is on the breakfast and lunch menus. I was a bit disappointed that the duck confit was just a little bit of duck mixed in with the homefries, but overall we were both happy with our meals and excited for this new establishment to work out its kinks and welcome the community. It fills a big void in this vibrant and soon to be bustling Mill District.