Sometimes you just need the comforts of home, even when you aren’t anywhere near home. That’s when local places such as Serenity Farms come into play.
We found this mostly-bakery shop along one of those winding back roads of Arkansas. It was off the beaten path a bit, but we discovered there is a second location not far away, on Main Street in Leslie, Ark. Still, this tiny version had everything we needed on a drizzly day.
The lunch menu was limited to just a couple of things: one sandwich and/or potato soup. We chose the French dipped sandwich, made with luscious roast beef, cheese, and a flavorful gravy and served on one of their ever-so-slightly-crusty bakery rolls. We grabbed a couple of the speciality sodas from their refrigerator case and relaxed at one of the two tables. Other items for sale included a wide variety of organic products and farm-to-table items, as well as local pottery and crafts.
The Arkansas cycling brochure on the table gives a hint as to their clientele–and the road is ideal for outdoor exploration. The shop is reportedly near one of the natural wonders of the world, literally called Natural Bridge.
As we ate, a constant stream of people came through the door, some regulars and some tourists, like us, looking for a bakery break. Many walked away with coffee, and the Mayan roast that is French-pressed and “a little spicy” seemed to be the flavor of the day.
The operator told us there are more choices at the main location, but we were happy with the simplicity and flavors. She said, “All of the pastries have butter, cream, and sugar and are made right here, in the back of the store.”
Trust me, you’ll want to go to the Serenity Farm website to drool over the fresh breads and pastries. We snagged a chocolate croissant for the road, along with a loaf of sourdough bread.
Perfect, when you need the comforts of home.