Knead Elkstone - Review - Elkstone - Cotswolds - The Infatuation

"Knead is a bakery and patisserie empire with a mobile bakery van and a couple of stores around the Cotswolds. But only one is set on a complex that also has a padel court, boujie gym, and a butcher with meat that can accurately be described as good-looking. Enter, Knead Elkstone. photo credit: Knead Elkstone photo credit: Knead Elkstone photo credit: Knead Elkstone Pause Unmute Much of your time at Knead will be spent deciding what to order because the menu has been written by someone who knows a brunch-lover's deepest darkest desires. A porchetta eggs benedict is a big yes, so is the carbonara french toast. Not all of the twists work—crispy duck, for instance, has no business being on a buttermilk waffle here—but there are more hits than misses. photo credit: Knead Elkstone You can get your pastries—glossy, golden puffed-up pain au chocolats and almond croissants—to go, but then you’d miss out on the magic of Knead’s dining space. Outside is best, in the highly heated (the patio heaters are no joke), covered space. It’s filled with snuggly cushions, small trees trussed up with fairy lights, and happy families sipping cappuccinos. It’s a Hallmark card come to life, and mornings don’t come much more wholesome than this. Food Rundown Eggs Benedict The ‘English muffin loaf’—crisp, airy—is the correct vehicle to hold up the slice of porchetta, two jammy eggs, and thick, creamy hollandaise. It’s delicious, we just wish they were a bit more generous with the porchetta, perhaps cutting it thicker or adding another slice. photo credit: Knead Elkstone Crispy Duck Waffle The textural calling card of this dish is: extra crispy. There is no respite for gums. The buttermilk waffle is nice and sweet, the nuts are also sweet, the duck is generous and coated in a (you guessed it) slightly sweet hoisin sauce. But everything ends up being one-note. Carbonara French Toast Italy, look away now, but we love this dish. It’s perhaps not surprising that pancetta, creamy egg yolk, parmesan, and pepper work well for a breakfast dish. The crisped-up linguine is a fun touch and the sweet brioche is nicely caramelised. The sauce itself is also light and mild, which helps to combat any dairy overload. photo credit: Knead Elkstone" - Sinéad Cranna