Who doesnt love a nice bakery? Big Timber happily welcomes De Notre Cuisine ("From Our Kitchen"), where locals are enjoying freshly baked cinnamon rolls, scones, and muffins, accompanied by Yellowstone Coffee, Tumbleweed Teas, and Ghirardelli hot chocolate.
Many people lined up at the summer Tuesday farmers market to taste Jay and Kristine Vallandinghams fruit tarts, artisan breads, cheese crackers, granola, fleur de sel caramels, and rosemary cashews. Now everyone can find these tasty treats year round in a cozy shop on the main street downtown.
The bakery opened January 26 and still looks a bit bare. But Jay and Kristine have delectable plans. Chilled shelves will showcase lemon cream tarts, eclairs, deli items, and more. The menu will include breakfast foods like savory croissants and sausage rolls. One room will be a gourmet market, and in another groups will gather for catered meals.
But for now, customers are welcome to sit at a table to watch the world in Big Timber go by or warm themselves by the fire, knitting and sipping tea.
Kristine also points out that if you dont see something on display, ask for it. You can order anything and expect prompt service.
"If its not on the shelf, it doesnt mean we dont have it," she said. "Special orders are not only expected, theyre encouraged. We like to be useful to the community."
Cakes and fancy desserts might take 24 hours, but if you get in early to order dinner rolls, they could be ready that evening. While youre in the shop, look through the book of photos of past culinary marvels, and you will be ready to order red velvet cake, iced cookies, and a dozen other goodies.
My enthusiasm for baked goods can easily be whipped up to a frenzy. But without letting my emotions get out of control, I can say that the food made by the Vallandinghams is very nice indeed. I noticed this last summer at the farmers market, where the fruit tarts always tasted fresh and the rosemary cashews were a perfect balance of savory and sweet.
During my evening visit near closing time at the bakery, the oatmeal raisin scone was light and flavorful. This morning, a cinnamon roll was soft, with exactly the right amount of spice and sweetness, even with a coating of sugar icing.
They could have truthfully named this bakery Just the Right Touch.
De Notre Cuisine
104 McLeod Street
Big Timber
406-932-5115
Tuesday - Friday, 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday, 9 am - 3 pm
Sunday and Monday, closed
