Food review at the Pistachio bakery and deli in Stokesley

I can make no judgement on Malton’s culinary qualities, having never eaten out there – unless you count half a hot cross bun that I gathered outside Thomas the Baker while stuck in traffic during a Good Friday giveaway a few years ago.

I would make a case for another contender for the title – Stokesley. For a town of its size, it’s definitely punching above its weight in terms of the number and quality of eating establishments located there.

I may be biased, living nearby, but it seems as though around each corner is a cafe or restaurant offering all manner of foodie delights, and I’m yet to have a bad meal in any of them.

The latest venue I tried out was Pistachio bakery and deli, just off the High Street on Bridge Road, before you cross the Leven.

My sister and I called in for an early lunch on a recent Saturday morning having spotted some tasty-looking, artfully arranged treats on its social media.

We were pleased to see it was busy with customers sitting inside and out – always a good sign – and grabbed the only free table, right next to the counter with a close-up view of the wide variety of sweet and savoury offerings.

Brunch options start at £5 for a bacon or sausage flatbread, and there are also bagels, flatbread sandwiches, quiche, soup, salads, pancakes and four different choices of brioche. In addition to the main menu, there were plenty of specials, and just about every surface aside from the tables was covered in cakes and scones.

From our vantage point next to the display counter, my eye had been caught by the flatbread sandwiches, so I opted for the rocket, pesto, mozzarella and sun blush tomato version (£9.95), while Claire went for the salmon and avocado cream cheese bagel (£8.95) from the specials board.

My sandwich was served warm, with a well-presented side salad and a few crisps. The melty mozzarella and pesto combined beautifully, the tomatoes had a delicate touch of sharpness, and the rocket added a peppery freshness.

It was difficult to eat politely, so the deployment of a knife and fork helped preserve my dignity. It was truly delicious and I really didn’t want it to end.

Claire’s bagel was just as well received – packed with filling but still light, with masses of flavoursome salmon, smooth avocado and creamy cheese. What a treat.

We agonised for some time over which sweet items to take away for later (we couldn’t dally as we were on our way to a family gathering) but eventually I chose a raspberry frangipane and Claire the blueberry and orange cake.

Mine was lovely and light, and despite sitting in the car for a long, warm afternoon, still nicely moist when I devoured it later on. It was also just the right amount of almondy so as not to overpower the raspberries. Delicious. Claire’s was a little denser, but she really enjoyed the combination of natural-feeling flavours.

With a coffee and a tea, our bill came to £33.30. Not cheap for a light bite, but considering the high quality of the food, that felt like decent value.

Service throughout was efficient and precise – we did get the sense we were getting on the nerves of our server as we tried to choose our cakes, but to be fair, it was very busy and we were being hopelessly indecisive, given the vast array to choose from (we wanted to eat them all).

The Pistachio bakery and deli was still doing a roaring trade as we left, with both people eating in and others wanting takeaways so its popularity is clear, and on the evidence of our visit, very well deserved.

Another fine place to find fare of a high standard in a town that should be more highly recognised for its thriving foodie scene.

Pistachio bakery and deli,

7 Bridge Road, Stokesley, TS9 5AA

Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30am to 4pm (last food order 3.15pm)

www.facebook.com/PistachioStokesley

Ratings (out of ten): Food quality 9 Service 7 Surroundings 9 Value for money 8