It was a considerable relief when after having to quit their premises on Queen Street, the Archipelago Artisan Bakery found space to relocate that was both nearby and offered an enhanced, shop-front opportunity. The place, on Dundas Street, used to be home to Agoo 2, until fairly recently.

They’ve converted the place, which was part shop/part cafe, into part shop/part bakery, and it’s a considerable hive of activity with three bakers and one counter staff member all buzzing about when I visited.

I was expecting to see owner Caroline’s smiling face, but it was lovely to also see former Tea at 94 owner Michelle lending her considerable baking skills to the operation. After warm greetings and a run through all of the various options on offer, I took a seat at one of the smart cafe tables having ordered their soup of the day, roast potato and rosemary, and a bowl of their pea, orzo and feta salad.

Items were soon with me looking rather bonnie. The soup was accompanied by two slices of delicious bread which I ate with considerable relish. The soup was really good, too, with plentiful aromatic rosemary giving the potatoes a really pleasing herby finish.

The salad was even better with bags of freshness from the sweet peas, with lovely fresh mint, salty cheese and good backbone from the orzo. This was highly accomplished stuff and right up there with the best salads in the city.

So overall, Archipelago maintains the excellent standard of their previous place with dishes that are packed with freshness and charm. It’s one of our outstanding Edinburgh bakeries and one I value very highly. Visit soon and visit often.

Scores
Blythe scores Archipelago
4.5/5 for food
4/5 for presentation
4/5 for setting
4/5 for service
giving an overall 16.5/20

I ate: roast potato and rosemary soup; pea, orzo and feta salad

I drank: water

I wore: pinstripes

Total bill: £8