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New England Dining Reviews>>> Dining review of A Little Something Cafe and Bakery, Walpole MA A Little Something Bakery and Cafe, Walpole, Mass., Attains Big-Time Dining Greatness (CLOSED)  Article and photo by Eric H. Funny thing, the lunch experience just didn't feel right this time. Perhaps the struggling ecomomy played a role in spoiling the experience as I wondered, "Why am I paying nearly $10 for a few pieces of Wonder bread, too much mayonnaise, and bland, oversalted deli meat that I could have bought at the supermarket for a lower price?" Yes, it's always nice to support local business but, in reality, the service at this certain dining place wasn't as pleasant as it once was and the food needed as much updating as the dining room's formica tables and worn rug. Fast forward to two weeks ago when visiting A Little Something Bakery and Cafe in East Walpole, Mass. When walking into this small storefront -- the size of some home living rooms in wealthy North Walpole -- I felt, at the moment, like this was the remedy to those other "out to lunch" lunch places. Owners Dave and Alicia Blais seemingly work there all the time and are quite friendly. Their staff is also quite attentive, too -- clearly not just "hires" that work there "because it's like you know, like a job." The small dining room has tables, board games, newspapers, books, and lots of that great conversation and customer-to-owner interaction so familiar in neighborhood restaurants. What truly sets A Little Something apart from the other "townie" places and shopping center chain bakeries and cafes is that the food is always fresh as well as organically or naturally sourced -- including antibiotic free, hormone free, certified humanely raised meats. Dave and Alicia really care about their cafe -- not ever content to rest on their laurels like so many other places that have been around much too long. The result is a welcoming, clean cafe where there's some amazing food and an atmosphere that encourages you to take your time and enjoy the experience -- no rush here! A Little Something Bakery and Cafe has done so well during the breakfast and lunch hours that they are now open for dinner, Tuesday through Friday until 7 p.m. We haven't been yet, but the homemade pasta, steak, seafood and chicken meals sound really good. For now, however, we'll focus on breakfast and lunch, with an article update coming soon on dinners at a Little Something... My all-time favorite dish is the Thanksgiving Thursday – Turkey Gobbler special with fresh roasted whole turkey, homemade stuffing, and cranberry sauce, on your choice of bread. The spicy tuna is also fabulous, made with celery, jalapeño aioli, tomatoes, organic greens, and onions, on one of the breads of the day. For breakfast, the breakfast panini differs from the rest of the fast-food pack with all-natural ham or bacon (that means no nitrates) with omega-3 eggs and cheese, grilled on multigrain bread. Muffins are huge, moist and ultimately filling, my favorites being the chocolate chip, apple pie, lemon blast and blueberry. A Little Something also makes an unusual but delicious scone, combining combine oats, turmeric, cinnamon, fresh ginger, cage-free egg whites, banana, a little honey, ground flax seeds, whole wheat, and cranberries. This Walpole dining gem also serves a good variety of coffee (including regular, dark roast, decaf, French vanilla, and hazelnut), herbal teas, homemade soups and fresh-from-the-garden tasting salads (they make a terrific Greek salad). A Little Something Bakery and Cafe really defines the new wave of eateries that combine an old-fashioned neighborhood atmosphere with the modern touches of healthy cuisine that tastes good. In past years, a place like a Little Something would have shown up exclusively in, say, urban Harvard Square in Cambridge, Mass., or Newbury St. in Boston, but, thankfully, many creative, caring restaurant owners like Dave and Alicia Blais are bringing their high quality business to the suburbs. That not only includes food, but a deep connection to community, too. The Blais' have held several fundraisers to benefit those less fortunate. Most recently, Dave and Alicia held a 24-hour fundraiser at A Little Something to benefit Fisher House Boston, starting at midnight and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Sun., February 27. Fisher House Boston, on the grounds of the West Roxbury VA Medical Center, provides a "free home away from home for patients’ family members, many of whom must travel long distances, so they can be close to their loved ones during their hospitalization." Like the changing face of Walpole, A Little Something brings a new dining paradigm to this growing Boston suburb. It was too long ago that Walpole was once considered the beginning of the "boonies" for the southwest Boston suburbs. With places like A Little Something opening and serving the community quite well, the dining landscape is changing with Wonder Bread being replaced by wonder food! Welcome to the new "neighborhood" of local dining. A Little Something Bakery and Cafe 196 Washington St. East Walpole, MA Tel. (508) 668-6165 Hours: Monday Closed Tuesday-Friday 7:00 am-7:00 pm Saturday 7:00 am-5:00 pm Sunday
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