An uncomplicated welcome
There is something reassuring about bread arriving at the table. Before the first plate, before the decisions about what to share, there is a familiar gesture: break a piece, pass the butter, begin.
Texture matters
A good crust should offer a little resistance. The inside should be soft enough to catch the butter and sturdy enough for the sauce left behind on a plate. Bread does not need a long explanation, but it deserves the same attention as the rest of dinner.
Keep a little for later
The last piece often has the best job. A spoonful of dressing, a little brown butter, the remains of a shared dish. It is a small way of enjoying everything the kitchen has put on the table. No ceremony required.
