Brake for bread

This bistro-style restaurant and bakery makes a great interstate stop in North Alabama.

Sister Gooch. The name just begs you to check it out. To pique your curiosity, zip off I-565 in Madison (on the outskirts of Huntsville), and pull up to the little restaurant cleverly disguised as a house. It doesn't take long to realize you've found one of the best dining spots in the area.

"Eating here is all about being in a natural homelike environment," says owner and chef Patti Gooch.

Pull Up a Chair

Sister Gooch (named for Patti's four daughters) attracts diners with its bright decor, yet it remains warm, cozy, and casual. Enjoy the rich bakery aromas inside, or dine alfresco and bask in the spring sun on the patio. One of their specialties, the wood-fired oven pizza, offers toppings as expected as sausage and as intriguing as smoked salmon. Try the smoked turkey-gouda sandwich ($5.25) if you need something quick at lunch; order the braised lamb shank ($18.95) if you have time to settle in for an evening meal.

Boule, Boule, Boule

Sister Gooch boasts one of the only artisanal bakeries in the state. All the bread on the shelf is handmade and naturally leavened. "It takes us about 36 hours from start to finish to bake a loaf," says Patti. "So we think each one is special." While she offers about 5 specialty breads every day, she has a total of 18 in her repertoire. Find a variety of croissants as well as boule-shaped and focaccia breads in delicious flavors such as cherry-walnut and sage. You can also cure your sweet tooth at Sister Gooch-a place where you feel right at home.

Sister Gooch: 382 Slaughter Road, Madison, AL 35758; (256) 9715200. Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesday-- Saturday.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Mar 2003
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