On a rainy Wednesday afternoon in Bruton, I found myself stepping into The Old Pharmacy—a restaurant nestled within a 500-year-old building that once functioned as a genuine pharmacy for two centuries. Though the prescription bottles have been replaced by wine racks, the establishment still promises essential indulgences: exceptional food and atmosphere.
Instead of going for a kitschy, apothecary-themed gimmick with vials and potions, the restaurant exudes an understated charm. Sage-colored walls, freshly baked goods on the counter, and a backdrop of 70s funk music set a relaxed, ‘ramshackle chic’ tone—a style defined by artfully curated imperfection. Scuffed mirrors and wax-dripped brass candlesticks add an unfinished finesse that speaks volumes about its thoughtful interior design.
Seated alone in a room lined with bottles of wine—the modern-day ‘potions’—I studied the chalkboard menu. The unfamiliar ingredients prompted my curiosities: What is landrace sourdough? How do Frigitelli peppers differ from regular ones? Is Jesus salami really that “holier” than the rest? And what exactly is caraflex cabbage? Thanks to a patient waitress, I decoded these culinary curiosities.
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Ultimately, I chose the aubergine parmigiana and rocket sandwich for £7. For those new to the term, aubergine parmigiana is essentially a lasagne made with layers of aubergine in place of pasta. Lasagne inside a sandwich—now that’s originality. Although the option to add Jesus salami for an extra £2 temptingly beckoned, I opted to save that ‘holy’ indulgence for another day.
My sandwich arrived quickly, cradled between slices of rich, brown bread dotted with airy bubbles—a sign of quality my chef father taught me to appreciate. The aubergine was decadently warm and gooey, making it a delight for fans of vegetable lasagne. But if aubergine isn’t your thing, this might not convert you.
Then, as I savored that gourmet bite in a place that resonates history and style, a nagging question surfaced: am I bougie?
It felt absurd. I once swept floors at Greggs, attended a state school, and blasted N-Dubz’s tracks on the bus with friends. Surely, I couldn’t be bougie. Yet there I was, clutching a Polaroid to photograph my artisanal sandwich for Pinterest. The realization hit hard—I might actually be bougie.
With visions of breaking this revelation to my partner back in Bath, I contemplated how intertwined food, identity, and class can be—all stirred up by a simple aubergine sandwich.
The Old Pharmacy, open daily with varying hours for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offers more than just meals—it offers moments to reflect, indulge, and maybe, confront ourselves over what we eat.