Known for its commitment to craft and quality, its celebration of natural materials and transparency, and its belief that the home and good design can fuel a happier lifestyle, Neptune has channelled its ethos into an environment for healthy, wholesome and honest food. ‘The name came from us wanting to place the word ‘provenance’ front and centre of the café. It’s what has driven all of our menu choices –that and the balance between health and flavour. It is a word that we wanted to coin, because we’re big believers in individualism and creativity,’ said Paul Dugdale, head of Neptune Cafés. All ingredients are sourced from small, local growers such as Bath Farm Girls who are one of the few British quinoa farmers and Oxford’s Modern Baker who create health-centric breads and biscuits. John Sims-Hilditch, co-founder of Neptune explains the rationale behind choosing Neptune Bath as its first café location. ‘We picked Neptune Bath as the home for our debut café for a few reasons. When we opened it last summer, we’d purposefully earmarked a portion of the store as a potential space for The Provenist. Neptune Bath provided a good amount of space – enough to spread out but not without losing the cosiness and intimacy that help you to feel relaxed and at home – and our menu philosophy suited the spirit of Bath’s Walcott area particularly well. The Provenist is about supporting independents, promoting locality and sustaining close relationships with suppliers. It’s centred on food that does good and makes you feel good. And that’s a mindset we felt was very much aligned with Walcot.’ Until now, Neptune was a name synonymous with home design. From kitchens and furniture to lighting and accessories for your home and garden, the Wiltshire headquartered brand designs and makes pieces that will stand the test of time. The Provenist opened its doors on 6th May, serving from breakfast through to early supper. The Provenist, theprovenist.com, One Tram Yard, Walcot Street Bath, BA1 5BD.
