Dorset Food Blog

Come home to roost on the Green

2012-01-28T17:15:00.000Z

Coffee and a bagel at the Little Red Roaster on Ashley Cross Green.

All the shopping done and the ingredients for Thai moule a la Raymond Blanc, watch this space ...

A great local establishment as it does everything right.

Welcoming atmosphere, good service, great coffee

and good food.

Extra's are no problem such as soya latte or an extra shot of expresso, although it does add to the price and at £12 for 2 coffees and 2 bacon bagels you wouldn't call it cheap, but probably no more expensive than its chain rivals. Also cheaper if you take away.

A jug of fresh water with lemon is always available so you dont have to go through the laborious tap water scenario.

In-house coffee grinder and
sacks of coffee

The bagels are made on-site and the coffee is ground and I assume roasted on-site as well. Quirky sort-of shabby chic decor and good music in the background (not obtrusive). I find the seating a little uncomfortable, probably not designed for the more substantial male! A mixture of wooden kitchen style chairs, cinema seats and coffee bean bags.

Home-made bacon bagel with
poppy seeds and local bacon

So to sum up great coffee, yummy home-made bagels. Friendly service and a feeling that you are actually welcome.

Highly recommended

Email:

beanpress@gmail.com

Facebook

Website:

http://littleredroaster.com

Office:

01202 240450

Location:

station road, Poole, United Kingdom

Jazzys Sandbanks

2011-12-26T13:17:00.001Z

Great Boxing Day vibe. Good cappuccino and mighty hot chocolates.

Very long queue (it is Boxing Day) , but great table clearing.

The Cow Ashley Cross -Reopened

2011-12-21T17:50:00.001Z

Yes the Dorset Food blog is back!

First stop 'The Cow' in Ashley Cross.

Sipping a crisp pint of Aspall cider.

The whole ground floor has been opened up to provide a great horseshoe bar which lots of seating.

Good lighting and lots of initimate tables.

A well priced food menu with steak for around £11 to be reviewed.

My designated driver says ...

As designated driver I unfortunately can't try all the delights on the drinks menu, but will definitely try the very enticing raspberry royale next time, or at 3.95 each maybe even a couple!

However on popping to the bar next to order one of the softails on the menu was told they didn't have either of them. Disappointing! Hopefully a blip as it is the run up to Christmas but the final verdict remains undecided until I get to try an elderflower fizz.

Perfect spot for a hot chocolate

2010-03-01T19:14:00.001Z

The great thing about living in Dorset is that you can really appreciate the change of seasons. There is nothing better than a crisp winter’s day walk on the beach, which is much less crowded than in the summer.

The lovely thing about a walk on a cold day is wrapping up warm and supping a creamy hot chocolate at Cafe Branksome (part of the Branksome Beach Restaurant), is the ideal spot. The view says it all.

Branksome Beach Restaurant

Branksome Chine, Poole
Dorset BH13 6LP

New - Dorset Food Events 2010

2010-03-01T18:17:00.002Z

I have just added a food and drink events list for Dorset 2010. I intend to update the list regularly from various sites which will hopefully provide a quick and comprehensive reference.

Whenever I am able I will be reporting from the events and I am looking forward to the events in Christchurch in particular as I missed them last year!

Enjoy!

Cafes in Southborne and Hengistbury Head

2010-02-02T18:44:00.001Z

The first thing you notice is Southborne has quite a traditional high street. Less chains and lot more independent shops, it is also a surprisingly long road with all the local shops along this road.

We had arrived fairly late on Sunday afternoon and it was nice to find a a few places open. The Bake House seemed the most welcoming. Comfortable and the papers to read.

We ordered a cappuccino and a latte and two toasties. One ham and cheese and one chicken and bacon.

The cappuccino I am pleased to say was good, mainly because it had a bit of bite to it. By this I mean you could actually taste the coffee. Unlike the foamy chocolate covered coffee flavoured milk that passes for a cappuccino.

Both toasties were good. I wouldn't say exceptional, but very filling and good value.

We were both fairly fully after this and walked it off with a visit to Hengistbury Head which was very impressive. After a restorative walk and watching a brilliant sunset we were both parched. As much of a cliché as it is there is nothing better than a pot of tea when you are a bit chilled and thirsty. There is a cafe on-site (Hiker Cafe)which looks recently modernised. We had a cuppa and some chocolaty snacks. There also seemed to be a variety of food.

They also had the good sense to stay open a bit longer past their closing hour as there was clearly plenty more custom – well done.

Hiker Café, Hengistbury Head, Broadway, Bournemouth, Dorset BH6 4EN

BAKE HOUSE PATISSERIE
8 SOUTHBOURNE GROVE
SOUTHBOURNE
BOURNEMOUTH
DORSET
LOCATION

Winter Warmers

2010-02-02T17:50:00.001Z

With the frosty weather and a depleted post-Christmas bank balance. Staying in for home made hearty food becomes very appealing.

Most of these meals are one pot and very simple. The deliciousness comes from good fresh ingredients and slow cooking. With meat the tastiest joints are often the cheaper ones, which just need a little more TLC to make just a good a dish as something more fancy.

Don't forget to shop at local markets. We go to the market in Wimborne and seem to spend about half of what you would at the supermarket. The veg seem to last longer and you end up with a lot less packaging. Ok they may not have the same range you want, but it is really nice to get back to eating fruit and veg in season.

	First of all pizza is really easy. I use the pizza setting on my bread machine to make the dough, but substitute olive oil where the recipe says butter. The great thing about home-made pizza is you can choose the thickness and the ingredients. You also know exactly what’s going on the pizza. Yes not quite as easy as a frozen one but not a lot more!
	A simple on pot dish. Most importantly buy the best quality chicken you can afford. The seasoning in this dish is minimal (a few cloves of garlic, some rosemary, a few bay leaves and some peppercorns). The rest is down to the quality of the chicken. Bring to a boil and leave to simmer for a couple of hours. This should make a hearty supper and the left-overs an excellent soup. As all these dishes they taste even better heated up the next day. Substitute a beef brisket for the chicken and leave the same seasonings.- yum.
	You cant go wrong with a pasta bake. Make a simple roux. Chuck in the ingredients you want and top with lots of lovely cheese. A good cheddar is perfect, but add a bit of parmesan if you have it.

Food film in Wimborne

2009-12-09T12:38:00.001Z

Not specifically about food in Dorset, but a film about food and I did see it at a traditional venue in Wimborne. This is my first visit to the Tivoli theatre in Wimborne which is an original 1930’s cinema and now doubles as a theatre and a cinema.

It had both an impressive screen and sound. At six pounds the price is also very reasonable.

Having said that this is not a food review, they have a nice little bar which served a decent half of bitter supped before the film. They also have the best selection of film sweets I have seen in a while. Not just giant bags, but all your favourites such as munchies and poppets.

It is really a nice cinema experience. The adverts feel quite retro as they have local ads in addition to the glossy TV style adverts. After the previews the ice cream tray comes up and they serve a local ice cream.

The film we went to see was “Julie and Julia” which is the combination of two stories. The first is Julia Child's story of her start in the cooking profession and is intertwined with blogger Julie Powell's 2002 challenge to cook all the recipes in Child's first book.

I personally found the Julia Child part of the film more interesting and would have been interested to see what came next after her cookbook was published, having been worked on for something around 7 years.

Having said that I think if you are a person who enjoys their food you will probably enjoy the film more, having said that is it funny and quite moving.

It also had a resonance for me as one of Julia Child’s book led me to become interested in cooking from a young age. She mentions in her film a navarin d’agneau (lamb stew) and I thought I’ve cooked that! I found an original video of Julia Child on YouTube so watch below for a bit of cookery nostalgia.

So I would recommend both the film and the Tivoli theatre. It is really important that we continue support these increasingly rare independent and original cinemas. It just feels so much more personal than the multi-screen chains.

19 West Borough
Wimborne, BH21 1LT
01202 849 103

French fancies in Westbourne

2009-11-27T18:19:00.005Z

No not the exceedingly good ones, but great local patisserie.

As you know from previous posts one thing I really miss in this country from holiday’s in France is good freshly made patisserie including decent éclairs, fresh croissants etc. In my experience other than places such as Patisserie Valerie in London, any cafes claiming to be a patisserie are usually just a normal average cafe with bought in croissants, which you can get better at most supermarkets.

I had been meaning to check out Pâtisserie Angélique for some time now. So somewhat unplanned we found ourselves in Westbourne in need of a hot drink and something savoury to eat.

We had Croque Monsieurs and a vegetable quiche, all of which came with a side salad garnish. I am generally anti-garnish unless it enhances what you are eating. The salad came undressed but the accompanying vinaigrette was excellent and made this work.

We all had coffee. I had a Large Cappuccino and my other half ordered a Latte, which she gave a thumbs up. I found my Cappuccino a bit weak, however they do Double Cappuccino which would probably do the trick. The secret to a decent coffee at Starbucks is always to have an extra shot.

We then tried there patisserie and shared an éclair and some filled macaroons. The choux pastry for the éclair was very light and filled with a delicious chocolate cream.

The small macaroons were very sweet, but delicious again with a cream filling. You would need more than one but I think they would be a great sweet hit with an espresso.

Being the afternoon is was a bit late for croissants, however the owner assured me they bake them freshly along with Pain au Chocolat and Croissant aux Amandes etc. I will be returning one morning to give them a try. I think this is the acid test for any establishment in this country that claims to be a patisserie.

79 Poole Rd
Bournemouth, BH4 9BB
01202 765 271

I went in for a kebab and came out with a feast

2009-11-27T10:52:00.002Z

This is my second visit to the Helin Mangal Restaurant, both times for takeaway. The have a licensed restaurant next door which I am looking forward to trying. I am sure the takeaway food and restaurant food will be mostly the same, with some extra items. As you can see from the pictures below their takeaway is restaurant quality.

	There are a number of recommendations for this establishment. Firstly the food which is first class Turkish goodies. The kebabs are cooked on charcoal and are tender and well spiced. I often have requests for vegetarian options and I could easily recommend this place, above the usual chips and pizza options that most veggies have to put up with.
	They make their own breads hear so that along with a selection of their vegetarian options and on one of their salads should suffice. They make the infamous doner, however unlike the item of questionable original at many establishments, this is clearly a traditional kebab with layers of meat on the the central rotating skewer.
In some ways the best thing is that their kebabs are free of coleslaw, What is that about! I may have been unlucky but until moving from London this is something I had never heard of. Its not right and the practice should be outlawed :) A couple of other nice touches were the glass of black tea they gave us while waiting and I asked for rice instead of chips. They had run out so gave me some starters as an alternative. At the moment nothing but praise for this place try it for yourself and let me know how you get on.

I spotted vast trays of baklava in the restaurant which looked freshly baked. They make their own flat breads so I am assuming the same for their deserts. I hope to visit soon and will report back.

Its also free delivery on orders over £10. I honestly don't work for these guys, I just get very enthusiastic when something is good!

Helin Mangal Restaurant
129 Parkstone Road
Poole
BH15 2PB
01202 735911

Top 3 Local Fish and Chips!

2009-11-09T14:21:00.001Z

So what makes a great fish and chips?

Ok so in no particular order – fresh fish, crispy batter, fat home cut chips (crispy on the outside fluffy inside), cooked to order, a few extras such as home made fish cakes and I know they are bad for you but I am partial to a decent battered sausage. The bottom line is fresh preferably local ingredients well prepared. Simply delicious.

A clean shop and friendly service pretty much ties up a recipe for success.

The formula is surprisingly simple and so often wrong simply I think in order to save money short term, but in my opinion lose customers long term.

My other warning sign is a fish and chip shop that is also a kebab shop or even worse sells pizza. Maybe in the perfect scenario all these items would be prepared and cooked to perfection, but I doubt it. The reality will be heavily processed and frozen produce.

These are my top three local fish and chips to date.

Our favourite is TJ’s Fish & Chips Lilliput, Poole. Always busy which is a good sign. Freshly cooked to order. We always order haddock not cod. In my opinion cod is the most overrated fish ever. Haddock has more taste and a meatier texture. The large haddock is often whale sized and the chips are a great texture with a proper home cut appearance. Any chip shop serving frozen chips or even worse french fries is to be avoided.

Number two is not a fish and chip shop at all but a pub Another great pub lunch from The Crown Pub in Poole. The batter is really light and crispy which just makes fish and chips, to say nothing of the huge piece of fish. Not forgetting home made proper chips. I enquired and the beer batter is from Ringwood bitter. Delicious!

The new number three is a chippy in Westbourne. There have been a number of recommendations for this shop, but a longer journey. TJ’s was closed so we went to Chez Fred, which is a former "Best Fish and Chip Shop in the South West / Southern England", so my expectations were high. I was not disappointed. An excellent batter, great home made fish cake and a sausage in batter that was definitely identifiable as a sausage.

It is really important that we continue to support our local chippy. They are a great British institution and when done right are an excellent take away treat. The frozen supermarket equivalents can be ok, but there is no substitute for freshly fried fish.

Also for an island nation as much as we talk about it it we tend to be fish adverse. It is shocking how much great seafood goes to the continent. I am yet to meet an angler who actually likes eating fish. Fish is a great food source and for many people I think they would never eat fresh fish except for the chippy.

Like the a good local pub a great chippy is the centre of the community and we should pay that little extra to patronise these great institutions. If we don't your fish and chips will only be available from aisle three in the freezer section.

TJ’s - 254 Sandbanks Road Lilliput Dorset BH14 8HA Tel: 01202 707691

The Crown Pub - 23, Market St, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1NB Tel: 08721 077 077

Chez Fred - 10 Seamoor Rd Bournemouth, BH4 9AN Tel: 01202 761 023

Eat Dorset Food Fair – Just as good as France

2009-11-02T12:50:00.000Z

A little delay in getting this out. There have been a lot of food events in Dorset recently!

Held in the grounds of Parnham House near Beaminster, we enjoyed a great day at the Eat Dorset Food Fair.

I was only able to go on the Saturday, but I am sure Sunday was just as good with a few changes to the Cookery Theatre line-up.

Yes just as good as suppliers and markets in France. A couple of months back we had a wonderful holiday in Provence and enjoyed the markets, boulangeirie, patisserie, chacturie etc etc.

Getting back to the UK and in my case Dorset it is easy to think we just don't have the quality and variety of food here. But this simply is not true and furthermore I think we have more variety and diversity than in France which is reflective of this country’s maintenance of its traditional foods, while encouraging and incorporating influences from all over the world. Although this is changing in France there is often an sameness about French food in spite of regional differences.

Just to balance things a little, the food in France is fantastic and the fact that you can go to most markets in most towns and find produce that we only seem to have in specialist markets is a testament to that country’s appreciation of food. It is still very hard to get a decent baguette or a croissant on the English high street and decent peaches, nectarines and melons are also a specialist item here.

As much as I like food fairs you sometimes start to feel it is the same collection of stall holders you saw a few weeks ago and although that is no reflection on the quality of food they supply it can all start to seem a bit similar. Well I can report that I was very pleasantly surprised by the variety of food and events available on the day. As expected fantastic suppliers, with lots of lovely samples, a great cafe and demonstrations in the Cookery Theatre. On entering the main tent you were greeted with this fantastic display of organic veg, with the other stalls flowing left, right and down the middle. The list of suppliers at the event can be found on the Eat Dorset website. A particular highlight for me was meeting Matt Follas (Masterchef Winner 2008) and now running the Wild Garlic restaurant in Beaminster. He is very easy going and happy to chat about any aspects of cooking and his own experiences in Masterchef and now his new restaurant. He gave a demo of cooking a sole served with a beurre noisette. His presentation style was funny and relaxed, but there were some great tips about cooking fish and creating a good sauce. There was an opportunity to taste the fish at the end and to ask further questions. Sounds like the Wild Garlic has been very successful and I hope to have a chance to experience it my self.

A second and unexpected surprise were the best oysters I’ve eaten in a long time – maybe ever! They were massive and served with either Tabasco or a vinegar dressing. Like all great oysters they were plump and creamy with the wonderful freshness of the sea. At 5 for £6 an absolute bargain and expertly shucked by chef Matthew Cook who runs a company called Fishface catering company.	Other notables included the Chococo stand, with some excellent freebies. Even better after their demo were small slabs of chocolate encrusted with nuts and raisins, very yummy. I can highly recommend their dark Venezuelan chocolate buttons. Meaty goodies included some fantastic buffalo and cranberry sausages. We immediately bought a pack after sampling. These are produced by the West Country Water Buffalo. There was also a deal on buying several packs of Denhay bacon, which is widely available from most supermarkets. Lots of supermarkets claim to have an authentic dry cured bacon, but in my opinion Denhay is better. They were also launching their Spoilt Pig range and having tried there smoked back bacon we bought some. I normally find smoked bacon a bit overpowering but the smoke in this case was quite subtle and delicious. It is also an RSPCA Freedom Food, which can only be a good thing. We also received a free canvas bag in the process modelled below. Is it just me or is anyone else starting to build up as many canvas bags as we had plastic. I suppose they are biodegradable so that’s ok?

There really was a great variety and lots of demos and samples throughout the day. Clipper had a history of tea and served free cuppas with delicious cakes (above). The tea was very welcome as the various free pie, cheese and other samples had left me a little thirsty to say nothing of the cider that had been quaffed through the day.	There were talks on chillies and a cafe serving a variety of tasty food. We had a wild boar kebab. As you can see from the photos there was a huge variety more than can be mentioned here. A really well organised day. It cost £5 to get in but there was parking and access to the really lovely grounds in Parnham House. I believe some of the funds went to charity. I will be there next year a really excellent day.

Lunch at John Lewis in Poole

2009-10-30T19:13:00.012Z

I was pleased to hear the first “John Lewis at Home” had opened in Poole. The thing I like most about John Lewis is they are consistent and reliable. Good quality products, good design and very good customer service. Ok, that should be enough for my free vouchers ;)

Anyway this is a food blog so back to the cafe in the new store. I has hoping to have a good sandwich, coffee and if I was feeling greedy (which I usually am) a decent a slice of cake.

I wasn't disappointed and had a Waitrose standard tuna and sweet corn sandwich. To drink, a cappuccino with a genuine bite to the coffee (not milky coffee slops that passes at so many eateries).

Finally I wanted a glass of tap water with my meal and knowing John Lewis I didn't think that would be an issue. Being John Lewis they had thought ahead and had chilled and probably filtered water and really nicely designed glasses to drink from.

Lastly they are selling Honeybuns products, which I have mentioned in previous blogs and which have featured at the recent food fairs in Dorset. I was tempted because they are so good to eat irrespective of being gluten free, however the lady ahead of me went for a freshly sliced piece of coffee and walnut cake. Yes I couldn't resist and it was delicious well done John Lewis, a genuinely great British institution.

John Lewis at home
Poole Retail Park
Poole
Dorset
BH12 1DN

2 Great Dorset Food events this weekend!

2009-10-23T02:37:00.000+01:00

Wimborne Food Festival - Saturday 24th October & Sunday 25th October 2009

The Festival shows that people really do care about food, where it comes from and what they and their families consume. Throughout the Festival exhibitors and demonstrators will be showcasing regional food and drink, with an emphasis on locally sourced sustainable produce.

Bite the Lighthouse - Sunday 25th October 2009

I am planning to be at Bite the Lighthouse, which will take place at the Lighthouse Arts Centre in Poole from around 11am this Sunday.

I am sure if I will make it to the Wimborne festival, however I am very tempted because chef Matthew Cook whom I chatted with at the Eat Dorset Food Festival last weekend, had the freshest most delicious oysters I have had in a long time. He told me he will be at this event and promises a great array of sauces to go with your oysters. So if I don't make it do try one for me!

Nigella cooks with Dorset Pastry

2009-10-16T11:19:00.005+01:00

Came across this clip on YouTube which is Nigella cooking a chicken pie followed by a BBC South report on Dorset Pastry Ltd. The lady who started the company is an ex South African and seems like quite a character from this clip.

I am going to try out some of their products and will blog the results. I am not a particuarly confident pastry maker and as Nigella says in this clip. Pastry chefs train for years.

The pie looks yum as well so try it will get back to you on the results.

Great Dorset products which are wheat or gluten free

2009-10-16T09:30:00.002+01:00

Sometimes I go wheat free. I am not sure how much good it actually does but it is nice to eat a variety of grains.

For those going gluten-free it can be very difficult. Often the alternatives offered are highly processed and akin to sugar flavoured cardboard.

Therefore I would like to sing the praises of the Dorset producer Honeybuns who are located in Sherborne. They produce a delicious range of cakes and slices, which is all you really need to know. But the most important thing is they taste really good and you don't feel like you are being given a second-rate substitute while the wheat and gluten tolerant get the real thing.

I have tried their brownies and Almond Moon slices, both of which are made with gluten free polenta and happily recommend both of them…yum.

Honeybuns had a stand at the Sturminster Newton cheese festival and we purchased a tin which you could fill with a variety of your choice. Excellent present for those avoiding wheat which this was.

You would simply eat them anyway and if you didn't know they were made for particular dietary requirements on being informed you would say "fair enough" and simply carry on munching.

My second recommendation are Dorset Cereals. They are very successful and seem to be in most of the major supermarkets. In this case I am recommending their toasted spelt, barley and oats flakes. Although not strictly wheat or gluten free, spelt as an older form of wheat is said to be more tolerable for some. Personally as per the Honeybuns products I just think it tastes good.

Unless I had no choice from a dietary viewpoint I would rather avoid substitute products unless they taste good in their own right, as both of these Dorset providers have proved.

Eat Dorset Food Fair 17/18 Oct

2009-10-13T13:36:00.025+01:00

Lots happening this weekend at the Eat Dorset food fair 17/18 Oct. Please a schedule of events click here.

If you can’t make it I hope to have a report on my blog shortly after the event.

I would also recommend the book "Eat Dorset", which I read while still living in London and really encouraged me to make the move and enjoy the great food and scenery in this part of the world.

Don't forget Dorset Food Week 2009

2009-10-09T14:22:00.005+01:00

This is running from Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2009. Events will be happening throughout Dorset.

I am looking forward to the Screen Bites event at the Lighthouse Arts Centre in Poole, which is local to me.

Click here for what is happening locally to you.

Rose Prince, Mark Hix, Lesley Waters, Gary Rhodes, Phillipa Davis, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Mat Follas have been invited. I am looking forward to it and hope to bring you a report from the event.

Have just found this link to the Lighthouse event and it looks like there have been a few changes to the chefs attending so have a look a this site for more details.

Floyd

2009-09-29T10:40:00.007+01:00

I hadn't really thought to write anything about Keith Floyd, but his passing has been in my thoughts. He was from the South West and spent time in the places in Provence where I had recently returned from holiday.

It turns out his restaurant was in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue which we visited a few times on our holiday. A charming town with water running through it and a wonderful moss encrusted water wheel at one end.

It has a fantastic market and I can easily see what an inspiring place Keith Floyd must have found it. There are wonderful Provence colours in the clay pots and linen, but most of all in the food that fills the market with vibrant hues. Fruit that is genuinely ripe, fresh crusty breads, plump saussicion, aromatic cheeses and glistening olives

I had watched Keith Allen's interview with him which aired shortly before his death and although it was great to see him on TV again, he had lost his sparkle. Having said that there were still moments where he was as unpredictable and vivacious as ever. Still it was clear he was struggling with his health and his personal life was difficult for him.

What made me want to write about him was the tribute on the BBC. It all came back to me and took me back to an innocent time when I first learned a love of cooking and food, but it clearly wasn't trendy.

I used to make fry-ups in the morning when I went to stay with my Dad and discovered his old Elizabeth David book from which I made a roast marinated leg of lamb which I make to this day.

The coolest thing about Floyd when I was younger was that he used the Stranglers music for his titles and incidental music. I still love the Stranglers, but back then they were in their heyday and I clearly remember thinking anyone who uses the Stranglers in his program gets my vote and the fact it was a cookery programme was even cooler.

It was clear from the celebrity cooks and chefs interviewed he was genuinely held in high esteem as much for his personality as his cooking and it was clearly acknowledged that he broke the mould and moved us on from stuffy cookery programmes. In particular I have never seen Marco Pierre White show such reverence and it was clear there was a bond between him and Rick Stein.

I had probably forgotten that Rick Stein's first appearance was on Floyd. Rick Stein with hair! We all had more hair back then :)

I think out of all the celebrity chefs Keith Floyd's spirit most lives on in Rick Stein. They both share that genuine adventure and childlike wonder in discovering new food. They also both have the same exuberance with a slight touch of arrogance and also a tinge of melancholy. I mean this as compliment as I think it is the combination of these characteristics that made Floyd so watchable and continues to make Rick Stein the same.

Ultimately his programmes speak for themselves and are as watchable now as then, which would be hard to say about most other cookery programmes. So that is really his greatest tribute. He was a true original and made the world a better and more enriching place. I have included a few Youtube clips as reminders.

I think I will be one of many having a few slurps for the great man.

Return to the courtyard tea rooms

2009-09-25T05:05:00.001+01:00

The Courtyard Tea Rooms are a lovely spot. A little oasis of tranquillity just off the old High Street in Poole. Tracy the owner is always very welcoming. On this visit she was telling me she was about to head off to the UK’s only tea plantation in Cornwall. Micro climate or global warming! I’m not sure but shortly after there was something about it on telly.
Anyway back to the tea room. We had some really nice food for lunch. I had a Salade Savoyarde, which is a dressed, mixed green salad, with lardons, walnuts and grated Emmental cheese. My better half had egg Egg Mayonnaise which the according to the menu was a locally sourced egg and was served on a bed of seasonal green salad, with crusty bread.
The food was great but the real revelation was the Apple & Rhubarb Juice. Which was both sweet and savoury at the same time. I genuinely felt it subtleties were akin to a good wine and I am not surprised it was a Gold Winner of the Great Taste Awards 2007. This juice along with others is made by Chegworth Valley Juices. Ok its not in Dorset but I used to live in Kent and now live in Dorset so that is close enough :)
Map to the to the tea rooms. Watch out for the blue door almost at the end of the old high street. Its easy to miss!

Home Cooking

2009-09-21T17:27:00.006+01:00

I have been enjoying my self recently and cooked some tasty meals. In particular my first batch of mussels for a while. Stuck to the classics with Moules Mariniere and frites. Used Rick Steins recipe in the BBC website.

I bought the mussels locally at Frank Greenslade Ltd, which luckily for me is just round the corner. I got slighty carried away with amounts and ended up buying a ten pound bag! "No chance" I was told of finishing them all amongst the four of us.

There is a small tupperware container in the freezer of the remaining few and I mean few! Fresh juicy mussels which melted in the mouth. Served up with some frites and some mayo to dip. Very hard to resist.

Local Goodies

2009-09-13T19:19:00.029+01:00

You dont have to shop at supermarkets. These four beauties were bought at the fruit and veg stall in Poole high street. Four for a pound! Shop local to buy fresh and save money!

Another great pub lunch from The Crown Pub in Poole. The batter is really light and crispy which just makes fish and chips, to say nothing of the huge piece of fish. Not forgetting home made proper chips. I enquired and the beer batter is from Ringwood bitter. Delicious!

My only criticism is nothing to do the with pub, but the fish was cod, which I just think is an overrated fish. Given the choice I would rather have haddock which for me has so much more flavour. I will ask them if they have haddock next time.

Last but not least I had been meaning try Diva, a new Italian ice cream parlour (just off the Poole quayside) for ages and it was well worth it. Very yummy and the The ice cream is made by the Giggi Gelateria in Bournemouth. This is an article from the Poole Echo. They also have a range of pasta at reasonable prices, so I will let you know.

Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival

2009-09-13T19:19:00.027+01:00

Our first visit to this event.

Lots of great cheese to try. Not to mention excellent cider, apple brandy, pies, cakes etc.

You could probably spend the day nibbling from stall to stall getting slightly drunk :)

Having said that we ended up spending a small fortune on cheese.

My two favourites were Westcombe Cheddar (below left), which was probably the scummiest cheddar I have ever eaten. The other was the cheese shown right, which is equivalent to a mature gouda and just as delicious. Sorry I have forgotten the name, but they have it on the cheese counter at Waitrose.

The festival was a great reminder of the excellent produce in this country. You can find as wide a range of delicious cheeses here in the UK, as you can if France or Italy. Cheddar is one of the world’s great cheeses and it is only the sad plastic mild varieties that give it a bad name. Although the same could be said for the generic version of any other great cheese. Normal plastic gouda v mature gouda.

Ok you have to pay a bit more for this kind of cheese, but you savour it with a good local cider or beer and some local bread.

For a full list of this year’s exhibitors please click here and don't forget next years event the 11th Cheese Festival which will take place on 11th & 12th September 2010.

French Holiday - Eating, a tough job but someone has to do it

2009-08-30T15:47:00.015+01:00

I had to eat this.....		Washed down with this....
Followed by this....		Which left me with this......
Although I didn't try this, next time!

French Holiday - Markets

2009-08-26T14:34:00.045+01:00

I could say loads about French Markets, but I think the pictures tell you all you need to know........

French Holiday - Foodie Heaven

2009-08-25T11:44:00.028+01:00

We're on holiday! A really easy journey from Bournemouth airport. An hour and forty minutes later we landed, flying Ryanair to Marseille. When Ryanair flights arrive on time they play a trumpet sound, I kid you not! From Marseille a 40 minute drive to where we were staying near Avignon. We arrived for a late supper and 2 weeks of feasting have begun! It is the simple foods in France that for me are the most special. Although I like fancy food on occasion, you can eat very well or better now in the UK if that is your thing.
So we had a delicious dinner of vegetable soup, fresh baguette (hooray), some delicious Gorgonzola and Beaufort which was a little like gruyere. Some fantastic rose which is renowned in this region and rounded off with an actual ripe peach! The reason I make such a big deal about a ripe peach is they seem to be harder to find in the UK than hidden Aztec treasure. You either get something that claims to "ripen in the bowl", which never seems to improve the taste and simply gets softer rather than anymore flavoursome.
Day One - Trip to the butcher. Locals come from miles around and calmly queue for this butcher. The shop was spotless and someone other than the butcher took your money. I am sure there are not any health issues if they don't but it is quite nice for the person who handles you cash not to also be handling your meat. Anyway everything looked great and I am looking forward to the pork chops for this evening's BBQ. Lunch was more suffering involving a perfectly ripe camembert, fresh figs, watermelon, perfectly ripe peaches, pate forestiere - you get the picture. We bravely sat through it all. Well someone has got to do it. Having said all that you really don’t have to go far in France to find great produce and for the most part it is very good. I also think the way food is presented here is so appetising. To find the layout and quality of your local boulangerie or butcher you would probably have to visit a Harrods or Selfridges food hall in the UK, whereas here this is standard fair through the country. Don't get me wrong there is wonderful produce in the UK and particularly in Dorset, but you have to go and find it. I also think that the UK is open to and embraces food from all over the world, where as the French and even more so the Italians stick to their own cuisine and in many cases only their own region.

Home Grown

2009-08-25T11:44:00.024+01:00

You don't need a big patch of land to grow food. Everything in this salad (mixed leaves, rocket and tomatoes) were all grown on our terrace.

Served with a scrumptious potato, onion and pea tortilla makes for a yummy supper!

This site is excellent!

2009-08-21T18:41:00.007+01:00

I am referring to localfoodadvisor.com which I came across from viewing Mat Follas' (UK Masterchef Champion 2009) blog, which I would also recommend.

This site lists the top 4000 award winning suppliers in the UK and Ireland. You can search by various categories.

I set the search to "Poole" and was pleasantly surprised to find several suppliers I was already aware of plus a few new ones I am looking forward to try. The search on "Dorset" and beyond will keep me going for ages. Try it for yourself here.

The site is really well put together with the information you Just skimming through I spotted a link to a restaurant/pub quite close by "The Coventry Arms - CHOP AND ALE HOUSE" in Corfe Mullen. Here is a link to the menu. I am a getting hungry.

Also a new deli to check out.

Just seen they also have a very reasonably priced fixed menu, getting hungrier. Time to go and cook dinner - yum.

Christchurch Food and Wine Festival 2009

2009-08-20T17:43:00.006+01:00

Well I missed the festival this year, but looking at it I am determined to go next year. Lots of celebrity chefs and a great variety of food stores. Shows you don't need to be in London to experience great food and drink!

The festival website was great and had an excellent page on restaurants in Christchurch. Gary Rhodes has two and there are lots of others I am looking forward to trying. Watch this space for reviews.

See you at the festival next year!

You know its fresh when slugs and snails attack!

2009-08-19T16:58:00.010+01:00

Had one of my favourite meals last night. A medium rare steak, sweet potato oven cooked chips and a fresh mixed salad. I knew it was fresh as I found a slug in the leaves I had picked off my terrace. It is incredibly easy to grow herbs and mixed leaves and I have a fairly small terrace but lots of sun. So just add water. I was going to add the first of my tomato crop as I had spotted a juicy red tomato of the "tiger" variety.

Howevever a fat snail had munched its way through it before I got there.

Although I was slightly disappointed, the leaves got a good wash and the freshness of just picked leaves and rocket with a simple french dressing cannot be beaten.

The sweet potato oven cooked chips are really simple and really delicious. Peel and chop the sweet potatoes into chunk wedges. Add sea salt, a grind of black pepper, a sprinkle of cumin, a few chili flakes and a some decent olive oil. Shake all items around in a baking dish and cook for around 20/25 minutes on a medium heat (200c) until soft which a slight bit of caramelising. You cannot go wrong and delicious with steak.

To cook the steak I used Marco Pierre White's "trick" of rubbing the steak with a mixture of olive oil and a beef stock cube. No salt as the cube has salt and then a sprinkling of pepper. The cube helps a bit of a crust. Cook to taste and see what you think.

Click here for this and other Marco Pierre White tips.

"What to eat Now"

2009-08-18T16:57:00.011+01:00

Valentine Warner gets a write-up on this blog as a Dorset born chef. Even though he is now based in London his love of seasonal and local ingredients was clearly formed from his upbringing on the family farm in Dorset.

I cannot help but be impressed by anyone who can make their catchphrase "yum!". You always want to try the food there and then.

What I like best about his programme "What to eat now" is his infectious enthusiasm. He scoffs food in with a relish one would associate with Billy Bunter (if you can remember that far back!). You can imagine him in his youth scrumping fruit from trees and being chased off by the local farmer. At his heart he is still a mischievous schoolboy and that is his charm.

All this is backed-up by a passion and clear skill for local, British and world cuisines. You feel he has a confidence in mixing and matching his ingredients and I cant help being caught up in his sense of excitement and even "danger" in combining ingredients you may not have thought of previously.

He is being touted as a new Jamie Oliver and I can see why, as Jamie way back when as the "Naked Chef", brought a new enthusiasm to eating that had been somewhat lacking in food programmes up to that point.

Jamie is now fairly mainstream and depending on how successful he gets I am sure Valentine will go that way too, so I am enjoying his enthusiasm while it lasts.

You can catch-up with some clips from his latest series on the BBC website where you can also read his bio or buy his books on Amazon.

Food and Drink Events in Dorset

2009-08-13T12:22:00.003+01:00

I am going to keep this post updated as I discover more events, so please bookmark this page and keep referring back. They are also listed in date order.

Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival
Sept. 12th & 13th 2009
10am - 5pm
Adults £3.00
Under 14's Free

Feast of Dorset food and drink festival
19th & 20th September 2009

Swanage Blues Festivals
2, 3, 4 OCTOBER 2009 FESTIVAL
I can give this one a personal recommendation. Admittedly its not really a food and drink festival, but Swanage has some great pubs serving good ale and cider. We went to the one earlier this year and it is a really enjoyable time.

Wimborne Food Festival
Saturday 24th October & Sunday 25th October 2009

Dorset Food Week 2009
Saturday 24th October to Sunday 1st November 2009.

BBQ Time!

2009-08-12T16:23:00.022+01:00

Its that time of the year and with current "unreliable" weather forecasts, I treat everyday that's sunny as a BBQ day. Since I bought my Weber BBQ I have really got into the joys of outdoor cooking at the Weber allows you to both roast and grill.
I would also recommend the Weber® Chimney Starter which speeds up making coals and uses one tiny firelighter. It goes without saying that charcoal is best, gas just doesn't give you the same flavour.

Anyway forget the usual sausages and burgers and be creative with your BBQ. I went for a Greek theme with lamb chops, slices of aubergine spiced with cumin, chilli flakes and coriander.

Not forgetting halloumi grilled till they are slightly crispy on the outside and yummy and chewy in the middle.

The great thing about barbecuing is you can create great flavour by adding herbs directly on to the coals. I put fresh mint and rosemary, but try anything you want the smell while it is cooking is worth the experience alone.

This was served with a rice salad with tomatoes and red onion, with a simple lemon juice and olive oil dressing. Chuck in some fresh basil and mint and you have a delicious but easy salad.

Best Tea and Dorset Apple Cake

2009-08-06T17:39:00.036+01:00

There are a lot of nice things to say about this establishment.

Firstly the location, tucked away behind a small door in Poole's old High Street. Its a secret that you know and others don't.

Its such an nice place to come into. Your walk through what is essentially a front door, through a narrow hallway and then into a really lovely little courtyard with various rooms to sit in off the courtyard.

One thing I really love about this place is they serve tea in a tea pot. What's more

leaf tea with a little leaf catcher in the top.

Some of the other teas are bagged, but even bags in a pot taste better. They have a great variety of teas here and a really quirky selection of pots. I will always go to a place with a bit of individuality, as the whole world is just too homogenised. Save us from the uniform High Street UK that we are now blighted with.

So what can you eat? Well definitely Dorset Apple cake.

When you start talking about Dorset Apple cake as the best, you are bound to rouse some controversy. All I can say is it is the best I have tasted. "Served warm with cream", as Tracey the owner tells me it is the only way to eat Dorset Apple cake. Substantial and yummy but light. Other apple cakes have reminded me of a slice of bread pudding, with a hint of apple.

Munching a Larmer Tree

2009-07-31T16:34:00.013+01:00

Yummy food to be had at the Larmer Tree Festival 2009. Possibly the most middle-class festival in the world! Are you ready to rock? Yes if we have our Pimms, which they were serving on draft!

Although I mock slightly it is a really lovely festival and somewhere the whole family can feel relaxed and enjoy themselves. Also to be honest I was very happy to go to a festival where there was a short journey to get there and I could get home for a hot shower not too late at night. Who says I'm getting old!

Anyway I got to drink cold draught Stowford Press Cider so I was more than happy.

It was pouring down most of the day so I didn't get to try as many goodies as I would like. The general standard seemed high and I ended up having a chicken pie with a lovely hint of tarragon, which was served with mash and gravy. Hardly summer food but while sniffling in the rain it couldn't have been better. My other half had a goan fish curry which she was very impressed by.

There were some really lovely touches in the themed eating areas for example Moroccan or the coffee tent which was very chilled.

Very chilled could really sum up the whole festival and although we only went for the day and in spite of the rain I got to see one of my favourites "The Penguin Cafe Orchestra"

Details of this years festival and links for next year can be found here.

The Crown - Poole Old Town

2009-06-12T14:04:00.009+01:00

This establishment can be summed up very easily. A proper pub with proper food and good service. Not necessarily the warmest of welcomes, but very polite and the thing is that doesn't matter because it just feels like a well run pub and you know exactly what to expect.

We always sit in a booth. The pub feels like something from 20 odd years ago which I personally see as very positive and the music is 50's and 60's hits which just adds to the atmosphere.

A reasonable choices of draught beer, although a bit restricted on the cider to Strongbow on draft. However everything is very well kept.

So what to eat here. Well in our experience definitely the Sunday lunch. Huge helpings of meat, fresh veg and a cauliflower cheese on the side. Obviously gravy and all condiments, i.e. mustard, mint sauce, horseradish all come as a matter of course depending on what meat your order. Thankfully nothing in a sachet.

If you want another pint the bring it to your table. If you are feeling foolish after Sunday lunch or the booze has lulled you into a false sense of security then have a pud. Puds are not as strong as the mains but functional. A roast and a pudding for just under £10.

You roll out having had exactly what you wanted and vow next time not to have the treacle tart but you know greed will get the best of you.

Other recommendations are from their weekly lunch menu. Their beef pie was excellent, lots of meat and well made pastry and a really good fish and chips. The fish in particular had a crisp batter and flesh was moist and tasty. A lot of pubs in Poole claim they do a great fish and chip and this one really does.

We did go in the evening and I had a T-bone steak. Again no complaints on the portion and it was well-cooked, but the price meant you have more evening options elsewhere in Poole.

Highly recommended.

Goldhill Organic Farm Shop

2009-03-06T13:18:00.001Z

A retrospective posting for this one. We haven't been here for a while, but have always enjoyed our visits. Although we always manage to time it when the The Farmyard Picnic Cafe is closed.

Update on the The Farmyard Picnic Cafe which we finally managed to visit when it was open. It was really worth it. Lovely service. Coffee served in cafetieres.

We had a couple of cakes. One was a delicious lemon polenta (great for the gluten free) and an exceedingly chocolatey cakes. We didn't try the savouries but will next time.

A very pleasant and worthwhile visit and we also pick up our favourite flat mushrooms from the shop which are scrumptious on toast cooked with butter, pepper and garlic - yum.

Goldhill Organic Farm
Child Okeford
Near Blandford Forum
Dorset, DT11 8HD
Telephone: 01258 861413

A great sausage roll and a lot more

2009-03-05T23:45:00.002Z

Goldy's Farm Shop is an award winning bakery, butchery and grocer located just off the A35 Poole/Dorchester road.

I haven't bought too much from here. Mainly we pop in on impulse because they do a great sausage roll. Although once there we always end up buying something else.

So what makes a great sausage roll. Well it has a nice flaky pastry and the filling actually resembles so actual meat. In this case it is really meaty and solid with a lovely fresh sage taste.

They also sell very good organic meat and we had a lovely pork loin joint for Sunday lunch.

In some ways it reminds of an upmarket health food shop in London like Fresh and Wild, with the usual selection of muesli and Italian items.

Finally they have an excellent frozen section of their foods. So we did buy a lot of frozen sausage rolls and they are just as good. However I am sure we will be back.

So there are a lot of things we can probably get cheaper at a big supermarket, but the point is it is worth paying a bit more to keep these enterprises going. If you want to end up with the whole country turned into a giant supermarket, interspersed with nameless housing estates then shop you know where.

I am not anti-supermarkets and it is great to be able to buy everything you need in one, place when you are short of time. I just worry that if we don't support local businesses we end up with generic products wherever you live in the country. Ultimately this is about community and if you want to live in areas that are distinct and unique from one another then this small amount of support is really important.

Goldy's Farm Shop
Bere Farm
Lytchett Matravers
BH16 6ER

Telephone: 01202 625777
Fax: 01202 625899

Email: info@goldysfarmshop.com

Non supermarket shopping

2009-03-05T10:33:00.005Z

One of the reasons for the move to Dorset was some misguided Fearnley-Whittingstallesque vision of an idyllic countryside life. Fruit falling free from every tree, fish literally jumping out of the river and organic free range pigs throwing themselves into the nearest frying pan.

Well surprisingly to an extent it is all true. Like anything you pay for what you get and in some cases its probably the same ingredients you can get in London at the same prices.

My vision of local folk shopping at the butcher, baker and greengrocer is again partly true.

Like anywhere in the UK, Dorset is high street Britain. With usual collection of Tesco's, Sainsbury, Waitrose etc.

Having said all that there are butchers, bakers, greengrocers and fishmongers. That is actual high streets with actual shops! More important they are not there simply for the middle classes, but do vary in price and quality.

So where do we shop?

Well the simple list is as follows:

Fruit and Veg - Wimborne Market
Meat - Pamphill Dairy
Fish - Frank Greenslade Ltd
Bread - Long Crichel Bakery

Other stuff, like everyone else at the supermarket.

Is it cheaper to shop with local suppliers. The answer is a resounding yes.

This is because you are making specific choices about what you want to buy and unlike the supermarket you are not constantly tempted by so-called offers. So you don't end up with 4 packets of biscuits when you only wanted the one! You do have to take into account the petrol and the inconvenience.

Having said that the shopping experience itself is much more pleasurable. When you go to a supermarket you are not really dealing with a specialist, although I suppose the specialist counters in these shops count?

So when you go to a decent butcher you get a personal service. They know the cuts of their meat.

The other benefit is a lot less packaging, which has some benefit for the environment and I am starting to think that the wrapping of everything in plastic or cling-film does have an impact on the flavour and quality of what you buy.

I have also noticed especially with the veg that everything lasts longer and stays fresher. There is a genuine pleasure in having potatoes covered in dirt and I am coming to the conclusion that maybe the dirt on veg keeps them a bit fresher?

The other thing I've noticed with the veg is that it tastes good. I used to think you had to go to France to get decent tasting veg. But it is much more about allowing products to ripen naturally and to also try and buy in season.

The stall we go to in Wimborne market (I'll try and remember to get the name), isn't organic. It is local and claims to grow naturally. I also like the fact that although there are some staples, whats on offer varies from week to week. So you end of looking forward to the surprise each week and planning meals around what is available.

Its got to the point now, that although we hadn't been to the market and were in yet another mega-Tesco's I wanted to wait until we were back at Wimborne to stock up on fruit and veg. The Tesco in question is actually pretty good, but you do get used to veg tasting good. Who cares what is looks like. I think we are all getting sick of the con of uniform fruit and veg. I know this is a EU directive, but the French get to eat decent tasting food so why don't we?

A surprisingly nice scone

2009-03-04T16:27:00.002Z

A lazy Sunday, so time for a walk in the countryside and a trip to Moors Valley was arranged.

Actually I'm quite a keen photographer so the real reason was to catch the end of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. Some truly wonderful and startling photos.

We then in spite of my best efforts needed to go for a walk. Still I managed to take some nice shots.

Still after that energy sapping walk (at least 25 minutes including bench time) a hearty tea was required.

We retired to the restaurant and queued up for the cream tea. I was prepared for something OK and hoped that my munching would drown out the sound of screaming kids (fair enough it was Sunday afternoon). What arrived however was an enormous, but very light and tasty scone and more importantly enough clotted cream and jam to enjoy it. Washed down with several cups of tea.

Can't comment on the other items, but the cakes and what I could see on the other tables looked good.

Planing to come back for a cycle ride or the challenging 45 min walk! So we shall see.

Moors Valley Country Park and Forest

Horton Road
Ashley Heath Nr Ringwood
Dorset
BH24 2ET

Hardys Restaurant - Old Poole High Street

2009-03-04T15:08:00.002Z

We've been going here for a few years now. Since before we moved to Poole.

On our first visit it was pouring with rain when we left and the owners gave us a large golfing umbrella to get us back to our hotel. The said we were welcome to it, so long as we didn't return it!

In fact the quality of the food and the friendliness of the service in this restaurant was certainly one factor in our decision to move to the coast from London.

The area is renowned for its fresh fish so finding a good seafood restaurant in the area was a must. Having said that they also do a very good steak!

The restaurant is located on the old High Street close to the quayside and must have originally been a shop or terraced house. It is quite small inside but not cramped. You do however feel you are eating in some one's front room, which I really like. The look of the restaurant has an old world french theme in its pictures and decor.

Service is always very charming and attentive. Fresh rolls and olives are provided while you wait for your first courses.

On the last visit I started with a local fresh crab salad, which was both light and fresh, with a very clean flavour. To follow a huge and meaty skate wing in a classic caper and brown butter sauce. The veg as always were fresh and well cooked, but maybe not the most exciting selection. The skate wing however was delicious and the others looked on enviously as this was by far the biggest portion of fish.

To finish two of us had a yummy hazelnut meringue with fresh cream and raspberries. The restaurant is a family business and the daughter does the main cooking while Mum makes proper puds.

Our friend had a great Irish coffee and the bill as always including a bottle of wine and a few beers came to about £45 a head including a tip. As always we rolled out vowing to only have a couple of courses on our next visit, but you and I know that not going to happen.

Hardy's Restaurant
14 High Street Poole

Wimborne Market

2009-01-07T14:54:00.001Z

Great cheap fruit and veg, plus lots of other bits.

The Cock and Bottle (near Poole)

2008-08-21T16:45:00.004+01:00

A traditional pub with a very interesting menu, combining pub favourites with some interesting twists.

It was nice and busy for a Monday evening. Always a good sign.

Started with a very nice pint of Tanglefoot, smooth and easy to drink.

Had a simple goats cheese starter with balsamic, with a bit of salad on the side and a sprinkle of walnuts (which I think really makes the salad). The cheese was nicely warmed but not overdone.

Then the main course, which I had had with a glass of the house rose which was fine and the other half had a glass of red (pinot), which she was very pleased with.

For the main we had a venison wellington, which I was really hoping would be good and was not disappointed.

A light and flaky lattice pastry, a mushroom pate and a simply delicious melt in the mouth piece of venison (loin if memory serves). The taste was like a perfect fillet steak with a slight gamey hint, not overpowering but there.

The veg where fairly standard, but were cooked very well and a choice of saute, boiled or chips. I would have quite liked mash.

Too full for pud but looked very good and big helpings. I would go back simply to have the venison wellington, which in my mind is recommendation enough.

Also looking forward to trying their Sunday lunch.

Long Crichel Bakery

2008-08-19T15:45:00.002+01:00

After two attempts to visit the bakery on a Monday on which day the bakery is closed! I remembered to go on a Tuesday. Third time lucky and I was not disappointed.

It is a lovely setting and when we arrived we were greeted by that wonderful fresh baked smell. In this case fresh rolls and buns.

Not being the earliest of risers we had arrived in early afternoon and were both feeling famished. I had visions of sausage rolls, pasties and cakes. Unfortunately almost everything had sold out so next time.

The lady in the shop was very helpful and what was left was posh pizza. A bit more like a flaky base than a dough base. It was fairly simple consisting of cheese, tomatoes and I think something like spinach or chard on the base, it was however absolutely delicious. We were directed to have a look around the bakery's walled garden across the road.

This was a real delight full of a great variety vegetables and flowers which are sold in the bakery shop. A really tranquil spot to enjoy our lunch.

In addition to the posh pizza we bought a sour dough loaf, which as per the lady's recommendation lasts for ages, is wonderful toasted with butter and honey and is one of the nicest loaves I have ever tasted.

We also purchased some wonderfully fresh Swiss chard and a jar of local honey (Horton honey produced in Wimborne - no website link at the moment) again delicious.

We will be back again soon and there is bakery shop in Wimborne, which we also need to visit on the right day. I am not sure of the hours.

Hidden Dorset web site

2008-08-19T15:40:00.001+01:00

A big thanks to the Hidden Dorset web site. I wasn't really sure where to start looking and this site was a revelation. A great selection of restaurants and suppliers.

Although it is much more than this, providing a fantastic resource for places to visit and stay. Keep up the good work!

Welcome

2008-08-19T15:34:00.001+01:00

Having moved recently to Dorset from London, I was looking forward to experiencing the wealth of food and drink offered in this great county. So far I have not been disappointed!

Yes London has a great diversity of restaurants and suppliers, but the quality and freshness of local producers has really impressed me.

I have yet to have a bad meal. There have been a few average offerings, but the majority of meals out have been really good.

This blog is focusing on the things I have liked. Enjoy.