Category Archives: Restaurants

Bada Tapas

Small plates of expertly created Korean fusion food are dispatched in style at Bada Tapas in a quiet side street in the heart of Godalming. Match this with impeccable service, friendly staff and a beautifully managed menu.

If you love Asian flavours, sharing plates and an altogether different dining style then this eatery is for you. Many of the dishes also have a seriously healthy vibe and the presentation is delightful. Think edible flowers, micro-leaves and delicately placed squirts of delicious flavour catapulting sauces.

Having lived in Asia for many years I grieved the lack of pan Asian dining when I returned home in 2005. I loved the fact that in Asian Cities like Singapore and Taipei you could find a great selection of fusion dining options that gave you amazing Asian cuisine but the setting of a more relaxed dining experience. I love street food but sometimes you want more than a small red plastic stool, floodlights and a melamine table to make your meal more of an occasion. This finally fills the gap here for me.

I saw Bada Tapas on instagram and I have followed them since they opened and was immediately intrigued by the idea of a tapas bar based around Korean cuisine but was not quite sure of the concept. I cannot for the life of me understand why it took me so long to visit but I am so very glad we did. In August this year I was looking for a light dinner and booked a table. From the minute we stepped in we were taken with the décor, layout, drinks menu and service. Water arrived immediately (infused with cucumber, lemon and fresh mint) drinks order taken and dispatched. Drinks served we are then taken on a swift tour around the restaurant concept by native Korean and owner Jihyun Kim who created and holds the concept together.

Jihyun came to the UK in 2005 to learn English at a language school in Central London after completing a degree in interior design back home. Living in Clapham she got a job in a Chinese restaurant to help pay for her stay. After two years she had planned to return home to South Korea and found she just was not ready to leave. Having mastered English she got a job at Habitat in the Kings Road in sales. By this time and pivotal to her story her relationship had become serious with her boyfriend and they decided to tie the knot. She had met her now husband Michal while working at the Chinese restaurant and in the meantime he had started working with a wholesale fish company who bought their stock from Billingsgate Market and distributed to restaurants and fish shops outside London and in particular in Surrey. When the Godalming fish shop one of his wholesale customers came up for sale Michal decided to take it on. It gave the couple a chance to move out of London too. One of the fish shops customers was a Spanish Tapas bar in Queen Street who had decided to close so the business was up for a new owner and Bada was born.

With no family history of the hospitality trade Jihyun and her husband decided to stick with the restaurants current theme of small plates but give it an Asian Fusion Twist. In Korea Jihyun explained,  families eat together with sharing plates so it was a concept that she understood. They also knew how a restaurant worked because of their experience together in London. Korean food has a lot of seafood and fish dishes integral to it so with Michal supplying the business they would have a fantastic advantage for many of their dishes. With Jihyun’s knowledge of interior design they managed to create a really stylish dining room from their small budget. They named the business Bada,  the Korean word for sea since so many of the dishes were based around fresh fish.

Now lets talk about the food, firstly the menu is based on tapas (small plates) so it’s a place to come and share if you want to. I have been to restaurants with friends who don’t like to do this and that would work equally well here too. The main printed menu is supported by seasonal specials on the blackboard. Specials are usually a fish, meat and vegetarian dish. The main menu is split into three sections with snack items appearing first. From more recognisable edamame beans (young green soybeans) steamed and served with a sprinkle of sea salt £4 to crisp lotus root crisps £4.50 or a plate of fresh rock oysters at £6 for 12.

The sharing plates menu (tapas) is split between fish, meat and poultry and vegetarian. For me the fish is the reason to come here. The freshest organic Scottish salmon marinated in teriyaki sauce is cooked to perfection and served with some al dente sugar snap peas £9 and from the specials board a fillet of sea bass on a green curry sauce £10. What sets these dishes apart is the super fresh fish which is beautifully executed in the kitchen. Presentation is faultless and it’s clear that Jihyun and her team really care about the food they serve plus it’s consistently good. Other specials might include gyoza style dumplings filled with slow cooked beef shin and a beetroot and wasabi sauce (gorgeous) £10 or roasted blue skin pumpkin with a satay sauce £9 satisfyingly spicy with a creamy finish. Going back to the main menu the pan fried scallops with a signature sauce £10 are not to be missed; served plump, tender and perfectly seasoned or the bulgogi and classic Korean dish of marinated beef in soy with carrots and mushrooms served in a lettuce leaf to pick up and eat £8.50. From the vegetarian side of the menu choose kimchi pancake or vegetable dumplings both £7.50 among a mouthwatering range of meat free options.

For accompaniments add sticky rice £4 or sweet potato fries £5.50 for fillers or soy cooked quails eggs £5, kimchi £4 or summer rolls £7, perfect if you are avoiding carbs. Taking younger people with you? then mention they have chicken katsu on the menu too at £7 and they’ll hop on board.

The drinks menu here is also carefully chosen. You’ll find familiar wines alongside Korean classics (rice wines and sake) there are no western style wines produced in Korea yet but that might change. Add a really interesting cocktail list with wasabi cucumber martini or a chili margarita. The Bada colada sounds intriguing too; a mix of rice wine with rum, pineapple juice and coconut all at £11 or choose from the Mocktail list at £5.50. Although I am a big fan of local a Japanese gin garnished with fresh ginger or Kombucha a slightly sparkling fermented tea also appeal.

There is a small dessert menu which is definitely worth your perusal. Their berry crème brulee is perfect. Creamy, but not over sweet and topped with a layer of fruit puree. Beautifully presented,  this dessert and all the food here is instagram perfection. Other puddings include adzuki bean (red bean) chocolate brownie with dark chocolate and dates. Very trendy ingredients plus its gluten free both at £6.50. You could also opt for Korean pancakes with peanuts. Fresh mint tea or barista coffees are also on offer to finish.

This is a restaurant that should definitely be on your radar. Everything here is prepared freshly from scratch and cooked to order apart from dishes like the slow cooked pork (delicious). This is a rare treat in a climate where high street chains dominate the casual dining scene. Go and support this feisty independent for its innovative menu and focus on serving superbly prepared fresh food.

Bada Tapas

10 Queen Street
Godalming
Surrey GU7 1BD

01483 527526

www.badatapas.co.uk

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Duke of Wellington East Horsley

A re-imagined gastro pub with a creative menu and wine list, fantastic service and stylish décor, just a ten minute drive from Guildford. Expect delicious food, regular events such as live music, themed dinners and local socials for neighbours.

When I was invited to try the menu at this pub, which is part of the Peach Group I didn’t hesitate. With just two pubs in their growing collection in Surrey their portfolio includes another eighteen (many of them recently acquired) and all in market towns such as Oxford, Warwick and Birmingham. The other Surrey location is The Richard Onslow in Cranleigh, and it’s a favourite of mine .

Since I have lived in Guildford this pub had been crying out for new lease of life. It was a pretty run down and then it was reinvented with a BBQ themed menu. Poor reviews and a very American BBQ menu kept most of us away. Then in 2016 Peach took over. This is a business with a solid understanding of what ingredients you need to make a pub successful. They set to work and with a refurbished interior, creative menu with a mix of traditional and contemporary dishes on the seasonal menu and customers started to roll back in. Add to this a mix of local and imported beers, wines, spirits and real ales and the customer magnet has been switched back on.

What really sets this business aside is the staff, welcoming, helpful and professional its a totally refreshing element of the on site experience. In addition they all seem to really enjoy their jobs in an industry that is well known for long hours and low pay. Its no surprise that out of the ten awards on their website that five are for their employment practices. The Sunday Times ranked them at forty-five in their top 100 companies to work for last year.

The food here is fresh, beautifully presented from ingredients sourced locally and nationally. Head Chef Nic Baba embraces the seasons and although I ate from the spring menu the current summer menu ticks all the boxes too. They share the same core values of healthy eating (an important ethos on the menu) so expect to find plenty of fresh vegetables with your meal too. Sharing boards, hearty salads, extras to add to customise your plate and daily specials form the menu style here. Meat is from top butchers Aubrey Allen who also supply free-range chicken, Cornish lamb and free-range pork from Jimmy Butler. Known as the butcher to the stars you know that poultry, beef and pork here is going to be top notch.

We kicked off our meal with a modern take on a retro prawn cocktail and some ham croquettes served with a spiced tomato chutney. The cocktail was layered for effect and the combination of guacamole, prawns, tomato salsa and crunchy lettuce paired with some crunchy tortilla was delicious (an idea I have since copied for entertaining). The croquettes arrived piping hot with a spicy tomato chutney and local Secretts salad leaves. Crunchy on the outside and creamy and smoky in the middle it was the perfect start to our meal. Mains included pan-fried sea bass on a generous stack of new potatoes and tender stem broccoli and a super food salad with a extra of poached salmon. The fish was fresh and crispy ( source from Brixham day boats) and the accompanying vegetables and sauce without fault. The salad had a deliciously lemony zingy dressing and the perfect balance of pulses, leaves and grated vegetables. No feeling there that you were a second rate diner by choosing a salad plate so this gets a high score in my book.

Deserts had to be the lemon tart, a staple on menus in the 1990’s and an intriguing apple panna cotta. The lemon tart had a caramelised top, which gave way to an intensely lemony creamy filling on a light short buttery pastry – stunning. The panna cotta was really unusual with an apple jelly layer on top of the cream element. Freshly poached apple was served as a garnish. It felt lighter and good for you than I would have expected which is always a plus. We ended with fresh mint tea.

The food here is excellent and a credit to the Peach Group for creating another venue in Surrey that should be on your go to list.

01483 282 312

Guildford RD, East Horsley, Leatherhead, KT24 6AA

www.dukeofwellingtoneasthorsley.co.uk

 

The Plough Inn, Brewery and Village Shop

The Plough Inn, Brewery and Village Shop, Coldharbour, Surrey RH5 6HD

The upside: A historic pub bought back to life in a thriving community

The downside: Purely selfish; but its a hike from where I live

The flipside: A perfect feel good destination in the heart of Surrey

A 17th century Inn with its own brewery, a local food menu and a carefully stocked village shop, may sound too good to be true. But read on and be prepared to put this venue on your ‘to go to’ list.

The Plough Inn is located in Coldharbour, a small village with 250 residents; it has one bus a day, which leaves at 10am and the nearest shop is 5 miles away. Dating back to the 1700’s The Plough Inn had by 2015 had lost its shine and most of its reputation and was in dire need of some tender loving care. Put up for sale the pub was bought by local entrepreneur Richard Eshelby who used the pub regularly during the shooting season and didn’t want to see it close. Forming a company to manage his new asset he bought in John (an IT consultant and his wife Becky to run the business) a great plan as they are also shareholders and have a vested interest in making this business a success.

The new team started in mid September 2015 and traded whilst they formed a refurbishment plan. As part of that, they had, a vision to re-instate the village shop and keep the onsite Leith Hill Brewery open too. Today the inn has had a complete refit with six attractively furnished rooms, a new kitchen and landscaped garden and addition of a village shop. Its heart warming to see how much detail and attention has gone into the reinvention of this business, which today is central to village life.

This is a story of three parts; the Inn, Leith Hill Brewery and the village shop. Intertwined of course but each lending additional purpose.

The Inn was already on the radar of CAMRA who say this is the only pub in the South East who brew their own beer exclusively for their customers. Made on site in small batches twice a month they produce 10 firkins (around 400 litres). This process takes around a month to brew, ferment and condition in their cellars before its ready to sell. There are three beers made on site by Antoine Josser from Westcott and local resident Mark Chapman. Not all are available all year round but the day I visited Crooked Furrow and Surrey Puma (a seasonal stout) were on tap. They also have a an American pale ale called Smilers Happiness, named after a much loved local John Steele who died of cancer in March 2016. In dedication to him the Inn conceived the idea of a beer in his name.

In addition to their own brews, this free house sells beers from other local breweries such as Fools Gold from Tillingbourne and a selection from Hogs Back. Whilst as a free house they don’t have to buy any national branded beers they have found that lager drinkers are more fickle so you’ll find Carlsberg and St Miguel on tap plus one from a more local brewery Firebird. They also have an eclectic range of new wave local gins such as Silent Pool, Brighton & Gutsy Monkey (made in nearby Dorking).

On the pub menu the focus is on local and seasonal food. The core menu changes four times a year but is supplemented with a specials board. This John stressed, really is for specials and they often test run dishes here before placing them on the new seasons menu. Much of what is on offer here is made on site. What isn’t comes from suppliers such as local artisan bakers Chalk Hills of Reigate, and meat from award winning Rawlings of Cranleigh. Eating lunch with a friend recently we shared a starter of game, apricot and gherkin terrine served with home made chutney and warm (great attention to detail here) Chalk Hills fig and walnut bread (£7.50) .

For mains I went for local producer Ravi Ollies beetroot and feta ravioli pasta with a fresh cream and dill sauce (£10.95) while my dining partner opted for home made chicken pie, gravy, mash and vegetables (£11.95). We loved the food, it was full of flavour, carefully prepared and with sensible portions. The pie was served with a selection of fresh vegetables and we felt the food represented good hospitality at a fair price. Although we were fairly stuffed we felt it would be rude not to sample a dessert and chose the coffee crème brulee served with shortbread and Caroline’s Dairy chocolate ice-cream (£6.50). This combination was a huge hit and so delicious that we ate the lot. All made on site apart from the ice cream (from local producer Caroline’s Dairy)  this was a brûlée to remember for its presentation, taste and texture. After coffee from local roaster Coffee Real we went to take a look around the shop.

The shop, which was the final element of the business to open in October 2016, was envisioned for both locals and visitors alike. The last village shop in Coldharbour closed its doors in 1982 forcing locals to shop in nearby Dorking. Sadly over the last few years Dorking has become so busy that parking at certain times is a challenge if not impossible. This, locals say, makes having a shop on the doorstep again all the more appealing. It’s amazing how much stock a small shop can carry. Stocking a wonderful range of products from basics (toothpaste and washing up liquid) to gourmet artisan cheeses, chocolate and seaweed mayonnaise is all down to thoughtful curation.

Becky’s mum Sue, who clearly has, a natural affinity for food retailing, is at the helm here. Energetic, lively and clearly passionate about her new venture she has filled the shop with a superb range of complimentary food and ingredients. Surrey Cheese, Norbury Blue is here (and on the pub menu) as is Burwash Rose from East Sussex. In the freezer you will find ready meals from Surrey Spice, Pasta from Ravi Ollie and ice cream from Caroline’s Dairy. Gourmet pies come from Toms Pies in Devon and meat stuffed sausage rolls and pasties from Rawlings Butchers in Cranleigh. Bread comes from artisan bakery Chalk Hills and a craft bakery in Cranleigh.

For cyclists and walkers a couple of stools in the shop window are a great place to sip a Barista Coffee and enjoy a homemade cake if you don’t fancy a full meal in the pub. While I was sitting there a local smallholder arrived with a tray of free-range eggs from his chickens. I also met some walkers from Holland who were committed to coming back for another visit. The positivity that this business has given to the village and wider community is evident and another good reason to veer off the high street and into the Surrey hills.

www.ploughinn.com

This review first appeared in the March Issue of Essence of Surrey Magazine. I was invited to dine at the Plough by the owners on the understanding that I only publish reviews if I can really recommend the experience. I loved everything about it!

 

 

Natter Cafe

67 St. Johns Street. Farncombe, GU7 3EH

 An award winning cafe where owner Kay has created a wonderful eating and meeting space, for the local community.

The Upside: Gorgeous coffee, freshly prepared traditional all day breakfasts, contemporary salads, savouries and freshly baked cakes.

The downside: This café is so busy you need to book in advance to guarantee a lunchtime table. It’s closed in the evening but they do run events.

The flipside: Buy tickets for one of their infamous supper clubs where you can BYO and indulge in some great food at prices that won’t break the bank.

Natter café is the type of success story I would wish for any new independent starting up in this challenging market. Winner of the Muddy Stilettos best cafe in Surrey award I can tell you why this business is making waves!

Kay is the creative force behind the Natter Café and her story starts with coffee beans. Her original foray into coffee was stall in Guildford’s North Street Market which she started with a business partner in 2002. They parted company but the stall was very successful and its still at the market today. Kay’s passion for coffee retailing saw her start a coffee van service and a kiosk at Farncombe station. Her standards of service are legendary. Ring the kiosk from your mobile and they will have a latte and a bacon butty ready to pass to you on the platform as your train passes through.

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Adoring customers always asked Kay when she was going to open a café. It wasn’t she says really on her radar, but when friend and estate agent John suggested a property he had would be perfect for this purpose it was a defining moment. Going on holiday the next day she had time to think it through and the rest is history. Kay is really pleased she took the plunge. Its clear she has really invested in this business the premises have been refurbished to a high standard and the result is a really lovely comfortable space.

Coffee comes from a roaster in Winchester and Kay uses single origin estate for filter coffee, which is brewed at your table. You can choose from single or double shots (from £1.50). Teas are from Canton teas known for their delicious blends many of them from Taiwan (from £2.50).

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Food is also freshly prepared on site apart from some of the cakes, which are made by local producers. Since opening Kay has never had to advertise for staff. She has she says been lucky enough to have lots of locals (mums, students, teenagers) regularly popping in asking for work. In addition she also has lots of expert cake makers offering to supply her too! I expect the welcoming warm space Kay has created has everything to do with this.

Food is prepared by two chefs in a compact kitchen hence the need to buy in cakes but also because this café is always busy. Come late for lunch and expect to wait for a table. Kay and her team have the formula just right here. A core menu with breakfasts and sandwiches are complimented by seasonal specials. Expect soup in the winter and salads in the summer. A full English breakfast with local butcher Wakelings sausages is £8.75 and a generous plateful. For smaller people or appetites you can go for a half size portion at £5.75 (I wish more eateries did this). Smoked salmon bagels are also on offer at £5.00.

specials-board

Arriving for lunch I ordered a salad of the specials board. It was a warmish autumnal day so it was a toss up between that or roasted carrot and butternut squash soup. The salad won as my favourites were featured here; beetroot, rocket, pine nut and feta with salad leaves and a light tasty dressing. I have a pet hate of salad leaves served naked (read my article here) but these were perfectly dressed. My plus one had bacon muffins with melted brie and salad, which he said was tasty, light and gooey. I didn’t really get a look in there but I trust his judgement.

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We were too full for cakes but we did have coffee, which was full flavoured and served really hot. We watched the other customers around us being served equally good-looking plates of food.

natter-cafe-and-cakes

 

I love this café its got good coffee and food at its core. Kay supports other locals by procuring her stock from them wherever possible (produce from the local greengrocer and meat from Wakelings and Black Barn)  and she provides local employment too. Her staff recently for her birthday treated her to a day spa when she thought she was just going to work. I think that says it all!

Go and give Natter a whirl – opening hours and menu on the website- link below.

01483 421303
and also at Farncombe Station on Platform 1 GU7 3NF / 07531 018190

 

Waters Edge Dine at the Wetlands Centre Horsell

Heather Farm , Horsell Common, GU21 4XY

The upside: Delicious, locally sourced and well executed food

The downside: If it’s busy service can be slow because everything is made fresh to order!

The flipside: A lot of the food here comes from the proprietors own farm and is picked within hours of arriving at your table!

Newly opened in January 2016 this venue is located just outside Woking in Surrey. Woking isn’t a particularly attractive town although improvements to the centre recently have improved it dramatically. However just a five minute drive away takes you into some quite spectacular countryside and Horsell Common is no exception. A new wetlands centre opened with a café on January 9th and news spread fast of its peaceful atmosphere, dog friendly policies and its wonderful café. The area around the wetland has been set up with decking and paths making it easy for buggies and mobility scooters unless their has been a lot of rain as it gets muddy. I enjoyed it so much that I have been back three times mainly because the setting and the food is fabulous but also because I have been trying to interview Chef Aneke Spacie. Busy managing a young family, a new eaterie opening at the Lightbox Gallery in Woking and her current café we had to resort to a telephone conversation in the end, which filled in the gaps.

view-accross-water-edge-dine

Like you, I am used to going to some pretty gorgeous places here and abroad only to find the café serves mediocre food, fizzy drinks and deep-fries anything unfortunate enough to make its way into the kitchen. Not here though – the food ethos, menu and hospitality is as close to my idea of a perfect venue as you can get. Organic, locally sourced, thoughtfully cooked and presented, it’s delightful, refreshing and sustainable too. Before children came along this highly skilled chef built up an enviable CV working for McClaren, the Ivy, British Airways, Harrods and Sotheby’s. Running her own catering company in Surrey she built on this experience and a successful pop up at the Lightbox last year sealed a contract to take over the catering there too.

its-what-we-do-waters-edge-dine

Waters Edge Dine is Aneke Spacie’s first solo restaurant and within just a few months she has a hardcore following of diners who love the menu, cooking style and dedication to healthy sustainable eating. Here the mantra is to buy food with thought, cook with care, use less wheat and meat, buy local, serve just enough and create minimal waste. Food is presented in such an attractive way too and whilst it’s not fine dining London style you have a sense that your meal is going to be really good for you (tea time cakes not included here).

On my first visit my daughter came with me and at this point it was just to get a sense of what the venue was all about. It was just after 3pm and although the kitchen had just closed for the lunchtime service we were still able to order. Choosing a spicy Welsh rarebit with a free-range hen’s egg and then a couple of mugs of tea we took a seat. When the food arrived it was on a wooden board which looks great but isn’t practical as the runny egg without some control would have rolled right over the edge. I happen to think plates are really the obvious choice as  they retain their heat and control the food. However in the subsequent visits I have made here it is the only criticism I could possibly muster up in addition to the fact that as seating is limited inside they could particularly in poor weather outgrow their space fast.

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A week later after deciding to write about Waters Edge I took a fellow writer for lunch. He was over from Taipei where we had worked together and it was the perfect venue. We had a barmy English summers day to share and it was a far cry from our last lunch together eating stinky tofu in Shenkeng, a suburb of Taipei where one street of restaurants is dedicated to the consumption of fermented tofu. This time our menu was based on good nutrition, provenance, budget and balance and we loved it. I had pan fried wild mushrooms on toast (£7.50) with Parmesan, truffle dressing and wild rocket while Richard had the house burger (£10.50) with cheddar (Wookey Hole) smoked bacon, salad and tomato relish with home fries. Aneke bought the food to our table on this occasion and shared some useful information with us (if I had realized she was so busy I would have delved deeper). Some of the mushrooms had she told us come from the farm, which they top up with those from their local vegetable supplier, the truffles were from the estate (Surrey surprisingly is not bad for truffle hunters) and the meat from a local farm. We loved our food as both dishes were satisfying, delicious and had an understated feel good factor. The setting of course overlooking the wetland adds to the overall sense of wellbeing. Nearby diners had selected roasted pork belly and a huge bowl of soup, which looked exceptional too. Next time.

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To finish we ordered drinks and cake. They have a substantial range of home-made and bought in sweet treats here (from a local bakery) such as chocolate dipped flapjacks to large cutting cakes. Choose from red velvet, chocolate with salted caramel, carrot and coffee. Gluten free options include orange and polenta cake too. For children there is also an option to buy and decorate your own gingerbread person with a plate of sprinkles and writing icing. Coffee here is barista style and tea comes in large mugs with a tea-bag, which you can recycle in the glass jar provided. What a great idea.

If you are interested in how the Wetland Centre came into being you can find out more about the Horsell Preservation Society, their other sites and the fantastic work they do here www.horsellcommon.org.uk.

Its child friendly here too with buckets of crayons, a lego corner and teepees to set up outside. For dogs water is provided and towels for those that end up in the water! Dogs on leads are allowed inside but must be kept on a tight leash by owner. As this is a wetland to encourage wildlife there are strict rules for dog walking on the site. Please check the website before you visit if you are bringing a dog with you.

01483 726556

www.surreywatersedge.com

 

 

The Richard Onslow

The Richard Onslow, 113-117 High St, Cranleigh, GU6 8AU

An established dining room with a seriously creative menu from independent pub group Peach.

The upside: A gastro-pub with a outstanding unique menu which wanders outside the norm!

The downside: Struggling here….

The flipside: Top marks for energetic creative management!

When I was contacted by the PR company representing the Richard Onslow asking if I would like sample their new summer menu I immediately agreed. My review policy is one I stick to but I had already given the thumbs up to this pub in 2013 so a return visit was long overdue.

I had heard that founding manager John Taylor who is credited with putting this pub firmly on Surrey’s culinary map was leaving for pastures new. What a legacy he has left behind; management team that looked after me on the day I visited were high energy, well informed, slick and personable. Having studied the Peach Pubs website before I visited it seemed that they were exactly what they say they are, professional, dedicated, fun loving and food-centric.

mike scott chef richard onslowTerri the Manager told me that each of the 18 pubs in this group are allowed to keep their individual personalities and each chef has menu autonomy aside from five classics that each pub menu carries. They are careful to keep the ethos of each venue in keeping with their location make sure that passing trade and locals are catered for with equal attention. The new menu I was there to sample was a collaboration of the in house chefs and development chef Mike Scott.

I had been invited to review the new summer menu and at the time of writing I feel guilty that a month has passed since visiting. The menu will run until September and I am sure that after my delightful experience the replacement will be just as good. My plus one was my teenage son (aged 15) who was doing one of his work experience weeks with me. He told me the other day that he preferred the week he did with the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre (not surprisingly) but that lunch at the Richard Onslow had been a highlight of his week with me.

The Richard Onslow in Cranleigh, Surrey.

On arrival we were seated in their delightful dining room, which has a mixture of comfy sofas, dining chairs, round, square and oblong tables. This I like, as depending on the size of your party, you can choose a format that suits you. It’s a stylish light room with subtle decor a contemporary edge and a relaxed vibe.

dining room richard onslow

The summer menu has some really interesting plates. It’s a refreshing compilation featuring summery seasonal ingredients and current food trends. For starters we chose free-range ham and cheddar croquettes with garlic aioli and Secretts watercress £7.25 and a spring onion and pea Scotch egg with pesto mayonnaise (£6.75). My son devoured his croquettes, which were crunchy, rich and cheesy. Dipping the croquettes into the aioli with a fork of watercress gave a perfect balance of flavours. My Scotch egg had a high scoring soft centre. The Scotch egg on its own was well seasoned but adding the pesto mayonnaise lifted the flavour profile from great to gorgeous. The chef was keen for us to sample his favourite starter from the menu, which was a stunner. Pan-fried scallops and monkfish with Bombay potatoes and Indian salad (£9.75 starter/£19.95 main) was a riot of ingredients. Plump fresh succulent scallops and monkfish with a backdrop of a Bhel Poori house style salad from London’s famous Drummond Street; if you have never been there do! Its a London institution. This was actually one of the most innovative dishes I have had in a while and it worked so well. I like risky cooking and this was a great example.

richard onslow starter trio

Onto the mains my teenage companion predictably chose sausages and mash from the specials board whilst I went for sea bass with saffron potatoes, mussels and clam chowder (£17.00). My son wolfed his dinner down and I savoured my dish. Crispy skin fish twinned with a creamy seafood chowder which was comforting but not overly rich. The fish and seafood were super fresh too suggesting a hint of the Mediterranean in Cranleigh (indulge me it was a sunny day). We ordered a dish of peas, courgette and beans which were sautéed in butter and simply gorgeous and a generous portion too. It was lunchtime and I was driving but I did notice that the wine list is comprehensive and priced to satisfy any budget with a few local English wines listed too.

mians richard onlsow trio

The dessert menu included a vegan peanut butter and chocolate brownie made with Valrhona chocolate which can be served with sorbet if requested (£5.75) My chocoholic son had his with Jude’s vanilla ice-cream. The brownie was not oversweet (as is often the case) so a perfect partner to ice-cream. Served warm it was light in texture with an intense chocolate note and a nutty finish. My choice in complete contrast was grilled peach served with biscotti and Chantilly cream. I felt the biscotti here were a little large but this may have been because the portions here are generous and we had eaten really well. The Chantilly cream was delicious and the plate looked and tasted fantastic.

desserts trio

I finished with a pot of mint tea and development Chef Mike Scott came for a chat. Full of enthusiasm and clearly enjoying his job he echoed the ethos of Peach pubs which had been so eloquently described by his colleague Terri. We had had a terrific lunch served by energetic, well-informed and happy staff so I wasn’t surprised to discover that the company had won Best Employer in the 2015 Hospitality Awards.

They seem to have it all here and its delightful to find that this venue seems to have improved since my last review visit (its often the reverse). I also like the fact that they have a good mix of buying local where they can (bread from the craft baker across the road ) and salad leaves from Secretts in Milford, plan menus to the seasons and really care about the provenance too.

I am already planning a return visit and feel justified in giving this venue a big thumbs up.

Tel 01483 274922

www.therichardonslow.co.uk

Tante Marie Restaurant

For the well-heeled young in post war Britain who weren’t suited to academic life it was often a choice (for young ladies in particular) of learning secretarial or cooking skills. On the cooking front selection usually came down to two venues in England, the Cordon Bleu Cookery School in London or the Tante Marie Culinary Academy in Woking. Nowadays Leith’s and other great colleges have joined the party and there are a wealth of courses to choose from. Recently Tante Marie’s move to a new purpose built venue means they are topping the leader board again. The academy (the first of its kind in the UK) is famous for its professional chef courses, celebrity graduates as the incredible skill set that students leave the school with unlocks many doors into the foodie world. Being part of the local community is also high on the agenda for Tante Marie Management and with a new restaurant and plethora of short courses open to the public they are gaining loyal following. Want to do a season cooking in a ski chalet or luxury yacht then this could be your passport too.

tante-marie-interior-

Tante Marie has changed ownership three times since opening in 1954 under the tutelage of cookery writer Irish Syrett who died in 1964. Today former chef and deputy principal Andrew Maxwell and Gordon Ramsay Holdings own the academy. With a new lease of life and investment the school moved from an old red brick Victorian building to a new purpose built site in central Woking in 2015. In addition to the culinary academy there is also a modern European restaurant, staffed by graduates of the Cordon Bleu Diploma. Here they work for one year to gain a Level 5 Diploma in Culinary and Hospitality Management. I have dined here twice now and have been impressed by the delightful service, innovative and professionally dispatched menu. The attention to detail in the food and service is faultless as overseen by tutor manager Marco Di-Michele.

amuse bouche trio

The restaurant food is fresh, seasonal, locally sourced where possible, skilfully prepared and presented. To give staff the full range of food service skills, Amuse-bouche accompanies menu selections as does hand made bread (orange and thyme or caraway last visit). Appetising nibbles on offer include smoked mackerel pate on melba toast or shot glasses of leek and potato soup with truffle oil.

starters-trio

Starters on the seasonal menu may include scallops and black pudding (£10.50) or crab rarebit (£7.25). For mains we chose beef fillet anchovy butter served with creamy mash (£19.95) and pan-fried sea bass (£15.95). The fish was served on a bed of pearl barley risotto intensely green from the addition of baby spinach with contrast in taste and texture of spicy chorizo.

tante-marie-mains

Both dishes arrived swiftly from the kitchen on stylish hot plates and were cooked and seasoned faultlessly. Desserts (£6.50) included pear and frangipane tart with clotted cream (light and buttery) and a rhubarb fool with hand made biscuits. The food is so good here it’s hard to believe the staff are all new graduates.

desserts_tante_marie

 

Well run and managed; the space is modern, clean and comfortable. Wine is reasonably priced (starting at £20 per bottle) and offered by the glass too. It was good to see local gin Silent Pool on offer here and some English wines. We started with a glass of Prosecco each at £7 each.

Located centrally in Woking in a newly regenerated area Tante Marie and other newcomers have really started to put Woking on the map as a foodie destination. This is in part due to incentives from the council to make this a reality.

With so many gastro pubs churning out the same predictable menus its refreshing to to find a menu that really is a bit different!

Tante Marie Culinary Academy
57-61 Commercial Way, Woking GU21 6HN

01483 726957

www.tantemarie.co.uk

I was invited by Woking Shopping’s PR company to review this restaurant. Having already been once I was keen to return. The food and standard of service was as good as it was on my first visit. I am looking forward to doing one of their 1 day cookery courses on Indonesian food in late May.

Bourne Valley Garden Centre Farm Shop & Restaurant

Woodham Park Road, Woodham, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3TH

A delightful farm shop, restaurant and garden centre which although slightly off the beaten track is more than worthy of a detour!

The upside: You’ll find fresh produce, an English cheese counter, fresh bread, artisan products and a great range of gluten free ingredients and goodies. The restaurant has four chefs and makes virtually all they sell in house!

The downside: Limited range of fresh meat in the farm shop but what they do have is from a local butcher.

The flipside: Whilst the farm shop is small they pack in a range of carefully selected farm shop favourites and a few less obvious choices too. You can cook a meal from scratch after shopping here; always a bonus in my book.

When this business contacted me via the blog I had to confess I had not heard of them before. They weren’t surprised it’s a geographical issue for them as they are off the beaten track and not on a major route since the M25 was built. However they have a stronghold in the local community who love them. My visit was full of surprises starting in the modest but well thought out farm shop. It was lovely to meet owners Paul and Joanna Elding whose enthusiasm and hands on approach to their business shone through. Pauls family have had this business since 1952 but Joanna joined after marrying Paul leaving a career in advertising to do so. First Joanna took me around the farm shop (which was her project from the outset) and then we joined Paul for lunch in their restaurant.

joanna-and-paul-elding

The farm shop opened up just 8 years ago has a loyal customer base. Fresh produce, English cheeses, bread and cakes are all stocked here and provide the core of their offer. A chiller cabinet provides some charcuterie, dairy products and local milk. The cheese counter is dedicated to English Cheeses and they even offer small wedges at 65p each; which their customers love for sharing boards. To compliment the cheese there is a small range of cheese biscuits including favourite such as Peters Yard and Stockans.

farmshop-exterior-

Fresh bread here comes from the Christmas bakery and the Gingerbread man in Walton-on-Thames. They also have some part-baked bread, which is baked off in the kitchen every day to sell in the farm shop too.

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A proportion of their offer here is from freezer specialists Field Fayre and COOK. I am a huge fan of Field Fayre and use their berries for winter jam making, desserts, smoothies and more. Helpfully Joanna and her team have prepared a really useful leaflet with cooking instructions for many of their products. For those who like a night off the pans COOK of course make a more thoughtful alternative to a supermarket ready meal.

Bourne-valley-cheese-counter

There are plenty of fresh cakes, biscuits and even some of their home made pies and tarts (treacle on my visit) from the kitchen too.

The restaurant is located in the garden centre and has evolved many times since it opened fifteen years ago and today is a large open plan space with 170 seats. Additions include a conservatory area overlooking the plant centre and a large till area with a stunning display of their home-made cakes. Paul ran the restaurant with his mum for the first five years of its life. Busy from the outset they have tried various set ups including a franchise. When that ceased to deliver  top quality food and service they took it back in house. Today they run a tight ship with four chefs who prepare all the food in house apart from bread and pastries. Keen to stay true to their opening ethos of preparing home made style food from local ingredients in pace with the seasons this became their best option going forward.

mains-bvgc

Sticking to their local food agenda their fruit and vegetable wholesaler sends them a weekly list identifying where they point of origin is. This means they can choose produce from the South East whenever possible. Traditional tea comes from Tregothnan who blend tea grown on their plantation in Cornwall with imported leaves. Served loose-leaf in a filter pot strong tea drinkers like me can enjoy a proper brew. Herbal infusions come from Pukka teas and coffee from Chertsey based MIKA. For coffee Joanna and Paul have chosen a fair trade coffee Puro Fuerte which is a blend of beans from 5 growers in South American and Uganda, it produces a rich dark medium strength drink. Meat too is from local butcher who supplies the shop and restaurant.

tea-coffee-bvgc

On the menu is a range of breakfast dishes (from £4.290 Panini, sandwiches (from £3.99) , salads and a changing specials board (from £6.49). Fresh soups, casseroles and quiche feature here too. I chose smoked haddock and leek risotto with a poached egg and rocket (£7.99). It was really tasty for a pre-cooked dish (but without the waiting time of 20-30 minutes). Joanna ordered a red pepper and pea frittata, which came with a generous portion of new potatoes and salad (£7.49). The cakes looked so fantastic that Joanna asked the manager to cut us a selection of them; having lunch with the owner came with added benefits here (not on offer generally). They are famous here for cheesecakes and butterscotch tart. But all the cakes here are made by in-house baker Zoe who was too shy to come and say hello but take it from me they are brilliant. All the morsels we samples were great but the butterscotch tart stood out. It must have been something to do with the crispy biscuit base with a caramel gooey topping; impossible not to like.

cake-triobvgc

This is a great restaurant, with keen pricing and an interesting menu. Lots of the classics are here but they also add more interest on their specials board. As it’s all made in house too it doesn’t have the predictability of other venues. To get to the restaurant you have to walk past the well-stocked gift area, stove shop and cook-shop. As we walked through Joanna told me that as well as being a third generation family business a lot of the employees families have been with them from the start too.

This venue is well worth a visit making sure you leave plenty of time for the garden centre and shop too. It’s perfect for a Surrey day out and supporting the local economy.

cook-shop-bvgc

 

www.bournevalleygardencentre.co.uk

 

01932 342 013

 

 

Carluccio’s Caffè

Wolsey Place Shopping Centre, Woking Shopping, Commercial Way, Woking, Surrey GU21 6XX

Great Italian coffee, delicious menu and gourmet food shopping bang smack in the centre of Woking

The upside: A credible place for stylish eating in the town centre with three gold stars from the Sustainable Restaurant Assocation

The downside: It’s no longer independently owned but still very serious about food!

The flipside: A lovely calm retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the shopping centre and the big glass doors open up in the summer.

I can remember when Antonio Carluccio’s first restaurant opened in 1998 and have always been a fan. It was the first of a new genre of relaxed modern Italian style eateries that offered lighter meals at a competitive price in smart locations in London. A TV cook, food writer and presenter Carluccio’s cookbooks were inspirational and best sellers.

carluccios food shop_edited-1

His restaurants also feature shops and the carefully chosen products have endured growing competition and remained desirable. Although Carluccio sold in 2010 he is still a consultant for the business working on menus and products. The pull for me here is the innovative tasty authentic Italian menu with food products under one roof that doesn’t break the bank.

drinks_carluccios

When I first moved to Surrey in 2005, Woking was a far cry from what it is today. The council have worked hard with grants and incentives to attract some more dynamic brands into the centre and also worked with independents like Araceli’s Mexican to get the mix right.

I was invited by a PR company for Woking Shopping to review some of the newly opened restaurants and chose Carluccio’s. It was some time since I eaten in one so a good opportunity to revisit. I chose to go for breakfast with my kids, so were able to sample between us a good range of items from the new menu.

The day we went was warm and sunny. So although the location is very much city centre, located on a pedestrian walkway, the bi-folding glass doors were all open giving an al fresco feel. As expected the décor is minimal, modern and clean and the food shop at the entrance with its wonderful bright packaging and colourful products give a sense of what’s in store from the outset.

carluccios cheese

Ordering up drinks first our waitress asked if my daughter and I would like a rich or smooth blend of coffee. This was a nice touch and our smooth coffee (£2.50) was balanced and just the right strength. Best of all the coffee was served really hot (I can’t bear being served luke-warm drinks) and the chocolate coated coffee bean on the side went down a treat. We also ordered juices, an orange and a pear juice, these arrived in large glasses and at £2.50 each, well priced.

A new breakfast menu had just been launched and I went for and open frittata with shaved parmesan and rich truffle (£8.50). Something I have not seen on any other menu hence its appeal. It was freshly made, hot and heady with black truffle and I loved it. My daughter had eggs Benedict (£7.75) a generous filling portion which she gave 10/10 for. My son opted for the Carluccio’s Italian take on the full English. Pancetta here replaces bacon, rustic Italian bread, sausage, eggs and mushrooms finish the plate. This got thumbs up from my teenage son who is keen to repeat this breakfast experience as soon as possible. Meaty sausages, perfectly cooked pancetta and eggs sealed the deal here. This is £7.95 on its own but if you take it with their breakfast deal you get juice and coffee too for £9.95 saving a couple of quid. The mushrooms here are worth a mention as they were brilliantly cooked, hot, tasty and a mix of closed cup and shitake, what a treat. After 11am you can turn breakfast into Brunch and treat yourself to a Bloody Mary or a Mimosa too.

carluccios breakfast trio

When we had finished eating we went for a little smooch around the shop. In addition to packaged products they also sell fresh pastries, cured meats, parmesan and olives. I spotted my favourite dessert wine Vin Santo which is divine served with almond Cantuccini biscuits. It’s great to know they stock this as a couple of years ago you couldn’t seem to buy a bottle for all the tea in China. I did buy some of their gluten free spaghetti (£2.95), the best I have ever tried and some aromatic lemon infused olive oil (250ml/ £8.95). Used as a finishing oil and not for cooking this is wonderful on freshly grilled fish or salads.

interiort carluccios trio

We enjoyed our breakfast here so much we have already been back for dinner! Carluccio’s is a great addition to Woking centre and I hope the current regeneration sees many more additions in the months to come.

www.carluccios.com

01483 762972

I was invited to review this restaurant as a guest of Woking Shopping. Please read my review policy here and information for PR enquiries here.

Lime and coconut cake

Little Barn Café

Stacey’s Farm, Thursley Road, Elstead, Godalming, Surrey GU8 6DGLBCafesign6x9

The upside: Creative cooking using some lovely local produce too!

The downside: The café is shut on Mondays and just from 10.00am-2.30pm on Sundays.

The flipside: One of the most delicious and unusual menus for a small café in the county!

If you want a gorgeous spin on home baking, feisty salads and something that your great aunt will recognize on the menu; this café is for you. Opening its doors in January 2015 this unassuming business already has a big fan base. Dedicated to fresh homemade food with an innovative twist creative chef/owner Sarah has a winning formula and a Time Out Award under her belt from a previous business she ran in London. Starting in Surrey with a pop up café which soon outgrew its temporary venue, they found a new home in Elstead. With her husband Mark they have transformed this barn into a thriving eaterie after giving the room some much needed TLC. With a growing family they entrust some of the cake creation to their fabulous baker Vicky and meals to chef Caroline who along with the waitresses complete the team. Shutting on Sunday and Monday means they get the family and business balance right too.

LBC - dining room

 

This small café has a brilliant menu and also boasts local suppliers for much of the menu! Eggs and dairy products come from Great Hookley Farm, produce from Teasels and meat from Prides farm shop all in and around Elstead. Emphasis here too is also on great baking, quiches, pies and cakes but also unusual salads and veg packed soups. Specials include Moroccan lamb tagine with roasted aubergine and minted yogurt (£8), tomato and basil soup with bread (£4) and grilled goats cheese on puy lentils with red onion and mint (£6.50). Their freshly baked quiches are supersized and served with salad too.

LBC savoury trio

 

On my last visit my daughter chose a cooked breakfast (which is served all day) I was a bit miffed as there were so many delicious options on the specials board to try. My daughter gave it full marks and was delighted with her choice a snip at £6.50. I chose from the specials menu and also enjoyed a board of vegetarian kofta’s, tomato salsa and hummus with salad leaves. A tasty combination which worked especially well with the creamy hummus and piquant salsa.

LBC CAKES TRIO

Cake is important here so we also shared two slices (£2.30 each) These were; “calling Ibiza” a coconut and lime combo which had a deliciously zingy lime curd filling and “Dear Prudence” a prune, chocolate and blueberry cake with cream cheese frosting, rich, fruity and moist. I keep looking at the picture I took of the other cakes and wondering what if? It will have to be for another visit! Having watched Sarah and her team posting their wonderful cakes on social media the display on offer did not disappoint. The cakes form a focal point in the café laid out on the sideboard and its makes such a refreshing change from typical offerings of brownies, carrot cake and chocolate fudge. For the more traditional eaters there are options for a cream tea (using locally produced preserves) and other less quirky menu items too.

One of my mantras has always been ‘strive to be different’ and the Little Barn Café has achieved just that. In a competitive market it’s a great attitude to have and one that sets this super café way up the list of my current recommendations.

01252 705023

www.thelittlebarncafe.co.uk