A couple of cafe recommendations (Hannah)

Brett and I are now back in the big smoke after enjoying a very relaxing honeymoon in Dorset.  What really came across was how laid back the area is – a perfect place for relaxing and getting off the usual treadmill.  It’s a beautiful area and we enjoyed some great walks along the coast – these definitely gave the legs a good work out whilst also making for some stunning views.

Before we went we had heard that the area is great for food and we weren’t disappointed.  Southwest Dorset is still very rural and there’s a big focus on supporting local produce.  We enjoyed some really fresh seafood but also “discovered” a couple of cafes that we want to recommend.  They were both very much in keeping with our thoughts on “enjoying the basics”.

Our first “discovery” was Downhouse Farm and Garden Cafe (www.downhousefarm.org).  The first we knew of this was a sign next to the coastal footpath which made reference to “cream teas, home-cooked specials and home-baked cakes”.  That definitely sounded like our sort of cafe!  So we walked up and down a few more hills to work up an appetite and then went to find the cafe on our way home. 

The seating was fairly rustic, set within the garden of an old stone cottage.  And the day’s newspapers were available – most of the visitors were taking advantage of these and there was the atmosphere of a shared relaxed Sunday morning rather than individual groups sitting at tables in their own little bubbles. 

We both went for the tea and cake option but the cafe serves various yummy looking light meals too.  It’s all locally sourced and organic wherever possible.  The cream tea scored top marks – freshly baked scones (still warm), a big dollop of clotted cream (crunchy top included) and homemade strawberry jam.  The portions were generous, the food was fresh and tasty.  And if we lived any nearer I think we’d both put on several extra inches around our waists!

Our second find was Town Mill Bakery in Lyme Regis (www.townmillbakery.com).  By chance we turned up at 12.30 as lunch was about to be served.  We found ourselves some space on one of the long communal tables – 10 minutes later there was a queue out the door as couples and families “in the know” turned up for the daily serving of lunch.

Eating at the bakery feels much more like going for dinner with friends – the tables are communal and you help yourself to what you want in the way of food – they trust you to let them know what you’ve eaten when it comes to paying on the way out.  Unfortunately, I don’t think that system would work everywhere these days.

I had the soup and bread – it was warm and hearty, very fresh and seriously yummy.  I spooned it into a big cup which had been made in the pottery next door.  The soup came with a chunk of bread and I helped myself to butter from the shared dish on the table.  The dishes of jam looked very appealing too but unfortunately I didn’t have space for one of the big scones after my lunch!

Brett had a flat bread with a big Portobello mushroom, garlicky sauce and melted parmesan on top.  Not quite so healthy but equally fresh and it tasted fantastic.

The bakery felt like somewhere with a strong local following – and somewhere where we definitely needed there to be a few regulars to show us the ropes!