So its hardly Birmingham City Centre, but we are slowly broadening the area…. This one is in South Derbyshire, (about 35 minutes drive to the city) – and as you will see, is worth the trip….
The Menu doesnt give you a clue as to what to expect. They mention ‘rashers’ of bacon, they mention toast. They dont mention that the bacon and sausage is from a butchers just down the road in Ashby. The eggs are local ‘Happy Eggs’, the toast is from a baker in Swadlincote, (again, local). They also forget that the bacon is nothing short of bacon steaks – the likes I have dreamt of – but never before seen on a breakfast. The same goes for the toast too. My Full English was thick sliced toast, my wife had a huge doorstep of toast with her poached egg and tomatoes.
Though not my cup of tea, they do cater for vegans here, with a pretty full menu – again, though its not for me – I think its a good thing for those that are meat free, (you will know who they are – they would have told you a thousand times ;0))
Above, I mentioned the toast for the poached egg. See what I mean?
I also mentioned the thickness of the local butcher bacon:
They are a ‘Tea Rooms’, run by a clearly passionate mother and daughter. At 09:45 on a Saturday, the place was busy.
I mentioned the fact that its a tea room becuase I thought that some of you who love breakfasts might also like cake. Here, the daughter, (who was not in today), has an obvious flare for baking. Check out these cakes:
I dont do sweet things normally, but I stood staring at these marvels for an uncomfortably long time. I bought 4 items for friends and family. It is a very simple way to buy love ;0)
Over to my thoughts: The sausage is from a local butcher, (who clearly knows how to make a tasty sausage. It was cooked to my liking, too.
The bacon was to die for. XXL thick, (not that awful wafer thin stuff they slice with a Wilkinson Sword shaving razor). Toast was from a local baker and not standard supermarket. And it was thick. Poached eggs were both as advertised, runny and hot – though one had broken on the plate. Mushrooms were lovely, beans and tomatoes were in seperate ramekins, (at my request – this isnt normally done unless asked for), hash browns were crispy. This came at an almighty cost of just £7.95. Obviously, this included a pot of tea for 2.
Side note – I went to buy another pot of tea and I was told no – I was given a second one for no charge. This place screams of caring that their customers leave happy.
Is this place perfect? No. Do I recommend it? Absolutely!
Could they make it better? Yes – Put the salt and pepper, sugar and sweeteners on the tables – the HP and Heinz already is. Cutlery too, (or on the counter – having it at the back of the tea room doesnt make much sense for me (but it might do for them?) and try and do something to dampen down the noise. Thats it.
BBC Rating
