I've tried dozens of little tea rooms over the years, but this one is one of the absolute best I've…read moreever been to. The decor is fantastic, relaxing, and quaint, but more importantly, the food is superb. Everything we tried, from the milkshakes to the desserts, were absolutely finger-licking good. The quality was simply superb. This place is worth going out of one's way to visit. If you're looking for a fantastic lunch, it's where it's at. One note, the place tends to be busy, so it can be a bit of a wait for the food or for the staff, but the food is worth the wait.

Lovely little find on the way home from a weekend away, great breakfast, staff are very friendly,…read morewould definitely visit again

A village coffee shop that offers a varied food menu of hot and cold food - with A daily specials…read moreboard and a range of hot, cold and alcoholic drinks. WiFi is free and the staff are friendly and efficient. Limited on site parking is supplemented by street parking. Our food & drinks came fresh and piping hot. With a hairdressers upstairs and local art for sale it was a good stop for our lunch as we drove through this village.

From the owner: Family independent cafe and coffee shop. Speciality coffee and teas. Full English breakfast,…read morebrunch specials, lunch and homemade cake. Dog friendly inside and out. Come and explore the beautiful historic village of Bunbury, Tarporley.

This place is absolutely lovely. The coffee shop is very cheap compared to the likes of Costa or…read moreStarbucks but doesn't skip on quality. They is ample seating outside, and is highly recommended for young families as there is a brilliant play area that includes pedal tractors and cars and a meet little race track to your kids to race around on while you enjoy you brew and a cake. There is also swings and a junior zip-wire to entertain them. The windmill is great and visitors can go up the spiral stairs all the way to the top. Running parallel to the coffee shop is a number of quaint little farm shops selling nick nacks and shabby chic items. On my last visit there was also a clothing shop. Defo worth a trip to chill and enjoy the lovely country views.

I was asked if I ever had a proper English breakfast so we came to this relatively new café that's…read moresix months old. I was introduced to Black Pudding, an acquired taste for even the English- pigs blood and intestines mashed into a hockey puck. I have nothing to compare it to but a taste of it was good for me. It was crispy, soft like pudding and a bit sweet. I opted for the tuna panini which was terrific. I read it came with chips which I figured were fries but got actual potato chips which was fine I guess. Michael said his All Day Breakfast was spot on except for the sausage which he described as cheap or watery. The other lads said there's were fine and devoured it spite being hung over. Before breakfast I asked to walk past the gates to witness the sprawling fields. I was welcomed with a bit of apprehension and took a few photos as you may see. Apparently no one asks to go back into the farm. I breathed in the cool air and appreciated the beauty of the English horizon. I was met by the owner, Bill Williams, in a tractor who stopped me to have a bit of a chat. He is a funny man when he said the view was "alright" and there wasn't much to see. I learned the farm was 400 acres and how he had a kick travelling the California coast line several years ago. When I return to Chester I will be sure to come back and eat here and say hello.

Absolutely 5 star in every respect. Glorious food served by friendly staff in clean and welcoming…read moresurroundings. The sight of a log burner roaring away is a marvellous sight on a cold winter morning.

Apley Farm Shop opened its doors to the public on Thursday 31st March 2011 and features, as well as…read morethe farm shop itself, a café and a kids' playbarn. We decided to visit today to check out all three. We had been fortunate enough to be invited to a special pre-opening event at the playbarn a couple of weeks earlier, so we already had an idea what kind of thing to expect. We were not disappointed! As farm shops go, Apley raises the bar and sets a new standard. Housed in beautifully converted original farm buildings it's airy, spacious and very well laid out. I was responsible for trying to keep a sixteen month old in check, so wasn't able to take a close look at much of the produce on sale, but it's generally what you would expect from a high class delicatessen/farm shop, including some more unusual fare, like venison chorizo. Produce is generally locally sourced, including beef and game directly from Apley estate itself. I don't do cafés, as I much prefer pubs, but this café is going to be an exception to that rule. Simple offerings, such as sandwiches, quiches, ploughmans' and so on, but the quality is exceptional. There's a kids' section on the menu, which steers clear of the deep fried stodge you find in far too many places. As you would expect, there's a tempting array of cakes and other sweet treats that all looked good. There's a range of red and white wines as well as the usual teas, coffees and some very nice soft drinks. I would like to see bottled ales available and noticed that they sell a range of local ones from Hobsons and Woods in the shop. A bottle of Town Crier would have slipped down nicely today. The playbarn is currently the final piece in the jigsaw, although I believe that they plan to open a business centre here too. My wife is the expert on playbarns, having been to most of the local ones, but I gather this one is a little different to the rest. Kids' birthday parties are confined to separate, private rooms, which I think is a great idea. The seating area is therefore made up of comfy leather sofas with coffee tables and café style chairs and tables, all for grown ups, with complimentary newspapers and magazines provided. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks, ice cream and cakes are sold from the counter. Oh yes, the play section itself... well I enjoyed it, so it must be good! I'm pleased to see there's no ball pit, as I think these are just germ magnets. In summary, I hope nobody reads this review as we would like to keep the place a secret, thank you very much!

As I have family and friends living in Aldridge, I always have a mooching around the village. Yes,…read moreI love how English people refer sometimes to their local commercial area as "the village". At least my auntie Kate does it, and I do like what I find in the village. Simply Delicious is one of the gems of Aldridge. A cosy independent Café and restaurant in the middle of the High Street that is already in the list of favourite places to take a friend ( or family ) for a catching up. The place is always packed and sometimes is difficult to find a table available, but it just an adding to the success of this independent business. Simply Delicious is not just a café but also a delicatessen with a range of products that they are proud of offer in the shop. From typical Made in Britain cheese to fine chocolates and jams, everything is fresh and in a very affordable price. It's always a great idea to check their products before leave the place. It's almost impossible to not take something back home. The menu itself is also quite yummy. I always keep an eye on the deluxe and classic paninis options. Last time I have visited my choice was a chicken breast n mayo that was served with side salad and crisps. It was divine. The food presentation is also taken seriously at Simply Delicious. It's to eat with your eyes indeed! The average price for a sandwich in this place is £ 6.50 and for the size of each portion I could say you pay for what you eat. And after heard so many good things about their Chef specialties menu I am honestly thinking about treating myself with a proper meal next time I visit Simply Delicious.

This turned out to be a impromptu visit after a late night, and when only a full English breakfast…read morewould do. This is a delightful coffee shop and deli rolled into one, which has a lovely local community feel to it. Arriving at 10am the restuarant was already busy, and I managed to bag the last table deliberating what to have for breakfast. They have an extensive breakfast menu which includes items such as eggs benedict, muffin with smoked salmon and scrambled egg, and a full English breakfast. There are a variety of hot and cold beveages to choose from - Milkshakes, Hot Chocolate, and specality teas. They also have a lunchtime menu, and items are available for takeaway. Some of their deli products come direct from Italy and Spain and they have a variety of homemade cakes. My eyes lit up when I saw the carrot cake, but that will have to wait until another time! All of their deli items can be gift wrapped, and included in a hamper - perfect for a pressie. The service was friendly and the food fresh and delicious! I shall be returning to sample the lunchtime menu and their homemade cakes of course!

The award winning Brown and Green deserves many accolades. Not only is it a lovely and well laid…read moreout store, it's range of locally sourced produce is fantastic, and is matched by the friendly and attentive staff who share in the store's values. I love going here and coming out with products. Highly recommended.

I am a farm shop fanatic. Arguably, this one isn't on a farm, but it has the feel and is packed…read morewith local (and some not) produce. I like coming here and buying a handful of things whilst ensuring myself that one day I shall buy all of my food from this sort of place. Fresh vegetables, local (and gorgeous Edinburgh) gin, fill my spice rack, and my fridge with black bomber cheese and rabbit pate and fancy scotch eggs. They have handmade chocolates and macarons in a little counter at 100g for £4, which I believe is the same, or at least very similar to Thornton's servery, and less than my local card shop. I'm always drawn to the large array of bagged dried fruit (I've had a problem for dried papaya since childhood). There's always some chocolate with stupid, bright, badly designed packaging with silly, soppy slogans all over them. The baskets are big and cute, and there's loads of great meat, interesting tea, coffee, jams, beer, wine, gift ideas to keep you searching the store. Charmingly, and kind of irritating, the staff are so lovely and helpful and quick to say hello with a smile, you feel super guilty if you leave with nothing, and that's already hard with the produce on offer. I "oohed" at some passion fruit vodka earlier, and out of nowhere popped a woman with a sample (there was a stand, the staff weren't casing customers), I didn't partake because I was driving, but it smelled gorgeous. I can't mark it down because of the price, because there are some steals- and that's the nature of quality stuff.

Loved this place...it was such a lucky find while walking around Ludlow city centre. We'd been…read morestopping over here in Ludlow on our way to Snowdonia in Norther Wales and my radar for low-key, no-fuss, down-to-earth food was triggered when I saw the Olive Branch from the outside. Seriously, it's not a stylish restaurant, but the concept, the food and the overall atmosphere is absolutely lovely. I loved ordering at the counter cafeteria-style and then taking your trays to one of the wooden cubicles. The food was just as I expected: wholesomely tasty! We took some cheese scones for the ride and had them later for tea when we arrived at our cottage! Definitely recommend this place!

Where do I start? OK... go to Ludlow on a Saturday evening and plan to eat out without booking…read moreahead and you'll spend ages finding a restaurant. This is what happened to us. We eventually managed to find The Olive Branch and even though they were very busy and had lots of reserved tables we managed to get a table "laid up" for us. This place has lots of past Egon Roney awards and has a very laid back, Bohemian menu. The staff, if a little young, were very enthusiastic and full of energy. The menu wasn't extensive but there was a very good selection of dishes all of which were cooked wonderfully and the portion control was perfect. Amongst the four covers (Chicken stuffed with Shropshire blue cheese and wrapped in smoked bacon, Lamb and Apricot pie and Vegetable tarts) we were served a selection of salads (bean, fruit and nut and traditional green leaf) as well as a selection of stir fried vegetables. This was very novel and ensured we could pick and choose our accompaniments. The wine selection was also very nice - the Pinot Grigo went down far too well and we managed to consume a couple bottled with ease. It would be too easy to over look The Olive Branch but if you're in town do yourself a favour and drop in as you'll be pleasantly surprised.

It was so good that I'm tempted to say it wasn't and demand that I go again, for a second opinion!…read more The ambiance of Aalto restaurant is relaxing whilst still buzzing with life and energy. The live music added to the ambiance, providing a soothing and pleasurable background to the meal. The restaurant itself is beautifully decorated, modern, tasteful and welcoming. I loved that we were sat on a large round table - I'm rather a fan of round tables as I feel it creates a better social vibe, and always supports odd numbers without so poor soul sitting opposite Hollow Man (which, lets face it, would put you off your food!) As for the feast itself. Well, let's start with the menu. It was the perfect size, with six options in each category, so plenty of choice without it been too baffling. All the same, I did find it hard to choose, as so many of the options were deeply appealing. For starters, I settled on the Beetroot & Goats Cheese Tart, which was served on a bed of rocket, with walnuts and balsamic vinegar. It was a feast for the taste-buds, and light enough not to make my main course option of Roast Lamb appear too daunting. The lamb, as with the starter, was beautifully presented, and there was a lovely selection of vegetables served with it and they were cooked too perfection. The main was delicious, and plentiful. You will not go hungry after a meal at Hotel La Tour, tough you may need a little lie down! So as not to cheat ourselves from the full experience, we all had dessert too. Again, I was a little torn between a couple of the options, and decided in the end that Spiced Crème Brûlée with Shortbread Biscuits just sounded too good a treat to miss. I was right! With food that tantalizes the eye, stimulates the taste buds and is delivered with a wonderful side portion of fabulous service, Hotel La Tour provides a fabulous menu at reasonable prices, and is well worth a visit. I shall be going again.

Where do I start? This was my very first visit to Aalto and…read moreI have been waiting a very long time to mark a special occasion there. The decor is superb, the embience is just right, the pianist play as you sit enjoying your drink in the lounge is relaxing and shere class.. The food - 5* I will be back!!!

We stumbled across this place while escaping the rain at the Christmas market and it was such a…read moregreat find. A small flat white and small cappuccino for £6 total is a rare find these days and we both loved our drinks. So much flavour and nice, strong coffee. My only reason for giving 4 stars is that the layout was a bit cramped and it was slightly lacking in customer service. If you're just popping in for a takeaway coffee though, this is a fab spot.

I never normally do this anymore but I'm so in awe of this place that I'm writing the review before…read moreI've even finished eating/drinking. I knew I'd love this place as when I walked in, the smell of roasting coffee flew into my nostrils, Faculty literally had me at hello. So more about this love affair, the coffee is brilliant, the cakes taste fantastic and the tea is a relaxing and soothing as the cute little tea pot suggests. The staff working were friendly and happy to offer advice (to me and another customer who had 21 questions about the origin of the coffee) - credit where credits due, the young chap answering knew the answer to every question! They are also linked to next door, a sandwich shop which is perfect for lunch and you can even order from one side and go and sit in the other or vice versa. Owned by the same husband & wife partnership and matched with the same awesome decor. It's not often I'm in Birmingham but one thing for sure is this fling is sure to continue every time I venture in!