Lavender Bakehouse - Stroud

Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato on brown!

King cheese and chive scone

Americano

Bling!

 

Woodruffs Organic Cafe Stroud

Orange, polenta and almond cake:

The coffee once again was brilliant! This orange, polenta and almond cake was moist, aromatic and full of flavour - beautiful, what more can I say!

Hobbs - Cirencester

Hobbs has a satellite shop come bakery in the Corn Hall in Cirencester (right opposite Made by Bob).

The array of baking is sublime! The have an assortment of breads and pastrys for the public to buy and take home. If you want to stop and have a coffee - it is good! Two sugars (I have a cold at the moment) made this coffee perfect.

If you would prefer tea - look at the range at Hobbs of 'Clipper Teas'. The staff were great, the shop was very clean and  the biggest obstacle was to not take any notice of the bacon grilling in the oven!

Post birthday breakfast - Lavender Bakehouse

Tomorrow, being my birthday, is also Easter Sunday (I know you're all thinking chocolate but I am not that keen) and everything is closed and with that in mind we popped into Lavender bakehouse this morning for coffee, tea and breakfast.

I had a pot of tea (by the way they do loads of specialty teas) and, bacon, egg, sausage and tomato which came with toast, oh and John had a coffee - just joking he has breakfast too. The selection of cakes was amazing, the picture doesn't really do them justice, I tried a closer one

and as you can see they have croissants, scones, walnut cake, marzipan cake and a great further selection.
Breakfast finished, I would just like to add that the tea came in a cup that was 'Made in England' Stafford Bone China - beautiful. Tea always tastes better out of fine china!!!!

Quayles - Tetbury

On a mission to check out Moloh's new collection www.moloh.com where better to get the best look out than from across the road at Quayles  http://www.quayles.co.uk/index.php. They are situated at the top of Long Street, opposite The Snooty Fox.

We sat in the window and in no time had a fantastic 'Blood Orange San Pellegrino', and coffee and tea to finish. The shop is very busy and has a fantastic range of continental goods to take home, including an obscene range of cheeses. In the shop there was a fantastic variety of pastas, a counter of the antipasti; stuffed olives, Spanish queen olives, fresh marinated anchovies and Kalamata Olives. There are Wiltshire hams, Iberico Hams,  truffle salamis, fennel salami, local wild boar salami, saucisson and chorizos. There are loaves of artisan breads, pastries, tartes and quiches. Throughout the shop there are jars, packets, boxes, tins, pots and bottles each one filled with something amazing and delicious. Rows of fantastic olive oils, vinegars and sauces sit side by side with tunas, mussels, sardines, anchovies, pulses, mustards, compotes and jams.  There are baskets upon baskets of pastas, rices, pulses and bread sticks as well as delicious crisps, nuts, and a huge selection of biscuits for both cheese and tea. They have a fantastic lunch menu with fresh tarts and cakes to finish off a long lunch. The soup of the day is delicious and the plate  of antipasti is a meal to share - outstanding!

Krumbz - Marlborough

I know....... Marlborough is not in the Cotswolds but it is definitely worth a mention and as we go there occasionally you need to know about it!
Krumbz is a take-away sandwich/salad/wrap/soup bar which does wicked coffee and cakes to take away with your sandwich/roll/wrap. We always (rather boringly) have the same - a cheese and tomato sandwich, coffee and chocolate crackle for John and for me, in the winter i have soup - they make the best mushroom soup in the world and their broccoli and leek is inspirational (I went straight home and made it) and the rest of the time a Cajun chicken and salad wrap. They do salad boxes and a variety of options ranging from cream cheese, cashew and cranberry jelly to prawn/salmon/salad - anything goes!
The chocolate crackle is the best, they also make brownie, flapjack, and cherry cake. Cold drinks are available and coffee made to order.

Marlborough is near to West Kennett long barrow and to Avebury stone circle (mini Stonehenge) both very atmospheric.

If a longer walk is more your thing then try the Ridgeway or the Wansdyke.

1471 Deli Tewkesbury

At the cross in Tewkesbury is a deli called 1471.

Tim, Meridith and the staff have the most amazing range of cheeses and cold meats, they have artisan goods from Italy and France but the best offer is their sandwich list and hot drinks.

I try to have lunch there about once a month but more would be better for me.

I have had their breakfast tea - which is so good you don't need sugar or milk.

The hot chocolate is only the best - Cacao A La Taza (Made By Bob sells this one too) and available to buy. The coffee is freshly ground (and available to buy) and one of the best in the district.

I may not have told you already but I don't actually like ground coffee, yet there are some coffee shops that make a such a good coffee I am willing to drink it.

The sandwiches are made on freshly cut bread (white, wholemeal, granary) or you can have a roll or baguette. There is a variety of fillings to choose from but my favourite is the "Weobley" a mild cheddar and very thinly sliced ham, with a little (or lot in my case) lettuce to finish it off. Another is the "black and blue" Shropshire blue cheese and ham. They have the most amazing display of cakes and breads in the window and inside there are a variety of cold goods, quiches, pate, olives etc in the display case. Check out their Easter eggs - massive and usually in the shape of a large hen!!

Lorraine's Lemon and Polenta Cake! Perfect xx

 

Who said a gluten free lunch has to be boring!

My brother sent me this picture of his lunch today - as he is gluten  intolerant, top marks!

Woodruffs Organic Cafe - Stroud

Popped in this morning to meet a friend. We had the pear and almond cake

(Sorry for rubbish picture) and a huge coffee. They also had on offer a carrot cake that was dairy, gluten and sugar free, and suitable for vegans. The had their famous chocolate and almond cake, a lemon drizzle cake, scones with cream and jam, massive brownies and flapjacks.
Informal and cosy, clean and popular - try Woodruffs for coffee and cake or lunches.

Hobbs House Bakery - Tetbury

Off to Westonbirt to fill up the boot with logs and we stop off at Hobbs House Bakery http://www.hobbshousebakery.co.uk/ in Tetbury. It is our favourite place to stop and get refreshments on our way, and yes we go quite often! The coffee is first class and available in small, medium and large. The array of baking is just phenomenal. A few weeks ago they had gluten free brownies, for which I shall post a recipe shortly. Today they had clementine and polenta cake, individual lemon and polenta cakes, and macaroons. These were the gluten free options. The rest of the bakery is filled with speciality breads and cakes. In the window they are now showing Easter biscuits and massive meringues (which I took to a Kew Gardens concert last year filled with cream - heaven). They make sandwiches to order and have a great variety in the chiller along with yogurt, butter and Jessie's Ladies Organic Milk - http://www.theladiesorganicmilk.co.uk/ (They have the best breakfast milk to make rice pudding with)   If your passing and fancy good coffee or my favourite a hot chocolate you won't be disappointed. (And they are only a couple of doors down from Moloh http://www.moloh.com/. 

Check them out for british fashion and follow their blog at http://www.info-moloh.blogspot.co.uk/ ). 

Shiny Goodness - Nailsworth

In search of polenta and ground almonds I popped into 'Shiny Goodness' in Nailsworth this morning, where I was able to get both ingredients and eggs. I have been to the main supermarkets and polenta is not available in its ground form. Shiny Goodness saved the day and another 'lemon and polenta cake' is on its way.

Woodruffs - Stroud

Woodruffs Organic Cafe - Stroud.

Some of the best coffee in Stroud mild and mellow available in medium or large. Their chocolate is fab and they have a great range of speciality teas. The cakes are fantastic - dairy free, gluten free there is something there for everyone.

Try out the chocolate and almond cake -

I haven't had a cake this good since Made By Bob's lemon and polenta.

Keep up the baking - Woodruffs is fab!

Lavender Bakehouse - Chalford, Stroud

Lavender bakehouse - Chalford, Stroud.

A fantastic addition to the village of Chalford in Stroud situated on the London Road.

The have a fantastic arrangement of cakes, snacks, lunches and specials. The soup of the day was French Onion and they had a choice of normal and gluten free breads - Fab.
Good coffee, a huge variety of specialty teas and even a small art gallery upstairs. The staff are very friendly and they are open 7 days a week.

Check out the cakes made to order!

Cafe Nero - Bath

Great coffee and chocolate, a points card and great almond croissants.

The Blue Zucchini Tetbury

The Blue Zucchini in Tetbury - stopped in there for lunch last Wednesday (14th March) and found it quiet yet welcoming.

The lunch range was quite good but the special of the day was the soup - tomato - full bodied, hot, smooth and totally dippable. The bucket of bread was warm and you had a choice of bagettte or ciabatta.

A totally good lunch!

Wow check out the cakes at the counter on the way in - the coffee and walnut was to die for and big enough for two to share.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-blue-zucchini/172731089441058

Made By Bob's - Lemon and Polenta Cake Recipe

Today 'Bob' from 'Made By Bob' emailed me the recipe for his lemon and polenta cake - I hope that you enjoy making it and enjoy eating it as much as I did.

Ingredients:
450g butter
450g caster sugar
450g ground almonds    
6 eggs
225g polenta
3 lemons zest and juice of 1 lemon
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt 
Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.

Then mix in the ground almonds followed by the beaten eggs.

After this add the polenta, baking powder and salt.
Finally add the lemon juice and zest. 

I hope these instructions are useful and that your baking goes well!

Remember 'Made By Bob' can be found at:

Unit 6, The Cornhall,

26 Market Place,

Cirencester.

01285 641 818

http://www.foodmadebybob.com/

(The picture was found on http://yourlocalshop.org/cirencester/made-by-bob/)

The Brewery Arts Cafe - Cirencester

I found myself in Cirencester today doing a spot of research and made my way up to the Brewery Arts Cafe, upstairs in the Brewery Arts centre. We had the most fabulous coffee, a Latte which was so good it didn't need sugar, the americano coffee was good quality too. They have a great diverse range of foods -sandwiches, quiche, soup, tea cakes and a huge variety of cakes. The staff were friendly and attentive, and only to glad to fulfil the order we had of a cheese and tomato sandwich, which arrived quickly and was a very generous portion. The list of teas and specials is something to see.

Down stairs there is a shop which the local artists sell their wares and you can find some very fine arts and crafts there, one in particular was handbags by Liz Lipiatt Designs - beautiful. Check Liz's stuff out at http://www.liz-lippiatt.com/

Huffkins - Cheltenham

Huffkins - bakery/tearooms/restaurant in Cheltenham Promenade. Good menu - cakes, sandwiches, salads, soup and casserole of the day, along with club sandwiches all freshly made. The variety of cakes is awesome and today we tried the 'chelsea bun' and traditional 'chicken, bacon and mayo sandwich' with coffee Americano. The coffee is so good it doesn't need much sugar to counteract the bitterness that normally comes with coffee. 10 out of 10. The chelsea bun was big enough to share, full of fruit and cinnamon with a genorous dousing of sugar. The sandwich arrived on wholegrain bread and the filling, which was creamy and full of chicken was double the thickness of the bread. It came with a small garnish and handmade crisps. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the ladies behind the counter are equally lovely. Thanks Huffkins for a lovely morning's break.

PS There is a larger version of Huffkins in Burford where I went last week and enjoyed similary their cappucino.

My Lemon and Polenta Cake

Well, after making the cake with the recipe found at the following link, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/recipes/7369504/Lemon-recipes-Lemon-and-polenta-cake.html
I would say that mine, made with twice the ingredients, was almost 9 out of 10.
it was a 10 out of 10 for moistness. In comparison, the cake from Made by Bob, http://www.foodmadebybob.com/ was lighter and more crumblier - possibly made without the almond meal.
My only recommendation would be to bake at higher than 160C, it took over two hours to bake mine, after two hours I turned the oven up to 180C for another thirty mins.

Here is a picture of the one I made:

Happy baking for now!

Lemon and Polenta Cake

I have just found a recipe for this cake - today I will make it and see how it turns out. If I rate 'Made by Bob's' as a 10 out of 10 then lets see how this one goes!

Made by Bob

'Made by Bob' is in Cirencester and have some of the best coffee (doesn't need sugar) in the district. Yesterday they had the best lemon and polenta cake - the lemon flavour was divine, the texture of the cake was sublime - slightly grainy yet so soft and crumbly.