On this cold, grey, day, after a trip to Milford pharmacy Jackie and I took a local drive.
Many primroses and daffodils bloom on the verges, such as those along Lymore Lane.
On such a day it was perhaps risky to venture into Mabel’s Café at
Shallowmead Nurseries which, with much building work being undertaken, was itself closed. Shallowmead started up just as Covid hit, but has weathered that storm, yet still has much to be done after that serious setback in its development. The extensive carpark, as can be seen, is desperately in need of a level surface.
We struggled to enter the café to find cheerful, friendly, and
helpful staff working in overcoats in a vast recently built hangar of an establishment with somewhat limited heating. We also learned that the menu, seen on the chalkboard above, was of the restricted winter variety.
Although there were quite a number of customers partaking of lunch, I had no difficulty in photographing the interior without invading anyone’s privacy. Some ate at tables and chairs like those illustrated above; others in deep sofas like the one
Jackie sat in while waiting for our food.
The long sliding doors seen above give onto the garden with its tree fountain having water dripping from every leaf and bouncing off fallen ducks beneath. We imagined the windows being flung open in the summer enabling diners to enjoy cool breezes and listen to the cascades.
Perhaps it was the chill greyness of the day that made me feel that my scampi, chips, and peas meal looked rather anaemic and consequently less than appetising. This shows how deceptive appearances can be, for everything tasted good, the peas and tartare sauce exceptionally so.
It is apparent that our table was very low for the purpose of managing a meal such a mine, especially the peas.
There was nothing for it but to tip them out of their pot onto my plate,
knife them onto my fork, bend over carefully, and convey them to the vicinity of my mouth, lobbing them in with hope of accuracy. I am relieved to say that my hand is steadier than I had thought.
Jackie had no such qualms about her cheese and onion panini which was moist and tasty, and served with very fresh salad.
Should we have wanted a dessert we could have used the tongs provided to make a selection from the cabinet shelves.
The background music was tasteful and subdued. Often ignored are the loos, which here are clean, tidy, and really beautifully appointed.
Much money and effort has been invested. This is certainly a venue to revisit in warmer months.
Becky and Ian stayed another night. We all dined on succulent roast chicken and potatoes; crisp Yorkshire pudding; herby sage and onion stuffing; crunchy carrots; tender broccoli, and meaty gravy, with which I drank more of the Malbec and Ian drank Hoegaarden.
Around here most restaurants only provide forks so I seldom get peas as my choice of vegetables.
How do you cut up the food without the help of a knife?
The don’t do spoons just a knife and fork.
Thanks very much, Andy and Sue
Good sense, Andy. Thanks very much
You’re welcome.
You’re title had me anticipating Miss Ellie learning how to eat peas. You did a stellar job. I am not fond of low tables where I have double the chance of wearing whatever I was supposed to be be eating.
Thanks very much, Pat. I chose those seats for the arms.
I must admit I am not overly fond of eating at low “coffee” tables… especially when it involves “mobile” foods! My first thought was it looked rather anaemic – glad that this book was unfairly judged!
Thank you very much, Dale. I chose those seats because there were no arms on the chairs at the tables – I need them to help me get up.
I understand. They should offer lap tables! 😀
All new establishments take time to settle into routine. But it looks like this will become very satisfying.
Thank you very much, John
I imagine this will be a lovely place to eat in warmer weather. Perhaps it would have been easier to pick up the cup of peas? 🙂
And slurp them up? Thanks very much, Merril
Well, with a fork–unless you carry chop sticks. 🙂
Sounds like a very interesting place to eat. Yes, a summer revisit will be good.
Thank you very much, Chrissy
Glad to know you enjoyed your meals Derrick.
Thanks very much, Arlene
Your meal did look pale and un-interesting but I am pleased looks weren’t everything and you both ate well. We often have trouble with peas when there is no gravy or other foods to eat them with. I wish the cafe and garden centre well; they have obviously worked very hard and are still trying very hard to keep their clientele.
Thank you very much, Clare
Peas! Yum! And you are good, experienced pea-eater! I bet nary a pea rolled onto the floor and off on an adventure! Ha!
This looks like a lovely place to dine! The tree fountain is very beautiful!
(((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
PS… “I eat my peas with honey. I’ve done it all my life. It makes the peas taste funny, But it keeps them on the knife.” – Very-Old Saying 🙂 Ha!
Ha! I just left that very poem in my comment. My dad taught it to me when I still was in grade school. Ogden Nash composed it.
HA! 🙂 Yes, Ogden Nash…what a gem of a writer! He was a part of my childhood, my children’s childhood and now my grandchildren. 🙂
Thank you both, Carolyn and Linda
One did, but the floor was so clean and the pea so tasty that I picked it up and ate it. Thanks very much, Carolyn XX
HA! Good!
Ahem. Herewith, a poem my father taught me in my early years:
“I eat my peas with honey;
I’ve done it all my life.
It makes the peas taste funny,
but it keeps them on my knife.”
For years, I thought my father had composed the verse, but in fact it’s one of Ogden Nash’s bits of fun.
Thank you very much, Linda. I thought Jackie’s father had composed it.
Peas are a challenge no matter the vehicle…good job, Derrick!
Thanks very much, Donna
The desserts look scrumptious Derrick
Thanks very much, Ivor
Your lunches look delicious! That car park (parking lot) is in bad shape, wow! I’ve never heard of Jaffa Cake.
Thanks very much, John
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The place is lovely. Modern, but inviting. Clean and cozy. As for eating there. I find the seating is too high, or the tables are to low (and too far from the table) which forces the customer into a rather uncomfortable position for eating. As for peas, I thought they serve them in a bowl that you can easily mix them with mashed potatoes or rice. I am not fond of peas, so the bowl would be perfect for me. Worst scenario I can cover the peas with my used paper napkin 🙂
I only know Jaffa Oranges from my childhood. It was a city in Palestine, before Israel took it.
Thank you very much, Bridget
I’m so glad the food tasted good. Maybe a spoon should be provided for little pots of peas
Coffee tables are good for just two things, coffee and magazines.
Yes. I chose to sit there because the chairs around the tables didn’t have arms which help me get up. Thanks very much, Sue
I must say that i would have been tempted to ‘drink’ or ‘sook’ the peas from the pot.
Thanks a lot, Tootlepedal 🙂
I didn’t know what to expect when I read the title of your post! The photos of the process you devised to convey them from low table to mouth were quite comical.
Thank you very much, Liz
You’re welcome, Derrick.
TWM always has a spoon where ever we go (don’t ask me why).
🙂 Thanks very much, Sylvie
What a delightful looking restaurant. Yes, I’d be tempted to return on a warmer day, too. Hope you enjoyed you Malbec. I had a glass of it with my dinner tonight, too. Cheers, {{{Derrick}}} !!
Cheers, Jan
I’m glad the journey turned out to be worthwhile. It looks like a comfortable place. I appreciate tasteful and subdued music that does not overwhelm eating experience.
Thank you very much, JoAnna
Your title reminded me of a story my mother shared of when she travelled abroad with her parents at the age of fifteen: she learned after the first dinner on the ship to order peas with mashed potatoes! We have a delightful place up the road which serves delicious meals – but all at coffee tables. I sometimes place the plate on the arm of the chair.
Peas with mashed potatoes would work fine 🙂 Thanks very much, Anne
Great pics and delicious lunch, dear Derrick!
Thank you very much, Luisa
You’re highly welcome!
It is a lovely place but I agree, is quite difficult to eat, especially peas, from such low tables 🙂
Thank you very much, Riba
Now that was certainly a challenge!
Thanks very much, Laurie
I love your title, Derrick. I don’t eat peas unless they are in split pea soup plus, they can’t escape that way.
Thanks very much, Eugi
My pleasure, Derrick.
Fun reading, Derrick. Well done re: the peas! I usually get mine with mashed potatoes, then mix them up so the peas have less chance of escaping then hiding somewhere until accidentally discovered months later. 😉
Thank you so much, Ed
Hi Derrick, I can see that Jackie has her coat on so definitely not a warm place. Nice loos are very important to me. In fact, I rate a restaurant on its bathroom facilities.
Thanks very much, Robbie
Your lunches look delicious, Derrick and Jackie! Nice clean facilities, good food and service are great recommendations. I hope the garden center survives. Covid affected so many businesses. Peas – I will eat them in any form, and like to use a spoon. It is harder for the little rascals to escape. 🙂
Thank you very much, Lavinia
This place should be quite attractive in the summer. Your photos of struggling with the peas are hilarious.
Thank you very much, Dolly
My pleasure, Derrick.
Scampi is always disappointing I find. Lots of coating and very little meat. To avoid the scattering peas problem I always order mushy.
Thanks a lot, Andrew
Somehow the chill can take away from the enjoyment of good food. Looked a bit lite, but being lunch I guess that sufficed!
Thanks very much, Dwight
You are welcome.
Lovely spot to have nearby
Thanks very much, Sheree
The dishes look delicious ????
Thanks very much, Geeta
Just had peas, now too many on the floor. It’s beyond me.
Thanks very much, Gary. I hope Mad Dog likes hem
That reminds me of the old nursery rhyme “I eat my peas with honey…”
Yep. Thanks very much, Lindsey
Mabel’s will be a nice place to revisit this summer. You’ll know ahead of time that the food is tasty and the bathrooms are clean, which makes such a difference. I’m tall, so I would struggle to eat a meal on such a low table like you. Peas are one of those vegetables that would be better eaten with a spoon, but alas, I’m sure others would look aghast.
Thank you so much, Alys
I am glad your hand is steadier than you had thought. It is interesting to read about food so different from ours.
Thank you very much, Lakshmi