A new spring lunch menu has launched at the charming eatery, and Laura Nightingale went to test it out
Spring has finally arrived, and I couldn’t be happier.
While it’s still not as hot as I’d like (or as sunny if I am being picky), the relentless rain has at long last stopped, and I’ve been getting out and about to soak up the much awaited new season.
I’ve been on an Easter egg hunt in Epsom, seen the tulips in Guildford and have even gone on a magical blossom walk in Wisley on my quest to enjoy the drier weather and longer evenings since the clocks sprung forward over the weekend.
This week, I gave my belly a treat and tested out the new spring menu at a lovely café in Surrey.
Located within Squire’s Garden Centre in the little village of Badshot Lea near Farnham, the charming eatery is a favourite spot not just for gardening fans, but for families and couples too.
It’s always buzzing with people as it literally caters for everyone.
There is lots of free parking, easy access for prams and wheelchairs and a large dining area for walk-ins. Not to mention a menu that has a bit of everything.
Launched at the end of March, I was invited to try out some of the new dishes, incluiding two of the most popular plates ordered so far.
The café has launched a range of flatbreads and bagels, and they are great for lunch.
I went for the crowd-pleasing smoked salmon bagel, which came with a little dressed salad on the side.
Good value at under a tenner, the wholemeal seeded bread was filled with lots of silky strips of salmon, a generous portion of soft scrambled egg, and it was flavoured with dill, lemon and black pepper.
It was wholesome, delicious and satisfying. My only gripe was that the bagel was not toasted, as I personally prefer mine to be.
Alongside this, the new, warm artisan flatbreads sounded tempting and nutritious.
They are topped with creamy houmous and a vibrant super-grain salad of buckwheat, broccoli rice, broad beans, peas, sun-dried tomatoes, micro herbs and a sweet mustard dressing.
Priced from £12.99, customers can choose between halloumi, plant based kofta kebabs and chicken to go with their flatbread.
My husband however, couldn’t resist the new, all day brunch.
Smaller in size than the cafe’s signature full English, which is available until 11.30am, brunch comes with two rashers of smoked bacon, a free range fried egg, beans, chunky chips and a Pork Whites sausage.
The café uses locally sourced ingredients and suppliers where possible, and Woking’s Porky Whites sausages have proven hugely popular since they were introduced.
NEW smoked salmon bagel at Squire’s Garden Centre, £9.99
Paul Larson, head of restaurant and retail food at Squire’s Garden Centre, said: “We are big on using local produce.
“As well as Porky Whites sausages, our wines are local from vineyards in Hampshire and Kent.
“We are well aware that garden centres are becoming a destination place for dining as customers can stay as long as they like and we have free parking.
“The feedback of our new menu has been excellent. We are trying to make it a really nice experience for people.”
We rounded off our trip by sharing one of the cafe’s dreamy cakes – raspberry and coconut.
Available to eat in the garden centre’s main café (which is where we sat), or in the adjoining coffee shop open for quick bites and takeaways, sweet treats are served all day from 9am (from 10am on Sundays).
The thick wedge of sponge priced at just under a fiver, was delicious, and we indulged in it while people-watching the many customers in the bustling eatery.
How to visit Squire’s Garden Centre
Address: Badshot Lea Road, Farnham, GU9 9JX.Parking: Free car park on site.Food serving times: Sweet treats and drinks served all day. Food Monday to Saturday 9am-3.30pm and Sunday 10am to 3pm (breakfast until 11.30am and lunch from 12pm).Dogs: Allowed in the garden centre but not the café.Children: Child friendly with high chairs and baby changing facilities available.
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