The Cafe is in what used to be our living-kitchen - still homely, and only slightly less cluttered. Half-subterranean, light filters down from a small garden, where there are a couple of extra tables when it's warm and dry enough. In between is the "vineyard" or "Ivanry" with a table for about eight. Alas, Ivan and Dave's outrageous book-pricing decisions can no longer be observed here, they have been pushed up another floor, or out onto the Prom. Nevertheless, this is still a cafe where lots goes on!
The food is all vegetarian with organic produce when possible, with vegan and gluten-free options available. Home-cooked seasonal produce provides the basis for a continually evolving range of wholesome and hearty meals, thick tasty soups, interesting (even puzzling) salads and tempting cakes. We have had to part company with our chef, Trevor Denyer, to whom we extend our good wishes, so that while many of his excellent practice has been retained, the cafe is now somewhat more down-to-earth again - serving dishes that mere mortals can reliably prepare! In season, eggs (foxes allowing), tomatoes, beans, spinach, beetroot, herbs and apples are from our own garden (occasional hazardous misguided tours).
The cafe compliments but also rivals the bookshop -spend too long in here and not enough on books and you can influence the future use of the building; an example of the Interactive Cafe!
The periodical rack, always untidy, houses a range rarely available outside major libraries. Coffee-stain these rather than the books! Stocked at present (in random order):
The table in the "vineyard" extension can be booked by groups at off peak hours. The next open meeting of the Conversation Cafe takes place here on Thursday 5th. December 2007 from 10 for 10.15 until 12. The subject may be "Gifts/Presents" or "Peak Oil", the group votes on these or a newly proposed subject on the day.The next Cafe Philosophique is on Saturday 1st. December, 7 for 7.30 p.m., Mark Vernon looks at ideas After Atheism , putting a philosophical case for agnosticism. The whole room is available for hire in the evenings, a Buddhist group are at present meeting on Thursdays. Please enquire
See The Grapevine Great British Where to Eat Vegetarian Restaurant Guide www.grapevineguides.co.uk, or for international listings, www.happycow.net, and also the BMW Drive-by Food Guide
Contents and Prices subject to Fate, Destiny the Winds of Change and an overdue website updating!
| Coffee | Freshly ground coffee in individual cafetieres |
|---|---|
| Fair Traded Organic (Medium Roast) | £1.75 |
| Fair Traded Organic (Dark Roasted) | £1.75 |
| Fair Traded Organic Decaffeinated | £1.75 |
| Tea | Pots per Person |
| Fair Traded | £1.25p |
| Earl Grey | £1.25p |
| Herbal | £1.25p |
| Earl Grey Decaffeinated | £1.25p |
| Organic Earl Grey | £1.25p |
| Organic Darjeeling | £1.25p |
| Lapsang Souchong | £1.25p |
| China Keemun | £1.25p |
| Jasmine | £1.25p |
| Drinks | |
| Organic Apple/Carrot juice | £1.00p |
| Blackcurrent Cordial | £1.00p |
| Elderflower Cordial | £1.00p |
| Organic Lemonade/Cola | £1.25p |
| Fentiman's Ginger Beer | £1.50p |
| Fentiman's Shandy | £1.50p |
| Mineral Water | £1.00p |
| Sparkling Water | £1.00p |
| Soup & Rolls | |
| Home-made Soup & Organic Wholewheat Roll (V) | £3.75p |
| Savouries | |
| Home-made Organic Pizza with salad or beans | £4.50 |
| Home-made Organic Homity Pie with salad or beans | £4.50 |
| Home-made Organic nut loaf with salad or beans | £4.50 |
| Mushroom Pate with Toast and Salad | £3.50 |
| Cakes | |
| Carrot Cake | £2.50 |
| Chocolate Cake | £2.50 |
| Fruit Scone and butter | £1.50p |
| With Jam and Cream | £2.00 |
| Flapjack (V) | £1.20p |