Marie Finch
Google
I only found out about this lovely little farm shop through an online article in the Chronicle i think it was. I googled it. Checked reviews and looked through the photos and txt my partner the link so we could go and take a visit.
The drive from Durham was pleasant with beautiful countryside views. I wore my big coat and woolly hat as I know up this way can get very cold and windy. I made a good choice, lol.
On arriving the car park had plenty of spaces, we had arrived late on in the day. It was quiet, hens and sheep playing in the fields. Was lovely to see. We went down and into the entrance to be greeted with warmth, a smile, and a cosy little cafe. In the centre of the room was a lovely little log burner. It wasn't on but I'm sure looks and feels great when it is. The decor is clean,fresh and of the farmhouse country feel which i love. From the ceiling beams ,hung artificial hops which gave it a nice touch. We sat near the nook on a comfy sofa with a long farmhouse coffee table, decorated with a farm style table cloth. Lovely farmhouse cottage style tiled floor. The painting opposite us was painted so well. A lovely touch to a corner they called the nook. The staff were welcoming and friendly. The wait for food wasn't too long. When the food arrived, I was all 'oooh that looks delicious', mouth watering at the sight of it. Then, I looked at mine and was a tiny disappointed. I ordered the steak pie, mushy peas, and dipping chips. Due to our late arrival there weren't any left, so we had fries. They were cooked nice but I do hope to come back and try the dipping chips. The pie looked good, but very small for what I've had in the past at farmhouse pubs and cafes. The pastry and especially the meat and gravy inside was amazing. Melt in the mouth amazing! So yes, although this pie was beautiful, it was not at all big enough, maybe for a child tho. Now, onto my partners dinner, we'll this had the whole wow that looks awesome reaction from me! I couldn't stop looking at it, to the point where I just had to order one! Yes, that's right on top of my pie. I still had room for this beast of a baguette. Well presented. Mouth wateringly so! The coleslaw was the best my partner had had, he said. My partner isn't a foodie like me. He likes the basics. Pizza. So to hear him say that even the salad on the side was really nice and it was the best meal he'd had all week was great. Now my opinion is yes , looked mouth watering. Coleslaw was beautifully creamy. Salad and baguette was beautiful, too. The meat didn't quite cut it like the meat in the pie. I could taste more baguette and salad than the meat but saying that I had already eaten and by this time it was near closing time. I will 💯 be back and will order this again. As it was beautifully made. My aim is try everything on the menu.
Desert was a ginger and lemon cake. It was different but beautiful. Went down very well. The contrast between the ginger sponge layers and the lemon cheesecake style layers was lovely. My partner thought the consistency reminded him of cheesecake, and i thought the ginger sponge layer reminded me of Jamaica cake! I'm not one for deserts so I'm sorry my review on this cake isn't very good. But for all the cake lovers out there, go for it. Served with cream in a little jug, which went very well together. We didn't get to see any other cakes due to it near closing time, but we shall be hopeful to sample some next time. This is a beautiful, quiet countryside farmhouse cafe that I am pleased to have read about and visited. We will back soon.
Ps we explored the shop briefly on closing time. Fab lil shop. Can't wait to buy the Northumberland nettle cheese!