gillian's garden cafe - bloomin' marvellous

Miss Morag has been to Gillian's Garden Cafe quite a few times now, and it has become a fast favourite.

The lunch menu offers a number of Italian staples like risotto, gnocchi, bruschetta and a veal and porcini pie.

On paper the offerings may seem unremarkable, but what arrives to the table is a gorgeously presented, perfectly-executed dish of generous proportions. Each and every time it seems!  MM has tested almost all the dishes on the lunch menu now, as well as a couple of specials, such as this fish and scallop pie.

Big, succulent chunks of salmon fought for space with plump scallops within a casing of golden buttery pastry.

The creamy champagne sauce spilled out on the oysters and watercress served on the side. A most decadent and delicious pie. The best fish pie MM has ever had. A big call indeed, but there it is dear readers.

And the desserts? They are not to be missed. After your main course, waddle over to the sideboard that is laden with an assortment of perfectly baked unfussy favourites such as a sponge with cream and passionfruit butter, or the lemon curd roll.

As if all this isn't reason enough to get excited, it's all set within the peaceful, lush surrounds of a garden nursery, which also has a few antique stalls! So you can wander around and browse the old wares after lunch, or choose a plant for your garden.

MM now has this lovely little lemon tree planted in the garden, which will hopefully one day bear enough fruit to make lemon curd just like Gillian's.