IT'S like stepping back in time at the Cleobury Cafe.
The flowery
wallpaper, the large clock ticking on the wall, the roaring log burner, the shelves of books and winding staircase give this caf a lovely retro feel even though it is only 12 months old.
The family bought it as a rundown electric store and spent three-anda-half months renovating it, discovering original 1920s' flooring, walls and staircase along the way.
And the food is reminiscent of good old-fashioned fayre, with homemade breads and cakes, which the family has been making at their bakery on Cleobury High Street for the past 20 years.
I had wholetail scampi and chips (pounds 4.95) while my mum had a lamb and mint burger (pounds 4.50). Both were served with a nice fresh salad. My meal reminded me of the old Berni Inn meals I used to relish as a child.
Mum said her burger tasted nicely home-made - it was locally made at Heath Farm shop - as did the burger bun, which was made in the traditional way at the family bakery. My son happily tucked into sausage, egg and chips from the breakfast menu (pounds 2.95) even though it was the afternoon.
We indulged in hot chocolates with cream (pounds 1.50 each) and rounded our meal off by sharing a slice of Toffee Lumpy Bumpy (pounds 1.85) and Millionaire's Shortbread (85p). They also sell home-made apple pies, lardy
cakes and fresh cream cakes.
I have to say it would be worth the trip just for the cake, which wasgooey, marshmellowy marvellousness.
ZOE
CHAMBERLAIN
