Lincolnshire breakfast with a view - ESP's food reporter Kelly Jackson visits Vine House Farm Shop & Café...
Driving through the Lincolnshire village of Deeping St Nicholas, Vine House Farm Shop & Café isn’t too hard to miss. And I’d highly recommend stopping off for a pitstop, even if it’s not your intended destination!
The bright and spacious café offers breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and a selection of cakes, which are temptingly displayed on the counter, so you’re covered no matter what time of day you visit or what takes your fancy.
I'm reliably informed by the ESP editor that the lovely lunches, specials and cakes don't disappoint, but I was out early.
After perusing the adjoining farm shop, I decided to treat myself to a spot of breakfast before exploring the gardens. With its buzzing atmosphere, even before 10am on a Sunday, it was obvious that its reputation spreads far and wide across the Peterborough and surrounding area. Luckily, I arrived before the queues started mounting which meant I had my choice of tables and didn’t have to wait too long for my food.
I strategically placed myself next to the window overlooking the picturesque wildlife garden and lake – the perfect view to enjoy a lazy Sunday morning breakfast!
A varied selection of breakfast items are on the menu, from a full English complete with Lincolnshire sausages, Grasmere Farm bacon, eggs, tomatoes and baked beans with a choice of white or granary toast, to crepe style pancakes topped with an apple blackberry compote or local honey.
As someone who prefers a lighter breakfast, I opted for scrambled eggs on granary toast with a pot of tea. Vine House Farm Café uses its own fresh free range eggs, laid by hens in nearby Tallington; the taste was absolutely delicious and creamy – so much so that I went back to the farm shop to buy some eggs to take home.
Veggie or vegan? Vine House Farmcan accommodate! Most items on the menu are suitable for veggies, plus there’s a vegetarian full English breakfast too.
On a sunny and warm day you can bring your dog and sit outside on the large terraced area next to the lake. Dog bowls are provided to keep four-legged companions refreshed and once you’re done, your dog can take a walk around the garden before jumping back in the car.
A family with three dogs sat outside during my visit, despite a strong breeze and slight chill in the air. I’m always on the lookout for local eateries to take my own dog, and I’ll certainly be heading back with my pooch in tow in the summer months once the weather warms up a tad!
If you enjoy your food and wish you could recreate it at home, head to the farm shop and you may be able to take a slice of Vine Farm Café away with you.
For more details on Vine Farm Café visit www.vinehousefarmshopcafe.co.uk
Kelly Jackson