The Garlic Farm Café
Location Mersley Lane, Newchurch, Isle of Wight, PO36 0NR t: 0844 683 1897 w:
www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk e:
enquiries@thegarlicfarm.co.uk
Nestling close to the rural village of Newchurch, The Garlic Farm Café has a timeless charm. First-time visitors and regulars alike can’t help but be taken aback by the spectacular views. The café has a welcoming, homely feel, with farmhouse- style mix-and-match furniture, along with large windows that make the most of the countryside scenery. With plenty of parking on the road outside and outdoor seating, you really get the feeling that much thought and care has gone into this establishment – even down to the lovely matching potted plants at the entrance.
This farm is the UK’s premier grower of garlic, having been owned by the same family for over 30 years. You enter the café through the farm shop, which sells all things garlic, including 30 different pickles and chutneys, Elephant garlic, smoked garlic and garlic gadgets, as well as a wide range of Isle of Wight products. You can also explore the new Heritage Centre, opened in 2011 by writer and cook Clarissa Dickson Wright, or the ‘Taste Experience’ in the Education Centre.
The hearty, fresh fare available in The Garlic Farm Café is prepared to order by chef Charlie Bartlett and displayed on neat blackboards suspended on meat hooks from the ceiling. Enjoy the light bites menu, which includes soups and salads, or game, whitebait, Cumberland sausages and Isle of Wight ham, egg and chunky chips from the main menu – you can even wash it all down with their famous garlic beer. There are plenty of choices for vegetarians, including the Garlic Farm meze with feta cheese, hummus, olives and, of course, garlic.
Pastry chef Amy Lloyd makes most of the desserts, which are presented with finesse. There are ten traditional cakes to choose from, such as triple Victoria sponge and lemon drizzle cake, as well as fruit and ice cream. Chocolate-lovers will enjoy the chocolate pot with rich chocolate, brandy cream, mascarpone and berries. I went for the mango cheesecake with fresh raspberries, which tasted just as good as it looked.
The Garlic Farm is a complex with self-catering cottages as well as a pottery and a farm shop. The café is popular with local people and holidaymakers alike – the ideal stop after one of the range of country walks with an excellent explanatory map describing the archaeology, history, flora and fauna.
Open: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm; Sun 9am-4pm
Café & Restaurant EI
£12 to
£20
www.facebook.com/foodanddrinkguide
Isle of Wight Guide 2012
81
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100