Out & About January 2017

have a bite... We all know about the ‘make this year the year you run a marathon’ articles. Relax! A much gentler start to 2017 could be resolving to start supporting more independent businesses. And when those businesses are foodie places, well here’s one resolution that’s guaranteed to last well past February. Hilary Scott looks at some independent cafés that all offer something unique – they are not bland chains but vibrant places you’ll come back to time after time, even well into 2018.

Eliane High Street, The Courtyard, Hungerford RG17 0NF T: 01488 686 100 www.elianesmiles.com

The Tea Cosy Hurstbourne Tarrant T: (01264) 736644 www.theteacosyhurstbourne.com

‘A happy place to meet and eat’ is Eliane’s strapline – and with its sunny décor, healthy food and relaxed atmosphere it can’t fail to bring a smile to your face. The brainchild of Rafia Willmot and Mark Kimchi, the doors opened in 2014. Following Rafia’s husband John’s battle with cancer in 2010, Rafia set about to understand and alter the dietary eating habits of her entire family. Having met and consulted with Mark – a researcher into corrective diet for diseases – she and John radically changed the way that John ate, and he finally came through and now, thankfully, has a clean bill of health. So, said Rafia: “We are organic wherever possible and as much as possible. We specialise in allergen-sensitive fare, so that we can offer something for everyone. And because we are a health-conscious café/restaurant, you can be sure your lunch dish, cake, quiche, tart, cookie or croissant, baguette, brioche, flapjack or figgy pudding will be lower in cholesterol too.” All the food is homemade on site and Eliane is a 100 per cent non-Genetically Modified zone too, preferring to use local suppliers. Expect colourful and pretty as well as tasty food – a zingy spring salad with green beans and jicama for example, or Persian rice with herbs and roasted vegetables.

If gigantic – and we mean gargantuan – cakes are your thing, then The Tea Cosy tearoom in Hurstbourne Tarrant can satisfy your appetite. Especially when the cakes come in flavours like chocolate orange, Ferrero Rocher and Walnut Whip. Owner Jenni Danks explains Big Friday Cakes obviously happen on a Friday, and customers make a beeline for the pretty tea rooms, bedecked with bunting, colourful furniture and squashy sofas. Said Jenni: “I started the Tea Cosy because I had young children and wanted a meeting place in the village. “At the time there was no pub and I wanted a welcoming place.” The Tea Cosy opened its doors in May 2014 – and immediately the customers poured in. The menu is light lunches and afternoon teas. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 9.30am-5pm, you won’t see chicken nuggets on the children’s menu, but healthier dishes like boiled eggs and soldiers. Adults can indulge in this childhood favourite as well as choosing from a range of sandwiches on good bread, paninis (most popular – brie and bacon), cheese on toast, salads and soup. Said Jenni:” We do loose leaf teas, teacakes, scones and more and afternoon teas which vary in price from £12-£15 a head depending on the size of the party. “What we like at The Tea Cosy is we have a lot of generations coming in, from grandparents to mums and dads with their children. “And even if you don’t come on a Friday for Big Friday

You will find meat and fish dishes, but at Eliane they prefer to use a wide variation of organic vegetables and legumes (red kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, soya beans, adzuki beans, cannellini beans). And instead of refined sugar in the cakes and sweet eats, organic coconut, palm sugar, dates, agave syrup, raw coconut nectar and stevia, is substituted. Rafia has now written a cookbook, Food to Make the Soul Smile, which is available at Eliane and other outlets. Eliane enjoyment: Happy staff, open seven days a week, private catering available.

Cakes we’ve always around 11 varieties of cakes – made by a lady in Andover – to choose from.” Cosy comforts: Bookings taken, crafts on sale, free wi-fi, USB and charge points.

32